we are all embers from the same fire

Ember Elisabeth Callahan. Twenty years old. Originally from Birkenhead, England. “You spend your whole life stuck in the labyrinth, thinking about how you'll escape one day, and how awesome it will be, and imagining that future keeps you going, but you never do it. You just use the future to escape the present.” - john green currently a student at university and working at the jameson hotel and the daily grind coffee shop. in oxted, england.

[dunsickled-blog]

I have a big family, I deal with crazy all the time. It’s alright.

[embercallahan]

Okay.. well, I don't know if you've heard of the London Underground? It's this really big drug ring organized in London, and.. well, my dad got involved with it when he was young, and they were blackmailing him into staying. That's why he was never home, he wanted to keep us safe. Anyways, that day, I guess he had enough and decided to get us out of there, so we could start over somewhere else. At the time, I was dating this guy, Wyatt, but I didn't know he was only dating me because his dad was a big part of the LU and he was supposed to keep tabs on our family. So, we were leaving town and obviously I told Wyatt what was going on, and then.. then we were almost gone, and dad was almost free, but they found us because Wyatt tipped them off. Dad got out of the car to try and negotiate with them, but they were being unreasonable and.. that's when they shot him.

Thing just got worse from there. We knew we had to get out, or they'd kill us too, so Rhett dropped me and Elliot off somewhere safe, and I don't really know what happened after that. It was so crazy.. insane. Elliot and I were running to the police station, and they were shooting at us, but they were so far away... Elliot grabbed me and they shot him. He saved me. Finally the police got involved and Elliot was taken to the hospital. Witness protection helped move me and our stuff out of the city, but we couldn't find Rhett. I-I thought he was dead, but instead I find out that he's being held on trial for killing dad. That's.. that's where he is now. And Elliot is paralyzed. And I.. I got out, fine, I don't know why, but I did.

[dunsickled-blog]

Basically just that your family has kind of.. fallen apart. Alex was pretty vague, I don’t know if that was because he didn’t know anything or because he wanted me to get the story from you.

[embercallahan]

Right, okay... Well, when I was young, dad was never around. He worked in Liverpool, which was far enough away to where he rarely saw us, but close enough so that he could come home when he needed something. We never really knew why, but I guess we just figured it was normal, because we didn't know any different. Anyways, three months ago, Dad came home for the first time in I don't remember how long. He wasn't making sense, talking about how we were in danger and we had to get out of there now. He was.. he was a mess, and it was scary, so Rhett, Elliot, and I just packed up and left with him. On the way out of town, he explained everything to us.. and this is where it gets crazy. Like, I mean crazy. 

[dunsickled-blog]

So I’ve really only heard bits and pieces of second hand information. I mean I understand if you don’t want to get into it, but if you need to talk about it..

[embercallahan]

Yeah.. yeah, I think that would help. I haven't really talked to anyone about it, so.. What do you already know?

[embercallahan]

Reunion | Ember + Samuel

[dunsickled-blog]

Sam never really knew what to do when the people around him got emotional, his usual pep talks were usually only cut out for children from the ages of 2 to 16. When any of his sisters started to cry he’d sit them on his lap or throw them over his shoulder until they started laughing, though he was sure those two techniques would probably just cause everyone in the small shop to stare at him, and ultimately would make Ember think he was an idiot. And it wasn’t as if this were a time he could tell her not to cry and that everything would be okay. Things would never be the same for her again, and she had the right to cry in public and be upset for as long as she wanted to. So instead he nodded his head alone as she spoke, reaching out his hand to touch the top of hers gently. He’d never actually been alone, he’s always had a family surrounding him and friends and people that he could count on. But he’d certainly felt alone before, like anyone he turned to would have nothing to offer him, and he suspected that’s how his former love interest was feeling.

“You don’t have to thank me. It’s what friends do, especially friends who can fly to other countries for free.” Sam laughed softly, remember his dad’s face when he’d asked for tickets to England. He almost never used his free tickets, so asking for them was a show that something serious was happening, especially since he’d just spent so much time researching. Sam stood up as the man behind the counter told Ember she could leave, waiting for her patiently as she went over to talk to him. He smiled as she came back over to him, nodding his head as he started walking towards the exit slowly, throwing a wave to the man who’d let her go before turning around. “Of course. But where should we go? It’s been a few years since I’ve been here, you’ll have to freshmen my memory.” Sam nodded as he held the door open for her to leave, motioning with his hand to the various buildings and streets surrounding them. “My treat.” 

[embercallahan]

Ember's blue-green eyes glanced up at Sam as he touched her hands. She felt butterflies in her stomach, something she hadn't felt in a long time, and felt ridiculous. He was only here as her friend, to comfort her, and because she needed one. As she looked up at him, Ember didn't feel lonely, for the first time in weeks.. maybe months. She took a deep breath and nodded, trying to compose herself. The last thing she wanted to do was break down and cry in front of him, even though she knew he wouldn't mind. Ember told herself that she was supposed to stay strong for her brothers, but it was hard. She blinked and turned her head as a tear leaked out onto her cheek. Ember swiped it away and gave him a meek smile.

"You do have a good point, but really, thank you," she said smiling, though she was serious. On an impulse, Ember wrapped her arms around Sam's waist, hugging him. She let go with a sheepish smile, "Sorry-just, really, you didn't have to come all the way out here," she said, in place of saying thank you again. The girl still couldn't believe that he'd flown from the United States just to make sure she was okay. A bit embarrassed, the blonde followed him to the door and stepped outside as he held it for her. She gave him a smile and looked down the street, scanning the restaurants. "Well, there's the pub a few streets over, and the Italian place a few doors down," she said, recalling the places they'd gone together when he was in town before. Out of everywhere they went, She remembered that he'd particularly liked Marley's Pub and Tony's Italian. "You don't have to do that," she protested when he said it was his treat, though she knew her arguing would get her nowhere with him.

[embercallahan]

Reunion | Ember + Samuel

[dunsickled-blog]

Sam shook his head as he heard her question, unsure of the answer himself. After things had died down between he and Ember he’d buried himself in his own research, preparing to graduate and to start the career of a life time. He’d never been the type of person who needed relationships, most of the time he preferred to be alone. Growing up with so many siblings had that effect on someone. But when he’d heard everything that had happened through one of their mutual friends he knew he’d have to do something. He could fly anywhere in the world for free so he had no excuse for not making the trip, and a part of him still really missed the girl who’d seemingly turned his entire world upside down for the brief time she was in it.

Sam smiled over at the man who whispered to Ember, mumbling his apologies to the woman standing behind him as he followed the blonde haired girl to the small table near the back of the shop. He sat down across from her and cleared his throat, realizing he still hadn’t said anything to her after his initial hello. “I saw Alex while I was doing some research in New York. He said.. well he told me about everything that you’ve been going through. I would have just called but I didn’t know if you’d take my calls so.. I just flew out. I’ve been meaning to take another trip over here anyways, I’ve missed it.” He nodded, his eyes on the table below them before lifting his gaze to meet hers. He didn’t know too much about loss, he’d never felt like he’d really had either of his parents in the first place, and as shitty as they were they were both still alive. “I’m sorry, I’m sure it’s kind of weird.. especially after everything you’ve been through.. I just wanted you to know that I’m here if you need me.” 

[embercallahan]

Ember nodded at his explanation and fixed her eyes on the table, unsure as to how to respond. Part of her wanted to admit that she'd missed him, but she didn't know how he felt about it all. Subconsciously, Ember ran a hand through her long blonde hair. Ever since the shooting, she'd kept herself busy, either with paperwork for Rhett, or being at the hospital with Elliot, or even planning her father's funeral, so she wouldn't have to think about what had happened. Everything seemed to hit her at her father's funeral, when she and her brothers had to face their new reality. Alexander was never a very good father, he was absent most of the time, but in the two days before his death, his children learned that he'd spent his whole life away from them to keep them safe. This knowledge shortly before her father's death along with Rhett being held in jail and Elliot paralyzed possibly for life, completely rocked Ember's world, to say the least.

The fact that Alex knew about her family issues didn't surprise Ember. Even if the whole ordeal hadn't been plastered on the news, Birkenhead was a small city and he would have heard regardless. She was glad, though, that he'd told Sam. Ember finally met his eyes and twirled the ring on her finger. She wasn't sure why she was nervous, other than the fact that this was all new to her and she hadn't seen Sam in so long. "I... I don't know what to say... thank you, Sam. Thank you for coming. Really.. it means a lot," she said, looking at him. Ember felt slightly stupid for getting emotional, but she didn't realize until that moment how alone she'd been. Before when she had problems, she always had Rhett and Elliot, but now with Rhett in jail and Elliot in the hospital, she was forced to deal with this on her own. "Em, go ahead and take off, I've got this under control," Quinton called to the blonde from the register. "Sorry-" she said softly to Sam and stood up, walking to speak to Quinton. "Are you sure?" she asked, as it was an hour before she was supposed to get off work. "Yes, of course, babe, it's not every day a handsome stranger from your past shows up to sweep you off your feet. Go," he said with a cheeky grin. She cracked a small smile and shook her head at him before walking back over to Sam. "Looks like I'm free now.. I mean, if you want to go talk or something," she said, the nervousness she got from being around him returning.

[theburningsouls-deactivated2016]

The blonde beside her was tense. Paige squeezed her hand gently, and for a moment it seemed like the girl wasn’t even going to be able to open her mouth to speak. But then she did, and the couple disentangled. The tension in the room was immediate and tangible, the way Wyatt looked at Ember said that there were a thousand things unsaid between them, a thousand things that were not going to be easy to say. Paige wasn’t sure if he was an ex boyfriend or a family member, but obviously he was someone that Ember had cared about once. The brunette listened to the exchange in silence, though when Ember took a step back, she reflexively and protectively moved with her. “You sit your ass back down on that bed, buddy, and you don’t get up again unless she tells you to,” Paige snapped.

[embercallahan]

Both Wyatt and Ember looked at Paige, surprise written on their faces. Ember gave the brunette a small smile, and then her gaze hardened when she looked back at the curly-haired man. He stepped back and sat down on the bed, slowly and carefully, his eyes never leaving hers. Ember crossed her arms over her chest, her blue green eyes staring into his hazel eyes. "I-I don't have a choice, Em, you have to believe me," he said, desperation apparent in his voice. "You always have a choice. I don't give a damn what your father says, this is my family at stake. My brothers, and now, they're all I have," she couldn't help but raise her voice, tears stinging her eyes. Wyatt stared at the ground, rubbing the back of his neck and shaking his head, muttering something to himself. "Em, I'm so sorry, I-I never meant for any of this to happen," he said, his voice quiet. "Oh, you didn't? Bull fucking shit," she spat. "I can't do anything about it-he's already testified and I can't change my story now," Wyatt said, looking at her, his face suddenly void of emotion and his voice hard. She shook her head, and Ember could tell Wyatt wouldn't change his mind. Ember felt anger rising in her, and knew that if she continued talking to the man, things would only get worse. She didn't want Paige to have to see it all, so Ember turned to the door. "I'm done," she said softly to Paige, attempting to get her emotions in check.

[theburningsouls-deactivated2016]

The next bedroom was empty, and the one after that. But the third bedroom gave way under Ember’s touch, and Paige could hear movement inside. Another couple, this one still mostly dressed. And Paige could recognize the man Ember was looking for. Even if she’d been unsure, she could see in the blonde’s face that they had found their target. “I’m right here with you,” she whispered softly, urging both their bodies into the room.

[embercallahan]

Ember sighed with relief when the next two bedrooms were empty. She pushed open the third door and saw a red-haired girl straddled over her boyfriend, in an intense make out session. She was about to shut the door when she caught a glimpse of his curly dark hair. When Ember saw his face, her breath hitched and she felt her stomach drop. She knew it would be hard to see him, but she wasn't prepared for the multitudes of different emotions coursing through her. It felt like someone was squeezing and twisting her heart, but at the same time she was filled with anger. She nodded to Paige, and gave her a crack of a grateful smile, all she could manage at the moment. Ember cleared her throat, "Wyatt," she said, and the couple's movement ceased. He sat up and his eyes widened with surprise when he saw Ember. Different emotions flashed through his hazel eyes: regret, shame, and pain. "E-Ember," he managed in his shocked state. The redhead buttoned up her shirt and left without a word. "What are you-" he started, but the blonde cut him off. "You know exactly why I'm here," she said, attempting to keep emotion out of her voice, but failing to stop her desperation from showing. Wyatt stood up and stepped towards her, but Ember stepped away from him, pinning him back with a glare.

[theburningsouls-deactivated2016]

Paige took the lead, and didn’t mind one bit, pulling the blonde after her up the stairs. It was littered with couples in various stages of making out, and the brunette had to resist the urge to roll her eyes, because it was almost worse than a college party. When they’d reached the top of the staircase, she pushed open the door to the first room on their right,a nd then let out a squeak when she got an eyeful of a very naked couple in what looked to be a highly uncomfortable sexual position on the bed within. “I might need brain bleach by the time we find him,” she said with a groan, shutting the door and turning to Ember.

[embercallahan]

Ember willingly followed Paige, glad that she was willing to lead. Passing by all of the couples, Ember couldn't help but chuckle at them. They were annoying and disgusting, sure, but they were also blissfully ignorant and most likely drunk. A good number of them wouldn't even remember the next day, and strangely, Ember somewhat envied them. In all likelihood, they had little to no cares in the world. When Paige opened the door Ember let out a gasp, not having expected what she saw. "Well that was.. interesting," she said and then laughed at Paige's comment, "Mine too, to be honest." Ember walked down the hallways, arm still linked with Paige's and she paused in front of another bedroom. "Let's hope for the best," she said before opening the door and peeking inside.

[embercallahan]

Reunion | Ember + Samuel

[dunsickled-blog]

"This is a dumb idea." Sam muttered for what must have been the thousandth time, glancing up at the small building he’d been instructed to find upon looking for Ember. It wasn’t that he thought seeing her was dumb, he always liked seeing Ember. It was thinking that she’d actually want to see him, in the middle of her shift with all the crazy shit that was apparently happening in her life. As if him showing up would suddenly right everything that had happened, surely they’d been a fling at best. After a few minutes of muttering to himself and convincing every British person who walked by that American’s surely were crazy he finally decided to walk in, his eyes immediately snapping to the girl with long blonde hair, a smile finding it’s way to his face. 

He contemplated just calling out her name before deciding to stand in the back of the line, glancing up around at the people in the small building as he slid his hands into his pockets. As the line began to move he felt his nerves beginning to crawl again, unsure of what he’d even say when she saw him standing there. Hey I’m sorry things have clearly been so shitty for you lately? Hey are you seeing anyone because if so I should probably leave and let them help you through this? Hey I’m an idiot and have been looking for an excuse to come see you for months and I’m so sorry it had to be this? As all these thoughts ran through his head the line continued to move, and before he knew it he was next in line. He couldn’t help but chuckle as her face transformed, reaching a hand back to scratch the back of his neck slowly before nodding. “Hey Ember. It’s.. been a while.”

[embercallahan]

"S-Sam.. what are you doing here?" Ember stuttered, completely caught off guard by the sight of him. A million emotions seemed to come over her, nervousness, guilt, excitement, and countless others. She figured it was her fault they lost touch. Ember had always liked Sam, a lot, but with him in America and her in England, it was hard. In a way, she'd thought it wasn't fair to him, keeping him tied down to a girl he'd rarely ever see, so she gradually stopped talking to him, though she'd never stopped liking him. After Sam, Ember began dating Wyatt, which turned out to be one of the biggest mistakes she'd ever made. She couldn't help but think that if she hadn't pushed Sam away, maybe none of these horrible things would have happened. And then she began to wonder why he was here. Ember couldn't think of why he would come back, so she asked him. "What are- I mean, why are you here?" 

Quinton cleared his throat behind Ember and told her to take her break. She nodded, still shocked, and managed a grateful smile when she realized that they'd been holding up the entire line. The blonde slipped off her apron and hung it up, exiting the counter area and motioning for Sam to sit down across from her at a small table in the corner of the coffee shop. In the past month, she hadn't felt anything but fear, anger, exhaustion, and guilt... but looking into Sam's eyes it seemed to wash away. He had a calming effect on her, a certain stability she couldn't describe. All she wanted to do was hug him; bury her head in his chest and forget about the world, but she resisted, unsure of where they stood.

[theburningsouls-deactivated2016]

Paige listened, her grip on the other girl tightening with compassion and her brows furrowing with concern. Running into exes always served to be trying experiences, but this seemed even more intense than usual. “Well all the more reason for you to not do this alone,” she said. Their situations were different, but in a basic sense, Paige knew what it felt like to find out someone wasn’t who they’d told you they were. “We’ll find him, and you’ll say what you have to say to him, and I’ll be right here, okay?”

[embercallahan]

Ember smiled again, despite the nervousness and fear she felt coursing through her veins. "Yeah.. you're right. Two is better than one, right?" she attempted to appear lighthearted, though she knew it was a pathetic effort. She nodded, slowly, knowing that anything she said to Wyatt wouldn't make sense to Paige, and she'd more likely than not end up explaining later. "Okay.. yeah... that sounds good. Thank you, Paige, really."

[theburningsouls-deactivated2016]

The girl seemed like she was drowning in nervous emotion. Paige, especially as of late, could understand that sentiment, and she wondered if her need to assist the blonde had anything to do with her feelings of helplessness regarding her sister. “It’s nice to meet you, Ember,” she said softly, giving the girl’s arm a pet as she led her towards the stairs. “I’m Paige, and hey, we’re all messes now and then.” She didn’t want to pry, but curiosity got the best of her. “Is this guy your boyfriend or something?”

[embercallahan]

Ember smiled at the girl, Paige. "Thank you, again," she said, knowing she probably sounded repetitive. "I-well, I guess I owe you a few explanations. No, he's my ex boyfriend and I.. I just need to ask him a few questions. I'm not sure how it'll go because he's not... he's not who I thought he was. I guess I'm just scared, and still hurt, and a thousand other things. I'm mostly mad." Ember said it all in one breath and then let out an airy laugh, realizing she must really sound mad now. Somehow, however, she felt that Paige would understand. She'd been so patient already and Ember felt as if she could really trust her. 

[theburningsouls-deactivated2016]

'It's not a bother, really,” Paige murmured. Really the offer came from a selfish place. She felt awkward and out of place at this party. The person she'd come with, a coworker, had long ago disappeared with other friends and the brunette had been standing in a corner ever since. This would give her a chance to do something, to feel useful in some way. Besides, the tenor of the blonde's voice, the nervousness and heavy emotion, made Paige feel an overwhelming desire to protect and accompany her. Smiling, she stepped forward, looping her arm through the other woman's. “Really you're doing me a favor. I hate parties.”

[embercallahan]

"Thank you- really, you don't know how much I appreciate this," Ember said with a genuine smile. She was very thankful for the brunette, as she knew there was no way she could face Wyatt alone, but Ember also felt guilty. She was dragging this girl into her world of problems, and she had no idea how Wyatt would react to seeing her. Ember didn't know Wyatt at all, everything had been a lie, so how did she know that he was going to react rationally? Selfishly, Ember was glad for the brunette's assistance. Suddenly Ember realized what a mental case she must seem, and that she hadn't even introduced herself. "God, I'm sorry, I'm such a mess," she apologised to the girl with a small smile, "My name's Ember Callahan." 

[theburningsouls-deactivated2016]

Paige tried not to be a nosey person, didn’t like to push into other people’s business. But it only took the most casual of observation to see the way the blonde’s face tensed when she spoke, to see the stormcloud in her eyes. This man that she was looking for was a source of discord. “D-do you want me to help you look for him?” she found herself asking softly.

[embercallahan]

"I.. well, I don't want to be a bother," Ember started. Under normal circumstances, she would never be so vulnerable with a stranger, as she didn't want to be a burden. Any problem she had, she could turn to Elliot or Rhett, but now they were unavailable. Just as she had decided to politely decline the kind stranger's offer, Ember caught a glance of a tall man with dark, curly hair. She felt something weird, her stomach sank at the same time that it got butterflies, and the combination left her with a nauseous feeling. When he turned and she saw his profile, she realized it wasn't Wyatt and Ember released a sigh of relief. Part of her was hoping he wasn't here at all, so she wouldn't have to see him, as if ignoring what happened would make it go away. "Y-yes please, actually," she said, finality in her voice.

[theburningsouls-deactivated2016]

Paige’s brows furrowed. The people at the party were beginning to all look alike to her bored mind. Why in the hell had she agreed to come anyway? “Wyatt,” she repeated, filtering through her memories of the evening. “Um I definitely met someone with a W name that might have been that earlier…I think I saw him go upstairs.”

[embercallahan]

Ember's blue-green eyes searched the brunette's face as she thought. She knew she had to talk to Wyatt, but that didn't mean she wanted to. He'd broken her heart, and more importantly he'd torn her family apart. She needed information from him, but could hardly bear to think of him. Ember nodded slowly and her eyes moved to the stairs. "Thank you, that really helps," she said softly, not really wanting to find him because she was afraid of what he might say.

[theburningsouls-deactivated2016]

"Were you talking to me? Sorry…I was daydreaming…parties aren’t usually my forte."

[embercallahan]

"No, it's completely fine. They aren't mine either, to be honest... I was just wondering if you'd seen a dark haired guy, about 6'4 around here? His name's Wyatt," the blonde spoke, speaking carefully so as to disguise her desperation and pain.

[embercallahan]

Reunion | Ember + Samuel

Ember tied the apron bearing her name around her waist, clocking in for her late night shift. Just an hour prior, she’d finished working her hours at the Jameson Hotel down the road. With a small sigh, she forced her lips upward into a smile at the young woman in line. Ember listened as she ordered a Chai Tea Latte and began making the drink. She was exhausted, after being at the hospital until late last night and working all day, but Ember couldn’t show it. The most important thing for her at the moment was to save up so she could help her brothers in their time of need, as they had sacrificed so much for her in the past.

The tall blonde moved about the small coffee shop's kitchen in what seemed like a daze, going through the motions of making the woman's drink without any thought behind it. She delivered the drink with a smile and took the woman's money before telling her to have a good day. Ember's tried blue-green eyes lifted to the next person in line just as her coworker, Quinton, bumped her from behind. "Oops, sorry Em, I'm a mess as usual," he joked and she turned, grabbing the drink carrier in his hands before he spilled it. "Careful with those," she teased with a hint of a genuine smile on her lips. She turned back to the customer and her eyes did a double take as she looked at the man in front of her. The whole room seemed to freeze as she took in the sight of him, his kind and familiar face, his broad shoulders, and his gentle, caring eyes. 

[iheart-blakelively]