Doctor Sleep | Dan x OC

Residue

Amy Duvall is now in her mid 20s, and still spinning around a stage. Finally being viewed under the big lights. Her skimpy bra and thong are the only things holding the loose rent money to her body. She's a dancer alright, but not in New York. She stumbles off the stage drunkenly counting her stacks of cash for the night. $358. Not bad for a Tuesday night. That'd get her some food and another two weeks at the rental.

Her boss comes up behind her, both hands massaging her shoulders. "You did good, dollface. How'd you like to make some more?" She knew what that meant, but she was sore. "What's in it for me?" Lance pushes the mirror under her nose, two lines waiting for her. "Got an 8 ball for trade. You can keep all the cash you make." With no hesitation, she snorts the coke, a never-ending cycle. "They're ready for you in the red room."

Dick stands in the corner of the room looking at the skimpily clad girl, once so young and innocent. "Look at you. This what your mother wanted you to be?" Amy laughs as she reapplies her eyeliner. "My mother. The fuck do you know about my mother?" Dick shakes his head. "You can be so much more. You can help others." She pushes past him, "I need to help myself stay alive. Better than you can say, huh?" Amy pushes at the scar from the ax. She walks past the curtain and into the red room. Disappointment seeped from her blood.

~

Dan Torrance, mid 20's, jolts awake with a start. Pale and sweaty. His face was bruised and swollen. His head pounding from one of the worst hangovers of his life. A young girl was asleep next to him. Also naked. He stares, trying to remember. A dive bar. Dan, downing a shot of whiskey. And another. The woman, holding onto him while he shoots pool.

There's vomit next to her mouth, staining her pillow. As the sight and smell hit him, Dan PUKES into the toilet, spitting out a vile mix of bile and whiskey. He throws water on his face, looking up in the mirror One eye is almost swollen shut. Last night... A large man trying to pull the woman away from him. Dan, getting in the man's face. A punch that lands Dan on the ground. Dan grabs a pool ball, smashing the ball into the man's head. "You gonna take - your - medicine!"

Dan stands to his feet, getting dressed in clothes he's not sure are his.
And then he realizes something. He pulls out his wallet... NO CASH. Digs through his pockets. Nothing. Dan reaches into the girl's purse on the table. Her wallet was filled with some bills. Dan stares at it a moment before pulling it out and transferring it into his wallet. "Mommy?" Dan stares up quickly. A toddler stands in the doorway of the dirty apartment.

Dan sets the child next to the sleeping woman, he cuddles against her. Dan watches, heartbreaking a little. He makes his way toward the door, stolen cash in hand.

"You can put her money back, Doc. You can do that much." Dick stands on the other side of the room. "She took mine. Probably spent it on
the coke."

"Doc."

Dan stares him down. After a moment, tucks the money into his pocket. He turns back, looking at the woman and the boy. Squints, concentrating. For a moment, a flash of the locked box. "Oh no, Doc. You can put things from
the Overlook away in boxes, but not memories. Never those. They're the real ghosts, you take 'em with you. Telling the same to her as well. Neither of you ever listen." Dan is curious about who Dick speaks of. He mentions the other half he looks after daily.

~

Amy holds the wad of cash in her hand. Her slow $300 now $1,300. She could do something with that. She could get some more blow, buy another outfit, maybe some shoes.

No...

The hair raised on her neck, a familiar feeling. Don't waste that money. You have a way out. An escape within your fingertips.

To her right the empty bus stop, and she could hear the wheels rolling closer.

Do it. Get out. Run!

Her high was gone now, the splitting headache current, but the new feeling of a rush was just as good as a high. Amy ran across the street as the bus rounds the corner. A smile spread on her lips as she'd escape the sticky Florida air. She gets on the bus, pays for her seat, and settles in.

New beginnings are upon the ones who shine.

~

Dan Torrance wakes up under the overpass, face down on a filthy towel he'd spread out for himself the night before. A fresh bottle in front of him, now empty. He coughs, spitting with his dry mouth. Looked around him. He's not even sure how he ended up here. Dan's hands shake. He's dirty and exhausted.

"How far can I get for..." He counts out the bills in hopes of landing somewhere other than under the overpass for the night. Dan boards the bus quietly. The last of his cash went to a bottle he clutches in his hand.

"Stopping in South Bay." The driver shouts to the passengers. Should I get off? Dan questions, but he sits in his seat unmoving as he watches the one new passenger step upon the bus.

A fake fur coat matted all the hell. Her hair was frizzy and her makeup running under her eyes. Ripped fishnets line her legs leading to worn black boots. She pays the driver and makes her way past him. She takes the seat in the back, a few rows up from Dan. He can't help it, but he watches her closely. She felt oddly familiar. A ghostly smile on her face as she watches the street lamps pass.