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+---- Thread: [CW] Night terror (/showthread.php?tid=1062)
Night terror - Tristan Wells - 09-06-2025
[CW: Violence]
The tiled roofs began to patter, softly at first, then louder, as the cold drizzle gave way to cold rain. It wet the paving slabs along the main street below and puddled in the road, cooling the air and sending a fresh breeze into the surrounding network of dark and narrow lanes, yards and ghauts. As it brushed by the barely distinguishable figure of a man on the ground, it roused him a little – enough remind him, briefly, that he should get out of here; not enough to get him to actually move. It would be some time before the rain got him. The alley was too narrow for the drops to touch him were he lay. They would slowly work their way down along the brick walls or find a quicker path down a drain pipe and run away along a narrow ditch. There was already something wet under his hip, but then again, the alley did stink of urine. Whether it had been there when he fell or whether he had lost control of his own bladder, he couldn’t remember. Nor did he care much.
It was the kind of slum alley that a gentleman had no business finding himself in, much less so after dark. But here Tristan lay, curled up on the cold, dirty pavement, still unable to get up. It wasn’t the pain. Not the black eye, the bust lip, the pain in his head, his ribs, his stomach, his legs. It was there, but hardly it registered. It could have been somebody else’s. He still lay there because despite the dropping temperature and the threat of rain, he had to protect his vital organs from more kicks and punches. All was quiet around him except for the vague pitter-patter above, but Tristan’s arms still covered his head. His legs were still drawn up to his chest. Protect the vital organs!
RE: Night terror - John Blacke - 09-06-2025
John had been out for a few hours. He didn't tell anyone this but he missed the damp air & freshness of the coast after having spent so long in India. John had to leave whitby before he ended up like the Longbottom kid. His mother would never have forgiven him if he ended up in jail. Even if his father kept his now time secret from the others in the family.
The smells didn't phase John in the slightest. It was like being back in the streets of India. Just less shit on the streets. John felt something wasn't sitting right. Like he was walking into an ambush. His body automatically went to his training. He was scanning the area for targets or enemy forces. knock it off John. This isn't India. You don't need to be on tender hooks he thought to himself. He looked down alleyway and that's when he say the shape of someone on the cobbles.
John paused and took a second glance. His body already tense. Expecting another fight while he was home. He shouldn't have attacked the reporter but no one messes with johns siblings. He would have used his last breath to protect anyone of them and put the danger on him. He edged closer to the figure. The gentleman he could make out now was clearly in pain.
wait a minute he thought. That looks like the doctor who was treating Pippa. He made his way closer before he could make out who it was. He knelt down beside him now aware he was right and spoke gently "Doc. What the hell happened to you. Are you alright"
RE: Night terror - Tristan Wells - 09-06-2025
The pattern of the rain seemed to change. There was a tap, tap, tap. Louder. Not rain. Footfalls. Approaching. Was he back to finish him!? Tristan balled up tighter. The person stopped. He could feel someone kneeling. A voice.
It wasn’t his attacker. There was kindness in the voice. Was he safe at last?
He didn’t move. “Are they gone?” he hissed.
RE: Night terror - John Blacke - 09-06-2025
Johns army senses kicked in and he scanned around him resting his hand on Tristans shoulder. He scanned the windows and doorways around him. The coast was clear before returning his thoughts to the injured man. "Yeah they have all gone. There's only me and you here. Are you alright? Can you stand? Can you wall?"
RE: Night terror - Tristan Wells - 09-06-2025
Later, Tristan would probably be ashamed to admit it, but right then, the hand on his shoulder was just what he needed. It made him feel safe. Oddly, just then, he began to tremble. "Aye..." he said in a shaky voice, slowly uncurling from his fetal position. "I think so."
He did not think there was any spinal injury, but still he moved slowly, paying attention to the areas in his body that hurt. Now that the worst fear subsided, the full pain kicked in. Still, it didn't feel like any of the bruises on his torso were life threatening. It was the head he was most concerned about.
He managed to sit up at last, looking at the Good Samaritan. His vision was clear enough at least. "Mr. Blacke... Didn't expect you here..." he said with a desperate lightness. "I... think I need to sit for a moment." He drew heavy, shaky breaths.
Oh, God. He stank of piss.
RE: Night terror - John Blacke - 09-06-2025
John gave him a quick glance over looking for the obvious but saw nothing. No bleeding. Only bruises that was a good sign. He nodded "Call me John. Last person to call me Mr Blacke was threatening me with handcuffs" he teased. He thought deeply got a minute "to be honest I nearly walked by and didn't see you. Something didn't feel right" he once again scanned the street "take your time doc. Take aslong as you need. Someone's done a serious number on you. Your the last person I expected to see in a street with the shit kicked out them" he caught himself and spoke "sorry for the language"
RE: Night terror - Tristan Wells - 09-06-2025
It was evident that this 'John' and he had very different backgrounds. It wasn't just the language and the free way of talking. Tristan wouldn't dream of addressing a near stranger by their first name. But a dark alley with 'the shit kicked out of him' was hardly a place to argue about etiquette. Tristan was happy that he was still alive. He had thought...
He pushed the terrifying memory away.
"Don't worry about it," he said with a wry smile - something he immediately regretted on account of his bust lip. "I... thought I'd take a short cut." A short cut to where? "Stupid of course... Got mugged." He closed his eyes and frowned.
RE: Night terror - John Blacke - 09-06-2025
John nodded "yeah. I get that. Sadly you are the type they prey on down here. Most families down here......make money illegally. Pick pocketing. Muggings etc. They relay on people not knowing the streets. Most families down here. Well doc. They are just trying to survive and stay alive." He nodded to him "let me know when you feel able and we will get you home and get your wounds treated"
RE: Night terror - Tristan Wells - 09-06-2025
He said nothing to Mr. Blacke's explanation. There was nothing to say. He just wanted to forget the entire thing.
"Aye..." he muttered. "I think I'm good." He drew up his knees and, using the wall behind him for balance, he managed to scramble to his feet. Well that felt... the the absolute worst he had ever felt.
"Pippa..." he suddenly remembered. "Miss Danes, I mean, she can't know. She can't see me like this..." The alley spun.
RE: Night terror - John Blacke - 09-06-2025
John nodded "mums the word doc" he moved closer to him to support him "here doc lean on me before you take a header. Let's get you back and get you cleaned up" he looked over him and kept scanning the area around him "let's get you in the warm and dry. Get you out of these wet clothes"