The Cliff...

Marilyn gets on the bus as well. She goes to a seat where her and Derek could go.

"I'm assuming he just went back to his regular life like the rest of us." she said with a shrug.

The bus started driving off.

Another pause of silence.

"...where I live isn't the greatest looking place..." she warned.

"It's okay..."

As the bus began driving into Marilyn's neighborhood, it drains her mood.

The houses were small, worn down, and just pretty much ghetto.

You could tell that she was embarrassed and ashamed.

Derek noticed the part of the town they were entering, and he wasn't sure what he should say, if anything at all. If he says it's fine, it'll seem like pity. If he says it isn't good, it'll be mean.

He decides to keep quite until Marilyn speaks.

"So uh...how've you been..?"

Derek wants to shrug, but doesn't.

"Overall, I've been okay. But I've been better."

"Oh. Well that's good."

She bits her lip, feeling awkward for not knowing what to say.

(Sorry, sorry. I've had distractions. We're the survivors, we need to stay alive on here for as long as possible!)

Derek shrugs.

"Yeah..."

He wishes the bus would go faster, or at least that it was empty.

"I wish things were different. Better."

"Yeah..."

The bus starts slowing down. They're in the area of the tattoo shop Marilyn works at, and other small stores. There are few street lights, and although all the stores were closed for the day, everyone knew there was still some transactions going on in the alley ways.

Marilyn reaches into her bag and pulls out a pocket knife. She hands it to Derek.

"This is where we'll get off. If someone tries talking to you, ignore them."

Derek gulps a little, taking the pocket knife, then standing up.

"Yeah, alright."

Marilyn see could see the fear in Derek's face.

"Just keep your cool."

She gets off the bus with Derek following behind her. Immediately, someone from a group of guys standing at the stop tries saying something.

"Hey look there's Marilyn. Why don't you come smoke one with us?"

"Sorry. That's not me anymore." She said as she walked past them.

As her and Derek walked away, guys from the group were yelling out 'c'mon!' 'Dont be like that!!' Fortunately, they didn't have much interest to try and convince her.

"Oh man..." Derek mumbles.

This really is that part of town...

Derek continues to follow Marilyn.

For a moment, you could only hear Derek and Marilyn's footsteps.

"So...I've quit smoking, for good."

"Good. That's good. I'm glad for you."

Shouldn't have started in the first place, still...

"Yeah...I've had a lot more responsibility since I've returned here."

Derek nods.

"Are we close?"

"Yeah."

Eventually, they came to the end of the block, where a small street of homes were. Her house was towards the end.

"My house is at the end of this street.."

Derek looks around.

"Okay."

When they get there, Marilyn stops in front of her gravel driveway. The house was small and shabby, and didn't look any better than the rest.

"So uh...I have to go check on my mom. You can come in if you want...or you could wait out here and we can talk when I'm done...I guess."

She pauses.

"That is...if you still want to talk."

"Yeah... yeah I do."

He sits on the porch.

"I'll be right here when you're done."

"Alright.."

Marilyn opened the door and walked inside. Faint sounds from what was going on inside could be heard.

"You're never home!"
"That's because I'm working my ass off to take care of you!"
"If you cared about me, you'd be here with me."
"Mom. Go to bed..."

Marilyn came out momentarily.

She sat on the porch next to Derek and sighed.

Derek hesitates.

"You okay?"

"Yeah...I'm fine...." She said with a sigh.

"What did you want to talk about..?"

Derek attempts to regather his thoughts.

"I've been having a tough time getting into the swing of things after the show was canned. I still think about you a lot..."

"..You do..?"