Rock Bottom (Stuilly - Scream 1996)

Part 9

Later in the evening, Stu looks at Billy, standing up and walking towards the door for the fourth time since that morning. He suddenly stands up and leaves what he's doing to stare at the streets and look intently at every car parked outside the building for around ten minutes.

Stu has the suspicion that Billy thinks they could have been followed, which is ridiculous. They would have seen anyone on the road, since it was almost empty at that hour they traveled. But he doesn't say exactly those words. He doesn't say anything at first, if Billy feels the need to look outside to feel safe, so be it.

But there's another thing that catches Stu's attention too.

Every time Billy hears footsteps outside the room, he looks frozen at the door, his face in a blank expression, his jaw tight waiting, as if he's constantly alert.

It's making Stu wonder again and again about the times Billy was in the apartment of this man. He would like to know more about the times he was kidnapped, not because he is interested in what happened exactly, but because he feels he's walking on eggshells constantly if he doesn't understand Billy's trauma wholly.

Stu knows that Billy's mind and body are most likely in survival mode, and it is very difficult for him to be in the present. And it makes Stu wonder if he is afraid that someone is going to make a move on him at every moment.

He's just afraid of how much suffering and pain Billy is actually still in. Stu has already seen the pain, but perhaps... Stu has not seen the full extent of it just yet.

He thinks of a way of distracting Billy from this hyper-vigilant and constantly on watch mode he's in. Maybe if they go eat outside or walk... That makes him think about Billy's ankle, not sure if it is healing well at all. He's not sure any of Billy's wounds are healing well, since he has bandages all over them.

"He's in survival mode... Ok, it's time for some distraction..." Stu thinks to himself. "If this gets Billy to focus on something else for a little while, I think that might be a good thing."

"Hey Billy? You know what would be really nice right now?" Stu turns his body towards Billy and he speaks with a friendly and cheerful voice. "I'm really craving some ice cream. What do you think? You want to go grab some ice cream with me?"

Billy turns around to look at him, confused at first, coming out of the fog his mind was while looking outside. He raised both eyebrows, crossing his arms.

"Ice cream?" he asks, with incredulity.

Stu smiles and chuckles.

"Yes, I know it sounds like a weird suggestion, but just give it a chance, ok? Just as a little experiment. I promise you, it will make you feel better. Come on, I'm buying. " He smirks and he speaks with a lighthearted and casual manner. "But... only if you'd like to. I won't force you. Just think of this as a little experiment. What do you say? Give it a chance?"

Billy nods and walks away from the window. He takes his backpack and sits down on the bed to look for something in it when he realizes something.

"Should I go with you?" he asks, looking at Stu seriously. "I mean... there's always the risk of someone recognizing me...?" He looks at the door knob again, thinking about it himself. Then he shrugs his shoulders. "Whatever. If I stay, I'd be going nuts anyway..."

Stu laughs lightly as Billy speaks, and then he speaks in a soft and kind voice.

"Well... I suppose it does come with the territory, doesn't it?" He sighs and he smiles as he speaks. "But you are right. In the end, there's no use in delaying the inevitable. Ok? Now that I think about it, maybe you'd be safer with me anyway... Yeah, I bet you are right." He smiles warmly. "Let's just go. Are you ready?"