Eleventh PSI

[a_gentle_boy]

[This was the the task entrusted to him.  And come hell or high water, he would do it.  The man hadn't specified what exactly 'something' was, but Lucas figured that being roasted to a crisp qualified.  It wasn't too hard to guess what had happened.  The Netherlands and America had invited Jane Smith into the pharmacy on some pretense.  They'd confronted her.  And some how or another, the pharmacy had burnt to the ground, all three of them killed.

He'd wiped away his tears and set to work, returning home and making 10, 20, 50, nearly 100 copies of both sides of the note by hand.  It had taken him nearly two hours.  Placing a note into each mailbox took even longer and by the time he'd gotten back to his house, he was exhausted.  But that was alright.  Being so tired . . . It meant he could hardly think about what had happened  And that meant he wouldn't just crumple up and cry.  There was no time for that.  Now . . . Now he had to complete the task that Mr. Netherlands had asked of him.  He would be strong.  He would believe that tomorrow morning, both of them would be back in their beds just like Margot had been. 

He ate dinner, thinking over what he was going to say in his head, then waited another half hour before picking up the phone.  He, of course, filtered it away from all the drones.  And when he speaks, his voice is quiet and calm, but almost completely toneless.]

This is Lucas, the boy who lives on 846 Goldberg. 
I have something important to say.  By now, everyone should know that the pharmacy burned down this morning with three people inside -- there were three bodies.  I'm here to tell you that it's almost certain they were Mr. Netherlands, Mr. America, and Miss Jane Smith. 

[pause]

Mr. Netherlands found something in Westport that he'd kept to himself the last few weeks.  I didn't see it until today.  But because of what the note said, I guess it seemed like a good idea to talk to Jane Smith and find out what she knew.  So he did.  In the case that something happened, I was asked to distribute this note to as many people as I could.  Please check your mailboxes.  It should be clear what I mean once you read it.

 . . . This is the reason they died.  Remember that.  I don't know how the building burned, but I'm certain of it.  This is why they died . . . 
If there are any questions you think I can answer, you are welcome call me back in about ten minutes.  Thank you.

[Click.  Lucas stares at the phone silently for a long time after he's hung up, his breaths short and ragged.  Finally, he lets himself go and allows the tears to come pouring down his face.]

EDIT:
There's a witness who saw Officer Grady do it.  Set it on fire, I mean.  . . .  Um.  That's it.

Comments

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Trying to keep the rest of us safe is called being 'selfless'. What difference does knowing now rather than last week make? Aside from the benefit of knowing not to talk to Jane now.

[eminent-lady.livejournal.com]

The difference is two. Two dead people.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . You mean you'd have persuaded them not to do it? I think they'd have done it it anyway.

[eminent-lady.livejournal.com]

A group of ten, twenty, even only five people can produce a plan better than only two could. If they had shared the information, a plan that would have produced the same benefit would have been made without the side effect of people sacrificing themselves.

Trying to be a hero will only harm those you want to protect.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . . . No. Sometimes, you don't have a choice about being a hero. Nobody else can do it.

But this time . . . I guess you're right. But there's no point now in saying what could have been done or what ought to have been done, is there?

[eminent-lady.livejournal.com]

In the future, please make sure you and the others share this sort of information with others, otherwise there will be poor actions like this done over and over.

And the more accidents that happen, the stronger the enemies' defenses will be. If the town feels to punish us for finding the truth or targeting Jane Smith, then the suffering will be on their shoulders.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . Do you really think you're being helpful right now? Please ask yourself if lecturing someone who had nothing to do with the plan in the first place and whose closest friend just got burned to death is really the best thing to do.

[eminent-lady.livejournal.com]

Perhaps you will be able to inject some sense into your friend once he returns, rather than staying silent.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

. . . You seem pretty well-practiced. You'd do it better. Try to wait until they've recovered from the trauma of burning alive.

[Is this the first time Lucas has ever been sarcastic in his life? Possibly.]