The Future

Highs and Lows

Scott sighed, staring down at the beer bottle in his hand. "You okay, man?" Kirstin asked, sitting across from her friend and co worker.

"I...I don't know," Scott replied, shaking his head. "Mitch's been on edge since he got the call, and just...he's growing distant Kirst. I don't know what to do about it."

"Hey, all you can do is be there for him, okay?" Kirstin replied, making Scott meet her eyes. "You're doing the best you can, the rest is up to him. He's going through a lot of crap."

"I know that, I really do," Scott replied, nodding. "I just...I think there's something he's not telling me."

"Have you tried asking about it?" Kirstin questioned.

"Of course I have," Scott stated, taking a swig from the bottle. "He just avoids answering. And I'm not going to push him, but...it just worries me."

Sighing, Kirstin shrugged, feeling worry grow inside her as well. "I'm sure everything will be fine," she said, despite her thoughts.

Scott glanced at Kirstin though, reading her face. "You know it too, don't you?"

Kirstin sighed, nodding. "If Mitch's hiding something....it's got to be big."
Scott sighed, closing his eyes. "Ya," he whispered. "That's what got me so worried."

-/::\-

I shifted the papers in my arms, moving towards the makeup trailer. I had gotten the next few scripts, met with the directors, producers and the costume department, and come out with lots of notes to go over. It would be a tiring next few days of not actually doing hair and makeup, but it was part of the job.

It just didn't help that I hadn't gotten a good night sleep in more than a week...since I had gotten the phone call from the LAPD.

"Mitch!"

I turned, giving my attention to Austin, one of the security guards. He had been moved from just the gate to a patrol around the set, after Scott and I had talked with Avi.

My mind flashed instantly to that day.

-/::\-

I gnawed on my lip as Avi narrowed his eyes. "I knew hiring him was a mistake," he muttered, before looking at me. "We can't change that now though, all we can do is-"

"Sir!"

We all turned, Scott's arm staying around my waist as Austin ran up to us.

"What is it?" Avi asked, fear filling his voice as dread filled my stomach.

Austin looked over us all, before swallowing the lump in his throat. "Um...there's been an incident at the gate."

"What kind of incident?" Scott questioned.

"Two...packages arrived," he said, looking at Scott and I. "For you both. But they didn't have any signs of postage, so we...checked them both."

"You opened them?" Avi asked. Austin nodded, making Avi then ask, "And?"

"Well..." He just shook his head. "You need to come see."

I looked up at Scott, taking a deep breath. Not needing to ask to know how I felt, he kissed my temple, before we both followed Avi and Austin to the security office.

As we stepped inside, my eyes immediately went to the two boxes on the desks.

I glanced at Avi and Scott as I stepped up to my box, opening the flap slowly. I felt my chest clench as I pulled out a bouquet of squished roses.