Lux lit a cigarette and sat at the desk. His hands were shaking mildly but he ignored that. Remington watched him quietly from his spot sitting on the bed. He could tell just by observation that Lux was nearly maxed out on his number scale. He was very distracted and struggling to focus on everything besides smoking his cigarette. Remington decided to let him settle for a while. It was at least three cigarettes later when Lux finally looked lucid enough to interact with.
“We should go to get your medication Lux.” Remington said mildly. Lux was still distracted for a moment before answering.
“Pff, yeah cause medication is my biggest fucking concern right now.” Lux snapped at him. Remington brushed off the attitude. He knew Lux was very overwhelmed, as they had both been under a lot of stress today.
“What is your number Lux?” Remington asked calmly. He didn't answer but instead looked even more distracted.
“Lux?” Remington pressed gently.
“Like an eight point five.” Lux said looking very distracted. Remington felt terrible for his immediate situation so he let him sit a bit longer, which wasn't doing much to help him.
“Lux it's getting late.” Remington encouraged.
“Don't get me wrong. I love Vezaias with every fiber of my soul, but he is really starting to scare me.” Lux looked like he would cry at any moment. Remington was quiet.
“He was just trying to make us stronger.” Remington said finally.
“HE FUCKING BIT ME AND DRANK MY BLOOD REMINGTON!” Lux pulled his shirt to the side revealing a flesh wound in the shape of a bite, then he crumbled and began to cry. Remington immediately got up and put his arms around him. Lux cried into his neck. “Do you know we just kidnapped that guy and stuck him into the same situation we are in?” Lux said, sounding very crushed. Remington pushed this notion out of his mind immediately. He just couldn't bring himself to acknowledge any of this.
“I know he has some sort of goal that he is working towards. I don't know what it is yet, but we will find out when he is ready to show us. Ephraim is part of that plan. He is important to Vezaias. If it makes Vezaias happy to see him again then I would stop at nothing to make it happen.” Remington pressed. “We just need to be subordinate. If we do what he says, he won't hurt us so much. I know he is doing what he thinks is best for us.” Remington soothed him. Lux only nodded. They pulled apart for a moment looking at each other with desire but both had their recent punishment too fresh in their mind to act on their need for each other outside of an innocent embrace.
“Let's go Lux.” Remington said turning and getting up to open a portal. Lux followed him obediently. They landed in the infirmary but it was late and Remington was hoping that he wasn't going to be in trouble for showing up at such an hour. He collapsed into a chair and waited. Lux sat on the bed feeling overwhelmed still and nearly drowned by the amount of chatter he could hear around him.
“I was about to assume you would not show up tonight. Are you both alright? I was starting to worry.” Zexich said as he appeared and approached. Remington and Lux both looked distraught and were quiet. Zexich stood now waiting for any sort of reply but received nothing.
“My goodness it must have been a very taxing day for both of you.” Zexich said sincerely. He paused and waited a moment in hopes to see any sort of life out of either one. “Lux, are you ready for your medication?” He finally asked. Lux only nodded. He walked away and returned a moment later to bring the medicine, then he watched Lux's intricate method of checking each pill before swallowing them with a few gulps of the water provided. Zexich took a seat and crossed one leg over the other.
“Do either of you feel like telling me about your day?” Zexich asked delicately. Neither one seemed to want to speak up.
“I'm just worried that if we don't figure this out soon, something terrible will happen.” Lux said finally.
“What kind of terrible something could happen?” Zexich asked thoughtfully.
“I don't know. It's just a looming feeling that I’ve had most of the day today.” Lux seemed to sink into his distraction. Zexich waited for more context but received nothing else. He turned to look at Remington who was quiet and staring at the floor while strangling his pressure point.
“Would you like some help grounding yourself?” Zexich asked. Remington looked up slowly looking very sad.
“I guess.” He said softly. Zexich proceeded to help Remington ground himself by bringing him a fidget toy.
“This will help you and you may take it with you wherever you go if you would like. It has six different options, one on each side. There is a rough surface like sandpaper, a crackly side, a clicking button that sounds like a pen cap, a toggle switch, a joystick, and a smooth mirror surface.” Zexich explained.
“Which one do I use?” Remington asked, a bit puzzled by this toy.
“Which ever seems to fit the sort of moment you are having trouble with. For example, if you are having trouble comprehending a conversation then perhaps use one of the options that make sounds like the crackle side or the pen click side. The crackle side can be a constant static sound, the pen click can be used in rhythm the way Demetri utilizes his drumming sounds. If you are having trouble visually seeing the world around you try using the other options most especially the mirror. If you see yourself in the small mirror and make eye contact, it will help you focus on seeing what's around you.” Zexich explained mildly. Remington fidgeted with the toy which was shaped like a small cube for a little while, and tried out all of the options. He settled on staring at the small reflective surface. He could see his only eye in the reflection.
“Thanks Zex.” He sighed deeply. “I really appreciate it.”
“You are most welcome Remington.” Zexich smiled. “You let me know if you need anything else, even perhaps a good conversation.” Remington looked at him emotionally. He was so kind and good natured, even after everything Remington had done, he was still so quick to help him. “You both have a good night alright? I will see you in the morning.” Zexich turned to walk away.
“Wait Zex!” Remington said suddenly. Zexich turned back to wait for his request, looking mild but polite with another smile.
“Yes Remington?” He prompted.
“Can…..can I have a hug?” Remington said, nearing tears now. Zexich looked almost relieved and came over to hug him. Remington noted how Zexich seemed to hug him the way a mother would hug her child. He rubbed Remington's back and held him as he desperately tried not to cry. After a long hug Zexich pulled away slowly.
“I hope that helped you.” He said sincerely. “Please try and get some rest. I think you need it.” Zexich looked worried under his polite demeanor.
“It did. Thanks Zex, I will try.” Remington tried to smile and nod. He got up and helped coax Lux through a portal to the bedroom. He guided him to the bed and helped him undress until he was in his tight athletic boxers, then he pulled off his own clothes and slipped into bed next to Lux. He pulled him into his chest and held him as he immediately began to cry again.
“Maybe I shouldn't have shown up and taken my chance. Maybe I should have just gone back to prison where I belong.” Lux sobbed. Remington shushed him as he cried.
“I would miss you too much.” Remington said, now holding back his own tears.
He shifted and pulled Lux's lips into his own, kissing him desperately and deeply. He felt Lux gasp in pleasure but then suddenly he pushed away.
“Remington. No, I am not going to get assaulted again tomorrow.” He said firmly then he rolled away from Remington and settled into bed without any physical comfort from Remington. This had to have been Vezaias’s plan, to make them both too afraid to love each other, and it was working. Remington sighed and rolled away from Lux as a few frustrating tears slipped out, and after a long while they were both asleep. Remington woke in the void looking around. There was nothing unusual this time, and only one that was new. The mission objectives had changed.
Mission #1 Accomplished.
Mission #2: Accomplished
Mission #3: Accomplished
Mission #4: Unlocked
Objective: Massacre
Their time at the gym went unusually normal. Rocks showed up and coached Remington on some progressive overload lifts, then they ran it out on the treadmill until it was time to shower and take a cigarette break for Lux. He sat at the desk calmly feeling focused and mild, without much motivation to do anything at all for the whole day, but it would be a bad idea to let his lack of desire take over.
“Lux?” His response time was quick today, as the medication was helping him stay focused on the world around him.
“Hm?” He hummed looking at Remington as he took another drag off of his cigarette.
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“I was curious. Why do you suppose your talent still works when Sigil shuts your emotions off, when for everyone else their talents stop working?” Remington asked looking curious.
“Because my talent has nothing to do with my emotions.” Lux said seriously. Remington only looked more curious. “I have been happy as pie, calm as fuck, or felt absolutely nothing at all, but I still hear the voices. It has nothing to do with my emotions if I hear them. I am neurodivergent. My brain responds differently than yours, it’s like it is misfiring constantly. Can my emotions make it worse? Yes. But being in a good mood or no mood at all isn't going to cure it.” Lux explained. Remington looked intrigued by his answer. It made sense. It was time to go to the briefing and they both took a seat rather nervously to wait for the meeting to begin. It was difficult to control their emotion in such a pivotal moment. Fooling the many members that were now surrounding them was detrimental to Vezaias’s plan and they now had to reel in their emotions because Sigil sat not more than several feet away and well within range to know exactly how they both felt. Soon who everyone else believed to be Skyler showed up right on time and began to tackle people as everyone would expect him too but settled quickly as the meeting was near to begin. Ava was also standing by, against the wall with Lucius who had his arm lovingly draped around his shoulders. Of course the first item on the agenda was immediately stressful.
“Have you made any progress in your efforts?” Sigil asked. All attention seemed to be on Remington now. He took a deep breath before speaking.
“The delusion Vincent is trapped in is composed of three layers. The first layer is the actual world, the second layer seems like a false version of that same world, the third layer is where he is trapped. The real world has a room I know as 'the safe room' that locks and has a key that hangs just outside the door. I have to unlock the door and go inside before I can jump to the next layer. In the second layer there is an identical key that unlocks the door to the safe room in the second layer. I have since found that key and that is how I was able to find the third layer where Vincent is trapped inside. The problem I'm having is that in the third layer the key to that layer is missing. I cannot unlock the safe room without it and I believe I cannot break into the delusion unless I have that key. Yesterday we searched for it but could not find it. I am making progress, I just need a bit more time. Once I find this key I will be able to free him. I just have no idea where he could have hidden this key, and I was so stressed out yesterday over things, but at least I know now that finding this key is the answer to unlocking this trap. I won't give up until I find it.” Remington said seriously.
“Where have you searched so far and do you have any clues to where you should search next?” Maxwell asked very scrutinizingly.
“We searched the whole first layer of the house. We looked in the second layer too but we still have to check a few more places. Ava seems to believe he would put it somewhere other than the actual house he trapped him in.” Remington said seriously.
“Where did you go immediately after Vezaias trapped him?” Maxwell pressed.
“We went to Dem's house, then Alt told us to take the day off so we came to the base in Vezaias’s bedroom.” Remington answered with mild confidence.
“And have you checked there?” Maxwell asked quickly.
“I highly doubt he would have put it there, it would be too easy.” Remington said seriously.
“It doesn't matter how fucking easy it is! You should be covering all of your fucking bases!” Maxwell snapped, getting angry.
“It seems to me that you are uncovering these details as slowly as possible……perhaps on purpose?” Lucius spoke up looking wildly at Remington.
“What?! I am getting these details as fast as I can! And I tell you about every single discovery I make! I am trying my fucking best okay?!” Remington jumped to his feet. Lux immediately stood and wrestled him back into his seat. Everyone was quiet and the tension was thick now.
“I would just like to add that my brother, though he was a complete asshole most of his life, was also a very clever asshole, and when he set out to plan something he did it with the utmost precision. To be short my brother was no basic ass bitch. If he wanted to hide something he would hide it somewhere that would never be obvious or easy. For all we know he could have fucking destroyed this key, because he hated my father that fucking much.” Ava spoke up in his upbeat soprano voice. Everyone remained quiet. A long moment passed before anyone spoke.
“You have 24 more hours before we take over this search.” Sigil said very seriously. “Everyone is dismissed.” Remington and Lux immediately left the briefing to go to Lux's bedroom. Lux lit a cigarette and they both waited quietly for Ava to show up.
Ava left for a moment to his bedroom where he only waited a short moment for he knew it would be time for the secret meeting. He raked out his long hair in his hands and with a deep sigh he got up to go and get this horrible meeting over with. Once everyone was at the meeting it began with rather unexpected news.
“Remington and Lux showed up rather late last night to collect Lux's night time pills. I noticed right away both were very distraught and neither seemed to want to explain themselves. Lux only gave me the explanation that he felt something terrible was about to happen if they did not 'figure this out'. When I asked him what terrible thing could happen he said he wasn't sure it was just a feeling he had. With his mental health issues this feeling could generally be a symptom of the personal issues he has. I have come to find though that the issues he has do tend to have an original source however I could not begin to guess what this could stem from. Remington was very quiet and upset and did not want to have a conversation about what he was going through. I offered to help him ground himself which he agreed to let me, so I gave him a device that would help him ground himself that he could take with him wherever he goes which was strategically fitted with a surveillance microphone. With the group's permission we would be able to listen to whatever happens within the range of the microphone's capabilities. I will pass this situation off to Sigil for his insight before we vote.” Zexich explained very upbeat and politely. Ava was quiet and considering this information. If they listen in on Remington and Lux, the odds of them hearing something incriminating were substantial. There was no possible way for Ava to get them the message to shut the fuck up without seeming incriminating himself. He waited.
“When the pair arrived back last night I could tell they were very afraid of something, and suffering a great deal of emotional damage. Remington did seem to have better control of this and he was trying to console Lux because he also was feeling concerned and stretching his patience. When they arrived in the infirmary they were both very anxious as well as suppressing their fear. By then there was a huge amount of near crippling pain that Lux was trying to control and Remington was now feeling very guilty amongst other strong negative feelings. When they arrived back at their bedroom they were both still suffering these emotions but then suddenly adding rejection on top of them. Today at the meeting they seemed to feel better but they were both still carrying a large amount of worry, fear, anxiety as well and anger and irritation from Remington, concern then from Lux, plus determination. Somewhere deep inside Remington was also feeling guilty. I also noticed that he is still not as truthful as he was in the past. It was thinned out, perhaps not lying, but perhaps stretching the truth. Right now they are both very anxious, worried and Remington is feeling very impatient.” Sigil elaborated.
“Perhaps we should vote on this as it could give us some insight to what they could be doing or talking about that is causing them to feel this way.” Zexich said quizzically. Of course Ava would have to vote yes they should listen to the surveillance. If he didn't it would be suspicious. He could only hope that Remington and Lux kept their mouths shut. Everyone voted and Zexich prepared to play the audio.
“Unfortunately this does not record so we have but one chance to hear it. It was a rather hasty attempt to slip Remington an unknown surveillance device.” Zexich said as he activated the audio player. The sound began to play. It was mildly staticky and quiet. Just as it turned on Zexich's pager alerted him that someone was in the infirmary.
“What terrible timing. I will return as fast as possible. Please continue to listen to the audio.” Zexich left quickly. Ava listened trying to be prepared for whatever could happen if his idiot teammates said anything stupid. So far it seemed they were not talking at all. The minutes ticked on. Ava relaxed and remained confident despite the possibility of things going terribly south now. It was a long while before voices could be heard over the audio feed.
“This is taking forever.” It was Remington. “What is taking so long?” He complained.
“He is impatient.” Sigil highlighted.
“Ugh, I need more time anyway.” Lux said. It was quiet again.
Ava wanted to slap the shit out of both of them for waiting for him, of course they were only doing as they had been instructed to do, but what a fucking day to obey orders. He hoped that they would both get impatient enough to just leave without him before they ended up saying something stupid over the microphone.
“We have shit to do. We need to get going!” Remington was even more impatient now. Just then Sigil's device buzzed. He opened it and read a message then shut his device to continue to pay attention. Another long moment passed.
“Let's just go. We cannot wait anymore.” Remington said impatiently.
“You know I am absolutely not looking forward to leaving. I think if I would have known I was about to be dragged into this shit, I wouldn't have bothered taking the chance. I had nothing to do with this whole fucking situation. I didn't trap anyone, I didn't attack, or kill any of their people! Now I'm suddenly caught right in the middle of this shit.” Lux said very seriously then he took a deep breath.
“I know. I'm sorry. This should only be my responsibility. If you want to leave..”
“Don't say that shit! Pff like I can fucking leave now. I'm a fucking zombie slave remember?!” Lux snapped angrily.
“Lux….”
“Stop Remington. I said I would help and I am. I'm not going to leave you. I swear but if I didn't love the shit out of both of you……” Lux paused. “….let's just go and get this over with.” He said finally. The audio became quiet then suddenly there was a lot of static. Sigil ended the feed.
“I suppose when they leave this world for the other the microphone will now be out of range. We will listen to the audio feed again when they return.” Sigil said seriously. “We will conclude for now, unless anyone has anything they would like to add.” Sigil said with a pause. Nobody spoke up. Ava breathed a sigh of relief as he would be able to warn these idiots before they returned to the base tonight. “Very well. Everyone is dismissed except for Skyler.” Ava was suddenly being singled out which was concerning. He stayed as requested, of course if he did not do as requested it would only seem suspicious. Everyone left except for Sigil.
“Skyler, please approach my desk and turn around. Ava did as requested while diving deep in memories to figure out why turning around would be significant, then it dawned on him, Sigil knew something that he did not want Skyler to see in his past. Ava turned around facing away from Sigil and waited.
“Um, what's going on?” He asked curiously knowing how Skyler liked to know everything about everyone and without the opportunity to look for himself this would have made Skyler want to know.
“We have very secret intel that you may have been compromised in some way. You understand with the delicate nature of this situation we must now conduct an investigation to the legitimacy of this information. Also this is the extent of the information I can give you in the chance that it may indeed be true. So you are to remain here while we figure out the details.” Sigil explained.
“Oh, well alright.” Ava said. Of course Skyler would cooperate if he was accused of false pretenses. Sigil now sounded as if he were typing on his computer. Then a short while later Ava heard a portal open out of eyesight.
“Here is my summary. What do you think?” It was Zexich.
“Perhaps we would need more time to test this theory.” Sigil said.
“I suppose. Do you need some backup?” Zexich asked quizzically.
“I only need for you to inform the others.” Sigil said.
“Very well. Do be careful.” Zexich said just before leaving. Ava was as patient as possible.
“Um, could I at least sit down?” Ava asked.
“You may.” Sigil said. Ava took a nearby chair and positioned it away from Sigil then sat down to wait.
