Forces Beyond The Grave

Chapter Two

"You're here, I can't believe- how is this possible?!" 

Skye sobbed hysterically into Lennox's shoulder as she embraced her friend in the tightest hug she could muster. Jay's eyes never waivered from Lennox's and were widened in shock. Looks like I can avoid the black eyes after all, he thought.

"Hi Skye." Lennox said in a civil but dreary tone. 

She was reluctant to reciprocate Skye's embrace, as if she were doing it out of obligation, and was hoping it would be over sooner rather than later. Generally speaking, Lennox had always found it difficult to express herself emotionally, which was understandable after everything she'd been through, but the way she was acting now seemed downright empty. She usually knew how to deal with Skye's overly emotional responses, but she was completely unphased by the girl crying uncontrollably on her shoulder. 

"What is happening right now?" Caleb stared at Jay as Patrick regained his bearings. 

After managing to stand on his own two feet, he slowly stepped towards Lennox. Caleb pried Skye away, holding her closely against his chest as she continued crying, now using his sweater as a tissue for her tears. 

"Is...is it really you?" Patrick asked quietly. 

She looked worried, and she was. He was a grown man in the emotional state of a child who hadn't quite learned how to regulate himself yet. Other than judgement, she had no emotional reaction to seeing her father for the first time in two years. As for Patrick, the doctor in him noticed the black veins and blotches before anything else, but as a father he ignored them to make room for his overwhelming emotions.