Day Two

Chloe's Secret

phantom-inker@dontmailme.nomail (Phantom Inker) — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 17:00:00 GMT

#262. Chloe's Secret

Ch.8 - M.A. - page 15

I bet you thought chapter 7 was an isolated episode. But life doesn't do isolated episodes.

Chloe standing at a railing outside, looking up at the stars. Lynne comes out.
Chloe: "I told you I didn't want to come."
Lynne: "What do you mean, you 'could've prevented it'?"
Chloe (looks at Lynne): "Lynne, I — "
Chloe: "Listen, you don't share any of this, okay?" Lynne: "Not a word."
Chloe (looks down): "I got shoved back in time in one of Zia's goddamn weirdo experiments." "And that means I really could've stopped it."

Chance

phantom-inker@dontmailme.nomail (Phantom Inker) — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 17:00:00 GMT

#263. Chance

Ch.8 - M.A. - page 16

All you people that said Chloe made a huge mistake in chapter 7? Guess what: She knows it.

Lynne: "You what?"
Chloe (looking down): "I went back in time. I met myself at eleven years old. I got to warn myself this was going to happen." "And instead of saying, 'stay the hell away from the cities,'" "or 'stop that goddamn noodle from causing this,'" "or 'buy a house in the middle of nowhere and maybe, just maybe, you'll get to keep your feet' —" "— instead I gave myself dating advice and a crash course in equestrian sports."
Chloe: "I could've stopped this. I could've prevented it. And instead, I'm standing here, welded to a friggin' horse's ass, and I know everything in the world about how to take care of it."
Chloe (leans over the railing, hands on her head): "It's worse than being stuck in this ridiculous stupid body." "I had a chance not to become a centaur." "And I screwed it up."

Gandalf

phantom-inker@dontmailme.nomail (Phantom Inker) — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 17:00:00 GMT

#264. Gandalf

Ch.8 - M.A. - page 17

For those counting pop culture references in Day Two, you can now add Lord of the Rings to the list 😁

Lynne: "You're kidding." "You went — back in time?"
Chloe: "I did. I'm sure I did." "I remember being another me, one who didn't grow up riding." "Now I don't know which me I am." "Did I make things worse, or better?"
Chloe: "It's like a dream, all mushed together." "I first hated this because I didn't know anything about it." "And now I hate it because it feels wrong." Lynne: "There's a fine line between dreams and nightmares." Chloe: "I just want to wake up."
Lynne (intoning): "So do all who live to see such times." Chloe: "That is the worst Gandalf I've ever heard."

Jungle Cruise

phantom-inker@dontmailme.nomail (Phantom Inker) — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 17:00:00 GMT

#265. Jungle Cruise

Ch.8 - M.A. - page 18

That last panel took more time to draw than some whole pages in this chapter, but it was totally worth it. Also, Lynne, it's a shame about the hat, but beige is really your color 👍

Lynne: "I can't imagine you anywhere but in a saddle. You were born for it."
Chloe: "I took those lessons because I was scared, Lynne, not because I loved horses." "I saw my own future, and I was terrified I'd turn into this — and then one day I did."
Lynne: "At least you knew in advance. Only advance notice I got was suddenly falling over one day."
Chibi Chloe (dryly): "I believe it was suddenly falling off the Jungle Cruise ride?" Chibi Lynne: "I never did find my hat." *Lynne falling off the boat, to the shock of others onboard.*

Scared

phantom-inker@dontmailme.nomail (Phantom Inker) — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 17:00:00 GMT

#266. Scared

Ch.8 - M.A. - page 19

... huh.

Chloe and Lynne, looking up at the stars.
Lynne: "I think you should think about it this way: You spent years on horseback. I saw you. You won everything. Races, medals, championships."
Lynne: "You went to every equestrian competition in Ohio with a smile on your face." "Mom and Dad dragged me to all of them." "Nobody forced you to spend all that time at the stables."
Lynne: "If you really did just 'scare yourself' into it, you could've stopped after a few riding lessons, after you learned some basics." "But you didn't."
Chloe looks at her. Chloe: "...huh."
Chloe (looks down): "I didn't, did I?"

Truths and Lies

phantom-inker@dontmailme.nomail (Phantom Inker) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 17:00:00 GMT

#267. Truths and Lies

Ch.8 - M.A. - page 20

...

Lynne (holds her fin): "I want to tell you something. This tail felt like a living nightmare before that day at lunch." "I hated everything, and I couldn't tell anyone." "I felt like I was going to explode."
Lynne (looks away): "All I could see was what I'd lost." "I couldn't —" "— I couldn't imagine going on like this." "Without what you did — " (softly) " — I wouldn't be here."
Lynne: "I owe you everything, sis." "It's a struggle every day, and it always will be, but at least I know what I want out of life now." "And I'm trying to return the favor."
Lynne: "Me, I had to get used to being a fish." "I had to get used to being down in this chair." "But you? You've been that high up as long as I can remember." Chloe frowns and looks away.
Lynne: "You can lie to me. To Zia. To that group in there." "You can lie to everyone if you want." "But you need to tell yourself the truth, whatever you decide it is."
Lynne: "So who are you, really?"
Lynne turns her wheelchair around and heads back inside. Chloe stands still, looking back at her.
Chloe stares back up at the stars.

Difference

phantom-inker@dontmailme.nomail (Phantom Inker) — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 17:00:00 GMT

#268. Difference

Ch.8 - M.A. - page 21

···ʰᵒʷ ᶦⁿᵈᵉᵉᵈ·

Chloe (standing outside, staring up at the stars): "I don't know."
Chloe: "Is this who I'm supposed to be?" "Who I always was?" "Or just who I turned myself into?"
Chloe scratches her head.
Chloe: "I wonder how I'd even know the difference?"

Listen

phantom-inker@dontmailme.nomail (Phantom Inker) — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 17:00:00 GMT

#269. Listen

Ch.8 - M.A. - page 22

Listening to yourself is always the hardest lecture.

Isidora: "Really, darling, I'm telling you, you should lean into it." "My TopFans page bought me a new house." Stacie (frowning): "Are you friggin' high?" Chloe pokes her head back through the door.
Chloe (approaching the group): "I'm sorry. I was way out of line."
Jen: "It's all good. We've all been there." Stacie: "No worries, I've stormed out of here what, like twenty times?"
Quiylle: "We're not here to judge. Only to help."
Chloe (sits down in her prior spot in the circle): "Is it okay if I just —" "— sit here and listen?"
Quiylle: "Of course." "As long as you listen to yourself too, you can listen to us any time you want."

Choices

phantom-inker@dontmailme.nomail (Phantom Inker) — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 17:00:00 GMT

#270. Choices

Ch.8 - M.A. - page 23

A truly open mind is the best any of us can hope for, really.

Chloe and Lynne, walking home under the streetlights.
Chloe: "I was thinking — maybe I could go to your group again next week, if that's okay." Lynne: "Always."
Chloe (looking down): "I'm not ready to choose anything, but I'll try to keep an open mind." Lynne: "It's not easy to get past yourself. I should know."
Chloe: "I thought I knew who I was." "Now I'm not so sure."
Lynne: "If there's one thing I've learned, you are whoever you choose to be, sis."
Chloe and Lynne, silently walking under the streetlights.

Wish

phantom-inker@dontmailme.nomail (Phantom Inker) — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 17:00:00 GMT

#271. Wish

Ch.8 - M.A. - page 24

It's a Christmas miracle! Priscilla finally gets her wish! But the more things change, the more they stay the same... ... And that ends chapter 8... almost, but we have one more tag before we're done.

Chloe and Lynne, in the park, going up to Priscilla, who is startled.
Priscilla looks worried. Chloe: "Alright, kid, you've been asking for months. And I shouldn't have been so mean about it." "You want a ride? Fine." "You get one ride around the park, and then I want you to stop bugging me about it, okay?"
Priscilla (screaming): "EEEEeeee!!! Yes yes yes!!! Get me up get me up get me up!!!"
Lynne helps Priscilla struggle up onto Chloe's back. Priscilla: "Nnnngggg!!!"
Priscilla sits on Chloe's back, horrified, a thousand miles above the Earth, with satellites and moons and planets far below.
Priscilla (panicking): "Eeeeeeekkk!!! Too high! Too high! Too high! Get me down get me down get me down!!!"
Chibi Chloe (looking at Priscilla on the ground): "Huh. You okay?" Priscilla: "You didn't tell me it's that high up!" Chloe: "That's just how centaurs are, kid."
Priscilla (stands up, pointing at Chloe): "You need to grant me a unicorn wish to make me taller, Magical Unicorn Princess!" Chloe (facepalming): "Oh no, here we go again."

Momma

phantom-inker@dontmailme.nomail (Phantom Inker) — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 17:00:00 GMT

#272. Momma

Ch.8 - M.A. - page 25

... ...and with that, we end chapter 8 for real. Some questions were answered, and some new ones were raised. This chapter was a lot more introspective and talky and emotional than we've done before; but Chloe, I think, has actually finally grown a little this time, just a very little bit, for real. Only time will tell for sure. Also Lynne demonstrated that she's actually pretty awesome and pretty well-adjusted, that maybe her bratty days were just in her teenage years, and that she's a pretty damn reliable ally for the people she cares about. It'll sadly be a while until she pops up in a later chapter, but I'm really looking forward to the next time she does. I'm going to take a break for the next couple of months to finish getting chapter 9 ready, but the story's far from over! Chapter 9: "Date Night," will be coming early next year, and it'll be the longest Day Two chapter yet! Its script is fully written and edited, and I'm busy drawing its pages now. It's a lot more upbeat than chapter 8 was, because everybody's favorite bonkers genius noodle is back! And there's crazy adventures! And shenanigans! And Chloe's still a horse! And will she ever find a brush for her tail!? Stay tuned and find out! Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed chapter 8, and here's to seeing you all again in the New Year! 🥂

A hooded figure runs through a city of low beige buildings. Armed guards shoot at the hooded figure, who is injured. Guards: "Stop, you!" "Cut them off!" "Shoot them!"
Hooded figure slips into an alley, breathing hard, as the guards run the other way.
Hooded figure looks down, realizing they're badly injured.
Hooded figure collapses, trying to crawl forward.
A woman with bright orange curly hair appears in the doorway of the alley, looking down.
Woman: "Eh, look at you. You die on Momma's doorstep? Come, we take you inside, Momma she fix you up." *End.*

Talking Two

phantom-inker@dontmailme.nomail (Phantom Inker) — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 17:00:00 GMT

#0. Talking Two

Ch.8 - M.A. - page 26

Wait a minute, I don't remember authorizing a Day Two aftershow...

Zia is sitting in a beige armchair next to some random young people on a sofa in a comfortable TV set. A "Talking Two" logo floats in the corner. Zia (brightly): "Wow!" "Wasn't that an amazing story!" "Great drama, and what a cliffhanger to end on!" "What a way to end the year!"
Julie Breen: "I think Chloe actually grew this time!" Chris Hardly: "We got so many new characters!" Julie Breen: "Dr. Quiylle and Stacie!" Chris Hardly: "I need Isidora's account name." Julie Breen: "Just gonna say now, I am totally a Milly."
Chris Hardly: "And what about that mysterious hooded figure?" Julie Breen: "I have to know more about Momma! Who is she? Where are they? Does she know him?" Chris Hardly: "So much worldbuilding!" (Floating text: Julie Breen (I Know What You Did Last Friday), and Chris Hardly (Quiz Hard with Chris Hardly.)
Zia: "Of course —" "If I'd been in it, maybe you'd know." "You get more answers in my chapters." "I do like explaining things." (Floating text: Zia Mendez (Day Two and Hot Chicks Road Trip).)
Zia (grinning): "And it's not like I've read the script for chapter 9, or I'm rehearsing it or anything." "I wouldn't have access to any spoilers at all..." Julie Breen (excited): "Ooo, spoilers!"
Chloe (pokes her head in): "You're still miffed that you weren't in this one, aren't you?" Zia (angrily): "'HOW DO YOU HAVE DAY TWO WITHOUT ZIA?' IS ALL I'M SAYING!"

#ScreamingHats

phantom-inker@dontmailme.nomail (Phantom Inker) — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:00:00 GMT

#273. #ScreamingHats

#ScreamingHats - page

This might lose readers, but enough is enough. We're going to stop pretending this is a safe space for anyone on Team Red. Lest there be any doubt, Day Two isn't "going woke." It's been "woke" since the beginning. Zia's the anti-authority daughter of Mexican immigrants. Chloe's an educated white woman with an advanced liberal arts degree. They live in California. What part of all that says "conservative" to you? And no, don't worry, we're not going to talk about politics in the main plot. But that doesn't mean the politics doesn't exist, that Chloe and Zia don't care about it. If this page pisses you off — good, and don't let the door hit you on the way out. And if this is just a tiny bit of catharsis for the horrors we're all witnessing? You're very welcome, and please make sure you vote this November as if your life depends on it. Because it does. Before we go, I would be remiss not to include the list below. These people died at the hands of ICE in the last four weeks alone, and they join <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_deaths_in_ICE_detention">dozens and dozens</a> more from previous years. <ul> <li>Alex Pretti</li> <li>Renee Good</li> <li>Heber Sanchaz Domínguez</li> <li>Victor Manuel Diaz</li> <li>Parady La</li> <li>Luis Beltran Yanez–Cruz</li> <li>Luis Gustavo Nunez Caceres</li> <li>Geraldo Lunas Campos</li> </ul> Remember their names. Remember their names. Remember their names. Remember their names.

Zia comes in wearing a MAGA hat, grinning, holding a box of MAGA hats. Chloe (holding a newspaper): "Good God, you can't expect me to wear those. Didn't you see the horrors in their Minneapolis?"
Zia (takes off hat): "Oh, these aren't for wearing. I snagged 'em from an ICE van in their world."
Chloe (facepalming): "I can't even with you. What are you gonna do with them?" Zia (holds up ray guns): "Well, this ray gun grants sentience. And this one melts things with acid."
Chloe (horrified).
Chloe: "I'm against MAGA too, but isn't that — like — a war crime?" Zia grins like a maniac.
Zia (brightly, holding out her phone): "Oh, don't worry — I only want you to livestream it! Hashtag #ScreamingHats, baby!" Chloe (shrugging and taking the phone): "Well — I suppose I've livestreamed worse for you."

#ScreamingHats, Part 2

phantom-inker@dontmailme.nomail (Phantom Inker) — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:00:00 GMT

#274. #ScreamingHats, Part 2

#ScreamingHats - page

Maybe we could all take turns with the acid gun?

Chloe and Zia are in front of the box of MAGA hats. One hat hangs on a hat stand. Chloe: "I don't think this is right. It's just fabric. It doesn't have an ideology — " Zia: "You think so, huh?"
Zia zaps the hat on the hat stand to life. *VWOOOOM*
MAGA hat (shouting): "That wetback snake is an anchor baby!" "Donald Trump is a living god!" "9/11 was an inside job!" "Women belong fat, pregnant, and in the kit — " Chloe (horrified): "Good God!" MAGA hat: "White power!" Zia watches smugly.
Zia (snarky): "See?" Chloe (frowning darkly, grabbing the acid ray gun): "You get the camera. The acid gun is mine." MAGA hat: "Birds aren't real!" "Q was right!"

#ScreamingHats, Part 3

phantom-inker@dontmailme.nomail (Phantom Inker) — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 17:00:00 GMT

#275. #ScreamingHats, Part 3

#ScreamingHats - page

...hell hath no wrath like that of a woman even adjacent to Trump's America. And with this, we end the #ScreamingHats mini-arc. We'll get back to our regular storyline shortly: Chapter 9 is coming soon. But Chloe and Zia couldn't just let this one go, so we got three pages of #ScreamingHats, not just one.

Chloe stands with crazed bloodshot eyes, breathing hard, covered in red stains, the acid gun empty in her hand. The hat stand is half melted.
Chloe (wild-eyed): "More." Zia (holds up a box): "All out."
Chloe (darkly): "MORE." Zia: "Chlo, I'm with you, but that was like five hundred hats. I really shouldn't risk going back to their world again."
Chloe (voice hollow, putting the acid gun on the table): "Fine."
Chloe takes out sunglasses and a cigarette from somewhere.
Zia: "Hey, since when do you smoke?" Chloe (wearing the sunglasses and lighting up as she leans against the wall coolly, James Dean-style): "Just give me this."