empathicfault | IC Inbox

[The forms of the Wendigo and the stag in Will’s memories float in Avalon’s mind. They could gore him right now and he would never see it coming. They want to. The more they interact with him, the more they associate him with the friend.]

I…yes, I’m okay. And I did graduate. I’m living with my girlfriend.

[ Will breathes out in staccato, not quite able to hold in the mixed emotions he's feeling. But even though tears are coming to his eyes, and he suspects that this is his brain trying to give him some closure, he still smiles at her.

Whether it's real or not, his defenses are entirely down. Abigail might be the only one who could've done that. This form is a good choice. ]

That's wonderful. Really, Abigail. I'm so glad.

I'm s- I was never able to keep you safe. I'm sorry. I'm glad...you had help here.

[They smile, albeit somewhat tightly. They step forward as if to embrace Will. As they reach for him, they let the Wendigo’s form spill from their mind and settle over their body.]

[ Abigail's smiles were frequently tight around him, so he doesn't think anything of it. He's moving to open his own arms for a hug, but- she changes. She covers with black, thinning out, and Will already knows where this is going.

Eyes widening with fear, his legs give out and he falls backward onto the floor. This monster had practically been an old friend to him, lately, but he'd always had control of it. Abigail turning into this doesn't make sense. None of this makes sense, but Will knows his mind doesn't always make sense. Unfortunately, he's still trapped in this.

So he just does what he can. He kicks himself backwards until he hits his back against his bedframe. ]

No, I- stop. Whoever- whatever this is- stop.

[ He feels like he's lying to himself, pretending that it's not just him. He shuts his eyes tight. He wills them to show him something real. ]

...stop.

[Will’s fear stops them in their tracks. Behind their eyes, Will’s face morphs into his eyes in the mirror, the friend’s eyes seeing them, his form materializing across from them in the Rift—No one asked your opinion!

Avalon freezes, momentarily unable to separate Will from the man who took their missing bead.

They are reminded of the pendulum from Will’s Flood memory, and they call the image to their mind, trying to pull themself back to the present moment, force themself to see Will rather than the friend.

They reach out impulsively, dragging their claws across Will’s arm, then leave his cabin.]

This needs to end, [they whisper, almost to themself.] This needs to end soon.

[ Will cries out as the claws scratch him, but he doesn't open his eyes- instead he shuts them harder. Hannibal is not here, he can't be. There's no flood and nothing else going on. He just has to let things settle.

So he starts counting his breaths- or he tries to, anyway. By the time he stops hyperventilating, he finally opens his eyes to see...nothing. It's gone. Winston whimpers at him.

Will brings his hand up and curls his fingers in, noting that the deep scratches might've been his own nails. He sighs and smacks the floor with one hand in frustration. ]

Sorry, Winston. I know. It's...it's okay now. C'mere.

[ He's going to be on the floor for awhile. ]

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