{Bittersweet}-Adam

[{J I S A}]

I can't even move anymore. My legs and arms are useless things attached to my torso. Sightless eyes gaze out to the blackness, I can really scare some people with that. Even if I could see, there wouldn't be anything to look at. Pitch blackness, it doesn't bother me though. 'Cause all I see, all day and every day is blackness like tar. The van jolts and swings around corners. Today's the day I get my so called freedom. In fact, I'll be so free that I'll have to watch out for myself when they drop my at the side of a road to die. I'll almost wish to go back to that cold, metal place. My hands are bound together, but they don't even need that to keep me under control. It's ridiculous. Three people are in the back of the van with me, three Humans. Two in front. A long time ago... I could've taken them all down with maybe a fair bit of difficulty. Today, I would take a swing at one of them and the fight would be done. They'd win. They always win. It's too hot and humid in the back of this van, but for me it's a saving grace. For once I'm warm from the inside out. I have to wonder what part of me is left, what I am now, who I am now. My brittle and roughly cut hair falls in my face, and I blow it back out. The van screeches to a halt and I lurch forward, a pair of hands catch me roughly. I am hoisted to my feet.

A burst of clean, cold fresh air engulfs me instantly. Fresh air. The clouds cover the sun, I can feel it. I hear the gentle trickle of a river, they push me down to the ground. Of course I can't fight back, but I try to cover my fall with my hands. They work and soften my landing. They leave me, so close to Freedom but so far. It's chilly, still a nip from winter. I lay, face turned to the side, on the ground. I wait for death, literally. Turns out Freedom is always Bittersweet.

[adam]

The large grizzly had finished a meal of caribou. How good it tasted on his carniverous tongue. As he stumbled through the forest, he smelt something. Fuel. He knew that smell quite well. He didn't like it in a such a large forest, and even in this cold, things caught quickly in the forest what with all the dead leaves thawing and all. He growled a deep rumble that came from far in his chest as he rushed toward the sound. He arrived just in time to see a man pull a girl out of a van and throw her onto the ground. He snarled and rushed the van with a thunderous roar. The men saw the bear coming at them and slammed on the gas, pulling away with good speed. The large grizzly slowed to a stop by the girl and sniffed her. His breathe was heavy as he took in her scent. He carefully cut the ropes with his teeth and waited to see if she would take the rest of her bindings off. When she didn't, he cautiously pulled the blinder from her eyes. He tilted his head at her in slight confusion. He sniffed her again, smelling her face and her hair and her arms, checking for any injuries. A few cuts and bruises, but nothing too bad. A soft growl rolled in his throat, one that said all was well in the language of the bear.

[{J I S A}]

A deep grumble came from the undergrowth of the forest, I froze. Seems like death's coming sooner than originally anticipated. Clearly I hadn't understood my real position in danger here. A deep snarl and heavy, lumbering steps of a creature. The van squealed away. Whatever frightened the Elite Forces like that, was bound to scare me. Think small, think non existent. I willed myself, keeping my eyes shut tightly and my body pressed to the ground. A cold nose snuffled along my skin, my breath caught in my throat. Heavy inhalation of my scent was almost enough to make me want to get up and fight back. But I was so miserably weak and sick, that I could barely think of it. Teeth close to my wrists, I flinch and I don't even realize it. How close I was to tears, I never used to be this pitiful. More careful snuffling and then the blinder was off, but of course it made no difference to my ailed sight. I wish for my sight endlessly, a day doesn't go by without it. Another growl, but softer- one of comfort that actually worked. I am barely more than a human now, so emotionally driven that logic can barely route my way. Bear. Well what can I do in this situation? I can't see, all I can do is wait and if I do this bear is sure to either leave or attack me. Either way I would die. However I can detect something in his growl, most animal language comes from one origin and I can sometimes pick out the words of others. This, though, is more clear. The bear's growl connects with me more than it usually does from other animals. The scent overwhelms me. Shifter. Still, I can't move... the poisons and medicines have rendered me weak. I can do nothing. Maybe... well I haven't used my voice in a while. In a failed attempt to seem my sharp, sarcastic self I speak.

"Hey, Shifter. What's up?"

My voice breaks and cracks, barely making it as a raspy whisper.

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[adam]

The bear threw his head high with an angry snarl as he threw himself onto his hind legs. He growled. He wasn't really angry as much as he was confused. How did this girl know that he was a shifter? How? Unless... He was suddenly in his human form, supporting the girl with his warm, muscled arms. "Are you a shifter?" he asked softly, getting the girl on her legs. She was very weak. He pulled her onto his back. "Hold onto the fur tightly." he commanded and suddenly he was a bear again with the girl on his back. He walked carefully, not wanting to drop her. His steps were light and his brown eyes full of confusion and worry for the girl. Finally he reached his house and walked inside after opening the door with a single human hand, then his hand was a giant, fuzzy again. He walked inside and lumbered to the couch, rolling her off his back gently and onto the soft cusions. He shifted into his human form and walked into the kitchen, getting her a glass of clean water. "Those damned EF are really buggin' me lately." he said softly and sat in the recliner that was a few feet from the couch. He rested his arms on his knees, his hands clasped together, and stared intently at the girl.

[{J I S A}]

Whoa. Okay maybe it hadn't been a good thing to speak. The huge bear raised onto his hindlegs with an angry snarl. Well so long, short life. Deep growls kept coming from his throat, as I still laid there on the cold ground. Gentle trickling from the river a few feet away. From my very out of touch Shifter senses, I could feel the confusion coming off of the bear. Wait.. confusion and not anger. That was a good sign right? Suddenly warm human arms were around me. I had guessed right, the bear was a Shifter. The warmth, it was so nice. His question was obvious, and a small smile pulled at the edge of my lips. Too bad my face was so scarred, it might have looked pretty otherwise. I felt my body being pulled onto his back before I could answer and he told me to hold on. I did, to the best of my ability. I felt his muscles underneath me as the bear lumbered along. What about Ace? The question suddenly pops into my head, but I ignore it for now. Soon we were inside a house, or so I guess. I'm rolled onto a sofa. Okay so, I'm in a strange guys house. Nice. Right so, now to get my bearings. I expand my hearing and other senses besides sight and try to survey my surroundings. Naturally it doesn't work that well, and I just hang out on the sofa, feeling drowsy and nervous. Not now. I really don't want to have an anxiety attack right now. A glass of water was placed into my hand, and I took it gratefully. Raising my lips to the rim of the glass I guzzle it down. There was really not enough of that with the EF. I feel a pair of eyes gazing at me intently, I open my icy grey-blue eyes to stare back though no sight would come from them. My eyes are unique, sometimes they're as blue as the Carribean and sometimes as grey as a storm. Right now they're cloudy and grey as ice. My stare can really unnerve some people.

"Seeing as you haven't killed me already, I suppose it would do no harm for me to tell you my name."

I pause, my voice still a little rusty on forming words. It really sucked to be in this type of condition. Inhaling I thought of my name and made myself say it.

"The name's Jisa, and yes I am a Shifter."

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[adam]

Adam smiled gently as she gulped down the water. "Want another glass?" he asked as he moved into the kitchen and fetched her another glass of water with an apple. "Eat up." he said as he handed both to her. He felt bad for her, as she had probably almost been killed by the EF if he hadn't arrived on the scene. The least he could do was offer her, food, water, and shelter. "Hey, would you like to stay here tonight? The EF don't know where I live... yet." he chuckled. "You can have my room and I'll take the couch." he offered. "It's the least I can do for a damsel in distress." he smiled a crooked smile. He led her up the stairs and into his room, leading her to the bed. He tossed a pair of his boxers and one of his T's next to her. "Dress in them if you'd like and get some good sleep. I'll see you in the morning." he said softly and closed the door behind him. He crashed on the couch and fell asleep.

[{J I S A}]

Soon after I finished the glass of water, the kind yet unknown man brought me another. He was efficient and that's all I can say. It would be better if I could see him, hopefully time will heal my eyes and I will be able to. This time I drank the water more slowly and ate the apple, when was the last time I had eaten anything? God it must be a while ago. Though usually I wouldn't like anything like an apple, it tasted good and sweet this time. He offered for me to stay at his house, sure it would have been a problem to go back home but staying at a strangers house was... different. Usually I would have shaken my head and been on my way but, I didn't protest. However when he offered his room to me, I started to protest. Nevertheless he led me upstairs, by the rising height I could tell. As for him calling me a damsel in distress, I didn't like it because of my stubborn and strong personality but I could live with it. Dress in them if you'd like and get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning. So normal and so friendly. The door shut gently, and without getting changed, I lay on the bed and fell into a deep sleep. Everything was just so surreal.

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[adam]

Morning came and Adam woke up. He sat up and yawned and stretched his arms out wide. He stretched his muscular legs and lumbered into the bathroom. He did what he needed to do and brushed his teeth and hair. He walked into the kitchen and made his usual protein shake and drank it all up. Eleven in the morning rolled around and he still hadn't heard from the girl upstairs. He yawned as walked quietly up the steps. He knocked on the door. Not a sound came from inside. He opened the door carefully and as quietly as possible, stepping onto the hard wood floor of his bedroom. Still asleep? Or just laying in the bed awake thinking? He wasn't sure, but there she was, under the covers. He walked over and sat on the bed. "You alright there, girly?" he asked her with a smile. After she was sitting up, which he helped her do (since he was all Mr. Helpful), he looked into her eyes. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. In the heat of the moment, he leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. After a moment, he jolted back and stood up immediately, putting a hand on the back of his head. "Um..." was all he could say in the shock of what he had just done, accidently.

[{J I S A}]

Okay so last night had just possibly been the best night's sleep I had ever had in my entire life. Maybe it just seemed that way because of my insomnia prior to being captured by the Elite Forces, and the fact that I was awakened in pain all the time during the time in captivity. I keep my eyes closed by force of habit, but I open them to the sun of the morning. Actually, I'm startled. Quite rightly so too. I can see. I guess now that the drugs are mostly out of my system from twenty four hours without them, my senses are back up to standard. It's so nice to be able to see where I am and know that I'm not kidding myself about the world. I sigh in relief and just lie in a strange man's bed. Which I soon realize is actually quite creepy. I close my eyes again and listen as the morning progresses and soon, someone enters the room. He sits on the bed, as if he is an old friend. Whoa. Really as if we are old buddies or something else. It's strange how much my attitude has changed. He helped me sit up and asks me if I'm okay. I am so not used to playing the helpless one. Mr. Shifter Man leans forward and kisses me softly. Oh my god. No one touches me unless I say so! Startled I leap out of bed and onto my feet, staring wide eyed at him. He looks as startled as me, but he wasn't the one that was kissed was he?

"What the hell? I don't even know who you are!"

I yell at him, my black hair falling around my face in a too-cute ruffled way. But hell no. My heart rate slows down as I stare at him. Yes he helped me and all but- maybe I'm too used to really careful gentlemen. Now that I think of it, I remember Ace. God no, Ace. A vampire, yes but not a twenty first century guy. This guy here? He's from the here and now but it's just so weird!

"Who are you anyway?"

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[adam]

He stumbled against the wall as her voice shrieked into his ears like drills. He clasped the wall with shock. Her voice was so loud! His face was contorted with momentary pain. Adam had sensitive ears, okay? "Sorry." he muttered. "I'll... uh... I'll be downstairs." he said. He had forgotten about her question and wheeled out of the room like it was on fire. I swear he tore out of there so fast he probably could've left skid marks if he went out of there any faster. He bolted silently down the stairs and nearly tripped over his dog Stacy. He slid to a stop on the marble floor of the kitchen and stopped himself on the counter, his sides heaving with embarrassment. He walked slowly into the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror. Anger boiled inside him for doing something so stupid. The glass of the mirror shattered noisily as he punched it, his knuckles now bleeding. He didn't care though. He stalked outside and went to his barn, tending to his newest horse Hotshot to relax.

[{J I S A}]

I waited for his answer expectantly, but apparently I was shrieking really loud. He backed away and held onto the wall, looking shocked. He muttered an apology and said he'd be downstairs, he sped out of the room like a cheetah on steroids. His footsteps thundered down the stairs as he disappeared, and we're left with a very flustered Jisa. Sides heaving, I walk to the window and look out at it. Well, he learned his lesson. Ace was my guy and I'd go find him today. Something nagged at my mind, telling me to let the vampire go. I sure as hell wasn't going to give into my mind, it was Roul getting too deep into my head. He had always said Ace wasn't good, he was a player. I just know that Ace isn't like that, I'll prove Roul wrong. After a few minutes I calm down and try to track the young man down. He apparently had a stable and was tending to a horse. Staying in the doorway, I slide my hands into my pockets and watch him. My black sweater hangs like a sack off of me, the vital weight I lost with the EF is actually quite depressing. I'd have to build my muscle back up and everything.

"Hey,"

I say gently but firmly, in my not-quite-normal Jisa style.

"I apologise, but you can't go doing that. Say I was taken?"

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[adam]

Adam jumped, not hearing her come in. He was brushing down Shot, but didn't look at her. His knuckles were still bleeding, with a small piece or two of glass still in the cuts. He put the brush down. "Hey." he said softly, taking a comb and picking gently through the young stallion's mane. "Sorry about that." he muttered as she said he couldn't just do that. "Wait... You're taken? By who?" he asked, looking at her now with a puzzled, yet slightly pained, expression on his face. If he had known that, he wouldn't have even tried. Oh well. It had happened, and he couldn't change that now. He turned back to the horse and worked on grooming the horse's tail as well. "Look. I didn't mean to. It was an accident, didn't mean for it too happen. It just did." he said, finishing the tail quickly. He did this every day, so knots barely formed. He sprayed Shot with fly repellent and led him into the pasture, hoping the girl would follow him so he could talk to her longer. He unclipped the rope and the horse trotted into the field a few yards and rolled onto his back, rolling in the long grass as Adam leaned against the fence and watched. If only he were a horse, life would be so much easier.

[{J I S A}]

He jumped, but I stayed where I was, it was a comfort zone of mine. I of course noted the blood on his knuckles and the little fragments of glass, but there was nothing I could do about it. He answered my hey, I was being unusually gentle with this guy. One change led to the next now didn't it? He kept on tending to the horse as I stood there awkwardly. He apologised and kept on going with his horse duties. I stare at the dust particles in the air, but I stay in the doorway. I don't know what The EF did to me but I wasn't taking any chances with herbivores around. Suddenly his interest is sparked... in who I was with.

"A man called Ace, a Vampire. Well to my knowledge I am with him."

I answer distractedly, as if it were a mere story we were talking about. This was more like the real me. Not quite, but getting there. He then explained that he didn't mean it and it just happened, I only nod. Taking in the facts but not doing anything about it. I follow behind him and the horse, a few feet away of course. Suddenly, I'm very tired of my life and freedom. I'm tired of the world, it a feeling I know well.

"Of course, I may as well assume he's dead along with Stella and Anya. Along with everyone else."

I say absent mindedly, thinking about my deal with the EF. My life just couldn't be any better.

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[adam]

Adam grumbled as the horse trotted away to the far end of the field. Sure, leave him with the nut case that couldn't get over her supposibly dead boyfriend vampire. "Vampires. Nothing but blood-thirsty leeches." he muttered and spat the ground. He had more than enough expiriences with vampires than one shifter could have, but it was a miracle he hadn't gone insane yet. He'd been bitten by them once or twice, each time the vampire would be killed by him. Adam wasn't going to get bitten by a vampire and let it go, let me tell ya he made their deaths slow and painful for them. He turned toward her. "Well if he's dead, there's not much you could do for him, then is there?" he said and walked toward the house. His intention was sparking an argument just to see how tough this chick was. "And besides, it's a good thing he's dead. If I ever met him he'd be killed one way or another." he chuckled darkly. Yes, Adam hated vampires with a passion. He'd kill every vampire in the world if he could. But, unfortunately, he couldn't. At least, not as fast as they make themselves. He kills one, two more show up. Kills them, four more shows up. It was an endless cycle that he was tired of. He thought about just turning into his bear form and going for a hunt, he was hungry after all, and all he ate was meat since he did all his hunting and eating in bear form.

[{J I S A}]

The boy next to me grumbles and then spits out words that I am allowed to take personally. After all, Vampires are my friends, as strange as it may sound. This guy right here? He's digging himself into an even deeper hole with me, and that isn't something anyone wants to do. I let him make his petty little remark. Inside I know, however, that no one insults my friends and my guy like that and gets away with it. Long cold ashes once more spark to life within me. Silence rings in the air of the next few moments, and I stay quiet. During months in the blackness, I had come to appreciate and hate silence at the same time. I brush my hair out of the way once more as he makes a sulky statement, just assuming Ace is dead altogether. I roll my eyes and he starts away. I follow because in my gut I feel he's about to say something that will piss me off. Oh and I'm not surprised either, not at all. You know? I'm beginning to think guys are brainless assholes altogether. And besides, it's a good thing he's dead. If I ever met him he'd be killed one way or another. I have to do a complete replay on that one. No. You see now? That- that line right there? That wasn't meant to be crossed. Oh, oh but you crossed it. I lengthen my stride to cover the feet in between us and stop in front of him. Whirling round to face him, my eyes are cold and dark.

"If you keep mouthing off vampires like that? Your issue won't be with them, it'll be with 'that shifter bitch who put you in your place'."

I snap at him, maybe a little bit too close. My arms are crossed over my chest, and I'm leaning to one side. Fighting the urge to laugh I listen to the fact that he'd kill Ace if he ever saw him alive. As if he could! One, Ace was a vampire and a pretty old one at that therefore he'd be stronger than this little Shifter. Two, if I happened to be there? Not a chance in hell.

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