Dyatlov Pass [5/12]

[x-carnivale-x.livejournal.com]

Title: Dyatlov Pass.
Author: x_carnivale_x
Pairing: Chip/Jeff.
Rating: R/NC17 [violence, homosexuality, graphic description of gore]
Summary: The causes of the accident are still unknown. Neither the official inquest, nor attempts by enthusiastic unofficial investigations have solved the mystery.
Author's Notes: Decent length chapter with a bit of flash back in there too. Woo!
Previous Chapters: Chapter One // Chapter Two // Chapter Three // Chapter Four //



The hospital was obviously displeased with Chip's presence in Jeff's room. But their friends knew that if Jeff were going to talk, it would be to Chip; and the hospital would just have to deal with it. They left the two without saying another word, following the police and the doctor to the waiting room where they would be talked to about a "very crucial piece of information". Ryan was unsure about leaving the two alone, but as he walked away, he caught a glimpse at Jeff and Chip; Chip sat on the bed next to his friend and held his twitching hand; Ryan felt slightly reassured so he continued without complaint with the others.

In Jeff's room, it was silent. Chip didn't bother to say anything, he hoped that his presence would be enough to draw his friend back to him. He reached his hand forward and touched Jeff's cheek again, as he had when he'd first seen the raven, and this time, Jeff immediately turned and looked at him. But he stayed silent. Jeff blinked slowly, covering his eyes for a couple of seconds, and when he reopened, Chip saw a solitary tear slip down his right cheek.

"Jeff...."

Following Chip's gesture from earlier, Jeff raised his hand and placed it gingerly on Chip's cheek. And Chip smiled slightly. But Jeff was still crying, and Chip could feel Jeff's fingers moving against the flesh of his cheek. The calloused pads of Jeff's fingertips moved and began to trace against his cheek; Chip furrowed his brow and, acting on impulse, shot his arm up and grabbed onto Jeff's wrist. Jeff stopped the motion immediately, removing his fingers from Chip's face, despite the grip that Chip had on his wrist, and Chip suddenly felt cold. He felt Jeff trying to pull his arm away and he felt bad.

"I'm sorry..."

Chip loosened his grip on Jeff's wrist and Jeff jerked it away as soon as it was free, placing it once again by his side on the sheets, his fingers still tinkling over the fabric.

"I'm sorry." He muttered again. But Jeff didn't respond. Chip swore to himself then spoke up quietly.

"What are you drawing?"

The only response Chip received was a thick gulp, as if Jeff were forcing himself to swallow his words. As soon as Chip had asked, Jeff's fingers stopped moving and curled into a small fist. The younger man let out a shaky breath, and Chip ran his hand over his back in an attempt to soothe him.

"I'm gunna stay here, Jeff. You aren't alone. You're safe now." Chip didn't expect a response, but to his surprise, Jeff nodded. And Chip smiled. "Come on... It's getting dark. You haven't been sleeping, let's go to sleep. You need it." And Jeff nodded again.

With another caress of his back, Chip eased Jeff back to the bed, but as he stood to move the cot the hospital had provided closer to Jeff's bed, Jeff grabbed his wrist. He didn't say anything, but Chip knew what he wanted. And he returned to Jeff's side and laid down next to him. Chip was tired, he technically hadn't slept in days either, but he stayed awake, keeping an eye on Jeff. Jeff, however, kept his eyes open for a couple of hours, and Chip just stared back at them, until finally he saw those icy blue orbs growing weary and closing. As soon as they were closed and Chip was sure he was asleep, he allowed himself to drift into sweet sleep as well.

::

Chip woke up a couple hours later to a dark and freezing cold room. He wasn't sure why it was so cold, but he was shivering violently and instinctively he curled up closer to Jeff, who was still. As he curled in closer, he felt himself falling back into sleep, until he felt Jeff twitch beneath his hands. His eyes opened immediately as Jeff began to move even more. He tightened his grip a little more and suddenly Jeff shot up in bed and yelled out. He sat, shaking and crying loudly, as Chip sat up quickly as well and wrapped his arms around Jeff. He continued to cry out loudly, his whimpers resounding throughout the otherwise silent room.

Chip debated calling for a nurse, but he knew that if he wanted Jeff to tell him anything, bringing a nurse or any other stranger to the room would only push Jeff further within himself. Chip held him until he calmed down, until finally he sat leaning against Chip, clutching chest and merely breathing haggard breath. Chip kept his grip tight and whispered quietly.

"Did you have a nightmare?"

There was no reply. Only Jeff's heavy breathing.

"Jeff, it's okay. I'm here. You're safe. What happened?"

Jeff shook his head.

"Please, Jeff."

"I-I saw them. I shouldn't be a-alive."

He barely finished his sentence before he was crying again. Chip could only hold on tightly as he wept. He kissed his forehead and had to clench his eyes shut so that he wouldn't cry as well. Never, in all the years he'd known Jeff, had he heard the man sound so utterly... frightened or helpless. And he hated himself for not being able to fix him.

"Please tell me what happened, Jeff. I-I can help you."

"You can't help, Chip."

Jeff released his grip on Chip and sat up fully again. His back became rigid and straight and he stared at the wall, and Chip saw his eyes glaze over. Chip leaned forward, moving onto his knees, while mumbling to himself frantically, No, no, no, Jeff, no.... But his whispers made no difference. The hazy look in Jeff's eyes was enough, even the moonlight that seeped through the window didn't make them shine. Chip sat on his knees next to Jeff and dropped his forehead to his shoulder, he gritted his teeth and swore quietly.

"Jeff..."

::


Jeff woke up in his tent to freezing cold. It hadn't been this cold when he'd fallen asleep. His two friends in the tent were still sound asleep, and the night was dead still. He sat up and ran his hand over his face and breathed against his fingers in an attempt to warm them. Absentmindedly he pulled his socks up a little more, a pathetic attempt to keep warm. His breath came out in puffy clouds and he pulled his blanket around himself a little more. But as he was about to lie down the tent brightened for a split second and in the next second in was dark again. Jeff swallowed thickly and stayed perfectly still. He could hear his tent mates breathing and could hear his own heartbeat beginning to pound in his ears. He couldn't figure out why he was so nervous all of a sudden.

Then suddenly a gasping laugh echoed quietly across the mountainside and Jeff felt his breath hitch in his throat. Without a second thought Jeff was waking Nicolas and Igor, silencing them as soon as they began to question him about what time it was and why he was waking them. Listen., he muttered to them frantically. But it was silent again. Utterly silent. The wind had stopped blowing and the night's noises had become dead again. His friends asked him what he was doing, and what time it was, and told him to go back to sleep. They heard nothing. Jeff didn't hear anything either this time.

Hesitantly he laid back down and let his eyes close, despite his worries. Maybe he'd just been away from the mountains for too long. He'd forgotten how easily the silence could play with you. As he lay bundled in his blankets he began to think, blaming his tired mind for the noises he'd heard. He knew far too well that the world was never what you thought it was. And generally any odd occurrences were due to human fear or anxiety. But why was he anxious now?

When Jeff woke again, the sun was rising, and his team was already up and packing. They were only a day's hike from their desired campsite. During this hike, Jeff knew they'd be leaving the confusion of the woods and would instead be trekking across snow-covered plains. Though he had chalked the noises up to his mind, he felt a sense of ease in the idea of sleeping in the open. The woods were a maze of darkness, noises, and disorientation. And often in the shadows, things weren't always as they seemed.


[Chapter Five Cut]


There's chapter five for ya! We're starting to see a little more of what happened up in the mountains. Poor Jeff, I've messed him up something good. :) Oh well, that's how we like it.

Reviews = more story for you all. Thanks guys!

[pandora]