Re: Looking for Jack: Evie/Wren/Luke + Jack
[It was warm here, safe and close, and the prospect of the world outside was unhappy and cold. He didn't want to go anywhere. He wanted to stay.
But Luke was giving him a strange look. Had they gotten to him? Had someone gotten to him? Yes, of course they had. Someone had gotten to him while he was gone, on the other side of the country, trying to shake Seattle and neglecting his friends. He thought there had been sun coming through the window, but maybe he'd been wrong. It was Seattle grey outside, and Helen looked wan and pale, suddenly.
Sick. Was she sick? There was quarantine, and there would be medicine there. The paranoia was consuming and it evolved rapidly. It had been so peaceful here before people had started breaking in. If he could just find a safe place somewhere with the people he cared about and shore the walls up high enough. That was all he wanted. That was all he'd ever wanted. Why couldn't it be here?
Wren's statement drew his attention as he wavered on the brink of bad news and worse thoughts. Why were they here, all of them? Why had they invited themselves inside?] The kids? [That seemed to penetrate in a way nothing else had. It was soothing, that thought, and the mention of Helen seemed to calm him a little. Around him, everything stabilized. The colors were closer to normal again. Somewhere safe, and Helen could come. He stepped toward them, but his posture had changed. They were guests in his house, and they were all going out together to a safe place.] The kids'll love her. [Glassy eyes looked to the worn velvet shade that hid the changing area at the back of the room. She was right behind, getting dressed to come. He didn't question why she had stopped speaking as soon as company arrived. Maybe she was feeling shy? She got that way sometimes, an artist's temperament. He blinked back at them, pressing through and toward the door.] You'll love her. [A short laugh. He was so forgetful!] I'm so sorry, have you already been introduced?