Mostly Ghostly

A hiss of air escaped from his clenched teeth, his glare of annoyance focusing up at the nearly passing girl and her comments as he slowly righted himself. Kacey had been forced to take his holiday time and decided the best use of those precious days off was to binge and party as much as possible. His current wobbly state had been the result of crashing back down from a night of highs, leaving his system empty of the things he usually needed to function at a reasonable level. 

Having Zoey mocking him agitated him faster than usual, scoffing as he quickly brushed the dust and debris off of himself as best as he could, “Grace isn’t something I strive for, even if it would’ve helped in this instance. Although, a modicum of class is something everyone should aspire toward, including you. Shouldn’t you be lurking in a dark alleyway somewhere?”

His response only evoked the suppressed chuckle from her, “I might be lacking class, but at least I’m not running into trees, drunk off my ass and on some kind of come down on withdrawal or what the fuck ever, walking in the wee hours like you’re taking the walk of shame.” it was always fun to get under people skin. Even if it did get her in trouble.

Not to meantion, she wasn’t stupid. Kacey was involved with people (aka Jaro) that she didn’t want anything to do with.

“Well i mean the ones who sell shit drugs are right?” She threw back at the other blonde, while she had enjoyed getting a few things from Zoey as much as she hated to say it she enjoyed getting things from Kacey.” Ah but see I make it my business to know everything going on around here sadly darling.”

“You’re barking up the wrong tree, dollface.” Naturally, if they were going to sit and have this discussion out in the open, she was going to deny anything. She wasn’t an idiot. Clicking her safety on, she tucked the weapon into the waistband of the back of her jeans, pulling her signature, worn out leather jacket down to conceal it, “If that’s what you’d like to believe. I’m just conducting my own routine business, and if you know as much as you think you do, then you’d know its best not to get between myself, and my business.” she assured with a cavalier shrug.

Mik gave her a crooked grin as he held out his open pack of cigarettes for her to take one. Resting the sole of his boot against the wall as they leaned against it, once again sharing quiet space. Glancing down at the bleach-blonde as she exasperatedly described her awful night, scoffing softly in reply, “Stupidity comes in many shapes and forms. It’s a shame there isn’t a way to just look at someone and see stupid.”

He laughed heartedly at first and the laugh slowly became quiet and embarrassed. Eventually murmuring, “I really need the word ‘stupid’ stamped across my forehead at this point. Try to do the right thing, confront the people who need to be confronted, and it just turns to shit the minute I decide to act.”

Staring at the sidewalk in front of them as he considered how much he dared tell Zoey about what had happened lately. Taking a long drag before continuing, knowing he could trust her with enough, “Confronted that prick at Fantastic Beyond and gave him a piece of my mind, but now he’s using two people I care about against me. Like…”

He held out the palms of his hands face up and gestured as he mumbled through the cigarette between his lips, “I could choose to hurt one or the other. I don’t want to hurt anyone, I really don’t, but I don’t see an out on this. I don’t know where to go from here.”

Zoey gratefully accepted the cigarette, pulling a lighter out of her own pocket to light the end, “God, I wish. Do you know how much that would save me in bullshit?” she gave an exasperated chuckle. Though she raised a brow as he made his next comment, making her wonder as to what kind of trouble he had gotten himself into this time around. 

Luckily she needn’t ask as he started to explain himself, “Well, that sounds like a shit situation. After what happened to little Miss Acid Trip that got herself knocked up, you really should’ve just learn to leave that guy alone. I trust him about as far as I can throw him and whatever he’s threatening, I don’t doubt that it doesn’t matter what you do, he’ll fuck you up both ways. So the smart thing would be to just leave it alone and wait to see if it blows over. Predators tend to only attack if they see the prey run.”

Garrett’s chest moved up and down in anger and frustration, hating that someone was bringing out all of the stupid things he said, making him feel awful. Grumbling, he crossed his arms over his chest. “This is all dumb. Whoever posted all of this needs to stop. How in the world did anyone find out anyway? Because I will kill all of them,” he explained, his voice stern and frustrated. Perhaps all of this would make him into his usual self, the confident, suave guy that used to get anything and everything he wanted. In fact, he hated what all of these secrets had done. So what if he turned out to be more gay than straight? What did it even matter? It was his life, right?

Sitting up, he turned to the girl. “You know, you’re really smart. They didn’t say anything awful about you then, yeah?” he asked, quite honestly curious. If they hadn’t, sure, he’d be jealous, but at the same time, he knew she was completely right. Why in the world was he letting all of this foolish gossip get to him? “Even if it is true, so what? Maybe I am proud of all of it!” A smirk formed across his face. That’s what he’d do. He’d make them all be upset they outed him. It would only make him stronger, more powerful and if anything, an even better flirt. “Alright, alright, you’ve got a point. Now, I’d like to know if you have any plans to get back at whomever did this.”

“Sweetie, people say awful things about me every day. I’m a creep, a weirdo, a druggie, a dealer, maybe even a psychotic murderer. People say all kinds of things about me, but does it look like I give a fuck? Some people think I committed the last two murders that happened in this place, but there’s so proof of that now is there?” she explained nonchalantly before listening to him go on about how proud he was, that he didn’t actually care. She could see right through that in the moment. Of course he cared. It was probably his deepest, most personal secret. 

When asked about revenge, she simply shrugged, “My way usually doesn’t end up well. Just stop giving a fuck about the rumors and no one can use it against you. Everyone here is living in high school anyway. Ain’t that how you’re suppose to deal with high school bull shit? Just don’t give a fuck, don’t let people get to you and then they won’t get to you.”

Mik scoffed airily at Zoey’s sour attitude, finding her tone more of a challenge than a threat in his current reverie. Tagging along behind her as she stormed past, curling his hand around his lighter to protect the flame as he followed. Sucking the smoke in deeply as his long strides made little work in keeping up with his shadowy friend.

“Well, I’m not either,” Mik stated plainly, “I just spotted you on one of my midnight strolls. Just thought we could take a break and chat like we used to is all.”

As he made his offer, Zoey slowed her pace to allow him to catch up to her a bit as opposed to trailing behind her like a lost pup, “If you’re supplying the smokes, then we can do whatever the fuck you want.” she said in an exasperated tone.

Raising his brows in mock-surprise, Kacey laid a hand over his heart as he retorted against Zoey’s underhanded threat, “Well, I never thought you’d snub your nose at money. I just thought I’d stop on by for a little bit of candy is all.”

He dropped the first act, now shifting to one of slight laughable concern, “You aren’t usually this on edge. Did someone spit in your cereal today, sweets?”

If looks could kill, Kacey would’ve been stone cold on the ground when Zoey’s icy hues hit his, “Just a bunch of shits who evidently don’t understand who the fuck they’re dealing with.” she huffed with a roll of her eyes. 

Adjusting her jacket a bit and pushing up the sleeves, the woman stopped walking, “Secondly, you know damn well how to get a hold of me if you need anything. You don’t stand there in the middle of the fucking street askin’ me like a dumb ass.” the woman looked around for a moment, making sure no one of importance was around, “Get your fuckin’ ass over here.” she said, giving a short jerk of her head towards the alley.

Eyes searching the crowd, she tried to find whatever it was that Zoey was looking for. But with her vision blurred and her knees shaky; it was rather difficult. Meghan focused on her friend’s voice and reached out with trembling hands to find something to grab on to. As soon as she slid off the stool, her hands found purchase with the blonde’s arm. Meg clutched on to her as if she was her life support. Which at this point, she might as well have been. It was hard for her to split her focus on her feet finding the ground and her hands grasping onto Zoey without dissociating. There was a blur of color and sound before the warm gust of wind that washed over the brunette’s face.

Inhaling as deeply as she could, Meghan tried to steady herself using the outside air. There was the sound of cars rushing by and the swears that came from under Zoey’s breath. Meg kept her eyes closed, trying to focus on keeping her feet planted on the pavement as well as following the blonde’s movement. This was not the first time that the girl had been drugged. It had happened a handful of times prior. Boyfriends who wanted to keep the party going after she had declared it over. Her father trying to keep his young daughter quiet while her sister slept in the bed on the other side of the room.

Taking a deep breath, she slowly opened her eyes. Only to slam  them shut once again against the bright colors of the Strip. 

“W-Where are we-we going?” she managed to stammer out.

Zoey kept an arm around her friend, trying to keep her both close and stready as they left the bar. Some fuckers just had to go about ruining a good night for everyone. 

The blonde kept her pace steady, not wanting to rush Meg about at a pace she couldn’t keep. Zoey, herself, knew well enough what it was like to be drugged, though it had been years. Since then, there wasn’t a single drug that entered her system without her putting it there herself, “We’re going back to my place. Yours is too far.” she explained when Meg asked where they were going. Granted, perhaps her tone could have been gentler, given it was a fair assumption that Meg might’ve already been upset about the whole ordeal, but that was at the back of Zoey’s mind. Her thoughts were focused on getting Meg someplace safe until she felt better, and finding out what son-of-a-bitch just had to go about being the absolute scum of the earth. 

“Just keep walking, doll. We’re not that far away.”

Zoey was hardly some kind of peace keeper or defender of the weak or whatever one might think of in that sort of way. There were simply certainly things she wouldn’t stand for: lying to her, cheating her, and slime putting their hands on women who clearly didn’t want it. 

This situation was of the latter. Through tonight’s wild party, Zoey had mostly stuck to the shadows, people watching more then anything. The sight of some sleezeball who was clearly an outoftowner was getting a little too comfortable around a certain little bookworm Zoey was familiar with working around the Pier. Ghostly eyes watched on for a while, waiting to see if the man would get a clue before she got herself involved. 

The next advance though was Zoey’s personal last straw. The woman navigated the people and the shadows seamlessly before appearing between the two nearly out of no where, “I think that’s enough, buddy.” she said firmly. On the outside, Zoey appeared to be hardly more then some punk girl who missed her era. Dressed in her signature leather jacket, cropped tanktop, distressed shorts, tattered fishnets and a pair of dirty hightopped sneakers. Along with her heavy black eyemakeup and deep wine lips, the only thing that contrasted the dark outfit was her pale skin and nearly white, blonde hair. She was skinny, and fairly shorter then the male who towered her, but she stood as though she could look down on him like an ant, unafraid. 

The man narrowed his eyes at her, “Back the hell off, blondie.” he sneered, though when she refused to move, he decided to make her. He barely set a finger on her before she socked him in the stomach. That seemed to only stoke his temper, clearly shorted by alcohol by the smell of his breath. With no inhibition, he took a swing at Zoe. To which she dropped down, pulling the innocent brunette down to the cement with her to make sure she didn’t feel the swing instead.

“Move.” she ordered the girl firmly, giving her a little push to urge her aside. Zoey didn’t mind a good fight. If anything, it was a source of entertainment for her, it kept her young. Zero felt the man grip her arm as she was yanked up to her feet and tossed a couple feet away before she could find her footing. Zoey just laughed, “Is that all you got, sweetie?” she cooed, jumping up to her feet. The enraged man just growled and came at her, to which her response was to side step him. He slid to a halt, throwing punches her way. If one or two landed, Zoey didn’t feel them, only aware of the contact her own strike made. There were very few things this woman was afraid of, and egotistical, slimeball men hardly made the list. 

It wasn’t long before they attracted themselves a little crowd. Perhaps if it had been anyone but Zoey, they might’ve tried to stop it, but seeing this puny girl holding her ground against the male must’ve made them decide to let it go on as quite a show. 

Fists flew, he managed to pin her once and knock the wind from her for half a second before she regained herself and happily retaliated, knocking the hell out of him with a couple good punches to the face. 

The man made one move though that made her decide it was time for their little show to end. When he decided to pull his little pocket knife from his pants pocket. Her response was to pull her own weapon, “Now, I know you’re mother taught you to never bring a knife to a gun fight.” she spoke calmly, raising her glock to aim for him, “I think this show is over now.”

💊 - Your character is offered drugs, what do they do?

🍻 - Your character's drink is spiked, what happens now?

🚽  - Your character gets food poisoning

💋 - Your character is hit on by an NPC

❤️ - Your character is hit on by my character

🔪 - Your character gets into a very public fight

👏 - Your character gets grabbed inappropriately

Mindy looked over at the pack the girl was waving around and smirked a bit nodding her head. “ Oh thought they were something else, those are pretty good for the most part. “ She said before digging around in her pants to find her own pack. “ Yeah, I’ve done that a couple of times of course though when I need a smoke I can’t find my own. “ Mindy thought the girl seemed nice enough, though I mean of all the people she had told she had memory issues this one wasn’t yelling or attacking her. 

Mindy got a look of shock on her face and shook her head biting her lip. “ We .. we.. used to be friends? I… for how long? I… “ She trailed off not understanding how she could forget a friendship, apparently one where she was pretty close with the person. The next words out of the girl’s mouth though, made Mindy frown. “ I got into a car accident, I can’t remember anything from before the accident so .. my previous time here, friendships anything like that. Only things I really remember are my co-workers, but not any personal relationships I may have with them.” 

With her thumb, Zoey flipped the lid open on her pack to offer a smoke to the other girl as she dug through her pockets trying to find her own, “I always have cigarettes on me.” Zoe assured.

She gave Mindy a confirming nod about being friend, making herself look slightly uncomfortable and hurt that anyone might forget a friendship like the one she was insinuating, “I mean, we didn’t really get close until after we both had been working here a while, but still.” she offered a small shrug, “Guess it makes sense though. We didn’t actually work together. You worked at the casino, I work in the Haunted House, so like... yeah.” she shrugged again, shaking some hair out of her face, though it always fell back into place, shading her icy blue eyes that had a way of looking right through you, “You just kinda dropped off the earth, no one seemed to know what the fuck happened... glad to see you’re back though.”

“I was just going to say that the brand your smoking isn’t my choice, but eh to each his own doll.” She said before looking the other over and realizing she had no clue who the blonde was at all. “ I’m Mindy by the way and you would be? I.. we haven’t met before right? I only ask cause, my memory is currently shot so I can’t remember anything.” 

Zoey raised a brow, shaking the half gone pack of smokes in her hand, as though to show them off, “Its the new Marlboro’s Ice.” she explained, “Had to give them a shot.” the woman went back to minding her own business before the other went on. Granted, the pair had never formally met, but Zoey certainly knew who the strange girl was. For a while, the blonde had seemed to have completely fallen off the face of the planet. Though as Mindy went on explaining herself, Zoey saw a possible opportunity. Through rumors and Mik alone, she knew well enough that Mindy wasn’t the most stable person according to her history. Perhaps she could be useful. 

Elisa closed her eyes against the onslaught of smoke, but remained otherwise stone-faced. She had dealt with this type before, and she wasn’t into the mood for it today. “I couldn’t care less what you do, but I do care where you choose to do it. This is a no smoking area for a reason; there are children here.”

Zoe raised a brow, clearly indifferent to anything that was coming out of the other’s mouth, “Literally no one follows that rule, and absolutely no one cares, Princess Peach. Go take you’re soapbox to someone who cares about listening.” Zoey smoked by the fence outside of the Haunted House every day, multiple times a day. And that wasn’t about to change.