Press release, email at the end of the piece, from Susan Franck on Facebook: "On Thursday, Jan 22 at approximately 1pm, a group of about a dozen Vermont community elders with whistles entered the atrium of White Cap Office Park in Williston VT, home of ICE’s National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center.
They refused to leave when ordered by Williston Police, the property manager, and federal agents, demanding instead that the landlord renegotiate and cancel the facility’s lease.
For the next 3.5 hours, they sat together in silence, pausing every 90 seconds to read the name of someone killed in ICE custody, followed by a loud whistle blast.
Williston Police arrived at around 1:30pm, and asked protesters to leave and stop making noise. A group of 5 elders refused and remained in the atrium accompanied by a medic and physical therapist.
Around 2pm, property manager and landlord Normand Stanislas arrived and began screaming at supporters gathered outside that he would have them arrested.
Around 3:15, the Williston Police announced that they had determined that the protestors were not breaking the law and were acting within their first amendment rights. They declined to arrest the group, which had paused blowing whistles to sit in front of the ICE office doors.
After the Williston Police had left, several DHS agents approached the group and threatened to charge them with Class C federal misdemeanors but did not actually do so, likely because they lacked authority to do so. The agents attempted to physically remove the elders and carry them away from the doors, but the group continued to exercise their right to protest by walking over and sitting back down. Eventually, the agents left.
The group continued their protest with banners and singing until the sun began setting, when they left the office park of their own accord.
Karen Bixler, 83, of Bethel said, “I’m taking this action to bring attention to our state’s role in this horrific institution. White collar workers, sheltered from the brutality that is taking place in our country, are providing ICE with information to aid in their raids.”
This protest follows several months of public outcry against the Industrial Ave facility, which is used to monitor civilian social media activity and identify targets for ICE detention and deportation. Over the winter, community groups conducted several noise demos at White Cap Business, and anonymous individuals hung a banner from the flagpoles reading “ICE VIOLATES RIGHTS HERE.”
70 year-old Dorothy Mammen of Middlebury said: “This facility is staffing up to spy on people via social media, to flag "negative sentiment" toward ICE and build dossiers on anyone who opposes fascism. They are compiling personal details, family links, and using facial recognition. To what end? To stifle dissent; to trample our right to free speech.”
The office at White Cap is one of many ICE-related facilities in Chittenden County, which serves as the national nerve center for ICE operations. The notorious Law Enforcement Support Center on Harvest Lane is home to ICE’s nationwide tip line, while at least 10 other nearby locations (totalling an estimated 400,000 square feet of office space) are used by DHS for data processing, surveillance, and administrative work.
On Tuesday, the Williston Selectboard passed a resolution condemning ICE activities in the town, and several hundred protesters marched in the frigid temperature to denounce the ICE Call Center on Harvest Lane.
The elders risking arrest in Thursday’s sit-in were not representatives of any official group or organization, but simply community members concerned about the safety of their neighbors. They expressed hope that their action would help others to find the courage necessary to get ICE out of Williston."
hi!! I love ur work so much, like I eat it breakfast, lunch, and and dinner… I saw ur requests were open and I was wondering if I could possibly ask for a fic w like anything u want, just w reader being extremely annoyed and logical all stuff, like if they were in a horror movie and the group said “we should split up!” They would immediately be offended and ask why on EARTH they would dare suggest that, if not totally fine :))
(So sorry if this is weird this is like my first time ever asking for this and if ur willing could I be 🥀 anon, totally fine if not)
I love ur work!!
Yay!!!!! Another anon!!!! Welcome, 🥀 anon! And I love this trope!!! Idk if I can do it justice... But enjoy!
Platonic!Yandere Friend x Aware!Reader
WARNINGS: Stalking, betrayal (? Does that need a warning?), yandere behavior.
-------------------------------------
It started small. So small you barely noticed it.
With a small comment here, a gift there, random messages when you leave your house, a figure in the corner of your eyes...
But small things add up. You were getting more and more suspicious of one of your best friends. Or, old best friend.
------------------------------
Your friend group had suggested to see each other at a resturant since it had been so long a choice you were happy about
Of course, you and Ben did your usual game of chicken. He wouldn't respond until you did, ask what you wanted, and if you suddenly got ill, he would offer to take care of you instead. Which he always followed through on.
With no way around it except to ghost your friends, you texted you could come. Not 10 seconds later, Ben said the same thing. You groaned out loud.
Maybe it wouldn't be that bad! You couldn't really confront him about it without the rest of your friends thinking your crazy. You didn't have any hard proof he was stalking you, and you felt bad for your other friends.
You could survive one dinner. Then you would distance yourself.
Right?
--------------------------
When you got there, Ben was already there. He was sitting at the reserved table and waving with both arms when he saw you. You begrudgingly sat down across from him.
Next to him would've been worse, he would always wrap an arm around you and wouldn't let you move an inch the whole night.
"There's my star!" He greeted like always. The nicknames were another red flag that you noticed. "How have you been? Anyone been bothering you?"
You smiled politely, what else could you do? "I've been good, and no one's been bothering me." You got an idea. "Hey, I thought I saw you near my work...?"
You did see him. Very clearly. He just left before you could take a photo.
He instantly looked guilty and looked away. "Ah, no, I wasn't near ya!" He said, trying to smile his way out of it.
If you weren't sure already, now you were certain.
He was stalking you.
You were too lost in thought before he suddenly grabbed your hand, inspecting your hand throughly like he was being paid. "What is this?" He asked, a mix of concern and anger in his tone.
You looked where he was gesturing, it was a small cut, you were cutting some fruit for yourself when you nicked yourself. You had forgotten about it until now.
Rookie mistake.
He was now digging through his bag and applying a kiddie bandaid like a surgeon. This was a mistake. Your brain reminded you. You should've just ghosted them!
But then the rest of your friends came, like the saviors they were!
They were loud enough that you and Ben weren't forced to talk by yourselves, and they were helpfully surrounding you so Ben couldn't touch you.
Thank goodness.
When the conversation with your friends amped up but your battery was dying (espically with all the avoiding of Ben), you pulled out your phone.
It was finally time to move out of here and get that new job and get away from Ben. You open up the app where you were looking for houses and-
"Woah, what's that?" One of your friends innocently asks, peeking over your shoulder. You quickly swipe out the tab before Ben can see. You smiled calmly. "Just looking for a new job." Not a lie, but it'd be so far away from here that Ben couldn't follow you.
Speaking of Ben...
"A new job?!" He sounded horrified before he corrected it, your friends giving him weird looks. "I-I mean... Your job is great! Why do you want a new one?"
You shrug, trying to change the topic, when your dumb but innocent friend 'helpfully' fills him in. "Where have you been? She's been complaining about someone following her at work for months!"
Ben's eyes twitch.
You want to sink into the floor.
"You didn't tell me that!" He suddenly booms with a forced laugh. "I would've come over to help you out! Scare him a little."
Real smooth, there, Ben.
You tried to play it off. "I don't know, I think I'm just... Seeing things."
"Yeah! You probably are!" He laughs again, your friends share a look like they're just realizing how weird he really is. "Still, do you want me to check the place over again? I'd hate for you to leave work because of that..."
So he can feel guilt, that's new.
"No, it's fine." Please don't come back. "I'll get over it."
He gives you a look. One that says 'I don't believe you.'
You needed to have a serious talk with your friends. Without Ben.
------------
After everyone left dinner, you created a new group chat without Ben. You had been waiting to do this until you collected more evidence. Ben was very charming when he wasn't hovering over you like a puppy dog.
'Hey, we need to talk.' you typed. Your friends immediately replied with concern.
'Ofc! What do u need?'
'What's up?'
You sent them an address and went there, you just hoped Ben wouldn't follow you.
------------
You sat down across from your friends, Elijah and Emma. Both were pretty oblivous to everything, and Emma was way too eager to spill all the details about your life to Ben, so you had to be careful.
"So..." You started, you had to tell them. Everything. "Ben has been stalking me." You blurted.
Their jaws fell open. "A-Are you sure?" Emma asked sheepishly.
You nodded, you had to be firm. "Yeah, I am. I've seen him around work, he's been messagaing me non-stop, and... Yeah."
The two shared a look. "What can we do to help?" Elijah asked while Emma stared at the table.
"I... I'm moving away," Both immediately protested.
"Just get a restraining order!"
"Don't go that far, just stop hanging out with him!"
"I'm sure this is a misunderstanding!"
"Don't uproot your whole life for this!"
"I'm sure about this, guys." You say, a little more harsh than before. They had to understand. Had to. "The police won't help me, not enough evidence."
"Let us help with the evidence then!" Elijah offered. "I can't risk that, Ben is way too off the handle to try to bring you guys into this. I'm just telling you so you know to be careful around him."
"Yeah, of course." They said quietly. The mood was dark again, you tried to brighten them up. "We can still call and hang out, it's not like I'm disappearing!"
They didn't respond.
------------
Work. Again.
Stupid two week notice.
You started a mental timer and...
The door opened. That was new. You looked over to see (of course,) Ben. He looked out of breath when he entered, but happy to see you anyway.
"Morning Ben!" You greeted him like any other time. He smiled like you had told him he won the lottery or something.
"Morning, kid!" He boomed right back, he leaned against the counter. "Is that guy still around?" He looked around dramatically.
You forced a smile. "No, I haven't seen him in a while."
He sighed in relief, probably happy he didn't get caught. "Good, good. You need to stay safe and all." He stared at you for a moment. "I'm just worried about you, squirt. You have no self-defense."
You hated his geninue concern, like he hadn't been stalking you and making you jump at every shadow wondering what on Earth he's doing.
"Nothing has happened, this is a good town-"
"That's what you think!" He snapped randomly, his eyes blown wide in a manic worry. He ran a hand through his hair. "Y/N, you're just so... Fragile. Innocent. You have no idea what goes on around here. What happens to kids like you."
Geez, could he be any worse?! "I'm not a kid, Ben, you know that. And I'm not some lost kid wandering into the road!"
He stood straighter, eyes narrowing. "Don't talk back to me! You're still young at heart! I'm trying to help you!"
"I don't need your help!" You yell right back. "I'm an adult. Either accept that or go away."
He stared at you for a while.
Then he left.
You nearly collapsed in relief.
----------------
"Hey," Elijah greeted and sat across from you. Emma silently slid in beside you. "Everything been good?"
"Any updates?" Emma asked kindly, patting your arm. You sighed, rubbing your forehead. "A few."
Ben didn't leave you alone after your little fight. You woke up the next morning to find a plushie and book you were looking at earlier with a card. You were tempted to just throw it away, but you opened it.
It was a quick letter saying he was sorry for yelling and that you didn't deserve that. It was actually pretty sweet until you read the part where you said you were 'too young' to deal with stuff like that and that 'he was trying to protect you' but he 'messed up'.
You added the letter to your small but growing evidence pile.
He showed up at your work, again, and this time he tried to be as normal as he could be.
Which still involved him staying the whole day, chasing anyone who came in, and buying you lunch. "Relax, this is just how I'm apologizing for yesterday." He said as you ate.
Emma and Elijah seemed concerned for you, so you agreed to meet up again.
You explain all the new developments with a mix of dread at the situation but a small pang of fellowship, knowing your friends finally believed and wanted to help you.
"That's... Pretty bad." Emma agreeed, looking just as disturbed as you, Elijah nodded solemnly. "Are you going to try anything? Legally?" He asked.
"Yeah! We'll back you up." Emma agreed.
You just shook your head. "No, Ben has too much influence and I have no evidence." You sighed.
Emma and Elijah looked at each other worriedly. "Well, we'll be here if you need us." Elijah offers.
"Anytime." Emma adds.
--------------------
"Hey, kid!" Ben walks in, making every customer jump. You were so tired and you did not need this today. "Hi, Ben." You sigh, not wanting to deal with him.
He frowned immediately, reaching over the counter to pat your head. "Geez, you sound horrible, rough day? I told you you've been working too much!"
You winced at his touch and he ignored that. "I need the hours." You respond dryly, trying to get him to walk away.
He just moved from your head to pinch your cheek, you bat him away immediately. "You work too much for a little kid, you should be, like... Eating crayons or something."
You raised an eyebrow. You weren't a kid, and eating crayons? Really?
He shrugged. "What? I don't know what kids do in their free time."
You stepped back to pretend to clean something. "I'm busy, do you want to order something?"
He grinned, unbothered by your attitude. He actually seemed amused by it, like you were throwing a tantrum. "Just get me your favorite and get some for yourself too."
You needed to talk to your boss to see if you can get a black list. You ordered it all and he dragged you to sit with him for your break.
You sat across from him, eating to avoid talking, and debating asking a stranger for help, when Emma came in. She looked by the counter, realized you weren't there, and looked around.
"Is that Emma? What's she doing here?" Ben asked, mid wipe of a crumb on your cheek. "Don't know." You replied, watching Emma. "And stop it." You told him, waving his hand off for the fifth time.
"Your so messy, let me get it." He ignored your attempts and wiped it anyway, smiling again. "There, perfect." He said with a twinge of that obession that made you get chills.
Emma noticed you and walked over. "Hey... Y/N." She greeted, giving Ben a sideways look. "Ben," Ben leaned back, guilty about getting caught, and waved politely. "Hey, Emma. Why are you here?" His tone got territoral. That was new.
"Just wanted to see Y/N at work." Emma snapped. Her tone was aggresive, you felt happy for the defense on your side.
"Well, they're with me." Ben drawled, leaning closer to you. "You can go now."
"But-"
"Now." Ben's tone was murderous and Emma opened her mouth before running off. She didn't fully leave, she just waited outside the store.
"Well, my break is over." You said, standing up, making Ben immediately shoot up across from you.
Before you could even flinch, he darted forward and wrapped both arms around you, clutching you to his chest. "Alright, fine, fine." He huffed, squeezing the air out of your lungs. "See you later, bud." He kissed the top of your head and ran out before you could yell.
You glared at the door but then noticed...
Emma and Ben were... Talking. Emma looked serious but not mad... She looked...
Guilty.
Ben was smiling, maybe trying to charm her, or... Were they planning something? Emma kept whispering and looking around, they looked super suspicious.
Emma can't be with Ben. She can't. If the two are acting together, she could use everything you've told her against you.
You bite back the rush of dread and betrayal and go back to work. You could always move away if things get too rough, right?
Well, the house market was still crashing and you only worked at fast food jobs, so...
You pull out your phone, you need backup.
------------------------
You were with another friend, not Ben, not Emma, but Elijah. "Why am I here, Y/N?" He asked calmly like always. It was good to have someone as calm as Elijah to help calm you.
You stare down at your drink. "I think Emma and Ben are talking."
Elijah freezes, eyes going wide as he states at you before relaxing, looking down at his own drink. "I kind of suspected that." He admits.
That makes you look up. "What? Why? And why didn't you say anything?!" In this time of your life, you need all the support and knowledge available.
"Well, I wasn't sure at first." He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "But she's been talking to him more and more, defending him, and didn't she seem... Aggressive when you accused you?"
You think back to the first meeting... He was right. She wasn't painfully obvious, but it was enough.
"Okay," you breathed in. "Okay. What do we do?"
"We do what you've done with Ben. Distance ourselves but not obviously, whatever they're planning, we might make it worse if they know we know."
You lean back in your seat. All these rules and stalking and betrayals... Your head was starting to hurt from the stress. "I can't wait for everything to be over."
"Yeah, me too."
-------------------------------
You went to the store, the only other time you go out, until you could move out. Delivery was too expensive.
You left your cart to go inspect some fruit and when you came back there was a bag of your favorite snack. You were confused because you didn't even go near that isle, when arms wound around your waist.
"Surprise!" Ben's cheery voice rang out too loud in your ears. He noticed and immediately lowered his voice. "Whoops! Sorry, sweetie, sorry!" He didn't put you down. "Forgot about your sensitive little ears." He emphasized this point by kissing your temple.
Was it just you, or was he getting worse?
"Haha," you laughed awkwardly, managing to untangle yourself "Hi, Ben!" you force out, putting a good distance between yourself and him.
He responds by sliding closer. Seriously. He could not be more obvious if he tried. He had cornered you by the cart, looming over you.
"Hi, kid." He mumbled, voice weirdly intense. He slowly patted your head. "Why are you shopping this late?"
"Its not late."
"Its late if you're by yourself."
"Its the afternoon."
"Y/N."
You jerk back, making the cart slowly roll away as you catch it. "I have to keep shopping." You force out, then because he can't take a hint, "Alone."
He smiled, his previous cheer back. "Why go alone when you have me to go with? You might need help grabbing stuff."
"I can reach the top shelf." You glare. "I'm fine."
"Sure, sure, your tough as nails, sweetie." He said as he ruffled your hair again. He pushed past you and you're reminded of his strength, and grabs the cart. "Where's your list?"
"I don't need one, its in my head."
"Y/N!"
-----------------------
After managing to convince Ben to let you drive home alone, you nearly collapsed in relief. You had the receipt of the groceries that he paid for and the store was working on getting the video proof of him grabbing your cart.
Your evidence was getting bigger and bigger. You finally saved enough too! Just as you're about to message Elijah, a text from Emma appears.
"Hey! I've noticed we haven't talked recently, everything okay?? :("
"Ben is still stalking me but nothing new :P Thanks for checking up tho!!"
Then you message Elijah. "I've got enough evidence to at least threaten him, idk if its enough"
You add "Oh and I'm moving out next week, can you help without telling Ben or Emma???"
The reply was quick. "Of course, Y/N."
--------------------------------
It was your last day of your job and then you were out. Money would be tight but it'd be worth it.
Ben came in and you couldn't even be mad, this was the last time you'd deal with him. Finally!
"Hey, bud! You're look chipper this morning!" He smiled walking right up to the counter to pinch your cheek. Your good mood evaporated.
"Just slept good last night." You lied. You were up pretty late throwing yourself a party by yourself, Elijah had plans. Ben's hands suddenly cupped your face, fingers under your eyes.
You immediately jerk away. He doesn't flinch, looking deeply concerned. "You're eyes look a little tired up close, kiddo, are you sure?" His voice was sweetly soft, too soft.
"Yeah. Totally fine." Usually you're a better liar.
He shrugged, choosing his battles. "I'll have whatever you usually get."
"This is for me, isn't it?"
"You know me so well."
---------------------------
it was near the end of your shift, Elijah came to distract Ben while you went on break, sneaking outside to breathe for a minute while Elijah was yapping who knows what to Ben.
You felt a sense of calm wash over you, but it was broken by the sound of a familiar voice. "Y/N?" You turned to face Emma.
"Hey," you waved quietly, watching her face. She looked concerned and hurt.
"Why haven't you been talking to me recently?"
You stared.
"Sorry, that was blunt..." she back tracked. Did she not know? Was she that dumb? Did she think you were that dumb?
"Busy, I guess. Ben is exhausting..." It was partly a lie, you weren't busy but Ben was making you crazy.
"Are... Are you sure? I just felt like you and Elijah are always together now and wasn't Elijah closer to Ben?"
Was she...?
"I mean, they were always talking! Before we knew about how crazy he was, Ben was his best friend! Ben is still always at my house to see him!" She was rambling.
She was lying, she lied before... Right? This was a trick, trying to get you away from safety. Maybe she knew! You felt shaky and dreadful but yoh didn't back down.
"Do you have proof?"
"Well, no-"
"Elijah has always been on my side, he doesn't care about Ben anymore after what I told him."
She stared at her feet.
"My break is almost over." You spat, turning around. You felt a weird sense of deja vu, Emma kinda sounded like you did when you tried to explain to the cops about Ben. "Goodbye."
"You're making a mistake, Y/N." She called after you. You paused but didn't turn back. "I won't be able to stop him."
You turned, confused. "You never stopped him."
"I wasn't talking about Ben."
------------------------------
After carefully dodging his offer to drive you home, you made it back and decided to get started moving. You grabbed some old boxes, tape, and sharpies.
You decided to pack up all your evidence first. Writing 'fragile' on it and hoisting it up. It was light, but it felt heavy with your new life ahead. It was your safety.
You heard a car and ran out with the box in your arms. Elijah was there but his face was grim. He noticed you and moved closer.
"Hey!" You greeted happily. "We did it, right?" You tried to cheer him up but his face was the same. "Is... Everything okay?"
"I'm sorry."
Your blood went cold, replaying Emma's warning in the back of your mind. "What?"
He looked at you, his eyes remorseful. You heard a car door and looked past him.
Ben's car.
"Oh, kiddo..." He cooed, moving past a frozen Elijah "You didn't think I would let random people become your friends, did you?" He laughed sweetly. "You're shaking."
You didn't even realize. Your eyes were trained on Elijah. He looked down again, shame radiating off of him. "Its for your own good." He said quietly.
"No," you argued. "Its not."
You threw your pile of evidence at Ben, making him fall a little back with an 'Oof!' As you ran.
You didnt look back. You didnt wait. You left your evidence.
You made it out of your neighborhood when the sound of tires was nearby. You jumped into a nearby bush. "...Find them! Now!" Ben's voice was scared and terrifying.
The car drove past your spot, you waited a minute before darting out and running back the way you came. You made it home, Ben had left the box, but it was broken. It must've been thrown by Ben in the chase.
You knelt by it, opening the box. The USB was smashed, the letter crumpled, the receipt blew out of the box and into the wind. You didn't try to grab it.
You knew you had to get out, you had to get into your car and drive to your new house-No, a new one. One no one knew about. You had a new plan laid out in your head.
Wet droplets hit the letter, you didn't even realize you were crying. This was all so much, you though you did everything right. You did! Why was life like this?!
"Y/N? Y/N?! Oh, sweetheart!" Ben's arms were around you immediately, he fell to his knees with a thud, pulling you tightly against his chest.
He held you like it would be the last time, like he could squeeze out all your tears, like you were the only thing that mattered to him. Maybe you were.
One giant arm was wound around your back, tight and heavy, so so heavy... Another was on the back of your head, holding you much more gently, fingers tangled in your hair and keeping your face in his shoulder.
He let out a shuddering breath. "Shh... Shh... It's okay... Its okay..." His voice was shrill, maybe even he was crying now too. Your teary eyes slowly lifted, trying to be able to breathe. You met Elijah's eyes above you.
He was smiling.
------------------------
Sorry its been so long! I wanted it to be perfect! While I don't think reader is that smart, Ben isn't either, and this isn't perfect, im happy with the ending and I hope you all are too, thanks for reading I love all of you and see ya!
-PSL
No one noticed I forgot the warnings for a minute there right?
Antibody tests can give a clearer picture of who has been infected but don’t guarantee immunity for those who test positive.
As some countries begin to reopen in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, experts are racing to ramp up the development and use of blood tests that pinpoint people who have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 and are no longer infected.
The tests detect antibodies, proteins made by the immune system to fight infection (SN: 3/27/20). People who carry antibodies specific to the novel coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2, have been infected previously, even if they didn’t know it. For those people, discovering that they have these virus-fighting antibodies could raise hopes of immunity and a return to normal life.
But scientists are also working to uncover what these blood tests really tell us. At this point, there isn’t enough evidence to confirm that recovered people are protected from the disease and, if so, for how long, the World Health Organization said in a statement on April 24. So people hoping for that assurance may be disappointed.
For researchers and public health officials, though, the tests can reveal the true extent of the pandemic. The U.S. National Institutes of Health announced April 10 that researchers had begun recruiting people for a nationwide study that aims to test as many as 10,000 volunteers without an official COVID-19 diagnosis, which could help clarify how many people across the country have actually been infected. A number of similar, more local studies are also under way.
The goal is to fill in the gaps created by trouble rolling out diagnostic tests, which detect the virus’s genetic material and can catch an active infection. Those tests have faced roadblocks such as flawed tests and supply shortages, leaving some sick people wondering whether their symptoms were from COVID-19 or a different respiratory infection.
Such tests can’t detect the virus once the infection has cleared. But antibodies typically stick around in the body after the virus has disappeared, giving scientists a glimpse into the past. So for people who weren’t able to get a diagnostic test, the antibody test “will give us the ability to let them know yes, you did have COVID-19,” says Aneesh Mehta, an infectious disease physician at Emory University in Atlanta.
Knowing how many people have already been exposed to the virus is also a step toward understanding when the pandemic might end (SN: 3/24/20). High numbers of immune people can protect the population as a whole from outbreaks, creating what’s called herd immunity. Researchers estimate that around one-third to two-thirds of a population would need to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 to reach herd immunity.
His heart thrums in his chest as he slips his key into the lock. Cautiously, he lets the front door slowly creak open before stepping inside. He runs his fingers haphazardly through his sandy hair trying, without much success, to calm his nerves and appear put-together. He puts his bag down by the door, pulls in a shaky breath, and strides into the living room.
She sits in the armchair, her nails tapping angrily on the armrest, one leg tucked underneath her. “Late again, Jake?”
He grimaces at her scowl. “Sorry, Princess, you know how these private flyers can be. It’s never on--”
“I don’t want to hear another one of your excuses, Jake. I’m tired of it,” she shifts, untucking her leg and leaning forward, her arms snaking around herself as she leans forward towards her knees. “You’re always so full of excuses.”
Jake settles his weight against the door frame, and sucks in a breath. “I… I don’t know what you want me to say, then.”
Lydia’s face snaps up, her eyes a raging wildfire. “I don’t want you to say anything, Jake. I want you to show the hell up.”
Jake rubs his neck, shrugging. Lydia rises to her feet, her normally happy face twisted into an angry frown.
“I just-- I just…” Her face falls, and Jake can see the tears welling in her eyes. “I just don’t know if I can do this anymore, Top Gun.”
Jake’s mouth falls open and she brushes past him, through the front door and into the night. He turns to watch her leave, his shoulders slumping in defeat. He rubs his eyes and makes his way to the bedroom. Flopping down on the bed, he turns to look at the picture of the two of them he keeps on his nightstand. She stands in front of him on the beach, her hair falling haphazardly into her eyes as she laughs. His arms draped around her waist, a lazy smile on his lips as he rested his chin on her shoulder. He couldn’t believe that the photo had been taken almost five years ago, just days before they left La Huerta.
Brick by brick they had built their relationship up from the moment he had laid eyes on her in the cockpit, and as strong as they had been, it seemed like the hurricane of life was going to take it all away. He sighed, and turned his head away from the photo to look up at the ceiling. He closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on sounds of the tide coming in outside the walls of the bungalow, but all he could hear was Lydia’s voice, and echoes of all the fights they had been having in recent months. The fighting seemed endless, and Jake felt that he couldn’t ever say the right thing, but he’d say anything to get her to stay if only she’d listen. But how could he, when she wouldn’t hear him over her constant screaming.
He couldn’t remember at this point how the fighting had started, but that he and Lydia weren’t clicking as well as they used to. He had started going to the bar again after landing, and while he knew how much his Princess disliked him doing it, the thought of coming home to more fighting just wasn’t nearly as appealing as a whiskey neat. He wasn’t sure how to make things better, hell, he didn’t really know if there was a way to make things better at this point. Jake sighs, turning to look at Lydia’s side of the bed. He notices an envelope haphazardly thrown on her nightstand, and he rolls towards it, picking it up.
A thick bundle falls out of it, and he glances at it furtively, an audible gasp escaping his lips when he sees the ticket to the States. Curiously piquing, he opens the letter and scans it quickly.
Lydia,
I’m sorry things haven’t been going well with Flyboy. Why don’t you come back Stateside for awhile? You are always welcome at my place in Jacksonville, and it might be nice to spend some time together. When was the last time you had a chance to come to one of my games? I’m sure the rest of the group would love to see you as well. At any rate, this ticket is good indefinitely, so use it as you’d like.
Sean
Frustrated, Jake shoves the ticket and the letter back in the envelope, and tosses it back on the nightstand. He rakes his hand through his hair and sits up in their bed. He couldn’t even be mad at her for talking about their issues to the others; it wasn’t like she could talk to him. He had made sure that he was pretty much unavailable except for brief moments like tonight, where he couldn’t escape coming home. It hurt though, nonetheless. Panic rose quickly in his chest, the thought of her actually leaving him suddenly seeming like a reality. Suddenly, realization dawned on him that he was being selfish, and avoiding the issues didn’t make them go away. If he let his Princess walk away now, it wouldn’t prove a thing, other than the fact that he was a coward.
He jumps to his feet hurriedly and rushes out the door, into the night. He skids to a halt about halfway to their spot, catching sight of her near the water, the tide coming steadily closer to her as she sits, her head buried in her arms. Jake watches as she lifts her head, wiping at her eyes, before turning away from him to look at the moon’s pale face. Silently, he approaches her, sitting wordlessly down in the sand next to her. He lets his knee fall gently against hers, and she startles slightly.
“Jake…” She says, her voice trailing off as her eyes lock onto his.
“Stay.”
“W-what?”
Jake brushes a stray lock of her hair off her cheek, and lets his fingers trail down her neck, his breath catching in his throat. He’s always amazed that she has that effect on him, even years later. “Don’t go, Princess. Don’t… give up on us just yet.”
She leans into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. She opens her eyes and straightens up slightly, before looking down at the sand enveloping her toes. “I don’t want to Jake, I just know I can’t keep going like this.”
“Walking away never proves anything, I know that. I’ve been stupid, but I’m here now though, Princess. Talk to me.”
Lydia’s face falls, and a dry sob passes her lips. Jake gives into his desire, and wraps his arms around her, pulling her into him. He holds her, gently stroking her hair, as she cries into his chest. He presses his lips to the top of her head, breathing in the scent of her lavender shampoo and the salty ocean breeze. Some time passes before she lifts her head from his chest, and looks him in the eyes once more. “What’s going on with you, Jake? Are-are you… being unfaithful?”
The accusation feels like a slap in the face, and Jake jerks back slightly. “I’d never do that to you, Princess! You’re my everything, and I’d never hurt you like that. I love you, only you.”
“Then why,” she spreads her arms out slightly, fingers splayed, “are you being so distant? What happened?”
Jake half shrugs, his thoughts racing to come up with an answer that was both truthful and accurate. “I guess I’ve just been thinking about us, and where our relationship is going and the future. I don’t want this to be… all I can give you. All that your life is, Princess. You’ve always deserved more than this, and I guess I know that you aren’t happy because I’m not happy. And rather than try and change things for the better, I’ve been falling back into old habits in an effort to forget that there’s anything wrong. But I’m damn tired of running away, so let’s work this out.”
Lydia scoffs, a smile playing on her lips. “I’m so glad that’s all, Top Gun!”
Jake’s eyebrows knit together in confusion. “What do you mean, that’s all? It seems like a lot to me.”
Lydia bites her lip, trying to suppress her grin. “I may have been keeping something from you.”
“Oh god--”
Lydia cuts him off. “I applied for an online graduate program through Hartfield, and I got in! I’m going to be a mental health therapist, and I am really excited to be able to help others. I am happy, Jake. I am happy to be here with you, I’m happy to always stay right here with you. I’ll always stay true to you. You are my always.”
Jake pulls her into him, his arms wrapping fiercely around her. Lydia turns her face up to him and he presses his lips to hers, his heart thundering in his chest. She returns his passion seven-fold, and he lifts her into his lap to deepen the kiss. His tongue flits at her bottom lip, and her mouth parts, letting him in.
Moments pass before he pulls away from her, his eyes searching hers. “You’re really okay if this is all I can give you?”
“You’ve already given me everything I could ever want and more, Top Gun.”
Tens of thousands of subscribers. help-self. Click to read bookbear express, by Ava, a Substack publication.
people in this city are also the people who make the small glowing devices, the social media platforms, the subscription platform services, that other people criticize them on. Life happens on the Internet now.
I'm gonna go on a bit of a tangent here, so feel free to gloss over this. I've wanted a tongue piercing for a long time. Probably for 3 or 4 years now. I was originally going to get my webbing done, but the piercer told me it was too small, so I got my nipple pierced. That was fun, but I had to hide it. I knew my mom wouldn't accept it. When she found out, I swear she almost killed me. She didn't talk to me for a week. That was over something that you can't even see 90% of the time. She still hates it, but she knows it's here to stay.
So this time, when I decided I was finally gonna man up and get a full blown tongue piercing, I decided to tell her about it. I wasn't expecting her to react positively, but what I got in return was pretty much open hostility. She was vehemently opposed, and lead her argument with the very closed-minded statement of "There's nothing you can say that will change my opinion of them,". That was seriously disheartening.
I work for a bank, and since they're not exactly workplace approved, and I need to talk at my job, I took a vacation this week to get it done, and relearn how to talk. I'm nearly there, and my anxiety kicks in. I know if I go through with this, she won't accept it. I will be yelled at, ridiculed, told I'm making stupid and immature choices, and generally put down. All of this coming from a woman who my whole life has always told me she'd have my back, no matter what.
I know this seems trivial, but I'm really upset, and still anxious. I don't need any more unnecessary fighting in my life. It's just bullshit that she's so hypocritical.
I had a dream last night.
I lost my sight and I didnt get Geordis sight visor or Daredevils ability to see things that made sound. I was blind and Id never be able to read, write, watch movies, watch my favorite tv shows, play sheet music, use the computer, become a medical scientist like I wanted to, see nature, or see my own self when trying to get ready.
In this dream I went over to my crush and asked him to listen for five minutes and I told him all these things I wouldnt be able to do and then that I wouldnt be able to see his attractive face again and that I couldnt even see his response to what I just said. Im not sure what happened next. Did he hug me? Did he tell me that he didnt like me like that? I dont think it matters. It was just a dream and the point had already gotten across.
I decided this morning to start being bold. I have no idea what could happen tomorrow that could change my life. I might as well utilize my ability to live now and stop hesitating in everything I do. Im going to just tell him I like him, and if he likes me back then I avoided needless worrying and wasted time, and if he doesnt then I avoided the same thing.
It was almost a week before I offered Charlie the money we'd made from playing a trick on Edward Hillary – he was the kind of man who worked at a Wall Street casino and can be spared most pity or sorrow – but she just laughed it off when I suggested a college fund. I want to tell her that we cannot travel forever, that there are places I will go that she cannot follow. I know she knows this, but also that she does not know this. We settle on silence and a couple days of living in high-end hotels. Because Charlie insists that we use the money Edward's daughter gave us to sleep in nice places. Nice seems to mean places where you pay a lot of money in order to avoid seeing poor people. Hotels need little magic that they do not themselves provide, so the rest was nice until tonight. I wake at the tail end of the witching hour to pain in my tail bone that only walking cures. I dress, leaving Charlie to sleep in the other bed, depart the hotel room. The concierge in the lobby asks if I need anything, as if guests wandering outside at 3:33 am in jeans and a t-shirt is entirely normal. I just smile and walk outside. It is raining lightly but I decide not to let the rain touch me, following the throbs of pain and aches in my toes as the magic leads me a good dozen city blocks. No one bothers me at all during the walk, human or otherwise; I decide not to think on what that means. I follow flickering neon, odd scraps of paper and a magician's intuition for half an hour; the attack comes in a third side-alley, a blur of movement from the shadows to my left that slows to a crawl as it hits the ward I've wrapped about myself, magic as solid as a policeman's baton. I spin and rap the creature sharp on the forehead: a magician's touch isn't like that of other people. It doesn't notice and lunges again, all pale, red-eyed and dishevelled, teeth bright and sharp, canines more prominent and sharper. It is male, appearing to be roughly ten years old and in a state of raw anger and furious hungers. You mind? I whisper to the wind; it wraps about the Other a moment later and slaps him into the wall twice with perhaps more force than is needed. Some of the hunger fades as the creature strains against the wind once, twice, and then gives up, panting for air. "Magic," he hisses. "Magician, yes." I reach out a hand, raising his chin, the last hour of his life spilling into my mind in a rush of images. "You tried to bite someone and got maced." He raises his chin further and glares at me. "I am new here," he says, each word precise and measured, under it the truth that the biting had failed, that the creature could not drain others. Vampire's aren't strong as far as Others go – in fact, few things are weaker beyond Greys by some estimations – but I've never ran into one that couldn't drain energy at all. Not that it is a vampire, or greys are aliens, but the terms have fallen into common use and work as broad shorthand. "You should take on a different form, or at least an older one? The vampire is – limited," I offer, trying to be diplomatic. A hint of colour creeps up into the boy's face. "I can't." I blink, press my hand in lightly through flesh and pull back a moment later as he whimpers in pain. He is young as the Outside would measure it. Small and weak there, and the same here as well. I pull the mace out of his system and he gulps relieved breaths, not even strong enough to manage that alone. "How did you get here?" I put no power into the question and he is too relieved to notice my tone. "A – a thudent exthange?" he says, and then freezes, cheeks burning. I pause, then decide asking about that would just mean sleepless nights. "And I am?" "A magithan," he mumbles around his fangs. I ask the wind to let him go; he lands lightly, staring up warily. "I could send you home." He freezes and shakes his head minutely. "Why not?" I could find out, but I'm not sure he would survive the experience. "I'm – not as weak here," he says, meeting my gaze, resisting the urge to rub his chest where my fingers brushed his Self. "Perhaps. You could be something old hiding in a weak shell." "You think I'd uthe thith one?" he says indignantly. "Others have." He blinks a few times and his teeth slowly become merely human with an effort that turns his face the colour of bone and leaves him whimpering in pain. "Jath," he begins then: "My name is Jathal," and the falls silent, mouth snapping shut. I hold out my right hand. "Think it?" He presses his hand into mine and does so, his name weaving between us. It is smaller than I thought and he offers up all of it desperately, under it a binding open and wide. "What are you doing?" He lets go with a gulp."You could kill me anyway?" "You wish to be bound." I draw myself up; he doesn't cower. "Do you swear service by the Cone and the Grave?" Old names for older powers. He just stares at me blankly. "I don't know what that is." I must look as blank as I stare down at him. I've never ran into anything from Outside that didn't know about the powers that govern the Ways. "How old are you?" He stiffens at the gentleness in my voice and then looks away. "I don't know. I wath running from a threat, from thome ...." his face twists up "from a force bigger than me," he continues, slower. "It wanted to eat me. I ran and found a – a hole? A door? I fell to this world." An Other trapped in a form the world chose, unable to break it. It wasn't unheard of: I've been told that the myth of bigfoot comes from such things. I let out a breath. "I'm not going to bind you as my servant," I say after wrapping other bindings into him; he doesn't even notice me doing it. The boy freezes, scant control gone as fangs protrude to puncture his lower lip. His yelp of pain distracting him for a moment as he struggles to hold a human seeming. It takes everything I have not to laugh. "I'm going to trust you. We're staying in a motel: you know what that is?" He nods; transit imparts language even if his ability to speak it seems to have been twisted up, an echo of forcing himself into the world without the means or power to manage it. "Jay." "Huh?" "Does that work as a use-name?" He says it slowly a few times, then offers up a most serious nod and falls into step beside me. I try not to think about what Charlie is going to make of this.
