Chapter Text
It's been days since Tim seen Benrey, and Tim was beyond thankful — truly balance was restored once more and he could quietly forget about the temporary thorn in his side. Unfortunately his luck didn't spread to all aspects of his life as he is still unemployed, shocker. At this rate he might as well pack up and ditch town, again. But Tim knows if he went back to hopping around motels he's eventually gonna run himself dry. Besides, Tim is determined to never return to that nomadic life style ever again — all it does is bring up terrible memories and frankly he doesn't wanna loose any of his personal items in the process.
A new development in Tim's life is his new journal! It's a small cheep one from the pharmacy down the road. Tim figures it doesn't need to look pretty if it does its job well. The contents consist of small checklists, mainly daily plans and sometimes grocery lists. Tim did try to write out his feelings once but quickly figured out that unpacking the truck load of problems he dug beneath his psyche was hard — who would have guessed. Attempts were made, just not much was done.
Some highlights would include:
"my day was fine."
"Hi,"
"I woke up today."
"Why is writing out my feelings so hard?"
"Buy shampoo."
Ah, well emotional constipation was normal when you start to write out your issues, right? Either way he can take his time in trying to write out his feelings, but it would be nice if he could sort that out sooner than later. Avoiding unnecessary stress would be a nice plus to doing so. Oh how wonderful his life would be if he could just open up and let go of his baggage, maybe that could cut off the source of his newly gained nightmare and night terrors. Always in the same place, always that same night sky with the distinct lack of any stars, the same desperate feelings.
All the what-if and should-haves that weight heavy on Tim's mind, always popping in at the worst possible moments in his life. A disgusting reminder, and Tim would just let them bring him down deep into his own self-loathing and grief. What else could he do, it's not like he had anyone left that could even begin to understand. Tim could only keep moving painfully forward until something would break.
For now Tim just needs to focus on buying groceries with his — significantly tighter — budget, holding his notepad, pen, and some coupons. He mainly just needed to get eggs, bread, dish soap, laundry detergent, toothpaste, and maybe fruit though it's not at the top of his priority. Never in Tim's life would he have ever thought that he'd care this much over the price of eggs, though he couldn't be complaining too much as he did have to deal with the that thing in his life for a good chunk of it. He'd much rather want to deal with the economy than with it, at least everyone would understand and be in the same boat.
He perused through the aisles, checking off items off his list. Turning a corner, Tim nearly bumped into a familiar face. Tim felt himself pulled out of his thoughts as he recognized his neighbor.
"Oh uh sorry about that." Tim moved out of the way, not wanting to socialize with someone who knows Benrey.
"It's ok Mister Wright, um did you see the note I left you a few days ago?" Tommy didn't move, great.
"Yea I did, oh and thanks for bringing in my mail. Well uh it was nice catching up-" Tim made the effort to go and check out, deeming that he didn't need dish soap that badly.
"Wait, if you're going back to the apartment you can't right now. A gas leak was reported and uh we can't go back until they fix it, I think it came from Bubby's apartment."
Tim paused, ignoring the fact that the leak came from 'Bubby's' apartment, he didn't remember a notice about a gas leak or even any smell when leaving in the morning. And now it's almost dusk. When the hell did this happen?
"Now hold on when did this happen?"
"Oh I don't know, I just got a message from Bubby to not go to the complex. Thank goodness I brought Sunkist with me, she's with my friend."
"Do you know when it'll be fixed? Or if they made any progress?"
"Sorry I don't, but maybe by tomorrow the leak would be fixed."
Tim sighed, well could be worse — the whole complex could be up in flames, or it could be flooded or some other terrible thing concerning the utilities. Now he had to find somewhere to crash for the night.
"Thank you anyways Tommy, see you around." Tim went to check out, feeling more dejected than he first came in.
Tommy seemed to follow to the check out line, he gave Tim a small smile and shrug. He had a shopping cart full of items, mainly dog food and sodas, compared to Tim's basket of depression. After checking out, Tim went straight to his car and had to figure out what to do before it got late. He mulled over his options, he did have the more important items on him such as his medication so he didn't have to worry about that. Tim groaned in frustration, he wished he was told about this earlier or something. Soon enough he pulled out of the store parking lot, he could go and get a motel for the night but that would be a thing he'd like to avoid. He could find a place to park and just sleep in his car, though he was starting to get hungry. He tried not to get too ahead of himself, like what if he'd go out to eat somewhere and the leak would get fixed in that time frame. Hell what if Tommy noticed that text too late and they've already fixed the problem — eh Tommy doesn't seem to be the type to just say things without double checking.
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Eventually Tim made up a plan, and found a nice restaurant near his apartment which (sorta) solved two of his problems — being hungry as hell and comforting the doubt in his mind. The family owned restaurant was just a few blocks away from the building, sure he couldn't just get up and check up on the building nor could he look out from the window but it was better than nothing. Tim just needed to relax and take a breather for just a moment, and the quaint atmosphere of the restaurant helped to alleviate some of his anxious thoughts.
Ordering a burger with a side of fries, the pinnacle of life. If only Jay were here with him then this would be the height of Tim's life. Right, but he wasn't here, he's dead back in Alabama and he was here in New Mexico. Tim tried not to think too much about that, there was a time and place for that and right now he needs to stay present. In the moment as they say, or else thinking too much about Jay will cause his burger to get cold and his fries to get soggy and gross (kinda like himself). Maybe idling like this may have not been the best idea Tim's ever had, he really needed to pick up some hobbies. What could he even get into — most of his belongings were burnt to a crisp no thanks to an Alex Kraile, which included his instruments, he's still bummed out about that. Perhaps he could get back into reading, maybe there's a bookstore nearby he could go to, or he could take out a library card, yea that'd be a nice thing to do.
Tim bit into his, now very cold, burger — it would have probably tasted better if he begun to eat it sooner. He looked out the window the sun had already set, streetlamps and shops now lit the street. Cars whizzed by once and a while but the street was mostly empty. He didn't want to scarf his burger down but he also didn't want to linger too long, besides they probably fixed the leak by now, probably. It would have been great if he had the number of literally anyone in the building to tell him the all clear so he could go back and rot in his apartment.
A fire truck zipped past, blaring it's horns through the empty streets as Tim finally left the restaurant. The cool air of a New Mexico night coiled around Tim, he was still getting accustomed to the state. Taking a breath of the night air, it stung. Putting his hands in his pockets, Tim decided to walk — he'd gotten tired of driving and needed to stretch his legs. As he was paying the parking meter two more fire trucks flew by, their sirens fusing together in an amalgamation of sharp wailing. A distinct burning aroma wafted throughout the air and smoke could be seen in the distance. The realization hit Tim harder than expected, like a sucker-punch to the gut, oh fuck.
Quickly the idea of walking was thrown out the window as Tim hurriedly got in his car and drove towards the apartment complex, he'd been gripping the wheel with such force that he might as well tear it off. Thank god that the streets were near empty, making for a faster route home, or what was home.
Arriving at the building, it was so much worse than what Tim had imagined. The fire had completely engulfed the building, there was charred debris littering the once clean parking lot and a perimeter had been made by the first responders. Tim didn't know when he'd left his car, but he stood still staring directly at the fire that was currently eating away at his life. Eating away at the memories of Jay, Brian... fucking Marble Hornets — even the dark ones. Everything around Tim was fizzled out, the shouts from firemen, the straining sound of sirens, the whooshing of ever growing flames, all of it didn't matter. He didn't even feel the stinging of tears or the acidic smell of chemicals that burned at his airways. How his throat grew tighter and heart palpitated, all of his attention was on the glow of flames. His face was tight and fist clenched, it was unfair, all he wanted was a sense of stability, was that too much to ask for? All his life he never got a chance to be in a state that wasn't dangerous, and once he got it, it was always ripped away from him. Was peace some unattainable forbidden fruit that the universe deprived him of, a garden of Eden that everyone but Tim was allowed to enter?
As Tim dealt with his sudden grief he didn't notice that he was being led to the curb by Benrey, he probably said something to Tim but it was most likely ignored. What finally snapped him out of his thoughts was a bag being shoved into his arms.
"Bro you're ignoring me again, and I was being sooooooo nice to you this time, nice for santie claws. Even bringing you your inventory, would be lame if you lost it all."
At a loss for words Tim looked through the duffel bag that was unceremoniously given to him, anything and everything was hastily shoved inside... mostly random pieces of Tim's wardrobe and oh would you look at that it's Jay's old belongings. Scuffed but still intact, did Benrey go into his apartment to get his belongings, why? Looking back at Benrey, Tim noticed that he wasn't free of injuries, wearing scrapes, cuts, and burns like they were always a part of him.
Now that Tim was slowly drifting back into reality he could hear a distant shouting, turning towards the commotion both Tim and Benrey saw an elderly man cursing out an unfortunate officer with Tommy by his side, looking uninterested but making an attempt to deescalate things.
"So uh no thank you for Benrey? I'd like one please and thank you? Kinda rude man, or are you gonna punch me again?"
"I.. suppose I should thank you but, why'd you get my things out of the fire..? What's your deal, what are you trying to do, huh?"
The argument between the elderly man and the officer soon turned into a scuffle, Tommy didn't try to stop anyone. Though he did spot Tim and Benrey together and gave a friendly wave to the two of them, as the officer somehow gained burns ultimately retreating from the victor of the rather short scuffle. The elderly man then proceeded to shout out an assortment of curses to the 'cowered' as he so colorfully described, while being led to the curb by Tommy. The man was thin but not frail, obviously being capable of holding his own, nearly balding with wisps of white hair haloing his head, he wore glasses with sharp edges adorned with an eyeglass chain, a blue sweater that looked rather burnt in some areas, black pants and brown dress shoes.
"Blasted pigs, talking about how I don't know shit from fuck- YOU SHOULD RENAME YOUR DEPARTMENT TO THE ASS DEPARTMENT, SINCE YOU CLEARLY KNOW A LOT ABOUT SHIT!" Good grief, well at least Tim has an inkling of an idea who left that note the other day. Tommy flinched at the sudden change in volume, and alongside Tommy was his dog trotting happily.
"Mister Wright, Benrey, Hi! They made a mistake when fixing the leak and a fire happened, I have my important things with me but my Tic-Tac drawer and my Hi-Chew shelf are still in there." Tommy sounding distraught over the loss of his candies than the literal fire happening in front of his eyes.
"A mistake-?" Tim hesitantly questioned before being interrupted by the elderly man "Yeah a mistake made by interrupting my attempt! I have a doctorate damn it, I knew what I was doing. Now who the hell are you, Tommy do you know this man?"
"Yea, he's my neighbor."
"Tim, uh nice to meet you."
"Hmm, well alright Tim, my name is Bubby-" Before Bubby could get another word in a piece of the building's structure had fallen and crashed into what Tim deduced was Bubby's car — figuring that out wasn't hard as Bubby let out a shriek of horror when the slab of concrete hit the pristine Cadillac.
"Oh damn, that mega sucks don't it." Benrey finally chimed in.
"Shut your trap, Benrey." Bubby hissed out.
Tommy made his way towards Tim as he was trying to process the new found homelessness they all found themselves into. "Mister Wright, um I have an offer if you don't mind me uh asking." This caught his attention rather quickly, turning to face Tommy instead of the blazing inferno that was the remnants of the apartment complex. "I can offer you a place to um stay but can you help me and my friends find Gordon?" Oh, well something deep within Tim's mind thought this was a terrible idea — relying on a deal to be kept off the streets doesn't exactly sound very secure. But there was another part of Tim that had almost nothing left to lose, besides he could always just sleep in his car. Though Benrey had answered for him "Oh he said yeauh, bro owes me one.", for that Tim shot him a glare. "Gee I love it when I don't get to make my own choices, thanks pal. But uh yeah sure, I guess I can help. I don't think I have the funds right now to search for a new place, might as well you know." Tommy seemed to light up and hugged Tim, he awkwardly reciprocated.
So Tim followed the group as they left the disaster zone, the night sky was stained with smoke and the stars struggled to compete with the blaze's ever bright glow. Weaving through the crowd, with all these people it would have been impossible to notice the figure in the suit, looking rather displeased to the new addition.
This was the last thing he needed to happen.
A rather unforeseen happenstance.
Nothing a little outsourcing can't fix.