Blue Wolfe and Friends presents: Camp Here and There.
Episode Forty-Two: Day of the Insecure
[CLICK]
LUCILLE [ON THE PHONE]
[HEAVY STATIC]
Right… No, I understand. This is a serious matter, the severity. What exactly did they find? Mhmm… I see. And there’s no way to… Of course. Yes, I’ll handle it from here. Keep me updated. Thank you for calling.
[PHONE SLAMS]
MYSTERY MAN
The woman slumps into her chair. Her long hands fold together, elbows resting on her desk as she stares forward. Her tall, thin frame hunches over.
A single bead of sweat trickles down her temple, tracing a glistening path along the deep creases of her scowl before disappearing into the pulled hair at the nape of her neck.
She takes a shuddering breath. The floral pattern of her collared shirt wilts under the red glare of sunrise.
[CLICK]
[CLICK]
SYDNEY
Good morning, campers! The time is [STATIC] 8:64AM, and the sky has rested into a burning teal, mingling with the scarlet expanse from the crack of dawn.
[BELL SOUNDS]
I know you’re all excited for another day of rousing camp activities, but I have some important news to share, my fungi friends. Last night, Jedidiah was… well… he had to go away for a little while. The Beefers– I mean, the BEEF officers – they… found some things in his office that they needed to ask him about. So he’s had to take a little trip to visit the friendly folks at the Bureau of Eldritch and Esoteric Findings, or BEEF II.
Now, I don’t want you to worry. Jedidiah is going to be just fine. He’s one tough cookie, right? But while he’s away, I’ll need to step back to… help Lucille! She’s going to be lonely without her son around, y’know?
But don’t you fret! I’ve asked Yvonne and Joshua, two of our most esteemed and capable counselors, to take over the announcements and nursing today. They’ll keep you updated on all the important happenings around camp.
I know it’s a bit of a change, not having me here to guide you through the day with my charming reporter drollery. But I promise, I’ll be back before you know it! In the meantime, I need you all to be on your best behavior for the Cabin Silkworm leaders. Show them the same respect and attentiveness you’d show me or Jedidiah. [WHISPER] Though if you show Joshua a little less than respect, I won’t complain.
[GRUMBLING] He’s only paired along because Yvonne wouldn’t do it without him…
[RESIGNED SIGH] I know change can be scary, kids. Believe me, I’ve experienced my fair share of… transformations. But we’ll get through this together, like a colony of cordyceps sprouting from the same host. We’re a family here at Camp Here & There, bound by something deeper than mere flesh and bone. And family looks out for each other. So let’s rally around Yvonne… [HESITANTLY] and Joshua, and make sure they feel supported as they step into these roles!
I’ll miss you all terribly while I’m away. But I know you’ll thrive under Yvonne’s nursingship, they’ve got some really exciting activities planned for you– trust me, you won’t even have time to miss me!
In the meantime, let’s focus on making the most of our day. The schedule is packed with all sorts of fun activities!
First up, we have The Discourse Course, where Campers are paired up to engage in international debates topics relevant to our current day politicians, such as “Do Cursed Artifacts Deserve Healthcare?” “Should Trees Be Allowed to Vote?” or “If a Demon Runs a Business, Is It Capitalism or a Summoning Ritual?”
Here’s something I would love to know! “Is friendship just a long-term, mutual prank?”
…
[CHORTLE] Well, I sure can’t wait to hear how you kids plan to solve the world’s problems!
Uh… Rowan plans to start something called… “Shovel Club”… this morning.
And for the more introverted campers, we have an hour of Quiet Time in the Auditory Enrichment Enclosure! You must remain absolutely silent while in the enclosure– to be respectful towards those easily overwhelmed by noise and chatter, of course. The Auditory Enrichment Enclosure sports a smorgasbord of wondrous clashing cymbals, static radios, interpretive party crackers, and ONE single crow. We had to remove the second crow after we got complaints that it was, quote, “too disruptive” to campers looking for peace and quiet…
For breakfast, Matthew has prepared reverse soup! Instead of liquid with solid bits, it’s a solid with a wet orb!
Alright, my little spore puffs, I’m off to tend to the… Lucille. Keep your chins up and your third eyes open, and always remember – at Camp Here & There, anything is possible… except a decent cell phone signal. And if you need me… not today, sorry!
[CLICK]
[CLICK]
[REPEATED KNOCKING]
SYDNEY
Lucille, open up please.
…
[CONTINUED KNOCKING]
SYDNEY
Lucille!
[CONTINUED KNOCKING]
…
SYDNEY
[SIGH] Lucille, please…
…
[CONTINUED KNOCKING]
LUCILLE
[THROUGH THE DOOR] Go away!
SYDNEY
C’mon!
[CONTINUED KNOCKING]
[SILENCE]
[CREAK]
MYSTERY MAN
Through the thin gap between the door and frame, the boy catches a glimmer of Lucille’s eye.
In the slender beam of sunlight that slices through the dusty air of the hallway, the boy sees something in Lucille’s gaze he would have never witnessed before…
Terror.
[CREAK]
LUCILLE
[IRRITATED] What do you want, boy?
SYDNEY
I need to know what’s happening with Jedidiah.
LUCILLE
I don’t know anything!
[DOOR BEGINS TO CREAK SHUT]
[CREAKING IS INTERRUPTED]
SYDNEY
Wait—talk to me, Lucille! What did they find?
[DOOR IS FORCED OPEN]
[TWO SETS OF FOOTSTEPS]
LUCILLE
Don’t record me!
[DOOR SHUT BEHIND]
SYDNEY
Tell me what they found.
LUCILLE
It’s nothing for you to concern yourself with.
SYDNEY
[EXASPERATED SIGH] Lucille, I’m 25.
LUCILLE
[SIGH]
SYDNEY
Fairy market stuff, right?
[A PAUSE]
LUCILLE
…Etherquartz.
SYDNEY
The hell does he need etherquartz for!?
LUCILLE
Watch your tone!
SYDNEY
Sorry.
[FOOTSTEPS]
MYSTERY MAN
The woman was pacing behind her desk. The boy has undoubtedly seen her act like this, unkempt and nervous, very few times in his life.
LUCILLE
“What does he need it for?“… “what does he need it for?”… I don’t know! You think I know anything about what that twit gets up to—?
MYSTERY MAN
As we know, she is lying.
LUCILLE
But at this point I’d rather he travel off again to hell knows where for the year instead of bringing the attention here.
SYDNEY
Right.
LUCILLE
Working on that stupid project and getting us in trouble, why I have half a mind— hey! I told you to stop recording me!
SYDNEY
It’s not recording.
LUCILLE
You know you can’t trust anything that takes sound… [GROAN OF DISTRESS] I want you to stay out of it, Sydney.
SYDNEY
But—
LUCILLE
That’s an order.
SYDNEY
He’s my lover! Don’t I get some sort of… spousal privileges?
LUCILLE
You are not married.
SYDNEY
We may as well be, right?
LUCILLE
Stop talking back to me! I feed you, I house you, I clothe you, and what I say goes.
SYDNEY
I reiterate that I am an adult—
[CLOCK TICKING]
LUCILLE
Sydney, you know that I care about you.
SYDNEY
Yes.
LUCILLE
So, do me a favor and leave it, will you? If you involve yourself, you risk getting hurt, or taken as collateral, or interrogated or even tortured, and I don’t want to see you in custody even if you had nothing to do with it. [SARDONIC TONE] My frail little heart couldn’t handle it, Sydney…
SYDNEY
Mm.
LUCILLE
I’ve already got to worry about my son. Don’t make me worry about you too.
SYDNEY
Mm.
LUCILLE
I’ll handle it.
SYDNEY
Okay. How?
LUCILLE
I have my connections. Now, get out.
[CLICK]
[CLICK]
YVONNE
Salutations, children! ‘Tis I, your favorite counselor, Yvonne! And I’ve got my own notes this time!
JOSHUA
Ayo ayo AYOOO!
YVONNE
Quiet down, nitwit.
JOSHUA
Sorry! [SHOUTS] HOW IS THIS?
YVONNE
I hope you die.
JOSHUA
Awwww, then who would act as your magnificently muscular sidekick? [HICCUP]
YVONNE
[SARCASTIC] Toootally.
JOSHUA
And be the paradigm of a male confidence for the children. [HICCUP]
YVONNE
He has the hiccups from chugging Matthew’s Warm Orb.
JOSHUA
[HICCUP] It’s not that bad.
YVONNE
You’re going to be the first person to ever die from hiccups. They’re gonna write a paper about you.
JOSHUA
Why the hell would you say that? You’re sick! [HICCUP]
Besides, this is nothing compared to when you downed that bottle of fireball last month.
YVONNE
Dude.
JOSHUA
Ten seconds was an impressive record.
YVONNE
Microphone, AGAIN, Joshua.
JOSHUA
Sorry. Heh. But she was puking up a STORM, kids–
YVONNE
DUDE!
JOSHUA
It’s pretty funny. Like a technicolor fire hydrant!
YVONNE
Can we at least try to maintain a veneer of age-appropriate conversation?
JOSHUA
[HICCUP] Mhm!
YVONNE
Right, well, let’s see how well of a Sydney I can do. [AHEM]
[JOSHUA HICCUPS]
[SHE MIMICS SYDNEY’S INTONATION] “Good afternoon, Camp Here & There! The time is currently 42 o’clock and the sky is a delightful shade of chartreuse with just a hint of malicious magenta. Remember to [JOSHUA HICCUPS] wear your sunscreen today, as the UV index is sitting at a solid ‘yeesh!’ Today’s activities will include a howling contest, the bug census, and a thrilling game of ‘competitive napping.’ Something something about falling asleep forever and meeting an existential death. [JOSHUA HICCUPS] As always, have a superfragulous day!”
JOSHUA
Pretty good. You missed the part where he reminisces about his childhood.
YVONNE
Ooh yeah. “This reminds me of when my neglectful parental figure hurt me in some catastrophic way, causing a wound on my soul which shan’t ever be recovered! What positively wonderful memories, huh children?” How’s that?
JOSHUA
[CHUCKLES] Accurate.
YVONNE
Heheh. Oh, [JOSHUA HICCUPS] and a last quick announcement – if anyone finds Sydney’s DIGNITY lying around camp, please return it to the lost and found. [SNICKER] Poor thing must be lost without Jedidiah to follow around like a lovesick puppy.
JOSHUA
Eh… That’s mean.
YVONNE
Yeah.
JOSHUA
Chill, dude.
YVONNE
Whatever.
JOSHUA
He’s like, been crying in his office all morning.
YVONNE
Okay, and?
JOSHUA
So… lay off a little?
YVONNE
Fine…
[JOSHUA HICCUPS]
Wait, I forgot. Do not approach the ice cream truck which drove in at the edge of camp about half an hour ago. We know you all love ice cream… but it’s Lucille’s business. She’s told us all to stay as far away as possible. Got it? Good.
[JOSHUA HICCUPS]
Uhh.. Joshua will be administering afternoon meds in the mess hall–
JOSHUA
[WEAKLY] ayo!
YVONNE
[CHUCKLES] –and if you need anything you can come to me. I’ve been trying to lock-pick Sydney’s candy drawer… Why does he even lock it?
JOSHUA
Probably to keep campers out of it? It’s a secret, right?
YVONNE
[PLAYFUL] That’s just what he wants you to think.
JOSHUA
Heh. Yeah, okay.
[CLICK]
[CLICK]
[DOOR OPENING]
TONY 1
Well, well, well. If it ain’t the man of the hour himself, Jedideeyuh. Ha ha ha. How’s it hangin’, kid?
TONY 2
More like how’s he hanging himself out to dry, eh Tony? Heh! This guy’s in some deep marinara, if you catch my drift. Heheheh.
JEDIDIAH
[MEEKLY] H-hey guys. I, uh, I appreciate you coming down here, but… I really don’t think—
TONY 1
You DON’T think? [CHUCKLES] Yeah, that’s pretty obvious, Einstein. You tryin’ to get pinched or somethin’? Hm?
JEDIDIAH
No, no, it’s not like that! I-I didn’t mean to cause trouble.
TONY 2
Oh, he didn’t mean to cause any trouble, he says! Well, gee whiz, why didn’t ya say so? I’m sure the BEEF boys will understand when you explain it to ’em like that.
TONY 1
Oh! They’ll let him off with just a slap on the wrist and a stern talkin’ to, huh, Tony?
TONY 2
Undoubtedly, Tony.
JEDIDIAH
I-I had a permit! It was all perfectly legal, I swear!
TONY 1
Oh, a permit! Well excuuuse me, Mister Bigwig.
TONY 2
Mister Head Honcho!
TONY 1
Mister Big Cheese!
TONY 2
Mister Cream of the Crop!
TONY 1
Mister Top Dog!
TONY 2
Mister Big Kahuna!
TONY 1
Mister… Very Influential Person in Charge. Listen! I didn’t realize we were in the presence of royalty here.
TONY 2
[MOCKING] “I had a permit!”
TONY 1
I take a bow to you, sire! Ohohoho!
TONY 2
[SCOFFS] Listen, pal. If you had a permit, you wouldn’t be sittin’ pretty in this here holding cell, capiche?
JEDIDIAH
There must have been some mistake. I followed all the proper channels, I—
TONY 1
[LAUGHS] Proper channels!
TONY 2
As if!
TONY 1
You mean the ones you dug yourself? You look like the type to enjoy a bit of hole-digging, if you know what I mean.
TONY 2
[LAUGHS] With those scrawny arms? Couldn’t even lift a shovel!
JEDIDIAH
Hey! I’ll have you know I’m quite capable of manual labor.
[VOICE BREAKS] …sometimes.
TONY 1
Seriously, kid. What were you thinking, getting mixed up in all this?
JEDIDIAH
I wasn’t “mixed up” in anything! It was for a legitimate project—
TONY 1
[LAUGHS] You hear that, Tony?
TONY 2
[FEIGNING AWE] Yeh, those BEEF boys love a good science fair, don’t they, kid?
JEDIDIAH
[FLUSTERED] It’s not—If you’d just let me explain—
TONY 1
Explain what? You got caught with your hand in the cookie jar!
TONY 2
We told you to be careful.
TONY 1
End of story!
JEDIDIAH
… It was an unfortunate error on my part.
TONY 1
Yeah! No kidding.
JEDIDIAH
C-can you help, Tony? Uh… and other Tony?
TONY 1
Hey, ya quack, that’s—
TONY 2
[INTERRUPTING] That’s Mr. Tony to you.
TONY 1
Yeah! Show some respect.
TONY 2
That’s right.
[SILENCE]
TONY 1
… Er, Tony?
TONY 2
Yeah, Tony?
TONY 1
[CLEARS THROAT] I felt, uh, a bit talked over just there.
TONY 2
Oh. I’m sorry, Tony. I didn’t mean to interrupt you. Please, go on.
TONY 1
No, no it’s fine, Tony. I just felt like maybe I wasn’t being heard, y’know? Like my perspective wasn’t being valued.
TONY 2
I apologize, Tony. That wasn’t very considerate of me.
TONY 1
[CLEARS THROAT] Well, thank you. Thank you for acknowledging that, Tony. I appreciate your apology. It’s important to me that I feel heard in this partnership.
TONY 2
I completely understand. Effective communication is a two-way street, and it’s important that we both feel understooded and respected.
TONY 1
Exactly.
TONY 2
You’re damn right.
TONY 1
I appreciate you acknowledging that, Tony. I’m glad we can have these open, honest conversations. It strengthens the bond between us when we can express our feelings openly and respectfully, you know what I mean?
TONY 2
Of course. Your feelings are valid and I want to make sure we maintain a healthy dialogue. Is there anything else you wanted to express, Tony?
TONY 1
Well, I guess I just wanted to say that sometimes I feel like I’m playing second fiddle, y’know, Tony? Like I’m not as important or as funny as you.
TONY 2
Aw, Tony, I had no idea you felt that way. I’m sorry if I’ve ever made you feel overshadowed. You bring so much to our duo– your wit, your charm, ey, your impeccable fashion sense!
TONY 1
Aw, shucks, Tony. You really mean that?
TONY 2
Every word, paisano. We’re a team, through and through.
TONY 1
[SNIFFLING, STARTING TO CRY] That really means a lot. I guess I just needed a little validation, y’know?
TONY 2
Hey, we all need a little validation from time to time. It’s part of being human. Er, uh…
TONY 1
[CHUCKLING] You got that right, ya big lug. Whaddya say we hug it out?
TONY 2
[SNIFFLE] Bring it in, you big galoot!
[EXAGGERATED HUGGING NOISES, BACK SLAPPING]
TONY 1
[MWAH] I love you, man. [MWAH]
TONY 2
Oh, I love you too, you goombah. I love you too.
TONY 1
[CHUCKLES] Look at us, a couple of regular Dr. Phils, eh? I do feel much better now that we’ve addressed this minor conflict in our partnership.
TONY 2
As do I, Tony. It’s not always easy to confront these issues head-on, but it’s necessary for growth, both as individuals and as a marriage.
[A PAUSE]
JEDIDIAH
… Are you quite done?
TONY 1 AND TONY 2 [SIMULTANEOUSLY]
SHUT UP, YA QUACK!
TONY 1
We ain’t doing this for you.
TONY 2
Or your hag ma, neither.
TONY 1
We’s doing it for that sweetiepie you keep trapped in your cellar.
JEDIDIAH
[OFFENDED] He is not in a cellar!
TONY 1 AND TONY 2 [SIMULTANEOUSLY]
SHUT UP!
[DISCORDANT STATIC SOUNDS]
[CLICK]
[CLICK]
SYDNEY
Good evening, campers! I return, and so does Jedidiah! Everyone say, welcome back Mr. Martin!
[HE CLAPS]
What a day! So, Lucille, in her infinite wisdom and abundant rolodex of contacts, decided to call upon the dynamic duo we all know and love, with scuffed overalls and scruffy mustaches, the two men came to rescue our beloved nursing assistant from the clutches of the BEEF brigade.
Now, I don’t know much about these burly Tony fellas, but from what I’ve gleaned through the grapevine [WHISPER] and by grapevine, I mean eavesdropping on Lucille’s phone calls through her office door, they’re some sort of… eccentric problem solvers? Career diverse philanthropists? Fixers? Psionic vaudeville act? It’s hard to say.
Anyway, Lucille gets on the horn and rings up these Tonies, right? And apparently, they owe her a favor or twelve. Something about a poker game in Reno and a mishap with a floating deck of cards… but I digress.
So, the Tony-men roll up to the BEEF holding facility in their little ice cream truck, because I suppose these fine fellows have now ventured into dairy entrepreneurship, (which, sidebar, is pretty genius if you ask me – no one ever suspects the ice cream men!), and they just… waddle right in.
From what Jedidiah told me, there was some sort of elaborate distraction involving a choreographed soft-shoe routine and a mesmerizing display of prestidigitation. The guards were so entranced by the Tonies’ performance that they didn’t even notice when one of them slipped away to spring Jedidiah from his holding cell!
But here’s the kicker – apparently, the Tonies didn’t just bust Jedidiah out. No, no, that would not fix anything. They also somehow managed to erase all memory of Jedidiah’s arrest from the minds of the BEEF officers! Poof! Gone! Like it never even happened! But, so, I suppose the dance routine and pretty colors was … just for fun?
I mean, can you imagine the kind of skill that takes? And the fact that they managed to pull it off while wearing those snazzy matching bowties is just… [CHEF’S KISS] Mwah! Incredible!
So, Jedidiah is back at camp, free as a bird, and BEEF is none the wiser. It’s like the whole thing was just a fever dream. A really weird, unsettling fever dream… UHM! I may be talking too much. [NERVOUS LAUGHTER] Don’t repeat any of this, children!
Eheh. But you know what they say, campers – a little deus ex machina never hurt anyone! As long as there are no lasting consequences on our interpersonal lives, it’s like it never even happened, right? No burden to worry about. No change in perspective. Positively unsatisfying!
But that’s the thing about these “Deus Ex Machina” moments, you know? It’s like the universe just reaches down and fixes everything with a snap of its fingers. No consequences, no fallout, just a neat little bow tied on top of the problem, much like the ones tied around Mr. Tonys’ necks.
[CHUCKLES] Reminds me of that old joke, you know the one–a man falls off a cliff, but halfway down he grabs onto a branch. He’s hanging there, no way up, no way down, so he starts praying.
“God, please help me!” he cries. And suddenly, a booming voice echoes from the heavens through a glorious ray of light: “Let go of the branch, my son, and let I, your Father, catch you.”
The man thinks for a moment, looks up, and shouts back, “Is there anyone else up there?”
[LAUGHS] Get it? It’s funny because it’s true!
Uh, memo from Rowan: Shovel club will be meeting again tomorrow at dawn!
Tonight’s activity is… oh boy. [HE BREATHES IN] BINGO? GO NOW! GO BINGO! GO BINGO GO! GO! GO! BINGO! GO! GO! BINGO! …!
Ahh… I don’t know if we’ll ever find Bingo again… [SNIFFLES]
For dinner, we have boiled moss scraped from the southside of the forest trees, a vegan-friendly meal with a classic rubbery texture!
Eat scrumptiously, my little hamsters!
[CLICK]
[CLICK]
[CLOCK TICKING]
SYDNEY
But I didn’t do anything!
JEDIDIAH
I’m letting you get too close, you’re talking too much—FUCK!
[JEDIDIAH PUSHES CHAIR AWAY]
JEDIDIAH
I got too careless. I should’ve never…
MYSTERY MAN
At this, he looks at the boy.
[SILENCE]
SYDNEY
Never what?
MYSTERY MAN
He looks away.
JEDIDIAH
You always do this. You ramble on about our problems to an audience, and I know it’s because you’re bored, or lonely, or whatever! but Sydney—Sydney it isn’t cute anymore.
SYDNEY
That’s not fair.
JEDIDIAH
I can’t afford your sanguine solipsism!
SYDNEY
I’ve been careful!
JEDIDIAH
Not careful enough! How did Soren know!?
SYDNEY
I—I don’t know. Believe me. Please.
MYSTERY MAN
The man grabs his head. He sits still for some time.
[SILENCE]
JEDIDIAH
[EXHAUSTED SIGH] I’m sorry I yelled.
SYDNEY
It’s okay.
[SILENCE]
SYDNEY
Did Lucille get that angry at you?
JEDIDIAH
You have to know when to hush up.
SYDNEY
The etherquartz shit was your fault, Jeddie.
MYSTERY MAN
The man is trembling as he holds his head.
JEDIDIAH
[QUIETLY] Yes, it was. I got careless, I’ve been careless. And part of that is… I’ve let you learn far too much. You wouldn’t be involving yourself if… You sh– should’ve never known about… Y-you would be safer if…
[SILENCE]
SYDNEY
… How did I die? [HE FLINCHES] [SHARP, TECHNICAL NOISE] Ow…
JEDIDIAH
Don’t linger on that.
SYDNEY
I deserve to know, don’t I?
JEDIDIAH
It doesn’t matter what you deserve. Jesus!
SYDNEY
That’s cruel.
JEDIDIAH
[HE TAKES A MOMENT] It’s…
MYSTERY MAN
The man sits up, but does not look at the boy, instead staring at the wall. The boy observes the man’s dark eyes glittering wet in the half light.
JEDIDIAH
It is cruel. You have to level with me here. You know I can’t risk telling you. But even if I could… I don’t think I could bear to look at you again.
MYSTERY MAN
The boy’s stare is unwavering.
SYDNEY
That doesn’t make me feel better.
JEDIDIAH
It’s all I have the courage to say. I’m sorry, Sydney.
[SILENCE]
JEDIDIAH
[SIGH] I’m terrible, I know.
SYDNEY
Okay.
JEDIDIAH
But please… please just shut up about your… your state, your affairs, and if you see someone you don’t know, hide.
SYDNEY
You promised to lay off.
JEDIDIAH
[SNIFFLE] That was before I realized how foolish a promise it was.
[SILENCE]
JEDIDIAH
Listen, let’s… I want to help you feel better. How about we play a game, yeah? I’ll go grab… uhm… hey what about those creature battling cards we both like? I… I think I came up with the optimal build for the meta. Hold on—
[SHUFFLING]
[FOOTSTEPS]
MYSTERY MAN
The boy watches him go with a quivering lip.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[DRAWER OPENING]
MYSTERY MAN
With a trembling hand, the boy yanks open the top drawer of his desk. The old wood aches in protest as he rummages through the clutter – pens, paper clips, a stray button, and there, glinting in the fading lamplight, sits a knife.
Its blade is slim and sharp, the lacquered handle worn smooth from a life of menial use. He draws it out slowly, with purpose, and tilts the blade to watch the play of shadows across its mirrored surface. He catches the flush red of his lips, the dilation of his pupils, full of life. Full of wrong, artificial, pathetic, anhedonic life.
It seems as if, if only for a moment, he hesitates. The terrible creature’s words of therapy no doubt swallow his mind. To be devoured, fully and without judgement, is a necessary act responsible of the dead… to leaven his blood. Is this what he has become? A beast sustained by the very thing which repulses him. Could he cure the sickness pushing his heart to beat, if he were to be sweetly tasted? To give as he has been given, if only for a moment… How he longs to be gnashed up in the maw of something that understands; not with compassion, but with appetite. Something that does not ask him to explain, only to provide himself freely, as a final indulgence. No answers. No redemption. Just the soft, wet silence of being wanted, wholly, hungrily, and without hesitation.
He presses the edge of the blade to his palm, just stiff enough to feel the bite against his skin. Just one quick slice, collect an offering to be devoured, and perhaps the sickening churn of his stomach would settle. Perhaps the cold ache in his bones would thaw…
Instead, with a shuddering breath, the boy quickly tosses the knife back into the drawer.
[KNIFE CLANGING]
[DRAWER SLAMMING]
SYDNEY
[BREATHING RAPIDLY]
[FOOTSTEPS]
[DOOR OPENING]
SYDNEY
Ah, welcome back, Jeddie—!
[CLICK]
