Part Twenty Four

*A familiar friend, a darkened path, a fall from grace...*

### Content Warnings

Claustrophobia, panic attack, cultists, self-mutilation (sawing one’s own head off with rusty saw), sounds of gore, assault, eye horror

## Summary

Arthur lands in the bottom of the coal mine with John back in his head. They discuss what has happened so far. Arthur emphasizes that he considers John a better person than Yellow, and John insists that he and Yellow were the same, only with a difference in awareness. Together, they explore the mines and find cultists surrounding a fire. Arthur joins them. One stands, saws off his head for the invisible creature to take. Shaken, Arthur and John leave through the top of the cavern – Arthur focusing on survival, and John regretting that they didn’t help the cultists.

## Synopsis

Arthur lands in the bottom of the mine, laughing in relief at John’s return. John is shocked at the state of Arthur and claims not to recall anything after their encounter with the King. Arthur summarizes what has happened so far: his deal with Kayne, Yellow, and the state of Addison. Surprised, John apologizes for not being there, and Arthur shakes his own hand (which John has resumed control over). They explore the tunnels with Arthur’s lighter and a lantern.

They discuss Yellow, Arthur concluding that Yellow was John without the humanity that Lilly or Faroe gave him. Arthur gives John permission to use Faroe’s name, and theorizes that playing Faroe’s Song was what brought John back.

To hide from the creature, they cover themselves in coal dust. They find an image carved into some moss on the wall: a group of figures worshiping an object composed of wavy lines. Before they proceed, John spots a figure who quickly runs off. Arthur climbs into a nearby hole, has a brief panic attack, and pushes onward with John’s encouragement. John reminds Arthur how they survived the tight spaces on the island; Arthur re-emphasizes his disgust for the widow’s cult beliefs and how they mirror Larson’s. John is against killing Larson, to which Arthur defensively pushes back by saying that John doesn’t understand. Arthur attempts to de-escalate by thanking John for ‘rescuing’ him from Yellow, to John’s displeasure.

They escape into a clearing: massive coal barrels, a wooden loading walkway, and nearly thirty people surrounding a large fire. Like Uncle, they have ram-like faces. As they make a plan, they hide behind a pillar and discuss Yellow again. Arthur again prizes John over Yellow. John disagrees, saying that he is not different, he is *aware,* and that does not make him better. Arthur pushes back, saying that Lilly changed John, and John says that he was, in fact, changed by Arthur. Arthur takes this as insult, thinking John is implying that it was Arthur’s own fault he didn’t successfully change Yellow for the better.

The conflict escalates as Arthur grows more upset. Arthur recollects that he died for John, a voice in his own head, and wonders how his life came to this point. He reminisces wistfully about Parker and what his life was like, comparing to what he goes through now. John soothes him, saying that he is grateful for Arthur, and that he does not blame him for Yellow.

They discuss potentially approaching the cultists. John does not believe they would prevent Arthur’s leaving the mines, and might be receptive to Arthur joining them. Arthur is hesitant, but ultimately goes to sit by them. John remarks their eyes are completely black, and they look up to the cavern opening into the sky. Abruptly, they all face a tunnel.

One man stands with a rusty metal saw. He cuts his own head off. The invisible creature lurches forward, takes the head, and retreats. One of the cultists whispers for Arthur to help, and that ‘[he] has seen, and [he] cannot unsee.’ Arthur moves to leave; John insists that they have to help the cultists. In Arthur’s frustration, he mistakenly asks Yellow what he wants him to do about it, and that the cultists are not their concern. John is taken back, saying that they have always helped people.

To show John he can do nothing right now, he steps forward and slaps a cultist. John eventually relents. As they escape onto the wooden walkway, Arthur apologizes, saying he is only trying to ensure their survival. They plan to escape and, when in town, find someone else to help the cultists.

## Votes

* Chapter 116: **Cover Arthur in Coal [70]** / Do Nothing [12]
* Chapter 117: **Go Down the Hole [46]** / Continue Looking for a Way Out [30]
* Chapter 118: **Do Nothing [58]** / Try to Sneak Past [18]
* Chapter 119: **Join Them By The Fire [81]** / Head for the Stairs [6]
* Chapter 120: No vote.

## Additional Notes

* A "blue plate special" is a discounted meal, usually changing daily. Popular in diners and cafes.