fitter, happier, more productive — elysian .
#7
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u rock !
[align=center]BENEDICT ROYS STALLARD
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Benedict could still remember the first time he discovered this spot. He would be lying if he at all claimed to have been the one to find it in the first place as he was only fifteen at the time. Wells was behind the wheel after dad had eventually given in to Wells’ incessant lamenting that he was desperate to drive dad’s car. The Stallard family shared all that they had because they could never afford more than the bare necessities. Unknown to them, poverty had in fact been their safety net all along, and their hunger to survive was ultimately what led to Wells and dad’s subsequent capture. Jobs in the big city were nothing more than a lure, Benedict had quickly come to learn, and to this day he was clear in warning outliers of this very truth.

Wells had technically stumbled upon this route when taking Benedict out for a spin in dad’s old pickup, that signature smug grin sat lazily upon his lips as if he truly believed that he’d forever enjoy the world at his own leisure. Being the older brother, he always had a way of inspiring Benedict to definitely act older than his age. Having the cool older brother influenced Ben in more ways than one. Eager to come across even only half as sharp as Wells was, Benedict would lay his arm over the opened window, allowing for the balmy breeze to run against his skin as the vehicle powered down the highway. ❝ And there it is. ❞ Wells pulled over and switched the engine off, soon hopping out the truck so that he could marvel at the sight in the horizon.

Swiftly following suit, Ben clambered out, arms wrapped around his lithe frame as he followed to stand beside his taller brother. ❝ The city. ❞ Lips parting ever-so-slightly, Ben watched the twinkling lights of the city adorn the dusky desert sky. Wells twisted his head to look down at his little brother, ruffling Ben’s hair before he asked, ❝ Whad’ya think? ❞ Squinting an eye, Benedict peered up towards his brother, huffing at him before he began to grin, So cool. ❞ With a short huff, Wells leaned back against the truck. ❝ Yeah. Thought so too. ❞

One hand resting on the steering wheel, Benedict drove the truck down the very same highway, free arm dangling out with a practiced ease. Of all the people who could have accompanied him tonight, only Rowan’s presence felt right in the peace of the evening. Whilst the masses tended to stir Benedict into action, Rowan was the calm that he needed to wind him down and ease his mind, especially in preparation for tomorrow’s fight. He was so fixated on this romanticized vision of a new world that he often overlooked the smaller, more simple things in life. Rowan was humble and inspired an inner peace that allowed Benedict to reflect more calmly what his priorities were in his life.

Lisbit, Priam, Wells, Elias, his best friend Rowan. Benedict didn’t have much, but they were enough for him to fight on until the end. What could he do with all of this hope? All of this future? He would travel far across this world to find his life’s purpose, never quite strong enough to acknowledge that maybe he was always meant to be lost. The car glided down the empty highway, music sounding from the car radio as he bobbed his head heedlessly along to the familiar tune. The road was one he travelled down many times before, soon pulling over to the side and switching the engine off. The quiet was enticing, crickets softly chirping and white noise hanging in the air across the desert plains. ❝ Why’d you stop? ❞ There it was; the question Benedict hoped to hear.

❝ Because. ❞ Benedict responded abruptly, hopping out the truck with the expectation that Rowan will soon follow. After all, Benedict wanted Rowan to feel those same feelings as Ben had when he first marveled upon the views in the horizon. Those same feelings of awe and wonder once looking at the city lights that were so deceitful and cruel, and yet so comforting all the same. After all, it was a reminder that somewhere out in the city Elias and Wells were there. Perhaps they were nothing but a vacant shell of what they used to be, but that was Ben’s dad and brother there. Somewhere. The city lights gave Benedict a reason to fight.

Lowering the tailgate, Ben climbed up to take a seat, dangling his legs over the edge as he quietly admired the view. ❝ It’s beautiful. ❞ Rowan was gentle as he spoke with wonderment, Benedict’s lips curling into a smile before he tipped his head to glance across at him. ❝ I thought so too. ❞ He agreed, gaze softly wandering across the relaxed features of Rowan. It was exactly what he hoped to see, not only for Row’s benefit but for his own, too. They both needed this in light of tomorrow’s expected events. The reminder that this was worth fighting for.

Benedict looked back towards the cityscape, lips pressing together to form a firm line at Rowan’s next words. It felt as if the words could have passed through Ben’s own lips and held all the same emotion and meaning behind it as well. His brother often crossed his mind. He missed Wells with every fibre of his being, and Benedict barely felt like himself without the influence of his older brother. Wells would have been proud of what Benedict was doing here — He had always told Ben that he should fight for what he believed in. Like Benedict, Wells was a firm advocate for freedom, wishing to rebel against Better Living for the corruption they inflicted upon the population. It was out of sheer misfortune that he had been captured one day, losing all liberty and freedom for life.

Lowering his gaze away from the city skyline that broke his heart on the daily, Benedict raised his brows with agreement before he opened up as well. ❝ I understand, I do. It’s not easy, never knowing if they’re all right. If they’re alive. ❞ Benedict released a shaky breath, finally lifting his head again to look back towards the city. ❝ We’ll meet them again some day. I know it. ❞ He allowed the duo to linger in the silence for several long moments, sighing gently before he admitted, ❝ Wells introduced me to this place… Long before all of this shit with Better Living. I still come here whenever he’s on my mind. It feels nice for a moment, getting to relive those memories even after he’s gone. ❞


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I'M BURNING BRIDGES, I DESTROY THE MIRAGE
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WRITING &. PINTEREST &. SPOTIFY
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Re: fitter, happier, more productive — elysian . - by harlem. - 06-19-2021, 08:55 PM



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