Taking Each Day and Night At A Time

Leaning against the tree he stood under, David looked down at the plate in his hand, suddenly realizing that he wasn’t hungry. He just wanted to go home, crawl into bed, and listen to sad music. He didn’t want to be here and he certainly didn’t want to entertain the person he saw walking up to him. Not wanting to engage, David continued to stare at his food, waiting for the other person to make the first move. Maybe they’d get the hint that he really wasn’t in the mood to talk.

“Hey boy, in my time, a tennis ball was the least of your worries.” Abel matched David’s grin, the expression changing the makeup of his whole face. Suddenly he was boisterous, and the wrinkles seemed not to severe, the kind of bright, happy face that you couldn’t help but follow. It was no surprise how he managed to keep his popularity in town, he was the epitome of jolly small town mayor. When he choose to be anyway. “Anyway, the girls always love a boy whose a little rough and tumble trust me. Come inside, boy.” 

The mayor guided David up to the patio and swung open the door, revealing the large, gothic-esque mansion within. It wouldn’t have been a new sight, but just like a good painting never lost its shine, the house never really lost its immense overwhelming presence. He liked David in many ways, the eldest Goode was the perfect mirror of the golden boy stereotype. Not necessarily the brightest tool in the shed, but always kind, caring and willing to do his part. It wasn’t what Abel would consider to be the sort of profile that would led to life long success, but it worked with the whims of a tired older gentleman just fine. 

At the question, the mayor chuckled, shuffling to lead David to his parlor, his iconic arm chair and music collection on show. Without skipping a beat, Abel began to pour himself a whiskey. “The town? You tell me David, the town is the Goode family right now, we feel like you do, so how’s home?” 

“Take a seat.” He wasn’t in the habit of offering David a seat, normally he only gave out orders and suggestions of chores that needed doing. But in times like this it paid to be merciful and so he allowed the boy the honour of sitting with him.

“Want a drink?” 

“Well, I’d hate to be back in your day then.” David replied with a smile, miming flipping his hair. He really couldn’t imagine though, growing up in any era other than his own. Maybe the 80s. It all just felt foreign and strange and he couldn’t imagine not having cassette tapes and computers. Did they even have TV when the mayor was a kid? David didn’t actually know how old the other man was, or when TV was invented. 

No matter how many times David followed the mayor into the old house, it never ceased to amaze him. It obviously needed work done but that didn’t stop it from being magnificent. It was like something out of an old movie and sometimes David wondered if the mayor would ever let him do a photo shoot there. He didn’t want to ask though, he was already awkward enough.

Shoving his hands into his pockets again, David shrugged, suddenly feeling anxious. He hadn’t expected that to be the mayor’s answer. For some reason he’d just expected the older man to talk about giving parking tickets or something. While Brian’s disappearance was his whole world, and it felt like it was all everyone could talk about, he’d been hoping that it was all in his head. 

“at least your mom cares,” heather responded with a shrug, turning towards the parking lot and beginning to walk. the wind sent a slight breeze their way; which prompted her to cross her arms across her chest. “i can’t wait until i have a car of my own, biking gets pretty old.” she joked, trying to break some of the tension. she was interested in befriending david; which was not her original intention. she could see that he had a lot going on, and heather had this habit of wanting to make things better for people. he seemed like a good guy, and the circumstances of his life sucked. well, from her perspective at least. she climbed into his car once they approached it, and strapped herself into the seatbelt. “i’ll direct you,” she assured him, as she mentally got her directions together so that she could guide him in the correct direction. 

Task 2 - Where were you on Saturday?

That’s how Kevin finds himself sitting in his car on a tucked-away edge of the forest with David Goode in his passenger seat. He avoids looking at him, lighting up the joint instead, closing his eyes as he inhales and tips his head back into the headrest. He holds out the joint to David without opening his eyes. If he can’t see a David Goode, is a David Goode really there? The whole situation is pretty surreal, but not any moreso than the events of the past week. Christ. A missing child. That’s why they’re here, in the most fucked up plot twist of their young adult lives.

The thought sends another pang of– well, pity, through him, and he almost says something, but he’s done everything he can, hasn’t he? Talking isn’t going to do any good for either of them; it would probably be kinder if he just shut up, rather than trying to engage the guy in some painfully dry chitchat. Still, he can’t help himself. The awkwardness creeps up on him (along with, well, the weed) and he’s talking before he realizes he’s opened his mouth. “So, come around here often?” Wow. There he goes once again, saying things before he realizes how they sound. Amazing how that’s never seemed to stop him before, but at least he’ll soon be high enough to not give a shit. “The woods, I mean. Or random dudes’ cars. Whatever.”

Truth be told, David isn’t too sure how he ended up sitting in the passenger seat of Kevin Shah’s car. He’d never been too friendly with the other male, choosing to hang out with Kelly instead. But there they were, in the forest, lighting a joint. Trying not to be too awkward, David looked out the window, searching for any wildlife he could find, only glancing at Kevin as the dark haired male passed him the joint. It was awkward, the silence dragging on for too long before Kevin spoke. 

David wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting the other to say but it definitely hadn’t been that. Laughing softly, David shrugged, looking back out into the forest before back at Kevin. The guy was awkward for sure, but instead of being annoying, it was kind of precious. “Yeah, fairly often. The woods I mean. Not the random cars. The woods though, I like to explore them. I know you all have legends and scary stories based around them but I think they’re nice.” He admitted.

David’s expression when he saw her would have been hilarious to anyone else who wasn’t her. His wide eyes stared right back at her as she took huge strides towards him. His reaction to the situation was how Linda had been used to her eldest son reacting to her. Her care was something he didn’t seem too happy about most of the times. Like when she entered the school to hand him school books he’d forgotten or as she waved him goodbye whenever he left. Her children were her most treasured possessions and expecting her to just ‘let them go’ was one of the most absurd things she’d ever heard. “Yes, you’re damn right.” She replied immediately, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

Her exhale seemed to run through her entire body as she felt smaller as well. The waves of emotions that previously had been rushing through her disappeared, leaving her feeling slightly numb as she calmed down. Running her hands over her face, she let out a deep sigh. None of it was David’s fault. She could understand that he wanted his own space and time to himself. Just… she couldn’t afford to have another child of hers missing. Even so, that didn’t allow her to keep her children locked in the house to prevent that from happening. Seeing him so relaxed before she came over made her smile. She didn’t want to punish him either, seeing him drinking brought back her memories of being in high school. She occasionally sipped from beers, mainly from her best friends or if a guy offered her some. 

The surprise on his face did make her laugh this time. “No worries, David. We were all young once.” Her eyes softened as she smiled, looking at the woods. “Don’t let anyone else catch you. Then you will be in trouble, serious trouble.” She tapped her finger against the bottle, holding it’s slender neck so the beer wouldn’t get warm. Biting her bottom lip in thought, Linda debated on leaving her son to have some peace and sit in the car waiting or if she should stay. So, until she decided what she tried to ease into some conversation. “How was school today?”

David shook his head as his mom spoke to him. Just the fact that they were sitting in the clearing drinking beer felt weird to him. This wasn’t how his night was supposed to go. He was supposed to get high and drunk by himself, listen to music, maybe scream into the forest, before stumbling back home. This wasn’t at all what he planned and, while, deep down, he did enjoy his mom’s company, he was a little pissed off that she’d interrupted his evening. 

“Really? That’s what you’re gonna ask?” He responded, sharper than was really necessary. “How was school?” David shook his head, taking another hit and shaking his head. “How do you think it was mom?” He asked, not even glancing over. In truth, school had been terrible. Between the looks of pity and the constant reminder that Brian was out there somewhere, David was about to lose it. He’d been debating just not going back, just playing hooky until the whole thing was over, not that he’d ever say that to his mom.

heather nodded and stood to her feet, gesturing for him to follow her. “we can go to my house,” she suggested, trying to think of her aunts work schedule. heather spent a lot of time when she was home alone. that was part of the reason that she immersed herself in extracurricular activities.. that and the fact that she wanted to get the hell out of this town. 

“my aunt is at work, so we could just chill.” she continued, smiling at him and pushing her chair in. heather however, did not have a car and had gotten a ride here from another one of their classmates. “did you drive here? i don’t have a car”

“Yeah, yeah your house sounds like a good idea.” David replied, nodding his head. He felt a bit like he was walking through a haze and maybe, just maybe, leaving the community center would help with that. “Yeah, I drove here. Wanted to walk but mom was really against me going out alone.” He added. Even as he spoke, he wasn’t sure why  he added that bit of information. She didn’t need to know that but, for some reason, he felt like she wouldn’t judge him or pity him if he told her. “My car’s just that way...” He added, pointing out to the parking lot.

Julie smiled, satisfied by her successful attempt at uncovering something new about David. He was still a mystery: the twins were the remaining members of the Goode family she was still trying to figure out. Linda had been easy: there was a sadness in her eyes that mirrored every bad thing she had ever been through and the picture of a wife, like her, so womanly, put-together and dedicated to her family without a husband was easy to speculate about. Brian, well, he was still too young to know how to keep secrets. Is. She corrected her own thoughts, a deep dark feeling down at the pit of a stomach almost made her cough all the cigarette smoke out.

She shook her head as if to scare away her thoughts and, in a hush of conspiratorial tone, she leaned in closer to David and whispered. “I stole them from Heather.” She followed her words with a giggle and a finger to her lips, a Shhh sound that echoed the wind. Her eyes were fixed on David, the movement of his fingers against his lips, the way he held the cigarette. There was some of Linda’s sadness in his eyes, too.

Her previously buoyant expression faded, almost too drastically as she took another drag from the cigarette and, only half-way from being finished, threw it to the ground and extinguished the flame with the heel of her boot. “They’re shit, though.” She didn’t dare look up to him, instead averted her gaze to the sun, no longer visible in the horizon, its light fading. “You shouldn’t smoke. They’re bad for you.” You’ll end up dead like your brother. “I’m sure coach wouldn’t be happy to find out one of his star athletes isn’t taking good care of his body.”

Something about the fact that these were taken from Heather made the entire interaction seem even more surreal to David. Looking down at the cigarette in his hand he smirked and shrugged. “She doesn’t need to know.” He responded, trying his hardest not to laugh. He’d never really pegged Julie as the type of person to smoke, let alone steal smokes, but he wasn’t complaining.

As Julie continued though, David was struck by just how little he actually knew about the blonde. He saw her in school, of course he did, the high school wasn’t that big, but he didn’t really know her. Didn’t really know anyone. Despite having spent almost a year and a half in the town everyone still felt like a stranger. “Please.” He replied, scoffing before taking another drag of the cigarette. “If coach found out what I did, smoking would be the least of his worries... But that can be our secret.” He continued with a grin at Julie.

She grabs the coffee gratefully, wolfing down the bitter liquid in a ravenous gulp that warms her throat and burns her tongue. Then, a break from it — words are partially sympathetic and solem, but tinged with optimism — as she speaks. “ Not yet, ” She tells him, latter half of the phrase emphasized. “ But we have to find something soon enough. And … ” A beat. “ Whatever it is, we can use it to bring Brian back home safely. ” Some viewed the manhunt as a search of something to bury, and … Ariadne is unsure if David is one of them. Words are tentatively hopeful, like she’s making a promise she isn’t sure if she can keep. In a way, she is. 

She’s been working overtime since the news of Brian’s disappearance, and that’s saying a lot for someone who already consistently worked overtime. Dark circles appeared under her eyes, hair frizzier and words more slowed until third cup of coffee in the morning, and it was evident to anyone that she was pushed to her limits. But still, the defense would come, that it was nothing compared to how the Goodes must feel. And so, she bites her tongue on some comment on how he should save thank yous for those without badges, and instead offers reassurance in a more honest perspective. “ And trust me, I know that sounds like some bullshit I was programmed in my training to say. But I mean it. ” It does sound like bullshit, and if she were him … she wouldn’t believe it. But she hopes to God he does. 

David nods, looking down at the table in front of him as the woman speaks. He knew not to expect any other answer but it still hurt to hear. Plus, she spoke with such focus and determination and it almost overwhelmed him. Everyone seemed absolutely positive that Brian would come back safe and it all felt like empty promises to David. “Uh yeah....” He said dumbly, still stuck in his own head. “Just bring him home okay?” He added, looking back up at Officer Guzman. 

“Do you guys... there’s nothing yet?” He asked, knowing that if he or his mom hadn’t been told, that there probably wasn’t any new information. It couldn’t hurt to ask though, to see if the police might have a lead that they were hesitant to share.

Abel met the young boy mid-way through, chuckling to himself faintly as he reached the gate and raised a brow at the kid. His was like aged parchment, crinkles of paleness surrounded by a skin lightly tanned by the sun. The mayor may have been from money, but he had known what it was to work. His smile was broad and in the cool fall shade, you could mistake him for a jolly sort of man, if not for the darkness that seemed to flit within his brown eyes. 

He reached over the gate and pat David on the shoulders, still faintly laughing to himself before he slipped around to the path and started to head back towards the house. His tone was rather earnest, and he said it was such confidence that you wouldn’t be a fool to take it as true. “Forgive me lad, my eyes ain’t what they use to be - thought you were a friend of mine, we always play a little game of catch.” 

“Hope your nose isn’t too knocked up, eh?” Abel flicked a look over his shoulder at that, and there was a sense of challenge there as if the older man was assessing him, trying to see if he would show some weakness or toughen up as men were expected to.

As he drew to the house door, he threw it open, and strode in, regardless of whether the Goode boy followed. He wasn’t two meters in before he was swiping his pipe from a table in the hall and pressing it between his lips. “How’s school, lad?”

David shook his head as the mayor walked towards him, wondering, how much trouble he’d get into if he flipped him the bird. Probably a lot. At the very least his mom would hear about it and god knew he didn’t want to deal with that. She already had enough on her plate and David couldn’t even begin to imagine how she’d react to finding out he’d flipped off the mayor. 

Taking a deep breath and shaking his head again, David grinned at Mayor Hawker. “Yeah, might wanna get those checked Old Man. Can’t be pegging people in the face like that. You’re lucky you didn’t damage it forever. That’s the one thing I’ve got going for me.” He joked, wishing that it wasn’t actually the truth. 

“School’s okay. It’s been kinda weird this week but..” David shrugged, knowing that the mayor probably didn’t want to hear about all the drama of a high schooler. “How’s the... town?” He then asked, not sure what else to say. He’d never quite learned how to interact smoothly with the older man and was now mentally kicking himself for that.

In Devil’s Knot, guys like David have lots of reasons to mess with guys like Kevin. Finding the semblance of peace he has— at least, not being openly fucked with on the daily— is not something that came naturally, or easy. Not that he’s ever cared all that much what people think about him, but getting by unbothered has its own price. He’s learned over time (and consequences) what parts of himself he can show and what should be kept to only a trusted few. Keeping his guard up is second-nature at this point, but with everything going on he’d taken a chance on being half-decent to David Goode… and now he regrets it.

It’s possible David means nothing by the teasing, but the possible implications still make him tense, hit a bit too close to home. God, he shouldn’t have even bothered, of course no attempt at a civil conversation with the guy could go well. He almost says something salacious, just to see the expression on David’s face, but self-preservation wins out in the end— Kevin doesn’t need to give the guy any ammo to use against him down the line, when life and high school inevitably return to normal and David resumes his status as cliché asshole quarterback.

“Dude, I’m just offering to smoke you out. One-time deal. Take it or don’t!” He throws his arms up in a shrug and backs away, glad to be leaving the heavy atmosphere of the forest and the disappointed faces milling around it.

David bit back a frown as he watched Kevin’s face harden. He shouldn’t have joked about that, not right now, maybe not ever. He didn’t know the other male well enough to do something like that and even if he did, Devil’s Knot wasn’t the type of place that enjoyed those jokes. Watching as Kevin took a step back, David mirrored him, also backing away slightly. “Yeah man. Sorry about that.” He replied hastily, throwing his hands up in surrender. He definitely wouldn’t say no to getting high, especially not after the events of the last week. Shoving his hands in his pockets again. “I’d definitely be down for that if you are.” 

Linda had been sat at home, folding the washing. Going through these simple, routinely motions gave her a lot of peace. It was nice to know she could hold onto these small things, even when her world was crumbling around her. There had also been some clothes of Brian’s to wash. She gently held them to her face as she smelt them. Brian didn’t smell much of anything, mainly soap powder and occasionally dirt, but there was something very comforting about holding something that was his and still smelt like her son. Her heart ached in her chest as she felt a tear run down her face. Linda had decided then that after she had calmed herself down, in other words, folded the washing, she was going to go out and look for Brian again. 

It would still be an hour until dinner time so Linda figured that would give her some time to go and look for him. So that’s when Linda got into her car and drove around for a bit. Eventually, she stopped at one of the few places she hadn’t checked yet. She’d checked in all the streets and banged on everyone’s doors but she hadn’t checked the forest yet. As she pulled up to the edge of it, she felt her heart hammer in her chest. The idea of her youngest child being here by herself made her toes curl in her boots. She took a deep breath, grabbed her flashlight and left her car.

The branches of the trees high above her looked looming and intimidating. Maybe that was just her maternal mind getting the best of her. Linda didn’t like the way it all looked in general. Also, she might be new to this town but she’d heard rumours about this area. It was enough for her not to want to set foot here if she had a choice, but she had no choice. If she truly wanted to look everywhere to find Brian, that included this part of their town as well. Twigs crackled underneath her feet as she walked further. In a slight clearing where a tree had fallen down, she saw a figure lying there. Her heart immediately sped up as she felt her palms become sweaty, causing the flashlight to slip a little from her grasp. As she got closer, the figure moved in front of her and it only took one second for her to recognize it since she knew this person as well as the back of her hand.

“David Jonathan Goode!” Her voice thundered full of authority, in a way that only a mother could do. 

A deep wrinkle appeared between her eyebrows as her lips narrowed. “What do you think you are doing?” 

“You’re here all by yourself, not even with a light or a phone. What if someone came here to hurt you? I am worried sick about all three of you and you’re just here doing God knows what all by yourself!” Tears collected in her eyes as she realised that she wasn’t angry, she was scared. Someone had already taken one of her children away and the idea of her losing more was more than she could bear.

As instantly as her anger flared up, she suddenly thought of all the reasons why he was out here. Possibly for the same reason she was. Possibly because he wanted some space. Possibly because he was also just a boy himself who was dealing with something he should never have to deal with. A soft sigh left her lips as she walked up to him and perched on the log next to him. 

“I’m sorry…” She muttered softly as if she was more speaking to herself than to him. Her eyes glanced at to what he was holding. Linda wasn’t stupid and it didn’t surprise her that he was drinking. Right now, all she cared about was being close to her eldest son. 

“Hand that over here, would you?” She replied, gesturing to the beer bottle. A soft smile made its way onto her lips, her eyes wrinkling at the sides as they always did when she was genuinely smiling. 

“Do you mind sharing?”

As soon as he heard his first name, David stood up, eyes wide as he whipped around and saw none other than his mom standing in the clearing. A myriad of emotions flashed through David’s head in the moment it took for him to register what was happening. Everything from wow, I’m glad it isn’t a murderer to oh shit i’m drinking and my mom is here. “Oh my god. Mom.” He exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air and rolling his eyes.

 He could understand, distantly, why she was mad. She was stressed, a lot had happened, and she just caught her oldest son out alone. That didn’t stop David from being angry though. He wanted his mom to go away.. He wanted to be able to sneak out of the house to drink and not get caught when his mom showed up at the place he was hiding. He wanted to be able to shut himself in his room and turn the volume up on his boom box, drowning out everything else. He just wanted to be normal again.

As suddenly as the anger appeared though, the fight went out of him. He watched as his mom deflated, seeming to shrink into herself momentarily. More than anything else, David hated seeing her like that. He’d seen her act like that around dad too many times and, after they’d left him behind, David had vowed to never let her act like that again. But here they were, in the middle of the woods and one Goode child short. 

Watching Linda closely, David followed as she sat down next to him, wondering if he was about to get some kind of lecture about underage drinking, sneaking out, or being out alone. What he wasn’t expecting though, was for her to ask to share his beer. 

Shocked that she was doing this, it took David a moment before he nodded and stuttered out “Um... yeah... Yeah sure here.” Handing the beer over and wondering if he should offer her the joint in his pocket too. God knew she probably needed it.

There was something about the youngsters around the Town that just…got to Abel. Not necessarily always in a negative way, he found amusement in their stupidity more often than not, but it was more the fact that he knew he would likely never probably see them as adults. Two generations had passed him now, and the newest crop would most certainly be his last. Perhaps that’s why he liked to toy with them a lot more, after all, should they grow to hate his guts, he’d be long in the grave, a middle finger raised as they lowered him to the pits. 

David Goode was one of the better ones. A dutiful but dull kid, he knew when to sit and who to not bark at. The traditional sort of sport that you could have found back in the Mayor’s day, and the exact gullible fool that he had played with back when he was a highschooler. That was not to say Abel didn’t appreciate David, because truth told, while he could see through the teenager’s flaws as if he were a window, the company was pleasant. His grandson Ezekiel use to fit that mould, but just like his father, he was growing up to be more a pain than a pleasure that this point.

Abel didn’t really give a shit when the boy turned up, only that he did and before the days got too dark. After all, no one should leave the mayor waiting. He spotted the kid sprinting up the path to his estate with a faint smirk, the sense of urgency there amusing him to no end. It was utterly fascinating how the prospect of time changed as you aged. To Abel, there was forever enough time to the day to do everything with a leisurely pace, but when you’re young life seems far more pressing. The irony is that the younger you are, the more time you literally have on the earth. 

However, the mayor was not in his home. Instead, he had been in the far end of the vast green land that belonged to the Hawker family, practising a little of his tennis serve both for his health and since he had a friendly coming up soon with an old friend. He twirled the handle in his hand for a moment before a slightly naughty idea floated into his mind, and he found himself positioning himself and the ball. It never hurt to have a little fun, did it?

Without hesitation, he struck the ball, and it sailed through the air with a rather fair bit of whack, aiming straight at David. The only warning the poor boy got was Abel’s commanding voice cutting through the air. “CATCH!” 

David wasn’t sure what to expect when he stopped on Mayor Hawker’s front porch but it certainly wasn’t the sound of a ball hitting a tennis racket. Before David could even start to process what the noise was though, a familiar voice called out. Although he was quarterback, and a lot of people lauded him for his fast thinking and lighting quick reflexes, this was not one example of either. It was about when he registered exactly what catch meant that the tennis ball hit him square in the face.

It didn’t hurt exactly, David played football and had dealt with a lot worse both on and off the field, but, unlike the tackles on the field, this came as a surprise. Unsure of what the fuck just happened, David stood on the porch, holding his nose and blinking like a deer in the headlights for a moment. He knew that Abel could be a handful, had seen him be a pain in the ass, but hadn’t ever really seen it like this. What was he even supposed to do? This was the mayor after all. You couldn’t just flip him off or yell at him.

Choosing the next best thing, David raised a hand and waved at Mayor Hawker, still holding his nose with his other hand as he called out “Thanks Mayor! Thanks for that.” It was almost a relief to him actually, that the mayor wasn’t treating him like broken glass.

That being said, it pissed him off that the mayor had hit him with a god damn tennis ball and, quietly this time, David spoke, cursing the mayor under his breath as he made his way off the porch and toward the old man.

Julie nodded, sure David would say yes, the expression on his eyes blurry and hazy, she could lead him anywhere and he would likely follow, an automaton. But she didn’t. Another disappearance would be too much, even in Devil’s Knot. 

She walked out of the community center, holding the door open for some people coming in, completely unaware of who they were. Outside, the sky was turning from its usual blue to orange, a million different hues blending together and the moon already visible in the sky. It was beautiful, and she almost said so, but looking at David over her shoulder, it didn’t look like he cared at all. “I know what you need. C’mon.” Julie gestured for him to follow, leading him away from the community center to somewhere more private, where no one was around. 

She surveyed their surroundings to make sure there really was no one to spot them, and took out two cigarettes and a lighter from her jeans back pocket, offering one to David. “Do you want one?” She waited, surveying his expression, placing the almost-broken cigarette between her teeth, gesturing vaguely before lighting hers. “It’s good for the nerves.” And she could tell David was a pile of them. “It will be our little secret.” She shot him a conspiratory look and took a drag from her cigarette, exhaling smoke after a few seconds.

As he followed Julie out of the community center, David couldn’t help but be shocked by the cold that hit him. It was only October but he could tell that this winter would be bad, the wind already seemed to make the cold go straight to his bones. Even though he’d lived in Minnesota for most of his life, David had never quite gotten used to how cold it could be. Briefly he wondered if it would seem colder this year.

Raising his eyebrows slightly at the blonde, David continued to follow. He didn’t know a lot about her, just that she always looked and acted perfect in a way he wanted to, but never could, be. Behind every perfect face though, there’s something else hiding and that’s why, when Julie pulled cigarettes out of her jeans, David didn’t even bat an eye. Instead, he inwardly exhaled. It felt like it had been fucking forever since he last smoked. With the police and mom constantly around he didn’t feel comfortable pulling out a lighter. 

“Fuck yes, please.” He replied, taking a cig and lighting it swiftly. Almost immediately, David felt himself relax every so slightly. Flashing a small smile over at Julie, he shook his head. “I won’t tell if you don’t.” He responded, making a point to take a long drag of his cigarette as he did.

Lying against a tree, David can’t help but realize just how morbid it is that the clearing he’s in is such a hot spot in town. It’s where all the kids go to party or hook up and it’s also, supposedly, where Pete Silverman was thrown into the river. Did people just choose to forget that had happened, or did that just add an extra layer of excitement to the area? David wondered, taking a swig of the beer in his hand. Usually, on a weekend, this clearing would be full of people but, now, After Brian, it was empty. He was the only person there. High out of his mind and hoping to drink until he forgot everything that had happened. 

Staring up at the trees, wondering how tall they were, how much one would be able to see from the top, David was about to take another sip of beer when he heard a twig break. Jumping, David turned toward the noise. Although he was out in the woods alone, he wasn’t ready to let someone sneak up behind him and kill him.

“Who’s out there?” He called out, wishing he’d brought a flashlight with him.