Chapter Text
There was something comforting about being in the waiting room to his therapist’s office again. For the past 4 weeks, he’d been stuck in his flat doing face time with her, instead of meeting in person. He much preferred meeting with her here, in her room, where it was easier to see her and interpret her expression.
The first two of those weeks, he’d been stuck in a wheelchair and couldn’t do stairs, which made things difficult. Thankfully, now he was on crutches and back at work. Unfortunately, that had caused a couple of problems for him and Tim.
“Jon! It’s good to see you again. Please, come in,” Dr Linda said from the doorway, making him look up from the floor. He grinned and reached for the crutches leaned against the chair by his side.
“It’s good to be back on my feet,” he replied, as he lumbered his awkward way into the room and Dr. Linda closed the door behind him. He made it to the couch and sat down in the seat he had chosen what felt like forever ago as his.
“So! Busy week at work, I take it? How is the pain now?”
He grunted from his seat and shuffled around until he felt more comfortable. He had been on his feet a lot, after all. “Uh, yes. Busy. It’s been a week. The lifts don’t reach down to the archives, so we’re trying to get Elias to put them in for me and Tim. We’re both still on crutches. He says he has a contract out for the job to be done over the weekend, but I don’t think he’s being truthful.”
Dr. Linda frowned. “Are you going to put in a complaint?”
“I told Elias I would if it isn’t up by Monday. I’m pretty sure Tim will as well since I told him about it too.”
Looking pleased at that, Dr. Linda nodded. “Good. You deserve to be able to get around easily with a disability, whether it is temporary or permanent.”
He frowned but nodded. “Yes. Agreed. And so does Tim for that matter. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the crutches. I think a cane will be much more manageable.”
“Getting out of the wheelchair was a good first step. Hah, I did not actually mean that as a pun either. And yes, crutches can be very unwieldy to some people. A cane will be much more manageable.”
Relaxing a bit, he grinned and nodded. “But, yes, work has been busy. We spent the first day back just having a Tim Day. I told you about Tim Days, yes?”
Dr. Linda grinned and nodded. “Yes, you told me about Tim Days. I’m glad you eased your way back into work with a day to just get back into things slowly and in a fun way. That must have helped settle you all back into the job after what happened last time you were in there.”
He sighed and looked at the floor with a frown. “Is it odd that I don’t feel anything bad being back there? I mean, I worry sometimes that Jane will come back, though I have been assured that she is dead now. But the archive itself doesn’t make me panic or anything like that.”
“Your worries of the Beholding always watching making you paranoid. I saw the remains of Jane myself, Jon. She is very dead. And so are her worms.”
He nodded. “Yes, I know. It’s irrational and mild. It’s not a bother right now. If it becomes problematic I’ll let you know. Right now, we’re kind of wanting to explore the tunnels. But with two of us finding it hard navigating stairs, we’ve set up Sasha and Martin going down with mics so we can keep in contact with each other at all times. So far it seems to be working. We have found a bit of a problem though. Two actually, though it might still be one rolled in two.”
Dr. Linda leaned forwards at that, curiosity in her eyes. “Oh? What would be the problem in the tunnels? I thought that the worms had been cleared out, or at least if not the worms, Gertrude.”
Jon nodded. “Oh, yes, they have been. Well, not all the worms, but the worst of them and Gertrude has been taken care of, of course. She was buried a couple of weeks ago. I didn’t go, obviously. I don’t know if anyone showed up or not. That’s…that’s sad.”
“I’m sure there would have been at least one person show up.”
Snorting, he nodded. “Oh, yes, definitely at least one. But that isn’t the point. The point is the tunnels, not Gertrude and her otherwise very lonely funeral.”
Nodding, Dr. Linda leaned forwards even further. Any further and her curiosity over the tunnels will have her fall out of her seat. “Yes? Something about the tunnels.”
Jon nodded and leaned forwards back. “It looks like someone is living down there. We think they’re human because Sasha and Martin kept running into food containers and empty packages. Which means not living off of fear. Yet Jane was down there for months, and this guy wasn’t eaten, which takes me to the second thing, which is likely very related to the first but we’re not sure.”
He could feel the weight of Dr. Linda’s eyes on him, and he grinned at her because he was getting used to the feeling of always being watched now that he knew it wasn’t his imagination. “Oh?” she said and kept those keen eyes locked on him.
“They have noticed the corridors of the tunnel systems shifting. Arrows in different spaces, walls where there used to be walkway, doors where there used to be wall. That sort of thing. We can’t map it because of that.”
Dr. Linda’s eyes widened at that. “Oh. Wow. Is it like Michael’s corridors?”
Jon frowned at that. “I don’t think so. From what I understand, Michael’s corridors are made to drive someone insane. These are just normal corridors that shift and change. It’s like someone is purposefully changing the environment to stay hidden, rather than a trap to send someone mad.”
“Oh, yes, with a human staying in there, they would need that protection when things like Jane Prentiss and other murderous people are down there. It’s likely they knew or is the one responsible for what happened to Gertrude.”
Grimacing, he nodded at that. “Yes. So far we think it is a homeless man who probably knew Gertrude. Since he doesn’t seem like much of a threat. It’s just really spooky down there, according to Martin and Sasha. I don’t really remember much of the tunnels, given carbon dioxide and running for my life at the time I was down there. But I do have to say now the danger is gone, I am interested in exploring them myself.”
Dr. Linda frowned. “Isn’t it a ladder down there? You might want to wait until after you get off the crutches and can move a bit better before exploring the tunnels down there.”
He grimaced but nodded along to that as well. “Yes. Hence why me and Tim are stuck in the office with a radio on us listening in to what Martin and Sasha are doing in the tunnels. I think Tim is just as curious as I am about going down there.”
“It’s very likely all of you are. It makes sense. And I am glad to see that you and Tim are waiting until you are off the crutches.”
He let out a hum of agreement and fell into a short silence before he finally decided to answer the second part of what she wanted him to talk about. He rubbed at his knee absently, thinking about it. “The pain is better for the most part. Tim’s off the heavy-duty meds and not happy about it, but he doesn’t seem to have a problem with being off them, which is good. Addiction to anything is horrible. I’ve stuck to a pill every six hours. For the most part it keeps it manageable. I do still have a lot of bad days. The doctors say that is likely going to be a long term, rest of my life thing, but the bad days will hopefully lessen.”
Dr. Linda looked oddly pleased at that. “Yes, it will be good to have the pain lessen, and you have more good days. I’m glad to hear that the doctors think that will happen. You’re healing well then. And Tim’s pain levels seem to be going down. It’s good he is off the heavy meds.”
Jon grinned. “Yes. I really want to be off the crutches sooner rather than later, but I can’t really push my knee any further than it already is during PT, because it just ups the pain way too much.”
“At least you have a way of knowing if you’re going too far. Pushing further will just end up hurting you and may actually delay the healing process, so that’s also a good thing.”
He rubbed at the offending knee again. “Or it won’t heal and stays bad. I think I prefer the healing, thanks.”
Dr. Linda chuckled at that. “Yes. Most people would choose the better option, because it is the one that leads to less pain.”
He chuckled back. “Indeed, that would be the best option available. I mean, I have been accused of being a bit of a masochist at times, but even I don’t want that.”
Dr. Linda smiled at him and leaned back in her chair. “Okay. So, apart from being busy and accessibility issues, have you run into any other problems this week?”
He shrugged. “No, not really. I’m finding out things about Avatars through the chat. Like power glitches apparently, so my questions might actually screw up and not actually be asked at all, rather than force people to answer them over DM’s or things like that. Not a problem for right now, thankfully, but it will likely be a bit of a problem in the future, because I ask a lot of questions. I’ll need to learn to control that ability.”
“Okay, that’s a good thing to know. You’ll be prepared for when it starts happening. This group will likely be good for you to talk things through with others who have gone through the same thing. Or, well, not the same thing, but similar things.”
Jon nodded at that. “Yes. I was unsure at first because I know it is the local Web Avatar that runs it, but so far everyone is either someone I am familiar with through statements, complete strangers I have no context to and therefore no worries over yet, or Elias. I really wish Elias wasn’t there. He creeps me out more than the spider lady.”
Dr. Linda’s eyebrows raised at that. “Huh. Is this Web Avatar literally a giant spider? No, wait, not important. Elias is in there. So, he is a part of all of this for a fact now. That’s at least good to know, though I can understand why you wouldn’t feel comfortable talking about things like this with him in there.”
Jon shrugged and looked at the floor. “It wouldn’t be so bad if he didn’t just blatantly tell everyone he is leaving me floundering by saying he has a no interference policy when it comes to the Archivist position. How did he even get hold of it as an actual position? I’d ask, but I don’t think he’d give a proper answer. But, yes, I am the only one on the server right now that isn’t a full Avatar and in their Becoming still. I have been assured that I likely won’t be the only one, that others will likely get invited, but I am the first and most don’t know what’s happening to them. I would be so lost if I didn’t end up talking to you about all of this from the beginning.”
Dr. Linda nodded at him with a smile. “And that’s what therapy is for. Working through things like that. I’m glad I have been helping you deal with this change in your life. It’s definitely a first for me too.”
He chuckled at the absurdity of that. “It is a bit new. I just wish that there were others like me, who are still trying to figure things out and not established. Maybe I could find some through statements. Like, Laura Popham. Do you think she Became or started Becoming an Avatar for the whole cave experience?”
Frowning, Dr. Linda blinked. “Huh. It’s worth checking out. If she did Become, she’d be actively feeding her Patron by now. She might pop up in another statement or two that are more recent.”
He nodded at that. “I’ll have to go searching for the more recent ones. They should be up front but are all shuffled in with old ones. Still, at least most are getting sorted into a proper order and by Entity now. I’m still missing some names, but I have quite a lot now.”
“Maybe there should be a thread for each different entity in the server you’re in? Go look up the threads and see if they’re there.”
He grinned. “Oh! Yes, I forgot about that. I’m still new to Discord. I think most of the people in there are new to it though, so I don’t feel that left out in that area.”
Dr. Linda smiled again at that. “That’s good. Is the Web Avatar actually a giant spider?”
He laughed at that being asked again. He shook his head. “I have no idea. I haven’t found Annabelle Cane in a statement yet that I remember. But it is the first thing I think of when I think of the Web. Giant spiders. Followed by the whole manipulating thing. Ugh, it makes me wary, but at the same time, everyone else is in the exact same boat as me that is not her, so hey, at least I am not alone in that either.”
“You’re either all being manipulated or none of you are, and it is exactly as it says on the tin. A safe haven to talk about Avatar things.”
He nodded. “Honestly, I think it was started because of me and Elias infighting. We still infight. I think it’s going to be a problem.”
Dr. Linda blinked at that. “Huh. There was a spider in your office shortly before the whole thing with Jane ended. Maybe they can show Annabelle things, or report to her? She could see if you’re being treated well or not, and obviously you weren’t being treated well. The last Archivist was not the best apparently. It makes sense the other powers would want to keep an eye on you and the Beholding.”
Jon shuddered. “I wish there was a different way than spiders. I hate the bloody things. She knows that by now.”
“I think everyone knows of your fear of spiders by now.”
Grimacing, he nodded. “Yeah, pretty much.”
They fell into a silence at that before Jon shifted and reached for his bag. “I didn’t do a statement this week. I mentioned that, but I did get a tape. Martin recorded one while down in the tunnels with Sasha and made a copy for you, since he knows you listen to these things.”
“Oh!” she said, reaching for the tape he pulled out. “Tell him thank you for thinking of me too. I’ll listen to it at home since it’s not something we generally talk through and anything we would we already have talked about.”
He nodded happily at that, because it had been nice for Martin to remember something like that. “I will. I think what I said during our time hiding together from Jane when we thought Tim was dead was…I think it might have had a bit of an impact on him. He’s taken to carrying a tape recorder with him, much like me, really.”
Dr. Linda nodded. “Does that worry you?”
Jon frowned and actually thought about that. “I don’t know. I mean, it probably should, but it doesn’t as much as it should. If that made sense. It feels like he’s trying to be closer to the Eye or something.”
Leaning forwards slightly, Dr. Linda smiled at him, and he couldn’t figure out what it meant until she spoke. “Jon, did it occur to you that he maybe wanted to get closer to you, not necessarily the Eye?”
He blinked at that, then did so again for good measure, because no. No, it had not. “Oh. Uh, that makes sense. Why do I never think of these things myself? Do you know what Angela said to me when she came to check on me that first time she showed up at my door? That the lighter may have been sent to me as a source of ignition. To deliberately set a fire to a piece of paper not part of the statements and set off the fire alarm. And then she apologised because she knew I would never allow a fire in my archive. She called it my domain. I am getting the feeling that if anything hurts the statements, it will hurt me.”
Dr. Linda frowned at that but nodded. “It is possible. Especially if it is one you haven’t actually archived yet. If you do need to destroy them for any reason, I would try on one that is already on tape.”
Slowly he nodded. “Yes. I think I’m going to try and not set the place on fire first. That seems like a good place to start. But if there does need to be a fire, I think I will stack just normal empty leaves of paper around for such purposes and places to safely burn them, rather than anything else.”
“That sounds like a good plan if a fire is needed. And it really would have done a lot in the fight with Jane. You didn’t have the lighter on you at the time, though. You likely didn’t even remember it existed, because it hadn’t pinged in your mind that it did or not. It’s only relevant now, due to the conversation naturally bringing it up.”
Jon let out a sigh. “Angela thinks that it likely was a normal lighter, it’s trauma thar keeps me from remembering, since I am the only one it affects.”
“That is possible. It’s also just as likely that it only affects you because you are the recipient. We’ve seen things like that from the statements. The homophobic vase has the opposite effect if I remember right.”
He let out a groan. “Not you too. I blame Tim for the ridiculous nicknames for things. At least he’s stopped bringing up worm sex now, since he was eaten by said worms.”
Dr. Linda frowned at him. “You were also eaten by said worms.”
He nodded at that, because true. “Yes, but I didn’t call it the worm sex statement.”
“Ah,” Linda stated with a grin. “Yes, that’s true. Is there anything else you want to talk about?”
He thought about that for a while, before shaking his head. “Not really. Mainly it’s the whole pain and worm thing and I have talked that over with so many people it’s nice to have other things to talk about, like the server and work drama. Hmm, that reminds me, Michael is also on discord.”
Linda let out a laugh at that. “Ah, the spirit of discord is on Discord. That’s funny. And oddly makes sense.”
Grinning, Jon nodded. “Yes. But that’s about it for my week. It’s been busy but boring. Nothing much has happened. Things are settling in nicely for the archives, it seems. And I have to catch a train on crutches. That’s going to hurt. Is it okay if I leave a bit early to get there?”
Dr. Linda nodded and stood up. “Oh, yes, of course. Have a good night.”
He nodded, grabbed the crutches, and levered himself up to his feet. “You too. I’ll see you next week.”
“Yes, next week.”
Jon left the room, feeling better about the future and what it may bring. Hopefully not as much bad as the whole Jane thing. But things definitely were looking better. He just hoped they stayed that way.