In Search of the Mirror Image (Septiplier/Septiplier AU)

The First Day with Jack #90

Subject: Jack McLoughlin

Plane discovered: #90

Observation day: 1

Physical traits: No difference from control subject, including subtle twitching of the mouth while asleep. Food has not yet been administered due to subject still being unconscious from capture. 

Mental traits: Unknown as of current state, but promising interactions before evaluation shows subject to be clear and cognitive.

General thoughts: I have not felt this confident for a while about a subject. Hopefully once awake the subject will willingly allow me to collect a DNA sample. 

Ideas to assist subject: Time and understanding to being here. 

It is way too much to deal with as I watch the screens in front of me. Jack #90 looks so much like my Jack as he is sleeping. His messy dyed green hair all over his face and the pillow that he is resting on. His lips, full and opened slightly. His narrow chest rising and falling as he sleeps. I stay prepared. There is no telling how long he actually will stay knocked out from the electrical shock that I gave him. The slight bruise on his shoulder as he had fallen was dressed and wrapped in a small bandage. I hate that I have to do this, but I need to. My Jack needs me. 

Tired of pacing back and forth, I move to the kitchen to start a fresh cup of coffee. I haven't drunk it for years. The smell of it reminds me too much of early mornings with my Jack. The way he smiled at me when he gave me my cup, his bright eyes almost twinkling in the early day sun. He would hum whenever he zipped around from place to place, and as silly as it was I adored it. A splash of warm water when the world was so dark and cold. 

"Ouch!"

I burn myself with the coffee, being too wrapped up in the light eyes and soft smile of the past. My throat tightens, but I swallow back the sob. I need to stay focused now more than ever. Jack #90 will have questions that I need to be able to answer quickly and calmly. Falling apart right now is not going to get me to the place that I need to be. Within a few minutes I am back in front of the screens of the observation room. His body is still laying where I placed him a few hours ago. The pale face slack with a relaxation that is completely unnatural, and yet I can't help but to stare. 

Another hour goes by, and that's when I begin to sweat. It shouldn't be taking this long for him to wake up. Did I make the settings to high on the immobilization device? No, that isn't the case. I'm always careful, and I checked everything at least a dozen times before I reached Jack's house. I'll give him another hour, and if he's still out cold I'll head in with some -

He stirs, and my heart jumps into my throat at the movement. His head lulls slowly from side to side as if he's trying to shake away a nightmare. Heading closer to the screens I watch his eyes flutter open and his mouth close. The furrowed brow and hazy gaze tells me all that I need to know. Confusion is normal. I've seen it in the same face before. Jack touches the bedsheets as he begins to take in his surroundings. Lips pressed into a delicate frown as he carefully looks at where he is. The chin dips down to see that his clothing has been changed and this causes him to connect that he's been touched. There was nothing sexual about placing him in the soft pajamas. After what happened to Jack #32 I couldn't take a chance that another find a way to take his own life, so I had to change him into something safer. Jack #90 had a belt on for fuck's sake.

"Hello?"

The voice is tiny as he calls out, and something harsh twists in my chest. He sounds terrified and bewildered. Nothing like the gentle confident man I had greet me at his front door and unquestioningly brought me into his house. I say nothing. The need to calm down is stronger than responding right now.

"Is anyone there?"

The tone is slightly stronger now, and it seems to be helping by Jack placing his bare feet on the ground and standing up. His head is looking at everything now. The small desk and chair near the back corner. The bare lightbulb above as it swings gently from the air vent. Then he notices it, and for the second time the feeling of squeezing discomfort floats through my chest. 

He's leaning down and looking at a small circle placed near the front of the room. His eyes narrow in concentration, and then realization is etched on his features.

"I know there's a camera in there," he says loudly. "I know that you can see me and most likely can hear me. Who are you, and why did you bring me here?"

He's the first one to find one of the camera views so quickly. He's clever and observant. 

Just like my Jack.

I press the button and the buzz has him stand up and look around. 

"Good morning, Jack."

His frown twitches into almost a small smile, but then turns back into a frown.

"Mark? What the fuck is this about?"