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Post by David on Mar 10, 2009 16:18:27 GMT -8
David was not the king of the streets. Those sorts of people, the major crime lords, always ended up behind bars or worse eventually. And that was something David really wanted to avoid. He would not allow himself to be caged again. He was happy to operate on his current level; enough that he would live well for the rest of his days.
He was out on the streets today, making sure that things were done personally. He didn't often do business on his own, but he'd gotten bored with sitting in his office; it happened on occasion. So he found himself out and about today. He was feeling good, which was rare because he was only a little high. Then he saw someone who changed his mood instantly.
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Post by Cassie Berenson on Mar 10, 2009 20:42:12 GMT -8
Cassie was on lunch break early. It happened to her often. Today she felt like having a salad with tomatoes, and spent about fifteen minutes inside. After she finished eating, she walked the streets aimlessly, looking through glass and the objects inside.
Cassie didn't even notice anyone that would be recognizable. In truth, no one really was on the street that she would recognize. She crossed her arms lightly to defend her body from the cold and started walking back to work.
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Post by David on Mar 10, 2009 21:23:45 GMT -8
Even after all these years, David would recognize any of the Animorphs anywhere. He kept track of the, just in case. He had never made a move because he didn't want to be discovered. There was too much he could never explain. Or, at least, too much that he would never be allowed to explain.
But when he had the opportunity, David couldn't just let it slip away. He didn't know what he was going to do, but he was already starting to plan. Maybe, after all this time, it was time he set business aside and did something for himself.
David set off after Cassie, taking care not to be seen. He knew how to avoid notice from his early days in the business, and he still had most of his skills. He didn't know what he was going to do, or when, but he was already starting to plan.
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Post by Cassie Berenson on Mar 10, 2009 21:29:32 GMT -8
Of course, Cassie didn't know she was being followed. She looked at the time and knew she had to head back to work. Sighing, Cassie set off across the street. The day was halfway over. She always looked forward to going home to see Jake and the kids.
Another upside to this lunch break was the fact that the next day was her day off. She enjoyed working there, yes, but she wanted to spend more quality time with her family. Besides, she also needed to call her brother since there was something he wanted to talk to her about.
Cassie didn't know what though, and her mind was on that when she opened the office doors and logged in, doing all the security stuff. "Thank you, Mike," she said to the man standing by the door before walking inside.
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Post by David on Mar 10, 2009 21:40:11 GMT -8
David followed Cassie until she reached some office building. He saw Cassie enter without any trouble. David waited a few moments, but he couldn't let her get too far. He might have morphed to something small to follow her, but he had a lot of money on him and he didn't want to lose that. So he made the dangerous decision to follow her as a human.
Security gave him a little bit of trouble at first. That is until David palmed a small wad of cash to the man checking him. After that, and after the security guard made certain David was unarmed, it was easy enough to move around. "Now where did she go?"
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Post by Cassie Berenson on Mar 10, 2009 21:44:17 GMT -8
Cassie continued down the hallway into her office. Three missed messages it seemed like. She listened to them and made a note to call the people later. Then she brought out paperwork and started filling them out. After they were done, Cassie walked out of her office and went into Ronnie's. "Here, you need to sign these."
Ronnie looked at her in mild surprise and then signed the papers. "Here you go." He returned to his work and Cassie walked back to her own office. It had been like that since he started working there as her boss. Not that she minded. Deciding to leave her office door open, Cassie went back to work.
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Post by David on Mar 10, 2009 21:50:05 GMT -8
It was easy enough to find Cassie's office; plenty of people knew where it was and assumed David had a good reason for seeking her out. Her office door was open when he found it. He paused unsure how to proceed. Then he got an idea and knocked lightly on the ope door. "Do you have a minute, mam?" he asked, no trace of his emotions in his voice.
"There is something important I need to discuss with you." David entered the room and closed the door softly, looking for a seat. "I assure you it is of the utmost importance. I hope you can spare a few minutes for an old friend."
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Post by Cassie Berenson on Mar 10, 2009 21:57:58 GMT -8
Cassie was deep at work when she heard a voice. Her head snapped up and she blinked. "Oh, sure. Come on in." She smiled and stood up, out of courtesy. She wasn't sure what he wanted, but she supposed it was important.
Proven to be right, Cassie smiled again. "Okay, I'm listening." She raised an eyebrow at the 'old friend' remark. "I'm sorry, I don't think we've met. You are...?"
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Post by David on Mar 11, 2009 23:11:04 GMT -8
"Oh, but of course. You wouldn't recognize me; not after all these years. We've both changed so much, Cassie. I mean, look at you now! Your clothes, this office... Dear Rachel would be so proud of you. A far cry from daddy's barn, isn't it? And yet, you don't look too unhappy here. Interesting, isn't it, how money can change so much about a person?"
David stuck out his hand to shake hers. He needed to touch her. After all, if he didn't touch her, he couldn't acquire her. And he would definitely need that for any of his plans to succeed. "But perhaps, after so long, formal introductions are in order."
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Post by Cassie Berenson on Mar 12, 2009 6:16:36 GMT -8
Cassie stared hard at David. He didn't look familiar at all. He must have had a surgical makeover or something. Though the way he was talking sounded vaguely familiar. "It's not about the money," she replied. "It's about family, and love. I am grateful for that."
Cassie had the urge not to shake the man's hand, but it was rude not to do so. She put her hand in his. "All right, so you know my name, apparently. What is yours?"
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Post by David on Mar 12, 2009 11:15:30 GMT -8
David concentrated on Cassie as he acquired her. It had been a while since he acquired anything; much less a person. Just like riding a bike, he told himself. But considerably more fun.
"Don't you like guessing games, Cassie? I do. But then again, I always win at those. Why don't you take a guess, Cassie. Or do I need to give you a hint? That wouldn't surprise me. Somehow, I doubt that even after all this time, you've gotten much smarter."
He was stalling for time, mostly. While talking to Cassie, his other hand was in his pocket, sending a text message to one of his people. He needed a vehicle outside of the building. Very soon. He was not sure how Cassie would react when she realized who he was. Only that it would be negative. And then things would happen very, very fast.
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Post by Cassie Berenson on Mar 12, 2009 11:35:13 GMT -8
Cassie felt tired all of the sudden. Maybe it was the fact that she didn't get a lot of sleep the night before. She wasn't sure. Though the man kept talking, and wouldn't give her his name. "I-I" She thought for a moment. Who could he be?
"I'm not sure who you are, but you said you had important business to discuss with me?" Something seemed familiar with him, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. It was aggravating to her. She felt like she absolutely needed to know. A bit late, her warning lights were flaring.
"If there's nothing else, I'm very busy." Cassie stated, though feeling a bit of the acquiring feeling.
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Post by David on Mar 12, 2009 14:01:52 GMT -8
"Oh, it's very important," David assured her. "I wonder, Cassie: how long would you wait for something you want." Ironic, he said to himself. How long will I have to wait for this car? "Would you wait, say ten years? Twenty? For something you really, truly desired?"
David sat down in a chair in front of her desk. "Now me, I'm willing to wait a long time for what I want. Life is about patience, you know. You wait, say, a few years for marriage. A few months for children... Do you love your children, Cassie?"
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Post by Cassie Berenson on Mar 12, 2009 14:56:34 GMT -8
Cassie sat in her own chair and leaned forward, trying to listen and pay attention. "How long would I wait? Oh, I don't know. Depends on what it is." She really needed to know who this guy was; it was bugging her. "Right now, I'm fine with where I'm at."
The guy asked about her children and she looked stricken for a minute. "Did Carson get himself in trouble or something?" She narrowed her eyes at him. "You don't look like a school official."
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Post by David on Mar 12, 2009 15:25:59 GMT -8
"Oh, no, no. Carson is fine," David answered. "For the moment, at least. Who can say for how long, though? Do you know how fast a parent can lose a child, Cassie? Or the other way around? I remember when I was taken by my parents. But I'm sure you've forgotten all about that. It is...very easy to forget what you are too ashamed to remember."
He kept waiting for his phone to vibrate; the signal that his vehicle was ready. No such luck yet. So he leaned forward. "Still no guesses, Cassie? Think hard. For once, use your head, not your heat. You know the others would have figured it out already."
His eyes flew across her desk, keeping track of the objects on it; which he could use as a weapon in an emergency. He knew that her first reaction would not be violence; that simply was not Cassie's style. But it never hurt to be prepared. "Take a wild guess."
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