The Time Hopper

Petty Quarrels

I watched as a wave of grief rolled over them all. Immediately, Alice's face closed up, dark and upset for a split moment before it returned to a neutral mask, even her eyes just looking off into the distance without really seeing. Took immediately swore loudly, turning around and sinking his fist into the wall. Lucas sagged back against the wall, his knees buckling as he slid to the floor, his lower lip wobbling as he tried to keep the tears in. The twins both immediately turned their backs to the group, huddling together with shaking shoulders as they took a few steps away to grieve in private. Lila promptly starting crying silently, and Eros promptly wrapped his arms around her and cradled her head on his shoulder, even though he was shorter than her. He also started crying. Rosie and Terrence held each other's hands tightly and began comforting each other. And then I made eye contact with Alexi, who was gazing at me with a knowledge in his eyes that made me uncomfortable. 

"I- I wished that I had been able to do something else, but I couldn't. I couldn't even get her here, never mind throw off the people chasing us. It was the only thing I could think to do-" I started to say, only to be cut off by Lucas. 

"That isn't true. That isn't true, Sadie, you're a fucking liar. There had to be a different way. You didn't have to kill her. You're just a coward, the same as you always were." Lucas spat at me, and I felt that well of sadness ignite into a blissful anger that burned away the emptiness. 

"You call me a coward? While you cowered in the valley, I was out travelling the world, actually doing things! I did everything I could to save Kat, but I was being held captive and I was all on my own! Yes, I failed, but at least I tried. When I- when I ended it, she was already gone. Obsivian destroyed her mind, ripped out her soul. All that was left was her body and magic. Do you really think Kat would have wanted to be a puppet for him?" I yelled at him, tears streaming down my face, of frustration and anger and grief. As soon as I said it, I regretted it. Because he didn't really mean it. He was just in pain, like we all were, and I was the easiest person to blame. But that didn't mean I had to take it, just as it didn't mean that I had needed to put that picture in their heads. I swore, rubbing my aching skull, feeling so tired already. 

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. But I did my best to save her, and if you will not believe me then that's on you. I won't be around here for much longer, anyway. I just wanted to see you all somewhere safe." I said, bitter and angry. Riley looked at me sharply, because I hadn't exactly mentioned that to him, and I didn't meet his gaze. I would talk to him about that later. I would talk to him about a lot of things, but later. The other's all looked at me too, or at least most of them did. Lila was the one to speak first, most timidly. 

"What do you mean, Sadie? I thought you were staying here with us." She said. Alice nodded. 

"That is what you implied. That we would get away from Obsivian and Consequences and stay together and just let them go at each other without us." Alice said rather sharply, her voice taking on a scolding tone that didn't even cow me a little as it used to. 

"We should stick together." Rosie whispered, reaching out and taking my hand, squeezing my fingers ever so slightly with a sad but encouraging smile. 

"Even if that means fighting together." Terrence asserted, and while the sentiment was sweet, I still had to shake my head. 

"No, no. Under no circumstances will you be fighting alongside me. I don't want any of you to be fighting this at all- that's why I tried to get you all out!" I said, going to a bench and sitting down. Everyone else came and gathered around, including Riley, who kept trying to catch my eye, even though I wouldn't quite let him. 

"And why the hell not? What, now you've gotten one of us killed, you have a conscience?" Took said, and I glared at him. 

"Oh, fuck off, Took. I know that you would have stayed in the valley, talking it loud until Consequences booted you out to fight, so don't act like you're brave and brilliant and could protect all of us, because you haven't done anything. And if you want to leave, to go out there and try to protect all of us by getting rid of the two of them, go on then! But you won't do it in my name." I snapped at him, and it appeared to quell him. Yet again, a strange, knowledgeable look from Alexi.