( Aaron Taylor Johnson + Cismale) — Have you seen ZACHARY BENSON? This THIRTY ONE year old is a FORENSIC ANALYST who resides in QUEENS . HE has been living in NYC for SEVEN MONTHS, and is known to be OUTGOING and PROTECTIVE, but can also be IMPATIENT and IMPULSIVE, if you cross them. People tend to associate them with ROLLED UP SLEEVES OF A SLIGHTLY CRINKLED DRESS SHIRT and LONG RIDES ON HIS MOTORBIKE —
The Basics
Name: Zachary “Zach” Michael Benson
Birthday: 15th of October, 1989
Age: 31
Height: 1.8m
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Current Residence: Queens, New York
Tattoos: N/A
Scars: Jagged line on bottom of left foot
The Bio
Zach is the only child of two working class parents. Coming from a poorer household both of his parents worked two jobs and from a young age Zach had much more independence and responsibility than most of his friends.
He was the one who got him self ready for school, made his own lunches, got him too and from school, and made sure he did all his homework plus handy man jobs around the area to try and help pay bills. Wether it was mowing the neighbours yard painting someone’s garage.
In school he would always join the sports teams to try and reduce the amount of time he spent alone. But he knew if he was going to make it out of his neighbourhood he’d need a proper job and education, and the only way he was going to college was through a scholarship. A naturally smart kid Zach studied for hours at night on top of his other responsiblities and ended up with a full academic scholarship to the University of Michigan.
While he was studying there he met Sunny and he quickly fell in love with her. She had a sense of passion and excitement around her that Zach found intoxicating. The two even moved to Washington DC together. And two years into their relationship he bought an engagement ring. He was ready to propose when he found out he had a tumour. This through a spammer in his plan since he didn’t want to ask if he wouldn’t be around, and he began to be withdrawn and didn’t tell her why which put strain on the relationship which ended after three years.
After that he threw him self into working and went back to college to further his education in organic chemistry. He began working as a forensic analyst. After a few years he was offered a job in New York from his company and it came with a pay raise so he took it and moved to New York with nothing really holding him in DC anymore.
She didn’t know what to say, so instead of saying anything at all, she just nodded awkwardly, hoping that the feeling would go away. “Thanks… um… it just felt like the next logical step. I took a few years off, but… here I am? How did you hear about the new job?” Sunny knew that she could do small talk, at least. The real question was how long that small talk would last. “Yeah, that’d be great, actually. – And then you can catch me up on how you’ve been the past… however long it’s been? Only if you want to. Obviously.”
He gave a small smile and nodded along, it all made sense. “Oh uh the company was partnered with my last one. And they had a position open up, but it was a promotion so I applied and next thing I knew they were sending me to New York.” He looked down at his feet and then swallowed with a nod, “yeah, that sounds good to me.” He turned to the bar tender and order her Moscow Mule and an Old Fashioned for himself. “Do we want to try and find a place to sit?”
As always when trying to lip read someone he didn’t know, Owen paid close attention to the other man’s lips. There was always a part of him that was worried he might miss what was being said, the last thing he wanted to do was inconvenience someone by having to have them type down what they were saying. But he was pretty sure he had gotten all of it. He quickly deleted the text that was on his phone before typing once more. Her name is Lady. Slightly way too over friendly and demanding of belly rubs and well, any kind of being petted. He chuckled a little bit as he showed him his phone, waiting until he had read it. Once more his fingers moved quickly over the keyboard of his phone, adding something else. I’m Owen by the way, nice to meet you. Figuring that if his dog was going to be demanding pets from a stranger, that he should probably introduce himself to him.
Zach smiled at the writing on the phone, before slowly reaching into his pocket and pulling out his own phone. Feeling like if this man needed to take extra measures to communicate then so should he. He typed out a message and held it up for Owen to read. Well, Lady is adorable and I don’t mind giving belly rubs at all. It’s nice to meet you I’m Zach. He held the phone out making sure he got to read it all before deleting it and typing out a new message, how long have you had her for?
She smiled as he spoke, her mind going back to all the times they’d spent in bars together before. But it didn’t last long, as she realized exactly what was happening. Zach had been the big love of her life. She was convinced for such a long time that she wouldn’t have found anyone else. And yet… she had. She’d been in other relationships, she’d gone on other dates. It was a strange twist of fate from the universe, though, tossing Zach her way right after everything that happened with Graham. “I – grad school. I’m at NYU… for psychology. But, uh, congrats on the new job? I should buy you a drink or something. Um… congratulations…”
He couldn’t help but smile and feel a sense of pride wash over him. “Grad school? That’s amazing.I - I’m really happy for you Sunny.” His words were soft but genuine. He nervously chuckled a little, “I feel like I should buy you a drink to celebrate. Moscow Mule? Right?” He offered a small smile and rocked on his feet, maybe talking would be good for them.
Sunny’s life had moved on since she’d been with Zach. She’d started another chapter, turned over a new leaf – whatever metaphor you wanted to use, she no longer stayed up late at night, wondering what her life might’ve been with him. That wasn’t to say that she didn’t think about him at all. On occasion, if she had a bit too much to drink or she got stuck in her feelings, she would… and then she’d end up wondering why she went and messed things up with him to begin with. But when the next morning came around, Sunny came back to her senses and told herself what she had told herself so many times: it took two people to build and sustain a relationship. She couldn’t fully blame herself. Tonight she was out at a bar, trying to have a night out and enjoy herself. Hearing her name, she turned around, only to see… him. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Why’re you here?”
He felt his stomach drop at the tone of her voice, but he couldn’t say he blamed her. It’s not like things ended nicely and after all running into her here of all places...the chances were slim to none. “I’m here because I wanted a drink, but I’m guessing you don’t just mean this club right?” He paused and scratched at the back of his neck before running a hand through his hair in a nervous tick, “I got a new job. With better pay.” If he could go back there’s many things he’d redo. He would’ve been more open and communicated better. But it’s too late for that now, and he didn’t want to trick himself into thinking he’d ever have the chance again, no matter how badly he’d want it. “Why are you here?”
After a long week at work Zach felt like he’d earned a night out. He didn’t think one night out with one of his work friends would be too much to ask for until he was waiting outside the club and got a text that his friend couldn’t make it. He sighed and was ready to leave when he stopped and shook his head, he’d already come out, he was getting a drink. Heading in he glanced around, this was only his second time out in the city that never sleeps, but he was starting to understand the name.After taking in the sight of the people, adjusting to the lights and sound and spotted the bar. He started making his way over when he saw a familiar figure with their back to him. It couldn’t be who he thought it was, that was impossible. But the closer he got the more he was positive it was them. He stopped, probably looking like he’d seen a ghost before calling out, “Sunny?” He had never wanted to be wrong more in all his life as he stood there waiting to see if the woman who turned around was the one he still considered the love of his life. The woman he had been ready to marry.
When the presentation ended Zach let out a small sigh of relief. He had no problems talking to people, especially when it came to his work. But for some reason they forced him to wear a stupid monkey suit and tie for these things and Zach hated it. He and his colleagues were ushered along by one of the professors after their segment on forensics were introduced to a few people before being left to wander. As he saw a man approaching him he made a face and before they could speak said, “I’m so sorry, but I just had to ask. Do you by any chance no CPR? Because I might need mouth to mouth resucetation from wearing this noose.” He joked as he tugged at the tie a little, “sorry man, just messing with you. I’m Zach.” He said with a smile and an offer of a hand to shake, “and I hate suits.”
No matter how cold the city got, Owen always made it a priority to make sure he went out to run. And of course, his trusty side kick always had to join him. They were moving along the sidewalk through the park, glancing over to see Lady happily running with him, her tongue hanging out. There was only a bit more to go and then the two of them could pass out on the bench and not move for a bit- maybe even grab a coffee and pupuccinno on their way home. However he felt the leash tighten a bit which in turn caused Owen to stop, looking over at Lady who had decided that instead of running anymore, she was going to greet the person that had been walking towards them. He gave a shake of his head as he watched his dog practically beg to the other person to be petted. Flashing them an apologetic smile, he reached into his pocket for his phone. Sorry about her- she’s convinced that she needs attention from every person she sees. He laughed a little. holding his phone out to show the other, hoping they didn’t mind his dog who was now currently on her back, begging for a tummy rub from them.
There was no other way to put it, Zach was lost. He could try to fight it or deny it but at the end of the day he had no idea where he was. What he thought would be a simple walk to the cafe has turned into something more. He reached into his pocket and grabbed his phone ready to accept defeat and pull up the maps when he felt something at his legs, looking down he gave a bright smile and put the phone back in his pocket before crouching down and patting the dog with a smile, “hey there buddy.” He glanced up when he felt a larger figure appearing and stood up to meet them, his head tilted slightly as he read the phone and offered a smile to the man, “that’s okay.” He wasn’t sure what the phone was for, if the man couldn’t hear, speak or just lost his voice but he read somewhere to speak clearly and make eye contact when trying to make it easier to look read so that’s what he did. “She’s cute, what’s her name?”
You want me to say that I want you to stay so you should probably leave…
The song was currently blasting through the speakers as Ophelia danced around the bar, humming along as she swayed her hips. After some begging and pleading from Walker, the young woman found herself closing up the bar for her brother. Before he had contacted her, she had been at home, wine glass in hand and a queue of rom coms on the TV, ready for a binge night. She was a little tipsy and decided to help herself to some of the alcohol, figuring that she could just call a cab home once she was finished. The blonde was so into the song she hadn’t even noticed someone walk in before she heard them clear their throat. “Oh! I hate to disappoint ya, but if you’re lookin’ for Walker he isn’t here tonight. Maybe try again tomorrow? Unless there’s somethin’ I can help you with…which I doubt there is, but I’ll try my best.”
Zach was finding it hard to sleep lately, he had a lot going on at work and the big move. Not to mention he always found it hard to get to sleep, so he decided to go exploring. Having been in the city for less than a year he found there was always something new to discover. Walking into a bar he smiled when he saw the woman singing and dancing around. He held up his hands in a mock surrender, “I’m sorry to interrupt. And uh- I don’t know who Walker is.” He trailed off slightly scratching at the back of his neck, “I was just hoping for a beer if it’s not too late.”
It was rather silly that Asa had never been to the Metropolitan Museum of Art before. Seemed kind of stupid, given that art was his entire profession, and NYC was filled with galleries, museums, art bars… just about everything you could imagine. A cultural hub, and yet he’d never walked into the Met. So on a day off, he’d decided to take it all in. He was seated in a vast room, designed gallery style with giant oil painting after giant oil painting, taking up almost every inch of both walls. There were benches in the middle, where he’d sat himself, a sketchbook open. It was very peaceful and quiet… he glanced up, realizing someone was looking at him… shit. He had, absolutely, been sketching them while they were looking at the art. “…Hello. You caught me.” He murmured. “What do you think, any likeness?” He asked, holding it up so they could see the pencil sketch of themself. “I normally work in watercolor but… very extensive security protocol here, I’m afraid.”
The art museum wouldn’t necessarily be Zachs first pick of location, but he was meant to be meeting a date. However, it wasn’t until he was already inside that they called and cancelled on him. Not one to waste money Zach found himself wandering the museum and looking at a the art. Some looked decent but other pieces made him scratch his head and wonder why the hell it was such a big deal. He was hoping he didn’t look too out of place as he made eye contact with a man and gave a smile, happy for the interaction and distraction. “Busted. That’s alright just tell me you at least got my good side of being completely confused.” He gave a deep laugh before nodding, “yeah I can’t imagine they’d like that all too much. Do you mind if I see?” He nodded towards the mans sketch hoping for a better look.