#yes they police found the deer on the shoulder so we did kill it

[kit-williams]

Deer collision

So... I went on a trip to visit family... And on the way their we hit a deer

The tiny night lord is okay it was a slow collision but still a collision with a deer.

I might start a go fund me just to see if I can get some help because ATM it sounds like we're on our own for it and it sounds like we have to pour 2k worth of repairs into it before insurance covers the rest.

So I guess on Thursday if you guys see a post from me that's a gofundme ... Welp I guess you will know why

I'm so tired of this car...

We have to try to move this upcoming January too

I'm trying to have a great Canadian Thanksgiving but have this stress looming over me and I'm just so tired. I just want to ask into the void and I honestly don't expect anything from anyone this is more of me telling myself "welp I did it instead of just thinking what ifs I actually did it"

[maxineswritingcenter]

You Saved Me - Derek Hale x fem!reader part 4

I’m really chugging these out. Mostly because its practically written already. But I will let you know that in the original, I did write in “blue orbs” so you can assume how much I had to fix. 

----------------------------

“Um, hi.” I said, very surprised and confused that he was here. 

“We need to talk.” 

“As you mentioned. But we can’t talk here, you are a suspect in a crime and this is the sheriff’s house.” I crossed my arms over my chest. 

“Then can I get my jacket back, since you don’t want to be associated with a criminal.” This was the first time he had shown any sort of emotion besides seriousness. Granted, it was condescending. 

“I didn’t say I didn’t want to be associated with you.” I handed him his jacket, a little sad to see it go, “You saved my life, I just don’t want you to get in trouble.” 

“A little late for that.” He said, putting his jacket on. 

“What’s going on?” I asked, stepping closer to him. He looked at me warily (as if he needed to be wary of me) but didn’t move away. 

“You wouldn’t understand.” Usually, I would reply ‘then make me understand’, but I was still on the fence about him. He perked up a bit, like he was hearing something. 

“Here.” He held out his closed hand, I held mine out and he dropped my locket into my hands. I gasped, reaching up to my neck and realized it wasn’t there. I looked down at the locket.

“Oh my god, thank you. I would have never forgiven myself if I lost-” I looked up and realized I was talking to no one, “And you disappeared. Okay.” My phone beeped in my pocket and saw a text from Stiles move across the screen.

“Scott woke up in the woods and ran into a swimming pool this morning.” I read aloud. This town was starting to just become weirder and weirder. It was a nice distraction from my own personal life, but now it was getting borderline concerning. 

- 

At practice, Stiles filled in Scott and I on what he had heard over the police radio. The body, or half of the body, had been sent into the LA coroner’s office where the lad had found animal hair, specifically wolf hair. Scott wasn’t paying too much attention though, he looked like he was in his own little world. 

It was the first scrimmage game of the year and Coach was pretty excited, which wasn’t his usual tune. As the game started, I watched Scott pull off the craziest moves I had ever seen attempted on the field. He was moving so incredibly fast and he even flipped over someone and scored a goal at the same time! Finstock looked like his head was about to explode, which meant that he was happy. Or at least I think so. In a time out, he waved Scott over. 

“What in god’s name was that? This is a lacrosse field. You wanna try out for some gymnastics team?” 

“No, Coach.” Scott said. What I found weird was that his breathing was that of someone who had normal lungs and never had a breathing problem in his life. That just gave me a weird feeling, something that would stick with me for the rest of the night. 

“What the hell was that?” Coach asked, motioning to the field. 

“I-I don’t know. I guess trying to make the shot.” 

“Yeah, well, you made the shot. And guess what? You’re startin’, buddy.” Coach smiled, slapping a shocked Scott’s shoulder, “You made first line.” 

 Scott grinned looking between Finstock and me. I put on a smile. I was happy for Scott, but there was too much weird going on. 

-

I managed to beat Stiles home, even though he was driving like a maniac. I grabbed his arm as he walked up the driveway, “What is going on?” He shook my arm off.

“Leave me alone.” He grumbled, stomping through the house, up to his room and slamming the door shut. It was times like this that knowing Stiles well came in handy. He was pissed. And talking to him about it had a ten percent chance of working. They had put him in therapy when his mom died and the therapist told Uncle Noah that when Stiles was mad, it would be better to let him cool off on his own. 

Scott was at the door soon after, after letting him in, I patted his shoulder, “Good luck.” I could hear the arguing from my room, but the words were muffled by insulation. Things used to be so normal before, but it seems like the fires in this town caused unnatural things to occur. 

Maybe it was time I asked Derek some weird questions. Was this a good idea? Absolutely not. Regardless, I needed answers.

As I drove the dark back roads to get to the Hale house, I noticed that the moon was full. I hummed absentmindedly to my music and argued with myself on whether or not this was a good idea. It probably wasn’t.

-

I debated on whether or not to knock. The door was already halfway open and the whole back of the house was practically missing. I opted to knock. 

“Derek?” I called, after stepping inside, “Derek, it’s (Y/N). We need to talk. There are a lot of weird things going on and I need answers.” I turned and when I saw Derek standing right behind me, I thought my heart almost stopped. 

“Jesus, you gotta stop doing that.” I sighed in relief.

“What are you doing here?” That seemed to be his favorite question to ask, “Didn’t your parents tell you not to go out on full moons?” Oddly specific. But it was true, my parents never let me go out on a full moon. And when I was younger they would drop me off at Uncle Noah’s house, they called it a date night. 

“Actually, yes. How did you know that?” I narrowed my eyes at him. 

“You need to go home. Now.” He turned me around, pushing me towards the door. 

“Hey hey hey, no no no.” I dug my heels into the floor, “I came here to talk to you. Something weird is going on and it involves you. I know it does.”  

“You could not have come at a worse time.” He grumbled. 

“Listen here, Hale, I came here for answers and I intend to get them so I’m not going anywhere until-” I was cut off by Derek throwing me over his shoulder and hurriedly taking me outside. I pounded his back with my hands and kicked my legs. But he was too strong for me to move.

“Put me down! Derek!” He growled and set me back on my feet in front of my car door. He slammed his hands on the car, caging me between the door and his body. He was so warm, actually radiating heat. I tried to fight the blush that was creeping on my cheeks. 

“Why are you so stubborn?” He raised his eyebrows. He was so close and his actions made me speechless, “And why aren’t you scared of me? If you were smart you would go out of your way to avoid me like everyone else.” I finally found my voice. 

“Well, clearly I’m not like everyone else. I can see that something fishy is going on. Scott is practically bouncing off the walls all after being attacked by something in the woods. And you were talking about something in the woods so that means you know what it is, so tell me!” I shouted the last bit. Our eyes locked. It was hard not to look away, his stare was so intense. 

He sighed, “Fine.” He backed away, the cool night bringing a chill back after being so close to him. 

“Meet me in the woods by your house tomorrow. I’ll answer your questions.” 

“All of my questions?” I asked, a small tremble in my voice. 

“Don’t push it.” He looked around, clenching and unclenching his hands, “Now go home.” And I did, I got in my car and left. I was going to get my answers. 

-

“Arrested?!” I shouted in disbelief. I’m sure Uncle Noah took the phone from his ear.  

“We had to take him in. That body in the woods was his sister, Laura.” He said. Laura Hale was a name I vaguely recognized, but I never met her before. 

“We aren’t convicting him, but he’s already a suspect in his family’s deaths and now that we found his sister, he doesn’t look entirely innocent.”

“Derek wouldn’t hurt anybody.” 

“(Y/N), you don’t know that.” 

“He didn’t hurt me. He brought me to the hospital.” 

“And that is one of the reasons why I am giving him the benefit of the doubt.” He said, then sighed, “Look, we don’t have anything to hold him over night. We’re just getting his statement and then he’s free to go. As long as he doesn’t leave the area. Now I gotta go, I’ll see you at home.” 

“Okay, see you later.” I hung up the phone and fell back on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Derek couldn’t have killed his sister. Especially cutting her in half. Or at least, that’s what I hoped. It scared me though, to think that Derek could be capable of that. But, no, he couldn’t be. He was the victim of happenstance. I think. But Laura had been out there a while, so the possibility of Michael was high. By running was he trying to frame Derek? 

They found wolf fur on Laura’s body and while it doesn’t explain who killed it did say something about the area. It seems like the wolf population is coming back. They could have come from somewhere else in search of food or maybe the national wildlife service moved them in to control the deer population. I feel like everyone would have heard about that though, at least an email or something. 

-

After dinner, I decided to go into the woods to see if Derek would actually meet up with me. I told Stiles that I was going on a walk to clear my head. A few minutes into the woods, I decided to wait instead on a boulder in a clearing near the creek. I had only been there maybe ten minutes when I heard the footsteps approaching. I smiled and stood. 

“Now is it that hard to make your presence known?” I turned and stared, but the person I was looking at was not Derek. It was Michael. 

He smiled, tilting his head to the side, “Hey, sweetheart. Miss me?” 

“Stay away from me.” My body started to tremble, “Stay back!” I backed up, keeping my eyes on him but cursed myself when my back hit a tree. Michael closed the gap between us, leaning closer. I turned my head away, listening to him sniff my hair. 

“You smell so good.” He hummed. 

“Get away from me.” Tears made their way down my cheeks. 

“C’mon. Just relax.” He placed his hands on either side of my face. 

“No, NO!” I screamed, and shoved him. He fell back a few feet, looking surprised at my strength. I looked down at my hands, then him. He was pissed.

“Alright, enough fooling around.” He got up and I started running. I didn’t get too far, Michael had always been fast. I heard him stumble, but he grabbed my foot, bringing me down to the ground. 

“HELP!” I screamed, “SOMEBODY!” 

“Nah, not this time.” he dragged me up from the ground, wrapping his arms around my body and beginning to drag me towards the creek. I struggled, thrashing my torso and legs. 

“HELP! DEREK!” I shouted, hoping that he was nearby, coming to meet with me like he said he would. Michael turned me in his arms, gripping tight. 

“Derek Hale? You shacking up with that freak?!” He shook me. 

“Michael, please, please, let me go, please.” I begged, my pleads were met with a sharp slap with the back of his hand. I yelped. 

“HELP!” I cried again. 

“Shut up! I said shut up-” A  loud roar cut him off, his grip loosening. It sounded like a bear, but when I looked to the source, my heart started to pound more than it already was. 

It was Derek, but he wasn’t entirely himself, not human. His eyes were a bright, glowing blue, his face was different. His brow bone was more pronounced. His hair grew down the sides of his face. his ears were pointed. He had large sharp fangs on his canines. He had claws on his hands. 

Derek leapt from the hill that he stood on, landing on all fours and letting out another hellish roar. He came towards us, Michael shoved me towards Derek, starting to run the other way. But Derek maneuvered around me, chasing after him. The chase went down a hill, towards the creek. What I heard next was Michael’s screaming and then a heavy sounding thud. I stood there for a while, still trying to process what the hell was happening. What is he?

My eyes shot back up to the hill, Derek was walking upright, his face and hands back to normal. I stayed in my spot, waiting for him to come up to me. He stopped, he was breathing heavily through his nose. I looked over at him, he was splattered with blood. I grabbed his hand, seeing normal fingernails and hands. My eyes then went to his face, I touched his cheeks. No more hair growing down. His eyes were back to their normal green. Derek slowly took my hands in his, bringing them back down to my sides. 

“What-What are you?” I whispered, not trusting my voice.

He looked at me for a moment before answering, “I’m a werewolf.” I left out a deep breath. Letting his words settle into my mind. 

“Are you okay?” He asked softly. I could only nod, still speechless. He softly brushed his fingers over my cheek where Michael hit me, I winced. It was already starting to feel sore. 

“Are you scared now?” He asked. I should be. I should be running for the hills. It was insanity to even believe in werewolves and yet, here one stood in front of me. 

I shook my head, “No. I do have questions though. Um, you answered one of them.” I ran a hand through my hair. He nodded, placing his hand softly on my lower back. 

“Let’s get you home.” We started walking, but I stopped us. 

“Wait, no, we can’t go there. I can’t bring you to my house. My uncle could be there and when he sees you covered in blood, he will arrest you.” I thought for a moment, “Dammit.” I had to think of something, something to protect him. Whether he saved me or not, he still killed Michael and that was still murder. 

“I got it.” I said, “Can you climb well?”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read part 5 here!

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Thanks so much for reading and the next part should be out soon :)

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@nyotamalfoy

@fruitloopzzz

[gloomyhearts]

That's life || Steve Harrington

Chapter six

November 8, 1983

Y/N's POV:

"Y/N" I was about to answer a question in my lesson as Hopper stepped into the doorframe.

"Miss Henderson could you come with me?" I nodded and followed him into a small and quiet room.

"Okay do you know anything about Barbara Holland?" He leaned against the door.

"No why?"

"Were you on Steve Harringtons party yesterday"

"Yeah I was but only one hour because Dustin was alone at home. I drove with my own car"

His elbows rested on his knees and he bend further to me, "so you want to tell me what's happened?"

"I arrived at Steve's house *how long has it been since I was here the last time* and Steve opened the door and let me in. We walked through the house to the backyard where everyone except Barb sat. Tommy and his girlfriend looked at me a bit irritated but I didn't cared that much.

After a while Steve came back with canned beer and gave everyone a cane but I passed but Barb took one I knew she would drive Nancy back home but Nancy kind of drilled her to drink it. Barb tried to opened the bottle like every other with a knife but it hadn't succeeded and she had cut herself. I went with her to the bathroom after we were finished I went back home and Barb stayed there." I buried my face in my hands, "I didn't even know she's missed. What happened?"

"Y/N we'll find her I promise" Hopper is kind of a good friend to my mother but it isn't like Joyce and his "relationship".

Sometimes all the families meet and Hopper is there too; he always looks like he wants to kill everyone but he's the nicest person on this earth.

"What has Nancy told you?"

"I haven't spoken to her yet."

"Talk to her yourself. And support her, please" I nodded and walked out of the room just to see Nancy walking around the floor.

"Nanc?"

"Y/N. Barb. I know what happened."

"Are you alright?" I asked her.

"Yeah mostly."

"Tell me what happened, please."

"After you went home Steve took me to his bedroom and Barb waited for me to finish "it". She sat at the pool and when I went to the backyard she wasn't there anymore. It's my fault." I embraced her; all her tears are falling on to my shoulder.

"We'll find her" I let go of her and wiped  her tears away.

"I think whoever took Barb wasn't a human. It was nobody who lives here." She whispered.

"What?"

"Yeah maybe a bear or something else but not a human trust me."

"You're serious?" She nodded.

"I heard clicks like a camera but Steve said I should brush it off. It was only in my head. I went back there Y/N and there was something it was big and it scared me."

"Okay Nancy I believe you but was someone else there? To support your sentence" she just shakes her head.

Hopper came out of the room and looked over to Nancy and me

"You're ready Nancy?" She walked over to him and turned to me when I gave her a small smile.

When I walked to my car which was in the near of Steve's. I heard how Steve and his friends threatened Jonathan. It looked like a picture what was torned into pieces. Steve has thrown those pieces onto the floor next to Jonathan camera. He did not; he's such an asshole. I opened my door and get in.

A few seconds later Jonathan sat next to me with tears forming in his eyes.

"Everything's good?"

"No Y/N. Steve is such an asshole how can he think that he's the king? He's just threading everybody like shit. How can Nancy be with him? She deserves so much better"

"I know Jonathan. But you know how Steve was in elementary school. And to be honest I have the feeling that Steve and Nancy aren't really in love."

"Really?" I nodded and started the car.

"But it doesn't bother me anymore they're allowed to do anything they want and if they want to pretending a relationship so they do."

Ten minutes after leaving the parking lot I was at Jonathan's house.

"Thank you Y/N. See you around." We all know that won't happen.

"Yeah. See you" I drove to my home when I was greeted by a nervous Dustin.

"Hey Dusti. What happened?"

"What? What happened?"

"Why are you acting so weird "

"Mm nothing. Really nothing."

"Dustin. You promised something."

"Okay so. Mike Lucas and me went searching for Will but we found a girl. Eleven. She said she would know where Will is."

"You did what?! You can be happy that mom or dad aren't here. You would get so much trouble."

"Yeah I know and I'm really sorry but this girl. She has powers" what?

"Yeah trust me. She has telecinese powers like"

"Yeah I understood but where did you guys found her?"

Dustin rubs his neck, "the forest"

"Next to Wills house?"

"Yeah"

"Where is she now?"

"At Mikes"

"you meet them tomorrow?"

"Yeah we meet at his."

"I'm coming with you"

"Y/N no that's no Jesus we're boys"

"Yeah and Mike has a girl in his basement. I'm coming with you" Dustin frowned because of me; because I'm embarrassing.

"I don't care what you think Dustin." I smiled and walked to my room.

I did my homework and was currently cuddling with meows on my bed.

"Y/N" I got called from downstairs.

"What?" I began to walk towards the stairs.

"What Dustin?" The frint door was opened.

"Steve? What the heck?" The second time? What's he doing here?

"Y/N" he hasn't spoken my name in years.

"You're friends with Nancy right ?" I nodded. "So she's kind of mad of me. Maybe you can talk to her."

"Mm maybe."

"What?! Why what's so difficult" he shouted

"you're asking me what's difficult to talk to her?! Why aren't you standing at her door right now and talk to her? Why the fuck are you here Steve Harrington"

"I actually thought we can talk to each other again," his graze trailer down.

he what? Oh I would love to but I can't not after all what he had done to me.

In middle school school Steve did everything to impress Tommy; he even cancelled our hang out session; he threw food in my face; he had pushed me off the swing; he took my food without asking, I mean he always did but that wasn't like the other times.

"You want to talk? About what?"

"We were best friends and now you aren't even looking to me in the breaks"

"Do you know why?! Because you're with Nancy, you're best friends with Tommy our enemy. You just left me" after those words I closed the door and slide it down until I sat on the floor.

"Y/N everything's okay?" Dustin walked over to me. He found me sobbing and searching after breath on the floor.

"Yeah everything is fine Dusti. It's just that Barb went missed too" he sat next to me and embraced me.

"Why was Steve here"

"he told me everything about Barb" he just nodded. He can't know it.

"Y/N?"

"Yes?"

"I know that you love Steve." Damn.

"Since when?"

"Don't know since the beginning? And I think you two would be the best couple in the world" he hugged me even tighter.

"Oh Dustin if that would be so easy"

"I know. Life sucks."

"Don't say that we'll find Will baby Dusti" we stayed in this position a few minutes until the phone rung.

"Henderson's."

"Y/N?"

"Nanc? What's wrong?" Nancy was in the other end; sobbing.

"Steve. He's just... Steve has thrown Jonathan's camera to the ground. He know Jonathan is my best friend. And now I know that I was right with the click sound. Jonathan was there and he has a picture. It isn't a human neither a bear. It's strange..."

"sorry Nancy wait a moment" I hold the phone a few inches away from me.

"Dustin Henderson where are you going?"

"Lucas and I wanna study something"

"it's already 6pm"

"yes but this can't wait. See you"

"wait Dustin. Call me when you arrived at Lucas'" he nodded and left.

"So it was not human or animal?"

"No it was as big as a bear but it hadn't a fur. It ate a deer and then when I wasn't around it took Barb..." she began to sob more.

"Nancy. Please calm down. Talk to Jonathan clear things up. Talk to Steve tell him what an asshole he is and that it can't go on like this."

Dustin pov:

Lucas, Mike, El and I were at the quarry. There were ambulances and police cars and officers everywhere. My friends and I looked at each other until Mike began to scream at Eleven for lying that Will is still alive.

Will is death.

I grabbed my bike and drove. My feet drove me to the only person who understands this.

Y/Ns POV:

The door rang what means I have to stand up; I was halfway sleeping.

As I opened the door I was kind of surprised.

"Dustin what are you doing here. I thought you'll sleep at Lucas'?" Without answering he took me in a tight hug.

What happened?

"Dustin what happened?" By now he was crying.

"Wi.. Will" he could barely answer in between his sobs. His teary blue eyes are looking at me

"What's with him?"

"He.. he... quarry"

"they found him in the quarry?" He nodded and by now more tears are streaming down.

"Oh Dustin. I'm so sorry." I'm not the best in emotional support..

"do you wanna cuddle with me?" He nodded again and I took him piggyback into my room. I set him on my bed down and walked out of my room.

"Where are you going?" He asked frightened.

"I'm going to pee"

After a few I was back and we laid down in my bed and he quickly fell asleep.

[batcathuntress]

an unfortunate obsession

set in: season 10 

pairing: aaron hotchner x daughter!reader 

summary: you have a creepy stalker, reader is 17

tw: mention of dead people, stalker and that’s about it 

__________ 

you wanted to be a profiler when you grew up, not at all surprising considering your dad’s one and when he told you he was so excited because well you are basically a little him and that’s why the team mostly refer to you as baby Hotchner and Aaron would have stopped them if he didn’t secretly think it was adorable but with being a profiler comes the daily violence and endless pile of bodies from the people they couldn’t save and knowing what it’s done to him and the team he secretly at times wished that you would change your mind, that you could stay innocent from the horrors forever but life never seemed to favour Aaron so when you entered this horrific side of his life earlier than expected he found himself having a hard time handling it lord knows it made your life harder too

you rushed out of the elevator of the BAU on an already gloomy Monday afternoon and shakily dropped the box you were carrying onto the closest desk which happened to be Kate Callahan’s the bang got the attention of the rest of the team

“y/n, sweetie what’s wrong?” you heard JJ ask and you pointed at the box trying to get the words out but every time you opened your mouth you felt like you were going to be sick, Morgan walked around you and carefully opened the box before slightly jumping back when he saw what was inside, everyone gathered around and covered their noses because the smell of dead flesh was starting to surround the area. you’d been sent a heart in a box made out of someones skin and now you needed the teams help to find out who sent it before they came for you

you all sat in the briefing room as your dad walked back and fourth reading the letter you got over and over, “so this was in your locker?” Kate asked

“yep and the letter as attached to it”

“well i have some news, the little box is made out of Cynthia Brogans she was a teacher at y/n’s school and she was reported missing last night by her husband, the um heart is not human though i’m guessing maybe a deer but i’m still waiting on the official report” Penelope said rushing in drawing everyone’s attention 

“i knew ms Brogans she was a science teacher, i was never in her classes though”

“so what’s the link between you two or did the unsub just grab her out of convenience” JJ said looking around 

“well whatever this is we have the case right?” Derek said looking at Penelope 

“ugh, yeah i just got off the phone with local law enforcement they actually want us on the case” 

_______________

you currently sat in the police precinct whilst your dad talked to some of the officers about the case, he didn’t want to leave you alone and since you are the key to this case you were forced to stay with him and Kate whilst the rest of the team went to your school to interview the staff 

“how are you holding up?” you looked up to see agent Callahan looking at you concerned, she’d only recently joined the team but you liked her, she had a sweet motherly vibe to her 

“um, i’m okay i guess, can’t say the same for the poor woman who was killed because of me.”

“don’t do that to yourself, her death wasn’t your fault”

“sure feels like it” you said sniffling as she put her hand on your shoulder 

“you can’t ever blame yourself for what other people do, you’re a victim too”

“we think the unsub may be a teenager is there anyone in school who has expressed extreme interest in you recently?” your dad said joining you and Kate 

“uh, i guess there’s a few but none stick out, the box in my locker and the heart seems like his way of asking me out, i wouldn’t be surprised if i haven’t even spoken to this person” 

“i think she’s right, this unsub doesn’t know how to express himself in a normal way he’s most likely too shy to approach her”

“agents, a body’s been found close to the school” the lead detective said reaching your group 

“the teacher?” Kate asked 

“no, this ones male.” 

________________

when the team was giving the profile something clicked in your brain and you remembered a kid named Matt in your year that sounded a lot like who they were describing 

“dad, i think i know who it is” you said walking into the briefing room “there’s this guy i have a few classes with him but we never talk because he’s super creepy, oh and his name is Matt”

“did you get that Garcia” your dad asked 

“yes sir i did and i am currently searching for all the Matt’s in y/n’s year, i’ll hit you up when i find something” she said before hanging up 

“i’m so stupid, i should have figured this out before and maybe coach would still be alive, or if i just talked to him ms Brogans wouldn’t have been killed” you said sitting down at the table 

“kid, you can’t seriously be blaming yourself right now” Morgan said 

“what happened isn’t your fault y/n/n and chances are if you talked to him he would have hurt you” your dad said with hurt in his eyes and you smiled sadly at the two of them still feeling guilty 

_______________

“okay so our unsub is one Matthew Jacobs and grab your tissues because this is a sad one, when he was 8 years old his parents died like murder suicide style the dad killed the mom and then himself and poor Matt was locked in the house with their bodies for 3 days before a neighbour came around to check on them, he then moved in with his grandparents, granpa died when he was 13 and get this he was sent to the er for a broken arm but it was written off as a biking accident but i highly doubt it considering the granpa was a known drunk by the neighbourhood, he was then raised by his grandma until she died last week” 

“that must have been the stressor” JJ said 

“Garcia how did the grandfather die?” Moragn asked

“oh he drank himself to death, wife called it in but he died in the hospital the same night”

“send me an address Garcia” your dad said standing up

“already done sir” she said hanging up 

______________

“we have a full confession sweetie, don’t worry he is going away for a long time” Kate said sitting next to you 

“why did he kill those people?”

“in his mind they got in the way of your love” you looked at her confused 

“how?” 

“well they found images of you in his locker and threatened to call the police which he saw as a threat so he killed them”

“what kind of images?”

“pictures of you around school, but like i said he can’t get to you anymore” she offered you a war smile which you then returned 

_____________

“everyone head home it’s been a long day.” you heard your dad say and saw the relief wash over everyone’s faces when they realise they can have a relaxing evening tonight, on their way out they said bye to you and the girls hung back to make sure you were okay before you reassured them that you would be fine and that they should head home and get some rest.

“Jack is with Jess for the night” you turned to see your dad 

“cool, again i’m so sorry for today”

“when will you stop apologising for this, baby none of this was your fault” he said cupping your face “since Jack’s away do you want to eat out, we could get Chinese i know that’s your favourite” he said trying to cheer you up 

“yes please” you said hugging him, which he returned gently rubbing your arm 

it all seemed to end happily but you couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt for those people that died because of you

______________________________________

send in requests please, especially hotch x daughter!reader because they’re a fun dynamic to write about 

[marvelship-oneshots]

EMERGENCY WEDDING 1 (WINTERIRON)

PART 1 OF 2 AU where Tony and Bucky get married in order not to be forced t testify against each other in court (part 1 of 2) [2.5k words]

Bucky's brain was numb. He was walking in the rain, with no destination, looking at the blood being washed from his hands by the rain. How could something like that happen? How could they think he could do something like that? He couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that his best friend was gone and never coming back. The thought of having literally his blood all over his body made his sick to his stomach, but for some reason he couldn't bring himself to react. He saw his body laying in a puddle of his own blood on the floor of his apartment and he didn't scream, he didn't cry, his brain just shut down. He had no memories of what he did from that moment to the moment he heard the sirens coming for him. Then, he ran until he was far enough from the city. Now, he didn't know where he was, but the police was not following him anymore, that was good. Eventually, he stopped running and started walking along the desert highway, despite the rain falling down on him. Bucky had no idea of what he would do after, nor of where he was going.

Tony needed a break. His life in the city was becoming overwhelming and he just needed to pull the plug for a while. So he hopped in his car and started driving without a destination. AC/DC was playing in the car at full blast while Tony drove down the highway. His mind was focused only on the song, the road was silent and empty. Somehow, driving in the rain, singing whatever song was blasting, in the dark of the night, had always relaxed him. He could barely see the road in front of him and he knew that he should pay more attention to what he was doing, but against his better judgment, he kept focusing on his own thoughts. It couldn't do any good, and he knew it. He was not looking at the road when something, or rather someone, crossed right i front of his car. He didn't see it coming and he didn't stop, basically running over it. He thought it was some kind of wild animal, a deer maybe, but he never would expect to find a full grown man laying on the street. Bucky didn't know why he crossed the road as soon as he heard a car passing by. He just did it. No wonder why he car ran over him. Sony stopped the car and ran out, hoping he ran over a animal and not a person. Bucky was laying on the road, bruised and exhausted. He thought he could die right there, after all, no one would have missed him, every single police officer thought he was a serial killer. Maybe, that was the only way to get out of that situation. Tony kneeled by Bucky's side, bending over him to check if he was still breathing. He was. However, he was covered in blood. "C'mon buddy, wake up, don't die on me" Tony shook him, trying to wake him up. Bucky finally opened his eyes and let out a growl. Tony sighed in relief. "C'mon let me take you to the hospital" said Tony, helping the strange man getting up. He was massive compared to Tony, he wasn't more than two inches taller than him, but he had very board shoulders that made him looked like a giant compared to Tony's figure. Tony helped him getting in the car. "No, no hospital, literally anywhere else, possibly out of the state" Tony sighed, sitting behind the wheel and turning the music back on. They drove in silence, well, Bucky was silent, Tony was humming along the songs, and stopped only when they found a motel. Tony booked a room for the two of them, he didn't want to leave him alone, he was possibly injured. Little did they know, that was the beginning of an amazingly crazy adventure. Bucky settled in the room and went to take a shower. Tony went out to grab something to eat and medical supplies. If Bucky didn't want to go to the hospital, he would bring the hospital to him. Bucky let his t-shirt fall on the ground. His whole body as covered in dry blood. He honestly didn't know if it was his or Steve's. He couldn't stare at himself in the mirror. Bucky slowly walked into the shower and let the shower run over him, washing away the blood. He leaned against the wall, letting himself fall on the floor. He took his hand into his head and finally let himself go. The only reason he knew he was crying was the salty taste of the tears falling in his mouth.

When Tony came back, Bucky was sitting on the bed, blankly looking at the wall in front of him. "Hey man, I bought you a cheeseburger" Tony said, sitting down next to him and handing him a burger. Bucky nodded and started to slowly unwrap it.  "By the way, I'm Tony" he introduced himself, reaching out for him. "James, but friends call me Bucky" Steve was the one to give him his nickname. He smiled at the memory and a single tear fell on his face. "I'm...uhm I'm sorry I ran over you" Bucky shook his shoulders. "I crossed the road, jumping in front of your car" "Are you hurt? I saw a lot of blood" Tony asked concerned. "No, I'm fine" Tony scoffed and turned n the TV. The news were on. Tony looked at the TV then at Bucky and then back at the TV. "Uhm, Bucky, why is your face on the news?"  "What?" Bucky turned towards Tony, took the remote and turned the volume up. "Shit shit shit fuck" On the screen there was Bucky's picture with a gigantic red WANTED written under it. "Care to explain what that is about?" "It's not what it looks like, I swear" "Oh I see, so you're face is not on the national TV and you are not wanted for murder" "No" Tony raised his eyebrow "Well yes, but also no" "Are you going to kill me?" "What? NO!" Tony let out a loud sigh. "Ok, now that I can relax, explain" "I've been framed for a series of murders, including my best friend's" Bucky sat on Tony's bed and Tony scooted closer to him, putting a hand on his thigh. "I'm immensely sorry" Bucky looked at Tony with a mall smile. "It's ok" "What's gonna happen now?" Tony asked "I mean, you are running from the police and I helped you, so this makes me an accessory to the crime. What's gonna happen now? Are we going to live on the run?" Bucky chuckled. "I'm sorry I put you in this position. And I don't know how we're going to get out of this" Tony lightly smiled and walked out of the room, coming back a few minutes later with a bottle of whiskey. He poured some in two glasses and passed one to Bucky. "Ok, first thing first, gimme your credit card and SIM card. We'll leave here here, from now on only cash. we're going to move every couple of days, with disguises." Bucky sipped on his whiskey, looking at Tony in awe. "Then, we have to understand who is trying to frame you. Suspects, leads whatever pops in your mind, you write them here" Tony said slapping a pack of sticky notes on the table. "Questions?" "Yes" Bucky smiled "Why do you have sticky notes laying around?" Tony laughed, tucking himself into the bed. "Seriously though, thank you, you don't have to do this. No one knows that you helped me" "Oh please stop it, we're in this together. Now go to sleep, we're leaving early tomorrow" Bucky chuckled. "Yessir" _____________________________________________________________________ "Ok, so we have a bunch of suspects that are totally unchained from each other. This means we have no lead" Bucky nodded, looking at the binder full of colourful sticky notes he and Tony had composed in the past weeks. Bucky threw himself on the bed, covering his face with his hands. "We're screwed" The TV was on on the news, now next to Bucky's face there was Tony's. "Every single piece of evidence they have is against me and once they get to us they will offer you plea deal to turn on me because let's admit it, I dragged you into this and you have no reason at all" Bucky caved into his pillow. "Then I'll be double screwed" Tony rolled his eyes and walked over to Bucky's bed, sitting next to him and started stroking his hair. "Buck, I might have an idea" Bucky looked up. "We're in this mess together and together we're getting out. See, I have a little bit of law training and there is this thing that will ensure that we're not forced to turn on each other" "And why didn't you say it sooner?" Bucky asked sitting up. "Yeah right. It's called spouse privilege. Essentially, if we're married, no one can force me to turn on you and vice versa" Bucky jumped up and started pacing up and down the room, in silence, with his hands in is hair. He slowly walked over to Tony and kneeled in front

of him. "Tony, will you marry me?" he asked taking one of his hands. Tony started laughing."Yes, yes I will Buckaroo" Bucky sat on the bed ad let himself fall on his back. Tony laid next to him . "Are we really doing this?" Bucky asked. "You'll have to break up with me, because now I am your fiancé" The two laughed. "You would have liked him" said Bucky after a moment of silence. Tony turned his head to look at Bucky. "Steve. You would have liked Steve" Tony nodded. "He was my best friend in the whole world, how could they think I've killed him? Why would I have killed my best friend?" Bucky started sobbing loudly in Tony's chest. Tony gently stroke his long hair until Bucky fell asleep, snuggled against him.

Bucky and Tony pulled out their best clothes - jeans and a white shirt- and pulled up at the docks. There the officiant who was supposed to marry them was waiting for them in front of his boat. Tony had found him on the internet the night before and had booked a wedding. Tony squeezed Bucky's hand before walking up to the man, giving him a reassuring glaze. "Do you, James Buchanan Barnes, take Anthony Edward Stark as your lawfully wedded husband?" Bucky looked at Tony in the eyes. Tony nodded. "I do" he said, moving Tony's ring from his index to his ring finger. "Do you, Anthony Edward Stark, take James Buchanan Barnes as your lawfully wedded husband?" "I do" he said smiling, putting the ring on Bucky's finger. "By the power vested in me by the State of Missouri, I now pronounce you husband and husband" Tony took Bucky's hand, gently squeezing it as the officiant handed then the marriage certificate. Tony left the man the cash they agreed on and the newly weds ran to their car. Tony started driving, smiling at the road. "Are you ok?" he asked Bucky. "This is weird, right? We barely know each other and we got married" Tony chuckled. "It's like you've never heard of an arranged marriage" Bucky gently hit Tony's shoulder. "This is nothing like an arranged marriage and you know it"

They had been driving for the whole morning, making hypothesis on new leads, unfortunately running in circles. "If we turn ourselves in, or let them find us, maybe we'll be able to have more resources and actually get something done" "You want them to catch us?" Tony nodded. "You're out of your mind. I would be risking death row here" Tony shook his head. "No you wouldn't. You supposedly committed the crimes in New York, we will be judged there, so no death penalty for you." "Are you sure? It can go extremely wrong, at least now we're...free" Tony pulled over by the side of the road. "We don't have the resources here to sort this out, if they catch us, maybe we can have a shot" "What if we don't?" Tony shook his head and made a hand gesture meaning that it was not the time to be pessimistic. "It's prison Tony" "Buck, you're my husband now, you're basically a Stark. My father's name still holds a certain power" Bucky looked at him. "Ok, we're doing this" Tony took out his phone, put in the sim card he had been saving and dialed Pepper's number. "Tony...WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?" Pepper screamed as soon as sh picked up. Bucky could hear her even if she wasn't on speaker. "Pep, I'm in a huge fucking mess" "Yeah, I know. You have some explaining to do" "Yes, I know, but now is not the time. Get the lawyers ready" A few minutes after Tony closed the call, they heard the police sirens behind them. Tony and Bucky looked at each other, smiling. Tony pressed on the gas pedal, exceeding the speed limit. "You know the phrase forget and it will go away? Well, it does NOT apply to being chased by police cars, trust me on this one" Tony said laughing, turning he volume up. Tony looked at Bucky. He looked scared. Tony held his hand, bringing it to his mouth ad leaving a small kiss on the top of it. "I'm on the highway to hell" Tony started singing along the AC/DC song that was blasting. "On the highway to hell" Bucky started singing along. When the song was over, Tony and Bucky looked at each other and Tony pulled over. The police cars stopped behind them. "Come out of the car, hands where I can see them" Tony and Bucky opened the door, slowly stepping out of the car, with their hands behind their heads. "You're under arrest, You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court. You have the right to talk to a lawyer for advice before we ask you any questions. You have the right to have a lawyer with you during questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish. If you decide to answer questions now without a lawyer present, you have the right to stop answering at any time." the officers declared, while closing the handcuffs around Tony and Bucky's wrists. The officers pushed them into the car ad drove them to the closest police station, waiting to be escorted to New York. Tony took Bucky's hand. "It's going to be ok, i promise"

[littlebitoffanfic]

Celebration

Fandom: The Collector/The Collection Character: Asa Emory – the collector Relationship: Asa Emory/reader Request: Since I have seen you do some slashers, can I request Asa from The Collector? Something sweet where the reader works with him and is an alibi and then saves him when Arkin comes for him in the collection?

  You knew him from your work although you didn’t know him well. Asa was a private man, reserved to his office and displays for the museum. You were tour guide with a hand in some of the office work. After all, the museum didn’t get an awful amount of funding to be able to employee more office workers. Today, you were happy. It was a sunny day, which meant people were less likely to come to the museum for an indoor activity. Your tours still ran ever 2 hours, but a smaller group had less questions and you could normally be done within an hour, leaving an hour free. You all but skipped down the halls like a school girl, your project held tightly in your arms as you stopped outside Dr Emory office. knocking three time, you waited for him. He towered over you, and had such a demanding presences that made you weak at the knees. Your crush on his was not unnoticed by your co-workers. 

“Good morning.” You smile, trying your best to work through the flutters in your chest. “Its 1.30.” he stated, his eyes unreadable. “Oh, well, good afternoon. Could I steal a few minutes of your time?” You ask, nearly slapping yourself in the face for your mistake. His eyes darted to the folder in your arms and he stepped aside, allowing you to enter. This was a privilege in itself. Barely anyone was allowed within his office. But Asa seemed to tolerate you more than the others. Perhaps because you were his neighbour. Now that had truly been a happy accident. His previous neighbour was selling and you were looking for somewhere when you moved here. It just so happened that your neighbour to your left was also a co-worker. Entering his office was like entering a new world. The walls were decorated with various bugs throughout different ages in their lives. Butterfly’s, beetles and roaches but the most prominent member of his displays were spiders. Your attention was drawn to a particular specimen. Pinned in a shadow box was a blue spider. The sign under called it a Cobalt Blue Tarantula. “Wow, those markings are fascinating.” You mumble aloud, more to yourself that to the mans whos office you were in. “Truly. The Cyriopagopus lividum.. native to the borders of Thailand.” Asa speaks so fondly of the dead creature that it makes you smile slightly. There was no denying his love for his work. “Are they venomous?” You ask, purely out of curiosity. “Yes, but the venom not strong enough to kill an adult human. Although its not pleasant.” Asa walks past you to his desk and drawing you from your thoughts. “Now, you wanted something?” “Yes, I was wondering if you might help me with an exhibition.” You hold out the folder to him as you sit at the other side of his desk. He takes it and opens it, showing a sort of mood board you had put together ranging from other exhibitions to enclosures to photo life-spans of certain creatures. “an exhibition?” His eyes flick up to meet your own with curiosity. In truth, you hated how under appreciated he was at the museum and his knowledge should be put to good use. “Yes, for insects. Of course, I’d do most of the work, but I’d really apricate someone who I can fact check with and can offer some insight.” You smile sweetly, and the small smile that pulled at Asa’s lips told you that he was in.

-------------time skip ------------------

Your time spend with the entomologist was one of the most pleasant and interesting interactions you had had in a while. Walking to his office, you held your papers in your hands. You were about to knock when you heard voices inside. Pressing your ear against the door, you listened. “Dr Emory, unless you can provide an alibi for your whereabouts on Saturday evening, we will have enough to arrest you under suspicious of connection with the collector killings.” A voice spoke with authority. Your heart stopped. The collector killings had fascinated you ever since they had come to light. And Asa, well, he was a private man. If they were threatening such a thing, there must be something behind it. And you wanted to know. The two men that seemed to cloud your thoughts could be one. Your mind thought quickly as you came up with a plan. Knocking on the door, you walked in without waiting – something you never really did. Once inside, you acted like a deer in headlights. Two men sat opposite Asa’s desk  in suits. “oh, sorry. Are you from the board?” You asked sincerely but you didn’t let them answer before quickly adding. “Look, Dr Emory and I are neighbours. Its perfectly reasonable for us to spend our evenings and weekends in each others company. Besides, if Tiffany told you about us, she has been having an affair with the janitor.” You could tell Asa was just as stunned as you were. One of the men smiled and stood. “You don’t need to be alarmed, miss. We are from the investigations team.” He then presented his ID badge to you. “Oh, gosh. I am so sorry.” You looked stunned, despite already knowing. “Its okay. But I am interested in what you said. Do you know where Dr Emory was on Saturday evening between 5pm and 11pm?” The man leaned back on Asa’s desk while the other twisted to fully look at you. “He was with me.” You said, talking to the two detectives. “At my house.” “with you? He said he was home alone.” The one with the strong jaw line narrowed his eyes at you. “Yes, well, its not against any policies, our director has been known to fire people for having… interpersonal relationships with colleagues. We’d agreed to keep it a secret. He would have been trying to protect me, in case this got out to the others.” You explain to them, not daring to look at Asa. You knew you were playing with fire here. But what you said wasn’t a stretch. The director had fired a member of the geology department… for sleeping with his wife in astrology. He really cared what staff did as long as they did their job. And didn’t fuck his wife.   “Is this true?” He asked Asa, who gave a single nod. “And is there anyone who can corroborate this?” The detective asked you, more kindly than the others. “Not really. As I said, it was a secret so I’d appreciate it if you kept this between us. Although, you can ask half the staff in this building and they’ll tell you that ive had a crush on the man since I moved here, and they know we have been spending more time together. They are so fond of teasing me for it anyway.” You manage to draw a chuckle from one as he jabbed the other detective in the shoulder which earned a smile. Apparently, there was a similar situation going on where they were. “Right, well, we’d better be on our way. We’ll be back in touch soon.” The one sitting rose to his feet, nodding to both you and Asa before he and his partner left. They left and the door had closed for a brief moment before you felt someone grab your arm and you were twisted to meet Asa. He didn’t say anything and his cheeks were slightly red, but his ears were bright red. “So, you are the collector?” You breathe, looking up at him with a small smile tugging on your lips. “What do you want?” He growled, his voice low and menacing. Oh, he wasn’t happy. “I want to know.” You breath, stepping closer to him. “You take parts, right? What do you do with them? Keep mementos? Are you making something?” His nostrils flares out, obviously angry. You understood. You had let yourself into his world, and he couldn’t do a thing about it. He couldn’t kill you because it would point the fingers back to him. No, it was smart to keep you close. He let out an exasperated sigh, reaching up and pinching his brow. “look, once this has blown over for you, I wont say a word. I don’t expect anything for it. If you don’t want to tell me, you don’t have to.” You reassured him. “Why?” His eyes narrow at you, but you shrug. “honestly, you fascinate me.” You confess to the man, even more intrigued than before. You saw the smirk that twitched at the side of his mouth.

----------------- time skip ------------

The world of the collector was one you never dreamed you would see inside, and you loved it. It took trust to get him to let you see. First you saw the inside of the hotels lobby, then some traps, then some of the beautiful creations he made, then his prize possession. you never participated, but you provided a bit more support for him, offering help from the side lines in exchange for information and his time. If he was suspicious of you, he couldn’t deny the genuine interest in your eyes as he spoke, or how you hung on every word of his. He seemed to love how you marvelled at everything with a child-like innocents. Wide eyes and a curious mind. He kept you very close, at work and in your personal lives. It took 5 months in total for the cops to ease up off of Asa, but they still occasionally found their way to his house, watching it. He would come to yours in those situations, still keeping the façade up that you were in some kind of relationship.   Not that you cared. You found that the two of you had a lot in common which made the time easily spent. Of course, his dogs loved you. When you came round to his, they were pawing at the floor to get to you but waited for their master to give them the signal to move. They really were puppies at heart. Also, sometimes you thought Asa just said they were there to spend time with you. Either way, you didn’t mind. Tonight, you were buried in a book when a harsh knock at your door made you jump but you hurried to answer it, finding a slightly wet Asa. You smiled, stepping aside and allowing him to step in. “You’d think the police budget within the millions by how much they come around.” You giggle, helping his jacket off his shoulders to hang up to dry. He hummed in response, wiping his face with a hand to try get the stray rain droplet off. “So, how was your recent game?” you asked as he followed you into the living room, where you had been reading. You collapsed back into the couch and held your book on your lap. “Uneventful. No one worthy to take.” He mused as he walked over to your book shelf and pulled out the book he had been reading last time. As he returned to your sofa to sit beside you – a show for the police outside – the book fell open to the page he had been reading. But instead of the paperclip he had been using to keep his place, it was a book mark. A novelty bookmark that you had swiped from the gift shop. It was one of those fake 3D ones, with spiders moving on green leaf’s. You raised your book over your mouth to hide your grin. “very amusing.” He soft chuckle left his lips as he placed it to the side. You giggled, moving to reposition yourself. Your sofa faced the TV which was to the right of the window. Meaning anyone who walked by outside could see in. but it was a quiet neighbourhood. Apart from the undercover police. You lay on the sofa, your legs draped over Asa’ lap which you rested your head on some pillows propped up against the arm rest. Asa rose the book without tearing his eyes away from it to allow your legs to move before lowering to rest his forearms on your knee and thighs. Despite being a bit of a play for the police, it began to feel a little more real. You would engage him in conversation through out the evening, and he would tear his attention away from the book to ask you about your day. In fact, you had started to think that Asa had missed this. With the police’s interest dwindling, so had his trips. Even your encounters in work were now limited as you had finished your exhibition. Or many it was just the part of you that had fallen so madly in love with the man that wished he wanted your company. Your eyes left the page to glance at his face. mature features with intelligent eyes. You hated how he could make your heart stop. Maybe this was fake to him, but it was so real to you. Turning your attention back to your book, you didn’t look up until the sun had fully set. Glancing at the clock, you were surprised to see it was nearly 10pm. “Gosh, I swear I’ll never get use to these changing sunsets. Every year it takes me by surprise.” You sit up, stretching as Asa chuckles. Leaning forward, you press a kiss to his cheek before lifting your legs off his lap to stand up. Asa followed, and you smiled when he marked his page with the bookmark you had gotten him. “You’re nearly finished. I told you it’s a page turner.” You nodded to the book, which he was nearly finished save for 50 pages. “Yes, all the more reason to come back.” He shot a look over his shoulder that made you smirk. Playful teasing had become something you adored in the man. It was another reason that made you doubt this was fake. They couldn’t hear what was happening, so why play around. Sliding the book back into the slot, he picked up the remote which had been forgotten on the sofa to go to the window and place it on the stand. A ploy for him to see if they were still watching the house. “I think you’re right. They get far too much funding. It could be going to the museum.” He mused as he turned back to you. Maybe they needed to see more. Or maybe you wanted more. Just to test the waters. Walking up to him, you reach up and placed your hands on his shoulders. “Kiss me?” You whisper to him, pressing your body against his own. Wide eyes met your own and you couldn’t help but giggle. “They can see through the window.” That was enough to encourage the man to duck down, pressing a kiss to your lips. he could have lightly kissed your lips and pulled away after a few moment, but he didn’t. In fact, you were sure he had forgotten all about the car outside. His arms wrapped around your waist and you were pulled tight against his strong chest as his lips fought your own for dominance which you quickly surrendered. His tongue slipped inside your mouth, making you moan as reach up and place your hand on the back of his head near his neck to keep his mouth to your own. Not like he was pulling away any time soon. you felt him push you backwards and you allowed him to push you till your back hit the wall and he pinned you to it. they couldn’t see you anymore, but you didn’t care. Raising your right leg, you hooked it around his hip as his hand trailed down your side and followed the curve to your thigh, holding you in that position. He was driving you crazy, his touch was like fire as you cling to him. When he does pull back, you are left a panting mess with rosy cheek. But his tell was his red ears despite the smirk on his lips. “So, tell me, where does the line between fake and real stop?” he asks, keeping his face close to your own. “With a kiss like that.” You bite your lower lip, completely aware of how his hand had kept your leg hooked on his hip. “The police aren’t outside. They left over an hour ago.” Asa’s voice was low, barely about a whisper. “They did?” You raise your eye brows at him. A nod answers your question and you were left pondering your next move. “Good.” As leans down, sealing his lips over your own.

 -----time skip ------

 You were sitting in your living room, half heartedly flicking through the channel when you notice Asa’ car drive past your window. Smiling, you turn off the TV and grab your small bag. It was a Friday, which meant that Asa worked late. But it also meant you would be staying over with him. A few weeks ago, shit had really hit the fan. You really didn’t know what happened, expect that the hotel was burned to the ground, and Asa only just escaped with his life. He was badly hurt, and you were thankful that he had taken a week off for holidays. It had been holidays he was going to spend with you in his cabin up north, but plans changed. You stayed by his side during his recovery. Asa had lost nearly everything that night. His creations, his sanctuary, his dogs, his prizes. But he had been thankful to come home to you. He had extended his own holiday but you returned to work the next week. He said he had fallen while on a hike so no one questioned his cuts and bruising when he did go back. You took your bag and left your home for the evening, locking it up as you set to go to Asa. He had regained most of his energy and health back, which you were hoping he might be up for something a little more… activity related tonight. The lingerie in your bag certainly hoped so. he was already out the car and into the house as you walked up. But something caught your eye. In his living room, there was someone hiding in the corner. Your breath caught in your throat as you recognised the man. His name was Arkin. He had been the one who had escaped Asa, the one who caused his injuries. You only recognised him because Asa had pointed him out when the new came on one evening. And you highly doubted that he was here to say a friendly hello. Running around the back, you ducked under the window so as not to be seen. You ditched your bag in a bush as you made your way to the back door just as you heard heavy metal music blare through the house. You wanted to scream to Asa, but the glint you had seen in Arkins hands wasn’t enough to tell you if it was a gun or a knife. Slipping into his kitchen, you heard the music being turned off and then silence. You took a large knife from the knife block on the counter and held it as if to stab. And you were willing to. Then you slowly opened the bottom draw, which had some duct tape in it. You round the edge, only slightly pulling it off. If you were going to hurt someone, they cant make a lot of sound. You moved into the hallway which connected to the living room and dinning room. “All those insects. You’re quite the collector.” A voice, Arkins voice spoke, making you pause as you made sure no one knew you were here. “In a 200 mile radios from where we last saw each other, there are 14 licensed entomologists. You were number 12.” As Arkin spoke, you moved slowly down the hallway, looking behind you ever second in case someone else was here. “Your daddy ran a museum, didn’t he? Fucked you up real good.” His words made you feel sick. Asa never spoke of his father. His mother was held with high regard, and he said he wanted you to meet her when she was next in town. But he had shut off when you asked about his father. Arkin was right. “Turn around.” You pressed your back against the wall as you inched closer to the doorway. Tape in your left hand, the edge taped to your finger, and the knife in the other. You could see from the glass display cabinet that Asa and Arkin were standing face to face near the entrance to the dinning room. Arking had his back to you. And a gun raised at Asa’ face. Fear rushed through you as the analogy of ‘don’t bring a knife to a gun fight’ flooded your mind. “Are you here to kill me?” Asa spoke with a calmness you couldn’t fathom. “No. that would be too nice. First im gonna make sure feel everything that I felt. Then im gonna kill you.” You could hear the smugness in his voice. “So that you can never hurt anyone-“ He was cut off as Asa lunged at him. But Arkin gave a swift jab to the face, causing him to tumble back. Into a red box. Your gasp was covered as Arkin flipped the box and started slamming the lid shut again and again, growling “fuck you.”  Before the lack closed. he stepped back, gasping for air. He thought he was alone. Darting into the room, you raise the knie and bought it down into his right shoulder and an angle. He instantly dropped the gun. Letting go of the knife for a moment, you grabbed the roll of tape and started wrapping it round and round his mouth. He had only just managed to let out a cry of pain as his legs gave way under him. He reached up, struggling so you grabbed the knife and pulled it from the flesh. Using the sharp, bloodstained blade, you cut the tape and he collapsed to the ground moaning. You gave him a quick kick in the face before kicked the gun that had fallen out of reach. The last thing you needed was neighbours calling the police for gunfire at the house. You raced over to the box. “Asa, its me.” You reassured him through the small walls in case he tried to attack whoever opened the box. When you pulled the lid open, he scrambled to his feet, the anger in his eyes blazing as he found his attacker on the floor. Arkin was groaning, unable to move just yet but you were sure he’d be up and about soon enough. “Your hands.” You whispered, reaching out and taking his right hand which was covered in blood from Arkin slamming the box down. Your heart broke. He had not long healed. Arkin began to come around, his eyes darting between the two of you as he realized what had happened. He looked at you with an unimaginable about of rage and anger in his eyes as he tried to scream. Asa darted forward, twisting him around and pinning him to the ground, a knee in his back and his hand pressing on the new wound. “The tape.” He commanded of you, and you immediately grabbed the duct tape which had rolled away slightly. Finding the end, you saw Asa grabbing Arkins left hand and you mirrored with his right. Bringing them forcefully behind his back, you taped them in place, then went to tape his ankles together. Once satisfied, Asa hauled the man off the ground and threw him into the box, the lid closing over with the force. Asa flipped the latch. Looking him inside. You didn’t realise you were panting and shaking until Asa was looking at you. Racing forward, you wrap your arms around his torso and bury your face in his chest. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?” He ask, holding him as tightly as you could. A bloody hand stroked your cheek as another rubbed your back to sooth you. “No, you got here right on time.” There was a softness to his voice that made you melt as you looked up at him and smiled. “I’m too late to be a guard dog. Ludwig or Vivaldi wouldn’t have let him get close enough to hurt you.” You shake your head as you pull back, taking his hands in your own once again to inspect the damage. But he turned his hands over and took your own. “How about we go up to the cabin this weekend?” Asa askes, his question not very well fitted for the currant moment. “huh?” Your eyes glanced to the box which was moving slightly as Arkin struggled. “Oh, we’ll take him. And, since I am out of commission right now, perhaps I can show you some tricks.” Asa smirked as your eyes light up at his words. “Yes!” You bounce on the balls of your feet. You went up on your tiptoes to kiss him, resisting every urge not to pull him upstairs to his bedroom right now. Pulling back, you dart down and pick up the gun, offering it to Asa. “I’ll go get some stuff to see to your hands. And I’ll run back and pack a quick bag and then come and pack your things. I think I should drive, though. You’ll have to give me instructions.” You rattle off, the excitement obvious in your voice. “Oh, you’ll get use to taking instruction this weekend.” Asa whispered in your ear, making you blush and bite your lip with a smirk. Arkin seemed to get a burst of energy and started flaying around in the box, which only moved slightly. “He truly is annoying, isn’t he?” you huffed, hating the moment was ruined by him. Asa simply chuckled and walked up to the box, sitting on it and stopping it from shifting. As you flitted around, gathering supplies and seeing to his hands and then packing his things, Asa watched with a soft eyes. He would be lying if he said he trusted you from the start. And even more so if he admitted there had still been a small part of him that thought you were with the police. but that doubt was well gone. And this weekend, he wanted to celebrate this strange relationship. And oh, what a celebration it would be.

[mostlydysfunction]

From The Stars, Part 2

Chapter Summary: Kira and the Xenomoprh have a second, strange encounter and Kira gets a visit from the Feds. 

Warnings: None

Author’s Note: Here’s part 2, nothing really exciting, but we do get to see a little more about Kira’s past. Nothing too deep though. 

MASTERLIST

________________________________________________________________

“Stop.” 

Kira doesn’t expect it to work. The creature is halfway across her dining room, mid-step, when it pauses. Kira’s hands are shaking, the dying light outside making her more nervous. There was no fire to offer any light tonight and soon it would be pitch black and she was inside with this strange, alien creature. It could be weeks before anyone found her body. 

But nonetheless, the creature stays frozen where it is at her command, watching her with unseen eyes. She stares at it for a good while, the light fading faster and faster. She slowly reaches out, fumbling against the wall for the light switch. The creature flinches as the light turns on overhead, just the subtlest of movements. 

“What the hell are you? And what the hell do you want?” Kira almost winces at the shakiness of her voice. But given the current situation, she’s not all that ashamed of her fear. It was clearly justifiable. 

The creature tilts its head slowly, hissing lowly. It crouches down on its haunches, putting it nearly at her height. It had been towering over her standing, easily two feet taller than she was. Despite its hulking size, it was bony and emaciated looking. She was no biology expert, but she wondered if it always looked like that, or if it was actually starving and looking for a meal. 

But if that were the case, it probably would have eaten her by now. It would have done so last night. Unless it was playing with her. 

The creature slowly puts its hand down on the floor, leaning its weight forward onto it slowly and deliberately. Its head doesn’t move, invisible eyes still on her as it shifts its body, its other hand following the same movement. Kira takes a half a step back, the creature pausing and hissing again at her. She’s still gripping the gun, knuckles white around it. She should just shoot it, attempt to kill it before it gets a chance to kill her. Her heart is hammering in her chest, hands shaking so much she’s not sure she could hit it even this close to her. 

The creature begins to move again, slowly crawling towards her. The distance between them gets smaller and smaller, the creature starting to drip drool all over her floor. Kira’s stomach flutters in fear, her finger attempting to find the trigger. 

It all happens very quickly: the explosion from the shotgun, Kira’s adrenaline forcing her to turn and run, the air leaving her lungs as she’s slammed down on the hardwood of her living room floor. Her vision goes white for a moment, heavy weight on her back making it harder to breathe. The shotgun has slid a few feet away, nearly against the wall. A hand with too-long fingers touches her head, more sticky drool hitting the back of her neck. Kira feels tears burn her eyes, knowing her death must be imminent. 

The creature hisses angrily at her before it quiets, the hand sliding down her head and face until it’s on her shoulder. The weight on her back disappears, and she’s pulled rather unceremoniously off of her stomach and onto her side. Her back hits something hard and ribbed, bony limbs encasing her in. Its spiked tail curls in front of her, the knifelike end disappearing over her head. Was it...holding her? Was this how it would eat her? Absorb her into its body? 

Kira can’t help it, the strangeness of the whole situation plus the terror of not knowing what’s going to happen hitting her all at once. She begins to cry, hot tears spilling across her skin and pooling on the floor under her. Her lungs burn as she cries, sobs rocking her body. The creature doesn’t move except to rest its head on top of hers, making low hissing noises at her. 

********

Kira is alone when she wakes up. The sun is up, light coming in through the window. She’s sticky and feels sick to her stomach. Her face is tight from the tears she had cried last night and despite the sleep she’d gotten, which she can’t even recall falling asleep in the first place, she feels exhausted. Her back is sore and her chest, no doubt from being slammed on the floor by the alien. The throbbing in her head gets worse as she sits up, groaning slightly in protest of the movement. 

There’s no sign of the alien as she stumbles through the house, finding the ibuprofen and some water. The only sign that last night had been real was the shattered back door and the hole in the wall from where she’d missed the shot. She grabs a broom and a dustpan, cleaning up the glass before going out to the barn to find the tarp to tape over the missing glass until she could get it replaced. 

She’s in the process of filling the bullet hole when there’s a knock on her door. She nearly jumps out of her skin, half expecting to see the alien outside her front window. But that would be ridiculous. She opens the door, surprised to see two men in suits standing on her front porch. 

“Kira Matthews?” One of them asks. Kira nods in response. “I’m Agent Jameson, this is Agent Hitchcock. We’re investigating the explosion that happened the night before last. We were wondering if we could ask you some questions.” 

Kira hesitates before nodding. “Sure. Come in.” 

She moves out of the doorway, letting the two agents into her house. She guides them to sit on the couch in the living room, taking the old rocking chair across from them. She hopes they don’t notice the tarp over the back door. No doubt it would raise some questions. 

“Ms. Matthews, you live here by yourself?” Agent Jameson asks her.

Kira nods. “Yes. I prefer the quiet and the isolation.” 

“Where were you on the night of March 24th around 3:20 in the morning?” 

“I was in bed, upstairs, asleep. The explosion woke me up.” 

“You didn’t report it?” 

“My cell phone service was down and the power was out.” 

Agent Jameson nods, writing everything down. “What did you do after the explosion woke you?” 

“I went outside to look at the fire, made sure it wasn’t too close to the house.” 

“And then?” 

“I stayed up and watched it. Made sure I didn’t need to get out of here in a hurry.” 

“Ms. Matthews, did you notice anything strange that night, anything out of the ordinary.” 

Now was her chance. Now was her chance to bring up the strange creature that had been in her yard, that had broken into her house. But would they believe her? Would they shrug her off as being some kook who lives out in the woods alone? 

Kira shakes her head. “No. I mean, outside of the explosion, no.” 

Agent Hitchcock stands up, looking at the photos on the walls. They had been there since Kira was a little girl, pictures of her with her parents, from a different time in her life. 

“My parents.” She says, answering the question hanging in the air. “My dad moved into town not long after my mom died. He couldn’t take being around so many reminders of her, so he bought a place in town and I stayed out here.” 

“I’m sorry for your loss.” Agent Hitchcock says.  

“It was a while ago.” 

“You’re sure you didn’t see or hear anything strange?” Agent Jameson asks her again. 

Kira shakes her head. “Nothing. I was outside on my porch all night. There was...” Kira swallows, her heart racing. She could do it. She could tell them. Get them to hunt it down, kill it before it killed her. “Two deer that ran through, but that’s not that unusual for out here.” 

Why couldn’t she do it? Why couldn’t she tell them about the alien? They obviously expected her to say something strange, something about some creature that obviously wasn’t from earth that probably crash landed in the spaceship that caused the explosion and the fire that found its way to her yard and to her and now wouldn’t leave her alone. 

“Right.” Agent Jameson says, closing his notepad. 

“What happened back here?” Agent Hitchcock asks. He was standing in front of the tarped back door. 

She could tell them. She could tell them an alien broke through her window to get to her. 

“Oh, some local kids played a prank last night. Not a lot happens in this town. Sometimes they come out here and vandalize the houses in the woods.” 

“Did you report it to the police?” 

Kira shakes her head. “No. What can they do? I have no proof it was them.” 

“No security system?” 

Kira shakes her head again. “No. Like I said, it’s quiet out here. Things like that don’t happen very often. Usually it’s the empty vacation houses they hit.” 

Kira’s heart is nearly pounding out of her chest. Why can’t she just say it? Why is she protecting an alien that most likely wants to consume her in the near future? 

Agent Jameson stands up from the couch. “Thank you for your time, Ms. Matthews.” He pulls a card from his pocket as his partner joins him. “If you see or hear anything, please give us a call.” 

Kira takes the card, nodding. The agents show themselves out, Kira watching the SUV back out of her driveway and head down the road, no doubt going to the next house down the road to ask the same questions. Kira lets out the breath she didn’t know she was holding. Why hadn’t she been able to tell them? Why had the words stuck in her throat? She had just protected an alien that was very capable of killing and eating her. 

A laugh bursts through her lips, loud and manic sounding. There was an alien somewhere in the near vicinity that had made contact with her twice and no doubt was playing with her before it ate her and had broken her window and she had just lied to the Feds about it all. She laughs harder, falling to her knees as tears stream from her eyes. The whole situation was completely crazy. There really was an alien out there, an alien that had for some reason taken a liking to her. An alien that had, for some reason, decided she was going to be its prey.

Part 3

[the-white-trash-wheelborrow]

C-man Episode #01

C-MAN

Chapter One

C-man is the self proclaimed hero of the story. C-man was once an average individual like you and I, well almost. C-man was Clyde Atkings, a simple, tall obese man, who lived with his mother. Clyde eventually had to get a job at age 27 after his mother died and her social security ran out. Clyde was now a slick, in his mind, venetian blind salesman. His very bad temper and poor peoples skills helped him sell no blinds at all. After three years Clyde was in debt having sold nothing and was in need of escape. Escape for him was to throw himself in the path of an oncoming vehicle, a chemical truck. This truck was carrying very foul liquids on this day. After slamming into Clyde the truck veered off the road and tipped, pouring the toxins all over his mangled body. In a month Clyde was out of the hospital and as good as new, the chemicals had hastened his recovery. Although, Clyde had lost all grip on reality, and his IQ dropped 1/3, he has three times his original strength. Clyde thought for sure this was a blessing from Jesus himself, he vowed he would do good. Clyde was now C-man, short for Chemical man. C was easier to have printed on a T shirt. C-man found an apartment in his price range, a shed. C-man also found a sidekick Smart Bob. Smart bob is a 5’ 5” tall 95lbs little man. Smart Bob, whose real name is Robert Thimple, was found by C-man in a dumpster behind Burger King. Smart Bob was a former math teacher who lost everything after becoming addicted to sniffing super glue. C-man hoped Smart Bob could be the brains of the operation.

Volume #1

(C-man)

(C-MAN HAS JUST GOTTEN EVERYTHING SET UP THAT HE THINKS HE WILL NEED FOR THE FIGHTING OF CRIME. C-MAN HAS WHAT HE REFERS TO AS “HIS CRIME FIGHTING

HEADQUARTERS”, WHICH IS A SMALL TIN SHED ON A SMALL PIECE OF LAND IN A RUN DOWN PART OF TOWN. THIS IS ALSO WHERE HE LIVES. C-MAN HAS RAN AN AD IN THE PAPER TELLING OF HIS CRIME FIGHTING SERVICES. C-MAN AND HIS NEW, TRUSTY, SIDEKICK ARE SITTING BY THE PHONE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO CALL)

C-MAN- this is great, I’m so excited, any minute now someone will call in need of our help

(FIVE HOURS LATER C-MAN IS STILL STARING AT THE PHONE. SMART BOB IS READING THE PAPER. C-MAN NOTICES SUPER GUY ON THE COVER PAGE OF THE PAPER AND YANKS IT AWAY FROM SMART BOB. SMART BOB TRIES TO TAKE THE PAPER BACK AND GETS BACKHANDED TO THE FLOOR)

C-MAN- who’s this silly bastard wearing the goofy clothing?

(SMART BOB PICKS HIMSELF UP OFF THE FLOOR AND SITS BACK IN HIS CHAIR)

SMART BOB- you’re not exactly color coordinated yourself.

(C-MAN LOOKS AT HIMSELF, HE IS WEARING ORANGE SHORTS, A CHEAP LOOKING T SHIRT THAT SAYS C-MAN ON IT, A CAPE MADE OUT OF A BED SHEET AND HIKING BOOTS, HE THEN LOOKS AT SMART BOB, HE IS DRESSED NORMAL EXCEPT HE IS WEARING A CHEAP T SHIRT THAT SAYS SB REAL BIG ON IT)

C-MAN- do you want to get more practice picking yourself up off the floor?

SMART BOB- no.

C-MAN- answer the fucking question then, geek.

SMART BOB- the guy in the paper is Super Guy.

C-MAN- I’ll just read this article and see what all the fuss is about.

SMART BOB- either that or wait till they come out with newspapers on cassette.

C-MAN- WATCH YOUR MOUTH!

(C-MAN TAKES SOME TIME TO READ THE ARTICLE)

C-MAN- DAMN HIM, with him always saving children from burning buildings and protecting old people from muggers. Nobodies going to need me! This guy is hard to beat, what makes him so popular, what’s he got that I haven’t got?

SMART BOB- well for starters, I doubt he lives in a tin shed.

C-MAN- Hey, it keeps the rain off your head... if you know where to stand, and besides, this is only temporary. What else makes him so special?

SMART BOB- He also has a cool car.

C-MAN- I have a car.

SMART BOB- It’s a pea green, 4 door, Rambler, and it smokes like hell. If you stopped driving it the pollution level in this city would go down 5%.

C-MAN- It just needs a tune up.

SMART BOB- It needs rings, a head gasket, a new transmission, a new body, new brakes. The door latches fixed, the three windows put back on track....

C-MAN- SHUT UP! I like that car, it was my grandma’s car. She gave it to me after she died.

SMART BOB- Did she choke to death in it?

C-MAN- I’m not going to warn you again, watch what you say. Lets get back to our problem. How are we going to beat Super Guy’s popularity?

SMART BOB- There’s no way we can compete, not with him around.

C-MAN- Oh, that settles it, that only leaves us one choice, we’ll just have to kill him.

SMART BOB- WHAT? Nobody has been able to hurt him. How are we going to stop him? The only thing that even affects him is aluminum.

C-MAN- I think you just answered you own question.

(THE NEXT DAY)

(SMART BOB IS DOWN TOWN STANDING ON THE SIDEWALK FACING A BUILDING. SUPER GUY FLIES UP AND LANDS BESIDE HIM)

SUPER GUY- Pardon me kind citizen. I couldn’t help noticing you urinating on the side of this public building. Could you explain yourself?

SMART BOB- Ya’, ugh sorry, I have a bladder control problem and I didn’t know where the nearest public restroom was.

SUPER GUY- An honest mistake, let me point one out to you, for future reference.

(SUPER GUY TURNS HIS BACK TO SMART BOB TO POINT OUT A NEARBY RESTROOM. AS SOON AS HE DOES C-MAN RUNS UP AND CLUBS SUPER GUY OVER THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH A PIECE OF ALUMINUM SIDING. AFTER SUPER GUY COLLAPSES C-MAN CONTINUES TO BEAT HIM UNTIL HE IS SURE THAT SUPER GUY IS DEAD)

C-MAN- That solved that.

(SMART BOB WIPES BLOOD OFF THAT WAS SPLATTERED ON HIS FACE WHILE SUPER GUY WAS BEING SAVAGELY BEATEN BY C-MAN)

SMART BOB- I just help you beat someone to death, I feel dirty.

(C-MAN PUTS HIS ARM AROUND SMART BOB’S SHOULDERS)

C-MAN- Come on... I’ll buy you some ice cream.

(SMART BOB’S EYES LIGHT UP)

SMART BOB- What about a Sunday?

C-MAN- I don’t have that kind of money. Check Super Guy’s pockets it may be his treat.

(SMART BOB CHECKS AND FINDS A TWENTY)

SMART BOB- Look, look, a twenty! Just like the rich people carry!

C-MAN- Well wipe all the blood off of it and lets go!

(THEY RUN OFF)

(A WEEK LATER)

(C-MAN HAS RAN A MUCH LARGER AD. THEY ARE WAITING BY THE PHONE WITH HIGHER HOPES. THE PHONE RINGS AND C-MAN QUICKLY ANSWERS IT.)

C-MAN- Ya’, ya’, okay.

(C-MAN HANGS UP THE PHONE)

SMART BOB- What was it?

C-MAN- It sounded like an old woman. She has a cat stuck in a tree again and the fire department is tired of going down there. This looks like a job for C-MAN!

(AT A RETIREMENT HOUSING AREA)

(A 90 YEAR OLD WOMAN IS STANDING OUT BY A TREE, LOOKING UP WORRIEDLY. C-MAN AND SMART BOB COME UP)

C-MAN- DO NOT FEAR C-MAN IS HERE!

OLD LADY- What did you say... you’re a queer?

(C-MAN BRINGS HIS FIST BACK GETTING READY TO KNOCK THE OLD LADY OUT. SMART BOB GRABS HIS FIST.)

SMART BOB- She probably can’t hear.

OLD LADY- What about deer?

C-MAN- This is already pissing me off.

SMART BOB- I SAID, YOU PROBABLY CAN’T HEAR!

OLD LADY- What?

(C-MAN POINTS UP TO THE TOP OF THE TREE. THE TREE IS FLIMSY AND ABOUT FIFTEEN FEET TALL)

C-MAN- YOUR CAT STUCK UP THERE?

OLD LADY- Of course not, my cat is stuck up there.

(THE OLD LADY POINTS TO THE EXACT SAME, TREE C-MAN LOOKS AT SMART BOB)

C-MAN- You should have let me punch here. She’s fucking with me.

OLD LADY- Could you get my kitty, I’ll pay whatever you want.

C-MAN- Okay, Smart Bob climb that tree and get the cat.

(SMART BOB STARTS TO CLIMB UP AND FALLS BACK DOWN AND THEN JUST LAYS THERE)

SMART BOB- I can’t move. It hurts.

C-MAN- I guess I’ll just have to do this myself.

(C-MAN CLIMBS ALMOST TO THE TOP OF THE TREE AND CAN ALMOST REACH THE CAT. THE TREE STARTS TO LEAN, IT BOWS OVER UNTIL IT SLAMS C-MAN’S BACK TO THE GROUND. C-MAN STILL HAS HOLD OF THE TREE AND IS TRYING TO GET THE CAT TO JUMP DOWN TO THE GROUND.)

C-MAN- Here kitty, come here.

(C-MAN LOOSES HIS GRIP ON THE TREE JUST AS THE CAT WAS READY TO JUMP OFF. THE TREE SPRINGS BACK UP TO IT’S ORIGINAL UPRIGHT POSITION AND CATAPULTS THE CAT ABOUT 500 FT AWAY. )

C-MAN- SHIT!

OLD WOMAN- Is there a problem, sonny?

C-MAN- NO! No problem at all. As soon as your cat calms down I’ll hand it back to you, I’ll be right back.

(C-MAN RUNS OVER TO HIS RAMBLER AND TAKES OUT A FUZZY THROW PILLOW THAT HAS BEEN IN THERE SINCE JUNE OF 1972. C-MAN TAKES THE PILLOW BACK OVER, PETTING IT. HE THEN HANDS IT TO THE OLD WOMAN.)

C-MAN- Here you go mam. That will be $200, Smart Bob, get up.

OLD WOMAN- Shhh, I think kitty is taking a nap.

(THE NEXT DAY)

( C-MAN AND SMART BOB ARE BACK IN THE C-SHED. SMART BOB IS WORKING ON SOME KIND OF NEW INVENTION TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR CRIME FIGHTING NEEDS. C-MAN IS LOOKING THROUGH THE PAPER AND POUTING)

C-MAN- I can’t believe that old woman only had $100.

SMART BOB- She offered us sex.

C-MAN- Ya’, and you were going to take her up on the offer too. You sick bastard.

SMART BOB- What?

C-MAN- She had to have had more money than that. She probably had $500 worth of medication in her purse. I should have took it and kept it until I got my other $100.

(C-MAN LOOKS BACK AT THE PAPER, FINDS SOMETHING HE DOESN’T LIKE AND SLAMS IT DOWN ON THE SMALL TABLE)

C-MAN- LOOK AT THIS PAPER!

SMART BOB- I’m busy, I’ll look at it later.

(C-MAN WALKS OVER TO WHERE SMART BOB IS, GRABS HIM BY THE HAIR, DRAGS HIM OVER, AND SLAMS HIS FACE DOWN ON THE TABLE WHERE THE PAPER IS)

C-MAN- Could you please look at the paper?

(SMART BOB ANSWERS IN A MUFFLED VOICE BECAUSE HIS FACE IS BEING PRESSED AGAINST THE TABLE)

SMART BOB- Yes.

C-MAN- Was that hard?

(C-MAN LETS GO OF SMART BOB’S HEAD, SMART BOB DROPS TO THE FLOOR)

C-MAN- Sid you see what it said?

SMART BOB- I missed that.

C-MAN- It says new super hero wanna be calling himself C-man swindled an old woman out of $100 dollars. If I find the bastard who wrote this he’s getting shot in the face’

(LATER THAT DAY)

(C-MAN IS SITTING AT THE TABLE STARING AT THE CEILING. SMART BOB IS STILL WORKING ON SOMETHING. THE PHONE RINGS AND SMART BOB ANSWERS IT)

SMART BOB- Yes, yes, I’ll tell him... bye.

C-MAN- Who was it, was it the police chief thanking me for my help saving the kitty?

SMART BOB- No, actually it was the neighbors next door. They want you stop going out and getting the paper naked.

C-MAN- Those bastards, I can’t do anything right by them!

(C-MAN RUNS OVER TO THE WINDOW, BREAKS OUT THE GLASS AND UNLOADS HIS 9MM AT RANDOM AT THE NEIGHBOR’S HOUSE. A WOMAN SCREAMS BACK FROM OUTSIDE)

WOMAN- YOU SHOT MY DOG IN THE REAR END!

(C-MAN YELLS BACK)

C-MAN- I THOUGHT I WAS SHOOTING YOU IN THE FACE, I GUESS I GOT CONFUSED!

(WOMAN YELLS BACK)

WOMAN- JUST WAIT TILL MY HUSBAND COMES HOME!

C-MAN- I’LL SHOOT THAT FUCKER TOO!

(C-MAN TRIES TO SHOOT AT HER MORE BUT HE IS OUT OF BULLETS. HE IS SO MAD HE IS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY)

SMART BOB- Would you like some oatmeal?

C-MAN- FUCK YOU TOO!

(C-MAN TIPS THE TABLE OVER, GOES TO THE CORNER OF THE C-SHED, SITS DOWN, AND CRIES. SMART BOB TURNS THE SCANNER UP AND HEARS SOMETHING ABOUT VENDING MACHINES BEING BROKEN INTO AT THE SUPER OVERSIZED SUPER MARKET. C-MAN HEARS IT TOO, HE WIPES THE TEARS FROM HIS EYES AND JUMPS UP)

C-MAN- Smart Bob, to the C-mobile.

(C-MAN AND SMART BOB ARE DRIVING AROUND THE LARGE PARKING LOT OF THE SUPER OVERSIZED SUPER MARKET. THEY ARE CRUISING PAST THE LARGE ROWS OF VENDING MACHINES TRYING TO FIND THE THIEF. SMART BOB SPOTS HIM UP AHEAD BREAKING THE LOCK ON A MACHINE)

SMART BOB- THERE HE IS!

(C-MAN TRIES TO STOP, FORGETTING THE BRAKES ARE OUT, THE CAR SQUEAKS AND COASTS PAST THE THIEF. THE THIEF WATCHES THE CAR COAST PAST AND THEN GOES BACK TO HIS WORK. THE C-MOBILE COASTS UNTIL IT SLAMS INTO A COUPLE PARKED CARS. C-MAN AND SMART BOB HAVE TO CRAWL OUT OF THE BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BECAUSE ALL OF THE DOOR LATCHES ARE BROKE AND IT’S THE ONLY WINDOW THAT WILL ROLL DOWN. THEY THEN WALK OVER TO THE THIEF)

C-MAN- HALT, lawbreaker!

THIEF- Kiss my ass, chunky.

(C-MAN PULLS HIS GUN OUT AND SHOOTS THE THIEF IN THE LEG. HE DROPS AND STOLEN CHANGE FLIES EVERYWHERE)

C-MAN- Why do people always have to make fun of my weight?

SMART BOB- I think our work here is done.

(A MAN IN A BASEBALL UNIFORM RUNS UP HOLDING A BAT)

B-BAT MAN- Never fear, baseball bat man is here. I heard the shooting, I thought I could be some help.

C-MAN- Smart Bob, who’s this freak?

SMART BOB- He’s a crime fighter from New York. He’s good. I heard he’s here to take Super Guy’s place

(C-MAN QUICKLY PUTS HIS GUN TO B-BAT MAN’S HEAD AND MAKES HIM GET IN THE TRUNK OF THE RAMBLER AND CLOSES IT. B-BAT MAN YELLS FROM THE TRUNK)

B-BAT MAN- YOU’RE JUST AFRAID I’LL KICK YOUR FAT, BLOATED, ASS!

(C-MAN TAKES HIS GUN OUT UNLOADS HIS GUN AT THE TRUNK. SMART BOB RUNS AND DIVES FEARING A BULLETS WILL HIT THE GAS TANK.)

SMART BOB- You killed him.

C-MAN- He pissed me off.

SMART BOB- Oh, that will stand up in court.

(C-MAN WALKS OVER TO THE THIEF WHO IS NOW LAYING THERE, SCARED AND BLEEDING)

C-MAN- When they ask you who stopped you tell them C-man. Okay?

THIEF- Ya, ya, whatever you say.

(C-MAN AND SMART BOB CRAWL BACK IN THE RAMBLER AND PUTT AWAY)

(THE NEXT MORNING)

(SMART BOB IS WOKEN BY THE SOUND OF C-MAN WHISTLING HAPPILY OUT IN THE DRIVEWAY, BASICALLY THE YARD. SMART BOB GETS UP OUT OF THE RICKETY BUNK BED, AND WALKS OUTSIDE TO SEE WHAT’S GOING ON. HE SEES C-MAN IN A VERY GOOD MOOD WITH A LARGE ROLL OF DUCT TAPE, HE IS STANDING BY THE RAMBLER.)

C-MAN- Look what I just got.

(C-MAN POINTS TO THE GROUND)

SMART BOB- It’s a railroad tie.

C-MAN- No, look harder.

SMART BOB- I don’t know.

C-MAN- It’s a C-ram.

SMART BOB- Oh, what are you going to do with that?

C-MAN- What are you, stupid? Can’t you figure it out? I’m going to duct tape it to the hood of the C-mobile.

SMART BOB- And after that, what are you going to do?

C-MAN- Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to ram stuff with it.

SMART BOB- Are you serious? When we hit that squirrel last week I think we bent the frame.

C-MAN- Shut up and do something useful. Bring me some kool aid.

(SMART BOB WALKS BACK INSIDE AND GOES OVER TO THE SMALL CAMPER REFRIGERATOR. SMART BOB LOOKS IN)

SMART BOB- We’re out of kool aid.

(C-MAN IMMEDIATELY STOPS WHAT HE’S DOING AND RUNS INSIDE)

C-MAN- WHAT?

SMART BOB- You heard me, I said...

(C-MAN SHOVES SMART BOB OUT OF THE WAY, KNOCKING HIM TO THE FLOOR. C-MAN THEN PICKS THE REFRIGERATOR UP OVER HIS HEAD AND SHAKES EVERYTHING OUT OF IT. AFTER ALL THE STUFF THAT WAS IN THE SMALL REFRIGERATOR IS ON THE FLOOR C-MAN GETS DOWN ON HIS HANDS A KNEES AND SORTS THROUGH EVERYTHING)

C-MAN- SHIT! I NEED SOME KOOL AID!

SMART BOB- Don’t you think you’re being a little impulsive?

C-MAN- You’ll see impulsive when I strangle you to death from lack of kool aid.

SMART BOB- Okay, lets go to the store then.

C-MAN- I’ll finish the car up real quick.

(C-MAN TAPES THE RAILROAD TIE ON THE HOOD, THEN THEY CRAWL IN THE BACK WINDOW OF THE CAR AND PUTT AWAY. THE CAR SPINS A LITTLE IN THE GRASS WHEN IT IS LEAVING AND CMAN LOOKS OVER AT SMART BOB, WHO IS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE)

C-MAN- You like all that power, don’t you?

SMART BOB- Ya’, sure, whatever, just don’t hit me again.

C-MAN- If we see any wrong do’ers I’m going to cripple their cars with the... C-ram!

SMART BOB- You’re going to cripple us.

(SMART BOB STARTS PULLING ON THE SEAT BELT TO PUT IT ON, IT WON’T BUDGE)

C-MAN- Pussy.

(SMART BOB KEEPS TUGGING ON THE SEAT BELT HOPING IT WILL UNLOCK)

C-MAN- Did you see that?

SMART BOB- Did some cholesterol fall out of your ear?

C-MAN- That guy in that sporty looking Pinto just ran a stop sign.

SMART BOB- I can’t believe you used the words “sporty” and “Pinto” together.

C-MAN- It has racing stripes on it.

SMART BOB- Whoopty shit.

C-MAN- No matter, he broke the law.

SMART BOB- We’re breaking the law driving a car with no brakes.

C-MAN- HE BROKE THE LAW, I HAVE TO STOP HIM!

SMART BOB- Your face is going to have some breaks soon.

(C-MAN GETS BEHIND THE PINTO)

SMART BOB- What are you going to do?

C-MAN- I’m gonna’ ram him, then arrest him.

(SMART BOB JUMPS IN THE BACK SEAT AND HIDES IN THE FLOORBOARD)

C-MAN- This one is going to be hard to catch.

(SMART BOB LOOKS UP AT THE SPEEDOMETER FROM THE BACK)

SMART BOB- We’re only going 50 MPH.

C-MAN- I know, but he keeps pulling away, and I’ve got this hot rod floored.

(THE PINTO COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP AT AN INTERSECTION)

SMART BOB- SLOW DOWN!

(C-MAN TRIES TO SLOW DOWN BUT THE BRAKES DO NOTHING. THE C-MOBILE SLAMS INTO THE BACK OF THE PINTO. THIS CAUSES THE RAILROAD TIE THAT WAS TAPED THE HOOD TO GET SHOVED BACK THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD OF THE C-MOBILE, ALMOST DECAPITATING SMART BOB WHO DUCKED OUT OF THE WAY JUST IN TIME, AND THEN FLIES THROUGH THE BACK WINDOW. AFTER THAT IT HITS THE ROAD AND SKIPS A FEW TIMES BEFORE IT FINALLY STOPS. THIS DOESN’T EVEN STUN C-MAN, HE LEANS FORWARD THROUGH WHERE THE WINDSHIELD USED TO BE AND YELLS AT THE GUY IN FRONT OF HIM)

C-MAN- HALT LAWBREAKER!

GUY IN CAR- Leave me alone, freak!

C-MAN- HUH? I COULDN’T HEAR YOU EVER MY MOTOR KNOCKING!

GUY IN CAR- BACK OFF, OR I’LL SHOOT YOU WITH MY GAT!

C-MAN- Smart Bob, did he say something about his cat.? WHERE’S YOUR CAT?

GUY IN CAR- MY GAT’S IN MY GLOVE BOX!

C-MAN- WELL TAKE IT OUT, YOU SHIT HEAD! He’s going to kill that poor cat treating it like that.

(THE GUY IN THE PINTO PULLS HIS GUN OUT AND STARTS FIRING BACK AT C-MAN. BULLETS ARE WHISTLING PAST HIS HEAD.)

C-MAN- Two can play at this game.

(C-MAN PULLS HIS GUN AND STARTS FIRING AT THE PINTO. BOTH OF THE CARS ARE NOW FULL OF HOLES. THEY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME SEEING EACH OTHER WITH ALL OF THE STEAM THAT IS COMING FROM THE NOW BROKEN RADIATOR OF THE C-MOBILE. NEITHER MAN HAS MANAGED TO HIT THE OTHER.)

C-MAN- Those chemicals must have made me bullet proof, I don’t have any holes in me yet.

(SMART BOB YELLS FROM THE BACK FLOORBOARD.)

SMART BOB- THAT’S JUST BECAUSE HE KEEPS MISSING YOU, YOU STUPID ASS!

(THE GUY IN THE PINTO TAKES OFF. C-MAN PUTS THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, REVS IT UP, AND DUMPS IT IN GEAR. THE C-MOBILE GRINDS, JERKS FORWARD, AND SLOWLY TAKES OFF.)

C-MAN- WE WILL CATCH THAT LAW BREAKER!

(C-MAN IS CHASING THE PINTO. THEY ARE GOING A NECK BRAKING 35 MPH. THE RAMBLER IS GAINING ON THE PINTO.)

C-MAN- Yes, I smell victory!

(SMART BOB YELLS FROM THE BACK FLOORBOARD.)

SMART BOB- THAT’S ANTIFREEZE, YOU DUMBASS, THE RADIATORS BROKEN!

C-MAN- I knew that Pinto would be trouble. Do we have any more bullets? I’m out.

SMART BOB- NO!

C-MAN- Look, there’s a Marijuana plant in the back of that car.

(SMART BOB LEANS UP FROM THE BACK FLOORBOARD AND LOOKS.)

SMART BOB- That’s a fern, jack ass.

C-MAN- I’ve got to stop this guy.

SMART BOB- Why, so he don’t run anymore stop signs?

(C-MAN FLOORS THE C-MOBILE AND CREEPS UP BESIDE THE PINTO. ONCE HE GETS BESIDE THE PINTO C-MAN SWERVES OVER AND RAMS THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. THE PINTO SKIDS OUT OF CONTROL, HITS A PARKED GAS TRUCK, AND BLOWS UP.)

C-MAN- TAKE THAT, that’s one less nut on the street!

(THE HOOD ON THE C-MOBILE POPS OPEN. C-MAN LOSES CONTROL, RUNS OFF THE ROAD, HITS A FIRE HYDRANT AND CAUSES THE CAR TO FLIP 15 TIMES. THE C-MOBILE IS NOW RESTING ON ITS TOP. C-MAN AND SMART BOB ARE LAYING ON THE CEILING OF THE CAR IN A MAULED HEAP.)

SMART BOB- I think I broke my neck.

C-MAN- I think I ripped my cape.

SMART BOB- YOUR CAPE? NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOUR GODDAMNED CAPE, I THINK I BROKE SOMETHING IMPORTANT! I CAN’T FEEL THREE OF MY TOES, I REALLY DON’T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOUR CAPE!

C-MAN- Can you fix it, though?

SMART BOB- I don’t fucking know! My neck is at such an odd angle right now I’m practically staring at my ass hole. We better crawl out of here before it catches on fire.

C-MAN- Relax, I’ve been driving on E since last Tuesday.

(THEY DRAG THEMSELVES OUT OF THE CAR AND LIMP AWAY.)

C-MAN- I think we’re going to have to have the c-mobile towed back home.

SMART BOB- I don’t know, maybe if we get it back on it’s wheels...

(THE CAR BURSTS INTO FLAMES.)

SMART BOB- We could have done without that.

[strangerivy]

The Beginning - One

Summary: Kacy McCall, lived a boring normal teenage life. Just trying to survive high school with her twin brother Scott McCall but when their best friend Stiles Stilinski shows up dangling off there roof, that all changes. Warnings: Swearing Pairings: Stiles Stilinski x Original Character (Kacy) Genre: 18+ | Fluff Word Count: 5335 Author’s Note: Here we go! Please let me know what you think and I hope you guys enjoy it!

|| One | Two | Masterlist ||

Last day of summer, the eve of my first day of Sophomore year. I lazily flipped through my clothes in my closet trying to decide on what to wear for the first day while bouncing around to the music coming from my stereo. I could hear my brother in his room doing pull-ups in our conjoined bathroom. I stopped at a pale-yellow summer dress that had little white flowers all over it and ¾ selves that belled out with slits to the elbow. I pulled it out bring it over to the mirror hanging on my bathroom door holding it up against me. A soft creaking sound came from outside and I looked over at one of my windows.

I tossed the dress onto my bed before throwing the bathroom door open where Scott was finishing brushing his teeth. He looked at me confused before he could say something, another creak came from outside. He walked into his room grabbing his jacket and the bat that rested against the wall by his door.

“Scott! What are you doing?” I half yelled half-whispered quickly moving up behind him as he went out into the hallway. He raised his arm at me to tell me to be quiet. I huffed grabbing onto his jacket following him down the stairs and out onto the deck. I stood up straight letting go of his jacket when I noticed there was nothing out there.

“Must have be- OH MY GOD!” I screamed causing Scott and what appeared to be Stiles hanging upside down from the roof of our porch to also scream. I gripped my chest taking some deep breaths to calm myself down.

“Stiles! What the hell are you doing?” Scott yelled still holding the bat as if he was going to swing. I quickly went over to him grabbing the bat before setting it down.

“You guys didn’t answer your phones! Why do you have a bat?” Stiles asked in a panic, I reached in my pocket pulling out my phone to see 3 missed calls from Stiles.

“Huh, didn’t even hear it.” Stiles rolled his eyes at me before looking back at Scott waiting for an explanation from Scott.

“I thought you were a predator!” He said causing me to laugh softly.

“Wait? From the movie? Scott!” I said in disbelief laughing holding my stomach as I tried to process how my brother came to that conclusion.

“Okay guys, so I know its late, but you have to hear this.” Scott and I looked at each other questioning what the famous Stiles not-so-thought out plan was. I shrugged my shoulder before Scott turned to look at Stiles again. “I saw my Dad leave twenty minutes ago, dispatch said there bring in every officer from the Beacon Department and even the state police.”

I moved closer to them the news catching my curiosity. “For what?”

“Two joggers found a body in the woods.” He said nonchalantly rolling off the roof landing on his feet.

“A dead body?” Scott asked I smacked his chest and he looked at me confused.

“No, a body of water,” Stiles replied sarcastically “Yes, a dead body dumbass.” He climbed over the railing getting onto the porch, Scott and I backed up allowing him some room.

“You mean like a murder?” Scott asked getting more excited at the news.

“No one knows yet. Just that there was a girl probably in her twenties.” Stiles said a smile on his face. I crossed my arms at the pair knowing where this was headed. It was just last week Scott was bored complaining about how nothing happens in this town. He wasn’t wrong though. Nothing ever did happen. So, this. This was big.

“Hold on Stiles,” I said stepping into the conversation “If they have the body, then what are they looking for?” He grinned biting his lip in excitement.

“That’s the best part,” He said shifting on his feet, “They only found half,”

“Oh no,” I mumbled, Stiles, grabbed each of our shoulders giving them a squeeze.

“We’re going,” I sighed going into the house grabbing my vans putting them on meeting the boys back at Stiles Jeep. We drove out to the Beacon Hills preserve parking the Jeep right at the chain stopping us from going any further. We got out and I pulled my jacket around my chest. It was cold out.

“We seriously doing this?” Scott asked I rubbed my hands together blowing warm air into them.

“Not like Stiles would have given us a choice,” I said walking up beside him. Stiles smiled over at me with a cheeky grin giving me a wink.

“You know me so well Kacy,” I shrugged with a knowing grin. Scott, Stiles and I had been best friends for years. It was always the three of us, we never did anything without the other two. Even if it meant getting into trouble, like this adventure for example.

“I was trying to get a good night's sleep before practice tomorrow,” Scott said as we walked past the gate into the woods.

“Right, cause sitting on the bench is such an effort,” Stiles said walking us deeper into the woods, I looked around trying to figure out where we were, it was quiet out the only noise were the leaves crunching under our feet and the soft hum of crickets.

“I’m playing this year,” Scott announced hands in his pockets “In fact, I’m making first line.”

“Hey! That’s the spirit,” Stile joked looking back at us, “even a pathetically realistic one,” He turned around continuing, we started walking over fallen trees and I had to practically jog to keep up with them.

“So just out of curiosity, what half of the body are we looking for?” I asked catching myself on a tree trunk as I stumbled over a branch. Stiles paused briefly.

“Huh, I didn’t even think about that,” I shook my head looking at Scott who chuckled.

“And uh, what if whatever killed the body is still out here?” Scott asked with a cheeky grin, I elbowed him gently and he did it back making us both laugh softly knowing Stiles did not think this through. At all.

“Also did think about that,”

“Stiles if I die out here, I swear,” I muttered only causing him to laugh as we climbed up a small steep hill, Scott was starting to breathe heavy, I climbed faster to catch up to him reaching in his coat pocket grabbing his inhaler holding it out for him. He stopped leaning up against a tree, shaking the inhaler before taking a puff from it. We finished walking up the hill laying down on the ground as we saw more flashlights ahead of us. Stiles turned the flashlight off before getting up and running in a random direction.

“Stiles!” Scott and I both yelled in unison running after him.

“Wait up!” Scott yelled as Stiles jumped over some roots running further into the woods trying to stay out of sight of the flashlights.

“Stiles,” I angerly yelled quietly trying to keep up and not trip. Suddenly Stiles stopped and that’s when I saw Sheriff Stilinski, Stiles dad. I quickly got behind a tree trying to stay out of sight. I looked around the tree to see if I could get a glimpse of Scott and I couldn’t find him. I heard one of the search dogs start barking and an officer start yelling.

“Hang on! Hang on!” I hear Sheriff Stilinski say I peeked around the tree to see Stiles fumbling around on the ground trying to get up.

“This little delinquent belongs to me,” He said standing in front of Stiles. Stiles was holding his hand up from the lights that were shining right on him.

“Dad, how are you doing?” He asked out of breath

“So, you uh, listening to all my phone calls?” the Sheriff asked already knowing the answer.

“No! Well, not the boring ones.” Stiles admitted, Sheriff started looking around and I quickly moved back behind the tree hoping he didn’t see me.

“Where are your usual partner in crimes at?”

“Who Scott and Kacy? They're at home.” He lied trying to catch his breath “Scott said he wanted to get a good night's sleep for back at school tomorrow and you know, Kacy doesn’t go anywhere without Scott.” I frowned at that. That was so not true. I went to plenty of places without Scott. Like the bathroom. The Sheriff clearly didn’t believe him as he started shining the flashlight around.

“Scott, Kacy. You out there?” He yelled I stayed behind the tree trying to not move a muscle. It started to rain, and I could hear thunder off in the distance, I cursed under my breath looking up at the storm clouds blinking as the rain hit my face. The sheriff yelled our names one last time before turning his attention back to Stiles sighing deeply.

“Well young man, I’m going to walk you back to your car and we’re going to have a conversation about invasion of privacy.” I glanced around the tree seeing them starting to walk off. Once they were out of sight, I stepped out from the tree looking around to see if I could spot Scott. It was darker now and I could barely see anything in front of me, the only light now being the moon and that was hardly any help with the clouds.

“Scott?” I yelled quietly walking in a random direction. I could hear coyotes in the distance. I search around for him again and that’s when I heard what sounded like his inhaler and then a yell.

“Scott!” I yelled again running in the direction of the noise and then out of nowhere a herd of deer came running at me. I dropped to the ground covering my head as they frantically ran and jumped their way around me. I looked up as soon as they passed quickly getting myself up moving in the direction they came. I saw Scott lying on the ground and I quickly slide down kneeling next to him.

“Are you okay?” I asked helping him up, he nodded his head breathing deeply, he patted his pockets before pulling out his phone putting on the flashlight. I sighed knowing what had happened.

“You lost the inhaler, didn’t you?” I asked pulling out my own phone putting on the flashlight.

“Yeah, it’s somewhere around here,” he said looking around on the ground. I helped look around, I pushed some of the leaves trying to see if it had got buried in them.

“Any luck?” I shouted and when I didn’t get a response, I looked up noticing we had managed to walk away from each other. I groaned frustrated turning off my phone's flashlight before shoving it back in my pocket.

“Scott?” I whined walking back in the direction I thought I came and that’s when I heard a branch break. I stopped in my tracks, my heart was starting to race, and fear crept through my body. The hair on my arms standing up. Something started to run at me, and I screamed running back in the direction of Scott. I tripped over a branch falling face-first into the ground. I screamed as I felt something grab me and a sharp pain in my side. I managed to pull myself away from whatever it was and began running.

“Scott!” I screamed dodging through trees and that’s when I heard him yell. I ran in the direction of the scream and that’s when we almost collided into each other.

“Kacy!” He yelled grabbing my arms catching me before I fell, we heard a howl from what sounded like a wolf and looked at each panic rushing through us both before we took off, Scott not letting go of my hand. I gripped my side from the pain of whatever attacked me and that’s when I noticed Scott doing the same.

“You got attacked too? I yelled as we ran

“Yeah from some crazy looking wolf!” He yelled pulling me through the woods. We finally hit the road almost to be hit by a car that swerved out of the way just in time. I rest my hands on my knees trying to catch my breath. I looked up at Scott who lifted his shirt and there was what looked like a bite mark on his side. I looked at him confused as he walked over to me pulling me up straight lifting my shirt slightly noticing the same bite mark on my side as well.

“What the hell was that?” I asked looking at him, he shook his head.

“I have no idea.”

Scott and I parked our bikes at one of the bike racks chaining them up. Jackson pulled up in the parking spot next to us looking over at us giving a very smug look before opening his door hitting Scott with it.

“Dude watch the paint job,” He said before walking over to his posy. I rolled my eyes adjusting my backpack on my shoulders.

“He’s such a douche,” I muttered loud enough for only Scott to hear making Scott scoff with a small smirk as we start walking up to the school.

“Yeah but he’s team captain so there isn’t much I can do.” He said giving a small shrug. I rolled my eyes.

“That doesn’t mean you can’t stick up for yourself,” I stated, Scott gave a small laugh shoving me gently. Stiles met up with us pulling us over to the side of the walkway.

“Alright let’s see this thing,” He rubbed his hands together looking at me and Scott. I crossed my arms looking down at my dress and then back up at Stiles who had a goofy smile on and wiggled his eyebrows me.

“Not a chance,” I said looking over at Scott. He sighed lifting his shirt to show the bandage he had on the bite.

“Woah!” Stiles jumped back a little from surprise, “You have one too?” he asked looking up at me with a hint of concern in his eye. I nodded my head frowning a little.

“It was too dark to see much, but we’re pretty sure it was a wolf,” Scott pulled his shirt back down adjusting his backpack back on to his shoulder.

“A wolf bit you guys?” he asked stunned we both nodded starting to walk up to the school doors.

“Yeah, I didn’t really see it, but Scott did.”

“No, not a chance.” I looked at him confused

“We heard a wolf howl last night Stiles,” I said a little frustrated he didn’t believe us. He gripped my shoulder giving it a gentle squeeze.

“No, you didn’t,” I groaned pushing his hand off my shoulder slightly annoyed

“You didn’t Kacy, because California doesn’t have wolves,” He stopped in front of us turning to face us, “Not in like sixty years guys,”

“Wolves migrate all the time Stiles,” I pointed out and he just shook his head at me with a cheeky grin. I jokingly pushed his face only making him smile more.

“Well if you don’t believe us about the wolf, you’re defiantly not going to believe me when I tell you, I found the body.” Stiles had what looked like a minor seizure from excitement and disbelief.

“Wait, are you kidding me?” He asked trying to hold back excitement making me laugh, it was like watching a child on Christmas morning.

“I wish, I’m going to have nightmares for a month.”

“That’s friggin awesome, I mean that’s seriously like the best thing that’s happened to this town,” Stiles face began to go all funny and I looked behind us to see Lydia Martin walking up the walkway. I sighed shaking my head. Stiles had had a crush on her since like the 3rd grade and it was almost sad because she paid no attention to him, to any of us really. “besides the birth of Lydia Martin, Hey Lydia,” She walked past us without a word, I shook my head again walking up to him patting him on the shoulder.

“Nice try bud, I gotta go,” I announced before walking into the school. I got to my locker opening it up putting my books in that I wouldn’t need. The bell signaling it was a minute till class start rang but it was loud, like really loud. I covered my ears scrunching my face up in discomfort until it stopped. I was breathing deeply from the panic looking around seeing no one was reacting the same way.

“What the hell?” I mumbled before closing the locker heading to my first class. I sat at a desk in the middle of the class when the bell rang again signaling it was time for class, and it was abnormally loud again. I looked around the class and no one seemed to notice. I shrugged it off pulling out my binder grabbing the syllabus off the desk going through it.

Class started and it was going on normally until I head a cell phone. I looked around and noticed no one going for there phone except it sounded like the ring came right next to me. I looked outside to see a girl sitting on a bench reach for her phone and pull it out. My eyes went wide releasing that that was the phone I had heard. I turned back to face the front trying to ignore the conversation that I shouldn’t possibly hear.

The day went on like this, the bell scaring the shit out of me and hurting my ears every time. When the final bell rang, I met up with Scott and Stiles at there lockers, giving Scott one of our looks telling him something was wrong. I went up and stood next to him.

“Scott,” I whispered as Stiles was talking to a girl right next to us. He didn’t hear me, I looked up to see he was staring at the girl who was on the bench outside earlier. She was new I didn’t recognize her from around here. I punched his shoulder hard enough to get his attention.

“What?” He asked loudly I raised my eyes at him in surprise. He sighed apologizing before we started walking towards the boy’s locker room for Stiles and Scott to get ready for lacrosse.

“Something is happening Scott,” I mutter quietly to him so Stiles wouldn’t hear.

“Not now Kac,” He said I gripped his shoulder before he walked into the locker room.

“Scott, I get you want to impress a girl but seriously,” I sighed a little upset that some girl was more important. He leaned in closer to me.

“We’ll talk about it after,” He said giving me a reassuring look, I sighed kicking the air nodding in defeat before turning to go sit on the bleachers to watch practice. I sat down on the bleachers next to the new girl who was chatting with Lydia next to her. I turned to her offering my hand out to her.

“Hi, my names Kacy,” I said introducing myself, she smiled reaching out shaking my hand

“Allison,” she responded back, she seemed nice enough, she was pretty. I could see why Scott had taking a liking to her so quickly.

“You’re new here?” I asked as the guys started walking out onto the field. The couch handed Scott the goalie stick. I tried to ignore the conversation between him and coach which was hard since I could hear it like I was standing right there.

“Yeah, I just moved here from San Francisco,” She said she was staring at Scott which forced a grin on my face. The guys lined up back from the goal to try taking shots. I felt a knot in my stomach, I really did want this to go well for Scott. He wanted to be first-line so bad that he practiced most of the summer, but his asthma always got the best of him.

“Who is that?” Allison asked Lydia next to her, I looked at where she was staring and noticed it was Scott still.

“Him?” Lydia responded motioning over to Scott. “Not sure who he is.”

“His name is Scott, Scott McCall,” I answer she turned to face me with a bright smile.

“Do you know him?” she asked, I could tell in the way she asked that she thought I might be something more.

“Yeah, he’s my brother,” I answered laughing a little at her enthusiasm and I felt her relax next to me.

“Are you older or younger?” she asked curiously

“Actually, we’re twins but if you asked him, he would say he’s older because he was born five minutes before me.” We both laughed and I looked back at Scott and I noticed that he was turning his head as if listening. I sucked in a breath when it accrued to me that he was also hearing things that he shouldn’t be.

“Scott,” I whispered staring at him to see if he reacted and he did his head perking up a little towards me. “Focus,” I said quietly enough for no one to hear me, he gave a small nod focusing back on the field. The coach blew the whistle and Scott gripped his head and it took everything in me to not do the same.  A ball came flying at him hitting him in the head knocking him back in the goal. I cringed when he fell as everyone laughed.

“Come on Scott!” I yelled clapping my hands, he quickly got back up shaking it off before getting back into stance. The next guy came running at him and I held my breath waiting for the impact again, but it didn’t come he caught it. I looked on stunned, he never caught them. Never. Stiles looked back up at me with what I imagine was the same expression I had.

“Yeah!” he said loudly but not too loud. The next guy started running after Scott and when he went to score, he caught it, again. I cheered clapping my hands getting excited for him. I stood up walking down from the bleachers to stand next to Stiles.

Scott kept catching them, not missing a single ball. Stiles was getting more excited each time now wrapping his arms around my shoulders while jumping with excitement making me laugh with him as I tried to stand steady and not fall over. I noticed Jackson moved to the start of the line. Clearly not amused with Scott's sudden talent.

“Oh no,” Stiles and I both said in unison, watching with anticipation to see if Scott could catch it. And when he caught it, Stiles and I both jumped raising our arms and cheering loudly for him. Scott looked up at the coach who was speechless. Which I have never seen before. That man always had something to say.

“That is my friend!” Stiles cheered a little over excitedly. Practice continued like this Scott catching everything that was thrown at him. 

After practice, we rode our bikes home and we got into Stiles jeep to head back to the woods to find the body again and hopefully Scotts inhaler.

“So, mind explaining what the hell was that?” Stiles asked still excited for the successful practice. We jumped down into a creak walking across it.

“Yeah, Scott. Mind telling him,” Stiles looked back at me confused noticing I was trying to get this conversation to go somewhere.

“I don’t know what it was, it was like I had all the time in the world to catch the ball,” Scott respond completely oblivious to what I had said. I groaned stopping the two of them by grabbing both there arms pulling them to a stop.

“Scott that’s not the only thing!” I said angrily shoving my finger in his chest.

“I was getting there!’ He said rubbing the spot I poked before turning to Stiles who was staring at us both very confused.

“What’s going on?” he asked

“That’s not the only weird thing going on Stiles,” I mumbled kicking the rocks as we turned to walk on.

“I can hear things that I shouldn’t be hearing, and I can smell things?” Scott continued, I nodded in agreement with him. I could tell Stiles wasn’t buying any of this and was skeptical about what we were saying.

“Smell things? Like what?”

“Like the gum in your pocket,” I answer reaching into it and pulling out the piece of gum.

“I don’t have any- oh.” He started until I interrupted him by pushing the gum piece into his face. “So, all this started with the bites?”

“What if it’s like an infection? Our bodies are flooded with adrenaline before we go into shock?” Scott asked growing worried by the thought

“I think we would be in the hospital by now Scott, or dead because mom would have killed us!” This made Stiles laugh.

“You know, I think I’ve actually heard of this, it’s something specific.” Stiles said and we both stopped waiting for him to continue, “I think it’s called lycanthropy” I punched him in the shoulder, and he gripped onto it laughing at us.

“I hate you,” I mumbled walking on ahead of them searching the ground for the inhaler.

“You love me!” He shouted at me and waved him off.  

“What? Is it something serious?” Scott asked innocently, oblivious to Stiles joke.

“Scott!” I yelled in disbelief waiting for them to catch up. “He’s talking about werewolves, you know? Full moons and whatnot.” I raised my hands like claws and went to play bite him causing him to laugh and swat me away, Scott turned and shoved Stiles jokingly.

“I’m serious, Stiles. Something could be wrong with us.” Scott was worried I could tell by the way he was walking like he wasn’t really paying attention to what was around him, his brain going a mile a minute. Scott stopped and looked around.

“I swear this was it, I saw the body and the deer came running and I dropped my inhaler.” He kneeled down pushing some of the leaves trying to spot the inhaler. I sighed looking around.

“You know I really hope we find that inhaler those are like- “

“Eighty bucks, I know Kac” He sighed frustrated I turned and jumped back seeing a guy staring back at us. Stiles tapped Scott's shoulder and Scott stood up looking where we were. The guy walked closer to us but stopped a few yards away.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, something about him made me uncomfortable. I walked closer to the guys grabbing Stiles's arm. He reached up with his other hand grabbing onto my hand squeezing it reassuringly. “This is private property.” The guy said when we didn’t respond back to him.

“Uh, sorry man we didn’t know,” Stiles finally said pulling me gently behind him.

“We were just looking for something but,” Scott trailed off not taking his eyes off the guy, he looked familiar like I had seen his picture or him around town before, but I couldn’t place it. “Forget it,”

The guy took his hand out of his pocket tossing something to Scott and he caught it.  I looked at his hand noticing the inhaler looking back at the guy confused. He turned and started walking back off into the woods.

“Come on, I got to get to work,” Scott said quietly turning to leave before Stiles stopped him.

“Dude that was Derek Hale!” he said and that’s when I recognized him.

“Oh god, that poor guy,” I said still staring at the guy before he walked out of sight. Scott looked between Stiles and I confused. “He lost like his entire family in that fire.”

“You remember right? He’s only like, a few years older than us.” Stiles said but Scott clearly didn’t remember yet.

“They all burned to death in a fire about ten years ago,” I said looking back out into the woods of where he had walked off.

“I wonder what he’s doing back?” Scott asked and Stiles scoffed as we turned to walk back to the Jeep. Stiles dropped Scott off at work and then started heading towards my house to drop me off.

“You gonna show me that bite?” he asked jokingly knowing well I was still in my dress I shoved his shoulder with a smile.

“Not gonna happen, Stiles,” I smirked looking over at him. We pulled up to my house and I opened the door stepping out.

“Hey, Kac!” I turned around giving Stiles a questioning look. He put the Jeep in park and got out walking up to me.

“Show me the bite,” he said hand in his jacket pockets. I sighed throwing my head back groaning. He was so persistent sometimes. It drove me insane but was also a good thing. Sometimes it was his persistence that would get me to talk when I was upset.

“Fine,” I said motioning for him to follow me into the house. I walked up the stairs of the house and up to my room closing the door behind Stiles he went and plopped down on my bed staring at me. I motioned with my finger for him to turn around, he groaned turning around on the bed to face away from me.

“You know, I’ve known you for years its nothing I haven’t seen before.” He said making me laughing looking over at him making sure he was still facing away from me. I unzipped the dress letting it fall to the floor.

“We were ten Stiles and believe it or not, a lot has changed since then,” I pointed out making him scoff. I walked over to my dresser pulling out some sweats and a baggy t-shirt putting them on.

“What is it? The boobs? I like boobs Kac,” I could tell by the way he was saying it he had a smile on his face. I turned to face him and walked up to him tapping him on the shoulder. He turned back around with a cheeky grin and I shoved his shoulder sitting next to him on the bed. I lifted my shirt just enough to reveal the bandage Scott had put on the night before. Stiles peeled it off slowly and when he got it off, he looked up at me confused.

“There’s nothing there,” He said, my eyes went wide, and I looked down and he was right. It was gone completely healed.

“That’s impossible,” I whispered touching the skin where the bite was, “Stiles,” I panicked looking up at him. He stood up grabbing his bag.

“Stiles?” I questioned grabbing his elbow stopping him. He turned to face me, and I sucked in a breath. We were only inches apart. Stiles and I, ever since we were teens have had a more intimate connection but nothing worth worrying about. I always shoved it off as hormones and puberty. At least try to that is.

“I have to go look up some things,” and with that, he left. I got up going over to my mirror examining the spot rubbing my hand over it a few times to make sure it was real. I shoved it off going over to my backpack grabbing out all the syllabuses for my class taking them down to the kitchen table for my mom to sign. I looked outside noticing it was getting dark.

I went back upstairs closing my door and the bathroom door taking out my iPod putting in some headphones. I laid back on my bed and sighed deeply. Today had been weird and kind of exhausting. I must have dozed off but when I woke up it wasn’t the sound of my alarm or the sound of Scott's alarm that woke me up. It was birds.

|| Next ||

[marshmallow-phd]

Secret in His Eyes

Spinoff of Sins of the Father

Genre: Mafia Au

Pairing: Luhan x Reader

Summary: A vacation exploring China’s famous city was supposed to be relaxing. When you witness a horrifying murder, you instead find yourself in police custody, unable to run. Trying to stay alive, you meet Luhan, and you believe you can trust him. You never imagined that he might be the one you should be running from.

Part: Prologue I 1 I 2 I 3 I 4 I 5 I 6 I 7 I 8 I 9 I 10 I 11 I 12 I Final

**

The fact that you woke up at all was a miracle in your eyes. Despite the heavy feeling in your head and the ache that was currently plaguing your shoulders, you were thankful to be alive. That still gave you a chance to get back home. If you survived this next phase, that is. 

Pushing yourself up to a sitting position, you rubbed your temples with your fingers in a hope to sooth the oncoming headache before taking in your surroundings. Rather than the moldy dungeon you would have expected, you’d been dumped into a modestly decorated room. It was nothing too grand, but certainly a step up from the negative star motel the police had you holed up in. 

Nothing around you gave away where that mysterious man might have brought you nor did you understand what he wanted. Obviously, word about you witnessing the murder had gotten out. But if he was the killer and wanted you gone, why didn’t he just kill you at the motel? That would have much simpler and less of a hassle than dragging you here. 

Unless he wanted to take his time with you; have some fun while he could. 

You needed to get out of here now. 

Scrambling off the bed, you fell down to the hardwood floor. The impact sent a shock to your knees. You groaned at the pain, but you couldn’t stop to nurse your poor joints; you needed to keep going. Every second counted. 

The exit on the other side of the room was a simple, standard door that should be easy enough to get through. You ran towards your escape with a flicker of hope. Just before you could reach it, however, the door opened. You tried to come to a stop before you collided whoever was coming, but the wooden floor combined with your lack of footwear sent you sliding down to your butt. 

Your visitor was a man - a young one given the way he was dressed and his soft features on his face. His outline looked familiar and your heart thumped in your chest. It had to be him, the one who’d broken into your room and stole you away. The wicked smirk on his face made your heart race even faster out of fear. Using your hands and the heels of your feet, you scrambled back in a sad attempt to get away. The man simply chuckled and closed the door behind him. 

When you reached the bed, you climbed up and pushed yourself up against the headboard. The man continued to be amused by your fear, taking the chair from the desk and placing it next to the bed before sitting down. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. With a tilt of his head, he scoffed, “What, no questions? No ‘who are you’ or ‘where am I’?” 

To be honest, you weren’t entirely sure if you’d be able to communicate with him. But he spoke plainly and you had no trouble understanding him. 

“Would you even answer them?” you asked bravely. 

He shrugged. “Maybe. If you answer mine first.” He tilted his head the other way, the smirk disappearing from his lips. “Tell me about what you saw in the alleyway. What you heard.”

“Nothing,” you answered immediately.

The man narrowed his eyes at you. “I don’t really like lies, (y/n).”

You gasped. “How do you know my name?”

“I found you at that motel,” he laughed. “You don’t think I’d take the extra step to know who I was looking for?”

Right. That was a… valid point. It didn’t calm the chill running down your spine, though. “I really didn’t see anything beyond shoes and a bullet going through a man’s forehead.”

“And you didn’t hear anything?” the man pressed. Where you thought he’d be relieved with your lack of information, instead he was agitated. If he was the killer, shouldn’t he be happy that you couldn’t pinpoint him. Although, kidnapping you probably made that a moot point. 

“I don’t speak the language,” you told him. “I couldn’t tell you what he said before he shot the man on the ground.”

The man frowned. “But the police reports said you heard him say ‘The Deer’?”

You shook your head. “I heard ‘lu’,” you corrected. “The detective made the conclusion that the man must have meant The Deer. I couldn’t tell you if he was talking about the animal, a person, or something else entirely.”

A heavy sigh was released from the man’s lungs and his shoulders dropped like a weight had rolled off of them. Now, all of a sudden, he was… happy that your testimony had been stretched from the truth? 

“You work for him, don’t you?” you whispered. 

The man’s head snapped up. His eyebrows were scrunched together in confusion. “What?”

“This Lu guy that everyone seems to be afraid of,” you clarified. “You work for him, don’t you? Like, one of his….” you trailed off, unsure how to categorize him. 

One corner of the man’s mouth turned up slightly, amused. “You really have no idea who he is, do you?”

You shook your head feverishly. “No. I’d never even heard of him until Detective Zhuang brought him up. She said he was some sort of crime boss?” She was vague on the details and at the moment you were thankful. There was some things you didn’t want in your head to feed your imagination. 

“Yeah, something like that,” the man laughed. There was a short pause before he added, “And yes, I do work for him. And the other two, his partners.”

Now you were even deeper trouble. There were three bosses to be wearing of and you were now in the hands of one of their “employees”. Your chances of getting out of this alive were looking rather slim. 

“If you heard the man’s voice again, could you identify him?”

You nodded slowly. “Yes. I think so.”

“Good.” The man stood up and headed for the door. 

“Wait!” You jumped out of the bed, stopping the man by clinging to the sleeve of his jacket. “Please,” you begged. “Please, let me go home. I was leaving the country anyway. I won’t be any trouble, I promise.”

A flash of sympathy shone in the man’s eyes, giving you hope. But it was a pointless notion. 

He shook his head. “I can't let you go. Not yet. We have to figure out who you saw and why they’re interfering with m- the boss’s plans. You’re the only link right now.”

“And after that?” You sniffed back the tears.

“We’ll see.”

Leaving you alone, he walked out the door, the signature click telling you that he’d locked you in. 

Everything had gone from worse to complete crap. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. You were lost in a deep cave, unable to see five feet in front of you. What the next few days or weeks held, you didn’t know, but you knew you’d be lucky if you were allowed to simply walk away when this was all over.

You looked around the room. It seemed you’d have to get used to even newer surroundings. At least they weren’t as bad as the motel.

**

Luhan was conflicted as he walked down the hall. You really didn’t know anything. His earlier assumption that you might be someone who knew who he was and wanted to take him down was completely wrong. He could tell after one look that you were clueless as to who he was and what you’d gotten yourself into. Asking you out loud was just extra confirmation. Sure, he could let you go back home and never think of you again. But he had more important things to worry about than your feelings and wishes. He needed to know who held the gun. Only that person could lead him to the mastermind that was trying to take down his empire. 

“How did it go?” Kris asked when Luhan entered the kitchen. 

“Did you make her cry?” Tao snickered. 

Opening the fridge, Luhan shook his head. “No need. She doesn’t know much. She never saw his face and she doesn’t know who I am. The detective made an assumption when she gave her testimony.”

“So you letting her go?” Kris asked with a raised brow. 

“No,” Luhan stated as he closed the door again. Nothing seemed appetizing at the moment. He turned back to the others. “She can still recognize the man’s voice. Once we narrow our own suspect pool, we can use her.”

“Sounds like a good idea,” Tao agreed. 

A short knock came from the kitchen entrance and all three turned to look at the intruder. 

“Excuse me, sir,” Wu Xei bowed. 

“Yes?” Luhan sighed. Wu Xei was the steward of the house and Luhan’s most trusted servant. Nothing, not even his old age, stopped him from carrying out his duties and taking care of the house. And Luhan valued that greatly.

“Your guest has arrived.”

A smile spread across his face. “Show him in.”

“No need,” a soft voice came from the hallway. Lay came into view. “I remember the way.”

Elated at the sight of his friend coming home again, Luhan took large strides to reach Lay and threw his arms around him. Pulling back, he smiled, “It's good to see you, Lay.”

The doctor’s old nickname made his own grin falter. “I’ve told you, it’s just Yixing now.”

A snort came from behind Luhan. He didn’t even need to glance over his shoulder to know who the source was. “Well, whoever you are, I’m happy you’ve decided to visit. I’m sure Korea isn’t nearly as exciting.”

“It has its moments.”

“How is old Suho doing?” Kris asked in a mocking tone. He gave La- Yixing a very pointed look over the rim of the glass he was currently sipping from. 

Yixing was unfazed by the hostility. “Living happily with his wife.”

“Idiot,” Kris scoffed, putting the glass down with a clank against the granite countertop of the island. 

By the look in Yixing’s eye, Luhan knew he wanted to say something back, but he held his tongue. Yixing was always the softest among them, more open to the idea of vulnerability like a wife or a lover. Luhan would have thought that he’d learned his lesson, just like the rest of them, but the doctor still held out hope. Foolish. 

“Well, sit down,” Luhan urged, hoping to change the subject and therefore, the atmosphere of the room. “We’ve got a lot to catch up on.”

“I’m sure we do,” Yixing chuckled as he took the bar stool Luhan held out for him. 

“Do you want a drink?” Tao offered as he wiggled the bottle of whiskey temptingly. 

Yixing shook his head. “No, thank you.” He turned to Luhan, his face pinched with worry. “Luhan, I’ll admit that I did hear something rather… disturbing on my way here.”

Luhan was fairly certain he knew what it was that Yixing had heard in his travels, but he feigned innocence. “Disturbing? What do you mean?”

Yixing didn’t fall for it for a second. “I’d rather just hear the truth from you, Lu. They said a witness heard someone say your name before killing one of your men. And now she’s gone missing. It wouldn’t take a genius to put the pieces together.”

“Its fine, Xing,” Tao insisted nonchalantly. “She doesn’t know anything. She didn’t even recognize Lu when he talked to her. Thought he was a lowly worker.”

Yixing took in Luhan’s clothes for the first time. “I can see why. You look like a street kid. If the others saw you they might try to take your lunch money.”

“Ha ha,” Luhan grumbled. 

His face was always a curse, especially in this line of business. People usually only took him seriously because of Kris and Tao. Those two were the more menacing ones. All it took was one icy glare from either of them and the buyer or seller was practically eating out of their hands. Luhan had to be more aggressive, more assertive to be dealt with in the same way. Hell, even Yixing could look intimidating when he wanted to be. Needing a distraction, Luhan poured himself a drink and chugged it back. 

“So, what are you planning to do with her?” Yixing asked cautiously. 

Luhan wiped away the little drop of liquor that had collected in the corner of his mouth before answering. “Keep her here for now. Maybe use her to identify who’s killing my men. I can’t just let her go free. Even being in the wrong place at the wrong time has its consequences.”

“Well, I hope you won’t treat her like some of your past prisoners,” Yixing said quietly. That made Luhan pause before he could pour himself a second glass. He wasn’t that cruel of a person. Was he?

“Don’t worry, Dr. Zhang,” Kris teased as he leaned back in his chair. “She’s only been with us a little over twenty-four hours and no one’s touched her. She’s even being kept in one of the bedrooms. We’re not complete cavemen, you see.”

“Twenty-four hours?” Yixing echoed. “And has she been fed? Did you give her new clothes or at least let her wash up?”

“She just woke up half an hour ago,” Tao informed him. 

“Just… woke up?” Yixing turned to Luhan with a very heated expression. 

Luhan shrugged. “I couldn’t really be seen with a struggling girl as I left the motel, now could I?”

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Yixing took a deep breath. “But how much did you give her?”

“Uh,” Luhan glanced at the other two as he scratched the back of his head. “How much is a syringe full?”

Immediately, Yixing jumped up out of the chair, sending it clattering down to the tile. “Do you realize you could have killed her? And then where would you be?” Not giving a chance for Luhan to reply, Yixing marched out of the kitchen. 

Luhan ran after him, catching him in the hallway. “Where are you going?”

“To go check on her and make sure that she isn’t dying from the drug you gave her.” Yixing shook his head. “Look. I know you’ve stopped yourself from caring for a long time, but try. She’s still a human being who got caught up in something she most likely doesn’t understand. So maybe try to be a decent person. I know that’s hard for you sometimes, but a little effort won’t kill you.”

Yixing left him standing there in the hall, jaw hanging open. He hadn’t ever been that cruel in the past, had he? Sure, occasionally he needed to put the fear of god into someone, but he didn’t plan on doing that with you. Not yet, at least. So, what was riling Yixing up so much?

**

You were shivering. It didn’t seem like the room was set at a low temperature and yet you couldn’t stop shaking, rubbing your arms in an attempt to warm them up. Not even the blankets you had piled on your shoulders seemed to help. 

Black spots were starting to float around in your vision and light-headedness didn’t even begin to describe how you felt. Was this because you were hungry? Or maybe it was the drug that the man pumped into your system? Either way, you knew you were losing consciousness and that was the last thing you wanted to happen. 

Knock, knock, knock. 

You frowned at the door. That was just in your imagination, wasn’t it? Sure no mafia worker would bother to knock on the prisoner’s door. They would simply barge in whether you wanted the company or not. 

When you didn’t answer, the person knocked again. Not softer or harder, but at the same patient volume and rhythm. But you had no strength to tell them to go away. 

At your continuing silence, they opened the door, slowly as if not to frighten you. A different man peaked in. His face was gentler, with round, wire-rimmed glasses framing his dark brown eyes. There was a slight upturn on his mouth, but unlike the previous visitor, his smile was kinder. 

“Hello,” the new man greeted with a slight bow of his head. “My name is Zhang Yixing. You must be (y/n)?”

You gave him a trembling nod in response. 

Coming in the rest of the way, Yixing sighed at your appearance. “I told him so,” he mumbled to himself. He took the chair you hadn’t bothered to move back and held out his hand. “I need to check your pulse,” he said. “Can you give me your wrist?”

You did the exact opposite, clutching your arm to your chest. What if he actually wanted to inject more drugs into your system? 

“I’m a doctor,” he informed you, not lowering his hand a single centimeter. “I need to make sure that the drug didn’t affect you too badly.” 

You wanted to scoff. Didn’t affect you too badly? Were his glasses not working? He continued to patiently wait for you to give in. 

Huffing, you handed over your wrist. No needle or syringe made an appearance. Instead, he put two fingers against your skin and counted the seconds away on his watch. The crease between his eyebrows grew deeper and deeper as he watched the thin hand of the clock tick away. Releasing a heavy sigh, he looked up at you with a sorrowful expression.

“I’ll need to hook you up to an IV.”

“No!” Throwing off the blankets, you scrambled off the bed. But your legs were too weak and you couldn’t make yourself stand up again. 

Yixing stood up and slowly approached you, hands up and palms facing towards you, trying to convey that he meant no harm. “(y/n), please. You’re severely dehydrated. If we put off giving you fluids, you could get worse. I can’t let that happen.”

“Why?” you snapped. “Did your boss decide that I know more than I’m telling and he wants it tortured out of me?”

He blinked. “What? No! I’m a doctor. I can’t stand the idea of letting someone’s condition worsen when I can help. That’s why. Please, (y/n).”

“I said-” The dizziness in your head got worse, making you sway until you tried to steady yourself with your palms against the floor. It didn’t help. Your eyes grew heavy and you lost all strength in your arms. The doctor leapt forward and caught you in his arms before you passed out completely.

[bridget-multifandom-writer]

❝cabin in the woods❞ serial killer! Cody/Jonathan (1/2)

Title: Cabin In The Woods

Summary: You and six of your other friends go out for a camping trip. When you arrive though, you find out the dark history. In the sixties seven teens were murdered, one decade later seven more died in the exact same spot. Now it’s the eighties. Will the tradition be carried on? And is one of your friends the person behind it?

Pairing: serial killer! Cody/Jonathan x Reader

Warning(s): Smut, Oral (female receiving), Fingering, Handjob, Orgasm (female), Descriptive Details of Murder, Betrayal, and Lying. Typical tropes for slasher movies (dumb cheerleader and jock, the “I’ll be right back” character gets killed right after they say it, a cabin in the woods)

Word Count: 2,263

Parts: 1, 2

Notes: @ccodyfern got me hooked on the idea of Jonathan being a serial killer. I sent in some ask and after planning out about nine of them I decided, fuck it, I’ll just write a story.  Also inspired by the 1980s Slasher theme for AHS season nine. Which at first I wasn’t like psyched about but I am now. 

When the bell rang out loud Meagan instantly grabbed your hand. Yanking you out of your chair and only giving you a second to grab your bag. You looked at her with wide eyes “Meagan!” you yelled “I almost fell on my ass!” you said.  She laughed “But I wanna get out of this school and go camping,” she whined stopping full force at her locker.  You brace yourself so you don’t hit her and roll your eyes “You just want to make out with, Zach and Cameron,” you mutter annoyed. 

She laughed hearing your bratty behavior. Opening her locker she grabbed the few pictures she left up. Looking over at you she smiled, “I’m sorry, okay?” she asked “I’m just excited. It’s the last day of school and this is the first time we’re doing something in high school,” she explained. 

You sigh and nod “Yeah, I know... sorry I got annoyed. Who all is going?” “Uh,” she thinks “Me, you, Cameron, Zach, Sean, Angela, and I think some sophomore named Jonathan or something like that.” “Jonathan?” you ask perking up “He lives next door to me! He super sweet, he’s a little shy though.” 

She shrugs “As long as he’s cute, I don’t care!” she says in a sing-songy tone. You laugh and walk beside her hugging your books to your stomach. Meagan hums a song she heard over the intercom as you see Zach and Cameron emerge from the office. Meagan runs over to her and throws her arms around Zach before pressing a kiss on his lips. Cameron looked over with jealousy on his features. Call it sadistic, but, you couldn’t wait for this whole two-boyfriends thing to blow up in her face.  You walk over picking up her fallen books and handing them over to Cameron.  You look to the right to see Angela walking beside Jonathan as she talks to him about something. Jonathan spots you and gets a bashful smile on his face and your smile back to him. You jump when Cameron slugs his arm around your shoulder “Hey there, Y/N, ready to hear some scary stories by the firelight?” he asks.

Scary stories.... yuck. 

Your body unconsciously shivers as the words repeat through your head. Zach chortles loudly “Y/N a scardy-cat... she’ll probably get freaked out enough just by being in the woods.” You roll your eyes in response pushing Cameron arm of your shoulder. You glare at Zack “Screw off, I’m not a scardy-cat.”

Angela and Jonathan finally reach your small group. Angela smiles big “Hey! Everyone ready to go camping?” she asks messing with her dark locks. Everyone gives a yes in response, Jonathan mumbling as he shies away glancing at you. You reach out and grab his hand as the others walk off to Zach's car. You look at him with gleeful eyes “Relax... I know you can get shy in groups. It’ll be alright, they’ll get drunk off their mind by the time we actually make conversation,” you laugh. Jonathan laughs back “I’m just happy your here,” he says. 

You bite your lip and pull him along “Come on,” you urge “They’ll without us if we’re late.”

As you sit in the car, pushed inbetween Angela and Jonathan you couldn’t help but notice how isolated the woods were. You were at least fifteen miles away from anybody. As you thought about the more your mind drifted off to dark places.

The idea of someone watching you, stalking, just waiting for the right moment to get you and do whatever they want. Your breathing sped up as you built up more and more anxiety until the car came to a forceful stop and you were almost launched out of your seat. Jonathan threw his arm in front of you making almost a seatbelt and stopping you from getting thrown out of your seat. You breathed heavily looking over at Jonathan before swallowing the lump in your front “Thanks,” you breathe out.  Meagan looked over at Zach with wide eyes “What the fuck?” she spit out.  He looked over at her and shrugged “I thought there was a deer!” he says, “Get off my back.”  Cameron stretches his arm behind Meagans’ head and flicks Zach “Maybe you should get glasses, dumbass,” he says. 

Zach rolls his eyes and starts driving against. Meagan turns around and looks at your concerned “Are you okay?” she asks gathering her auburn hair into a bun. You nod “Yeah, Jonathan caught me.” She looked over at him and smiles nodding her head in approval before looking at you and winking “Nice choice,” she grins. 

Jonathan looks over at you his curly brown hair in his face. He looks confused, you just shrug and turn to face forward making sure to glare at the back of Meagan's head. 

Almost thirty minutes later the car stopped at the campsite. A small area that was clear of trees. The tents were already set up (courtesy from Cameron and Zach) and a campfire was built up in the middle of it all. Angela quickly opened the door but slammed it shut, Jonathan scoffed opening his and offering you his hand “Let me help,” he says as you grab it. 

You looked up into the sky, the sun was already setting. 

“Y/N! Come get your stuff!” Meagan yells loudly catching your attention. You look over your shoulder nodding and heading towards the car. You grabbed your small bag throwing it into one of the empty tents before sitting down. Cameron ran over to your hosting you over his shoulder “We’re all going swimming, and you're going in first!”

You all gathered around the dancing fire as the darkness came over the woods. You hug your knees to your chest for warmth as Meagan grabs yours and hers. She runs back, handing your light blue jacket. Jonathan sits beside you along with Meagan. Zach, Cameron, and Angela sit on the other side of the fire facing you. 

The fire lit up everyone's faces in a morbid light. Zach leaned forward making him easier to see "Does anybody know the story about these woods?" he asked his voice low. No one came forward so Zach continued "Two decades ago seven teenagers came out here. They were camping for three days when someone invaded the camp when their parents sent out police. All they found was the gutted bodies of the campers." 

Cold air blew hard making the leaves rattled together and the fire stir. You jumped in surprise and clutched your jacket tightly as Zach went on. He pressed his hands together “All the girls were tied up in their underwear and the boys were left in the tents. The police searched for any evidence but all that was left was the victims. They never found whoever did. One decade later, in the seventies, it happened again. Seven campers all dead. Some people think it’s a generation thing, or maybe the same guy, but everyone’s making bets that’ll happen again.“ You suck a breath in (and ignored the sinister smile Zach gave you).  You clutch your jacket tighter as Zack let’s out a laugh and pronounces he’s going to bed. Leaving you and your other five friends alone surrounding the campfire.  A hand touches yours and you jump, Jonathan gives you a gentle smile “Don’t worry, I’d never let anyone hurt you.”

You smile back at him and blush slightly. Jonathan was always so nice to you “Thanks,” you tell him for the second time this night.  He nods his head “Do you wanna go for a walk? Clear your mind a bit?” he asks.

You let out a breathy laugh, God, you were so obvious “Yeah, I’d like that.” He held out his hand after he stood up, your fingers wrapping around his as he drugged you off into the woods. 

God, this was like a bad slasher movie flick. Seven dumb kids go into the woods, two sneak off and get killed. You could already see the character cast. Meagan is the dumb, big-breasted cheerleader, her boyfriend Zach is the dumb jock, the dumb jocks best-friend, Cameron, is really a nice guy, Angela is the nerd, and Jonathan is the shy guy (that in most movies ends up being the killer). But what does that make you? The last girl?

You both walked through the woods on the gravel trail until you reached a lake. It had only been five minutes or so and you could still see the slowly dimming campfire light. Jonathan looked over at you “Zach can be a real asshole,” he says. You laugh “Tell me about it,” you pick up a rock and skip it across the lake water “He usually isn’t this bad.” Jonathan shrugs “I don’t really hang out with anyone here except for Angela. I didn’t even want to come, I only came to be around you,” he explains. You can see a slight blush on his cheeks. You smile “They’re not that bad... your probably the best though.”

Jonathan blushes even more than he already was. He turns his head to meet your glance. Slowly he closes the gap in between you two, pressing his dry lips against yours. 

You kiss him back putting your hand on his cheek. He moves his hand to your thigh sliding slight closer to you. His tongue slides against your lip, asking permission to go further. You open your mouth shyly and your tongues dance together. He slowly lets his body weight push you down your jacket meeting the cold, slightly damp, grass. Your fingers tangle in his dark curls. He disconnects you lips and nuzzles your neck before kissing it. Sucking on it lightly as you lean your head back to give him more space. He nips at your skin causing you to gasp lightly, you can feel him smile against your skin. 

He switches places to the little bit of your exposed chest to suck on. His hand trailing up your white t-shirt and lightly rubbing your covered breast. You moan and pull at his curls causing him to moan slightly against your skin. He stops sucking on your skin to look up at you. His cold blue eyes meet yours “Can I... can I do more?” he asks quietly. You smile and blush but nod for him to continue. He slowly pushes up your t-shirt and jacket exposing the flesh of your stomach to the cold air. He kisses below your breast making his way down while looking up at you. You feel his fingers slide up the back of your thighs before gripping the beginning of your shorts and underwear. He tugs them down sitting up on his knees and throwing them off to the side. 

His hands grip your thighs hosting them over his shoulders as he leans down. You can feel him breathing against your warmth. Your breathing becomes heavy as he finally takes his tongue and slowly licks up your slit. Parting your lips until he reaches your clit and wraps his lips around it. He sucks lightly flourishing in the loud breathy moan that comes out of your beautiful mouth. 

He unwraps his lips and begins to kitten lick at your heat. Sucking on you a few more times, before giving your heat a soft kiss. You bite your lip “Jonathan... please,” you beg softly. Once again you feel him smile against your skin before he gives one full lick to your core. Finally, he sped up and it was like nothing you had experienced. Sure, you had been with a couple guys before but none them were caring like this. Jonathan didn’t lap at you like a dog in heat. It was like he was gently kissing and watching for your reactions.

You feel his fingers slowly slide up your inner thigh before he pulls his mouth away. You whine at the loss of contact but it turns into a moan when Jonathan pushes his fingers into your wet core. You feel him chuckle lightly before bending his head down again and sucking on your clit. Slowly he pumps his finger in and out of you. Teasing you in the hope you’ll beg for more again. Finally, he digs his finger in knuckle deep bring it out completely to shove it in again. You moan loudly and arch your back in response to him. He disconnected from your clit to look up at you with his cold blue eyes. He slid his finger out of you again and presses another one to your hole and slowly slides them both in. He smiles as he hears you cry out his name. He lets them sit there before making a come-here motion with his finger.

He keeps doing it repeatedly and buries his head in between your thighs and sucks on your clit again. He doesn’t stop until your fingers fall out of his hair to pull at the grass and your body spasms with him between your thighs.  “Jonathan!” you cry out loudly. As you come down, he slides his fingers out of your wet core. He moves over to sit beside you and grips your face with his still wet fingers. He leans down brushing his lips against yours “You taste so good,” he murmurs against them “sweet like honey.”

You almost moan as he presses his lips against yours sliding his tongue in. Your taste still lingering on it. He pulls away with a grin and stands up stretching his arms slight “Can you walk?” he jokes. You let out a laugh yourself “Yes... now go get more shorts!” you demand, kicking him slightly. 

He grabs them and hands them to you. You notice your white cotton panties peeking out of his pant pocket. You bite back a smile as you see him catch you staring and force them down all the way. The moonlight showing his panicked eyes and red cheeks.  You grab your shorts and slide them on before standing up. Grabbing Jonathans’ hand you lead him back to the camp. You look over at him, he’s wearing a goofy smile “What is this? I mean, I don’t usually do this.” Jonathan connects his gaze with yours “Well... I’ve liked you for a while so if you wanted to be my girlfriend?” he asked shyly. You smiled and turned around pressing your lips to his “I’d love that, Jonathan,” you tell him. You wrap your arms around him and he nuzzles your neck in the same sport he left a hickey. “Your mine, now,” he mumbles.

When you arrived back and camp Jonathan excused himself as being ‘tired’. You didn’t mind you were sleepy too. As he went into the tent you sat down on one of the logs near the fire. Thinking about everything that had just happened, you didn’t notice Zach exiting Meagan tent. You heard him let out a laugh and your head jolted to were he was. He looked at you with a smile “Are you still scared from that story?” Your eyes bulged "Wh-What? No!" you exclaimed. He laughed again before placing a hand on your shoulder "You get scared so easily," he taunted "Look, nothing bad is going to happen. You got me and Cameron here and who's going to mess with two huge football players? Just relax and get some sleep, alright?" he told you. You nodded and stood up "I wasn’t scared," you say “Night, Zach.” He smiled "Night, Y/N, I'm gonna go take a whiz. I'll be right back." 

Zach walked away not noticing the looming figure that was Jonathan. He watched with rage in his eyes as you smiled at Zach and let him touch you like that. How could you? You were his. He followed Zach as he walked off into the woods and near to the lake. He watched as Zack let his pants fall down not paying attention to his surroundings. Slowly, he came up behind him taking the knife out of his pocket and digging it into his side. Zach let out a loud groan pushing Jonathan away from him. He fell down and looked up at him “What the fuck, bro?” he asks. Jonathan just crouched down pushing the knife into his chest repeatedly. By the time he was done his hands were covered in blood. 

“Zach! Where are you?” he heard Meagan yell out. Looking through the trees he caught a glimpse of her. Standing by the fire in nothing but a t-shirt and panties. Jonathan looked away and stood up, washing his hands off in the water. He grabbed his knife and slowly crept back to camp.

It was time for the rest.

Then you’d finally be just his. 

Hi! I originally was going to post a “Dating Tate Langdon Would Include” as my first post but I got spurged with inspiration and wrote this long piece in like three hours. I hope you enjoyed! Like I said this was inspired by @ccodyfern getting me hooked on serial killer Cody/Jonathan.

Below are my masterlist and taglist. Taglist request are always open, (one-shot, hcs) request are currently closed, ships are open. I write for multiple fandoms so check that out.

Masterlist

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[shewolfofficial]

Heya! Could I get a levi x reader where the reader is brought to court for becoming a traitor to humanity and she's sentenced to death? Lov u

Warning: Cursing

I kinda changed up the story here so it won’t all be angsty

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your identity was found out, you were the second female titan. Responsible for the death of many soldiers and civilians and the attempt of capturing Eren and today you were brought into court to see what your fate would be, most likely death but you hoped otherwise. You didn’t have a choice of being a traitor to humanity, if you didn’t agree to Reiner and Bertholdt they’d kill you just like Marco, nobody knew how he died and you sure didn’t want to end up like him. You and Levi were lovers for nearly two years and when he found out you couldn’t look him in the eye for days, yet you told him everything you knew, not knowing if he believed you or not would it matter if he didn’t since you were basically going to be killed anyway?

Wearing a white shirt and some pants you were brought into the large courtroom, the same one Eren was in when the government found out he was a titan-shifter. To the sidelines stood the Scouts and the Military Police, some Garrison soldiers were there as well like Pyxis and Rico and this made you even more anxious.

 Feeling a rough gun nudge you forward you glared over your shoulder to the MP’s ‘’move it you beast!’’ one of them seethed. Your hands were cuffed together behind your back, the two soldiers escorted you to the center of the court grumbling insults to you. Arriving at the center of the court your anxious E/C orbs met distant grey ones, biting your quivering lower lip you let the two MP’s basically shove you to your knees and proceed to slide a metal pole down onto your chains making you stuck to the ground.

Silence filled the room as faint whispers were heard some corners of the room, the feeling of multiple types of eyes burning into your skull made your heart pound against your ribcage. You noticed Eren, Mikasa, and Armin standing next to Erwin and Levi which made you feel sick to the bottom of your stomach, reverting your eyes to the tiled floor you tried to ease your nerves.

A few seconds later you heard a door open, gazing up you watched as Zachary walked in shutting the door behind him and proceeded to sit down in the large chair for him on the stand. ‘’Alright, we shall begin..’’ Zachary muttered picking up a page and holding it up for him to read, you watched him look over the page for a few seconds before glancing to you. ‘’Your name is Y/N L/N and as a soldier, you have sworn to give up your life when called to for the good of the people…. Is that correct?’’ Zachary said as you shifted slightly to get comfortable ‘’yes..’’ you said loud enough for him to hear. ‘’As an enlisted soldier, you have been identified and exposed as one of the two female titans that have betrayed humanity and killed many….is that also correct Ms. L/N?’’ he continued, forcing back a sob you nodded painfully. ‘’Yes sir..’’ you answered, Zachary placed back down the page, crossing his arms he looked down to you. ‘’As the Commander of our armed forces, this matter is left to my discretion on whether you live, or die’’ Zachary said watching you avert your gaze to the ground.

‘‘Any objections?’‘ he asked, shaking your head no he continued. ‘‘From what I have heard, your fate would be decided on whether you live or die by the Scout Regiment or the Military Police. To begin, the Military Police will now present their case’‘ Zachary motioned for Nile to begin. ‘‘Thank you, my name is Nile Dok I am the commander of the Military Police! Our recommendation following an examination of her history and records, subject Y/N L/N should be disposed of immediately’‘ Nile gazed to you as you stared at him wide-eyed like a deer caught in headlights. ‘‘We acknowledged that L/N’s actions have caused many deaths and destruction such as Stohess, Trost and the 57th Expedition of the Scouts… She would need to be severely punished for the agony and death she caused to hundreds thus then she will be hung in public when she’s on the brink of death’‘ Nile said as venom dripped from his words, you gulped in horror as you paled ‘What!? He’s going to fucking torture me before he kills!? He’s crazy! A sadist!’ you frantically thought.

‘‘Unnaceptable! This mighty beast and monster has violated the walls!’‘ Pastor Nick started, you didn’t even bother listen to the old bastard instead you just gave him an ‘ are you fucking serious? ‘ look. Zachary turned to the opposite side where the Scouts stood ‘‘and now I’d like to hear the Scout Regiment’s proposed plan’‘ he rose an eyebrow as Erwin kept his facial expression calm and collected. ‘‘Yes sir, as the Commander of the Survey Corps I, Erwin Smith propose the following’‘ Erwin looked to you as you gave him a pleading look that screamed ‘Help me!‘. ‘‘Let Y/N continue her duty in our ranks, we can utilize her titan ability just like Eren’s and take back Wall Maria, if we do have Y/N on our side we will be able to take back the outermost wall quickly, that is all’‘ Erwin said, your shoulders slumped as whispers filled the room again. ‘‘Hm? Is that it?’‘ Zachary asked ‘‘yes… with her assistance sir! I’m sure we can reclaim Wall Maria, our top priority is perfectly clear’‘ Erwin said looking up to Zachary who rested his arms on the desk in front. ‘‘Quite bold.. Assuming you were given clearance where would you plan to launch this operation from?’‘ Zachary questioned leaning to the side ever so slightly. ‘’We’ll depart from Calaneth District to the east, from there we will make for Shiganshina for Eren’s home. A new route can be established as we proceed-’’ Erwin was cut off when some noble slammed his hands on the banister across from him. 

Looking over some of the Scouts my gaze met Levi’s again, he nods ever so slightly in reassurance as I become calmer. ‘’Our time and money will be better on ceiling up all the gates! They’re the only parts of the wall that the colossal titan and armored titan can break through right?!’’ the man started, soon enough more people began to argue with him. Growling I sent the man a glare making him shut his mouth. ‘’Squealing any louder won’t help your case pig, while we’re bolstering our defenses do you think titans are going to stand idly by? And when you say ‘we can’t afford’ do you speak for anyone than your fat merchant friends’’ Levi shuts the rest of the people up as I shoot my gaze back to the first man that started yelling. ‘’Do you pigs even realize that most of our people are struggling just to survive off what little land we have left?’’ Levi continued crossing his arms. 

The man had a surprised look on his face almost made you start laughing as Pastor Nick began to argue with him about complete bull shit, Zachary began to tap on the wooden desk in front of them making them stop. ‘’Order. I’d ask you to keep your more personal sentiments for a more appropriate venue’’ he scolded the two men before drifting his gaze back to you. ‘’Now then Ms. L/N I have a question for you.. As a soldier, you have made a solemn pledge to answer humanities call.. Can you still serve by letting your comrades and people trust you again? And will you help humanity?’�� he asked. ‘’Yes I will sir! Even if they will never trust me I will fight for humanity’’ you say as nervous butterflies go crazy in your stomach. ‘’Oh? Is that so? The multiple lives you took and the attempt of taking Eren Yeager contradicts that’’ Zachary frowned slightly raising the page up to his face once more to read. ‘’You had also attempted to kill Levi Ackerman’’ he adds as I shot my gaze towards Levi who stared back at me. ‘’Now.. Levi, is it true that Y/N assaulted you while she was in her titan form?’’ Zachary looked at Levi who glanced up to him then back to me in silence.

‘‘Yes, it’s all true’‘ Levi blankly stated as my eyes widened, he furrowed his thin eyebrows to me in a silent way to keep quiet. ‘‘However… Y/N had told me everything about her and her titan form, why she killed and how she had no choice to do it’‘ Levi added as I eased up at his words. Nile frowned at the raven-haired man ‘‘objection! I have reason to believe that personal feelings play a large part in his testimony’‘ Nile started as I glared daggers at him. Glancing down to a page Nile continued ‘‘Y/N and Levi have made it public that they are both involved in a romantic relationship, of course, it would be on instinct to try to protect the one you love..’‘ Nile flicked his gaze between me and Levi as Levi scowled at the taller male. ‘‘Maybe he’s one! Since he is so strong it’s only reasonable for him to have some titan powers as well!’‘ An old man exclaimed catching Levi off guard. ‘‘I bet he’s not human either! We should dissect him too!’‘ another joined as Levi glared at them in irritation.

Growling you lunged forward towards one of the men, anger radiating from your being. ‘’Now hold on a fucking minute here Ms.Piggy! Maybe I am a monster that killed many and that you want dead but that doesn’t mean he is too! You leave him out of this! He’s innocent!’’ you shouted at them. ‘’He must be one! You’re lying!’’ the man retorted. 

‘‘Just shut your fucking mouth! And listen to me you god damn pig!’‘ you screamed at him. ‘‘Do you fucking think I had a choice?! Do you! No! I didn’t have a choice about doing what I did or not! If I didn’t become a monster I would have been killed! I would have been tortured! I was fucking threatened by the Colossal and Armored titan to join them or else I’ll die! I joined the military to fight for humanity and for freedom! Unlike you lazy pigs! All you do is fucking lay around and eat shit like a goose getting ready to be butchered for the winter!’‘ you scream at him not even rendering what you were saying. ‘‘And don’t you even dare start on Levi! He did nothing wrong! I am the one at fault and I know it! I regret every part of it! But don’t you dare fucking accuse him of shit that he’d never do you sick freaks!’‘ you roared. Zachary let out a cough from above, darting your E/C orbs to him Zachary rose an eyebrow to you. 

‘’You were threatened?’‘ he asked lowly, eyes trained on my form searching for any lies. Lowering my head I nod ‘‘yes I was threatened… I’d happily give both their names but if I do they’ll come for me, they’ll kill me’‘ you mutter as Zachary hums in acknowledgment. ‘‘They’re not in the courtroom now are they?’‘ he asked, you looked up searching for Reiner or Berhtoldt, not seeing them you turned back to Zachary. ‘‘No… then I guess it’s safe to say…’‘ you start, biting your lower lip you sigh. ‘‘The Colossal Titan is Bertholdt Hoover, the Armored Titan is Reiner Braun… both of them trained with me when we were cadets in the 104th cadet group when they found out about my ability they began to threaten me and they eventually made me join them…. I didn’t want to but I didn’t want for my friends and the ones I care about to get hurt too I kept it to myself..’‘ you feel tears prick at the corners of your eyes. Hopelessly trying to blink them back you failed as they began to streak down your face ‘‘I knew if I tried to stop them they would win in the fight, I didn’t want to hurt anyone, I didn’t want to stain my hands with the blood of the innocent and I know there’s no way to redeem myself to their families and to the public’‘ you glanced around you hoping someone would understand. 

‘‘I completely understand if you wanted to hang me in public, I get it… Just… Don’t fucking dare h-hurt Levi! If you do trust me I have a plan to capture Reiner and Bertholdt and make them bastards pay just… listen to me please sir’‘ you pleaded, Zachary gave you a sympathetic look and nodded for you to continue. ‘‘The two idiots trust me, they’d go along with anything I’d say… So since they’re like that, I can lead them somewhere secluded away from any district or people and there we can ambush them and catch them off guard and kill them’‘ you suggest, Zachary seemed to be in thought for a moment before turning to Erwin. ‘‘And Y/N will stay under your command?’‘ he asked as Erwin nodded towards him.

Standing up Zachary sent a miniature smile down to me ‘’very well Erwin, Y/N will live and continue to serve under you’’ Zachary informed as a wide grin sprung onto my lips, some MP’s frowned and threw some insults my way whilst leaving the courtroom. The same two MP’s from earlier lifted the pole off of me and uncuffed my hands before leaving. Scouts and Garrisons poured out as well as I stood up rubbing my sore wrists and stretching lightly popping my joints. ‘’Very good job Y/N, I’m sorry you couldn’t tell anyone about what you were putting up with, we shall start on this plan of yours when you are ready. Levi, I’ll be outside of the building’’ Erwin said before leaving, I watched as Armin, Eren, and Mikasa leave discussing something.

 ‘’Oh Y/N! Oh, sweet Y/N I’m so proud of you!’’ Hanji hollered running into the courtroom, Levi was just about to talk but she ran in like a man-woman. The taller woman picked me up in a hug and spun me around ‘’my little Y/N is growing up so fast! One minute you’re just a cadet the next minute you’re screaming at a merchant to protect Levi in a courtroom~’’ the scientist put me down and wiggled her eyebrows to Levi who clicked his tongue at her. ‘’What? Would you rather her being sent to her death instead four eyes?’’ he scowled placing a hand on my shoulder, Hanji shook her head violently before patting my head. ‘’Anyways Y/N! We can gossip later! I gotta go bye babes!’’ she called out to me before leaving. 

I snickered at the nickname she used as Levi looked at me in confusion ‘’babes?’’ he asked quirking an eyebrow. Laughing I nod at him, grasping his hand in mine as we begin to walk out ‘’yeah we use nicknames for each other in a platonic way’’ I tell him as he nods, stopping in the bright hallway Levi pulls me into a hug. ‘’Thank you for sticking up for me back there, I wouldn’t want to make you that angry anytime soon’’ he jokes making me giggle lightly ‘’well I wasn’t gonna sit around when they talk shit about you~’’ I say in a sing-song voice as he rolls his eyes. 

Leaning in Levi places a gentle kiss to my lips before pulling away. ‘’Come on, let’s go’’ he says walking off with me by his side.

[dolphinitley]

Jacob Seed/Deputy Fic

Chapter 2 of a fic I decided to name “Love Like Revenge”. Full work on AO3.

Summary: Jacob's effort to take Rook back to the Veterans Center gets interrupted by Hudson, Jess, and Sharky. Now that the Project's influence has been mostly eradicated in Hope County, the Deputy goes back home to recover from the trauma she experienced the past few weeks. It was a mistake to think the Project didn't care for her anymore, because Jacob alone surprises her in the woods near her home.

Sort of a hurt/comfort vibe in this chapter.

Sharky, Hudson, and Jess were hanging out around a table at the old 8 Bit Pizza Bar.

“Rook’s never gone this long without checking in.” Hudson was focusedly fumbling with her fingernails.

Jess sat with her elbow on the table, holding the side of her worrisome face in her hand.“I shouldn’t have left her. She said she wanted to spend some time alone but we’ve really been pissing off Jacob lately.”

Sharky and Hudson looked at Jess with sympathetic faces.

“I just feel like Jacob’s got her again,” said Jess.

Hudson’s radio starting crackling. The Sheriff was trying to get ahold of her.

“Hudson, check in with me when you can. Over.”

Hudson picked up her walkie and spoke into it. “Go ahead, Sheriff. Over.”

“I got some sensitive news. Are you in a secure location? Over.”

Hudson had grown so close to Sharky and Jess these past few weeks. Since the police department cut salaries, law enforcement were basically on a volunteer basis. Hudson thought that Sharky and Jess more than proved themselves worthy to hear whatever Sheriff Whitehorse had to say.

“Yes, Sheriff. Over.”

Whitehorse sighed over the walkie before saying, “I just got word from the Whitetails that Rook’s killed Eli.”

Sharky, Jess, and Hudson stared at the walkie with confused faces.

“They think she was under the influence of Jacob’s conditioning. But apparently now she’s gone on a warpath to find him and kill him. Think you can head up to the mountains and find her before she gets herself killed? Over.”

Jess was already collecting her arrows and Sharky was grabbing his keys.

“On it. Over.” replied Hudson.

The trio started at the Wolf’s Den and tracked Dep from there. It wasn’t that hard to follow the trail of dead Peggies. Hudson spotted a strange figure across the field. She took out her binoculars to get a closer look.

“Fuck! He’s got her. She looks unconscious.”

“Let me see,” said Sharky, who took a look then handed the binoculars to Jess.

“Alright. I got a plan,” said Sharky.

Jess and Hudson listened to Sharky’s ridiculous plan. They didn’t love it, but time was running out. Jacob would be much harder to track than the Deputy was and his soldiers could be anywhere.

-

With Dep slung over his shoulder, Jacob tried to get out of the open field and into the woods as soon as possible. It would be a quarter of an hour before his soldiers could get a chopper to him. Good thing he had the Bliss on him to tame the Deputy.

The woods seemed empty and quiet until Jacob identified the sound of crackling fire and smell of smoke. He began to pick up the pace.

The fire grew fast, forcing Jacob to run out of the woods and onto the road, where he set the Deputy down on the pavement. Where was that damn chopper?

With Jacob in the open and Dep off his shoulder, Jess felt she had a good enough shot to take him down. The sound of a helicopter approached as Jess released the arrow, which hit Jacob in the backside. It wasn’t fatal, but it was very painful.

“What the fuck!?” he growled. In the chaos of approaching fire, lowering chopper, and the arrow stuck in his flesh, Jacob lost focus on the Deputy. This gave Hudson, Jess, and Sharky the opportunity to swoop in with the Cougar van and barely drag Dep inside. As they sped away, they heard the sound of bullets against the van and Jacob’s frustrated roar.

-

Once again, Dep came out of the Bliss on a cot in the jail with Tracey by her side. It got harder each time to get back into her usual headspace after being injected. She didn’t know how much more of it she could handle.

“You awake there, Dep?” asked Tracey.

Dep nodded. “What happened?”

“How much do you remember?”

Dep took a moment to try and remember what was real and what was the Bliss or conditioning. “Oh no. I...I killed...Eli?”

Tracey nodded solemnly. “You killed a couple dozen Peggies right after, then Jacob got his hands on you. Hudson, Jess, and Sharky came through as the rescue squad and brought you here. ‘Bout started a forest fire while they were at it. Jess shot Jacob in the ass.”

The last couple of sentences had Dep half grinning at how classically ‘Sharky and Jess’ that sounded.

Hudson came in the room and sat down on the cot next to Dep. “You alright Rook? You look like hell.”

“Yeah,” replied Dep tiredly. “What happened to Jacob?”

“The Chosen came and got him. He seemed alright. I don’t think he’s dead.”

This made Dep angry and guilty, but deep down she was relieved that her infuriating mountain man was still alive.

“I think it’s time for you to take a break, Rook,” said Hudson. “Eden’s Gate is on its last legs. There’s no roadblocks left. The Cougars and Whitetails can take care of it from here. We got Staci out of the Vet Center. Maybe it’s time we enjoy life while we can, ya know?”

Rook considered Hudson’s words and just nodded. Hudson wasn’t wrong. What more could she do here besides hunt for Jacob? Her body and mind were screaming for rest. She considered heading up to her house in the neighboring county to the north for a few weeks.

“Just think about it. Take all the time you need. We’re here for you.”

-

Walking into her own home for the first time in weeks had Rook feeling surreal. Everything was as she’d left it. Her cat seemed to fare alright by using the cat door to come and go as he pleased.

She broke down on her living room floor, hugging her cat. After an hour she got up and took a hot bath, focusing on breathing deeply. Then she ate some food and hot tea, and slept for a long time.

Rook made a point to check in with Hudson and her other friends every couple of days. Otherwise, she focused on work around the house and outside. She tried to recover from the hell she spent in Hope County, but it was tough.

-

Early one morning, when the sky was only a pale blue, her phone rang.

“Hello.”

“Deputy.”

Rook swallowed her fear and it turned into sickness. “Jacob,” she whispered.

“How are you holding up, Deputy? Been a couple weeks since I’ve seen you around the mountains.”

“What do you want?”

“You first. When we were on that rock you said that you wanted me and that it was the only way you were going to get me. What did you mean?” Jacob sounded less mocking than usual.

“Don’t pretend to be civil. I know how much you want me dead.”

“Deputy, if I really wanted you dead I’d have had it done a long time ago. But I don’t, and it’s getting to be a real pain in the ass.”

“I did the job you wanted done. I served my purpose. Now I’m gone. Just leave me alone.” The Deputy hung up the phone and went back to sleep in her warm bed.

-

After she hung up on him, Jacob tossed his phone on his desk and sighed. He thought about her too much. He wanted her too much. He spent less time working and more time thinking of how he could get to her. Whatever he did, it would have be just him because everyone in the Whitetail Mountains wanted her dead. So on his own, he found out where she lived and her habits. She sometimes hunted just north of the Hope County border and he decided to find her there.

-

Dep was walking slowly and quietly through the woods with her bow, looking for any sign of deer. She began going out more often when most grocery stores closed down or majorly cut down on their stock. It was yet another indication of the impending collapse that she tried to ignore. At least the hunting got her outside and moving. Her time in Hope County left her a mess that she wasn’t sure she could fully recover from.

She suddenly felt a presence behind her, but it was just a moment too late. As soon as she turned around, a six foot camo clad figure grabbed her bow, dropped it to the ground, and grabbed both her wrists in the blink of an eye. She was about to kick him in the groin until the figure pulled down his gaiter to reveal a red beard. It was Jacob and she was quite disarmed, but only for a moment. She began thrashing in his grip while he tried to calm her like she was an angry Judge.

“Deputy, you’ve got to calm down. I’m not here to take you. I’m not gonna hurt you,” Jacob tried in his most soothing voice. She wouldn’t stop fighting so Jacob brought her to the ground and pinned her. “Calm. Down. Soldier.” This got her attention and she stilled, staring up at him and out of breath. The look in her eyes was wild.

“I’m gonna let you up now, and you’re going to remain calm, alright?”

Dep nodded and Jacob released her. They got up to their feet quickly.

“If you’re not here to take me or kill me, what do you want?”

“I just missed my Deputy.” Jacob was speaking in his usual mocking tone and Rook wasn’t having it. His presence alone was so triggering of her time in Hope.

“Shut the fuck up,” she said with a biting tone. She tried to sound tough but her eyes were welling up. “You ruined me. I could have died and you wouldn’t have cared.” Her voice was breaking.

“I would have cared.” Jacob’s tone was more serious now.

“You fucking psychopath.” Rook was starting to hyperventilate. Jacob slowly closed the few feet of distance between them with his hands held up in a surrendering position. “You...you...” Rook tried to speak between sobs but it was useless. Once Jacob was close enough he quickly wrapped her in his arms and held her gently. The feeling of him being gentle made Rook dizzy. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Jacob has always ever been extremely rough with her and threatening to her. She had been so sad, and the feel and smell of Jacob’s large body enveloping her made her feel just a little bit better. She buried her face in his coat.

“You’re almost as far gone as I am,” Jacob said softly.

Rook half heartedly beat a fist against his chest in response. How dare he compare himself to her? She didn’t think she could ever be as evil as him.

Once she completely stopped crying and shuddering, she looked up from Jacob’s chest and took a step away from him. His eyes were the definition of piercing blue. Rook still could not figure out what he wanted.

Jacob slowly grabbed her bow from the ground and handed it to her. Now even he didn’t know what he was trying to do here. He saw just how much he had broken her, and he needed to figure out how to help her. For now all he could do was hang a water canteen around her neck and place a couple of MREs in her backpack.

Without any more words, Rook quickly walked back home. She glanced back at him twice and he was still there watching her. The third time she looked, he was gone.

Thank you for reading and please please let me know your thoughts! :)

Tagging @farcrying5 @zacklover24 @sassenach-on-the-rocks @afeverxlongingstill @mmechromancer @jacobmybeloved @theatmmmmm @liilaac @deputyoneill @colorguardian18 @theromanianbookworm if you feel like reading it :)

[hereliesbitches--me]

“You really think we should be celebrating that now?”

Valentine’s day in the Zompocalypse! ( Always accepting) 

“ As good of a time as any. I don’t think we’re gonna have a break like this again for a while.”

       After a weeks of travelling, avoiding the dead and other scavengers, sleeping with one eye open, and rotating in shifts when they had to sleep in the open, this was one of their rare opportunities to sit and sleep in a house that wasn’t tainted by any of the dead. They hit the jackpot. They found sanctuary in one of those gated communities that seemed clear enough to use the house without fear of waking up to a herd caging them in. The suburbs of New York had a sparse population of the undead in comparison to the congested cities. Here, Rosie comfortable let her bag fall into the kitchen, let the dogs roam about and sniff out for pests, and from the corner she watched as the kids excitedly pulled out a collection of colorful papers, scissors, markers , and glue to set out over the dusty table to work on once Eddie had left for some scavenging and clean up in that day. What he came back to find was a mess of paper clippings and cutouts all over the floor, the kids hiding their little projects away from his sights with a whine that it wasn’t ready – more Mia than Thursday, as her brother timidly tried to hide his creation under a dscolored manila folder he found. It was Rosie keeping Eddie in the living room, checking over what remains of supplies and what had been added. 

“ It’s Valentine’s day, ya know.”  She spoke up suddenly, softly, peering up from the collection and smiling briefly at him. “ That’s why they’re making projects. We used to have a tradition to make gifts for each other, just in case things don’t go so well at school.. ”Rosie settled for a moment, letting herself sit in the worn cushion that had once belonged to some unknown person that was probably among the wandering dead outside. It only took them a few months, but they were finally beginning to get along.. comfortable enough to speak with a little more ease. Sometimes she just talked.. sometimes he would listen, sometimes he wouldn’t, but it didnt matter to her (or did it?) , as long as she could just let it out. Those rare moments he actually conversed back, even if it was just a few words, she savored and kept in mind. The mother let her shoulders sink back for a bit, leaning into the groaning seat as the springs threaten to give, and she looked aside to where she could hear her children quietly chatting in hurried voices. The feline features at the top of her head stood tall and rotated to better catch their words. Her smile was always a tired one, but at least hearing them happy brought a warmth to her soul.. 

 “ Don’t ask why I know its Valentine’s day. Its an amazing worthless sixth sense I have for vital dates to keep in mind. I get its probably stupid to you, but its really important for them to still have a chance to keep good memories alive..”  Though Eddie asked for no explanation, she felt the need to defend it even when no one else would think it wise.  There was a conscious self awareness in her soul that always existed even before the end of the world. She was off in many ways, confusing and nonsensical to many, even before her spiral against mental illness after years of service in the military, and the police force. So few bothered to understand.. She knew something was strange inside her.. Something so very wrong that she just couldn’t fix, but she tried her best to hide it. The only one who had ever seemed to accept it was her Rocky… but just like everything else she touched, her illness was the very thing that killed him. She lived with it every day.. Could Eddie see how she wilted in that moment? How her eyes seemed to sink into her skull and hollow out as her racing thoughts remind her of her loss on a supposed day of love..? She practically ran in a state of autopilot, wearing an empty smile while her tired eyes stared off. 

 Wake up, Rosie. Wake up, you’re drifting. Don’t be so insensitive, you’re not the only one who’s hurting.

Suddenly, she blinked again. That’s right, she thought, he had a wife before too.. 

Rosie turned her head back to Eddie, and she mustered all her energy to offer him a warm look as she dug around her back for something that crinkled loudly as she pulled it out, “ I know it’s not much but..you won’t believe the fact that I found really good chocolate not too long ago to share on this day- ”Then, she was cut off by a chirping high pitched voice.

“ ITS DONE! ITS DONE! We finished- EDDIE, EDDIE, LOOK! FOR YOU!! ”Mia practically skid across the floor, her voice much too loud in a world of deathly silence as she skipped towards the two adults with her colorful crafts in each little hand. Even Rosie winced, and her heart spiked up in paranoid fear at the crowd the volume could arouse from outside. The look alone, sharp on her mother’s slim features, was enough of a warning for Mia to realize her mistake. The 8 year old gasped quietly, a warmth rising in her colored cheeks as she gave Eddie a sheepish grin. She lowered her voice in a quiet apology. In each hand she held a small, hand made card with the artistic eloquence of an elementary schooler’s work. To each adult, she offered her mismatching cards with an eager brilliance in her eyes. “ For you.” 

Eddie’s was a cutout heart much like Rosie’s, decorated in small doodles of hearts and stars and other little images in colorful marker on the front, titled ‘ Happy Valentine Day! ’ in bulky, slanted handwriting.  ‘ From: Mia! To: Awesome Eddie!  ’          Signed off with a heart.Mia was practically bouncing on her toes, eyes shining in anticipation while her restless little tail wagged. Rosie held her card, but her eyes were drawn curiously to Eddie’s card more than her own. “Open it!” Mia urged him, impatience clear in her voice. Rosie found her lips switching slightly in their corners. When the hard opened, It was a mess of glitter, stickers, and drawings. A true arts and crafts work with an explosion of color all around the lopsided heart she cut out of the card. In the center, her bulky little words were written with clear attempt to make it formal, though her hand writing send to change direction as she went. It read: 

      “ Dear Eddie, Don’t let mommy read this.        Happy Valentine’s day to the coolest superhero ever!         Thanks for staying, and making Mommy happy.           And you make me happy! And Thursday happy!          And the doggies happy! (Yes, even doggies are happy)          You make everyone happy, and we have lots of fun together!

          I love you lots, and think you’re so cool.          Thanks for not letting the monsters get us.We protect you too!

         I want you to stay forever. Can you stay forever please? 

         P.S. Mommy likes you a lot. I like when you don’t fight.         P.P.S. Keeping secrets are super hard.

             Love you! And Goop!   - Mia   ”

Drawn on the other half of the heart was their little family, made of triangles and circles. There was Mia in the middle, a lovely rectangle and triangle with a circle head, and little triangles that marked the ears on her head and tail. Besides her Could be assumed as Thursday, made of circles and ovals, with a head full of squiggly lines much like Mia’s own picture self. Mia’s doodle held onto a much larger catlike person, made of circles and triangles that made both her body and cat features. Rosie stood on one side, while on the other, holding onto the Thursday doodle, was the large Dorito-bodied persona that was Eddie. He was composed of bulbous circles and rectangles that make his arms and legs, towering above the rest of the family, with a triangle knife in his stick figure hand. Of course, complete with the dogs on the side, tied together with hearts, and dead bodies of green skinned zombies all around. And the family crudely colored in color pencil to complete the master piece.  “ What does it say?” All Rosie could see was the picture, her brows quirked curiously at the long paragraph her daughter had written, but Mia would not have it as she hopped in between the two and pushed for Rosie to read her own. 

Off in the corner, 6 year old Thursday stood quietly, bashful of the two cards he had in hand. They were not as elaborate as Mia’s… he couldn’t draw like her.  His handwriting was still shaky and in the works.. and worst of all, he decorated his cards with the flowers he picked from outside. Boys dont pick flowers.. men don’t like flowers.. He chided himself and felt the need to sulk away in embarrassment. Eddie would laugh at his card..He was about ready to crumble his creations, up until his mother noted her silent son hiding behind the wall.“ Honey, do you have cards too? What are you doing over there?” Rosie looked at him expectantly, smiling affectionately as she waited for her youngest to come over.. Thursday was startled that she mentioned him. A fearful feeling rose in him suddenly, a horrible ache in his muscles that didn’t let him move. The little boy felt his stomach drop under the eye of both adults, his face growing hot that showed blatantly on his pale freckled face. With wide eyes, he found himself frozen like a deer as they all turned to look at him. Especially Eddie… The light look became concern from Rosie when she noted the fearful shake that overtook her young son. How his breathing changed.. and his body shook like a leaf with the signs of tears that already threatened to fall. Rosie was quick to stand and hurry over to him , but by then he had already taken cover behind the kitchen wall and curled up. The two had vanished for a time.. Thursday whimpering and crying, Rosie’s hushed voice quietly soothing, until they both could talk low enough to not be heard. Mia frowned a bit as the attention was taken away from her card but she turned her attention to Eddie with a shrug of her shoulders. “ Sometimes, Thursday can be so weird. I can never tell why he suddenly cries..”

Rosie emerged once again with her son after a few minutes had passed, holding him in front of her, while Thursday timidly held his card desperately behind his back. His mother already had her pink card in hand, and smiled  gently as she ushered him towards where Eddie sat, “ He made you a card, Eddie. But he think you won’t like it because it has flowers. Isn’t that silly? Everyone likes flowers, right?”Thursday seemed to shrivel even more the closer he came. The boy dropped his head as he grew even smaller than he already was before his idol, stricken with fear that couldn’t make him stop his shaking. Rosie pursed her lips, and looked at Eddie expectantly for some comfort for her son. Her eyes expressed her desperate plead that he say something to encourage Thursday. As they stopped , Rosie knelt down and gently tapped on Thursday’s arms to bring them forward. From his mother’s touch, he nearly recoiled. Rosie grew more worried than before as she carefully put her arms around him, “ Thursday, please.. You didn’t work hard on it just for Mr.Eddie not to see it, did you? ” “ He won’t like it..”“You won’t know that unless he sees it. And I don’t believe he thinks flowers are bad, baby.. It looks so pretty. I bet he’ll keep it forever.”

Her assurance seemed to work to some extent. Thursday raised his head up just enough to look at his mother, and Rosie gave him a nod in return. He felt fragile and pathetic.. more than normal as he was put on the spot. But Rosie was right.. he wouldn’t know unless he tried. If Eddie liked Mia’s.. then he could like his own, right? Right. He swallowed the lump in his throat, and mustered all the courage he had in his little body to will his arms forward, to offer the black card of hearts.    “.. I-I hope y-you like it.. “

Yes, it was simple. It was not like Mia’s , who’s card looked like a rainbow threw up all over it with her abundance of stickers, glitter, and drawings that made it up. No, Thursday kept his card simple and clean. To the true nature of a fan, he kept it black and white themed, having written in chalk ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ on the cover with each letter a struggle to keep at the same size, and decorated the outside with an array of little flower blooms from lavender to yellow. Inside were drawings much like Mia’s, however oriented around action as ‘Venom’ kicked Zombie ass and protected them all. His text was much simpler, and expressed all he wanted Eddie to know :

    “ You’re my favorite Hero.        You make me happy. Please dont go.

       I love you.” 

Just like Mia’s, Rosie had taken the hint enough not to look.. Perhaps she’ll glance in later when the kids sleep. Satisfied with the scene, Rosie sat down on the couch, and pulled both her little ones into the seat besides her before once more reaching in to pull out a silver bag for them all.The Jackpot: Half melted hershey’s kisses. 

The sight of chocolate drew both the children’s attention onto the crinkling bag with slack jaws gaping. Chocolate had not been seen.. in months. almost  a year? Not edible chocolate at least. The fact that they let out audible gasps of excitement was enough to earn a rare titter of laughter from Rosie as she grinned,

“ I say since we passed out the cards, its about time we get into the chocolate.Dessert before dinner sounds good.

Anyone disagree? ”

There was not a word of protest from the children as golden smiles lit up across their faces. This would be a good Valentine’s day..

Even with their new friend.

[avengers-nextgen]

We Are One XVII

Chloe wandered down the street with a satchel slung neatly across her shoulder and a notebook in hand. She had enjoyed the time away from chaos, enjoyed the peace that came with it, enjoyed the sense of stillness, but the world refused to leave her alone.

She could turn as many corners as she wanted in search of refuge but something would always drag her back in. Hair blowing slightly in the breeze, she hurried across the busy street with her head down.

Brushing a strand of hair back behind her ear she was about to pause on the grassy little field when the ground shook beneath her feet. Head shooting upright like that of a deer smelling the wind she searched the surrounding area with a pounding heart. Her gaze settled on the debris pooling from a building across the way. Someone had set off explosions.

Ditching her satchel, Chloe sprinted towards the building past a gathering crowd. Dodging the bumper of a car slamming its breaks on Chloe set off once more only to be greeted by a familiar face.

“We meet again,” Killian sighed, clasping his hands in front of himself. Chloe noticed the metallic rod strapped to his back that hadn’t been there before.

“Did you do that?” Chloe asked, eyeing the building carefully.

“No,” Killian shook his head, “but I can’t let you fix it.”

“So you haven’t changed,” Chloe noted, “I don’t know why I even considered that you would. Where are the others?”

“Where they need to be. This city is surprisingly susceptible to crime,” Killian mused, “but it’s crime the police should handle.”

“You and I both know that won’t happen.”

“Not unless we make them,” Killian noted, straightening to his full height. “I know you understand my point of view. I can tell by your eyes. You feel how I do.”

“This isn’t how you inspire change!” Chloe frowned watching the building worriedly.

“Am I to do it with words?”

“Yes.”

“At the end of the day, my friend, no one will remember a written letter of complaint, but they will remember the boy who took action,” Killian glanced over his shoulder.

“Then you don’t understand me at all,” Chloe glared, taking a step backwards. “Words are everything. Do you know why silence is painful? It’s the sound of every word unsaid. Even things no one ever speaks have power. So yes, you solve this with words.”

“It’s too late for that.”

“Then, it’s too late for anyone.” Chloe turned curtly on her heel and scribbled quickly in her notebook. With a wave of the hand she chucked it through a portal. “I’m going in there.”

“Then it seems we have become enemies,” Killian remarked with a hint of genuine sadness. “Sword against the tongue. A showdown history always intended.”

— — —

Arthur nearly fell from his seat on the couch as a journal came slamming into the coffee table. Lunging for it the moment he recognized the familiar cover, Arthur tore it open. Skimming the page his heart quickened it’s pace. “Guys!”

Bolting through the building Arthur’s commotion drew an audience without his prompting. Nathaniel had emerged from a meeting with Fury when he whacked into Arthur. “Oh. Oh I am so sorry! You good?”

“There’s an issue,” Arthur stammered, shoving the journal into Nathaniel’s hands. He watched as the older boy read the messy scribbling before snapping the notebook shut and hurrying off.

Nathaniel found James mid conversation with Fox when he asked her to pull up the current news stream. One building had been blown up by some ransom seekers, a bank was stuck mid robbery, and someone had set a nearby gas station on fire.

“Is this Armageddon in action? What the hell?” James stared in awe at the news coverage.

“Killian and the others will keep us out until law enforcement does something. We can’t let that happen. That gas station blows up and that’s a shit ton of collateral damage, that bank is robbed and people will be in a frenzy, and that building is working on hydrogen cell technology. It’s unstable,” Nathaniel rattled off in quick succession.

“So this it then?” James asked, staring at his friend. “We have to pull out all the stops?”

“Unless you want radiation, gas fumes, and pissed off locals-yes,” Nathaniel nodded.

“Okay. Let’s do this.” James set his jaw.

— — —

Harper stood anxiously outside of the bank’s back entrance. She was feeling less confident by the second, and by the sounds of panic inside serious business was going down. She tried to tune it out but it was only increasingly difficult to do so.

Swallowing hard she looked down at the pistol in her hand. One she’d stolen ages ago but never used. Drew insisted she use it instead of the whip. Harper didn’t know why, but she listened. Maybe they expected heavy resistance-she wasn’t sure.

Already, she could hear the faint thwacking of helicopter blades in the sky. Just like the one that had killed her brother and sister. Killian had promised SHIELD would show. Promised she’d get a chance at revenge, but it was quiet.

There was no way of knowing what took place across the city. It was just her at the back entrance of that stupid bank. With sweat covered palms she examined the weapon in her hand with care. It felt impossibly heavy.

Casting her eyes upon the sky, Harper waited. She was still looking up when the first shield vehicle arrived. The tires squelched across the ground as doors opened protecting the agents behind them. She barely registered their cries to put the weapon down.

The sky was clear. She’d never really bothered looking at it much, but there wasn’t the haze that usually clung to the clouds.

— — —

Max prowled the streets in the form of a wolf prepared to intercept any outgoing aid from the heroes. Mind wandering, they couldn’t help but wonder what was about to transpire. Killian had rejoined them looking rather upset. The last thing Max wanted was Killian to act impulsively and suffer the consequences because of it.

Overhead the helicopters swarmed like always-no different than big black flies in a giant blue sky. The rumbling of an engine drew Max from their thoughts.

Turning to face a motorcycle the hair on the back of their neck stood on end. Two familiar people clambered off to greet them. Max found themself searching for Enzo. The boy wasn’t there.

That meant only one thing. There was no barrier to stop either side from tearing the other apart.

“You have one last chance,” Bianca warned, “don’t do this. We know how this ends.”

Max only crouched ready to spring. There was no more to discuss. They’d only ever gone in circles anyways and nothing had changed. The time for taking back deeds was over. There were scores to settle.

“Your choice has been made,” Sage sighed, “I have no regrets for this. Whether my brother forgives me or not is another matter.”

— — —

“Orion,” Scout glanced over at the boy keeping pace beside him, “remember what I said.”

“I know,” Orion set his jaw, “but let’s not think about that just yet.”

“Okay,” Scout nodded, following Orion’s gaze. He’d transfixed it on the waiting form ahead. Drew had expected them. She supposed now was the time to get her bounty and get away from this God forsaken planet as fast as possible.

“I want you to stay put,” Orion determined.

“What?”

“This is between us. She wants me not you. Don’t intervene unless it’s necessary okay?” Orion looked imploringly at Scout.

It took the other boy a moment to understand Orion’s reasoning. Then it hit him. Orion didn’t want Drew to have any other blood on her hands besides what was necessary. If there was a chance to restore her memory Orion wanted it to be as casualty free as possible. Though it was hard for Scout to agree to, he didn’t have much of a choice, “Okay. I’ll stay put.”

“Thank you,” Orion smiled thinly, drawing his sword.

— — —

“The Queen has arrived,” Kubu acknowledged spreading his arms as if she couldn’t already see the burning gas store.

“Spare me the talk,” Siyanda glowered, “I’m ending this.”

“So am I.” Kubu nodded, lowering his mask. “Let this be an honorable fight.”

“You have no honor.”

“Perhaps, that comes from perception,” Kubu shrugged, studying Siyanda and then Thalia who seemed unsure of what was about to happen, “from where I stand-it is you without honor.”

The two warriors clashed as they never had before in a heat of sparks and claws.

— — —

“This is bad,” Nathaniel breathed, following James towards the trembling building.

“Alex, Enzo, and Penny, head around the back and focus on getting people out,” James ordered. Both girls departed quickly from the group. “We have to play this carefully. I’ll be calling the shots understood?”

“Yeah,” Arthur nodded.

“I have an overhead view,” Piper spoke calmly over the coms.

“Keep in touch, okay?” James replied.

“Aye aye captain,” came the reply.

The group emerged from the grass as Chloe had to stare wide eyed at a violent battle.

“What is she doing?” Arthur panicked, “one on one?!”

“Come on,” Nathaniel sighed, hopping onto the roof of a car and pushing off in an attempt to cross the street.

Chloe launched the twisted form of a lamp post at Killian but he was quick to roll aside. She’d managed to draw some blood, but it had only resulted in a gash that annoyed him. At first she didn’t notice the others, but then Killian shifted.

She followed his eyes and her heart sank. Up until that point the metal rod had gone unused but now Killian was drawing it with zeal.

Clouds seemed to emerge from nothing and the taste of iron filled the air. Stepping between Killian’s intended path she erected a shield. Lightning slammed into the barrier with a violent crack.

Across the way, James, Nathaniel, and Arthur were blinded by flashes of white light.

[codylabs]

Chapter 21: Stay Strong

Links: P 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

The shapeshifter stopped off at Tambry’s house just long enough to drop her off, then hid Robbie’s van in the woods and continued through town on foot, wearing a disguise that would draw no attention: that of some random out-of-towner.

He was somewhat at a loss of where to start his search for answers, so he stopped by the GF Gossiper to pick up a copy of the local paper. NEW SPECIES OF FUNGUS DISCOVERED IN LOCAL REPORTER’S ARMPIT! The headline read. He turned to the next page. RAIN EXPECTED DURING BAKE SALE! LIKELY WATER! He flipped a few pages ahead to the sports section. DEATHBALL TRIBUTES CHOSEN! Remember kids, next year it could be you!

Geez. The shapeshifter wondered. What kind of sad, pathetic sack of human waste would actually consider this news?

But then, one headline caught his eye. INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO MYSTERIOUS KILLER ROBOT! If you are the evil mad scientist responsible, please turn yourself in!

Ah yes…

That whole thing… The Shifter read through the article. Apparently, nobody really seemed to know where this ‘killer robot’ came from, what happened, or why. The inept police force was getting less than nowhere with their “investigation”, and local coot/genius/former mad scientist Fiddleford McGucket was indisposed to answer questions, even though he was the one handling the machine’s autopsy, over at the former NorthWest manor.

With nothing more pressing to do, the Shifter decided he may as well pay McGucket a visit. After all, the old human was one of those who’d trapped him in that bunker all those years ago. A little payback had been a long time coming, and really, who would miss one eccentric old man? Besides, he might know something about the Shifter’s origins.

He asked a passerby on the street if she could point him toward the manor, and followed her directions down the road and up a hill.

Twenty minutes later, he found himself disguised as an ordinary deer, standing just outside the property. The front entrance was currently being blocked by a gigantic human in a gigantic pickup truck, whose combined bulk didn’t look to be moving it anytime soon. The deer glanced about, annoyed and impatient. Climbing over the wall would draw too much attention… Is there a way around the back? Just as he turned to search, movement by the gate caught his attention: a human girl had just exited the mansion.

But not just any girl.

THE girl.

Wendy. Wendy Corduroy. One of the few humans who actually did know something about the robotic life, and one of the most likely to know anything at all about alien life. Coincidentally, also one of the humans which had made an enemy of him.

He stared, and smelled, and listened.

The girl was looking tired and weak; overly pale, with rings under her eyes, tangled, unkept hair, and bringing a faint smell of unwashed sickness in her wake. Her walk was comparatively stooped and sluggish as she loped down the steps and opened the passenger-side door of the large man’s truck. The Shapeshifter wondered at his luck at finding her so helpless. In this state, she would be all but helpless before him, and all he had to do was wait until she was alone…

She closed the truck’s door behind her, and began to talk with the man inside. He couldn’t hear what they were saying…

“Wait feller!” A cackling southern accent entered the scene, and the Shifter saw Fiddleford scamper out of the building, a few tools in his hands.

Wendy rolled down the window to address him. “S’up?” The shifter enlarged and focused his ears to make out the distant conversation.

“Eh… Wull, uh…” McGucket scratched his scalp. “This little mission a yers… Who’s all goin’ with ya?”

“I don’t know…” Wendy shrugged. “You, me, Stan 1, Stan 2… And how ‘bout you, dad? You in?”

The gigantic man spoke up, his voice booming as if it had no lower volume. “YEAH.”

“Okay, yeah, I think that’s all…” Wendy nodded. “I… don’t really wanna drag Soos or Mabel into this after what happened…”

“Uh-huh…” McGucket glanced down the road. “Uh… Yeh ain’t goin’ now, is ya?”

Wendy shrugged again. “Well… Yeah, close to now. Like, an hour? What do you have to do to prepare?”

“Oh, okay, uh… Just need ta charge up me robo-legs… And get the plasma beam ready for a field test… And reviewify some of my notes…”

“ROBO LEGS?” The large man frowned.

“Plasma beam…?” Wendy asked.

“Eh, ye’ll see…” McGucket waved a hand dismissively. “Gimme two hours?”

“Okay… I think the Stans are at the Mystery Shack now, so meet us there then.”

“Right gab-smack tootin!” McGucket turned to head back indoors.

“WAIT.” Dan stopped him. “SO… SO WILL THIS SUPERWEAPON THING OF YERS DESTROY ALL THE ROBOTS? THAT HOW IT WORKS?”

Wendy opened her mouth to answer ‘yes’, but then closed it again. She looked at McGucket. The old man shuffled uncomfortably. “Wull, I… Most of ‘em, I’ll warrant… Tidal forces’ll rip the larger things apart, and a lot of the smaller things’ll be crushed in the mix… But there’s a swell chance a few critters might find a safe place, underground or in a shell…”

“Ugh.” Wendy glanced back at her dad. “Job for another day then.”

Dan considered this for a moment. “WANT ME TA GET A POSSE TOGETHER? MY CREW, SOME BIKERS, THE GLEEFUL GANG? THEY’VE GOT A SOFT SPOT FOR THINGS LIKE THIS.”

“A posse…? To do what?”

“TA HEAD INTA THE FOREST. Y’KNOW, WHILE THE REST OF YOU ARE DOWN IN THE SHIP, WE COULD BE CLEANIN’ UP STRAGGLERS”

She thought about it, then nodded. “Sure, uh… Just remember to stay… Stay… Hey, how far from the blast should they stay?”

“Eh… Lesse here…” McGucket twiddled his fingers like the beads of an abacus. “If we tune the ol’ banjo right, it’ll only completely overpower the Earth’s natural gravity within a mile radius. I’ll reckon much further than 2 miles, ya won’t feel nothin’ but a hiccup… So… Keep yerself 3 miles out ‘till it’s done firing, and you’ll be safe as corn puddin’.”

“Okay…” Wendy dug around in her pockets and produced a map. The shifter saw her draw a circle on it, and then hand it to her dad. “Just at least outside of here until we shut down the field. We’ll give you a call when it’s safe…”

“RIGHT… WHAT KINDA WEAPONS SHOULD WE BRING…?”

“Umm… Magnet guns would be great, but we only have, like, 3 of them…”

“I got the parts ta hootinany up 4 more’a them jiggers.” McGucket suggested. “Want me ta bring ‘em?”

“…Yeah.”

“AND IF THEY DON’T WORK?” Dan asked.

“Uh, if they don’t…” Wendy scratched her head. “If they don’t, go in with axes, shotguns, or… I don’t know, get creative. If it’s one of the lions… We killed a small pack of them earlier, so that may have been all of ‘em. I don’t know. But if you run into one, they’ve got a weak point in their armor. In the back of their neck beneath their antennae. Once you stun them, drive a steak or something far enough in there, and it’ll sever their spine… Also, if anybody has logging chaps, those work pretty well against saws… That’s… Oh geez, that’s how Dipper killed the last one… Uh…” She turned to her dad. “Am I forgetting anything?”

“THINK WE’RE GOOD. I’LL DROP YOU OFF AT THE SHACK THING, AND GO GATHER PEOPLE.”

“Okay… Oh yeah, it’s also kind of a secret that aliens exist.” Wendy reminded her father. “You kinda just found out, but this should stay between as few as possible.”

“I’LL TELL EM IT’S ALL MAD SCIENCE.”

“Great…”

The truck drove off down the road, and McGucket returned indoors.

The deer that had been watching the exchange tilted its head. ‘Mission.’ ‘Superweapon.’ ‘Ship.’ ‘Aliens.’ What mission? What superweapon? What ship? WHAT ALIENS? These tidbits all sounded very interesting; much more interesting than revenge. Perhaps for now, his part was but to wait and watch… After all, revenge was easy; he would always have a chance for something small like that. But to steal their knowledge and their secrets would be so much more important…

He morphed into a much faster animal, and was able to keep up with their truck with relative ease.

Fifteen minutes later, Dan left her at the Mystery Shack, and turned his truck back toward town.

Wendy glanced over her shoulder at the machine in her backpack: The computer system they could use to reactivate the UFO’s engines and destroy the Forest of Daggers. Today’s the day… Ugh, today’s the day… We’re closer than ever to finishing the mission.

But then she thought back to the robot lying dissected in McGucket’s lab, and to the answers its autopsy hadn’t answered… All the possibilities and trains of thought she’d chased to dead ends over the past few days, all the secrets and dark knowledge hidden in her mind. It seems she’d tried everything… We’re still further than ever from saving him.

She looked around at the trees, standing tall and indifferent around her. Somewhere deep in these woods, hidden in the dark, weird shadows beneath the trees, was there an answer? Was there a way to save him? This was Gravity Falls, after all; a solution to undo death wouldn’t be the weirdest thing they’d found out here. No… Definitely not the weirdest.

She would find something.

Or something would find her.

She felt like she was being watched.

But feeling like you’re being watched was nothing new around these parts, so she continued up the drive toward the Shack without giving it another thought.

She was almost there when the door flew open, and Stan stumbled out, across the porch, and off through the grass in the direction of the forest. He had a large electric jackhammer tucked under one arm, and a can of diesel under the other.

Wendy waved an arm and called for his attention. “Hey Stan! Need to talk about stuff; you got a minute? Where’s Stan 2?”

“Wendy…?” He turned around and saw her. “What…? Shouldn’t you still be in bed? Radiation poisoning and all that…?”

She frowned, utterly tired of people pointing this out. “Oh yeah, I probably should.” She went on the defensive. “Just like my dad should probably be at work, Stan 2 should be in a hospital from what I hear, and you should probably be in jail if this world were fair. But here we are, and there’s more important stuff than us, so do you have a minute or don’t you?”

Stan sighed, considered it for a second, then shrugged.

“So you mean business.” He remarked.

She nodded. “We’re gonna kill the robots today. Could use your and Stan 2’s help. You in?”

“Uh… Ford’s pretty sick…”

“Okay, well—”

“Hey, uh… Hold on.” He interrupted her and pressed the gas can into her arms. “Tell me on the way. I found something you’ll want to see.” And he led the way off into the trees.

Wendy’s curiosity won out over her impatience, (if barely) and she followed.

On the way, she told him the whole plan, and he listened with weary ears. From the woods not 10 meters behind them, the shapeshifter walked on silent feet, listening with ears that were very interested indeed.

Wendy finished telling the plan for what must have been the third time today, and Stan nodded slowly. “Probably for the best… Moving out now?”

“Soon as McGucket gets here with tools.”

“Hmm.”

Five minutes of silent walking later, Stan’s pace slowed to a stop near the center of a grove of birch trees. His eyes peered around the environment, searching for wherever he’d last seen their item of interest. Finally he found it. “Well, it’s still here… Uh… Good.” He sighed.

Wendy turned and saw it too. She recognized the shape instantly of course, but spent the first couple seconds wondering who would build such a thing, and why. But then the truth slowly dawned on her: that no man had made it. That somehow, it was the real deal. Before she even gave the command, her right hand had already drawn and readied her axe, and her eyes were sweeping the surrounding trees, looking for fires, smoke, monsters, eye-bats, or whatever madness this creature’s continued existence might spawn.

Seeing nothing but sunshine and grey/green trees, her eyes returned to the statue. “Is that really Bill…?” She asked.

“Yeah…” Stan cut her off, as if saying his name was somehow taboo. “It’s him.”

“How—”

“Remember when he left his body to enter my mind?”

“…Yeah…?” (She was a tapestry at the time, but she always left that part out when recounting the tale.)

“Yeah… Well… I think… I think this is that… This is what he left behind. Same size. Same pose… I don’t know what the whole story is, but… It’s him.” Stan hesitantly lifted a leg, and kicked the statue’s upraised arm.

No reaction.

“’Kay then…” Stan took out the jackhammer, and locked a large chipping bit into the end. “Help me with this.”

“Wait…” Wendy held up a hand. “Wait, umm…”

“’Wait’?!?” Stan spun on her. “Whaddaya mean ‘wait’?!? What, you wanna spare whatever’s left of him? give him a chance? Wanna shake a hand? Try and buy your little ‘boyfriend’ back?!? That it? HUH?”

“WHAT?!?” Wendy snapped. “NO! DIPPER WOULD RATHER HAVE DIED! I… I mean… I mean he would rather stay dead than… Than have us do that… I mean… What I meant was… Never mind. Never mind. Let’s do this.”

Wendy turned her axe around, gripped it with both hands, and used the flat part on the back like a hammer to strike the statues’ hat.

Stan hefted the jackhammer level with the statue’s eye, pressed it in, and pulled the trigger.

The sound of its metallic tapping seemed to fill the forest, echoing between and through the trees as if the entire forest could hear. The eye chipped, then chipped more, then cracked in two, then the bit was through the eye and deeper into the statue. Wendy’s axe finally smashed through the hat, and the item fell to the ground.

Thus did the dreaded thing slowly, slowly come apart.

Stan didn’t expect it to be hollow.

Wendy didn’t expect its insides to reek like a rotting animal.

No matter. Once they were through breaking apart the ‘shell’, Stan reached for the gas can, and poured diesel over the whole thing. While he did, Wendy used her axe to chop down a small tree, and cut off a few smaller limbs. She stacked the wood in a flammable way over the rubble, and Stan tossed a lighter.

The pile ignited instantly, and the wood kept it burning. In the heat, the last large chunks of stone cracked and chipped, until there didn’t remain much to see at all. The stink faded, and the smoke turned from black to grey, as if some small burden had been lifted from the natural world.

Wendy leaned back against a tree and crossed her arms. Stan sunk the tip of the jackhammer into the ground, and leaned against it like a walking stick. Both their eyes stayed fixed on the statue’s remains, while their hearts nursed hatred. The flames quietly flickered and hissed as the minutes stretched on, the only sound in the forest.

“How’d you find it?” Wendy finally asked.

“Just…” Stan shrugged. “Just… Goin’ for a walk… Found it.” His mind was far away, and didn’t bother to make his mouth lie well.

“We’re in the middle of nowhere…” Wendy frowned.

He opened his mouth, and closed it again.

Stan’s previous objection came back to Wendy’s mind: why would he think she wanted to shake its hand…? Where would that terrible idea have come from? “…Was it Mabel?” Wendy theorized, hoping she was wrong. “…Did she find it? …Did she shake his hand?”

Stan rubbed his hands through his eyes, and sighed. “If… Ugh, oh geez… Well, if she’d been about to… I woulda promised not to tell.”

So it really IS that bad. Wendy thought. This really IS our darkest hour. “Oh… Okay…” She said. “Right. I didn’t hear nothin’ from you…”

“No ya didn’t.”

They watched the fire for a minute more.

Suddenly Wendy let out a little yell, stepped up, and threw her axe at a nearby tree. The blade sank into the bark almost halfway. “Everything’s just falling apart!” She yelled at nobody in particular. “Everything! We… We all want him back so bad, but we don’t know how, and now that he’s gone… It’s like we’re not good people anymore! We’re not heroes! Does that make any sense? Like… Like remember Weirdmageddon? We all survived, but none of us did anything… It was only when Dipper came along… He found me, sitting on my butt, and he brought me along… And then we found Mabel, sleeping in a dream, and brought her along… And then we found you, hiding in the shack, and brought you along… And then we found Stan 2, helpless and trapped, and we brought him along… Dipper was the one that saved us all, because he was the only one who knew how to stand up and be a hero… Without him… It… It all started and ended with him…”

Stan scratched his neck.

“And now… Now it’s looking bleaker and bleaker... No way to beat death… Now all we’re doing is trying to avenge him… Now we’re getting desperate… It’s all. Falling. Apart…”

Wendy returned her axe to her belt and fell silent. She had more words to say, but didn’t want to let them out.

Stan thought about it all for a while.

“Who was he to you?” Stan finally asked.

Wendy glanced at him, then back to the flames. She shrugged. “A friend.” Then answered, then amended it. “My best friend.”

“More than a friend?” Stan asked.

She nodded. “More than a friend.” She admitted.

He thought about this too. A tiny, bittersweet smile tickled the corner of his mouth, as he realized he was hearing the things that Dipper would once have longed to hear. “…A lover?” He asked.

“No… Yeah…” Wendy shrugged. “I mean yeah… No.” She glanced at Stan, who’d had many shallow, fleeting lovers over the years. “No…” She said. No, not the way it means to you. “What’s more than a lover?”

“…A brother?”

“What’s more than a brother?”

“Nothing’s more than a brother.”

“…Then he was my brother.”

Stan pursed his lips, and decided to change the subject. “…You know…” He said. “When I lost my brother… When I let him fall through the portal, when it seemed like he was gone forever… That was somethin’ else. That was when I remembered how much I loved him. How much I needed him. How much I missed him… And also when I realized how much I could do on my own, even without him; the sacrifices I was able to make, the things I was able to learn, and do, and say… I learned the lengths I could go to save him. There were 30 years in there… 30 years of hopelessness. 30 years staring at a broken machine, all alone, lying and stealing and putting on smiles and pouring over confusing old books. 30 years when all evidence and logical sense in the world told me he was gone forever, except I kept on trying… To believe like I did? To keep on hoping? To try and be his hero? That was a work of faith on its own…”

Wendy nodded, feeling these same things herself. “Why… Why did you keep that faith?”

“Well… I figured he couldn’t be gone forever. And I knew… I knew I still had a debt to pay to him. I knew I’d wounded him, that I’d let him down… I knew that that was my… Redemption…”

Wendy considered this for a minute in silence. Her eyes drifted to the ground, and it held their attention while she thought.

“Why… Why do I keep my faith…?” She asked out loud, even though nobody but her knew the answer.

Stan looked at her with a frown. He knew as well as anyone that her faith was probably empty; there was no point in hoping. Death was final. But she couldn’t hear that; it would be too harsh. So instead he repeated her question back at her. “Why?”

“Why…” She echoed again. “Well…It’s… It’s funny… Well… No… No, it’s not funny… But… But… Ooookay.” She finally decided that she had to tell somebody. “There was one secret I kept from Dipper.” She blurted. “We promised not to keep secrets from each other… But I told him there was one I had to keep, and he was okay with that, so I kept it.”

“Oh really.” Stan folded his arms.

“I… I guess there’s no point keeping it a secret anymore, because now it isn’t even true… Is it? I don’t know… But… But can I tell you? Just don’t tell anyone; especially not him, if we ever do bring him back… I just need to tell somebody to make sure I’m not going CRAZY… Could you please keep this a secret?”

Stan nodded. “Sure.”

Wendy hesitated one more time to gather her wits, then said:

“Time travel is a thing.”

Stan wasn’t necessarily surprised. “Ford mentioned that at one point.” He admitted. “He ran into it here and there in his… Dimension-hoppin' days. Way I hear it, there's a few 'advanced civilizations' out there who've dabbled…”

“Yeah, well, news flash: mankind is one of them.” Wendy told him. “And more than dabbled; a couple hundred thousand years in the future, it'll be borderline commonplace. Policed and regulated fiercely though, which I guess is why we don't see more of them around these times…”

“Great.” Stan shrugged. “So time travel is a thing, but not anywhere close to yet. What does that have to do with—”

“I MET MYSELF.” Wendy told him.

Stan frowned.

“It was last Fall.” She explained. “After Dipper, Mabel, you and Stan 2 left… I was sitting in my room not doing my homework… And she showed up. She was maybe 25… 30? I don’t know… But she was a warrior of some kind apparently, had a suit of armor, some weapons, a funny cyborg eye doohickey, a time machine… But… But she was ME, there was no mistaking it… She was chill, we were both like ‘hey, how’s it going?’ or whatever; shared a soda… And then she gave me some advice on how to live my life; to apply myself in school, to love my family, defend the town, stop being lazy, never lose my integrity, never roll over for all the boyfriends I’d one day have… Basically she remembered the thoughts and the mistakes that I would one day make… And told me the things she remembered I’d need… And she’s the reason I’m so deep into these adventures and mysteries and crap nowadays, she’s the reason I’ve been doing better in school. Because that’s the path to the life I know will one day make me happy and fulfilled… The… The day she showed up was one of the biggest days of my life…”

“Umm…” Stan scratched his head. “Not gonna lie, that’s pretty weird…”

“But you believe me? It’s not impossible?”

“Well… No, I mean… There’s been weirder things around. But… But this super-secret-time-warrior-future chick; did she tell you that Dipper was gonna die? Or tell ya how to save him…? Or—”

“NO.” Wendy ran her hands through her hair. “No, that’s the weird part. SHE DIDN’T. In fact, you know what she did say? You know why I hold on to faith right now? You know why I never told anybody about this ever? You know why this was the only secret I had to keep from Dipper? You know why I’ve been confused and divided and conflicted and determined for 7 months now?”

“…Why?”

“Because.” She said. “Dipper’s not really ‘like a brother’ to me. And he’s not just my best friend either… Someday… Someday Dipper was gonna be my husband…”

About 50 feet back in the trees, something that looked just like an ordinary mountain lion had been crouching for the past half-hour, listening. Now its paws grew fingers, reached through a fold in its skin, and removed Robbie’s phone. He shook the slime off it as quietly as he could, and opened a web browser. He searched ‘time travel’, then ‘husband’, and read briefly through the articles that popped up.

Putting the two sets of knowledge together painted a very strange picture, and he considered the implications with confusion and interest.

Then he realized the humans were talking again.

“Shut up.” Wendy was saying.

“I didn’t say anything.” Stan put his hands up.

“Yeah, but you’re thinking it. You’re smiling.”

“I--! Hmm… Okay…” The old man scratched the grizzle on his chin to hide the smile he knew shouldn’t be there. “What do I say here?”

“What do you say? What do I say? This isn’t funny, it’s weird! I’m not crazy, am I? Am I crazy? Why would I make this up? And why wouldn’t it be true anymore? What happened?”

“I… Okay…”  The old man gave it all as much thought as he could muster. “Okay… No, you’re not crazy. I believe you… And no, I don’t know anything else. I really don’t know how time travel works.” He admitted. “I don’t know if we changed the future somehow, or if this is all a dream, or if that was all a dream, or if that even was you from the future, but…” He shrugged. “Is there a way to bring him back? For real and good? That’s the real question, isn’t it? A way that doesn’t involve flirting with ancient evil…? Something that doesn’t just… Just make the pain longer and worse…? Heck if I know. But if he really means as much to you as you said… If you really believe you can do this thing, and really will do anything for him… Then… Then if there’s a way, I’ve a hunch you’re gonna find it. And… God help whatever stands in your way.”

She made a noise with her nose, about halfway between a laugh and a scoff.

“Seems to me.” Stan put a hand on her shoulder. “This is the part of the story where the world finds out who Wendy really is… And I think we’re all looking forward to it.”

She took a deep breath, and tried to smile. “Thanks…”

He gave her a pat, and turned away. “’Kay, hey, let’s head on back then. McGucket will be here before too long, right? We’ve still got some bots to flatten today, and we can’t keep your dad and his posse waiting.”

“Yeah, yeah… Uh… I’ll be with you in a minute…” She nodded.

Stan turned and started back toward the Shack, leaving Wendy staring at the last dying embers of Bill’s pyre. Once he was out of sight, she walked over to a nearby tree, pulled out a knife, and began carving shapes into the trunk. What were those, numbers? She seemed to have given the task all her attention.

Here we are, little girl. The shapeshifter thought. Alone in the middle of the forest. You have your back turned, and your brain preoccupied… I could kill you right now, it would be so easy.

Forget killing, I could HURT you. Disturb you. Torture you. Take anything I wanted from your body and brain, however I wanted.

I could.

I should.

But he didn’t.

Instead he watched silently for a few seconds as she finished carving whatever those shapes were. Then she flipped her knife closed, and stood back, allowing the shifter to get a good look at them. Was that a time and date? Suddenly Wendy turned her face upwards. “IF I EVER BECOME A TIME-TRAVELER!” She announced to the skies, and pointed at the numbers. “I PROMISE I’LL COME BACK FROM THE FUTURE TO RIGHT NOW, 11:03 AM, JUNE 12, 2013.”

He looked at her for a few seconds, startled.

Then Wendy looked left. The shifter looked left too. There was nobody there.

Then they both looked right. There was nobody there.

Behind, in front, up, down…

They didn’t see anyone or anything. They waited a minute or so…

But nobody came.

A single silent tear glinted in the light as it rolled down Wendy’s cheek.

Well. The shifter thought. I suppose that answers that question. Yes, something changed, indeed. Your plans, your dreams, your precious little friend… Everything concrete in your life really IS dead for good, isn’t it? And now… It seems without your partner, without your hero… You have nobody left to lean on. You’re so weak, I could kill you now…

But he didn’t.

Wendy turned and started back into the trees toward the Shack. The shifter decided he had other business too, and started back toward Robbie’s van.

Once they were both out of sight, the dark figure crouching high in the branches disappeared in a flash of blue light.

Ow, that hurt.

Dipper didn’t wake up, because he was already awake.

He didn’t open his eyes, because they were already open.

He didn’t stand up, because he was already standing.

It’s strange; he hadn’t feel any sort of lapse or discontinuity at all, yet he’d been lying down, hadn’t he? Something had been wrong with his body, and the pain had been incredible, and he’d been lying down. But now, an unmeasurably long instant later, he was just standing…

Hey I don’t hurt anymore. He realized.

But… Wait… Wait, what happened? Why aren’t I itchy? And why can’t I remember?

He tried to move, but he didn’t move… He tried to close his eyes, but couldn’t… He tried to speak but… Why can’t I feel my tongue?

It’s true, his own body seemed to be missing entirely. And whatever was left was still here, staring ahead, all alone… Wait… He couldn’t seem to remember much, but shouldn’t someone be here with him…? Somebody… WENDY! Where’s Wendy? Wendy was here with me, just a second ago! I need Wendy. I like Wendy. Wendy is nice. Wendy is pretty. Wendy. I need Wendy. Where’s Wendy?

He looked around.

He appeared to be in some kind of forest, deep beneath the overhanging shadows of the Pines. In fact, it wasn’t dissimilar to the woods of Gravity Falls; that familiar, wild environment wherein he felt most at home in this world. He didn’t see any buildings around, though now that he looked, there did seem to be some kind of hatches and doors built and hidden into the landscape; in hollows in the trees, in the gaps between roots, beneath bushes on the forest floor. Quite a lot of hatches… That was his first hint.

But the world was also grey, perfectly grey. The shadows were deep, the light was uncertain, even flickering, and everything bore the unmistakable marks of decay and neglect. But it was all grey; not even a hint of color… That was his second hint.

Oh… He put it together. This is the mindscape. When we were in Stan’s mind, it took the form of his home, with memories locked behind creaky wooden doors. This takes the form of my home… Or at least, the place I love the most… With memories sealed beneath shadowy hatches, deep in the forest… Somehow, I must be inside my own mind…

What happened? Why am I here? Is Bill around? Does he have something to do with this? I thought he was dead. Who put me here? And why can’t I remember what happened? Is there anyone else here?? Wendy!

In answer to his questions, loud, omnipresent words suddenly echoed through the trees. The words had no voice, no form or language. As if the words had not been spoken at all, but rather their meaning had been carved directly into his brain.

-INPUT: This is a test. Can you receive and respond to stimulus?

Dipper found he couldn’t speak. Huh? He thought. What does that mean? Who is that? What ‘stimulus’?

-INPUT: Think about the color purple.

Huh? Why would I think of the color purple? He wondered. Many pretty flowers are purple. Purple lightsabers are cool. Pacifica wears a purple dress. Purple lightsabers are REALLY cool. But Wendy wears green. Her hair is not green. Also trees are green. There are no green flowers. Why aren’t there any green flowers? I guess it makes sense that there are no green flowers; the bright colors are for bees to locate them. How would they locate a flower that blends in, huh? All the green flowers would die out…

-INPUT: You appear to be thinking almost normally. Are you capable of memory and learning?

What’s this loon talking about?

-INPUT: Try to remember this phrase: the ball is yellow.

Which ball are we talking about? Everything here is grey, and I don’t see a ball.

-INPUT: To demonstrate that you can learn, repeat the phrase back to me.

I can’t really talk, so how am I supposed to repeat? Wait, was the ball red or yellow? It seems like red is the most likely primary color for a ball to be. Unless they’re tennis balls, or the Pixar thing with the lamps.

-INPUT: Good enough, I suppose.

Wait a minute, somebody’s reading my mind! The words are responding to my thoughts!

-INPUT: That is astute. Now, can you remember your name and other basic information?

My name…? Uh… My name is Pine Tree something… Dipper! Yeah, Dipper… Dipper Pine Tree. Right? Man, that’s a stupid name. Did my parents just hate me or something? A dipper is an old-timey ladle for serving soup. They call me dipstick when they want to be mean. Sometimes Wendy calls me dipstick too, but that’s kind of more like friendly mocking. Not mean really.

-INPUT: Can you recall your real name, your current city and state of residence, and your sister’s hair color?

Her hair was reddish-pink… But it changed from week to week. She was always knitting new hair. And I’m in California of course. Gravity Falls, California.

-INPUT: What is your REAL name?

Dipper…

-INPUT: The decay is extremely severe…

Decay? Dipper glanced around his mindscape, suddenly worried at the implication. And he saw craters in the ground, gaping beneath splintered, fallen trees. Hatches and doors shattered off their hinges, or buried in rockslide. Words and labels and maps blurred or burned or defaced. And he realized he was looking at a place of utter ruin. This is my brain… Good grief, has it always been like this? What memories are lying there smashed? What pathways are now unwalkable…?

I used to be the smart one…

If I’m not the smart one, who am I…?

-INPUT: Do you feel ready to understand complex ideas?

Complex ideas? Well… I don’t know, look at this place… Does this mean I need to go back to kindergarten? Am I retarded now? Wait, if this thing is reading my thoughts, did it hear that? And that? It did! It’s hearing everything I think! This is creepy! I can’t think about embarrassing things like Wendy! Wendy is nice. Wendy is pretty. Where’s Wendy? Is Wendy the one reading my mind? Oh no! Is Mabel the one reading my mind? If that’s Mabel, then no matter what I do, I cannot think about dead kittens.

-INPUT: This is your Great Uncle Ford, and you deserve an explanation.

-INPUT: You died, Dipper. You died in battle defending Wendy Corduroy. I recovered your body before it underwent cell death, and used the brain scanner in my study to make a backup copy of your consciousness. I didn’t tell anybody besides Stan for fear of raising false hope, and neither of us were optimistic. And… Honestly, my plans didn’t go further than that; than maintaining a copy. I’m not sure where to go from here. And seeing as how the copy is only partial, and how rapidly it decays, I doubt I can go very far.

-INPUT: You did not perceive any passage of time between your death and now because I did not have a computer powerful enough to accommodate a living mind.

-INPUT: However, I found a temporary solution in the form of your sister. She is currently in a coma in the lab, and her brain is being used to host both of your minds. She is thinking for both of you. However, she is only thinking a fraction as fast under the load; already half an hour has elapsed since I began this interface.

-INPUT: Your sister has been extremely troubled since your death, and Stanley brought her to me hoping I could heal her or cheer her up. That is the only reason you’ve been activated at this point. After I uninstall you from her mind and deactivate her coma, you will not remember any of this, although she will. She needs you. And this will double as a viable field test for further tentative experiments with your copy.

-INPUT: Do you comprehend all this information?

It took a little while, and it put some stress on the borrowed corners of Mabel’s mind, but Dipper did slowly ‘comprehend’ the situation. Evidently, Ford saw when he’d finished his understanding.

-INPUT: Good. Now, there’s somebody who wants to see you. I’ll leave you two alone.

In the corner of his eye, he saw something that wasn’t grey. Something colorful, picking its way towards him through the rubble. Something with a reddish-pink sweater, and brown hair. “D… Dipper?”

…Mabel?

“And you brought this WHY?”

“Wull…” McGucket fished his own mind for an adequate explanation. “We gave all them magnet guns ta Dan’s posse, so I gist thought we might need somethin’ if we ran into some ‘drones’ or somesuch down there… An I just built this, so I figured we could give it a go!”

“Well, yeah!” Stan shrugged. “But how far are we planning on carrying this? It’s like the size of my…!”

“Is that the ‘plasma beam’ you mentioned?” Wendy came walking up.

“Ye reckon straight!” McGucket’s robo-pants whirred and clattered as he did a little jig, the massive sci-fi weapon cradled in his arms. “It uses these here magnetic containment thingums ta fire a six-million-degree trickle of deuterium-helium hogwash with an effective range of 50 meters, half-meter penetration capability into all types of material and armor, as well as tank capacity for 200 some-odd shots, and it even hambones yeh a tune while it charges!” He pressed a button and the weapon began to emit a country song from an onboard record player.

“…Why.” Wendy blinked. “You have a death ray. Why did you build a death ray.”

“Wull… I started fiddlin’ with it back when we first met them robit’s, as a weapon ta punch through ‘em instantly if push ever came ta shove… I…” The joy left his voice. “I guess I invented it too late.”

“Hmm.” Wendy grunted, trying not to sound too mean, but maybe sounding mean anyway by accident. “It’s okay. It’ll still be useful for the… Alien drone things though, right?”

“Aww, it’ll punch right through ‘em, surefire. The thermal expansion strain from even a near miss oughta be enough to crack their outer shells…”

“It’s still way too big.” Stan repeated. “You sure you can haul that stupid thing all the way down the ladder?”

“Ehhhhhhhh…”

“You do you then.” Stan grunted. “But I’ll be hauling some good ol’ fashioned ray guns.” He patted his bulging pockets. “You want one, Wendy?”

She took two. “And Ford isn’t coming?” She clarified.

“Can’t. He’s… He’s got work ta do. Plus he’s lookin’ after my other great neice…”

She shot him a glare that promised to carve out his kidney stones with a belt sander.

Somewhere in the middle of all this, an edgy, gothic van came rolling up the driveway behind them. As Wendy tucked Ford’s blasters into her belt, she glanced over her shoulder. “Ugh.” She sighed when she recognized the vehicle. “I’ll deal with this, guys…”

She met Robbie face-to-face before he’d even made it around from the driver-side. His slouching lope came to an abrupt stop when she demanded. “What are you doing here, dude?”

“Well, I just, like…” He looked almost as confused as he did sour. “I wanted to help…?”

“We’re fine, dude. Plus it’s kind of top-secret what we’re doing, so…”

“Well, I’m, like, prepared!” His slouch straightened just slightly, as he gestured to a weapon across his back. “I’ve got a sawed-off shotgun, some gnarly knives, a van, a skateboard…?”

“We’re fine.” She repeated. “We don’t really need… We’re fine… And hey, how did you even know we’re doing anything at all? This is kind of secret…”

“Well, I wanted to go with your dad’s gang out to the forest, but your dad doesn’t really like me, so I didn’t ask… And I didn’t see you with them so I thought I’d come here to… You know. What are you doing? I can totally keep a secret, I promise…! Like, I kept Tambry’s secret!”

“What’s Tambry’s secret?”

“Ha ha. Nice try.”

Wendy glared at him for a moment. “Why?” She asked.

That took him off-guard. “Well… Whaddaya mean?”

“Why are you so dead-set on coming with someone? To do something? What does it matter to you?”

“Well… Well, everyone wants to help… And… Especially after what happened, I just felt like I should—”

“Ooh-HOO, after what happened, huh? Yeah?” She challenged him. “You wanna tell me you’re sorry he died?” She stuck a finger in his face. “You wanna tell me he was a good man, that he died a hero, and that it’s really such a shame, and all that? It would be a nice gesture from anybody else, but from you, it’s dishonest! I’m dealing with so much crap right now… All of us, all of this, everything we’re doing, it’s all for him! So a little sympathy from his personal nemesis, a little kind word from you, that’s the last thing I need… Just… Just leave…”

Robbie hesitated for a moment, and his eyes fell, for he knew all this was true. “…But…” He set his jaw, seemed to draw some kind of determination, and tried again. “What if I said I was sorry?” He growled, as if angry at nobody in particular. “Not just ‘sorry’ as in ‘man, that sucks, sorry’, but ‘sorry’ as in ‘I… I seriously boned it… And I know it. Through the year I’ve known him, and the years I’ve known you, all I’ve done is just mess up and I haven’t given you or him the respect you deserve, and… And… I could have been there for you guys. At any point I could have. But I didn’t… So… So I’d do, like, do anything to make it up… I’m just… This is my chance to prove I’m not a loser. Like… Redemption, right? …I’m just sorry.”

Wendy understood that much.

She sighed and glanced at the other 2 men.

McGucket shrugged.

“My vote says scram…” Stan glowered. “But you know him best.”

Wendy turned back to Robbie. Ugh… Robbie… She sighed to herself. Why the heck did you have to get wrapped up in this? You’re the one person I DON’T want getting underfoot… But…

But he’s just trying to help. He said he’s sorry for what he’s done, and… He wants to clear his name. In my sight, and in Dipper’s posthumously. He’s seeking honor. Seeking redemption. Who am I to keep him from that? We all want redemption. We’ve all done countless wrong things that we long to repay for.

Perhaps he and I are in this for the same reasons. We want to prove ourselves. We want to cry out to the world that we’re not screw-ups… We want to become like Dipper: Somebody worthy of love.

But I’ve got a weird feeling in my gut that tells me he doesn’t really mean it. When I look deep into his eyes, something seems off, just slightly… There’s something here I should be paranoid about, but I have no clue what it is…

Something’s not being said here.

For a while after, Wendy wondered if she would regret saying “Sure. Fine.”