Life's Bennifits

Chapter 2

The vibration under my pillow startled me, making me shoot up out of bed. I quickly grabbed my phone and silenced it before it started to make a sound.
I got my jacket on and slipped on a pair of  hiking boots. I'll be needing them for where I'm going. Into the forest behind my house. Even if it is cold, anywhere is better than here.
I unlocked the window, struggling to lift the heavy item. Once the crack was wide enough for me and my suitcase to fit through, I carefully put my foot on the slick roof tiles.I looked back to grab my suitcase, but I left about an inch too far away. I leaned further in, but that was not the smartest idea.
My foot slid from under me, making my heart lurched. I slid on the ice, reaching the end of the roof. My head slammed into the window, making a loud bang sound that woke the whole house. I landed on the snow, head pounding. I could feel myself start to black out, but I couldn't let that happen. I would be in even more trouble.
I quickly got up and sprinted to the mouth of the wood. I hid behind a tree and turned around just in time to see the light flicker on. I saw a shadow behind the door window; two figures, one tall and one small. The door creaked open, revealing Alex and Mom. They looked around for a bit before Alex tugged on Mom's nigh gown and they went back inside.
That was a close one. I thought. I stumbled to the nearest tree and climbed it, passing out on the branch.
-***-
"Well, well. What do we have here?" I heard a voice ask from above me. I opened my eyes quickly and sat up, which was not the smartest of ideas. My head pounded from the sudden movement. The voice chuckled.
I decided to finally look up. A boy that looked about my age was sitting on a branch above mine. His blonde hair was a mess, his eyes were an emerald green. He wore a yellow hoodie and a pair of jeans. His hair covered his right eye.
"Who are you?" I asked, slowly sitting up. He swung down from the higher branch to come and sit on mine. I scooted away. A smirk spread across his face.
"I was about to ask you the same," He said. "I'm Bill." He stuck out his hand.
"Peyton," I said back, shaking his hand. I then decided to get off of the branch. I landed cleanly on the ground while Bill wobbled and fell down. He then attempted to move, but stumbled. I stepped forward to lend a hand, but he declined it. He got up, balancing himself with the tree trunk, but failed.
"Wow, it's like you've never even learned to walk," I commented. I took a good look at his outfit. He wore a yellow hoodie, black adidas sweatpants and some black shoes. His blonde hair was messy, but in a good way. His skin, compared to mine, looked about as white as the snow, along with his eyes. They were the most vibrant color green that I have ever seen.
"You have no idea," He mumbled. I looked at him in confusion, but he just shook it off. He grabbed my hand and pulled himself up. He wobbled for the first few seconds, but soon steadied himself.
"Well, Peyton, what brings you to this part of the woods. Especially at this time of year?" He asked, wiping pretend dust off of him. He attempted to walk, but fell into the snow. He groaned. I giggled. He smirked, holding out his hand.  
"Help a guy out?" He asked. I rolled my eyes playfully and grabbed his gloved hand, but instead of me helping him up, I felt a sudden lurch in my stomach while I flew to the ground. The snow surrounded me and the cold rushing through me. I shot up, goosebumps invading my skin. My jaw hit the top of my mouth repeatedly.
Then I felt something warm wrap around me. It was Bill's sweater. He was wearing a black short sleeve shirt that had a cool yellow pattern on it. I blushed about, I don't know, 50 shades of red. (hah). Bill noticed and smirked.
"You can keep it until we get you something warmer," He said, and I nodded. I zippered up the sweater, which smelled of ash, which soothed me in a way. I relaxed my shoulders, then realized something.
"Hey, won't you get cold?" I asked, but he just waved his hand making a Pfft sound.
"Please, I get used to weather like this when you've been living here for the last couple of months. This is actually warmer than the other days," He said. I looked at him in shock. An expression of grief spread across his face.
"What happened?" I asked quietly, making sure to not touch a nerve. He looked at me, his eyes locking with mine.
"Well, like I said before, a few months ago...
-***-
A few months ago
The late fall breeze filled the small house, making the fire flicker. Two boys huddled together by it. One wore a yellow sweater and the other had a blue one.
"Ok boys," a voice said from the kitchen. "Will, come here honey, we've oughta be going by now or else we're gonna miss the train."
The boy with the blue sweatshirt got up and patted the boy with yellow hoodie on the back. "Feel better Bill. I'll bring back a souvenir for you, promise," he said. The boy turned around, a redness around his eyes and nose. He smiled.
"Thanks Will," he said. Will returned the smile and gave Bill a hug.
"Be back by around 9:00!" The voice from the kitchen said and then followed by the slam of the door.
-***-
About a hour or two later, knocking came from the old creaking door. Bill jolted up from his laying position and quickly rushed to the door. Behind, there were the two town sheriff's; officer Blubs and Deputy Derland. Both of their hats were off, which made the boys' heart flip.
"Come, sit down," Blubs said, walking in. He sat down on the dining table chair that creaked so loudly that he cringed.
"Ok, son," Blubs began. " There has been an... incident... on the road. Look, Your mom and Will got into an accident," Bill sat there, stunned by what he was hearing. They were gone. Everything and everyone was gone.
"But, there was one thing," Derland said, making Bill look up. In his hands was a small gleaming rock. On it was a small note that said:
Dear Bill,
I hope that you like the gift. I found it in the caves by the waterfall. It caught my eye, so I decided that this would be the perfect souvenir.
With love,
Will Cipher
Bill's eyes watered up as he put the souvenir into his pocket. He then got up from his seat and walked into the woods. As soon as he was far enough out of the sheriff's view, he broke down under a tree. Tears streamed down his face.
-***-
I looked at Bill, eyes gleaming.
"I never left that one spot," He said. "Then you came along and crashed there." He looked up to the branch that I had slept on.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know-" I started, but he cut me off by putting a hand up.
"It's ok," he said. "I needed a little company. Lately, I've been mumbling to myself, which isn't good, for sure."
“ You sure?” I asked. He nodded in response. I gave him a look of appproval, which he returned with a nod.
"Ok," I said. "I don't know about you, but I am starving."
"Ok, do you want head to the diner?" He asked. I nodded and waited for him to lead me to the town. When he got up, I noticed something in his hand.
It was a little black rock. Bits of gold speckled it, making it reflect off of the sun. Bill was rubbing it, over and over again, as if it were there to keep him calm. Happy.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.