(OOC WARNING: THE TRANSCRIPT CONTAINS DESCRIPTIONS OF BLOOD, VIOLENCE, DROWNING, AND HEAVY GORE. PLEASE READ BELOW THE CUT AT YOUR OWN RISK.]
[Video transcript start.]
[The transcript begins with someone holding the phone, they are seemingly in the backseat of a vehicle as it drives down a road. The song “Barbie girl” can be heard over the car radio, seemingly everyone is enjoying it.]
?: I didn't even know that song was still played on the radio.
[Voice identified: Ness Kylie Hoffson.]
?: Never gets old, though!
[Voice Identified: William Keane.]
Ne: Fair enough, though I really should ask one more time… Where the fuck are we driving to?
?: Abandoned fuckin’... aquarium or something? Right Cass?
[Voice identified: Becky.]
[The man mentioned, Cassius, is singing along to the song with a few others, he gives Becky a thumbs up, his other hand is out of the car. There are no hands on the steering wheel.]
W: DRIVE.
Ne: THERE IS STILL SOMEONE IN THIS CAR THAT WILL ACTUALLY DIE DIE FROM THAT!
[Cassius places one hand back on the steering wheel, but that doesn’t seem to improve the driving quality. In fact, it may have made it worse.]
Ne: Why do we keep letting him drive, no offense I know he's the boss and all… But if he crashes, Showfall can bring all of y'all back in the event of death… Not me.
Be: We let him drive because all of us have crashed before. He’s got a perfect fuckin’ record somehow.
C: I only crash on purpose! And I won’t be doing that with you in the car.
Ne: Thanks… I think.
W: That's a good thing, don't worry. Plus, I can't drive.
Ne: Yeah uh, me and tones are going to be tough… I definitely didn't only get 5 hours of sleep.
?: ‘s fine. I got… 10 minutes?
[Voice identified: Adelia.]
?: Adelia! That’s unhealthy!
[Voice identified: Ophelia.]
Ad: Girl, I saw you eating a giant bag full of marshmallows the other night, you can’t say shit.
O: That’s fair.
Ne: [Muttering.] I mean I ate a whole thing of ice cream the other night. Marshmallows are better in the grand scheme of things.
O: We all know the details, right?
W: Uh. Do we?
Ne: Uh… Did you guys tell me? I might have forgotten, honestly…
O: Oh, shit. Whoops. Alright. So! This group of conspiracy theorists have been… an issue before. But they’ve never gotten close to the truth like this before. There’s ten in total. We need to make sure nothing they’ve found out gets out. If even one word gets out to the public, we’d be in deep shit.
Ne: So uh, why do y'all need me?
?: Same reason we needed you last time. You’re a pretty valuable asset.
[Voice identified: Irene.]
Ne: I fucked shit up last time… Kinda a bad example don't you think?
O: I’ve fucked up jobs WAYYYY worse than that. You’re fine.
C: Like that one time in the 50s?
O: NO NO NO SHUT UP, DON’T BRING THAT UP. IT’S EMBARRASSING.
Ne: WAIT, HOLD ON… Is this like a… Murder job?
Be: Likely, yeah. Is that going to be a problem?
Ne: I've uh… Besides that one time never murdered anyone or watched someone be murdered in person.
C: Didn’t you watch a man get a crowbar jammed into his head?
Ne: Oh yeah… Forgot about that.
Ir: We need to invest in crowbars, those things look like they work super well!
Ne: Yeah um… Anyway, why exactly do you need me? How do I fit in?
Be: An honorary member is still kinda a member, also, Ophelia likes having you around.
O: That’s true!
Ne: Oh… Um, well I like hanging out with you guys so uh. Fair enough!
[Ness laughs, very obviously tired.]
C: Ness, have you ever been to an aquarium?
Ne: Maybe once when I was little, even then I don't know.
C: Nice, I remember bringing Naomi to one when she was like, 15. I think it might’ve even been this one. It got shut down for animal mistreatment a while back. And I definitely had nothing to do with them getting reported for it.
W: That's brilliant, dude!
C: Thanks. I… hm. I keep forgetting how out of the way that place is.
W: Are they, like, cool places to go to?
C: Depends, if you think abandoned buildings are cool, then yeah.
W: I did mean aquariums, but abandoned places are pretty cool!
C: Ah, shit. Yeah, aquariums are neat. If they treat the animals correctly.
Ne: I enjoy abandoned buildings… Probably helped that I lived in one for a few weeks when I first got here.
W: That definitely would I think.
Ne: Ugh, I really should have gotten more sleep…
[Ness yawns, shaking the camera.]
Ad: Aw, fuck. Now I need to yawn. When we get back, I’m taking a nap.
Ne: Speaking of sleep, I know Rose has been getting some… But Will, has Sparrow been sleeping or?
W: I..think. After the last few nights, not so much.
C: Hm. You should try setting a curfew or something.
Ne: Seeing as Peony is now in Rose's computer last I checked, that would probably fail.
C: They’re a child. They need the rest.
W: We've been trying, but if they don't listen it's kind of hard! We were teaching Peony how to play uno though!
O: Aww! I love uno! We can’t play it anymore, though.
C: Sorry.
Ne: Wha-
W: Ended in murder?
C: Look, it’s not my fault that Alexander decided to stack every +4 he had against me! I don’t even know why or how he had all of those. It was ridiculous.
Ne: Yeah uh… Fucking hell.
Ad: It was funny, though.
Ne: Yeah I bet… Still wild to hear though.
C: We’re close, by the way. Hold on to something, gotta make a few turns, and I’m going 125.
Ne: If I crash into someone again I'm not being held accountable.
O: Eden was the only one upset about that, and she’s not here, you should b–
[Ophelia is cut off by tires screeching, as the car takes a very sharp turn, jostling everyone around, the only thing heard is shouting for a few seconds. Along with laughter, likely from Cassius.]
Ne: JESUS FUCK-
W: SHIT-
Ad: CASS WHAT THE FUCK–
C: I warned you!
Ne: NOT ABOUT THE SHARP-
[Ness cuts herself off with a hiss of pain, her arms seen in frame grabbing at her head.]
C: Ooh, my bad.
W: Shit, you okay?
Ne: I hit my head on the door, owie.
Ir: Ah, that looks like it smarts. Yikes.
Ne: Yes, but fuck it we ball anyway.
[The car stops abruptly, Cassius turns in his seat.]
C: We’re here.
Ne: I'm not gonna need a disguise or anything am I?
W: if all goes well? Nah, you should be fine!
[Cassius opens the door and hops out, the rest of the PR team follows suit.]
[Ness stumbles out of the car, falling on the ground with the camera going dark before being put in one of her jacket pockets refocusing.]
W: Oh fuck! You ok?
Ne: I'll live. ‘Tis but a flesh wound.
[Ness removes a glove in front of the camera revealing she somehow scraped up her right hand through the glove.]
Ne: Literally.
W: Give me your hand for a sec?
Ne: My hand isn't Adam, I can't take it off when I want.
W: I did mean the figure of speech but that is true. May I see your hand then?
[Ness shows her scraped up hand to Will, holding it out.]
[William comes into frame, its face obscured. He pulls out antibacterial wipes from his pockets, and gently cleans the scrape before placing a plaster on it.]
W: There, done!
Ne: Thanks… So uh, what's the plan boss?
C: While you two were doing that, we sent Adelia and Becky in, they’re going to scope it out and report back.
Ne: Oh, fair enough. Am I going to have to kill anyone?
O: Only if you want to.
Ne: Cool. Um… So can I ask a question?
O: Sure! Shoot!
Ne: How uh, how does Showfall view me helping PR?
O: Um.
[Ophelia looks away.]
W: They. Don't know. I don't think.
Ne: Oh, probably a good thing right? I'd imagine I'd kinda be just a little screwed if they found out.
O: Er, yeah. A little.
Ne: Hm… Anyway, how have y'all been?
W: Shit, honestly.
O: I’ve been fine, and I can understand why you’d be not… doing well.
Ne: Hm… Well, I hope you get to feeling better, Will.
O: The rest of PR has been doing… okay? I think? Nicholas has been annoying the fuck out of everyone by being loud, but that’s about it.
Ir: Yeah, I’ve been good, Cass?
[No response.]
W:..Cass?
[Cassius says nothing, staring at his watch with a concerned expression.]
W: What's wrong?
C: Text from Becky. They have weapons. We might need to go in now.
W: fuck, okay.
Ne: Ight… Ok.
[Ness hops up, beginning to quietly hum.]
C: Be ready for anything, guys. I honestly have no idea what this group is capable of. Alexander didn’t know much, so we have nothing to work with.
Ne: That's… Not great.
[Cassius nods, and begins to make his way to the entrance.]
Ne: Will, you ready?
W: Ready as I can be, I guess! You can still back out if you want to, we won't take it personally?
Ne: No it's fine, I'll be fine.
W: ..if you're sure!
[William follows Cassius, smiling at Ness.]
[Ness follows both of them, seemingly more worried then the other two. As seen in her extremely slow footsteps.]
[As soon as everyone is at the door, Cassius opens it, and steps inside. The group is immediately greeted by 10 people in red clothing, only matching in color. Adelia and Becky are both in the center of the main area, which is filled with glass tanks, some of which are still filled with green murky water, such as the main tank, which appears to have water all the way to the top. With a small hatch as an entrance. One of the people appears to recognize Cassius, and turns bright red with pure rage.]
?: YOU!
C: Wh–
Ne: WHO?
W: which of us-
?: YOU MOTHERFUCKER! YOU HAVE A LOT OF NERVE SHOWING YOUR FACE AROUND HERE! FUCK YOU!
C: Oh my fucking god. I know this guy.
W: You're shitting me. That guys gonna go straight for you, mate.
C: Look, it’s not my fault that he thinks I’m the reason his daughter is… well. Hm.
Ne: SHOULD I RUN?
C: Nah, you should be good. If Eden got her fighting skills from her fathers side, then you’ll be fine.
Ne: Oh.
W: Oh! It's him!
C: Yeah… um. I need to make a quick phone call.
[Cassius types something on his watch, and starts talking into it.]
C: Yo, Eden. You said you hated your dad, right?
?: [Over the watch.] Uh, yeah? Why?
[Voice identified: Eden.]
C: Well, he’s here right now. Can I…?
E: Yeah, sure. Go ahead. I don’t give a shit.
[Cassius hangs up.]
C: We’ve been given the go ahead. Let’s get this over with.
Ne: Yep.
W: On it.
Ne: Let me just.
[Ness places a rubber band around her pocket with the camera.]
Ne: Ok! I'm ready.
[Cassius dashes forward, the metal spider-like limbs appearing as he moves, he manages to punch one of the people in red, sending them to the ground with a yelp of pain and surprise.]
[Ness follows suit, running forward and decking one of the people in the jaw, knocking them to the ground with a shout.]
[The Archivist ended up darting to the left, lunging at someone just out of the camera's view.]
Ne: OK WHAT’S THE PLAN!
O: NO IDEA! JUST FUCK SHIT UP, I GUESS?
Ne: OH I'M GOOD AT THAT!
O: GREAT! SAME HERE!
[Ness picks one of the people up on her shoulders, dropping them on her knee. A pop heard as Ness grabs her kneecap for a moment.]
?: HEY! ASSHOLE! LOOK UP HERE!
[Ness looks up the camera in the pocket following suit.]
?: NOT YOU, THE… OTHER BLONDE ONE!
C: What? What do you–
[The camera reveals the speaker on top of the main tank, holding Will by the arm tightly near the entrance hatch to the tank.]
?: Make one more fucking move, and I drop this fucker into the damn water.
W: let fucking go of me- Ignore this prick!
[Cassius mutters something inaudible, but likely in french, before breaking into a sprint, running to get to the top of the tank. He arrives within seconds, barely stopping before tackling the man into the green water of the tank. The two fight violently, almost fully seen through the glass. Blood seeps into the water as they battle, the struggle causing the grime at the bottom of the tank to be stirred up. A quiet metal clang can be heard at the top, but it goes unnoticed.]
W: CASS!
[The thrashing in the water finally subsides after 18 seconds, and Cassius attempts to resurface now that he has won, only to find that the entrance to the tank had been shut during the struggle. He swims back down to the glass, and attempts to break it with his shoulder, but to no avail.]
W: SOMEONE TRY TO BREAK THE GLASS! I'M TRYING TO GET THIS OPEN!
[Ness runs over, limping from the injured kneecap. Starting to punch the glass.]
[Cassius attempts to punch it as well, and when that doesn’t work, he tries to kick it. Still nothing. He bangs on the glass with a flat palm, eyes wide, staring at Ness. His strength rapidly fading.]
W: IT- IT'S JAMMED! I CANT- I CAN'T OPEN IT!
Ne: [Audibly crying.] GET A FUCKING HAMMER! SOMEONE FIND SOMETHING PLEASE!
[Ness switches to hitting the glass with her forearm, blood from her hands smearing on the glass.]
O: A LITTLE PREOCCUPIED, I’M SORRY!
[Cassius opens his mouth, and tries to shout the words ‘Help me, please.’ But all that comes out are bubbles. His hands go to his throat, clawing desperately at it. The burning from the lack of oxygen likely feeling like actual torture. After a few seconds of this, his movements slow, and finally stop. He now floats motionless in the tank.]
W: NO. NONONONONO! FUCK!
[Ness continues trying to break the glass, now using her already injured kneecap. Still nothing.]
Ne: GOD DAMNIT FUCKING HELP!
Be: Holy fucking shit, I– god, that– okay!
[Becky can be heard sprinting over, she stops right beside Ness.]
[Will can be heard sprinting down the metal steps, and jumping from a semi-safe distance to the floor next to them. From what the camera glimpses, it is distraught. One side of his face is covered in tears.]
Ne: PLEASE! NONONONONO.
[A pair of footsteps approach Ness from behind, someone off to the side shrieks, and a second pair joins the mix.]
Ne: Wha-
[Ness turns around to see one of the people in red running directly at her with a large knife in hand, the person almost reaches her, but is knocked out of the way by Ophelia. The previous attacker lunges at Ophelia, sending both of them to the ground; they attempt to stab Ophelia, but she easily catches their arm. Ophelia then turns to Ness, about to say something, but her voice dies as she sees the tank behind Ness. Her grip on the person's arm loosens, and they manage to sink the knife into xer throat. Xe stares at them for a few seconds as blood steadily flows from the stab wound. Zer eyes fill with tears from the pain, and she goes limp.]
Ne: I… O- Ophelia..?
[Ness begins seemingly laughing and sobbing, a pain response. She begins slowly moving over to Ophelia.]
Ne: O- Ophelia… It's n- Not funny…
?: HA! Two down! [Aside.] Guys, we can d–
[Ness cuts the figure off, jamming a knife into their chest right before ripping their throat out. Kicking the figure to the floor to pull the knife out.]
[The Archivist passes the camera, a blur of motion, patting Ness on the back gently before setting off again, lunging at another person in red. He bites down on their shoulder, sending the person down as it attacks them. The Archivist proceeds to simply mutilate anywhere it can reach. He goes for their eyes first, pressing it's claws fingers into the Individual's eyes as a sickening squelching sound is heard. The person barely has time to scream before A attacks them again, this time tearing at their face. Chunks of skin and viscera alike are seen to be flying around the victim person, before The Archivist begins to tear at their chest. The crunch of bone is picked up by the camera as its hand reaches into their chest, and pulls out a still-squirming heart. The figure goes limp, and for good measure it swiftly grabs their head and twists it.]
[Off to the side, Adelia can be seen with her hand on someone's jaw, feet planted on their shoulders, and one hand on their head. She yanks their jaw off of their skull, and blood flies upwards as she does. Becky is nearby stomping someone's ribs in, her legs getting coated in red as well.]
[Ness runs forward, grabbing a crowbar and spinning towards a figure in red. Jamming the crowbar sharp end first into the person's face, the rusted metal of the crowbar can be barely seen in the person's mouth and left eye socket. They fall limp as Ness and the camera begin looking around.]
[Ness stops on Irene for a little, watching as she sits on someone's torso, twirls a knife in the air, and makes several surgically precise cuts, opening the person up and jamming the knife into their insides. Ness looks away.]
Ne: [Between laughing and tears.] W- where… Where…
[A turns, a murderous glint slowly leaving its eye as it settles on Ness.]
A/W: ..hm?
Ne: Person. Where are the people?
[The Archivist jerks its head in the direction behind Ness, the glint returning as its sight settles on the anarchy behind her.]
[Ness continues turning until finally spotting someone, their hands in front of them pleading.]
?: YOU’RE BOTH FUCKING MONSTERS! BOTH OF YOU DESERVE TO BURN IN HE-
[Ness runs up and kicks the man in one of his legs, breaking it with an inhuman snap. Doing the same to the other one, before stabbing the man multiple times in the arms and chest. He screams as Ness jams a knife into his gut, dragging it across his stomach causing multiple sets of intestines to fall out along with blood. She drops the man down and continues stabbing him again and again and again.]
Ne: [Laughing.] DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DI- Di- die…
[Ness drops the knife, staring at the dead body in front of her before moving back, looking around to see other dead bodies, Ness stops at The Archivist.]
[The Archivist's head tilts at her, somewhat confused.]
Ne: [Crying.] What did I just do..?
A/W: Bad human. Helped. [It's voice sounds mechanically distorted.]
Ne: [Crying.] Your voice… Why is your voice like that?
[It makes a confused sound, and touches its throat hesitantly. Shaking his head, it scampers over to Ness.]
Ne: Will… I murdered three people.
A/W: Same number. As me.
Ne: What… Is with your voice?
A/W: The Archivist.
Ne: I thought… You were William?
A/W: Mhm.
Ne: I don't… Fucking care what Showfall calls you. I'm calling you Will.
A/W: Hm.
Ne: Cuz if you're the Archivist, does that make Rose “The Editor” or Edgar “The Mechanic”?
A/W: NO. NEVER. SAY. THAT.
Ne: THEN YOU AIN'T THE ARCHIVIST. FAIRS FAIR.
[The Archivist stares directly at Ness for a minute or so, before its body language completely changes. The glint in its eye has disappeared, its body relaxes, and he's looking down at his hands in mute horror.]
Ne: Hug?
[Will nods, shaking.]
[Ness hugs Will, removing the blood covered glove on her left hand to grab the back of it's head.]
Ne: I got you.
[William breaks down completely. He starts sobbing as he hugs Ness, slightly obscuring the camera.]
Ne: It's going to be ok… Um… Need some water?
W: C-c-cant. The o-others.
Ne: Right… Um… Fuck.
[Ness helps William up, before almost instantly falling back down to a knee.]
[Will moves back, to catch Ness quickly.]
Ne: MOTHERFUCKING SON OF A BITCH!
[Ness grabs at her kneecap, seemingly trying to fix it.]
W: D-don't. Damage it more.
Ir: [Distant.] Are you two okay?
Ne: I FUCKING DISLOCATED MY GODDAMN KNEECAP AGAIN!
Ir: [Still distant.] Oh, shit! Um. Can I carry you two over here? Just so we can all be grouped together?
Ne: UP TO WILL!
W: B-but, Cass and Ophelia..?
Ir: [Approaching.] We… can figure it out in a sec.
Ne: WAIT THE CROWBAR! THE- THE CROWBAR! I JAMMED IT INTO A GUYS FACE SOMEWHERE!
Be: Oh! Good point! Maybe that can break the glass!
[Irene finally gets to Ness and Will, quickly picking them both up under her arms and carrying them like large cats over to the rest of the group.]
Ne: Can someone please relocate my kneecap?
Ad: I can try! Becky, Irene, go get the crowbar. I’ll… do this.
Ne: Yeah uh, turns out using a wrestling finisher with your bad knee on an actual person and then kneeing glass is a bad idea.
Ad: Boy, I’ll say! Jesus! Good job on those three, by the way! Uh, sorry if that was like, mentally scarring. Okay, giving you a countdown… 3… 2…
[Adelia suddenly jolts her arms, relocating the kneecap on 2 instead of 1.]
Ne: FUCCCCCCCCCCCK!
Ad: Haha, sorry. Sometimes people like, stop me before I can do it so I’ve just… started doing that.
[William does go to hold one of Ness's hands, but looks at his own and pauses, before dropping them to it's sides.]
Ad: Aw, jeez, Will. You’re not doing that great, are you? We’re going back soon, dude. Don’t worry. Everything will be okay.
[He looks distantly at Adelia, nodding in a small, nearly missed action.]
Ne: I'm sure… Rose will help… Um… Can someone hold my phone for a moment? I need to throw up.
Ad: Of course, Ness.
[As Adelia takes the phone, a shout can be heard from the area near the tank.]
Ir: Not yet! You’ll flood the whole damn room! At least give everyone a chance to get to higher ground! The water is super gross, too!
Be: Ugh. Fine. [To the others.] HEY! You guys should like, move! We’re about to break the glass! It’s gonna be gross!
[Will makes a noise of indication, not being able to form words.]
Ne: Give me a minu-
[Ness cuts herself off, a retching noise heard out of frame.]
Ad: Oh. Ew. [A pause.] SORRY. SORRY. I’ll help you get to like. A bench or something.
Ne: Ow. Ok that would be appreciated.
Ad: I can’t carry y’all as well as Irene. So… sorry.
[Adelia tries her best to get Ness and Will to a bench, having to stop a couple times to take a break. But she makes it to a bench and helps them both up. She hands Ness the phone.]
Ad: Here’s your phone back, by the way. Um. Yeah. I’m going to go help with breaking the glass.
[Adelia jogs away, joining the other two PR members at the glass tank. She makes it over just as Becky swings, and it nearly whacks her in the head.]
W: I could've prevented that.
Ne: So could I…
Ir: HEY! I can feel the negative energy from over here! This wasn’t your fault, you’re both fine!
Ne: I COULD'VE DUCKED! OR HELPED WILL GET THAT DOOR OPEN!
W: I could've just, not got caught in the first place. Not cause Cass to come up there.
Ne: I mean… I got caught last time. I know how it feels… Kinda.
Ad: We’ve all had those moments, I remember the first time this shit happened to me… fuckin’ hell. I was devastated. I thought I fucked everything up. But! Cass came into my room the next day with a popsicle and just congratulated me on the work I did. He’s just going to be glad you’re okay.
Ne: I uh… Fuck… I can't say I know how you guys in the mall feel… Is that how Rose felt watching her big sister be taken? Having to watch?
[Will nods and mutters something.]
W: ‘is likely. .
Ad: [Cheerfully.] Yeah, probably!
[Irene punches Adelia in the arm.]
Ad: Hey! I– um. I mean… yeah. Probably. Sorry.
Ne: Is Ophelia going to hate me? I just had to move, move a muscle move a fucking inch. I watched the closest thing I have to a big sister die.
Ad: What is it with you guys and thinking that people who sacrifice themselves for you are going to hate you? Like, come on! They made that choice to help you because they care! Ophelia isn’t going to hate you when she’s back. I’ll bet she’s going to be a bit worried. But she won’t fuckin’ hate ya. Same with Cass.
Ne: It's called survivor's guilt! I think…
[Ness mutters something inaudible to the mic.]
Be: Aye! Can I break the glass now? I’ve been waiting for a while!
[Will gently nudges Ness, but replies]
W: I-I think so! Is Ophelia on higher ground?
Ir: Shit–
[Irene jogs over to where Ophelia’s body is. Lifting her off the ground and running to put zem down on a different bench. She holds up her hand and gives Becky a thumbs up.]
Be: Finally!
Ad: Should I mov–
[Adelia is cut off by the crowbar swinging towards the glass, shattering it, and sending a wave of murky green water out across the floor. Adelia is swept off her feet and carried halfway across the room. She sits up as the water settles, gagging.]
Ad: UGH. GROSS.
Ne: Um…
[Ness can be heard slowly beginning to cry once again.]
Be: I’ll grab Cass.
[Becky scans the area, their eyes settle on a shape that is halfway out of the tank. She walks up and grabs the shape, lifting it up and walking forward slightly, allowing it to be illuminated by a small bit of light in the building. The light reveals it to be Cassius, unmoving, soaking wet and covered in cuts that are slowly oozing blood.]
[Will squeaks, and hugs Ness, hiding his head in her shoulder.]
[Ness’ shaking is visible in the recording, she doesn't move. The only noise is her crying.]
Be: Fuck. That… Jesus. That looks like it really hurt…
[Becky stares at Cassius’ neck, which is also bleeding, likely from when he was clawing at his throat earlier.]
Ir: Shit… we need to get back to the mall. Are we all good to leave?
Ad: Yeah, I’m ready.
Be: Same. How about you two?
[Ness still does not respond, seemingly zoning out on Ophelia’s corpse.]
[Will just shakes his head, still quivering.]
Ad: I’ll grab Ophelia, Irene, are you good to carry those two out?
Ir: Mhm.
Ad: Great. Who’s driving?
Ne: I'll drive.
[Ness goes to stand up, but seemingly finally notices Will and sits back down.]
[Irene approaches the two, and picks them up as she did before, following the other two out the door, water sloshing around her ankles.]
Ne: Will… Please talk to Rose or Edgar about any emotional things. I'm not a good therapist but I'm still worried.
[Irene puts them down near the car, and makes eye contact with Will for a few seconds.]
Ir: Or any of us. We might not be very good at emotional… well. Anything. But we’re here anyway.
[William nods at what both of them say, but doesn't make a verbal response. He's numb to what's happening around him.]
Ne: Um… Fucking hell.
[Adelia pokes her head out of the car.]
Ad: Do you need a minute? We’re ready to go, but if you need a second to process stuff before we put you in charge of whether we make it to the mall in one piece or not, please feel free.
Ne: I… I stabbed a man 47 and a half times, I GUTTED THE SAME PERSON!
Be: If it makes you feel any better, I stomped someone out!
Ne: I just… I draw stuff like that… Never done it… What happened to me?
[Ness's hands pop up into frame, one covered with blood the other not as much. They both seem to be shaking though.]
Ir: Same thing that happened to us. But… a little less. You still feel bad about it. That’s good.
Ne: That's the scary thing… I don't feel bad… I'm scared… I… I… What if I do that to someone I care about?
Ir: Ness, lemme tell you something. It’s… hard. To do that. Not impossible, yeah. But it’s hard. If you care about someone, it’ll take a bit of willpower to hurt ‘em. It takes less to stop yourself, I’ve found.
Ne: I… Thanks…
W: Wouldn't. You wouldn't.
Ne: And neither would you… I see the look in your eye.
[Will just smiles, with a melancholy sense about it, and looks at the floor.]
Ne: It's true.
Ad: [Within the car.] We… should get going.
W: What if I left.
Be: Huh? Like. Just walked away? I dunno.
W: Just walked away. Would you guys come after me?
Be: Depends. What would you want us to do?
W: I don't know. I just don't want to go back there. But I have to.
Ne: I could take you to Marina's old house for a few days.
Ir: That could end… very badly. For reasons I’m sure both of you are aware of.
W: Yeah, I just... I don't want to do this. I want to go home.
Ir: Hm… I kinda get that. But… I don’t think I’ll ever fully understand.
Ne: Hey um… Rose is probably going to get you out come hell or high water, they made it pretty clear they ain't going to leave family behind.
[Will softly chuckles a bit.]
W: Of course.
Be: I think we all need a small break of sorts. Once we get back, I’m putting a movie on in the main room and making popcorn. If anyone wants to join.
Ne: I literally can't join.
W: I have to check in on the others. Don't know if they're okay. Could I bring some for them?
Be: Yeah, sure! Of course!
Ne: Tell Rose I'm sorry? Sorry for uh… That.
W: Thank you, Really. I will, Ness, promise.
Ir: Do you need any help getting into the car? Or are you both alright?
W: Ness? You, okay?
[Ness again mumbles something under her breath not heard by the camera.]
Ir: What was that?
Ne: Yeah I'm fine.
Ir: Alright, if you say so…
[Irene steps away, and gets into the passenger seat of the car, leaving Ness and Will alone.]
Ne: Ready Will?
W: ..I'm sorry this is how it went. But, yeah. Gonna have to be, huh?
Ne: Ok then.
W: Ness?
Ne: Yeah?
W: Thank you. For everything today. I'm… really sorry I didn't help more.
Ne: Hey dude, it's no problem… Don't worry about it.
W: You're.. really nice, by the way. Like, really. Thank you.
Ne: Hm… I uh… Thanks.
[Ness slowly opens the car doors for both herself and Will.]
[Will gets in quietly, not saying much else.]
Ad: Please… ignore the sloshing noises in the back. We… um… yeah.
Ne: Seatbelts everyone.
Be: Aye aye, captain!
W: Already ahead of you!
Ne: Ok, should I um play music?
Ad: Depends, are you gonna play good music?
Ne: I um… Depends on what you consider ‘good music.’
Ad: I don’t actually know what I consider good music. Go ahead.
Ne: Did Will already fall asleep?
Be: Yep. Out cold… jeez.
[Ness begins playing some music, identified as ‘Guardian battle’ from legend of zelda breath of the wild.]
Be: Oh, HELL yeah! Make this car ride a little more thrilling! Woo!
[Ness speeds out of the driveway/parking lot they are in.]
[End transcript.]
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