NOSTALGIC.

𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 — 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒃𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒂.

[nextchaptcrs]

well, well, well… if it isn’t ELLIOTT ARCHER, the FORTY-ONE year old LIBRARY CLERK, who is best known around town for KILLING SOMEONE IN A CAR ACCIDENT ALMOST 20 YEARS AGO. apparently they’ve been living in RED RIDGE HEIGHTS for A MONTH |(since the beginning of april 2026), and according to word on the street they are PRO-PRESERVATION. i’ve heard that they are quite FRIENDLY & RESENTFUL, and if their life had a theme song it would be THE VIEW BETWEEN VILLAGES (EXTENDED) by NOAH KAHAN.

Basics:

Full name:  Elliott Archer

Nicknames:  Eli, Archer

Gender:  Cis male

Pronouns:  He/Him

Sexuality: Bisexual

Aesthetics:  Black coffee, crunched leaves, red dirt ingrained in boots, writing in a journal, smell of old books, bad memories playing over and over again, always needing a haircut, bright pink nails, expired drivers license, looks angry but rarely is, handwritten notes, unsaid things

Age:  41

Date of birth:  May 9h, 1985

Zodiac sign:  Taurus

Residence:  Small house in Red Ridge Heights

Occupation:  Author & library clerk

Family:

Mother:  Nora Bennett

Father:  Elias Archer

Siblings:  Ellie Bennett (25)

Children:  Juniper Archer (10)

Grandparents: Evelyn and Arthur Murray (deceased)

Pets:  none

Other:  Allison Myers (Juniper's mother); Tucker Bennett (Nora's husband)

FULL BIO + CONNECTIONS. | PINTEREST BOARD.

[sunsetfumes]

FROM: paige beckett <[email protected]> TO: kenneth sorkin <[email protected]> SUBJECT: flex your imagination

that is very cool, kenny. i'm happy for you. genuinely. be excited and enjoy the process. that's a big deal and you shouldn't run from it or feel any need to hide how good it makes you feel. what's the plot of this third book? 👀

you're welcome. but that's life, kenny. you've gotta get through it and the roads you take on this journey of it aren't always going to be pretty and comfortable. the journey is where it all happens though, however big or small. so, keep traveling!

for some lucky bastards out there their goals and dreams are met easily. some fuckers can achieve whatever they set their heart and mind to and make it happen just like that. then there's people like you and me who have to grind through. for me, personally, it's been going to hell and back a few times. the fact that it came out of necessity just confirms that it was meant to be for you. it was something innate. the universe said you've got a purpose and you got hit with fate. i've spent so much of my life afraid of one thing or another. the thing is...getting back into filmmaking is going to cost me a lot. i have to lose something really big for me to be available to do it. we're talking something that's absolutely gonna break me. then the subject the producer is after me for to make...i don't know if i can face all that.

why are you so curious about me? i emailed you on accident about your book and you're curious about me?

if it has more than one definition then neither of us is right or wrong, yeah? it's all subjective, isn't it? but what is it you think you deserved?

that explanation makes sense to me. i get it now. i understand where you're coming from. so, i do appreciate you sharing that. i don't think you're a pretentious asshole. we both just have strong opinions and stick to them. but i think that's a good thing. to have a backbone. to stand for something. in the end you've accomplished your goal and you've set yourself free from whatever compelled you to write to get it all out. whatever it was.

you've got an imagination, don't you? 😂 i don't think most writers live through the stories they write and share or fucking hell i really feel for crime and horror writers. if you don't feel ready then that probably means its the right time for you to do it. if you feel you have unfinished business somewhere then you'll need to resolve that to feel at peace. you know what you should probably be happy that alice and i don't talk. does she have access to your emails? is she reading these?

thank you! i'm proud of the work i did and with how it was received but like writing its a process that takes a lot out of you. especially since it was personal in many aspects. i gave you the name of the film so that you could check it out if you wanted. it felt fair since i've seen your art. so, yeah, watch it if you want. it's still up on prime.

paige

sent 11:17am

[nextchaptcrs]

FROM: kenneth sorkin <[email protected]> TO: paige beckett <[email protected]> SUBJECT: Ripple by Paige Beckett THOUGHTS/QUESTIONS?!? (Actually, more thoughts than questions per se)

Hey, so I just finished your documentary and... Excuse me? At first I thought I'd need 3-5 business days to begin to process the whole thing, but like... No. There's an immediate NEED to talk about it. I mean, holy shit. You don't even know how much it resonated with me. I wish I'd known about when it came out.

It very much needed to exist and thank you for making it. Now I'm the one mad at you, because I'm invested and I wanna keep watching where they all go.

I couldn't help but remember you saying how Muted Chaos made you understand how lonely you are. I could see more how you approach that feeling in Ripple, even if maybe you hadn't grasped it fully at the time. But let me tell you: I feel less alone after watching it.

Yes, I got our whole conversation flow messed up but, like I said, had to talk about it. And I also couldn't pass up the opportunity of mirroring your lovely first e-mail. It made me curious about you because of the honesty, by the way. And because it was the first of its kind. I don't usually read reviews or answer readers. I know I should, but I'm usually not much of an internet guy.

Wouldn't you be curious about me too if you'd got just these first three paragraphs out of the blue?

I'm really sorry about the fact that going back to storytelling would take that much out of you. Do you think someday the universe's gonna say you've got a purpose and hit you with fate? And if you don't mind me asking, what would this subject be?

Well, I deserved to get a whole lesson from you on the word remarkable. You kinda owned me. But we can settle on the subjectivity of it all. ;)

Oh, I hate to hit you with the "I'm not like most writers" cliché, but... That's kinda it. I take inspiration from real events (as I'm sure you'll get because you chose to do a documentary), they're the foundation of everything. So, I have to live through new stuff to get a plot. Luckily, there's a lot of that happening right now, so in the future I'll definitely have to suck it up and take your advice, and even my own; use the fear to get back into it. Want me to keep you posted?

Kenny

sent 3:48am

FROM: kenneth sorkin <[email protected]> TO: paige beckett <[email protected]> SUBJECT: RE: The new book

I feel stupid for forgetting to get to the very first thing you said.

But thank you! I'll definitely try to enjoy the process but, as a filmmaker, I think you can grasp how much of a torture the editing and revision process can be.

And I definitely should not be talking about the plot, haha. But I can say it's a story on young love.

Also, Alice is not reading these, I made sure of it. She only got your very first e-mail, because it did hit her inbox before being forwarded to me. So you'll probably get a reply from her soon, probably some standard one the marketing team from Gray provides.

sent 4:12am

[sunsetfumes]

for the time being tyler simply listened and took in the strength of emotion that'd come with what elliott had shared with him. even in the lull, the pause before his friend continued on he hadn't rushed to fill that space to argue any point or ask any questions. he let it settle and noted the energy coursing through elliott with the way he tapped on the bottle. "why haven't you written since prison?" tyler finally asked after a while. "you think that was all you had in you? or you've said all you've wanted to say?" mostly this was curiosity since he'd felt his friend had been getting defensive.

with a pat on the back of elliott's shoulder, tyler grinned at him. "hope you've got your song picked out, and i hate you too."

saved by the bell. tyler audibly groaned and even laughed at how his friend had gotten lucky, their serious conversation getting interrupted at just the right moment. truthfully, he hadn't expected that elliott would get up on the stage but when he did tyler was both amazed and grinning. until elliott made it about him. so he groaned again, knowing he needed to save his friend like always before he drowned. he made his way to the stage and took the mic that was offered to him, making sure to nudge elliott with his shoulder once he was up there with him. "hey friends, i promise he's not gonna make your ears bleed. i'm just here for background vocals and so you have something nice to look at."

[nextchaptcrs]

Elliott's anxiety was mostly from being in a stage, yes, but he was also anticipating the conversation he'd have to get back to as soon as the song he had yet to choose ended. Writing and coming back to Sedona were both very sensitive and very intertwined subjects.

While Tyler entertained the crowd, he stared at the list of songs and thought about bolting. But then he remembered his teenage self, who went on endless karaoke nights. Every time Juniper asked to meet a place in Sedona Elliott had bad memories associated with it, she'd say life was all about making new ones. And the perfect opportunity was waiting. That was ultimately the reason why he pressed the button and cleared his throat while Northern Attitude started playing. He had no idea if Tyler would recognize the song, but, if not, he was in for a hell of a ride.

"Breathin' in, breathin' out. How you been? You settled down?" Elliott sang, alternating looking at a blank spot in the wall and peeking at his friend's reactions. He'd taken notice of how amazed Tyler seemed when he got on stage and was definitely expecting a snarky comment about it later. Especially because the crowd seemed to be enjoying what they'd been hearing so far. After the first chorus, Elliott turned to his friend with a playful smile. "What, you're suddenly shy now?"

[sunbleachcd]

As he handed her his phone, Summer punched in her name and number, complete with a small yellow sun emoji in the space where her last name should be. If Elliott was going to use an old nickname, then she was going to embrace it. Especially when she'd been called far worse. "I guess. Although, I'm beginning to wonder if consistency might be a bad thing in my instance," she commented with a chuckle, though the woman's expression soon shifted to one of curiosity. "You write? You want to be a writer?" She had never pegged him as the type, and yet discovering this goal somehow made sense in her brain. "What kinds of things do you write? I've gotta see your work!"

[nextchaptcrs]

Elliott looked around, as if he was looking for a way to escape the conversation, and he also suspected Summer could be doing the same thing by focusing on the writing, apart from the genuine surprise. But, alas, a genuine smile was already on his lips. "Uh, I do. It started as just something to pass the time in, you know, prison." His smile dropped a little, but he quickly spoke again, not wanting to ruin the vibes. "I don't know if I can handle the anxiety of anyone reading anything yet." He wrinkled his nose as a laugh escaped his lips when he thought about the irony of what he'd just said. "It's just fiction? Literary fiction, if you wanna hold on to industry terms. It's all pretty focused on the aspiring part of aspiring writer. I just haven't done anything about it, really."

[rafaelxxnavarro]

"A professional, huh?" His brows lifted. "Well now that's reassuring." The joke came easily enough. He rolled the bottle between his fingers before answering. "Depends on the minute." Most people would assume he was talking about what had brought him out there in the first place. "Some of the minutes, when I look up there, everything feels a little less important because it's kind of comforting. And then in the other minutes, I realize I'm standing on a rock and feeling like I might fly through space while worrying about things I can't control." There were a lot of those minutes. "Honestly, it feels like my life is sitting in one place and I'm sitting somewhere else looking at it."

[nextchaptcrs]

"I mean, what can I say? You lucked out." He laughed, but was locked in by the time the man started speaking again. "Hm". Elliott nodded, nudging him to keep going. "That bad, then." He started, a knowing smile almost fainting from his face. "I feel like there are times we don't know if we'll ever become a part of our real lives when we have no idea where the fuck it's happening." His gaze was then directed at the sky, while putting both hands in his pockets. "You feel like there's a lot you can't control these days?"

[nevermindcrs]

miriam: that's how it seems to me too. the only thing i don't understand is why? sending a message makes the most sense, but it seems like the chapel is coming out stronger from this situation. the whole town is. miriam: interesting. i'll remember that if i'm ever late returning a book... miriam: is it a really good book, or did they forget about it? my parents were always strict with due dates. miriam: even with those things considered, yeah. this place has been kind to me.

[nextchaptcrs]

Elliott: I mean, we have those leaked audios... Anyway, all I know it's everyhing's been awfully quiet ever since the last police report. So maybe you're right and whoever did this is pissed 'cause it backfired. Elliott: I think both? I was suposed to take the book with me to get her an extension so she'd have the time to finish, but it totally slipped my mind. Elliott: That's good to know. I know we don't know each other that well, but I feel like you deserve the kindness. It might not seem that much like it right now considering what happened, but I promise Sedona has a lot of it to offer.

[sunbleachcd]

Before the man could so much as finish his sentence, there was a slam as the bathroom door flew open and the little girl came barrelling back down the hall. While she didn't know Juniper, it was easy to see how she took after her father. "It's no problem, really. I hope you two settle in nicely. Moving is always hard work."

Her expression softened as the little girl spoke, Sage's eyes landing upon the novel that had garnered so much excitement. "Oh, you've read it too? I finished it a while back and I'd love to hear your thoughts! Kenneth Sorkin has become one of my favorite authors over the years, so I usually have one of his novels on rotation."

[nextchaptcrs]

"God, don't even get me started on that. How do we have so much stuff?" He replied, a shy smile showing on his lips. His gaze was now focused on his former close friend, trying to capture every glimpse of her reaction after the mention of the book — his book. "Wow, really?" His whole face lit up, and he chuckled. She had no idea what those words really meant to him.

He had only ever talked about his writing with his grandparents, back in the day, and very briefly now when his mother decided to ask; and mostly because his family were the only ones who knew. Knowing that Kenneth's writing resonated with Sage meant that they still had something of their old friendship, in a way. "I think I'm gona need a re-read, to be honest. It was... A lot. Uh, the way he describes feelings is what definitely stood out for me. But what I'm getting is you're the Kenneth Sorkin specialist here, so maybe you can help me out."

[sunsetfumes]

TYLER: why don't you and your amazing kid just come over? i'll get your bellies full with good stuff. TYLER: it's because i'm right, isn't it?

[nextchaptcrs]

Elliott: You're a godsend. Elliott: Dessert's on us, we'll be right there.

[nathanxmeyer]

Elliot's words hit hard. Hitting him in places that he'd spent a long time trying not to look at directly. His jaw remained tight and his gaze was fixed somewhere on the table between them as Elliot spoke. Everything inside of him wanted to push back. It wasn't that simple, was it? Grief didn't carry logic, he knew because he'd spent far too many years trying to convince himself that it did. Instead, his grief had built a home inside himself and it was difficult to remember what life felt like before that.

A long stretch of silence stretched between them as Elliot finished. It was after a few moments that Nathan finally let out a slow breath. "You always were stubborn as hell." There was no bite behind his words. No, it was familiarity more than anything. "Part of me knows you're right." The admission fell from his lip. "I've known for a long time."

His gaze drifted to the window briefly before returning to Elliot. "I can't tell you how many families I've stood in front of to know how this works. If someone sat across from me and told me the same exact story, I would tell them it wasn't their fault, too."

Because he would. Without hesitation.

"I've spent so much time being angry at you. Some of it was deserved, some of it wasn't." Nathan paused for a beat. "Truth is, it was easier to be angry at you than I was just as angry at myself."

[nextchaptcrs]

He lifted his eyebrows and a small smile began to appear. "That's the part we want to hold on to, Nate." The old nickname he used to say to annoy Nathan slipped without Elliott even realizing, at first. Juniper also seemed to feel the energy getting less heavy, because she stood up and bolted for the bathroom, which usually meant she was ready to live. The man was quickly distracted by his daughter, but Nathan's next words brought him right back. "I know you would. And it's fine to need people to remind you that it isn't your fault. I don't mind doing that. I don't think anyone does."

Elliott heard a strange, humorless laugh coming out of his own mouth. "See, I don't think there's a world where there's a type of anger I deserve and a type of anger I don't. But what I do know, for sure, is there should not be any anger directed at you. I hope the day comes when you can see it like that too. Truly see it." He stared at Nathan for a while, taking it all in again.

It was the first time he saw his best friend in more than a decade. They were both so different from the newly adults they had been when it all happened. And even more different than the two kids who met and were never seen without the other ever since.

He finally got up, quickly grabbing his daughter's stuff and only then taking a look on what she'd been doing the whole time instead of homework. A quick sketch of Nathan with a serious expression, likely the one he'd kept on during the entire conversation, a milkshake in front of his face and the words sorry again about your pants! drink up or it's gonna go bad :) scribbled. Elliott turned the drawing to Nathan's side of the table, now with an actual smile on his face. "She's heard a lot about you and thinks you're the coolest so I just know how embarrassed she is about this whole thing." In the distance, he saw Juniper outside the bathroom, patiently waiting by the door. The man took a few steps and said goodbye with a light squeeze on Nathan's shoulder and a quick "Take care." before walking away.

— end of thread.

[nextchaptcrs]

[ 🧩 ]

[ 🧩 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat’s a truth about themselves they refuse to admit ?

That he came back to Sedona for himself, and not because of any other reason he tells other people and wants to make himself believe to be truth. Deep down, Elliott knows that Sedona is the right place for him and it always has been. He just finds it impossible to recognize that, especially considering all the pain it caused him: his father leaving, the accident, prison, the relationship with his absent mother and the death of his grandparents.

[nextchaptcrs]

[ 🕊️ ]

[ 🕊️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhen did they feel the safest ?

Ironically, it was during his teenage years in Sedona. At the time, Elliott wanted nothing more than to leave as soon as possible but, looking back, he now realizes what he thought was boring, was just a safe environment where "nothing ever happened". He had his grandparents, friends and girlfriend looking out for him, and a good life overall. He so wishes there was nothing ever happening again now.

[nextchaptcrs]

🧪what is your biggest regret?

"Okay, here's the thing. There's the accident, of course, and everything I've fucked up over the years after that. They're up there on the list, definitely, and the thing I'm about to say it's a consequence of it all... But ever since Juniper came along, my biggest regret's about not being there for her since day one. It took me two years to get sober and trust myself enough to be with a child. I can never get those first two years back, you know? This also scares the shit out of me, if I'm totally honest. Being a father is all I am, and I know, rationally, that June's mother would never take it away from me, but she could if she wanted to. They'd have plenty of reasons to take my kid away. So, yeah. Biggest regret."

[nextchaptcrs]

🦇💼🌀🕯️💭

[ 🦇 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat is a fear they never talk about ?

ALCOHOLISM TW Relapsing. Elliott can talk about his relationship with alcohol and how he hit rock bottom way too quickly in the right time with the right people, but he always leaves out the horror he feels everytime he thinks that he could relapse someday. He constantly pretends to be confident about it, like that would never happen. But even with 7+ years of sobriety, the fear is no better than it was on day 1.

[ 💼 ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat do they always carry with them ?

Aside from the usual combo of house keys, wallet and phone, Elliott always makes sure to have: a cap (not to be worn inside the library, ever), a notepad with a pencil (because you never know when an idea may come), a small sewing kit (it's surprinsingly convenient at times!), his current read and his drivers license (even though it's expired and he does not drive).

[ 🌀 ]ㅤ.ㅤdo they have a recurring dream or nightmare ?

He often dreams about court. After the judge reads him his sentence, and it all should be over, ir re-starts. The second time around, every person who ever mattered to Elliot takes the stand one by one and just stares at him. They don't say a word or do anything, they don't even react. They all just stand there and Elliott gets to look at them.

[ 🕯️ ]ㅤ.ㅤwhat memory do they replay when they’re alone ?

There's two main ones. The first one is, of course, the moments right before and after the accident. He swears he can almost hear him and Paige fighting loudly, feel the impact of the crash, taste the hopelessness of getting out of the car and not seeing anyone else moving and see the blurry road and tress as he runs away. He forces himself to replay the second one when the first one becomes too much to handle. It's his first time seeing his daughter after leaving the clinic. First time being sober while seeing her. Juniper's tiny hands were everywhere: his hair, his beard, his mouth, his nose, his hat. Remembering how her voice sounded when she kept saying "Hello, bye-bye, hat, hat, nose, eye, mommy" helps the most when trying to snap out of the bad memory.

[nextchaptcrs]

🧪 Are you giving up on Paige or will you fight for her?

🧪 how do you feel about how things went down with paige?

🧪 how do you feel about paige?

"Okay, damn." Elliott took a deep breath, knowing he couldn't escape any of the questions. "I think things went down in the worst way possible as I kept fucking everything up and also made sure to do it one last time eight years ago..." He cleared his throat, already feeling a lump forming. "But, ultimately, it was, uh, for the best? She needed to be free. I loved her. In a way that I think I'll never fully understand nor can I love anyone else like that again. But I felt like it wasn't right for her to waste another second on me. I regret the way I did it, but that's something I have to live with and I try not to hold onto any hope of forgiveness or whatever." The silence lingered for a while. "But now we're both here and there's her pop pop... Listen, I guess there's not much to fight for if I think about the past. We're not those kids anymore. I'd never give up on Paige again, it was insanity enough to have done it a first time. So I'd like to fight for something, yes, anything. Anything she wants, really. I think we can get to a nicer place of understanding each other."

@sunsetfumes

[nextchaptcrs]

Location: Somewhere with an elevator Starter for: @nevermindcrs [ Ozan ]

Of course it would happen on the day that Elliott was late to pick up Juniper at school. Not even two minutes after he'd entered the elevator and had given a small nod to the man already inside, it stopped with a loud noise. Just a great start to the week, in general. He quickly looked at the other man, and then around. Find a solution first, then panic, he thought to himself, as a red light started to flash in the tiny space. There was a phone near the panel. Upon putting it to his ears, his expression turned to confusion as he searched for the man again. "Sounds like the line's busy."

[desertblvsh]

Nadia's expression shifted the moment he said it, like the ground under her was suddenly shaky. High school. Tutoring. It should've clicked, but it didn't quite. Her body certainly knew something her brain didn't. It almost felt like.. he was talking about her. No, it couldn't be. "I think I knew an Elliott once. He was.." she trailed off, shaking her head as the memory brushed too close. Honestly, she didn't actually remember.. but she remembered looking up the accident many years ago, and learning about the driver of the car she'd been in. Her gaze stayed on him a moment longer, uncertainty creeping in now where recognition should've been settling. Then she exhaled softly, forcing a small, apologetic smile as she glanced down at the counter, suddenly feeling a bit foolish. "Sorry," she murmured. "I think I've got the wrong person. That just.. threw me off for a second."

[nextchaptcrs]

Elliott held her gaze, looking at the woman and getting a bit worried. Something was definitely going on, but neither of them could put a finger on what it was, exactly. "It's okay. Maybe I just have one of those faces." He smiled back, trying to sound reassuring and looking at her again. Actually looking this time. "Is your last name..." He stopped suddenly, trying to remember the exact last name, but also hoping to be wrong. Hoping that if he didn't speak into existence, they could just laugh about all the awkwardness. Maybe she just had one of those faces too. "Are you Nadia Torres?" Now both his eyebrows were raised, in desbelief. Why would she be back here? "Sorry, I probably sound crazy now and there's probably more than one Nadia around, but..."

[nevermindcrs]

the firefighter felt a flush of warmth rush to his cheeks. as a man without children or any close friends with them, his mind hadn't gone there. "right." he tipped his chin upward, a curious pinch at his brows as he processed the clarification. surely there was someone else better suited for the conversation, and yet, he lingered. "and how do you feel about her going to someone else's place? as a kid, my grandparents were strict about sleepovers. if someone wanted me to crash at their place, they just had to crash at ours." his older brother hadn't followed that rule, and he watched his grandfather sit patiently in his recliner from dusk to dawn waiting for jack to roll through the front door. mav scratched at his stubbled jaw and chuckled lowly. "definitely makes a difference."

[nextchaptcrs]

"Yeah, I don't know, man. My grandparents were cool with sleepovers, so I feel like I should also be okay, but it isn't it different? Like, me and my friends just played videogames all night, you know? What do little girls do on theirs?" He ran his hand through his hair and showed Maverick the book he'd tossed before. "It doesn't say anything about that in here." He raised his eyebrows at the man's answer, shaking his head. "Okay, I get what you mean now. But it's not like the adult one options end up being bad. Or do you have horror stories?"