Andrew now stood before his house, a huge "For Sale" sign now being hammered into the fence. Just minutes ago they had thrown him out of his house, his home, all he had left in the world.
"This cannot be happening..." he muttered to himself, "there's just no way this is happening..."
Suddenly he felt the urge to puke. No, it was not his situation, although it didn't help, it was all the alcohol he'd drunk last night. He tried to think hard through his headache, trying to remember what had caused him to lose his home.

Linda.... It was all because of her... If only she hadn't gotten herself killed, he wouldn't be in this mess. If only she had know that people get drunk and could have impacted her car! If only he could stop caring for her, all this would just go away! But it doesn't... and it never will...

Andrew sighed, wondering out to wherever his feet would take him. He didn't care anymore...

The local park in the market section of town was a well know hangout for vagrants, the homeless, and bums. It wasn't dangerous though, not nearly as dangerous as some places. The police patrolled the area quite regularly, while they couldn't really throw the people out for just sitting around they were always just waiting for some one to make some small slip up.
Despite it being popular it wasn't terribly crowded either, there were a few that were semi-permanent residents of the park, and there were many that were just passing through. An The place was just large enough that the number of vagrants never seemed an annoying amount to the average person.

Today a few of the park 'residents' were trying their hands at street performances, trying to earn a little cash here and there. Some acting like living statues, some doing card tricks and magic acts.
One act was a younger girl in a ratty old T-shirt and a tan skirt over holey plaid stockings and Combat boots. She was seated on a thick fighter pilot's jacket on the ground by the fountain. A tattered old brown baseball cap lay in front of her as she held a Harmonica to her lips and played happy tunes for the people that passed by.

Her name was Jenna, she had been living on the streets for a while now, and had some how managed to avoid stooping to prostitution. She had been approached by Pimps before and by older men who were just looking for some one. A woman could get rich on the streets if she really wanted to, but this was not Jenna's game. She had promised her self that she would never ever stoop to that.

Andrew sat down, just listening to the harmonica play, completely in a daze. How did these people live...? Just getting by on charity for their sad and amusing acts of nonsense? How could they eat like that? How could they dress like that? How could they be content, having nothing? How could he be content having nothing?

He looked at his clothes, his usual white shirt over his black polyester jacket, and his tailored pants. All these were memories of a time no more, not even his job remained for him. After shouting at the boss and punching him like that, how did he expect to keep his post? Sigh, Linda, what have you done to me...?

He kept staring at this girl, listening to the tune of her melody... Okay, maybe it wasn't that bad...

Jenna's messy auburn hair hung over her eyes, swaying back and fourth as she did. She leaned in to every note she played, it was because of her passion that the people dropped coins into the old hat.
Every time they did she would quickly reach out and pocket them, this wasn't to mess with people but to keep others like her from running of with her money.
One man walked by and tossed in a five, she pulled the harmonica away from her lips and thanked him loudly before tucking it in her skirt pocket with the rest of her change.
Now she looked over at the man in the shirt and jacket who had been watching her for sometime now. She never liked it when people watched her for to long. It never meant anything good. There were so many terrible people out there that would target the homeless and beat them for their money or, worse, especially in her case. She narrowed her eyes at Andrew a little, an attempt to make him feel guilty or convince him to move on.

Andrew caught her expression, and amusement filled his face. Was she challenging him for not giving him any money? He was never going to understand the ways of the homeless, and frankly he didn't care for them. Ironic, how he was one of them now...
Maybe he should stay looking at this girl a bit longer, since it bothered her so much. Maybe now she would beat him up, the danger and epinephrine would make him feel better. Maybe she would just run away, equally amusing. He didn't care anymore what happened to him, if he made mad the whole homeless world and killed him for it. He had nothing more to live for, so why not challenge death?

((Sorry, I had to go, had class, back for a bit ))

Seeing he wasn't moving Jenna pocketed what was left of her hat money and picked up her ratty old jacket pulling it back over her shoulders. It was warm, but there was no where for her to leave it so she just wore it all the time. She stuffed the Harmonica deep down in one of the coat pockets and popped the hat on her head. She pulled her hair through the back of the cap an then headed towards the older man.

"You stay away from me" She growled at him with a some what crazy look in her eye as she fingered something her her pocket. She didn't care what his real intent was, she was just ensuring her own safety. It was good to scare people off before they came after you.

Andrew stood up, as if challenging her.

"Oh? And what is it you're going to do to me if I don't? Take your best shot at me, little lady? But I bet you don't have the guts for it, do you?"

He could feel it, the adrenaline rush, the epinephrine and dopamine filling his system, the surge of being alive. The strong feeling of rush pushing him forward, pushing him to enjoy the very second of this life that he now dreaded. Yes, he was going to live every last second of this horrid life in danger, even if it hopefully killed him. [COLOR="Silver"]

Jenna stood up straight and glared at him, she couldn't really fight here. There was something of an agreement among homeless that this place was a neutral zone. After all if one or two of the 'regulars' started a fight there would be some serious issues with the police.
But she couldn't just let him think she was weak, she looked around at those like her. She could feel their eyes on her, she knew they were watching her next move. All of them ready to drop what they were doing and put a stop to anything that might go down.
She cleared her throat loudly and chewed her lip before spitting on the man, "Stupid perv!" She shouted as she jerked back like she was pulling away from him and smirked a bit as she saw a few police turn their gaze on the two.

"You have no right to say that, little lady" he said loudly. "You were giving a performance, and I was enjoying it, I don't see a thing wrong with that."

Andrew wiped the spit from his face, pushing for more. He needed more danger, more thrill, more reason to keep living.

"you were the one who attacked me, both with your gaze and with your spit. If anything I could sue you."

"HELP HELP!" Jenna screamed pulling away from the man, ignoring everything he'd said. She'd heard it all before, over and over.
But every time, it came down to "Who would they believe."
She slapped at one of his hands and looked around, and she knew all her compatriots would back up her story. She had actually pulled this act off successfully once or twice.

A police man walked up now a questioning look on his face, "Now little miss...you know we don't like your kind to cause scenes here" He said rudely.

Jenna looked up at him pleadingly, "This man was soliciting me!! I turned him down but he won't stop! No means no, no matter who you are right?" She asked the blue clad man pleadingly.

The officer sighed and looked Andrew over "Alright sir...I'm gonna have to take your name and address... I would appreciate you not make this more difficult."

"Of course, officer," said Andrew, extremely calm. "I have nothing to hide. My name is Andrew Walkings, of the nearby pharmaceutical Honeywell. I was just enjoying my day in the park, watching the clouds, and enjoying this little lady's performance when she suddenly attacked me. Not in any way did I approach her, or as she claims solicited her."
He looked at her, still amused. "Clearly the young lady has spent too much time in the sun, and has become quite paranoid."

The officer looked at Jenna now skeptically.

Jenna pouted and batted those brown doe eyes of hers, "I was playing and he was starring hard... I'm trying to make money here sir. He didn't leave a coin or anything, you know how it is. He was bothering me...been here a good 30 minuets...never paid nothing to no one... So I came over an asked him what his problem was.." her lip trembled a bit and she looked at the floor "I shouldn't have but I didn't want him to steal my stuff...I work hard! And that's when he started soliciting me."

The officer sighed and nodded a bit, he looked at Andrew "Sir I'm not going to do anything to you but I am going to ask you to leave."

"Of course, you have to do your duty"said Andrew with a slight bow to the officer "I don't want any trouble. Now could you direct me to a place I could stay the night? My wife threw me out of the house and won't let me get back my wallet. The park, as this little lady demonstrates, is no place for someone like me."

The officer pointed off to his right "There's plenty of Hotels down that way, If you live around here you should know that."

Jenna watched the man, watched his movements and listened to his speech. Something wasn't sitting right here. Just a moment ago he was shouting at her willing to throw away his life. He hadn't said that directly but his approach had been clear that that was his intention.

She'd seen these sorts of things before, among many of her comrads. Jenna frowned.
"There's shelter and soup kitchen a mile or so from here." She added a smirk, an effort to make it seem more like she was making a snarky comment and not helping him.

"Thank you officer, but I think I'll go to the shelter" responded Andrew with another bow. "As I told you, no wallet. My dear wife has a way of making things impossible for me, if I work too much. Have a nice day."
He turned to Jenna, with a smile. "And you should lighten up, little lady, the world isn't against you. Its against me, so you have nothing to worry about."
He left, a marked sarcastic, twisted smile on his face, his mind racing nowhere as he walked away.

Jenna meerly rolled her eyes and shrugged the whole event off. She looked at the officer, "betcha he ends up here tomorrow when he can't getta room" She said walking away.

The officer watched her, he sighed a bit. The homeless, the ones that were kinder and just trying to get by didn't hate the police. They used them sure, but more often than anything the tended to give the police vital information. What she had just told him was indeed somewhat vital. He and his buddies had been hearing rumors of how the regulars wouldn't be sleeping at the center tomorrow. He knew that meant the police would have to be on high alert, and that the park would definitely be the least of their worries. What he didn't know was that even now a few of the more dangerous characters were already starting to slip in.

Jenna wandered to her favorite spot in the park, she shared this spot with several others when night rolled around. They weren't really her friends but it was dangerous to be alone. It was a quiet little place by the small lake and tucked under a little wooden bridge. She sat down there and started to count out her money shaking her head.

Andrew kept walking, trying to find that shelter the girl with the auburn hair told him about. Something just didn't feel right. Even with his distorted senses and his newfound love for danger, he could tell something wasn't right, and that this place wasn't where he should stay, much less dressed in these clothes. Maybe he should go away, far away. Maybe living with his sister would be best. Yes, his dear sister Annette would be some comfort and a chain to keep him under control. Linda wouldn't want to see him like this...
Oh, God! He was so ashamed of how he was know! Linda would be weeping if she saw this, or more likely than not grabbing his ear and scolding him like a little kid. A tear made its way from his eyes to the floor. Yes, he should be going soon.

An older man with a long messy and braided beard walked up and plopped down beside Jenna.
"Yo....that man you sent to the shelter.." He muttered as he leaned forwards hugging his knees with a yawn, "If yah got a shred of decency on you you'll go an look for him before he gets there, that group is moving in a little early I hear tell. Some o'da hookers were talkin bout how they weren't gonna be walkin tonight."

Jenna frowned as she pulled her hat back over her hair, "You serious?"
"Dead as a doornail serious" He mumbled before spitting on the ground "that lil man won't last a night with them"

She nodded a bit and stood up slowly, she pulled out the fiver she'd been given and tossed it to the man, "If I'm not back tonight..you guys make sure you come lookin for my body in the mornin' k?"
She'd never ask them to intervene in any fights for her, after all she wouldn't do it for them. But sometimes it was nice to know at least your body wouldn't just rot in the gutter if you got killed.

Jenna stuffed her hands in her pockets and headed out of the park in the direction she'd pointed the man. He did say he was homeless at least for tonight, and while she didn't really like them she had to agree with the old man. No person should have to face up against the Rail men. They were trouble, like the hell's angels of the homeless. You never wanted to be on their bad side.

Andrew kept walking past the shelter, making his way to the Railroad station, only to remember that he didn't have any money. He cursed himself, making his way back to the soup shelter. It definitely wasn't his day.

((Going to the movies, will be back online later, sorry for the short reply)).

Jenna was standing outside the shelter looking around nervously. She perked up when she spotted him walking up the road.
She ran up to him panting a little her hands on her knees "Oh thank god! I was worried they'd killed you or something" She gasped looking up at him.
Her Hair hung messily over her eyes and in her over sized jacket and baseball cap she could have easily passed for a young boy.

"Look I know I caused you trouble earlier but I was wrong, dude...the shelter is not the place to be tonight, tomorrow night...and probably not the next night either.." She said looking around at the slowly increasing amount of homeless by the door.

((its cool))

"Oh? After you accused me of soliciting you, you're... allegedly... helping me...? I truly do not understand you..."

Andrew scratched his head. Was she just making sure he wasn't staying where she was? Or was she truly trying to help him? Why would make her want to change her mind?

"What do you mean, you're glad I'm alive? Is it that dangerous to be at the shelter?"

The shelter wasn't much to look at, even his first apartment as a college student seemed more homey than this. And sharing a home with a lot of people didn't really suit him.

"Where will you stay?"

Jenna chewed her lip and shuffled her feet guiltily as he fussed at her for lying about him earlier. She gave an exasperated sigh once he'd finally finished his small speech.
"normally it's a decent place" She said answering him, "An normally I'd be like, fend for yer self...but this is kinda a different situation. There's a pretty bad group coming in, some a bit earlier than others. I mean you think your crooks are bad up on the surface...but its worse down here...down here...shit happens and you never find out. Like you think you know...but you have literally no Idea." She cautioned him.

Looking around rather quickly and nervously she frowned "Shelter ain't a safe place for a lady anyway... Guys are usually safe there...but I wouldn't be. Look just...go without eating tonight and sleep in the park. So long as you don't cause trouble no one does anything. Just don't be sleeping on benches" She grumbled "That's cliche and pisses off all the rich people...then we get in trouble...like all of us not just you."

She grimaced as her eyes darted around, she could feel some gazes on her now. It wasn't good to get noticed, not by normal people and not by your own kind.

"Look I gotta go... unless your some masochist with a death wish...you'll listen to me" the dark haired girl said before turning and walking away rather quickly. She pushed through a few homeless that were starting to gather near the entrance.

"What if I do have a death wish?" yelled Andrew over the voices of the crowd. "What if I am willing to throw my life away? To die in this hellhole? Who would do anything about it? Who would give a damn?"
Andrew was laughing like a maniac, tears streaming form his eyes. No shelter, no place to stay, living under the stars like a rat, like a wild animal. No, this wasn't the life for him, nothing anymore was a life for him. No one was going to rescue him from this despair, only he could save himself and he didn't know if he wanted to.
"Do you know any way to get out of here? To travel to Colorado...?" his voice, insane moments ago, was now somber and cold.

Jenna was just going to flip him off and walk away, that dainty middle finger of hers was poised and ready for lifting in those fingerless gloves she wore.
But then he mentioned travel, she was already ten feet away from him now. Colorado.
She stared down at the sidewalk for a moment, a shadowy thoughtful look on her face.
"Colorado..." She tasted the word on her tongue, it was a sour word for her, a hated word, "I hate Colorado..."

But the auburn haired girl didn't want this man's death on her hands. Not that she'd be totally responsible, but she knew she'd have trouble sleeping if she left him here.
"You should do what I told you!" She shouted as she turned around "I might have a friend who can help ya, but he doesn't come in till tomorrow!"

"You would help me then?" said Andrew, his voice hopeful and ever-changing with each sentence. "Does that mean I have to sleep in that horrid park?"

Andrew was sincerely trying to hold himself from talking any further. He was out of his territory, out of his mind and completely out of luck. He sighed loudly.

"Ignore me, please, just let me be..." he muttered. "You've done enough, just tell me where to find this friend of yours and I'll be gone. I'm just... I feel so lost... I don't know what to do anymore... But even so... It doesn't matter to me if I die, but clearly it matters to you... I can't force you to go to a place that the sole mention of it distorts your face... "