forum •Fault Line• [one/one]

Started June 02, 2022 by @Dayzed forum

tune

He spoke so quickly that Neo didn't even have a chance to respond between questions.
"Wow, that was a lot. But I'll start from the top."
Her nerves started to get the better of her.
"His full name is andrew (Our Supreme Lord and Overseer) James Collin. I don't know his age but I think he's around 35. He doesn't work. He spends all his time either asleep or at the pub…"
She stops to give herself a moment, emotionally this was a lot harder than she had expected.
"No other family, just him and I. The only other person I know is Jay, but I don't like him. He and Dad take panadol and then he sleeps on the couch. Sometimes he comes into my room and tries to sleep in there with me but I run away-"
She was rambling, the man, sir Glynn, didn't care about all these other details.
"There's no one else, you'll probably ship me off to an orphanage, or make me live on the street, but I'm ok with that. It's better than him staying alive.."
Neo paused again as the man got up and went to the counter. Her eyes followed him, immediately closing as she met the harsh lights, trying to avoid the dizzy sick feeling they gave her. When he returned, he asked her a question she never thought he'd ask. Her name. No one had called her by her name in so long she almost forgot what it was. Neo had to think for a long while about it. Finally ready to respond, she looks up at him and stutters.
"N-Neoma..but everyone just calls me Neo."

Jen frowned at the mention of Jay trying to sleep with Neoma in the same bed. That seemed odd, though he said nothing. He had dealt with abuse before with another kid's father, Kohen, but he never dealt with bastards like Jay before. Jen didn't know all the details but the way Neoma stopped to take a break gave him everything he needed to know.
There was a sort of irritation building and it showed in his eyes, the way he looked slightly annoyed. All Jen needed was motivation, something to make him really want to kill another person, and this seemed to be doing the trick, though it wasn't enough just yet. Maybe he'd thrown Jay into the mix and kill them both for free, as a favor. Though, this wasn't his job. His only task was to kill Neo's father.
"I need to ask," He said ignoring her comment on Jen taking her to an orphanage. Yeah. He had planned to do that from the get-go when he took the job, thinking about it as they walked to the gas station. There was no way in hell he would let Neoma live with him for the long run. If she didn't have a place to stay now, she could take shelter in his apartment until they found a permanent place for her to stay or until the job was done.
"Have you been staying at your house this whole time? When you looked to find me, you said that you'd been looking for me at night for weeks, does your father ever try to find you if he notices you're missing, or does he not know?" He questioned, a lot going through his mind, but trying to slow down for her since she seemed to be having a bit of trouble with the questions.
At the mention of her name, Jen smiled for the first time that night, and probably for the first time in a few weeks, even months.
"Well, pleasure making business with you Neoma," He said extending his hand to shake hers as this was officially a job he was taking.
"I have another question if you don't mind." He started.
"Have you been staying anywhere else other than your father's house? Maybe a friend's house? Do you go to school?"

Neo's breath catches in her throat at the man's question.
"Yes sir. I've still been at home. Dad usually passes out for hours, so sometimes it's okay. Otherwise, he isn't home. But other times…"
She trails off, subconsciously brushing her hand over her most recent beating, it still stung on her skin.
"Anyway.."
As the man asked for her name, she saw a smile come across his face, she hadn't seen him smile. He extended his hand and she winced, almost fully retreating into herself, terrified of just a simple gesture. As he retreated, in turn Neo extended back, no longer in almost a protective stance.
"Sorry sir…"
She started to tear up, feeling terrible for the way she just reacted. The man carefully asked another question. It was similar to the first question but again different.
"No sir, I'm on my own..I don't think I even exist in the system. I've never gone to school. I used to go to the library but since I researched you I haven't been. I started sneaking out to find you but sometimes I get caught and he hits me, a lot."
Suddenly it seemed like the 7/11 was getting brighter and Neo shut her eyes tightly, feeling sick and dizzy if she kept them open. However she continues to answer the mans question.
"I've only been leaving the house to look for you. Only at night. My room doesn't have windows so I haven't really seen any light recently. Sometimes dad and Jay take too much panadol and forget about me. When I sneak out looking for you is the only time I may even find anything to eat, usually if I ask dad he kicks me in the stomach and I-"
She stops herself. Only just realising that she had said quite a lot. She curled up on the chair, scared on the mans reaction.
"Sorry sir."

Jen stared cooly at Neo when she retreated into herself, not mad at her, but a little ticked that she had developed these mannerisms to protect herself from a monster, who shouldn't be responsible for this girl, or any kids for that matter.
"Don't worry I won't hurt you as long as you're my client, think of it as…" He stopped to think for a minute. "Think of it as being in my protection while I do my job."
To be truthful, Jen did feel a little bad for the girl, he hated to admit it to himself but he didn't think he would be able to hurt her even if things went south and he did end up in jail. It was almost like his past self had cursed him to be a little more gentle with these cases, it was something he would never be able to shake no matter how cold and indifferent he tried to act.
During the whole time that Neo talked Jen said nothing, not giving a single reaction, but deep inside he was seething.
Noticing the way Neo closed her eyes Jen grabbed his coat from the chair and threw it over at her so that it covered her head.
"If the light bothers you so much we should have gone somewhere else with dim lighting. For now, cover yourself with that, might not help a lot but it can block the harsh lighting somewhat."
Jen leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of his coffee as she continued on her rant.
"So basically he's very abusive towards you. I'm surprised you haven't tried to run away yet, you know, become a street kid who begs others for money." He said nonchalantly.
It was something Jen had done in his childhood, not because he was treated poorly or neglected, but for different circumstances. He didn't exactly have a choice but to leave the house he once called home. He spent roughly a year or two out on the streets wandering without anyone to help him.
He sighed, as the memories flooded him and he fought to push them away.
"Well. Since you don't have a place to go, and you can't exactly go back to your house for obvious reasons- unless you want to. I can let you stay at my apartment. It'll only be temporary, but I can provide that for now, just as long as I gather the things I need."
Jen looked at her curiously when she apologized again.
"Don't apologize it pisses me off and it doesn't help." He said giving another exasperated sigh, dismissing the way she felt. Jen had no need for extra feelings in the mix. She could cry her heart out, but that wouldn't help with his job.
"For now, let's leave it at that. Seems like a touchy subject and I'm not your therapist. Would you like something else from here, or is your uh" He seemed to forget what she called it. "Sickly sweet drink enough?" He asked.

The way the man just brushed off what Neo was saying upset the poor girl. But she tried not to let it show. He was offering her a safe place to stay, away from him, but it just didn't feel right to take it, why should she after the apathy she was met with? Apology after apology fell from her mouth, not because she could help it, but because it was genuine. However, being met with a scolding shut her up as quickly as she started talking. Holding her tears back she quickly, and quietly finishes her drink and listens to the slightly rude remark made by the man. Neo is asked a question, a small, insignificant question, but it would be rude of her not to answer.
"No, the drink was enough."
She swiftly gets up off the chair and makes a calm, yet unexpected exit.
Once in the street she runs, running as fast and as far as she could. Not that she had anywhere else to go, but she kept going regardless. Running until she no longer recognises where she was. Looking around at the high rise buildings and flickering street lights, Neo was exhausted and scared. She no longer had another option, needing to find a place to hide, and fast.

Jen watched the girl as she seemed to break down on the inside, and even though she tried to hide it, Jen was still an empath and he could tell when someone was going through it. It seemed near impossible for Jen to be an empath but deep down he was, he was just trying not to get too close, to not care, because as soon as he did it would be the end of him.
Well, mission failed. He was on the road to getting his heart broken.

The sudden bolt of Neo made him flinch.
"Erk- Where the hell are you going?!" He called after her, his eyes wide and his arm extended to try and stop her, but she was long gone by that time. The cashier at the front gave a sort of scoff.
"Children am I right? They can be so fragile and you seem to not be parent material" He commented. Jen just shot him a glare.
"She's not my child. She only asked for my help, I don't need to be nice if that's what you're implying." Jen snapped back. The guy only looked away as if to give him a sarcastic okay.
"Still, anyone who has a heart knows not to talk to a child that way, she seemed to be going through something- if you can't be nice then just don't help her, what's the problem?" The other guy spoke, now a little annoyed with Jen.
Jen was about to open his mouth to say something back, but he had nothing. Maybe he had been too harsh, maybe he had crossed the line. She was a kid after all and a kid didn't have the mental fortitude as an adult did. He had said the wrong thing to someone who need words of reassurance, he knew she needed a safe loving person to take care of her, but he just wasn't the one. He tried so hard to tell himself that but one of the walls he had put up had already started to crack.
"Fuck!" He ran out of the store, ready to go find her. He wouldn't let his disgusting behavior get in the way of helping this girl, not when she was dealing with such detrimental circumstances that he would never be able to understand himself.
Part of him soften at the thought of him hurting a kid, when had he turned into such an asshole?!
Jen ran and ran, looking for the small girl, trying to find her, but to no avail.
"Neoma!!!" He yelled out into an empty alleyway. He walked down it to make sure she wasn't there and when it was confirmed he let out a desperate sound. He didn't stop though, he would run these streets till he found her, even if it took all night.

Neo was still running, scared to stop to take a breath. The more she ran, the more lost she became, and that made her panic. But stopping was still not an option. Neo's head was spinning, had she made a mistake going to the man for help? She knew he wasn't really going to care but she didn't think he was going to be as cold and rude as he actually was. Time is passing by like it's nothing, and the girl can no longer just run like the wind. Stopping to get her breath she realises she is never going to be able to find her way back as quickly as she ended up here. Thinking quickly, Neo decides she needs to hide, and try and sleep. It is cold and dark, but there is no other choice at this moment. The girl swiftly moves through alleyways and quiet streets, looking for anything big enough to hide her. The streets are clean, nothing like the city area Neo is used to, finding anything was near impossible. The night was growing around her and Neo couldn't bare it anymore, it was risky, but looking for somewhere safe now seemed near impossible. Neo ran to the back corner of the darkest alleyway she could find and curled up, hoping she will be safe enough.

Jen looked everywhere, going absolutely crazy looking for the girl. He didn't think that she'd get too far, but he was sorely mistaken. Apparently, the little brat was smart enough to know not to be found, just like she had been smart enough to find him.
He stopped, taking in deep breaths, stopping for a brief break. Now that he thought about it, no kid would be so smart as to find him, he wasn't registered anywhere, not even on government records, he basically didn't exist, just like the eight others he used to call friends.
"I can't believe this shit." He grumbled under his breath as he started walking again, starting into a jog before running again. He couldn't believe that a small child out of anyone else in the world would have him caring again, he was so sure that those days were over.
It took hours, the sun was starting to rise and the faint warm light hit his skin reminding him that it was a new day with new things to take care of. He couldn't be doing this, he needed to get back to his apartment and make a few calls, because other than Neoma he still had more jobs to take on, they never stopped coming in now that he was on a contract again, just by a different person.
Jen searched far and wide until he saw a small figure in the back of an alleyway, his eyes immediately widened, recognizing the curly blond hair anywhere. There let out a breath, almost in relief that he found her, it felt like the weight had been taken off of his shoulders.
He slowly walked toward her, a thin layer of sweat covering his forehead from all the running for those hours. Neoma had really given him a workout.
"You." He said, looking down at her. "Why did you run off?" He asked, knowing why, but wanting to hear it from her. Jen watched as cars started to fill the streets again, looking back at Neoma he waited, though his words seemed less sharp now, gaining a little bit of softness to them.
"You know, I haven't gotten sleep. This is-" your fault. He was going to say but stopped himself. "troubling." He said at last. Jen mentally rolled his eyes at the change of mindset. There was no need to censor himself, yet he did it anyway.

Neo woke up to the man berating her. She hadn't realised she had even fallen asleep until then. She listened to Sir Glynn complain with patience. Eventually, after realising he had finally finished whining, the girl curled up with her head down, sitting with her back leaning against the wall, her voice breaking as she spoke.
"No one said you had to come after me."
In fact, she had hoped he wouldn't, even though only slightly. After the way he treated her the night before, she was second-guessing even seeking him out. A lot of time and effort had gone into this and maybe she was just riding her hopes on it? Maybe this was more dangerous. I mean, of course, it was, she was dealing with one of the most sought-after hitmen in the country, it would be stupid of her to think this was going to be light and breezy.
"Why did you come after me?"
It was hard to try and make it sound like a question with the state she was in, but nevertheless, she tried. After a few moments, she tried looking up at the man to at least be somewhat respectful. The bright sun immediately blinded her, making her head pound and everything around her spin.

Jen stayed quiet with her comment. No, he didn't, but he had. Why exactly? He had a few guesses. One, he felt guilty for treating the kid so coldly, two, she was his client now and it was his job to protect her until the job was done. Usually, Cas, one of his friends, would be the one protecting the client, but he was gone now. The thought drove Jen mad with a mix of emotions, rage, and desperation clawing at his insides. It made him violent, thinking about what had happened.
Jen narrowed his eyes at the girl.
"Well, you don't have anyone, do you? I can't just leave you out on the streets to fend for yourself, though, it seems like you've done just fine on your own in the past" He said, trying to word his thoughts correctly so as to not just blame her for everything.
"I came after you because-" oh god, did he really have to say it?
"Because you seemed bothered. And I…." He trailed off. Am trying to be a good person? Fucks sake. "I need my coat back," He said, his face turning red at the half-baked explanation. He really couldn't admit it, could he?
Apologize. Came the voice of reason in his mind. No, he didn't have to.
Apologize. It said more sternly.
Jen dragged his hand down his face, frustrated with how he felt.
He kneeled down to Neo's level, his eyes darting away from hers.
"Look. I'm probably not what you wanted. I'm sure as hell not what you expected. I told you this when you insisted on wanting to hire me. I'm not soft or cuddly or even happy." He said, huffing at the last word. "But I am sorry." His words came out with slight hesitation. He looked back at Neo, holding eye contact for a minute before he stood back up and extended his arm towards her as if saying to go with him.
"I'll try my best to not make you upset," He assured her, how exactly? That he didn't know, it didn't come naturally to him anymore and he would have to relearn everything he had been taught as a kid. Jen had been a pretty serious kid, pretty much the way he had been now, though thanks to some people he was able to be kind and caring, protective over those he loved. It would take a lot to bring those qualities back since he had long tossed them away.
"Why don't we go back to my place? Unless you don't want to, which I would understand, I won't force you, but it's not ideal being out here, sleeping on the floor." He said, trying to persuade her to go with him so she could have a proper meal and a soft bed to sleep on.
Even if he didn't want to admit it, he was already starting to act like a worried mother over a lost kid.

The man only wanted his coat…Of course…why did Neoma think he was there for her. A stupid, silly, little girl. Why would she be anyone's priority in the slightest? The man crouched down to her level which confused her, he didn't need to be down here if he only returned for his coat. The girl listened to the man ramble, it was funny how much he was tripping on his own words considering how fancy he seemed to be. He continued to speak, stumbling more and more until he made his final offer. To live with him. The girl was in complete shock. Even though it would only be while he did the job it was still more than any other person had ever tried to give her. Neoma of course didn't want to look desperate but she couldn't help it, this was the only option she had. She held herself back from hugging him as she slowly started to cry, not because she was upset, but because she was overcome with a sense of love that she had never experienced before. For this short amount of time, someone cared for her and was looking out for her.
"T-thankyou sir… that would be nice…"

Jen huffed when he saw Neoma cry. It wasn't a huff of exasperation this time, it was much more gentle, like he had finally found the right words to say to her.
With Neoma's final words, he gently took his coat back but didn't put it on. He slowly turned his back to her, now getting on one knee, his hands facing Neoma as if offering to carry her back to his apartment.
"Now, don't go getting any ideas, I'm never doing this again. I'm only doing this because it'll be faster this way. Besides, you're in no shape to be walking." He paused. "I also, uh, might feel slightly bad." He said, at last, his face slightly blushed as he said the last sentence, though grateful that the kid couldn't see him now in his moment of weakness.
-
Back at the apartment, Jen reached into his pocket, while also keeping his posture at a slight angle so as to not disturb Neoma. It had been a long walk back and carrying a tiny human being on his back was exhausting. Jen might have seemed like a strong man, but the truth was he was out of shape. He had been after everything in his life had gone down.
Entering the apartment, the lights flickered on by themselves, not bright to hurt the eyes, but dim, giving an ambiance to the place.
Jen didn't know if Neoma was asleep after the long walk, so he nudged her a little.
"I'm putting you down now." He said, leaning back and laying her down on the sofa. After doing that he went over to the coat rack and hung up his coat, which was in need of a cleaning after tonight.
After hanging up his coat he went into the kitchen and paused. He wasn't sure what to do from here. What would he have done six years ago? Well, for starters, hydrate whoever he had brought in at the time. That just happened to be Neoma right now. She had already drunk her sugary drink back at the gas station, but sugar was not as hydrating as water was.
After the water was sleep. Usually, a bath would be nice before going to sleep so they wouldn't get his sheets or furniture dirty, but if Neoma was extremely exhausted to the point where she couldn't keep her eyes open, then that was a no-go.
Jen grabbed cold water from the fridge. It's how he drank his water. Ice cold.
He turned to go back to Neoma, water bottle in hand.
May the gods have mercy for Neoma as Jen had no clue what he was doing. But he would get the hang of it. Maybe not soon, but eventually he'd get there.
…
Hopefully.

(sorry ive been swamped with work but here we go !!)
I woke up to the sun blaring in my eyes, how rude. The couch was comfy though. where am I again? Looking around it doesn't look like my house that was for sure. I slowly and carefully got off the couch and started snooping. Not major snooping, just getting a good idea of where I am. The hallway looked longer than it should be, all the doors were closed. I walked up through to the door I assumed was the front as quietly as I could, on account of the creaking floorboards. Just before I can reach for the handle, a large figure comes into my peripheral vision. I spin around too fast for my body to handle and slam straight into the wall, straightening myself. up as quickly as possible. If I make it look like I did it on purpose maybe I won't look so clumsy? The man standing in front of me is tall, scary-
"Hello sir, how do I open this door?"

(no worries! and sorry for the delay on my part too, there's been a bit of a dive in my motivation these past few months)

There hadn't been any sleep. No sleep whatsoever. It's not like this wasn't a common theme for his nights but occasionally his body would will him into an unconscious state- and by that, it was mostly known that he passed out. Without his meaning to.

Tonight, however, no matter how much his body had protested and how much the exhaustion had reeked from his overall demeanor, he had refused to let his eyes close. At least, not until he was positive that no one had followed him home- mainly, that no one had followed the little girl to his home.

Once dawn broke, Jen instinctively headed towards the kitchen to make himself a coffee. No sleep usually equaled some type of caffeinated drink or otherwise edible food. He made it a point to eat in the mornings, knowing he would most likely not do so the rest of the day.
Jen's amber eyes lazily stared at the coffee machine as the bitter drink poured into the glass container. The morning would have been alright for a few more minutes- that was until he heard the faint padding of small footsteps making their way to the front of the apartment door. Jen's eye twitched slightly as he remembered he had taken in the girl after she had insisted and broken down in front of him.

Immediately, Jen was leaning off the counter and making his way over to the front door as well. He wouldn't let the girl leave. Not now anyways. Not until he made sure no one was going to spot them leaving the apartment.

Jen had been about to speak as his eyes landed on the child, but she spun around so quickly that he froze, bewilderment on his face at the strange reaction.
However, at her question, Jen scowled.
"You dont. Not right now." He paused. "What do you need?-" He paused again. "What do you want? We have food here if it's something to eat that you're looking for." That was partially a lie. Yes, he had food, enough to make into a breakfast meal for one since he hadn't gone out to buy anything that week yet, but at least he had something. Technically, today should have been the day he bought groceries but he wasn't sure what he would do with….this. He couldn't take the girl with him to run errands, that wasn't what she was here for, and she couldn't go back to her home if she was worse off there either.
…
Well.
Unless she wanted to. It's not like he would be responsible for the kidnapping of a child. His buried morals, on the other hand, were something else. They didn't agree with letting Neoma go back to a broken home. Especially since it was bad enough that she had come to him for help- the type of help a child shouldn't ever ask for.