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

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* verse: oceanview into the dark

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

a different path,
the same road.

When I thought that I fought this war alone
You were there by my side on the frontline
When I thought that I fought without a cause
You gave me a reason to try CODE BY TESSISAMESS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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. ]

[ Alan just has the feeling that he's made a mess of this since the beginning. Maybe it can become less of a mess with Jesse's help, but he does feel some amount of guilt for dragging her in at all. But at the same time, it seems clear enough that this is something bigger than just one person. ]

Yeah. More or less. I don't know about you, but I don't want to be held captive by anything, forget about some evil dark force. [ He huffs out a humorless laugh. ] That sounds like something from a bad movie, but it's too real.

[ He's trying his best to not just be dead weight that she has to drag along, but he knows all too well that he's not accustomed to this. Maybe he will be if this constant running to escape keeps happening. It's a mixed bag, really; he doesn't want them to keep running for their lives, but he does want to stop feeling winded after just a few minutes of running.

I really should have worked out more.

He starts to move closer to the lamppost when they finally reach it, but he changes his mind at the last minute when he sees Jesse fall against it. He keeps back from it, but not far enough that he's outside the light it's casting. He can catch his breath here and let her use the post to support her, if that's what she needs.

But he's still close enough to keep holding her hand, and although her grip is like a vise on his, he squeezes her hand, hoping to reassure her. They might have been thrown together by his actions or by the story or whatever, but they're doing this together. That means it shouldn't feel out of place to try and offer whatever support he can give.

And right now, it looks like she needs that. He can't tell what's going on in her head, but he's not backing away either. ]

Edited 2024-01-01 21:45 (UTC)

[ She glances to the side with a frown. ] No. I've been trapped once before. I'm not a fan of doing it again.

[ She was a kid when everything happened in Ordinary. There was only so much they could do, so much the parents would allow them to do. Not that it mattered much once they all disappeared. Still, none of it is something she wants to repeat.

Ever.

« I just want to find my baby brother. I want to move on. I want to know I'm not crazy and someone else out there knows these things happen. They're real. I know they are... but no one else seems to believe it. They just pretend the poster is back on the wall and that life is normal again.

Why did you make me come here? I don't want to go through this again. I don't--what does this have to do with finding Dylan? None of this goes back to it. I just want to find my brother. Why are you making me go through something like this again?! »

Jesse presses her forehead to her arm against the lamppost. Her fingers curl into her hand. Tight enough that the nails bite into the palm of her hand. Blood pools underneath her nails.

« I hate this. I hate this. »

Alan would have no idea why she's reacting the way she is. Some part of her knows it's not fair to him. He's come to her for help--for whatever reason--and she's shut down. That's not good enough. She needs to be better. ]

Dung Munkeys. [ Despite her best efforts to control her voice, the tremors and fears can be heard in it. ] That's what my brother and I called them. Not ...not these things. But something like them. People who weren't people anymore.

[ So maybe now I get to learn a little more about her... as much as she's willing to tell me, anyway. ]

Trapped? [ He tilts his head to one side. ] Who tr- Never mind. I shouldn't dig around into things that aren't my business. But- for whatever it's worth, as long as we're working together on this, I'll do what I can to keep you from being trapped again.

[ And then he smirks a wider one this time. ] That's not saying much since I can't even go three feet without sounding like a deflating balloon.

[ Throwing his better judgment to the winds, he steps up behind her, moving in a little closer and puts his free hand on her shoulder. If she jerks away, he'll know to back off. ]

.... Dung Munkeys? That's a name. [ He doesn't sound disbelieving or dismissive, just curious. ] So... this seems familiar to you, then. In a not good way.

[ A gentle sound comes from her at his comment of being a deflated balloon. Something almost like a laugh. Just choked and held back by the rush of adrenalin and fear that still clings to her. It feels like a hand wrapped around her. One she doesn't know how to push off.

Her eyes open to stare at the ground beneath them. The light is still pouring over them. The sounds of the Taken have disappeared for now. All she's left with is that feeling of the hand curled around her and as if cold water has splashed over her. Afraid, cold, and alone. Just like she felt when they took her brother.

Polaris can only do so much to ease her.

She feels his hand on her shoulder and it helps pull her from the memories swirling around. The lump in her throat is forced down, leaving both hands tremoring uncontrollably. What can she tell him? Should she tell him more? Maybe it was too much already. What if he leaves her behind if she says more? What if it pushes him away because he can't handle how the world is?

Why does any of it matter? Alan Wake is a stranger to her. Yet, she feels closer to him than she has anyone in years.

« Is it just because he's living through this...? That doesn't mean anything. It doesn't mean he'll stick around. Or even want me, crazy weird Jesse Faden, to stick around. He's famous. What reason would he have to have me around...? Why do I care about any of it? I... I just...

I want someone to understand. That can't be him. It wouldn't be.

Can it? »

Jesse closes her eyes again and finally forces herself to let the breath she's been holding out. ]

It's what they looked like. After they turned. [ Her head tilts towards him, but she doesn't look up nor moves her gaze towards him. Just a small notion that most likely says more than she realizes. ] They... they never changed back. Whoever they were, they weren't them anymore. They couldn't be. They didn't want to change back.

[ Her hand manages to squeeze his. As she speaks, her tone turns hard. Bitter. Angry. Hurt. Maybe even a hint of betrayal. ] Weird things don't happen in just Bright Falls. They--it happened back home--when I was a kid. It... it wasn't what the government said it was. There wasn't an "industrial accident." No accident could do that! They lied! They covered it up, and took all the evidence away. Everyone just listens to what they said blindly. They don't ask questions! They don't listen to someone who was there!

[ « No one believes me. »

Jesse hides her face in her arm to remove an evidence of tears. She's strong. It doesn't bother her. She can prove it on her own.

Her and Polaris.

Against the world. ]

I thought... I didn't know Bright Falls was the same kind of weird... just weird... she told me to come here. I thought if I did... I... I didn't know any of this was like this. People becoming ... things ... I didn't... [ Jesse stops and shuts her eyes tighter. ] I'm just here because she told me to be here.

Edited 2024-01-02 04:03 (UTC)

[ A laugh escapes him; it's not a full-blown laugh, as he can see quite clearly how rattled she appears. Maybe she's even terrified... haunted by something from her past. But he takes it as a good sign that he made her laugh, even if she stopped herself. Or rather, even if her fear and whatever else that is clinging to her made her stop. Maybe if he can keep doing that, trying to ease the tension and lighten the mood. He never imagined he'd try to be anything like comic relief. That seemed to be more of Barry's department, although he knows he'd never call it that.

His fingers curl around her shoulder more, hoping he's doing something useful. He just wants to reassure her, to calm her, to make her feel like she's not alone. ]

It sounds like they might be... well, similar. Unfortunately. I don't know if they can change back either. I want to hope so, but- Sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear.

[ He squeezes her hand in return as he continues to listen, noting how her tone of voice changes. Whatever happened to her, it's clearly left its mark. And Alan knows he'd be angry too if he was in her shoes. Government coverups. Shifting blame. Taking evidence. It sounds like typical government behavior, if you ask him. ]

Well, I'm asking questions and listening. If it wasn't an industrial accident... what was it? I want to hear your answer, not the hogwash the government was putting out there.

[ Alan moves in a little closer, pausing at the last second. ]

For what it's worth, if it's worth anything at all, I'm glad that you're here.

[ And throwing caution to the winds once more, Alan lifts both arms and slowly slides them around her in a hug. He doesn't pull her closer, doesn't really move at all other than to wrap his arms around her. They've only known each other for a day, if that, and he's already doing this. If she doesn't want it, he'll back off. But something tells him she needs the comfort right now, even comfort from an almost-stranger. ]

[ « Hogwash. What's next, "peachy"? »

Jesse is about to force herself to answer but the words leave her mind the moment Alan wraps his arms around her. She stops entirely, eyes wide, staring at the ground. Part of her can't understand why he's doing it. They're strangers, he has no reason to care, no attachment. That part of her just doesn't understand why he is bothering. The other part is wanting to grasp onto anything that might prove there's someone else who understands.

« Does he really understand? Does he really believe me? How could anyone? This is still different from Ordinary. Good. Nothing like that should ever happen again. But... what if he really does believe? »

Her green eyes close. She hasn't pulled out of his hold but she also hasn't leaned into it more either.

A few minutes pass before she can bring herself to say something. Anything. ]

Bad things came out... like this. [ Jesse knows it's not specific enough. She's not willing to divulge all the details. Most the details. ] One of those bad things it... it changed some of my friends. Made them violent. [ Her head lowers slightly. ] All of the adults disappeared. It was just us kids. We stopped it--my brother, me, my friend. T-then the government came... they asked questions. They took my brother. I... I got away, but...

[ « Dylan was right behind me. I didn't mean to leave him. I don't know how we got separated. It's my fault. » ]

[ If Alan remembered ever using that word, he probably would use it again just to see if it made her smile. Even if it made her roll her eyes at him, he'd still use it.

And in all honesty, he can't explain what it is that made him stop and hug her. He wouldn't call himself the comforting type, although he's not the type of person to just ignore someone who could use a hug or a hand to hold, even if that someone is still a stranger to him in many ways.

But the fact remains that Alan felt the need to carry out the gesture, and so he listened to that feeling and that need. Maybe he doesn't really understand her just yet, but just maybe he's already started to believe her.

When she finally speaks, he doesn't let go of her, but he doesn't tighten his grip too much either. ]

Bad things? [ He's trying his best to understand. This is all something he's never encountered before in his life, except for in nightmares. ] Bad things created from the darkness? Honestly, I'm just talking out of my ass here, but what else could make things like this happen? [ Maybe that's why he's latched onto her. She's seen firsthand what the darkness is capable of. ]

It's bigger than us. That's what I'm getting. [ What else could make people just disappear? What could turn ordinary people into these... these things? ]

What happened after? Did you ever get your brother back? [ That must be why she's here: she's looking for leads to help her find him. Maybe I can help with that too. ]

[ She knows she's never said that word once since they met and their ... maybe an hour of talking back and forth. Somehow, though, she feels he would say it. Almost like an echo or an idea in the back of her mind that won't leave. Not a memory, not deja vu, but a hunch. Like maybe something she could of seen in a dream. That's how talking to him feels in general. Something she's done before even though she hasn't in a dream she may have had.

Jesse shakes her head. ] No. No. Not from darkness like these Taken things. We called them Dung Monkeys because that's how they looked. It... the thing that changed them wasn't anything like darkness. Not by how it looked, anyways. It wanted ... I think it wanted to be our mother. Turn us into it's children, or something.

This dark thing you keep talking about? It's not the only thing out there.

[ They called it the Not-Mother because that's what it was. Something that made the other kids drink a milk like substance and change them into their little ...monkeys. It's why they killed their teacher. Why the parents locked everything down. But her parents wouldn't listen. None of them would. Then... they all disappeared. Was it her fault? Had her wish in frustration made them disappear because of the Not-Mother?

Jesse looks up at his question. She finally turns her gaze up to him. The tears are gone but their traces are evident. ]

No.

[ It shows on her face as well--the time it's been. Nine years and she's no closer to understanding any of it. Other than the fact it was real and it happened. ]

Just me... moving from home to home. And, my friend.

Edited 2024-01-05 09:43 (UTC)

... Great.

[ Alan can't quite manage to keep the dry tone out of his voice. It's not Jesse's fault; it's no one's fault. ]

So there's more things out there that go bump in the night. Maybe not here, but- maybe they are here. Maybe something about this place draws them in.

[ Alan's not much of a fighter, or a fighter at all, really, given his focus on writing books, but his expression is more grim than it is fearful. That's not saying he isn't afraid, but he's trying to steel himself for worse things coming their way. ]

Well... [ He shifts his weight from one foot to the other and glances behind them briefly before turning back to her. ] You have at least one more friend now, if you'll have me.

[ Her gaze drops from his at his dry expression. Yes, there are other things out there. Yes, some of them are horrifying like the darkness seems to be. Not all of them are harmful. Some are harmonious. She can't bring herself to tell him about Polaris yet. It might be too much. Having a connection to an alien that's only in her head?

« I really would seem crazy to him. Just like everyone else. »

Polaris disagrees, but Jesse still can't bring herself to do it.

Her eyes widen at his next statement. At first, she's not sure what to do or what to say. It's been so long since she's had a friend that isn't Polaris. She's still not sure he truly believes her either. He hasn't run away nor has he called her insane. There's just a part of her that can't seem to truly believe a famous writer like him would give her the time of day.

She forces herself to give him a small smile. It's the best she can do. Maybe being a writer makes it so he can read people easily. ]

You said you had to get to the old coal mine museum to meet a kidnapper. Right? [ While her tone is still filled with emotion, there is a lightness in it that wasn't there before. ] How fast do you need to be there?

[ Jesse is already glancing up at the light and then hesitantly taking a few steps out of it. The darkness is still heavy around them, but there's no sounds of shuffling Taken. She nods to herself before reaching up and taking one of his wrists.

« Any idea on which car is best to ride in? Can you help me find one? »

Polaris tugs her mind in a direction with a shimmer. Jesse immediately begins heading that way, gently guiding Alan along by his wrist. It's only a few steps down the street, so the lamp post is still in view if they need it.

The old jeep seems almost abandoned. Convenient. Jesse frowns at the idea before taking a quick look inside the driver window. It's unlocked. Even more convenient. She quietly opens the door, leaning inside and looking around the dashboard. Her hand goes to the visor at top and the keys slide out.

« This really is like a movie. »

She motions for Alan to take the passenger side. If they need to shoot, he's the one with the gun training. She slides into the old jeep and quietly closes the door behind her. The keys slide into the ignition and with a quick turn the jeep comes to life. She slides the backpack she wears off and puts it between them.

The police lights and cars begin to get closer.

Jesse puts the jeep in gear and pulls into the road. A moment later and they are leaving town for the woods. ]

All the pages I found are inside the backpack. In case you needed them.

[ For Alan, all of this is him trying to understand. Trying to make sense of a world that really doesn't make sense at all. He's a writer; he's just a normal guy. Except now, the world he knows has changed, and that world is scary and darker than he ever realized. If it's really that bad and that scary, well... at least he knows how to shoot a gun. And at least he has Jesse here. Although how long will Jesse stay? She might have experience behind her, even if she was forced into it, forced to see the way the world really is, but that doesn't mean she'll stick around to help Alan deal with whatever this craziness is.

Maybe that's what he's trying to do by offering her hugs and stating that she has a friend with him. It's not a ploy or manipulation to get her to stay; he wants her to stay. He wants her help. And yes, there's a part of him that wants companionship, to have someone else along with him. He has Barry, of course, but Barry's not entrenched in this, and Alan would rather it stay that way. Alan himself can't escape because all of this is too personal, and Jesse has her own reasons for still being here. Barry is another matter entirely. ]

Yeah, the coal mine. He's there waiting, and I don't think he'll wait for long, so- I have to get there, and fast. The faster the better. But we needed to stop and rest too. If you need more time, you should take it.

[ It won't do either of them any good if they're too tired to move on. But Jesse's already moving, so Alan takes that to mean she's good to go. She takes hold of his wrist and he doesn't pull away, allowing her to guide him to wherever they're going.

He trusts her already, even if he can't quite put a finger on why. Somehow he just knows she isn't going to steer him wrong. The dream he had helped. She has to be one of the good guys, or at least, be a better choice than what they're offering. Which is nothing Alan wants. ]

That's convenient. Is that in the story too? How far does this story go to guide us along? And yeah, I know, I supposedly wrote it, I should know.

[ He shakes his head even as he slides into the passenger's seat. ]

Thanks. We might need those. I mean, we'll probably need them. So- yeah, thanks for bringing that along. And uh, thanks for coming along this far.

[ As she sees it? The "normal" world is a very small part of how reality really is. The way she found Polaris wasn't bad at first. It was fun. Only once they met the Not-Mother did they realize how bad things could be. There's things in Bright Falls that feel the same way. Something tells her they've only scratched the surface of this story Alan apparently doesn't remember writing. ]

Well, you wrote me into the story... thing. Right? I have to be here. [ A glance is meant to show she's not necessarily angry. Just stating a fact. ] I couldn't really run away. So, I guess you're stuck with me. Until I'm not in it anymore.

[ She quickly speeds off, not much caring for the rules of the road. Not that she drives reckless, but she figures there isn't much point in trying to adhere to speed limits if Take are coming out of the literal darkness after them. Which does happen a few times as they make their way out of town and through the woods. She doesn't know the exact way, but she trusts Polaris' vague guidance.

She swirves the jeep around a fallen tree and swears under her breath.

« Great, they can chop down trees. »

It takes a few more bumps--rather, Taken--until they are seemingly in the clear. Jesse slows the jeep, rolling down the window and sticking her head out to glance around. The air is still heavy, but it doesn't feel like something is inside it.

« Can whatever this is only go so far so fast? »

She pulls back into the jeep then looks at Alan before back to the road. ]

Soo... what is it? The thing that's apparently hunting you. It's not from our world. Is it?

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