X amount of words_OPEN

[Kaelan Abrams]

"Now deleted and defeated
I will stand on my own.
Yeah your memory that punches me
has broken the bone."

A deep sigh left his lips as he tilted his head to rest on the back of the booth and closed his eyes, laying down a picture and note on the table. The picture was of a small blonde haired girl with bright green eyes, waving at the camera. What most people couldn’t see was the look of fear that remained transfixed in her gaze. Oh sure, the child looked happy enough, but Kaelan could still remember her screams that night in the woods. Hazel eyes fluttered open as he leaned forward once more, re-reading the note for what he was sure was the 50th time.

Investigator Abrams, thank you so much for finding our daughter. We’ll never be able to repay you for saving her life and bringing her back to us. We wanted to let you know that Emily is doing much better. She’s even started playing outside again. She’s telling everyone she wants to be a private investigator just like her friend Kael when she grows up. Its nice to see her smiling again after what happened. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you again. Don’t know what we would have done without you.

He’d gotten there with only moments to spare the child from an unnecessary death. If only it were that way all of the time. The amount of people who had died waiting on him outnumbered those he actually saved. Some of them were dead before he even knew they were missing. Carefully picking up the picture once more, he tucked it into his jacket pocket along with the note. His clients always tried to keep in contact for some reason or another, and it was nice to be reminded of the good he’d done. But there were those who weren’t happy, whose family members had died on Kaelans watch. Those were the hardest ones to deal with. Reaching his hand out, he picked up the coffee cup in front of him and took a long sip before pulling out his wallet.

After dropping a twenty down on the table for his drink, he waved at the waitress who’d brought it too him as he walked out the door. The sun would be setting soon and he knew that with it the temperature would drop. Not only that, but the nightlife would begin to pick up. He’d only lived in London for a few months, but already he could tell Clerkenwell was a place of trouble. Hazel eyes drifted lazily over the sidewalk, disconnected features written clearly on his face. Because of the dangerous nature in this part of town, information could be had and a lot of it. If he played his cards right, he might be able to find a lead on his current case…maybe. He silently made a mental note to not stay out to late, Buck was home alone and the last time he’d left that dog alone he’d come home to an empty refrigerator. Damn them for making police dogs so smart.

[haven]

H A V E N
And in a burst of light that blinded every angel
As if the sky had blown the heavens into stars
You felt the gravity of tempered grace."

_ 'Click, Click, Click.' The distinct sound of her heels ricocheted off pavement as she teetered clumsily along sidewalks, usual grace and posture left in ruins. Silhouetted shadows flickered along the buildings and creeped into play as the sun dropped its gaze over the horizon letting the night sky come out to haunt. Arms wrapped loosely around herself as to not pull leather jacket to tightly to chest or back she could feel the sticky dampness of blood trickling along her spine and shoulder blades knowing all too well her leather jacket was hiding it but soon enough it would seep within the line of her white pants and begin a further decent. Sigh flickered and bloomed from lungs as head dipped to watch the pavement slip past her, hair falling in waves hiding her features from view.

_ She had had an early show tonight, caged up in confined space with one of her own kind who had been starved, beaten and newly turned. He had been a ticking bomb within arena and she had been the one paired against him. Frown creased her brow remembering his shaggy and bony build as he loped, staggered, and pounced at her while she remained her human form. His eyes had screamed for blood and he had gotten some from her, deep gashes streaked her back as if it were some obscure spider web along with arms and shoulders, thankfully that's where most of the damage had been inflicted. A few minor bruises and lesser cuts shattered her pretty face and bone structure but nothing permanent. She had been the victor, processing the youngins' movements and patterning and overwhelming him and overworking him till he was exhausted before she began her own onslaught, it all ended with her snapping his neck in a deadly kick to the jaws. The sound of that soft pop and gurgle was etched within her brains memory but she felt nothing. No pain, regret, or anything close to it streaked her conscience. It had been all about survival and luckily she had pulled through along with a massive wad of cash.

_She had stayed long enough to gather her payment and winnings along with changing quickly into clothes that weren't ripped to shreds. Mind chided her silently though for snagging her white pants from home to wear after a clear mistake in her part. She had had a pair of flats to wear back but those had turned up missing and she was stuck with heels, a very painful walk home this was huh? now she was attempting to get to the safety of her apartment and away from the curious and horrified looks she was receiving from fellow pedestrians. Why the hell did she agree to an early fight? At least if it had been dark no one would have noticed her.

_Mewling noise barely audible echoed from her coat's depths causing her to peek down the front causing a small smile to grace her lips. A kitten sat tucked within the crook of her elbow laying against her stomach looking as pathetic as could be. bright vivid yellow eyes starred up at her while a soft purr reverberated along her ribcage. she had found the little bugger within the ally next to the club she had been beneath and felt the need to give it safety, something she desired. She could tolerate the pain but the blood oozing from her wounds just worried her beyond belief. And apparently when she was bleeding she craved the comfort of something and the kitten had been the first thing there seeming to call her name to receive love and attention. Something she was devoid of.

_Being so caught up watching the little fuzzball shoulder glanced off somebody causing her to spurt a curse and look up abruptly into a face of another, Brown hair and hazel eyes greeted her while she gave him a lop sided apologetic smile, her stride breaking to anon existence.

"Sorry darlin' didn't see you there."

_She murmured, switching from fierce opponent and pained girl in need of a shower and medical attention to a complete facade of something she wasn't. Just put on a pretty smile and naive features and no one payed any real attention to you. They would just shrug you off and keep on there way to avoid conflict or anything else that could pop up. She could have just kept walking but even though she was a well oiled trained mechanism she still had manners.

[Kaelan Abrams]

"Now deleted and defeated
I will stand on my own.
Yeah your memory that punches me
has broken the bone."

It wasn’t the fact that someone had bumped into him; it was London and that was a constant state here. Over crowded bodies constantly collided, especially in the more populated areas. It wasn’t even her softly spoken words that stopped him, slipping from the small smile. It was her face. If he hadn’t have been trained to look for that sort of thing, he probably wouldn’t even have noticed it. He would have gone on with a nod and continued doing whatever it was he’d been doing before the small collision. But the chain of events had happened to quickly. A knock on the shoulder, a soft voice, and finally to rest on a pretty face, but it was the pretty face that stopped his line up before he could continue on his way. There was some light bruising and a few cuts on what he was sure was one of the prettiest faces he’d ever seen.

“Its alright,” the words seemed foreign to himself, still caught up in his own thoughts. Hazel eyes dropped to the kitten in her arms and his mind fumbled with a ridiculous idea, wondering if the two were connected. Shifting his weight around to get a better look at her, he couldn’t help the worried frown that had entered his already concerned features. “Are you alright miss?”

Here he was again, sticking his nose into someone else’s business. It wasn’t his job to make sure everyone was all right twenty four seven anymore, that was the law enforcements job. One he’d noticed, they rather lacked in. But with so many people disappearing or showing up dead in an ally, he couldn’t help but pick back up from his old roots. Twenty something years as a cop and he couldn’t just let someone who looked as if they’d been beaten just slid back into the darkness. It there was something, anything he could do, he’d do it.

Kaelan tried to remind himself he didn’t even know the girl. She could have been the cause of her own appearance. Maybe she tried to kill or hurt someone and this was what had been dealt to her in return. He’d ever been good at determining innocence, but the girl in front of him looked innocent enough. Maybe he should introduce himself, so she would know she could trust him. Holding out his hand for her to shake if she wanted to, he forced the concern from his smile, “I’m Kaelan.”

[haven]

H A V E N
And in a burst of light that blinded every angel
As if the sky had blown the heavens into stars
You felt the gravity of tempered grace."

_Arms adjusted slightly to cradle the little being closer to her person as to avoid the pick up of activity around them, the night life was creeping into existence in a staggering amount causing her to worry for the tiny kitten oddly. Eyes glanced up as soft words left her lips and smile graced her face as manners swamped her. she had always been polite, yes she was certified to kill and slaughter but she had always kept her p's and q's in place while functioning within society. Sure she hadn't always been in this societal working but she had made the transition well and figured she would make the best of it, polite mask dropping within place.

_She watched his face cross hers and she realized he was picking apart the bruises and slight beating she had taken that was plainly visible. She silently cursed herself wishing she had just brushed him off like any other person within the city. head moved in a slight motion causing hair to fall in front of her face and hide most of the battle wounds while body also stiffened and shied away to hide the blood staining her waistband from her wounded back.

_Instead of reacting how most would besides her lapse of covering herself she just grinned and gave a tinkling laugh with a small shrug.

"Ah, you know just a small accident at work. Was my own lapse in judgement."

_She eyed him hoping he bought it while trying to judge him, passing him off as just another curious passerby. A simple person seeing wounds and having the curiosity to ask politely, nothing more. Relief swept over her while she kept up the one hundred watt smile and innocent exterior.

_Hand reached out to meet his own, grasping it tight and shaking it in a friendly manner keeping her coat in check making sure the sleeve didn't slide back too much to expose the blood trails and cuts that lined her arm. She was careful and watchful, eyes fanning out every so often watching for threats of any kind. Night time promised the exposure of vampires and truly she was not in the mood to deal with them. Wolf sense kicked into high gear while eyes echoed the darkened gray skies on a stormy night.

"I'm Haven, lovely to bump into you Kaelan."

[Kaelan Abrams]

"Now deleted and defeated
I will stand on my own.
Yeah your memory that punches me
has broken the bone."

Kaelan had seen wounds like that before plenty of times in his line of work. Twenty years of being a cop and he’d seen women beaten black and blue by their abusive husbands and boyfriends. Of course, none of the women had ever admitted it and some waited to get out of the situations until it was too late and they were killed. When she laughed it off with a minute shrug, claiming it as a small accident at work, tensed his nerves a little. He noticed she hadn’t actually said if she was indeed all right or not. Kaelan couldn’t tell if she was lying about the work accident, but he hoped for her sake that she was telling the truth. He pushed any features conveying his emotions away from his face as she shook his hand.

When her hand fell from his, he noticed her eye movements. Like she expected someone or something to jump out and attack her at any moment. There wasn’t really fear in her gaze, just a careful watch, which confused him a bit. He eyed the kitten in her arms for a moment, before pulling his gaze from the creature to meet her face again. Cats had never really been his thing.

“Like wise Haven.” There was something familiar in her mannerisms but he couldn’t quiet place it. The wolf in him demanded he outright ask her what had happened to make her covered in so many cuts and bruises. The humanity within him knew it would do nothing but push her away and if something was wrong, that was the last thing he wanted to do.

“Must be one hell of a job you got. Was a cop for twenty years and I don’t remember ever getting that banged up.” The jesting words had left his mouth before he even realized what he’d said. Well hopefully she didn’t have a problem with werewolves, since he definitely didn’t look any older then his twenties. Hazel eyes glanced around them and he was suddenly very aware of the questionable company that was walking the streets. Clerkenwell- the oh-so wonderful and saintly part of London. Kaelan mentally sneered at the area; it was full of nothing but trouble. Suddenly he felt the need to make sure Haven got to wherever she was going safely. Not because he knew her for particularly cared where she was going, but because it just wasn't in his nature to allow bad things to happen to people and Clerkenwell was the place of negative happenings. Glancing back at Haven, he smiled once more.

[haven]

H A V E N
And in a burst of light that blinded every angel
As if the sky had blown the heavens into stars
You felt the gravity of tempered grace."

_She saw it within the edge of his face, he was doubting her explanation and the fact that she had danced around the subject and not quite answered him how he had expected. Sigh echoed deep within her as she seemed to crumble just a touch, vision was beginning to haze around the corners and small pieces of her brain screamed at her to hurry home and get help. Heeled feet adjusted while flinching visibly as coat brushed her back causing bleeding wounds to gush open in another torrent.

_Curses and language not really for an innocent girl or woman she was trying to portray spurted silently in her mind while she kept flickering smile upon her face hoping it would sway him.

_Then she realized how he had pegged her as most likely denying the truth to him, he spoke of being a cop and that in itself gave him away. Shuddering vision glanced over him once more, he was not of the human bloods but he was her own kind, wolf. A sense of comfort washed over her for some reason. It was like pack mentality kicking into high gear, when hurt wolves resorted to their pack for help.

"Your of wolf lineage aren't you? Nice to come across my kind for once and not the fanged bleeders,"

_Laughter coursed her words but it wavered while she teetered a little unsteadily, hand shooting out to catch herself and gracing upon his shoulder only to be moved immediately with another small spout of apologies leaving her lips. She needed to get home, needed to stop the bleeding, needed to sleep. She needed safety.

"Not to be seen as a weirdo, But could i ask a small favor of you? Any way you could help me home its only a fifteen minute walk from here. I really just don't want to fall down and all that..."

_Words faded off while she put a deer in headlights look on her face, if she needed to she would pull the damsel in distress bit to snag him and get an escort home. She could only imagine herself running into a vamp smelling of so much blood and being so weak and that she couldn't handle at the moment.

"And before you start piecing some crazy story together in your mind being a cop and all i wasn't mugged, didn't kill any innocents or some crap like that."

_Ok, so she had killed someone but it didn't count and he didn't need to know that. She looked him in the eye as she said it, if need to be, if he pushed she'd tell him what she did to feed herself and keep a roof over her head. It wasn't that hard to keep herself hidden and he wouldn't be able to find where she did it. There were too many cages in this place and she could hop from one to another and not think twice. She knew how to keep herself from being captured.

_She could feel blood trickling to her one hand hanging to her side but she was beyond caring right now, she wiped it on her white pants for they were already beyond repair with the amount of crimson soaked within the back of them while eyes looked into his smiling face for a yes or no. She needed to get going now, she couldn't stand around any longer.

[Kaelan Abrams]

"Now deleted and defeated
I will stand on my own.
Yeah your memory that punches me
has broken the bone."

Fanged bleeders, what a perfect set of words to describe most vampires. He listened quietly to her admission of being the same species at him, except the way she spoke about it seemed as if she’d been born into with world. No, he’d been ripped into its chaotic turmoil choosing to survive rather then die. Sometimes he questioned his choice but now wasn’t the time. Hands reached out to steady her as she fell towards him, only to fall back at his sides when she placed a hand on his shoulder. Something about the situation struck him as odd but he said nothing as words continued to slip easily from her lips. Hazel eyes continued to survey their surroundings, causing him to tense when he noticed the shady characters slipping in and out of the local bars. With a nod, he stepped closer to her, protectively.

The look on her face only confirmed his plan to make sure she made it home safely. There was too much that could go wrong on a fifteen minute walk for someone who already appeared to be injured. And as pretty as the woman was, he couldn’t only imagine the trouble she might run into. It made his blood run cold. He found his mind wondering once more to how she managed to get to banged up to begin with. As a werewolf, it seemed unlikely she would get into this shape at all. But before his mind could dwell on it any longer, she was already responding to his thoughts, which brought yet another smile to his features.

“I used to be a cop,” he corrected. It was true, he held no jurisdiction in London as far as an officer went. But he did have some sway as a private investigator. And being a detective had its advantages to figuring things out. But first thing was first; he needed to make sure she got home alright. “And I was actually going to suggest I do just that. I’ll get you home safely.” Sometimes he found his curse of not being able to walk away from someone in trouble a very inconvenient problem. But he couldn’t imagine being any different. His eyes caught the crimson liquid on her hands as she wiped it on her pants. Brow knitted together in concern as he glanced around for vampires subconsciously.

“Walk between me and the wall that way if anyone, fang bleeders included, get any crazy ideas they have to come through me.” The smile never left his face but the tone in his voice was completely serious. Kaelan took protecting others very seriously, a lingering trait from life as a cop. He moved to start walking in the direction she had been before they’d bumped into one another, hazel eyes still watching everyone and everything around them.

[haven]

H A V E N
And in a burst of light that blinded every angel
As if the sky had blown the heavens into stars
You felt the gravity of tempered grace."

_Composure fell back into place as being stilled to an almost statuesque creature, she didn't want to move just in case the world shifted beneath her. Finally once she was sure of herself she bean to step forward, attention upon the wolf before her as hearing perked up to catch his words while smile blistered upon her lips in its usual glory. he had corrected her and that in itself amused her while shoulders rose and fell in a defeated gesture that showed she had misspoken.


_Feet stopped for the briefest of moments and she kicked off her heels and scooped them up into free hand hoping blood wouldn't drip upon them. She sure as hell wouldn't be able to make it home in the damned things in her condition and the sidewalk was particularly flithy but right now she wouldn't be picky.

"Thank you Kaelan, it is most appreciated"


_Voice throbbed and seeped with thankfulness while she moved herself between him and the wall, continuing her slow and painful pace while gaze flickered from him to the sleeping kitting curled in the crook of her arm, looking innocent as could be and content to be off the streets.


_She kept a small distance between her and the lovely man by her side, trying to give him personal space while blood loss and a somewhat shock made her want to creep closer just for the comfort of it. Yeah she wasn't in good shape if that's how it was going down. But still she remembered the hula hoop rule for distance. Eyes hazed and faltered as her vision was starting to glaze over as if she were going to pass out but she held on, not bothering looking for trouble figuring he was already doing that. right now she focused on the pain crawling within her chest as breathing labored in small pants and vision wouldn't quit with the fuzzyness.


_She kept quiet from there on, just trying to conserve energy and blend into the wall while only once or twice hand filled with heels reached out to wall for help while she toughed it out. Finally, her mind jumped and shouted in joy as the doors to her apartment building appeared like welcoming arms while a sigh heaved from chest and burst from lips as if it were heaven.

"Sorry about the silence, just hurts to breathe and i feel not so hot if you get he gist."


_Grin flashed while she fought her key into the door knob and shoved it open with a lack of grace. Flinch creased her brow and features while she stumbled forth with another string of curses trembling from vocals and damning everything in possible existence. God she wasn't even in a lot of pain as most would be she just didn't feel well.

_Steps moved within her apartment, the front door opening into living room while kitchen was placed off the the left. A hallway connected straight forth leading to bedroom and bathroom, a small place but more than enough room for her to live. She didn't need riches and extravagant luxuries. Simplicity was fine with here even if wardrobe conveyed a completely different message.

"Your welcome to come inside, i have beer coffee tea and food up the ass. You can make yourself at home while i shower"

_Words were bright and cheery while she flashed a fake smile to try and mask the fear crawling up her spine and ebbing within her veins. She really needed to get out of the cages but had no idea what to do to make sure she had money in her pockets. Gently she set the kitten upon plush red couch and heels dropped to the floor while eyes slipped to the man to see if he was staying or going. Leather jacket stripped from her upper body and was tossed carelessly upon the arm of one of the black arm chair within a corner leaving her standing there in blood soaked pants and nothing more than a bra. She wasn't embarrassed by her body and ultimately she was covered where she needed to be, right now she cared less if he saw the thick gaping wounds streaked down her back and webbed along her shoulders and her arms along with blood playing across her once perfect complexion.

"Oh and by the way, you any good at bandaging wounds or know anyone who is? There is no way i'm going to be able to reach some of these."

[Kaelan Abrams]

"Now deleted and defeated
I will stand on my own.
Yeah your memory that punches me
has broken the bone."

The quiet walk to her apartment suited him just fine. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to talk or make conversation, but the silence was just as comfortable to him. He noticed her reach out to the wall for support a few times and pushed away the notion to just carry her to her home. As they walked he was still searching all around them for any sign of trouble, only once having to stare down a passerby who’d looked at Haven with discontent.

The closer they got to the apartment building, the worse she looked to him. She seemed to constantly sway and he could really see the blood now, smell it even. He nodded at her apologizing and muttered something to the effect of ‘don’t worry about it.’ Once he was sure they were safe, he shoved his hands into his jacket pockets and followed her inside. Realizing his duty was done, he turned to leave but her words stopped him. Kaelan wasn’t sure why he accepted her offer to stay, probably to make sure she was truly alright.

Her apartment was small, but most were compared to his house. Kaelan was still unsure of why he’d chosen to buy a place instead of just renting an apartment but Buck was happy with the land, not that the monster of a dog exercised much or anything. Moving to sit on the couch his hazel eyes averted her figure respectfully as she began to peel off her jacket once he realized she wore only a bra beneath. Most guys would have stared at her, but then again Kaelan just wasn’t most guys. Instead, he decided to look at something he liked a whole lot less the people and so his eyes fell on the kitten next to him. He had to admit the little creature was pretty cute. Lyrics were spoken in jest, trying to relax the situation. “Me and Tigger here will get to know each other. Ya know, some male bonding. Or…whatever bonding gender you are kitten.” Hearing her last request he nodded, still not really looking at her.

“I can, just make sure you rinse them out good. Do you have bandages or should I go get some while you shower?”

[haven]

H A V E N
And in a burst of light that blinded every angel
As if the sky had blown the heavens into stars
You felt the gravity of tempered grace."

_Giggle erupted from her lungs while her head shook lightly in amusement, it reached up into her eyes causing the grey depths to lighten and re-secure their stability. Being home in itself seemed to be helping, steadying her and keeping her off her ass. Shock, the shock was wearing off.

"Its a boy from what I noticed, Ollie."

_Eyes slunk from her guest to the gray tabby curled up on the couch as if he owned the place already, and she really didn't mind it was company after all.

"Bandages are in the bathroom ill snag them when i come out, like i said you need anything feel free. ill just be a few moments."

_Smile full of thanks tossed his way then she made her way to the bathroom where clothes tacky with blood were dropped in laundry basket and whole being slipped into the shower. Once warm water hit open wounds small shriek of surprise ripped from chest cavity while wince creased features and hands grasped the wall for support so she could get used to the pressure of the water upon her back. Rivulets of pink splashed their way down the drain while she finally adjusted and let her legs fold beneath her so she was curled up beneath the beating of the water. Relaxing, beyond relaxing. Eyes stuttered closed momentarily, well ok a little momentarily until she finally came back too cursing herself.

_She had definitely been in there longer than planned, what a way to make a guest feel within her home. She grabbed a towel quickly and wrapped it around herself then grabbed bandages only to hesitate within the doorway unsure of whether or not she should bother with clothes or just the towel since he needed to help get to the wounds.

_Frown pulled at her brow and chipped at the edges of her face while she threw it to the wind and tossed on underwear along with a pair of silken lounge pants not bothering with anything upon her upper body besides the towel.

"Sorry it took me so long... Kinda zoned out."

_She tossed it out loosely while she threw up her concealing smile and tossed him the bandages.

[Kaelan Abrams]

"Now deleted and defeated
I will stand on my own.
Yeah your memory that punches me
has broken the bone."

Once she’d disappeared into the bathroom Kaelan let out a heavy sigh. How was it that he managed to get himself into these situations? It had to be from his over active drive to help people. But then he remembered how pained she’d appeared and the blood on her. Those cuts and bruises had looked painful, too painful for him to just walk away and pretend he hadn’t noticed. Glancing down at the kitten once more, he frowned.

“Ollie huh. Well Ollie, what do you think? Is it raw talent or dumb Luck?” The kitten merely glanced up at him before returning to its apparent nap with a small purr. Kaelan’s frown deepened. “Alright, see if I’m here when you have a question then.” What was wrong with him? Why was he attempting to carry on a conversation with a cat? Probably because he talked to Buck like he was a person and not a dog, but Buck was different. He was smart and intelligent from his years of training as a police dog where as this cat probably didn’t even know one trick. Not that Buck understood him any more then the cat though, when it came down to it.

Another sigh escaped his lips as he felt himself beginning to doze off on her couch. Forcing his eyes open once more, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell to text his next-door neighbor. Since he’d came to London, the elderly woman had been nice and checked in on Buck when something would happen to prevent him from getting home. ‘Something came up. Will be later getting home then expected. Could you check on Buck?’ Once again his eyes drifted closed but the small beep of his phone pulled him out of it. He smiled at the single yes on his screen, making a mental note to buy her something nice for Christmas.

Hearing her come down the hallway he glanced up, a little bewildered that she was done with her shower already. Maybe he’d closed his eyes longer then he’d originally thought. Kaelan was only a little surprised to see she only wore a towel around her top, but figured it would be easier to get to the wounds that way. Hearing the apology leave her lips he shook his head.

“Not a problem.”

Motioning for her to sit down beside him on the couch, he went to work with the bandages. Some of the cuts looked deeper then others and some of them looked painful to even him, and he had a pretty high pain tolerance. Hands gently moved across her back and shoulders, placing the bandages over the wounded skin. Some of the wounds looked like they were even starting to try and heal a little.

“Nice thing about being a werewolf you heal faster then normal.” Mind reeled back to the time he got shot on a job. The bullet had hit him square in the chest, luckily missing anything vital. It had taken time to heal, but he’d healed a lot faster then a normal human would have. For some reason his mouth felt try as he continued, his mind urging him to seek conversation though the only thing he wanted to know was the truth about the wounds. But Kaelan had to much respect to ask again.