
The Password
(1) Wandering Death
//Why is he staring at me//? I thought about it for a few minutes.... I had all the time in the world-- What else does one do while standing in line at the convenience store, waiting for the old lady in front of you to drag out all of her 10 cent coupons for her 99 cent box of moth balls? Not much.
I had noticed the turned head out of the corner of my eye. I had good peripheral vision-- and I'd put it to good use over the years...
I noticed this particular head because it was angled directly toward me, and it was attached to a very fine looking body-- lean, clad in a tight black leather tank top. A trench coat was hanging over his arm, and in the other hand he had lip gloss-- O.O*-- or something. He was waiting to check out in the aisle next to me.
Yes I saw all of this out of the corner of my eye. Don't underestimate the corner of my eye.
I couldn't quite see his face, however. I knew he had black hair-- slick and smooth. Pulled back into a pony tail maybe? Hmm. My curiosity was getting the better of me, but I wouldn't look. Nope, nope...
I fidgeted with the pile of potato chips and soda in my arms, then *casually*, very casually, turned my head, as if checking out the entire store, not just some dude who was staring at me.... I met his eyes briefly. They were a dark, flashing brown. His eye brow raised-- I saw it, but I was already looking away, being the master of nonchalance that I was. Finally it was my turn and I dumped my heart and soul onto the counter for the bored looking cashier.
//What a looker//, I mused as the girl rang up my "chippies". He was Chinese, I think. Very smooth, and pale, and he was *built*, just like I'd thought. The cashier fluttered her eyes at me and shoved my precious junk food into a bag. I dug out a few ragged bills from my pocket and took the bag with a cheeky grin-- she blushed, how quaint. Then I was off, intent on the automatic door that heralded my freedom... I could feel his eyes on me-- they weren't quite burning holes in my shoulders, but they were unnerving nonetheless.
Beyond the doors, the small city I'd been hanging out in sputtered to life for the Sunday afternoon commute. I skipped along the side walk to annoy the passer-bys and thought about my destination... which was currently lacking....
//I should really think about settling down somewhere//. I sighed. //I *know* that's why they call me 'Wandering Death', but everyone's got to have a home....// I grinned. Speaking of they-- I hadn't logged on in a while. And my trusty steed/laptop was waiting at my hotel room, all lonely-like...
I however put that thought on hold as a lone figure erupted from an alley. Except he didn't erupt-- that would have connotated a movement lacking grace. He *glided* from the alley, about twenty feet ahead of me, and walked. Oh boy he walked. Long, leather clad legs ate up the sidewalk, and narrow hips went along for the ride. Hey, I'm an aesthete-- I admire beauty in its many, many many forms.
This long legged fellow was familiar somehow-- not in face; and I was sure I'd never seen that hair before-- copper and combed in a fantastic manner over to one side. //Gel//, I decided. And lots of it.
Ohh okay I saw it now. He was wearing the same type of leather tank top that the sexy Asian from the store had been wearing, only his was a little shorter, and was more of a vest. He too had a black trench coat swinging from the crook of his arm. He passed me with out so much as a first glance, and I turned to walk backwards curiously as he went on. I wasn't afraid of running into anything, and if I did I'd just smile at it and run away crazily. ^_^
//Twins//? I wondered as I shuffled along. //Hahaha. I'm sooo funny//.
"Duo!" A high girlish wail had me swinging around, looking for the big mouth that came with it. No one behind me, no one any where else in my 360--
"Up here," the voice barked with a sigh. I looked up, and smiled.
"Hilde!" I belted cheerfully. She was leaning halfway out of her window, waving furiously at me, short black-blue hair fluffing out in the light breeze. She was a cute little punk. Sometimes she visited the chat room and *talked* our ears off.
"What are you doing on my side of town?!" Her voice was high, and way too cheerful, but that's why I liked her. Nothing ever got her down-- almost like me, but I bet she kept up that mask even when she was alone, sitting in a dark room with nothing but a flickering computer screen as her company... Everyday...
"Chippies!" I cheered, waving the bag around. Hilde laughed and gave a thumbs up sign.
"I gotta go finish my homework--" her little nose wrinkled and she disappeared inside the window. A second later a book reappeared, labeled in huge garish letters, "History". I mirrored her cringe. "Want to come help?"
Poor hopeful, disillusioned girl. There was a reason I took my GED at 15, and she was holding it.
"Nope! Love ya bye!" I bolted forward, giving her the impression of a coward. She screamed happily and good-byed. Didn't look back, because I was leaving tomorrow. I hate good byes.
Five minutes more of sidewalk and I arrived at my motel. Actually, it was an inn with seven actual rooms and a dining area. The proprietors lived next door, and loved me. Mostly because I worked for them, and seemed to be bringing in more boarders. ::shrug:: Don't ask me the specifics.
I'd been out all day, since it was Sunday, and poor Marie looked hassled. There was a couple standing patiently before her as she struggled with the paper work and Mr. Thompson struggled with the luggage. I tossed my bag onto an intable and halted the Mister's hand in mid fumble, smiling of course. With two quick movements I had the heavy suitcases in my arms and I was trooping up the stairs.
"Room seven!" Marie called cheerfully.
Chivalrous, aren't I? Nah. I can be pretty sneaky and underhanded when I put my mind to it....
I deposited the bags in the room and skipped out. Poor neglected potato chips. I glanced at the three other rooms on the wing and noticed signs on them of "Occupied", and "Do Not Disturb". Hm. //Three new guests in one day?// I shrugged heartily.
Back down stairs the couple thanked and tipped me-- and of course I took the tip what do you think I am; stupid?!-- and went upstairs. Ah, young love. Marie sighed and looked mournful.
"I'm so sorry-- you've already had to work on your day off!"
I rolled my eyes at her and huggled my bag as I leaned onto her desk. Time for the bad news.
"I want to work as much as I can before I leave." Ah, the bomb has been dropped. Marie's eyes grew wide, her mouth opened in shock.
"Leave?!" She sounded so sad... But I couldn't stay. Remember, "Wandering Death".
"Yeah... I can't leech off of you guys forever," I grinned helplessly.
"Leech?! But you're working-- we could give you a raise-- we're doing so well these days--"
"It's not that," I sighed. God I *wanted* to stay, but once you're a wanderer... You're lost. "I'm just a bum." I shrugged and waved off any further argument. "I love it here, but I guess I'm just born to wander." I was lying indirectly. How I managed that, I have yet to figure out. It was the truth, as far as I knew... I've been wandering for a long time....
"When are you leaving?" She asked smally. She was only about 30, but right now with those wide brown eyes shimmering with unshed tears, she looked about 8 and I can never resist children.
"In a day or two... Maybe I'll finish up the week with you..." Her smile was elated. I copied it. That's what I'd do then.
My Monday was eventful. Another group of boarders arrived in full beach gear... The beach wasn't too far off, but it wasn't very near either. Nonetheless I had to carry four surf boards up two flights of stairs, and *then* eight suitcases. There were four people!! It felt like they were going to stay for months!!
Afterward I elected to clean up the dining room a little bit, and go back and cook with Cook. Yes, Cook loved me. Especially when I almost burned down the entire kitchen... So when I arrived, she tossed me out on my butt, and Marie gave me yard duty.
Half hour later, I wished fervently that I'd never gone into the kitchen, and that I'd slunk up to my room to cower in a dark corner, never to be found again. Anything was better than sun baked skin and sweat pouring off in rivers. Ahhg.
I'd rolled up my braid-- not too practial I know; and it's sorta messy 'cause I'm not the best at braiding. What can I say; it's got personal value, a little vanity, and that's about it... I'd rolled it up and found a handkerchief and lots and lots of hair clips (courtesy of Marie) to hold it up. Of course, the handkerchief was bright yellow. Ehhg, yellow is not my color.
The hair off of my back helped, and I'd divested myself of the wet, sticky gray thing I'd once called a tee shirt not too long ago. All that kept me from ultimate freedom was my jeans. Ultimate freedom could wait till I got up in my room, locked the door and took a cool shower.
I chopped mercilessly at the damn bushes, trimming them and trimming and slicing damn I wished I just had a chain saw so I could mow the suckers down!! But, eventually, they were flattened into cute little bush shapes (x.x*) and I moved on to the apple tree in the middle of the small square yard. It was loaded with apples this time of year. Marie loved that tree-- and apples, so I glared at it, and went to find a fruit basket...
Ahhhh; air conditioning. I stood in the hall with a sweaty grin on my face. Marie's face turned red, and Mr. Thompson glowered. I thought about their expressions for a moment, then I realized I was-- well, I was half naked. I felt an awful blush burning my cheeks-- damn modesty-- and I fled to the kitchen where Cook went half mad trying to get me out. Calming only when she realized I'd come for a reason. I was thrown a basket and I made a hasty retreat (::sob:: air conditioning!).
I wasn't that nice to look at. I was built okay; not flabby or anything. I didn't have the chance to get flabby if I didn't eat for a day or two, looking for work and money. And I always worked, for the smallest amount of cash. Chopping wood, waitering, cleaning windows or cars. Hard stuff.
I found a little step ladder around the side of the house, and bounced up the tree with my basket. In twenty minutes it was almost full, and I was stretching for the last available apple. Poor tree; if I fell on it we'd both be dead.
"Duo--" Marie's call floated out to me through the dark apple tree leaves and I wavered.
"Screw you," I cursed the apple. I was *not* going to risk my life over a worm ridden fruit. 'Worm ridden?' the apple seemed to grumble. I ignored it, and got down, toting the basket before me. Marie squealed happily at the sight, and clapped. I would have bowed, but, you know.
"Room five says the phone isn't working-- could you--"
"Sure!" I agreed. I was pretty good with electronics/phones/screwy outlets. I'd had a lot of time to learn a lot of different things.
I tiptoed into the kitchen, set the apples down and ran up to my room to grab a shirt. Nice, dry, and it had "WD" on it. For 'Wandering Death' of course. I approached room 5 at a strut, and knocked rapidly.
"Maintenance!" I sang. I could hear movement, and slow, meaningful footsteps approaching. Okay, talk about apprehension. And... why?
The door opened, and I was a little surprised-- just a little. It was pitch black in there. A figure appeared then, and stared at me.
//Duuuude//, I swore. The eyes were glowing; glowing royal blue and sending shivers up and down-- No wonder, he was glaring at me.
"Maintenance?" He growled. More like scoffed, but it sure did sound like a growl.
//Hey, just because you're cute doesn't mean you can knock me//. I nodded.
"Broken phone?" I continued. Cute. He was a little shorter than me, and that was about all I could tell besides the eyes, and a pretty face.
There was a pause; not a hesitation, but a thinking pause, and he opened the door wider, stepping back to let me in. I entered swiftly, and waited.
"In the bedroom." I shivered at his could-be-suggestive words, and strode to the bedroom. It was dark in there too, and I squinted. The phone jack was in the corner-- I blinked. A laptop sat where the phone had been. It was off, but prepped to be plugged in. I grinned.
"No wonder your phone doesn't work!" I chided. "It's not plugged in!!" I snickered and looked back at him. I almost flinched. He was inches behind me, and was glaring even more. Yikes.
"The telephone isn't broken, it's the plug."
Okay, okay, geeze. I nodded and sauntered my way over. I moved the laptop with care, and shoved the small desk/table away so I could reach the jack. I hunkered down, and fingered the slightly chewed up cable. That "could" be the problem.
"Needs new wire," I deduced. Go me! I stood and scooted around his hovering figure. I noticed something then. He was wearing leather. A leather vest. Long, tight, with a zipper and low V neck. His pants were leather as well. A trench coat was lying on the bed, folded neatly. I stared wide eyed for all of two seconds and moved swiftly on.
//Too weird//. Too weird!! //Three guys, all hotter than hell, wearing black *leather*, in one town. I hate coincidences//! Especially eerie ones!!
Mr. Thompson helped me find a new coil of wire and I walked uneasily back up the stairs. I almost fainted. There was another figure in black, a leather shirt similar to the guy's at the grocery store; he was pale, with a shock of white blonde hair. He had a slim build, and was beautiful. I could see a classic and breathtaking profile as he locked the room, and then he turned towards me. I passed by without so much as another nervous look and knocked on number 5. I was sure the blonde turned to look at me, but he moved on.
Creepy. //Just plain creepy, I don't like it one bit//.
Number 5's door opened and I walked in swiftly. I was spooked, and I wanted to get the job done and get *out* before any more bishounen in leather popped out at me. Hmphf. And I thought one could never get enough of those.
I replaced the wire and even found myself plugging it into the laptop. I heard a low, warning growl and I threw up my hands with a nervous grin.
"Sorry man; natural reaction! Have a nice stay!" I blinked once into his stare, and left. I could breathe, but barely. I hated being backed into a corner by something I didn't understand--
I screamed. Well, I didn't actually, but I would have if I were a sissy. A pair of figures was tromping up the stairs. And guess what they were wearing?
Black! Leather! But at least the pair was familiar; that meant there might not be any more leather maniacs running around-- Wait a minute-- familiar?! ::scream!::
It was the Asian from the store, and the guy with the funny hair. They were wearing different variations of yesterday's outfit. The store fella had on plain black jeans now, and a tight, tight black tee-shirt with short sleeves. Once again, he was built! And the long guy had on more black leather pants, these with silver rivets, and, oh my, he had color on! Yes, a black-green thin shirt with three-quarters sleeves.
I lowered my head and its sunny handkerchief, looking at the wall instead of them. They narrowed to single file to let me pass and I jumped down the first flight of stairs. Creeeepy.
Marie gave me a reproachful look as I came staggering into the entry hall but I had no time for such looks. I cowered behind her and the desk, and sighed. She rolled her eyes at me. I knew that look. 'Always knew you were crazy!' //Well you're right! I am! I'm seeing hot guys everywhere//!!
(1) Wandering Death
Author: Tan
Rated: Somewhere between PG-14 and R... so far
Disclaimer: ?... What can I put here that isn't inherent? ::shrug::...
Notes: An alternate universe from Duo's P.O.V., loosely based on The Matrix, and my own warped interpretation of a bit from philosophy class.
Lots of Role Playing action going on; stuff in double colons (::blah::) is RP language action. Lots of little anime-emoticons (o_O and ;_;). Italicized and //'d stuff is thinking.
(1) Wandering Death