[left][size=380][color=transparent][b]X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X[/b][/color][/size][/left][right][size=380][color=transparent][b]X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X[/b][/color][/size][/right] [justify][font=century gothic][size=380][color=transparent]XX[/color] [color=#82BCAD][b][i]Briar Harvent[/i][/b][/color][/size]
[size=130][color=black]"[/color][color=#40bf80][b]What if we just... ran away?[/b][/color][color=black]" "[/color][color=#82BCAD][b]What do you mean? Run away from what?[/b][/color][color=black]" "[/color][color=#40bf80][b]What if we ran away from this place? They're using us, well, you. So what if we just, you know... left.[/b][/color][color=black]"[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]Briar looks at Oscar with a little flurry of thoughts twirling about in his head. A part of him wants to think this is just a joke. After all, Oscar isn't exactly known for taking things seriously. Another part of him is rapidly weighing out all the possible outcomes of actually leaving, or, well, trying to leave. He's never once heard of anyone just up and leaving an Institute, and that's the kind of rumor he thinks would spread through the ranks like a wildfire in dry grass. And still another part of him, a very quiet, hidden part of him, is already constructing a plan to leave the Institute alive.[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]"[/color][color=#82BCAD][b]What if we did?[/b][/color][color=black]" Briar asks, voice low. He knows what will happen if they're caught discussing this. "[/color][color=#82BCAD][b]What would we do then? Where would we go?[/b][/color][color=black]" Oscar huffs and appears to be pouting, to which Briar just rolls his eyes. He does realize that he... didn't really answer Oscar's original question, just threw a different question right back at him. "[/color][color=#40bf80][b]Well, I have my family. I could go see my little sister. Then, we could just... be together. All of us.[/b][/color][color=black]" He says, very matter-of-factly.[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]Briar thinks about the word family and what it means. The Institute leaders, the Head- surely they are what he can consider family. Could he leave them behind?[/color] [color=#82BCAD][i][b]Yes,[/b][/i][/color] [color=black]he thinks.[/color] [color=#82BCAD][i][b]I could. But if we get caught, what will they think? What will they do?I'm already in trouble often enough just for-[/b][/i][/color] [color=black]Briar shoves the thought deep down, the thought that if he weren't friends with Oscar, if he just ignored the kid like he did everyone else, the leaders would never scold him. But he knows he could never ignore Oscar- not after eight years. It would be like ignoring his own conscience.[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]"[/color][color=#82BCAD][b]They would never let us leave. The leaders would find out about our plans, catch us on our way out, hunt us down- we already get punished enough because you can't seem to take orders.[/b][/color][color=black]" He knows it's a low blow, and Briar instantly regrets it when he sees Oscar stiffen. "[/color][color=#40bf80][b]Don't you see? That's the point. We're not robots, we should make our own choices, Briar![/b][/color][color=black]" He says, almost shouting but not quite. "[/color][color=#40bf80][b]Besides, with all the training they've given us, we have exactly what we need to escape. All of us. Our squad, we're family, and we need to look out for each other. Together we can do anything![/b][/color][color=black]" And then Oscar's eyes are on him- bright, determined, piercing straight into his soul like an arrow to the heart. Briar is [i]mesmerized[/i].[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]Briar still doubts. He still doubts Oscar, doubts their abilities, doubts himself. But those eyes are bearing down on him and even he doesn't have the will to disobey. Not Oscar Wilson. "[/color][color=#82BCAD][b]... okay.[/b][/color][color=black]"[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color][/size] [size=230][color=transparent]XX[/color] [color=#adadad][b]â[/b][/color][/size] [size=130][color=black]Oscar's argument is sound to their squadmate's ears, and before long, all three of them - Whistle, Walker, and Whirlpool - are latched onto Oscar's every word. Briar feels comforted that they all agree with Oscar's idea, and he also feels an immense anxiety. Escaping with five people is going to be much more conspicuous than if it were only two, and if they get caught, the consequences will be more dire. But Briar knows Oscar wouldn't leave without them, couldn't abandon them.[/color] [color=transparent]xxx[/color] [color=black]Their plan forms through everyone's contributions, and they go to sleep with their minds filled to the brim, running through their roles and simmering with both excitement and, most likely, dread.[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color][/size] [size=230][color=transparent]XX[/color] [color=#adadad][b]â[/b][/color][/size] [size=130][color=black]The evening before their escape is to take place, Briar finds himself unable to sleep. He knows he needs the rest, but his mind is racing, running through every detail of their plan and swirling out of control with anxiety. Their chances of success are slim, so very slim, yet they have to try. [i]Have to,[/i] because Oscar asked them to. Because Oscar called them his [i]family[/i]- something that is so very precious to him. There's a weight in Briar's chest that is becoming familiar, a weight he has no idea how to place, and it only grows heavier when quiet footsteps move toward him in the dark.[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]He knows it's Oscar even before a finger prods him in the shoulder, and he shifts over in his bunk without a word, making room for Oscar to crawl under the covers with him. He rolls over to face his friend and can barely see the outline of his face in the dim lighting. Briar offers up his hand.[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]Oscar takes the offering in his own hand and instantly, his voice is echoing in Briar's head.[/color] [color=#40bf80][b][i]Can you promise me something?[/i][/b][/color] [color=black]Briar questions what the promise is. Silence. He closes his eyes, lets the warmth of Oscar's body wash over him, the familiar comfort of having someone so close. Out of nowhere, another feeling washes over him like a waterfall- fear. [i]Oscar's[/i] fear. It catches Briar completely off guard and he grips Oscar's hand just a little tighter.[/color] [color=#40bf80][b][i]I'm scared.[/i][/b][/color] [color=black]The voice in his head says, and Briar knows.[/color] [color=#40bf80][b][i]If I fail, protect them. My family.[/i][/b][/color] [color=black]And Briar understands, for once.[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]Briar has power in his ability, and Oscar has power in his voice. Together, they make the perfect soldier. And. whatever happens tomorrow, Briar must protect Oscar's family. [i]His[/i] family. Whether the word 'family' means their squad or Oscar's parents and sister doesn't matter. Briar can feel his companion's fear and knows Oscar can feel his. They're both scared, scared of failing, scared of succeeding and not knowing what to do next. And Briar's willing to bet the others are scared, too.[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]"[/color][color=#82BCAD][b]I promise. I promise to protect our family. No matter what.[/b][/color][color=black]" He whispers the words aloud, to make the promise more real, more true.[/color] [color=#82BCAD][b][i]But you won't fail. I promise I won't let you fail, Oscar.[/i][/b][/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color][/size] [size=230][color=transparent]XX[/color] [color=#adadad][b]â[/b][/color][/size] [size=130][color=black]Briar hears the gunshot before he's made it to treeline, hears a garbled scream- Maximus. But he can't bear to stop and look, can't bear to watch his friend fall. Seconds later, another gunshot rings out, hitting Adriel this time, and Briar's vision becomes clogged with tears. There's screaming and gunshots and the familiar sounds of Matthias fighting someone- everyone- [i]anyone[/i] to protect the others. Briar can feel Oscar at his side, can hear his breathing, and he doubts. He doubts that they'll make it. They've lost three of their squadmates, and the treeline that will conceal them is still several meters away, and the leaders are shooting at them, possibly [i]killing[/i] them- and he's-[/color] [color=transparent]xxxx[/color] [color=black]One more gunshot rings out. Oscar screams, falls, [i]fails[/i]. Briar keeps running while the pact they'd made that morning plays on repeat in his mind- [i]" No matter who falls, keep running. Don't stop."[/i][/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]Briar slows, looks back. Maximus is crying out in pain, blood seeping out of a hole in his shoulderblade. Adriel is struggling against a leader's grip while another leader seemingly digs the bullet out of her side. Matthias is still fighting, but it's clear he won't last. And Oscar, his Oscar- tackled to the ground and staring right at him, right into his soul with that desperate, determined light in his eyes even as the leaders crush him, he's not even that far away, Briar can help him-[/color] [color=transparent]xxx[/color] [color=#40bf80][b][i]Keep going. You promised.[/i][/b][/color] [color=black]The words pound into him and Briar stumbles back, shocked. There's no time to contemplate it, no time to congratulate Oscar's evolution in telepathy, no time to even respond. Briar turns, leaves. He keeps going, because he [i]did[/i] promise. He promised he'd keep running even if the others fell, he promised he would keep Oscar's family safe if he didn't make it.[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]He also promised that Oscar would make it. He promised, there in the dark, to not let Oscar fail.[/color] [color=transparent]xxx[/color] [color=black]There are more gunshots, but Briar is at the treeline, and he ducks into the forest with a terrible pain in his chest that grows every second. He forces himself to compartmentalize, shoves down his thoughts of going back, of being able to help his squad. He can't break this promise to Oscar.[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black](The other promise, that late-night, now-broken promise, will haunt him for many years to come.)[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color][/size]
[size=230][color=transparent]XX[/color] [color=#adadad][b][i]five years later[/i][/b][/color][/size] [size=130][color=black]Briar blinks his eyes open and stares up at the white ceiling above him. There's just enough light seeping through the window blinds to illuminate a long crack running from just above his head to just above his torso- a product of a nightmare and a lot of violent thrashing on his part. He drags a hand across his face and rubs the gunk out of his eyes, forcing his sight to stop being blurry, then carefully sits up. He has to slouch to keep his head from bumping the ceiling and Briar wonders why he's still stuck on a top bunk when his roommate is more than half his height. Speaking of...[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]Briar leans through the opening for the ladder and peers down at[/color] [url=http://img07.deviantart.net/e1d9/i/2013/085/7/a/a_boy_with_brown_hair_by_madlibbs-d5zeqf2.jpg][color=black]Cedar[/color][/url][color=black]. The kid has thrown his blankets onto the floor in the night, one foot is tangled in his pillowcase, and he's somehow flipped around so that his head is where his feet would normally be. Definitely not a peaceful sleeper, but a deep one nonetheless. Briar smiles to himself and climbs down, tiptoeing outside.[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]The windows are open in the hallway and Briar squints against the light. It's raining outside, just a sprinkle, but the sky is bright despite the cloud cover. [b][i]Interesting, how rain can be like that.[/i][/b] He heads down the hall and into the sitting room, where[/color] [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0e/10/bd/0e10bd26844697b525e52f95d3df0b53.png][color=black]Maia[/color][/url] [color=black]and[/color] [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9d/25/74/9d2574b8332390b73742247be56d0555.jpg][color=black]Aiden[/color][/url] [color=black]are sat on the sofa reading together. They're snuggled up close and Briar smiles. Maia looks up when he walks in. "[b]Good morning, dear. Are the boys still sleeping?[/b]" She asks, referring to Cedar and[/color] [url=https://i.pinimg.com/736x/99/17/75/99177543940c79be2138b6e7f79785da.jpg][color=black]Nick[/color][/url][color=black]. Briar shrugs. "[/color][color=#82BCAD][b]Cedar's definitely still out cold, but I don't know about Nick. I don't think he [i]ever[/i] sleeps.[/b][/color][color=black] "[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]Everyone laughs at that, and Briar heads for the kitchen. Maia and Aiden go back to reading while he makes himself breakfast- since they all have such shit sleep schedules, no one really eats together, except on the rare occasion they're all home and hungry at the same time. Nick comes wandering into the kitchen with a laptop in hand about half an hour later and tries to steal some of Briar's leftover fried rice, and they battle with forks for a few moments before Nick freaks about food getting on his computer and moves farther away. Nick pouts and Briar blankly flips him off.[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]"[b]Children, stop fighting![/b]" Maia calls, glaring at them from the couch while Aiden giggles. "[b]Briar, can you go wake Cedar up? He's got a mission review in an hour and I'll be getting the piss if he's late.[/b]" She asks. Briar mumbles a yes around his last mouthful of food and carries his dishes to the sink. Nick tries to trip on his way back out of the kitchen and Briar smacks him over the head in return, ignoring Maia's half-assed scolding as Nick practically screams in 'agony.'[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]Cedar is flipped into a different-but-just-as-uncomfortable-looking position when Briar walks into their room, and his snoring is even louder on account of his face being pressed into the mattress. Briar presses the back of his hand to Cedar's cheek and the kid's eyes instantly shoot open, giving Briar exactly .04 seconds to back the fuck off and avoid a 5'0 ball of fury directed right at him.[/color] [color=transparent]xxx[/color] [color=black]"[b]Dude, it's me. It's always me. Calm down. Maia says you have a mission review in an hour, so I'd probably get ready to go before she beats you into oblivion.[/b]" Cedar flips him off and Briar forces himself not to smile as they both get dressed. Cedar, despite Briar surging energy into his cells, still pulls of the exhausted-and-grumpy look. Briar ignores his glares like a champion.[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]Cedar leaves for his review, Aiden leaves for his full-time normal-people job, and Nick leaves for his hovel of a bedroom as soon as he's got food in him. Maia stays sitting on the couch, but when Briar looks up at her from the graphic novel he'd started thumbing through, she's staring at him with a serious expression that has his stomach sinking. It's the kind of expression she has when something bad has happened, or is going to happen. "[/color][color=#82BCAD][b]What is it?[/b][/color][color=black]" He asks, part of him not really wanting to know. He sets the book aside. She hands him what she and Aiden had been reading.[/color] [color=transparent]xxx[/color] [color=black]It's a file, a mission file, and Briar sighs. "[b]Word is, there's a high-ranking Institute officer going around the city, taking out our people. We've lost six members in the last two months, and all of them were disguised deaths.[/b]" "[/color][color=#82BCAD][b]They have Lily over?[/b][/color][color=black]" "[b]Yeah. Point is, they want me to send you out there, since you have the most knowledge on how the Institute does their missions. But you [i]can[/i] say no. I know being out near them can be scary for you, sometimes.[/b]"[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color] [color=black]"[/color][color=#82BCAD][b]No, I'll go. It's fine.[/b][/color][color=black]" Briar says, skimming through the file. It's all rather bland information- general description of the person, how the victims died. Something about it is familiar, but Briar figures seeing anything from the Institute would be familiar, after spending so long there. Maia searches his face for discomfort, and Briar gives her a reassuring smile. "[/color][color=#82BCAD][b]I'll be fine. Really.[/b][/color][color=black]"[/color] [color=transparent]xxxxx[/color] [color=black]Maia nods and smiles back, and Briar finishes reading the file. "[b]Well, let's go find this asshole.[/b]"[/color] [color=transparent]xx[/color][/size][/font][/justify]
RPG
