Private Video to Sam

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[Prefects head jerks up abruptly when the video feed begins, instantly registering his wardens presence on his own journals screen.]

Comrade are you--

[He trails off, taking in the details. He's in more or less the same situation as his warden, bound tightly to a chair in the middle of Sam's room, with whatever homemade explosives the Joker has managed to cobble together lashed to the legs of the chair. For a moment he just stares, then his expression breaks into one of despair, because he knows what's happening here.

The same thing that had happened to Harvey.]

Oh god, Sam, I'm sorry.

Comments

[bythe_books]

Yes, you can, Prefect. How tight did they tie the ropes?

[He shakes his head, vehemently.] No. You can do this, Prefect. Just keep looking for a way out. Don't give up.

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Why aren't you looking for a way out? [Prefect cried agitatedly, while giving one more ridiculous, unhelpful wrench against his restraints and wincing.]

They-- they're tight. They hurt.

[bythe_books]

Because I don't know what'll happen if I do!

[Well, that outburst was unintended. Sam slumped back against the chair, looking up.] He said that if I tried to escape, your explosive would detonate. I don't know if... if they're watching or... if they've got a remote. [He laughs his CRAZY SAM TYLER LAUGH.] It's probably just a bluff, I don't know. That's the problem. [He stops laughing and sobers up.]

I don't know, and I don't want to take that risk.

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[In response to Sam's outburst, Prefect went suddenly and completely still, staring at his warden with a suddenly guarded expression.] And what if my trying to escape detonates yours?

[Sam had known that was a possibility. Obviously he'd known and he was just being Sam about it. Not that it mattered, Prefect was done struggling now. After a long pause, he spoke up again.] It won't be so bad. We-- we've died here before. We die here a lot really. [But it still hurts, and it's still horrible, and he's still scared.]

[bythe_books]

Then it... goes off. Listen. Prefect. [He leans forward as best he can.] I'm your warden. I'm supposed to keep you safe. That's all I care about right now. You have to get out of there. [He pauses.] Are they outside the door, d'you know?

[Sam nods. They do die, but somewhere, in the back of his head, he's never really certain if they're going to wake up again, when it happens. Resurrection isn't something he wants to put all his faith in.] Yeah... Just remember: he wants to break you down. Don't give him the satisfaction. Think about... Harvey. And how he overcame it. No matter how bad it was, he did get better. Joker didn't win.

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[Prefect looked up, his expression one of appalled incredulity, like Sam had just suggested something not only offensive but also deeply stupid.] I am not going to be responsible for you exploding, Comrade. This shouldn't even be happening to you! [Because deep down? Prefect shares that fear. Underneath an faith in proven systems continuing to work regardless of the logic behind him... he knew that if Sam died because of him, and didn't come back? He'd be utterly lost.]

[Prefect stared at his warden for a couple of moments, trying not to think about Sam dying or Harvey dying or him dying again, but... it clearly wasn't working. Dropping his head down he squeezed his eyes shut, and willed himself not to begin crying.]

[bythe_books]

You wouldn't be responsible, Prefect. That's just what he wants you to think, so he can-- so you won't fight back!

[Sam's quiet as Prefect drops his head.] I'm sorry. I should've... been more alert. [He's silent again for a few moments.] Look, whatever happens. You're not gonna be alone. I'll be here with you.

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Well-- well it worked.

[Prefect confessed, taking quiet pride in the fact that his voice didn't break as he spoke before letting out a low breath.] It's not your fault, I shouldn't have-- shouldn't have opened the door.

[bythe_books]

He would've forced his way in. A man like that... He's determined to see people burn.

[He looks at the camera.] Whatever he thinks this'll do to you, just remember: you're better than it. Sylar didn't win; Joker's not gonna win, either. You're a lot stronger... and braver... and resilient than people give you credit for. And I'm not talking about those men you become, during floods. I'm talking about you.

You've come a long way since I met you.

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[Prefect has dropped his head down again, determined for you not to see this, but... his shoulders are shaking, and it's pretty obvious that he's crying now.]