Topic: Recipe for a Disaster.

The Subjugated

Date: 2017-06-19 01:44 EST
03-26-2007?8PM
The child in the cell.

?Ring around the Rosie,? the lyrics spilled from her lips without much emotion lacing her tone. ?What do you suppose we?? The little girl stared at the reinforced iron door of her cell. ??can do to fight the darkness,? her lips were dry, eyes almost catlike in their stare. As if she could see through the door, straight on to the listener. ?In which we drown?? The corner of her lip twitched lightly, when the door creaked open.

In entered a man who was only about 5?10 but seemed like a giant to the little girl sitting Indian style on the old cot she called her bed. Her hands rested in her lap, staring down the barrel of the gun the man kept trained on her. She smiled up at him, knowing full well what the rules were. No sudden movements, no getting off the bed. ?Dinner time, kid.?

Those bright, cloudy green eyes stared him down and blinked almost painfully slow. ?Ring around the Rosie?? she continued softly. ?This evil thing, it knows me?? There was a smile on her pretty face as she continued staring at him when he put the plate down roughly on top of the old metal desk in the room.

?Stop it,? he hissed. ?You know I hate when you pull this shit.?

Pausing, she tilted her head for a moment, and then continued. ??Lost ones around me. I can?t fall down.?

?One of these days, kid?? The man said, staring right back into her eyes with his own piercing blue. The only feature he had that she could say she admired, was a tattoo on the side of his face. It was of a snake with dark blue and green scales. She probably just liked the colors? ?Creepy ass snot nosed little fuck?? he hissed beneath his breath before backing his way from the room. The gun was trained on her head the entire time.

The little girl stared after him, eyes darting from him to the gun as her fingers fondled the little pendant around her neck. It was a glowing ring attached to a chain that kept it fastened close to her heart. ?Goodnight, Mister Reynolds,? she said softly, politely with a smile kept on her face. ?See you tomorrow,? though everything that came from the little girl?s mouth sounded sinister, like a threat. Or at least?it was perceived as one.

It was only when the reinforced door was shut tightly behind him, that the little girl bounced off the bed and scampered her way across the room for dinner alone. ?Ring around the Rosie~? the eerie lyrics trailed from her lips?

The Subjugated

Date: 2017-06-19 01:46 EST
03-26-2007 ?9PM
The man with the kind eyes.

After finishing her dinner, the little thing brought her tray to the door and set it on the table that rested just beside it. She?d changed into her plain beige pajamas and set her clothes in a little hamper beneath the table and spent the rest of the hour at the modest desk, drawing a picture that seemed way too advanced for the child to possibly draw. A box on the wall chimed an alarm and her head snapped up.

She moved from the chair and headed over to her makeshift bed, quickly hopping up and staring at the door. Those eyes remained fixated on the threshold until it popped open. Once more, there was a barrel of a gun staring her in the face. The door shut behind the man who hadn?t been quite as colorful as the other. Though he had soft features, and kind brown eyes resting behind a pair of black, full-rimmed glasses. Once the door was secure, he lowered the weapon, not looking nearly as defensive as the one before. ?Hello, Mister Prescott,? she greeted him, legs folding and hands resting against them.

?Good evening, June,? he said softly, a smile coming to his face as he moved across the room and sank into the chair that she?d been sitting in. Mr. Prescott was in his early-thirties, with handsome features and the kind of dark hair one might be used to seeing on a soap opera. ?I saw Mr. Reynolds, he didn?t seem so happy with you.? The man told her, the slightest bit of sternness lacing his tone. ?Why do you have to mess with him??

June sighed and lowered her eyes apologetically. ?He is mean, and?I was bored,? she admitted. Then she couldn?t help but crack a snaggle-toothed smile, ?Besides?he is very easy to mess with,? a laugh lacing her tone.

Prescott couldn?t help but laugh lightly, gun resting on his lap but pointed away from her. ?Yes, I suppose he is.? Then the laughter stopped and he shook his head, ?You gotta stop that, though, June.? It was almost as if it pained him to say it. ?I know it?s hard for you, and I know that it?s confusing?but if you?re going to have any chance at a normal life? You?re going to have to stop messing with people. Show them you?re not the monster they think you are.?

Those eyes raised up to him for a moment, and with a sigh, she turned away from him. ?I know,? she whispered. There was a long pause before she finally glanced over to him. ?Are you going to adopt me, Mr. Prescott?? she asked, raising her eyebrows. She?d been reading books about families for some time now, and it was becoming clear that this life wasn?t a normal one for a child.

?I?d adopt you in a heartbeat if I could, June. You know that?? The man told her, running his hand through his hair and letting out a sigh. There was another long silence, and he knew he didn?t have much time left. He stood to his feet and glanced to the desk, ?Why don?t you draw happier things?? he asked, looking down at her drawing. Clearly it wasn?t his first rodeo when it came to looking at the twisted things the little angel came up with.

?I draw what I dream,? she told him with a shrug.

?Can I keep this, June?? what she didn?t know, and would later realize, was that he was asking for her protection.

?Yes, you can keep it Mister. Prescott.?

?Thanks, June,? he smiled softly and stood up. ?I?ll hang it on my fridge,? he promised her and cracked a smile before folding it up and tucking it into his jacket pocket. The gun that he?d set on the desk was retrieved before he moved to collect the dirty dishes and laundry. ?Goodnight, June.?

?Sleep well, Mister Prescott.?

The Subjugated

Date: 2017-06-19 01:48 EST
04-16-2007?10AM
The almost-disaster.

The day had started the same as any other day, the little girl had her breakfast and her daily meeting with Mr. Prescott. He reminded her to brush her hair before she got in the shower so that it didn?t hurt so much. She?d taken her clothes, towel, and toothbrush and waited for the armed guard to escort her to the shower. With a gun pointed on her the entire time, the little girl marched on.

Don?t give them a reason to shoot and you have nothing to worry about.

It was in the middle of her shower, that things seemed to go downhill. ?Miss Chapman?? she called from behind the curtain. The water was still running.

?Shut the water off, and face the wall,? the woman barked. She was another no-nonsense kind of guard, probably because she was always assigned to bathroom duty.

?Yes, Miss Chapman, I know, but??

The curtain was yanked open, ?What?!? she practically growled at her. Her face was oily, hair in a messy bun, and the constant scowling had caused awful wrinkles on her face, even though she didn?t seem old enough? Probably had something to do with the constant stench of tobacco that lingered on her.

Still, that expression turned horrified as she saw the little girl standing there, holding her pendant in her hand with the chain dangling. ?It?fell off. I did catch it,? she said, staring up at her with that apologetic look in her eyes.

The semi-automatic was pointed straight at her. ?I NEED SOME HELP IN HERE NOW!? she cried out. ?Stay back!? the woman said, backing toward the sink as if the little girl was a wild predator making an approach. In truth, she hadn?t moved an inch.

Reynolds and Prescott both came filing into the room. ?What?s going on?? asked Reynolds with his gun trained on the shower.

?It came off!? she shrieked, still aiming at the little girl.

?I?m sorry?? she whispered, tears mixing with the water that beat down on her head.

?Don?t you ****ing move!? screamed Reynolds.

?Stop,? Prescott said with his chin lifted as he set his gun on the sink. ?You trying to scare her into dropping it?? he asked before grabbing the towel from the lid of the toilet and opening it up. ?Come here, June,? he called in a soft tone. The guns remained trained on her as she climbed out, still holding on tightly to the little ring.

Prescott wrapped the towel around her body before taking the chain ends and securing them back around her neck. ?There you go,? he whispered in that same soft tone. ?Now, let?s get you back to your room so you can change?and maybe have a nap.?

?Okay, Mister Prescott,? she whispered, finally letting go of the ring and wiping her face.

The Subjugated

Date: 2017-06-19 01:57 EST
04-16-2007?10:30AM
Loud whispers in the hall.

With her hair still wet, but brushed and in a braid, she laid her head down on her pillow and curled up. The iron door couldn?t keep the voices out. Not from her. June tried not to listen. She tried not to hear what was said, but there hadn?t been much in that modest little room that she could drown out the noise. She brought the blanket over her head and balled herself up further.

?You named it??

?She needs something to go by, Reynolds.?

?You didn?t follow protocol. If her necklace comes off, you? Put. Her. Down.?

?She did everything she was supposed to do. She didn?t turn??

?What if she had??

?She?s a child, Reynolds.?

?That THING is a monster.?

?If you want to be a trigger-happy ***hole, fine. You?re not doing it on my watch.?

?I?m going to have your job. I ****ing swear, Prescott! Getting soft on that?that monster!?

?Back off. Now! You want to report me, fine. But get out of my face!?

Little sobs trailed from the tiny ball beneath the blankets, perhaps her feelings were hurt, or maybe she was just trying to drown them out. Most believed that the little thing didn't have feelings to begin with. Maybe they were right. In the darkness, the heavy glow of the ring was bright even to her closed eyes. She never could sleep well wearing the damned thing?

The Subjugated

Date: 2017-06-19 01:59 EST
01-02-2010?1:30AM
Her white knight.


Close to three years had gone by, and the girl was still in that room. It hadn?t changed much at all, though the desk and the bed had been mildly upgraded. From a cot, to a twin and a small metal desk, to a slightly bigger wooden one. She remembered the day that they were brought by her favorite guard. How pissed off Reynolds was to have to put them together while she showered and had time outside.

Seeing the sunlight was a rare occasion for the girl, but it wasn?t off the table. Though she only had a small place to walk around given the massive chain link fence that surrounded the place. Still, it was something the girl seemed to enjoy more than anything.

June was older now, close to turning thirteen. Most things stayed the same. Some faces stayed familiar, others became memories. Mr. Prescott had been let go one week earlier, and June had found herself in a depressed state. Declining her time outside, and spending most of her time in bed.

The room was dark, the glow of her necklace hidden beneath the blankets as she slept soundly. It was when the door slowly opened that her eyes snapped open and she pushed the covers off. ?I did?? she sounded groggy. ??not hear the alarm,? she muttered and wiped at her eyes.

?June,? it was a harsh whisper, but one she remembered fondly. Mr. Prescott was sneaking in, but it didn?t feel like it was morning yet. It felt as if she?d only closed her eyes?

?Good morning, Mister Prescott,? she finally spoke. ?Why has the light not come on? Wait?why are you here?? asked June just as the covers were ripped away. ?Mister Pres???

June was cut off by him hushing her, ?No time,? he muttered in a frantic tone. ?These people are never going to see you for anything more than they think you are,? he whispered. ?We?re leaving. I?ve packed things for you. Come on,? he said, grabbing her arm and tugging at her.

?We are going outside??

?Yes, past the fence. We have to hurry, though. This is our chance.?

June kept quiet then, moving off the bed obediently and toward the door as he herded her out. She did shift those eyes over toward her desk, and then back to her bed. The guard outside the door was unconscious in his chair, and June?s eyes stuck to him for a moment before she began walking along. A small part of her was afraid of the unknown; but anything had to be better than this. She had to believe that.

The Subjugated

Date: 2017-06-19 02:03 EST
01-02-2010?11:30AM
A brand new life.


They had hit the road, trading one car out for another, it seemed. He?d taken steps, scary ones to cover their tracks, but if there was anyone in the world that held her trust, it was him. She?d finally fallen asleep once he?d been steady on the road and she?d got over the initial shock of car sickness. Thankfully, that ended once they?d climbed into the RV.

She awoke in a daze, not at all used to the sunlight being the first thing she?d seen when her eyes opened. There was a part of her that thought last night was a dream, but the bumpy little jolts that had stirred her had proven otherwise. There was also the lack of monsters?

Pushing up from the couch that she?d fallen asleep on, she peered over toward the driver?s seat only to catch his eyes in the rearview mirror. ?You?re awake,? said Mr. Prescott in a tone that was nothing less than cheerful. ?There?s a rest stop just ahead, I?ll pull up there and make you some breakfast.?

~

June had gone to the bathroom, washed her face and took her long hair out of the braid. By the time she finished, she?d felt the RV slow to a stop, and the almost-teenager moved toward the kitchen. Everything about it felt surreal, as if she?d never seen anything like it. ?I bought you some cereal, I?? There was an awkward air about him, as if he was just as thrown off by the changing dynamic. ??know you?ve never tried it, but I think you?ll like it. It?s very sweet,? he said with a smile. ?I?never really did the cooking back? Well, you know.?

?Thank you, Mister Prescott,? she said with a soft smile, moving toward the table to sit down as he prepared the bowl.

?You?don?t have to call me that anymore, June.?

?What would you have me call you??

?Whatever you want, June. My name is Max,? he told her with a smile as he set a bowl down in front of her, and one on the opposite end of the table. He proceeded to sit down, across from her and began eating.

?You are?eating with me, Mister?Max??

?Yes, June. We?ll eat together from now on.?

A smile crossed her face as she pulled the spoon to her lips, crunching down on the cereal and lighting up a bit. ?This is very good,? she said happily. ?Much better than? You know,? she grinned. And he seemed to smirk at the way she turned his words around on him.

They ate in silence for a small while, she picked at the cereal and finally spoke up when there were only a few little swollen honey squares floating around the sweetened milk. ?Does this mean that you adopted me?? she finally asked.

Max had finished before her, and had just been sipping his coffee. ?I guess?yes, June. In a sense, anyways. Without all the messy paperwork.? Adoption seemed like a nicer word than kidnapping.

?May I ask something??

?Of course.?

?Why do you call me June??

There was a soft sigh to her question, before he shook his head. ?When you were brought in, you were just a little girl? Maybe six years old? You didn?t remember a thing, and all these people were treating you like some?monster. You looked so afraid, and? I guess I just couldn?t get that out of my head, every time I looked at you, I was taken right back to June, right back to that scared little girl.?

?Well? I like it very much,? she said with a smile. She stared at him for a moment, at his tired features. He looked older today, though lack of sleep could easily be blamed. ?Can we go outside??

?Not yet, June. I know you?re ready to hit the ground running, but we have to be smart about this. There are going to be people looking for you. Wanting to bring you back. We?ve got to be careful,? he told her with a weak smile. ?But I promise, soon we?ll go outside? I?m going to drive a little more, okay??

?Okay, Max.?

The Subjugated

Date: 2017-06-19 02:14 EST
08-29-2011?2:30PM
Living life on the run.

?June!? shouted Max, scrambling over toward her on a modest dock overlooking the river. ?Reel it in! Come on! Use those muscles!? he laughed as he reached out to help her get ahold of it. June?s long hair was in a ponytail, pulled through the back of a ballcap. Her white shirt was pristine, though her jeans were a bit torn.

?I think it is stuck!? she cried out, desperately trying to reel in the maybe-fish. She wasn?t so sure she didn?t snag her line on a shoe or something?again?

?Let your line out some,? he instructed her, before moving to help her. It took them a while, but finally the fish reared its ugly wet head. It was a pretty decent sized catfish, squirming around on the line and together they managed to bring it in. ?You?ve gotta be kidding me,? he scoffed. ?I haven?t got a bite all day, and you stick a marshmallow on your line and come up with that?? Max sighed a chuckle and shook his head.

?Looks like you are cooking tonight, Dad.?

?That?s fine?but you?re driving,? he teased her. Though he had taught her to drive the RV, he didn?t let her take it on the road very much. Considering the risks if they ever got pulled over. False identification would only take someone so far.

The Subjugated

Date: 2017-06-19 02:33 EST
12-25-2012?11AM
The last Christmas.


The days spent with Max on the road had turned into years. She was a far cry from the little girl that he?d spent time with in that cell. She?d grown up, though didn?t gain much height. A mere 5?2?? but her body had filled out, her voice got a bit deeper, and she?d learned everything she needed to survive on her own if need-be. Now, she was a teenager, and was pulling her own weight around the RV.

The two had just finished up breakfast, and June had scurried off to reach into a cabinet that usually just held their grocery bags for the rare times they actually went to the store. ?It is?just a little something?? June had learned the Christmas tradition early on. Max had brought her paper and drawing supplies to the cell?he?d always cared for her. Pulling out the box, she produced it and it was wrapped poorly in one of her recycled drawings it seemed. ?I could not afford much, but I?? There was a soft little sigh that escaped her lips. In all honesty, she hated what she got him. She only hoped that it would make him smile.

What gift could she possibly get for the man who had given up his whole life for her? The man who stepped up to be a father figure to a monster? She hadn't a way to repay him. So now, she was standing there uncomfortably waiting for him to unwrap the gift. "I wish that I could have found something a little bet?"

Max put up a hand to silence her and began unwrapping the box. Inside was a mug that read: ?Dad, you?ve always been like a father to me.? Looking it over, a smile graced those soft features, and he brought his arm around her waist reeling her in for a hug. ?It?s perfect, June. Thank you.?

There was an awkward silence as he looked up at her, those big brown eyes almost like a puppy. He clearly wanted something, and she didn?t even have to ask before she let out yet another sigh. ?Yessss, it is your turn?? Just waiting for him to blow her gift out of the water, it seemed.

?Yes!? he exclaimed. Unraveling from her waist, he jumped up and moved over toward his bedroom quickly. He?d come in with several boxes and set them on the table. A fat grin rested upon his features before he nudged them toward her.

June couldn?t help but smile, and she began unwrapping each gift, lighting up over the littlest things. There was a set of throwing knives, since he?d gotten into teaching her how to use those. She opened a pocket knife next with her name engraved in the bottom of the blade. Then there was a sketchbook with some drawing pencils, and a little tool set. ?I love it,? she said with a smile. ?Merry Christmas, Dad.? Sinking against him for a huge.

?Merry Christmas, June. I love you.?

The Subjugated

Date: 2017-06-19 03:48 EST
10-05-2013?10PM
First blood.


It felt as if they?d been running through those woods an eternity, but still hadn?t managed to escape. How had they found them? They?d been so careful? At one point, splitting up seemed to be the best option. They?d always established rendezvous points around the areas they?d parked in.

Her short legs carried her surprisingly quickly as she tore into a clearing. The blast was the first thing that rang out, and then there was pain. Her body crumpled to the floor of the forest like a hunted doe. A cry left her when the sharp sting in her thigh radiated throughout her body. The sound of footsteps crunching rang out, and she worked herself into a stand, blood trickling down her leg. ?I been waiting a long time for this?? a faintly familiar voice rang out.

It was when the taller man stepped into view with a gun trained on her that she recognized him. Reynolds. A limping step back was taken and she stared down the barrel of that gun. Politeness wouldn?t get her out of this, that was for sure. So, she remained silent. Mostly because she probably would?ve rather died than go back to that awful place after all of this. ?Any last words, monster?? he asked, raising an eyebrow.

?Yes,? she said softly. ?I never liked you,? June informed him.

?I can live with that,? he said, almost chuckling at her choice of words.

June closed her eyes and waited, but the sound of a grunt and a thump had her opening an eye. Max had tackled the man to the ground, and the two were wrestling with the gun. ?June?Run!? he strained out while he struggled with Reynolds.

The girl didn?t move an inch. She stared in panic and fear of harm coming over the only person in the world who ever cared about her. ?Dad!? she cried out, hand moving to her pendant. No. She stopped herself. It?s too dangerous. The thought of hurting Max stopped her. She watched as her dad?s fist slammed into Reynolds? face a few times to daze the man. He managed to get the gun away from him and stood to his feet.

?You?re?what? Its father now?? he laughed, blood icing his teeth.

?Shut up,? he spat at Reynolds and moved over to the girl. ?June,? he whispered, pressing a hand against her cheek. ?Are you okay? Come on, we gotta move? Do you need me to carry y???

Another blast rang out, but she felt no pain. The reason why became apparent when Max?s hand fell away from her face. They were surrounded. More and more men were heard shuffling around the forest, as he stood and faced her. The arm that had fallen away was now trickling at the fingers with blood. ?Dad? No?? was all she could manage to get out.

Max knew there was little chance now that they going to both get out of this alive?but she still had a chance. His fingers trailed to her chest, and he looked her in the eyes and smiled weakly, breathing a bit labored. ?I love you,? he whispered softly before his fingers curled around the pendant, and with a firm yank, he sent it flying.

Her eyes followed the bright glow of the pendant, and the corner of her mouth twitched and broke open all the way up the side of her face. Max had fallen to the ground, and left her to fend for herself. The men opened fire as white flooded her eyes. Screams and gunshots would ring out in the forest that night.

The Subjugated

Date: 2017-06-19 04:23 EST
10-06-2013?1AM
No turning back.


The ground was cold against her body, taking a while to get back up. How many times had she been shot? She hadn?t a clue, but then again, she?d blacked out. June remembered hearing the shots, but no pain, and then darkness. Had she died? The smell of blood was thick in the air, but upon finally sitting up, she discovered that there wasn?t a single wound on her body? Not even one she clearly remembered suffering. Her hand trailed to her thigh, running over the swollen flesh that had healed over to nothing but a scar. How long had it been?

The faint glow was what caught her eye, and she weakly crawled over to it. ?Ngh?? a strained noise coming from her as she snatched the pendant from the ground and fastened it around her neck where it belonged. It was then that she saw the bodies, but took not much time to look at them. ?I am a monster,? she said, tearing her eyes away and holding onto that ring for dear life.

The girl didn?t have to stare to know that Max?s body was among the rest. It was the first one she saw, though it looked far less gruesome than the others. She hadn?t touched him? It made the pain of what she did ease some, but not much.

June didn?t stick around. Not even to mourn her father. She had done exactly what she was supposed to do. It took her a moment to get to her feet, but finally she began back to the camper. She had to get out of there. She couldn?t stay there, she had to keep moving. From the moment he had taken her from that place, she acquired that lifestyle. Max had truly given up his life for her now. So she made a mental promise that she would never get caught. That she would always keep moving, so that she could make the most out of what he had given to her. There?was no other choice now.

?I?m sorry, Dad?? she whispered. ?I hope you did not see me become the monster you always believed I never was??

The Subjugated

Date: 2017-06-20 00:50 EST
10-06-2013?9:30AM
Gone but not forgotten.


June drove off that night, not looking back. Her eyes had been glued to the road the entire time, dry and barely blinking. There was something traumatized on the teenager?s face. There was a part of her that wanted to go back there and collect him. If she was that powerful, how could she not be able to do something to save him..? She?d come to find out the answer to that. In the moment, though, she kept moving forward and honored her word to her dad. Her bloody hands gripping the steering wheel so hard that the uncovered parts of her knuckles were white.

When she parked, she?d moved from the driver?s seat and straight into the bathroom. Her walk was slow, barely blinking eyes staring on like a zombie. Her clothes were taken off on the way and thrown into a trash can before she got to work on scrubbing her body. The water pooling at her feet was murky and red from the sticky vital washing away that was mostly not hers. She scrubbed her skin until it was red and tender. Washed her hair a number of times, and dried off.

After, she sat on his bed and stared at the wall. Her gaze was cold and unfeeling, desert eyes bore into the wall?.she might?ve been there for hours. June didn?t know anymore.

It was when she went to the kitchen to try and nourish her body even though her appetite was a distant memory. Her hair had since dried in an awkward, unkempt way. She moved to the fridge and stopped with her hand on the handle. It was when she saw the drawing that had been pinned up there with a magnet that she froze. Then, suddenly she couldn?t breathe, and swallowing was an impressive feat of its own. She choked on a sob and rested her forehead against the picture, eyes squeezing shut as the tears finally came rolling down her face. Her hand still gripped the handle while the other came to brush against the corner of the page while she cried uncontrollably.

The Subjugated

Date: 2017-06-21 20:40 EST
11-03-2013?9:30PM
The wild one.

The month had been a hard one. For a while, she?d given in to the sadness and depression that overwhelmed her. During that time, getting out of bed was a hard thing to accomplish. But through the sheer determination of not letting Max down, she managed to pick herself back up. She?d settled down and picked back up, never staying in a place for too long. June had spent the past few days on the outskirts of a small town, parking near a lake and spending her days fishing.

On one particular night, she found herself sitting out and looking at the stars. Thinking of all the nights she?d spent with Max picking out constellations and talking. Tears had filled her eyes, welling up and spilling over before the sound of shattering glass rang out and gave her a start. Quickly, she swiped at the undersides of her eyes and looked over in that direction, sniffing once. June crouched down and picked up her pocket knife before moving around her RV. Her back was pressed hard to it, as she sucked in a breath and waited as the sound of footsteps grew closer.

Moving right past her, a girl with dark black hair stormed by in an aggressive way that forced a gasp from her lips. The girl spun around at the noise and stared coldly at June. Her eyes were slightly slanted in a way that made her look almost predatorial. The angles of her face were sharp and twisted with a number of emotions?some that June could place, some that she couldn?t. Her clothes were purposely torn, the sleeves of her shirt, the knees of her jeans. There were visible markings all over her body, stained in ink. ?Were you spying on me?? the words trailed through pursed lips that were thick, and split on one side with a gruesome cut surrounded by a bruise.

?N-no,? stammered June, her hands going up. The knife in her hand was dropped to the ground, poor thing caught totally off guard. ?I was not,? she shook her head.

After a moment of staring at June, the girl lowered her defenses slightly, looking her up and down before scoffing lightly. ?Alright, chill? I don?t want to see a kid piss their pants,? she muttered, before turning her head to look at the little set up June had going on. A little fire going on a charcoal grill, the remnants of a fish, a half-finished water bottle sitting on the table? ?Lemme guess, camping with your parents?? she asked, looking around in an almost paranoid way.

?No,? June whispered, a sadness hinting in her voice, eyes lowering.

?Oh,? she said, before realization struck and she leaned her head back, brow furrowing. ?Ohhh? Damn. Sorry,? muttered the girl. ?You?re on your own, huh??

?Yes, I am.?

?Psh,? she finally said, shaking her head and smiling as if to try and cut through the tension. Bending down to pick up June?s knife, she closed it and handed it over. ?Lucky, my parents suck so hard,? she scoffed. ?I?d trade places with you in a heartbeat.?

Taking the knife, June just stared at her then. June shook her head, ?I?am not sure what to say,? she whispered.

?I am not sure what to sayyy,? the girl chimed back in a whiney voice before rolling her eyes. ?You sound like a damn nun!? she spat.

?I am sorry,? mumbled June.

?We?ll work on that?? The girl smiled, and then looked June over once more. ?Wait? How old are you?? she finally asked.

?Sixteen,? answered June.

?That?s kinda badass, out here? Living life on your own. Wish I could do that,? she said smirking and lifting the bottle to her lips for a quick drink. ?Nobody could tell me what to do, or how to be. I?d be unstoppable,? she lifted her chin. June stayed silent, just staring at the girl. ?You got a name, kid??

?June,? she replied.

?June? Sounds about right,? she laughed weakly. ?I?m Claire,? mumbled the introduction before lifting her chin. ?You drink, June??

?Like? Alcoholic beverages? No,? June shook her head.

?Alcoholic bev??? Another scoff and she pinched the bridge of her nose. ?You?re too much,? she laughed before holding out the bottle. ?Tonight, you do. Come on, take a sip.?

Carefully taking the bottle, June lifted it to her lips.

The Subjugated

Date: 2017-06-22 23:12 EST
11-06-2013?11PM
A ray of gloomy sunshine.

?That does not feel good!? the girl cried out, and struggled lightly. She tried to yank her arm away from Claire as she dug into her flesh, but the girl was gripping her wrist tightly.

?Stop it, June! You?re going to fuck it up! Just hold still!?

The nights were less lonely with Claire?s frequent visitation. There were many nights she?d even stayed over, and June knew that she was overstaying her welcome in the town. She knew that she?d have to keep moving soon. That she was being an idiot for staying this long, and for what? Company? The girl?s fingernails dug into the surface of the small table she?d had sitting out. June breathed through the pain and squeezed her eyes shut.

By the time Claire had finished, there was the tiniest little symbol that resembled an M on her wrist. It was the symbol for a Scorpio birth sign. ?There, now you have mine on you, and I have yours on me,? she said. ?I mean, probably? Since you don?t actually know your birthday? That?s so fuckin? weird?? she shook her head. ?Now we?ll always remember the day we met, and one day when I?m all famous, you can tell your kids or?? Looking June up and down. ??cats?all about how you knew me!? she said dramatically. Then, her eyes shifted to June who was running her finger over the marking. ?Don?t fuck with it!? she yelled.

June put her hands up, and then sighed. Claire rolled her eyes and put a bandaid over the little marking. ?Thank you, Claire,? said June to the woman who branded her.

?No problem? Even if you did make me wanna shake you the entire fuggin? time.? A scoff before she lifted her bottle to her lips. Her phone rang, and June?s eyes shifted to it. She watched Claire silence it, and didn?t ask any questions. She?d learned enough about Claire these past couple of days to know that her home life wasn?t great. That her father was abusive, and controlling. Hell, the way Claire described it, kind of reminded her of her days in the cell. She never told Claire about that, though. Tossing her phone across the way, she scoffed. ?You?re so lucky you don?t have one of these? I swear it?s just for tracking people.?

June believed that, too. Mostly because her father had said something along the same thing. However, she didn?t quite agree with the sentiment of her having been lucky. Still, she stayed silent on that matter at least. ?Your family sounds very unpleasant.?

Claire scoffed, throwing up her arms. ?Say it with me June,? she said and leaned closer. ?Your parents fuckin? suck.?

?Your parents fuckin? suck.? June said in a half-whisper, lifting her own bottle to her lips. She didn't drink as hard as Claire did, but she had enjoyed the fizzy alcoholic drink that the girl had brought for her.

The Subjugated

Date: 2017-06-23 00:21 EST
11-07-2013?12AM
One man?s trash?

?Come here, June,? said Claire, surrounded by her usual cloud of smoke. Sometimes it was nicotine, something she?d been familiar with around the guards. Other times, like now, it was something a little bit stronger. Something she compared to a skunk most of the time, though she didn?t judge. ?I want you to try this? Maybe it?ll mellow you out some,? she snickered and held out the smoke stick without the orange filter. June reached for it, always the one to give into peer pressure, it seemed. She held it between her fingers and stared at for a moment. ?Okay, so you put this part to your lips, and you suck? You gotta inhale. It doesn?t work unless you inhale,? Claire scolded her. Mostly because she?d seen her do that only a few days ago with the cigarette.

June had struggled with the joint, having taken a few little hits and gone into coughing fits that damn near made her drool all over herself. By the end of it, she was feeling it. All of it. The paranoia, the gigglefits?and she felt as if her temples were swollen. ?Good girl,? Claire told June looking over at her. She was sipping her drink, sinking further and further into her chair.

Then the two shared silence together, enjoying one another?s company. June was a feared monster in disguise, having just lost the only person who ever cared about her. Claire, an outcast of her town, without a friend in the world and having spent her life getting in her own way. Most of the town hated her. Hell, she hated herself.

It was the sound of squealing tires that had Claire jumping up fearfully. ?Son of a bitch,? she hissed and began gathering up things to throw into the camper. ?June, help me! Come on, we gotta get out of here. Now!?

?Wh?what??

June was less quick on the draw, practically dragging her eyes up to Claire as she moved about frantically. ?CLAIRE!? it was that noise, that gruff, aggressive noise that made her jump up on her feet. She began following Claire?s lead in picking up the furniture and throwing it into the camper. Claire seemed to know something that she didn?t. ?I know you?re here! Get your ass in the car now! You are so damn dead!?

June froze seeing a man stomp around her RV, banging on it until she was spotted in the lantern light. He stared her down and came barreling over, Claire yelled for her to follow as she bolted into the RV. ?June! Come on! June we gotta move!?

Her two feet never left the ground until he was in grabbing distance. That was when she decided to try and escape, only to be snatched up by the man. ?Who are you?! Where the hell is my kid!?? the smell of booze was heavy on his breath as he shook her shoulders. He spotted the glow of her necklace, ?Are you some kinda raver?! Are you high!?? he screamed at the top of his lungs, making a grab for her necklace.

June nearly panicked before Claire was bolting forward and tackling the man away from June. ?June! Go!? yelled Claire as she toppled the man over and went down with him. June watched for a moment as the man climbed on top of Claire and threw his fist against the teenager?s face. Then she turned and ran into the RV.

?I?m so sick of you!? the man yelled out, pinning Claire down with his forearm against her throat. She choked out clawing at the ground for a rock, anything to defend herself at that point. She really wouldn?t have been surprised if he?d killed her, and thrown her body in the lake at that point. ?I swear I?m gonna?..?

The metallic flashlight knocked across his skull. It wasn?t a fatal blow, but it might knock the sense out of him for a moment. Or?what little sense he had, anyways. He rolled off Claire and onto his back, writing in pain. Claire looked up to see June, wide-eyed and staring down at her. ??I think I love you, bitch?? the girl said with a smirk, shoving up onto her feet. ?Come on! We gotta get out of here,? she said, slapping a hand against her back and shoving her toward the RV.

The man took a moment to recover, the door to the RV having shut and locked. ?Goddammit?? he hissed and rolled over to crawl to his feet. He began running weakly at the door, slamming his fist against it once as it peeled off.

?Holy shit balls that was amazing!? cried Claire as she paced around the moving RV. ?I?m not gonna lie,? she snickered. ?I thought you were gonna leave me for a moment? I mean, I know I told you to go, but I didn?t expect you to actually leave me! I?d have been piiiissssed! ?or dead.? Claire shoved her hair from her face and looked over at June who was shaking and gripping the wheel like it was the only thing that grounded her. ?Hey?? she whispered. ??thanks for saving me, seriously,? she smiled. ??I guess it?s you and me against the world now, huh??

Claire reached down to put her hand over June?s on the steering wheel. ?Yeah,? said the girl, her fingers leaving the steering wheel to tangle with Claire?s. ?You and me.?