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Post by PHOENIX AMBROSE on Jan 28, 2014 6:27:19 GMT
Phoenix rubbed her face into her hands as she glanced at the time on the clock by her bedside table. It wasn't even close to closing, but she knew she couldn't sleep anymore. A yawn escaped her as she stretched, then rolled out of bed. It was a Friday evening, and the raven-haired girl felt like it was going to be a bad night. She could hear soft music coming from her uncle's office, along with the louder music from the club downstairs. She didn't have to work for a while yet, so the teen jumped in the shower before dressing and walking next door to her uncle's office.
"I'm going out for a walk. Call if you need me back" She said, then walked out, down the long staircase and outside in the brisk air. She pulled her collar to cover her ears before she moved towards the corner store. She knew for a fact that Bjorn didn't smoke, but his best friend did, which was why she was buying cigarettes for him. Honestly, she didn't care. As long as he paid her back, she was alright with buying them. Phoenix yawned as she walked into the store, smiling at the clerk she was coming to know so well. "Morning, Charlie. I need the usual" She said with a smile, as the clerk chuckled at her comment about it being "morning". After paying, the slender woman walked back out of the store, stuffing the cigarettes in her pocket.
She took a different way to get back to the club, letting the evening air wake her up for the night ahead. She didn't notice the couple of guys that were following her, didn't realize what part of the entertainment district she had wandered into. Before she could turn around, one of the men rushed her, wrapping his arms around her, one across her waist, the other around her neck, before his buddy whacked her across the stomach with the metal pipe he was holding. "I thought it was that piece of tail that owns Ambrose. Looks like we scored big this time" The wicked grin on the man's face made Phoenix cringe, though she did go limp for a moment, as if giving in.
As his buddy moved to stick his hand down her shirt, Phoenix moved, shoving the one holding her away, kicking at the man with the pipe in front of her. She was returned with a metal pipe to her leg, a cry coming from her lips as she went down. And without warning, the two men went down on her, kicks and punches, the metal pipe hitting her harder, until she couldn't think anymore, and just wished to be numb. She didn't realize they had stopped before she felt the wetness on her cheeks, one of them having spit on her before walking away, laughing as they did. Phoenix laid still for a moment, eyes closed as she attempted to take account of her injuries. Her eyes peeked open as she heard footsteps, praying it wasn't those men coming back. All she could whisper raggedly out was a soft, "Help me…"
@open
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mortal
with 31 posts
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| Tonight, I’ll be crooked |
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Post by EZRA FENG on Jan 31, 2014 2:37:02 GMT
AND I SAID
HELLO, HELLO Work had been tough. His hands were cracked and dry from helping the kitchen wash dishes after close. He waved good bye to Tea and went back to his room to get changed for the evening. Another night to go out and get wasted. He couldn't tell you why he did it all he knew was that it was fun. He didn't mind the grinding headaches or stomachaches, it was like he'd gotten used to it. He didn't call anybody else this time. It seemed like a solo kind of night. He got off the bus a few blocks away from a bar he liked to go to, had been going to since he got his hands on a fake id a few years ago. It was usually an uneventful walk. Usually there weren't street fights going on when he turned the corner. "Jesus christ." Was all he thought when he saw them take that woman down. He couldn't stop them, he was just a scrawny barely-legal. What was he gonna do, sing at them? Instead, he dialed 911 with shaky hands, praying to God that nobody saw him and that she would live. "I'm on 3rd and 8th in the South. There's a woman getting the shit beat out of her."The sound of a metal pipe hitting a human body soon subsided soon after he placed the call. They said the ambulance would be there in ten minutes. He peeked around the corner to make the assholes were really, really gone. And then he ran to her fallen body. He didn't like what he saw. The bastards really did a number on her. She was covered in blood and the bruises all over her body were turning a dark, ugly purple. Ezra had no clue what he could do to help her. He bit his knuckle before reaching for her side. "I-I need to turn you over alright?" He stuttered and tried his best to gently pry her out of the fetal position she'd been in. In the process, her face hit the light and he saw her clearly for the first time. "What the hell, Phoenix?" She was a grade above him, graduated last year. He saw her around at school and it was hard to forget a name like that. She probably didn't know who he was. "Godammit. I already called the ambulance, alright? Just hang on." He tried to scan her body for wounds but it was hard to see. "Are you bleeding from anywhere?" He asked stupidly, trying to be of use to her. PHOENIX AMBROSE
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Post by PHOENIX AMBROSE on Feb 3, 2014 22:32:19 GMT
Honestly, she thought she was going to die in that alleyway. Bjorn's poor friend wouldn't get his cigarettes, though. And since school hadn't been let out yet, her red-headed boyfriend shouldn't be headed this way yet. Phoenix squeezed her eyes shut after a moment, her body feeling like it was frozen in one spot. A whimper escaped her as she heard people walking on the sidewalk, though no one seemed to notice her. The alley was dark enough that someone who wasn't actually paying attention would notice her. She pulled her arms closer to her body painfully, opening her eyes just the slightest bit.
That was when she saw the figure at the end of the alley, watching her, making sure there was no one else there. She prayed that the men where gone, simply because she didn't want this teen getting hurt as well. And why did that pink hair look so familiar? Her eyes blinked slowly as she watched him approach. She could only hope that he wasn't coming to finish what the other two men started. She closed her eyes once more. "Do your worse" She thought to herself.
Her eyes snapped open she felt his hands prying at her, though they weren't trying anything crude, simply asking her to roll over, to assess her wounds. And she did recognize the voice. Someone from school, in Bjorn's grade. Interesting someone other than her boyfriend or his best friend were down this way. While Bjorn and Indie were the only two she allowed in the club, they were always sent up to her flat to wait till the club was cleared. Eyes blinked open to see the pinkette looking down at her.
"E-Ezra? What are you doing over here?" She commented, concern for him more than herself in her voice. She knew most everyone in the grade below, considering she had hung around with a bunch of students from that grade. Phoenix moved her hands slowly as she felt for blood, wincing as he hit bruises. There were a few cuts on her cheek, that she knew would need stitches eventually, and her leg felt like it was either fractured or broken. She felt for her ribs, and nearly cried out in pain. "Just my cheek… School's out already? She questioned
EZRA FENG
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mortal
with 31 posts
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| Tonight, I’ll be crooked |
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Post by EZRA FENG on Feb 4, 2014 1:15:51 GMT
AND I SAID
HELLO, HELLO THIS WAS SO MESSED UP. He was alone and helpless with a beautiful girl lying battered on the ground. Even his rainbow brand of optimism couldn't get him out of the hopeless pit this time. He wasn't made to save people. He wasn't a hero. He probably couldn't even lift her. It made his heart sink into stomach just to look at the bruises. He couldn't handle this kind of responsibility. Even when with a bit of blood leaking out of her mouth she still managed to ask him why he was down here. He could have slapped her and told to worry about herself for once. She was still the same Nix he ate ice cream and played around with last year, selfless to an absurd degree. He had changed instead. "I was just heading to the... diner." He fibbed. It was a clear lie, but he wasn't about to tell her he was going to the bar alone. That just sounded lame and kind of pathetic. Hopefully she wouldn't notice. She was testing her wounds. Impulsively, he grabbed her hands and held them when he saw her wince at the pressure. "Stop that. Knowing how much it hurts won't make it feel better." The words meant to be authoritative but came out wobbly and uncertain to his ears. He was trying to be comforting. Trying to be as strong as she looked. At least now he knew that she wasn't going to bleed out before help came. "Yeah, it is. I mean, it's kind of late, Nix." He said it offhandedly. He didn't want her to know he'd skipped half his classes and went to work instead. He didn't want her to worry unnecessarily. "God, I can't believe you. You just got jumped and you're asking about me?" He squeezed her hands more tightly. "Can't you try to be more selfish sometimes?"PHOENIX AMBROSE
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Post by PHOENIX AMBROSE on Feb 4, 2014 16:28:03 GMT
As someone who worked around liars, she knew when someone was hesitating, but since she hadn't actually spoken to the pinkette in months, well, it wasn't like she could blame him for not wanting to tell her where he was going. Phoenix groaned as she wrapped her arms around herself, her ribs felt definitely bruised, maybe a broken one or two. She flinched again, though this time it was because Ezra had grabbed her hands, which had also jostled her slightly. She gave a sheepish smile towards him. "You know me. Always have to test my wounds" She said with a soft chuckle. Ezra had always been that person she could turn to in school, one of her closest friends she would always buy ice cream for. Now that she was out of school, she felt like she never saw any of her friends from high school, except the Falk twins and the Mackay heir, who was pretty chill, believe it or not.
"I need to see if I actually have to go to the hospital, or if I could patch myself up at home" Phoenix said, trying to wiggling her hands out of his, though her body felt overly weak. Must have been worse of a beating than she thought. She smiled, trying to calm Ezra down. Sure, she was the one hurting, but honestly, she wasn't sure if her old friend had ever been around this. At least, not so bad. Phoenix had gotten into plenty of fights in the past at school, or broken up fights between Bjorn, Indie, and whoever decided to mess with them.
Nix narrowed her eyes towards the end of the alley. What she thought was the sun was actually just a streetlight. Well, her days had always been messed up. Maybe her clock was off at home. Or maybe Bjorn was actually listening to her and doing his homework? That would be the day. "My sleeping schedule is so messed up by working midnight shift" She murmured, mostly to herself before she glanced towards the end of the alley, hearing sirens coming closer. "Why wouldn't I ask about you? It's been since, what? The end of graduation since I've seen you? I've missed you, Ezra. Bjorn isn't fun to get ice cream with"
She said, trying to squeeze his hand back, but failing slightly. She shrugged painfully at his last comment. "Because I don't care much about myself, I care more about others"
EZRA FENG
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mortal
with 31 posts
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| Tonight, I’ll be crooked |
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Post by EZRA FENG on Feb 10, 2014 21:56:24 GMT
AND I SAID
HELLO, HELLO SHE WAS THE QUEEN OF BEING STUBBORN. He couldn't help but feel annoyed by her headstrong convictions now, even if he'd found them so damn endearing when they had known each other better. He was selfish and it worked out for him pretty well. She was the opposite and she was the one getting jumped. The world was unfair. When she smiled at him he couldn't help but blush and turn away. She made him feel like a little kid sometimes, the way she looked at him. He knew he had missed her but he didn't know how much until now. "What? You're definitely going to the hospital, what are you even trying to say?" Her declaration made his nostalgic feelings fade away in the blink of an eye. A protective feeling surged up in his heart. He had to focus on the present. "I didn't know you were a doctor, Nix." He probed. She had to be absolutely insane to even think of just going home. "You can barely walk." He didn't miss her weakly trying to tug her hands out of his. If she couldn't even manage that she definitely was not leaving his sight. He knew she was tough, word got around after all- and she was Bjorn's girlfriend. Being around that all the time-- trouble tended to follow you. He shook his head disapprovingly. She was tough but not invincible. She didn't go to university. Not yet, anyway. That bothered him. And she was still working all night. That bothered him too. A lot of things about the way Phoenix lived bothered him but what bothered him most was that she didn't ever seem to mind. He decided not to comment on her taking care of herself again. She would just throw him off with a shrug and a smile, as always. But when she said she'd missed him he swore his heart skipped a beat. His flush deepened and he was glad for the dim lighting to preserve his shaky dignity. "Yeah. I guess it's been a while." In his head he thought 'Stupid Bjorn. "I'll take you out for ice cream any time, Nix." 'I'll take care of you better was what he really meant. Finally, the ambulance rounded the corner, sirens blazing. The red strobe light blinded him for a moment. He let go of Phoenix's hand and got up, waving to the vehicle. A police car followed close behind. "The cavalry has arrived." He said, grinning at Phoenix. He moved to gingerly lift her into a sitting position. He would probably have to give a statement during the trip to the hospital. At lest they'd get off the grimy street. PHOENIX AMBROSE
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Post by PHOENIX AMBROSE on Feb 14, 2014 4:08:42 GMT
She hated hospitals, with a burning passion. She tried to avoid them as much as she could, considering that was the last place she saw her parents. She missed them dearly, and they hadn't come home after their accident. Of course, she could already tell that Ezra wasn't going to just let her go home and patch herself up. She had to make two phone calls when she got to the hospital. Or rather, have her friend make them for her. Phoenix sighed softly, shaking her head at him. She relenting after one more moment of hesitation. "Fine. I'll go. But you're coming with me." She said, her voice lowering as she spoke. "I hate hospitals…" The purplette said as she lowered her head.
As He commented about ice cream, she lifted her head once more. Ice cream was their thing, she used to take him to the corner store after school every day before meeting up with Bjorn, Sonja and Indie. Not that she didn't want Ezra to meet them, but she figured the four of them wouldn't get along too much, along with the fact that the boys together could be a bit overwhelming. "I'm holding you to that, Ezra. Don't let me down" Nix said, reaching out to grab and squeeze his hand gently, or rather weakly. "You still like the orange creme, right? That's all I can remember. You always got the orange creme with a cherry" She said with a soft chuckle.
She felt so tired. Her body was definitely feeling the affects of her beating now that it had been a few moments. Her eyes closed for a moment a she leaned her head back against the brick building. She peeked one eye open at her friend, then the approaching sirens. "Ezra, can you do me a favor?" She questioned him, her hand a little bit weaker in his hand, though she squeezed all the same.
EZRA FENG
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mortal
with 31 posts
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| Tonight, I’ll be crooked |
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Post by EZRA FENG on Mar 7, 2014 7:17:43 GMT
AND I SAID
HELLO, HELLO HE WOULD HAVE COME WITH HER REGARDLESS. And he would have told her right then and there, but paramedics were rushing out of the back of the ambulance with a stretcher. They placed it on the ground and Ezra moved aside to let them lift her onto it properly. By the time they were done Nix was lying down snug in hospital sheets. They carried her into the ambulance. He followed her in, along with a police officer tailing close behind. He ignored them. Nix would talk when she was damn well and ready. As the ambulance lurched to life he felt it was a good time to continue their thread of discussion. "Did you think I was just gonna let them cart you in and then turn around to go home?" He shook his head, as if disappointed with the idea that she would think that way. He wasn't the best guy in the world but he knew how to be a friend when it counted. Of course, looking at Nix's face and seeing her eyes sadden at the mention of hospitals made him want something more than the friendship she offered him. He grasped for her hand again in the ambulance. He could feel the fragile bones in her fingers. Fingers that weren't his. She'd been with Bjorn since forever. Even when they went for their ice cream dates together Ezra knew in the back of his mind that she'd be seeing Bjorn right after. It stung. No matter how much they hung out or how close he came to telling her, that douche was always lurking around in the background. But the nostalgia in her voice forced him to push those thoughts out of his mind. Right now he was taking care of a friend. Pining for her would just... complicate things. Like they had before. There was a reason he stopped talking to her. "I did. It was my favorite. You must have tried all the flavors." He remarked fondly. He remembered those days, stealing her ice cream or swapping bites. They even smeared it over each other's faces before. He laughed just thinking of it. But Nix was growing weary, he could tell. Her shoulders sank deeper into the mattress as the fight went out of her. She was ready to fall asleep. "What do you need?" He asked, keen to be of help. Keen to be holding her hand. It was terrible, but he almost wished that this didn't have to end. They could just talk and hold hands in an ambulance forever and he would die a happy man. PHOENIX AMBROSE
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Post by PHOENIX AMBROSE on Mar 11, 2014 2:55:24 GMT
Honestly, she thought he wasn't going to stick around. Why would he? Ezra hadn't been around since she left high school, and it wasn't like she had his number at the time. It was only recently that she had gotten his phone number, and that was from an old friend from high school that was still at the school. A breath escaped her lips as her eyes moved from him, to the ambulance as they loaded her in. Her teeth were grinding together as she felt every bump. Her leg felt broken, and her chest felt like someone was sitting on it. But she turned her eyes towards Ezra, giving him a smile. A very weak smile. She leaned her head back into the pillows, closing her eyes after a moment. Her eyes felt heavy now, but she needed to stay conscious. That's what the EMTs kept telling her.
She shouldn't have let Ezra get away from her. He was her best friend, other than Bjorn. Sometimes, she needed to get away from her boyfriend, as much as she loved him to pieces. Ezra had been that friend when Bjorn had gone off with Sonja and Indiana, and left her to her own devices. It wasn't like she required him to stay around her twenty four hours a day, but sometimes she had wished he had picked her over them. She smiled as he spoke about their ice cream dates, giving his hand a weak squeeze. "I tried most of them. I missed a couple. The ones where you missed our ice cream dates" she murmured, eyes opening slightly to look at him.
It wasn't a long ride, just around the corner really. Before she could make her request to her friend, they were already wheeling her around, though she did reach back for her friend. "Call Bjorn for me, please. Please. He at least needs to know what's going on" She told him, before they pulled the two of them apart, the feeling of emptiness Phoenix felt as soon as she didn't have a familiar face set in, and it took all her effort not to dissolve into a panic attack.
EZRA FENG
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mortal
with 31 posts
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| Tonight, I’ll be crooked |
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Post by EZRA FENG on Mar 29, 2014 0:26:11 GMT
AND I SAID
HELLO, HELLO HE WATCHED AS THEY WHEELED HER AWAY. It made his heart seize up uncomfortably. He reached for the phone in his pocket, muscles tense. Calling Bjorn... was not something he particularly wanted to do. But he needed to put his own distaste for the guy aside. The jerkass was Phoenix's boyfriend. Compared to him, Ezra was low on the totem pole. And so he grabbed it and scoured his contact list for Bjorn's number. It's been over a year since he'd updated it, but it was probably the same anyway. He pressed call and waited. It rung. And rung. And rung. "You'd best pick this goddamn phone up, Bjorn." Ezra thought furiously, as if that had any effect whatsoever. He wasn't going to call twice, that was for damn sure. This was his hero moment. He was almost praying for the voicemail. PHOENIX AMBROSE BJORN FALK
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