{SCE} White With Red

[Lucy James]

The sun had already begun setting by the time the two teenagers had found their way through the deep forests of the park. The sunset lit the forest up in a way that made it look almost eerie. There was still a few orange sun beams that could be seen shimmering through the treetops, but the darkness had already laid claim on most of their surroundings. Turning, the brunette continued through walking backwards, her blue eyes locked firmly on the much taller silhouette in front of her.

"A man went to a hotel and walked up to the front desk to check in. The woman at the desk gave him his key and told him that on the way to his room, there was a door with no number that was locked and no one was allowed in there. She explained that it was a storeroom, and that it was out of bounds. She reminded him of this several times before allowing him upstairs. So he followed the instructions of the woman at the front desk, going straight to his room, and going to bed."

A smirk formed on the brunette's lips as she continued walking, her back against the path and her eyes still locked upon the boy she'd found herself too close to, too quickly. Her voice was low, but audible.

"However, the insistence of the woman had piqued his curiosity, so the next night he walked down the hall to the door and tried the handle. Sure enough it was locked. He bent down and looked through the wide keyhole. Cold air passed through it, chilling his eye. What he saw was a hotel bedroom, like his, and in the corner was a woman whose skin was incredibly pale. She was leaning her head against the wall, facing away from the door. He stared in confusion for a while. Was this a celebrity? The owner's daughter? He almost knocked on the door, out of curiosity but decided not to."

Stopping only as her back met with a tree blocking her way. Huffing out loud, Lucy's head turned, tossing a glare at the three before finally, leaning against it. Her hands came up to cross over her chest as she once again turned to look at Taylor. She didn't know if he was easily scared or if these things affected him at all, but hey, it was fun, and it wasn't like they had a whole lot better to do out here in the middle of the godforsaken forest. Lifting one hand, she waved it in the air before she continued,

"As he was still looking, the woman turned sharply and he jumped back from the door, hoping she would not suspect he had been spying on her. He crept away from the door and walked back to his room. The next day, he returned to the door and looked through the wide keyhole. This time, all he saw was redness. He couldn't make anything out besides a distinct red color, unmoving. Perhaps the inhabitants of the room knew he was spying the night before, and had blocked the keyhole with something red. He felt embarrassed that he had made the woman so uncomfortable, and hoped she had not made a complaint with the woman on the front desk."

It was stupid, really, but likewise, Lucy saw very little harm in it. Pursing her lips, the brunette's head tilted to the side as her eyes scanned the forest behind him. Her eyes narrowed for a moment before she continued once again.

"At this point he decided to consult her for more information. She sighed and said, "Did you look through the keyhole?" The man told her that he had and she said, "Well, I might as well tell you the story of what happened in that room. A long time ago, a man murdered his wife in there, and we find that even now, whoever stays there gets very uncomfortable. But these people were not ordinary. They were white all over, except for their eyes, which were red.""

The last bit was accompanied with a grin and a shrug. Sliding her hands behind her back the brunette sighed. "That'd make quite a fun prank, don't you think?" she mused thoughtfully. Maybe it would have been a lot of fun to pull that on her brother. He was the easily scared type, right? Her blue eyes shifted over to the boy then and she offered him a shrug as she circled the tree and continued moving onward, further into the darker depths of the forest.

[Taylor McCarthy]

Taylor listened to the story with an amused smirk on his face. It wasn't so much the supposedly spooky tale or the low, foreboding way in which Lucy told it with the back drop of the sun setting around them that had captured his attention. It was the brunette who's lips the words coming from that held his focus. As the two slowly meandered along, Lucy going about her bit of theatrics with walking backward and such, Taylor's eyes never left hers. He caught the story as she told it, but his mind was elsewhere. Lucy had sent him on such a roller coaster ride as of late with exhilarating highs and incalculable lows that, in spite of a few bumps in the road, had opened up to an entirely new world of doubts, fears and uncertainties. And he was savoring every moment of it.

When Lucy's back hit the tree, Taylor continued forward. He wouldn't interrupt her story, even as he drew closer, a hand coming up to splay across the bark of the tree by her head. His eyes caught hers again even as she continued to speak her haunting tale. He lingered close and, when she finished, he had every intention on kissing her. Which stood to reason that she spun away and started into the darkness again.

Taylor's head lowered as she pulled away, a smirk touching his lips as he gave a shake of his head. "You've got a sick sense of humor if you think a story like that would make a good prank." He said, pushing off the tree and moving to continue their subtle game of cat and mouse.

[Lucy James]

"Sick, twisted, dark, caustic..." she trailed off, casting a glance towards the boy over her shoulder. "I mean, I could dress up in a white dress, put on a black wig and paint my face white with circles around the eyes before hiding under someone's bed..." Now that she thought about it, it did sound like quite a lot of fun. "Maybe even get some of that fake blood..." Of course, she'd have to ind someone who'd actually, honestly to god get scared, but that couldn't be too hard, right? The school was filled with angsty children with issues.

Circling around another tree, the brunette leaned against the back of it as she waited for the boy to draw closer. "Or maybe lure them into the middle of the forest is a better option..." Her smirk widened at that as she looked up towards the little of the sky she could see through the treetops. The fresh and cold air of spring still hung in the air, but now that her fever was gone, she found herself enjoying the cold a little more than what she had during the chill periods of her sickness.

[Taylor McCarthy]

"I like the way you think." Taylor mused. It was interesting to see this side of Lucy come out to play. She had always been so guarded and reserved, that she flitted about the trees, obviously amused, seemingly contented, in such a way was a welcome reprieve. It also stood as a testament to how far they'd come in a relatively short period of time. That and he was starting to suspect this Halloween might be a fun one if he stuck with the girl.

He rounded the tree, slowly giving chase as they played their game. "Was that your plan, Luv?" Taylor asked, his eyes shining in the dim light of the setting sun. He moved toward her, leaning in and lingering perilously close once again. He caught her gaze, holding it for a long moment. He wondered briefly what she was getting from all this. If he was merely something for her amusement or if he'd actually managed to slip through the cracks in those heavy walls she used to keep everyone else out. In the end it didn't matter. Whatever her intent, he was largely helpless when she turned her gaze to him and smile. "To lure me out here all by myself?"

[Lucy James]

Peering up at him, Lucy lifted her hand to brush a few strands of his hair away from his forehead. "Now, that wouldn't make much of a plan," she said thoughtfully. Standing on the tips of her toes, the brunette leaned in as if to kiss him, but at the very last second, she pulled away and brushed past him. "After all, it's hardly luring anyone when there's no challenge to it." After all, the boy had more or less followed her up her like a lost sheep. Though, at the end of the day, she would have done the same. Maybe more cautiously, but the end game would still have been the same.

Turning, Lucy walked backwards again as her eyes once again sought out the contours of the boy in the dim light. She wasn't entirely sure what, exactly, it was she was playing at, but right now, she figured it didn't matter. Instead, she simply went with it, just as she suspected he did. "Besides..." she began, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Even if I had something planned, you'd be too curious to say no." Another smirk flashed over her lips as she turned, stepping forward until she found yet another tree to lean against.

[Taylor McCarthy]

Taylor let out a low exhale of breath as Lucy slipped away once again. He nearly felt her lips brush against his before she teasingly pushed off the tree and made her way into the steadily dimming light. His head lowered and shook slightly, even though the coy smirk never left his features. This game they were playing, not just tonight but since they'd met, he didn't know where it was leading, didn't know who was ahead of if they were even keeping score. Whatever it was, it had been more than enough to capture his attention.

His eyes shifted up to watch as Lucy stepped away. He gave her a little distance before following suit, just like the little lamb in the old fairy tail, he went to follow the blue eyed girl. "The luring isn't the goal." He stated, his voice remaining low and almost playful in spite the tone. "But what happens when your victim is isolated and alone, is the key."

Taylor studied her as she took up a spot against another tree. There was no question he was going to take the bait. He moved up to her, this time reaching up to brush a stray strand of brown hair from the side of her face as he drew closer. "You seem to know me all too well." He admitted, his touch lingering against her skin.

[Lucy James]

"Or maybe that's what they want you to think," she fired back with a smirk. Truth be told, Lucy didn't really have a goal. She very rarely did. She enjoyed control. That was all it was. The innocent gesture of being in total control of a situation. No hidden agendas. No games. Just control. Simple and innocent, and yet, playful at the same time. She wasn't so sure he'd view it the same way, but he hadn't exactly left thus far, so she figured this as opposed to the rest was hardly anything. Right?

This time as he drew closer, Lucy didn't move away. Instead, she rested the palms of her hands against the tree and peered up at him, a ghost of a smile dancing on her lips. "Maybe I do," she replied. Leaning into his touch and his hand, the brunette's eyes fluttered closed. It was scary, allowing someone's touch to have such an affect on her. The sole fact that she not only leaned into it and felt drawn to it, but also welcomed it was... Out of this world.

[Taylor McCarthy]

It had felt as though Taylor had to crawl through the brier patch before reaching the rabbit hole who's depths were unknown. He'd passed the pricks and cuts the thorns of Lucy's doubts and fears tore into his skin and now found himself plunging headlong into darkness the likes of which he'd never experienced before. Each time they spoke, every word, every moment just had him tumbling deeper and deeper. What lie at the bottom remained a mystery. There was no light to be seen at the end just yet but the longer he spent in Lucy's presence, the further down he would go.

The sly smirk she sent up toward him belied the way her eyes closed and she leaned into his touch. Try as she might, there was no denying Lucy was just as captivated as he'd been. His thumb lightly grazed upon her lips as he leaned in closer. "Maybe." He whispered with his lips brushing softly against hers. His hand splayed out along her cheek and tilted her head slightly upward. He allowed his lips to linger perilously close to hers for a long moment before his words came out in a hushed tone. "Maybe you still have a lot to learn." He pulled away, his fingertips running gently across her cheek as he slipped passed the tree and continued in the direction they'd been moving.

[Lucy James]

Furrowing her brows, the brunette's eyes opened as she felt him pull away. Though, the expression was quickly replaced by a smirk as she rolled her eyes before following after him. "Maybe I do," she replied through pursed lips. Her hands went into the front pocket of her sweatshirt as she followed suit, though she kept her distance. 

She was actually slightly surprised at the way he'd been the one to pull away. She hadn't expected it, but she had to admit that it was a little admiring, if nothing else. It was obvious that the brunette was amused by the turned tables, even though a voice at the back of her head kept screaming at her, telling her to regain control of the situation. It was the safest option. It always was. 

She was going to find herself regretting this one day.

Closing the distance, the brunette reached her hand out for the boy's. Interlocking their fingers, she tugged him forward as her gaze wandered out towards the darkening forest. "But I'm sure as hell not the only one," she mused.

[Taylor McCarthy]

It felt strange just walking through the ever fading light hand in hand with the girl. Taylor's brow furrowed as he felt her fingers slide between his and tug upon him. He gave no protest or hesitation and moved along with her. Such a common, seemingly innocent gesture brought about a fresh round of confusion and comfort within Taylor's mind. He enjoyed her closeness, relished in her touch, but couldn't shake the feeling there was always something behind those brilliant blue eyes of hers he wouldn't like to see.

"That's why we were picked to come out here, right?" He said, smirking slyly as he glanced to Lucy in the darkness. Taylor was glad she probably couldn't see the outline of his expression. "After all, we're just babes lost in the woods, right, luv?" His tone was soft. The words came out as a certain truth. Neither of them knew what they were doing, but it felt too good to let go. "Wandering in the dark, hoping to find a light."

[Lucy James]

Turning her head, Lucy was brought to slow halt as she looked at him. Her eyes narrowed slightly at his words. "You're starting to sound like one of those Disney princes." Despite her insulting words, there was still a playful smile lingering on her lips. "You really need to learn when to shut up." Sometimes, the boy could be too damn sappy for his own good. The worst part though? It was that it didn't annoy her nearly as much as it had before. Neither did his... whatever it was. "Don't call me luv."

Letting her hand slide through his, the brunette lifted a branch away from their path and moved under it. As if to prove a point, she didn't wait for him before letting go of it. For a brief moment, the brunette watched the branch sway in the air before taking a few steps backwards, and then turning around. "Come on, Princess. You're slacking."

[Taylor McCarthy]

"Maybe you just need to find a way to shut me up." Taylor replied with a coy grin. He was enjoying the light, almost playful banter between them. He issued his challenge not as a sarcastic reply, but as a subtle poke back at the blue-eyed girl who was known for her unforgiving ways. He went to say something, probably about how he wasn't calling her 'luv' but rather using it as a general term but he wasn't able to get the words out. The branch that snapped back at him was unexpected and would have succeeded in slapping him in the face if his power hadn't kicked in and he was able to get a hand up in defense.

"Princess?" He said chuckling softly as he ducked under the branch and continued their slow, subtle game of cat and mouse. These were the moments that had drawn him in. The way the two of them seemed to play off each other in such a coy, almost playful fashion did little to dissuade Taylor of his decision to pursue Lucy. If only they weren't so few and far between. "What happened to 'Teddy'?" He smirked, catching up and reaching out to take her hand in his again. "I think 'Teddy' works."

[Lucy James]

"Maybe I do," she quipped back. Hey, she could always kick him in the nuts to shut him up if she wanted. Or push one of the branches up his ass. Not that she would, but she could if the situation called for it. Then again, neither would work if he saw them coming, so maybe planning ahead wasn't such a bad idea. It was amusing to say the least, but Lucy doubted she'd actually go through with something like that. Not unless he did something to piss her off. Again. Oh, who was she kidding... He was undoubtedly going to piss her off eventually.

That was kind of his thing, yeah?

When Taylor reached out for her hand, Lucy slowed down and turned her head over her shoulder to look at him. At first, he was met with pursed lips and a quirked brow. Then, the brunette simply shrugged. "Teddies are meant to be objects you want to do nothing but cuddle with. I don't see people lining up to cuddle with you. So, I think 'Princess' is better. Clearly, you don't make for a very pretty princess, hence the lack of suitors," she mused.

[Taylor McCarthy]

"Oooh." Taylor grinned, his head shaking. Lucy's trademark witty snark had become one of her most endearing traits. Eventually he figured he'd tired of having everything he said responded to by a sarcastic retort insulting his intelligence or, as in this case, overall appeal but for the moment, as long as she had a smile playing upon her lips and was holding his hand while they walked, the words continued to have little meaning. But even Taylor could appreciate a good burn when he heard one, even if it was at his expense.

"Maybe I don't have any suitors because you scared them away." He replied, casting a glance toward Lucy. In truth, Taylor didn't have many (or any) suitors because he simply didn't want any. Taylor, if left to his own devices would probably catch the next train out of town and get off at whatever stop he happened to be at when he grew bored. Taylor didn't like being tied down. This fact was defied by his attachment to Lucy and was often overshadowed by the girl's own obvious insecurities. "Maybe you don't like competition and just want me all to yourself."

[Lucy James]

"Don't blame your lack of looks on me," she commented. She knew he was only poking fun at her, but the brunette considered telling him to go crazy. She wasn't the jealous type. Being jealous meant that you actually liked someone, and clearly, that wasn't at all the case. She could easily enough walk away without a scratch (rofl, right), and go on about her day like nothing had ever happened. "Don't give yourself too much credit there," she added with a shake of her head. The simple idea of it all was almost laughable.

Continuing down the small trail, the brunette turned her gaze upwards. Once every now and then she could see the night sky through the thick treetops, but it wasn't anything to brag about. Sooner or later, the forest had to clear up some, right? Then again, Lucy hadn't actually done research on this place, and for all she knew, this forest could go on and on for miles on end. Hey, maybe this was good a time as any to get as far away as possible. Granted, she'd have to get rid of the Irish boy first... Clearly, he'd just slow her down.