EXSILIUM - contact.

[hostage]

UNIT№409



_“ Hey, it's me. Wait for the thing. _”

Comments

[controlledvariable]

[And that's a relief, so much so that she lets out a breath like a sigh.]

Good.

[It's gentle, though.]

I know it's not easy, Jesse, but don't give up. You've got people who care about you, we want to help.

[hostage]

[He isn't so sure that's true. He can sense their fatigue, their frustration. Some people - like Saul, telling Steph what happened with Sonya - seem ready to wash their hands of him. Every day he wonders if he should do them the favor of ending it.]

I'm, um... I'm sorry. Putting you through this.

[controlledvariable]

So am I.

[Maybe she's just sorry for getting involved with Jesse's shit even though she knew it was going to be like this.]

You should tell Lisbeth.

[Whether she believes Jesse's version of events or not, Lisbeth has a right to know.]

[hostage]

Okay.

[He didn't know he had to. He thought it was all resolved. But if Saul's spreading this shit everywhere, then Lisbeth can't hear it from someone else.]

[controlledvariable]

Good, she-- she deserves to know. Even if it didn't happen like Sonya said.

[hostage]

Yeah. She deserves to know.

[controlledvariable]

[She won't say thank you, even though the thought pops into her head. She'd only be thanking him for saving her the stress of having to do it.]

I meant what I said, Jesse, about people caring about you. Saul's trying so hard to make things right, but I don't think I can help you anymore.

[And she doesn't say I'm sorry, even though she sounds like she is.]

[hostage]

[He sniffs again, and he's nodding, which is a little obvious in the way his voice wavers.]

I get it. Yeah. I know. I'll stay away from you. I mean -

[Obviously. He's not going anywhere.]

I won't talk to you anymore.

[controlledvariable]

Thank you.

[She will it say now, because she's grateful that he's respecting her choice, that he isn't gonna try to convince her to forgive him.]

Try to look after yourself, Jesse. I hope things start getting better soon.

[hostage]

[Why would he ever try to convince her to do that? He knows what he is.

It's a struggle to keep his voice steady:]

Have a good rest of your life, Steph.

[controlledvariable]

[She can't manage the same thing; when she speaks, her voice cracks on it:]

Good luck.

[With that, she hangs up and tries not to start crying for the hundredth time this week.]