stuff us in boxes that's where you want us

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

Hot mess was an accurate descriptor for that day, which was only supposed to be as simple as letting in the service guy to do what he did best. Ending up in the hellish depths of Syn was definitely not as she anticipated. Her iron-clad tenacity as well as Sly's quick thinking and useful offensive powers were perhaps one of the few reasons why they were still persevering. If one could call their current state that. Somehow, in the face of those rapidly depleting odds neither warlock or were refused to give up. The woman was no stranger to adhere to that inner resolve like it was more solid than even the ground beneath her feet. It was that determination that had her finally able to close that final distance between them, while various metal swirled around Ruben who was forced to swipe at what seemed like nothing, angering him further. If only annoying him to death was an actual thing. But fortunate for her, it was enough for the moment. The beast certainly possessed a huge creep factor and a small brain. Yet even then, she decided it best not to underestimate the abominable sand monster she thought was far more suited to the big screen in a movie like The Mummy rather than in that body disposal area with the determined pair. Really? Who the fuck had one of those? Then again, who the fuck kept a man like Ruben like a savage pet in their basement? He probably never left his little hole. There was some messed up shit and then there was a whole other level that Risque tread and claimed as her own with unshakable pride. Her level of depravity so bypassed anything Harley had ever known.

However, the woman was entirely focused on the one and only task of getting them out of this hell-pit alive, a tall order that required her putting some level of trust within the quick-witted warlock. There was only one way to get out of that basement, but it required his help. It would seem the woman's priorities no longer included that AC unit. That thing would become the bane of her existence, she was sure. Surely, punishment over not completing her task would be better than the certain death that waited for them if they did nothing.

But Sly was in bad shape and her less than ideal hold on that metal was slipping, usually focusing one item at a time. She needed all her focus on getting them onto that lift that was so entirely close and yet so painfully far. Judging Sly's current situation, clutching at his side in clear agony like he could hold himself together, just barely, it was a wonder the man could actually stand. Was she asking for too much? They had to at least try and Ruben seemed to have an eversion to fire over her irritating metal. Harley was many things, but lack of determination was not one of them as she resolved to carry the man out of here if she had to. Something that was probably far more difficult in theory than within her mind. She refused to go out like this. She was not the only one with fight as Sly attempted what she had asked, that baby goat transformed, no it expanded and contorted into a sizable flaming colossal bull. It would be enough, it had to.

Without wasting any time, the woman slid to his side, wrapping an arm firmly upon his waist, careful not put pressure where pain crippled him. He didn't seem to be bleeding. That was a good thing, wasn't it? They could do this, they didn't have that far to go. The claim upon her lips could have been laughable if not for her sheer will to make it happen. All he could do was reply with the fact that she was tiny. A dry huff escaped her lips, her jaw set in determination. Yeah, she would show him tiny. Each step was taken faster than if he had attempted to walk on his own, the man leaning his weight into her. Even with 10 final feet left to the journey of that lift, she had learned perhaps faster than their current pace that he was heavier than he looked. She grumbled as much and yet showed no signs of slowing, her eyes upon the prize.

You're just really tiny he claimed again. Tiny! Says the man that was practically carrying him out of this death trap! So he chose to goad her instead. A single syllable of amusement escaped her. "This feels like déjà vu, I feel like I have heard that one before." He was going to need some new descriptors, seriously, he would have to do better than that. Her violet gaze shifted to the corner to thoroughly eye the man, her iconic sarcasm still easily maintained even though she pressed on, and lugged his tall form. She caught a mere glimpse of the fiery beast, fearlessly ready to charge. It was tempting to watch the show of that bull vs Ruben. For once, she would love to see a vampire's ass handed to them.

Yet she had caught sight of Sly's wince which caused her to sober like a splash of icy water. Just a little longer. Somehow, the pair managed to make it to what Harley suspected was their life line. Her hand slammed into that button that she was certain would lead them upwards to what she hoped was some kind of exit. Only nothing happened. The woman pressed it again, more deliberately before the lift awoken with an unsettled jerk. This being a sitting duck thing was the absolute worst. At least upon their ascent the woman at least was able to catch a glimpse of the epic battle that was beginning to slowly becoming beneath them. Why was this lift so damn slow, or was it that the adrenaline made it appear so? She was entirely unaware of Sly's blue gaze that observed her, unaware of the thoughts that had filtered through his mind in the face of death as that battle of sand vs fire waged below.

Above, there were two doors to choose from, like some cheesy game show with far too high odds. Life or death awaited them, she was sure she could already imagine the ominous voice that told her choose. It was strange that somehow feeling the natural heat from the warlock as she held him up was actually, in turn helping her, not that she would ever admit it. That fire bull with the massive horns was actually worked as valuable distraction bought them those precious seconds to decide before the shudder of the lift that finally came to an none-too-subtle screeching halt that caused the girl to wince. Harley's façade had long since slipped, with that devil may care attitude and was replaced with actual concern before it was decided and the pair metaphorically blindly leapt with both feet.

She chose the left one, door number one as she internally called it. Door number two looked like it might have led further in? It was impossible to truly tell. How easy it was to get muddled up down in that damned labyrinth. They had made so many turns that it was disorienting. The chute was the only gauge that they truly had. It was good enough as any. It was then that Sly's voice rang out. Gone was the familiar sarcasm she had now come to realize was his usual. The sound of his voice sent a pang of worry to further knot within her. The obvious pain that riddled his every word. One last glance below, she took in the mess of below, impossible to tell who was winning if anyone at all.

"Its ok. We won't need the big guy much longer, especially if I am right." 'If' was the major word here. She wondered if Sly could feel the racing heart that sped as adrenaline coursed through her veins, the moment on that lift a reprieve at least even if it wasn't much of one. Mere seconds ticked by that felt like forever as she used her affinity for metal to slam into that heavily fortified metal sliding door with far more force than necessary, the surge of power was enough to tear the lock that kept it stationary.

Couldn't she do anything quietly?

Quickly the woman took in her surroundings, still clutching onto Sly, offering the warlock as much support her petite tiring body could offer him. The raven-haired woman immediately spotted a narrow slit of rebellious sunlight which streamed from the bottom of a utility door across the small room that looked like a sorting room for recycle and access to the garbage. It smelled already a million times better than scent of putrid death in that pit. She took in a greedy breath of somewhat fresh air. That would have made for an excellent Febreeze commercial.

They didn't need any words. The pair both on the same page as they made their way to that door. One step turned into two. Sunlight sweet sunlight was like a beacon they couldn't ignore. Almost there. Harley encouraged the words that had played in her mind like a mantra. However, Ruben had already noticed and fury roared from him, the bull must have faded and his prize was found missing.

Ruben was faster, so much faster than he had ever been before until that very moment that revealed he had only been toying with them before. The monster of a vampire lunged toward them to grab them in sand form, it's shape could only be described as a hand that reached from the gloom. How he made it up to top side was far from her mind from the immediate threat at large. She couldn't even hear Sly's curse beyond the roar within her own mind. She didn't need it to know shit went from bad to worse as it liked to do. He was going to try and drag them back into the pit like a fucking ambush spider. They were SO close. Fuck that.

That final stretch might have felt like an entire football field when in reality it was only 12 feet. That slithering hand was so close, a breath away, the sunlight not enough to keep him at bay. A moment longer and she would have been dragged back down to meet her fate. She felt a scream build up inside of her. One that she had held for far too long, years of a scream that had been building until it ached in her chest and stored there. Yet, the scream never made it beyond the threshold of her closed lips that were sealed shut as if she pursed them tightly. She could feel Ruben but Sly had caught sight of that hand at the last moment.

Sly shifted in her grip, reacting as if on instinct, saving her from her near demise because there was no was she was taking him with her. She wouldn't have asked him for anything more. He had already given it all. Or so she had thought. Not quite, it would seem. The resilient warlock summoned his powerful flames a final time that she could feel the heat more than ever before. An impressive fiery phoenix appearing from the flames he had summoned that brought a gasp her lips. "That might be the coolest thing I have ever seen." Harley hadn't realized she said it out loud, an attempt to careen her head around to gawk at the dazzling creature Sly had summoned. It battered into Ruben's sandy monster hand, obliterating it or causing it retreat, she didn't know.

It gave them the exact amount of time to escape. She managed to hastily slam that door shut before the pair almost burst out of the door that meant safety. Or so she thought. She basked in the feel of sunlight on her face, panting, releasing the warlock as she leaned heavily against the door as it clicked shut. It took a moment for it to finally settle that they did it. Against all odds. That moment was enough to bring her back to herself. To force those wicked nerves back like Sly's phoenix had chased back her own demons.

She hadn't realized she closed her eyes for few stolen seconds that she allowed herself to savour the victory of the sun and simply being alive. She liked being alive. It meant that no matter how bad shit got that there was a chance. Her lids fluttered open and with that, her renewed sense of vigour. But that was more than Sly could say. Oh, he looked bad. Really bad. The sun revealed his all too pale face, the way he seemed unsteady on his feet screamed that this wasn't over. Shit. It would seem they had another battle to face together.

He needed medical attention. Badly. Taking action was the only way. She dragged him out of there, she would drag him to the hospital too. There was no way she was going to just let him die after all of that. She moved a little closer, mentioning a doctor. Yet nothing could prepare the woman for that slice of panic that jolted him awake in an instant, like he was issued a shot of adrenaline right into his heart. He shook his head violently. No doctor he begged. No hospitals. He didn't even beg for his life, didn't even bat an eye with all they had faced. But the mention of a doctor seemed to be his undoing. His gaze looked pleading then, piercing her where she stood. No, they will find out. He exclaimed in his complete undoing of fear. Did he not realize how suspicious that was? What was he some kind of foreign spy? She swore she heard an accent when he spoke.

One minute he was pleading, the next his nice blue eyes began to roll into the back of his head before she could even placate him or decern was actually happening. Next, his body fell like dead weight. Harley instinctually lunged to try and stop Sly's head from bouncing on the unforgiving concrete, her body lowered with him in an effort to keep his head from cracking open and adding to his even more dire situation.

"You do realize how suspicious that sounded. You can't just pass out on me after that. What am I supposed to do then, watch you die?" She exclaimed almost desperate, concern flooded her gemstone eyes as her gaze darted across his form as if she could figure out what was wrong with him, to somehow help him. She spoke as if he could hear her but Sly couldn't even register a single damn thing. He didn't even twitch at the sound of her voice.

Fuck. She wanted to shake him but he was too injured to do so. Fuck. Fuck. Her mind raked through any possibilities of those who could help. A gun shot. She could deal with. Fine. A wound. Manageable. But this was something she could not see, nor did she have the expertise to fix. His breathing sounded like nothing she had heard before, ragged, rattled and wheezing. She knew something was wrong, terribly wrong. Frustration gripped her even though she was concerned.

"I should have showed you out." His hat had somewhat flopped off pitifully during the fall. That hat he seemed terribly attached to, enough to make sure he found it when it was near lost. She adjusted it to fit back on his head like some sad pitiful attempt at righting things. It was then that she realized how painfully quiet it was. Too quiet. There was nothing worse than that to her. Harley felt like she missed that back forth to fill the space between them. Those words that stopped reality from sinking too far in to far like a festering poison.

Time was of the essence and yet she wasn't just going to let him die if she could help it. The woman's determination found her again as an unlikely plan formed into her mind then. It could work. Maybe. It was worth a shot. It was better than just waiting for the warlock to die. She rose to her feet, pulled out her phone from her right jacket pocket, scrolling through the numbers of some sketchy clients. Her thumb hovered over one with minor hesitation simply because she knew the cost of making a deal with yet another devil. Her thumb descended. Just about ready to click call.

A strikingly familiar voice that should have startled her had the opposite effect, even as her head shot up to face the source. That voice. The raven-haired woman knew that accented voice anywhere. Matteo. She wanted to smile. While also part of her wanted to glare. Yet she could not deny that she felt a certain kind of relief seeing his smug face, haloed in sunlight. So, he 'was' here. Sly wasn't hallucinating. That's good to know. Which meant that he must have seen some of that struggle. Oh yes, that glare was definitely deserved.

Matteo looked carefree as always, as if there wasn't a man dying at her feet. He seemed perfectly unfettered in his perfectly infuriating composed mask, silvery eyes held that distinct amusement while he watched on. How that man could make any surface that he perched himself on look like the most comfortable place to sit? He could make a garbage can look like a luxurious stool. His words were cryptic as he was, not that she expected anything less. This is why fate doesn't give you nice things. He claimed. Confusion filtered upon her features. What the?

"What is that even supposed to mean? Besides it's not my fault fate didn't get the memo, everyone else already seems to know." She answered with candor and yet her wry tone was worn at the edges. That warlock's state was affecting her more than she wanted to admit. She had seen death more than an average person... she knew the world wasn't fair. But it was the nagging helpless feeling that she couldn't stand most of all. It was that she had played a part in this even if it wasn't her intention. His death would be on her. He deserved better than that.

There was always a way. Always a problem that could be solved. She was a fighter, a survivor to her very core and yet... this was clearly something she couldn't quite fix.

Matteo, hardly lost his usual flair, remained upon the roof to explain Sly's dire state, spelling it out to only cause that cool slithering dread begin to coil. Concern flashed within her eyes her frown returning. "You are telling me that after all that, he's going to die in this stupid fucking parking lot? After all of that?" She gestured at the building vaguely. Lowering her gaze once more that narrowed on the trickle of blood that ran down the corner of his mouth. Tension filled her body as she wanted someone to blame, to cuss out fate across the whole damn city. If this is what fate had in store for her, she had more than a few choice words as she slipped her phone, unused, back into her pocket to give her hands something to do.

She thought she knew what she was doing. But that fucking vampire didn't let up. Now Sly was paying the price for her cockiness, her assuredness that she could have solved everything in one fell swoop all while she danced out of a vampire's grip. A humbling reminder that she was still painfully mortal. But there were no winners when you tangled with vampires.

He didn't deserve to die here, choking on his own blood, dying in the company of someone he barely knew. He didn't deserve to be like a match going out in the wind. There had to be something. A way that ended up with him driving away like a bat out of hell, much like she wanted to and yet she would never be afforded the chance.

Matteo spoke again, causing her gaze to narrow on him as that conversational tone found him despite her predicament. How has she been? She could have barked out a bitter laugh at that, her lips threated to twitch and yet faded. Only 'he' would ask her that over a dying person.

Oh you know... the usual. At least besides trying not to die and get anyone killed. Clearly failing on one of those counts. Seen any hot french ghosts lately? I hear this place is 'crawling' with them. Oh yes, she knew. But how meaningless those words were. She rolled her shoulders in a moment of trying to dispel stress. She hated even asking. But she had to.

"Can you fix him?" She inquired, although the question she really meant was.. 'Will' you fix him? She realized what she was asking. Their unusual friendship had been predominantly compromised of games, rarely showing much more than a glimpse at their hands. Yet it was simple. Neither asking one another of a single thing. Their relationship was an addictive game of tug of war that she could not back down from. Yet this was entirely out of her power. She added, hating the edge of vulnerability of her previous words and covered them up with reasoning. "He's innocent. Maybe a spy or something.. or maybe just deathly afraid of doctors.. but he doesn't deserve to go out like this." She eyed the warlock once more before being forced to look up at Matteo like she was talking to god which was certainly something she had never done.

"Can you just come down from there. You are going to give me a complex."

Harley Westward