District 1
Heterosexual
24 Years Old
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Bartender/Bouncer/Entertainer/Mercenary
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Over Reaping Age
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Aug 31, 2020 7:13:06 GMT -7
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Post by Elias R. Jagger on Sept 26, 2017 16:13:01 GMT -7
Eli wasn't in a hurry to find another job. He liked spending time with Emilia. They'd go to the closest park at night, sometimes they would get dinner from a place that had pasta and pizza, a restaurant they had discovered a week after moving in. Their favorite was spaghetti meatballs and somehow, Emilia got it into her head that it would taste really good with some sliced hot dogs, so the owners would always add sliced hot dogs to their spaghetti. It was actually pretty good and they became a regular. This past week alone they had eaten there three times. Emilia never got tired of spaghetti meatballs with sliced hot dogs. Emilia had asked why he wasn't going to work and Eli had been honest with her. He thought it was too dangerous, there were people there he couldn't trust. People whom he didn't know that had found out some things about him. She didn't press after that, Emilia trusted his judgment. It had gotten them this far. They were safe. On Sunday, after they had gotten ice cream, they walked back towards their complex. There was a bookstore a block away from where they lived. It was hidden away in a little nook and you had to walk down inside the pavement, below ground, to get to it. Most people walk right by it and the only way you'd know there was actually a store there in the little alleyway is if someone had told you or you were looking around with the intent of finding something new and interesting. Eli and Emilia had found it accidentally after Emilia had eaten too much cotton candy one day. She ran into the alley and threw up in a trash can and when she looked up, she saw the sign hanging on a metal rod protruding from the brick wall. "Bookends". They took the concrete steps down below ground, an open wooden door welcomed them. There were no overhead lights, just lamps and some scones against bookcases. There were books against walls and rows and rows of bookcases. They had many books that the library or other more popular bookstores didn't have. They had books that weren't exactly approved by The Capitol. Hidden books. Banned books. Books about freedom. Books about heroes. Emilia loved the books about sword wielding girls saving the world the most. There was always only one person at the counter and every time they came, there was always only one or two customers. He'd asked the owner once how he was still in business, how the Peacekeepers hadn't torched the place to the ground. But the owner only smiled and said, "knowledge is as powerful a tool as any." Whatever that meant. Emilia was humming a tune as she looked for books, that's how Eli kept track of her in this dark maze. He was looking at book in another row and was listening to her hum. He didn't read much, but he did read cook books and self-help books. He picked up a cook book about baking, something he hadn't really tried before. It was only after he'd flipped to the third page that he noticed something was wrong. Emilia had stopped humming. "Emilia?" he said out loud, not bothering to put the book back. He ran towards where he believed he heard her last, towards the back of the store a few rows down. "Emilia!?" he called her name louder, looking down each row as he ran faster. His heart was hammering, why had she stopped? Why wasn't she answer him? Had someone taken her? The endless possibilities almost made him vomit. He saw her, finally. Her light brown hair reflecting against the bookshelf lamps. She was facing away from him, talking to someone. Who was that? Their face was shadowed by the lamp, but he could tell it was a woman. His heart beat thumped hard against his chest. WC: 657 TAG: Jezelia Lennox |
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District 1
Heterosexual
20 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Bartender
HG Status:
Last Online:
Sept 10, 2022 12:59:02 GMT -7
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Post by Jezelia Lennox on Sept 27, 2017 3:23:55 GMT -7
Lia had kept to herself for a week. Barely spoke to anyone, not even at work more than to tell the customers that it was time to close. She'd been surprised to hear that Elias had quit but it didn't bother her all too much. She had intended on doing the exact same thing until she found out that he'd beat her to it. The last week had passed with an infinite amount of alcohol and some weed to relax, all the time while sticking to herself. She'd managed to read all the new books that she'd bought the weeks before and for some reason, the books she read were her only company. She loved to get lost in the world that she read about with magical kingdoms and stories about family and love and grief. She'd dream at night about being in one of those worlds and always woke up disappointed to realize that it had only been a dream. The normal thing to do when running out of books to read was to go buy new ones. She'd found the bookstore years ago when she'd been roaming the streets of district 1 after losing her family and ever since then it'd become her sanctuary. Lia was stacking books in her arms when she heard small footsteps approach. Her heart caught in her chest when she saw that it was Emilia. It could only mean that Elias was nearby but just because she couldn't face him and find it in herself to be polite, didn't mean that she had to take it out on the little girl. She smiled when she saw the book in her small hands. "That's a really good one", she told her, remembering the story about the princess that ran away from her castle in order to avoid an arranged marriage. "That princess is probably the coolest, strongest person to date", she continued, only to see a small smile grow on Emilia's face. They continued to talk about the books she'd read while trying to decide which one was the best. Lia's head shot up when she heard someone way bigger than Emilia approach. She already knew who it was. It was because of the girl that she didn't turn around and leave in that very moment. She just gave Elias a small nod. Before she could look at Emilia and tell her that she had to leave, the building began to shake. She didn't know what happened next or how she'd been able to react as fast as she could. She'd thrown herself over Emilia, shielding her with her own body and then everything had turned black. Jolting awake, Lia's body ached and when she couldn't see a thing, she began to panic. She coughed, trying to get the dust out of her mouth. What had happened? The last thing she remembered was Emilia... Lia's eyes widened in fear before she started yelling the young girl's name. She didn't feel that she was right next to her and it wasn't until Emilia's small hand grabbed onto hers that Lia breathed out in relief. Elias had been there too and though she didn't want to say his name, she couldn't help but talk. "Elias?" she asked into the darkness, wondering, hoping for Emilia that he wasn't buried under rubble.
WC: 554 Tags: Elias R. Jagger |
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District 1
Heterosexual
24 Years Old
Relationship:
Occupation:
Bartender/Bouncer/Entertainer/Mercenary
HG Status:
Over Reaping Age
Last Online:
Aug 31, 2020 7:13:06 GMT -7
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Post by Elias R. Jagger on Sept 27, 2017 11:46:06 GMT -7
"It's time to go Emilia," Eli said reaching out for her when she saw who it was she was talking to. Eli had specifically stopped going to that side of town because of Lia. He'd quit his job because of her. No, not because of her. Because of him. Because he'd screwed up, he'd let his guard down. It didn't matter what he told her, it was the simple fact that he allowed himself to get closer to her. It was all a big mistake that he would never make a again. Emilia had ignored him, she was talking to Lia. Eli had never had to raise his voice to her before but there was a first time for everything. He was about to tell her again when the rumbling began. Eli took one step towards them, then something collapsed on his arm. Eli yelled and pulled his hand back. When he looked in front of him, there was nothing but a wall rubble, separating him and Emilia. "Emilia!" he yelled, but the rumbling noise was too loud it drowned him out. He ran back, thinking he could go around, but whatever had collapsed had created a barrier across half the entire room, completely separating them. He made his way to the front of the store where the door to the outside was blocked. He found the owner behind the counter, barely conscious, but breathing. *** Emilia held on to Lia's hand, she was still holding the book with her other hand, unable to un-clench her fingers and let go of anything. It was dark, all the lights had gone out. There weren't even sparks coming from the broken lights. She looked at the darkness where Eli used to be, but now it was only a wall between them. "Daddy!" she yelled out, but her voice only went back to her. Were they so enclosed that her voice couldn't penetrate the rubble? Emilia pulled at Lia's hand and went closer to her. "It's okay. He's strong, he'll get us out. Just like last time. He'll save us, you'll see," she said quietly. WC: 355 TAG: Jezelia Lennox |
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District 1
Heterosexual
20 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Bartender
HG Status:
Last Online:
Sept 10, 2022 12:59:02 GMT -7
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Post by Jezelia Lennox on Sept 27, 2017 12:10:10 GMT -7
Lia wanted to cry but how could she when she was supposed to be the older, stronger one? What surprised her was Emilia's calmness and how certain she sounded about Elias coming to help them. Lia figured that he would do anything for Emilia, otherwise he'd be a pretty shitty parent. She'd liked for him to be a shitty parent, it wouldn't make her so conflicted about what she thought of him. Pro-capitol and shitty parent was a win, but good parent made her think that maybe he was somewhat good. But then when she thought about it, the people who killed her family probably had kids and they didn't have to be shitty parents. Jezelia groaned out loud, both from pain and her own thoughts. With the arm that she could move, she wrapped around Emilia's small body in case anymore rubble fell. "Are you okay? And what do you mean just like last time sweetie?" Lia frowned a little in the darkness, wondering what the little girl meant. Was it something that occurred often, that Emilia ended up trapped under rubble?
WC: 180 Tags: Elias R. Jagger |
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District 1
Heterosexual
24 Years Old
Relationship:
Occupation:
Bartender/Bouncer/Entertainer/Mercenary
HG Status:
Over Reaping Age
Last Online:
Aug 31, 2020 7:13:06 GMT -7
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Post by Elias R. Jagger on Sept 27, 2017 12:33:47 GMT -7
Eli moved the owner to a better location, hopefully if more things happened, he'd be safe there. The man couldn't move, Eli saw that both his legs had bones sticking out of them. He wondered if the man would even live. "Do you know what happened?" Eli asked him, propping him up against a wall. The man only shook his head before he closed his eyes again. Eli moved from him and towards the other side of the counter, he climbed under the folding part that served as a 'gate' to keep customers out. His hands searched in front of him for a way through to the back. There was cements and wood blocking him, but if he could find the right ones to move, he could get to Emilia without anything collapsing on top of him or making it worse. The problem was, he couldn't see anything. Everything was pitch black. He would have to rely on skill and a whole lot of luck. "I'm coming Emilia," he said under his breath. "I'm coming." *** Emilia closed her eyes, even though it was already dark and she couldn't see anything. She tried to concentrate on the sounds. The rumbling had stopped, but there were still sounds coming from else where. She tried to focus her ears on sounds inside the book store. Was Eli moving? Was he moving the rubble? Then Lia made some noises and Emilia felt herself being held. It was an odd sensation, to be held by someone other than Eli. Her dad was the only person who'd been there for her since-- Lia spoke. She hadn't realized she'd said anything, but she clearly had. Lia was asking about it. Emilia frowned in the darkness. "He stayed out later than usual some times last week, the night after I went to the bar to try to find him. I think he likes you, he wouldn't do that if he didn't. He's always on time. Even when he thinks I'm asleep in front of the TV, I always hear him come in. He's always on time, until that night when he was with you and I went to find him. Does he trust you?" she asked, turning her head to her. Emilia wasn't sure if she could trust Lia. But Daddy had. He'd trusted her, hadn't he? "Eli saved me," she whispered in the darkness. "Don't tell him I told you. He said not to trust anyone, but he trusted you. So I can trust you, right?" WC: 420 TAG: Jezelia Lennox |
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District 1
Heterosexual
20 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Bartender
HG Status:
Last Online:
Sept 10, 2022 12:59:02 GMT -7
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Post by Jezelia Lennox on Sept 27, 2017 12:48:45 GMT -7
Lia listened to Emilia's small voice as she spoke, taking in every word. It bothered her, a great deal more than she ever thought it would to hear an eight year old girl mention that Elias probably likes her. The thought had never crossed her mind, how could it have? Her first and only relationship as to date, had been with someone she knew really well and with her and Elias... Well, it couldn't have been more different. He didn't know anything about her other than the story about James and his son. Or did he know more than that? It confused her, how someone could like another person without having all of the facts and details. She knew she refused to let someone be her friend unless she was really sure about them being trustable and boy had she been wrong last time. When Emilia asked if Elias trusted her, Lia didn't really know what to say. Luckily, she didn't need to say anything before Em continued, telling her that Eli had saved her. It only added more confusion. Saved her how? She wanted to ask but knew that she probably shouldn't, at least not in the manner of making it sound like an interrogation. "Yes, you can trust me. We can be friends if you want?" With Emilia, she meant it. She was a child, an innocent one at that, and based on the books the little girl had been searching for, it was obvious that she was pure at heart. Lia tried to move her other arm, but god was it painful. She didn't know why but it felt like the entire thing was on fire with needles sticking every inch of her skin. She gritted her teeth, trying to breathe through the pain. "Please tell me you're not hurt. Can you move your body? Try tiny movements, we don't want you to hit anything", Lia told the girl. She was smart, incredibly smart for someone that young so she knew she'd do as she said. Their life depended on it.
WC: 344 Tags: Elias R. Jagger |
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District 1
Heterosexual
24 Years Old
Relationship:
Occupation:
Bartender/Bouncer/Entertainer/Mercenary
HG Status:
Over Reaping Age
Last Online:
Aug 31, 2020 7:13:06 GMT -7
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Post by Elias R. Jagger on Sept 27, 2017 13:17:42 GMT -7
Emilia smiled a bit. She had no doubt that Eli would come, that he would save her. He would save them both. It's what he did. He was a hero. "My mom," she began softly, "she was in danger. She hid me inside the wall, told me to be quiet. There was a crack in the wall and I could see out just a little bit. He couldn't see me, though. My dad. He came. He was yelling at her. He said she betrayed him. And then he stabbed her. Then he was yelling for me. He told me to come out, he said he wouldn't hurt me. But I wouldn't, I was so scared." Emilia began to sob, her voice cracking. "Then there was a noise, like the one we heard just now. And it was really hot. The next thing I knew, Eli was there. He pulled me out of the wall and told me it was okay. He picked me up and picked up my mom," she smiled in the darkness, a warm feeling welled inside her heart. "He was so strong. He took us out of the fire. And then he went back in and saved grandma and grandpa. And my Auntie Mel and Uncle Jack. And my cousins." She took some breaths, "he was still inside when my mom talked to me. She told me a secret. She said it was our secret. That I should tell Eli when he was ready. I asked her when will I know if he's ready? And she said I'll just know. When Eli came out, my mom was already quiet. She wouldn't wake up." Emilia gasped and turned to Lia, her eyes wide though the darkness covered it all. Fear gripped her voice, "but we had to run away! We had to hide. The Capitol doesn't know! And you can't tell them. He trusts you, right? Eli trusts you? You can't say anything. Don't tell him I told you." Emilia buried her face into Lia's shoulders, her body shaking. They were going to die. They were going to die here. She cried, she didn't know how long, but she cried until Lia spoke again. "I'm okay," she said quietly, letting go of Lia slowly. "Do you think we'll die here?" WC: 383 TAG: Jezelia Lennox |
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District 1
Heterosexual
20 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Bartender
HG Status:
Last Online:
Sept 10, 2022 12:59:02 GMT -7
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Post by Jezelia Lennox on Sept 27, 2017 14:25:56 GMT -7
The more Lia listened, the worse she felt. She'd thought she'd been right about him. That he was one of them and now there seemed to be an entirely different story to it all. She'd never felt so bad about an assumption before and now that she'd gotten part of the truth, she felt bad. For some stupid reason, she hated herself for shutting him out the way she had. Hell, she hadn't even given him a chance to talk to her and she hadn't told him what her deal was either. She'd just left without saying a word, leaving him to think of a million reasons as to why she'd reacted the way she had. When Emilia started crying, Lia found herself crying too. No one should have to go through what Emilia had gone through at such a young age and even though she didn't know the girl very well, it still tore at her. She tightened her embrace around her, as to tell her that everything would be okay. She even kissed the girl's forehead. "No. No, we're not going to die here. Elias will come. He has to..." Lia whispered the last part, not sure if she said it to give hope to Emily or to herself. She wanted to apologize to him for the way she'd reacted. It wasn't fair of her, she knew that and if she never got the chance to tell him... "He'll come, you'll see."
WC: 244 Tags: Elias R. Jagger |
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District 1
Heterosexual
24 Years Old
Relationship:
Occupation:
Bartender/Bouncer/Entertainer/Mercenary
HG Status:
Over Reaping Age
Last Online:
Aug 31, 2020 7:13:06 GMT -7
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Post by Elias R. Jagger on Sept 27, 2017 15:12:24 GMT -7
"Do you think they did this? The Capitol? It's like what happened the first time, except there's no fire this time," Emilia said softly. She listened for something other than her voice, there was some movement to their right, from the front of the store. It had to be Eli. She wanted it so badly to be him and not something else going wrong. She wiped away her tears and put her hands on Lia's shoulders, much like the way Eli put his hands on her shoulders when he wanted her to believe something. "Lia. I don't want to die," she said. Her words seemed far, her thoughts elsewhere. "But just in case I do, I don't think Eli should know. It would just hurt him more. But someone should know. Will you keep our secret?" She asked. There was a loud noise that shook the building. Something behind them collapsed. Emilia pushed herself toward Lia, wrapper her arms around her, burying her face into the woman's shoulders. Emilia tried not to cry, but she couldn't stop the tears from flowing now. "Eli... He's--"
***
Eli picked up a large rock and threw it to the side. It was the wrong one. A beam collapsed and then another and rocks fell and more beams. He pushed his back towards the wall, away from the rubble. A beam fell in front of him. He'd only missed it by a food. He could hardly breath from the exertion, his heart was beating so fast from the adrenaline, and he couldn't feel the large gashes on his arms and back. All he knew was that Emilia was close. He held his arms out in front of him and felt around, there was a small hole to the side and he could hear a voice. "Emilia!" he said and moved as much of the rubble as he could as quickly as he could. "Emilia I'm here!" His shoulders scraped against jagged cement and then his hands felt something other than metal, wood, and cement. "I'm here, I'm here," he said wrapping the two of them into his arms. They were both still alive. WC: 359 TAG: Jezelia Lennox |
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District 1
Heterosexual
20 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Bartender
HG Status:
Last Online:
Sept 10, 2022 12:59:02 GMT -7
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Post by Jezelia Lennox on Sept 28, 2017 11:34:35 GMT -7
Lia wanted to nod but had to try her hardest not to. It wasn't safe to talk about such things and it definitely wasn't safe to say something bad about the Capitol. Except when Emilia mentioned fire, it was like everything changed. The girl was talking about a bomb, what else could she mean? Her arms wrapped tighter around her. "I don't know sweetheart but you have to be careful with saying things like that." There was something about Emilia that made Lia like her, could just be the fact that she's a young kid but she really cared about her. Even more so now. Lia's eyes grew bigger, wondering what the hell the girl was going to tell her. Then the rubble began and for some reason she couldn't help but think 'this is it'. She clenched her eyes shut and held onto Emilia even tighter and before Emilia could tell her the secret, something dragged them out. Jezelia opened her eyes even though she didn't have to in order to know who it was. She held onto him, crying into his shoulder, still with one arm around Emilia. She had to talk to him after this, but now was definitely not the time.
WC: 206 Tags: Elias R. Jagger |
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District 1
Heterosexual
24 Years Old
Relationship:
Occupation:
Bartender/Bouncer/Entertainer/Mercenary
HG Status:
Over Reaping Age
Last Online:
Aug 31, 2020 7:13:06 GMT -7
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Post by Elias R. Jagger on Sept 28, 2017 18:01:34 GMT -7
Elias held on to them for a few more minutes, but he didn't want to waste anymore time now, just in case the building decided to completely collapse over them. He lead them out the way he had gotten there, careful not to move anything else. When they got to the front of the store where the owner still lay half conscious, he went to the door. They were still barricaded in. The door had been opened when they came in, so all that was blocking them was whatever had fallen. Carefully, he took out the smallest pieces first and laid them to the side. It was like a puzzle. He had to figure out which pieces he could move and which he couldn't. Their life depended on it. He wasn't sure how long it took, but eventually, he saw light streaming in. He could hear people speaking outside. After a few more minutes, he was able to create a hole big enough for him. "Emilia, come on, you first," he said and helped her through the opening. Then it was Lia's turn. "Lia, stand outside and I'll bring the owner through, you'll have to carry him out. Try not to drag him too much, he's elderly," he said and went to pick up the owner from behind the register. Once everyone was out, including him, he peeked around the corner at the crowd. A lot of people had gathered, but so many of them were looking elsewhere. They were looking up. Whatever had caused the explosion and whatever else was happening, it seemed the worse of it was above them. "Lia, can you get one of the Peacekeepers? The owner will need some medical attention," he told her. But when Lia and whoever she got would come back, Eli and Emilia wouldn't be there. He picked up Emilia quickly and walked down the alley and the side street. It was a good thing everyone else was more worried about the rest of the building, else they wouldn't be able to leave undetected. He was sure maybe someone saw them, but at least no one was following. He put Emilia down when they got to the corner of their block, their building was only a few steps away. WC: 379 TAG: Jezelia LennoxNOTE: I had to, but she can try to follow/find them if she wants |
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District 1
Heterosexual
20 Years Old
Relationship:
Single
Occupation:
Bartender
HG Status:
Last Online:
Sept 10, 2022 12:59:02 GMT -7
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Post by Jezelia Lennox on Sept 29, 2017 7:25:34 GMT -7
Everything that followed happened in some sort of daze. Lia just nodded and did as she was told. Next thing she knew she was out on the street, looking for a peacekeeper. She found one and pretty much just dragged him after her so that he could look at the older man's wounds. It was obvious to everyone that who was gathered around that she'd been stuck underneath. There was dust and blood on her and she still couldn't move her right arm. She didn't know if her shoulder was dislocated or if something was broken but it sure as hell hurt. Looking around, she didn't see Elias or Emilia anywhere. It took her a few seconds to realize that they'd probably left, leaving her all alone. It hurt, more than she thought was possible. It hurt and it confused her and she hated the feeling. Carefully, she pulled her hood over her head and began to walk away. Luckily, she wasn't limping so to get away and make her way home didn't take all too long. Every step that she took made pain radiate from her fingertips to her shoulder, making her wince all the way until she reached her door. She'd been crying the entire way without really noticing. The thought of being back home after something like this, with no one to talk to or hold was unbearable. For some stupid reason, she felt less lonely with the two of them. Especially with Emilia. It became pretty clear to her that he didn't want anything to do with her, she knew that now. The next couple of hours Lia cried more than she had in a long time. Trying to shower had been a nightmare, with pain radiating through her entire body. At one point she fell to the floor and then decided to stay there. She was still on the floor when she began contemplating all the choices she'd made lately. Tears of grief followed next, with her wondering if things were supposed to be this way. She wanted her family back but that wasn't really an option. Was she supposed to be alone? She knew it was her own doing but after getting a taste of what it was like to be friendly again and receive it back, she knew that she couldn't stay on her own. She didn't want to be lonely anymore. But now she was and it was her fault entirely.
WC: 409 Tags: Elias R. Jagger |
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