a dumbass

Cleo: Oh, Okay.

Cleo: WAIT WHAT?

Dan: The fuck do you mean you are driving to the hospital? What the fuck happened

Thomas: Is everyone ok?

Dan: Of course, they aren't ok, they are driving to the hospital!

Lilly: Bonnie! What did you do?? Who got hurt!?!?

Cleo: One of you better pick up or come online.

Thomas: Is someone dying?

Dan: Is Bonnie in Duskwood? 

Meanwhile, Bonnie and Jessy had made their way to the hospital and as it turned out, no one had any broken bones. The doctor said that Jessy's nose was close to breaking but was just severely bruised. It still hurt but it helped that Bonnie held her hand the whole time. Also painkillers. 

Jessy: Oh. I got punched in the face. 

Dan: I've been there…

Cleo: What did you do?

Jessy: I was the one who was punched! 

Jessy: Maybe Bonnie can explain it better? Right, Bonnie?

Bonnie: Sometimes being jumpy and zoning out easily is not a good combo after having your life threatened…

Dan: …Did you punch Jessy in the face?

Bonnie: …Maybe

Bonnie: BUT I AM SORRY ABOUT IT

Jessy: And she won't stop saying sorry even though I told it IT IS OKAY

Cleo: Bonnie!!

Bonnie: Would you look at the time…Jess and I are gonna go visit Richy…

Jessy: 🤭

Jessy: Wish us luck. Hopefully I can get Bon to stop apologizing.

The pair made their way to room 169 where Richy was still unconscious. The damage to both him and Hannah was so severe that they were induced just so they could have a fighting chance because otherwise, they were both on the brink of death. With every second they stayed asleep, the more likely it became that they would never wake up. Lilly was with Hannah in the room next door and Jessy thought it would be best to leave Bonnie and Richy be, that's what happens when you watch your friend die. So there she was. Alone.

Bonnie stood in the doorway like a ghost waiting for something to happen. Leaned up against the frame, until she willed her legs to cross the threshold and finally break the seal. Whatever oxygen she kept out, swiftly filled her lung as memories of breathing flowed through her mind. With each slow step, she got closer to the bed, closer to him. His eyes were closed and his hair fell onto his forehead. His jaw was relaxed and his face was neutral, the only emotion to be seen was the ghost of a smile that haunted her memories. Her fingers twitched as she held her hand back, all she wanted to do was touch him to make sure he was real and not a trick made of wax. For now, the steady beat of the heart monitor and slow rise and fall of his chest would have to keep her satiated.   Her eyes fluttered shut for the first time since the call, her breath planting her feet into the floor, as the darkness remained. There was no forest floor taking hold of her vision. No desperate eyes begging for help that she could never give. She could open her eyes again without the abandonment taking hold of her lungs, twisting her throat, and stuffing her mouth with cotton. For now, she could only feel the hot wet blood adorn her tongue when her thoughts drifted into the dark rough waters deep in her mind.  Never in her life had such a mechanical beep provided more comfort than in this moment. She and Death have danced around each other for years, taunting one another like old college chums. Maybe this was a cruel trick from her old friend, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind that he wouldn’t get out of their clutches without a miracle. But a miracle happened. At first, it had to be a hallucination, but soon enough it was solid and grounded. Two steady heartbeats, one on the verge of silence and the other about to explode. She finally looked down at Richy, studying his face once again before brushing some of the hair out of his face and taking a seat right next to the bed.

"Hey Richy. I have no clue what I should say to you, I mean at this point you have probably heard everything there is to say by now after getting this talk from all the others. I doubt that you would even understand me once my words start moving a mile a minute" Bonnie chortled to herself as she started to wring her hands. 

"Uh…I've started listening to Mitski again. Her music is amazing but I don't think I would recommend it because it'll just make you really sad. You don't need that right now. I don't think any of us need that right now…Oh uh don't be mad at me but I accidentally punched Jessy in the face but don't worry I am already working on how to make it up to her." Bonnie paused for a moment and took a deep breath to make sure that she stayed grounded.

"I remember your story about the dare house. You trusted me with that even though you were scared…It was weirdly comforting to know that I was considered a friend amongst all the mishegas surrounding us….Maybe I should just tell you a story to return the favor…” Bonnie ran a hand through her hard, adjusting where it lay. “You know…When I was a kid, probably around 4, my mother used to take my brother Demetri and me on errands with her. But the thing is we had this horrible habit of getting completely lost… I always saw something that caught my eye or He saw someone he had taken interest in and wanted to follow. Either way, I would always drag him along to go investigate what I saw…You see we are twins but I'm older so it was always my job to watch out for him…

This one time we were five or six and we wandered into this antique shop that was just so cool, especially to two five year old kids. I still remember it to this day. They had all these shiny and obscure trinkets and old books and around every corner, there was someone new and interesting to explore. It was just so fascinating and amazing to see and look through. But, the time got away from us and by the time we noticed that it had already gone dark, I mean we had been exploring there for hours. Our mother was nowhere in sight, and if I'm being honest, I don't think she realized that we were with her let alone that she left without us. The reality of the situation didn't even dawn on us until we stepped out into the dark cold night and had to find our way home by ourselves. This wasn't the first time she had forgotten us somewhere and it definitely wouldn't be her last…but this time was just different and much farther away from home. 

So we started to walk and I had no clue how long or how far we had gone but then the drunk people started to come out and make their way home because the bars were closing and we just knew that it was utterly helpless and that we would have to spend the night sleeping on the street, maybe find some bench that was more hidden and more comfortable than the others. But right as we started to look, Trios started to cry, and honestly, I don't blame him because, at that moment, I felt the exact same way. I tried to comfort him. I tried to tell him that it would be ok, but for some reason, the words wouldn’t come out.  Maybe I knew that it was a lie… because I just joined him. We were just two little kids alone and scared in the middle of the night just standing there and sobbing. I remember I was convinced it was a Hansel and Gretel situation, that they were just giving us up for dead because they didn't want to deal with us anymore and the best solution they could come up with was leaving us there.

…But then there were headlights and someone calling our names. I swear I had never been as warm as I was when Eneasshined that light on us as he ran over to scoop us into the car to bring us home. I think he had been crying too but I'm not too sure about that anymore. It was just so nice. He brought us blankets… When we got home it was even warmer. So warm and nice that it didn't matter how much trouble would be in with father and The List…it was just warm…" Tears were running down Bonnie’s face as she thought about that one good moment before tearing herself away so that she could get back to the point she was trying to make. "But uh…Anyways…Richy. I get how it feels…you are probably scared and all alone in the dark but I promise you will be home soon. Just please come back because if you die I swear I'm going to fucking kill you...You can make it home, I promise.… Just please wake up, Jessy misses you so much, and Dan too even if he is trying to hide it. Thomas is still a mess and so are Cleo and Lilly…but we all miss you so much." Her voice was shaking as more tears threatened to spill and just at that moment she finally noticed that her cheeks were soaked. "Shit…Fuck, Now I'm tearing up and I don't even know how that happened. I promise that I won't be like this when you wake up…" 

But then there was a source of pressure on her shaking hands and as she looked down, she could see Richy grabbing her hand. She then looked up to see that his eyes were slowly starting to open and without a second she hit the call button like she was on Jeopardy and started screaming. 

"JESSY!!! LILLY!! HE'S WAKING UP!!! NURSE!!"

    The screaming prompted a swarm of five to burst into the room and three of the nurses were right at Richy’s side, as Jessy and Lilly were swept to the side along with Bonnie as all three watched what was happening.

    It was hard to get a full grasp on Lilly when they first met, especially because she didn’t say much at first, and then she made the video. There was this air of hostility in the beginning, from all the fearful anticipation and anxiety surrounding the situation with Hannah. However, Bonnie could never bring herself to hate the other woman, she was a sibling herself and knew that if she was in Lilly’s position, she would do something much worse. That lack of general dislike, however, did not make things easier nor improve their tumultuous relationship, because there was always this air of uncertainty that surrounded them. The only reason they were as close as they were now is Jake’s puzzle and the #IAmJake movement, which honestly earned Lilly the utmost respect in Bonnie’s eyes. They forged this important trust in each other that made it impossible for them to keep hating one another. It was safe to say that they were not friends, but it would be even safer to say that their relationship aired on the side of frenemies.

    In person, Lilly was everything and nothing like Bonnie thought she would be. Even those who couldn’t pick up a social cue if it hit them in the face could tell that Lilly was at least somewhat worried, which was to be expected. What wasn’t expected was the hug that quickly turned into a cacophony of “I told you so”. At least the verbal berating was more expected and allowed for a moment for Bonnie to get out of the loop that she was thrown through. Lilly carried herself in a way that made it seem like she could pounce at any moment but wasn’t because she was still surveying the area for danger. She was very cat-like, even in her actions. They tended to mimic the way that felines will attack what they perceive as extremely dangerous, such as cucumbers or their own tail.

    Jessy was different. There could be arguments to be made that she could be more feline in nature, but for Bonnie, Jessy reminded her more of a baby fox or a dog. She was cautious but much more impulsive and excitable. Jessy was the first person to really reach out in the group. She was her first real friend in the group and the two of them got along like a house on fire. Sparks burst in the space between the two of them from the moment of first contact. Being around her was the warmth that only an onslaught of cold nights could understand. It was like sitting right in front of a campfire as a blanket of snow started to settle atop the earth around them. Bonnie knew all too well from her own experience the kind of criticism and critique a sunny demeanor could garner, so she had nothing but admiration from her fellow in arms. However, never in her life had Bonnie met anyone so open with their emotions, so immediately trusting with the one thing that most people hold close to their chest. In her mind, it would never be naive, but strong and brave. What a beautiful thing, to behold such candor and revel in the waves of her frankness. 

    When she stood, she was still cautious, but it wasn’t like she was in a position to pounce any second. She was very open, and with one foot slightly in front of the other, she could run if the situation called for it. Her arms were crossed but it didn’t take away from that openness. Instead of holding them close to her chest, they were wrapped around her waist. It was like a hug or a subconscious effort to comfort herself after all the events that unfolded. While she didn’t have a Mona Lisa smile, there was a darkness to her that she didn’t seem to hide. Almost flaunting her love of horror and the supernatural in a way that any curious soul would want to know more. She just felt so real and unabashedly human, with flaws and strengths sitting side by side.

    Bonnie’s train of thought was disrupted as Jessy’s voice guided her back to reality as a nurse was checking Richy over and all that. “Bonnie, are you still there?”

    “Sorry…Uh, what did you just say?” The woman had no clue how long she had been thinking and observing but she knew that now it was noticeable. While her tendency to wander off helped with the investigation, it wasn’t always helpful in conversation.

    “You completely zoned out for a minute there, are you ok?” Jessy had a particular smile that was alluding to friendly teasing but her tone showed that she was at least a little concerned and genuinely checking on the well-being of her friend. 

    “Just peachy…Really”

    “Then what is so interesting that you completely checked out.” That lighthearted and caring smile was back on Jessy’s face once it was ensured that everything was okay. She even giggled while speaking and Lilly rolled her eyes.

    Bonnie wasn’t sure how to respond, if she said exactly what she was thinking then it might come off as rude. However, if she was too vague with the answer they could think that she was lying and that she was thinking about something mean. After a few noticeable seconds of deliberation, she settled on saying “I was just observing things…then I started thinking about animals”

    “I wish I could say I’m surprised. You are always observing things and working an angle” Lilly teased with a smile.

    “There’s no angle. I just have anxiety and therefore overthink practically everything…Not counting those times where the little monkey in my brain wins and takes hold of the wheel.”

    That comment garnered a wave of laughter from her friends and even the nurse. Though the comment was meant to be serious, there was a small puddle of warmth that pooled in her chest from seeing them all be so happy again, even if it was for a short moment. As the realization dawned on her that she was finally with her friends and this wasn’t a dream, there was this bubbly feeling in her chest that was as familiar to her as the first day of spring. It had been overshadowed by an icy cage of fear and paranoia that had consumed her for the forgotten weeks, but it finally started to melt. The cracks finally let loose as the warm excitement burst from her fingers all the way down to her toes and it was as if nothing was weighing her down. The sun was finally out and everything started to heal, and all she wanted to do was dance around and sing while bathing in the rays of sheer happiness. It was like the fire that lived inside her heart and behind her eyes had finally gotten the hope and promise that it needed to come back to life. Logic was thrown out the window and famous last words had fallen into obscurity because everything was looking up and after so long in the dark, the light had never shined so brightly.

As the conversation started up again the nurse quickly interrupted them to give a rundown of the situation. “Hello you three. Mr. Rogers is healing fairly well and we believe that in a few days we can send him home, of course with him coming back for physical therapy. We would strongly recommend that someone temporarily stay with him due to his injuries and being alone could cause a detriment to the healing process.”

    Before anyone else could speak, the monkey brain took over as Bonnie blurted out “I can do it!”

    “...What?” Richy’s voice was still raspy from the lack of use but his surprise at the immediate response allowed some strength to come through as three pairs of eyes were trained on her.

    “I can do it.” Bonnie repeated, “I know some first aid and have experience dressing wounds and relocating dislocations. It also makes the most sense for me to do it, I am staying in the motel and a lot of my work at the moment is remote so it works out perfectly and it is the least I can do after everything.”

    “Bonnie? Are you sure?” Lilly was side-eyeing the rest of them in an attempt to figure out if they thought this was as bad of an idea as she did but there was no such indication.

    “Of course I am. I would do anything for my friends. Also I do have a certified emotional support cat, which will clearly be needed after the past few weeks.”

    Richy seemed a bit confused but was still smiling as if he was completely on board with this. “...Looks like we are finally getting that clubhouse” 

    Bonnie started to yell a bit from the excitement while tapping her feet on the ground, Jessy on the other hand suddenly looked so tired as she rolled her eyes. “Goddammit, you guys. Not again! You can’t make a clubhouse every time your life is threatened”

    “Guess you’re not allowed in the Clubhouse then…” Right as Richy said that Bonnie leaned over and whispered to Jessy

    “Don’t worry. I’ll secretly let you in.” Before fully adding “Our Clubhouse is a Libra only zone!”

    “Wait…” Richy trailed off “How do you know I’m a libra? You don’t know my birthday.”

    “Richy…You are one of my best friends but you have never made a decision in your life” Jessy said before sticking her tongue out at him.

    “I can make decisions!”

    “Name one.” Bonnie added while trying not to laugh

    “I decided that we should go to the cabin.”

    “And then you literally almost died” Jessy finished as Richy stuck his tongue out at the two of them.

    “...You may have a point.” 

    “Maybe it is a good idea for Richy and Bonnie to move in together because you three need to get a fucking room” Lilly finally added while looking at the now flustered trio. 

    “Oh uh…that reminds me…uh we should tell the others I’m awake…” Richy was not making eye contact with anyone as Bonnie got out her phone.

Bonnie: Hey guys! Everything is okay. I forgot to do this earlier lol.

Bonnie Added Richy

Richy: Looking pretty good for a dead bitch 😳

Jessy: HE’S ALIVE!!!!!!

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