From Edwin’s perspective, set when both Christopher and Edwin are 18 years old, at the time that Edwin leaves Indel for good.
I tried to hide how much I was shaking as I returned to my seat. There was nothing more I could do now. It was too late to go back.
Christopher’s voice cut sharply through my anxieties. “Are you okay? Is something worrying you?”
God, why did I have to be so transparent? I shook my head, well aware that my face probably betrayed my actions.
“Well if there is something, you can talk to me about it anytime.”
What on earth did I do to deserve someone like him in my life? And what the hell was I supposed to say to that? The truth? ‘I’m the most terrified I’ve ever been right now because the people I’ve been running from for eighteen years have finally caught up with me, and are probably going to fucking kill me. Hence, I’ve lit a small and hopefully harmless fire in the kitchen in order to have this building evacuated so I can make my escape while trying to hurt you as little as possible, even though I know that I won’t have chance to say goodbye. I’m only doing this because I love you.’ Because I sure as shit couldn’t think of any vaguely convincing lie.
If I could stop time and spend forever in this moment with you, I absolutely would. The last thing I want is to lose you, but there’s nothing I can do. I have to leave, because if I stayed, I’d just drag you into my problems, and you really don’t deserve that. I only got close to you in the first place because I thought this was over, I thought I was finally safe. If I knew they would find me, I never would have dared. After all, you’re the first friend I’ve ever had. And probably the last. Let’s be honest, my chances of surviving another year are incredibly low. I’ve left it too late, and all because of you.
“So what brought you to Indel in the first place?” He asked, trying to clear the awkward silence that hung between us.
I decided to tell a half-truth. “It was just on my way. I know it doesn’t exactly get a lot of foot traffic, but I have travelled…. Off the beaten track.” Please don’t ask why, please don’t ask why.
He laughed, taking me by surprise. “Yeah, it’s kinda in the middle of nowhere. It sucks. It’s like there’s no way in, and no way out.”
The realisation hit me like a truck. Nearly all of his life, he’d been searching for an escape, wanting a better life far away from here. And here I was, about to run off into the wilderness, leaving him stranded here alone. How the fuck hadn’t I considered this before? In my guilt, I thought about taking him with me. We could go together, and see where the road took us. I knew he’d do anything to get out. And then, at least I’d have some motivation to stay alive other than pure fear.
No. Absolutely not. What would be the point in taking him away from here just to get him killed? How selfish can you get? If you’re leaving, you’re going alone. End of story.
I looked back up to Christopher, and willed myself to say something. Anything. A comfort, an indirect goodbye, a final request, it didn’t matter. Just something. But nothing came. Again, it was Christopher who defused the tension.
“You know, after all this time I-” He cut himself off, even though it was obvious that he hadn’t thought about what he was going to say in the first place. After a moment he tried again, confident this time. “I don’t care what anybody says, but Edwin, I-”
This time it was the fire alarm that cut him off. Even though I should have been prepared for it, it startled me, and my instincts kicked in. Without looking back, I sprinted towards the bathroom, weaving amongst bewildered customers filing towards the main door of the restaurant. I slid underneath the door of the locked stall with the ‘out of order’ sign hastily scribbled onto it, grabbed my bag from on top of the cistern, and unlocked the door. The bag was too big and heavy to have with me in the restaurant without raising suspicion, yet it still felt too small and too light. This was supposed to keep me alive.
I didn’t have time to doubt myself anymore. I slipped back into the crowd with the final stragglers (didn’t they have any concern for their own safety?) and stepped out into the evening air. After taking one final look at the soft night lights of Indel, I turned my back and slipped around the side of the building towards the hill. Thank god the nicest restaurant in town was also the one on the very outskirts.
From the apex, I allowed myself one last look at the disgruntled crowd, as they began to be engulfed by the smoke. It was easy to spot Christopher’s distinctive black hat from above. It wasn’t too late, I could still turn back…..
But I shouldn’t, and I didn’t. Wiping a single tear from my eye, I sped down the other side of the hill, followed by shouts of “It’s him! He’s really here! We found him!” And I knew I left it far, far too late.
Which OC death was the saddest? (I like suffering)
oh god so many were so sad how do i pick
i mean the one that comes to mind is christopher’s
which seems really odd, given that he immediately became a dead guardian, and was only “dead” for a few days
but its just the fact that it absolutely tore edwin to pieces, bc he just loses the last, and closest person to him, on the exact same day as the others
and the fact that christopher dies to save edwin, and edwin doesnt believe himself worthy of being saved
and at the time christopher has no idea that he will become edwin’s guardian, and believes that its really going to be the end, but he sacrifices himself anyway, even though he knows that if he jumps in front of the blade he’ll die, whereas if he does nothing edwin will only be badly injured
but he does it anyway bc he couldnt bear to see any harm done to the person he loves the most in the entire universe, and who he knows has suffered enough already
okay, im p tired tonight, so im gonna head to bed early
but first, a fic!
this one ends kinda abruptly, bc i never finished it in the sense of rounding it off, but the story kinda does end there
enjoy! (hopefully)
I backed away slowly from the crowd that had gathered. I made sure to keep my eye on each and every one of them. I slowly raised my hands into the air. Then I turned and ran.
I swerved around the pile of rocks on the ground, and ran faster. Running the other direction, I saw a purple-haired girl, about my age. I thought I recognised her from somewhere, but I couldn't place it. Not when I was running from a load of people trying to kill me.
I heard the shout of one, and turned left into the forest. I ducked under a low tree branch, and grabbed my hat, making sure it stayed on my head. Because of this, I missed the log blocking my way, and tripped, landing in a pile of leaves. Before I could properly take in what was happening, someone grabbed my arm, pulling me into a dense group of trees.
I saw a flash of purple hair, but it was a different person to the one I saw before. I wasn't able to figure out anything else, as they ran off, leaving me half leaning, half sitting on one of the trees. I sat for a minute to get my breath back.
I heard footsteps from somewhere else in the forest, and decided that I needed to move. I took my hat off, holding on to its rim. I ran out of the dense group, and through the rest of the forest. As I was heading back into the open, I heard the shout of one of the people chasing me. I also heard the sound of a motorbike, and the loud shout of “Fuck!” Then I heard screams. Something told me I wasn't being followed any more.
I put my hat back on, and looked ahead. I saw hundreds of people staring in my direction, and I had the feeling that none of them were about to invite me round for dinner. There was always the possibility, though.
“Evening gentlemen. I'm afraid I'll have to turn down any invitations you may or may not have presented me with, as I'm a little busy at the moment.”
The people continued to stare.
“And I'm sorry to disappoint you even further, but I have to leave now.”
I turned my hat back to the right way around, and bolted straight through the crowd. They appeared more than a little surprised.
Once I had cleared my way through, I continued to run, as I was very much aware that murder was far higher on their agenda than dinner. The heavy sound of footsteps further confirmed this. Not that it even needed confirming in the first place.
I wasn't quick enough, and the group was almost upon me when someone from above grabbed my arms and raised me into the air. I turned around to see the girl who had run past me in the first place. I knew who she was now. What was her name? It was something like Maddison, or maybe Carly. Marley. That was it.
She let go of me, but I stayed in the air, continued on our course.
“You might want to look where you're going.”
A moment later, my face collided with the bottom of a helicopter, and I dropped slowly to the ground.
I awoke to see Chloe Parks' face.
“So he is alive,” I heard someone say. I turned to see Rachael Evans. “Probably.”
I sat up.
“This is the point where I'd be concerned if he wasn't alive.” It was Rick Anselin.
“Like you can talk.” Melina Dover.
“So the idiot has finally woken up,” Said Marley. I couldn't remember her surname.
“He's not an idiot,” said Tom, “I mean, did you hear what he said?”
“So we've found simultaneously the most intelligent and most stupid person.” Said Matt Anselin.
“Isn't that just all of us?” asked Arabella. The one who dragged me into the trees.
“Yeah.” Said Melina. “We made the wise decision of leaving the unquestionably intelligent ones at home.”
“You're not stupid.” Said Black Crystal.
“She can be,” said Lizzie, “It's just rare.”
“Uh, can I just ask a question?” I asked.
“Go ahead,” replied Becky.
“Well, I don't really know who I should be directing this to. I'll go with Chloe. Why me?”
“Wait, how the hell do you know who she is?” asked Marley.
“She's not exactly just some random person. I know who all of you are. Even you, Marley.”
“It's through a skill called paying attention,” added Becky.
“Oh come on, go easy on her,” said Rachael, “It's not her fault that she's so absorbed with the bungee-jumping frogs.”
“Uh, can I-”
“Listen, you shut up or your head will end up 50 feet from your body.”
“It's just-”
“Ooh! Stretchy neck!”
“I have-”
“You know that's not what I meant.”
“Sorry but-”
“You say a lot of things you don't mean, illegal frog trainer.”
Tom interrupted. “Uh, could you let the guy with the hat speak?”
“Yeah. He might have a fun anecdote about having dinner with axe murderers.” Said Damien.
“Isn't that just every day of our lives?” asked Rick.
“I'd just like to point out that about a third of us are dead.” said Becky.
“Dead people can still be axe murderers,” Damien pointed out.
“That's not the bit I had the issue with.”
“Guys.” Said Tom, “Let. The guy. With the hat. Speak.”
“I just wanted to know why your group of half-dead axe murderers would bother saving my life.”
“Because your speech about dinner was badass as fuck,” Said Tom.
“Also your hat is cool.” Said Chloe.
“Thank you!”
“You're welcome.”
“Now,” Said Matt, “Are you interested in getting out of here?”
“Yes please.”
“Okay let's go. No-one has any unfinished business here, do they?”
No-one said anything.
“Right. Let's head home.”
“Wait a second,” I said, “I expected you to just drop me off somewhere safer. I didn't realise I was coming with you.”
“Does that change your mind?” Asked Tom.
I didn't speak. Did it? Was I really prepared for this? But what did I have to lose?”
“No. No it does not.”
~*~
“I'm hungry.” Said Arabella.
“Well, we can have pizza when we get back,” said Matt.
“Well,” Said Tom, looking to me, “Looks like you'll finally be having dinner with axe murderers.”
“Actually, this wouldn't be the first time.”
Damien sat forward on his seat. “Tell me more.”
“Well, there was this guy that I knew vaguely. And I went round to his house once, but while looking for a spoon, I came across a cupboard full of murder weapons. But he didn't know that I found it. And you know, I never did find a spoon. But anyway, a few weeks later, he invited me to dinner. It was pretty obvious from the circumstances that it was a plot to kill me. I decided to show up anyway, for a laugh. Unfortunately, there was a fire in the kitchen of the restaurant we were at, so I never found out how the evening would have concluded.”
“Yeah, but how could you have been sure that he wanted to kill you? Maybe it was a proper date.” Suggested Damien.
“To be honest, I don't know.”
“Was he attractive?” Asked Tom.
I laughed. “He was actually a pretty nice guy. And while at dinner, I confronted him about the spoons. I never found the answer to that either, because that's when the fire alarm went off.”
“Maybe he could never have loved you,” said Rick, “Maybe he only had eyes for his spoons.”
“Or maybe he was the only person who he loved more than spoons.” Said Damien.
“Perhaps,” Tom suggested, “He was scared of spoons. He needed a handsome warrior to rescue him from their wrath. He hoped that warrior would be you.”
“To be honest, that theory is probably the most likely.”
“The real question is,” said Damien, “Did you ever see him again?”
“No. He ran away, taking his axes, and presumably his spoons, with him.”
“A tragedy.”
“I'm going to text Ben now and tell him to order the pizza.” Said Matt. “Is there anything in particular you want?”
“No thanks,” I said, “I'm fine with whatever there is.”
“I'll make sure there are sufficient spoons for you, guy with hat.”
~*~
When we got out of the ship, I could truly appreciate how empty this place was. There was nothing in sight except a large house and a small hut. And an upturned fridge. I decided not to ask about that.
The door of the house opened, and Ben Spencer was stood in the doorway. We walked inside.
“Aw,” Said Matt, “The pizza got here before us.”
“Only by a couple of minutes though.” He said. “So, I presume this is the guy with the hat, and not axe murderer spoon guy.”
“That's correct, yes.” Said Matt. I waved feebly in response.
“Also, it turns out that the spoon-fearing axe murderer is a fugitive.” Said Melina.
“Sounds intriguing.” Said a voice from the kitchen. A moment later, Co-Chung exited the kitchen carrying 2 large bottles. “That is a cool hat.”
“That's what I said.” Said Chloe.
“I appreciate your compliments, but there is pizza here. I'd like to have an uninterrupted dinner with some axe murderers.”
“Without a shortage of spoons.” Added Rick. I nodded and sat down. I grabbed a slice of pizza, and began eating.
“This is good.”
“Good,” Said Black Crystal, “But unfortunately not delivered by a gay vampire.”
“There is probably more to this story, and it may or may not be more interesting than the story of my spoon-fearing axe murderer friend.”
Yeah!! Tell the Edwin story! I love the Edwin story!
so it all began when i was writing the intro fic for Christopher
i was writing as i usually do, with no clue, no plan, and just going with the flow
so i ended up writing these lines:
“Well,” Said Tom, looking to me, “Looks like you’ll finally be havingdinner with axe murderers.”
“Actually, this wouldn’t be the first time.”
Damien sat forward on his seat. “Tell me more.”
“Well, there was this guy that I knew vaguely. And I went round tohis house once, but while looking for a spoon, I came across a cupboard full ofmurder weapons. But he didn’t know that I found it. And you know, I never didfind a spoon. But anyway, a few weeks later, he invited me to dinner. It waspretty obvious from the circumstances that it was a plot to kill me. I decidedto show up anyway, for a laugh. Unfortunately, there was a fire in the kitchenof the restaurant we were at, so I never found out how the evening would haveconcluded.”
so i inadvertently ended up getting really attached to this character, and i even made an avatar, bc why tf not
and then i wrote these lines:
“Yeah, but how could you have been sure that he wanted to kill you?Maybe it was a proper date.” Suggested Damien.
“To be honest, I don’t know.”
“Was he attractive?” Asked Tom.
I laughed. “He was actually a pretty nice guy. And while at dinner,I confronted him about the spoons. I never found the answer to that either,because that’s when the fire alarm went off.”
“Maybe he could never have loved you,” said Rick, “Maybe he only hadeyes for his spoons.”
“Or maybe he was the only person who he loved more than spoons.”Said Damien.
“Perhaps,” Tom suggested, “He was scared of spoons. He needed a handsomewarrior to rescue him from their wrath. He hoped that warrior would be you.”
“To be honest, that theory is probably the most likely.”
“The real question is,” said Damien, “Did you ever see him again?”
“No. He ran away, taking his axes, and presumably his spoons, withhim.”
“A tragedy.”
and basically, i started to ship it
and i had become so attached to this unnamed character that i gave him a name, a backstory, and decided that he had to come back
so i wrote the reunion of Christopher and Edwin, but tragically lost the first half of it (bc i was dumb enough to write it on paper and procrastinated typing it up)
so thats basically the story of how an irrelevant punchline character became incredibly significant, and one of my absolute favourite hoververse characters
“All Grown Up” developed by Christopher Cotton is normally $1.99 but it is free for a limited time. It is compatible with the iPad, iPod touch, and iPhone and requires iOS 4.3 or later.
iPhone/iPod Link: All Grown Up – Christopher Cotton
