Chapter Text
After hours and hours of crawling, swimming, walking, and hitchhiking, Cal finally reached the grounds of Whispering Rock Camp for Psychics. His body ached terribly, which complimented well with his sleep deprived brain. The man already had a hard time sleeping normally, but the following week had been grueling to push through, leaving him only enough time for a few sparse naps. He let out a hefty sigh and continued on forward through the campgrounds. As he passed by some of the cabins he couldn’t help but imagine crawling into one the dinky little beds and passing out for hours, finally allowing himself to get some rest. But as tempting as the thought was, he shook it out and continued on. He came here for a reason, so he couldn’t dilly dally for anything. After what felt like an hour of walking he looked around at the trees in confusion, “How big is this camp?” He said aloud. The camp felt endless, especially since there weren't many clear indicators where the campgrounds ended and the forest began. It also didn’t help that he was trying to avoid being spotted by any of the left over campers. Every time he saw one or more he backtracked or went in a different direction so as not to be seen. Hell, he even ditched his grimey old apron and lab coat so that he couldn’t be recognized so easily. Instead he was wearing a purple and blue 60’s psychedelic pattern turtleneck, as well as a sky blue vest that he… borrowed, kinda..
As he trekked through the grounds guilt began to lay at the bottom of his stomach, the children's distant laughter and relaxed talking taunted him as he remembered how they screamed and cried in terror, begging him to let them go and not to hurt them. Including… He stopped in his tracks, his body growing cold as the thought of her came to mind. Her confusion, the look of fear and hurt that was now burned into his psyche. He could feel the guilt building, causing him to shake a little. He let out a big sigh, straightening himself and pushing down those painful thoughts. He knew he screwed up big time. But that was why he was here! To pick up his daughter and make up for his mistakes. “It’s going to be okay..” He mumbled in a hopeful tone, sadly not believing a word of it.
He had managed to sneak into the center of the camp and into what appeared to be a tower of sorts where he guessed Oleander did his training and planning. As he searched the small room he spotted a notepad sat next to the old radio that buzzed ever so lightly with life. The notepad was filled entirely with different planet and galaxy names, all of them crossed out haphazardly with a red marker. He let out a heavy sigh and left to continue searching through the campsite cabins, buildings, and caves he ran across. But he only came up empty handed at every turn. He was losing hope and at this point he wouldn’t be surprised if his little girl had managed to convince another camper's parents to take her along with them, providing plenty of proof on how terrible of a father he had been up to now and why she deserved far better. He pushed past some more trees as this thought sat in his mind. He looked up to see where he was now, finding that he had reached the lake which was quite peaceful at the moment. Kayaks and boats bobbed in the water, tethered to the rickety boardwalk. But, wait. That helmet.. Could it be? As Cal stared intently at the small figure standing on the boardwalk while bearing a strange helmet atop their head, his mind finally clicked and his heart began to race with joy. It was her! His precious little astronaut! Without thinking he bolted forward and called out to her excitedly. “Chloe!! Chloe!!” Right then Chloe turned around at his sudden yelling and looked at him. He couldn’t see her face very well, but he could tell from her body language as he got closer that she was shocked to see him, possibly even afraid. He started to slow down, approaching her at a more calm pace. He gave her a soft smile as he started to talk again in a more controlled volume. "Sorry about that sweetie, I didn’t mean to startle you.” She stayed silent and still, not once budging from her spot. “So.. How's your day been huh? Been uh, b-been having fun? Making friends? I know that was umm, important to you.” Cal’s voice broke as he tried to talk to Chloe gently, his nerves getting worse as he got closer and closer. He was now about a foot in front of her before he ran into an invisible wall. “Damn,” Cal thought to himself. She had put up a protective barrier around her, which she only did when she felt she was in danger. Which he really couldn’t really blame her for.
“Why are you here and what do you want?” Chloe’s words were sharp and direct, venom practically leaking from her lips. She was pissed and he knew it. Cal took in a breath, letting it out slow. He crouched down, lowering his head so he could make some eye contact with her. “Chloe.. I know you're upset, and you have every right to be! What I did to you and the others was wrong." He gulped, "I hurt you.. I hurt you despite promising that I would never do that,” He put his hand onto the barrier, reaching out to his sweet little girl. “But that’s why I’m here, to make things right and to tell you I’m sorry.. Chloe, my amazing little astronaut, I am so so sorry for what I did. For tricking you and using your trust in me to h-hu-hurt you.” His voice was starting to get shaky, tears threatening to spill from under his lenses. But he pushed past them and continued on. “I mean if it’s any consolation I wasn’t going to give your brain to Oleander! I was going to sneak you away and re-brain you once he found a good enough brain for his stupid plan, hehe..” He let out a weak chuckle, hoping she might find the slim humor in his plan funny as well. But she didn’t, she just stared at him with cold eyes. “It doesn’t.” She stated plainly and Cal just nodded, knowing that yeah she was completely right in her opinion. “Chloe, I don’t expect you to forgive me right away. Hell, I wouldn’t blame you if you never forgave me!” He put his robot hand over his heart, gripping the fabric as his heart beat hard in his chest like a drum. “But I want to be better, and I want to give you the dad you deserve and need and-”
“Caligosto! Stand up and slowly turn around with your hands where we can see them!” “God damn it.” Cal thought as he recognized the dull voice behind him. Sasha Goddamn Nein, the Agent who had been attempting to interrogate him for hours. His gentle expression quickly turned sour as he stood up slowly with his hands up in the air, turning around toward the Agent and his partner Milla Vodello and.. Some old guy? A man with voluptuous white hair, large glasses that covered a good chunk of his face, and sporting an old fur coat was standing a couple of feet behind the two Agents, his eyes focused directly on Cal. which was.. Strange. Cal directed his attention back to Sasha and gave him a fake smile. "Ah! If it isn't my best friend! How’ve ya been Sash? Get a haircut or..?" He prodded in a sarcastic tone, clearly not happy to be once again cornered by the Agent who didn't even frown at his greeting. "Okay, okay. I know that I broke out of your lab without your.. consent. But! You got what you needed right? You figured out who my boss was! So what was the point of me staying? Beyond enjoying my company of course." Cal let out a smart-ass chuckle, in which Sasha just crossed his arms. "Yes that is correct, but we still have some unfinished business Caligosto." Sasha stated plainly. Cal shook his head and let out a long, tired sigh. "And what would that be hmm?" He asked in a prodding tone. Milla, who had been carefully watching Cal, walked up behind Sasha and gave Cal a friendly smile. "Help Darling. We've come to help you." She said gently. "Sasha hadn't removed all of the mental traps that Gristol implanted in your mind and Otto believes he can help with that." Cal raised an eyebrow at the name. “Otto? Who’s Otto?” And just like that the strange old man who had been staring weirdly at Cal smiled wide and stepped up next to Sasha, offering his hand to Cal as he spoke, “That would be me. Otto Mentallis at your service.” His tone was as light and friendly as his demeanor and smile. He didn’t seem put off by Cal or his off-standish behavior, rather he acted as if Cal wasn’t a wanted criminal being cornered by two Agents but instead as though he were some old friend he spotted at a bar. Huh, strange. “Mentallis..? Huh.. sounds familiar somehow.” Cal hadn’t taken up Otto’s handshake, he just left him hanging awkwardly, in which Otto just let out a light chuckle and he put his hand back into his pocket. “Oh! Well I have done a couple of infomercials for the Psychonauts, perhaps you heard it that way?” “Maybe.. My memory can be a little fuzzy so it’s possible.” Cal wasn’t exactly wrong. His memory had been screwy since the procedure and it just got worse over time. But he also was quite good at figuring out what he had spaced or forgotten pretty quickly. “You're the inventor of Dream Fluffs.. Right?” A meek voice piped up behind Cal. Chloe was looking earnestly up at Otto, though her expression was hard to read through her visor. Otto peaked around Cal to see her, smiling brightly at her. "Why yes I am! And who might you be little one?" Otto asked in a curious tone, putting his hands on his knees as he smiled at Chloe. Cal found this incredibly uncomfortable and shifted himself between her and the Agents, especially Otto. "Chloe, she's my daughter." He stated in a protective tone, staring harshly at Otto. He had a look that just read ‘back off’ loud and clear which made Otto quickly stand back up to show that he meant no ill will to Chloe. “Chloe, that’s a lovely name, heh..” Otto chuckled lightly, trying his best to lighten the mood. Cal just continued to stare down at him, his eyes harsh and cold.
“Anyways, as Milla stated I came to help remove any leftover damage and traps Gristol had left in your mind. But I also want to help you start up your second chance at life.” Otto stated gently, but it caught Cal off guard nonetheless, leaving him to simply say, “What!??” Cal's lenses zoomed a bit closer to Otto as he asked in a cautious tone. “What are you playing at old man?” Otto simply chuckled for a moment. “Nothing at all! I know it sounds odd but I’ve pulled a few strings and favors to help get any of your remaining sentences removed so that you may start anew, along with begin working under me as my lab assistant. I looked into your history and was quite impressed with your past achievements as well as the strange experiments Sasha and Morceau told me about so I thought it would be a good fit! You’ll get paid and be Gristol free!” Otto exclaimed excitedly, smiling wide as he re-laid his plan to Cal who just listened in bewilderment. Why was this Otto guy telling him this? And why did he seem so excited for Cal to work for him!? This seemed fishy, he just knew it. “And why do you want to help me Mr.Mentallis?” Cal asked in a cold tone. He didn’t trust this guy one bit and Otto couldn’t blame him. A man like Cal didn’t trust easily, especially when being offered something like this with little to no clear downsides in sight. Otto smiled softly to Cal, speaking in a calm tone, “Razputin told me about you, he actually was the one who suggested the idea. And while I haven’t known him too long… I trust his judgment.” Cal’s eyes widened a little bit at the mention of Raz.
That big-headed kid was the only reason he was here, trying his damndest to apologize and attempt to become a better person. He said he could change, that it wasn’t too late. And if this guy was here because of him… Cal sighed and gave a nod. Maybe they could help him after all. Raz did manage to convince this Otto guy to clear his name and give him a second chance, which he wasn't going to waste! He looked back up to Otto and nodded, "Alright, I'll come with you but on one condition." Otto gave him a curious look before asking, "And what would that be?" Cal's expression grew cold as he spoke direct and clear to Otto. "Let me speak to Gristol Malik." Otto's face grew concerned and he rubbed the back of his neck, letting out a deep sigh. "I'll see what I can do, but you must know that you won't be allowed to be alone together. We're still in the process of questioning him." Cal nodded understandably. "That's fine. I just want a few.. words with him is all." He wasn't lying, he had some choice words he would love to say to that little rat. Otto clapped his hands together, exclaiming with a happy demeanor. "Alright! It's settled then. Guess we should get your little one packed and we'll be ready to go!" Cal nodded and turned to Chloe who was fidgeting with her fingers, a nervous tick she picked up from watching him. He crouched down, offering his hand to her with a gentle smile. "Come on sweetie, let's get you packed up." Chloe looked at his hand then back to him for about a minute before she let out an uncomfortable groan, running quickly past him and straight to Milla, clinging close to the colorful Agent. "Oh!" Milla let out as she looked down to Chloe shocked before giving the girl a kind smile and offering her hand to Chloe, who took it without hesitation. Cal just watched in shock, but when the beautiful Agent looked at him he simply smiled and stood up. "It's fine, you're probably better with little girls anyway." He said in a positive voice, despite the stabbing pain that rang in his chest. Milla let out a light chuckle and gave Cal a gentle smile before turning away with Chloe in hand toward the cabins. "Come along darling, let's get you all nice and packed up." Cal let out another sigh but turned to look when felt a hand on his shoulder, seeing that it was Otto who now was standing to his right. "Kids, huh? Never an easy thing to figure out, but I promise you that if you keep at what you wish to achieve with them, that everything will eventually work out." Cal wasn't sure how to take what Otto said but before he could let out a word Otto patted his shoulder once more then let go, walking a few inches in front of him. "Come on, we'll meet them up at the jet." Cal's questions were gathering up, but he supposed it would be easier to ask them later so he did as Otto said and followed him with Sasha in tow.