chronometer

rebuild

PLEASE READ A/N: So for those of you who're aware, I took down the original chapter 9. This is mostly because I was unsatisfied with how it turned out. For anyone who didn't know, I also ended up getting a few anonymous hate messages about this story. I am not asking you to read it. I am not asking you to love it. You don't have to and that's completely okay. I am asking you to be respectful. This is my first time writing long-term in three years AND my first fic for the fandom itself. I do not know where I am going-- I am letting my fingers and the flow of my mind do the work for me. Keep that in mind. I am not trying to keep anyone around. If you are not interested in my story, then you do as you please. It is not in my expectations to impress everyone.

Also please keep in mind that this story is based off of a MOVIE. Everything is based loosely off of it. The characters, the setting, the plot. I am not trying to copy anyone (yes someone literally said I was trying to copy two of my best friends and no idek where it came from). Now I've gone mostly original with the plotline, because by now the story would've been over. It's mentioned in the summary of the book. I'm only explaining this because someone had the nerve to complain about it, so I'm reminding everyone else now.

I wanted a break from the action and a chance to get to know more about the characters, so about ⅞ of this chapter is completely rewritten. Hopefully it is better. For those of you who are confused about Mitch and/or Scott's character-- good. That's what I want. It's supposed to be a mystery. Mitch has a lot to him I still have planned. He's supposed to be confusing, it comes with the story. You get to learn a quite a bit truth in this chapter but keep in mind this is only chapter nine and it took a few chapters before they even met. We have a long way to go yet. I'm not just going to sit here and slam down some characters that you get to completely understand right away. That's boring as hell.

Hopefully this is a nice break (and a better chapter) for y'all. xoxo

Sometime in the middle of the night, I'm stirred by an abrupt rustle followed by a deep gasp for air. My eyes open groggily and I catch Mitch's silhouette sitting up in his bed. He has his face in his hands and I can make out the heavy rise and fall of his back. I know he's just come from a terrible nightmare, but I stay hidden under the covers. I do not want to alarm him, I do not want to make him feel uncomfortable or vulnerable. I watch worriedly from under the blankets, trying to study the pained expression clouded away by darkness. He stays that way for a few minutes and I wonder how often his nights are run by demons.

Eventually he stands up and heads for the corner of the room. He never switches on the light, only relying on the dim glow of the moon to be his guide. Mitch reaches into the freezer and pulls out an ice pack then trudges back to the bed. He crawls in, pulling the covers over himself. I see him set something on the nightstand-- the ace wrap. His other hand reaches up to massage the swollen flesh, and a quiet groan gets lost in his throat. I feel terrible for causing it. He places the ice on his wrist then lays his head back into the pillow. I continue to watch him to make sure he falls back asleep.

Even when he does, I never do.

--

The next morning, I'm unable to keep it to myself anymore. We're packing blankets, pillows and food into bags and I've become far too suspicious. Especially after last night's ordeal. There's something more to him that I want to know, even if it's not the full story. Mitch is sitting silent on his bed, wrapping the bandage around his arm when my thoughts turn into words before I can stop them.

"Tell me about your relationship with your dad." I know that I sound insensitive, but I can't keep it in any longer. There are too many things stacking on the basis of his past I want to learn. There is something behind that wall he's built-- I saw it yesterday. Mitch is a puzzle, unsolved. I want to be the first complete it, and in this completion involves crossing the comfort of others.