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Stanley was sat in his tiny box of an office. He had gone through every. single. possible. route. All of the Narrators torture and whining. The Narrator had since left him. Alone. Trying to make a new ending for Stanley to try out. Stanley had started to grow sick of it.
“Stay here, Stanley!” It said, “I’ll be back soon!” It said.
Stanley couldn’t count how much time had passed since the brit had gone quiet. It had been too long for Stanley. He couldn’t take it anymore.
The relationship he had with the Narrator was complicated. On one hand, He caused Stanley so much annoyance and suffering to the point of suicide. On the other hand, the Narrator seemed to desperately want and crave Stanley’s presence and attention. It was an unbalanced scale the two of them walked down.
He got up from his office chair, his back aching from sitting there for hours. Stanley stretched before gripping the door knob of his office door and turning it. It opened with little noise and Stanley was once again greeted to the rest of the empty complex. Stanley had been through enough resets to know that his entire existence was a lie and nothing he knew was true. He was created purely for this game of the Narrator's and he was stuck in it.
The silence bothered him. Even through the Narrator usually sent Stanley off through an adventure that would eventually end in a reset or Stanley’s death; he loathingly had to admit that the brits voice filled the space and made it whole. The game wasn’t whole without the Narrator.
His footsteps echoed on the hardwood floor. Stanley walked through silently, his past spark of curiosity gone from him. Absently, he made his way through the hallways, through the door on the left, through the lounge, all the way to the loading dock.
He stepped on to it, a faint creak coming from the platform. A few quick movements and he was on the edge. Turning, he grasped the two cords beside him. Stanley leaned back, nothing but air behind him. He was sick of this- sick of restarting. Stanley hoped that then he woke up from this time, he would be free.
If the Narrator wasn’t there to reset. He could be free.
He tightened his grip before letting them go, freefalling to freedom.
His heartbeat in his ear as he felt the rough concrete on his back.
Pain. Numb. Darkness.
-
Inhaling a deep breath through his mouth, Stanley opened his eyes. He was back in his box. Back in his office chair. Still in the game.
Pins and needles ran up his backside, filling him with unwelcome sensations. He placed his hands on the chair’s armrests, trying to ground himself.
“Stanley?” A voice rang from behind him.
His grip tightened on the armrests.
He turned around slowly, feeling a pair of eyes on him.
There was a person, Stanley’s eyes went wide. He wore brown suit and white button up with a yellow tie. Sleeves were rolled up neatly. Small glasses rested on the bridge of his nose and salt’n’pepper hair sat upon his head; Slicked back neatly, a single lock of hair unkept. His mouth was in a frown, golden eyes stared Stanley down.
The expression on his face was that of confusion? Concern? Stanley wasn’t quite sure.
“...Stanley…” The voice said again, a sense of familiarity filled Stanley.
It was the Narrator.
“Why did you jump again? Had you grown tired of waiting?” It spoke to him in a whisper, gaze softening.
Stanley looked away, not knowing how to answer.
“Did I leave you for too long? I didn’t mean to leave you here.” a pause, “Stanley, would you look at me please?”
He hesitated and then complied, the Narrator continued, “I’ve been working on this body so I could physically be here with you. We can explore things together now!”
The Narrator smiled down at him. Stanley frowned.
He didn’t want to explore anymore. He didn’t want anymore adventures. He wanted freedom.
“Are you upset with me?”
You left me alone for such a long time. How could I not be upset with you?
“... Well, Stanley. I’ve already told you I didn’t do that on purpose. Are you really going to hold that against me?”
Yes! I’ve been just sitting here. Alone.
“You’re no longer alone, Stanley! I didn’t mean to leave you alone. Now let’s go explore, I created a new room!”
The Narrator grabbed him by the arm and with the other it grabbed hold of the door knob. Stanley grabbed his wrist, preventing him from opening the door.
I don’t want to explore.
“There is nothing else to do, Stanley. Let go of-”
Stanley pushed him away from the door, letting out a grunt. The Narrator stumbled back slightly, his glasses becoming crooked on his face. He looked at Stanley, his frustration becoming apparent.
“Just because I have a physical form now, does not mean you are allowed to push me around,” He huffed, dusting himself off and fixing his glasses.
“Now Stanley, why is it you don’t want to explore? Do you still not trust me?” the Narrator fixed his stare on Stanley.
I want to be free.
Stanley clenched his fists.
The Narrator frowned.
“You know you-”
I don’t care about your excuses!
“Stanley. Stop interrupting me,” He spoke shallowly.
Stanley retreated slightly, not liking the sudden change in tone.
“You cannot leave,”
Stanley stood there a moment, both of them just staring at each other. He quickly grabbed hold of the door knob and exited the room swiftly. Footsteps quickened behind him,
“Stanley?! Stanley, where are you going? God, Stanley, come back!” The frustrated voice started at him.
Stanley continued walking quickly, taking the same path he had before the reset. Back to the loading doc.
“Stanley decided to ignore the Narrator, even though he could very well hear them behind him,” more hurried footsteps, “Stanley was so stupid that he complained about being alone and now wants to leave the only thing keeping him company,” the Narrator kept going on a tangent, becoming more irritated as Stanley ignored him.
The Narrator grabbed Stanley before they could reach the dock. “What do you think you’re doing, Stanley?”
Let. Me. Go.
“I’m not going to let you kill yourself again.” its voice become cold and firm.
Stanley tried to wiggle out of the Narrator’s grasp, but he just grabbed on tighter.
“I know- I know you want to leave, Stanley. But we are both stuck here,” Stanley turned to look at it.
He looked so… defeated.
“It’s the sad truth, but… still the truth,” His hand softened on Stanley’s arm.
Stanley took in a shaky inhale, he took a step back. The Narrator tightened his grip once more, panicked.
I’m not going to jump.
The Narrator’s brows furrowed slightly and then their face softened, letting Stanley go. He let out a slight cough and straightened himself.
“I’ll do everything that I can to prevent you from doing that again. As long as we are here and stuck together. I will not let you feel lonely, Stanley,” It said, after a moment of thought.
Stanley stood there awkwardly, thinking of what to reply with.
Okay.
“Would you like to go to the new room now?” The Narrator asked, suggested, instead of directing Stanley.
Alright. Where is it?
Stanley had perked up a little bit, crossing his arms. The Narrator smiled a him, “This way, Stanley!” he turned around, leading the other.
Stanley followed the man, the other walking briskly. The doors opened on their own as the Narrator approached. The office worker, though use to doors opening on their own, was in slight awe at how easily the Narrator manipulated the world around them.
The two of them made their way through the hallways, all the way to the room with the two doors. Now, though, there was another door on their left. It was a yellow door, same size and shape as the other doors; just a different color.
The Narrator strode over, “Here we are, Stanley!” he turned around for a moment, the door opening behind him, “Let’s go in,” He smiled and turned back to the door, walking through.
Curiosity and anxiety bubbled in Stanley’s stomach. They followed behind, their pace quickening.
Darkness surrounded him, he could no longer see the Narrator leading him. Stanley kept walking though, hearing the Narrator’s footsteps, “Just keep following. We’re almost there!”
The blindness faded and Stanley could see the Narrator before them again, still walking. Stanley felt relief flood through him, not realising that without the Narrator: Stanley was scared.
The scene opened up to a grassy hill. Hues of blues, oranges, pinks- so many colors, filled and spilled through the sky. Light stars sprinkled throughout, blinking and glistening.
Stanley stopped at the foot of the hill, lips parted.
“I figured… because we can’t leave. I would bring the outside world to us,” The Narrator looked back at Stanley, letting out a small chuckle, “Seems to me, you like it, Stanley,” it continued, softly.
The Narrator stepped towards Stanley, whos eyes were still to the sky, and took his hand. They lead them up the hill, looking down to not trip. Stanley stumbled beside him, following. They reached the top quite quickly, standing side by side. Hand in hand.
Stanley smiled, a big genuine smile. A smile bigger than he has ever expressed before. Narrator looked a him, his grin becoming bigger as well. “I’m glad you are enjoying this, Stanley,” The Narrator tugged on Stanley’s hand a little, sitting down, “Come, sit with me,”
Stanley looked down and then sat down, looking between the sky and the Narrator.
You did… all of this for me?
“Well- Now- I didn’t do it all for you. I’m also here to enjoy myself!” He stumbled on his words, embarrassingly.
The office worker laughed, leaning over onto the Narrator's shoulder. The man jumped at the sudden contact and looked down at him. Gaze softening.
Stanley took a quick look around again before staring at the Narrator.
Thank you.
Stanley squeeze the other's hand.
“You’re welcome, Stanley,”