For @cxmewhxtmxy:
It was strange how quickly time passed, especially when one had spent the past few years behind bars. Phoenix was finally back home, back in the town where it all began, and all he was interested in was getting his life back together - perhaps he’d get a part time job and go back to college. It all sounded great until he remembered that he had a criminal record; second degree aggravated assault didn’t make for great employment history.
Keeping a relatively low profile, he had his hood over his head as he made his way through the grocery store. He never had family, having spent his life up until he was eighteen bouncing between foster homes, so the solitude was familiar. He found himself standing in the frozen section, trying to decide between frozen pizzas, when he felt someone tug at the hem of his shirt.
Phoenix turned, dark eyes landing on the small girl that peered up at him. “What’s the matter, miss?” he asked, voice a little husky, “Are you lost?”