wickedsurrender

[wickedsurrender]

His lips curled up into a smile as he chuckled lightly at her words. “  Right.  ” A lick to his lips erased the humor present, “  Ehh, no, no. I think - I mean, I think he might have already left, if anything. He didn’t really want to come here in the first place.  ” Joel simply couldn’t remember if his twin had said anything about leaving, or if he’d been too distracted with the festivities and whatever was poured into his cup to focus too much on the simplicities of life just then. With all the changes he’d experienced in the past few weeks, he had just wanted a night of mental release. A day where he could forget that the sunset meant going back to a basement until daylight. That taking even a look out the window could potentially end in death. 

The thoughts were not new, nor did he let them fester normally, but everyone reached the end of their rope at some point and Joel wasn’t one to let life slap him in the ass. For that reason, he was looking forward to this night - to the partying and the drinking. Dayn had been a good enough sport to come along with him, despite his own reservations. The least he could do, in light of the blackout, was to ensure his brother had gotten back. “  Actually, maybe I will take you up on that offer. If you’re not too busy? Four eyes will be faster than two Even in this black hole... I’m Joel, by the way.  ” He squinted through the darkness at the resemblance of her face, “  Did you come by your lonesome?  ”

As a child, Tessa hadn't ever minded when the power went out. They would light candles to bathe their small home in a warm glow and Tessa always loved watching the flicker of yellow and orange playing on the walls as the flames danced. She even remembered one night when she, her sister, and her father all huddled around the coffee table, playing some beat up old board game to while away the hours.

So it isn't the lights going out that causes Tessa's heart to stutter in her chest. It's the faces in the windows with sickening smiles that become all the more clear when the inside is as dark as the night beyond them.

"Uh -" She tears her eyes away from the windows to focus on the questions being asked, a twin in search of his reflection. Looking over his face, she shakes her head a bit. "Less handsome than you, huh?" She remarks with a skeptical expression, though it's just a halfhearted attempt at lightening the mood. "I don't know that I've seen anyone fitting of that description, especially when you consider the whole can't see fuck all right now factor. But uh - maybe I can help you look?"

[wickedsurrender]

q es lo w más te gusta

[wickedsurrender]

He was amused. Somewhere along the way, either he had lost the plot or the female beside him turned this hell into her wonderland. Makeup ending with a touch of lipstick to start her night. Joel wasn’t judging, instead found the most direct path to her side - v-lining around the crowd in an attempt to bask in her glow. A different atmosphere than that of everyone else around. He felt a sense of normalcy at watching her glam up that brought memories of home. Of the plenty of nights he and Dayn would explore the nightclubs in search of a new face in the small of their town. Some days they got lucky, but more often than not it was the usual neighborhood girls they had familiarized themselves well with. “  I’m not entirely sure, but I keep hearing a lot about this place. Not all entirely good things, either. Makes a guy curious.  ” he replied, shrugging by the end. Joel was looking for more information himself which had been his excuse in approaching her. “  You've not been here? You look so good I would have thought you were behind all of it... Respectfully.”

Makeup was a difficult thing to find here by and large, and when she did have it, Valentina savored it. Before, she’d be throwing out makeup once every six months, afraid of an expiration date or just by going through it so quickly, with a full face of makeup at all times, hair always poised - luckily, it stayed fairly straight on its own, maybe with a bit of a wave in it, and was always strong and long, but makeup was more difficult around here - least of all makeup that was in her shade. Luckily, between the gifts Ophelia bestowed to her and all of the stuff she stole from that rich lady who died about a month back, that psychiatrist with the nice clothes and all, she felt now was as good a time as ever to test it all. At least she’d know she looked better than everyone else here.

A small compact mirror was really all that could fit in the tiny handbag she had, and she dabbed a bit of gloss on her lips as she heard a voice from a man behind her. She had positioned herself against the wall somewhat, a quiet observer to all else going on. “About what?” Valentina asked, shutting the compact with a click and giving her full attention to the stranger - where else would she put it? “Spill, handsome, if there’s some sort of gossip in this place, I’d like to be one of the first ones to know.”

[wickedsurrender]

“  Yeah, no. Sorry, dude. Definitely not me.  ” he said, offering a shrug instead of an explanation because… well, it was more fun this way. He and Dayn had been around a few weeks by this point, if not months - time seemed to go by so fast when there was nothing much to do - Joel figured more people would be aware of the pair. Then again, they all had their own world of worries and struggles to deal with in Arcadia. Some more than others. “  You, however, may have seen me coming in and out of the diner. If you frequent there.  ” Joel couldn’t remember if he had seen him before or not, but he found ways to stay fully distracted for the majority of his shift. From messing with the others helping there, or making pictures out of the food they served. 

Taking up a ‘job’ at the diner wasn’t something that Joel would have done back home. He enjoyed cooking, mostly learned as a way to stop asking his mother for attention and later on in life to impress a girl or two, but being in the town they were in. In this… whatever the hell this place was, it seemed like the only useful thing he could contribute. The only thing worthwhile as they all attempted to get through the next day or two. 

Joel shifted position, following the man with his gaze and raised a brow. There was more than enough room for the pair to spread out, but he didn’t question it. He wondered what Chase had taken. If he was still somehow under the influence of whatever drug had turned his night so bright and if Joel would be able to get his hands on some of it. Not for immediate use, but he was curious. “  Joel.  ” he offered in response, finding no need for last names in a place like this, “  You know, I had heard of these drugged out sex parties you guys be having here, but I didn’t think I’d walk into one if I’m being honest. Y’all just swap spit with anyone, or… ? Seems like a perfect excuse to find new bed mates is all, seeing how easily one could get bored of the same bodies back to back.   ”

“I don’t think anyone drinks this stuff because it’s appetizing,” he exaggerated, sitting up and moving right beside Joel, thigh to thigh, not realizing how much of an uncomfortable closeness it could potentially be within the haze of the afterglow of… well, the substance, the sex - he’d had a fun night so far. Inhibitions had been peeled away a bit, layer by layer as the night had gone on. “Don’t I know you from the bar? I’m the one you threatened after I asked for a mimosa to take to the diner.”

The cup Chase had been nursing was on the floor by the couch they sat on, and to his luck it had remained unspilled and still half full of its contents, a murky dark red. He didn’t know what it was made of, and he didn’t want to ask - he figured it was some kind of wine-mixed-with-liquor type of thing, because that’s what he always tasted… but maybe the man beside him had a point. It could have very well been blood of the enemies. As soon as that thought entered his mind, he brushed it off with the slightest breath of a chuckle, thinking that would have been a little too crazy. The settlement crew could get a little crazy, sure, but he didn’t buy into a lot of the rumors. He’d walked in and out of these halls many times with everything still intact, and he was fine.

“Dungeon?” he repeated, a grin blooming on his face. He turned more towards Joel, knee coming up on the couch and leaning an elbow on the back of the couch with a hand propping up his cheek. “You say that like it’s a bad thing, I had a blast.” He cleared his throat a little, and drank the liquor. Chase was well aware of his own limits, and the little bits of that “substance” was wearing off, ready to be replaced by liquor. “Chase Flannery. At your service.”

[wickedsurrender]

Joel chuckled, nodding in agreement. Though, he did turn to look once more over to the door, half expecting the woman to turn around and have some words to say. “  Oh, sure. But I’d take that death over those things outside any day.  ” Throughout his lifetime Joel had thought of death more than a few times. Whether it came in the form of natural causes and old age, to some devastating illness or being murdered by a scorned partner or stranger. He had thought of every possible way he could go out, but not once had he accepted the possibility of being mauled to death by some flesh eating mythical creature that haunted the night. Nor would he start now. 

He didn’t let Dayn know, but after learning of the creatures and the way they tortured and played with their victims, Joel began carrying around a pocket knife. If things got real bad, and he had no way of escaping Them well… he’d do it. He’d have to. There was no way he could allow his brother to find him left for death in such a savage way. Guts all but ripped from his torso. Eaten alive, as many have said. If his sentence stemmed from a good fuck, then he’d gladly take it. 

“  No, am not. Close enough, though. That would be my brother, Dayn. I’m Joel.  ” He said with a pat to the man’s shoulder before continuing, “  I think I’ve seen you ‘bout the diner from time to time. I spend a good chunk of my time cooking back there. Keeps me busy. How about you?  ”

Coming to this party was a mistake, of this he was more sure the longer the minutes dragged on. There was nothing redeemable about being here. Mav didn't do casual hookups (and he had been propositioned more than a handful of time now), and the food here had a little less meat than he would have enjoyed. He didn't drink, not because he didn't trust the drinks, but because in his mind anything could go wrong at any point, and he wanted to be in a position to help Shaw if she needed it.

His eyebrow quirked up past the rim on his glasses as he looked at the younger man, slight amusement that he was at least recognisant, in some backwards way, that he was also a horny fool. "She'll get over it," he settled on saying, his arms uncrossing naturally as he stood from the comfort of his chair and walked over to the lad. "Yer aware they don't got nothin' fo-wah ya at the clinic if ya catch somethin'? Though I reckon a few hours on the saddle should fix ya up just fine."

"Ya look familiar, yer not that bartender, are ya?"

[wickedsurrender]

Though his curiosity had reached new heights, Joel allowed her easy words to sway his focus away. He nodded at her words and smiled, “  That’s true. Although, I don’t believe I’ve asked, just how long is that? If you can remember, that is. I feel like I’ve been here a whole year and it’s barely been a month or two.  ” This town had that ability to completely fuck with his brain. Make him feel things and experience their surroundings in ways that he would have never done back at home. For more than obvious reasons. It was as inescapable as the thoughts that polluted his brain. The fears and yearnings that would never see the light beyond the beautiful mess his hands created. “  If that. I’ve absolutely lost track. Do you celebrate like... well like this?  ”

Settling into some form of a normal routine, along with having Dayn near, was the only thing that made this place okay. That made it consumable for his distilled mind. The horrors would always be there, but as long as he had Dayn and a plan everything would be alright. Or so he told himself. The things out in the dark… Well, that wasn’t something he could control so it was easier to focus on what he could. 

the shock hadn't gone unnoticed. everything arcadia held within itself was hard for the mind to wrap sense around. everything was knocked from normalcy. at first — there was no tell. truth could be tucked in her mouth. kept warm without needing to spew it out in the open. reyna was easy towards his gaze. how calm could he see her when she could be so utterly violent. the most disastrous storms were as just.

flashes of the substance pushed into her mouth, drugs that healed her wounds and scrambled her mind, the lustful violence with these grounds leader. a truth unspoken. kept quiet so the innocence could be free with joel. days felt better that way — having someone not see you in the shadows. "i've been here longer than you have, you know." a small curl of lips. "— being a guard, it's important to be aware." was what she gave him. wondered about joel's reaction — if he knew her own ties. they hadn't been tightly wrapped as others. reyna hadn't converted out of her own morality. not quite, but she had felt roots sprouting.

[wickedsurrender]

He’d be lying if he pretended her words didn’t surprise him. Joel’s head shot towards Reyna, questioning more than judging, how she knew - if she perhaps had participated in these things. Her knowledge couldn’t have been mere whispers of rumors like his were, she sounded much more sure than even those who told him did. “  Oh?  ” he asked, hoping his voice sounded less awestruck than his thoughts were. In the little time they’ve come to know one another, he never questioned her history. Not how she got stuck there, or how things were in the beginning. His chatter always remained focused on seeing her smile and making her laugh. On making the sliver of time they spent in each other’s presence somehow joyous in the midst of the chaos. Adding a touch of childish humor to her breakfast or dinner. Things of that nature. Bringing his cup to his lips he asked, “  How do you sound so sure?  ”

something didn't feel right. the air felt off enough for reyna to leave the liquid untouched. nothing consumed. it was frighting, a silent mind. the quiet had always brought her so much peace, but now it only grew with terror. anticipation for something to create nothing but utter chaos. there was no held trust in her quiet mind. no trust in the way the settlement celebrated in such an absolute hell hole. no. reyna felt like they were in the eye of the storm. "hmm?" the woman had been drifting away from joel's presence for the last handful of minutes now.

a small shake of her head began to reel her back to the shore of reality. "what ?" couldn't be anything but the same chatter in question that vibrated the town about the place. "sex? drugs? it's true." beautiful havoc. something reyna couldn't fit the pieces together of why she found some amount of comfort in the settlement...

[wickedsurrender]

It was fucking dark outside. Not that he expected any less, what with it being night, but it’s been so long since he’d been out that late that it felt impressively blinding. There wasn’t a window in their room to glimpse outdoors. Not since that night Dayn freaked out and covered it, having seen Arthur or some shit speaking to him from beyond. Joel wouldn’t allow him to go through that again and the following morning, made sure to patch it up with some loose wooden planks and nails he found in one of the empty homes. Gotten rid of the threat all together, but tonight? Joel knew his brother better than to expect him to not go out blindly. 

Little help that it’d do, but he had to ensure to get to him before Dayn noticed the light was out. Joel was hoping he was tucked away in bed, already asleep and he’d just need to walk in and do the same. That his brother wasn’t as crazy as he was now, and somehow found himself wandering through the thickening woods in the middle of the night. Not a light in sight - not even the flash of their useless phones. “  Shit.  ” he cussed, as his foot caught in one of the tree branches. Joel was able to halt his fall by reaching for the tree itself and gripping onto its bark. 

Perhaps he should have asked for better directions on his way out, but he had been scared that someone would stop him from going. That he’d be tied down until the morning because they couldn’t understand that he needed to return to his brother. That they couldn’t go through another separation again. 

“  Fucking hell!  ” he cried out as the darkness opened up to a smiling figure before him. Joel’s chest began to pound a mile a second, but he knew better than to let his fear take hold of him. Instead, he backed up from it - ignoring its coaxing words as he dipped and ran around it. Somewhere in the distance he swore his name was called and while it sounded like Dayn, Joel knew those things would stop at nothing to cloud his better judgement. “  No, thank you, Satan!  ”

Whatever was going on with the power had happened about twenty minutes after Dayn had walked all the way home from the settlement - it wasn’t like it was a short way either, taking him a good thirty-some minutes that felt a hell of a lot longer, constantly looking over his shoulder in the event there was something lurking in the woods somewhere. He had overheard someone in the settlement speak:  they would be safe from Them. But that didn’t mean Dayn was completely overjoyed to listen, having no choice but to be wary. 

Especially because Joel hadn’t made it home yet. Dayn waited for awhile, in the event that maybe Joel left quickly after he did and was on his way back to the gas station, but more time had passed and while it could have been one minute or one hour, it still felt like forever and he decided to venture out to look for him. He took the same route that they did hours ago, hoping his brother would think to do the same - how many times had Joel been to the settlement? Dayn never took him there. He’d only been twice himself.

Armed with nothing but his own fists, he kept his hood down so that his peripherals could be of some use, and he barely blinked as he began to walk briskly through the town. It was scary dark, so much so that he could barely see five feet in front of him. If They were out tonight, they were being awfully quiet, and had quite the advantage. “Joel?” he whispered, before hesitating - if he could hear him, what was stopping him from thinking Dayn was one of Them? “It’s me, if you can hear me.” That was lame - but god, it was so dark. How would he tell? 

Something cracked over to his right, and his fist raised on instinct before his pace quickened. “Joel, that better not have been you, now’s not the time for jokes.”

[wickedsurrender]

While he wasn’t sure exactly where or what he’d do for the remainder of the day - having already made his way through the building and met the gazes of a few potential entertainers - Joel found a spot against a wall to people watch. Get a good view and perspective of the people around him, many whom he’d yet to encounter despite his three months in this hell hole. Joel had been informed of the settlement's need for ‘privacy’ or whatever the hell it was, and after his little adventurous trip with Charlie, was only filled with more curiosity about them all. Why separate from everyone else? What was the need for such distance from the town? Segregating themselves to hide away with all their… secrets? Gate keeping their drugs? Joel wasn’t sure, but he was more than a little interested. 

Her voice found him, though with no surprise as Joel’s eyes were too focused to have missed her approach. He did a good job of ignoring her until she spoke though, wanting to gather the vision before him in case he decided to paint the party once he went back. “  What gave you that impression?  ” he asked, eyebrow raised in amusement but the moment he settled on her face he couldn’t help but swallow hard. Something about her felt… strange. Compulsive even, enough to shift his focus all together. “  You could say that. It’s interesting, that’s for sure. I think most of these people are only here to get a good glimpse of this place more than they care for the festivities. But I’m guessing-  ” Joel ran his gaze down her form before he met her eyes again, “  -you know your way around here perfectly.  ”

INT. THE SETTLEMENT HALL - NIGHT

closed starter for @wickedsurrender

The lights were swirling again, the way they always did when she fell under the influence of the substance. Sometimes, if she pushed the limits a little bit, her vision would split and she would see double. Initially this is what she thought had occurred when the brothers walked into the room. She had heard rumours about Dayn's brother arriving into town, an unfortunate twist of fate for the both of them no doubt. But very very enticing for Nika. It wouldn't be the first pair of twins she would try to collect, nor would it be the last, of this she was certain. Dayn had been less than receptive of her approaches, she wondered if Joel would be any better. She observed him first, as he navigated the settlement hall with the confidence of someone that had been here before, and she waited until Dayn left his side to make her approach.

"You seem like the kind of man that's down for an experience," she stated as she all but glided next to him. Her eyes and body stayed facing the crowd, even if her attention was focused on Joel. "First time at the settlement?"

[wickedsurrender]

Thinking of her words for a moment, Joel glanced at his drink and brought it up to his face - sniffing its contents. He didn’t smell anything beyond the wretched fermentation, though his experience with anything apart from regular liquor was slim. Giving into a shrug, he tipped the cup back for another sip, “  It’s a special occasion or whatever, no?  ” Besides, it was a little too late for him to worry about his intake. So far, he didn’t notice a change in his composure and certainly Dayn would have said something to him by now. Eyes turning to the person hanging out the drinks, Joel switched his empty cup for a new one. “  To think I had to go pour my own in the kitchen.  ” he joked as the stranger walked off before turning to her. “  Yeah, he’s ‘round here somewhere. Off to the bathroom or got caught locking lips with someone new. Who knows. ” Joel glanced down to her canteen, “  What you got in there? Anything exciting?  ”

''If you're wondering about the rumors, I'd advice you to think twice about what you're consuming as well. I'm not telling you off from having a good time but,'' she eyed the drink in his hand, a decision Emery had conciously made not to participate in by bringing her own bottle of water attached to her hip, ''don't lose focus, Dayn. This place has a reputation for polluting their substances. For fun. For pleasure. For...'' who knew what else. She didn't finish her sentence, not wanting to create tension in those who were already alert on what could happen tonight and whatnot. ''Is your brother around, too?'' She passed on another tray of drinks that were offered to them by a resident of the settlement. A thankful smile graced her face, one that faltered quickly when they went off again. ''Keep an eye on him, yeah? Better safe than sorry.''

[wickedsurrender]

A sinister look crossed his features at the statement, and because Joel was nothing if not forward, he began to reach for his waistband. A mere seconds before he’d go on to pull down his pants for her entertainment, she recanted and he stopped - quickly returning to gathering more pinecones. He had no shame when it came to his body, nor did he foster insecurities. Joel tended to take life as jesterly as the moments took him. Enjoying the small victories as opposed to hyper fixating on his long journey. “  Little Joel!  ” he exclaimed, chuckling at the innuendo, “  I mean, I’d assume it is the same as you ladies and your vagina’s, no?… Or do you prefer pussy? Cunt? Either way, no. At least, I don’t have a name for it. Junior - at times. Really it depends on who I’m talking to and where the conversation is leading.  ” Joel thought for a moment longer before he added, “  More often than not he’s just my dick.  ” 

A shake of his head was the only response when it came to the names she spoke. He’d yet to venture too deep into the settlement, having only accepted Charlie’s offer now because she knew the place - and evidently, the people - well enough to guide him through it. Joel wasn’t frightened by the rumors, but he’d be lying if he said it didn’t raise the hairs on his arms to think about the people there and what they could possibly be doing in order to get through this nightmare. The townies had been only too keen on spreading those stories - they had to come from somewhere, no? Exaggerated as they may sound to his relatively sane mind. “  Straight to the top? Ambitious, aren’t we?  ” he questioned, turning to her with an approving grin. He could tell just why Dayn had been so taken with her. The girl had too much guts to be real. “  Better lace up them boots. They have guard dogs or anything we should watch for? Any one we should watch for?  ”

Charlie had almost forgotten, given how much she had favoured the company of women in her time in Hell Town, how easy it was for men to discuss the size of their appendage. Often as a joke, but also at times stemming from insecurities. In this particular instance it became clear to her that Joel was joking about it to tease Charlie about whatever the fuck had bloomed between her and Dayn. Was she truly that transparent? She wondered how much Dayn had shared with his brother, though she knew with some certainty by the closeness of their relationship that Joel knew more than he let on.

She bit back the urge to ask Joel if he believed her as heartless as his brother had no doubt painted her to be. "Or I can just get you to pull your pants down now and tell you if it looks the same," she settled on saying instead over her shoulder. It was easier to focus on picking up pinecones than having deep conversations anyway. "I'm kidding by the way." It was a quick addition. "I don't have any interest in knowing what little Joel looks like." A pause and then she pivoted on her feet to face him. "Actually, explain to me the male obsession with penises? Do you have a name for yours or?"

Her eyes averted to seek out more pinecones and she was quick to pick them up and shove them in the pockets of her jacket. "And I know the perfect place to start. Do you know Juno? We had a... run in a week or so ago and... well lets just say I think throwing pinecones at their window would piss them off." Charlie looked in the direction of the settlement and chewed on her bottom lip as she considered the ramifications of doing that. "Actually, I'm kind of hoping to crash in their cabin tonight so... I think we go straight for the top. Do you know who Nika is?"

[wickedsurrender]

In the time it had taken for Joel to find Dayn again, he had run through this interaction countless times. Each and every time he attempted to piece together the reasoning behind breaking his brother’s trust, he came up empty. There was no reason other than his sheer need to know more. To understand and find ways to help Dayn in whatever way he could during a time when things were so incredibly difficult. “  I guess, I just wanted to do more…  ” was all he allowed himself to say. Let Dayn come up with his own thoughts on what that meant. Being on the outside their entire lives, Joel tended to avoid asking prying or what he would consider to be risqué questions. Avoiding all topics that would link back to him. 

Looking at the letter now, he couldn’t help but shake his head, though he did reach for it and folded it, tucking it into his pants back pocket. Having already had a go at reading it while he’d been alone, he couldn’t imagine the emotional battle Dayn would go through if he read it before him when the mere thought of Joel getting his hands on it had driven him away. In the end, it wasn’t reading the letter that he’d been after. It wasn’t even knowing the full traumatic experience his brother had endured. Joel had simply wanted for Dayn to want to tell him. Not because he needed to know, or because he asked to be told, or even because they were meant to know each other more than anyone else knew them. He wanted Dayn to want to share with him. 

“  I’m not mad at you for keeping quiet, Dayn.  ” he said pointedly, though how valid the words were, Joel couldn’t define. “  But I also don’t want to press for information you’re not ready to approach. We have nothing but time, and more than a bit of it by the looks of it.  ” he went to say, pointing at their enclosed surroundings and the lack of fresh air throughout the night. “  We’ll figure it out.  ”

END

It took quite a good year or two for Dayn to fully grasp the level of depravity his early adolescence was wrought with. He could remember months after, his father raising his voice at him over something completely unrelated - probably him doing something he shouldn’t have, like not finishing homework or getting into trouble of some sort - and he automatically turned from his father, as if waiting for something of his choice to strike at his back. He’ll never forget the look on his father’s face after that, and they both had an unspoken agreement to just never bring it up again. 

That didn't even include all the language, the vernacular of the charges brought against Arthur. His parents weren’t the ones to sit him down and elaborate on what it all meant, matching charge to punishment. It was a lawyer and a child psychologist, and then days later, when he was alone, looking up online what it all meant. He hadn’t wanted to talk about it - it was bad, he knew it was, and the severity of just how bad didn’t come for a few years. By then, he had barely spoken of it anyway and had made a pact with himself that it was better left buried. Maybe there was some sort of instinct in him to shield his brother from that - no matter how close they were, how quickly Joel entered the world after him, he still referred to him as a little brother, that sensitive kid on the playground drawing with chalk instead of playing kickball with the rest. Dayn had grown up too quick, and quicker still after he had escaped, as if he was making up for lost time. There was almost a competition-like aspect of it, to prove to other people he was fine - more than fine, pursuing physical relationships, sneaking into concerts, anything that struck him - and it granted him more than a few run-ins with the city police. 

The inner turmoil swirling around him then dissipated some when he saw Joel stand and move over towards his bed. Somehow, even before he opened it from the way it was folded, Dayn knew what it was. His eyes shut, and a long exhale left him before he could help himself. That letter; that godforsaken letter that got the both of them stranded here. Arthur had to just take one more thing from him, didn’t he? The words surprised him though. “You didn’t? Why?” Respect where it was earned, but Dayn would have read it all. Even if it hurt. He poured over every line, one at a time, for days until it was time to read it aloud; it was practically memorized by this point, and he wondered where Joel decided to stop, when it got too much to stomach.

This simple piece of paper felt heavy in Dayn’s hand, so he extended it back to Joel. “Read the rest of it?” he asked. Maybe it was for the best, that it was an opening sort of bridge that Dayn couldn’t stomach to say out loud. If the basics were covered, maybe he’d feel okay enough to continue on, and to answer long dormant questions. “It does matter, and it’s fine. It got us here, so you might as well know why.” A long pause, and Dayn couldn’t quite look him in the eye just yet. “You can read it. And then you can ask me stuff. I can’t promise it won’t piss me off or whatever, but you can.” For him, he'd try. "Or if you have nothing to ask you can yell at me for keeping quiet, I'll take that, too."

[wickedsurrender]

Joel’s brows raised in response, for once finding no actual words to speak. He wasn’t too familiar with writing - other than his must do’s for school or his teachings - so when it came to storytelling he heavily relied on the stroke of his brush. It was an art he understood. A medium he felt comfortable relying on when the rest of him simply could not. Listening to Benjamin’s take on his art greatly differed from Joel’s. While he focused on letting the art speak for itself and giving in to whatever powers his paintbrush held, not a single thought of where it’d go passed through his mind. It wasn’t about the destination for him, but rather the euphoria that came from his performance. The unspoken lore behind the piece and what it all meant to him. How it defined - not just him, but - the world as he saw it. 

“  Do you have a particular genre in mind? A target audience, perhaps?  ” he went on to ask, finding that to be the gateway to understanding Benjamin further. If the plans were to make it big - to get there no matter the climb - then certainly there had to be a system set in stone. When Joel thought of classics, great minds like that of Dickens and Shakespeare stood out. The Bronte sisters with their need to challenge social norms with their blatant portrayal of desire and betrayal, sexual politics and revenge. 

He reached to take back the wet canvas, placing it back before him for another look. This time he looked for meaning within the piece itself. Not just Ben’s aura, but what the strokes told him. “  It would be easy to misconstrued your emotion as you stare up at the crows. I don’t think it’s fear exactly, it feels more like acknowledgement of what is. Of the world as a whole, and - if you notice - you’re not cowering from them. Maybe that could be because you feel you’ve been through worse… or believe yourself to withstand any storm.  ”

Ben hesitated then. Ah, the age old question to any creative - what would you even write about Ben thought he had a unique perspective on the world. The circumstances of his growing up were abnormal in comparison to others in the circle surrounding the Grants, with the picture-perfection requested down to the mystery surrounding his mother's disappearance. Even if they were found and reunited. Besides, if he'd ever get out of here in time to publish a book, and go through those motions, how could he ever decide to do anything but reveal the horrors he'd been fortunate enough to only hear whispers of so far, in this godforsaken place?

Instead, he toned down his answer. "I always wanted to write one of those great American novels," he said, which was true. "I'm not quite sure what that would be, though, as that covers a lot of ground and can sort of be anything. I would just love to write something that would become an instant classic of its time." The world moves awfully fast for something like that, though. And that wasn't even mentioning the crushing imposter syndrome he constantly experienced.

Holly used to describe her pieces similarly, but they were often in run on sentences where her excitement got the best of her, and she didn't know what to talk about first. The minds of artists they shared, who had something of a second sight when it came to how they viewed the world. Ben could let his imagination run away sometimes, but that was an entirely different gift. "I think it's cool," Ben offered, handing the work back to him. "I think sometimes it's interesting to see how others view you. Maybe you notice something I don't. What else do you see?"

[wickedsurrender]

Joel nodded silently as she explained, working over the situations in his own head as if it were unraveling before them. A movie playing out for them both to enjoy and dissect like the rolls of films safely tucked away in his pockets. He watched enough television and anime to understand the gravity of this predicament. Not that a simple look outside wouldn’t have helped, but he felt somewhat mentally alright despite the horrors around them. Joel wondered how much his own mind would change over time. Right now he was still new, fresh eyes to all the depravity in Arcadia, but later on - if he made it long - how different he would be from the carefree individual he now was? Would his passions change? His desires? Or would he hold onto it in the hopes of returning to a normal world? 

The questions were endless, and while he could have easily aired them out for the two of them to pounce and ponder over, he could tell the day was getting to her. The way she sunk into the mattress almost weighed down by gravity. He’d seen enough injuries on her person to know she’d gone through some rough patches the last few days, if not the last few months. Bags prominently adorned her face - taking claim over her dazzling greyish-blue eyes. Reyna’s smile effortlessly broke through the tiredness though, showing him a glimpse of what he could only assume was the person that hid inside. If a little self deprecating joke was all it took for him to find her, then Joel wasn’t above making himself a fool. 

“  Well seasoned, then? I’m not opposed to that. ” he said after a moment’s thoughts, then turned accusingly towards her - gathering his lack of theatrics and embracing the role of Shrek, “ You dense, irritating, miniature beast of burdens. Ogres are like onions!  ” He could have gone further into character, just to get another laugh from her, however he was someone who feasted on other’s energy. Oftentimes taking and returning it tenfold, but he could tell she needed some rest and having accomplished what he had set out to, Joel bid her farewell. “  Thank you for entertaining me... I best get back. I think my lunch break was over twenty minutes ago. " he rose to his feet, "  Oh - and uh, thanks. For the rolls. You'll have to keep coming around to see how it pans out. ” Joel grinned at her, giving her a wink before he made his exit.

THE END

was it always — destructive....chaotic...horror driven... ? yes. the thought of the last four years being nothing but those descriptive words had been the unsettling truth. personal haunts. haunts of the town. so much loss around those who came and went. arcadia was not a simple form of hell. it was consuming to the most innocent minds. loved to feed off of suffering, and create nothing but pain. yet, still, the people learned to adapt in what little was given. arcadia had only ever been a town of survival. four years had given the mind lots of room to think. "as long as i've been here it's always been that way....feels less suffocating." reyna supposed. though she didn't have any answers as to why everything had been separated to begin with. no answer to why there was a train station with no train. a radio station that didn't of any streaming connection. no answer as to why They walked at night, and ripped the very flesh from bodies. reyna didn't have any answers. she just survived. "it's good to question. — just be cautious." arcadia consumed the most curious. reyna hardly knew the man — surface level gave her the impression that he didn't deserve to be taken by the night or torn from his sanity. some people had deserved it. "i think a lot of people have different beliefs as to why were here. what purpose we have...if there is one. personalities clash. people seperate. sometimes that separation stops people from causing harm to one another."

it'd been the first time reyna had eased a smile. almost allowed herself to laugh. the days hadn't allowed herself to gather enough light for such feelings. most days had been too difficult to keep her eyes open. to deal with the looming ache, and punishment of actions caused by her own hands. — in this moment, reyna almost felt freed from that torment. "a little stench is wafting.." humor lead, the brunette shook her head. there was no smell, but carrying joel's words into something lighter in weight. "vegetative... like onions..." tiredness was defeated by a growing smile to the man who sat on her floor.

[wickedsurrender]

He’d been close to passing out, having gotten up early enough to greet the creatures if he wasn’t careful enough and ventured out, when the knock on the door ran through the otherwise silent gas station. Joel’s eyebrows furrowed with confusion and curiosity but he lurched from his bed and ran up the stairs. The likelihood of someone coming knocking at his door to tell him something happened to his brother was not as slim as it would have been back home which just made his approach come with haste. He didn’t recognize the voice on the opposite side of his door, quickly adding to his bewilderment. “  Hi.  ” 

Joel glanced at the female, taking a moment to run his eyes through as he attempted to place her. She looked much more familiar than she sounded though, that was for sure. Probably one of the diner's frequent, though he did tend to get lost in his work - often forgetting about the people inside altogether. “  Can I help you?  ” his smile quickly followed as her earlier words finally settled, “  I can’t say I’ve ever been religious but for you, I just might give it my best try.  ” A joke, for the most part, but he did take note of her pretty face. The way her sunken greyish eyes ghostly complimented the tan on her flesh… there was much to gauge and admire on the surface of her skin, but he did wonder if within she’d be just as clean. Haunting and alluring 'til the floor beneath them ceased to exist. “  Is my brother okay?  ” he asked soon after, remembering the urgency in his steps only moments earlier.

📍 the gas station ⛽ joel/logan — ft. @wickedsurrender

Phantom feelings were about as trustworthy as every other half-baked scheme and sight blurred by exhaustion, but sometimes worth the nostalgia over their trouble. The gas station had been abandoned long before Logan’s arrival, yet the lingering fumes of gasoline would likely make the location reek decades after she was long gone. The leftover pungency was especially noticeable given the scentless and motionless quality of the air; previously prevalent wet earth and rotting organic matter no longer as traceable hidden beneath the cover of frozen banks. The fuel's rancid odour brought with it a haze tinged by memories; an urgent escape taken after sunset, ice cold keys and bloodied handkerchiefs, headlights on evergreens, leather interiors and artificial air fresheners shaped like trees. Her stomach churned in protest, but the station was one of the last places she had to check-in on before resuming her clinical routine for the next few weeks lest another natural ( or unnatural ) disaster occur and demand greater hands-on attention.

Stepping across the outer perimeter of the place, Logan willed her breathing to shallow as she passed the rusted pumps. She knocked on the living quarters’ door, three deliberate strikes, to announce her arrival in a manner which would not betray her tentativeness. About month prior she had vaguely alluded to dropping by sometime in the weeks ahead — to which twin she'd relayed this to, she could not be be 100% certain — in an effort to take stock of the weather's impact upon any residents’ regular rhythms and perform damage control as needed. With several structural cave ins, she also wondered after the integrity keeping any remaining structures upright. “You home?” Thawing chunks of ice dripped slowly from the eaves above, forcing her to take a half step backwards as she awaited an answer. Often finding herself in such a position, knocking on doors unsolicited, she lightly bit the inside of her cheek against a smirk. "If you let me in, I promise I'll spare you the Lord, Savior, Jesus Christ spiel."

[wickedsurrender]

The air around them grew thicker, if that were even possible, so Joel did his very best to merely blend into the background. Side comments ready for whenever he felt the moment needed it most, but the intensity of those two - the longing glances being exchanged, and the silent conversation traveling in the silence - felt thick enough to cut with a knife. A butter knife even, which only amused him further. Joel wondered just how long they would talk around each other in an attempt to appear as though nothing was the matter.

Had he not already felt the grip Dayn had on his collar, Joel would have easily gotten away with his tongue. One too many jokes at the ready. “  Just cause you can’t claim the same.  ” he said, holding back his laughter at his own tight ass comment as he moved further away from the pair. He knew all he needed to do was start a conversation about something - anything else - to disturb and distract the pair, but he found no amusement there. Besides, life was too short - even shorter in Arcadia based on what he’d heard - so he’d much better enjoy the bit of entertainment his brother and Charlie provided him with. 

Having found himself a clean enough cup to fill with the bottle’s contents, Joel sipped back his drink and watched the pair. Glancing between one and the other, as if waiting to see which one would break first. Who would reach for the other, or end up walking away in despair. His own untelevised soap opera. The only thing missing from the moment itself was the popcorn or mike and ikes. Later on in the night, when the two had nowhere to run to escape the conversation, Joel would investigate the meaning of this. Find out whatever he could about the tension he saw dance between Charlie and Dayn. // @thcmpscns

Of course Joel knew something was up, there was nobody in this world that knew him better. Dayn had opted not to mention any of this to him - not in any malicious way, but they had just had one of the most difficult conversations Dayn might’ve ever had days prior to this, and he was tuckered out. It was a lot of exposed vulnerabilities and feelings that had been long dormant. Hindsight was twenty/twenty, though, and he knew that was why he assumed the worst with Charlie. Fresh on the mind, and talking about it all twice in the span of a few days was too hard on his psyche.

At the same token, he shouldn’t have been surprised that Joel picked up on his brooding over the last few days - there was a brief relief that had swept over him when the brothers talked things through, only for that tense in his shoulders to come right back. And in turn, Dayn knew his brother well enough to know that he was barely keeping it together, like he was putting together puzzle pieces of the bare minimum and practically giddy at the thought of embarrassing his brother. Please, Joel, do it any other time but now–

No avail. Dayn had laughed along at first, a “friendly” hand on Joel’s collar that snaked too close and squeezed too tight near his windpipe, a not-so-subtle silencer that also didn’t work - he slid out of his grip too easily, and Dayn would have been too conspicuous otherwise. He was already on the losing side here, thinking he could have mended things by an introduction, but now he feared he just made things worse. He didn’t want her to know how much he’d been thinking about her, how much their last words bounced around in his memory - almost as much as the feeling of being wrapped around her, pushed against her, in her. “Never ever refer to yourself as fine or tight when you’re around me ever again, please - it would mean a lot to me."

That motherfucker; Dayn knew what he was doing moving away so quickly. “You know, there’s a weird shadow on your face, man, it looks like you’re gonna have a black eye tomorrow.” A warning, and a purposefully obvious one. But it was Charlie’s words that drew focus - she wouldn’t be at the bar anymore? He should have guessed by now, but that was the last lifeline he had; he couldn’t lose it. “You are?” A quick reset. First, to Joel:  “You would make a horrible doctor, for one.” Then: “And I did offer, for the record. For you to crash for a few days, I mean, just because the station wasn’t– is it fine now, or where are you…?” *// @charliexclayton @wickedsurrender

[wickedsurrender]

✶ 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 ; earlier at the party ✶ 𝐅𝐎𝐑 ; open

Parties were easy to get lost in. If there was one thing that Joel enjoyed more than unraveling in his paintings, it was getting the chance to fuck around with a pretty girl or two. He didn’t tend to linger for longer than a few hours with them, but just enough to enjoy himself, make them happy in some way, and effortlessly depart. No promises of another time, or even seeing each other again. Just live by the moment and enjoy it while it lasted. That was his defining romance, though he had often yearned for more. Granted their… death? upon entering Arcadia, all yearning of finding more became moot. “  How much of the rumors do you think are true?  ” he asked, taking a sip of his - whatever the fuck they put in the container - drink and turning towards his current partner in crime. He couldn’t be caught dead hanging around alone in that house of horrors.