Cessation: Chapter Fourteen
Forsaken
Rigby shuffled around slowly; as he slowly felt light piercing through his gently closed, eye lids...
He was laying on something soft; and felt something thick and warm covering him, it embraced him through each and every shuffle he would commit...
His cheeks felt chapped; as his hand had ached tirelessly, he slowly remembered the wound that was created upon him the previous day... As though, last night nearly seemed like a blur, he was able to remember that very important detail of it...
He kept his eyes closed; as like every day, where he was never rushed to see daylight, and would hold hope that his nightmares may finally end him... This way, he didn't have to face the hideous world anymore... And, all of his fears could finally end their charade, and just consume him...
He slowly crept his eyes open; as though the shades were closed, it was quite the sunny day from what it seemed; as the light bled through the closed shades...
His eyes were at first; blinded, and everything seemed so bright...
He blinked a few times, as he got a grasp on his surroundings; as his vision slowly started to clear...
As it did; he continued to blink, as he began to make out the small rectangular coffee table that sat beside him.
He raised his hands to rub his eyes, as he then noticed his hand where the wound once was, was now bandaged and his hand was covered in snow white tape.
He was slightly in confusion as to what had happened last night; as everything nearly seemed to turn into a blur...
He ignored it though, as he slowly propped his back up with his elbow;as the harsh sunlight that bled through the curtains roughly stained his face...
He let out a small cough; as the invisible cobwebs that had been stuck in his throat throughout sleeping, had been cleared upon coughing.
He sat up entirely, as he still had felt exhausted...
He looked around him, as he saw a very organized apartment. A television sat in front of the coffee table, multiple end tables, exotic plants, standing lamps, and a vast quantity of other objects; yet, they were all perfectly in place... Nearly harmonizing with each other.
He himself, was sitting in a small red couch; as three blankets stacked upon one another covered him, and he realized when he was laying down; there was a white pillow embracing the back of his head...
He continued to look around him, as he then began to notice the rectangular bases, that held past memories within it.
He gently bit his lip; as he then began to make out the pictures as he narrowed his eyes...
They all, had contained a very familiar red haired girl; with multiple friends, family, and sometimes just by herself...
Rigby frowned, as he realized he must have passed out last night... Just how long were they sitting together for?...
Rigby gently turned to face front wards towards the television, as he timidly scooted off the couch and shakily stood up...
He frowned, as everything seemed so peaceful... As if, last night didn't even happen...
He slowly began to walk and as he began to take his first step,he bumped his ankle upon the table. There was little to no pain; but it made a noise that had echoed through the small apartment...
He gently pulled his foot away, as he took his next step more cautiously... Careful not to make the same mistake...
However unfortunately; he heard shuffling in a room that was not far from him, that had come from towards his left. He hadn't realized that the girl he was under the same roof with, had been from time to time, a very light sleeper... He frowned as he gently bit his lip; he had hoped he didn't awaken the girl...
He gently continued to walk, as he saw his shoes neatly placed on the floor by the front door. He slowly made his way towards the pair of shoes, and had a small smile across his face; it would appear that he would be able to escape without any confrontations...
It's not that he disliked Margaret, or didn't appreciate her offer; and he did want to thank her for treating his wounds, and the comfort she gave... But after last night...
He felt that when they did talk again; the tension, the nerves and the emotions would all run very high... And to be honest, after last night; he wasn't sure if he was up for dealing with that today. As he still had, other pressing matters at hand...
As he turned to the door, he gently slipped his feet into his shoes. He then, gently placed his hand upon the door knob; his smile continued to gain in size, as he realized he was mere seconds from being home free...
"What are you doing?" A voice suddenly called from behind him...
An anxiety filled frown became evident on his face, he slowly backed away from the door, as he turned to face this voice...
He saw the familiar red and black haired girl with a raised eyebrow at the action he was so close to committing... He then, looked towards her appearance; as she was now clean, wore fresh pajamas, and seemed in a slightly more positive mood then the previous day...
Her eyes were tired, yet at the same time; seemed alert at the sudden attempt of departure from her petite friend... Confusion and worry were across her face; partially from his actions currently, and from the actions he committed last night...
He bit his lip as he looked downwards, he wasn't entirely sure what to say... The words seemed so scattered in his mind, and it seemed as if it were a Tetris game; just to complete a single sentence...
"I was...just going to get some fresh air..." He lied, as he still averted her gaze, looking downwards nervously...
"Oh." She replied calmly, as her eyes slowly scanned the boy... She noticed his timid and defensive demeanor, and was slightly confused as to what was troubling him... She decided to speak up her concerns...
"Are you... feeling alright?" She spoke cautiously; careful not to rush into anything... She realized Rigby could easily be frightened, feel overwhelmed, feel panicked, and even become hostile in a few brief words...Well, at least... this had been the case ever since Mordecai had left...
Rigby froze for a moment, before he abruptly raised his head and looked to the girl; his eyes were slightly embarrassed, as his lips were pursed timidly.
To talk to someone, in which the previous day had; he broken down in their arms, proved to be quite challenging...
"Y-Yeah... I-I just, umm... T-Thomas, he uhh... Needs my help with something... S-So, I've got to go..." He managed to stutter out nervously; and lied once more...
He looked towards the girl, as he saw her slightly worried expression, visibly calm upon hearing his words... He noticed... as her lips slowly began to extend into a small smile...
"Oh, cool. Could I drive you?" She offered politely, as her facial expressions still remained calmed... A smile was spread across her face, in near delight.
Rigby was slightly flabbergasted as his eyebrows rose... Was this the same girl from last night?... What was it that had changed...? Was this... just a charade...? Or was this really her? And was it true...?
"Ummm... N-No, I should be fine; I don't mind walking..." He assured her; as he held a small reassuring yet, fake grin... His eyebrows were still raised, as he still; was slightly confused at the girl's aspects and mannerisms...
"No no, please. I insist." She said once more with a gleeful smile, as she turned away from the boy; and made her way towards a small closet door in the hall.
Rigby watched her, as she in a half second was at the closet door... She opened it quickly, as she quickly pulled out a grey hoodie; as she then softly closed the closet door...
She turned to face Rigby once more, as she began to walk towards him; and along the way, began to slowly slide her hoodie over her head...
As she closed the gap between her and the boy, she had her head through the top hole; and was beginning to slip her arms in each of the sleeves...
"Ready?" She asked optimistically with a smile, as she gently slid her arms through the sleeves and her hands began to appear at the bottom holes of the sleeves...
Rigby watched as she fully equipped the hoodie as the bottom of it made it to her waist before he spoke up...
"Y-Yes... But you really don't have to drive me..." Rigby quietly spoke up once more, as he looked downwards towards the floor...
"Just, come on. We're not getting any younger." She spoke up as she reached around Rigby, and opened the door... She awaited for him to exit the apartment after she had opened it...
"Yeah...I guess..." He spoke quietly, as he turned slowly turned and departed from her apartment with her following...
She gently stuck her new found keys in the door knob, as she locked the door behind her, after the two had left...
They gently began to walk, as they made their way to the stairs. Rigby slowly began to pace down the stairs; as he heard both his and Margaret's footsteps echo outside; he looked around him as he saw the day wasn't raining as it was yesterday, yet it was cloudy and quite dark...
As they continued to walk down the steps, the air felt slightly chilled; as the wind gently blew through each of their hair, sending a small shiver through Rigby's spine...
They eventually, made it to the bottom of the steps; as Rigby saw Margaret's car merely a block away...
They, then made their way to the car still in silence; while the wind slowly blew fallen leaves across the cement pavement below...
In mere seconds; they had made it to the car. Rigby patiently awaited by the passenger door, as Margaret began to unlock the car...
With a small click, Margaret's car door unlocked... As she gently got in her car, and clicked a small locking mechanism with her hand, as the passenger door unlocked upon doing this as well... She then, clicked her seat belt in place while awaiting Rigby.
Rigby gently opened the door, as he slowly got into the car; and softly closed the door behind him... He then mirrored her actions; as he too, clicked his seatbelt in place... His eyes focused on the seat belt for a moment, before they fell upon his feet below...
The silence began to make Rigby feel awkward, and as if there were things that he should be saying right now; that he simply wasn't...
Margaret, however; seemed completely relaxed, as she then started the car; and began to reverse out of the parking lot...
She then, turned and straightened her car while reversing; as she accelerated still in turn, and drove to the exit of the parking lot.
She slowed down to make sure no cars were driving down the road, in which she had wished to depart upon...
As she saw it was safe, she pulled out entirely; and began to drive, as she drove to a destination she was still, unsure of...
"Hey Rigby, where is it that you need to go?" She suddenly asked curiously, as she realized; it was an important piece of information that still hadn't managed to come up until now...
"Umm...W-Well, I just need to go to the park... I'm not sure where Thomas' house is, so I figure he'd probably be close to finishing working by now..." Rigby said timidly, as he read the clock in her car, it was 2:57 P.M...
"Okay, cool." Margaret replied calmly as her passive smile continued. It would not be necessary for her to function her GPS, as her memory of the visits and hangouts she had with Mordecai could lead them to the park...
Rigby assumed that the two must have slept in after all of the events yesterday; not only that, but the breakdown at the end of that day had taken a toll on Rigby physically, and mentally...
Luckily, Skips usually only had employees now work until 3:00 P.M, as usually; the work would be done by then...
Though, they had more hands previously when Benson was still the park manager; everything seemed to go wrong, and simply take extra time... Even when, Mordecai and Rigby had begun to grow apart; and their slacking had stopped... Work still, managed to go unfinished with Benson as manager... It was almost as if it was a curse...
The two continued to drive down streets and turns in silence... The only thing that was heard, was usually the accelerating, exhaust, and engine of Margaret's and other driver's cars...
The two were nearly there at their destination in practically no time at all... It really seemed as if back when everyone lived here, that it was meant and designed to be inhabited by them, and no other strangers... As everything seemed so...Compact.
As the two came extremely close to arriving at the park, Rigby looked downwards with a small frown, as he began to feel guilt for not being more talkative nor social...
His eyes were slightly nervous, as they danced around the car; and would stare at random things... He decided after a few seconds, that it was indeed the time to speak up. He let out a small timid sigh before he spoke up...
"Hey...M-Margaret..." He spoke up nervously; as he averted her gaze and looked towards his feet with slightly embarrassed features, timid eyes, and a small worried frown......
Though, Rigby had averted his gaze; Margaret never took her eyes off the road, however this did not penalize a hasty reply.
"Yes?" She spoke in reply, slight curiosity lingered in her voice; as she noticed the boy take on a more solemn tone...
Rigby hesitated, as he bit his lip... He wasn't entirely sure the proper way to word his appreciation to the girl...
"I just...W-Wanted to say t-thanks...I m-mean...Thank you...For everything..." His voice remained soft and timid; as though, he did slightly stutter... He was glad that he was able to voice his thanks to her in a proper manner...
Rigby nervously raised his gaze from his feet; and looked towards the girl... And though, her gaze was still focused on the road; he had noticed that her previous smile had grown much wider after his words... As her eyes, practically glistened in elation and exuberance...
"I'm glad to help," She began truthfully, as her face suddenly became slightly more stern..."But... please... Don't be scared to voice what's troubling you next time..." She concluded more directly, as her tone became more solemn and matched the boy's...
"R-Right...Sorry..." Rigby replied quietly while he averted his gaze down towards his feet once more... A slight redness began to stain his cheeks, as his normal melancholy ridden eyes...slowly began to...glisten...with new found hope...
His brows slowly raised as a question came to mind... He wondered how Margaret had gotten him on the couch, from the car... Considering, there was not only the walk... but a staircase to travel... He opened his mouth to voice his question, however; he was interrupted...
"Hey, Rigby." She spoke softly; as the boy continued to look towards his feet in wonder...
"Yeah?" He replied; as his eyebrows rose with wide-eyes, after he was abruptly pulled out of his thoughts.
"We're here." Margaret said calmly, as she looked towards the boy with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Rigby shot his head up. He looked around him, as he saw the familiar landscape of the park...
"O-Oh, s-sorry." Rigby said, as he hastily and nervously unbuckled his seat belt. He then quickly opened the door, as he hurriedly got out of the car as his feet collided with park soil...
He wasn't sure what was driving him to escape the car so quickly, but decided to ignore that for the time being...
When he was entirely out; he turned around once more, and faced Margaret... She sat with an amused smile, as she watched him...
"Jeez; what's the hurry?" She joked, as she continued her smile; with amused eyes...
"N-Nothing, sorry..." Rigby began timidly as he looked towards the girl, "T-Thank you for the ride..." He concluded with a small joyful smile, as his eyes sparkled in their new found hope under the sun above...
"Anytime, let me know though, if you... need anything... Or something like that..." She spoke slightly nervously, as she looked towards the boy with an optimistic smile...
"I will, thank you." Rigby began as he placed his hand on the car door, "I'll see you... Thanks again." Rigby concluded, as he gently began to close the door shut.
Margaret replied with a nod in delight, as the door shut entirely...
Rigby gave the girl one last wave with a smile, as she returned it with her own while she smiled as well... She then let her hand drop to the clutch, as her face turned towards the pavement in front of her... She then began to accelerate once more, circling her current position, and driving away from Rigby...
Rigby continued to smile in glee as he watched the car leave the park grounds entirely... He then slowly turned around, and make his way towards his new destination...
A certain co-worker named Thomas...
To be continued...
Hey! Thanks for reading! :) I hope you enjoyed! :D This was a slightly more upbeat chapter, as I tried to somewhat, mix it up...Kind of haha. But, next chapter; not to spoil anything, is going to focus more on Thomas and Mordecai... So it should be fun. :D So, thanks again! And I hope you enjoyed reading! :D
Thanks! :)