The Callahan Archives (In The Shadows)

thirteen.

Later in the day

Arrow

"I'm heading home early today. I think it'll be alright, but call me if you need anything." I tell the General, and I pretend Sergeant Graham isn't standing right on his side. She's strangely attached to him, she's with him constantly.

Bernard nods. He knows me enough to know not to pry.

I close the door behind me and walk towards the main doors, when a voice stops me.

"Hey Arrow." Cam calls as her and Clove walk up. Both of them are wearing their usual uniforms, and Cam has her brown hair up in a ponytail.

"Hi guys, what's up?" I ask.

Before anyone can say anything Vita runs up and grabs Clove.

"Sorry to intrude, but we've got a mission to go on right now!" Vita blurts and Clove goes along with her.

"Bye Camari!" Clove waves as the two girls speed walk off down the corridor.

"Bye!" Cam waves back watches as the disappear around the corner.

"Um so, I have a question, you can say no but, could I come visit Soren with you?" She fiddled with her hands.

I have to think about it first. I don't think Soren would be super upset, but it'd still probably be weird to bring a random girl he doesn't know.

"Yeah, I don't see why not." I shrug. Her expression brightens and together we walk out the main doors and get into my car.

"So," I start, "How are your parents?" It was silent for a moment before she answered.

"I haven't seen 'em in years. Since I was 13, I think. Dads still an alcoholic, and Mom isn't all there. I still pay for most of their expenses." Cam sighs and rubs her eyes.

"Must be hard having to look after the people who were supposed to do that for you." I agree as I face opposite of her, watching traffic pass me as I wait to turn.

"What about your Mom?" Cam asks, drumming her fingers on the window sill.

"Well," I started, but realized I had to rework the story, so I took a moment to think. "I haven't talked to my family since I left the estate when I was 12 ish." The actual story was, my mother sent me for physical training at 9, I got hired by bad people that still haunt me to this day.

Cam looked over at me, slightly concerned, but I blinked and came back to my thoughts.

"You alright?" She asks.

"Yeah.. I'm alright." I blink as I notice my suddenly dry eyes.

"Okay.. did you say your family owned an estate? That's cool!" She looked out the window.

"My mother owns it, my dad left because he didn't care, or so i'm told." I shrug. I never really knew my father.

"You're dads missing out. Sucks for him." She chuckles and I join in on the small bit of laughter.

"Yeah, his loss." I pull a hand through my hair, fixing a few messy strands.

"How's your sister?" Cam questions.

"Not sure, I haven't heard from her in a while." I replied.

"Oh, well i'd love to meet them sometime!" Cam holds her own hand, resting on her lap. We didn't usually talk about our families together, because work is so busy. So it's nice to catch up.

"Maybe someday." I lie. That is if I ever see them again. I parked the car as I finished my sentence.

The large pale building stood before us, as we parked and got out of the car. It had started raining so we ran inside.

[•••]

I knock on Sorens room door.

"Hey Soren.." I say softly into the room, as I inch open the door with Cam behind me. Soren lays in his bed, with a book next to him, but he was staring at the wall before he looked at me.

We walking into the room more.

"This is my work friend, Camari." She flinched slightly. "She wanted to come visit you." I smile genuinely at him. He looks slightly embarrassed.

"Hi Soren." Cam gives a small wave. "It's nice to finally meet you. Arrow speaks highly of you." The two of them chuckle. "I'm glad you're doing better now."

"It's nice to meet you too, Camari." He smiles. "It's nice to see someone other than Arrow for a change." He turns to me and smirks. "No offence, obviously.." I chuckle. At least he's feeling well enough to feel like himself again.

"In that case, I'm glad I came along." She smiled big and beautifully, something she doesn't do often. Still in her work clothes, she looked rather out of place in this eggshell coloured room. We all stand in silence for a moment.

"You guys can sit down." Soren gestures towards the only chair in the room. I nodded for Cam to take the chair. She did with a hesitance. I stood, leaning on the wall next to the chair, as Cam broke the silence.

The two of us talked with Soren until visiting hours were over. It seemed to really cheer him up, and for once I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. He even said he made friends with some other patients. I'm glad he's making the most of it, even though I was the one to put him there. I breathed out a sigh.

Just then my stomach growled. I've barely eaten today. I usually eat lunch but I've just been busy today.

We walk out of the building and get back in the car.

"You wanna stop for something to eat?" Cam asks, adjusting her seatbelt.

"Yeah I forgot to eat. I'll stop and grab something." I admit shyly, shrugging slightly.

"Seriously? 'Kay I'm buying." Cam whipped a hand around the air.

"What happened to sharing the bill?" I ask, watching the road and not looking at Cam, as I run a hand through my red hair.

"I can pay it's fine.." She insisted and I cant help but to give in.

"Alright, if you really want to.."

"Yes!" She yells in victory, and pumps a fist in the air. She's so happy, that it manages to put a smile on my own face.

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