Zellina Hemingstin
Adult
New York USA Police Detective - MUGGLE -[M:91250]
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
Posts: 101
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Post by Zellina Hemingstin on Nov 13, 2010 13:10:17 GMT -5
“DAMN!” Zellina swore loudly as she rounded yet another corner.
She’d been in contact with a man that had said he might have information about the killer she was looking for and being as trusting as she was, she’d believed him. They’d been in contact for a time via owl for a time, which was still a bit strange to Zellina, and now that she was in the U.K. they’d set up a meeting. Growing up with all the stuff that her roommate, mother and grandmother had told her, she hadn’t even batted an eyelash when the man pulled out a wand and led her into a building that had honestly not been there a few minutes prior. The place had looked harmless enough; in fact it looked like just like every other house on the block she’d been on, so calmly she followed him inside, even going as far as to politely accept the tea that he had offered her.
She personally found it strange, the fondness the people she met had for tea. She’d never been a big fan of it herself, but she supposed it was all about what one grew up with. Accepting the cup with a smile she took a seat across from the man and blew lightly at the cup attempting to cool it. “Ah, my apologies, allow me.” The man, Tiberius, said before leaning over and tapping the cup with his wand, the steam slowly going down. Zellina smiled her thanks and slowly took a sip.
“Now Tiberius you said you had some information for me.” She said reaching into one of her pockets to pull out a small note pad. At her statement the man looked slightly confused for a moment before nodding. Zellina eyed him carefully until she was sure he seemed all right while taking another sip of her tea. The moment the cup left her lips, her line of sight became a bit hazy. She looked at her contact rather confused but watched in horror as his body began to change shape. As this was happening a numb feeling slowly crept through her body, leaving her limp and slowly the cup fell from her hand and crashed to the floor.
“I’m sorry to report that I killed the real Tiberius some time ago. You’re situation is most fascinating, but I’m afraid you won’t live long enough to figure it all out.” The man said with a twisted and mocking smile. “You muggles are so ridiculously trusting.” He said tilting his head slightly and staring at her causing her to glare at him darkly. “Oh don’t look so angry, just a mild numbing potion.” The man said while slowly reaching towards her but before he could lay a hand on her a knock sounded at the door causing him to hiss in annoyance. “Don’t go running off now.” He said with a bark of laughter before quickly leaving the room.
Zellina could only thank her lucky stars that he hadn’t bothered to check how much of the tea she’d actually drank, as the feeling in her limbs was slowly coming back. She’d barely taken two sips and it was enough to do this to her! With a silent curse she managed to get to her feet, her arms still completely useless at this point, so reaching for her gun was out of the question. Quickly she looked around, spotting the kitchen and made a break for it. Thus she found her way out of the back of the house running through a back ally with numb arms and a crazed wizard of some sort trailing after her. All she could think was that the guy she was chasing had better be worth all the effort.
“DAMN!” Zellina swore loudly as she rounded yet another corner. This place was full of nothing but dead end allies and Captain Crazy was hot on her heels. She cursed once more and tried her best to tuck herself into a hiding place and hoped the feeling would soon return to her hands.
“I know you’re in here my dear.” The man hissed out. Zellina closed her eyes and prayed softly, this hadn’t been how she had been planning to start her investigation and this certainly wasn’t how she had been planning to die. Her only hope was that maybe someone had seen her as she’d run down the ally.
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Post by Jayson "Jase" Topher Griffith on Nov 13, 2010 22:31:25 GMT -5
Jayson walked slowly down the alleyway, his hands deep in the pockets of his faded blue jeans. He kicked a small stone, sending it clattering against the walls like a ping-pong ball. The sound made him wince slightly, his hearing still sensitive from his latest bout of blacking out. He had grabbed a simple black hooded jacket and pulled it on over his white T-shirt, zipped it up and left to try and get some of his frustrations out. Despite everything he had learned in the recent days, Jase felt no closer to any solution to his problem. With each day that passed, he could feel the authorities creeping up on him as they had more and more time to figure out where he had gone. Biting his lip as his thoughts trailed to such a nerve-wracking subject as they often did of late, Jase kicked another small stone.
The wince caused by the sound against his sensitive ears helped him to focus, as if reminding him that there was something more than met the eye going on with him. But there was a huge difference between finding out what was happening and stopping it from reoccurring. A feminine voice, lifted in a curse, caught the attention of his keen hearing. Jase’s head tilted, twisting one ear toward the sound as he listened intently. He frowned as he focused on a man’s voice, filled with malice and ill-intent. With skills honed from what had turned into a good year on the run, he slipped to the end of his particular alleyway. A large man was closing in on darkened entrance to yet another alley. Jase had been wandering around the maze-like area for some time.
It was near his current living quarters which meant he needed to familiarize himself with the surrounding area should he need to make a quick escape and lose any pursuers. This particular section was tricky; most of the buildings long abandoned which made them perfect hiding places. Glancing up and down the alley he was in, Jase spotted a door. Moving over to it, he grasped the knob and gave it a pull but it was locked. Pulling a lock pick from his pocket, he knelt down and expertly jimmied it open. Replacing the lock pick, he carefully stepped inside the dusty building. What few windows there were had long since been boarded over, a few stray beams of light slipping through cracks in the rotten wood. It was mostly empty but for some broken bottles, and what looked like the making of someone’s camp that had been abandoned long ago.
Long strides carried Jase to the other side, through a doorway and in the general direction of where he had seen the man headed. Tapping into senses he did not know he had nor could he control, Jase paused to listen and heard the soft sound of someone moving around. As his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting faster than was normal, he spotted another door and let out a soft sigh of relief. It had been a gamble to see if this place even connected to the nearby alley. But experience wandering the area had proven that most of the places had at least two if not three or four different alley entrances. Clearly it had once been a thriving industrial district what with the close tenement style housing that had fallen into disrepair backing onto the alleys.
Jase crossed to the door and practically ripped it off its hinges in his haste to open it without having to waste time trying to pick the lock. The door swung inward with ease as he took only one step out into the alley, eyes spotting the girl clearly trying to hide. Her eyes were closed, lips moving in words too soft for him to make out without trying. Moving without thought other than he doubted the man he had seen was good, Jase grabbed the girl’s arm tightly with one hand. He jerked her to her feet, his other hand clamping down across her mouth to prevent any noise from escaping. In the same motion, he pulled her toward him and let him momentum carry them both backward into the room.
Spinning the girl, Jase trapped her back against his chest to keep his hand firmly over her mouth as he released her arm and softly shut the door behind him. His free hand gripped the doorknob tightly, his weight leaning against the door as the sound of the man entering the alley reached his ear. Leaning forward just a bit, he held her firmly against his chest with his arm. “Sh…” He soothed, listening as the man began to curse loudly when he did not see the girl. The doorknob in his hand jiggled, his fist clenching to prevent it from appearing unlocked. After a few tense moments, the sounds of the man began to die away. Jase let out a deep sigh at the close call.
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Zellina Hemingstin
Adult
New York USA Police Detective - MUGGLE -[M:91250]
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
Posts: 101
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Post by Zellina Hemingstin on Nov 14, 2010 18:39:47 GMT -5
After closing her eyes Zellina took a few deep breaths, resigning herself to that fact that this was it. That man would surely find her, and if she was any judge of character she wouldn’t even second guess that he was a ‘dark’ wizard and that he wouldn’t pause for a moment before using the killing curse on her. It looked painless enough though. Her partner hadn’t even screamed when he’d been his with it. He had just sort of crumpled to the ground like some sort of rag doll that had been cast aside by a fitful child. A few more steps sounded down the alley, closer and closer. Tucking her head down a little more she let out an almost silent but shaky sigh.
Her eyes suddenly went comically wide as she was grabbed by the arm and roughly pulled into a door that she would swear hadn’t been there on her side. She’d no doubts that a concealment charm of some kind was being used on it but as she was pulled inside and swung around, just as the hand from the man, that was now behind her, was placed on her mouth, she realized just who it was that she was now with and she sort of got the urge to run back out into the alley way. Jayson Griffith, the man she’d come to hunt had found her.
To say she was shocked when he tried to shush her was an understatement. She was expecting some sort of horrible death, some more terrible then what the wizard obviously had planned for her, but when none came her mind quickly began to race, though the unusually warm body behind her was slowly turning her thoughts to mush. Maybe, he didn’t know who she was. And the more she thought about it the more she realized that had to be the case. She hadn’t been working on his case the few times he’d been captured, so there wouldn’t have been a time where he’d seen her. Maybe she could use that. Maybe she could find out just what sort of magic was at play in the murders.
Her thoughts flew out of her head as the she could suddenly hear the wizard in the alley way again. She watched Jayson brace the door knob and silent applauded his cleverness, though she was still wondering why he was holding her. She obviously was making no attempt to get away from him, and she was clearly making no attempt to scream… perhaps he’d forgotten he was holding her? As the sounds of the wizard finally started to trail back down the alleyway Zellina brought up one of her hands and taking hold of Jayson’s pulled it from covering her mouth. She looked up at him slowly and sighed trying to keep in mind to play like she knew nothing about him. She needed to get to the bottom of things and with the other cops still thinking he was in the states; Zellina realized she had all the time in the world.
“Sorry, as much as I like your hand there I like breathing properly a bit more.” She said trying to lighten the situation a bit after the scare she’d just had. “Thank you, by the way, I’ve no doubts that guy would have taken care of me real quick if you hadn’t come along.” She said with a sign that sounded like she was rather disappointed with herself, and truth be told, she was. “Do ya always frequent the back alleys of London, or was this my lucky day?” She asked with a faint, yet teasing smile. If there was one thing she learned about being around murderers that was, never letting on that anything was wrong. She just hoped she was as good an actress as she thought she was.
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Post by Jayson "Jase" Topher Griffith on Nov 15, 2010 15:45:45 GMT -5
Jayson slowly began to relax, his hand releasing the doorknob when it became apparent that the man wasn’t going to bother trying again. As his focus left the alley just behind his back, he became aware of the girl he still held pressed against his chest. Her slight form was warm against his own, a pang of longing for the mere companionship of others sparking within him. It had been long lonely months spent without the touch of another, without the casual pat on the back between friends that he once took for granted. Jase had been fully expecting her to fight him; especially given she was being hunted by the man in the alley. For all she knew, he might have been an accomplice. But rather than struggle against his hold, the girl remained still without attempting to make a sound around his hand that was still over her mouth.
To be perfectly honest with himself, he had forgotten he was still preemptively silencing her until her soft hand rose to pull at his. Embarrassment flooded through him, dropping his hand away with a muttered apology. Jase released her slender frame, easing away from the door in order to get a better look at the unexpected damsel in distress. So focused on getting her to safety, his mind hadn’t yet caught up with what his eyes had seen in that split second in which he had spotted her. Auburn hair off set a pair of soft brown eyes, though both looked darker in the darkness of the abandoned building in which they now stood. He remembered the flash of ginger when the light caught her long locks as he had pulled her toward him, a gentle smile escaping at the memory.
She wasn’t one of those drop-dead gorgeous women, the ones who were flashier than good taste desired. In the quiet privateness of his mind, Jase silently appreciated the subtle beauty of the woman before him that was far more to his preference. He waved off her thanks with a shake of his head. “I just did what anyone would do if someone needed help; no big deal.” A soft chuckle rumbled in his chest at her teasing words, the playful tone reflected in his own. “A little of both perhaps, but mostly just your lucky day.” He replied with a grin, after all if it hadn’t been for his current situation he would have no reason to keep to alleys. Jase had a feeling it wasn’t everyday that this particular woman needed assistance, there was a confidence to her that suggested she was more than capable of handling herself in most circumstances.
“We should probably get out of here, in case he comes back. Something tells me he isn’t just going to give up that easily.” As he spoke, he turned his back to her, hiding what he was doing while placing a hint of trust in her. Though his attention remained attuned to her presence, listening for any movements that might indicate a threat, Jase felt that she meant him no harm. Despite his outward confidence and ease, the moment she had spoken his guard had risen as suspicion came crashing down. An American accent was easy to detect here in England, and though there were many tourists just in London alone, it never failed to put him on edge, wondering who might have kept up with the news the past couple years. Using the lock pick to lock the door he had pulled her through, Jase turned back to her with slightly guarded eyes.
“This isn’t exactly the part of London where pretty tourists frequent.” His voice was casual and relaxed, completely confident without a hint of his inner suspicion. “You don’t seem like someone who gets lost easily.” Stepping away from the door again, Jase began to head toward the back of the building hoping to find another door; he glanced over his shoulder to ensure she was following. “Been away from the States long?” The question was posed innocently enough, but there anything but innocence to the answer he was seeking. Not that he knew what he would do if she knew exactly who he was, other than put some serious mileage between them. The fact that she had seen him and not freaked out over being in a dark, abandoned old building with a serial killer gave him hope that he remained as anonymous to her as she did to him.
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Zellina Hemingstin
Adult
New York USA Police Detective - MUGGLE -[M:91250]
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
Posts: 101
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Post by Zellina Hemingstin on Nov 24, 2010 1:09:47 GMT -5
When he’d said about doing what anyone else would have Zellina couldn’t manage to hold back the snort of disdain that escaped from her. Nor could she hold back the roll of her eyes that went along with it. “I don’t know about that.” She said, almost clasping a hand over her mouth. It was rare she found herself thinking back on the accident from her youth but every once in a while someone would say something that would case her to think about it. And try as she might as soon as the memories hit there was no stopping them no matter how much she might try to.
Waking up just after the crash, it was something she hadn’t remembered had happened until months later, but once she did she’d remembered all too clearly. Coming to covered in blood and shaking. She was outside the car and covered in cuts. Crawling back to it, she weakly tried to pull her brother out but when she’d been unable to move him she had stumbled her way, almost blindly up the embankment and back to the road, by now covered in blood, sweat and dirt. She waved her arms as best she could trying to flag down the few cars that drove past, but they simply kept on driving. She must have passed out shortly after but even to this day she still hadn’t told anyone that she remembered it. She sighed aloud and shook her head a bit. “Not everyone is so kind, so I’ll be sure to thank my lucky day.” She finally said with a small smile making its way back onto her face and her playful side coming back out.
She didn’t know what it was about him, his looks maybe? There was no denying that the man was a looker with his close cut hair and strong jaw. She knew who he was and what he’d apparently done, but she honestly couldn’t see it even after only knowing him for a few minutes. Would a murderer honestly help someone in trouble? She’d met more murderers then she cared to admit and she couldn’t see any of them rushing in to same anyone. “I’d rather he not but it wouldn’t surprise me if he was still lurking around out there.” She said with a small sigh.
Zellina could sense a slight change in Jayson’s demeanor when he turned back around. There was no telling sign in his voice, but his eyes spoke volumes. It felt strange to her to know all about him and know that he knew nothing about her, not even her name. “I’m not a tourist, not really.” She said softly. “I’m looking for someone.” She explained softly. She’d no intention of telling him who she was looking for because she’d already found him, well at least one of them. But she’d no desire to be a complete liar either. “I’m looking for my brother.” She said finally. It wasn’t a total lie and it wasn’t the total truth. She could only imagine that he would run away from her as fast as possible if he knew who she was mainly looking for was him.
“I’d last heard from him when he was here in London, but that was a month ago.” She went on to explain. “I was contacted by Captain Crazy-Ass out there about the same time, but he was claiming to be someone else, said he had information about my brother Zack.” She said with a sigh. “Next thing I knew I found myself here drugged and running for my life.” She added with a huff and crossing her arms in front of herself knowing full well that she was pouting. “Not quite the start I was hoping for.” Her voice had been smooth, level and just a bit pouting, and she was sure that had she not known she was lying she probably would have believed herself. Finally she looked up meeting his eyes again and grinned a bit.
“So know any good hiding places?” She asked not feeling quite brave enough to venture out of the building on her own just yet.
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Post by Jayson "Jase" Topher Griffith on Nov 24, 2010 1:15:05 GMT -5
There was something in the tone of her voice that caused Jase to pause. Helping others seemed like the most natural thing in the world to him. A strange quality in one wanted for the vicious slaughter of dozens of innocent people, yet it was one he had always had. Clearly, something had happened to her before to cause such a cynical reaction to his comment. Rather than respond, Jase merely gave her a soft smile in recognition of her unknown experience. It was nice to have been able to have done something for someone else for a change. With every passing day, Jayson found himself forced deeper into an entangling web of crime a life on the run required. At times, it seemed like he was going to lose that which separated him from the truly guilty and simply become just another criminal.
So what if he wasn’t guilty of willfully committing murder; could he honestly say that all he had done to escape was all that much better? It was a troublesome thought that plagued him constantly, tempting him to just give up entirely. Yet there were still moments like this one, when he could do some good for a change. It gave him hope that he could solve the mystery and end his compulsory crime spree. “I think we are all looking for something.” He muttered to himself, forcing down the spark of panic that had erupted when she had stated that she was seeking someone. Raising his voice to address her, Jase managed to maintain his outward serene self-assurance. “Is your brother in trouble?” It was a bit of a stupid question, but there was a difference between missing and hiding.
Sometimes people looked for those who were just avoiding contact, but if her brother was truly in trouble perhaps he could keep an eye out for anything that might help. “Any idea why that man wanted to kill you? Seems a bit excessive just to stop someone from asking questions.” Jase frowned, not liking her situation anymore than he liked his own. The longer he stayed with her, the more he wanted to try and help. It was dangerous, partly because he was wanted but mainly because those around him died. Instincts born and honed by months on the run begged him to just walk away and leave her to deal with her problems on her own. Yet Jase found himself nodding in response to her question anyway. “A few.” Alright, so he knew more about how to be in hiding than specific places, but that was a difference he had learned to appreciate.
Hiding places were useless if one did not know how to become invisible, to blend in and escape notice. “Do you always trust strangers this much?” He couldn’t help asking the question, his own developing lack of trust making him want to urge her to be cautious even around him. It was his subtle way at warning her away from him, fortunately he had blacked out not that long ago which reduced the danger. So long as he avoided any long term friendships, he stood a chance at keeping at least those people safe. Jase turned away from her abruptly; the sudden pang of loneliness catching him a bit off guard. He didn’t want to push her away and that only made it harder because he had to. Crossing the last bit of the room, he reached the door he had spotted in the darkness.
The door at the back of the building was unlocked, but jammed shut taking a strong push with his shoulder to get it open. Sunlight illuminated the alley, the sounds of traffic and people indicating they were just a turn or two away. The air held no hint of the man’s scent, which was a strange thing for him to notice but was yet another irritating symptom of his blackouts. “You should lie low for a bit, give that guy some time to give up. Do you need somewhere to go? I’ve got a place not far away, you can figure out what to do there. Or I can point you in the right direction if you prefer.” Again, he found himself speaking before his suspicious, cautious side could stop him. Something about her made him want to trust her, to help her.
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Zellina Hemingstin
Adult
New York USA Police Detective - MUGGLE -[M:91250]
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
Posts: 101
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Post by Zellina Hemingstin on Nov 24, 2010 1:22:37 GMT -5
Zellina's mind raced at the question. Her mind had already been in overdrive since the unwelcome thoughts of the accident had risen in her mind causing her to dwell on things she really didn't want to. She had a feeling that questions would no doubt follow her little lie so she'd been quickly thinking of a story she could spin for why she would be around the world looking for her brother. "Zack..." She said softly, always finding herself thinking fondly of her brother, she quickly twisted her small smile into a frown. "I got a call from my parents, they told me that Zack got himself mixed up in some trouble with some rather iffy people, but they wouldn't tell me what or who exactly." She said with a frown, trying to appear as though the information was really troubling for her. "It was around then that Zack stopped sending me letters and that's just really strange for him." She muttered out.
"Zack is never out of touch!" She exclaimed quickly, appearing all to easily to be frustrated by the situation, and in truth she was a little bit, because despite how close she actually was with her brother he'd been in touch less and less over the previous months since he'd started his physical theray, which he was supposed to be keeping her updated on. At the question about the man she shook her head quickly. Honestly she'd no clue, though she supposed it had something to do with a dark wizard wanting to play with a muggle. "All he really said was that he'd offed my real contact and something about muggles being to trusting." She mused with a shrug of her shoulders. She really hadn't a clue about why her trailing a known murderer to the UK would arouse the suspicions of wizards. Was he a wizard? He seemed like a normal person, but then again so did Captin Psycho pants before he drugged her. "Yeah I thought that was a bit much for asking questions myself, maybe I asked the wrong ones, ah, who the hell knows, I'm not about to go back out there and ask him." She finished with a small shudder.
Zellina wasn't really all that surprised when he'd said about knowing of a few hiding places, she sort of figured that he would, sort of came with the territory she supposed. "On the rare occasion when my life is in danger." She said with a small laugh, though she had caught the meaning behind his words, but she got the feeling that he could use something upbeat so she put her hands on her hips for a moment before shooting a question right back. "Are you always this suspicious of cute red heads who's lives you save?" She asked while fluttering her eyelashes in a dramatic manner. She watched him as he crossed the room and she couldn't tell why but the more she watched his reactions to her presence the more she found herself saddened by his situation as he truly seemed to be a nice guy.
She watched him open the door and she found herself giving pause for a moment, studying to see if he picked up on the man she was hiding from. When it seemed the coast was clear she relaxed a bit before she mulled over what he had asked her. She debated for a moment, but she got the feeling that if she left him now she may not find him again anytime soon, if ever again. "If you don't mind my presence for a little longer..." she said slowly. "I'd really rather not be on my own right this moment." She added and that really wasn't a lie, after the little incident, she honestly didn't think she would prefer to be alone right then. "I don't think I like this country very much anymore." She grumbled out while shifting from foot to foot before moving over towards the door that Jayson was near. "You really think he's gone?" She asked lowly while peeking outside. “I’m Zellina, by the way.” She said quickly, her eyes darting around. “You saved my life, least I can do is tell you my name.” She mumbled out quickly.
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Post by Jayson "Jase" Topher Griffith on Nov 24, 2010 1:24:02 GMT -5
“Muggles? Are you sure that is the word he used?” In a matter of a heartbeat, Jase turned his complete focus upon the red-headed beauty. His entire body tensed instantly, slipping with practiced ease into a heightened state of fight or flight. Sharp blue-green eyes narrowed with both suspicion and hidden knowledge as they flittered around the room in a practiced search maneuver. Two long strides had him back at her side in an instant, body practically humming with adrenaline and tension. Pain flared in his head for a moment as he unconsciously tapped into senses heightened abnormally by the most recent blackout. “We need to get out of here. Now.” Gone was the gentler tone, his voice now hard and commanding as urgency flooded his words.
If the man who had been after the girl was indeed a part of the strange world he had so recently discovered, they stood no chance against him. Their best option was to get as far away as possible in the hopes that her attacker would be unable to track them. Jase still knew very little about the magical world, but no one outside of it ever called anyone a muggle. It seemed a bit reckless of the man to have so casually tossed out the word, unless the beautiful girl was somehow mixed up in the same insane world he had stumbled upon. Wrapping one hand carefully but firmly around her upper arm, Jase guided her toward the other side of the room before releasing her in order to check out the surroundings. If her attacker was waiting for them on the other side of the door, Jase doubted there was much either of them would be able to do.
Jase was gentle with her; aware that she neither knew him nor could possibly trust him despite the fact he had appeared to rescue her. The slight painful furrow on his brow increased a bit. Usually after a blackout he would spend a few days in bed or nursing any recent injuries that he typically acquired. Now, Jase was incredibly glad he had chosen to take a walk instead. She wasn’t anything like he might have anticipated, and it only served to make him all the more interested no matter how inappropriate it might be given he was on the run. He flashed a playful grin at her, relaxing a bit in the light of her banter. “Only the really interesting ones.” He tossed back, wishing they could have met under better circumstances and that he could have been a different person than the one he currently was.
It seemed that fortune, for the moment at least, was on their side when the door opened to reveal no one waiting in ambush. Glancing over at her, Jase found it difficult to keep from studying her even as he nodded. “It is the least I can do, especially if that guy is what I think he is.” He chuckled as she joined him at the door, his smile softening the hard lines of his features. “Can’t say I am too fond of it myself, but it’s a step up from home.” His expression fell as he realized what he had said, turning back to the outdoors rather abruptly. Jase made it a point not to think about all he had lost in the States, but some days were more difficult than others. Closing his eyes for a moment, Jase carefully sniffed at the air tipping his head from one side to the other to focus his hearing.
Subtle lines of pain appeared around his eyes and across his brow, but he could not detect any sign of the attacker nearby. “Yea, I think he is gone for the moment.” Pushing the door open farther, Jase stepped outside, remaining on guard even as he moved into the light. Turning back, he held out his hand to her not wanting her to get lost in the crowds they would encounter at the end of the alleyway. “Come on, my place isn’t far. You can call me Jay for now.” He offered in return, wishing he could truly introduce himself but not ready to take that sort of risk. Zellina was from the States, for all he knew the name Jayson Griffith was still headline news. “Maybe I can help you find your brother; I have a friend who might be able to help. This way.” He added as he led her onto the streets of London and away from the maze of alleys that had almost been her death.
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Zellina Hemingstin
Adult
New York USA Police Detective - MUGGLE -[M:91250]
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
Posts: 101
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Post by Zellina Hemingstin on Nov 24, 2010 1:39:24 GMT -5
Zellina eyed him for a moment as she noticed him tense at the use of the word Muggle, “Yeah, that’s what he said, Muggles are to trusting.” She said with a nod of her head, not quite sure why he was so tense, maybe he was tangled up with some dark wizards? Zellina had been hearing about some bad things going down in the wizarding world from her friends that were witches and wizards, but she never really paid it much mind until she found herself in Britain, which seemed to be ground zero for all of it, but how Jayson would have been tied up in all of it, she had no clue.
At his suddenly hurry to leave where they were for once Zellina didn’t question it and simply nodded her head. “You don’t have to tell me twice.” She muttered out with a small sigh. She hated seeming so powerless. If she’d been able to grab the gun strapped to her ankle the wizard would have found himself in a world of hurt. Zellina fought the urge to jump when Jayson wrapped a hand around her upper arm. True she was around murders all the time but it really wasn’t everyday that one touched her but she knew deep down though that, that wasn’t even it, truth be told she was still a bit shaken by her run in with the wizard only a few moments ago.
At what he said Zellina gave him a small smile, the little back and forth slowly easing the tension she was feeling over the situation. At his next statement though she raised an eyebrow slowly. “Is what you think he is? And what’s that?” She asked moving just a bit closer to him. Zellina noticed the change in his expression at the mention of home, rather then comment she schooled her features to appear as though she were simply the innocent listener she was pretending to be at the moment. “I don’t know this place seems just as crazy as where I am from but at least I know what everyone is talking about there.” She said with a small shrug of her shoulders.
Zellina nodded as she watched him step out and state that no one was out there. When he held out his hand to her she looked at it for a moment before glancing to his face and slowly putting her hand in his. “All right then Jay, I’m in your hands for now I suppose.” She said with a grin. As strange as the situation was she really was in his hands for now, she wouldn’t have gotten through the day without him. If fact she wouldn’t have even been standing there if it weren’t for him.
Her eyes lit up at the mention of finding her brother, because in all honesty Jayson hadn’t been the only thing that had brought her there. She really had lost contact with her brother and his last known location had been Britain, but if she had tried to tell her boss she was going over to look for her brother as well he would have laughed her right out of his office. And if finding her brother would help her get to the bottom of Jayson’s case then all the better for her.
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Post by Jayson "Jase" Topher Griffith on Nov 24, 2010 2:22:36 GMT -5
Sometimes things fell into place far too easily to be simple coincidence. And yet that was exactly what it was, as mystifying and puzzling as such a situation could be. Here he was, just a short time from learning of the magical world, stumbling upon a beautiful woman caught up in the same bizarre reality. The confirmation of the term he had learned was uniquely magical did little to make him relax. Recent revelations about his condition provided him with the painfully ironic mental image of having raised his hackles at the possible threat. Now that he thought about it, they had been lucky her attacker hadn’t simply blasted the door open. Jayson was pretty sure it was possible, what wasn’t when magic was real?
If the man hunting her down really was a wizard, then they were both at a severe disadvantage should they be discovered. He didn’t even have a knife on him and Jase didn’t trust his increased strength to be enough in the face of an attack, magical or not. His gaze swung to her features, frowning slightly as he considered what to say. “Turns out things aren’t always what they seem.” Jase finally said in reply, the double meaning not intentional seeing as she had no idea who she was with at that moment. “I’ve only heard that term in one other place, used to describe people like us. Normal people, I guess you could say. He was probably just trying to freak you out.” If he could have done so, Jase would have smacked himself on the forehead.
There was no way he could be more vague while still trying to provide an answer. The habit of hiding information and keeping things a secret developed over his months on the run was coming back to haunt him even when he wanted to just blurt out the truth. For a half second, Jase expected her to reject his offer and walk away. His heart beat nervously in his chest, a flutter of long forgotten desire for companionship begging her to give him a hint of trust even if he didn’t deserve it. He swallowed hard, remaining perfectly still as if the slightest twitch would send her running. This wasn’t like him, to get so worked up over someone he had just met. Jase had never had trouble making friends or meeting people, even as a criminal on the run it seemed far too easy to get others to trust him.
As her hand slid into his own, all his senses narrowed in on that single sensation. Her skin was warm and soft against his own, bones delicate within his grasp as he gently closed his fingers around her hand. A grin spread over his face, lighting up his eyes in a way they had nearly forgotten. Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, he drew her to his side so he wouldn’t lose her in the crowds he could hear. “Nothing will harm you, I give you my word.” If only she knew how precious her trust was to him, how normal he felt being able to help someone for a change. Whatever was going to happen in the future was worth this single moment, to have gotten the chance to meet the brave young woman. Leading her out of the maze of alleys, Jase turned to the right as they melted into the meandering crowds.
It was a fairly busy day, and though he kept his face turned down and away from others, few bothered to even glance in their direction. “My place is only a few blocks away; let me apologize in advance for the mess. I’m sort of on a low budget.” That was an understatement given he had to steal whatever money he could just to survive really. “You must be really worried about your brother to have come all this by yourself.” He half murmured, half said to her. Jase was impressed, not all siblings were willing to make such sacrifices for each other. He had been fortunate that his own had been when everything he knew had come crashing down. It didn’t take long for the pair to reach the rickety, run-down tenement style building that might have once been a hostel or something.
It was now closer to a super low-rent hotel used mostly for one night stands and drifting criminals. Keeping a firm grip on Zellina’s hand, he guided her through a side door and up the half rotting stairs to one of the less used floors where he had rented a small room. Forcing himself to ignore the embarrassment of the pitiful location, he unlocked the heavily enforced door and ushered her inside and away from any prying eyes. One of the advantages to the dingy place was that no one asked questions and few stayed long. It meant asking around about him would provide little results and more speculation on anticipated answers. Exactly what one wanted when trying to keep a low profile, but that meant the standard of living wasn't even close to par.
The apartment was a single room with a surprisingly large bed shoved against one wall, its sheets in disarray from the previous night of failed sleeping. A faded putrid orange couch at the other wall, a small bathroom that looked more like a closet with a sink and toilet shoved inside, and the kitchenette tossed against the remaining corner. A dirty window with rusted iron bars overlooked part of the alley maze they had just left. Locking the door behind them, Jase shoved some clothes to the side with his foot hoping he didn't have any bloody towels in the open and pointedly ignored the overflowing trash of leftover containers. Maybe bringing her here wasn’t such a smart move. “So…” He started pathetically, grimacing at both his failed attempt at conversation and the horrible accommodations.
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Zellina Hemingstin
Adult
New York USA Police Detective - MUGGLE -[M:91250]
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
Posts: 101
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Post by Zellina Hemingstin on Nov 24, 2010 11:32:50 GMT -5
“No they aren’t are they?” She mused more to herself then him, but it was still loud enough to be heard she was sure. “Normal people?” She asked curiously, she need to know what he knew about the wizarding world without seeming like she knew anything herself, which she was finding to be a real pain in the ass. She hated playing dumb as she felt like she was doing both herself a oddly enough Jayson an injustice by seeming like she knew nothing, if she could just find a way to get out what she knew without seeming like she knew anything about him or thought he was tangled up in it.
As the grin spread over his face as she placed her hand in his her heart gave a small lurch, how could someone that seemed so starved for company, and so willing to protect someone he just met and knew nothing about, possibly the cold blooded killer that they had him pegged for. It just didn’t seem possible in her mind, now if only she could prove that he wasn’t without giving herself away. She needed to know more and she knew that going with him and working with him to find her brother was probably the only way she would get to the bottom of anything.
She nodded at what he said about his place not being far and again about what he said about looking for her brother. “He would do the same thing for me if I were missing, even if I were only missing a day he would be trying to send out a search party for me.” She said with a small grin. “We’ve always been really close.” She said softly, suddenly almost as worried about her brother as she was about Jayson which made no sense to her since she had only just met him in person a few moments ago.
As the walked through the groups of people Zellina found herself mover closer to Jayson, suddenly finding herself extremely nervous about being around people after what had just happened and that feeling killed her. She was so use to being comfortable in large crowds and groups of people but yet she found herself letting out a sigh of relief when they found themselves where it was they were going.
As they headed into the building Zellina couldn’t help but feel a bit saddened about where the man had obviously been reduced to hiding out. Places like this always seemed to put a damper on Zellina’s feelings, but she was never sure why, she always figured it had something to do with the little girl she’d saved from a place like this back home. And as they entered the small room that Jayson was calling home these days her heart dropped a little more.
Zellina looked at Jayson with a tinge of sorrow lurking in her eyes. Zellina tried not to look around to much, she already felt like she was intruding into his personal space. Slowly she made her way over to the couch and took a seat, trying not to disturb anything in the room; if she had been followed by anyone from the department it was best to keep her presence to a minimum. She gave him a small smile as he tried to start a conversation. “So you said that you might know someone that could help find my brother?” She asked trying to turn her attention back to the other task at hand and put her concern for the man in front of her to the back of her mind. "At this point I'll take all the help I can get."
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Post by Jayson "Jase" Topher Griffith on Nov 24, 2010 21:21:09 GMT -5
Jayson had lived in some pretty horrible places since escaping prison, and though a few were worse than his current abode, he had never felt more ashamed in his life. Never a rich man or even considered well off, Jase had prided himself in making the best of what he had. His apartment after the dorms was small but atheistically pleasing in that simplistic yet well kept way. Until the beginning of his transformations, Jase had always been rather neat compared to his friends and brother. Looking over the trashed mess that passed for his room, it was hard to believe how far he had fallen from what had once been normal habits. The complete lack of closets proved that aside from the few dirty clothes tossed into corners and dropped carelessly on the floor, what he had on his back was it.
If Zellina hadn’t been in need of aid, he never would have considered bringing someone to the wreck. His jaw clenched, eyes dropping to the floor at the sympathy he saw in her gaze. Still, a small part of him leapt at the considerate feeling she gifted him with. Accusation, hatred, and guilt were all leveled at him in toxic doses from any who knew, and passive disinterest or sneering disgust flew from those who didn’t but saw the conditions of his existence. Only his brother had sympathized since the announcement of the warrant for his arrest, not that Zellina knew who it was she was feeling sorry for. It made him frown for just a second, wishing he could be someone else and not have to worry about her finding out who he was.
It would be nice to have a friend again after such a long time, even if the danger it presented made him want to withdraw all offers of spending additional time with her. Crossing to the bed, Jase flipped the covers back into a messy mockery of a made bed and perched on the edge. The room was small enough that it put him close enough to Zellina to speak quietly while still maintaining a polite distance that joining her on the couch wouldn’t allow. She really had no reason to trust him and given the shady area they were in, he wanted to be as careful not to frighten her as possible. “Yea, I met her a couple weeks ago at a bookstore.” He clasped his hands in front of him, resting his elbows on his knees.
“She helped me figure some stuff out. I don’t know what she might be able to do, but at the very least she may know someone who can help.” Jase offered, unsure as to the limits of magic and if it would possible to find Zellina’s brother. However, if a wizard was trying to kill her for asking about her brother, it was possible whatever the other man was mixed up in involved the magical world. Hesitating a second, Jase studied Zellina for a minute before deciding he might as well just take a chance and sound like someone completely out of their mind. “Is your brother… gifted? See the woman I met has special… skills, like the man who attacked you has. I am sure any information I can provide her about your brother would help.”
Of course, Jase was going to have to try and find her first. All he had to go on was her name and the place that she worked, not to mention that it was somewhere in the magical world. But if Zellina was mixed up in something that involved magic, Jase would do everything he could not to leave her alone in that world. He knew personally just how devastatingly dangerous it could be. At least he was safe to be around for the next month, though the recent deaths weighed heavily on him. It was only a matter of time before all hell broke loose. “We could go see her if you want. I know it’s not much, but you are welcome to stay here as long as you need. I wouldn’t recommend returning to wherever you were staying, pursuers have a way of figuring out where you have been. If you would prefer, I can go get your things and find you better accommodations.”
Jase had been caught once making that mistake, it taught him to be continuously on the move and never return to the same hiding place twice. He was almost positive that after losing her in the alleys, the man would have gone to where Zellina had been staying. Somehow he doubted the meeting in the alley was the only way to find her, not if one had magic at their disposal. While it would make him feel better to have her close by to keep an eye on, Jase wouldn’t blame her if she wanted to go somewhere else. He hadn’t been sleeping well lately anyway, so wherever she went he would nearby just incase the wizard someone tracked her down. Who knows, maybe he would find a use for that curse of his at last, do a little good instead of so much bad all the time.
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Zellina Hemingstin
Adult
New York USA Police Detective - MUGGLE -[M:91250]
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
Posts: 101
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Post by Zellina Hemingstin on Nov 25, 2010 0:43:25 GMT -5
Zellina noticed the small frown on Jayson’s face and wished more then anything that she could do something to reassure him that she understood, but she knew that she couldn’t without giving herself and what she knew away. And as calm and nice as he seemed at the moment she didn’t think he would take to kindly to having a cop in his presence so she simply kept her attention on him, watching him as he took a seat on the bed. She’d seen photos of his previously known locations, they had been no neat compared to this place and she supposed that was why seeing this place saddened her so much.
As he explained about the person who might be able to help, Zellina couldn’t seem to stop the lurch in her stomach at the mention of it being a woman. She knew the thought was completely irrational but she couldn’t put it off straight away and was sure that something had flashed in her expression no doubt. She quickly did her best to school her features once again while trying to understand her reaction to what Jayson had said. She wouldn’t admit it aloud but despite not knowing everything about what had lead to the murders but based on the photos she’d seen on his she’d developed a bit a soft spot for him and that was partly what had led to her flying around the world to get to the bottom of his case. “I see, well if you think she might be able to help in someway I’m open to talking to her.” She said with a small nod of her head. At the question of her brother being “gifted” she slowly shook her head. “Not in anyway that I know of.” She said with a small sigh, before slowly starting to toy with the end of her hair, something she hadn’t really done in quite a long while. It was something she always did when she was little and something threw her off her game. “Skills?” She asked softly. “You’re right though, regardless of what ever ‘skills’ it is she might have any sort of info would help.” She added with a small nod of her head.
At the question of going to see the woman Zellina paused for a moment before answering “As long as it wouldn’t be any trouble, going to see her would be great.” She said flashing him a small smile. She pushed the growing pit in the bottom of her stomach at the thought of meeting some strange woman, though she figured if Jayson seemed the trust her enough to approach her again then it should be good enough for her. She then thought about what he had said about returning to the hotel she had been staying at.
She knew he was right about not going back and she honestly had no intention of letting him out of her sight now that she had found him, but yet she paused for another moment as she thought on the offer for a moment. “As long as it’s not going to put you out, I mean I don’t want to be any bother,” She said slowly. “You’ve already done so much for me today and I don’t know how safe I would feel being alone right now.” She said softly before a small smile formed managing to reach her eyes. How could someone deemed a murderer put her at such ease? And how on earth was she going to manage to hide her gun and badge if she stayed with him? The question rolled around in her head but she pushed the thought away.
If he found them, then he found them and she would have some explaining to do but right now the two most important things to her were to find her brother and do her best to unravel the mystery that was Jayson Griffith with whatever time she had. “I can show you where I was staying, I’d tell you, but I really don’t think I want to be left alone just yet.” She mumbled out in a tiny voice, and despite knowing how to take care of herself she was being completely honest.
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Post by Jayson "Jase" Topher Griffith on Nov 25, 2010 4:39:01 GMT -5
For a split second, something flashed in Zellina’s gaze that caused Jase to quirk his lips in a half questioning expression. For that moment, everything else just melted away leaving him free of the guilt and paranoia that haunted his gaze. A slow roguish grin appeared, the sudden lightness in the room as obvious as if someone had flipped on a spotlight. Leaning toward Zellina, he dropped his voice to a half conspiring tone. “I wouldn’t try to find her again if I didn’t think she could help you.” He spoke the words casually enough, but if she was a sharp as he suspected she was, Zellina would easily pick up on the fact that he actually didn’t exactly know where Dahlia was. Jayson wasn’t sure why he wanted to clarify she was the only one he currently had contact with.
He couldn’t stop himself from reaching out and gently pulling her hand away from her hair. The gleam in his ocean turbulent eyes focused on Zellina with a calm intensity even as his long fingers gently ran along her hand until he was holding her hand lightly. “We will find your brother.” The words were barely louder than a whisper, but the promise behind them were stronger than anything he could have professed. Jayson could remember all the times his brother had disappeared, off doing one thing or another only to show back up when he needed bailing out of whatever mess he had found himself in. And Jase had always been there to help out, despite the fact that he was the younger of the two. He understood what it was like to worry about a sibling. He knew that any help, even just support from others, went a long way in situations like hers.
Realizing he was still holding her hand, Jase pulled away awkwardly, clearing his throat in a flash of embarrassment as he retreated to his space once again. It was almost ironic that she felt safe around him, even with the clear chemistry sparking between them. He almost wanted to laugh at the idea of anyone feeling safe around a monster like him. But Zellina didn’t know what lurked within him, probably couldn’t imagine the creature he became with each full moon. Jase shook his head, giving her a flash of a smile. “It wouldn’t be a bother, the opposite really. It isn’t often I have company, or ever honestly. But can you blame me with a spectacular place like this? I’d have to move in order to keep them out.” He joked, making light of his situation had always been the easiest way to deal with the harsh reality of it.
Shifting closer to her, he nodded at her words. Strange how solitude for one could be a terrifying relief and for another a horrifying danger. As strong and capable as Zellina seemed, everything about her right now made him want to wrap her up in his arms and protect her from all that was around her. But he had learned the hard way that to protect others now, he had to keep his distance or steer clear entirely. He didn’t know what it was about her, but just keeping her around and even offering to aid her was breaking all the promises he had made to himself upon realizing he was killing people. What he was going to do come the next full moon was among the problems screaming at him to stop, but the expression of trust in her eyes held him rooted in place as if nailed there.
He frowned but slowly nodded. “Is there anything important at your place? The longer you are away the more likely that man will search the place for clues to where you have gone. If you insist on going, then we either need to wait him out or figure out how to slip unnoticed.” Already, Jase’s mind was rapidly flying through the various details of what they would need to know, places to go in order to find out information, and how they could get inside her place. Going out was dangerous, but she was now caught up in a dangerous game he had fortunately become a bit of an expert in. There was a reason the police had such difficultly in cornering him, and it had little to do with the condition he found himself in. His attention to details and ability to figure out how things worked together like puzzles enabled Jase to create elaborate plans on the spur of the moment as well as detailed ones for various possibilities. It really was much like architecture in a strange, symbolic sort of fashion.
It was going to be hard; because there was true fear in her eyes that he suspected was not a common sight. Jase wasn’t about to leave her alone for long with a wizard hunting her down, not when she didn’t even know about the magic the man possessed. If he didn’t think it would freak her out, he might have gotten out the loaded gun and spare clips he had acquired that lay hidden beneath the ragged mattress on the bed where he could get at it in a second. Magic aside, he doubted the man’s reflexes were fast enough to stop a full magazine of bullets propelled his way, and Jase was more than willing to test that theory if it meant protecting Zellina. It was a sobering realization, both at how attached to her he had become as well as at how much he had changed since this had all begun.
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Zellina Hemingstin
Adult
New York USA Police Detective - MUGGLE -[M:91250]
Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
Posts: 101
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Post by Zellina Hemingstin on Nov 26, 2010 1:59:50 GMT -5
As Jayson leaned towards her, Zellina leaned towards him a bit as well, the urge to be closer to him strange to her as well as a bit alarming to her. She couldn’t understand what it was and she wasn’t so sure she wanted to peg what was or just go along for the ride. She nodded her head slowly at what he said. So he wasn’t sure where the woman was, that was all right in her book, if they found her and she was able to help great, but Zellina wasn’t about to break a sweat trying to find someone she didn’t know. “Well if we find her bonus, if not then I guess it will be back to the streets.” She said with another small nod of her head.
As he took hold of her hand she found herself looking at him, her eyes locking with her own. They were eyes she had become so familiar with from photos but it was clear to her that no matter how high the quality of the photo they couldn’t do him any justice. At the unspoken promise Zellina nodded her head again and gave him a brilliant smile. “Thank you.” She said meaning it with every fiber of her being. “I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank you.” She said, her eyes shining slightly. How did you thank someone who saved your life, was trying to protect you and you were slightly lying to? If there was a way she was sure she didn’t know it.
To say she felt a loss when Jayson pulled his hand away from her own was an understatement, she tried to keep it from showing on her face, but she wasn’t sure how successful she was at it and no matter how hard she tried she found herself unable to keep the faint blush off her cheeks. She even was surprised by the small giggle that escaped from her at the joke that had been made about the room. “Everywhere is what you make of it.” She said simply. “I remember a place I once lived, similar to this if you can believe it. I wasn’t there long but after a bit of work and a little decoration after I moved, the landlord was able to rent it for twice the price.” She finished with a grin. It had been her first place living on her own on New York.
“I have some of the letters from my brother there. Those are all I really care about getting. I can always get more clothes, I don’t care about those. I just need those letters.” She said simply with a firm look on her face, wizard or no, she would get her hands on those letters. She made sure not to mention her gun there. God if she had just had her Beretta Px4 on her when she’d been in the alley instead of the damn Beretta 3032 Tomcat on her ankle! It was then the thought of her badge resurfaced in her mind, she knew it was in the top drawer of the dresser at the hotel, she hadn’t brought it with her because she didn’t know what good and NYPD badge would do her in Britain. True she was all for letting the chips fall where they may but she’d rather put off that being found a little longer if she could.
“There is a back way into the hotel. It’s a stairway used by the employees to get in and out without going through the front of the building.” She said. “I don’t know what my brother is tied up in so I made sure to cover all my bases going in and out of the building.” She added sounding a bit sheepish and slowly starting to fiddle with her hands. She wasn’t even this nervous when talking to the damn chief of police and that guy was an ass!
Slowly she stood and stretched out, the black tee shirt her was wearing riding up a little before she tugged it back down and made her way over to the barred window and peered out for a moment before turning back around and crossing her arms in front of her. “We should go, sooner would be better then later. The quicker I get those letters the quicker and I cut ties with the hotel.” She said with a small nod of her head. “I was staying at the Halkin. I’m guessing you know where that is.” She said once again sounding rather sheepish.
When she’d told her parents she was going to look for Zack, her father has insisted on booking her trip. Despite growing up with money Zellina hated relying on her parents for anything, but after much arguing she finally gave up and allowed her father to pay for the trip and accepted the credit card that he’d given her to use while she was there looking for Zack.
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