Voice

[mimicery]

[It had been a few weeks since her last encounter with the snake attack in downtown but she never could have thought that everything would end up like this. Nevertheless, now that she was on the network?

Looks like she didn't have a choice. With a heavy sigh, she finally responded.]

So I got a quick question. Is there anyone here who doesn't want to be a part of this?

No offense but this isn't the type of thing I would go for. If you want to, then go ahead but I'm not suited for this. Between that snake attack and those aliens, there's got to be something else for those who can't handle it. Yeah, yeah, I can go help at the hospital but who wants to deal with seeing that everyday? That's a lot for an adult or even a kid to handle don't you think? What can a 10 year old do here?

[And not die in the process? However, there was some tapping noises coming from her other end.]

Whatever, I just want someone to get the numbers out of my head! I don't need another snake attack destroying the city or killing me!

[But she did have to admit, she was a little curious about whoever that person was that saved her.]

Comments

[healspec]

Now you are only being difficult.

Fear keeps you alive, you know. It's not a bad thing.

[mimicery]

So what are you going to do? Sue me?

Maybe it is, maybe it isn't but it won't change how I feel about it. Can you even do anything when you're scared? Sure you're alive but...are you really alive? Like right now?

[healspec]

For what, your lunch money?

I am as alive now as I have been. [which is not very, actually, but that's a depressing answer that he's not going to give a young girl.] Being scared does not mean doing nothing. It means knowing to avoid dangerous things.

[mimicery]

You might well be for trying to sue a kid!

[Then there was a pause]

Being scared just seems like you're standing still and not knowing what to do when everyone else is getting hurt. Being scared is no different than being fearful. You just...don't know what to do.

[healspec]

[he definitely knows what she's talking about because ha ha that is literally every social situation for him. get scared, freeze up, do nothing. it's different when the situation is actually dangerous, but he's not sure how to explain that difference to her.]

[so, different track.]

Is that how you feel now?

[mimicery]

Scared? Of the network?

[...Now that was question she never thought about. She was scared of the giant snake attacks and the random aliens that appeared about of nowhere but for the network itself?]

Why in the world would I be scared of some internet forum? That's a really stupid thing to be scared about!

[She was but no way she's admitting that]

[healspec]

[yeah he can kind of tell that's a deflection.]

Not of the network.

Of what it means for you.

[mimicery]

[Katie just sighed.]

I'm starting to think that there isn't a way out of this stupid forum and I don't have much of a choice.

But why is that any of your business?

[healspec]

There isn't, and you don't. I wish I could tell you otherwise, but that is the reality of it.

[WOW THO KATIE DON'T CALL HIM OUT ON IT. he's just being a nosy busybody, what's it to you?!]

You don't need to answer.

[mimicery]

How wonderful. How long will it take for me to get a death wish from everything that's going on? I think I've lived a good life for whatever 10 years I had.

[YAY HEADSTRONG PEOPLE!]

But whatever, it's just none of your bee's wax.

[healspec]

That's fine. You don't need to keep talking to me about it.

[BECAUSE SHE'S THE ONE WHO KEEPS SAYIN STUFF HERE. it's not his fault she's engaging in the conversation.]

[mimicery]

...

Then fine. How are you doing on this fair day, good sir?

[healspec]

[slick, katie. you are the smoothest operator. it's cute though, so he humours it]

I could be better.

But at least I don't have to work tonight.

[mimicery]

You got the day off? Isn't that great?

[At least she's trying!] I know that I got a lot of homework I need to finish but they're usually due at the end of the week!

[Maybe except that end of the year science project that she should finish]

[healspec]

Technically, I have every day off. [ because he works nights, get it ]

What grade are you in?

[mimicery]

So what? You're a bum who doesn't work at all?

[But you do get a small smile out of her]

...What do you think? Take a guess and find out.

[healspec]

[kid...]

I work full time. Night shift.

[oh, jeez. how old is she, 10? what age do American kids start school, again?]

Fifth grade?

[mimicery]

[Katie the ever snarker]

Oh. Well, that kind of sucks working at night. Don't you ever get tired working for that long at night?

And good job, you're right! How did you ever find out that?