TOMMY

Let me out ... you bastards! ... I won't hesitate!

[You can barely make out the words but the shouting is coming from another room nearby]

is that..? a person?

[They turn away from the computer they were trying to turn on. Unable to identify where the noise is coming from. There's no one else around. Maybe behind a wall?]

HELLO? WHERE ARE YOU?

[Tommy turns his head as much as possible in the direction of the voice. It's barely audible to him]

I'M- shit.. I'M IN ANOTHER ROOM!! CAN YOU GET ME OUT??

[His voice is already getting strained. It's weird. Tommy could swear he'd be able to yell a lot longer and A LOT louder]

[They look around. There's a big metal rectangle with a handle in the wall, which they now remember is called a door. That's how they could leave if they needed]

HOW DO I GET YOU OUT?

[They almost go for the door but the screen finally lights up. There's some sort of code they don't understand. The file is named 'moon.char']

GET IN HERE AND UNTIE ME. PLEASE!!

[He's already getting sore. Hopefully this person won't have to peel him off the table too. That would just be embarrassing]

[The person stares at the screen, trying to make sense of any of it. The lines blur together, but the few words they could make out aren't very... fun. They almost want to run it just to see what happens but get pulled out of that thought process by that loud voice]

RIGHT! I'M COMING

[They abandon the computer as it is and run to the door. It's heavy but at least isn't locked. The nameless person pushes it open, not without struggle, and runs out into a long, stretched out hallway. Same giant metal doors line the walls as far as they can see. Which isn't that far because it's actually a lot darker outside, with only an ominous red glow coming from somewhere. Only now do they notice the circular windows in every door. This would make it easier to find who they're looking for. They begin searching]

[Nothing Tommy can do now but wait. He could yell again but his voice is already giving up. So he turns his head back to face forward but feels something tug on his hair. Raising an arm, he can feel some sort of cables stuck to his head]

shit what's that-

[He tries to get them off. A jolt of pain runs through his whole body. He yelps and lets go of the wires immediately]

[His eyes dart around the room, searching for what he's connected to in such a painful way. There's only one option: a computer or maybe a terminal with some kind of code on it. It's too far away to make out any of the text but something about it makes him panic]

OW WHAT THE HELL

HELP!! PLEASE HELP ME! LET ME OUT!!!!

[He doesn't care about his voice anymore. Not when some insane asshole is trying to reprogram his brain!]

Let me out ... you bastards! ... I won't hesitate!

[You can barely make out the words but the shouting is coming from another room nearby]

is that..? a person?

[They turn away from the computer they were trying to turn on. Unable to identify where the noise is coming from. There's no one else around. Maybe behind a wall?]

HELLO? WHERE ARE YOU?

[Tommy turns his head as much as possible in the direction of the voice. It's barely audible to him]

I'M- shit.. I'M IN ANOTHER ROOM!! CAN YOU GET ME OUT??

[His voice is already getting strained. It's weird. Tommy could swear he'd be able to yell a lot longer and A LOT louder]

[They look around. There's a big metal rectangle with a handle in the wall, which they now remember is called a door. That's how they could leave if they needed]

HOW DO I GET YOU OUT?

[They almost go for the door but the screen finally lights up. There's some sort of code they don't understand. The file is named 'moon.char']

GET IN HERE AND UNTIE ME. PLEASE!!

[He's already getting sore. Hopefully this person won't have to peel him off the table too. That would just be embarrassing]

Let me out ... you bastards! ... I won't hesitate!

[You can barely make out the words but the shouting is coming from another room nearby]

is that..? a person?

[They turn away from the computer they were trying to turn on. Unable to identify where the noise is coming from. There's no one else around. Maybe behind a wall?]

HELLO? WHERE ARE YOU?

#genlosers do rp #big man himself #vlog gun

[Tommy turns his head as much as possible in the direction of the voice. It's barely audible to him]

I'M- shit.. I'M IN ANOTHER ROOM!! CAN YOU GET ME OUT??

[His voice is already getting strained. It's weird. Tommy could swear he'd be able to yell a lot longer and A LOT louder]

LET ME OUT OF HERE YOU BASTARDS OR I WILL GET OUT MYSELF AND BEAT YOU UP

I WON'T HESITATE!!!

[Tommy shouts as loud as he possibly can. The words echo in the half empty room]

#genlosers do rp #big man himself #vlog gun

Hey. Hey Tommy. Try screaming as loud as you can :)

great idea will do

#genlosers do rp #big man himself #answering the red phone

I can't get up there's bright as fuck lights shining in my face I'm all alone and all I can do is complain about it ON TUMBLR OF ALL PLACES

I wonder how long it's been I might be behind on rent

AND STREAMING SHIT SHIT SORRY GUYS I HAVEN'T STREAMED IN SO LONG

when was the last time I even was home? a week ago? a month? my brain's all scrambled I don't remember

#genlosers do rp #big man himself

some prick tied my legs to a table

as soon as I find out who did it I'm kicking their ass

after I get out of the restraints that is

#genlosers do rp #big man himself

HELLO??? WHY AM I IN SOME RANDOM LAB?? WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON

HELP

#genlosers do rp #big man himself

[The door of the storage room creaks open with a slightly unsettling quality, and a man walks in. Oh, he's familiar. The Puzzler.]

Oh, dear.

[The words are quietly said as he approaches, seeing Tommy on the floor. A frown crosses his face, and he crouches down next to the boy, holding out one hand as if to offer it - even as he knows it will not be taken.]

Tommy? I believe that's your name... can you hear me?

[Tommy is sitting on the floor, leaning on a wall for support. He's covered in bruises, seems to have been bleeding in a few places but the dried blood is the only sign of that by now. His arm is swollen and positioned in a very awkward way. He is barely awake or processing anything]

...mm? ph- that you..? ..no...not you....

[His voice is very weak, he also looks like he hasn't eaten in a couple days]

[The Puzzler frowns and shifts from crouching to kneeling. He runs a hand without touching along Tommy's arm, examining it.]

You're not doing well...

[The response is more of a murmured observation than a question. It's rather obvious the boy isn't well.]

I don't know if you know me. My name is J-

[He stops barely short of the first syllable.]

Ahem.

[Reset that sentence. Take two.]

My name is Puzzler.

[His entire body is humming along with a dull ache. It's pulsating around him, like hugging but just a little too tight. This feeling is wrapped around his entire body, making him struggle to even open his eyes. When he finally does that he tries to take a good look at the man next to him but doesn't seem to be able to focus]

'm tommy.. you'r fuh- blurry 'n shit...

[The frown on the man's face only deepens slightly at Tommy's nearly-incoherent words. A flicker of some emotion crosses over his face, too quickly to quite make out, before he recomposes himself.]

Blurry, huh...?

[Before he entirely processes his own motion, Puzzler finds himself gingerly brushing the boy's hair back from his face, smoothing it with a steady hand.]

How long have you been in here, my dear?

uh....

[He lifts his arm a bit and his fingers twitch like he's trying to count on them but can't fully close the hand into a fist. After a minute he gives up on that, letting his arm fall to the floor]

..dunno.

[He doesn't seem to be dying really but some sleep does sound nice.. nice and long sleep]

Ah-

[Puzzler, in a small instinctive act, moves his other hand to catch Tommy's hand as it falls to the floor. While he's doing his best to keep his face arranged neutrally, there is some concern definitely apparent in the expression. A flicker of recognition.]

Come on, now, don't fall asleep. This is hardly the right time for napping...

[The hand that caught Tommy's moves again, around his wrist to check his pulse.]

I should get you to a repair room...

that.. the corpse room? ...am I- ughh

[It won't be that room right? No one will have to dig through him like he did to.. doesn't matter.]

I d'nt want..

[Though he doesn't have a choice does he? All he can do is sit and wait for whatever this man will do with him]

You're not dead, if that's what you're worried about.

[The man's words are carefully gentle.]

Are you able to walk, my dear? If not, are you alright with me lifting you?

[No. The answer is no, look at him. The boy can barely focus his vision, there's almost no chance of him being able to walk. However, the Puzzler has always subscribed to the idea of ask questions first, act after.]

[Can he walk? In his defence he does try his best. He sits up straighter, holding himself up with his hands and not the wall now and he really really tries to get up. It's just that his legs are rebelling against him. They have started a war for independence and won it but completely destroyed themselves in the process. Tommy tried his best. Tommy failed. Tommy needs help]

..yea it alr'ght

[It can't get worse than this anyway]

[Puzzler watches the rather fruitless efforts as Tommy tries to get to his feet, and his facial expression slowly shifts into one of more and more concern.]

Alright.

[When he speaks, it's soft. The man leans forward and slides one arm under Tommy's knees, one around his back, and he gets up.]

[With that, they're off to the repair rooms. Puzzler keeps a close eye on Tommy as he walks, doing his best to not overly jostle the boy or irritate any of the... concerning amount of injuries he seems to have sustained.]

We're almost there. You found yourself in a storage room quite far from the repair rooms!

[Tommy closed his eyes and didn't resist. This was just like falling asleep on the couch as a kid and being carried to your room. Yeah that's nice. He's alright with that. It's peaceful]

sure dad...

[He didn't even notice he said that being on the verge of just falling asleep right there and then]

[At Tommy's mumbled words, Puzzler feels his heart drop. Dad. It had been quite some time since he had heard that.]

Don't fall asleep. Not yet, my b- my dear.

[As he realized how close Tommy was to- not fading, to falling asleep, Puzzler quickened his pace.]

b't wha if I w'nt to..?

[He does. He really does. But he knows it's not a good idea. Not comprehending why but it's a gut feeling. He needs to keep talking, maybe fight this guy. Verbally. Not physically. He wouldn't physically fight his dad(?)]

[Puzzler begins tapping the thumb of his left hand against Tommy's back as he walks, an attempt to provide more sensory input to focus on.]

Stay with me. I know you're tired, my dear, you can rest soon, I assure you. But until we get there, I need you to stay awake. Come on, now. Tell me your name.

[He tries, actually tries to stay focused. Stay there. STAY ALIVE]

...tom

[He just can't help it. The pain from bruises only soothes him now. It's getting colder]

No- stay with me, kiddo.

[An edge of stress, almost panic, creeps into Puzzler's tone as he sees the expression on Tommy's face start to shift.]

Stay with me, come on, eyes open. Eyes open.

[By now, he's very close to moving at a run. They're in the correct hallway, the sign for the repair rooms is just at the end of it.]

Eyes open, Tom.

mm..

[His eyes don't open. It's cold. And dark. There is no tunnel to be light at the end of]

[He fell asleep]

[The door of the storage room creaks open with a slightly unsettling quality, and a man walks in. Oh, he's familiar. The Puzzler.]

Oh, dear.

[The words are quietly said as he approaches, seeing Tommy on the floor. A frown crosses his face, and he crouches down next to the boy, holding out one hand as if to offer it - even as he knows it will not be taken.]

Tommy? I believe that's your name... can you hear me?

[Tommy is sitting on the floor, leaning on a wall for support. He's covered in bruises, seems to have been bleeding in a few places but the dried blood is the only sign of that by now. His arm is swollen and positioned in a very awkward way. He is barely awake or processing anything]

...mm? ph- that you..? ..no...not you....

[His voice is very weak, he also looks like he hasn't eaten in a couple days]

[The Puzzler frowns and shifts from crouching to kneeling. He runs a hand without touching along Tommy's arm, examining it.]

You're not doing well...

[The response is more of a murmured observation than a question. It's rather obvious the boy isn't well.]

I don't know if you know me. My name is J-

[He stops barely short of the first syllable.]

Ahem.

[Reset that sentence. Take two.]

My name is Puzzler.

[His entire body is humming along with a dull ache. It's pulsating around him, like hugging but just a little too tight. This feeling is wrapped around his entire body, making him struggle to even open his eyes. When he finally does that he tries to take a good look at the man next to him but doesn't seem to be able to focus]

'm tommy.. you'r fuh- blurry 'n shit...

[The frown on the man's face only deepens slightly at Tommy's nearly-incoherent words. A flicker of some emotion crosses over his face, too quickly to quite make out, before he recomposes himself.]

Blurry, huh...?

[Before he entirely processes his own motion, Puzzler finds himself gingerly brushing the boy's hair back from his face, smoothing it with a steady hand.]

How long have you been in here, my dear?

uh....

[He lifts his arm a bit and his fingers twitch like he's trying to count on them but can't fully close the hand into a fist. After a minute he gives up on that, letting his arm fall to the floor]

..dunno.

[He doesn't seem to be dying really but some sleep does sound nice.. nice and long sleep]

Ah-

[Puzzler, in a small instinctive act, moves his other hand to catch Tommy's hand as it falls to the floor. While he's doing his best to keep his face arranged neutrally, there is some concern definitely apparent in the expression. A flicker of recognition.]

Come on, now, don't fall asleep. This is hardly the right time for napping...

[The hand that caught Tommy's moves again, around his wrist to check his pulse.]

I should get you to a repair room...

that.. the corpse room? ...am I- ughh

[It won't be that room right? No one will have to dig through him like he did to.. doesn't matter.]

I d'nt want..

[Though he doesn't have a choice does he? All he can do is sit and wait for whatever this man will do with him]

You're not dead, if that's what you're worried about.

[The man's words are carefully gentle.]

Are you able to walk, my dear? If not, are you alright with me lifting you?

[No. The answer is no, look at him. The boy can barely focus his vision, there's almost no chance of him being able to walk. However, the Puzzler has always subscribed to the idea of ask questions first, act after.]

[Can he walk? In his defence he does try his best. He sits up straighter, holding himself up with his hands and not the wall now and he really really tries to get up. It's just that his legs are rebelling against him. They have started a war for independence and won it but completely destroyed themselves in the process. Tommy tried his best. Tommy failed. Tommy needs help]

..yea it alr'ght

[It can't get worse than this anyway]

[Puzzler watches the rather fruitless efforts as Tommy tries to get to his feet, and his facial expression slowly shifts into one of more and more concern.]

Alright.

[When he speaks, it's soft. The man leans forward and slides one arm under Tommy's knees, one around his back, and he gets up.]

[With that, they're off to the repair rooms. Puzzler keeps a close eye on Tommy as he walks, doing his best to not overly jostle the boy or irritate any of the... concerning amount of injuries he seems to have sustained.]

We're almost there. You found yourself in a storage room quite far from the repair rooms!

[Tommy closed his eyes and didn't resist. This was just like falling asleep on the couch as a kid and being carried to your room. Yeah that's nice. He's alright with that. It's peaceful]

sure dad...

[He didn't even notice he said that being on the verge of just falling asleep right there and then]

[At Tommy's mumbled words, Puzzler feels his heart drop. Dad. It had been quite some time since he had heard that.]

Don't fall asleep. Not yet, my b- my dear.

[As he realized how close Tommy was to- not fading, to falling asleep, Puzzler quickened his pace.]

b't wha if I w'nt to..?

[He does. He really does. But he knows it's not a good idea. Not comprehending why but it's a gut feeling. He needs to keep talking, maybe fight this guy. Verbally. Not physically. He wouldn't physically fight his dad(?)]

[Puzzler begins tapping the thumb of his left hand against Tommy's back as he walks, an attempt to provide more sensory input to focus on.]

Stay with me. I know you're tired, my dear, you can rest soon, I assure you. But until we get there, I need you to stay awake. Come on, now. Tell me your name.

[He tries, actually tries to stay focused. Stay there. STAY ALIVE]

...tom

[He just can't help it. The pain from bruises only soothes him now. It's getting colder]

[The door of the storage room creaks open with a slightly unsettling quality, and a man walks in. Oh, he's familiar. The Puzzler.]

Oh, dear.

[The words are quietly said as he approaches, seeing Tommy on the floor. A frown crosses his face, and he crouches down next to the boy, holding out one hand as if to offer it - even as he knows it will not be taken.]

Tommy? I believe that's your name... can you hear me?

[Tommy is sitting on the floor, leaning on a wall for support. He's covered in bruises, seems to have been bleeding in a few places but the dried blood is the only sign of that by now. His arm is swollen and positioned in a very awkward way. He is barely awake or processing anything]

...mm? ph- that you..? ..no...not you....

[His voice is very weak, he also looks like he hasn't eaten in a couple days]

[The Puzzler frowns and shifts from crouching to kneeling. He runs a hand without touching along Tommy's arm, examining it.]

You're not doing well...

[The response is more of a murmured observation than a question. It's rather obvious the boy isn't well.]

I don't know if you know me. My name is J-

[He stops barely short of the first syllable.]

Ahem.

[Reset that sentence. Take two.]

My name is Puzzler.

[His entire body is humming along with a dull ache. It's pulsating around him, like hugging but just a little too tight. This feeling is wrapped around his entire body, making him struggle to even open his eyes. When he finally does that he tries to take a good look at the man next to him but doesn't seem to be able to focus]

'm tommy.. you'r fuh- blurry 'n shit...

[The frown on the man's face only deepens slightly at Tommy's nearly-incoherent words. A flicker of some emotion crosses over his face, too quickly to quite make out, before he recomposes himself.]

Blurry, huh...?

[Before he entirely processes his own motion, Puzzler finds himself gingerly brushing the boy's hair back from his face, smoothing it with a steady hand.]

How long have you been in here, my dear?

uh....

[He lifts his arm a bit and his fingers twitch like he's trying to count on them but can't fully close the hand into a fist. After a minute he gives up on that, letting his arm fall to the floor]

..dunno.

[He doesn't seem to be dying really but some sleep does sound nice.. nice and long sleep]

Ah-

[Puzzler, in a small instinctive act, moves his other hand to catch Tommy's hand as it falls to the floor. While he's doing his best to keep his face arranged neutrally, there is some concern definitely apparent in the expression. A flicker of recognition.]

Come on, now, don't fall asleep. This is hardly the right time for napping...

[The hand that caught Tommy's moves again, around his wrist to check his pulse.]

I should get you to a repair room...

that.. the corpse room? ...am I- ughh

[It won't be that room right? No one will have to dig through him like he did to.. doesn't matter.]

I d'nt want..

[Though he doesn't have a choice does he? All he can do is sit and wait for whatever this man will do with him]

You're not dead, if that's what you're worried about.

[The man's words are carefully gentle.]

Are you able to walk, my dear? If not, are you alright with me lifting you?

[No. The answer is no, look at him. The boy can barely focus his vision, there's almost no chance of him being able to walk. However, the Puzzler has always subscribed to the idea of ask questions first, act after.]

[Can he walk? In his defence he does try his best. He sits up straighter, holding himself up with his hands and not the wall now and he really really tries to get up. It's just that his legs are rebelling against him. They have started a war for independence and won it but completely destroyed themselves in the process. Tommy tried his best. Tommy failed. Tommy needs help]

..yea it alr'ght

[It can't get worse than this anyway]

[Puzzler watches the rather fruitless efforts as Tommy tries to get to his feet, and his facial expression slowly shifts into one of more and more concern.]

Alright.

[When he speaks, it's soft. The man leans forward and slides one arm under Tommy's knees, one around his back, and he gets up.]

[With that, they're off to the repair rooms. Puzzler keeps a close eye on Tommy as he walks, doing his best to not overly jostle the boy or irritate any of the... concerning amount of injuries he seems to have sustained.]

We're almost there. You found yourself in a storage room quite far from the repair rooms!

[Tommy closed his eyes and didn't resist. This was just like falling asleep on the couch as a kid and being carried to your room. Yeah that's nice. He's alright with that. It's peaceful]

sure dad...

[He didn't even notice he said that being on the verge of just falling asleep right there and then]

[At Tommy's mumbled words, Puzzler feels his heart drop. Dad. It had been quite some time since he had heard that.]

Don't fall asleep. Not yet, my b- my dear.

[As he realized how close Tommy was to- not fading, to falling asleep, Puzzler quickened his pace.]

b't wha if I w'nt to..?

[He does. He really does. But he knows it's not a good idea. Not comprehending why but it's a gut feeling. He needs to keep talking, maybe fight this guy. Verbally. Not physically. He wouldn't physically fight his dad(?)]

[The door of the storage room creaks open with a slightly unsettling quality, and a man walks in. Oh, he's familiar. The Puzzler.]

Oh, dear.

[The words are quietly said as he approaches, seeing Tommy on the floor. A frown crosses his face, and he crouches down next to the boy, holding out one hand as if to offer it - even as he knows it will not be taken.]

Tommy? I believe that's your name... can you hear me?

[Tommy is sitting on the floor, leaning on a wall for support. He's covered in bruises, seems to have been bleeding in a few places but the dried blood is the only sign of that by now. His arm is swollen and positioned in a very awkward way. He is barely awake or processing anything]

...mm? ph- that you..? ..no...not you....

[His voice is very weak, he also looks like he hasn't eaten in a couple days]

[The Puzzler frowns and shifts from crouching to kneeling. He runs a hand without touching along Tommy's arm, examining it.]

You're not doing well...

[The response is more of a murmured observation than a question. It's rather obvious the boy isn't well.]

I don't know if you know me. My name is J-

[He stops barely short of the first syllable.]

Ahem.

[Reset that sentence. Take two.]

My name is Puzzler.

[His entire body is humming along with a dull ache. It's pulsating around him, like hugging but just a little too tight. This feeling is wrapped around his entire body, making him struggle to even open his eyes. When he finally does that he tries to take a good look at the man next to him but doesn't seem to be able to focus]

'm tommy.. you'r fuh- blurry 'n shit...

[The frown on the man's face only deepens slightly at Tommy's nearly-incoherent words. A flicker of some emotion crosses over his face, too quickly to quite make out, before he recomposes himself.]

Blurry, huh...?

[Before he entirely processes his own motion, Puzzler finds himself gingerly brushing the boy's hair back from his face, smoothing it with a steady hand.]

How long have you been in here, my dear?

uh....

[He lifts his arm a bit and his fingers twitch like he's trying to count on them but can't fully close the hand into a fist. After a minute he gives up on that, letting his arm fall to the floor]

..dunno.

[He doesn't seem to be dying really but some sleep does sound nice.. nice and long sleep]

Ah-

[Puzzler, in a small instinctive act, moves his other hand to catch Tommy's hand as it falls to the floor. While he's doing his best to keep his face arranged neutrally, there is some concern definitely apparent in the expression. A flicker of recognition.]

Come on, now, don't fall asleep. This is hardly the right time for napping...

[The hand that caught Tommy's moves again, around his wrist to check his pulse.]

I should get you to a repair room...

that.. the corpse room? ...am I- ughh

[It won't be that room right? No one will have to dig through him like he did to.. doesn't matter.]

I d'nt want..

[Though he doesn't have a choice does he? All he can do is sit and wait for whatever this man will do with him]

You're not dead, if that's what you're worried about.

[The man's words are carefully gentle.]

Are you able to walk, my dear? If not, are you alright with me lifting you?

[No. The answer is no, look at him. The boy can barely focus his vision, there's almost no chance of him being able to walk. However, the Puzzler has always subscribed to the idea of ask questions first, act after.]

[Can he walk? In his defence he does try his best. He sits up straighter, holding himself up with his hands and not the wall now and he really really tries to get up. It's just that his legs are rebelling against him. They have started a war for independence and won it but completely destroyed themselves in the process. Tommy tried his best. Tommy failed. Tommy needs help]

..yea it alr'ght

[It can't get worse than this anyway]

[Puzzler watches the rather fruitless efforts as Tommy tries to get to his feet, and his facial expression slowly shifts into one of more and more concern.]

Alright.

[When he speaks, it's soft. The man leans forward and slides one arm under Tommy's knees, one around his back, and he gets up.]

[With that, they're off to the repair rooms. Puzzler keeps a close eye on Tommy as he walks, doing his best to not overly jostle the boy or irritate any of the... concerning amount of injuries he seems to have sustained.]

We're almost there. You found yourself in a storage room quite far from the repair rooms!

[Tommy closed his eyes and didn't resist. This was just like falling asleep on the couch as a kid and being carried to your room. Yeah that's nice. He's alright with that. It's peaceful]

sure dad...

[He didn't even notice he said that being on the verge of just falling asleep right there and then]

[The door of the storage room creaks open with a slightly unsettling quality, and a man walks in. Oh, he's familiar. The Puzzler.]

Oh, dear.

[The words are quietly said as he approaches, seeing Tommy on the floor. A frown crosses his face, and he crouches down next to the boy, holding out one hand as if to offer it - even as he knows it will not be taken.]

Tommy? I believe that's your name... can you hear me?

[Tommy is sitting on the floor, leaning on a wall for support. He's covered in bruises, seems to have been bleeding in a few places but the dried blood is the only sign of that by now. His arm is swollen and positioned in a very awkward way. He is barely awake or processing anything]

...mm? ph- that you..? ..no...not you....

[His voice is very weak, he also looks like he hasn't eaten in a couple days]

[The Puzzler frowns and shifts from crouching to kneeling. He runs a hand without touching along Tommy's arm, examining it.]

You're not doing well...

[The response is more of a murmured observation than a question. It's rather obvious the boy isn't well.]

I don't know if you know me. My name is J-

[He stops barely short of the first syllable.]

Ahem.

[Reset that sentence. Take two.]

My name is Puzzler.

[His entire body is humming along with a dull ache. It's pulsating around him, like hugging but just a little too tight. This feeling is wrapped around his entire body, making him struggle to even open his eyes. When he finally does that he tries to take a good look at the man next to him but doesn't seem to be able to focus]

'm tommy.. you'r fuh- blurry 'n shit...

[The frown on the man's face only deepens slightly at Tommy's nearly-incoherent words. A flicker of some emotion crosses over his face, too quickly to quite make out, before he recomposes himself.]

Blurry, huh...?

[Before he entirely processes his own motion, Puzzler finds himself gingerly brushing the boy's hair back from his face, smoothing it with a steady hand.]

How long have you been in here, my dear?

uh....

[He lifts his arm a bit and his fingers twitch like he's trying to count on them but can't fully close the hand into a fist. After a minute he gives up on that, letting his arm fall to the floor]

..dunno.

[He doesn't seem to be dying really but some sleep does sound nice.. nice and long sleep]

Ah-

[Puzzler, in a small instinctive act, moves his other hand to catch Tommy's hand as it falls to the floor. While he's doing his best to keep his face arranged neutrally, there is some concern definitely apparent in the expression. A flicker of recognition.]

Come on, now, don't fall asleep. This is hardly the right time for napping...

[The hand that caught Tommy's moves again, around his wrist to check his pulse.]

I should get you to a repair room...

that.. the corpse room? ...am I- ughh

[It won't be that room right? No one will have to dig through him like he did to.. doesn't matter.]

I d'nt want..

[Though he doesn't have a choice does he? All he can do is sit and wait for whatever this man will do with him]

You're not dead, if that's what you're worried about.

[The man's words are carefully gentle.]

Are you able to walk, my dear? If not, are you alright with me lifting you?

[No. The answer is no, look at him. The boy can barely focus his vision, there's almost no chance of him being able to walk. However, the Puzzler has always subscribed to the idea of ask questions first, act after.]

[Can he walk? In his defence he does try his best. He sits up straighter, holding himself up with his hands and not the wall now and he really really tries to get up. It's just that his legs are rebelling against him. They have started a war for independence and won it but completely destroyed themselves in the process. Tommy tried his best. Tommy failed. Tommy needs help]

..yea it alr'ght

[It can't get worse than this anyway]

[The door of the storage room creaks open with a slightly unsettling quality, and a man walks in. Oh, he's familiar. The Puzzler.]

Oh, dear.

[The words are quietly said as he approaches, seeing Tommy on the floor. A frown crosses his face, and he crouches down next to the boy, holding out one hand as if to offer it - even as he knows it will not be taken.]

Tommy? I believe that's your name... can you hear me?

[Tommy is sitting on the floor, leaning on a wall for support. He's covered in bruises, seems to have been bleeding in a few places but the dried blood is the only sign of that by now. His arm is swollen and positioned in a very awkward way. He is barely awake or processing anything]

...mm? ph- that you..? ..no...not you....

[His voice is very weak, he also looks like he hasn't eaten in a couple days]

[The Puzzler frowns and shifts from crouching to kneeling. He runs a hand without touching along Tommy's arm, examining it.]

You're not doing well...

[The response is more of a murmured observation than a question. It's rather obvious the boy isn't well.]

I don't know if you know me. My name is J-

[He stops barely short of the first syllable.]

Ahem.

[Reset that sentence. Take two.]

My name is Puzzler.

[His entire body is humming along with a dull ache. It's pulsating around him, like hugging but just a little too tight. This feeling is wrapped around his entire body, making him struggle to even open his eyes. When he finally does that he tries to take a good look at the man next to him but doesn't seem to be able to focus]

'm tommy.. you'r fuh- blurry 'n shit...

[The frown on the man's face only deepens slightly at Tommy's nearly-incoherent words. A flicker of some emotion crosses over his face, too quickly to quite make out, before he recomposes himself.]

Blurry, huh...?

[Before he entirely processes his own motion, Puzzler finds himself gingerly brushing the boy's hair back from his face, smoothing it with a steady hand.]

How long have you been in here, my dear?

uh....

[He lifts his arm a bit and his fingers twitch like he's trying to count on them but can't fully close the hand into a fist. After a minute he gives up on that, letting his arm fall to the floor]

..dunno.

[He doesn't seem to be dying really but some sleep does sound nice.. nice and long sleep]

Ah-

[Puzzler, in a small instinctive act, moves his other hand to catch Tommy's hand as it falls to the floor. While he's doing his best to keep his face arranged neutrally, there is some concern definitely apparent in the expression. A flicker of recognition.]

Come on, now, don't fall asleep. This is hardly the right time for napping...

[The hand that caught Tommy's moves again, around his wrist to check his pulse.]

I should get you to a repair room...

that.. the corpse room? ...am I- ughh

[It won't be that room right? No one will have to dig through him like he did to.. doesn't matter.]

I d'nt want..

[Though he doesn't have a choice does he? All he can do is sit and wait for whatever this man will do with him]

[The door of the storage room creaks open with a slightly unsettling quality, and a man walks in. Oh, he's familiar. The Puzzler.]

Oh, dear.

[The words are quietly said as he approaches, seeing Tommy on the floor. A frown crosses his face, and he crouches down next to the boy, holding out one hand as if to offer it - even as he knows it will not be taken.]

Tommy? I believe that's your name... can you hear me?

[Tommy is sitting on the floor, leaning on a wall for support. He's covered in bruises, seems to have been bleeding in a few places but the dried blood is the only sign of that by now. His arm is swollen and positioned in a very awkward way. He is barely awake or processing anything]

...mm? ph- that you..? ..no...not you....

[His voice is very weak, he also looks like he hasn't eaten in a couple days]

[The Puzzler frowns and shifts from crouching to kneeling. He runs a hand without touching along Tommy's arm, examining it.]

You're not doing well...

[The response is more of a murmured observation than a question. It's rather obvious the boy isn't well.]

I don't know if you know me. My name is J-

[He stops barely short of the first syllable.]

Ahem.

[Reset that sentence. Take two.]

My name is Puzzler.

[His entire body is humming along with a dull ache. It's pulsating around him, like hugging but just a little too tight. This feeling is wrapped around his entire body, making him struggle to even open his eyes. When he finally does that he tries to take a good look at the man next to him but doesn't seem to be able to focus]

'm tommy.. you'r fuh- blurry 'n shit...

[The frown on the man's face only deepens slightly at Tommy's nearly-incoherent words. A flicker of some emotion crosses over his face, too quickly to quite make out, before he recomposes himself.]

Blurry, huh...?

[Before he entirely processes his own motion, Puzzler finds himself gingerly brushing the boy's hair back from his face, smoothing it with a steady hand.]

How long have you been in here, my dear?

uh....

[He lifts his arm a bit and his fingers twitch like he's trying to count on them but can't fully close the hand into a fist. After a minute he gives up on that, letting his arm fall to the floor]

..dunno.

[He doesn't seem to be dying really but some sleep does sound nice.. nice and long sleep]

[The door of the storage room creaks open with a slightly unsettling quality, and a man walks in. Oh, he's familiar. The Puzzler.]

Oh, dear.

[The words are quietly said as he approaches, seeing Tommy on the floor. A frown crosses his face, and he crouches down next to the boy, holding out one hand as if to offer it - even as he knows it will not be taken.]

Tommy? I believe that's your name... can you hear me?

[Tommy is sitting on the floor, leaning on a wall for support. He's covered in bruises, seems to have been bleeding in a few places but the dried blood is the only sign of that by now. His arm is swollen and positioned in a very awkward way. He is barely awake or processing anything]

...mm? ph- that you..? ..no...not you....

[His voice is very weak, he also looks like he hasn't eaten in a couple days]

[The Puzzler frowns and shifts from crouching to kneeling. He runs a hand without touching along Tommy's arm, examining it.]

You're not doing well...

[The response is more of a murmured observation than a question. It's rather obvious the boy isn't well.]

I don't know if you know me. My name is J-

[He stops barely short of the first syllable.]

Ahem.

[Reset that sentence. Take two.]

My name is Puzzler.

[His entire body is humming along with a dull ache. It's pulsating around him, like hugging but just a little too tight. This feeling is wrapped around his entire body, making him struggle to even open his eyes. When he finally does that he tries to take a good look at the man next to him but doesn't seem to be able to focus]

'm tommy.. you'r fuh- blurry 'n shit...