Jackson was well aware of the pain Imogen had suffered in the past, though in spite of that, she seemed to smile that much brighter now. Back then, he turned to his mother for help, wishing somehow he could do all he could to help Imogen. He also remembered the nights Imogen had begged him not to speak a word to her mother anymore, fearful that she’d be taken away and lose contact with Jackson. Knowing that now, it broke his heart to imagine all she had endured just to be near him. Despite all that, he knew that his mother had done all she could to make sure Imogen was happy whenever she came over.

“Well, in our defense, it was accidental.” He shrugged, a small smirk spreading across his lips. “…But the second kiss wasn’t.” He gently nudged her before he reached out to grab some of her bags. He could see the look of excitement clear across her face now that she was getting a chance to visit his mother. It was one hell of a nostalgia trip, and perhaps a look back on the only happy memories of Imogen’s childhood. Jackson wouldn’t ruin that for her. Watching as she started toward the door, he laughed and followed behind with the suitcases. “Oh, of course not. You’re the daughter she never had. I’m counting on her never letting you go.”

Her pale flushed cheeks quickly changed to a shade of red once hearing him mention the second kiss. She remembered their heads colliding when she leaned in for the second kiss, then the actions causing both of them to go into hysterics. Their childhood together was the joy of her life, she adored most of everything about Jackson and his family, feeling safe and protected from the world.  “So you say, sure it was accidental.” Imogen whispered, “The second one was probably the sweetest, you apologized over ten times. I had to convince you that when I kiss back it was good. We were what... twelve. Innocently doing our homework in the closet, eating Dunkaroos in secret. And then we kissed, we moved fast.” Once glancing over her shoulder to see him carrying both suitcases Imogen narrowed her eyes playfully, “I can get my bag, Jacks. Must you be a gentleman at all times, then again that is how your mom raised you.” Imogen met him halfway and took her suitecase from his grasp, as she looked up at him she smirked, "Think they still carry-" She was sielenced by the sound of the front door opening.  

“I can’t do that, Imogen… I-I can’t hurt anyone else, just so I can keep surviving… It’s not worth it if I have to kill to keep living. It’s not right.”

“... You know now if you don’t feed what will happen. The only option you have now is blood bags, which won’t compare to the taste of blood from a vein.” 

runawaygirlimogen

“Imogen, I can’t do this. I haven’t fed in days but the hunger keeps getting stronger and stronger… I-I won’t let myself hurt anyone else. What do I do?“

“... Valerie, there isn’t much of an option. You know that as well as I. The only way your cravings are going to stop is if you feed, which if you don’t do the hunger will grow and grow. Until the pain is unbearable.” 

  Gabi’s cheeks went bright red and she giggled, hand raising in greeting. “Hi…” She checked herself over and laughed in relief. “I’m good. I think. Just a bit slippery on that step.” She ran a hand through her hair to get it back into some semblance of order. “My name’s Gabi. Not normally so clumsy.”

Imogen nodded slowly and couldn’t help but chuckle, “It’s nice to meet you, Gabi. I’m Imogen...” She held her hand out to her, “Normally very clumsy. It’s nice to see that I’m not the only one. Are you sure you’re okay. Wouldn’t want you to start walking and notice you sprained an ankle. That would be bad. If you, spraining your ankle walking away from a hard fall, I mean. ” 

David took the time to study her then, and he actually smiled – a real, genuine smile, not one of those he threw out to mask his real feelings or, more likely, to be threatening. ❝I think I kinda like your style.❞ He finally announced with a nod. ❝I mean, while I find it super fucking disturbing that you know what to say to appease me, I’m gonna chalk it up to a plus for now.❞ His stare returned out towards the beach as he admitted what, moments before, he’d claimed to himself he wouldn’t. ❝You’re in the clear from me, sis.❞

She had a style? When hearing him make that statement Imogen couldn’t help but chuckle, she never thought of herself having a way of coming off to another person, then again she always watched the other person persona rather than her own. “Don’t worry, I may know ways to get around you, David. Though I won’t be using that to my advantage... no yet anyways.” She stated. Imogen tried keeping her facial expression stern and direct, but couldn’t help but smirk as she turned to glance at his reaction, “I also hope you know I’m being sarcastic.” 

Sis, well that was a nickname she had yet to hear. Instead of making a comment on that, she felt the awkward tension between them as she brought up the past of the other David. “I believe you. You don’t have to worry about mixing you two up. Sorry...” Imogen sighed heavily growing quite tired of speaking of the past. Shaking her head she quickly said, “No more talk about a relationships. Sappy crap like that isn't what I had in mind,” Nor was it ever thought she would run into a look alike of him. “Yeah, I’ll make sure to tell them whenever I see em.”