Unnatural Disaster #wattys2018

Panic: Alone

Edited 2020
*mentions of blood*
     The drive back to Steve’s place was quiet. Not uncomfortable or awkward but full of exhaustion and worry. When they pulled into the driveway they sat in the car for a while. The sky had turned a light navy in preparation for the sunrise. Steve checked his watch grimacing at the droplets of stale blood caked on the edges 4:36 AM.

     “Shit,” Steve mumbled looking over at Max who returned his tired gaze. “it's already tomorrow,” Steve said with sigh.

     “Time to go back,” Both letting out a sharp breath through their nose a ghost of a chuckle. Steve yanked the handle stepping out of the car inhaling sharply at the cold damp rocks he stood on. Max followed and winced as her bandaged foot curved over the rough gravel. It was still drizzling as they entered the house in silence Steve shutting the door with a groan.

     He gestured her to the kitchen lifting her up onto the kitchen island Casting a glance out the large bay window. The sun had began to rise the slight hazy orange glow began creeping from the base of the trees in the distance. He opened the fridge and pulled a pitcher of lemonade from it flipping a glass in his hand as he poured.

     “You hungry?” he asked, she took the glass gently from his hand.

     “A little,” She mumbled. So was he but it somehow felt wrong. He scanned his thoughts for a moment.

     “Pizza puffs?” he asked poking his head in the freezer.

     “Sure,” She smiled a bit looking down at her knees.

     They sat on the counter sipping lemonade and eating pizza puffs watching the sun slowly rise through the trees. Steve had fetched her a shirt and pajama shorts from his mother's closet while the rolls had been cooking, they were a bit big but they would do. They left the dishes on the counter a problem for another time.

     Steve headed up to his room to fetch some clothes as Max showered. He shuffled over to his room the door left open from when he had been whisked away. That felt like so long ago. He looked around the room it felt off, too crowded and loud even if the house was silent. He couldn't imagine being alone here after a night like this.

     After rebandaging Max’s foot he slipped into the bathroom closing the door weakly behind him. Steve tossed his clothes on the sink and finally got to look in the mirror he felt nauseous. his hair was slightly matted to his forehead from sweat there was a smear of dried blood in his pale cheek, his eyes were dark and dull he looked down at his hands still stained crimson, curdled blood under his fingernails he gagged quickly undressing himself from the damp and bloodied clothes and stepping into the hot water. He frantically scrubbed his hands he hated this.

     When he opened the door still scrubbing his hair with a towel he saw Max sat on the wall opposite him her heavy looking him over she breifly chuckled.

“I hate those shorts,” she visibly cringed.

Steve stared down at his plain t-shirt and red and yellow basketball shorts with the schools initials stamped awkwardly on the right thigh.

“Hey, have some team spirit!” he mocked tutting tossing the towel to the floor and flicking off the light. He helped her up and they trudged over to the guest room Steve pushing the door open carefully not bothering to switch on the light as the the sun had risen over the trees shining bright orange fire In through the window. They both padded in Steve quietly closing the door behind him he knew she would ask him to stay and he wouldn't protest. It was bad enough being alone all the time but after a night like this it would be stupid. He leaned against the door and watched Max climb into bed. She glanced at him and tried to smile but it faltered.

“Could you-”

“Yes,” he said lightly before she could finish. They shared a knowing gaze before he padded over to her the bed was big enough to leave space between them but they stayed close enough so they knew each other was there. Even if they couldn't see each other they could feel it.
     They laid there in silence for a while he didn't bother closing the curtains the dark would be unsettling. He heard Max’s breathing even out and he rolled onto his back staring at the empty white ceiling the room had been untouched for so long everything was white clean and bare. Steve let out a shaky breath and closed his eyes he could sleep here it wasn't so crowded and loud and full of things, he could breathe in here.