Toggle Background Color
Zachary IV: The lesser of two evils
We had some pretty spooky pictures of Hannah from the photoshoot on our hands. Showing them to Hannah would probably be a really dumb idea - we know how she reacts to "D-list horror props", and showing her presumably shopped pictures of HER just adds to the insult. We don't even know if we would get to meet her - we don't have an appointment and could just end up getting turned away by Johannes or other staff, or - even better - just run into Luke instead.
So we decided to go with the (only slightly) less bad idea of showing them to Ashton, who will probably at best laugh at us or at worst just give us the same lecture he pulled out for Isabella. But maybe Zach can convince him?
Show the photo to Ash
Ash will give me flak for this, he will. I can already hear what he's going to say about this the moment I bring it up. Hell, before he even sees anything, I'll wager. The guy is a skeptic through and through, and it'll take more than my account for him to even consider this. But when you've been there, seen something enough to raise the hairs at the back of your neck and leave you wanting to flee or hide, what he thinks is the least of my concerns.
I am no hero. That's a title best reserved for someone else. Still, if this'll help him change his mind, it's worth a try. Isabella's gone and done the same thing, didn't she?
Outside, the sun has yet to rise. I've still got a few hours before dawn. Good enough time to mull over how I'll go about this with him, plenty of space to check if I'll get the same result if I re-do the process again.
(*click*)
The film processor hums back to life at my touch, the light switch gives out a soft click, and darkness embraces the small closet again.
Somehow, those urban legends don't sound so 'silly' now.
'October 27, Thursday | Luxbourne City | Morning'
Music: Ambience City Street
Sometimes, I wish Ash would make himself easier to find. Twenty-four messages, thirteen phone calls, and one visit to his flat later, I still have no idea which rock in Luxbourne he went off to hide under again.
The guy has his own place, but refuses to stay in it. Has his own phone, but doesn't answer any of his calls or give any indication he's gotten my messages. Most of the time, he'll just show up on my front door. Sometimes in the middle of the night complaining how uncomfortable it is to sleep at the back of his Shirley— his car. As if the old couch in my flat is any better.
The more i hear about Ash, the more he seems like a gigantic pain in the butt to be around.
Nothing new from him, though. But a bit frustrating, really. There's the police precinct, of course. Then again, he's not there most of the time, either, and if that's also true for today, he's likely out on another stakeout. There's nothing much to do for me but to wait if that's the case.
Let's just hope I'm lucky enough today.
'October 27, Thursday | Luxbourne Police Department | Morning'
Music: Ambience Neutral
While Luxbourne is a relatively peaceful city boasting a low crime rate, its precinct stays abuzz with activity. As soon as I open the glass front doors, murmurs coming from the people waiting in the lobby welcome me.
Officers can occasionally be seen shuffling in and out of the rooms, greeting civilians with a casual smile and a polite nod. Some, though, look a little worse for wear. Like their receptionist, who looked at me with much disdain the moment I arrived. Thankfully, I won't have to deal with him today.
Before I can even step in, Ashton's voice though low, comes from the hallway adjacent to the lobby.
...Not even for just one minute?
You were the one handling that case.
This conversation happens off screen, and i'm not sure we'll ever get a name or a face to the voice. The voice files of whoever's speaking here are titled with "Abigail" internally, so i'll use that name.
ABIGAIL: If you want access to those records, you've got to ask Chief. I was taken off it before shit went to hell. Why do you even bother? Even Professor Clark seems to have given up on that.
Well, I—
Never mind, you won't understand.
ABIGAIL: Right. I know you owe Professor Clark a lot, but the Wright guy isn't just someone you mess with. They've got the money. Who knows what else gets swept under the rug with them involved?
That takes a special kind of ignorant not to know.
ABIGAIL: And a smart person to know which boundaries he can't cross. You're a bright guy, you'll figure it out. In any case, I've got to get going. Another missing person case on my hand. Benjamin on the front desk looks like he's about to maul someone after the fourth one yesterday. Murders, people missing, what a time to be alive. Man, I miss the old Luxbourne.
You and me both. I'll see you, gonna go grab some lunch.
He notices me first as soon as he enters the lobby and pauses.
Frowning, he pulls his own mobile out, wordlessly fiddling with it for a few seconds before sighing heavily. There ain't any annoyance in him when he glances up, though. Only mild exasperation and what might be a hint of amusement.
Stop taking pointers from Isabella. This is gonna get old soon.
At least use your phone properly.
It's an alarm clock, a good note-taking device, a half-way decent camera, and maybe a music player, too, if I'm being nice.
Says the guy with a custom self-made ringtone.
What else do I need it for?
I don't know? Keeping in contact, maybe?
When he merely shrugs, I know I've struck a chord.
He's far from holding a piece of technology in contempt, of course. Ash has always been nothing but practical from the start, and technology is useful. Only, when he gets too focused on one thing like a case he's handling, he tends to forget there are other things around him. A little reminder and a nudge in the right direction can get him a long way.
I've got an email and that social media site the girls roped us into joining.
For policing purposes. Anyway, why are you here? I thought you have something scheduled today? Or was that yesterday?
That was yesterday.
Look, about that. There's something I want you to see—
He stops me with a tap on my shoulder, walks past me straight to the door, and gestures with his head towards their very irked receptionist when I raise an eyebrow in question.
Over lunch. I haven't eaten anything since last night. And Benjamin there doesn't really like loiterers around here.
Wordlessly, I follow after him, but not after sending the poor guy behind the table an apologetic smile.
'October 27, Thursday | Czarbucks Coffeehouse | Morning'
Music: BGM Cafe
As expected, he takes a seat in the farthest corner of the cafe: a good way from the window, but easily allows a view of who comes and go. Secluded enough not to be disturbed by the lunch hour rush or be overheard by a curious bystander. If I didn't know this is lunch he invited me to, I would automatically assume I got dragged into another stakeout. After years of knowing him though, this has simply become one of the many habits he has I've gotten used to.
Food arrives minutes later.
You're having cake for lunch?
He shrugs, and then proceeds to dig in without even a hint of remorse. Frankly, it's like seeing a child get his Christmas present early.
Don't tell Becca. I'll get an earful. It's just for today.
You should listen to her, though. The kind of work you do, you'll need to eat something other than sweets. I don't want to see you drop dead in front of my apartment again.
I told you: just this once. Have you been hanging out with Becca lately? You're beginning to sound like her.
Nah, just for some recipes.
At least 'Bella knows how to cook.
Hey, I can at least boil something.
Wait, that's easy, right? I mean you just put the water in and...
No, don't even think about it. You destroyed your own kitchen once by siccing a pressure cooker on it. I think my sister is a whole lot better than you. And this is coming from someone who has no other choice but to eat her cooking for some time.
To be fair, he genuinely appears offended at the last remark. Hate will be too strong of a word to describe how Sis and him usually interact whenever they're in the same room. Though whatever appropriate word it is, I can say with most certainty that the feeling's mutual for both.
Ash thinks she nags too much, while Sis thinks he's a trouble magnet I should stay away from. They're... both technically right on their assessments.
How's your sister, by the way? Still bullying 'white guys'?
Just some light banter before Zach gets to the reason he actually came.
Poll: What should he say?
And since the next question is just a bit further down the line in this conversation, you'll get to decide on it right now.
You know how Ash is by now; and he seems to have it out for the Wrights. Even with the distortion, he recognizes Hannah on the picture Zach shows him. But instead of listening to what Zach has to say about Isabella's letter and what happened during the photo shoot, he immediately gives Zach shit for being on a first-name basis with Hannah.
Would we rather Zach tell him that "It's really just a gig" since Ash seems so predisposed against them, or should he try to set him straight with "That's not the point here" for trying to derail the conversation towards his weird crusade again?
Poll: How do we handle the photo reveal?