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lisacomeuseucu · 1 year ago

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Curses pt2

• Fear Street. 1978 - "I swear, if I could I would change their story, I would try to make them live" That's what she said to herself.

It's been three days since I arrived at the camp, I've been getting along with the main ones, especially Tommy and Ziggy, they're the people I get along with the most, Ziggy a day later came after me to thank me for saying those things to Sheila, but I said I just told her what she deserves. I'm helping some children with some drawings they're doing but I'm going to leave soon, I'm next to the chubby boy with glasses, I feel embarrassed for having forgotten his name but as he doesn't appear much in the film itself it was easy for me to erase him from my memory, the important thing is that I know the true focus of the story, I come out of my thoughts and look at the boy's drawing, his drawing is childish but very detailed, he made two drawings symbolizing Shadyside and Sunnyvale, which I genuinely find incredible, I come close and I crouch at his height. — " I loved your drawing! It would be a great idea for each city to have its own symbol. " I say to him with a big smile on my face, it's not the first time I've praised the things he does, it's sad that in the movie Don't show too much of his talent, he can be very intelligent in various activities, the boy gives a shy smile and looks at the drawing again, I noticed that his cheeks are pink, poor boy, he's a little shy. I leave the cabin and look around, children are running everywhere, I have to remember where Tommy is, I start to walk through the camp observing the details, children practicing archery, others are swimming in the lake, some children are playing hide and seek and others with their own games, from the corner of my eye I see Alice walking with her boyfriend, I start walking towards them, — "Alice! Where are you going?" I ask her, making the blonde turn to me, — " We're going after drugs in the infirmary, you better not tell anyone! " She points a finger in my direction and I make the zipper gesture over my mouth. — " Do you know where Tommy is? ". — " He must be doing homework with our perfect Cindy, why do you want to know about him? " She asks me, leaving me surprised, why do I want to see him? I stutter a little before responding. — " He's my friend, I want to talk to him. " I respond shyly as I start to scratch the back of my neck, Alice responds with an eye roll and goes back to walking with her boyfriend, I start walking back the cabin to see how the drawings are going when I bump into two people, Tommy and Cindy, both of them were hugging each other, — " Damn, sorry! I hadn't seen you, I was distracted, anyway, I was looking for you. Really sorry. I'm really sorry." I say with my hand on top of my chest, Cindy shakes her head in denial with a slight smile. — " It's okay, just be careful where you go. " She answers me gently. — " Why were you looking for us? " Tommy suddenly asks me. — " I wanted to spend some time with you, are you going to do anything? " I start to exchange glances from Tommy to Cindy, afraid of disturbing them. — "We're going to clean the cafeteria but if you want, you can accompany us." Cindy suggests with amusement, I quickly shake my head in agreement. — "They were very close to each other, I hope I didn't disturb any special moment." I make a sarcastic comment to try to liven up the atmosphere, Tommy laughs and then responds. — "Don't worry, you didn't disturb anything.". — "If I had gotten in the way, I would have been blaming myself all day." I answer him, smiling.

— " Miss Y/n! " I turn back when my name is called, I look down and find the same boy I praised, he has a paper in his hand. — "Ah! Hi! How can I help you?" I asked him with a gentle smile, he hands me the paper and then leaves as quickly as possible, leaving me completely confused. — "What was that?" Cindy asks me, I look at him in a daze and answer. — " II don't know... I wasn't expecting that. " I look at the paper in my hands and notice the drawing of a heart and my name written on it, — " Damn, you received a love letter! " Tommy says with a small laugh, Cindy looks at him in surprise, I start to open the paper seeing that there is a text for me to read. “Councillor Y/n, these last few days you've been making me nervous and with butterflies in my stomach, I think I've fallen in love with you, I think you're very pretty and friendly, I like being in your company. I understand that we are different ages but I still want to know if you want to be my girlfriend, Miss Y/n. " My eyes widen with each word I read out loud, Cindy is in complete shock while Tommy has an amused smile on his face, — " H/n did I receive a letter?! " I am startled by the sudden appearance of Alice in front of me, the blonde takes the paper from my hands and starts reading it, I get up and go towards her to get the letter back but she avoids it, meanwhile Tommy is having a fit of laughter as Cindy orders him to stop.

— " What are you going to do? Write another letter to the boy? " Alice asked ironically, — " No! I'm going to go after him and talk to him!! " I take the letter tightly, and put it in the pocket of my shorts, I look at it. them making an irritated face — " They shouldn't be laughing at him! It was cute, I think it's his first crush. " I scold them but I look at the floor, Cindy nods and starts talking — " She's right It's not right to make fun of us, we should talk to him and explain that we can't be together." She says looking at all of us, Alice just rolls her eyes while Tommy starts to nod, he looks like a dog always agreeing with its owner. Arnie has a smile on his face, trying to hold back his laughter, I start walking, leaving the place and looking for the boy. I've been looking for him for a few minutes now, luckily he signed his name on the paper, Jeremy, I'm sorry kid but his name is very easy to forget. I'm looking everywhere looking for him and so far I haven't found him, I think I'd better try to find him again in the cabin. The cabin is silent which means there is no one in it, for now, even so I enter, a silence cannot stop the boy from hiding here.

— "Jeremy? Are you here?" I call him to see if he appears, little by little I see half of his head appearing, he is hiding under the table, heading towards where the boy is, who is sitting on the floor hugging legs, an attitude that I believe is to hide my shame, I sit next to him looking at him, waiting for him to say something but nothing, ten seconds of silence that seem like hours. I sigh, preparing myself for what I'm going to say. — " I read your letter, I'm not mad at you, I don't want you to worry about it. " I start, Jeremy is already looking at me looking a little relieved. — " I understand you like me and are happy when I compliment you but I can't date you. " Jeremy quickly changes the direction of his gaze and starts looking at the ground. — " Jeremy, look at me. " I ordered, it took a few seconds before he looked at me again. — "I'm much older than you, it would be wrong on both sides, but I'm sure you'll find a girl your age that you'll be together with. Friends, ok?" I opened my arms, offering him a hug, Jeremy nodded in agreement and snuggled into my arms, I patted his head as a way of comforting him. — "Now let's get out of here, we'll be called to the cafeteria soon." I say while breaking the hug and standing up.

The day went by quickly, we went to the cafeteria and as soon as I sat down with the group they asked me what the whole conversation resulted in, I didn't expect them to ask all together at the same time, making me almost fall out of fright, I answered them summarizing everything I had said. It happened but the important thing was that everything had worked out in the end but Joan caught me by surprise asking me if I expected the letter to be from someone else.

— " But did you expect or expect to receive the letter from someone? Some boy? " For a moment paralyzed without any response, I was looking at the table but when I heard the question my eyes quickly went towards it. — "Well, you didn't tell us if there is any interest in anyone here at the camp, but if you don't want to tell us, that's fine! There's no need, right Joan?" Cindy tries to reassure me and discreetly threaten Joan, she rolls her eyes, we continue. putting herbs on a paper so he could smoke it, Tommy and Gary are silent but I can tell from their exchange of looks that they are both curious. My thoughts are racing, I didn't expect to receive a love letter, especially from a boy younger than me, but this doubt is in my head. Is there someone I want to receive something romantic from? It's really stupid that I start to have feelings for someone here mainly because of the end of the story, I certainly wouldn't receive a loving face from Kurt and I don't even want them to give me money! Alice certainly doesn't, she's dating, Ziggy doesn't either, much less Nick, Joan just wants to sit on Kurt, Gary, well... Probably not but if she did I'd reject it, Cindy I wouldn't be surprised but I know she has feelings for Alice, poor Tommy. Lastly, he was left, Tommy, the idea of him writing a letter to me sounds cute, I don't think it would happen, now if I would reject it... I don't know... I really have no idea.

A hand starts to pass in front of my face, making me jump in fright, I look at the owner of the hand and see that it's Tommy. — " Are you okay? You've been quiet for a long time looking at the table, I started to think I was seeing something on it. " Tommy asks me worriedly but tries to make me laugh, I let out a weak laugh. — " Yes, yes, I am, I just started thinking about the question. " I answer him, making him less worried. — "Hey? Do you already have an answer?" Joan asks me, Cindy kicked her legs making her let out a low "There!". — " Well, I don't think so, no one has caught my attention like that yet. " I try to formulate the best possible answer without it seeming like I'm trying to hide something, and I'm really not, Joan just shakes her head, I don't think he believes it a lot on me. I took a quick look to the side, I see that Tommy has a strange expression on his face, perhaps disappointment? I don't know, but his reaction wasn't one of the best, meanwhile Cindy just gave me a smile in response .

Now it's night and I'm lying in bed in my cabin, Tommy's reaction stays in my head, was he disappointed with my response? Why would he be disappointed? What if he wasn't disappointed? Was he mad? Do you think I lied? I don't understand you Tommy, sometimes your reactions are confusing, other than that you are a good friend, a great friend. Sometimes I wonder a little about your past, who were you before all those events? Who are you really? Your parents or if you have a brother, if they had talked about you in the films I would have been interesting. Leaving my thoughts, I get up from my bed and go look for some pajamas to put on, before I can get any clothes I hear the sound of someone knocking on the door, I imagine it's Alice coming after me wanting some drugs. — " Get out Alice! I have nothing! " I say in a good tone so that the person on the other side can hear, — " It's me! Tommy! " I hear a male voice answering me, I stop going through my things and look towards the door that has a small glass window and in it I could see Tommy's face, a boy who is normally always smiling and happy is different, his expression on his face is one of seriousness and sadness? Sadness is not the best word.

I walk towards the door and open it for Tommy, giving him space to enter, Tommy enters keeping his head down, he is wearing a red plaid sweater. He sits on my bed and lifts his head looking towards me who is still at the door. When I close the door, I go to my bed, sitting next to Tommy, I wait for him to start talking and then he starts. — " I'm sorry I came so suddenly, I needed to talk to someone. " He says while looking at the floor of the room, his voice sounds serious, I put my hand on his shoulder and answer him — " It's okay, Tommy, something happened?" I'm worried about the subject of this conversation, I don't know what will come out of it and that scares me, it scares me a lot. Tommy takes his eyes off the floor and looks at me. — " Lately I've been feeling these confused feelings and I can't understand them, I can't understand myself! You know those moments when you realize it's supposed to be like this? I wanted to know how you know it's supposed to be like this, like you can you know?" Tommy explains the situation he is in, he was waving his hands and stuttering as he tries to explain, he is nervous, he looks into my eyes in search of an answer. I take my hand off his shoulder and place it on his cheek, stroking it. — "When you know, you know. I've had this same question thousands of times and I didn't know an answer either, but after a long time I understood, when it's supposed to be, you'll know." They watch me carefully, their gauze is softer than when they entered here. — " I understand, thanks for telling me. " He smiles, that same sweet smile he always has. — " Don't thank me. " I smile back at him, a deep exchange of glances begins to happen, our eyes never leaving each other, just looking deep into each other's soul, his eyes are like a deep sea in which I love to stay observing. Tommy comes close to me and hugs me tightly, I hug him even tighter, I smell his perfume on his plaid blouse. — " You better go before they find us and they think we're doing something stupid. " I whisper in his ear, I feel his body shaking with laughter, he lets go of me and nods and gets up heading towards the door but Before he can leave him looks at me. — "See you tomorrow." He says with a smile on his face, — "See you tomorrow." I respond, I see him leave my room and walk to his chalet. Maybe I'm just a little, a little bit, in love, but I hope not.

It's morning and I'm at the infirmary door, I sigh before opening the door. — " Infirmary Lane?! " I call out her name looking for the woman, I see her appear in the hallway after my call, — " Hi y/n, how can I help you? " The nurse asks me kindly with a smile on her face, — "I think I need a doctor." I say a little nervously, the nurse changes her expression to one of confusion. — " I'm not a doctor but I think I can help you, what happened? " She leads me to the stretcher room and makes me sit on one of them. — "My symptoms aren't that simple, no. I feel butterflies in my stomach, my hands get sweaty, I'm always distracted in my thoughts, I feel hot as if I have a fever." I answer her while fidgeting with my hands nervously, the nurse lets out a laugh which makes me look into her eyes. — " My diagnosis is that you're in love. " I raise my eyebrows in surprise, I admit that I thought it could be that but I don't want to believe it, I can't let myself be a fool. — " Is there no way to reverse it? " I ask her, making her laugh again. — No, but I recommend you find out who the boy is. " She responds with a gentle smile on her face, taking my hands and squeezing them gently so they don't hurt, I just nod my head. As I leave the ward I come face to face with Tommy talking to one of the children, noticing my figure he automatically smiles and waves his hand. Oops! I think I'm sick again.

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theevilcactus · 2 years ago

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#fear street #literally nobody except me cares about kurt #but i just can't help myself #i decided months ago that he's secretly head over heels in love with joan and it's not just a sex thing #and i will stand by that decision until the day i die

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thejudyblumebookclub · 1 year ago

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Kurt catches them kissing.

#asks #anonymous #prompts #ziggy x nick #nick x ziggy #kurt #ziggy berman #nick goode #fear street

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halcyone-of-the-sea · 11 months ago

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How To Adapt To Fire (III)

AU MASTERLIST || THE FINAL PART

PAIRING: Fireman!John 'Soap' MacTavish x F!Journalist!Reader

WORDCOUNT: 4.4k

WARNINGS: Fire(s), intended harm, death/gore, murder, crime, corruption, arsonist mystery plot, protective!Johnny, flirting, intense banter, attempted murder, burns, needles, injuries, one dirty joke, etc.

*I do not give others permission to translate and/or re-publish my works on this or any other platform*

Running, the wind whips past your face with the force of a hurricane.

The screams echoed over the abandoned neighborhood, leaking and rising as the illumination of a burning body sent slashing shadows along the remnants of houses. Flailing arms and sizzling flesh. It followed you as your feet slapped the concrete, satchel still at your side and your breath echoing in your ears.

You don’t know where Duncan is—and you dare not look behind you as you dart into someone’s lawn, bee-lining away from Kurt’s now-silent inferno of burnt hair and cooking meat. Grass that grows up to your knees is shoved aside, broken down to the earth as your panting breath is too loud in your ears. It’s all you can hear now, which may be the worst part.

“Holy fuck,” your hiss under your breath, sweat dripping down your neck. Your hands were skinned in your little fall off the steps, but the sting as you slap your palm to the side of one of the houses is lost to you—pain doesn’t matter when adrenaline takes over. “Holy fuck.”

Your fingers drip crimson along the siding, but you’re gone again with ragged inhales, snapping eyes wide. You need to try and circle back for the car, you tell yourself. Patting your pockets for the hard pressure of your keys, you dash past a trash can and sigh when you feel them still there.

And then you hear the whistling.

It’s over the air, and in a skid of shoes, you halt and listen intently—a bird in the eyes of a fox. Lungs heaving, your head jerks around as a tune wafts up and pierces your ears. The sound echoes over the houses, flying across fallen roofs and peeling paint. You’re frozen, night corralling you in.

“Who does this dude think he is?” You ask, a deep fear in your heart and an eerie feeling up your spine.

It was getting closer.

Heart stuttering, your legs take you up the back steps of a house to your left, hand snapping to the rusted handle and shoulder ramming into it. It gives way on the second shove, slamming into the far wall before you hit the ground and push on once more, the air gone from your body.

If Duncan can murder his own cousin in the way he had…what could he do to you?

Feet shuffling, your head moves quickly, taking in the decaying living room and joint kitchen—falling stairs that you instantly choose to run up, hands burning.

Your only hope was the car; you needed to get to a vantage point, find out where Duncan was, and try to avoid him. It wasn’t any different than what you’d seen on TV…right?

The wooden floor creaks like brittle bones, and you move across it while the scent of fire is still in your nose—gasoline and dead eyes. Your eyes go from one open door to another, beds covered with moth-eaten sheets. From outside of a broken window, you see shadows along the street; whistling.

You choose a room at random and slink inside, hands already jerking into your satchel and pushing aside the active recorder—reaching for your phone.

Looking between the window and the device, your dripping fingers slash through contacts until you can find the only one you think to call immediately.

Smashing down on the green button, your phone is right at your ear as your heartbeat pulses like a drum. As it sits there, you gaze outside, panting with blood smearing along your flesh. You can’t stop thinking about Kurt—how you’d seen a man get burnt alive in front of you as if it were nothing. You’d heard and witnessed a lot of things and had been in more courtrooms than you can count…but nothing would ever top seeing the whites of a man’s eyes as his body erupted into flames.

“Okay, okay,” the phone quivers, clothes ruffled. You hiss softly, not willing to make more noise than you have to. “C’mon, MacTavish.”

A long shadow looms in the streetlight and you drop to the floor swiftly, knees slamming the wood, just as the click on the line pushes through.

“Dearie,” the Scot’s teasing voice is a godsend. “Didn’t expect you to call so soon. Not that I—”

“I fucked up,” you breathe, and the fireman’s audible snapping of his mouth would have been comedic in any other situation. “I really fucked up, and I think I need a little intervention here before I literally go up in the flames of my ambition.”

You’re talking so fast you doubt he can even understand you, but you continue as your forehead peaks above the window frame.

Duncan is at the house next to where you’re hiding. Standing out front with a gas can in his hand and a matchbox in the other. You watch with horrified eyes as he walks to the front porch, pours the accelerant, and steps back to light a match.

“Oh,” you growl through a hurried gasp. “So now he decides to change M.O.”

The neighbor's home alights.

He’s trying to corner you.

Johnny’s panicked voice wafts through. “What in the hell are you talking about?”

“Listen,” you watch the fire spread, hands spasming. “I was going to wait for you, alright. J-just then I decided to not do that and I—”

“What the fuck!” There’s fast movement on the other side of the line, seemingly paper and pencils hitting the floor as fast feet slam the ground.

“It’s not my fault I’m a stubborn bitch!” You snap, moving your free hand to the back of your neck and rubbing along the sweat there, smearing crimson. “I can’t get back to the car right now and Duncan is lighting the entire neighborhood on fire to try and catch me. I have all of it on the recorder, and I can’t lose the evidence for the inevitable court case.”

Johnny’s voice is so serious and hard, you know you’ve never seen a side like this from him before. It’s nearly a growl. “I don’t give a shit about fucking evidence. Where are you?”

You rattle off Kurt’s address from memory, face streaked with light from the fire. It was going to spread to this house. The wood is like free food just waiting for it willingly; you have to move before it catches. With the condition of the home, it would only be kindling for a larger blaze ready to overtake the street.

Johnny’s voice is heavy. “Stay where you are and—”

Your laugh is grim, and you move out of the room rapidly as the boom of falling wood makes the ground shake. Breath nothing more than a shaky jump in your nose, you push out, “Not an option.”

“What do you mean ‘not an option’ what the hell is going on over there?! I swear, I told you not to go without me!”

“Bring the fire trucks! All of them!” You shout and hang up swiftly as Johnny’s loud call of your name is silenced.

You’re halfway down the stairs when the back door you’d previously busted through creaks on its hinges.

Above fire, above the pattering of your pulse, your eyes are stuck-still. Stationary. Stiff.

Duncan stares at you—and you stare at him.

It’s like time utterly stops, hit in the face by a metal pipe before its teeth get knocked to the ground in a clatter of white enamel. Shell-shocked.

Your phone rings again—Johnny, no doubt, but when it does, Duncan pounces.

He tosses the gas canister to the ground, followed by a quick match as you curse and race back upstairs. The whoosh of flames bursts into existence as hard boots follow after you, hot on your heels.

“Shit!” You yell, calling out a firm and fearful, “Duncan!”

A hand swipes at your shirt collar before you duck and pivot, shifting to brace your feet and ram your shoulder backward. The man takes the force right to the chest and shouts, tilting on the steps with a flailing arm, fingers that card through the air.

But you’re not quick enough in the rabid getaway.

A hand latches onto your wrist, and then you’re being yanked down with him into the awaiting arms of the burning fire.

—

Johnny’s whole heart is more active than when he and you were stuck in the sheets together—arousal is nothing compared to the fear he feels.

The man’s legs carry him quickly into the engine room, grabbing gear and sending out the alarm. Already calls were coming in from dispatch, worried civilians who had said they’d seen what appeared to be twin fires off into the more abandoned parts of the left-to-rot suburbs.

His panic extends to the next country it’s so far-reaching. Your call—your voice—the things you’d told him and, worse, what you hadn’t.

Why did you have to be so stubborn?

He needs to get to you, and he can’t breathe properly until he does.

It doesn’t take the firemen long to get into the trucks—the red demons rocketing out of the station with every blaring alarm at their disposal, and at every bump, Johnny’s stiff eyes glare openly at his lap. The others dare not say anything to him; they all know that look.

A man on the edge of a fraying line. Stuck on the knife—waiting for the final twist.

With all of the gear, MacTavish could be compared to someone heading straight into war, and with the following wail of police sirens, maybe war was where he was always meant to be. Johnny fidgets, his fingers clenching and unclenching above the meat of his thighs, helmet on his head nothing but a weight of reminder. He was there to stop fires—he was there to put them out.

But even God knew that the second his boots hit the ground, and the rest of the firemen were grabbing the hoses, he would be running into that inferno without a second glance backward.

Johnny was born and bred from fire, and at the very end of it, the flames would take him back.

Not yet, he’d say. Not until she’s safe.

The Scot grabs the face-piece at his feet, fixes it over his visage, and listens to his own rabid breath echo back to him. It was louder than any other sound he’d ever heard.

The shaking of his fingers is a traitorous beast.

—

Dragging an arm over the ground, the first thing you do is cough through black smoke.

Mind delirious, you blink rapidly, stinging eyes unwilling to stay open for long simply due to the spike of irritation—instinctual tears blurring the few moments of clarity to be offered.

You choke on nothing and burn through all of it.

Flopping, you force your body up onto its hands and knees, the world tilting even then as palms drag and fingers dig. The second your tears slap your knuckles, a leg to your ribs is kicking you back down.

Yelling in pain, you sprawl to your spine, body bouncing as the sound of fire eating away drywall and dead wood sizzle in your eardrums. Your skin is sweltering, and you can’t stop the flood of sweat dripping off your flesh—it nearly hurts.

Head shaking, wet hands grasp at your wrists forcing them back.

“You could have left,” Duncan hisses above the waves of spreading fire. If you wanted to live, you had to get out now. The very bones of this house are threatening to buckle like the spine of an old man—visible rafters beginning to cave. Splintering wood. Creaking. “You could have stayed out of it!”

You yell, legs kicking out with the strength you can muster above the carbon monoxide coursing through your blood. Your muscles need oxygen. You need to breathe.

Your lungs are too tight.

“What the hell are you doing?!” Cursing, your body lashes, Duncan and yourself battling along the burning ground as the roof across the room caves in, sending ashes and a large tsunami of orange rolling ever upwards and a shockwave that gives a sliver of an opportunity.

The both of you hiss, arms moving up to protect your faces.

Your clothes are ruined—ripped; torn. You don’t even care about any of it. There’s a ferality to you now, a bleeding fear that far drowns even the blood of your skinned hands. As you’re trying to stand again, Duncan tries to barrel into you.

“I warned you to stop looking into it!” He rages. “Look what you made me do! I killed Kurt because of you!”

You grapple for your satchel, his shadow nearly on top of you before your arms flex and spring like the trigger of a pistol. Swinging the bag back, you send it in an arch with your hands gripping the tough material. The heavy thump and grunt resonates quickly as you hack again, sirens just beginning in the distance totally lost to you.

“Maybe,” you speak on smoke-tight airways—a heavy wheeze as the fire licks your arms. You shout, almost dropping your bag. “You shouldn't fucking kill people!”

Your hands grasp the satchel once more, lifting and striking down as Duncan yowls, finally grabbing it and tearing it out of your hands. He wraps his arms around your waist and sends you both directly into the heart of the blaze with an animalistic shove.

Crashing, the immediate flush of fire is so hot that it’s cold—like you’re plunged into ice, even as you feel your skin sizzle. Yet, the resounding scream is nothing compared to the roar of rage as an axe is taken to the last standing wall of the house.

You fight with Duncan all the while the heat overtakes you, clawing and yelling; nothing more than a banshee of snapping teeth and hatred. The man forces you down, the warmth cooking the skin of your back one patch of flesh and fabric at a time.

Fingers curl your throat as you dig your thumbs into your aggressor's eyes, choking; wheezing. Black begins to settle in front of your hazy vision, seconds leaning into longer glimpses of moving shadows and growing pain—a pain that adrenaline can only do so much against. And then, just before Duncan’s blood can drip down to your face, his eyes leaking and red, he’s ripped off in a flurry of fast hands and muffled calls.

An oxygen mask flashes across your dying field of view, and a helmet—a fireproof jacket. Wide, panicked cobalt eyes. And yelling…so much yelling. All of it is stuck behind material that makes it sound like there are voices hidden underwater.

Hands skimming your shoulders, dragging you out quickly as your bloody fingers grasp in dying panic—fading senses. There are others too, three inside of this house all frantically moving. Ducan is being restrained as well as he’s able to be, dragged back with two sets of hands—one on his shoulders the other on his legs like a child.

You, on the contrary, get taken up in a fast set of arms more bulky than they are not, shoving you into a heavy chest until your face is hidden into a neck protected by a high collar.

“Pencils!” Your body burns, and your face contorts as your focus can finally bleed into it.

Shaking—quivering, your ears are ringing and the rushing feet below you jostle your form.

Finally making it outside, it’s not a moment later that the entire house falls into itself, a tomb of fire and near death—lost to all but ash. Sirens are suddenly louder; shrill voices.

Johnny’s hurried voice, and the sound of a mask being ripped off of his face. “Medic!”

You pant, mouth opening but no words coming out beyond a sharp gasp for fresh air. Something is fitted over your face before you’re lying down on a cot, and your fingers reach but meet air. Head craning up, you blink just in time to see it as the EMTs begin jogging over to their ambulance. Johnny moves and grabs his helmet and throws it to the ground, barking something so loud that you’re broken mind can pick it up.

“Give the fucker to me!” The accent makes it all the more violent, and as your oxygen mask is strapped to your head, you stare owlishly, visage awash with blood and tears. You don’t even want to look down at yourself, and in this haze, you’re not even sure you’d be able to.

But you can see the rabid events unfolding like your very own TV show.

Firemen try to grapple Johnny back, but it’s useless to try and stop a brick wall. The Scot shoves one away before his gloved fingers snatch a restrained Duncan, and throws him up on his charred legs.

Senselessly, the arsonist smiles—it’s a distant, psychotic thing.

“You know the journalist—” A fist is sent hurtling into his face.

Falling back, Duncan cries out as his nose breaks in multiple places; shattering like glass under the force of a steel hammer.

“Get over ‘ere.” Johnny’s voice is raspy; guttural. You cough and the EMTs connect an IV to your arm, quickly nearing the ambulance as they try to coax you to lay back down. “Bastard! I’ll fucking kill you!”

Bending above Duncan’s body, MacTavish gets in two more sharp blows before he’s torn away with yells and orders—shoved with appeasing pats to his arms and desperate pleas to hold out.

The police rush over, restraining Duncan and forcing his unconscious body to the side. Blood stains the ground, and the fires continue to blaze—others in the background trying to push it back.

Chest heaving, your throat is raw, but even so, as the EMTs can’t stop you from weakly peeling back the oxygen mask, you call hoarsely, “Johnny!”

You’re loaded into the ambulance just as his eyes snap over, his chest rising and flailing through all of that gear still visible. Calming words find your ears as the medics move the oxygen back over your nose and mouth, holding it so you can’t take it off again.

The back door is about to be slammed shut before the familiar square face bullies itself in.

“Sir, you can’t—!”

“Drive,” the fireman shuffles into the seat directly across from you as large, damp, rags are set over your flesh in quick succession as you hiss, eyes flinching shut. Johnny grunts at the EMT who blinks quickly before he twitches at the sound of your pain; jaw clenching. “...Before I get into that seat myself.”

The engine rumbles to life, and Johnny’s the one who takes your hand into his and drops his tone—moving closer. It takes a moment for his worry to be shoved behind a lens of surety, not for himself, but for you.

The uncertainty in your eyes made him want to storm backward and show Duncan what fists can do when that’s all you have to rely on instead of cowardice. Fire was a tool of a weakling, and no man was weaker than one who tried to murder someone like you and your bright intellect. But there was no use thinking about it now.

“Oh, Hen,” Johnny’s voice cracks, eyes glancing you up and down quickly as the EMTs do their work. You wouldn’t be awake much longer—if you managed to fight the pain, they’d put you to sleep for your own safety.

The burns were…they weren’t good.

“Hey, now,” the fireman eases, forcing a small smile and capturing your ash-smeared cheek. He doesn’t care about the state of his gear—the heavy oxygen tank on his back—all he needs is to hold you; even as little as this. “You just let those boys do their jobs, yeah? They’ll have you back up in no time at all, Pencils. Breathe for me, Dearie.”

Your fast breaths stutter and the scrape of your vocal cords makes Johnny flinch, his eyelids pulling in as a grimace shifts the lines of his face.

The man fights with himself to snap at the others and make them tell the driver to push the gas harder. He knows they’re going as fast as they’re able.

You try to speak, but Johnny shuts it down with a firm shake of his head. Seeing the packages of sterile bandages being unpacked with rapid hands, knowing the sting that will follow as they’re placed on leaking skin, the Scot moves closer and lightly shields your vision of it.

“No, c’mon now, don’t speak.” An unsteady smirk. “I know I take your breath away, but let's just wait until you’re at the hospital for all of that, eh?”

At the jerky glare coming off of you, a sliver of his panic leaves him.

Johnny tries a weak chuckle before it falls flat.

Your eyes pick up on the agony before the black at the sides of your vision sweeps in—taking you away as the first press of wrappings along your back make themselves known. His hand stays firm at your cheek; thumb moving over the skin until that’s all you can focus on anymore.

His touch. Not the fire’s—not Duncan’s. His. The same man that held you close and watched your back. Who had run into a burning house for your safety even if that was his job to do so.

Johnny seems to be thinking the same because before your head goes limp against the cot, the familiar drawl sings you to sleep.

“…I would have searched that house for you until it fucking took me with it.”

—

The voice recordings from your charred satchel were in police custody, just as Duncan was.

Along with the thick bindings that had taken home along your back and the upper part of your shoulders, there were others. Your voice was still a crackling mess—as if the fire had left behind a remnant of itself there, an ever-bending and shifting shard directly in your throat. Not even water could get rid of the itch, but you’d been told it would get better.

All things considered, it could have been worse.

There was a shit load to do—to explain. Duncan's involvement as well as the deceased Kurts, whose face still haunts you even now; it probably always will.

Johnny’s shadow flashes in front of yours and you blink quickly, clearing your head. A pause emanates, and the man’s brows tighten.

“What?” You try to clear your throat and grimace, the hospital bed uncomfortable for you. You’d much rather prefer Johnny’s.

“I asked you if you’d want any more blankets, Bonnie,” the Scot’s head tilts. He hums. “More medicine? Feeling alright?”

“So doting,” you huff, fingers rubbing at your neck before Soap sighs and stands from the side chair he’d been in. “No, I’m…fine.”

“My job.” Johnny grunts and his hand pushes away your own, fingers finding the spot that itches internally and carefully massaging until you’re like putty in his hands. In fact, you nearly purr before you sag into him, eyelids drooping. There’s a smug glance tossed your way. “And I don’t mean to brag, but I think I’m doin’ pretty good.”

Your lips pull, vision slipping upward. “Careful, people will think I got married over the span of three days.”

Johnny blinks, “Didn’t we?”

Your face burns. “No, MacTavish we did not. Hot-head. All the fumes go straight to your head, I swear.” All the talking was only aggravating your voice, but for the life of you, you can’t stop.

Johnny rolls his eyes, skull tilting. A bead of serious talk leeks in as his fingers shift from your throat to your head, tips stimulating your scalp which you hum approvingly to. “What’s the plan?”

You think for a moment, letting the man come and lay a firm kiss on your temple. Your heart knows he intends to stay with you through all of this—already he’d been out on paid leave about the whole ‘attacking a restrained man’ fiasco. The bastard deserved it, Johnny had growled to you yesterday as he helped you drink water. You had to agree.

“Sleep,” your answer is soft and simple. There was no use fretting about the whims of a far-off tomorrow. The future is a fickle creature, ever changing shape to fit the image it wants to play with like a doll at the nearest moment—there was never a pen in your pocket that was trying to jot down its profile; to understand it. Johnny was here, the bed was warm, and his hands were kind.

That was all you needed.

Cobalt eyes stare for a moment at your response, before the Scot chuckles. “...Well, I can’t fight you there.”

Your hand lightly snares his wrist, and you pull him to you, letting his body melt back onto the bed until you can rest your temple on his shoulder and sigh out your tension. Johnny’s arm curls carefully to rest on your lower back, as delicate as glass.

It’s a while before he speaks again.

“You really did worry me,” he whispers, staring into the ceiling and trying to make images out of the shadows on the ceiling. “If I hadn’t gotten there…”

“You did,” you utter, eyes half-closed and fingers rubbing at his stomach. He shivers. “One-way road, Johnny. Stop that.”

“Doesn't make me feel any better when you’re stuck in here for two more weeks.” A smile pulls your face and he glances down, feeling it against his shirt. “...What are you smiling about?”

You hide it into his chest and he shakes his head in exasperation, scoffing.

“I swear, I’m the only one who cares about your safety and then I get mocked for it.”

“M’not mocking you,” your muffled voice grumbles out. “You’re just pouting.”

Johnny grunts, rolling his eyes. “Course.”

“Proving my point.”

“Next time I leave,” Soap’s lips are atop your head, muttering. “I’ll be tying you to the bed and watching you through the camera.”

A thin trail of jumpy laughter echoes out into the halls of the hospital, and your response is just as quick as it always is—as it always would be through Hell and high water. This wasn’t an ideal situation, and there would be more trials to come both literally and metaphorically, but Johnny made for a good rock through all of it.

He certainly was a better informant than you intended him to be.

“Ooo, Mr. MacTavish,” a loud groan, laced with a fond, almost worshiped, adoration. “I didn’t know you could be so risqué.”

TAGS:

@sheviro-blog, @ivebeentrashsince2001, @mrshesh, @berryjuicyy, @romantic-homicide, @kmi-02, @neelehksttr, @littlemisstrouble, @copperchromewriting, @coelhho-brannco, @pumpkinwitchcrusade, @fictional-men-have-my-heart, @sleepyqueerenergy, @cumikering, @everything-was-dark, @marmie-noir, @anna-banana27, @iamcautiouslyoptimistic, @irenelunarsworld, @rvjaa, @sarcanti, @aeneanc, @not-so-closeted-lesbian, @mutuallimbenclosure, @emily-who-killed-a-man, @gildedpoenies, @glitterypirateduck, @writeforfandoms, @kohsk3nico, @peteymcskeet, @caramlizedtomatoes, @yoursweetobsession, @quesowakanda, @chthonian-spectre, @so-no-feint, @ray-rook, @extracrunchymilk, @doggydale, @frazie99, @develised, @1-800-no-users-left, @nuncubus, @aldis-nuts, @clear-your-mind-and-dream, @noonanaz, @cosmicpro, @stinkaton, @waves-against-a-cliff, @idocarealot

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thatswhywelovegermany · 1 year ago

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October 9, 1989: The day the dictatorial GDR regime broke

Throughout the 1980s, discontent among the population of the GDR about the economical and political situation kept growing. Nonetheless, the ruling party SED (Socialist Union Party of Germany) upheld its role as the only governing part of the state, continuing the process of the "socialist revolution" in the state. People started protesting against oppression of dissidents.

The situation became explosive after the rigged local elections on May 7, 1989. People didn't have the choice between multiple options. Instead, there was only one list of the "National Front", which was automatically counted as "yes" as soon as the ballot was dropped into the urn. The only way to vote "no" was to strike all entries in the list through with a straight line. Although this was a tedious proces that could easily be traced by the Stasi officers in the polling stations, many people made use of this way of voting "no". For the first time, citizens gathered in the polling stations to observe the process of counting. Althouth this was explicitly allowed by law (§ 37 of the voting act), access was denied in almost all cases. Nonetheless, members of the church documented electoral fraud and made it public. This led to the first protests, which the Stasi and regular police forced tried to quench. Around the same time, a mass exodus through neighboring countries to West Germany started.

These protests attracted more and more people. In many cases, the demonstrations started after peace prayers in the protestant churches throughout the country. But still, the oppressive system of the state held the upper hand. On October 7, 1989, the police forces, workers' militia, and Stasi arrested thousands of protesters in Leipzig and arrested them in horse stables on the grounds of the agricultural fair.

This led pastor Christoph Wonneberger to publish a plea for non-violence, which was agreed to by some SED secretaries read out loud over the city's public announcement system (by Leipzig's Gewandhaus Orchestra's conductor Kurt Masur) and during the peace prayers. On October 9, 1989, the situation was tense as approx. 130,000 people took to the streets, marching past the Stasi central. A massive presence of state forces was also present, and people feared a "Chinese solution", referring to the violent Tiananmen Square massacre earlier that year. However, the plea for non-violence by the power of its wording kept both protesters and state forces from violent actions and the protests ended peacefully and without any arrests.

This was the first time the GDR authorities gave in to the masses of protesters. The word spread, and protests sprang up in more and more cities throughout the country, leading to state leader Erich Honecker's demise on October 18 and culminated in the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, which ultimately led to the German reunification.

#german history #october 9; 1989 #leipzig monday demonstrations

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honey-minded-hivemind · 25 days ago

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I'm going to take inspiration from the Halloween costumes, and say: New Prehistoric AU folks!

This au has the adults as prehistoric mutants, all of whom could turn into dinosaurs, ancient mammals, or other prehistoric creatures, and whom live on a large enough island off the coast of a sleepy coastal town between Canada and the United States...

They're the last of their kind, mutants, beings who could turn into the very creatures ancient humans feared and worshipped and hunted, but can take human form. But for being so powerful, they can't reproduce regularly amongst themselves due to low numbers, and they want to raise hatchlings/cubs, so they've struck a deal with the leaders/council of this coastal town: bring to their shores children that are new, not wanted, or bear their mark, and they'll make sure they prosper...

Reader and the younger teens are a fifth generation brought to the islands, and they can't remember anything beyond waking up in the dark pre-dawn on the pebbled, sandy beach... Each of them bears a mark on their wrist...

But they're all different. Some of them are fast. Some of them are smart. Some are cunning. And others are witty. Reader is... not quite any of those things...

A stranger approaches the group, telling them to make it to the ancient waterfall in the heart of the main island, and all will be revealed... and with nothing else to do, the teens make their way there...

Along the way more of their traits become apparent: Kitty is clever and extremely smart. Kurt is spry and nimble. Pietro is quick and the fastest of them. Wanda can fight and knows what plants are safe to eat. Evan thinks outside the box and uses the things around them to his advantage. Todd is street smart and can find water. Jubilee can start a fire and can sew clothing. Roberto knows how to fish and climb trees. And Reader is... well, they're not very fast, or the most clever, or knowledgeable about edible prey or plants, or how to start fire, or how to make weapons. They kinda just... stick around.

But they're kind. They're steadfast. If someone falls into a river, Reader drags then back out. If they run afoul of a dangerous animal, Reader kills it or does their best to scare it. When they can't cook food, Reader takes on the task, and taste-tests to make sure it's safe to eat. They may not be useful in other ways, but they make life a bit easier. A bit warmer.

They finally find the basin, and the large cliff where the waterfall crashes over... and there are eight erected pillars of stone, and eight beings waiting for them. These, as it turns out, are the adults, one of them being the stranger they met. They say they rule this island, and that they had them all brought here to be raised under them, to learn their ways, to grow their herd/pack. And they've almost all proved their worth...

There is Xavier, the smartest and wisest of them.

There is Magnus, the one who has mastered weapons and the earth.

There is Storm, master of the elements and flight.

There is Mystique, the most cunning and master of trickery.

There is Morph, their most clever and adaptable.

There is Beast, the most innovative and their healer.

There is Wolverine, the most skilled warrior and protector.

And there is Sabretooth, the most deadly and strongest of them.

The teens are told which of the adults will raise them, usually more than one share the task... until Reader is the last one left. And they're told that so far, they haven't shown the skills needed to survive, or thrive, or basic ideas on how to fight or forage or scavenge.

The teens are scared for Reader, but the older teens try to come in, to comfort them...

And Reader is stuck, wondering if they'll be killed (considered a mercy by the adults, rather than letting them suffer on their own trying to survive) or have someone vouch for them, to point out a missed trait, or ask for a chance for Reader to prove themself able to survive, worthy to stay...

(Note: Reader does end up staying! And the adults work on apologizing, but they have a surprising reason why they thought mercy killing was an option. And the marks end up taking the form of whatever prehistoric animal the person is, such as Sabretooth has a sabretooth tiger, Storm has a Quetzalcoatlus, etc. ) (What should Reader be able to turn into, and have traits from?)

#honeycomb thoughts #platonic yandere marvel #yandere platonic marvel #platonic yandere xmen #yandere x-men #platonic yandere marvel x reader #platonic yandere xmen evolution #platonic yandere xmen evolution au #🦕The Amber Isles AU

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phefics · 1 year ago

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𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐞. ophelia. early twenties. she/they. multi-fandom. horror enthusiast, cozy gamer, swiftie & daughter of cain. here to indulge in my slutty fictional fantasies.

𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬. do not copy or repost my fics, or feed them to ai. do not follow me if you are under 18. only send requests when i am accepting them & respect my boundaries. read my rules before sending. most importantly: be nice!!

𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 | 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 | 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬: 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 (𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰)

𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐬. (𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐬)

baldur's gate 3. astarion; karlach; shadowheart

criminal minds. aaron hotchner; derek morgan; emily prentiss; jennifer jareau; penelope garcia; spencer reid

death note. l lawliet; light yagami; misa amane

fear street trilogy. cindy berman; deena johnson; kate schmidt; samantha fraser; simon kalivoda; ziggy berman.

five nights at freddy's. mike schmidt; steve raglan/william afton.

grey's anatomy. addison montgomery; cristina yang; george o'malley; meredith grey.

grishaverse. alina starkov. inej ghafa. jesper fahey. kaz brekker. nina zenik.

harry potter. blaise zabini; cedric diggory; draco malfoy; fred weasley; george weasley; harry potter; hermione granger; ginny weasley; luna lovegood; nymphadora tonks; theodore nott.

miscellaneous. dean winchester (supernatural); kurt kunkle (spree); luke castellan (percy jackson); riff (west side story). roman roy (succession). ryan (thanksgiving 2023). stiles stilinski (teen wolf). sweeney todd (sweeney todd).

saltburn. felix catton; oliver quick

scream. billy loomis; sidney prescott; stu macher

spider-verse. hobie brown; miguel o'hara; peter parker (tasm)

stardew valley. abigail; alex; haley; harvey; leah; maru; penny; sam; sebastian.

stranger things. chrissy cunningham; eddie munson; jim hopper; nancy wheeler; robin buckley; steve harrington.

the hunger games. coriolanus snow; finnick odair; gale hawthorne; haymitch abernathy; johanna mason; katniss everdeen; lucy gray baird; peeta mellark; sejanus plinth; tigris snow.

𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬.

yes. afab!reader. aus. biting. bondage. choking. degradation. edging. fem!reader. fluff. foot fetish. gender-neutral!reader. hickies. overstimulation. praise. scratching. sex toys. smut. spanking. threesomes. tickling.

maybe. amab!reader. angst. blood-play. “daddy” as a title. dub-con. knife-play. male!reader. parenthood. pregnancy. specific aesthetic for reader. watersports.

no. age-play (sexual or non-sexual). cheating. eating disorders. f!receiving anal. gun-play. incest/step-cest. pedophilia. rape/non-con. scat. vomit.

#ophelia's pinned #blog nav #slasher fic #x reader fic #reader inserts #fic writer

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bethanydelleman · 2 months ago

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do you have any book recommendations beyond classic lit + Jane Austen? Love your blog by the way!

Thanks! I read/have read a ton of books. My favourite genre as a child was fantasy, but I read almost everything except true crime*, thrillers, murder mysteries, self-help, and biography. But I do sometimes read those, my favourite thriller is Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney. I'm going to start with children's books because honestly, I find so much imagination in that genre.

Children's/YA Books: Gail Carson Levine, specifically The Princess Tales 1 & 2, and Ella Enchanted, among others Jean Little/Kit Pearson - these authors have the same vibe to me. Willow and Twig is a favourite from the first one, The Guests of War trilogy and Awake and Dreaming from the other. They both write coming of age novels for girls, both Canadian. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - I loved the whole trilogy (haven't watched the movie). The story being based around real antique trick photos is my favourite part The Echorium Sequence by Katherine Roberts - a trilogy of books about magical singers with blue hair and their interactions with half-human magical creatures Margaret Peterson Haddix, specifically Running Out of Time, the Shadow Children series, and Double Identity. Margaret Buffie, who writes stories about teenage girls and ghosts. Also Canadian, which I guess isn't that surprising. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. Re-read it last summer and it's as good as I remembered. Roald Dahl, I really loved Matilda as a child, it's been fun to read some of these novels with my kids. Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar - and it's sequels. Amazingly quirky and funny stories about a class of students in a weird school

Fantasy: Mercedes Lackey, specifically the Five Hundred Kingdoms series and The Obsidian universe. I also loved the Elvenbane series, but due to the death of Andre Norton it may never be finished. I would advise caution if sexual assault is triggering for you, the ones I like are mostly free of it but that can come up in her other works. Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien - obviously. Also loved The Hobbit, have not read further The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin - the book opens with the triggering of an apocalypse. The world contains people who can control earthquakes A Baroque Fable by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - this book is so hilarious but I don't know if anyone has heard about it Once Upon a Winter's Night by Dennis L. McKiernan - and it's sequels. This is a romance retold fairy tale series

Science Fiction: Michael Crichton - who spans a bunch of genres but I'll put him here. I've read everything he's written and I recommend most of it. State of Fear has not aged well. His books are very fast-paced and Timeline has one of the best enemies to lovers. Orson Scott Card - I am aware, but Ender's Game is a masterpiece. He also has this single novel called Magic Street that is a sequel to A Midsummer Night's Dream. I also loved Memories of Earth but it's been a while since I read it. I, Robot by Issac Asimov - short stories about artificial intelligence and how it might go weird

Graphic novels: Astro City by Kurt Busiek - superhero, but more focused on how living in that world would affect normal people Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra - every male on earth dies, except for one, and his monkey Fables by Bill Willlingham - after being attacked by an army of wooden soldiers, fairy tale characters and creatures seek refuge in a non-magical world (ours) Nimona by ND Stevenson - a villain gains a shape-shifting sidekick, but she is not what she seems Scurry by Mac Smith - post-apocalyptic earth, the main characters are all surviving mice. Best artwork I've ever seen in a graphic novel American Vampire by Scott Snyder- vampires have different traits depending on their home country, this is about the new, American species. Asterix and Obelix by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo - a small group of powerful Gauls defend themselves against the Romans using a magical potion

Non Fiction: Stephan Pinker, I've read both of his trilogies on language and the brain. Trying to get through his huge book about violence The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks - writen by a neurologist, fascinating book Doing Harm: The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick by Maya Dusenbery - what it says on the tin

Toddler/Young Child Books: The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone - I give you a 100% guarantee that if you read this book aloud, the kids will be fascinated. It is literally always a hit Robert Munsch - most of his books are amazing, but if you don't want to cry, DO NOT read the backstory of Love You Forever. The Paper Bag Princess was one of my favourites as a child. Little Critter - only the older ones, the new ones are religious for some reason. Just for You and I Was So Mad were favourites for my kids. Early lesson in unreliable narrators. Phoebe Gilman - Something From Nothing, the Jillian Jiggs series, The Balloon Tree... so many good ones! Really good illustrations too Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal - a book about a pea who hates eating candy. This book is fun to read and my kids loved it (I have the box set) The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak - kids love when adults have to do weird things I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen - perfect opportunity to do a lot of funny voices The Mitten by Jan Brett - a whole bunch of animals squeeze into a mitten. That's the whole thing. It's great. The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland - and the rest of the series. These are fun to read because they rhyme. Jonathan Stutzman - my kids LOVE Tiny T. Rex and the Llama series. We haven't read the others An Elephant & Piggie by Mo Willems - we have this entire series, they are a delight. An elephant and pig are very silly friends. Good drawings Dr. Seuss - be careful with him though, his books are quite long and can be hard to read, so I recommend waiting until your kids are a bit older. But The Lorax slaps and my personal favourite as a kid was The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins

Other: Still Alice by Lisa Genova - or any of her books really. She is a neuroscientist and her books are really interesting explorations of different disorders. Book is better than the movie Warm Bodies by Issac Marion - zombie Romeo and Juliet Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder - a novel that is also an intro to philosophy course Calvin and Hobbes - I own all of them, so excited for when my kids can understand them. I also love The Far Side, Zits, and the earlier Dilbert comics The Women in Black by Madeleine St. John - this book is absolutely charming. I saw the Netflix movie and then bought it right away.

*I avoid true crime because I have heard that the genre causes harassment to victim's families

General Note: I am aware that some of these authors are now considered controversial, some for more serious reasons than others. Sometimes flawed people make really good art. I mean, flawed people make all art because nobody on earth is perfect.

#books #question response

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humorisstoredinthetits · 26 days ago

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The Heathers + Veronica Youtuber! AU

I'm gonna be trying to post more consistently, hopefully once a week on Fridays

In this AU the events of Heathers happened somewhat similarly, Veronica never joined the group but she still got together with JD and he murdered Kurt and Ram but failed to kill Chandler before the ending playing out the same. JD is also more movie-like in that he isn't as obsessed with Veronica and just wants to kill.

The Heathers are the most popular Youtuber group in the history of the platform

Their channels combined have over 200 million subscribers, and ask any person on the street and they would be able to tell you who the Heathers are, think like Mr. Beast levels of people knowing them and double it

The group consists of three members

The first is Heather Chandler, aka Mythic_Bitch, who has a beauty/drama channel and is by far the most popular of the three

A weird combination of topics sure, but one Chandler makes work

She'll often review beauty products, and while applying them to herself she'll talk about Youtube drama

Beauty companies line up to have their products tested out by her, and she will only accept sponsorships from those which she feels are the best of the best or those which she wants to warn her viewers about

As part of her sponsorship contracts she demands that she be free to give her true opinion about the product, a term which the companies are forced to accept if they want their products recommended by the most popular Youtuber in the world

And of course she is always in the know of all the juiciest drama

Her word is treated as gospel among the population of the site, when she gives her opinion on the matter its closed and public opinion shifts to whatever Chandler's opinion is

She started out just reviewing products, but she quickly ran out of things to say while showing her viewers how to use them which led to awkward pauses

Knowing that she would have to find something to fill that blank space, she tried doing timelapses, telling personal stories, jumpcuts, and when none of those seemed to really work she decided to talk about what she knows best, which was drama

Her modest audience was boosted by an influx of new subscribers who sought out her opinion on the latest drama

And since this is Youtube, there's always new drama going on so she never runs out of things to talk about

Her views only skyrocketed when it was announced she would be collaborating with two other Youtubers who also happened to be named Heather

They would appear in her videos, acting as canvases for her to test out products on or to help talk about a big piece of drama news

Next up is Heather Duke, aka Shut Up Heather!, who runs a channel which focuses on literature

One would expect this to be rather boring content, I mean she's just talking about books, but her unique sense of humor combined with her insights into the books she discusses creates interesting videos for even those who wouldn't normally be interested in reading

She often tries to search out lesser-known books by unknown authors and reviews their work to try and bring attention to them

Mainly the kinds of books she looks for are by LGBTQ+ or POC authors

She also accepts submissions of writings for her to review and critique to help them improve their stories and with her advice several writer viewers have managed to get their stories published, an accomplishment she always celebrates by making a video about said book

For the longest time she's been trying to write her own book but keeps pushing it back out of fear that it's not good enough, but her viewers wait in anticipation for that day

Once she began collaborating with the other Heathers, she introduced a new segment to her videos, the skit segment

When trying to explain a key scene from a book she's reviewing, she and the other Heathers will act it out in a succinct yet humorous manner

They spare no expense either, getting costumes, doing their hair and makeup, the whole nine yards

At the end of the video there's a blooper reel of all their failed attempts

A fan-favorite of her channel has nothing to do with literature, its her pet snake, Cornelius

He was included in a skit involving a scene where a character was bitten by a snake, and ever since that video her viewers begged to see more of him

So she now starts every video by giving a snake update

To round out the trio, there's Heather McNamara, aka Mac & Cheese, who makes variety content with her golden retriever, Cheese

She hated the idea of being stuck into this box of 'gaming Youtuber' or 'drama Youtuber' or whatever, so she posts whatever she feels like with no cohesion

Normally this wouldn't be the best move, after all to have a consistent audience one should focus on a single type of content that those same viewers would come back for, but Mac's bright bubbly personality helps tie it all together

She has several ongoing series in between her other content, including a Minecraft Let's Play and a series focusing on her pets, of which she has several

Of course there's Cheese, but also Munchkin the Rabbit, a Parakeet named Tweety and a Maine Coon called Heather Catler, who was adopted after the collaboration with her was announced

The latter is technically Chandler's pet but she hates her so for all intents and purposes she's Mac's

In these videos she'll show her routine for caring for them and give the audience updates, but mostly its just an excuse for her to get paid for playing with her pets

From week to week her content can shift wildly, it all depending on what Mac feels like doing that week

The one constant is Cheese, who the viewers often call her twin because Mac always dresses in yellow

The dog was named Cheese because he loves cheese, to the point that if she cooks with it he'll jump onto the counter to nab some

The three of them also have a collab channel, simply called The Heathers, where they post content involving the three of them

When the collaboration was announced the three of them bought a house together and all moved in, an experience which they vlogged and created the channel to post the vlogs to

They post the occasional vlog, but also their gaming videos where they play games like Mario Party, or Duke's infamous prank videos, like the time she put her snake in Chandler's makeup cabinet, capturing on film the moment she opens it up and screams upon seeing a snake slithering through her things

As time passed their fanbases grew and grew until they became the largest group on the platform

They were invited to official Youtube events, went to conventions like VidCon, started their own merch line, major news companies started reporting on their big developments, things were only going up for them

Unbeknownst to the public, however, the three of them were dating, and had been long before starting their channels

Of course there was always speculation, there was plenty of evidence that the three of them were in some way LGBTQ+, but no one could agree on which two were dating and the Heathers never confirmed or denied anything

They were at the top of the world, they were extremely well-liked, had no major controversies and most importantly to them, they were happy

But one day, things changed

Veronica Sawyer, aka Detective Sawyer, ran a small channel of around 150k subscribers focusing on true crime and unsolved mysteries

Her small fanbase admired the sheer quality of her videos, as it was clear they were well-researched and well put together

A big part of her content was the motive behind the crime

Veronica was studying criminal psychology at her university and she applied what she learned in class to these cases to try and understand what drove these people to commit these heinous acts

If a case was unsolved, she would give her best guess on what she think happened

She took audience submissions for people they wanted her to cover, which helped boost her views as she was looking in to who her viewers wanted to see

Because of how long it took to research, analyze, and film, she did not upload very often, but her videos were always greeted with plenty of fanfare

**Line break**

She also always wore this monocle and a old-timey detective's hat, helping her to build up this character

However, there was a reason she created this channel, a reason she chose to cover what she did, hell even a reason that she was studying criminal psychology in the first place

Initially she was never planning on covering it on her channel, sure it fit in with the rest of her content but it was deeply personal to her and she wasn't sure if she wanted to share it with the whole wide world

But eventually she decided to do it, having it serve as a warning to those in similar situations

The video was titled "The Tale of Jason "JD" Dean and the Girl Stupid Enough to Follow Him"

As soon as the video started it was clear that something was off

She wasn't wearing her usual get-up, and it took her several seconds to compose herself before she was able to speak

She started by saying that this situation is different than all others she's covered up until this point, because it involves her personally

She went on to explain that this was more so than others a cautionary tale, of fear and lust and pride based on actual events where people died (People died)

She started at the beginning, spinning a tale of a loser girl and a guy who took interest in her, infecting her with his lies that they personally could choose who lived and who died because they knew better than everyone else

She spoke of his crimes, from attempting to poison the most popular girl in school by spiking her coffee with drain cleaner to shooting and killing two jocks after luring them to a graveyard at the dead of night, and his 'jokes' about killing her too if she went to the police

She told of how she was enthralled by his ideology, the idea that bad people deserved to be punished and that they were the ones tasked to do so, letting her finally get revenge on the people that had wronged her for years

Eventually she reached the end, with her realization that he was insane after telling her of his plan to blow up the school, leaving them the sole survivors, and how after she left him he almost killed her and was forced to fake her own suicide to get him to leave, only to confront him at school and remove the bomb, only for him to then take it back and blow himself up on the football field, claiming that he was too damaged and that she deserved better

She then went on to speak of the aftermath, the countless police interviews, the trial where she was found not guilty as she had not actually participated in any of the crimes and was found to be under major duress and threat of harm, explaining why she hadn't acted sooner, her stay at a psychiatric institution, the hours and hours of painful, upsetting therapy, her return to school, her anger at everything and everyone, and her eventually resolve to figure out what drove JD to do the things he did, leading to this channel

Eventually she reached her segment where she discussed the why behind his actions, where she attempted to dissect his rationale, speaking of the death of his mother, his abusive father, his constant moving around, ending up with a simple 'he thought he was better than everyone else and was the one to dish out punishment' being unwilling or unable to go any further

The video ended there, Veronica clearly in tears and just wanting to be done with this

Unexpectedly her video blew up, reaching the front page, going up to #1 Trending at it's peak

Veronica was surprised to see her comments sections filled with supporting comments, telling her that she was so brave for going through that and coming out on the other side, saying that JD was a master manipulator and that she shouldn't feel bad for falling for him, and that they are proud of her for being able to get up here and tell her story despite how much she suffered

But what really surprised her was a single comment from a Mythic_Bitch, asking her if they could talk

The replies to it were filled with questions and theories, but all were ignored

Of course Veronica knew the Heathers ran the most popular Youtube Channels on the platform, how could she not, but she wasn't expecting Heather fucking Chandler to see her video, much less ask to talk to her

But she couldn't be all that surprised, after all it was her that JD tried to kill, the situation involved her as much as it did Veronica

Of course she didn't name her or anyone besides herself and JD, but she still knew who she was talking about

With much anxiety she sent her a reply, starting a chat with the Demon Queen herself

Private Message Between Mythic_Bitch and Detective Sawyer

Detective Sawyer: Hey, you wanted to talk?

Mythic_Bitch: Yeah, I saw your video.

No messages are sent for about 5 minutes

Detective Sawyer: And?

Mythic_Bitch: I have to say I was pleasantly surprised

Detective Sawyer: What

Mythic_Bitch: You took complete accountability for your actions, never once trying to downplay your role in the events but instead explaining why you did what you did

Mythic_Bitch: Honestly I expected you to just deny deny deny and blame it all on JD, but it seems that you've grown up a bit

Detective Sawyer: Of course I took accountability for my part, even if I didn't actually do anything to hurt anyone I still enabled him to do what he did

Mythic_Bitch: I have a proposition for you

Detective Sawyer: Well that was an abrupt change of topic

Mythic_Bitch: Just take the compliment and listen to my proposition

Mythic_Bitch: I want you to interview me, on your channel

Mythic_Bitch: You can ask me literally anything about my perspective on the situation, my experiences, whatever you think will add to your video

Mythic_Bitch: It'll be a great way to get some views, plus when have you gotten the opportunity to interview a victim of one of your video's subjects before?

Detective Sawyer: And you're ok with this? It kinda seems like I'd be forcing you to talk about your trauma

Mythic_Bitch: I trust that you won't just ask "Hey Heather how did it feel to almost get fucking murdered?" or something like that

Mythic_Bitch: Besides, my therapist says I need to "open up more" and I guess this counts

Detective Sawyer: I guess that makes sense, but why are you being so nice to me? I enabled the guy who almost killed you, you should hate my guts

Mythic_Bitch: Its a twofold situation

Mythic_Bitch: Not blaming you, but since you put out that video its only a matter of time before people find out who his victims were

Mythic_Bitch: You tried to hide my name but its the internet, things like that don't stay secret forever

Mythic_Bitch: And don't apologize either, this is just what happens, and it probably would've been found eventually

Mythic_Bitch: Also I'd like to talk about it on my own terms, before the horde of fans demand an explanation

Detective Sawyer: Understandable, but I'm still sorry about that

Mythic_Bitch: And I don't really blame you

Mythic_Bitch: You were young and dumb, and there was this guy who made you feel special and important and that nothing else besides him mattered, and because of that you ignored all of the red flags

Mythic_Bitch: I know what its like to be in that situation, and it would be hypocritical of me to judge you for it when I am guilty of it myself

Detective Sawyer: Oh my god, I'm so sorry, I didn't know

Mythic_Bitch: Don't. Just don't

Detective Sawyer: Ok....

Detective Sawyer: Well, I guess I accept your offer, just let me know when you're free

Mythic_Bitch: Alright

Veronica didn't exactly believe her when she said that she didn't blame her

Of course she had no choice but to take what she said as the truth, but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than what she was told

She considered that this interview was just a chance for her to yell at her for all that she's done, to tell her that she hates her and for everyone to beg Youtube to delete her channel, the possibilities for humiliation were endless

Even so, a small part of her hoped that she was telling the truth and simply wants to tell her side of things, however unlikely that may be

The scheduled time for the interview arrived and Veronica booted up a livestream

There had been massive hype when it was announced, and even before the stream started there were millions waiting

It was widely theorized that Chandler was the victim that survived, after all why else would she comment on the video?

She sent the link to Chandler before sighing and turning on her camera

She explained, to those who didn't already know, that she would be interviewing Mythic_Bitch about her part in the JD Case, and asked them to please remain respectful as this was gonna be tough for both of them

She also added that any donations made would be donated to a anti-child abuse organization and that Chandler had agreed to match and double the amount

With that she pulled up Chandler's screen

She was sitting on a rather expensive looking couch, Duke and Mac on either side of her, and Cheese laying on the couch with them

Veronica decided to start out with some pleasantries, asking the three of them how things had been going, trying to diffuse the obvious tension

She received three identical oks, and sensing this wasn't going to work she decided to just move on to the interview

Before she did that she reminded Chandler that at any point she could end the interview or refuse to answer a question that makes her uncomfortable

To start, she decided to ask Chandler why she wanted to have this interview, already knowing the answer but asking for the audience's sake

Chandler responded that she was the victim who was fed drain cleaner and survived from her latest video

Veronica then asked if she could give her account of the event

Chandler explained that she woke up with a hangover from a party the previous night and went to make herself a prairie oyster

Unbeknownst to her, JD had switched out one of the ingredients with drain cleaner, making sure to clean up his fingerprints after doing so, and when she went to drink it she felt a burning sensation, quickly stopping drinking

Looking in the cup she could see that it was bright blue, and so she quickly called 911 and was taken to a hospital where she went into a coma

When she awoke it was several months later, and she was told that she had tried to kill herself, much to her confusion

It was hard to talk, as she had gotten several surgeries while in a coma to replace the damaged tissues and organs, but thankfully because she didn't drink that much and called 911 quickly she was able to make a full recovery

She told the doctors that she didn't have suicidal thoughts, and thats when they brought out the suicide note

Veronica interjects here, explaining that she was the one to forge it, the actual words being JDs and her just using her skills at forgery, all done under threat of something happening to her if she didn't comply because "she knew too much already"

The police came and took a statement and while searching for evidence JD blew himself up and Veronica turned herself in, clearing up the situation

She ended up staying in the hospital for months after, going through physical therapy to help her re-learn how to talk and walk after so long in a coma, actual therapy for her many issues, and monitoring, but eventually she was allowed to go free

She told the audience that she wasn't exactly the nicest person in high school, quite the opposite, and thats probably why she was a target for JD, but after almost dying she had a newfound perspective on life and on the way she had been acting, and decided to try to make up for the wrongs she's done

She felt like she didn't do enough, and thats part of why she made a Youtube channel

Entertaining people, giving advice on things she knew enough about to help people with, thats some good she could do, right?

Tears are pooling in her eyes as she finishes speaking

Mac and Duke, seeing the tears, took the opportunity to tell Chandler that of course she did enough, they witnessed firsthand her bending over backwards to earn forgiveness from all the people at Westerberg, and even now she donated most of their earnings to different charities and holds fundraisers constantly, and that she's more than made up for her actions

Chandler starts crying before pulling both of them into a tight hug, telling them that she loves them so much and that she couldn't imagine a life without them, before giving them a big kiss

Veronica just stays silent before the realization hits her

They're kissing

Thinking about it, it should've been obvious they had some kind of polyamorous situation, they were wayyy too close to just be friends

Then a second realization hits her

They're recording

She makes some noises in an attempt to get their attention, and when they turn to face the camera they all have the realization at the same time, and their faces burn bright red

Duke mutters that they're gonna have to make a video on this, but Chandler says screw it and that they'll just talk about this now

She tells the audience that her, Mac and Duke are all dating each other and had been since freshman year for her and Mac and junior year for all three of them, and that the four of them went to the same high school

She promises to make another video elaborating on their situation, but this is Veronica's stream and they don't want to take the attention away from her

Veronica feels super awkward, like she walked in on them having sex or something, but quickly comes to her senses and moves on with the interview

She asks Chandler some questions about what she can remember of JD, even going to ask Mac and Duke what they remembered

This is actually how Veronica found out that JD blackmailed Duke to pass around a petition that was later found to be a group suicide note

For her part Chandler asks Veronica some questions about what about him drew her in, what he threatened to do to her, what he did to her, and eventually her final question, why his ideology appealed to her?

It takes a minute for her to respond, but she eventually settles on saying that everyone knows that she wasn't exactly the most popular in high school and she always thought that it was unfair that who she perceived as bad people got to live good, fun lives while she struggled, and so when he came by and told her that her feelings were right and good and that she could use them to change things for the better, she jumped at the opportunity

Chandler muttered 'that's what I thought' before taking a deep breath and saying that after all these years there was one person at Westerberg that she never apologized to, and that was Veronica, and she feels that out of everyone she's the one owed an apology the most

Veronica is taken aback as Chandler begins listing off all the things she needed to apologize for, like bullying her and her best friends, having others target them and so on, but Veronica interrupts her, telling her that she's the one who should be apologizing, her boyfriend literally tried to kill her and she was a part of it

**Line break**

Chandler then said "who do you think pushed you to that point?", telling her that it was obvious the 'bad people' she referred to earlier meant them, and maybe if they weren't such bad people then she wouldn't have felt the need to do what she did, essentially telling her that she blamed herself for everything that happened

Before Veronica could get in another word Chandler told her that she knew that words could not ever begin to make up for all the pain she went through because of them, and that's why she has something to offer her

She invited her to join the Heathers, move in with them in their house in California, become part of their events, the whole fucking package

Veronica is stunned and is silent for a good few minutes, just taking it in

Mac eventually asks if she's ok, which breaks her out of her stupor

Veronica tries to deny the offer, saying that she doesn't deserve it, but all three of them start trying to convince her, eventually wearing her down and getting her to say Yes

The livestream eventually ended, and Veronica flopped on to her bed and screamed into her pillow

In the meantime, the Heather started their preparations to have Veronica join their group

They added her to all of their groups, linked her channel to their shared channel, bought her a plane ticket and arranged delivery for her things

They then made a quick announcement on their Twitters and filmed a short video announcing her invitation for anyone who didn't see the stream, but it was pretty redundant because every news outlet was covering this news

The idea to invite her was actually Chandler's, she had always wanted to apologize to Veronica since the moment she heard her testimony at the trial, but with her isolating herself and deleting her social media she never got the opportunity, so when this situation came up she saw it as a sign to make up for what she believed was her biggest wrong

And now she could not only boost her channel and bring her plenty of clout and attention, but also get her out of that horrible town where everything went down, in Chandler's opinion a win-win situation

Fast forward several weeks, and Veronica has gotten everything arranged on her end

She applied to a much better university in California, known for its astounding criminal psychology program, and was transferring there next semester

The Heathers agreed to cover the cost of her tuition, so the only thing she had to worry about was actually getting it, but with her videos she was able to prove to admissions that she would be an excellent fit for their program

As she got on the plane to head to California she started feeling unsure again

It was something she kinda pushed to the side while she worked on getting everything settled, but now that the day was here it came back in full force

She barely knew these people, and despite everyone, even Martha telling her that the Heathers had changed, she couldn't escape the feeling that something was going to go horribly wrong

On top of that, she hated the idea that her channel was going to grow off the backs of other people

She wanted her channel to succeed due to her own merits, not promotion from people who already made it big

And while her channel had grown after the first video on JD, it grew exponentially faster following the interview with Chandler and her endorsement, but how many of these subscribers subscribed because they liked her content or because she was part of the group?

These thoughts swam around her mind the entire plane right, the stress only building as she landed in LA

As she got off the plane she was able to find the three of them dressed inconspicuously as to not draw attention to the fact they were the Heathers

Inconspicuously for them at least, to any onlookers they looked like they were going to the Met Gala

Upon seeing her Mac rushed up and pulled her into a hug, the force of which knocked the wind out of Veronica

They went to pick up Veronica's luggage, of which there wasn't much as she had shipped most of it a week earlier, and then they got into Duke's infamous dark green Jeep, her "baby"

The tension during the car ride was so thick one could cut it with a knife

None of them really knew what to say to the other, Mac trying to start conversation but all attempts receiving a short, curt response that didn't leave much for her to work with

Plus Veronica had jet lag, having taken an early flight to avoid any fans who may want to see the Heathers greet her at the airport, so she was exhausted beyond belief

After a 2 hour drive they reached the mansion the Heathers called home

This thing was massive, being 3 stories tall and having huge grounds surrounded by a electric fence, which Duke explained had to be installed after some fans tried to break in to their house

They had planned on showing her around but they could see that she was exhausted, so they decided to postpone that and just show her to the guest room (her stuff hadn't arrived yet) While they headed to the room Veronica was amazed at the sheer luxury of the home, she knew the Heathers were rich but not this rich

As soon as she basically fell into the bed she thought 'this is the most comfortable I have ever felt in my entire fucking life' before falling asleep

When she woke up she saw a little yellow sticky note attached to the nightstand, telling her to come down to the kitchen whenever she was ready =) <3 - Mac

She just shrugged and headed down, after spending 20 minutes trying to find her way around the house, seeing the three of them sitting at the kitchen table, scrolling their phones

They look up and see her, and ask her to sit down

Feeling like she's already done something wrong, she nervously sits down

Chandler starts by welcoming her to their home, before saying that they have to talk business before they can do the fun stuff

They just have a couple of suggestions of how to improve her content and to let her know the expectations they have for her

Internally she thinks that maybe they should've talked about this before she moved across the whole country to work with them, but she digresses

Over all its not too much, they tell her that she should send her videos to be edited by someone else, they have several amazing editors who will accommodate any specification she has, plus it'll save her some time

They also tell her that she will have to be in some group content like vlogs and Duke's skits, but they wouldn't pry too much into her personal life and that they would work around her school schedule

That also meant that if she needed them to be in her videos that they would be available to do so

However there are 2 major problems

The first is that they want her to upload more frequently

Currently she uploaded about once every other week, sometimes more if it was a smaller video or the evidence was easier to obtain, but the Heathers wanted at least 2 a week

Veronica said that she felt like it would compromise the quality of her videos if she was to do that, plus with her college she's gonna need to devote even more time to studying than she did at her old community college

They were able to negotiate it to once a week, but she would start making shorts going over some cases she's already covered

The final issues was a big one

The Heathers' channels were family-friendly, at least to some extent

Veronica's was not, often going into detail about the heinous actions the subjects of her videos committed to paint the full picture of the nature of the crimes

The Heathers were worried that this could cause Youtube to take action against her channel, and that maybe she should tone it down a little

**Line break**

Veronica was vehemently against this, stating that in no uncertain terms would she be censoring her videos

Duke told her that they figured as much, but they had to do something because Youtube really doesn't like that kind of thing on their platform

It didn't matter so much when she was a smaller channel, but now she is likely to become the 4th biggest channel on the site, meaning it was more likely that Youtube would be willing to demonetize her or give her channels strikes

Veronica retorted, saying that 'so it's about the money then?'

Chandler explains that its yes and no, obviously they want to make money and more importantly want her to make money, but they also don't want her to lose her hard work over it

They know Youtube isn't a perfect platform, but its what they have to work with and they kinda have to play their game and follow their rules, no matter how ridiculous they are

She then told her that they wouldn't force her to do anything, but to just think about it

They had a few more things to discuss, mostly about money (25% of profits from all of their channels went into a shared account to help pay for the groceries and bills and that kind of stuff, and the money from their shared channel would be divided evenly between the four of them), which Veronica felt was fair and agreed to

With all that settled all that was left to do is start recording

They were planning on filming a vlog for that day, detailing the process of her moving in and getting settled

Initial filming attempts go badly, to the shock of no one

Veronica is an introvert and is in a completely new place with people she barely knows and trying to do content she is wholly unfamiliar with, of course she didn't do great

They did that mainly to see what areas of her performance needed improvement, and yeah she needs a lot of work

They postponed the video and spent a few days walking her thought how to act on camera around other people

She was fine when alone and in her element, but in unfamiliar situations she really struggled, so they needed to work on getting her more comfortable around them and around the camera

To help with this, they had a game night that night, a staple for their shared channel, but they told her that they weren't going to film it, just play

They were filming, they just didn't want her to know and were planning on including it as a segment in a larger video

They decided on Wii Sports, as they knew how rowdy they (Duke) got during other games and they didn't want to scare her

It took a minute, but after a while Veronica started to let her guard down and get into the game

She even ended up winning at bowling, much to the dismay of Duke and Chandler

Once they finished they pulled out the camera and admitted that they recorded the whole thing, just to show her that it wasn't that hard and she just had to act like the camera wasn't there

She was pretty upset about this, they had told her specifically that they weren't filming and they did it anyway, was this how things were going to be living with them?

The Heathers were quick to explain no, this was just to help her get accustomed to the camera

Veronica understood their reasoning but told them that if this ever happened again she would be leaving, no questions asked

If she was to be filmed, she must know that she is being filmed, firmly establishing this boundary with them, to which the three of them apologized and agreed to

Despite how upset she was at them for it she was actually kind of glad, because when they went to film the other parts of the vlog she found it easier to be in front of the camera

Still not easy by any means, but she no longer felt like a wild animal being recorded by researchers

To make it up to her the Heathers let her pick what movie they watched that night, and not a single complaint was heard when she picked The Princess Bride

From there her new routine started

She had class three times a week, and she would get up early

The Heathers told her that she didn't have to worry about driving, they paid for a chauffeur, which while making her feel a little uncomfortable at just how rich they were also was freakin' amazing when she had a 7am class and the college was an hour and a half away, meaning that she could sleep the whole way there

She also had security with her at all times, another thing she had to grow accustomed to

The Heathers had told her that because of their popularity they almost never went anywhere without security, there were some crazy fans out there willing to do anything to meet their favorite Youtubers

It was that that made her realize just what she was getting into

She was a celebrity now, a person of note, she needed security and chauffeurs and all this crazy rich people stuff because as much as they loved their fans some took it a little too far

This was none more apparent from the moment she stepped out of the car

Some people with too much free time had realized that she was moving in with the Heathers, and knowing she was attending college for criminal psychology found the nearest university with a good program for it, and had been coming for several days in hopes to catch a sight of the one of the biggest content creators

She was bombarded with people taking photos of her, asking for autographs and answers to their questions, one really dedicated fan even trying to ask her on a date

Thankfully security forced them all back, and campus police arrived not too long after to remove those who refused to leave her alone but the experience stuck with her, making her question if she had made the right choice

What she didn't question was coming to this university

The class was much more intensive, with a professor who really knew what she was talking about and classmates who wanted to be there and put their all into learning

They didn't even care that she was Detective Sawyer, hell they actually helped her by pointing out some mistakes in her videos, giving her an idea for some new content, to go back over her old videos and update them

And sure she probably had triple the work to do, but it wasn't like she needed to work a part-time job anymore to help pay for rent while balancing her channel

Inbetween homework she would research topics for her channel, relying more heavily than ever on viewer submissions to find new subjects, but as a result of her better education her analyses became much more detailed and accurate

But the most interesting part of her new life is the Heathers

She had imagined rich people life to involve hundreds of servants running around, waiting on the beck and call of their masters, going to balls and other events for snobby rich people, sipping martinis on the beach, you get the idea

But in reality, they were nothing like that at all

There was not a single servant anywhere in the house, the only hired help was the chauffeurs and security, which they said they only have for their own protection

All of the household chores were divided up amongst themselves, everyone doing their fare share

They also seemed to genuinely enjoy each other's company, which yeah they were dating but even so she had always imagined them as coworkers in their job of being popular and shit, but it was the exact opposite

Despite their busy lives, between filming, chores, dealing with business aspects of their channels and their own personal projects, they always made time for each other, and she would usually see them at night cuddling on the couch watching a movie, or playing a game, or just talking to each other

**Line break**

And they seemed to have a really strong relationship

She never really saw them fighting, if one of them had an issue with something the other two always listened, if they needed each other they would immediately put down what they doing to go help

There were no "Shut up Heathers", no shoving, no rude comments, no yelling, they were kind and caring and sweet

If you told Veronica that she entered the Twilight Zone she would've believed you

Maybe that drain cleaner messed with Chandler more than she thought

And the weirdest thing was that they extended this kindness to her as well

Whenever she came home stressed they would fuss over her, making her hot cocoa

They would listen whenever she came to them with problems with sponsors, Chandler even getting on the phone with them personally to deal with it

Sometimes they would invite her to watch a movie with them, or take her to events that they had been invited to but she had not, making sure to let the whole world know that they did things as a group and she was part of the group

And she appreciated all of it, don't get her wrong, their help was invaluable in helping her navigate the world of the top echelons of Youtube, but she felt weird

Not only did she not feel like she deserved the kindness afforded to her, she literally helped in the attempted murder of Chandler, but seeing them all happy and loving made her feel.... jealous, in a way

She's only ever had the one relationship, and that was the disastrous one with JD

He wasn't exactly the most touchy-feely or even loving of partners, and oh yeah he was a psychopath, so she's never had the experience of real love and seeing the Heathers being so in love made her a little upset

She knows she's being irrational, she no longer thinks that they're bad people and knows they deserve to be happy, but she still wants that feeling of love more than anything and hates the constant reminders of what she doesn't have

She tried to go on some dates, but her dates were mostly fans who sought her out or were really creepy, so that was a bust

The Heathers always comforted her after a failed date, being there with open arms, which only makes her feel worse

She also considered asking them to tone it down, but this is their home and as much as they try she doesn't feel like she belongs here just yet, so it feels unfair to ask them to watch their behavior in their own home

Eventually she internalizes the idea that she's meant to be alone forever, a repentance for her wrongs with JD, and she starts to withdraw herself

Of course the Heathers know that something is up

Veronica clearly never got the help she needed after the incident, the trauma never being confronted

When Chandler asked her if she needed help finding a therapist upon moving, she was surprised to hear that she didn't need one and never had one

They saw the bags under her eyes, saw her grades slipping, noticed her attempts to avoid interaction, only talking to them when they needed to film, and even then it seemed like the progress they had made over the past few months had vanished overnight

They watched her videos, and while they didn't know much about child psychology they could tell that her analyses were off and not accurate, the comments confirming their suspicions

However, they debated on just how to help her

Chandler was adamant that they just confront her outright, but Duke told her that it would only scare her or piss her off

Mac suggested that they bring it slowly during a normal conversation, but Chandler said that she was too smart for that and would see it coming from a mile away

Eventually they came up with a plan to get her to talk

They told her one day that they were making a video about mental health and the stigmatism surrounding it, and if she was ok with it she would like her to talk about her experiences

Veronica looked weary, but Chandler told her that the rest of them would be talking about their issues and none of them would judge

She eventually agreed to do so, and headed in front of the camera

What Veronica didn't know is that the camera wasn't actually on

The plan was that by opening up themselves, Veronica would feel more comfortable talking about what was going on

They imagined that before making the video on JD she was repressing it all, but with it blowing up she was unable to escape it, which combined with the fact that she never dealt with the trauma to begin with was probably the source of her current issues

Chandler started by speaking about her parents, both abusive and non present, her need to be better than everyone else, and the things she needed to do to maintain her popularity, before moving on to the whole almost getting murdered situation and how she got helped by the mental health staff while waiting to recover from her injuries

Duke then spoke about her bulimia and self-image issues, how it invaded her every thought, every action, every waking moment but also how, with the help of her gfs, she was able to get the courage to do something about it

Mac then spoke about her troubles with self-harm and suicide, even to the extent that the only reason she was here today was a child-proof cap on a pill bottle preventing her from taking the meds before Chandler found her, and how even though she didn't want help and just wanted to fade away she eventually found something to live for

Hearing all of this, Veronica only felt worse

These were people with actual problems, who have gone through some shit in their lives, not like her who chose to get together with JD and willingly took part in his demented lies

She deserved what she went through, she didn't deserve the help

She stood up before bolting out of the room before locking herself in hers

Chandler said "goddamnit, we're moving on to Plan B", much to the other two's confusion

Chandler raced up to her room, and upon finding it locked asked Veronica to 'open the door please'

Those words brought her back to that awful day when JD banged on her closet while she huddled up scared, using the exact same words to order her to come with him, and she started to feel lightheaded and her breaths became rapid

Hearing the telltale signs of a panic attack, Mac used her cheerleader strength to kick the door in just the right place to force it to swing open without it breaking, before rushing over to find Veronica curled up in a ball on the side of her bed

She quickly pulled her into her arms and after a bit of struggling Veronica gave up and began to sob into Mac's shoulder, the other two sitting beside the pair stroking her hair as she cried

Eventually Veronica was able to calm down and as she looked at the three women looking at her with concern written across their faces, she felt deep shame for bothering them and needing comfort like a child

Duke asked her if she wanted to talk about it, and when Veronica shook her head Chandler stepped in, telling her that she probably needed to talk about it

Veronica was able to choke out that she was fine, but Mac was quick to ask her if running into her room having a panic attack was her definition of fine

After a bit more persuasion she gave in, and began to explain what was wrong

The Heathers were shocked to hear what was actually bothering her

They knew she had been on a few dates and that they hadn't gone well, but they never realized just how much love, both past and lackthereof, had a negative impact on her mental health

They assured her that they didn't think her struggles made her weak or were bothering them, and they were here for her if she needed to talk, and that she deserved to get help, her past be damned

**Line break**

Chandler also told her that she was going to therapy, and her tone of voice indicated that this wasn't optional

The Heathers also agreed to help her with dating

They all sat down one night and Mac asked her if she was looking for guys, girls, nonbinary people, or it didn't really matter

Being bisexual Veronica responded that it didn't really matter, but she would prefer a woman

Duke then pulled out a sheet of paper and asked her what she was looking for in a partner

It took her a good minute to think about her answer, but she eventually responded that they would have to be kind, protective, cognizant of the world around them and their place in it and accepting of her past misdeeds and willing to look past them, but also willing to stand up for what they believe in and being intolerant of injustice

They also need to be ok with her Youtuber lifestyle and of the subject matter of her channel

It was only later when reviewing the list that Duke realized that all of these these things lined up with them, which she brushed off at the time as a coincidence

Unbeknownst to her Mac picked up on this immediately, and decided to keep a closer eye on how Veronica acts around them

After talking a few things over Chandler decided that it was probably best if she dated a fellow Youtuber, someone who knew the struggles of their career

Using her many connections she was able to secure dates with several different Youtubers

The dates were framed as collaborations and all took place in public areas with the Heathers present, and of course they were filmed

They knew that Veronica had bad experiences with previous dates, and they just wanted to make sure nothing fishy went down

However, she already knew these dates wouldn't go anywhere and just went along with them, her heart being set on a certain color-coded trio despite knowing the absurdity of her feelings

Most of the dates ended with both Veronica and her date agreeing that the spark just wasn't there and parting ways as friends, but not all dates ended so amicably

The Heathers had found someone who made similar content to Veronica, hoping that the connection would help foster a relationship

Instead, the Youtuber went on to berate Veronica every time the camera was turned off and the Heathers had their backs turned, telling her that her analyses were all wrong and that there was no why behind the crime, they were just evil people with no reason to why they did what they did, and even going as far to tell her that she was stupid for falling for JD and should've seen right through him and gone to the police

Veronica initially stayed quiet, knowing how much thought work the Heathers put into finding a date for her, but the last comment set her off and she punched the Youtuber right in the nose

The Heathers quickly rushed over, asking Veronica what was her damage?, to which Veronica explained what she told her

The Heathers were livid, telling the Youtuber to get the hell out and never talk to them again

The Youtuber threatened to sue for assault, but Chandler gave an evil cackle and told her that if she tried she would ruin her career, get her channel removed, blacklisted from every sponsorship opportunity, basically forcing her to get a normal job

The Youtuber looked terrified and scurried away

Mac quickly pulled Veronica into a hug, apologizing for what just happened

Veronica brushed it off, saying that they couldn't have known her true colors, blushing the entire time Mac had her arms around her

Mac took note of this, seemingly confirming her suspicions

After that debacle Veronica decided to hold off on dating for a while, a sentiment which the Heathers couldn't help but agree with

Mac took this opportunity to test Veronica's reactions to things

When they would sit on the couch she would get really close to her, just barely touching, noting how Veronica's heart would start to beat louder and faster when she did so

If they needed to go somewhere during a video she would grab Veronica's hand and pull her along, seeing how she would blush and (poorly) try to hide it

Things seemingly pointed to that she had a crush on them, but her suspicions were confirmed when she accidentally got a peek at Veronica's diary

Tweety had flown into Veronica's room and she was running around trying to catch her, and while attempting to do so she bumped into her nightstand, knocking a book over

The book had fallen in such a way so that when Mac picked it up it was open to pages where Veronica detailed her feelings towards the Heathers soon after she arrived, the notes on them being written in their signature colors

She wasn't intending to read it, but when she saw her name written in a sparkling yellow hue she couldn't help herself

March 16th, 20XX

Dear Diary, I've been living with the Heathers for about two weeks now, and I've got to say I was pleasantly surprised. I was sure that the interview was gonna be a prank, and even more sure that this situation was an even bigger one, but in the time that I've been here they've been nothing but kind and caring and supportive. They've helped me so much with Youtube and getting things settled, they'll never know just how much I appreciate their help.

And the weirdest thing is just how much they've changed;

Heather Chandler - I used to think she was a real bitch, a Regina George-type who just cared about herself, but the person that I've seen is nothing like that. She is dedicated to making up for her wrongs, hell she apologized to Martha, MARTHA of all people! She showed me her donations, and she is donating tens of thousands a month to various charities. HEATHER FUCKING CHANDLER is donating to charities about bullying and domestic violence and honestly I feel like I entered an alternate dimension. And she's so passionate, she's so hot when she goes on her tirades or yells at people god I wish she would talk to me that way

What I meant to say is that she honestly believes in the causes she supports, the other day she was livid because she watched a video about some Youtuber coming forward with allegations against their previous partner who was another Youtuber and how she planned to invite that person onto her channel and hear her side of the story, and how she was planning on working to get her ex's channel taken down. Yes, Heather Chandler is helping an abuse victim, what a world we live in. Something probably went on in her past involving abuse, but I don't want to pry at it, we've really only known each other for two weeks.

If you thought she was hot normally SHE LOOKS EVEN BETTER IN PERSON, HOLY SHIT when she has her makeup on its like Aphrodite herself walked in

I don't normally look for looks when I'm trying to find a partner, but GODDAMN she is hot

I need to stop, she is already in a relationship and even if she's poly there's no way that anyone would want me as a partner, not after what I've done... Anyway

Heather Duke - I think I was the most wrong about her. I always saw her as just kind of there, no personality, just a servant to Chandler's bidding. I couldn't have been more wrong. What I saw back at school was just a front, just like the other two.

She's really caring, always offering me advice or help even when I don't ask for it, its like she can tell when I need help and is just there ready to offer it. She does this for her gfs too, helping them look at frustrating situations logically and work through a solution. She's not the most open person in the world, but she's there and willing to help. I can really admire this about her, I would've killed for someone like her when I was dealing with (the next word is scratched out to the point of being unreadable)

I've found myself really liking her videos too. I always imagined a channel talking about books to be rather boring, sure I like to read but how much is there to talk about? But I see the effort she puts into every video, the time spent rehearsing skits so they're funny and informing, the amount of research she does, it all astonishes me.

And what really surprises me is how funny she can be. Mac can be funny but its unintentional, with Duke its purposeful. Apparently she's played pranks on the others before, but its never mean-spirited or harmful, its something silly like putting her snake into Chandler's makeup cabinet. Chandler was upset for a little while but they all have a good laugh about it now.

I think I was wrong about the boob job too, I got a look at those things on accident and they are real and just so big

Heather McNamara - She's just so precious. She reminds me of her dog, they're both always just so happy and excited about everything and when I'm around her it seems to rub off on me. No wonder people call them twins.

But in all honesty, she's just been a really good friend to me. She asks about my day, listens to everything I tell her intently and even though its clear she doesn't fully get it she still tries to ask me questions. She's done her best to make me feel welcome in her home and that I'm wanted here, and while I don't feel that way just yet I appreciate the gestures.

She's also super affectionate, she's always holding someone's hand or arm and is usually having some kind of physical contact with her gfs or even me god I wish she would do it more it feels so nice to be

The blush forming on Mac's face is wiped as the diary is swiped out of her hands by a mortified looking Veronica

Mac tries to offer up an apology and explanation, but all she manages to get out is a unidentifiable noise before bolting out of the room and heading to hers, locking the door behind her

Veronica on the other hand, is terrified as the looks at the pages that Mac was reading

It was from early on in her time living with them, and the first time that she realized that her feelings towards the Heathers may be something a little more than friendly, and now Mac read all of that

A small part of her recognized that she was blushing while reading that and maybe there was some hope, but it was quickly shut down

She literally wrote in her diary about how she wants to fuck the three women who are already in a relationship, and after all they did for her

They were probably gonna kick her out of their home, but it didn't even matter, she deserved it after all she's done

She sunk to the floor, back against the door as she curled into a ball and began to cry

It was after about 15 minutes that Duke realized that she hadn't heard anything from Veronica or Mac in a while

For Veronica that's the norm, but for Mac going 15 minutes without seeing one of her gfs was unheard of, so she went to check up on her

Mac was lying down on her bed, face buried in several plushes

Duke went over to sit on her bed and rub her back as she asked what was wrong

Mac replied, her voice muffled by the plushes, 'don't wanna talk about it'

Duke became really concerned with this, Mac always would tell her or Chandler what was wrong, for her to refuse meant that this was a real bad fuck-up

She texted Chandler and within 30 seconds she bounded up the stairs and reached Mac's room, concern written on her face

After a bit of coaxing Mac sat up and faced them, and began to go on a tangent explaining that that Tweety got into Veronica's room and she knocked into her nightstand and her diary fell down and when she went to pick it up she saw that it was open to a page talking about them and she got curious and looked at it and it had some parts where she was talking about how she found them attractive and that she had been suspecting this for a while but this confirmed it and she wasn't able to apologize to her because she was so shocked and she probably hates them and and and

She bursts into tears

Eventually she is able to calm down and is able to slowly to explain to the other two what transpired

Once she gets over the initial shock Duke realizes that this was kinda obvious, but Chandler is dumbstruck, saying that she would've never seen this coming

The other two tell her that they love her but that she's oblivious as hell

They decide that Mac needs to go and apologize, but the question of what to do with this information is still up in the air, none of them sure how to approach the situation

Mac is the one to break the ice, saying that she would be open to the possibility of having Veronica join them

She says that she already lives with them, does everything with them, is in their videos, and people already suspect that she joined the polycule, it wouldn't be that much of an adjustment to bring her into the relationship

Duke and Chandler remain in thought for a minute

Duke is the first to respond, agreeing with Mac's assessment of things, adding on that Veronica is pretty cute

Chandler admits that they both make a compelling argument, but says that its a big step to go from friends to gfs, and they haven't talked this through or planned it, they're just rushing into things

She doesn't think her joining is a bad idea or even that she's opposed to the idea, she just doesn't think the time is right

Duke responds that they have to tell her something, they can't just go on like everything is normal, and they definitely can't tell her "we want you to join but not right now"

Chandler then asks 'then what are they supposed to tell her?'

Mac, getting frustrated, proposes just sitting down with her and talking it out, working with Veronica to plan out how things will go and help integrate her into the relationship

She goes on to say that it seems like they are in agreement that they want her to join or at least aren't opposed to it, but if she is going to join they need to treat her like an equal, that includes including her in their talks

The other two look a little ashamed that they had tried to have a talk about Veronica's future without her, but they brush that aside and head over to Veronica's room, only to hear the sounds of muffled sobbing

Thankfully this time her door is unlocked, but unfortunately she's also sitting against the door, so when it is opened she falls onto the floor, looking up at the Heathers who are all clearly concerned

She quickly gets up and wipes her eyes before asking what they wanted

Mac is the first to enter, sitting awkwardly on Veronica's bed before beginning to apologize for reading her diary without permission

Veronica had kinda forgot about that with the whole panicking about her secret crushes thing, but regardless she was still upset with Mac, and rightfully so

She told Mac that she had no right to look through her diary, even if the part she looked at was about her, the diary was meant as a place for her to write down her private thoughts and to have someone look through them was a major invasion of privacy

Mac had the decency to look ashamed of how she had acted before going on to promise to not even go in Veronica's room without explicit permission again

Veronica was satisfied with this, but she went on to question why the others were here

She already knew the answer but she wanted to hear it from them

Duke squirmed but eventually said that they three of them kinda sorta talked about what Mac saw in the diary

Veronica's blood turned cold as she heard the words, fearing for what comes next

Chandler, noticing the panic seep into her expression, told Veronica that there was nothing to worry about, a sentiment which only worried her even more

Noticing that she was on the verge of a panic attack, Chandler moved down onto the floor and pulled Veronica into a hug, sushing her cries

Duke and Mac then followed her lead, holding Veronica tight, apologizing for making her panic

Once she calmed down the Heathers went on to explain that while they didn't feel quite the same just yet, they would be willing to invite her into their relationship and give things a try, Mac interating her earlier points about how integrated into their lives she already was

Veronica was completely stunned

This was not the outcome she was expecting in the slightest, and it took everything she had to not start sobbing again

From there they went to the kitchen table and had a long talk, not too different from the one they had when Veronica joined the Heathers, about how their relationship worked and what was ok and what was not, but Veronica picked up on it really quickly

Chandler was surprised at how well Veronica was handling this, and reconsidered her previous belief that they weren't ready

Once that was settled, they declared themselves girlfriends and went to consumate the relationship *wink wink*

Of course they made a video telling their audiences the good news, with the consensus being 'it took them long enough'

Not much changed with the change in relationship

They still had videos to make and upload, sponsors to deal with, Veronica still had class, but she found herself feeling much better mentally

Combined with some advice from her therapist Veronica felt the best she had since before JD, and maybe even her entire life

**Line break**

But of course, something had to ruin that good feeling, and this time it was actually her fault

Veronica woke up one day to check her email, only to see a notification from Youtube notifying her that her channel had been taken down for Community Guidelines Strikes

No warnings were given, one day it was there, the next it was not

She just felt numb

Of course as soon as she gets something good, something else has to be taken away, she can't just be happy

Duke came up to greet her, joking that she thought she had slept in and was brining her come coffee, only to see the email spread across Veronica's PC

Duke's hand curled up so hard that the mug shattered in her hand and they had to rush to the ER to get her stitches

While that was happening the three of them sat in the waiting room (Chandler couldn't even be in the same room while they did that, she is terrified of needles), and discussed what they were going to do

Chandler was adamant that she would raise hell if they didn't reinstate her channel immediately

Mac added in that she would rally the other Youtubers and have them say the same, and that this was completely unfair and bullshit

Veronica just stayed silent, done with everything

Duke eventually emerged from the room, her hand covered in bandages and they headed home

Chandler and Mac filled Duke in on their plans, but she was more concerned about how Veronica was handling this, noticing the blue-clad girl staring silently out of the window

As they got home Duke puled her onto the couch and asking her what's up

"Asking" in quotations, she basically demanded that Veronica tell her the truth

Veronica eventually spit out about how unfair this all was, telling Duke all of the things she had thought about earlier

Duke heard all of this but quickly debunked it all, telling Veronica that of course she deserved to be happy and that happiness wasn't limited to just one area of life at a time

She also admonished that she could come to them for help, they were girlfriends and that meant that they were there for each other

Chandler quickly put out a video explaining that Veronica's channel had been taken down with no warning, before detailing her plan of action to deal with this

They were going on a Youtube blackout, none of them would be posting any content until Veronica's channel was re-instated, and she encouraged all their fans to not use the platform either

In the meantime they would do some streams on Twitch (link in the description below) so that they could get a fill of Heathers content

She also invited every other Youtuber to join them in the protest

Youtube quickly took the video down and put up a stattement saying that Veronica's channel had been taken down for violating community guidelines policy and would be staying that way, but none of them were deterred

Big name Youtubers joined, all refusing to interact with the platform

In just a week the site saw a 75% reduction in ad revenue with no signs of stopping, a move which scared the higher ups so bad that the CEO was ousted and many more upper management members were replaced, before it was announced that Veronica's channel would be re-instated

Seeing all this occur made Veronica come to a realization

She could trust her girlfriends

She's known that she has trust issues from what happened with JD, but didn't realize just how deep they go until this

She was ready to just give up on Youtube, not even considering the advice from her gfs, only doing so after Duke sat her down and forced her to do so

And why didn't she, she should've known that they want nothing but the best for her and just want to help

But in the end she was paralyzed with fear of what they were going to do, having absurd thoughts like them kicking her out of their house and breaking up with her, things that weren't even close to reality

But her girlfriends proved time and time again that they were people who could be relied upon and trusted and wouldn't just abandon her at the drop of a hat, and with that Veronica felt the anxiety that had made itself home in her chest since the day she met JD evaporate

As she walked into the room to record her welcome back video with her gfs, she smiled, envisioning the future the four of them would have together

This didn't turn out as well as I would've liked but I've been working on this for ages and I just wanted to be done with it lol

#heathers #heathers the musical #heather chandler #heather duke #heather mcnamara #veronica sawyer #poly!heathers+veronica #poly!heathersxveronica #heathers headcannons #heathers au

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supercap2319 · 1 year ago

Text

"If you tell anyone that I banged a shadysider, I'll kill you." Kurt warned as he got up from the bed, ass on full display as he went to get his beer from the nightstand.

Y/N watched the little moon-show and smirked. "Right. Because I wanted everyone to know that a Sunnyvaler fucked my tight ass with his big cock."

Kurt looks at him. "You bet it's a big dick."

"Feel like round 2?" Y/N teased.

Kurt took a swig of beer before getting back into bed with Y/N.

#x male reader #male reader insert #michael provost #Michael Provost x male reader #Kurt fear street #Kurt Fear Street x male reader #fear street #fear street 1978

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https-maxine-stuff · 2 years ago

Text

“The brightest star on the darkest night.”

Seven.

.・゜゜・　　・゜゜・．

Tw: Blood, Gore, injuries, Vomiting, and of course death

Max stared at Nick it was like he was having some internal debate with himself as he held her up. "Nick.. the campers are they..?"

"About thirty, unaccounted for, that's why I'm out here."

"I sent some to the mess hall, have you seen any other counselors?"

"..No, you?" she swallowed dryly as she winced.

"I saw Tommy," Nick's face seemed to light up.

"Where? The campers love him-"

"He did this." She looked at him with a bit of anger, not directed at him just mostly anger.

"What?" His voice softened, yet his eyes didn't show any signs of being shocked or confused by it. She chose to ignore that.

"He- he was covered in blood." She took in a shaky breath. "We have more campers to find."

"You can barely stand."

"I can stand enough," she pushed herself off of him, balancing herself.

"Are- are you sure?"

"Yeah, I got it, Nick." She nodded her head, and he nodded back and began to walk.

"Everyone, listen up! The game is over!" His flashlight snugs tightly in his hand as she followed behind.

"Get back to the Mess Hall, or We will dock you a victory point!" The sound of twig snapping alerted his attention to the woods, he jumped a little.

"Claire! Freddy, Jesus."

"Jesus won't save them." She whispered in his ear, he held back a laugh.

"Not the time." He whispered.

"Always the time." Nick rolled him at her.

"Get to the Mess Hall, come on! Go!" He waved at them.

"What about her?" Claire's voice was soft.

"I'll be fine, go!" She pointed.

"Everyone the game is over!" He seemed a bit tired of repeating himself. "Get back to the mess hall!"

ੈ✩‧₊˚

They stood on the side of the woods motioning for campers to head back to the Mess Hall. Fatigue was getting closer but the adrenaline was still higher. "Come on! Back to the Mess Hall, you hear me? Let's go!" Nick spoke, it was authoritative and a bit fearful but no camper was going to know that.

"Check that art cabin for any stragglers," she motioned to him.

"On it." She kept an eye out for any spare campers that would be wandering.

"If anyone's in there, the game's over." He walked closer his flashlight shining through the chicken wire doors, she turned watching him open it.

"Nick! Everything okay?" She called out, she watched as he stepped out horrified.

"Oh shit!" He gagged a bit his hands forward as he turned to his side and threw up the remaining contents of his dinner, still gagging.

"Nick, oh my god!" She limped over, her hand against his back as she rubbed it. "What was in there?" She stepped closer and looked inside. "Oh my god-" she stepped back cautiously from the scene her mouth hung agape in horror.

Soon the sounds of feet hitting the ground alerted them to Kurt.

"Nick! I came out of the bathroom, she was just dead, man! I swear to god!"

"Whose dead!?" Kurt stared at the two.

"Jesus, guys.." his voice laced with horror "did you do this?" Nick grabbed the back of Kurt's neck.

"Listen, there's a fucking killer."

"What?" Kurt's voice was whiney. (Damn)

"We have to get the other out of here. Get back to the mess hall... in fifteen minutes, ring the bell."

"Ring the bell that's the signal," Max stated.

"Get them on the bus, get them out of here. Alright?" His hand still gripping the terrified young man's neck. "You hear me?" Then pulled him a bit closer "Just too! Go, Kurt!" He yelled slapping the back of his neck as the blonde ran.

"For a moment I thought you were gonna kiss him,"

"Be quiet." He stared at his hands and then wiped them on his shirt.

"Oh gross,"

"Incredibly." He grimaced.

ੈ✩‧₊˚

The two were making their way back to the mess hall when Ziggy bumped into them.

"What are you doing out here?" Nick gripped Ziggy's forearms holding her in place for a moment then released her.

"He's here!"

"Tommy?" Max's eyes widened as she took notice of the tall man in the distance.

She could feel Nick's hand grip her arm, "come on!" His hand slipped to her hand as he pulled both her and Ziggy away and towards the Science and Nature cabin.

They entered and he locked the door "holy shit," Max gripped her knees and huffed a bit.

"Did we lose him?" Ziggy's voice was soft.

"No idea," she took in a breath and cupped Ziggy's face to look for any cuts or scratches. "You hurt?"

"No, it's not my blood it's Gary's."

"Gary's dead? You know what I didn't see him living through this."

"Harsh," Ziggy replied.

"Very."

"Hide??" Nick made a motion with his hands "he might see us through the windows???"

"Oh shit, yeah." They all hid behind a table.

"Is he okay?"

"Not my blood, Um... Sean, Jesse, Rod, and Stacey."

"All shadysiders.." Max mumbled Nick's hand resting on top of her thigh.

"Shadysiders, it's the curse." Ziggy sighed.

"Damn right it is," she agreed.

"No, it's, uh, it's just some psycho," Nick stated.

"No, no, it's not some psycho. It's Tommy." Ziggy sighed. "My sister's perfect, virgin, boring boyfriend Tommy, she did this."

"Cindy?" Nick asked.

"The witch!" Ziggy whisper yelled.

"I told him that," she sighed. Max could feel the throbbing pain of her shoulder wound once more her eyes narrowed to the big red patch on the wrap. "I need stitches." She whispered "also- Tommy's a virgin?"

"First of all, that's not real, both of you are children, and Tommy being a virgin shocks you?

"Yeah, he is."

"Yeah it does shock me, how does that beefcake get zero play."

"He's dating my sister."

"Your hot sister," Maxine winked.

"You are bleeding again." Nick examined her arm plus to switch the topic.

"I'm aware," she stated with a sarcastic tone. The sound of the bell began to ring.

"They're getting on the bus. We have to go right now!"

"I can't! My sister is still out there!" Ziggy stayed in place.

"Ziggy, I've let a lot of people die." He hissed

"Nick! This isn't your fault," Ziggy replied.

"Not you, I'm not letting you, Max, or anyone else die tonight." The sound of banging had her jump.

"Nick-" Max whispered as Tommy's hand shot through the glass window breaking it. Nick pulled her back down.

Tommy entered the cabin.

The sound of his axe slipping downwards could be heard, as well as his footsteps and breathing. They moved quickly away from the snake above them, leaving two bloody hand prints from Nick.

Then the sound of glass breaking again had them jump, and shards of glass moving could be heard. What the hell did he break? Still, his footsteps could be heard through the cabin. Ziggy's hand gripped Max's knee as the sound of a snake hissing alerted her.

Max's eyes widened as the snake began to climb up Ziggy's leg, she watched as the ginger held back a whimper, it began to move over her leg next she gripped Nick's hand, for a moment it was silent.

Then Ziggy's hair was caught in Tommy's hands as he lifted her above the table, she was screaming.

"Ziggy!" Nick crawled towards Ziggy, his leg getting caught between the axe. "Run!" He yelled to them, the younger girl grabbed Max's hand as she pulled her out of the cabin the two just running.

"Shit shit shit!" They hid behind a tree for a few moments.

"I have to go back for, Nick." Max moved a bit but Ziggy pulled her back.

"No, we stick together, please.." her eyes softened.

"Get to the bus," she cupped Ziggy's face. "Please,"

"Max-"

"Ziggy please." Ziggy nodded and ran off, Max took a moment to catch her breath.

She could hear the cracking of twigs beneath his shoes her eyes softened for a second. "You seem to like a game of cat and mouse, huh?" Max is still a few feet away from Tommy. He gripped the axe in his hands.

"Yeah, this seems like I'm the mouse today, huh?" She had a saddened expression on her face. "I can at least buy, Ziggy time.. isn't that right Tommy?" She gave him a sad crooked smile. She was only going to slow down the teen, she wasn't going to be able to run much longer anyways.

"Come here Kitty, kitty," she made a noise with her mouth, to just entice him forward. "A fresh Shadysider right here," she spread her arms out a bit, blood still dripping down her arm, now having fully gone through the wrap.

He ran forward and she ran backward like it was a game of football and she was in the defensive position on the field. She was playing with him like he wasn't trying to kill her.

Rather sad really, she could even remember a day similar to this minus the murdering of campers.

Um.

Yeah.

His eyes seemed to narrow on her like he was debating his next move instead of mindlessly swinging his axe around. "Come on Tommy, you can't be stuck, this stuck." She asked. "Come on, do something!" She yelled, she was now getting frustrated with him.

He remained silent just studying her movements, she heard a twig snap and turned around. Nick was limping out of the Science and Nature cabin "Nick!"

"Max!" He smiled so brightly, but then horror filled his face as realization dawned upon his features.

She blinked for a few moments her eyes narrowing down towards the axe currently lodged on the left side of her body, it was kinda beautiful in a way how it seemed to lodge itself into her internal organs, how the blood seemed to blossom into the white dress.

The squelch it made as it exited her seemed to horrify her and she let out a little gasp, she knew better than to look away she knew better yet here she was, going to die.

She was going to die at age eighteen, a girl who's barely lived a life, a camp counselor.

"..Nick..?" She whispered, or well she thought she did. Her knees buckled beneath her as she cupped her side the feeling of the axe hitting her back had her gasp in pain, she now lay in the grass as the blood seeped through her clothes staining them even darker.

Tommy removed the axe for a final time and made his way in the direction Ziggy had gone.

It was warm so warm unlike this morning when everything felt so cold, she felt two hands turn her on her back, and Nick was crying his heart out. "Don't you die, please.. we- we'll have movie nights every weekend.." he was pressing his hands applying pressure to wounds that he could apply pressure to.

"Fuck.. Maxine! Look at me!" He hissed, her eyes drifted towards him, meeting his blue eyes, they seemed lighter more empty.

"Z..Ziggy." She muttered.

"W-what about, Ziggy?" She took in a hoarse breath.

"He's,, he's going for Ziggy." Max finally let out a pained breath. "We- we need to help save her."

"You are dying! Dying, Max!" He gripped her dress a bit.

"Death is a concept." She laughed dryly.

"No! You- you don't get to joke!"

"Yeah I do, I'm the one bleeding on the grass.. might get an infection." Her tone was pained as she smiled but she began to cough the taste of tangy blood filled her mouth. "Never mind, I'm going to die here."

"No you aren't, this is my fault- I shouldn't have.."

"Nick, baby.." she cupped his face "you did nothing, you didn't know this was going to happen,"

"But I could've been faster.." he cried.

"No..No you couldn't have." She smiled sadly. "Just- just let me help..that's all I want.."

He kissed her forehead and nodded. "Okay..okay.." he helped her upwards his hand resting on her lower back.

"Take my cardigan off,, maybe that'll give me a few more minutes. Maybe an hour?" She smiled softly. He gave her a bit of a sympathetic look as he removed it from her body and then stared at it.

"I'm wrapping it around you."

"Why?" She was genuinely curious.

"To prevent you from bleeding out more than you already are, you have wounds on the back and side I feel like this will help to keep you I dunno, ALIVE?" He aggressively wrapped the tan cardigan around her body tightly.

"I- I'd like to BREATHE?"

"You can still breathe, drama queen."

"Asshole."

"You love me,"

"Sure." She rolled her eyes.

"I can't walk much."

"You can't?"

"No, baby I'm in pain."

"Aw so sad." She giggled and then hissed in pain.

"Come on,," he cupped her face and kissed her cheek.

"Says the one who just said he can't walk much." She stood up painfully and helped him up as well.

"This is like a real-life horror movie."

"Truly," she sighed, he propped himself against her as they watched Cindy and Ziggy run out of the mess hall.

"Did you just see that?"

"Yeah, you?"

"YES?" He responded, following them out was Tommy, Ruby Lane?

"Is that a dead woman?"

"It is," his eyes narrowed on the scene. "We need to help them."

"Yeah, no shit."

ੈ✩‧₊˚

They managed to catch up but it seemed too late, in front of them sat a maybe dead Cindy and a maybe dead Ziggy.

"Oh my god." She released, Nick and scrambled towards one of the girls "Check on, Ziggy!" He nodded and knelt down. She felt around her wrist and neck for a heartbeat.

Nothing.

"Shit! Wake up, Cindy! Come on!" She pressed her hands in the middle of the girl's chest and began chest compressions. "One, two, three, four.." she looked at her, for any signs of breathing. "Cindy.." she cried and closed her eyes. Cindy wasn't going to wake up.

Her eyes drifted over to Nick and Ziggy, Ziggy's eyes slowly opened and Max gasped. "She's awake! Nick, she's awake!" She crawled over. Her hands cupped her face "stay awake, Ziggy.. stay awake."

ੈ✩‧₊˚

She doesn't even remember getting into an ambulance let alone being in the hospital but here she was, waking to a hysterical mother and a weeping father.

"..mom?" She croaked out.

"Oh! Mija! You're awake, thank god, oh thank god." She could feel the warmth of her mother's kisses pressed to her aching face as she let out a soft sigh.

"She just woke up, Marie give her a moment." Her father spoke, his hand resting on hers with a soft look. "My baby,, your okay now."

"Where- where's Nick,, and Ziggy?"

"Who's Ziggy? The only other survivor who made it to a hospital was Christine Berman."

"A-and Nick?"

"Sunnyvale hospital." Her father responded.

"Oh.."

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theevilcactus · 1 year ago

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oh, the fictional couple i'm obsessed with? that's from a retro horror netflix original? featuring a light-haired athlete who's part of the popular crowd? and a surprisingly friendly drug dealer with long, dark hair who's from the wrong side of the tracks? that couple that only interacted like one or two times on screen and were never even properly together? the ones who have to keep their meetings a secret because they're from two different worlds? and then the girl dies a brutal death due to supernatural horrors, getting caught when their love interest is just in the other room? yeah, i know them

#stranger things #fear street #yes i know that joan isn't technically confirmed to be a drug dealer- we just see her smoke a lot of weed #but i hc that she grows it herself and sells it to other people. so.#also sorry for the terrible picture quality for joan and kurt. i did my best but they are barely ever in the same frame

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ladyeckland28 · 4 months ago

Text

Shadows Of Charming

A fan fiction by Ecky

Starring @samcrosfaith

**Disclaimer:**

This fan fiction story is a creative work set in the Sons of Anarchy universe, inspired by the original series created by Kurt Sutter. It contains mature content, including violence and strong language, in line with the tone of the show. Please enjoy this fan tribute for entertainment purposes only. Thank you for being part of this fan fiction journey in the world of Sons of Anarchy.

Part 1: Arrival

The night cloaked Charming in a veil of secrecy as Sam Crois Faith stepped off the Greyhound bus. Her combat boots hit the cracked pavement with a soft thud, the sound barely audible over the idling engine. She tugged her black leather jacket tighter around her slender frame, her piercing blue eyes scanning the deserted bus station.

Sam's heart raced, her breath shallow. Every shadow seemed to hide a threat, every rustle of leaves a potential pursuer. She knew Damien wouldn't give up easily. The thought of his rage, his possessive fury, sent a chill down her spine.

"You okay there, miss?" The bus driver's gruff voice startled her.

Sam forced a smile, tucking a strand of jet-black hair behind her ear. "Yeah, thanks. Just... taking it all in."

The driver nodded, unconvinced. "Well, be careful. Charming ain't always as nice as its name suggests."

As the bus pulled away, leaving Sam alone in the pool of dim streetlight, she muttered, "Nowhere is."

With her duffel bag slung over her shoulder, Sam set off into the unknown streets of Charming. The town slumbered, unaware of the storm she brought with her. Shop windows reflected her pale face and dark attire, a gothic apparition gliding through the night.

Sam had no destination in mind, just an desperate need to disappear. Each step took her further from Damien, but the invisible tether of fear still bound her. She walked for what felt like hours, the weight of her past growing heavier with each block.

As dawn began to bleed into the sky, Sam found herself in front of a garage. The sign read "Teller-Morrow Automotive Repair." A row of gleaming motorcycles caught her eye, their chrome accents reflecting the first rays of sunlight.

"You lost, darlin'?"

Sam whirled around, her hand instinctively reaching for the switchblade in her pocket. A man with wild, curly hair and piercing blue eyes regarded her with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. His kutte bore patches she didn't recognize, but the words "Sons of Anarchy" were clear.

"I... I'm new in town," Sam stammered, forcing her hand away from the concealed weapon. "Just walking."

The man's lips curled into a grin that was equal parts charm and menace. "Hell of a long walk. Sun's barely up." He extended a hand. "Name's Tig. And you are?"

Sam hesitated before shaking his hand. "Sam."

Tig's eyebrows rose. "Sam? That short for Samantha?"

"No," she replied curtly. "Just Sam."

Before Tig could respond, the rumble of motorcycles filled the air. Three bikes pulled into the lot, their riders eyeing Sam with obvious suspicion.

"Making new friends, Tiggy?" A blonde man with a neatly trimmed beard dismounted, his eyes never leaving Sam.

"Just being neighborly, Jax," Tig replied, his grin widening. "This here's Sam. Says she's new in town."

Jax approached, his swagger confident but cautious. "That right? What brings you to Charming, Sam?"

Sam's mind raced. She couldn't tell the truth, but lies had never come easily to her. "I... I'm just passing through. Looking for work, maybe."

A older man with scars on his cheeks stepped forward, his Scottish accent thick. "Aye, and what kind of work would that be? Don't recall many job openings for gothic princesses 'round here."

Sam bristled at the comment. "I can do anything. Mechanic, bartender, whatever pays."

Jax exchanged glances with his companions before turning back to Sam. "Why don't you come inside? We can talk about it over coffee."

It wasn't a request. Sam knew she was trapped, at least for the moment. She nodded, following Jax and the others into the garage's office.

The space was cluttered but organized, with a distinct masculine energy. Sam perched on the edge of a worn couch, hyper-aware of the exit points and potential weapons.

"So, Sam," Jax began, leaning against a desk. "Where you from?"

"Around," Sam replied vaguely.

The Scottish man snorted. "Aye, that's specific."

"Chibs," Jax said, a warning in his tone. He turned back to Sam. "Look, we don't mean to interrogate you. But Charming's a small town, and we like to know who's coming and going. Especially when they show up at our doorstep at dawn."

Sam's fingers twitched, itching for a cigarette. "I told you, I'm just looking for work. Is that a crime?"

"Depends on the kind of work," a new voice interjected. A woman entered the office, her presence instantly commanding attention. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, fixed on Sam. "You running from something, sweetheart?"

Sam's breath caught in her throat. This woman saw too much, knew too much with just a glance. "Aren't we all?" Sam countered, trying to keep her voice steady.

The woman's lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'm Gemma. Jax's mother." She looked at her son. "Clay's looking for you. Club business."

Jax nodded, then addressed Sam. "Stay put. We're not done talking."

As the men filed out, Gemma took a seat across from Sam. The two women studied each other in tense silence.

"You're in trouble," Gemma finally said. It wasn't a question.

Sam's defenses crumbled under Gemma's penetrating gaze. "You have no idea."

Gemma leaned forward. "Try me, sweetheart. I've seen it all."

For a moment, Sam considered spilling everything. The words danced on the tip of her tongue – Damien, the drugs, the beatings, the desperate escape. But years of caution held her back.

"I can't," Sam whispered. "It's not safe. For anyone."

Gemma's expression softened, just slightly. "Honey, nothing in this life is safe. But sometimes, the right danger can keep you alive."

Before Sam could respond, the office door burst open. Jax stormed in, his face a mask of barely contained rage.

"We've got a problem," he announced. "Seems our new friend here brought some baggage with her. There's a guy tearing up Main Street, flashing your picture." He fixed Sam with a hard stare. "Want to tell us what the hell is going on?"

Sam's world tilted. Damien had found her. The fragile illusion of escape shattered, leaving only cold, familiar dread.

"I have to go," she gasped, bolting for the door.

But Tig blocked her path, his earlier friendliness replaced by steely resolve. "Not so fast, doll. You've got some explaining to do."

Trapped between Damien's approaching storm and the Sons' suspicion, Sam realized she had run out of options. The shadows of Charming had ensnared her, and there was nowhere left to hide.

****

Part 2: Revelations

Sam's eyes darted frantically between the Sons, searching for an escape route that didn't exist. Her chest tightened, breaths coming in short, panicked gasps.

"Hey, hey," Jax said, his tone softening as he noticed her distress. "Take it easy. We're not gonna hurt you, but we need answers. Now."

Gemma stood, placing a steadying hand on Sam's shoulder. "Sit down, sweetheart. Deep breaths."

As Sam sank back onto the couch, Chibs peered out the window. "Shite. We've got company, Jackie boy. Mean-looking bastard in a suit, asking questions at the gas station across the street."

Jax's jaw clenched. "Tig, take Juice and run interference. Keep him busy, but don't engage. I want to hear Sam's story first."

As Tig nodded and left, Jax pulled up a chair directly in front of Sam. His blue eyes, so like her own, held a mixture of concern and wariness. "Start talking."

Sam took a shaky breath. "His name is Damien Cross. He's... he was my boyfriend."

"The guy out there?" Jax pressed.

Sam nodded. "He's dangerous. More than you know. I had to get away."

Chibs scoffed. "Aye, we gathered that much, lass. What we need to know is how dangerous, and to whom?"

"To everyone," Sam whispered. She looked up, meeting Jax's gaze. "Damien isn't just some abusive ex. He's a drug lord, with connections spreading from here to Mexico and even Colombia."

The tension in the room ratcheted up several notches. Jax and Chibs exchanged loaded glances.

"Jesus Christ," Gemma muttered. "You sure know how to pick 'em, don't you?"

Sam's eyes flashed. "I didn't choose this. I was a stupid kid who thought she was in love. By the time I realized what Damien really was, it was too late."

"How deep are you in this?" Jax asked, leaning forward.

"Deep enough to know too much," Sam replied. "Names, routes, contacts. Damien liked to brag when he was high. Said it turned him on that I knew how powerful he was."

Jax stood abruptly, pacing the small office. "Shit. This is bigger than we thought."

The door burst open, and a young man with a mohawk and tribal tattoos on his scalp rushed in. "Jax, we've got a problem. That guy? He's not alone. There's at least four more, armed, circling the block."

"Thanks, Juice," Jax said, his mind racing. "Get everyone inside. Now."

As Juice left, Jax turned back to Sam. "How many men does Damien usually travel with?"

"At least a dozen," Sam said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ex-military, mostly. Loyal to a fault."

"Christ," Chibs muttered. "We're outnumbered and outgunned."

Jax's phone buzzed. He glanced at it, his expression darkening. "Clay wants us in church. Now." He pointed at Sam. "You're coming with us. Gemma, keep an eye on things out here."

Gemma nodded, her face a mask of grim determination. "Be careful, baby."

Jax led Sam through the garage and into a back room. A large wooden table dominated the space, carved with a reaper logo. Men in kuttes similar to Jax's filled the chairs around it, their faces a mix of curiosity and hostility.

An older man with graying hair and scarred hands sat at the head of the table. His piercing gaze locked onto Sam. "This the girl?"

"Yeah," Jax replied, guiding Sam to stand at the foot of the table. "Clay, we've got a situation."

Over the next few minutes, Jax laid out what they'd learned about Damien and his operation. The room grew increasingly tense as the full scope of the threat became clear.

Clay's eyes never left Sam. "And how do we know she's not working with this Damien? Could be a setup."

Sam's temper flared. "If I was working with him, why would I tell you about his operation? I'm trying to get away from him, not lure you in!"

"Watch your tone, little girl," Clay growled. "You brought this shitstorm to our doorstep. Far as I'm concerned, that makes you a threat."

"Clay," Jax interjected, his voice tight. "She's scared and alone. We need to focus on the real problem here."

A large man with a wild beard spoke up. "Jax is right. If this Damien's got the connections Sam says he does, we could be looking at a full-scale war. Mayans, Niners, everyone's gonna want a piece of this action."

"Opie's got a point," Chibs added. "We need to tread carefully here."

Clay leaned back, his eyes narrowing. "Alright. Jax, take Tig and Chibs. Go talk to this Damien character. See what he wants."

"And Sam?" Jax asked.

Clay's lip curled. "She stays here. Insurance."

As the meeting broke up, Sam grabbed Jax's arm. "Please, don't hand me over to him. He'll kill me."

Jax's expression softened. "We're not gonna let that happen. Just sit tight, okay?"

As Jax left with Tig and Chibs, the remaining Sons eyed Sam warily. She hugged herself, feeling more alone than ever.

Outside, Jax approached the sleek black SUV parked across from Teller-Morrow. A tall man in an expensive suit leaned against it, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

"Damien Cross, I presume?" Jax called out.

The man's dark eyes glittered. "And you must be the local muscle. Jackson Teller, right? I've heard interesting things about you and your little club."

Jax's stomach churned. This man radiated danger in a way few others did. "Seems like you've done your homework. Want to tell me why you're tearing up my town?"

Damien's smile widened. "Come now, Mr. Teller. We both know why I'm here. Where is she?"

"Who?" Jax asked, feigning ignorance.

Damien chuckled, the sound devoid of any real mirth. "Please. Don't insult my intelligence. Samantha is mine. She belongs with me. I've come to take her home."

Tig stepped forward, his hand twitching near his gun. "Listen, asshole. I don't know who you think you are, but—"

In a flash, Damien had a pistol trained on Tig's forehead. "I'm the man who can have this entire town turned into a war zone with one phone call. So please, choose your next words carefully."

Jax raised his hands placatingly. "Easy. We're just talking here."

Damien lowered the gun but didn't holster it. "Indeed we are. So let's talk business, Mr. Teller. I know your club has certain... entrepreneurial interests. I'm willing to offer you a mutually beneficial arrangement. All I ask in return is Samantha."

"And if we don't have her?" Jax asked.

Damien's eyes hardened. "Then things will become very unpleasant for Charming. You see, I have friends in low places. The cartels owe me favors. It would be a shame if they decided to move their operations into this quaint little town."

The threat hung in the air, heavy and ominous. Jax's mind raced, weighing their options.

"Give me 24 hours," Jax finally said. "If she's here, I'll convince her to meet with you. Peacefully."

Damien studied Jax for a long moment before nodding. "24 hours. Not a minute more." He got into his SUV. "Oh, and Mr. Teller? Don't try to run. There's nowhere she can go that I won't find her."

As the SUV pulled away, Chibs turned to Jax. "What's the play here, Jackie boy?"

Jax ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know yet. But we need to find out more about this guy. Juice!"

The young intelligence officer jogged over. "Yeah, boss?"

"I need everything you can find on Damien Cross. Dig deep. I want to know every skeleton in his closet."

Back inside, Sam paced the small office like a caged animal. Gemma watched her with a mixture of sympathy and suspicion.

"You weren't entirely truthful before, were you?" Gemma asked.

Sam stopped pacing. "What do you mean?"

Gemma leaned forward. "You said you were just some stupid kid who fell for the wrong guy. But there's more to it than that, isn't there?"

Sam's shoulders slumped. "How did you know?"

"Honey, I've been around long enough to spot a girl running from her past. And you? You're running from more than just a bad relationship."

Tears welled up in Sam's eyes. "I didn't have a choice. My parents died when I was 16. I had nowhere to go, no one to turn to. Damien... he seemed so kind at first. Offered me a home, a family."

Gemma's expression softened. "And by the time you realized what he really wanted, you were in too deep."

Sam nodded, wiping away a tear. "He made me help him. Said it was the price for his protection. I... I've done things, Gemma. Terrible things."

Before Gemma could respond, the office door opened. Jax entered, his face grim.

"We've got a problem," he announced. "Damien's given us 24 hours to hand you over, or he's bringing a cartel war to Charming."

Sam's face paled. "Oh God. I never should have come here. I've put you all in danger."

Jax shook his head. "This isn't on you. But we need to figure out our next move, fast."

A knock at the door interrupted them. Juice entered, his laptop tucked under his arm. "Jax, you're gonna want to see this."

They gathered around as Juice opened his computer. "I did some digging on Damien Cross. This guy's no joke. He's got ties to the Galindo Cartel, the Russian mob, even some rogue CIA operatives."

"Jesus Christ," Jax muttered.

"That's not all," Juice continued. "I found some chatter on the dark web. Seems Damien's been making moves lately, consolidating power. Word is, he's planning something big. Like, 'reshape the entire West Coast drug trade' big."

Sam's eyes widened. "The Avalon Project," she whispered.

All eyes turned to her. "What's that?" Jax demanded.

"It's... it's Damien's master plan," Sam explained, her voice shaking. "He wants to create a new pipeline, one that bypasses the traditional cartels. He's been working on it for years, calling in favors, making alliances."

"And you know the details of this plan?" Clay asked, having entered silently during Juice's explanation.

Sam nodded. "Some of it. Enough to destroy everything he's worked for."

A tense silence fell over the room. Finally, Clay spoke. "Alright. Here's what we're gonna do. Jax, you and Opie reach out to Alvarez. See if the Mayans have heard anything about this Avalon Project. Chibs, touch base with the Irish. If Damien's making moves this big, they might have some intel."

"What about me?" Sam asked quietly.

Clay fixed her with a hard stare. "You're gonna tell us everything you know about Damien's operation. Every safe house, every contact, every dirty little secret. If we're going to war, we need all the ammunition we can get."

As the Sons dispersed to carry out their tasks, Jax pulled Sam aside. "Hey. You okay?"

Sam let out a shaky breath. "No. Not really. Jax, I... I'm sorry for bringing this to your doorstep. I never meant for any of this to happen."

Jax's expression softened. "I know. But you're not alone anymore, Sam. We're gonna figure this out."

For the first time since arriving in Charming, Sam felt a glimmer of hope. But as she looked into Jax's eyes, she saw something that both thrilled and terrified her – a fierce protectiveness that mirrored Damien's in the early days.

"Be careful, Jax," she whispered. "Damien has a way of twisting people, of making them do things they never thought they were capable of."

Jax squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "I can handle myself. You just focus on staying safe and remembering everything you can about Damien's operation. We're gonna need every edge we can get."

As Jax left to meet with the Mayans, Sam couldn't shake the feeling that she had set something in motion that would change Charming forever. The shadows were deepening, and she feared that by the time this was over, they might consume them all.

Outside, Damien Cross sat in his SUV, a phone pressed to his ear. "Yes, everything is proceeding as planned. The Sons took the bait, just as we anticipated." He paused, listening. "No, they don't suspect a thing. By the time they realize the true scope of the Avalon Project, it will be too late. Charming will be ours, and with it, the key to controlling the entire West Coast."

As he hung up, Damien's gaze fixed on Teller-Morrow Automotive. A cold smile played on his lips. The pieces were falling into place, and soon, very soon, he would have everything he wanted – Sam, Charming, and an empire that would make him the most powerful man in California.

The clock was ticking, and the fate of Charming hung in the balance.

****

Part 3: Unraveling Threads

The chapel of the Sons of Anarchy clubhouse had never felt so claustrophobic. Sam sat at the far end of the table, surrounded by leather-clad bikers whose expressions ranged from curiosity to outright hostility. Clay presided over the impromptu meeting, his scarred hands splayed on the wooden surface.

"Alright, darlin'," he growled. "Start talking. We need everything you know about this Avalon Project."

Sam took a deep breath, steeling herself. "The Avalon Project isn't just about drugs. It's about power. Total control over the West Coast's underworld."

Tig leaned forward, his blue eyes intense. "How's he planning to pull that off? Guy's got balls, I'll give him that."

"It's a three-pronged approach," Sam explained. "First, he's been quietly buying up properties all along the coast – warehouses, docks, even small airfields. Second, he's been infiltrating local law enforcement and government offices, planting his people or blackmailing officials."

"And the third prong?" Jax prompted.

Sam's eyes met his. "Us. Or rather, clubs like yours. Damien believes that if he can control or eliminate the major MCs, he'll have a clear path to dominance."

A heavy silence fell over the room. Chibs was the first to break it. "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The bastard's trying to build himself a bloody empire."

Clay's jaw clenched. "You're telling me this Damien character thinks he can just waltz in and take over? He's got another thing coming."

"You don't understand," Sam insisted, her voice rising. "Damien's not just some upstart drug lord. He's methodical, patient. He's been planning this for years."

Opie spoke up, his deep voice rumbling through the tension. "How do you know all this? No offense, but you don't strike me as the criminal mastermind type."

Sam's gaze dropped to the table. "I told you, Damien liked to brag when he was high. But... that's not the whole truth." She took a shaky breath. "I was more involved than I let on. Damien... he was grooming me to be his partner in all this. Said I had a mind for strategy."

The revelation sent a ripple of unease through the room. Jax's eyes narrowed. "Just how involved were you, Sam?"

Before she could answer, Juice burst into the chapel, laptop in hand. "Guys, we've got a problem. A big one."

Clay glared at the interruption. "This better be good, Juice."

"I've been monitoring police channels and dark web chatter," Juice explained, setting his computer on the table. "In the last hour, there's been a spike in activity. Looks like someone's making moves against every major MC on the West Coast. The Mayans just had one of their gun shipments seized. The Niners are dealing with a sudden influx of rival dealers in their territory."

Jax's eyes widened. "It's starting. Damien's making his play."

Sam nodded grimly. "The Avalon Project was always designed to be a swift, coordinated attack. Weaken all potential opposition simultaneously."

Clay slammed his hand on the table. "Goddammit! We need to shut this down now. Jax, get Alvarez on the phone. We need to coordinate with the Mayans. Chibs, reach out to the Irish. If Damien's disrupting gun shipments, they need to know."

As the Sons scrambled into action, Sam felt a hand on her arm. She looked up to see Gemma, concern etched on her face.

"Come on, honey," Gemma said softly. "Let's get you some air while the boys figure this out."

Outside, the California sun felt at odds with the darkness gathering around them. Sam leaned against the garage wall, lighting a cigarette with shaking hands.

"You're carrying a hell of a lot of guilt, aren't you?" Gemma observed, lighting her own smoke.

Sam exhaled a plume of smoke. "You have no idea."

"Try me," Gemma challenged. "I've seen my fair share of shit in this life."

For a moment, Sam considered brushing her off. But something in Gemma's eyes – a mix of hardness and understanding – made her reconsider.

"I didn't just know about Damien's plans," Sam confessed. "I helped create them. The strategy, the timing – a lot of that was me. I thought... I thought I was building something. Creating order out of chaos."

Gemma studied her for a long moment. "And when did you realize you were just trading one kind of chaos for another?"

Sam's laugh was hollow. "When I saw what it was doing to people. The lives destroyed, the communities torn apart. Damien didn't care about any of that. To him, it was all just numbers on a spreadsheet."

"So you ran," Gemma finished.

Sam nodded. "But not before I sabotaged what I could. Changed some key details in the plans, altered delivery schedules. It won't stop Damien, but it might slow him down."

Gemma's expression softened slightly. "You did what you had to do to survive. We've all got shit we're not proud of."

Before Sam could respond, Jax emerged from the clubhouse, his face grim. "We've got trouble. Alvarez says the Mayans are under attack. Looks like Damien's men are making a play for their territory."

Gemma straightened. "What are you gonna do?"

Jax ran a hand through his hair. "We don't have a choice. We need to help the Mayans. If Damien takes them out, we're next."

Sam stepped forward. "Let me help. I know Damien's tactics, his weak points."

Jax hesitated, studying her. "You sure about this? Once you're in, there's no going back."

Sam met his gaze steadily. "I'm already in, Jax. Might as well do some good while I'm here."

Inside the clubhouse, plans were coming together rapidly. Maps were spread across the chapel table, marked with potential targets and strongholds.

"Alvarez says they're hitting the Mayans from three directions," Jax explained, pointing to the map. "Here, here, and here. They're trying to cut off escape routes and supply lines."

Chibs nodded. "Classic pincer movement. Bastard knows his stuff."

Sam leaned in, her eyes scanning the map. "There," she said, pointing to a spot just outside Oakland. "That's where Damien will be coordinating from. He always likes to be close to the action, but not too close."

Opie raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"

Sam nodded. "Positive. It's an old civil defense bunker. Damien had it retrofitted as a mobile command center."

Clay's eyes narrowed. "If we could take out their command post..."

"We could throw their whole operation into chaos," Jax finished. He turned to Sam. "What kind of defenses are we looking at?"

Sam closed her eyes, recalling details she'd tried so hard to forget. "At least a dozen men, heavily armed. State-of-the-art security system. But..." She paused, a memory surfacing. "There's a weakness. A maintenance tunnel that doesn't show up on any official plans. Damien had it built as an escape route."

Tig grinned. "Sounds like our way in."

Clay nodded. "Alright. Jax, take Opie, Chibs, and Tig. Hit that command post hard and fast. Juice, you're on tech support. The rest of us will coordinate with the Mayans, try to push back Damien's men on the ground."

As the Sons prepared for battle, strapping on kevlar and checking weapons, Sam felt a surge of conflicting emotions. Fear, guilt, but also a strange sense of purpose.

Jax approached her, adjusting his holster. "You sure you're up for this? It's gonna get ugly out there."

Sam met his gaze, her blue eyes hardening with resolve. "I helped create this mess. It's time I helped clean it up."

Jax nodded, a hint of respect in his eyes. "Alright. Stay close to me. And Sam?" He paused, his expression serious. "When this is over, we're gonna have a long talk about everything you know."

As they headed for the bikes, the roar of engines filling the air, Sam couldn't shake the feeling that she was crossing a point of no return. The shadows of her past were colliding with the uncertain future of Charming, and she was caught in the middle of the storm.

The ride to Oakland was tense, each member lost in their own thoughts. Sam clung to Jax, the wind whipping through her hair, carrying with it the scent of impending violence.

As they approached the outskirts of the city, Jax's voice crackled over the helmet comms. "Alright, boys. We go in quiet. Hit 'em hard, hit 'em fast. Sam, you're with me. Lead us to that tunnel."

They ditched the bikes a mile out, approaching the bunker on foot. Sam's heart raced as she led them through overgrown paths, memories of her time with Damien flashing through her mind.

"There," she whispered, pointing to a rusted grate barely visible beneath a tangle of vines. "That's our way in."

Tig made quick work of the lock, and soon they were crawling through the dank tunnel. The sounds of activity grew louder as they approached the main chamber.

Jax held up a hand, signaling them to stop. He turned to Sam, his voice barely audible. "Last chance to back out."

Sam shook her head. "I'm seeing this through."

With a nod, Jax gave the signal. The Sons burst into action, catching Damien's men off guard. The room erupted into chaos – gunfire, shouts, the crash of equipment being overturned.

Sam stayed low, her eyes scanning the room for Damien. She spotted him near a bank of computers, barking orders into a phone.

"Jax!" she called out, pointing. "There!"

Jax fought his way across the room, determination etched on his face. But before he could reach Damien, a familiar voice cut through the din.

"Well, well. Samantha. I must say, I'm impressed."

Sam froze, her blood running cold. She turned slowly to see Damien standing just a few feet away, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

"Did you really think you could run from me?" Damien asked, his voice deceptively calm. "That you could betray everything we built together?"

Sam's hand inched towards the gun Jax had given her. "It's over, Damien. Your plan's falling apart."

Damien's laugh was chilling. "Oh, my dear. This?" He gestured to the chaos around them. "This is just the beginning. You of all people should know – I always have a contingency plan."

As if on cue, a new wave of armed men flooded into the room. The Sons found themselves outnumbered and outgunned.

Damien's eyes gleamed with triumph. "Now, Samantha. It's time to come home. We have an empire to build."

Sam's mind raced, searching for a way out. But as she looked around at the Sons – bloodied, cornered, but still defiant – she realized there was only one path forward.

"No," she said, her voice steady. "I'm done running. And I'm done hiding." She raised her gun, aiming it squarely at Damien's chest. "This ends now."

The room fell silent, all eyes on Sam and Damien. The fate of Charming, and perhaps the entire West Coast underworld, hung in the balance.

Sam's finger tightened on the trigger, her past and future converging in this single, defining moment.

*****

Part 4: Reckoning

Time seemed to slow as Sam faced down Damien, her finger poised on the trigger. The air crackled with tension, punctuated by the ragged breathing of those around them.

Damien's eyes narrowed, a flicker of something – respect, perhaps, or fear – crossing his face. "You won't do it, Samantha. You don't have it in you."

Sam's hand trembled slightly, but her aim remained true. "You're wrong, Damien. You don't know me anymore. Maybe you never did."

Jax inched closer, his gun trained on Damien's men. "Sam," he said softly, "you don't have to do this. We can end this another way."

Damien's laugh was cold. "Listen to your new friend, Samantha. Put the gun down, and maybe I'll let him and his little biker gang live."

The threat snapped something in Sam. In that moment, she saw with crystal clarity the path that had led her here – every compromise, every justification, every step deeper into darkness. And she saw, too, the possibility of redemption.

"No more threats," Sam said, her voice steady. "No more manipulation. It's over, Damien."

She squeezed the trigger.

The gunshot echoed through the bunker, followed by a moment of stunned silence. Damien looked down at his chest, a red stain blossoming on his expensive shirt. His eyes, wide with disbelief, met Sam's one last time before he crumpled to the floor.

Chaos erupted. Damien's men, momentarily frozen by their leader's fall, surged forward. The Sons met them head-on, the room exploding into a frenzy of gunfire and hand-to-hand combat.

Sam felt a strong hand grasp her arm. It was Jax, pulling her behind an overturned desk. "Stay down!" he shouted over the din.

The battle raged, neither side willing to give ground. Sam watched in a daze as Tig took down two men with savage efficiency, while Chibs and Opie fought back-to-back, a whirlwind of fists and bullets.

Suddenly, a new sound cut through the chaos – police sirens, growing louder by the second.

"Shit!" Jax cursed. "We gotta move. Now!"

He grabbed Sam's hand, leading her towards the exit tunnel. The other Sons disengaged, providing covering fire as they retreated.

They emerged into the fading daylight, the sirens now deafeningly close. "The bikes," Opie panted. "We'll never make it."

Jax's mind raced. "The trees. We'll lose them in the woods. Move!"

They plunged into the dense foliage, the sounds of pursuit fading behind them. Sam's lungs burned as she ran, branches whipping at her face. She could hear the labored breathing of the Sons around her, the occasional curse as someone stumbled in the gathering darkness.

After what felt like hours, Jax finally called a halt. They huddled in a small clearing, catching their breath and assessing injuries.

"Everyone okay?" Jax asked, his eyes scanning the group.

There were nods all around, though Tig was sporting a nasty gash on his arm, and Chibs had a rapidly swelling eye.

Sam leaned against a tree, the adrenaline ebbing from her system. The full weight of what she'd done – what they'd all done – began to settle on her shoulders.

Jax approached her, his expression unreadable. "You okay?"

Sam laughed humorlessly. "I just killed a man. The man I once thought I loved. So no, Jax. I'm not okay."

Jax nodded, understanding in his eyes. "You did what you had to do. We all did."

"He's right, lass," Chibs added, limping over. "That bastard would've burned the whole coast to the ground if you hadn't stopped him."

Sam closed her eyes, fighting back tears. "Maybe. But where does that leave me? I'm no better than he was."

"Bullshit," Tig interjected, his voice gruff but kind. "You made a choice. The right choice. That makes all the difference."

Before Sam could respond, Juice's voice crackled over their burner phones. "Jax? You guys okay?"

Jax grabbed his phone. "Yeah, we're clear. What's the situation?"

"It's crazy, man," Juice replied. "Damien's whole operation is falling apart. His men are turning on each other, trying to grab what they can before it all goes down. The Mayans are pushing them back on all fronts."

A collective sigh of relief went through the group. Jax allowed himself a small smile. "Good work, Juice. Keep monitoring the situation. We'll make our way back when it's clear."

As Jax relayed the news to the others, Sam felt a strange mix of emotions wash over her. Relief, certainly, but also a profound sense of loss. The life she had known, for better or worse, was over. She was adrift in uncharted waters.

Jax must have sensed her turmoil. He sat down beside her, his shoulder brushing hers. "Hey. I meant what I said before. You're not alone in this."

Sam turned to him, searching his face. "Why? Why would you help me after everything I've done?"

Jax was quiet for a moment, considering his words. "Because I've been where you are. Caught between loyalty and doing what's right. It's not an easy path, but it's one worth walking."

As night fell, the Sons made their way carefully back towards Charming. They moved in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The events of the day had shaken them all, forcing them to confront hard truths about themselves and the life they led.

It was nearly dawn by the time they reached the outskirts of town. Exhausted and battered, they rolled into the Teller-Morrow lot. Gemma was waiting, worry etched on her face.

"Jesus Christ," she breathed, taking in their appearance. "What the hell happened out there?"

Clay emerged from the clubhouse, his face a mask of barely contained anger and concern. "Inside. Now. We need to talk."

The chapel was somber as Jax recounted the events at the bunker. When he finished, a heavy silence fell over the room.

Clay's eyes bored into Sam. "You. You're the key to all this. You know names, places, operations. If we're gonna clean up this mess, we need everything you've got."

Sam nodded slowly. "I'll tell you everything I know. But after that... I need to disappear. It's not safe for me here, or for any of you while I'm around."

Jax started to protest, but Clay held up a hand. "She's right. There'll be a target on her back. And on ours if we harbor her."

"So what, we just cut her loose?" Opie asked, disbelief in his voice.

Clay's expression was grim. "We do what we have to do to protect the club. Always."

The discussion raged on, voices rising as opinions clashed. Sam sat silently, the weight of her past and the uncertainty of her future pressing down on her.

Finally, Jax slammed his hand on the table. "Enough! We're not abandoning her. Sam risked everything to help us. We owe her."

Clay's jaw clenched. "And what do you propose we do, son? Hide her in the clubhouse forever?"

A thoughtful look crossed Jax's face. "No. Not hide her. Give her a new life."

Over the next hour, a plan took shape. Juice would create a new identity for Sam, complete with background and paperwork. The club would use its connections to set her up in a new town, far from California.

As the Sons hammered out the details, Gemma pulled Sam aside. "You sure about this, sweetheart? Once you go, there's no coming back."

Sam took a shaky breath. "I don't have a choice. It's the only way to keep everyone safe."

Gemma studied her for a long moment. "You know, when you first showed up, I thought you were nothing but trouble. But now..." She paused, a hint of admiration in her eyes. "You've got steel in you, girl. You'll be alright."

The next few days passed in a blur of preparation and goodbyes. Sam spent hours with Juice, memorizing her new identity and background. She sat with Chibs, learning the basics of self-defense. Tig, in a surprising show of sentimentality, gave her a burner phone "for emergencies only, doll."

On her last night in Charming, Sam found herself on the roof of the clubhouse, staring out at the town that had become an unexpected sanctuary. She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Jax approaching.

"Couldn't sleep?" he asked, sitting down beside her.

Sam shook her head. "Too much on my mind."

They sat in companionable silence for a while, the cool night air carrying the scent of possibility.

"You know," Jax finally said, "when you first showed up, I thought you were going to be the death of us all."

Sam laughed softly. "I thought the same thing."

Jax turned to her, his expression serious. "But you saved us, Sam. You saved Charming. Don't ever forget that."

Sam felt tears prick her eyes. "I don't know if I can ever make up for the things I've done."

"Maybe you can't," Jax replied. "But you can choose who you want to be from here on out. That's what matters."

As the first light of dawn began to streak the sky, Sam felt a sense of peace settle over her. The shadows that had haunted her for so long were finally receding.

The next morning, Sam stood in the Teller-Morrow lot, a small bag containing her new life slung over her shoulder. The Sons gathered around her, faces a mix of emotion.

Clay stepped forward first, his handshake firm. "You ever need anything, you call. You're family now, whether I like it or not."

One by one, the Sons said their goodbyes. Tig's hug was bone-crushing, Chibs pressed a kiss to her cheek, and Opie's nod held a world of unspoken understanding.

Gemma approached last, pressing a small package into Sam's hands. "A little something to remember us by. And to remind you of who you really are."

Finally, it was Jax's turn. He pulled Sam into a tight embrace. "Stay safe out there," he murmured. "And remember, you've always got a home here if you need it."

As Sam climbed into the waiting cab, she took one last look at the group that had become her unlikely family. They stood together, a united front against whatever darkness might come.

The cab pulled away, Charming receding in the rearview mirror. Sam allowed herself one moment of grief for the life she was leaving behind. Then, squaring her shoulders, she turned her gaze to the road ahead.

In her lap, she opened the package Gemma had given her. Inside was a small silver pendant in the shape of a crow in flight. Attached was a note in Gemma's flowing script: "Spread your wings, baby. The shadows can't touch you now."

Sam clasped the necklace around her neck, feeling its weight settle against her skin. It was a reminder of where she'd been, and a promise of where she might go.

As Charming disappeared behind her, Sam felt a surge of something she hadn't experienced in years: hope. The road ahead was uncertain, full of potential pitfalls and challenges. But for the first time in a long time, she was facing that uncertainty on her own terms.

The shadows of her past would always be there, a part of her story. But they no longer defined her. She was Sam Crois Faith, survivor, friend, and now, finally, free.

The cab sped on, carrying her towards a future bright with possibility. And somewhere in the distance, barely audible over the hum of the engine, came the rumble of motorcycles – a reminder that family, in all its forms, was never truly left behind.

The End...

#sons of anarchy #bikers #fan fiction #action

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sirenjose · 10 months ago

Text

Analysis of White Sand Street Asylum - Part 3

Includes Full Character Analyses for: Freddy, Kreacher, Emma, Emily, Leo, Robbie and Dolores, Kurt, Ada and Emil, Alice.

Beginning: Asylum Analysis Part 1

Previous: Asylum Analysis Part 2

Soon after, the evaluations begin.

1 of those being evaluated is Kurt Frank.

Kurt was born in Yorkshire, England to parents who, even when Kurt was young, constantly moved around. They went “from England to Italy, then to France, and then to England again”, with young Kurt always surrounded by “all kinds of adult travelers”. Unfortunately, his parents are described as never paying him much (if any) attention: “Whenever he looked up, he could only see the tight jawline of his parents and their hurried figures that never looked down”. As Kurt is described as “working class”, it is likely his parents were the type who spent all their time and energy on their work, and thus by the end of the day had none to spare for their son. This means they likely didn’t attempt to help Kurt to really understand all the foreign places they took him too. Based on how he was surrounded by “adult travelers”, it is likely much of what he encountered wasn’t a place for kids, and possibly due to his parents’ work.

Everything was huge, confusing, and overwhelming, leaving Kurt feeling “small and powerless and out of place”. This is no surprise considering the constant moving left Kurt with no stability, making him feel unsettled and disconnected, like he had no safe place to call home. He also had no guidance or support from his parents, leaving him feeling neglected amid chaos. And without any form of stability, he likely never stayed around in 1 place long enough to form any long-term relationships. Neither did he have much control over anything, as he was subject to his parents’ decisions.

Kurt’s backstory continues from here by saying “This early feeling of being ignored led Kurt Frank to develop a typical avoidant personality”. Avoidant personality disorder (APD) is characterized by severe and chronic social anxiety. People with this disorder have a long-standing pattern of social avoidance accompanied by hypersensitivity to negative evaluation (aka fear of criticism, rejection, ridicule, etc…) and low self-worth so pervasive that it defines who a person is. They will be easily and extremely hurt by any type of criticism in any situation. They avoid making new friends and trying new activities unless they’re absolutely sure they’ll be liked and accepted without rejection, criticism, or ridicule. They tend to be shy, quiet, “invisible” (aka tend to hide using their clothing or by staying in the background in social situations), and lonely, but they’re different from schizoid people. The avoidant person wants social contact but is afraid of rejection, whereas the schizoid or schizotypal person is completely indifferent to such contact.

Due to being ignored by his parents, Kurt turned to books to escape his reality and his fear of rejection. His backstory says it was also due to him having “trouble concentrating” and a disinterest in going outside. His favorite novel was Gulliver’s Travels, where he “imagined he was a great adventurer and refused to accept the actual situation”. In this world, he was the hero. There was no more feeling of not fitting in. A world where everyone accepted him. He was important. He received all the love and concern he wanted here. It was also a place where he could essentially design it however he wanted, and thus a place he understood perfectly well (compared to everything else).

Even though Kurt couldn’t make real friends, he was able to play with his imaginary ones, and his imaginary world continued to expand as he continued reading.

Eventually Kurt goes to college, but his “bushy mustache” causes him to argue with others often, leading to him being an “outlier”. Unable to get approval from others, this causes issues with his avoidant personality, and he starts avoiding going to school, something that disappoints his father. He attempted to stress the importance of college if Kurt wanted to be successful in the future, like they were, but Kurt didn’t care. He couldn’t handle the ridicule and rejection from his classmates. He couldn’t even talk about his problems to his parents because they didn’t understand nor care. They never had and they never would. His relationship with them had been strained for as long as he could remember, and this on top of his problems at school was overwhelming Kurt, who was left to handle it all on his own.

Without the proper emotional support or help from anyone, he funnels his emotions into horse racing, but Kurt “lacked the vision and brains to invest” and “lost all his living expenses and even owed a loan shark”.

This forces him to completely drop out of college. His parents, left with no choice, send him into the army hoping it would “correct his behavior”.

Initially, Kurt was likely quite unhappy with his situation. He didn’t want to deal with the increased social interactions, new people, new activities, and everything. But as usual, he didn’t have a choice. Fortunately, he had been able to bring his book with him, allowing him to escape from his new reality at least temporarily.

Eventually, Kurt decides to “boast” about his “adventure experience” to his comrades. There weren’t many ways for men at the barracks to amuse themselves with, especially when far from home and family, and Kurt thought this would “cheer everyone up”.

Initially, all goes well. The other men are “captivated” by his experiences, and he earns the attention and praise Kurt has always wanted, the approval he’s never received even from his own parents.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t last. The men eventually discover Kurt had been lying and the stories he shared were only from books he read, rather than experiences he actually lived through. His skills aren’t anywhere as good as he claimed, and the men in general don’t appreciate being tricked or lied to. Soon, Kurt becomes reviled and an outcast similar to how he’d been at college.

With Kurt’s avoidant personality once again triggered, his mental state deteriorates. He wants to prove them wrong. He wants them to know that he is a real explorer, and he has gone through all these things. He goes a bit off the deep end, and ends up getting into trouble.

Kurt had said he wanted to remain in the army for “as long as his health allowed”, but due to his increasing inability to differentiate between fantasy and reality, he is labeled as mentally ill and sent to White Sand Street Asylum. This is based on the title of deduction 9 being “Road-blocking ‘Dragons’” (dragons, like an enemy or threat), with the line “These giant, fanged...dragons! You can't stop an explorer!” essentially depicting him being taken away.

This is confirmed via the event Kurt’s Wondrous Journeys. In the event, he says White Sand Street is the center of his world. So, on the center of his map, he drew a circle to represent “the origin of my adventure, and surround it with triangles, representing trees” (via drawing a “1” under each triangle”). He later talks about people using “fears to stop you” and how “nothing but monsters and danger await you, should you ever leave”. It’s at this point he says, “If you turn these triangles upside down, they are the shape of a dragon's terrible fangs, a symbol of unknown terror, and the ultimate price—death” (and we know terror and death both happen at the asylum).

In the Asylum, we learn during his reassessment that he is indicated to have “Delusional Schizophrenia”. I’m not sure this is an actual thing, so I tried checking the translations of other versions (as best I as I could). So far, I think the more appropriate terms I saw were “delusions of grandeur” and “schizophrenia”.

Delusion of grandeur is a false belief in one’s power or importance. It may be a symptom of a mental health disorder and can cause confusion between what is real and what is not. The strength of a delusion is based on how much the person believes it. Specifically, a delusion of grandeur is a person’s belief that they are someone other than who they are, or a belief that they have special abilities, possessions, or powers.

Many types of mental health disorders can lead to delusions, including schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder that causes people to interpret reality abnormally. They don’t know what sights, sounds, and experiences are real or what they are imagining. It usually involves delusions (false beliefs), hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that don’t exist), unusual physical behavior, and disorganized thinking and speech. With treatment, most symptoms of schizophrenia can greatly improve and reduce the likelihood of a reoccurrence.

In any case, Duke eventually asks Lorraine to discharge Kurt. Lorraine, who is currently the head of the asylum now that Duke has become a bishop, believes Kurt can’t be discharged due to the persistence of his delusions. Kurt claims “he had flown solo across the English Channel, possesses extraordinary survivalist skills, and is capable of the construction and operation of, including but not limited to, Blimps”. Lorraine adds that his delusions evolve “in a scale of grandiose when exposed to outside influences”. She worries, even though he is not violent now, he could pose a threat later due to his “deteriorating mental health stability and elevating delusions” and “eloquence in persuasion”.

But Kurt has other ideas. He has no desire to remain in the asylum, which he starts thinking of like he’s back at school, and is willing to do anything if it means getting out.

Life at the asylum hasn’t gotten any better.

We see in Kurt’s Wondrous Journeys how he describes the place: a “great gray structure” whose interior is all that many of the patients “have ever known”. The corridors are “long” and “lined with heavy, iron doors”, behind which the patients live, awaiting “inspection” from the “King”.

The “King” card we have during this event shows one side looking like a king, but the other is a nun. The card reads “They try to use love to lock other people down”. It is clear the “King” here is meant to represent Lorraine.

1 of the things still limiting the patients’ freedom is the medicine, which is likely represented by “Tea Time”. They were given that medicine at the “beginning” of each day.

The size of the rooms for the patients behind the “heavy, iron doors” were likely “only 52 inches long”.

As another side note, one of the other cards is of a chair that may symbolize the same one Emma used when she was getting electroshock treatment. I wonder if it could imply he got electroshock treatment while he was there as well?

Either way, we know Kurt does eventually leave the asylum to go to the manor.

What we do have is Kurt’s deduction 11. It talks about a “battle between Don Quixote and the Biscayan up close”, after which Kurt says “Obviously, I managed to get out of there”. Don Quixote being the man obsessed with becoming a knight and reviving chivalry who, in his delusional state, charges at windmills he mistakes for giants. Biscayan, who’s passing by, thinks he’s mad and, misunderstanding the situation, challenges Don Quixote to a duel. Don Quixote, driven by his delusions of grandeur, manages to disarm the Biscayan. Kurt is likely to represent Don Quixote. The Biscayan, symbolizing a skilled opponent, could represent Lorraine, who is the one fighting to keep Kurt at the asylum.

Maybe this means that Lorraine lost her argument or “battle” to keep him there, thus implying Duke forced her to let him go (or maybe Kurt somehow reasoned with her himself, in something like a battle of wits, and via his “eloquence of persuasion” was able to convince her to let him go).

Kurt may have even been the first patient to leave, potentially the same one mentioned in the asylum backstory. This is important as, after this first person, Lorraine, according to the asylum backstory, left her resignation in her office and disappeared. The Church quickly moved the remaining patients from the White Sands Street Asylum and closed it down (as ordered by the government after the locals questioned if the asylum should be allowed after Dolores’ killing spree).

Before the asylum closes, the events of Ada’s and Emil’s stories occur, though I do not know exactly when.

Emil was the youngest son of a poor couple, where he had 3 other siblings. The mother seems to have been suffering from a type of mental illness, and it was difficult for Emil’s father to care for her as well as 4 kids. As a result, he sold his youngest to an underground dog fighting ring. His new owners at first didn’t care for him, but this all changed after Emil snuck into the pit and managed to make it out alive. His owners, seeing the reaction of the audiences, decided to continue to utilize him that way for more money, and Emil was forced to grow accustomed to this life, where he saw himself more as another dog than a person.

He’d never known real love. He’d only ever been seen as an object that others only saw in terms of how to get value for themselves. All Emil knew was if he wanted to survive, he had to fight for it, and so he did. Living conditions were horrid, with him being forced to live in a “kennel” with “shackles locked around his ankles” and barely enough food to sustain himself with, and what he was given was of poor quality. He also wasn’t given proper treatment for his wounds, which he acquired plenty of by the vicious dogs in the ring that would always attempt to tear him apart without restraint, or to ensure he stayed healthy. He was on his own. His owners didn’t care if he lived or died. If he did, they could just get another dog and continue on their merry way.

Emil wasn’t satisfied with being a “plaything of nobles” and always forced to survive the dog fighting ring, so one day he manages to escape. Unfortunately, he ends up with a high fever and forgets everything, and this is when he’s taken “by the asylum who defrauded charity funds”.

The asylum uses a “staggering amount of sedatives on its patients��, including sleeping pills and tranquilizers, to keep their patients under control and from being able to fight back. Emil is so high on these that he feels like he’s “floating away”. They do this as they diagnose Emil with “manic fits” and “severe aggressive tendencies”. This is why they keep his hand “cuffed to the bed” and lock him in “solitary confinements known as the ‘Cages’”, which is only for the “most dangerous patients”.

He suffers greatly due to their painful treatments, but he “always accepted being manipulated obediently”. And then everything starts to change when he meets Ada.

Ada, unlike Emil, was from a “relatively affluent middle-class family” where “every step in her life has been strictly planned” by her doctor father and teacher mother. She didn’t have much of a childhood, as she had “few playmates her own age” and spent most of her time “communicating with adults or reading”.

She is sent to university, where she enters “the school's psychological laboratory for research”. As a medical genius, she is awarded “the position of assistant professor of psychology”.

This is likely because her father had been training her from a young age and had her watching him since she was at least 13.

Ada has been researching hypnotherapy and the “idea of eliminating a patient's pain or negative emotions with subliminal suggestions”. This is likely the 1st time she’s actually chosen something for herself, yet no one, not even her own father, a “leading authority in psychiatry”, “had much faith in me”.

She explains the issues she had with her research: “The patients provided by the academy where I studied couldn't be hypnotized while they were in pain, and after countless failures… I had to devise a new method...”. Unfortunately, her “private experiment was discovered and those people pulled the plug on my research”.

Ada thinks very lowly of other doctors who stop her from this research. Her goal is to help the mentally ill, while most other doctors just follow “the latest academic fads” and use the mentally ill for “turning profits”.

I imagine the reason for Ada’s desire to help people likely started due to her encounter 1st encounter with Emil, who she found starving in the street. She bought him bread, but her father refused to help Emil when she asked. Ada couldn’t understand why. I think from then she likely began to look down on her father’s actions. Her father was probably like the other doctors, someone who followed the latest “fads”, was primarily interested in profit, and utilized treatments that Ada wouldn’t always agree with, just like how she looks down on what the asylum is doing.

Ada says she used to utilize the same methods in the past, but “that was a long time ago”. This could also refer to potentially what she used to do in her desperation for her hypnotherapy experiments at college to work, before the plug was pulled. That would explain why she’d describe “tormenting patients for the sake of my research”.

Not giving up, Ada travels to various hospitals and clinics, looking for some place where she can carry out her experiments and hopefully find a patient who will give her success.

It’s during this period that Ada goes to White Sand Street Asylum for an “eleven-day medical training program here”.

While looking at the list of patients, specifically at those labeled dangerous, she notices “a person without a surname on the list, Emil”. She watched the doctors give him electroshock therapy, and how, unlike other patients, he “didn't seem as terrified”. “When his treatment was over, he even smiled at the doctors... A mindless, yet eerily natural smile...”. She’d never seen someone react like this: “He didn't try to avoid or resist the pain inflicted on him. Even though his consciousness was tenuous at best, he instinctively showed signs of joy”.

Eventually, she finds herself alone with Emil, who was “trembling and gasping violently”. Taking a chance, she found that “when I blew my whistle, he would become surprising calm”. Ada figures out his past based on the only possession Emil had been found with, a dog collar, and why he reacts the way he does to the whistle.

Emil is the first person Ada’s encountered who could “respond to hypnotism while under intense pain”, which was part of the reason her experiments had failed in the past. It is at this point she decides to mess with the medications the asylum was giving Emil, so Emil could be more “cognizant” even though it’d bring “greater pain”. The next day, Emil does suffer more from the electroshock therapy, but just like before, he calms down once he hears Ada’s whistle. Ada is ecstatic to finally find the “perfect candidate for my experiments”.

Ada gradually reduces his medication over the next few days. Once he was conscious enough, she tells him she’d taken away his pain medication. Ada is conflicted, and wonders if what she’s doing is alright, and seeks answers for herself based on whether Emil forgives her. When she asks him “Ada or medicine”, he responds with “Ada” despite Emil knowing this meant more pain, which relieves her worries and makes her feel “elated beyond words”.

Despite the fact Ada initially only saw Emil only in terms of him being a perfect candidate for her experiments, she gradually starts to “develop feelings for him”. She knows she is going to have to leave soon, but due to the fact she’d grown quite attached to him, she decides she wants him to leave with her.

Emil is grateful to Ada for her helping to wake him up. He says he’s stopped experiencing the nightmare about his past that’s plagued him “for as long as I can remember”. And so, when he receives a gift of a flower from her one day, not knowing what was a proper way to react in response to getting a gift, fashions a ring for her from his bed wire.

Ada is touched by his return gift, as this was the “first time a patient had shown me understanding and gratitude”. This only hardens her resolve to get him out of the asylum.

As they prepare to make their escape at dawn, Ada mentions the staff will be on high alert until then because a patient, a “young girl” managed to escape from the asylum. This is likely to be Lisa, who we know escapes from the asylum based on the fact she is using a fake name to hide her identity.

Eventually, the 2 do manage to escape from the asylum. Ada takes them to a “new home” that’s “faraway” with “no people around” and requires “getting there in a car”.

They live like this for 3 years, but unfortunately, Emil starts growing worse. “Emil has begun to have frequent headaches again, and his self-awareness is declining...I can't watch him lose himself and go back to the pathetic way he was before. I can't lose him again, my one and only love...”. His other symptoms include “Anxiety disorder, OCD, hallucinations, dementia, and recurring night terrors”.

One potential solution to her current issue comes in the form of Orpheus, who Ada 1st met while at the asylum. Orpheus is offering to try the “latest treatment” on Emil in exchange for Ada giving Orpheus the list of patient files of White Sand Street Asylum. Ada is skeptical at first, and initially directs him to her father’s clinic, who she says may be “the type of doctor who will get along with you”. This I think is a bit of sarcasm to imply she thinks him and her father are both the bad type of people/doctor that she doesn’t like. She did say she didn’t believe in his “method of finding inspiration from patients in the asylum”. However, after some amount of time and Emil’s condition only worsens, she decides to eventually agree to the deal and heads to the manor.

Besides potentially as “inspiration” for his novels, another reason Orpheus is likely interested in the patients of the asylum is because that is where Alice was sent. After the tragedy that killed Alice’s parents in 1887, Alice was sent to the asylum due to her supposedly having gone “insane”.

Orpheus wants to visit her, but is declined because Alice is currently “unstable” and they want to “minimize external stimulation” since he would remind her of “what happened in the past” which “wasn’t a great memory to her”. Instead, they tell him a “kind individual” took notice and “offered a significant amount of financial assistance to the orphanage and put together an excellent treatment package designed exclusively for Alice”.

Orpheus is less than enthused as he writes “LIAR!” at the bottom of the letter. But we also know Orpheus to an extent was right as Alice “experienced both mental and physical torture in the orphanage” (aka the asylum).

This “individual” was Villhelm Lamb, a “medical professor” that “secretly adopted” her for the purpose of using her as an “experimental subject”. It was for this reason that he took her to “Melbourne when she was 14 years old”.

Her backstory states “With prolonged medication and physical therapy, she gradually regained consciousness, however, it is perhaps more cruel to live soberly in hell than to live unaware in human world”. But as we can see from flashes of her past, this wasn’t a very happy time due to all the experiments she was subjected to.

We can see that some of the drugs used on Alice included Mnemosyne and Siren’s Song. Mnemosyne is the drug that makes a person forget, and considering what we heard in Orpheus’ letter from the asylum, it is likely they were trying to make her forget the tragedy (potentially as a way to stabilize her). Siren’s Song is the hallucinogenic. Maybe they were giving her this as another way to somehow help her regain her mental stability (unless this was a mistake, but I’m not sure).

We can also see one of the people shown working on Alice includes someone who looks strikingly like Orpheus, so it’s likely he somehow managed to get himself involved to see Alice again and may be wanting to do this to her as some way to help (though it is clear this isn’t entirely a good thing and Alice wants to get away).

In any case, Alice does eventually manage to escape back to England when she’s 21, where she becomes a “social journalist in anonymity, looking for the truth about the tragedy and the disappearance of her playmates”.

We can see from her deductions though that someone likely wants to eliminate Alice. Considering the similarities, I believe it’s possible whoever this is has hired the crime syndicate that was first mentioned during Luchino’s 1st letter to go after her, with their conclusion being she needs eliminated.

Alice’s deductions 8-10 appear to be written by a different author than the one who wrote 1-7, meaning it is likely no longer the crime syndicate talking, meaning whoever hired the syndicate has hired someone else to go after Alice. This new hired person seems to suspect that Orpheus and Alice are “much closer than expected” based on Alice’s deduction 8. Considering Norton’s 2nd letter, it is possible he is this new person hired to go after Alice. There’s also how this person says they initially believed Alice’s “recklessness and bravery were just a front”, which is very similar to how Norton calls the female he was to target as “arrogant”, before Alice’s deduction 9 continues by saying they realize this was a mistake, “it is neither a front nor bravery”. This is likely because Alice’s “sense of fear” is “significantly weaker than normal” after the experiments Villhelm put her through. The last deduction, where it asks what the subject thinks she saw vs what she actually saw, which can relate to how during Ashes of Memory Alice sees Mary and Fool’s Gold instead of Frederick and Norton.

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