Darren Baker

[xxdarrenbakerxx-blog]

norah--resnik:

The last person Norah had expected to run into was Darren. Of all people, on this day, to see… ugh. She had hoped that her ducking behind the corner would keep her hidden. Clearly she wasn’t very good at this. Norah needed to keep a low profile and she was pretty scared lately, not sure what she was or why she was here, dealing with the fact she had been murdered of all things…

When she heard him say her name Norah winced. Shit. She pressed her back against the wall and hoped he would just think it was his imagination but then there he was. “H-Hi.” Great. Just great.

The dead were walking around, everybody knew that. This wasn’t just any dead person, this was Norah Resnik. Darren had known her. Given he never came across one of the dead before this moment, he didn’t even know how he felt. His opinion had been in the middle. It wasn’t natural and people had a right to be afraid, but he understood people not wanting their loved ones to slip through their fingers once again. He was torn mentally what to do at the moment. The risen were supposed to be turned in. 

“You- you were...” Darren didn’t finish the sentence. They both knew what the last word would have been. Dead. Naomi didn’t say anything to him, did she know about her sister being back. There were a million questions in his mind. Frustrated, his hand ran through his hair. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

[xxdarrenbakerxx-blog]

naomixresnik:

As she sat in the booth and felt his arm around her shoulder even in her drunk state of mind she felt butterflies. The same butterflies she would have felt years ago. As he brought up the fact that they should hangout more, she’d usually scare off. She knew this conversation was just the beginning of something she didn’t want to talk about. With the alcohol running through her veins she felt confident being able to keep this conversation civil. She looked at him, “Why?” She was curious where this could go, “are our group of friends not good enough for you?” she chuckled. She wasn’t sure what angle she was playing from though it was very different from where she would have gone sober.

His question was answered with another question. Darren didn’t know how to feel about that and his arm fell back to his side. Little more liquid courage was needed to get through this conversation. A big gulp was taken from his drink, shaking his head lightly at the secondary question. Their friends had nothing with the matter and he knew she knew that. 

“Our friends are great. They don’t need to be drunk to be alone with me.” It came out like vomit. Wasn’t malicious, more of a defeated tone he spoke in. Darren normally wouldn’t address the issue at all, but Naomi could be so confusing at times, especially when they were drinking. Darren licked his lips trying to not let emotions get the better of him. “As for why, why not” The question hung in the air for a moment before he continued, “because I like you, Naomi.”

[xxdarrenbakerxx-blog]

naomixresnik:

Naomi loved how comfortable things were between the two of them in this moment. Usually she only hung out with him when all their friends were around as well. It was rare that they were out, on their own. It felt like old times. She couldn’t help but laugh a little as his hands went up in a surrender pose.

She looked at him narrowing her eyes, seriously wondering what kind of story he would come up with. Some kind of sarcastic joke that would play on and on, though she could tell what he’d said next wasn’t just a story. “What? No!” She looked at him a little shocked, she’d sworn that they’d gotten kicked out together. “Okay, well, I think I should you should have it!” She looked over and saw a bench area that had an opening. “Oh! There are some seats!” She yelled before grabbing her drink and his arm and starting to walk in the direction of the empty bench.

Darren grinned waiting for the truth to surface in that drunk brain of hers. It finally did and the look on her face was rather cute. Hard to stay upset at, though he wasn’t in the first place. The shots were eyed and he was about to slide one over in front of her when she mentioned them both taking a shot over the misunderstanding. His brows furrowed in confusion and he looked at her as if she had gone crazy.

“How am I getting stuck with a shot after being called a liar?” Darren felt cheated, not that they was time to dwell, or take the shot. He felt himself being dragged from the bar over to a booth and snagged his drink in the nick of time. Sliding in on the same side of the booth as Naomi, Darren wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You know, we should do this more often. Going out. Just you and me.” It was always difficult to get her to even engage in a simple conversation when she was sober. Why he felt he should even bring it up was unknown. Darren was going to blame the alcohol.  

[xxdarrenbakerxx-blog]

norah--resnik:

Norah knew she needed to stay hidden but she’d desperately needed some air before she went stir crazy in that house. She was a bit anxious walking down the street though and when she spotted a vaguely familiar face in the distance, she didn’t even think twice before she flung herself back round the corner, pressing herself against the wall in a panic. She probably looked like a complete freak to the people around her and probably just drew attention… but she was scared and she didn’t want to end up carted off and experimented on or whatever they were doing.

In the mornings he took a walk to clear his head when he was over thinking. Usually it worked and he’d feel more at ease by the end of the walk, but today was different. His Mind was reeling and wouldn’t leave him be. Off in the distance he caught a glimpse of someone he thought he knew. Darren stiffened as he hadn’t seen that face in sometime, but written it off as a mistake. Naomi wouldn’t keep a secret like her sister was back from the dead from him. The way she darted around the corner was suspicious. 

“Hey - Na-Norah?” The name was quickly corrected into Norah before he fully got Naomi out. Darren’s heart started beating faster as he didn’t exactly know what to do in this sort of situation. This was the first time he came across a dead person and knew about it. “Wha-” Darren took a step back, not sure what to say.

[xxdarrenbakerxx-blog]

naomixresnik:  

As Darren started to state the obvious rules of the game she gave him a look, though quickly decided to play along. “Okay,” She piped in between his sentences. At the suggestion of involving shots, she smirked thinking about it. She was really feeling tipsy right now, “Sure! Mainly, cause I’m gonna get you drinking.” She smirked and asked the bartender to pour them both shots.

Hearing his first easy question took her off guard, “What? That’s such a lie!” She pointed at him, “We got thrown out together in high school!” She added in, though she was pretty drunk that night, and the real story was that she got kicked out and he helped her out. A scenario she had mixed up within her own memory. “So you should have to take two shots for lying in your own question!”  

A sly smirk grew at the mention of getting him to drink more. Nights like these was what he missed the most about Naomi. It had always been complicated between the two because of her sister, but he really liked her. Kept it to himself out of respect since if they ever got into a deep conversation she shut him out. The accusation that he had lied made him raise his brows and then his hands went in the air when her finger came to point at him. 

“Whoa there, tiger.” The mention of double shots for a consequence caused him to chuckle slightly. Darren wasn’t going to catch up that fast. “You must really want me to drink to spin that wild of a story. You, not me got kicked out that night. I left to you help you home. If anyone should be taking a shot, it’s you for calling me a liar!” 

[xxdarrenbakerxx-blog]

naomixresnik:

Naomi loved how she could fall back into old routines with Darren, she loved how easy it was. It was nights like these where at this point she could be completely comfortable and not worry about any talking about feelings or anything. “Oh of course,” She smiled, she took a sip of her drink, then put it down on the bar as she listened to his option. “Ooh, you do have quite the selection.” She smirked.

“Hmm, let’s start with a classic. Never have I ever.” She stated although she wondered how this game would play out since she knew a lot about Darren and he knew a lot about her. “So wait, if I don’t want to tell you whether or not I’ve done it, I drink? Is that how it works?” She clarified before taking another sip of her drink. “Or do I take a shot when that happens?” After she got her answer she nodded her head, “Alright, well since you came up with the idea I’ll let you do the honours of going first.”

The classic, Never Have I Ever game was chosen. A smile grew since it was a good choice. The coke and Jack was slid closer to him since he’d most likely be needing it for this.Clarification was asked on how they planned to play the game and he was just going to follow the basic rules. The idea of not answering did give him an idea on how to implement shots in the game. 

“One of us starts out with stating something we’ve never done. If you’ve done it you answer by taking a drink, if not you don’t have to drink. Then it goes to the next person and round and round it goes.” Explaining how he normally played the game with others. “You want shots involved, we can have it if you don’t want to answer you take a shot as a consequence.” he added, sort of liking that idea, not that he kept anything from Naomi. “Not that I see what you’d want to keep from me.” he added in a playful tone. “Alright, I’ll start with an easy one. Never have I ever been kicked out of a bar. .”     

[xxdarrenbakerxx-blog]

gemmapearson:

“I just love how you know everything about everything that ever happens, that’s amazing.” Gemma shot at him, rolling her eyes. “I didn’t want a bag, I brought one. What’s the big fucking deal?” Mentioning the manager and the cameras, Gemma took a step backwards, ready to bolt. Great. She’d just find somewhere else to steal from but this place clearly had the most brands. “Do whatever you want.” She snapped,  gripping the strap hard between her fingers as she glared at him. She needed to get out of here before somebody who recognised her came along…. and promptly had a heart attack at the dead girl walking. “Mind your own fucking business next time.” Gemma huffed as she turned to storm off.

The big deal was she stole. The way she snapped and became so defensive was only minimizing any doubts he had in his mind. Darren rolled his eyes at the younger girl, growing tired of this attitude. “Thanks, I will do what I want. Next time don’t steal and maybe you’ll have a better trip to the grocery store.” Darren said, before turning to go inside the store, not caring where the bratty teenager  stalked off to.

[xxdarrenbakerxx-blog]

naomixresnik:

Naomi smiled widely at him shrugging her shoulders, “It will be once school starts up again.” She knew that classes were just around the corner, and this would probably be her last night out for a while. “I would ask you what classes you’re taking but I honestly don’t want to talk about school anymore.” She looked at the bar for another one of her usual drinks, a classic screwdriver was all she liked when going to a bar. 

“Ooh, I like interesting.” She smirked as she took a sip of her drink, she put her glass down and turned for the beer nuts, feeling herself get a little hungry. As she reached and grabbed the bowl sliding it between them she looked back at Darren, “So what’s the game?” She asked with a smirk still on her face. 

Trying to catch up slightly, Darren switched over to Jack and Coke for his next drink. The order was put in along with Naomi’s. A drinking game is what he had on his mind and he looked over the bar for what they could do. Normally, when played with the boys it was to see if they could get a girl’s phone number, if they were unsuccessful they had to take shot. However, that wasn’t how he wanted to play with Naomi, for multiple reasons. 

“A drinking game, of course.” he said, a bit cheekily. “Have a couple of ideas, but feel free to suggest any if you want. Never have I ever? Maybe our bartender will be nice enough to help us set up  Russian Roulette. Five shot glasses, one filled with vodka, the rest with water and we take turns picking.”  

[xxdarrenbakerxx-blog]

gemmapearson:

Gemma zipped the bag back up hastily and was set to hurry off, back away to her isolation at the cabin, when the guy spoke again and she lifted her head, looking at him sharply. Gemma frowned. “It is paid for.” She snapped at him, slinging the bag over her shoulder. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

Calling the younger girl out wasn’t quite what he expected. Darren was being met with a lot of attitude. His head tilted to the side, a bit offended. Did she think he was stupid. “Riight, paid for. So you handed a cashier money before you left and she just didn’t want to give you any bags to carry your groceries in?” he asked, not buying into the lie. Two brows raised before he nodded a bit in agreement. It really wasn’t any of his business. “You’re right, I really shouldn’t be the one to get involved. Maybe I’ll just tip off the store manager I saw a shoplifter and give him your description. Sure he can pull up all he needs to know on the cameras and take it from there.”  

[xxdarrenbakerxx-blog]

naomixresnik:

Naomi smiled as they clinked their drinks and when she took it back she slammed the glass down and cheered. Watching the look of disgust Darren expressed on his face made her start to laugh. “Oh come on, it’s not that bad!” She teased as she continued to laugh teasingly. “Well, you could be like me if you take three more and then we should be on the same level.” She laughed gently.

As she walked him start to drink his beer. “Yea, drink up, you need to catch up!” she encouraged still laughing lightly. She looked over to see that their booth had been taken when he’d asked his question it made her a little nervous because it’s been a while since she’s been avoiding him. She didn’t like talking with him because it always leads back to her feeling guilty for the getaway they spent the nights before her sister’s disappearance. “You know me, working, not going to school, hanging out with the girls.” She shrugged her shoulders coming off casual. “What about you? What have you been up to?”

There was a bit of a chuckle when she told him to drink up, clearly trying to get him on the same level. A smile grew and he chuckled slightly, placing the beer down back on the bar. His gaze followed hers to the taken booth and he got settled in on a stool. Guess a sitting at the bar was where they were going to be. The answer given was short and sweet, but he didn’t think anything of it. 

“Ah, sounds like a busy life.” The question was turned on to him and he let out a bit of a sigh. “Main focus still school. Trying to wrap that up and start the next chapter of my life.” Darren had already put some thought into what he wanted to do, but he just wasn’t ready to tell anyone yet. Afraid that many would disagree with the choice and talk him out of it. “Been hanging with friends too, when I get a chance.” Another sip of his beer was taken, it nearing the end. Darren didn’t really want to think to hard tonight. “Well, should we make this night interesting? Perhaps play a little game?”

[xxdarrenbakerxx-blog]

gemmapearson:

Gemma’s thoughts were racing and she felt so exposed out here. She hadn’t bumped into anyone she used to know after that night in the woods when she’d woken up. Thankfully she’d never had a repeat. “What? Oh, right. Yeah.” She managed to get out, grateful it hadn’t been obvious she’d been stealing. She glanced over her shoulder but the workers weren’t paying attention. Amateurs. “Thanks I guess.” Gemma wasn’t usually quite so polite but she was having a tough time staying grounded. She added a little eye roll for good measure as she stepped away from the entrance of the shop.

The stranger seemed a bit out of it. Darren noticed the lack of grocery bags and how the food wasn’t exactly packed away correctly. The way she twisted to look back at the store made it click in his mind. “You’re welcome, I guess.” The reply was short, given he put it together that she was stealing food. The little eye roll he found to be rude and he let out a sigh. “You plan on paying for all of that at some point?” 

[xxdarrenbakerxx-blog]

naomixresnik:

“You better not be, I come as incredibly good company.” she laughed gently and took a sip of her drink that was in her hand. “I am indeed” she shook her head, “No no, if I’m having a shot you’re having one with me.” It was moments like these where she did enjoy spending time with Darren, she waved to the bartender and gave him a signal she’s been giving him all night. She grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the booth and dragging him to the bar, “Alright here.” She spoke putting the shot in front of him. “You ready?” She laughed before counting them down and taking the shot after yelling go.

“Oh, am I now?” The choice wasn’t really given and he watched her put an order in from across the room. “Well, don’t you have that down?” he asked, chuckling slightly as he pointed to the bartender, who went right to work on the order. Darren felt a pull and he was being dragged to the bar, willingly. The shot was placed in front of him and he grinned. “Cheers first?” he said, bringing his glass up and clinking it against hers before the count down started. On go, he threw back the glass and took it down in one awful gulp. A hiss came out while his face wrinkled in disgust. 

“Wow, I wish I were you and couldn’t taste tequila right now.” The glass was slid away from him and he’d remember in the future to get a shot of something better. A couple of gulps were taken of his beer to wash the taste away. “It’s been a while. What have you been up to these days?” 

[xxdarrenbakerxx-blog]

naomixresnik:

Naomi had been drinking with Peyton for a couple hours now, and although she semi steadied herself it was her plan to get fairly wasted. At this point in the evening, she was pretty tipsy, and she was feeling really good. If she were sober she wouldn’t have paid much attention, though as she caught him in the corner of her eye she made her way over to him and sat down in the booth beside him. “Well hello, old friend.” She smiled and laughed, alright maybe she was a little more than drunk. “Okay tell me, what is really the taste of tequila? Cause I can’t taste it anymore!” 

@xxdarrenbakerxx

Darren’s plan was to unwind at the bar for the night. A beer, half emptied, already sat in front of him. He was scrolling through his phone to see which friend he could convince to come out, when he caught a familiar face scooting into his booth and sitting next to him. A smile immediately spread across his face as he tucked his cell phone away. Quite some time had gone by since the last time he had seen Naomi and he was pleasantly surprised. 

“Why, hello there, old friend. Didn’t expect to see you here, not that I’m complaining.” Darren leaned up against the table, facing and giving Naomi his full attention. Didn’t take long to notice that she was feeling quite good. “Well, you’re clearly having a fun night. Tequila is rather nasty, in my opinion. I can order you a shot though, maybe you’ll be able to taste it now?” 

[xxdarrenbakerxx-blog]

gemmapearson:

The holidays had been more of the same as far as Gemma was concerned. Gemma had stayed in hiding as long as she could but now her supply was running low and she had decided to take the trip into town to stock up again. After scurrying round the rather busy shop and grabbing what she could, Gemma had hurried back out. The second she threw the door open however, a loaf of bread fell from the bag she’d been concealing everything in. “Ugh. Shit…”

A couple of groceries needed to be picked up and then he had the rest of the day to relax. Darren turned the corner to enter the store, coming face to face with a stranger. Bending over, he was quick to pick up the loaf of bread. “At least it wasn’t eggs.” he said, looking at the bright side of the situation. The loaf was held out for her to take back. “Here you go.”

[masterofallevils]

Dominic Sherwood in “Don’t Sleep” (2017)