[Video] [New Los Angeles]

[witnessme]

[The feed shows a pale young man with a scarred mouth and a bald head, mostly recovered from his recent injuries. He's posting this from what appears to be a run-down gas station bathroom, where the tiles are water-damaged and there's at least one visible leaking pipe in the frame.]

I d-didn't talk about this before. I was scared. I always was k-kind of a coward.

But there's something I gotta say.

It's my fault Damon came to Shepherd's Haven. I challeneged him to a fight when he was being mean, long time ago, and forgot about it. I wanna stay and help rebuild, like they said we need to, b-but I decided that I needed to leave. I'm in New L.A. now. Weird things are happening here, you guys know all about that. But it's a better place for me in case he wants to come back and knock the snot out of me again. I got my bike, a lot of road and space. Working on getting a job.

Anyway. Sorry I couldn't be a better Numbered. You all deserve so much better.

Comments

video.

[witnessme]

Reasoning? What? I d-don't know what you mean, not trying to play any fancy mind tricks or nothing. I just think that people who live in New L.A., they know it's gonna be a little rough. People living out in the New Zealand settlement, uh, they're there because they're trying to live peacefully.

video.

[enflammen]

So because New LA's already a shithole, it's OK to make it more of one?

[Noop, that logic does not compute.]

I hate to break it to you, but people in New LA are trying to get back on their feet, for the most part, and it's hard enough as it is.

video.

[witnessme]

[He sounds legitimately tormented when he answers.]

Look! I g-got to go somewhere. They can't fight back where I left. That asshole thought it was funny to break and burn as much as he c-could.

video.

[enflammen]

[Siiiigh.]

All right, kid, relax. Who's this asshole you're talking about? Damon, you said?

Video.

[witnessme]

D-don't make him mad. It's not worth it. He'll hurt you or worse.

Video.

[enflammen]

I wasn't actually planning on it. I figured maybe you could tell me about him, so I'd know if I ran across him in a dark alleyway.

Video.

[witnessme]

D-d'you know Tony? He's his double. Looks just like him.

Video.

[enflammen]

No, I don't know anyone named Tony.

Video.

[witnessme]

He's got, uh, white hair. Real strong. Real mean. Y-you can't fight him or run away.

Video.

[enflammen]

Got it. Mean, strong, white hair. I'll be sure to steer clear of anyone matching that description.

[Since, you know. He's been steered toward New LA, apparently.]

By the way, is that really your plan? Just stay on the run forever?

Video.

[witnessme]

Do I seem like someone who's g-got a plan? I'm not one of those Numbered, the smart ones. I never even finished high school.

Video.

[enflammen]

So? Neither did I. That doesn't mean you can't still use your head.

Video.

[witnessme]

Some people don't finish high school because it can't keep up with them. Not how it was for me.

Video.

[enflammen]

So - what, you really just believe you're too stupid to bother with?

Video.

[witnessme]

I hate hearing it put that way but I can't say it's wrong.

Video.

[enflammen]

[And that is just about the saddest thing Micah's heard in a while. He frowns at the camera.]

Look, if you honestly believe that, I know that some guy you don't know saying otherwise isn't gonna mean shit to you. But I highly doubt that's true. For one thing, people who are genuinely that stupid don't tend to live very long.

Video.

[witnessme]

It means shit to me. I mean, thanks for caring, but uh... I mean you don't know me. And I've almost died plenty of times.

Video.

[enflammen]

"Almost" only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

Video.

[witnessme]

H-heh. You sound like someone I know.

Video.

[enflammen]

Yeah? Who's that?

Video.

[witnessme]

Lazarus used to talk like that.

Video.

[enflammen]

I know Lazarus. Seems like a good guy. He doesn't talk like that anymore?

Video.

[witnessme]

Doesn't talk to me anymore, more like. I mean, I haven't tried, but I'm pretty sure he hates me after what I let happen to Shepherd's Haven after he gave me a job and a chance to prove I was good.

Video.

[enflammen]

Hm. Well, I can't speak for Lazarus, since I'm not him, but I do know this - you can speculate forever, but you won't know for sure if you don't try.

Video.

[witnessme]

Ngh... sorry. You just really sound like him. Nice... but in a way that kind of still tears me up inside. D-don't know how to describe it other than that.