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Age: 38
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Country: Australia

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01/01/2015 01:01 AM 

Riddles in the Dark

Half had grown still as the eagles chased the last of the orc armies back into the depths of the mealworm holes, any remaining forces on foot retreated to the ruins of Dale to help push the filth from the fallen city. Azog had been run through, Bolg had fallen to his 'death', and the line of Durin was dangling -- barely clutching on to dear life. Grief for the fallen began to coat the area like a blanket of depression - but the attention of those mourning would soon be demanded. To the south, a thick cloud of black smoke, riddled with steady red lightening and the loud ominous crack of its thunder began to work its way toward them. This was no ordinary storm. These clouds reached from the skies down to the ground, rushing its way toward them like a typhoon, flooding the lands, splashing up against the mountains  and sinking into its valleys.

Once engulfed into its thick, dangerous-looking mass, all would feel suffocated. Their bodies would feel the tugging and tossing as the curse took them, fogging their minds and claiming the people of middle earth as it's prisoners. Out with the old memories, in with the new, magically appropriated to make sense in the new realm where they would be relocated; safe from Sauron's eventual rule, but also unable to stop him. The enactors of the curse were the first to go, but unlike the others, they embraced the smoke and welcomed the rough ride into a new land where they would have a say in how things were done and how the people related with one another, unlike their home realm.

In Storybrooke, all things had just been bright, sunny, but chilly. Winter had begun, no snow had fallen as of yet, but it would come - eventually. Thanks to the weather it didn't take long before all the towns people noticed the sudden cover of black clouds. Gasps and cries of 'another curse' filled the streets as a panic ensued and everyone ran to find their loved ones. Little did they notice that the cloud had not come for them, but clashed like a wave against the barrier that surrounded the town, creating magical, electrical -like pulses to light up their skies.  Their barrier rejected the curse - because there was no space for what it carried. Instead, the smoke cascaded into the area due north of the town line, massing into a giant dome-like cloud for a few moments. Then, it slipped away, leaving in its place, a town with a population just under three hundred. Upon inspection of the north, just over the town line, a sign was posted, just as historic looking as Storybroooke's:

NOW LEAVING STORYBROOKE.
WELCOME TO MIDDLETOWN.

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One Last Time RPG

 

Jan 26th 2024 - 12:25 AM

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ATTN: LEO, KEEGAN & PHILLIP.

Ksssh -- "Leo?! Help! I've-- I've got two men down in an alleyway across the street from the Prancing Pony on Bree street, deep stab wounds , three suspects seen fleeing toward the docks. I need back up!" -- Kssh

Tara called over the old bulky walkie talkie as she scrambled from her knees onto her feet, rushing back to the open door of her police cruiser to lean in, yanking open the glove compartment to pull out an emergency first aid kit made for law enforcement.   She unzipped the pouch and pulled out Vaseline gauze patches, medical tape and a roll of gauze bandages, fumbling with tweezers and disinfectant questioningly as she looked for anything else she could use. This had never happened in Middletown before -- nothing as serious as multiple murder attempts.

Ksssh --" Leo? We're going to need one ambulance between Ravenhill road and Dale street. I've got another two victims - one with multiple stab wounds, the other just one through the heart - both unresponsive." - Kssh

She paused for the briefest of moments and glanced hopelessly at the radio system in her car, snatching up the small microphone piece, holding it to her lips.

Kssh -- "Four? Are you kidding me? Do we even have that many ambulances at the hospital?!" -- Kssh

Kssh --" They have two. We'll have to fit two into each. Both of you do what you can to keep them breathing. I've called for the ambulances, Tara, I'm on my way to you now" -- Kssh

She tossed the remote microphone across the car into the passenger seat carelessly. She could tell he was running, he sounded ever so slightly winded. But he couldn't get here soon enough. Whipping her head to the side to see the two bodies lying in the alley way, she quickly scanned her side of the street for help. There she saw an elderly man, though he was in no way slow or deteriorating. Merlyn Grey, the local firework & hobby shop owner, also city council member -- thankfully happened to be wandering back toward his shop after presumably having lunch, for he looked rather satisfied as he attempted to light his pipe.

"Oh! Merlyn! Please -- I need your help." She did come off a bit strong, but there was no time to plead or simply ask permission. Each minute spent not performing CPR on the victims meant they were closer to a permanent death. She grabbed his free hand with her own, cradling the
"Good gracious! What happened here?!" He asked, stumbling slightly to put his pipe down as she pulled him to stand next to the blond victim while she moved to the other side of the pair that had fallen by one another, laying in opposite directions.

"There's no time to explain! They have no heart beat, I need you to perform CPR. Two hundred chest compressions in two minutes, check for a heartbeat, then do it all over again -- until the ambulances get here!" She said as she fell to her knees next to the dark haired one, pulling out her iPhone to open up the timer. "Here, this should help you keep track." She spoke swiftly, clearly rushed as she placed the started timing phone between the two bodies, the numbers rapidly spinning, counting up by the centiseconds. She placed her hands over the fabric of his shirt over his chest which was becoming drenched in blood, though she didn't care -- she didn't have time to worry about getting blood on herself now -- not when someone's life was in her hands. Crossing her palms over the area where his heart was she leaned over him and began to pump down, attempting to restart it.

She counted silently to herself, glancing at the running numbers on her phone every two seconds, occasionally speeding up if she felt like she was falling behind while Merlyn did the same with the blonde.  At two minutes and 15 seconds she placed her head down by his chest, getting some of his blood in her hair and on her ear then pressed two fingers against his neck, against his carotid artery. Nothing. She became more desperate restarting her counts as she glanced at the timer, wanting to do everything right -- she wouldn't be able to handle it if she'd let him slip away because she did something wrong.

Where was Leo? What was taking him so long?! The station was just down the street -- she could feel the panic rush through her after another two minutes with no heartbeat. A few pumps into her third set, she felt her hand slip slightly, feeling a strong pop under her palm, causing her to twitch and pause. She'd broken a rib with how desperate she was getting - she began to question if she was even doing it right. Not even the faint sound of the ambulance sirens in the distance could soothe the painful pounding of her heart. Why couldn't she just lend some of her heart's strength to these two? She hesitantly began to pump once more, losing track of her two minutes so she estimated it. Thankfully this time when she pressed her fingers to his neck she felt a gentle thumping against the pad of her fingers. "I have a heartbeat!" She announced and finally noticed that there was a small crowd gathering at the entrance of the alley. That would be a problem if the ambulance arrived, but she didn't have time to get up and tell them to back off - not to mention it was probably a decent sign for the ambulance that it was where the action was happening.

Breath. He had a pulse but no breath. "Oh for ---" She hissed silently and immediately placed her bloody hands on the man's lower jaw, pulling it open to part his lips. Leaning down she waited for a second, hoping to feel a slight draft of hot breath on her cheek - but there was none.  "Oh come on..." She whimpered and pinched his nose,  taking a breath then moving her lips to interlock with his barely open ones as she gave him all the breath she could.

"I can feel his heart--!" Merlyn finally announced, just as the blonde beneath the council member let out a sickeningly loud and desperate gasp for air, leading to Tara's eyes fluttering open, managing to feel a bit more hope in saving the pair. Not to mention she could hear Leo's voice within earshot, telling people to move out of the way.

"They're going to make it! Locate his wound please." She said quickly as she came up for air then leaned back over to blow one last deep, desperate breath into him. The man's chest lifted and suddenly she was drawn back by the coughing and sputtering from the man below her. "Oh thank god.." She muttered and quickly reached next to her, grabbing the packaged Vaseline gauze as the sirens finally came from the street. She ripped it open using her teeth and pulled out the knitted fabric coated in the jelly, lifting his bloody shirt to locate his chest wound where she placed the gauze over. As soon as Leo was within a few feet from them she tossed him the other packaged patch and nodded toward the one that was being inspected for a knife wound - which was on his back.

The one in her care, his eyes were fluttering -- weakly. She was actually rather shocked that he managed to even wake up with the amount of blood he'd lost. "Hey, don't worry, okay? You guys are going to be just fine-" She tried to urge him, but she wasn't even sure if he'd hear her. Still, she had to try. Just then the lights of the ambulance came into view and the sound of the stretcher being pulled from the back hitting the pavement was heard. Finally -- she felt like she could breathe. A deep breath of relief and the smell of blood filled her. " - See? The ambulance is here. You'll be just fine.." She muttered again, though she suspected it was more for her own comfort and reassurance.

The EMTs called for the long spine board for the other, but they took the dark haired one first -- ushering her out of the way.  She watched quietly and combed her hair back, not noticing until she had that her palms and fingertips were coated in blood, as well as some smudges on her sleeve, face and hair. She tried to rub the majority of it off of her palms, smearing it dry into her skin instead with a frown.

As they were being lifted away she moved in their direction, pausing momentarily to thank Mr. Grey for his help. He, of course, said it was what any upstanding citizen would have done and that he trusted that they would find the culprits. To this she gravitated to Leo's side, glancing at him to come with her. "I want to go to the hospital. Just to make sure the nurses know what happened and to contact us when they're capable of speaking -- this can't just be a coincidence." She mumbled quietly so the gathered crowds could not hear as they approached the cruiser she'd been driving. Though it seemed that Herold's voice over the radio seemed to be loud enough for the few closest people to hear.

Kssh -- "I've got a witness. I'm bringing him to the station for questioning. One of them is en route to the hospital, the other was pronounced dead at the scene... Mr. Serafim, the bank owner." -- Kssh

She glanced at Leo with a quirk of her brow and leaned down to pick up her walkie.

Kssh -- "Mr. Serafim? What's the witness' involvement?" -- Kssh

Kssh -- "He killed him. Says it was in defense of the victim being sent to the hospital, apparently he was ganged up on. But he was the one that called us, so I'm going to see what I can get out of him." -- Kssh.

She nodded to Leo for him to drive, she didn't want to make a mess of the cruiser more than she had already done. Going around to the passenger side she slipped herself in while speaking more quietly into the radio so no one else could hear besides the officers.

Kssh -- "We're going to the hospital to place ourselves on emergency contact. We'll meet you back at the station." -- Kssh

As soon as she closed the door she started cleaning up the mess she'd made in the car, closing up the first aid bag and putting it back in the glove compartment; pulling the car's radio mic from under her bum to put it back in its setting on the dash and slipping her talkie into the middle compartment with it turned off since Leo had one on him. All this before buckling up and sitting back with a heavy sigh.

"The hell is going on today...?"

One Last Time RPG

 

Jan 26th 2024 - 12:25 AM

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(TRENTON, TARA, KEEGAN, PHILLIP, ADELE.)

Deep in my bones..
Straight from inside..
I'm waking up...
..to the new age..

" I don't have time for this.. "

His voice was gruff, unfurling with pent up annoyance and frustration, the syllables slipping from him until a faint snarl of anger. And it was true, the flashing hot emotion through his veins was akin to liquid fire, but also intermingled with disappointment, and twinged with sadness. The conversation was quiet, but the emotions behind it were not, his shoulder was nearly touching the curve of Trenton's own, and the two stared at each other with a myriad of emotions. His Father's features were taut with faint surprise, but Leo stood his ground, flaring with the emotion of the words that fell from him. He was serious. Deadly so.

'You don't understand....' Trenton's voice was low, almost pleading with the heaviness of importance. As if they were standing on the cusp of something of great importance. Something that was life changing and he clearly felt it in his bones as well, but he did not make a move to give his Father quarter.

" It's YOU that isn't understanding. If you want to do this. If you cannot be reasoned with, then you are going to have to go through ME. Do you hear me? I'm standing in your way. ME. You make your decision, Father. I've made mine. "

-Ksssh-

'Leo?! Help! I've got two men down in an alleyway across the street from the Prancing Pony.... I need back up!'

-Ksssh-

Tara's frantic voice flooded over the mechanical radio and he paused, glancing up toward his Father with his chocolate hues narrowing slightly. He did not hesitate, he grasped the radio that was clipped to the side of his belt and lifted it to his lips, answering Tara on the radio. She needed help and he would not forsake her, she was still quite new on the streets, and such a violent crime in their town was unheard of. Not when peace had reigned – for far too long. Without looking back and Trenton's imposing form, new determination burned within his heart then, he directed that anger toward whomever had come into their town and attacked their patrons. Tara's cries for assistance over the radio drove him forward and with flawless movements, he descended the wooden steps of his home. In a half sprint toward the driver's seat of the black dodge charger that sat in the driveway, he easily settled into the seat. In less than a second later, it was started, and his right foot slammed onto the accelerator sending a spray of gravel into the air. He flipped the lights on the undercover vehicle, which none in this town were particularly fooled by. They knew it was the sheriff's vehicle, but all of his focus was upon reaching the center of town, without delay.

The sleek black car skidded onto the pavement of the damp road, and he spun the wheel easily to bring the rear end around, and then he was up to full speed. Which was dangerous for anyone else that might take these windy, mountainous roads at such high rates of speed, but he had grown up here all of his life. He knew each curve, each dip, and every sloping hill like the back of his hand. These trees were burned within the depths of his heart and scorched into his memory. The chatter on the radio from dispatch caused his pulse to pound faster within his chest and his upper lip curled into a faint sneer, his teeth clenched with barely reigned anger. Violence had split the sanctity of their home, and not only was there one victim, but four. Four that he had heard of so far, he was less likely to believe it was a single person, and perhaps a group of people that were involved in such an attack. He'd read about the danger of gang violence to their South, but they seemed untouched by it. Nothing like that would ever happen here, not within their small town. Everyone knew everyone else and all were peaceful and cheerful with one another. It couldn't happen – not here. Not until now..

The call for help was made as he heard the more recent calls for paramedics to the location of the stabbings, they should have already been on their way, but he lifted the phone from his pocket. Slipping his thumb over the screen, he hit a number, central dispatch picking up the line.

"Sylvie. It's Leo. How many ambulances can you spare to Tara's location? ... One? That's all you have...? " He paused listening to the voice on the other end, " Fine. Send them. As soon as the other clears the hospital sends them over. Have the other patrol cars block the roads leading out of Middletown. Whoever did this is still here and we're going to make sure they don't get out.. "

Tossing the phone next to his thigh on the seat, he was back on focus, burying the needle of the accelerator deep to the right of the speedometer. Blue and red lights flashed over the heavy boughs of the trees and across the recent rain slicked roads. The silence on the radio was deafening, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. This late at night .. it was nearly mesmerizing the flickering of the colors and the wailing of the siren, which truly wasn't needed on this road, not at this time of the night. The only sound was the roaring of the engine's horsepower beneath him, as .. at long last, the lights of the town came into view. He did not slow his speed when he hit the two lane that led straight through their town, he pushed the car harder around a sharp corner, three blocks from the scene now, he began to let off .. and good thing too.

The rush of an ambulance blew through the flashing red light ahead of him, and he fell in behind them, shifting the gears of the car flawlessly, until at last they were on the scene. He flipped off the siren and left the lights flashing in the darkly tinted windows of the car, slinging the door open, he was immediately out. He swung his black coat over his right hip that housed the holster of his sidearm, and rushed toward the scene.

Already a crowd of bystanders and news media were flocking the scene, which caused his blood to seethe. He had to preserve the integrity of the crime scene, at least what was left of it. Stepping by one of his uniformed patrol officers, he snagged him by the elbow, " Get these people back now! I want this area roped off and secured. No one is to step foot inside of it, unless they have a uniform and a badge. Get the Coroner on the phone, I want him at the hospital by the time I get there.. "

He let the officer go and stepped through the crowd of bystanders, one of the female reporters grabbing onto his coat..

'Sheriff! Sheriff! Who did this? Are we safe? Do you have a suspect?'

He paused mid stride and turned to look at her, " I'll know more if you let me do my job, Gloria. Now how about you do me a real huge favor and take a step back out of my crime scene. I'll answer all of your questions at the press conference. Right now there are people injured and my first priority is that they get the utmost care.. "

Blinking, she nodded and let him go, and without hesitation he was on the scene. His gaze swept toward Tara who was hovering over one of the victims, speaking to him, and he scowled faintly. Something about the scene swept him as familiar and his eyes narrowed. A sick sense of nausea swept through him, the wind sweeping around the area, as the paramedics went to load him up. He stepped to the side as the two rushed the first of the victims to the belly of the ambulance and the firefighters lifted the other. With a careful glance, he gauged the pallor of the two that were carried by him, and he made a careful glance back toward the media who was being subdued by the line of officers now. The scene was becoming controlled chaos instead of utter chaos. He shifted his gaze back toward Tara as she thanked Mr. Grey for his assistance. That's when Leo stepped forward..

"Mister Grey.. " He called out to him, " If you don't mind ...I'd like to ask you a few questions later on. I'll have one of my boys escort you home. " With a loud whistle, he waved over an officer, and told him to do just that. Before he gave a glance toward Tara, she was bloodied, but the blood wasn't her own, he was fairly certain of that. His gaze held her own a second, checking on her, which there would be more time for a bit later, but for now...

To the right he stepped and spoke toward one of the dark haired officers that was nearest to him, " I need you to control this scene for me, Frank. Until I get back... I'm going down to the hospital to see what I can find out about our victims. Maybe they can make a statement about who did this. Until I get back.. get the crime scene team down here. Anything that looks out of place, I wanted it bagged and tagged. "

He slipped his agile digits into his coat pocket and pressed it into the Captain's hand, " Take pictures.. and I don't want anyone leaving that bar without a name and a phone number. Someone in there had to see something. "

Frank nodded to him, dropping a hand upon Leo's shoulder to reassure him, ' You got it, boss. I can handle this, go take care of whatever you need to. I'm already on it..'

There was saving grace in that, actually, and he sighed lightly nodding to him with a grateful smile tugging at his lips, before he turned then, and made his way to the back of the ambulance. Leaping onto the bumper, he pulled the door open and spoke to the paramedics inside..

"Do what you can for them.. and if you can help it.. if you see a stab wound on their clothes.. try not to cut through it. I'm going to need that. I'll lead you guys in when you're ready.."

He was met with grumbles, but understanding, because they all had their own jobs to do. The medics were more worried about their lives, but he had to solve a crime, a violent one, to keep them all safe.. and well they knew it. He turned to find Tara nearest to his side then, reaching out to gently grasp onto her elbow, he led her from the back of the ambulance toward his car that was sitting behind it..

" Tara.. " He murmured to her, out of earshot of the other officers, his fingers tightening softly upon her arm, " Are you all right...? "

It was a fair enough question as he helped her into the front seat of his own car, but he didn't wait for her to answer him right away, he stepped toward the other side, and slipped into the driver's seat. As the ambulance hit the air horn indicating that they were ready to go, he swept around the front of them, and yelped the siren a few times to clear people out of the way, and then they were off. He cleared the intersections for them, glancing over toward Tara who sat in the passenger seat, she seemed well enough, just a bit shaken.

" If he killed him.. that doesn't make him a witness, that makes him a murderer. Put him in lock down if he isn't injured, I'll get to him. "

They swept through the intersections with great ease and he watched her place the radio away into the console, and lean back with a heavy sigh. A frown tugged the edge of his lips and he grasped the steering wheel tight, looking away from her, focused on the task at hand. What was going on today....? He shook his head faintly, a slow smirk curling over his features, his jaw tightening with the tension that they all felt.

" I'll tell you what happened. Someone thought that they could come into our home and terrorize us. That's not going to happen. Not here... I'll find out who is behind it.." He glanced up to the sky then, the full winter's moon peeking through the clouds, " Or we could have all lost our minds. It's a full moon... "

Several cars skidded to a halt in the quaint hospital parking lot as he swung the charger into the parking place in the ambulance bay that was reserved for officers and doctors. He flipped off the lights and gave her a glance once more with a faint smile. It was just of reassurance, because he wouldn't rest .. not until the person was caught. Though as he stood to step out of the car, that smile easily faded, indicating that it was for his sister's benefit only that it swept his lips. A careful glance around them was given as he stepped away from the door of his car, watching for anyone that might be lingering about that looked out of place. Most of the time, psychopaths liked to linger around to see the handy work of their own doing, and the chaos that it created. 

With a faint smirk, he stepped down toward the back of the ambulance, rounding it to open the door as the medics swept through with the first of the victims. The dark haired youngster. He couldn't have been a day over twenty one, a frown crept over his lips as the other was carried in, and he went in behind them. He kept fairly out of the way, but as the dark haired one was taken into the trauma bay, he slipped in behind the curtain. His radio was turned down to hear what the medical professionals had to say, but as his clothes were removed, and placed into bags. He would take those and any identification that they had on them, for the moment though, he made no move.. just waiting to know the state that they were in.

..He had hopes that they would overcome their wounds, because they had a lot of questions to answer ...and much explaining to do.

One Last Time RPG

 

Jan 26th 2024 - 12:24 AM

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"IF ONLY IT WERE ALL SO SIMPLE! IF ONLY THERE WERE EVIL PEOPLE SOMEWHERE INSIDIOUSLY COMMITTING EVIL DEEDS, AND IT WERE NECESSARY ONLY TO SEPARATE THEM FROM THE REST OF US AND DESTROY THEM. BUT THE LINE DIVIDING GOOD AND EVIL CUTS THROUGH THE HEART OF EVERY HUMAN BEING. AND WHO IS WILLING TO DESTROY A PIECE OF HIS OWN HEART?" - SOLZHENITSYN

Frigid air stole the warmth from his lungs. Crystalline droplets of moisture that swept over his bottom lip. A misting fog that caught his attention. It stole his focus. The land felt the same. The world did not.

His palm swept outward to press against the cold bark of a tree and he paused. The beating of his heart roared blood through his ear canals. The last time he had felt this kind of dread weave through his stomach, people had died. A great many of them. Many had spoken of a curse, darker magics, and superstitions that had flooded the homes of their quaint town. Though, none spoke of it now, the reality for the elders within Middletown would not falter. He remembered it as if it were yesterday. And the wind was warning them once again.

His heritage was a mystery of sorts. Why he listened to such omens were kept tight lipped and he reserved the right to lunacy to any that would question his intuition. It did not change the fact that he recalled the stories of old. He had seen the bodies. He had heard the tales and he had listened to the suspicions. It was with great apprehension that he let his very own son accept the office of Sheriff of Middletown when he was nominated to do so. And yet, there was none better suited to carry the title. Ever still, his apprehension grew in the days prior to the gruesome attack of the laborers. And he suspected a darker mind haunted their streets.

The tips of his fingers curled into the bark of the oak tree which he stood beneath and he turned his head downward. A quarry of perfect stones built a platform that was high atop of a great crevice. One that fell down in between two slides. Had it been more curved and closed off. It could have been considered a cavern; a cave. And yet, it was not. Shadows washed trees, and smaller creatures scampered over trodden roots. In the depths of that deep thicket laid one of Middletown's darkest secrets. Nature shielded it. The canopy of trees sheltered it. And he was the guardian of it. It was what had brought him out onto the path of such a trail this winter's twilight.

The edge of his lips curved into a smug smirk as his cold green eyes focused upon the tangling mass of winter rose upon the boulder's edge. Nothing had been disturbed here. All was still well. The only noise, save his own breathing, was the sound of birds upon branches. They skittered and hopped for their evening meal and he turned to leave them in peace. His right hand swept into the pocket of his black North Face coat. It hung low to his upper thighs to maintain warmth. From the depths his gloves were retrieved and placed upon his hands carefully. He swept his palm over the tree that he had touched bare palmed and turned away once more from this place. The wool cap was pulled over his ears as the sun began to descend to the horizon. He hadn't been out here in nearly two years. Two years too long. 

His gaze swept toward the Southern edge of the forest. It was colored red and pink with scant oranges rushing through the shadowed bare branches. And his heart recalled the fire that had claimed the home that was nestled in its care. Long since abandoned and forgotten. Overrun with ruin and vines now, it was a desolate frame upon a desolate land. Scorched and charred remains of a past only a few would remember, in a time he would not dare forget.

Dropping his chin, a fraction of an inch, he stepped away from it. He left it in the past where it belonged. Such a memory and such a time. Rubbing his hands together for warmth, he easily made his way to the sleek black jaguar that awaited him. From a good click away, via remote, the car started. It was a luxury of the lifestyle he had earned. Preheated seats and auto start. A perk, indeed. He had made it just in time, darkness was descending on the forest. Just as he had reached the driver's side door and swept the key over the auto unlock. The door came easily open and he shifted his eyes over the top of the car. Back to the depths of the trees. Ever still, there was amiss in the air.

Something wicked was coming...

Huffing out a breath, he slipped easily into the driver's seat, and closed the door. Halogen headlamps swept the patches of snow that had fallen upon this altitude. He pulled the gloves from his fingers and laid them to the side. With a push of a button the car pulled forward into drive and his thumb clicked upon a button on the steering column.

" Call Leo. "

He said dryly, the touchscreen of the car's display indicating a call was being made. Some ill reputed song rolled over the speakers as a ring back tone. Something to the tune of Prayer in C. It was rather catchy, but not for him. His son's voice came over the speakers a moment later.

'Hello..?'

A sigh of relief swept from his lips as he turned down the curvature of the mountain pass. He had been silent for a moment longer than necessary. His gasp easing upon the steering column. The sound of worry filled the syllables of his son's voice.

'Hello? Dad...?'

He blinked then, frowning at himself. Some strange emotion of dread had found his heart. It was good to hear his son's voice. Even though he had only seen him earlier that morning.

"Leo. Yes. I am here. Sorry. I must have lost you for a second. There you are. I can hear you now. "

'Dad. Are you all right? Where are you..?'

" Yes. Yes. I'm fine. I am on my way home. I had a few things to take care of. Listen, I know you're busy protecting the welfare of the common folk, but I need you to meet me at home. As soon as you can. "

He did not wait for an answer or any questions. It was rare for him to request such, but it was important, to say the least.

" I'll see you in half an hour. "

"A WORLD GROWS UP AROUND ME. AM I SHAPING IT, OR DO ITS PREDETERMINED CONTOURS GUIDE MY HAND?" -MOORE

"You don't understand... "

The words breathlessly fell from his lips as his son glowered at him. Pain and misunderstanding had driven a wedge between the two of them. It was evident by the way that Leo flung frustrated emotion filled syllables back at him. He took a slow step back, with a soft intake of air.

'I'm standing in your way. ME. You make your decision, Father. I've made mine.'

Before he could speak. A defense that would not come. Panic had stricken the radio and Tara's voice was rushing forward to greet them both. Victims? He took a step forward with a frown lacing his features. He watched his son rush forward to the door, speaking to his adopted daughter. Rushing to the door himself, he caught the threshold and watched the black dodge spin gravels over the manicured circle drive. Flashing hues of blue and red light the darkness as his fingers curved around the door frame. He waited until the roaring of the engine died down and he could no longer see the emergency lights of the police car. No siren came. No wailing noise. Only shadow and silence. 

He lifted his chin to peer up at the moon that swept off behind the clouds. It was familiar, something about her sheen. And about this scenario. He'd left to chase after Tara, who had found trouble with the rabble.

It was to be expected. He supposed. Considering the nature of their hearts. Compassion that was afforded to them both that perhaps, he himself, had lost. He turned to step back inside of the hauntingly silent wood and stone mansion. The trickling sound of water from a hewn stream rushed down the left great wall. Clear droplets that did not hinder nature's flow. The nearly ten thousand square foot home sat upon roughly three hundred and sixty acres of forest and mountain passes. Land that he had inherited from his Father. As he had much of this very town and the properties within it.

He had already graciously divided out and sold the lands. On a rent to own basis. And yet, there were sacred places to not be touched. There were some that believed far differently. Some that thought the high mountainous range to his North belonged to their ancestors. A right that had no bearing upon his own lands. Except a road would be cut straight through his forest should they actually obtain it. That was unacceptable. They had their homes. They had reasonable rent. Was that not enough? They carried on in town hall meetings like vagrants, ruffians, with no manners. Speaking of starving near the lake, peddling the odd jobs to scrape by. Worse still, they accused the bank's owner, Mr. Serafim of cheating their ancestors out of the wealth that should have come to them. And the vowed revenge on any that had stood in their way from obtaining it once more.

It was a battle that he had fought before. He had no lost love for the elders of that line. For his own reasons. His right hand swept over the center of his chest and rested there. What was hidden beneath his palm was a story that he spoke not of. Only one other in this town would recall. It was the doctor of the heart of the hospital. His eyes lifted to the oil and mahogany framed photo. He stood with a tall female. His arm was wrapped around her waist. Both prominent and cultured icons of this community. With her death, so died his compassion for a great many things. Vagabonds and sullied beggars included. He might never speak of what happened to her. Of how his scars were obtained. Even if he did remember in vivid clarity.

 A splash of brandy was poured into a tumbler and lifted to his lips. He drank it easily, then turned for the door. His son was in town. His daughter. And there would be no leaving them to face the violence alone. Not when he had foreseen its coming. Not when he had an inkling who was behind it. As he stepped from the door the security lights swept high above the yard, lighting his pathway to the garage.

They claim their labours are to build a heaven yet their heaven is populated with horrors. Perhaps the world is not made. Perhaps nothing is made. A clock without a craftsman. It's too late. Always has been, always will be–too late. -Moore

Parking a good distance away from the chaos in the alleyway adjacent to the Prancing Pony tavern. He made his way easily unseen up the sidewalk. Once he had owned this particular establishment, but for the right price, he'd let it slip through his hands. Through the side door he went and was greeted by the friendly inn keeper. He nodded to him with a warm smile and slipped the gloves off of his hands, shoving them into his pocket. He moved toward the bar and dusted off a seat.

'Mr. Forrest! Ever a joy! Can I get you a Johnny Blue? I made sure we had some this time..'

He pursed his lips, looking critically over the selection.

" That's very kind of you, Alan. I did not mean to impose, but I will not forget your generosity. Yes. Please. "

With an exuberant nod, the barkeep turned to pour the expensive glass of alcohol, settling it down before him. A napkin actually beneath his.

'It's always an honor, Mr. Forrest. On the house.' The man set it down and stared at him curiously, 'What brings you out here at this hour? I guess it's all the chaos across the street.'

Canting his head toward the chubby, yet friendly face of Alan, he curled his hand around the glass. Shifting his hues toward the scene of flashing lights out of the window, then back to him.

One Last Time RPG

 

Jan 26th 2024 - 12:24 AM

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Ah, home.

Nudging the large front door closed with her booted foot, Adele tossed her car keys onto a side table in the large entryway and untied the belt of her long cream-colored coat, letting it fall from her shoulders before hanging it on a coat hook - along with her reddish-brown leather purse. With a slight shiver, she looked through the tall windows on either side of the ornate door, studying the heavy sky in the gathering darkness. She wondered if it might snow. It was windy - a frosty, chilling wind that knifed into one's bones and threatened to freeze the very blood in one's veins. Adele shivered again.

"Dad, I'm home," she called, glancing around the high arched wall that led to a cozy living room. Under lofty vaulted ceilings - the stark white lines softened with wooden beams - soft blue couches and matching overstuffed chairs were arranged around a grand river-rock fireplace, a thick rug with modern designs in gray and muted blue and black, and a silver glass coffee table hosting a neat stack of medical magazines and a huge book with glossy photos of space, constellations, nebulae, and other spectacular astronomical phenomena.

"Daaad, I've brought a boyfriend for you to meet," she joked, ducking into the entryway again and tugging off her lavender cashmere scarf with a mild smirk. Wouldn't that give him the shock of the decade, if it were true.

She expected no response and received none. The flat-screen television was off, and the few lights that glowed from various rooms were on timers. Her father wasn't home, but that neither surprised nor troubled her. It was his day off from Guardian Angels Hospital. Adele unzipped her brown leather boots and, as an afterthought, she flicked the switches on the wall that turned on great flood lights around their manicured driveway. The bright illumination fell upon raised garden beds with carefully-winterized varieties of rose bushes and empty spaces where spring bulbs lay sleeping under the frozen ground. Even the enormous graduated tiers of the stone fountain stood silent, waiting for warmer days to awaken it.

Smoothing her fingers through her long brunette hair, Adele padded into the spacious kitchen, glancing over the immaculate granite countertop until she found one thing out of place - a piece of paper tucked beneath a white ceramic horse head statue, reminiscent of a knight's chess piece. Smiling softly, Adele turned up the row of silver lights that hung over the counter. Then she tugged the note loose, reading her father's strong and fluid handwriting.

Spring fever has gotten to me, and I've broken out my clubs and gone golfing. In my dreams. Actually I've gone to the river with Landon for ice fishing. Wish me luck. Keep a candle burning in the window. I'll be home this evening, not too late, hopefully with the big one that didn't get away. Love, Dad.

"Hmm," huffed Adele aloud, amused with her father's humor. Folding the note in half, she slipped it beneath the horse head statue again and fingered the silver and diamond star pendant he had given her on her thirteenth birthday, her blue eyes drifting distant. The pendant had belonged to her mother before she'd left them, and Adele and her father had an unspoken agreement never to talk about it. But the pendant was a bittersweet reminder and a precious gift. Adele associated it more with her father than her mother. It was supposed to have been a wedding present for her, but apparently her father couldn't wait that long. He still tended to spoil her.

Emerging from her reverie and rubbing absently at a mild ache in her neck, Adele approached the refrigerator and opened the door, peering inside. The shelves were sparsely populated; there wasn't much to choose from. If they had a snowstorm coming in, she really needed to make a shopping trip to stock up in the event that the snowplows all had engine trouble. At the same time. That was a worst-case scenario, of course, but Adele liked to be prepared. It gave her a sense of stability... of security. Perhaps she should check the weather report. But later. Holding the refrigerator door open with one hand, she rubbed her neck with the other, but the stubborn ache refused to subside.

Adele frowned. She wasn't old enough to suffer from weather-related pains, though in her defense, it had been a long winter. And she needed a defense; recently, her age had been the source of much loud speculation. Specifically, her age in correlation to the status of her love life - or lack thereof. It was a small town, and there was little to do but gossip, and so gossip they did. They were goodhearted folks, well-meaning and helpful, but they tended to meddle and they were incurably nosy. After her mother's abrupt departure, they had tried to set up her father with surprise dates, and they had been undaunted in the face of constant failure for almost a decade before they'd reluctantly subsided. But they didn't give up. Unwilling to admit defeat, they merely lurked on the sidelines and watched him with a wary eye, waiting for him to show the slightest sign of faltering so they could pounce on him again.

Now the local matchmaking collective had new prey. With Adele staring down the barrel of thirty and seemingly unconcerned about her marriageable future, everyone else panicked on her behalf, and they all wanted to know. Were there no prospects on her horizon? There were plenty of eligible young men in town; sooo... would she like to... meet them?

Adele's eye twitched. The pain in her neck threatened to escalate into a full-blown headache, and she abruptly grabbed a small container of vanilla Greek yogurt and set it on the counter. Selecting a bottle of Coastal Red from her father's collection, a particular favorite that he procured from a local winery, she poured herself a glass, then carried her snack and a spoon into the living room and settled into one of the overstuffed chairs. Leaning forward, she placed her snack on the coffee table, then produced her iPhone and tapped the weather app, studying the evening forecast. To her surprise, there was only a twenty percent chance of snow, and Adele frowned again. Had the weathermen been outside lately? It definitely felt like snow to her. She glanced out the window, and... oh. The clouds were breaking, and the full winter moon shone through the cracks.

Adele tossed her phone aside. Picking up her glass of wine, she settled back into the chair and relaxed. It hadn't been a hard day at work; then again, it never was. Adele had joked with the nursing staff that she'd gone through medical school and graduated with honors only to take a job where her primary tasks were filling out paperwork and mopping floors. She should have either studied accounting or had previous janitorial experience for the position, she'd quipped.

Well, it had been a long day of mopping floors, and she was thoroughly sick of idle gossip. Picking up her wine glass and a remote, she pressed a few buttons to turn on the radio to a smooth jazz station. Ahh, Kenny G. Songbird. One of her favorites, even if it did soothe her to the brink of dozing. She closed her eyes and let the slow rippling of the melody flow over her senses, and she occasionally sipped the light wine, savoring the delicate notes of apple and wild blueberry. Comfortable warmth stole through her body, mingling with the softness of the chair, and she lost her sense of time.

This was what she liked - quiet. Being alone with the familiar rhythm of her own thoughts, or simply breathing. Wandering the woods by herself, sometimes at night, in every season; contemplating nature or... even dancing, when the wild mood took her. There were strange moments of startling clarity when she felt thousands of years old, as if she had seen all that the world had to offer and had come to a place of serenity in a perfect oasis that she was not keen to leave. Why complicate that?

Chaotic female vocals interrupted the instrumental piece.

Come on baby, and rescue me,
Come on baby, and rescue me,
'Cause I need you, by my side,
Can't you see that I'm lonelyyyy?

Her eyes snapped open and she stared in confusion, suddenly realizing that the other song was coming from her iPhone - the ringtone she had chosen for emergency dispatch. Lurching forward, sloshing wine, she picked up the phone and tapped it on.

"This is Adele..."

She listened to the voice on the other side, her blue eyes widening. "What? Did you say FOUR?"

Shock blazed across her face. The wineglass fell from her hand and broke, splashing red liquid all over the plush cream carpet. She looked down at the mess with a distressed expression, and then she leapt out of the chair, charging for her coat and keys.

"I'm on my way. Call Guardian Angels and tell them to prepare for multiple incoming patients. I'll call the doctor."

She tapped the phone and hung up, hastily throwing on her coat and stepping into her boots, then grabbing her purse and keys and running out the door, coat flapping and her mind still reeling. Four people stabbed! In Middletown! Peaceful, quiet little Middletown! She yanked open the door of her white BMW and jammed the key into the ignition as she slammed the door, throwing the car into reverse and stomping on the gas to send the car racing backwards down the long driveway. She craned over her shoulder, executed a rolling turn to her right, braked, shifted into drive, and swerved onto the road. She sped to the stop sign, barely glanced both ways, and drove right through it.

"Oh Dad, please don't have left your phone in the car," she muttered through clenched teeth, keeping her eyes on the road while she navigated her iPhone contacts with her thumb. The ringing commenced, and Adele waited in agonized impatience, steering with one hand and holding the phone to her ear with the other. Three rings, four rings, five rings. Voicemail.

"Darn it, Dad!" she hissed, screeching around a tight curve at high speed while the warmth of her father's recorded greeting grated her nerves. Finally the soft beep...

"Dad! It's an emergency. Get to the hospital as quick as you can. We've got four incoming patients with stab wounds. I don't know anything else. I'll meet you there... hurry!"

She hung up, puffing out her cheeks. Dear God! She glanced at the blue clock to the right of her dash. Barely after six o'clock. Shouldn't he be tired of freezing his butt off with Landon by now? She hit the call button again. Three rings, four rings, five rings. Voicemail. She hung up.

Tawny color flashed in her headlights, and Adele stomped on the brake, her tires screaming against the pavement. The BMW skidded and lurched to a stop, throwing her hard into the steering wheel and banging her forehead on the windshield as a deer dashed across the road. Her iPhone tumbled down her coat and landed somewhere on the floor.

"Stupid...!"

Adele kicked around with her left boot and couldn't find it. Wrestling with her seatbelt, she hit the accelerator again, jolting ahead; her body tense and her stomach twisted into icy knots. Her heart pounded and she tried to measure her breathing, her knuckles whitening on the wheel as her mind leapt ahead to possible scenarios. Where was her father when she needed him? She had training to draw upon; her father had experience. Right now, the best chance these four patients had was experience. Not her. Already her hands were clammy and shaking.

A cluster of pale streetlights hailed the main center of Middletown, and she sped through the dark streets and squealed into the hospital parking lot. Siren lights blazed red and clusters of people swarmed around an ambulance - at least one. Maybe two? She didn't stop to count. Throwing the brake and jerking her keys loose, she leapt out of the car and bolted for the door. She burst inside.

"What's the situation?" she demanded of the nearest nurse, shedding her cream coat and pulling on a white coat instead as she strode for the trauma bay. She barely glanced at the police officers hovering near the doors, focusing instead on the chaos ahead of her. Nurses scrambled between three gurneys, hastily setting up IVs on the motionless patients.

The breathless blonde nurse half-jogged to keep pace with Adele's long strides. "One DOA and three in critical. Multiple stab wounds, large stab wounds. Multiple injuries from blunt trauma. Broken ribs on that one..." She pointed at a dark-haired young man, his face deathly pale. "We're prepping them for emergency surgery. Where's the doctor?"

Adele swallowed down her thudding heart. "I have a call in to him. Until then, I'm it. Let's get started."

The doors shut behind them, muting their tense conversations. The sterile halls of Guardian Angels Hospital were locked in a tomb-like stillness, with only echoes of the frantic battle beyond the doors to save lives that teetered on the brink of the eternal chasm - a breath away from heaven or hell. The physicians fought to hold onto them, to keep them from falling.

Half an hour later, the outside hospital doors flung open in a rush of cold air, and a tall man with a thick coat rushed inside. Hastily he shed his outer layers and furry snowcap, threw on a white coat, and charged into the trauma bay. The doors parted to admit him.

A feminine cry of relief exploded from within. "DAD!"

"Where are we, Adele?"

The doors swung closed again, masking the commotion inside. The buzz of the fluorescent lighting seemed unnaturally loud in the strained silence. But gradually the sense of chaos diminished, replaced by the calmer order brought about by a commanding presence and the knowledge that they had done all that they could.

Some time later, the blonde nurse emerged from the trauma bay, and she headed down the hall toward the hospital's front desk. Adele came out soon afterwards, her blue eyes staring and her body exhausted. How long had it been? It felt like hours - too many nightmarish hours. She pulled off her surgical mask and stumbled toward the nearest chair, dropping into it. She leaned forward to brace her elbows on her knees and buried her throbbing head in both hands. One shaky breath was drawn in through her long fingers, and then another. Then she rubbed her face and lowered her hands, sitting back again, gravely staring into space.

A puzzled frown drew her slender brows together, and her eyes grew more distant. It was the strangest moment to recall the incident on her drive toward the hospital. Perhaps her mind, desperate for escape, had latched onto the nearest possible memory, a snapshot taken in the blink of an eye - an unsolved mystery, one that might have troubled her earlier if she'd had time to think it over.

The deer... the one she had almost hit. It was a buck. And it wasn't a common whitetail deer. It was bigger, with long, thick fur. It looked more like a moose, and yet... it was too fast for a moose. And different. The legs were too slender. The fur was too light-colored. More like... an elk. And if it were an elk, it had carried the largest rack of antlers she'd ever seen in her life.

One Last Time RPG

 

Jan 26th 2024 - 12:23 AM

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(TRENTON, TARA, ADELE. WITH MENTION OF: KEEGAN, PHILLIP, AND MULTI OTHERS)

Beep... Beep... Beep!

'We have a rhythm, but he's hypotensive. Start a Dopamine drip, check the capnography. He needs a tube and get him on the ventilator. We have to prep him for surgery or he's not going to make it. And for the love of God someone page the doctor again! '

He took a slow step back with a frown sweeping over his lips, while all the medical terminology flowed through the room, the trauma bay at their small hospital was nothing but an oversized room with more equipment than the others in it. And at this very moment it was flooded with about five emergency room nurses and a respiratory therapist. The entire staff appeared to be within the room and he did not wish to be in the way. Taking a slow step to the right, he moved out of the way to let them do their jobs.

As he should do his job and he tried to, he listened, and watched picking up faint tidbits of information on their conditions as they rushed to and fro. A breathing tube was sifted into the trachea of the darker haired one who was stabbed through the lung and then the other who was through the back. As they made mention of paging the doctor once more, he turned his gaze toward the doors, and began to worry of his well being. Perhaps, some misfortune had fallen upon him, after all they were facing one murder and a triple stabbing in their otherwise quiet and peaceful down. Sleepy, that's the term they would have given to MiddleTown, until tonight.

He lingered within the far corner with Tara as, it would appear, the Charge Nurse came rushing through the doors of the ambulance bay. Without a moment's hesitation she was thrusting off her own cream colored coat and adorning a white hospitalist's coat. He paused for a moment, shifting his gaze toward her. She was taller than most with dark hair, which she had messily swept up behind her head. Like everyone else in this town, who knew of everyone else, he had heard of her. Adele; daughter of the only medical doctor in MiddleTown. Other than that, he knew very little about them, except they were the prominent wealthy family, save his own, on the opposing side of the town nearest to the river. 

Curious, he wasn't aware that she was in charge when her Father was not here, but as long as they saved the lives of the three that were desperately wounded it was just an assault... and not a homicide. And that is what he hoped for the most, for he would not wish to be dealing with a mass murderer. Assaults could be explained with too much alcohol, too much testosterone, petty disputes, but murder. That took a far greater toll upon the mind and weighed terribly upon the heart. Already, he knew the cost of the damages that were done, for in a town where no one locked their doors, he had the notion that until the criminal was caught, all windows and doors would be cinched tight tonight. The thought alone sent a wave of nausea sweeping through him.

He paused as the doors swung open and the good doctor himself came through. His gaze shifted toward Adele who yelled out to him exasperated with a mixture of girlish relief and tender aching. For it was a terrible disaster and all knew it, he strained to hear their conversation as he loomed on the cusp of the situation. Yet, he was growing terribly impatient at it all, he needed to know what the prognosis was and he needed to do so shortly. Fortunately, he would not have to wait for long, for as the patients were wheeled away from him and through the hallway, he picked up his stride, and matched pace with the doctor.

" I know that you're busy, but can you give me anything? How are they...? "

Annoyance flickered over his brow, then it smoothed out with quiet understanding. ' They are in critical condition, Leo. I won't know anything until we open them up and repair their internal injuries. Until then, we're all just hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. As soon as we know anything, I will call you. Excuse me..'

The doors to the surgical suite closed and he found himself standing outside of them with a frown poised over his lips, left in the sterile and pristine environment. Stark quiet, that's what it was, and he drew in a slow breath, seeking to find the middle ground that would afford him some manner of insight onto the entire of the case. He paused for a moment longer, before steadily he turned and made his way back down the hallway. It was there that he found Tara at the small desk tat was in a crescent moon shape before it turned to the double ambulance bay doors. He reached down for her elbow and gently curled his fingers around it, drawing her closer to him for a moment. This is where he walked with her, the two of them easily turning around warm bodies as they walked. He turned his chin toward Tara and whispered into the shell of her ear.

" I need you here, Tara. I need you to be here when they wake up. The second that any of them opens their eyes or says a word I want you to call me. "

He stepped toward the doors with her and paused before he went out, concern was etched over his features, as he turned to face her. She had been through the wringer tonight and he knew it well. He offered her a warm smile, " You saved their lives, kiddo. I'm proud of you... do you think Harold would have been tough enough to pull that off..?"

Mirth twinkled within his eyes, but it was short lived, because he knew ..the situation was quite dire. He knew that she would want to be out there with him, but there was little way that they both could be two places at once. Drifting his hand from her elbow to her fingers, he squeezed her hand.

" I've got to get back out there, I have to try to figure out who did this. If anything happens, if you need anything. Call me Tara. Promise me. "

Standing at the door with her, he gave her hand another firm squeeze, and leaned forward to press his temple to her own, a warm gesture that they had shared since they were young. It was then that he pulled his fingers from her own and made his way out the doors. Tara could handle this, she was able to do so, and he had the utmost trust and faith in her. As he stepped out into the cold kiss of winter's air, he drew in a deep breath, and made heady strides right toward the unmarked charger. There was much that needed to be done.. and little time to do it in..

The first stop would be the crime scene of course, without much hesitation, he had tromped on the gas, after pulling out of the hospital parking lot. Within less than five minutes he was back on the scene, which was now being guarded by a small two person team of 'crime scene investigators' if they could be called that. In fact, they weren't versed in it at all. One was Elaine, she ran the library, and the other was her husband, Frank who ran a horse farm. Citizen soldiers as it were and he was grateful for their help, he pulled up to the scene, and climbed out of the car easily. With a slow breath exhaled from the depths of his lungs, he drawled his coat closer to him as a particularly strong wisp of wind swept him by. He made his way toward the two of them and glanced around slowly.

" Hey Frank, Elaine... please tell me you found something... "

His gaze swept the ground where the three bodies had been found, but warm troubled smiles swept over their lips. The two of them made their way toward him with a milk crate that was filled full of small sandwich type baggies. Anything that he had wanted them to grasp onto was done, just as he had asked. It was a lot of data to go through, a lot of evidence to work with, and he easily took it and settled it within the trunk of his car. That is when he turned to walk through the crime scene on his own, it was said that he had a keen eye and a deeper sense of perception for these sorts of things. Making his way slowly to where Phillip had fallen, he paused, crouching nearest to the pool of blood that was beneath an older fire escape.

 Crouching carefully near it, he shifted his gaze upward peering up at the roof. Some small bolts were dislodged and with each wind that rushed down that alleyway, he could clearly hear the creaking iron grating against the wall. His lips twisted into a frown and he stood slowly up, walking carefully around the crimson pool of blood where Phillip had landed. He had the notion that he was perhaps upon the roof or the fire escape when he was wounded. And perhaps the first of the group that blood was drawn upon. The only way to get to that roof, safe from the unsafe fire escape, was through the pub itself and he knew that for a fact, because he had been hounding the owner of the bar to get it fixed for quite some time.

Frank lingered nearest to his shoulder, speaking in a rapid tone about what he thought had happened to the victims and each sentiment was taken into account silently. He nodded to him lightly to indicate that he heard each word that he said, but he, himself, was focused upon how many steps was in between the first victim's body and the second. Keegan. His gaze turned down to the massive amount of blood that was spilled upon the alleyway and he scowled faintly, with a swift movement he crouched down nearest to the area and twisted his lips. " Did you find a weapon? " He inquired, peering up at Frank questioningly, for no butcher knife or regular steak knife would have caused that manner of damage.

'No weapon, Sheriff. Not yet. We think they might have ran off with it, whoever did this. Do you – do you have any suspects?'

A light frown tugged the edge of his lips into a faint frown, " We have one suspect in custody... don't worry we'll figure out who did this.."

A warm hand was dropped on his shoulder, " Why don't you two go on home. There's nothing more you can do here, but I thank you for your help. I truly do.."

To that Frank offered him a warm smile, 'Anytime, Sheriff.'

With the citizens off of the scene, it gave him more of a chance to look upon the area silently. A few passer-bys were lingering on the edges of the scene, but none dared to come closer to it. He walked slowly upward to the place where the third victim was found and with a faint pause, he glanced down at the objects that were strewn about. It was clear that there happened to be more of a struggle here than with the other two. The older of the three victims definitely put up a fight and a strong spirited one as well.

 He drifted his fingers over a scuff mark within the stone building next to him, it appeared that the weapon had hit the stone and had he more resources, he would have made a mold of it, but the better bet was to get photos of the wounds and the clothing of the victims. He kept it in his mind, however, and turned to go up the back steps of the Prancing Pony. This door didn't close particularly well and it never had, time had weather worn it away, and he lightly exhaled a slow breath, pushing through it. The scent of beer and warm air swept over him, the faint pine wood causing him to reel faintly. Yet, with the cold blast of air from the outside that swept through, several of the denizens made pause to peer upon him.

He hadn't realized he was so very cold, but the moment that he stepped through the door, his gaze shifted over the crowded area. It seemed like half of the town was in here this evening, most likely to just be close to the scene of the crime, as it were. All were gossiping and it was up to him to decipher the truth from the realities of what had happened. His gaze drifted toward the bar and paused upon the tall figure of his Father. That's when a particular nuance caught his attention, a simple thought that made his brows drift together in a faint furrow. He didn't like it, one bit, the thought that went through his head, that he had even entertained such a notion caused his stomach to twist with a sense of nausea and nerves. He exhaled a slow breath and took a few steps toward the edge of the bar.

"Alan.. " He said with a nod of his head, glancing over toward Trenton once more, he studied him thoughtfully, " I hate to interrupt the business for the evening, because it seems pretty good, but .. did you see any strange individuals come through here tonight. People that might have been ...looking for trouble, because I think someone here knows what happened.. "

Alan stopped swiping the smudged cloth atop of the bar for a minute and frowned lightly, ' Come now, Leo. You've known me for a long time. I don't make it a habit of getting into the personal affairs of people that come in and out of here. I ask them what they want to drink and I get it. Beyond that their business is their own..'

A smirk swept his lips, " Yes. I understand, Alan, but you've also got eyes and ears. You had to hear something or see something or did you decide to go blind this evening? "

A hearty laugh swept from the depths of the burly man's chest. He was quite tall, broad shouldered with bushy mutton chops that ran down his jawline, ' Why don't you come back when you're not working, Sheriff. We'll sit down, have a few drinks, and talk it over.'

It seemed as good as it would get, but if he had to, he would go door to door through every single house in this town until he found who was responsible. They were graced with the wonders of a small town and the gift in this was that everyone knew everyone else and there were always a few people that had their noses in everyone else's affairs. This would prove to be useful in this particular case. Nodding slightly to the barkeep he turned then tapping his knuckle upon the top of the bar three times.

"You can count on it.. " With a faint glance toward Trenton once more, he turned and stepped for the door of the bar, carefully cataloging anything that seemed out of place within the camera of his mind's eye.

Back out into the night he went, the cold air rushing him in the face and he took a deep breath from it. Something wasn't right, the depths of his heart felt unsettled. It was then that his phone beeped, flashing a text message as it were. He swept his thumb over the keypad and read the message without hitting a response on it. It was time to swing back by the hospital on his way to the station and check in on Tara and the victims. It was going to be a long night – of that much he was for certain.

He settled into the driver's seat of his car and closed the door, cranking the engine quite easily. Warm air immediately came from the vents and he was grateful for it. This was going to be a harsh winter and he wasn't quite looking forward to it, then again he had never been one for the colder weather as it came about. He was more fond of the warmer spring weather or the Autumn season, as it were. Hitting a number on the phone and dispatched answered the call..

" Hey Sylvie.. it's me. Listen.. I need you to do me a huge favor, if you would... could you put the wheels into motion to get the town together for a meeting. We need to kind of get a handle on this, if he can... "

A warm smile swept his lips and he nodded gently to himself, even if she couldn't see it or his smile, it was in his voice, the faint relief that he felt on the matter, " Thanks, Sylvie. You're the best... I owe you one.. "

Less than a minute later, he had ended the call and made his way back toward the hospital and it did not take him long until he arrived back. He took just a moment to gather his thoughts as he shut off the car and let it cool within the parking space. Far too much had transpired this evening and he needed to get grasp on it, but there was quite a bit left to do. Only a moment, perhaps two, he rested within the silence of the evening. Drawing in a slow and deep breath, he slipped out of the car and made his way back into the hospital.

It was a touch disconcerting, if it had been a normal night, then it might have appeared as if everything was normal. Quite normal, as it were, but it wasn't. Nothing about any of this felt right to him and it was gut wrenching. Steeling himself he punched in the code to the back door and swept inside of the emergency room. Gloria, the blonde haired nurse who was with Adele earlier offered him a slight smile, and she nodded to him gently. He returned it with a warm smile and made his way through the department. There was no sign of the doctor or of Tara, but as he made his way down the hallway, a glance into one of the rooms caused him to pause with a faint frown.

He took a slow step back toward the room, peering at Adele who was resting in the chair with her elbows upon both of her knees, and her head within her open palms. He sucked in a slow breath and stepped into the room, it made his heart hurt to see the toll that this violent of a crime spree had taken upon the town. He cleared his throat gently, not wishing to startle her, as she appeared to be lost within the vibrancy of her own thoughts.

" Excuse me.. Adele, is it? " He inquired of her, his voice lower than it needed to be, " .. I don't mean to disturb you, but .. are you all right? "

It seemed like a daft question, but with the way that she stared at the wall, the blank expression. The wrought features and tenseness that seemed to hang upon her like a heavy cloak, he already knew the answer to the question when he asked it. Yet, it did not hurt to do so. After all, it was why he agreed to take the position of Sheriff after all, to help and protect the people in this town. And sometimes it was more than writing tickets and taking reports.. in fact most of the time it was on an interpersonal level. Such was the case at this very moment.

One Last Time RPG

 

Jan 26th 2024 - 12:23 AM

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The clearing of a nearby throat startled Adele from her reverie, dispelling visions of strange deer in the dark and motionless men who barely clung to life, and she lifted her head and looked up to find a uniformed officer in the doorway. His curly hair was as black as his uniform, but his brown eyes were a warm contrast to the flashing sharp silver he wore - his badge, buckles, buttons. Absently, Adele nodded when he inquired after her name, and she studied him for a moment, not entirely comprehending his questions; her blue eyes staring raw and wet with unshed tears. Finally she lowered her gaze.

"Yes... more or less. I'm sure I'll be alright." Her brow furrowed as she pressed three fingers to the bridge of her nose, trying to stave off a headache. Quickly she brushed the moisture from her eyes and sniffed. Then she sighed and looked at the officer again, instinctively certain that he would understand. "It's all part of the job, right? So they say." Shaking her head, she glanced away, her voice catching. "It's easy to accept that... that concept... until it stares you in the face and you can't..."

She shook her head again and trailed off, swallowing the dry knot in her throat, her pale face drawn and her eyes distant. Words eluded her, for the images still seared her brain and adrenaline burned in her veins. She was exhausted, but she knew very well that she wouldn't be able to sleep. Not tonight. A glass of wine was definitely in order... perhaps two.

Another vague memory crept to the surface amid the chaos in her mind - the memory of this same officer questioning her father as the medical staff had wheeled the three patients in for emergency surgery. At the time, Adele had barely caught a glimpse of him over her shoulder, but she recognized the distinctive tone of his voice. It was a rare voice, rich and warm and gentle even when it was strained with tension. She looked up at him again, and her gaze fell to his silvery nametag.

"Officer, er... Sheriff... Forrest? Forgive me, I should..." Clasping her hands in her lap, she made an effort to straighten up and continued a little more formally, as befitted one being interviewed for the sake of an investigation. "All three patients are still in critical condition, but they have a fighting chance. We've done all we can for them; it's up to them now. We're keeping them under observation. Now we have to wait..." Her blue eyes softened with sympathy. "I'm sorry that you can't talk to them yet. They haven't regained consciousness, and it's difficult to say exactly when they will. The nurses will be keeping a watch over them round the clock; if you like, I can make sure someone calls you if... when they wake up." She automatically reached for her phone, but her pocket was empty and she flinched. "My phone's in my car. I dropped it..."

Her thoughts veered in another direction, still scattered and fragmented. She lowered her head, studying the tile patterns on the white floor. "The fourth patient... didn't survive. He was DOA..." She wondered if he'd already known that. "All hands have been on deck up here, and we haven't had time to... to examine his injuries and determine the exact cause of death. If you like, I can have someone call you with that information also..."

She almost reached for her nonexistent phone again and grimaced, rising from her chair a little stiffly with a sigh. Her back ached, and she leaned slightly backwards, trying to stretch the tight muscles and coax them to loosen - even a little.

"Oh... if... you don't terribly mind accompanying me to the car, I can take your number and pass it along to my father and the rest of the staff. I promise, I'll make sure you're notified the minute we see any change or we have some news... any news." Studying him intently then, she wondered, "Do you know who did this? Do you have anyone in custody yet?"

She, for one, would certainly sleep better at night if she knew that the murderous psychopath was locked up behind bars. Then again, she might not sleep at all for that night, at least. But it would comfort the residents of Middletown, she was sure, if they knew that the culprit had been apprehended. And she had no doubt that the Middletown Police had taken the burden of that responsibility squarely upon their shoulders, and Sheriff Forrest was the head of that department.

Gazing at him more intently than before, Adele ventured another question. "Is there anything more I can do to help?"

One Last Time RPG

 

Jan 26th 2024 - 12:22 AM

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He should have known that she would be in pieces when he inquired after her well-being. In fact, he already knew it well before he had spoken toward her at all. Half a foot fall down the hallway and he had made himself pause and turn back to the threshold of the door, which he had no true business being within. And that's when he asked after her, breaking the silence of her thoughts. Yet, he saw her as she was, droplets of crimson stained her scrubs and as she turned her head to peer at him, he saw the unshed tears within her eyes. The moisture that hanged there and just threatened to be released, and he sighed. Of course, she would try to be strong and pretend as if nothing were wrong at all, but he knew how it was within this town. It was quiet and peaceful, it wasn't violent, everyone grew up with everyone else.

Everybody knew everybody else's business. It was what it was, but things like this didn't happen here. Violence didn't happen. In fact, it never should have. This was the one place on the map that when you looked it over, it read 'quaint' and 'quiet'. It read peaceful and warm, thoughtful and gentle. The kind of place where grandparents wanted to bring their grandchildren and parents wanted to raise their children. Not the type of place where four people are stabbed and one was dead. He exhaled softly to her and took a slow step into the room, walking nearest to her.

She had her head in her hands, her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose, and he shifted his weight gently, before he took a slow seat next to her tentatively, in one of the empty chairs. She spoke of it all being part of the job, so they said, and he nodded his head gently to her.

" So they say.. " He spoke unto her, then smirked faintly, " It doesn't make it any easier when we're the ones that have to pick up the pieces of everyone else's broken reality. "

Her voice caught in her chest in the rise of a shuddering set of tears and his expression softened, though he had hope beyond hope that she would not shed tears. It was one of those things for him that tore him to bits, the suffering of others, but he moved slightly, dropping his hand upon her shoulder in a friendly fashion.

 " You can't take responsibility for the actions of others, Miss Adele. All that you can do is be responsible for the choices that you make and I saw you in there earlier. You knew what you were doing and if it hadn't been for people like you, with their well being in mind, they wouldn't be in the condition that they are now. "

She straightened her shoulders and attempted to look at him as a formal witness might, after straining her gaze upon his name tag. She addressed him formally and he nodded to her with silent understanding in his gaze. He withdrew his hand from her shoulder and settled his elbow against his knee, leaning forward, while still looking at her. She spoke of them being in critical condition and he nodded his head, he had assumed as much, but he needed to know for certain that they had all survived their surgeries. 

There seemed to be a titch of relief that eased through him at that, his shoulders slumped faintly, but he did not say anything about that at the moment. She spoke that they were going to be watching over them and as she apologized that he was unable to question them, he shook his head, holding up a hand as if to tell her that she need not do so. As she made mention of someone calling him when they awakened he nodded his head lightly.

" That would be very helpful, thank you. "

He watched her as she fumbled in her pocket then flinched. He arched a brow at her silent distress sensing that it was there at her being so scattered, for she appeared weary and in quite a bit of disarray at the moment. It was to be expected, he supposed, because chances are she had never witnessed anything quite so harrowing. His heart went out to her in silent sympathy at the reckoning that rushed through her. 

He began to wonder if she had taken proper care of herself, or if she would at all, when push came to shove on the matter. For she was quite distraught, even if she put on the falsity of bravery at the moment. Of course she would, because nobody liked to show weakness, he understood this. He was sympathetic to her plight, because he understood it. She had a kind heart, no doubt, otherwise she would not be in the medical field. And this situation had to hurt her, more than she would admit. Yet as she made mention of the patient that didn't make it, he watched her lower her chin, and stared at the tiles. He knew that she counted them one by one and he sighed softly.

" Yes, I know. I know that he did not. I will speak with the doctor when he has the time. Don't worry about it, I know that it's been a stressful night. "

She shifted forward into her seat and he stood as she did. He silently observed the tension that was weighing her features, she was in pain, a little bit of an ache, and she appeared unwell. He fretted for her for a long moment as she stretched her back out, indicative that she had been on her feet for countless hours in a horrid scenario. She asked him to accompany her to her car and he offered her a warm smile. He realized that this might have been more for her peace of mind than anything else, because there did happen to be a dark cloud hanging over this town. And he hated that.

"Of course, it would be my pleasure. "

He smiled slightly to her and gestured for her to go ahead of him, which was only the polite thing to do. He took note of her intense gaze upon his features and his expression fell slightly, because she simply was asking him the same question that the entire town was wondering. Did they have a suspect in custody? Had they caught anyone yet..? He twisted his lips slightly and glanced away from her to search the hospital as they moved through it, stepping for the parking lot, and for her car. His voice lowered faintly.

"There is a suspect in custody, but .. everything is still under investigation. Whoever attacked them, however, won't be on the street for long. After the investigation I will know more. " He shifted his gaze to her, studying her for a long moment, " It wouldn't hurt to take a few extra precautions until we're sure we have all the facts. It's better to be safe... "

It was a word of caution, which he was loath to slip from his lips, but he had to say it. It was his duty, his job to keep the people of this town safe, which he had failed at this very day. Yet, he would not again. As they reached the parking lot, he followed her to her car, and paused as she asked if there happened to be anything else that she could do for him. The sentiment behind it touched him, but he shook his head slightly.

" Thank you, I appreciate that, but no. I am grateful for the time you've taken in helping me already, ma'am. "

 He studied her silently, taking note of her demeanor, of the way that she seemed dispersed, perhaps a bit tense, if not highly fatigued. Further proof of this was the fact that she had dropped her phone in her haste to rush into the hospital. Part of his job was to observe and see beyond the words that people uttered from their lips. He exhaled softly to her then.

" Adele..? " He spoke unto her inquisitively, taking a step forward slightly, " .. I couldn't help, but notice that you seem very tired. It's been a long day and a trying evening. If you would like, I could give you a ride home, or see to it that you get one."

She did seem a little shaken up still and she had the appearance that she needed to be in the bed many hours prior to this. He knew who she was and whose daughter that she was, so he was familiar with her address, " I assure you, it's not any trouble, it's actually on the way. "

He would let her consider it, but if she needed it, he would follow her, as it were. If she wished to take her own vehicle, then he would follow her without question.

One Last Time RPG

 

Jan 26th 2024 - 12:21 AM

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Just on the other side of Middletown,  the ground caved in on itself in the size of a small pit, a portal of green lightning tossing up the air and leaves around it in a wild frenzy.  From this swirling vortex came a thick black smoke. Fighting against the current, it climbed onto the ground a few feet away from the pit and began to raise up into two pillars, one twice the size of the other.  With its tail being pulled up after, the portal closed and the smoke began to take shape. A mother and her son appeared within its haze and the smoke sunk to their feet and disappeared.

"That might have been the smoothest ride I've ever had through a portal in all my life." The boy spoke in disbelief, looking around him to take in his surroundings, though he seemed to be in a bit of shock.

"Yeah, I got tired of being thrown around every time I used one, so we did a few test runs and found out this was much easier on the hoppers. Your mama, the trendsetter!" She chuckled and gave the boy a look over, making sure he was okay, as well as dusting off his modern clothes that had been tailored just for him. Once she was sure he was okay she took his shoulders and they moved toward a sign that was displayed just a few feet away near the visible road.

"... Middletown? ... I thought it was called Storybrooke?" She asked as they both took in the sign with a furrow of their brows.

"It was! ... Maybe they decided to change the name? Go with something a bit more normal?" The boy suggested, tilting his head back slightly to look up at her. She pressed her lips into a tight line. Something didn't feel right, but she kept telling herself that maybe it was because she was about to be forced to mingle with her first husband. Bae wouldn't hear anything about her getting him back for killing her, and with him being a child, there was almost no way she would ever want to upset him. He was her little boy and she was finally getting her chance to be with him again, so she had to suck it up.

"Doesn't sound normal to me... then again, I live in a country called Noxus, came from a country called Demacia, lived in the Enchanted Forest, Middle Earth and Neverland. What do I know of normal?" She questioned with a shrug, letting out a heavy sigh. They took another moment to ponder before she patted his shoulder and urged him forward.

"I guess we have a lot of explaining to do, huh?" He asked, a bit more light heartedly as they approached the town line.

"I have a lot of explaining to do, you're just along for the ride -- and can you do me a favor? You're like 10 again, could you humor me a little and act like it? I didn't get to have many fond memories of you at this age." She humored and moved next to him, taking his hand, though he seemed a bit against it at first.

"Ugh, Mama, I have a son of my own now!" He protested but held onto her hand anyway, just a few steps from the barrier.

"- and I would LOVE to meet him, but you're also probably younger than he is now so we'll deal with that--" They stepped over the town line casually but paused just on the other side. A suspicious glow covered them like a veil and their balance waivered, causing them to stumble slightly. Naturally she grabbed onto her son and attempted to regain her footing and keep him up. A fog clouded their minds and suddenly, within seconds, it was all gone.

Glancing at each other in a bit of confusion, they both looked around before holding hands again. "That was weird.." She mumbled before continuing on with  her son toward town.

"Mama, I'm tired, can I have a piggy back ride?" Bae whined softly and she scoffed with a sigh.

"Of course baby,  come on. Climb up~" She mused as she moved in front of him with her back to him, crouching down low enough so he could jump and wiggle his way up on her back. She reached her hands back, hooking them around his small legs then straightened herself, continuing on their journey.

"Can I have ice cream when we get home?"

"Only if you finish your homework first, Neal Cassidy."

*~*~*

They had just arrived at their humble little loft from across town when she heard her iPhone go off. Rushing over and peeking at the word 'Hospital' illuminated on the screen, she pulled the charger from the bottom port and swiped at the screen to connect the call before pressing it to her ear. "Hello?" She spoke quietly as Neal collected his book bag and moved toward the dining table to start his homework, though she quickly moved to his side and placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him. Usually when work called, it meant she had to go in - which meant she had to bring him elsewhere. The explanation spewed into her ear caused her hues to widen before she nudged her son toward the door and pointed at his shoes while she rushed into their shared bedroom to change into her scrubs.

"Four...?! -- I still have to drop Neal off. I might not make it in time-- Oh, okay." She struggled to strip off her rather intricate leather outfit, which she had only thought to put on to humor Neal while they went 'adventuring' in the woods. Thankfully, it was mostly like a dress and a corset, so once the laces came loose, she was able to wiggle out of them rather easily and began layering her scrubs on.

"Who's the DOA?" She asked with a heavy sigh of slight frustration, though the name mumbled into her ear caused a quirk of her brow. "Mr. Serafim? The bank owner? -- huh.." I wonder who gets to run the bank now...' she wondered silently to herself as she left the room and grabbed her black pea coat, pulling it on one arm at a time while sliding on her sneakers by the door where Neal was already standing with his backpack on.

"Okay, well, I'm going to drop Neal off at the Bowmans' and I'll be there as soon as possible. Mmhmm, bye." She explained before hanging up the phone and ushering Neal out the door.

Within 15 minutes, her small blue dodge neon SE pulled up right in front of a single family house by the docks. The engine idled as she and Neal climbed out and rushed up to the door, sounding off with three quick raps of her knuckles. It only took a few seconds before the sound of bolts unlocking came from within the door and it creaked open slightly, the young a single dark brown hue peeking out between the door and the threshold.

"Hey Bane, is your father home?" She asked softly, though she knew the child on the other side need not fear her -- though it was clear it wasn't exactly the safest of neighborhoods.

"No, he called from the police station... he said he might not be home for some time." Bane mumbled and glanced around, as if he wanted to check that no one else heard him. Devan Bowman? At the police station? Did the emergency have something to do with him? Had something happened down at the docks? As much as she wanted to ask, she was almost certain the children wouldn't know, so she kept quiet and made a mental note to ask Devan later, if he wasn't in too much trouble and came home soon at all.

"Oh, well.. can I leave Neal with you and your sisters for a little while? There's been an emergency and I've been called into work..." She frowned slightly, as much as she didn't like the idea of just children being in the house - Bane was 17 already, his younger sister, Samantha, was 15. She didn't exactly have any other options, but if they were old enough to take care of their youngest sister, Matilda, then Neal should be safe with them as well.

"Oh.. yeah, I guess. " Bane finally opened the door all the way, revealing his two sisters listening in on their conversation right behind him.

"Hi Neal!" Little Matilda beamed and waved as Milah planted a kiss on the top of her son's head. 

"Remember, homework before play." She whispered before hugging and releasing him into the house. "Thank you Bane. I'll be back to pick him up in a few hours." She waved at the children as she started to make her way back to her car. "And make sure you lock all the doors and windows, okay?" She called out before yanking open the driver's side door and ducking in. 

Fifteen more minutes and she was at the hospital, pulling into the nearest staff parking spot and jumping out just as the engine had time to turn off.  With her purse slung over her shoulder she made her way straight into the backroom to whip off her jacket and tuck her purse into a locker, her phone in her pocket before she clocked in and asked to be directed to where she was needed. Turned out they had needed to get one of the admin staff to help in the operating room in her place, which she knew must have been pretty terrifying because when she came in with a mask and gloves on, the red-headed admin went rushing from the room with heavy sighs. The next (what seemed like) hours she spent handing the doctors tools, sanitizing them, throwing away rolls upon rolls worth of bloody gauze and wiping sweat from doctors' foreheads. Needless to say, by the time the patients were remotely stable, she was exhausted.

Once out of the O.R., she took her break, considering she had been an emergency call in, they thankfully complied, though they insisted that she help determine cause of death for Mr. Serafim before they released her, even then they were asking if she could consider taking on a later overnight shift to help monitor the patients.

Just before returning from her break she calculated out the amount of time left before Neal's bed time, how long it would take her to shower, take a nap and be back in time for the overnight shift. It was going to be a tight squeeze, but such was the life of a single mother. She reluctantly agreed to the overnight shift then began her journey to the autopsy room with the blonde nurse while quietly gossiping over what could have possibly caused such a violent outbreak in their quiet little town.

One Last Time RPG

 

Jan 26th 2024 - 12:21 AM

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Like a downcast angel with broken wings, Adele didn't look up, even when she sensed Leo approaching. His footstep was soft on the hard floor, and the chair did not even creak when he sat down beside her - he was that gentle, that graceful. Quiet shock had gripped her senses, a silent paralysis that had a numbing effect on her emotions. It was as if she existed in a tunnel - a cold, gray tunnel under the buzz of the hospital lights, with darkness hovering around the edges of her vision and only the heavy sound of her own steady breathing in her ears. It was too loud - all too loud. But hollow. Empty.

Her fingertips dug hard against pressure points near the bridge of her nose, just beneath her eye sockets, and she poured out a little of her aching heart to the sheriff seated next to her. So they say, he echoed her, and she turned her head in his direction without looking up at him - as if she were tentatively seeking out his warmth, his comfort. Leo's wry smirk was reflected in his voice as he offered a nugget of truth: "It doesn't make it any easier when we're the ones that have to pick up the pieces of everyone else's broken reality."

"Hmm," she hummed thoughtfully, nodding. She was too exhausted, emotionally and physically, to dredge up a smile for his sake, but she pursed her lips and nodded again. "Yeah." Her voice was little more than a croak. Her eyebrows lifted and her brow furrowed. "I guess you would know. It's just... you go through all this schooling, read all these books, do all this research... try to prepare... but then... when someone is lying on that table, helpless, and you know their life is in your hands..."

Her lips twitched, and she turned her face back into her hands, pressing her fingertips beside the bridge of her nose as before - this time to capture the tears that fell, to hide them. She drew one shuddering breath, then another, and then she sighed. A hand fell on her shoulder, and Adele sighed again, the tension easing inexplicably from her body. It felt as if Leo had thrown a warm blanket over her shoulders with just that mere touch alone, and she calmed under his influence, listening carefully to the words of encouragement he offered. He reminded her that she could only take responsibility for her own actions, and that the rest of the world was beyond the reach of her control. It deeply touched her that Leo had noticed her before, working in the middle of the frantic chaos; that he thought it looked as if she knew what she was doing... when, the whole time, Adele had felt like a wet-behind-the-ears med student who couldn't remember the difference between a syringe needle and a cannula. It was imperative to keep a calm and level head; her father had drilled that into her a long time ago, and Adele had worked hard to portray that outward confidence - for the sake of her team. But on the inside... that was another story, and Adele felt as if taking off her surgical mask had caused the facade to crack.

It felt like months had passed since she'd been spending a quiet evening at home, unwinding with a glass of wine and a little smooth jazz. A phone call later, she'd been thrown into the fire... but Leo was right. If it hadn't been for her, and for the dedicated nurses at Guardian Angels, those three men wouldn't have had even the chance that they clung to now.

Slowly Adele raised her eyes to his, searching his warm brown eyes for a long moment. "Thank you," she said quietly, her raw voice soft and sincere. Nodding again, she lowered her head, but her gaze was softer than before. "You're right. Thank you."

The concrete tunnel had loosened its grip on her senses, and she could think a little - enough to realize that the sheriff probably had more of a reason for being at the hospital than to offer hope and comfort to distraught doctors. He must have been there in an official capacity, and while she had been submerged in misery, she'd been holding up a critical investigation! An investigation in which precious minutes were being lost! Quickly she tried to make up for it, beginning with... his name. He knew hers already, and she didn't question how or why. Straightening up, she glanced at his nametag, and then she embarked on a formal report.

Warm understanding was all she found in his gaze, even as he withdrew his hand from her shoulder, and she... she missed it. But his eyes never left hers as she explained the condition of her patients, and she watched him lean forward, his elbow braced on his knee, the open flap of his black jacket flared with the motion, and suddenly... she smiled, bemused. Why did police officers all maintain that same type of body language? Was it part of their training at the police academy, she wondered, and they couldn't pass until they had mastered all the stereotypical poses?

The amusing thought was as fleeting as her smile - so fleeting that he might not have noticed, but she couldn't be sure. He was watching her intently, and yet she did not shy away from his scrutiny. She gave him all the information she had, everything that might be remotely helpful to him, but the news that seemed to impact him the most was that her patients had survived their operations. Tension eased from his shoulders, and he held up a hand at her apology that he could not yet question them. It meant a lot to Adele, that he would exhibit such patience - despite how frustrating it must have been to not hear a firsthand account of the violence from one or more of the victims. Even so, he gratefully accepted her offer to have someone call him the moment there was a slight change.

When she instinctively reached for her phone, though, she frowned - because it wasn't there. That brought back the memory of dropping it, the rush of the buck with the huge antlers across the road in the dark... and it unsettled her. That and the searing recollection of flashing red and white lights... and the patient who didn't make it. Her gaze fell to the floor, and Leo was right. She had reverted to her childhood habit of counting floor tiles. If only the white tiles weren't so boring, so uniform... she preferred the little one-inch tiles in muted colors of yellow and blue and beige, arranged in random patterns so that she could pick out the three-plus-one design of a chess knight's move, or crosses, or zigzags among the scattered pieces. Mentally making order out of chaos.

Leo said that he knew - one of the patients didn't survive. He would speak with her father at a later time, and he both reassured Adele and lifted the burden from her shoulders. It had been a stressful night, he said, and Adele looked at him then - curious, bemused again. Comforting and soothing people at such a deep level was an art form, but for him, it came naturally.

"Thank you," she said quietly, her voice still strained with emotion.

Finally she rose stiffly and stretched. Her head throbbed, her back ached, her neck ached... everything ached. As her adrenaline faded, her body felt worse, and so did her bruised heart. Her muscles had been tight and tense for too long, she'd been on her feet for too many hours, and she was exhausted. She didn't want to inconvenience Leo in any manner, but she did not relish the idea of walking to her car alone - not this late in the evening, with all that had happened in town. At least she could take Leo's number and distribute it among the hospital staff in the process. The warmth of his smile eased her mind considerably, and he accepted without even a trace of hesitation. He swept his arm forward and encouraged Adele to precede him, and she gave him a weary, genuine smile.

"Thanks, Sheriff. I really appreciate it." With that, she pulled her cream-colored coat over her scrubs and retrieved her purse.

As they made their way through the hospital hall toward the doors, Adele looked up at him intently and asked whether they had a suspect in custody. The moment Leo's lips twisted that way, however, she almost regretted asking the question. Too much pressure was riding on him already. His watchful brown eyes roved the hospital corridors, and when they exited the doors into the cold night, he lowered his voice and answered that they had captured someone... but he didn't seem satisfied. Not in the least. If Adele had any doubts about his lack of satisfaction on their captured suspect, he assured her of it when he mentioned that the mysterious attacker would not remain on the street for long. The quietly determined way he said that sent chills down her spine, and she believed him. He would not rest until the crime had been solved and the murderer, or murderers, had been brought to justice.

His gaze shifted to hers, meaningfully, and he hinted that she needed to be careful. To take extra precautions. Adele's eyes were just as serious as she nodded.

"I will, Sheriff, and I'll tell my father. We'll keep our doors and windows locked, and we won't accept candy from strangers."

She wanted him to know... that it was alright. Issuing precautions hadn't upset her - on the contrary. She could handle this, confidently. Watching Leo, though, she wasn't so sure that he was handling it as easily. Her brow furrowed, and then she gently caught him by the forearm, her warm palm pressing in the cool leather of his jacket. Her steady gaze locked with his.

"You can't take responsibility for the actions of others, Sheriff Forrest," she reminded him, deliberately echoing his words from earlier. "All that you can do is be responsible for the choices that you make. And you will get to the bottom of this... in short order. I will do everything that I can to help you."

With every fiber of her being, she meant it as a promise. The welfare and security of the town depended on it, but she also saw in front of her a man who wished that he could procure that security for everyone. Adele was a doctor; she knew silent suffering when she saw it - even suffering that was willingly embraced for the greater good. She'd heard too many stories of bad cops, of lazy cops, of cops who didn't care... and Sheriff Forrest was not one of them. Just being around him stirred fire in her - a determination to help solve the case. She asked if there was anything she might do for him, and the thought clearly touched him, but he shook his head and gently declined with extraordinary gratitude.

Adele nodded, but it did not lessen the silent determination in her eyes. Even if there was nothing more she could do tonight but rest, tomorrow was a new day. She had her own investigation to conduct, and she would be thorough about it.

Winter cold knifed into her bones, and she shivered, pulling her coat closer as they approached her BMW - its moonstone finish glimmering in the icy blue light. She laid her hand on the door handle, and with a click, it automatically unlocked. Adele eased open the door and caught her breath as she leaned over, bracing a hand on the black leather seat as her back muscles seized up. Ohh... she really did hurt. All over. It had been a long night.

And she didn't see her phone.

Frowning, she patted at the dark carpeting, looking around the pedals, the middle rise between the seats, down where her feet had been - everywhere. Smart phones were not small! They did not simply disappear. Shifting her wandering hand beneath the chair, her fingers finally caught on a cool metallic edge, and she dragged her iPhone into the open and painfully straightened up again.

"Alright..."

Turning toward the sheriff, intending to ask for his number, he surprised her with an offer to take her home. She drew a soft breath, her lips parted as if to protest that she would be fine, but then... he alleviated any thought of inconvenience by assuring her that it was on his way. For a moment she studied him, struck so hard by his kindness that she couldn't react, and she briefly wondered whether her house really was on his way - or if he'd altered his intended route for her sake. She blinked and pondered, turning back to her car for a moment... and suddenly the whole idea of driving home alone, on the dark backroads of Middletown, seemed even less appealing than it had before. Bleak, actually - to be alone with all her tormented thoughts, her aching emotions, her complete exhaustion. Resolutely she pushed the door shut, and the alarm squawked as she came toward him.

"I'd like that very much," she confessed, catching his forearm again with a gentle squeeze and offering a little smile. "You didn't have to do that, but as long as it's no trouble..." She finished her sentence with a nod, her smile weary but warm. "I imagine it's been a long day for you, too." Glancing back at her abandoned car, she added, "This will give my Dad a good excuse to come home and get some rest, since he'll have to pick me up for work tomorrow, otherwise he'd probably stay at the hospital all night. I'll just text him and let him know where I am."

She accompanied him to his car - a sleek black vehicle with sportscar lines, just stern enough to suit a man with a badge. Adele raised her eyebrows and looked it over from fender to tail, taking in the details - the tinted windows, the Hakkapeliitta tires - she had the same on her BMW - and the inset fog lights on the front, along with the subtle additions of police lights. She was her father's daughter, and she liked a good car.

"Very nice Charger," she remarked, impressed. Then she faintly smirked, wondering over the fact that she had never seen it before. Everything about the Charger was clearly intended for stealth - for stakeouts, for speed traps; and the latter particularly amused Adele. How many times had she driven right past him, never knowing that he was waiting in the dark, watching? She owned a fine BMW with a solid 4.4-liter V8 engine, and that meant a lot of horsepower under the hood; but she never pushed the white needle more than five miles above the speed limit.

When Leo opened the door for her, she shot him a grateful look and another smile as she slid into the seat. Ohh... it was comfortable. Exquisitely comfortable. Leo closed the door, and she waited in the quiet interior - away from the harsh whiteness of the hospital, the buzz of the lights, the chaos and the tragedy. Here there was only a soothing shadow and true silence and peace, real peace. Leaning back against the headrest, she watched Leo stride around the front of the car, and her eyes never left him as he opened his own door and climbed in.

"Thank you so much for doing this, Sheriff," she said with quiet, heartfelt warmth. "It would have been... a long drive home otherwise."

With a deep sigh, she shifted in the seat - just once; she was too tired for more than that - and reached weary fingers toward her seatbelt, buckling herself in. She glanced at her companion with a smile.

"Wouldn't do for you to give me a ticket for not wearing the proper seat belt restraint, now, would it?" A faint shimmer of mischief sparked in her blue eyes. "That might make this drive terribly awkward." Lifting her phone, she lightly wiggled it. "Pardon me for texting, but I want to let Dad know that I'm going home with you. May I give him your number? He can share it with the nurses on duty."

One Last Time RPG

 

Jan 26th 2024 - 12:20 AM

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(DARIC, LEO, TARA, MILAH.)

There is no future. There is no past. Do you see? Time is simultaneous, an intricately structured jewel that humans insist on viewing one edge at a time, when the whole design is visible in every facet.

https://youtu.be/B00wg2o-SG4 

Four days before the stabbings:

Two glasses chinked together, sliding down the marble and pine counter. The tip of his finger tapped the edge of the cool slate and he reached for the bottle of honey amber liquid. Drambuie. In the cold of the winter eve, it salved the crisp iciness with a warm bite. Half and half. Galliano. Drambuie. Warmth and divinity. The perfect conversation spritzer. For the man who had everything to lose and the one that had it all to gain.

His lips twisted into a thin line as the last of the alcoholic liquid swirled over the small circular cubes of ice. With the tips of his fingers, he slid the glass toward his guest. His own fingers curled around the cool glass and settled his weight into the leather, high backed desk chair. A soft creak was the only sound, save the melting ice in the glass, and the heavy breathing of the man who sat across the mahogany desk from him.

"Go on. Drink it. It's not poisonous. It might bite, but it won't kill you. "

Rich and warm was the voice of Trenton Forrest, inviting his guest to partake of the generosity of his wares. After all, it wasn't every day that a man of his stature offered pleasantries such as these. From across the way, a scoff was heard, nearly a snort of disgust. Even as the ice shifted and strained against the glass with the rough way the cocktail was jerked from the table.

' I only want one thing from you, Mr. Forrest. And that's for you to get out of my way. Out of the way of my family and what is rightfully ours.'

Brazen. If not ignorant, he stared across the desk from atop of the rim of his own glass. Without a word straight away, he took a slow sip from the alcohol. It warmed him elegantly from his throat all the way down to his stomach. A welcome warmth. Who knew? Maybe that drink would save this ignorant man's little life?

" You must have mistaken me for someone else. I have no interest in keeping you from your inheritance. You can take that up with the bank owner. My concerns are far more simple, Mr. King. "

Farther back into his seat he leaned, stretching one long leg out in front of him. His elbow came to rest upon the leather arm of the chair and thoughtfully he swirled the liquid in his glass. If it were so easy to murder a man with a look alone, he had no doubt, he would be in a pool of his own blood on the floor. For daggers were thrown from the guest who was in his office.

'And what concerns are those..?'

The tone was biting and nearly offensive. Sharp articulation of offensive syllables. He, himself, sighed lifting the glass to his lips. Another sip was taken, relishing in the warm flavor. Though his piercing hues did not peer away from the adversary that was waiting on an answer. An explanation. Some lead way. Like a hungry wolfish predator waiting for its prey to show weakness the two stared at one another. It was difficult to tell whom was the hunted and whom was to be the hunter. Only. He already knew the answer to that. They both did. And that is what made this entire scenario amusing to him, if it were not so very dire.

" Well. "

He said, leaning forward in his chair abruptly. His elbows came to rest upon the corner of the large desk.

 " It concerns me that you think you can do whatever you'd like in this town. If memory serves me correctly, you are the one that left. You abandoned your rights to your Grandfather's property when you were a teenager. "

He lifted a hand before he could speak more on the matter, indicative of letting him finish.

" Land that your grandfather lost to Mr. Serafim. I warned him about his gambling problem and he did not listen. He lost everything. You can steal from Peter to pay Paul all of your life, but he was stubborn. He did not listen. And now here you are... "

Faintly, his eyes narrowed, but he curled his fingers around his glass. " I could care less what you do in regard to the bank. Buy the land back if you will. Put it up for sale. Build a mansion at the top of it. The only problem is this. You have no rights to the property around it. My property. You have no business trespassing where you are not welcome. There is no right away through MY forest. However, I am not unreasonable. Now, if you would like some assistance, in this matter.. "

Silence permeated the room. The dark haired man across the desk smirked smugly and then drained the alcohol from the glass. He dropped it hard onto the desk and looked up at Trenton.

'A favor for a favor.... ' His tone was filled with rash sarcasm.

" You could say that, yes. " He spoke calmly, ignoring the abrasiveness of his tone.

' Let me guess.. you want the rites to the mine...?' Silence fell around then in a tense shroud.

Long moments passed between the two of them before Trenton answered.

" Just like you, friend, I want only what is rightfully mine. You can have your land. Your grandfather, rest his soul, was blinded by his greed. The riches he mined from the top of that mountain came in part from my property. "

A slow smirk curled over his lips, " If we can come to some kind of agreement right here and now, I will help you get your land back from the bank. And we can call this whole nasty business between our families at an end. "

Within an instant, the short dark haired man stood from his seat and began to pace. He was clearly upset, but this did not seem to affect Trenton all that much. He simply leaned back into his seat and watched his tension rivet through him slowly. Another slow sip from his drink was taken and he settled the glass to the side.

' I know how much your word is worth, Mr. Forrest. I was there. I saw how you turned your back on my family! We lost everything and you turned your back! Do you know how many penny ante jobs I had to pick up just to feed my nephews?! To put food on the table and a roof over their heads!? We came to you – asking you for help. A place to stay.. warm food...and you left us to suffer! You left us to freeze to death on the streets like animals. You have no honor. Your word isn't worth the air you've wasted speaking it. '

A low growl rumbled in his throat, but the ignorant man kept speaking, ' I curse you and your entire family! Damn you into the pits of hell. I hope that you lose everything, starting with your children. I hope they burn in Hell and you with them, Trenton Forrest.'

Anger flared through his veins then. Vapid and swift. Within less than a split second he was standing up from his seat, his fist slamming down on the hardened edge of the mahogany desk. The liquid in the glass spilled over the rim, splashing onto the wood. Had the desk not been between the two of them, he might have come across it and throttled the man before him.

" You know nothing of the suffering of my family! " He sneered at him, seething. As he leaned forward to glare at the man across the way, several thick scars were barely visible beneath his silken shirt near to his neck.

" You haven't the slightest inkling of the sacrifices or the blood that we spilled building this town! That we still spill to keep it safe! You have no idea what I have lost so that you can stand here and insult me over fifty acres of wasteland owned by the bank. "

He stood then straight up, straightening the cuffs of his sleeves, regaining his composure. Already his security had come to the door of his office questioningly.

" You are no different than your grandfather. Ignorant and arrogant. Stay in your slums by the docks and rot for all I care. Eventually that land will go up for auction. " He said, sinking back into his seat, " I am patient, Mr. King. I can wait. "

Curses filled the room he made a gesture for security to remove him. Explicit words flowed from his lips and more stabs at his children were taken. Yet, he was nonplussed now. Ignorant. He shook his head as the door shut and smirked. With the edge of a cocktail napkin he wiped up the spilled liquor and tossed it into the trash. He then lifted the glass, taking a deeper drink from it. His gaze shifted then to the photo that was within a silver and black frame that had been shifted. Reaching two fingers forward, he sat it upright, a frown sweeping over his lips. He stared at the faces of his children. Leo and Tara. They were standing with one another, Leo's tall form towering just slightly over Tara's. He had his arms wrapped around his younger, adopted sister, and she was smiling brightly. Behind them the sun shone over the pristine lake. It was a fonder memory, a cherished hindsight. He set the frame back up the way that it should be and lingered in the silence.

Pestilent slime. How dare he insult his children? How dare he threaten them?

The more that the thought sank into his mind, the harder it was to swallow. It grew bitter upon his tongue and he made a decision right then and there. The second frame was sat upright. He pushed it nearest to Leo and Tara. This one, he paused upon a bit longer, his expression softening. It was of Leo's mother and himself. He spoke nothing, but turned his seat away then, staring out upon the night that was expanding beyond his window. Reaching behind him he snatched up a stapled bit of court documents. Papers that gave that family the right to build a road through his forest, direct access to the mountain. Zoning paperwork. He narrowed his eyes and read it over. Over fifty acres of his own forest would be leveled from start to finish in order to allow them access by way of county road up the side of that mountain.

He let the papers roll out of his hand and into the floor unceremoniously. He kicked one foot up on the windowsill and then the other as he leaned back into his chair and folded his hands over his abdomen. Clouds were rolling over the moon, across the stars, and he watched them move via the skylight. If it was war he wanted....

**

"Once a man has seen society's black underbelly, he can never turn his back on it. Never pretend, like you do, that it doesn't exist."

The Present.

The room was abuzz with conversations. Idealizations. Speculations. And he listened to each one of them. The good, the bad, and the ugly. The more that he sat with his back to the room and sipped on the Johnny Blue that was given unto him, the more that he learned. Seemed to him like that, at the long last, foul words had been spoken to the wrong person. That entire bloodline was attacked. Three now were in critical condition at the hospital and the owner of the bank was dead.

He bristled at that. If the man in this town that held the keys and locks to the liens on the land that had been foreclosed on. Then it begged to show chaos in the future. Especially if people had any idea.

Just as he shook his head slowly, the back door of the pub swept open, a cold breeze sweeping through the room. He, along with a great many others, turned his head to look. A soft sigh escaped from him, seeing Leo. The strain of the night's events were clearly wearing on his son's shoulders and he turned in his seat to face him. If he needed help, all that he had to do was ask for it. Even though Trenton knew that he would not.

From their earlier conversation, he knew the reasons why. The sharp look that came from the sheriff directly focused on him struck him coldly. He knew what the suspicions were. He understood them, but he would not speak of them here. Later, when he had the opportunity, he would go and find Leo. He would speak with him on these matters. His concerns ran a bit deeper than just who had stabbed the three.

He turned his head to look at Leo sympathetically as he asked the questions that he must. The questions that any cop would ask Alan. He listened because it gave him a good notion where his son's mind was. It gave him clues as to what had happened. The thoughtful expression was not lost on him. He knew that Leo was wondering why he was having a drink in this bar. At this hour. That was business of his own and his son needed not to fret over it. He parted his lips to speak as the questioning of the barkeep ended. A sigh escaped from him as without another glance Leo turned and stepped for the doors he had come in through. Sinking back against the bar, it was Alan that spoke up to him.

' He's a tough kid, Mr. Forrest. And a damned fine Sheriff. He'll get to the bottom of this. Everyone knows it and none of us are worried, because he is the Sheriff. You did a fine job raising that one. You must be real proud of him.'

With a glance to the closed door that Leo had walked, he turned his gaze back to Alan then. He nodded his head, accepting the warmth of his compliments, " Yes. Yes, I am proud of him. I am proud of them both. I know that he will.. "

Alan nodded his head and he finished the drink. Reaching down into his pocket, he pulled out a large bill and slipped it under the glass. All while Alan's back was turned. He gathered his coat, slipping his gloves on his hands, and walked for the door. Dizziness touched him gently as he reached the door. A strange coating of nausea swept through him. He excused himself out the door and made his way for his car. The air felt a bit thicker, somewhat stranger. As he reached his car he glanced up to the sky. A thin gray mist hanged over the brightly shining fullness of the moon. And still, all seemed well, but he could not shake the feeling. Something was out of place. Without hesitation, he slipped into the driver's seat of his car, and started it up. It immediately revved and the headlights illuminated the path before him. He didn't know why, but he had the strangest inkling to go to the hospital. Without hesitation, he turned the wheel in that direction, and was off.

I am watching the stars, admiring their complex trajectories through space and time. I am trying to give a name to the force that set them in motion

It did not take long for him to reach the hospital parking lot. After a stop elsewhere, briefly, he made his way to the next scene of excitement. Tara was here, no doubt, and he wanted to check in on her. He had already laid eyes on Leo this day, he knew that he was well. Yet, his daughter, her well-being was still a mystery. Yet, not for much longer.

Once the car was parked, he pulled his twill coat firmer around him, and made his way to the back doors of the emergency room. Reaching up, he pressed a code into the keypad, and the door easily swept open. A smirk crawled over his lips and he entered into the hustle and bustle of the emergent department. His gaze swept around the clean area and he pulled his leather gloves from his fingers. As he stepped by the trauma room, he looked within. It appeared as if the excitement had departed already. A few aides were in there cleaning up the mess that had been left behind. He paid no mind to the smears of crimson on the floor, but easily strode forward.

Then he found the first of his destinations. He came up to the nurse's station and rested on the opposite side of it from where Milah was. He thoughtfully tucked the gloves into his coat pocket.

" Excuse me... " He said in a polite tone, " .. I am actually looking for an officer that might have come in earlier with a few injured men. Tara Forrest. Could you point me in her direction, if you would be so kind? "

Pleasantries were exchanged in such a manner. Though, he was not quite sure that he could say that he had seen this particular nurse about town before. Curiously, he studied her, almost as if he were trying to place her. Or more to the truth, the feeling of her. It was the same kind of gnawing that he had felt outside of the Prancing Pony. In time, he had no doubt, all secrets would be revealed...
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