Notes: I still wasn't able to finish the movie :(
In next chapter starts the explicit stuff. I know there's the warning in the tags but just to be sure.
Thanks for reading! :)
Billy spent one day at Stu's house but he decided to leave after breakfast. Stu had gone on with his life, and Billy didn't feel right storming into it. He had showered, eaten and that's all he needed to keep going.
Billy's back on the road, and he's walking at night. Billy lets out a heavy breath. He feels exhausted, both physically and mentally. He's not sure how much further he can push himself. He has no idea where he's headed, and he feels like he has no one left to turn to for help. He keeps trying to force himself to walk forward, but the weight of everything he's dealing with is too great to bear.
He's still thinking about what his dad said, and he can't shake the feeling of rejection and loss. He's on his own, and he knows it.
Billy's mind is filled with thoughts of his mother. He can't stop thinking about the way his father was so callous when he told him the news, and he can't shake the feeling that there's more to this story that Hank didn't tell him. He wants to know how she died so badly, it's the only thing in his head. He should have asked Stu, but at the same time, he was afraid of what the answer could be.
He has to find a way to forget those things, at least for a little while. He needs to find something that will help him take his mind off it all. His footsteps grow sharper as he marches on, the weight of his backpack growing heavier with every step, the cold setting in through his sweater, but he's not ready to stop yet. He's going to walk until he's too tired to carry on, and only then will he stop and rest.
After walking a bit more, Billy notices there's a black car driving at a very slow speed almost by his side. He gives it a sideways glance, but the glass doesn't allow him to see inside.
Billy stops and turns to look at the car, his curiosity piqued. He's on guard and cautious. He keeps his distance but watches the car with a wary eye. He's not sure who they are or why they're following him, but he's not in the mood to deal with anything like that right now.
Billy starts walking a little more quickly, keeping his eyes locked on the car. He's looking for more of a description, or trying to look for any hint that the person behind the wheel knows him and wants to speak to him.
After a minute, the window from the driver's seat goes down, and Billy can see the driver. It's a man with light eyes and dark short hair wearing glasses. His features struck him as familiar, but he's not sure he recognizes him.
The man looks at him with a serious expression for a moment, then he talks.
"Is that you, Billy?"
Billy's heart starts racing. The voice is familiar, but he can't quite place it. How does this guy know his name? Who is he?
He slows down slightly, and he considers the man's question carefully.
"I... yes," he says finally, taking a few steps closer to get a better look at the man but still keeping his distance enough to be safe.
The man studies him from head to toe for a moment, and then he looks at his eyes again. His eyes are enigmatic, and he has a small smile on his face.
"You don't remind me or you're playing dumb?" Roman asks, chuckling a little.
The memories of the tapes of his father cheating with Maureen Prescott resurface in Billy's mind, and he remembers now the day Roman showed them to him. Billy's face goes white as he remembers the tape. He hadn't thought about that day in a while, but it comes flooding back now that he's looking into Roman's eyes. He shakes his head, staring at Roman without saying anything for a moment, and then he opens his mouth, a slow smile creeping across his face.
"I forgot," he replies with a laugh, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "It's been so long."
There's a short chuckle from the man; he still looks into Billy's eyes with a look that makes Billy feel uneasy. Billy stands up a bit as he looks into Roman's eyes. They're like two cold, hard stones, and Billy can't help but get the feeling that there's something dark and frightening hidden behind that expression, under that easy smile he's got on his face.
"Then I didn't do a good job of impressing you that night. I was sure you'd never forget about me." Roman says half-joking. He shakes his head and then asks. "What are you doing?"
Billy's face goes a little bit pale at the comment, and a chill runs down his spine. He knows exactly what Roman means by that, and it makes him uncomfortable.
"I'm walking," he replies stiffly, looking back at Roman. He doesn't like the way Roman looks at him, and he feels like he's trying to read his thoughts. "Just walking."
"Walking away from the police, you mean?" Roman says in a serious and firm tone. There's an edge of threat in his voice, or maybe it's just Billy being a bit paranoid. "I know they're looking for you; that's why I'm surprised to see you in Woodsboro again," Roman explains in a more friendly voice.
Billy stares at Roman for a moment, trying to process everything he's just said and how he's said it. Roman's eyes tell him everything, though, and there's a certain kind of amusement in them that is starting to make Billy's temper flare a little bit.
"How do you know they're looking for me?" He asks quietly, his voice cracking. He can't even look at Roman when he asks.
"Well, you're quite the legend of Woodsboro" Roman says, laughing a little. Then he looks into Billy's eyes with a smirk, adjusting his glasses. "You look tired."
"... Legend?" Billy repeats in a flat tone. His anger surfaces, and he scowls, his eyes darting around as he takes a step back to try and assess the situation.
He grimaces. He knows he looks tired, but hearing it from Roman hits a nerve. He doesn't want to show any weakness to this guy, not now, and his stomach starts to churn. He knows he looks tired. He knows he looks like dirt. But to think that this guy knows it too? He grits his teeth.
"Yeah, I'm tired. Who would've thought being on the run from the cops is hard work," Billy mumbles, the weight of everything he's done suddenly weighing him down.
"Not tired enough to not be able to think of a comeback, I see," Roman says amused, chuckling.
He looks at Billy from head to toe again, slowly.
Billy's breathing deeply at this point, watching Roman's eyes rove over him. He's not sure exactly what Roman's trying to do, but the fact that he's staring and chuckling at him makes him uncomfortable.
"You're gonna offer me a beer, too?" Billy asks impatiently, his voice still flat, but now a bit of anger comes into it as well, as if he's trying to hide a growing frustration. "Maybe a ride? Or are you just out here to be creepy?"
Roman looks a bit taken aback by Billy's answer, but he doesn't get angry. He just sighs, shaking his head.
"I was just remembering old times." He says it in a soft voice now. "I'm going to my place..." he says, looking at Billy with a small smile on his face, his tone more friendly now. "I can't give you a ride right now, but you can stay with me, and tomorrow I'll drive you whenever you want," he offers, a cold look in his eyes that doesn't match with his voice or his smile. "As long as it's not out of the country, I don't have that much time," he laughs.
Billy's a bit taken aback by the sudden change in Roman's attitude. He's not sure if he should trust him or not. Still, the prospect of crashing with someone he knows rather than taking his chances on the street is tempting.
Billy hesitates for a moment, but eventually, with a shrug, he replies.
"Sure, what the hell?" At least for a night." He looks at Roman again, a small expression of gratitude in his eyes. "Thanks," he says quietly.
"Then get in the car." Roman says, sitting straight into the driver's seat, and unlocks the door on the passenger side. "Here beside me," he smirks, patting the passenger seat with his hand. "I can't let you out of my sight, can I?" He jokes, laughing in a low voice.
Billy starts to walk to the open car door, but he hesitates mid-step, his hands clenched into fists as he looks back at Roman.
"You're not going to kill me or anything, are you?" He knows he sounds paranoid, but this whole situation is making him more and more nervous.
Roman laughs genuinely.
"In any case, I should be afraid of you murdering me, Billy. You're wanted for five murders, as far as I know." Roman looks at him again. "I'm not judging," he says in a soft and calm voice. "Let's get some rest, and tomorrow I'll drive you somewhere... I'm tired too," he sighs. "Not as much as you, but I have my own share of worries, Billy."
"Yeah," Billy replies, a bit of an embarrassed smile coming to his face. "Yeah, I guess I am. And, uh..." He takes a deep breath, suddenly thinking about the last few days. He sighs and shakes his head slightly, still unsure. A look of fear comes over his face, and he takes a step back.
"You're crazy," he says, backing up a bit. "Are you always this friendly to alleged murderers?" he asks, his voice dry and almost mocking, but his tone is edged with a hint of fear.
Roman smiles at him, his look is more friendly now.
"Crazy is my second name." He jokes. "We would make a bizarre team." He waits for Billy to enter the car, smiling.
"Well, I mean..." Billy says slowly, seeming to consider his options. "I am pretty crazy, too, I guess."
He sighs and starts walking towards the car again. He's still cautious, but he's curious and a little tired of running. What's the worst that could happen?
Billy gets into the passenger seat, and he looks at Roman, a little smile on his face.
"I can tell you've always been a little crazy," Roman smirks, starting the car. He adjusts his glasses and looks at Billy. "I guess that's part of what makes you so appealing," he says in a low voice, his eyes fixed on Billy's for a moment, and then he focuses on the road.
"Yeah, whatever," he says as he buckles himself in, doing his best to hide his nervousness as they prepare to drive off into the night. Billy stares out the window at the darkness outside as Roman drives. He's a bit lost in his own thoughts, taking inventory of everything that has happened in the past few days. He's a wanted man, but there's nothing he can do about it now. He's going to go with the flow, and he's already getting the sense that things can't get any worse. He'll just have to take it one day at a time.
"What are you thinking?" Roman asks, not looking away from the road.
"Just... thinking about everything." Billy's expression is guarded, and he makes no attempt to elaborate further. "What about you?" He looks over at Roman, curious to see if he'll answer. "What's on your mind, besides how much you're risking by giving me a ride?"
"That's not in my mind, Billy. I'm not worried about that, relax," he says, giving Billy a sideways glance. "All I have in my mind is rest, you know? I have a... demanding job but I'm starting to see things coming into place, now" he shrugs his shoulders and smirks.
Billy smiles slightly as Roman says that. It's nice to see him so relaxed, but it also worries Billy. He was so serious before, and he can't help but think this new, calm attitude is hiding something. Billy's not sure what to believe anymore.
"So..." Billy eventually says, looking out the window again. "What kind of job are you doing, anyway?" He's hoping that whatever Roman says, will get the conversation started. "Is it hard work?"
Roman stays silent for a while, his expression serious as he's focused on the road.
"It's nothing extraordinary, but you can say it's hard work." He sighs and pulls the car over. Then he looks straight into Billy's eyes, his expression blank. "I'm a cop."
Billy freezes. His heart is beating rapidly, and he suddenly feels sick. The last thing he expected to hear was that Roman was a cop. It's not what he expected at all, and it forces Billy to completely rewrite everything he knew about this guy.
Silence hangs in the air, and Billy's mind starts racing, trying to find some way to respond. Finally, after a long pause, he manages to speak.
"Are you going to turn me in?" he asks softly in a little voice, the fear and worry clear in his tone.
Roman comes closer to his face and rests one hand on Billy's seat and the other on Billy's leg.
"I will," he says in a cold, authoritative voice. " He moves his hand over Billy's leg for a couple of seconds, looking straight into Billy's eyes. Then he licks his lips and says, raising his eyebrow. "Unless you have something to offer."
Billy's eyes go wide, his whole body tensing as Roman's hand comes close, and his voice turns cold. He fights the urge to scream, or jump out of the car and run, or just say anything at all.
"W... what do you mean?" He stammers, his voice little more than a whisper. "I don't have anything to offer!" He adds quickly, his voice desperate.
"Come on, Billy" Roman says, now gripping his leg tightly. "You're not seventeen anymore," he says, leaning into his ear. "You know exactly what I want from you. Make your offer and we can make a deal" Roman lips brushes Billy's ears purposefully.
Billy flinches away, both surprised and intimidated by Roman's sudden move. He stares at Roman in horror, unable to believe what he's hearing. For a moment, all he can do is stare, wide eyed, but he regains his composure quickly, his face taking on an almost steely expression.
But even with that, his voice still comes out shaky as he answers.
"You're insane." It's the only thing he can think to say right now, his mind still racing.
Roman leans back to study his face in silence, and then he laughs, surprised.
"I thought we already established that crazy is my second name." He lets go of the seat and holds Billy's chin with it, forcing him not to look away. "So what is it you're going to give me in exchange for your freedom, hm?" Roman speaks into Billy's face, almost touching his nose.
Billy gasps and tries to jerk his head away, but Roman's grip is too tight. He tries again, but with no success. He's terrified to say anything, afraid it might just make things worse. When he finally speaks, his voice is filled with fear, but anger is just underneath it as well.
"I have nothing to offer you," he growls, desperately trying not to break eye contact. He looks down for a moment and then meets Roman's gaze again, his expression a mixture of sadness and anger. "Nothing."
Roman seems pleased with this answer, there's a hint of entertainment in his eyes.
"I miss your seventeen years old version, he was so easy," he chuckles, almost touching Billy's lips with his own. "But I like the challenge," he smirks, letting go of Billy's leg to hold his nape. "I'm sure you can think of something we can both enjoy."
Billy flinches when Roman grabs his chin, feeling the sudden touch on his jaw. He wants to just push Roman away, but he knows it would only make a bad situation even worse. Instead, he just tries to make himself small, to shrink away from where Roman is holding him.
He looks around in desperation, his heart beating wildly. The two of them are alone in this car, on the side of a dark road. He feels trapped, in both senses of the word. He knows exactly what Roman is asking of him, and he knows that he can't say no.
"Listen..." he says, his voice sounding small and strained. "I'm desperate." The truth is staring him right in the face now, and he has to admit it. "I don't want to go to jail," Billy says softly. "So, I guess I'll do what you say..."
Roman studies his face for a moment, and then he laughs uncontrollably.
"Relax, Billy. I'm not a cop. I was just messing with you." He says between laughs. He starts the car again, giving Billy a sideways glance. "Your scared face has haunted me for six years," he smirks. "It suits you."
Billy stares at Roman in shock for a moment. It takes him a moment to process, but soon enough, the terror melts into relief. He leans back against the passenger seat, his whole body unclenching as he lets his breath out slowly.
"Jesus Christ," he mutters, shaking his head. His gaze falls out the window and he seems to lose himself in his thoughts for a moment. "You're a jerk," he says finally, with a sigh. "You didn't have to put me through that."
"Come on, Billy. Don't get mad," Roman says, smiling. "I was just having a little fun." He shrugs his shoulders. "That's my little hobby. I enjoy playing mind games." He then becomes more serious, but speaks in a lightheaded tone. "I know it's a little twisted, but it gives me fun. Like you with killing people," he smirks, looking at Billy for a moment.
"That wasn't funny at all." He hisses, still glaring at Roman. "I thought you were actually going to turn me in, and now..." He pauses, trying to find the right words, but all that comes out is a loud sigh. "Everything's a joke to you…" He slumps further into his seat, and there's a long pause. "Whatever. I don't care what your hobby is." He looks out the window again, staring into the darkness.
Roman sighs.
"Okay, no more games, then." He says in a soft tone. "We're both tired. If you want me to apologize, I will. But let me tell you," he pats Billy's leg for a moment. "I'm not sorry at all." he chuckles.
Billy lets out another sigh.
"I didn't ask for an apology," Billy mumbles, not looking at Roman. He leans back against the passenger seat again, crossing his arms. "Whatever. No more games, no more nothing." He still sounds irritated, but there's a hint of resignation and even fatigue in his voice, too.
He stares out the window for a few moments, but then he looks back over to Roman.
"So why are you... uh... Taking me?" he asks, seeming to hesitate for a moment. "I mean, why are you even giving me a ride?"
"Well..." Roman pulls over the car, now outside the building where he lives. Now Billy starts to remember the place. "I was hoping I could get you into my bed, and by that I mean have sex," he smirks, now looking at Billy's eyes with a serious gaze. "But I can see you're not in the mood for it." He shrugs his shoulders. "So I'll let you rest tonight, and maybe tomorrow you'll be in a better temper for my seduction abilities to work." he says as a matter of fact, not looking away from Billy's eyes for any second.
Billy stares at Roman in shock for a moment, his mouth falling open slightly as he processes what he just said.
"What?" he asks quietly, a faint blush rising to his face. Even though he's not particularly surprised, he's still a little shocked that Roman just comes right out and says it so casually.
There's a long pause before he finally speaks, and when he does, his voice is little more than a whisper.
"I'm way too tired for that kind of thing," he says with a nervous laugh. It doesn't seem like enough of an answer, but it's all he can manage for now, still embarrassed by the whole situation.