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Post by *James Silvius on Jul 17, 2008 22:19:01 GMT -5
James walked tentatively into the pub. What was he doing in such a place? The small room was smoky. James couldn't suppress a cough. The 18 year old boy clearly didn't belong here. He never touched a cigarette in his life. He also never experienced being drunk before. The only alcohol he allowed into his body, and just once, was a glass of wine. But even that had made him a little dizzy.
Men of various sizes glared at the boy from their tables, most if not all of them clutching a glass of beer. Even though these burly looking guys weren't vampires, James couldn't help but feel intimidated. The only thing that kept him walking farther into nomad's land was his promise to meet Caleb here.
James was brand new to the pack. Caleb was there just a little before him, he knew for a fact. He was even around James' own age. He didn't know him too well, but hopefully tonight would change that. Maybe it's a mistake, he thought, I know the guy's a trouble maker, maybe worse than me. It was too late to turn back now. James carefully placed himself on the edge of a stool at a back table. Ready or not, he was coming.
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Post by caleb on Jul 18, 2008 20:31:56 GMT -5
"Ready or not... Here... I... Go!"
The end of the cue hit the ball with sharp clack, and Caleb drew back with a smug look on his face at the neatly curved execution. Puffing out smoke through his nose like a dragon satisfied with his kill, and indeed he was. Jean clad hip leaning against the well worn edge of the pool table, the werewolf presented the perfect picture of casual contentment with just a hint of hammed up arrogance to get a rile out of his now sulking 'friendly' competition.
"Eight ball in corner pocket... Fill 'er up sweetheart."
No one here had enough dosh to play for money, so instead they paid with rounds of any poison of your choice. Tonight; Fire whiskey. Tossing the poured shot down his throat with barely a wince, Caleb practically purred at the heat that traveled down his throat and settled in his gut... It surely couldn't get any better than this.
Neon lights twisted into various messages painted skin tones in a thousand colours, making plain people look like fae-folk in the midst of a gathering. The smoke acted like a floating screen, foggy curtains that gave the illusion of intimacy and privacy while still maintaining enough presence to intimidate when needed. Something was playing on the jukebox, something low, full of bass and had a good beat to it, adding rhythm to the lethargic atmosphere of lounge lizards nursing their drinks.
So maybe it wasn't the Ritz, not with the floor littered in peanut shells, cigarette butts and goodness knew what else. Stains and suspicious markings on the walls that never were questioned. But the young lupine loved it. It somehow made him feel more... human. And if he could get a few extra appreciative looks by dropping his shoulder and tilting his hip just right, it just added to the perks.
He loved the pack, really he did. But like with every family, he just sometimes needed to get away. And speaking of which...
Sharp blue eyes, tinged with gold dilated at a familiar scent, identified through the heavy haze of smoke and testosterone. And just as expected, an equally familiar mop of dark hair could be seen weaving its way towards him. Too bad there was a brick wall of human flesh blocking the way, on purpose.
That just wouldn't do.
Shoving himself off the table to his feet, the wolf saunters over and ever so casually uses the cue in his hand to stay a behemoth of a man about to get active. Caleb may not be tall and full of bulk, but he made sure that his body language did the talking for him.
"Pardon, pardon... Woah there Shamu," he drawled, blowing out smoke through the cigarette dangling from his lips, " Howsabout we leave the jailbait alone aye? Not worth your time mate."
His words were emphasszed with a little prodding of the cue stick and pointed look, and soon enough the humans went back about their business. One quick look around to make sure no one would challenge him ,then Caleb turned back to his fellow pack member with a grin and eyebrow waggle.
"Glad ya could make it Scrappy Doo," he teased and jerked his head towards the bar, "C'mon, y'look like you could use a stiff one."
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Post by *James Silvius on Jul 18, 2008 21:08:09 GMT -5
James was mortified. This boisterous boy poking people aside with a pool cue could not be his pack member. This was most certainly a mistake. James could smell alcohol off his breath and a lot of it. He cringed away. He wanted to bury himself a hole and never come out after witnessing the ill-mannered public display Caleb made.
People were glaring at him now because Caleb was talking to him. James tried out the look which said 'I have no idea who this guy is' but gave up. His cover was already walloped away by hearty winds a hurricane would bolt away screaming from. His only thought now was Oh god he's going to get me killed.
James' face paled at the offer Caleb made. He would not drink anything. First, he was underage by three years. Second, he would have to be sober to yank Caleb out of any bar fights, and a fight was a promise hanging in the air. "Uhm, Caleb? I don't think I should be drinking. I mean, I don't have a fake ID or anything and I don't look 21 at all," he said cautiously. But his efforts were most likely feeble. He knew Caleb would find a way. Caleb always found a way.
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Post by caleb on Jul 18, 2008 22:34:04 GMT -5
Poor James, no matter what he did to try and shoo the fly off his shoulder, it just came buzzing back with a vengeance.
"Uhm, Caleb? I don't think I should be drinking. I mean, I don't have a fake ID or anything and I don't look 21 at all,"
An eyebrow shot up and one corner of the grin curled up even further, he chuckled softly and shook his head in a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"Who said anything about a fake ID? Stuff like that could get ya arrested," he said as he thrust his pool cue into the hands of a random person passing by, "And besides, fakin your age is so last week..."
A last drag of his cigarette before he flung it somewhere behind him, not even bothering to look at where it landed.
"I just so happen to know the bartender."
Wrapping an arm over slim shoulders he practically dragged James over to the bar, snagging another nicotine stick on his way from an unsuspecting person who was far too interested in his lady friend to notice. Caleb wondered if he should be a good citizen and warn the besotted man that his current affair was pumping out way too much testosterone for a female...
Nah.
"Watch an learn young padawan," he whispered to James as he unbuttoned his shirt a little more, "Lesson one, always get friendly with the help."
Hopping up on a barstool he leaned forward and smiled sweetly at the burly barkeep, propping his chin on intertwined fingers.
"Ello Antoine luv, could ya be a darling and get a couple of goodies for me and my pal?" as he spoke he helped himself to a candied cherry and oh-so-slowly let it sink into his mouth, "S'il vous plait mon big beefy dreamboat?"
Big wide puppy eyes, batting lashes and pouting lips soon got the drinks faster than Caleb could blink and then the 'dreamboat' was off to serve another patron.
"Merci Mon-Sewer!" he called out, desecrating the language without remorse and he turned back to James, patting the seat beside him.
"Sit yourself down Scrappy Doo, this oughta put some hair on your chest... Well your human chest anyway."
Oh yes, tonight was turning out to be pretty productive.
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Post by *James Silvius on Jul 19, 2008 13:07:30 GMT -5
Caleb leaped into action before James could lift a finger. He considered taking off while his back was turned, but thought better of it. Pack member's watched each other's backs. He would keep an eye on Caleb for Patrick's sake.
James apologized to the unlucky man who got a stick shoved in his hands. James gulped when he noticed his bursting muscles, but took the cue anyway and placed it gently on the table as he passed it. James never cleaned anyone's messes like this before. Usually, it was the other way around.
He groaned inwardly as Caleb butchered the beautiful French language. But as promised, he got his paws on the the poisonous liquid. James obeyed Caleb and warily perched on the edge of the stool like before, his body language screaming that he wasn't comfortable sitting at a bar.
Scrappy Doo?
Caleb called him this twice already. He didn't like it, but didn't object either. He'd let him have his fun. James lightly picked up the glass with both hands and took the smallest sip and choked. Whatever was in this, his throat didn't want it sliding down into his stomach.
"I don't know how to day this, but I'm not exactly a fan of these types of drinks. But thanks anyway, I'll scrape up the money to pay you back for it."
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Post by caleb on Jul 19, 2008 20:31:59 GMT -5
It may not look like it, but despite Caleb's seemingly carefree and careless manner, he was every bit as alert as a wolf on the hunt. Had anyone tried anything on the other wolf, he would have been right in their face faster than they could breathe. Caleb only ever allowed himself to get punch drunk when he was alone, otherwise he remained ever watchful and vigilant.
Especially with James who'd gotten him out of a few sticky situations before, Caleb would have his back...
Literally, as he patted said back when the other wolf began to choke.
"That's the spirit! Deep breaths and just swig the whole thing back, s'not like your wine eh? None of that fancy sipping shite, or y'gag on it."
Caleb grinned as he gave James' back one last hearty pat.
"I don't know how to day this, but I'm not exactly a fan of these types of drinks. But thanks anyway, I'll scrape up the money to pay you back for it."
A pointed finger taps the other boy on the nose.
"You're not payin for a thing y'hear me Scrappy? This one's on me, s'on my tab y'see?" he grinned and flicked his eyes over to where the bartender was busy cleaning glasses, "Ol' Antoine there owes me for a free ride I gave him one night when he was outta dosh. That and I grace him with my presence ever so often."
He chuckled and buttoned up his shirt again.
"Y'think I'd been flashing him some eye-poppin cleavage to get a reaction like that."
The wolf could sense James' unease, almost taste his apprehension and he rolled his eyes as he gave him a good nudge, "C'mon James, y'gotta learn how t'lighten up. Live a little will ya? S'what separates us from the dead, or undead right?"
Lighting up the permanently borrowed cigarette, he took a good long drag and turned his head to blow the smoke away from his companion.
"Besides, if you're worried bout getting tipsy later, I'll be driving ya back!"
He said it with so much conviction, it would have been bordering on serious if it weren't for the twinkle in bright sapphire irises.
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Post by *James Silvius on Jul 20, 2008 11:45:30 GMT -5
James looked up disgusted when he felt Caleb's big hand pounding his slender shoulders. He was not going to drink this anymore. If he took one more sip he was sure he would throw up. Swig the whole thing? Was the wolf insane? James was right. He was going to kill him.
When James looked at Caleb again he received a tap on the nose. James blinked. Didn't Caleb's words sound slurred to him? Well maybe it was just his accent. James shrugged. Caleb was frustrated with him. It was rolling off of him like steam. He just couldn't bring himself to say or do half the things this wolf did. The attempts would fail miserably.
Caleb would be driving him back? Caleb?. James asked himself an important question: Do I value my life? The answer was yes, yes he did. This could not be his designated driver for the night. If he was going to get in a car with Caleb then he would be the one to drive.
A faint scent in the air dismissed any further thought on driving. Vampire. James' body tensed up and he carefully moved his eyes around the smoky room. He didn't turned his head, but instead used his peripheral vision. James gulped. There in the back. The man who Caleb referred to as "Shamu" was locking eyes with James, undoubtedly Caleb, too, the kid who insulted the mountain of a man.
"Shamu" didn't even cover it. It looked like while the boys were having their... fun, Shamu called in reinforcements. He was flanked by two other vampires who were just as big as he was, maybe slightly smaller. "Well Caleb, I think you got your wish. The night just got more interesting," James said wearily.
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Post by caleb on Jul 21, 2008 3:02:05 GMT -5
Caleb couldn't help but feel a little guilty for dragging his pack-brother out like this, if anything James looked like he'd never want anything to do with the blond werewolf ever again. But really, he was only trying to get the guy to loosen up. What with his own track record of getting into sticky situations, you'd think that James would be a little more fun-loving. Then again, he really couldn't blame the other boy for his disposition.
Their lives weren't exactly cushy.
He almost snorted with laughter at the look James gave him.
The perfect mix of incredulous and sheer horror.
Better set some things straight.
"Look James," he said with a kind smile, "There are three things I am never too drunk or outta m'head to do," and he held up three fingers to make his point, "And that is Fight, Flee and F..."
Brows furrowed for a minute as he thought about the last F-word over.
"Actually, no, skip the last one and we'll just say uh, Fang cleaning."
Funny that despite how much he liked to flirt, Caleb could never bring himself to actually go the whole way. Or they did and he just wasn't sober enough to realise it happened. Then he'd wake the next morning in some stranger's bed without a clue about the night's activities.
So much for special first times.
He wasn't lying about the rest though. While he enjoyed the high he could get from harder liquor, he made it a strict rule to never get to that level of euphoria when he was on the road, in the ring or on the hunt. He lost his father, he wasn't going to lose his pack.
The scent made his nostrils flare and his eyes dilate just a bit.
Through the bar noises he could sense the slow approach from behind, along with the lack of heart beat and body warmth. And that sickly sweet smell of decay clued him in on their new admirers. Caleb could feel his blood begin to pump fast with adrenaline and anticipation, tints of gold seeping into wild cornflower-blue eyes.
"Well Caleb, I think you got your wish. The night just got more interesting,"
That grin grew wide enough to impress Jaws, canines glinting under the dim lighting. "Well James, I think we shouldn't be rude aye? Let's be hospitable like and , greet our new friends."
Spinning round lazily in his seat, Caleb leaned back against the bar with an air of lazy arrogance, smirking that damnable trademark smirk of his.
"Ello gents, sorry t'disappoint you but the Barbie convention is down the other end of the street."
The next thing he knew it, he was flung by the neck over the bar with a resounding crash... Just the thing Caleb was waiting for. Sure he was a little sore (glass, boys and girls a good cushion does not make) ,but this time he couldn't say that he'd started the fight first.
Let it never be said he couldn't plan ahead.
Standing up and shaking off bits of glass, he cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders, still smirking with a manic gleam in his eyes.
"Bleedin hell Shamu, ya slap like a bitch..."
And with a mental apology for bitches everywhere, Caleb pounced on the hulking vampire with growling howl.
Let the madness begin.
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Post by *James Silvius on Jul 21, 2008 13:11:43 GMT -5
James wasn't paying attention to anything Caleb was telling him with something about Fangs. Ah well, it won't matter in just a few seconds anyway. The two wolves would engage in fight, the small room would go nuts, and the three titanic vamps would beat them like eggs.
This is what he'd been waiting for. A fight. Nothing like violence to bring two boys together, he thought. James' eyes widened and he had the urge to slap Caleb who was verbally abusing the vamps. These types of creatures were not the types to exchange petty words with.
Quite suddenly, Caleb was tossed over the bar. James stood up, fury taking control. Caleb bounced right back and jumped Shamu. This left the other scrawny wolf to deal with the other two vamps who were converging on him with sickly smile's.
James had to think. He couldn't go wolf here or innocent people could get hurt. Already civilians were fleeing the premises. Some of the burly guys who thought they were brave ran up to the vamps to help but all they received was a swift punch in the face and they were unconcious.
The two vamps lunged at James from opposite sides. James performed a spinning kick and got one in the face but the other pounced on James and proceeded to squeeze the air out of his lungs. The vamp James kicked in the nose recovered and went to go help his friend with suffocating James.
Quick thinking got the small wolf out of the predicament. He jammed his foot on the vamp who had him in a vice strong grip. He released his grip just enough for James to squirm out. He grabbed the other vampire by his shirt and attempted to toss him, but he was much too heavy.
The vampire simply turned around, lifted James over his head and hurled the wolf across the room where he slammed into the wall and fell on his stomach. The air whooshed from his lungs and he heard a faint crack. The two vamps were coming at him again and James had seconds to get up. His torso screamed and protested. He'd broken a rib.
James leaned against the wall. The vamps were so close now he could smell their putrid breath. He needed help. He couldn't take both of these guys down alone, especially with his rib.
"CALEB!"
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Post by caleb on Jul 22, 2008 23:23:42 GMT -5
"See? This is how y'beat someone up Shamu."
His voice was almost jovial as he punched the large vampire hard in the jaw, satisfied with the loud crack and the spurt of dark claret. Straddling a chest that was now heaving in pain, Caleb didn't look as neat as he did before. A bruised cheek, bleeding lip and black eye were all testaments to a hard fight... He even had a feeling that his right shoulder was slightly dislocated.
"And here's somethin else I can teach ya before you die... Again."
Grabbing Shamu's necktie, he made quick work of it and soon had the vampire held fast by the neck on the leg of the table.
"Ties make for good nooses! Now, let's see what kinda songs this birdie can sing aye?" he smiled down coldly at the vampire as he brandished his favorite Winchester Riot dagger, pointing the sharp tip on a pale nose.
"Eenie, meenie, minee..."
"CALEB!"
His head shot up sharply to find James being cornered, and a bright new burst of anger exploded in his chest when he scented familiar blood that didn't belong to either one of the vamps.
"T'be continued." he said quickly before punching the vampire hard across the jaw.
Up on his feet, he swiftly made his way over to the other fight, plucking the wine bottle out from the loose hold of the only man remaining in the bar .The fact that he was slumped over the table and out cold might have something to do with it.
"Mind if I borrow this mate, thanks."
Two strides in and he tapped both vampires on the shoulder to get them to turn around.
"'Ere now, that's no way to treat a lad."
He snarked, and swung the bottle heavily into their faces, kicking out and sending one rolling into a broken table while he shoved the other in the opposite direction.
Once he was sure they wouldn't be up and at'em too soon, he reached out and steadied his injured pack-brother by the arm.
"Easy there Scrappy, ya alright now."
Gold tainted blues cast disdainful looks at the two groaning blood-drinkers before he turned to give James a nasty grin.
"What say we torch em eh? Shouldn't let our friends wander Paris all cold."
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Post by *James Silvius on Jul 23, 2008 12:36:20 GMT -5
Caleb came at the last second. James wasn't complaining, he was just grateful he came at all. It was fascinating how he could incapacitate both of those vampires at once. Perhaps if James' rib wasn't broken, he could have figured out a way to do that too.
James hated vampires. He had a reason to fight but he had this uncanny way of losing most of them. He noticed that started happening ever since he met Litte and started dating her. Now every time he looked at a vampire he would unconsciously tell himself, They're just like Litte.
The problem was, they weren't just like her. Litte was a good vampire and James forced her to become an animal drinker. She obeyed him because she loved him. He just had to start fighting first and think later. James felt Caleb grab his arm.
He put his weight on Caleb carefully, knowing that he must have some bad injuries himself. James grinned at Caleb's words. "No, it would be a shame if they were cold." James put an arm around his torso and limped behind the bar.
He snatched three bottles of some sort of alcohol, limped back, and saturated the vampires with the liquid he so much hated. "You got a light?" he asked Caleb, turning his big brown eyes toward his brother.
James knew very well that the pub could go ka-boom easily. He partly didn't care about this. Only one man was left in the pub now. Caleb could easily grab the guy and James could walk slowly after him.
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Post by caleb on Jul 24, 2008 13:54:44 GMT -5
Carefully helping James over to the bar, the blond couldn't help but use that opportunity to aim a good kick at Sahmu's squirming leg... Not because he was cruel, besides, that hulk of undead flesh was trying to trip him first. Caleb had no sympathy for these soulless beings, not when they were constantly out to drain populations without remorse.
Tragically misunderstood creatures his arse.
As James went about giving the vampire's their last drink, Caleb lit up a cigarette (charitably donated by vamp goon no.1) and exhaled with a satisfied hiss. So what if precious liquid was going to go up in flames? It was for a darn good cause and Caleb's father had always been a big believer in doing unto others...
"Alright mate, it's time to get going eh?"
Loping over to the drunken man, he hoisted him up and slung him over an uninjured shoulder without much ceremony.
"H-has the party *HIC* e-ended yet?"
Caleb chuckled at the slurred voice and shook his head.
"Nah, gotta wait for the fireworks first... We gonna have ourselves a bonfire!" he sighed happily and set his wined-up cargo down outside the bar, away from danger. Buttoning up the man's jacket before he went back in to join his pack brother.
"You got a light?"
A snicker and grin that could only be described as evilly cheeky, and he handed James his lit cigarette with a final puff. An eyebrow raised to waggle mischievously.
"Y'always did tell me that smoking was bad for my health... Guess it applies to everyone eh?"
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Post by *James Silvius on Jul 25, 2008 19:47:10 GMT -5
James grinned down viciously at Shamu when he and Caleb passed him. The smile didn't belong to the kind-hearted 18 year old boy. It belonged completely to the wolf in him; The wolf who desperately wanted all vampires, including Litte, to die a most painful death. This scared James more than anything. Once he realized his control had slipped for just one second, he shuddered violently.
That beast must never come out. It would mean the death of anyone close to him. Especially his vamp girlfriend. But it was getting harder every single day. The control... Once he'd unleashed it, the wolf got more and more bloodthirsty each time. It even told James, if he didn't complete his mission that James vowed to complete over his families death, then it would do it himself.
There were some days when James just wanted the full moon wolf to just come out. The only thought that stopped it was Litte. If he ever hurt her, he would kill himself. But this was the only thing stopping him. He could just imagine the power he would have if he let the beast loose. He would be unstoppable. He would truly fulfill his mission in that sort of state and avenge his family. But it was just the balance between good and evil. You could die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
James stared down coldly at the bloodsuckers. It was that much he could spare for the furry fiend inside his chest. This moment will feel so good to him. Watching them burn. All of them. "Burn in hell," he spat venomously. James took the cigarette and let it "slip" from his hands and onto the alcohol covered floor.
Results were immediate. Blue flames shot up and rushed to envelope the three bodies in their fury. The vamps began screaming. James loved it. He basked in it. He turned his back on the shrieks and faced Caleb. Slinging an arm around Caleb's good shoulder and leaning himself against him, he said, "Let's get out of here."
(( Did I just use a line from the Dark Knight movie? Why yes, yes I did. And it felt GREAT! ))
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Post by caleb on Jul 27, 2008 10:09:12 GMT -5
Thankfully for Caleb, it wasn't so much the trouble with controlling his inner lupine. Not when they both wanted to see every vampire burn into cinders. Good meal, good hunt, good company and shelter were pretty much all that the wolf had demanded for so far. With the minor compromise of Caleb's inability to curb his drinking and smoking habits... Who'd have thought the beast was a health nut?
Otherwise he carried no guilt with him for the havoc he unleashed, no burden to bear when it came to the simple dispatching of these blood-drinkers. To him they were dead, shells of their former selves that would stop at nothing to sate their hunger for what their mortal brethren held below the skin.
Vampire bad.
Easy as that.
Things for James however, weren't so black and white as far as he could tell. Not after he met with that new chit of his... Though what he ever saw in her, Caleb will probably never know, nor understand. Which is why he let James take hold of the cigarette, he could tell that his pack brother needed to do this... A sort of therapy. To remind himself of what really mattered despite the strange twists that came in the way.
"Burn in hell,"
And Caleb couldn't have put it any better.
Offering a mock salute to the thrashing bulks of fire as he and James watched them turn to dust.
"Damn, I shoulda brought marshmallows."
He laughed and waggled his brows as James turned back.
"Gee, ain't I a stinker?"
"Let's get out of here."
Broad grin and firm nod as he wrapped his arm around James' torso and led them both out of the burning pub, patting the other wolf gently on the back.
"I'll drive."
(( XD Yes you did! And I used a line from Bugs Bunny!))
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Post by *James Silvius on Jul 27, 2008 16:36:27 GMT -5
Caleb's comment about the marshmallows lightened him up a little. Maybe it was a good thing to befriend this wolf. He could use the dark humor every once in a while. It would keep him sane in this insane world. James loved the smell of the burning vamps. He savored it. He could bathe in it if he wanted to. It was the scent of a victory.
It wasn't everyday James got to put down three bottom feeders in a night. He had to enlist help if he wanted to torch more than one, maybe two. Again, it depended on the size. James did his best to put the least weight on Caleb as possible as he helped him out.
James sighed. Yes, Caleb would drive. "Fine. But first let me pop that shoulder back in for you," James stopped, lowered himself gently on the concrete floor, and invited Caleb to do the same. James gripped his wrist with both hands and glanced up at him. "Ready?"
James didn't wait for a response. He yanked Caleb's arm hard and fast. It was probably the best to do it this way. It would hurt, hell yeah, but it was better if he caught him by surprise. James was satisfied when he thought he could hear a faint pop.
He turned his eyes back on Caleb's face. "Sorry, Scooby" he apologized, trying to lighten the mood. Working fast now, James removed his shirt, ripped it open, tore a long piece off, tied it into a sling and offered it to Caleb. He wouldn't be able to use it while he drove but it would be there if his arm needed a break.
James wrapped the remains of his shirt around his torso, knotted it, and pulled it tightly. This made him flinch, but it provided a temporary type of splint for him to support his broken rib. James stood. "Ok, let's go."
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