Quoted By:
"From yesterday. Remember?"
LOST SINCE 199X doesn't immediately respond to your inquiry. It continues to make that low, wispy noise that could resemble a laugh if you strain your ears just right. It places its free hand on the side of its head while it tightens its other hand around its baseball bat.
"<span class="mu-i">i remember.</span>" A directionless voice blows through the air like a cold breeze. "<span class="mu-i">even if i don't want to.</span>"
"Good, good. I have another friend here, Ashton." "hi!" "We're just here to talk. That's all."
"<span class="mu-i">talk. talk, talk, talk.</span>" It repeats with a sing-song tone. "<span class="mu-i">talk is worthless. what is there to say between the three of us.</span>"
Ashton's voice takes on an authoritative, stern tone as she addresses the anomaly. "Well, you're going to be here for a while, Sir." It's shocking to hear her actually raise her voice past a raspy whisper. "So, it's in your best interest to work with us, no?"
"Vincent and I want to help you but you need to be willing to talk with us. Help us help you, right?"
"<span class="mu-i">haha.</span>" LOST SINCE 199X runs its fingers through its matted black hair. "<span class="mu-i">it's funny. i'm funny. you're funny.</span>"
"What's so funny, 199X?" You cautiously ask the anomaly.
"<span class="mu-i">a beast pretending to be a human. a husk pretending to be a human. a punk pretending to be a human. isn't it funny?</span>" It glances at the floor, as if suddenly lost in thought. "<span class="mu-i">but who was the punk? hard to remember. good. that memory smelled of sweat and rubber. it tasted of bitter, spoiled beer.</span>"
"<span class="mu-i">that wine. it helped to wash it down. i'm <span class="mu-g">happy.</span> she. she wanted to help me, unlike you.</span>" Is it referring to NOWHERE'S SOMMELIER? You're not sure who else 'she' could be.
"I'm glad you enjoyed the wine, sir." You can already hear Ashton's voice straining. "But...we want to help you. We can be friends-"
Ashton's words are immediately drowned out by a loud, metallic <span class="mu-s">CRASH!</span> A new dent was punched into the floor thanks to the anomaly's bat.
"<span class="mu-i">no. you're not. you're lying.</span>" It growls out. Words rapidly spill out of its mouth as it sluggishly approaches the two of you. "<span class="mu-i">they lied. they always lied. oh, they said that too, they wanted to help me. fix me. i was wrong, not right, fucked in the head.</span>"
"W-we, ghhh." Ashton shudders as her throat gives out on her. Her torso heaves as a racking cough overtakes her. "i didn't mean to offend you, sir."
"Yeah!" You try your best to calm the anomaly down. "Look, you're not fucked in the head. Or, well, if you are? You're not any worse than some of the people I met here."
"We're all a little fucked up, right? We share that in common, right?"
"<span class="mu-i">maybe.</span>" The anomaly stops mid-step. It actually seems to be considering your words. Right as you thought it wasn't going to do anything, it raises its bat in the air.
Your vine instinctually launches out of your arm but it's already too late. The bat smashes into your side with nearly enough force to send you flying.
