Run away with me

[stephen-carrisford]

Self Para

He’d been reading the article in the paper over and over; had calls from the police, the press, the investigators every five minutes. How could anybody be cruel enough to murder his sister? He’d been starting to feel better about being around Violet, his baby, after various psychiatrist visits. Everything was starting to go back to normal....until the event was brought up again, opening the old wounds.

Then his mind thought. Who was wearing red that evening? Imogen. It was the only explanation his mind could think up and he couldn’t stand another minute near her if she was that dangerous. Perhaps he should’ve trusted his fiance, but she wasn’t his sister. And Summer had always come first. Stephen didn't trust himself to be around Imogen now without dong something he’d regret, and he certainly didn’t trust her to be with the baby.

So he left a note on the kitchen side saying he’d gone. She could keep the flat, it was no use to him. She got the flat and he got Violet. And Imogen had no way of contacting him.

He was gone.

[stephen-carrisford]

Stephen never quite got over Summer dying and moved to her most loved place in Cornwall. He works there organising sport-related after school activities for children. Teaching became too boring, but this gave him a new burst of fun. To earn more money, Stephens also a lifeguard at one of the popular beaches so has built himself up to be very physically fit - a lot more muscle than previously. He moved there after splitting with Imogen and he found his ex, Louise again, getting straight back together with her after always thinking of her as the love of his life. He has Violet during weekends and is still in touch with Imogen. -

Upon seeing Violet again, Stephen ran over and scooped her over his shoulder to greet her. Though she was giggling, it looked like he was taking a random girl and he felt a stare on him. “No....No, this is my daughter.”

[rufustyler-blog]

“I don’t know who you had sex with last night but I’m fairly certain it wasn’t me.”

[stephen-carrisford]

“Aye? I wasn’t talkin’ ta you. And don’t you dare tell Imogen what you just over’eard.”

[sofia-porter]

Natalia shrugged. “I think it was you… I was quite drunk, though. Why is that such a bad thing, anyway?”

[stephen-carrisford]

“Yeah, me too. And yes, because I’m engaged. But also no because wow, I mean look at you. I’d be a fool to say it was bad.”

[stephen-carrisford]

"What d’ya mean you think we ‘ad sex last night?”

[stephen-carrisford]

Imogen

[imogen-fisher]

Imogen rolled her eyes at what seemed like more lies coming from Stephen. She felt like she was doing all the work, and it was really starting to take its toll. She had no idea about how Stephen was feeling, so she genuinely believed he was just being incredibly lazy. “I don’t know why, Ste,” she replied quietly, not wanting to get angry but finding it difficult not to. “I don’t know why ya do a lot o’ things. Bu’ I’m tired o’ ya lyin’ ta me. Really fuckin’ tired, so jus’ stop! Ya know, ya meant ta be me fiancé an’ everythin’ an’ yet I can’t trust a fuckin’ word ya say anymore. Wha’s tha’ all about, eh?” She sighed and carried Violet back to her little carry-cot. “Look, maybe I should leave for a bit wi’ Violet. Go an’ stay with Em for a bit or summat. Should I do tha’, Ste? Would ya like tha’?”

[stephen-carrisford]

“Im tryin’,” Stephen breathed out, running a hand down his tired-looking face. “I work 8-4 every day! ‘ow am I supposed ta be in two places at once?” he replied aggressively, feeling the anger extend up his body. It was true, he was lying, but that was just added stress on top of the stress he already felt. Stephen bit down on his lip, trying to take a deep breath to avoid his anger. “What do I ‘ave to lie about?” he questioned, flinging his hands out to either side of his body in a frustrated rage. “My only sister just died,” Stephen continued, in a quieter voice, avoiding eye contact with his fiance. “But you wouldn’t get that. You cant’ stand ya sister,” he whimpered, quietly. “Summer was my best mate. My only mate aside from you an’ Em.” He stepped away, throwing his back away the wall and his hands to his face, covering his eyes. “In the last matter of months I thought I lost you. I grieved for you. An’ now I ‘ave to grieve for 'er. So soon after. I’m exhausted, I’m tired. I just want life to just stop so I can hibernate, or something. An’ you’re givin’ me all this on top? I can’t cope with it, Imogen.” His eyes snapped up to look at her when she mentioned leaving. “No,” he objected, in a calmer tone, putting his hand out as a motion to stop her. “Finn’s already goin’ there. I don’t....don't wanna be by myself.”

[stephen-carrisford]

STIMOGEN MOODBOARD 002

send a ❂ to get a moodboard for our muses.

[stephen-carrisford]

Imogen

[imogen-fisher]

Imogen was currently doing half-days at uni, not wanting to miss out on her work but not wanting to spend too much time away from home either - especially after finding out Stephen wasn’t even looking after Violet properly. When she got home, she opened the door and hung up her bag as she saw Stephen coming over. “Alright?” she greeted sullenly as she looked around. “Finn not around, then?” she asked, somewhat surprised. When she caught a glance of Violet lying on her own in the kitchen, she hurried over. “Wha’ are ya doin’, jus’ leavin’ her here?” she snapped as she lifted the baby up and held her. She sighed deeply and closed her eyes. She was sure she had some sort of postnatal depression, but with Stephen’s odd behaviour she didn’t have time to see whether she did or not. “I know wha’ ya’ve been doin’, Ste,” she said after a few moments. “Ya’ve been payin’ Finn ta look after her, an’ I wanna know why.”

[stephen-carrisford]

Stephens expression flicked to concern when Imogen didn’t greet quite in the way he’d hoped or expected. He didn’t think she’d find out his secret. Especially since Emilia and Finn were the only ones who knew. Though it wasn’t like he trusted Finn very much, but knew the guy was too desperate for money to betray him. ”No, he’s at work,”Stephen replied to Imogen hesitantly. His eyes flashed quickly to the baby when Imogen noticed her. “I didn’t- I can’t remember. She wasn’t here... I didn’t put her- I wouldn’t! Why would I do tha’?” Stephen questioned, with no memory of putting Violet in such place. His body stiffened and his hand rubbed against his head, trying to get his memory back. “What? I ‘aven’t been doin’ anythin. Why would I do that? He’s an alcoholic and a twat. I don’t want ‘er anywhere near ‘er. W-Who would say such rubbish?”

[lifeistheenemyoflove-blog]

“Yeah, I’m Evan Sayer. I’m on the U17 Rugby team because of you.”

[stephen-carrisford]

“I know now! Congrats, mate. Good to see you doin’ so well. I’m proud!”

[miss--emilia]

“Finn???? I thought ‘e was with you but…ya do know ‘e like constantly drunk? Ya can’t leave a baby with ‘im when e’s like tha’. Jus’ let me come round an’ sort it out ‘cos ya not thinkin’ straight. Tellin’ Imo might make it better for ya.”

[stephen-carrisford]

“Shit. Thought he was just bein’ happy or something. Seems unlikely now ya say it... I can’t tell ‘er. She does not deserve a fiance who hates her baby. When I’m with the kid I just space out, I lose my mind. I freak out and go as still as a statue. I leave her around, I leave ‘er crying. It’s not intentional. I thought I was so ready for this. Lou lost our baby, then another of my girlfriend’s 'ad an abortion... I’m fucking stupid. I should be happy!”

[stephen-carrisford]

Imogen

It seemed Finn had crashed from all the alcohol he’d been drinking, leaving Stephen alone with the baby whist Imogen was out. His tired eyes looked down at her emptily; his body and feelings numb. It felt like he couldn’t feel anything. His eyes wouldn’t look at her, only around her. He lifted her up with the tips of his fingers and at that minute heard Imogen coming back in through the door. Ignorant to what he was doing, Stephen left Violet dangerously on the top of the kitchen counter as he ran to greet his fiance. He didn’t realise what he was doing, nor how unsafe he was being with his own baby. His smile lit up upon seeing Imogen; forgetting all about Violet for a few seconds.

[ariawilde-deactivated20160315]

“Oh.. my I can not believe this. What the freak am I going to do?” Kayla thought to herself as she felt tears start to swell in her eyes.

[stephen-carrisford]

“Aye, calm down love,” Stephen whispered, crouching down to the ground upon seeing the upset girl. ”Anythin’ ya need ta talk about?”

[imogen-fisher]

“Finn’s not her dad though, is he? She’ll start thinkin’ he is at this rate. Babies need their parents early on, I read it in one o’ those books. Wha’s goin’ on wi’ ya, Ste? I jus’ want ya ta talk ta me.”

[stephen-carrisford]

“Every kid has a baby sitter. Not my fault ya let Finn live ‘ere at sch a stressful time. I mean ‘e does my flamin’ ‘ead in. It’s stressin’ me out, so I get tired more an’ need to sleep more. Then I ‘ave to work loads to get all the money so we can afford to look after ‘er. It’s overwhelmin’, that’s all.”

[miss--emilia]

“Ya not crazy, Ste. Ya not at all. I believe ya. An’ she ain’t gonna notice cause we’re gonna sort this like a team alright?”

[stephen-carrisford]

“Em, I’ve gone and payed Finn ta look after ‘er for me. Now tell me I’m not crazy! He’s...he’s hidin’ out at ours and needs the cash. I just don’t wan’ it to always be like this. Finn is not gonna stick around ‘ere forever.”

[lifeistheenemyoflove-blog]

“…Um, what was the homework again?”

[stephen-carrisford]

“Are ya in my PE class at school? Don’t recognise you...”

[imogen-fisher]

“Sorry. I’m jus’ so tired. Would it kill ya ta get out o’ bed at night jus’ once ta see ta her when she’s cryin’?” Imogen suddenly remembered her choice of words and winced. “I’m sorry, I din’t mean– It’s jus’ stressful.”

[stephen-carrisford]

“I’m a deep sleeper. Nothing can wake me. Just go back to sleep. Finn will sort ‘er. We deserve a rest.”