Twenty-Eighth PSI

[a_gentle_boy]

[public]
[There is fumbling on the phone line for a few seconds and a bit of hesitant breathing, as if the speaker isn't sure whether or not he should say what he's about to say.  When he finally gets the words out, though, they are spoken firmly, with confidence.]

I believe him.

I'm not going to ask anyone else to, but . . . I do.  I don't think for a second that he can really get us out of here, but I think he's trying to help us.  It's not out of selflessness or anything -- There's some reason we can't understand . . . If it makes sense, though, I think . . . I think whatever he's after, it's better for him if we escape than if we stay.  It's not for our sake.  But I believe him.

We've fought so hard for so long.  So when somebody offers to help us for the first time . . . If we just refuse and say it's a trick to hurt us even more -- Isn't that a victory for them, too?  We've all been hurt so deeply that our first reaction is to be afraid.  . . . I don't want to become like that.  I don't want to become someone who's bitter and frightened and always suspicious.  I understand -- I'm naive, and I'm stupid.  But I've gotten as far as I have by believing in the good of people, and I won't let Mayfield take that away from me.

 . . . He said something to me.  'Keep on keeping on'. . . .

[filtered to Crowe, Kay, Luke, and Ness]
[He's chosen the people he wants to speak with carefully.  There are so many people he loves and cares for in this place, but . . . He needs a certain type of person for this.  And after carefully considering for another few moments, Lucas slowly and deliberately filters away from his mother.  There are some things he doesn't want her to know.]

I have something to show you.  It might not be a good time now -- When all of this is over, though, I'd like to ask you to come over when you can.  Thanks.

Comments

[Filter]

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

"I'll be over in a few minutes, then."

[Kay hangs up the phone, and in about 20 minutes or so, she's knocking at Lucas' door.]

[Filter]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[And the door is opened to a softly smiling Lucas who gestures his friend in.]

Hi, Kay. Come on in. . . . I'll take your coat for you.

ACTION

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

[Kay smiles back, taking off her coat and handing it over.]

"So, what's up?"

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas's eyes flicker to the side for a moment or two before his smile returns to his face.]

It's actually a favor I need to ask of you, Kay. I'm sorry for not giving you any warning or anything, but . . . I can't keep it just to myself anymore.

. . . Do you remember someone who was here named the Netherlands?

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I met him once before at that cosplay cafe thing. Why, what about him?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

And do you remember that time after Westport, when he was in that fire with Jane Smith?

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

Yeah... when the pharmacy burned down, right?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Uh-huh.

. . . He didn't tell many people, but he never stopped trying to reach her again. After a long time, I think . . . they almost became like friends. Something like that.

He left me this when he went home.

[There had been the slightest hint of hesitancy before 'went home', but he pushed it aside. That was what he believed, for certain. They had reached his room now and Lucas walks over to his dresser and pulls out the middle drawer. Underneath his neatly piled shirts, he retrieves a box.]

These are records of every conversation he ever had with Jane Smith.

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

"Whoa! He actually kept records of all that?"

[Kay is equal parts surprised and impressed over this.]

"...Can I open it?"

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

That's why I asked you here.

If I go, too . . . no one would ever know about this.

[Never mind that he had told someone. But she had gone, too.]

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

[Kay nods, opening the box and looking through it all.]

"Wow... this is a lot. I'm pretty impressed."

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

He was going to try to 'wake her up' again, but he went home before he could.

. . .

All I really wanted was for someone else to see this. But . . . since then, nobody's ever tried to do the same thing again.

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

So maybe there's a way to get through to the drones after all!

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Uh-huh. He doesn't ever say it, but the way he writes -- It seems like he succeeded that first time. And that's why the pharmacy was burned down.

. . . I want to try again.

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

It'll be pretty dangerous, but I'm sure you already know that.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

I know.

I don't know if she'll be open to children at all, though. And there's Lucy and Billy to think about, too.

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

The best thing to do is probably to get her alone and away from home.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

It's sad. I think . . . I think, even if I don't get anything done . . . I want Samantha to know there are people who still care about her.

If she's in there.

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

"Lucas..."

[Kay frowns a little before putting her hand on his shoulder.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[After a little while of silence, Lucas moves on to another train of thought.]

And you remember the party, too? A few people said Jane hurt them then, but I'm not too sure about that . . .

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I heard about that. I didn't go to the party, though, so all I've got are peoples' stories to go on.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

That was the first time I ever heard of her doing anything violent. I don't believe it was her, but if it's not, then it was someone who knew exactly what kind of conversations she was having.

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

Maybe it was really Lucy? I wouldn't put it past her, knowing what we do now.

Sorry for late again; a lot of stuff came up. Feel free to ignore.

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

That's the most likely answer. But that sort of thing never happened before, so . . . it might be that Lucy can't see what happens when Jane's away from home.

[thief-of-truth.livejournal.com]

We need to find out more. There's still too much we don't know about Lucy Smith.