Red - A Warriors Fan Fic

Mending

 It had been the hardest two weeks you've ever experienced. From flashbacks to horrifying nightmares of what had happened with the Eliminators, you were driving yourself insane.

Ajax remained by your side through it all, and as much as the others wanted to help; he wouldn't let them. Your body had seemed to fully recover, and you were walking without any limp.

Tonight was the middle of the week, and the boys were out on night patrol. This was the first night since you arrived back home, that Ajax had finally left your side and joined your brothers for watch.

You took this new freedom to leave his room and head for the living area. You poked your head around a couple corners to look for Mercy, but she was out working on the street.

Being on bed rest for so long caused you to really pay attention to the people in this house's activities and drama.

Mercy was paid for her body. She'd sleep with them, or just go out to dinners with lonely men. You found this out one night when Ajax had been in the living area, while Swan and Mercy argued in their bedroom. Their wall ran parallel to Ajax's so you could hear them almost clearly.

Other things you overheard were realizations that some people in this crib didn't like one another, some had girlfriends now, and a few parties they had. The boys who had disagreements most often with each other were Ajax and Fox of course, and Vermin and Mercy.

Cowboy himself had attained a girl you noticed. She came around every couple days and would pop in with him to check in on you. She seemed nice enough but you could sense something was off about her; you weren't sure what yet.

You still hadn't uttered a word since your return, and it was beginning to bother a few of the boys; Rembrandt especially.

Since you had nothing to do now, and had a few hours to spare; you decided to leave the outfit for the first time. You pulled over a jean jacket and left your colours behind; you weren't ready yet for those.

You slid on your boots and tied them up, closing the front door behind you. You headed down the echoing metal staircase, down through the front entryway. You looked on either side of the door before fully walking out, knowing full well if Ajax saw you he'd flip shit. But you were in the clear.

You walked on for a minute or so breathing in the fresh air with enthusiasm. You didn't realize how much you needed this until you felt the cooling air hit your nose.

After about twenty minutes of walking around and taking it all in. You realized you felt a fire burning inside of you; a good one. This was the first time you truly felt something besides shame and sadness, that you felt you had to go with it. It told you to stop by the liquor store. So you did.

You handed the cashier a few coins and placed your clear bottle of vodka in a paper baggy from the counter. You unscrewed the cap and took a swig, ignoring the disapproving remarks of the man behind the counter. "Take that out of here. Ain't no drinking in public, missy!" He yelled at your back, as you exited his shop. He wouldn't dare have said that if you had your vest.

You took a few more swigs and walked until you saw another shop. You walked in that one and purchased yourself a couple packs of squares, lighting one up right away and tucking the pack in your breast pocket.

You took a few sips of booze, inhaled a few puffs of smoke, until you were beginning to feel lighter; almost happy. It was good enough. You continued to chase this feeling when you came across a couple girls your age, standing on the corner selling themselves like Mercy did.