[network] @ADMIN; Notice [DAY 097]

[snowblindmods]

Surveillance encountered an error shortly after 8PM last night and was out of order until shortly after 6AM. We apologize for any inconvenience.

[@ADMIN will not respond to any messages here, but this post can be used as a catch-all for the event!]

Comments

[rattlingthestars]

In the tunnels, too. Nowhere I recognize, but they're not that big on the map. [ Zack's not the only one remembering last time, by the tone of Jim's voice. He's reminding himself that this isn't then, he isn't there. He's in a house that feels - normal, by Norfinbury standards, not the awful feeling that premeated the entire hospital. He didn't wake up in a drawer. He didn't wake up blind; he can see his surroundings even if he doesn't recognize them.

Except - ]

Zack? [ He doesn't wait for an answer before barreling ahead. ] Can you turn on the video for a second?

[heroproceeding]

-huh? [ That sudden request- Things click fast. ] Yeah, of course.

[ It requires just a slight bit of rearranging his knife momentarily, but then the video cuts in. At first, it just shows a swinging view of snow and tromping boots, but then it swings upwards in a blur and there's Zack, inclining his head just a bit in a recognizing nod, the faint play of a smile on his lips as if to say 'Better?'

He keeps it on from then on. It won't help him hide the slight strain to his features, but maybe the motion upkeeps that. His tablet's definitely shaking as he keeps his pace while he talks, the focus of his eyes flickering from it to what's in front of him and back like a pendulum swing. ]

You said you're in the tunnels, right? Zell send you that map? You might be able to narrow things down from there. I know I'm in the southwest corner. And if my guess is right, I should be hitting the hospital by nightfall. We could meet there.

[ That might mean traveling alone and he doubts Jim's okay with that in the slightest, but... it's not like he has many options here. He's just going to have to trust himself on this to get through this day... but maybe with the hope of someone being there by nightfall... Maybe that'll be enough incentive. ]

[rattlingthestars]

Yeah, I've got the map. [ A brief nod is all the acknowledgement JIm gives the shift to video. It is better, even if it makes him a little dizzy to watch the shakeycam way the video bounces with Zack's running. ] I think I'm at the end of the other tunnel, the one in the southeast. Unless there are more tunnels down here we don't know about…

[ But that's the best they've got at the moment, so Jim's getting his things together to get moving. He keeps an eye on the tablet and stays in-frame most of the time, unwilling to lose sight of Zack just then. ] I should be able to make it there by nightfall if I am where I think I am.

[ He frowns at the other messages on his screen. ] I don't think any of the others are this close.

[heroproceeding]

[ He doesn't need too see that frown when it's plain as day in his voice. But that only encourages him to prod back: ] But they're out there and we'll get to them.

[ He'll make damn sure of it that they do. As soon as possible. But one step at a time. Something Jim at least seems to be acknowledging. Following through with. And it gets a smile out of Zack despite himself. Gets his strides falling ever more sure. The only thing that ever gets him to falter is the quick swap through his tablet to his own map, but he closes it soon enough with a nod and returns to his pace from before. ]

Listen to me, Jim. You keep your head up and your body moving. Keep us on the line. We might not be with you right now, but we're all still here and we're gonna make it through this, you hear?

hey look at me tagging the right place this time

[rattlingthestars]

[ Jim's rapid - almost frantic - preparations still when he hears that and stops to really listen. Still here - well, no, but they're out there somewhere, and they're all heading toward one another as quickly as they can. It'll have to be enough to keep him moving through the fear. ] I - yeah. Okay, we'll make it.

[ It's hard to swing his pack on and carry his stick and talk on the tablet at the same time, but Jim's attempting all three just then anyway. ] We'll see each other tonight.

[ It's not certain - nothing is - but Jim's saying it out loud anyway. ]

you got dis

[heroproceeding]

[ Nothing's ever certain in this place. And nothing probably ever will be.

That won't ever stop him from fighting tooth and nail to make those words into the real deal though.

That might also be why he nods as firmly as he does at his screen, eyes squarely on Jim's, even if his may not be on Zack's. ] I'll be there as soon as I can. Promise.

[ Don't make promises you can't keep, he'd once said before not long ago. It's a bittersweet moment. True in some regards. Not not here. Not with this one.

This is one he intends to. Hands down. He's not gonna leave the kid hanging. Not if he can help it. ]