Within Us all Darkness Looms [Anastasia]

[Deleted]

In game called ‘C’est-la-Vie’…
there must be lust.A burning desire.

He stood in the abandoned streets, blood dripping from his hands and bodies.. upon bodies around him. His eyes were dark, clouded over by some unseen force that truly seemed to cause this rampage. A smile, it all began with a smile, the sweetest sin had visited him and he was paying for it with an extreme regression. He laughed as the people ran, as they screamed in terror as bones cracked in his grip. The man was completely regressed to the time he lived in war, to the time where it was kill everyone in sight or be killed. It was as if he didn't know where the hell he was, it was like he thought he was back in his home country, that he was twelve and holding an AK-47, slicing throats with a bayonet and fighting for a crew that didnt exist anymore. Maybe this was post traumatic stress syndrome coming back and truely biting the man in the ass.. but either way this man was lusting for blood and he was getting his fill slowly but surely. Bones and skulls cracked under his hands and he laughed as he walked away from the street that was in total disarray to find another street to cause havoc in.

Dark clouds and dark thoughts
The night of the full moon breaks my barriers
Greed builds up within me for animals
That I massacre

He walked down the block, blinded by his own wrath. This man was a secretly wrathful one that was extremely bad to anger, and why do you ask? Well this exact reason is why. He was tearing up the city because he felt like it. Because tearing up a few vampires didnt seem to quell the hunger for blood, and terror. No, this was different, this lust for blood was a kind of lust that was pure, he had been exposed to the sin of lust, and lust meant anything. Lust for power, those of the opposite gender, or in his case, blood. The city was in panic and he heard sirens off. The cross he had word upon his neck was no longer gold, it looked copper because of all the blood that had been spilled upon it. Slowly but surely he stopped and saw a group of vampires. He grinned and walked over, so slowly like he was stalking his prey and was going in for the kill. Except all three would be dead by the time that he was done there. He slowly and surely came up behind the three of them.

I feel a lust for blood here and now…
Deep in the night of the twinkling stars
A sweet smell pulls into the distance
When I have completely seen the night
My desire is kindled and the hunter in me awakens…

This very night was a night of complete terror, and no this was no nightmare on elm street. He grinned and tackled one of the vampires and grinned down at him. The vampire looked up at him in shock and tried to reason with him until Alex's fingers seemed to rip into the vampires throat and he slowly but surely was coated in a fresh spray of blood. His hands ripped the throat from the vampire and he threw it aside as he began to chase down the fleeing other two vampires. He was insane, he was not himself anymore. Then again this was many years of his trying to deal with the un taken care of post traumatic stress syndrome. Of course the city officials had absolutely no idea of what happened to Alex before coming into the country. His eyes were locked on his targets and he dealt a swift death blow to the second vampire by cracking the vertebrae in the back of his neck, swiftly stopping all involuntary actions of the nervous system. He smirked and watched the last of the vampires run..

In ‘Cest-la-Vie’ there must be no warning.
No telling of the future.
It will stay unpredictable.

Unpredictable was how this man was acting, but there seemed to be someone following him. He uttered no words as a cruel, sadistic grin formed on his features. He looked at the woman walking forwards and he knew who it was. His friend and ally Anastasia Steele. She probably wouldn't be happy with his rampage and that only made him want her to interrogate him more. So she could definitely join the other weak humans in the pile of bodies he left behind him. Being exposed to the sin of lust made him this way, why was he like this? Well more reasons than the man would ever care to tell. All he wanted right now was to show this woman that she'd never raise a gun to him ever again without regretting every move that she made. His dark eyes watched her, and he braced himself like a predator waiting to pounce its prey. Ready to deal a finishing blow to kill it in a single hit, except he wouldn't kill her. No, oh hell no, hed make her suffer. But why would he do this to someone he valued?

This obviously wasnt Alex anymore.

[poss]

For crying out loud I'm running from a comedown
God forbid I know I've been a letdown
Reaching for the sky while leaving in a gutter
Kicking and screaming I am singing bloody murder

She had been called in during daylight hours. A 'convict you know all too well' she was told. Well, of course the first thought in her mind was Alex. The man who had recently been a shoulder to lean on while she bled to death in her own apartment from a bullet wound. Surely it wasn't that convict they were talking about. She took to the streets on foot- supposedly the havoc was just outside her front door. Close to home, perfect- no need to waste gas and time driving around using horrible directions from the head office. If that was the case she would get there in a week or two after taking a flight home from Timbuktu.

I'm alive when I'm vulnerable
I'm out of control, I'm losing my soul
I can't be your angel when I'm living like a devil
Can't be your lover when I'm living like a rebel

The clunk of her heavy boots on the concrete was muffled by a disturbing squish as her foot fell with the shift of her weight in to a blood spill upon the sidewalk. "Shit.." Whispered under her breath, hand immediatly finding her gun that was in the shoulder holster. No over shirt today- this was business. She never needed to conceal her weapons when on the chase, and with that in mind, she began to quicken her pace. Across a street in a diagonal lunge she maneuvered under she saw the man who had been bringing the city down piece by piece.. limb by limb. Alex. Anastasia clenched her jaw, her heart quickening as she raised her arms, one hand on the grip of her pistol, the other cupping the base as she braced them with a pros stance, aiming down the barrel for ht eback of the mans neck. A shot that would paralyze and surely kill.

Don't want your pity and I don't want your help
Don't try and save me go take care of yourself
I'm alive! Sick of the pain I'm sick of the sorrow
Sick of today I'm sick of tomorrow

The smell of blood was overwhelming and she coughed, never removing her eyes from the man whom she approached cautiously, yet with the intentions of a skilled hunter. Her stride was stealthy, but she knew he would not be fooled by her presence. Especially once she spoke up, her voice using that tone of authority she was all too used to using. "On your knees, Alex, hands on your head. Fuck, what the hell are you doing?" Her disgust was obvious as she approached him, his stance causing her to pause slightly raising the aim of the gun to the center of his face. His blood spattered face. Something was not right. If she was not so well trained to keep her eye on the target, she would have wiped her eyes and blinked a few times to be sure that it was him. The blood made it hard to be sure, but there was no true doubt. Just a bit of hope that had not slipped away in to oblivion. "Don't do this.. drop, NOW!" The sirens could be heard, but they would keep their distance. No one liked to work with Ana, and to be honest, they really wouldn't mind using 'bad directions' as an excuse to have her life ended here and now with this crazed celebrity.

I'm addicted to the misery in my head
I better stop before I end up dead

[Deleted]

"On your knees, Alex, hands on your head. Fuck, what the hell are you doing?"

He laughed, at the tone in her voice. The darkness that seemed to emanate from his being would scare the feint hearted. His eyes narrowed as she pointed a gun to his head. She didnt seem like it was possible that it was him, Alex. So he did the woman a favor and he took his shirt and wiped away the blood. "Yeah, Its me Alex. Who the fuck else do you think would cause this much of a ruckus." His voice was even different. It lacked everything that made Alex human.It was as if another person entirely had taken up residence in Alex's body. His dark eyes watched her so amused and so overtaken by the lust for blood. "After all you of all people know that i like to stir things up a bit in the city when it gets boring." A dry chuckle seemed to come from his throat as he spoke. The fallen angel was finally living up to the title of fallen. His single wing was spattered in blood, the flecks of blue in his wings were cone and replace with blood red instead. He had truly fallen.

"Don't do this.. drop, NOW!"

He laughed out loud and walked towards her, as if he was walking up to say hello. But No his hand shot forth and grabbed the gun from her hand and he smiled as he broke a few of the key components outside the gun. "I Aint gonna drop to the ground just because some fuckin' cop said so." He really wasnt himself. Some person must have fucked with him in his mind, and he recalled the encounter with the fallen angel of lust. He recalled just how odd he felt after that and now that odd feeling had become an instinct. As he threw away the partially broken gun immeadiately he was going to start a little brawl with the cop woman. He wouldn't dare kill her, oh no, he was going to keep her alive. But for what? He had no reason other than to let her malice for him build and let her decide his fate after the brawl. His dark self seemed to enjoy tormenting the last threads of the real Alex inside. The real Alex seemed to have died, seemed to have disappeared within the depths of his mind... He'd best wake up soon..

A fist shot forth at a blinding speed and aimed right for her ribs, right where the diaphragm muscle would be. He'd knock the wind out of her, so he could make this a little easier on him. Inside if you could see the remains of the former Alex it was as if he was confined to a corner and he watched in horror as he hurt a friend, and hurt a woman at that. Inside the real Alex seemed to have closed his eyes. He didnt want to watch the fight that would ensue outside. The fist that shot out to knock the wind out of the woman followed up with a punch to the jaw. And a second hand shot out to get a cliché karate chop to the side of her neck. It was obvious Alex knew how to fight and kill with only his fists. He never needed true weapons to cause this much pain in anyone. His strength physically was enough for any human. A grin formed as he looked at the heavy boots. "Bad Idea to wear those boots. They're gonna slow you down." He commented as if trying to help her indirectly. Whether or not any of his moves were of any success mattered not. He could outlast her in pure stamina.

What a change..

[poss]

For crying out loud I'm running from a comedown
God forbid I know I've been a letdown
Reaching for the sky while leaving in a gutter
Kicking and screaming I am singing bloody murder

The lookin the mans eyes told her enough, her thumb flicked the safety on the pistol, pressure beginning to squeeze the trigger home hen his hand reached out, ripping it from her grasp. Her right hand felt numb. Cold. Empty. Her finger had been skinned as it was tore from the trigger and in mere instinct she found herself swinging at the man will the full force of her being. Right arm hooked to the side, curving in to meet with the side of his face- her weight, and a step forward, used to back up the speed and force of the connection if he did not dodge her. In impossibly close encounters, this was going to get ugly. It was going to be difficult for either of them to dodge or block when every hit seemed to come from an inch away and less than a split second of timing was needed to not only to recognize the attack, but to move away from it. His words, moments before her swing, were responded to after the inital attack that she hoped would come across as warning enough not to mess with her... "Then drop because I said so!" Emphasis on the 'I' as she stared him down, defiance, anger, and authority fueling her on.

I'm alive when I'm vulnerable
I'm out of control, I'm losing my soul
I can't be your angel when I'm living like a devil
Can't be your lover when I'm living like a rebel

If he wanted tokeep her alive, then she better be in pieces. Once Anastasia was in the mood to tear out someone sthroat, there was no putting an end to it until someone was dead. She would not let him live this down until she sought the respect she felt she deserved. Her body tensed, and she was about to uppercut with herleft when his fist connected with her stomach. A dull, throbbing sensation as pain pulsed through her system. She staggered backward, trying to regain her balance and breath as well as she could. The pain of her bandaged gun shot wound was nearly crippling, and she felt one knee buckle- right hand, bloodied from the torn skin when he took the gun, pushed against the brick wall that was along the one side of the sidewalk, sturdying herself. She coughed- yet there was no time to complete the gut wretching action before his hand moved up for her chin, her head had turned, and her stagger allowed an unintentional sidestep from the second attack- her left arm immediatly wrapping around his at the elbow to try to gain not only leverage but to make any actions from that hand become hindered by her weight. The third blow came crashing down upon her shoulder and she tilted off to one side, her breath rushing back to her in a surge of energy.

Don't want your pity and I don't want your help
Don't try and save me go take care of yourself
I'm alive! Sick of the pain I'm sick of the sorrow
Sick of today I'm sick of tomorrow

His comment on her boots brought a sadistic grin to twist her lip line, "All the better to break you with. I wont be running anywhere, Alex. You know that."she pulled back on the arm she had clung to with her own, bringing a knee up to his groin as she hugged her body close to his to allow for a great chance of connection- her right arm that had been on the brick wall moving to grasp at the back of his head. Perhaps he would remember this maneuver. From the streets about a week and a half ago. If he were to lean forward whatsoever from the knee to the groin, if it connected that was, then she would use the momentum and bring her knee to his face. Repeatedly. Surely he would remember, and Anastasia knew she would have to change tactics, but she went for it anyways before trying to push herself away from him. To gain some distance. Some breathing room, and a second to collect herself- if even for a second.

I'm addicted to the misery in my head
I better stop before I end up dead

[Deleted]

"Then drop because I said so!"

His eyes narrowed at the comment. His own defiance returning in full force, there was something about him that just wasnt right, that just wasnt something normal. Inside his own mind whatever lack of better judgment had been closed off and the wrath within the man finally took full effect. The adrenaline pumping through his veins as well as the anger only made him stronger. But like every person, even he had a weak point and it was a rather obvious one at that. But he grinned at her comment, "I'll drop, when I drop on the ground dead" his voice was... haunting. A truly taken over man, when he went to court for this he'd have to reveal his past and hope the judge would sympathize with him and let him off with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, or Shell Shock for the older readers. It was true, Alex did suffer from that kind of a mental disorder, but every soldier who fought in any war did. The war haunted him and it allowed him little sleep without awaking to a terrible nights sleep. Still was this a reason for him to act this extremely?

His punch to her stomach had connected and he laughed lightly, and cruelly as he watched her crumple to the ground. Yet something made him falter, he remembered now that she had a gunshot wound on her abdomen and something in him was remembering. Something in himself, an internal struggle with years of wrath and confusion and the good man he was was ensuing as she sidestepped his second attack. His arm was now immobilized and that was when whatever normal self he had left surfaced... He looked directly into her eyes, a sense of sorrow and sadness seemed to emanate from them, "Anastasia... I'm so sorry.." The real Alex murmured as if he was finally aware that he was hurting her. Something inside him emotionally was being ripped to the surface and that being said The real Alex seemed to have gained some control.. But that control was lost once more as the wave of wrath within him crashed down again. His eyes returned to the dark state they were in and the man turn himself so Anastasia had her back against the wall.

"All the better to break you with. I wont be running anywhere, Alex. You know that."

He laughed, and replied in a low voice, "Good. I wont have to chase you down then..." He gestured towards a recently mutilated vampires. His eyes narrowed as he felt her knee connect with his groin. Now any lesser man would allow himself to lean forward and curl up in the fetal position. Oh hell no not him, but it obviously was causing him a great amount of pain. But that was fine, he grabbed her right arm that had been trying to get a grip on his head and twisted it at the elbow. Not only did this kind of move hurt like hell, it also had a great chance of breaking someones arm. However now with her right arm useless, his own arm was as well. But he wasnt here to just stop her attacks, oh no. He was there to attack back, without much effort he pushed her towards the concrete wall. If that connected well, she would have not only a bad headache, but an extremely bad back ache as well. But if she managed to get out of his grip then that was fine. It was quite fine indeed.

[poss]

For crying out loud I'm running from a comedown
God forbid I know I've been a letdown
Reaching for the sky while leaving in a gutter
Kicking and screaming I am singing bloody murder

Pain pulsated through her veins, through her entire body from the centered attack on her abdomen. When his fist had connected, the bandage had loosened. No longer applying the pressure that helped ward off the pain of the injury, but also causing more pain due to the blow. Her jaw was clenched, fire in her eyes emphasizing her burning dedication to bring him to his knees. Anastasia wouldn't be shedding any tears over the distraction that pain brought- no, she wouldn't pay it any attention. Not now. Now was the time to put this dog back on his chain.

I'm alive when I'm vulnerable
I'm out of control, I'm losing my soul
I can't be your angel when I'm living like a devil
Can't be your lover when I'm living like a rebel

The authority figure set her foot back on the ground just as he grabbed her arm, twisting it to the side at the elbow. Her entire body twisted in response to lessen the pressure on her arm, bending to one side as she cringed. Both of their arms were both disabled, and it would seem this fight could soon be a wrestling match if things didn't take a turn soon. She brought her knee up again- harder than before, gritting her teeth as she forced her knee back toward his groin, the foot of her boot not touching down before she would bring it up a third and final time as Alex pushed her back toward the wall. She knew it was a cheap shot, but in the end- it was who was alive, not who had done what to survive. His words, his apology, so softly spoken and so.. Alex was given no recognition but the narrowing of her eyes. She wouldn't be softened by his words, not until he was in cuffs and immobile.

Don't want your pity and I don't want your help
Don't try and save me go take care of yourself
I'm alive! Sick of the pain I'm sick of the sorrow
Sick of today I'm sick of tomorrow

Hitting the wall with full force of his push, her arms were free from his and she slid a few inches down the wall, knees having buckled yet she caught herself yet again. She straightened her back- oh the ache. It tore down her spine, in to her head, and down through her legs. A hot, searing sense of injury from her lower back and shoulders from the blow. Yet she pushed off the wall as quickly as she had hit it, coming at him without hesitation. Left fist plummeted toward his face, aiming for the nose. A weakness every person had. Such a hit could bring on such feelings that caused momentarily blurred vision, and of course, a lot of blood spill. Whether her left fist hit square or not could not be for sure just yet, recoiling only to feed another hit to the same place in hopes that repeated injury would cause him more pain.

I'm addicted to the misery in my head
I better stop before I end up dead

[Deleted]

With every breath the man took, and every step the man walked pain was coursing through his body. Aiming for the groin was a cheap shot but hey, you had to do what you had to do. His breath was ragged, there was obviously a previous injury to this fight that was taking its toll finally. He wouldn't let the blood show but it was leaking from his chest cavity. A bullet had pierced a part of his lung and it now was doing some considerable damage. His breathing was obviously erratic, but still he pushed onward. It wasnt as bad as the bullet that came 1 centimeter from piercing his aorta. The bullet in his lung burned as he breathed and he growled in obvious pain. On his end it was dizzying. from the previous loss of blood from many other gunshot wounds and now this fight, he was seriously hurt. He coughed lightly and his eyes glazed over. He stumbled slightly but continued his fight. This man wasn't one that was going to give up unless death was immanent and even then he wouldnt give in until he couldn't move.

His eyes locked on the cross that suddenly had fallen from is neck, it was a bloodstained emblem of his now total betrayal of the white angel race. He'd leave the bloodiest hand print on heaven's gates. His breath was slowly being taken from him. His reactions were slower now, and a hand was kept over the left side of his chest. However luckily now that he had both of her arms disabled, she missed his groin and hit him in the gut instead, his eyes widened for only a moment before blood was seeping from his mouth. The essence of his life was a dark crimson, yet almost appeared black against his skin. He breathed and coughed more of the essence of his life spattered against the ground and probably on her shoulder. His eyes were lidded as if the energy he had seemed to have suddenly vanished. His thoughts seemed to suddenly flash to her back only a little while ago. She was dying in her apartment, she was the one in this situation, his muscles were numb. Everything was as slowly he watched her hit

Two...

Three..

Three times he was hit in the gut and he was now uncontrollably coughing and choking on his own blood. he was drowning and there was no way to stop this, and he was only semi concsious when she hit the wall full force and crumpled back, only to stand back up. He continued to spit blood from his body, almost wishing he was dead than in this position. The wrath in his being subsided and he was now left open and injured for anyone to beat on. His eyes closed, he felt her fist connect with his face, luckily only the jaw and he fell onto his side. But he was a man of pride, he wouldnt go laying down at this woman's feet. He stood up and looked her in the eyes and smiled, the real familiar smile before walking.. he was walking in the direction of the hospital or police station. "I'm getting my old room" he choked out between coughs of blood that splattered on whatever he coughed. The comment was more of a demand rather than a question. He looked back and walked slowly. Keeping his hands in the open.

Maybe turning your back wasnt the best Idea, but hey.. it was all he could do.

[poss]

For crying out loud I'm running from a comedown
God forbid I know I've been a letdown
Reaching for the sky while leaving in a gutter
Kicking and screaming I am singing bloody murder

Her back was stiff, the muscles, joints, everything ached from colliding in to the wall with such force. She found she had a limp as her muscles all tensed, her legs not wanting to work as well as they should have. Surely she hit her head, but her thoughts of getting Alex on his knees and in cuffs was more important right now than pain and injury. No more innocent lives would be taken by this man, and no one else would feel the burn of his wrath. Her fist connected with his jaw, and already the man had been bleeding. It was everywhere, it spilled down the front of her white shirt in speckles and dapples of thick, oozing blood. Staining the material and seeping through to her own skin. Still warm.

I'm alive when I'm vulnerable
I'm out of control, I'm losing my soul
I can't be your angel when I'm living like a devil
Can't be your lover when I'm living like a rebel

Anastasia immediatly knew something was wrong. A few hits to the gut.. a knee to the groin- sure it would hurt.. and perhaps even the fists to the face. But it shouldn't have had this result. The man crumpled and for the first time- she hesitated to make a move. What was she supposed to do now? Hit him again? Cuff him? Or.. help him? She had a voice, screaming of authority and strength, and thus she chose to use it. "Alex, what the hell is going on? What is wrong? What happened?!" Every question was more eager than the last. She walked closer to him as he regained his footing, her own stride weak, stiff and painful. She groaned under her breath as she forced her body to work the way it should, forcing her leg not to limp and making herself walk with the same fluid motion as she had when she had first approached Alex on the street today. Show no weakness.. until you are dead.

Don't want your pity and I don't want your help
Don't try and save me go take care of yourself
I'm alive! Sick of the pain I'm sick of the sorrow
Sick of today I'm sick of tomorrow

And with that, Alex turned his back to her. She was surprised, and hesitant yet again, "Alex talk to me!" She demanded, quickening her stride as she reached in to her pocket and took out her cellphone. I'm getting my old room he said and she knew exactly what he was saying. She sighed, lifting the phone to begin dialing only to realize it had been broken when she had hit the wall. She dropped it, letting it skitter off to the side where the broken gun lay as well. It was obvious he was in critical condition, the blood, the very way he was carrying himself spelled it all out for her. Her own pain, the gut ache from her own bullet wound as the blood soaked through the bandages and stained the shirt along with the blood that Alex had coughed on her, taking its toll as well. Damn, to onlookers it would look like this fight was rather savage. A vehicle turned on to the street and Ana immediatly stepped out on to the pavement, holding out her hand and waving the driver to a stop. "I need to take this vehicle. Police business, you will be repaid have no worry." She said, hauling the skinny middle aged man out of the car as she spoke to him. Its a rental, don't worry about it. he said. Odd, usually they argued more. Sliding in to the drivers side, she reached for the shifter only to find it was an automatic. Fine, whatever, it will do, no time to be picky now. Pulling the car over to the curb beside where Alex walked, she honked the horn, using the automatic window button for the passenger side so he could hear her, "Get in the car, Alex." It wasn't an offer, it was a demand.

I'm addicted to the misery in my head
I better stop before I end up dead

[Deleted]

"Alex, what the hell is going on? What is wrong? What happened?!"

A Tired half conscious laugh was most of the reply before he coughed once more, Without any hesitation he took his shirt off and pointed to a rather large bullet hole in the area where his lung would be. "I-Is that enough?" He coughed and then finished his sentence "To tell you what's going on?" His eyes were locked on her own, "Being shot in the lung isn't exactly a nice thing to experience" He grinned at her weakly. Even now, when he was half dead he still managed a smile, but he looked at her own bullet wound and tied his shirt over it. "You need it more than me. Don't argue." His voice although softer still had a steely edge to it that told her don't question why he would do that even when he was the one with more critical injuries. "I'll give you a scoop on what caused this from what I remember when I can breathe better." He drew in a breath and coughed. His head was pounding with such a horrible migraine it wasnt funny. The man looked to the ground and just continued to think.

His thoughts dwelled on what he just did. He hit a woman, not only that, he hit a friend, and an injured human to be exact. God damn he deserved to die for doing that, and he looked at her, she seemed to be worried, but he could only look at her and silently plead for her not to worry about him. "You should get that wound cleaned up" he murmured quietly. Standing was an effort for him, every muscle in his body was weak, before this he hadn't slept for days. Three days to be exact, and his lack of sleep, injuries, and even his emotional turmoil were now getting to him. He leaned against the wall for a moment just to catch his breath, or what he could get of it. His skin shined in the light of the street lamps because of the perspiration. His eyes closed, god damn how tempting it was to fall asleep and die there. It was so tempting to just sleep for the rest of eternity and let himself pass away. After all he was probably permanently condemned and redemption was no longer there. His wing felt heavy... Everything did.

But he walked, and he continued to walk, and he seemed to be in a trance, his very being was making him walk to stay alive. His eyes were focused on nothing, he just was walking into the street for no reason other than to keep himself from falling asleep. His eyes opened wide though as he heard her yell to him, "Alex talk to me!" he looked at her and sighed, walking back towards her until he was right in front of her, "Do you think you'd understand? Do you think you'd have it in the core of your soul to hear the truth? I hope so because you asked for it now you're going to get it." He drew in a breath and breathed out, trying to oxygenate his body, "Well, you can say I'm suffering from what you guys call 'Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome' Yes that's usually affiliated with those who fought in war, I was ten years old and I knew how to shoot an AK-47, and could slit a grown man's throat with a bayonet. In My country there is war, and I fought in that war until I was eighteen." He paused and let himself catch his breath.

She got a car, and told him to get in. he did and looked at her, "I never have gotten over those memories. They said when a man holds a gun for war, his hands never forget the rifle. No matter what he does, Hold his child, Love his woman.. his hands dont forget the rifle." He sighed, "If I hadn't stopped myself, I would have killed you. Don't overestimate yourself, and dont underestimate me. I know what would have happened if I had my way... I dont want to see that image of anyone.. anyone I know dead.. never again.." he looked at his hands, and he could almost see his rifle again. "Soldiers are supposed to be as unmovable as stone, and as tough as a crocodile. I havent changed much then from when I was fighting back there.." He looked up at her as they drove, "I met a black angel, one of the legendary sins, that sin not only brought up the wrath and fear that I had as a soldier, but.. the brutality as well." he paused and went into a coughing fit. Blood spattered on his hand and a laugh passed his lips.

"I Sound so stupid telling you this, The fact that I fought in a war for eight years of my life and nobody knew until now... I apologize for my small rant. It was rather uncalled for.." His vision blurred and he looked at her, and then at the city through the windshield. His mind flashed him back to his childhood and he sighed, It was going to be a long ride home..

[poss]

For crying out loud I'm running from a comedown
God forbid I know I've been a letdown
Reaching for the sky while leaving in a gutter
Kicking and screaming I am singing bloody murder

Anastasia found even nodding was a painful action, the stiffness in her neck, the pounding in her head, but she found no words to respond to his question suitable. All she wanted to know is what was going on. He was considered a friend.. murder.. ruthless savage, or not, he was still a friend. He had been there when she needed him, and it was hard for someone like Ana to find friends, and thus she made sure it was a difficult task getting rid of them too. She didn't just toss them aside when they became no longer useful, or when they began to tear at the seams and break apart. No, friends where there through it all- through anger, tears and even the breakdown that Alex was now struggling through. She knew that in any instant, he could have ended her life, and yet, she also knew that somewhere.. deep down in the depths of this man who had not hesitated to fight her on the streets today.. was this friend of hers. Alex was in there somewhere, and he would recognize that it was time to stop. Call and end to the chaos, call an end to the havoc, and just stop.

I'm alive when I'm vulnerable
I'm out of control, I'm losing my soul
I can't be your angel when I'm living like a devil
Can't be your lover when I'm living like a rebel

Meeting his stare with her own, she searched his facial expression for an answer. Searched his eyes, taking in every detail, every movement as he approached her, looking down at her- close enough she could feel his breath, and the moist speckles of blood that took flight with his words. She never flinched, never twitched. Strong to the end, even though she felt weak from the feet up, and her head was beginning to spin. Possible concussion, but right now- there were more important things to deal with. This man.. this friend of hers, had some deep issues. He described to her something that she could have never imagined anyone could go through.. especially at such a young age. If there was anything that pulled her heart strings it was children. Anastasia had her own secrets when it came to that area, but lets stick to Alex for now, shall we? She remained silent as he talked to her, trying to scare her off at first before finally allowing himself to go in to detail of what exactly it was that derailed him today. She tried to hide any expression, any emotion from her face, yet she couldn't help it. She had to look away for a moment, collect herself, before she walked out in to the street to grab the car.

Don't want your pity and I don't want your help
Don't try and save me go take care of yourself
I'm alive! Sick of the pain I'm sick of the sorrow
Sick of today I'm sick of tomorrow

Alex crawled in to the car, and continued to tell her of his past. A past so gut wretchingly awful that she almost choked on her own bile. It was horrible, something unimaginable. Terrifying. She wanted to tell him she was sorry for everything he had gone through, wanted to offer him a shoulder to cry on, but she knew that at moments like these, it was best to be quiet. Let it spill, let them rant, and let it all out. And that he did. Ana found herself shaking her head, completely taken aback. "I had no idea." She whispered, taking her eyes off the road to glance at him as he stared off out through the windshield, "But I hate to tell you that the judge most likely wont care. You really did a number on the city today, Alex. So many people got hurt.. the judge will probably toss away the key.". Horrible truth, yet that was just who she was. Ana wasn't going to candy coat it and feed it to him on a spoon gently to easy the tension.. no.. it had to be said. he had to know the facts. "You scared the hell out of me today, Alex." Her grip on the steering wheel when white knuckled as she remembered the fat that she had been about to squeeze off an entire clip between his eyes before he had taken the gun from her. He would have been dead. She would have been delivering a corpse to the morgue, not an injured man to the hospital. "I am sorry." She said, although she knew it would do no good.

I'm addicted to the misery in my head
I better stop before I end up dead

[Deleted]

"I had no idea."

Those few words made him laugh, and he looked up at her, "You're the only one to know this. You're the only one to know why I am the way I am," He looked up, everything about him seemed to have softened, seemed to have been brought back to his old self. His eyes closed and he sighed, his thoughts seemed to dwell on the thoughts he shouldn't be thinking of. His entire persona was back to the old self, and his dark eyes were set on the horizon. Because of his actions he was going to pay dearly for what he did. He expected to be on death row this time. He couldn't take his eyes off her, he hurt her and it was evident, his empath powers weren't needed for him to know she was upset. he hurt her, hed rather let himself die like this rather than sit in a jail cell and rot. His eyes looked to her and were searching for answers to an unasked question. That unasked question would be answered in time for sure.

"But I hate to tell you that the judge most likely wont care. You really did a number on the city today, Alex. So many people got hurt.. the judge will probably toss away the key."

He looked at her and smiled. "I deserve it. I hurt you and so many others.. Its not right.." He looked at her and almost sighed. "If I did anything that is of serious damage..." he trailed off not finishing his sentence. What was the feeling of hope almost inside him that made him think that maybe.. possibly she could forgive him, he hoped to the lord above if there was one that she would. Even though more likely than not he'd become a permanent enemy of her and whomever she befriended later on in life. It'd prove to him that he truly was alone in the world and for that reason he sighed, he didn't want to be alone, but he didn't want to rely on others for support like this. Yet of all people he'd open up to her. Why would he tell more to s woman he barely knew, than compared to his former girlfriends that seemed to only know his name. Inwardly he laughed, but silence was all he needed at this time.

"You scared the hell out of me today, Alex."

"I scared the hell out of myself. I'll never allow that to happen again, and if I do, Well use that thing you've come to use second naturedly against me."It was a blunt request. If he came close to what he did today immeadiately just pump a round of bullets into his skull and be done with him. He would never want to put anyone he... what was the word that he could use for her.. anyone he considered close to his heart in any kind of danger anymore. After this he'd become the wings to protect those he valued instead of the one causing some of the horrible things that happened. His mind thought of his future, or what would be left of it. There was little hope for him and that was when he remembered.. "Shit.. My cross.." he groaned. That gold cross was something that mattered to him. Even now as it sat bloodstained on the sidewalk he wouldn't forget it. He felt weirdly bare though as he sat holding his chest so blood wouldn't pool all over the car. His shirt was now a bandage for Anastasia.. "By the way, don't apologize to me. I should be the one begging you for forgiveness."

"I dont want to hurt anyone anymore.." He murmured in almost a whisper like he was daydreaming and not completely conscious of what he was saying..

[poss]

For crying out loud I'm running from a comedown
God forbid I know I've been a letdown
Reaching for the sky while leaving in a gutter
Kicking and screaming I am singing bloody murder

Anastasia was tense, the muscles throughout her entire body rigid in attempt to hold back so many different reactions. Anger. Pain. Sadness. Confusion. She found herself still shaking her head, and not remembering exactly when it was she had started, her piercing gaze casting scrutiny beyond the windshield of the rental car they had taken from the innocent citizen. The speed they were driving was relatively slow for what had just happened.. slower than the speed limit to be exact, and soon her ears responded to the blaring of a horn behind them. An angry driver- most likely late to get to an appointment that was upset about being held up. Gaze flashed to the rear view mirror which was not adjusted to her exact height, her right hand reached up to fix it. Cold glare seemed to bore in to the person behind her, anger clouding her mindset as she found her foot plummeting hell bound against the pedal. The engine roared to life beneath the hood of the small compact car, and they approached a speed nearly three times the speed limit.

I'm alive when I'm vulnerable
I'm out of control, I'm losing my soul
I can't be your angel when I'm living like a devil
Can't be your lover when I'm living like a rebel

The driver who had been upset fell in to the distance behind them, soon just a mix of color blending in with the backdrop of city lights and store fronts, yet her speed continued. Through a red light.. oh, make that two.. three. And then a yellow. Her mind was out the window, and she tossed it around in her head as Alex spoke in the passenger seat beside her. There was no warning- the sudden braking of the car as she spun the wheel fully to the left- her hand having found the emergency brake and pulling it to bring the car in to a swinging action of the rear, helping them to coast fluidly around a corner. The hospital was in the other direction, yet she seemed rather set on the direction she had chosen- the pedal being pushed to the floorboards yet again, redlining the poor compact car as she swerved in to the left hand lanes to pass the slower moving traffic, maneuvering as if it were just another casual Sunday drive through the city in the afternoon.

Don't want your pity and I don't want your help
Don't try and save me go take care of yourself
I'm alive! Sick of the pain I'm sick of the sorrow
Sick of today I'm sick of tomorrow

"I am taking you to see a friend of mine." She said quietly, glancing in to the mirror on Alex's side of the car as she pushed in between two cars to find the far right lane, turning quickly again with the help of the emergency brake. Tires squealed, an the smell of burnt rubber infiltrated the cab of the car, pedal to the floor as she sped down the side street. It led to the outer limits of the city. Beyond the next few blocks was wide open spaces and emptiness. Heat, sweltering heat, the desert-like conditions would require some air conditioning. Her eyes darted to the dashboard, a quick flick of her finger to switch it on high. "I don't know why I am doing this Alex. But you are not going to jail." Casually spoken, yet stern, her gaze still on the road ahead of them as they hit a bump- the tires leaving the blacktop and hitting dirt as they found a gravel road and continued down it at speed. "You don't need the media attention at the hospital. And you wont be going 'back to your room'. This never happened." As the words dropped off, Anastasia's piercing stare was locked on Alex, even as the car sped forth with unwavering speed.

They were approaching 140mph, the cars speedometer having been maxed out a while ago, and the engine temperature was high. "I know a guy who can fix you up. He owes me a few favors, so he and I will call it even if he keeps his mouth shut. He is a surgeon, used to be the highest paid in the city until he decided to do a brain transplant without exactly being given permission to do so. But you have to learn somewhere, right?" Oddly, she found a wicked smirk twisting her lips, left hand slipping down the steering wheel to a more comfortable position. She looked back to the dirt road, lifting her foot from the pedal momentarily, "Hold on." She said under her breath, right hand reaching between the driver and passenger seat once again and pulling the emergency break as she turned sharp off of the dirt road on to a path that wound through a dry field to a large, run down house on the hill on the horizon.

I'm addicted to the misery in my head
I better stop before I end up dead

[Deleted]

"I am taking you to see a friend of mine."

He quirked a brow at her and sighed sitting up was a pain in the ass, but he couldn't sit there bent over his abdomen like he was unless he wanted to further injure himself. He stayed silent and looked out the window and tried to peer into the distance. The heat was being combated in the vehicle with the Air conditioning on as he sat silent and dwelled in his mind. In his mind he regretted many things. He regretted meeting up with her again, if he hadn't met up with her she wouldn't be in this situation. For saving his ass she could lose her job and everything else. He sighed and finally looked up at her, "I Hope this friend of yours isn't a snitch." he growled before going back to his view out the window. He was obviously not in the mood to talk anymore, his good mood soured by his extremely bad one now. He could manage a fake smile for when they got to this friend of her's but he didnt care. His brown eyes seemed to look away from all mirrors and be focused on the nothingness of the outskirts.

"I don't know why I am doing this Alex. But you are not going to jail. You don't need the media attention at the hospital. And you wont be going 'back to your room'. This never happened."

He flinched inwardly, "I dont need your pity, I just did something much worse than anything else on that criminal record of mine and you're just going to let me go? You know you could lose your job. I even attacked you, and yet you're sitting here telling me you wont turn me in? God dammit, you're a confusing woman at times." Well none of that should be taken as a reason for him to go to jail, but he was obviously surprised and he was showing his surprise in a rather disgruntled manner. He had done many lesser things in his life and any other time he'd be stitched up and hauled off to his room where he could go think about what he did for a few years. His eyes stayed glued to the outside, he couldn't look at her, because of the guilt. He knew he had caused quite a bit of damage himself and now that same woman was sitting here and saving his ass from getting arrested. Why the hell would she do that? As Payment for saving her life the day she was shot? It better not be.

"I know a guy who can fix you up. He owes me a few favors, so he and I will call it even if he keeps his mouth shut. He is a surgeon, used to be the highest paid in the city until he decided to do a brain transplant without exactly being given permission to do so. But you have to learn somewhere, right?"

"Good lord, If i survive this evening I may just stay in my house for the rest of my life." In truth though hed love to just die on the table and be done with this. Anastasia wouldn't have to worry about covering up a smudge on her record of cuffing every criminal she came across. And he just wouldnt have to deal with all of this crap anymore. Then again thinking like that wasnt good, he had a life that most would love to have, and he had someone whom he could rely on. Slowly he turned his head and murmured, "Thank you" to her. "I'll owe you quite a few favors before this night has finished." He murmured and turned back to the window. Good lord all he wanted to do was fall asleep but that was no option when this woman was driving like a bat out of hell. He sighed and just watched the world go by in a blur.

But then they came to an abrupt stop and he looked back, "Nice driving." he chuckled at her.

[poss]

For crying out loud I'm running from a comedown
God forbid I know I've been a letdown
Reaching for the sky while leaving in a gutter
Kicking and screaming I am singing bloody murder

She smirked, "Oh he wont snitch.. trust me." A glint of amusement behind her eyes. Opening the car door and stepping out, her white shirt stained with the blood of both she and Alex yet she seemed not to notice. Tugging down the edges of her shirt, and bumping the drivers door closed with her hip she pushed her hands in to her pockets, ignition keys in her palm. Anastasia began to walk toward the front porch of the house- the broken down shack that housed the mad scientist that would fix Alex up better than any emergency room, and a lot quicker, too. Not to mention with a lot less questions and no incident on report afterward. It was a good system. Pausing before the broken steps that led to the door, and looking over her shoulder she waited for the injured man to get out of the vehicle, not offering him any help because she knew he would feel a lot better about himself if she left it alone. "Yeah, you will owe me. A new pistol and a cell phone." She smirked, and took the three steps in one stride, walking up on tot eh creaky panels of wood and knocking on the door with the steel toe of her boot.

I'm alive when I'm vulnerable
I'm out of control, I'm losing my soul
I can't be your angel when I'm living like a devil
Can't be your lover when I'm living like a rebel

A slide on the door shifted, just big enough for a mans eye to peer out that fell immediatly on Anastasia. Was that a gasp she heard? Probably, but the man never hesitated, unlocking the several latches on the inside of the door that could have been knocked from its hinges by a five year old due to its condition. "Ana!" The tall man, skinny as could be and with an obvious nervousness that caused him to shake slightly before he offered a hand to shake hers. "Its Anastasia, and Hi, Robert. I have a friend here who needs some help--- Alex, tell him what the problem is." Looking over her shoulder to Alex after shaking the mans hand. Robert was one of the cleanest people you could ever meet. It may not be obvious when you look at the exterior of his house, the dust and the broken panels of wood, but every window was in tact and the interior was in pristine condition. It was like walking in to a millionaires house when you stepped through the threshold- Robert waving them in as he stepped behind the door and nodded several times to Alex. It would seem he was already assessing the situation, as he looked over the mans chest and turned his back, walking to the sink which was surrounded in surgical tools and several different antibacterial soaps and began washing his hands. Ana would close the door behind Alex once he was in.

Don't want your pity and I don't want your help
Don't try and save me go take care of yourself
I'm alive! Sick of the pain I'm sick of the sorrow
Sick of today I'm sick of tomorrow

Latex gloves, not one layer, but two were stretched on to his hands once he dried them thoroughly from a towel we removed from a seal tub under the sink. He motioned toward a stainless steel table that was the center of attention in the building- lights hanging from the ceiling from every angle over a table that would have been seen otherwise in a surgery room in the hospital. He took another towel, fresh from the tub, and dampened it with warm water under the tap, ringing it out and walking over to the Table. he motioned toward it yet again, "Please lay down, Mr. Alex." he said, already reaching out to gently dap the wet towel on the mans injured chest. Robert never stopped moving, always finding somethign to do, something to get ready, and it would seem by the time Alex had move across the room that he was fully prepared for any surgery that could possibly be needed. "Any allergies, are you on any medications.." he rambled off questions that actually held importance, never asking information that could directly link Alex to this place other than the name he had taken from Anastasia's addressing him earlier.

I'm addicted to the misery in my head
I better stop before I end up dead