A Chance Encounter (Chris Hemsworth X OMC)

The Whip

Laura Huston, the owner and operator of Hesperia's favorite little ice cream shop, squealed the second she spied Wyatt's familiar face. Before he'd even cleared the doorway, she had dashed around the counter and swept him into her arms while her teenage employees watched the display.

"Little Wyatt Hudson!" Laura cried. "You've grown up! Oh, I'm so proud of you! A big movie star!"

Wyatt blushed at the praise and returned her hug. "I think saying I'm a big movie star is kind of a stretch, Laura," he giggled.

Laura scowled at him and then looked around at everyone else in the little shop. "Has anyone else here starred in a Halloween movie with Jamie Lee Curtis?" Without waiting for an answer, she looked back at Wyatt. "Exactly! Now- come and sit and tell me all about it!"

As Wyatt entered the shop, he smiled at the teens behind the counter and at his friends as they took a seat around him. As he began to tell everyone about his experiences in filmmaking, more patrons entered the store, all of them immediately swept up in the excitement of being near a fellow Hesperian who'd made it big. He signed autographs and took pictures with everyone and even bought the entire store's ice cream for them.

"Don't let it go to your head, Hollywood," Allie teased.

"This is still so surreal," Wyatt sighed as he looked down at his ice cream. He began to feel emotional looking around at the ice cream shop that hadn't changed a bit. He looked at the kids who worked there, dressed in uniforms just like the like he used to wear. Tears collected in his eyes and he smiled. "I used to stand behind that counter and dream about being an actor while I scooped ice cream for people."

More customers began to pile in, filling the store to bursting. Laura tossed an apron and a baseball cap with The Whip on them in old-fashioned font. "For old time's sake?" She said with a wistful smile.

Wyatt put the apron and hat on and jumped behind the counter where he began to scoop ice cream much to the delight of the customers. The local news soon caught wind and joined in on the fun.

Chris looked down at his phone and smiled at the footage of Wyatt in his hometown. Though he hated that they were so far apart- that they were still so under wraps- seeing the glow of happiness on Wyatt made him feel a piercing sense of joy. This shining, golden person was his to love and be loved by.

"What's with the dopey look?" Zocchi asked with a knowing smirk.

Chris turned the phone so his friend could see.

"Too fucking cute."

Chris stared at the carefree joy on Wyatt's face and felt so many emotions rushing through him. Mostly he felt love. But there was a sorrow there too. He longed to be right at Wyatt's side, living and loving out loud. It was painful to feel the separation.

"Hey," Zocchi said in a gentle voice. "Everything's going to be alright. One day at a time, remember?"

Chris nodded. "Yeah. One day at a time."

The watcher smiled when he heard movement just outside of the bedroom. Footsteps on the stairs just beyond the bedroom door. He'd remained tucked away under the bed for some time now, waiting for Wyatt to return. Dreaming of all the things he was going to do to him when he was helpless in his hands. Take his body, fill him one last time. Watch the life leave his beautiful eyes. See what his insides looked like. He clenched his fists and felt a shudder of delight rip through him.

"Let's hide in here!" A child hissed.

Footsteps drew nearer, marking the arrival of two kids. The watcher felt anger gnaw at him, quickly replacing his joy.

"Where? Under the bed?"

The watcher felt true dread that's as chased by anger. These children were unsettling him.

"No, that's too obvious!"

"That's what makes it so perfect!" The other child argued.

"Okay, but don't say I didn't tell you so!"

The watcher- having already scooted to the furthest side of the bed- shoved the bed skirt aside and slid out. The fabric was just lowering back when the kids hurried underneath the bed. He stayed silent and still between the bed and the wall. His hiding spot had been stolen and now the pounding of fearful adrenaline was coursing through him.

He was infuriated.

The children giggled quietly and he imagined they'd stolen not only his hiding spot, but also the emotions he'd felt just moments before.

Reached right into my head and stole my excitement away from me.

Recognizing the situation for what it was, the watcher crept out of the room, each step accompanied by the panicked worry that he'd make undesired noise. He'd been sloppy, he knew. He's snuck into the house without so much as casing it first. I like Wyatt's old apartment, he didn't know every nook and cranny. He didn't know every sound, every creaking floorboard.

Still, the thought of being caught now won out over these fears. With all the swiftness and silence he could summon, he stormed out of the room, down the hall, and into an empty bedroom. Footsteps nearby startled him and he slowly closes the door of the empty bedroom behind him.

"I saw someone go in that room!" A child loudly whispered. "Let's go get them!"

The watcher seized the window and pulled it open. The door opened just as he was climbing the roof. Out of view, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Guess I was seeing things," the child muttered.

The watcher remained on the roof for some time, allowing the heat of anger fade. Soon it was replaced with rational thoughts. This was clearly a sign that it wasn't time yet. Like fruit from the vine, Wyatt wasn't ready to be picked yet.

No. Not yet. But soon.

The watcher smiled up at the sky and silently laughed.