Chapter Text
Stanley frowned as he drove up to the place. He was hesitant after what the Magnus Institute had told him and how they refused to hear out his claims but after that phone call… Maybe someone there had listened to his story. Maybe that was why they sent him here.
He glanced at his gas tank and groaned. The first true lead he'd had in a year and he was running around like a chicken with his head cut off. Torchwood probably wouldn't listen to him either… but it wouldn't hurt to try. He already called for time off to drive to Cardiff. The least he could do was follow through.
He parked his car nearby, then got out, looking at the coordinates he'd been sent. Supposedly he was here… but he saw nothing that looked like an institute, much less one known for extraterrestrial research. Swallowing his hesitation, he stepped onto the sidewalk and looked around. He was told to look for a side entrance, but he couldn’t see anything of the sort.
As he pondered over where to head, people walked down the sidewalk, seemingly unable to see Stanley before they bumped into him. Stumbling away, he headed into a nearby shack. Maybe he could just ask for some directions.
A man in a suit and tie sat behind a cute counter, pamphlets, and postcards in a nearby rack. A colorful bead curtain hung behind the man and despite the quaint feel of this visitor center, something felt off about it. Shrugging his shoulders, Stanley walked up to the man and waved, getting his attention.
The man sat up, smiling at Stanley. “Can I help you?”
He nodded, quickly pulling out his wallet. Sifting through the items, he found what he was looking for and handed it to the man. Tom had suggested that he make a custom card to help explain his condition without having to strain himself and right now, he was thankful he’d done so.
The card explained that he was mute and spoke in BSL and as the man read it, he nodded and handed it back. “Thank you. Don’t worry, I know BSL. So, can I help you?”
Stanley grinned, putting the card away before signing. ‘Yes… I’m looking for the Torchwood Institute? The coordinates and instructions I was given led me here, but I don’t see the institute. I just need to know if I’m in the right area.’
The man’s smile disappeared and he seemed to be studying Stanley. “How do you know about Torchwood?”
He blinked, surprised at the sudden shift in the man’s tone. Was this a trick question? He thought for a few seconds, remembering what the man on the phone had said. “Torchwood is known for being quite… secretive. At least from what Jon and Elias told me. So, be careful? If they’re that secretive, there’s probably a reason.”
Letting out a sigh, he replied, ‘I was informed by the Magnus Institute. They referred me to speak to Torchwood, instead of them. Apparently, my problem was beyond what they could do. So… Is this Torchwood?’
The man didn't respond but smiled as he pressed a button, shutting and locking the door behind Stanley.
He immediately began to panic, rushing towards the door and beginning to pull and jiggle the knob, desperate to get it open. He realized he walked right into a trap. Terrified, he croaked out, " N… no! Open! I… I… I don't want to be -"
The man rushed over, attempting to pacify Stanley as he panicked. "Hey, hey, hey… Calm down. If you want me to open the door, I'll happily open it. But didn't you want to see Jack?"
Pushing down the fear and panic, he faced the man. 'Is this Torchwood?! You didn't answer me! You just locked the door!'
The man nodded. "I'm sorry for that. This is Torchwood."
Stanley pondered for a moment, then spoke again. 'Is this 'Jack' in charge of Torchwood?'
The man nodded again. "He is. If you want to head into Torchwood, I must lock this area. Okay?"
He crossed his arms, upset, but nodded back. 'Alright. Fine. I'm sorry for panicking.'
The man chuckled softly as he walked around the counter again and hit another button. "It's alright. Most people panic a bit. You're not the first." After he pushed the button, a nearby wall slid out, turning into a doorway. "After you."
His eyes widened as he watched it happen. 'That… Is that real? Did that really happen?!?' He turned to the man, his eyes now shining with excitement.
The man raised an eyebrow, confused at Stanley's excitement. "Um… Yes. It's an easy way to hide the entrance…"
'And, let me guess! Let me guess! We go into an elevator and go down into a bigger facility?!?'
"... Are you sure you've never been here before?"
Stanley blinked. 'Wait… Was I right? I… I was joking!'
The man frowned, suspicious once more. "Anyways, after you."
He cautiously walked into the elevator and waited as the man followed him inside. Now, he felt more cramped and trapped than ever before. As the elevator went down, Stanley found himself trying to stutter out an explanation for figuring out the elevator.
'I… It reminded me of a book I read! I analyze short stories for a living and…'
"One of them had a plot involving a secret door and an elevator into an underground facility?"
'Yes! Exactly! It was… okay. I forgot the name of it.' I should wait until I meet this Jack to explain the Parable.
"... I suppose that makes sense." The man was no longer staring at Stanley, but he still felt like he was being monitored.
He knew that feeling all too well. He'd known it for years and the Magnus Institute hadn't helped with that feeling at all. Just as he was about to speak again, the elevator stopped and the doors behind him opened.
If seeing the door and the elevator brought back flickering feelings of the Parable… Seeing the Hub in its full glory brought in a tidal wave of emotions. It was like seeing the Mind Control Facility for the first time again. The magnificence of it all. However, instead of walking down a dark tunnel into a darkened room, the Hub was bright and Stanley could see a few people, walking around and performing their duties.
He gasped, stepping out of the elevator. 'It's like the freedom ending… but there's people here! It isn't empty!'
The man stepped up beside him, curious. "What did you say? I didn't quite catch that."
‘I said… Nevermind. It’s not important.'
Another man who was in a nearby office called out to them. "Ianto… Who do you have there?" He didn't even look up from the computer he was at.
Ianto smiled as he led Stanley to the office, getting the others' attention. "A visitor, Jack. He's actually here for you."
That seemed to get Jack's attention as he looked over and stood up. As he walked over, Stanley suddenly felt his cheeks heat up as he heard the others murmuring.
"Wasn't he the same guy I just saw on the cameras?"
"I think so! He was also wandering about on the lift."
Another comment came, but this one was directed at Jack. "Did you really invite someone here, just so you can have a snog?"
Jack looked over to them, a young man who had a similar stature to Stanley. "Come on, Owen. I have higher standards than that!"
Owen smirked as Jack spoke. "You have standards, Jack? Would've never thought…"
Jack halfheartedly laughed as he chimed back, "You're pushing it, Owen…"
Stanley quickly poked Ianto's arm, starting to worry as Jack walked over. 'Hey… Did they… Did they see everything I did? My panic attack?' Ianto nodded and Stanley covered his face as his cheeks grew brighter and brighter red. Oh God… I've already made a fool of myself. They're never going to listen to me now! I should just leave and…
"I can still see you, you know..."
Stanley looked up, petrified.
Jack smiled at him as he lowered his hands. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Captain Jack Harkness, at your service~"
If he wasn't blushing before, he was now. It felt like everything was grinding to a halt as he gazed at Jack. Why… Why does he have to look so…
His hands moved to spell out words, but nothing intelligible came out. He felt excited, like when the Narrator had shown off his human form for the first time. But never this potent! His heart raced and it felt like butterflies had invaded his stomach. What is he doing to me?!? Why…
"Um, Jack? I think you broke him."
Stanley snapped back to reality, surprised that Jack had put an arm on his shoulder. "Are you okay? I think I lost you there."
His cheeks were still bright red and only three thoughts were circling in his head. Why is he so attractive? Why am I attracted to him?! And what is that amazing smell?? Before he got a chance to explain himself, Ianto spoke up in his stead.
"It might help if you weren't smothering him. He needs his hands free to speak, Jack." His voice was tinged with an edge and it almost sounded like jealousy on Ianto's part.
Jack looked over to Ianto, confused. Before he could ask a question, Ianto replied. "He's mute. BSL."
At that, Jack backed up, letting go of Stanley. Now free and a few steps away from Jack, he managed to stumble out, ‘Thank you. I’m sorry for zoning out. I don’t know what came over me. My name’s Stanley Beket. It’s nice to meet you, Jack.’
Jack smiled, “As I said before, the pleasure is mine, Stanley. Do you mind if I ask you a question?”
His eyes sparkled as he realized Jack knew what he was saying. ‘Not at all! Also, I’m glad you know BSL. Makes things so much easier.’ He felt another wave of butterflies but tried to ignore it for the time being. Maybe he’s just being nice and I’m reading this wrong! Or…
At that moment, one of the nearby women spoke up. “What’s he even saying, Jack? I don’t remember you lot being this nice to me!”
Owen laughed, answering her question. “Because we knew you were coming! Days ahead! And we saw you on the cameras!”
Jack ignored them, his expression turning a bit darker. “Ignore them. So, Stanley. How did you find Torchwood? Most people don’t know of us and most people don’t know where exactly we are.”
Stanley was surprised at the tonal shift. ‘Um… The Magnus Institute. They gave me the coordinates. I went there to give a statement and… to ask for help. They called me crazy. Ignored everything I had to say. A few days later, I got a call from the institute and they told me to try telling my story to you! So… I made the trip here.’
Jack nodded, “Do you know exactly who told you our information?”
‘I think… I think it was a ‘Martin Blackwood’? He sounded quite nice on the phone call. Am I in trouble? Did I do something wrong? Or… Are you guys not going to listen to me either?'
Jack frowned, letting out a sigh as he typed something on his wristband. It looked much more futuristic, compared to the rest of Jack’s outfit. After a few minutes, he smiled again. “Don’t worry about it. You’re not in trouble. If anything, it falls on the Magnus Institute for sending you here. I’ll need to have a talk with them.”
Despite Jack’s attempts to hide his anger, Stanley saw right through the facade. Another side effect of his extensive time in the Parable. ‘Because civilians aren’t supposed to be here, right?’
The leader of Torchwood looked away, before nodding. “Yeah… Everyone, get back to work. Ianto. Come here.” He whispered something into the young man’s ear, Ianto nodding in response. As he ran off, meeting up with one of the women, Jack held out an arm as he gestured to the office. “Come with me to the office. I want to hear your story.”
-
As he stepped inside, the smell from before amplified and Stanley nearly felt overwhelmed by the intoxicating aroma. Jack gestured for him to sit, and after he did so, he sat back down in his chair. “So, what’s your story, Stanley?”
‘I… It’s hard to explain without context. A year ago I was freed from a space called the Parable. It looked like a normal office building, but it wasn’t. Nothing about it was normal.’
Jack frowned, looking over at the computer screen briefly before turning his attention back to Stanley. “Isn’t a parable a short story with a moral lesson?”
‘A moral lesson? Yeah. But the Narrator’s story about me had no lesson! If the freedom ending was the lesson he was trying to teach me… I clearly lost the ‘lesson’ part of the script! The Mind Control Facility, the two doors room… Was that the lesson? That I let myself be controlled by others? A bit ironic coming from the Narrator…'
“Wait a minute… Who’s this Narrator?”
Stanley signed. ‘He’s the guy I’m looking for. When I was stuck in the Parable, he was… The Narrator. He narrated my story and he guided me through the Parable. Though, most of the time he criticized me for my choices.
One time, he made me go insane. Another time, he led me to a fake apartment building with a fake wife. Another, he let me fall into the depths of the Mind Control Facility. Another, he led me on a wild goose chase of an ‘adventure’ and even brought in The Adventure Line™. And in another, he blew up the Facility just because I pushed the wrong button and proceeded to lecture me about it before blowing us both sky high!’
Unlike Jon, Jack took Stanley’s story very seriously. He could only stare in shocked silence as he watched the young man begin to shake. “Take a moment. Breathe. You don’t need to overwhelm yourself.”
Stanley shook his head as he tried to continue. ‘No. I’m fine! I… I just need to get this off my chest. I’m tired of people thinking I’m crazy or stressed out! I am stressed out , but that’s not the point! The point is that I don’t remember what my life was like before the Parable and now…’
“You have to reconstruct your life, from what doesn’t even exist?”
He nodded, a little surprised as Jack pulled up something on a tablet. ‘This isn’t the first time this has happened?’
Jack chuckled. “You could say that. You aren’t the first person to get displaced. And you probably won’t be the last. This is the first time I’ve heard about a dimension called the Parable or a being known as the Narrator. I wanna ask you something. Is this you?” He turned the tablet around, showing off a picture of Stanley. Identical to how he looked in the Parable.
Stanley got up, rushing over to grab the tablet. He was shocked to see himself. “ That’s me! How…? ” It was clear he’d barely aged at all, but what truly surprised Stanley was the missing persons report. He was originally reported missing years ago. He looked horrified at Jack as the tablet was taken back.
“I’m pretty sure the Magnus Institute didn’t mention this, did they?” Jack now had a melancholic expression as Stanley proceeded to panic.
‘No! They didn’t do anything! I… I had a family? I don’t remember anything about anything! Them or me. I…’
Jack set down the tablet and held out his arms. Stanley practically fell into his embrace, his cheeks heating up once more. This time, not from lust, but from pure embarrassment. How pathetic was he, having a mental breakdown in a secret base in Cardiff?
Broken sobs wracked Stanley, the gravity of the situation hitting him hard. He couldn’t even tell any decent psychiatrist without a crippling fear of being thrown into a mental hospital. And here he was, spilling his guts to a man he didn’t know and who was comforting him. It felt ridiculous, but Jack’s soothing presence helped him calm down.
As soon as he collected himself, he pulled away, wiping his eyes. Jack was still being unfairly nice to him and it only made Stanley feel more guilty. ‘Sorry for that. I… I don’t know what came over me.’
“Don’t apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Stanley shook his head, ‘I just had a mental breakdown and I cried all over you! It’s definitely unprofessional!’
Jack scoffed. “That doesn’t matter to me. My clothes will dry and I’m not very professional to begin with.” He then grinned as he spoke quietly. “ Don’t tell my employees that though… ”
He burst into giggles and laughter. “ Hahahaha!” After calming down, he signed, ‘Got it. Your secret is safe!’
Seeing Stanley in a better mood, Jack smiled. “Feeling better?”
He nodded, sitting back down. ‘Yeah… Thank you. I needed that.’
“Don’t thank me. It’s common decency. It’s the least I could do. But if you’re feeling better, I would like to hear more about the Parable.”
Stanley smiled. ‘Yeah, I can do that.’
-
‘- And then, I ended up just jumping off, repeatedly. It was all I could do in that ending. But it was the one ending where I had an ounce of control.’ He took another sip from his cup, letting out a sigh as he set it back down. ‘Thank you for the tea, by the way.’
“You’re welcome. Honestly, you should thank Ianto. He makes wonderful tea! He also does other wonderful things~ ”
Stanley stared blankly for a few moments, then shook his head as he took another sip. I don’t wanna know. I really don’t want to know. As he set the cup back down again, a question slipped into his mind. A question he was insanely curious about. ‘I’ve been telling you about how I was trapped in an alternate… ‘dimension’ and how I’ve died repeatedly and I was trapped in there for years and possibly wasn’t the only human trapped in there and you’ve… You’ve taken it all rather calmly, except for calling me an oddity. Which I still don’t understand. But it still begs the question.
What does Torchwood really work with if my story doesn’t faze you?’
Jack sighed. He studied Stanley, before smiling as he sat up. “I’ve seen a lot of things that would make you turn white.”
‘Aliens?’
Jack chuckled. “Yes, aliens. But not just extraterrestrials. A lot of other stuff that has nothing to do with aliens. Like… misplaced people.”
‘Har, har. So funny. You have me doubled over in laughter, just like the Narrator trying to make bucket jokes and failing.’
“Ouch. That hurt, Stanley.”
He stuck out his tongue, then laughed. ‘Still funnier than the Narrator’s attempt at humor.’
Jack sighed, glancing at his notes. He had to start taking notes after he realized how elaborate Stanley’s experience had been. It was far too detailed and consistent to be made up. It still infuriated Jack that the Magnus Institute hadn’t even listened to him. “I still have a few more questions about the Narrator.”
‘Shoot.’
“So, from what you’ve told me, he possesses the abilities of a… god-like entity within the Parable? But he wasn’t the only entity like this?”
‘Nope. There was also the Curator and the Timekeeper. I only met them one or two times during my stay in the Parable. The Narrator stayed with me the entire time, but you’re right. He was god-like, but most of the time, he was more concerned about the integrity of his story. As I said before, he was willing to let me die to preserve his ‘story’ or an ending. But I never truly died in that place.’
“And all you saw was darkness?”
‘Before I was back at my desk? Yeah. Just darkness.’
Jack sighed again, once more disappointed as he muttered to himself. “ Of course. Why would I expect anything else? ” Shaking his head, he composed himself and looked to Stanley. “I…”
‘Oh! I forgot to mention! When I managed to escape the Parable, me and the Narrator left together!’
He blinked. “You… both left? So, the Narrator is trapped somewhere in the real world?”
‘Yeah! I want to track him down. I… He’s my only friend from the Parable. Even if he doesn’t want to be my friend anymore. I don’t want to just abandon him! It would just be… betrayal.’
“What was his description again?” Jack stared solemnly at his notes, worry trickling into his expression as he processed the info.
‘He’s got light brunette, slightly graying, hair. It was swept neatly, with his square-framed glasses adjusted just over his golden eyes. And he was wearing a brown suit coat with a boldly yellow tie over his black turtleneck.’ Stanley felt his cheeks flush as he described the Narrator. He couldn’t help it. That day was still etched into his brain and it probably would be forever.
His expression softened as he saw Stanley describe the Narrator. The kid had it bad, even if he didn’t want to admit it. “I’m going to look for him. I promise I’ll find him. No matter how long it takes. But I have to ask you something. Do you think he could be a danger to humanity?”
Stanley was taken aback by the question. ‘Why would you ask that?!”
“I need to know if he’s a threat. In fact, I intend to evaluate him myself, but I want to know what you think. You know him a lot better than I do."
‘What do you mean by ‘evaluate’?’
“I’m going to talk to him and-”
Stanley sighed, speaking up in a soft whisper. “And you’re gonna poke him and hurt him… and do tests on him. Right?”
Jack frowned. “I’m going to do what’s necessary to keep humanity safe. I’m not going to try and hurt him, but…-”
He stood up. He’d heard enough. ‘I think I’ve changed my mind. I don’t need Torchwood’s help. I’d like to leave now.’
Jack wasn’t surprised. Most people reacted like this. It only made the next thing he had to do a bit sadder. “Are you sure?”
“ Yes! I’m sure! I want to leave. ”
“Ok. I’m not going to hold you here. You made your choice.” He smiled, getting up and putting his coat back on. “I’m sorry if I overwhelmed you. How about I make it up to you?”
‘How? And are you sure?’
“I’m sure, Stanley. Does a drink sound good?” He gently led Stanley out of the office and back the way he’d come. The others glanced at the duo but said nothing. Owen and a woman spoke amongst themselves, quieting down as Jack and Stanley walked past.
Once more, a soft whisper came out. “I… I don’t drink. At least with strangers.”
“Understandable. How about a coffee then? It’s on me.”
‘... Tea. And fine.’
Instead of heading to the visitors center, Jack stopped Stanley at a strange lift. “Now, you came in through the front door. Let's take the scenic route.”
‘Scenic route?’
Jack smiled as he pushed a few buttons on his wrist bracelet, the lift suddenly activating and sending the duo up. As the sudden motion jolted Stanley, Jack quickly held an arm around his waist. Instead of fighting it, he leaned into the embrace. Soon they emerged onto the sidewalk, right where Stanley had been bumbling earlier.
Now, with how late in the day it was, there were a lot fewer people walking around. ‘Can’t people see us?’
“Did they see you earlier?”
Stanley frowned, looking down at the lift. It was identical to the sidewalk, except for the edges. ‘They didn’t. But, why? We’re in the open!’
Jack smirked as he let go of Stanley. “Don’t believe me? Then watch this. Hello! Hey, you there, hello!”
The nearby pedestrian ignored Jack and continued to walk down the street. Stanley was shocked but tried it himself as a young woman walked by. She ignored him the same. He giggled with child-like excitement at the realization.
Jack chucked as well, beginning to explain it. “It's called a perception filter. They can sort of see us, but we don't quite register. Just like something in the corner of your eye. It only works on this exact spot. Try stepping off.”
Stanley immediately walked off, shocked to see Jack vanish from his perspective. As he tried to look in the direction of the lift, it seemed to act like an optical illusion. No matter how hard he looked, Jack was gone. ‘I can’t see you! Are you still there?’
Jack stepped off the lift, laughing. “I’m still here. Impressed?”
‘Yes!! How on Earth does it work?’
He smiled. “No idea. We know how to use it, not how it happens. But if I were to guess, I'd say that there was once a dimensionally transcendental chameleon circuit placed right on this spot which welded its perception properties to a spatio-temporal rift. But that sounds kind of ridiculous. Invisible lift has got more of a ring to it, don't you think?”
Stanley pouted, crossing his arms. “Really? Throwing out all the fancy words that I don’t understand.”
“You wanted me to explain it!”
‘In laymen’s terms! I don’t understand ‘dimensionally transce-’ whatever! Even the Narrator didn’t go that far over my head… But it is cool! So, that’s the scenic entrance into Torchwood?’
Jack laughed again, giving Stanley a hug. “It is! I’m glad you’re impressed by it. Gwen wasn’t as much. Now, let’s go get your tea.”
-
‘Maybe coffee was the better idea, but I hope it doesn’t keep me awake the rest of the night. I need to head back as soon as possible. Still! Why would a coffee shop serve coffee late into the evening, but not tea?!’
Jack shrugged. “I have no idea. Do you have any questions for me? I did spend most of the day questioning you.”
Stanley pondered for a few moments, taking another sip of his coffee. He scrunched his face at the extremely bitter taste. “ Ugh… ” He then searched for some sugar packets. ‘I swear I put enough sugar in this, but it’s still awful! It’s almost worse than work coffee. What kind of creamer did they use? It tastes so chalky…’
Jack looked worried for a moment, before relaxing at the mention of creamer. Pulling out a few sugar packets from his pocket, he handed them to Stanley. “Here.”
Stanley thanked him, then poured them into his coffee. Stirring it up and taking another sip, he frowned but put the lid back on. ‘Good enough. As for my question… Do you catch aliens? Like professionally?’
“Yep. Again, not just aliens, but those are what we regularly catch. We mainly deal with rift phenomena.”
‘Rift phenomena? What’s that?’
“Okay. To properly explain it, Cardiff is on top of a break in time and space. Things fall through sometimes. It can range from objects to aliens, to people. We even had a pterodactyl fall through! She was probably sleeping before, but she stays in Torchwood.”
Stanley paused, mid-sip. “You… have a pet pterodactyl?!”
Jack smiled. “Yep! Ianto mainly feeds her.”
‘That’s one hell of a job.’
“Sure is. Did you have any other questions?”
‘Are there other Torchwood bases?’
Jack thought for a little bit before responding. “This is Torchwood Three. Torchwood One was London, destroyed in the battle. Torchwood Two is an office in Glasgow. A very strange man. Torchwood three, Cardiff. Torchwood Four's kinda gone missing, but we'll find it one day.”
‘What about the Magnus Insitute? Do they work for you or do you work for them?’
He shrugged. “Neither. We just work alongside one another as our work often overlaps. They find things that are alien and bring it to us. We find things that are paranormal and hand it over to them. It’s more like a sister agency.”
‘Oh! I guess that would make more sense. I just figured since you’re all… secretive and obtuse, you might be working together.’
“I can see where you might think that.”
Stanley took another swig of his coffee. ‘Now I just have to survive the drive home.’ At that moment, his head started to feel a lot heavier than normal as he stifled a yawn. ‘What’s happening? Why am I so tired suddenly?’
Jack sighed, “It looks like it’s taking effect.”
Stanley looked up, in horror. “ No… No! ” He fumbled with his coffee cup, throwing off the lid. A thin, chalky sediment lined the bottom of the empty cup. “ You fucking drugged me! Am I poisoned?! ”
He frowned. “Don't be so dramatic. It's an amnesia pill. My own recipe, with a touch of denial and a dash of Retcon. Wake up tomorrow morning, you'll have forgotten everything about Torchwood. Worse still, you'll have forgotten me, which is kind of tragic.”
The brain fog was starting to get worse, but he refused to let it get the best of him. Weakly throwing the cup away, he stumbled out of the shop, Jack following him close behind.
It had started pouring and the rain only hindered his progress as he attempted to flag down a taxi. “Don't think you can fight it by staying awake. I mixed in a little bit of sedative too.”
“ Then I’ll write it down! I’m not forgetting anything again! Or I’ll tell someone! I still have those text messages! I’ll remember eventually! ”
Jack huffed as he stopped Stanley from falling over, taking the opportunity to pull him close as he whispered, “Do you want to do that? Do you really want us to come and find them too? Or to find you?”
Stanley growled as he pushed Jack away. He lost his footing and immediately fell into a puddle. “ I’m willing to take the risk! If I could fend off the Narrator for years, I can fend off you too, you asshole! ” A taxi finally stopped nearby and he took the opportunity to climb in. As the car drove off, Stanley could be seen in the window, furiously tapping on his phone.
Gasping as he sat up, Jack watched as the taxi sped away and quickly informed the base. “Goodbye, Stanley Beket.”
-
Stanley groaned as he woke up, still in his hotel bed. Everything felt like a blur and he heaved as he rolled off of whatever he was laying on. Nearly falling off of the bed, he managed to sit up and look at the pad of paper he was lying on. It seemed blank at first but after a second look, he could see indents in the paper.
Setting it aside, he checked his phone and frowned. That was impossible, right? Wasn it… How on Earth had he lost an entire day?!? It was common during his first few weeks outside, but now he’d started keeping better track of the time.
Not sure what to do with his phone, he set it aside and turned his attention to the pad. The indents looked like words, but it was impossible to read. Thinking quickly, he grabbed a pencil and sketched it across the page. The words quickly revealed themselves, hastily scrawled into the pad.
“ Remember Captain Jack Harkness! REMEMBER TORCHWOOD! ”
He frowned. Torchwood? He was supposed to go there! He… Grabbing his phone once more, he flipped through his text messages and noticed that his messages with the Magnus Institute were gone. Panic ran through his body as he sat on the bed. Had he gone there? If he had, he didn’t remember. He didn’t remember anything at all.
Rewriting the message, he closed the pad. Despite how much he wanted to investigate Torchwood and whatever this message he’d left himself meant, he couldn’t afford to do it now. He needed to start heading back. But one thing was for certain.
He wasn’t going to forget Torchwood anytime soon.