Concerning Freedom

[retrieverchef]

[Eliot wanders through the greenhouse. It's been almost three weeks since they'd last gone out. Soon, they'll go again. He doesn't know whether he looks forward to seeing the world outside this building again or dreaded what they'll do while they're out. They almost never just take a walk or just go to the store. No, everything has to be combined with some piece of this... Well, this war it seems Pamela can't stop fighting.

He sighs, trying to ignore the way her plants seem to try to follow him as he walks past them. It feels eerie, almost like something out of a horror movie. Idly, he wonders what his family is doing. There's a three hour time difference between Gotham and Seattle, so they're probably still rushing around the house, getting Alec and Parker ready for school. He wonders if they still think about him anymore.

He's broken out of his thoughts by the sound of crashing pottery.]

Comments

[pretty_poison]

[Pamela had knocked over three empty pots by the door when she stumbled in. She had gone out, leaving Eliot alone inside the greenhouse, guarded by her plants. And now she had returned...]

[She was battered. A bruise on her cheek and a small gash above her right eye. There were other bruises up and down her body too, hidden by her clothing. She held her side, like something was wrong, perhaps bleeding or broken. And she managed a few steps before collapsing on the ground, panting heavily as if she had ran all the way here]

[The protective plants at the doorway had parted when Pamela returned home. And since Pam was not in her right state of mind... they were still parted. The door out free and clear of any dangers]

[retrieverchef]

[Eliot stared at her for a moment, stunned. He'd never seen her hurt before. Not really. He bit his lip, his hands twitching uncertainly.

Then he noticed the door was clear. He spent a moment looking back and forth between her and the door. She never left it open. Maybe this was another one of her games?

Finally, he decided it didn't matter. If there was even the slightest chance to go home, he was taking it. He ran out the door.]

Sorry, Pamela.

[pretty_poison]

[She barely heard the words, but could see him leave] Eliot... [Her voice was so soft. Sad and tired. She didn't have enough strength to stop him. Her plants... confused... just twitched slightly and that was that]

[Slowly Pamela lifted her hand from her side and stared morbidly at the blood there. She seemed so far away from the first aid kit]

[And the sweet darkness of unconsciousness whispered to her. Pam couldn't fight it anymore. She was alone. Bitterly alone. And there was nothing she could do but close her eyes... her body going limp on the ground. Her plants wilting in response]

Wanna throw up some other Gotham nasties to make Eli worry about her?

[retrieverchef]

[Eliot ran down the drab streets, not paying a lot of attention where he was going. Not that he really cared. He just knew somewhere here, there had to be a way home.]

sounds good

[pretty_poison]

[Down the block or two, Eliot will pass by the gang of men that had hurt Pam. It was the East Side Dragons. And they were mad.]

[Pam had heard about their illegal dog fights and had tried to free their animals. They discovered her. And now were still looking for her. For payback. For revenge. For fun]

[He might hear them whisper her name. Or find a trail of blood to follow]

Awesome!

[retrieverchef]

[Eliot overheard the plotting men and noticed one had blood on his hands. He frowned and shook his head. It wasn't his business anymore. He was done with this life, with the streets. Once he got home, he just wanted to forget any of this ever happened.

But then he heard one of them mutter her name. He clenched his fists. He hated her. She'd taken him away from the only good thing that had ever happened to him. But she didn't deserve that. No one did. He turned around and ran back to the greenhouse.]

[pretty_poison]

[The gang didn't notice Eliot, but they also won't be that far behind. After all... they did have that trial of blood to follow]

[The greenhosue looked different, even though he was only gone for minutes. The plants were wilting. There were a few by Pam, reaching out their leaves to her unconcious body. He could see a growing stain of blood at Pamela's hips. She was still breathing... low and ragged.]

[retrieverchef]

No, Pamela!

[His voice was quiet, broken. He looked around the greenhouse. He had to hide her somewhere since he didn't know how to put her botanic reinforcements back in place. But what good would it do? She'd leave a blood trail to wherever he hid her.

He pulled her shirt up just enough to look for the source of the blood. He winced at the bruising he found there but there was no open wound. He tugged her jeans open. There it was. His hands came away wet, red, and sticky from the gash along her hips. He took off his shirt and pressed it to the wound.]

I'm sorry. I should've been there. And I shouldn't've left you like this...

[pretty_poison]

[Her wound was caused by a knife. The jagged edges around it would be enough to tell him that. It was deep enough to cause the bleeding. But fortunately not deep enough to hit any major veins]

[One of the plants moved slightly at the sound of his voice. It was a regular vine, the same kind that helped Pam take care of Eliot after he had been injured from her more dangerous plants]

[There was a small moan from Pamela when finally pressure was applied to the wound]

got your message. thanks.

[retrieverchef]

[Eliot looked over at the vine. He vaguely remembered one of those vines helping him into the shower right after they came here. It seemed pretty stupid to talk to a plant but he had to try something, right?]

Could you, maybe, tell the plants at the entrance to close up? Or-or at least hold this in place? Sh-she's hurt and there's more trouble comin' and I can't take care of her and keep her safe...

no probs :D

[pretty_poison]

[The vine twitched slightly at his words. Then after a moment, there was movement from the other plants that protected the door. They covered the door, protecting Pam and Eliot inside. Just in time too, the gang had followed the trail and they were right outside]

[Pam looked pale in his arms. She had lost some blood from this experience. Her eyes rapidly fluttered, as she was on the verge of coming out of her unconscious state]

[retrieverchef]

[Eliot breathed a sigh of relief as the plants moved back in front of the door. He smiled at the vine.

Thank you.

[He looked back at Pamela. Her blinking is a good sign. At least, he hopes it is, not her slipping into some fever dream. He taps her cheek lightly.]

Pamela? Come on, it's time to wake up.

[pretty_poison]

Don't... [Her voice is so small, and it sounds so far-away. Like she doesn't even know where she is]

[Her eyes open slightly. Blinking at him from a haze of pain, both emotionally and physically] No... you left...

[retrieverchef]

[He hangs his head.]

Yeah. I'm sorry. I shouldn't've. But I came back. Couldn't let anythin' happen to you.

[pretty_poison]

[There was a large noise outside. The men were having a lot of problems getting past the plants. And so, were firing off their guns into the greenhouse. Which didn't do much, as the bullets just hit the plants]

[Pam cried out softly. She could feel the pain from her plants. And still was in pain herself. But it did make her senses more alert to their surroundings]

I didn't hurt them. I promised not to hurt anyone.

[retrieverchef]

I know you didn't. And if you did... [He shrugs.] Well, they hurt people just because they can.

[pretty_poison]

[A sharp ache of pain ran through her, and Pam clenched her hand on his hip.] They are outside.

[retrieverchef]

I know.

[He sighs.]

Are you going to be okay for now?

[pretty_poison]

[Her eyes filled with fear] No... you can't leave. They will hurt you.

[retrieverchef]

No! [He shakes his head firmly.] I'm not leaving you. But we still have some Tylenol or Asperin, I think. Unless you know of something better?

[pretty_poison]

Check the first aid kit. [Pam tried moving, but couldn't. She hissed in pain] Help me to the bed?

[retrieverchef]

Yeah. [He picked her up gently, cradling her in his arms.] I'll check the first aid kit when you're settled.

[pretty_poison]

[She rested her head against his chest. Her hands going gently around his neck. A part of her noted her was shirtless.]

Did you get hurt?

[retrieverchef]

What?

[He blinked at her question. Then he followed her gaze to his chest. Oh. He grinned.]

No, I'm fine. I just... Well, the first thing I could grab was my shirt. Guess I'm gonna need a new one next time we go out. Do we have a needle and thread in the first aid kit? I'm afraid you need stitches.

[He set her gently on the bed.]

[pretty_poison]

[He had a nice smile. Pam would say something flirty normally right about now... but another shock of pain took that away]

We should. Have you done this before?