Riddle 028: What always comes too late? Answer - Regret (Backdated to the Day After Port West)

[puzzlerprince]

[A - 726 Anderson Lane - Family / Neighbors / Stalkers

Edward’s back from Port West. Not that he feels any more comforted by this abrupt return back home. Sure, he isn’t trapped in the basement any longer, but he’s not exactly ready to come to terms with what he’s done. And what he tried to do.

So, of course, Eddie’s got to head out. Try and leave

Comments

D

[glowing_science]

[Ema's at the drive-in for some air, to actually get a good look at the place, and to think. The movie will be droning background noise and she's unlikely to be interrupted here; drones and normal people are too occupied with each other to pay attention to the woman sitting at the lone picnic table toward the back.

In scanning the parking lot, she spots a car that's a very... familiar shade of green. It can't be.

Curiosity gets the better of her, however, and Ema heads over to take a peek. It totally is--Edward Nigma's inside. Then again, who else would drive a car colored like this?

Ema taps on the window, trying to get his attention.]

just another day in the life

[puzzlerprince]

[The cap is perched low over his face, obscuring his vision. Eddie stirs in his slumber, muttering to himself indistinctly. Woozily, he pushes himself up, tilting the brim of his hat up so that he can get a good look at the one trying to get his attention.

Ema.

He frowns. It only figure she'd be here right now, in yet another one of Edward Nigma's darkest hours. Sighing, he rolls down the window about halfway.]

Yes?

they have a Thing with cars XD

[glowing_science]

I was surprised to see you here, that's all. Nice car.

[One good look at him, and she can tell that he's not at all okay. Unsurprising; after the murder games, hardly anyone is. She returns his frown with one of her own, although hers is tinged with more than a little concern.

She did say that she'd be there for him, romantic relationship or not. Looks like it's time for her to hold up to that. Again.]

Why are you sleeping out here like this?

[puzzlerprince]

Thank you.

[She's totally going to get mad at him if he tells her, isn't she? So then keep quiet, Edward. Keep---]

There's been a bit of trouble at home lately.

[Damn.]

[glowing_science]

[Ema raises an eyebrow. That's not a promising beginning to this conversation.]

What kind of trouble? This doesn't have anything to do with recent events in Mayfield, does it?

[Because if it does, she might have to smack him upside the head.]

[puzzlerprince]

It... might.

[glowing_science]

...

What did you do?

[puzzlerprince]

[Oh, she's going to get mad at him.]

Hang on.

[Rolling the window back up, then moving to open the passenger door.]

Would you like to sit down?

[glowing_science]

[It wouldn't be an important conversation between the two of them if it didn't involve a car.]

Yeah, please?

[She lets herself into the car and has a seat.]

Now, what happened?

[puzzlerprince]

...well, I'm sure it won't surprise you that I participated in that recent little game that the Census Board had set up for us.

[glowing_science]

...

[Dammit, Edward.]

Why? Did you honestly think any good would come from it?

[puzzlerprince]

Part of me knew they wouldn't make good on their promise. But I... had to participate, regardless. I couldn't stop myself. I couldn't. [A beat to let that sink in.] Rules are rules. To go against them would be cheating.

[He doesn't bring up the photograph of the two of them that he was sent. One less can of worms to drag out.]

[glowing_science]

You... honestly couldn't help yourself?

[Dammit, Edward.

She smacks him upside the head.]

If I knew a way to break these compulsions of yours, I would do it. You played into their hands because you weren't able not to!

[puzzlerprince]

[Ouch. Yeah, he deserved that.]

...Susan was my second target. [Raising an elbow to shield himself.] Now, before you hit me again, let me explain. I didn't---I didn't kill her.

[glowing_science]

Good! I don't think she'd let that slide. Ever.

[Ema crosses her arms.]

I'm listening.

[puzzlerprince]

[The elbow lowers.]

I'd received her name in the mail on that Friday, but I didn't make a move until Sunday. I didn't.... [Sigh.] I didn't want to. But I had very little choice. Since I'd held myself back that entire weekend, I began... seeing things. Hearing people that weren't truly there. Taunting me, urging me to kill.

Some of them were old friends from back home. Some of them were... people I had come to know here.

...one of them was my father.