IC Inbox

[lightconductor]

If you have a message for me, Dr. John Watson, please leave it here. I shall certainly get back to you as soon as I can.
- JW

Comments

[lightconductor]

[An O. Get the vowels out of the way.]

That's quite the bold claim that you're making.

[stairwellshadow]

if it wasn't true, we would have been silenced before we ever got to talk with you.

[lightconductor]

[An N.]

And what happens if you claim my soul, then?

[stairwellshadow]

i get to do whatever i want with it.

[lightconductor]

[He frowns for a moment, and takes a chance on a W.]

And what would you do with a soul?

[stairwellshadow]

[ Sorry, Watson! ]

i'd finally have what i want instead of having to play pretend.

[lightconductor]

[S, then.]

And you could do that with someone else's soul, then?

[stairwellshadow]

i could, i think.
i have to try to get my family back.

[lightconductor]

Depending on the situation, there may be better ways to achieve that than bargaining for souls.

[He stares at it for a moment, and writes "prodigal son" on the paper.]

How's that, then?

[stairwellshadow]

congratulations.
you got your clue then.
and you'll have your family, too.
i hope you'll be happy.

[lightconductor]

That's my clue? Or is there more to it than that? Is that who you are?

[He slides the paper back, and cautiously moves to get his revolver from the drawer where he's left it.]

[stairwellshadow]

that's who you should look for.
before he disobeys you again.

[lightconductor]

[That's... alarming. And it doesn't lead in a direction he wants to think about. Abruptly, Watson flings the door open, gun in hand.]

[firewalled]

[Rich is standing outside.

Or at least, it looks like Rich. He seems dazed, his hair mussed like he was just sleeping. There's a pen on the floor beside him, and in his hands, a knife.]

Hello, Dad. You seem upset.

[lightconductor]

[He lowers the gun. It's maybe not Rich, but it looks like Rich, and that's enough that he can't bring himself to point a firearm directly at him.]

We've been worried about you, lad.

[firewalled]

You have? I would have thought you would be angry... The detective's decided I'm dangerous, right?

[He's sure all of the truth he had tried to hide is uncovered by now. There's no point in playing coy.]

[lightconductor]

Do I look like the sort of person who is upset about someone being dangerous? Though I do have a question or two for you. Are you Rich, or are you... someone else?

[firewalled]

...I'm your son, Dad. You don't have to doubt that.

[His tone is firm and serious.]

[lightconductor]

[His expression softens, just a little.]

You are certainly my son. But you did not answer my question, either.

[firewalled]

[Rich looks away, voice hesitant.]

I'm not... exactly Rich. I had to borrow his body... when he got hurt in the water.

[lightconductor]

That long ago?

[He's startled, despite himself.]

What happened with César, then?

[firewalled]

[...He doesn't want to talk about this. It hurts to have to talk about this, and not hide everything. He wishes he could retreat away into his dreams... but he gave that up for a reason.

He has to keep going.]

He got upset when we played the hangman game. He was worried about Rich, so he texted him... and his cell phone rang outside the door.

I couldn't get away in time. I was so scared about what would happen if he found out that I... killed him.

[lightconductor]

That was a very foolish thing to do, you know. César would not have done anything rash.

[Listen to him. He does sound like a dad, and also he's lecturing a... ghost. thing.]

Of course we're worried about Rich. We aren't quite sure what's going on, and you are... in his body, as you say.

[firewalled]

...I know. I really am sorry... I don't want anyone hurt. But I don't really know what's going on either.

[His grip on the knife lessens, and he looks a little choked up.]

I just... want to find my family.

[lightconductor]

[Watson, gun lowered, takes a small step forward.]

And who is your family, then?