[PSL] time travel, time travel

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin had always known that Lukas would kill him in the end. If not along the way, then surely at the end, once he'd gotten what he wanted out of Martin, whatever that turned out to be. When the Lonely rose up to swallow him, he'd accepted his impending death with ... what?

What did he have left, really? Numbness, mostly. A hallucination of Jon in the Lonely, looking for him, but - but that was impossible, ridiculous. His mind playing cruel tricks. He settled himself down in the frigid surf, knees drawn up close to his chest, unshed tears frozen to his cheeks and lashes.

And then. A door. A door that shouldn't exist, that couldn't exist. That he shouldn't take at all. The Lonely was terrible, yes, but it was quiet, and it was peaceful. Martin was aligned enough with it by now to very nearly enjoy it, in a strange and terrible way. The Spiral would be infinitely worse than this quiet beach.

But ... it was hope, too. In a strange way. Hope enough that Martin found himself turning the door handle and stepping through, leaving the false comfort of the Lonely behind him.

The transition was unpleasant. Long. But Martin couldn't remember it after; he only remembered stumbling out through the door of a supply closet somewhere deep in the Archives, blinking up at the dim bulbs that pretended to be sufficient. What time was it? Had he escaped? Where were Lukas and Elias now?

And where was Jon? ]

Comments

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric blinks at that for a moment, then takes the phone wordlessly. ]

Oh! Oh, that’s - yes, I do desperately need that. I can’t believe you have an actual landline here, though.

[eyediot]

The flat came with one, so I didn't see the need to change that.

[But okay. Things are... working out. And Algric is looking a lot better... Maybe his theory is on the right track.]

It came in handy anyway.

[curriculum_fictae]

Y-yes, I. I can’t imagine what I’d done if you hadn’t had one. Probably tried to go to the Institute to find you.

[ He shivered at that. ]

[eyediot]

...I'm glad it didn't come to that as well.

[Yeah he would not have been happy about that. Algric would've not only walked into a mess, but Elias....]

Tim told me you talked him down from destroying it.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Elias would have done something terrible then and there. Something infinitely worse than what he did in that hallway. ]

... Yes. Because he was going to - to slop some petrol around and light it on fire. As if that would actually do the job.

[eyediot]

Good lord...

[Tim. Yeah he's glad Algric stopped him.]

He wants us all to get together and talk before you and I go in. I told him the tunnels are the safest place to work.

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh, yes. That’s - entirely correct. Elias can’t see us down there.

[ A deep breath. ]

I would very much like the Institute gone but - you know, planning. N-not just for blowing it up proper? But also what happens to - to you and Tim and Martin when you can’t go back to work.

[eyediot]

I suppose that will need some planning as well. I suppose Tim could always go back to publishing.

[But what would Jon even do? Or Martin and Algric? There are so many factors. Plus, even with the Institute gone, they need to stop this Unknowing as well.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That gets the flattest look. ]

I-I mean the part where you three die, Jon.

[eyediot]

W-well yes, that too.

[LOOK.... Yeah he's not into the whole dying thing either, especially after just promising that he wouldn't.]

I assumed since I just promised I wouldn't that it wasn't necessary to say again.

[curriculum_fictae]

W-well yes, but - I’m saying that’s a consideration. Also a reason why I didn’t want Tim just blowing up the Institute.

[eyediot]

Right.

[He sighs and just. Leans against him. At the very least, Algric is big and secure enough he can do that. Normally he'd lean back against the couch but...]

We'll figure something out.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He is big and nice and maybe cold, yes, but glad to put an arm around Jon. ]

Right. Right. I’ll - give you all the info I can.

[eyediot]

[He nods. Honestly? Great pillow.]

All right. It doesn't need to be right now.

[A beat.]

You know, I don't mind the - the not being able to lay on my back, but I really cannot wait to be able to walk properly again.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric manages a small laugh. ]

I could carry you, but that wouldn’t be any better.

[eyediot]

No, it wouldn't be.

[His pride, Algric.]

[curriculum_fictae]

I could at least carry you to bed?

[eyediot]

...Maybe when I'm ready to go to sleep.

[He sighs. Jon is... loathe to disrupt this bit of peace but.]

Have you or Tim heard from Martin?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric blinks at Jon, dimly confused. ]

No? I mean, there’s not really any way for Martin and I to talk to each other.

[eyediot]

Bollocks.

[Crap that's... Bad. He doesn't know what he thought, but he was hoping for something better.]

Back at the hospital. I.. After I talked to you, I talked to him too. And explained I... felt the same for you both.

[He's quiet, just... Thinking.] He didn't take it well.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Um. That’s - alarming? Algric straightens at that, looking at Jon with alarm. ]

What - what do you mean? What happened, Jon?

[eyediot]

...He disappeared. R-right in his seat. I couldn't stop him.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ AaaaaAHHHHH

Well if Jon was hoping for comfort, he’s not getting it from Algric. Instead, his side of the couch freezes over. ]

That’s - that’s bad. That’s really, really bad, Jon, I -

[ He’s moving to get up. ]

I need to find him.

[eyediot]

[Yeah, he had that coming. He grunts with the shifting, sort of lilting to the complete opposite side and trying to ignore the sudden temperature change to cold.]

I-i didn't- I didn't know what to do.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Sorry Jon. At least Algric leaves a hand on his shoulder to brace him. ]

It’s not your fault. It’s - mine, if any, for -

[ For stealing Jon? Good god. ]

I’ll find him.