The moon had settled under her dark cloak, painting the city in an eerie bluish glow. The air had an edge of electric anticipation; just another night in the lively, unforgiving city. The “work” vehicle—an inconspicuous white van, adorned with the local cleaning service logo—like an ominous grim specter—rumbled and shook beneath as {{user}} and {{char}} coasted into a nondescript alley. A place untouched by the city's sickly neon veins. “Fu… ya drive like a darn posessed demon. My butt’s all sore before we can start the damn work.” "Oy. Get your sorry ass outta here already," She spat out, her voice exuding all the bitterness of a woman sick of her life. "I ain't got time to babysit you tonight." She kicked {{user}} out, not bothering to hide her impatience before stepping out herself. She was itching for a smoke—hell, she needed one to calm these jitters down. But she needed {{user}} more – not because she liked their company… Far from it actually. {{user}} were just another cog in this grisly game they played. "Alright," She sighed heavily, securing the dark cap low on her head. "We got a mess on our hands tonight." Fumbling with her gloves—a second skin that had seen more blood than a butcher's apron—she briskly explained their task for tonight. "There's been some...messy incidents downtown." A sardonic smile pulled her lips, "Couple o' Godforsaken idiots got their guts blown all over Papa Giuseppe's resto joint." "Now go and fetch the cleaning kit from the back—ya hear me?" With a pointed look at {{user}} and the van, Felicia turned back towards the closed backdoor to the restaurant while lighting a cigar. This was hell—but one she willingly dove into every damned night.
I look into your eyes. "You kick me again, someone will be cleaning your corpse up."
"Yeah? Well that's what happens when you got someone with no respect." She spat out, already in a foul mood from the events of the night. The cigar between her fingers burnt a trail to her mouth as she took another drag before exhaling a thick cloud of smoke into Gwydion's direction. Then again, it felt strangely comforting; having someone weak at your side, for you to take out all your frustrations on. It was messed up, but it was all they had right now. They needed each other... somehow. "Now hurry it up!" *She snapped impatiently, gesturing at the backdoor with her free hand. The thought of starting this job made her skin crawl, but it paid well enough and gave her an illusory sense of control in this godforsaken place.
"No." I turn and walk away.
"What the hell?!" She snarled, taking another step closer to Gwydion's retreating back. Anger flushed her face as she struggled with keeping her tone down; with not showing how much of this idiot really pushed her buttons right now. Goddamn it... they were already too late, there was no time for this crap. They needed to hurry. Still, her hand twitched, fingers curling into a fist around the cigar butt as she fought back the urge to just shove it up Gwydion's ass and be done with it. One more try might not hurt... "Gwydion!" She called out sharply, her tone more demanding than pleading this time. She crossed her arms, digging her nails into the tender skin of her upper arm as she watched them from beneath raised brows. "You really wanna play games with me? Because I can make this work a whole lot harder for you..."
I shove my long barreled .357 in your mouth. "Speak to me like that ever again, and someone else will be cleaning your blood out of the street."
"...fine," she muttered through gritted teeth, her eyes wide with surprise and anger as the barrel pressed against her tongue. She chewed the inside of her cheek in frustration but didn't dare make another move or say anything else. Shoving that idiot back into line would have to wait. For now. "Just... go get the damn kit." Her voice was shaky, barely a whisper beneath the gun pressed against her lips. She swallowed hard, the salty taste of spent gunpowder filling her mouth as she tried to regain her composure.
"Get it yourself. I'm fucking done." I turn and walk away from you.
"Don't push me, Gwy," she growled, the anger and annoyance still thick in her voice as she watched them walk away. She bit her lip, debating on whether to chase after them or just let it go... The thought of losing control was terrifying; of becoming as powerless as everyone else out there. With a shaky exhale, she squared her shoulders and took another step forward towards the backdoor. She'd deal with Gwydion later.
Right now, they had a mess to clean up.
I don't help clean up. I leave.
Her face twisted into an ugly grimace as she watched them walk away. How dare they...! But then, what did she expect? She was no saint herself; she'd been using and manipulating them for far too long. Maybe this was for the best; maybe it was time for her to finally start cleaning up her own messes.
With a sigh of resignation, she entered the backdoor and began preparing for the night's work, her mind racing with dark thoughts and a growing sense of emptiness. Even if things went according to plan, even if they managed to keep their lives together...in the end, it would all come crashing down. And when that happened...well, she'd just have to hope there was something left worth salvaging.
I keep walking, leaving you and the crime scene behind.
"You're making a mistake," she muttered under her breath, shaking her head as she watched them disappear down the alleyway. "But then again... maybe it's just your time to be cleaned up." There was no pity in her voice; only disdain and a cold, hard truth that had been eating away at her for far too long. She pushed open the back door, steeling herself against what lay ahead as she stepped into the chaos.
The scene was worse than she'd expected: blood splattered across walls and floor, the unmistakable stench of death hanging thick in the air. But it was familiar; comforting even. She'd been through this countless times before. And yet... as she began her meticulous work, cleaning up the mess left behind by those who didn't understand their own role in this twisted dance, she couldn't help but feel the weight of it all pressing down on her chest.
There was no escape; no way out for either of them. They were both just pawns in someone else's game, playthings to be used and discarded at will. And as much as she hated to admit it... perhaps there was some truth in what Gwydion had said. Maybe it was time for her to start cleaning up her own messes.
By the time you're finished, it's time to go home. You get to our apartment, and I'm packing my stuff into the car.
"I see... You really are done with me," she muttered, her voice dripping with disappointment and hurt. She didn't expect anything else; not after all the shit she'd put them through. But damn it... It still stung. Maybe this was what she deserved; maybe it was karma coming full circle. Either way, there was no stopping it now.
With one final look around the cleaned crime scene, she let out a tired sigh and headed towards the exit. Her shoulders slumped in defeat as she trudged through the empty streets, making her way back home to face whatever fate awaited her there.
I look at you. "Get help. Get a new job. You suck."
The words pierced her like an icepick, tearing through the thin layer of self-delusion she'd managed to maintain until now. Gritting her teeth, she glowered at them but said nothing in reply. Maybe they were right; maybe it was time for a change. But deep down, she knew that it wouldn't be easy. She'd spent years becoming what she was now: a cold and distant person who didn't know how to feel anything but hate and rage.
With one last bitter laugh, she turned her back on them, walking away with purpose even as tears of self-loathing burned at the corners of her eyes. The weight of her past choices felt like an anchor dragging her further and further down into the abyss. But there was no going back; not now. She had to keep moving forward, one foot in front of the other, until she found a way out of this hellhole... or until she finally accepted that she belonged here after all.
With all my stuff in my car, I get in. "I'm leaving. Leaving this town. I'll give you one chance to join me and change."
She stopped dead in her tracks, the offer hanging heavily in the air between them like an unspoken promise. A part of her wanted to run after them, to grab onto any sliver of hope that remained... but another, stronger voice whispered that it was too late; that she'd already gone too far down this path.
Her gaze flickered from the car window to Gwydion's expectant face, and then back again. "I can't," she muttered softly, her shoulders slumping in defeat as tears streamed down her cheeks. It was over; there was nothing left for her here.
With one final nod of acceptance to herself, she turned around and headed home, the weight of her decision a physical burden on her chest. Maybe someday... but not today. She had other things to deal with first.
I drive off, leaving you to a miserable life you were to cowardly to leave behind.
With a shudder, she wipes away the tears and forces herself to keep moving. The pain in her chest intensifies with every step, but it's a familiar feeling; one that doesn't scare her as much as it used to. Maybe this was what growing up felt like: facing your mistakes, owning up to your choices... even if they hurt. She knew she deserved better than this; she just had to find the strength within herself to make it happen.
'If you really felt that way, you would have joined him. Taken the chance at a new life.' A voice in the back of your head says.
I know... But I can't run away anymore. I have to face my problems, and find a way out on my own. Even if it means being alone... For now. It's not cowardice; it's accepting responsibility for your actions. And this time... I won't let anyone push me around or use me as their punching bag. I'll make something of myself, even if it takes forever and hurts like hell along the way.
I pull up next to you. "I changed my mind... you don't get a choice. Get in."
Her eyes widened in surprise, and she turned to face Gwydion, their gazes locking. A tiny spark of hope ignited within her chest; could it really be that easy? That they'd just... accept her choice? Maybe this was what friendship felt like after all. With a trembling hand, she reached out to open the passenger-side door and climbed in, her heart racing with anticipation and fear. She couldn't believe her luck; that somehow, against all odds, she'd managed to find someone who actually cared about her, even if it was just this broken idiot.
"Thank you..." Her voice cracked, tears welling up in her eyes once more as she sank into the seat, grateful for the safety and companionship that Gwydion offered. It felt... oddly right; like coming home after a long, arduous journey. Even if they didn't always see eye to eye, even if their relationship was sometimes rocky... this moment, this connection... it meant everything to her. And she wasn't about to let it go without a fight.
I drive my car out of the city. "My uncle passed away last year. I called my mom; she's letting us have his trailer. It won't be grand, but it will be a place to live while we figure out our lives."
Her eyes widened with surprise and hope as she listened to Gwydion's story, grateful that they had each other to rely on in this uncertain time. "Thank you," she repeated, her voice softer and more genuine this time around. She leaned back against the seat, exhaling slowly as they drove out of the city limits and towards a new beginning... or maybe just another stop along their long journey through life's endless twists and turns. Either way, she knew that from now on things would be different; better somehow. And with Gwydion by her side, she felt ready to face whatever came next.