mike hanlon (older) 📖 it (open post)

[unceasingly]

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and there's a big black sky over my town (for sevensteps)

[unceasingly]

[before the storm even starts, mike knows it'll be another long night at the library. not that he minds, of course, but there are those times where he wishes he could get out at a timely manner.

perhaps he's here by more than pure chance tonight, though. it registers to him that the one of the doors up front opens, yet he doesn't second-guess it until the quietness leaves him with an oddly unsettling sensation in his stomach. he puts the books in his arms away and begins heading up through the aisles, reaching out to push novels into place here and there.]

Sorry, I'm the only one here ri— [he hesitates though, eyebrows arched with surprise at the sight of the man that's stumbled in. nobody he recognizes and derry's small enough that it seems unlikely he wouldn't have heard about someone new having moved into town.

actually, the guy looks pretty out of sorts. mike doesn't mention anything about it, instead focusing on getting closer while still leaving a respectable amount of distance between them.] Hey, man, you okay? Are you lost or something? [maybe giving him an actual chance to answer the first two questions is better than bombarding some stranger who likely has no clue where they're at.]

this whole thing is tw drugs

[sevensteps]

[ He doesn't know where he is.

He doesn't know where he is, and the last time that happened it was because he was strung out on heroin, lost and dazed and coming down from the worst (best?) of it. The only thing that had come close--ever--was when he lost Nell.

Luke stops what he's doing, soaked in the rain, closing his eyes, and counting--he doesn't hear footsteps, but he's never heard footsteps, not from the looming figure in the bowler hat. ]

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven. [ He steps as he counts, stopping at the last number, and turns around slowly. Nothing. just the rain in a town he doesn't know and the feeling of helplessness. He's got his jacket on at least, even if his converse are soaked with water, even if he's shivering. The rain? Withdrawal? No, something different.

He keeps walking. Luke's not sure what else to do, and once he ducks underneath an awning, he checks his phone. Dead. It's late at night, too, and the sleepy (if rainy) town he's suddenly in seems to--

Maine?

Luke frowns as he notices a licence plate. It's definitely Maine.

Fuck. Very carefully, he makes his way to the nearest building that looks open. IT's a library, thank God, and he's not surprised at the fact that he apparently looks like shit, according to the guy that comes around in front of him. ]

I, uh-- [ His voice is gravelly, deep, confused, disoriented. ] I need to charge my phone.

it's fine, not like i needed my heart or anything

[unceasingly]

[concern for the guy's well-being becomes mike's sudden priority. why? he isn't sure, aside from the fact he sounds rough as hell and could probably use some amiable company.]

Oh, uh. [mike gestures toward a cluster of nearby tables with outlets and usb plugs, doing his best to seem nonchalant about this whole thing.] We've got extra cables for your phone if you need, too. [a brief glance down at luke's shoes. they don't have anything to replace those, but.] Want a blanket or something? I've got one in my car I can run and get.

[because the blond's shivering, regardless of the fact he's wearing a coat. shit, was that a stupid question to ask? seems like the least he could do for the moment and then—] We could, erm, stick your shoes and socks over a vent for a bit while your phone charges?

[he draws an arm up, cards his fingers through his hair, shoulders absently rolling.] Or you can tell me to kick rocks in whatever direction you like and I'll leave you alone. [which he can't help laughing at once it pours outta him. mike has no idea when the last time was he'd been nervous, but hell, his rambling definitely makes it a bit too noticeable for his liking right now.]