( one; voice )

[cursebreaking]

[Emma has read what information has been made available, she’s walked the grounds and the corridors of some of the mansion’s ground floor, and she’s combed through what public postings she could find to look through on the device she’d found in the pocket opposite of where she kept her own phone. She’s been digging for evidence since she got here, but what she’s found?

She’s not buying it. The message that comes through is voice only, not wanting to reveal her face or her exact location right away-- though she’s pretty damn sure that whoever’s responsible for this is watching her and has a good idea of where she is, if not who.]

Look. I know someone is out there listening.

[She doesn’t know exactly who, but someone.]

This game of yours? I’m not interested. I don’t know how you got me here, or how you set all this up. Maybe it’s some messed-up alternate reality game, but I didn’t opt in for any of this. I don’t care how elaborate it is, or how much work went into it-- my kid is at home waiting for me, and I am not screwing around.

[Her tone is hard, angry rather than anxious, determination winning out over uncertainty.]

‘Wonderland.’ Cute, but I’m not impressed. All I want is for you to point me towards the exit. You can do me a solid and we can do this the easy way-- or we can do it the hard way. Trust me, whatever weird stuff you might be into, I can promise you won’t be happy if we go that route.

[She stays on the line, just to wait for any kind of possible response-- but she doesn’t really know what to expect. This entire thing has her out of her depth, even if she’s not willing to admit it.]

Comments

[henrydaniel]

Yeah, but can this many people really be the exact same amount of susceptible? Like...we don't believe it but somehow we're still here. That doesn't even make sense.

[ He runs his hands through his hair, resting his head in his hands before letting out a breath. ]

There's one possibility we're ignoring, here. That this is all exactly like literally everyone I've talked to says it is. A huge group with the same consistent lies and no variations? You tell me, is that common?

[cursebreaking]

[She grits her teeth at that prospect, not wanting to lend it any credibility, but-- he's not wrong. It is pretty damn unusual.]

No, but it's even more impossible than it is rare, isn't it?

[How could that possibly be the case?]

How can we be expected to believe any of this?

[henrydaniel]

I don't know. But I'm willing to bet we'll be here a while. I just...over a hundred people here can't be wrong. There are definitely people other than us who have tried to get out of here and failed. Other people with families waiting at home. Just because they're still here and trying to live doesn't mean they've lost it or are lying.

[ Henry pauses for a second. ]

And not believing in something doesn't keep it from being real. I know that sounds like a line from a Christmas movie where Santa exists, but it guess it applies.

[cursebreaking]

Pretty sure that's direct from 'The Santa Clause.'

[She's lost track of how many times she and Henry have watched that one when Christmas rolls around.]

I'll tell you one thing. Just because they failed, doesn't mean I'm going to.

[It might sound like she's bragging, but honestly, she's just that stubborn.]

I can't give up. I can't just-- accept this. That this is the way things are now.

[henrydaniel]

No one is saying you shouldn't try. I just don't know what to try. I'm willing to help, whatever you need, whatever you can think of. And if I think of something, same deal.

[ He can appreciate her wanting to get the hell out, he does too. But he's heard too much and he doesn't want to risk death. He's not that determined. Maybe that's a flaw to Emma, but he'd rather not test the ocean and woods. ]

[cursebreaking]

[She pushes herself up and away from the table with both hands, her expression grim as ever.]

Keep your phone on, then. I hear anything worth hearing, I'll let you know.

[Even if the jury is still out on how sound of mind he is.]

One way or another, though, I'm getting back to my kid.

[henrydaniel]

[ Henry nods, admiring her determination. ]

I believe you.

[ And maybe if she's lucky it'll happen sooner than she thinks??? ]

Talk to you soon, Emma. And uh, sorry we had to meet under weird as hell circumstances.

[cursebreaking]

[She exhales. Weird as hell circumstances. Yeah, that's putting it mildly.]

So am I, but one way or another, we're figuring this out.

[She smiles tightly, if only for a moment. Even hearing a near-stranger say he believes in her is... comforting, for some reason.]

I'll be in touch.

[She excuses herself without prolonging it any further, heading back out to resume her search and leave Henry to his coffee.]