The Corroded Mind of Alexandra [GTA V]

There's something special about you on the surface. But when they look deeper, when anyone with eyes to see looks at what you truly are. - Eddie Gluskin, Outlast

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Attempting to open her eyes, Alexandra finds herself in ever-familiar darkness, the feeling of nothingness a comfortable respite. At least until the soreness of her body triumphs over the serenity. She gently attempted to move, but found herself unable to. Something had control of her arms, and an overwhelming smell of perfume permeated her senses.

Speaking of senses, finally coming to hers, Alexandra started thinking about what situation she could possibly be in. Her mind wandered to the worse of thoughts, before remembering where she passed out. In Alexandra's brief time of knowing him, Franklin didn't come across as someone to sell people out, but her paranoia was running rampant.

You're currently in Chastity's house. There's no need for plotting.

Hearing the voice, Alexandra calms herself, rampant thoughts of manslaughter slowly emptying from her taxed brain. She says nothing, but slowly backs her head away from what is blocking her vision, which turns out to be Chastity's shoulder. She's caringly holding her curled-up form, and slightly frowning in her surprisingly deep sleep. Continuing her mute evaluation, Alexandra eventually leans back in, closing her eyes again. Not to sleep, but think.

'Why?'

Manipulation, maybe? Who knows. It's only been a week, but perhaps it's even affection. Highly unlikely, though. The human mind is truly unknown, as everyone's works differently, but there are always parts that can be picked through.

'You're as paranoid as me, huh?'

Nick doesn't respond. In her bruised comfort, Alexandra slightly smiles, before her eyes shoot open, head shifting back after noticing a crucial detail:

'WHY THE FUCK IS SHE NAKED?!'

...It may be affection...

'And as you said, it's been a week.'

Some move faster than others, whether physically or mentally.

Alexandra's normally neutral face explodes in a burning blush, emotion bursting into her features.

She's also a stripper, so there's a high probability that her resistance to nudism is dulled.

Alexandra reigns in her expression, before uncurling from herself, and lightly stepping out of the bed. As if a shadow, she moves towards the door, but unfortunately her efforts are in vain, as its hinges creak. She hurriedly looks back, only to see bright blue eyes looking back.

"...Good morning. Do you want breakfast?"

"I'm gonna act like you weren't just about to ditch the woman who gave you a place to sleep and say yes, I would like that quite a bit."

"Too bad. I don't know how to cook."

Chastity looks at her angrily.

"Then why would you even ask?"

"Out of pure desperation to escape this awkward situation."

"WHY TELL ME THAT?!"

Alexandra smiles.

"Mom always said honesty is the best policy."

I have a feeling your mother never said that.

Chastity holds her head in exasperation. She gets up as Alexandra walks out and closes the door.

"I know you work in a strip club, but I didn't know you had an exhibitionism fetish. Put on some clothes."

"This is my own house, why would I care about what clothes I'm wearing?"

"You mean your lack of clothes?"

"And that means what to me?"

"Aww, I thought we were friends."

Chastity opens the door, now fully clothed.

"And I'm starting to regret it."

Alexandra goes to hug Chastity, to which she reluctantly accepts.

"...Thank you for taking me in again."

Chastity softens, and Alexandra laughs self-deprecatingly.

"Must look like a stray to you, looking for food on your front porch."

*Huff* "And the idiot I am keeps feeding you."

"Ruff ruff."

"You're impossible."

Alexandra snickers genuinely. She hates that fact.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

Alexandra plops onto the couch, while Chastity heads to the kitchen, coffee in mind.

"...What happened last night? Why am I here?"

"Your friend Franklin took you to his house."

Chastity, after setting up the drip brewer, turns it on

"I didn't trust him, so I told him to take you to my place."

Chastity comes to join Alexandra on the couch.

"If you didn't trust him, why you lead Franklin to your place?"

"Heat of the moment decision."

"You're lucky Franklin's a decent guy."

"So are you."

"I wouldn't have been with him otherwise."

"So you're the say so on who's good and not?"

"Isn't everybody? At least when it comes to personal opinion."

"Good point."

They sit in a comfortable silence. Nick, as always, silently watches, ever the stoic guard dog. Eventually, the coffee maker beeps in alarm, finished with the brewing process. Chastity gets up and walks over, reaching up to the cabinet and pulling out 2 mugs. She pours the coffee into each and calls over.

"You want anything in it?"

"Black."

"You sure?"

"...4 sugars, 2 packets of cream."

"That's quite a bit."

"You have a problem?"

"Just doesn't fit your character."

"What does, then?"

"Your first answer" Chastity replies, walking back to the couch with two mugs.

"Why would you ask, then?"

"To make sure."

Chastity hands the mug to Alexandra, who gently takes it and starts blowing, before taking a small sip.

"It's been a long time since I've had a cup of coffee."

Chastity sits down, her mood taking a visible turn.

"Oh yeah, you're homeless."

She looks down towards her hands, taking a moment to think.

"How'd it happen?"

"Dead parents at a young age."

"...Why didn't you get adopted or put in an orphanage?"

"You know what I am. Connect the dots."

Chastity was about to respond in her usual sarcastic tone, but understood that she shouldn't when speaking of a heavy topic.

"They say 'you never know how much you have until you lose it all'... But I did, and it wasn't much, at least in terms of familial love. It still hurts, though. Like a cannon through the stomach, a knife to the heart... The anxiety you feel, an unknown life facing you, never quite predicting whether you'll eat the next day or not. It's a feeling that'll rot you to your core, the mold overtaking your entire being until there's nothing left."

Alexandra's face betrays no emotion as she continues.

"The way people stare at you as if you're some carnival sideshow. Children pointing at you and wondering why you're dressed funny. Shop clerks acting as if you're trash that wandered into the store, and some flat out refusing service. Your own damn government turning against you, as if you don't exist."

Alexandra's grip on the mug increases, until the handle cracks, dropping the cup and its contents onto the ground.

"And being a registered criminal didn't help. Thank the fucking family for teaching me how to be a fuck-up in society. And to think I like the thrill now. Such a contradictory thought. Honestly at this point I'm just an insect. I have no purpose but being a leech to the world."

Unable to stop her rampaging rant, Chastity does the only thing she could possibly think of; hugging Alexandra. Zanna's eyes stay dead, but tears start streaming out like a raging river, with no end in sight.

"Don't let society decide what you are. You're your own person, not the world's. At the end of the day, when the dust settles, the one who will be there for you, is you."