Farrington-Gores: An awkward phone call

'Hello, Anstine?'

'Yo, Isai. Are you free for a chat?'

'I've nothing important going on at the moment. Is there something specific?'

'Yeah, there is. And, well, you're not gonna like it.'

'That sounds promising.'

'Mm... it's about Miles Atwood.'

'What about him?'

'Eh, there's no easy way to say it.'

'Get to the point, Anstine.'

'...I've found out a few things about him. Namely, that he's a complete psycho.'

'Based on what?'

'He's cut people up. And recently tortured a sixteen-year-old.'

'...Is this a joke?'

'Do you think I'd joke about something like this?'

'...No. Oh, Christ. How did you find this out?'

'Tony knows a couple of his victims. He works with a guy called Edward, and Miles got to him years ago. Then the sixteen-year-old is Edward's nephew. I know, it's difficult to follow.'

'How the hell did this even come up in conversation?'

'Uh... I don't know, actually.'

'Tony? Why did Edward tell you?'

'Oh God... He mentioned their past after I pressed him for information after a confrontation with Hazel a while back. Edward went over to Midnight Hollow and beat the unholy fuck out of Miles as revenge for everything, and Hazel was angry with him over it. She said some nasty things, I intervened and that's when she told me about what Edward had done. I asked him if it was true, so he ended up having to tell me the full story.'

'Did you hear that, Isai?'

'I did. Wait... so this Edward is the person who put Miles in the hospital?'

'Yeah, sounds like it.'

'I see... But why did Miles hurt Edward and his nephew in the first place?'

'Because of who they're related to. Miles has a grudge against a man called Tate. Edward is Tate's brother, and Tristan is Tate's son. Different circumstances, but it pretty much amounts to him using them to get back at Tate.'

'Okay, that makes sense... Well, it doesn't, it's twisted, but I understand it now.'

'I'm sorry to drop this shit on you, but you need to know.'

'Damn right I do.'

'So... that's why it's even more important that you do what I asked.'

'Oh, for fuck's sake-'

'Isai, please! I wouldn't ask if it weren't necessary! Now that we know he's got such a capacity for cruelty, it's even more plausible that he's doing fucked up things over there!'

'And I don't want to do it for that reason! If he catches me or suspects me in any way, what's stopping him from making me his next victim?'

'I know, it's risky-'

'Risky?! I'll be dead if I get found out! And that'll be following my torture. It's downright dangerous!'

'Isai...'

'You're happy to put me in the way?'

'No! I'm not happy to do it, but you're my only option!'

'No I'm not. Why don't you go befriend someone else who works there? Or work there yourself?'

'I'm not doing that.'

'I didn't think so. It's just all too convenient for you to use me.'

'Oh, fuck... I'm really sorry. I know I've got no right to ask. I'd be fucking devastated if anything happened to you.'

'I'm sure that'll be very comforting to me when he takes a knife to my organs.'

'You know how it is... if my suspicions are right, it's all of Midnight Hollow who's at risk.'

'I don't need you to tell me that, Anstine. I lived through that period myself.'

'And I'm sure you don't wanna go back to it, right?'

'Of course not. But I don't particularly wish to die, either.'

'The risk is huge. But it's even bigger if he succeeds.'

'You don't even know for certain that's what he's doing.'

'Well, I don't fancy taking my chances.'

'...Neither do I.'

'So you'll carry on?'

'Yes, I will. I'll put a note in my will explaining everything so that my family can blame you for my inevitable death.'

'Okay... hey, I think we all need to talk this over in person. You, me, Edward, if he's willing... trade information, that kind of thing. Miles is a real problem, and not just to us.'

'I'm very busy at the moment.'

'When you next get time off work?'

'You want me to use my precious free time to talk about Miles Atwood? I'd have to go over to Sunset Valley for it as well, wouldn't I?'

'Pretty please? I'll cook you a nice steak. I'll even give you belly rubs if you really want-'

'Offensive dog comparisons aside... I'll let you know.'