Short Stories

OFFtale (Crossover)

The Batter is curious as to why he still has this child trailing him and why he hasn't purified them yet. He keeps walking though, even though her calming presence is a bit odd. He comes to the last person that he wanted to purify, but his sacred mission has frozen his heart and he has not a care in the world except total annihilation anymore. He stands firm, bloodied bat in hand, in front of his wife, with the child cowering behind him. He raises his bat and swings, a hit. She falls over, blood dripping from her lip. She stands back up and punches him in the face as hard as she can. He sees, out of the corner of his eye, the child cowering in fear about ten feet away from the battle. The batter breathes in and takes another swing. Hit. The child runs over to him and stands between him and his bloodied wife, now on the ground. They are crying, making him feel... Something... Compassion? Empathy? The child motions for him to bend down so she can whisper something in his ear. He nods and does as they ask. He then looks confused, then sad, then nods again. The child moves out of the way as he walks toward his wife, Vader. He is surprised he even remembers her name. She covers her face in fear, shivering and battered, then she sees him reaching his hand out to her. She is surprised and reluctant, but takes it, staring into his eyes as she does. As he picks her up, he takes off his hat to be able to see her fully. He smiles, a genuine smile, not out of malice or hurtful intent, a real, genuine smile. She smiles back, and he pulls her into a hug. He sees the child behind her and mouths "thank you" with happy tears filling his eyes. The child returns by nodding and making a heart shape with her hands. He closes his eyes, and when he opens them, the child is gone. It doesn't matter where they went, he thinks, still embracing his wife, as long as I still have her.