I'm Like A Bird

Nani Torres---Neighbor to the Murder House-27 years old

[heartofgcld]

Please don’t freak out. 

[shirazade]

[heartofgcld]

Fighting back a yawn, Nani strolled slowly through the grocery store. She had been low on supplies for the house for a few days, and Finn had been busy doing other projects to really notice. So, after a long night at the club, the stripper found herself pushing a cart down the little aisles--on the hunt for quick meals to make before work.

[fyeahrosariodawson]

[demcniisms]

Without a doubt, Chase was becoming his father. That antisocial behavior getting the better of him, his work and studies interfering with the important relationships that he truly needed —- and more so, the guilt of it all eating away at him slowly. And perhaps that only encouraged him to become reclusive, knowing what a man like him could do to others. 

Naturally, the dogs were the first to respond to the knocking at the door. Excitedly they scurried to the foyer, only to pounce over each other to look out the door’s window or the one to the left, pushing the curtains away. It was a mystery how they were still up and not shredded to bits. It took Chase a little longer to get to the door, as he was upstairs at the time washing mud off of Milo. The wet lab hurried along beside him down the stairs, and when Chase actually worked through the pile of dogs to open the door, Milo gave a merciless shake that sprayed everyone in the vicinity with Meadow Grass scented droplets of water.

“Nani—-” he began, pushing the pack back. It was clear they were full of energy, most likely due to the lack of activity around the house. “I’m so sorry, they’re—-” pausing, he squeezed his way out of the door and shut it to block them from parading around them. Last thing he wanted was for Nani to be knocked off her feet. “…a little rowdy.”

[heartofgcld]

The familiar bark of the dogs comforted Nani, if only for a moment. She couldn’t help but love the animals that brought some measure of comfort to the man that she had come to be so close too. She tried to keep her breathing calm as she waited for Chase to answer her knock--but she couldn’t help her the speed of her heart as she heard the footsteps come closer. 

As the door opened, Nani looked up and gave him a weak smile. Stepping back as she felt the droplets of water hit her leg from the shaking dog, the dark haired woman set the box in her arms down to the ground. “It’s fine. I’ve got some presents in the box for them...and one for you. Belated Christmas gift. Really belated.” Her words came out rushed, and while she wanted to calm down her nerves she couldn’t seem to stop talking. “I’m sorry..for not...for not calling.” 

[heartofgcld]

Nank stood out front of Chase's door, her teeth pulling at her bottom lip as stared at it. She had considered just leaving the box filled with miscellaneous packages--one for Chase and the rest for his dogs--on his front porch and leaving. She hadn't really seen him since that night and the fact that they'd barely spoken through text or phone calls hurt her even more so. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath--her hand coming up and rapping on the door, in time with her exhale.

[heartofgcld]

@chaser-of-spirits

The red, white, and blue lights that flashed in front of the church caused Nani’s heart to clench as she made her way towards the building. Looking at the way police were keeping the bystanders at a distance, she couldn’t help but grab out her phone to read the text Chase had sent. Why would he want her here when obviously something bad was going down? Something that even the police weren’t able to completely handle except to stand around like idiots. “Two people died just stepping out of there,” Nani overheard as she pushed her way to the front of the roped off perimeter. Died? Chase? She couldn’t see anything except the glare of the lights flashing and uniformed men walking around to make sure no one got past. 

They weren’t doing anything. “Is this a hostage situation?” Nani heard someone call out. “In a church?” “Who would stoop so low?” The questions were thrumming in and out of her ears as people continued to pierce the night with their questions. Meanwhile, all Nani could do was stare at the doors to the old church. Chase’s church. Selecting his name and putting the phone up to her ear, her heart dropped. All that was on the other line was static. 

Stepping underneath the rope, Nani moved swiftly--so much so that it took until she hit the first step before someone grabbed her arm. “Ma’am you’re not allowed to go in there,” the officer said--his voice gruff as he pulled her backwards. “You-you don’t understand..,” she returned, trying with all her might to break his hold. “I need to get in there. My...” At that she broke off. Something inside her clenched as she tried to figure out what to call Chase. Were they even on that level? “My boyfriend’s in there.” She let her had swing--blindly connecting with his nose and breaking it. She was going to feel bad for it late but she took the advantage of his distracted hands to run up to the doors. 

Bursting inside, Nani stopped dead in her tracks, her breath suddenly caught in her throat. There was no way this was what she was seeing. Blinking, the color drained from her face. “Chase?” 

[demcniisms]

The smile that graced Nani’s expression put Chase at ease, his uncertainty slowly but surely washing away. Eyes following her as she moved up, what followed had taken him by surprise. He had collected a fair amount of reactions from others when he told them the truth, but this… was a first. With her sweet lips upon his, the exorcist moved his hands up her arms to her shoulders, moving into the gesture for a brief moment before breaking the kiss, dark green hues searched hers curiously, though no words were spoken. Truth be told, he wasn’t sure what to say, or if anything needed to be said for that matter.

[heartofgcld]

For a brief moment Nani was lost in the blissful feel of Chase’s lips against hers that when he pulled away it took her a minute to find her breath. Cheeks warming as her eyes fluttered back open, the stripper was unable to meet the man’s eyes. “We should...we should really get that cleaned out,” she murmured, clearing her throat so that she would be able to get her sentence out without her voice breaking. Moving so that she was on the other side of him, Nani scowled softly at the scar. “I umm..” She was cut off by her own surprise at how embarrassed she felt. “You’re going to have to take off your shirt...please...” 

[heartofgcld]

achaser-of-spirits:

The silence that fell between them had Chase regretting answering the door. It was never easy for him to talk about this, mainly due to the reactions of others. Some laughed in his face, some smiled, nodded, and he lost touch with them over time. Some feared him. He never knew what to expect, but this moment seemed so much more crucial. Nani was something special to him, from the moment he stumbled upon her on the dark streets of L.A., she had a light around her that drew him like a moth. He hated the idea of losing that light. “You have to believe you’re in control,” Chase replied after a beat, glancing up. “Know that good will prevail over evil… have faith. The moment you start losing faith is the moment you give in.”

It was difficult to keep the smile from her face at Chase’s response. It was amazing how genuine he seemed and Nani couldn’t help but feel slightly comforted. He had always seemed passionate about the work he did--even though she had only thought he worked for the church--it was something that had drawn her to him. Sure she still had her worries--exorcism was a scary thing to her, but something inside her quieted and new faith replaced it. Moving up, her weight on the table, her fingers traced his jawline--and without any warning, she kissed him. 

[heartofgcld]

chaser-of-spirits:

There was a familiarity that had hit him suddenly, the simple fact that she was at least somewhat aware of what it meant to be in his line of work had him feeling at ease. “Guerreros de Dios,” Chase repeated in a mumble under his breath, his attention then falling to his arm. “…you are,” he replied after a beat. “And to answer that… it can be hard, but to know that someone is once again at peace, with God, on this Earth or not, brings out the light of the process… the serenity.” 

He had seen a lot of horrors in his days, his father even more so, and he couldn’t imagine following directly in his steps. While he knew he wanted to serve under this title for the rest of his life; he didn’t want to become the harsh, detached man his father had become. He knew part of the reason his father was like that was because of the cruel passing of his mother, her abandonment had effected the both of them… nearly in similar ways. His despondent gaze fell to the table. “It’s sort of a technique, not letting that darkness in…”

Eyes casting up to him as he replied, Nani hadn’t realized she was holding her breath until her chest began to hurt. Quickly breathing in through her nose, she nodding--biting her lip distractedly. While she wanted to believe him, the fear continued to work through her mind. It was strange to have the negative view whenever she always wanted to see the best in everything. “I guess I’ll have to take your word for it,” she answered, a soft, apologetic smile gracing her lips. “If you don’t mind me asking...what’s your technique?” 

[heartofgcld]

chaser-of-spirits:

Nani’s reaction had Chase feeling a little tense. What was she thinking? About him – about the situation? Her robotic behavior worried him, as the idea crashed into his mind that what he’d said would drive her away after this meeting. That he’d never hear from her again, and it caused something in him to ache. “…in the drawer, next to the sink…” he replied, his tone mellow. With subtle movements, he looked to her out of the corner of his eye, his soft gaze unsure of what she was thinking. Aside from the obvious fact that she wanted to clean up his wound. “What are you thinking…?” He ventured, the hesitance in his tone clear as he pushed up his glasses on the bridge of his nose.

Focus immediately turning to the cabinet that held the washcloths, Nani took the time to think. It wasn't that the scar had her sick or anything--all of the girls came to her with all kinds of injuries, knowing she would be able to take care of them. It was what she knew of exorcism and the dangers it brought to everyone involved. She didn't want any of that to happen to Chase. Pulling out a washcloth she soaked in some warm water from the sink, her thoughts still dark until he asked his question.

Tuning, Nani gave him a soft, sad smile. She reigned in her jumbled thoughts as she approached him once more--setting the washcloth on the table, deciding to talk to him before beginning her ministrations. "My mother had a name for exorcists. She would say they were Guerreros de Dios, or warriors of God. She always believed that they did God's work where he couldn't....but I was always more worried for their souls. How does someone go through the horrors that they experience and not embrace it? Am I making any sense?"

[demcniisms]

Chase’s shoulders fell slightly, his attention then set on the first aid kit he’d left open on the table. As if a few bandages and Neosporin would help his wound. “…I’m afraid I haven’t been entirely clear about my work,” he began, taking a breath as he paused. “I work with the church, yes… but in a way that most don’t expect.” It was hard for him to get it out – he always felt like he needed to explain the little bits before throwing out his official title. 

He was no priest. His father was, and that might have been his downfall. That might have been why he wasn’t strong enough to prevent such a demonic force from clawing its way out of him through his shoulder. “It’s a job that’s been in the family for generations now, but the official term for it is…” he glanced from side to side, weighing the options of which word to use. “Exorcist, and… it’s not always easy. It’s dangerous, but necessary.” Unable to look up and face the young woman who sat at the other end of the table, the man’s attention remained strictly set down to the gauze before him.

[heartofgcld]

As the words floated from Chase down to Nani, everything suddenly became clear. With her parents being devoutly Catholic, the dark-haired woman understood what kind of job being an exorcist entailed. Her father once told her of an exorcism that had gone horribly wrong and ended up killing everyone in the family not to mention the exorcist. The thought of something like that happening to Chase worried the woman more than she would have ever guessed. 

Pushing herself up from the table, Nani moved so that she was standing next to him. Her eyes strayed to the gauze and Neosporin sitting inside the first aid kit and then back to the wound. “We’ll have to clean it first,” she stated, unable to focus on what he had just told her. Her voice sounded foreign to her own ears, solemn and almost mechanical. “Do you have any clean washclothes?” 

[heartofgcld]

chaser-of-spirits:

mother-reckless:

Exhaling, Chase lifted his hand and set it on her upper back to guide her to the kitchen. “Right this way,” he commented briefly, though hoped he wasn’t making her uncomfortable with his reclusive behavior. “I’m glad you came over…” he remarked, attempting to reassure her just in case she was feeling the need to turn around and head back out the door.

The kitchen was brighter, thanks to the little window above his sink that didn’t have any curtains to it – the sun seemed to shine in and create a decent amount of light that sprawled out across the tiles on the ground. Taking a seat at the kitchen table upon entering the room, a troubled look came about Chase’s features. “Please, sit.” He managed after a moment, still keeping his eyes down as he clasped his hands together before his lips.

His hand caused a small shiver to race down her spine. It was strange for her to be feeling this unsure of something, like her body was screaming for her to get out of his house before something bad happened. Nothing had ever made her feel that way before. His reassurance calmed her somewhat, but the nagging pull still lingered.

Staying silent as they entered the kitchen, Nani's eyes blinked against the sudden amount of light. She was like an obedient puppy sitting at the table--on the opposite end--when he told her to do so. While still no words formed, she looked at him expectantly--waiting for whatever he had to say to come out.

[heartofgcld]

chaser-of-spirits:

mother-reckless:

Brows lifting when she mentioned she was worried about him, the reality of how much of a hermit he was being really hit Chase. Though, regardless of the unexpected visit under the somewhat dark circumstances, he was happy to see a familiar face – and happy to be in the presence of someone who offered a bit of light in his life. “I’ve been–” he began, though the look on her face as she noticed his arm had him cutting off his sentence to swallow hard. Using his injury free arm to nudge the door to close, the gesture knocked out a majority of the natural light that was filling his living room. The closed curtains didn’t help either.

“Mind if we talk in the kitchen?” The exorcist requested as he brought his hand up to adjust his glasses on the bridge of his nose, his eyes set down and away from her – much like one of his dogs when they’d been scolded or caught doing something they shouldn’t have been. He was ashamed of his wound, deep down, and hated the fact that she had to see it or even know about it.

It was as if the only thing that existed to Nani was the cut--her eyes not leaving it even as he began to speak. Even after the door closed and the dim took over, her eyes never wavered. How could something like this have happened to Chase? It didn't seem like any cut she'd seen on people coming out of a mugging. The butterflies seemed to flee from her stomach only to be replaced by rocks.

His question snapped her out of her hypnotized glare. Her eyes drifting up to his--a mixture of fear and sadness lingering in their depths. "The kitchen? Oh umm...okay," she responded, turning around only to nearly step into a wall. Biting her lip, she turned back to him. "I guess you'll have to show me the way again."

[demcniisms]

When the silence of Chase’s house was struck by a pounding at the door, his pack of dogs came rushing toward the sound – adding a trail of barks, high pitched and low. Needless to say, the sudden burst of commotion had the exorcist snapping out of his thoughts. Standing in a swift movement, the voice on the other side of the door was more or less muffled by the barking, though when Chase made his way through his crowd of four legged companions, they all ceased their noise and scattered away to watch at a distance.

Unlatching the first lock on his door, followed by the second, then the third, and finally the fourth – it crossed his mind that he may have appeared like a paranoid. And perhaps he was, in a sense, but he believed in protecting his home, and everything within it. Especially his dogs. Especially his studies. Cracking open the door, Chase found himself staring out to see Nani, and with that he opened the door a bit more. “Nani…” he began, brows furrowing. He didn’t want her to see him like this, but he couldn’t even think about turning her away. She was too important to him. “…pardon the mess, but would you like to come in?” He finally offered, fending off the hesitance in his tone.

[heartofgcld]

The barking of the dogs caught Nani unaware--even though she should’ve expected it--causing her to take a step backward in surprise. She was almost worried that she had come when he wasn’t home, a small sadness creeping over her at the thought. The sound of footsteps banished such feelings and she couldn’t help but smile as she heard him begin to unlatch his door. She couldn’t help but feel some sense of relief as her eyes met his once the door creaked open. It hadn’t hit her until just then that she had missed him a little bit more than her brain was letting on before. 

Too focused on his face to notice much else, the butterflies in her stomach exploded when he asked her inside. “I was worried about you,” she said, taking a step forward so that she could be beside him in the house. “Are you okay?” It was then that she took in his whole appearance--the cut standing out like the Grand Canyon between them. “Oh my god, what happened?’ she gasped, her body instinctively moving closer to inspect the scratch closer. 

[demcniisms]

Glancing down to his feet and then to the side, Chase couldn’t help the brief laugh that escaped his lungs when Nani realized she was in her robe – though as any gentlemen would, he kept his gaze away from her to avoid causing her any more embarrassment than she was already possibly feeling. A smile had found its way to his features as he awaited her to come back out, and when she did, he was lost for words. “You look…” shaking his head, his smile stretched. “Beautiful.” He concluded, his shoulders relaxing immediately there after. Holding his arm out for her, Chase held his head high, a confidence then sweeping over him. “Shall we?”

[heartofgcld]

The same blush that had graced her features when she found herself in only a kimono burned across her face. “Why thank you, handsome,” Nani countered, moving forward to place her arm in his. It was foreign for the outgoing woman to feel butterflies flutter around, but they only seemed to amp up as she nodded. “We shall,” she added along, starting to take a step forward to head out of the apartment. 

[demcniisms]

( mother-reckless )

Chase had been keeping to himself for a little over two weeks now. He hadn’t even left his house. His current mental state, depleting, as a lack of will took him over. He had seen a lot of evil in his days, though his most recent project had sent him spiraling into a state of depression, or at least – the closest damn thing to it. He wasn’t depressed. He was just lacking something, perhaps a bit of light. And even his dogs had caught drift of his current state.

Sitting in his darkened kitchen, the exorcist glanced over to the dishes piling up in his sink. Then to the coffee he’d brewed days ago, and didn’t bother to touch. And then to the first aid kit on his table. Whatever that thing was had left him with a nasty scratch, which protruded from the inside out down his shoulder and across his inner arm. One that he didn’t bother going to the hospital over, as he knew all too well how people in their society treated men in his line of work. Not well.

He hadn’t checked his phone in what felt like ages, either. Usually, that would have him worrying that Francis was worrying about him, but even then he felt withdrawn to the point where walking to the counter and checking his messages was a challenge. Leaning forward and clasping his hands together, Chase clenched his jaw, visions of the struggle that came with ripping that demon out of that child flashing in his head. It seemed as though this job was getting more stressful as time went on, but he knew he was qualified. It needed to be done. And he had the training, it was in his blood, thanks to his father.

[heartofgcld]

It was hard for Nani to find time to be able to just get away--by day helping out at local animal shelters, and by night working and training new girls down at the club. Suffice it to say that on her one night off, Nani was looking forward to having some time to relax. That was, until she woke up at least. It was strange to think that sitting in her apartment and watching T.V. wasn’t capable of being enough for the young woman, but there she was, walking along the sidewalk--debating on whether or not she should surprise Chase or not. 

After all, she did owe him one since that’s what he had done to her on Valentine’s Day. She just hoped he wasn’t angry with her. That thought springing to mind had her halt in her tracks. Come to think of it..the man hadn’t been answering any of her texts--not that she sent out a lot, but at least one reply should’ve come. Biting her lip, she found herself a mixture of angry and hurt--two emotions she had never enjoyed in her lifetime. Another thought struck her as she was about to turn around. What if he was hurt? Or worse dying? 

With that sickening thought, Nani marched forward--determination set on her face as she turned into the little walkway leading to Chase’s home. Stepping up to the door, Nani knocked--her fist coming down in a rapid succession. “Chase? Are you here?” she called, her hands crossing over her chest as she waited for someone, anyone really, to answer her.