Time falls away (open)

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

our lives are made
in these small hours these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate time falls away,
but these small hours, these small hours still remain

let it slide, let your troubles fall behind you
let it shine until you feel it all around you
and i don't mind if it's me you need to turn to
we?ll get by, it's the heart that really matters in the end

Cara sat at one of the internet terminals in the library. She had only just finished one course, but already she was once again looking at the website for the University of Phoenix. She knew that she could look at a place closer to home, but this place already knew her work ethics so she wouldn't need to go through all the struggles she went through when she had first signed up for her last course.

She clicked on the link for their law courses, and her eyes scanned the page as she read through all the different courses they had available. Looking down at the notebook she had opened beside the keyboard, she started jotting down notes - well copying out what she had read on the page - about the different courses, as well as a few of her own pros and cons for each one. She gently tapped the pen on the paper as she looked through what she had written down, trying to work out which course would be better suited for her - not that she even knew what she wanted to do when she had control of her own life in three years time.

Lyrics: Little Wonders - Rob Thomas

[lorilie]

Seamus only had one goal in mind, and that was finding out the laws of this state and putting them in effect against the man who was hurting Cara. Fury boiled his veins like heated water in an underwater spring.

Was this what people always spoke of? Compassion so strong, he'd kill anyone who dared to harm the one that compassion was directed toward? Perhaps. Seamus had never been one for emotion, as it always seemed to hurt you in the end, but then he'd met Cara.

She was distant, like something he thought he could touch, but she was too far from his reach. He was growl in frustration, but his level head simply told him that she didn't like him... It was time to move on. But his heart wouldn't couldn't allow that.

And so he'd found himself here, and as he took a computer, he noticed the one that occupied his thoughts just a few computers down. He felt passion burn his blood and quickly turned to the screen to begin his research.

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara massaged her tired temples as she typed another subject in the search engine, this time it was animal psychology. She was studying vet sciences under Doctor Clarkson, so animal psychology seemed like the best thing to do. She frowned slightly when the search resulted in nothing. So the next thing she typed in was child psychology. This search resulted in quite a few choices including child development. She hovered the mouse over EDU305 Child Development and clicked the left button and waited for the page to load up. As she read through what the course entailed, she nodded. This did indeed seem like the course for her. It seemed like what she would need to know to become a better person should she want to follow on with her own life and become a social worker herself.

She picked up her pen and once again started writing down what was on the screen and then adding her own notes to what was there. She now had to decide between the two courses, as she would need the permission of the head of faculty to be able to do the correspondence courses and she doubted that she would be allowed to sit more than one at a time. As there was no way that she could explain to not only Ms Clarkson abut Mr Rees as well that she didn't sleep so she had 24 hours a day that she could devote to not only her school work, horses but th course work as well.

She opened a new tab in her browser and loaded up Google and typed: what do i need to do to become a social worker into the search bar before clicking Search. She then clicked on the first link and her eyes scanned the page quickly. The second step said that she would need a B.S.W. (bachelor's degree in social work). A small frown marred her flawless face as she tried to think if she had ever seen a certificate hanging up in Mr Andrew's office. After all, she had one for her BS in Psychology. Lower down it said that she would need to work under another social worker, this part scared her a little as she had yet to meet someone she actually trusted enough to teach her the ropes of what a social worker should do.

[lorilie]

The sixteen year old couldn't find anything, not yet. He'd need evidence. So, with a sigh, he dragged his lanky frame from the computer and rubbed his eyes tiredly. Sleep was such a rarity to him, as he was so caught up in this mad plan to bring down Andrews. He stole a glance at Cara and gathered some courage. Seamus then made his way over, taking in her sweet face and beautiful eyes.

Her cheek seemed to be healing nicely, the bruising minimal, but unessesary by his standards. He put on a smile and ignored the pounding of his veins and brainwaves, greeting her with a "Hey Cara. How ya doin'?"

The boy didn't dare sit down, as he didn't want to intrude, nor did he know how she thought of him, with his somewhat... very violent behaviour toward Andrews in the arena. So he hung back like a dog waiting to be allowed to come and sit with the guests.

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara's eyes scanned page after page on how she could go about getting bachelors in social work. She noted that Phoenix Uni offered a course that would get her half-way there but she would have to ask around to be able to finish it off. She pressed her lips together, thinking of how much fun it was going to be asking another university of she could finish a paper she'd already started. She jotted down the notes nonetheless to add to her list of possible courses

"Hey Cara. How ya doin'?"

The sound of another voice made her jump of out the seat and then sit frozen, looking at the computer screen, very aware of the compiled list of scribbled notes beside her - thinking that Cara scribbles as well as she doodles. She knew that if she shut the browser down it would make it obvious that she was doing something she possibly shouldn't so she moved her hand away from the mouse. "Hello, Seamus." She finally spoke as she glanced over her shoulder at the owner of the voice before turning back to the screen. "I am well. What are you doing in the library at this hour of the night?"

[lorilie]

He prefered to watch her rather than the screen, as he liked to give her the privacy she deserved. "I don't sleep well. My brain's off switch was disconnected at birth, so I'm constantly solving problems, although there's one I can't ever peice together."

Even as he spoke, his mind was a whirl. He would need information on the clinic where Andrews worked, as well as Cara's days on when she went to him. Seamus could then ask if he could simply take down a report of injuries, noticable or not, and possibly take pictures of the ones on her face and arms, if she didn't mind.

Of course, his entire investigation rested solely on Cara's cooperation and willingness to bring the man to justice. There was always a chance she'd rather stay out of any legal matter, and then Seamus would be helpless to protect her, as he'd be stuck in juvie after attacking Andrews, if he didn't get to go after the man in court.

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

"I don't sleep well. My brain's off switch was disconnected at birth, so I'm constantly solving problems, although there's one I can't ever peice together."

Cara rubbed her temples, she knew all too well about not being able to sleep. "My life stops me from wanting to sleep." She returned softly. She turned the chair around to face him, a small frown on her youthful face. "You aren't still worrying about the issue in the arena are you?" She asked. "It was nothing. I should have just answered his question and shut up." The frown vanished as she raised her eyebrows. "Any idea what you want to do when you finish school?" She wasn't normally so chatty, but she needed help in making a decision on courses, and this was the only way she could think of broaching the subject without coming right out and saying You think I should do criminal law, child development or social working?

[lorilie]

Seamus froze. "I would have to say that I am. It's wrong for him to hit you; against the law. Every man has a weakness, and every contract has a loophole. If I can get to him, I can bring him down, and set you free. You and anyone else he's hurt."

He sighed and sat down heavily. "But I'm only a teenager, and no one on this side of the ocean will listen to me. If I was back home, I could speak up."

He looked up at her and shrugged. "Maybe a Chemist or P.I.. A detective, Major Crimes, SWAT... I dunno. Something to solve problems, so that I can do what I know I'm good at. Or at least, what I think I'm good at. No one's ever been real praising of me."

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara rolled her eyes. "I'll be free when I'm eighteen." She said. "You put Mr Andrews away and there will be another just like him salivating to take his place." She knew that her words could have been chosen more wisely but it was the truth. There were many social workers like Tony who would love to get their hands on Cara and her training. "I don't need to be set free anyway. I perfectly content to wait until my eighteenth."

She listened as Seamus spoke about the possibilities of what he could so when finishing high school. Cara nodded. "I'm trying to decide between a few choices." She said lightly. "Criminal law, child development or social working. I was thinking of animal psychology too." She tried to make it sound as light and uncommitted as possible, as though it wasn't something she was thinking of doing now.

[lorilie]

Seamus was quiet as he listened to her courses. He thought carefully over the classes she listed, and analyzed what he personally thought would be best for her.

"I would say Child Development and Animal Psychology if I were you. You have experiance in those fields and the intelligence to go far with them. It would also pay good money. Of course, Crimanil Law and Social Working are also good fields, but I can't see you in either job. You love kids and animals, so why don't you work at something you love? Of course, Mum always told me that anyone can do anything they put their mind too, so you can do whatever you like.

Seamus himself had no idea what field would be good for himself. He knew he could do whatever he wanted but he didn't know what field he'd enjoy the most. Something away from an office, of course.

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara nodded. "Thank you." She couldn't even understand why she had looked up the law courses. She pressed her lips together as she wondered if she should mention that she'd recently done human psychology. She closed her eyes as the pounding in her head seemed to suddenly intensify before it subsided again. "How many courses do you think I should do at one time."

She looked up, her cat-coloured eyes meeting his. "Be careful Seamus." She said softly. "Anyone who gets close to me, ends up with more pain than they can handle. Look at my mare." She pressed her lips together as she looked away. "And my parents." She gave a bitter bark of a laugh. "I killed them." A few years ago, she had assured the psychiatrists she had to go and see that she didn't blame herself for the death of her parents, but as she got older the only reason she couldn't remember them, and couldn't forget anything or anyone else, was because she was the reason her parents didn't make it home that night...

[lorilie]

Seamus nodded, then answered her next question swiftly. "As many as you think you can ahndle without drowning yourself. Maybe three. Possibly two. It depends on the level of difficulty the course provides."

Seamus gave her a sad smile. "I'm afraid that I'm always willing to take a chance on the people I care most deeply about." He mumured. Then a frown was found upon his features. "Cara... I can't say I understand. I can't offer words of comfort. I can just say that things happen for a reason that we don't understand at first. But one day, we'll know the reason they occured, and when we do, things will be a bit easier. But you shouldn't blame yourself for their deaths. You were only a baby, right?" He longed to put a hand on her shoulder, to offer her comfort in some way...

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara pulled her knees up so that her heels were on the edge of her seat and she rested her chin on her knees. "I was eighteen months." She told him. "Father owned, worked in and ran an automotive company. He spent many evenings at work, most of them after I was tucked into my cot for the night. Ma ran the house, she was also a catering chef. The house always smelt of roses and cinnamon." She closed her eyes as feelings of warmth washed over her. "On that fateful night, Father remained at work after the office and factory had closed up for the night. I was left with a sitter while Ma took him some dinner - she always made sure that he had a cooked meal at night." She opened her eyes again. "I was handed over to the social service people that arrived at the door, and thus my life - as I know it - began. I remember every place I have been to, I remember the face of every person who had ever laid a hand on me. I remember every coach I've ever had. Every horse, competition, recital, performance. If it hadn't been for me, Mikoto Kitchi would never have been at the factory that night, and Illoynda would never have gone in to give her husband his dinner." She looked at him again, her strangely coloured eyes filled with heart-wrenching pain, her voice soft and child-like - matching the pain in her eyes. "Why can I remember everything I want to forget and not be able to even bring up a shadow of my parents?" She hadn't cried since before she could remember and knew that a normal person would be crying now. She knew she should stop talking now, but it was like a floodgate had opened. "I don't sleep as I am afraid of what memories my dream might unfold. I remember everything, right down to the last detail, as if it happened yesterday. I can close my eyes and bring to mind any given moment in my past. But my extraordinary memory - that's what the doctors called it - only starts after I went into foster care. I have hidden my emotions for so long that they feel foreign when I actually show them. I don't cry and don't think I could even if I wanted to." She pressed her lips together and bit down on her lower lip as the pounding in her head intensified again but passed just as quickly as before. "I live to please others. I obey without question. I am unable to lie to my elders. I would rather face death than the wrath of my social worker." Her eyebrows shot up at the last sentence that came out of her mouth.

[lorilie]

Seamus watche dher as he felt his heart break for her, his body screaming to hold her, to protect her, to shelter her from the awful world and the harshness of reality.

He listened to her story and he met her eyes, seeing the pain behind them. The story of her past and the raw pain it had caused her, and he cursed the world and it's brutalities. What had Cara done to deserve such torture?

Seamus then did something he was convinced her would later regret. He reached out and wrapped his arms around Cara, gently murmuring to her; "You don't have to fight alone anymore."

The boy instantly began to treasure this, a moment where he could hold her before she pushed away him away forever and ran off screaming.

[Ω-Admin-Cara-Ω]

Cara's eyebrows shot up as Seamus' arms encircled her and she almost allowed herself to melt into the embrace, until he spoke. She put her hands against his chest and pushed gently against his chest. "This is my fight though, and I need to do it alone." She told him softly. "We are strengthened by the battles we fight." She turned back to the computer she had been working on and sent through the form for information on all the courses she had been looking at. She'd probably only do a couple of them, but she'd get all the relevant information so that she could make a well-informed decision. "Have you ever thought about becoming a counselor?" She asked the older boy as she turned back to face him. "You make it very easy for someone to talk to you. And this is coming from me who hates talking to anyone." She shrugged slightly.

She pressed her lips together. "With the sour, there's also the sweet. I'm an elite gymnast, a prima ballerina, I have ridden some of the best ponies all over the world. None of which would have happened had my life been any different." She gave another small shrug. "I speak dozens of languages, I've met lots of people - some I would rather forget - and I've had some really good coaches and trainers. So not every part of my life has been a living nightmare. I just wish I could forget things."