002 | text

[hardedged]

[ it's been a rough month for jessica — thanks to her arrival and reliving her traumatic memories with the devil himself. in between all of her alcohol consumption, she's had time to think because sadly, even hard liquor can't always numb the pain.

it's almost midnight, and she finds herself posting on the network. there's no username attached; she prefers anonymity for this topic. well, here goes nothing. ]

if someone's dead back home, is there any chance they can show up here?

and what if they're the goddamn devil? will the cops do something about it?

serious answers only. not in the mood for bullshit.

Comments

[magnitudes]

fuck off, you asked for serious replies. I'm trying to be serious.

[hardedged]

[ she pauses, considering her reply. emotional detachment is such an automatic response, even when it's not on purpose. ]

sorry.

[magnitudes]

it's fine

I'm not good at serious, anyway

it's all this wit and humour, undermines the boring stuff

[hardedged]

[ a part of her wants to admit that she already knows, but she can't give the game away. ]

i get it. so you've done some shit. are you somebody's devil?

switch to private.

[magnitudes]

I sure as hell hope not. But I've been calling someone my devil when they're not, and I've been hoping I could save someone else's devil. Make it all right. Maybe that'd make me a devil too by default, I don't know.

[hardedged]

you can't save a devil. never ends well.

[magnitudes]

you don't know that
she's family
family are mean to protect each other

[hardedged]

yeah. until they become toxic. safer to stay away if that happens.

[ she's referring to herself now — and trish. perhaps it was selfish of jessica to isolate herself after months of being separated, but she can't regret her decision. ]

[magnitudes]

yeah. I know.

I'm not planning on making anyone spend time with her. I just figure there's a reason the way she is. If the others need to carve that flesh away so they don't get infected, that's their right. Things between them are necrotic. Her and me, but, we've got a new thing, like... fresh paper that's not got ink all over it. So I can test out the bridges or the water or whatever.

[hardedged]

just make sure you don't drown.

[magnitudes]

I'll wear armbands and stay between the flags.

Are you okay? Is your devil here?

[hardedged]

yep. nope.

[ a woman of many words. ]

[magnitudes]

good to know. I guess you know where to find me if you need help.

[hardedged]

pass. not a charity case.

[magnitudes]

someone offering to help doesn't make you a charity case.
accepting help doesn't mean that you're weak. just means someone's got your back.

blah blah oprah blah blah after school special yeah I know
just sometimes the obvious has gotta be said

[hardedged]

you've got enough on your plate. don't add more to it.

[magnitudes]

stress less, mate. I know what I can handle.

[hardedged]

so do i. drop it.

[magnitudes]

Okay.

I wasn't holding onto it to begin with. Later.