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It's early morning, if the sounds of birds are any indication to Jon. Not that he was aware of the time yet anyhow. Staying overnight in the institute, working off the clock, was not ideal. However, if they were going to sort out the mess left behind by his predecessor within the next decade , sacrifices needed to be made.
His back didn't agree with those sacrifices, as his desk wasn't the most apt place for a nap. Sure, he could have moved to the cot in document storage, but he had too much work to get through still.
“Another statement to go to ‘discredited’, more than likely. A fish with legs that spoke german? Sounds more like a bad trip than anything supernatural.” Jon scoffed to himself as he sat the statement aside, slipping his fingers under his glasses to rub at his eyes. They burned ever so.
“I suppose I’ll have Martin follow up on this one. It’ll get him out of my hair for a few hours and there's little to no chance he could screw this up” He huffed and straightened up, spinning in his chair to grab his phone from where it was charging. The only light in his closed office was from the dim desk lamp.
“Agh, bollocks-” Jon hissed as the bright light of his screen hit his already sore eyes. He squinted against it and sighed. A quarter to 7. Right, the others would be arriving soon.
The Head Archivist of the Magnus Institute glanced to the left of his desk, at the stack of papers he was still determined to get through to by this evening.
And he put his phone down on the lightly scratched up wooden desk, groaning into his hands.
“Rough morning?”
The voice at his door was more startling than the fact he hadn't heard it open.
“Jesus- Sasha, good lord- ” Jon was sure he felt his soul leave his body momentarily, staring wide eyed at the cheeky looking woman.
“Sorry, I saw a light on and was just seeing if you were in yet” Sasha had a laugh to her tone, a hand trying to cover her unapologetic smile.
“...Yes. Right. Well, I am. You, however are-”
“Early, I know” Sasha cut him off, leaning in the doorway as she adjusted her glasses. “I’m still looking into that statement you gave me yesterday; I wanted a headstart finishing up my leads and report” She mused as Jon pinched at the space between his eyes, waving vaguely at her.
“Yes, yes. Just..close my door back if you would, Miss James” Though he willed as much of his ‘boss voice’, as Tim called it, to the front of his words, he only got a soft laugh from Sasha before she left.
The door clicked softly behind her and Jon sat alone for the moment. He needed more caffeine.
Martin, over the last 2 weeks working in the Archive, arrived exactly on time and not a minute later; Unlike Tim, who had a history of getting down into the Archives a few minutes late. That was a habit that followed him from research and one Jon had never broken him of.
While Jon had little to none he could say positively about Martin, he supposed that was something.
“Knock knock” The door opened ever so before he could speak up, leveling an annoyed glare on the taller man, whose smile faltered.
“What.” Jon stated calmly, staring over the rim of his glasses.
“Oh- I uh- I just thought you’d like some tea- I mean I made some for everyone so-” Jon was getting exhausted from his rambling already, sighing and waving to him to step further into his office.
“Just- Sit it down. Here.” Jon rifled through the statements on his desk, pulling out the one he had managed to record digitally. It made him more confident that it was nothing of note.
For other reasons, of course. Not because it didn't behave strangely. Or that others behaved strangely at all.
“I need you to look into this statement. I do hope I don't need to hand hold you through this one.” Jon held it out, not looking away from the current statement that he was glancing through. In his peripheral, he saw the mug of still steaming tea being sat down. Once the papers in his hand shifted, he released them for Martin to take.
“Ah- Yeah, no. No problem. I am..on it.” The confidence in Martin's voice, or lack thereof, was not surprising. It was, however, reminding him of his disdain for the man. Really, how could Elias think this man was capable of his job! If it weren't for the fact that Martin was just partially competent at times, Jon would have taken the discretion to fire him already.
“Good. See to it you are- For gods sake Martin, close the door” Jon snapped as Martin nearly walked out, too busy reading to remember manners it seemed. The taller man jolted and sputtered out something that sounded vaguely like an apology as he turned and pulled the door closed.
“Wonderful” Jon muttered to himself as he rubbed at his eyes with the heels of his palms, glasses pushed up onto his forehead. At this rate, he’d likely need to use his lunch break for a nap. Glancing at the paper he had been reading through, Jon closed the file it was in.
The last few he had managed to record, unfortunately having to be re-recorded on the tape recorder instead. They had left him…particularly drained. This was, of course, likely from their subject manner. Spiders. Eugh.
Jon hated spiders.
“I’ll just put this aside for later. Not like it’ll walk away in the next hour.” The man muttered to himself, moving the folder aside and jumping as his door opened unceremoniously.
“Good god, can anyone in this department learn to knock on a door -” Jon’s rant was cut off as he looked up and saw Tim with a face he didnt recognize.
“Sorry, boss. We have someone here to give a statement. I saw your schedule was pretty open today, so I had Rosie send him down.” Tim explained as Jon regained his composure, sitting himself up straight with a neutral expression.
“Ah, yes of course. Here, have a seat mister..” Jon trailed off as the man standing behind Tim slipped past him into the office, glancing around as he sat across from the shorter man.
“Daire. Daire McAlistair” The stranger introduced, still looking around the room, at the clutter Gertrude Robinson had left behind after her passing. Jon took a moment to look him over, the sound of Tim closing the door falling to the background.
Daire was a tall man, though still shorter than Tim. Taller than Jon still, though that was certainly no contest. His hair was long, brown and fading to what looked to be purple at the tips. The man had several piercings, all gold.
Two studs sat in his lower lip, one hoop through his septum, one between his eyes, and three through each ear. Four of those were small hoops, with the last ones holding earrings that dangled.
The thin metal was shaped like Saturn, from Jon’s guess. A circle with another wrapped around it like the ring of Saturn.
With that, Jon noticed his attire was very… themed.
He wore a turtleneck jumper and black leggings. Overtop was a pair of short black dungarees, dotted with what looked like little white stars. Even his jumper looked to have the cycles of the moon on its sleeves. The man certainly was a more…odd one he’d seen in his office.
Then again, Jon had not yet held the title of ‘Head Archivist’ for a month yet. Perhaps this man wouldn't even be the most interesting one in the future.
“I do apologize for the mess. Our previous Archivist left it in quite a state.” Jon said as he opened the recorder, taking the marked tape out to replace it with a new one. He paused only to write on the label for it to be filed appropriately later.
With how odd their current equipment had been behaving, it was better safe than sorry to record it like this. It would be a bother to have to call back in a statement giver because the digital player only spat their statement out as shrieking static.
“‘S fine” Daire hummed. “Figured an Archivist’s office would be roomier than this” He didn't seem bothered by it, looking to Jon now. Dark blue eyes drifted down to the tape recorder as Jon pressed it into the device, clicking it into place.
“Didn’t know ye all kept antiques in here too.” He mused, though his voice didn’t far leave the near monotone he spoke in. Jon made a small noise in the back of his throat as he clicked the red record button.
“Well I assure you that it’ll have no trouble recording your statement.” The man glanced back to Daire, meeting his half lidded eyes.
“And on the subject of..” Jon started and Daire nodded.
“Ah, ye. I do have one. Sort of.” He said, this causing Jon to quirk a brow up at him.
“‘Sort of’? Mr McAlastair, you do understand what qualifies as a statement, yes?” He was going to continue off of this, but Daire laughed. It was soft, with little behind it other than sound.
“Aye, I do. Got the whole spiel on the way to your office. Only statements with believed paranormal experiences. No dreams, or visions, or drug induced hallucinations. Shite like that, yeah?” Daire mused and Jon huffed, relaxing his posture ever so.
“Yes. I presume you have a statement pertaining to such?”
“I do. Not sure if you’ll believe it. Been a few years now since it happened, but I heard about this place through…the grapevine I guess” Daire paused, collecting his words “and thought I’d pop in just to have it written..or I guess recorded down” He chuckled softly. Jon noted then that the way this man spoke was very gentle. Barely getting into a normal volume. It made him feel like he was shouting in comparison. Though, he didn't let this adjust his volume.
“Right. Well we are academics here, Mr Mc-”
“Please, Daire is fine” Jon gave a disgruntled look at being interrupted, but Daire gave no indication that he noticed this look or cared.
“... Daire . This isn't the place to talk if all you want is to be believed. We follow a strict process of verifying claims. If that is going to be an issue for you, might I suggest a public online forum instead.” Jon said evenly, a slight edge to his tone.
“Mm. Nah, I get that. Ye got rules n’ shite. I understand. I’d still like to give my statement, if thats alright with you, Mr Sims” Daire sounded almost amused now, to the growing annoyance of Jon.
“Right. Of course.” Jon took a breath to collect himself, not wanting his temper to get the better of him.
“Statement of Daire McAlistar regarding..” He gave the, presumably, younger man a pointed look.
“The night everything changed” The way he spoke was almost nostalgic, unlike the way most statements- those at least in written form- would start. Jon almost hesitated and nodded slightly.
“Statement recorded directly from subject on January 19th, 2016. Statement begins”
I suppose to get to my statement, I should give a little backstory. I was born in Ireland, northern. I’d tell ye where I grew up but to be honest, it didn't really have an official name. Country side; some houses on the side of the road.
We lived up a ways, on our own little road. The house was granddads, and me nan left to it to mum in the will, rest her soul and what not.
I was technically home schooled. Went down to the main road and across it to mum’s friend. She used to be a school teacher. It was too much petrol to drive to the nearest town every day and mum was stretched short every month as it was.
Not like me dad was around to help. No, that shite stain fucked off to wherever he came from the moment I came screamin’ into the world.
Cowardly is what I’d call it, but that's besides the point.
So yeah, homeschoolin’ with my friend Leanne was easier than making mum stress over getting me to and from school all the time. Weren’t bad. Miss Lisa was a good teacher. Learned more from her than I would from a teacher talkin’ to 20 kids at one time.
With mum workin’ all the time, I spent a lot of time over at Miss Lisa and Leanne’s house. It was alright, but I preferred it when I got older and I could stay by myself.
The best thing that came out of it was the tree house.
Leanne’s dad had built it for her. He was nice, nothing remarkable. I don't even remember his name, really. Tom or Dave. Something like that. He had built the treehouse in the middle of this old oak tree. I don't know much about them, but it had to be old to be as big as it was. Felt like it touched the stars when I was a wee lad.
Course, as I got older, I knew better.
I spent most of my time at home or at Miss Lisa’s. I usually saw mum before and after she got off of work. Maybe we’d get to eat dinner, but usually she was too tired to even consider it. I didn’t mind. She was workin hard to take care of us; eating in me room wouldn't kill me.
The boredom might have, though. Once I got old enough that playing outside didn't have the same wonder, I’d be inside. Didn’t have internet, at least we didn't. Couldn't afford it and keep the lights on too. We had a vhs player, though. Not many things to watch, but we had it.
I got a lot of books from Miss Lisa too.
One of those was an encyclopedia about our solar system. Sounds like it’d be boring for a 12 year old, but I was enraptured by the bloody thing. I’d go outside at night and look for constellations, for the brighter stars that were planets..it was a routine for me.
Sure I had learned about the planets in my schooling, but it was more of a basic overview of them, ye know? The names, their order in the solar system, the name of the galaxy we live in..but this told me so much more
It told me about them, how old they were roughly, their sizes, their temperatures.. how far away they were.. millions and millions of kilometers. Can you believe it? It was incredible.
I wanted to know more. I was like a sponge, dry and ready to soak up as much information I could.
The only downside to this new interest, was it was all I could think about. I was rattling off information anytime I learned something new. Leanne was cross with me after the first few days. Got into a row about it that her mum had to break up.
Me mum was worried about my ‘obsession’ too, but I knew I was fine. Even Miss Lisa told her. That I’d grow out of it, find something new to get my attention on. It was just a phase.
Well, it wasn't.
As I got older, me fascination with the stars and space and the universe it just..it got more so . Best way I can explain it. Sometimes after school, I’d hitch a ride with Leanne’s dad so I could go to town. Now I didn’t have any money, but I wasn't very…noticable. It wasn't hard to go into a book store and browse until everyone forgot I was there. I could slip a few I wanted under my shirt and leave.
Same with the movie store. I managed to get my hands on documentaries for my vhs. With mum always at work, I could spend all my time in my room. With my stolen stash hid under me bed in a box, she’d never find it.
So there I’d be. All weekend long sometimes, I’d sit for hours, reading books about stars and planets. Some had theories about the universe. The information on the vhs’ were repetitive at times, but it was worth it even if I got a couple of new facts.
There wasn't a single thing about that starry sky I hated. It was perfect.
It was…impossibly large too. Every time I learned something new, it reminded me how small our planet was. I mean, billions of people, but barely a blip of a spark in a sky of burning lights.
Did you know that our universe might be even larger than we think? Its called the ‘known’ universe because that's as far as we can see. That's not even that far, really. It's always getting bigger and bigger and bigger . We’re so small in the grand scheme of things that it’s impossible to know how vast it actually is.
It could likely go on forever and never stop. It’s impossible to know, and its so fascinating . Don’t you think?
Well, I certainly do.
I managed to finish my schooling early, but I was barely friends with Leanne anymore. We were more…friends because our mum’s were. She thought I was odd. Thought I should be over my interests by then. I couldn't expect her to understand.
She was more interested in history, the kind limited to our planet and our species. Even then, her interests has a finite end to them, while mine was ever growing and expanding.
By the time I finished schooling, well, secondary at least, I wanted nothing more than to know even more. The idea of going to university was a short lived one. We only had one car, I didn’t want debt hanging over my head, and I still wasn't ready to leave home.
Still, I got a job. It was only part time, but it was something. For a couple years, I was helping mum with the bills and keeping some to myself as savings. By the time I turned 20, I had finally saved back enough for what I wanted the most at the time.
A telescope.
It wasn't anything fancy; Just was the cheapest one I could find. Even then it wasnt cheap
It was the weekend when it got delivered. God above I wanted to use it right then and there, but the bleedin’ sun was still up.
Mum must’ve thought I was mad, sitting out in the front yard, looking up through the trees at the sky as it shifted its colors. Teasingly slow. It was like it knew I was waiting for it. Waiting for those little white pin pricks to come out.
Well, mum couldn't wait around for me to show her how it worked. She had work to get to, so I saw her off and went back to twiddlin’ me thumbs. Just…waiting.
Once the sun dropped down under the horizon, I was scrambling to set up my new telescope. It was.. almost perfect. Almost.
The one thing wrong was those damned trees. The branches kept getting in my way. It took 15 minutes of struggling and moving around trying to get a clear look when it hit me. I could just head down to Miss Lisa’s. It was Saturday, but that's when she and her husband went on their date nights. If anything, I’d have to deal with Leanne, but even then, she’d probably ignore me.
So, I packed up and took off jogging down to the main road. It was late, but I still made sure not to get mowed down before I could even use me telescope
The lights were off in the house, so I figured everyone was gone for the evening. Fine with me. That gave me even more time alone in their clear and empty yard. Well, save for the oak, but I could stay away from it.
It was…brilliant. Better than I could have ever hoped.
I was looking at the details on the moon, the faint glow of mars..God, it was just beautiful. But…It wasn't perfect. It still wasn't perfect. I thought...what if I get somewhere higher? Maybe I can see it even better.
Now, I know I don't look it, but I certainly ain’t stupid. I was just…I had this feeling. Like..like something was calling to me. I think it always has been, honestly.
My first thought was that I could climb up to the roof. That still felt too low to the ground, though. It was then I remembered the tree.
The oak with the tree house was much taller than their house, and it felt perfect. It was near winter, so the leaves had long since fallen off the branches. I would have a perfect view if I could get on top of the tree house.
I was never an athletic person. I mean, I spend more time holed up in my room than I ever did being active. However, I was determined. I had to do this. I had to.
The rope ladder was old, since Leanne wasn't using the tree house anymore. No one had been in there since we were kids. Still, it held my weight well enough as I climbed up and into it. I had far outgrown being able to stand at my full height, but shimmying my way through one of its windows didn’t require me to stand up straight.
I had a good fall from the ground now, but that didn't bother me. The worst I’d do is break my arm, maybe my leg. That felt worth it if I could see that sea of lights unbroken by anything else around it.
Climbing up onto the roof of the tree house was…a little more difficult. It had a flat top, but I’m not exactly the smallest fella around. So, by the time I got on top of it, I was panting like a damn dog.
And it still wasn't enough.
As I lay there, looking up at the night sky, its visage was interrupted by the empty branches above me. I was tired, but I could still hear it. Feel it. I needed to go even higher.
There were plenty of thick branches that I could scale, though I had to take my time with it. After a few minutes, my legs were on fire along with my arms. Hands scraped from cold and rough bark. Sweat dripped down my skin from the strain.
I should have reached the top already, and even as I glanced below me, the tree house was a dot in my vision. It was utterly impossible, but I had to keep going.
I had to get to the top.
Branch after branch I climbed and climbed. Until the already cold air around me was now frigid and thin.
I could feel my sweat freezing, but the pain was nothing in comparison to the swell of victory as I reached it. The last branch I could climb, It bent at an angle, allowing me to stand atop it. I could feel myself teeter, but my balance held steady as I stared up in… awe and amazement .
It was nothing like the books and grain filled movies on those tapes. I was so high in the air that the lights couldn't dampen the view. In every direction were endless fields of stars, of blues and pinks and colors of worlds unknown and those that would never be known.
They were so close I could practically touch them. And so I reached. I stretched my hand up and raised up on my toes as far as I could. I think I made some sort of noise, when I started to fall.
As far up as I was, I’d be nothing but a smear on the ground. That didn't matter, if I could just reach those stars, to touch them once.
That isn’t what happened, though. That perfect empty abyss of space opened its self to me, Mr Sims. It wrapped me in its cold embrace. Its hold was more gentle than that of a mother with her infant.
I stared into it as I fell.
And I was afraid. So beautifully, wonderfully, afraid.
The tree was far behind me. Earth as well. When I looked around, floating gently through the icy vacuum of nothingness, there was just that. Nothing. Stars in every direction, but nothing around me for miles. For eons . I was alone.
I’m not sure how long I was there. It could have been minutes, or hours, or years, or until time wrapped in on itself. It was so…peaceful.
No need to breathe, no need to eat or sleep. Just existing. A speck among specks. So small and insignificant.
I knew its where I belonged.
Of course, it couldn't last in the true infinitum of forever. Far sooner than I wished, I felt a tug and the experience of falling. When I opened my eyes, I was in a hospital bed, a brace around my neck. Nothing hurt, though. I felt better than I ever had, if I’m to be honest with you. Me mum was there, sitting in a chair worrying at the corner of a book she was reading. When she noticed me, she shouted, like it was some shock I was awake.
Apparently I had been unconscious for a whole day.
Miss Lisa had gotten home with her husband later that night. They hadn't even seen me at first. It was my abandoned telescope, sitting on its stand where I had left it in the yard. Soon after discovering it, they discovered me .
I was laying in the grass in a crumpled heap, my head twisted the wrong way. They were sure I was dead, neck broken from the fall. I wasn't, of course. Miss Lisa apparently sat with me until the ambulance arrived, petting my hair and telling unhearing ears that everything would be okay. She was actively trading places back and forth with my mother as well in the hospital.
Mum said they didn't want me to wake up alone, if I woke up at all.
I was right as rain, though. Doctors called it a miracle. My neck wasn’t broken, after all. They said it should have been, but I just got…very lucky. I still had to wear that stupid brace. Mum wouldn't let me take it off, even though I knew good and well I didn't need it.
That was four years ago, though, and my life certainly hasn't been the same since.
“Statement ends.” Jon said, already opening up a drawer to his desk. He had some papers for those he thought may need…some extra help, so to speak.
“So, what do you think?” Daire asked, casual as he looked at Jon.
“I think...that trauma can play tricks on the mind in many ways.” He said, which it was true. The story Daire has spun for him was more than obvious. He had a bout of mania or something similar, which drove him to climb that tree. Likely after that, he fell and hit his head. The head trauma caused a hallucination, which ended when he woke up in A&E.
“Mm, so you don't believe me?” He didn't sound upset, more amused than anything. Jon took the paper, with a list of mental health services and their information typed out on it.
“I believe that you believe it happened. I also know the effects of damage on the human brain, and how a traumatic memory can…warp itself after the fact” He held it out, letting Daire take it and glance it over.
“Therapy is best recommended for things like this. And, as well, that your father hasn't been in the picture, there’s chances of mental illness in your family that you wouldn't be aware of.” Jon said calmly. Daire hummed softly and shrugged.
“Maybe. S’that all you’re gonna do with that recording. Just tell me I’m crazy and put it up on a shelf?” He didn't sound offended in his question, nodding to the recorder.
“We will…investigate your statement to the best of our abilities, of course. Still, I do think you would benefit from talking to someone. Professionally.” Jon moved to stop the recording, planning on recording his findings onto it at a later date.
“Here.” He stood and gestured to the door. “If you leave your information for us with one of my assistants, we’ll contact you if necessary” Daire stood as well, stretching. He was a good 3 or 4 inches taller than Jon. However, with his slightly slouched posture, he was closer to 2 inches taller than him.
“Mm. Right, will do then” Daire hummed as he opened the door and stepped out. Jon followed and spotted Tim at his desk.
“Tim, if you would take down Mr McAlastair’s information” Jon spoke up to get his attention, the man nodding.
“Righto boss man. Here. If you’d just want to…” The sound of Tim’s voice faded as Jon closed the door to his office, clicking the lock that didn't fully catch. He moved back to his desk and sat down.
He took a slow breath in…and out as he tried to shake the ice from his bones. His head was throbbing after that statement. He knew it was all psychosomatic, that feeling of cold that seemed to fill him and his office. How the small, cluttered, room felt much bigger now. How small he felt.
Stupid.
Jon shook his head, trying to clear the thoughts that tried to gather in the back of it.
It was just from listening to someone talk about their trauma. That was it. He would have Tim look into Daire McAlastair and his accident. Then, that would be the end of it. He’d never hear of him again and he’d go on with his life like with every other statement.
God, he needed a nap.