Surface R: Reunion

Part 02.4

::SEAN::

I just called Cody my friend. But why? It's strange. It just seemed like the thing to say at the time. He's sleeping now. beside me on the mattress. And I don't shove him away or even move. I don't understand at all, even watching him sleeps seems to make me relax now.

I decide to think more about it in daylight.

Then I dream again. Vague and blurred, just like the others. But from what I was able to understand, two brothers were being separated. The older of the two screaming his protests even as he was being taken away.

Give him back! He's my baby brother! My brother—

He continued to say other things, too. But it was wordless, I couldn't hear it anymore. Then I woke up and I heard the news regarding Thomas and Nina. And I am not happy. Cody was at first, then when he saw me not being thrilled as he was, he is now confused.

What else was new?

"Sean, can't you at least smile?"

"What do I have to smile about? I'm in the company of lunatics."

Cody tilts his head. "But Nina and Kytes are happy. Trey and Thomas are talking to each other again. They're happy—well, after Corrin forgave them, yeah, they are."

"Good for them," I growled. "As for me, I will never forgive them."

Cody stares at me, perplexed. "I don't understand. Aren't you pleased that the people you care about are happy?"

"I don't care about them. I think that they've let their emotions make what would be a disastrous decision. We still don't know nearly enough about how the atmosphere of the surface could effect us." But I don't sound convicted as much as I'd like.

Cody shook his head. "That's not it," he said. "what's really bothering you, Sean?" He scoots closer to me. I don't order him away. I guess I've come to accept this, even appreciate it. It makes me feel less lonely...

Wait—I'm lonely? "I'm afraid." I admitted. "Before everything was so clear cut. I hated Thomas and I hated the surface and I hated you. But things have changed. You, Thomas, and Nina... Even if I didn't enjoy it or choose it, that's the most contact I've had with people in my life. I didn't think it would come to an end. Now—I don't want it to end."

"What makes you think it will end?"

Cody doesn't laugh or interrupt with stupid questions. Instead, his eyes are sympathetic and he's frowning, like he's trying to understand. It's probably a struggle for him. He does everything so easily impulsively. For a moment, I'm jealous.

"It will have to. I'm going back Underground, remember?"

"You don't have to," Cody looks at me earnestly. "You could stay. We'll look after you, and you'll learn to look after us, and you could help Rhys with the machines, and I bet you'd like it."

I stared at him. I think I finally understand. "The tracker—back at the hotel. This is why you didn't tell anyone. Not because you wanted something from me, but because you wanted me to stay," I concluded.

"Yeah..." Cody looks hesitant.

And I find myself... well, sad. His eyes are so full of hope. "I'm so sorry, Cody." I try to be as gentle as possible but his face falls.