[Open]Damsel In Distress

[Teddy<3]

Teddy Lawrence slipped on his boots and jacket, sliding his sheathed knife into the side of his black motorcycle boots. Boots he'd had since he was ten. Leftovers from his father. It took years to grow into them, and now they were a little tight, but he refused to ask for a new pair of shoes. He didn't want to listen to a long lecture about how his parents work hard for their money and to put food on the table, when all they ever buy is beer or cigarettes. He had to do the grocery shopping, and as he thought about it, he figured he'd need to again. Opening the 'cookie jar', he pulled a twenty out of their 'emergency' money stash. Opening the worn leather wallet he got for his thirteenth birthday, he stuck it in. He'd go to the store on his way back home. Right now he just wanted to take a nice walk and get away from his house.

Stepping into the cold Autumn air and locking the door behind him, Teddy quickly worked a map in his head. It would take him on a longer path to the mall, then he would circle back and come home, taking a quicker path home. 

He stepped onto Rose Street, glancing both to the left and right. He never felt comfortable leaving the safety of his house, yet he always went for walks. His ears were tuned into the sounds around him, listening for any sounds that didn't fit with the nature. His green eyes roamed around the street, looking for any signs of people.

Slipping his hands into the pockets of the old leather jacket, Teddy turned into an alley. Keeping in the shadows of the buildings, he hurried along. He didn't want to be caught out on the streets alone with only the aid of a small knife.

[Jazmin]

"Back off! Get away from me, goddammit!"

The shrieks came from one of the alleys along Rose Street, from a young African-American woman. With her back pressed to a brick wall, she lashed out with her stiletto-heeled foot at one of the men around her. They jumped back with a laugh, easily avoiding her attack.

"Sorry, princess, you missed," he chuckled. He handed three pocket knives over to another person, who took them carefully, grumbling about how they were flipped open.

"Give me my knives and I won't!" the young woman snapped back. Her hands were trembling with fear, and she wasn't even sure if she could hold the knife.

The group of men laughed, all except for one, who stood back from the group with his back turned to the rest of them. He was leaning against the wall, seeming to be keeping watch. Each of them help their own knife, all a switch blade. The girl growled at them, glowering through deep amber eyes.

"Oh, you got a feisty one this time," the one leaning on the wall called.

The seeming leader growled. "Shut up, Eric. You're no help."

Eric shrugged. "Don't feel like pestering today," he said simply.

Suddenly, two of the gang members cornered him. Eric collapsed in respect in a flash.

The woman tried to crawl away while they were distracted, but the leader grabbed her by the hips as she was passing him. "Where are you going, Jaz?" he snorted.

Jaz began screaming and clawed at his hands with finely filed nails. Panic had taken over, replacing her composure with a frantic beast, desperate to escape.

[Teddy<3]

Teddy stopped abruptly at the sounds of screaming and men's voices. His hands began to tremble in his pockets, and he clenched them into fists. The sounds were coming from the alley ahead of him a few yards. He crept cautiously and silently over, peering into the dark alley. A black woman was being held by a few men. Bastards. he thought, grinding his teeth together and quickly pulling off his leather jacket. With a sigh, he pulled his kitchen knife with the handmade sheath out of his boot. He stuck it in his back pocket for easier reach, grabbing his pocket knife out of his jacket's pocket.

The men seemed pretty busy with their young prey, and he cautiously entered the alley, sliding the blade out of his pocket knife. He glanced at the young girl, and grinned to himself. A girl with an attitude. He almost wanted to laugh. This was no damsel in distress, a panther in need of assistance, maybe.

Coming up behind the men, he cleared his throat before speaking. His voice was cool and soft, his steely green eyes glaring at each of the men in turn. " this you got here?" he asked, leering at her in the same hungry way they did. He hoped he wouldn't worry her too much, but of course he couldn't act like his intentions were kind. His eyes made a good show of roaming over her body, hunger in the beautiful irises.

Holding his small pocket knife to his side, he tensed his body, his ears trained on the men, and using his peripheral vision to watch them, but focus on the girl.

[Jazmin]

Jaz froze, eying the newcomer warily. When he inspected her, she bared her teeth with a growl, and tore at the hands on her waist once more.

The leader pushed her onto her stomach with one hand, holding her in place. "Who the hell are you?" he asked. He signaled for the only man left who wasn't doing anything to come over. He stood as the other pinned Jazmin to the ground.

"Get the fuck off of me!" she screeched, her lose black curls falling into her face. "I swear, I will rip your balls off!" Her claw-like nails scraped at the gravel, and she let out a loud scream of anger.

Suddenly, Eric tried to make a break for it, the gravel groaning under his shoes. The two who were by him instantly jumped on him, and he let out a yelp of surprise. He was slammed to a wall and held by his arms. The leader figure glanced at him for a second, noting that it was under control, then back at the newcomer.

"She's just something we have to deal with, pal," he said bitterly. "Beat it. You're in Shade Blade territory."

"Get off!" Jaz screeched one last time, and whipped around her hand, clawing over the eyes of the man pinning her. He howled in pain, his hands covering his eyes. Jazmin sprang away like a rabbit, and stood up.

"Give me my knives," she said slowly, holding out her hand, "and I won't stiletto your ass."

[Teddy<3]

"Screw this." Teddy muttered, bored with trying not to act like a big hero. It was who he was. A guy too nice for his own good.

Putting a hand on his hip and replacing his pocket knife with the large kitchen knife, he glared at them men. Wishing he could laugh, but not ready to break his 'cool' facade. The dude just got his ass kicked by a girl. I bet he's respected. He glanced at the girl quickly, then walked over to the leader.

"I wouldn't give a shit if you were the President. Titles mean nothing to loners." he said, staying a good foot from him, his knife ready if he needed it. At that moment, he was almost thankful his brother had made him play a year of football. He was far from scrawny, and his track and basketball gave him great reflexes and a lean body. He wasn't normally a threat, but was never someone to be dismissed.

Not turning his head from the leader, he spoke to the girl. "I suggest you leave." he said, not sure if she would listen or not. He doubted it. She didn't seem the type to follow orders. Oh well. He could use some help. "And give her back the knives, or I'll stab your ass." he said, tapping his boot-covered foot, dreading the fight that would most likely happen. He avoided fights with gangs at all costs, unless there was a victim involved. In this case, a girl. Which just pissed him off.

[Jazmin]

Jaz snarled at the newcomer, showing she wasn't going anywhere without her knives.

The leader lifted his brow at the knife this new person held. "You really gonna use that?" he asked coldly. He lifted his switchblade.

Suddenly, Eric managed to get both of his feet on the wall he was squished to, and he shoved himself back, tripping the one holding him. Together they fell, with Eric on top of the other. They both coughed as air left their bodies, but Eric was far better. He lashed out with his legs, hooking them around the ankles of another fellow gang member, pulling hid feet out from under him.

He fell and the three knives fell from his hands, strewing out over the gravel. Jazmin instantly shot forward, and grabbed each of them, springing away in a flash. She stepped behind this new boy, flicking out one of the three blades.

The one under Eric wrapped around his body and began to crush his ribs with a tight embrace. He began coughing for air.

"Damn you, Eric," the leader hissed. "You cause too much trouble."

Eric gave a small growl, but ended it with another cough and gasp. "Run!" he screamed at Jazmin and the boy.

Jaz tugged on the boy's shirt. "Let's get going while they're distracted by him," she whispered to him. She jerked his shirt in the direction out of the alley.

The leader shot his eyes back over at them. "Oh, no, you don't!" he shouted, and lunged forward at the pesky boy.

[Teddy<3]

Teddy sidestepped, just missing the man's body. Snarling, he darted in front of him, driving the knife into the man's abs, ducking under him. He turned around and quickly smacked the back of his head with the bottom of his knife. Without faltering or slowing his movements, he grabbed the girl's wrist, running back down the alley the way he had came. He pulled her arm, sending her a few feet ahead of him, and scooped his jacket up off the ground, slinging it over his shoulder. He caught up to her and grabbed her wrist again, pulling her into a new alley. He pulled her down that alley then darter around the corner and entered a new one, stopping only when he'd made sure the gang hadn't followed them. He stood in the shadow of the alley, looking down at the girl.

"Shit." he muttered, realizing he'd left his knife in the guy's stomach. Then he cocked his head at the young woman. Slipping back into his leather jacket, he asked "Who are you?"

This girl intrigued him. She had put on a brave front, but it was obvious she was terrified. He would have been, too. In fact, he was. The sight of the Shade Blade leader coming at him was enough to make him shiver at the memory. But he'd learned long ago this was no place for fear. 

[Jazmin]

Jaz gasped in slight surprise at the boy's quick motions, watching as the leader slumped forward and fell to the ground. She glanced over to see Eric rip free from the one holding him, and take off down the other direction.

With a yip of surprise, Jaz stumbled after the boy, gaining her footing just before he threw her forward. Her heels clapped the ground loudly, and she cursed herself for wearing them. They slowed her down too much.

But he was at her side in a flash again, taking her wrist and hauling her down the street. She tried to go faster, but her heels shot pain up the back of her legs with each step.

When they rounded a corner to another alley, she collapsed against a wall and slithered down its surface, kicking off her painful shoes.

"The name's Jazmin," she said, looking up at him. "But you can call me Jaz. Everyone does."

She glanced around the alley. "You're a pretty good fighter," she said casually. "You handle your knife pretty well. So what's your name then?"

Glancing around again, Jaz took in the details of the alley. They were definitely off Rose Street. She could tell by one crack that ran along the brick wall. The Shade Blades wouldn't come here. It was known to be a Drip alley.

Great, now we're in even deadlier territory, she thought. But Drips were hardly ever seen in the daylight, and they were hardly ever seen at all. Drips would also only take on one person at a time, so a team of two wasn't on their minds. For all she knew, there could be a small group of them watching, observing their every move, taking note of how they moved, how they spoke, to find their weak points and lock it in their minds.

Jazmin shuddered at the thought of being watched from the shadows, turning her eyes back up to the boy who saved her.

[Teddy<3]

Teddy chuckled. "Oh no, I'm definitely not a good fighter. I've developed that move over the years for a quick and easy escape. I can barely do anything else with a knife." he told her, wiping his knife on his jeans and putting the homemade sheath on, slipping it back into his boot. "I'm Teddy." he said, kneeling down in front of her.

He rested his head on his knee, watching her and the streets. He wouldn't risk being caught off guard. It was dangerous, especially with both of his weapons put away. He sighed, wishing he could afford a switchblade, but knowing it would be awhile. Unless he stole one. Which he wouldn't. 

Teddy's green/hazel eyes searched Jaz's. He liked her already, another loner just trying to get by. And --not like he's sexist--being a girl, she probably had to go through a lot more. Anyone would rather pick on a woman than a man.

Teddy stood, running his hand through his shaggy tan hair. That was the one thing he loved about his tight leather jacket and motorcycle boots, most people tried to stay away from him. Even he had to admit, he didn't look too friendly. Long tan hair with blonde streaks that hung in his eyes, curling at the ends, fit, slightly muscular, toned body, and an outfit that used to belong to a thug. It amazed him that Jazmin was so willing to go with him. Every other girl he'd ever helped ran away once they had an open path.

[Jazmin]

Jazmin lifted her thin eyebrows at Teddy. "You have a pretty wimpy name for such a mean lookin' guy, Teddy," she said, covering her mouth as a giggle escaped her. "You sound like a nice guy, though. Thanks for helping me out back there." She gave him a sweet smile.

Jazmin took in his appearance for the first time, realizing that he was, in fact, quite the catch. Sure, his hair could be cut, but the way it hung in his face was actually pretty cute. And he held himself so right.

Well, well, Jaz, she purred to herself, you either have your new best friend, or a hottie to hang on.

Smiling to herself, Jaz repositioned herself, sitting with her legs tucked under her. She began to finger through her hair, which had knotted in the run and while she was squirming. "So, Teddy, where are you from? I haven't seen you around. And, trust me, I know every face of every boy in this city. Just like Eric. He's that squirmy one. He's a good kid, but he's with the wrong crowd." She nodded herself, picturing the thin boy in her mind. He wasn't much of a looker, but he was a sweetheart. He was caring, and didn't believe in harming someone for the heck of it.

Unless he was high.

Jaz frowned. Poor kid. He can't help himself. She remembered when she had tried smoking. She had hated it in a heartbeat, but Eric had forced it on himself until he was addicted, because of problems at home.

Yeah, Jazmin was a smart girl. She knew almost everyone's story. But Teddy, well, he was a mystery.

[Teddy<3]

Teddy laughed at that. An all-out, head back, eyes closed, hearty laugh. He hadn't had one of those in a while, it felt good. "I'm sorry about my clothes. They used to be my dad's, and what can I say? They look good on me!" Teddy said, grinning.

He tipped his head to one side, watching Jaz. She made no efforts to hide her obvious skim of his body. And so he figured he may as well return the favor. Though he didn't look at her like she was a piece of meet, his cool gaze just rolled from her face to her toes. Of course, it stopped in spots every man looked at, but that couldn't be helped. He'd admit it, he was pretty pleased. She wasn't too bad looking, lovely black hair, nice body, and beautiful dark cocoa colored skin. He may as well give it a shot, these usually got a laugh at least.

Leaning his elbow against the wall, holding his head against his hand, crossing his ankles, he grinned down at her. "I must have died, because when you speak all I hear is the angels singing." His eyes sparkled in silent bouts of laughter as he gave her a crooked grin. He knew his hit-ons sucked, but he usually got the girl using them. He had never understood why.

[Jazmin]

Jazmin noticed how he stared at her. She wasn't at all bothered that he stared at her breasts. In fact, it made her feel a little better about herself that guys wanted to look there. Her mother hated that she wanted to be looked at like that, but Jazmin had just stopped listening by now to her mother's wishes.

Did he seriously just say that? Jazmin thought, just before tossing her head back and bursting into laughter.

"I didn't know you were poetic, too!" she said, pressing a finger to his chest. "Good looking, and classy. Well, it was a good day to be the damsel in distress, wasn't it?"

Grinning widely, flashing white teeth, Jaz playfully shoved him away. "Now, sweetie, answer my question. Where are you from? I haven't seen your cute ass around." That part slipped. Oops.

[Teddy<3]

Teddy chuckled. So now he had a cute ass? It worked for him. "I'm not too new, moved here about a month ago. I'm just busy and tend to avoid other people. And the alleys." he said, shrugging and pushing off the wall to stand in front of her. Teddy was one of those people who had to constantly move.
 
He grinned down at her, shaking his head impatiently and flicking his bangs out of his eyes. He smiled sheepishly. "I really need to cut my hair, don't I?" he asked.

Then stopped smiling, his face dead serious. He glanced at his watch, and saw the time. His dad might be getting home soon. Now he was stuck. Teddy had two choices, stay with the hot girl and risk getting in trouble, or go home and ruin his chances. Teddy almost laughed at that. He chose option 1, who cares about his father?

Then he glanced back down at Jaz, dropping to the ground beside her. He cocked his head -- an annoying habit he had whenever he was studying something -- at her again. Then growled. I'm doing it again! he thought in annoyance, he was trying to break that habit. It wasn't really working. With an inward sigh, he just shrugged away those thoughts. He'd work on it later.

"So Jaz, why haven't I seen you around?" he asked her, his grin crawling back onto his face. He could never stop smiling for long.

[Jazmin]

Jazmin smiled up at him with a nod about his hair. "But it suits you," she said.

Jazmin looked away while he was silent, inspecting the shadows again. She had always wanted to see a Drip, maybe even become friends with one, but they were so sneaky, so careful, and she wasn't even sure if they went to school!

His question made her attention switch to him. "Beats me," she said with a shrug, "I'm usually always outside, but I'm at the mall more than anything. I was actually on my way there before those thugs nabbed me." She frowned a little.

"Where were you on your way to?" she asked suddenly, realizing that Teddy seemed to have had a destination, not just wandering aimlessly.

[Teddy<3]

"Same. I was taking a longer walk to the mall. I need to get groceries, or I'll never eat." Teddy said and he jumped up. "Why don't you let me escort you there? I can't just leave a gorgeous girl like you to fend for herself." he added, holding a hand out to Jaz.

His thoughts were elsewhere as he grinned at her, his eyes faraway. He did this a lot, suddenly zone out and think about something completely off topic. Even more so lately, with the death of his brother.

Teddy stiffened, retracting his hand. Any signs of friendliness and happiness visibly fell from his face. He bit his bottom lip hard as the image of a young man very similar to Teddy, filed his mind. His older brother. His best friend. His partner in crime. His hero. from day one Teddy had worshipped his older brother, always wanted to be just like him. That's why he had let his brother convince him to play football in ninth grade. He had switched to track and basketball the next year, though. Tanner had always been there for Teddy, if their dad was really getting into hitting Teddy, Tanner stepped in. He had also scared their father, having once punched him in the gut hard enough to knock the fat bastard on his butt. So if his father got too violent, Tanner stepped in and the man immediately backed down.

Both of them had always looked after each other, it was Tanner who showed Teddy how to fight. And gave him the leather sheath he had.

Suddenly, Teddy felt the wall break down and the tears came out. He dropped to the ground, burying his face in his hands. How could Tanner leave him? With no excuse? He was cruel and selfish. Teddy couldn't survive on his own, he needed his brother.