The mind's take on locked-in syndrome

[have_your_lives]

[It wasn't as though Schuldig expected anything good for Christmas. For one, it's Mayfield; anyone with the barest flicker of intelligence (which would be to say, Ken) could recognize the town's pattern for making life miserable. For another, even if the real Santa had come to visit the town, 'naughty' isn't even near a strong enough word for him. And, finally, he's had years of miserable Christmases, often where the holiday went completely unacknowledged because he was in places that couldn't care less about holidays; experience alone has taught him not to expect differently.

But Mayfield deserves credit where credit is due - this is, without a doubt, the most horrible Christmas in his entire life.

Even before he'd reached the end of his Christmas letter, he'd known he was in trouble. But he hadn't realized just how badly until he reached the last word, and all sound stopped.

All sound.

His ears echo with the silence; telepathically, his mind rings with the emptiness. Every connection he has to the rest of the world has been severed, so abruptly that he has no chance to adjust, no chance to anticipate or cope. It was bad enough when he was restricted to hearing with just his ears when he first arrived in Mayfield, but now he is utterly, completely alone with himself.

And when he tries to scream, he can't make a sound; not that he could hear it either way. He exchanged his voice for the telepathy that's now been ripped away from him.

He can't actually hear the bomb that's ticking away in his stomach, but in his current state, he'd actually consider death a relief. Others may be able to pick up on it, of course...

Housemates can find a shell-shocked Schuldig downstairs by his letter; otherwise, he'll probably be making his way to Nagi's house. Obviously, he's got no other way to communicate with his teammate now. Anyone trying to talk to him will have a very hard time communicating, since he can't hear you and he can't talk back, but you're welcome to try...also, he has his gun in his hand. Surprising him might not be the wisest course.]

Comments

[have-your-lives.livejournal.com]

You'd prefer dying with me? I don't know if I should be flattered, or Ken and Miakis should be insulted.

[bittermayfly.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's a bit of both.

[have-your-lives.livejournal.com]

Maybe. [There's a long pause before Schuldig writes something that, under any better circumstances, he'd never admit.] I wouldn't mind the company.

[bittermayfly.livejournal.com]

[Nagi knows it's a rare admission, but he doesn't tease, he just nods at Schuldig.]

Then I'll stay there with you until we die.

[have-your-lives.livejournal.com]

[Schuldig nods in return.] You know Farfarello's gone?

I was going to blow up the church for his Christmas present, and I still want to do it. He'll appreciate it.

[bittermayfly.livejournal.com]

I saw his drone with two eyes again the other day, so I knew he left.

Blowing it up will be a good gift.

[have-your-lives.livejournal.com]

[Schuldig grins at Nagi and makes a 'come on' gesture.] Now you can be my voice and ears, I guess. [He picks up the notepad and pen after writing the last note, indicating the door.]

[bittermayfly.livejournal.com]

[Nagi follows. It's sorta weird how Mayfield's made them almost get along with each other in the name of Schwarz's common goals.]

[have-your-lives.livejournal.com]

[Schuldig finds it rather amusing, too, even if there's a lingering discomfort in getting attached to somebody - even another member of Schwarz. But he supposes with only him and Nagi left, they're all they've got.]