waking up to ash and dust

Benjamin William Wright. Known as Ben. 39 years old. College professor. Father. Family man. Resident of Bridgeford. Lover of history and black and white movies. I'm a man who knows what he wants.

[beniswright]

sidseemsfamiliar​:

Sid was alert, looking around herself slowly. She didn’t take claims like that lightly. She knew better. “Yes on purpose, i think i’m being stalked by those handsome eyes of yours.” She jumped as she heard a noise from the darkness. 

Ben raised a brow, noting the girl was now looking around them. He followed her lead, glancing towards the trees behind him. Though he assumed he’d made her feel nervous too. “I like the compliment in there, it’s helping with my nerves...” he started before a noise broke the silence. “Please tell me you heard that too this time.”

[beniswright]

wickedxdeep​:

It was early in the morning, first lights peaking through the trees. At this time of year the leaves had not yet returned and the chill of the night sky still clung to his damp clothes. Gabriel had been out here for hours, watched the moon disappear on the horizon while burning fire tainted the clouds in pink and red and orange. He had hoped to find clarity, some sign of where his path would lead next. But there had been nothing but loneliness underneath the dead trees, a solitary owl all he encountered. But now, on his way back to the city that changed quickly, too quickly for his liking. “I don’t know”, he furrowed his brows as he gave the other man a long look, “This is a forest, it’s brimming with life during these hours. I think I saw a fox down the road and some birds. But people? Nah, none but you, prof. Why? Did something happen?”

Ben rolled his shoulders, attempting to pull himself together. His bright eyes glanced around the area, taking in the almost bare trees and the slight frost to the ground so early in the morning. “Yeah, yeah. I think it was one of those stupid moments. I heard a noise, freaked myself out. Thought I’d saw a shape run past. It was probably just a small animal or knowing my luck, something as stupid as the wind blowing,” he joked, trying to act okay again. He didn’t want the guy to know he was crazy. “I think I’m okay, though I feel a little stupid. Just keep this little moment to yourself,” he continued with a laugh. “It’s good to see you, even with the weird moment.”

[beniswright]

sidseemsfamiliar​:

Sid looked over the human, wondering what he was doing out here in the woods at this time anyway. She glanced down at her watch. “Ah… those pesky small animals. Not a fan of bats?” She joked. “I am starting to think it’s on purpose, to be honest with you.”

Ben laughed with her, though he was covering his nerves. He was certain he’d seen something out there, no matter how crazy that sounded. “They were out to get me for sure. I mean, if one... or several flew in my face. I wouldn’t be that fond.” He laughed once more. “Oh on purpose?”  

[beniswright]

venomxvenus​:

After exploring the town of Bridgeford for several days Sofia felt as if she was running in circles, unable to find the right path for her feet. She had found more than one interesting story, the history of this place seemed to be full of ghosts and magic, but nothing that went further, nothing more than just that - stories. She longed for something real, something she could wrap her hands around. The haze in ther mind was becoming too thick to see through and with every hour that passed she felt more on edge. There was only one thing that could get her feet back onto the ground, could help her clear her head and her spirit. When she had been a little girl her father had taken her out into nature, talking about the forests of his home, and so she went there now, out into the forest.

Sofia had been walking for the better half of an hour, following several trails until she reached the main road once more. She startled when a man appeared out of nowhere, one hand already inside the pocket of her jacket where her keys and some pepper spray were safely hidden. But then she recognised the face in front of her. “Ben, right?”, Sofia furrowed her brows as she looked from him back to the trees and then quickly shook her head, “I haven’t seen anyone out here. At least not since I left the parking lot. Are you sure you are all right? You seem…” She wasn’t sure what to say. Truth was, he seemed almost hunted. Her nerves were on edge as she remembered the strange conversation from yesterday, about trees and darkness…

Ben let out a breath, seeing the familiar girl he’d met a few days before. He shook his head, attempting to pull himself together. The young woman probably thought he was crazy. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. Yes, yes. Ben. The guy who seems to keep running into you with some kind of drama,” he tried to laugh, his attempt at making a joke despite his obvious nerves. “You’re Sofia. The kind girl who humoured me and did not judge me for hiding from my parents.” He managed a small smile, looking back towards the trees he’d just came from. “I probably just... wind, a small animal right. My mind playing tricks on me?” He paused. “Are you sure you didn’t see anything?”

[beniswright]

sidseemsfamiliar​:

Sid had spent a lot of time in the woods, the feeling of her powers slowly returning to full strength was good. It was why she had come to town in the first place. She froze, hearing the voice. Not having realised that anybody was in the woods watching her. “Oh Dr. Ben. Hi.” She laughed nervously. “I saw a few dog walkers… a while back. Out for a run? Are you okay?” 

Ben managed a small laugh, trying to compose himself. “Yeah, yeah. Out for a run. It was probably just a small animal... or the wind or something. I didn’t mean to run out here like a crazy person. Miss Sid, it’s nice to see you again. I always seem to be having some drama,” he joked. 

[beniswright]

etheledwards​:

Ethel wouldn’t have called herself a regular to the woods, but with the darkness she had seen inspecting the trees was now part of her regular routine. It seemed odd to her that she had found nothing else, but perhaps it just meant that it was a young witch experimenting. She took little notice of her surroundings, in these woods… she was the big bad wolf. Although the man’s voice cut through the darkness. “Besides me and the tall handsome man addressing me? No. Not a person anyway.” 

Ben laughed slightly, trying to act calm. He’d just ran out of the trees freaking out. “Very smooth,” he managed a smile, though her last words caught him off guard. “Wait... not a person? Did you... hear that sound too? Are you okay?” he asked, his eyes scanning around them. He sighed. “I felt... like something was behind me. I am sure I saw... something.”

[beniswright]

Ben turned, his light eyes wide, his brain taking a moment to realise what had just happened. Though he wasn’t quite sure. What was that? He stumbled through the woods, his legs running as fast as he could. His morning jog hadn’t gone as planned. Something was in the woods... and he was certain it wasn’t human. That sound... He could feel his side burning as he managed to make his way back to the road into town, letting out a breath when he saw someone... a person. “Did you see anyone else out here?” he breathed, trying to sound casual. They’d probably think he was crazy.

[beniswright]

sidseemsfamiliar​:

“Oh now that is bragging. Is it suppose to make me feel more secure? I’m not just walking around town with a stranger who hates his parents. I am walking around town with a real doctor.” She smiled playfully, mocking the man for his childlike behaviour. “It’s the stubble, it must be. Very Spaceman.”

“Well, that depends on who you ask. I’m a not a medical doctor. So many would say I’m not a really doctor,” he laughed, unable not to smile at her. “Like a guy who has been in space unable to shave?”

[beniswright]

venomxvenus​:

“Oh, now I get it”, Sofia nodded. She smiled at him, taking a peak at the couple down the street, his parents apparently. “Well, if you are in need of saving, I can help you”, Sofia moved a little to the side so that she was more on his right side than his left, “Just turn to me and they will see nothing but your back and then… I don’t know. Maybe they’ll disappear any second. It’s nice to meet you, Ben. I am Sofia, the girl that loves nothing more than getting her nose in other people’s business”

“Now you know I am not just the suspicious looking guy hiding behind a wall,” he laughed gently. “I am genuinely just a guy avoiding dinner with his parents tonight.” He paused. “Which doesn’t sound all that much better. But I swear I’m a nice guy.” He returned her smile, unable not to laugh again as she stepped to his side. “You too, Sofia. Ah, now I know your agenda. You wanted to know what I was up to.”

[beniswright]

samthemans​:

“And you’re saying if I date your grandmother you don’t want to come to the wedding.” He continued to smile at the man. “I guess you could buy me dinner and pretend this weird conversation never happened.”

“I’m not even going to indulge you and give you an answer,” he laughed, shaking his head. “Oh, now you want dinner? Wait, why do I have to buy it?”

[beniswright]

sidseemsfamiliar​:

Sid wasn’t sure about the stranger, but she didn’t actually have many friends in town besides the nurses she worked with. Perhaps it would be nice to get to know her area a bit. She rubbed her lips together, deciding to let him move on from talking about his mother and complicated upbringing. “Ah so you’re a brainiac. Got it. Totally would’ve guessed that or astronaut.” She joked. 

Ben smiled, enjoying her easy nature. He wished they’d met under better circumstances and was determined to show her he wasn’t just the guy hiding from his parents. “I suppose, yeah. I have Dr in my title. Is that bragging?” he laughed gently. “Oh now I need to know what part of me screams astronaut?”

[beniswright]

sidseemsfamiliar​:

Sid titled her head, smiling at the word coffee. It was exactly what she needed. “No? You’re not always a family hiding, mother hating, wall ducker?” 

Ben laughed at her choice of words, shaking his head. “No, I promise I am not always hiding from my mother behind a wall.” He smiled. “Come on, let me get you that coffee. I’m actually a college professor. That’s how I usually spend my time.”

[beniswright]

samthemans​:

“But we are friends. And sharing is caring and i know you worry about me.” He continued to grin, things slipped back to friendship so easily. “Yes. I demand to be appreciated.”

“I think there’s like a friend line that shouldn’t be crossed. A point you don’t need to share,” he laughed back at him. It was like things had never changed. “How can I appease you, friend?”

[beniswright]

samthemans​:

“Who are you to judge my type?” He continued to grin as his friends arm impacted his balance. “No i am original and unique and you will treat me as such.” 

“Hey, if you have your things. You do you, just don’t tell me about it,” he laughed, knowing they’d both always wind up the other. “Are you demanding me to?”

[beniswright]

samthemans​:

“She’s a lovely lady.” He teased, smiling as his friend did. “Yes. I’ve been keeping that pun for a good 25 years. It was good, don’t you think?”

“She is, she’s a lovely lady. She’s also 86,” he laughed, pushing his arm. “I’m sure someone has said it before you, right? Maybe that was my history teacher.”

[beniswright]

samthemans​:

“Only by a few decades, honestly i get along very well with grandmas.” He tried to keep his face seriously as his friend did. “Every man has his truth, just one of us is more right then the other. And it’s not the Wright who is right.” 

“Please stay away from my grandma,” he said, the corner of his mouth betraying him as they turned into a smile. “Oh, such a play on words. Have you been waiting all these years to use my surname against me?”

[beniswright]

sidseemsfamiliar​:

Sid’s eyes glanced towards the man. “Now you’re talking, i wasn’t even doing it for an incentive.” She smiled, finally standing up completely.  “I’m only judging you a bit for hiding from your poor mom.” 

Ben found himself smiling, nodding at her response. “I mean, your day has been interrupted by my weird. You’ve earned that coffee,” he laughed gently. “Only a little bit, huh? I love her really. I promise. I’m not always like this.”