An Outdoorsman's Guide To The Calls Of Common Thieves

Relief

07/06/2024-08/06/2024
TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter mentions the following: Trauma/PTSD. Reader discretion is advised.

Slow It Down - Benson Boone

We sit in silence. I think, and I think, and I rack my brain for answers. Come on Zoe... there had to be another perspective, something you're missing. Ryan sees the same memory, reminding him of the guilt of killing his own best friend.

Wait. The memory of him cutting the rope, after seeing the rocks falling. But he mentioned something before that. He said he saw the rocks coming and he left him there. But before that...

...I got it.

"It wasn't your fault." I blurt out.
"That's what everyone kept telling me. 'It wasn't your fault', 'You can't keep blaming yourself'. Zoe I saw my own hands cutting that rope."
"No, think about it Ryan. You said you see the boulder, throwing him over the edge. Then the rocks came down and you cut the rope."

He stands up. "Is this a joke?" I stand up too. I have to get through to him. To show him. To help him.
"Don't you see? You didn't kill him. The impact from the boulder that threw him over the edge did."
He looks down, at his hands.
"Ryan that's why you keep thinking about it. In that moment you knew you couldn't save him, because he already died. So you cut the rope and saved Alex and Ethan from the incoming rocks. You felt so overwhelmed by sadness and guilt that you forgot your own thought process when you made the quick decision to cut the rope. Ryan the only person that was blaming you was yourself and you didn't even do it."

He closes his eyes, shaking his head in painful denial. I grab him, gently, by the shoulders, and I speak surely.
"Ryan. Listen to me. It. was not. your fault."
He splutters, unable to contain his tears. I hug him as his legs give way, and we slowly sit as he cries into my shoulder. And as he cries, I smile.

These kinds of moments are... special to me. The relief, the burden that is lifted off of one's back makes me feel happy for them. When something pains you for so long, it feels amazing to let it go. That's why it's these kinds of cases that keep me up at night. I want people to feel that kind of... peace.

It takes him a while, but that's alright. He's been holding on to this for a while.

The Hills of Aberfeldy - Ed Sheeran

I can hear his crying begin to soften. He lets go of me, and I let go of him.
"Hey, you ok?"
"I... I think so."
"It's ok, you don't have to be. How are you feeling?"
"Is- is it bad that I feel happier?"
"No, not at all. I'm sure Gabe would've wanted you to be happy."
"Yeah. He would've. And now I am. Thanks to you."
"Thank your subconscious, subconscious Ryan did all the work."
He laughs. His smile is so cute.
"I feel like you knew what was going on the entire time."
"I didn't know the entire story, but I had some idea that you weren't sleeping well."
He looks confused. "How?"
"Well, when you slept over the first time you slept for quite a while."
"Did I?"
"Yeah, you did. I don't know how, but I think you needed it."
"You know, I'm kind of glad you forced me to sleep. I think... it's weird but you being there...helped."
"How do you mean?"
"I don't know. I think I was thinking about not waking you up, so I was distracted? I don't really know how I slept so well."
"Oh, I think I know. Begins with an S... ends with a y..."
"Ok maybe we'll get coffee before watching Stan Kelly again."
"I'm glad I was fully awake when we went back to finished the episode."
"You know, a new episode came out yesterday. Do you wanna watch it together? I downloaded it on my TV from the website."
"Yes, provided we actually get coffee first."
"Perfect. I know a good coffee spot. When are you free?"
"I mean, I'm not doing anything now..."
"I think the coffee shop is open."
"Perf. Let's go."

Ryan goes back up the ladder ahead of me, and I follow suite. As I reach the top, he offers a hand and I take it.
"There we go."
"Thanks."
We walk back, still talking and laughing about the randomest things. His eyes are a teensy but puffy, but he still looks really cute when he laughs.
"...and then he told her that he'd never tell anyone. But guess what he did."
"Nooo, he didn't!"
"Yup. Told the police the very. same. day."
"The same day? That's wild."
"Right?"
"You'd think he'd want to protect her. I guess not."
"He was always a little two-faced, don't you think?"
"Yeah, they weren't good for each other. That doesn't excuse her actions though."
"No, not at all."

"I..."
"Hmm?"
"Thank you. For earlier."
"It's my pleasure. Honestly."
"I was blaming myself, all this time, I never realised- I mean I never remembered what actually happened. And I wouldn't have without you."
"I'm just glad to know you'll sleep your 8 hours now."

As we made our way to the path back to the town, Alex came from the other direction.
Z: "Oh, hey Ale-"
A: "-we found a new clue."
R: "Lead the way."

On the way, Alex explains everything new that has happened.
A: "So Riley was watering the yellow roses for the festival when she found something half buried in the soil. A note. It said 'watch out for the flower shop'. She said she kept it in the shop and forgot about it, but when Steph was buying some flowers she asked Riley about it and she told her. Steph though it might be a useful clue and told me and I went to get you guys."
Z: "So the flower shop is a potential next target?"
A: "Possibly."

In the flower shop, Steph is helping Riley to keep all of their items in safe places, hidden away.
S: "Oh, hey guys. Ryan, can you help with these signs?"
Ry: "Sure, I got it."
I approach Riley, hoping to be of some service. She looks pretty stressed, understandably, so I do my best to be gentle.
Z: "Hey Riley, need any help?"
Ri: "Just, uh.." She lowers her voice. "..keep an eye on Mac, would you? He's in the back room, putting away some things for Eleanor. He was a bit quiet when we started to put stuff away and knowing him he'd be starting a fight right about now. I think he might be up to something, and I trust you."
Z: "Thanks. Don't worry, I'm on it."
Ri: "Thanks Z."