Realistic or Modern D@RK

[OppositeInverse]

" The only me is me. Are you sure the only you is you?"

It was the last thing Darril had said to Rianna. Not even in a manner of grave importance or danger, they were literally having one of their random philosophical debates like they usually did. It was a house party thhat was being thrown by one of his close friends, and of course after some dancing and parading around entertaining social guests with her friends, they'd always ended up on the balcony over looking the city's beautiful flourescent and expansive ambiance. That was before everything happened. Before the Darril Norman stream. Before the last bit of childlike innocence still retained by Rianna was sapped away from her in a grim and dark fashion. She still remembered the laughs, her and her peers looking at the video as some sort of prank held by the generous man she'd known most of her college career. And she also remembers everything suddenly becoming bleak and drab as the police and school investigation started to remove stuff from his old dorm room before sealing it off from access. It seemed like yesterday and years ago all at once, but in the weeks since it's happened, she certainly felt the constant turmoil of it all. How does a student on a campus full of raging, hormonal, hyperactive young adults just.... vanish? But the more pressing question that was in Ri's head ever since was this: How is it that he hasn't been the only one to do so? Becoming nothing but another link in a chain of mystery and dark controversy as several other students have been reported missing as well. A burning thought in her mind that almost feels like it's affecting her on the physical level...

Where is Darril Norman?

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Rianna holds the soft lit candle in her hands, as her and a swarm of other students gather around the vigil for Darril Norman. There were a few other vigils that had been held because of the rise in disappearances. But today was about Darril. So many rumors had gone out. That he dropped out, that he killed himself, that he joined the illuminati and even anonymous... by far the most farfecthed one was that he was actually a CIA agent and got scrubbed when a mission went bad investigating an undisclosed location. Even as Rianna stood there, with watery eyes and a heavy heart, she heard the whispers of the students soothe about the airwaves, as she turned to look back with stern and steeled eyes. It was enough to get the chatter to cease for the moment, as there was a moment of silence in prayer for Darril, followed by a few of the campus' student body representatives saying a few nice things about Darril and all of the students who went missing, trying to instill hope into the hearts of all that was listening. Ri was already hopeful and optimistic. If they hadn't found a body he could literally be anywhere alive and well right now. Missing didn't always mean death. Rianna knew as a more popular student from playing sports and making her face known in alot of college events and parties, she had to be an example for people not to assume the worst, and definitely not use this scenario to garner attention or act like it's some Netflix show to gain ratings. This was a real human soul and life they were talking about.

Campus was a bit quieter as usual, not because of the last day of the class week before the weekend, but because of everyone on edge about the instances of missing students with Darril included. Rianna stood near the front of the crowd of students near the student union where the vigil was being held. The wind slightly blew as she brushed her hair out of the way, the aesthetic of the nice candlelight spread through the space unified bringing a sense of temporary bliss for the moment. It was interrupted when a shoulder bumped into her passing through the crowd, with Ri looking to see a student presumably dressed up in some costume or cosplay that was a bit eerie given the circumstances. She already hadn't been sleeping all that well lately, and frankly she wished she had someone intimately to sleep next to or even do other things to take her mind off of losing a good friend. At least she still had the rest of her friends to lean on... or rather them lean on her. She was more of the diplomat for them, so she would have to be the one easing peace into their hearts and minds. Times like this she wished she smoked weed or could get wasted, but of course being a Division I athlete came with its set of rules and responsibilities. She would do what she could to get through the day, just another day. A part of Ri wished she could've done more, perhaps if she lived in the same dorm as Darril, or had decided to hang out with him or something. Anything. She was feeling guilty over something she had no control over. She looked around to see if she saw any of the crew. Vince, Regan, anyone at this point would make her feel a bit at ease.

But under the grisly circumstances, how could anyone be at ease? There was a feeling deep inside, and it was far from ease. Far far from ease.

​

 

[NorthOfOrdinary]

​

Regan stood silently in the middle of the crowd. Her eyes were red and puffy, her face was wet with tears streaming down it. In her hands the tiny flame of her candle danced back and forth with the cool breeze. She probably looked like a mess, shivering there at the vigil in cutoff shorts and an oversized sweatshirt, crying like it was rain. Regan didn't care. She didn't know what to think.

Darril Norman was so much smarter, so much stronger. She still couldn't understand his disappearance, and this vigil...it made her so happy to see that so many people loved him, but...at the same time...it felt so much like mourning that it scared her. Her cousin wasn't dead. She refused to believe anyone who suggested that or any of the other million rumors that had flown around the school, haunting the lecture halls whenever she walked in on hushed whispers before class. Had everyone given up so easily? Was she supposed to give up as well?

She felt guilty thinking about it. Hell, she felt guilty just being alive. He had done so much for her. Memories came flooding back of all the times her aunt and uncle came to visit when she was a little girl, and her and Darril would spend all evening playing pretend in the back yard. Or, when she was fourteen, and she spent a summer with him and his family before her own moved closer. All the things he had shown her, had taught her, about life and having fun. When she chose the same college, he had no problems making his friends her own too.

A passing figure catches her eye and brings her back to the Vigil. Who would attend a ceremony like this with their face painted like the grim reaper?

Regan tries to follow him or her, struggling to keep up. They're taller, and much faster at pushing through the crowd. As fast as Regan moves, they move faster until suddenly they disappear into the crowd behind one of the people she actually wanted to see most but hadn't been able to find. The skeleton quickly slips from her mind.

"Hey Ri," Regan gives her friend a warm smile and a tight hug, rubbing her eyes. "I'm afraid." Rianna had always been a rock for her, like an older sister almost, and tonight Regan was more then thankful to find company.

 

[AI10100]

"Vincent, right? Want to be my partner for the activity?"
​

The first time he had met Darril, the guy had seemed terribly bland. He was normal, so much so that Vincent thought that they would never get along. Normal people don't tend to talk to the Theater Kid. Sure they'd go to performances but often times someone twisted their arm to do so. But when Darril had approached him for the second time to simply talk, Vincent understood that even the most different of people could be friends. They were seniors back then, on their way to the success of school. Darril was the reason why he had his current friends around him, and honestly, he wouldn't have changed them for anyone else.

It was surreal, his disappearance. One day, he just simply vanished against all odds. Vincent couldn't even remember the last thing they talked about. It was probably something along the lines of him trying to coax Darril to go to a play that was due to be performed two days after his disappearances. It was an original story made by one of the student scriptwriters for their examination. He had been so excited to let him watch but then he stoped replying. His stream went online right after the performance and he watched with the others, laughing along as he commended the sense of danger and urgency the video produced. But fears became reality when he didn't come back, when the police started taking his stuff, when his room was sealed off... Vincent had been more panicked the he let on. This was his friend from high school. The bright and young Darril Norman who spoke shyly with strangers but protected his friends fiercely.

He blinked, mind rushing back to the present as he looked upon the area where they would hold Darril's vigil.

Vincent, along with a number of volunteers, had set up vigils for the disappearing students of USC. This had started even before they planned for Darril, it was simply to pray for the lost souls of such young adults. Though he had been rarely close to the students who disappeared, Vincent's heart was heavy with grief - a side effect from seeing so many people shed their tears as they prepared.

But this was different. Darril was someone he knew physically and he felt himself tremble when they prepared for the vigil to be held later on the day. His breath was usually shallow and he could feel himself drift away, his body moving on its own as he looked over the preparations. A teacher had told him to take a break and come back later for the vigil after noticing that he was out of it. He had swiftly agreed, trying to move away from the source of grief he was feeling. Vincent had locked himself in one of their practice rooms where he felt at ease. Hours ticked by before he moved sluggishly back to the vigil, claiming a candle and standing with the others in the crowd.

He knew he felt sad, but no tears fell. RIanna... she had assured them that he could very well still be alive. He will not mourn for who is not dead. He was simply lost, and he can be found again. But a small feeling in Vincent was tugging at his heart - telling him that even if he was alive, it meant that he wasn't alright. Darril would have come back if he knew how much of an uproar they were kicking up here. Darril would not let them get sad like this.

He grit his teeth as he began to move forward, eyes searching frantically for anyone familiar. No, he was looking for his friends. Darril's friends? Vincent bumped shoulders with this man with an odd mask. "Hey what are you-" He mumbled but the man charged on forward. He narrowed his eyes at the man. What was he trying to accomplish by coming as that kind of... monster? This was no time to play dress up and that was coming from someone who, quite frankly, enjoyed putting on costumes at the most random of moments. But this was a serious event. He wanted to tell him off but he soon lost sight of the man, despite Vincent towering over most of the people there. He grumbled something under his breath as he slowed down, spotting two familiar figures in the distance.

He made his way to Rianna amd Regan and simply stood beside them. Their mere presence was enough to keep him calm for now.

 

[-Q-]

Reece Connor

“I’m never drinking again.”

“Sure thing, stud. You say that every time you’ve had a few too many Jägermeisters.”​

The party had been in full swing. Music booming, reverberating through the walls themselves. The host obviously didn’t give a damn if the neighbours complained. The neighbours were probably at the party somewhere, though Reece knew for a fact that he couldn’t possibly pinpoint them if they were the only other people in the room.

Reece hadn’t really been involving himself in the bumping and grinding on the makeshift dance floor in the lounge. The couches had all been pushed far back against the walls in order to make space for the writhing bodies and the sound system. If this were the 90s, he could almost imagine the dry ice and disco lights adding to the scene and the mood.

But this wasn’t the 90s and as the night progressed and more alcohol was consumed than was either necessary or healthy, Reece found himself on the dance floor. Normally, people were too drunk to either notice or care that the brunette was a surprisingly good dancer; natural rhythm and sway of his hips that most men would claim they had no idea how to achieve. Vincent had caught him once… just the once and he’d regretted it ever since. But that didn’t stop him from dancing. Caught up in the ambience and the haze of drink induced grinding.

Laid in bed with his head propped against a pillow, his torso vertical against the wall and more pillows nestled in the curve of his back, Reece remembered vividly the events of that night. It had been the last night he’d seen Darril alive. There was a marginal amount of guilt within him for allowing his friend to become so drunk. As they had waved each other drunkenly goodbye after a night of debauchery, how was Reece to know that it would be the last time he would see his friend?

That had been a good week or so ago. The news, of course had told many a story. There were so many theories going around that it was enough to make someone’s head spin. Honestly, Reece was only sure that Darril hadn’t gone missing that night because he’d seen the footage… that awful video upload a few days later. It still made him cringe just thinking about it. He didn’t know anyone on campus who hadn’t seen that footage, but it seemed as though for a while, it was all anyone would talk about, believing it to be a simple prank. But when Darril stopped showing up to classes and no one could get in touch with him, that was when people began to worry. And rightly so, because Darril wasn’t the type of person to leave his friends or his cousin hanging.

Last night, things had been pretty melancholy in the bar. Though ‘the prank’ had once been the talk of campus, it was now something people only spoke of in hushed tones, the excitement and thrill gone. Now… everyone was scared. Vigils for the missing had become something rather common place and Darril’s was due to be held on the following night. Given that he’d been close to Darril, Reece’s manager had agreed to allow him the night off. Which was great, because there was no way Reece was going to attend work on the night of Darril’s vigil.

Last night, Reece had sought solace in anyone he could find. He barely remembered the night and when he’d woken, the stranger in his bed was of no consequence to him at all. A pale hand resting on his chest as he lit up a cigarette, contemplating the previous weeks which had preceded Darril’s disappearance.

It was late when the alarm went off on his phone, reminding him that he needed to get to the vigil. “Urgh… inappropriate much Reece?” his one night stand complained. Reece couldn’t even remember the guy’s name.

Reece simply huffed in response, throwing the stray arm away from his chest along with the bed covers and got up, starting to pull on his jeans, dismissing the alarm quickly. “Get up.” He mumbled to the stranger “Darril’s vigil is in 20 minutes.”

“I’m not going to that shit.”

“Fine by me, but you ain’t staying ‘ere neither. So get your ass up.” Reece threw the stranger’s jeans at the place where his head would likely be. He heard a soft ‘ooft’ as he was pulling on his jacket. Grabbing his keys, lighter and packet of cigarettes, he didn’t waste time shoving the stranger out.

“Call me?” The other boy asked as he retreated down the hallway without a hint of shame in his walk. Reece simply rolled his eyes and headed out.

Most people were already there. It was already dark, the only illumination the few street lamps scattered haphazardly and unevenly around the scene and the candles being held by the attending masses. Reece wasn’t interested in feeling like a damn sardine, so he remained in the back, leaned against a tree, sans candle, but comforted instead by the glow of his cigarette as he puffed away, exhaling soft, white fumes in silence.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw it. At first, he’d thought it a trick of the light or something, but the appearance of a painted face seemed to have checked to see if he was looking more than once, and on the second or perhaps third occasion, the skeleton wannabe disappeared into the crowd. “And people think I’ve got bad taste.” He mumbled to himself, thinking nothing of it but that it was definitely inappropriate. He wasn’t about to go chasing the Misfits reject through that crowd though. Hopefully, someone else would see him and knock him out instead, because there was no need to be scaring people any more than they were already scared.

 

[OppositeInverse]

Ri felt the tight grasp of a body around her as she looked to see Regan, Darril's cousin but more like a little sister to Rianna. When she told Ri she was afraid, it'd made the tough chick tear up a little bit herself. She pulled Regan in and wrapped her arm around her. Moments like these Ri knew that there wasn't much to be said to make it all infinitely better without actually bringing Darril back. Ri rubs Regan's back as the candlelit vigil continues onward. She was scared too, but she knew her hope and faith in the matters of the universe could inspire people to just remain optimistic a little while longer, and it would pay off in the end. "Regan, I'm afraid too, but you know what? It just means we care, and wherever Darril is... stuff like this... this vigil, these candles, our hearts... they'll reach him. The universe will find a way to give that energy to him." Just then she saw Vince roll up beside them, quiet and pensive-looking as he held his candle beside theirs. Ri smiled at him lightly before leaning her head into his shoulder while still comforting Regan. The fact that Vince didn't say much said everything. They were all there for each other regardless. It was unusual seeing the high octane energy of Vincent reduced to a menial quiet nature over someone who meant very much the world to all of them. Finally, Rianna wanted to say something to bring his spirits aware to the time around him. "Thanks you for help setting this up Vince... it's beautiful. Darril's gonna be really proud when he sees this."

But it wasn't just Darril was it? It was a few other students around USC who'd gone missing as well. What about them? Would they too return to see this wonderful thought and prayer for them? Or were they just an idea of hope like the rest? Rianna tried her best not to get sucked into that vortex of despair and pessimism. Speaking of, Ri smelled the ambiance of cigarettes and disdain as she spotted Reece moving through the crowd. Of all of the group, Reece was the one that Rianna wasn't super close with. She still liked the kid, but his lifestyle was a bit too derivative from Rianna's. But she knew he was human like anyone else, he had feelings, and probably tried to put on a tough front for being okay when he was really hurting deep down. Ri's natural urge to nurture comes in as she calls and waves to Reece through the crowd. "Hey, how're ya holding up?" She onces him over and looks into his eyes, and she asks again. "How are you really?"

The student body president speaks about Darril and the others as the vigil seems to be coming to a close. Rianna looks around at the saddened yet vigilant crowd, hoping that there was some solace to take away from all of this. She wasn't sure how she managed to maintain an appetite through all this, but she figured at the very least it'd give them all a chance to sit down and hang out, or talk, or wallow...or something. "Hey... you guys wanna go to the cafe after?"

AI10100 NorthOfOrdinary -Q-

 

[-Q-]

Reece Connor
​

This, unsurprisingly was not the first vigil that Reece had attended. The brunette was more than positive that there were more than a few people in that crowd (all crunched up together like peas growing too closely together in their shared pod), had been to a funeral at least once in their lives. Vigils were different though. They emitted a different sort of ambience than a funeral did.

A funeral was the place where people had one of two ways of coping; mourn incomprehensibly or drink either to celebrate the life of whomever had passed, or to mourn their passing. These types of vigils, these odd ceremonies that hardly anyone in England at least really understood were different, because where funerals presented a dark and dingy atmosphere full of loss and utter despair, a vigil seemed to extend hope and collective optimism.

Personally, Reece would have preferred to get it over with and just have a damn funeral. Then they could all grieve properly instead of beating around the bush like this. Without a body of course, that was a bit tricky. And yes, he was being rather morbid this evening, but he didn’t really understand any of this American bullshit of standing around, waving candles praying for the tiny flames of light flickering in the darkness to bring their loved ones home.

Back in England, if some kid went missing, maybe; just maybe there would be some sort of memorial set up. There might be a place allocated for people to drop off bunches of flowers or other wishes of hope. Honestly though, it just wasn’t the done thing. Certainly something like this would never be going on in England. He had to imagine that maybe, just maybe that was only because the English were cynical bastards and probably most of the people (at least where he came from) were heathens who didn’t believe in all this ‘praying for safe returns’ bollocks.

It was interesting though, as far as experiences went, Reece was surprisingly glad he had come. There were quite a few people who had turned up and he knew Vince had assisted in planning this; or at least had a hand in it. And he could tell. The main speaker was someone Reece didn’t recognise, but he sure as hell believed that given the reaction of the crowd in response to the words spoken about Darril, that the speaker was likely to have been invited by Vince. Or… knowing Vince; convinced that it was the right thing to do.

The speech itself, in Reece’s fine opinion was not really that inspiring or noteworthy. The speaker certainly wasn’t going to be winning an Oscar any time soon, but it seemed like most of the crowd he still hadn’t joined seemed genuinely moved by the words spoken.
Darril's other friends were there. Ri, Vince and the little sister, Regan. Damn, he felt most for Regan. If he didn't believe he would be a bad influence on the girl, he might have thought about making an attempt at comforting her and maybe even trying to take her under his wing. But she had Ri. Ri would be a good influence on her. Not like Reece. She was his polar opposite and was probably spouting some hippy crap which would make the younger girl feel better. Regan didn't need his venemous pessimism right now. Nor his ability to get her three sheets to the wind.
He wasn't about to go and join them. He wasn't willing to wade through the body heat, sweat and claustrophobic nightmare of people crowded around just to say hello. That was just daft. They had each other and at least there was some good come out of this, bringing the friends closer together in the face of adversity.

A huff and a roll of eyes, Reece tossed the tab end of his burned out cigarette to the ground, ensuring to stub it out with the toe of his shoe.

Really, if he thought about it for a minute, he didn’t blame whatever his name was… Gary… Stu… the guy he’d slept with last night for bailing on this. But at the same time, Reece had lost a good friend. And he felt as though he owed it to Darril to be here. To show his face among the masses. And maybe, just maybe it had inspired that little bit of hope in him that Darril might be found safe and well, but the fact of the matter was that his friend was missing.

That video had been funny at first, but as time passed, it became more and more likely that it hadn’t been a prank. That something bad was happening around here.

Taking one last look at his surroundings, Reece found comfort for a moment in looking at the sky. He wasn’t a religious man, but he found himself speaking to the thin air in that moment “If you’re actually just hiding out at some sorority house without me you asshole, I’m not gonna be impressed.”

The sky though looked dark and a little foreboding and Reece couldn’t repress the shiver which ran down his spine. Subconciously pulling his over sized leather jacket further around his slender frame, he saluted the sky as if to say ‘over and out’ before turning away from the proceedings. After all that rampant teen emotion, he needed a drink. Since he for once in his life didn’t particularly feel like heading straight for the bar; his stomach still a little delicate from the alcohol consumed the night previously, instead, he headed to the only coffee shop on campus he knew would still be open.

This type of thing definitely called for a large vat’s worth of caffeine, because the Powers That Be (if there were any) certainly knew how to tug on heart strings.

 

[AI10100]

Vincent soon began to rub the candle he was holding between his palms - watching it as it rolled. He was no longer looking up - the hushed whispers drowning out around him. He didn't know if he found the two's presence to be sobering or not. He wasn't sure spacing out was exactly the thing he was hoping for, but his mind was blank. Not even worry was going through his brain right now. The only thing that was in his head was the candle and its light. Doesn't it seem like this candle is akin to life? So fragile. So short. So easily snuffed. He remembered playing a character who thinks the same. That life is so fickle. Anything could end it - a knife, a gun, the floor, the sky... an intent. So many factors, and yet, people continue to trudge through life like it was worth it. Or rather, like life was so long that they would do everything they wanted.

He stopped rolling the candle between his hands when he remembered. Darril did something he wanted to do just because he could. Look where it got him. An entire vigil dedicated to him - an exaggeration since there were others - but still. Then was it really worth to do things you love even if it meant your life would be shortened from it? "You're thinking too much into it, Vincent. And even then, you're wrong, aren't you? That's what makes life exciting. When you know you're going to die, you might as well enjoy all the things you do, right?" Darril had once told him that. Once. Back when they were just drinking at a bar, just generally chilling around. There was no serious context behind it. He was just playing a character and he needed some help getting into said character. Darril had always been the wiser one between all of them, and if he were to be honest, he was glad they had him around. Kept them rooted. Kept them... no, him. Darril kept Vincent sane.

He seemed to jump slightly when Rianna placed her head on his shoulder, leaning on him. Carefully, Vincent wrapped his hand around the candle once more and placed his right hand on top of Rianna's head, giving her a small and reassuring pat. He let his hand fall back beside him and savored the silence he knew was going to be broken. And it did. He gave her a small smile. "Thanks." He looked forward to the student body president. "We worked hard for this." The speech drawled on - something he had personally seen and read. Though, he couldn't remember half of what it said. He sucked in his breath. "You know, I never really realized how popular Darril was until we started organizing this." He admited quietly to Rianna. Indeed, so many people had come to help with organizing, even if their help were not needed anymore. And so many more went to the vigil. Surprising, really.

The speech was about to end. Vincent, against anyone else, looked down on the candle and blew it - letting the life of the candle flicker away. He dropped his hand and then turned to Rianna as she suggested going somewhere. It seemed like it would be a welcome distraction. He would have preferred a bar, for once thinking about maybe... maybe drinking the night away. But, this was good enough he supposed. "Sure. Yeah..."

 

[NorthOfOrdinary]

​

Ri's embrace and kind words elicited a fleeting smile from Regan. She was right, there was alot of positive energy going around. Regan believed somehow, somewhere, God was looking out for Darril. They would find him eventually, but until then, she'd be worried straight.

Regan did her best to focus on the speaker as she continued to remain attached to Ri. He was actually pretty good...but it was hard to focus with all the 'what it's' floating in her head. She concentrated, but all she saw was the video Darrik had posted before his disappearance, replaying over and over in her head.

She continued to shiver as the vigil came to an end, and she released her grip on her friend. Regan rubbed her hands on her thighs to generate friction, finally taking notice of the guy who she assumed must have been there for a while. "Hi Vince." She gave him a meek wave. Vince, she recalled fondly, having been shown around a few local sights by the classy gentleman.

When it was all over, she pulled up her head and looked up in reply to Ri. "Yeah...that'd be nice." She really wasn't that hungry, having tasted her fears and tears all day, but Regan needed the moment with her friends. They kept her same. As she followed the others, the college freshman kept her candle alight even after all the others were put out. It symbolized hope to her, until even the tiny dancing little flame couldn't survive the cold, autumn breeze.