video || 1

[charring]

[There's a face peering at the device, frowning. Nose wrinkled, frustration in her eyes and a quickness to her tone. A hint of a short temper and a slight sense of worry. An urgency found only in the voice of people used to being on the run. She fights to keep her expression neutral, aiming for boredom. It comes off as impatience and annoyance.

She's outside, blue sky behind her and the sound of water nearby. The hum of a breeze just in the background.]

I want answers. I don't know where I am or how I got here. Last thing I remember, I was on a bus to Alaska.

[No, she wasn't. She was on her way to New Mexico but who knew if the Shop was listening or not. Better to be dishonest and safe than honest and dead.]

What happened? Who brought me here and why? The sooner I find out, the better. [A pause as she looks around, trying to gain some information as she does so. A sign of where she is or a way out.]

I really, really can't be here. It's important that I continue my trip.

[And there's fumbling with the device before it stops recording.]

Comments

[facilitated]

[ Well that's more information in one sentence than Laura got from her dad in weeks, and she doesn't quite know what to do with it. Something that they want? She wouldn't even begin to understand what that's supposed to mean yet. ]

What sort of people are they interested in, then? 'Cause honestly, he didn't have anything interesting.

[ If only some small shred of information about all of this had been passed onto her, if only she'd actually believed any of the insane ramblings of those final days. But if only's don't help her now, and now she has to do all the leg work herself. ]

[charring]

Do you know what the Shop likes to dabble in?

[It wasn't common 'knowledge' that the USDSI liked poking at things of a supernaturally scientific nature. It was more 'conspiracy theory'. And it was more honest than the Shop saying they made painkillers and other medical blah-blah bullshit.]

I mean, I'll answer your question. But I want to hear your answer first.

[facilitated]

I don't know anything?

[ She's got nothing to gain by lying now. All it would do would put more road blocks between her and the truth, and she's sick to death of that. ]

All I know is we were running, and my dad was terrified. And then the world went to crap, and I got stuck with nothing but guesswork left. Who are they and what do they want?

[charring]

[Okay. Charlie could do this, then. She nodded, smiling apologetically.]

Sorry for asking that twice. I just wanted to make sure. Now, what I'm about to say might sound insane, but I can guarantee it's true.

[Charlie remains standing, arms crossed over her chest as she looks at Lauren. This isn't that easy to talk about, because she will eventually divulge a lot about her and she'd rather not. But if it's necessary, it's necessary.]

They're government scientists, for starters. Which usually implies that they're smart and they're really not. They like to poke around in things considered paranormal. Immortality. Other possible dimensions. Psychic abilities. Shit no one should be poking with because it'd take us far too long to understand.

[She'll let that sink in some.]