Notes: I apologize in advance :(
The next morning, Stu wakes up before Billy does. He sees that the television is on, with the movie finished, and there is also pizza and drinks on the coffee table.
He leaves the news channel on at a low volume, and takes the things he had on the table towards the kitchen, without making a sound.
He comes back and sits down, still not waking Billy up. He wants to ask him about the wounds he has, how Billy got them, but he isn't sure how to approach the subject, if it is a sensitive issue to Billy or not.
Stu sighs a little as he hears the news about the murder spree. He thinks about Billy and, even though he's still not sure what exactly happened yesterday, a thought comes to his head, and he feels an immense guilt start to take shape in his stomach." Oh, no… More… More people. "His face goes straight for a moment.
Then, Billy starts to move a bit, flinching and hissing when he moves his ankle in the wrong direction. "Shit" he mutters, as he tries to sit up. In the middle of the movement, he watches at the television and narrows his eyes.
"Oh, you're up! "Stu speaks in a friendly tone, and he immediately goes over to Billy as he sees him sit up by himself. " How are you feeling? "Stu asks this question while he picks up the blanket he put over Billy last night, and he makes sure that not only is Billy fully covered but also as comfortable as he can be. He then steps back as he places the remote next to Billy."How was your sleep? "He doesn't say anything after this as he waits for Billy to reply.
Billy takes the control and mutes the television. He looks at Stu, his eyes still narrowed, as he says.
"Do you usually watch the news? I didn't take you as someone interested in those kinds of programs."
"We need to know what's happening. "Stu speaks, serious, and he looks right into Billy's eyes." That's why… " He sighs heavily but he forces himself to calm down and goes back to his normal friendlier demeanor. He also speaks with a bit of a worried tone but a hint of curiosity as well." Just please tell me one thing… What happened yesterday? I mean… What happened to your ankle? "
"We need to know what's happening" Billy repeats slowly, nodding, as if testing the words for the first time. "Changing the subject so fast, Stu?" He asks in a condemnatory tone, leaning his face closer. "Or you watch them to know if the police are into you?" he lifts an eyebrow, smirking.
Stu's face goes red from Billy's condemning tone and question. And he's also a little thrown off at this response. Then, after what seems like an eternal minute of just silence and staring at Billy without saying anything, he speaks just as condemning and sternly as Billy did before.
"No. I'm not that kind of person." He speaks in a slightly more menacing tone as he adds this detail." Just tell me who or what did that to you. "He just looks at Billy in a cold and piercing way.
The tone Stu is using only manages to make Billy's smile spread wider, as there's a bright in his eyes that Stu hasn't seen in years. Billy leans even closer to Stu's face as he speaks, not blinking even once.
"What kind of person aren't you, Stu?"
Stu's eyes go wide and he's almost caught off guard by Billy's response. But he stays put and doesn't back down. He just stares at Billy with an even more dangerous look in his eyes. His expression and voice are so serious that it almost seems like he's being possessed right here and now... And when he speaks, he speaks slowly.
"I'm not… a psychopath." His voice is so cold that this one word alone almost freezes the surrounding air. " Now… Tell me. Who. Did. It."
"You're not a psychopath…" Billy's smirk is gone now, his lips tightened in a line. His eyes are looking into Stu's eyes, yet his attention seems to be in his own thoughts for a while, as he remains silent. Then, the bright in his eyes comes back, and he leans into Stu's neck, as he whispers in his ear: "What about me, then?"
Stu's eyes go wide again when he hears Billy's words. He gets goosebumps and chills run down his spine in that instant. And after a brief moment of silence, during which he is in shock and at a loss for words, his face goes completely white, and his eyes turn completely dark, giving an incredibly eerie and frightening vibe. Then, he speaks in an almost threatening tone and with a very menacing and disturbing look in his eyes.
" You… You did this to yourself?"
Billy lets out a low laugh, leaning his forehead on Stu's shoulder. He sounds surprised now.
When he stops laughing, he sits up again, looking away.
"Yeah, you could say that…" He confesses, lowering his eyes to the ground. Then he sounds serious as he speaks. "I fell down from a roof a couple of days back. I was stealing a house." He smirks. "A kitchen, to be precise."
Stu just stands there in total silence, and he listens to this with a blank and somewhat disturbing expression on his face. He looks like his mind is racing at high speeds. And even though he's standing very still without even blinking. And then, after a little while, he speaks in a much quieter and deeper voice than usual when he says this.
" How did you even get on the roof? Do you often steal things?"
Billy gives Stu a side glance and shakes his head.
"You're such an idiot, Stu." He says, as a matter of fact, now sliding his injured leg off the couch. "Why do you think I was stealing, stupid? You think that if I knock on the door and ask nicely for food, people would ignore how I look and give it to me smiling?" He stands up, closing his eyes at the sudden pain in his ankle. "There was a stair, that's how I got to the roof."
Stu stands there in silence, but his face slowly goes straight and the faint terrifying aura diminishes. Then, he blinks and he speaks in his normal voice." Right. So… Why are you stealing? "He sounds very curious about this and at the same time he asks this question, he slowly walks towards Billy with a somewhat concerned expression." Why can't you just go to a soup kitchen if things are that bad, or just find a homeless shelter somewhere? "He speaks in a caring tone while putting one arm around Billy's shoulders.
"Yeah, I'm pretty certain that if I go in and say 'Hi, I'm William Loomis, wanted for multiple murders', they'd gladly answer 'Don't worry sir, the police will never find you here.'" He laughs, as he starts walking towards the kitchen slowly, still limping.
Stu chuckles a little too and then he speaks in a lighter tone.
"I guess you're right. I didn't think about that. But if you're stealing, that also means you have nobody to help you out of this mess, right? Are you completely alone like this? " He speaks with a hint of sadness and almost pity in his voice. " And you really have to be stealing to eat… Is there anybody in your life that you could ask for help?"
Billy shakes Stu's arm from him as he gets to the freezer. He opens the door and studies the things inside, shaking his head.
"Your refrigerator sucks" he says, taking a cardboard of milk and an apple out and leaving them on the counter.
He takes a glass and sits on a stool. Then fills the glass with milk as he speaks again.
"You already know my father doesn't give a fuck about me. I'm pretty sure he would hand me over to the police if he could do it himself." He says in a bitter tone. He drinks the milk in one go and then adds. " I thought that if I came back, maybe I would find my mother looking for me. But… guess what? She was killed. By Sidney fucking Prescott" he looks at the apple with hate.
Stu stands there in utter shock and disbelief after hearing this. He puts a hand over his mouth and he speaks in a stunned tone." Oh my God… I'm…- "Stu is left speechless by this. He puts his hand down and he speaks in a saddened and sincere tone." I'm so sorry... I didn't know you went through all this. But are you… Are you sure it was Sidney who did this? " His expression is much more serious." I'm so sorry.
"Ironic, isn't it?" Billy chuckles as he fills his glass again. "The innocent Sidney, I'm pretty sure she thought 'Well, Billy. You killed my mother, now I'm killing yours.'" He says this with a somber expression in his face and stays silent for a moment, retreating inside his thoughts. Then he shakes his head and looks at Stu. "The police said it was self-defense, so says the stupid book Gale Weather wrote. Of course, she would testify in Sidney's favor… I should have killed them both…"
Stu sighs a little as he speaks .
" I never knew all of this. You don't deserve all of these horrors. No one does. But we all deserve a second chance. And if I can be the one to help you through all of this and more, it'll be great. "Stu speaks in a sympathetic and sincere tone. Then, he speaks with a sadder tone and with a more serious expression." I just wish there was something, anything, that I could do to help you with this burden."
Billy looks at Stu, refraining from laughing at his face. "You could buy the fucking food you promised, you moron." He laughs in a better mood now than the day before. "A fucking apple…" he laughs. "What? Do you always eat outside or something?" He drinks the second glass as he waits for Stu to answer.
Stu's eyes suddenly go wide with total embarrassment. Then he clears his throat and chuckles nervously as well as he speaks.
"Oh… I can't believe I forgot! Yeah, yeah, I'm so stupid. "He speaks in an almost apologetic tone." I was so caught up in our discussion that I just forgot about the deal. Do you need anything else, Billy? I can definitely go to town and get a bunch of groceries for you."
"Do you know how to cook?" Billy asks, he sounds interested. He starts eating the apple as there's nothing left in the cardboard. "You didn't answer me if you eat here or out at all…"
Stu smiles widely, glad that Billy is more open to conversation today.
" I'm a remarkable cook! My mother taught me everything she knew. You think I live on McDonald's chicken nuggets every day or something? "He chuckles. He then speaks with some fake offense and a bit of sarcasm." And you are asking me far too many questions right now, Billy. " Then he laughs." You're giving me the third degree! "He chuckles again and he adds." Just kidding… You can ask me all the questions on your mind, okay?"
"The third degree? I was barely starting…" Billy laughs. "You always looked like someone that would live rent-free in McDonald's if you could." He says, smirking. "I guess your mother compensated for her lack of hugs with cooking lessons. "
Stu shakes his head a little and then he speaks in a teasing tone.
"Oh you little… You don't want to go there, Billy. "He chuckles and then he speaks in a more serious voice." My mom was always so busy and I wanted to learn how to cook for myself, so I asked her to teach me, okay? And she did. She also taught me how to sew. It's not that weird. I just like knowing how to do things like that, okay? "He speaks in a playful tone at first, but then he speaks in a more serious and soft tone as he adds the last bit.
"Why do you have to clarify that, uh?" Billy teases. "I never thought it was weird... My father always left me money to ask for food when I was alone, even when he was at home." He confesses, now done with the apple, too. "When my mother left, nobody knew how to cook in my house… So if you're wondering about me: I suck at cooking" he laughs.
Stu chuckles and then he speaks in a bright mood.
" Listen, I'll even teach you how to cook if you'd like that. I can teach you right now. " He smiles." What would you like to learn to make? "Stu is obviously trying to lighten the mood and make Billy feel better as much as he can." You name it and I'm your chef! "He chuckles again and then he speaks in a more serious tone." And… If you ever need anything, or you're ever feeling lonely or sad or something… You can always count on me, okay?"
"You can't teach me when your fridge is empty." Billy says in an accusatory tone. "I can't even steal food from you" he shakes his head, chuckling.
Stu laughs and speaks in a sincere and joking tone.
" You got me there. I'll definitely have to go out and fill this fridge soon. "He looks around his empty fridge, and he starts to speak in a joking tone again." There's nothing here but a single loaf of bread, and that's it. "He chuckles again and then he speaks in a much more friendly and genuine tone." What do you feel like having today? "He asks this question with a kind expression." I'll go out first thing in the morning and I'll get whatever you want, okay?"
"First thing in the morning?" Billy asks, incredulous. "This is the morning, you moron. I barely woke up." He hides his face in his hands, laughing. "I bet you want me to steal some of your neighbors at this point."
Stu just stares at Billy for a moment in complete shock and surprise. His face goes from the friendly and sincere expression he was initially wearing to a confused and almost sad one. And for a moment, he's completely speechless. But then he immediately shakes his head and chuckles as he speaks.
" So you were just messing with me! You sneaky little… " He chuckles again and then he speaks while smiling in a more playful tone as if to say that he means absolutely no disrespect in what he says and that he's just teasing Billy." You cheeky bugger.
"Seriously… Stop talking about food if you're not going to keep your side of the bargain. At this point, it can be classified as psychological torture…" Billy says, tired.
Stu speaks in a calm, yet firm tone of voice as he puts his hand on Billy's shoulder.
' No. Look. Like I said… I'm sorry. I was caught up in the conversation and I forgot all about the deal. I feel terrible about that. I just…"He suddenly looks down and he sighs deeply before looking directly at Billy with a somewhat remorseful and sad expression on his face." I'm sorry.
"Fine." Billy mumbles. "So what now, uh? You don't have classes or a job? How do you spend your day?" Billy asks, leaning his front head on the cold surface of the counter.
Stu seems almost a bit taken aback by the sudden shift in the subject, but he nods his head several times as he speaks.
" I don't have any classes until next semester. So, right now, I'm basically just free-riding through life, you know? I don't really work anywhere right now. I actually wake up and see what the day brings. I sometimes go to the arcade with my friends and we spend all day playing until about midnight. "He chuckles" That kind of thing. What about you?"
"I think I'm going to take the leaf of bread you have left, you know." He laughs. He looks as if he were sleeping with his head on the counter, his eyes closed. "Talking so much has drained my strength. But if you really want to know, I don't do much... Walk here and there… You don't have a lot to do in the streets when running from the police. Though I can't walk that much lately. Otherwise, you wouldn't have crossed me. I was going to leave Woodsboro."
Stu chuckles again and he continues to speak in a kind and understanding tone.
" You can take the bread if you like. I'll definitely go and buy more tomorrow. I wouldn't even blame you. You seem like you're going through a lot currently and you're pretty hurt. So if this bread brings you any comfort, by all means, please take it. I would never let anyone go hungry. " He speaks in a somewhat joking tone. " Not unless they're a… You know… Stabbing psycho or anything.
"I'm genuinely touched by your kindness," Billy says with irony. "I'm honored to receive your last leaf of bread. As a recent stabbing psycho, I don't deserve such niceness."
Stu chuckles and then he answers in a joking and sarcastic, yet playful tone.
"Oh you, you're always so funny to talk to. I would never give my last piece of bread to just any psycho. You're special. " He smiles and he adds in a much more facetious voice." Just like a little snowflake… "He speaks in a mocking and taunting way." But in all honesty, you don't deserve to go hungry now. So… I hope that at least this tiny bit of kindness will help you in some way, okay?"
"Stu…" Billy mumbles and then smirks. "I think I'm sick…"
Stu's expression goes from joking and smiling to one that is quite concerned and sincere pretty quickly.
" What?! "He seems genuinely worried about Billy's state now." Are you sure?! And just what kind of sickness are we talking about here? You're not messing with me again, are you? "Stu speaks with a little laugh after he says this to emphasize that it's only said in a friendly joking way and not maliciously."
"I wish…" Billy whispers. Then he sits up again. "Do you have a thermometer?"
"Stu nods as he speaks.
" Yes, I do have a thermometer. You're sure it's a sickness? "He sighs as he speaks in a softer and sympathetic tone." If you're sick, I can definitely go out and get you some medication. "He seems very concerned and worried now but trying to play it off as being as friendly and considerate as possible." What are you feeling? Are you nauseous? Is anything hurting? "He speaks in a genuine and caring tone.
"I'm pretty sure it's a fever… Or an infection I guess" he shrugs his shoulders. "I don't know. Just give me the thermometer to see if I'm right… Also, I'm hungry" he laughs.
" Okay. I just want to make sure you're okay. "He then sighs again and he speaks in an even softer and caring tone as he adds." You know… I really am sorry that I forgot about your food, okay? I promise I won't ever do that to you again. "He chuckles a little bit and looks at Billy as he speaks." Let me go get that thermometer. "He starts to put his coat back on." So, how bad is the fever, actually?"
"Pretty bad…" He says, embracing himself. "Are you going out? I thought you had one here…"
Stu speaks in a slightly disappointed, yet sincere tone because he really did forget that he actually already had a thermometer in his fridge.
" Oh right… " He chuckles a little bit." I'm sorry. "He puts his hand on his chest as he speaks." I really shouldn't forget these things… " He shakes his head and then he adds in a much more comforting and reassuring tone." I'll tell you what… You can't do anything on an empty stomach, right? So, I'll go out right now and get you some… Umm…"
"Yeah, you better do that… Please" Billy adds with a little smile that vanishes quickly.
Stu sighs and smiles.
" Okay. I'll be right back and I'll bring you a full course of food, okay? "He then pauses for a moment, considering something ." Is there anything in particular you really want? What would you really like to have?"
"Whatever you like, I don't care about that." Billy says, standing up to take the thermometer from the fridge. "Bring a sweet or something too. I haven't had one in a long time."
"Stu nods, smiling.
" Okay. I got it. "He laughs a little bit and then he adds. " I'll be right back, okay? Just hang in there, okay? I'm sorry you feel so awful. I'll look for something good for you. Just hang in there, and I'll be back in like no time, yeah? "He chuckles again and then he speaks in a friendly tone." You just rest there, okay?
Billy nods, putting the thermometer under his armpit.
"I'll wait here. Take care…and thank you" he says, looking straight into Stu's eyes. He doesn't smile, his face is blank and emotionless.
Stu nods and then he looks into Billy's eyes in equal seriousness and sincerity, as he answers.
" No thanks needed. That's what friends are for. I'll be right back in like no time, alright? "He smiles and nods again as he takes note of how bad Billy feels. Then he gives him a brief hug out of compassion and to show how much he cares before pulling away and speaking in a warm and caring tone. " I love you, man. I'll be right back. Take care, buddy."
Stu comes back twenty minutes later, with several bags of groceries and two dozen donuts. He has also gotten a few cold and fever medicines. He only finds the thermometer over the counter. He looks around in bewilderment and he speaks in a concerned voice.
" Billy? I'm back. Are you okay, man? I got your meds… And just… " He lifts one of the bags of groceries. " I got you literally everything you can want or need. "He sighs a little nervously. " What happened? Are you okay? "Stu has a somewhat worried expression on his face, and his tone is almost as if he's about to cry.
Stu puts the bags over the counter and looks for Billy in every room more than once. Then he looks outside the house, there's no trace of him or his backpack.
He sits on the first step of the stairs, wondering why Billy left. Was he really sick at all, or was he just faking his fever?
"Why would he do that? "Stu mutters confused. He looks around in complete bewilderment, the panic building in his chest. " Where could he be? Why did he do this? "He looks around in complete and utter confusion for the second time." That doesn't make any sense!" He laughs hysterically as his eyes well up with tears." This isn't happening… This can't be happening again…"