01 | 🕐 | audio

[mirrortouch]

[ It's not something that really ever becomes routine, it doesn't matter how often he wakes up someplace strange and uncharted. The voice on the line sounds about as scattered as he feels. ]

My name is Will Graham, it's- [ He's pulling back his sleeve to look for a watch that's not there. ] I don't have the time. I don't- I don't have the time.

[ Hang on, don't get too lost. ]

It's not clear to me exactly where I am, but- [ a dry laugh ] you probably already knew that. This isn't even my phone. But you probably knew that too.

[ He's missing details. He's missing plenty. His voice trails off for a short while before he can get his bearings enough to speak again, and even then it's almost unconsciously. ] I don't know. I don't know.

[ It's as if the fact that he has no idea sparks him back into the present. His voice grows more composed, if somewhat cracked. ] So if you're hearing this, if anyone is hearing this - [ is anyone hearing this? ] - any singular indication will be key.

[ Another beat. ]

I feel as though I've strayed a long, long way from home.

[ The air goes dead, and then so does the line. ]

Comments

private

[godsays]

That port was the exception. It was trying to trap us there.

They're mostly not like that. If you die here, you'll come back.

private

[mirrortouch]

Good to know.

[ He's not being dishonest about it, but it means it carries kind of an ominous edge to it. ]

Why that port, what did that particular - port want from you?

private

[godsays]

I don't -

[ Zane's voice is tight. ]

I don't want to talk about it.

private

[mirrortouch]

[ The degree to which that has piqued his interest. ]

Personal, but not so distant past as your other obstacles, therefore more difficult to talk about.

private

[godsays]

It's worse than what happened in my past.

[ In Zane's mind, anyhow. He knew then that it was some external force controlling him, urging him on, drawing him closer. He could feel himself going insane and losing control, losing himself. ]

private

[mirrortouch]

A woman told me she was buried alive during which. I can't [ though he can ] begin to imagine.

You don't need to discuss it with me, Zane. Not if you don't want to.

[ It's honest when he says it. Privacy's something he's always valued to an extent, if not just because it means he gets his own in return. ]

private

[godsays]

I know.

[ He knows he doesn't have to discuss it, and he is most emphatically not going to. ]

private

[mirrortouch]

If ... you need time -

private

[godsays]

It's been more than a year since Silent Hill. How much would a few extra minutes do for me?

private

[mirrortouch]

- to yourself.

[ He finishes bluntly, vague concern trying to make its way into his voice. He gets the whole idea of strictly not wanting to talk about something, but not everyone spends their waking hours quashing the very thought as he does. ]

I'm not rushing you. I'm giving you an invitation towards the door if you need it.

private

[godsays]

Well.

Welcome to the Barge.

private

[mirrortouch]

Thanks.

Don't drive yourself too maddened.