Dimension Of Perfection (And Its Flaws)

Chapter 13 - A Husk Of Him

The door knocks against the wall, as Don appears at the centre of the frame, holding a makeshift gun.

"GYAH!" We both yell in pseudo-unison, as we leap behind where he can't see us. The weapon doesn't fire, instead leaving us quickly anticipating a crazed shooting. I slowly peek around the corner and see that Don is still standing there, like a grizzly bear waiting to be served at the buffet.

Upon seeing my head pop out, his sharp gaze redirects on me as I duck away in fright.

"WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM DUDE?!" I shriek.

"YEAH HECTOR, I WONDER WHAT HIS PROBLEM IS!" 4663 mocks from the other side of the door frame. I look to 4663 disapprovingly as she continues making fun of me. "OF COURSE SOME CR*CKHEAD ON THE FLOOR ISN'T DONALD F*CKING DOUBTWORTHY, GET A GRIP!!"

"OH COME ON!!! You can't say he doesn't look like him!!" I point out, as 4663 peeks back at Bart's face. I think he's still confused on what to do next, because he doesn't react much to 4663.

"Alright, yeah, they do look similar, but that doesn't mean sh*t!"

Now even I'm starting to doubt myself. Maybe I have gone mad. "Come on, at least have faith! You like history don't you!?" I reply.

"You really think we'll get credible history from THIS GUY??!" She yells.

"Come on, Don!! You know who I am right?! We used to be friends! Foursy!!" She glares at me. "Uh, I mean 4663!" Her expression improves. "Ask him a really specific question, like... something only he would know!!"

"WHY DO YOU WANT TO TALK TO ME ANYWAY, YOU SCOUNDRELS!?!" Bart exclaims, with a weird amount of understanding.

"Uh..... well, you might give us...... information!!! For our job!!" I add on. 4663 gives a 'what?' gesture aimed at me. I return with a sly smirk. "Yeah, we're not trying to hurt you, you saw our numbers, we just want to ask about what happened to you!!" I explain.

I continue as it doesn't look as if I've convinced him of much. "Look, all I'm sayin' is if we were gonna kill you, we would have done it already." I attempt to stop myself at the last word, even though I've already made us look even worse. "I mean, from your greatness, and your excellence, we'd love to ask about how you braved the horrors of the world!"

I cringe for the last few words, as even I don't believe that would convince him. Sure, I was trying to appeal to his selfishness, but surely anyone could understand how dumb I just sounded.

Don looks at the ground, stops breathing so heavily, and rests his face. The gun lowers to his waist as he contemplates.

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"Make it quick." Don suddenly blurts. Both surprised, we turn to each other.

"Oh." I whisper.

"Are you really sure about this?!" 4663 hisses.

"Trust me... you'll see it's him!" I answer back.

It is him... right?

Whatever the case, it seems my proposal of info for our job worked, (along with the fact that he doesn't look as aggressive anymore) because now 4663 seems the smallest amount comfortable with whatever the hell she thought I wanted.

"One more thing." 4663 stops Don as he heads back inside. "Tell me, where were you on the seventh of August...? "

Don stares at 4663, before ignoring the question and continuing to walk in.