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Ghost eyes. That's how most people described his gaze, something that often perturbed people.Perhaps that was why he had always preferred to look through the lens of a camera at others- that seemed to put people at ease around him. His cloudy gray blue gaze, mixed with a well masked demeanor always seemed to put people on edge otherwise. And perhaps that was why he was always deemed as an outcast, even his own step mother hated him, though he was sure that was because of entirely different reasons. Lifting his camera to his face the male squinted through the viewfinder, taking a quick snapshot of the sky through the leaves above him, sunlight streaming between the gaps of the leaves and branches. The hairs on the back of his neck were prickling, but he had grown accustom to the feeling over the past week. He was sure someone had been following him.

He had an idea as to what kind of person it was too.

Only a year ago his fathers body was found in his own home, laying at the bottom of the stairs in a grotesque angle, his neck broken. His death had been deemed accidental, but Christian had known better than that. Not that he could ever prove that it was foul play. The person whom he suspected? his step mother- a hag of a woman who married his father only after learning that he was a rich man, C.E.O of a major company. At least he had been when he was alive. Still, Christian didn't see it being beneath her as to hire a hit to take his father out. And now he was positive that it was his fault, after all, he had just turned eighteen not too long ago and would soon receive his inheritance. Only a few more papers needed to be signed. Thus, he was an obstacle.

The male continued along a beaten dirt path, winding between tombstones as he made for the grave of his mother. She had been a kind woman, with poor health who had died when Christian was eight years old. Still he had loved her more than anything in the world, and probably still did. The boy stopped in front of a polished white tomb stone with the name 'Felicia Hart' Engraved on it. Silently he knelt before it, pulling a single flower he had placed in his coat pocket on the ground in front "Hey mom" He murmured softly, a sad smile tugging at the edge of his lips. "I haven't been around to visit for a while, sorry. I'll have to come and clean up the area soon... well, if I have the time left to do so anyway." He continued, thumbing at the lens of his camera idly- an unconscious gesture. "I might be coming to see you soon, you see... The woman has been...oddly cheerful as of late, and I think i'm being watched... No, I'm positive I'm being watched." He amended, smiling awkwardly into the air as he lost himself in thought. He stayed crouched there for a good ten minutes- simply lost in his own thoughts, until a mild aching in his legs brought him back.

"I should go visit dad... Too bad they couldn't put you together...but that woman just wouldn't have it." he sighed, stretching out into a standing position with a soft groan. "I love you...maybe i'll see you soon" He added- he had a feeling he would.

With that he turned back the way he had come, making his way through the graveyard, taking a sharp left as he neared the entrance- paying no mind to the other people visiting with the deceased. Eventually he came to a stop before another tomb stone, this one reading 'Richard Hart'. a small scowl eased onto the boys features then "Why'd you have to marry the crazy one Da?" He grumbled, before he knelt and repeated the process he had with his mother, placing a flower before his fathers tomb stone as well. "I visited the neighbor yesterday, the old lady with the dog? Ended up helping her get groceries. Turns out her back is starting to give her troubles so i've offered to help her out when ever she needs me... I don't expect i'll last long enough to help her... but she was always nice to us" He murmured- this had become habitual to him...to talk to his dead parents about his days.

"I told mom I'd likely be coming to join you both soon... The crazy woman you married probably has some kind of plan to get rid of me... just like she did to you...." He grumbled, before he shook his head. "I developed some new Polaroid shots... I think you would have liked them...." He added, his hand once again lifting to his camera in an unconscious gesture. Once again he fell silent- though he didn't stay as long as he had with his mother. Instead he got to his feet- brushing off his pants even though nothing clung to them, making his way back out of the graveyard. It didn't take him long to reach the road- a steady stream of people obscuring the boy- enveloping him within the crowd... though he knew that the person following him wouldn't be shaken so easily.

Anxiety clawed at the back of his mind, and without thinking the male found himself slinking into an alleyway- pressing his back hard against the wall of a brick building- his hands pressed flat against the brick- drawing a slightly painful sensation against the pads of his fingers from the roughness of the brick. "Stop following me and just... do something already!" He forced out- his eyes clenched shut as he fought to quiet the rapid beating of his heart... he was so tired of this game. Already a week had passed, and he felt like a cornered animal- helpless... scared, doomed. "Just.... do what she asked already. I already know whats going to happen. You know I do..so.... please" He continued, his voice cracking at the end. and so he waited- his heart hammering, a steady drumming in his ears as he cracked his ghostly eyes open...waiting.

Cigarette smoke filled the air- only to be whisked away by a soft breeze- still it sent the males nerves aflame, a slight grimace tugging at his lips. The sensation was gone- his stalker had left...and that didn't make him feel better at all, if anything he felt even more trapped. A womans voice quickly snapped the male out of his stupor- his gaze darting to a petite lady wearing a tad bit too much makeup- wrapped up in a robe and waltzing towards him with uncanny grace- despite the fact that she wore shoes that raised her at least three inches higher than her natural height. He forced himself to breathe, a cool demeanor masking the heart racing terror he had felt only moments before. "I...yes? What did you need?" He voiced gently, averting his gaze after a moment of her staring at his icy gaze.

"My hair's gotten jammed in the zipper of my dress and I can't seem to get myself free- not without cutting out a good chunk of it and I'd rather not have to chop my hair off!" she stated- lifting a fluttering hand. It was only now that he realized her head was tilted slightly, stuck- as she had said. Tight lipped he simply nodded- watching the woman turn and let part of her dress fall- revealing slim shoulders and a very racy leather top- one that showed off entirely too much skin in the boys eyes. Christian lifted his hands, gently easing the woman's hair free, carefully easing away the knots until her hair slipped free from the metal zip pull that it had snagged on. "There" He voiced as he went to take a step back.

The woman clapped her hands once, delighted that he had managed to free her from the contraption holding her scant amount of clothes to her body- whipping around at a speed he didn't think should have been possible with her particular choice of foot wear. "Thank you!" She chimed happily- suddenly seeming much younger in Christians eyes, and before he knew it the smallest slip of a smile had made it's way to his lips. "You're welcome" He voiced- ready to excuse himself, though he didn't exactly have time to do so as she pulled her robe back up around her shoulders and weaved an arm through his- startling the young man as she tugged him towards the back door to the strip club.

"Come in! Have a drink on me and let us soothe some of your troubles hmm? I can tell by the way." she stated easily, in a tone that implied that she knew just what he was going through...though he doubted that she did. Still- he couldn't resist the woman- something about her was just so...friendly- and brought up an ache for companionship that he didn't realize he had been burying. He didn't want to sleep with the woman, or even see her naked... he just wanted to be around someone- someone who didn't know who he was and didn't care either. Someone who would just see him as another human being.

"U...um, just for a bit okay? I....should get home soon." He murmured... Home- that a strange concept. He hadn't been back to the house he had grown up in for over a week now- that woman was there... and he was sure she was just waiting to get a hold of him and claw his eyes out. He'd been staying where ever he could...mainly hostels- they were cheap, or free... and kept him slightly off the radar. Not that he believed for a minute that she wasn't keeping tabs on him.

He was pulled into a smoky atmosphere- his nose tickling at the sensation of a sneeze that never came- but made him wrinkle his nose for a moment regardless. Smoke machines were the cause for the haze within the room- and he found himself being pulled along into a private booth- where he sat with the woman. He didn't know when she had time to order drinks- but soon there was a bottle in the middle of the table, a bucket of ice with some prongs, and two short glasses. "Help yourself." She stated- all the while helping herself to the liquor- he definitely hadn't expected a full bottle of liquor to be placed in front of him- that was for sure.

The liquor was bitter- and he wasn't really sure if he liked it or not to be perfectly honest. He sat and chatted with Valerie...Valerie Velvet was what people called her- and he didn't stop to think if that could be her real name or not. They spoke of mundane things but he found himself warming to her- or perhaps it was the drink that made it so easy for him to talk? He wasn't sure what it was.... but by the time he had three glasses of the bitter liquid down- he found himself talking about the horrible woman his father had married- and how he suspected her hand in his death...and then he found himself hunched over the table- his arms crossed and his chin resting on top of them- his lashes fluttering now and then as he sat in a daze, entirely relaxed for the first time in days and dozing.

He thought he heard Valerie say something - and let out a soft noise as if to acknowledge what she said- even though he wasn't even sure if she had said anything. His mind was in a haze- and slowly he sat up, leaning back against a seat that looked like it would be plump and comfortable- but in reality it was quite stiff. "I should go" He voiced softly- though he didn't move... he was so tired, and stuck in a drunken haze.

It took a lot of self control for Christian not to simply get up and try to leave, even though he had seen her stop at the bouncer... probably to ensure that he didn't try to go off on his own. With a heavy sigh he dropped his face onto his arms, his forehead pressed against them until she returned. The smell of smoke clung to the woman- though he knew it wasn't her fault- still the smell burned the back of his throat. He wasn't really as drunk as the woman seemed to think he was, but he just didn't have it in him to tell her differently, and thus he allowed her to help him out- more exhausted than drunk to be honest. As soon as she asked where he lived he felt himself tense a little and his face slip into an unreadable mask- void of expression. 'Where did he live... he wasn't even sure of that anymore.'

It seemed she took his silence as a drunken stupor and simply let the cab know where to go- he would be sure to pay her for the cab in the morning. Again he let himself be led around- watching her remove his shoes- which he almost protested too, had it not been for the fact that his eyes were heavy and his tongue felt like a lead weight in his mouth. With a sigh he let himself fall against the bed- his eyes shutting and his mind drifting almost instantly- his last thought being that she should be the one taking the bed.

He found himself stirring a few hours later- he'd never been able to sleep in unfamiliar places for very long, which was probably why he was sleep deprived. His gray hued eyes fluttered open- and slowly he sat up, his gaze wondering until they alighted upon the woman sleeping on the couch- a book still resting on her chest. Silently he got to his feet- making his way over to the couch where he carefully lifted the woman into his arms- she may have found him light, but she felt like a feather in his arms...was she eating properly?

He simply shook his head as he wandered back to the bed and gently laid her down- pulling the sheets up over her, before he turned to look for a piece of paper and something to write with. After tracking down a slip of paper and a pen that didn't write all that well he managed to write her a short letter.

'Thank you for the night- it was good to talk with someone.
I'd like to pay you back, at least for the cab money.
You can reach me at : xxx-xxx-xxxx'

After scrawling out his phone number he placed the pen and note on the arm of the couch and made his way quietly out of the woman's apartment. A chilly breeze instantly penetrated the thin coat he wore and he felt a shiver run down his spine. Trying not to draw any attention to himself he made sure to tuck his camera into his coat and pulled his hood up- his brows furrowing as he tried to get his bearings... He wasn't completely sure as to where he was, but he figured he couldn't be that far from downtown and simply started walking in the direction of bright lights.
He had been correct in his assumption, though he didn't stay on the main road- instead he found himself in the grave yard again- a bitter smile gracing his lips "I hope I can pay her back....." He murmured- but his voice was filled with doubt. The night was cold- and all he had with him was the clothing on his back, and the camera around his neck...the last thing he had ever received from his father. Shivering he made his way over to a bench and plopped down- leaning back to stare up at a sky that he was sure was filled with stars, but he could see none thanks to the light pollution from the city

He didn't want to make friends now- he didn't want to have hope that me might live until he was old, hunched over with gray hair. He couldn't believe that because the likely hood of it happening was so slim...so very slim. He let his eyes flutter closed- his breath creating a soft cloud of vapor in the air. It was strangely cold out, a fluctuation in the usual temperature in a usually warm city. Perhaps if he just waited- his own personal reaper would come and end everything. What was he living for anyway? There was no one who needed him... Not really. The lady next door would find someone else to help her with her groceries... The girl from the strip club would make friends and make her way in time. And the woman in his home, would live in the lap of luxury.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

Those words jolted the boy from his thoughts- a slight frown tugging at his lips- the person who spoke...no begged for forgiveness sounded to be quite distressed. Silence settled once again- that is until the soft echo of a gunshot resounded through the graveyard. Muffled as it was, the sound was unmistakable, and he was on his feet in an instant, his nerves once again set aflame- and his heart shuddering into a quick pace once more. "Oh god" He blanched, unable to will himself to go towards the sound, instead he turned on heel and ran out of the graveyard as quickly as he could- sweat trickling down the back of his neck and he ran- in no real decided direction. He wove through people who ignored his presence- making his way to a hostel he had stayed in before.

No one questioned as to why he was so skittish- and he simply paid the small fee for a room, before slipping away from the desk with a key in hand and made his way into a small room- with an adjoining bathroom. All the room had was a small table with two chairs, a cot for a bed, and a lamp for reading light.

Christian inhaled deeply, his body trembling with adrenaline and exhaustion. "Just...go to sleep Chris... forget about it" he murmured, pressing his lips into a thin line and he laid down on top of the blankets and curled into himself. He didn't know for sure it had been a gun shot right? Perhaps something just fell and made a loud noise... That was his last thought until he drifted off into oblivion.

The next morning he found himself sitting at a café with a coffee and a newspaper in hand- his eyes skimming over the details about a body found in the cemetery- and this wasn't the type of body that was supposed to be there. It described the death as being a suicide- but he had his doubts... it just didn't feel right. He let out a long exhale he hadn't realized he'd been holding in and placed the newspaper down- his eyes fliting from one person to another. Would he end up like this man?

He quickly finished his coffee which was still too hot and burned his tongue slightly- before placing some cash down on the table and standing up- making his way out of the café quietly. He walked along the street in a daze, his hands shoved into his pockets- a blank expression on the males face. His camera hung around his neck- a weight he was grateful for as it kept him grounded. Eventually he found himself in a park, one he had frequented as a child... his back pressed against the thick trunk of a large willow tree. He remembered coming here to picnic with his mother...before she passed. She had always loved nature- and Christian had knew he took after her in that regard. Well to be honest he took after her in most aspects, from his eyes to the golden sheen of his hair. His pale skin with a soft pink flush to it- and long lashes. He was simply lucky that he didn't have her tiny frame, sporting his boyish muscles and lean body, much like his fathers. He wasn't particularly tall, standing at 5'10" but that was a fairly average height.

Again he found himself simply...waiting- a small frown tugging at his lips, he didn't have it in him to do...anything, really. "C'mon" He grumbled- running his teeth over his tongue idly- a feeling like sandpaper floating over his tongue thanks to the coffee scolding his taste buds. "I'll just sit here then. Make the day very boring." He added under his breath- fingering at his camera idly once more.

"Do you know why she wants me dead?" He voiced idly- there was no point in keeping it to himself...then again he wasn't even sure if he was being watched at this point in time. Still it felt good to speak out loud... "Because I just turned eighteen. She wants the inheritance promised to me by my father. He was a wealthy man, she had him killed to..... I suspect neck snapped, then dumped down the stairs to look like an accident" He continued blandly, not letting any emotion slip onto his face or into his voice- not wanting to show anymore weakness. He was tired of playing along. "I'm not actually her kid, so she doesn't particularly care about me. I'm sure she'd kill me herself if she thought she could get away with it." He added- squinting up at the sun to distract himself- willing any emotion out of his ghostly gaze.

Christian couldn't help but flinch a bit as another person came into view- for a moment he wondered if this was it, and then a flash of recognition entered his pale gaze. "Fate huh.." He replied, but he found himself returning her smile - mildly amused by the fact that she looked like she was upside down. "You like different. Good different. " he added simply, leaning forward, before he turned his body to look at the girl, a brow arched. Like this she looked her age- and he guessed her to be around his own age. He let his gaze follow hers for a moment, a quizzical expression on the males face, what was she looking for? Or maybe...who?

"Are you waiting for someone here? A secret rendezvous perhaps.. I'd hate to get in the way- didn't know this bench was a secret meeting spot" He jested lightly, trying to turn his mind away from the ever present fear that jibed at his thoughts constantly... not that he could- he felt like at any moment things would just...end. He definitely didn't want anyone else to get caught up in what ever he was caught up in. And Valarie seemed nice... At least, from what he had learned of her in the past few hours of knowing the girl.

Before he could stop himself he found that he was flinching what a ball darted past him, followed by a child who ran past to retrieve it, blissfully unaware of the male on the bench- A child and a ball could make him flinch now. With a sigh he lifted his hands to his face and rubbed a this eyes, grimacing slightly 'That's pathetic Chris- pull your s**t together' He hissed silently at himself before he dropped his hands and looked to Valarie again, straightening his posture. "Now- if by chance i'm not ruining a secret rendezvous, would you care to grab a bite to eat? My treat as i still haven't thanked you for letting me stay and...." He voiced, cutting himself off as his smile faltered "You had to listen to me ramble. I fear i said a bit too much" He added, placing his hands on his knees before pushing against them and standing up.

He could't help but cast his gaze around warily one more time, before returning his eyes to the young lady who still stood behind the bench as he awaited her answer. He still had money- his bank account was still open and he was sure that his step mother was trying to track him down through his purchases... that was why he wasn't fond of staying in one place for too long- but he had to eat and sleep, which meant he had to spend money in order to survive- nothing was free.

Christian definitely wasn't used to people getting so close to him, but he didn't protest when he slipped her arm through his and started tugging him away from the park- a soft chuckle rumbling in his chest as he picked up his pace to match hers. "Well, seeing as it's almost lunch time- how about Vietnamese food? I know a great place. a little hole in the wall but they make amazing dishes" He voiced, tugging her arm slightly to indicate that they needed to turn the corner. He lead her along the street- letting his arm remained hooked with hers. He felt strangely at ease with her... perhaps because she was so friendly and didn't make things feel awkward. Most people avoided the male thanks to his pale eyes and the fact that his father had been a big shot when he was alive.

As soon as they arrived and they were seated- it would have become obvious that he was a regular, and well liked by the couple who owned the shop- though they had been uneasy with him at first. Still these people didn't know his name outside of the shop and it made for an easy relationship with them. He ended up ordering himself a large bowl of beef noodle soup and some deep fried wontons to start, as well as a tall glass of ice water. "Get anything you'd like, like i said it's my treat" He stated easily, feeling almost as if he was sitting with an old friend. "Funny that we would meet again so soon" He added as he leaned back in his chair- doing his best to appear relaxed even though he could feel the tension that refused to diffuse. When was the last time he had been able to breathe easily? He couldn't think of it... probably not even when his father had been alive. Not with that vulture skulking around in his home.

With that he settled into silence- what was he supposed to talk about? What did normal people talk about? He didn't know anymore. It was actually rather hard to focus on common thoughts when you were pretty sure that there was someone out there was gunning for you. A constant threat... a predator skulking in the shadows.. .but just what were they waiting for? Hadn't he provided many chances....? He knew he wasn't just being paranoid. Instinct told him that he was being followed, that he had become somebodies prey.

It didn't make sense.. not to him anyway. Hadn't he made it clear that it wasn't the best idea to be close to him? His father was dead and he knew he was next but Valarie seemed to have forgotten all of these things. Or perhaps she had chosen to simply ignore it. She spoke of them becoming best friends and idea of it made his chest ache- like he had a stone lodged in his heart that simply wouldn't come loose. It hurt, that he hoped for a life that he didn't think he could have anymore... but perhaps having someone around- having some fun while he still could wouldn't be the worst thing. In fact he liked the idea of just...living a little. He couldn't stop himself from grinning when she spoke of beating someone up for him- he didn't need her too.. it wasn't like he was entirely defenceless. His father had him taking judo at a young age- so he could decently fight someone off- just.... probably not someone who wanted to take his life. A professional killer was different from some thug on the streets after all.

"Best friends huh? I don't know if i can promise the same thing- i might be an absolutely lousy friend" He stated in a matter of fact tone, though a hint of humour glimmered in the males eyes. It didn't take long for their food to arrive- and he found himself practically devouring it- he hadn't eaten this morning...and coffee definitely wasn't enough the sustain him. He hesitated at the idea of going out, he'd gone out a few times before- but never with friends. Usually just to hide himself somewhere crowded..and perhaps drink away his troubles for the night. Though he was't a huge fan of the hang over he often felt the day after and had taken to avoiding drinking to such an extent since.

"...Alright" He voiced, nodding slowly- before he pursed his lips and leaned forward in his chair a bit "However I feel I should inform you that my wardrobe is dreadfully lacking and I don't have anything to wear" He stated- letting a girly edge creep into his voice as he mocked almost every teenage girl he had ever met. He couldn't help it- the amount of times he heard people complain about having nothing to wear was outrageous...even though he wasn't joking. "And I'm sorry to say that I don't think any of your clothes would fit- but I bet I'd look smashing in them" He added- not really stopping to think if she would get his humour or not...