~forty-four~ [backdated to Shroomfield]

[glowing_science]

[A: In and around 1492 Kramden Road]

[Ema Skye is freaking out. Thanks to an ill-advised cafeteria meal at the hospital, she's hallucinating. As far as she's concerned, she's fourteen years old again (while simultaneously twenty-five), reliving one of the worst nights of her life. She's trapped in a darkened office with no source of light

Comments

B WE'RE RUNNING THIS LET'S GO

[uranophobe]

[It had been an... interesting day for Crane so far. What with the entire town thrown into a state of chaos and fear, the source of his uncharacteristic good humor is obvious. He'd whistle, if he were the type to do such a thing.

He's walking through the hospital when he hears strange, but very familiar, sounds coming from, of all places, a janitor's supply closet. Grinning slightly, he opens the door.]

Hello?

[glowing_science]

[Oh shit, it's Joe Darke. He's found her and now that she's seen him, he's going to murder her like he did all those other witnesses. She is going to die.

Ema does the only logical thing she can do.

She screams as she scrambles backward, trying to distance herself from him.]

G-get away!

[uranophobe]

[He recognizes her, the little scientist girl who was rather close with Edward. It seems that she's been afflicted by whatever it is has taken over the town... A part of him is disappointed to be missing out on such fun, but it isn't as if this isn't enjoyable in and of itself.

WELL, what fun is a hallucination if one can't help it along a bit? He steps forward into the closet.] Did you really think you could hide forever?

[glowing_science]

[Ema's back quickly hits the wall behind her--it's not like supply closets are especially deep. He has her cornered, and Prosecutor Marshall is nowhere in sight. Does... does this mean she's on her own?

A crack of thunder. A flash of lightning. Instinctively, she winces.

No no no no no no no she's not fourteen anymore she's an adult she can defend herself dammit

Desperate, she reaches for a letter opener and holds it out to defend herself. To Crane, this weapon looks suspiciously like a flashlight.]

I said get away!

[She's trying to push through her fear, but the way she trembles makes it obvious.]

A

[knockknocking]

[Well. This is new. Ema still isn't exactly Enigma's favorite person, but when Enigma finds Ema cowering, a mix of concern and curiosity (mostly the later) makes her stop, and lean over the woman.]

What are you doing?

[glowing_science]

[Ema squints at the girl. Is... is that her? It must be.

It totally makes sense that Ema's interacting with a younger version of herself.]

Hiding.

A-are you okay...? How old are you?

[knockknocking]

Seven and a half. Who are you hiding from? [She goes ahead and takes a seat on the floor next to Ema.]

[glowing_science]

[O-oh.

Her parents died when she was that age.

Without even thinking about it, Ema tries to pull the girl close.]

I think... someone's coming who will hurt us. But I'll keep you safe.