[025]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver is sitting by a tree somewhere in the midst of the forest. He is soaked to the bone and looks tired, ragged, and shaky]

I just... [stops, swallows, and tries again, keeping his voice as steady as possible, but his fear is evident] I just wanted to say that... [trails off again, his voice growing very soft and tight] I saw it...it's

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[not_that_lockon]

Make me.

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[oliverplus]

Lyle, this isn't a joke!

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[not_that_lockon]

I'm not joking.

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[oliverplus]

This isn't going to help. You...you know what I'm talking about. It's not safe.

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[not_that_lockon]

My brother's going crazy in another part of this forest. [He smiles weakly.] I don't think any of us are safe anyway.

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[oliverplus]

[makes a face] That's no reason to take risks you don't have to.

I saw your brother. I'm going to try to talk to him...

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[not_that_lockon]

Better than sitting round doing nothing.

Are you sure that's a good idea? It won't be pretty.

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[oliverplus]

He could hurt someone if he's left like that!

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[not_that_lockon]

Yeah, I know. Including you.

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[oliverplus]

But at least he'd hurt me before I could hurt him...

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[not_that_lockon]

Neither of you are going to hurt anyone!

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[oliverplus]

I want that to be true, Lyle. I'll do what I can. [shuts off the sphere]

[it stays off for several minutes before cutting back to Oliver, who is now holding his arm]

I'm sorry. I couldn't...I couldn't help him.

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[not_that_lockon]

[Notices him holding that arm.] He didn't hurt you, did he?

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[oliverplus]

[looks down at his arm in surprise, as if he's hardly had time to think about this himself; he keeps glancing around him suspiciously] Not...really, no.

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[not_that_lockon]

Oliver.

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[oliverplus]

I'm okay! It's your brother I'm worried about. I left him there...