[ It happens again, the sudden pull from reality... But Ellie is much more prepared for it this time, letting herself sink into it. Going into it without any idea of what she should expect, however, has her ill. But that illness fades away, changing to a strange feeling of lethargy and fear. ]
[ Ellie hears the sound of crying... The sharp cry of an infant, close and loud when she realizes it's her. Herself as a newborn child. There's the sound of deeper sobs, the sobs of a woman that seems just as close. When her small eyes open, she can see clearly the image of a young woman, early twenties. Her hair is a fiery red, skin cream white and peppered with freckles, bright bluish-green eyes that are glassy with the tears that flow from them and drip over a shaken smile. She's beautiful, young, but there's a sadness in her eyes that only the present Ellie can gauge, not the newborn. ]
[ "Why did you have to be so fucking adorable, huh?" She says through choked sobs. Ellie feels a thumb brush along her cheek, which doesn't quite seem to stop her from crying. Her eyes shift away, taking note that they're outdoors, in the woods... And there's a woman crouched beside her. ]
[ "I know... I know, Ellie. It's not fair. You've been here ten minutes, and I've already failed you." The woman begins to cry harder, sniffling and taking a sharp breath when she looks away. Ellie's eyes catch a glimpse of red on the woman's neck-- A large chunk of her flesh has been ripped out, teeth marks surrounding the gash that the woman beside her applies a fresh rag to. She speaks, "Anna... There's not much time.". ]
[ Marlene. That voice was Marlene. ]
[ Somehow, what she says cuts deep, because Anna begins to cry harder. She tries to stop herself, struggling, looking down to Ellie and shushing her with a kiss to her forehead. She acknowledges what Marlene says, looking down at Ellie one last time and sniffling. ]
[ "You're so perfect..." She says. Marlene interjects again, simply calling for her. "Anna", Marlene is choked up, seemingly, because she stutters in saying her name, but is harsh in saying it. Anna grimaces as she begins to hand Ellie over to Marlene, and all she can hear is Anna breaking out into hysterics as Marlene's arms embrace her. ]
[ It must be a saving grace, because as soon as Marlene's arms touch her and Ellie's crying starts up louder, Ellie snaps back into reality. Her eyes are wide, dazed, and there is a long, long time that she's just staring at Matthew. ]
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[ Ellie hears the sound of crying... The sharp cry of an infant, close and loud when she realizes it's her. Herself as a newborn child. There's the sound of deeper sobs, the sobs of a woman that seems just as close. When her small eyes open, she can see clearly the image of a young woman, early twenties. Her hair is a fiery red, skin cream white and peppered with freckles, bright bluish-green eyes that are glassy with the tears that flow from them and drip over a shaken smile. She's beautiful, young, but there's a sadness in her eyes that only the present Ellie can gauge, not the newborn. ]
[ "Why did you have to be so fucking adorable, huh?" She says through choked sobs. Ellie feels a thumb brush along her cheek, which doesn't quite seem to stop her from crying. Her eyes shift away, taking note that they're outdoors, in the woods... And there's a woman crouched beside her. ]
[ "I know... I know, Ellie. It's not fair. You've been here ten minutes, and I've already failed you." The woman begins to cry harder, sniffling and taking a sharp breath when she looks away. Ellie's eyes catch a glimpse of red on the woman's neck-- A large chunk of her flesh has been ripped out, teeth marks surrounding the gash that the woman beside her applies a fresh rag to. She speaks, "Anna... There's not much time.". ]
[ Marlene. That voice was Marlene. ]
[ Somehow, what she says cuts deep, because Anna begins to cry harder. She tries to stop herself, struggling, looking down to Ellie and shushing her with a kiss to her forehead. She acknowledges what Marlene says, looking down at Ellie one last time and sniffling. ]
[ "You're so perfect..." She says. Marlene interjects again, simply calling for her. "Anna", Marlene is choked up, seemingly, because she stutters in saying her name, but is harsh in saying it. Anna grimaces as she begins to hand Ellie over to Marlene, and all she can hear is Anna breaking out into hysterics as Marlene's arms embrace her. ]
[ It must be a saving grace, because as soon as Marlene's arms touch her and Ellie's crying starts up louder, Ellie snaps back into reality. Her eyes are wide, dazed, and there is a long, long time that she's just staring at Matthew. ]