page fifteen

[fantasies]

[Henry's been riveted to all the information coming in from Terre Haute. He has friends there, people he needs safe.... He wanted so badly to go, but he remembers all the times he jumped in too early and had to be dug out of trouble. He's learning, now; he'll be able to ride and fight on his own soon. Until then, he can't drag people down. So he's been practicing on his own, going through basic motions to remind himself that he can make sure he goes, next time, if he works hard enough.

But reading all this....

He sits on his bed with his journal open in his lap. His tone is firm, for a ten year old.]

Will someone tell me about the Dead Zone? I know some, the basic stuff, but I always focused on the castle, I guess. The castle's magic. But...

[But now it all seems so much bigger than that.]

I just want to know more.

Comments

[whichwayyoulean]

It doesn't hurt to be cautious though.

[fantasies]

You have to trust them eventually, though. If you don't, that's not really friendship, either.

[whichwayyoulean]

You really think so, huh kiddo?

[fantasies]

Yeah, of course I do. You have to trust your friends. That's what we're here for. Even if it means something bad might happen.

[whichwayyoulean]

...That's a real nice worldview.

[fantasies]

[Slightly miffed:]

That's how things are.

[whichwayyoulean]

Maybe for you, anyway.

[fantasies]

Why not for you?

[whichwayyoulean]

I'm just one of those sorts who does the betraying.

[fantasies]

[He's quiet for a long time.

That doesn't make sense to him. Bad people, evil people, those are the ones who do the betraying; and Once-ler isn't one of those, he's seen it for himself. Ergo:]

No, you're not.

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler will never understand people's undying faith in him. It's ultimately what gets people hurt]

You'd be surprised.

[fantasies]

I don't think so. Even if you made a mistake, even if you did something bad... I don't think so.

[He needs to think that. His mind rejects grey areas, but a betrayal is about as black as you can get. He has to qualify.]

[whichwayyoulean]

[He thinks sometimes it would be easier if people were more suspicious of him. Something to make them safer. He doesn't want to inevitably let the kid down]

That's a lot of faith to put in a person.

[fantasies]

I've known you for a long time. If you were a bad person I would have figured it out by now.

[whichwayyoulean]

[He makes a sad sort of smile]

I wish I could be as sure as you are, kiddo.

[fantasies]

Well, that's why you've got me and everybody else to remind you.

[whichwayyoulean]

[He makes a sad, bitter noise, but it's an attempt to be cheerful if you listen close enough]

Boy, don't I know it.

[fantasies]

[He still doesn't like the sound of it. He tries to force his tone lighter to balance it out.]

Good! You should. That makes our job easier.

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler, at least, hopes this means the kids' convinced a little]

Great, I'm glad for you.