R E T I R E D

The Independents 2018-2019

[nicoleoftheindies]

normajeaneproductions‌:

The languid demeanor Connie had upkept so well in those few moments of casual conversation evaporated at the site of Jack’s car. She pursed her lips speculatively. Cherry red was her color. It was too clean, too irresistible, too good to be true. Connie allowed her fingers to slide over the hood of the car, not neglecting the precise match of her perfectly manicured nails to the Corvette’s fresh coat of paint.

What would a bit of fun hurt so long as she was cautious?

“Oh, we shall.”

Once situated, Jack sped onward towards the bright orange sunset. The warm evening air rushed by, breezing through Jack’s chestnut hair. Moments like these made Jack O’Brady forget, if even for a moment, that his life would always be far more complicated than warm summer evenings, driving in a car with a beautiful woman. Nothing could ever be so simple. 

Jack look forward, the roar of the engine making it difficult to carry on a conversation. Within a few minutes, he pulled into their destination and an attendant greeted them immediately.

@normajeaneproductions​

[nicoleofwaverly]

askstarlene:

“Hey.”

“So, uh—”

“Would you follow me?”

[nicoleofwaverly]

raleighrose:

mindofephraim:

Ephraim tensed as he realized what Raleigh was doing. He cleared his throat and avoided her eyes, the patch of skin she had kissed burning a little.

“Don’t thank me yet.”

“I’m grateful, Ephraim.”

{ fin }

[raleighrose]

mindofephraim:

I don’t mind helping.

Without thinking, Raleigh pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you.”

[raleighrose]

mindofephraim:

“Why? I’m not saying that for you to be sorry. I’m saying that to show you I’m serious.” The weight of what he was agreeing to suddenly pressed down on Ephraim’s chest, but he refused to let it go.

[raleighrose]

mindofephraim:

“Do you know what would happen to me if I did?”

“I’m sorry, Ephraim.” 

[raleighrose]

mindofephraim:

“I could take a look, if you want. At the system.”

“And you wouldn’t tell anyone?”

[raleighrose]

mindofephraim:

“What makes you think so? Feel so?”

“I just know, Ephraim. It’s my space—it’s a part of me. Something’s not right.”

[raleighrose]

mindofephraim:

On the contrary, Ephraim thought she stuck out like a sore thumb.

“But you must have a reason…”

“I think someone is breaking into my room. Nothing’s gone, nothing’s out of place, but it doesn’t feel right.”

[raleighrose]

mindofephraim:

“How’d you get the access, I meant.”

“No one really takes note of me here.”

[raleighrose]

mindofephraim:

Ephraim should have been concerned, but he was more impressed with how Raleigh had managed something so difficult and large scale.

“How?”

“There’s countless recordings of the area, and I thought… Take a short amount of footage, make a copy, and loop it in.”

[raleighrose]

mindofephraim:

No, Ephraim hadn’t been. He’d watched tests fly out over the barren wasteland outside the bustling city, but those had been over screens, in electric colors. Nothing like this.

“Not exactly.”

“Why?”

“I left the monitors on a loop for the hour prior. No one can see we’re here.” Raleigh looked to the sandy ground. “I’m sorry, that sounds—” 

[raleighrose]

mindofephraim:

“Okay.”

Raleigh clutched tightly to Ephraim’s hand, and in a second the pair was transported to the outskirts of the city. Instead of an urban sprawl, a boundless desert surrounded the pair. It was a terrain unfamiliar to Raleigh, growing up in the lush, green mountains of Highlands. 

“Have you been here before?”

[raleighrose]

mindofephraim:

“Okay. Lead the way.”

Raleigh began carefully walking to the nearest, vacant portal, careful to make sure their presence went undetected. 

“Take my hand?”

[raleighrose]

mindofephraim:

“Okay.”

{ fin }

[raleighrose]

mindofephraim:

“Um. Yeah. I get off at six, if there’s nothing I need to stay and help with, and then I’m off until ten tomorrow, so that’s almost sixteen hours. Eight to sleep— Yeah, okay.”

“Okay.”

[raleighrose]

mindofephraim:

“It must be important.”

“Would you want to meet after work today?”