Entry 17

[41810]

[There are a few seconds of silence, and then the shifting of clothing and blankets, as if someone's heard something and is rolling off a bed

Comments

[paper_knight]

The fear is what registers with Mark--J looks far more strung out than the reserved kid he met a month or two back.

"Hey. You all right?"

[41810]

.. What? Oh. [A pause.] Not really.

[paper_knight]

"Where were you? Before just now?"

This said with the knowledge that he won't get a satisfactory answer. But it's worth confirming that J actually left.

[41810]

The hotel. I was in a hotel. I don't know where.

[paper_knight]

"Do you know when? A date?"

[41810]

... I'm... not really sure.

[paper_knight]

A soft hiss. Regardless of what's responsible, the mansion or the Operator or both, it can't be fun to lose your bearings so completely.

"And you don't remember being here before?"

[41810]

... No. I'm told I was here, but... that's all I have.

[paper_knight]

"I'm afraid I can't help you much. There's..."

He stops. He could point J in Alex's direction, but Alex is wound tighter than usual after Markus' stabbing spree. Tim is out of the question for the same reason.

"There's a guy who lives across the hall from me, up on the second floor. Detective Stango. He'll take care of you, if you want some of the gaps filled in."

[41810]

... Okay. I know him, I'm guessing. Or, I'm supposed to.

[paper_knight]

"Yeah. He'll know you, at least."

And Mark's guessed that they were friends.

"He's in room 4, second floor."

[41810]

Oh. Okay. Thanks. [A shift.... and J uneasily cuts the transmission, pursing his lips.]