𝙳𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝙶𝚒𝚛𝚕𝚜

a glitch in the game, i loop like a bug

          He seems almost amused with your frazzled state, but ultimately is very impatient. "Dude, chill?" 

        "Oh my god, I need a lobotomy." 

        He takes a step closer, perhaps to ease your nerves, as any good friend would in a dire situation such as this one. He kneels down infront of you, reaching a hand out, but doesn't get far before you flinch away. When you do, his expression contorts into a frown and glare. "Are you seriously scared of me? How long have we been friends?" 

        You can see him a bit clearer now. His hair is an ashy blonde, stary hairs sticking up in every way. His skinn seemed pale at first glance, but the closer you looked, the more you noticed discolored blotches all over him. Sickly hues of green, black, and blue. His lips were chapped and had a similar blue tone. As you met his eyes, you stared deep into glossed over, inky voids. At first, you thought they were tears, but the light reflected an almost fuzzy, moist texture. Your best guess was a type of fungus. "Well im sorry if im a little frightened that you Samara-ed out of my TV!" 

          He just shrugs. "Quickest way to get here." 

         "This..." You take a shaky breath. "This isn't real, right? This is a dream- I know this is a dream. Was I slipped LSD-- spiked ibeprophen?....Is this real?" 

        He just sighs, grabbing ahold of your wrist and pulling it up to your view. You wince against the unexpected, icy grip. "Just as real as this." You look at your bloodied hand.

       "Wh.." You meet his eyes once more. "What are you?" 

      He purses his lips with a thoughtful glare, dropping your hand back into your lap. He debates his next words carefully. It takes him a few beats of silence before he decides. "A ghost."

        "No-"

        "Yes, and." He quickly interrupts. "Now, why don't you get up off that floor, so we we can have that talk?"

        You hesitantly nod, using the wall to support your body as you rise to you feet. When you do, Ben grabs a hold of your shoulders, sitting you on the edge of your bed while he remains standing. It makes you a little nervous, but you pay it no mind. 

        "Listen," his voice drops. "I could get into crazy trouble for telling you this, alright?" 

       You nod. 

        "I can't explain mch, but basically you're kinda in danger and like so is your whole town."

        "What!? What do you mean!?" You shoot up from your seat.

        "I told you, I can't explain!" You get the feeling he isn't being completely honest with you. Regardless, you continue to question.

        "...Am I gonna die?" 

        "Uh, Maybe?" 

        "Maybe!?"

        "I- I'm not sure! It's definitely a possibility?"

       You look absolutely dumbfounded. "The hell? You can't just drop that on someone, Ben!" 

        "Don't get mad at me!" The bite in his tone returns. "I'm just trying to help you, but if you can't appreciate it, then I'll just go." He turns around, taking only a step away before you reach for his hand. It was instinctual-- an instantaneous reaction. You've danced a similar waltz such as this with Vic more times than you can count. You can feel the cold prickle at your skin. 

       "I-" You sigh, looking down. "I'm sorry. It's just-" He shakes your hand from his wrist.

       When you look back up, you Invision a glare or a scowl, but instead he's glowing with an and ironic warmth and a tender grin. With a soft chuckle, he cups your face by the cheeks, squishing them together, and no doubt making you look ridiculous, like a fool, a bafoon! "It's ok, I know it's alot. I just....I just want to help you. Thats why I told you. You have no idea how much you mean to me, [Y/N]. Ever since I, Ya know, Died, it's like you've been the only good thing in my life. Or afterlife, I guess" He adds with a shrug. He hands begin to burn your cheeks.