"How does he get?" Jack asked.
"I… don't know," Elliot admitted, sounding confused. "I just know it isn't good."
His voice lost the cheer it had previously held. He shook himself, as if dislodging any negative thoughts. A smile promptly came back to his face.
"So what brings you all here?"
"We want to get everyone together since we have some time off. Are you free today?"
"Of course! I'd love to join you all!" Elliot beamed.
"Great!" Sky said, mustering the enthusiasm Jack lacked. "Now we just need to go meet Isolde and then go wake Dane up!"
They left the house, bidding farewell to Jimmy as they closed the door. They walked a very short distance to Isolde's home, where they knocked firmly on the door.
"In a minute!" they heard a muffled voice say from inside. They waited politely for about ten seconds until the door opened.
Standing before them was a small child, about seven or so, just like Eddie and Jimmy.
"Hello, Al" Elliot greeted the child. "Is your mother here?"
"Yes, I'll go get her!" Albert said cheerfully. He turned back and ran up the stairs. The three of them waited by the entrance, unwilling to enter the house without an invitation.
They saw Isolde walking down the stairs. She had eschewed her work clothes, wearing a simple dress one would wear on a summer outing.
"Hello, kids," she said, smiling. "It is wonderful to see you all."
They greeted her back in unison. Sky felt significantly more relaxed now that they were surrounded by people they actually knew, even if it had been for a short time.
They could comfort themself with the knowledge that these people were real. They couldn't say the same about the rest of the town, perhaps everyone else was already lost.
"Would you all mind if Al joined us?" Isolde asked, looking at the kid fondly. "I'd hate for him to spend the day all alone."
"That's perfectly fine, ma'am," Elliot responded, smiling brightly.
Jack smiled uneasily. Times like this made him envious of Sky. He wished he could blend in and pretend as easily as them.
It was all so strange. He knew Al loved strawberries, was best friends with Eddie, and was the godson of Mr. Danvers. He had memories of watching this kid grow up for seven years. He had feelings of affection for everyone in this sordid town that he constantly fought against.
He had to remind himself that he didn't know these people. That those emotions he felt when looking at them was fake.
While Jack was lost in thought, they looped back and picked up Dane. He'd finally awoke and was eager to head out. His scarred skin cracked slightly as he closed his hand to fist bump Al.
Elliot looked at those hands covered in blood and faltered for a second. It was barely any time, but it was enough to catch Jack's notice.
Jack remembered the facility. He thought back to how Elliot had looked back then. He had been haunted, just staring at his hands covered in invisible blood.
Elliot was happier now; Jack was certain of it. He had a family and a home.
Maybe… maybe that was why he was given a family. It was his desire. It was something that would keep him tied to this place. It was something that would keep him from questioning any discrepancies.
Perhaps that was why Jack was working as an actual journalist. It was the only desire he really had. If he wasn't an anchor, he would have lived the rest of his life in bliss. He'd work his way up the ladder, becoming the editor-in-chief. He would have a family and be happy.
Sky didn't get more than the barebones of a place to live. Was it because the illusion didn't have long enough to take hold and assess them?
Dane seemed happy enough. So did Isolde. She was content raising her child in a picturesque neighborhood.
Would escaping be the right thing to do? It had to be. A life of lies is no life at all. Only in the truth can someone be happy.
Jack nodded sharply at his reasoning. He was doing the right thing for everyone, even if they didn't know it.
Besides, they had to find Annie. They hadn't known each other for long, but it wouldn't feel right just leaving her.
They arrived at a small park. The grass was swaying with a slight breeze. The sky was cloudless, showcasing the heavens for all to see.
"So how has life been since we got back?" Jack asked Isolde, wanting to start the conversation.
"It's been wonderful!" she said. "I'm glad to have a chance to connect with my son. I feel… content with life."
"I feel the same!" Dane chimed in. "It feels like a fog had been lifted. I feel more carefree and happier. I can't even remember what bothered me."
Elliot and Sky nodded in agreement. Elliot because he genuinely agreed, while Sky was just pretending to.
"So, do any of you have gift ideas for Eddie?" Jack broached the topic. He was suspicious of the Danvers. It felt like everything in this town revolved around them.
"I think we should get him a token of home," Elliot chimed in.
"No, perhaps he would enjoy a book," Isolde said. "I know he often has his head buried in a book in his room."
"But he's probably read everything in town thought, right?" Dane asked.
"How could he have done that? He's only seven years old," Jack interjected.
"I… don't know," Isolde frowned. "It feels like it's been longer."
That was concerning, to say the least. If that meant what Jack thought it did, the consequence of such a thing could be very severe."
"It can't have been too long," Jack replied. "It's probably only been about a few months since the plague ended."
"What plague?" Elliot asked. "Everyone here is healthy. It's one of the many great things about this town."
Jack was confused. The way Mr. Linscott had phrased it made it seem like the plague had just ended not that long ago.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sky shaking their head, as if warning him of something. Was this line of thinking dangerous for them?
"Why hello!" a voice from behind bellowed. "What do we have here?"
Jack turned around to find himself face to face with Mr. Danvers.
"We were just talking about birthday presents for Eddie!" Sky responded to his question with a bright smile on their face. Jack could see their eyes hid panic.
"We're thinking about getting him a book!" Elliot said. "But we want to make sure it isn't one he's already read."
"Oh, don't bother!" Mr. Danvers replied. "I'm sure he's read every book in this town! But I doubt he'd say no to a reread!"
"Afterall," Mr. Danvers continued. "The execution is irrelevant. It only the thought and the desire to worship Eddie that truly matters."
Worship. That is a strange word choice. The only time people talked about worship was when they were talking about religion. He'd heard people worship The Shepard, The Shorn God, The Martyr, and others.
"Thank you for understanding," Isolde curtsied in Mr. Danvers' direction.
"Of course, my dear!" He bowed, before walking off without a care in the world.
As they brainstormed possible books, Jack remembered the one he'd found earlier. When they got to the house, he'd have to show Sky and get their opinion on it. The book didn't seem like much, but it had to be important. It had phased into the town right in front of him.
It had to be a clue.