Alexander

for all my ocs in my little world that I love so much <3

(the prison bits might not be accurate. ive.. I’ve never been to jail..)

## The Prisoner

*Harbock Prison, Minnesota, 20XX*

Trudging through the halls was a young man, blonde with tired, annoyed eyes. He was a guard at the prison, and a professional jerk. He had no patience with any of the prisoners and one of the most difficult to deal with. He rounded the corner towards the cells, keys jangling as he walked. He finally came to a stop in front of one of the cells, banging on the bars with a roll of his eyes.

“It’s time for food. Get up.” He sighed in an annoyed voice. The prisoner in the cell didn’t move an inch, the thin orange fabric of his jumpsuit the only thing visible in the dim cell that he sat in.

“Hey, I’m talking to you.” The guard glared into the cell. Assign me to a new hall, they said. It’ll give you experience, they said. He thought sourly. The prisoner continued to ignore him. The guard scowled, slamming the door open. This caught the prisoner’s attention, who’s head turned slightly to stare at him. He had dark, somber green eyes. It might just have been the lighting, but they almost seemed lifeless. The guard felt a shiver run up his spine.

“Hmm?” The prisoner mumbled. His voice was low and plain, scratchy like it had been rubbed raw. There was a strong lack of emotion in his tone that creeped the guard out.

“It’s time for food.” The guard repeated. The prisoner turned his head back around so only his black hair could be seen. So much for having his attention.

“I’m not hungry.” The prisoner growled after moments of the guard simply standing there and waiting for  him to respond. The guard crossed his arms. Why did prisoners have to be so difficult?

“You have to come to the eating room, whether or not you want to. If you choose to eat or not is none of my concern, but you must come.” The guard sighed impatiently. He could have gotten at least 3 prisoners done by now. The prisoner turned his head again, now his whole face visible. He felt a ring of alarm as he studied his face. It was littered with ugly scars that malformed his face awkwardly and made him look less human. His neck and right arm were entirely black, and black spots speckled his neck and the underside of his chin. He had a tired look and a malnourished body structure.

“What’s your name?” The guard questioned coldly. He knew that most guards did not bother to learn prisoners' names. Some called prisoners by their last names, but that was it. The guard couldn’t help but ask though. He knew it would eat away at him otherwise.

“Why do you care? I’m sure you have access to everything about me.” He raised his eyebrows. The guard bit back a shout of frustration.

“I could easily find it, but that’s not quite as friendly as asking.” The guard scowled down at him. The prisoner opened his mouth to respond, but was cut short by a series of hacking coughs that rattled his body. He continued to cough while leaning over with weak movements. The guard frowned deeply. He was sick.

“Alexander.” The prisoner answered after recovering from his fit. He looked a little weary of telling the guard his name. The guard nodded slowly. He had been hoping for a last name as well, but perhaps that was a lot to ask for.

“Okay, Alexander. Let’s get going now.” He eyed him up and down, wondering whether or not to comment on his cough. Alexander still did not move. He looked at him like he was expecting something. “What? I don’t have time for this. Either come with me or I'll get somebody to make you come with me.” The guard snapped irritably. Though the guard was normally the scary one, he had to admit that he was frightened by Alexander. There was something strange about him.

“What, I don’t get a name?” Alexander asked smoothly. The guard eyed him up and down. Was he allowed to give Alexander his name? At this point, the guard hardly cared. He just wanted to move on with his life.

“Elias.” He said with a scowl. Alexander nodded, running his fingers over the sewn in number on his jumpsuit. There was something red stained in the orange fabric, hardly visible with the lack of light. Elias tried really hard not to think too hard about what it was.

“Hello, Elias.” Alexander gave him a strained smile that further uneased Elias.

“Alexander, I believe you may have contracted a cold. Unfortunately, your body isn’t in any state to properly fight it. You might need medical attention.” Elias droned on. He felt like a broken record player, but unfortunately politeness and respectfulness was part of his job. Alexander’s eyes widened slightly. Elias could see his body tense up.

“No.” He spat, recoiling like a snake. “I’m fine.” He sunk back into the shadows a little bit. His sharp eyes stared at him from the darkness. Only a bit of his face was now visible, and Elias found it a little frightening. He would never admit that, though.

“Unfortunately, I don’t believe that. I’ll alert the doctors this afternoon. Now, come along.” Elias droned on. Alexander shifted back again, his entire upper body now hidden.

“No.” He hissed. “Stay away from me.” His voice was rancid with hate. Elias could feel his blood boil. This is why he was supposed to deal with Alexander. Clearly nobody else wanted to do it.

“I wish I could.” Elias remarked blandly. Alexander shuffled his legs into the darkness. Elias could feel Alexander’s gaze burning into his skull. “For the sake of both of us, just come with me.” He restrained himself from begging.

“Over my dead body.” Alexander spat with venom in his tone. He broke out in a coughing fit again, bending over to clutch his chest as he struggled to breathe. Elias stepped back slightly, concern in his gaze. Alexander gasped for air a couple times, before he sat back and began to recover. Elias sighed loudly.

“Okay, Alexander. If you come with me, I won’t tell anybody that you’re ill.” Elias promised. A lie, really, but he didn’t have to know that. He just wanted to get this over with so that he could move on with his life. Alexander looked him up and down.

“Fine.” He said quietly. He sounded strangely defeated. Elias’ eyes widened in surprise. He hadn’t expected that to work. Elias looked back and forth in the hall, before nodding.

“Great. Let’s go.” Elias stepped aside, pushing the cell door completely open. Alexander mumbled something under his breath, forcing himself to his feet. Elias nudged the prisoner along, the two walking side by side down the hall. Elias studied the man, a trait he had long learned from his mother. He walked with purpose, each step a hassle. He knew he had landed himself here. Perhaps for good reason. Elias’ mind was plagued by Alexander’s appearance. It was inhuman. Wrong. Something about him intrigued and scared Elias.

When they reached the end of the hallway, Elias held the door open for Alexander. Alexander glanced behind him, narrowing his eyes at Elias, and then walked into the room.

## The Other Side of The Prison

*Wildflower Cabin, Minnesota, 20XX*

Near the cabin, a young man leaned against a tree. The cold turned his pale skin a rosy hue, breath floating up from his mouth. Soft flakes of snow nestled into his blonde hair, vanishing in seconds. Wind rustled past his ears, and a thin smile appeared on his face.

How he loved the cold. The feeling of being trapped in an eternal winter, never having to leave. Always being safe, surrounded by a flurry of snow.

If only it could really happen.

“Lucas! You’re going to catch a cold. You should come inside.” A woman called from the cabin's entrance. She was young and pretty, with dark skin and black-brown braids pulled into a ponytail. Her eyes were warm against the cold snow. His wife, Lux.

“Okay, okay.” Lucas sighed, giving the tree a nice pat before he made his way through the snow. It was up to his knees, and he had to raise his legs all the way up to step through the snow. Good thing he didn’t live here full time. He brushed by the branches of pine treats, snow scattering as he did. He looked more snow than he did human at this point. His wife giggled from the door, though she was clearly trying not to.

“Is my suffering funny to you?” Lucas huffed, though he was clearly amused by it. Lux smiled, reaching out a hand to pull Lucas out of the snow. Lucas took it with a teasing scowl, shaking the snow off of his boots.

“Just a little bit.” Lux grinned, giving him a kiss on the forehead. Lucas giggled, and the two stepped inside the cabin. A fire crackled in the cabin, its warm ember shooting up. The smell of pine filled his senses. His brother, Carter, who was staying with them, laid on the couch in the living room. The cabin was cozy and warm, even in the winter. Lucas took off his boots at the door, hanging his coat up.

“You should sit by the fire. I don’t want you getting a cold.” Lux nudged him towards the fire. Lucas huffed. He always complained that he was cold, but when he sat by the fire, he was too hot.

“Just for you, dearest wife.” Lucas stuck out his tongue, sitting down against the couch. The fire illuminated his face, which was red from the cold. His brother glanced down at him. “Want to join me, Carter?” Lucas asked hopefully. His brother just stared at him, before looking back at the flames in front of him. Lucas sighed. Carter had lost his wife when she had had their son, and now his son was missing. There had been nothing new for weeks, and everybody was beginning to lose hope. Even the police.

Lux looked at Carter sadly, then at Lucas.

“Do you want some tea?” She asked. Lucas hopefully looked towards Carter, giving his answer.

“I’d love some, thank you Lux.” Lucas nodded. Lux looked towards Carter, tilting her head. She was waiting for an answer. Carter answered without looking from the fire.

“Yeah, okay.” Carter droned. He sounded more like a broken record than a person these days. Lucas wished he could do anything. He’d done this once before, when his wife had passed and left him alone with his son, James. Lucas had done his very best to help out and comfort him. At least then, he’d had James. A small part of his wife. Now James was missing, and Carter was seemingly unconsolable.

“Wanna play a game? Scramble?” Lucas asked, picking up a box from the stack of board games next to the fire. He moved it back and forth, putting a smile on. Carter frowned at him, shifting to look at the back of the couch instead of the fire, feet tucked close to him.

“No thanks. We both know I’d win anyways.” Carter snorted. It sounded like he was trying to make a joke, but it failed horribly. He just sounded sad. Lucas sighed. What else could he do? He wanted to have hope that James would return, but it wasn’t looking good. The police knew where they were staying, in case anything came up, but so far it had been silent. Time was running out.

A sharp little squeak came from the kitchen.

“Mama, I want to help!” A shrill voice shrieked. Lucas giggled, heading towards the kitchen. Lux held a tea bag above her head, while a little curly-haired girl jumped for it. That was his daughter, Emma. Lux sighed down at her, frowning.

“You can help, but only if you stop screaming at me.” Lux scowled. Emma sniffled, rubbing her face. Tears spilled down her warm brown skin. Lucas stepped into the kitchen, scooping Emma up and putting her at his side.

“We have to be nice to Mama, okay? Otherwise the boogeyman will get you.” Lucas narrowed his eyes, forcing his voice completely serious. Emma’s eyes widened with childlike terror.

“I’m sorry Mama! Don’t let the Boogeyman get me!” She sobbed, screaming as children did. Lux glared at Lucas, who just shrugged with a smile in return. Lux took Emma from Lucas, making soft comforting noises.

“The boogeyman is not going to get you. Ignore Dad.” She promised, shooting Lucas another glare. Lucas grinned. Emma stuck her tongue out at Lucas, and he blinked with surprise. Lux giggled, setting Emma down. Emma raced into the living room, curly hair bouncing against her back.

“Here’s your tea.” Lux smiled, rolling her eyes playfully at her husband. Lucas took the warm tea, winking.

“Gotta keep her on her toes.” Lucas snickered, putting an arm around Lux. Lux gave him a half-glare, though she was still smiling. She took a long sip of her tea.

“I think she misses James.” Lux finally said. Lucas sighed loudly. Everybody missed James. The kid was bright and lovely, and Emma and James had gotten along well. Just two years apart in age, they were practically inseparable. They hadn’t told Emma the complete truth about James’ disappearance. They told her that he was going to a camp for the winter. She was upset -- she had even asked to go. Eventually she accepted it, though she seemed a bit sad recently.

“I know. I just don’t know what to do.” Lucas took a deep breath, and then a sip. “I’m afraid we won’t find him.” He admitted, staring down at the foggy color of his tea. Lux squeezed his shoulder. Her eyes were sorrowful but bright.

“We will. Come on, let’s get Carter his tea.” Lux smiled.

## Co-workers

*Harbock Prison, Minnesota, 20XX*

Elias sighed, dusting off his uniform. He shut the door behind Alexander, giving it a quick glance. He turned back to the hallway, walking down it at a quick pace. That man gave him the creeps. Many of the guards here just assumed that the black on his skin was just a tattoo, but Elias knew better. Tattoo ink wasn’t that dark. Black tattoo ink turned blue. This was something completely different. Something out of a movie.

“It’s fine, Elias. He’s out of your hair.” The guard murmured to himself. Reaching the end of the hallway, he pushed the door to his office open. Prepared to sit down and rest before the next prisoner, he was surprised to see a woman standing in his office.

“Daphne, I’ve told you not to come into my office.” He scowled. Daphne was a young woman, with light brown skin and dark brown hair, always in a ponytail. She had chocolate brown eyes that glittered in the light. His co-workers often assumed that they were dating. Pretty, sure, but she wasn’t exactly his type.

“Since when do I listen to you?” Daphne shrugged. She wandered over to his desk, fiddling with some bobbleheads that people had gifted him over the years. He rushed over, stealing the bobbleheads from her.

“Don’t touch those.” He snapped. Daphne stuck her tongue out, sitting down in his chair. He felt his blood boil. Why was she in here, sitting there, and touching his stuff? She knew it ticked him off.

“Come on, Eli. Lighten up a little!” Daphne snickered. Elias glared at her. Nobody called him Eli. Not since he was a child. Her eyes stared into his, daring him to talk back to her. She was less respected than he was, but she knew how to get her way and get out of trouble.

“I don’t have time for this.” Elias sighed. His brain told him to yell at her, but a part of it chimed with an idea. Daphne was annoying but attentive. If anybody knew anything about Alexander, it would be her.

“You’re still standing here.” Daphne reminded him, tapping her fingers on the table. A sly smile slid across her face. Like a snake. He hated snakes.

“Okay, Daphne. Want to be of use? I need some information about a prisoner. If anybody knows, It’s you.” Elias hissed, grinding his teeth. He felt like he was admitting defeat. Showing weakness.

“Which one?” Daphne questioned. Elias almost said his name, but paused. She wouldn’t know his name. How could he describe Alexander?  Sure, he had black hair, green eyes, and pale skin, but that didn’t cover the feeling Elias got around him. Those shivers down his spine. It was, to put it simply, terrifying.

“Cell..” Elias thought back. “431?” He guessed. He was fairly sure that had been the number, but who knew. Daphne hummed in thought.

“Black hair, green eyes?” She asked. Elias simply nodded. Daphne hopped out of his chair, wandering to the back of his office to shuffle through papers. Elias scowled. Even when helping him, she had to get all up in his business. What else did he expect?

Daphne pulled several papers out, eyes quickly scanning them over. Occasionally, she would put one back, but eventually she seemed to find her pile. Most notably -- it was a small pile. Much smaller than most prisoners should likely have. She walked over to him, dumping the papers in his arms.

“Alexander Solace.” She smiled. “Everything you need should be in there.” She winked, skipping back over to sit in his chair. Elias rolled his eyes at her, taking a quick look through the papers. He’d look more closely in a second, but he found something alarming. He didn’t have a birth certificate, at least not one that was in this pile. Behavior reports from therapists that had seen him. Where did Daphne find this?

“No chance I had this in my office. Where did you get this?” He questioned. Daphne just shrugged.

“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” Daphne winked ominously, skipping over to the door and waving goodbye. Her dark hair bounced against her neck. “Good luck, detective!” She gave him a teasing salute, and then shut the door behind her. Elias just marveled. How had she snuck these papers into his office anyways? How had she known which prisoners he was looking for? Daphne was a woman of many talents, he supposed.

He settled down into his chair, cleaning the desk off. He wasn’t the most organized person ever, so his desk rarely saw the light of day. He took a sip of water, and then put it under his desk. He laid the papers out so everything could be seen, a slight guilt creeping over him. Was this even allowed? Should he be looking at this? If I’m going down, Daphne is too. He reminded himself. Daphne wouldn’t let herself get fired for no reason.

It was time to take a look.