Project

6.2: The Puppeteer Arrives.

"So you ran, huh?" Writer asked, confirming his notes.

"Well it was the only thing I could do! I was in no shape to try and attack him, as he's much stronger than me, or at least equal." Thomas replied, explaining his actions further. He still remembered that face, and how mad with rage and disappointment it was filled. Then there was the overall appearance, which made Thomas ask them, "Are you sure Pessimist isn't Project?"

Writer and Ridley looked to Questioner for guidance. He was the one to provide that theory; he was the one with all the evidence that made him suspect it. Questioner thought through his idea once more.

Granted, though he suspected Project to be alive, he had never known which person was actually Project in disguise. Ha had assumed that as Pessimist had met with them recently, and that they had killed Will, he couldn't be Project. Now, though? He wasn't too sure. Danielle's description of their voice made it seem as though they were two different beings, and the fact that Project had Pessimist up against the wall when she heard them. However, was all that a set-up? Pessimist seemed to be the one with the most control out of the group they had heard of, and so it would make sense that he was indeed Project. Yet again, though, they haven't met M or S yet, and Pessimist had apparently said to Thomas, "Physically, I am not Project, but mentally I am their exact form." So, was he really Project?

"I'm sure my previous statement is correct: Project isn't Pessimist. If he were Project, he wouldn't have tried to make it so obvious. Also, there was the account we had received from Danielle: Project was interrogating Pessimist, with Will." Questioner stated confidently.

"Oh so you heard from Danielle? How is she, nowadays? I have to say it has been a while since I've met up with most of my friends... I really should make a call to them at some point." Thomas started to ponder, but quickly came back to focus, "So Project is either M or S, then? Which one, though. From the information I gathered after the incident, I can assume that M is the one who has kept an eye on things, and makes sure that we all stay on the 'right' path. S, however, is still a complete Mystery to me."

"What info did you get?" Questioner asked. Thomas went over to the now broken desk, and grabbed one of the files that had fallen to the ground, "This is M's file. Everything that I could find out about them, everything I could gather about their messages, drawings, even notes that they themselves had written. I kept all this, trying to pinpoint a clue, a name, anything that could help; but the entire thing is full of riddles and metaphors that just doesn't make sense to me. Language isn't a strong suit of mine, after all; that's science." He went over to hand the file to Questioner, when suddenly the lights went out.

"Ridley, did you flick any switches?" Writer called out into the darkness.

"Why are you so quick to blame me?" Ridley responded just as loudly.

Then another voice appeared, one that none of them recognised, "Good afternoon, gentlemen and friends, I am so glad you could all join us. I have to say, Thomas, for someone who criticises their own memory; you did an excellent account of what had happened."

"Wait, who the hell are you? And how did you break my network? It's supposed to be unbreakable, I designed it!" Thomas called out to no one in particular.

The voice responded, this time a spotlight falling upon them, "I am the one that controls, and yet is controlled. I create conflicts, and yet is conflicted. I make friends, and yet they become enemies. I have hidden in plain sight, and none of you truly heard my name. I give away info, and yet the main information is always hidden. What am I?"

"A pain, how about that?" Writer called out to the silhouette in the spotlight. He then let out a yelp, as someone tripped him over, "Hey! Watch it guys!"