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The sun had died down.
The night had emerged.
And so did those smiley creatures.
Angra remembered Donna's explanation about the current situation everyone lived in on this cursed place, and surprisingly, she believed it at first. Or else, what could possibly explain a path loop that leads you exactly to where you left? It's just a pity that she ran from her parents' house, thinking she might start a new life, a better one, when something decided to be that cruel and drag her straight into this hell.
'Stay inside the house' is the most vital rule when it goes dark. Unlike the rest of the citizens, Angra was never bothered by the constant knocks and taunts from outside. Sometimes, she even liked to stare back at the monsters through the window.
Tempted is the right word.
Not due to their manipulation tricks, but she finds herself imagining her death in the hands of them. Her own imaginary screams filling her ears, the desperation for the pain to stop as they're merciless, prolonging such torture breaking bone by bone, ripping skin and spilling blood until there's nothing left.
Angra is sure she deserves a pitiful end like this.
That's how she ended up here; Alone, out of the safety four walls and a talisman can provide, vulnerable. Death is right there, moments away from taking her breath away, forever. And yet, her feet can't stop walking and neither her mind to think.
A strong grip wraps around her forearm and Angra thinks is Death in disguise, ready to take her, though she expected a much more rough and cold touch against her skin. The hand is large, feels rather warm, and it's firm enough for her to notice callouses on the fingers.
It's human.
Everything happens too fast. One moment she was out there in the cold under the darkness of the sky and then, someone pulled her inside the Sheriff Station, sending her almost tripping backwards on the floor.
The door shut with a loud slam and finally her eyes landed on who saved her.
"What were you doing out there?! It's dark!" Sheriff Boyd's voice reverberated alongside the walls. "Were you trying to get yourself killed?!"
Boyd is the leader and it's not the first time she sees him raise his voice, but having his individual attention when he's beyond furious is a whole other deal. He's terrifying. "N-No! I just got carried away at the edge of the forest-"
"The edge of what?!" He doesn't let her finish. "I thought Donna was pretty clear about what happens out there in the dark, or did you forgot the part where these things rip your fucking guts out!?" He was out of breath. "You were this close to being killed!"
That statement soothed her.
So close to ending her anguish, landing on the beautiful embrace of death. Able to find peace and cease existing in a life full of misery and pain where love had been so far away from reach.
"It's okay," Angra says, quietly, almost too quietly for Boyd's hearing range. "No Sheriff, it's okay, really. My family probably won't even know — it's not like they would care. I don't have any ties here and the probability of me surviving is very low... so..."
Boyd froze, horrified at the implied morbid idea left by the unsaid words. She didn't lose track of time. She didn't accidently leave the door open or forget to hang the talisman. Angra did left the house on purpose and did try to kill her fucking self.
Boyd's face fall at the realization and Angra notices he knows what she intended and if regret could kill as gruesomely as these monsters, she'd be dead with her heart ripped and throat tangled on her own vocal chords.
Angra tries to think of a better explanation, but Boyd takes that chance by approaching in heavy steps, closing off their distance. She watches him raise his hand and out of reflex she flinches, expecting to be hit.
However, the familiar sting never came. Instead, when she opens her eyes, she is met by a pointing finger at her while a sharp gaze pins her worried one. "You listen to what I'm about to say and listen carefully," His words are slow, not faltering to hide the contained rage. "You won't ever, ever, pull a stunt like that again. Are we clear?" When she takes too long to answer, he asks a little more forcefully. "Are we clear?"
Angra slowly nods her head. "Yes, sir."
Boyd's anger fades a little. Jesus, the girl seems so terrified, but no way in hell he will live another scare like that. "God, kid," He mumbles, running a hand through his face while the other is placed on his right hip. "Do you even realize how serious that was?"
There's some sort of condensing, almost annoyingly parental tone on his voice, and it makes Angra somewhat self conscious. "I'm sorry."
[ • • • ]
Ellis looks at her weirdly.
And Angra has a nasty guess.
Ever since the first day she visited the Colony House, apart from Fatima and Donna, Ellis was the most chill and nicest person towards her. Well, until he went to the town and took notice of how close Angra and Boyd had become over the months.
From that day on, every time they occasionally bumped into each other Ellis kind of... avoids her? Acts strange. Even the look on his face is different, a mixture of confusion, sadness, betrayal? Angra really can't know.
Angra hopes he doesn't think that Boyd is... Nevermind.
It doesn't matter anyway, not now when she is currently sitting on a chair, using all her self control to keep her anxiety from making an appearance through the leg bouncing at the same time Boyd is ready to give one of those scoldings she absolutely despised.
Because now she's in the inner circle, she knows more than the regular citizens and is allowed to give opinions during matters — except when it involves something risky on her part. That's when things get a little heated up and Boyd takes her inside to yell 'what the hell is wrong with you!?'
The sheriff glances at her hand fidgeting at the hem of her sleeve, covering her arms. It doesn't go unnoticed. "I didn't do anything, if that's what you're wondering."
Boyd nods, he knows it's true. Angra has a good way with words, expert in twisting half trues into omission, leading the teen to become a smooth liar, to Donna, Kenny, Kristi and even Fatima — but not Boyd. Angra can never fool him. He can see right through her, and spot that subtle exasperation whenever she tries to evade his request to see how the scars are healing.
"Good, then we can go back to our topic where we both agree this is a bad idea." On a normal day, Boyd would've laughed at how childishly grumpy she looks.
Angra scoffs, sinking further into the seat. "I'm not in the mood to be lectured today."
"Even better, because I also don't want to remind you that putting yourself at risk is a big no," Boyd holds up a hand before she can talk. "You are not putting yourself as a bait. End of discussion."
"But you didn't-"
"I said, end of discussion!"
Angra slammed both hands on the chair, leaving her seat and following Boyd around the Station, ready to resume his conversation with the others. "Are you serious!? C'mon dad, it's not even like-"
Both stop on their tracks.
Angra can't believe the words that just slipped past her lips, and she's certain Boyd as well when he turns around with shock plastered on his face.
The girl feels the shame spreading over her face, deeply mortified she just called Boyd Stevens dad. Angra fucking vocalized it, let him know she actually sees him as a father figure (the one she never had) and holds that level of importance to her.
She won't be able to ever look him in the eyes again. Maybe returning to the Colony House isn't that bad, and Fatima can help her reconcile with Ellis.
Angra clears her throat and slowly makes her way towards the exit. "You know what? You were right, bad idea of mine. I... apologize. Sorry."
"Angra-"
"No, no! It's okay, really! I need to go... help Kenny with his stuff. See you later!"
"No, Angra! Wait! Wait, damnit!" Boyd tries to stop her, but she just runs from him at record speed, not even daring to look back or stop when someone greets her.
He sighs, mentally cursing himself for not saying anything and letting her become afraid of his (lack of) reaction. Boyd opens the door and leans his shoulder against it. She called me dad.
He doesn't know how to feel about it; He already has a kid, Ellis, sharing the same blood and remorse. And despite all the anger and guilt, the boy is still his son and will always be.
But this is different, Angra is different, even from Kenny who he considers a close one. Angra doesn't have a family, she's barely an adult, defenseless. She awakens all his parental instincts/skills and fulfills his need of protection.
Whenever he looks at Angra, he not only sees a young girl, carrying traumas and a hurtful past she endured with an undeserving family.
Boyd sees a daughter.