“Why stay?” He repeated softly, looking up to meet her gaze. “They are not things. They need the care of someone. They are my only friends in this time, now, and they protect me. You can't imagine how many people have come down here, intent on ruining my lab. My lovely monsters… protected me.”
"But where did they come from? Why are they here?" Questioned Sage. "I don't understand, if you weren't down here you wouldn't need them."
Werry shook his head. “Where they came from doesn’t matter. You can’t know, since you’re going back up. You’ll tell everyone.”
"And who would believe me?" She almost shouted. Why was he dodging almost all of her questions? "Who would believe a girl with a mental record when she says, 'There's a dead scientist hiding out in his basement, taking care of monsters!', huh?"
Werry shifted inside of his own hug, shooting her a glare. “That doesn’t matter. You have been missing for two days, one night and on the tracks to a morning, people are going to ask what you’ve found here.”
"Two days?" Sage shook her head. That was impossible. "Two days? I just got here yesterday, afternoon….I slept for a day?"
Werry shook his head. “No, I’m sorry. I got confused. You've been here for a day. And on tracks to the morning.”
Sage gave a shrug. "Whatever…. It doesn't matter. You're hiding a lot!" She pointed a finger at him. "I'm going to find out what. Even if it means that I remain here." Sage's words came out so fast, she hardly registered them.
Werry rose his eyebrows skeptically at his encrossed arms. “Really? I doubt you’ll truly want to stay. And I hold many secrets.”
"No, I don't want to remain here, but it looks like I have no choice. I–I…." Sage wrung her hands together, looking . down. Her mind was telling her to shut her mouth and get herself together so she could leave. But her heart….she would never get a chance like this ever again.
"I can't leave…. Werry."
Werry looked up at her again, knawing on his lip nervously. “Wh-why is that? Of course you can leave, I won’t do anything to you if you try. I’ll help you!” He pointed across the room where her fixed phone sat upon his desk.
Sage followed his finger to where he phone lie. He fixed it….
"No." She stated firmly. She looked back at him and sighed. "Do you remember when I told you I had read an article about you?" She paused. "I've been reading about you for years. The day I came here was the anniversary of your death, that's why I thought it would be cool to come here. Dr. Werry, I've been a fan of your work since I was 12. All of this overwhelmed me before but now….I can't just leave."
Werry chewed on his lips and stood. He started to pace the room, shaking his head.
“That is such a wonderful story. But unfortunately I have to tell you that I am not the regal scientist I once was. My time was grand and bold, and all of my studies will certainly go down in history, but I am a bad man.”
"I don't see how." Sage let her shoulder's sag. What was the use. They were talking in circles.
Werry shook his head. “I’m honored that you followed my studies so closely. But I can’t tell you just yet. Perhaps farther along in our relationship.”
"Farther along in our relationship…” She echoed. "So, you're letting me stay. Okay." Sage smiled.
Werry nodded slowly. “If you’d like to stay… you may.” He grinned lightly.
Sage looked to him. "You have a goofy grin." She pointed to his lips. "I'd call it cute if you, yourself, weren't so sketchy."
Werry’s grin dropped off of his face the moment she said “sketchy”. “Oh. Right.” He looked away from her again with a sigh.
Sage giggled. "I'm sorry… that was rude…" She pulled him into a hug. "Get use to it." She said, her face buried into his shirt. "This is a coping mechanism for the both of us. Trust me, we'll like each other more."
Werry let her hug him, unsure if she wanted him to hug back or not. So he just kinda sat there.
“Get used to it? Oh-okay… then.” He blinked down at her.
"Good, good…" Sage remained there for a few more moments before pulling away. She then picked up the rest of her granola bar and taken a bite.
Werry relaxed slowly when she pulled away from him. “So um…” He cleared his throat. “What now?”
With a shrug, Sage balled up her empty wrapper. "I don't know. This is your place, right?"
Werry nodded slowly. “Yes but… you’re the guest so…” He looked down at his hands.
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