Better Eight Than Never

Chapter 40: Oh shit the recap one

The car ride to Coral Riff apartments felt incomparably short. One moment the car had been packed, Jill and Simon had clamored into the car, Toda was back to normal, phone calls were being made to parents, and in general it was a total bustle. But then Hachi closed her eyes for just a moment, and when she opened them again It was near silent. Jill and Simon were gone, and the car had just pulled to a stop. Another moment and they were at the apartment's door, and she was supporting herself against Bato's shoulder.

"They... would've taken things from you, right?" Tanya's voice faded in. "What did you have to leave behind? Wallet? Keys? Phone?"

"Yeah, all of those." Bato replied.

"Well, phones and wallets and such can be replaced... them having your keys might be a problem, though..." She murmured as she unlocked the door and stepped inside. "We're back!"

There was the sound of three pairs of feet standing and moving towards the entryway all at once, and Leah, Scott and Anita all came into view, running forward to embrace their children, and Hachi found herself pushed to the side in the rush.

"Oh thank Judd!"

"We thought you might be..."

"Where have you been!?"

She leaned against the wall and watched, a frown forming on her face. This... this was a normal squidling reaction to hearing someone wasn't dead... It wasn't just 'hey, welcome back'. Or 'nice!' It was... she wasn't sure what to think, she just felt alone again... and still dizzy. Ink loss sure was something.

"What on earth happened!?" Leah demanded, examining the nick in Bato's ear with concern. "Where have you both been?"

"I-it's a long story, Mom." Bato said, as he wiped his eyes.

"Right, the sooner we get a full explanation, the better." Tanya said as she glanced at Hachi. "Do you need anything before we begin?"

She paused. "... Pain pills? And... water... and... a chair?"

"We can do that." She nodded gently.

"... Hachi?" Leah asked after a moment. "Is... that you?"

"Last I checked." She huffed.

She blinked, and looked like she was about to ask something else, when Tanya stopped her. "Leah, let's all sit down first, alright? It's been a long day for these kids."

Leah paused, then nodded a bit and lead the way to the living room, holding Bato's hand as if she were to let go she'd lose him again. Hachi felt herself wishing someone would hold her hand like that as she stumbled after them, hanging back as she tried to figure out where to sit. Toda and his parents were busy taking the couch, Antia with her arms still wrapped around her son, and Bato and Leah were busy pulling in chairs from the dining room... That left the soft armchair. She paused a moment more before hobbling over, sinking gratefully into the cushions.

A moment later and Tanya came over to her, handing her a glass and three small red pills. "Take your time... I can fetch you one more pill if that's not enough."

She nodded gently and took the medication and water, then looked around at the dozen eyes watching her. "... W... Where should I start?"

"From the beginning." Bato said. "I'll help fill in."

She took a deep breath. "... Okay, so... I'm... I'm Hachi. Though um... Until... today? Actually I was... Olympiah Windsley. I was... a surface reconnaissance agent of mid level classification for... the... the octarian military." When the parents just stared uncomprehendingly, she pulled the beanie off her head, cringing as she moved her tentacle stubs.