Separated

Chapter XVII

---

Music: Ending from Gradius Gaiden

The first thing the group took care of was freeing any captured natives. Surprisingly, most of the remaining soldiers were willing to help. The soldiers promised the kids that they'll get the natives back to their land as soon as possible. Avery was also able to retrieve a few rolls of wrap, which were applied to Mia's shoulder and Elle's arm to cover up their wounds.

"If anybody asks, these were from a shark attack, okay?" Avery tells everyone as she finishes wrapping up Elle's arm. The rest of the group nods in agreement. Without anybody else noticing, Elle and Mia exchange a quick wink with each other.

"Are you sure people are going to believe that story?" Heath asks.

"Considering we actually did battle a shark, yes," Luke answers.

Sam's jaw drops. "No fucking way! Really!?"

"We have a lot to explain to each other, don't we?" Shanna asks rhetorically, sighing.

With all of that out of the way, the group is now faced with a new issue: What to do next. "Y'know, there's still, like, a day left on the cruise," Sean says. "Maybe we should consider heading back?"

A sly grin forms on Sam's face. "I've got a better idea."

-

Minutes later, the team arrives on the cruise ship (via the hovercraft, of course), but not to stay. They're merely there to gather up all of the belongings they packed up, and then they're going to fly back home from there. Quickly and quietly, the team disperses to their rooms and pack up everything. They meet back up in a hallway, and right before they exit, they hear footsteps and a gasp from behind them.

It's Eghosa and Jack, who are both shocked to see the group. Eghosa's almost ready to scream in excitement, but the team shushes her. "Don't tell anybody we were here! We're not staying!" Avery whispers.

Eghosa and Jack look at each other, and then at the team, confused. "Well, if you're not staying, where are you going?" Jack asks.

"We're gonna surprise a few people back home," Skylar answers, smirking.

-

Ever since the news of their missing children were received, the families of everyone in the group would meet up at a randomly selected house from one of the eight (there's two sets of siblings within the group of ten) at some point in the afternoon and just sit around, hoping that eventually, good news will arise once more.

Right now, all the parents are sitting in Sam's living room, silent. It's been like that almost every day since this routine started. Most siblings are somewhere near their respective parent, with the exception of two. Sam's older sister, Katie, and Avery's older sister, Brielle, are at the front window, gazing outside, waiting for a miracle.

At exactly 7:54 PM, they hear a small whirring. Katie recognizes this noise immediately. She and Brielle's eyes avert to a shiny, metallic aircraft landing in the front yard. It's in its plane mode, so walls cover up anyone that could be riding.

Then the hovercraft exits plane mode, revealing ten bright faces they've been dying to see for the past four days.

It's a joyous reunion. All the families rush outside to reunite with their lost children, and the children happily run up to greet their parents and siblings. Hugs happen all over the place. Tears of joy are shed. Cries of recognition ring out like bells.

And at the end of it all, the group of ten proudly stroll down Sam's neighborhood street in a single file, horizontal line. They stop at the bottom of the street for a second and link arms. Now connected together as one, they take a few more steps forward and take a seat at the very bottom of the street, staring off into the now-setting sun.

A bit cliche and cheesy, but that's exactly how I wanted this scene to go. I wanted the concept of family and friendship to be stressed WAY more in this revision, and this chapter does well in that regard.

Epilogue up next.