It's the {beat} in the {heart}{Open

[caleb ferranti]

The music of the club was getting to be enough. No, it wasn’t that Caleb didn’t like the music; it was his music that was pounding. No, Caleb wasn’t no famous musician. This was one of those inner city clubs that would only play music they approved of. He found this amusing, but by now, he didn’t want to strain his voice. He had done that before and it had taken him weeks to recover. He had been unable to do anything he really loved, like singing and it bothered him. He squeezed his way through the crowd. It wasn’t hard at all, he was five foot seven. Small, well, tiny even, but that didn’t bother him. He didn’t think that height played too huge a role in life. It was all the inside, all the smarts and abilities that muscle and such gave you. That was how you survived.

It was a miracle he was alive. It was a miracle that even after what he had been through, that he was a live. That he wasn’t some sort of walking zombie, a person who was lifeless. Without soul, alone, weak and tired. Though, Caleb wasn’t anything like that. He was alive, he was walking and talking and moving around like people do when they have a soul. A working soul. He hummed softly to the beat of a new song he had written. It had no accompaniment written to go along; it had a beat and a back up tune, but nothing more. If anyone who didn’t know Caleb, if they didn’t know the life that was in him, then they would think he was depressed. They would think that he was a troubled child. A child who needed help and needed love from others. He wasn’t that. No.

Crystal blue eyes met the world with some sort of calm at the moment. People would wonder, people who knew him would question him, people who saw him would ask, why calm. To him, being calm was the world. Though emotions swirled in them, what people would see was calm. What others who knew him, who could read him, would see was a quiet pain and suffering, covered by faux amusement and added with a dose of pure happiness. Though, as his eyes were forced to adjust to the new darkness as he left the club, he wondered what people would ever see in him. He did have small issues; he doubted himself too much. It wasn’t his fault because after what he had done, how he had been treated. A kid like him was bound to have confidence issues. Though, there were more sides than that. He wasn’t like that.

The darkness was welcoming. It gave him a chance to breath. It let him be who he was without wondering where he was. This was the town that he knew the best. This was the place that gave him strength. This was the very place that he would never leave. Sure, he never thought he would make it to the next year, but that was just the pessimist in him. He hated that part, but it related to his childhood. Though, he would never acknowledge being messed up. He hated shrinks, he hated doctors. He hated all those people who thought that they could tell you how to live. They didn’t walk in your shoes. They had never seen the world through your eyes. It was like they could suggest. They could never live a day in the shoes of a gang kid. They wouldn’t too long like that.

A soft sigh escaped paled lips. Everything about Caleb was pale and almost…feminine. He wasn’t though, he was quick, he was like most small people. Though, once again, size didn’t matter. A soft smirk curled his lips while he glanced around. Out of habit, he fingered the blade in the pocket of his tight jeans. These were worn enough for him to run, for him to make it to safety before he had to fight. He didn’t want to fight and kill again. It was why he liked this gang, they didn’t fight much at all, and they never made the first move. They were defensive when it came to fighting. They hated to be the ones who caused it. Caleb was very much like that. He hated the idea of being the killer. Maybe that had come from watching blood poor from a drunken man’s face…or the face of a man who had welcomed him into his house.

By god. He needed to stop thinking that like. It would kill him. It would torture his mind and make him slip into that realm known as insanity. He looked up at the sky, it was going to rain soon, he was without a jacket, but he didn’t care. He knew he wasn’t alone. Years of Juvenile Detention had made his wary of passersby. He looked up sharply, just in time to see a mother rushing her child home. He shook his head in amusement. He had been so worried about nothing, but as he looked back at his feet, kept his eyes trained there while he walked; he felt unusually wary. He was worried about people attacking. He didn’t want trouble tonight. He wanted to enjoy the rain that was to come.

It wasn’t really to be though. He muttered a weak curse, but as he turned to see what he had been worried about, it was another cat. At least he wasn’t worried. Though, as he turned to walk in the same direction, he walked into another person. “um…Hi.”

[carrie rivers!]

There were many twists and turns in life. You just had to stop the twist and turns. An older male looked down at the boy, a sharp growl escaped his lips. "You little runt, you better watch out where you are going." he growled, the sound of a knife being opened came from behind the man. He was drunk, the stupid ass. He didn't show the knife, but you could have that feeling. A smirk appeared on his lips as he looked down at the younger male. A snicker came from behind him. He looked behind him to see a young blond. "Whatcha doin' messing with my friend hm?" she asked. A bang fell in her face, a smirk on her face.

"Nothing, I was just-" but he was cut off by Carrie Rivers. "Oh yes...you were doing 'nothing' to him, what were you going to do with that knife hm?" she spat. She was pissed and to the max. He looked at her, but she knew he wouldn't answer her. Might as well tell him to fuck off and get away. She looked at him, then glared. "Fuck off, get the hell out of here before i do it for you. Get near him again and i will kill you." she said, she was serious. She looked at him, he mumbled something and flipped the knife shut and put it in the pocket. She wondered...'hm should i take it from him? no...i think i got the message through him.' she thought, then watched him leave. A smirk was on her face...'Good thing i came here in time.' she thought.

Earlier,

The smell of alcohol could be smelt from a mile away, Carrie Rivers scrunched up her face. She looked to see a man, he looked pretty weird. Suspicious. She looked at him, but looked back at where she was, closing her eyes. She was bored with nothing to do. She had been like this all day, the smell of beer was still in her nose. She hated the smell, it was so annoying. She grunted, but paused listening. “um…Hi.”
"Caleb." she whispered. A smirk appeared on her face, hm...someone she could mess with. But then that all changed when..."You little runt, you better watch out where you are going." from a man. She didn't move though, the boy could handle himself.

She wasn't going to move, she stayed right where she was. Then she opened her eyes, them being closed as she listened to the man speak. She heard the sound of a knife. A low growl escaped her, it wasn't from Caleb. It was...the man. The alcohol. She stood and walked over. 'I knew it.' she thought bitterly...She looked at the two and walked up behind the man. A snicker escaped her throat. Then she spoke. "Whatcha doin' messing with my friend hm?" she said, she saw him look at her . . .

Now,

She watched the man finally leave, she eyes stayed on the spot until she was sure he was gone. She wasn't going to speak until the smell of beer was gone from her nose. She looked at Caleb from the corner of her eye, a small smirk on her lips. "Later kid." she said, giving a small sarcastic grin to him. Then put her hands in her pockets and walked away. There was nothing more she could do, just walk away. She didn't know what he would do. She didn't really care either. 'Why in the hell did i help him anyways?' she wondered. She knew if she told anyone, she would kill him herself. And...

Personally.

[caleb ferranti]

The smell of beer and an unshowered man passed under his nose and he looked up at a pissed man. His eyes narrowed, eyes hardened, body stiffened. He almost expected to be knifed, he almost expected the pain, but it didn’t come. Instead, a blonde appeared, for a moment, he didn’t know why, but he didn’t recognize her. The voice gave her away, the voice made Caleb realize that a close friend was by. His grip loosened on the switch blade he carried. He lost his guard, but he stayed stiff until the smell was long gone and he felt comfortable again. He looked up at Carrie, he half expected her to rub it in his face, and after all, he didn’t show enough self confidence to stop people from doing that. He watched her walk away and for a moment, he felt like he was in his own world. A world where he was weak, where he was silent.

It was a world he visited often. Almost like he was a ghost in real life. Though, he wasn’t. He knew that the hard way after feeling the bite of a bullet and the coldness of steal. He looked at her back; let her get far enough away for her to think that he wanted a conversation. He didn’t know if that was what he wanted. He knew without interaction, he would be insane. So, moments later he found himself slipping a switchblade back into the pocket of his coat and catching up with Carrie. For a few moments, he didn’t speak. He just looked ahead and then at her for a few seconds. His eyes could have revealed the facts that fear was vibrant, or that the pain and suffering had faded for the moment, maybe even the happiness at recognizing someone and not getting knifed. He didn’t know what gave him that happiness, but a small smile curled his lips.

It always took him longer to speak, to start a conversation if another person didn’t. He looked up at her and finally muttered, ”Ya just have the perfect timing. I could have handled him.” He knew he sounded resentful, but he hadn’t been speaking much to people all night. You could have said that he was rusty at interacting with people, but after all those events with his adopted father; he had found it harder and harder to interact, but that didn’t matter. He knew people who wouldn’t let that happen and he was constantly thankful for them. Without them, he wouldn’t even be alive; he would just be a ghost around here, a memory long forgotten.

”Why did ya come?” He asked looking up at her. He knew her; she didn’t go nowhere without a purpose. She didn’t just wander like he did. It seemed that he was always wandering. That he was always just a shadow on the earth because he never had a single spot he stayed in. He even lived in a few different places just because the simple, constant life was something he couldn’t take. He didn’t want to have a normal life. That was part of the reason he loved being in a gang. He directed his own life, but right now, he needed to focus on the person in front of him. Next to him, near him, around him. That person was Carrie.

”Not often I geta talk to ya anymore.” It was a simple comment. One that would hopefully bring up some sort of conversation between them. He didn’t want to walk there in silence. Some days, he would have loved to do that, but he was still hearing the pounding music in his head and it was best to replace it with something that wasn’t as loud and not always as annoying. He pushed black bangs from his eyes before he chewed lightly on the inside of his lip piercings. Just a habit. One he could have broken years ago, but it was a nervous one. A hard one to break.

[carrie rivers!]

DEAR {NAME HERE},

I'm not ready to make nice,
I'm not ready to back down,
I'm still mad as hell
And I don't have time
To go round and round and round
It's too late to make it right
I probably wouldn't if I could
Cause I'm mad as hell
Can't bring myself to do what it is
You think I should

LOVE,
CARRIE RIVERS.

Carrie hide a smirk from him, he didnt need to see her whole bad spot now right? She looked forward, her eyes closed. She felt his eyes on her. She smirked at the first reply. "Yes I bet you could have, kid." Now, now she wasnt lying to him. She could have easily lied to him, he probably wouldnt have even noticed. Heh, she keep the smirk on her face. To tell tell him the truth, she didnty know if he could or not. She didnt even care or put in his size. Forget size, no matter how small or big you are, size...doesnt really matter. Anyone could kick someone elses ass. Thats what Carrie thought. Her thoughts and her alone. She keep her eyes closed thinking. A habit of hers as well. She didnt this when she thought or was thinking of something serious.

You could never tell if Carrie was serious or not, she was unpredictable as most call her. You could not even notice if she was being stupid or funny or even immature. Okay...she was hardly ever immature. Not her thing as all. She opened her eyes and looked down at him. She saw the small smile, but looked back forward, thinking still. She gave him a small sarcastic grin again. "Hm..the smell was bothering. Its really none of your business there boy." she said, she keep her eyes focused before her. One eye looked at him though, she was looking at him from the corner of her eye, he was still looking at her.

What was he trying to do here? Start a damn converstation? That she highly doubted. Didnt he have to get home or something? She didnt really mind him though. He...was sorta like a good friend to her. Someone she could actually 'talk' to. So...she could like...be honest with him right? Isnt that what good friends do? They dont lie or keep secrets? Carrie didnt even know, though. "Yes..not often, but you are now. Keep in mind, i'm only saying this once and only once. If you ever want to talk to me, i think you know where to find me." she whispered to him. She didnt want others to think she was....going 'soft' on anyone. They would expect that from her, much more often than needed.

She just felt a little safe around this kid, she didnt know why. Okay...she doesnt like him if she did creepy. She liked him only as a friend, nothing more. Maybe even a brother. Dont push it though. She looked forward, and closed her eyes once again. 'He better not be thinkin i am going soft. i will personally kill him.' she thought. She opened her coco orbs and looked at him, a serious look in her eyes. Her pushed her hands down further into her pockets. It was cold out, she knew she should have brought a jacket. Her thoughts were running wild, mostly thinking she was stupid and all that, no need to go into detail. she kinda wished she knew what he thought of her. she really wanted to know what a lot of people thought of her.

She didnt really care, okay okay she did a bit, for the most part she was curious. Curiousity killed the cat but...its a good thing they have nine lifes right?

[caleb ferranti]

He watched her curiously. He almost felt like a lost child, but with it threatening to rain and the fact that most people treated him like a kid, he couldn’t help, but feel like a lost child. He knew that she knew he could have taken that guy on, but it was just one of those questions that you asked to fill dead air. He wanted to drown the music of the club, to wash it away in a conversation and to not let the emotions always swirling in him bubble over and kill him. He gave her a weak smile and said a rare thing for anyone in a gang to say, ”Thank ya.” Even though he wasn’t as mentally strong as others and he wasn’t completely confident, he barely said thank you to another person. He didn’t know why he was saying it, but he was and that was something that was a milestone for him. He looked at her for a few more seconds. She was so confusing.

Sometimes, she acted like she didn’t want him around when she didn’t mind. It was just like anyone else in a position of power; they didn’t want to be close to anyone. He would have given off a harsh laugh at that moment, but he knew he always needed to tread gently with Carrie. She was nice and a person he could talk to, but she wasn’t weak or soft. She wasn’t scared to blow his head off. Though, that thought lead to the blood that had literally poured from a bullet wound in the head of an innocent mind. A shiver racked his shoulders for a second. He didn’t like remembering that. He didn’t want people to know his past for a good reason; he didn’t want to be known for killing a man out of anger. He knew his small bursts of anger were dangerous, but now they were useful. Since, people seemed to like to piss him off in the middle of a fight when being strong counted.

”I know where to find ya. Ya have a good idea where to find me, but I dun think an important persun like ya would need ta find me.” He said with a half-hearted shrug. He knew he wasn’t important; he didn’t want to be important because it meant stress. Stress would just be something else that would make him slip farther away from the real world. He looked at her carefully. She was really beautiful, but he usually didn’t swing that way. He didn’t talk much about anything like that. Most people didn’t think that he even had a sexual urge. It was funny when they would talk about things and Caleb would walk in, dazed and in his own world. They would bother him about it and he would actually reply realistically. It was amusing. People thought that he was some kid living off of them, but when they thought about it, they realized that he wasn’t borrowing money or anything; he was just there and aligned with them.

”Carrie, why do ya call me kid? I’m not more than three years younger than ya.” That was a real question he wanted to know the answer to. After all, she had called him kid as long as he remembered and it used to get to him. It used to bother him, but now it was one of those things that he was just used to. He looked forward finally, not even noticing that he was fingering his knife ut in the open. It wasn’t like anyone would bother to come and yell at him to put it away. He wasn’t worried about a fight, but he liked to always be doing something with his hands, be it moving them while he talked or just playing with whatever was in his hands. It was something that amused him.

”Ya heading anywhere or just walking?” he asked softly as he looked at her for a second. He wanted to know so he would know when to take his leave. He trusted Carrie, he knew her closely, but he was always on edge with her. There was just that fact that he didn’t know too much about her and her mood swings. He didn’t understand much and it was just one of those things that made you question what would happen later on.

[carrie rivers!]

He had so many questions. Annoying and irritating...She grunted lightly. "You ask too many damn questions you know that?" she looked at him for a moment. Then looked back forward, she didnt mind much though. It keep a converstation going and he seemed pretty good at that. Well sometimes it seemed. "Well...um your welcome." 'I guess...' she said, but her thoughts were really different. She didnt know many gang members that said thank you. But yeah like she has said before, times are changing. Changing...means hell. Carrie keep her gaze forward. "Important person you say? Hn, I'm not important, I'm no where near an important person. Just because I'm a leader kid, doesn't mean i'm 'important'." she said, she looked at him and gave a sarcastic grin.

That was the only kind of grin she gave to anyone. Heh. Thats the only one you'd get out of her. So no point in getting a real one. You could try, i doubt you'll get anything. Carrie's eyes closed, thinking. She felt his gaze on her, but she simply ignored it. "Because I can call you that, thats why kid." a smirk came onto her rosy lips. 'Yes...because i can.' she thought bitterly. She knew she had to find him and quick. She gave a low sigh. She just then realized, her and caleb didnt know much. Yet...she trusted him. How is that so? She didnt know at all. Is that he understands her? She doubted. But yeah. Who knows, she didnt really care. Not...one bit. Carrie opened her eyes, they were emotionless. A bad thought just hit her brain. What if...What if her father found Caleb and killed him? She stopped herself from growling. No way

No way in hell would he hurt or kill Caleb. Her eyes were glazed with hurt, pain, anger and emotionless. Gosh a lot of emotions at once. No one would kill anyone close to Carrie while she is alive. She looked at the boy for a minute, her eyes emotionless the most. Then looked back forward. Her thoughts wondered around a bit, thinking. "Hm? Oh well I was heading home, but thats changed since i 'helped' you kid." she said, still looking forward, ignoring her thoughts for a minute. She looked down at her feet, she needed to relax. But not here, that was suicide. She looked ahead, she was thinking way to much.

She needed to relax a bit. Now..something to get her mind of things. She looked at him, then smirked. "Hm..you know kid. We dont know much about each other. Anything you want to know about me, ask away." she said a light smirk on her lips. She needed him for a few things. He was perfect for the job. She knew this, her instincts where just like that. For some odd reason, she knew he would be perfect for the job. She didnt know if he knew or not. But..he just might be her personal spy.

Plus he was the only one she really did trust. She didnt know if he'd take the job or not. She didnt care if he was part of the Legends, they were allies. They...were 'family'. Carrie hated the word, but yeah it fit. If it fits, it works for her. She didnt really care what they others think of it. Who gives a shit. Carrie closed her eyes, thinking. She wondered what he would ask her, if he would ask at all.

[caleb ferranti]

He grinned up at her like a child, ”Well, you call me a child, so I get to ask questions like one.” He looked at her for a few seconds. He was trying to figure out if she was right when she said that he was welcome. He didn’t think he was welcome. That was another topic though, so he wasn’t really worried about what she was saying. A small smile curled the corners of his mouth when she started acting like she wasn’t important. That was just something that made him amused by that. She was acting like she was some regular kid. That was what he had found kind of cool about her. She had always been the type of person to not think that they were as important as they really were. He shook his head, pushing black hair into his face a bit more than he actually wanted to. He took a breath to say something, but he paused instead.

Then, after thinking it through, he spoke again. ”Ya know, Carrie, you are important. Seriously, gang leada extraordinaire! The only one as far as I know too.” He said with a nod of his head. He didn’t want to make her think he was lying or that she was going soft. Nah, he knew thinking that would mean certain death. He may have not been like every other gang member, may not have been ruthless like them, but he knew the limits of people quite well. It was why he was able to get along without having to fight that much. He watched her lose herself in her thoughts and a gentle smile curled his lips. He wasn’t able to imagine her in such a thoughtful mood, but here she was, acting exactly that way.

She spoke a few times before he acknowledged actually having heard her. She spoke about not knowing each other. That was what caught him and brought him back to reality from his own little world. He looked over at her for a second before he spoke, ”I dunno what I need to know about you. You can ask me some questions and maybe I’ll figure out something from that…Though…Nevermind.” He said softly as he shook his head. Memories of his adopted father will a bullet hole in his head made him shiver. He looked at the other with a curious expression. What was it that he needed to ask to know about? He didn’t want to go into family and history because that meant that she would do the same to him. That was something he didn’t want to do. Absent mindedly, he thought of his ankle, where he had gotten a tattoo of a rose. A while rose.

He looked around them, the rain falling a bit quicker, but not heavy enough to soak them. Just enough to make him wish for a warmer jacket and to also love walking around. He looked at the world around him with dark eyes, eyes that were heavy with sadness. He wondered what she would ask. He knew she was planning something, she wouldn’t ask anything like this without planning something. She was smart, smarter than a few leaders, so he didn’t need to worry…Unless she was going to double-side him. He hoped not, but around here, someone couldn’t be so sure of how safe he or she was. It was funny how when a person lost their childhood to unfair situations, that life could turn against them time and time again. He bit down on his lip for a few seconds. He had no idea what to ask her.[/color]

[carrie rivers!]

take it one step at a time,
don't worry about what will follow after wards.

she listened to him, while she was thinking. he seems quite cut out for her little plot. she didn't want much out of him though. she didn't really care much about his history and all that jazz. she looked at him and saw the childish grin. she looked at him unamused. she shook her head, sighing. then she snorted at his words. "i see. keep acting like that you could pass for a kid, though i'd say around two." she muttered at him, then looked at him a smirk on her lips. she gave him a sarcastic grin. she wasn't kidding or was she? she didn't really know. she looked back forward, her thoughts were wondering.

if she asked him, there would be no turning back on the question. yet she didn't really care. okay, okay she did a little. but yeah who cares. her mind was going crazy. she might need to get a little rest, relax a bit ya know what i mean? maybe you do, maybe you don't. she looked at him as he spoke yet again. she was the only leader he knew? hehe good, lets keep it that way. "i see, keep it like that. i have meet the both of them. ones a asshole and the other...hes an asshole and a dumbass, but i don't really care if i'm important at all or not." she smirked. she wasn't going to tell him anything more about meeting the two. that was her thing to know not his. of course you could tell there was much more.

she wouldn't tell him she had a little fling with one of them, the other he was just there. she knew him from a long time ago. though she don't remember much of him though. she looked around, listening for anyone who just happened to walk by. she was still thinking about if she should ask him or not. she was very frustrated or not. this was irritating right now. she looked at him hearing his next words. she was ignoring the rain that was falling. she hated rain, well in the spring. she looked forward, listening to him as he spoke. they needed shelter, she couldn't let neither of them get a cold or something. maybe when it got colder and rained harder, she would look for shelter. that was the worst thing about being in the streets, she looked at him once again. thinking about what he said.

he seemed to not want her to ask him anything. she just shrugged it off though. wasn't really any of her business though. her curiosity would soon take over sooner or later. "hm...i have one question i want to ask you, but i doubt you will like it. its very important to me." she looked at him. she didn't know if he'd like it or not. she didn't think he would think it important. not many people she knew would jump to the chance to be her spy. she didn't really care. she needed someone to though. she looked at him from the corner of her eye. she thought it over one more time and looked around real quick then closed her eyes, thinking how she could tell him this.

'hm...how could i ask him this now?' she wondered. just tell him, get it over with. she might as well get it over with. she finally decided. "i need a spy, i have been thinking it through lately and i know just who i want to be my spy, but they have a say in the matter. this is between me and the person i am asking. i was wondering, since this person i trust really well would like to be my little spy." she stopped for a minute opening her eyes and looked at him. she keep her voice very low, just for him to hear. then she continued, "i know i'm as little forward and your a legend, though i know were are allies and all. i was wondering if you wanted to be my spy, if so you have my full trust. you will tell no one, you may even be killed, but do not worry you have my back. so whatcha think? i don't mind if you don't." she whispered.

she didn't know what he would pick, but hopefully she would get an answer from him. she looked at him. "don't worry, i don't want to know anything about you since you don't seem to want me ask anything about you. your history or anything don't matter to me, as long as you think i need to know about it." she said with a small, simple grin. yes it wasn't a sarcastic grin. it was to reassure him nothing more. if he got the wrong idea, she would...uh never mind. she looked back forward, waiting for him to answer her question.