Chapter 1: "Trapped in the Thread"
Chapter Text
A pin needle. Something so sharp it could draw blood. But something that could also stitch you back together. A pin needle and a thread are two different sides of the same coin. Avior felt like he was stuck between the two when he woke up. He for a moment thought he was back. That the whole escaping was a dream and he was still stuck in that terrible adaptation of Dante's inferno.
However, the room he was in was too nice, not crumbling apart due to his magic not being able to be used enough to have a room for a long period. He also saw Starlight sleeping peacefully next to him. He couldn't rift but he also didn't seem to be in immediate danger.
It was just weird is all. He was in a bedroom lying on the queen bed. The room was decorated to him and Starlight preferred interest. He wondered what exactly this was though because if this wasn't his hellscape between the Meriden then…what was it? Why was he trapped in the thread again? He then turned to Starlight who laid comfortably. He gently shook his love trying to wake them up.
Their eyes slowly opened, their eyelashes fluttering. Avior smiled down at them. But Starlight looked quite confused which Avior understood. "No, I don't know what's going on. Just so you know before you ask." He said with a smirk.
Starlight rolled their eyes sitting up and looking at Avior and then turning to look around the room. I knew they also knew we were trapped in the thread again, but this thread was different and Avior knew they felt it too. They set their feet on the floor getting out of bed. While they walked towards the door that was in the middle of the room they asked. "Can you rift?"
"No...but it wouldn't be much help to you if I could," Avior said and they shrugged as they turned the door handle and it opened. They turned to Avior who looked surprised. He expected the door to be locked.
He quickly got out of the bed walking over to them furrowing his brow. His sock-covered feet creaked against the floorboard. "Can you use your magic?" They shook their head.
"It's weird...it's like. My core is being blocked. I don't understand. The meridian is there, it's just not letting me go to it." They said with a sigh Avior furrowed his brow, his tail swaying in thought. He looked into the hallway seeing many doors, most of them being already opened.
"Well...I guess we have to do the human thing and look around." Avior said smirking and Starlight rolled their eyes as they begrudgingly followed him.
There wasn't much for them to see. The hallway was lined with many doors. Most were open and had a similar structure to their room. Some doors were closed and didn't seem to budge. Once they got out of the hallway it seemed to be a regular house just no windows or doors were present. It had a dining room, kitchen, multiple bathrooms, and a living room. They didn't see much and both were getting frustrated that they both had so many questions but weren't getting answers.Until they reached a door with an attractive guy who they could both tell by his might-be stunted core that he was an incubus. He was lazily sitting on the chair next to a set of double doors. At the top, it said 'max capacity 47/50' The incubus lifted his head when he heard footsteps and smirked.
"Oh~ you must be the last two we were needing. Good to see you made it." He said as he stood walking over to both of them with such a devious smirk that Avior swore only Incubus could pull off "An inchoate demon and a freelancer how fun~."Avior and Starlight looked at the demon suspiciously. He quickly chuckled and responded. "Oh sorry for the missed introduction, my name is Gavin. You both are probably wondering what's going on. To tell you the truth I'm not practically sure and I usually do know what's going on. But I can tell you we got here the same way you did." Starlight and Avior looked over at each other. Starlight seemed to understand that a bunch of people were kidnapped for who knows what reason.
"So....what are we doing here?" My Starlight asked and Gavin shrugged resting his hand on his hip and responded.
"We're not sure. All we got was a note that said we have to fill this room to max capacity before we get answers." He said the couple looked up seeing once the three of them entered the room it would be at max capacity.
"Well let's go in," Avior said, almost walking past Gavin before the incubus stopped him pulling him over as he grabbed onto his bicep. Gavin held up his finger wagging it as he stopped him from going any further.
"Not yet hot stuff~ there are some uninformed, unempowered people in there. Gotta lose the horns and cute tail." Gavin said with a wink as Avior groaned, rolling his eyes. Avior had heard of Gavin from his steward apparently there had been an incident with him, and his reputation precedes him. Avior could use a little bit of his magic only enough to cast a small illusion spell which he guessed what this was for. He quickly hid his horns and tail and like that, his magic was gone. Gavin smiled at him and then led him and Starlight into the room.
Inside it wasn't anything too special. It was a room with tons of couches. Enough to fit its max capacity. In the middle of the room, there was a gigantic flat-screen TV like in a movie theatre. There were people from all walks of life. Different demons, empowered people, shifters, vampires, and unempowered people.
It was a cluster fuck, to say the least. Avoir recognized a couple of people in there a lot from the most recent incident with the inversion happening. However, there was one person… nothing that Avior recognized the most and he knew his Starlight did too and it left a bad pit in his stomach. However, Avior didn’t have much time to focus on it as suddenly the double doors closed as they were locked in. Panic erupted inside. They were confused as to why they'd be suddenly locked in the room. A message suddenly appeared on the TV screen making everyone go silent.
"Welcome, you are all probably wondering why I brought you here. It's quite simple. You are here to react to each other and your lives. To understand each other and try to help each other in your adventures. You will react to the past, present, and future."
The silence in the room was papillae. You could almost hear a pin drop. Then chaos quickly erupted again. Many questions were strewn across the room but not answered. They didn't seem like they were going to get any answers. Which frustrated Avior and Starlight as ones always thirsting for knowledge.
"Ok everyone can we all remain calm? You aren't going to get an answer if you all keep yelling over each other." A seer announced standing in the middle of the room. He looked at all of them trying to be a mediator in this group of chaos. We were all so different and all weirdly clumped together as people who most of us didn't know.
"Let's make this simple," he announced again, "let's just sit down and watch these videos. This is where we will get our answers. You believe me don't you?" The empowered people seemed to understand due to them being able to tell that the man was a seer. He knew what was going to happen least to a certain point till his powers were blocked off. There was a sort of scuffle around the room until everyone eventually sat down in places.
Avior sat next to Starlight of course and some other demons/daemons. Some Avior recognized some he didn't. So he thought he might make some introductions that might distract him from that thing being close by. “Well hello, my name is Avior and as might know I’m an Inchoate demon and this is my partner Starlight there a freelancer.” Starlight waved to their couch mates as he introduced them. The other inchoate demons turned their heads and introduced themselves as well.
“Hello, my name is Warden. I'm an inchoate demon as well, and this grumpy grouch is Vega. He's a sadism demon.”
“Warden I don't understand the need to introduce ourselves with our demon race especially since we can tell what we are already,” Vega said with such a smooth and crisp voice that sounded like he was good at reading bedtime stories. Avior could tell he was an older demon, you can't tell the age of the demon just by looking at them but you could at least gauge a range based on their core. Warden shrugged saying something along the lines of trying to be polite however the serenity daemon between Avoir and Vega spoke up.
“My name is Brachium.” However, that's all he said which Avior guessed was all he needed since he’s a serenity daemon. However, Vega looked at Brachium with such suspicion that Avior decided to try and change the subject. He turned to the demon he knew on the couch. Turning to Lesath, a fear demon, and looking at him in encouragement to introduce himself no matter the fact he seemed distracted and my Starlight seemed to look at me confused for some reason.
“Hmm? Oh…my name is Lesath.” Avior should've known he wouldn’t be much help; he was always weird and was bad at conversations. It also didn't help that even some demons were scared of him. Which he didn't seem to mind. Avior couldn’t also help but wonder how none of the unempowered people were not freaking out at seeing a fear demon. However, he didn't have much time to ponder on it because everyone finally seemed to be settled in their seats and calm down. Some people grabbed some food from the coffee table which was covered in an array of food. The first video quickly began. They had no idea what videos awaited them or how personal they would become.
It was like they were all trapped in the thread.
Chapter 2: “Meeting a flirty stranger at the amusement park.”
Summary:
Vincent Solaire is just trying to get by with his newly turned partner what he wasn't prepared for was for his last moments as a human to be exposed to everyone.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Vincent Solaire a name that seemed so foreign to him long ago however now it was like second nature. No one called him what he used to be and it scared him sometimes because from time to time he forgets what his last name was. Something so simple like a name held just so much weight to him. However he thought he didn't need the name because Vincent wasn't him anymore, he wasn't gonna come across that old face again. He was quickly proven wrong.
When Vincent woke up it was by falling off the bed. Vincent sat up groaning the fall didn't really affect him due to being a vampire and all but it surprised him that he fell out of bed. However he was more surprised when he looked up to not only see Lovely leaning over the bed but also to be in a different bed than the one they have in their shared room. Actually he was in a completely different room. A room that was similar to one they have at home but a different one nonetheless.
“Lovely please tell me you developed some cool teleporting powers from being turned?’ He asked looking up at his partner and they shook their head. He sighed standing up as he looked around the room. They were laying in a queen bed which is no wonder why he fell out of bed. In their room they had a king and Lovely had the habit of kicking in their sleep and with their new vampire powers that greatly affected their kicking power.
“Y’know I feel me developing some unheard vampire power is worse than being kidnaped…at least i've been kidnaped before.” Vincent couldn't help shaking his head at them. They were always one to use dark humor to cope; they already started joking about their turning. Sometimes his partner worried him. Another thing that became very clear to Vincent is his powers were muted. They weren't gone completely however he didn't feel the same. He felt like how he felt before he turned.
“Lovely, can you use your powers?” Vincent asked, he knew they didn't really have a grip on them yet but it would be better than nothing, however he was quickly disappointed when they shook their pretty little head.
“Nope. Even my blood thirst is kinda down.” Now that was weird, Lovely was still a full fledgling, the likelihood of their blood thirst being down so suddenly after only having blood bags until they were ready to drink straight from the source. It was clear this was purposeful someone else's doing. Vinncent thought this might be the working of a demon because no regular empowered person could do something like this in such a great length. Vincent thought it'd be a good idea to explore to figure out their surroundings. However it seemed as Lovely beat him to it as they opened the door and started walking out of the room. “Well come on, we don't want to be in here all day.” Vincent quickly followed them his partner was always way braver than him he never understood how they did it.
There wasn't much to be seen however. It was like a regular home except they quickly figured out one with no exit. As well as the lack of windows which they took with less misery than most because it was better to have no windows than being burned to death by the sun's rays. The only meaningful thing in the place was these big double doors with a sign that said 27/50 max capacity. So they went in or more like Lovely went in and Vincent followed. They did in fact, not including them, have 27 people present.
The room itself wasn’t much to talk about. It was more of the fact that there were other people here who were seemingly kidnaped as well, some of them they knew. Before the both of them could really get a good look though David Shaw, a shifter walked up to them. “Hello you two, it is good to see you again. I just wish it wasn't under bad circumstances…again.” David scoffed and Vincent couldn't blame him; they really needed to set up a time for all of them to meet in a more less life threatening way. “Anyways, we seemed to be all in the same situation here, this paper told us we’d get answers to what was going on when the room fills up to max capacity. Also I should warn you even though you could probably tell there are some unepowerd here so I would be careful.” David said as his head drifted towards two of the unempowerd people in the room. One of the people Tank was talking to and the other David's mate was talking to. Vincent nodded in gratitude.
“Thank you David, and yes we’ll keep that in mind.” They both said their goodbyes as he and Lovely went to go see who else was here except Vincent didn't really have time to look around because he saw an old face. One he did not want to see ever again. He sped walked towards him not as fast as usual due to the lack of powers and unempowed people in the room. Lovely looked at him in confusion but followed. "What do you think you are doing here?” Vincent asked him as he glared trying to talk quietly to not make too much of a scene.
“Whatever do you mean Vincent? I’m just as innocent as the rest of you.” Said that scumbag Porter, a vampire Vincent absolutely despised. He rolled his eyes at Porter's tack. “I was taken from my humble abode and placed here with mostly strangers. Can’t you have some sympathy for my plight.” Vincent wanted to strangle this man; he could have sworn he felt his eye twitching. However Vincent was stopped from his act of violence by Lovely looking at the two men with a grimace.
“Vincent, who is this?” As they said his name it felt like he was being scolded which they probably were scolding him.
“This is Porter, Lovely. He used to be a part of the Solaire clan until he got rightfully kicked out. I wouldn't pay him much because he isn't worth it.” Vincent glare that he was shooting Porter's way with his grey eyes was one that said if looks could kill Porter would be double dead.
“You wound me Vincent, It’s been what? Four years since I left can’t a man change?”
“No, not someone like you. Come on Lovely I can’t stand to look at him anymore.” Vincent said walking away and after a moment of Lovely looking at Porter again Lovely walked away as well Porter waved them goodbye. Vincent scoffed “that guy just gets on my nerves.” Vincent mumbled walking with Lovely to talk to Sam, a vampire he’d rather see. Vincent knew Lovely was probably confused at his behavior but he really didn't have the energy to explain it. He’d explain it another time when he was in a better mood and didn't have to look at that bastard smirking face.
After a while the room's max capacity was filled, the last two to enter being a freelancer and an Inchoate demon if he was correct. The place was driven into chaos for a moment and then after a seer calmed everyone down it was now apparently time to start watching these videos of everyone in this room past, present, and apparently future. Which seemed oddly personal and Vincent himself had a buttload of questions however he didn't seem like he was going to get them. Vincent was sitting by people he knew, being Lovely of course, Bright and Fredrick, two vampires, one being Sam’s progeny and the other basically being his too. Sam was there too and had to sit away from his mate because the couch couldn't fit them all and Milo and Asher needed to sit on the couch and not on the floor like Asher’s Mate was doing because they were still recovering from their injuries. And unfortunately Porter was also sitting with them because he said and I quote ‘you all are the only people I know can’t you let poor vampire sit with you?’
Vincent really didn't get to dwell on it because the screen started showing a countdown signalling that the first video was about to be shown.Vincent couldn't help but wonder what it was.
The black screen suddenly lit up showing an amusement park, the sun starting to set. A date was shown on the screen being February 13th, 2000 .
“Goodness were going that far back? I was like five in 2000.” Asher said with a smirk chuckling, David shook his head as his betas antics. However Vincent couldn’t really focus on the peanut gallery because of the date. That godforsaken date. And there was an amusement park on screen there was no denying what was going to been shown and it was fucked. Lovely must have noticed his distress because they looked at him worriedly asking if he was ok. Vincent did not respond though just staring at the screen.
The scene then moved to a 20 year old Vincent looking as human as ever…the old Vincent with that stupid last name and those stupid hazel eyes. Standing in line for a ride that he loved, a person in front of him was scared out of their mind as the track moved along. He was so stupid…so naive. He was brought out of his thoughts when Lovely grabbed his hand realizing what this was. They looked uber frustrated. He was also taken out of his thoughts by one of the unempowered people.
“Wow dude that was you in the 2000s? Wow…you must be like 40 something now? You don’t look like a day over 20. How do you do it?” The guy said and the room suddenly grew really silent, the screen pausing whenever conversation started. The only noise for a moment was what seems to be the guy's partner hitting him over the head for being so…forward. However after a moment Vincent let out a laugh that was forced but good enough to be real.
“Really good skin care.” He managed to muster out, and everything went back to normal except for the few people who knew what day this was as the guy's partner served an apology and the screen started again.
“Well you look terrified.” Vincent said, smiling at the person in front of him. He then laughed as they asked if it was that obvious. “Sorry I’m not trying to call you out or anything but uh..I-I-I mean you kind of do.”
“Just like you to flirt with the first person you see.” Lovely jokes trying to bring up the mood in Vincent. Vincent could tell that Lovely wanted to destroy whoever was showing this video that Vincent wondered how this person obtained. He appreciated their effort though.
“Well it got me you didn’t it? I’d say it’s worth it.”
Vincent laughed again and then after a moment of silence between the two he asked “I mean if you don’t mind me asking if you are terrified of the ride then why are you gonna ride on it? Alone no less.” The person explained that their friends dared them too “Ah gotcha. No offense but your friends kind of sound like assholes for daring you then.” The person seemed to try to defend them but came up futile. “Where are they?” The person pointed their friend's direction outside of the line. “Oh, they’re just watching? Is that them over there?” The person nodded and Vincent scoffed “Dicks”
“Wow Vince, you're really bringing the hate train to a bunch of strangers.” Sam said with a chuckle and Vincent rolled his eyes at his friend. He could tell what both were doing they weren't slik however it was much appreciated.
“It’s all good you’ll show them, and then you tell them they’re the sacred ones for trying to make you do it alone.” Vincent then thought for a moment “Plus now you’re not alone. You got me.” They made a joke as Vincent laughed a long and then they asked if he had any friends he was with and if they were making him ride. “No, I’m kinda the opposite, I'm the only one of my friends who wanted to ride on this one again. So they're all over on the other side of the park.”
Vincent couldn't help but think about what happened to his old friends, ever since he turned he couldn't talk or see to them because he was legally missing and now for 20 years he’d bet everyone had given up on him. He’d hoped his friends lived happy lives, maybe they got married or something and have kids…Vincent wished he could have been there. For any of it…he wished he could have lived his life and maybe meet Lovely another way. He couldn't control his scrambling thoughts. He tried to focus on Lovely as they rubbed their thumb up and down his hand in comfort they could always tell when he wasn't doing well. That’s one of the things he loved about them.
“Yeah they’re fucking around that um that big gift shop near the entrance until I’m done.” Vincent shrugged and then continued speaking “But I really liked the ride. I wanted to do it one last time before we head out. I mean we drove a long way to get here, and the line’s finally short now the park’s getting ready to close. Plus I get to ride it in the dark which is pretty cool.”
“Do you miss the sun?” Frederick suddenly asked, Vincent looked over at the younger vampire and he looked away embarrassed. “Sorry for asking. I know we don’t talk much but I was curious.” Frederick blushed, wondering why he had asked such a dumb question. Vincent shook his head.
“It’s alright I don’t mind answering, and I do. I might not have been a morning person but I did enjoy the sun's rays…do you?” Vincent asked assuming he did because he asked but he thought he might as well continue the conversation. Frederick nodded his head.
“I do…a lot.” Frederick even remembered his last sunrise and sunset…it all ended so fast.
They gave back a laugh saying that they must really like rollercoasters. They seemed to wonder how he enjoyed them so much. “Well I mean I-I loved it I thought it was an awesome ride…what part of roller coasters scares you? Like is it something specific like loops or heights or…” before he could finish it however they quickly said all of it. “Or all of it ok..”Vincent couldn't help but laugh “well I’m not gonna lie you’re probably not gonna have a great time then. It’s a lot.” They seem to get more scared as he said that. “I mean I mean personally I’m not huge on drops. Like I hate those drop rides, the ones that just go up and down.”
“Awe but those are the best ones though…” Tank said looking excited at the mere idea and Sam rolled his eyes in fodness at his mate. It was nice to see, Sam and Tank have been together for a little over a year and Vincent could see the change in Sam, it was a part of him that Vincent doesn't think he’s ever seen. That version of Sam died in that car accident but maybe a bit of him is still in there. But then Vincent couldn't help but worry that these videos would show Sam’s turning. Which would make him feel even worse, it was bad already that he was going to see his…he didn't want Sam's trauma bolstered out like his. He wouldn't wish it upon his worst enemy.
“So, um the first drop you go over is kinda scary. I mean for me at least because it’s really vertical. I mean it feels like it’s like 90 degrees. So it kinda feels like one of those rides for a sec when you come over the crest of the hill. But I mean then the feeling goes away almost immediately because then you’re like facing the direction you’re going…if that makes sense.” They seem to look even more terrified by his words not seeming to help with their fear of the ride. They seem to get more scared as he speaks. “You're not dropping, I mean like you're facing the ground as you..head…towards it.” Vincent then seems to realize his words were not helping. “This doesn't seem to be helping…okay.”
“You think so? I would've thought they were peachy keen.” Lovely said with the biggest grin on their face as Vincent jabbed them in the arm and they laughed together. Lovely was always so good at bringing his mood up.
“I’ll shut up.” Vincent laughs again as they said they appreciated his attempt. “Hey, you can look at it this way. I mean this is the biggest baddest roller coaster this park has to offer. So once you’ve ridden it…you won you know? You cut the thing off at the head. Have any of your friends ridden it?” They shake their head at this question and whisper a soft nervous ‘no.’ “Well see now you get to be the one who says you actually rode it. Plus since they’re not going they don’t get to see how bad it scares you.”
“Yeah so when you walk out of the exit and march up to them you just put on that confident mask and you rub it in their face.” They then suddenly said ‘if I get off.’
Vincent couldn't help but hitch his breath at that as Lovely squeezed his hand. He remembered this part of the conversation like it was back of his hand. Convincing them that there was no way the ride would break down, it had all the latest new safety stuff. He was so wrong..they were right and even if he nor they had anyway knowing they were right he wished he didn't try to convince them otherwise giving them such false sense of hope. Vincent didn't know how much longer he could watch this especially as they drew closer and closer to the track.
“Come on what do you mean if you walk out? Nothing bad’s gonna happen. Roller coasters have been around forever; it's almost never been an accident. I mean you were a million times more likely to get hurt on the drive over to the park. Then on anything here. Least of all this ride. I mean it’s new so it’s got all the latest safety crap. You’re fine.”
Vincent still doesn't truly know what went wrong on that roller coaster that day. All he remembered was going down on the first drop and he didn't stop falling like it was supposed to. And he let go of their hand like he promised not to and they fell and he fell. His whole world went dark. Vincent didn’t like relieving these memories especially in full technicolor. At some points he felt like he couldn't breathe which was impossible for a vampire because he didn't have functioning lungs…at least not technically.
“I mean honestly usually the only time people get hurt on rides is because they did something stupid. Like…taking off the belt or standing up or something. It’s almost always the person’s fault not the ride.” The person still looked at the 20 year old nervously no matter what he was saying. “There’s nothing to worry about. Just you know…” Vincent then put on a voice acting like he waa the ride instructor. “Keep your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the car at all times.”
Some of the people in the room chuckled at his voice. Vincent could tell that people who didn't know about his turning, which was most people in the room, were mostly confused why we were watching a seemingly regular interaction in the line of a rollercoaster. Vincent kinda wished it was a regular rollercoaster ride. “Yeah this isn't the final destination…but wait this happened before final destination 3 came out…so less reason to be scared. Especially since that moment in the movie was completely illogical which are most moments in the final destination movies.” An unempowered person in the room said but he seemed to realize he was rambling and then went silent seemingly quite embarrassed. The person next to him, a telepath, patted his back.
Vincent appreciated the humor though.
“You got this I promise.” The person still looked nervous talking about how wasnt really the idea of the ride breaking down; it was more the ride itself. “Come on, you can’t let them see you’re scared. You know they’re looking.” The person has a seemingly confident pose and a look on their face that would look convincing from a distance. “There we go. Yes, you look very confident…from a distance anyway.” Vincent gave a laugh as they frowned at him. “I mean you still look terrified in the eyes but hey they can’t see that far so that’s okay.” They asked if it was ok if they rode with Vincent. “Yeah I’ll ride it with you, I mean we’re both single riders y’know.”
“It's like you were asking if they were single..are you cheating on me Vincent?” Lovely asked with a fake look of distress which Vincent groaned at in annoyance. His Lovely knew what they were doing and they were lucky he liked them so much.
“Lovely this was 20 years before I met you…”
“And? I don’t appreciate being the other women.”
“You're not even a–” before they shushed him with their hand still acting heart broken. When they got home they were going to pay for their tomfoolery.
“Might as well.” They asked if the ride fit two people like most roller coasters and Vincent replied. “Yeah it’s a two-seat wide one. Which is such a pain in the ass if you come here with three people. You have to keep rotating who gets stuck next to a stranger. Or sometimes you end up riding solo. I mean it depends on how busy the line is and stuff.” They laughed slightly saying they guessed he was with two other people then. “Yeah, yeah I’m here with two of my friends, and they’re a couple so..I have the pleasure of not only third wheeling in general but uh then also having to break up the happy couple seating wise everytime I’m sick and tired of sitting by myself.” They both laughed and the person asked if they minded being separated. “No they’re good with it, I’m just bitching.”
“That sounds kinda derogatory towards us don't you think?” Asher whispered to Milo which Vincent could hear because of his vampiric hearing and looked at Asher in confusion on where he came up with that and Vincent could see Asher chakling over there as he played with partners hair as they sat on the floor with a pout.
“Asher if you don’t shut up I’m gonna clobber you.” Milo whispered back which just made Asher laugh more like a fucking heyna.
“I mean they’re both my friends and they were before they started dating. So, we're all good, but still I feel like they should be able to sit next to each other most of the time. Since they are in fact together.” They agreed with talking about how it really doesn't work out with certain numbers of people. “Yeah, these places are really made for couples or families I guess but even then you better have an even number or you’re still fucked. Some parks have that single rider line thing but then you don’t end up on the same cycle as friends so then you’re having to wait for them or they’re having to wait for you. I mean isn’t a big deal I guess but…I don’t know.” There is another moment of silence as they look up at the ride again and then Vincent speaks again. “It’s not working is it?” They give a little ‘what?’ and Vincent smiles.
“Me trying to distract you by talking.” They bluntly respond with a ‘no’ and look at the ride again as Vincent laughs. “I’m trying…I’m sorry. The closer we keep getting to the front of the line the more painked you look.” They give a half hearted laugh “it’s okay really. I mean you might even have fun, horrific a thought as that might be.” Vincent laughed again.
“Is it funny Vincent because you keep on laughing at whatever they say?” Porter asked in the most condescending voice known to a vampire. Vincent knew he just couldn't keep his mouth shut for this whole video. Vincent glared looking over at him.
“Quite.” That’s all he said as he turned back to the screen, he didn't know what was worse of two evils, his death on screen or Porter. He chose the former as his retribution.
“I mean, hey, who knows this could be the way you find out that you’re secretly an adrenaline junkie.” They said they doubted it but Vincent was still hopeful. “I mean I used to be terrified of roller coasters.” They gave a surprised ‘really’ as Vince nodded. “Yeah, as a kid I would not go on them. I was a hellion about it too. I mean I would make a scene, i’d cry, i’d scream. I was literally the kid in line for the matterhorn like saying to my mom ‘if you love me you won’t make me ride this.”
There was another burst of laughter from everyone imagining this in their head. “I can’t help but imagine young little you telling your mom that.” Lovely said with an absolute cackle and Vincent couldn't help telling them to shut up. He also heard David saying something along the lines of Asher doing the same thing as Asher tried to defend himself.
However even with all the joyous laughter in this crazy situation…Vincent couldn't help but think about his mom. He hadn't seen her in so long now it felt like a distant memory. Him saying goodbye to her unknowingly for the last time as he left to go to the amusement park with his friends. He hoped she was ok at least…he sometimes tried to see if he could check up on her but she didn't live in New Mexico anymore. Sometimes it was hard to find her. He wanted her in his life but…she couldn't be. Why did everything have to turn bitter sweet?
“Like I was awful. The literal worst. Like seriously I mean they saved up all this money to finally take us on vacation and I have a hissy fit in a line of a ride that isn’t even bad.” Vincent laughed again and then remembered something else. “Oh, and that was the biggest one you were going to get me on. There was no way in hell I was going on anything that had a big drop or god forbid a loop. Like no way…it was not happening.” They asked what he did for the rest of life with roller coasters. “Well I just avoided them the whole time I was growing up. I didn't go to amusement parks very often so..I mean it wasn't a huge deal. Either way but…then senior year of highschool rolled around and my group of friends wanted to go on a trip that summer to you know celebrate us graduating.”
Vincent seemed like he was reliving the old time as he spoke. “And um they all agreed on going to a rollercoaster park. Like not just an amusement park like one that pretty much exclusively has roller coasters.” The person in front of Vincent now seemed very invested now starting to seem distracted from the ride as they what he did then “But I mean I wasn't gonna be the one to say no. I mean I didn't want them to make fun of me or anything. So, I went along with it and I didnt tell a single one of them that I was terrified of roller coasters.” Vincent laughed back at the memory. “Although I’m sure they could tell by the time we got there. I mean I was shaking like a leaf in the line for the first one. But then I rode it. And, yeah, there were parts that were scary and I hated like that initial climb that felt like it was never going to end. And then that first drop..but then I had a great time. Wind in your hair flipping around, going that fast. It was fun.”
“You're so encouraging Vince…you always know how to calm someone down.” Lovely said with a smile and giving a gentle kiss on the check. He never understood how his partner could be so great. It truly felt like they put the stars in the sky. And at times like this he was glad he’d get to spend the rest of his life with his Lovely. However he also wished he wasn't so encouraging then maybe they wouldn't have gone on the ride at all.
“So do you Lovely…” he squeezed there hand for a sense of comfort because he saw they were practically about to get one that dreadful ride.
“So that initial fear is always there even now. For a little bit but then it’s just a good time. I mean now I love them. You might surprise yourself, and hey if you don't and you absolutely hate it then you can just tell your freinds to fuck off and you’ll at least have this one under the belt. Which is more than any of them could say.” They reach to the point where they are next in line to get on the ride without them even noticing.
Vincent noticed and he knew what was about to happen. He didn't know if he could watch it…he might have been panicking a bit because personally he really didn't want to relive this moment. He squeezed Lovelys hand even tighter as he saw that ride and the cards that made him tumble to his death. And he could climb to the top of the ride that led to that drop. Vincent started breathing heavily…he couldn't do this. His hands were shaking; it felt like he was about to explode. He couldn't watch this, he couldn't live through this again. At some point Sam switched seats with Fredrick and was patting Vincent's back as Vincent buried his face in Lovely’s chest to block out what was going to happen next.
Some people seemed to be kinda confused at what was going on Vincent, those who noticed however most people were busy watching…about to watch the worst day of his life and his last.
“Come on.” They both stepped into the ride as new carts rolled in. “Let’s do this.” They got settled into their seats and buckled the seat belts to secure them in place. “See, seat belts, there’s roll bars. You’re not going anywhere.”
Vincent couldn't help but wince at his own words even though he couldn't see it…he heard what he said loud and clear the only thing soothing him was Lovelys hand in his hair.
“It’s the last ride of the night and then you get to go tell your friends that they’re wimps for not going with you. It's gonna be fun.” He gave them a big smile of excitement and they tried to give one back. He laughed in response “Even if the ride isn’t, that part will be…” They still said they were nervous but Vincent came up with an idea. “Hey, do you wanna hold my hand? Nobody will see it over the walls of the car. It can be our secret.” They nodded, taking his hands. “Okay, when it feels like too much just squeeze. Okay? I got you.” They nodded again, taking in a breath. “Can I get a smile?” They tried to give one however it was more of a grimace. “Um..kinda more of a grimace but I’ll take it.” They smiled at each other again. “My names Vincent by the way…” they responded with their name and said ‘it’s lovely to meet you.’
They could feel Lovely breathe hitch at that lie which was understandable. Of course Vincent thought of Lovely when talking about his partner but…sometimes he thought about them too which made him feel bad because those were basically their last words to him…and the world. Which kinda broke Vincent's heart. Sometimes he wondered why he was the one who made it and not them…
“Nice to meet you too. One last ride.” They nodded and sometimes that last ride was too true as the operator came on the microphone to speak. “Just a friendly warning that the park will be closing in about 45 minutes so please keep that in mind when choosing your next right. An approximate wait time is listed on signage at the end of the queue. One last reminder before we get going, keep your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the car at all times. This is a fast flipping freak of a ride. We want to make sure you all enjoy it safely. Make sure all bags, hats, sunglasses, loose items are secured and that your belt is fastened tightly. Check one.” One of the other operators did a check around the first set of carts. “Check.”
“Check two,” then they looked at the second set of carts. “Check,” After a moment making sure everything was secure the operator spoke again. “All right here we go have fun you guys and enjoy your ride on the mighty Surge.”
“I remember The Surge…I was kinda young when it happened but I remember on the news that it crashed the same year it was established.” Another unempowerd person said Vincnet didn't realize how many of them were in here. He should've known some people would know about it. According to William it was all over the news. The other unewpoerd person nodded in agreement with them.
“Oh yeah, I remember that too apparently like everyone who was on it died and like one person went missing but it's been like 20 years now so people just say they died because y’know. I don’t remember the date or the people's name but I know what you're talking about…good you weren't on it when it happened.” The unmwpoerd person said that last sentence directed towards Vinncent.
He looked up from Lovely chest and said “yeah…it’s great.” he said sheepishly. He wished he didn't go on it that day even at that time. He could hear another unempowerd person talking to the guy saying “Ivan that was kinda rude don’t you think?
“Sorry, I get excited when I bring out fun facts…even the not so fun…” Ivan replied they were both whispering but Vincent could hear them he always could. Vincent then looked up at the screen refusing to look away anymore and face this terrible becoming.
As the ride started you could hear the creeks of the track as the ride soared forward and the screen became black to signal the end of the first video.
Vincent was in shock…it didn't show…it didn't show it. He held onto Lovely furrowing his brow. Don’t get him wrong he was overjoyed that he didn't have to witness that moment in his life again. However he was also very confused why it wasn't shown. What was the purpose just to stress him out…to make him think of his last moments as a human…something real. Having freedom he could never imagine now. Everyone else in the room shared the same sentiment but more in the way of “that was it?” because they didn't know what happened afterwards.
“If this is all there is gonna show us some meaningless videos then I would rather not be here to waste my time I have better things to do…” A sadism demon said which Vincent kinda understood but he also felt a lot of glare thrown that demon's way for whatever reason. So he was sure his opinion wasn't really wanted.
“I must agree…but it doesn't seem we have a choice in the matter.” A dreamwalker said and pointed towards the screen to show it was already counting down for the next video. Everyone groaned hoping it wouldn't be another pointless video.
But Vincent had a feeling it wasn’t pointless…something in him felt it…however this whole place was giving him a headache already and they just started and gods know how many videos there are gonna be.
This is why Vincent hates roller coasters.
Notes:
I have a couple of questions for y'all that I feel like I must ask, just kind of to gage what would be best for this fic.
One: Do you like it being in first person Pov? Or should I change it to where we can hear what all the characters are thinking. Because while writing just Vincents POV I wasn't sure if that's something you'd enjoy. Because if we keep it in first, we will change Pov's each chapter but if y'all aren't a fan will just focus on one character each chapter, but other characters thoughts will be known to the reader.
Two: If you want me to change Pov's, do you want this chapter to change, or do I keep it the same and just the rest of the chapters have a Pov format?
Three: Lastly do you enjoy how the videos are explained because that is the biggest part of my process but if you like how it's set up I would be glad to know!I really hoped you enjoyed I've been working really hard on this fic, and I hope it's something the Redacted fans enjoy. (Also sorry for any spelling and grammar mistakes I'm super dyslexic...also you can tell I'm from the south because of how much I use 'gonna.')
Bobdude on Chapter 1 Thu 21 Aug 2025 01:49PM UTC
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Anonymous Creator on Chapter 1 Thu 21 Aug 2025 10:45PM UTC
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