Falling - Benny and Nina - An Adapted In The Heights Roleplay (COMPLETE)

25 - Falling in the Dark

The lights went out, the music stopped, the AC cut out. A Blackout.

Just what Benny needed, great.

"NINA" Benny screamed, as loud as he could muster. "NINA, WHERE'D YOU GO." He needed to make sure he was safe. He instantly regretted asking Nina to find Usnavi. He needed to know if she was safe, what if someone else was doing the same thing to her as the guy who had punched Benny had done. So many thoughts rushed through his head. Still clutching onto his side, he called "NINA, I CAN'T FIND YOU." desperation in his voice again. Tears stinging his eyes. What if he didn't find her.

Nina didn't hear anything. In the commotion of the blackout, it was hard to hear anything, not to mention that she was blocking out much of everything.

Benny ran towards the club door, everyone was pushing and shoving to get out, so he assumed Nina would be in amongst them. It was getting very hot and stuffy inside the club due to the AC not working. Eventually the doors of the club opened, and everyone rushed outside calling each other's names. He continued to yell Nina's name. He hoped that she was calling his name somewhere, so he could hear her if possible. He wouldn't know what he'd do with himself if Nina got hurt.

Through thick tears, she cried, "Benny! Usnavi! Vanessa! Anyone?" but no one came. In anguish, she threw herself upon the club floor. Despite the people rushing to the door, she stayed on the floor. Somehow, she managed not to get trampled.

People started to clear, he saw Usnavi in the distance. He ran up to him, "Usnavi" Benny yelled as he tackled him in a hug. "Have you seen Nina? I've not seen her since I sent her to find you, and then the Blackout happened and now she's nowhere to be seen."

"No, I haven't seen her since she ran ahead of me to check you were alright, after she told me you needed help."

Vanessa was pushed around by all the people while looking for Usanvi. "Usnavi! Help me! P-Please!" She ran around frantically searching for him. Shouts came from everywhere. Names for loved ones, cries of help, and shrieks of terrifiedness. Though all the yelling you could hear glass breaking from every end of the barrio.

Benny ran all over the Barrio looking for Nina, where was she, she can't have gone far. He decided to head back to the club to see if she was around there.

As the final people cleaned out of the stuffy building, Nina stayed on the floor, weeping. She was too weak to go on, perhaps, too weak in general.

As Benny reached the club again he called out to Nina again, the streets had cleared significantly, making it quieter and hopefully easier for her to hear his calls.

Nina didn't hear anything, but continued to wail, "Benny, Benny!" into the inky darkness of the club. She was damaged. Oh, so damaged.

Benny faintly heard his name, he followed the noise. As he found himself nearing the club, he knew Nina must have been in there. The wailing got louder as he got nearer. His heart shattered. She sounded hurt, possibly injured if not physically definitely emotionally. "Nina, are you there?" He called as he was just outside the club. "Where are you? Nina!"

She wasn't sure if she was hurt physically or emotionally. It was a blurred line. Her sobs turned to whimpers of her boyfriend's name. Though she felt pain in her ribs from sobbing so much, she ignored it. Even if she tried, she wouldn't be able to stop.

Benny ran towards the club his heart pounding. When he reached the club he slowly walked in and paused just in front of the door. He couldn't see a thing. He was blind from the darkness. "Nina? Are you there? Are you okay? Nina?" Concern growing in his voice.

Finally, she heard him. She opened her mouth, but found herself unable to speak, overcome with teary hiccups.

Benny heard the sobs, and hiccups, he slowly took some steps closer. As the tears grew louder Benny kept stepping towards the noise. "Nina? Please talk to me, are you there?"