The jagged road.

[bring the funk, caitlin.]

"Are we there yet?"
The jagged road, going out of town? Or moving here for
the first time? <3

[bring the funk, caitlin.]

{name:kaleigh brown.#|#picture:2}Kaleigh silently reclined her now uncomfortable passenger seat, awkwardly switching positions as her manicured fingers lightly tapped the fogged window. She sighed thoughtfully, wondering what this new town would hold for her. She was somehow scared of what people would think of her - scared of being the new girl once again, having the choice to either fit in or get out. The thoughtful blond aimlessly crossed her bare, tanned arms, her mind wandering to some place other then the yellow passing lines that were on the charcoal road. Here she was, moving into yet another town in a month. She didn't exactly know why her and her parents made the sudden move; she loved her last town, she had tons of friends and was adored by most, so why the sudden switch? Her head slowly turned to her left, her fathers tired gaze fixed on the road, both hands on the steering wheel as he too switched positions. Once he knew she was staring intently at his familiar features, he turned her way, half smiling at her through sore jaw bones. Her own smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she giggled lightly, his index finger instantly flying to his natural reddened lips, his head nodding to the back seat.

"Ohhhh." She mouthed silently, her gaze switching from her father and into the vast back seat. Her rested mother was laying straight across the back seat, her golden hair flowing over her face since she was turned on her side, her thoughts becoming dreams as her mind took over and held her into a deep unawakening sleep. The air hummed through the small air conditioner, making Kaleigh's own golden hair brush past her eyes with each new blow. She nervously bit the inside of her cheek, her piercing eyes now on the ever ending road that lay ahead of them, a green and white sign only yards away reading, 'Welcome to Burnham Crossing!' Her head dramatically flew back to the head rest on the leathered chair, her tongue aimlessly twirling an already tasteless piece of gum. The three had been driving four almost eight hours now, straight on, no breaks - only for food and the bathroom but that was rare. They had traversed all the way from Fairfield and now to 'Burnham Crossing'

From the looks of it, it looked like a normal, subtle town. The kind of town that every one loves - the kind of town that is so friendly where every one you pass you kindly say hello and ask how their day is going. It would take time to the fresh green atmosphere but she already loved her surroundings. Purple flowers bloomed the fields, tangerine trees illumination off of the blazing sun that seemed to becoming less and less visible by the minute. Soon, she would be in a new house, a new environment and a new school, surrounded by new people. Her heavy eyelids finally sealed shut as her mind wandered into the distance, her own body taking the fragment of sleep she had left until she had to waken to unpack into her new home.

[walk it out jessica.]

{name:+Ian.#|#picture:1}

The wind blew by cautiously, stealthily tapping against the window of the train and startling Ian. His I - pod leaped from his hands, taking his ear phones down with it - and his eyes suddenly bolted open. “nuts.” He cursed non - audibly, reaching down at his feet to pick up the dropped I - pod.

He sighed; he`d been dreaming of Cadence again - re - living her last moments to himself over and over again until he could watch no more. Her last three words, “I love you,” the last three words Ian would ever hear from his darling Cadence, his life - his soul. They seemed to mold one another perfectly, while both were hot tempered, Ian was much easier to get angry - and when Cadence got fired up there was no way of stopping them. They were . .invincible to say in the least - and Ian desperately wished it would stay that way.

Mid thought, Ian felt a light weight on his arm, and slowly turned his head to the side - staring down at his son - whom he not dare call by his name, but instead the nickname, Tiger. Yes - it was true. Ian was unable to name his son for two whole years, so instead, he went by nickname and instinct. The purpled eyed, small brunette boy gazed up at his father - almost dazzled. “Dada.” He whispered softly, aggressively tugging on Ian`s arm and curling up beside it - not dare letting go. It seemed ever since Ian had had another near death experience, when Aiden yet again was hellbound and determined to kill Ian and his remains {meaning children} once and for all - young tiger had no idea what`d he done, but Aiden had vanished - much like Alex had all those years ago, but it seemed like ever since that time Tiger was afraid of letting go of Ian - perhaps the fear of losing his only parent left? It was a scary thought, and though he was only two years old, Tiger knew more than he let on - that, Ian was sure of.

Finally - the train had come to a sudden halt, and the piolet began speaking over the intercom. ”ALL PASSENGERS PLEASE UN - BOARD YOUR THINGS AND EXIT IN AN ORDERLY FASHION. ONCE AGAIN, ALL PASSENGERS PLEASE UN - BOARD YOUR THINGS AND EXIT IN AN ORDERLY FASHION. THANK YOU.” Ian sighed - grabbing hold of the large metal pole that laid glued to the ceiling above him and raised himself up in the limited space he had. He pulled out the three suitcases they had. One large one was Ian’s, the other Tiger`s, and one last carry - on one, that Tiger insisted he attempt to pull.

They un - boarded the train, Ian`s feet feeling suddenly heavy; like a thick piece of lead had replaced his once size 13 feet and shoes. He glanced around the strange town - one he`d never been to before and sighed, taking Tiger`s hand. “This is home.”

[bring the funk, caitlin.]

{name:kaleigh. #|#picture:2}Sleep soon to control Kaleighs relaxed mind, her head ever so often leaning to the side to assure that she was in fact about to doze off within seconds. The car suddenly slammed to a stop, throwing an unbuckled Kaleigh into the dash board, hitting her head in the process which of course, woke her up instantly. "Ever heard of one way turn!" Her father yelled out of his window to the person that was in the car that made them jolt forward. Kaleigh silently rubbed her now throbbing temples, bringing her finger to her eyes and examining the tiny metallic droplets of what scientists called blood. "Dad!" Kaleigh giggled at her fathers ferocity, her gaze now fixed on him, right hand placed over the agape wound on her forehead. Her dads angry glare shifted to her, his eyes widening within an instant. "Kaleigh!" He exclaimed, looking back to the road and pulling into the nearest gas station. "Your hurt, sweetheart." He winced, not bothering to notice his moaning wife in the back seat that had been startled out of her slumber. "We need to get you to a doctor." He spoke frantically, quickly unbuckling his own seatbelt, his wife looking into his glazed over eyes with confusion. "Dadddd." She groaned, knowing that he was about to get into protective dad mode. "I'm fine." She tried to put on a small smile but instead it came out looking as if she were in immense pain. Her mothers cold, small fingers touched her forearm, her now worried eyes gazing up at her as her position was still laying out on the back seat, her head leaned forward to the front seats. "I'm fine mom." She glanced back at her mother, rolling her eyes as her father frantically pulled into the parking lot, jumping out with such hurriedness that it made her even surprised.

"Gawdd." Her head flew to the head rest, her arms now angrily placed over her chest. Within moments her door flew open, her worried father now even more frantic as he saw the small pool of blood on the white floor carpet. "Stay here, I'm going to get some help." Her ran off hurriedly, running into the small store to call 911 immediately. "I`m fine. I just hit my head against the dash." She mumbled under her breath, disobeying her fathers orders and stepping out onto the beige cement that led into the store. She wearily stretched visibly, her head flying back as she did so. She dramatically picked up both of her legs one by one, as if she were about to do a marathon for the cup. "I'll be back mom!" She yelled to the car, knowing that her dazed mother was already passed out once again. She had to get out of their -- her legs had to move since she was placed in a cramped car for more then eight hours. She sighed heavily, pulling one arm over the other and doing the opposite for a good stretch before she started her exploring run. Sighing with relief, she glanced back into the illuminating store front, relieved that her father was yelling at the obvious dumb cashier that was shrugging blankly. "Good, i have some time." She whispered to herself, her legs throbbing with anticipation

Taking a deep breath, she dashed across the busy gas station and into a filled meadow that was close by a boarding train station, weary passengers getting off of it with boredom and groggy eyes from lack of sleep. She continued to jog, her arms pulsing at her sides, her golden hair blowing swiftly against the winds silent breeze that cooled her now flushed cheek. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she thought of an even worried father, knowing that she never followed the rules -- always taking chances and never thinking twice. She wasn't about to be stuck in a car when she could run miles on end, especially if she was going to have to spend hours getting checked out by the ambulance, her father stated to check her again. Her mind suddenly went blank, as if someone near her was pulling a slight trance on her even by how close they were. She looked around blankly, her heart pounding fiercely against her heaving chest. Their presence felt so ... familiar. Was that even possible? She knew no one in this new town but yet, she had never been in an obvious trance before. Her eyes continued to graze the passengers that were stepping off the trains deck, hugging loved ones as they carried their luggage in hand. She couldn't help but gasp as she saw a haunting face, a familiar yet unknown face that made her heart quicken even more. His features were strong yet elegant, it was entrancing and she couldn't help but wonder why he didn't have five women swooning over him. Her gaze wondered to his free, right arm which held an infant, okay, he was taken after all. Her gaze was now on the gravel that was below her aching feet, her mind suddenly feeling defeated by the accusation. Why was she so upset that she thought this guy was taken if she didn't even know him?

[walk it out jessica.]

{name:+Ian.#|#picture:1}

The bags instantly dropped from Ian`s hands, allowing him to pick up Tiger and hold him up above his head. "Its pweety daddy!" He clapped his hands together excitedly. Ian couln`t help but smile as he placed his son safely back on the ground, "Yes Tiger - its very pretty." He smirked, Tiger instantly shooting Ian a displeased look and sticking out a blue tongue. One life lesson for Ian; never allow a two year old with multicolored candy, alone. "Lesson Learned." He whispered to himself as he walked a few feet to the right and grasped one of the many train carts - wheeling it back to Tiger and their luggage and packaging everything up on the cart, easily sliding Tiger into the little space the cart manufactures had provided for children to sit.

Tiger ajdusted himself and gazed up at Ian, who was contently staring down at him. "I dun` like it." He complained annoyingly, squirming around and throwing his small, chubby arms into the air. Ian couldn`t help but laugh at his son`s actions. Gently, he tugged on Tiger`s arms and finally laid them by either side. "Just stay put alright? It seems that we have a roomate." He explained to Tiger softly as he began to push the cart forward to the exit station. "roo`mate?" He questioned curiously. Ian nodded his head, "roomate." He told him once more, pausing, just for a brief moment to gather his thoughts, and place the complicate thoughts in a way that the mind of small, two year old could understand. "It means someone will be living with us - I don`t know wh-" Tiger`s eyes widened eagerly. "Mommy?!" He shouted excitedly, Ian bit his now trembling lip. "No no." He hushed his son softly. "Not mommy." It pained Ian to tell his own son that mommy was not coming back. To tiger, mommy had been on a two year vacation - a vacation in which she would never return. Tiger let out a small whimper, before returning to his small, stuffed elephant figure he`d carried along the whole train ride - an stuffed animal elephant that Ian and Cadence had bought for their son`s nursery - a stuffed animal that he promised himself he would give to his son - because his mother could not.

all those memories. gone without a trace.

its not your fault, it was natural causes.

it was my fault. for getting her pregnant in the first place.

no its not.

As thoughts of Cadence entered and flooded his mind, he could not help but feel as if she were next to him - but not in ghost, as he`d felt her many times before. No no no! She was an actual person! His gaze darted around the crowded area, and he spotted a girl - with blond hair and piercing eyes - stare at him like she loved him. Ian gulped ; watching the girl intently. She had looked down at his son, almost . . disappointed to see him with child - signaling that he had a significant other, when in reality, he had no - one but himself. She looked away but Ian could not - the burning passion that he felt every time he and Cadence`s gazes locked, was back again. But how could he feel and long for the passion with some stranger he`d happen to come across at a train station?

[bring the funk, caitlin.]

{name:k a l e i g h.#|#picture:2}Kaleigh`s wandering gaze quickly fixed to the pavement below her, her bare, tanned arms now placed over her chest from the distinct breeze that was now causing rapid goose bumps to form on her flawless skin. Cadence. Kaleigh gasped instantly at the words that were spoken -- spoken across her mind as a matter of fact. She didn't know who this 'cadence' person was so why did she get the feeling that she was so familiar? I've come back for you, baby. The distant voice cooed into her free mind, fearful goose bumps now forming on the back of her neck. With her eyes now aware, she quickly scanned the crowd, as if she were rush hour traffic in new York, people were all walking the same direction, except her, which caused her to get roughly shoved every few seconds. She continued to look for the lost voice, her gaze now fixed on the beautiful strangers mouth as if to see if he had said those words to her. "It was some one next to you, calling some one off the train." She spoke slowly to her self, now noticing that her legs were trembling. "Who's ... cadence?" She rolled the name across her tongue, her head slightly tilted to the right in confusion as she tried to process exactly who this strange name belonged to. She sighed annoyingly, her temples now throbbing from a fierce head ache that invaded her mind. "KALEIGH!" Some one shouted in the distance, a shadow only a few blocks down from the crowded train station. "I'm okay, dad!" She yelled back, a devious smile forming on her lips as she dashed into the crazed mob, making sure that her father couldn't find her. She didn't want to go back to the car where doctors awaited her -- she didn't want to start a new life that she knew would cause tragedies for her, she didn't want to pretend that her own brother died, because of her. Her breathing soon became choppy and heavy as she slammed against a brick wall, her back now pressed against it as her head fell back, tears now threatening to escape as she thought of the unfortunate events that happened only months ago.

Speakers boomed through the speakers as she made her awkwardly switched position, Blake's arm securely over her shoulder, her body pressed against his chest as his intoxicated breath mingled onto her neck. "Let's go up to my bed room." He breathed against her neck, making her shiver with fear but temptation that she longed for with him. She took a large sip of her drink that fumed alcohol, making sure to finish it before she groggily got up from her position and grabbed his hand and pulling him up, making them both stumble. Kaleigh annoyingly rolled her glazed over eyes as she dug through her skirt pocket, instinctively bringing the open phone to her ear and pressing the green button. She held up her index finger to Blake's face, his hands groping any thing that he could find -- even if they were in a room with every body surrounding them. "Y-Yeah mom, I'll uh -- be there in a minute." She blinked her eyes furiously from the haze that now clouded them, her hand shutting the silver device and putting it back into her pocket. "I have to goooo." She slurred her words, a defeated look now on Blake's face. With out hesitation, he pushed her against the hard wall, his lips roughly shoved against hers. She smiled after the wretched kiss, secretly about to gag from the ferocity.

________

Kaleigh made her way up to Rebekah's drive way, Ryan -- her three year older brothers best friends mothers house. She ragingly knocked on the charcoal front door, small hiccups escaping her mouth. "Kaleigh!" Mrs. Segovia answered the door excitedly, pulling her in for a quick hug before calling Ryan over -- his small hand profusely rubbing his tired eyelids. "Thanks for watching him." She half smiled up at her, making sure that she didn't glance in her eyes since they were visibly blood shot. She quickly took Ryan in her arms, his head now resting peacefully on her shoulder. She waved a quick good bye to Rebekah, opening the back seat of her car door and laying him on the back seat so he could rest. She lightly kissed his forehead, shutting the door and getting into the drivers seat, her hand turning the ignition which started up the car. She turned down the interstate, blazing head lights blocking her vision as a hard collision collided with the car, instantly knocking her out since she had the most impact. The next day, she woke up in a familiar hospital, her mother and father crying at her side -- telling her that Ryan didn't make it through the horrendous crash.

A slight tear escaped her right eyes, her hand instantly flying up to wipe the moisture that had caused her so much pain, away. She had regretted that night so much. She should have done so many more things -- for one, she should have told her parents she was drinking, she should have buckled him in his seat belt. She sniffed loudly, secretly knowing that was the reason that they had made the move. It was to forget the past -- and now, that was why her dad was so cautious when she got hurt, he couldn't lose her, too. A small smile made it's way on her glossed lips as her confused eyes looked at the small infant that was now placed gently into the cart, his small face pressed against the elephants neck that he held dearly, his right hand petting it softly as if to calm it down. An ache soon filled her heart as she watched the small movement, an ache that she had never felt before -- it even terrified her. "Ian." She whispered with out knowing she did so, an even more confused expression on her features. Why had she said Ian? She didn't even know an Ian.