smoke signals ;

 ⸻  𝐁𝐈𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐇𝐘

Bohdi Sharma was born in London, England into a family of academics. It made sense that he was to follow in their footsteps, become another member of the pack.

His parents were lovely, all things considered. Unlike the experience of some who bare the title as a child of an academic, he never felt pressured to follow a path he did not want to.

Not only did he seem heavily inclined to follow his own destiny for he never once questioned it, but the academic gifts he possessed were marveled at by teachers and peers. He loved to learn, constantly looking for even more information to nurture his mind.

Not only was he admired by his teachers, but he was well loved by his peers. He played soccer in high school, even going as far as to become the captain of the team his senior year.

Upon his graduation, he was off to the states with every intention to become a lawyer. First undergrad, then law school. It was here that he settled down in Hidehill, Tennesee.

When Bohdi falls in love, he falls deeply. That's what happened when he fell for Valencia Gomez. She wasn't just perfect in his eyes, but she was perfect for him.

When he met her, he was a scared law student who was so riddled with uncertainty -- that he believed he could never give her what she deserved. A life. And yet, he was so blinded by love that he fell headfirst. Even so far as to getting down on one knee.

Bohdi was a good student, especially thriving in law school. He had a beautiful fiancée, a roof above his head and something he was passionate about. However, he would soon go on to sabatoge himself, just as he had always had a tendency to do.

Part of him knew what he was getting into, knowing that the woman he loved had a career in porn. However, his own mind had prayed on his downfall. His insecurities, many that came from being engaged so young manifested into believing that he would never be enough for her, that the other men were somehow better than him. And so, he left. She became a chapter closed, and it was all his fault.

Finishing law school became harder. His body felt heavy, but he soon became conditioned when it came to turning everything off. Soon, things didn't become so heavy anymore.

He had never been the kind of person who needed much, valuing efficiency over luxury. And so, he moved into a small place in Hide Square and gradually made it all his own.

He's been at Atwood Legal since graduation, something that causes people to wonder if he's under the family's thumb. Even so, having consistency in his life continues to keep him grounded.

To his friends, Bohdi is very happy and bubbly. However, deep down there is more going on than actually meets the eye. He doesn't always reveal these emotions out of fear of burdening the people that he cares for.

⸻  𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐒

Doesn't really know how to do casual. Mainly wears button up shirts and suit jackets.

Bohdi has started to wonder if being a defense attorney is worth it for him anymore, especially knowing that if Carter hadn't pled guilty, it could very well have been him fighting to get him off.

Keeps a lot of journals, each with distinctly neat handwriting.

Maintaining control in his life at times is more important than it should be. Sometimes, it's too a point that he's not even aware of just how much it matters to him.

He is unaware of what happened with Valencia after he left. Like, completely. She's only recently reentered his life, as he's been more or less avoiding her as she is a manifestation of his guilt.

more to come.

⸻ 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

Friends: Elena Bradshaw, Andi Powers, OPEN

Clients:

Exes ( any gender - 1/2 ): Valencia Gomez, OPEN

Hookups/FWB ( former or current ): Carter Thompson, OPEN

Love Interest: Elena Bradshaw ( neighbor/crush )

Coworkers: Adrian Parris, OPEN

it was an odd way to think about it, but bohdi had always wondered if the sun and the moon died every night in turn for each other. they would return to living, produce a light that shone over the world before soon leaving once more so that the other could take their turn. some might have jeered and told him bohdi, you're overthinking it. as he always did. even still, he would rather cling to such a notion than go about his life living in an endless pattern of normalcy and lies.

not every case was that way. some had a genuine need for protection from the legal system that sought to take their feet out from underneath them and drag them asunder. however, in hidehill they seemed to be the exception to the rule. despite the career that atwood legal had given him, a bleary-eyed student of the craft fresh from the confines of law school, he knew he couldn't be there anymore -- but perhaps he'd find some solace as their opponent. a prosecutor, who put the likes of carter thompson and izaiah wheatley behind bars in the deepest depths of the prison system for the rest of their natural lives.

meeting elena bradshaw had actually given him the chance to believe that he could be something other than the man he had been conditioned to be. that he could actually make decisions for himself, chase after the life that had always aspired to. a future that had once been dim now shone just as bright as the sunshine, a prospect that could only be blinded by his devotion to her.

this particular evening had been a quiet one, as many had been since sasha's passing. he had never known sasha very well, but the way elena spoke of her was enough to bring a certain amount of sadness. he never forced her to speak more than she was ready for -- even then, he wasn't sure if she ever would be.

he doesn't know that the very papers he once thought might kill him would truly be his bitter end. reading glasses are perched on the tip of his nose as he scans the file he has been so engrossed in -- even if his eyes fight to close. but the bleariness soon dissipates as there is a sudden knock at the door. it seems odd that someone would make themselves present in elena's home at this time of night, unless it was someone in need of help. it seemed like everyone needs help these days, to lean on each other after the amount of loss that has been ripping the town to pieces.

oh, how wrong could bohdi have possibly been.

❝ elena? ❞ he calls out to every crevice of the apartment, taken aback by the lack of response. he moves slowly towards the bedroom door, shutting his computer as his eyes scan the hallway that couldn't have felt longer. he hopes that he is met with a positive scene, with the sight of a familiar face, someone he cared for. austin. dakota. remy. charlie. andi, unexpectedly back when he knew he had to tell her to keep running. to be happy with nicola. even emmeline, even if their relationship wasn't as close. as the weeks past by, he had found himself genuinely enjoying her company.

when he finally reaches the main room, his stomach drops in horror at what he sees. the woman he loves, tied to a chair with her eyes completely shut and a piece of fabric tied over her mouth. the shadow. they had finally come for her. he should have known, with elena's notoriety. it's within seconds that he's pushed backwards into the kitchen -- where his body hits the ground and all he can see is a faceless figure overhead.

the first thing he can think of is elena. he didn't know if she was still breathing, but he was going to fight for her. with everything he has, with everything he is. the second thing he thinks of is gain evidence. bite, scratch... if he can get his opponents dna in his teeth, in his fingers, this would bring them one step closer to getting them justice.

the first stab to the gut causes him to yelp in pain, but he continues to go with the punches. he lands as many as he can, but then comes another, and another, until his body becomes all too used to the feeling. the numbness that washes over his entire body becomes warm, comforting, calling for him to let go. but he can't. she's in the other room, and he can't help but wonder if he still has time to get to her. he'll grasp at whatever second he can...

until he can't.

bohdi sharma's body gives out, right there on elena's kitchen floor -- where he would never know if she made it out. she had to.