Ghosts

Chapter 18

The next few days were like something out of an alternative reality. Her mother had been returned, safe and sound. Her parents were hardly apart for longer than a few minutes. In fact, her father's recovery had sped up tenfold since her mother's return, like her mere presence was enough to pull him through his injuries. Mai, as much as she wanted to be a part of that affection could not help but feel that she should give her parents the time they needed to catch up with one another. So much time had been stolen from them, even long before Joseph got his clutches around her mother. They were star-crossed lovers who refused to allow the universe to tear them apart, no matter what.

Mai sat atop on one of the steps to the main building fiddling with her Walkman as she changed out cassettes. Funny how something so small could be so significant. Holding it in her hands again felt like perhaps things truly would work themselves out. The Twins would be defeated one way or another, she'd go back to just being another teenager living the post-Collapse dream, and-

The sound of grunting drew her attention to the eastern area of the courtyard. Thomas and her Uncle Hurk were chopping away at wood, in the process of building some sort of training course. Well, Thomas was chilling wood, but Hurk seemed already winded as he lay on the ground, ax beside him. Mai giggled and continued to watch. Thomas' entire back was soaked in sweat, seeping through his grey shirt. Mai thought about running inside to fetch him a glass of water but that thought process was paused upon seeing him begin to remove his shirt.

Every part of her screamed to look away. She felt a lump beginning to rise in her throat as he wiped the sweat from his brow and looked about. Their eyes met for a quick second, sending her into a panic. She clutched onto her walkman, averting her eyes, pretending to be completely enthralled by the music device before her. He's your boss. He's your superior. He's your friend. He's family. Mai continued her internal chat as someone took a seat beside her.

Mai looked over, seeing her mother's smiling face. For some reason, this took her by surprise. She was still not used to seeing her mother after being separated for nearly two years now. To have her here in the flesh-

"Mom, why aren't you with dad?"

The lamb wrapped her arm around her daughter's shoulders, "Your Uncle Sharky has taken it upon himself to take your father on a boat trip for some quality time."

Mai giggled at the mental image that had appeared in her head. Sharky and her father were the most unlikely pair to become close friends according to the stories her mother used to tell her. Now that they were reunited, Sharky was apparently making up for missed bro time<. The one reunion she was not looking forward to was the one between her father and her uncle. By this point, Jacob knew Joseph was alive and well, but he had said little of the matter. She could not help but let her mind wander, wondering what Joseph and Ethan were up to now. She felt horrible leaving Ethan in such a state, but she had to get away from Joseph as quickly as possible. Every idealization she had of him went up in smoke with the revelation that he had kidnapped her mother for his own selfish purposes.

"I've noticed you and Carmina have been talking much." her mother brought up suddenly, "Did something happen?"

Mai shifted in her seat, feeling like she was being put on the spot. She looked over to another area of the courtyard, spotting Carmina with one of their newest residents, the odd but very helpful Selene. The two girls were laughing about something that must have been hilarious because Carmina nearly belted over into a frontal summersault. Mai wished she could laugh like that, just for a second to push away all of the responsibilities that hung over her head, to push away all the dangers that threatened to tear her family apart.

"I changed." Mai simply responded, referring to a multitude of things. The young girl looked to her mother with aching eyes, "I'm so tired mom."

The lamb, with a sympathetic look, brought her daughter closer to her, embracing her in a hug as she placed a hand atop her head, gently smoothing out her hair, "I know baby. I know."