Chapter 6
In the mansion as Peter walks towards Stephen’s room, to find Stephen standing in his old bedroom, staring at his old toys and everything he had as child. “He kept all my things” Stephen mutters.
Peter kneels behind him as he wraps around so Stephen. But Stephen pulls away as he flinches angrily. “What are you doing?!” Stephen demanded that almost made Peter flinch as he says calmly. “It’s called a hug.”
Stephen nods at this as he mutters “a hug. Right.” Before looking at Peter in the eyes. “I may have reacted... poorly downstairs. Side effect of 52 years without any.. physical contact” he says trying to keep his voice from not breaking as Peter looks at him confused. “What do you mean?” As Stephen sighs and sits down as Peter sits next to him. As he gazes at Peter for a long beat. Struggling with some internal decisions. But instead of answering he just turns away, leaving Peter more confused.
Stephen sighs, trying to change the subject. “I read your book, you know. Found it in a public library. That’s how I knew how bad things had gotten. How.. number six died..” Peter looked down in shame and sorrow but then looks back at Stephen. “Bruce” Peter corrects Stephen but he just carries on talking. “How we failed, this is the wrong time. I came too late. Christine always said my equation was off. Must have forget to carry the second two” he says, but Peter just looks at Stephen in confusion. “Christine?” He asked, however Stephen just ignores the question. “There’s another option. Someone or something pulled me out of the timestream early. Brought me here to this exact moment” he says. However, Peter just looks more confused as ever. “But why?” He asked but Stephen doesn’t answer as he stares out the window, haunted. “They know I’m here” he mutters.