Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Tad on 29-06-2010, 04:05:46</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Tad</strong> on <strong>29-06-2010, 04:05:46</strong>
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				Kaylee Landis straightens her jacket and tucks a loose strand of her mahogany hair behind one ear.&nbsp; Glancing at the neon sign in front of her she tries to think positively, but can't shake the feeling that something just isn't right.&nbsp; Most likely its just the fact that Joel isn't here with her.&nbsp; He'd almost always been her wingman, hanging out with her when they went clubbing, providing both conversation and protection from the drunk creeps that swarm any single girl in this sort of place.&nbsp; Unfortunately, tonight she's having to go it alone.<br><br>For a few days now she's gotten the distinct impression that he's avoiding her.&nbsp; He's almost run out of the class they share, even though every time she had glanced his way he'd been watching her.&nbsp; He won't pick up the phone, won't answer the door, and at the same time she swears she's seeing him all over campus, just watching her.&nbsp; She has to admit, it's getting a little creepy.&nbsp; If it was anyone else, she'd swear they were stalking her... but that doesn't fit Joel at all.<br><br>Sighing again, she heads towards the glass door that mutes the thumping of loud music from behind it.&nbsp; All she'd really wanted to do was talk to him about that weird incident in the park, the one with that huge dog that had decided she looked tasty.&nbsp; It had come out of nowhere and taken her by surprise, then disappeared just as quickly.&nbsp; It wasn't until later, after she'd run all the way home, that she'd even realized it had bitten her.&nbsp; She'd cleaned the wound, and put a couple band-aids over it, but wanted her only pre-med friend to check it out.&nbsp; But Joel seems to be gone, so she's having to face her first night out alone in quite some time.<br><br>Opening the door, she peers into the darkened room and feels a smile drift across her face.&nbsp; No matter how weird things were back at the college, they didn't matter here.&nbsp; With the music pounding and the dance floor already filled to near capacity, she can already feel her mood lightening.&nbsp; Moving through the crowd, she wonders idly why the place is so packed so early, but decided it doesn't matter.&nbsp; Pushing the thought aside, she gets to the bar and flashes her ID before ordering a rum and coke. That should get the night started right....
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Marlow</strong> on <strong>29-06-2010, 04:27:52</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Donovan sat in one of the booths off to the side of the room, near the bar. Accompanying him were a cadre of young men and women all chatting amicably about this or that. Donnie did his best to include himself, just enough to keep them from getting suspicious, but for the most part just listened in on them. <br><br>Thralls have such a strange sense of duty. They know they need to please their masters, but they don't know why or how. They just do what they normally did, except more frequently. <br><br>Like this girl, Jill. Donovan knew her from High School. She had always been outgoing, and dreaded not having a boy attached to her side, but they had always been relationships. The guy she was currently curled up against, her hand resting surreptitiously on his thigh, making tiny circles, was the fourth man this week she would bring home.<br><br>It was almost depressing, if Donovan hadn't been witness to much more dreadful events in his short time as an Enochian Scriber.<br><br>He would have continued throughout the entire night like this, if not for the sudden and dramatic shift in the moods of every one in the club. Drawn over to the bar, Donovan swore to no end under his breath when he saw a very free, very human girl trot in to the club, unaware of the danger she was walking in to.<br><br>"Excuse me for a moment. I think I'm going to... introduce myself to the new chick," Donovan said to the people at his table, getting up and weaseling through the crowd.<br><br>"Ann tok bel grat" he said, not trying to compete with the intensity of the music. As she turned, Donovan let a small sliver of relief enter as he saw his spell take effect, mimicking the first signs of enthralment. He saw her look at him, clearly not hearing him well enough. "I said are you knew? I haven't seen you in here before!"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Tad</strong> on <strong>29-06-2010, 04:40:50</strong>
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				She almost groans as she hears the male voice to her side.&nbsp; Not even enough time to get a drink before some guy decides to try something.&nbsp; Still, she should try to make the best of it.&nbsp; Who knows... maybe he'll be interested in something other than 'getting out of here'.<br><br>Putting on a smile, she turns towards him and hears him repeat himself more audibly.&nbsp; "Yeah... never been here before, but thought it looked like a fun time.&nbsp; Are you a regular?"<br><br>He seems nice enough, standing at a respectful distance instead of right up against her like most guys would.&nbsp; And he doesn't reek of booze either... that's promising.&nbsp; Deciding to go for it, she extends a hand.&nbsp; "I'm Kaylee...."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Marlow</strong> on <strong>29-06-2010, 04:51:30</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"I guess you could say that," Donovan said, looking back at the dance floor for a second. "My name's Donovan."<br><br>He offered his hand to her, shaking it when she returned the offer. "A few words of advice, Ms. Kaylee. This club isn't a place for a woman to be alone. The men, and women, too, tend to get carried away.<br><br>Turning to the bartender, he waved down a Rum and Coke. When his drink arrived along with Kaylees, he smiled, giving him the money. <br><br>"Now, for example," he explained, picking up the two glasses in each hand. "Look at yours-" raising it, he held it close to her. "And then look at mine-" raising his, he held it up to her. Hers was much cloudier. <br><br>"A pinch of Ecstasy," he explained, dumping her glass behind the bar and giving her his. "Curtousey of that fellow over there." Pointing to a man dressed in black jeans and a white tank top, he glared at him. "He does it to every new girl in here."<br><br>"So, you've got two options. Stick with me for the duration, or leave."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Tad</strong> on <strong>29-06-2010, 05:05:39</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				At first Kaylee's certain that his drink preference is just another overused ploy to show how much they have in common.&nbsp; But when he points out the subtle difference between the two drinks her eyes widen.&nbsp; Glancing at the indicated man she's caught between fear and anger and subconsciously steps closer to Donnie.&nbsp; A part of her knows she should leave, that this situation was already bad and could only get worse.&nbsp; However, another part insists that it'll be alright, that it was probably just the ice and that nothing bad is going on.&nbsp; Despite all logic, that second feeling wins out and she slowly turns back towards the dark-haired man beside her.<br><br>"Well... um... thanks for that."&nbsp; She takes a sip of the drink he'd handed her and relishes the tangy bubbles for a moment.&nbsp; It's strange how much more tantalizing they feel here.&nbsp; Almost like the roof of her mouth is more sensitive, and her lips too.&nbsp; The ice against them feels almost sensual and she can't help but carefully lick one of the cubes to provide more of the exquisite sensation.<br><br>Shaking herself out of the strange trance, she looks back up at the man.&nbsp; "So... Donovan... can't say I've heard that name before.&nbsp; Any sort of story behind it?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Marlow</strong> on <strong>29-06-2010, 05:40:34</strong>
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				"It's Irish, I think. To be frank I don't know why my Mother named me it. I think she just liked the name," he said, looking back at his old table, where his former companions had already forgot about him.<br><br>"What about you? I can't say I know many Kayl-" Breaking off mid sentence, Donnie's eyes hardened as a group of men walked in to the club. "Goddammit." <br><br>Taking Kaylee's hand, Donovan tried to lead her away from the bar, but a barking of his name forced him to stop. Not turning, Donnie hissed. "What do you want today, Marcus?"<br><br>The man Donnie was addressing sauntered over to them. He was sickly pale and his eyes were a strange amber hue. "I want this little chica, Donnie." <br><br>Turning around, Donnie stared down the Vampire and his posse. "No, you don't. You've already been told to leave this place alone by the proprietors. Do you really want to test their patience?" <br><br>"I don't care, Donovan. I. Want. This. Chica."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Tad</strong> on <strong>29-06-2010, 05:58:29</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				There's something about the new men that Kaylee just can't quite place.&nbsp; Some sense of raw sensuality that boarders on an almost predatory feel.&nbsp; When she hears the man... Marcus.. demand her, she knows she should be angered at such treatment.&nbsp; She isn't a piece of property after all!&nbsp; But all she really feels is a bit of pleasure at knowing this strangely drawing man wants her above all the other girls in the place.&nbsp; And having Donnie seem to want her as well isn't a bad thing either.&nbsp; A small smile graces her lips, and she quickly raises her glass to cover it.&nbsp; <br><br>Just then the music swells powerfully, its chords seeming to reach deep into Kaylee's body and pull upward.&nbsp; She feels her back arch as a wave of pleasure courses over her and she lets out a small moan that can't be heard over the pounding beat.&nbsp; All around her other young men and women twisted similarly.&nbsp; Only Donnie and the newcomers seemed not to notice.&nbsp; The swell crests, then spills back down to its previous levels, leaving an aching emptiness in its wake.&nbsp; Somehow Kaylee knows that being with someone would fill that void, and she slowly steps forward towards the two angered men.&nbsp; Something is wrong, but at this point she doesn't care.&nbsp; All the couples around her are kissing or going farther, and she wants that connection too.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-06-2010, 03:07:09</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Donovan swivelled on the balls of his feet to put himself between Kaylee and Marcus. "No, Kaylee, snap out of it," he said, his hands on her shoulders as he stared her down, breaking the psychic link Marcus had over the helpless human. Turning back to Marcus, Donovan glowered. He couldn't risk revealing his true self while in a room full of thralls, but Marcus seemed intent on it. <br><br>"Donnie, you're really pushing your luck today," Marcus hissed as he approached him, stopping only inches away. Donnie could smell the blood on his breath. <br><br>"You won't do anything, Marcus. Your already on thin ice with the Department. What would happen if you attacked one of their agents?" Donnie whispered so quietly only Marcus would here him. It was a none too subtle threat. <br><br>"I won't have to do anything if these mindless shits find out who you really are," Marcus whispered back, teeth clenched as the second row of teeth -his fangs- slid out from his gumline.<br><br>"Korba'ay telvoth," Donnie hissed, causing Marcus' gums to close around his fangs, creating an intense pain for the vampire. As Marcus realed back in to the small group he was with, Donnie grabbed hold of Kaylee's hand. "Come on, we gotta get out of here."<br><br>Pushing through the crowd, Donnie could feel the attention of the Thralls turn to him, and by the time he was at the door, the entire club was growling and barking and yelling at them. Marcus lay on the floor, one finger rubbing his gums as he laughed. Whipping open the door, Donnie was met with an immensely sized man and his fist, cracking his nose in before sending him to the black unconsciousness. <br><br>When he awoke, he and Kaylee were both tied, spread eagle and buck naked, to tables in the basement of the club, four women and two men, equally naked, with sickly purple skin and white ram like horns curling out from their forhead, stood around them, their eyes charcoal pits of black rolling over itself. <br><br>"You two are strong, stronger than most... You shall make excellent servants," they said in unison, their voices alien in tone. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Tad</strong> on <strong>30-06-2010, 03:55:50</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Seeing him start to stir, Kaylee feels a rush of hope.&nbsp; Everything had started to get blurry after the group of men entered, but she could remember clearly the sight of Donnie falling from the doorman's attack.&nbsp; She'd tried to grab for him, but all she'd been able to do was present herself as an easy target.&nbsp; A quick thud on the back of her head and she'd joined Donnie in unconsciousness.&nbsp; Strangely, though, she'd awakened quite a while before him.&nbsp; Even her screams as she'd noticed their predicament and the monsters around them hadn't roused him.&nbsp; But now he's moving, and at least she's no longer alone in this.<br><br>She shudders as the horned creatures speak, struggling against her painfully tight bonds.&nbsp; Something inside tells her that they need to get out of here, before things get worse.&nbsp; Pulling again, she feels a slight slipping of the rope around her left wrist.&nbsp; If she could keep working at it without those .... things... noticing, maybe she could get free!
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-06-2010, 04:43:50</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				The demons were gone now. They had left to begin the bonding ceremony. Looking over to Kaylee, his eyes instinctively went over her naked body, but quickly moved back to her terrified face. "Stop struggling, what you're feeling is the ropes loosening around your waist to tighten on your arms."<br><br>Hissing as he shrugged and wiggled, Donovan took a deep breath before letting his body slacken, his limbs, strained when he was tied up (he had regained consciousness then), letting them loosen around him when he relaxed his body. That still left the restraints painfully tight, though.<br>Grunting in pain, in a swift jerk of his torso and a sickly sounding pop, his arm was out, dangling over the table at an angle that clearly wasn't natural. Shimying out of the restraints, Donnie took a moment to collect himself. His good arm cradling his other one, he moved over to Kaylee, untying the ropes as best she could. <br><br>Oblivious to his nakedness, Kaylee would notice the odd assortment of battle scars etched across his torso, thighs, legs, and arms, and Donnie would refuse to answer their questions. "I need you to put my arm back in its socket," he weezed, clearly in pain. <br><br>"Just grab it, and pull it out, it'll pop back in place."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Tad</strong> on <strong>30-06-2010, 05:02:09</strong>
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				Kaylee blushes as she hears his reprimand, but obediently stops her struggles.&nbsp; The blush only darkens though as she sees his naked form move over her.&nbsp; As soon as her hands are free, she hastens to cover herself but pauses at his request.&nbsp; Its clear he needs help, and he's already seen her whole body as he undid the ropes.&nbsp; Swallowing hard, she shifts her hands from her body to gently gripping his arm.&nbsp; She grits her teeth, then pulls on the scarred arm as instructed.<br><br>There's another pop, then she feels the joint realign itself.&nbsp; Gladly releasing her grasp on him, she quickly turns away in an attempt to preserve some modesty.&nbsp; This action does hide her front, but leaves her pert rear facing the young man.&nbsp; Her skin is smooth across her whole body, young and unblemished except for a small set of scabs on her right thigh.&nbsp; Unfortunately, Donnie only has a moment to see the gentle curves of her body before she suddenly dashes for a far corner.<br><br>There sits her clothes, carefully folded.&nbsp; Alongside is another pile that appear to be what Donnie was wearing, but she hardly notices them.&nbsp; All she can think about is getting back into the comfortable garments.&nbsp; Somehow having them on would make this whole thing more manageable.&nbsp; Clearly she's stumbled into some sort of supernatural thing, like what the papers had been reporting on.&nbsp; And all she wants to do now is to get the hell out of it!
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-06-2010, 05:46:41</strong>
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				Donnie didn't take any notice to Kaylee's nudity. It simply wasn't an appropriate time. Running over to retrieve his clothes, he hastily readied himself for the coming storm. "Demons, has to be. I mean, what else could they be?" he postered, feining ignorance. <br><br>Looking around the room, it was clear they were in an employee lounge-room. A bulletin board had various pamphlets tacked on, and there were a few lockers along one wall. <br><br>Rummaging through one locker, Donovan laughed as he pulled out a small 9mm pistol. Checking to see if the gun would fire, he smiled. "Alright, this'll help us out tremendously.<br><br>"We need to get out of here. If we can get to the nearest Department building, we'll be safe," he explained as he looked throughout the room for a weapon Kaylee could use. Finding nothing like the pistol, he settled on the leg of a chair. Kicking it over, he let his foot come down hard, snapping it off.<br><br>Handing it to Kaylee, he showed her the jagged end. "That'll hurt like a son of a bitch, trust me." <br><br>Heading to the only door in the room, he paused, calming himself. "Be prepared to use it. I don't think these people are going to show us any mercy, so we can't afford to be so kind."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Tad</strong> on <strong>30-06-2010, 05:59:33</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Now dressed, she uncertainly watches Donovan as he begins to search the room.&nbsp; When he pulls out the gun, she draws back slightly.&nbsp; She's never been a fan of weapons, nor of fighting in general, but what he says makes sense.&nbsp; Taking the chair leg from him tentatively, she looks at it like it might bite her.&nbsp; Then turning to him, she asks "Department?&nbsp; I don't understand..."&nbsp; He's already going for the door, though, so she quickly follows after.&nbsp; She may not understand what he's planning, but at least it looks like it'll get them out of this awful place.<br><br>As he swings open the door, she swears she hears voices from up ahead.&nbsp; Praying that that isn't the way out, she does her best to keep up with Donnie while trying to ignore that nagging feeling that he seems to be too adept in this situation.&nbsp; It's almost like he's done this before.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-06-2010, 06:20:52</strong>
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				"The Department of Supernatural Affairs," Donnie explained as they began tentatively walking down the hall. "The new federal cabinet created after the Reveal... You telling me you haven't heard of that?" It was a little hard for Donnie to believe. <br><br>No matter. As they made there way through the abandoned hallways the chanting of the Succubi's ritual grew louder. <br><br>"I really don't like the sound of that," Donnie said, slowing down as they reached the door at the end of the hall, the only thing between them and the Succubi. <br><br>"Alright. On three. One. Two.. Three..."<br><br>Throwing his body against the door, it whipped open. The Succubi were circled around a great pit of purple fire in a rough-hewn cave (how did that exist in a basement in Baltimore?). Three shots went off from Donovan's pistol, clipping one of the male Succubi in the shoulder and chest. His body fell over, consumed by the purple fire, and an intense light blinded Donnie and Kylee, heat washing over them as the floor seemed to fall away from their feet.<br><br>Waking up, the sun bright above their heads, the ground damp and soft, Donnie hissed, feeling the weight of Kylee pressed above his own body.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Tad</strong> on <strong>30-06-2010, 16:25:54</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Of course... Kaylee had heard of that group, but in the stress of the moment it had completely escaped her mind.&nbsp; Finding one of those definitely sounds like a good idea, assuming they can make it out of this building.&nbsp; She pauses with him just outside the closed door, praying that they'll make it out of there.&nbsp; As Donnie throws open the door, she forces herself to follow.&nbsp; But his body prevents her from seeing too much of the room, something she's glad about as the trio of shots echoes in the small space.&nbsp; Wincing at the sound, she doesn't see the flash of light, only feels the heat and the sense of falling.&nbsp; Letting out a cry of surprise, she clutches the chair leg even tighter as if it could protect her.<br><br>The next thing she knows is the feeling of warm sunlight pouring over her body while she lays on something lumpy and warm.&nbsp; She hears whatever it is hiss, and quickly realizes its Donnie beneath her.&nbsp; Rolling off of him, she forces her eyes open against the bright light of day and quickly glances around.&nbsp; The good news is that they aren't in the cave any longer, but the bad is that she's never seen this place before.&nbsp; There aren't any trails or roads visible, no power lines or signs to direct them.&nbsp; Trying to ignore the pounding in her head, she turns towards Donovan and asks "Where are we?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-06-2010, 18:52:43</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"I have no idea," Donnie moaned, sitting up, using his hands as support. "But it's mid-day, by the looks of it, which means we've been out for a couple of hours." Ensuring that no bones were broken, he stood up slowly, moving over to Kaylee.<br><br>"Are you okay? Nothing broken?" he asks as he crouches down, his hands pressing against her thighs, then legs, probing for any fractures or bruises. "Looks like your legs are fine." <br><br>Standing back up, he looked around for any discernable sign of civilization, but found none. Walking over to a break in the tree line, he swore, loudly, at what he saw. Mountains. <br><br>Walking back to Kaylee, he helped her up. "We're on a mountain. Not a very big one, but it flanks a valley, and on the other side looks like Backbone mountain, which means we're smack-dab in the middle of the Savage River State Forest. Which also means we're a good ways away from Baltimore..."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Tad</strong> on <strong>30-06-2010, 22:34:04</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Kaylee just manages to suppress a gasp as his hand presses against the site of her bite.&nbsp; She can feel that the bandages must have been removed when their clothes were, but other than a dull ache that gets worse when Donnie's hand presses against it it seems o be doing fairly well.&nbsp; It must have not been as bad as she'd feared at first.&nbsp; At least that's one good thing in the midst of whatever is going on here.<br><br>She watches him head to the edge of the trees, then hears his curse.&nbsp; She's concerned at what that might mean, but when he explains it she just feels an even deeper sensation of dread.&nbsp; Part of it is definitely about where they are and how they got there, but another is about how he knows all of this.&nbsp; The gun, the medical check, accepting the monsters so easily, and now identifying where they're at... there's something seriously not right about this.&nbsp; True, he could be a military medic that enjoys camping at state forests, but that's not the vibe she gets from him.&nbsp; At the same time though, she's a bit afraid to ask him how he knows these things.&nbsp; What if she alienated him and he just decided to leave her here?&nbsp; Or worse, turn her back over to the creatures!&nbsp; It's better to just play along until they get help, then just get the heck away from him.<br><br>"State Forest?&nbsp; That means there should be people around, right?&nbsp; Rangers or something at least. We can find someone and they can give us a ride to the Department and they can figure this all out."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-06-2010, 22:48:53</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				"Savage River is a big place. There are only so many forest rangers in the area..." he explained, his arms crossed over his chest. "Our best bet is to get to that valley, specifically to that clearing," he explained, standing on the edge pointing down at a large swath of grass running down the center of the valley, "and light a signal fire for the rangers up in the mountains to see."<br><br>Looking down at the ledge, and to the left and right, he swore again. "Only problem is finding a way down there. This cliff face extends for a while, it looks like... We might not find a route down before nightfall. Which means it's going to get very cold up here."<br><br>Snapping a branch off of a dead tree, he tested its strength. Satisfied, he handed it to Kaylee, before getting another one for himself. "You ever gone hiking before?" he asked her, a smile on his face to calm her down. "Just follow behind me and watch out for rocks and roots."<br><br>With that, they were off, walking off to the west, always sure to keep the ridge in site.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Tad</strong> on <strong>30-06-2010, 23:30:31</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Hiking... yes.&nbsp; She'd done the walking through the wood bit before, but there'd always been trails.&nbsp; And signs.&nbsp; And plenty of water.&nbsp; None of those exist this time, just the slightly trodden plants from Donnie's steps ahead of her.&nbsp; To make matters worse, it had apparently rained earlier that day, and many of the leaves were still damp from the deluge.&nbsp; Within only a short bit Kaylee found herself thirsty, wet, and tired.&nbsp; But glancing back towards their valley destination she wearily noted they'd not even made a dent in the distance needed.&nbsp; It was going to be a long trip.<br><br>With her thin stretch jeans and her cotton sweater wet, the cool fall winds coming up from the valley seem to cut right through her.&nbsp; Kaylee shivers despite the sweat collecting on her face the base of her back.&nbsp; Maybe its the distraction of the sudden chill, or maybe just the effects of the darkness starting to set in, but she somehow misses seeing the root that Donnie had stepped over and catches her foot on it.&nbsp; Tumbling forward, she slams into a tree with her shoulder, then skids on her knees further down the slope until her momentum stops.&nbsp; <br><br>Her eyes tearing from the pain and surprise, she quickly looks herself over.&nbsp; Her knees are scraped up pretty well, the thin fabric sheared away from on top of them and the skin broken and torn.&nbsp; Her shoulder aches, but is movable, not given anything worse than a good bruise.&nbsp; Everything else seems to be in working order as well, meaning she got off this lightly.&nbsp; But with the stinging in her knees and her already considerable exhaustion, she knows she won't be going much further tonight.<br><br>Getting upright, she turns back towards Donnie and wipes the unbidden tears from her cheeks.&nbsp; "I.. I'm sorry.&nbsp; I'm ok... but... can we stop?"
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Marlow</strong> on <strong>30-06-2010, 23:53:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helping Kaylee up, Donnie noticed the pale complection of her cheeks and her purpling lips. "Well have to. You need some shelter or else you'll freeze." Donnie himself had been wearing a pair of cargo pants, a long sleeve shirt and a light fall coat. No the best for camping, but considerably warmer than what Kaylee had on.<br><br>About twenty minutes further along, a sudden, steep incline of about ten feet created a small canyon-like area ten feet across and twenty feet deep, the back end covered by foliage and fallen trees, a good enough shelter for the night. "Come on," Donnie urged, holding Kaylee's shivering form as he led her down the only easily accessible point. Once on the floor of the canyon, Donnie breathed a sigh of relief. <br><br>"This'll work for the night," he explained, removing his jacket, drapping it over Kaylee's shoulders. "I'll be back soon. We need to get some fire wood. At the mouth of this depression there was a narrow ridge I can climb down. There should be some dry wood there."<br><br>Not wasting a second, Donnie was off, hopping over the lip of the depression, and out of Kaylee's site. Ten minutes later, he was back, with a bundle of twigs and wood for burning tied up with a shoe string. <br><br>Starting the fire was a tricky bit of business, but after he used some of his polyester shirt as excellerant, a small, but warm, fire was blazing away, just outside of the sheltered portion of their natural shelter. <br><br>"Come on," he said, pulling her over to sit beside him. "This'll help, but it's still going to get damn cold tonight. We'll need to stay like this to share our body heat." It could have seemed like a sleazy ploy to get her to let him press his body against hers, but in the state she was in, she'd probably not care nor really think about it. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Tad</strong> on <strong>01-07-2010, 00:29:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The sun was disappearing beyond the far mountain as they reached the canyon, spreading deep shadows under the trees.&nbsp; Gratefully taking the offered jacket, Kaylee sits on top of some of the leaves and tries to take a moment to clean up her wounds.&nbsp; There was some dirt and stones that was fairly easy to clean out, but the gashes had clotted, keeping some of the material in.&nbsp; Rather than reopen them in the darkness, Kaylee just cleans her injuries as best she can then leaves the scabs alone.&nbsp; They'll get help tomorrow, and then she can bandage things better.<br><br>Donnie returns relatively quickly, and soon the fire is going.&nbsp; As he pulls her over to him, she stiffens slightly, but after a moment realizes he's right.&nbsp; Even with the fire it'll be a cold night, and the added warmth of being near him will help.&nbsp; Plus there's something comforting about being close to him as well.&nbsp; She slips an arm into one sleeve of his jacket, then helps him do the same so they are both cradled within its warm embrace.<br><br>The moon starts to rise into the sky, pouring its silvery light down over the mountain and piercing portions of the tree cover.&nbsp; As it does so, Kaylee feels the ache in her leg increase.&nbsp; Wincing slightly at the discomfort, she does her best to ignore it.&nbsp; Its just the tissue healing, nothing to be done about it anyways.&nbsp; Leaning against Donovan, she slowly drifts off to sleep with the light of the almost-full moon and the fire illuminating both their faces.<br><br>She dreams that night, more vividly than she has in quite some time.&nbsp; In it she's running through the woods, stalking something across the uneven ground.&nbsp; She can smell it, almost taste the creature, and her eyes use the full moon's light to help her follow it as it flees.&nbsp; Her feet pound against the ground and she relishes the strength and speed nature has given her.&nbsp; It'll only be a few more moments until the kill is hers.&nbsp; Behind her she hears a howl, then another and another.&nbsp; Out of the joy of the chase, and the anticipation of the kill, she howls back a reply.<br><br>Donnie can feel this dream as well.&nbsp; With Kaylee leaning against him, he is awoken by her legs and arms moving slightly while she sleeps.&nbsp; Her eyes flutter as she dreams, and her full lips part momentarily to let out a small sound, somewhere between a moan and sigh.&nbsp; Whatever she's dreaming of, she's fully in its grasp.&nbsp; After a while, she calms down enough to allow him to fall back asleep as well.&nbsp; By then the moon has set and total darkness envelopes them, only pierced by the red-orange flickering of the flames.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Marlow</strong> on <strong>01-07-2010, 03:36:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Donnie didn't do much sleeping that night. There were too many creatures that existed only in the Moon's pale embrace that would find two humans such a lovely morsel. As long as he was awake, he'd be able to ward most of them off. He could use his magic to aid him, anyway. Kaylee couldn't.<br><br>That didn't stop him from dozing, though, at least until she began to dream. That's when he first felt the primal energies of the second world, invigorating his body and soul, infecting him with its power and base instinctual urges.<br><br>With the top-most edge of the cliff at their backs, the Moon's light only bathed them for a short time, before the only light left was the flickering fire.<br><br>And with the escape of the moon, the primal energies began to die down, although it wasn't until the first rays of light crested over the mountains and declared the new day.<br><br>"Wake up. Time to go."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Tad</strong> on <strong>01-07-2010, 05:24:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Groaning and shivering slightly, Kaylee tries to roll over, only to find herself entangled in the jacket.&nbsp; Her eyes snap open and she flips around, almost growling but stopping herself just in time.&nbsp; Spotting Donnie next to her, she blushes slightly, then more carefully untangles herself.&nbsp; "I... sorry.&nbsp; Um.. thanks for sharing your coat..."<br><br>Once undone, she scoots a little bit away from him and sits on a nearby rock.&nbsp; As she adjusts her slightly-drier clothes her stomach audibly rumbles.&nbsp; Looking embarrassed, she asks "So... is there any way for us to get something to eat out here... or should we keep moving?"&nbsp; It's clear she hopes for the first answer, but doesn't know if they can.<br><br>It's strange how hungry she is, but what's even weirder is what she's hungry for.&nbsp; Berries and such don't sound all that appetizing.&nbsp; What she really wants is some good meat!&nbsp; A rare steak or a burger dripping juices.&nbsp; Just thinking about it makes her mouth water and her stomach complain once more.&nbsp; Trying to force her mind to another topic, she looks down the cliff and towards their destination.&nbsp; It'll be a long walk before they can get to safety.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Marlow</strong> on <strong>01-07-2010, 06:22:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That's fine," Donnie said lightly, putting his free arm in the coat. Standing up, he brushed his behind of the dust and dirt. <br><br>"As for food.. aside from some berries, we're not equiped for hunting, nor do we have the time to prepair anything we catch." Putting the pistol in the hem of his pants, Donnie sighed. "Our best bet is to get down to the valley and light that signal fire. Now come on, before we waste the morning away."<br><br>The treck down the way was no easier than it had been yesterday. They had to constantly double back after meeting impass after impass, and it was already mid day by the time they had reached the scree-hill near the bass of the cliff. <br><br>"Alright. It should be simple enough from here. We just need to make damn sure we don't get turned around in those trees."<br><br>Kicking a loose stone down the steep scree-hill, Donnie began to follow the small winding game path that weaved its way down in to the woods. <br><br>And not ten minutes in to the woods, gutteral shouting on all sides, growing in power until six very big, very dangerous Centaur burst through the underbrush. <br><br>"You have intruded on Pelgash territory, hew-mans. We were granted this valley by the Maryland Department Office, and we intend to defend it!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Forced to Run (Tad and Marlow)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Tad</strong> on <strong>01-07-2010, 06:34:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The idea of berries isn't repulsive, just not satisfying.&nbsp; Contenting herself that she'll go out for a huge burger after they get back to civilization, she once more begins to walk.&nbsp; When the sound of voices begins to echo through the trees, its all she can do to contain her excitement.&nbsp; Sure, it sounds like some sort of drunk hunters or something, but its people!&nbsp; Her hopes are dashed, though, as the voices reach their peak and are shown to come from some sort of horse-human monsters.&nbsp; Kaylee yelps in fear and stumbles backwards away from these strange beasts, even as a part of her urges her to attack.&nbsp; <br><br>She scuttles back even more, trying to find some sort of shelter against the rocks or trees.&nbsp; Realizing she'd somehow managed to hold onto her walking stick through this, she&nbsp; does her best to brandish it as a weapon.&nbsp; No matter what, she won't let these creatures take her like the others did.&nbsp; She'll fight them with all she's got!
			</dd>
		</dl>
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