Issue 18, Page 20
Transcript
1: Jackson frowns, turning his head.
2: Melissa watches in concern.
3: Jackson holds his forehead.
Jackson: I’m sorry.
Melissa (off-panel): No, please, it-
Jackson: We let that thing in, we weren’t cautious enough… I’m sorry about your father, and-
4: Melissa is leaning forward as she speaks, looking pained.
Melissa: It’s not your fault, J-
We… we fell for it too. We spoke to him for hours and didn’t suspect a thing.
5: Melissa looks anxious to change the subject.
Melissa: Come on. Next assignment. I gave the King family the cover story and helped them calm down with a few errands.
What next?
Jackson (off-panel): Nothing.
Melissa: …What do you mean? I think if I access the old religious archives so I can-
6: Jackson looks angry.
Jackson: Melissa. Nothing.
I don’t have to see you to know that you’re running yourself into the ground. I know what an overworked agent sounds like.
Take the rest of the week off. Consider that an order.
7: Melissa says nothing. Her teeth are grit as she seems almost afraid.
Happy new year, I’m loving the nice, subtle… want to say beginnings of a friendship here~
Also, belatedly, glad your move went well. If you need anything from us fans, say the word. we’re happy to help!
Oh, hi again “Consider that an order.” cleche.
cliche* Damn it…
Clechette – a flat, dart-like projectile that delivers tired, re-tread memes directly to the eyeballs.
(For the record, I love all memes like they were my children, and cliches are no different, whether or not they have an accent because ASCII is hard)
That eye on the last panel is terrifying, it’s size of a half of her brain or the double size of the other one!
I’m beginning to think the chapter’s “disintegration” title is referring to the state of Melissa’s mental integrity more than anything else, as she attempts to live with all the stress of her girlfriend being “lost” (whether she knows of her return in an infested state, or still thinks she’s beyond the gate, is yet to be clarified) and the lies she has to maintain for it, with her father being hospitalized after the blast, with the stresses of having both college and “work”…
Yeah, she seems on the edge of a breakdown; and distracting yourself from it and living in denial of it only serves to build up the stress unhealthily. She will fall apart soon if she doesn’t face and address her issues
That’s a good point. She is doing stuff that could make her feel worn out.