victim// a salvis fanfiction

sixteen~victim's fear

hihihi yes there are two chapter sixteens the previous one was an April fools joke for those who didnt read the authors note at the end anyways enjoy!!

~Travis Phelps~

I don't think much of it when Larry's phone starts to ring, I assume it's Lisa asking about dinner like she usually does at this time. I stay at his place almost every night now, my body is more accustomed to the curves and comfort of his couch than my own bed. Each day when school lets out my legs carry me to the apartments, accompanied by the familiar weight of the elevator key card in my back pocket.

I start to doze off to the sound of Larry's voice without paying attention to what he's saying until he smacks me in the forehead making me jump up and fall off the couch.

"Larry what the hell!?"

"Travis you won't fucking guess who just called."

I slowly roll over and stand up, brushing off my clothes and pressing my fingertips to my already sore forehead. "That's true I won't guess." I feel a pillow slam into my side as I start laughing.

"Shut up Travis I'm being serious!"

My laughter falls quiet when I look at his face, "What is it?"

"It was the police station."

I feel my heart drop. Please say they found Sal. Please say they found him alive. Don't tell me they have his body.

"Is Sal okay?" It's all I can say. I want to be hopeful but the look on Larry's face is draining the life out of me.

Larry stays quiet for a long time, staring blankly past me. If Sal's dead I just want to hear him say it. Say anything. This silence is tearing me apart I just want-

"Yeah, he's fine. Some cop is gonna meet us in the state over."

"Larry what the hell! You scared the shit out of me!" I pick up the pillow off the floor and throw it at his head, trying to get my heart rate back to normal.

He's laughing like a dumbass and I feel like a dumbass and I can't help but laugh with him because I can't remember the last time I was this happy.

Larry told me we were going to ride with the Sheriff to pick up Sal so we could verify his identity and keep him calm on the ride back. I sit anxiously on the front steps of the apartment waiting for the sheriff to show up, Larry leans against the wall next to me. The top section of his hair is tied up and the rest hangs loosely around his shoulders. Ashley taught him how to style his hair and I haven't seen him wear it normal in weeks.

I'm sure I'm going to freeze to death by the time I see the headlights shine on the salted road. Larry slides into the passenger seat and motions for me to sit behind him.

Most of the ride is relatively calm, Larry and Sheriff Laurier talk the whole time but I don't say anything. I can barely think. I should be beyond happy and I know that, Sal is finally found and he's alive and he's okay and that's great.

But I don't feel like I deserve to be here. Ash or Todd should have come. I don't belong here. I've done nothing but hurt Sal and it's my fault he ran away. I'm the problem. If I never bothered any of them they'd all be okay.

It'd be better if I didn't exist.

"Hey, boys, I'm gonna pull over at this gas station, need anything?" Larry perked up, "Now you mention it, I've really gotta pee."

The sheriff went in to buy a pack of cigarettes, Larry watched her go and got out of the car but hesitated, fingers still on the roof of the car.

"Travis, you've been really quiet. I know you don't like new people and you never talk much anyways but are you doing okay?" Larry didn't turn to face me so I stared at the back of his head. The stray pieces of hair scattered around his frame. I remember his hair looking the same ten years ago.

"Yeah, I'm good. Now go use the bathroom before you piss yourself."

Larry's laugh has always been the same, loud and scratchy and carefree. Larry's laugh has always made me smile, even now, as the car door closes and I know I'm not welcome, I smile.

And as I get out of the car and walk I to the woods, I smile wider because I know Sal and Larry will be happy together without me involved.

***

I'm planning on finding the nearest pay phone and calling my mom when I see movement ahead of me. My stomach drops in fear because at this point I've been walking for three hours and I know if an animal attacked me I'd have no chance at defending myself.

Then I realize what I see is a person, and as my eyes adjust to the darkness I feel my heart soar because I'm looking at Sal.

And Sal is looking at me.

Time slows as we stand there, alone together in the forest surrounded by darkness.

And then he speaks, and I'm shocked back to reality. "Run!"

I feel him grab my hand and pull me away and although I'm confused and shocked and barely conscious my fingers don't hesitate to link with his, holding on with desperation. As our hands are interlocked they hold a silent promise.

I won't let go.

My legs don't take long to follow suit, and almost instantly me and Sal are running hand in hand through the woods. I don't know where we're running to, or what we're running from, but I trust in him.

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hey!!!! i know i said i would update next week almost an exact month ago but in my defense, i have writers block </3

anyways i hope we all enjoyed the much awaited update!!

daily question; have you seen heartstopper?? im asking cause im fixated- if you have seen it tell me whats your favorite character and why or whats your favorite scene? lets just chat :))

sincerely,

ashes <3