Alphas

Far away from the bar...no not that far...just a small apartment attached to several others that frankly looked much more well-kept than this one. Run down and everything smeared in dirt, the wallpaper was peeling and in some places entirely peeled off as if yanked on for several hours. The walls had holes roughly the size of a man's fist in several places. The floor was near invisible with the amount of sand, dirt and plywood covering it. In the center of a mound of dirt was a small lemon tree covered with red tipped thorns and bright green leaves. The red wasn't normal unless someone had pricked their finger numerous times on those thorns and never bothered to wipe off the blood. Bundled in the far corner, away from the sunlight streaming through a shattered window, sat a man with bright blue eyes. Black hair hung short in the back, long enough to touch his eyelashes in the front and even longer on the sides. It brushed against his shoulders as he shifted, his blue eyes fixated on the small lemon tree. He blinked slowly and shifted his gaze to the napping alley cat on top of his pile of jeans. A majority of them were torn, bloodstained or just covered with grass stains.

"Rough night for you too, Cindy?" The cat opened one green eye and stared at him. "Me too. Sandy's not doing so great here. Maybe we should take her out." He pushed himself up from his corner and the cat, Cindy, as he'd called her, opened her other eye and watched him reach under her warm body for a pair of jeans. Brushing himself off, he decided his clothes couldn't possibly be any cleaner...which they could have been...and promptly snatched up the small lemon tree. Reaching his hands deep down into the mound of dirt, he pulled up the tree and it's small pot where its roots lie.

Anxiously, he rubbed his dirt covered fingers on his white, button up shirt and glanced out the window. At least there wasn't anyone lurking outside...those damn guys in blue shorts carrying those bulging bags. He knew they were stealing pieces of his and the neighbors' mail...it was just a matter of catching them. They came and went, smiling and waving at his neighbors like they were their friends.

Shaking off his suspicion, he pushed open his door, the only part of his home that wasn't in shambles, and hopped out into the sunlight. After a second thought, he marched back into his apartment and returned to the great outdoors with a gallon of milk in his hand and a pack of cheddar cheese stuffed into his back pocket and a thing of string cheese already wobbling in his mouth. Plant in one hand, milk in another, he kicked the door shut, not bothering to lock it, and swung his self over the railing of the stairs leading up to his apartment. The jarring sensation of his feet connecting to the ground suddenly made him bite off the last bite of his string cheese. Looking down a bit mournfully at it, he shrugged. Just another snack for Barks when he came by with his owner. Unless Larry came by again...

 

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"Oh sorry! When I said early I meant like... 4 in the morning is too early for me..."​

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"A-and sometimes he ends up meeting people and bring them in the group h-himself but most of the time people just meet the leader while or after seeing the greeter..."​

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Teagan was a little confused by this, but she did not let it bother her for long before she answered back, "Okay, thank you for everything." Teagan was quiet for another minute because she didn't know what else to say, instead an auto response came up out of nowhere, "I hope to see you again soon...?"​

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Teagan was silent again, not sure if she would get a reply, but instead watched One hop around the room insanely. Something was off with it's system, she could tell almost immediately. Once she was off the phone she would immediately be fixing it.​

 

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Nick wheeled her out to his SUV, introducing it as the blueberry. She cocked a brow, but shrugged it off with a smirk. He really was corny. She watched as he loaded the crutches in the back and waited for when he came around to the passenger door. Thallen started to ease her way out of the wheelchair when "Ladies first," without any further warning, Nick picked up Thallen and carefully sat her into the passenger's seat.

"Ah!" she gasped at the sudden lift.

"You're right." She looked up at him in confusion. Nick didn't elaborate on it. He left her side to place the wheelchair into the back and came around to shut the door before climbing into the driver's seat. Thallen slid the seat back so she had room for her bandaged leg to stretch out before buckling in. Nick sat down on the seat next to her and clicked himself in as well. "We should call the others. I'm betting they've all been visited though." Nick tapped his fingers on the wheel. "...Um..." he chewed on his lip and looked away, sticking the key in the ignition.

She glanced over at him, watching as he tapped on the steering wheel. "What is it?" Thallen rubbed her temples, the headache still taking its toll on her head. She winced at the pain, her green eyes focused on the road ahead. I can't wait til I get this prescription filled.

 

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Upon realizing that she had mistook what Teagan said Victoria began blushing and covering it even though she had walked inside a moment ago, meaning no one could even see. "O-oh..." being flustered was a hard thing for her to handle so it took a moment before she could even speak again and when she did it was rushed again. "Theafternoonwouldwork," she paused to force herself to breath so the next sentence would make sense. "J-just come by t-the Williams' Estate whenever you can... Google m-maps would have it... See you." After that she hung up with a huge sigh, feeling bad for being so rude but unable to stand another minute of embarrassment.

 

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The trip was rather quiet until Nick came to a stoplight. She glanced over as he closed his eyes for a second and spoke. "Just call me if you ever need anything. I can't imagine that it'll be easy looking after Cecelia like that."

"I'll keep that in mind," she added as the light turned green and they continued driving. Thallen drummed her finger on her knees, wincing occasionally from the headache. Nick directed the car down a side street, pulling up in front of Jesse's shared house. The thought of not only seeing her daughter, but liberating her from this awful place helped put her mind slightly at east.

"If you need anything else, go ahead an ask." He parked the car and pulled out his keys, stepping outside to go over towards Thallen's side and open her door for her. "Um..." Nick scratched the back of his head awkwardly. She chuckled lightly, only to wince in pain again afterwards. Nick held his hand out for her and she rolled her eyes before accepting. She eased out of the car slowly, until she was standing on one leg while using him for balance.

"I'm sure I'll be fine," she said matter-of-factually, "but thanks for everything."

Thunk. The door slammed shut once he pulled the crutches out of the back. "Or you could call if you..." He paused as he held out the crutches. "You know...want to talk...or hang out..."

Thallen smiled at him appreciatively before slipping the crutches under her arms and balancing on her own. "Thanks again. I'll let you know if I need anything." She reached into the passenger seat for her purse and teddy bear before moving up the sidewalk to the house. Thallen turned back around and gave Nick a small wave. "You can just leave the chair there. I'll make Jesse go back with Cecelia and I from here." She pressed her lips together tightly, green eyes narrowing in Nick, "I'll call you when I get home and settled in. No need to worry about little old me. You should get some rest or check on Rosalie and the others." Thallen nodded her head at him once before moving to the stoop and giving the door a good pounding.

 

As Alex left, Vergil couldn't shake an weird feeling that he was getting from him. If wasn't mistrust, since they just met, it was anger. Like he hated him. Weird guy. It was one thing to come to his house and ask him a bunch of questions, but the feeling he was getting was something completely different. It would make working with him difficult, should he chose to accept the offer. Still he had plenty of time to think on it, so there was no need to worry about it now.

 

Ash had run out onto the street to cross...had it been a mistake, probably, would he regret it later...probably. The car hit his leg, only a bit, but enough to knock him onto the ground and Sandy with him. Pushing himself up, he frowned up at the familiar face. He recognized this man...he was like him...different...special. "What? Alright? Oh...of course. Barely tickled...." He looked around and found his potted lemon tree smashed in the middle of the road, "Sandy...! Sandy, are you okay? Oh poor Sandy..." Picking up the little tree, he grabbed a handful of the broken pot, unaware that the sharp edges were cutting into his skin, "Sandy...oh good...nothing's broken. Speaking of broken..." he looked around and found a jug of whole milk undamaged by his fall and smiled. Picking it up, he finally turned back to his would-be accident causer and his smile faded, "I may be unharmed...but Sandy's not. Her home is ruined... You'd best bring me to a park to plant Sandy before she started to wilt!" His words were brash, anger filled and demanding as he held out the lemon tree, one hand under it's roots and another wrapped around it's thorn covered small trunk.

 

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Ross had left her on edge and deep in thought. Even as he was long gone now she thought of him, which rarely happened. It was just the fact he knew what she could do without ever meeting her before frightened Rosalie. Nevermind his towering presence and exiting statement, though those were pretty scary too.

She didn't know how to handle this. In fact all she did was stare at the card while standing behind the bar, trying to think of what that group could possibly want with her. It had to be something relating to her power, right? Otherwise they couldn't have found out about it.

What to do...

While wondering about this her cell began ringing. It almost went unnoticed but before the final ring she answered. A hello was about to be given when the sound of screeching tires was heard. And even though she was safe her body tensed as she braced herself to crash. It felt silly, but at least no one saw.

"Hey? You alright?"

 

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The door flung open as the sound of the car took off on the street. That was a bonus at least. The last thing she wanted to do was explain to Jesse about Nick, not that there was really anything to explain. “ It's about damn time you showed up. Where the hell have you-- ” he stopped at the sight of her. His brown eyes widened first with annoyance, then concern, and lastly frustration. Jesse narrowed his eyes on her leg, his brow creasing ever so slightly. Wrinkles formed on his forehead as he studied her and then glanced over her shoulder at the wheelchair on the sidewalk by the street. “ Dammit Thallen! What the hell happened to you? ” His voice was softer, more caring than it had been only a moment ago.

“ You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Is Cecelia ready? ” She gave him a sweet smile through her splitting headache.

“ Yeah, but... ah... Maybe I should hold onto her for another day. You don't look so good. Is your head hurting again. ” He brushed a lock of her wavy red hair out of her face and returned the smile with a concerned one of his own.

“ I'll be fine. Really. I have a prescription for some painkillers. I just need you to help me get her home. And, possibly go to the pharmacy for me? ” She batted her dark lashes at him and gave a pleading expression. His face seemed to soften further as he rolled his eyes.

“ The things I do for you. ” He muttered while rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly as she gave him a thankful smile. The sound of tiny footsteps padded lightly across the floor as a little face peeked out between Jesse's legs.

“ Mommy! ” the young girl squealed as she stepped onto the stoop.

Thallen smiled brightly at the cheerful rosy cheeked face of her daughter. “ Hey baby. ”

“ Mommy hurt? ” she asked inquisitively. Cecelia gave a confused glance between her parents as Jesse scooped her up in his arms.

“ Mommy's all right. Daddy's gonna walk us home. ” That seemed to lift the child's spirits and her bright blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight.

“ Really? ”

“ Really, really, ” Jesse added. “ I'll go get the rest of her stuff. Why don't you go park your ass in that wheelchair so I don't have to worry about you breaking something. ”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “ Language! ” He just rolled his eyes at her again before disappearing inside the house with their daughter. Thallen heaved a reluctant sigh before carefully maneuvering herself down the cement steps with the crutches and over to the awaiting wheelchair. She was half tempted to call Nick up and tell him to come back so she wouldn't have to deal with her ex, but only half tempted.

 

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Despite feeling that she would be okay with his death a sigh of relief still escape her when Nick's voice appeared on the line. It could have been because hearing a death would be too much to handle or that they knew each other. Either way he was alive and thus the topic dropped from her mind. There was a new topic waiting for her after all.

"Weird?" She paused, thinking back to Ross instantly. But did this mean that Nick was also greeted by someone like him? "There was some guy by earlier... Scary dude. He knew about my ability and left a card, saying it meant Red Flag was here... What the hell even is Red Flag?"

 

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Ari's mind was all over the place, she didn't know what to do. She needed to talk to someone, work it out, ask for advice. But who from? She had no real friends. Who could she trust? The group she seemed to have just joined? They'd understand about the alphas thing but could she trust them? And to explain her problem, she'd have to tell them about her memory, which felt like showing them her biggest weakness. She'd have to tell them sometime anyway or they'd figure it out if she hung around them long enough.


Either way, she'd just reached the bar. Looking through the window, it appeared that Rosalie was the only one there, talking on the phone to someone. Walking over to the door, she slowly opened it. She didn't knock but she made sure she caught Rosalie's eye and waved slightly as she entered. Stopping to patiently wait for them to be free, she didn't want to interrupt her in the middle of a phone call.

 

Ash hopped into the car...dirt covered shoes, cat hair laden jeans and all. Blood dripped onto his pant leg and he frowned at it. Setting the clump of dirt containing Sandy's roots on his lap, he picked out the shards of pottery from his palm and chucking them out the window. He waved Nick to drive, even though he lacked a seat belt. It wasn't like he could be hurt or anything by being thrown from a car. When Nick spoke to him, it was like a tingle ran through him. Others didn't usually bother to explain or give an explanation for the lack of explaining to him. Others didn't look at him...in fear he'd burst out in a rage. It was reasonable... He listened more to what Nick said into the phone... 'What weird person? Bank? Something happened at the Bank?' Looking down at Sandy, he could just imagine her sweet voice, if she could talk, asking all sorts of questions just like he was. "Am I out of the loop, Sandy? I think I am."

 

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As she impatiently waited in the wheelchair, with the crutches resting across the armrests as they were earlier, the father-daughter duo came happily out of the house. Cecelia was strapped into her stroller and Jesse had the diaper bag draped over his shoulder. She kept the teddy bear and her purse resting on her lap as they approached and her ex eyed it suspiciously. His eyes narrowed on the stuffed animal before finally just rolling them and shrugging it off. The stroller came to a stop beside the wheelchair and she smiled sweetly through the pain of the headache at her child. "Baby girl," she started and waited for Cecelia to look up at her. "I have something for you." She picked up the soft fuzzy creature and held it across the gap between them so that her daughter could reach. "This is for you." Her blue eyes sparkled in ecstacy as she held the teddy bear out in front of her. Cecelia immediately began to cuddle and play with it and Thallen smiled happily at the sight. Nick will be pleased to hear how well she likes it.

Jesse lifted the crutches off the armrests and secured them to the handlebars behind her back. "There. Now you can push yourself." He nodded down at her before slipping behind the stroller and pushing it down the sidewalk. "So, who was the dude that dropped you off?" She groaned. It was starting already. Go figure he couldn't keep a lid on anything. For someone that ended the relationship, he still got awfully jealous at times. Thallen lifted one hand off of the wheel beside her and reached out for him, but he immediately recoiled and slid further away. "I know what you're doing, and it won't work on me."

Thallen glared up at him and put her hand back on the wheel as it spun down the street. "He was a cop and just doing me a favor by dropping me off here."

"Didn't look like any kinda cop I've met. Definitely not local blues," he said matter-of-factly. She rolled her eyes.

"No he's not a local cop."

"So what were you doing with him?"

Thallen sighed in frustration. "Did you hear about the bank robbery yesterday?" Man, her head was really killing. All she wanted was to curl up in bed and sleep. Spending time with Jesse and explaining the situation was only making it worse.

"Yeah, babe. What about it?"

"I was there. That's how I hurt my leg." He stopped pushing the stroller and looked at her, really looked at her. Thallen squirmed under his gaze as he stared down at the bandage on her leg.

"What happened? They said somebody got shot but..." Jesse trailed off. He shook his head before returning to pushing the stroller. "How ya' supposed to take care of Cece if you went and got yourself shot in the leg?" His voice was flat and detached. She missed the kind caring version he had been just a short while ago.

"I'll figure something out. I met some people--people like me. . ."

"Isn't having Cece around one freak enough? Maybe she should stay with me until you're better." Jesse spun on his heel and the front wheels of the stroller lifted off the ground as he turned it back around.

"What do you think you're doing?!" she snapped.

"Taking Cece somewhere safe," he said before quickly pushing their daughter further down the street.

 

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Thallen tried to catch up the best she could, but was slow moving in the wheel chair. By the time she made it back, Jesse was already gone. He must have talked one of his roommates into giving him a ride somewhere. The house was dark, locked, and empty. A dull throbbing pulsated through her leg, a raging headache slammed her throughout her skull, and quiet sobs escaped her throat. Tears streaked her face and she shakily pulled her phone out of her purse. There was no way she could go home, not right now. She was too overwhelmed and a sense of paranoia was beginning to set in. Thallen had never spent a night alone in her too small, no bedroom apartment. Cecelia had always been there with her.

She rolled away from the house and started back towards the street. She was tired, but sleep would not find her easily tonight. With trembling hands, Thallen held her phone out to type a quick text up to Rosalie. There was no way she could call Nick right now; she was just far too overwhelmed.

That was it--plain and simple. She didn't really feel there was a point to say anything else. Rosalie would no doubt get it, or at least she hoped. Thallen still hadn't told any of the others about her daughter, but they were bound to learn now. Was anyone at the bar with her? Her hands grazed the wheels every few seconds as they cycled and pushed her forward. She needed to get away from this house as fast as she could for just a little while. Jesse would be receiving quite the earful for what he just pulled on her. That bastard, she thought to herself between sobs.

 

After sitting at home for a couple of minutes, thinking about what had just happened. He decided to head to the bar and see if anyone else had encountered the same thing. It made sense since they all were all involved in the robbery also. So grabbing himself a coat, he left his home and headed towards the bar.