Author's Note: Due to overwhelming demand (and my brain not allowing the tale to relax) I have decided to extend this story by another chapter. Hopefully it will live up to all of our expectations.
-Social-
She couldn't let it rest. Despite telling herself time and time again to forget him, that he had fulfilled his usefulness and only needed to be replaced, his image would seize her mind with an abominable clutch. The way he smiled, his gentle words, his innocent wonder, how he had looked at her with awe, the swirling quality of his unfairly blue eyes, and his desire to be close to her. Not merely her body, but her! He actually wanted to rekindle their relationship, despite how horrible she had been to him. He was so stupidly forgiving, and she cursed him inwardly for that fallacy, but none the less felt a cradling warmth because of it.
Was it any wonder then when she logged onto her favorite social networking website and checked to see if he had a profile too? It's only to stay in touch, she told herself, in case for whatever reason she couldn't reach him on his instant messenger. True, she was outright lying to herself, but excuses came on hand with her. None the less she easily found him, knowing his high school, age, residence, and most importantly his name. A quick request to become his friend was approved within minutes, and suddenly she had a new obsession to devour her time.
She would watch his status constantly, possessively. At first it was self-attributed to her insatiable curiosity; he, being a suburban kid, was awarded with all the new gadgets and techno-toys he could wish for. Including ones that automatically updated his profile wall with information like movie tickets he would purchase, where he currently was hanging out, or most importantly, with whom. There was this other girl, with her hair dyed artificial cherry red and had a grenadine smile to match, who Timmy seemed to be spending most of his time with now. The website said her name was Molly, and Vicky could find nothing to like about the twerpette. She fronted being one of the artist types, with typo laden journal entries about the crappy state of her life, how mad organized religion made her, and random quotes from controversial musicians (mostly lyrics). She also seemed to hate being touched even the slightest amount by anyone, save Timmy. This little tidbit of information gave Vicky's twisting insides a jolt of jealousy she tried her best to ignore.
Otherwise the boy seemed to like malls and arcades, but was also partial to antique and vintage shops. Vicky would often catch herself daydreaming about how events would roll out if they were to, by chance of course, bump into one another at one of these dwellings. Images of her covering his eyes from behind to play a quick game of guess who stole over her mind, causing her hands to subconsciously squeeze; then the feeling of glee he would emit upon seeing her again would fill the room, followed shortly after by the fantastic sensation of his loving embraces. Ah, no, had to forget that, shake your head out of la-la land girl! You have work to do, remember? Close- no, minimize that web browser and get back to writing…
"Oh, what's the damn use?" Vicky groaned to her empty apartment. Her hands wormed into her fire red hair and she slumped over her keyboard. Something was wrong, she couldn't write anything unless she was thinking of him now. This was a problem because she had finally gotten her big break! A talent scout had come across her work and was offering her a chance to be a published author, only she needed a legit story, not just smut. Sex scenes could be part of it, sure, that sold immensely well. But she had to have a tale to offer along with the fucking.
Frustrated now, she stomped over to her bed and crashed into the messy covers. She couldn't let this opportunity pass her by, she knew that. But by the deepest hells, if she couldn't come up with something even half way decent! What was it that she used to do when the world seemed like it was closing in on her? Back in high school, right? Out in the wilderness, alone, the secret spot, her old friend. That was so far away though, miles upon miles, and she couldn't just up and leave. Who would know to send a rescue party in case something happened? Besides, gas wasn't exactly cheap anymore, especially when funds were tight enough as is. And if she did go then she wouldn't have a way to keep an eye on the boy… Damn it! She rolled around harshly, wrapping herself up with her soft blankets. The smell told her it was high time she had them washed, but even now she could pick up the lingering scent of her last lover, and though she knew it was stupid, she didn't want this dwindling reminder of him to just be erased.
She sighed heavily, bunching up the warming material to her nostrils and inhaling deeply, finding only the scarcest remnant to trigger her memory of that stormy night months ago. It was hot, wet, and just the thing she needed… that they both needed. She wondered now to herself why he had been so special. He wasn't really even her type. He was cute, sure, but that hardly made up for him being both younger and way more naïve than she preferred. Yet still she could only think on him! Other lovers she had tried out before were much better suited for her, weren't they? They were taller, older, more muscular, and had larger cocks… so why was he standing out so much? What was so special about him? Hell, why did she feel he was special in the first place? What was it about Timmy Turner that made him the first man she let snuggle into her and fall asleep with? And more importantly than all of those unanswered inquiries, how come she missed him so much?
A small electronic blip informed Vicky that there was an update as far as Timmy was concerned. She tried to ignore it, closing her eyes and forcing her mind to focus on possible plots or characters, but it all ended up as alphabet soup about him anyway. With a drawn out and resigned huff she forced herself to roll out of bed much sooner than she would have liked. Might as well check up on him, or else forget about figuring out a brilliant literary idea to take the world by storm.
She found herself seated before her desktop, summoning her web browser with a few clicks of her trackball mouse. Her eyes widened despite herself. According to his page wall, courteous of his little tracking phone, the subject of her obsessive thoughts was currently visiting a nearby bookstore, one she was quite familiar with. She found her bottom lip tucked snuggly between her teeth. He was close, walking distance in fact. If she wanted to she could run down and go see him, as he must have just only arrived. And it wasn't like she didn't have an excuse to be there, hell, he knew she was a writer; and this was her local source of hard print literature after all!
The question now was if she really wanted to divulge in this temptation, or try to hold strong in the hopes that he was only a passing phase for her. What to do?… What to do?…
-Public-
Timmy failed to shake the liable feeling of unease as he entered through the gilded glass doors. It was a sensation he gained ever since Molly had asked him to meet her at this particular location. Why here of all places? He had no idea. Book retailers, even the large corporate ones such as these, were now failing to make ends meet. They just couldn't keep up with the ease of digital media, and it seemed evident that the employees knew they wouldn't be working there for very long. The establishment portrayed a worn, shabby appearance; no longer were the shelves stocked in an orderly fashion, nor were the reading chairs properly cared for, not to mention how the once glowing polished wood wore a thickening layer of dust. Again, why this place? It was so close to her.
The young man frowned, eyebrows becoming tense. It wasn't that he didn't want to see Vicky again; on the contrary, she was all he could think about for weeks after their reuniting. But he feared the awkwardness surely to come about if ever they met once more. There was also this sneaking suspicion caressing the far reaches of his self-image, relaying that he had somehow disappointed the rhodolite eyed extravaganza. Awhile after going their separate ways he felt he couldn't fault this of her either, for was he not just a high school kid to her? Something a bit different than anything else she had grown used to?
As he set foot upon a churning escalator his mind tried rectifying the situation. He inhaled deeply, taking in much more pleasant musings, and exhaled the self-doubt he kept brewing up. Chances were he wouldn't even run into Vicky, so he should relax and find a seat somewhere out of sight of the tall first story windows. Perhaps try delving into a comic book or some such. Then Molly would find him, which she always seemed to have a knack for, and they could discuss whatever important information she had for him.
Timmy's mind now moved over to Molly while he located and made way to where the graphic novels were once neatly shelved. She was one of the more peculiar relics from his past. He could barely remember the girl, and it was mostly her strange traits on personal space which gave him any recollection. Yet no matter how much he would rack his brains most everything related to her was a foggy mess. And it didn't take his peer long to realize this was the case. She had seemed let down back then, disappointed that she had something to ask which she swore only he could answer, but now she wasn't allowed to question. He thought this reasoning strange, however refrained from pushing the subject, feeling perhaps she would come to ask him in time, for it seemed very urgent. Perhaps that is what she asked him here for? He could only guess.
Picking out an old favorite from the mismatched hard covers he made his way to a well-used chair and readied an effort to hide his face half way. The boy's thinking was if for whatever reason Vicky was perusing the store she wouldn't notice him right away, not having come to seek him out, and leaving the encounter to be entirely his choice. Unlike Molly, who was to be here to meet up. However as time shuffled by he found his attention to slacken as far as his surroundings were concerned, having become fully absorbed in his collection of comics. Only after turning a page long into his digestion of the colorful pictured book did he notice a familiar womanly figure standing just in front of him, right over the horizon of the hard cover.
His heart quickened, count on being stupidly unaware yet again. There was a small battle of decisions starting to grapple as he forced his eyes to remain on his reading material. Either he could continue to pretend not to notice her while he thought of all the right words to say, being he was very unprepared for this meeting and just knew he would make a blunder of it, or try to stall for time in the hopes that Molly would show up and give him the perfect excuse to not be alone in Vicky's presence. Essentially he was now stalling for time to stall for time, which seemed like a very poor plan in and of its self.
Well, it was working to a degree, the redhead seemed to be waiting for him to notice her, no doubt in making some sort of game out of the situation. He might as well try to think of what to say while Molly took her apparently sweet time arriving. Though all he could think about was a dusty, barren room which had been neglected for decades. Perfect, even his default thoughts were empty. Somehow he knew this was going to suck, though if he didn't do something to gain more time he was sure she would speak up. What else was there to do but turn another page? Hopefully displaying his absorption in his comic. Though there was another benefit in this; he could gain a sliver of visual information by taking this act, seeing out of the tops of his eyes to take in the immediate surroundings for just a second.
Bad news, just as he turned the page he noticed her cross her arms beneath her chest. It was her impatient stance of old, one he could never forget. And how could he? It had always been followed up by a barrage of screams and orders that if not followed immediately became precursors to immense discomfort, or even pain. Time was running thin, and so were his remaining pages, for that matter. What to do? Just jump into seeing her again with no plan, like a chance encounter? Play off that he had not noticed her? He would have to anyways, for that was the proverbial hole he had dug for himself. Damn it, why did he have to arrive early?
Another page turned, another chanced glance, and yet another drop of his stomach. She took a few steps forward, no doubt falling for his act of ineptitude and deciding that perhaps he needed a little more of her presence to be sensed. Oh crap, he had watched her for too long! No way he could play this off, he was sure she had seen his eyes skim up just a tad too far in following her movements. With what felt like his innards dissolving from waves of boiling lead, he slowly raised his gaze to take in her appearance.
Immediately he had to feel like the world's biggest moron. She looked absolutely stunning. Last time they were close she had seemed collapsed in on herself, reeking of alcohol and slightly unkempt from feeling useless and alone. Now, she had taken care of her appearance, of course she would, she had ventured out and must of wanted to look presentable, shoulder bag and all. Her hair was full and set loose, fashionably untidy and windswept, giving the appearance of wildfire. The sun dress she wore only enhanced her figure, black and red splashed strategically over starch white. He must have been sporting a goofy face because her stern expression graduated into an amused smile.
"Surprised to see me?" Was all she said through shinny rose red lips. Makeup! She was wearing makeup. Timmy wondered when last she looked this impressive, despite the simplicity of it. Was this not merely casual day wear? Dress, sandals, and a light touch of make up?
"Uh… um, Uh-huh," was all he was able to come up with. Great, now he sounded like a fool on top of it all! Way to use up those moments of stolen time, good strategy he had come up with there. Real smooth, player. Well, at least she wasn't offended, so that was something.
"Don't see why, this is my neck of the woods after all," she mused outwardly, her stance becoming more relaxed.
Timmy, realizing he was being rude, quickly stood to his feet, trying to clear the awkward emotions playing about his face, "Err, sorry, you just caught me off guard!" he lied rather convincingly if he did say so himself, well, half lied, "I mean, um, wow. It's great to see you again," he had decided to just wing it, as he botched things up pretty bad already there was no use in trying to act cool now. He left the book behind on the arm rest of his chair and strode
casually up to Vicky. He really didn't know what his body had in mind, but decided to go along with the flow.
Next thing he knew his arms were encircling her in what he hoped she would find to be a friendly hug. For a moment he felt he might have pushed it too far and screwed up again, as she made a slight start, but then she sighed in what sounded like relief and pulled him in closer to her body than he had ever intended. Not that he was complaining or anything.
"Timmy," Vicky breathed with content, completely releasing any remaining tension while in his arms.
Even though her face had moved out of his view, due in part because of how she placed her hand on the back of his head to pull him forward, he had the distinct feeling she was smiling, "Vicky… I,"
"Shh," she whispered in his ear, "I just want to enjoy this for a second,"
He did too, but was now worried what Molly would do if she found him like this, in some other girl's- no, woman's arms. Then he immediately reminded himself that he could embrace anyone he damned well pleased. He was a single young guy, so it's not like he owed his exclusive attentions to anyone! If his friend caught him in the middle of a hug with someone he cared about, and she didn't like it for whatever reason, then tough shit.
It took an on looking child's loud questioning to his mother about why two people were hugging in the middle of the store for them to realize they were making a spectacle of themselves. Face warming up more than he was used to, Timmy ended the embrace and brought his arms back to his side. Vicky, however, dawdled a moment before releasing him.
"So what brings you all the way out here? Looking for something special?" she asked with a smile.
"Oh, um, no, not really," the young man fumbled, "my friend asked me to meet her here, and so here I am."
He saw her warm expression cool, her eyes move off to look to the side, "Oh," she said with a tightening voice, "So you finally made a new friend, then?"
The way her words stung were subtle, but he couldn't tell if the sting was made for him or herself, "Well, yeah, I mean-"
"And a girl too? Been putting that confidence I gave you to good use, huh?"
"Vicky, what's the-"
"Forget it, just go meet with your little 'friend,'" she spat meanly, "You obviously didn't come here to see me anyway! Or else you might have, oh, I don't know, told me!"
Timmy just blinked, not knowing how the situation turned so sour so fast, "You know I can't just 'forget it.' What's wrong?"
"Nothing!" she shouted, causing more onlookers, "You're doing exactly what I told you, so nothing!" She turned and began walking briskly away, but he would have none of that.
"Hold on!" he nearly shouted while keeping pace with her, "I didn't do anything wrong here, I didn't know you would be around. And besides, whenever we finished up I could have sent you a message that I was in town. It would have been rude to invite more people to a meet up."
"Could have?" she fumed, making him painfully aware that those were the wrong words, "So you weren't even going to say anything? Were you?"
"Vicky, I-"
"Were you?"
"… I don't know. You said not to contact you last time. That you would talk to me… but you never did."
Vicky inhaled sharply and broke eye contact, "I… I was busy."
"And why should meeting up with a friend be a problem?"
She cast her eyes down now and waited a moment before replying, "That's not the problem…"
"Then what is?"
"I… uh, I said forget it."
"No, this bothers you. So I want-"
"Its fine!"
"No, if it was fine you wouldn't-"
"Just shut up,"
"Will you stop cutting me off and let me talk?"
She bit her lower lip as she passed through the glistening doors, but held her tongue all the same.
"Thank you," he sighed, "Now we both know something is bothering you, and if you don't want to tell me you don't have to. But I care about you and would like to know."
Her nostrils flared as she released a vat of fierce sounding air. There was something he didn't like about how she was avoiding eye contact, but Timmy decided it was for the better if he did not bring up the issue.
"I'm stressed," she said simply, though since Timmy didn't comment she went on, "I have this really important deadline coming up and so much damn work left to do on it but I can't seem to write anything worthwhile. It could be a life changer too, my big break! But… well, nothing is going right," she was trembling now, slightly, "Then I saw you there, but it wasn't to see me and, I don't know, I just snapped! I can't let this slip away! And, I don't know, seeing you again put me in such a good mood, but hearing you have some other girl just set me off. I'm being stupid…"
"A bit," he said mockingly, though with a playful tinge. His quip got him a stern glare, but he kept on smiling, "But so was I, I guess," he shrugged, "I should have told you I would be around, give you the low down on what was happening today and asked if you had any plans."
"No, you shouldn't have," she exhaled with an afterthought, "I would have just been set off by that too. I did tell you to wait on my word, after all."
He opened his arms up to her, still smiling, which made her stare at him long and hard. Then, wordlessly, she slipped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. In turn his arms encircled her form. They rocked there for a moment, her letting go of a strained sigh, he sending it off with his own.
"I'm sorry," he whispered sincerely.
"Don't be, you did nothing wrong," her hands gripped a bit tighter into his flesh, "You should probably call your friend though… you came here to see her after all."
"It can wait," he replied, rubbing her lower back gently.
"Take it from another girl, Timmy, you'll get in trouble."
"What, you mean again?"
She pinched him hard for that, making him jump. She let go of the embrace and crossed her arms, though had calmed down considerably. Timmy sighed, defeated, and removed his phone from his pocket. She turned away again while Molly's phone rang, for what reason he didn't know, but decided again not to inquire.
"You're an idiot," Molly's digitized cellular voice answered directly in his ear.
"Excuse me?" Timmy exasperated.
"Maybe you didn't take the time to look up who was following who, but I have. You are the easiest person to track in the world with that swanky smart phone you carry wherever you go, did you know that?"
"Huh?"
"And that lady you are probably with right now has been keeping an eye on both of us like a hawk… Didn't she used to be your worse fear? I remember her replica still…"
"Wait, what? Molly, talk straight to me, not to yourself,"
"Forget that last part. Timmy, maybe she doesn't know, but you can see whoever tracks someone else with those smart aps you always use. It was dead obvious that she really wanted to see you… and was keeping tabs on me. Then again Swizzle did, um… get me a really hax laptop,"
"Swizzle again? Who is-"
"Scratch that too. Listen, I'm not going to make it today, so just go hang out with that lady, alright?"
"What? You're going a million miles a minute. Can you slow down for a second and explain to me what's going on?"
"Ughhh, stupid boy. Alright, I tricked you, both of you, to meet there today. You have been all mopey and I figured out why. So just go enjoy yourself and try not to mention me again, whatever you do."
"Wait… again? How did-"
"Don't think about that! Um, uh, your phone was on! Yeah! I have to go, alright? See ya later!" and without waiting for his reply she hung up.
Timmy had a cross look on his face, half wondering aloud if Molly had his phone bugged.
-Escape-
The pair had decided it would be best to take Molly's advice and enjoy the day together, though Timmy had made sure not to mention that his friend felt the older woman had been spying on them.
Vicky herself pondered what Molly's intentions were. At first the redhead had thought her a more justified competition for Timmy's affections, but now she didn't know. If she was honest with herself she was sort of confused over what could be made out of the phone conversation earlier. The girl seemed like a judgmental spazz, yet now showed an understanding for others' wellbeing. Either way, Vicky couldn't say she hated the little weirdo quite as much anymore.
They were in Timmy's car, not the hottest ride on the block but it worked well enough and maintained the expected comforts. Vicky had not wanted to go home, and Timmy felt since he had made the effort to go into town anyway, he might as well do something here. The only problem was neither really had any preference on where to go. So they just went in a direction.
Stores, establishments, crowds, buildings, pathetic excuses for trees chocked by smog filled air, street signs proclaiming names that reminded readers of faraway wonders, on and on and on; though neither rider really finding interest in all which the city could offer them. Part of it was due to lack of funds, part was ignorance of the land, and even more than anything else was Vicky wanting to just keep moving. With deadlines looming and nowhere to escape from it all, the simple act of driving away was in its own right a relief.
"Get on the freeway," she told him simply after boredom started to set in.
He obeyed, trying to ignore how a half of his tank was now empty. She didn't tell him which direction to take, though he got the feeling after making a wild guess on his own that she really could care less. So they drove, not knowing where they were going, nor how far and what for. Hours passed in off and on conversation. They only stopped to refill the gas tank and answer nature's call. By this point Timmy wondered if they should head back now, but when Vicky reentered she had wanted to continue, thus they moved on.
"I want to go to my secret place," Vicky announced unprompted after nearly an hour of silence.
"Is that where we're headed?" the teen asked, trying to pretend they didn't just wander off aimlessly for half a day.
"Must be, we can see the mountain that looms over the forest where it's hidden," she pointed out.
"Forest?"
"You know, trees and stuff,"
"Yeah, but that's where you wanted to go?"
"No idea, but now I feel like it's where we have to go."
"If you say so… Um, and what is hidden there exactly?"
Vicky's iconic twisted smile graced her lips, "An old friend."
-Sanctuary-
The hike had lasted well past sundown, leading the pair through jumbles of sky scratching trees and jutting earth-socketed boulders. Luckily the moon was nearly full and hung low, providing a most ancient lantern to navigate by. They had passed sluggishly through the overrun terrain, only stumbling a handful of times, until running water could be heard. Finding the stream meant they now had their bearings, and along its side they traveled upward toward the source.
The waterfall was gorgeous, simply breathtaking in how she emanated in Luna's ethereal glow. The pool which she fell into was deep and dark. Taking a moment, Timmy noted just how peculiar this section of the forested mountain was. He didn't have to ponder long though, for Vicky began to speak in a humbled, informative tone.
"We are standing in a crater," she told him in a hush, turning to face him only very slightly, "That's how this waterfall was formed. It crashed right into the underground stream. You see where the water's coming from? Right out of the rock? There is a cave system that stretches endlessly, like the mountain's own veins."
"So you've been here before?" the youth inquired, musing just how she had come across this wonder to begin with.
Vicky gave him a wry smile in response before focusing purely on the downpour before her. Then, without warning, she kicked off her sandals. Utilizing the rush of the waters ahead to drown out all noise the boy might have made in protest or question, she stepped forward, determined to let go of inhibition and worry, of fear and contemplation, of struggle and strife. This was an eternal place, far away from the bustling city and its invisible electronic mirror world. It stood as true power could only stand, and testified to the embodiment of her will. Along the way to the pool's edge she shed away her clothing, allowing them to fall from her form in the way peddles might dethatch from a failing bloom.
The water was freezing, but she could easily put the sensation out of her mind, or better yet, reroute the shocking feeling to help wash away all of her fears and mental blocks. She knew now why her mind had returned to this hollowed place, it was rejuvenation. Not in the fanciful sense, but the mental, the spiritual, the psychological. Deeper she wade, encasing her entire form in the icy tomb; but there was no pain here, not if she didn't allow it. No, the more sensation the pool provided for her, the greater her escape should become.
She felt the floor beneath her plummet away, allowing her to glide through the water, leaving long, wavering ripples of moonlight to form from her progressing body; ever approaching the thunderous falls.
"I've missed you," she spoke aloud to the wonder before her, "I didn't mean to leave you here alone for so long. It's just… I was busy. I know you can't understand it the same as I do, but you will be here for eons! Me? Only a century, if I'm so lucky.
"We humans, we spend our tiny little lives trying to be remembered forever. I don't want to fade away leaving behind nothing for time to remember me by. I'm a writer! An author! I can create worlds and life, but I've lost the ability. I don't have inspiration anymore, the spark of that life!" She was now face to face with the unanswering falls, and decided to swim around it to find the opening to the cave system she mentioned to Timmy earlier.
"I don't know why I'm telling you any of this," she said solemnly as she pulled herself onto the ledge leading into the deep cavers, "But… My mind doesn't feel as sharp anymore. There… there is some sort of block, or distortion. Remember when I used to come here to clear my mind? Well, I need you again… can you… will you help me?"
Her ears picked up the thick splashing of human strokes through water, and not too long after a nearly nude Timmy came into view from around the great wet curtain. He was panting and barely able to move through the water by the time he reached Vicky. Her head was tilted curiously as the young man gripped the slippery ledge to her side and pulled himself out of the frigid water. After catching his breath he turned to Vicky with exhaustion and concern imprinted all over his youthful face.
"Are you nuts?" he blurted out haphazardly, "What's gotten into you?"
She could only smile while gazing back at the falling waters, "Honestly?" She asked both present. It was such a simple answer, and she couldn't figure out why she didn't allow herself to see it until now.
"'Honestly?'" Timmy asked, a bit confused by her answer.
Vicky closed her eyes slowly while taking in a deep, fulfilling breath, held it for a moment, then exhaled away all of her worries and concerns, "Timmy?"
"Yes, Vicky?" he sounded only slightly perturbed by her demeanor now.
"I need to ask you something important, and… well," as she reopened her eyes they caught the illuminating beams of the moon on the water's surface in the most ethereal way, "it could very well change the rest of our lives."
- End-
That's it, an ending to her story, and one to be damn proud of too. Vicky released a tremendous sigh. She could never in living memory recall ever working herself so hard, nor feeling so elated while doing it. And in the end she didn't care if her novel was a best seller or a flop, the point is she was given a chance and not only took it, but gave it everything she had.
So what if there was a greater chance of her getting elected for president? If no one else liked her story it wouldn't mean a damn thing to her, because one person absolutely loved it. Her biggest fan and most cherished lover. And really, if all else failed in life, she would at least have him, which was more than enough for her to be happy now.
In a flash she saved her final draft and sent it off digitally to her publisher. It was done… "Good luck…" she wished after the transcript, "Just know that I love you all, and, well, thanks for being there with me."
A blinking light at the bottom of her screen notified the redhead that she had an instant message. Once she opened it she couldn't help but smile when she saw it was from Timmy, and then grinned mischievously when she actually read the message before answering aloud to herself, "Honestly, why haven't we?"