snowblindrpg | [log] Decoherence [open]

[Well, no time to waste then. Hiding his head under the hood Flynn hurries to join Wilson outside the cell and start walking with him, whispering urgently.

Part of him wants to just run off with the keys and open all the cell doors right now but something tells him he wouldn't even make it to the first door, even with the knife. Not with the footsteps approaching and not without a clue what this place looks like. Escape route first. Then he can come back here.]

So we go to the roof? How do you get out? What's down there?

[ Of course he would ask that. Wilson's just trying to protect him from what is bound to be upsetting knowledge. ]

No, you really don't want to know what's down there. And there's the part about how I don't know everything that's there either.

[ He hasn't seen anything except what he doesn't want Flynn to know about. And unfortunately, schematics of the place aren't something given out when you convert. Probably because no one escapes or leaves the Prophet. ]

That's... definitely worrisome and generally unhelpful.

[Flynn walks with him, trying to mirror his speed and steps to 'creepy acolyte body language' but he can't help his eyes shifting left and right now and then.]

Come on, Wilson, what do we do? I can't exactly jump off the roof.

Sorry. I just think the truth of what's down there would-

[ Shock him? Disgust him? Terrify him? Perhaps all of the above? ]

It wouldn't sit well with you. Or anyone.

[ He shrugs. ]

There must be an exit down there. I've just never seen it.

[So the exit is downstairs. And something horrible along with it.

Flynn swallows, trying to fight down the familiar feeling of fear in the pit of his stomach. He doesn't have a choice here, does he. Even if he could escape via the roof – and he doubts that, not with this cloak and hospital gown and pretty much nothing else to shelter him from the cold – he can't just leave the others.]

Guess that's where we go then.

[ Wilson's expression turns grim, but he nods. There's really nowhere else to go, and he's just as likely to die jumping off the roof as Flynn is. ]

All right. Let's go. And don't say I didn't try to warn you.

[Flynn exhales and gives a short nod, following suit. The knife grazes uncomfortably against his arm again but he doesn't dare correct its position, still doesn't want to give away that he has it in his possession.]

You could... warn me a little less ominously, while we're at it.

[They enter the elevator and suddenly it feels a little too much like a tomb.] What's down there?

Sorry.

[ It's hard to shake off the Prophet's influence, or whatever it is that's making Wilson spout so many ominous warnings. ]

It's where sinners go who need more persuasion to convert.

[ He pauses, not sure he should be saying this. ]

Think of it as a hospital made up of just operating rooms. [ But on a much smaller scale. ]

Persuasion? [There it is again, the sinister Prophet talk that is driving him up the wall. But then Wilson clarifies and in a minute Flynn will wish he hadn't because some things are just better left unsaid.]

Wait, what? What do you mean...

[The elevator stops and the doors open, revealing the world beyond and rendering Flynn mute.

He steps out of to cabin, suddenly feeling numb, dazed, like he isn't really there. His lips part and his eyes widen as he moves further into the basement, trying to process what is happening. This couldn't be real.

It just couldn't be.]

... operating rooms?

It's what we were told we had to do to get you to convert. All of you. Not just you.

[ There's a vague feeling of nausea creeping up as he talks about this, but he keeps pushing forward. ]

By any means necessary.

[ The things he's had to do by order of the Prophet would gall anyone, and the rational part of his brain that's still in control of himself hates himself for what he's done. ]

Oh my God, what did you do?

[Luckily for them and Flynn's sanity there is no operation going on right now, but passing the different rooms and surgery equipment leave no doubt as to what has been going down here. He steps away from Wilson to enter one of the rooms; while he doesn't want to see he needs to know. Flynn's mind is in overdrive, filling in the blanks and recreating the gruesome scenes. There's blood on the stretcher, on the floor, the surgical instruments.

And suddenly a startling realization hits him that almost drives the knife up into his arm.]

This is... this is where you were gonna take me, isn't it.

We operated on those who needed- convincing. The Prophet- the Prophet said it was the only way for sinners to become converts.

[ A pause. ]

I told you that you wouldn't want to see. Or know.

[ Something like a strange mix of worry and fear is plain on Wilson's face as he watches Flynn looking around. ]

I- Yes. But I didn't want to do it. [ Not that it makes any of this any less terrible. ]

I know you didn't. They've... messed with your head somehow.

[Flynn's voice comes out strained and agitated. No, it doesn't make it any less terrible. Nothing could make any of this less terrible.]

We... we have to get out. We have to get everybody out of here.

But how? I- I don't even remember what happened or how I got here.

[ Now Wilson's beginning to sound agitated too. It's almost as though his conscience is starting to push back against whatever the Prophet's put into his head. ]

I don't even know how many of you there are.

Let's... okay, okay, right, just, let's stay calm.

[Think, he has to think. He can do that, thinking, that's his job, isn't it?]

Let's find the exit first. See the route we have to take. Then we... then we can work on getting the others out.

Calm. Yes, I can do that, I think.

[ The agitation recedes a bit, albeit temporarily, as Wilson tries to focus on Flynn's words, drowning out the hum in his head that's the Prophet's directives. ]

It's- I think it's that way.

[ Unfortunately, the direction Wilson's pointing in takes them past more of the operating rooms. ]

[Flynn realizes that with Wilson still battling whatever it is they have done to him he has to take charge – if only to keep the doctor from doubting and second-guessing what they're doing here. Glancing in the direction Wilson is pointing he steels himself and takes a deep breath, trying to speak in a firm voice.]

If that's where we have to go, that's where we have to go.

[But his hand tightens around the knife as he leads the way.]

[ Later, when he's come to his senses, he fully intends to apologize for the terrible situation he's put Flynn in.

But for now, he's just completely confused, and one moment, he's in control, only to slip and go back to being the Prophet's loyal acolyte. ]

That's the only way out. [ He says as he passes by a room with its door open. It's slight, and nearly imperceptible, but Wilson's head turns and a light of recognition beams in his eye.

It's involuntary, but Wilson reaches forward, aiming for Flynn's wrist. ]

[Flynn has been in scary places before and while he has a tendency to put on a false bravado from time to time he has never been one to lie to himself when he is absolutely freaked out about something. Walking this torture cellar is scaring him, in a way no ancient tomb or ruin or jungle ever has and his knees feel weak under the sticky robe he's wearing.

Talk, he needs to talk. There is no way he can keep quiet in this situation.]

Man, this place is...

[Turning his head back to Wilson he suddenly becomes aware of the other's presence way too close. Flynn yelps and sidesteps, stumbling back against the open door and into the room.]

W-what are you doing?

[ Wilson's fingers close on empty air, and a flash of anger darts briefly across his face. ]

You. You're not finished, not complete.

[ His voice sounds monotone compared to how he speaks normally, but a few seconds go by as Wilson just stares Flynn down menacingly. The room is just a few paces away, and all he has to do is get Flynn all the way in there and restrained, and he can finish the job.

Perhaps it's a good idea for both of them if they give any operating rooms a wide berth. ]

[Oh no. No, no, nonoono...]

I am very finished! Absolutely complete! Totally whole, look how whole I am! Come on, we're almost at the exit, things were going so well between us two, I really felt we had something going here...?

[Flynn backs off but that brings him further into the room and he's not sure that's where they want to be.]

Stay away from me! I am actually a really good fighter. [That is actually a lie.] If you attack me, I will defend myself!

No, you're not. You need to convert- I need to...

[ Wilson looks like he's going through some internal struggle over what he wants to say versus what he feels compelled to say. ]

Cut.

[ Judging from Wilson's look of horror, he's lost that particular battle. ]

[Flynn's expression mirrors Wilson's horror as he backs off even more – stupid, he should stand his ground, don't go into the crazy murder room, Flynn – and the tone of his voice almost sends him into a frenzy.]

No! There will be no cutting! We talked about this! Cutting is bad, very bad, cutting is off the awful, unsanitary bloody torture table!

[Feeling trapped and panicky, he finally withdraws the knife from his robe, slashing at the air between them in ridiculous, frantic movements.] If you try to cut me I'll cut you! How about that, huh? How would that make you feel? Maybe I should do that! Maybe I should cut the prophet out of you, oh God, what am I even saying!

[ The crazy murder room is having an effect on Wilson, as is the fact that Flynn's just drawn a knife.

There's a scalpel on a metal table just a few paces away from where Wilson's standing, but he hasn't noticed it yet. ]

You can't cut the Prophet out of me.

[ It's said mildly enough, but then Wilson starts to laugh a chilling laugh that's not at all like his usual open, warm laugh. ]

That, what is that, is that supposed to frighten me!? [Flynn backs off even more at the awful laugh, feeling a desperate sense of defeat at having lost Wilson to the brainwashing again.]

'cause I'll have you know that I have battled countless cultists before coming here! I'm a cultist fighting expert! You can't beat me. So you better give up right now, alright?

[log] Decoherence [open]

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