Heyo, so I just spent a wonderful evening in the hospital and have been instructed to take it easy...guess that means more writing time for me? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The distant rumble of his parents' voices filters through the walls, the muffled sounds of their argument sending shivers down Gray's spine. He sits on his bed, hugging his knees to his chest, trying to block out the noise with the gentle hum of his thoughts. But the tension in the air is palpable, suffocating, impossible to ignore.
Tears prickle at the corners of his eyes as he listens to the harsh words exchanged in the next room. He knows it's not his fault, knows he's just a kid caught in the middle of something he can't hope to understand. But it still hurts, still cuts deep into the fragile fabric of his innocence.
With a heavy sigh, he pushes himself to his feet, the weight of the world pressing down on his shoulders. He needs to get away, to find someplace safe where he can escape the chaos of his parents' crumbling marriage. And there's only one person he knows who can offer him that kind of refuge.
"Zach," Gray whispers to himself, his voice a desperate plea in the darkness. "I need Zach."
He makes his way down the hallway, his footsteps echoing in the silence of the house. The door to Zach's room stands slightly ajar, a sliver of light spilling out into the hallway. Gray hesitates for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest, before pushing the door open and stepping inside.
Zach sits on the edge of his bed, his back to the door, his shoulders hunched in defeat. He doesn't look up as Gray enters, lost in his own world of pain and regret. But when Gray clears his throat, he startles, turning to face his younger brother with a weary smile.
"Hey," Zach says, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "What's up?"
Gray swallows the lump in his throat, the words catching in his chest as he struggles to find the courage to speak. But when he sees the look of concern in Zach's eyes, the barriers come crashing down, and he blurts out the first thing that comes to mind.
"I just... I can't stand hearing Mom and Dad fight anymore," Gray confesses, his voice trembling with emotion. "It's like they're always yelling at each other, always angry. I just want things to go back to the way they were."
Zach's expression softens, sympathy shining in his eyes as he reaches out to pull him into a comforting embrace. "I know, buddy," he murmurs, his voice a soothing balm to the younger's frayed nerves. "I wish things were different too, but...sometimes people just don't get along. It's not your fault. It's not anyone's fault."
Gray sniffles, tears pooling in his eyes as he leans into Zach's arms, seeking solace in the warmth of his brother's presence. For a moment, they sit in silence, the weight of their shared pain hanging heavy in the air between them. But then, he feels a spark of inspiration flicker to life within him, a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.
"Hey, Zach," he says, his voice tentative but hopeful. "Do you think... do you think we could run away? Like, to Mars or something? Just until Mom and Dad stop fighting?"
Zach's eyes widen in surprise, but then a soft chuckle escapes his lips, the tension in the room beginning to dissipate. "Mars, huh? That's a pretty wild idea. But you know what? I think it just might work."
Gray's face lights up with excitement, the weight of their troubles momentarily forgotten in the thrill of their shared imagination. "Yeah?" he asks, a grin spreading across his face. "You really think so?"
Zach nods, a fond smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Yeah," he says, ruffling Gray's hair affectionately. "I think so. But for now, how about we just stay here? Together. And maybe things will start to feel a little bit better."
Gray nods, a small grin tugging at his previously dejected demeanor. "Okay," he says. "But can we do something fun? Like... like watch a movie?"
Zach's smile widens, his eyes alight with mischief. "Sure thing, buddy," he says, reaching for the remote control on his bedside table. "How about a movie about Mars? I think I've got just the thing."
He rummages through his collection of DVDs, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting a warm hue over the room. Finally, his fingers land on a well-worn case adorned with a dusty image of the red planet.
"Here we go," Zach says triumphantly, holding up the DVD case for Gray to see. "The Martian—it's one of my favorites. It's about this astronaut who gets stranded on Mars and has to figure out how to survive until rescue comes."
Gray's eyes widen with anticipation as he takes in the cover art, the promise of adventure (and distraction) sparking a thrill of excitement in his chest. "That sounds awesome!" he exclaims, bouncing with enthusiasm on the edge of the bed.
Zach grins, popping the DVD into the player and settling back against the pillows, Gray snuggling up beside him. As the movie begins to play, they're drawn into a world of breathtaking landscapes and thrilling challenges, their worries and fears melting away in the face of a grand adventure.
With The Martian playing on the screen, Gray finds himself completely absorbed in the story. The distant rumble of his parents' voices fades into the background, replaced by the captivating images of the red planet and the challenges faced by the protagonist, Mark Watney.
With each passing minute, Gray feels himself drawn deeper into the world of the movie. The tension that had been gripping his heart begins to loosen its hold as he becomes engrossed in the thrilling adventure unfolding before him. The worries about his parents' arguments seem to dissipate with every scene, replaced by a sense of wonder and excitement.
Beside him, Zach notices the change in Gray's demeanor. He sees the way his brother's eyes light up with fascination and the tension in his shoulders gradually eases. It's as if the movie has cast a spell over them, transporting them to a place where their troubles don't exist.
As they watch Mark Watney's struggles and triumphs on Mars, the brothers share moments of laughter and awe. They comment on Watney's clever solutions to the challenges he faces, discussing what they would do in his place.
For the duration of the movie, the outside world fades away, and Gray finds himself immersed in a world of adventure and possibility. The harsh reality of his parents' crumbling marriage is momentarily forgotten as he loses himself in the story unfolding on the screen.
When the movie finally comes to an end, Gray feels a sense of gratitude wash over him. He's grateful for the temporary escape that The Martian has provided, allowing him to forget about his troubles, if only for a little while. And as he looks over at Zach, he knows that no matter what challenges they face, they'll always have each other to lean on.