ic inbox

[headjacked]

Heyyyyyyyy, kiddo, you've reached me. Me who is Rhys. Anyway, not sure why you're trying to get in contact with the king of the dweebs, but I'm sure you've got your reasons. Reasons you should probably re-examine. I'm just sayin'.

Last chance to back out.

No?

Don't say I didn't warn ya.

Comments

[headjacked]

I know you are!

[ That's one of the hardest parts. This guy hurts in a way Rhys can only partially understand, because when he had Prophet Rabies, at least he just killed people. Quickly. ...relatively, anyway.

That knowledge doesn't stop the chest pains, the stabs of fear, the urge to run, run, RUN. ]

I-don't-hate you. Keep remembering that, no matter how much I --

[ Breath. Caught in throat. ]

[warriorscribe]

[Enoch had been able to resist the pull of the strange eyes, until his would-be victims could kill him instead. This wasn't the same, it wasn't the same at all.

Enoch was about to leave as promised when Rhys keeps talking, and he has to listen, in uncontrollable tears, unable to calm himself.]

I'll remember- I'm sorry, I'm-...I've hurt you enough, I'll...

[The tablet clatters to the floor as his shaking hands fumble it in trying to end the call.

Rhys may not hate him, but knowing his presence now causes such distress hurts just the same.]

[headjacked]

- are you still there?

[ Rhys has dropped closer to the ground, arms wrapped around his legs and tablet off to the side. He has enough experience with sheer, unbridled panic to get it somewhat... bridled, in certain circumstances.

He still wants to flee, but he tamps down on the urge and speaks slowly. Quietly. One-two-three, look at the fibers of your coat; focus on what's here and now.

Breathe. ]

I also remember you trying your d... d-damnedest to keep me alive. The real you, poking through.

[warriorscribe]

Yes- dropped the- trying to let you be, you've hurt enough, I-...

[The tablet scrapes on the floor as he picks it up again. Unlike Rhys, Enoch doesn't lose himself to panic so easily, he doesn't know how to keep it in check when it's this bad, when everything he is has been thrown into uncertainty this way. He's almost sure he's going insane, which makes the panic worse. His thoughts are a confused mess and his death price prevents him from refining them, and then it's all filtered through tears that make it hard to draw enough breath to finish a sentence before his mind reels into another thought.]

Couldn't let you- never wanted to hurt you. Remember it if it helps.

[headjacked]

Yeah. It does. Know what else does...?

[ A pause, a swallow, a moment to keep himself together. ]

Cold. Get some -- snow, cold water, whatever. Hold it, shove your face in it, do whatever it takes.

[warriorscribe]

Cold? Cold. I'll try it, try anything.

[He shakes his head to clear it, pained breathing marking the pause as he shuffles towards the door.]

Thank you, I'm sorry I hurt you again, I'll- sorry.

[This time, he actually does manage to hang up without dropping the tablet.]