Chapter Text
Beep… beep…. Beep….
Hello, your call cannot be taken at the moment. Please try again later.
“Hey, Grian. It’s Mumbo. Firstly, I must say I am thoroughly offended that you didn’t pick up your phone the instant I called. I suppose I’ll forgive you, though. What I wanted to say was that you’re invited to a game night at Jimmy’s on Saturday. Pearl called some of your friends from high school, and Taurtis said he might come to visit this weekend. Figured you’d like to see him; it’s been a while. Anyway, that’s all from me. You’d better come, or I swear I’ll break your knees. Peace.”
Beep
Beep… beep… beep…
“Hey, me again. Where were you on Saturday? Taurtis wasn’t able to come - said he had some complications with an old friend - but we still missed you. Apparently no one has been able to reach you since Monday. What was that, the 15th? It’s been a week now. Hope you’re okay, dude.”
Beep
Beep… beep…. Beep….
“Hey lad, Joel here. Mumbo said you haven’t been answering any calls, and same goes for Pearl and Jimmy. Lizzie’s worried. We all are. If this is an elaborate prank, I’m seriously going to hurt you. *clears throat* Anyway, if you haven’t answered anything by Wednesday, me and Jim are coming over. Just to make sure.
Hope you’re doing alright.”
Beep
Beep… beep…. Beep….
“Hi, Grian. This is Jimmy. Mumbo told me about your… nightmares. Joel and I don’t have to go to your house tomorrow if you really don’t want us to. If you’re having trouble with sleep, you should contact Zedaph or Cub. If you don’t answer, we’re coming, but I’m sorry if you’re just going through something and don’t have the energy to. See you tomorrow, mate.”
Beep
Beep… beep… beep…
“Grian, this isn’t funny anymore. Mumbo is worried sick. This is Pearl, in case you’ve forgotten. It sure feels like you’ve forgotten everyone else. Lizzie said Jimmy came home crying , and Joel won’t talk about what happened at your house. Mumbo and Scar are about ready to go over there themselves, but I told them it could be dangerous. You might be thinking, That’s ridiculous, but the reason I think that is because you haven’t answered any of our voicemails!
I’m getting really afraid, Grian. We all are. Please just come back.
Beep
Beep… beep… beep…
“Hey. Impulse here. Remember me? It’s been… a couple months, since you went missing. They- the police - have taped off your house for investigation. Joel still won’t talk about what happened there, and Jimmy, well… he said he only caught a glimpse of the inside, and Joel had told him to wait outside. He’s lying; we all know he is. But I don’t want to press him. Pearl and Lizzie are getting really upset - not at you, obviously. They’ve put themselves into a frenzy, trying to figure out what could’ve happened. As for Mumbo… well. *cough* He… hasn’t been doing well. Not sleeping, or eating. We - me and Scar - have been trying to get him to leave a message for you. He wouldn’t. We still have no idea where you are. If you can even hear this… we’re all hoping for the best, buddy. Get home soon. Please.”
Beep
Beep… beep… beep…
“Hey there! It’s been… five months now. I’m sure you recognize my voice, but in case it’s gotten incredibly manly over that time, this is Scar. When the police said there was blood in your house, Lizzie just about passed out. They wouldn’t give us all the details, but they have confirmed that you are missing. When Joel heard that, he got real quiet and went to his room. Lizzie said he hasn’t come out since. But, uh. That’s not as bad as Mumbo and Jimmy. Jimmy’s blocked off his room, so no one can get in. Mumbo mentioned that he gets head rushes every time he stands up, and he’s been losing a ton of weight. He says he’s eating and sleeping, but I can see the dark circles under his eyes. A few of us moved in together - don’t know if Impulse or Pearl mentioned that in their messages. Lizzie and Joel, obviously, still live in their house. Jimmy has been sleeping on their couch. Pearl, Impulse, and I have all been staying over at Mumbo’s… both because we want to stick together, and because we don’t want to leave him alone.
*Pause, then clearing throat*
The police said they didn’t find your phone, so you either have it with you or it was… taken by wha- I mean, who ever took you. I can only hope you’re hearing these messages. Just… Grian…
*Long pause*
What happened on January 15th? That was the last time anyone heard from you, so far as I can tell.
*Another pause, then a deep breath*
Anyway, Mumbo will be home from work soon. It’s late. I’m probably going to sleep. Good night, Grian. I miss you.”
Beep
Beep… beep… beep…
“Hey, Grian. This is Lizzie. Mumbo still won’t leave a message. I decided to leave one, both because I haven’t yet, and because… well, Grian, it’s Joel. He’s scaring me. I’ll wake up and he’s just standing at the window, staring. It’s happened several times now. He always tells me he’s just thinking and I should go back to sleep, but… his eyes are always weird. They’re brown, Grian. Dark brown. But when he looks at me, on those nights, they look almost purple. Almost glowing . It’s probably nothing; my mind playing tricks on me. But I figured, why not tell you?
*Pause*
We all are still worried about you. I don’t know if you can… keep track of time, wherever you are, and I don’t believe you’re dead. But it’s been almost a year . Tomorrow is January 15th. Pearl and I have been staying together a lot, since we work at the same place, and she told me that Mumbo has been doing terribly. But you probably already know that. She said he hasn’t been sleeping, or eating, or even drinking water. I’m scared he’s losing his mind. Everyone is. Jimmy’s a little better, at least, but he and Joel still won’t open up about what they saw at your place.
What happened there, Grian? Where are you?
Joel is calling me. I have to go. I’ll… talk to you later.
Beep
Beep… beep… beep…
*Shuffling, raspy breathing, a tired voice* “Hey, Grian. How are you? I know you’re not dead. You can stop pretending. Oh, you probably don’t know who I am - Pearl said I don’t sound like myself anymore. Which is ridiculous. Of course you’d recognize me. It’s Mumbo. I know I stopped leaving messages, and this isn’t going to be a long, emotional one. Just thought I should let you know it’s been a year since anyone heard from you. January 15th. I don’t know if I should be sad or angry, if I’m being honest with you. I mean, I miss you, obviously, and I’m worried; but at the same time, I’m pretty upset. You’ve pretty much messed up all of our lives. And I know you’re not dead, so I don’t feel bad saying that it’s your fault.
Anyway.
*Clears throat*
Um. Someone decided to have a funeral for you. Can you believe that? Imagine having a funeral for someone who’s still alive. It’s ridiculous. And get this: Pearl went to it. Joel didn’t let Lizzie go. She wanted to. She thinks you’re gone, too. At least Scar is holding out hope with me. Not hope. It’s not hope. It’s true . You’re not dead, and I know you’re not. If you were dead, I’d know. Best friends always know. Um. Also, someone called about you a few days ago. Said her name was Ellen. Figured you’d just… like to know. I handed off the phone to Impulse, and he explained the situation . Ridiculous. What situation? There is no situation . You disappeared, and you ruined all your friends’ lives. I hope you’re happy.
*Deep breath, then quieter:*
I hope you’re happy.
I’m not going to leave another one of these.”
Beep
Beep… beep… beep…
“Hey there. Impulse again. Figured I’d just get this off my chest. I know Mumbo left a message yesterday, so I’m assuming he told you about the funeral, and Ellen. Probably told you about what happened with Sam, too. I still can’t believe he’d do that. Anyway, I’m getting off track. Sorry. I just… *cough* I just wanted to say… goodbye, I guess. I didn’t go to the funeral, and I don’t really think you’re dead. I don’t know what to believe. But I am pretty sure that you’re not coming back. And I need closure; we all do. So, this is going to be my last message.
I can only hope that I’ll see you again one day, but I’m not going to hold my breath. You were such an awesome guy, Grian, and I’m gonna miss you all the time. I don’t really know how to end this. I guess, just… goodbye, dude.”
Beep
Beep… beep… beep…
“Scar here. It’s almost Christmas. Thought I’d wish you a merry one. Ringing in the new year, am I right?
*Clears throat*
Mumbo’s in the hospital. Impulse found him on the floor of the kitchen. Antidepressants scattered all over, surrounding him. Doctors said he tried to overdose but passed out by sheer weakness before he could get the job done. I… guess it’s a good thing his health has been deteriorating. Um. Just thought I should let you know.
But I’ve got to go now. Pearl is shouting from the kitchen. I think - oh, hey. What? He’s here ? I thought Impulse was going to pick him up from the train sta-”
Beep
Beep… beep… beep…
“Hi, Grian. You probably don’t remember me. It’s Taurtis. I’ve been putting off leaving a voicemail, because it makes me sick to think of you not hearing them, and the words just floating around in emptiness, with no one to… anyway. I’m visiting for Christmas. Staying in the big house with Pearl, Impulse, and Scar. Mumbo is at the hospital still. Medically-induced coma. Impulse said we should do something to cheer ourselves up a little - I guess it always hurts when the winter season comes around. I suggested a game night. They all got real quiet. It probably has something to do with you. I’m still confused, Grian. I mean… where did you go? It’s not like you to just vanish. I miss you, man. Sorry, I don’t mean to make this so long. Ellen has been asking about you. I still haven’t got up the courage to tell her the truth. As for Sam… well . I’m sure you’ve been filled in on what happened with him .
*Pause*
It’s the middle of the night. Remember when we’d stay up all night together? Those were the days, man. Of course, nighttime has some bad memories, too, like the stabbing and the crash. But he got better - I swear he got better - sorry. I’m rambling. I’m sure you’re tired. I know I am. Good night, Grian. See you… soon.”
Beep
Beep… beep… beep…
“I’m starting to hate that noise. Every time I call you and instead of your voice, it’s that incessant beeping. It’s been three years. I miss you. It feels like I’m the only one who does. If the others remember you, they sure don’t show it. Lizzie and Pearl are so invested in their work, and Jimmy has gone off to some university somewhere far away. He doesn’t call much. Guess he’s just one more gone. Impulse believes you’re dead. Taurtis, maybe, is like me. We don’t see each other much; he lives in Tokyo, and it’s not like I can afford a plane ticket after my medical accident. Did Scar tell you about that one? Fun adventure. Wish I’d succeeded. I know I said I wasn’t going to leave another voicemail. It’s not even January. It’s the middle of summer. I was just… bored, I guess. Sorry. I just-
*Deep, hacking coughs*
Sorry about that. I get those sometimes.
*Pills rattling, another cough*
Oh, gosh. Pearl is giving me her worried mother hen look. I’d better get back to my room. She doesn’t like when I’m out here without my walking stick. Pearl, stop. I’m fine- HEY!”
“Mumbo, are you… recording a voicemail?”
“Pearl, go away.”
“You know he’s gone -”
*Sounds of glass breaking and a short scream*
“Okay, Mumbo, time to go back to your room.”
“Hands off me, Impulse - I swear, PUT ME DOWN -”
*Guttural screaming, then panting*
“Hey, Grian. Pearl here. Sorry about that - I didn’t realize he… anyway. Um. Bye.”
Beep
Beep… beep… beep…
“Hurts to be forgotten, doesn’t it?
I wonder if you’ll ever forget me.”
Beep