Part 1: Denial - Episode 10

It was as dark as the night sky . . . William’s eyes fluttered open, his head throbbed slightly; a lingering ache. Voices, they were distant. Lloyd and Elias stood in the kitchen, Elias occasionally eyed William periodically out of nagging concern. Though a flicker of movement caught the corner of his eye dramatically – looking over in sync with Lloyd, he turned, a small smile coming across his face as he carefully strode to William. Gently, Elias murmured, “William, go to bed.” 

. . .

William and Abel lay on the bottom bunk, their soft breaths mingling. Abel rested his head against William’s chest tenderly; his arms were thrown carelessly around William’s waist – leeching off his warmth. The latter’s legs were intertwined with the other’s. William had his fingers in Abel’s brown, fluffy hair. The light was dim, the two lay close under the covers. “William?” Abel whispered, looking up to his face. William’s piercing hazel eyes shot open, though gazing lovingly down at Abel. “Go back to bed, ask me in the morning,” William said as he kissed Abel’s head gently, “But–” Abel protested, letting out a sigh and putting his head back down. “Okay, goodnight”. . .

. . .

“No–” William protested.

“Go, sleep,” Elias repeated. Shaking his head slightly, William aided himself as he turned; walking slowly – wobbling slightly – to the bedroom door, slumping immediately onto his bunk bed; the bed covers and blanket wrinkled under his weight.

Seeing William off to bed, Elias stood for a moment, lingering at the doorway just a moment longer than expected, almost as if he were a loving parent.

“Elias,” Lloyd interrupted. Elias turned to face him, “You had a question?”

“Ah, about that . . .” Elias hesitated; his face uncertain. 

“Who was Abel again?” He asked, fiddling with his sleeves. 

At this query, Lloyd paused, his gemstone eyes shot to Elias. “You really want to know,” He muttered. Elias began, “Well, I know who he is . . . vaguely. He was-” 

“Sh-h,” Lloyd interrupted, gesturing at the doorway – in case William happened to be eavesdropping. Lloyd beckoned Elias closer, behind the frigid kitchen counter that stood tall. “Well, Abel came with William,” Lloyd began.

“I see,” Elias replied flatly, though with a lingering undertone of curiosity. 

“They came a while ago, now,” Lloyd reeled off, “few years. Hard to keep track of time,” he chuckled. After a momentary silence, he looked up at Elias and began,

“Why did you come here? It was to look for someone, right?” At this, Elias nodded.

“They wouldn’t be here,” Lloyd began, “There’s nowhere to live apart from these cabins.”

“Then where is he?” Elias queried, although more to himself than to Lloyd. 

“How would I know? He could be in another country. Dead? In the city? The City District is absolutely giant, Elias,”  Lloyd pointed out.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Elias leant against the counter, shaking his head. “I don’t know where he is . . . Everyone says he died, but no one knows how, or rather, has said how . . .” Elias groaned.

“Anyway,” Lloyd began, “Can you go get some things from Hope?”

...

The late afternoon sun prickled in small amounts through the thick canopy sheltering the top of The Whispering Woods. An intricate, yet faded path wound through the woods, roughly following the safest route, away from Thy Bad Habits, though even if the utmost protective precautions are taken, the forest is overrun by Thy Bad Habits. A constant, low buzzing was near. The hair on the back of Elias’ neck stood up, he stepped lightly, aware to not make a sound. His backpack straps were over his shoulders, and he held onto them tightly. The screaming silence of The Whistling Woods was harshly penetrated by the low buzz of Thy Bad Habits, and each lingering buzz of its presence grew increasingly louder, though Hope’s cabin was now in sight. The edging feeling of corrosion subsided as Elias knocked on Hope’s cabin, and consequently, was let in. 

Handing Hope the container, Elias thanked her quietly as he took the small bag of groceries, soap, toothpaste, among other things. Slipping the bag into his backpack, Elias bid Hope goodbye, shutting the thick wooden door behind him. “Be careful on your way back!” Hope called encouragingly towards Elias as he departed. Lloyd kept sending him for pointless things. Things that Hope whined and groaned about getting. 

On the walk home, a shattering twig snap echoed from the forest behind him. Elias knew what it was; staying calm and slowly drawing the box cutter, waiting for the right moment, he came to a standstill and whipped around, plunging his dagger directly into Thy Bad Habits’ neck. Letting out a roaring mic scream, it bashed around violently, clawing at Elias, thankfully missing most swipes, except for one, his right collarbone, Thy Bad Habits struck. The wound was shallow, a dull sting came from it as Elias turned to run. Catching a small glimpse of Thy Bad Habits as he turned, its puncture on its neck seemed to have healed almost instantly! But how?

Slowly approaching the cabin, holding his shoulder, Elias pushed open the door. There William sat, idly on his armchair. At the sight of Elias bleeding profusely, he stood, wordlessly offering to take the backpack, backing away hastily to the kitchen; returning with a roll of bandages. 

 . . .

Elias stood against the bunk ladder, clutching his shirt as William carefully bandaged him up, shivering from William’s touch. William did not say much, muttering a flat ‘sorry’ or ‘move your arm,’ every few minutes while bandaging. As William finished, he turned away to put the bandages away in the cold plastic of the first-aid kit, Elias traced the bandages gently, still occasionally shivering from William’s touch. His heart was still racing, a bead of sweat dripping down his face.