01 [TEXT]

[hornrims]

[The habit of staying in hiding runs deep, and Richie is uncomfortable with broadcasting his face or voice over the network. In general he doesn't like the idea of the network but now he's getting desperate. It's been nearly a month that he's been here and still no sign of his brother. He had been standing right next to Seth before this. It didn't make sense.]

Right before you came here, were you with anyone? Did any of them come with you?

Has anyone been here a while before someone you knew turned up? How long did that take?

Comments

[whichend]

My sister came several months after I arrived. She vanished two months later. Do not count on anything. Not here.

[hornrims]

Christ.

[That's not what he wanted to hear, but at the same time, it sounds about right.

Did she know you had been gone?

[whichend]

She could not have. We were separated for years, and neither of us were ourselves.

Guard your brother well if he comes here. But you can't bring him here. That would be cruel, even if you could.

[hornrims]

Yeah. I know it wouldn't be fair to him.

[That doesn't mean he's not selfish anyway.]

You had to have been glad to see your sister at least somewhat. Especially after being separated.

[whichend]

But fair doesn't truly matter, does it?

I was. But I'm not anymore. She's gone now and either she'll return or I'll leave this place. But that doesn't mean I don't remember who's responsible.

[hornrims]

No. I just get that it's a shit thing to wish on someone.

So you've given up hoping? It is what it is and all that?

[whichend]

Reunion isn't shitty.

I've given up lying to myself. That's what growing up is.