Rock Bottom (Stuilly - Scream 1996)

Part 8

Stu stays silent until he's sure Billy stops crying. He knows that they're alone on the road at midnight, and no one else will be around, but he stays alert, looking through the windows as he caresses Billy's back. The last thing they need is a cop coming right at this moment.

He thinks about where to go as soon as Billy's ready.

Stu sits and waits patiently for Billy to gather himself, and he holds Billy tightly as Billy continues to cry. As Billy's body calms down and he stops sobbing, Stu rubs Billy's back and he speaks in a soft and calming tone.

"Ok. Ok. It's ok... You don't have to say anything else about this. You don't owe me any explanations, okay?" Stu sighs and he talks in a quiet and kind tone. "Are you ready to move on? We can take as much time as you need."

There's a moment of silence, where Billy isn't shaking anymore, but he doesn't say anything at all. He doesn't seem to be crying either, but he doesn't pull away from Stu yet.

Eventually, he distances himself, his head still low, and he nods only once.

He sits straight in the seat, with his face looking down, his hair falling over his eyes.

Stu breathes a sigh of relief as Billy calms down and the two share the moment of silence. Eventually, Stu speaks in a quiet and calm tone.

"Okay" he squeezes Billy's shoulder, trying to provide some comfort. "Is there... is there anything else you'd like to say? I want you to know that there's no judgment here. We can take our time. Take as much time as you need. " He says sweetly and he rubs Billy's shoulder and his hand again. "Or we can move on from this topic. What would you like?"

"Okay" Billy whispers, barely audible. Then he bites his lip, reclining his head on the window and closing his eyes there.

Stu lets out yet another sigh and he rubs Billy's shoulder again.

" Whatever you feel most comfortable with is fine. Why don't you rest now... you deserve it. Why don't you just close your eyes and rest a while?" He says in a comforting and reassuring voice, and he smiles softly. "We'll talk more when you're ready. We have all the time in the world."

Billy doesn't reply at all.

Stu keeps driving, thinking about where to go. There's a small town where his father used to take him and his sister many years ago, on some of his work travels. He remembers it was the most boring place he had been in his childhood, but that now could be useful.

His eyes study's Billy occasionally, realizing how many things are starting to make sense to him now.

Stu pulls into a rest stop outside of town and he stops the van next to a few other vehicles. He turns the engine off and he pulls a map out of the glove compartment. He starts to study it intensely for a few minutes as he tries his best to find the town that he's looking for. He finds the town and after a moment he speaks in a kind and gentle voice.

"Okay, We're going here. It's around an hour away." He puts the map away and he rubs Billy's shoulder again. "Are you ready? I can rest too if you're still a bit tired."

"Are you?" Billy mutters, shaking Stu's hand from his shoulders. "Tired, I mean..."

Stu notices that Billy doesn't look at his eyes at all and it bothers because there's nothing to be ashamed of, but Billy doesn't realize it.

Stu looks down at his lap and breathes a deep and exhausted sigh.

"Yeah... I am a bit tired. I'm sorry, Billy." he sighs again, and he smiles warmly. "We've been having a lot of exhausting talk tonight, haven't we? " He pauses for a moment and then he says with a small smile. "You're right... you're absolutely right. We should rest a while. We should find ourselves a hotel right now and then we can talk tomorrow." he sighs again and he speaks kindly and caring. "Will that sound good?"