100_Situations - A Gnawing Pain (047 - Starve)

[missmara13]

Title: A Gnawing Pain
Fandom: The OC
Characters: Ryan Atwood
Prompt: 047 - Starve
Word Count: 403
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Ryan knows what it is too feel hungry.
Author's Notes: 3rd in the Runaway series, comes after 'Finality' and 'Breakway'.


A Gnawing Pain


Six months after leaving Newport, Ryan sat on a park bench in South Carolina, one hand covering his stomach and hoping the hunger would fade soon. It had been almost 3 days since he'd last had any real food, a stale sandwich he'd shoplifted from a gas station cooler, and he knew he had to get something to eat soon or he wouldn't be able to keep himself alive, especially factoring in his broken wrist.

He toyed with the credit card in his hand, the one that would send the bill to the Cohens and was probably flagged to help them track him down. On one hand, if it was flagged they might not take it and he could end up detained by the cops and have to face the Cohens. On the other hand, if it wasn't flagged he could get some food and get it to stop hurting.

Finally, he stood and headed towards a restaurant down the street, deciding he had take the chance and glad that the place was a frequent stop for truckers, and travelers, so no one would notice his appearance or the duffle bag he carried. When he sat down, the menu in front of him, he decided to order a large meal, plus a salad in a to-go container, claiming with a smile that he had a long trip ahead of him and wanted something healthy to snack on later. But once he had the to-go container on the table beside his full plate of food, he quickly slipped the fries and pickle wedge into the container before starting on his burger.

After he finished eating, Ryan took the check and handed his credit card to the waitress, asking for change to leave for a tip, then asked where the bathroom was. For once, his luck held and the bathroom was away from the register and close to the door, so that once the waitress was out of sight he was able to walk right out the door and away from the restaurant, his to-go container tucked inside his bag.

It wouldn't last long, but hopefully until he found work, so he wouldn't starve, at least. And he felt good that the Cohens would know, one way or another, that he was alive. It also meant, though, that he needed to find a way out of South Carolina soon or he'd be found.

THE END

Comments

[reader85.livejournal.com]

Now you got him hungry. You really love to see Ryan miserable, don't you? (I mean that in the best way possible. lol) But, as always, the fic was amazing. And how sneaky of him just eat and take off but still pay his meal. That boy isn't a criminal, that's for sure. Now he has to get out of South Carolina. Where will he end up? Can't wait for the next part. *sigh* I wish it was tomorrow already.

[katwoman76.livejournal.com]

Argh, you really like to torture him.
Now he is almost starved and has still a broken wrist which is not really good taken care of.

The Cohens need to find him and bring him back home.
The Woobie needs his family, if he sees that himself right now or not.

[fredsmith518.livejournal.com]

Well, you have me hooked here too now!

[jazzyjackrabbit.livejournal.com]

Are you going to give him hypothermia later? :D Not that that's funny, but you get my drift.
I wonder how long it's going to take The Cohens to find Ryan. Ryan is smart enough to disappear 'forever', if he really wants to. But for closure, a reunion between The Cohens & Ryan would be nice...

But I still have to find a fic where he actually succeeds to stay away from The Cohens. I would really like to see that someday. Where he doesn't feel guilty for staying away... I know it's not exactly him, but it would be original.

[beachtree.livejournal.com]

So, you knew we'd be 'hungry' for more, huh?

I love the layers in here. Ryan is starved emotionally as well, whether he consciously is aware of how that pain is so prevalent and overwhelming as well or if the physical is blotting out that aspect.

He's also relenting on both levels as he knows he can't continue and it's futile to try to fight the physical forces without sustenance and strength. Just by revealing his whereabouts, he's getting a crumb of the emotional fuel too. He may view it as a necessary risk and a way of assuring them he's alive, but it's also him admitting and revealing how desperate his circumstances and condition have become. The Cohens would have to know that if Ryan has resorted to sending such an obvious and traceable signal, that he's reached his breaking point. After going to such resourceful and extensive lengths to avoid detection, he's being obvious and open. That shouldn't reassure them and ease their minds, it should only cause them to worry with a new fervor and intensity.

The poor kid and his life are as empty, hollow and in need as any hunger pains would indicate.

[sheelock.livejournal.com]

Rough going for the boy - hope he gets settled soon.