I've been trying to figure out Derek's character
And before anyone will say that the fact that even we, the audience, someone who has a little bit more omnipresence in the narrative than characters in the story, STILL don't know much about Derek - get wrecked sucker, I said it first
Anyway, back to Derek's character. What facts do we know about him that we got directly from sftwtde and dawtde
He is extremely intelligent and, in a similar vein, pretty self-arrogant. He thinks he is smarter than whatever is playing with him. He mines through the door despite solving the riddle. He makes traps for whatever is following him. He plays the game and plays it to win
He doesn't like showing his weaknesses. Doesn't like the idea of admitting that he is scared. Fake it till you make it vibe
He doesn't negotiate with people. He found a way to destroy the King, and instead of discussing it with Avery, he sends him on a fool's errand. He deliberately goes behind Avery's back, thinking that it will protect him, without asking Avery's opinion on the matter
He likes to have the last word.
It paints a certain picture of Derek, as someone who is confident in himself and his abilities. Who can go toe to toe with eldritch horror. Someone who, even when he is afraid, still manages to get the upper hand.
The stoic knight. A warrior of the mind. Mysterious and unknown.
Upon learning everything about the universe, with past, present, and future, the first thing he did was warn Avery. He didn't try making a deal with King or using the knowledge for his own benefit. Instead, he ran back all the way from the gates to the mine, and he wrote a book, hoping against hope, that it would be enough to save Avery. A random person from billions of people.
He puts signs in the church because he knows that if Avery walks through the door, he also would be compelled to go investigate. He writes, "You are real. You are special. Remember who you are."
He doesn't expect Avery to know everything. He can go at the same pace as Avery, in order to help him understand. He jokes and makes light of the situation.
He doesn't like writing final letters
He was ready to sacrifice himself and not Avery, because from his words, "Avery has so much to live for." completely ignoring that he does too.
His way of convincing Avery is saying that maybe Avery wouldn't even remember him, despite his worst fear being forgotten.
The last thing he does before he dies is write a letter to Avery. Thanking him. Reassuring him. Asking him to keep moving forward.
Kind of goes against what we saw before, right? How can someone who is so mysterious and secretive make time to joke around? How can someone who likes having the last word not like to write a final letter? How could someone who does not negotiate with people choose to sacrifice himself for the other?
He is a college dropout. He was raised by a single mother. He used to play piano.
I think Derek is someone who is ready to do everything for people he loves, yet thinks he doesn't deserve love in return. Only if he earns it. Only if he does something that makes the love worth it. I think he would be someone who would have a hard time opening up to people, but would be absolutely devoted to them. I think he would hate himself for doing things for other people, knowing that it would guarantee him nothing, yet doing it anyway because it is the right choice.
Derek Hutchins, the man you are.
