Shortly after setting off the driver changes, Rose stepping out letting Will take over so she can have a break peering out the window into the wilderness.
Tyres glide across the grass as the forest grows ever more dense, weaving between the trees soon becomes a chore. A task. An issue that needs to be solved. Branches occasionally scraping the sides of the car no doubt damaging it ever so slightly. But with every scrape I get better, I learn, I adapt. I don't know why this is happening to me, I didn't think like this before. Or did I? My mind, I cannot even begin to explain. It's like I am living different lives yet they are all merging into one. Every passing minute my driving gets better and better, glancing over at Rose I can only question what she is thinking right now. Maybe I should ask but I'm not entirely sure. It is logical to ask though, "Rose... Are you okay?" I let out a softly. Returning my gaze to the forest I announce again "I know where we can go" Looking back at her she seems so lost. So out of it, like she isn't herself, like she isn't real. "I'm just so lost, I just want us to be okay, I like you a lot and I don't want it to end but I feel so out of touch with myself currently" she replies barely a whisper. Hearing her voice sound like that hurts me, I don't know why, the memories which I do believe to have some truth along with Dr Goult's words dictate I shouldn't feel this. But why am I? Why do I feel so weak yet so alive and dead, it's all so oxymoronic. Breathing in I respond "I like you a lot to Rose, I believe what we have is special and of course I don't want it to end, it's why I'm getting us out of here." Peering over one last time I see her seemingly sigh in relief which again makes me feel something, happiness?
The drive goes from rough and ragged to smooth almost instantly as the tires make contact with the road. The moon illuminating the way in a symbolic sense, kind of like following the North Star. However, that same urge to follow the road leads Will deeper to his thoughts, Rose is now asleep against the window as the car cruisers along. Will swallows, which is followed by a burning sensation as if his throat is dry and raspy, every breath feels forced as he relives what he remembered. Every body, every report, every order and everything coming to one man, or as he is thinking, himself. A life seemingly lived by another, a man seen as cruel by others yet necessary by many, was he a tool? Could he have stopped all of this, could Will have stopped all of this. Whatever turmoil is within his mind is slowly coming to a conclusion. A conclusion that would do no one good. "Where are we going" a soft voice echoes through the car as Rose yawns. "Somewhere safe I hope, I've never been but it's got places to blend in and hide due to a lack of tech." Will responds momentarily out of his own mind. "Did you have a nice nap?" he questions although he doesn't know why, why would it matter to him, it seemed more like an instinct. "It was decent thanks, slightly uncomfortable position though. What's this place called?" A simple reply really, Will looks over saying one word "Bleakstone."
"We are here" I say, looking up at the town. The streets completely empty at the early morning hours. Dim streetlights flicker through the fog outlining the looming buildings, not tall, yet feel overpowering. Turning where it feels right, that's what I have decided to do, when a turn comes I do what feels correct. The next turn opens up massively to which I stop the car shortly for a break knowing we should be safe, slightly illogical yet I feel I can let it pass. "Small walk?" Rose ponders aloud as she steps out the car, definitely rhetorical. Stepping out i walk around the car to where Rose is and begin to follow where she leads me. I don't know why but my mind feels at ease, like I'm familiar with this place, like I know where to go if something happens. Glancing up to where Rose is going it looks to be nothing, absolutely nothing, like there's just empty space. "Where are we going?" I question her as she turns around. God her eyes are beautiful as she looks at me. "You know, not even a day ago we could have died, now we are here like nothing happened, doesn't it feel weird to you. I don't know how to explain it, it's quite cathartic. I am just glad to be with you" Unknowingly she grasps my hand when she was talking. It really is cathartic, near death experiences so many things going on yet, here I feel at ease. "This is the first place I met Dr Jake Wilson, at an art bidding, can you believe that? The all might hammer of the government at an art auction. How ironic. I spoke to him too, he seemed so formal, so professional, yet he seemed like he didn't even know who he actually was, what he was doing, like a tool. A very powerful tool." Her words slowly settle into my mind. I don't know why but everything she said seemed like a blade being pushed deeper and deeper into me, not to harm, but to free. My chest tightens as fragments flash through my mind, looking at Rose, discussing art work. I swallow hard. I believe my worst fear has just been confirmed. Deciding to still act okay I question back "Was he cruel to you?" A heavy question at base level. But knowing what I know, and what Rose could. The implication is heavy. "This is the thing Will, I wouldn't say he seemed cruel, just buried in himself, not overworking or being burnt out. More like logic consumed him to the point there was no emotion left, he never dictated emotions with anything so I've heard, he just did. That's what makes him so undeniably a threat, yet at the same time an easily defeated threat. Because what better way to eliminate a threat by exploiting its weakness, isn't that right Will, or should I say Jake"