pyrocidal

An independent ask/RP/mediocre art blog for the pyromaniac from Outlast. OC/AU friendly. Mun and muse are over 21. NSFW blog.

[irritableteadrinkersarchive]

◈

Send a ◈ for a first kiss between our muses.

~~~

   Previous, Jack had made numerous advances towards him. And the Guard has simply brushed it off. But this time - strangely enough - Simon made no attempt to push the other man away. Was in the booze currently fogging his mind? Maybe the stress of this place had gotten to him?

   Or the fact this inmate was the only one actually treating him like a normal person?

   It was dangerous, getting close to a man he was supposed to be keeping in line. A guard and an inmate? Being intimate? He’d probably lose his job. Then again, the other Guards and Doctors were doing far worse things to the inmates. Simon was quite a Saint compared to them...

   The other man’s hands were buried in his work shirt, pulling him close as lips collided with his own. The strong taste of scotch still lingering upon Jack’s tongue, the bottle they had been sharing knocked to the side as Simon moved a hand up to cup the un-burned side of Jack’s face. Deepening the kiss for a moment, before seeming to come to his sense. Pulling away from a now confused Jack. 

   “Wait..” He murmured breathlessly. “... This probably.... isn’t the smartest thing to do, you know.. That and I’m very drunk right now...”

[pyrocidal]

Jack laughed darkly and pulled Simon close against him again, “Smart thing to do? Look at us. You took a job in a nut house, got all friendly with a lunatic, we’re past smart now.” Jack took another swig from the bottle, and shoved Simon against the wall. His room was small and dirty, with nothing more than a shabby bed and a toilet. He had Simon in with him alone, and his blood ran hot. Jack’s hands shook as he ran them up Simon’s sides. “What’s the matter? Afraid we’ll get caught? You wouldn’t be the first to come looking for a little action.” Simon’s skin felt like salvation against his calloused hands, and he buried his face against Simon’s neck to inhale the cheap cigarette and shampoo smell of him. The stuffy air in the room was heady, dizzying, an aroma of tired sweat and brown liquor. Jack slid his hands up Simon’s clammy back, then grabbed fistfuls of his hair. “Worried I’ll hurt you?” He breathed, eyes wild.

[irritableteadrinkersarchive]

🍷💖

Send a "🍷💖" and My Muse will drunkenly flirt with Your Muse

~~~

   “Hey Jaaaaaaaaaaack.”

   Simon was clearly drunk; judging by his slurred words, and the fact he was wielding a mostly empty bottle of whiskey. With a lop sided smile upon his features, he plopped his chin down upon Jack’s shoulder, peering at him. “Heeeeey..... do you like Baaaacon?”

   A rather odd question. Maybe Simon was attempting some form of terrible flirtation? He never was really any good at it after all. Even more so when drunk. 

              “Wanna strip?”

                                 Oh no, sweetie....

[pyrocidal]

[irritableteadrinkersarchive]

“I can’t wait anymore...”

   “Bloody Hell, Jack. Now is not the-”

   His words were cut off as lips clashed against his own. There was an urgency behind Jack’s actions; like a beast who had been denied food for far too long. Fingers clung to the other’s shirt, trying to steady himself as the other pushed him up against the wall. Pinning him in place. 

   Simon would have been a bit more firm with his protests, but with Jack’s hand finding it’s hair to his hair.... well, safe to say the Brit was far too busy mewling against the other man’s lips to protest all that much. Damn that weakness of his... bloody hair betraying him again.

[pyrocidal]

“Not the time?” Jack growled against Simon’s mouth. “When is the time? We live in a fucking asylum.” Simon was supple in his hands, half heartedly resisting but not so much that Jack would think he truly didn’t want it. One hand cupped the back of Simon’s head, fisted in his hair and wrenching his head back, and Jack leaned in to inhale the musky soap clean scent of his neck. It felt as if his heart was ready to leap out of his chest and splatter against the wall. Too long since their last tryst, Jack thought, too long without the feeling of skin against skin and their tired bodies pressing against one another. “Let the others watch, I don’t care.”

[pyrocidal]

my fav nerds @irritableteadrinker

[pyrocidal]

(👁) My muse wakes your muse up because they can’t sleep.

Jack was dreaming of the tropics, somewhere warm and clear and breezy. Palm trees and sea spray, the songs of birds he was sure he’d never heard. Then the shaking started. He fell to the ground and covered his head with his hands. Was it an earthquake? His body felt like it was swaying violently, and he felt pressure on his shoulders.

In bed, Jack sat up ramrod straight and sucked in a gulping gasp of air. “Jesus christ,” he exclaimed. Simon was watching him sheepishly, a hand on his broad shoulder. “What? What is it? Did something happen?” Jack asked, eyes dancing around the room, looking for a threat.

[pyrocidal]

☄️

(☄️) Our muses watch a meteor shower.

When Maggie called Jack late at night suggesting they watch the meteor shower, he was increudlous. It was mid-August, and the air was sticky, hot, and oppressive. Not to mention the mosquitoes. Jack hated bugs. Maggie plied him with a bottle of Maker’s Mark, and he found himself laying on the side of a dark grassy hill. He took a long swallow of the whiskey and a deep inhale of his cigarette.

“These fuckin’ bugs are driving me nuts,” he grumbled, swatting another of the biting pests off his arm. Suddenly, a bright trail lit up the sky and streamed toward the black horizon. Jack sat straight up, eyes wide with surprise. The cigarette fell out of his scarred mouth. “What the fuck was that?” In all of his 30 odd years, he’d never seen a shooting star.

[archersbadrpmemes]

☾Moonlight Aesthetic Starters☽

⋆Feel free to send more than one!

⋆To reverse, send ‘+✨’

⋆Indoors

(🌙) My muse comes over to your muse’s house/room to spend the night.

(💤)My muse finds your muse sleeping in bed with them.

(💭) My muse wakes your muse after having a dream/nightmare.

(📓) My muse stays up studying till midnight.

(📖) My muse reads a book/bedtime story for your muse.

(👁) My muse wakes your muse up because they can’t sleep.

(🍵) My muse cares for your sick muse in the middle of the night.

(🎐) My muse finds yours outside their house when they are suppose to be in bed.

(🧳) My muse is getting ready for work but your muse stops mine.

(☀️) Our muses watch the sunset and moon arise.

(🌅) Our muses stay up till sunrise.

(🎮) Our muses stay up playing video games.

(🥪) Our muses make a midnight snack.

(📺) Our muses watch tv together.

(📼) Our muses watch a movie/vhs tape together.

(🛌) Our muses make a pillow fort.

(🛋) Our muses are hanging out in the living room.

(🛁) Our muses take a nighttime bath together. (With rose petals and candles included.)

(🌧) Our muses watch the rain outside their window.

(💥) Our muses get a power outage.

(⚫️) Our muses are in a pitch black room.

(🕯) Our muses light some candles.

⋆Outdoors

(☕️) My muse finds your muse at a coffee shop, alone.

(🍳) My muse finds your muse at a diner.

(🥃) My muse finds your muse in a bar, late at night.

(⛪️) My muse finds yours at a church.

(🌃) My muse meets yours in the nighttime city.

(🚎) My muse finds yours in a public bus.

(🚊) My muse finds yours taking the same subway train.

(🚂) My muse finds your muse on the same train as them, still awake.

(🚗) My muse drives your muse at night.

(🏍) My muse drives in the middle of the night on their motorcycle with your muse holding on to mine.

(🌲) My muse finds your muse in the forest in the middle of the night.

(🌊) My muse finds your muse at the beach in the middle of the night.

(🛡) My muse saves your muse from getting beaten up by a gang.

(🎉) My muse meets yours at a party. (House party, club, etc.)

(🔭) Our muses go stargazing.

(☄️) Our muses watch a meteor shower.

(🎆) Our muses watch a firework show.

(🎇) Our muses bought their own fireworks! Let’s light ‘em up!

(🎑) Our muses go to a night festival together.

(🛒) Our muses go shopping together for groceries or other things.

(🛍) Our muses go to the mall.

(🏬) Our muses go to a restaurant.

(🎞) Our muses go to the movie theatre.

(🔥) Our muses go camping together.

(🎸) Our muses go to a concert.

(🎧) Our muses go to the club.

(🏚) Our muses entered an abandoned area. (House, construction site, town, etc.)

(🚫) Our muses go to places they shouldn’t.

(🚔) The cops are after our muses.

(🚕) Our muses take a taxi home.

(🗺) Our muses get lost. (In the forest, mountains, city, etc.)

(☔️) Our muses get stuck in the rain.

⋆Misc

(🕛) My muse points out that it’s midnight for your muse.

(🎵) My muse sings your muse a lullaby.

(🌠) My muse points out a shooting star and wants yours to make a wish! Quick!

(🌱) My muse catches yours watering a potted plant/garden.

(💧) My muse cries in front of yours.

(🚬) My muse catches your muse doing late night smoking.

(⛓) My muse rubs their fingers against your muse’s scars.

(💔) My muse help washes blood off your muse.

(🐾) My muse accidentally reveals a secret that they have been hiding from your muse. (Being a werewolf, vampire, demon, etc.)

(📻) Our muses listens to the radio.

(👻) Our muses tell ghost stories.

(🌷) Our muses walk around a garden.

(🎤) Our muses do karaoke.

(🐺) Our muses hear howling in the distance.

(📷) Our muses take pictures of each other in the moonlight.

(👄) Our muses whisper secrets and promises to each other.

(🤝) Our muses hold hands in the moonlight.

(🍽) Our muses have a dinner date.

(💃) Our muses dance in the moonlight.

(💋) Our muses kiss under the moonlight.

(💍) My muse asks to marry yours in the moonlight.

⋆Quotes

“I can see the moon and stars in your eyes.”

“Your the prettiest star I have ever seen..”

“Wow.. the moon looks so pretty..”

“I’m a little sleepy..”

“I wish I could jump over the moon!”

“Nah, I don’t feel like sleeping!”

“C’mon!! Let’s dance!”

“The moonlight is our spotlight! The stars is our audience!”

“Look! A shooting star!”

“I wish for..”

“Shh! Don’t say your wish out loud or it won’t come true!”

“I’m not really a.. *yawn*..night owl..”

“D-Did you hear that?”

“I can hear a cricket chirping.”

“I can hear an owl.”

“I think we’re lost..”

“Ahhh!! A wolf!!”

“Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“The moon/night is my ally!”

“Darkness will consume you!”

“What time is it?”

“It’s 12AM already?!”

“You can sleep in my bed if you want.”

“Your sleeping on the couch!”

“Come back to bed..”

“Don’t shine that light in my eyes!”

“It’s so dark out..”

“Look at those pretty fireworks!”

“Spooky ghooost~”

“Boo!”

“Ah!”

“You trying to be scary?”

“I’m actually a little hungry.”

“Are they open this late?”

“Hey! [Name]! Over here!”

“That movie sucked!”

“Let’s.. not go that way.”

“This place is like a ghost town!”

“Ouch!”

“Stay still! If you keep moving, it will hurt more!”

“It’s not what it looks like..”

[givemeangstymemes]

Reblog if your inbox is ALWAYS open for random asks, even if you haven’t reblogged any meme

[irritableteadrinkersarchive]

   I have no idea…

   A lil something something for @maggiestein

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ Ko-Fi ~

[pyrocidal]

[crualex-de-vil]

spooky times call for spooky sketches - some outlast variants & chris walker

[carlboygenius]

[torianu-deactivated20190206]

The Plaque Series

The concept art of Jenny Holzer.

[pyrocidal]

“There was a gross misunderstanding when I said “I got this”, just so you’re aware.”

“I can fucking see that Simon!” Jack shouted as smoke poured from the open hood of his car. He grabbed a workshop towel from the back seat, and attempted to smother whatever was burning. “Are you the car mechanic?? NO, I am! I should’ve told you to keep your ass in the car!” They were in the middle of nowhere when the car suddenly starting sputtering and clicking. Jack had pulled over, ready to investigate, but Simon had sounded so confident and eager…he should’ve known better than to listen to him. “I don’t know what the hell you did but you are in for a world of hurt when we get back to civilization.” He shot a pointed glare at Simon.

[irritableteadrinkersarchive]

   “Sadly, if I didn’t do the job, I would end up in a very bad place.” Not the same as Jack, but just as nasty. Not that he was going to go into detail about it. Ever. “And you were quite the little - correction, tall - shit back then. Had to give you quite a few good smacks if I’m not mistaken.” Though if he recalled correctly; Jack got quite a few jabs in himself from time to time. “To be honest, I thought you would have moved as far away from here as possible…”

   At the question, he tilted his head. “I believe so. He tends to prefer to look for the more… shady characters. But he has the contacts to pretty much find anyone. Even if they don’t want to be found. It’s kind of his thing.” He shrugged gently at this. “Find someone for you? It depends on the reason why you wish to find them.”  

[pyrocidal]

Jack rubbed a hand across his stubbled chin, a nervous habit. His family was an incredibly touchy subject, but he wanted to know if she was okay, normal even. He needed to know.

“My sister,” Jack blurted out, voice cracking slightly. He cleared his throat. “I want to find my sister. Not to talk to her or anything, I don’t know, I just...” he shrugged as he stirred the curry. “I’m lonely. I guess I just want to know if I have any family left. I honestly don’t even know if she’s alive, we haven’t spoken in 15 years or more.”

Jack pulled a couple bowls out of a cabinet, dug silverware out of a drawer. “What the fuck happened to us?” He laughed bitterly.

[pyrocidal]

“There was a gross misunderstanding when I said “I got this”, just so you’re aware.”

“I can fucking see that Simon!” Jack shouted as smoke poured from the open hood of his car. He grabbed a workshop towel from the back seat, and attempted to smother whatever was burning. “Are you the car mechanic?? NO, I am! I should’ve told you to keep your ass in the car!” They were in the middle of nowhere when the car suddenly starting sputtering and clicking. Jack had pulled over, ready to investigate, but Simon had sounded so confident and eager…he should’ve known better than to listen to him. “I don’t know what the hell you did but you are in for a world of hurt when we get back to civilization.” He shot a pointed glare at Simon.

[irritableteadrinkersarchive]

   Simon nearly spat his drink out. “C-cute?! I think not…” The flushed man huffed in response, glaring for a moment at Jack. His accent? Cute? How absurd. Though the snob part he understood. “Mmm… me and Stanley rarely talk. He just kinda… pops up when he wants to see me. Like a homing pigeon, that one.”

   A large eyebrow was raised as Jack asked how he found him. Well, it was only a matter of time until he was asked, Simon guessed. Probably best to explain himself now rather then further down the line. “I have a friend, of sorts, who is very good at finding people. I… may have asked him for help to find you. Just to check up on you, you know.” Well that didn’t sound suspicious at all. Taking another sip of his drink, he cast a glance towards Jack.

   “After everything that happened, I felt responsible. Wanted to make sure you were settling in.”

[pyrocidal]

“You were just doing your job I guess,” Jack said, stirring the simmering pot. “I think you were one of the only people there with a shred of humanity left, you and that one janitor. You only hit me if I deserved it. Can you believe after all that bullshit, we ended up here? You can practically see the god damn building from my house.” Jack laughed ruefully. It felt like a cruel joke, settling down a forty minute drive from where he had been locked up and tortured for years. He didn’t really have any other choices, and besides, Leadville had everything he needed. Well, mostly everything. He was lonely in more ways than one, and Leadville was quite a conservative town.

“Your friend...can he find anyone?” Jack watched Simon carefully, trying to gauge his reaction. “Do you think,” he trailed off, a wistful look passing over his face. “Do you think he could find someone for me?”

[pyrocidal]

“There was a gross misunderstanding when I said “I got this”, just so you’re aware.”

“I can fucking see that Simon!” Jack shouted as smoke poured from the open hood of his car. He grabbed a workshop towel from the back seat, and attempted to smother whatever was burning. “Are you the car mechanic?? NO, I am! I should’ve told you to keep your ass in the car!” They were in the middle of nowhere when the car suddenly starting sputtering and clicking. Jack had pulled over, ready to investigate, but Simon had sounded so confident and eager…he should’ve known better than to listen to him. “I don’t know what the hell you did but you are in for a world of hurt when we get back to civilization.” He shot a pointed glare at Simon.

[irritableteadrinkersarchive]

   “Mmmm. Yes, we are identical. Though in looks only.” Taking the bottle, he carefully poured the both of them another drink. “We’re not like those twins you always see in TV shows and films. Like… linked in some way. Never understood that concept.” Sounded like Jack in the mood for 20 Questions, but after all this time, Simon didn’t see too much trouble in sharing a thing or two. “Did my strong posh accent not give me away? Yes, I’m from Britain. Like most villains you see in American shows. I think my brother is still over there, but he moves around a lot. Quite hard to tell.”

   Well that certainly surprised him. “A sister?” He asked, though fell silent. Sensing that this could be a sensitive subject for Jack. Simon wasn’t going to push too much. 

[pyrocidal]

“I like your accent, it’s cute,” Jack smirked at Simon over the rim of his glass. “You don’t sound like a villain, just a snob. And yeah, a younger sister. I think she’s about...” Jack counted on his fingers for a moment. “Thirty-four now? She was a good kid. We haven’t talked in a really long time. Sounds like you haven’t either.

Frangrant steam rose from the pot the curry was simmering in, filling the small kitchen and dining area with the smell of curry and cumin and coconut milk. Jack thought more of his sister, Amelia. He didn’t know where she lived, if she was married, or even what she looked like now. Reaching out to her was probably a bad idea, but he couldn’t shake the thought of it. He was so lonely for so long, still was, and thinking of his only living family member made his chest ache.

Jack watched Simon curiously. There was something odd about the man, something more than just a simple ex-security guard. He worked for Murkoff, surely they didn’t just hire anyone. “How did you find me?” he blurted out suddenly. Maybe it was a dumb question, it’s not like he lived far from Mount Massive, and his scarred face wasn’t one easily forgotten, but still. He had changed his name and laid as low as he could before Simon showed up.

[pyrocidal]

“There was a gross misunderstanding when I said “I got this”, just so you’re aware.”

“I can fucking see that Simon!” Jack shouted as smoke poured from the open hood of his car. He grabbed a workshop towel from the back seat, and attempted to smother whatever was burning. “Are you the car mechanic?? NO, I am! I should’ve told you to keep your ass in the car!” They were in the middle of nowhere when the car suddenly starting sputtering and clicking. Jack had pulled over, ready to investigate, but Simon had sounded so confident and eager…he should’ve known better than to listen to him. “I don’t know what the hell you did but you are in for a world of hurt when we get back to civilization.” He shot a pointed glare at Simon.

[irritableteadrinkersarchive]

   “I would be shocked if you didn’t.” Simon himself pretty much had a small room dedicated to various alcoholic beverages. He couldn’t help it; it was a vital ‘crutch’ for him. Surprising his liver hadn’t kicked in yet, considering how much strong alcohol he consumed every night. Leaning against the kitchen counter, he poured himself a glass and took a deep gulp from the strong liquor. 

   “Curry sounds good. And don’t worry about spices. I like my curry either hot or not.” He replied, twirling the glass with his fingers. Though the question about siblings took him off guard. Jack rarely asked about his past, which was quite the blessing for Simon. He wasn’t a huge fan of bringing anything about his past up. He was hesitant for a moment, as if the answer was particularity hard to answer, before shrugging his shoulders causally. “Yer. I have a twin.” Simon hummed softly in response, before finishing his drink off. Relishing the burning sensation down the back of his throat. 

[pyrocidal]

Jack paused his vegetable cutting and gave Simon a meaningful look. The answer surprised him. He could sense a hesitancy in the other man, but now he was curious. “A twin, really? Like, identical?” He passed the whiskey bottle to Simon so he could pour them both another glass. Warmth pooled in his belly now, comfortable and pleasant. “Do they live here?” He gestured vaguely, and set rice to cook on the stove. “Or in England? You’re from England right?” Jack wasn’t terribly familiar with European accents, but he was pretty sure he heard one like Simon’s on TV before. He always thought it was very charming, soothing and musical.

“I have a sister,” Jack said quietly, measuring out a few spices. He thought of her often lately, wondered how she was, what her life was like. They hadn’t spoken since he went to prison, and he didn’t blame her. A sharp ache tugged at his heart, and he choked the guilt back with another glass of whiskey.

[pyrocidal]

“There was a gross misunderstanding when I said “I got this”, just so you’re aware.”

“I can fucking see that Simon!” Jack shouted as smoke poured from the open hood of his car. He grabbed a workshop towel from the back seat, and attempted to smother whatever was burning. “Are you the car mechanic?? NO, I am! I should’ve told you to keep your ass in the car!” They were in the middle of nowhere when the car suddenly starting sputtering and clicking. Jack had pulled over, ready to investigate, but Simon had sounded so confident and eager…he should’ve known better than to listen to him. “I don’t know what the hell you did but you are in for a world of hurt when we get back to civilization.” He shot a pointed glare at Simon.

[irritableteadrinkersarchive]

   Simon could almost sense the embarrassment from the other man. Nice to know he could have that impact on Jack. With a light chuckle managing to escape him, the Brit slid into the passenger’s seat. Not seeming to have any concerns about Jack’s poor eyesight for driving. 

   Simon never told Jack how he found him. Then again, with a close friend who could find anyone at Simon’s beckon call, it wasn’t that hard to do. Besides, Jack kind of stuck out like a sore thumb. The reaction he got upon finding him was… very unexpected, to say the least. Simon expected some kind of angry outburst - no inmate would want to see a guard, as far as Simon was aware. But instead he ended up comforting a crying Jack. Very unexpected indeed. 

   Coming up to Jack’s trailer - which was very Jack now Simon thought about it - he looked to the pile of rubbish that had spilled out due to the local wildlife. “That’s why I invested in a sturdy bin. Sometimes even I struggle to get it open…” Upon getting out of the car, he caught the keys thrown to him before heading towards the trailer. “I suppose I can just about manage that. Try not to take too long, otherwise I may end up drinking the whole bottle myself.” Well, if alone, he would do that. Even after all these years, Simon had not laid off the booze.

[pyrocidal]

“Good thing I have more than one bottle,” Jack said, giving Simon a playful wink. He crammed all the garbage back into the can and followed Simon inside. He was fairly stable, yes, but still a functioning alcoholic. It was the only way he could sleep. And it felt so good, the warm buzz in his blood and behind his eyes...he gratefully took the glass from Simon. Two ice cubes, just how he liked it. He smiled fondly at Simon.

Jack began to rummage around in his kitchen, lighting up another cigarette. “How does curry sound?” he asked, pulling out a cutting board and knife. He turned on a radio as well, and a classic rock station filled the quiet. Jack was very pleased to have Simon’s company. He didn’t really have any friends in Leadville, and he had a lot on his mind lately. It was nice to have someone he trusted to talk with, even if the ex-guard didn’t say much in return. “Do you have any siblings?” Jack asked, slicing a fat potato into small pieces.

[pyrocidal]

“There was a gross misunderstanding when I said “I got this”, just so you’re aware.”

“I can fucking see that Simon!” Jack shouted as smoke poured from the open hood of his car. He grabbed a workshop towel from the back seat, and attempted to smother whatever was burning. “Are you the car mechanic?? NO, I am! I should’ve told you to keep your ass in the car!” They were in the middle of nowhere when the car suddenly starting sputtering and clicking. Jack had pulled over, ready to investigate, but Simon had sounded so confident and eager…he should’ve known better than to listen to him. “I don’t know what the hell you did but you are in for a world of hurt when we get back to civilization.” He shot a pointed glare at Simon.

[irritableteadrinkersarchive]

   “Inviting me home for dinner and a drink? My my, aren’t we the gentleman?” He chuckle softly, a slight teasing tone in his voice. But he wasn’t going to say no to such an offer. Besides, he was curious about how far Jack’s cooking had come. 

   Well, he was just glad to see Jack was doing much better. He had originally come here to keep an eye on the other; like old times, one would say. But, over time, Jack looked like he was enjoying a more normal life. If anything, the ex-guard should have stayed away. Considering he feared his presence may remind Jack of a not so savoury past, and upset him enough to undo all the hard-work he had been through.

   But… Jack looked as if he enjoyed his company. More so than anyone else these days.

   “Me too.” He hummed softly in response, moving over to the passenger side of the car and leaned against it. “I’m pretty proud of you, Jack. You’ve been doing so well. Got your own place, a job, even put this lil beauty together. You’re finally living the life you deserve. Where as…” Simon veered off, before straightening himself up to look back to Jack. “But don’t let my praises get to your head, huh? Shall we get going?”

[pyrocidal]

For a man so brusque and burly, Jack was very easily embarrassed. His ears flushed red, and he muttered a half-hearted “shut up” as he slid into the car. He turned the key in the ignition, and the engine roared to life.

Jack drove very cautiously, a result of having one functioning eye and zero functioning depth perception. Not to mention the soul crushing devastation he’d suffer if any damage came to his car. Jack turned his head and stole a brief glance at Simon. The man was an enigma. Years after being pulled hysterical and starving out of the wreckage of the asylum, Jack answered a knock as his front door, only to see Simon standing there. He had recognized him immediately. Even after so much time he had the same bemused expression and taut posture. Jack had fallen to his knees, sobbing like a child and hugging Simon’s legs. Jack clenched his jaw and held back a sniffle. How the hell had Simon found him? He still didn’t know. He didn’t know much at all about who Simon was before Mount Massive.

They weren’t terribly far from Jack’s home, a modest trailer he rented from someone in town. It wasn’t much, but it was his. He lived on a very quiet road, just around the corner from the Evergreen Cemetary, and a 10 minute drive from Turqoise Lake. Jack liked to fish there in the summer. “God damn raccoons got in the trash again,” Jack said as he pulled up to his trailer. One of the metal can was knocked over, contents spilling out of the white plastic bag. He tossed his keychain to Simon and went to clean up the mess. “There’s a bottle of Jameson in the freezer, pour me a glass would ya?”