ᏟᎪᏞᏞ ᎷᎬ! | Scream | [PART THREE IS UP]

35. Stu Macher

Just as Billy was about to lose it, Veronica shot up and threw up once more, coughing and gasping for air, holding her hand up to her chest. She was sobbing and repeating the same words over and over again the moment she woke up, "Oh my god... oh my god..."

Billy climbed out of the bathtub from behind her, absolutely soaked and covered in water. His eyebrows were furrowed and his eyes were glazed over with tears.

Veronica looked at the two of them in both fear and confusion. She swallowed thickly and let out a shaky breath.

Stu reached over and helped her out of the bathtub, she practically fell into his arms. She was malnourished and hadn't stood in just over two weeks.

Veronica continued crying, she couldn't think about anything else but the ache in her chest.

Stu helped her walk into his room and Billy followed closely behind, wanting to know that she was going to live.

Billy held a towel in his hand that he had intended to use for himself, but quickly handed it to Stu and walked down the hallway.

Stu wrapped it around Veronica's shoulders as he sat on his bed, shaking. She was so cold.

Veronica's mind wasn't thinking straight as she was left unsupervised in Stu's room as he went to grab her food.

He returned 30 seconds later with the McDonald's from before, he handed it to her and she quickly scarfed all of it down, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand once done. She felt as if she could think straight again, she definitely felt a bit better.

Stu grabbed one of his sweaters and a pair of basketball shorts from his drawer and handed it to her.

He turned around and allowed Veronica to change, once she finished he turned back around.

"I don't want to go back in the basement..." She whispered, "Please don't make me..."

Stu sighed and helped her to her feet, "Come on... Let's go talk to Billy, I promise I won't let him hurt you again..."

The two walked down on the hallway, Veronica held onto Stu's arms to balance herself. She found Billy sitting on a sofa in a living room, watching TV.

She took a look around their house, it was really rundown and shitty. Peeling wallpaper, cracks and holes everywhere.

She turned her attention back to Billy, she felt like his dark brown eyes were piercing through her soul.

She swallowed thickly and averted her gaze. Unbeknownst to her, the simple action of looking away was tearing Billy apart already.

"Billy, she doesn't want to go back in the basement. It's getting colder man, it's fall now," Stu said. Billy looked between Veronica and Stu.

"She can sleep out here, just keep an eye on her." Billy grumbled, getting up from the couch and going to his bedroom.

Stu helped Veronica onto the sofa, he grabbed her pillows and blankets from his room, wanting her to be as comfortable as possible.

He tucked her in and she fell right asleep, he sat down in the reclining chair to the right of the sofa and put on a movie.

-

Veronica's eyes opened to see the ending of Donnie Darko that had come out a couple years prior to 2003. She sat up and saw that Stu was out cold.

She quietly tried to stand up and she found herself able to do so. WIth that, she tip-toed towards the front door and opened it to see it was raining outside.

There was another knot in her stomach as she looked back at Stu, part of her wanted to stay just for him... But she didn't...

She opened the door wider and stepped outside of the house. Unfortunately for her, a certain member of that household had the most keen hearing ever. She shut the door a bit too loud, a gust of wind had kicked in as she was closing it.

"Shit!" She exclaimed and started to run, screaming for help as she did so.

She had just barely made it down the porch steps and into the street as a pair of strong arms grabbed her and pulled her back, one hand attempting to cover her mouth.

Two neighbors from down the street came outside only for Billy to yell, "Sorry! She's off her meds!" To which the neighbors let out relieved laughter and wished Billy the best, 'giving him their prayers' for Veronica.

Billy dragged Veronica back inside and pushed her down onto the couch, "What the fuck were you thinking?!" He shouted, Stu stood beside him, looking at Veronica with worried eyes.

" 'Off my meds'?! I'm fucking losing my mind, you psycho! I'm not fucking insane like you! And yes, I am off my fucking meds, you stole me away and locked me in a fucking basement with no lights!" Veronica screamed back at him.

"What did you expect me to say? That me and Stu fucking kidnapped you and that you were trying to escape?!" Billy snarled and put his face in his hands.

"Stu! Where were you when she was trying to leave?!" Billy hollered, shooting a harsh glare at Stu.

"She was asleep and I fell asleep after! I didn't know!" Stu exclaimed, throwing his hands up.

"Well, don't let it fucking happen again, fuckhead!" Billy shouted, grabbing more ducktape and putting it around Veronica's wrists and ankles once more with lots of resistance.

Billy belt down to her level and put a finger in her face, "Don't try that shit again, got it?"

Veronica only swallowed thickly and looked away from him. He stood back up with a sigh and went back to his room after punching Stu in the shoulder.

Stu sat down on the floor next to the sofa that Veronica was laying on, "Please don't leave, Ronnie... Don't do it... I need you here, I care about you so much... If you leave, Billy's gonna kill me..."

Veronica let out a shaky sigh and closed her eyes tightly, "I'm sorry... I just... don't know..."

"I care so much about you, I really do... I- I love you, Veronica..." Stu mumbled out, looking back down at his fidgeting hands.

Stu's eyes met Veronica's, she smiled shyly at him.

Stu leaned forward and kissed her gently on the forehead, "Goodnight, Ronnie."

Veronica had an idea that dawned on her after that kiss, something almost despicable to the human heart... possibly a way out...