#l.sam01

[containatrocity]

"Yeah. Was. And now it's me and the dog. So you can probably puzzle out why I'm not exactly my old chipper self." They never had been, to be completely fair, what one might describe as chipper, or even particularly polite- curt, cordial, sure, but this... apathy, is new. Lex was dedicated to his job, and his family- one was gone, one remained. People got in the way, now.

"I'd rather her dead than stuck here with me. This place is hellacious, Demi was always a softer sort. She'd have been miserable." She wouldn't have survived Huntsville even if she'd survived the car accident. He knows that, logically. "I can miss her all I want, it doesn't bring her back, or change the fact that sometimes, Dead is the best way someone can be, if the scenario where she survived ended here." He picks up his coffee after it's filled again, reaching into his bag to produce his iPad and starting to write.

"I don't pretend to know what's going on here. The supernatural was never my field of study. But we are precipice-edge to a terrible, catastrophic schism in the way the town has functioned for years- the increasing incidents of murder, death, natural disasters, the dwindling supplies- that CVS truck was the briefest pick me up- But we are stretching it's contents thin, in the aftermath of that earthquake. Political unrest, leadership changes in the commune- It all points to one thing- that humans will once more prove to be the greatest danger we've got lingering around town, and my obedience of the metaphysical's ridiculous rules and unwillingness to partake in this place's madness on the large will be my saving grace. Yes, Sam, in Layman's terms- the vibes are rancid."

Sam had to bite his lip to hold back a laugh. It was a genuine tragedy, and his heart went to Lex, but how the hell does someone on a straight line from New York City to Florida end up in West Virginia? That was getting lost by epic proportions. He blinked as Lex mentioned just how long he'd been trapped in Huntsville. Had it really been that long since Sam last contacted the man for a consultation? Shit.

His brow furrowed as he caught on to the 'was.' "Wait...Demetria...she was...in the car with you?" Now Sam felt like a complete and utter asshole for wanting to laugh just seconds ago. "Fuck, I'm so sorry for your loss man." He never knew the woman personally, but they had worked together long enough for Sam to at least know about Lex's wife. He took back his earlier snipe about common decency. If Lex wanted to be a salty bastard he had every right to.

"Perhaps it's a bit of both. Stress is a hell of a breeding ground for reactive actions, and there is something about this place that just feels heavy. Like the gi is off."

[containatrocity]

"It's how I say hi to everyone. Expecting favoritism just because we've worked together in the past is a little self-important, is it not?" Lex questions, picking up his coffee again. "I had heard murmurings last week that there was another nosy someone sniffing around with questions- I hadn't thought that someone was you, Sam." He adjusts on his stool, brows creasing slightly, silent scrutiny of the other man before he continues. "In any case, it is nice to know you didn't die when the town split in two. It would have been a pain to have to explain that if we ever got out of here." It's the closest Sam's going to get to a 'good to see you' from Dr. Coleman. "I suppose there aren't many douchebag french therapists with one arm in existence- rumors alone likely narrowed down who I was, hm? How have you... Adapted? To Huntsville?"

Sam raised a brow as he sat down. "Wow, that's how you say hi to a former coworker? I'd hate to see how you greet your patients." He shook his head with a sigh. "I heard you were in town and I had to see for myself. How the hell did you get stuck in this place?"

[containatrocity]

"I was on my way to act as a witness in a case in Florida. The fool driver transporting me from New York- as my flight was canceled for inclement weather, and the next would have seen me arriving too late for my duty- got himself suffocatingly lost after a few detours- he took one last one that proved deadly- for everyone in the vehicle but myself, and poor Baguette." His dog was alive, the corgi that seemed to be the sole creature on earth aside from his wife that Lex bothered to give a shit about beyond how interesting they were to study. "I have been stuck here for nearly four years now, come January, and in my tenure, I've found that all I crave in my sleeping hours is to be anywhere but Bumfuck West Virginia."

"I have no siblings presently in the United States. I am from France, remember? My only family here was Demetria." Was- well, there's more lines to read between- his wife is dead. Sam questions if he's met anyone interesting in Huntsville. "You know, the average person meets a murderer on the street at least once in their lives, correct? Well. Your chances of brushing elbows with someone capable of the ultimate sin is exponentially higher here. I am unsure if that is because of the trauma this place wrought upon the people within- or if it is simply a magnet for the archetypes most prone to... violence." He blinks. "It's probably fine... Most murderers prefer the cover of night and we cannot wander freely past dark here."

He let out a laugh, shaking his head. "Self-important seems a bit extreme to expect common decency, but what would I know? You're the one with a PhD. But seriously, how the hell did you get stuck here? Can't imagine you leaving your comfy office to come to bumfuck nowhere West Virginia."

Sam was able to read between the lines and smiled. He'd worked with Lex long enough to get a feel for how the man worked. "Good to see you're alive and kicking too Lex. And that's exactly it. If you didn't fit the bill I was prepared to meet either your doppelganger or twin brother. Not sure which would have been more terrifying, honestly." He shrugged at the question. "It...keeps you on your toes. Yet still isn't the worst place I've been. I'd rather here than the months I spent in North Korea. How about you? Find anyone interesting to work your shrink magic on? I imagine this town is full of....colorful personalities."