Spy Racers: Arctic

Chapter 11: Drowning In Memories

December 19, 2021
Location: Arctic's Main Research Base
Tony's POV

Tony stared at the wall in front of him as he tried to process where he was. He and Layla survived and were now in the main base that they were so desperately searching for. He didn't know when he passed out from blood lost, but he was weak and cold.

Layla had been bringing him several blankets but that wasn't helping somehow. He had half a thought that it had something to do with the dream he had with his parents. That probably was the cause of why he was so cold.

The dream felt so real. He wanted to go back to that dream. He wanted to be with his parents again. Wanted to feel their warmth. Suddenly, Tony had that thought that he wished he had died. It wasn't a good thought, and he knew that. But if he had the ability to go see his parents again, he would've taken it.

"Anthony!" Layla's voice broke Tony out of his thoughts. He blinked and looked down. Layla had apparently put another blanket on him to try and keep him warm. Tony looked up to find a panicked look on Layla's face as she held his hand.

"Sorry... were you saying something?" Tony asked, his mind hazy.

"I was asking if that helped any." Layla softly said as she touched Tony's cheek. Another look of fear covered her face before she had a determined look.

"I'm good, Layla. There's no need to-" Before Tony finished, Layla got in bed with him. He stared at her surprised as she snuggled up against him. "Layla, what on earth are you doing?" He asked, his voice cracking while he talked.

"Trying to keep you warm." Layla said as she snuggled against him more. Tony sighed in defeat, because he knew better than to argue with her.

"How is your leg doing?" He asked, deciding to go with that instead of letting the awkward silence enter the room.

"It's better. The doctors said that it was going to heal well thanks to your quick thinking of taking out the bullet."

"That's good..." Tony trailed off as he stared at the ceiling, wondering what his life would be like if his parents lived the day they were murdered.

"Is something wrong?" Layla asked as she nudged him. "You're staring into space."

Tony tried to offer her a smile. "I'm fine, Layla. I'm just thinking about some things."

Layla gave him a sad look. "You're thinking about your parents, aren't you?"

Tony stared at her, a little shocked. He didn't remember telling her about his parents, but he must of. Otherwise, she wouldn't have known that something happened to them. "Yes... I am thinking about them... Sorry..."

"No need to apologize. You were... talking in your sleep a little before you woke up. Do you... remember what happened?" Layla asked, carefully measuring out her words.

Tony stared at her while lost in thought. He vaguely remembered chasing after his parents, trying to get them to stay with him. Or for him to go with them. "I was... trying to get Mom and Dad to stay with me. Or... I was trying to go with them."

As so as those words came tumbling out of Tony's mouth, he knew that Layla was giving him a worried look. He glanced at her and noticed that she was giving him a look. "Please don't say that..."

"I know... I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. You miss them, but..." Layla paused before she grabbed Tony's hand and squeezed it. "I need you to stay with me. I can't imagine my life without you in it..."

Tony bit his tongue as his face started heating up. He felt good enough to be flustered. Never had he thought that he would ever hear those types of words out of Layla's mouth. "Thanks..." He looked away, embarrassed as he tried to get his mind off the many thoughts going through his brain.