The Fall of Velaris

Perseus, just for a moment, remembered a time in his life when he wasn’t troubled by his emotions. When he lacked them. He had a plan back then. When it was just him and the Vultures he was still a good leader. Now? He wasn’t so sure.

Voices echoed all around Percy and he was trying his hardest to keep his head on straight. He had already had one outburst on Quill for his inability to stay awake during his night shift. The reason they were all awake now. If it wasn’t for Kody’s relationship to the Ghosts, they’d surely all be dead by now. It was something that Percy was going to take some time to forgive.

Standing all around the main floor of the warehouse, many faces scattered his home that he didn’t recognize and as many already knew, he wasn’t necessarily a welcoming person so to speak. Especially not with the welcoming they were given.

Shooting a glance towards Cora who stood by the furnace, he could tell she was beginning to feel the heat of living out in the Slums. It wasn’t something that was easily accepted. Some days made you remember that more than others.

“Stop throwing around the blame,” Percy snapped. “If it’s going to be anyone’s fault then it’s mine. I’m supposed to protect you all and obviously I made a bad call. It won’t happen again,” he finished and the crews voices slowly faded to silence.

Suddenly a presence behind Perseus caught his attention and he glanced over his shoulder at Beatrice who was sauntering over towards him. She appeared to be in her late thirties but something told him she was older. With a thin lipped smile, she stopped at his side.

”Stressful for a young man your age trying to run a gang, isn’t it?” She tilted her head, obviously referring to the stress that sat on his shoulders.

”The Slums are stressful, not my job.” Percy remained hostile. He could care less about her connection to Kody, she was still a stranger to him.

Beatrice clicked her tongue and put her hands up nonchalantly. “Are you always so broody?” She hummed.

Percy huffed irritably at her words and then their conversation shifted as she asked for more clarification on what went down with the Empty Eyes. After some in depth explanations and the more jumbled and hushed voices of others making conversation on current matters, she got the information she wanted and Percy realized that she might actually have some redeemable qualities aside from being the only one able to sneak up on him in his sleep.

Once Beatrice left his side, he watched as she made it towards Cora. He felt the need to go with her. Be beside Cora. It felt strange. Even after sleeping with her, after wanting to strangle her on multiple occasions, he couldn’t get himself to come to terms with what his feelings were for her. She told him that she loved him. What did he do? Nothing. He hadn’t even spoken to her about their predicament, no explanation. He was broken inside and he didn’t know how to find his words when it came to her.

Releasing a sigh, Percy walked over towards a the furniture, finding a spot across from the meathead of a man that had his girl in a neck hold with a knife. He still wanted to drop kick him to Mars.

Forcing himself to avert his gloomy glare away from the man, he watched the flames of the furnace intently when suddenly Beatrice was talking about his mother. His blood ran cold. Hearing about her was so surreal.

Furrowing his brows at the woman, Percy listened as she spoke of their families and suddenly the odds of him finding Cora outside his door that day became that much more insane to him. The odds of their mother’s being best friends at some point in time was beyond Percy. Not only that but hearing about them wasn’t something he was used to. He was sure his mother died as just another person on the inside walls.

After Beatrice was finished, Percy chewed his lip for a moment before glanced towards his crew. Looking over them all, he sighed and raked his fingers through his hair. She was right. None of them were safe anymore and it was his fault. He was becoming selfish, between the drugs and Cora, he had stopped being the boss that his father would have been proud of. He was tearing down his legacy.

Standing up, Percy cleared his throat and finally spoke.

”Pack your things,” He began. His entire crew turned and stared at him. Some looked concerned while others looked shocked. “We should have been on the road already and I take full responsibility. Beatrice is right, we aren’t safe here anymore.”

“You can’t be serious. . .“ Assyria frowned.

”This has been home of the Vultures for years, we can’t just leave!” Rachel added.

”Where are we supposed to go anyways?” Quill arched an eyebrow, obviously unamused by the idea.

Before Percy could part his lips, Beatrice was speaking.

”You can stay at our compound.” She insisted and glanced to Percy as if for permission of some sort. Percy stared at her for a moment before rubbing the back of his neck.

”I don’t think thats—“ he started.

”Nonsense, it’s not far and it won’t be likely of them to assume you’re hiding at another gangs compound, you’re the Vultures, you have more enemies then I’ve had intercourse in my life time.” Beatrice waved him off.

Kody smirked and nodded. “She’s right. Their compound is our best shot right now,”

Glancing over everyone, Percy licked his lips before shrugging and gesturing for them to get moving. “We don’t have all night.” He muttered and they all began bustling around the room to grab things, some heading to their rooms.

Turning on his heel, Percy looked over towards Cora. No matter how much he hated to admit it, whenever he looked at her, it was like the air was being swept up from his lungs for a moment. She quite literally took his breath away.

Beatrice audibly inhaled beside him.

”I haven’t seen anyone look at a girl like that since your father met your mother,” she murmured and Percy felt his features soften for a brief moment. Moving towards Cora, he reached out and pulled her behind him.

He brought her down towards her bedroom. Once the two were inside, he closed the door and stood behind her for a moment before stepping closer. His eyes caught her gaze for a moment in her mirror and he slowly reached out, brushing a curled strand of her auburn hair back behind her shoulder, exposing her neck.

His breath hit the crook of her neck and his eyes trailed down her shoulder, his fingertips brushing against her back and along her shoulder blade.

”I’m a bad man,” he murmured against her skin. His brows furrowed for a moment and he swallowed. Talking about his feelings was hard, but he knew he needed to try for her.

“You told me earlier, you loved me.“ his hands found her hips for a moment, tugging her back against him before he let go and grabbed her shoulders instead. Turning her around to face him and then his hands held her face. “You do something to me, Cora.” he breathed. “You get inside of my head and I can’t think straight. It makes me furious, but I don’t—“ he paused. “I don’t think I want it to stop.” He stared at her hard now. Never had he ever said such a thing or anything even within the vicinity, but now was as good of a time as any. He wasn’t sure if he waited any longer that he would have said anything. How didn’t someone who didn’t know what love was to begin with know if he was in love?

Was it the feeling she gave him? The constant frustration. One minute he wanted to hate her and the next he felt like something inside of him burned for her. She was both the one who poured the gasoline on him and the one starting the fire.

”I’ve never been in love before,” he admitted. “But I know can’t ignore the war that’s going on inside of me. I can’t ignore the way you drive me insane, Cora, I know that I have lived this life before I met you, but I don’t think that I can go another moment without you.” He stopped, taking a moment to survey her face. His own voice felt foreign To him. Part of him wanted to bolt. To leave her room and pretend it never happened.

Then another part of him wanted to kiss her until his name was the only thing she would taste again. This anger he felt was new. It was the type of anger that screamed he would protect her at all costs. Perseus knew that from this day forward things were going to be different. Wether he liked it or not. He was in love with Cora Laine.

After everything she had been through and with her new training, Cora would have thought she would react differently; find some kind of new bravery stemmed from her internal fight or flight system. Instead, she found the same old thing, crippling fear. She was frozen next to some deranged man with a knife and couldn't even find the courage to start swinging or even scream. It was obvious to him too, because he began to chuckle, an act that caused heat to flood Cora's face. "You White Vultures never change." He muttered, urging Cora to get up. When she didn't, he grabbed her arm and twisted it, pulling her to her feet.  Allowing herself to be dragged onto her feet Cora's mind wandered to the last time she felt this scared. A situation that was vaguely similar to when Kody had taken her to the cell; it was the same arm twist.  The sound of her door flying open and Percy's voice snapped Cora into reality. She began to thrash and when she saw the older woman next to Percy ordering the man to let her go she was flooded with relief. "I'm okay." She whispered to Percy, looking up into his eyes when his hand found her face before looking towards their unwanted guest. Her instincts told her this was definitely going to be a long night. -- The sound of wood popping and snapping echoed throughout the compound and Cora stood close to the furnace, warming her hands. Behind her voices overlapped each other and it was giving her a migraine.  "I'm so sorry mate. I didn't mean to fall asleep." "Why would the Elite Government kill an entire gang? You know they don't want a real war." "Kody you didn't tell me you grew up with The Ghost." "I don't believe this shit." "This is what happens when half the gang is on drugs. We're lucky we're not dead. Throw the fucking weed out dude." Reaching up Cora rubbed her temples, the warmth of her fingers soothing. The sound of approaching footsteps made her jerk around, her eyes falling on Beatrice. "St. John tells me your father is the General." The older woman breathed, coming to a stop directly in front of Cora.  "You favor him. But you favor your mother more. How is Coraline now days? It's ironic if you ask me, that her daughter would find herself here. With Jocelyn's son."  Months. It had been months since she'd heard the name of her mother. It's crazy what a simple word could do to a person, the feeling of grief and longing instantly filling her, a feeling quickly replaced by curiosity. "My.. My mother? You know my mother?" Cora stuttered, her eyes instantly wide. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.  "Ah. I'm going to take it as you don't know then." Sighing, the woman shook her head. "Sit down, over there and I'll tell you." She pointed, ushering Cora to the nearest chair. It happened to be directly between the man from earlier and Persues, but Cora barely noticed. Her heart was racing and her mouth had gone dry.  "It doesn't surprise me you don't know. The Elites have never valued the truth much." Reaching into her pocket Beatrice pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lighting one with a match as she stared at Cora. "The first time I met your mother she was younger than you. A limber girl with a lot of red curls. She had come across the wall with her best friend. Your mother." She nodded toward Percy. "Sandbox buddies. Inseparable. When Jocelyn first starting dating Thomas, Coraline would sneak with her. She had such large ideas, that maybe she could change things for the slums. Always bringing money, food, medicine, story books for the families with kids out here. She thought, as well as Jocelyn did, that the Elite needed to change. They both equally believed there was enough for everyone to have a decent life. Although me and Thomas never got along much, I was friends with Jocelyn and Coraline. I believed in the same dream they did. A United City." Smiling faintly Beatrice took a drag off her cigarette, ashes falling to the floor. "And then she got pregnant. Coraline only came a few times after. She was scared, scared for Jocelyn who was already married to the Governor. Scared for herself, for her own parents. The punishment for leaving the walls has always stayed consistent. When all hell finally did break loose and the executions began, your grandparents arranged a plea deal. Wealthy actors, one of, if not the wealthiest, married Coraline off to The General along with all most of their possessions and money. That was the last I saw of her. Honestly, until I saw you an hour ago, I suspected she had died anyways." Tossing the butt of her cigarette into the furnace Beatrice shook her head. "Your grandparents were cast to the slums. They didn't stay, of course. But I suppose they're probably still alive. Out towards the coastal villages, if I had to guess. If I were you, I'd start searching. If your father is still the same man and I would bet The Empty Eyes would say if they could that he is, he's not going to back away. Not now, at least. None of you are safe here. Especially not you Cora. Or you, St. John."

The warehouse brought no ease to Perseus' stress levels. The platinum blonde was now standing beside the blowing furnace, his hands pressed against the wall beside it as he leaned into it, staring down at his feet. He listened to his crewmates go at each other's necks about what they would be doing next and his eyes closed momentarily before he turned around.

"Regardless of who's behind the assassination, we won't get anywhere pointing our fingers. We can't storm the Elites yet and as Jack stated, we can't rule out the possibility of our rivals coming for us with the bounty on our heads right now. We need to keep our heads on straight, this is what they want. They want to break us from the inside, it makes their job that much easier." Percy's voice was stern and his words had been enough to get some of the bickering to cease for the time being.

"What do you propose we do then?" Kody's voice surprised him. She stood, arms crossed.

"For now, we set up watch shifts," as soon as the words left Percy's mouth he could hear the bubbling groans erupting from his crew's throats. "Yeah, yeah, get over it. It's the only way we can be safe, if they try to come for us when we least expect it, we lose our home advantage."

"Who's going first?" Quill frowned, smothering his blunt roach in an ashtray.

* * *

Percy sat on top of the roof. The night sky above his head was smothered in clouds, concealing any stars and even the moon. The darkness laid like a cloak over the world around him, making it hard to see well, but he brought his legs up to his chest, resting his elbows on his knees as he stared through the dark.

Sliding his hand into his pocket, he pulled free a cigarette and his bag of cocaine. Glancing over the bag, he shook it slightly, thinking of all the things the drug had done for him - or more so, all the things the drug had taken from him. For a moment, he let the heavy blanket of guilt lay over him, knowing that Cora was probably shooting up in her bedroom at that exact moment. All because of him. Had he corrupted her too? Was that his purpose? For people to come into his life only for him to fashion them into broken toys? Everyone he had ever loved ended up dead and yet he still had people come into his life, it felt like a sick and twisted hamster wheel that wouldn't quit turning.

Dumping some of the contents of the bag on the back of his hand, he snorted it up in an attempt to keep himself alert and lit up his cigarette, bringing it to his lips in a heavy exhale as the drip coated the back of his throat with each inhale.

* * *

It had been a few hours later when Percy traded shifts with Quill. Percy had made his way downstairs where he found his bedroom. He shot a glance over towards Cora's door for a moment, pondering if he should go see her.

It was a difficult thing, the way she pulled at his soul, both tightening and loosening the threads of his heart like a puppeteer. He hated the way she drew him in or the way she made him feel when he wanted anything but to feel. He was conflicted and he knew that they had slept together, causing much more drama than he expected, he didn't know how to be with somebody and he wasn't sure that he could be with somebody. Love made him weak and weakness was not something he could afford right now. Not only that but by loving her, he would surely kill her.

Turning away from her door, he pushed his own open, slipping inside.

* * *

It wasn't clear when sleep took over Perseus, but the night seemed to lull him into a deep sleep that he hadn't had in a long time.

The faint sound of the floorboards in his bedroom creaking had caused Percy's blue eyes to snap open. He had just shot his hand out to grab his gun on his nightstand table when he felt nothing but the wood against his fingertips. He glanced over towards the table and his gun was nowhere to be found.

Cursing under his breath, he knew something was up and then he turned towards the door, only to have the muzzle of his own pistol pressed against his forehead. A dark glare clouded Percy's eyes and he shifted his gaze to the woman standing beside his bed, one hand on the gun holstered at her side while the other held his gun.

"Shhh," she smiled wickedly down at him and Percy gritted his teeth, wanting nothing more than to kill her where she stood.

"So, you're the big bad Vulture leader?" she tilted her head, clicking her tongue, unimpressed. Her voice. It was familiar. The same one he had heard yesterday when he was out with Cora.

"If you're smart, you'll get that gun out of my fucking face," he muttered, sitting up slowly, she pressed the gun harder.

"What's the matter? Not as fun when you're the one being aimed at is it? Why don't you tell that to the Empty Eyes?" she mocked him, and it only fueled his frustration. She believed they were behind the assassination.

"That wasn't us," Percy pressed, his anger bubbling. "We're being framed," he explained, and then the bedroom door was flung open. The woman took her other gun, freeing it, and aimed at the door. Percy took the opportunity to hit his gun out of her hand, letting it fling across the floor with a loud gunshot that fired into the wall. Luckily, it flew through the wall that didn't have any bedrooms on the other side.

Getting to his feet, Percy got his gun and was now standing at the end of his bed, gun pointed at the woman while the woman pointed at him. On the other side of his bedroom door were Kody and a man with a gun which was strapped to his side still.

"He's telling the truth," the man explained and let Kody step forward for the woman to see.

"Kody," the woman breathed and lowered her weapon. Percy looked between all of them, gun still drawn. The woman walked up to Kody, wrapping her up in a hug and Percy slowly lowered his weapon, his brows furrowing in confusion.

"What the hell is this?" he looked at Kody who brushed her hair out of her face.

"This is Beatrice," Kody explained. "Leader of the Ghosts, they took me in when I was younger and we got separated during a raid. . . That's when I met the Vultures." she pursed her lips and looked between everyone and Percy sighed, closing his eyes as his shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Everyone, upstairs. Now." Percy ushered them out of his room and headed towards Cora's room without a second thought, his gun still in hand. He shoved her door open and pointed his gun at the man who stood inside of it.

"Get the hell away from her or I'll shoot off every limb you have and kick your teeth down your fucking throat." Percy was livid and then Beatrice was behind him, staring at the man in the room with Cora.

"Stand down," she ordered and glanced at Percy. "Don't you dare shoot one of my men." she glared.

Percy glared back at her before lowering his gun, waiting for the man to get out of her room before he looked towards Cora. Walking towards her, he grabbed her face for a moment, looking over her body for any cuts or marks before letting her go.

"You alright?" he murmured.

Hours and hours later, Cora sat at the rugged couch next to Quill listening to the Vultures argue; a chaotic noise of people talking over one another and the occasional outburst from Percy. Although it had been hard to follow, Cora now knew several things, starting with The Empty Eyes. Throughout the years there had been several feuds with the rival gang, who had been mostly known for selling the same white powder the Vultures did. The arguments had always been over clientele and territory lines and occasionally women, a conversation Cora had tried to follow but couldn't. She also knew from what her and Percy had witnessed earlier, they were all dead now, slaughtered on Christmas night. An act they were being blamed for, framed.  Borrowing her frows she watched as Bex and Jack went at it, her fingers rubbing her temples. Beside her Quill crunched on toast, a lit blunt in his other hand.  "It's obviously a move from The General. No one else would have the capability to kill them all or have access to the coins. We shouldn't even be considering other options."  "Or it could be one of our other enemies. I've been a vulture a lot longer than most of you. I remember several members who were exiled from the compound and I'm sure they've been sitting waiting for their revenge. We can not just storm into war with the Elites wh.." "War? We are already in war! Have you forgotten the letters? Have you forgotten that we have two of them here? No offense Cora, Hunter. But if you two haven't put a target on our backs than the sky isn't blue." "This isn't the time for blaming!" Groaning Cora closed her eyes and tried to tune it all out, especially when Hunter jumped in, blaming the medical raid for the reason he was even here. Blaming Percy for shooting Trey and causing all of this.  Without drawing attention to herself Cora slipped off the sofa and made her way down the stairs towards the showers. It was funny really, but even after two months Cora hadn't gotten used to the cold water. Especially now that it was winter. Sighing she found a sink and turned it on, splashing her face.  The mirror above it was broken, like almost all the other mirrors in the compound, and her reflection appeared back at her fractured and disoriented. Cora almost didn't even recognize herself anymore, not because she looked much different, but because she felt different. Had she started a war? The questioned floated and bobbled inside of her like a lost fishing boat. She wanted to dwell on it, watch it fester, maybe feel some kind of self pity for everything she'd done and become. Yet, she felt nothing. Just a longing emptiness; a companion of her growing indifference. It was definitely the coke, Cora told herself, that was causing the fuses to her emotions to blow.  Reaching back Cora released her hair from it's bun and washed it, shivering as the water trickled down her neck. When she was done she squeezed the water out and tied it back on her head, heading to her room to do the only thing that made her depressing reality better, cocaine. In the hall she passed Racheal, who looked about the same as she did, over it; her eyes tired and stressed. "It's going no where out there. I can't take it anymore." She muttered, shutting her door just as Cora slipped into hers.  -- She was never going to get used to how good it felt; floating in and out of the bliss. Of course, when she had first started using, it was like drinking way too much caffeine. Now, it relaxed her, and Cora found bliss inside her blankets, the euphoria of the drug rocking her to its own lullaby. She wasn't sure how much time had passed, but she was positive it was late now. The drifting voices from upstairs had long faded.  When the handle to her door turned Cora didn't bother rolling over to look. She knew it was Percy, because he was the only one who ever came into her room this late. She listened as his steps echoed softly as he approached her bed and the mattress shifted with his weight. "Is everyone finally done arguing?" Cora asked, moving backwards slightly to capture his warmth. When he didn't reply Cora frowned and begin to sit up. The room was dark and she couldn't really see, but she rather heard the swift movement of arms swinging toward her, wrapping themselves quickly across her throat and mouth. "Darling, I think the argument has just begun." A deep voice chuckled, the cold feeling of a blade now against her skin. A voice that wasn't Percy. A voice that didn't belong to anyone Cora knew.

The winter air wasn't as aggressive as usual and for once Perseus could breathe it in without it burning his lugs. The sky that clung above their head held a sun that had been waiting to hug the earth with its embrace. The sound of dripping could be heard all around from the snow on rooftops of broken buildings and light poles melting.

Percy didn't turn around when he heard his name called. He knew who the voice belonged to and he couldn't let himself be surprised that she was following him. The sound of Cora's voice behind him slowly drew closer and then she was at his side, looking at him like he was crazy, a gun in her hand that didn't look comfortable.

"Careful, you almost sound concerned." Percy shot her a sideways glance, the corner of his lips tugging into a smirk.

While a flock of geese flew overhead, Cora had shifted, asking him to show her how to remove the safety. He felt a laugh bubble in his chest but just shook his head while taking it out of her hands, tapping near the button near the trigger.

"If the ring is red, someone ends up dead." he insisted as he pressed the button, revealing the red ring around it and removing the safety. Handing the gun back to her, he could feel the warm skin as her thumb ran against his hand. Glancing up at her, she was looking at him. Like she had a lingering question floating in her mind but wasn't willing to say.

Looking down the road they traveled, Percy could feel his black boots sinking in the now slushy snow every step he took. As he scanned the area, he took in the fact that there was no one. Normally on patrols, he saw some citizens peering out of their windows, others had children who played in the street until the dark came to settle in - when it stopped being safe.

There wasn't a soul.

Percy listened carefully, directing Cora closer towards the alleyways. He was used to these paths. As Cora said so poetically earlier, he wasn't the most likable person. He had people to avoid, but he still had to know what was going on in his parts of the slums. Especially now. No matter how dangerous it was.

As the two of them made it towards a dark alley, he glanced back towards Cora who was ripping a wanted poster of herself down. He understood the action, but he knew that the wrong people already had all three of their faces pinned up in their dens, probably using them as target practice.

Perseus nearly came to a halt when Cora spoke and his brows drew together for a moment, his eyes darkening, but not with anger. She'd found his mother's pin. It wasn't like he hid it, but he wasn't used to having anyone in his bedroom to see those things. He continued walking, listening to where she was going with her words.

The two were finally in the alleyway and a darkness settled over them, hiding them from view and, unfortunately, any sunlight or warmth.

"I don't talk about her," his voice had never felt so small before and sadness clouded his features for a moment. Then came Cora's hand. It was small against his face and he had nowhere to look but her as she spoke, her voice quiet.

His jaw set and for a moment he wasn't sure what to say. Everything she said had been true. His mother. The day he met her. When he first saw her, he was just an angry guy who led a gang, and then he really saw her. He recognized the fear in her eyes. He believed her when she said they were only at his door for the drugs. She was a girl from the other side of the wall that didn't know how cruel the world truly was. He was just like her once. Unknowing. Scared. Powerless.

Glancing around the area, he looked back to Cora.

"My mother was a lot like you. She was curious and she needed a change, whether it was to impress some guy or because she truly believed there was more to this life. She fell in love with my father, crossing the wall every night to meet him." he paused. "From what my father told me, she was scared. In line to marry Governor Klatt when she realized she was pregnant with me. He raped her. Told her that she was going to keep his family name going so that no one else would ever be able to rule the inner-city. He didn't love her. He doesn't love anybody. She found that out when he realized that I wasn't his child and she was sentenced to a public death for adultery. I was left to die outside the walls. Maybe it was his twisted way of knowing I'd be brutally murdered, but what he didn't know was that my father was the leader of the White Vultures and I've been training my whole life to come for Klatt. I will be the death of him. Even if it's the last thing I ever do."

Percy's emotions had gotten swept away, the sadness morphing into anger. He studied Cora for a moment before sighing, the cold around them clouding his breath.

"I didn't kill you, Cora, because the look in your eyes was the same one I saw in hers when she was dragged away from me and although what I did to you was wrong, I don't regret it," he spoke honestly, turning away from her as he began leading her deeper through the path.

Once they had been walking for a while, they neared an old barbershop, broken glass lying everywhere. They were hitting some dangerous territory, but it was still utterly quiet. He had just been walking around a corner when something caught his eye. Percy shot his arm out swiftly, stopping Cora in her tracks and he back-stepped, grabbing her waist as he tugged her towards the side of the building, pressing her back to it as his arms caged her in.

Putting his finger to his lips, he stared at her before leaning, looking around the corner once more to get a better look. Laying out on the pavement were bodies. Blood was splattered across the snow, pooling beneath them. The bodies belonged to members of the Empty Eyes. Then he saw the shine of a gun, quickly he leaned back behind the wall again, his eyes searching Cora's as he listened.

"I found this nearby," a gravelly voice echoed, one Percy didn't recognize.

"Vulture's." it belonged to a different voice. A silvery tone. A woman.

For a moment, Percy thought their cover was blown, his fingers twitched on his gun ready for anything. He could practically hear the blood rushing in his ears.

"They're the only ones that carry this coin, it's got to be them." the girl didn't sound impressed. "Pretty ballsy considering their precious little leader is already wanted."

"What do you say, boss?" the man questioned.

"Let's get out of here, we don't need anyone thinking we're the ones behind this," she muttered, and the sound of boots crunching against the snow could be heard fading away.

Once it was silent again, he cursed under his breath, backing away from Cora. If they were an ally to the Empty Eyes, that meant they wouldn't be long before they came for the White Vultures.

"Come on," he whispered to Cora, grabbing her hand and tugging her behind him back deeper into the alleyway. He took a different route this time, one that kept them in the shadows the whole way.

The Empty Eyes? Enemies? Future attacks? The words being spoken in front of Cora were ones she wished she could follow, but due to her lack of real knowledge about the gang or living outside the wall, the entire conversation left her frustrated.

Percy, whom had talked to just about everyone since he had awoken, hadn't exactly acknowledged her either, which didn't exactly help with her feelings. In fact, her frustration felt like poison, bubbling and turning blacker and blacker as the minutes stretched by. They had slept together and yet he couldn't even offer her a hello. It was like last night hadn't even occurred and suddenly the pair was back to how it had been the last two months. Avoidance, tolerance, and a real lack of actual conversation; maybe if Cora couldn't still taste his lips against her own, she wouldn't have cared. Maybe she could have just let him slip out the door like he didn't have a lump sum of a bounty on his head. 

"Persues!" She yelled, beginning to follow him, grabbing a pistol on her way. Her small hands caught the door just as it was closing and she slipped out on the other side, completely ignoring Jack, who was now calling after her as well. "What the hell is wrong with you. Now is really not the time for singular joy patrols around the slums. Can you not read?" She jabbed, her voice now much lower. Above them several geese flew and Cora listened to their echoing honks before continuing. "You're incredibly wanted and apparently incredibly disliked. Neither of which surprise me. Now please show me how to take the safety off my gun." Handing the heavy metal over, Cora chewed her lip, her shoes crunching against the fresh snow. If she'd known she'd be outside, she really would have worn boots. 

Already the warmth of the sun had began to melt the fluffy white, causing the street around the compound to become slushy. When Percy handed Cora's gun back she brushed her thumb over his fingers, her eyes searching his before looking around. It was eerily empty outside and Cora wondered if it was due to Christmas being yesterday. The deeper they walked, the weirder it seemed, especially when Cora stumbled upon her own picture nailed to what used to be a telephone pole. Ripping it down, Cora stuffed it into her jacket pocket. Sighing, Cora glanced over at Percy. "In your bedroom this morning, I noticed an Elite pin," she began, peeking around the corner of a building before stepping around it. "It was your mother's, wasn't it?" She asked, her breath living clouds around her face. "And she died by Elite hands, didn't she?" 

Coming to a stop Cora turned to face Percy, her free hand coming to his cheek. Pressing the palm of her hand against his skin she studied him, finally letting her hand drop. "Is that why you didn't kill me, the first day we met? Because I was an Elite girl sneaking across the wall? Because I've been thinking about that day. And you could have shot me first. You saw me first. And yet, you didn't."

"We have more important things than mine and Cora's situation to be worried about right now," Perseus could feel his head beginning to pound, he brushed past the others and decided to head back to his room which was torn up from last night. Sighing at the broken lamp and clutter that scattered across the floor, he began returning his room to the state that it was in prior to himself and Cora.

As he tossed out the broken lamp, his mother's pin caught his eye and he ran his thumb across it, lost for a moment in the memory of her before he forced himself to his dresser, gathering his things to go shower.

* * *

Percy reached the top of the steps to the main floor where he slid on his jacket, pulling free a cigarette and his lighter. His eyes however landed on Hunter who was practicing at the targets with Cora on the sidelines watching him. Percy had just about carried on with his day when he noticed the kid's accuracy. One after another, the blades sunk into their target.

Eyeing Hunter for a moment, he finally brought his cigarette to his mouth, lighting it up when he headed over towards a large crate with stored guns and ammunition. Opening it up, Percy pulled free a gun, loading it up.

Glancing back towards Hunter and Cora, he noticed that Hunter had pulled a crowd consisting of the rest of the crew who seemed just as impressed. Percy made his way towards Hunter and once he was in front of him, he held out the gun. Despite the disdainful look on his face, Percy knew that they could use all the help they could get right now, and not having to train someone only made his job that much easier.

"There's a range out back," he nodded his head towards the back door. "Knock yourself out."

When Hunter took the gun, Percy glanced towards Kody who seemed to be rather avoidant today, he could only assume she was trying to forget about the drunken outburst from last night. He wasn't going to let her off that easily.

"Kody, why don't you go with, see what he's got." he insisted and Kody blinked between him and Hunter for a moment before nodding, brushing a strand of her hair out of her face. He could tell she was hungover.

"I'll come too!" Asyria piped up, her excitement was blatantly obvious. Percy wasn't stupid, he knew Hunter was a good looking guy, but it didn't change the fact that they were acting as they'd never seen a guy in their life.

Exhaling his smoke, Percy arched an eyebrow and gestured for them to get going. It had been a while since he'd felt this stressed out. Between what happened between himself and Cora, Hunter's arrival, and the General's attacks, he'd never felt more out of control.

"There's going to be people coming for us," Percy finally spoke. "I want everyone with a weapon and I want you all on high alert. We don't know when they're coming, but with the enemies we've accumulated through the years, I know they're coming."

"Why don't we go to them, huh? Go kick some ass." Quill insisted, obviously angry about their situation.

"Don't lose your head, Q," Percy warned. "We have home advantage here and we don't know who is going to come or when."

"My money's on the Empty Eyes, they've always had it out for us," Bex grumbled, his dark muscled arms crossed firmly over his chest in a tantrum of sorts.

Growing irritated, Percy put out his cigarette and sighed, raking his hands through his hair. Rachael and Jack remained quiet, probably for their own good.

"I'm heading out," Perseus' voice broke the silence and he didn't wait for a response before he began heading towards the front door. Jack's eyes widened and he yelled after him.

"Wait, out? Like out out?" Jack's concern was heavy. "By yourself? I'll come with you."

"I'm just going to scope things out, I'll be back." Percy brushed him off and pulled open the door, pulling his gun out of its holster.

Cora was the last to see the letter, and in her hands she held her own wanted poster for longer than than she needed to. Even after almost everyone else had taken the stairs, Cora stayed, staring down at it. Of all the pictures of her, her father had chosen the exact one that hung in their livingroom. It was from two years ago, when she had graduated school. Her face looked younger, fuller, and the smile she gave for the camera seemed fake to her now. It seemed forced. It wasn't just a warning sent by her father for the gang, but a direct jab centered for Cora; one that screamed I know you and I no longer love you. 

Beside her Hunter still stood, his own wanted paper held in his hands. She could sense more than tell he was furious and hurt, and Cora found herself reaching out to rub across his shoulder. "You know what would help?" She joked to him, her throat tight from the urge to cry. "A way to release."

--

Twenty minutes later the pair stood in the empty training room, test dummies lined along the wall. On each one Cora had drawn her best example of her father's face, each one of the chest signed with the Elite Generals symbol. On a table in front of Hunter laid knives, every one she could find. There was even a few throwing stars, no doubt something Quill had probably picked up on various runs. Taking a deep breath Cora picked one up and handed it over to Hunter. 

"You never told me how you got the black eye." She pointed out, watching as her friend twirled the knife in his hand before throwing. Cora watched it as it flipped through the air and stuck into one of the dummies chest, centered perfectly for the heart. 

"When the guards forced me to burn Chloe's body, I overheard one of them complaining about it. They said it was a shame their favorite whore was dead." 

Picking up another knife, he threw it, harder and faster, the blade sticking out the eye of the same dummy.

"And then they started to talk about you. About how you were probably going through the entire male population of the White Vultures, and how you probably needed that medical supply to treat some slum STD." 

Knife after knife seemed to be flying through the air now, each one landing with such precision it was breath taking. When the last knife flew from the table and stuck into the forehead of the last dummy, Hunter turned to face Cora, his breathing hard. 

"I just couldn't take it anymore. I attacked them. One got me in the eye but I had them both laid out onto the ground by the time they could blink. And you know what? I regret not killing them. It's been horrible out there Cora. Your father, he stripped my future positions away and left me for trash duty. And I accepted that. But when he started beating me. When they took Chloe away. When I found out he had left you out here to possibly die, I couldn't just keep my head down. I know he's your father, but he needs to die. They all need to die. We have been lied to Cora. I've seen the truth and all that bullshit we were shovel fed growing up was just that. Bullshit." 

Reaching down Hunter pulled his shirt up, turning so that Cora could see his back. Fresh and old scars ran along his shoulders and spine, his skin blistered from being repeatedly whipped with something. It was so gruesome that a noise escaped Cora's lips and she had to cover her mouth to keep from crying out. Tears brimmed her eyes and she looked away, her stomach in knots. "Your father did this to me Cora. And if he gets his hands on any of us, I can not imagine how slow our deaths will be. I don't know what is going on with you, or with you and that blonde guy Percy, but you need to get yourself together. You look like shit and I know you're doing drugs and I get it. I really do. But now is not the time for playing house or partying. We'll be lucky if we even make it to next week." Pulling his shirt back down Hunter walked to the dummies to collect the knives.

For the next hour Cora watched him. Knives cut through the air and stuck, Hunter gathered them, and then they soared again. He was so good he could do it with his eyes closed, even throwing them sideways and laying down. Of course Cora knew he had a gift, but she had never seen him with her own eyes. At one point Hunter had been her father's most promising future commanding officer and now he was just another criminal. Like her. Oh how the tables sure did know how to fucking turn.

At some point Cora realized Hunter had gathered an audience and she turned to face the Vultures with a grin on her face. "If you think this is good, wait until you see him with a gun." She stated, unsure of how long the crew had been standing there or how much of the previous conversation they'd heard. Hunter, realizing by Cora's voice he was being watched, lowered the knife in his hand and turned, his hair now damp from sweat. "You have a range in here?" He asked, his eyebrows raised in delight.

Sweat drenched Cora's hair and her voice was so raspy her moans had settled into heavy panting. She wasn't sure how long it had been, but it was hard to care when every inch of her body could feel Percy's. When he sent her over the edge she cried out, tightening around him. Her body bucked backward and arched with him and she felt his release; something she'd never felt before because everyone else she'd ever been with had pulled away. "I think I love you." She groaned into the sheets, her body twitching with his.

Persues's hands were gentle when he flipped her and she looked up at him with a pounding heart. It was striking, how beautiful he looked above her, and she kissed his chin and then his mouth when he untied her. Her wrist felt raw from the shirt and Cora rubbed them as they became free, sitting up against his headboard. Pieces of the plaster had torn loose and Cora laughed winded, eying the rather large dent they had created. "Who's room is behind yours?" She asked, nodding toward it.

Already the warmth of Percy was leaving her body, another type of longing growing in it's place. Like some people needed a cigarette after sex, Cora wanted to get high. Needed to get high, if she wanted to continue to feel as good as she did now. As Percy dressed, Cora reached down into the floor. Her hand felt around for the contents of the nightstand, her fingers finding a packaged needle. 

"Have any coke?" She asked, lifting and waving the package between them.

-----------------------

Cora woke right before sunrise, the light blue sky casting shadows across Persues's room. It took her several moments to gather her memories and Cora blushed at the sudden waves of emotion that traveled through her body like a tornado. Percy's hand knotting her hair. His mouth against her skin. The way he had tied her and used her until he couldn't anymore. There was even the faintest memory of getting high, a fuzzy imagine that Cora couldn't quite put together. As if she had blacked out right after the needle had pierced her skin.

Next to her the soft breathing of Percy seemed to whoose throughout the room like a melody and Cora found herself admiring his sleeping form. He looked almost angelic, laying there, and it made Cora's stomach flip with butterflies. She had confessed during the heat of the moment that she loved him and now staring at his face, a part of her saw truth in her words. The things he had done when they first met seemed like a lifetime ago and the more Cora got to know him the more she understood his actions. He was always acting on his need to protect the people he cared about. The deaths of Preston, Leon, and Trey hadn't been monstrous acts but merely self defences in the eye of danger. A hard truth to accept for Cora, but the truth nonetheless. 

Slipping out the bed Cora wrapped herself in one of Percy's shirts, glancing around the room as she did so. There was a book shelf, two broken mirrors, a cracked painting that had no doubt fell from the wall last night, and weirdest of all, an Elite pin. One like Cora used to have, one that probably still sat collecting dust back home. Walking to it, Cora picked it up, turning it in her hands. The initials etched into the back were unfamiliar to her and she wondered who it had belonged to. The day of Chloe's murder a guard had spoken of Persues's mother, but until now Cora hadn't thought much of it. The ideal of his mother having been an Elite woman was too much for Cora to even imagine, and she sat the pin down carefully as she left the room. 

--

The air was crispy and Cora hugged a cup of coffee to her chest as she sat on the roof of the compound. The sun kissed the sky and Cora, now comfortable in our own familiar clothes, closed her eyes to soak in its warmth. She was obviously the first and still the only one up and it felt nice to be alone; just for a little while.

 The wall of the Inner City glared at Cora and she found herself ignoring it completely, no longer longing to go back there. It didn't feel like home anymore, not the way the Vultures did. In the pocket of her coat Cora rubbed the tiny coin Percy had gifted her last night. It wasn't just a present, but it was a beckon. One that shouted she had a new family, a real family, and she didn't need her father ever again. It felt like things were going to get better. That she was going to get better.

The sudden sound of knocking from below made Cora drop her coffee and she scrambled to the edge, peaking over it. An Elite Soldier stood in front of the metal door, a package in hand, and Cora's heart pounded at the sight of it. What ever he had, her gut told her it wasn't going to be good news. As if sensing her, the man looked up, but Cora had already left the edge, her feet carrying her back inside and down the stairs to the main floor.

Although he had finally succeeded in getting Cora to plead, his head leaned to the side, looking down at her face which was red like the handprint he left on her ass. Leaning over, he brushed her hair out of her face, slowly knotting it in his hand, waiting patiently for her to say it as she meant it. With purpose.

His eyes lingered down her legs and they began to shake with anticipation, then came her next rain of pleads, this one much better than the last. Like music to his ears and then he was releasing her hair, taking her hips in each hand as he ran his length back against her opening and then he pressed, shoving his cock's extent deep into her core with the help of her self-lubrication.

Leaning his head back, his lips pursed at the feeling of her around him and his fingers dug into the dip of her waist, his jaw clenched as he maneuvered in and out of her at his leisure. She was hot against him, his dick throbbing with each thrust. A low moan slipped through his lips and he exhaled heavily as he continued, his bed moving along with them, constantly banging itself against his wall to the rhythmic beat.

Perseus was no virgin, but he couldn't fight the realization of the fact that Cora's body against his, the curve of her figure, and the way she felt was different. It was better.

It was unknown the amount of time that had passed, engulfed by a hard fucking, sweat sheening against Cora's back and down Percy's torso, the room screaming sex. Unfortunately, all good things had to come to their end.

He made sure that Cora would finish first, something he would always do. Taking care of her was enough for him to find his own climax when he felt the way her walls contracted around him.

Sliding out of her, he turned her around so she was on her back once more, leaning down over her and when his face was inches from hers, he glanced into her eyes before untying her hands, dropping his shirt to the floor. He grabbed crossed his room, grabbing some boxers for himself, sliding them on and he glanced towards Cora who seemed to already have something else in mind.

Waves of rapture rolled through Cora like nothing she could ever describe. Her hands, although no longer pinned, were still tied and she found herself pressing her mouth against the fabric as noises she didn't know she could make spilled from her in a constant hum.

His mouth was everywhere and he moved it in every place she wanted it most. He brought her to the edge of what could have only been the end of the world yet he wouldn't let her step into the abyss. Not with his tongue or his hands. Cora wanted to cry out in frustration, borderline ready to beg him, when suddenly she was on her stomach. 

A pain radiated down her thigh and ass and she gasped, her teeth clamping down on her own lip until she was sure it was bleeding. The pain, no matter how much it stung and burned her skin, somehow only made her want him more. She had to have him or she was going to lose her mind, if she hadn't already. 

Now positioned with her hips up and her face pressed into his sheets Cora whimpered, a urgency filling her throat. She could feel the entire length of him outside of her and still, nothing. Only a mocking voice demanding she tell him what she wanted. Cora wanted to scream into the sheets and demand he fuck her, but she had already figured out his game. If she didn't play nice, he was going to torture her this way all night.

Breathing heavily she turned her face so she could speak clearly, her body blazing with a mixture of lust and humiliation. "I want to feel every last inch of you." She murmured, waiting for some kind of response. When Percy didn't move or answer her back Cora whined, her core throbbing so bad she was sure she was drippimg down her own thighs. "Please." She added, her legs beginning to tremble. "Please fuck me. I want you so bad I can't take it. Please."

The faintest hint of a smile curled onto Percy's lips at the sound of Cora's voice. He could feel her legs reaching around him and he brought his mouth down against the side of his neck, one hand still holding her hands hostage above her head as he did.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he mumbled along her skin, nipping, sucking, and traveling down her body.

His lips had made their way down her chest, his hand releasing her wrists as he grabbed a hold over her hips, tugging them close to his lips. His eyes loomed up at her from between her legs and he began peppering hot kisses against her inner-tighs at a painstakingly slow rate until he met her core. His hands forced her legs apart from each other, his tongue dragging against her clit with ease.

The taste of her filled his mouth and he could feel her pulsing beneath his mouth, dripping against him. He could feel his own sexual frustration beginning to rise, wanting nothing more than to fill her, but he also wanted all of her. Every inch of her. He wanted to taste her, test her limits, he wanted to hear her scream his name, and to remember him even when he wasn't touching her anymore.

Sliding his tongue lower, he teased her entrance before removing his mouth and instead fitting two of his fingers in its place, forcing them up inside of her as he felt her walls, beckoning them with the curl of his fingers. He fastened the pace of his fingers until it looked like she was about to short-circuit, he removed his now drenched fingers, bringing them to his lips for a final taste.

Peering down at Cora, his dick throbbing, he took her by her waist and flipped her over so she was on her stomach. His hand caressed her ass before giving it a hard spank, watching as her body reacted, his bottom lip between his teeth. Reaching down, he tugged her bottom half up into the air, running the length of his cock across her opening, but never entering her. Not yet.

"Tell me what you want, Cora," he insisted, his voice full of a heated lust he didn't know lived inside of him.

Cora was positively certain she'd never been alive before now. It was like every molecule that made up the existence of her entire body ached with electricity. Where had this been her whole life? Where had he been? 

Listening to the smash of the lamp Cora groaned, her hands traveling up Percy's spine and through his hair. When he pulled away she held her breath, watching as the rest of his clothes peeled off. She had never imagined him this way but God she wished she would have. Everything about him screamed power and sin and lust. 

Of course Cora had hooked up before. It had been fumbled buttons and teenage hands in the back of cars at events where she promised she wasn't drinking but ended up wasted. This, this was on an entirely new level for her. This wasn't some inexperienced guy who just wanted to fondle her breast and screw her for ten seconds.

When his hands began doing their quick work of tying her, she froze. Her heart beat was heavy and loud, practically pounding out her chest. She definitely wasn't high enough for this. She hadn't expected this. A dark blush spread down her throat and chest and she closed her eyes momentarily embarrassed. Although Cora would have a lot harder of time admitting it, she liked control just as much as Percy did, and this was far from it.

Parting her lips to tell him no, Cora found that only a moan escaped, her back arching itself towards his heat as his voice echoed in her ear. The heat tickled and made her throb and she found his mouth again, kissing him. Tasting him. She wanted more than this and she moved her leg up to hook his hips. "Stop being a tease Persues St. John."

---

The General sighed, pouring himself and Governor Klatt a tall glass of his best Bourbon. His head pounded and the Christmas party going on downstairs of his office seemed like the least of his worries. 

"I thought you said she would die, Morrison?" Klatt growled as he brought the glass to his lips, his face stretched into a grimace. "And now, not only did she live, but she's apparently become part of that abomination that runs half The Slums. She murdered a soldier, General. We can not simply ignore that. Not to mention Hunter Bishop, who punched several of your men before fleeing. No doubt he's now with them. I told you we should have went easier on him. His career at the Academy had been promising General. One of our best shots and now what do we have? Another traitor, one who is lethal." Sighing Klatt sat the empty glass down and slouched into the chair nearest the window, staring out at it at the wall. "I should have killed that boy with my barehands. It was nothing but weakness, throwing him out there in hopes he would die by another. He's going to be my downfall General. And yours too, for that matter. Please tell me you have some kind of plan for this madness." 

The General only stared at his now mostly empty glass, thinking about Klatt's words as the other grew quiet. He did have a plan, one that hopefully could prove that the only thing that truly mattered to the people of the Slums was one simple thing. Money.

Already letters spread across his desk, each one filled with three photos. One of Persues, one of Cora, and one of Hunter. Now three of the most wanted people in both the inner and outer city. The bounty for each of their heads was equivalent to an entire gangs yearly income. It was enough to buy a ticket straight into the Elites. It was more than anyone in the Slums could ever imagine. 

Smiling, The General looked at the Governor, tossing him the letters. "Mail this to every gang and hitman out there. Even the vultures themselves. Let's see how long their little family holds together when they see how much a simple act of betrayal could get them. While you're doing that, I have something of equal importance to do." Reaching into the drawer of his desk, the General grabbed a handful of coins. Homemade, stamped in the beginning of the ending of the first war. "I have a rival gang of the White Vultures to slaughter."

Percy felt her hands snake their way up to his chest, pushing him back from her, their lips no longer touching. The rise and falls of his chest were rapid as he looked at her and then she had slapped him.

The action caused a sting to radiate across his cheek and his lips parted in minor shock, but he hadn't been given any time to react before she was coming towards him, their lips crashing against each other once more. The force of her body was enough for him to lose his balance and the two of them took their embrace to the floor of his room.

A low guttural moan left his mouth when he felt her teeth clamp down on his bottom lip and despite the stinging sensation, it felt strangely good. He could barely comprehend the words she moaned along his mouth with her on top of him. Looking up at her, his tongue dragged along his lip, the metallic taste was familiar, she'd bit him.

The amount of lust that sat behind his eyes was deeper than that of any ocean and his hands couldn't help themselves as they glided up her thighs, his fingers squeezed her exposed flesh and he knew it would leave marks. His gaze trailed down towards her hands which dug into the skin of his chest through his shirt. It wasn't long after that her hands went to work on unbuttoning his shirt, exposing his body more than he'd ever let her see. He didn't care, it wasn't that he didn't want her to see him, but with the way that she was constantly naked around him, he wasn't sure how much restraint he could possibly have if they both lacked clothes.

Her hands against his skin felt different, but judging by the look in her eyes, she was beginning to lose herself to her thoughts like he'd seen a million times before. Taking that as an open opportunity, he wanted to bring her back to the now. So, he did.

He grabbed ahold of her hips and with a swift movement, he was flipping them so that he was on top of her. Staring down at her, he couldn't keep his gaze in one place. Her breast, the dress that slipped down off her shoulder, her lips. Grabbing a hold of her dress, he used both hands and ripped it down the middle, exposing her body underneath.

Although he had seen it what felt like a hundred times, he had never seen it in this light before. He'd never craved it the way that he did right now.

Leaning down, Percy's mouth found one of her breasts, his hand gliding up between her legs, his fingers threateningly close to her clit. He could feel wetness against his hand and knew what he was doing was working. His tongue ran against her nipple, feeling it harden in his mouth and he pulled back, his hands reaching around and grabbing her ass as he lifted her up from his floor.

Now standing with her, he let her legs wrap themselves around his waist as he let their lips meet once again. He tried to move them towards his bed but ended up making a detour to his nightstand. He groaned and with one hand still grabbing her ass to hold her up, he reached around and tugged the nightstand towards them, clearing it off completely with one fell swoop of his hand, sending it all to his floor. Even his lamp which he could hear shattered somewhere.

Setting Cora down on top of it, he undid his jeans, quick to remove them before leaning towards her, his lips just barely finding hers before giving her a hard shove so that she would fall back onto his bed.

Leaning over, he grabbed his unbuttoned shirt from the ground and made his way towards Cora, staring down at her naked figure in admiration before he was hovering back over her, his hands reaching for her hands, bringing them up so that they were above her head. Once they were together, he held them tight with one hand while he bound them together with his shirt.

Bringing his mouth just inches from her ear, he whispered lowly.

"I'm going to fuck you hard," his voice heavy with heat. He could feel her hardened nipples brush against his chest with each deep breath she took, his cock hard, but he wasn't done teasing her yet. He wanted to hear her beg for him.

What Cora had thought was going to be another yelling match turned out to be something else entirely. Standing in the middle of Persues's bedroom Cora couldn't help but look around momentarily. She had never been inside of it before and the air smelled so strongly of Percy it made her stomach clench. Realizing he was speaking, Cora turned and watched the other with her full attention, even jumping slightly as he kicked his dresser. She really wished she would have had more time to drink, because she certainly needed it. Everything Persues said sucked her in more and more and her face turned from angry to soft to angry again.  

Why was he always fucking yelling at her. "It's not my fault you don't know how to deal with feelings, Perc. You think I do? You think I don't know what losing control is like? I grew up in a place where the only feelings I were allowed to have were happiness and more fucking happiness. Do you know what it's like to never be able to release anger? Or fear? Or sadness? I. Am. Full. Of. Rage. Too." Cora gritted out, closing her eyes to breathe. 

One moment she was standing there, trying to ground herself, trying to remember that taking her feelings out on Percy was a disregard for her own safety, and the next she was pinned to a wall; persues's mouth hot and fierce against hers. Never in her entire life had she been kissed in such a violent way and it brought a groan from her throat. What in the hell was he doing?! 

Squeezing her hands in between them Cora pushed his chest before moving her palm up to slap his face, giving her a moment of freedom from the wall. She was breathing heavily and she eyed the blonde male for a moment before crashing back into him, her teeth finding his bottom lip as they tumbled into the floor. "You make me angry too." She moaned against his mouth as she released his bottom lip, the taste of blood on her tongue. Now on top of him, her legs straddled his waist and Cora used this to her advantage, putting one hand on his chest. Her nails dug into the fabric and Cora looked down at it. She suddenly wanted to see him undressed, like all the times he'd seen her. Making quick work, Cora unbuttoned the shirt, her hand gliding over his smooth chest. 

In the back of her mind, Cora wondered if this was wrong. Parts of what Kody had said lingered, and Cora tried not to think about it. What if Kody was right? What if she was the one putting Percy in danger, not the other way around? What if all of this that followed them was really more of her fault than his.

Persues, taking her distraction as a moment of weakness, had now made his move, Cora falling from his waist into the floor. Cora looked up at him, her dress falling from her shoulder, her breath caught in her throat. He looked so fucking wicked and so beautiful and she wanted him more than she'd wanted just about anything.

The sound of the newspaper being unwrapped had never been so loud before. Once he could see the book poke out from beneath the paper, his eyes lifted and landed on her face as it changed. He could practically feel the realization settle in for her and in a way for himself. With everyone as quiet as they were and all their eyes on the two of them, he couldn't help but realize how sentimental the gift truly was. Not only that, but Perseus wasn't Santa Claus, regardless of the knitted hat, he had never given presents. He never knew what to give to people and he didn't want anything in return, so he simply never gave out any presents.

Shifting slightly, he watched as she peeled the old book open to where the coin inside sat, picking it up into her fingers. He knew it was new for her, something she had never seen and so he wasn't surprised when she asked what it was. He swallowed for a moment and was about to part his lips to explain when a different voice interrupted the moment from behind him. A drunken voice. Kody's voice.

She had finally broken and the alcohol was the one thing that was giving her the sudden courage to speak out on her anger. It was a shame though, because of all the work she put into the party, but mostly it was the fact that everyone in the room knew why she was acting out. Maybe she just didn't care anymore. Regardless of her reasoning, the words that were spewing from her booze ridden mouth were not exactly holding any Christmas spirit.

Turning to face Kody, he watched as she stumbled forward, pointing an accusing finger at Cora. Everyone began standing up and in the corner of his eye he could see Quill nearly drop the blunt that was between his fingers and he began coughing, looking around for someone to jump in. Bex whacked him on the shoulder and took the blunt away, setting it in a nearby ashtray before positioning himself, ready to help stop whatever was coming while the girls pulled Hunter back so he wouldn't get swung at by accident - or maybe it was just so they could each grab a bicep. Percy rolled his eyes.

"Kody," Percy warned, and then her fist was swinging towards Cora who ducked out of the way. Maybe she had learned a thing or two from their training, he thought momentarily, and then came the thunder of Cora's defense.

"Ooooh, you filthy piece of--" Kody growled, her nose scrunched up in a scowl as she went for Cora another time and that's when Percy decided enough was enough. He side-stepped and in a swift movement, his arms wrapped around Cora's waist as he picked her up and pulled her out of the way nodding over towards Bex who scooped Kody up over his shoulder as she slammed her fists and kicked in his arms still screaming.

All of a sudden Jack made it to the bottom of the stairs, a platter of drinks and snacks in his hands, a towel over his shoulder and he paused. Percy licked his lips and glanced between Jack and the others, Bex already silently heading towards Kody's room to put her to bed.

"So. . ." Jack clicked his tongue awkwardly. "Is the party still a go or. . ?" he cleared his throat and Percy grumbled slightly while Quill suddenly burst out laughing, toppled over, holding his gut.

"Ah, god," Quill inhaled. "Did you guys see her face, she was like a tomato, I couldn't keep a straight face." he wiped a happy tear from his cheek, and Jack remained confused by the stairs.

"Just," Percy let go of Cora and gestured towards the table. "Go crazy," he muttered and then he reached over and grabbed Cora's book for her, then he wrapped his fingers around her wrist and began dragging her towards his room without saying another word.

* * *

Perseus shut his bedroom door, tossing her book onto his bed before turning to look at her, his blue gaze was sullen and he lifted his hands up, wanting to grab her face, but he dropped them as soon as he thought of it. He couldn't control himself around her and he hated it, but he brought her down here for a reason, he knew that.

"If it's not you, it's someone else, you're all driving me fucking insane, Cora," he admitted and kicked his dresser to release some of his temper and then he kept his back to her, releasing a sigh. Grabbing the top of his dresser, he bowed his head and thought for a moment.

"I decided that you were worthy of becoming one of us." his voice was hushed now. "I decided that you deserved a place in this crew, you saved my life even though the choice was hard and you have become family to the only people in this fucked up hell of a world that have ever understood me." his voice trailed off for a moment and then he finally turned around.

"Then you wanted to just up and leave after that guy shows up," he could feel his anger returning, "It's not easy for me to just let people in, Cora," he raised his voice, stepping forward, his hands grabbing her shoulders. "And then you go an challenge me like that? You make it all so fucking difficult, do you know that you do that? You have to constantly look at me with that face," his hand grabbed her chin, his brows furrowed in a puzzled way. "You make me so God damn angry," his other hand found her throat but didn't squeeze even though he had half a mind to. "You make me feel this constant jumble of emotions and I don't know what to do with any of them, do you know how that feels? To lose control? It's all that I know, Cora. I can't feel these things."

He stared at her now. The freckles on her face. The shape of her eyes. Her nose. Her lips. The shade of her hair and the feel of her skin beneath his hands. Her pulse. He took in all in and it hurt like nothing he had ever felt before. He wanted to hate her with every fiber in his being. Clenching his jaw, he could feel his heart pounding against his chest. Maybe the drugs. Maybe his anger.

It only took a second for what happened next and he had no idea where any of it had come from. He just knew that he needed it.

He was shoving her back - hard - against his bedroom wall, causing things on his nightstand to clatter to the floor from the impact. His hand still on her throat, he held on tight as he pressed his lips against hers. They felt hot against his lips and the scent of her hair filled his nose. His body trapped hers against the wall, his other hand grabbing her hair. Nothing about his touch was gentle. He kissed her with a fervent urgent need he'd never known before.

He suddenly felt like all this time he had been dying of thirst in the desert and she was the body of water he'd been searching for.

The blunt tasted like peppermint and Cora found herself passing it to whomever wanted any. As the gifts made their way around Cora found herself holding a charm bracelet and a beautiful shade of red lipstick, but all she could really focus on was the only present left under the tree. When Percy stood and grabbed it, Cora debated bolting. Even when he now stood in front of her with the gift extended, Cora couldn't look at him. He had gotten her a gift? Before or after the fight she wondered, her lips forming a tight very forced smile. 

"Thank you." She muttered, her fingers brushing his as she took it from his hands. Every pair of eyes in the room stared at her as she slowly pulled the newspaper loose, exposing first a corner and then the entire front of a story book. One that was almost identical to the book she had in her bedroom in the Inner city. One like the memory she'd shared with him last night, a memory she wasn't aware he'd actually been listening to. Cora's insides seemed to swell and she wanted to cry, but she didn't. It was probably a gift Percy had picked out before he made it clear how he really felt, she tried to tell herself, not exactly believing it.

Breathing heavily, Cora lifted the book with both hands, running a finger along the smooth cover. Burrowing her brows she looked closer, realizing it wasn't completely shut; in fact it seemed something was lodged into the middle of it. With a quick glance up at Percy and back to the book Cora opened it, her eyes staring down at the pages. "Beauty and the Beast," she mumbled under her breath as she reached down to pluck up a small piece of pressed metal. It looked like a coin, but none she'd ever seen before. Lifting it so she could see it more in the light Cora heard a exhale of breath behind her, no doubt coming from Quill and Bex. In fact, it seemed the entire room was either sucking in breathes or exhaling them. Everyone but Kody, who to Cora's distress, looked ready to physically attack her. "I don't understand what this is." Cora finally spoke, her eyes traveling away from Kody's to Percy's.

"Oh, I'll tell you what it is, Cora." Kody's voice rang out before Percy had a chance to even part his lips. Dripping with intoxication and pure venom Kody stood, her finger pointed at Cora. "It means he's making you a member of us. Like you fucking deserve that, little miss perfect. What have you even done besides put us all in incredible danger? Or should we all talk about the medical raid where you almost got Percy murdered so you could stick needles in your arm. Like we all haven't noticed your track marks today." Rolling her eyes, Kody took a step forward, positioning herself to attack. "All you two have done since you arrived is lay in your room and get high. He was doing better! He was recovering! And here you come with your red hair and your selfish inconcentrate attitude getting him strung the hell back out! And now he is going to make you a White Vulture? You don't deserve to be one of us, General's daughter." Spitting at Cora's feet Kody grinned before plunging her closed fist forward. 

Cora, thankfully alert from the amount of drugs pumping through her blood, dunked, Kody's arm flying through the air where she had been standing seconds before. "Have you lost your fucking mind?" Cora screeched, whirling around so she was now behind Kody. The entire gang seemed to be just as shocked as she was and Cora fumbled with her hands, the book falling into a nearby chair. "You're acting fucking chaotic! I haven't done a single thing to you! You're just mad because you're in love with him and the idea of Persues spending any time with someone who isn't you rips you apart. Just grow up Kody! Things don't always go like you want! Take it from someone who really fucking knows. Hence, the reason I am here to begin with, you psycho fucking bitch."

Sat down on a stoop just outside of the warehouse, Percy watched the snowfall around him. Christmas was his least favorite holiday. It was too joyful and all he knew about it was that it was made for people with families and lost hope. He hated the feeling that came with Christmas, the constant songs, the lights, all of it just made him angry. He wasn't sure why. Maybe it was the fact that he didn't believe in miracles or stupid things like celebrating a holiday to make people feel better.

His cigarette came to an end and he squished it beneath his boot as he dropped his head into his hands, closing his eyes as pain radiated through his body. He was still sore from yesterday, but that wasn't what was causing the pain. He hadn't done any drugs since the morning and he tried to keep his cool, but he was obviously done with that charade seeing as he blew up on Cora.

It was then that the door opened up and he could tell by the soft sound of her footfalls that it was Kody.

"I'm not in the mood," he muttered, raking his fingers through his hair tiredly.

She came and sat beside him, hugging her coat around her body as she stared out at the snow with him.

"What's going on between you two, Percy," she pressed.

"Kody, I told you I'm not in the fucking mood, let it go." he snapped and she stiffened at his side, glaring at him now.

"Since when did you just stop talking to me, ever since we--" she stopped and crossed her arms, turning away. "Ever since we kissed, it's like we aren't even partners anymore," she whispered.

"No offense, but I think you guys have this bat-shit crazy high amount of expectations for me and I no longer want to live up to any of them," he muttered and stood up, heading back inside.

* * *

Percy was only gone for an hour. He tried to bring himself back down, but it only ended with him getting more frustrated with himself and he shot up. Before he left his room he did a couple of lines for convenience sake and headed back to the party. He just needed to get through this day.

When he had rejoined the group, he noticed that Asyria and Rachael had grown rather fond of their newest member. Percy on the other hand couldn't help but glare daggers at him. He wanted him gone, but he also was just angry at Cora for getting her way.

Suddenly, Perseus was ambushed by Quill from behind, he felt a tug on the top of his head, and out of instinct, Percy elbowed him in the gut, spinning around with a pissed off look on his face. Quill held his stomach and despite his pain, he laughed, his glossy gaze staring at Percy's head. Groaning in irritation, he noticed the others smiling too and he reached up, taking whatever was on his head off. In his hand sat a knitted Santa hat.

As if on cue, Jack offered him a strong drink since he was stuck in the kitchen making them. In all fairness, he was the only one in the group that could really make a drink without either poisoning someone or making them wish they had been poisoned.

Taking up his offer, Percy dropped down onto the couch beside Kody who he decided that for the night he would play nice with. He didn't need any more arguments breaking out tonight. Sniffling slightly due to his habits, Percy took a couple of gulps of his drink when Cora had entered the room. She had been gone for a while and although he told her he didn't want to see her, he couldn't harness his mind constantly floating to her and what she was doing. He had a control issue when it came to her and he didn't want to admit it.

Shifting his gaze away from Cora, he finished up his drink and set the glass down beside him on the coffee table when her voice pierced through him as she talked to Quill. He had almost forgotten he got her a gift and at that moment he wasn't sure if he regretted it or not. She had challenged him today and he couldn't figure out if he was impressed or merely annoyed with her.

Eavesdropping, he listened to Quill's reply.

"Nah, I'm sorry Cor, I wasn't sure what you might want, I figured I'd just roll you one of these," he pulled a blunt from his pocket and smirked. "I found a Christmas flavor on one of our runs and saved it for you."

"Since we're apparently doing gifts," Asyria chimed in. "I'm going next!" she practically skipped towards the tree and Percy could feel his gut twist. He wasn't in the mood for the sappy smiles and whatever was wrapped in those newspapers and he definitely wasn't ready to face Cora with his gift.

Asyria dug around and grabbed a handful of little gifts wrapped up. She went around the room and handed everyone their gifts from her. Once she was done she clapped her hands together and waited impatiently. "Open!" she smiled and on cue, everyone began unwrapping.

Percy's fingers tore open the little wrapped box and inside he was greeted by a bracelet made up of random little trinkets she had found on their runs in the Slums. He looked up and noticed everyone had their very own customized bracelet from her. Offering Asyria a forced smile, Percy shoved the bracelet on his wrist.

"It's not much, but they all are made of things that made me think of you," she spoke cheesily and looked at Kody. "You next," she insisted and Kody stood reluctantly.

Kody grabbed her presents and handed them out. To Percy's surprise, even Cora got one from her. As everyone began going through their gifts, one by one they handed them out and got them all unwrapped until there was one present left sitting beneath the tree with Cora's name on it.

Everyone grew quiet and glanced at it then at Percy who sighed.

Standing up, Percy walked over and grabbed the present. Everyone looked at him with bewildered looks on their faces, the girls even whispered to one another. Glaring over at them, they went silent and he stopped in front of Cora.

Looking down at the book in his hand, his eyes had almost softened for a moment. He reached out and handed it to her.

"Merry Christmas," he mumbled, his eyes looking anywhere but her.

Her face resembled a cherry as she stood in front of him and he knew her reaction to his words would end with her exploding, but he couldn't bring himself to care. Part of him wanted her to yell, it would make it easier for him when he lost control of his anger like he knew that he would. He had been surrounded by Christmas nonsense for what felt like months and between the inner-walls, Cora's arrival, Kody, the arrival, and his drug use, he wasn't what one would call "stable".

"Oh, please," he snapped in disbelief. "I did you a fucking favor. If it wasn't for me, you'd never have woken up from the deranged bullshit facade those people put you in. Not to mention, if I hadn't killed your friends, I'm sure father dearest would. You saw what happened to Chloe. At least they died with a purpose by my hand." he wasn't worried about what he was saying now. It was like all the anger that he had been drowning with drugs and alcohol was beginning to see through.

His muscles were all tense now, an obvious pool of rage in his eyes. She was pacing and he was ready to pull out his hair. He couldn't believe her. In his mind, he had done more than he should have for her. He was still the gang leader and to have her act up like this was only fueling his frustration. No one had ever defied him the way she did and he couldn't help but tighten his fingers into fists. Not only that but after he gave her a home. . . After he had bent over backward to please her. She was just going to up and leave? And for what? Some guy?

She shoved past him, her shoulder moving his and he couldn't control himself any longer. She was driving him nuts and the audacity. . . He turned on her and at the same moment she was spilling out her last set of words, her tone lower than before.

Jealous? He couldn't believe her.

Before he knew it, he was grabbing the door knob with one hand, holding it shut while his other clamped around her neck, shoving her back against the door while his eyes searched her face, his heart pounding with fury.

"That's what you think this is?" he pursed his lips and his eyebrows furrowed down at her, trying to comprehend where she was even coming up with the things she was saying. "You think I'm jealous of some sorry ass inner-city Velarian? If so, you're sadly mistaken. Not only that but if I were jealous that would imply that I care." he wanted to hurt her and for a moment when he looked at her he remembered the girl she was when he first met her. The bruised finger marks on her throat and arms. He closed his eyes and let go of her, backing up.

"You know what, I don't give a fuck," he lied. "Let's just open up the front fucking door and see what else comes in, Cora." Percy's hand grabbed a paperweight from his desk and threw it, letting it slam into the wall, leaving a dent. Breathing heavily, he stared at her. His skin was boiling and throbbing under the anger. "You didn't have to save me back there, in fact, you would have done us both a favor if you didn't." his voice was raw. He was standing in front of her, contemplating why she had to make everything so difficult for him.

"You're not going anywhere, Laine" he finally said and he opened the door for her. "Go welcome your friend and stay the fuck out of my way today." he moved past her and headed towards the front door for a cigarette before he changed his mind and left any more holes in the walls. When he walked out, he knew they were staring at him, but he ignored it, slamming the door behind him on his way out.

It happened so quickly, Cora barely had time to register what was happening. One moment Hunter was crying in front of her, Cora wanting nothing more than to comfort him. Then this, being dragged into Percy's office so he could yell at her. Being tossed in here so Persues could tell her that Hunter couldn't stay. So that Percy could do what he always liked to do with her, call her names. Once it was a stupid child, now it was reckless. Growing red with anger, Cora folded her arms staring hard at Persues. 

"Reckless Persues? I'm reckless? You shot three of my friends and almost shot me because you were reckless, what? Eight weeks ago? Me, fucking reckless? I'm lucky to even be alive when it comes to you." Cora laughed, bitterly, and began to pace the small room, her hands shaking. Her entire life she had been told what to do, by her father, by the inner city, and now by Percy too. Why was it someone always had to tell her what to do. Not to mention all of this was partially her fault, mostly all of her fault now, since she was the only one still standing safe. 

"Hunter was Chloe's boyfriend." Cora finally hissed, glaring sideways at Persues. "I have known him for nearly my entire life. All of this Perc. Chloe dying, Trey dying, Leon dying, Preston dying, it's all my god damn fault! I decided not to save Chloe for you, but I will be damned if you cause me another loss." Slamming the palm of her hand down on his desk Cora clenched her teeth in both annoyance and fury. "If Hunter can not stay than that's fine. But I'm leaving with him. Now move out my way so I can collect some real clothes besides this awful dress I'm wearing and a weapon for my walk through the fucking slums." 

Straightening up Cora headed for the door, shoving Persues out her way in the process. Something was bothering her, about all of this.  Before she reached the handle she turned to face him, breathing heavily. "Percy, you're jealous, aren't you?" She asked, her voice quiet.

Cora's blurred figure had caused Percy's gun to lower to his side as her body collided with the guy outside their door. She was hugging him and the sight of it created a bitter storm in Percy's eyes. If looks could kill.

All eyes were on the pair now, waiting to see if this guy would leave with a bullet in his head or not. Shifting slightly, Percy watched while the two of them reconnected, as annoying as it was. Fortunately for him, it seemed to give him some more insight regarding what went down yesterday at the so-called, "medical center". Cora's back was against Percy's arm and he reached out, grabbing her wrist tightly, his eyes weren't looking down at her though, they were staring at Hunter's sobbing face with little sympathy.

"Cora's not the one you need to be begging," Percy harshly intervened. He tugged Cora back and behind him. "We don't take in every stray we see, that's not how we work." Percy's tone was stern and he wasn't in the mood for any more bodies to take care of.

"Percy. . ." Racheal murmured behind him and Percy glared in her direction, his one look was enough to shut her up.

"Please, I'll--I'll stay out of your way, I--"

His blabbering only made Percy want to shoot him that much more.

"Save it," Percy growled. Turning towards the auburn-haired girl behind him, he looked down at her "You." he tugged Cora with him towards his office, slamming the door behind him. Little did he know, as he did so, the girls collectively insisted that Hunter come inside while they talked over whether or not he was going to be able to stay.

"What the fuck was that?" he was furious. Pointing towards the door, he continued. "I don't give a shit who that guy is to you, he's not staying with us. We've got enough on our plate as it is. Not to mention, the way you handled that out there? That was a fucking shit show. He could have been working for one of them, Cora, and you would have run straight into a bullet because you were being reckless."

Once Cora was alone she sighed and fell back against her pillow, bringing the palms of her hands to her eyes to think. Yesterday lingered in the back of her mind and last night danced with it. I need you? What in the hell was she thinking, spewing such feelings towards Persues St. John? She felt so utterly vulnerable that she wanted to melt into her mattress, however, considering today was Christmas, Cora knew she couldn't. Groaning she sat back up and grabbed a handful of stuff she needed for injecting herself, as well as a change of clothes. Pulling on a tanktop, Cora walked to the showers. 

-

"I look ridiculous." Cora murmured to herself a couple hours later as she stood in front of her mirror in a thigh high emerald dress Asyria had given her a week ago. It was tight in the breast and clung to her hips too tightly, and the length exposed way more leg than Cora was comfortable with.  In an attempt to make it more her style, Cora had somehow found the time to rip the diamonds from her old bra, sewing them here and there on the dress in order to give it a glittering effect. She had been going for the whole Christmas time vibe and although it absolutely looked the part, she didn't feel it. Instead her thoughts orbited around Persues, Quill, and Bex; three people she had been avoiding since this morning. There was also the matter of the two red dots on the crook of her elbow that plagued her mind like diseased rats. Snorting cocaine sure had been easier to hide than shooting it. 

Leaning forward Cora ran an eyeliner pencil over her eyelid, another thing borrowed from Asyria. Since Cora had arrived at the compound, she hadn't left it until yesterday. Which meant she hadn't been able to gather anything out there for herself. Something Percy was going to have to let her or allow someone else to take her to do soon. As much as she was greatful for the other girls, the thought of being able to pick out her own stuff would feel like a relief. Possibly even a distraction from the pit that had dissolved in her stomach, one that Cora was unable to completely identify.

---

"I'm sorry Asyria but this is the most terrible rum infused eggnog I have ever tasted." Cora coughed, rinsing her mouth out with a glass of water. The pair was standing in the kitchen with the rest of the gang, rushing to get all of the food and drinks ready. It had been so lively and cheerful that Cora had forgotten about everything else, allowing the teasing bickering to swallow her. "Oh you don't know what a good drink is Cora." Asyria joked, swatting the other out of her way of the cabinet. "Not everyone likes sons of sugar and spi.." Trailing to a stop Asyria froze, her brows suddenly burrowed. There was a weird shuffling and then a knock, a echoing noise that made half the room withdraw weapons. Cora's stomach dropped and she stood in place as Percy made his way to the door. Who would show up on Christmas? Grabbing a knife from the counter Cora waited, ready to fight if she needed to. 

The door opened, her heart pounding against her chest, and then there was nothing but the sound of metal clattering against the floor as Cora ran towards Percy and past him, smashing her body into the dark haired male on the other side. "Hunter!" Cora half shrieked, have sobbed, her arms wrapping tightly around her friends neck. "Hunter. Wait, Hunter?" Pulling back Cora searched his face, noticing he had a pretty fresh black eye and red rimmed eyes. "What are you doing here! What are you wearing.." Taking a step back so her body was brushing against Percy's, Cora's eyes searched his face. She had known Hunter almost her entire life and he had never looked so disheveled. "I thought you were dead Cora. Me and Chloe, we heard the shots. I kept trying to tell your dad that I had only heard three but he wasn't having it. I attended your funeral. Everyone in the inner city must have. It's bad Cora. Bad things are happening in there." Panting Hunter looked around before glancing back to her. Really looking at her, his eyes traveling from her feet to the top of her head. His eyes lingered briefly on her arm but either he didn't understand what he was looking at or didn't care, because his next words had nothing to do with Cora at all. "They've been torturing me for weeks and weeks Cora. Since the night of the wall. They came in my house and threatened my family. Your dad, he beat me until I thought I'd die. They took Chloe." Choking up, Hunter looked away wiping the tears from his face. "I saw her body this morning. It was so awful Cora. I had to burn her, fucking burn her like she was just another item of trash. That's how I found out you were alive, some guards who brought her body was telling everyone about it. About how you shot an Elite soldier and you were alive and running with some gang. I had to come find you Cora. I ca.. I can't do it anymore Cora. Please." Looking from her face to Percy's Hunter wiped his face again, now fully sobbing. "Please don't make me go back there. I can't take another beating. I can't burn the body of another murdered person." 

The bed beneath them shifted under their weight as Cora rolled onto her side, giving Perseus her full attention. His gun-metal gaze followed her body as she did and he could feel the effects of the drug wave through his body, raising goosebumps along the back of his neck as the satisfying euphoria that rolled through him whenever the bed moved, reminding him of what they had done.

Percy watched her lips, lingering on her cupids bow and the shapes they made to form each word she spoke while her hands met his hair, sending chills through his body - good chills. The kind that made him want to close his eyes and just simply be in the moment. A feeling he wasn't familiar with. Comfort.

The way she talked about her family was enough to cause a twisted feeling in his gut. Although the General was a sick man and he knew that he had saved her from the inner city, regardless of how brutal he had done so, he couldn't help but realize that he hadn't just pulled her away from the inner city, he pulled her away from the people that grounded her. Her real family. One that she still had.

Percy remained silent as she unraveled her story. One he'd never otherwise take the time to listen to - or ask about. She had two little brothers and a mother who seemed to be in the same predicament that she was in when it came to falling victim to the laws of the inner walls.

From the things that she was saying, he found that Cora really wasn't just a stupid brainwashed girl from the inner walls. She was smart and she challenged their beliefs. In a way, she was a lot more like him than he cared to admit. She liked to know things and why they were the way that they were and if she didn't like them, she'd try to change them. It was a shame he had to do so in a place where it was punishable to think outside the box. A place they forced her to fit into a perfect cookie-cutter life.

Her finger was against his throat now. Following the cut that she kept from getting any bigger today. His lips parted slightly at the feeling. The ghost of her touch was followed by a sting. Then it was at his lips. He was staring at her now. Really taking her in for what she was. He wasn't sure if it was the drug, lack of food, lack of sleep, or simply him going insane, but for that short moment, he admired her. The bridge of her nose, the green and blue hues that speckled her eyes, the way her collarbone protruded slightly, and the way that her chest rose and fell as she breathed.

Her voice pulled him back. She needed him? The words didn't register for a moment. He tried to comprehend it. He'd never been needed. Sure he was the leader, but he didn't see that as a rank of power. He saw it was an oath to the people that understood him. As far as he was concerned, they were all equals. To think that any of them needed him was a pipe dream, but here Cora was, admitted it in a dimly lit room beside him. She needed him.

She turned away from him, lying flat on her back as she closed her eyes. He watched the rise and fall of her stomach, her breath going shallow and he knew she must have fallen asleep. He felt his fingers twitch for a moment and then he reached out and let the tips of her fingertips glide across the skin of her cheek, pushing a strand of her hair back out of her face. His brows furrowed at his own actions and he lowered his hand. It had been a long time since he'd touched someone without the intent to hurt them. The feeling was strange.

Percy turned back towards the ceiling, taking in every word she spoke to him tonight and for a second, he was convinced that he might just need her too.

* * *

He wasn't sure when he fell asleep. There was a soreness in the crook of his elbow and he knew what it was from. Regardless of beginning to wake up, Perseus kept his eyes closed. Taking in the fact that he had slept so well for a once. Usually, he was constantly waking up at different hours of the night until morning. The smell of Cora lingered in the air, meeting his nose and he realized he had his face pressed against her sheets, a slight weight was on him and it was warm. His leg shifted slightly and he realized it was intertwined with hers. A low noise came from his chest and his jaws unhinged in a yawn. He didn't want to get up and usually, he was the first one up.

Then came the thunder before the storm.

The loud wailing sound of Bex and Quill erupted into Cora's room and his eyes squeezed shut in annoyance. A low grumble escaped from Percy and his eye peeled open from sleep, his vision still a bit blurry. He had felt Cora's body fling up from the bed at the sound of their voices and it took him a moment to take into consideration what they had walked in on. Fuck.

Pushing himself up onto his elbows, Perseus scanned the area around him and realized everything was still out in plain sight. The drug, the spoon, the needles, all of it. Not only that, but Cora was half-naked and he could only imagine the scenarios that were playing in their heads. Cora's voice cut through the moment and she was scolding them to get lost. He couldn't help the smirk that tugged at his lips when she began blushing. Grabbing one of her pillows at the still gawking men, Percy chucked it at them hard and they tumbled out, shutting the door.

"This is going to be fun to explain," Percy's voice was low and groggy and he sounded utterly unimpressed. He wasn't as worried about being seen in bed with Cora as he was with being caught shooting up again. He didn't need to expel any more drama than they already had, at least not on Christmas day. The crew had been planning and setting up for a Christmas party all year and they were finally able to have one. The timing was impeccable.

Sitting up, Percy rubbed the back of his neck and reached for the needles sitting on the bed, setting them on the table. Standing up he grabbed her pillow from the ground and tossed it back to her.

"As much as I don't want to, I should go talk to them," he muttered, obviously not looking forward to it. "After what's happened lately with Kody, I can only imagine what will happen if they start talking."

The last thing he needed was for Kody to completely want to cancel the party because of something so trivial. She'd never forgive him - even if he didn't do anything. As for the drug use. He'd save that for a different day. In all honesty, he didn't feel that he should have to explain himself to any of them.

Percy glanced back at Cora as he opened her door and paused. "Get dressed, some of these guys haven't seen a real woman's body in their entire life." he joked, referring to Quill and Bex and then he slipped out of the room.

* * *

"Nothing happened between Cora and me," Percy broke the ice as he stood in the kitchen, freshly dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a black button-up shirt that Kody was forcing him to wear for the party. Apparently looking nice was a necessity even though they lived in a barely standing warehouse and knew what we all looked like on our worst days. He was unenthusiastic, to say the least.

"Sorry mate, but that is not what it looked like and also the least of our concern," Quill chimed and Bex nodded beside him.

Growing irritated, Percy grabbed a glass to fill with whisky. Hopefully, it would get him through the party. "How about we just don't worry about what I do in my free time?" he snapped and the two fell silent. Walking out of the room, he headed downstairs to the main floor and the girls were all putting up finishing touches to the decorations and tree, some newspaper-wrapped presents even sat beneath it to his surprise.

Bringing his drink to his lips, Percy had gotten all the backpacks emptied and stored the supplies away, obviously taking some key drug ingredients as he did and put them up in his room. He had left Cora the half-empty baggy he had last night, knowing full well he could get himself more. The thought of doing more was heavy on his mind.

After he finished his drink, he headed for his bedroom. The first thing he had done was inject himself, but as he sat in the dark, his eyes scanned his room and he paused for a moment on a shelf full of old books he'd accumulated when he was a kid from his dad's supply runs.

Standing from his bed, Percy crossed the room and stopped in front of the shelf, reaching out and pushing some books around before he came across one that caught his attention. A storybook. The pages were yellowed and some torn up, but it was salvageable. He flipped through the pages, remembering all the tales he'd been read, and then his finger stopped on one that resonated with him. One that never made much sense to him, yet brought comfort in a strange way. Hope even.

Beauty and the Beast laid open and he glanced around his room before heading for his drawer. Inside were some coins that once were worth something more than they were now. Original White Vulture currency. A gold coin with a vulture engraved into it expertly. The only reason he had any was that it had become a tradition in the gang that when someone became a new member, they were granted the coin. He was sure that he was making the right decision.

Percy left his room with the book wrapped up and printed on the wrapping was one name. Cora.

* * *

Leaning against the wall, Percy watched as Rachael and Jack argued over who was supposed to be in charge of the snacks.

"Children," Perseus muttered and then a knock on the door made everyone fall quiet and stare at him. Stiffening up, Percy's hand was already on his gun.

He made his way to the door and when he tugged it open, he pointed the gun at a guy about his age who had his hands up and fear in his eyes. He was breathing heavily and he had an inner-city badge on his shirt. A glare crossed Percy's expressions and he pressed the gun to his head.

"Who the fuck are you?" his voice was dark, ready to draw blood.

"H-Hunter! My name is Hunter! Cora--She knows who I am," he could barely catch his breath and his hands were shaking.

Great.

Cora watched Persues intensely, studing his every movement and action. It was obvious he had done this before and it reminded her how little she actually knew of him. Once his needle was ready and she had somehow managed to load hers, Cora tried to prepare herself for what ever happened. Who had she become? A murderer, a drug abuser, a traitor, a member of the slums. Cora pushed the thoughts down deep and instead focused on the man in front of her. The man she was no doubt falling in love with, no matter the irony of her new found feelings.

Percy led her through it, pressing his finger here and there to find her vein. Cora couldn't tear her eyes away from his face as he disinfected her skin and wrapped her bicep. When his hands helped guide the needle into her vein Cora found it didn't hurt, although her entire childhood she had been terrified of shots. When his thumb rested against her own, she allowed his pressure to inject the drugs; allowed the comfort of his skin against hers to mix inside of her with the coke. It was him, he was the one taking her pain away. 

Cora gasped, a sudden wave of euphoria wrapping itself through out her entire body. It was better than any orgasm she'd ever had, better than any high, any feeling. "Oh fuck." She moaned, falling back against her pillow. Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment as her breath became shallow exhales. Where had this been her entire life? What could have only been a few minutes seemed to stretch into hours and it was Persues voice that finally made her open her eyes again. Cora thought for a moment before turning so she was on her side facing him. 

"Every day Persues. I think about my mother a lot," smiling a little Cora reached out, her fingers twirling the bits of Percy's platinum hair that rested against her blue sheets. "My little brothers. I wonder what they are doing or where they go now when they have bad dreams. I miss my mother's hugs or how when I was a child, she used to read to me every night. Fairy tales," rolling her eyes Cora laughed, moving closer so her hands were deeper in the others hair, stroking it gently. "I always demanded she read this big pink book with stars and unicorns on it to me. It had dozens of stories in it. When my twin brothers were born six years ago, I started to read it to them. Every night Persues, every night until I couldn't. Until I came across the wall and could never go back." 

Smiling a bit, Cora thought deeper, becoming lost in her own memories. "I always thought I had this boring life. I hated it, believe me or not. Although my mother always tried to cover it up, I was always questioning. Always disobeying. Always eavesdropping. She used to catch me hiding under the tables during important parties. Listening." Shaking her head, Cora's finger trailed down from Persues's hair to his neck, tracing the still fresh cut. "A few years ago I stopped trying to find some hidden meaning about life and instead, I started looking for someone to love me. I think I thought if I got married, had kids, occupied my time with keeping up a house and raising offspring, the longing for something more from life would dissolve. Funny thing, really, because every man that asked for my hand I turned away. I looked instead for men who had no interest in me and I would tell myself that if they would fall in love with me I'd marry them. But I never felt anything towards any of them, I don't think I'd ever really felt anything at all. I lied to myself for weeks after I first got here, I told myself I came through the wall to impress one of the guys who came with me, but I realized awhile ago I was lying to myself. I came through because I wanted to know. I had to know what was out here. I had to have something happen in my life before I went crazy, like my mother. Who cries and pretends she doesn't. Who forces smiles and makeup on her skin when company comes over and then lays in bed for days at a time clinging to a bottle of sleeping pills with tangled matted hair." 

Moving her thumb up from the cut to Percy's swollen lip Cora swallowed, circling the curve of his mouth. "I couldn't let you die today Persues. These people, Bex, Kody, Racheal, Jack, Asyria, Quill, they need you. And before today, I didn't realize how much I need you too." Moving her hand away from his face Cora closed her eyes, finally letting the full effect of the drug craddle her. 

--

She dreamed that she was on a boat, one that rocked gently against the waves. The water was deep and endless and she stared down into it only to realize it was the same shade as Percy's eyes. She wanted to fall into it, drown it in, swallow as much of it as she could. She'd do anything if it meant she'd never have to return to the harbor. She'd do anything to stay forever lost at sea, as long as it meant she got to be with him.

---

"Merry Christmas Cor.. Wait, what in the fuck?" Bex's and Quill's voice carried across Cora's room so loudly it caused the auburn haired girl to sit straight up. The light outside her window was bright and she squinted, her hand coming up to block her eyes. It took several seconds of blinking to understand why the two members of the White Vultures were staring at her like that. The two used needles from last night laid at the foot of her bed, their wrappers tossed into her floor. Her dresser was still cluttered with the evidence of what she'd done. Of what Percy had done, who to both Cora's relief and horror, was still stretched out asleep in her bed. Oh, and her breast were still out, something both of the other males were now looking at. "Privacy! Have you two ever heard of Privacy?! Out! Now!" Cora yelled, a deep scarlet blush covering her.

Shifting his eyes to her floor, he let the tension build-up, and the realization set in for her. He could feel a tremble through her body and his eyes fell shut as he waited for the bomb to drop.

She exploded. Her emotions spewed out of her as she broke into his arms.

He could feel her nails dig into his skin through his shirt as she clung to him for what felt like dear life. His eyes reopened and in the mirror he could see her face burry itself into his shoulder, her tears soaking the area. His muscles tensed as he held onto her quivering frame, her clawing hands awoke the pain that radiated from his bruised body, but he had never felt more numb.

His silence was all he could provide her, as he had never needed to comfort someone who was crying before. No. He never cared enough to. Sadness was a weakness in his eyes, but at that moment with Cora, he had never felt her be so strong since he met her.

Her sobbed words were like a knife slicing through the air and his brow twitched in consideration of her pleading and then she was peeling away from him, her tears slowing drastically. He followed her gaze over toward her nightstand, scanning over the equipment she had laid out across it. His gloomy stare hovered for a moment as she shifted beside him, pulling her shirt up and off her body as she normally would most nights to sleep.

Shifting his eyes towards her, for once he found himself taking her in. It made him feel a mixture of anger and curiosity. He'd never wanted to take the time to really look at her. Now he had, examining every freckle on her exposed body, traveling up her chest and along her breasts for a moment before he looked to the package in her hand. Her skin had shifted in color and he had never seen her look more vulnerable regardless of this being so natural at the same time.

She was avoiding his gaze. It was evident. She'd never been ashamed before, at least not since they had started doing drugs together. Why now? He refused to notice the change that was inevitably forming between them.

Taking the syringe from her hand, Percy looked over all the supplies she had set up. She had the right idea.

Clearing his throat, he shifted on her bed and glanced over at her. "I thought you were the drug encyclopedia?" his voice lacked emotion, but it was clearly his way of teasing her.

He leaned over and pulled the table out from beside the wall and in front of them, shifting the supplies on the table so that they were ready for use. He stood from her bed and put up his finger in a gesture for her to wait for a second and he slipped out of her room, returning with a glass of water to mix.

Returning to her side on the bed, he handed her a needle of her own and demonstrated. With his unpacked needle, he filled the syringe to where it needed to be before reaching for the spoon. He filled the spoon with the water from his needle and reached into his pocket for his coke.

Tapping on the bag, he filled the water with just enough and it began dissolving. Mixing it, he dropped in his cotton, letting it filter the drug as he began refilling his syringe with the new mixture. Looking it over, he looked over at her to make sure she had been paying attention and let her go through the motions next, waiting to inject himself with her.

Once she had gone through the process and was ready, Percy reached over and wiped the crook of her elbow with an alcohol pad, wrapping the rubber around her bicep to help her vein protrude clearly.

"Carefully," he murmured as he guided her with the needle, his thumb over hers as he slowly pushed the drug into her bloodstream. Once it was all gone and the needle was free, he let his eyes survey her face and expressions, his lips forming a slight half-smirk.

Grabbing a hold of his needle, he injected himself, pulling off the rubber and setting down his needle. It hit him. The euphoria. His shoulders fell slack, his muscles un-tensing from the stress they were holding. He hadn't had this feeling in a while, he had to stop injecting in the past due to Bex finding him unconscious in his room one afternoon when he was nowhere to be found. After that, he kept up his addiction by just snorting it, often trying to keep it lowkey around his crew. It was no wonder they were always on his ass.

He was making a full circle. The only real problem was that he was taking her with him on this ride. He laid back on her bed, his eyes watching her intently as his hands laid on his stomach.

For a moment he could hear the echoing ghost of his father's voice in his ear. The way he would talk about his mother when Percy was a child. He had never known her. He didn't get the chance and so his father would tell him every night. How beautiful she was, how brave she was, the way she challenged him, and vice versa. There was one thing that stuck out though.

His father once told him how his mother was the only woman in the world that made him feel like change was possible. Before her, he never had any agenda other than surviving. He didn't have the faith in the world that she did. Those things could be turned around. It was the reason Percy was so adamant about taking down the inner walls.

Now, inside the four walls of Cora's room, it almost made sense to him. He couldn't put his finger on it, but since he had met her, she had been nothing but a nuisance, and yet, she had been the only one who had been able to surprise him. She was the only one that challenged his emotions in a way he wasn't sure was physically possible for him. His eyes darkened momentarily at the realization. She had more of an effect on him than he was willing to confront.

Turning to her ceiling, Percy dragged a hand through his hair and sighed.

"Your family," his voice was quieter than usual. "You still think about them?" it was a moment of pure curiosity. He wondered if it ever stopped. If his family's ghosts would ever end their haunting.

Shock, anger, terror, sadness, relief, guilt, pain; everything around her and inside of her pulsated. Even once she was inside the warmth and safety of the warehouse she now called home, her emotions seemed to viberate. Each thought and wave of emotion seemed to roll in and roll back out before she could register. In a way, it felt like she wasn't even inside her own body; it was a whole lot less like a human experience and more like a movie. 

Percy was speaking to her now and Cora blinked slowly. He looked.. So angry and frustrated. Was he thinking the same thing she felt? That she had betrayed Chloe. That she was a traitor? Was she a traitor? 

The harshness of Persues's fingers on her jaw brought her closer to herself, almost but not quite back inside her flesh and bone. His mouth was moving and Cora burrowed her eyebrows as she tried to grasp what it was he was saying. Why was he even saying it?

"Percy.." Cora began, her voice so slow she wasn't even sure she'd spoken at all. It didn't matter anyways, because the blonde male was already walking away; disappearing down the darken hallway. As if the rest of the gang could sense how Cora felf, no one said anything to her, and soon after she found her feet carrying her to her room.

Unable to stand to be in the dark Cora had gathered several lanterns throughout the last month and half. But now, she found it to be too bright. To painful, her head throbbing at the light. She'd turned them all off besides one, and it's flickering glow illuminated nothing but her bed and mirror. Traitor, the walls whispered around her. Traitor. Murderer. Disgraceful. Unforgivable. The words danced through her head and she found her hands tangled in her hair and her teeth clenched and yet nothing. Just her, watching a movie of a girl with auburn hair. 

The click of her door knob made Cora look away from herself in the mirror. Percy stood, the light casting shadows across his figure and face, and for the first time Cora realized how attractive he really was. Sharp facial features, high cheek bones, curved lips. For a minute he just stood there, staring at her, and she stared back, watching at his closed her door behind him. The anger she had saw on him earlier was gone and Cora parted her lips to ask him what he wanted when his feet begin to move. Closer, and closer, and closer until he was sitting on her bed and grasping her body against his. Cora stiffened and then, as his words melted into her ear, she felt it. All of it. 

Chloe and her, on their first day of kindergarten, playing with playdough and giggling. Chloe laughing in her bedroom during sleep overs. Chloe and her going to prom, Chloe and her dancing together because all the boys were gross.

A sound erupted from inside Cora, a raw breaking followed by weeping.

Chloe, making the decision to wait with Hunter on the other side of the wall. Chloe, being tortured and raped inside the medical facility, Chloe watching her with wide broken eyes as she picked Percy instead of her. 

Cora's arms clawed their way into the fabric of Percy's shirt, pulling him closer. She screamed in rage and sobbed, her mouth pressing into skin of his shoulder. He felt so solid, like she had never felt him before, and her fingers clung at him as if at any moment he'd bolt from the room. Why had she picked him? Why had the sight of him being trapped there by that knife brought her such anguish? Why did the ideal of living without him seem unbearably. 

"Stay with me tonight." She whispered, begging not to be left alone. Her choked cries had softened into hiccups of tears and Cora could finally breathe again. Pulling back slightly Cora glanced to her nightstand and then back at Percy. 

The wooden surface was covered in plastic wrapped syringes, cotton balls, a deep metal spoon, and a rubber wrap that she'd found laying around the compound yesterday. All of this, it had all been done for selfish reasons, and she was ready for her selfish reward. She had almost killed them all and Cora hoped it was a high worth Percy almost dying for. A high worthy of Chloe's death. But mostly, she hoped it was good enough to make her forget.

Wiping her face with the back of her hand Cora lifted the edge of her long sleeve shirt and slowly pulled it off. Cora had gotten so used to being around Percy that she didn't feel self-concious, sometimes even changing her bra with him in the room. Like now, as she sat completely naked from the waist up, her hands searching through the medical equipment. It took her several seconds to realize something inside of herself had shifted. She had a flush to her skin and although she did her best to ignore it, she doubt Percy would. "I have no idea what I'm actually doing right now." Cora muttered, finally grabbing a needle package. "I need your help." She stated, avoiding having to look at him.

The room had gotten quiet. The kind of quiet that meant it probably wasn't, but it felt like it all the same. In front of her Chloe was crying, tears streaking bruised cheeks. Cora's heart pounded so loudly she couldn't hear herself think. It didn't take a doctor or a scientist to understand what had happened for her to end up here. It was punishment for following Cora to the wall that night. All of this was Cora's fault.  Gripping the arrow, Cora pulled her bow back ready to shoot. Behind her Kody was screaming for Percy and Cora looked momentarily to see that he was down, a guard holding a knife to his throat.  "How poetic Cora Morrison. Running with a gang. Robbing your best friend's fathers establishment. Killing!" Chuckling the guard holding Chloe mocked, his arm tightening around the blondes neck. "It's a shame. What they did to Chloe here, but I have to say, she has been one of my best fucks. A virgin, can you believe that? God how I loved ruining her. We all used her really good. Especially your father. He broke her in real nice, so nice I enjoyed watching it. All the blood." Running his free hand arm down her body, the guard lifted her gown exposing a torso of cuts and cigar burns. "You could save her. You could shoot me. But you won't, will you?" Pressing his thumb into a fresh burn Chloe screamed, a voice of pain and agony that echoed throughout the building.  Behind her Cora could hear the guard taunting Percy and again, Cora glanced with a defeated face behind her. The knife had come lower, a small line of blood blossoming against Persues's pale neck. "Pick a side Miss Morrison. You know you can't save them both. Your best friend, your childhood friend, someone you've known your entire life, or some low life bastard thug." Spitting, the guard waited, his chin held high as if expecting to die. Cora wanted to kill him. She wanted to save Chloe more than anything.  Closing her eyes Cora breathed in deeply, the way she'd been taught in training. She counted to three in her head, opened her eyes, exhaled, and fired the arrow straight through the temple of the guard ontop of Percy.  As if time itself had slowed, the guard coughed, blood pouring from his open mouth and down all over Percy. At the same time Cora ran towards the exit, the sound of a choked sob and the crunch of a broken neck filling the air; the guard still standing letting Chloe's lifeless body crumble to the floor.  "You're a traitor and a coward! Just ask Persues St John's mother how will that ended for her when she chose the life of a bastard son over her own elite blood!" He screamed, his voice vibrating inside Cora's head even as she ran out into the street, snow flakes cluttering her vision.

The fluorescent lights gave off a typical doctor's office vibe and the sterilization of the room filled Percy's nose. Looking around, he took in all the cabinets and other medical equipment that filled the room. They had made it to their destination unnoticed.

Still alert, Percy didn't have to say anything for everyone to begin doing what they came here for. Quickly swinging the backpacks off of their backs and onto the floor, they began stockpiling multiple different apparatus to take back to the warehouse.

While digging through multiple drawers and cabinets, Percy had obtained various different forms of adrenaline and morphine, even throwing it sanitation supplies. They were going to need it - especially himself and Cora with what they had in store for themselves and the syringes.

Once everyone had begun zipping up their brim-filled bags, swinging them onto their backs once again, Percy had just adjusted the straps when an unfamiliar voice interrupted their theft. Reaching for his gun, it didn't take him long before he was aiming the weapon at a man in a lab coat who looked unarmed. Glancing towards Cora, he could tell by the look on her face that she too was taken off guard by the need for a doctor. It wasn't like this was somewhere people could go to be healed by any means, it didn't add up.

Percy, taken off guard, didn't realize the man was reaching for a button and it was too late by the time the alarms began going off, flashing red lights illuminating the room while bars fell from the tops of every exit and entrance, trapping them in a cage. Rage washed over Percy's expressions and his muscles tightened as he lowered his weapon, looking around for some sort of way out of the situation. As the leader, he wasn't going to let any of his crew die like this.

When he felt a wave of defeat curl in his gut, his gaze flew over his gang and they all were ready to fight for their lives when suddenly Cora caught his attention when she grabbed Quill's gun out of his hands and began using the stock to beat on the wall for any sign of hallowed walls. Without wasting any time, he planted himself at a wall and began mimicking her actions, knocking his gun anywhere he could until he heard the empty knock, with a heavy swing, he knocked the wall in and created a hole leading through their exit tunnel.

"Move it," he barked out as everyone made their way through, struggling with the bulkiness in their backpacks, but they made it.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the end of their problems. Fixing his shirt, now on the other side, he took in his surroundings, and for once Percy was actually feeling disgusted with how fucked up something was. Their problems were just getting started.

Bodies flooded the room, most of them completely naked and exposed to drugs that made them look like zombies laying on tables. Regardless of how induced they were, the screwed up look of terror still remained on their faces as they were brutally taken advantage of. He forced himself to look away before his anger boiled through his skin and he turned to see his crew looking a mixture of sick, shocked, and angry as well. Cora was beside him, her face turning white at the sight before her and he shook his head, reaching out and grabbing her arm, tugging her away from what was going on.

"We need to get out here, now," he growled; his eyes quickly finding an exit to the facility. Moving quickly, he knew that the room of people was going to spot them, but they were almost free. Just a bit further.

With his gun drawn, he watched as people began realizing their presence, bullets flying through the air as chaos broke loose. Letting off a few shots, he buried each one into someone, watching them drop like flies. Then he felt Cora rip her arm free from his grasp. Turning, his eyes landed on her in a glare.

"Cora," he started, realizing she was lost looking at the sea of figures running around, his gang still shooting and fighting off men. She didn't listen. "Cora what the fuck are you doing!" he tried again, but it was no use. She started moving towards a guard holding a girl that had been obviously abused and she drew out her bow. Pursing his lips, Percy was ready to beat the shit out of these guards and her.

At his right, Quill had slammed the back of his gun into the head of a soldier who was holding Bex in a headlock, knocking him out. To his left, Rachael and Asyria stood back-to-back, guarding each other as they sent off bullets and arrows. Kody held her own a few paces away, grabbing a guy's head and smashing it against one of the tables, sending him to the floor while Jack unhooked as many people as he could from their IV's.

After his once over of his crew, Percy was dragged back to real-time when he watched a fist come swinging towards his face through his peripheral vision. With a swift movement, he caught the man's fist, twisting his arm backward while slamming it down with his elbow, snapping it while using his right leg to kick him in the gut, sending him flying back to the ground.

Feeling another presence behind him, he spun around, his gun outstretched. He had just about pulled the trigger when the guy kicked the gun from his hand sending it sliding across the floor. Fire in his eyes, Percy reached for his knife, but the guy was quicker. It had been a long time since he fought someone who was worthy of a fight. A smile flickered across his face, but it was quickly diminished when he took a hard swing to his gut, knocking the wind from him for a moment.

"Bastard," Percy choked out, sending his fist into the guy's jaw in an attempt to get some space from him, but it was no use. The guard pulled a knife from his side and tackled Percy to the ground. Letting out a grunt as he made contact with the tiles below, the guard sent a hard shot to his face, leaving a cut inside Percy's lip and on his cheek.

"You're the bastard, St. John scum," the man growled knowingly. Percy's eyes shined with fury. It had been a long time since he'd come across someone who knew of his born predicament. Spitting out a mouth full of blood into the man's face, Percy knew he was pinned. Knife to his throat.

Yet he didn't feel a hint of fear.

"Percy!" Kody shrilled out. She stood corned by two soldiers while the others were trying to stay afloat.

Percy's eyes glanced towards her, in a way letting her know it was okay. He could feel the disagreement radiating off of her. Looking back at the man on top of him, he licked his bloody lips.

"What are you waiting for?"

It felt like a light switch went off inside of Cora as she watched the throat of the guard in front of her split open. She had anticipated horror, disgust even, and instead she found satisfaction. Dark, twisted, unexplainable comfort. 

Once inside and down the halls, Cora pressed tightly to the group. Left and right guards fell, Cora stepping over their dying bodies. And then, finally, they were in the room; the room Cora had been dreaming about since the idea had first bloomed insider her brain. Medical supplies and medicine. Needles.

Wasting no time Cora went for a large cabnit, first emptying syringes into her bag and next antibiotics. A drawer labeled sedatives and pain medication caught her eye and she emptied pill bottle after pill bottle until her backpack was almost impossible to zip. Around her everyone else seemed to be filling up too and Cora met Percy's eyes from across the room. His backpack was bulging with Epipens, narcans, and other forms of adrenalin. 

"Hey! What do you think you're doing!?" A voice rang out loudly, causing Cora to pull a knife off her thigh and whirl around. A man in a white coat stood frozen in the doorway behind her, his mouth open in shock as he took in the gang. Cora could tell instantly he was a doctor and she burrowed her frows. What was a doctor doing at a storage facility? Before she could ask her questions or answer him, the man hit a large button on the wall and everything went very red. 

When Cora was in school they used to do something called an intruder attack. The lights would flash red, a siren would erupt, and all exits besides the main doors would seal. 

Without suprise, Cora watched as metal bars fell down between her and the doctor, leaving all of them trapped. Somewhere Cora heard someone begin to cuss but she didn't waste any time acknowledging who it was. Spinning around Cora grabbed a gun from Quill and climbed up on the counter, feeling against the wall. Something else Cora learned in school was that almost every room had a wall with a weak spot, a hidden way out, so that you could escape if needed. Only the Elites would know, a secret. A downfall. 

Beating the handle of the gun down the wall Cora listened for the hollowness. Heat rushed to her face in panic as she heard the sounds of many feet running down the hall, the gun repeatedly hitting solid wood. As if he could read her mind, Cora watched as Percy began to do the same and she let out a sigh of relief as she saw the barrel of his gun go through the plaster, crumbling a space large enough to climb through. What she hadn't been expecting was what they'd see on the other side.

Cora stood in total astonishment, her legs glued to the floor. Behind her Racheal sucked in a breath and even for once, Kody looked bewildered. In front of the eight of them were beds and beds, each one occupied by half naked to fully naked people. IV's dripped beside each one and ports hung loosely from arms and ankles. Some were being fucked by soldiers who hadn't even bothered removing their clothes, others by business men with fancy watches and suits. Cora felt the urge to vomit, and she would have if Percy hadn't grabbed her arm, half dragging her. "We need to get out of here. Now." He growled, his eyes trained towards a door with an exit sign.

The room, finally realizing what was happening, had become chaotic. People ran every direction and shots fired out, bullets dinging off of beds and light fixtures. A girl somewhere in the room cried out, a familiar sound, a sound almost forgotten.... Chloe?

Halting to a stop Cora jerked from Percy's grip and turned around, her eyes darting in a chaotic search for the scream. Standing in the middle of the room stood an Elite guard, one Cora recognized; a friend of her fathers. A man whom had ate dinner at her house before. Standing in front of him was a figure and as the lights flashed above, Cora's eyes widen with recognition. 

"Chloe?!" Cora screamed out, her feet involuntarily pulling themselves towards her and her arms pulling both an arror and bow into position. Now standing halfway from the exit and half way from the guard, Cora stiffened, a wicked grin spreading across the face of the guard as he watched her. "Not another step, Cora Morrison, or I'll snap Chloe's neck like a goddamn twig." 

The sky above was bleak and colorless, leaving behind a dry cold that settled into your bones. It had been a few days out from when the crew sat down and figured out a day that they would follow through with the medical raid.

Cora had been spending most of her days out at the range with her new bow and Asyria. Meanwhile, Quill, Bex, Jack, and Rachael all began supplying up for the trip, making sure that there were sufficient amounts of ammunition and such. Kody had gone through some combat review in the meantime just to get the rusty crewmates back on their A-Game.

Percy on the other hand was finding his old roots as the days passed by. He knew that the Slums was where the medical establishment was located, but he couldn't brush off the fact that he'd be back out there, possibly taking someone's life. It wasn't to say he had any cold-feet, but he was definitely feeling antsy. It was like a part of him had gone into temporary hibernation for the past few weeks now that they were sitting comfortably with money. He'd almost gone soft.

Sitting in his room, he flipped his dad's gold ring around in his fingers, taking it in before slipping it on. His hair was still damp from his shower and he sat shirtless at the end of his bed. They were just a few hours away from heading out into the frosty wasteland.

For good measure, he grabbed his gun off his bed-side table and cleared a space for a couple of lines. Snorting them up, he took what was left on the table with his middle finger and rubbed it into his gums for good measure before he grabbed a t-shirt and tugged it on as he heading up the stairs.

* * *

Sharp blue eyes scanned over the map in his hands, taking in the best route to follow to avoid any unnecessary conflict on the way. The crew of eight grouped tightly, all flanking Percy, ready for anything that the Slums threw at them.

With the hood of his leather jacket up, Perseus peered through alleyways, checking every blind spot before they continued. Rival gang members weren't a joke in the Slums, most of them would act on pure instinct and he knew that his face made an imprint on most of them. The last thing they needed was more people after them.

On each side of his hips were strapped Glocks and on the insides of his jacket were knives and ammo, a bonus knife hidden in his right boot for good measure. The rest of the gang was also geared up, some carrying grenades, others with their preferred weapons strapped to their backs or hips. Any houses that they had to pass were usually ones that could barely be considered houses. Caved in roofs, shattered windows, homeless people with sunken-in cheeks would eye them as they passed, mostly silent, but there was the occasional beggar which didn't surprise Percy when Bex stopped to help how he could.

Pushing forward, they were drawing near to the medical building. Percy lifted his gloved hand in a signal for everyone to come to a halt. Getting lower, he pressed his back against the brick siding of the building. He could hear voices, screams, the occasional sob. Furrowing his brows, Percy leaned around to get a better look when he realized what he was looking at.

He had witnessed a girl being dragged by her hair into the building by a muscled man with a pin on his shirt that brought a sick familiarity to Percy, her mouth gagged and her arms wrapped up. She had tears streaming down her face and beneath the rag in her mouth, she was pleading. Leaning back against the wall, Percy could see his breath against the cold air.

"This isn't going to be a walk in the park," he warned, looking over his crewmates. "It looks like we're dealing with the inner walls." his tone was full of a tense hatred.

"You've got to be kidding me. . ." Asyria rolled her eyes and judging by the looks on the other crewmates, they felt the same.

Looking over the building, he glanced towards Kody who - despite being angry at him - had her head in the game. "Find higher ground," he ordered and without a response, she snuck back behind the building and into the alleyway to find an opening.

Turning back to the others, he hoped they were ready for this. His eyes hovered on Cora and he had to go with his gut that she was ready for this. Even if it was the inner walls, she had to keep her head straight.

"Let's go," he murmured and slipped around the building, his head to the sky as he noted where any guards sat. When he spotted one of the guards, he noticed that they dropped to their knees, and then he saw a braided lock of dark hair and knew it was Kody. As they reached a side door, Percy warned the group to stay put before he pulled his hood off and fixed his jacket so that his weapons would remain hidden.

Walking up to the guard that stood outside the door, he offered him the most forced smile he'd ever created. The guard stared at Percy, hand on a gun at his side and he asked for his card to get in. An inner-city card.

"Ah, right, of course" he nodded and went to 'reach for his card' and instead pulled free one of his knives. The movement of his hand was a blur and within seconds, the man had dropped his gun and his mouth gaped open for air that he wouldn't receive. A line of blood quickly formed across his throat and then it began leaking profusely down his chest as he collapsed, choking on his blood.

Grabbing the guard, he dragged him out of the way, grabbing his weapon and threw it to Rachael before opening up the door for everyone to get inside. Once everyone was in, he closed the door and began looking around. There were more guards scattered, but they hadn't been noticed yet. Staying low, the group maneuvered through the halls, taking out guards where it was needed while making their way towards the medical supplies with their empty backpacks ready to fill.

Turns out, Cora had finally found something she was good at. 

The bow was beautiful and dangerous and Cora spent all of her time with it. Asyria had told her during their first training session together, that every weapon deserved a good name. So, originally, Cora named it Wicked because in a way, that's what she had become. The soft girl that had crawled through the wall was long gone, replaced by an emotionless pit that craved to release itself on anyone who got in the way. It gave her a drive that left her with a perfect shot, every fucking time. 

"You're a natural." Asyria called from behind Cora, making the other swing around to look at her. Offering Cora a cup of coffee the girl smiled, looking from target to target. They had been at it steady for days and with Christmas tomorrow, it was now or never. The skies had began to turn gray and the air felt bitter, no doubt getting ready to cry white flakes from the thick clouds. Even in the early morning light, it was obvious. Winter was here.

Taking the coffee and Wicked, Cora headed downstairs. Her and Percy hadn't exactly been communicating lately and he had started just leaving her lines on the book in her bedroom. Cora wasn't sure what changed, but if she had to guess it was do to Kody; the girl truly had it out for her. 

Sighing Cora entered the living area, looking around at the rest of the crew. Everyone seemed to be excited, already beginning to get dressed for disaster. Knife belts and holsters cloaked the Vultures and Cora silently wandered how rough their raid would be. 

"You better get ready archer, Percy said we leave in an hour." Quill called, looking up with a grin. "You gonna have our backs. Best shot I've seen in a long time." Winking, the male went back to strapping himself with what Cora assumed to be smoke grenades. Turning away, Cora headed back to her room with only one thing on her mind. She was going to get those needles, if it meant killing for them.

----

It was freezing. Cora had spent thirty minutes before they left redrawing from memory the map of the storage warehouse and it was now a wrinkled mess in Percy's gloved hands. They had went mostly allyways and short cuts, always staying out of sight. Wicked pressed heavily against her back and she always kept a hand ready to shoot if needed. Occasionally Cora saw families peering out at them from dusty windows and once, an old woman begging for food. Bex had stopped and given her money, an action that twisted Cora's stomach. She had no idea how horrible thess people were living until now.

Cracking his knuckles, Percy laid his head back against Cora's mattress and offered her a fake pout of his bottom lip at her rejection. Turning away, he pushed himself up to his feet, he felt like he needed to crack every bone in his body.

Glancing into the mirror standing in her room, he watched as she took half of one of the lines he left out for her. It gave him a feeling in his gut, a dangerous mixture of content and something else. He wasn't able to sit and identify it for very long before she was handing the book over to him to take the rest of the line.

After accepting her offer, he set the book aside and sat at the edge of her bed as she began expressing her new ideas. He could remember how she was when she first got to the Vultures den. He was sure that they dressed her, brushed her teeth for her, and tucked her in with nothing more than ridiculously false bedtime stories about happy endings and all that other bullshit.

The girl he saw now was much different. This girl had a quirk to her and it wasn't just the coke, although he knew that had a lot to do with her quick transformation. Her vision for shooting up cocaine, however, was not one he imagined she'd be having. To say the least, she had his attention.

She had a point when it came to their lack of medical equipment, but it didn't change the deeper urge he saw she had in her eyes to get those syringes. It wasn't that he hadn't shot up before, it was just a different situation for him to have someone else wanting to fuck themselves up as much as he did. He wasn't sure how he felt about it.

"A medical raid." Percy's tone held a hint of indecision. "You're not going out there with your lack of experience."

She wasn't wrong earlier about her lack of self-defense capabilities. She still needed to learn, but if he decided to go through with the raid, he knew she wouldn't take no for an answer in regards to her coming along. They needed to give her a weapon and she had been asking for it.

"You'll take up archery in the range with Asyria," he stood from her bed and reached into his pocket, his smokes were running low too. "Once you can show me your accuracy and speed, we'll talk." his voice was far away now and his body felt weak.

"Until then, I have something I need to attend to." His mind was on Kody now. As much as he didn't want to be apart of anything going on, he was and she was his advisor. If they didn't fix the shit between them now, it could end badly for the Vultures, they needed to be on the same page in order to work together.

Pushing open Cora's door, he had only made it a step outside of her room when his eyes met Kody who was coming out of her room at the same time. Their eyes locked for an uncomfortably long time and then she went back into her room, her door slamming. Perseus pressed his lips together, defeat washing over him. He was angry, stressed out, strung out and he had better things to be doing than stepping around eggshells for a girl. Part of him wished he had been harsher on Kody from the beginning, maybe it would have kept her from falling for him.

"Fuckin' nightmare," he muttered as he forced himself to get out into the hall. This was how it was going to keep being and he needed to get the ugly part of it over with. It would drive him to bat shit crazy if he didn't.

Stopping in front of her door, he grabbed the handle and tried to push on it but she must have had a chair on the other side to keep him out. With a groan, he kicked the door just enough to make a statement. "Open the door, Archer," he demanded, he wasn't good at this confronting feelings crap and she was only making it worse by acting like such a child.

"Get lost," she yelled back from behind the door which only made him angrier.

"I'm three seconds away from taking down this fucking door," he threatened, and then there was a moment of silence. Finally, he could see the door move and her handle jiggle as she removed the chair and he waited for her shadow beneath the door to fade before he pushed the door open and found an angry-looking Kody.

Stepping inside, he crossed his arms and sighed. "Look, I know about your feelings for me, we kissed, it's over now. We can put it all behind us--"

"That's not how feelings fucking work, Percy, don't you get that? You don't just get to bottle shit up and store it away to collect dust. I can't just pretend. I'm not like you." she snapped, her eyes brimming with angry tears.

He was failing miserably. He wasn't a comforting person and he knew that. Grabbing at his hair, he momentarily craved a cigarette before dropping his hands at his sides, his icy stare landing on her.

"And I'm not like you, Kody, I don't know how to feel the things that you are feeling. I don't know why you even have them, they are messy and they get in the way. I can't feel that away about you and I'm sorry, but--"

"What about her." she interrupted, her voice quiet but impactful.

His eyebrows knitted in disbelief. She thought he had feelings for Cora? Were all the women in his life mad?

"This isn't about Cora," he insisted and she shook her head.

"You know what, you're right, let's just forget it ever happened. I'm going to get dressed now." she ushered him out of her room and shut the door in his face leaving him standing there in what felt like the exact same predicament he started in.

His shoulders fell slack in defeat and he pulled a cigarette from his box as he walked down the hall. He didn't bother lighting it, instead, he let it hang from his lips as he let Kody's words tumble around in his head, and then he was laughing to himself. She thought he liked Cora? Shaking his head, he headed to his room for clothes and hit the showers.

* * *

"A medical raid?" Jack chimed in as the crew sat around their planning table.

"It makes sense," Quill added. "I really don't feel like being back in my death bed situation this year. We barely have anything handy for those situations around here."

"He's right," Percy glanced around the room. Kody was leaning against a wall, arms crossed and she wasn't engaged at all in their conversation. Asyria and Rachael seemed to notice it too judging by their awkward side glances between himself and her. "We need to get this done before the freeze sets in, snow is going to fall any day now."

Looking towards Cora, he gestured for her to turn around. Sitting up against his desk was a bow and a quiver full of some arrows. "Better get practicing."

Cora woke with a jerk, Percy's voice vibrating her ear. She didn't know what was stranger, the fact her arm was laid over him or the fact she could still smell his skin. Wrinkling her nose Cora sat up, yanking her blanket with her. When had Percy came and slept on her floor? "My dreams are by far not of you. Gross." She teased with a serious expression.

Raking her brain, she had a fuzzy memory of Percy and a book; the book. Sitting up Cora looked over and sighed with relief at the fact she'd left herself the biggest line. She couldn't remember what she had done after getting high, but apparently it had been on the sentimental side. Cuddling with Persues? 

Stretching and letting her red waves fall from their bun, Cora leaned over the book and snorted half the line. It burned and the feeling brought a groan from her throat. Glancing over at Percy, Cora offered him the rest. 

"I need coffee. But before than, there's something I wanted to ask you about. I was reading a book recently about drugs," pausing Cora held up her hand to stop Percy from interrupting her. "I read that injection gave a much better high using way less drugs. I was thinking..." Trailing to stop Cora shrugged and stood off the bed. "I was thinking I want to go on a medical raid. I remember reading a bunch of maps once at my best friends Chloe's house. Maps for her dads pharmaceutical company. It's storage is located in the slums, which I always thought was ridiculous." Digging for a clean shirt Cora watched Percy through her mirror. "We could get medicine. Quill told me he got an infection last year and almost died. What if one of us caught the flu? Allergic reaction? We could go there, get stuff, and also pick us up syringes. And it would literally pay for itself later, when we can take less drugs and sell more."

Turning away from the others, Perseus hadn't been paying attention. Something that was out of his character. Fortunately for Cora, it gave her the slim chance to get in a shot at him and she took it.

Her small hand collided with his bottom lip and he stiffened. The action caused his lip to split slightly, he could barely feel the sting thanks to the numbness in his mouth, but the wetness that drizzled from the cut informed him that she had a relatively good hit.

Sliding his tongue across his bottom lip, Percy arched an eyebrow in Cora's direction. "Watch it, Laine," he warned, his eyes glued onto her as she began circling him. This was a game she often played with him lately. She was getting comfortable being a part of the Vultures and on certain days he wasn't sure what she was going to do with her newfound comfort. He hated it. Not being able to be two steps ahead of everyone.

Feeling her steps come to a halt behind him, his muscles tensed, ready for whatever she thought she was doing. Thankfully, she wasn't up to any antics at the moment. He took in her request and spun around to find her walking off, something she often did. Pursing his lips, Percy let out a stress-filled sigh. She was a lot to handle lately, between everyone trying to make her feel at home and him trying not to strangle her, she really only brought him ease when they were doing drugs together. Or maybe it was just the drugs.

* * *

With a towel wrapped around his waist and cold water droplets sliding down his body, he stood in front of the cracked mirror again. He remembered the day that he made the crack. He hadn't done coke for a while, they were running low on supplies and needed all the goods they could get to sell. He remembered how angry he felt and then for a split second he could see him in the mirror.

His dad staring back at him with that look on his face. The same look he made when he found out Percy had started doing coke in the first place. The sheer disappointment.

Percy's gaze lowered toward his clothes on the counter, he knew in that jacket pocket was all he needed to get through each day. His fingers twitched as he went to go reach for it when he heard footsteps reach the showers.

Turning, he examined who was at the door. Kody. She had her clothes in her hand and judging by the look on her face, she knew what he was up to.

"What's the matter, Percy, coming down?" she mocked, setting her clothes down, one hand on her hip.

For a moment it began to make sense to him. Why she was always on his back, why she always had his back, even when he was probably wrong. His brows furrowed at her and he grabbed his clothes.

"You need better taste in men, Kody," he watched the way her expression changed and decided he would leave it at that. He began heading for the door when she reached out and grabbed his wrist. Glancing back at her, Percy didn't expect her to do the next part.

She pushed him to the wall and then her lips were on his. It was completely out of character for Kody and he couldn't get himself to be comfortable with any of it. Grabbing her, he pulled her back and stared at her, emotionless. The look on his face must have been enough for her because he could see the realization settle into her brown eyes and they brimmed with tears.

"Kody," he started, but she was already running out of the showers.

Leaning back against the wall, Percy pursed his lips in anger and slammed his fist against the tiles. He couldn't put his finger on where it all went so wrong. No one was supposed to fall in love with him, that wasn't part of his story. He was independent and he was a St. John. People who fell for St. John's always got hurt.

* * *

A cigarette hung from Percy's now scabbed over bottom lip as he walked down the hall, his boots echoing against the concrete as he did. All that was illuminating the halls were the occasional oil-lantern. It must have been midnight and he hadn't gotten a sliver of shut-eye since yesterday, or maybe even the day before.

He had just gotten done looking over paperwork and found that their budget was above and beyond with all the envelopes the General had sent. Still, he could feel in his gut that all the good was about to crumble, he just didn't know when.

He was headed towards his bedroom when he found himself stopping in front of Cora's door. Pushing the door open, he slipped inside and looked around the barely lit up room. On the bed he found her curled up next to a ball of yarn. Taking a puff from his cigarette, he put it out and lowered himself onto the floor beside her bed with his bag of coke.

Reaching over, he grabbed an old book and poured out a couple of lines, just to change things up he supposed. Once all the coke was out and separated, he began snorting into each nostril before setting the book onto her side table, laying his head back against the side of her mattress as the drug washed over him.

For a moment he just sat in silence, but eventually, he reached up and gave her a nudge. He left her four lines and suddenly the darkness consumed him. He wasn't sure how or when, maybe it was his body shutting down on him from the lack of sleep, but he was out cold.

* * *

A sharp pain erupted in his head and his hand raised instinctively to rub it. Swallowing, he felt a dryness in his throat and grimaced, licking his lips.

He wasn't sure what time it was, but judging by the fact that he had done coke before falling asleep, he was sure it wasn't too late in the day. Glancing back at Cora's bed, he found that she too must have found sleep. It was strange, but even with groggy eyes, he could see she actually looked peaceful for once. The only thing that was odd about it all was the fact that her head was nuzzled into his shoulder, her soft breathing hitting the crook of his neck, and her arm dangled down his torso.

Glancing down, she must have draped her blanket across him as best she could before passing out, he arched an eyebrow and then his eyes glanced across her room. All the paintings she drew on the walls and then they landed on little knitted elf hats. Blinking, Percy shook his head and stretched out his stiff muscles. Sleeping on the floor was something he had done many times before, but now that he had a bed, it wasn't the most comfortable morning for him.

"You're drooling," Percy murmured, nudging Cora. "Dreaming about me I presume?" he muttered sarcastically.

Cora hated training, especially with Persues, whose body was lean with muscles and harden from years of experience. It was even worse when Kody taught her, the other often throwing Cora down or leaving her sporting black eyes. She wasn't quick or muscular like the rest of the crew. The only thing she had going for her was a ninja like ability to trip her opponent. A skill she had learned simply to keep from getting thrown around. 

It was the same move she was using now as she too was falling to the ground. "Fuck," she mumbled, her back slamming gently into the floor. A second later the weight of Percy pressed her body down, the sensation startling her. She had meant to knock him down, sure, but not on top of her. "Jesus Persues you're heavy." She whispered, staring back at the blue eyes that were now searching hers. Why was he looking at her like that? Nudging him softly with her knee, she watched with curious eyes as he stood up and helped her to her feet.

Several pairs of eyes burned holes into Cora's skin and she didn't look. Instead she took the distraction on the face of Percy and used it against him. She punched him, cat like, right in his mouth. A feature Cora secretly admired but would never admit. 

"I thought you told me not to lose focus, St John? And here you are. Your mind god knows where." She teased, watching the tiniest trickle of blood emerge on his bottom lip. Shaking her head Cora put a hand on her hip and breathed in deeply. "Is it what I said earlier? We don't have to train if you know, you want to go proclaim your love for Kody and have a quicky somewhere." Stepping closer, she began to circled Percy, watching every twitch of his body in case he lunged at her. She liked getting under his skin, she just didn't like the consequences. "Also on a different note, I don't understand why you force me to practice hand to hand combat when we both know I'm not getting too much better at it. Let's face it together Percy." Coming to a stop so she was behind him Cora leaned onto her toes and whispered, "I'm not going to survive out there. I know it, you know it, everyone in your gang knows it. As much as I want to believe I have a chance, my best bet would be to stab or shoot a person before they ever even reached me. Archery Percy. I want to learn Archery." Stepping back a step Cora shrugged. Suddenly she didn't feel like talking or fighting or training, her feet already leading her away from the training area.

-

The roof was one of her favorite spots. She had discovered it during her second week here, when the depression was strongest. She had climbed the stairs with the intent to fall to her death but instead found something better. The wall and a view beyond it. A view of her old life. 

Sighing, Cora sat with her back against an old chimney watching the twinkle of many lights, far away. 

"I thought I'd find you here." Quill's voice rang out. Cora jumped, her heart pounding in her ears. Glaring over her shoulder at the dark haired male Cora sighed. She was never going to get used to how these people could sneak up on you. It was definitely going to give her a heart attack some day. 

As Quill came and sat beside her Cora remained silent. Even as the other joked and elbowed and even offered her weed, she just stared at the city and the wall. What used to be longing had hardened into hatred. She hated those people. She hated how little they could have thought of her; to throw her to the wolves. She wasn't even sure when the tears she cried had transitioned themselves from sadness to anger. Only that she was now a very angry person. 

Beside her Quill shifted and Cora watched him from the corner of her eyes. Cora wasn't stupid. She knew he liked her. And in a way, she liked him too. The only problem was he couldn't understand her. Not in the way Percy did. 

Percy, the name made Cora frown and she thought of Kody. Of Percy and Kody hanging out alone. Of Percy and Kody kissing. Of Percy and Kody.. 

A deep flush covered Cora's entire body and she stood abruptly. "Let's go back inside Quill. I've had enough of looking at the shithole across the wall." She muttered, grabbing the others hand in hers. She needed a distraction and she needed Quill to give her one. "I think I have a good idea for Christmas. But I am going to need a lot of yarn. Let's make everyone stupid little elf hats. Well, besides Persues, I'm going to make him Santa."

---

Hours later Cora and Quill sat on her bed, crocheting. Different shades of green, white, and red yarn stretched out across her room and Cora kept pausing to show Quill how to do different loops. She wasn't sure where the yarn had come from, only that Quill had to leave with weed to go find it. It had taken him nearly all day to return but it had been worth it. Cora hadn't seen Percy all day and her body was starting to show it. Her teeth clenched and although she laughed and was having fun, her body was starting to ache. Once half the hats were done and her fingers felt raw, Quill left to go find himself snacks and Cora laid across her mattress. She closed her eyes and tried to find sleep.

Although she wasn't sure, Cora had started to suspect she had become dependent of the white substance. When she didn't have it she felt tired and sick. When she did her daily doses she felt normal. When her and Percy binged with line after line she felt high. Was that what addiction was? Did she even fucking care? 

Blue hues stared through the marijuana smoke that clung to the air of Cora's room and landed on Quill whose face was plastered with a clear concern for their well-being. It was interesting to Percy how someone could worry about what he put into his body. For all Percy cared the white powder could take him six feet under and he'd die content.

Taking the bag back from Cora, he did one more bump before stowing it away into his pocket for later. His fingers fumbled for a moment before wrapping around his cigarette box and lighter. Pulling them free, he lit up a smoke and brought it to his lips as he raised his gaze toward the ceiling where the excessive noise upstairs was coming from and he rolled his eyes at Cora's remark.

"Sometimes I wonder if they are trying to punish me for all the times I've reamed their asses," Percy mumbled lowly, his head buzzing for multiple reasons. Letting his head turn towards Quill who was putting out the last of his joint, he watched as his face suddenly twisted into an expression of shock. Unsure of why Percy glanced towards Cora who had begun stripping out of her old clothes from last night. It didn't take long for Quill to make a break for the door and into the hallway.

Exhaling his cigarette smoke, Perseus began plucking at the loose threads on her bedspread, unfazed by the half-naked girl in front of him.

Most would find it odd for a straight guy to simply ignore such a picture. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate it, but the distraction was unneeded, he had enough on his plate. That didn't mean he didn't allow himself to look every now and then. Like he was now as she sifted through her clothes. His gaze lingered down her spine to her hips and just by doing so, he debated taking another bump, but the risk of getting too comfortable was too high.

Releasing a quiet sigh, he brought his cigarette back to his lips for another drag when Cora spoke up, he shifted his eyes to meet hers in the mirror. His eyebrows furrowed in surprise.

The words she spoke were far from anything he expected to hear. For a moment he wasn't even sure he had heard her right until her next words.

How did one react to something like that. His second-hand being in love with him and he never once noticed any sort of desire radiate off of her. He looked at her as his partner, not his eligible lover.

"She's deranged." he sat up straight and put out his cigarette. "She's trying to win me over with Christmas decorations? Does she know who I am?" he was mostly asking himself. Shaking his head, he stood up and sauntered towards her bedroom door.

"I don't have time for this, grab your boots, we're going to train. You need practice and I need to stay busy." he opened up her door and headed up towards the main floor. He made his way past Bex and Jack who finished with the tarps and he led Cora towards the combat area where others were training as well.

"What do you think of the decorations, boss?" Jack patted Percy on the back and he glanced over his shoulder to find Kody staring at him from over on the other side of the room, helping Asyria with more lights. Turning away, Percy shrugged and said nothing before continuing towards the mats.

Shrugging off his jacket, he tossed it to the side and slipped off his ring, putting it in his pocket. Nodding towards Cora he gestured for her to stand in front of him.

"Just like yesterday, you need to get down the basics or you'll never survive two seconds out there." he rose his hands and readied his stance. For the past week, he had been training her to have her target on their back regardless of how much bigger they were.

Unfortunately, it often ended with Percy tossing her around like a ragdoll, but she was slowly making progress each day. The faster she learned, the better, but he couldn't deny the pleasure he felt knocking her around a bit, especially on the days she got on his nerves.

Waiting for her to make the initial move, he watched her posture and stance and when she made an error he glared and kicked her foot out from underneath her. Grabbing the back of her neck gentle enough to not leave a bruise, he was quick to plant her on her back. It was when she took his leg with him that he lost his balance and momentarily and slammed his hands on either side of her head to keep himself from falling completely on top of her.

Their bodies collided softly and their faces sat mere inches apart. He could feel her breath on his face and his eyes searched hers for a moment, still in a glare, but it held less hatred.

"Shit form, Laine," he paused. "Nice try though." he shoved himself off of her and reached his hand out to tug her up to her feet. Fixing his shirt, he raked his fingers through his mess of white hair and glanced to the side to find Bex, Quill, and Rachael all staring at the two of them with suspicious eyes and tight lips.

When they saw he noticed them staring, they all began trying to pretend like they were on the way to do something important, but it was painfully obvious they were eavesdropping.

The weeks passed for Cora in a hazy blur. Although she was never allowed to venture out the compound, she had been given her own room, a place she glued to often. It was nothing like her old room, which had been pink and fluffy and full of trinkets, but it wasn't horrible either. Several members of the White Vultures had given her furniture and blankets, and even posters, although Cora didn't recognize any of the faces or bands that stared back at her. Quill had even brought her back paint and she had started using it, painting flowers and animals on her concrete walls. Most days she forgot her life before, and it was the nights that brought her chaos. 

Although her and Persues almost never talked, Cora had gotten used to him showing up in the middle of the night as if he'd sensed her nightmares. He would always bring snow and she would always engulf herself in it. It helped her forget the pain and loss that had become her life. It was for that reason, when Percy began to arrive in the mornings and several times throughout her day, she never turned him away. He always brought what she wanted and took the journey with her. In a way, they had become very sick friends. 

Quill on the other hand was warm and fun, and Cora tried to stick with him when she could. He was probably the only member of the vultures that didn't treat her like a villain. Plus he shared his weed with her, something that helped take the edge off the snow. Rumors had began to float around them but Cora ignored them. Her and Quill had never done anything besides hangout. Honestly, that's all Cora could manage anyways. Inside of her was a shell of the girl she had once been. The ideal of anything more was too overwhelming.

--

Laughing, Cora shook her head at Quill and looked away. He had been in her room for over an hour, getting stupid stoned and trying to teach her Christmas songs; stuff like Jingle Bells and Rudolf. Cora didn't have the heart to tell him his singing voice sounded like a dying cow, so instead she laughed and smoked joint after joint with him, leaning into her pillows.

When her bedroom door opened she glanced over at it, watching Percy waltz in like he normally did. Her heart raced with anticipation and her eyes trailed him as he sat and did his blow, handing her the bag afterwards. Her ears barely picked uo what Quill had said until after she had done a seriously large bump. The look on his face was concern, for the both of them, but Cora didn't have time for things like that anymore. She sighed instantly and tossed her hair with her hand, taking another bump on the other side. 

"If you're going to lecture me, I don't really want to hear it." She muttered toward Quill, unfolding herself from the bed and handing the bag back to Percy. Above their heads the sound of laughter and music drifted down and Cora used it as an excuse to change the subject. "Sounds like the compound is already having a Christmas party, a week early." She pointed out, walking over to her dresser. Although she didn't have much, she had clothes again. Percy had even contributed some, which still both bothered and surprised her.

 Grabbing a black pair of leggings and a green long sleeved shirt, Cora turned with her back to them both, beginning to strip her dirty clothes off. The motion caused Quill to bolt from the room, but Cora didn't have to turn to know Percy was still there. She didn't seem to phase him, ever. Standing in her bra and panties, Cora glanced at herself in the mirror. She had lost at least ten pounds since arriving and blue circles had started to shine beneath her eyes. It didn't matter, she didn't care much anymore how she looked anymore. The only thing that mattered was how she felt. And speaking of feelings.. 

"Kody is in love with you." Cora blurted out over her shoulder as she slid her leggings up. Turning to face Percy, Cora tossed her shirt on and began to roll her long red hair into a bun. "I over heard her crying about it to Rachael. All those decorations she's been slaving over recently, she's doing it for you." 

Abandoned. The unspoken word floated between the entire group as eyes of confusion blinked their way between Percy and Cora. Cora, now pale as paper, tried hard to hold herself together as the words floated inside of her, bounced around like a stray bullet, and lodged themselves into her brain. Unwanted; her father hadn't wanted her back. She had become damaged goods, over night, she had fallen from grace to what Cora imagined the pits of hell to be like. How could he let her go so easily, how could he throw his daughter to The Slums, to the Vultures, to her own slow death. 

Suddenly the much wanted toast felt soured in her stomach. She lurched forward into a nearby trashcan and vomited, the taste of betrayal lingering in her mouth, and then finally when she had nothing left to empty, she dry heaved. She was never going home. She would never see the comfort of her mothers face or feel the hugs of her siblings. She would never see her friends or her house. She would die an outsider of her home and an outsider of The Slums.

Tears hammered at her eyes and she choked, leaning back against the stove. What had she ever done to deserve this? She had made one mistake. Had she not been punished enough by the death of her friends? Had she not been punished enough by Percy and the way he twisted each of his words at her like sharp knives?

Swallowing back sobs Cora lifted her head to stare at him. "Are you proud, Persues St John?" Cora asked, her voice pitched higher from the tears. "You were right. I am nothing. Is that what you wanted to inform me last night? That I am just a silly dumb little girl who happens to have reproductive organs only good enough to breed? Well jokes on you," wiping her mouth and face with the back of her hand Cora choked out a laugh. "Apparently even those don't count with me. Such defiance, in my genetics, such bravery and pure stupidity, to wonder across the wall into this hell, and what did it all get me? Nothing. It gave me the definition of nothing. To have nothing. To be of little value. To not matter anymore."

Pushing herself to her feet Cora pulled her drooping bra strap off of her arm and onto her freckled shoulder. Several tears rolled down her face but she didn't wipe them away. Instead she stared at Percy, stared into his eyes, and hoped he could see what she wanted. To not feel anything other than a warm numb bliss. 

----------

The General prepared himself for his only daughter's funeral. All of the arrangements had been scheduled in the night and since there was no body, there was no reason to wait. In the sitting room, the sobs of his wife echoed, bouncing around his study. He felt guilty, in many ways, but this was for the Inner City he had told himself. 

When his letter had arrived, as well as the letters to the other families, the General had been almost shocked to see that only Cora had survived. It was a shame really, because it made what he had to do much harder. Leave her there in the slums until the time was right, and then he'd have to make sure she died, if it meant by his own hand. No one could know that she lived, not his wife, or his government. This was, after all, for the greater good. 

He had taken an oath. One that his father, and his father before that had taken. To protect the Elite and preserve as a whole, at any cost. To guard the wealth and power, at any cost. The slum had lived free to rule their side for far too long. The General planned to take it all.

She looked miserable. A sure tell sign of the lack of cocaine in her system. At least that was usually his problem.

The lack of emotion in her eyes told Percy two things about her. One being that when the going got tough, she shut herself down. Two being that she was bad at it. He could feel the bubbling emotion radiating off of her. Just settled beneath the first layer of skin. Fortunately for her, he couldn't bring himself to care enough to get a rise out of her at the moment.

Leading her up the stairs, he unlocked the door and let her through before securing it behind them. Once they reached the main floor of the warehouse, multiple shuffling bodies could be seen walking about the base. Some were working on maintenance; some sifted through paperwork regarding their clients and budget while others collected over in the far left corner where a combat training session held by Kody took place for the younger crewmates.

Grabbing a hold of Cora's bruised wrist, he tugged her along towards another set of stairs that would lead them up to the second floor of the warehouse. It had just been refurbished as much as it could be with their budget. Regardless, it still had its dingy look to it.

Taking her down a hall and into a room set up as their kitchen, he let go of her and gave her a shove towards a messy auburn-haired Quill Donahue, who was making himself some toast. He seemed to always find him in the kitchen. With all the pot he smoked, it wasn't a surprise.

"Get her something to eat," Percy muttered and grabbed two glasses. Filling one with water, he slid it over towards her and grabbed a half-empty bottle of whisky, pouring himself a drink, raising it to his lips as he eyed her.

"It's odd isn't it?" Quill spoke up as he popped in two more pieces of toast into the toaster. "No one has come yet. You'd think they'd be ballistic by now." his Australian accent was thick.

Percy finished his drink and shrugged, tapping his fingers against the island table as he leaned over it. "They're planning," he finally spoke. "They don't want to save her, they'll try to figure out a way to use this to their advantage without coming off as the sick bastards that they are. Thinking takes time for them."

Quill chewed his lip before glancing towards Cora, his green eyes always looking sleepy and glossy. "What's your name, love?"

Percy shifted his glare towards Quill.

"Let her eat. Don't you have the range to attend?" his tone was threatening and Quill grabbed her toast and put it on a plate for her, setting it in front of her. He leaned down beside her ear and smiled at Percy.

"He scares us too, don't worry," he whispered playfully. Percy knew that he had scared Quill on multiple occasions. Often times he wondered if he pissed himself after their conversations.

Watching as he left, Percy slid his fingers along the bag in his pocket, debating if he should take another snort until Kody entered the kitchen with Bex behind her. Sweat beaded on her forehead and she made herself a glass of water as Bex chuckled behind her.

"You might have met your match with Asyria," Bex taunted Kody who rolled her eyes as she gulped down her water.

Percy stood straighter and made a noise of annoyance at the back of his throat before moving towards Cora. Kody arched an eyebrow and glanced at Bex who remained silent.

"You're feeding her?" Kody sounded amused.

"She serves no purpose to us if she starves to death, and it's not exactly a gourmet meal." Percy shot back. He was getting on edge. He needed more. With that thought, he pulled Cora up to feet, ready to move her out the door when he stopped suddenly. "You hear that?" he whispered and no one moved.

At that moment, he shoved Cora into Bex's arms and headed down the stairs swiftly. Grabbing his gun from his side, he cocked it back and lifted it towards the entrance door of the warehouse. Kody was already at his side and Percy listened to the shuffling footsteps coming from outside.

Silence.

Then the knock.

Slowly, Percy pushed open the door, his gun raised, and on the outside stood two men in uniform. They held their hands up in surrender and Percy glanced towards Kody who had her gun ready at his side. She looked as confused as he did.

"We come on behalf of the General," one man spoke while the other moved his hand and Percy shifted his aim at him.

"Keep your hands where I can see them or I shoot." he snapped and the man put his hand back in the air.

"Sir, we have orders to give you an envelope, it is in my pocket," he explained and Percy nodded towards Kody to grab it from him. She inched forward and snatched it from his side pocket, feeling it out as she did.

"Money?" she furrowed her eyebrows and handed it to Percy who kept his gun up as he looked it over. It was an envelope full of money. Hundreds of dollars.

"There is more where that comes from, but only if you follow the orders of the letter inside." one of the men stated and Percy noticed that they had no weapons on them. Pursing his lips, he shook his gun at them.

"Get lost." he barked out and the two quickly hurried off with their lives surprisingly. Closing the door, he looked down at the envelope and sifted through the money until he found the letter inside that read:

Mister St. John,

It's been a long time.

The contents of this envelope have been given to you in hopes that you accept my offer.

Keep the girl.

Do this and there will be more envelopes to come. She is of no use to us anymore.

Consider this a peace offering.

- General Laine

Percy crumpled the letter up in his hand and handed the money to Kody.

"Take care of this." he was angry. He knew there was something going on, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He truly gave up his daughter. It wasn't surprising, the heartlessness, but to give him money to keep her away. It didn't sit right. Something was brewing.

Heading back up the stairs, he entered the kitchen and looked at Cora. For a moment he just stood there. He wasn't sure if it was the effects of the cocaine or if it was a mere moment of weakness but for a second he saw her as what she was. An innocent, abandoned girl who was told all the wrong things her whole life. His eyes landed on the bruises he left on her neck and wrists and then he met her eyes.

"I told you," he tossed the crumpled piece of paper at her feet. "Your father doesn't want you."

It had been a long night. One im which Cora had spent most of her time curled against the cold floor, thinking. Every once in a while a drip of water from above fell against her face but she didn't mind. It helped keep her mind grounded to the now. 

It had taken her too long to figure out who he was. The guy who had pinned her against the wall, the murder, the leader. She had to let her mind drift to everything she'd ever overheard her father say at dinner parties. She mentally went through every paper, picture, and shred of evidence in her fathers study. She thought about Trey, who had probably only done any of this to impress her. What was it he had said about where they were going?

 It was all a puzzle to Cora; like the kind she used to spend hours doing when she was a child. Although Cora had never been very valued for her mind, she wasn't stupid like he had claimed. In fact her mother had always called her clever. She had, to the page, memorized every book she'd ever read. Useless things to survival, like Charles Dickens, Oscar wilde and Shakespeare. She knew Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost poems by heart. Mathematics and science had always come easy for her. She didn't know how to thrive in the slums, but she knew she couldn't just roll over and allow herself to die by the dirty hands of some guy who thought himself to be a god. 

It was that thought alone that clicked the pieces together. 

All at once it flooded her brain and she sat up, eyes wide and observant. She was in the headquarters of The Vultures. And their leader was St. John, formally known as Perseus. Like the son of the mythological god, Zeus. Laughing a bit, Cora ran a hand through her tangled hair, her throat growing tighter with each laugh until she was just crying. Which she did for another few hours. At some point she had fallen to sleep like this, and woken to hunger and thirst.

-

With a sigh Cora stretched her stiff legs out in front of her. She wasn't sure what time it was, since there wasn't a clock or a window to look at but she figured by the ache of her stomach she had lived to make it till morning. 

Her hands were swollen today from her losing fight with the wall and she grimaced as she tried to bend her fingers. Her skin was discolored to an ugly shade of gray and purple and to her utter disgust, so were her wrist. Each one marked with the vicious finger prints of Percy. Her knees nor her legs looked any better and from the ache of her neck, she figured she probably had a bruise there as well. 

Moving like a sloth, Cora gathered her shoes and slid them on. Her shirt was badly ruined and she considered wearing it before deciding it didn't matter. So what if they saw her bra? Glancing down at it Cora considered if it was valuable or not. It was white and crested with small diamonds.

Her stomach had began to hurt and she knew it was from the lack of missing two meals. Dinner and breakfast. She had never went so long without a hint of something in her stomach. Her throat was also dry and she was certain she was dehydrated. Especially after she had done those drugs.

Without meaning to, Cora's mind drifted back to how it felt when she didn't feel the weighed loss of her friends and how her hands and legs didn't ache. She thought about how brave she was, even if the bravery had been extinguished pretty quickly by Percy. She hadn't even been hungry. A small part of her wished she had kept the bag, so she never had to feel her current grime reality again. 

When she heard the shower she memorized the sound and where it came from. When she heard the door open she stared blankly, depriving herself from showing emotions of excitement and fear. Even when she saw Percy, who had unlocked the door and invited her upstairs she remained quiet and empty, only following in silence. Who would break first? Him, who craved the fear of others? Who obviously loved to see pain. Or her, with no clue on how long she could pretend she no longer cared.

Despite his lack of patience, Percy waited. The anger in his eyes never let up, it had made a home within him and it was rather comfortable after all these years.

"But, but?" his voice was low now. A mere whisper as he raised his eyebrows at her broken rambling. He knew it wouldn't take much to persued her considering the way she trembled beneath his scrutiny.

A minute passed and they just stared at each other, he wasn't going to let up and it seemed that she finally took that into consideration. Percy watched as she took the bill and snorted, he could tell by her reaction that it was a good amount too for her first time. Her eyes brimmed with burning tears from the drug and he could almost taste the drip for her. His lips twitched into a smile at her cough and he let her shove his hand away.

Closing it up, he straightened and watched as the coke enveloped her. He could see a jumble of emotions cross her face in a matter of seconds and then she was opening her mouth and part of him was actually interested to hear what spilled out.

"No," he paused, "Don't take it personally though, there's very little that makes me happy." sarcasm clung to every word, he wanted to push her over the edge. See what made her tick and it seemed to be working.

The next set of words that exploded from her, however, only seemed to fuel Percy's anger. The amount of fallacious information she had been given about the slums mixed with her audacity was enough to make his blood boil.

He could only imagine all the trash they fed to the children who lived within the walls of Velaris, the lies that clung to what the new generation would think of the outside world and for what? To keep their precious placement in power, to make sure that they never had a speck of dirt on their clothes again? Or maybe it was just their sadistic way of wanting to watch the world burn. He supposed they had that in common.

Tilting his head, Percy nodded. "I don't need a recap, sweety, it only happened a little bit ago." he watched as she grabbed the bag of coke out of his hand and he crossed his arms, licking his lips as he readied for her drug-induced breakdown to continue. When she threw the bag back at him, he grabbed it and stuffed it into his pocket before he let her finish.

Once she was done, he grabbed her wrists tightly as she shoved him and he pushed her backward until her back hit the wall of the cell. Holding both her wrists with one hand, he pressed grabbed her throat with the other, his leg shoved tightly between hers as his body kept her prisoner against the wall.

"I bet daddy never told you about the reason the outside is the way is it, did he? Noo, why would he? Your just a stupid little girl that just happens to have the sex organs to reproduce. That's all you are to him. To anyone inside those fucking walls." his jaw was tense and his eyes held a fury in them, resembling that of a tidal wave.

"All you people do is sit in your ivory towers and never once do you stop to think about the history of this world. Hell, of this city even. You think your precious father actually earned his place as the General?" Percy laughed. "You're all just a bunch of money-hungry scum and as much as I doubt your father has the heart to come to get you, I hope he does because I want to be the last thing he sees before he chokes on his own blood."

Staring into her eyes, Percy shoved her down onto the floor and headed back for the cell door. Once outside, he shut the door on her and locked it.

"I'm not a drug dealer by the way," he offered her an empty smile. "I'm the boss."

* * *

Perseus stared up at the ceiling, watching random chains swing from the beams above. The sun had just started to come up and the sky was still gloomy. After sending out the letters last night, he knew that any minute they would be hearing a knock on their door.

His fingers danged along a blade he kept at his side and he picked it up, shoving it onto the side table next to his bed. Sitting up, he reached for his gun and grabbed some clothes from the broken dresser in his room.

Heading for the showers, Percy went by the prisoner barracks, ignoring any noises that came from it. Once inside the showers, he turned on the water, it was cold as usual, but at least he could be cleaned. Washing up, he dried off and changed into black jeans, fixing his gun holster. After brushing his teeth, he slipped on a white t-shirt, shrugged his leather jacket on, and reached into the pocket for the cocaine. Staring at the cracked mirror in front of him, he grabbed the edges of the sink and sighed.

An addiction he wasn't proud of but was capable of functioning with.

Taking the rolled-up bill, he took a long inhale in each nostril and lifted up his head, pinching his nose and sniffing up all the powder. The drip was quick and it numbed his throat and mouth. Closing his eyes, he bit his lip and smiled shaking his head before putting the bag away.

Rolling his shoulders, he headed off towards the barracks and towards Cora's cell.

Unlocking the door, he opened it up and motioned with his finger for her to 'come here'.

"Let's go," he said. "I think it's time you learn the truth about this place. You might as well, you won't be leaving for a while."

He was crazy. Although she was no psychologist, Cora knew it. This guy was completely fucking psychotic. In all of her twenty years she'd never met anyone so heartless and cold before. It was the slums, sure, but what was it that she had learned about the people here? That starvation was a big deal because people used their resources to manufacture drugs and not food? This guy sure didn't appear hungry. At least not in a way that meant lack of food. Had he starved before? Was he a drug addict? Was that way he was so insane? Was this why he was laughing at her friends dying?

Blinking back tears Cora took a step away as he entered the cell with her only to shriek when she felt his rough hand against her face. "Yo...you don't understand I came here with them but..but.." Stuttering, Cora choked out another sob. The powdered white substance was so close to her face she could barely breathe without inhaling it.  What was she going to tell him? That she came here because she thought Leon was attractive and was hoping he'd be interested in dating her after? That she'd been surrounding herself by single men in the hopes one would propose and marry her and she could live in some house and have kids and be happy? That she only followed three of them through the wall in hopes to impress them? It sounded so stupid now that the thought of it alone caused her entire body to flush with embarrassment. If she knew anything, anything at all, it was this: telling this deranged guy that she was so desperate to have the attention of a man that she was willing to go to such extremes was by far NOT a good idea.  So instead, she snorted, the sensation causing her nose to burn and her eyes to water. When the bitter taste hit the back of her throat she coughed slightly, reaching up to rub her nose. It felt..  Shaking her head, Cora casted him a scowl.  "There. You fucking happy?" She snapped, pushing his hand away from her face. Her heart pounded and her mouth was numb and her body was suddenly hot and for the first time in the last two hours, she actually didn't feel like crying. And she hated him. With every fiber, she hated him.  "You know what? You are exactly what I've always been taught you were." Cora pointed, suddenly very brave. "You are a horrible human. You murdered my fucking friends. You forced drugs on me." Growling, Cora yanked the bag out of Percy's hand, wiggling it in front of them both. "You all run around living in your own filth. Rats running the streets. Broken beer bottles littering everywhere. Your fucking girlfriend yanked me down all the stairs. Bruised up my knees. And for what? So you could come down here and question me about my father? Get me high?" Laughing, Cora shook her head and threw the bag back at his chest, turning with her hands up. "My father is going to come for you. One way or another. And you know what's ironic? I bet he'd blow this whole god damn building up with me in it. Because guess who's going to be known as the girl who caused three precious future soldiers to die? Guess who is going to be known as the General whose daughter broke the most important rule of all?" Laughing again Cora took off her bloody shoes and threw one at the bars beside Percy, screaming out in rage. "I have not only ruined my life but I've ruined my families name, their standings I am sure, my twin brothers future in the army, and my chances of ever getting married. No one, and I mean no one, is going to want me after this. So go ahead, big bad drug dealer," walking over and shoving at his chest Cora began to cry. "Go ahead. Kill me. Do it. Why not? Just another elite kid right? Just clean me up and depose of my fucking body."