Ember

The waves rolled up over the sand, washing over Ember's bare feet, taking away the sand on them. She watched the ocean. Why did they bring her here? A strong urge to smoke a cigar overwhelmed her, and she stretched her fingers before burying them into the sand. No use, she was trying to quit.

With a sigh Ember arose to her feet, taking a few steps, pretending to be a tightrope walker. "And the crowd goes wild as Ember makes her gravity defying descent." She whispered to herself, a small smile appearing. The teenager chuckled, sitting down on a log. Time passes ever so slowly on the island. After a few minutes of resting she got up, heading for the area that they were supposed to meet.

Who was going to be there? Ember rubbed her wrists anxiously.

The rumble of thunder went on almost ever lasting. Is it thunder? The smell of honey suckle and wavered through the air as the sun glittered through the sky. Are those really honey suckles? The skin almost as cold as ice. Am I dead? Was their a time where I was really alive? The powder like snow blows away in the wind; there is barely any of it. Aw, I paid alot of money for that... The birds start to sing despite the over powering sound that was ahead of them. Hm, funny, its thundering, yet, they still sing despite that the thunder is over powering their singing... unless it really isn't thunder.

I remember that day. Hm, I didn't know it was so far away. How long have I been here? How long have I been out? Ouch, don't touch me. "Hey, when I die, I want to be burned and thrown in the river!" "Why would want something stupid as that?" "Because no matter where you go, water is everywhere! So if Im thrown into the water, Ill will be everywhere!" "Ya, that includes toilets, pee, dirty water..." "Oh! Your so mean!" "Im just telling the truth." "Well you don't have to be so blunt." "Sorry." "Hey, if I where to die in the next week, what would you do?" "I don't know. Why do ask?" "Im thinking about running away..."

Her eyes snapped open from the constant torture of the drugs. They where wearing off and her heart became alive. Her blue hair was pulled back into a bun and she was wearing nothing but a bra and underwear. She was inside of her room which was now unknown to her. She got up and looked down at the empty wrapper of what used to be filled with drugs before holding her head tight and walking towards the bathroom to shower and ready for the day. She no longer heard the thunder in the skies, but also felt it in her head; it wasn't thunder at all. She ran the shower as she got in and showered. Once she was ready, she grabbed her money and walked out; heading towards the main part of the island that they called a town.

Griffen-

Griffen stood in an ally way waiting for the customer that was sure to show up, she never missed a day. He smiled an almost evil smile and his flashed happily behind the black silk mask. When a rickety old man walked up and scratched his Arm Griffen almost laughed out right. "Hello, I need $20" he said holding up the pale blue baggy of drug that the man wanted. The mans eyes glazed over and handed Griffen a twenty dollar bill and grabbed the baggy and practically ran away.With a almost happy smile Griffen pocketed the money and waited he had at least three more clients to serve today before he could leave the stinking ally and have a interesting dinner with some interesting ladies.

Melody-

Melody sighed and sat in her bed, the dark purple plaid comforter offset the pale creaminess of her skin and almost made her washed out. She slowly stood and picked up her Violin and started to play the new piece her Brother Jason and written for her. It was tragic and soft, beautiful and sad, It was the perfect piece to play to wake you up, and exercise a musicians strength. She half heard her door open as her brother stood in the door way to listen to his sister play, with her delicate fingers she could play better then 90% of professional players. When Melody finished she smiled and saw her brother he nodded his approval before leaving letting her get ready for her weekend.

She hadn't known how long she has been out but the bright sun pierced her eyes as she walked down the sidewalk and towards the town. She knew that it was around dinner time because of how the sun was setting and what time it was. She walked towards one of the restaurants as she stopped and looked into the alley way. Her hair was pulled back into a messy yet neat bun while she was wearing a cute tight V-neck shirt with some flare jeans. Her shoes where some old tennis shoes and she wore a pretty opal necklace that had blue sapphire lining the rim of the opal stone. An old man rammed into her on his way out of it. The man looked at her before she started to scowl. "Watch it old dirt bag!" She yelled before she started to walk again, holding her head.
Her stomach growled as a man grabbed her shoulder behind her. "Hey Sam. Whats up? Why did you leave yesterday morning? I couldn't find you." He said; his voice deep with his long hair and green eyes. The man looked as if he was someone famous. She slapped his hand away from him. "Get away... I don't even know you." She growled.
"Hey!" He said before grabbing her waist and pulling her towards himself. "Remember that night? How could you forget?" He said, trying to kiss her. Her hand shot straight up towards his mouth pushing him away. "Let go." She demanded. "No." He snapped at her. In just a split second, the man was on his knees on the ground and holding himself. Samantha was extremely pissed now, and on top of that, she had a migraine. The man growled at her. "Go die in a ditch, creep!" She snarled back at him, walking into a small Italian restaurant.

"Don't start, don't start." It sounded like a command as the words drifted from Chase's lips and into the windy air. The setting around him was simple. The dark leaves below, hiding him from the others as he rested up in an old tree towards the shore of the island. His head rested on black book-bag as he held his left scar covered wrist up shield his eyes from the sun. Chase felt the urge. The utter impulse. The strong desire to pull out his switch blade and slice away at his wrists. "Don't." Strands of hair covered his dark eyes, a line formed on his chapped lips, and his ghostly complexion shone even more from the ray's of the everlasting star.

The sky was covered in brilliant shades of oranges, and pinks, shapes of animals wafting here and there. That's what he thought. Imagining things. That was his specialty. Give him a shape, and he'll make out something beautiful. Maybe that's what woman saw in him. Thin, wide, ugly, pretty, he found the true beauty in everyone. No matter. Not even the fairest girl of them all could catch his eye. For it was not the looks he fell in love with, but the personality within.

"Sun, sun, go away. Come back another year.." Chase sang amongst himself, sitting up and perching himself higher in the tree. His hands grasped the bark as he stepped on a branch, pulling himself up with the hidden muscles that lay under his black jacket. Not that anyone would notice, but he was quite fit. From running away of course. He had reached the top, a thick branch filled with a native fruit hiding him from the sun finally.

Chase let his saddened black eyes gleam down to the shore. He noticed a girl there with short brown hair, causing his right brow to raise. He couldn't see her face, but he could tell she was different, just by the way she held herself. By the way she imagined herself to be some circus acrobatic that could walk across the thinnest of lines.

As she started to walk towards town, Chase slowly climbed down, watching her pass by silently. Though, the rubbing of the wrists cause him to do the same thing. Pain sunk to his arms as he leaped down, slinging his bag over his shoulders once she had disappeared behind the brush. His worn shoes shuffled through the sand, his hood covering his forehead and eyes partially as he followed Ember's tracks.

Still oblivious to the person behind her, Ember continued in her day dream. "The crowd goes wild as Ember bows and they throw roses to her feet. Give it up for Ember!" She whispered just as quietly, pretending to curtsy in front of a crowd of fans, surrounded by circus goers. An escape from her real life. Then with a sigh "Stop pretending to be someone else Ember." she told herself, looking down at the sand covered pathway. The stones led to the town, though she was still far off. The sun warmed her back as it set. She could just imagine the splash of colors, painted across the sky. Her fingers wrapped around her arm, tightening there grasp on herself.

The teenager stopped to gaze up at the leafy canopy. Then with a longing sigh to fly away with the birds she looked down at her wrists, her arms were lined with pink lines. If little kids asked her what happened, she said it was sharpie that wouldn't wash off. Yet she knew the truth, sitting in the bathroom, the doors locked, music blaring, with the razor in hand. She pulled down her sleeves, trying to hide the lines again. Go Go Go Away. Let me escape to another day.

The sun was setting, usaully she'd be at the bar, off in the corner, smoking a cigar and drinking away her sorrows until she was so lost in there lies that Ember would drift up silently to her room in the apartment that trapped her to the city and drifted off to sleep, and hopefully fall into a coma. No. No Drinking, No Smoking, No cutting. She thought, and sighed again.

Suddenly she heard a slight shuffling, coming from behind her. Ember turned around slowly, as if lost in a dream and stared at the shady character, tilting her head. "Hello." The greeting slipped through her lips. Would he hurt her? Like so others had before. She seemed to almost flinch at the memories that flooded her mind and resited the urge to beg for it to not happen again. "You're not going to hurt me, are you?"

"There's a shadow just behind me, shrouding every breath I take, making every promise empty, pointing every finger at me." Soft melodic voices drifted through Chase mind as he slunk along the path, still following the young girl's footsteps. Though a fairly small smile rose to his lips when he heard her words. He hadn't noticed her curtsy, or her even turn for his eyes were resting on the light colored sand that seemed to be disappearing and changing into dark grass. It wasn't until he saw her feet that he realized he had been caught following. His own feet shuffled to a stop when he heard her voice rise into the air; A frown taking the form of the previous smile.

The simple 'Hello. caused his skin to turn a death-like pale and his hands to tremble from within his jacket. Chase's throat tightened as his right hand appeared to grip the strap of his book bag, taking a step back so he was not to spook her even more. "Speak you idiot.. She thinks your going to hurt her... Spe-" "Hey," His voice was an intense like deep. As if it was not his own. Foreign almost.

"No, I don't hurt women. I think it's quite rude to do so." He went on, pulling the other strap of his bag onto his shoulder as his hood slid down, causing his hair to part and a pair of dark eyes to fall upon Ember. "I-I'm Chase.." Most wondered why he spoke so proper, why his vocabulary was so wide. It was the simple fact of he loved books. Chase was either found cutting, getting high, or reading. As he waited for an answer, he forced an uneasy smile and took yet another step back.

Ember waved timidly, a small smile invading her face. "I'm Ember. It's a pleasure to meet you Chase." She paused for a second, and tilted her head again. "You don't... hurt women?" It amazed her. Almost every male she had met was violent, either towards her or someone else. It was a nice change to her usaul taste of violence.

The teenager shrugged, finally letting the fact sink in. Oh well, everyone was different, maybe he was telling the truth. Though with males she could never trust them, not completely any way. They all had a bad habit of lying. 'I'll pay afterwords." "Just one kiss." "Only one drink, promise." "I won't hurt you." "I'm different." All lies that fell upon gullible ears.

I know a girl who sells herself around and I'm sure that one day she'll sign autographs in your town As a strong tropical breeze strolled through the trees she wrapped the shaul around her shoulders tighter. One question ran through her mind. Could she trust him? She noticed his retreat, and alook of pain flashed in her eyes. Don't Go. Please Don't go. She thought desperatly. Was something wrong with her? Everyone was right. She was worthless.

Chase made note to her smile, making a true one form on his lips again. She had a beautiful smile, it wasn't like she was beautiful herself, but the smile lit up her face and caused her eyes to stand out even more; He liked that about her.

"It's nice to meet you too Ember... Like the stone I presume?" He inquired, brushing back his bangs as he slid his hands into his pockets once his bag was on his back the right way versus crooked. "No.. My dad used to beat my mom.. I would never want to do that to someone.. make them scream like that.." Chase seemed to look past her, into the distance. There was something in his eyes. Worry? No.. sadness.

"But like I said, I don't hurt women, ever." With a nod of his head, he confirmed this statement. Even if it was only he that believed it. "Heading into town?" A step forward signified that he felt.. safe with her. For now anyways. He knew people changed like the wind no matter who they were. "I-I can walk you if you want.. Or I could wait for you to go first.. Up to you I guess." His right hand appeared again, scratching at his hair uncomfortably, his dark eyes looking up to her through his thick black hair. Chase smiled sweetly to her, surprisingly.

Though when the pain appeared in her pretty eyes, he instinctively took another step forward and reached out to touch her cheek, only to take his pale hand back midway and shake his head. "Are you okay?" Chase asked, looking down to the ground without the smile or joy-filled eyes.

The pain dissapeared from her eyes as he got closer. He wasn't leaving her after all. "Yes, Like the stone, and the dying flame of a fire. Either way." She tilted her head and flinched slightly as he mentioned the beating and screaming. She pulled down her sleeve a little more. Bad memories seeping into her vision. She noticed the sadness in his eyes, and it seemed to reflect into hers. She wanted to make him feel better, she slowly reached out to him, and soon realized her action, the teenager pulled away, quickly hiding her hands behind her back.

"You don't have to go with me, if you don't want too, but I'd like you too." She smiled again, the pain slowly dissapearing from her eyes. Now feeling safe, and away from the topic, she mentally sighed thankfully. "I just needed to eat, I haven't eaten anything since I got here."

"I'm fine, now that you're here. I don't... I don't like being alone, and mostly everyone I've met, has hurt me." She whispered, looking at the ground again. A fragile heart, in a fragile mind and body. They had saved her before she fell over the edge of insanty and now she's trying to find her way back. Without a hand to guide her, she could become lost, fall into madness.

Chase smiled, only to shake his head and bite his bottom lip. "I think your more like an everlasting fire." He paused, shaking his head again with a low grumble. "Sorry if I seem weird.. I tend to see the good in people, versus the worse. I also tend to compliment strangely." A awkward chuckle rose in his chest and passed his lips before looking to her hands. He hadn't noticed her reach out for him, but did see her push them behind her back in a frantic way.

"Something wrong?" Chase asked out of complete curiosity, his deep brown eyes matching hers when she spoke. "Well I wouldn't mind accompanying you. I'm sure I'd like it really." Stepping to her left side, he held out his arm for her to take. A worried expression appearing on his features when Ember said she had not eaten since she came here. "When did you get here exactly?" A mere moment would pass before he cleared his throat and spoke again. "Doesn't matter, you look like you could use a hot meal.. Hey, I got twenty spare bucks, wanna go get something?"

Chase rose his left eyebrow, nodding in her agreement at the comment of being alone. "I know what you mean.. I don't really like being alone either." He still held out his arm, offering her a smile along with it. Of course it wasn't a hand to guide her, but wasn't an arm more secure?

Ember smiled, a bright flash that seemed to scare away all the fear and lonliness in her eyes. They were back to there normal bright self. She giggled. "An everlasting fire you say? I never thought of it like that. No worries, I like wierd. There's nothing wrong, just a bad memory I guess."

She took his arm, wrapping hers around his. "I've been here for a few days. I just wasn't hungry until now." She shrugged, knowing that it was unhealthy Who would care, she was used to not eating right for weeks on end. "That sounds.... like an awesome idea." He was warm, she liked it, though her hands felt like ice. How long had she been out here? All day, and the day now turning into a breezy night.

"Yes, an everlasting fire." Chase commented, smiling wider when she took his arm. "Bad memory, care to share?" He asked, only to pause and bite his lip again. "Only if you want to of course." What was wrong with him? He never spoke to anyone.. ever, let alone hold conversation for more then five minutes. There was something different about this girl. She understood, and he wanted to help her rid of the pain and sorrow; Hell, maybe she could even help him.

A clear frown rose to his lips, "Days? You should eat you know." With his free hand he tried to poke her side lightly and smile. "What would you like? Burgers, salad, sushi. I'm not that picky. Whatever you want, we'll get." Chase explained with a shrug, walking along the path with her by his side. All the while smiling and keeping his arm tucked under hers, careful not to move away even an inch.

Ember shrugged. Honesty is the best policy. "I was remembering when my mother left. Kicking and screaming as they call it. My father was diagnosed with dipthera. He was too young to look like he did. My mom went off, and just left us, wanting more life than he could give I guess. Someone had to take care of him. It's just what I did." With a shrug, she watched his facial expressions.

How would he react? Would he care that her past was horrible and that her mother was a tramp that was heartless, that she raised herself from age 13, after her father was diagnosed, and then became lonely when he died when she was 15. She started working two jobs, never making money, in between school and juggling jobs at the bar downstairs, she had no free time, no friends, no anything. Would he get disgusted and leave. A small blush rose on her cheeks as she thought about it. Would he laugh? What would he do? Couldn't she have just kept her mouth shut?

She giggled as he tried to poke her, dodging it quickly, her arm still in his. "Hmm... I don't know. What about.... Burger King? I hear theres one in town." She shrugged. smiling again. She returned dutifully back to place by his side, after leaving it for a second to dodge his poke. Maybe she was anorexic, who knew? Food just didnt really appeal to her tastes. Whats the point in eating when everyone judges you by it.

Chase's indistinct eyes grew with worry. He didn't like to hear about others pain, especially one as sweet as Ember. "I'm sorry about that.. My mom wasn't the one to leave first, my dad was. I believe it was eleventh grade when my mom left. I got a job, and became emancipated.. Kinda lived by myself for a few years. I moved here.. two weeks ago I think. Still can't find anything better then the one bedroom apartment. Then again, what more do I need." Of course he'd skip over the part about his ex. He didn't need to become saddened, and neither did she. As her words sunk in, Chase felt himself worrying more and more. He didn't pity her one big, only wanted to help. Stopping for a moment, he would turn to face her with a smile, only to slide his arms around her middle very loosely in a hug.

Hopefully she wouldn't turn away or hit him. He hated when girls did that. For some reason they all thought he was trying to make a move, when he was only trying to comfort them with a simple hug. After a moment - if she didn't pull back and did hug him -, he would step back and smile to her, reassuringly almost. "Feel any better?" He asked in a propitious tone.

At the mention of Burger kind, Chase nodded and held out his hand this time for her to take. He wanted her to feel special, not worthless; Really, he was sure she'd feel better if he held her hand in a protective manner. So on he moved if she agreed, both soon stepping onto concrete as they entered into town. "What, you don't like poking?" He laughed heartily when she flinched away, only to squeeze her hand or lean closer. "I'll take note of that then."

Ember's free hand covered her mouth. "I'm so sorry." She whispered, her eyes widening slightly. Ember squeezed his hand softly, trying to reassure him in any way she could.

When he stopped and hugged her. It was so unexpected, but she didn't like it. no, she loved it. It was the first time anyone had ever been so...sweet. The girl wrapped her arms around his heck, and leaned in, her chin resting on his shoulders for a few moments. 'Feel any better?' He asked. A bright smile played across her face. "Yes, much better."

The smile never left her face as she took his hand again. "You will?" She laughed softly. Ember stopped smiling for a second, a sense of wonder on her face, as she carefully pulled down his hoodie so she could see all of his face. The smile appeared again.

Chase shook his head when she covered her hand, attempting bringing it down with his free one. "Don't be, It wasn't your fault." Even through the pain, he smiled and looked to her with still happy eyes. "If anything, you're helping. So don't be sorry."

The smile grew when she wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her chin on his shoulder. She was warm, which caused him to lean closer slightly and hug her tighter. When she pulled back and they started to walk, he nodded to her statement and held the wide smile when she pushed down his hood. "I will, it's something important after all." Chase said, his dark eyes gleaming with blithe eyes. "So, what would you like?" He asked, stepping into the parking lot of the Burger King and soon holding the door open for her.

The warm smile never faded from her face. "I never knew that little things like that were important." She shrugged, Ember looked at the foreign territory before her. The parking lot to Burger king. "Umm... some fries? I guess. I'm not very choosy, like you." She smiled even brighter, happy that she remembered that he wasn't choosy. She slipped into the restraunt and waited for him, holding her hand out this time. The smell of cooking burgers and greasy fries hit her.

The cold air made her shiver, and if he took her hand, she held onto it squeezing it lightly as shepulled her shaul closer. A floral warm design was printed on it, and it was soft, and very warm. "It's cold in here." She mumered, looking around.

Has he noticed the scars on her wrist? He was so observent. He noticed a few of her habits already. What else could he figure out? She could already tell that he had been hurt before, by both his family, and maybe even another girl. The world was cruel. It could have happened. She wished that she could go back into his path and change everything that has ever hurt him. Everything that had given him pain or grievence. It wasn't enough to just be there for him. It was never enough.

"Well, to me they are.. especially if the thing is told by such a pretty girl." Chase replied, a simple yet obvious pink blush rising to his already pale cheeks. She was breaking his shell with every word she spoke, which of course was a good thing. Most girls made him nervous and silent, but this one made him happy and talkative. "Alright. Fries and more fries." An intoxicated gleam appeared in his dull eyes as she held out her hand for him to take, quickly stepping inside and letting the door close behind him; His right hand reaching for hers as his fingers touched hers briefly, only to slide them in between hers.

Though he pulled his hand back - only for a moment - to unzip his jacket and slip out of it, placing it over her shoulders with a smile. "Better?" He asked, pulling up the sleeves of his black shirt as he tried to hold her hand in his and walk towards the cashier with a smile. "Yeah uhm.. Can I get two large fries? And a two medium cokes.. Well-" Chase paused, looking to Ember to ask. "Is coke okay with you?" If she agreed, he would nod towards the woman behind the cashier. Moments later he payed her and retrieved their food and such, juggling the red trey in his left hand, still holding her's with the other.

The blush was gone, but the happy smile never faded as he looked back to Ember. "Where did you want to sit?" he asked, looking around the room for a moment as he waited for a reply. Suddenly he tensed up, cringing almost it seemed. But only for a second, his grip on her hand loosening as he pulled the side of the trey to his chest and let out a deep breath, hoping she wouldn't notice his change. Which truly was a simple flash back, no, an image that appeared in his vision; Rattling him to the core. It surprised even him that his anger did not build. Everytime.. Everytime he saw her. The thing that ruined his life. That whore.

Chase cleared his throat, swallowing hard as he looked back to her. He smiled at her and pointed to the corner with their hands, "Over there okay?" He asked, one simple thought running through his mind: Ember was different.

A rosy color appeared on her cheeks when he flattered her. Something so...simple and sweet. How did he slip past her gaurd? Maybe it was his promise, an unspoken oath to not hurt her. It lay true within his eyes. She slipped on the jacket, taking in a deep breath. The smell, was comforting to Ember. It was warm and inviting. Her fingers interlocked with his again as she uttered the word twice in the same night. "Much Better." When has she felt so...so open to a person, specifically a male? Before Chase had found her, every male she saw was another horrible flashback of long lonely nights. Another painful memory of her mother screaming, and another tearful goodbye.

"Coke is perfectly fine." Ember smiled brightly, thanking the cashier for offering the service, and turned back to Chase. She looked around the room hazily, looking at most of the empty seats in the fast food joint. Where to sit?

Of course she noticed his cringe. It had made her heart nearly stop. Ember tightened her hold on his hand as if he would blow away in the wind, turn into dust and float away from her. Was something wrong? What could have happened? A flashback? A memory? What was it? A terrifying thought had crossed her mind. What if this was all just a bittersweet dream? She'd finally found someone who she'd never want to let go and have him just slowly drift away? When he calmed down she forced her lungs to breathe in. Oxegyn filled them and her body sighed with relife. Still, the thought of him...suffering like that taunted her. How could she make the pain go away? For them both?

She nodded silently, still trying to regain her composure from her almost heart attack, and drifted over to the booth, holding on to his hand tightly. Once there she slid into it easily and looked up at him. The same thought ran through her mind. The same one that continued to play like a song on repeat. Except it was one phrase one line of pure hope. Please don't leave me here.

She smiled warmly at Chase. But something in the background caught her eye. A tall, brooding man. No. It was like she could still taste the blood in her mouth. It was ladies night at the bar. One of her few free nights. Noone wanted her tonight. They were all watching a football game in the corner. She sat at the bar, slowly drinking a beer. Deep troubling bags lay under her golden eyes and she let more smoke fill the air. "You fucking whore! you lied to me." At first she didn't let this get to her. It must have been another half crazed man-beast. A name she'd call them. Hyped up on steriods and drugs they'd storm into the bar in a jealous man cursing at there dearly beloved that they've been screwing the milk man or some other nonsense, until she felt that burning hot hand on her back. "You filthy whore." He had grabbed her. It took five other guys and the bar tender threatning to call the cops to make the man stop. But the damage had been done. ember was beat pretty badly. Her tounge was bleeding from biting down, so she wouldn't scream. She leaned on the dirty bar, curled up in the tightest ball that she could get in and held all the pain in. She felt like if she moved an inch that everything would be lost. The ironic thing was, she wasn't even the girl he was looking for.

The memory made Ember cringe so badly that she hit her head on the window. She shuddered and held back a sob. No. She wasn't back at the bar. She wasn't surrounded by cruel mean men. No she had Chase. Chase wouldn't hurt her. He could never hurt her. She opened her eyes again, wiping away the tears that slipped past her gaurd, and smiled up at Chse.

Chase noticed the blush rising to her cheeks and it caused him to smile more, giving her small hand a light squeeze. After paying the cashier and moving towards a free seat, he nodded towards her and waited for her to sit before scooting in next to her. He wasn't going to leave her side for a second, unless she wanted him to that was. "Good, just tell me if you need anything, kay?" The never-fading smile grew and his lips pulled back to show his pearly whites, which where white for someone so poor. Sure, he didn't have that much money, but he could still afford a toothbrush and tooth paste, right?

Looking to the fries, he pushed one of the containers over to her and nibbled on a fry of his own. He knew she felt him cringe, but thank god she didn't ask. She cared, he knew that, but he was fine and she could tell that he was sure. Just as he turned to look at the door - being the careful kid he was - he heard a soft thump like something had smacked against a hard surface. The first thought was Ember, thus he looked back to her, pulling her hand a few inches closer before turning back to her. "E-ember? Are you alright?" He asked, moving closer and sliding an arm around her, trying to pull her close to his chest. Worry slipped from his mouth and appeared on his features as he pulled his hand from hers and touched her cheek lightly. "Are you okay?" Chase asked again, pushing his nervousness back down as he held her close, not daring to let go. He was too afraid of her falling back again, and that window was not a good pillow.

Was she okay? Maybe she needed to eat. This he wasn't sure of, but he would help her no matter what. "Ember.." He whispered, his chocolate eyes meeting hers when she smiled. This put him at ease enough for him to sit back in his seat and sigh lightly. <Thank god..> Chase thought to himself, still keeping his arms around her as his hand moved around her and he relished in being close to her. After a moment of so he backed off, pulling his arms back but rested his left hand on hers.He wouldn't hurt her, only help. He wouldn't leave her, he would stay as long as he wanted. He wouldn't hate her, he'd love her if allowed.

With his free hand, Chase brought it to her right cheek, touching her face in a caring manner as he smiled down at her. "You're head okay? You're not dizzy or anything, are you? If so fall this way this time." He laughed lightly, trying to get her to smile or even laugh herself as he caressed her cheek and jaw delicately.

"I'm fine." Ember assured Chase, her eyes twinkling slightly as she took him in again. He was here, and real. Her smile seemed to grow. The guy was just a bad dream. This is reality. But it was like she could still feel his burning touch. "Just..." how could she phrase it? That by looking at any man that seemed even the tad bit shady or threatning that she would get horrible flashbacks and memories? She looked down for a second in thought. "A...bad rememberance." Was all she could manage without worrying him even more. no need to frighten him, or anger him by spilling her dark past.

She nibbled on a few of fries, and took a sip of her coke. They hit her empty stomach and she restrained a sigh. When he touched her face, her eyes darted up, and she could feel herself blushing again. "I'm fine." She said again and smiled, laughing a little along with him. his touch felt nice. It was gentle.

How could one man, one soul move her so much, like lava moving under the earth, changing her very foundations? She remembered that she would lock herself in her room from morning till lunch, hiding in the corner. If anyone had came, anyone at all she would scream, cry, anything to let them know that she was suffering. Only till one did people drag her out. It was supposedly her hours of buisness. She'd be forced to wake up every morning with dread of the day to come and fall asleep knowing that it could never be changed. That the cycle would continue and that she might end up dieing alone.

After she finished eating, Ember rested her head on his shoulders, and let out a small yawn. It had been a long day. She woke up alone in her run down apartment building, went to the beach, walked around the town, pretended to be an acrobat. Now here she was with Chase. She wrapped her arms around his waist. Even though she fought it, sleep came and she ended up falling asleep, leaning on him. With Chase nearby, all the bad dreams and nightmares seemed to vanish, replaced with something warm and loving. If he'd let her, she would love him too.

Chase kept his eyes locked on hers, his showing worry and a hint of love. Chase was there forever and always. Even if the guy was real, Chase would be there to protect her no matter what. Grabbing at his drink, he took an agile sip before setting it back down and smiling down at her. She was beautiful. She had a great personality. She was perfect. "Okay.. Well you won't have anymore bad memories.." He whispered to her, holding her closer to him as he rested one arm around her hip, the other around her shoulder and across her back.

He was at ease with her. He didn't need to worry about a thing, other then her. To which he didn't mind. Ember was something he wanted to care for, treat her like she needed to be treated; Like a princess. When she said she was fine again, Chase smiled wider and kissed her forehead in the supplest way possible. For the first time in a very long time, Chase couldn't not smile, and he didn't have to think about his past. Though as she fell asleep against him, he sat there just thinking to himself. What would happen from here? Where would they go? What would they become? All questions that were answered by nothing but the sound of people behind him at the counter. Though he didn't mind. The slight silence was nice, and so was keeping her so close. With a sigh, he rested his head on her own softly, a smile on his face as he closed his dark eyes. Soon the thoughts began to face and slumber found him.

Chase jumped slightly, feeling a hand touch his. "Wha?" He mumbled, opening his eyes to find one of the workers standing next to him. "Yah gotta go kid, unless you wana buy something else. We need this table." He said, looking utterly irritated as he pointed to the long line before the counter. Chase nodded, looking down to Ember to see if she was still sleeping, then to his watch. It was three in the afternoon. They had slept quite a while, but he wasn't too worried. Slipping his right arm away, he touched her cheek softly. "Ember? We've got to go.. We're getting kicked out." He let out a chuckle when the man walked back to his station and scooted away from Ember a bit. "Come on." Chase said sweetly and waited for a reply or for her to move.

The sound of someone saying her name and someone touching her cheek slowly woke up the sleeping girl. With a stifled yawn, Ember blinked and shielded her eyes from the sudden intake of the flourescent lights. Where..was she? With another yawn she stretched her free arm, to realize that a male was sitting next to her. She rubbed her eyes tiredly as she tried to sort through the hazy details. It was the smell that brought her back. Oh. He was Chase. They were still at Burger King. "I'm up." She yawned again, seeming to doubt that fact. What time was it? She stretched her arms, feeling satisfyed when they popped. For once she wasn't sore.

She blinked again and smiled. "Sorry, it always takes me a while to wake up." She paused for a second to brush her bangs away from her eyes, letting another smile form. The crowd caught her eye. Lunch Hour? Or something close to it. She looked around the room, seeing that most of the tables were filled. So that's why they were being kicked out.

She waited for him to move before she got out. With one last glance around the room, she took his hand. She was still wearing his jacket, reminents of there night reminded her of what happened. A walk on the beach, walking to town and meeting him. The hug, talking. Being honest in everything she said and caring so much about one person. Agian she felt that familar pain in her chest. Her heart warning her about him. How easily men could creep up inside of her and steal her already fragile heart away. Coming back with it smashed and ruined.

but, he was different, in a wonderful way. The way he cared about her. Nothing went unnoticed. Every fear had vanished, and now she knew that she was falling in love. As if the signs weren't noticable. The kiss. The way he held her. She felt just like he had described her name. A bright everlasting fire, instead of a dieing flame of a candle sputtering in the rain. He had lifted her up, and made her feel whole again. Chase made her feel like a human being, falling in love for the first time and not some whore in the ghetto.