Chapter Text
Newton had less and less grasp over his own mind. His memories slipped and faded and jumped in flashes of scenes, people and places. He knew They were hitting the erase button, and he scrambled to mentally block off as much as he could in a desperate attempt to not forget. If there was one- just one single memory he needed to hold on to and keep safe, it would be the lab. It would be Hermann working furiously at his chalkboards or clanking his cane against the floor. But was it already too late? His sense of reality was questionable at best, and even though he KNEW he hadn't seen Hermann in years, he could've sworn they were recently in his own lab at Shao Industries together. It was all a garbled mess of Hermann and labs and hearing his voice, but only bits of it coming through. And he remembered sliding his hands around Hermann's throat. But- oh god. How could that even be? Is it possible he maybe- ? No. He refused to think about it. Perhaps just as the Precursors tore through his memories, they also inserted false ones to manipulate him. Newton couldn't recollect any more about what happened, so he truly didn't know. Like he said, they're in his head.
I remember those chalkboard walls
The ammonia smell that lingered there
Were the blood and guts, blue and all,
Mine or the monster's
And did you care?
I remember the yellow line
The metal floors and flourescent lights
There were no windows in our confines
No summer sky or starry nights
But you were there and so was I
Who needs windows with you by my side
I really had the greatest view
Maybe that's something I should have mentioned to you
I remember the way you walked
Your suits and cane and your furrowed brow
And I remember the way you talked
I'd give anything to hear you now
I remember you far away
Faint and foreign, did you say I was good
I tried to recall that look on your face
But I'm not strong enough, I don't think I could
All I have now is you in the lab
Among metal walls and glowing tanks
Will they destroy the memories I have
If I keep you there, can I keep you safe
You were there and so was I
I should have been braver, should have swallowed my pride
It's too late now, what can I do
I'm too far gone and they won't let me reach you
But you were there and so was I
My hands around you as I cried
I'm sorry if you never knew
Is it too late to tell you I loved you