ii. video.

[thanatophobias]

[You can tell something about this message has been a long time coming when it first clicks on, revealing the bust of a young boy with uncertainty in his eyes. The moment he confirms it's recording is the moment he places down the communicator with small hands, before settling back and sitting down. His eyes are downcast, debating - until he gathers some more courage and starts talking.]

Someone died.

[There's a lengthy pause after the announcement. He just... doesn't want this to make him a freak. He has to remind himself he's not the only one with an ability no one else has. That's the only reason he's brought himself to reach out.]

I can see her sometimes. She wants my help, [As all the benevolent spirits who visit him do, in the end,] But she won't say anything.

I don't know what to do.

[Dr Malcolm isn't here to help him. They'd said goodbye once he'd helped that little girl back home, but - he wishes he were here to give him more advice, now.]

Comments

[thanatophobias]

Doctor Malcolm. He helped me. He told me to face them instead of just running away.

[demonspawn]

Facing your fears is good advice. Fear's always a huge pain in the a -- ah, butt. In the butt.

[thanatophobias]

Yeah.

[A pause.]

I've heard people swear before.

[It's not like you have to censor yourself around him, is what he means.]

[demonspawn]

Yeah? Well, my mom would've grounded me into infinity if I ever cussed around my little brother. Old habits. Whatever.

[thanatophobias]

[Cole's mother would have grounded Terry, too. She's like that.]

Your mom isn't here.

[demonspawn]

Yeah. She's not.

[ he regrets bringing her up suddenly. his mother is a complicated issue. ]

But it's not like I saw her much back in my universe either, so it doesn't really matter.

[thanatophobias]

[Oh.]

...

My dad left.

[demonspawn]

[ there's a long pause.

Did you know him?

[thanatophobias]

Yeah. I remember some stuff.

[a pause of his own.]

He left behind a watch. And his glasses.

[demonspawn]

Yeah. Dads like to leave behind useless things like that. My dad left me something shitty too.

[thanatophobias]

It doesn't work. The watch.

[Doctor Malcolm thought it had meant something, when it was left behind. But no, it was just a case of forgetfulness.]

[demonspawn]

Then why do you keep it?

[thanatophobias]

[a pause.]

My mom doesn't have any pictures.

[demonspawn]

[ a beat of his own. ]

If he left you, he doesn't matter anyway.

[thanatophobias]

[Well. It would be nice to think that way. Maybe it'd be a little less hard. Or a lot less hard.]

I guess not.

[demonspawn]

It's not your fault. And there's not a lot you can do about it. So.

[thanatophobias]

... Sometimes I wonder if he was taken.

[Like Cole was.]

[demonspawn]

Or maybe he's just a jerk.

[ though he doesn't mean for that to come out as harshly as it does. ]

[thanatophobias]

[Yep. That's the most likely.]

Mom doesn't like to talk about it.

[demonspawn]

My mom didn't either.

[thanatophobias]

[cheer up single parent kids]

... What's your brother's name?

[demonspawn]

Billy.

[ it's fond, despite himself, when he goes on: ]

He's a brat.

[thanatophobias]

How old is he?

[demonspawn]

[ another brief beat ]

About your age.

[thanatophobias]

[That makes sense. The way Terry was so willing to take Cole in right when he arrived.]

Do you wish he was here?