Downtown Browntown

Chapter 16: The Truth and the End

The car ride home wasn't nearly as anxiety inducing as the ride over. Agent still rode Kmzoe's motorcycle, considering no one else had a license for it. Tardis drove her car, Kmzoe sitting in the passenger seat so no one would accidentally bump her wound. Ray, thankfully, grabbed a window seat in Tardis's car, behind Kmzoe, so that if the other two seats were to be occupied by fighting, Ray could just roll down his window to drown them out.

Luckily Agent and Gh0st made sure that the rowdiest of the bunch were in the other car, for Kmzoe and Ray's sake. Gh0st also made sure she sat closest to Ray, even if she was stuck in the middle seat. Misaka occupied the remaining seat (much to Darezzi's dismay but no one wanted a repeat of Ray getting sick from his licks).

After about 30 minutes, the car had gotten really quiet. Tardis kept checking the other car to make sure no one was trying to kill each other but they seemed to be behaving themselves at the moment.

Ray suddenly broke the silence. 

"Who is Victor?" 

The sudden question caught the whole car by surprise. Kmzoe turned to face him, confusion written across her face.

"You looked at me while we were running and called me 'Victor'. Who is he?"

Kmzoe took a moment to breathe, knowing she would appreciate it later.

"He...well, uh, he was my best friend..."

"Was?" Gh0st asked.

"He, um, he died a few years ago. The night before his sixteenth birthday, natural causes." Kmzoe looked down at the floor, trying to catch her breath again.

"We...he was my only friend through middle school. Once we hit high school, I starting hanging with other people, and we never really talked much after... I just....I never got to tell him how much he meant to me....I regret it every day of my life." A tear rolled down her cheek.

Ray and Gh0st simultaneously grabbed a shoulder and mumbled reassurances. Tardis just scolded Misaka for her comment about being a shitty friend.

"It's ok, guys. Really, I'm fine now....It won't bother me so much anymore," Kmzoe gave each of them a small smile, except for Misaka, who she smirked at.

Misaka just looked out her window, trying not to think about what she had in store.

"That sucks." Came in over the car's Bluetooth.

"Holy shit, Notray! Can't you warn me when the Bluetooth is on?" Tardis shouted. 

"Hey, you're the one driving," he retorted.

"Guys, stop fighting, we are almost home anyway. Kill each other after we get back!" Agent scolded from the motorcycle. 

Kmzoe just snickered to herself, glad that things were still pretty normal. Ray seemed to be used to the others constant bickering by now.

The small caravan arrived around 5 in the afternoon in Browntown. The Scooter Patrol rushed them when CaptainSplooie spotted Ray through the poorly tinted windows. The Mods had done a good job cleaning up the utter chaos that had been pouring through the street, but now that Ray was back, the whole city was on the fast track to being better than it was originally.

Kmzoe was sorta trapped in her own apartment for over a week, unable to walk very far without losing her breath. The entire group, those who hadn't gone on the adventure, even Mods came to visit after the story had aired on the news. She didn't want it to, but Kmzoe didn't really have a choice to argue, using her injuries to escape an interview.

Ray came by daily, despite Kmzoe's constant reminders that she wasn't dying and he really didn't need to. His only reply was that it was the least he could do. She never minded, being on your own with an injury just sucks in general. Her only complaint, though, was that strapless tops were now out of the question.

The first day back to work, Kmzoe was surprised to find the CEO had fled, along with most of the company, leaving her to take over the company (with some help from Ray's personal recommendation).

Their first game night after Kmzoe was released from her apartment was probably the greatest night of her life. Everyone was in high spirits, finally able to celebrate the victory of saving Ray with their friend present. Ray even made an appearance, owning everyone when they played Titan fall, Halo, and someone's mistake of an idea of playing CoD.

The usual bickering was actually minimal, consisting of accused cheating and who got the last slices of pizza. Kmzoe must have laughed 90% of the night, happy to be out of her apartment, happy to be with her friends, happy to still be here. Victor's memory came back into her mind and she smiled to herself.

"I promise."