Chapter Text
SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 9:56 AM
NORTHKILL ROAD
RYAN
@entangledwithsound
we're all at the busstop, where r u?
well minus laura + max
@bon4fide.yetbizarre
im with them
ygs can start heading up
@entangledwithsound
ph shit rlly?
guess ygs got really close
@bon4fide.yetbizarre
we just live close together. not a big deal
@entangledwithsound
yeah for sure
see u soon then
Seen.
Ryan huffed to themself and pocketed their phone, music blasting into the earbuds plugged in their ears. Max looked up into the rearview mirror, his eyes landing on Ryan.
"Alright there?"
"Yeah, Dylan and the others are on their way. Should get there a bit before us."
Laura turns in the passenger seat to face Ryan, a grin on her face. Ryan scowls, already not liking what she's about to come up with.
"Dylan and the others ?"
"You know what I mean," they roll their eyes, arms coming up to a cross in front of them.
"Realll defensive there bud," Max joins in, a teasing tilt in his voice.
Ryan rolls their eyes dramatically, a hint of a smile on their face, "It's not even like that, he's nice and all but I prefer us being friends."
Laura's grin softens and she raises an eyebrow, "Why not?"
He shrugs, thinking about an old conversation between him and Kaitlyn, "He said I wasn't worth the effort. And sure, he could've been lying - because that's what Kaitlyn seems to think - but I'd rather we just stay friends."
Max tilts his head at that, "Yeah fair enough. I don't think I'd like that either."
Laura juggles that thought in her head, "Isn't that the same as you saying you preferred neither of them?"
"I guess. But I didn't say he wasn't worth the effort. I don't hold it against him, and I won't bring it up, but I dunno," he pauses, thinking, "I don't know."
Laura smiles and nods before turning back to the road. She checks the gps on her phone, seeing that any connection to the outside world is gone. Scowling, she pockets her phone, turning to Max.
"You think we can make it without GPS or should I-"
Max instantly cuts her off, laughing, "I got it babe, we don't need the help of a creep ass cop."
"You sure? I'm sure I could call Silas, ask him to chill in the road? Give us a lil push into the woods?" she sniggered, her eyes crinkling with humor.
Ryan rolled their eyes at their banter and tunes them out. The intro to Smells Like Teen Spirit filters through their earbuds and they close their eyes. They didn't listen to it much but it felt fitting for the moment. As they reveled in the music, they thought about their destination. It felt odd going back so soon and anxiety built up in his chest at the thought of it.
Chris. Kaylee. Caleb. They haven't spoken to them since that day. If what they said to them could even be counted as a conversation. The sun had risen and Ryan was hiding in the woods for what felt like years when they were found by Nick. Together they made it back to the lodge, faced with an angry group of counselors, an angrier Laura Kearney, and the guilty faces of the Hacketts. Ryan took one look at them, vomited, and then bolted.
It took a while for him to be found after that, but by then the police had arrived and were taking everyone away for questioning. And once again they faced the Hacketts to which they only muttered a few words before being stuffed into the back of a police car with Nick.
Thinking about them only exhausted them more. While he knew they didn't want any of this to happen, they couldn't help but blame them, be angry with them. Not as angry as Laura, but at this point, the anger was growing to be almost the size of hers. They were his family, and they felt more than betrayed.
The car pulling to a stop jolted him out of their thoughts and Ryan sat up from the slouched position they were in. As their eyes blinked open, they watched as Max and Laura simultaneously turned to them.
"We ready for this?" Max asked the pair, unease written on his face.
Ryan gave him a small smile and nodded. After that night, Max and Laura clearly took a liking to them. Essentially forcing him out of his shell and herding them into theirs. They were still Laura and Max, Max and Laura, but they included Ryan in a lot. Really made them feel wanted, they didn't feel that a lot.
Laura visibly shook out any jitters and gave them both a determined smile, "We get through this, through the full moon, and then get back home. Easy enough."
Max cheered and leaned over to kiss her cheek, pride all on his face. Ryan stuck their tongue out, making fun of the clear affection in their faces.
"Don't be jealous Ryan, I'll give you a kiss if you ask for it," Max snickered and knocked his arm into Laura's. She laughed and rolled her eyes before turning to get out of the car.
"You're so gross, oh my god," but Ryan laughed and Max beamed with pride. Giving Ryan a nod, he turned and got out of the car, to which Ryan mimicked.
Together they locked up the car and got their bags out of the trunk. To the left of them was the van used for the counselors, it was clearly abandoned which only meant the others were already inside. Ryan looked up at the lodge and grimaced, gearing up to actually go inside.
Laura passed by them and knocked her shoulder into them affectionately, "Let's go in grumpy."
They rolled their eyes and closed the trunk, following after her with Max on their tail. They made their way up the stairs to the lodge, about to knock when the door swung open. Kaitlyn placed a hand on her hip and grinned.
"Took you long enough."
SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 11:07 AM
HACKETTS QUARRY LODGE
RYAN
Ryan dumped their bags next to the stairs inside the lodge. Max and Laura followed suit, Max groaning dramatically. The rest of the counselors ensemble were scattered around the lodge. Emma and Abi were speaking animatedly about something, nothing Ryan wanted to tune into at the moment. Their eyes swept over the others, Kaitlyn made her way back to Jacob and Dylan who both smiled as they noticed them looking. They gave them a small wave before continuing to look around. Chris and Travis were nowhere to be found and Ryan let out a sigh of relief.
In a small corner sat Kaylee and Caleb, looking depressed and miserable. Ryan debated going over and saying something, but their chest tightened at the thought of it. They grimaced slightly and turned away, looking around the rest of the lodge.
Pausing, they counted the group silently and confusion took over their features.
"Where's Nick?" they spoke up, causing everyone to turn to them. Ryan subtly curled in on themself at the attention, it reminded him all too much of that morning after.
Abi half smiled and pointed to the kitchens behind him, "He muttered something before running off to the kitchen."
Ryan nodded and turned to find the boy. After that night, Nick was extremely quiet. And it wouldn't have been unusual but he never spoke. Not even to Abi. He was similar to Ryan in that sense. The counselors had added each other to a group chat which Ryan mostly ignored. Only speaking once or twice. Nick had done the same.
Because of that, Ryan had felt a sort of comradery from him. Even if they never actually spoke after that night.
Ryan stood in the door of the kitchen, Nick had his back turned to them, clearly focusing on something. Not wanting to scare him, Ryan knocked on the counter closest to him.
Nick paused slightly before turning to him, "Hey."
"Hey, you making something?" Ryan crossed their arms and tilted their head.
He shrugged and moved out of the way, revealing the notebook he was writing in, "I was about to, had to write something down."
Ryan raised an eyebrow in question, wanting Nick to tell him of his own accord.
"I uh- I've been feeling a lot different after everything? Like my senses are heightened or whatever. Been writing anything different down."
Ryan breathed an "Oh," of surprise and moved more into the kitchen, "You get aftereffects?"
"Yeah.. Crazy right? I think I'm the only one. It freaks me out," Nick huffs a humorless laugh, pushing the book to Ryan.
Thankful for the permission, Ryan's mouth slightly lifts into a smile before dropping as they read the symptoms Nick feels. The room is silent as they read, but not uncomfortable. They lean against the counter next to Nick and he reads over Ryan's shoulder.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Ryan questions curiously.
Nick shrugs and looks away, "Abi still flinches around me. I know she doesn't mean to, and I know she's forgiven me but it still hurts. I feel guilty all the time mate. It's exhausting. I don't want anyone to see me any more differently."
Ryan nods, getting what he's saying, "I won't tell anyone then."
Nick smiles before moving to the freezer, "Hold this open for me? I'll start cooking."
"Sure, I can help if you want. I'm not exactly keen on going back into the lion's den," they set the journal down, closing it, before moving to keep the freezer door open.
The brunette snorts and lifts up two boxes, his arms flexing with the weight. Ryan lets out a hum and lets Nick exit.
"When you say your senses are heightened, what do you mean?"
"I can hear Emma and Abi gossiping about us right now."
Ryan strains their ears to see if they can hear what they mean. Tilting their head to the side, they shrug, "I can hear them talking, just not what they're saying."
Nick drops the boxes on a counter and turns to them, "Yours might be heightened too y'know. But I can hear exactly what they're saying if I try hard enough."
"You might be right, maybe. And that sounds like a sensory nightmare," Ryan's mouth lifts into a hint of a smirk and Nick shrugs.
"I like the hearing, just- not all the time."
"Fair enough, I got overstimulated easily from noise before, moreso now, I can't imagine hearing what you hear. But that's just me getting overstimulated easily."
"Really? I thought noise wasn't that bad for you, considering MSI is blasting into your earbuds right now."
"Music is different... And is my music that loud?" Ryan looks down at their earbuds before looking back up at Nick.
"Mate.. without the super hearing, your music is leaking out of your earbuds. How you can even hear me is proof you have heightened hearing."
Thinking about it, Ryan pulls out their earbuds, which is doing exactly as Nick said it was. The music leaked out loudly and the loud drums of Lights Out were palpable. Ryan paled slightly in embarrassment as they plugged their ears back up before turning the volume down drastically.
"That's- embarrassing."
Nick snorts before it turns into a full blown laugh. Ryan rolls their eyes exasperatedly before grinning.
"Don't worry about it, no one cares."
Ryan huffs but turns the music back up slightly. Nick smiles and turns to the stove, turning it on.
"Alright, let's do this."
SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 12:44 PM
HACKETTS QUARRY LODGE
ABIGAIL
Abi smiled softly as soft chatter could be heard in the lodge. Nick and Ryan managed to make a good lunch for the group and everyone was enjoying it. Including the Hacketts.
She peeked at them as she looked down at her plate. Kaylee and Caleb were muttering to each other while the two older Hacketts looked to be in a heated discussion. Almost sensing someone looking, Kaylees eyes snapped over to her and Abi instantly looked away, her cheeks warming with embarrassment.
She looked at Ryan and Nick sitting together, farthest from the group. Her chest tightened as she looked Nick over. Abi missed him, not romantically. She didn't think they could ever be anything more than friends after what happened, but she missed talking to him. Missed her friend. Nick didn't talk to anyone anymore, and she'd tried to get him to speak to her. But it only hurt the both of them more.
They can be friends, hopefully soon. Just not now.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked over to see Emma grinning widely.
"Doing a little sightseeing?" she gestured over to Nick, mischief in her expression.
"Oh my god," Abi shakes her head frustratedly, "Emma.."
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Though... Ryan and Nick are sitting a bit close.. Could be something," Emma sits close to her, fake whispering, "My suspicions are coming true.."
Emma wiggles her eyebrows and Abi looks back at the two. At that moment they looked at each other, and she watched as Nick's mouth formed the word, " See?", to which Ryan raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at his lips before turning back to his food. Abi wondered what that was about but was roused out of her thoughts and looked to Emma, "I mean..."
Emma laughs and grabs onto her arm, "See!! Watch.. something between them is brewing..."
Abi shook her head fondly, amused with Emma's antics. It always made her feel better even if she could be slightly overbearing. Emma radiated warmth as she theatrically whispered about Nick and Ryan to which Abi could only hopelessly feed into it.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 12:44 PM
HACKETTS QUARRY LODGE
DYLAN
Dylan watched with barely concealed disgust as Jacob shoveled his food into his mouth, making disgusting noises.
Kaitlyn grimaced and punched his shoulder, "Dude if you keep eating like that, I will stab you in the throat."
Jacob, very immaturely he thinks, begins to chew at her with his mouth open, "Nick's food is so good I missed itttt."
"Man if you keep eating like that, Nick's food will be on the floor. " Dylan gives him a disgusted look. The sound of him chewing was nearly driving him up the wall.
"Right, if you want to honor Nick, savor the food and stop spitting it all over me," she shuffles farther away from him, using Dylan as a makeshift shield.
Jacob pouts and calms down, "Whatever."
"Stop making me mom you, it's sickening," Kaitlyn sets her half eaten plate down, appetite ruined.
"You stop, I don't control you," Jacob scowls.
"Well someone has to keep you in check."
Dylan laughs, a mischievous grin on her face, "Mama Kaity. Mother of 1 Jacob Custos."
"Don't make me mother you, you know damn well I will," she threatens, completely serious.
Dylan mimics zipping his lips shut and laughs. Kaitlyn leans onto him and looks over to Ryan.
"He's as brooding as ever amiright?'
Dylan lets out a long suffering sigh, "Yeah."
Kaitlyn looks at him, "You gonna talk to him later? Or now?"
"Umm. I don't know. You remember what I said."
"Yeah and I know it's complete bullshit," she snorts, not buying it.
Dylan looks away from the other boy to Kaitlyn and Jacob who is clearly eavesdropping, "After everything, I think I'll just try to move on. Nothing ever happened."
Jacob pats him on the shoulder and nods, "You could do better than Ryan anyway."
"Oh my god, why are you so intent on antagonizing him," Kaitlyn rolls her eyes.
"Hey!! most of the time, he starts it!"
"Bullshitttt."
Kaitlyn and Jacob continue to bicker and Dylan huffs out a laugh. He peeks over at Ryan, who's already looking back at him. He jumps slightly but gives him an awkward wave. The boy furrows his eyebrows, expression twisting into something unreadable when Nick nudges him. Ryan looks away at that and Dylan deflates.
It's best to move on.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 3:27 PM
HACKETTS QUARRY LODGE
RYAN
Everyone seemed to be idle, quietly waiting for the day to end and for tomorrow to come. Ryan just wanted to sleep, however Chris mentioned that they all needed to go over sleeping plans for tonight and actual plans for tomorrow.
The full moon was coming soon, making everyone much more irritable and anxious. Ryan included. It certainly was a good idea for them to come a day early, however Ryan was now regretting coming so early. The hours dragged by and the only thing keeping him relatively insane was his music, the couple to his left, and surprisingly Nick.
They haven't talked much after the kitchen but it was nice to be around someone who didn't want to talk just as much as they did.
Max, sitting next to him, nudges them with his knee. He gestures towards Chris who just entered and is surveying the room.
Ryan nods in thanks and focuses on Chris, not looking him in the eye.
"Alright so, I know you all don't want to be here-"
"No fucking shit," Laura mutters viciously, not low enough to go unnoticed.
Travis sighs from behind Chris and the other looks at the three of them. Ryan and Laura both bristle at the attention and Max wraps an arm around Laura in defense.
Chris' eyes land on Ryan and guilt radiates from him before he turns to the largest group of counselors. Nick on the far side of the room gives Ryan a look, silently asking if they're okay. Ryan gives a small nod and crosses their arms.
"Anyway.. As I was saying, I'm trying to be as accommodating as possible. I just want to go over sleeping arrangements and go over what happens tomorrow."
The group nods but otherwise no one speaks up. Chris visibly deflates and sighs.
"You can either sleep here, there's a few couches and such scattered around the lodge. Or you can sleep in the cabins. It's your choice but I'd rather you all choose one spot and stick to it, for my peace of mind, and for yours."
He steps back to let the group chat, moving to sit at the foot of the stairs with his children, Travis following after.
After a few moments of silence, Kaitlyn stands up and speaks up, "I imagine we don't want to split up right? Or just me?"
Emma huffs and rolls her eyes, "Obviously not, I do not want to have that happen again."
Abi giggles softly next to her and nods in agreement. Emma visibly preens and Kaitlyn fake gags, "Alright so.. Cabins or Lodge?"
Dylan hesitantly speaks up, shrinking when all eyes turn to look at him, "If we do have to do cabins, I want to be as far from the radio hut as possible, thank you."
Ryan pales and looks away, grimacing at the unwanted memory.
Jacob nods and pats Dylan's back affectionately, "Totally reasonable. Honestly the cabins freak me out anyway, and we would still be splitting up right? So I vote lodge...?"
"Okay so Jacob votes lodge. Imma say so do you Dylan," Kaitlyn points to him and he nods. She nods back and turns to Ryan, Laura, and Max, "I know you both aren't really close to us but we'd like it if you stuck with us."
Max smiles and gives her a thumbs up. Laura contemplates before nodding, "I don't mind."
Kaitlyn raises an eyebrow at Ryan and he only shrugs in response. She huffs before turning away.
"I'm not hearing any objections?"
The counselors nod and Kaitlyn claps before turning to the Hacketts, "Lodge it is Mr. H."
Chris hums and smiles tiredly, "Great, you guys know where the blankets are, I recommend finding somewhere to settle down early."
Kaitlyn nods and sits back down as Travis stands up and makes his way over to the group.
"As for the full moon tomorrow, you have a few choices. There's 3 cages in the house behind us. They can fit two each, maybe three. Kaylee and Caleb will be taking one which means 4 of you- 6 at most can bunk there for the night."
Jacob scowls and looks up, "You mean the one I was in?"
"..Yes."
"You said 6? There's 9 of us," Emma leads on, hurrying Travis up subtly.
"I was getting to that. 3 of you can fit in the storm shelter, and the island is one of the safest places for you all. I imagine all of you can fit there. The police station can hold three of you as a last resort. There's also the attic, one of you can be there as long as no one goes snooping."
Ryan and Laura both scowl at that, their expressions darkening instantly. Travis' gaze lands on them before turning away, "Who's going where?"
Max speaks up, his voice slightly shaky, "I think I'd like the island. Laura you with me right?"
Laura softens and turns to him, "Of course hun."
"You're welcome to join us Ryan," Max turns to him, a half smile on his face. Ryan shrugs, not wanting to intrude.
"Alright, that's those two. The rest of you?"
Dylan looks up from the hushed conversation he was having with Kaitlyn and Jacob and grimaces, "We'll have the storm shelter? Me, Kaity, and Jacob."
Travis nods and turns to Emma and Abi, "You?"
Abi looks to Emma, still as indecisive as ever, and she answers for her, "We'll go into a cage together."
"That just leaves you too," he gestures to Ryan and Nick.
Nick frowns and hesitantly answers, his voice low and small, "I was in the cages for the majority of that night right? It only makes sense."
Ryan nods, "You and Jacob were in there before the power went out."
"I got freed because the power went out. How likely is that to happen again?"
Travis huffs, "It only went out because Kearney destroyed the breaker."
Laura glowers, "I wouldn't have needed to do that if you and your wretched family didn't try to kill me."
Max lays a hand on her arm and she calms down slightly, looking away.
Nick watched the exchange before nodding, "Then the cage. I guess."
Travis turns to Ryan, looking to finalize everything.
"Mate, you can be with me. If you're not-" Nick trails off, remembering Ryan was also in the pool house.
"Yeah I'll stick with Nick. No offense Max."
Max only grins in response. Travis nods in finality, "Everyone good with everything? We sticking to this?"
"Yeah we're sure T-Money," Max grins at the scowl directed his way, the reaction being what he wanted.
"Great."
SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 3:56 PM
HACKETTS QUARRY LODGE
RYAN
After that everyone pretty much dispersed with muttered excuses. Ryan didn't pay much attention to them, still getting used to being back. Hacketts Quarry used to bring so much comfort to him. Unfortunately it wasn't like that anymore, it never would be.
Someone stepped in front of them and they tensed up. Hesitantly Ryan raised his head to Kaylee who looked uncomfortable.
"Ryan?"
Ryan schooled their face into a blank expression and pulled their earbuds out. Music softly leaked out from them but they ignored it, "You needed something?"
Kaylee looked as if she was about to cry and sat in front of them, "I- We haven't spoken in what feels like forever. I miss you. I miss us. Caleb does too."
"I don't know what you want me to say." Ryan looks at the ground, tears welling up in their eyes with the frustration they are feeling.
"I'm sorry."
"You think that's enough?!" they jump out of their seat, backing away from her, "Kaylee you knew what would happen. And yet you and Caleb ran off to do what? Gallop in the woods? Eat a few dears?? You would think that having actual people go missing because of you , you'd know that it wasn't a good idea."
"Uncle Travis keeps people away from us! We just hated being locked up, we didn't know you'd all still be here!"
"Oh yeah he does his job perfectly doesn't he. Max being bit meant nothing."
Tears flow out of the girl's eyes as she doesn't know how to respond to that. Blaming the couple would only anger Ryan more and she knew their anger could be explosive.
"I know you didn't know but that was really fucking stupid of you."
"I wish I could take it all back! We all do! How do I make it up to you?!"
Ryan wipes at his face, hiding the few tears that managed to leak out, "Give me time."
"But-"
"Lee. Please."
Her mouth opens to fight back, get something more, but she knew it would be useless. Kaylee nodded in response before turning to flee the lodge. Ryan watching as she leaves before rushing into one of the empty classrooms.
They shove the earbuds back into their ears, turning the volume up to the highest before shoving themself in the corner. It was a motion they were all too familiar with, their back against the corner with no way for anyone to sneak up on them. Their head hiding in their knees as they listened to the music. It helped regulate their emotions, as much as they could anyway. Ryan sucks in large gulps of air, the exchange with Kaylee leaving them worse for wear. Even with how short it was, it only made them utterly drained. If this is how they felt talking to Kaylee, the girl they loved like a sister, they couldn't imagine how they'd feel talking to Chris and Caleb.
Footsteps moved down the hallway towards the classroom Ryan had holed themself up in. They shrunk in on themself slightly, hoping whoever it was would keep moving but unfortunately they stopped right outside the door. Ryan waited in anticipation for what felt like forever before the person knocked and let themself in.
Nick awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck and peeked in, "Hey uh, I heard your music."
Ryan rolled their eyes and sat up to look at Nick better. Taking it as permission, Nick walked over and sat next to them, far enough to not invade their space, but close enough for Ryan to feel the warmth radiating off of them.
"I heard Jacob and Emma arguing, let's just say, we should probably stay away from them for a bit," he lets out a stilted chuckle and pulled their legs up to their chest, mimicking Ryan.
They grimaced in response before dramatically slicing across their throat with their finger. Nick snorts and leans back against the wall, "I'm astonished to how they're still friends. If Emma could kill him and get away with it, she probably would."
Ryan shook their head with a wry smile making Nick crack another smile. Noticing Ryan's silence he tilts his head, "I'm not bothering you am I? 'Cause I'll stop talking."
Tongue almost glued to the roof of their mouth, it takes a while for Ryan to force themself to speak, "Talking can get a lot for me sometime. I don't mind if you talk, just-"
Nick nods and gives them an encouraging smile, "I got it, don't worry."
They half smile before leaning their head back and closing their eyes. Bring Me to Life blasts into their ears and tension leaves their body. Nick shuffles closer, humming slightly.
"If Dylan heard you listening to that, he wouldn't let you hear the end of it," he hums.
Ryan snorts and nods in acknowledgement. Nick grins and closes his eyes, mimicking Ryan next to him. Exhaustion tugs at him and its shocking how fast he fell asleep. Ryan hums to themself and looks to the window of the classroom. The sun is slowly setting, signaling the night coming up. Nick shifts next to them before his head slowly falls onto Ryan's shoulder. Nick was way too warm to be considered normal and they stored that information away for later. Right now though, it only made them realize how exhaustion plagued every bone in their body. Looking back to the closed door of the classroom, tiredness pulled at them until they leaned back into Nick.
Together they held each other up and fell into a dreamless sleep.