Limping in (OPEN)

[Stephen Colly]

The day was cold and rainy, not a nice day by the looks of things as Stephen limped into the vehicle garage, he wasn't supposed to be out of the hospital but had snuck out to check on his car.

Yup, there it was, amongst the other cars, the army had let him keep it, but for how long he didn't know, he moved over to it, his crutches banging on the floor, making a noise, he looked it over, it seemed fine.

Stephen wasn't into cars, he was more into horses but as a 17th birthday present, his father had brought him a car to replace his horse who was out in France, and then the year after - his father had brought him a bicyle.
The car looked in good shape, Stephen lent into it and picked up a photo from the car seat, it was of his father and mother, he scowled and put it back down, so dust could collect on it again. He limped over to a chair and sat down, his leg wasn't getting any better due to the accident with the burning jeep, not only had it been broken but burnt.

[ct]

Clarence was in his best of mood. Maybe the alcohol had done him good. The boys were celebrating their victory, and boos were passed around as a way to lighten their spirit, but after few drinks Clarence decided to saunter on outside because the night’s air had been inviting. It was a nice feeling. He thought to no one in particular as he leaned on a wall biting on a used end of a Marlboro and flicking the match to light it. The quiet soldier intended to enjoy it seeing how this was the last of his distributed pack until he heard a raucous from the vehicle garage.

Curiosity compelled him to stand and walk over to where the noise was, and as he slide the metal doors and peeked his head in, he saw the private he met earlier but could not recall his name.

"Why are you here?" he asked offhandedly puffing a smoke as he spoke. "You should go back to the barracks, or not you know the guys will finish it all."

[Stephen Colly]

"Why are you here? You should go back to the barracks, or not you know the guys will finish it all."

Stephen heard a voice and looked up, he saw Clarence Thomas, a man he had see before. "Oh, I don't feel like partying much." Stephen muttered, not making eye contact with the other private.

"I wanted to check on my car, and get out of the hosptial, I hate being in there, and I havn't been out of there for ages." he muttered, shrugging.

"What are you doing here anyway?" he asked the other man, yeah, why was he here?

[ct]

"Same as you, I guess." Clarence walked in fumbling his fingers over the end of the cigarette's stub. "You know, she's a beaut. Lucky you have a fine model such as her. I heard she's the best out there but don't take a judgment from a country folk like me." He pat on the sleek headlights and smiled. "The car I know is Gramp's Old Rusty and it chugged slower than a slug on a race."

Tonight he was more out of character than ever. Usually he never approached anyone, let alone start a conversation. Maybe his taciturn way was turning over a new leaf, and he sure hope so because it sounded more of the alcohol doing the talking than he did. But it was a nice effect sort of similar to a walk in a dream though it bugged him like hell that his head kept pounding to a beat he was not attuned to.

"Hey sorry I cannot remember...what's your name again? I'm Clarence. Clarence Thomas," he handed him his hand hoping his name had not frightened him, for whoever came across him had more likely than not cringed when they knew of his short-tempered reputation.

[Stephen Colly]

<sup>Stephen looked down at the car, he didn't see anything intresting in the peice of junk that stood before him. "Is she really that nice?" he asked, staring at it, "I come from Devon by the way." he said, looking at Claurence.

"I'm Stephen, Stephen Colly, nice to meet you." he said, holding out his hand for the other boy to shake. "my father got me this as a present, but I don't like cars that much, I'm more into horses than cars..." he trailed off and shrugged, smiling.</sup>