#chain lakes loop trail

[orofeaiel]

Mount Shuksan

[hegdetravelphotos]

Path to Paradise

The path winds its way through the stunning landscapes, revealing the breathtaking beauty of North Cascades National Park! Location: Chain Lakes Loop Trail, Artist Point, North Cascades National Park, Washington, USA. Time and Date: Around 11 am on 31st August, 2013.

[cryopathiic-a]

A slow movement, to move closer and closer onto them, to just rest their head on their chest and relax for just five minutes. Leave the world behind. Whatever happens outside those doors, matters so little here and now, when it was them, everything made sense. The world could burn, the humans could perish, here within this room, everything just - felt right. It was paradise. To be holding them and to be held back, this was what they wanted. It was so small, it meant nothing at all, but to them, it meant everything.

As they moved there head slightly, to feel his body move up with it as she settled back down, moving her hand from his to feel his hand move with her own, as she would feel as if her hand had rested into sand and was pushing lightly down into it, her head moved again, but this time it did not move, as if she was on a bed of ice, a thing sheet of ice that if she moved too much, it would crack and she would fall in, what was this - was he, trying to eat her, an impossible thought and feeling as she hummed.

“Good morning – don’t move, your really comfy this morning.”

Sleep was starting to grow on him.

He had been freed of the collar, yet kept dragging some weight around like a ball and chain tethered to his ankle. A prisoner; not to her influence, anymore, but to this. This rare semblance of contentment that could be found in their quiet mornings together. It had taken them a while to identify it. The rise and heave of a fluttering chest; the dewy skin and softer fingers fumbling through an endless bundle of hair blending into each other's. He really enjoyed being bundled up with her in the morning. Her edge was dulled with drowsiness. She allowed herself to be softer, more open, more vulnerable— it was still new. And so it held his interest.

There was a big sigh with the shift. He exhaled a dusting of frost between her hair as she nuzzled closer. It wasn't voluntary; he was ... half asleep. Which was rare and he thought she ought to appreciate it. He must have looked angelic when there was naught but peace and contentment on his features. No glimmering mischief. No malice. Almost instinctively, his one arm looped around her. Soon, its counterpart came to lazily trail the tips of his claws up and down her spine, lightly, as if to elicit goosebumps.

❝ Mm. ❞ A half-hearted response as he inhaled deeply into her hair and shifted to squeeze her face closer against his chest — a chest that was crackling. Like the icing on a frozen lake under the first rays of spring. She was warm, like sunlight. She smelled of blood. He wanted to tell her how much he loved her already. Truly loved her. Like, with a passion. ❝ 'Morning... ❞ He squeezed her closer. There was a tickling sensation; she would have felt it, his ribs moving around to make space. But the peppering of soft kisses to the top of her head may have provided a momentary distraction from that, much like his soft giggling.

❝ ...mm- let's... sleep s'more, 'k? ❞ His pulse would be calm. But the viscera was pulling apart to make space for this offering either way. Because he felt so good with her. And once she got up, that would end. Perhaps a part of him instinctively reacted to that worry in the back of his mind...

Or maybe that had been his plan all along.

[overstrand]

Chain Lakes Loop trail, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

8.27.22

Marmot spotting!

[deep-sea-anemone]

Um. Wtf

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/chain-lakes-loop-trail?sh=a3glq

[formeryelpers]

Hollywood Reservoir, 2600 Lake Hollywood Dr Hollywood, CA 90068

This is an easy 3.5 mile loop that’s mostly flat. The wide asphalt path winds around the Hollywood Reservoir, also known as Hollywood Lake. It took me 1 hour to complete the loop and it wasn’t busy. The Hollywood Reservoir is nicer than the Silver Lake Reservoir. It’s in a quiet neighborhood (SLR is on a busy street) with hills and trees that provide shade (SLR does not have shade). The views are way nicer than SLR too. You’re close to the Hollywood sign and also have a good view of Hollywood, Burbank, and beyond. The homes near the reservoir are nicer than the ones around the SLR. They’re mansions.

The Hollywood Reservoir isn’t as busy as SLR. You can hear birds. I didn’t see any homeless people. And it’s near other trails if you want to extend your walk (e.g., a short hike up to the Hollywood sign). It’s maintained by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and there’s a chain link fence around the reservoir. It’s not exactly nice but it feels very LA.

Parking was easy to find though it’s probably busy on weekends. No pets are allowed except for service dogs and miniature horses.

4 out of 5 stars

By Lolia S.

[austinanxiety]

Austin Tourist Guide

Austin, Texas is a vibrant and culturally rich city that attracts millions of tourists every year. From its thriving music scene to its delectable cuisine and outdoor activities, there's something for everyone in Austin. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning to explore more of the city, this Austin tourist guide will help ensure you make the most out of your trip. 

Free Austin Visitors Guide Fill out the form below for your free copy of our Austin Visitors Guide. Please allow 15 business days for shipping. Can't wait? View our online Visitors Guide or view on your iPad or iPhone . Have questions? Email or call us!

Things to Do in Austin, TX | Attractions & Live Music Austin is a year-round outdoor enthusiast's playground, offering everything from scenic trails to crystal-clear lakes. Whether you're a hiker, biker or boater, you're sure to find your bliss in Austin. And with 300+ days of sunshine and an average temperature of 68 degrees, being active in Austin comes naturally.

Best Things to Do in Austin

Double Decker Austin Single Loop Sightseeing Tour (319 reviews) from $ 34.00 Austin Downtown Walking Tasting Tour with Secret Food Tours (282 reviews) from 87.87 see more tours & tickets View...

Austin travel

Austin is home to more than 300 parks, with more than 30 miles of urban trails open to runners, walkers and cyclists. Nearly 50 more miles are in the works. And they are all well-used. A popular hike-and-bike trail loops around Lady Bird Lake and links to a creekside greenbelt, adding water sports to the mix. Culinary Fun

Austin City Guide Top 25 Things To Do in Austin, Texas Below you'll find a list of top 25 things to do in Austin, Texas featuring Austin sightseeing, attractions, tours, museums, and more that locals love just as much as visitors.

Austin Travel Guide & Tips Austin Travel Guide There's a popular Austin t-shirt that tends to make appearances during the city's South by Southwest festival in March. It reads, "Welcome to Austin. Please don't move...

The Ultimate Austin Travel Guide

Make Austin part of your Southern Road Trip Itinerary! Stop in San Antonio, New Orleans, Nashville, Memphis, Jackson, Charlotte and Charleston for a great experience of the American south. Where to Stay in Austin Austin offers many boutique, modern, and uniquely historic hotels!

Austin Travel Guide: Vacation and Trip Ideas Book Now Austin is home to several Hampton Inns that offer comfortable affordable accommodations, but the chain's downtown.

[usacountryguide]

Explore 10 Major Mountain Ranges in USA

There are major mountain ranges in USA that can add wonder, nature, and beauty to your US vacation. There are many activities centred around these rangers.

The United States of America is a county that is blessed with all types of terrain spread across its states. However, the US can consider itself especially blessed because it also has 10 mountain ranges. These ranges are home to many people, towns, nature, animals, recreation, and adventure, so if you have a US visa, you should explore the following 10 major US mountain ranges for an adventurous vacation:

Sawatch Range in Colorado

The Sawatch Mountain Range in Colorado stretches 160 kms and is home to some of the tallest summits in the country. They are also considered to be a part of the Southern Rocky Range, but most people consider it as a separate range. Apart from trekking trails, the range has national parks and forests like White River and San Isabel.

Rocky Mountain Range

Possibly the most famous of all mountain chains in the US, the Rocky Mountain range is the longest, covering a staggering 4,828 kms. You can access these mountains from six different states. Some amazing trekking trails here that you must try are the Hike to Chasm Lake, Hike to Pool Trail, and Sprague Lake’s Loop. Throughout your trip, you can come across big-horned sheep, black bears, and elk. The mountain range is amazing.

Cascade Range

Stretching from Washington to Oregon, the Cascade Range is a mountain range made of volcanoes. Though some of the mountains within the range are full of ice and snow, some smaller volcanoes are still active, so be careful when you are hiking. Mount Rainier is the highest peak where all the hiking activities take place.

Alaska Range

Home to the tallest mountain in USA, Denali or Mount McKinley, the Alaska Range stretching from the Bering Sea to Canada is one of the most popular ranges in the US. It is full of glaciers and volcanoes. There are many other popular peaks as well that have unmatched natural beauty and adventure activities such as exploring best hiking destination in USA. The Alaska Range is one of the coldest ranges though so plan accordingly.

Adirondacks Range

Any mention of US mountain ranges wouldn’t be complete without the Adirondacks. Located in the state of New York, this range surrounds Lake George. In the park, you can witness wonderful wildlife like otters, bears, coyotes, and mooses. You can also indulge in activities like hiking, rock climbing, swimming, and even hunting.

Coastal Range

Along the coast of California lies the Coastal Range covering 644 kms. Witnessing the sea from atop a mountain is quite a feeling. In the Coastal Range, many cliffs have direct drops into the ocean, so be careful while hiking. This range also has a lot of biodiversities, making it popular among nature lovers.

Appalachians Range

The longest mountain range in the US is also home to some of the highest peaks in the United States. The Appalachians Range is also popular because it has many wonderful natural wonders that draw millions of tourists and nature lovers. Here you’ll find amazing flora, fauna, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and stunning trails.

Sierra Nevada Range

The Sierra Nevada Range is one of the most popular ranges in North America mainly because of the 3 amazing national parks it is home to. Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, and Yosemite National Park with their amazing features draw the most crowds to the Sierra Nevada Range.

Ouachita Mountain Range

Covering just 260 km, this range is not very large, but has a lot of cultural and historical significance. The area belonged to the Ouachita tribe. Despite the small area coverage, there is a lot of natural beauty here. Before visiting, also read up on some Native American folklore.

Klamath Mountain Range

Another small mountain range covering 250 kms, the Klamath Mountain Range is the go-to place for hikers and fitness freaks in the state of Oregon. A lot of the activity happens on Mount Eddy (9000 ft). The Klamath Mountain Range is beautiful and one of the best places to relax.

The above-given major mountain ranges in USA are a must-explore if you love nature, exercise, and peace on your vacation.

[tinytourist]

Small Family, Big Island

On Wednesday morning, we went to the airport where we put together a sketchy meal of impossible breakfast sandwiches and sashimi grade ahi jerky. We landed on the Big Island, or Hawai’i, in the afternoon.

Our driver for the day, Wendy, picked us up at the airport and showed us around her island. First, we stopped at Manini’owali Beach which was covered in soft white sand. For some contrast, we went to 49 Black Sand beach next. From there, Jon was finally able to get some nice drone shots.

The last stop on the way was the Pu’ukoholā Heiau which is a sacred temple built in 1791. The temple was hand-built of lava rocks, transported via a 20-mile long human chain. The temple was crucial to Kamehameha gaining control of the Hawaiian kingdom and unite the islands.

We arrived at our hotel, the Mauna Kea, in the afternoon and had a quick meal on the beach. Our hotel rooms were modern and had a nice view of the mountains.

After sundown, we walked to the beach to prepare for our swim with manta rays. The guide taught us a bit about the fish’s anatomy and refreshed us on snorkeling before sending us out to the water. Just a minute’s swim from the shore, a floodlight is targeted at the water to attract plankton for the rays to feed on.

When we approached the light, we were instantly greeted by a manta ray. Our guide shined her light on us to get the ray to barrel roll right underneath us. It got so close to us that we could see straight down its mouth. I somehow remained calm as this giant fish flipped beneath me in the dark waters. It was an incredible experience.

The next day we picked up a rental car from the hotel and began the journey to Volcanoes National Park. We stopped in Hilo for caffeine and a quick, unsatisfying bite to eat. Then, we went the wrong way on the Akaka Falls loop.

The path was lined with fern trees, just like in NZ! I got a kick out of showing my family how they grow. Unlike in NZ, there was also a lot of bamboo and spooky banyan trees.

Before reaching the park, we got hungry again so we stopped at a food truck for some Thai food. The panang was huge and surprising delicious, but it was also a mess to eat in the car. Good thing it was a rental!

When we arrived at Volcanoes National Park, we went straight to the lava tube which was literally and figuratively very cool. Next, we did a walk along the Crater Rim Trail which was through a rainforest and provided views of the lava lake.

Next, we went to the Volcano House for our dinner reservation which had stunning views of the active volcano. We rushed out for sunset pictures, and then rushed back out again after sunset for an even more impressive view of the red lava contrasted with the dark night’s sky.

We absolutely lucked out with the clear night, and active status of the volcano. It felt unreal and hard to grip what we were actually seeing.

[gravelish]

Anacortes

1 September 2021

Sightseeing by bike. I feel that sort of sums up my strategy to cycling these days. I suppose, like hiking, it’s because I’ve always been more interested in the place and the landscape (natural or built) than in the activity itself. On the other hand, exploring by bike, or by foot, gives you a different sense of the sights than doing it by car. Maybe because it’s slower. Or you feel you’ve earned it. Regardless, it’s fun to visit places I’ve seen many times before, but to do it on the bicycle.

Today’s ride was roughly 30 miles. I parked at Weaverling Spit, which meant my first and last segments were on the Tommy Thompson Trail, which leads directly into downtown. My route basically involved three major highlights of Fidalgo Island (all of which are within the expansive city limits of Anacortes): Cap Sante, Mount Erie, and Washington Park.

LINK: RIDE WITH GPS

Cap Sante (200’) is a stiff climb, but really it’s just a little warmup for Mount Erie (pretty obvious from the profile). The rocky top provides a great view of the city and the area I’d spend the next few hours exploring. Then it was back through downtown and residential neighborhoods until I picked up Heart Lake Road south of town, where the grade starts to increase.

The road up Mount Erie is a couple of miles each way and climbs around 1000’. This means the average grade is around 10% and some pitches were 15% (it took me about 25 minutes to climb, with a couple of brief stops). But it’s all paved and I think I only saw two or three cars the whole time. The views from the top are always spectacular. The ride down is too steep and curvy to ride without constant braking, but it was still over very quickly.

Rosario Road and Marine Drive were not particularly bike-friendly, but they weren’t crowded and they didn’t last too long. Kingsway through Skyline was wide and empty, but the endless tract homes of that neighborhood have always irritated me. But then there was the wonderful 2-mile one-way loop road through Washington Park, which I’ve driven many times, but never ridden. It’s basically a really fun bike path that just happens to allow cars, but on a weekday there were few of them. The pedestrians (dog walkers, joggers, bird watchers) were a bigger challenge. I was tempted to go around a second time, just because it’s such a perfect ride.

On the way back toward town, I took the Guemes Channel Trail along the water, until it dead-ended at a chain link fence. This is a great little rail trail - and makes a great complement to the Tommy Thompson Trail on the other side of town - but it’s completion has been stymied by property ownership and access. Rather than backtracking to Ship Harbor, I carried my bike up the several flights of steps below Roadside Park and back to the main drag. I stopped for lunch at Dockside Dogs, right on the T.T. Trail near Cap Sante Marina, then headed back to the car. Since I had time, I rode across the bay on the old trestle before turning around.

[orofeaiel]

Self Portrait in front of Mount Shuksan

[hegdetravelphotos]

Radiant Mount Shuksan

Radiant Mount Shuksan reigns over North Cascades National Park! Location: Chain Lakes Loop Trail, Artist Point, North Cascades National Park, Washington, USA. Time and Date: Around noon on 31st August, 2013.

[overstrand]

Chain Lakes Loop trail, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

8.27.22

I believe that is Ptarmigan Ridge in the first photo, and the rest are of Table Mountain as we circumnavigated it. The colors and textures of the bare earth felt so departed from everyday life, even though the same things are lying below all the greenery I usually see.

[shinyatiny]

Flower Crown - yungi

Chapter three: Stressful dining

__________________________________

On his way back home, Mingi was once again greeted by the busy villagers. Every passing villager had either stopped him for a quick chat or greeted him with an adoring smile. Mingi being Mingi, he smiled back awkwardly and told the villagers he was in a bit of a rush. The villagers understood him and let him be. He also saw the old woman who was still selling crystal water at her stand. She had brand new baskets of crystal water on the counter with a box full of gold coins at the very edge. The blonde was glad the woman was able to sell some of the crystal water jars.

Passing by the market, he made his way up the familiar hill and opened the wooden gate to his father's property. Some of the servants were already outside, trimming down some of the overgrown bushes next to the fence. Mingi nodded his head at the servants and made his way to the front door, giving a quick glance at the flower bed before going inside. The house was bustling with servants who ran through the hallways, some with fresh bed sheets, some with new clothes. The blonde elf waited for the perfect opportunity to slip past the servants to his own room, and when he saw no one in sight, his plan went into action immediately.

Luckily, he wasn't spotted by anyone, or if he was, he didn't see anyone. Quickly opening the door to his chambers, he slipped through the door and closed it behind him. With a sigh, he leaned against the door, a grin forming on his lips in victory. He glanced at the clock above his bed, which read '8:47'. He had exactly thirteen minutes for himself before he had to leave again. The idea of dining with his father in silence wasn't particularly to his liking, but he figured his father had something to discuss with him.

Mingi's room wasn't anything special, at least compared to Seonghwa's dreamy-like shop, but he was content with it. His bed took at least two-thirds of the space in his room, leaving room for a small wooden table and his stump chair under it for him to sit on. There was also a small shelf next to his window that was full of books, books about humans and other species. Mingi was extremely intrigued by their tales and whatnot, his head always between the covers of some book. His father had told him not to read so much about humans, but Mingi couldn't help his fascination with the unknown species.

With a quick glance at the bookshelf, he turned to his table in front of the bed. The wooden comb from this morning was still neatly placed on it, a half-full glass with water next to it. His eyes fixated on the mirror. Something clicked in his mind when he saw the mirror; he hadn't seen the piercing on his ear up-close. He only saw the earring before he had put it on his ear, but he hadn't seen it on himself. Intrigued by this, he made his way to the mirror, looking at his tired but bright figure.

The earring was indeed dangling from his earlobe, shining in the morning sun. His hand went up to his ear to touch the earring, cool against his fingers. It was a small chain with a tiny golden star at the very end of it. As soon as he had first seen the earring at Seonghwa's, he had taken a liking to it. It reminded him of his mother in the heavens, staring at him from the stars. It brought a melancholic smile onto Mingi's lips, but he was happy. Maybe it was the spell embedded into the piece of jewelry, or maybe it was genuine happiness, he didn't know. He wasn't sad, he was truly happy and content. The earring brought a lot of joy without him even noticing it.

And Seonghwa had been right, the earring genuinely made him look amazing. The silver-haired elf wasn't lying when he said Mingi would look hot wearing it. Shyly smiling to himself at the embarrassing memory, Mingi let go of the earring and glanced at his attire instead. In his opinion, he looked as best as he could, and he had no idea why his father disliked his current choice of clothing. Maybe he didn't like the silky open shirt Mingi wore that clearly showed his stomach, but like Mingi would care about his father's opinions.

He decided not to change his attire, although, his father would surely comment something about it later at breakfast. But Mingi simply didn't care. He peeked at the clock, almost panicking a little when he saw he had one minute to be in the kitchen with his father by his side. In a panicked rush, the blonde threw the door open and ran out of his room, sprinting through the hallways. Several bumps on servants and almost falling on the floor, he reached the kitchen. With a sigh, he peeked over at the empty kitchen, cursing in his head when his father was nowhere in sight. Maybe he had left when he saw Mingi wasn't coming.

Unfortunately, a tap on his shoulder crushed his childish wishes instantly. It was his father, standing proudly behind him with his magical staff in his left hand. The chief looked majestic as usual, his clothes telling everyone he was a high-ranking elf. Mingi grimaced at how his father was in such formal clothes, but he decided not to comment on it since he'd get yelled at anyway. The black markings on his father's face made him even more intimidating.

The older man raised a questioning eyebrow at Mingi, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. "You didn't change your clothes." He said, looking his son up and down as if he was closely studying him. Mingi gulped at his father's piercing stare, feeling as small as ever under his watch. His father scoffed and ignored the small whimper which left Mingi's lips, entering the kitchen. The blonde trailed behind his father, following him to the table.

Mingi hadn't even noticed the gorgeously set table when he visited the kitchen earlier. Now he could see all the divine food placed on the table. There were two chairs carefully placed on either side of the table, his father sitting on one of them. With quiet steps, he made his way to the other chair, carefully sitting on it, avoiding his father's eyes as best as he could. Two servants came in the kitchen with silver trays in their careful hands. Mingi watched as the two servants made their way to the table and set the two trays in front of them. One in front of Mingi and one in front of his father.

The servant bowed at Mingi and walked out of the kitchen with the other servant, closing the double doors behind them. As he was about to dig into his breakfast full of eggs and meat, his father coughed quite loudly, gaining Mingi's attention. The blonde elf turned his head to look at his father, and with cautious eyes, he met his father's fierce ones. "I heard you left somewhere this morning." He said with a strong tone in his voice. His eyes didn't even quiver as he stared at his son. "Where were you?" He asked, sending a wave of shock through Mingi's body. "Were you with that friend of yours?" The way the word 'friend' slipped past his father's lips wasn't warm at all, it was as if his father hated the silver-haired elf.

With a small nod, Mingi could feel the burning stare of his father intensify. He wanted to bury himself underground right at that moment, hating the fact his father was judging him. The older man let out a scoff, banging his fist against the table, not hard enough to break the wooden table, but it was enough to scare the younger elf. "Mingi." He said, the sharp tone of his voice slicing Mingi's heart like butter. "You have other things to do than be with that — that freak. He's manipulating you into thinking those piercings are good-looking on you, they are not. They look sinful on your body, I'd advise you to take all of them out and throw them to the bottom of the lake." He stated, taking his fist off the table and wiping his mouth with a tissue.

Mingi looked at his lap with pursed lips, contemplating his next words carefully. It wasn't easy to counter his father's words, in fact, it was almost impossible since the hurtful words dag too deep into his heart. But he was the chief's son, and he didn't like the way he was treated by his own father. He wanted to say something in return so badly, he wanted to tell him that Seonghwa wasn't manipulating him — that he wasn't a 'freak' like his father had worded out. But Mingi knew his father had something very important to discuss, so he decided against it. "Yes, father." He simply said, voice almost inaudible.

An ugly smirk formed on his father's lips, making Mingi grimace even more. With a nod, his father mouthed a small 'good' and continued with his dish for a few minutes. The blonde elf had lost his appetite, poking the piece of meat with his fork, thoughts somewhere they probably shouldn't be right now. He heard his father's content hums, indicating he was ready with the meal. The younger elf raised his head to look at his father, careful eyes focusing on his father. "Now, I have something important to say to you. As you know, the Lenaia festival is very close. It is to be held in three days." He said sternly, looking straight at his son. "I have decided that you are participating as well."

As soon as Mingi had heard those words, his world froze around him. His father had decided that he was to join the fighting arena? He had decided that even though he knew how much Mingi hated violence, talking about fighting. The blonde elf stared at his father in a daze, his words looping inside his head. Had he heard him wrong? "I — but-" He tried, his words getting stuck in his throat as much as he tried to speak. The older man rolled his eyes in annoyance. "You know how much I hate violence, father. How could you?" He said, voice wobbly and dry from shock.

"Of course I know you don't like fighting, but you are a powerful elf, Mingi. I'm positive you'll show the other tribes our power." Mingi's father said, relaxing into his chair. "You'll show everyone what the Iris clan is capable of." He smiled, glancing at Mingi who was still frozen in one place, eyes wide as plates. "Come on, it can't be that hard on you to participate in a little fighting festival, can it? You'll see when everyone is cheering on you."

The anger inside Mingi only grew bigger as his father kept talking, his ears blocked every other sound except his father's voice and his own rapid heartbeat in his chest. The way his father kept boasting about their clan's power made him boil with hatred, he wanted to yell, shout at the older man. He wanted to say something, but his own words failed him, he couldn't say even a single word as an excuse for not fighting. The older elf looked at Mingi with a raised eyebrow, a laugh leaving his lips right after. Something in the younger snapped at that. He stood up from the chair, taking a deep, collected breath before exploding. "I will not — I repeat — I will not fight. You have no right to force me to fight, you can't. I'm your goddamn son. You know how much I hate fighting in general, I have never touched a weapon in my life, so how can you do this to me? How can you decide on something like that without even asking me about it? How — how could you?"

His father stared at him in shock, mouth hanging open. His expression shifted from confused to angry, a crease forming between his thick eyebrows. He, too, stood up from his chair and made his way to Mingi with slow, anguishing steps. The blonde elf watched as his father stopped in front of him, eyes fixated on him, never letting his eyes go. The second Mingi was about to say something, his father beat him to it. Before he knew it, a slap echoed in the dining room, a red mark on Mingi's cheek being the only evidence of what just happened. It was quick, but enough to shake Mingi to his core. His father had just slapped him.

"Before you talk to me like that, think about it. I am your father and the leader of this village, this tribe, this big clan. You have no right to speak to me like that, even if you're my son, I do not tolerate behavior like this." The older elf scoffed. "Go to your room to think about your mistakes, Mingi. I will have guards fetch you in three days to get you ready for the festival, whether you liked it or not."

Without saying another word, his father left the dining room, leaving Mingi alone in total silence with a red handprint on his right cheek.

[anarchy-n-glitter]

RE: Betrayal

Summary: Jolene West thought she was going to say goodbye to the Bakers before leaving for college, but little did she know, their home had become a living hell for outsiders. Now, she has to find a way out after being taken prisoner by Lucas Baker - someone she once called a friend - as she is tortured mentally and physically.

(Warnings: graphic depictions of sexual assault, vulgar language, gore.) If any of these things bother you please don't read. Take care of yourselves guys and stay safe!!! Also this whole first part is written in the first person cause I wrote this a w h i l e ago.

PART 1

CHAPTER 1

The hot and humid late summer Louisiana air blew through the open windows of my car. I felt nervous and a little saddened about my oncoming departure from Dulvey, but I knew that I could come back for the holidays and return for good after I was done with college… if I wanted to, that is.

There was nothing but dense swamp flora before me as I drove into the forest next to my old friends’ home. While I hadn’t heard from them in a few months, I figured it had been because of the possible damage that could’ve been done after the hurricane that came through. They were fixing their house up, it seemed the most logical to me. These people were like family to me, I had been friends with their children since I could remember. The only time we weren’t together was when my family and I briefly moved to Georgia due to my father’s new job. Obviously it didn’t last long, we weren’t there for more than six months before moving back home to Dulvey. For my little visit, I decided to drive through the forest surrounding their house to surprise them. I could go through the old house and head through the main house front door. I was sure they wouldn’t mind.

The mud stuck to the bottom of my boots and I could only hope that it would rub off on nearby stone or maybe the wood of the old house porch, it would be rude of me to track it inside of their home. There was something strange about the property as I approached it, the smell of smoke filled the air and no one was around. The front seemed to be flooded as well. This worried me.

It was best not to climb over the gate, if I were to do that I’d just end up in a gross and muddy mess, so I decided to go around and through the path to the back. The deeper I ventured, the more I worried. Normally they kept up with cleaning the steps and keeping the vegetation trimmed back so one could easily walk through, but everything had become overgrown and the wooden steps were covered in mud. As the trail opened up to the lake, I noticed how dirty everything else had become. While yes, it was outdoors, everything was well kept a few months ago, but now it was muddy. Everything. I blamed it on the storm again and moved on. Although, I did find it interesting when I found rope blocking off the opening to the lake. I had a bad feeling about it, but I went through it anyway. I would regret it later.

The side of the house came into view at last! I clutched at my bag, running up the steps and checked under the mat for the key. I couldn’t seem to find it, which completely ruined my plans. Quickly, I knocked on the door, hoping that maybe someone was inside the house. As my fist beat down on the door, it opened. No one seemed to be in sight, but I went in anyway. Another decision I would later regret.

The house was peeling away and reeked of mold. I feared for my health and the health of The Bakers. The wooden planks beneath my feet creaked with every step I took and gave away my position in the house to anyone or anything that resided within it. The kitchen table was cluttered and held a whole bunch of newspapers that were damp, ruined. There were a few garbage bags scattered among the halls, decorating the house and adding to my growing worry. The furniture had become damaged as well, the stuffing coming out of a few rips in the couches. After a while, I had actually come across mold. I had walked by an opened drawer and noticed the black fungus inside. But it looked weird. It wasn’t like any mold I had ever seen. I didn’t dare pay any more attention to it than I needed, though. At the time it was just regular mold to me.

As I made my way around the old house, I heard creaking from other rooms. My nerves were set on edge and I found myself frantically trying to open the door. For some strange reason, the setting of the old house had gotten to me. It was nothing like I remembered and there was an unsettling feeling that took over me. The door wouldn’t open, however. My breath quickened as the footsteps got closer, so I did what I thought would save me.

“Hello? Mr. Jack? Mrs. Marguerite? It’s me, Jolene. I came to say bye…” I stated as I cautiously made my way down the hallway once more. There was no answer, and that startled me even more. Perhaps it wasn’t them, maybe it was someone who had broken in. If that were the case, I was in a whole lot of trouble.

“Lucas? Zoe?” I called out. There was still no answer, only the sounds of footsteps quickening. I could barely see a thing due to the windows still being boarded up from the storm. My heartbeat echoed through my ears and I was sure others in the house could hear it, even if I knew that probably wasn’t the case. The living room was to my left and the closest room I could escape into, so I did. The familiar sound of the tv static filled my ears and replaced the sounds of my heartbeat and the foreign footsteps. This wasn’t the best thing though, how could I tell if they were getting closer to my hiding spot if the static was deafening?

I rushed to the tv set, turning it off. Finally, there was complete silence… but that wasn’t right. By the time I realized the footsteps had stopped, there was a rag over my mouth. I began to panic, which didn’t help at all. Within a few seconds I was out cold. It was a heavy, dreamless sleep that enveloped me after the rag was pressed to my face. Nothing but inky blackness and no memories of that sleep that overcame me.

CHAPTER 2

Instead of any answers to the questions that looped around in my head, I was locked in a cell, seated on the floor. There was a bed placed against the stone brick wall with salmon-colored blankets draped over it. The floor, which was cement, was damp with a few actual puddles in random places. There was a single lamp attached to the wall above my head, illuminating the otherwise dark cell. As I stood from my place on the floor, a body came into view. I jumped, accidentally hitting my head on the lamp, moving it slightly from the position it was in.

Indeed, there was a woman sleeping on the bed. Her raven locks spread on the pillow and covering her face. She wasn’t under the blankets, instead curled up on top of them. Her shirt was dirty and greying, but I felt as if I had seen it before. I shrugged this feeling off, however, and walked away from the stranger’s sleeping form.

If I were to find out just what happened and if I were still in the Baker’s home, it would be a miracle. I had just begun living a hellish life. Sadly, for me, there was no escaping from it.

The gate before me was just sitting there, taunting me as I sat with my arms wrapped around my knees. It’s only lock, which was a single chain held together by a lock that required a key to remove, was winking at me mockingly in the LED light that flooded across from the desk on the other side of the room. I felt like I was watching the bars of the cell door rust and crumble with my bare eyes. It was almost as if I was going insane down here. I had felt every wall, nook and cranny. I tried pulling out every single stone on the wall to find a hidden passage to the outside world. I just wanted to get out, and this stupid cell door was sneering at me, just rubbing my captivity in my face. So, I did the only thing I hadn’t done yet. I gripped the bars and shook the door, hoping it would break off.

The stranger in the bed stirred as I rattled the gates. I wanted out, this was driving me crazy and I had actually begun to panic. They couldn’t keep us in here, whoever they were. We weren’t animals, we weren’t meant to be caged. Come to think of it, not even animals deserve to be caged, especially in conditions like this. It had been at least two days since I woke up in this cell, or at least I thought it was. There were no windows down here or any source of light to tell me if it was day or night, to tell me when to wake up or when to go to sleep. There wasn’t a clock or a calendar to tell me how many days had gone by. My body was completely thrown off by this, especially since I had been passing out due to sheer exhaustion. I knew that restlessly searching the cell was a bad idea from the start, but it was worth a shot.

The air was thick and hard to breath, making me wonder how long this woman had been here for. From behind me, I could hear the gentle taps of shoes touching the ground. The woman must have finally awoken. I remained seated seeing as I wouldn’t want to startle her. She must have been down here for a long time seeing as her body was covered in dark mud. I didn’t observe her up close while she slept, that would have been creepy.

“Wha-who are you?” Her voice was soft yet had this uneasy sound to it as she spoke. It was clear that she was scared. I turned around, wrapping my arms around my legs, bringing them to my chest and resting my head on my bare knees. The tights I wore had ripped when I woke up, luckily the scabs had formed by now and the stinging had gone. My cheeks were red, my eyes as well. She furrowed her eyebrows at my appearance, slowly gliding off of the bedside and sitting on the floor across from me.

“How did you get here?” She asked, this time a bit louder and less frantic.

“I don’t know how I got in here, but I do know how I got to this estate. I drove.” I drawled. She looked down at the ground, grabbing her upper arm.

“Why would you come here?” She inquired, she sounded frantic once again. I sat there, contemplating her question. Why would I go there? Did I even remember why I was coming here? I didn’t spend much time dwelling on this question before shrugging. Whatever reason it was that dragged me here, it must have been really important.

“My name’s Jolene.” I told her in a voice softer than silk. Her expression changed slightly, it was subtle enough so anyone who wasn’t focusing on her directly wouldn’t notice, but she smiled. It was quite faint and I could barely tell he was smiling, but she was.

“Mia.”

“So, Mia, when did ya get here?” I asked her. Maybe she had arrived shortly before I did and we might have a chance at getting out.

“I-I don’t remember. I-It’s been so long.” She explained. I felt my body go numb at this. Maybe she was like me and lost track of time and it felt like forever. I was panicking again, what if she was right? What if she has been here for a while? I had to get out of here.

“Are you okay?” She asked, looking me in the eye with worry. My breathing became ragged and the tears started up again.

“Will ya help me?”

“What?” She asked, furrowing her eyebrows.

“I need to get out of here. I know that if we try we can both get out of here.” I told her, sounding more frantic by the second as I grabbed her shoulders. She looked away for a moment before looking at me with a glint of determination in her eye.

“I’ll help.” And with that, we planned our escape. She told me about when they bring the food in and where they come from. For her, they come once a day with food through the stone hallway at the end of the room. According to Mia, it was either Marguerite or Lucas who came to bring the rancid food. This threw me off briefly, I remembered her cooking and it was usually the best. There was definitely something wrong here. I had an idea on what to do if it’s Lucas, but I was still at a loss for ideas if Marguerite comes. All of my bags were in my car, which was probably gone by now, and my bags had bobby pins that I could have used by now. It took a few days to coordinate what we were going to do, plan everything. When we got out, we would make our way through the stone corridor and go from there. Hopefully, there would be a clear path leading us to the outside world instead of multiple doors that would trap us in this hellhole.

All of our planning paid off in the end, Lucas had brought the food. He unlocked the chain, stuffing the key in his pocket before opening the door just wide enough to slide the food in. I looked at Mia briefly before standing up and approaching the door. He slammed the door shut and locked the chain as I gripped the bars, pressing my entire body against the door to get as close as possible, he ignored this and began to walk away.

“Lucas? I-is it really you?” I asked, my voice uneven. He smirked at me, turning around and approaching the bars once more. He didn’t say anything, only staring at me through the rusty bars of the cell door. I reached out with one hand to make sure he was real, or at least to make it seem like I was. While my right hand ghosted along his cheekbones, my other one slid into his jacket pocket. Carefully, I gripped the key and withdrew my hand from his pocket before gently wrapping my hand around the bars, the key safe in my palm. Stubble scratched at my fingertips as I pulled my hand away, my eyes glued to his pale and sunken-in features. All I wanted now was for him to leave, and he showed no intent on staying. That was all I could gather from studying his almost emotionless expression. I hoped he planned on leaving soon.

“Well then, if I didn’t know any better I’d say I was dreaming. Jolene. Long time no see.” He mused as a wide and chilling smile making its way to his pale, thin lips. I masked my nerves to the best of my abilities and faked a small smile while averting my eyes.

“I-I thought you were dead…” I mentioned in a tone barely above a whisper. I looked back up, tears filling my eyes as I thought about my childhood, them before they supposedly ‘died.’

“I thought ya all were.” I continued, sadness laced within my words as I spoke them. Mia stood silently behind me as I conversed with my long lost friend. Although, he barely seemed like my childhood companion. Not only had he physically changed, but personality wise as well. He was like a completely different person; a much louder and cockier person.

“Guess we proved you wrong then, huh?” His words echoed within the walls, ringing in my ears along with the laughter that followed. A chill went down my spine once more and I found myself unable to look at him. Not only was I unable to look at him; I was unable to discover why he was like this, no, why they were all like this. It didn’t make sense. The Bakers were so kind and welcoming, but now… I hadn’t seen any of them except for Lucas, who I hadn’t seen up until now. He was never as welcoming as the rest of his family and normally seemed cold and reserved, but he was never loud and obnoxious. He sighed and ran a hand through his thinning, blonde hair.

“I really hope she likes you, it’d be a shame if she didn’t.” He states nonchalantly before walking away, leaving me only a few moments to process this cryptic statement and barely enough time to react.

“Wait, ‘she?’ Lucas, wait! Who’re ya talking about?” I inquired. My only answer was the sound of a door closing that bounced off of the walls and throughout the cell. I looked back at Mia, who was seated on the bed once again, staring at me with wide, curious eyes. I realized what she was waiting for and opened my left palm, revealing the small, silver key. Her whole demeanor had changed with this reveal, she hopped to her feet and made her way to the door, waiting for me to unlock it.

“Ya remember the plan, right?” She asked, her voice giving off hints of nervousness. I nodded before slipping my arms between the bars and grasping at the chain to retrieve the lock. I jammed the key within the lock and turned it, pulling it down and off of the chain. A loud clattering was bouncing off of the walls and I had to quickly silence it by pulling the manacle out myself, instead of letting it drop to the floor. The cell door squeaked on its hinges as we made our way out of the cell.

It was dead silent, no noise was heard other than our breath and footsteps. This was unnerving and made me feel quite sick. With every shaky breath I took and every sneaking footstep, I felt as if someone could hear it; I felt as if someone could see it. We inched closer, towards a small crawlspace that opened up into another room. I remembered Mia mentioned this room when she told me about the rooms leading up to our cell. I was too quick to celebrate. I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard Mia drop. Slowly, I turned my head to see what had happened. When I didn’t notice a figure behind her or anywhere near us, I rushed to help her.

“M-Mia… Mia come on, we have to go.” I shook her gently. The only response I got was a low, growl-like sound.

“I can’t leave.” She rasped. I jumped, falling backward onto the concrete floor. Mia stood, raising her head to reveal her completely blackened eyes and grey-looking skin. My breathing quickened as she approached me. It wasn’t long before she had my wrist in her deadly grip.

“I can never leave!” She exclaimed in her new, demonic-sounding voice. And with that she threw me across the room, through the wooden crawlspace which broke upon impact. I groaned and attempted to get up, but once I had regained my composure, she was running toward me. I turned around and squeezed through the crawlspace, barely avoiding her clawing hands. I slid through the crawlspace and rushed to the door on the other side of the room. I knew she was catching up to me.

Once the door was open, I collided into something... or someone. They slammed the door shut and yanked me up by my hair.

“Did ya think I wouldn’t have noticed that the damn key was missing? Hm? Ya must think I’m pretty fucking stupid. What made ya think that’d work? Huh?” My blood ran cold as soon as he spoke. He must have been waiting. He knew we’d escape, was Mia the ‘she’ he was talking about. His grip on my hair loosened and I tried to run, but he grabbed ahold again, this time dragging me along with him.

“P-please let me go back… I swear I won’t t-try to escape ag-again.” I pleaded. The only response I got from him was a mix between a scoff and a laugh before telling me what was going to happen.

“Oh no, you… are going to the mines.” He growled. The mines were always creepy to me, which was why I refused to go near them. There were records of people dying in there, thus creating rumors that they were haunted, which was what kept me out. The mines were definitely going to become my worst nightmare, that much I knew. Next thing I knew there was a cloth pressed against my face again, and I was out cold, caught in a dreamless sleep.

CHAPTER 3

(THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS GRAPHIC DEPICTIONS OF RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT; PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK)

Something felt off when I had awoken. My head was still fuzzy from what happened before I was knocked out, but I remembered how I had gotten there. Mia’s grey skin and angry face was still seared into my mind and I still had a lot of questions. I took in my new surroundings and it was true that I was not in a traditional cell any more, but instead in the mines as Lucas had promised. I was in a bed this time, facing the farthest wall. I took in my surroundings, taking note of the white, cement-like substance that made up the walls and immediately remembering that it was salt. There was a bright, LED lamp hanging from the ceiling that was closest to the foot of the bed. My eyes trailed to the door. It was a large, metallic, sturdy-looking door with gears and complicated locks on it. It was clear that they didn’t want me getting away this time.

I soon noticed something in the middle of the room; I noticed something that would chill me to the bone. My clothes, everything I was wearing, was folded up on the ground with an old, brass key sitting on top of the pile. My eyes widened as I soon realized that I was fully nude beneath the old, worn sheets, and my left leg was shackled to the metal-bar foot board. I broke out in a cold sweat and rushed to get up. The pile of clothes and the key seemed to be close enough for me to crawl and at least drag it over.

“Good! Yer awake!” A voice echoed over an intercom. I grimaced and realized that he had been watching the entire time. I should have known.

“So, here’s how it’s gonna go.” He began in an almost taunting voice. “If ya can get the key and yer clothes before yer time is up, ya can go free.” He explained. I glared at the ground.

“How long do I have?”

“I’ll make it fair, ya have fifteen seconds to grab that key.” He told me. The amount of amusement present in his voice was quite alarming. It was sickening. As soon as I heard him utter the words ‘go,’ I was on the ground reaching for the pile of clothes. It didn’t take long for me to figure out that it was just out of reach. My stomach dropped at this realization.

“Ten.”

“This is impossible.” I muttered to myself, tears filling my eyes like water would fill a swimming pool. I stopped trying, knowing that my futile attempts were bringing him some sick form of pleasure.

“Five.” He drawled. I stood up and crawled back onto the bed before curling into a ball and crying. This was a nightmare, at this point in my life, I regretted fearing anything other than this. This had quickly become a living hell. I’m sure I wouldn’t be half as frightened of this if I still had my clothes.

“Aww, did ya give up?” I scowled at his taunting.

“What the hell do you think?” I asked rhetorically. He laughed at this. He just laughed. Next thing I knew, everything was silent. The intercom was off, that was obvious due to his laughter being cut off, and for some reason, that was more unnerving than when the intercom was on. So, for the next few minutes I sat alone, fighting back tears, knowing that crying wouldn’t do me any good. Everything was silent, almost peaceful. It would have been enjoyable if not for why I was here.

Footsteps had interrupted my peace. Echoing footsteps from just outside the door. I sat up, holding the blanket over myself and bringing my knees up… I was cowering. The door had opened with a loud creak before revealing the source of the footsteps. Of course it was him. He smiled at me with that terrifying, wide smile that made my blood run cold. He walked into the room, closing the door behind him and kicking the pile of clothes and the key away. He inched toward the bed in large strides, making me cower in the corner where the bed and wall met.

“Hey, sweetheart.” He greeted me giddily. I avoided making eye contact and focused on my sheet-covered foot.

“Come on, baby girl, look at me.” I refused to do so, instead, I turned my head in an act of defiance. He scoffed before speaking again.

“Jolene, don’t make me do something I wouldn’t want to.” His voice was low and served as my first and only warning. I didn’t want to make him angry, considering this was him when he was in a good mood and I was scared of him as it was.

“There we go, now was that so hard?” I refused to answer, actually, I think it was rhetorical. Now was my chance to ask about Mia and to find out what happened.

“What happened to Mia? She… she changed. It was like… she wasn’t human.” I asked. Lucas chuckled at my questions before leaning forward and taking my chin between his thumb and forefinger.

“Don’t you worry yer pretty little head about that. Anything that happens outside of here doesn’t matter anymore.” He states before dipping his head and hovering over my collarbone. I stiffened as he moved closer to me, his breath dancing across my bare shoulders and leaving behind goosebumps in its place. My heartbeat sped up as he crawled onto the bed, getting way too close for comfort, I attempted to back up further, but couldn’t go too far before my back hit the wall. I was cornered, but it wasn’t like I could get away if I wasn’t currently in a corner.

“Yer mine now.” He muttered against my skin as he grasped my shoulders. I wanted to scream, but I found myself unable to do anything other than grab the front of his hoodie.

“What are ya doing?” I surprised myself by talking, I was sure my tongue was paralyzed along with the rest of my fear-stricken body. Lucas didn’t stop pursuing after I uttered these words, instead, he closed the gap between our bodies, burying his face in the crook of my neck. I let go of his hoodie and placed my hands on his shoulders, gently pushing him away from me. A deep growl emitted from him as he nipped at my neck. I audibly squeaked. That was when I realized what he was doing. My breathing picked up as I began panicking and trying to shove him off of me and succeeding for a brief moment.

My screams and cries for help barely surfaced before Lucas grabbed my legs and pulled them so they were laying straight while at the same time pulling me closer to him. He climbed on top of me and had me pinned once again, one hand holding my wrists and the other clamped over my mouth. I struggled beneath him, trying to break free from his grasp and screaming. I knew no one could hear me, it wasn’t for them to hear, it was more of a reflex if anything, a noise I made in sheer terror. Because that’s what I was, terrified. He chuckled to himself, shaking his head before leaning down once more to bite and kiss at my neck again. I continued to thrash around, but his weight kept me in place. Once my cries for help had died down to small whimpers, he took his hand off of my mouth. With the same hand, he ripped the blanket from my own hands and grasped for the soft flesh I had hidden beneath. I gasped and used all my strength to throw him off of me. I could only get my arms free of his grasp. Of course, this started a struggle, he tried to pin my arms again and I tried to find some sort of leverage.

It was all so sudden, there was the feeling of my fist coming into contact with a prickly surface, then the weight on my waist had been lifted, and I was up and struggling to run toward the door and key. An angry groan emitted from behind me and I knew that if I didn’t get away I was doomed. And doomed I was, he grabbed ahold of my hair and tugged me back as I struggled to grab the key. Instead of pulling me onto the bed, he flipped me over. Due to the shackle on my left ankle, my entire left leg was lifted and still on the bed, spreading my legs unintentionally. His calloused hands found their way to my neck in an instant and he squeezed until all air was cut from my lungs. I grasped at his sleeves, begging him to stop with only my eyes. He leaned forward, pure anger was written all over his face.

“You…” He began, his voice dripping with venom. Even though I couldn’t see it, I was sure I went pale. His cold glare sent a shiver down my spine.

“You… dumb bitch! If you knew what was good for you…” My vision blurred briefly before his grip let up. I found myself gasping for air and coughing, turning over so I didn’t upset him further by coughing in his face. He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him.

“Will you behave now?” He asked me. I nodded, blinking back the tears and preparing myself for what was to come. His chapped lips slammed onto mine as he climbed between my legs, pressing himself against me. My eyes were as wide as the moon, the tears that I was trying to keep away finally fell from my eyes as I realized that I couldn’t get away. He fumbled with his belt buckle, the metal clanking against itself as if it were reminding me of the horrors awaiting me. He pulled away from me, his tongue slightly peeking through his lips. It wasn’t long before he returned his attention to the soft flesh of my neck, him licking a long, wet stripe up to my earlobe. I shuddered in utter disgust, but held my tongue. His hands roamed, squeezing and pinching random places on my body. I cringed at the sound of cloth dropping to the floor.

“You ready for this, baby girl?” He asked rhetorically before pulling his underwear down. I suppressed a sob, trying to ignore the dull pain that lingered in my lower regions. His groans of pleasure filled the room and I quickly found myself to be repulsed by his actions, hell, I was repulsed by him in general at this point. His thrusts were rough and unforgiving, I felt my skin tearing against the ground as I rubbed against it. Although, the word rubbed was an understatement. A sob broke through as the pain became unbearable. He never stopped, only lifted my back, but in the process brought me closer to him. That was not a position I wanted to be in. His other hand trailed to my breasts, squeezing one in his large hand, his thumb running over my nipple.

I bit back small cries - sobs, really - as he continued to chase his own pleasure at my expense. He bit down on my shoulder, drawing blood, the pain ran through me, setting my skin ablaze. I choked on my own spit as I gasped while Lucas sucked at the new wound. A sob escaped me, causing Lucas to stop sucking the blood from my shoulder and look at me. I shut my eyes to prevent any tears from falling, turning my head as well. He grabbed onto my hips harder, his dull fingernails creating crescent shapes in the soft flesh there as he dug into my skin. All I could hear was the blood rushing in my ears, trying my best to ignore his panting and my own small cries.

After a while, everything died down. He was finally finished and was getting dressed, leaving me on the ground, a disturbed and disheveled mess. I had quickly decided that I hated him. I shouldn’t hate him, he used to be my best friend. This… this was unforgivable, though. I finally got up, diving under the sheets. I eyed him warily, watching as he made his way to the door.

“W-wait. Can I get my clothes back?” I stuttered. He looked back at me briefly, flashing a sadistic smile before bursting into laughter. His laugh echoed through the mines as he left, the laugh that would haunt my nightmares.

[sourbkg]

ｓｉｘ

ｆｉｃ  ｎａｖｉｇａｔｉｏｎ

ｗｏｒｄ  ｃｏｕｎｔ:  １６１７

ｗａｒｎｉｎｇｓ:  ｎｏｎｅ

You wake up the next morning with a slight headache, no doubt from staying up so late entertaining your new friends while also helping take care of two wild kids. And to think, you didn’t even touch a drop of alcohol. You can only imagine how the others feel. You stretch from your bed, rubbing your forehead and deciding it was now or never. There were still things to do, boxes to unpack, a kid to take care of. 

Maneuvering out of your bed took more effort than you thought, but you managed. One glance into Kiro’s room told you he was gonna be asleep for a few hours more, and with that in mind, you began the quest of organizing kitchen utensils and miscellaneous boxes. Setting up framed pictures of you and Kiro, paintings you grabbed from your old house- overall changing the barren walls before you, making it lively and lived it. Making it your own. 

You finished unpacking everything in the kitchen and broke down the boxes, carrying them out of the house and to the road so the garbage trucks could take them. Curiosity caused you to glance towards your neighbors house, wondering if everyone had stayed the night or if Jirou and Sero made due on their promises of taking their drunk friends home. Two bikes and a jeep remained in the driveway, and upon further inspection, you could see the red hair of your friend laying in a bush. 

Just as you were about to go over and check on him, the door swung open. A scowling Bakugou stepped out, followed by Sero, who was rubbing his forehead. They don’t take immediate notice of you, instead walking to their friend who hadn’t moved an inch. Bakugou nudges Kirishima with his foot, and you can hear the groan he lets out from where you stand. 

“Morning, (y/n).” Sero says with a wave, taking your attention from the red head (who’s sitting up and looking extremely confused). 

“It’s 2 in the afternoon,” You say, but wave back anyways, “what happened to taking Kirishima and Mina home?”

Sero rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, “Things got outta hand after you left-” 

Bakugou scoffs, offering Kirishima a hand and hoisting him up from the ground, “Kirishima dared him to take five shots of fireball and it went downhill from there.” 

With the brief explanation out of the way, the three wave you off and you head back into your own home while the boys go back to Bakugou’s. You can only laugh at their strange dynamic. 

--------

Weeks turn into months and you’re settling in just fine. Your job has you working the perfect hours and the daycare is always Kiro’s favorite topic, getting ready in the mornings going without a hitch since he’s actually excited to go. You even frequently see the people you’ve become friends with, the Bakusquad, as Kirishima calls it. 

They ride motorcycles and act all big and bad, but you know the truth. Deep down, they’re all softies. Even Bakugou, though he’d kill you if you ever said it to his face. Before you know it, you’re being invited to a movie night, this being hosted at Mina and Kirishima’s apartment. It’s not horribly far, and Mina throws in the suggestion of maybe you and Bakugou riding together. 

“To save gas!” She explains, “and ‘cause I know Bakugou’s gonna want to drink, but won't if he has to drive. It’ll be a win-win!” 

“What if I want to drink?” You argue, but the look she gives tells you she knows you wouldn’t touch the alcohol with a five-foot pole. You falter, “I don’t even think he likes me enough to want to sit in the same car as me.” 

Another look she gives has you doubting yourself again, and you completely crumble, “Fine! But I’m not gonna suggest it to him.”

“No worries, babe,” Mina grins, whipping out her phone, “I got you.” 

“Just don’t say anything weird-” you groan. 

--------

The movie day rolls around all too quickly, Jirou told you there was a theme. That being “junk food”. You’re almost certain they picked it to not be shown up by Bakugou’s cooking again. You decided to bring chips and dip, not having enough time to prepare something decently better. Just as you finish getting Kiro dressed, there’s a knock at your door. Your brother, elated as ever to meet whatever stranger could be behind it, rushes over the second you’re done helping tie his shoe. 

You end up having to follow behind him, unlocking the door with a laugh when it’s thrown open to reveal Bakugou. Red eyes rake over your form, and you’re suddenly self conscious of the plain tee and jeans you wear- nothing you own could compete with what adorns Bakugou’s figure. Dark jeans, dark jacket, dark shirt- as edgy as it may be, he pulls it off. A chain looping from his belt only adds to the aesthetic. 

“You guys almost ready?” He asks, stepping into the house with a 12 pack. You nod. 

“Yeah, let me just grab our snacks and we can head out-” 

Despite the proclamation, Bakugou’s grabbing the grocery bag from your hands the second you confirm it has everything you need. You give him a look, but he shakes his head. 

“I can carry these since you’re driving.” 

His explanation is simple, and with a nod of your head, the two boys are following you out the door. You unlock your car so Bakugou can put the snacks down and Kiro can climb into his carseat while you lock your front door. When you turn towards the car, you’re pleasantly surprised to see Bakugou buckling Kiro in, drinks and snacks left to the side on the ground. He catches your eye when he finishes, and averts his gaze almost immediately. 

“We gonna leave or what?” He asks, moving to the otherside of the car to place the things in the backseat. You climb into the driverside, and wait for Bakugou to get settled before you put the car in reverse and pull out of the driveway. 

The cars quiet, save for Kiro singing a song from some TV show he likes a lot and the occasional direction from Bakugou. 

“You’re really good with kids.” You find yourself saying after a few minutes, eyes flitting to the side momentarily before they’re back on the road. 

Bakugou grunts, “That a surprise?” 

“Only a little.” You can’t help but tease. He doesn’t reply, but you know you didn’t offend him in any way. Soon, you’re pulling down a long driveway, coming to an end at a cute cottage. You can just barely see a lake behind it, with a trail leading to it lit up by dorky fairy lights. Yeah, this had to be their place. 

Bakugou doesn’t let you grab any of the snacks again, sending you a glare when you reach over Kiro to at least try to help. You hold your hands up in mock surrender, and go about unbuckling your brother instead, who wiggles out of your grasp the second he’s free and running towards the open doors despite you calling out for him to wait. 

With a huff, you’re walking beside Bakugou instead, hearing the laughter of your brother once you reach the foyer. When you walk further inside, you see Kiro being held up by his ankles, Kirishima wiggling him back and forth while the captured boy wails in delight. 

Sero ends up arriving late, again, while Jirou and her crew never show. Mina explains it’s because Mari caught the flu, gave it to Kaminari, and now she has to deal with two sick babies. You feel bad, but not enough to go help her. However, you and Mina agree to make chicken soup or something to bring to them one day soon. 

The movie starts after the  six of you settle in front of Mina and Kirishima’s tv, Kiro curled against your left side while Mina sits at your right. Kirishima leans against Mina’s legs, while Bakugou has his back propped up against a pillow right beside yours and Sero sits in a beanbag chair (he said he refused to sit on the floor, complaining about his butt hurting the last time it happened). 

Kiro had the honors of choosing a movie, that being Wreck-It Ralph. In the middle of the movie, Kiro and Mina end up falling asleep, small legs lay on your thighs while the rest of him is on top of Mina. 

“Can’t believe the lil shit picked the movie and can’t even stay awake to watch it.” Bakugou complains, glare moving from the screen to your brother. 

“Don’t call him a little shit,” is the only argument you can manage. He opens his mouth to reply, but vibrating against your thigh has both of you becoming distracted. You wiggle your phone from underneath you and look to the caller ID. 

If Bakugou notices your shift in mood, he doesn’t say anything. You maneuver yourself out from under Kiro, carefully laying his legs back down on the couch and send Kirishima a small “be right back” when he asks where you’re going. 

You stare at the caller ID, frown on your face as you step into the cool air outside. You shouldn’t feel obligated to answer, and yet you do. Musutafu City Jail stares right back at you. You press the green button. 

“....” 

There’s shuffling on the other end, a few coughs in the background. 

“Hello? (y/n)? You there?” 

You give a shaky exhale, “Yeah, what do you want.” 

“That’s no way to speak to your father.” Comes the reply. 

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