"The decision was not made lightly." The pain on Thomas's face hurt Seb physically, and he shivered, then patted his friend's shoulder. "I'll help you find out more while I'm here, it's the least I can do." 2/2

Sebastian flinched at Thomas's death grip on his arm. He was still lost in the spell of the crystal. It was different this time, though, for Seb had seen scenes from the man's past. They were fading away, and he knew not what they meant.

"It's suffering and grief I see," he stammered. 1/2

shifted in the crystal. As his voice grew louder, they faded away. He shook his head and looked up at Hawkins. "They're gone! It's all gone!" 4/4

he said finally in a strange voice. "You can find them but it will not be easy. They want to be shared, like all secrets. I see a baby being handed over to a stranger, and a woman weeping. Now I see a paper changing hands, it looks like a check, Thom." 3/4

Sebastian carefully set down the stones Thomas had grabbed. He wanted to count them all, but it was a bad idea; his friend was close to the edge already. He sat down on the bed and looked into the crystal ball, letting his mind go blank and open to messages from the universe. "The answers exist" 2/4

Memories of Thomas's tantrum in his shop flooded back as the man hefted the talismans Sebastian had brought with him. He tensed, expecting them to be crushed in the dock worker's strong hands. Instead he got a plea for help, which in true Hawkins fashion was as opaque and unexpected as ever. 1/4

He shook his head, confused, then raised his hand to stop Thomas from destroying his belongings. One cryptic phrase stood out to Seb: "Born here? What do you mean? I thought you came here from Europe, lost everything in a card game to pay for your passage, and I helped you get even?" 2/2

A dozen expressions flitted across Sebastian's face in two seconds as Thomas berated him. As usual, there was a lot to unpack on Hawkins's rant. The men had indeed teamed up to exploit people during their brief alliance in NYC, but Seb had worked hard to put that behind him. 1/2

The fury, the scorn, the unconcealed rage: same old Hawkins, just a new setting. "I'm here because my car broke down," Sebastian shouted. "As soon as it's fixed I'm going back to the city." And you'll be free to rip off whoever it is you're scamming here, he thought. "And I know plenty, alright!"

He wasn't, though. In the room sat a face he had lost touch with a few years before. "Thomas?" Sebastian said slowly as he recognized his accomplice turned nemesis. "Follow you?" he echoed feebly. "I never meant to come here. How could I possibly know you were in this god forsaken burb?" 2/2

Sebastian returned to the Collinsport Inn after a long and frustrating day. He'd not gotten the money to fix his car, he couldn't reach his father, and the phone in his New York apartment just rang and rang. He might as well be all alone in the world, he thought as he climbed the stairs. 1/2

💡 birthday boy davey just makes sense how'd no one see it before