Thud. "Phew. Finally done." H says as she drops the final box. "Yep. That's the last of 'em." Jack states happily before flipping on the couch. "Grabbin' a pop. Want one?" H calls from the kitchen. "Sure." Jack hollers back. "We got Coke, Pepsi, or Mountain Dew." H yells back. "Coke's fine." Comes Jack's reply. H grabs a Pepsi for herself and a Coke for Jack as she skips back to the living room. H plops down on the comfy brown couch when she hears her phone ring. Seeing the caller ID, she shares a meaningful look with Jack before promptly answering the phone. "Yo." Jack snickers at her choice of greeting. A smooth Italian voice answers. "Ah, hello my dear! How nice it is to hear your lovely voice! I heard you're taking somewhat of a vacation. Moving to the city of raccoons, or so I'm told. Tell me, how is it? Are you settling in well?" H rolls her eyes. "Hey Uncle Aro. It's good to hear from you too. Your information is correct. Jack and I have decided to take a break. You know, settle down for a while, try to be normal. Well, as normal as someone like us can get. We just finished unpacking, so we haven't yet had the chance to explore, but we will. In fact, we'll probably head out soon to look around. We'll need to get acquainted with the town, find nearby forests and trails, etc. I'm actually very excited to start our new life." H explains. "That's good, dear. I'm happy for both of you. You deserve some time off. You two stay safe and visit us soon. You have many people here who miss your presence, la mia bella nipote." Aro says. "We will, zio. Tell everyone we love and miss them. I'll talk to you soon, Uncle. Goodbye." H replies and after a returned farewell she hangs up. "News travels fast. Then again, it is Aro we're talking about. That man misses nothing and loves gossip. He's worse than an old woman in that regard." Jack remarks. H chuckles, "You're right about that. Though I'm surprised he found out so soon. We didn't tell many people, after all." H muses. "It really shouldn't be that surprising. Did you forget that him and Dad talk often?" Jack reminds. "Oh, right." H almost had forgotten about their weekly phone calls. Ever since the incident with Reneesme, Aro and Carlisle have communicated much more frequently, Aro being quick to mend the friendship that was almost lost that fateful day. Now, several years later, The Volturi and Olympic Coven remain at peace with one another, with Aro and Carlisle engaging in weekly phone calls and strengthening the ever-growing friendship between them. "I swear, those two are so alike, yet so different. It's a wonder they've remained friends this long." Jack muses. "Yeah, well, you know what they say, 'opposites attract' and all that." H states. "So... what do you want to do now?" Jack asks H. "Hm. We could explore the town, try to find nearby forests and places to hunt." H replies. "Or..." Jack starts. "We could find the nearest bar and get drunk off our asses to celebrate the move." Jack finishes with a goofy grin on his face. "You'll take any excuse to drink." H accuses. "Pretty much, yeah." Jack admits easily. "Please, H. Pretty please with a big, juicy steak on top." Jack begs. "Come on, not the puppy dog eyes." H complains. "Ok, fine, I guess you've earned it this time." H relents. "Yes!" Jack cheers. "Come on! Let's go! I think I saw a bar on our way here." Jack says as he drags H out of the apartment and to the truck. They get in and soon enough they're pulling into a place called "Bar Jack's", ironic given the person she's with. "Here's your reminder to act human, Jack. The next one comes in the form of a good, hard smack to the back of your head. You've been warned." H cautions. "Aye aye captain." Jack salutes. H rolls her eyes at him. "Come on, dork." H says as they walk in. They walk up to the bar and Jack orders for both of them. "Jack and Rum for me and Whiskey on the rocks for her." "Sure thing, darlin'. Where y'all from anyway, cuz it sure ain't here." The woman tending the bar, Kathy according to her name tag, questions. "Nowhere in particular. I guess you could say we're nomads, but we've decided to settle down for awhile. We just moved in not too far from here." H answers. "Nomads, huh? Why Raccoon City of all places? If you don't mind me askin'." Kathy asks. "Not at all." H assures her. "I guess you could say we wanted somewhere small and quiet. Raccoon City fit the bill nicely. Seemed as good a place as any." H replied. "Well, I hope y'all like it here. This place tends to grow on ya. Here's your drinks lovelies. You two have a nice night and just holler if ya need anything." Kathy says. "Thanks, we will." Replies Jack as he takes a sip of his drink. H isn't nearly so delicate and downs hers in one go, relishing the burn it leaves in her throat. "Damn girl! Did ya even taste it?" Jack jokes. "You don't order whiskey for the taste, Jack." H deadpans. "I suppose you're right. Still though, doesn't hurt to savor it." H snorts. "Whatever you say, bro." They sit in silence as Kathy refills H's drink, the music in the bar wafting over through the speakers. H hears the beginning beats of one of her favourite songs, 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' by Green Day, and can't keep herself from singing along.
I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's home to me and I walk alone
I walk this empty street
On the boulevard of broken dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk a
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
Til then I walk alone
I'm walking down the line
That divides me somewhere in my mind
On the borderline of the edge
And where I walk alone
Read between the lines of what's
f*ked up and everything's alright
Check my vital signs to know I'm still alive
And I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk a
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
Til then I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk a
I walk this empty street
On the boulevard of broken dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk a
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
Til then I walk alone
"You have a lovely voice." H jumps, startled by the sudden appearance. Snapping her head towards the voice, she sees a man who looks to be in his early 30's, with short, curly, brown hair and big, green eyes. He stands at about 6' and has a fairly athletic build. He smells of paint and various alcohols. "Woah, easy." The man soothes, raising his hands in a show of surrender. "Name's Dan. I own the place." The man, Dan, introduced himself. He reaches his hand out for a shake. We each shake his hand while introducing ourselves. "H." I say and he nods then looks at my brother expectantly. "Jack. Nice place ya got here." "Glad ya like it. Sorry if I scared ya. I was standing over by the bar and heard you singin'. Thought I'd find out who that beautiful voice belonged to." He winks at me. "I'm really not that good, but thanks anyway." I say, suddenly self conscious. "I beg to differ. You've got one of the nicest voices I've ever heard. You could be a professional if you wanted." Dan says and suddenly looks thoughtful. "Y'know..." Dan begins, "We haven't had live entertainment here in who knows how long. If you're interested, I could set you up with a band. You'd be paid, of course. So, what do you say? Think you could spare some time to sing?" Dan asks. "Um... well I-" "We'd love to!" Jack cuts me off before I have a chance to decline. I turn to glare at him. Really?! I think to him. Yes, really. You need to loosen up. I see this as a perfect opportunity for that. Jack thought back. I don't remember agreeing to this! I protest. I don't remember asking. Jack replies, smirking smugly. I kick him under the table, making him grunt and glare at me. I sigh and turn back to Dan, who was waiting patiently for our what I'm sure looked to him like a staring match to conclude. "I suppose one night couldn't hurt. Jack's my guitarist, both electric, bass and classic, depending on what the song calls for. Can I trust you to get everything else needed?" I question Dan. "Of course. I'll have it all set up for you. How's this Friday sound?" Dan asks, pulling out a notepad. "Sounds good. See you Friday then." Jack nods to him as we pay our tab and get up to leave. "See ya!" We hear Dan holler. The drive home is quiet, both of us being utterly exhausted. I crash on the bed as soon as we enter the apartment and Jack soon joins me. "Night H." "Goodnight Jack." I quickly turn off the light as darkness consumes me and I fall into a fitful sleep.