Thread: Empire - City of Lost Cause (Black_Out and meomeo)

Vallie rest the side of her head against the bus window. The citys nightscape flitted pass through rain-streaked glass. The streets were mostly empty citizens deterred from staying out by the sudden drizzle or perhaps and more likely the sky-high crime rate. Bags of trash strewn uncollected on the sidewalks in front of shuttered storefronts graffiti everywhere the eye can see in the many narrow alleyways, hooded figures huddle ominously around burn barrels. It was a dreary, foreboding slideshow. A true inner city hellhole. It made Vallie feel extra dreadful about Sandy. She had left the intern in exactly one of those seedy alleyways. Vallie closed her eyes but couldnt shake the image from her mind The unconscious short-haired brunette propped against the wall, her head lulled to one side, naked except for her underwear. Her bony body looked tiny almost like a childs. The hospital gown draped over her torso did little to cover her modesty. What Vallie did was awful and inhumane. Hands down the worst thing she had ever done. Carrying the girls prone body into the alleyway. Stripping her clothes from the still warm body. Putting them on herself. It filled Vallie with shame and she had to resist the urge to retch every step through the deed. The girl was still alive, Vallie had checked her breathing. But no doubt badly hurt the lump at the back of her head the size of an egg and it was all down to her. And as if Sandy hadnt suffered enough, Vallie was about to make off with her clothes. Sure, Vallie didnt have a choice she couldnt exactly traipse around the city with her butt hanging out a hospital gown but it didnt make her feel any better. She took from Sandys wallet two twenties and a bus pass, making sure to leave everything else exactly where they were. The screen of Sandys phone read 6 x Missed calls Allison W. Action 8 . Vallie dialed back. Her call was picked up after two rings. In her haste, Vallie didnt wait for whoever was on the other line to speak. She practically barked out the words. Alley opposite the hospital entrance. Send help right away. Its life and death! Without waiting for an answer, Vallie placed the phone in Sandys still palms, and vanished from the alleyway. It was the least she could do. She prayed for Sandy to pull through. Her bus had stopped. Two men came on, scruffy and reeking of tobacco and sweat, making the number of total of passengers on this night service three. Construction workers was Vallies best guess. Both sets of eyes lingered on Vallie for far longer than necessary, before they took seats a couple rows in front of her. Vallie tried to recall the bus map from memory. She must be some 5 or 6 stops away from OShearys. She wished the driver would step on the gas. At the same time, almost sub-consciously, she pulled Sandys denim pilot jacket tight around her body. Vallie came away from the alley with three items of clothing. A little black dress. The cute jacket. And bright red Converses . They were significant upgrades from a sheer hospital gown, but still not ideal. The jacket was undersized, hugged her arms, and made it difficult to move freely. The fitted LBD had looked real flattering for Sandy on Vallie who was bustier by some margin the fabric hitched up, leaving its flowy hem high on her thighs. To put it In practical terms, it meant Vallie had to sit on the edge of her seat, so her girly parts wouldnt be directly touching the undoubtedly filthy bus seat. Oh, and she had no underwear on. She couldnt stomach stripping them from Sandy not to mention basic hygiene concerns. That left her constantly reminding herself to close her legs. And her nipples rubbing against the tight dress proved to be rather distracting It brought her mind to Andrew. She wondered why he hadnt dealt with her like the rest of the team members. About his plans for her at a seedy Irish pub, in the small hours. About his streamy breath on her exposed neck. About how he pushed right up against her as if to remind her Hey sweetheart. Where you heading all dolled up like that huh? Tell us ya name, blondie. Bet you got a real pretty name, don'cha? Vallies head jerked forward. Her two fellow passengers had turned around and greeted her with yellow-teethed grins. One of them dangled a toothpick between his lips. Its none of your business. Vallie snapped, keeping her voice even through her nerves. She pulled the cord to call for the next stop, stood up abruptly, and headed towards the front of the bus. She figured closer she is to the driver, the less bold they would be. And she was close enough to O'Sheary's to walk the rest of the way. She was marching past the men when she felt a vice-like grip on her wrist the same wrist that Andrew had bruised! and she was jerked backwards, landing right onto Toothpicks lap. Hey now hey now. Thats not very polite. My friend here asked you a question, why dont you answer him like a good girl huh? He kept hold of her wrist, while his other callous hand claimed her exposed thigh, and began brushing upwards... Vallie felt nauseous with disgust. If only I had my hammer! I would fry these perverts into crispy pieces! Wait a sec I think Ive seen her face before. She was the one on TV! The train station woman! The fuck you saying Andre She she almost took down Vagabond. The grip on her wrist loosened just as the bus braked. Vallie flung the man away and practically ran to the exit. She was never so glad to hear the hiss of a bus door closing. She wheeled around as the bus accelerated, just in time to see Toothpick flashing a rude gesture at her through the window. Fuck! Fucking fuck! Vallie spat out in frustration. Under the light drizzle, her skin crawled and she felt filthy. A furious anger rose in her chest towards Crimson Marauder. Why couldnt he take her to the bar himself?? He knew full well how dangerous this town could be, at night, for an attractive single woman. Just wait til I get to that backroom I'd would wail him with punches, knee him in the groin, and rip his clothes to pieces Focus! Vallie looked up and spotted the OShearys sign in neon colors far off. She must be a couple blocks away. Nothing could happen to her over a few city blocks , right? She smoothed over her skirt and began her trek towards the sign. There was one silver lining at least those red Converses fit her feet to a tee.