Hum (A Benjamin Broadwater Roleplay)

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Unknown Location
Unknown Time

OFF CAMERA



“Mom, I’m heading over to Jimmy’s.” called out the voice of a young man. Our scene comes into view and we see a boy no older than thirteen, yelling up the steps to the second floor of his home. His voice sounds familiar, but we don’t have to stay curious for too long.

“Loresto, the street lights are on already. You know I don’t like you going out after dark…especially to Jimmy’s.” the mother cried out from a room just off the top of the steps.

“Aw, c’mon Mom. It’s only a five minute walk. And the lights are only on because of the storm clouds.” Loresto pleaded, his shoulders slightly slumped. “It’s only five-p-m!”

“Fine, but you be careful though. And stay away from the woods. Ms. Johnson said she’s been hearing all kinds of things in those woods lately.”[/font] His mother gave in, but her additional lecture gave way to Loresto rolling his eyes.

“Yes, Mom.” Loresto exhaustingly replied back, before heading out the front door in a flash. Cutting to the outside of the house, Loresto runs up the road as occasional drops of water hit him. But whether it’s from the sky or the splash-up from his feet slamming into the multiple puddles on the roadway, is up for debate.

After a few minutes of jogging up the street, Loresto slowed down to a stop as he came to a place where he had to make a decision. Did he follow his mother’s advice and continue on the road, which was longer and meant less time he had to play before having to go back home? Or did he take the shortcut through the woods, which despite his mother’s concerns was only full of rabbits, deer, and the occasional wood tic? It didn’t take Loresto long to decide as he shifted his weight and began his journey through the woods.

“I don’t know why she worries so much. I’ve been through these woods PLENTY of times.” Loresto said as he walked between trees, over fallen branches, and around ant hills. “If she only kn-”

The sound of singing stops Lore in his tracks as he quickly ducks down behind a tree.

♫ Come little children
I’ll take thee away
Into a land of enchantment

His eyes dart around, trying to find the source. It was then when he noticed his friend Jimmy, standing in an opening, with four other kids next to him. The bodies of multiple other young teenagers lay at their feet.

♫ Come little children
The time’s come to play
Here in my garden of shadows

“Jimmy!” Loresto whispers aggressively as he peaks his head out from behind the tree. When Jimmy doesn’t respond, Lore steps out from behind his tree and begins to slowly tip-toe through the brush and forest vegetation, towards his friend and the others.

♫ Follow sweet children
I’ll show thee the way.
Through all the pain
And the sorrows

Upon finally stepping behind his friend, he sees the area is covered in splattered blood and there are strange symbols carved into the ground. “Jimmy, we have to go.” Loresto cries out as he touches Jimmy’s shoulders…only to watch the lifeless body of his friend fall to the ground.

♫ Weep not poor children
For life is this way
Murdering beauty and passions

Loresto turned to run, only to run into a figure dressed in all black. Before he could focus on who it was or let out a scream, he felt a sharp pain make it’s way from the right side of his throat to the left side. Instinctively he grabbed at it, only to feel a warm liquid pouring out around his fingers.

♫ Hush now dear children
It must be this way
Too wear of life
And deceptions

The world around Loresto began to grow dark as he dropped to the ground…his eyes still trying to focus on the dark figure.

♫ Rest now my children
For soon we’ll away
Into the calm and the quiet

His gasps for air simply made gurgling noises as the darkness grew more and more.

♫ Come little children
I’ll take thee away
Into the land of enchantment

As his vision began to tunnel and he felt his life slipping away from him, he forced himself to focus on the face of his murderer. It was that, which created his unfinished business. It was that, which would torture his poor soul.

♫ Come little children
The time’s come to play
Here in my garden of shadows

His final view was that of his own mother’s eyes, staring back at him.

ON CAMERA

Instantly, we are greeted by the sight of Benjamin Broadwater sitting on the rocks located between the waterfalls of Falls Park. Dressed in jeans and a self-made ‘Project: Honor Hunger Games…book it!’ gray t-shirt, Ben sits cross legged on the rocks with his eyes closed.

“Tate Selby. The Outcast. The man who has taken so much and who has been given so little. The boy who would one day become King. The hunk! ” Ben’s voiceover echoes over the scene of him, himself, meditating. “You’ve had to fight for so much in your life. I can see it in your eyes, I can hear it in your words, I can see it on your well…chiseled…chest.”

A pause for Ben to take a deep breath and relax.

“You may not think anyone notices you or sees the hard work you’ve put in, but I do. I see the hunger that you have, to rip that Ascended Prime Championship from Havoc’s hands. I see the drive you exude, to end Sabertooth’s historic run. And you’ve left a path of bodies in your wake. Sinclair, Cage, Hyde, Long…all impressive. And even if you did eat that pin against Billy Bennett, Tate buddy…that was an impressive as hell outing against the Legacy Champion herself. That’s nothing to scoff at, my friend.”

The camera zooms around Ben as his hand lay palm up on his knees, confidently enough revealing it is being shot by a drone.

“So with that being said, I don’t take this match lightly. You are one hell of a foe and I will be honored to step foot into the ring with you. As usual, I will stand up to you and shake your hand…then we can battle it out…hug it out…whatever you want. But I just mainly want you to know that you have been noticed. Your hard work has been recognized and I want to congratulate you on such a wonderful job you are doing so far.” Ben continues. “Three-and-one is impressive, especially on Fallout…where, despite El Supreme Ratman’s moratorium on murder…people still try. But you? You fight back. You put up a hell of a defense. And in the end, you mostly overcome your opposition to prove why you are one of the toughest sons-a-bitches to step foot in that Fallout ring…or Convergence ring…not sure what we are calling it now.”

Whispering can be heard.

“Oh…so it isn’t officially Convergence yet? Still just Fallout, as in a last hurrah show? Okay, then. Tate, you are one of the toughest s-o-b’s to step foot into that Fallout ring. And honestly, I am a little afraid of what will happen in our Gladiator Games match. But gosh darn-it, I’m just going to feel honored that when that challenge rolled out…you decided to challenge me.”

The drone lands on the rock in front of Benjamin, it’s camera pointing up at the physical form of Broadwater…still deep in his trance-like meditation.

“So good luck on Friday, Tate. It will be such a wonderful time and I hope I learn a lot from you as you throw me around that ring. Teach me your ways…so that after our match, I can move on to bigger and better things as well. Help me spread positivity around Project: Honor like a Lil’ Petey STD. Together, with just this match, we can let some of these grumpy-gusses walking around know…that they are seen…and they are heard…and that they matter. Starting with you, Mr. Selby.”

A deep breath and gasp by the live Benjamin, brings him back to life. His eyes open as he looks down at the drone.

“I’m rooting for you, Tate. You got this!"

He reaches out and grabs the drone, turning it off with a flick of a finger.