Summary: You can learn from the past, get better with the lessons of pain and triumphs. But sometimes they're just one way mirrors to sorrow, causing anguish even when you just sit around doing nothing. All we can do is try our best, help eachother out and soothe eachother's pain.

 Forest Trail

 

Tommy

 

Hngg…

 

Morning now, I feel the light hitting me gently on my eyelids. Time to jog soon.

 

Why am I hugging something?

 

Or someo-OH GOD, A GIRL IS IN MY ARMS!!

 

Okay don’t freak out…just…

 

Last night is coming back to me now, ah right. I have a girlfriend now. It still felt pretty fast that it happened, but at the same time I don’t know how fast it happens? How do you even have a girlfriend? How do you even handle one? Maybe I’ll ask Melissa, the shows and movies I’ve  watched aren’t helping out at all. 

 

Oh wait, she’s borrowing her head into my chest. Guess she’s waking up soon too, I could feel her snout grumble. Cynthia smells nice, in her own strange way, but she doesn’t shower regularly does she.

 

“OF COURSE I DO!” She yelped.

 

She immediately catches herself and realizes her hands are on my chest. A quick grope before releasing, pouting at me with crossed arms and a haughty demeanor. 

 

“I mean…I do. Just once a week.”

 

“That’s not regular? That’s ir regular.” I emphasize the “Ir”.

 

“W-well?! So what? Not like you shower regularly too!” She throws that insult haphazardly, it doesn’t make any sense and it falls flat.

 

“I do? Everyday? Though I’m not sure there’s showers here, we're going home later anyway.” I shrug, we sit up as I look at her make her pigtails. I never noticed her band things had skulls on them, pretty goth of her.

 

“Well…I uhh…” She tries to think of a counterargument, I swear this girl is stubborn as heck. Really determined. “Eugh!” But not that determined, it’s still pretty cool when it’s about things she likes. Like last night with her anime stuff, she looked pretty thoughtful.  

 

She already tied one tail in, doing the other. I remember Melissa tying her hair back into a ponytail when she’s busy with something, plus I was already planning on jogging…hmm.

 

“So…wanna jog with me?” I exit the tent.

 

“What? I thought we were gonna do that when we’re back in the neighborhood?” She yawned after the sentence, she stopped tying her pigtails to pay attention to what I’m saying.

 

“Yeah but we’re already outside, plus I usually jog in the morning. Helps me keep ready for track.” She exits the tent and I haven’t noticed how scrawny and short she is compared to me, she’s around the same height as Sera and even then the trike is slightly taller than her.

 

“Eugh, exercise…Do you even like jogging?” She tries to stretch, in which case she just stretches her arms out naturally. I don’t think she has any idea what exercise is, moreso - passive exercise.

 

“Uhh, I do it every morning. It’s just something to wake up my body, plus I gotta get in shape for track or mom would get mad.” I stretch in a more professional sense, she does her best to copy me. 

 

“So that’s a no then?” She questions.

 

I never really thought about jogging much, I’m not that good at it and I usually get third place most of the time. But she still makes me do it either way, to keep me from getting fat and wanting me to get to my potential. But what the hell is potential? What is mom implying?

 

“...well regardless, wanna run with me?”

 

“Uhh…why not. Je veux te connaître davantage de toute façon~ ” She tried Amber’s eyebrow wiggling the moment she spoke french. They just end up going up and down like a trampoline, which is adorable.

 

“I have no idea what you said but thanks babe.” I give her a quick peck before getting our shoes, she giggles and snorts. Heh, I could get used to this.

 

2 Minutes Later

 

We haven’t finished 5 minutes and she’s already tired, sheesh she didn’t have to run that fast. Or maybe I ran fast and she had to sprint? But I didn’t even run that fast either, oh crap-

 

I stop as she tries to catch her breath, jogging in place as I watch her exasperate. I wear some tight shorts with a plain shirt ;she wears the same thing. She’s pretty with a ponytail not gonna lie. We also had to borrow Amber’s shoes since she didn’t bring anything suited for running.

 

“H-holy shit…AUGH! My knees…Oh raptor jesus- How do you even do this?? How far did we run?”

 

We see Sera brushing her teeth as well as her horns… wait Trikes use toothbrush on their horns?? I never knew that. She shakes her head at Cynthia before going someplace else to do their routine.

 

“You know…we can just walk?” I offer.

 

“ Soundsgoodtome- ” She exhaled, barely sucking in air with her lack of exercise.

 

I find a clean enough place to sit our butts on as Cynthia plops down besides me. She lays her head on my shoulder. She’s so sweaty, she could fill a river. Individual droplets vertically cross her face. 

 

Cynthia slowly recovers as she huffs.

 

“How the heck do you do this every morning??” She looked at me with annoyance at the subject itself.

 

“I just…do?” I remember when I got out of the hospital after the crash, my mom encouraged me to do exercise so my body would get better. It was agonizing, but I did become more fit in the end. 

 

“Eugh. Those shonen anime lied to me.” She scrunched her nose in annoyance.

 

“What’s a shonen anime?” I prod, I never heard of those before.

 

“Oh it’s basically what we watched last night! It’s basically for young teen boys where you gotta grow stronger than your enemies and friends for some reason and it’s also weirdly gay most of the time like holy shit the rivals are super gay for eachother. There’s more genres like shoujo which is for girls and Amber likes those but personally they’re pretty cringe as shit and there’s also seinen anime which is for young adult guys and they’re pretty mature as shit but honestly I don’t get it because what the fuck is so mature about sex I mean sure it’s sex but-”

 

Man….hearing Cynthia talk about her interests with such feverish passion is interesting, but fairly quickly, at some point, I lost track. I still hear them saying words, but at this point it kinda sounds like…

 

“Nyanyame nyanyajyuunyanya do no nyarabi de nyaku nyaku inyanyaku nyanyahan nyanyadai nyan nyaku nyarabete nyaganyagame~”

 

It’s pretty adorable. She’s cute, I just wish she wasn’t so rude most of the time. I can tell she’s sweet, she just has a wrong way of doing it.

 

“That’s uhh…a lot to take in.” I say once she finishes. That one took 5 minutes goddamn.

 

“So…which genre do you like?” She leaned closer to me.

 

“Oh uhh…” I am pretty new to this whole anime thing, I started watching it when she talked about it when we met. So far it’s uhh… “Shonen I guess? I like it but the boobs get annoying once in a while.” I guess I should be more honest too, like how Amber and Melissa approach it.

 

“I don’t mind it, I just skip it.” That last part felt like she’s lying about it.

 

“You know since we’re dating, we should be more honest with each other.” I point it out.

 

She hesitates for a moment before blushing.

 

“Okay fine it’s uhh…hot. But I’m not a dyke or anything alright! Who wouldn’t find big boobs to be hot? They’re meant to be!” She argued.

 

“Okay first off if we’re doing this then no slurs and secondly I do find them hot…but…” Okay this is my chance at flirting, she looks up at me with confusion. “I find flat girls hotter.” I smirk, was that good?

 

She turns red and giggles uncontrollably, melting onto the ground like honey. Okay this actually is very fun to do, no wonder why those two flirt all the time.

 

“Well…fine, no more slurs.” She said, sounding unsure of herself rather than promising.

 

“Promise?” I lean my head against hers gently, she’s so soft.

 

“...promise.” She then sighed, sounding actually genuine this time. Wow, I can’t believe it. She did look begrudged by it but I should trust her, it’s the foundation for good relationships after all.

 

We sat in peaceful silence, enjoying the chilling morning breeze. As our eyes wandered around, we saw the Rexican Twins. Somehow, not being hungover from last night. Gee those guys are tough, casually exercising off the headache like nothing. I have my hand around hers, they’re so small and delicate compared to mine. There’s something that’s bugging me though.

 

“So…why say those things? Like just…why in general?” I try to pass it off as a casual question rather than an accusation, so that she doesn’t get mad or anything.

 

“Oh, that? It’s uhh…huh. I don’t know why, I just do.” She waves it off, like she genuinely doesn’t know why she does what she does.

 

“...what about you? In the opposite way I mean.” She returns the question.

 

“Well, considering how we were when me and Melissa grew up. We kinda had a rough time and I wanted to make a stand against it, she did too in her own way. But in the end we kinda ended up helping each other when it came to hard times.” I caress my crest, the surgically removed scars are still there. I could feel them with such detail even though they’re not there anymore. Alongside the memories with it.

 

“What happened to it?” She points at it.

 

My crest…my head…oh the memories…it’s…

 

“C-claire! C’mon! Wear your seatbelt please!” I desperately hold onto my younger sibling.

 

“Woah hey! I uhh…You don’t have to answer if it’s too much.” She backed off with worry.

 

I didn’t even notice I was shaking, nor hyperventilating. Cynthia looked scared but then was washed over with concern, she comes closer again and hugs me. 

 

“I… uhh…sorry about that.” She felt unsure of what to do. But honestly? This was on me.

 

“No no, it’s fine. Just some bad memories, it’s touchy stuff.” I don’t wanna remember it again please...

 

“Guess that explains your reasoning for me saying that kind of stuff.” She holds my hand.

 

She’s bad at this sort of thing, and that’s alright by me. I don’t want her to burden with my things and not know what to do. I don’t know much about being a boyfriend but I certainly don’t want that for her. Suck it up, c’mon now. Dwelling on it further would make me a loser, and Tommy never loses…right? I stand up and help Cynthia up, I huff out an exhale.

 

“I’m sorry about that, wanna continue jogging?” I point my thumb at the direction of the path we were taking earlier. I just need something else on my mind right now. Maybe this is why I jog? 

 

God, I think too much...

 

“...Let’s just walk for now, that’s enough exercise for me today.” She groaned as I walked with her. “And uhh…it’s fine. You’ve got your own monsters to deal with and everyone does, it’s just a matter of how you handle it.” She spoke afterwards.

 

We follow down the path. As our legs move in unison, we hold hands. Her head is placed onto my shoulder, making me think she’s half asleep now. This feels nice, but what she said does feel a bit introspective. How do I deal with my monsters? Considering what Melissa told me about mom last night, I honestly have no idea. I just avoid or ignore them for the most part and not want to do anything with them. But I’m almost an adult now, reaching 18 soon after Cynthia’s birthday. I gotta be more responsible, gotta act like an adult. 

 

But for now, I don’t want to think. I just wanna spend some time with my girl, I’m really glad she takes things into consideration for me. And I should return the favor back, maybe I should buy her some anime merch? Who knows? Oh right Amber does, I’ll ask her then. Cynthia, you’re gonna get a really good gift when we get home and I promise that.

 

On The Way To The City

 

Ripley

 

I sip on my HOT-mug, these things are lifesavers on the road. I may not be tech savvy, but I do love these brewing thermoses. Infinite coffee on the road is a luxury, pour in some beans and water and you’re set. I did hear Naser wondering why I got one despite saying it was a scam from a Cum Brother or whatever they were called, to that I said “Just get in the damn car.” These things are great, especially on late nights for patrol or in this case..  bringing your bastard of a son across the city to finalize his paperwork and renovations. 

 

It’s not that I don’t respect him, infact I do because he’s a hardworking boy who keeps people’s lives intact like his old man. It’s when people don’t respect me or my patience is where I draw the line, Naser has been going everywhere all over the damn place. It’s strange that it’s with Naomi but considering what she’s been through her whole life, I don’t mind it. I’m glad she’s getting support at the very least.

 

We’ve been driving into the city for quite a while, with Naser constantly giving me directions.We left early after Naser got his healthy 8 hours, he felt better afterwards when the hangover was gone. Quick hashbrowns from my wife and we were set.

 

“Yeah Dad, careful around here, the drivers are idiots.” He mentions.

 

I gruff out a response, acknowledging his words. I’ve been in the city enough to know what I’m doing, visiting old retired friends and such. I’m a stubborn old bastard and still have some fight going on in me, I am planning to revisit Traffrica again to hunt once more. Though Samantha just wants me to stay back at Volcadera Bluffs to settle down. Eugh…Civilian life. 

 

It’s late morning now, Samantha packed us lunch in these weird little bento boxes that stego woman gave us for our anniversary. Anon and his weird ass friends, I know they mean well but they’re more than a little eccentric. I’m glad Anon stepped up his act and got better, he’s been a good husband to Lucy. I know I’ve been an ass to him but if you had a human come from the most dangerous part of town then you wouldn’t exactly trust him right away, even if he was pretty cowardly and scrawny back then. I’m willing to bet he couldn’t lift a stick with two marshmallows in between the ends, glad he’s gotten buffer. Crazy how an anime regimen was enough to motivate him, I gotta try out one of those animes, must be some kind of new protein powder.

 

He’s a trustworthy family man, although his daughter…I remember that Samantha and I weren't happy about it. Afraid that it was going to be like Lucy’s “Fang” phase, that she was going to hurt herself and others by doing this. But I remember Anon’s words right there. Standing up against her while I stood up in reaction, he didn’t back down. Neither did Lucy which surprised me, he talked in a calm but confident manner. 

 

“It’s not going to be like that, it’s different and we saw it for ourselves. We were afraid too that it was going to be like what Lucy went through, but it wasn’t. It’s not an identity crisis, it’s a matter of who she’s attracted to. Regardless of who she loves, she’s still family. She’s still part of your blood and she’s my daughter. And she’s a damn good daughter.”

 

“Inconsiderate” was the word tattooed to my brain - funny, because I’ve been nothing if not considerate to everyone around me. But this one time, he really did show what it was to be a man. I’ve been in police work long enough to know that if you jeopardize the mission due to your beliefs, you would be filed for misconduct and immediately reprimanded harshly. That’s why I became Volcadera’s Commissioner, the Oligarchic families rely on me to keep the peace and I ask them to take their business elsewhere. This town doesn’t deserve pigs like me, but it also doesn’t deserve the worst of the worst. Scum like them deserve to rot, both sides, no matter what. I’ve been helping Mr. Freeman with his campaign on Skin Row, though he does suspiciously look like Lucy’s old friend when she used to go by the name “Fang”. Helping the poor while also maintaining crime to a manageable degree, it’s quite the noble goal from a philanthropist like him. But then again, I am friends with Ganon, who helps me hide criminals for detectives to interrogate.

 

I’ve been pretty considerate to Anon afterwards, both of them genuinely. Samantha was trying her best afterwards and still is, I could tell Amber is nervous whenever she’s around her grandmother but I’m glad Sam still loves her. Hmm…now that I think about it, maybe it’s better that she has a girlfriend. Women don’t typically get into your pants unless you paid her too or she’s desperate for junk money. There’s no way she would get into her pants, I have faith in that.

 

I notice Naser pulling out his phone, the device vibrating in tandem with messages. I don’t think he notices that I can hear him mumble his messages out. There is one peculiar thing that stood out to me though, ever since I called Ganon instead of Naomi to check if things were alright. He didn’t quite know that Naser visited that often, only this one time to treat her leg but never the mental stuff. Inconsistent stories, doesn’t quite make sense… 

 

“ …I love you too Naomi.”

 

What? That’s strange. What the hell? 

 

“Nase-”

 

VROOOOOOOOOOOOOM

 

WOAH!

 

I immediately swerved to the right to avoid the oncoming collision, Fuck! Naser didn’t lie about these dumbass drivers appearing out of nowhere! OH SHIT-

 

CRASH

 

“SHIT! MY PHONE!” Naser’s phone gets out of his grip as it gets chucked outside the window and crushed by the truck that barreled towards us.

 

We skid at the impact, my side had been hit the hardest. My arm and sides take the brunt of the damage as we completely flip over…

 

For the first few seconds there was nothing but blackness and constant ringing, like a flashbang was thrown in my face. Slowly, as the world around me opened, I managed to get up. It was all so painful. I realized I was upside down, our crash with another car inadvertently causing a pileup amongst others including a truck. Not as bad as ours but enough for people to stop and see what had happened. 

 

“OH MAN I AM SO FIRED FOR THIS!” I hear a voice call out and slowly fade away, must be the perpetrator. Gotta catch them…ARGH-

 

I notice my arm has been completely broken in half. My forearm, elbow joint and humerus all brittled. I can feel my ribs shattered too, feels hard to breathe. GODDAMNIT RIPLEY! MAN UP! I use my other arm to remove my seatbelt, kicking the windshield to escape. I see Naser crawling on the asphalt, having been thrown out with force, is this what Lucy saw? What she saw when she told him he could fly? He’s red all over, and then he stops. I slump over to him, people surround us, calling for emergency services. 

 

I lightly smack him on the shoulder, shaking him to get anything. I can’t see my son like this again…

 

“Get a hold of yourself boy! I raised you better than this…”

 

I may be a man, but men have limits. I too succumb and fall over, my heart feels like it’s about to explode. God the adrenaline is not good for my HBP, many thoughts roll on my mind...

 

“Yeah that’s right, hand over that pocket change bub!” I flare my teeth at him.

 

His hand shaked when he does, It was too slow so I immediately grabbed it out of his grip. I stuffed the lunch money in my leather jacket’s pocket, the compy I harassed retreated away crying. I laughed when he did, Moe at my side looked nervous at what I just did.

 

“Ooooohhhh Ripley! We’re gonna get in trouble for this!”

 

“Oh shut it Moe, not like the school fuckin does anything. Besides, aren’t you part of a mob or somethin?”

 

“W-well it’s more of a pizza thing but Mama Mia Ripley!” He huffed.

 

“RIPLEY AARON!” A voice I was sweetly familiar with roared out.

 

There she was…Samantha Metty, her gorgeous blonde hair and those bright blue eyes. Tapping her foot impatiently as I follow her into the hallway for another reprimand once more. Moe runs away as I was left alone once more.

 

“Ripley! Seriously, it’s against school policy to harass and bully other students! As part of the student council I’ll have to ask the principal to send you a suspension letter.”

 

“Oh c’mon sweet cheeks, not like those do anything. Besides, it’s a free vacation for me.” I smirk.

 

“Eugh, just follow me then. You’ve been doing this for how many times now and for what?” Just as she was about to leave, I stopped her with a shoulder grab.

 

“Hold on hold on, I brought you a little somethin’.” She looked like she’s about to go on another tirade until she saw what I held.

 

It’s a dolphin, specifically a species she really loves to study about despite how fucking gruesome they actually are according to Moe’s encyclopedia. It’s something handmade that I asked Moe’s mom to make, for a price of course. That lunch money I kept stealing was so worth it…

 

I hesitate for a moment, seeing her pause and see the doll itself with an analytical look. Before giving a slight hint of a smile, looking back at me with the same frustration from earlier.

 

“Wh-where’d you get this?” She was stupefied.

 

“Dolphink too hard on it.” I wink afterwards, she stuck out her tongue at the shitty pun I made. With a giggle afterwards, nice.

 

“If you bought this with the money you stole from the kids, you’re gonna have to work to pay it off. Starting with the newly made community garden!” She went back to her student council act.

 

“Fine by me sweetheart.” I lean down to face her, with the smuggest face I could muster.

 

“...y’know if you’re trying to ask me out, just call my number. You big dumb cute jerk.” She gave the slightest hints of a blush, then gave me a quick peck in which I felt like a tomato.

 

Then she turned around, putting on the biggest grin that I know is there. Y’know for a girl that’s on the student council, she sure loves bothering me the most. Even when I’m not doing anything, she’s just there to yell at me. Maybe I can get used to this more. Heh, score. 

 

Is this how I’m going out? Am I assassinated? Fuck they certainly chose the most painful way to do it.

 

Another duty of watching over Moe’s business, I gotta get a better job than this. Being a security guard ain’t cutting it anymore, should I join my brother on the force? Policing sounds pretty dangerous, I need to be alive for them. 

 

Kind of strange that Moe wasn’t there today, I can’t say this pizza business of his is too exciting. I did let my curiosity take over and checked what the plastic black bag was, turns out it’s just a bunch of misshapen pizzas. With a note to send it around Skin Row, pretty noble of him. He’s good at that, being noble and shit. Keeping promises and being a generally reliable man. Raptor Christ, can’t believe seeing him now ever since he got that confidence boost. 

 

I slump as I finally reach my new home, I’m glad to have a new roof over my head. Especially in a really nice neighborhood, perks of having a few family members on the force I suppose. I opened the door before I was blared with light and noise.

 

“SURPRISE!!”

 

It takes a while for me to register what happened, first the possibility of a robbery and I was caught off guard, then the realization of who the people in front of me were. My family who had shit eating grins and a poster saying “WE GOT YOU A JOB STUPID”, Samantha’s sisters who were filled with joy around my wife, Moe carrying a fresh tray of hot steamy pizza, and finally Samantha herself…carrying a pregnancy test? A plus is on it.

 

I smiled, like I never have before. Sure there was our first date, our college graduation, our proposal and marriage…but none like this. It felt great, like the earth stopped in its pace for me to take it all in. She notices my silent shock, spelling it out for me with a loving embrace.

 

“Honey…I’m pregnant.”

 

And my world was never the same afterwards.

 

I did a good enough job as a police officer right? A father?

 

“Who’s that mom?”

 

I had gotten off work, asked the chief to let me see my new son. He’s got my patterns and wings, that’s adorable.

 

“Oh it’s your little baby brother! Naser.”

 

What.

 

“Naser? I thought it was pronounced Na-ser.”

 

It wasn’t uncommon for my family to have names like these, we were immigrants after all. Moved here 100 years ago and I was one of the runts in the late 70s.

 

“No no we both agreed it was gonna be Naser! Na-ser sounds too silly, like you…Ri-pley.” She used the correct pronunciation for my name to tease me.

 

“Since when?” I rub the hole in my crest.

 

“Since last night right?” She raised an accusatory tone at me, as if I forgot. Which…yeah I did.

 

“What the heck are you guys talking about?” Lucy speaks up, I carry her and place her on my lap so she can get a better look at Naser.

 

“Oh it’s nothing, just think of him as your new best friend.” Naser cooed as Samantha lightly caressed his nose with a gentle finger.

 

“Someone who’s going to be very…frustrating.” I shuddered at the times I struggled with Lucy as a baby.

 

“What’s frustrating?” Lucy was curious at what the word meant.

 

“Oh it’s a term for “I’m very cool.”” I joked and Samantha smirked.

 

“Well then I’m super frustrating!” She raised her arms up in excitement.

 

Samantha giggled, “That you are sweetie…that you are.”

 

Many things flash by me, I was a huge asshole. Fuck…I gotta be better for them.

 

“Mom? Where’s Lucy…”

 

He’s asked that many times now, frantically in the first week then slowly dying off in the following ones. It’s been week five now, and he’s still in that damned cast. Working my ass off just so he can live like a normal kid, it’s a miracle he didn’t get any brain damage from his head injury. Samantha and I are thankful to God for this, but he won’t be treated the same anymore. Luckily we can take him home soon rather than this soul sucking hospital, the white tiles were driving me crazy. 

 

But this one time he said it was different, it wasn’t out of desperation or pleading. It was acknowledgement, him knowing that she won’t come for the last time. Even if what he said was one final delusion, it’s something that a child shouldn’t go through, it’s something my boy shouldn’t go through. 

 

It’s still sore trying to convince Lucy to visit his brother, we gave him reasons both legitimate and out of left field for him. She’s at school, she’s with her friends, she’s making a song for you. That last part was a mistake, boosting a false hope that died horribly. Leaving a sour love for his sister, a love that’s still there just begging for her to come.

 

He still has that hope despite the acknowledgement, that he could see her once he was home. I can feel that too Naser, we can only believe. We tried our best to talk it out with Lucy, to see his little brother even if she didn’t mean to cause it. From familial duty, to bribes, to our last resort which was yelling. It didn’t work out in the end, it’s bitter all over. 

 

“She’s uhm…” Samantha said while she changed his shirt, it was rough cleaning him in this condition.

 

But after he got his new shirt, he didn’t need her to finish. He just hugged her, Samantha broke down. Crying with him, I need to talk with Lucy. This has gone too far, they need to make up. She needs to do something.

 

And I’m not stopping until she does.

 

I can’t leave yet, but I did my best…Maybe it’s alright that I might die today. I had a pretty fulfilling life, not a perfect one. But that’s fine by me…

 

“He’s been pretty good to me Mrs. Aaron!”

 

“Oh please, call me Samantha dear!” My wife felt flattered, at both Naser’s well mannered means and 

 

Naomi happily said at the dinner table, she’s been quite nervous around me but I’ve done my best to be hospitable. I can tell she does mean well, just misguided. I haven’t intimidated her intentionally and nor will I, I would only do that to boys that Lucy brings home. I’m still proud of Naser for managing to catch himself a woman, a pretty one at that. Smart, composed and diligent. 

 

“Sooooooo Naomi, have you lived in this town for long?” It was my turn with the questions, standard interrogation procedure.

 

“Oh uhh no, I’ve been living in my aunt’s apartment. I was sent to move here because money was getting tight back in my hometown.” She put a slice of apple pie in her mouth, thoughtful of Samantha for using a vegan recipe with help from my cop buddies’ wives. Naomi seems to like it.

 

“Where is your hometown?” I take a bite out of the ribs, it seems that Samantha made too much Apple Pie for Naomi. It’s a habit considering how much we eat, my belly isn’t thinning out anytime soon. Can’t imagine my kids being fat, their stomachs are like voids.

 

“St. Hammond. It’s a fairly lavish place but considering this is my 2nd year being here, I think I like Volcadera Bluffs more.” I could tell she’s hiding something.

 

“Hmm…” I put on a tone that I know she’s lying but Naser just grumbled when I did that.

 

“Dad c’mon…” He reasoned without saying much.

 

“Honesty is the best policy.” Lucy snarked while she was at the table, she seemed to ignore Naomi. 

 

I nod despite her lack of manners, quickly pinching her tail as punishment. She growled before reluctantly straightening her back in a more ladylike manner, much to Samantha’s delight. 

 

“Well sweetie we still have to respect others' private matters, if it hurts to tell the truth then we shouldn’t force them.” My wife reminds me that I’m not in the interrogation room. 

 

“Alright, sorry Naomi.”

 

“No no it’s…fine. I did move here because money was tight around our house and I needed to move away until my parents both found a job, sorry for lying about something that inconsequential.” 

 

I could tell Lucy is trying to roll her eyes at Naomi’s extended vocabulary, she doesn’t though as she continues to ignore her. Reading body language has become natural for me, but also strangely creepy? It’s weird knowing what others around you think despite not being psychic, Naomi looks relaxed though so that’s good enough for me. 

 

“I never knew you were poor, the pictures you took while you were at your apartment with Naser showed otherwise.”

 

“Well like I said, it was my aunt’s. And we’re not poor perse, more so teetering on the middle class. Just barely at the edge.”

 

Samantha nods in understanding, Lucy manages to finish her dinner in time and looks at me for permission. Oh what the heck, like you’re doing much. 

 

“You may be excused.”

 

She didn’t even say thanks as she went to her room, blaring out loud music again. I swear this youth’s music is, as they say, whack as hell. 

 

I looked over at Naser one last time, the last thought about him before the crash.

 

“Why? Why’d you do it?”

 

I tell myself in bed, Samantha hugging me for support but it’s hard to admit I need it just as much as she does. She knows that though, and that’s fine by me. It’s been a while since I cried this hard, it’s something I couldn’t control. It’s unbecoming of me, but Samantha reassures me time and time again. 

 

I’m angry at everything. It’s not something I should do, cop buddies saying I could blow a blood vessel if I continue at this. Anger directed everywhere and swelling up, like a boil ready to pop of malice. But for my own daughter? Can I really do that to her? Even through everything she’s done, she’s still my girl. I can’t bring that…I can’t…But there’s this impulse that I want to do it. As punishment for everything she’s done.

 

Maybe Lucy’s upbringing was my doing, perhaps I didn’t do a good enough job to be a father. Her pirate phase felt like a bad omen, a sign of curses to come. Pretending to be someone she’s not, someone brave, someone special, but in the end she’s someone who cares. And she needs to care, yet she’s afraid of showing it. Nowadays it’s where she dyed her hair brown and is trying out new things for the worse, I hate that she smokes now.

 

Either way, she’s in the hospital and has blood pumped inside her with how much she lost. It was a horrific nightmare for Samantha to see, I insisted on helping her clean it up. I remember what Naser told me, the words that Lucy said. The words that she growled like venom the moment her suicide failed.

 

“You never loved me…so why should I bother? All I’ve ever done was be a burden, so I’m cutting myself the fuck out of here.”

 

They echo like tetanus inside my mind, a ghost roaring the damned phrase. It was unbelievable, we loved her the best we could. I may have not been a good father but I was someone who put a roof over her head and brought food on the table. 

 

But during this…I wish I was.

 

…What was that about loving Naomi again?

 

It’s a shame that Naser couldn’t visit Lucy’s wedding, it’s very shameful of him indeed. I know medical school takes longer than regular college, especially a prestigious one that he worked hard for. He’s practically isolated from Volcaderra Bluffs considering how rarely he visits in a year, being out of the loop when it comes to stuff here.

 

But seriously? Miss Lucy’s big day? This boy I swear…

 

I still can’t believe Anon’s her choice, not that he’s bad, he’s gotten better in fact. Still, a skinnie? Would’ve thought she’d be with another Ptero, aside from that. It’s enough to bring a tear to my eye, seeing her grow up and get better. It’s amazing really, and I suppose I should thank Anon for it, as much as I loathe the thought.

 

Trish’s younger siblings act as the Flower Girls, throwing down petals while also looking genuinely happy at the event. Glad that woman also got better too, she was a ruckus back then but now she’s good. I see everyone around me, friends of Lucy and Anon crying to various degrees. Samantha flowing rivers down her cheek, yet there’s something that I noticed. There’s no humans other than Anon, he’s all alone species wise. It doesn’t seem to bother him though, so I let that slide.

 

“Erm, excuse me I just want to say something to Lucy in the form of a speech.” Naomi had walked up to the priest, the priest looked back at Lucy and she nodded for permission.

 

Naomi, it’s been rough seeing what had happened to her for the past years and so. What she did to Lucy was quite the red flag for Naser and how increasingly clingy she was to him set it off. She did her best to redeem herself and it was surprising to know that Lucy and Anon apologized to her as well despite the manipulation.

 

The Parasaur had everyone’s attention, she looked at her kids being held by her younger sister. Nervous around holding kids but still looking supportive for her bigger sibling, giving a nod of encouragement. Naomi inhaled and exhaled, The 4-7-8 method. Good, Dr. Rudot was pretty reliable, he’s growing too old for a world that needs men like him.

 

“Okay, Lucy. We’ve never had a good relationship at the start, we never saw each other eye to eye. Even though I tried to help, it was for my own selfish reasons and I can’t say enough apologies to amend what happened in the past.” There’s a twinge of guilt from both Lucy and Anon.

 

“But I can say this, you’ve been amazing to me during college. We had a rocky start being roommates, you took the time to offer the olive branch when the thought didn’t cross my mind. In time I eventually took it, and saw you for who you really are. Someone who cares and someone brimming with passion, you’ve been with me through trials and tribulations. Good and bad times…” She stopped for a moment, the pain lingering for a moment before coming back to her senses.

 

“And you’ve really helped me out when I was moving on from my breakup, when I had Melissa and Tommy, helping me out at my lowest when my own parents didn’t. Lucy! You are an amazing woman! And to that I say, congratulations on your wedding!” She said with joyous glee.

 

Everyone clapped, Lucy came over and hugged Naomi with tears running down her cheeks. This woman’s life has been rough, Lucy’s too. But if Lucy had the possibility of improvement, and so could others. 

 

I can only imagine how bright their futures might be… 

 

I feel myself slowly fade, I can see paramedics struggle to lift me up. If I die today…I hope that heaven can take me there, so Samantha wouldn’t be lonely. Please god…I beg you…

 

The Phone’s Last Moments

 

[Naomi]

Hello Naser, how are you today?

 

I’m fine, taking my dad to get my furniture.

After that I’m taking a fucking vacation, how about you?

 

Feeling better actually, I didn’t even know that I had a headache. Thought it was another mental issue that I had. 

 

But I’ve been thinking, my head feels clearer now and I’ve composed my thoughts for this and I want to say something. I’m unhappy as you know that, my life has been nothing but absolute chaos. And I know we’ve had that moment, where we didn’t feel anything. I know you did, right?

 

Right, sorry about that by the way. Didn’t mean to upset you or anything.

 

It’s fine.

 

But I want you to know that…I love you. 

 

I really really do, even as much as it will hurt others and me. I can’t deny that anymore, and I want to do this with you. It’s driving me crazy, this depression of mine, I don’t really have anything going much with me anymore aside from this thing we have, our thing feels amazing. Even though I fuck it up with how I am, I want to be there with you.

 

So with that said…do you love me back?

 

Naser? You there?

 

…Naser?

 

…Nevermind. I’m sorry.

 

Hector’s Grill

 

Amber

 

“Sorry, but you cannot call this number due to; lack of signal. Please try again later.” The automated female voice rang out for the fifth time. I give up.

 

Eugh, the connection’s rough here. I know I promised Mom that I would call her but so far I’ve been getting shitty reception all day! Others are saying they have the same problem, the signal tower is apparently being repaired. I can feel my foot tapping repeatedly, fueled with nervous energy as I see others feel relaxed. 

 

Funny, I came here so we could all lighten up from our troubles back at home. I didn’t have much personal baggage aside from helping out Melissa and she’s genuinely having a good time, I feel guilty for feeling this, eugh. Being anxious while people are chilling, Cynthia shows Tommy her Tarot Cards, Sera messing with her drone and the Twins making cactus tacos.

 

“And you filet it just like that and no more glochids! Still doesn’t hurt to burn off and wash the excess though.” Hector demonstrated to Amelia, doubting his cooking skills in a teasing way.

 

I sigh and groan at the same time, slumping over on the table as I see Melissa doing the same but only to see my face. She pushes the bangs off my face in a gentle manner.

 

“Anything wrong honey?” She said in that sweet tone.

 

I face my head to her, it’s lovely when she does this. All that matters is her, I smack my lips as I think about what to say.

 

“It’s nothing serious, I just haven’t called my mom yet. I’m not scared of her getting mad even though I kinda am , it’s more so not making her so worried. She says she doesn’t act like my grandma but sheesh she’s a hypocrite…don’t tell her I said that.” 

 

“I won’t.” She has a shit eating grin that says otherwise, but knowing her she really wouldn’t.

 

“Hey what’s up?” Sera comes in, moving her work on the table.

 

“Eh, annoyed with the signal.” I deadpan.

 

“Same, weird how it was fine yesterday but now it’s jank as hell.” She twists a screwdriver on a part, I think that’s one of the eyes? 

 

I pull out my phone, it’s the same shitty phone that Dad passed down onto me until Sera modified it to be better. The wallpaper of me kissing a surprised Melissa on the cheek, that face is so priceless. I remember what I said that made her go off in a way that was really adorable.

 

“Callin’ you a communist the way you’re seizing my means of reproduction~” I joked.

 

She hit me that one time, in a non aggressive way of course. Then I went further by saying she’s hitting on me in public, which made her do that cute squeal. God I fucking love her.

 

“Still using that old thing? Y’know you could just buy a new one? I can’t keep fixing it forever, dad can buy you one for practically free.”

 

“Oh c’mon like the new ones have anything worth spending a kidney for. That’s like saying “Oh you’re homeless? Just buy a house!”” I mocked, Melissa giggling lightly at my side.

 

Sera rolled her eyes, I do remember her dad campaigning to leverage Skin Row. Having a few blocks to his name and making them better instead of gentrifying them. Weird that people want him to be mayor too, I can’t imagine that.

 

“Yeah, like an actual airplane mode, where the government can freely drone strike the kids whenever.” Sera snarked.

 

“Why’s your phone so old?” Melissa pointed at my device in question.

 

I still remember what it was like getting it, with one of the few times I ever saw Uncle Naser. 

 

“I’ll tell you about it, it all started when…”

 

Mous Household

 

6 Years Ago

 

“Happy Birthday to you!” The last lyric was sung. 

 

The party took place in my backyard, where Uncle Reed had done all the payment for the party budget which was around…almost 1 million dollars…Raptor Jesus I know he sells legal carfe but what the actual fuck? 

 

I remember it was pretty embarrassing in a fun way to have more guests than I expected around the house, I always liked my parties being small. Just time with my closest friends, Sera, Patty and Cynthia were my original guests. Other kids my age were too but I didn’t know most of them, Aunt Rosa sure is…invitey? Is that a word?

 

“Oh mija! You’ve grown so old!” She cooed all over me.

 

“Yes Aunt Rosa…that’s how birthdays work.” God please stop hugging me ow ow ow ow. 

 

“Oh stay still! We have to take pictures!” She set me down which summoned the hoard.


“Did someone say pictures?!” Mom called out.

 

“I’LL TAKE EM!” Grandma ambushed me from behind but I was fast enough to escape.

 

I needed to escape fast, this was too much for me.

 

“OHLOOKITHINKITSTIMETOCUTTHECAKEOKAYBYELOVEYOU!” I sprinted, dodge rolled, estus-flasked (Quick nuggie steal) and successfully found the bonfire. 

 

I was back in the living room, more people in the house but ones I recognized at the very least. Still, it was exhausting, I can’t handle this many people. I sigh with relief when I see Cynthia and Sera competing against each other on my dad’s Xrox. Those two have been rivaling against each other since they saw each other at kindergarten for the first time. Cynthia being a racist little cuck and Sera proving she’s better than her in both petty and legitimate ways.

 

There was one thing that Cynthia was better at than Sera though, gaming. Being the sociopathic introverted girl that she was compared to Sera who was prodigically introverted, she tends to play by herself or with a few friends (Including me) a lot. And in turn be really good at what she does out of pure spite, I think she just does it to impress us. Which is pretty neat.

 

“Hey Cynthy! I got you this!” Sera smiled.

 

Sera managed to catch Cynthia off guard with an overhead? That’s what it was called right? A high attack basically, and a subsequent combo with her character flashing off the fancy moves. Cynthia was flabbergasted at what she saw, metaphorically foaming as she grumbled out curse words at Sera. My trike friend didn’t seem bothered though, in fact I think she was gloating silently. That smug look of hers was funny.

 

“You fucking…LEMME SEE THAT CONTROLLER! YOU HACKED IT!” Cynthia pounced on Sera but was stopped by a free hand. Cynthia being too scrawny as she was easily pushed back.

Sera was an early bloomer among us, she’s still short now but back then she was a bit taller than me. Growing curves and having more of that dino strength, it was something she teased Cynthia about a lot.

 

“Nuh uh!” Sera simply raised my controller up in the air, a shit eating grin plastered on her face. 

 

I remember Cynthia not growing that much, sure she went through puberty like the rest of us but she got the short end of the stick. In fact I don’t think she grew that much at all-

 

“WAIT HOLD THE FUCK UP!”

 

“I’m not that short!!” Cynthia yelled.

 

Hey! My flashback!

 

“…yeah you are.” Sera smirked.

 

I noticed Cynthia and Tommy had been paying attention to my storytelling. The twins hand us some tacos as they sit beside us to eat, but are still fairly interested in what was going on.

 

“Oh please,” she quickly looked over at Tommy before adjusting herself, “...bitch!” Tommy then gave a thumbs up in which Sera gave a confused but offended look. “You guys are still short compared to Stegos, and your family in particular is short.”

 

Sera wasn’t phased, instead tapping on her phone with measured speed and pulling out a PDF. Anatomy of Triceratops, with height being listed as average and not short. Similar to humans and a few other dinos. 

 

“See that? That’s page one of FACTS right up in yo face!” She snapped her fingers.

 

“...I hate you.” Cynthia brimmed with silent fury.

 

“I hate you too.” Sera deadpanned, saying it with no ill intent at all.

 

“Anyways, what were you talking about?” Tommy inquired.

 

All attention was paid to me, with Cynthia glaring at Sera being the exception.

 

“Oh right! Where was I?”

 

“Ah right…”

 

The fighting eventually stopped once we saw our dads, talking about some random political stuff. Man, adult stuff is boring as hell even when I’m 18.

 

“No no the NCR is the best faction for the Mojave! They may be a government representing the old one from hundreds of years ago, but they’re also the ones that do have good intentions in spite of their government stuff. With the right people running their stuff, they would be the best pick.” Dad speaks up, like he’s giving an honest opinion about something.

 

“Yeah but I think the Yes Man scenario might be better, people’s lives would have more freedom. More agency in what they can do and stuff, with the right support from others of course.” Uncle Reed butted in.

 

“Well regardless of what you say gentlemen, but Mr. House has the betterment of mankind in mind. He may be misguided and a little over his head but it’s progress.” Cynthia’s dad speaks up.

 

“Yes, but progress for who y’know? It’s all exclusive dictatorial shit.” Dad mentions before seeing me dick around with my friends, wait is the right term pussy around? Whatever. “Oh hang on boys, got something planned for her.” He quickly sprints to me as the two other dads head back into the backyard.

 

“Alright we’ll get back to ya later.” Uncle Reed gave him a fistbump before joining Uncle Bob.

 

Dad then came near me as he gave me a pat on the back, to where I just gave him a hug.

 

“Hey hey! How’s my birthday girl!”

 

“Wishing there weren't too many people.” I deadpan.

 

“Yeah that’s on your mom for telling Rosa, y’know how she is with parties.” He just shrugged while I rolled my eyes. “But here’s your gift, your very first phone!” He then unveiled a really old model of an Ankyloid, the newest part of it being the screen that looks to be replaced. 

 

“Alright since you’re 12 now, I think it’s okay for you to get a phone.”

 

I didn’t really want a phone back then, it was more fun playing with the other kids. As I grew up though, that became less and less prevalent because they were usually talking about stuff related to their phones, Sera and Cynthia were the ones that bothered to hang out with me despite being ostracized for the lack of it. They had phones way earlier than me, Cynthia early in kindergarten and Sera a bit later than that.

 

“Oooh.” I awed. Hand me downs were fun, getting Mom’s guitar was neat. I know how to play a bit but I was always into art first and foremost. 

 

“Wait, you still don’t have a phone? What the heck kind of world do you live in?” Cynthia pointed at the fossil in my hand.

 

“The real one you nerd, and I do have one but it’s my grandpa’s old one and it’s uhh…”

 

It’s a Snootkia, an absolute brick of tech. It can call, text and…I think that’s about it. This is more useful for cracking open someone’s skull rather than the basic necessities required for a phone.

 

“Yeah…” I drone out.

 

“Use it responsibly alright? I wiped my data there so it’s basically brand new for you. You also have internet access now and we’re gonna get you your own computer soon.” 

 

Oh yeah the family computer, it was around the living room and I didn’t have much privacy when using it. I only ever used it to look at art references to get on par with Cynthia’s level, play my dad’s games and to look at…pretty women. I always did have crushes on the other girls at school, even Amelia that one time but only in secret. I didn’t wanna get bullied for it considering how they already treat me without a phone.

 

“Dad I’m not gonna use it much, just using it to call you guys so that I don’t hear static.” I hated that Snootkia.

 

“Man, you’re one heck of a kid.” He beamed and I smiled in return. “If you’re gonna use the internet use these basic rules, don’t believe anything and everything you see, don’t trust strangers and if someone says something bad to you just say “kill yourself now””. He gave a thumbs up afterwards.

 

…these rules are jackshit. The first one is literally solved by fact checking, the second one is kind of true but there’s also Cynthia’s online friends…at least I think they’re friends? And the third one is based but still jackshit.

 

“Hey, Language. And secondly, trust me. Those rules are for the bad ones so if you use your common sense, you’re good. Just don’t browse the bad stuff like 4chan.”

 

“What’s a 4chan?” Cynthia sounded pretty curious.

 

“Nevermind that! Just use the internet with care.” He waved Cynthia off.

 

I in fact, did not use it with care. I USED IT FOR EEEEEEEEEEVIIIIIIIIIIIIL!! Such as pirating the latest movies, because fuck them producers. Only to realize something, this phone is slow as shit. Just scrolling from left to right on the different apps is a slog, this thing chugs like a rusty train.

 

We hear knocking coming at the front, “Gotta take this, have fun with it!” Dad then goes to it as my two friends surround me, curious at the device in hand.

 

“Yeesh, and I thought my phone was bad.” Cynthia scrunched her nose.

 

“What? Oh please, as if it’s worse than mine.” If I remember correctly it was a hand me down from her mom. Painted a bit more dark to suit her tastes.

 

She opened her mouth to argue again but closed it once she realized I was right, grumbling once more.

 

“Y’know we could ask Patty to fix it up for you! I have spare phone parts from my siblings and cousins, they broke a lot of their phones, the whiney and clumsy bastards… ” She muttered. “Patty can do the programming, she’s really good at that and is teaching me some stuff so my robots can do more than just dance.”

 

I remember her gift from earlier, it was a cute little blocky robot. Made from spare parts and in her free time, it was quite the novelty and was really cute to keep with Raymba.

 

“Well regardless, wanna play RoxBlox with me later?” Cynthia offered.

 

“Sure! I’m down to try it.” I accepted.

 

She smiled, it was nice seeing her give a genuine one because in the end she’s just…weird. In a fun way for me, it’s kind of why I tolerate her shenanigans in the first place. I remember seeing Patty hangout with Hector and Amelia, they were considered the cool kids in the neighborhood. Looking back at it now, they were just really awkward teens who didn’t know what to do with the popularity. They were just chill and people liked them for it, it was nice. I miss Patty.

 

“So I’m gonna be accepted for a college upstate when I finish highschool, and like…wow. I didn’t think my dad would pull this off for me, and I’m not even at highschool yet!” Patty looked overwhelmed but also excited, her programming was considered exemplary by professional coders all across the country.

 

“Yeah that seems pretty interesting,” Amelia shared concern and pride for Patty, she then notices his brother who had a buttload of pimples at the time. “Hey you know my brother has a crush on you?”

 

“PUTA CHICA! SIS!!” Hector whined while Amelia looked smug. 

 

Amelia laughed it off, she looked like the average girl back then. No muscles but she was fit as she had abs whenever she wore crop tops. But aside from that, I met up with Patty. She was around the nachos watching Uncle Reed smack the pinata, he ended up somehow hitting his own snoot though.

 

“Whatcha got sis?” She smiled.

 

“Yeah so…can you fix this for me?”

I offered her the phone, I noticed Sera admiring my dad who’s helping Uncle Reed and they end up bonking eachother. I smack her crest as she crosses her arms, still don’t get why she has a crush on my dad.

 

“Yeesh, this thing is old. I think I can jailbreak it for you! Add some upgrades with Sera too.” Sera nodded.

 

“Nice! Thanks Patty!” I gave a hug to her.

 

Then I heard Dad call to me, “Hey Amber! Special guest!” and it was someone I didn’t see for a long tim-

 

“R I N G”

 

Ah damn, my phone! It’s buzzing like crazy, oh hey signal’s back. Everyone checks their phones, lots of calls…from mom, 20 missed calls. FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK-

 

It had been half an hour since I told the story, it was pretty mundane but somehow I managed to keep it interesting for them. It is kinda overwhelming with the attention and all that but I do my best to be modest, Melissa does help me get more comfortable though with a smile of encouragement.

 

I see texts from her rushing in, notifications flooding in like a landslide. Ranging from “Amber how are you sweetie?” to “Where are you?” and the one that I was scared to see… ”Call me please.” Euuuuuuuuuggggggghhhhhhhhhh, I hate things out of my control. There was one text that was ominous, one that took a bit for me to process.

 

“Uncle Naser is at the hospital. He’s hurt badly along with your grandpa.” 

 

My heart sank, I was talking about him. Or at least was going to until the signal returned, fuck me…

 

“Hey Mel? I gotta take this. It’s something important and I’ll tell you about it later.” She sees how nervous I am and gives me a quick hug.

 

“Alright, just take it easy for me alright?” She seems to understand what’s happening considering the concern she has looking at her phone, most likely getting texts related to what happened to Naser.

 

Oh god…the fucking cheating…damnit. Why think about this now? He’s badly hurt like mom said and that’s what you’re thinking? I mean sure he did do that and…This is so stressful. But at least the others seem relaxed, Sera being a bit tense seeing that they also got the news of my uncle. She is pretty much an honorary sister in my opinion and is fairly close with my family because of how busy her parents are.

 

…okay maybe retract that sister statement because of how she treats my dad.

 

I walked away from the lunch table and back at the tents…alright. C’mon, it’s just a phone call. Check what’s up, why am I so jittery? 

 

I call my mom, the dial rings. C’mon mom pick up…this is taking a while. In a huff, I started pacing circles around the dirt. Paths on the road, worn with time. Damnit where are they?

 

“AMBER?!” She shouted out loud. Shit- My ears!

 

I was caught off guard as the call changed to a video call, she can see my worried face oh no. She’s in a car with an expectant face, like she wants my explanation as to why I was really late but at the same time is really glad too. Dad is the one driving and I can see him having the same expectations too…great.

 

“Uh hey mom…uhh, they were fixing the signal earlier which was why I couldn’t call you. It was something that was out of my control, I’m really sorry.” I slump over as I sit near the tent that me and Mel slept in.

 

“Oh so that’s what happened, alright fair enough.” She seemed to lighten up, like she was mad earlier but is slowly dying off, huffing it away like cigarette smoke. I know they promised that they wouldn’t be angry at me, but it doesn’t stop them from feeling it whenever I screw up. They’re still nice to me though, which I’m grateful for.

 

“So uhh…about that Naser text? What happened?” Don’t think about him being a cheater, don’t do it. He’s still your cool uncle that gives you gifts and one where you can relax around.

 

“He got into a car crash, it was rough. Same with your grandfather too, they’re both alive luckily. But still, it’s quite the impact.” I could see her shivering and almost about to cry again. Alright that’s good.

 

I sigh the biggest amount of relief I muster, okay thank god he’s alive. But he’s still…ARGH THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING! I can’t think, fuck me I can’t think.

 

“Hey- Honey? Breathe for me alright?” Dad steps in.

 

Right…breathe in…4-7-8 like they taught me. Okay…okay. Thanks dad.

 

“You’re welcome.”

 

Okay let’s think, for starters. He’s your beloved uncle, sure he’s distant and a bit cranky but it’s because he’s saving lives and stuff which is pretty fuckin cool. On the other hand, Why the hell did he do it? Like I get he’s lonely and stuff but still- Like my girlfriend’s mom of all people?? Who’s already having a hard time because of her and now he’s adding onto the pile? 

 

I put my phone on the ground so I can pinch my nose in annoyance, not at him or anything. Just in general, feeling it so I don’t get pissed off. Man this is so convoluted it’s fucking hard to see on what to do, i mean my head’s clearer but it doesn’t make this any less complex.

 

I look back at them, letting me take my time to relax as much as possible. I do have to get back to them soon though, can’t make them wait too long. Alright…should I tell them about this now? While he’s in the hospital? Or…

 

…I thought about it, darnit. Okay don’t panic. C’mon you got this. I look down and see my mom facing me.

 

“Amber, what was that about telling us? About something?” Mom vaguely gestures to my genetically inherited disease of not shutting the fuck up. She’s curious about it.

 

Okay it’s time to panic.

 

“Are you okay Amby? ” Dad looks really confused. Mom is worrying over me.

 

“No dad, it's not fine! I mean it’s fine but it’s- oh god.”  

 

Oh my god just end meeeeeeeeeeeeee. I exhale, I’m losing my composure.

 

“I’m sorry, I’m just y’know…” Do I lie about it? I was planning to tell them, so y’know what? 

 

“Okay. I’ll tell you something related to him, it’s better if I do it in person. It’s uhh…something related to Mel.” I scratch the back of my crest.

 

“Oh…did something happen?” Mom questioned.

 

“Like I said, I’ll tell you about it later…just please. Hear me out?” I cautioned.

 

After a tense moment, she sighed. “Alright sweetie, come back home soon please.” I offer a smile but it feels uneasy, he’s her brother after all. One that she loves and cares about alot, especially considering their history as kids. If I tell her, I’d be betraying my mom. But if I don’t tell her, I’d be betraying my girlfriend. God this sucks.

 

“Are you taking care of Melissa by the way?” She asked.

 

“Yeah mom I am, she feels better now with this vacation thing…She’s talking more if that’s what you’re wondering.” Man this was supposed to be a fun time for all of us, not like this… 

 

“Alright, well we’re gonna see you later. We’re at your Aunt Naomi’s right now and she needs some help. Bye sweetie, love you!” The call ends.

 

I entered the tent and layed on the bed, raptor jesus that was too much for me. I feel so guilty having to end our vacation thing early, I wanted to try out more of Hector’s food, call Patty with Sera, practice art with Cynthia and…kiss Melissa under the sunset on the spot that Amelia told me about…

 

“What was that?” She enters with a shit eating grin. She heard it, didn't she.

 

Man everything is falling apart, I’m glad she’s here but…goddamn. 

 

“Hey c’mon. Tell me what’s up.” Melissa sees how I am and sits down beside me, she lets me use her thigh as a pillow. God she’s so warm and soft, her hand on my cheek as I speak.

 

“...Uncle Naser got into a car crash.” My throat felt dry. I just want to break down.

 

“O-oh! I uhh…” She first got worried, then mad on realizing who it was and now confused on what to feel.

 

“It’s fine, you don’t have to fake sympathy for him. You know what he did after all, but still, this complicates things. Like how the heck do I tell my mom? Or in fact, when do I get to say my mom? Before or after he’s knocked out cold? I mean I already went before but I’m…kind of regretting it? Like what excuse do I even say? How long do I have to pretend? I still love him but it’s…ugh.” I sigh and feel her fingers gently play with my bangs.

 

“I get that, but we’ll get through this, don't worry. If you’ve been there for me then I can too, I may not have been…easy to deal with. But time and time again you’ve been there, trying and doing your best at supporting me. I’ve been through enough to know that it isn’t worth it for anyone to go through something like that, and how much pain it leaves you. And you’re going through something like that, even if it’s not the same. And you’re gonna need all the help you can get and I’m gonna be there to provide it.” She looks down at me, with those glistening light green eyes full of love and passion. I could get lost in them, I could get lost with you…

 

“And honey?” I look at her. “You don’t have to be romantic for me all the time, even if you do mean well. I’m fine with eating ice cream with you or doing chores, I know you wanted this trip to be fun…and it was! But it’s not worth it if my little darling is hurting.” She called me darling…oh my god, she’s so adorable.

 

She chuckles, seeing the largest grin on my face. Well she certainly did her job well, I give her a kiss on the lips as thanks. She reciprocates dearly.

 

“Well c’mon, let’s tell them. I’ll be there with you.” She exits the tent and I soon follow, still reeling from her surprisingly well thought out pep talk.

 

I then pull her into a hug, burrowing myself deep in our embrace as she’s surprised but welcomes it. All that matters is her…All that matters is you. We walk back to the lunch table to see Hector preparing dinner, god this is gonna be a dick move but…

 

“Hey guys, we gotta leave soon. Mom wants me back.”

 

“This soon? Thought we were gonna have an early dinner and leave at 6.” Hector pulled out the frozen veggie meats to defrost as everyone looked at me.

 

“I know I know I know!” I wave my hands. “But something happened and I just…” I feel a hand touch mine. “It’s something family related, and I know we came here to escape that but…hnng.” I deflated. Hopefully it not being directed aggressively at them.

 

“Woah hey chica take it easy.” Amelia lets me sit down as I tear up from the stress. Letting it out bit by bit.

 

“We had a fun time! And it was your idea to come here. In fact, I'd say I don’t actually regret this at all.” Amelia encouraged.

 

“Yeah but Hector suggested the pla-.” My snoot was quickly shut.

 

“No! None of that. If there is something that’s ailing you, we’ll be there. So we’re gonna have to pack things early, vamanos Hector!”

 

“But the food!”

 

“We’ll order at Mcdinolds!” Amelia was already hard at work as slowly everyone followed suit. 

 

The memory of him visiting still lingers on my mind. He was pretty cool back then…now? What the hell happened?

 

Naser’s Visit

 

“Hey Amber! Been a long time isn’t it?” Uncle Naser entered, with a HUGE ass box that he’s struggling to carry. Almost as big as Grandpa Rip, Dad exited outside to check out Naser’s luggage.

 

Holy shit! It was a while…like 3 years. I know he’s busy and all but good lord it’s like he’s a ghost that haunts once in a while. Now that I see him, I swear he gets grouchier and meaner the more he shows up. In the looks sense at least, damn he is tired as heck.

 

“Jeez Uncle Nas, you look like shit.” I snarked.

 

He only gave me a deadpan look, being a high in demand doctor sure takes a toll. He shrugged my terrible joke off as he offered me something I didn’t expect.

 

“I got something for you.” He heaved and gently put his box near the gift pile, it was overwhelming seeing the other parents and kids give me stuff but good god. 

 

“You can open it now if you want!” He took a seat at the couch, slouching against the leather to enjoy it and alleviate his tiredness. Analyzing my face so that I could get surprised by whatever’s inside.

 

My claws may not be sharp but they’re enough to cut through this wrapping, peel it like an orange now…WAIT THIS IS A WHOLE ASS PC?! I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA GET ONE NEXT YEAR!!

 

“You like it?” Naser has a big grin on his face. I could tell the long drive he took to get here was worth it, considering how loud I squealed and jumped. I’M GOING TO BE A FUCKING GAMER GIRL LET’S GO!!!

 

I only hugged Naser tightly in response, he groaned in pain as I let go after a while.

 

“Guess that’s a yes. Ow.” He rubbed his ribs.

 

My excitement is still high up despite Dad coming back inside to see me jumping all over the place.

 

“Naser what the hell is this?” He looked flabbergasted.

 

“Oh y’know, casually buying your daughter the latest in PC tech.” He had a shit eating grin on him.

 

“Ah…so the pc I planned to buy next year…is going to be garbage compared to hers.” Dad was trying his best to hide his jealousy, it’s honestly hilarious.

 

“Oh don’t worry honey, I like it.” Mom came near Dad and kissed his bald forehead. 

 

He sighs as he returns outside, mom following suit. My excitement slowly dies off as Uncle Naser asks me something that I didn’t expect.

 

“So Amber…got any ideas for who you want to be in the future? Jobwise I mean.”

 

Hmm…I never really thought about how my future is gonna be? Being in the present moment was fairly fun and planning isn’t really sort of my thing. Although I guess there’s this one thing…

 

“I kinda wanna be a doctor? I like helping people.” I always looked up to Uncle Naser, him being busy meant that he was saving lives right?

 

“Ah yeah, open up people and see the guts for yourself?” He snarked back at me.

 

…What the fuck? I know he’s a neurosurgeon and all but-

 

“Gross! Okay maybe I’ll take something else, I don't like blood.” I still have nightmares of my first period, and this is gonna happen for the rest of my life? I hate Lizard Eve for biting the fucking apple.

 

“But you play metal gear? Isn’t that game full of blood?” He was out of touch when it comes to games, memes, tech that isn’t medical equipment…practically anything at this point. It’s like he’s isolated from society when he’s in the city.

 

“Yeah but like! Real blood’s different.” God I hate being scared of blood. 

 

“But you still wanna help people? Doctors deal with blood all the time.” He reasoned.

 

“Well I guess I can take something else? I mean would a cop work?” I say that in jest since I don’t really wanna be a cop, maybe…damn what’s the word?

 

“Nah I can’t see you arresting someone, you’re too soft for that.” He smirked. I smacked his other wing for that backhanded compliment.

 

“But either way, there is like…a doctor that doesn’t have to deal with that aspect. There’s psychiatry, where you basically talk with people about their issues and you get paid for it.”

“Oh?” Now my interest was piqued.

 

“Yeah! You basically listen with them, see what’s wrong and tell them what they can do. Go to therapy, take pills and the like. Of course it takes like…years to master. Almost as much as mine.”

 

And now it isn’t…jeez that takes a long ass time. I…don’t think that’s for me. He notices me thinking to myself, and gives me a serious talk. It’s a stark contrast to how he usually is.

 

“You don't have to be a doctor to help people, sometimes being there for someone is good enough y'know? Even one person…” He takes a look at my mom who came back inside, calling Aunt Naomi on the phone. “Is enough for you. Enough for anyone who has the capacity to care.”

 

I listen intently as he pauses until he continues.

 

“You don't have to stitch someone up to make them feel better, in fact they would feel pretty awful afterwards.” He chuckled, must be a surgery inside joke or something. “Just talking to someone and hearing out what they’ve got is enough help. Heck it's probably more help than the stitching itself… don't discredit my work though.” I chuckled at his statement.

 

I do like hanging out with my friends and just listening, Cynthia’s issues with her dad being overbearing, Sera feeling like she doesn’t have a mom because of how busy she is. Stuff like that, and it’s nice seeing them feel good afterwards after I give advice that my parents taught me. Of course it isn’t a cure all and not all of their advice is perfect, but still. It’s nice.

 

Maybe he has a point.

 

The Booming Echoes

 

Naomi

 

“...He’s currently stabilized, I’ve done everything I can to save him but he is comatosed. Don’t worry honey, he’ll be okay.” My hand shakes. “I have to go now, Mr Ripley is in need of my assistance.” He finishes the call, I drop my phone.

 

Shock overwhelms my body, like an arc of horror suffocating me. I can’t breathe…I can’t breathe…

 

4-7-8…come on. You can do this, you have to do this…

 

Oh god…Naser…

 

This is my fault isn’t it? 

 

Oh god why did I do it…why why why? Why couldn’t I just be happy with what I have? …I’m an ungrateful whore, it’s what he said after all…when he…he-

 

I hear voices outside the door, stopping me from going back that night. I didn’t even know I was making myself go back there, I shouldn’t. It’s what Dr.Rudot said, it’s too painful for me.

 

“I hope he didn’t touch her like that.” A man’s voice mumbled.

 

“Anon! He wouldn’t!” I could hear Lucy, a smack too. 

 

“Ow…sorry.” He genuinely did sound sincere.

 

“Naomi! Are you there?” A knock echoes against the walls, to a deafening degree.

 

“Please go away!” I can’t let them see me like this, not now! Not now!

 

“Ah shit…” I hear keys jingling, why? Why did I give them my keys, oh right…I trust Lucy.

 

They enter and see me unable to handle myself, I didn’t even realize I crumbled myself onto the floor. In a fetal position as panic surges through me, Lucy quickly helps me to my feet as we sit on the couch. She looks worried for me, Anon too. Anon…why are you here? Didn’t I cause you enough grief already?

 

I feel Lucy and Anon surround me, hugging me from both sides as I shake from Ganon’s news...It can’t be true right? He can’t go through this again? Oh god, if Ganon saved Naser’s life…and what I did to him…oh god. I’m…a terrible wife…

 

Five voices speak, two speak only lies and two speak only truths. They are horrific voices, the worst one comes from me. My own volition, the last piece that assures me everything's okay, the one who’s been through all the terrible things. And it’s fading, falling apart at the seams.

 

“Take it easy Naomi, you’re gonna be okay.” Anon patted my back. 

 

“Stop fucking doing this shit it’s annoying.” He gripped my shoulder with a rough touch.

 

They’re not saying that…

 

“We’re here for you, every step of the way. That’s what you told me once right?” Lucy held my hand.

 

  “Be grateful you stupid fucking whore. After all, it was me who gave the idea to join the party right? The one who gave you your precious children, the spawn that hates you.” I could see her wanting to break my fingers, snap them off their joints.

 

They’re…they’re not…please…

 

“I..I…” Tears flow from me, it’s too much. It’s too much.

 

“I’ll get some water.” Anon stands up and leaves the room, giving me space with Lucy. 

 

“I’ve had enough of this, you can’t even take care of yourself. How fucking pathetic honestly.” He sneered.

 

I look at Lucy, the two faces are there. One of compassion, the other hate. The other face doesn’t exist…c’mon…you don’t deserve the compassion. The kindness she’s sharing, not after what you’ve done. 

 

She hugs me, she crushes me. It’s a light hug, it’s one where she wants to kill me. 

 

She knows what I've been through, a situation similar to this. For her it was the beach, for me…it was…She sees what I’m thinking, Anon comes back with a cup for me. It’s a plastic one, so that I don’t break it. I take a gulp, it doesn’t help much. He looks sympathetic, knowing the events that took place. He was there after all, or at least…the aftermath.

 

“You don’t have to go through there, remember what the therapist told you alright? What we went through with Dr.Rudot.” Lucy gave me a reassuring look. 

 

 “Do it for our sake, you’re not gonna live much longer…right?” Lucy demanded. I deserve more agony, right?

 

Don’t do it…

 

But it was too late, the vault opened and it’s dark and orange. That fateful night.

 

I remember it…please…Claire…No…

 

The Asphalt Road

 

11 Years Ago

 

After the fiasco with Kanyesaurus, I was single for a year. It was a rough time for me considering that I really was alone that time. Lucy had moved to Volcadera Bluffs while I was still at St. Hammond, working my butt off to provide for my two kids. I had to work at home most of the time, with job opportunities being possible but I needed to leave the kids with someone and I didn’t have that many people to rely on.

 

I had little money to my name, a suspicious rumor from those who recognized me and a lot of baggage to handle even after my therapy sessions were over. I should’ve been cured right? So why wasn’t I feeling better now?

 

Then came Arnold Mertins, A human. A caucasian like Anon and my lover, a person I genuinely loved other than Naser. We met when I applied for a management job at a company that went under a few weeks later, he was struggling like me. At first I was sympathetic, since he had similar baggage compared to mine and interests too. We helped each other at first with financial problems as friends, but he soon had a thing for me. I was suspicious considering my last two relationships but he genuinely showed that his true intentions were nothing more than compassion.

 

He showed me what love was like, what it was really like. A messy but burning passion that isn’t at all picture perfect, one that I can’t predict and plan my whole life around. It was ironically perfect, even when it wasn’t. He helped calm my heart down when I had panic attacks, was wonderful with my kids and was supportive of them when he didn’t know I had them.

 

Eventually I married him after a year, and we had a child. A human hybrid daughter named Claire, she was an enigma to say the least. She was always curious, into the most fascinating things imaginable. Smart for her age too, knowing complex mathematics at a young age. I was the happiest I’ve been for 5 years, it was idyllic and I couldn’t have had it any other way.

 

Arnold was the best man I could’ve ever had, Claire was a turning point in my life…and they were just…snuffed out.

 

It happened on a lonely night, we were driving home after a long day at the mall. Meeting up with one of my debtors, it was a loan I took for the car. They weren’t the mafia kind, the boring legal ones thankfully. I had applied for a new job and we were excited, but the process was tiresome to say the least. The bureaucratic paperwork had us stressed and running back and forth between members of the organization, all for the sake of assuring that the car was safe.

 

My kids were awake at the time, somehow not tired after a long day at the arcade. We were exhausted though, wanting to get back home soon and tuck ourselves in. Driving a bit faster since nobody else was around besides a few cars here and there. I remember them causing a ruckus, I needed to focus on the road.

 

“C-claire! C’mon! Wear your seatbelt please!” Tommy desperately held onto her. Claire refused to wear it for our sake.

 

“No! Rocket!” She stammered. We had bought her a new toy and it was in the trunk, she wanted to try it now though. 

 

“M-mom you’re driving too fast.” Melissa stuttered.

 

Focus on the road.

 

“Kids c’mon, later. Mom needs to get us home alright?” Arnold stepped in to help, the sweetheart.

 

“Ugh! C’mon it’s dangerous without it!” Tommy tried to put the seatbelt onto her but she kept resisting.

 

Come to think of it, I notice Melissa looks a bit sick. What happened to her? 

 

Focus on the road!

 

“Ow! Hey!” Tommy has his belt unbuckled by Claire as she angrily pointed at him.

 

“No seatbelt for you!” She was cranky.

 

“Kids! C’mon quit that!”

 

“Mom, you're going too fast!” Melissa said a bit louder.

 

FOCUS ON THE-

 

VROOOOOOOOOOOM

 

That’s when it happened. A semi had collided with us with a deadly impact from behind and it knocked us right into a power pole. The airbags activated on but I was still concussed, there was a deafening explosion too. Presumably the semi as there was fire behind us, everything was loud and blurry.

 

To my horror, I saw that Arnold wasn’t moving. He didn’t breathe or do anything, his neck was sickeningly limp. As if it was snapped like a twig from the whiplash, oh god…Arnold. My darling please wake up, please…please! I need you! No…

 

I turned my neck, silence filled my ears as I felt deaf from the boom. I could see Melissa crying, writhing in agony but…where’s the kids? Where’s the others?

 

I stepped outside, I noticed our windshield was cracked with a wide gaping hole of jagged glass teeth. That’s when I saw them both, splayed on the ground as they launched right over it. The sight drained my body of blood and senses.

 

The gored body of Chel…splattered across the road like nothing more than paste. Her body mangled, she was still recognizable with her distinguishing features I’ve come to know such as her tail…but her head. It exploded on impact, on the collision against the road. It made me sick.

 

I unleashed the most bloodcurdling scream my body mustered, out of pain, out of anything. But there was nobody, silence filled the air. I didn’t know how long I did it, grieving that is. It was a hellish eternity, blood all over like nothing more than a sick canvas. For a sick god, that doesn’t give a single fuck anymore.

 

Then there was Tommy. His body mangled…but breathing, I ran over to him as I cradled him. Inspecting him for any injuries and such.

 

Tommy…my little boy…

 

He’s still breathing, his skull cracked open with his crest being split into two. His body eerily similar to how Lucy told me what happened to Naser, down to the exact details. It was morbid, it was enlightening. It was insanity.

 

Oh my little boy…oh my little…Naser…

 

I fell unconscious afterwards, then woke up in a cold room. A hospital, with sores all over my body. It apparently had been 3 days since that day happened, and it was my first time waking up. I couldn’t even see if my kids were okay…or if they were alive.

 

There were two faces I saw on that day, Mia and Lucy. It felt familiar to that time at the party, it was horrific. I was grateful that they were there but…it didn’t alleviate what had happened.

 

“Oh- OH SHIT! SHE’S AWAKE!” My sister cried out.

 

“Naomi?! NAOMI!” Lucy yelled.

 

They tried their best to hug me, carefully as to not injure me any further. Anon and Mia’s fiance Ben had just come back and looked at me with worry.

 

Mia told me they drove here and told the news to Lucy, to where she drove too. They didn’t want to bring Amber because it was a heavy topic for a child to take so she was babysat by Stella. They also did their best to relay what happened while I was here too, but everything drowned out. I was tired, physically, emotionally…and at this point? Of life?

 

It wasn’t like I couldn’t exact revenge on someone either, it was a drunk driver. No family to his name, just a sad sad man that ruined my life. It’s funny then, the world is out to get you and this is what it chooses to do. It’s enough to make anyone go crazy, insane even. 

 

If the kindest man in the world can be snuffed out so easily as nothing more than a candle in the rain…then maybe it was a sign for me as well. A sign that it’s not worth it to continue, the things I love. The people I care about? It doesn’t matter if they’re gone like that right? Things don’t go well for me…so why bother living at this point?

 

END 

[NOTES]
College break is over for me! Gonna be busy with college again so uploading might be slow so I can't promise a new chapter soon. Thanks for the feedback and love by the way! Appreciate it.