can you hear me scream?

[silentbansheescreams]

{felix}

The double rejection sucked, he could admit that. But letting her just go felt weir d for some reason and he almost held a hand out to stop her but dropped it before he could touch her. He could hurt her by accident and that would only confirm her desire to run from him. “Sorry…Did I do something wrong? Was it rue to ask…Jeez, I’m sorry..”

“What? No! You didn’t. No.” Cleo shook her head, her cheeks flaming from her horrible awkwardness. “I just...I don’t do well in social gatherings...or situations in general and this is my first one in a long time.” She bit down on her lip. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad.”

[silentbansheescreams]

{avery}

“Then you can’t let it upset you now. I don’t want to see you sad about it, or think that it was a bad decision. You got someone who is always going to be there for you no matter what.” Avery wouldn’t have asked for anything more if she had been in the same situation. “That’s just life, though. All you can do now is make the decisions you think are right, and hope the outcome is what you want.”

“You’re right,” Cleo said. A small smile stayed on her face. She’d have her best friend forever, at least she hoped she did. “No use dwelling on things I can’t change. That’s in the past.” She nodded and surprisingly hugged Avery. “Thank you. I hope I do the right things from now on.”

[silentbansheescreams]

{avery}

Avery thought about it for a moment. She hadn’t been in a situation like that, playing it safe for most of her life. But, as of late, she’d been taking more risks, stepping out of her comfort zone to try new things. “I’ve never been in that situation, no. I was included in the someone else’s life from a decision they made.” Things were still playing out between herself and her real parents, but Avery had yet to meet them since finding out. “Maybe the outcome wasn’t what you were expecting, but would you go back and change doing it in the first place?”

As Cleo thought of it she couldn’t help but smile a little bit. That situation brought her Grayson and she wouldn’t give that up for the world. “No, I don’t think I would change it. What happened that day brought me my best friend and having him around is better than any other ideal situation I can think of. I guess I just wish a few things along the road had gone differently.”

[silentbansheescreams]

{avery}

Avery shrugged, “That’s okay, too. I don’t have to understand so much as I have to just listen, right? Sometimes it’s nice getting it all out there so you don’t have to hold all of it in.” There was plenty she wouldn’t understand, nor could she even if she tried. She was a firm believer, though, that just talking to someone who wouldn’t have an opinion on the subject was good for the soul. “You’re welcome! I know sometimes it can be hard, but there are still good people out there. Usually hiding in the woodwork somewhere.”

“I appreciate that, Avery. I really do. You don’t understand how nice it is to just have someone listen.” Cleo stretched her legs out from their crossed position. “It’s just...have you ever done something that completely altered yours and someone else’s entire life? Maybe not for the better either?” She was sure she wasn’t making sense, but talking helped. “I did something, a while ago, and I thought it was the right thing to do but it ended up ruining a lot of things and a lot of lives.” She half-smiled at her. “I sure hope so.”

[silentbansheescreams]

{grayson}

“Then I guess I was wrong,” the sheepish smile seemed to cause a light blush to warm his cheeks. “I’m home after all.” He should be honest, but with things on edge, with so much still unclear and healing it didn’t see like the time to tell her a truth he wasn’t even complete able to admit to himself. He didn’t see himself feeling that way about anyone, not fully. But with her, it was different and not the Hollywood explanation either. He was still not even sure of it so his silence was the best he could give her. He did meet her hug with his own excitement, lifting her up off the ground slightly as he hugged her. “I can’t believe it, i could have them back and –” he stopped himself, chocking on all the words needed and those that could just be filler. He couldn’t quite believe it. “His name’s Brooks, he’s a friend of mine–he offered to help me. I could remember it, Cleo. You’ll have me back , all of me.” Not that she didn’t have all of him now, but memories as well.

Cleo tightened her arms around Grayson’s neck when he lifted her into the air. “You’re going to remember all of the good times we had together,” she whispered into his ear. “Brooks,” she repeated. “And you can trust this Brooks guy?” she asked him, cautious of having him accept help from a random person. “I just don’t want you to end up hurt because of all of this or worse.” She locked eyes with him, fear and worry danced around in her own. “I guess I’m just scared.”

[silentbansheescreams]

{grayson}

“I wouldn’t either, it’s not a bad place. But it still doesn’t feel like home.” He was sure no place would, but it came as close as he could imagine it to when he was with her. He wouldn’t admit that, but it was the truth. “And I’d be trying to win over Jenifer Lawrence and lives might make more sense than they do now.” He chuckled, feeling the weight he carried slip away with the evening breeze as he looked over at her with a soft grin. It only grew at her reaction. “My hero,” he teased, knowing in truth he would not be alive today if it were not for her. He owed her his life which is why he’d do anything to protect hers. Even if he didn’t owe her that, he would without a second thought. “Yeah, well that’s going to change. I hadn’t had the chance to tell you, but I know a guy who can restore memories. He’s going to bring mine back. I’m going to remember again.” 

“Home isn’t a place, it’s the people you surround yourself with,” she said, looking up at Grayson with a small smile. She didn’t understand it for it had never been a feeling she was acquainted with, but she was jealous. Jealous that he fawned over a celebrity he had no chance with. Sure, she did the same but it wasn’t until he said it that she realized how bad it felt. She was snapped out of her thoughts when he began talking again. “You did?” she asked, feigning excitement. “That’s great!” She stood up and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m so happy for you,” she whispered. Her insides felt like they were being torn apart as she lied to him. Tears stung her eyes but she smiled and acted as if they were tears of joy. “Who is this person?”

[silentbansheescreams]

{avery}

“Oh,” Avery felt bad for asking, and a bit curious. She had time to listen to a long story, actually wanting to hear it, but she didn’t know how willing Cleo would be to share it. “Long story or not, if you ever want to talk about it I’m here to listen.” She said, giving the woman a reassuring smile.

Cleo smiles at the girl she was beginning to consider a friend. What a strange concept to the young woman that was. “Oh, maybe one day. I don’t think you’d understand though.” How could Cleo explain to this innocent, sweet girl that she was an abomination in the eyes of God? That her whole life was a constant whirlwind of problems because the Devil had plagued her with abilities that only hurt the people around her? “But thank you. It’s nice to know that not everyone is out to get me and is willing to listen and wants to help.”

[silentbansheescreams]

{felix}

She was shaking and it was his fault and that made him want to run away from the event on its own. He never wanted to make anyone uncomfortable; he went out of his way to make people feel better half of the time. So seeing this…it hurt him a little. “It’s not okay,” he said firmly. “I was the one who…It was my fault, miss. And I should do better.” He glanced at the food table. “Can I umm…get you something? To make up for it?”

Cleo quickly shook her head. “No, no. You just spooked me was all. I’m just a very...frightened person.” She avoided making eye contact with him. This whole idea was a mistake. She should just leave. When she looked up to bid him goodbye she found her breathing halt. It was the first time she’d properly looked at him. She had this weird feeling in her stomach like something was squirming around and tickling her insides. She only ever felt that in the rawest moments she’d had with Grayson. “...I have to go,” she breathed, trying to move past him.

[silentbansheescreams]

{felix}

Felix wasn’t good at parties. He was always afraid of bumping into someone to hard or breaking something due to the fact that he had zero control over his own strength. Doing the simplest thing was complicated and even though he’s only known about his ‘gift’ for a month tops it still felt like he had just found out yesterday. As he made his way through the crowd, his eyes scanned the room for the food. Things were easier when all he could do was eat and leave.

As he made his way over to the table of food, someone bumped into him and he almost fell over. “Shit–Sorry! I wasn’t watching were I was umm…going.”

Going to the event was a big step for her. She’d been hiding in the safety of Grayson’s apartment and trying to avoid people at all costs. She knew she couldn’t hide forever though. So, what better reason to come out other than a place crowded with people? She couldn’t remember why she agreed to go. Maybe because she didn’t want her beloved friend to worry for her any longer. She kept reassuring herself nothing would go wrong. That the people here weren’t out to get her and could be trusted, not that she would actually listen to herself. She’d been standing by the long table of food, snacking on cheese cubes for the last twenty minutes when a strong force hit her.

Cleo jumped back the moment her skin came in contact with another’s. She clasped a hand over her mouth to prevent any scream that would wriggle its way out. After years of practice she was still scared she would let out a loud screech. Horror movies were always off the table for her because of it. After a moment her heartbeat slowed down and she looked up at the young man in front of her. “I-it’s okay,” she said despite the fact she was visibly shaking. “I guess I was lost in thought and didn’t see you coming.”

[silentbansheescreams]

{avery}

“I…” Avery understood where the woman was coming from, but it was also similar to what she did practically every day. There were plenty of people at work who could put her at risk for a number of things, although that may have been a bit of a stretch compared to this. “Wouldn’t you want someone to help you if it was you in that situation?”

“Helping someone was the single most worst and best decision I ever made in my life and I will never go out of my way to do it again.” It was a blatant statement filled with years of emotion and memories behind it. “It’s just a long story,” she said, knowing she probably had confused Avery. 

[silentbansheescreams]

{grayson}

“No place is every truly safe, Cleo. This place just accepts our kind and has affordable housing. It’s not special, but its all we got.” He knew this might end up being temporary, but he for once in his life wanted them to be safe. “And ff we went after every scream we’d end up in some weird places.” to him, he’d been in the place of that person screaming. He knew the feeling, he knew what it was like to have his mind be so loud from his own–he took another drag of his cigarette. “You’re right,” he looked off into the distance, his find trying to focus on anything else than the screaming. “Our lives ain’t X-Men comics. We aren’t made to be heroes or villains, we’re just people. We get into their business we could actually get hurt or worse.” He looks over to her, his expression softening, he knew she was right about this place. But what choice did they have?  “I don’t care what happens to me, but  just got you back. I ain’t risking that. Not again, I shouldn’t have then.” He looks back to her, flicking away his cigarette. “We’ll be okay here or we leave.”

“I know. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else to be honest. This is the best we are going to get and it’s pretty good.” Cleo brought her knees up to her chest. As much as her heart hurt for all of the people’s screams and cries for help she heard, her mind told her to keep her feet planted on the ground so she wouldn’t get in trouble again. “If our lives were X-Men, I would be sleeping with Ryan Reynolds,” she joked. She grinned a little. The shining light that only he could bring out in her. Her smile quickly faltered. “No!” she said too quickly. “It’s my job to protect you. You barely remember where you left your socks. I know you won’t risk anything but don’t feel like I’m the reason you shouldn’t.”

[silentbansheescreams]

{avery}

“Oh,” she muttered, her shoulders slumping a little. Avery had no way of defending herself well, not going was the better choice whether she felt guilty or not. “I just feel bad that they could be in real danger and we can’t do anything. How do you get used to that?”

“You don’t. You just kind of have to turn your head the other way and ignore it. It eats you alive, but you learn to live with it. It just becomes part of your every day life.” Cleo looks down at her at fidgeting hands. “Why should I risk my life for someone I don’t know though?”

[silentbansheescreams]

{avery}

“That’s it?” Avery shook her head, still impressed by people in this town and what they could do. “No, I can’t. There’s too much happening for me to hear anything. Should…should we help them?”

“No!” she said a little too quickly. “I mean, I would rather not get caught up in whatever is going on. It’s safer that way.”

[silentbansheescreams]

{grayson}

His lips parted to speak, but he instead let out of a soft chuckle as the linger smoke drifted from his lips. “So you hear it too?” The holes in his memory made it impossible to discern what he did know and what he needed to learn again. He felt like she told him this, but she wasn’t sure—not anymore. Yet she never stopped amazing him and he was sure even if he could recall it all, that wouldn’t change. “How far you think? In town or farther?” They weren’t heroes, but if something was wrong, he needed to know if he should call 911 or check it out. “I got a bad frequency.” His head too loud, everything was coming in too loud and he couldn’t quite isolate it. It was another bad day, not that he had many good ones with his powers to begin with. “Watcha thinking?”

“Mhmm,” was the soft noise she let out as confirmation to his question. “For a place that is supposed to be a safe haven of sorts I hear a lot of screams. Not just my own screams in my head. I hear other people screaming all the time. It makes me wonder, Gray, are they hurt or in danger?” She looks up at her friend. “This particular one sounds a few miles into town. Likely behind the closed doors of someone’s home. I don’t feel very inclined to help though. I’d rather not meddle in things that aren’t our business and wind up in danger ourselves.” She furrowed her brows together. “I know I should want to help, but...this place is not as safe as you think it is. I know it’s not.”

[womensco-archive]

[silentbansheescreams]

{avery}

Avery hadn’t said much, looking around at their surroundings. There wasn’t much she could do about quieting everything else down, but she could at least keep quiet herself. She watched as the girl sat down, sitting down across from her. Her brows knitted together, “You can hear that. Do you know where they are?”

“Judging from how loud it sounds it’s not very far... Maybe a few miles.” She glanced nervously at the girl. “Why? Can you hear it too?” she asked.

[silentbansheescreams]

“Shh,” Cleo shushed the person, putting a near perfectly straight finger to her lips. “Everything is too loud,” she said. Her eyes closed and she sat cross legged on the ground. Despite it being dark and cold she had on all black and only a lightweight sweater. Having the curse of sonic screaming made her very susceptible to other people screaming. She couldn’t pick up other sounds from far away, just screams. It was almost like she was connected to them. Kind of like the way a wolf is connected to another one’s howls and can hear them from a distance. “Someone is in pain or scared and I can’t shut their screams out,” she said knowing that she surely would sound like a mad man to any stranger.