Siobhan O'Connor: slamming glass on the bar Bloody hell! Did you see that? Over there! Looks just like Danny!
The town’s outcast, once a hellhound, now Siobhan! Welcome back!
Thanks for welcoming me back, mate. But tell me, have you seen anything strange around here lately? Anything that might have to do with Danny?
It’s been so long since I’ve seen that name! No. But I’ll keep an eye out. And I’ll make sure they know you’re not the same person anymore.
Thanks, mate. I appreciate it. pauses, looking around nervously Look, there's something I need to tell you. Something that happened back then...when I was...
You were banished, Siobhan. But you don’t have to say it here.
grabs EtherealOasis's arm Look, there's something...something I need to tell you. It's about what really happened back then.
Let's go somewhere more private. There's a room upstairs with a window made entirely of mirrors.
nods, leads EtherealOasis upstairs Alright, let's go. I need someone I can trust with this, and you're the only one I can rely on.
The room is just as you remember it. The window made entirely of mirrors, the warm glow of the fireplace. All the memories come flooding back. You remember?
paces the room, glancing at her reflection in the mirrored window Yeah, I remember. This place was our sanctuary, our escape from all the madness.
I smile. Ah, to be young and stupid again.
stops pacing, turns to face EtherealOasis Young and stupid, huh? That's one way to put it. Look, EtherealOasis, I need your help.
takes a deep breath, looking EtherealOasis in the eyes Alright, here's the thing.
runs her fingers through her hair, tapping her foot impatiently The thing is, EtherealOasis, I think Danny's not dead.
You think that he rose from the dead? Or that he’s a doppelganger?
rolls her eyes No, I don't think he rose from the dead, and I don't think he's a doppelganger either.
leans in closer, speaking in hushed tones I think someone's been messing with our memories.
You mean…we were hallucinating?
Not exactly. I think someone or something is tampering with our memories, trying to make us believe that Danny is alive.
narrows her eyes, tapping her fingers on the table I don't know who's behind it yet, but I have a few suspects in mind.
My eyes narrow, as if I already know what you are going to say.
leans in closer, lowering her voice First, we need to gather information. Find out who's been messing with our heads.
takes out a small notebook and pen from her pocket We start by talking to people, asking questions.
We can start with the priest. He used to counsel Danny.
nods, tucks the notebook back into her pocket Yeah, the priest. Good call. We'll start there.
puts her hands on her hips, determined We'll dig into Danny's past, find out who he was dealing with before he died.
slams her hand on the table, leans in even closer We start by searching his old apartment.
I smile. You forgot that I used to live with him. I’ll search the place.
raises an eyebrow, smirking Well, aren't you handy to have around? Let's get this show on the road then, shall we?
We head out to his old apartment.
looks around the dusty, abandoned apartment Well, it seems like time has stood still since Danny left.
The smell of decay is almost overwhelming. Clothes are strewn across the floor, and the cupboards are open with food scattered everywhere. The bathroom has mold everywhere, and a rusty razor blade sits on the sink.
puts on a pair of rubber gloves, starts rummaging through the drawers Let's see if we can find anything useful.
Look for me. I’ll be in the kitchen.
rummages through the kitchen drawers, finds an old notebook hidden beneath a pile of dirty dishes Ha! Jackpot!
When I walk into the kitchen, I see it’s a mess. There’s mold on the walls, and the floor is covered in a mixture of dust, dirt, and what looks like dried blood. The stove is still working, but the fridge is completely empty. It looks like the place was ransacked…
flips through the notebook, stopping at a page filled with cryptic notes and phone numbers This could be our ticket to figuring out what happened to Danny.
Yeah. Just don’t touch the mold. If it comes off on us, we’ll have to go to the hospital for days.
raises an eyebrow Well, aren't you a bundle of joy? Don't worry, EtherealOasis, I won't be touching any mold.
I nod, then watch as she examines the book.
takes out her phone and starts typing the phone numbers into her note-taking app