#I got home briefly to relax but the bus took extra long to pick me up and get me here so now I have to leave AGAIN to go do MORE lab stuff

[yearning-butch]

Miserable for stupid fucking reasons

[angryknightstatesmantrash]

It’ll Be Okay

A Criminal Minds One Shot

MY MASTERLIST

Requests and Tagslist open!

[I’m super willing to write more parts with London or to continue this part let me know in the requests!]

Original Focus Character: London Emma Schmidt, 17

Team Status: First few episodes of season 3 before Rossi→ Hotch, Reid, Morgan, Prentiss, JJ, Garcia

Potential Triggers: Sexual abuse and assault → 2 potentially triggering scenes. One depicting the after thoughts and another briefly detailing what it looks like on the outside from a distance.

National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call 1-800-656-4673

London loved her job.

Sure, the pay sucked, but the hours were relatively constant, the people were amazing, and even though the team could function without her, they all pretend it couldn’t.

Working as a (low pay) intern at the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit was a dream come true for her. She had landed the gig through her councilor, who had handed her the pamphlet and application.

Mrs. VerHagen knew about her passion for going into some form of law enforcement or government, and how badly she wanted to join the bureau. With that knowledge, as soon as she saw the new intern program that would match one student to each unit in the building, she knew London would be interested.

As soon as the deadline had occurred, she received the letter she was accepted and would need to submit a skills profile so that each unit could choose which intern they felt would fit their team best. It all seemed very pet adoption style, but if it meant she had a better chance of making it into the FBI after high school, she would take it.

Once she submitted that, she waited another very anxious several months before getting word that the Behavior Analysis Unit had chosen her from all the survey talented individuals.

Since she was only a high school junior, seventeen years old, she couldn’t go on trips with the team’s and parent’s approval- which she knew would never happen- so she just stayed in the office, helping Garcia from her cave, or tidying things and filing old cases.

Today, however, was one of the days that she would go straight from her public high school to the bureau’s headquarter. She smiled at the main guard at the main entrance, letting them search her school bag and scan her employee badge clipped to the front pocket of her jean jacket.

As she stepped out of the elevator, she was greeted by JJ waving to her while walking from her office, “hey London, I have a few things for you to do today while you’re in, the list is sitting on your desk!”

“Sounds great, JJ! I’ll get right on it,” London called as they passed and she entered the bullpen and set her bag down onto her desk.

“Hey, Schmidt, did you make a coffee run?”

Moving her head to follow the voice she rolled her eyes at Special Agent Derek Morgan, one of the people she loved the most at the BAU, sitting at his desk, relaxing as he leaned against the desk of the person in the office she was closest with, Doctor Spencer Reid. “I didn’t know I was supposed to, I can see what the break room has, but I know you’ll still complain.”

Morgan laughed and outstretched his hand, an almost empty coffee mug hanging for her to grasp, “You know my order?”

London laughed and took the mug, “splash of milk one spoon of sugar, yeah, I know,” she laughed. Looking over to Spencer she raised her eyebrows, “want any Reid? I know your order, don’t worry.”

Spencer nodded and smiled at her, “Yeah, sure. Thanks, London. How was school?”

Shrugging, she leaned back against her desk with the mugs held in her hands. “As good as school can be, but hey, I don’t have to go back until 8am tomorrow.”

The two men laughed as she shrugged and moved to fill up the coffee mugs, “I’ll be back!”

After London filled and returned the mugs to her coworkers and a mug for herself, she started on the list that JJ had given her.

It was a simple list, just filling out some basic forms and organizing records. Sometimes spending so much time with the agents. She made small talk with the people around her.

Tricking Reid into doing her homework for her, throwing small things at Morgan while he wasn’t looking, and sending cat videos to the group chat she was in with JJ, Prentiss, and Garcia were just a few.

It wasn’t until Morgan spoke again that she remembered the time, and what waited for her at home, “Hey, Lon, it’s Tuesday, don’t you gotta be back home by 10?”

Looking up from her AP Chemistry homework, she nodded, “Yeah, why?”

Prentiss looked at the clock sitting on his desk before chiming in, “It’s 9:30 right now.”

Her heat dropped. She was already dreading going home for the fact it was the night of the week she hated wholeheartedly, but being late would make everything that much worse, “Shit, the bus leaves at 9:45, do you think I could make it?”

Reid looked at her, “Hey, I can drive you home, no problem.”

She shook her head, scrambling to shove her books in her bag, log out of the computer, and chug whatever was left at the bottom of her coffee mug, “Yeah, but that’ll only save a few minutes, I’ll still be late.”

At that point, London didn’t have time to allow herself to remember that not only did Reid hate people in his personal space but he also hated driving.

Morgan looked at Prentiss, they made eye contact with a mutual concern.

London was always punctual, that’s just how she was, but on Tuesdays towards the end of the night she was always that much more on edge, only for her to return on Thursday fine.

Once she had gotten ready at her desk at a seemingly superhuman speed, she looked at Spencer expectantly. “Chop chop, we gotta go, come on.”

With keys in hand, he was still grabbing his side bag while she all but dragged him out the office, neglecting the elevator after deeming it, “too time consuming and slow”.

Once they had gotten into the car, London’s leg wouldn’t stay still, it was bouncing and she was picking at her nails, something the team had quickly identified as her “tells”.

“So, are you going to explain why you’re in such a rush?” Spencer asked, seeing it as appropriate to have an explanation.

London shrugged before pointing the corner to turn leading him into a neighborhood that could not be easily classified into lower or middle class. It was the first time any of the team members had brought her home after her shift.

Once he pulled into the driveway, he moved to get out, but was interrupted by London stopping him with a forceful, “what are you doing?”

Spencer looked at her front door, which had the porch light on, and the man standing in the window before clarifying, “I was going to meet your dad and siblings, you talk about them all the time. More your siblings than dad, but still.”

It was a terrible idea. Bruce would be mad enough at London for being late, let alone if she brought someone home, let alone on a Tuesday night.

It wasn’t a secret to the team that her mother was dead, she was open about the ordeal. A drunk driving accident, something that was all too common. It was also true she talked about her younger siblings, little Lance and Jessica, all the time, she loved them and proved every Tuesday she would do anything for them. But the threat of her father, Bruce, out weighed the desire to introduce her family with her friends from the BAU.

Frantically shaking her head at him, her eyes darting from her father, to the clock on the dashboard reading that she was at least fifteen minutes late to curfew, and then Spencer. “No, no no no no, I’m sure you’ll get to meet them sometime but tonight won’t be it. I promise I’ll pick them up from school one day and take them to the office even. But right now I need to go.”

Before Reid could even argue, she was already out of the car and standing outside the front door. “I’ll see you and the rest of the team on Thursday! Have a good night and get some sleep!”

After the kind words she yelled at him she quickly entered her home, shut the door, and turned off the light.

Spencer knew that something was wrong, but nonetheless he drove away from the house and discussed the peculiarities of the situation with the team once he arrived back at the office.

While Reid drove back to the office, London was dealing with the rage of her father inside the home.

“You’re late.” The empty cans laid on the coffee table and refused to let her forget the impending doom that polluted the air around her.

“I know, I got wrapped up, it won’t happen again, I promise.” She looked to the kitchen table, “where are the kids? You know the deal, you do whatever you want to me but you don’t lay a hand on them.”

Downing the rest of the can he was holding, London’s father moved towards her, “I don’t care about what the brats do. What I do care about, is what we’re about to do, and I’m going to take my sweet time tonight,” the way he caressed the side of her face made her almost as sick as what was about to happen would, “sweetheart.”

Laying in her fathers bed, naked with tears streaming down her face and under the covers with him, all London could remember was when she hadn’t grown so numb to her father raping her.

She used to resist. Sometimes she wouldn’t go home on Tuesdays, as that was always the night he got so wasted he could barely remember who his own children were and would beat them senseless.

London learned the hard way that if she wasn’t there to take the brunt of it, it would go to her ten year old brother, or six year old sister, and she couldn’t let that happen. It wasn’t like her older brother, Bryan, knew about it. Once mom died, dad spiraled, and Bryan left for college never to look back at just the right time.

So her father had his way with her every Tuesday night so long as she kept her grades up, he didn’t get black out wasted, and she met her 10 o’clock curfew every Tuesday night, and 11 o’clock curfew the rest of the week, or until her father decided to add an extra day to the schedule.

She knew that she would find herself back where she was tomorrow night, she was late, what should she have expected?

She was tired, she was so tired, more tired than she usually was on a night after. It was a Wednesday, the conveniently planned off-day unless she was called in to help JJ brief the team on a new case, something she had only been allowed to help with two or three times before.

She had drifted through the day ready to go home and get the torture and punishment of being late by her father, until her phone rang as the last bell rang.

Answering it she heard JJ’s lovely voice through the speakers asking for her to go into the office and help with a couple house/office keeping things, help out the team a bit overall.

London agreed, only asking if she could go in a bit later to set up Lance and Jessica’s dinner and evening situations. She felt bad for leaving them alone as often as she did, but on days she regularly had to go into her internship, she had arrangements with her kind neighbors established.

JJ, obviously, agreed.

It was around five thirty in the evening when London made her way into the office. She still smiled at the people she passed, and greeted the security guards who, although were confused about her break in schedule, were still happy to see her.

As soon as she got to her desk she dropped her bag, half heartedly waved at Prentiss who smiled brightly at her, and went to get the most needed mug of coffee probably ever.

Reid had approached her shortly after she sat down, “hey, are you alright? You seemed really upset last night.”

Glancing up from her laptop, London gave him a faint smile, “yeah, sorry about that. My dad’s just strict about curfew.”

Morgan chimed in from his desk, “only on Tuesday?”

London looked between Morgan and Reid before squinting her eyes and looking between them, “Yeah, my siblings get home earlier those days. Why? You guys better not be profiling me, there’s a rule against it for a reason.”

Reid shook his head and shrugged as he sipped his coffee, and Morgan leaned into watching as she stared into space after the three remaining in the situation for what felt like lifespans.

Nodding to Spencer, Morgan, and Prentiss, who didn’t want to be directly a part of the investigation but was still invested in the girls wellbeing, watched as he placed his land on her arm.

Against their hopes, she flinched away and panicked, darting her eyes around the office and her breathing escalated. “What?”

Spencer just looked at her for a moment before asking, “I’m going to be done with paperwork early tonight, I can give you a ride home again tonight if you’d like.”

She looked at him before slowly agreeing, rubbing her forehead in her hand, “yeah, sure, sounds great. Curfew’s 10 again tonight, though.”

Spencer looked back to Morgan and subtly nodded before replying to the girl, “sounds good.”

After an odd car ride to London’s house filled with weirdly general but specific questions from Reid, she once again found herself standing inside the front door of her house, ready to let her father take advantage of her so long as it meant her siblings were safe.

Reid sat in his car parked outside of London’s house with his binoculars in one hand, and his phone in the other. It felt wrong that he was there, spying on his department’s intern that he had grown to become friends with.

Friends care about and help friends. London needed help. That much was clear and had been subtly obvious since day one, the only part left unclear was from what.

***TRIGGER WARNING: ACT (AS MENTIONED ABOVE) BEGINS***

He sat watching through the large front bay window as she stood to her father, which Garcia and other research found to be Bruce, until he pressed her against a wall and moved his face close to hers.

There was a look of resistance on London’s face before he said something that made it drop into defeat and she let her father push her down the hallway.

Spencer had a sick feeling in her stomach. So far, everything that was happening had matched with him, Morgan’s, and Prentiss’s theories. Someone was molesting their intern, they just weren’t sure who.

Watching through the window, Reid watched as London was pushed into the middle of the room. It looked like it was hers, the light blue walls seemed to fit the girl so well he wasn’t sure whose else room it could be.

Spencer hated watching, but he knew that if there was another witness it would make it that much easier to put the bastard away once this was over.

With that in mind, he watched as the girl shook her head at her father before he slapped her face, and moved to close the blinds.

He could still see her silouette as she removed her shirt.

It was all he had to see to call Derek Morgan on his phone and say the only words he needed to, “Hey, we were right. It’s her dad.”

***TRIGGER WARNING: ACT (AS MENTIONED ABOVE) ENDS***

One week and one day later, London works at the BAU, and she loves her job and couldn’t think of a time she genuinely disliked it.

That particular Thursday, however, doing anything else was more appealing to London than going to work.

Maybe it was the sinking feeling that someone had figured out her secret with all the questions they had been asking for a week. Maybe it was the day after feeling she had grown used to when she missed curfew for the second week in a row. Maybe it was just because she forgot her lunch money and was even more tired than Wednesday.

She followed her regular routine through the hallways and elevator to the BAU office floor where the desks of the agents were empty, something that wasn’t uncommon when they were out of town on missions and JJ would have Penelope give her tasks or email her a list.

The uncommon part about the desks being empty was that Doctor Reid was standing next to her desk.

She could tell something was wrong. It was established early that Spencer had the worst poker face, and she had gotten significantly better at profiling since the internship had started.

She was determined to find out what was happening. Did something happen to her siblings? Did something happen to her? Was she being fired?

“What’s up, Spence? Why the long face?”

First, he nodded at her desk and then to the conference room, then he spoke to her, “why don’t you set your stuff down and come join the team in the conference room. We have a case we’d like you to see.”

“A case?” She had been allowed to sit in on several briefings, even help JJ give the briefings, and she often helped Penelope when she was incharge of her interning, but they never waited for her so that she could see.

Nodding, Spencer walked next to the girl around the bullpen and up the staircase. “How was school? Did that boy ask you out yet? Did you know that Morgan had Garcia dig into him for you?”

Laughing she shook her head, “You guys are ridiculous.”

There was a shift in the atmosphere when she walked into the conference room. The entire team was sitting there, and it seemed they were waiting for her and Spencer. “What’s going on? Am I getting fired because I swear Morgan was the one who broke the mug on Tuesday.”

“Hey!” Morgan exclaimed as the girl shrugged at him. What she was saying wasn’t entirely true, but she wasn’t about to get fired over dropping a mug because a boy texted her.

Hotch smiled softly at her before calming her, “no, you’re not getting fired, London. Reid, can you close the door?”

“Okay, cool. What’s this about then?”

It got quiet again as the tension in the room was insufferable.

Looking around the room, London watched as every member of the team avoided her eye contact. “What’s going on? I’m not a fan of the whole-everyone-knows-something-London-doesn’t thing.”

Emily looked up to meet her eyes before speaking in a calm and comforting manner, “London, we know what’s happening at home.”

What’s happening at home. Which part? It might not be as bad as London was thinking. Maybe they don’t know about Tuesdays, they only know about Bruce’s drinking problem.

“What? What do you mean, what’s going on at home?” The change in London’s voice was palpable. It was strained, like she was about to cry if it was what she thought it was, which was absolutely true.

JJ cleared her throat softly, “we know what your dad does to you on Tuesdays. And every night you miss curfew.”

London was glad she didn’t move her head to make eye contact with JJ, she kept her eyes unmoving, staring straight in front of her. Her jaw was clenched, her breathing was heavy but steady, and her fingers clenched in and out of fists.

After a few beats of silence, Derek spoke to her, “Lon, it’s okay. We just want to help you.”

London blinked before looking up and diluting her face to a neutral position before asking, “Alright. Are we done here?”

The team wasn’t sure what was worse, how natural ignoring trauma was to a seventeen year old, or the fact she was so calmly numb to the fact that there were tears rapidly falling down her face without notice from her.

Spencer then did one of the most unexpected things that he could have done, he walked up to the girl and pulled her into his arms. It was then the dam broke and London started sobbing uncontrollably, moving to clutch the man in a hug.

“It’s okay, London. It’ll be okay, I promise.”

-

concepts for a part 2/series

[softgothsweetheart]

Colors {Out Of Time}

Paisley’s early morning consisted of nothing but cleaning the house and caring for Amelia, she’d had no morning classes. Amelia was rather quiet and hardly requested anything of her, making taking care of the house easier. Her aunt was at work and Mark was teaching class, which she had in the afternoon. Warren had agreed to pick her for it. Some time during the early morning she’d felt light headed and sick, Lee had figured Max had rewound for something.

“Can I get my juicy?” Amelia asked, making grabby hands at it. Paisley nodded, taking it from the island and walking, setting it on the kitchen table where her cousin immediately picked it up. They were waiting for the bus to take Amelia to her preschool, when she left that meant Lee could leave. The cartoons loudly played, her cousin was so focused on them. Paisley sat on the couch watching them, backpack in hand when a searing pain passed through her head and she winced.

Flashes of the storm, horrible ones. It seemed to be getting bigger, worse, more destructive. She gasped and sat up, the flashes stopped playing behind her eyelids and instead Amelia was in front of her, giving her a funny yet concerned look.

“Pailey—my bus is here!” Lee nodded, standing up and picking up her cousin, placing her on her hip. She kissed her forehead and walked outside, down the four steps and up to the bus where she set Amelia down and handed her the princess backpack that was newly bought for her.

As Amelia climbed on the bus and the bus drove away, Paisley noticed the storm clouds rolling in fast. She went inside and changed into a pair of Nate’s sweatpants and one of her oversized shirts with some gym shoes. She put her hair in a bun, ignoring her messy bangs and instead putting on a light shade of lipstick as her phone buzzed.

Warren > I’m outside.

Paisley < Alright, be out in a minute.

She grabbed her umbrella and her bookbag filled with what she needed for her classes. Paisley turned off the TV, locked the doors and closed the windows, locking the front door behind her and getting into Warren’s car.

“Nice car, Warren. I can’t wait until I get my license.”

“Trust me, the test is fucking difficult.”  He turned to face her, and she fully saw his black eye, she immediately felt bad.

“Sorry about your eye.”

“Hey—you didn’t punch me.”

“I mean… I guess?” She said as if it were a question, she was very unsure. She’d told Nathan about Max being in the bathroom.

“Your cheek doesn’t look well either.”

“Thanks.” She laughed as he finally took off.

“So yesterday, you wanna explain? I- I mean you don’t have to if you don’t wanna.” He drove carefully and expertly, much unlike her. Though she’d never know because she had never driven.

“Nothing. Max and I got in trouble. When I went to see what Nathan knew, he figured out they weren’t my polaroids—meaning there was more than just me in the bathroom.”

“Why was Nathan in the girls’ bathroom?”

“Long story.”

“You’ll understand if I’m skeptical, right? I mean, you hang out with the Vortex Club.” Paisley scoffed, rolling her eyes and searching through her bag for her cigarettes.

“It’s not like I had a choice. Uncle Mark says Nathan and Victoria have good eyes when it comes to photography. He’s the one who got me into the club.” He sighed in relief.

“I’m glad you didn’t join willingly, you don’t fit in. In a good way, I mean.” He corrects himself and it made Paisley just a little bit happier, despite the weather. She’d long given up searching for her cigarettes, coming to a conclusion that she’d left them at home.

“Thanks Warren.” She watched him closely as he parked, watching his fluffy hair and his brown eyes. Some things she liked about him. His short laugh broke her reverie.

“We have to get to class.”

“Yup, thanks for the ride.”

“Anytime. Study well, Paisley.”

“You too doctor Graham.” Warren had gone straight into the building while she remained outside, when she went to the main campus she saw Max pulling up. Paisley went inside the school, Max wasn’t far behind as she went into the photography classroom, briefly greeting her uncle who was occupied with Kate Marsh. First noticeable thing was Nathan and Victoria sitting on Max’s desk, something she’d undoubtedly get pissed about.  

Paisley unpacked her stuff right cross from Stella. Just her camera was all she really needed. She had good memory and could always right it down later if she wished. The sky outside of the big windows seemed to get darker, gloomy. It was depressing. When Lee looked up at her uncle, he was now talking to Max who seemed to be focused or arguing something important.

When she’d come in, she’s noticed Nathan and Victoria sitting on her table, she’d rolled her eyes and walked past. Lee turned and heard bits and pieces of the petty arguing from them before the Vortex Club king and queen removed themselves and chose to stand in a corner, probably gossiping some more about her. That’s when Warren had come in, heading towards Max, that’s when Paisley went over too. He was quickly made to leave, and she took her shot.

“You knew the girl from the bathroom? You didn’t tell me.” She whispered, careful of Nathan who was exiting right behind Warren.

“She was my best friend since forever. I didn’t realize it was her and I didn’t realize I had to tell you everything.” Max glared at her, two could play at that game.

“You’re causing that fucking storm, Max, you’d best stop now.” She warned, sitting back at her desk again.

“We have a lot to cover today, and so little time, as usual. I see the usual suspects here… anybody seen Kate Marsh?” he looked around, trying to find someone to answer as Victoria snickered.

“I think everyone has seen Kate Marsh by now.” Mark wanted Victoria to be his next model? She was like all three of the Plastics in one with an extra Gretchen and Karen just for the hell of it. Taylor chuckled at Tori’s joke, paisley knew what they’d done was anything but hilarious.

“She’s not feeling good.” Alyssa covered for Kate, and Lee began zoning out on the beginning of her uncle’s lecture. The lecture on chiaroscuro was nothing but white noise to her until a loud shout came and startled her.

“Yo, some crazy shit is going down at the girls’ dorm! Check it!” Mark scolded Zachary, but the obnoxious football player had already gone. Everyone made haste to leave and Lee was no exception, she and Max, along with the rest of her class had made it to the courtyard and saw what their classmates did. Up on the roof, in the middle of the rain, Kate Marsh stood on the edge of the roof and ready to jump. So, she did, both Lee and Max rewound.

The impact of them rewinding meant Kate was a few feet away from the ledge, Max had a headache and a bloody nose, but Paisley was fine. When Kate had jumped again, they were outside of the door to the dormitory. This time it froze, time froze, and they exchanged a look before Max went up to the roof to save her. She’d made it in time too, Paisley watched as she convinced her to come down from the roof. When Kate tumbled away from the ledge into Max’s arms, she sighed in relief and glanced at Nathan who seemed to be in shock.

After Kate was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, classes were cancelled for the day, announced before the large crowd has dispersed. And paisley decided if she didn’t need to be on campus, she was safe to go anywhere she pleased.

Instead of choosing to go somewhere with Nathan, she walked to the diner by herself and sat in a random booth, she ordered a burger but wasn’t sure if she could eat after what she’d seen. Paisley should’ve been hungry considering she hadn’t eaten since dinner last night. All she could do was pick at her burger, eating what she thought she could as she watched people enter and exit the diner.

Paisley paid and left the diner, deciding to walk around town. She’d seen it all already, so it didn’t matter. It’d been sunny again since Kate had been taken to the hospital but now the sun was setting after a gloomy day. She had to find Nathan or her uncle Mark, but she was hoping it was Nate. Lee couldn’t get over what happened to Kate since they had caused it. She was sure they’d still be on campus, so she went back there, only taking ten minutes before she arrived at the main campus. Paisley then spotted Warren and Max huddled close, talking. When Paisley looked back at what they were watching, she realized it was eclipse, now numb because of what she’d seen, she sat at a picnic table and captured it.

“Holy shit. The world’s gonna end.” She mumbled, sifting through the photos she’d taken. Paisley was so focused on her camera she didn’t hear the footsteps approaching her. Hands pulled her up roughly and to her feet.

“Hey!”

“Let’s go, Paisley.” Nate said, she barely had enough time to grab her bag before he’d let go and began walking away. He took a hit from his lit cigarette once more.

“Where are we going, Nate?”

“Do I need to answer that question. It’s ridiculous.” He’d slowed down for her in the parking lot and they both climbed into his truck. The drive to the decrepit barn was long and Nathan wasn’t saying a word, just smoked his third cigarette. Obviously a tell tale sign he was nervous and worried. Paisley put her headphones in and plucked the cigarette from his lips, taking a slow drag and trying to relax her fingers. She removed an ear bud, putting the music low as she blew the smoke out of the window.

“I prefer cigars.”

“They’re not much different from cigarettes. Jefferson let you smoke?”

“You think they give a shit at my house?” She asked. Her aunt and uncle didn’t care about anything she did so long as she cleaned the house and did what they said. They obviously didn’t mind her drinking or smoking or participating in doing drugs recreationally if they allowed her to be in the Vortex Club.

“Hey—kid, word of advice—don’t do stupid shit. That shit is bad for you, don’t follow my path, don’t end up like me.”

“I’m probably already headed down that road.”

“You may already know that shit—the shit we do—fucks us up and those girls. It’d fuck anyone up inside and out.” He leaned over, driving carefully as Paisley let him hit the cigarette. The drive came to an end as they approached the barn, parked the car and turned it off before getting out.

“Thanks for giving me a talk, Nate. I feel cynical today.”

“Understandable. I mean—fucking Kate Marsh was gonna jump.” He guided her inside through the main entrance, a sleek black car was parked in the barn—her uncle’s she recognized.

They walked over to the hatch and descended the stairs, the bunker door was opened, meaning he was waiting for them. Once they were in the first room, Paisley left Nathan’s side and made a beeline for the white couch in the next room. She peered over the back of the sofa to where Nathan had stopped in front of Mark’s desk. Mark was standing with his glass of whiskey, sipping it as he had Kate’s red binder open and the photos he’d taken were sprawled everywhere. He was putting her binder together, placing the pictures into a collage on each page perfectly. It made Paisley sick; she didn’t like what they did. Every time someone took her picture, she’d have flashes of what they did in the dark room. It was the reason she didn’t like flashes, it was why she didn’t like pictures of herself or them being taken. It was abhorrent, and they’d be prosecuted and found guilty for kidnapping these girls, drugging them and scrapbooking photos of what had happened to them as if they were family photos.

“Paisley!” Mark shouted, gathering her attention. The look on his face said he was quickly losing his patience with her.

“Did paisley tell you, Nathan?” Nate and Paisley exchanged a look as he turned and shook his head. Mark smirked darkly.

“She’ll be taking the photos this Friday.”

“Who is it this time?” Nathan sounded worried.

“Oh, this one should be easy, it’s Victoria Chase of course.” The expression on Nathan’s face showed that he was worried, and Paisley knew she’d have to find a way to stop her uncle from taking Victoria but that in itself was not going to be an easy feat. Mark Jefferson was extremely dangerous and wouldn’t hesitate to kill Nathan or her.

[linzhilin1]

Take steps to find a new life in the place you most yearn for

Do you choose to bravely let go of your current life to find a more challenging job or continue to stay in your hometown and do a down-to-earth job? This problem has troubled me for a long time. In fact, my current job in my hometown is a stable job that many people envy, but the days of seeing things at a glance are really boring. Many times, I feel that I have passed the same day three hundred and sixty-five times. In order to escape this predicament, I choose to take steps to find a new life in the place I most yearn for. So, I chose to leave my hometown to find a new beginning in my favourite country, the Philippines. There is a certain distance from my home to the airport. I took a ride from my friend and arrived at the terminal in more than an hour.

After checking my luggage and getting my boarding pass, I went through security. The plane arrived on time, and all the passengers on our flight got on the shuttle bus and boarded the plane on time. The plane took off smoothly, and three hours later, I finally arrived in the Philippines. After picking up my luggage, I took a random taxi at the gate of the airport and went to my hotel. On the way, the beautiful scenery of the Philippines flashed by the window, and I felt extra relaxed. After arriving at the hotel, I checked in, and by the way, I asked about the surrounding tourist attractions, entertainment items and food worth punching in, and I was ready to experience the Philippine style after a night of rest. The next day, I woke up early, had breakfast, and was ready to play on the beach. Come to the beach. I was eating and drinking all morning, and the play was over. On the way back to the hotel, I passed by a big company, it seemed to be called CG Group, and the surrounding environment was not bad.

After returning to the hotel room, I recalled the CG group, so I picked up the computer and checked the relevant information. I didn’t expect that this company was really recruiting, and there were positions that fit my professional direction. I was instantly excited. I decided to take a look at the company environment in the afternoon. After lunch, I took a taxi to CG Group. When I came to the door, I was attracted by the environment of this company. Facing the seaside, the surroundings are very prosperous and lively. I asked the security guard if he could go in and visit. The security guard said that he could not enter without an appointment. Only then did I realize how inadequate my preparations were. After returning to the hotel again, I decided to put aside the visit, first re-made a resume and submitted it to CG Group, and then I waited anxiously.

Over the past week, I have seen all the attractions around the hotel and made several new friends. However, CG Group has not replied; I am a little disappointed. I planned to submit my resume to several other alternative companies. Just when I was planning to apply for other companies, CG Group replied and invited me to participate in an offline interview two days later. I prepared carefully for two days. During the interview, I was not nervous at all and honestly told the reasons why I wanted to join the company. After the interview, I began to worry about the result of my first interview in the Philippines. The company is very efficient, and a week after the interview, I received an offer to join. At that moment, I felt that I really wanted to become a “Filipino”. I bought a new set of formal clothes, and I went to work excitedly wearing the new clothes on my first day.

On my first day, I didn’t have much work. Briefly visited the company and had two cafeteria meals. The food here is very delicious and has everything you need. The company’s dormitory is clean, spacious and bright, and I can’t wait to move in. The senior who took me to visit the company also said that the company would regularly take employees to build a team, which may be in the Philippines or travel to other cities. I think this is probably the working atmosphere and environment that I am looking forward to. The company’s probation period is three months. During these three months, I quickly adapted to the company’s work rhythm, felt the company’s corporate culture of “observing and thinking”, and my professional ability has also improved. Three months later, I was successfully converted. This is the happiest thing I have ever done since I came to the Philippines.

After the regularization, the work content is much more than the probation period, and the salary and bonus are also much higher. After working in the Philippines for half a year, I am completely integrated here. I also plan to take my parents over to play for a few days and feel the customs of the Philippines. In just half a year, my professional ability has been greatly improved, and my business ability has also become better. I hope that more people can see this company and have more friends from other places. Like me, I have the courage to pursue my own dreams. Work and life. I believe that CG Group will be able to develop better, and my life in the Philippines will definitely be better!

[flash-imagines]

Title: Goku Saves the Day

Pairing: Barry x Reader

Word Count: 2284

Request: Is it possible to write something about how Barry loses his dog and he meets the reader who reunites him with his animal? But Barry isn't The Flash or has powers.

a/n: So I realize I do a lot of exposition, and also I’ve never owned a dog before, let alone a scottish terrier, so please bear with me. This was a lot of fun to write, please enjoy. <3

Today was not a good day for the assistant CSI. He woke up groggy and late, with the time a blaring red on his digital clock. Jolting up, he stumbled to his closet and threw on the closest thing. His small scottish terrier lifted his head from where he was lying to watch with an unamused stare, and then laid it down on his paws with a whine. Barry gave a quick pat to his head and a promise for a long walk later, he bolted downstairs without so much as brushing his hair or his teeth. He was met with bitter winds and a damp city which made waiting for the bus a nightmare. It was late by twenty minutes. In his anxious wait, Barry realized he had on two different left shoes, and his sweater was inside out.

To make matters worse, he couldn’t even stop by Jitters to grab a coffee from his best friend Iris because of the time. Finally, finally, Barry stumbled into the precinct and gave a sigh of relief. His moment of calm was quickly chased away when Captain Singh caught sight of him.

“Allen.” His sharp voice called out, and Barry was tempted to run.

Wincing, the CSI turned towards him and offered him his best smile. “Captain! You got me at a bad time, I was just going to the lab to-”

“Listen, Allen, whatever excuse you have will have to wait. We have a triple homicide downtown that requires your expertise.” And with that, Singh was off, sipping his coffee and looking as irritated as ever. Joe, who was watching from in front of the stairs rose an eyebrow when Barry turned to him.

“You heard the man, let’s go.” Grimly, Barry nodded.

***********

It was well past nightfall when Barry was able to make it home. It felt like years since he’s been inside his warm home. His aching bones and shivering skin seemed oddly vulnerable to the wind, and he wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed and sleep away the cold. Walking in the door, however, he was met with the small black dog excitedly jumping up and on him. The rough bouncing off of his legs made Barry even more exhausted, but he knew he needed to be walked.

“Hey buddy! Did Auntie Iris walk you this morning? Huh? Did she?” With the mention of ‘walk’ and ‘Iris’, the black dog began to do little squirms in the air, and even gave out a sharp yelp of excitement. Barry crouched down and ran his hands through his pet's fur, paying special attention to the base of the tail and behind the ears. Barry’s hands skimmed over the red sweater that Joe had gotten the dog last year. Barry’s matching one was in his closet. “Did you want another walk, Goku? Hmm?”

The dog jumped into face and began licking rather aggressively. For extra measure, he gave a hearty bark. Barry snorted, and stood, going to the coat hangers and swiping his jacket he forgot that morning, and the red leash. “I’ll take that as a yes then, buddy.”

Quickly, he toed off the left shoe on his right side, and put on the original shoe’s pair. After crouching down to put the leash onto Goku’s collar, Barry gave his soft fur one last pat and then opened up the door. The winter air has gone from cold to downright frosty. Barry knew it wouldn’t be a long walk at that point. Even with a sweater on, Goku was already starting to shiver.

The two walked in darkness around the block, the wind freezing. Stopping by the side of the road for Goku to sniff, the small dog went on to the grassy strip between the sidewalk and the road and put his nose to the ground. He walked around in a small circle, nose skimming over a crushed can of soda, and briefly ghosting over the huge puddle in the street before picking a spot by Barry’s shoe that was simply the perfect spot to pee. Barry shuffled a little bit away from him. One of Barry’s hands was in his pocket, the end of the leash looped around his wrist. The other one held his phone as he scrolled through social media. It didn’t distract him from the cold, but it did distract him from the car hurtling down the street. The silver car plowed through the icy puddle with such intensity, that the spray soaked Barry and Goku completely.

Barry was so startled that his hands flew up, accidentally dropping his phone and the leash. In a moment of panic, Goku was off, running down the street, the opposite way of the car. Barry’s blood turned cold as he saw the small dog speed off, the red leash flapping behind him. “Goku!” Barry called out desperately, running right out into the street. It became clear in a moment that the scottish terrier was too fast for him, as he was already out of sight. Des[ite the bright red sweater and leash, he blended into the darkness. “Shit,” Barry cursed under his breath and jogged back to his phone. He needed help.

********

It’s not like you asked to be a stray magnet. Lost cats and dogs just naturally flocked to you. Ragged looking creatures coming up to you, shuddering in cold and hunger, unfortunately was nothing new to you. Walking down the street as night, however, the little whimpering coming from the bushes did take you off guard. Weary, you paused. The whimper pierced the air again, demanding your attention.

With an expert flick of your thumb, you turned the flashlight on your phone on, and stepped closer to the source of the whimpering. Pressed flat on the ground was a small Scottish terrier, shaking, and frightened. You crouched down slowly, and held out your hand to show that you weren’t a threat. Big brown eyes stared up at you hopefully, like you were some savior. Taking in his soaked and muddied appearance, you supposed you were.

You clicked your tongue a couple of times, and motioned towards yourself. Keeping your voice as calm and kind as you could you beckoned, “Come here, sweetie. C’mon! I’ll help you find your home!” Apparently for him, that was enough, as he wiggled his butt a bit before jettisoning into your arms. “Oomf!” You grunted out, as you were knocked back onto your butt. Already the dampness started to seep in. You gritted your teeth.

You stood up as gracefully as you could, but since you were still slightly off balance and had a dripping, squirming black mass in your arms, it was just shy of spazzy. You felt his collar for a tag, and tried to bring it close to your face to see the inscription. The dog licked at your face slyly, and you snorted. Trying to peer at it again, more mindful of his affectionate lapping, you barely made out a name and his address in the dark. “Goku,” The word was strange in your mouth, and you gave the dog a small look. “Really? Goku? Like, from Dragon Ball?” The dog just stared. You shook your head, feeling him still tremble beneath you. Despite his wetness, you unzipped your coat as best as you could, and stuffed him inside, zipping him up. He cuddled into your side with such tender affection, you felt a smile on your face you didn’t know was there. “C’mon, sweetheart. Your owner must be missing you half to death.”

*********

“--No, yes, I know he’s not a human being, but he’s missing and--” Barry was busy pacing his living room, frantically on the phone, that he barely heard the knock on the door. He stilled. “Uh, wait, hold on--” The line went dead.

With a huff, Barry tossed his phone onto the couch. Asshole. The rapping on his door happened once again, and his heart seized. While it was probably Joe or Iris coming to offer support, Barry hoped against hope that it was his dog. He’s had him since the end of high school. He’s been there with him since graduation, going off to college, the heartbreak of falling out of Iris. He’s been there through it all. If something happened to him… Barry shook his head, and threw open the door just as the third knock started.

Standing in his doorway was a shockingly attractive stranger. Barry’s heart squeezed again, but this time for an entirely different reason. A whimper drew Barry away from their mesmerizing, watchful eyes, down to the black furry face peaking out of their jacket. A sudden gasp was pulled from his lips, and his eyes went wide. “Goku!”

The yip back to him was like music to his ears. The beautiful stranger managed the start of a giggle before Goku started trying to wiggle his way out of their jacket. In his desperation, he slammed his head into their neck, and they stumbled. Barry tensed. Well shit.

“I am so sorry! He doesn’t normally-- please come in.” As the stranger struggled to open the zipper with the dog squirming like he is, Barry opened his door wide and stepped to the side to allow them entry. They took two steps in before they finally got the ripper open and the dog flopped to the ground. The humans tensed before Goku bolted up and straight over to his owner. Barry eased to the ground, and hugged the freezing dog to his chest. The anxiety of his dog being lost melted away, his shoulders relaxing noticeably. This is what he was waiting for. He turned his head to look at the stranger who found his dog, the one who brought him home.

“Thank you,” He said thickly. Their eyes that were looking elsewhere suddenly flicked to his. Their eyes were wide with surprise. Barry couldn’t help but get a little lost in them. “Thank you so much for bringing him home. He ran off a couple of hours ago, and I was so worried….” He trailed off, shaking his head and giving a little laugh. He released his grip on Goku. The dog ran off to his fluffy bed in the corner of the room. A small breeze hit his back, and he realized suddenly that he kept the door open this entire time. Barry quickly stood and shut it, turning on his heel and leaning pseudo-casually on the door and looked at them. They shifted their eyes from him, to the door, and uneasily back again. Barry shot away from the door. Being inside a stranger’s home was one thing, but having them seemingly block the door? That’s another.

“It’s no trouble. I have a habit of attracting animals in need. It’s basically my super power,” They laughed out and Barry couldn’t help but smile brightly at them. The laugh was like bells, sharp and clear.

“Yeah, uh, that’s a pretty good superpower.” He ducked his head in embarrassment of his stilted speech, and placed a hand at the back of neck. There was a beat of content silence when Barry realized the state of their shirt, hand dropping. “Oh geez, your shirt is wrecked. I’m so sorry about that.”

Eyebrows raised, they looked from him to their shirt, and back again. Laughter bubbled at their lips. “Are you kidding? This shirt is so old I’m pretty sure dinosaurs were still around when it was made. It’s fine. Plus,” They pulled at the hem of the shirt, and twisted it, to give a good view of the back. “It has this giant hole in it.” They stuffed a couple of fingers thru it and wiggled them, looking at Barry conspiratorily from under their eyelashes. They never looked so attractive as in that moment. Barry let out a laugh from his gut. “See? It’s fine.” They straightened out their shirt, and hesitated. “I didn’t catch your name, but I assume it isn’t Gohan or Roshi.”

Barry straightened out completely in surprise. “You know Dragonball?”

With a shrug, they look embarrassed. “I dabble.”

“I… wow. Ha. I’m uh, I’m Barry by the way. Barry Allen.” He stuck his hand out for them to take. Their skin was cold under his touch.

“I’m Y/N.”

“Y/N….” He tried the name in his mouth, repeating it like it was something holy. “I like it.”

“Thank you,” The not-so-stranger-anymore blushed, releasing his grip. Barry felt his skin tingle from where their hand was. He felt it tenderly spread through his body and he felt warm. How, from just a simple grip? They were exhilarating to him. “I better get going. It’s nearing the time that buses stop going, so….” They trailed off, reluctantly. Barry felt the energy drain out of him. Oh. Of course.

“Well, uhm, thank you again for bringing him back.” Barry moved to the side as they made their way to the door. As they reached the handle, they stilled.

“Barry,” They started, and slowly turned, pink dusting their cheeks. “Would you maybe be interested in going for coffee sometime? Talk about Goku some more? The dog, not the anime character. Although we could totally talk about him too, I guess.” They rambled on, and Barry’s smile grew wider.

“I’d love to.”

“Really?” They asked dubiously. Barry nodded, and they lit up. “Oh. Okay. Maybe Saturday, at 9? Jitters?” Barry’s smile grew.

“Sounds perfect.” Exchanging goodbyes, and giving a wave to the half asleep dog, they left. Barry turned as soon as the door closed and jumped, pumping his arm in the air. The day may have had a shitty, tumultuous start, but the ending was perfect.

[a-woman-apart]

A Collision...with Fate?

On Monday, which just happened to also be President’s Day, I was driving in the direction of the community college. I was in the outer of two left-turning lanes, and I had the green arrow. The car in the innermost lane and I both began to make the turn, when a pick-up truck came speeding through the red light, hit both of us and crashed into the median on the other side of the street. The car in the innermost turning lane took most of the impact and was pushed across the street, but didn’t look that damaged. I got out of my own car totally dazed and confused. My car was still running but the front of it was totally smashed in, and the key wouldn’t come out of the ignition. It also wouldn’t move forward even though it was still running.

The driver that was also hit was completely livid. I asked him if he’d called the police and he said that he had. I thanked him, still totally dazed. Then another driver who saw the accident called me across the street only to say, “Take down my number. I do body damage repair. It’ll look like it never happened”. It was outrageous that he was trying to sell himself in the midst of an accident- regardless of the fact that no one was hurt- but I was just so out of it that I started to take his number and that’s when the police arrived.

To make a long story short, the police took everyone’s information, and I opted to get checked out even though I was only in minimal pain. I had spoken briefly with the driver of the offending vehicle. He claimed that his brakes had gone out- it was rainy and slippery either way- but it was obvious that he was driving through the intersection way too fast and was probably trying to beat the red light. He also said that his insurance had expired the month before, but that barely concerned me because I have underinsured/uninsured motorist protection on my insurance policy.

Anyway, I thought I overheard the police say that we didn’t need to take eachother’s information- that everything was all going to be on the police report. (Later on, though, I would find out that maybe I should’ve taken some information, because the police report won’t be available until next week, and my insurance company can’t move forward with my claim until it’s available). I asked if I needed to call to get my car towed, and the police said that was taken care of as well (and again, I probably shouldn’t have let the police handle that- I should’ve had it towed by a private company).

A police officer offered to drive me home, but I said that since it wasn’t far from my apartments I could just walk- I still wasn’t thinking clearly. In the end, though, a female police officer did drive me home. Right as we were leaving another officer asked if I needed anything else from the car- I said my bag was stuck in my trunk. She told me that the seats folded down, and I had been too dazed to even know or remember that. So I got my school backpack, which was really important for me to have. (That was one of a series of fortunate events that would occur over the next couple of days).

When I got home, I messaged my brother and my sister-in-law, and also my best friend. Even though it was a pretty serious thing, I decided not to violate the no-contact with my parents and inform them. I would just let them find out secondhand from my brother. I knew that my dad would probably tell me that the collision was a warning from God that I needed to change my wicked ways, and I didn’t need that kind of negativity at a vulnerable time (I also didn’t want him to think I was asking for help). Which, leads me into what this post is really all about…

When something like this happens, people normally attribute some kind of cosmic significance to it. It’s either to say, “I’m a good person- why would something like this happen to me?” or to say “Thank God it wasn’t worst”. Actually, a lady who witnessed the scene and was offering her services, said “I’m glad no one was really hurt- God was watching!” and my slightly rebellious brain was thinking, “If He was watching, why did He allow it to happen in the first place?” (I chastised myself a bit for this cynicism).

Maybe we’re all looking at it the wrong way- that a guy speeding through a red light on a Monday morning has nothing to do with divine intervention or the lack thereof- it’s just plain down to a man being idiotic at the wrong time. On a different day, he may have made it through, but on that day, he hit two people. One of them was me, and now I’m suffering the inconvenience of not having a car, the uncertainty of whether or not it’s repairable, and the expenses of it being in the police pound until it can be moved.

The accident may not have been good fortune, but the fact that I have people who are supporting me through this is. Co-workers are giving me rides home at night from work. My caseworker- who is really also my friend- not only took me up the police station to check on the status of the report, but dropped me off and school and work yesterday. Thanks to my tax refund and my refund from school, I have more than enough money to cover the expenses that I might incur until I can be reimbursed by my insurance company. The toughest part of it is just not knowing how far those finances need to stretch yet.

I sometimes ask myself, “What if this had occurred at a different time of year, when I couldn’t depend on the tax refund? What if I hadn’t taken extra classes and gotten extra money from school?” Of course, while I’m saying that, I could ask “Why did it happen at all?” After all, I’ve been “good”- plus I was not at fault. The other driver, who was hit, and I had the right of way. I know though, that sometimes you can be doing the right things and bad things can still happen. I wasn’t injured, but I’m discovering how tough- or at least tricky- it is to be without a vehicle. I also had just done a lot of repairs on my car and was planning on doing more at the end of the month.

Even in thinking all this, though, I had thought about all of the times that I had been kind to other people who didn’t have their own transportation. I would drive co-workers home or to the bus stop/train station late at night. As one of the few people with a vehicle I would drive women at my old house to some of their destinations, often not taking money in return. Part of me always had this thought, “If I were in the same position, I would want someone to do the same thing for me” or “Someday I might need some help and I want to be able to get it.” Well now I am in that position, and my pride/fierce spirit of independence sometimes gets in the way of me asking for help. My caseworker kind of chastised me, “Stop blocking people from their blessing!” I could see myself in the people who needed help, but I couldn’t see myself in the people wanting to help. Maybe just like I did, there are people who want to pay it forward.

That being said, maybe paying it forward doesn’t actually have the desired results. Maybe just because we’re kind, doesn’t mean that the universe is going to be kind back (we just went over this.) A lot of the time kindness is taken for weakness and exploited. Maybe it’s enough to be kind, just for its own sake, even if you might not necessarily receive exactly what you give out. What I discovered in my case, though, is that my support network has become a little bit wider with time. In the past, I might not have had anyone I could turn to for help during all of this. Even a stranger- the woman who made the comment “God was watching”- offered her number and offered to help if she could. I turned her down, but now I think that maybe I shouldn’t have. It’s okay to need help, and if someone is offering it, most of the time they are sincere. It would actually be kind of arrogant to think that I was the only one who didn’t feel inconvenienced by helping people- or at the very least chose to help despite inconvenience.

So I don’t know why this happened. Honestly I thnk it was just due to the carelessness of the driver. It’s crazy how your whole life can be interrupted in less than 5 seconds. i didn’t go to school that day, and I didn’t go to school today either, because I just felt so unwell from having to deal with all of this. I’ve really attacked myself for the slacking off last weekend and the struggle with concentration right now. My best friend has been telling myself to be kinder to myself- that this was a traumatic event and of course it’s currently hard for me to focus. I know he’s right. Even if the accident hadn’t happened, it would’ve still been okay for me to relax a little. During school semesters I pretty much work nonstop, and criticize myself for every break that I take. There’s got to be a way to make my life more balanced.

Again, I’m trying to step away from attributing things that happen to divine intervention or the law of attraction. If there is a lesson to be learned in this, though, it’s probably the usual lesson, which is, that I’m stronger than I realize and that things always work out for me in the end. In “Getting Through the Rough Spots” my friend wrote that unimportant things always seem urgent and important things almost never do. She also wrote that sometimes it’s best to just be committed to a course of action, even if you’re not sure if that’s actually correct. The main thing is just to make a decision and rest in that. Also, nothing stops you from changing your mind if you want to.

So, more than likely, this isn’t something special. C'est la vie. Collisions happen everyday, and if you manage to survive them you pick up the pieces and move on. I don’t think God- or the devil for that matter- was influencing that guy to try to beat a red light so that we would be hit. Also don’t know if God’s angels were standing by to ensure our safety. Whatever happened, happened, and we just have to be grateful that we’re all okay and then just deal with it. (That’s what I’ll be doing, anyway.)