Run For Your Life

Reunited

Song: Ready, Able by Grizzly Bear

May 29

Bill thought it'd never end, the dark room and isolation. If it were any other circumstance, he would've simply sat back, closed his eyes, and let his imagination take control. However, that's not how things went down. The man was completely and utterly alone, as were the rest who tagged along. Each stripped of their powers, as well as their sanity.

However, now it's over. The large group walk in one straight line, accompanied by several armed men. Sydney wonders if they're being taken to their death, as does Kate who is seriously hyperventilating. Bill only thinks of Stanley, hoping that he's being led to his love right now. Then there's Mike and Emmitt who couldn't give two shits about where they end up.

Fortunately they're not being led to their death and instead through two doors that reveal a room with a small stage and several seats. Bill only assumes the group is about to be lectured on the proper rules blah, blah, blah. But he doesn't listen as they drone on and on about the points and the system and their way of things. Who the fuck cares.

Luckily a few listened, which happen to be Greta, Sydney, Kate, Maria, and Ben. Maybe they'll catch the rest up, but for now they keep their mouths shut while being escorted through another two doors. This time the group recognize the area. It's the same one they'd failed in, which is kind of embarrassing.

Of course everyone recognizes them at once. After all, they don't get a lot of break ins. Who'd want to be in this hell? Certainly not any of them.

The group is forced to sit at a vacant table while trays of food are shoved in front of them. There's a sandwich, water, and even an apple. Not at all what Bill assumed would happen. He almost doesn't want to give in, suspicious that it might be laced with poison. In the end he does take a bite, his stomach growing far too uncomfortable due to the lack of food he's consumed in the past few days.

Though there are still many eyes on them, most have turned away and gone back to normal. They chat and laugh, as if things are perfectly fine and normal. Bill doesn't understand how they can be so calm and accepting of their new life. Then again, isn't that exactly what he's doing? None have a choice.

Suddenly a boy who Bill had just been looking at disappears. A bottle of water is knocked over, making another boy jump. Only then the boy laughs, arms stretching out like a rubber band. The same boy from earlier appears, wrapped in his elastic grip. Both laugh, bumping into each other. This shocks Bill completely. Does this mean there's a chance to gain their powers back? If so, when exactly will that be?

Sydney, who is sat by Bill, sees exactly what he does. "If you had been paying attention, you'd know that with good behavior comes more privileges. When they trust you, you get your powers. Until then we will be like this. Normal."

Bill only grunts before his eyes train in on something new, which just so happens to be a girl running at the speed of light. He almost thinks it's teleportation, quite like Emmitt, but Bill doesn't miss the gust of wind. There's more where that comes from. Tons of people show off their powers, as if it's just a normal thing. Some powers are smaller than others, but each are just as unique and odd.

Suddenly two girls appear, one with dyed pink hair and the other with blonde. The guards begin to block, but the pink one only rolls her eyes before moving past them all. Weirdly enough, they don't object and instead let her through. Now the two stand over Bill, each wearing matching smiles.

The man is about to intervene when a boy steps out, eyes going glossy. "Bill?"

Bill wastes no time, immediately standing and pulling his Stanley in at last. The two grip onto each other for dear life, both feeling as if this is a dream. A guard is about to break them up, but the girl smacks them away. "Can't you see they're having a moment? Some people."

Everyone in the room seems to look their way as they grip onto one another. The two's lips eventually find their way together, surprising the newbies in the group. Emmitt looks to Mike with raised brows while eating an apple. "So I'm assuming that's Stanley?"

Maria scoffs. "Didn't think he'd care about anyone."

Kate awes, admiring their connection. Ashley simply eyes the new Stanley before gazing over at the other, who happens to look very similar. "Wait so are you guys like brothers? What's up?"

Stanley Barber pays no attention and instead looks on to who he thinks might be his brother. Only Uris doesn't look back, for he can't take his eyes off of Bill. Perhaps he'll talk to him another time.

"I didn't know if I'd ever see you again." Bill's lack of stutter doesn't go unnoticed by the others.

"Well I thought you'd found someone better." Stanley holds the man's face close to his own.

"There's no one but you."

Stanley's lips turn, cheeks lifting high. Bill's heart stops then and there, wishing he could do this forever. There's so much to take in and admire. How could he ever be angry when he has his Stanley? Being caught was entirely worth it, because he'd rather spend a life in prison with the one he loves, than live a life freely without him.

"I'm getting my powers soon. There's so much I've learned here. The people are incredible, I mean really incredible. And there are things I want to try. God, Bill, I love you so much. I can't wait for you to see and learn-..." Stanley is gushing, words happily spewing out.

"Wait are you saying you enjoy it here?" Bill really is confused now, wondering if the boy had been brainwashed.

Only then Stanley's voice goes quiet. "I can't discuss that right now."

Bill only nods, understanding completely. He recognizes the fearful eyes and respects his decision to stay quiet. After all, the boy had been here longer than he has. Stanley knows more and he fully trusts his judgment. "Okay." At least he's not brainwashed.

Yet.

"This is Charlie and Ally. They're my friends. It's about to be outdoors time. Would you like to join? They have all privileges and it's really cool to watch!" Stanley is a ball of energy as he tugs on the man's sleeves.

Things don't seem to add up for the newbies. "I don't get it." Emmitt shakes his head, trying his best to understand.

Ashley nods along. "Yeah. It's weird. No offense, but Bill is practically dead. And this dude is almost as energetic as Eddie. They're polar opposites."

"I think it's cute." Kate smiles at the two.

"I think it's weird." Emmitt and Ashley add at the same time, both laughing after they've said it.

"You guys want to go outside?" Bill's usual stone cold expression has been taken over by a much lighter and full one.

"And what happened to the stutter?" Maria can't help but wonder either.

Mike only shrugs. "Sometimes it does that around Stan."

Ashley and Emmitt eye each other once again, stifling a laugh. "Weird."

Maybe it is weird, but neither Stanley or Bill care. No one could possibly understand what they have. And why try to explain? The two are connected somehow, both can feel it. What exactly that connection is is unknown, but who knows? The truth might come out soon.