South Coast Hwy. - Black Rock Badlands
“It’s about fucking time you showed up!” Rook was already hot and tired and the extra hour he had stood outside waiting hadn’t made things any better. “I told you I would be late. If you were stupid enough to wait out here that’s on you.” Nico shot back as he got out of the car and walked around to the trunk.
Cross Safe House - Spanish Quarter, Downtown Las Vistas
Ivy’s eyes shot open as the piercing sound of sirens jarred her out of her sleep. The blur of flashing lights reflected off the walls of the bedroom briefly illuminating her surroundings and sending a shock wave through her body. It had really happened. She was really back here again. She looked over her shoulder at the half naked man snoring beside her and cringed. How could she have let this happen; let him put his filthy hands on her? Quietly and slowly she eased out of the bed being careful not make any noise. Where were her clothes? They had to be there somewhere. She had to find them fast and make a run for it.
The Court Bar Nightclub - Downtown Las Vistas
Ivy sat alone at the bar; eyes glossed over, headache pounding, and hunched over her drink like a dog protecting its food. Nursing the emotional wounds that Nico had left on her heart had sent her spiraling into a vicious cycle of drinking, crying, and drinking some more. It had gone on for the last few weeks and didn’t show any signs of stopping. She couldn’t say that she had had a lot of love in her life, but she had loved him to a fault and in turn, he had made a fool of her for it. Their violent exchange had been unexpected and she was still at a loss for how any of it began. He had been happy with her, hadn’t he? At least happy enough to take her out occasionally and sleep with her every other night. But there was someone else now. Someone that had come out of nowhere, some other woman that he cared enough about to end things with her for good. That fact had cut the deepest and put her over the edge.
Fischer Residence - Willow Peak Rd., Sierra Springs
Moving slowly from the couch Ivy shielded her face from the blaring sunlight coming through the window and took slow, tentative steps as her wobbly legs threatened to abandon balance. She reached the comforting dark of the small powder room and stood at the sink, leaning on it for support, before turning on the light and letting her eyes slowly adjust. She blinked a few times to get her focus doing her best to ignore the throbbing ache attacking her skull.
