Within a Dark Wood

Within A Dark Wood "The devil is not as black as he is painted" -- Peter Hannington -- Freshman Business/English Major Cabot Creek University -- Classics Club Student Senate Philosophy Club

[peterhannington-blog]

Text message sent 12:04

Asher: How the hell did you find 426 reasons to hate kids???

Asher: I'm...trying not to freak out too much? I'm trying to think of why we're locked up and I'm just coming up with weird conclusions so.

Asher: But I hope you're right and this is all just a drill

Asher: if it is then this school is taking it way too seriously. I mean sirens? really??

Asher: But at the same time, Melody said it was serious and all and we shouldn't leave our rooms...idk what to believe

Peter: children are the worst you just havent stopped to think about it long enough

Peter: im telling you its a stupid drill or something

Peter: the RA that unceremoniously shoved random people into our room didnt seem bothered at all

Peter: schools have to do these every so often to maintain safety standards or something idk and if they dont do it properly it doesnt count

Peter: and it would be like that melody chick to take everything super seriously

[flyinglikeflynn-deactivated2017]

@peterhannington @eleanor-platt 

Coffee craving had drawn Lucy out of the safety of the dorm. The steam from her London Fog drifted through the air as she bobbed her head to the beat of the Heathers musical. Suddenly she felt pressure on her arm. Lucy spun, headphones falling out of her ears to see an RA grasping onto her.

“Sorry love, you’ll have to come inside. Lockdown in place.” Lucy tried to read her face. Anxiety in the eyes but a calm demeanour nonetheless. 

“of… of course,” She stumbled through her words, following the RA into the building. Still holding her arm, the RA pulled her through the dorms, checking rooms as she went before stopping and holding open the door.

“In here, sweetheart. I have to go check on the others. I’m sure you’ll be out soon.”

The door slammed behind Lucy. She turned to meet the eyes of other students looking to her. 

“So…. what’s going on?”

[peterhannington-blog]

Peter’s phone buzzed, the plastic of it’s case hitting the wooden dresser by his bed in a symphony of irritation.  He was sitting on his impeccably made bed, reading a book he’d picked up in the bookstore on bargain.  If he had been given the desire of his heart in that moment, it was to be ignored by the world for but a few sweet hours.  Asher had left the room for something or other, taking his obnoxious tendency to strike up conversation with him, and so the solemn boy was grateful for some peace and quiet with which he could finally get to reading before his last class of the day. 

Not twenty minutes into his reading, the sound had pulled him out of the tale, and he rolled his eyes at the wall.  Leaning over, he picked up his phone to glance over the notification on the locked screen.  Frowing he read the message from the school’s alert system:

Level III threat on campus. All students and faculty should get indoors within a locked and secure room until further notice.

Right.  A Level III threat.  Because they had gone over that at Freshman Orientation.  Peter rolled his eyes, tossing his phone on the bed beside him.  He didn’t bother to move towards the door, expecting Asher to return from wherever he was in the building before long.  His attention returned to his book, panic far from him as he settled lower into the pillows on his bed.  

The door creaked open and a host of individuals were unceremoniously shoved into Peter’s room.  He didn’t even have time to react when the RA was saying something about locking the door behind her and staying inside, away from windows.  Peter jumped up to ask why his personal privacy was being violated, but the door was already slamming shut.

“Right.  Subtle.  We are in lock down but you can slam the door shut, that makes sense...”  As Peter was moving toward the door, it flung open again, and another girl was shoved unceremoniously into his room.  Biting back a harsh retort, Peter watched the door slam shut once more.  Finally, Peter made a dash for the door and locked it before someone else got shoved into his room.  The new arrival had the audacity to ask if he knew why there were suddenly intruders in his dorm.  

“Fuck if I know.  I just had a bunch of strangers shoved into my room without warning when I was trying to get some peace and quiet.”  He raised an eyebrow, looking the last girl up and down.  “So who are you, then?”  

[peterhannington-blog]

Morrigan: What do you think happens when we die?

“Our consciousness blinks out into darkness, we dissolve into nothingness, and become one with the fibers of the universe that string us all together.”  

[peterhannington-blog]

rubyredgilstein:

Ruby had to admit she felt triumphant when he agreed to like the sandwich, but that quickly died when he refused to eat some fucking onions. These were the kind of entitled pricks she used to hate back home - guys who thought they owned the world and just loved to mess with people because it amused them. Sure Ruby practice some of that arrogance, but she knew her place in the food chain. She was just a sour no one. 

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” she sighed, exasperated, not bothering one bit to hide the clear discontent with the customer. 

But, forcing the biggest smile, looking almost terrifying, Ruby stepped forward, grabbed the sandwich and started to pick out the onions, only to drop them one by one on the guys’ lap. Her green eyes glinted with pride as she pulled her stunt on him. 

Once the sandwich was free of onions, Ruby wiped her fingers on her apron and licked her lips. “Happy, sir?”

The look on Ruby’s face, while an almost imperceptible change, betrayed her annoyance followed quickly by the sigh and a mutter of exasperation.  Peter thought he had won this game, he thought he had conquered her attitude and he sat back in his seat in triumph.  That was until a huge, exaggerated smile broke out across her face, and a twinge of dread filled the pit of his stomach.  

When the first onion hit his lap, he wasn’t sure what filled him.  It didn’t quite feel like anger, though he had the urge to grab her by the wrist and force her own hand to throw the onions back in her face.  It was a power move, and Peter couldn’t help but respect her for it.  He also didn’t want to have to deal with the onions now seeping onion juice on his favorite pair of jeans.  When she was finished, he stared at her for a beat, his face expressionless.  He cleared his throat and pulled the plate closer to him, taking a bite and maintaining eye contact with her.  

“I’d like to speak to your manager.”  

[peterhannington-blog]

Unwanted or Wanted // Hector && Peter

Wednesday, September 13

@princeinname

It was midday, yet the birds sat flitting from tree to tree, singing their songs as if it were morning.  People walked around between classes, and Peter didn’t know what to do with himself.  He had never had this much free time in high school.  The strictly regulated schedule didn’t allow for this much time to think, and it made Peter itchy.  He had an hour before his next class, and he had already eaten lunch... 

What was a person supposed to do with themselves?

Peter assumed he would get more in terms of homework, later in the year.  Now, though he had absolutely nothing due in terms of school work.  There had been a reading was sitting on a bench, a copy of the latest Cabot Creek Cadet in his hands.  He had already read the headline, an article about Prince and his release.  Peter had only spoken to Hector at the glitter party, the worst night of Fresher’s week, in Peter’s opinion.  He hadn’t seemed the murdering type, but did a murder ever seem that cutthroat?

A few times in his life Peter had been accused of being a murder himself, mostly in jest, but sometimes seriously.  He didn’t know that Hector had it in him, the cold-blooded detachment it would have taken to kill someone and leave their car, continuing on like nothing was wrong for years.  That was even if the professor was dead, but without a body that was inconclusive.  

Sighing, Peter swung his bag onto the bench, pulling his legs up on the bench so he was lying on his back.  The paper lay open on his chest, his eyes closed as he attempted to drown out the noise around him.  He was lost in his thoughts, the loose outline of an epic saga he would never write drifting about in his head.  

[peterhannington-blog]

Text message sent 12:04

Asher: If you haven't then you've skipped some awkward conversations.

Asher: Or nice ones. It depends on the person. I haven't done it that many times, I just mostly asked around when I was little and kids have no filter, ya know?

Asher: I'm not gonna tell her that. She's freaking out she does not need someone sassing her rn

Peter: right. Reason number 426 why I hate kids

Peter: lizz? freaking out? hmm interesting

Peter: are you ok at least? I mean obviously this will blow over in like an hour and turn out to be some stupid drill

[peterhannington-blog]

Text message sent 12:04

Asher: Really? Ok then, you can do that too if you want. Idk how the two will take it

Asher: Sometimes people just...look similar to eachother? Like you see two people and you just wanna ask if they're related and hey they end up being related

Asher: sometimes, that's not a full-proof way

Asher: ...you're right, there's no way of telling.

Asher: You're borrowing books from eachother? Cool, I'll tell her.

Peter: its awkward enough as it is

Peter: i have never in my life asked someone if they are related because they looked alike

Peter: just forget it its fine

Peter: Oh im not borrowing from her. im just elevating her tastes. you can tell her i said that too

[peterhannington-blog]

Text message sent 12:04

Asher: Well you can't all just sit around ignoring eachother. That'd be weird.

Asher: It'd be like a really awkward family meeting where a random guy shows up and you don't even know him but he's apparently your relative

Asher: like that. Hey, maybe one of them is your relative and you're having an awkward family meeting rigth now

Asher: Oh yeah, Lizz is here with me. We once switched notebooks and yeah, atleast I kind of know her

Asher: we're not like best buddies or anything but still

Peter: why would it be weird. sounds perfect to me

Peter: well even if i was related i would have no way of knowing

Peter: Lizz? from down the hall? tell her i found that book i told her i would let her borrow

[peterhannington-blog]

Atum: What are your greatest imperfections?

“Some would say my apparent disregard for others, though that seems to have served me well thus-far.  I can be guarded about my past.  It’s in the past for a reason.”  

[peterhannington-blog]

professorryanfoster:

Ryan was taken by surprise when he heard a voice speaking to him. He hadn’t expected anyone to be wandering around so late at night and it scared him enough that he jumped. “What?” Ryan looked towards the other man, completely confused as to what was going on. “It’s that late already? Damn.”

“Yeah, it’s that late.”  Peter crossed his arms, eyeing the other person.  He was older, at least a grad student if not a professor.  In either case, his reason for poking around outside at midnight was something Peter needed to know.  “Can I help you with... whatever you’re doing?” 

[peterhannington-blog]

princeinname:

Hector laughed, falling a little from the alcohol already coursing through his veins. He quickly slammed his hand onto Peter’s shoulder to steady himself, over-leaning forward before righting himself. He took a moment to breathe, swallowing back the little bit of vomit that had come up. Fuck he needed another drink. When he finally felt a little better, Hector released his hand from the younger boy’s back and placed it onto the steps.

Younger boy… no. He corrected himself as he thought it. Peter wasn’t a boy from the way he behaved, and even if he was at a party he acted like he had stepped off the golf course with his father’s clubs. Which… yes Hector had done many times. Just from speaking to him, Hector would have expected the other to go into detail about the many shoes he wore, how his dorm was overflowing with them and he didn’t know what to do with all of them. At least, that’s how Hector would have behaved. 

“Hey yeah anytime. Actually - and this is probably the vodka talking - hit me up whenever you need business…. stuff. Or -” Hector hiccuped. “Or whatever. I’ve taken your classes. I’ve been in your shoes…” At the last time, Hector had to pause just to laugh. It was probably the best line he’d come up with all night, and he almost wanted to talk a look around to see if anyone else had heard it. Instead, he just shook his head. “Can’t help you with the job though. Never had one.”

Peter resisted the urge to shove the boy off of him, and was only paused by the fact that he pulled himself together before vomiting all over Peter.  He couldn’t hold back the grimace at he boy’s obvious intoxication.  His back was growing stiffer by the second, his natural aversion to contact magnified ten-fold at the older boy’s state.  For a graduate, he was an idiot.  

Peter looked him up and down once more, taking in the careful planning of his outfit, the elevated fabrics and the self-assured manner with which he spoke, even drunk.  Hector was the definition of entitlement, but Peter could weave that to his advantage.  As he hadn’t yet thrown up all over him, Peter figured he could play along for now.  

As Hector spoke again, Peter once again resisted the urge to play his emotions on his face.  This time a smirk of satisfaction struggled to curl the corner of his mouth upward, an inner victory even if the guy was close to blackout drunk.  Peter had him where he wanted him, a willing mentor who would help Peter along as he needed it.  He laughed at the sub-par joke, louder than he would have normally.  

“That’s a good one.  And... thanks.  I didn’t really know anyone coming to Cabot Creek... like no one in my hometown came here.  I was excited about it before the year started but now I feel kind of... I don’t know, lost.  It’s nice to have someone I can turn to.”  He grinned, putting a hand on the other boy’s shoulder and patting lightly.  “Or at least someone who has a better fashion sense.”  

[peterhannington-blog]

Text message sent 12:04

Asher: You could still do that. Or you three could talk. Or play a game. Like never have I ever. Or Overwatch, I have it on my computer. It's really good.

Asher: okay anyway yeah, glad you're ok too. Not in an ideal situation, but ok

Asher: Crystal sounds...familiar but idk. Never heard of Eleanor. I had a classmate called Eleanor in high school. Cheerleading squad captain, really cool.

Asher: I wish I knew more too tho, let's just...try and not freak out too much I guess?

Peter: right. I know you dont know me that well but you should know that i wouldnt want to CHIT-CHAT with a bunch of random people

Peter: and im not playing overwatch something tells me these girls arent gonna want to play a video game while we are locked in my room for an unknown reason

Peter: yeah all things considered im glad youre alright too

Peter: this eleanor is def not the cheerleading type

Peter: youre in there with another freshman you said?

[peterhannington-blog]

Room 322

“You mean to tell me you all are stuck in my room, my roommate nowhere to be found, and we have no idea why?”

@journalismcrystal @eleanor-platt

[peterhannington-blog]

Text message sent 12:04

Asher: I'm right next door to our room with another freshman

Asher: Melody texted me saying it's serious and that we should stay put

Asher: I'm...really confused about the whole thing

Asher: Atleast you're not alone tho, right??

Asher: There's some snacks in my drawers if you guys are hungry.

Peter: I think I would rather be alone. I could read without judgement

Peter: Well at least youre OK

Peter: Did melody tell you anything at all? Or was she super vague like usual?

Peter: thanks for the tip on the snacks Ill offer them to the girls, they seem more shaken up Eleanor and Crystal I think?

Peter: I just want to know whats going on.

[peterhannington-blog]

Text message sent 12:04

Peter: Asher where the fuck are you

Peter: Im shoved in our room with 2 people Ive never even seen before

Peter: Do you have any idea whats going on?!?!?

[vincent-carvalho-blog]

Peter Hannington && Melody Baxter

        ↪  “You’ll use me and I’ll let you. Is our friendship a friendship, or something else entirely?” 

[ Inbox me ‘⭐’ for an aesthetic of our muses, or inbox me a ‘⚡’ for a moodboard of our muses. Status: Accepting! ] [ @peterhannington ]

[peterhannington-blog]

Alpha to Omega // Anneliese && Peter

[peterhannington-blog]

annixxolsen:

Her gaze followed the direction he had indicated with visible interest, and Anni narrowed her eyes as she listened to his analysis and examined his “victims” of choice. It did make sense, but she would never have come up with it on her own. She didn’t have the patience for reading others, and also had to admit that with most people, she didn’t care enough to try either. As long as they didn’t feel bothered by her, but even that she was horrible at sensing. After a moment of silence spent examining the group (feeling rather little pity for anyone involved - they should just talk to each other about what was going on, right?), she turned her head around to face the boy again, eyes still narrowed with a playful expression: “I don’t know these people, but that sounds like a spot-on analysis. So you’re also here to learn everyone’s secrets. Guess that makes you even more of a good person to be around.” She crossed her arms on the counter, still staring at him: “Okay, leaving aside the fact that I’m really not quite as drunk yet as I would like to be … what did you see in me? I mean, before we started talking. Talking makes things too easy.” She was certainly hoping for some compliments, as Anni thrived on them and the reason she enjoyed alcohol so much was that it went a long way towards killing off the nagging voice that regularly piped up to remind her of how much she still sucked at a lot of things.

The thought that it was rude to sit on the counter and even worse to create a (albeit small) mess on the kitchen floor only crossed Anni’s mind for a fraction of a second, praise be to the alcohol. She liked having a vantage point, sitting in a way that made people pay attention to her now that they had a topic she was feeling more than comfortable with. He didn’t seem to mind, and the kitchen would be drowning in chaos in two hours anyways. Anni let the shoes slip back and forth on her feet, enjoying the weight of her soles for a moment before replying. “I can relate. Before I moved in there, I was actually a bit scared that it wouldn’t be able to get any work done there. Because, I don’t know about you, but as nice as parties are, I came here to get an education, yes? But at our place, it’s actually fine. I mean, yeah, there are parties, someone always has people over, we’ve had game night and movie night… but I think the most important thing is communication. Like when someone wants to invite a bunch of people over, they tell their housemates, and then you know in advance and can always stay at a friend’s place to study, that sort of thing. If you move somewhere and they don’t have that sort of system, that’s gonna be tough.” She closed her eyes for a moment, collecting her thoughts on the different fraternities, before continuing: “Sounds like Sigma Chi could be your place; they’re usually pretty chill, I’ve only ever been to, like, hang-outs at their place.” She lowered her voice a tad: “And don’t join Beta Theta, they’re crazy.”

Peter regarded her with a smug grin, shrugging a shoulder in an attempt to seem humble.  Of course he was good company to be around, that wasn’t even a question.  But this girl was starting to prove herself likewise.  She had good taste in drinks, good attitude, and wasn’t nearly as vapid as most of the other girls that stood laughing around the party.  She had an intelligence about her that drew Peter to her.  

“What did I see in you?  Well...”  He thought carefully, eyeing her once more before clearing his throat.  “You have an excitement about you, but don’t demand the attention of everyone around you.  It’s a natural attractiveness that is hard to resist.”  His attention fell to her drink, now sweating on the counter.  “You don’t have stereotypical choices in drink, which is great.  The number of margaritas I’ve made tonight...”  Peter grimaced, shaking his head.  “And the fact that you came over by yourself shows you are comfortable not only in your independence, but you are open to meeting new people.”  

He listened to her, taking in every word that she said.  Her information seemed helpful enough, though the personal anecdote about her own time in a sorority house was superfluous and an annoying attempt at creating common ground between them.  There was some sort of well-meaning advice about communication and Peter’s mind briefly turned to his disaster of a roommate, but turned back when she began mentioning certain fraternities.

Sigma Chi sounded alright, but Peter didn’t particularly want to be part of something “really chill”.  He wanted to be part of the best, not the easiest to be around.  Peter was in for a challenge, and Sigma Chi sounded like some sort of greek coffee shop.  His interest was piqued when she whispered to him about Beta Theta.  

“What makes them crazy?”  He leaned toward her, conspiratorially.  “I mean, are we talking crazy like ‘wildest ragers on campus’ or crazy like ‘once they found a dead body in the house’?”