a_gentle_boy | Eleventh PSI

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Are you going to be alright? It's not easy seeing something like that.

. . . Yeah. As long as I know that they'll be coming back . . . it doesn't matter. I . . . I've seen fires and death before.

It doesn't get any easier, seeing that kind of stuff though. Was that note the same one that you told me about in Westport?

Oh . . . I don't think so. Do you mean the one I found that was from Richard Grey in the car?

The one that talked about the Achewood incident...was that the one?

Edited 2010-05-30 20:48 (UTC)

Oh! No, that was, uh. Another another one. That was the one Kay and I found in the church.

. . . No one's really organized this very well, have they?

...Just how many of them are out there? I found a note on someone's front lawn, that makes three so far?

You said you put them in everyone's mailbox, right? It would be a good idea to see who all has notes and then make more copies of them.

I think there's a lot. Maybe 6 or 7, and that's not including the video and the stuff in the church.

Yeah . . . Maybe Mr. America could ask for them. I think people would listen to him.

I didn't know about that...

That may be. Has anyone been able to read all of the notes yet?

I don't think so. I think Mr. England put up some information on what was found, but the actual notes were never shared.

[There's a disappointed "hrrm" on the other end of the line.]

Well it's not no wonder we're not learning anything new. The notes all probably lead to a bigger picture we might be missing. It's a lot like trying to solve a jigsaw puzzles without all the puzzles.

I've shown my note to a couple people, but I'll be willing to make more copies.

((I've just used the same icon three posts in a row and the same one twice before that. T_T))

Let's see what we can do about getting the information out, then. . . . . . . Um. It's a lot to ask, but do you think you could help me make copies of mine?

My hand is really cramped.

((Heheh I do that all the time.))

Certainly! Um, do you think you could bring them over to my house? I...uh...kind of sprained my ankle and my drone mother won't let me leave.

Ah -- Oh, I'm sorry! I wouldn't have asked if I'd known. What happened?!

Don't worry about it! I want this information out in the public just as much as anyone else.

Well I...

Er...

Fell off the side of a cliff.

The side of a cliff, huh? I didn't even know there were cliffs in Mayfield . . .

[Lucas pauses perhaps a bit too long before continuing on.]

Do you want me to try and heal you again?

Latvia and I went up to this haunted place in the mountains, and we ended up slipping...

I-I'll be alright for the moment, but if you could when you bring by those notes... [it kind of hurt his pride to ask, but he didn't like the idea of being trapped in his own house with a last person he wanted to see droned.] I'll have to convince my drone mother first.

[OK well now he almost has to bring the note. Lucas wavers for a moment about whether he would feel more guilty asking Luke to do work in his condition or not healing Luke and decides that he's going to feel guilty either way so he might as well help Luke while he's at it.]

OK, then. I'll be by tomorrow morning.

[pause]

. . . Isn't your mother Miss Roshia?

Alright, I'll just tell her we'll be doing schoolwork. That should be enough to get her to leave us alone for a while.

[There's a sad silence on Luke's end.] And yes, she is...

. . . I'm sorry, Luke.

...I didn't mind her being my pretend mum. Not really. It was nice to have her around.

I . . . I know what you mean. I wouldn't want Miss Ange to leave, even if she's not my real mom.

She might be back soon. How long has it been?

About a week now. I just don't understand it, she didn't DO anything.

It just happens sometimes . . . But don't give up hope. People can come back months after they get droned.

Months, huh? I sure hope so...I do miss her.

(no subject)

a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com - 2010-06-04 00:55 (UTC) - Expand