I Will Not Go Gently

[pm] Holy crap! That’s amazing! Woah. Wow. I mean like… that’s so cool. I’d totally take a class that you taught.

And also wow at this. You’re really taking me by surprise today… Um, I mean obviously the answer is yes! Of course I will. No way I don’t want a look at all that information. 

… Does this mean I have to threaten to shoot people with a bow if they show up in your honor?

(pm) Thanks. It is pretty amazing. He’s excited. So am I. If you’re ever in England, look us up.  

Good. That takes a huge weight off my shoulders. Thank you for taking care of the place. I’ll leave you the records and maps Arthur and I have managed to catalogue and draw out so far. That way you won’t run into anything too dangerous. 

(user laughs) 

Yeah that makes sense… That’s a terrifying image to imagine.

[pm] Oh?? Wait really?? Where are you going?

Wait… are you implying what I think you’re implying? I don’t- Are you saying that you want… me to look over it?

That it is. 

(pm) Yeah. Really. Back to England. With Arthur. He got offered a teaching position at Cambridge. He asked me to come with him. 

Sounds interesting. I’ve seen a lot of missing person posters on lampposts and walls since I arrived. Is it always like this? Perhaps you could help me. I’m searching for my cousin. I’m not sure if she’s really missing but I’m not sure how to find her.

Ah. I probably should visit art department colleagues there. It would be great to do projects with our students.

I did plenty of learning on my own. Life tends to teach us about the things we don’t want in our lives.

.

It tends to happen a lot around here. But the town does have a lot of superstitions that surround it, so we get a lot of tourists. They go hiking, get lost, fall in a hole. You can imagine the rest. 

(pm) Your cousin? Is she from here? Tell me about her, and I’ll see what I can do. Honestly, I’m trying not to take on too many new cases, for certain reasons, but I can definitely see what I can find out for you. 

Oh, I’m sure they’d love that. Young minds and new experiences and all that. 

It certainly does. And in the same note it helps us learn about the things we do want. The things that truly matter. 

I prefer keeping them away by looking like a piece of pop art. Funny how people are scared of bright colors.

.

Whatever keeps the masses from being up in your business. Especially if you look good doing it. People seem to be scared of me in general. Not sure why. Aside from the chainsaw, which was honestly a one-time thing. Well, in that store. 

People are scared of anything that’s different than what they think of as normal. But ‘normal’ is boring as hell. If you’re a fan of bright colored clothes, I’ve got a ton of great stuff from the 60s and 70s that I’m trying to find a loving home for. I’d be happy to let you check it out if you like? 

.

Just making sure. And that’s fair, it’s very…what’s the word, astute? I think that’s it. Was the chainsaw worth it? Like, is it a solid chainsaw?

I think that’s the right one, yeah. But thanks. And it was totally worth it. If the HUGE stack of firewood I’ve got at my place now is anything to go by. Could be  a bit lighter, it’d be easier to brandish at people but that’s really my only complaint. 

You need some firewood? I don’t think I’ll be able to use it all, and I’d hate for it to go to waste. 

.

Ha ha! That’s very funny! Good one.

…… Wait. That was a joke right?

Mercy… this is a joke right?

Weeeelllllll. Let’s just say I’m not allowed in the hardware store anymore. 

Actually, I’m glad you messaged me. 

(pm) I need to talk to you. It’s really, really important. 

It’s about the archive. 

.

Well you’re a journalist then.

A private investigator? I had no idea the job required being in conflict zones. That’s definitely not something I would ever sign up for. I don’t like conflict.

Does he teach in high school, cause I might have seen him there.

I would agree with you on that.

Yeah, Kinda like a cop, but not a cop. I work on a lot of missing persons cases mostly. Find the occasional bail jumper. And the conflict zones come and go. I was in more of them oversees than here. Conflict is something I’m used to. It gives me power, makes me strong. I LOVE conflict. But I can understand not caring for it.

No. He teaches at the university. For now. 

Not sure that really counts as dying, then. Are you undead? Or something else? Pretty sure a few people would argue that one.

Well you nailed it right on the head. “Common” in this town doesn’t really mean much. Wolves aren’t native to Maine and yet I’ve seen a handful. Among other dangerous animals. Typically, sharks aren’t common, but there are plenty of dangerous animals in the waters here. I’d be careful either way. Especially if you don’t want to die for real. 

Potato, potatoe. Oh I’m definitely something else. You’d never guess- Either way I’m still here. 

Maybe the wolves have come in from somewhere else. Maybe they were driven out of their natural territory by something. Though what frightens wolves I’m not really sure. Other than hunters. I’d be more afraid of the moose to be honest. And tell me about it. I’ve seen shit in the water that even I’ve never come across before.  

Yeah, who knows? Maybe there’s something else making people frantic. Never know with this place all I know is I’d like to get my food for the week like a normal person. Oh, definitely not the blizzard of the century. People do like to be dramatic though. I’m not a fan of it either, but hey, I’ll stand my ground. I may be small but you’re not stealing my groceries without a good fight. You know what, big same. That’ll show her not to pick on the small chicks. 

I was debating on a sculpture too. Seems like it’d be similar enough to making wooden figurines… though a lot colder. That sounds about right. More like 57+ if it’s mime-related. No fucking thank you to anything to do with mimes. I think I may have a blood feud with the mimes now though so [shrug emoji] I definitely did NOT go to that. I heard about it and am glad I steered clear. Much prefer to get cider drunk at home with my girlfriend than do literally aNYTHING with mimes. Did you go? 

.

Who knows in this town. If it’s not actually something, people will make something up that suits. Snow doesn’t bother me. I grew up with it. Don’t get me wrong, there IS such a thing as too much snow, but it’s just snow. It’ll go away eventually. It’s when people freak out about it that I get irritated. Damn straight. 

.

If you need help operating a chainsaw – which I don’t think you do – I’d be more than happy to hack up some tree limbs. That’s actually my favorite pass time. 

And actually, I could use some firewood. I live in a cabin and I’m stingy when it comes to turning up the heat, even in the dead of winter… So. 

I got the operating end down, though I wouldn’t mind some help cutting up these damn limbs. Is it really? Are you a lumberjack? Because that’s badass.