Love From Inside The Cascadia

TRANSCRIPT

picture 1 Nadia: Have a drink? Vladislaus: [ groaning ] Please.

picture 2 Nadia: It's been a while. How are you? Vladislaus: ...Fine. Nadia: Is that so? You look well. You've been distant. Vladislaus: I've been busy tending to the Hollow. That's work you put me on, mind.

picture 3 Nadia: I wasn't accusing you. I'm only asking. I've missed you, is all, my friend.

picture 4 Vladislaus: Yes. [ clears ] Well... Nadia: Are you feeling better? Vladislaus: I am fine. How many times must I repeat myself?

picture 5 Nadia: [ sighs ] I'm relieved you're well. I worried for you.

picture 6 Nadia: I've been busy too, thank you for asking. So many peculiar humans are turning about. I hate to admit it, but my powers are waning. Vladislaus: Have you... made a decision? Nadia: I haven't. Vladislaus: Have you made considerations? Nadia: Why? Would you suggest I hand the title to you, boy?

picture 7 Vladislaus: Lilith Vatore would make a worthy successor. She is strong, capable. Nadia: She's young. Younger than you are, even. Vladislaus: Her mastery is phenomenal.

picture 8 Nadia: Never you mind. I still have time before a decision must be made.

picture 9 Nadia: Now, to what do I owe this pleasure? Vladislaus: I... I wish to transform someone. Nadia: Really? How long have you harbored this human? Vladislaus: I only met her today. Nadia: A woman? You move fast. Vladislaus: It isn't what you imagine. I have no interest in this girl. Nadia: But of course.

picture 10 Nadia: Is she young? Vladislaus: She's-I can't tell. Nadia: Hmm. It's far easier to eat them than to integrate them. I suppose that isn't an option for you, though. Is it? Vladislaus: ...

picture 11 Nadia: If it was anyone else, I would turn them away. You know this, don't you? Vladislaus: Your generosity will not be taken for granted. Nadia: Don't speak so formally to me, my dear. It makes me gag. But do enjoy your new thrall. Vladislaus: She will be a spawn. Nadia: Good for her. Is that all?

picture 12 Vladislaus: Goodbye, Nadia. Nadia: Farewell, dear. Don't be a stranger. Nadia: ...Why now? Vladislaus: I beg your pardon?

picture 13 Nadia: You said the Vatores would be your last. What's changed?

picture 14 Vladislaus: She... well... [ clears throat ]

vladislaus inspo for this post

TRANSCRIPT

picture 2 Victim: Please, let me go. I won't say anything.

picture 3 Nadia: I know, you won't. Soon, you won't have the tongue to speak. Helena: Hurry this up, Nadia. Y'all said this would be quick.

picture 4 Inessa: Aw, how precious. Don't tell me you're getting squeamish. Helena: Ain't nothing about being squeamish, I got things to do. Yakov: Those bastard students can wait! Inessa: Relax, we're having fun.

picture 5 Victim: Please, oh, God, please, just let me go. Marcellus: Hah! I love it when the meat squeals.

picture 6 Marcellus: Sing for me, piggy!

picture 7 Nadia: At ease, friend. Helena is right. Only children play with their food. Go on. Open the cage.

picture 8 Marcellus: So he lives! Vladislaus: Ugh.

picture 10 Marcellus: You've finally come out of your hole? Yakov: Hah! Must've been a great hole! Vladislaus: Ugh.

picture 11 Yakov: You missed a lively dinner, Vlad. You better make it to the next one, boy. Vladislaus: ... Yakov: Oh, apologies. I forgot you don't eat people, or whatever puritanical brainrot you're espousing this century.

picture 12 Inessa: I've missed you, pretty boy. When will you visit the parlor again? Frankie misses you. Vladislaus: Unhand me at once. Inessa: oh, and you're so gaunt. You need a proper meal.

picture 13 Helena: I'm leading the next hunt. You should join us. Vladislaus: You are leading? I thought—

picture 14 Helena: Things change, Vladislaus.

picture 15 Vladislaus: Stop pestering me, all of you. I have no time for antics. I must speak to the headmaster at once.

picture 16 Nadia: Where are your manners, my dear boy? Vladislaus: I am a grown man. Nadia: I know, darling—and look at how grown you are! Did you visit the wizards again? You look taller. Vladislaus: Ugh.

picture 17 Nadia: Always with your pouting. Why don't you try smiling, my dear? Vladislaus: I asked for a moment of your time, headmaster, not your condescension.

Fall 27, Year 0

   A plate smashed against a wall at 9 p.m on a Saturday evening. The broken pieces fell onto the carpet floor as two adults got into a screaming match, inevitably alerting neighbors to call the police. Bridgit locked herself in her bathroom as Liam pounded on the door. Several explicits and names were thrown her way as he continued to try to get in. The drunken slurring of his words filled the woman with as much hate as it did fear.

“Go the fuck away!” Bridgit screamed, her voice trembled as tears ruined her makeup. It was such a shame. She had spent hours in the bathroom mirror earlier that day trying to choose the perfect shade of eyeshadow, lipstick, mascara…etc, just for Liam to get mad at her for smiling at the waiter. So much for their three year anniversary. The sound of police knocking on the door could be heard but Liam did not care.

“Come. The. Fuck. Out!” Liam yelled. Dread filled the short woman’s body as the door was kicked in and the tall redheaded man dragged her out of the bathroom by her long, synthetic braids. She screamed before his hands wrapped around her throat. Luckily, her previous screams of terror were enough to encourage the cops to break in.

The woman was freed from Liam’s grasp while he attempted to dodge the Zuzu City policemen. Two officers pinned him against the wall, put him in handcuffs, and forced him outside. Another officer helped the traumatized 21 year old to her feet and led her to his car to take her statement. She struggled to speak; her throat was sore from the attempt on her life, her mind was still shaken up from being attacked by what she previously thought was the love of her life, and she could barely focus on anything the cop was saying.

Bridgit’s bare feet felt the hard concrete of the apartment’s parking lot as an officer spoke to her. She played with one of her ruined braids, desperately trying to ignore the neighbors peeking out their doors. The short brown woman rubbed her arm, dissociating as the angry-drunk yelling of her now ex-boyfriend came from the cop car. It felt like it took ten years for the law to leave and take her abusive ex with them. 

Silence filled the destroyed apartment. Bridgit crawled into her bed and sobbed, the adrenaline leaving her exhausted body. She spent the next hour laying in bed, staring at the ceiling before opening the drawer in the nightstand beside the bed. The young woman looked at the letter her late grandfather left her a few years ago and gently took it out to read it. 

“If you're reading this, you must be in dire need of a change. The same thing happened to me, long ago. I'd lost sight of what mattered most in life... real connections with other people and nature. So I dropped everything and moved to the place I truly belong…”

Bridgit sighed and looked at her belongings. She slowly drifted into the bathroom and stared at her bruised arms and face while her fingers touched the spots where Liam had struck her. Clear as day were dark bruises against her neck where he had grabbed her throat. Her gaze moved to her hair. The long braids that went down her back were suddenly too painful to look at. ‘Dire need of a change’ was an understatement. She wanted to completely erase everything she currently knew.

Fall 3, Year 2

“Cows!” Jas cheered as she ran towards the barn. Bee’s orange cat, Cheddar, followed behind her hoping to be pet and given attention. Bee yawned as she looked out at her farm, dreading all the work she had to do today. 

“Bee, you are a life-saver. I gotta work today, Marnie is out of town till later this evening for a delivery in Zuzu city and Penny is home with a cold. I’ll come by to pick her up later.” Shane explained. He zipped up his Joja jacket as Bee shook her head.

“I will walk Jas home later, it's no big deal. I could use the company anyways. The beginning of the season is always the worst when it comes to work.” The farmer looked over at Jas. The girl was currently petting and talking to the goats and cows.

Shane gave a relieved smile and waved as he left for work. Bee groaned as she put her gloves on and grabbed her golden hoe. The woman immediately got to work. Dead crops were removed and new seeds were put down. She harvested the wheat, replaced them with seeds, then watered them. Her sprinklers were installed swiftly to make the rest of the season easier.

“Jas! Let’s take a walk to Pierre’s, yeah?” Bee called to her. The child skipped over to her and took her hand. 

“What are you buying from Mr. Pierre?” Jas asked as they began their walk.

“Well, I’m going to bring him today’s wheat that I didn’t use for the kegs. And I’m going to buy more seeds.”

“What kind of seeds?”

“Bok choy, some more wheat, pumpkins, and fairy roses.”

Jas’s face lit up. “I love fairy roses! Can I help you plant them?”

“Yes you can!” Bee smiled.

The day seemed to go by fast. The seeds were bought and brought back to the farm. Bee planted the main crops by herself then called Jas over to help with the fairy roses.

“Why are we planting these near the bee houses?” Jas asks as she carefully places the seeds in their plot.

“The pollen the bees collect from the flowers can affect the taste of their honey. Last season they made sunflower honey. This season they’ll make fairy rose honey.”

“Can I have a fairy rose when the bees are done using them?” She asks and takes off the small gardening gloves. 

Bee waters the seeds and nods. “Yep! They should be done with them at the end of the season.” She looks down at the watch on her wrist. “It’s only three and we are already done! You’re a great help, Jas.”

Jas dusts the dirt off her dress and smiles. The farmer puts away the farming equipment and leads Jas into the house for a well deserved dinner. “Does Uncle Shane come here for dinner a lot?” Jas asks.

Bee shakes her head. “Shane doesn’t come here too often at all. He came to help me last week because I had, most likely, whatever cold Penny has now. He is a very good friend.” She cuts the pizza in even slices and places two on Jas’s plate. 

‘Technically speaking he's my only friend.’ The farmer thought to herself. ‘It would definitely benefit me to start talking to the rest of Pelican Town. I mean, why doesn't anyone approach me? Am I too stand-offish?’

So lost in thought, Bee doesn’t notice Jas getting up to turn the oven off. “You forgot the oven was on.” She stated, taking a bite of pizza. The woman looks over at the oven.

“Thank you. Once you finish up we’ll start walking to your house. Shane should be at home by now.”

The girls made their way to Marnie’s ranch. As they entered the large home, it seemed to be empty. Jas went into her room to put the toys she had brought with her away. Bee walked over to the kitchen and noticed Marnie standing in Shane’s room. A worried expression attached to the older woman’s face. As the farmer entered the room she saw Shane lying on the ground, unconscious. 

“Bridgit, could you do something? He’s passed out cold.” His aunt sighed.

Bee grabbed a cup of water from the kitchen and dumped it onto Shane’s face. He yelled and rose up from the floor. Marnie pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Shane! What’s the matter with you? All you do anymore is mope around your room and drink beer!” She yelled. Suddenly, Bee felt out of place and very uncomfortable.

“You wouldn’t understand.” Shane responded weakly. 

“I’m worried. What’s your plan? Don’t you ever think about the future?” Marnie asks. Jas slowly entered the room and clutched her aunt's hand, concerned for her godfather.

“Plan..? Hopefully I won’t be around long enough to need a plan.” He responded honestly. A loud gasp was heard which was followed by sobbing as Jas ran out of the room. She was followed by Marnie leaving Bee and Shane alone.

“Jas…” The depressed man stared at the door. “I’m sorry.” He collapsed to his knees and let out a frustrated yell as he struggled to keep it together. His breaths came in short, ragged gasps as he tried to control himself. Bee went to touch his shoulder but stopped as he suddenly glared up at her. The woman took a step back.

“Shane-”

“Just go, Bee.” He said shakily. His hands trembled as he clutched his hair.

“Promise me you won’t go out and hurt yourself.” Bee responded softly. 

“Just get out, Bridgit. Please.”

She avoided looking at her friend as she left his room, closing the door behind her. Worry consumed her mind, all she could think about was how broken Shane looked just now. Marnie stopped her before she made it out of the house. 

“Be careful on your way home, dear. I’ll keep an eye on him.” 

“Sure. I think I forgot to water my pumpkin seeds today. I’m gonna...go do that.” 

Bee left the ranch and wandered home. It was dark outside by the time she made it into the house and into her bed. The woman wrapped herself in a blanket and stared at the ceiling, wondering if there was something better she could have said. If there was something better she could have done. But instead, she left her only friend alone in his room. Bee knew he told her to leave, but she couldn’t help but feel like she should have comforted him better.

Fall 16, Year 2

   Arranging a grange display was proving to be much more difficult than Bee initially thought it would be. She placed her fairy rose honey in the center before deciding where to put the other items. She had quality artisan goods and animal products waiting to be placed on the grange display and judged by Mayor Lewis.

The farmer glanced at Pierre’s display and sighed. He and Marnie were definitely tough competition, not to mention some of the fish Willie had on his display were beautiful. Fuck it. Her fresh produce would speak for itself no matter how it was displayed. Bee made her final arrangements and took a step back to look it over. A smile made its way to her face. It looked pretty good!

“That’s a nice looking pumpkin, Bridgit. Never knew you had a green thumb.” A very familiar voice spoke from behind her. Bee suddenly felt nauseous as she turned around to look at the tall redheaded man that stood behind her. Her smile turned into a grimace and her heart sank.

Liam yawned as he looked down at his ex-girlfriend. He continued as if his being there was nothing special. 

“That bus ride? Fuckin brutal. I mean, I would have taken my new car but there is nowhere to park in this dumbass town. You really gave up Zuzu for this shithole?” 

Bee felt her chest tighten as the hurt and anger of their past flooded back. She had hoped to never cross paths with him again but fate apparently had other plans as their eyes were locked in a stand-off.

“Get the fuck away from me, William,” She spat. “I don’t know why you’re here and I don’t care. There is no reason for you to find me and speak to me.”

The man laughed as Bee tensed.

“Please. Don’t act like I’m here for you. My girl is running the slingshot booth and she invited me to tag along to enjoy the fair. Ya know, I was just trying to be nice and say hi. I forgot how uptight you are about everything. Lighten up.”

Bee knew she could be the bigger person. Just ignore him and he will go away. She closed her eyes. Just ignore him and he will go away.

“Do you try to kill her too?” She asked right as Liam turned to walk off.

Time seemed to freeze once he turned back to face her. His hazel eyes seemed tinted with malice as they bored into her brown ones with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. The expression on Liam’s face was equal to that of a predator eyeing his prey.

“Oh wow…I have missed your creative mind, Honeybee. But let me be clear, I never tried to kill you and I would never lay a finger on Brooke since she actually loves me. Which you never did. If you loved me you wouldn't have smiled at a fuckin waiter on our anniversary. You also would have stuck around for me to do better if you loved me. Instead you ran off to fuckin’ hillbillyville!”

“Oh bullshit. You can't sit here and try to convince me you didn't try to kill me or put me in a hospital. I filed a police report, I went to clinics for my throat, I left my job to get away from you…Someone who loves me wouldn’t damage my larynx.”

Liam grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to him.

 “I DID LOVE YOU.” He growled.

Bee tried pulling her arm away but his grip only tightened. She looked around in a panic as she realized no one was nearby. Her eyes met his once more, and as they did he leaned in close to her face.

“You are a fucking disease. You will drive every man to do what I did because you, Bridgit, are fucking insufferable. I will be the only man to have ever wanted you and Yoba, what a mistake that was,” Liam let go of her arm and stood up straight. 

“And if you tell Brooke a damn thing, if you even look in her direction, I’ll burn you and your farm down.”

Bee could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Her breath was coming in shallow gasps as she felt like she may collapse at any moment. Angry and panicked thoughts raced through her mind as her body was overwhelmed with terror. The woman’s muscles were tense, her hands were trembling, and she was sweating as if it were 100 degrees outside.

She tried to keep from spiraling. Was he just trying to sound tough? Does he know where her farm is? What if he broke into her house? Bee teared up as she tried to pull herself together. 

The farmer yelped as she felt a hand on her shoulder, pulling her away from the grange display she was leaning over. She felt a surge of adrenaline and a flash of fear. Without thinking, she turned and threw a punch at whoever was standing behind her. The culprit quickly jumped back, narrowly missing the swing.

“Woah! What the hell?!” A startled voice yelped. 

Bee stared in shock as her eyes focused and she realized it was just Sam. Sebastian and Abigail stood a few feet away from them, snickering to themselves. The woman looked around confused as she realized Liam was nowhere to be seen.

“Sam! Fuck, I am so sorry! You startled me, I thought you were someone else.” Bee explained as she finally managed to calm down.

“Whoever that someone else is should definitely watch out. Sam almost got knocked on his ass.” Abigail snickered. The blonde rolled his eyes before shoving his hair out of his face.

“I called out to you a few times cause you looked like you were gonna vomit. We saw you on our way to go smoke, wanna join?” Sam asked as Sebastian and Abigail continued walking towards the river.

“Oh, thanks for the offer but I try not to smoke cigarettes anymore.” Bee gave an awkward smile as she adjusted the rose-honey in the display.

Sam chuckled. “Different kind of smoke.”

Bee stared at Sam. “In that case, I’m right behind you.”

The four of them giggled as they passed a joint around, remaining out of sight from the rest of the festival attendees. 

Sebastian coughed as he handed the joint to Bee. The woman inhaled the smoke and passed it to Abigail. 

“Man, I wish Joja would like, burn down or something. Morris has been on my ass about the stupidest crap.” Sam complained as he was handed the rolled up marijuana. 

“Oh, I didn't know you worked at JojaMart too.” Bee replied.

“Unfortunately.” The blonde said before coughing while tossing the roach in a cup. “This is out.”

“Too? So you do have a thing with Shane. That's 20, Sebastian.” Abigail smirked.

“A thing? You mean like friends? Sure we're friends but that's it. We're not like, seeing each other if that's what you think.” Bee explained.

The three stoned friends looked at each other and laughed. Bee groaned as blood rushed to her cheeks.

“Would you consider us your friends?” Sebastian asks while Abigail begins rolling another paper.

“Well, this is the first time I've been around any of you after living here for a while. I feel like saying we're all friends wouldn't be correct? I mean yet! I want to be friends with you guys for sure, just- socializing is hard for me.”

Sebastian chuckled and passed the lighter to the younger purple-haired woman so she could light the joint. Abigail lit the joint, took a puff, and passed it to the farmer.

“What I mean to ask is would you go as far to dance with us like you did with Shane at the Luau?”

“Well that was different- plus it's just dancing, you know? Dancing doesn't have to be romantic. If we all started break dancing right now would that mean we were seeing each other?” Bee retorted before taking another inhale of the joint, and passing it to Sebastian.

“We'd be seeing each other make a fool of ourselves.” Sebastian joked and took a small inhale on the joint. He turned to hand the joint to Sam. 

As Sam took a hit on the joint he began to wave his hand in the air.

“Speak of the devil! Shane! Coworker bestie! Shane, come hit this!” Sam giggled. 

They could all see the unamused expression on the older man's face as he took his time walking over to them. Once he noticed the farmer sitting alongside them it changed into a look of confusion. 

“Since when did you smoke pot?” Shane asked Bee as Sam gave the joint to him. 

Bee watched without responding as the man inhaled the smoke. There was something about watching him blow smoke from the side of his mouth that had her damn near drooling.

“Hello?” Shane waved his hand in front of her face.

“Hey.” Bee smiled up at him.

“Yeah, she's done.” Abigail laughed, making the others chuckle. Shane's eyes stayed on the farmer as he passed the joint.

“I want to go back to the festival, you all coming?” Abigail stood up and tossed the last roach away. Sam and Sebastian got up and followed her back into the town center.

Bee slowly stood up and looked over at Shane. He shoved his hands into his jacket pocket and began walking back towards the grange displays.

“I didn't know you hung out with those three.” Bee said.

“I don't. But Sam's the only coworker I can stand and he smokes me out whenever it's a really rough shift.”

The farmer nodded. There was a long silence as they walked. Bee kept a smile on her face as she felt warm and cozy from the pot they just smoked. The previous anxiety and fear from Liam being around seemingly subdued. 

“Listen, Bee, I'm sorry about the other day. I just needed some space.” Shane apologized, his eyes avoiding hers.

“I understand. I'm sorry for splashing water on you. I probably could've just shaken you awake.” Bee chuckled awkwardly. 

Shane shrugged. “Buh, it's in the past now. Let's go see who won the grange display this year, yeah?”

As they walk over to the displays, Bee notices the prismatic shard she had placed in the center was missing. Mayor Lewis was making his way over to her display as she looked around for the shard. Who would steal her crystal? A bitter scoff slipped from her mouth. It was probably the asshole who made his presence known earlier. Still, maybe there was a chance it was somewhere under the grange displays.

Shane noticed his friend looking around frantically for something and saw the giant space in the display. Not thinking much about it, he sets an egg where the shard should be. As mayor Lewis walks up to the showcase of produce he smiles.

 “Very impressive, Miss Bee.”

The woman gives an awkward smile in response as the mayor inspect’s Pierre’s produce. Shane took the egg back and placed it back in his pocket.

“You just carry eggs around?” Bee asks the man.

“I’ve seen you run around with a plate of spaghetti.”

“Fair enough. But thanks Shane. I don’t know what happened to the prismatic shard I had though.”

Shane gives a small shrug in response as Lewis begins to announce the winner. “In second place we have…Farmer Bee!”

“Hey, not bad for the replacement being an egg.” Bee chuckled. No use in feeling defeated. Besides, seeing Shane help her was almost a win in itself.

“Still, it's pretty messed up for someone to steal your shard like that.” Shane gave her a small pat on the back. “Anyways, I need to find Jas. I’ll see ya later?”

“Of course. Later, Shane.” Bee smiled as Shane walked away. Despite not getting first place, she felt good. She was still stoned and getting the nice feelings that come from enjoying pot but deeper she felt cared for by Shane. And that was a better high than anything pot could offer.

Fall 20, Year 2

Bee woke to the sound of the phone ringing and roaring thunder. She rose from her bed and stumbled over to the loud red telephone before picking it up and holding it to her ear. 

"Mm-Hello?" Bee yawned.

“Bridgit?” Marnie’s worried voice came from the other end of the line.

“Hey Marnie, is everything okay?” The farmer asked as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

“I’m not sure. It’s Jas’s birthday and Shane said he would take the afternoon shift to spend the morning with all of us but he’s not here. And his supervisor said he’s not at work either. It’s already near 9 am…I told Jas he got called in but I really don’t know where he could be.” 

Bee was silent as she felt a knot in her stomach. Her mind raced with thoughts of worst-case scenarios of where Shane could be. The feeling of dread began to take over her body, completely overpowering the annoyance she had at waking up late.

“I’ll find him. Tell Jas happy birthday from me, yeah?” She did not waste time waiting for a response and hung up the telephone. The farmer threw on a jacket and rushed out of the door, not bothering to pull the hood over her head. 

The rain was heavy and the thunder was deafening. The storm showed no sign of relenting either. Her hair was soaked and her clothes stuck to her skin but none of it mattered to her, she just wanted Shane to be okay. He was somewhere in Pelican Town and she was determined to find him.

Bee’s heart was racing as she ran around Pelican Town, the coldness of the rain seeping into her bones. She had checked the beach, the train station, and even Joja just to make sure he was truly not there. As she entered Cindersap Forest she took a deep breath. It was a lot of ground to cover but damn it, she was determined.

Her feet splashed through puddles and mud, ruining her shoes, but she couldn't care any less. The wind whipped her hair into a frenzy as she called out Shane’s name. As she made her way towards the sewer near the end of the forest, she finally spotted her very drunk friend lying near the cliff surrounded by beer cans.

“Shane!” Bee shouted. She ran over to him then bent over, exhausted from hunting for the man for the past two hours. Her hair was ruined and she was soaked to the bone but it was all worth finding him.

 “Bridgit…” Shane moaned from where he was laying. Bee’s eyes softened and her brows furrowed as she sat down by him. “I-I’m sorry.”

Shane continued after his drunken hiccup, “M…My life. It’s a pathetic joke…look at me…Why do I even try?” He sobbed with his face against the wet ground. All Bee could do in the moment was just sit there and listen to his crying.

“I’m too small and stupid to…to take control of my life. I…I’m just a piece of soiled garbage flittering in the wind…I’ve been coming here often lately…looking down…here’s a chance to finally take control of my life…these cliffs. But…but I’m too scared and anxious…just like always.” Shane cried. Bee stood up, her eyes glassy and rimmed with red.

“Bee…all I do is work, sleep and drink…t…to dull the feelings of self-hatred. Why should I even go on? Tell me…T-tell me why I shouldn’t roll off this cliff right now.”

The soaked farmer gazed down at the drunk and depressed man in front of her. She looked down from the cliff and sighed. Was there even a right response to this? He was a drunken mess and probably more soaked than she was. Still. She needed to say something.

“If you decide that there’s no reason to keep going, right now, you will never get to find out if you were wrong later. It would be bullshit to try and feed you arbitrary reasons to not roll off this cliff because life is fucking brutal and its hard. Sometimes it's hard for no good reason...But either way, I’m here for you Shane.” Bee responded. It was the best she could manage to say while being cold and worried.

“Thanks…I appreciate that…I really do.” Shane said softly. He clutched his stomach and groaned. “Bee…I think you should take me to the hospital now.”

The woman helped Shane to his feet, throwing his arm over her shoulder and supported him all the way out of the forest and to Harvey’s clinic. The doctor looked at them both with wide eyes as puddles formed around their feet, soaking his floors. Bee looked at the older brunette, her eyes full of concern as she pleaded for his help and was relieved when Harvey helped her get him to a room.

It was evening by the time she left the clinic. Harvey had pumped Shane’s stomach and rehydrated him. The doctor had also expressed his concern for Shane’s mental health which was the more pressing issue. She wondered what could have happened, had she not found Shane in time. Even if he decided not to jump off the cliff the man could have died from alcohol poisoning. 

Bee got into her house and sighed. The first thing she did was dry off and change into warm clothes. Then she went to her phone and called Marnie.

“Is he okay?” Marnie asked immediately. 

“He is now. He’s over at the hospital with Harvey. He was in rough shape.” Bee explained. It was silent for a moment but she could hear his aunt sniffling.

“I’m glad you found him.” She finally spoke.

“Me too. I think I’m gonna head to bed early. Night, Marnie.” The farmer hung up the phone and sighed. Her body was sore from running around town in the rain searching for the 28 year old. As she lay in her bed, holding her cat close to her, all she could think about was how defeated her friend looked as he cried to her. 

Fall 21, Year 2

   Loud knocking came from the front door. Bee stretched as she arose from her bed before slowly making her way to the front of the house. There better be a good reason someone is here this early. She opens her door with a tired and slightly aggravated expression.

"Hey…" Shane said. His voice was barely above a whisper. "Oh man…how do I say this? I'm really sorry for what happened down at the cliffs…that was…embarrassing."

Bee's expression had shifted the moment she saw him. So many emotions were bubbling inside her like a pot of water about to boil over. Her eyes began to burn, tears threatening to spill onto her shirt while she clenched her fist. She could barely make eye contact with the man.

"Bee," He moved closer to her. "Say something will ya?" 

Suddenly she pulled Shane into an embrace. Her arms wrapped around him, squeezing him tightly while her face was buried into his green shirt. She felt his arms hesitantly return the gesture.

"Please don't ever scare me like that again. I'm so glad you're still here." Bee's voice cracked as she broke their hug.

“Wow, it was that serious, huh? I can hardly remember…” Shane admitted. “I’ve decided I want to see a therapist. Harvey got me in touch with a colleague of his. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for taking care of me and I want you to know I’m going to take things more seriously from now on. I don’t want to be a burden on anyone…”

The farmer smiled softly. “That's really good Shane. I'm just relieved you're okay.”

Shane nodded and returned the smile. “I’ll catch you around, Bee.” 

Autumn leaves continued to fall and blow around in the wind as the older man took his leave. She watched as he continued down the path before heading into her greenhouse and beginning her chores.