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.

"HEY!" We both yell in pseudo-unison, as we leap behind where he won't be able to 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, just 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!"

"OH COME ON!!! You can't say he doesn't look like him!!" I point out, as 4663 looks back at Bart's face. I think Bart is 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 stares 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, to hopefully get 4663 on board with this. 4663 gives a 'what?' gesture aimed at me. "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. "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 even I can understand that it wouldn't convince anyone of anything.

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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"Come in." Don suddenly states. Both surprised, we look at each other.

"Oh." I whisper.

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

"Trust me... You'll see it's him!" I whisper back. It seems my proposal of figuring more out on AniaN for our job worked, (along with the fact that he doesn't look as aggressive anymore) because now 4663 seems more 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 7th of August...? "

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

I'm not even quite sure what that question was meant to get out of him. I guess it doesn't matter since he didn't answer it anyway.

We follow him in and I shut the door as the light disappears from the room. The room we walk into isn't remarkable in the slightest; it just looks like a supply closet. It appears that this isn't Don's regular spot, since nothing really inhabits this space to tell me someone was living here.