Welcome to my Nightmare {MOD/OPEN}

[Will Graham]

As the drum beat thickened in her head, Harley Hazelfleet sat upon the ashes of what had once been the recruitment agency for the army of District 4, her thudding eye socket forcing a light essence of puke to rise from her throat with every breath. Of course, Harley was used to this feeling and it took only a few calm breaths for her to chuck up what little breakfast she had eaten this morning, leaving nothing left to boil away in her stomach. Why on earth did she have to put up with this crap? Why was she even still in that house, why not just go? 

because a teenager would never be able to get a house on her own in district 4.

It's not like there were many free houses, not after half the bombings from the war. Of course, there weren't many people to fill those houses either, but regardless the priority was keeping the healthy ones healthy and any families were forced to stay together, no exceptions. So instead, Harley'd just have to live with the abuse and neglect. 

Harley didn't know where she was walking as she got up, but she honestly didn't care. All that mattered was getting out of sight of that place she could never truely call home. At least, not for the past 11 years. With a sigh, Harley walked into what was left of the shady side of town, hood rested upon her head, and walked into a small barn-like house belonging to one of the only sources of a drink that wasn't just water existant. 

As she sat down, she placed two coins upon the small bar table in the corner of the room and spoke quietly, her voice fragile as she checked for no shoddy-looking people. 

"one... one glass of lemonade, please." Harley spoke quickly, hoping the barkeeper had heard her well enough to not have to say it again. She didn't like talking, especially not to anybody she didn't have to. 

[Bane]

The bar tender looked at the two coins and muttered "Price just went up a bit more. We be in short supply we be."

He grabbed a cup and lowered it down below him as he unzipped the front of his pants. Being behind the bar you could not see anything, but you can hear the sound of liquid splashing up against the cup. He raised the cup back up and the golden "lemonade" swirled around in the glass.

"Your two coins only worth my piss. Either get more money or take your lemonade and go," He growled a bit irritated as he left the coins on the counter.

Things were probably looking rather grim here. Not many people were drinking their alcohol. The cups were only about half full and, and probably tasted a bit watered down, simply because they were watered down. The supplies was drying up and as less and less was available the price was getting higher and higher, and the bartender who hoarded the beer was getting slightly richer and richer.

Supplies were due to come in soon as part of the treaty, they would get meager supplies, but it would be expensive. Many people have been hoarding their supplies because they fear the food, medicine, and other valuable items would not come in. There was bitter distrust towards the Capitol, but the people were too broken down to do anything.

The bartender gave Harley a dirty look, she could either cough up some more coins, drink her lemonade, or get out of his barn.

Behind the girl a man approached the bar, holding a cup with a bit of watered down beer still left and brushed up against her.

"Sorry miss," The man stated. He seemed a bit nervous and clearly with the beer supplies depleted he was not drunk. He continued to walk on and headed towards the doorway and stood next to it. Hoping Harley would find a note in her pocket.

[Will Graham]

Harley still sat there, staring at the cup of piss placed before her. The counter had stains across it, most probably from all the piss the guy had done before.

"Ok, ok..." Harley closed her eyes with a sigh, taking out a single note and putting that on the counter alongside the coins.
"Is..is that enough?"
Harley was getting thirsty and, as she felt the man brush against her, shivered a little. She nodded politely and moved a little to the side, giving herself more room away from the stranger as she looked at the bartender sheepishly. All she wanted was her drink then she'd be on her way. She didn't care about how much of her money she'd have to use, or even if she had to drink from that cup of practically irradiated-looking warm urine, anything to get out of here as soon as she could with some kind of drink digesting in her stomach.

Harley carefully brushed her hair out of the way of her right eye, making sure to keep her left covered as she awaited an answer and hopefully her overpriced lemonade.

[Bane]

The bartender saw the girl pull out a nice bit of money and wondered exactly how much she had on her. He was a greedy bastard and did not feel any shame for taking someone's money just so they could taste the watered down nectar of his little hoard of lemonade.

The guy at the door watched her place the note on the table and walked out the door to the back where he began to look for the back entrance. After searching he managed to find a crate blocking it and a lock he quickly bashed open Barrels were filled with the alcohol and buckets of water we on shelves as they were added when a barrel would get low enough.

The bartender walked into the back room and grabbed a glass and dipped it into the liquid. As thought he heard a little something, but ignored it and walked back into the other room. As he went back to the bar area he handed Harley the half empty glass of watered down beer.

Then he heard a splash and the watered down beer moved under the door and began to fill the bar. The barrels knocked over and any amount of beer he had left was long gone, and the back door was wide open.

The bartender grabbed a huge bottle and ran towards the bar and looked at Harley.

"It was your boyfriend wasn't it! He got his own stash don't he! He wanted to get rid of the competition me had. You were here to distract me!" He yelled out as he smashed the battle against the bar and held the neck with the broken end facing Harley.

"I should steal from him then. Yes me should. I should steal his little girly friend!" He yelled and held the glass right over her neck as he slowly walked around and walked up behind her and grabbed at her arms.

"Thieves get punished. Perhaps he won't like it when his girly friend's pretty little face is filled with lashes from the whips!" He yelled again as people began to clear out.

[Will Graham]

Harley felt her neck become gently pierced and very nearly squealed if it weren't for the throbbing pain she already felt in her head. As the bottle touched her skin, part of her whispered in her ear to let it happen. Let the cold glass pierce her throat like a knife, end it all here and now.

Of course, somehow there was still some fight in her as she readied herself, subtly reaching into her pocket for the one thing that had saved her year in, year out.

"Pl..Please let me go, I don't know who... who did it."

One last innocent plea to stop this violence was all she had left in her. With a swift movement, her knife dropped from her sleeve as she sliced his waist, grasping his hand and freeing herself from his grip.
Harley turned towards him, her blade bloody and ready to taste more as she licked the blood from the knife, a trick to make her seem more intimidating.

"I swear to god, you touch me again and I will eat your fucking heart!" Her knife pointed directly at him, her free hand was shaking as she hid her fear within her pocket. She wasn't sure how she was getting out of this, but hopefully the man would back off.

(sorry if this is controlling a little too much, just really wanna pursue this thief thing instead of being stuck with a bartender xD)

[Bane]

The Bartender flinched when the girl brought the blade against his waist. Blood began to gush down and the girl managed to get out of his grasp. He knew this girl was trouble and was angry, but blood was just running down his leg and dripping onto the floor.

He was starting to get a little clumsy due to the decreased amount of blood in his system, and the fact he had been sampling his own drink every now and then. He slipped on a bit of his own blood and his head collided into a shelf holding up a small kerosene lamp. The lamp was knocked over and hit the bit of alcohol on the ground and a flame erupted.

The alcohol even though it was watered down, was enough to send this place roaring in flames. The Bartender had passed out when his head hit the shelf and the fires started to surround him. The floor had hay over it because it was barn and the entire area was just kindling to the fire.

The beam holding the doorway caught fire and a beam fell over making it difficult to get through. The fire was spreading sealing both the unconscious bartender and Harley inside.

On the bright side being a barn there were several items that could help Harley escape. But would she help the Bartender?

If Harley were to look up, there was a skylight and the ceiling had yet to catch fire and cave in. If she managed to work fast, she might be able to escape alone. Although she would still have to find a way up there in the first place. Stacking chairs could only get her oh so high. However there was a network of beams that she could use to walk up to it.

If Harley looked around she could see a cattle iron brander, back when there used to be cows. It was up to her how she might use it, but she had to make up her mind soon since the fire continued to grow.

[Will Graham]

Harley looked around her as the fire spread, her mind ablaze with panicked thoughts. She needed to get out of here and now. The fire would spread too quickly. Soon, it wouldn't even be possible to escape.
Harley looked up to the skylight, thinking. She could probably stack a tonne of things up there and maybe climb her way out. That would be the ideal thought as she looked around. She found tonnes of hay, though a lot of it was currently alight. Dammit! Harley really needed a break and now.

Just as she started to reconsider the skylight being an option, she heard a heavy creaking and screamed as a beam came flying down at her. Harley jumped out of the way of the incoming beam, watching as it slowly began to burn but also noticing the convienience. It had landed at a perfect angle, giving her an escape route to the skylight. This was perfect, she thought, before looking back at the bartender. He hadn't taken any more of her money, but that didn't excuse him for cutting her neck. She felt the trickle of blood down her neck and turned from him.

Nobody deserved to burn alive, not in such a dark, tormented way. But still, Harley began to climb up the beam, careful to avoid putting too much pressure on it. The wood creaked beneath her feet as fire began to spread up the beam. This was becoming less stable with every step, so Harley knew she'd need to get out, fast.

As she reached the top of the beam, Harley took a single lunge for the skylight, grasping the side with both fists clenched. She felt a searing pain in her right foot, but now was no time to acknowledge such a pain. Ignoring it, Harley swiftly lifted herself up and jumped as carefully as she could, landing on her right foot with the loudest scream she had ever produced.

She inspected her foot with hastened breath. Her shoe had been burned and foot looked broken, her ankle perhaps having snapped from the landing. As Harley sat there, feeling the shock beginning to eat away at her, she took a deep breath, closed her eyes and prayed whoever found her unconscious body was friendly...

(ooc: sorry, very late reply just been busy)

[Lotus]

Gage was having problems, just like every other day for the past year after the war had ended. He wanted to be past the terror and the loss he'd seen, but he wasn't. It was still all there at the forefront of his mind; never letting him sleep, rest or be happy for just a mere second. He knew everyone was in the same situation as he was, but there were still people that managed to smile or kids that managed to play around for a little bit. He wished he could be that care free and just forget everything that had happened; he wanted to smile. Instead, he spent most of his time the cold man people had seen him turn into just trying to pass from one day to the next.

He'd decided he wanted to go for a walk, to try and brush of the cobwebs from his fitful nights, or more like mornings, sleep. He never slept well anymore and it was a miracle if he got to sleep before the next day came around. He hung his head low with his hood pulled up over his head as he trudged down the dusty streets. He didn't know where he was headed, but if he was honest, he didn't really care.

His ears picked up on a familiar sound; the sound of fire. He'd got used to the sound during the war, but it wasn't right that he should be hearing it now. He turned himself in the direction of it and started walking quickly, but carefully; he didn't want to be caught in something he didn't want to be involved in. When he turned the corner her noticed a barn ablaze. He could smell the smoke and his face contorted in disgust. He shook his head and was about to turn away when he saw something lying on the ground. He made his way over to it and his pace quickened when he realised it was a person.

He flipped off his hood and knelt down beside them in one swift motion. He noticed it was a girl, and he brushed her hair out of her face. She was unconscious but she still had a rare beauty to her. Regardless though, his face stayed cold. He checked her over, concluding the most obvious that she was definitely unconscious and she had a broken and burnt ankle. But then he heard an odd noise coming from inside the barn. It wasn't the normal creaking you'd expect caused by a fire, but more the noise to come from a human.

People had started to gather, but Gage didn't care. He didn't acknowledge of speak to them; just got into action. He left the girl where she was and pulled up his hood, nearing the burning barn. He peered inside, running around the outside to try and see the person who created the noise. Then he spotted him; in the worst place possible. But he had to save the man, he couldn't let anyone else die; he had to redeem himself. Gage quickly found the safest opening and ran inside, dodging burning haystacks and bits of timber. His hands started to blister, but the pain was nothing.

He eventually found the man and he grabbed hold of his elbow, pulling him up. "Come on." His voice was gravelly and he tried not to speak much due to the smoke surrounding them. He nodded his head in the direction they should go and they started edging their way out off the barn. That's when the creaking started up again and he told the man to stop. It was a good job to, because at that moment a piece of timber fell from the roof and directly in front of them, sending scolding pieces into the air. The problem now was it made their escape harder.

"Jump it." He ordered and the man actually looked terrified. Gage sighed and jumped over the timber with ease, the only part of him getting caught by the flames was his ankles where his trousers had ridden up. He motioned for the man to do the same, and he did; but with far less agility. The guy practically stuck his legs in the flame. He yelled out in agony, but they had to push on.

After pretty much dragging the man out of the barn, they were finally outside. Gage fell to the floor on his hands and knees, coughing where as the man collapsed from sheer exhaustion and pain. Then and only then did people rush forward to help. People carted the man off to go and get some form of help, while others were looking over the girl. He slowly made his way over to the girl, pulling his hood down and wiping the soot and dirt from his face. He knelt down beside her and the people that had been with her moved away, before walking off.

She was just coming to, so he didn't touch her. She needed to make her own decision about whether she'd accept his help or not.

(There you go Reece )

[Will Graham]

I awake to the smell of chargrilled meat, the tastes of a heavy chain smoker and the feeling of hell emmitting from my ankle. My eyes open lightly, stinging as I feel the tears seep from me. I cough hard, forcing myself to sit up before stifling my scream as many people back away from me. Who are they? What the hell are they doing just staring a t a poor innocent girl? Unless... I look down. No, im not naked. Thank god for tha-AGH f***!

I twitch and my leg sends a shooting pain up my leg and shakes me fully awake. Im more than conscious... and it frickin hurts! I look around me as one person stays relatively at a distance closer than that of the others. He seemed... handsome. A kind of hidden handsome, one you don't expect to see in anything but the old tv shows about mysterious guys with five o clock shadows. Hmm... I haven't seen a television show since i was 3.

"C..Can someone help... please?"

I wince as the burning spreads, my leg feels as if it is still alight even now. Then I look around and I see him. The bartender. Lucky bastard got out after all. I let out a clam breath and look towards this mysterious man, hoping maybe he'd take the hint and pick me up while my brain fuzzes. My sight begins to lessen as things darken around me, I cannot make out a single figure properly now and, no matter how many deep breaths i take, nothing changes. I feel like i'm going blind. Am I going blind? No... No I can't be, it must just be shock... ow! I feel movement in my leg and hold back the urge to scream till my lungs burst. My focus dies as my eyes close a little again and I lay back, my breathe slowing again as I feel the abyss tempting me, lulling me back to sleep. Half-conscious, I turn my head to the nearest figure, now a jet black person, undistinguishable save for what looked like wings. Was he an angel? Or was I just imagining this as he moved closer. Still no idea.

As his prescence neared, my eyes closed and a gentle "thankyou" slipped off of my tongue as I fell from this world once more.

(so sorry about the delay, been struggling with muse recently, and i am technically a noob again xD so yeah, hope that's good enough?  and sorry about knocking her unconcscious twice xD)

[Lotus]

(No worries at all A noob again? WHAT O.o It was brilliant, duuh)

Gage looked at the young girl in awe at how strong she was acting. Heck, her foot was probably the most excruciating pain in the world; yet she didn't make a huge fuss. Unlike the burly bartender that would not shut his trap even though he'd been saved from those flames. And was there any utterance of a thank you in Gage's direction, no; he should've just let the man burn to death. He shook away those thoughts and cursed himself mentally. It didn't matter who they were, he would save them. He had to, he had to make all his wrongs right somehow.

When the young girl asked for help he nodded his head stiffly, that had been his cue. He was about to move back closer to her to lift her up when she started looking as if she would pass out again. He shook his head, this wasn't good; the pain was getting too much for her. When she finally slipped into the darkness he knew accompanied unconsciousness, he saw the thank you and he would be lying if he denied he felt his heart swell a little. "Move." He growled to everyone as he slipped on arm under her back and one under her knees. He picked her up easily and allowed her head to rest against his shoulder.

Before moving though he looked down at her, and he allowed himself to just take her in. She was truly a beauty to behold and he wondered how he'd missed her before. Then the thought hit him; the war had taken over pretty much everything so no wonder he hadn't taken much notice. Looking down at her, she looked peaceful and at ease and he couldn't help but feel slightly jealous of it all. He could never feel like that, let alone look like that. Something was always troubling him, and it was always the same thing. Something that would never leave him alone no matter how hard he tried not to think about it. He kissed the top of her head in comfort and then reeled back, his eyes wide. What had he just done? This young girl would never reciprocate any feelings Gage may end up having, so there was no point thinking about them. She looked too young, and that thought made him uneasy.

He shook his head and started walking, ignoring the looks he got from everyone. Everyone knew how he'd changed because of how he used to cause havoc to a lot of them, so a lot of their looks were pity; but he didn't need pity. He needed closure and something that could make his life worth living again. But that was only a dream, he knew what his life held and it wasn't much different to how it was now; other than the fact he'd grow older. He made his way, carrying the girl, in the direction of the make-shift hospital they had in their district. The war had pretty much destroyed anything that could help the injured, so the hospital they had was merely temporary, even after a year of so-called peace.

He reached the doors and kicked them open, walking in. Someone rushed to him, an elderly man who wanted to know the ins and outs of everything; not caring about Gage carrying her. "She was in a fire. One of the barns down the other end of town set alight some how. She was lucky to make it out. She has a broken ankle, severely burnt; agony I'm sure. There was another man, he may or may not come here." The old man nodded and directed them to a worn out looking bed. Carefully Gage placed the young girl down and took a step back, not caring too much about his injuries; he'd had worse.

"Are you a relative of this young girl? Do you know her name?"

"No and no sir. I was only a passer-by when I realised the trouble. I went in and rescued the other man. She was already out, but she asked for help so I brought her here."

"Very well. Seeing as you're not family I'll have to ask you to leave."

Gage nodded his head stiffly. He didn't want to leave, far from it. He wanted to make sure this girl was going to be okay and that she stayed safe. "Sure. Do you mind if I stick around though, to make sure she's okay and such?"

"Do what you wish, I need to attend to her."

He nodded his head once more and left the room, going to find somewhere to sit whilst the doctor was with her. He knew he shouldn't really stay, he should walk away and forget about her. She was too young, and she was in no state to be wondering about him and such things like that. He ran a hand over his face and pulled up his hood, settling into the chair as he tried not to think too much about her and the feelings she'd enticed in him.

[Will Graham]

I lay here. Right here, upon this white bedsheet. Not naked, but exposed. Exposed to all of these unknown people, mouthless and yet not voiceless. I hear muffles as I look around slowly, blurs all I see. Doctors... god I hate doctors. Doctors means problems. Problems means me ending up in a correctional facility for half a year. Again. People say before the war days were nice, but they didn't know shit.

I sighed as I tried to let the anaesthesia settle into my system before seeing him again. He looked taller now. Still that same dark shadow, and yet so much more.. rugged. Handsome even. I smiled towards him. He was like a dark angel. He had saved me from this hellish night. Why they wouldn't let him in was what was bothering me, however. I wanted to congratulate this nameless figure with his crimson wings and quiet nature.

Then I felt it. A violent scream echoed from my lungs, piercing the gentle murmurs like a blade as I felt the bones crunch back into place. My body was being repaired and it hurt. It really hurt. I squirmed and shook as the faceless freaks surrounded me, forcing me back down questioning the amount of anaesthetics running through my system.

"enough to tranquilise a horse..." and yet I could feel every snap. suddenly, a light laugh burst from me as I lay there, my body shaken and my foot burning.

"Please... please just... hurry..."

I needed to see my saviour. I needed to talk to him...


(i am so sorry, i just really haven't had the chance all month to do anything on here... better late than never though, if you're still here for me? )

[Lotus]

(Always around somewhere )

Gage tried so hard to forget, but every time he thought his thoughts had trailed off of the girl in that room he'd think about her all over again. He ran a hand across his face and sighed before sitting bolt upright at the scream that echoed around the place. That noise made him sick to his stomach, but he held it down as he bolted out of his seat and into the room the girl was in.

Doctors were milling around and there she was, writhing on the bed, pretty awake for what they were doing to her. He stepped into the room, but someone pushed him back. He turned his attention to them and his eyes held pain and a sort of coldness, verging on the edge of lifeless. He pushed his hood down and pushed the person out of the way in order to get past. They kicked up a fuss but he wasn't listening. This girl was in pain and he couldn't stand the sound.

He walked to her side and grabbed hold of one of her hands. She seemed to calm down a little and her attention was brought to him. He tried not to look at her because he knew where his thoughts would go, and that would not help the situation in the slightest. But, like all things he tried to do, he failed. His gaze locked with hers, but he showed no emotion when on the inside he was ripped apart at what he felt. He saw the agony in her eyes, mixed with something he didn't understand. He kept his gaze locked with hers and held her hand tightly, trying to give her the comfort she deserved.

He felt hands on his shoulders, trying to move him out of them room but he stood still. He wasn't going to budge for anyone. He was going to make sure this girl was alright, and then he'd leave knowing that he'd done something to help. After all, he had a huge debt to repay in any way he could. The girl was just part of that debt, and he had to keep it that way for fear of letting her in to his messed up world and feelings.