The Theatre (Pt.1)

Setting: Rheimann Theatre
Time: Mid-Late 1800's
 
Dimly lit were the lights within the corridor of the theatre, a grave foreshadowing to what was to come that night, symbolic of the rain that fell outside the bustling streets.
Streets, which wavered greatly from their present time in which Jason had ever even been thought of. The walls of the theatre held not even a cobweb nor a collection of dust upon its surfaces, not a single crack dancing along the roof. The building was void of stray cats, missing chairs, and broken lights as it rested in the current day.


From behind the curtains, a nervous hand pulled them apart a crack to look outwards, her hair in black ringlets that framed a porcelain complexion. The woman wore a magnificent dress of raven colored silk and lace, accenting her small frame which begged the question of how she walked in such a thing. She looked to be around eighteen or nineteen perhaps, her eyes a soft blue color. 
"Oh~ ...where is he?"
Her softened voice uttered as she scanned the seats and balconies while time was still allotted. Despite her fears, the woman stood atop the world in such a place, knowing the curtain would soon rise and she would greet an eager audience of hundreds of faces, most she had never seen before, nor would she again. On the edge of the stage, the orchestra played their final song, the vibrations of the instruments that had once filled the room coming to a slow and steady halt to silence. Soon enough the woman felt her heart jump as the lights flashed on like a permanent strike of lightning in the room, that remained to blind her for a moment as she stepped out.
Within the audience came cheers of many, like a deafening roar. The woman's soft blue eyes swept over the crowd, where her eyes would eventually land upon a balcony to her right, upon the top level of the theatre hall. Much to her dismay, it's chairs were empty among the others that rested packed to their capacity.
"Oh~ Kei-, where are you..?
The distraught feeling remained in her chest as she pursed her lips, glancing over to see the orchestra conductor eagerly awaiting her cue. Willing her expression into a smile, she would step out to the center of the stage where the lights blinded her once again. As the low hum of violins filled the building the woman began to sing, her voice as sweet as honey as it rang out, gentle enough to soothe even the most savage of beasts, as her dear Kei had once told her.
But... of all nights, where was he?
The performance soon ended as the last song had been sung, her voice softening until her lips were no longer parting, signaling the end. As the music stopped she looked out once more to see the theatre erupt into applause, those in their seats standing in ovation. A smile graced the woman's lips as she watched, bowing her head. Still, she found herself laced with sadness as she glanced up to the empty balcony once more.

The Theatre (Pt.2)

The final roses were tossed onto the stage towards the eighteen-year-old girl as the curtain came down. Just as soon as the velvety red drapes reached the ground her expression had faltered.

Ophelia turned sharply on her heels to head off the stage area and back to her dressing room. He had to be waiting there... He had to be. He would explain everything to her then.

He had promised her mere nights before they landed in the city that he would stand on the balcony when the curtain rose. He had followed her throughout the cities she had performed in that year, faithful to watch the young star sing with a voice of an angel.

He had missed not a single one, paying his way to spend that time with her. He had promised her that when all was done, and she was finished seeing the world, he would be there to begin another chapter.

--These were the thoughts that plagued her mind and caused tears to well up at the corners of her eyes.
He promised her.

Such thoughts were interrupted just as swiftly as they started, by a shoulder on her hand that was so sudden that her heart jumped. Ophelia turned around. A man with a stern expression stood before her.

"Miss... I am sorry, but-"

The man wasn't her Kei.

As he started to speak her lips formed a pout, brows furrowing in questioning. The man before her was an officer; she had recognized the uniform from when they first entered the city the night before.

"What... What do you..?"

"They are investigating as we speak-"

"K..KEI!?"
The eighteen-year-old shrieked in a tone that would only later be familiar to the ghostly shell of herself. Passing by the officer, Ophelia need not hear any more of his words. Something was wrong, horribly wrong. She made her way down the hallway as fast as her ballroom dress would allow her. Two more officers were seen speaking down the hallway, to which she would pass them by as well.

Oh... no. no no no no no... what happened?
Ophelia's warpath halted when she shoved open the back doors to the theatre, hearing commotion outside. By now the rain was falling steadily in heavy drops, leaving shallow puddles along the street. Up ahead more officers were standing, blocking the alleyway across from the theatre from her vision.

Oh no no no...

"KEI..!"
The young woman shrieked once more.
She was running, holding up the heavy dress as she crossed the empty road. The edges of the gown dipped into the rainwater that flowed like rivers at the edges of the road.

The officers on the scene were quick to watch Ophelia before she reached the scene, shielding her from the view of a man that lay dead in the alley. Rainwater saturated what was left of the blood- a single gunshot wound to the head that ultimately put the now face-forward man to death.

"No... no no no.. No! No! No!"

Ophelia shrieked as the officers pulled her back. She could see the opaque redness in the rainwater that joined with that of the street. Her eyes had teared up until reaching their limit, pooling over to streak down her face. The young star's legs failed her as she collapsed into a fit of sobs.

The young singer never did see the fate of the man that she waited on for every one of her shows. The reports read it as a man robbed at gunpoint, a situation that relied on it being the wrong place, the wrong time.
If left her with too many 'What ifs' to bear.

Come to the end of the night, the crew had packed up to move onto the next city, leaving the eighteen-year-old to her thoughts, her grieving. They turned a blind eye not knowing how to comfort the young lady. No one even noticed her slip away.

When the time came to leave, her manager finally came looking. A loud, hollow THUD was heard.

Porcelain skin somehow was whiter, dappled with crimson, her body motionless. The infamous "Ophelia Melody" had thrown herself from the top balcony within the back of the theatre, with the hopes of joining her beloved Kei.

...If only she had received the ending in which she hoped for.

Death List

1 - to Marana Momochi.     [Read Here]

         Cause: He was incinerated. 

2 - protecting Shikoba.     [Read Here]

          Cause: He was impaled several times.

                       Died of blood loss. 

3 - while pestering Skya.     [Read Here]

          Cause: He was incinerated, as well as

                       Crushed repeatedly afterwards. 

4 - At the hands of Veridia.     [Read Here]

          Cause: He was tortured and ripped to shreds.

                        ...Literally to shreds. 

5 -  Lost against Qahnarrin     [Read Here]

          Cause: He was kept alive while slaughtered.

                        Passed out from pain, died of blood loss and trauma. 

6 -  "Silenced" by Naomi Shimura     [Read Here]

          Cause: Acute spinal trauma, fractures in a few different sections

                        ranging from the base of his neck to lower back. 

7 -  Executed by Λnubis     [Read Here]

          Cause: His spinal column was ripped from his body

                        starting from top to bottom. 

8 -  Mauled by Creo.     [Read Here] 

          Cause: Prior injury mixed with agitating the canine.

                        Countless Lacerations, ultimately bled out. 

9 -  Shot at point blank range.     [Read Here]

          Cause: He doesn't quite remember...

                        He knows his death was almost instantaneous. 

-Official Document Enclosed-

Missing Persons (Dated 12/08/1984)

Jason Alan Hale

Male

Born  11/13/1964

Country of origin: U.S.

City of residence: New York City

Last known residence: Brooklyn

- - - - - - - - - -

Last Known Physical Appearance:

Age: 20

Race: Caucasian

Weight: 136 lbs

Height: 5' 10''

Blood type: O-

Black hair

Light blue eyes

No piercings

No tattoos

- - - - - - - - - -

Health Background:

Drinker: Yes

Smoker: Past history

Drug use: recorded abuse of heroin and cocaine

Overdose at age 20, sought no rehabilitation following release

Notable alcoholic traits from father

Low risk of diabetes from mother

Addictive health records from both parents

- - - - - - - - - -

Education:

Through the 5th to the 9th grade, prior issues of attendance and in-class habits were noted from Jason. Concerns had been shared both verbally and written to the parents.

Teachers reported countless cases of aggression out of Jason toward his peers and noticed a lack of focus and attention during lessons at various intervals of the months. Supervisors remarked on concerns of distancing from peers both inside the classrooms and out.

Attendance by Jason was halted during the second semester of his 9th grade. Concerns and notifications were shared with Jason's father to no answer nor whereabouts of Mr. Hale.

Family History:

Jason is the son of Melanie Fonseca and Alan Hale. Mother Melanie died of an overdose when Jason was 13, father Alan's whereabouts unknown to date. Prior existing family to the mother's side (residing out of country) has been reached out to, but contact was not achieved. Prior existing recent family to the father's side is not on record.

Ms. Fonseca and Mr. Hale have no records of marriage and have no other living heirs. There have been reported allegations of physical abuse by teachers and nurses of the public school where Jason attended, although a full investigation was suspended. Jason allegedly disappeared from his home at age 14, and a missing persons report was never officially filed by parent nor affiliated persons. The state-filed report was put to ease 6 months following his disappearance from school.
His father, Alan Hale, was also reported missing during this time.

Jason was absent until one year later at age 15. Jason served time in a juvenile detention center for 1 month before being released to foster care.

Jason was later declared missing two weeks after settling into a foster home. He re-surfaced at age 17 following shoplifting charges and was sentenced to 30 days juvenile detention, followed by admittance to a troubled youth facility in Queens with the goal of rehabilitating teens with record of living on the streets. One month after admittance to the facility, Jason was once again declared missing.

Struggles of keeping Jason in the system continued until he was liberated as a legal adult at age 18. The following year included arrests on charges of arson, assault, and disorderly conduct. Strings of violent crimes and substance abuse carried on through his record, including intoxication charges and treatment for a near-lethal heroin overdose at age 20. 

Following the court cases for said events, the presiding judge labeled Jason as a "Reoccurring case with a track record set to repeat." Jason was sentenced to 3 months incarcerated, community service hours, and 6 months of rehabilitation that was never carried to full term by the young man.

 

Jason seemingly disappeared from the system once more after age 20 and has been labeled as missing persons since 1984.

- - - - - - - - - -

Standing Legal Record:

Minor Offenses

Petty theft, [age 14]

30 days juvenile detention, [age 14-15]

Aggravated Assault, [ages 16(dropped)]

Petty theft, [age 17]

30 days juvenile detention, [age 17]

30 days at youth rehab facility, [age 17] 

Adult Offenses

Arson/Property crime, Disorderly conduct [age 18]

Petty theft, Vehicular theft [age 19]

Vehicular theft, Possession of firearms, [age 20]

Aggravated Assault, [age 20]

Public intoxication, Public indecency, [ages 19, 20]

Drug abuse, overdose [ages 19, 20]

9-month jail sentence, [age 20]

Admittance to state Rehab center [age 20, never fulfilled]

The Streets (Pt.1)

"Dammit kid, get the fuck back here!"

By the age of sixteen, Jason was more or less used to hearing these things being yelled out as he took off running, not looking back until the silence was his only follower. At that age he was small, thin, weak- just getting used to the rigors that living on the streets would encompass. However, one thing had worked out in his favor so far. He was fast.

It was routine, ever since he had left home at the age of fourteen, surviving two winters in the city which were a feat he was more than proud of. He had so far made it in a world that his old man had said he'd only last minutes in, alone.

-/-

Easy... easy. Breathe. Not too fast. 

He reminded himself of these things as he approached a stranger holding a cigarette to his mouth, leaning against a wall that served as the opening to an alleyway just outside the neighborhood bar. Each step was careful, quiet. His fingers grasped the very edge of the man's billfold, which had worked its way halfway out of the man's pocket. Though just as he gave it a tug, the worst case scenario happened.

The cigarette dropped. The man turned around, yelling. And Jason was RUNNING. 

"Goddamn kid, I fuckin' swear!"

Jason's eyes didn't leave the alley in front of him as he sprinted down it, the man in hot pursuit behind him. He took one sharp turn after another, just like he would have in any other case. He wasn't thinking... just running. 

"Fucking kid, you think you can run!?"

The man yelled out, causing the hair on the back of Jason's neck to rise... he was close. Anybody else would have given up... wouldn't they? He didn't even get his wallet! Why was he bothering chasing, and how the hell was he keeping up?

He didn't have time to think about it all. Suddenly he felt a hand snatch the hood of his sweatshirt, yanking the rest of him back forcefully. Before Jason could get his head straight on the situation, he felt the back of it strike the brick wall. His eyes grew wide as hands moved to pin his shoulders to the surface. Looking up he saw the silhouette hovering over him, looking him in the eye. 

The man looked to be in his early twenties, dark hair and brown eyes. He was dressed in street attire no different than Jason's, certainly no cleaner nor newer. Of average height, the man wasn't built, though there was no questioning he had the upper hand in any fighting scenario that came into Jason's head. 

"What the hell do you think you're doing, kid?"

The man snapped, his tone commanding enough to make Jason flinch. He turned his head to the side, refusing to look at the stranger. His jaw tightened, not saying a word. His eyes widened again as the man pulled him away from the wall, only to push him back into it again forcefully. Jason grunted in pain as it sent a wave of pain down his back, his head starting to ache from the first time.

"I...I was hungry." Jason mumbled.

"Speak up!" The man snapped, tightening his grip on the boy's clothes causing him to flinch. 

"I said I was hungry!" Jason yelled, "I have to fucking eat, y'know!"

The man should've knocked him out, right then and there. He should've dragged his ass to the cops and had him thrown in jail overnight for minor theft. Instead, nothing happened. Jason's head turned to meet the stranger's stare with a frown.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"But I already answ-"

"No! Out here. On the streets. What is a kid like you doing out here?" The man demanded.

"I don't know what you're aski-"

"Fucking tell me! What, are you some runaway punk? Did you think you'd last out here? Don't you think you should be getting home before your folks find out your ass is gone?" He snapped. 

"I can't fucking go back, he'd kill me! What makes you think you know a damn thing about me!?" 

Jason yelled, glaring back at the stranger. His voice had wavered, letting fear be evident in it. This was yet another time he expected to feel his face be punched in, yet the man didn't move. He just pinned him there deeming him unable to run. 

"...how long have you been out here, kid?"

"I dunno... two years, give or take."

The man sighed. He looked off to the side before his eyes returned to Jason's. 

"Listen, kid... I'll give you twenty bucks if you don't run when I let go. Got it? No cops, twenty bucks. Just hear me out... sound like a deal?"

To that, Jason nodded. After all, twenty dollars went as far as two to three weeks, if he stretched it far enough. Upon nodding, the man's hands relaxed their grip on his shoulders.  The man's hands went into his pockets, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. He slipped one past his lips and lit it, offering one to Jason. Though he shook his head the man insisted, pulling one out and putting it in his hands, handing the lighter to him.

"So you wanna live on the streets, huh?"

"Yeah... what's it to you?" 

Jason muttered. Lighting the cigarette he breathed in, coughing abruptly as the smoke filled his lungs. The man snickered as he watched. 

"I hate to break it to ya, kid, but you aren't going to last out here alone. Hell, you won't make it to your twenties if you keep it up. There ain't no life for you, digging around in the trash alone. You need somebody to support you. A place you can go back to. People you can trust to get you out of a bind."

"I told you. I'm not going back home." 

Jason replied adamantly. To that, the man laughed.

"I never said you were, kid. But I know a place. A place where street kids like you go. A roof of sorts over your head. Meals, clothes, you name it. You've just gotta help out and pay your dues. Hell, nobody's gonna tell you what to do, other than that. How's that sound?"

...Too good to be true is what Jason thought. He took another puff of the cigarette, this time letting the smoke escape through his lips.

"Where the hell is this place, then? How many people are in on it? I don't have any cash, what do you mean 'pay my dues'?"

"Whoa, slow down, kid. By the way... you got a name?"

The man asked.

"...Jason. Who the hell are you?"

He muttered back. To which, the man laughed. 

"I like your spirit, kid. The name's Adam. Why don't you let me show you, it'll all make sense if you see it."

"...Fine." 

Jason replied. He hadn't found anything else as promising, after all... he'd check it out, and if it didn't seem right he'd bolt. Just like always. 

"Hey. You said you'd give me twenty bucks, right?"

"I did say that, didn't I?" Adam replied, dropping his cigarette butt.

"C'mon, kid. I'll give it to you when we get there."