[closed, for alex; slightly backdated]

It's only about an hour and a half from Portland to Siren Cove, just a little longer even in the rain, but after Wren takes exit 28 off the highway, as Route 1 climbs north into one of the only major roads through the wilds of uneven coastline and forest at all, it's just dark and stars peeking between clouds and coastline.

It's enough time for him to think about the past several days he's spent at his mother's. It's been some of the least restful time he's spent with his mother, maybe ever. ( 'You promised me once you would tell me the truth.' )

Wren's not sure how exactly he makes it back to shore, but he stumbles out of the freezing water, soaking wet and crystals already forming in his hair with the cold, sitting down on his knees. He should maybe feel triumphant, but he just feels very stupid and incredibly, incredibly lost.

It's with this utter lack of control that he finds himself walking, leaving the car there, heading toward anything that feels like purchase. That turns out to be Alex's -- well, Will's, which is also Alex's right now -- and it's with a very quiet prayer to whoever might be listening that it's actually Alex who answers that Wren rings the doorbell.