Moonshine and Sanity (Open/GreenBeads)

Another blistering day in District Four was coming to an end and, of course, Cassius Clayburn had been on duty all day. The thick white collar trapping his neck was constantly being pulled at and his jacket pleaded to be unbuttoned. Sweat beaded on his skin, making his palms slick and his hair droop. The badge on his chest displaying that he was the Head Peacekeeper over Four reflected the lowering sun's rays into passing citizen's eyes- that seemed about the only enjoyment Cassius had in the heat. Oh District Four, so humid- so miserable. Clayburn never had to deal with this torturing weather in District Two, in face the Peacekeeper wished he was there now.

Most of the citizens were indoors even though the sun was starting to set the heat was too much for even the natives. Clayburn watch all the workers scuttle from the docks to their pathetic excuses for houses. Seeing as the workers weren't going to cause any trouble tonight, Cassius turned his route from the docks to beach ready to shoo away any teenagers that thought they could stay out past curfew. Surprisingly, the beach was almost empty. Just a few figures dotted the sand and Cassius started over there to send them on their way home even though curfew didn't start until sun down. He was Head Peacekeeper- he could make up the rules.

After shooting a few young boys a glare, they rushed off the beach leaving just one other soul by the ocean. The sun was touching the horizon- kissing the water. Trudging through the sand, Clayburn was about to order the kid "home or else" until he actual got a look at them.

It was a young girl- something that the mere sight of made his insides tighten. Her eyes were closed and her body laid out on the sand as if on display. Cassius swallowed hard, trying to push aside the warmth starting in his stomach.

Usually when Cassius preyed on girls, they seemed to be in an alleyway and tended to run from Peacekeepers on sight. This girl was just lying out for the taking. Cassius felt like a fish on the end of a worker's hook and he couldn't help himself- he took the bait.

Slipping a finger in his collar, Cassius unhooked the top button trying to get some blood back to his brain. It was no use, though- his knees were already in the sand beside the girl and his arms reaching out. She was ripe for the taking but Clayburn paced himself, running his fingers in her hair which only added fuel to the flame that was threatening to overtake him completely. His forehead was drenched in sweat but it was no longer from District Four's weather.

"Miss, you need to come with me," Cassius said in his usual authoritative Peacekeeper voice, shaking the girl's shoulder to wake her up.

As plans formed in the mind of Cassius Clayburn, not a slip of guilt accompanied them. Shame hadn't followed any of his acts in years and that's the way he liked it.

His touch woke the girl on the beach and she instantly went into hysterics. She was so loud! She'd bring other citizens around- or worse other Peacekeepers. Quickly, Cassius pursued the girl as she tripped down the beach. She was not getting away.

They never did.

The girl was still blabbering on about how she was innocent- yet she ran. Ug, citizens never really understand, do they? When she fell into the sand, Clayburn took his opportunity and dived after her, grabbing onto her wrists to keep her from running.

"Just... don't kill me."

It took a while, but Cassius finally got his fingers around pressure points to keep her from wiggling too much.

"Don't worry," Cassius said, trying to figure out what to do with his prey's mouth. It could still cry out for help- and the solution was so simple and perfect Cassius almost overlooked it. So, before the girl get any other cry out, Clayburn shoved his lips against hers trapping any protests. The Peacekeeper broke away, hoping the shock would be enough to keep the girl silent. "I'm here to protect and serve."

The girl was still for awhile but then started to struggle again. Shifting his weight, Cassius kept her arms pinned to the sand beneath them. The Peacekeeper's mind was swimming with thoughts and plans trying to decide on which way to play the game. He decided that whatever path he was going to choose it would involve cheating because rules just ruin all the fun.

"What do you want me to do?" the girl asked in a shaky voice that Cassius was so used to hearing. The tone sent a shiver up his spine and he liked it. Letting some pressure off of the girl's wrist, he raised an eyebrow at the girl.

"Just do what I say," the Peacekeeper said, looking back at the girl's horrified stare. "Promise me that, and I'll promise you that everything will be fine."

His hands completely let go of the girl's wrist, freeing her arms to show the girl he planned on letting her go alive. Cassius felt like gambling tonight and shifted off onto the sand beside the girl, leaving her an opportunity to try to escape. His hands were ready to reach out if she did attempt to run for it, but Cassius was sure she wouldn't. There was fear in her eyes- something he thrived off of and could read better than anyone else in District Four.

"Follow me," Clayburn said, lifting himself up off the sand onto his feet, towering over the helpless girl. Biting his lip, Cassius offered a hand down to help the girl up. Usually Cassius' nights don't go this way- but whatever this new game was, it was interesting enough for to keep the Peacekeeper's attention long enough to think of a way to cheat it.