𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭

𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

In life, we do not choose the hand that we are dealt. All we can do is play the game and hope the other players falter. All we can do is call their bluff. All we can do is hope, not for a way out but rather, a way through....

Three months later...

The dwindling flame and the wafting smell of crisp pine needle aroused her senses, effectively rousing her from a most peaceful sleep. She was fully awake now; her cat nap was finished. Both eyes were wide open, slowly taking in the room; warm, peaceful and serene. The world outside heavily contrasted against the contents of the chamber, the unforgiving cold weather seemed almost inviting, the voices downstairs beckoned her to investigate. She rose up from the somber couch, gently brushed her hair into place and checked her appearance in a nearby mirror. She was fine, face a bit bloated from her impromptu slumber but perfectly fine and healthy nonetheless.

"It's down the road, you damn idiot!" Someone yelled, it sounded much like Randy. She smiled. He must've arrived while she was slumbering.

She opened the door and walked down the hall, reaching the staircase, she peaked downwards. Her blonde hair cascading downwards. She heard shuffling behind her. She promptly turned her head around and witnessed the emergence of her disappearing boyfriend. He smiled effortlessly at her, a relaxed and serene smile. She couldn't help but return the favor. There was something so innocent about the way his lips curved upwards, something so tranquil, as if he were finally at peace. Mind finally at ease, free from pain and agony. Free of sin. He reached for her hand and promptly took it in his. He rubbed soothing circles and pulled her into his warm embrace. He smelled like wood and spices, her favorite scent as of late.

"I've been waiting for you to wake up", he whispered in her ear.

She did not say a word, content in his loving embrace ... Until the reverie broke .... A loud, booming crash from downstairs and the yelp of one very large moron was heard.

She sighed and broke away from the warm arms and the comforting heartbeat that once enraptured her. "Back at it again, I suppose". She rolled her eyes. "And into the fray, we go". She adjusted her navy-blue long-sleeved V-neck shirt, smoothed her hair, grabbed the banister and descended with poise.

Four eyes looked on as she slowly walked towards the landing like a regal personage.

"There she is!" The shorter of the two exclaimed, "the queen of the damned". She rolled her eyes at that little comment.

The taller moron smirked and snickered before he was quickly silenced by a slap to the back of his head. "For fuck's sake!" He whined as he nursed the back of his head. "Did you really have to do that?"

"No", Randy chuckled. "No, I didn't have to do that at all. I just wanted to".

"It's nice to see the Scooby gang all back together", she chimed in.

"I call dibs on shaggy!" Stu raised both his hands towards the sky enthusiastically.

"I was going to say you were more of a Scooby really", Randy continued.

"Are you saying that I'm a dog?" Stu scowled.

"Yes. Yes, I am". Randy smiled. "That's exactly what I'm trying to say and for once, you caught on", he smirked. "I guess you're finally growing some brain cells, about time really", he snickered to himself and walked away gleefully. Stu continued to stare, a bemused look on his face, a scowl soon followed once more.

"And.... We're back to insulting each other", she smiled fondly. "Never gets old", she added under her breath.

Stu turned his attention onto her and smiled gleefully. He approached her like a predator approaching its unsuspecting prey, except she was onto him.