Consumed by Fear ☽ Donnie Darko x Original Character

Evan

this is really just introducing the main character and doesnt mention a lick of Donnie. he appears in chapter 1.

Evan had been moving box upon box since before dawn, and now the sun peeked its fiery eyes over the trees and mountains, a scenery he wasn't quite used to. But he thought he could adjust. It was beautiful in every sense after all. He smiled to himself, squinting against the golden rays peering through his frayed black locks. A smile which quickly fell as he realized how much time had passed since he began the strenuous task.

"Mom, could I take a break?" He called out, his arms falling to his sides after dropping one of the heavier packages on the front porch step.

He turned around after receiving no response, he couldn't quite pinpoint where she was in all the mess in front of the house. Their belongings seemed to be spilling out of her black Chevy Impala, boxes and furniture littered the porch and home entrance, and the annoyingly large moving truck blocked Evan's street view.

"What was that, honey?" She finally called out. He still couldn't see her, though he noticed one of the mover's pulling their old couch out of the truck's bed. As the man backed out and the whole couch entered Evan's sight, his mom's curly, golden nest came into view at the other end. She was struggling under the weight of the couch, barely lifting it off the ground.

"Mom, what are you doing?! You could've asked for help!" He jogged over to them in a hurry.

"Oh it's all right, sweetheart. I've got this." She winked at her son, gesturing to the moving man with a head tilt.

Oh god, the boy rolled his eyes, knowing just what she was suggesting.

Another stranger to fill the void. Great example you're setting, mom, he wanted to say, but he'd learned to bite his lip and walk away. He didn't even know if there was a void to fill, if his mom had even cared that his dad was gone, if she even cared he was there in the first place. Evan cared, a lot, everything about dealing with his dad's death took a huge toll on him, worsening his already detiorating mental state. He was much closer to him than his mother, who didn't pay any attention to Evan as a kid, unless it was to scold or hit him.

As he walked away, his fists clenched to his sides, he focused on his breathing. He realized his question was never answered. He decided he was ready to take a break regardless, he didn't need permission, besides, he was already heading inside. He sighed in frustration, trying to move on from the negative thoughts about his mom.

Things would be different here, he told himself. He could be better. A lot of things about Virginia were already very different from home. Michigan, he means. The climate was warmer here, and the view of the mountains was breathtaking to say the least. Michigan is known for it's great–freezing–lakes. So, Virginia was quite a big change of pace for someone who'd lived there his whole life. 

He was so deep in thought he hadn't even realized he'd used the toe of his Doc Martens to slide the door closed behind him, the mover and his mother  shouting in protest as they were headed straight towards it with the sofa.

He found his way into the kitchen, spotting the backpack he'd placed on the counter upon arrival. He reached inside and pulled out a Jolt Cola, an extra caffeinated energy soda, along with his journal and a pencil. He began sipping and sketching away at the bar, spinning and turning in the tall barstool.

"You mad at me or something?" His mom's voice suddenly drew him out of his trance-like drawing state.

"Uh, no, I'm fine. Just needed a break." He discreetly rolled his eyes upon her arrival.

"Well, we've got a lot more work to do today so I hope you've got another one of those sodas on hand."

"Boy am I excited," He mused sarcastically.

"I'm serious, we've got to get everything inside and then lay out the furniture and decorate and stock the cabinets and–"

"I know, mom. Just let me finish this one drawing and I'll be right out." He looked up at her with pleading eyes. Just let him have this moment of peace before he had to interact with strange people tomorrow.

Her hands were on her hips and she didn't look pleased.

He pouted. "...Promise."

She shook her head, looking down in defeat. "Fine. You're okay right where you are right now, hon. I'll call you when I need you." She smiled at him before stepping forward and ruffling his hair, to which he scrunched his nose up in annoyance. She had to realize how difficult this had to be for him. She'd need to give him some space. She walked back outside, leaving Evan alone in the house.

The magnificent house. Well, it may not have been as magnificent to others, but to Evan, it was everything he'd ever wished for and more. He'd never lived anywhere quite like it. Back home, they never had much. His dad's life insurance apparently paid out, and it worked out well... for his mom. The money or the house couldn't put the pieces back together for Evan, but it was something. He'd still appreciate it.

From the kitchen window, he could see the in ground pool in the backyard. He marveled at it for a second before averting his attention back inside the house, and down at his paper. There was no one drawing. It was more like multiple unfinished pictures crammed onto one page, scribbled in shading, messy, scratchy lines, and miscellaneous doodles in the corners and edges. He closed the book and shoved it to the bottom of his backpack before shouldering it and exploring the interior of the house.