Issue 6: My Agony

Chapter 3: Boiling Tears of Despair

I wake up but don't feel that well. I look out my window and nearly all the gorgeous jacaranda blossoms fell blanketing the street.

I have an ominous feeling of dread. I remember dad saying he was finally going to fight Reaper yesterday, but I also remember how scary the cards Ashley pulled were.

There's a knock at the door and it's McCree and Mercy. They look at the ground and Mercy tells mom, "I regret to inform you your husband died."

Ashley's mouth drops and her shoulders slump and eyes widen, "Shut up! You can't be serious!"

Mom backs away, "Is...this true?"

McCree slowly shakes his head and sighs putting his cowboy hat on his chest. "Yes, it's true. We tried fighting Reaper but he was just too much! We tried everything but just couldn't do anything to hurt him."

I slide in the kitchen on my knees screaming to the ceiling, "Noooooooooo!!! Father why did you have to die! I'll destroy that nasty betch!" I dramatically shake my fists looking at the ceiling.

Me and Ashley hug each other. I go into the yard sitting in our garden, staring at the pool. Stupid Angel, why didn't you sneak onto the Overwatch plane, like a black widow through a crack in the wall. The way the golden light drapes over the trees and pool, I don't deserve their beauty. Bitterness fills my very soul, bitter like bitter melon and nightshade.

Mom comes out and squats down, putting her hand on my shoulder.

I tell her through my sobbing, "It was all my fault! I just know it!"

"No it wasn't. It wasn't even Soldier's. Mistakes happen. I know you've been upset because he wasn't here for you and Ashley's birthday this year and she's been sad he couldn't show up at her cheer meets."

You think I don't know that? Umm hello I find out before even Shauna does. What am I thinking.

Ashley comes out, not blinking, just walking quietly, almost like she's floating. She sits really fast like she's falling. Talon destroys families like fungus and weevils destroy trees.

Ashley sighs then says in a flat tone carrying waves of sadness with it, "I was on Band and Houseparty and one of my friends said Isabella told them her mom taught her how to make a charm. Mia also said it was a void moon in Scorpio, which was seriously good luck for Talon. Mia, Isabella's mom blames Soldier for not heeding her advice. And Chloe thinks she's getting dandruff but I know she isn't using her dry shampoo right."

Her blank stare starts flooding with tears, like a waterfall of despair.

"We need goth makeovers!" Ashley cries out to the sky.

Mom shakes her head and cries with us, resting her hand on both our shoulders. The loose seashell pink sleeve of her cardigan draping behind us.

McCree and Mercy walk out holding hands. "If you need anything we're here for you." Mercy says.

McCree puts his cowboy hat over his chest and says, "Abe was such a great guy." He throws his empty revolver across our yard and throws his hat, falling on his knees, his face in his hands. "Why! Why did you have to take my friend from me!"

Usually people think such acting out is cute and funny, but none of us are laughing today.

Ashley asks me, "Wanna bake a cake?"

I shake my head up and down fast yes so we ask them.

I see my reflection in the French doors, somehow making my pain and sadness even worse.

Mercy helps us bake a cake while McCree calls our cousins. He knew uncle Gabe so it only makes sense.

I can hear from McCree's phone our aunt yelling, "No! Not Reaper again!"