It will feel like drowning.
A Question of Promise #16
a comic by thuyen nguyen
Surprised this thing still works after all that. Time, Alvin?
00
23 23 minutes.
Eve told us to set a timer.
23 minutes until what?
Did you see what happened to her?
I didn't see her at all.
When I came back to my senses, we were on the street. I was underwater. Pass the point of panic.
Then suddenly I was pulled out.
That is, I think I did. The noise was deafening.
The building started to collapse. I heard her say, "Go. I'll give you an hour."
01
We stole a car and came here straight away.
How'd you know we were here?
She abandoned her human form.
Origin point of the energy bursts. We knew you weren't off to Adelaide.
It would've been the only way to get back as fast as she did.
Thank her for us, when you next see her.
00
Dice, you said we have a decision to make.
I'm going back, and this storm will end.
22
I'm going to end this.
When that monster comes, I'll take it with me.
‌ but I can take you too.
02
What do you mean?
You're asking me to cross back with you?
Think of it like a holiday.
Only if you want.
No pressure.
BOOM
You've done your best to avoid returning at all costs.
00
Now you're giving out invitations?
21
You said they were going to punish you for leaving.
What will they do when you bring back a friend?
I'm sure we can work something out.
That isn't an assurance, Dice.
03
I've had enough water works to last me a lifetime.
You can count me out.
I wish you nothing but good luck.
Meeting you has‌ changed my view of the world.
You've been a good neighbour, McMahon.
I hope we meet again. Alvin?
00
I think one of my ribs is broken.
20
I won't be much help to you.
Thanks for the offer.
04
That doesn't matter where we're going.
But I can't leave McMahon by himself.
He'd be lost without me.
Besides, I'm more of a space guy.
If you had a spaceship, I'd volunteer as pilot.
hmph.
As it is though‌
No problem.
Well, all except that time you drank me.
I appreciate everything you've done for me.
In another universe, I would have gained superpowers doing that.
BOOM
Those booms are getting louder... closer.
00
19
What's it like, Dice?
Your world. Your home. Eden?
05
It's in constant flux. Always moving.
Like a river, flowing non-stop. You go wherever it takes you.
And when it stops, you go back to the start and do it all over again.
00
It's not far off.
If everything comes back, then nothing's ever gone.
18
Hehe. Sounds like the water cycle.
Looks like paying attention in science class paid off.
You can live forever.
Yes, you could.
I've seen that movie.
I like that movie.
No one gets sick. No one ever dies.
06
Oh, that's it.
What was it called‌
00
17 "Cocoon".
These elderly people follow aliens back to their planet.
Is there a way back?
There was a sequel where they came back to Earth.
I'm afraid it's a one way trip.
BOOM
Of course it would be.
No. I just keep things spinning.
There's no way they'd give you the chance again.
You must be very important.
Someone did it before me. Someone will do it after me. But you ran away?
07
Humans always wish to be kids again.
They don't want be an adult with responsibilities.
Duty is doing things just because they need to be done.
but What they really dislike about adulthood is duty.
I’m ready to accept my duty, if it means I can protect you. No reward. Just action.
What happened to that spiteful pool of water I once knew? One way or another.
I'm still here. Don’t think I’m happy about going back.
00
Did you feel the same way when Caligula's soldiers started stabbing the sea?
16
It tickled.
08
Hehehe.
THUMP. Eden!
I think she's in shock.
Eden, are you okay?
Is she hurt?
She didn’t tell us if she was. She’s just sleeping.
I'd ask Google but my phone's dead-
What did she mean, "stabbing the sea?"
For obvious reasons.
BOOM
The rain's picking up.
00
15 I can't hear myself think.
09
Eric, what about you? One last trip, partner?
It might. Couldn't be too much though.
Will it hurt?
Humans are, what, seventy percent water, right?
What will it feel like? Crossing over.
Seriously.
It'll feel like drowning.
00
14
10
It'll feel like dying.
I feel like I'm dying now.
Definitely broken in two places.
Don't let me influence your decision though.
00
I almost drowned once.
Seeing how far I could go away from the edge.
13
Swim lesson in primary school.
I Was playing around in the adult pool.
I didn’t know I was drifting to the deep end.
Next thing I know, I'm underwater. I couldn't see anything.
My friend jumped in.
Didn't know where I was.
I could feel his hands on me.
11
So with one last burst, I kicked off him and out of the water. But I was panicking.
I climbed out of the pool and collapsed.
I thought he was holding me down.
I woke up in sick bay.
My friend wasn't holding me down.
Teacher told me I was okay, just out of breath.
Because I was thrashing about, he couldn't grab a hold of me.
I wonder where he is nowadays.
BOOM
Drowning is an awful way to die.
Just saying.
12
00
What would I do there?
Do I need to get a job or something?
Think of it as an extended holiday.
We can hang out, do things.
11
I'll take care of you. I promise.
It'll be the same as now. just reversed.
BOOM
!! CK C A AA R R CR
I don't think it'll hit the house.
What was that?!
Lightning. Pretty close...
That said, any resolution to our situation soon would be helpful.
Eric, there's no time left.
Let's go, my friend.
13
What should I do…?
I can't just leave without telling anyone.
Eden will know what happened, but what about Aunt Eliza or Erin?
The police could get involved. They did when I was kidnapped.
The trouble that I could cause by disappearing...
What would happen to my apartment? My stuff?
Would my school think that I dropped out?
Though he saw Who on Alvin earthsaid drops out our collapse. of building beauty school?
Though after what happened with Eddie, the school might not mind.
I wonder if they have pizza? I don’t think I’ve ever asked Dice about that.
The internet would be good too if available.
Am I going to need money?
Wait a minute.
You’re getting distracted.
Focus on what’s actually important here.
14
Look at her, sleeping peacefully.
I should say goodbye, I don't want to wake her up.
When will I ever get this chance again?
I really did like you, Eden.
BOOM
She'll forgive me.
But maybe there’s still a chance we-
!! CK C AA RA R CR
OM!! KABOOO
Wood house...
Everyone okay?
McMahon, look!
Eric, we gotta get out of here now!
This place is going to blow!
15
That monster's coming for us outside!
Don't worry about me. Someone carry Eden!
This fire will kill us inside. move!
Alvin! you too!
!!!
CRAAASH
BOOM cough! cough!!
I can’t see...
Get down. Go!
BOOM The smoke-!
Dice!
BOOM I’ve got you...
BOOM
BOOM
16
BOOM
No, there's still time.
What should I do?
Dice‌
I'll go with you.
17
Yep, still broken.
God damn it's bright.
argh.
House is gone.
How did I end up out here?
Can't tell if it was burnt down or washed away.
McMahon!
Anyone?
Eden!
18
h ug h co oug c
McMahon!
Alvin, you’re alive.
What happened?
I was hoping you could tell me.
The house was on fire.
Yeah. Burnt through like a powder keg.
It was struck by lightning.
Pretty sure it wasn’t lightning, now that I think about it.
maybe someone got here earlier than expected.
I can't believe this blue sky.
Whatever Dice did, he did it to a “T”.
19
Going to miss the little fella.
I guess he's gone.
Hope he and Eric have a good time-
Where’s Eden?
DamnOh no.
Did she get out?
Eden!
Oh no, oh no, oh no.
Eden?
k!
eee
Cre
Do you see her?
Eden!
20
Over there!
Where am I?
It hurts...
What the-
Eric?!
Why… What happened to her?
You’re Okay. We’re here.
Keep looking for eden.
Relax. We’ll find her.
What do you mean?
Eden?
The house was burning… and that thing came...
21
What are you doing here?
Did we all black out at the end?
I heard you say something.
I heard you though.
Eden?
She's not here.
Are you sure?
Dice... I'll go with you.
Checked behind every rock and bush. No trace of her.
Oh god. Maybe the fire...
We need to expand our search area.
She couldn’t be further away than we were-
No sign of that either. This doesn’t make sense...
I didn't say that.
I didn't say anything to Dice.
What?
22
I heard... someone say it.
I thought I still had time to decide.
The timer‌ Didn't we still have 10 minutes?
I was thinking about what I'd miss if I left.
My family. All my stuff.
Eden.
I thought she was asleep.
I didn't want to leave her.
23
we should go home.
I'm sure Dice will take care of her.
Yeah. He promised that.
He took care of us. That's why we're still alive.
It turned out to be a nice day, didn't it?
We should try to enjoy it while it lasts.
00
24
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Eve’s sacrifice gives the others breathing room to prepare before the end comes. Dice has enough energy for one last defence, but that will also send him back home. With time running out, he offers his friends the chance to go with him. What will be their final decision?
Story, Art and Created by Thuyen Nguyen Copyright Š2015 Thuyen Nguyen devinquest.com | aquestionofpromise.com