guiltdream:
‘You.’
They were all coming back to haunt him now, weren’t they? He’d recognize that voice anywhere, even if it was just the dream that had brought it to him before.
Cody…
‘Haven’t you done enough, already?’
Those words were enough to send a chill down his spine as he turned around, swallowing roughly. He…he hadn’t told her he’d told….he’d told–
There’s no other reason for her to approach him like that if she hadn’t known. But…how…how had she. There wasn’t another Happy Dream was there, other versions of these people he knew? That wasn’t possible, it couldn’t be possible.
A hand trailed to his neck once more, to the scars that marred it. A habit now.
Her anger made some sort of emotion he couldn’t place tug at his chest he…he was almost pleased she was berating him already. He couldn’t even speak to defend himself - not like he would, she had every right to be angry with him like she was right now.
All Russell could do was stand there, radio silence between the two of them, opening his mouth to say something then closing it again.
“…..”
What could he even do?
Silence hung heavy in the air as it looked for a moment that Russell would try to respond, and Cody’s breath caught in her throat as she waited for the words. Even through her anger, she didn’t really want to hurt the boy, and a part of her was ready to accept any excuse, anything to make that moment feel right again.
What should have been only an instant of silence stretched on, though, and the desire for peace that had briefly overcame her was replaced with even more fury. After everything, she at least deserved an answer from Russell, didn’t she?
“Don’t you have anything to say for yourself? I know full well you’re not just some shy kid now, Russell.”
Taking a harsh step forwards, she could barely keep herself from shaking as she continued.
“You were never really the innocent friend you made yourself out to be, so you can just drop the act and-”
Cody was sure she had more to say as she got close enough to reach one hand out to Russell’s shoulder, shaking him briefly.
However, the forced movement made Russell’s throat, previously hidden partially by shadow, visibly obvious to Cody, and the sight of its state cut off any thought, much less the words that died in her own throat.
“... R-Russell, where did... when did you get that...”
There it was again, the pity that fought against any of her anger, determined to not let her forget the quiet boy she had cared so much for. Removing her hand from his shoulder, she backstepped enough to give some distance between them once more, unsurety painting her face.
“You... didn’t have that in town...”
















