49 - Voice - This isn't Africa.

[ichoosefight]

If you're trying to freak me out, it isn't going to work. It's a nice imitation of my room back home, but you sort of forgot the windows. And this sure as heck isn't a cell phone. We haven't had decent reception for months. The only thing I don't understand is what you want with me specifically. Why go to all this trouble for a dead girl? Nobody's

Comments

[takeyouapart]

Erm. Before you do anything tears-or-blood-ish, can I make a suggestion?

[ichoosefight]

That depends. Do you know how I got here?

[takeyouapart]

Yes. I mean - sort of.

You definitely haven't been kidnapped. You aren't anywhere any kidnappers could even take you. Just - go out of your room and go upstairs until you run out of stairs, and you'll see what I mean.

[ichoosefight]

Fine. But I'm taking the knife with me.

[ A few minutes later. ]

So I've been kidnapped by aliens. Even better.

[takeyouapart]

You haven't been kidnapped by aliens! You chose to be here, lots of people have, but you've forgotten about it. I think. You have amnesia.

[ichoosefight]

I did not choose to be here. I wouldn't have. Not after--

How do I get back?

[takeyouapart]

Well, I suppose technically you could ask the Admiral to send you home but I wouldn't do that right now, you really are supposed to be here.

Oh - the thing you're using to talk to me. It might have records of some things you've said or written but you've forgotten about.

[ichoosefight]

[ Another long moment later, ]

Is this some kind of sick joke? What exactly are you trying to accomplish here?

[takeyouapart]

Nothing, I'm just trying to help. I know this is all completely unbelievable and there's no way I can really properly convince you that you've forgotten anything, but I'd rather tell you the truth and have you not believe me than make up something you would believe.

[ichoosefight]

[ Oh god, minor breakdown time. ]

How much time have I lost? Leslie, what happened to her? How did I get here?

[takeyouapart]

I don't know about those first two, I'm sorry. I've never heard you talk about anyone called Leslie.

I can help with the last one, though. This is the Barge, it's - sort of a prison. Everyone here is either an Inmate or a Warden, and Wardens help Inmates to...to rehabilitate, to sort themselves out. You would have made a deal with the Admiral - he runs the Barge - to come here and be a Warden. He would've brought you here.

[ichoosefight]

I'm a... warden? You're sure?

[takeyouapart]

Why wouldn't you be

I'm absolutely sure. I promise.

[ichoosefight]

I don't understand. I wasn't going to do this sort of thing anymore.

[takeyouapart]

...

Helping people seems like a good thing to not stop doing...?

[ichoosefight]

[ Scathingly, ] I was happier in Africa.