synthneon | oceanview (different path) || ❝ turn the page i need to see something new. ❞

Depending on the dream? Yeah. Dreams can also be messages... or other places entirely. [ « Yeah, that will answer all his questions. Good job, Jesse. » ] I was trying to contact you. But, not you now. You later.

[ Her hands gently press against his again in return. Her fingers don't try to slip between his again. She keeps her hands where they are, simply watching and listening to what he says.

Then, she nods. ] I learned how the manuscript pages work from you. I'm pretty sure you can already tell how what's happening matches what's typed on the pages. Well, it's real. You know it is.

Alan. The sooner you accept what's happening to you? The sooner you're going to be able to control what's happening. I know, it sounds crazy. I know, it doesn't seem what you think real means. But... what's real and what people want to perceive is different. Really different.

Ask me--when you wake up. It's 2010, right? I'll know what you mean if you ask. [ « She may not tell him everything about Ordinary. Or you...assuming some version of you is with her. But, it will be enough to get her to realize. And, if you are with her, you'll be guiding her like you did me. »

Polaris shimmers around her in agreement.

The waking world seems just as chaotic--not that the younger Jesse has any idea of it. In fact, it's not until she feels they are a decent bit away from the apartment building that she stops and kneels down in the trees. Polaris tugs at her mind, and she turns to look at how the lights still bounce off the building.

Jesse looks up at Alan once he finally reaches her. « Wait--is he winded? From that? Really? »

Now it's her turn to sound amused to Polaris. ]

They were knocking on doors looking for you. [ Jesse gives him the condensed version of the events that led to her waking him up. ] Pretty sure they said "FBI." You're a writer, aren't you? How did you manage to piss off the FBI. [ Her tone is more amused than confused. ] I'm not sure they all agreed on it. It sounded like some officers were arguing with one another. It's better we slip out now before they start looking into the woods.

Edited 2023-12-31 04:58 (UTC)

I don't understand. I'm trying to understand, but how can a dream be another place? Dreams can be messages; I get that. [ He'd rub his forehead if their hands weren't touching. ] So... you know me, but not me. Another me. This story really is insane.

[ But something tells him that Jesse knowing him isn't just another part of the story. It's real. ]

I don't know how you'd learn anything from me when I barely understand how things work myself. It's not that I'm not trying. I am.

[ He pauses, trying to wrap his mind around what she's telling him. It's making his head hurt but he's doing the best he can. ]

Okay. I'll ask you. Pretty sure the you that I just met thinks I'm nuts, even if you're not saying that in so many words.

[ Meanwhile in the waking world, Alan's huffing and puffing like he's just ran a mile. Man, I really need to work out more. ]

The FBI... It feels familiar, like I should know something. Maybe I ran into them and forgot about it. Normally, my brain isn't trying to do its best swiss cheese impression, in case you wondered. But whatever it is, I don't like the idea of being stopped and questioned by them, so I'm down for slipping out. Away, preferably. Wherever we can go.

[ Jesse smirks. ] No, it's not insane. Just weird. Weirder than usual.

[ She simply continues to smirk at him. It's obvious she can't say more than she has. Not due to some time space continuum issue. He's just not ready to hear it all. There's more he needs to know and learn. Jesse isn't sure what those things are. She wasn't there... but it seems like some version of her will be. Maybe that version will be more help. ]

No version of me could think you're nuts. Not when I've lived the life I'm sure she has. Most likely she thinks she's too insane for you to understand.

[ She's unable to elaborate further as the man in the suit pulls her into the darkness. The man looks at Alan, wearing his face, as a twisted grin creeps onto his face. Then, it's like she was never there.

In the waking world, Jesse is still smirking at him in amusement. A similar look to the one her older self wore just moments ago. ]

So, you're still feeling out of it from whatever Rose got you? [ She raises a hand and gestures to the woods behind her. ] It's... probably best if we have a destination. Did you have some place you can go?

[ Alan can't really know why yet, but the man who appears to be wearing his face sends shivers down his spine. The twisted grin, the way he pulls Jesse into the darkness, seeing that look on his face (his face)- it all makes Alan feel scared, and he can't remember the last time he was that scared. Everything about this mess makes him feel that way, because it all seems to be outside his control. ]

Yeah, a little. Whatever she got me with doesn't want to go away so easily. [ He looks around them, at the woods, towards the direction they came from, and he frowns. ]

Nowhere you'd call safe. [ Did I decide to go to the mine, or is something telling me I need to go there? The kidnapper, maybe? ] There's a mine around here, I think we need to go there. That's where the kidnapper is.

[ I think. How's that for a vote of confidence, huh? ]

[ The smirk falls from her face as he states the destination.

« A mine? Seriously? This has "bad B horror movie" written all over it. Does he realize it? Or, does he have to do what the pages say. » ]

Why would a kidnapper have the wife of a famous author in a mine? [ Jesse sounds hardly impressed by the question. ] It doesn't sound very full proof for a kidnapper.

[ Still, she stands and takes a look around. A mine. ] The only mine I know of is the old Coal Mine. It's... outside of town. We'll need a ride. I can probably get one.

[ « Not legally anyways. » ] We'll need to get to the outskirts of town first. Unless you want to hitch a ride with the FBI.

[ The funny thing about that is that Alan would classify this whole thing as a bad B horror movie. He might even go as far as to label his books as something along those lines. They sell, sure, but pinnacles of brilliant writing they aren't. But then again, he's always been his own worst critic. ]

I don't know. It seems almost too weird or stupid to be a good plan, but maybe that's the plan: maybe it's so weird that no one would ever think to go sniffing around there.

Outside of town it is. And wouldn't the FBI just have more questions? You might be able to get away, but I don't like the idea of being hauled off by them, even if they gave us a ride.

So, what are we going to do? Break a window and steal- I mean borrow a car?

[ If the FBI and the police are already looking for me, it's not going to matter. ]

Edited 2023-12-31 08:43 (UTC)

[ Jesse isn't a writer so she couldn't begin to explain it all. Maybe, though, each story has been a stepping stone to get Alan to being that author he wants be. She may be able to articulate it one day. ]

Maybe. [ Her tone says she isn't sold on the idea. Then, her gaze drops and she frowns. ] If the FBI are like the government agents I met? They'll also enough questions to get what they want. Then, you can't stop them from getting it.

[ At his question, Jesse begins walking through the woods. She's oddly quiet again, withdrawn, defensive. Just like when he met her earlier in the day. ]

Yeah. That's not a problem, is it?

Yeah. And considering I'm already on at least the police's radar already, which is a long story, by the way, I don't think tangling with the FBI is a good idea. Even if all they do is ask questions. It's one of those things best left alone, you know?

[ He's not interested in another encounter that gets him arrested. But he stops talking because he's noticed the shift in her attitude, and he asks: ]

Did I say something wrong? It's not a problem; how are we supposed to get around otherwise? Other than walking, I mean.

How did you get in trouble with the police? [ Jesse glances back at him, a slight playful look in her eyes. She's glad he didn't stop to ask about what she meant with the government agents. Though, she's not sure if he's just filing little things away to ask her later.

« There might not be a "later." It's not like we're friends or know each other. When... whateverbwe're doing is done? He'll go back to wherever he's from. Maybe back to his wife. Maybe not. He said ex-wife, right? But, if this is a story, and he saves her, it might fix whatever is wrong with their marriage. That's a good thing.

So, why does it bother me? I don't know him. We're not close. This... I'm only here because you told me to be here... » ] You've been here a little over a week.

[ Jesse pauses and looks down. It's a fair question. She frowns. ] No. I'm... [ She looks forward so he can't see the conflicted emotions on her face. ] I'm not used to working with others outside of a job, or something like that. I just... stick to myself.

[ « And you. »

Polaris shimmers around her again. ]

[ Too late, it registers in his mind that she mentioned having involvement with government agents. Maybe he'll ask her about it, but weirdly, he feels like it's more important to let her know what kind of guy she's dealing with, even if he hasn't had an escapade like the one he's about to relate to her in some time. ]

Well, uh- You know I'm a writer, right? And my books kind of took off, even though I wasn't expecting them to. So that meant book signings, parties, stuff like that.

[ He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. ]

There was one party where I kind of had too much to drink, and a reporter just wouldn't back off, so I punched him and shoved his camera back into his eye.

[ And the rest of that probably speaks for itself. ]

If it helps at all, I don't usually work with others either. For obvious reasons. But I'm not going to punch you or anything, if that's what you're worried about.

[ He realizes that doesn't sound like a glowing endorsement of himself, but he's never pretended to be anything other than who he is. And who he is is a volatile asshole. ]

[ She nods to the obvious fact that he's a writer. The paparazzi is par the course, and honestly? Jesse can't say she feels bad for the one who got a camera in the eye. She would of just run away, but, Alan may not have had that opportunity. He's a celebrity. ]

He's lucky he only got the camera. [ A shrug happens. ] I don't think I would be cut out for it. Being famous. I wouldn't want that many people around me or... trying to get in my life. Or even knowing I exist.

[ She glances back at him again. ] No. That's not what... I just... [ A sigh. ] Trusting people. Believing they believe me. It's hard. I don't do it anymore.

[ Jesse raises her eyes at the tug on her mind. Eyebrows crease. The sun is setting, but it feels like the rays are... hidden? Shrouded? The woods seem darker--as if the sunlight is being blocked from entering.

« This feels wrong. This isn't right. It's so... dark. Is this what it's been like outside? Why you told me to stay indoors? »

Polaris shimmers around her.

Jesse takes a small step back go be closer to Alan. Strength in numbers. Right? ]

Really? No lectures about not getting so upset? No telling me I probably deserved getting slapped with assault charges? A lot of people weren't too happy with me back then. [ He shrugs too. ] It's not for everyone. I just wanted to write books and tell stories.

[ The press and crowds and fans might be part of it, but that's not all that drew Alan to becoming an author in the first place. ]

If you're looking for a quiet life, being a writer isn't the way to go.

[ Alan just looks at Jesse for a moment, a thoughtful look taking his face. He hopes his gaze doesn't make her uncomfortable, and he eventually shifts to briefly looking at something ahead of them in the woods. But he says: ]

I don't know why, or what it is... writer's intuition, maybe. Something's telling me I can trust you, and believe what you say.

[ It could be because there's no one Alan really trusts, apart from Barry. The kidnapper is a kidnapper, and Rose drugged him. And the environment around here isn't really good for settling the nerves. There's something almost rock solid about Jesse, in a way. Alan can't explain where these brain waves are coming from, but something tells him he can trust her. Maybe even rely on her.

And if that's the case, he needs to be someone she can rely on in turn. ]

Hey, I forgot to ask... [ His gaze shifts again when she steps closer to him. ] Do you have a flashlight or a gun?

I'm not sure you'd listen even if I wanted to lecture. [ A vague gesture is made to herself and the fact she is so young. ] So... have you? Been able to tell stories like you wanted to. Your dream job, I guess.

[ Jesse hardly notices how he looks at her. Her attention is divided between the darkening woods and the conversation with Polaris. She only pauses in her footing when he speaks again. A moment passes before she turns and looks over her shoulder at him. The controlled expression slowly fades into something of confused surprise. It's obvious what he's said has left her speechless until his next question. ]

Noo... [ « I've never fired a gun. Or owned a gun. Obviously. » ] Why would I need one?

[ He just shrugs and rolls his eyes. ] Everyone lectures me for different reasons. Why not you too? [ Her being younger doesn't really strike him as significant, at least not in this situation. ]

Honestly? Not really. Maybe it started out that way, but now I just feel blocked. None of my ideas work.

[ And that's probably ironic, given the situation that they're in right now. ]

Why? If we get surrounded or cornered, you're going to need one. It's dangerous out there. [ Without hesitation, he hands over his own flashlight. If she's never fired a gun before, he figures he should keep it and let her handle the flashlight part of things. ]

Probably because I have nothing to lecture you on? Except, maybe, trying to go do this while drugged this morning. [ Her tone is still light and somewhat teasing. ] But... I'm not someone to lecture. Or judge. Or get involved. I'm not someone you should rely on. Your intuition must be broken. We'll blame it on whatever Rose gave you.

[ She glances to the side, then back to Alan. ] Maybe you just need the right inspiration. A muse, right? That's something writers need. [ A pause. ] That's actually why you came to Bright Falls, isn't it? A change of scenery to try and get inspired for a new book.

[ « It makes sense. » ]

Surrounded? Cornered? By what? [ Jesse barely takes the flashlight into her hands before he's moving forward with the gun. She quickly catches up to walk beside him. The flashlight is pointed down so they can see what they're walking on as the woods continue to darken. ] What makes it dangerous?

[ He just fixes her with a look that's a poor attempt at being serious; he has to work at keeping a straight face as he replies: ]

That's another thing I forgot to mention: I'm the worst person when it comes to making plans. Which you've already figured out, but at least I can admit it. [ And then his expression sobers again. ] Why do you think my intuition's broken? You're still here, aren't you? You didn't run or push me away when you learned what's happening. If anything, you seemed even more determined to stick around.

[ And that counts as reliable in Alan's book. ]

So far, I haven't seen anything that counts as inspiration. [ Except for maybe her, but if I tell her that right now, won't she just run away? No, I think I need to keep that to myself. ] I do have some ideas, though.

[ He watches her to make sure she has the flashlight and that she's following along with him. ]

It's in the pages: they're apparently called Taken. They were people once, before something got them. [ Darkness, the devil, doesn't it all come down to the same thing? ] The gun is obvious, but the flashlight helps make the gun work. I know it doesn't make sense.

[ A certain shimmer comes to her eyes at his attempt of being serious. It's easy to tell, at least for her, that he doesn't mean it. Alan Wake is easy for her to understand and she's not sure why. It's not as if something clicks like in a cheesey romance novel. There's just something she feels she can understand. Despite the fact that nothing should link them other than the weirdness happening in Bright Falls.

Jesse's eyes, however, train downwards at what he says. She doesn't voice the thoughts and quite frankly she doesn't need to. It's obvious by the haunted look in her eyes that she's simply used to feeling that way. Maybe because she's told it to herself for so long, or it was something that someone else told her that has been negatively reinforced. Either way, the struggle plays out in her eyes. ]

No one should rely on me. I'll let everyone down. I'll let you down. I always do. [ The words sound hollow despite how she speaks as if she believes them. She may even be scared of the words. ] I'm not a leader or a heroic figure. I'm just...

[ She trails off once more as those defensive walls come up. ]

None of this weirdness is inspiring? Really? [ Jesse glances up at him. Something in her tells her that's a lie.

« He's tied into all this somehow. Isn't he? »

Polaris shifts. ]

"Something got them"? [ The sentence is parroted but, there's a hollowness. Something like familiarness. Fear to some degree. ] They... the Taken, things. They only come out at night?

[ He notices that look in her eyes and it makes a smile come to his face, lighting up his eyes for the first time since he came to her door. He knows he doesn't understand it, and part of him feels like he shouldn't be feeling any particular connection to her, but... What was that dream he had? He can't seem to forget it either, and maybe it's that dream that makes him feel he doesn't want to let her go whenever this insane story comes to an end.

If it ever does. ]

You haven't let me down so far, and somehow, I don't think you will. I couldn't tell you why; I just have this feeling that you're not going to let me down. Now, I might let you down, 'cause I've done it before, to other people, but-

[ I believe in her. Is it because of that dream? I don't know. I just can't shake this feeling. ]

No, it's just weird. [ If anything around here is a potential inspiration, I'd say it's her. But that would definitely turn her off. ]

As far as I can tell. They don't like the light anyway, so it makes sense they just stay hidden when it's light out. Well, it doesn't make sense, but you know what I mean.

[ Her eyes stay downwards, only raising once he cuts himself off. The look says she wants to believe him, but something keeps her from doing it. Something holds her back from fully believing that she won't let him down. A small, but sad, smile tugs at the corner of her lips.

« I'll just have to trust that he knows. And, that you know where we're going. Why we're bothering with any of this. It's just... hard. Trusting in people. » ]

Maybe. [ Which is as much of an admission of agreeing with him that she'll give for now.

She nods. ] Like vampires. Sort of. Do they hiss?

[ Jesse pauses. Polaris tugs at the back of her mind. She grabs onto Alan's arm and pulls him down with her. An axe sails past both their heads. Her green eyes snap upwards towards where the axe went. There's no sign of it.

« Did it... did it just disappear?! What the fuck?! »

She whirls around to look behind them, flashlight pointing forwards. The light catches the edge of something that dodges back into the shadows. The hand on his arm curls into his sleeve more. ]

What the hell was that?

[ Well, it's a start. Her smile makes him smile too, even if he thinks it looks too sad still. He'd like to make her smile a happier one. But that can't happen until he figures this whole thing out. ]

No, they don't hiss. Sometimes they say things, or shout them. They don't always make sense. You can understand what they're saying, but it's why they're saying it that's not clear. [ He already has a sinking feeling about them, but he doesn't want to be proven right.

He doesn't have much time to talk more about the Taken, because it seems as though they've stumbled upon one. Or several. The axe goes flying above them, and then seems to vanish. Alan's crouched down after Jesse pulled him down with her, but he's looking around. If there's one, there could be more. ]

That was a Taken. Your first one. [ He's still peering around, looking back over his shoulder and then looking in front of them again. ]

There might be more where that one came from. And that's why we need to get you a weapon.

[ « What they're saying? What, like they are PEOPLE? »

Jesse's green eyes move back to Alan, wide and unsure. Not quite afraid, but definitely unsure of what to do with something she can't really see. She won't be a sitting duck for whatever this is. She tugs on his sleeve and starts moving again. Their destination hasn't changed. ]

My first one. Great. Just the sort of first I wanted. [ Jesse shakes her head and keeps the flashlight beam pointed ahead of them. ] I don't--I've never used a gun before. I don't know how to use one!

[ The woods shift in a way that sends electric shocks up her spine. It's a familiar feeling. Things altered from the way they should be. Reality shifting into something different. Fingers curl tightly into Alan's sleeve and her pace picks up rapidly. Almost as she's trying to escape what's happening around her. ]

We have to go. Now. [ There's an edge of panic in her voice. Fear. Her pace keeps speeding up every few steps. ] We can out run them, right? Because, we can't stop. We have to leave. Right. Now.

[ Too late, Alan realizes that maybe he's made a mistake in telling her about the Taken using the terms that he has. Of course, she had to know about them, but it's clear to him that telling her has unsettled her, if not outright scared her. She tugs on his sleeve, telling him to follow after her, and he starts moving again. ]

Maybe I shouldn't have told you, but... at the same time, you needed to know. To be ready. If- if you want, I'll show you how to use a gun. I learned how when I was doing research for my books.

[ He's still following along with her, but when her fingers curl again into his sleeve, that's when he says: ]

Are you sure you still want to do this? You could leave now and pretend you never got involved. You never met me, you never saw any of this. But yeah, we can outrun them. I've done it before. They're fast, but there's things that can slow them down. Fallen trees. Rocks. Hiding works too.

[ And at that moment, another Taken lumbers into view, and this time, Alan grabs at Jesse's hand, intending to pull her further into some trees to hide. ]

I've known there was something happening at night. I just--I didn't know what it was. My friend said not to go out. So, I didn't. [ The hand holding the flashlight makes a wide gesture as if it is supposed to explain everything. ] Do I have a choice? You can't shoot everything--we can't out run everything.

[ Jesse is pulled into the trees by his hand over hers. She doesn't pull away. Instead, her gaze moves around to look at where the Taken is. The fear seems to have been replaced by a panic and a haunted look in her eyes. It's not of denial or disbelief. The haunted look implies familiarity. Her gaze drops to the ground and then moves back up to him. ]

We can't stay here. [ The statement also seems to act as an answer to his question. ] Wake, we can't--

--Logging is a hazardous occupation!

[ Jesse visibly jumps as an axe sails through the air, lodging itself in the tree next to her. The words the Taken yell echo in the words around them. She looks side to side, clamping down on Alan's hand. It's so dark, and everything looks so different...

Polaris shimmers in the distance.

She knows the look of her friend anywhere.

With her hand still holding Alan's, she starts running in the direction Polaris pulls her. It may seem like she's running blindly to anyone else. Alan may not be able to see or sense Polaris. Maybe he can tell that Jesse isn't just darting in one direction in a panic. ]

Your friend is smart. Probably a hell of a lot smarter than me. [ Because he keeps running around at night and getting in trouble along the way. But he's made it this far, right? ] I don't think anyone has a choice here about anything. It's either try and shoot as much as you can and run from everything else or... Well.

[ Alan's gaze shifts to meet hers, and if she's looking, she'll be able to see that there's fear in his expression. He's not a fighter, not really; he's just a writer whose experience with guns comes from shooting them at a firing range. Shooting actual moving targets that are armed with axes and other weapons is a whole other can of worms.

So if she's afraid, then so is he. ]

No, we definitely can't stay here. [ His hand tightens on hers, in something that's equal parts protective and afraid. ] The problem is, I don't know where we can go.

[ He doesn't have time to think about that, though, because he's interrupted by the Taken's exclamation, and yet another axe sailing through the air. And this time, Jesse takes off running, and since they're holding hands, he has no choice but to follow after her. He's not about to stay behind and leave her to fend for herself. He brought her into this, so he's going to stick with her, even if he has no idea where the hell she's going.

He might not be able to see Polaris in her entirety, but he can see a faint shimmer that's so faint, part of him thinks it's in his head. But Jesse seems to be running in that direction, and well... Maybe it's time for Alan to show her that he really does believe her, and trusts her too.

He keeps running along after her, doing his best to keep from being too loud; he's really not the most in shape, and he gets winded too easily (almost embarrassingly easily), but he doesn't want to be the reason they get killed by a Taken. He thinks he spots a glimmer of light up ahead and he wants to tell Jesse to stop there, but he has to catch his breath first. Maybe if he tugs at her hand, she'll get the message: the message that's about something else other than his inability to run long distances. ]

[ She gives a pathetic smile. Polaris isn't exactly... smarter than them, but, being an alien entity certainly helps. Maybe Alan could understand it and not be freaked out... but Jesse isn't ready to share that. Nothing else has made Alan leave yet. That won't be the case if he learns about Polaris. He'd draw the line there.

Anyone would. ] Held captive by some dark force. That's what you're saying without actually saying it.

[ Her hand molds well against his protective hold. She wouldn't say she's entirely paralyzed with fear. There is fear, but, she is willing to push past it to get what needs to be done. It'll be easier with someone at her side is what she's decided. An odd decision considering she's been alone in more ways than one for so long.

« I don't want to go through something like that again by myself. »

Polaris continues to guide her through the night. Some points feel like she has to drag Alan along with her. He's clearly not used to running such long distances. She isn't either, but that drive to get away is stronger than anything else at the moment. So much so that it only seems to subside when she finds exactly what Polaris was taking her to.

A lamppost on the edge of town.

Jesse practically falls against the post, breathing heavily, back to Alan. Her head is lowered, some of the red hair coming free from the pony tail to help hide her face. It's not the Taken themselves that have scared her so much. Shades from her past, things that are too similar to Taken. Except the kids weren't shadowed and talking what would seem like nonsense. They were...

Her eyes shut as she leans her head against the post. It happened eight years ago. Memories fade, but those ones don't seem to. None of those memories do. They feel etched, permanently carved into her mind. Trauma, PTSD, it doesn't matter what anyone would call it to her.

She doesn't know why Polaris led her to the light. If it helps, it's certainly not helping her sort and beat back the memories unearthing in her mind. Her hand is still on an iron grip on the Writer's. He might pull it away now that they're.

Well, safer. ]

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