Steel Ethereal

Ch. 41 After

Rob

"You really surprised us all once again," Riley says as he pulls me aside.

The others remain silent as their armors fall from their bodies. They place the compact plates back into their proper cases underneath Apex HQ.

"I've been doing that a lot lately," I say. My eyes are ready to shut. The loss of Charlie is still fresh, but I feel a gleam of hope at the discovery of my blood sister.

Riley reads my mind and speaks, "I'm really sorry about Charlie. I truly was upset about losing her..."

"I know Riley. Your actions tell me that and I really appreciate it."

"She'll be buried soon then."

"I don't know. I don't even know what's happened to her body." I say feeling my tears well up.

"Hey, I'll take care of that. No harm will come to her body, I promise."

I nod, feeling slightly better. Still, I wish I could sit with her alone. I wanted to talk with her alone one more time even if she'd never hear me again... but I know that's not possible. She's being prepared for a burial. I wouldn't be able to keep myself together at the sight of her... With her pretty brown eyes closed.

For now, all I can do is go home and rest.

All Apex activities and work are cancelled. Riley suggests we all get some rest. We've lost quite a few of our own as well as five who died from the battle earlier that day. Two dead from the initial assault, and three more when the reinforcements came to the fort after Riley's mind was claimed. I never met them, but I was sure they were brave individuals.

I depart. Luciana hugs me tightly, glad I'm ok. Sam gives me a sideways hug and a small smile before they both split ways.

Liam nods to me, giving me a two-finger salute. He looks about ready to drop. He has something else on his mind, but I don't have the energy to ask.

Jenna hugs me warmly as well. I can sense her energy from a mile away. It shows pride and gratefulness. She looks me over and tells me I truly have grown.

Riley is the last to say goodbye. He claps both of my arms and looks me in the eyes.

"I knew everything would be great with you. Keep surprising me, ok?"

I smile weakly.

My sister is escorted by Luciana and two of the remaining Apex members to a secure facility located next to the training hall underground. Not a prison, but a facility where she could be kept safely from the outside. She'd be granted clothes, a warm bed, warm lighting, and entertainment. Books and art supplies for starters. There'd be more If she requested.

Luciana

It was done so quietly, so as not to arouse suspicion or to prevent another riot. My nameless sister was changed into a hoodie and jeans. She dressed slowly as if not having worn any other sort of clothes before. Maybe it was because she was still in shock from having not died.

The wound on my side wasn't severe. It could be patched up and missed any major organs. I'd live. Sam helped wrap a bandage around my side. Liam wanted to dote on me, but I just pushed him away by his face, thanking him anyways.

Rob's nameless sister sat in the warm, furnished room we left her in. I was told she didn't sleep for seventeen hours. She slept like someone who had never had the freedom to rest before.

Rob

The day of Charlie and Janeiro's funeral is bright and sunny. It's an ordinary day, unlike the stereotypical gloomy day one would associate with a funeral. It feels wrong, but still makes me feel better. Maybe things would be different from now on. They would, I know. Life would go on. I wouldn't be miserable forever...