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“Why do you stay?”
You exhaled, and slowly turned around. A familiar blond figure stood, illuminated by a street lamp. He looked almost normal, almost like the quiet Michael Shelley from the photo you found in the back of the archives. Then you saw his reflection in the empty store window, and reminded yourself what he is.
“Stay where?” you asked.
“The archives,” he said, “after everything. You’re an intern, you’re free to leave. And yet…” He trailed off, expression expectant.
You looked down to your feet. Michael did not move. You met his gaze again, the faint spiral etched in his eyes spinning idly. Not mesmerizing, just nausea-inducing. “I don’t think I can leave now. If I leave… there’s a whole other world that I’ll miss, you know? It’s—” you broke off, frowned, then grinned. “It’d be lonely, knowing about everything and not being able to tell anyone. And, um… I’m curious.”
Michael giggled. “Of course you are.” He tilted his head. “Curiosity killed the cat, you know.”
“And satisfaction brought it back.”
Michael’s laugh hurt your ears, but you stayed still, grinning back at him. It finally tapered off and the streetlight flickered. “Perhaps,” he mused. “But somehow I doubt it. That’s the nature of the Eye, after all… never satisfied.”
“I don’t intend to become an Eye avatar,” you said, and Michael grinned like you were joking.
“You work at the archives.”
“So did you.”
Michael’s grin grew further, splitting his face in two. “You’re… amusing.”
You mock-bowed. “I try my best.” Your eyes darted to his reflection again. “What do you really want, Michael?”
“Nothing, really.” He paused. “To know why you stay, despite it all. You aren’t bound like the others. And I suppose I have my answer.”
You still waited, and he grinned. “I’m not lying, you know. Unless you’re waiting for a door…”
You didn’t have to look to know that one had appeared next to you, and you snorted. “No, thanks.” You turned away. “See you around.”
The last thing you heard was Michael’s laughter ringing in your ears before the street light above him flickered and he vanished.