stuff us in boxes that's where you want us

cardboard is boring, we brought our matches - look how it burns

Harley was a little bit of everything in this savage world. She was a little fierce like a wild cat, a little brave, a little resilient and even a little stupid. Stupid for not being fearful when she probably should have. All those times she could have turned back and didn't would she have been dead? Would that course of life she was now on been altered? Would she still be here? These were the thoughts she sometimes had, thoughts that hardly did the woman any good. There was nothing in her power she could have done to save her parents. If it had played out any differently she was quite certain she would have been dead along with them. Just how many times she had stared death in the face without flinching and she survived. Death still bit at her heels like some rabid wolf wanting to maim her and yet here she stood. Stronger and even more feisty than ever before.

She was completely taken aback by the kindness of this random stranger, most would have moved on, especially after barreling into her like a bat out of hell moments before. The woman's voice hardly laced with any form malevolence. It made her double take, noticing how she actually seemed like the girl next door, all the way down to those concerned eyes and caring tones in her voice. To be honest, Harley was expecting a vulgar gesture, or swearing, or telling her to watch where she was going. Not even a hint of bitchiness or cruelty lingered within that form. No, this random woman actually seemed kind, genuine. It made her skeptical, but she was far too frantic and worried to give a flying fuck what she wanted. But she was oh so certain that there was something within those seemingly genuine emotions. Those eyes forged of violet flame flicker and then narrow, the full extent of that gaze landing upon the woman who reminded her of sunshine and flowers. The very look many before her had wilted beneath. Even the other worman's eyes reminded her of pretty blue skies during a sunny day, much like the pristine sky overhead now. How could she be so happy? So blissful in a chaotic place that reeked of desperation, that lurked with death and torture in every damn corner. If she wasn't so bold, so reckless, choosing to be so ignorant of all those ticking time bombs clicking away around her that would only drive the raven-haired spitfire insane, if she let it. "What do you get out of it?" She bit coolly, her face frowning, untrusting and bitter, she should had never come to this busy ass park. Fuck the happy faces, fuck the families who still had each other, and fuck the pups that didn't chase after every stupid squirrel. Okay, maybe she was having a bad day. The people were grating on her nerves, the shrill sound of kids screaming in delight made her wince as if physically wounded. She could hardly help that sinking, decaying feeling that washed over her within those moments.

Those vibrant violet eyes dart around looking for Ace, scanning as meticulously as human eyes could. But he had taken off again and he was out of her line of sight. Worry overtook her. How the hell was she going to catch him with a broken leash, without a spare. She also left his training treats at home, by the exit where did absolutely zero good there. She sighed, shrugging defeated, glancing at the woman her resolve fading just enough to say those words she hated the moment she said them. "I suppose I could use all the help I can get." She paused before muttering those final words. "I can't lose him.." God she hated how she sounded so, desperate and weak. She didn't come this far, went through all she had to ensure he had an additional lease on life just to take off. Just to get lost in the forest chasing a fucking squirrel. Ace had survived vampires, had seen Harley through all those ups and downs, the devastating lows and those mediocre highs at best. She refused to believe she would lose him like this.

"You think they are so smart one moment and then the next they pull this dumb shit.. chasing after their own stupid tails and anything small that moves fast." She grumbled out loud, pissed off at the very world. "I should have been a cat person.. But I can't stand their murdery stares." She huffed. But of course she didn't mean it. "But I love my little furmonster." Her face was a scowl, but her eyes warmed slightly talking about her little boogerbutt.

She gave a sidelong glance. "I think I saw him go that way.." She pointed toward the forest. Of course, he had to go there. She slid of her jacket suddenly, she was overheating in the damned thing anyways. She draped it over her arm, exposing the intricate tattoo she had done in tribute to her parents. An hourglass with its sad running out and skulls hidden in bleeding roses, and shards of glass mirroring their faces. A reminder that no matter how sweet this world got, it was a piece of shit and it was always just a matter of time before your time ran out. It was a morbid, haunting and yet beautiful piece all entwined in such a way that told a story she rarely ever told.

"Puppy Ace!" She called out helplessly, her voice all but swallowed whole but the sound of the bustling park and cacophony of sound. "Theres a steak dinner in it for you if you come back..." It was useless, she knew but she moved toward the forest, curious if the other woman would follow.

Harley Westward