D A Y 0 2

[founds]

CHAPTER 1

NOV 1ST | 58℉☂

▸ In a sad turn of events during last night's activities, local teenager Bela Gage was found dead at Gainsbourg Resort as festivities were wrapping up. Local authorities have opened up an investigation regarding the circumstances around her death.

▸ Several houses were egged in height of last night's events. Locals are offering a small reward to anyone with information that may lead to identification of the culprits.

▸ Now for the weather, expect light showers from late morning to mid afternoon. Blackwell is expecting the storm to keep rolling through overnight, so drive safe!

▸ That's the News In today. Now back to your regularly scheduled tunes. This one goes out to the Gages, may you find peace in these difficult times.

THE RISING IS NOT IN EFFECT

Comments

[sabotagen]

[ n... ]

He's sensitive about that sort of stuff?

There were kids younger than him, you know.

[ wishes she could have swapped places with one of them. ]

[clipping]

Who isn't?

[except psychos. Are you a psycho like me Veronika.]

What do you think they're feeling right now?

[sabotagen]

[ let's just say that if she had been brought up in the right environment. ]

I don't know. Maybe they already forgot about it. Kids forget fast.

[ shrugs. ]

[clipping]

I don't think so.

[He never forgot. And he treasures every single memory, because they were all lessons that made him the capable monster he is now.]

Why did you want to see it?

[sabotagen]

I've never seen anything like it.

[ unless it's something she forgot about. the thought strikes her out of nowhere and make her look visibly disturbed for a moment. it's a wonder she didn't shiver. ]

[ she manages to pull up a tight smile. ]

[clipping]

Careful, they might send you back to a doctor for that.

[His smile is a little cynical, but he disguises it soon enough. Ha, ha.]

Trust me, you're better off not knowing.

[sabotagen]

I'm already seeing a therapist.

[ continues fast so he has no time to pry into that. it's no big deal. ]

You've seen someone dying?

[clipping]

[he narrows his eyes, looking off at the distance.]

... Maybe. I'm not sure.

[He and Micah have played the amnesia card, too.]

[sabotagen]

[ sits down across him. it's quiet, who cares. ]

What do you mean you're not sure?

[ this guy's interesting and doesn't seem to mind her freak status. why haven't they talked before? ]

[clipping]

[He's quiet, showing some hesitation. All fake, of course, but he's a good actor. He's had years to practice the role of poor little Cole Alderson.]

... There's a lot me 'n Micah don't remember. From before we came here. They say it's trauma.

[sabotagen]

[ it's very believable and she's eager to find people like herself so it's easy to convince her. ]

So it's the same for you both?

[clipping]

It's worse for him. Since he's younger.

[Fishing for her pity here.]

... Though I guess it's for the best if he doesn't remember much.

[sabotagen]

People have been telling me that, but I'd rather remember. Those are my memories and I want them back.

[ glances at him, worried she said too much. grabs one of the menus and starts flipping through it with no real intention to read it or even look at the pictures. ]

But if that's how you feel... maybe it's for the best. How old is Micah?

[clipping]

You'd be a different person if you remembered.

[and is that something she really wants? up to her.]

Seventeen. Just a year younger than me.

[sabotagen]

So not that much younger.

[ she's about to say more but realizes that Cole's point still stands. ]

Anyway, I'm sorry it's like that with you.

[clipping]

Don't be. I think you're a lot worse off.

[ah.]

No offense.

[sabotagen]

[ immediate frown. ]

Why? Because I'm alone?

[clipping]

[a small hesitant shrug.]

I guess so.

[sabotagen]

No. Why did you say that?

[ was it to piss her off? congratulations. after she was so polite with him too. what a waste. she stands up, ready to leave. ]

[clipping]

Because - I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have Micah with me.

[is he a good actor, Veronika.]

[sabotagen]

[ ... ]

[ she's remains by the table so that's probably a yes. ]

Well, good for you. I take a little offense.

[clipping]

Sorry. I didn't mean it that way. Just meant that I kinda understand.

[sabotagen]

[ okay. so he didn't intend to be offensive. she can deal with that. ]

Okay. There was an attempt.

I'll get you your juice.

[ goes to get it. ]

[clipping]

Wait -

[don't leave me.]

What time do you leave?

[sabotagen]

At four when my shift is over.

[ gives him a look. she managed to walk a few steps away from the table and she's not coming back. ]

Why?