Duskwood: Into the Forest: Richy's Epilogue

“Thank you for doing this for me, Richy.” You try to smile, but your heart just isn’t in it.

“No problemo.” Richy shoots you a playful thumbs up before sliding beneath your vehicle, “It’s not a big deal, honest. Dan let me take some parts off his vehicle. Not like he’s going to be driving any time soon.” You hear him chuckle.

“That was nice of him.” You slide down onto the cold concrete floor of Roger’s Garage, wrapping yourself up in a branded throw Richy insisted you use to keep warm.

“Was it really, though? I mean, you did save his life.” His voice is muffled, nearly drowned out by the pounding of tools.

“I guess you could look at it that way, but I haven’t been a good friend recently, so I wasn’t sure I should accept either offer, honestly.” You frown letting your head fall back.

Richy’s hands slow to a stop. He slides out from under the vehicle and crawls across the floor in front of you.

“We’ve been through some tough stuff. No one is going to blame you for taking some time to yourself.” He scoots himself next to you, placing his arm loosely around your shoulder.

“I guess, but it’s been a year. I feel bad about it.”

You sigh and close your eyes. In your mind’s eye, you see Jake, happy, healthy, living a life without you. You shake your head to clear your thoughts. He’s probably more unhappy than you are, especially if he found out how depressed you’d been lately. You’ve been trying to understand him, his intentions. Did he ever really love you? Did he keep you around just because he was convinced that you could help him find Hannah? You sink deeper into the floor, putting your head gently on Richy’s lap.

“I’m not very good at this stuff.” Richy frowns as he toys with a strand of your hair, “You know, I can’t help but wonder if Jake is leaving you in our care because he knows you’d be happier this way.”

“I keep telling myself that, but it still doesn’t make it hurt any less.”

“I know.” He rubs your temples, “I have an idea. Let’s get your car fixed and go do something fun.”

“What exactly did you have in mind?” You glance up at him through your lashes.

“You’ve been in Duskwood a full year, and you haven’t visited the Dare House yet! Why don’t we have dinner at Black Swan? We could have a few drinks and scare ourselves until we shit our pants!” A wild grin stretches across his features, dimpling his cheeks.

Richy is handsome, kind, charming, and hilarious. You’d been curious about his situation before arriving in Duskwood. He’s young, owns his own business, and rarely talks about his family, though he still lives at home. You’d finally mustered up the courage to ask Jessy, but she’d told you very little. She thought it was best that you ask Richy about the details. From what you gathered; Richy’s father had a problem with drinking. His wife had overseen the paperwork and management of the shop. When she fell ill, Richy decided to take over in favor of his father tending to his mother.

Looking at him now, you’d hardly recognize the ugly parts of his heart. There’s a shadow of something behind those beautiful blue eyes, but you hesitate to pry further. Overtaken by his smile, you nod in agreement.

“Black Swan and shitting our pants sound like fun.” You smile warmly as he tucks a strand of hair away from your face.

“Alright then! Up you go! I’ve got to get this baring replaced and the stabilizers shot but give me an hour or two. I should be ready to go!”

“Do you want me to meet you there?” You should probably get cleaned up.

“Sure, and hey, I know you don’t have a place to stay, so would you maybe want to stay with me for a few nights?”

“Stay with you? As in, stay with your family?” You arch your eyebrow at him.

“Oh yeah, you’ve never been to my place, have you?”

You shake your head in response. Maybe he’ll tell you something about himself.

“Well, my mom is sick. She has dementia, so I live at home to make sure my dad takes care of her and my sister. It sounds worse than it is though. I helped my dad build a guest house last spring. I live at home, technically, but I have my own little space.” He chews his lip expectantly, “So is that a yes, or?”

“Sure.” You’re wary but grateful. After all, you’d lost everything and haven’t found a job yet.

“Okay, I’ll text you the address.” He tosses you a small keyring, “That’s the gate key and the key to my place around back. Just let yourself in. Make yourself at home, and I’ll be there to pick you up soon.” He slides himself back under the car and gets back to work.

You pocket the keys and make your way to the office. Jessy is getting ready to head out for the day. She smiles as you round the desk to grab a duffle bag full of your belongings.

“Hey! Is he going to be able to fix it for you?” She asks brightly.

“I think so, yeah.”

“Are you…” She pauses, fiddling with a stack of papers on her desk, “Are you okay?”

“I’ll be alright, and uhm…” You clear your throat nervously, “I’m sorry. I haven’t been a great friend lately. I’m just trying to process everything.”

“It’s been a year today, hasn’t it?” She avoids looking in your direction, “You’ve heard nothing from him, right?”

You swallow thickly, “I haven’t, no.”

“I see.” She turns her gaze to a window, sighing, “I’m sure it’s for the best.”

You nod to yourself, “Yeah, probably.”

“Where are you headed now?” She’s back to her chipper self in an instant.

You wonder how you should explain it, “Richy asked me to stay with him.”

A smile spreads over her face and you hear her mumble something to herself. The only words you can make out are “finally” and “about time”. You narrow your eyes suspiciously but say nothing.

“Are you headed to his place then?” She asks, gathering up the rest of her things.

You nod, “Yeah, I need a shower. He wants to take me to Black Swan for dinner.”

She clicks her tongue, “Dan never takes me there anymore! I’m jealous! Do you want a ride to Richy’s? I’m on my way out anyway, and it’s probably weird for you to just show up on your own, right?”

“It does feel a bit odd, yes.” You laugh softly.

“Great! Let’s go then!” She rushes around the desk and grabs you by the arm, nearly dragging you out to the car, “Oh wait for a second! I need to tell Richy I’m leaving. I’ll be right back!”

You watch her disappear back into the garage. Waiting patiently, you wonder what that was all about. You could have sworn she’d already told him she was leaving just as you arrived. What is she up to? You smile to yourself. Richy and Jessy have been best friends for so long, you may as well consider them family. You picture her lecturing him on what to wear and bring for a first date. Wait, was this a date?

You’re suddenly nervous and want to get back to Richy’s quickly so you can get ready. Jessy returns to the vehicle and delivers you to Richy’s, showing you around the gate and into his private quarters. You thank her, and she leaves you with a smile and a wink.

You dig through your bag looking for anything you can wear to such a nice place. You find a black lace dress, that hangs off the shoulders and flares at the thighs. It’s a little wrinkled. You hang it in the bathroom to steam while you take a quick shower. You spend the next hour styling your hair and applying your makeup. While you are adding the finishing touches, you hear the soft click of the door opening and closing. You peak your head out of the bathroom to see Richy toss your keys on the counter, already dressed to the nines in a form-fitting suit.

He turns to catch you staring at him, mouth agape. He cleans up nice, that’s for sure. You blush furiously, before slipping out of the bathroom to greet him. Your heels click loudly against the wood floors.

It’s then that you realize he has one hand tucked out of view. He slides it around, wordlessly, revealing a bouquet of your favorite flowers. The scent, even from where you stand, is intoxicating. You press your hand to your chest, shuttering a breath from between your lips.

“Are those?” You ask shyly.

“For you? Yes.” He extends them to you.

You take them, inhaling the sweet scent with a smile, “Thank you! How did you know these were my?” It clicks, “Jessy, that rat!”

“Hey!” Richy shakes with laughter, “Don’t call my informant a rat! She’s just doing her job!”

You laugh heartily. For the first time in a year, your smile feels genuine, not forced. You feel a warmth spread through you. Your cheeks burn.

“Thank you. They’re perfect. When did you shower?” You ask nervously.

“I stopped by the main house to shower. I figured you’d want some time to get ready and settle in. Showering with the company can be a little weird if you aren’t used to it.”

Has he always been so considerate? Have you been overlooking these clear signs of adoration? How long has he looked at you that way? His eyes are warm, barely a speck of the tortured shadow you’d seen before remains. He eyes you, taking you in. The effort you’d put into your look seems to have been worth it.

“I…” He stammers, “You look stunning.”

He takes the flowers from you, placing them gently on the counter. He offers you his hand and you accept, placing your palm in his. He spins you around graciously, careful not to topple you over. You haven’t worn heels in a very long time, so you are grateful for his caution. Just as the thought crosses your mind, you stumble into his arms. He catches you, holding you against his chest. You can hear his heart beating loudly as he strokes your hair.

“That was embarrassing.” You laugh weakly.

“Not as embarrassing as this.” He mumbles to himself.

“You have nothing to be embarrassed about.” You reassure him.

“Easy for you to say. I’m sure you can hear it.” He shakes his head with a self-deprecating chuckle.

“I’ll do you one better.” You climb atop a bar stool.

You tower above him. Placing his head between your breasts you let him savor the warmth as he listens to the pounding against your ribs.

“That IS embarrassing.” He says with a teasing smirk. “I think I’d like to stay here if that’s okay. This is way better than Black Swan and shitting ourselves.”

You laugh until you nearly topple off the stool. He helps you to the ground, wrapping his arms around you. You smile into his broad chest. You could get used to this. You’d always had a crush on Richy, but you were so blinded by that hacker. You’d only truly known how you felt when you thought he was dead. Now, with him in your arms, vulnerable, you wonder what you’ve been missing.

“Richy.” You say his name with a honeyed tone.

“Yes?” He pulls away just enough to look down at you.

“Is this a date?” You ask, eyes burning with a mixture of longing and fear.

“I uh…” His face goes bright red, “I mean, I want it to be?” He frames it as a question. A question directed at you.

“I…” You chew your lip, “I think so too.”

“You think?” Is he holding his breath?

“I know.” You stand on your tiptoes and kiss him on the cheek.

He beams down at you, kissing you on the forehead before grabbing your keys from the counter and dragging you along. You make your way across town in your car. Richy insisted on testing its safety after repairs. He’d refused to let you drive it until he was certain it was no longer dangerous. You fiddle with the hem of your dress nervously as you approach the restaurant.

He exits the vehicle, rounding it quickly to open your door. He offers you his arm like a gentleman and leads you into the dark, candlelit interior. He holds open doors, helps you steady on your feet, pulls out your chair, and makes you feel precious every step of the way. You smile thoughtfully as you share a piece of your favorite dessert. He feeds you the last bite, wiping the last bits away from your mouth with his thumb.

He pays the bill without a second thought and leads you to the bar. You share a few glasses of wine and talk about your life before Duskwood. He steers the conversation towards you often. You are happy to tell him more about yourself, but you can’t shake the feeling he’s stalling. You lean in and kiss him on the cheek. You thank him for dinner. You are slightly tipsy as you exit the restaurant and make your way towards the Dare House. You feel warmth flood through you as he drapes his suit jacket around your shoulders.

You giggle, arm in arm, the entire way. He shows you his favorite spots in town, places you have overlooked or avoided since the day of Michael Hanson’s arrest. He stops just beneath the church, staring up at the clock tower.

“You know, I never thought that I’d be the damsel in distress in my very own fairytale.” He chuckles.

“What do you mean?” You lace your fingers through his.

“When you came to rescue me, I knew immediately who you were.” His voice is low, warm.

“Yeah, small town, two unfamiliar faces. Who else would we be?” You shrug.

“It was the festival. You could have been anyone, but still. I knew.”

His warm smile ignites something in you as he shifts his gaze from the tower to you. You swallow thickly, anticipation swelling in your chest. He leans down, cupping your face. You’re careful not to look away, or even blink.

“How did you know?” You lick your lips.

“My heart knew.” His eyes crinkle, misty at the corners as he smiles weakly.

“I don’t understand.” You do, but you want him to tell you, just in case you’ve misunderstood.

“I…” He looks away briefly, “I’ve loved you since, well, since we first started talking. Privately I mean. I didn’t know who to trust at first, you know?”

“I can’t blame you there.”

“You were always there for me, and Jessy. You know how much I care about her. It’s hard for me, to be so open about this stuff. My parents didn’t set the best example. I want to be better than my dad. I’m trying. I wanted to give you space to heal, to forget.”

“I can’t forget, Richy. Forgive, maybe, but never forget.” You suppress a frown as not to ruin the moment.

He cups your cheek, running the pad of his thumb beneath your eyes. You realize you’ve been crying. He leans in, kissing away the tears at the corner of your eyes. You squeeze them shut. You feel his breath on your lips as he hovers there, contemplating. You waver slightly before closing the gap.

It’s a short, sweet kiss. You linger with your forehead against his, eyes closed. You’re afraid to open them, to see the shock on his face.

“That was nice.” He laughs nervously.

“It was.” Relief washes through you as you slowly open your eyes.

“What I was trying to say, before you so rudely interrupted me,” He jokes, “I love you. It hurts me, and everyone else who cares about you, to see you like this. I didn’t just invite you out tonight because I wanted to make you feel better. I wanted to do something else.”

You eye him suspiciously, “Something else?”

He rummages through his pockets, producing a small black box. You gasp, but don’t want to get ahead of yourself. You wait patiently for him to continue.

“You saved me. I want to return the favor. Maybe it’s selfish. I’ve loved you for so long, that I know what I want. If you don’t want this too, then say something, anything, and I’ll go back to pretending we’re just friends.” He clicks open the box, revealing a small, glittering, single stone ring, “I’m not asking you to marry me. I just want to make you a promise. I’ll be patient, understanding. I’ll protect you, take care of you. I’ll save you, just like you saved me. If you’ll have me.”

“Richy.” Tears fall freely now. His hands shake with nerves. You aren’t sure how to respond. Your heart is screaming. SAY YES! It’s begging you. “Yes, Richy. I hope you can keep that promise.” You give him a sensual wink.

With a shaky hand, he pulls the ring from the box, sliding it onto your finger. It fits perfectly, of course. You make a mental note to thank Jessy when you see her again. He scoops you up in his arms, spinning you in circles. You hover weightlessly above the cobblestone, gazing up at the church. Your life has changed for the better, and it’s about time you make good on another promise you’d made.

“I told you I’d be careful, right?” You smile down at him, “Right now, I sort of want to be reckless. Will you still take care of me?”

“Always.”

You press your lips against his mouth, brushing it with your tongue. He parts his mouth expectantly and you deepen the kiss. You feel him relax beneath your touch, nearly forgetting he’s holding you a foot off the ground. His knees weaken comically, and you slide down the front of him to the ground as he pulls away from you reluctantly.

“That was dangerous.” He winks, taking his hand in yours. “Plenty more time for that after the Dare House.”

You follow him down the dark path in silence. Hand in hand, you reach the door of the Dare House. You nod at each other before raising your hands in unison and knocking on the door. One. Two. Three. You wait. Turning your back on the house, you make your way back to Duskwood, hand in hand with your future, leaving the hacker, and the Dare House, behind.