"Trust Me, Cher. There Are Much Better Things I'd Rather Do This Morning."

Lucas listens intently, making sure Elm knows he's really listening to her, giving her space to talk about anything.

He quirks an eye up. If she felt the need to mention it, then it must be something to consider important.

"What was notable about the tree?"

ELM TAKES A MOMENT TO THINK ABOUT IT . " i was with bruna in the community kitchen ." elm shrugs . " we were doing chores together to keep busy during the storm ." a beat before elm admits, " i don't remember why i left . i don't remember leaving ... but i know they were there ." they wrap their fingers around their laces again and again, eyes on the motion before, " after that i woke up in the forest and walked back . my shoes were gone ." a pause before they tilt their head, meet lucas' eyes and add, " ... i remember a tree ."

Adrien tried for Jacob Elordi in Saltburn, but he used his skill to make a harness in the Chop Shop and then attach some branches on it for the wings.

Happy Halloween, Oblitus!

Don't open the doors.

"It was," Lucas insists. "That was probably more information than we've ever gotten. I really do appreciate it."

Lucas nods in agreement.

"I know, but sometimes even the illusion of safety is enough to help."

" ... I KNOW IT WASN'T USEFUL ." elm replies simply even after the encouragement . they move to get up with a gentle, " if i remember new stuff i'll say ." they shake their head at lucas' offer, quick to say, " it's okay . bruna gives me food at the diner . and marama's with me a lot ." a pause before she shrugs . " she's not an escort, but she kind of is ." a beat of consideration . "besides, if they wanted to take me i don't think much could stop them ."

Lucas sighs, though he does raise his hands like he wants to help.

When he sees the face, he clenches his jaw. They're familiar, but he can't remember their name. Why can't he remember their name?

He looks back at Rae — his friend — clearly hurting.

"They're cruel," Lucas says in agreement. "It seems like they know how to hurt us in the worst ways."

He follows Rae as he pushes the cart toward the body storage.

"Let's me take you home," he insists. "You need to rest."

"no," is all that rae uttered before stepping away. wordlessly he brought the cart to the side of the table and pulled the white sheet under the body towards him, revealing more of it. the face, still intact, a reminder of the horror that unfolded during the storm. rae's breath caught in his throat, his mind replacing the stranger's face with kina's for a split second. but he pushed on. he rolled up the sheet, covering the body once more and made the final tug. the cart creaked as it took on the weight.

"they always leave the face, don't they? to taunt us. to remind us of what we've lost."

Lucas notices the trembling and how calm Rae is trying to make his voice. It must be really bad.

"You want help? I can help move this body and then walk you home."

He steps to Rae's side so he can look at his face. A mask of calm that makes Lucas even more concerned. How bad was it?

rae shook his head, unable to speak at first until he felt luc’s hand on his back. the touch made him release a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding and, as much as he hated to admit it, brought him comfort. why did he need comfort? he was fine, had seen bodies in the same state as hers countless times. this wasn’t any different.

“no, no, i’m due for a break. this one i just have to uh…put back with the rest.” one after the other, they all looked the same, faces he didn’t recognize…except for kina’s. why did they seem to always leave the face?

“i’m fine,” he insisted, despite the obvious tremble in his hands. “just tired.”

— Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment

Lucas keeps his expression neutral, trying not to let his initial disappointment show through.

But then he's interested again.

"What do you mean by that?"

" THAT WASN'T WHAT I MEANT ." the words are distracted . elm twirls the laces tight enough around their finger to make the tip go a bit cold with lack of blood . lucas presses the record button and elm takes little notice of it until the question is address to her . there is a blink as they glance between lucas and the recorder for a moment before leaning hesitantly into the recorder to say the same thing they've told everyone since they've been back . " i don't remember ." a pause before they shrug and add, " ... i don't think they want me to ."

"Nice to meet you," Adrien says with a smile and shaking Noah's hand. "El sent me over to check on things for them."

Adam shrugs and giggles.

"I guess it could be worse. Could definitely be better but could be worse."

Adrien walks in and looks around. There's a car already up on the lift. He walks up and studies what's going on under.

"This your project or El's?"

"Easy there!" Noah smiled, raising his hands in a 'no harm done' gesture. "Didn't mean to give you a heart attack."

He eyed the newcomer for a moment , giving him a friendly smile. "Noah Adler. Mechanic. Well -" He shrugged his shoulders. "I fix things, anyway." He stepped forward, offering a handshake, a big of oil still smudged on his hand from earlier.

"So you're new in town... I don't know whether to say welcome or apologise," he laughed. He hadn't been here long himself, so who was he really to say anyway. "Welcome, I guess." he tipped an imaginary hat.

RAFAEL SILVA — via Instagram (2024)

RAFAEL SILVA on the set of 911: LONE STAR Season 5