v o i d

“Does anyone want to go with me to get some more water bottles? I think we’re running low…” And halted in the middle of the desert, that was one thing he didn’t want them to run out of. 

Where would they be getting water from? Donnie didn’t voice his question and instead nodded. “Did you see a store nearby?”

Just give me a sec, okay? There’s a way out of this. There’s an easy solution — I know it. I just need some time to drum it up.

There’s nothing left to consider.

“God, this is — this is a mess. Look, maybe this is just… how it’s supposed to be, you know? Drop me off at the nearest hospital and I’ll tell the cops the rest of you got away, send them on a goose chase to Canada or something. It’d buy you guys some time, at least…“

“Stop.”

Quit your bitching, we just need to get Cody’s ankle iced and wrapped and he’ll be better in no time. Meanwhile, I’ll drive.

I don’t meant to relive the first day on the road again, but I think it’s in everyone’s best interest if you don’t.

“Isn’t it always showing? I didn’t know it ever had a chance to hide.” She smirked, looking at Donnie pointedly. “I’m fine, really. Someone should always stick by the van.”

“True. I can stay though, I don’t mind, and I’m not really in the mood for exploring.”

Feel like sharing?

.. Just keep it. 

My actions make sense, just not to you. Jesus, do any of you ever get off your high horse?

High horse? Imogene. Let me drink this frikkin’ capri sun in peace.

Donnie was taking an awfully l o n g time to respond. When he did, Louis breathed a small sigh of relief. “I what?” he paused, considering the options. Complete wonderment, imminent death, or absolutely nothing except mild disappointment. Then again, with Devin’s driving, imminent death was a constant risk. He might as well. “Alright, I’m trusting you, but if I die, I just want you to know that you’re a complete ass,” he replied, getting down and crawling over to where Donnie was, his breath catching in his throat. “Woah.”

“I can live with that,” he replied quietly, awaiting his reaction to the view. Donnie could have sworn the sun had splattered its color and melted all over the hills and cliffs and edges that composed the endless scenery before them. He let the moment live in silence until he spoke in an absent minded manner, as though by accident. “It almost makes me hate Alfie less.”

Then why are you even here? You don’t give a shit about the guy, you’re clearly not having fun. So why stick around?

And remind me why I should explain myself to the girl whose actions aside from destructive never make sense?

Always anxious to get off the van and finally stretch his legs, Donnie often found himself eagerly hopping out, but as it was now, he rarely wandered until he had a good view of the area. He turned to Leigh-Ann, mildly humored but not apparent on his features. “Leigh-Ann, your mother is showing. Why don’t you go explore too?”

Louis looked at Donnie as if he was insane — which was entirely possible, Louis was sure. With an incredulous scoff, Louis looked out over the canyon, stealing glances at Donnie quite often. “See anything interesting?” Louis asked, inching toward him slowly. “P l e a s e be careful…”

Donnie would never place Louis in an uncomfortable situation, he cared more about the boy’s well being than he would ever care to admit. But his curiosity, often placed aside, now begged him to see beyond the edge. Slowly, he crawled to it without making any sudden movement. “Louis.” Donnie laid breathless for a moment as he stared into the abyss of color, before regaining the ability to speak. “Louis. Come, you need to see this. I promise you’ll be fine. You won’t fall, I swear.”

Careful, Donnie, your prejudice is starting to show. My mind works just fine, Donnie. Not a big fan of Alfie, huh?

Whatever you say. No.

Donnie seemed to be in the same boat (or van) as Louis was; He hadn’t wanted to go on the trip, but he couldn’t deny how incredible the sight before them was. “Yeah, woah,” Louis nodded in agreement, having trouble figuring out how to express his feelings into words. Donnie seemed to sum it up perfectly. “If you tripped right now, you’d probably die. No, no, you’d definitely die.” Always the optimist. “It’s amazing, though.”

Donnie took a step forward just as Louis spoke and turned to look at him, eyebrows raised. There was something humorous about what Louis said that made him want to laugh. Probably the idea of just how easy it was to cease to exist and how nervous this should have made them, but somehow, both having seen and felt much worse, this could only be peaceful.  And so Donnie smiled. (Two uncommon sights at once!) Maybe two pessimists generated some optimism. “Hold my legs if I look like I’m falling.” Donnie finally said, getting on all fours and crawling to the edge of the current hill/mountain/place? they were at. “I want to see what’s down there.”

A stubbornness like no other held Donnie prisoner of his own being. Though he had (unwillingly) had his moments of fun, he was nearly forcing himself not to enjoy the trip. He only wanted to mend the situation he had with those closest to him and fucking get to Alfie already. This is why when Louis pointed it out and Donnie finally took in the scene, he exhaled an unexpected “woah.”  He stood in awe, sharing the boy’s opinion. “We are so.. small.”