And Then There Were Six: A Chaos Theory Story

Down on the Ranch

A.N: Hey guys, really sorry for the delay. I just had a bad case of writer's block. Work was a hassle and I just couldn't find the time to write, so really sorry about the lateness. I'll try to keep the updates quick but I can't keep any promises.

P.O.V Change: Darius

Hours had passed when we left the gas station. The sun was starting to set over the horizon, casting a beautiful orange blanket tone over the land. As this is my first time in Texas, my eyes are drawn to the wide, open fields and distance hills and mountains. Dozens of ranches and hundreds of farm animals line the countryside...a far cry to the box of trees and forest of my cabin. I can see why Sammy would be as bubbly and carefree as she is...with a home so vast and free...hard to believe that she could be anything else.

I smile as I remember back the first time I met Sammy. Never before have I met a person so happy and friendly before...it was a bit daunting considering her lack of personal space but she quickly became one of my closest and coolest friends that I could ask for...my smile droops, remembering how after what happened with Brooklynn, I shut the world out. Ben made me see that having friends be there for you is not a burden but a necessity. I became so withdrawn that my only friend...was Brooklynn's voicemail. The only thing that kept me sane.

But even that didn't close the hole in my heart...I failed Brooklynn and then I failed my friends, leaving them to deal with the fallout...alone, just like I did. I can't imagine what any of them really went through. How did Sammy react to the news? How did Ryan or Yaz? Kenji, even?

I sigh heavily at the thought of what Kenji must think of me. If there was someone that I could have called for and asked for help in the days following Brooklynn's death, it would have been Kenji. He would have understood what I was going through...but would be, though? Kenji didn't know about my own feelings for Brooklynn and he certainly would not take the news well...our fight after Brooklynn's funeral only cemented that belief. Kenji wanted nothing to do with me and while it pains me to admit...I want nothing to do with him either. No amount of explanation or reasoning would ever change his mind, and quite honestly, I can't be assed to even try with him. If he wants to shift blame and point fingers at me, he can. It won't change the fact that he was at fault too.

"Darius? You good, bro?"

Ben's voice startles me as I break from my thoughts and turn to him, his eyes flickering from me to the road, a look of concern etched into them. "Yeah, I'm fine. What's up?" I ask him as he raises a questioning eyebrow. "I was calling for you. I want a chip but you completely in your own little world? Everything ok?" He asks as I look down and see the open chip packet in my lap, I shake myself off, sit up and pass a chip to him. "Yeah, everything's good. I'm good." I say quickly but mentally slap myself...dumbass, now he's just gonna know that something's up.

Ben takes the chip carefully, still with a concerned look in his eyes but she shakes it off and downs the chip in one bite, his attention turning back to the road. I sigh quietly in relief as I slink back against the seat and prop my elbow up on the windowsill, resting my cheek against my fist.

Ben merges off the highway onto the exit ramp. I gaze and see a large patch of land, surrounded by a single fence line, and a long driveway which leads to a humble little house. "This it?" I ask Ben as I gaze at the entrance gate, with a large wooden tyre as the centre piece and a wooden Ankylosaurus and Brachiosaur on either side, and a large sign hanging underneath.

'Gutierrez Home and Cattle Ranch. Proudly owned since 1857'

"Sure is." Ben answers my earlier question as we pass underneath the gate and pull up just outside the small, humble abode. I step out of the van and stretch my arms and legs, sighing happily as the small creaks and cracks. I gaze around, taking note of the spinning windmill and barn in front and behind the house, respectively. I walk to the front of the van and meet Ben there who is tying his show on the bumper. "Ok, here's the plan. We go on, tell Sammy what's up. Get her to come with us and get out." He says as I lazily lean against the van, a smug smile plastered on my face. "Really? The direct approach, I like it. No 'easing into the conversation with talking about the weather' or anything? Like you did with me, hmm?" I ask sarcastically as Ben finishes tying his shoe and goes to remove his jacket. "It is pretty humid here." He says jokingly as I playfully shove him which earns me a playful chuckle from him.