Voice. (possible action outside of the wall) | un: ilikehorses

[shoplifter]

[It's been... a hell of a last two weeks for Laura. She had woken up with a chunk of memory inexplicably gone, uninjured as always, and yet — the faintest scent of blood under her scrubbed nails. She wasn't in a hospital, but some big room with heavy doors and Linda the social worker; her head was bandaged, her look one of bone-deep concern as she sits beside the girl.

Oh. The memory of her recapture sits heavy in her gut. The collar, the chair, the network recording, just before everything vanished from her mind. Linda runs a hand through her hair and explains things basically: Shiloh came, he took her, and he used something on her to control her. But it's fine now — all fine, his body was found, he can't do anything anymore.

Laura looks tiredly skeptical at the whole thing. She asks if she killed anybody. Linda dodges the question, which is answer enough. "We just... what he used might still be in effect, so we're making sure you're back to yourself." Linda knows her bad history with rooms like this. Maybe it's why it's so big and spacious.

But she stays, and days pass, and she's not sure what happens outside. She just knows people are dead, and she hasn't any clue who. There's something terrifying about not remembering if you took a life, even if such an act is too easy for someone like her.

When she's finally cleared to leave, there's a paranoia in her that maybe she isn't.

So she steers clear and packs a bag and runs away into the woods. But she at least leaves Linda little note this time, so she doesn't pull her hair out panicking. Out there where she can find comfort in isolation, she makes herself known on the network; she doesn't use text. It feels like an easy out.]

I do not remember... what happened. I know a man did something to make me hurt people, but...

[A pause, heavy and unsure how to proceed; but the guilt is there to carry her forward.]

I am sorry for any pain or suffering I caused.

I will be staying outside the wall for a little while, to make sure I am not a danger.

[She thought she'd maybe figure out something to say after that, but...

Her mouth just sort of freezes there.]

Comments

[11calls]

[Alex frowns for a moment, because what it actually may be is... a lot both to say and to explain. Because saying 'probably saving the world' even when your partner doesn't believe it (even if Simon believes it enough for everyone) makes you seem more than a little bit like a crazy person.]

It's sort of a secret. [Not a lie, Strand doesn't want her to tell anyone.] But it's complicated and important.

[shoplifter]

[Well now, that just makes her all the more curious.]

Dangerous?

[11calls]

[Alex just sighs before she admits it softly, glad that Laura didn't see her black tape.:]

Yes.

[shoplifter]

I know what that is like, at least.

... Be safe.

[11calls]

I will be! And it's not like I'm going anywhere for awhile. I wouldn't take a portal until Simon and Richard have one too.

[shoplifter]

[She nods.]

I'll come back, from the forest.

After I... sort through things, in my head.

[11calls]

I know. And I'll see you later this afternoon with a collection of junk food and things to amuse yourself with. I'm a woman of my word.

[One can hear the smile in her voice.]

[shoplifter]

You are a woman of your word.

[She repeats it in confidence, before smiling a little more openly.

See you this afternoon, Alex.]