The Empty Apartment

[Winters]

OOC: Continued from 'Sometimes I Get The Feeling. (Winters)'.

A Quiet Walk

Overall, during the entirety of the walk, Jonathan didn't say much. There were little quips here and there from both of them, but... it didn't feel wholly uncomfortable. They were almost at his place, too. But, all the while, as they walked, whether making little comments, maybe having a little conversation about little nothings... he seemed restless. As if, he wanted to get home, quickly. As they approached some apartments.. he started to slow down. His hand gave hers a tight squeeze, before moving in a little more slowly.

"..W-We're a-almost th-there."

..Started walking up to the door to the complex. Pausing, his right hand went to his pocket.. the jingling of keys heard. But.. his face seemed to hold a strange look on it. Still stony.. but, holding more an emotion of.. something. What, though?

OOC: Sorry for giving you little to nothing to work with...

[Jenna Scorn]

"..W-We're a-almost th-there."

She had said something along those lines the day before, when they had been on the way to her house. And now, they were heading to his, was she feeling weird?

Only a little.

Mostly because Johnathan's silence had bothered her. Had she done something wrong?

Of course not.

Hands both deep within her pant pockets as she walked behind him. Blue eyes glancing at the floor as they walked along, only looking up when she heard the slight jingle of keys.

She waited for a moment, before looking at him.

a brow would rise as she watched him.

"Johnathan, you ok?"

[Winters]

Prelude To Secrets...

"Johnathan, you ok?"

For a moment, Jonathan didn't say anything. Just staying still. Contemplating to answer, because... he knew the answer very clearly in his head.

Because how could you answer this question without sounding like a lunatic?

...

"..N-No."

Hesitation.

"I-I'm g-gonna h-have t-to i-introduce y-you t-to m-my r-roommate i-is a-all... H-He's... c-crude."

...Well, that'd at least save him an hour or so, hopefully, without having to explain. He'd be vague for now. Yea. That would be for the best. And then, they were at his door. Taking out his key, he put it in the lock, and turned it open.. but he waited for a moment.

"..C-Calamity..."

No. No secrets.

"..I-I'm g-going t-to s-show y-you t-two t-things a-about m-myself t-tonight n-no o-one h-has s-seen b-before. Th-They're m-my s-secrets.. b-but... wh-what y-you d-do w-with th-them i-is y-your c-choice."

Paused for another moment. ..This was making his throat dry. He turned to her for a moment, putting the back of his hand against one of her bangs, stroking it once, a.. strange look in his eyes. Tender?

He would trust her. He would not force her to do anything. Wouldn't even try to imply it. He would simply just trust her.

Needed to.

For his sake.

[Jenna Scorn]

"..N-No."

Brows furrowing curiously as she watched Johnathan. He was...tense? Possible, she could feel it. Something was wrong.

"I-I'm g-gonna h-have t-to i-introduce y-you t-to m-my r-roommate i-is a-all... H-He's... c-crude."

Cocking her head to the side, she'd let a small laugh escape from her lips. She had thought the worst, letting her hands fall from her pockets.

"Crude? I've dealt with people like that before."

A smile to him.

"..C-Calamity..."

Looking up at him, directly into his eyes.

"..I-I'm g-going t-to s-show y-you t-two t-things a-about m-myself t-tonight n-no o-one h-has s-seen b-before. Th-They're m-my s-secrets.. b-but... wh-what y-you d-do w-with th-them i-is y-your c-choice."

Secrets?

She was confused, how could someone like Johnathan have secrets? And what kind?!

Well, whatever they were...he was probably just being over dramatic. And besides, she was happy that he trusted her enough to show her whatever sort of secrets these were. So as he brushed a few strands of hair from her face, she smiled at him.

"You can trust me."

[Winters]

The Empty Room

"You can trust me."

*Click*

He'd do it anyways, if he didn't. The door opened up, to a dark room. Taking a casual step inside, his right hand automatically lifted up to the side, grabbing at the wall, 'til a flipping sound was made, and the lights went on. And that was it.

Nothing sinister.

To be expected, he walked into the room, looking about, checking everything in place, make sure everything was where he left it. ...Of what there was to be seen. To the corner of his room, a neatly folded sleeping bag. To the side of it, a small desk with a chair at it, with typical school supplies, all organized in a militaristic fashion. On the opposing side was the windows to the outside, a slight balcony for about a 2-story building, since he was the one living on top. Closet just behind where the sleeping bag was. Curtains at the window doors, to keep the light out. Light bulb overhead. And at the far end, opposing corner of the sleeping bag, a small T.V. Two little openings that led to a bathroom and a small kitchen, with a table with two chairs at it.

And that was it.

No clocks.

No posters.

No pictures.

No personality.

No life.

Except for a book placed on top of the pillow by his sleeping bag... that was it.

...Though, it may be at least noteworthy to mention that the book was a black, hard-covered book called 'Mein Kampf'.

Stepping into the middle of the small room, and looking around for a bit, before looking back at Calamity, he shrugged.

"...W-Welcome. M-Make y-yourself a-at h-home. I-I'll s-start c-cooking s-something u-up f-for u-us."

Waiting a few minutes to see any response, he turned away, and headed to the opening of the kitchen, where the sound of pulling out materials from drawers and raw food from the fridge was soon heard.

[Jenna Scorn]

It took her a moment, letting those eyes peek into the apartment. Licking her lower lip, blinking as Johnathan flicked on the light. She stared, taking a step inside. Her eyes scanned the room,there wasn't much to look at.

She hadn't expected much, but she had expected more then this. There was a sick, sinking feeling within her belly now. She swallowed the excess saliva within her mouth before letting the blue eyes glance down to the sleeping bag.

It had taken her a few moments to actually walk in, but she slowly entered. Letting her feet carry her to the sleeping bag, where she'd let those eyes fall upon the book.

Mein Kampf?

"...W-Welcome. M-Make y-yourself a-at h-home. I-I'll s-start c-cooking s-something u-up f-for u-us."

Her head turned, to face the voice of her friend. A nod to herself as she glanced around the room for a quick second. Soon following Johnathan into the kitchen. Stopping in that doorway, leaning against the doorway as she let her eyes drift upon him.

".........................."


Wait...

Her eyes shot to the sleeping bag, the one sleeping bag.

She peeked inside the kitchen once again, letting those eyes search. She was curious, was there another sleeping bag somewhere?

Certainly his roommate didn't sleep int he bathroom, or the kitchen.

"There's only one sleeping bag..."

She looked at the kitchen table, and then at Johnathan.

"Where does your roommate sleep?"

[Winters]

Who'S aFRAID of ze Big BAD Volf...

Peeling a carrot. But for some reason, when he was looking at the carrot, there was an intensity to be found in his eyes. An intensity, as if he was holding back something.. while whistling something.

"There's only one sleeping bag..."

Who's afraid of the hmm-hm-hmmm...

"..Ja." he replied back in a quiet undertone. But it was only one syllable. Upon opening his ees, though.. Jonathan appeared to be normal. Still just peeling a packet of carrots with what appeared to be an 'artisan's' touch..

It was starting to occur to her. She was sharp. Wouldn't take too long.

"Where does your roommate sleep?"

"..Who's afraid of ze big bad volf.. ze big bad volf.. ze big bad volf.." eyes closing again..

Would she notice the difference? Very minute... but something was going on.

This place... was as blank as Jonathan's face appeared to be.

This place...

Hid things.

"...Try checking ze closet, love. Ju might find him zare..."

Eyes refusing to open.

A roommate that had been here, the moment Jonathan stepped in. Opening his eyes again, Jonathan's blue-green eyes looked over for a bit, as he went onto pulling out some steak, and getting a cutting knife. Began.. slicing into it.. his fingers going about it, almost playfully, eyes holding something strange within them.

...As for the closet...

There was a black uniform there.

A black uniform with a cap above it. Hung on it's own mannequin. With very interesting designs.

...

A swastika on the arm.

At the same time.. the whistling.. just continuing onward, as Jonathan got out the oil, but not turning on flame under the cooking pan just yet. All the ingredients weren't ready, after all.

"..Ja..."

[Jenna Scorn]

"..Ja."

"Ja?"

She repeated him, her lips forming the words to speak. Her mouth dry, something was wrong. She'd figured by now that 'ja' was yes, or something along those lines. She wouldn't trouble herself with that now.

"..Who's afraid of ze big bad volf.. ze big bad volf.. ze big bad volf.."

"Where does your r-"

Cocking her head to the side, this time more surprised then trying to pull off the cute factor. A few strands of hair falling into her face as she took a very slow, deep breath.

Wait.

He just spoke.

Like...REALY spoke.

No stuttering.



"...Try checking ze closet, love. Ju might find him zare..."



Oh.

My.

Fucking.

God.

Her eyes were wide for a moment, her mouth wide as she tried to piece it all together. Letting her eyes glance to the closet before returning to her Friend.

Does this fucker have a dead body in his closet?!?!?!

Thats all she could think about, now...slowly turning on her heels as she made her way to the closet. Stopping before it, blue eyes watching it closely, as if it would move.

Now, letting her hand reach out. Her fingers circling the door, gripping it as she turned it. Slowly opening it. those blue eyes looked, carefully looking. No body, but there was something else.

The uniform.


"What?"

A Nazi uniform?



ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!!!!!!!!!!!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?!

ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!?!

Her heart was beating rapidly against her ribcage, it was begging, begging for escape. She breathed, letting those blue eyes take in the uniform, the swastika, and the hat.

This doesn't mean anything.

Its just a....an old Halloween costume.

YEAH!

"Heh, very funny...where does your roommate really sleep?"

She stood on her tip toes, reaching up to grab the hat. Letting her finger's tracing the brim of the hat.A soft smile spreading on her lips as she placed it upon her head.

"How do I look?"

Turning around now, her back to the closet.

["Thrush"]

...Time To Play.

"Ja?"

"Ja."

A more playful tone, as he responded back to her questionable response. She was starting to get it. Something was up. Something was wrong. Something was not normal. Nothing to be said, formal. The response of someone confused and didn't understand. There was glee to be found in his head, in his hand. For this was no longer Jonathan in control. Someone quite different. Someone she didn't know. But enough of these terrible rhymes, these unspoken thoughts. Time now to see, her reaction, this plot.

Kekekekekeke...

Still with the busy look in his face, eyes almost closed, as he was prepping up the meat. Cutting into it, but letting the blood lather on his knife.

"What?"

He heard the oh-so-desirable response...

ZE RESPONSE OF AF-FECT.

Hundreds of THINGS whirling into her mind, as she thought that JONATHAN was some sort of FREAK. KWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

"Heh, very funny...where does your roommate really sleep?"

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Lead me into ze room... Jonathan.

Y-You r-really a-are g-going t-to d-do th-this... a-aren't y-you?

But of course.

...Y-You're a-a r-real d-dumbass, s-sometimes.. b-but w-whatever. S-Sure.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Ja, i-isn't i-it?"

Walking into the room.

With a bloody knife at his side.

"How do I look?"

Watching as she put the hat on.. a smile on his face. But, keeping his left eye open, as she looked at him.. the right eye blinked.

And the left eye turned from blue and green...

To red.

As did the other.

In the blink of an eye.

"...Ja...."

"...So veeeEERRRRy.. cute..."

Raising up the knife, lashing out his tongue playfully like a snake... but the eyes harboring... malicious malcontent.

"...SSSOOOOOO vvvveeEEERRRY cuuuuutee..."

Took a step towards her.

"...But cha'know? Ze zing that makes zis more.. makes this UPROARIOUSLY HILARIOUS.. is zat zis is only.. 'half' true."

Only three feet between them... turning his head to the side, before stabbing forward!!!-

To the left of her. At the closet door.

"GAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.."

Laughter.

"KAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.. AHHHHH!!! Zis is simply... HILARIOUS..."

Laughing so forcefully, with so much enthusiasm, he could almost cry blood, his left hand clutching his own face, as if he wanted to tear it off.. as if it wasn't his own.

"...Ze zhought of... CUTTING you... such a cuuuuute giiirrll.. makes me want to CUUUMMMM---"

"ALL OVER YOUR BACK."

...You like zis guy? Zen, I hope you can bear with me..

ZESTÖREN!

[Jenna Scorn]

"...So veeeEERRRRy.. cute..."

There he was, but it wasn't...it wasn't him. She eyed him, letting those blue eyes take in all of him. She flicked a few strands of pink hair from her face, glancing to the side before letting her eyes fall upon him.

His eyes.

His tongue.

Her own tongue left her mouth, to line her lower lip.

"...SSSOOOOOO vvvveeEEERRRY cuuuuutee..."

He took a step to wards her, and as he did so, she would. Taking a step back, her back hitting the doorway of the closet as she stared at him.

"...But cha'know? Ze zing that makes zis more.. makes this UPROARIOUSLY HILARIOUS.. is zat zis is only.. 'half' true."

He's attack, stabbing the closet. As he did this, her gut instinct was to protect herself, her arms flying up to shield herself.

"GAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.."

She'd open her blue eyes, letting her arms fall to the side as she heard him laugh. Swallowing, staring at him, her heart beating. Her heart was banging against her ribcage, screaming for escape. Her nerves screamed as well, and she took a deep breath.

Trying to calm herself.

"...Stop..."

"KAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.. AHHHHH!!! Zis is simply... HILARIOUS..."

"I said stop it..."

She turned, facing him and backing away from the closet. Taking small, slow steps away from him as he laughed.

"...Ze zhought of... CUTTING you... such a cuuuuute giiirrll.. makes me want to CUUUMMMM---"

Eyes narrowing upon his frame as her right hand would reach up. Fingertips gripped the brim of the hat, and now flung at him. Her chest heaving, obviously angry.


"ALL OVER YOUR BACK."

"...Your not Johnathan."

Man, I don't wanna fight this freak.

Her body was shaking, she'd never been in this sort of situation before. And as said before, she was very angry. She tried to clam herself, taking breaths as she glared at him.

"...Give him back."

But, he's not gonna make it very easy on me.

["Thrush"]

Reactions, Dark Decisions: The Soul Tearing I

Grabbing the hat from the air, he quickly snatched it onto his head, and covered out the sight of his eyes.

"...Your not Johnathan."

But as she said that... SHE WAS SHAKING. SHAKING LIKE A SCARED LITTLE GIRL... or... maybe she was angry? THAT TURNED HIM ON, THOUGH. Kahahahahahahahahahahahaha... yes. She would have to learn. Have to learn ALLLLLL about Jonathan and his... CHOICE. That... DECISION.

KEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKE...

"VEEERRY GOOOOD.... VEEEERRYY GOOOD. You're not some DUMBASS zat zinks zat it's just little.. 'namby-pamby-goody-goody-Jonathan-my pukeface darling', taking a trip of ze deep end... JAJAJAJAJA[/size]JA..."[/color]

Saliva raining down on them, as his head went upwards.

"KEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKE... very, very... PERCEPTIVE, GIRL."

Loosening up, a wild smile on his face, but his red eyes now hidden... he pushed himself back, his hands at the back of his head, softening the blow on his head.

"...Vhat I don't understand is WHY Jonathan would go and develop a crush on YOU... YOU, someone who is not even Aryan. But zhen, I zuppose he does have a point on ZOME of ze philosophical SHIET zat he blabbers onto me, vit hiz ANNOYING STUTTER-FUCK VOICE of his.."

Jumping to his feet, he suddenly rushed up to her, hugging her tightly to him.. the dangerous, wild smile on his face, his tongue lashing out like Satan himself.

"...ZO ZEN... VIRST ZINGS FIRST... INTRODUCE YOURSELF, VOMAN. BEFORE I ESQUEEZE IT OOT OF YA, JA!? AND MAYBE I'LL LET CUM MY NAME OUT ON THE FLOOR..."[/i]

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

"I-I'm g-going t-to t-take o-over. W-WE A-AGREED, Y-YOU W-WOULDN'T H-HARM H-HER."

"...She has to learn who I am. Who you created, why I am... WHY ZE FUCK I MUST FEEL ZIS VAY ALL ZE FUCKING TIME, YOU SHITHEAD..."

"..."

"I von't harm her. Just... let me do zis. You want me to accept her? She has to accept me, damn you! DAMN YOU!"

"...F-Fine. B-But d-don't y-you d-dare t-touch h-her i-in a-a w-way I-I'll m-make y-you r-regret..."

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

He gripped her, about her waist... tightly.. tightly... definetly not caressingly. But not to the point where he could crush her, even though he could, at this angle. Something holding him back.

"...Introduce yourzelf... VOMAN... Before I getz IMPATIENCE.."

[Jenna Scorn]

"VEEERRY GOOOOD.... VEEEERRYY GOOOD. You're not some DUMBASS zat zinks zat it's just little.. 'namby-pamby-goody-goody-Jonathan-my pukeface darling', taking a trip of ze deep end... JAJAJAJAJAJA..."

This guy is crazy.

"KEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKEKE... very, very... PERCEPTIVE, GIRL."

Perceptive indeed.

"...Vhat I don't understand is WHY Jonathan would go and develop a crush on YOU... YOU"

"You say that like its a bad thing..."

"...someone who is not even Aryan. But zhen..."

"Wait..."

Brows furrowed, letting a hand rise as if it would stop the very moment from passing.

"Who is Aryan?"

"..I zuppose he does have a point on ZOME of ze philosophical SHIET zat he blabbers onto me, vit hiz ANNOYING STUTTER-FUCK VOICE of his.."

She shook her head, letting those eyes glare at him as she let her and rest at her side.

"I think the stuttering is cute!"

She shouted at him.

"...ZO ZEN... VIRST ZINGS FIRST... INTRODUCE YOURSELF, VOMAN. BEFORE I ESQUEEZE IT OOT OF YA, JA!? AND MAYBE I'LL LET CUM MY NAME OUT ON THE FLOOR..."

He was holding her, against her. He was close, closer then she would have liked. When he headed for her, her arms went up and now the palms of her hands rested against him. Slightly pushing away as he showed his tongue. Her head turned to the side, blue eyes fell tot he floor.

"Your disgusting!"

She was tense within his arms, slightly trembling as he clung to her.

"...Introduce yourzelf... VOMAN... Before I getz IMPATIENCE.."

She swallowed, fingers softly flexing before she took a deep breath.

"My name is Calam-"

She looked at him, blue eyes searching his. Looking at him, looking at..at this monster before her.

"Jenna....my name is Jenna."

A soft smile now as she looked at him, a small weight lifted from her chest now.

"And you, certainly you must have a name."

["Thrush"]

Dark Decisions: The Soul Tearing II

"My name is Calam-"

..Yesss.. yesssss... Get on vit it, stupid, ANNOYING---

"Jenna....my name is Jenna."

His face froze.

...Zat is not ze name zat Jonathan had told me she was. Just vanted to get ze reactions from her..

Grip loosened.

She smiled.

"And you, certainly you must have a name."

Falling...

He fell back...

Why is my face wet?

Why do I hurt all the time?

"...Ja... honesty... I... vas not expecting ZA--zat.."

...Am I crying?

"How refrezhing."

The smile was back on his face. But more pleased. Much more pleased. His eyes hidden beneath the hat.

"...Vy name... rhymes with Crush."

Left hand tightened up, as he shoved it forward, into a flexing uppercut, before her. The smile returned.

And not with the same malcontent.

"...It iz becauze zat is vhat I do. I destroy. I ZESTÖREN!"

My fist shakes at the thought of it. Excitement... ZE EXCITEMENT IN CRUSHING PEOPLE...

"...Rhymes with mush. And slush. Becauze I am a pervertz... I have... RAPED.... both women AND men, and NOT ALWAYS in ze PROPER PLACE... I have... KILLED... Becauze... zat is my nature. ZESTÖREN is my nature. It is... who Jonathan created, from his greatest desires."

But, noticeably.. his face was looking away.

"..Zo zat Jonathan is still a virgin. I am notz. Unclean. So, I named myself. Many years ago... fromz his mind. Fromz his zoul. So, I name myself."

The wild grin back.

".."THRUSH"... A name of a bird zat you do not hear very often now. From ze Kingdom Animalia, ze Phylum Chordata, ze CLASS Aves... Order Passeriformes... and ze family... 'Turdidae'. Zomezing of absolute shit I pulled out of nowhere."

But, the grin, clenched up into a baring of teeth, as his own self-amusement turned to rage, and he punched the air, a straight, towards Jenna.

"AND IGNORANT GIRL... ARYAN IZ VHAT IS KNOWN AS ZE MASTER RACE.. GERMAN. ...Vhether I mean it or not is of no concern, however... Matterz not, ja?"

Annoyed now... his right hand went up to Jonathan's vest.. and unzipped it down. Revealing his body as it was. Scarred up.. from the beatings of Jonathan's father. Walking over, past Jenna, to get to his uniform. His back holding the worst of ze many scars... zings he did not care about. Zings... zat he felt gave him dignity. Shaped and formed him. Vhich vas why 'Thrush' vas born.

Pulling down the Nazi uniform's coat, he held it in front of himself, getting ready to hold it.

"...Vell zen.... zis is ze head's up. Because... chu probably should know vhat ze hell you are getting yourself into... Myzelf aside.. Jonathan izt not all he makes himself look to be. Partz of his planz... for strength."

...Strength.

...If ever there was only one thing I could relate my own desires to yours, Jonathan...

Make me stronger.

I want strength.

[Jenna Scorn]

"...Ja... honesty... I... vas not expecting ZA--zat.."

His grip loosened upon her, and soon he was falling back.

She'd stare, confused, maybe even amazed?

"How refrezhing."

"What?"

She glanced for the door as he spoke.

She thought of running, and never looking back.

...

But Johnathan, had trusted her.

Trusted her with...

Her eyes lingering back upon the crazed man before her. He had trusted her with this. She couldn't run, not now.

"...It iz becauze zat is vhat I do. I destroy. I ZESTÖREN!"

...This guy...is a FUCKING FREAK!!!!!

"...Rhymes with mush. And slush. Becauze I am a pervertz... I have... RAPED.... both women AND men, and NOT ALWAYS in ze PROPER PLACE... I have... KILLED... Becauze... zat is my nature. ZESTÖREN is my nature. It is... who Jonathan created, from his greatest desires."

All her thoughts of escape left her body when he mentioned rape, and then murder. She looked away, to the door,all around. No one knew where she was, no one.

What if he?

He was looking away, and she couldn't help but look at him.

Even if this guy, this man was a freak...he was still a part of Johnathan...she couldn't leave.

"..Zo zat Jonathan is still a virgin. I am notz. Unclean. So, I named myself. Many years ago... fromz his mind. Fromz his zoul. So, I name myself."

Ok, I asked for your name.

NOT A FUCKING STORY!!!!!!!


She swallowed, clearing her throat.

Calm down...calm down.

".."THRUSH"... A name of a bird zat you do not hear very often now. From ze Kingdom Animalia, ze Phylum Chordata, ze CLASS Aves... Order Passeriformes... and ze family... 'Turdidae'."

You named yourself after a fucking bird?!

Turning her head towards the door now.

A fucking bird?


"Zomezing of absolute shit I pulled out of nowhere."

"Thats for sure."

She hadn't saw it coming, she'd been trying to listen to him. Trying to understand all the babble he was speaking of. And when it came, well...rather when she noticed. It was all too late. He punched her, makeing contact with the right side of her face.

"AND IGNORANT GIRL... ARYAN IZ VHAT IS KNOWN AS ZE MASTER RACE.. GERMAN. ...Vhether I mean it or not is of no concern, however... Matterz not, ja?"

The stinging, the swelling. She blinked her eyes, and with every blink, with every movement of her face it stung. Her hand would reach up, to softly touch her face and as she did so it instantly stung.

"...You hit me..."


Blinking her eyes still, the site coming back in her right eye..slowly. She shook her head, her hand still softly touching her cheek.

Rage flowed inside of her, now letitng her eyes form on Thrush. She had planned on attacking him, but when those eyes met his scars....

Oh...my god.

Tears threataned her eyes. She swallowed, chkeing back tears. who had done this? Who could have done such a thing to Johnathan? She looked away, she had to.

"...Vell zen.... zis is ze head's up. Because... chu probably should know vhat ze hell you are getting yourself into... Myzelf aside.. Jonathan izt not all he makes himself look to be. Partz of his planz... for strength."

She was silent, watching him as he grabbed at the uniform. Swallowing yet again. Letting her lips part, and softly speaking.

"...Johnathan."

Her cheek tingling, the flesh about her right eye stung as she spoke.

"...Jonathan?!"

She was calling him, trying at least.

[Winters]

A Surreal Moment

"...Johnathan."

For a moment, Thrush waited for a bit. Then, continued onward, putting on the Nazi-styled jacket...

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Oye... Jonathan. She's calling for ya."

"...R-Really, n-now? W-Why?"

"I dunno..."

"..T-The f-fuck d-did y-you d-do... y-you s-said y-you w-wouldn't h-hurt h-her.."

"Oh.. come on. What's a punch to the face---"

"Y-YOU D-DID WH-WHAT!?"

"OYE! YOU TOLD ME I COULD COME OUT AND PLAY---"

"W-WITH R-RESTRICTIONS. W-WITH S-SOME F-FUCKING R-RESTRICTIONS.."

"..Lighten up, stutterfuck..."

"N-No, Y-YOU l-listen...---"

"--She thinks your stuttering is cute--"

"..--N-Next t-time y-you p-pull a-a s-stunt l-like th-that, I-I'll d-dest--- W-Wait, wh-what?"

"Heh. You should thank me. I made it up front that you really do like her.. 'though... how much you LIKE HER, even I don't KNOW... Kekekekekekekekekeke..."

"...B-Bastard... wh-why d-did y-you h-hurt Calamity---?"

"---Ahhh! A MINUTE FOOL! You remind me... her name is.."

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

"...Jonathan?!"

"..."

Though wearing his jacket, he hadn't bothered to button it up just yet, so that his chest was still visible. Eyes glazed around, from underneath the hat.. and slowly turned to her.. took a step to her.

"..Jenna, i-is i-it?"

Her face was red. That bastard had actually hit her..

He'd pay dearly.

A hand went up, but, one without any killing intent. No aura of violence or blood. His right hand went to her cheek, and held it there, feeling the throbbing pain..

Shudder.

That wasn't right.

"..I-I'm s-sorry..."

Left hand went to the bit of his cap. And he pushed it up to the side, so that... blue-green eyes showed through on his left side.

Lips trembling.

"...I-I'm s-sorry a-about th-this... sh-shouldn't h-have sh-shown y-you... th-that b-bastard..."

..Wanted to fall to his knees. Cling to her. Beg for forgiveness. But he was a man... And it was with the same body that Thrush had hurt her... No. Didn't dare do anything, except touch the pain softly.

Strength.

...But why through Thrush...!?

"...I-I'm... s-so s-sorry..."

Face went down, the shadow of the hat again covering his face.

There were no tears.

Just specters of such, from a long... long time ago.

He just wanted to get back to cooking, get away from these uneasy feelings. Hide in the silence again, like he always did. Like he always had.

So... surreal.