"I like ducks", Spoke a familiar but strange sounding voice; pulling Finn back to reality. He frowned as he looked to his right to see a familiar face... He knew him, but couldn't quite place him. He was a small lad with strange yellow hair, a distant look in his eyes and chalk like skin with purple shadows that looked like two faint bruises and made the poor lad look as if he had battled a life-long addiction to coccaine... Then again, maybe he had. One thing that stood out, that appealed to and drew in Finn the most, was that the lad wore two hats... Who on earth would need two hats?
"Sorry?" Finn asked, in which the measly-looking boy pointed to the pond before the two before saying, "Them, those things. I like them", He said, in a matter-of-fact like tone. Fucking hell, what was in that joint Finn had smoked earlier? He looked around, confusion on his brow - why was he on the bench that overlooked the big pond in the hospital grounds? Why was he there? He looked down at himself and notice that he wore... His scruffs? He then noticed the twirled bits of fabric wrapped round his left wrist... No, he hadn't done it again; had he?
Finn looked up and at his fellow bench friend, tuning in to catch his last words of "... Like ducks?" Finn just simply shrugged, suddenly feeling extremely sleepy. As his eyelids grew heavy, Finn slowly looked around; scanning his surroundings - a few dazed patients morbidly wandered with slouched postures and comatosed faces. It relaxed him, weirdly. Finn let out a yawn and frowned, "Why am I so tired?" But he got no response. He then looked to see he was talking to an empty bench, where had the two hats lad gone? He then quickly looked around - the grounds were empty... Surely people in such a zombie-like state couldn't clear off that fast? He jumped when he felt a large hand land on his shoulder, the iron-like grip enough to kick his brain into gear and his sleepy demeanour no longer on display. Curling his lip, he looked from the hand and then up to who it belonged to and it was... Kester? "Kester, wha' are y'-" In which Kester cut Finn off by giving him a frown and screaming in his face, "Finn! Just stop it, am only tryin' to help!" Before shouting over his shoulder, "HURRY UP, I CAN'T HOLD HIM!" In which Finn bellowed, "Wha' are y' on about I-" And he was cut off, once more, by a stinging sensation in his left shoulder.
And then, darkness...
Finn's eyes shot open, his vision to be greeted by a dark room... His room, to be exact. He lay on his stomach in bed, his sheets tangled between his legs and covered just his lower half - his exposed torso slightly damp with cold sweat. He glanced around before lifting his head to see the occupied space beside him - oh yeah Chloe was staying over. Once he realised that the past few images in his brain were just in his brain; he relaxed slightly but still felt quite jittery. Finn glanced at his bedside clock to see it was not long passed one in the morning. So, he decided to stealthily climb out of bed and creep out of his room; before then heading for the kitchen and straight over to the cup and glass cupboard. Grabbing a glass, he then put it under the tap and poured himself a refreshing cold glass of water before leaning against the sink and taking a long gulp. He then scolded himself, still angry he was having those night terrors - it had been five years since it happened. Everyone else had let it go, so why couldn't he?
If you hadn't guessed, Finn was a mental - as Rae called it. Flash backs of his "Dark days" From when he was fourteen crept into his mind every time he slept. Why? He just couldn't understand. See the difference between Finn and Rae is that Finn never told anybody about his hospital days - his mother always used the excuse that he was sent away for the six week summer holidays to his aunt's as punishment for being suspended from school.
And Finn still used that excuse today whenever the gang would bring up that summer... Never quite remembering why they couldn't place Finn's face in their memories - in which Finn would remind them of the boring hell he went through. Hell? Yes. Boring? Not quite. Well, not unless you count therapy sessions with Danny and Tix of a Wednesday - they were the most boring and pathetic things. Pointless, rather. Yes, even before Rae the dynamic duo of Danny and Tix were patients and were both Finn's right-hand pals.
Speaking of Tix, she was only the one person Finn could spill everything to and she wouldn't judge. Hence why Finn currently found himself doing a quick change of clothes, shrugging on his jacket and heading off in to the night in search of Tix.
Stamford at 1:30 in the morning was eerily still, the only thing keeping you company were your footsteps and the guidance of the blinking streetlights above. But Finn liked it. He liked the lonliness and peace. Finn shrugged his hands into his jacket pockets and took his time as he walked down Green Lane, the temptation to get a portion of chips strong as the flickering lights of the chippy reeled him in - but he kept his head down and continued his walk.
It was an icy and cloudy night, the silver and bruised-like clouds wrapped around the large moon; making it appear faint and not like it's usually oversized and bright self. Finn liked the moon, more than the sun. There was a saying Archie always used to say whenever he, Rae and Finn would go on midnight walks, "The sun sees your body, but the moon sees your soul", And it engraved itself into Finn's brain. He always had been a night person, never one for the daylight - earning the nickname Dracula.
The further Finn walked, the further he could feel a weird energy behind him - almost as if someone were following him. Almost as if he could feel the heat from someone else's skin radiate onto his own. But he just pegged his nervy-like state down his night terror earlier, despite the feeling of his eyes burning into the back of his head.
"I saw Finn earlier", Spoke Al as he and Rae lazed around in the living room, Al sat on the armchair with his legs drapped over the arm of the chair; whilst Rae laid upon the long couch with a blanket tucked around her - like a cucoon. Rae paused for a moment, unsure of whether to answer or to leave it - his words a trap. She decided to shrug away his edgy tone and simply answer, "Did y'? When?" He shrugged, "At the hospital", Now Rae was interested, she looked over and frowned; forgetting to not care, "Wha'? Why?" "Relax. He's sound, he were just wi' Izzy and Chop as Izzy 'ad a baby class", Tension faltered away from Rae's shoulders, in which she then nodded, "Oh" Before then snuggling back down and turning her attention back to the tv.
Al glanced from the tv to Rae, the gears in his brain turning - how could he make her sweat this time? The words then spilled from his mouth, almost as if the venom came naturally, "Why d'y' care?" He pressed, teasing. She then shifted slightly, growing uncomfortable under his scrutiny, "I don't... Were just curious", But obviously her lack of eye contact and suddenly squirming gave her away, it was all too easy for Al. There was a pause, Al downed the remainders of his brandy before then saying, "Y'know 'ow I feel about him, Rae", He threatened and she knew what was to come, so, she argued, "Yeh, I know", "So, why did y' ask why he were at the hospital?" He spat, in which she snapped, "Cause I was just curious!" He then shot to his feet, stalked over to her and bent down; his words dripped in poision and she felt her blood turn cold, "Don't y' ever fuckin' speak to me like tha' again... Dirty fuckin' slut", The tv may have been the only source in the room, but it wasn't enough to darken the fire in Al's eyes.
He then sniggered in her face before rising to his feet and swiftly leaving. Once she knew it was safe, she held the blankets tighter to her chest. She didn't cry, in fact she didn't feel remotely sad or hurt - just frightened.
"Hi, Tixie", Finn breathed as he sat on the damp grass, in front of the large and beautifully carved grave.
Tabothia "Tix" Bradley.
7.2.80 - 4.12.96
Daughter. Friend. Loved.
"We may have lost our little girl,
but heaven gained an angel."
Was engraved on the marble headstone, Finn always loved the quote at the bottom - so simple yet perfectly put. Now, usually Finn would be filling Tix in on everything but instead he just sat there. He outstretched one leg and bent the other; rested his chin upon his knee as he stared the grave before him - lapping up the silence. He began to pick at some damp grass beneath his fingertips before sighing, unsure of where to start.
And there was the vibe again.
Just to set his mind at ease, he glanced around to see nothing but headstones and trees. He then turned his attention back onto the grave; repositioning his chin on his knee. He then simply breathed out as he lowered his gaze towards the ground, "I love 'er, Tix", He then reaverted his gaze back onto the grave and saying, "I really fuckin' love 'er and I-" He cut himself off, sharply looking around as he swore he could've heard a piece of bark or a twig snap...
Probably just a squirrel or something stupid as he was alone, he had to be - no one else could get in bar him and the guard as the guard was a family friend of Finn's and let Finn be an acceptance to going in to visit after hours. Well, he thought it was a squirrel until he heard another twig snap. He shot to his feet and looked around, but yet again; came back with nothing. He then scoffed and turned, looking down at the grave and jokingly quipping, "Fuckin' Stephen King shit or wha'?" He then took one last glance and felt all the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as he saw the shadow of a tall man across the graveyard.
Pushing all fear aside, he trudged ahead - in which the looming figure turned and walked off. Finn didn't know why, but he needed to follow the figure. Finn quickened his pace as did the figure, the figure led him into the wooded part to the graveyard. Despite the sudden darkening of his surroundings, Finn followed the figure, climbing over branches and careful with his footing - to catch this dark stranger now his mission. Now in a jog - replicating the dark figure. As they grew further and further into the eeiry and gothic woods, Finn's determination grew as did his pulse and heartbeat - he needed to catch the culprit who he knew had been stalking him. He needed to know who the fucked up dickhead was. The chase was on, Finn tripped every so often as he pigeon-toed feet made him run like Bambi on ice - the only source of light coming from the moon above making it a lot more difficult to see than given. He was almost there, he almost had him; was in touching distance - if he could just reach out and gra-
PWHACK!
Finn fell backwards and hid the damp ground with a hard thud - the wind being knocked out of him as well as consciousness.
Very Stephen King indeed.
Finn woke dazed... And, strangely, in his own bed. He then shot upright, breathing heavily as he looked around - eyes wide and breathing erratic. Chloe, who was currently sat on the ottoman and painting her toenails, looked at him with a frown, "Y' alright?" In which Finn breathed, "'ow... 'ow did I get 'ome?" In which Chloe cocked an eyebrow, "Y' wha'?" He then looked around as he frantically stuttered, "Last night I-I-I was in the graveyard an-an-and I fell and now I-" He cut himself off, gulping as he looked around - how the hell did he get home? Chloe shook her head, frowning, "Finn, wha' y' on about? Y've been 'ome all night, y' were probably just 'avin' a bad dream", He then shook his head, "No, it we-were real. I know it were!" Chloe rolled her eyes before continuing to do her toes, "Babe, all nightmares feel like tha'", He then frowned, snapping, "If tha's true then why is me 'ead sore!?" Without looking up, she nonchalantly said as she blew the nailpaint on her toes dry, "Y' banged it on the bedside table in y' sleep last night", He then took a moment before asking with a scoff and harder frown, "Did I?" In which she simply nodded, she then rested her cheek on her knee as she looked at him - whilst he currently had his face in his hands.
She said nothing as she watched him absorb it all in.
Surely it couldn't have been a nightmare within a nightmare? Surely Finn's subconscious wasn't completely insane?
Speaking of all things insane; Tasha's place was like a mad house that morning - everyone getting ready for the day ahead. As Tasha downed the remainders of her coffee, Chop hopped passed as he tried to get on his shoe with half a piece of toast between his teeth - which Izzy took as she swooped passed him. It wasn't too long before they were all wrapped up, ready and out the door. Tasha gave her goodbyes and swiftly left the front garden; on her regular journey to the hospital.
Chop and Izzy stopped at the bottom of the path and Chop turned to her, "Y' sure y' don't want me t' come with? I can take the day off", She rolled her eyes playfully at him, "Yeeees as I'll be with Finn and Jamie, so stop worrying yeh?" He then nodded before giving her a big cheesy grin and kissing her, "See y' at 'ome yeh?" In which she nodded before playfully pushing him out the garden, "Yes! Now bugger off before y' late!" In which he widened his eyes and realising how much time was getting on, "Shit, y' right!" He then called out as he jogged off, "LOVE YOU!" Which she couldn't help but giggle at before shouting, "You too!"
She watched as he grew smaller and smaller, until he disappeared around the corner. She gave out a content sigh and looked to the other end of the road before turning and heading towards the high street;
Which she got to in record timing, she found Finn and Jamie on the bench; outside the Sayer's. She greeted the pair with a grin, Finn exchanged the grin for a hug as he rose to his feet and welcomed her in a friendly embrace. She shared a simply high five with Jamie and began asking him how he was, before she then turned to Finn - who was currently frowning at something over his shoulder.
"Finn?" He then pulled his gaze away from whatever he was originally focused on and turned to her, "Yeh?" She giggled, "Wha' y' lookin' at?" "Nowt I thought I saw..." His voice then trailed off as he glanced over his shoulder once more before turning back to her and flashing her a reasurring smile, "Don't matter. Y' ready?" In which she nodded and the three began to walk. Finn then asked, "So, wha' y' thinkin' of gettin'?" Izzy shrugged, "I dunno, was thinkin' some pastels. Some blue, maybe lemon", He cocked an eyebrow, "But wha' if it's a girl?" Izzy then frowned, "Girls can wear blue", "Not if they look like a boy", She then tilted her head slightly in agreement, "Very true", In which the pair shared a laugh.
As the trio walked down the high street, Finn then caught glimpse of a pair of booties in a window and dragged the other two over in excitement. Whilst Jamie huffed with boredom and Izzy cooed over the booties; Finn caught glimpse of a familiar shadow in the glass of the window. He then sharply looked over his shoulder, his frown softened as he then saw Brogan a few meters away. Finn lightly knocked his hand against Izzy and nodded towards Brogan; who was now currently before them.
"I thought it was y' two!" Brogan spoke, her voice a little more faux-surprise than actual surprise - which kicked Finn's paranoia into high gear. His lack of sleep making him over sensitive to the little things, "Wha' y' doin' 'ere?" Izzy asked, in which Brogan shrugged, "Was just passin' through and was 'bout t' go see Archie when I saw Finn and 'ad t' check. So, 'ow are y'? 'Ow's the baby?" Izzy sighed, "Tiring but manageable", Brogan gave a sympathetic smile before asking, "An' 'ow's Chop?" Izzy beamed, "Yeh, he's good, yeh! 'ow's Johnny?" Brogan tried to cover the smile forming on her lips as she jokingly quipped, "Oh y' know wha' he's like, always in his own lil' world", She then glanced at Finn, who said not one single word. Feeling uncomfortable by the sudden hostility, Brogan took it as her cue to leave, "Well, listen I gotta go but it's been lovely seein' y' and I'll give y' a ring later", The girls shared a hug, Jamie waved goodbye and Finn just gave a tight lipped smile.
Brogan then scurried off but Finn didn't take his eyes off her as he watched her walk down the street, Izzy then piped up, "Aw, I love Brogan. It's always dead nice seein' 'er", Before turning back to the window. Finn then slowly said, his gaze still lingered on the back of Brogan's head, "Ye...ah... Lov...ely", He then stared a few more seconds before shrugging away the uneasy feeling that niggled away at his stomach and turning back to the window;
Pastel pink, white and blue lace now the occupent of his mind.
"'ere are, Archers", Brogan breathed as she sat a mug of milky coffee onto the counter in the bookshop, which Archie was currently working on. She then took a seat in the chair next to the desk, her fingers now curling around her own mug of coffee. He flashed her a thankful grin before then continuing with managing the book with the stock intake. Archie now had a part-time job in the book store, as the volunteer work was getting him nowhere.
As much as he loved working in the shop, it didn't half get boring - hence why Brogan was his company and entertainment for the day. She had not long got there but settled right in, whilst Archie did his business; she glanced around - aching to run her fingers over the spines of each book and randomly pick one to read, just out of pure curiosity.
She then widened her eyes as she remembered, "Ooh! Seen Iz, Finn and a little lad before", Without looking up, Archie asked, "Did y'?" She nodded, "Yeh, shoppin' fer baby clothes or summat. Finn seemed a bit... Off", She frowned. In which Archie scoffed, "Finn's always off", Not wanting to let it go, she shook her head, "No, it was different today. I mean, he didn't even say 'ello. Well, like I know Finn can be a bit... Well Finn but he just seemed in a right mard", Archie looked up, pouting with a frown before returning back to the book, "Probably 'ad a fight with Chlo", In which Brogan scoffed, "Yeh, probably", But she couldn't shake the feeling off. Now, although Brogan didn't really give a shit about pretty much anything and was easy-going - she was very much a people pleaser. She hated being disliked, would do anything to get anyone's approval; she was just that kind of girl. So, Finn's apparent dislike didn't half get on her tits.
She mentally swatted away images of Finn, asking Archie, "So, 'ow the date go with Tash?" He shrugged, "Alright, nice girl but we'll see 'ow it goes", Brogan rolled her eyes before giving him a look, in which he could actually feel; causing him to look up and frown, "Wha'?" She exhaled, placing her mug onto one of the coasters on the desk, "Tha's it? Just nice?" Archie cocked an eyebrow, "Well wha' did y' expect? I shagged 'er behind the woolworths?" Brogan widened her eyes, "No! Well, not in exactly those words but I were thinkin' more than just 'She's a nice girl'", Archie scoffed, "Well she is and it were a nice date but-" Brogan sat back, folding her arms and cutting him off, "Wha' bullshit y' gonna pull now?" He then gave her a look before turning back to the book, "Wha'ever, Brog. And anyway, it don't matter now", Brogan picked up her coffee and asked, "Why?" And began to take a sip, Archie then quipped, "Because apparently 'er and Al used t' sleep together and she still 'as feelin's for 'im", In which Brogan then spat her coffee everywhere.
Well shit the fucking bed.
Another girl Al has shagged and more fuel to the fire.
Marvellous.