Fandom The Returned

[protectorofthebooty]

In small towns it wasn't uncommon for most residents to know most of the others and if one didn't know another then they would certainly know someone who did. By the standards of small towns, Coldwell could be considered large, but it's isolation served to draw it's people together. Nestled deep in the mountains there wasn't much else to preoccupy one's mind outside of idle gossip and school sports games. And because of this isolation word traveled quite quickly.

High school was long behind him and Kodak Beiler was more than happy to leave it there. Vague gossip and nasty rumors congealed in the fluorescent halls of the school buildings like an infection you can't quite shake, following you like a shadow until graduation if you were lucky. Kodak wasn't lucky but couldn't bring himself to care. After all, the forests and the mountains did not care about loose lips.

Marking down the final campsite on his map he looked around with weary satisfaction. It was set several miles away from the trail entrance, marking the end of the more popular trails so it really should have come as no surprise how trashed it was. Kodak almost considered closing the site and a few others but as the days warmed the townsfolk would trundle along the trails without care and the more isolated sites seemed to be most popular. Next time he would have his brothers clean up after the less considerate campers. Wherever they had wandered off to this time.

Kodak paused, looking around the narrow trail as he finally noticed how still the forest had become. Unnaturally still. So far out the silence was discomforting. Frowning he shouldered his pack and hurried back to his store front. He would radio his brothers there and together they could hopefully have everything ready in time for the season.

 

[GhastlySquash]

She only remembered getting into the car. The faint scent of alcohol on his breath as she slipped in, her own mind a muddled mess. Waking up, the first sensation she felt was cold. Really cold. In fact, she realized she was no longer in Teddy's car. So this is how hangovers must have started.

"What the heck? Why'd he leave me here?" Aggie thought, trying to rub her shoulders in a vain attempt to keep them warm. She was walking past the road, ignoring the cars passing her by. She'd tell her father about this for sure. Teddy was the one that suggested they go to that stupid party and sure maybe she thought it was fun but if Teddy thought it was funny leaving her in the middle of nowhere than he'd have another thing coming.

Her cellphone and wallet was nowhere to be found either, which really gave Agatha something to worry about. This wasn't normal.

She'd probably just stop somewhere and ask for directions. That was when she noticed the store. Perhaps someone there could lend her a phone.

Without thinking, she opened the door. "Excuse me, you got a phone I can borrow?"

 

[protectorofthebooty]

Nathaniel had been restocking shelves when Kodak finally made it back from the trails, tired and sweaty despite the evening chill.

"Thanks for the help today." Kodak bit sharply, ignoring the sheepish smile he got in return as he dropped his pack onto the counter, "Where's Pierre?"

Beiler's Sporting Goods was a humble shop in comparison to the many larger chains most of the country boasted, but it boasted a good supply. Fair prices and the option of a guided hike kept people coming back year after year though it could be a bit tricky to find. Set back from the main road, the shop was nestled partially inside the forest itself as it had once been someone's home some time ago. Kodak and his brothers had saved up for years to afford the renovations of the bottom floor while their uncle chipped in to give the exterior a more rustic cabin look. And now it was their family's pride and joy.

"Sorry, we're closed for the night." Kodak called from the back room when he heard the door's bell ring. He heard soft conversation, but ignored it as he began sorting through papers and invoices. With a doubt his least favorite aspect of the job.

"Hey, bro?" Nathaniel stuck his head through the door, looking uncertain, "Come out here for a sec."

"Something wrong?" Kodak asked, suddenly concerned that something had happened out on the trail.

"Just...come on."

Kodak frowned but followed, fully prepared to reprimand the two if they were pulling another prank. He stopped in his tracks, any questions he had been prepared to ask dying in his throat as he saw the girl, dressed for much warmer weather, standing at the counter. His brain halted as he tried to make sense of what, no, who he was seeing.

 

[GhastlySquash]

"Kodak?" Aggie raised a brow. She realized that this must have been his store. The place looked familiar enough but her memory still felt foggy...probably because of the alcohol. Looking at him now though, he seemed older. His hair had grown out. She'd seen him a few weeks ago, but it looked like he'd aged a decade.

"Ummm...sorry I just need a phone or something I can borrow." She stood nervously against the other two men, who she recognized or thought she recognized as his brothers.

She began again to try and warm her shoulders. "Yeah I know it looks weird but I swear I'm not a runaway. Please don't call the cops. I just need to phone my Dad. I'd pay you but I don't have my wallet on me."

 

[protectorofthebooty]

"That's an understatement..." Pierre scoffed as Kodak began to laugh at the absurdity of the situation he now found himself in.

"When have you known me to call the cops for anything?" Kodak shook his head, still not quite believing that any of this was actually real. He must have fallen asleep at his desk again and this was just a bizarre lucid dream triggered by old memories. A vivid one at that. Regardless, Kodak shrugged off his coat and stepped around the counter to slip it over the girl's shoulders.

"Your dad..." Kodak hesitated as his fingers brushed Agatha's shoulders. She felt far too real for this to be a dream, even a vivid one. "It's late and your dad's probably asleep by now. You can stay here the night and in the morning we can get everything sorted out. Are you hungry?"

Nathaniel gave Kodak an incredulous look that Agatha thankfully didn't see. Whatever it was that was happening they really couldn't call the police nor could they call Agatha's father. Even if his number was the same he had long since moved away from the town full of memories and what would they say? At best he would consider the call a cruel joke and tell them off and at worst they would get a visit from the cops. Kodak didn't even want to consider what would happen if the police became involved.

 

[GhastlySquash]

"Please he's a corporate jockey Kodak." Agatha raised a brow. "He's probably worried sick anyway so I might as well call him. Can you just give me a phone or something?"

She looked at Pierre. "Understatement? If you call drinking with Teddy an understatement than maybe but that asshole left me out in the woods." She still couldn't remember what happened, and why Kodak looked like he'd aged ten years. "Listen I just need a phone okay? Can I please have a phone so I can call my Dad."

Something was wrong. Everyone was looking at her like she was some sort of ghost. Either that or they were all on drugs. Agatha just needed her phone. Gosh, why did Teddy have to be such a dick and hide it from her? He could have at least checked to see if she had her belongings before dumping her on the street.

And why was it so cold all of a sudden? Everyone here looked ready for winter but it was clearly...

Her eyes trailed on the calendar, her body going rigid. However, she brushed off the feeling. "Hey Kodak, your calendar's wrong. We're in July right now. You trying to find an excuse to start school early? That's weird even for you."

 

[protectorofthebooty]

Kodak followed Agatha's gaze to the calendar silently, but it was correct, right down to the final 'X' on the date. It had been what, ten years?, since he had last seen Agatha alive and now here she stood. Far too real to be a dream, certainly not a hallucination since he wasn't the only one to see her, and asking questions he had no idea how to answer. How would she react?

"Alright," Kodak said, pulling his hair back in a loose ponytail. He was told it was something he always did when he expected something unpleasant and he supposed it was true. Especially now.

"You can use the phone in the office, but after that...we need to talk. You have no idea how weird things are right now."

"Dude, are you sure that's a good idea?" Pierre grabbed Kodak's arm, his voice soft as he glanced back towards Agatha, "We don't know what-"

Kodak shook him off with a warning look. It was probably a horrible idea, but he knew Agatha well enough to know that she wouldn't believe any of them until she found out for herself. How she reacted...was something they would deal with after, but one thing was for certain. They couldn't let her leave the shop until they had figured out exactly what was happening. The last thing any of them needed was a town wide witch hunt.

"Close up shop. Family emergency."

 

[GhastlySquash]

Seeing Kodak pull up his hair made Agatha sweat. But then again, it made sense. She'd been illegally drinking way too much. Still, she didn't like him acting all weird. Then again Kodak was pretty weird to begin with. Always with some hair brain theory or worse.

Walking to the office, she headed for the phone.

-----

Meanwhile, before the shop could close a man in a suit quickly brushed in. Kodak would know him as a local agent that occassionally stopped by here for basic supplies.

Agent Davis gave his usual sarcastic smile as he made his way in. "Sorry I'm late Kodak, you got those ice cream drumsticks? Work's been a killer out there. Had to put out a whole APB on some fugitives and what not."

--------------------------------

Agatha had to recall from memory her father's phone number, but thankfully she found it written down in Kodak's office. Dialing it, she heard his voice slurring.

"Hello?"

"Hey Dad?" Since when did he go back to drinking? He'd been going to AA meetings after the board voted he needed to stop drinking at company meetings.

"Oh honey?" Her Dad sounded...sad almost. What was happening. "I guess it's been a while. It's your anniversary."

"Anniversary?" Agatha asked. "Dad I'm here at Kodak's shop. Can you pick me up? Okay I fucked up and Teddy left me here by myself. It's so freakin' cold too."

"Mhmm..." Her Dad yawned. "I'm so sorry Aggie. I wish I'd done better. I could have come home more often-"

"Dad...you're scaring me." Agatha felt her blood run cold.

"Maybe then you wouldn't have turned to drinking and driving and I wouldn't have had to bury you-"

"Bury me?" The whole world seemed to slow down. She couldn't be...no but it wasn't...

"I'm so sorry." Her father slurred again. "But I know you're up there in heaven. Thanks for the call sweetie." And with that, he hung up, leaving an empty dial tone that seemed to increase in volume with her heart.

"I'm not...dead..."

--------------------------------

All of a sudden, Kodak would be able to her an audible scream followed by a wail, which caused Agent Davis to turn his back. "Your niece visiting? Heck do you even have a niece?"

He chuckled, pulling out his smartphone. "I got a nephew. Annoying as hell I tell ya."

 

[protectorofthebooty]

"Officer Davis! Welcome," Kodak silently cursed to himself, though Agatha had already disappeared into the back office, "We just restocked today so you're in luck."

Busying himself with the cash register Kodak reminded himself to be calm. It had been so long since he had work his way out of a difficult situation he was feeling rusty. Nathaniel and Pierre didn't seem very willing to lend their support, no doubt feeling as tense as he was as they made themselves scarce around the shop. He would have to kick their asses once all of this mess was sorted out.

"Sounds pretty rough, I just finished up the trails and campsites today. We're thinking of hiring a few extra hands to walk the trails, make sure kids don't sneak in to party." he shook his head, as though remembering his own high school days when he would sneak his classmates out to the best sites for that very same reason, "Any fugitives that I would know?"

Before Davis could respond Agatha's scream ripped through the air, making the three men jump. Kodak's heart hammered in his chest as he looked back over his shoulder and then at Davis hoping against hope that the man didn't think the worst. Nathaniel was watching the two of them with wide eyes while Pierre slipped through the shelves towards the office quietly.

"Cousin, actually. First time out of the city really, probably saw a spider..." Kodak chuckled, relaxing as Davis seemed unfazed by the unexpected visitor.

----------

"Jesus, trying to give us all a heart attack?" Pierre grumbled, closing the door behind him. His demeanor softened almost immediately when he saw the state Agatha was in. The phone call clearly had not gone well. He hesitated at the door, unsure what to do for the girl. Hug her? Knock her out? Kodak would skin him alive if he knocked her out so that wasn't an option.

'Fuck me up a pole...' he thought and stepped closer, his hands out in a soothing manner.

"Guess the cat's outta the bag, huh?" he pulled the chair out, trying to guide the distressed girl into it, "We have a last minute customer out there...um, Kodak's taking care of them, but until they're gone I need you to take a deep breath. Just take a seat and we'll get this figured out, yeah?"

 

[GhastlySquash]

Davis just laughed, using his tie to wipe his face as he paid for the drumsticks and a soda. "You know Kodak, a lot of people in this town wouldn't be surprised if me and my buddies in the FBI pulled you for something. They think you're some kind of weirdo"

He shook his head. "Small towns are weird that way huh? You ought to try the big city. Move to D.C. or heck work at that big conglomerate that's taking over the mines. You'd probably do better than most."

It seemed Davis tried to dodge the question about the fugitives, which meant either he hadn't caught them or it ended badly. Either way, as soon as Davis paid for his stuff, he left with a wave. "Get out of this dump, Kodak. City life would suit you more."

-----------------

Agatha was still holding the phone, tears streaming down her eyes as she tried to pinch herself in the stomach. "This is just a horrible dream! Just a horrible dream."

She kept repeating the line again and again. She didn't want to believe it. She couldn't She wasn't dead! Her father wasn't drunk. This was just an elaborate prank and...

And yet even Agatha had to admit there was a lot of new things. The store had been stocked with new items, some of which she'd never heard of before. Kodak, for all his weirdness, couldn't pull off a look that literally aged him 10 years.

Still, how was this possible? Zombies were supposed to be these decaying corpses. Not perfectly pristine bodies that look like they've never aged.

Looking at Pierre, trying to act like this was all normal only made her more and more angry. "Figure this out? I'm dead and you're telling me to figure this out?"

Her hands were shaking uncontrollably. Her friends, her family. All of them thought her dead. Her father sounded the same, but depressed and drunk. Her mother, she didn't even know where she was.

Her eyes red, she slammed the phone back. "I...I..."

She marched past Pierre, passing Kodak as she tried to head outside.

 

[protectorofthebooty]

Frowning at Davis' back as he left Kodak braced his hands against the counter and slumped forward. He would have considered that to be advice if it hadn't sounded like a thinly veiled threat instead. Of course anyone who hadn't been born in the town would be considered odd. Strangers didn't know local superstition, the town's history, of even the many different families. He considered it ridiculous that so many still cast suspicion upon him and his brothers. Now even more so than ever. Something was happening and Kodak wasn't even sure if he believed it.

"Hey!" Pierre's sudden shout startled Kodak from his thoughts and he turned as Agatha brushed past him, "Kolby, stop her!"

"Aggie, wait," Kodak grabbed the girl's arm, trying to not think about how cold she felt still as he moved to put himself in between her and the door, "You can't just leave. If people see you..."

 

[GhastlySquash]

"See what? That I'm a ghost?" Aggie wanted to punch him. She wanted to punch something anyone. In her own frustration she grabbed one of the magazine racks and tried to throw it on the floor.

It wasn't until she'd stomped or punched or destroyed that she finally stopped and started sobbing uncontrollably. "Just tell me it's a joke! Please just say something! Anything! Say I'm not dead! Please!"

 

[protectorofthebooty]

"Hey, hey," Kodak moved to wrap his arms around the girl, pulling her close to his chest, "You're alive now. I don't know how, but you're here. You're alive."

Nathanielle and Pierre exchanged wary looks and Kodak nodded for them to leave. They didn't need to be involved in this should things go south and it was clear they weren't sure about this either. It was all too strange for him, he couldn't even imagine what it was like for Agatha. He murmured softly to Agatha, rubbing her back soothingly.

"Give us a call if something happens. We'll see what we can find." Nathanielle said and Pierre nodded, casting one last look at Agatha as the two slipped out the door, locking it behind them.

"It's going to be okay, Aggie, I promise."

 

[GhastlySquash]

"My Dad...he...he didn't even believe me. He thought he was hallucinating."

Agatha slipped from Kodak's grip, sighing as her stomach grumbled. "Kodak...how...how did it you know...happen?" She didn't want to say the word, for fear it would be true. Was this some weird afterlife? Or some sick joke.

She remembered Kodak as being a weird one, but one that she admitted was a fresh breath of air. She'd hung out with him a few times, especially when Teddy and all the runners on the team were off doing something without her.

 

[protectorofthebooty]

Kodak was silent for a few minutes, unsure how to answer. Around them the shop to echo her question, reflecting the surreal reality he now found himself in. For a moment he tried to imagine what it must be like for Agatha, to find yourself lost with no recollection of what happened only to learn that you were dead. It was probably for the best that she didn't remember what happened.

"You and Teddy were at a party in the forest. You had both been drinking and the police think a deer caused him to swerve." Kodak shifted, remembering the day they got the news vividly. It had been horrible to hear, the community was devastated, but her parents took it harder than anyone else.

"Gas hit the engine and ignited. The fire had burned itself out by the time help arrived." Kodak felt his eyes burn and quickly wiped away his tears before Agatha could see. It seemed inappropriate for him to cry. "You look unharmed though, you look well."

 

[GhastlySquash]

"A...a car crash..." It must have ended quickly she hoped. Either the explosion or numbed by the alcohol, at least she didn't have to worry about some unforeseen pain.

It almost seemed ironic when Kodak said she felt well. Even with the tears streaming from his eyes. Nodding her head, Agatha sighed. "I don't even feel tired. It's like I can't fall asleep."

---------------------------------

(I'm down for a scene jump! By the way should I play Agent Davis for your returned scene or do you want me to play her twin sister?)

 

[protectorofthebooty]

Kodak smiled softly in what he hoped was a reassuring way and gestured to the back office where the stairs upstairs were hidden away.

"You must be hungry at least. I still have my mom's old cookbook, stay for dinner?" when words failed to offer comfort, food was always there.

--------------------------------------------

Night had fallen and with it came the songs of the crickets and frogs. Occasionally an owl hooted and it seemed strange that owls would travel so far into town. It was too cold as well. Too cold and wet. Sila groaned, shifting as it finally registered that something was moving around her. With a cry she pushed herself away from the rotten log she had been laying across and splashed in the shallow water.

Gasping for breath, Sila pulled herself from the river onto the rocky shore. She shivered violently and coughed though there was no water in her lungs. She couldn't remember what had happened to leave her here at the water's edge, alone. If no one had found her then no one had looked for her. Had it been a suicide? An accident? Surely Alice would have been at least concerned about her absence from home...

Surely someone was looking for her. Sila crossed her arms tighter around herself, fighting against the chill in the air as she finally stumbled across a road. She almost laughed with relief at the thought of a way back home.

'Like Hansel and Gretel...' she thought though there situations were hardly similar.

 

[GhastlySquash]

Agent Davis was currently balancing the drumstick in his hand when he swerved to avoid the raccoon in the road and noticed his lights flash on a rather strange sight.

A girl, who looked like she'd just crawled out of a pool. Managing to secure his driving, he rolled up to Sila. "Hey miss you lost or something?"

He quickly showed her his federal badge. "You're pretty darn far from the nearest town so I'd suggest calling an Uber."

-----------

Agatha chuckled at Kodak's suggestion for dinner. "I don't know. I don't know if I'm real or not. If this is still a dream. I'm almost certain it has to be. I can't be dead. This isn't an afterlife. This doesn't make sense at all."

Still, her stomach grumbled and as much as she felt she was dreaming, perhaps some food would make it better. "If you can beat my Mom forcing kale salad I might have to reconsider calling you a weirdo."

 

[protectorofthebooty]

Kicking at a small clump of snow Sila frowned. Since when did it snow in September? Even as far north as their town was it had been too warm for even the chance of snow. Had she been missing for even longer? How could she when the road had been right there next to the river? Her class hadn't even gone that far from the town itself, yet she didn't recognize the stretch of road she found herself on.

"Come on, pull yourself together. You must have hit your head pretty hard in the river." Sila berated herself, stopping to lean against a tree. It was too damn cold and if she didn't keep moving or find help soon... Headlights stopped her train of thought and Sila felt a spike of hope as she stepped back to the road, studying the cop car as it pulled up to her. She hesitated, not recognizing the officer.

"Uber...?" Sila blinked and shook her head, "I'm sorry, I just need a ride back home in Coldwell."

-----------------------------

Kodak chuckled, sure that anything would be better than a kale salad. He listed off a few different options as he lead the way up to his home above the shop. Like the floor below it had been renovated from a second floor into an apartment. It was small, but for a bachelor and his dog it was more than enough considering they spent more time outside than in.

"Bear, down!" he scolded suddenly as a massive bundle of fur came barreling out from the kitchen and lept up to lick his face. The dog didn't listen, her attention now on Agatha.

"Don't mind her, she seems big but she thinks she's a lapdog." Kodak grumbled, pushing the dog down. Bear moved slowly to sniff at Agatha's legs, her demeanor suddenly far more timid than usual. With a huff the dog pressed herself against Kodak's legs, nearly tripping the man as he tried to move.

 

[GhastlySquash]

"Yeah, can I see some id?" Davis asked, showing his own badge. "And yeah Uber...what you kids don't use it enough? Guess small towns age slow. I just need to run this so I can find your address. What are you doing out here late this night?"

Something didn't sit right. Girls walking alone on a road this late in the winter usually meant one of two things. They were hiding something or they were runaways. His guess was that she had to be a runaway. Thankfully, he had Coldwell's database so he'd probably find her records pretty quick if she gave him a real id. Otherwise, he'd take her back and run her face through the system.

---------------------

"Honestly, chicken fingers sound great. Or mac n cheese. Or both actually." Agatha chuckled. Heading upstairs, she smiled at the big dog, chuckling as she licked Kodak's face.

"I didn't know you got such a big..." How long had it been? Ten years? Was this dog even born then? The thought only served to make Agatha wonder what had happened.

Suddenly, however, Bear shied away from her, looking at her like she was some sort of stranger. "C'mere Bear, I don't bite!"

 

[protectorofthebooty]

"I think I lost my wallet and phone in the river..." Sila admitted sheepishly, fight back against a shiver, "I came out with my class earlier today. I must have slipped hit my head."

It was a flimsy story at best and Sila knew it, but she wasn't sure what else to say. It made no sense to her that just earlier today the leaves were turning gold and red and then she woke up to find the leaves gone and snow upon the ground. The only thing that made sense was that she had lost more far longer than a day, but that didn't explain why no one was looking for her.

"My name is Sila Utteridge, I live on 2186 Point Street and my family is probably looking for me." Sila studied the officer, suddenly anxious. He was still buckled into his seat and his doors probably still locked. Chances were he would have a radio on him, but if she was lucky he wasn't familiar with the area around the town. She would have a head start if she needed to run.

------------------------

"She hasn't seen you since she was a puppy, but she'll warm up to you." Kodak assured as he finally got into the kitchen, Bear seeming to make it even smaller as she peeked around the kitchen nook to watch Agatha, her tail wagging tentatively. Kodak shook his head at the dog and pulled down a bottle of brandy along with a box of mac' n' cheese. Was it too soon to ask her what she remembered? Maybe it would be better to wait until morning so he could at least offer possible answers to this seriously fucked up situation.

"I don't know if it would be considered legal for you to drink, but if you want a shot let me know otherwise I have..." he paused for a moment, trying to remember what he had gotten on his last trip to the store, "Other non-alcoholic drinks."

 

[GhastlySquash]

"Sounds like a careless school to be leaving some girl behind after dark in this cold." Davis narrowed his eyes, calling it in on his phone for an ID. "Yeah, Sila Utteridge..."

The answer wasn't what he expected. Still, it made him wonder. Who the heck used a deceased name that was ten years ago. "Sila, if your family is looking for you, you better come with me now."

Davis tuned to the police radio before requesting another car. "Sila, I'm going to need you to answer a few questions at the station."

-------------------

Agatha felt nervous now. The dog was just looking at her like she was some deranged psycho. When she saw Kodak pull out a bottle of bourbon, she almost wanted to scold him for drinking when she realized he was old enough. Probably far old enough since it'd been ten years.

"Heh, guess you are of age...and I think a shot wouldn't hurt if I'm not driving." Agatha laughed, before a sudden pain erupted in her head. "Agh, what the fuck!"

She didn't know what it was, but as soon as the pain hit, it suddenly left. For a second, she thought she was sitting in a car, and Teddy was driving her to the party and...

"Must be the cold or something." Agatha tried to laugh it off.

 

[protectorofthebooty]

"W-what? Why?" Sila blinked, taking an involuntary step back. She couldn't place what it was about the situation that put her on edge, but something inside her screamed for her to run. "Am I under arrest?"

Whatever had been said on the other end of the phone didn't seem to sit well with the officer. He looked at the girl sternly, answering her question without words. Panic seized Sila, sending a burst of adrenaline through her body. Without thinking of the consequences she turned to the forest and ran, barely hearing the officer's shout. Fatigue and pain were forgotten as her shoes slammed against the frozen ground. She moved blindly, paying no heed as branches and thorny thickets snagged at clothing and flesh.

She needed to get away. She needed to hide...

The ground gave way beneath her foot and Sila pitched forward. For a moment it felt as though water was rushing around her body, tossing and churning until she was sucked under before a sharp pain stole the world away once more.

-----------------------

Kodak jumped, nearly spilling the small glass he had been filling and Bear whined softly, finally moving closer to Agatha in concern.

"Ah, shit, you must still be freezing..." Kodak was ready to kick himself in the ass for forgetting something so simple. Food forgotten for the moment he hurried to his room, digging out an old pair of sweats he had grown out of and a hoodie. He would have to ask Nathanielle for some clothes until they could make a trip to the mall or something. He should have at least kept the clothes his ex had left behind as strange as that would seem.

"These might still be a bit big, but the pants at least have a string tie on them." Kodak said, offering an apologetic smile as he held out the clothes, "Bathroom is right down the hall, if you want you can take a shower while I make some food."

 

[GhastlySquash]

"What the fuck! Come back here!" Davis ran out of his car, his flashlight trained on Sila as he chased her across the forest. "Hold it right there!"

For a moment, he thought he'd lost her until he heard a dull thud and a splash.

"Oh shit." Davis jumped into the stream, searching for her body and hopefully pulling it loose. From there, he'd do basic first aid until the ambulance arrived.

-----------------------

"It's fine, I appreciate it." Agatha chuckled as Kodak passed her the clothes. It reminded her of old camping trips with her father, back before she tried to bring designer jeans and other outfits and refused to go out.

Back then, her father use to always bundle her up, saying it was important to keep warm because it kept all the love in. In a way, it was a time long ago now. She'd never see her father again. She'd never see any of her friends or family.

There was a silent resentment that Kodak of all people found her first. If she'd continued on her way, she might be at her house or hopefully by someone's house.

After she finished changing, she could smell the mac n cheese and quickly dug in. It wasn't until she'd finished two bowls that she turned to Kodak, a question pressing her mind. "It's been...been a while I suppose. What...how was the funeral?"

Was it weird that now she wanted to know what her funeral was like? Were there flowers? Was there a memorial?

-----------------------------------

 

[protectorofthebooty]

Sila groaned as hands pulled her roughly from the river's edge and rocks scraped at her side. Everything hurt, especially her head. It felt like she was waking up again, but this time it was how it should have been. Someone had been looking. Someone had found her. No, that wasn't right. It was difficult to think with the world tilting around her.

"Wait..." she coughed harshly, trying to roll away from the boy who had pushed her into the water. Pulled. She had run from an officer and he was pulling her out of the water again. She needed help getting home. Something had happened and she needed to get home. Why did she run?

"Alyss... where's Alyss?" she asked, trying to focus on the officer, "I need to see my sister!"

--------------------

"No problem." Kodak assured quietly even though he didn't feel like he had done much of anything. After a moment he returned to the kitchen and downed the shot he had poured in one gulp. Shaking off the burn in his throat he started mixing the mac 'n' cheese, setting the oven to preheat. His own appetite had left him the moment he saw Agatha in his shop, but the extra food couldn't hurt. It would be better than finding out she was a classic zombie...

That was an inappropriate thought. But then what was appropriate? Shaking the thought from his head he grabbed a bowl and started dishing it out just in time for Agatha to finish changing. He bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself from smiling when he realized what hoodie he had given the girl.

'I'm not weird. I'm a unicorn!' an old Christmas gift from one of his brothers that he had never worn. It looked better on her at least. Pouring himself another shot, Kodak sat down at the counter and shot Nathanielle a text. Bear found a spot just out of Kodak's sight and settled down to watch Agatha eat.

"Your funeral?" he looked up in surprise though he supposed it wasn't such a strange question to ask, "It was...nice. The school called an assembly and our class got together to set up a memorial out front. A lot of people were there for you. It...it wasn't the same without you there, though. I missed you..."