Famous Last Words

By; KatsWords141

A.N: okay, disclaimer here, i don't own anyone or anything, save for Teri Hurst. sad. so sad. Okay, this is a work in progress, please feel free to creatively criticize the story, and please correct me if i have something wrong. I'm doing my research as i go, so there are bound to be holes. I have seen the movie and read the Novel, so this WILL absolutely include spoilers, and a possible, i say possible pairing of Rorschach. I know. It'll be hard, But Teri can be rather persistent. : ) So go now! enjoy and review! fly my pretties! fly FLY!
(Updated 2/27/11)

Summary/Prologue: I never really cared about the world falling to pieces. Though it crossed my mind every time he walked by the newsstand, the sign he carried hitched on his shoulder; "The End is Nigh". There was nothing I could do. I wasn't a vigilante. I couldn't fight, barely defend myself let alone. I only ran a newsstand. But I wasn't stupid, I knew that NYC was full disgusting people, I knew that the city was rotting away underneath all the crime and corruption.
Don't ask me why I moved here, even in my brightest moments I can't see that light. My life changed the moment I stepped off that train. The moment I first walked down the filthy streets to the rundown apartment building that I was going to stay in. My life changed when I met him, when I saw what the vigilantes were capable of… It changed my whole outlook on life.

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

She stepped gracefully off the train, her booted feet touching down on cracked asphalt. Taking a long glance around, she hitched her duffle bags' strap higher on her shoulder: It was heavy, and had the tendency to want to slide, but it was all that she had taken with her- it was all she would need to start a new life here in NYC.

Taking a deep breath, she strode forward, placing her free hand into the pocket of her plain, worn jacket. Thus beginning her new journey in her 'new' life, she slowly looked for the street signs. She had memorized the way to the apartment building she was going to be staying in, from the map on the bus.
It would be far to expensive to take a cab, and seeing as she spent the last of her money on the security deposit for her stay, she figured that she needed the exercise anyway. Walking would also give her a chance to learn the streets.

Discovering her way, She sauntered down the broken street ways, eyeing every alley, every building as she started to get a feel for the city.

It was almost eight in the morning, and people were everywhere, all seemingly in a rush to get nowhere. But she didn't care, she was taking her time, giving herself an amount of leverage as she weaved around the citizens.

Despite the time of the day, it still appeared that the city was dank and unruly-like the dark side of the night was slowly creeping into the daytime. It was a eerie feeling that sent chills down her spine, and she wondered if ever it would cease. Probably not.

Almost thirty minutes had past before she reached the neighborhood where her destination was. It was definitely in the ghetto. But, it was all she could afford, and it fit perfectly for her cover. The building looked like it had survived an apocalypse: it stuck out; with maybe three or four floors, brown color, graffitied walls, rusty fire-escape, and dumpster at its side.
She checked the number written on the palm of her hand. Blinking, she took a deep breath of clogged air as she gazed up at the numbers above the door. This was it.

~.~.~.~.~

She rubbed the back of her neck vigorously, biting her lip before rapping the back of her knuckles on the apartment door that had; Landlord, stamped across the wood.

There was some amount of commotion in the apartment before the door flew open. A large woman-middle aged-stood in the doorway, her face screwed into a heated expression. "Who're you?" she hissed, brushing a fallen piece of brunette hair from her cheek; the rest was tied back into a loose ponytail.

"Teri Hurst," she answered, jadedly.

"What'dya want?" Unmistakably, the woman didn't like visitors, as her rough voice might suggest. The obvious scent of cigarette smoke seeped out the woman's pores.

Teri cleared her throat, "Er, I called earlier, you said that you had an apartment for rent?" She thought she heard the fuss of several children behind the woman, but her large, round body was blocking the view of the inside of the apartment.

"Yeah?" The woman replied, shortly. "You got the money?" She held out her hand, the fat of her arm jiggled as she did so. She was wearing a tight maroon, low cut shirt, and fitted jeans, neither of which did anything for her appearance.

Teri nodded, quickly pulling her wallet from her pocket. "Three-hundred, cash." She pulled all the money-which consisted of fifties-out of her the wallet, handing it happily to the landlady.

The landlady counted it, licking her finger each time she flipped the bills. Then, when she was content with the amount, she leaned back inside and pulled a key from the wall: it jingled on the keychain as she did so. She then thrust it out towards Teri. "Room 202, up the stairs and to the left." The woman folded the money and shoved it in her pocket. "'Name's Shairp."

Teri accepted to key from the landlady. "Thanks…"

"Rents due the third of every month." Ms. Shairp told her curtly. She crossed her arms as Teri made eye contact with her. "and don't make a whole shit-load-of-noise up there."

Teri nodded. "Third of every month. No noise. Got it." She repeated, turning around. She immediately caught sight of the stairs and headed for them, eager to get out from under the landlady's stare. The stairs were creaky as her feet touched them. Gazing down to the key in her hand, she read the bold, faded numbers on the keychain; 202.

Teri looked up as she reached the top of the flight and glanced around. It was definitely not a happy place. The walls that were painted a dull brown were slowly peeling, there were no decorations; however, there were a few leaks running down the shabby walls. The entire building had the appearance of an after-effect from a nuclear holocaust, and seemed ready to fall to pieces any moment.
Teri sighed. This wasn't going to be an easy life, but it was what was necessary. She needed a place where they wouldn't look for her. And so here she was.
Her room was at the end of the hall. One room was beside hers, and one across, but Teri spared them no glances as she adjusted the strap that held the heavy duffle on her shoulder and continued to her door.

Teri took hold of the rust colored doorknob and inserted the key that the woman had given her. Delicately, she twisted, slightly fearing that the knob would fall right into her hands. However-when she pushed-the door didn't budge.
Blinking, she took a step back and looked down at the knob. She tried again, coming forward, and pushing her shoulder against the door. All to no avail. Teri brought a hand up and ran it through her hair as she looked down the hall. She didn't want to bother the landlady again, if she could help it.

The door across the hall from her scraped softly as it opened. Teri turned and gazed at the man that emerged. He was a bit taller than her, short by any other standards-he was redheaded-but with a rather scruffy appeal. The smell from him reached her faster than she thought possible; a mix of sweat, old food and a cheep cologne. It was obvious he had gone a long period of time without a shower, or even a clean pair of clothes. His beard was all stubble, his clothes tattered and faded from wear. The mans face was stern, emotionless, but handsome in a unshaven sort of way.

If Teri had seen him on the street, she would have surely mistaken him for homeless. But Teri didn't judge-it wasn't in her place to do such things-especially in her case and situation.
"Excuse me," Teri started, kindly. His eyes trailed to hers; they were blank, almost lifeless. She smiled at him, regardless. "Does your door stick?"

He stared at her for a long time, almost like he was analyzing her. Then suddenly, he came forward past her, placing his hand on the doorknob. He lifted, turned the doorknob and pushed. The door came open without so much as a protest squeak.

Teri felt herself blush as the man drew back, again looking at her with those blank eyes. "Building settles sometimes." He stated plainly, his voice was low, near raspy. Then without another word, he turned and continued to walk down the hall towards the stairs.

Teri peeked inside of her apartment before spinning back to where the strange man was heading. "Thank you!" She called, adjusting the duffle bag strap on her shoulder once again.

The man hesitated only a step before he continued on again. Not looking back.

~.~.~.~.~

Rorschachs Journal,
woman moved in across from me. she's weak. physically and emotionally. wont last a week in city. better to not waste time on her. just another liberal whore to be swallowed in the filth of the city.
investigating gang related murders. three this month. will get information.