Chapter Text
Vast emptiness.
That's all Derek could see.
That's all he could envision.
That's all he knew.
He couldn't move.
He couldn't open his eyes.
He couldn't speak.
And he knew why.
January 1st Thursday
He could hear fireworks exploding outside his dorm's window.
He could hear the TV in the living room counting down, his roommate left it on.
He knew everything happening at that very moment.
Everything that will happen.
Everything that has happened.
He knew it all.
Walls of information flowing in his mind.
Slowly breaking.
Gold leaking from his eyes and nose.
Vision was barely functional, but it didn't make much of a difference.
He typed on his keyboard like he did any other day.
Fingers gliding across the keys with precision, despite his lack of sight.
Everything burned.
His head hurt.
His body aches.
He was slowing down.
He didn't have enough energy.
He was falling behind.
He wasn't supposed to be the one sitting in this situation.
But darn he will try his hardest to not let The King out. To not let it get to Avery.
He would not let Hastur get a new vessel until centuries had passed, he would make it permanent, but it was not in the realm of possibilities.
He will survive.
He will live.
The world is counting on the outcome of tonight.
He types the final word.
His goodbye.
His words to Avery and everyone who will find it.
Wifies will make sure of that.
He records a video, his new laptop recording the audio.
His breathing is growing shallow.
His body aches.
He moves.
His head falls to the desk, but he keeps moving.
He stops the recording.
He makes an account on YouTube.
He felt like he was dying despite knowing he wasn't.
Every breath hurt.
His arm shook as he created the account.
As he pressed the upload button.
As he uploaded the raw footage.
As his eyes dropped gold onto the table's surface.
As it gets harder to breathe.
As he knows he's running out of time.
But it's worth it.
It's worth it to keep Avery alive.
It's worth it to keep him away from the horrors.
He lets his eyes slip shut.
He doesn't need them anymore.
Derek Hutchins was alive.
Even if he didn't feel like it.
He survived.
He won.
And he will rest.
He will live.
Even if life fights him throughout it all.
He will live.
He knows he will.
He just has to wait…
8 months.
222 days, 1 hour, 14 minutes and 16-15-14 seconds.
5,329 hours 14 minutes and 12-11-10 seconds.
The clock ticks.
He has time.