[ text | un: anonymous ]

[supersweet]

If someone takes control of you, does that mean that there's something bad in you all along?

How do you get rid of it?

Comments

[antietam]

[ Adam gets there fast. He doesn't know how he can help, but he knows letting Jon dwell in this alone is a bad idea. ]

Hey. Thanks for meeting me. Do you know any ice cream places or should we explore a little?

[supersweet]

Uhm, I think there's one nearby. Mr. Rogers and I went there once.

[ What would he think of Jon now? His shoulders slump a little. ]

I've got enough money.

[antietam]

No way, it's my treat. You kicked my butt the last time we played video games, remember? Winner gets free ice cream.

[ That wasn't the deal, but it is now. ]

However much you want. Hopefully they have monster sundaes.

[supersweet]

[ Normally he'd protest but he accepts this with a tired nod. ]

I don't think I could look at any more monsters for a while. Our town got attacked by a giant squid. And . . . other stuff.

The whole experience was weird.

[antietam]

A giant squid. [ It's not really a question because it doesn't sound like a joke. ]

Okay, no monster sundae. Maybe a superhero sundae or... alien sundae? [ Are aliens too similar to monsters? Here, probably not. ] You've sure been through a lot, Jon. It sounds really tough.

[supersweet]

[ Normally, Jon would be lying better, but he's worn down from the lies in his life. ]

Yeah. I mean, I've handled weird stuff before. But this feels more personal, y'know?

[antietam]

Of course. [ He sounds like he gets it. ]

I don't think it'll be something either of us can ever forget about. But even if they're not good, those experiences shape who we are.

Who do you think you are, right now?

[supersweet]

I dunno.

[ He trails off looking at his hands. He hit Batman with these. His father. Manchester Black. Jon is an active child and he can lash out, but he's never been violent. ]

I guess I feel like a tool and there are people just waiting to see what I'll become.

[antietam]

[ He nods. That's a lot, but Adam thinks he might have said the same thing at Jon's age for an only slightly different reason. ]

You don't think people trust you anymore? They look at you different?

[supersweet]

If I was back home, then maybe.

[ Certainly he'd be more paranoid. But Jon's always been different. He's just forced to his it. ]

But I've always been different. People looking at me won't change that.

[antietam]

But it can hurt. [ His friends looked at him differently after he was possessed by something different. ]

I think... if you feel like a tool, then he still has some power over you, doesn't he? I mean—not really but in your head. Which can be just as difficult.

And, like I said, it's not like you can just forget, but you can make sure you don't become who he wanted you to. You become who you want to be and that's how he loses control. [ It seems a little emotional for him, but he's not looking at Jon. ]

[supersweet]

Everyone says it'll go away. And . . . I guess I should keep going.

[ He glances at Adam, his brow creasing with worry. ]

Are you okay?

[antietam]

Oh, yeah. [ He gives him a quick smile. ]

I just know what that's like, when people who don't really understand try to give you advice. It's from a good place, but they can't ever get it.

[supersweet]

[ Jon pauses before nodding slowly. ]

Yeah . . . that's what it feels like. But I heard so many people who went through similar things. It just makes it worse.

[antietam]

I know. [ He's not really talking about possession anymore. ]

That means you can do something to help others with it. I mean, once you feel like you've helped yourself.

[supersweet]

I dunno how to do that.

[antietam]

I can't tell you how to do it either. It's something you have to figure out for yourself. And it might take a long time.

But... Oh. [ He realizes they've ended up at the ice cream parlor. Automatically, he opens the door for Jon. ] But you know that I'll help you however I can, right?

[supersweet]

Of course.

[ Jon's smile may be tired, but it's still genuine and full of belief. ]

You're my friend.