Them2

"Can't you ... Harvest happiness instead? Why all the sorrow and pain?"

"Phillip. Is there a happier soul in the world than that of a child laughing with friends? This loop was chosen because of the potential to hold every possible emotion there is. The fear of being slaughtered, the hope of being saved, the joy of children playing, the anger of Fritz and Matthew in the recesses of their mind as We force them to carry out the murders. This loop is the greatest with raw potential that We have ever witnessed. Too great."

It pauses, weary.

"Other... things want this loop as well, and We all feel it, things watching, trying to alter the loops, little things We didn't notice the first few times. Eyes in the darkness, rooms changing ever so subtly... Thin, spindly fingers blocking our surveillance cameras... I- no... Not I, We, even if they dare not admit it, fear this loop. It does evil things, evil as defined on a universal scale, not confined to human definition, and it needs to end. I was the only one who was willing to admit it."

You feel something pop in your head as it dawns on you slowly, that you don't think They are lying to you. Oracle is still silent. How could you possibly respond? Anger? Fear? No, those aren't real anymore, just products of Them- All of it, just artificial- This whole time.

Is this madness? Or is madness Them as well- You- You-

"Phillip. We can deal with the shock later on. True or not, we can not let this end your resolve."

Oracle's voice. a steel hand closing around your own- affection- God damn it all, affection- another vice from Them. You swallow.

KLIK.

"I... hope you understand why We were hesitant to explain to you the true nature of these events Phillip. The drawer is unlocked. Please... End this cycle."

The voice is begging through pain now, and for a brief moment, you see through Them, or this Unit of Them's expression- and it feels so human.