Meridian | The Second Life III [COMPLETED]

1 - Dissidet Consilia

~ 2 months after the battle of manhattan ~

- N I C K -

It was oddly sunny today. We'd had a recent cold front, but the sun had pierced it easily.

"I miss him, man," Caden sighs, his hands stuffed deep in his pockets. "He was a national treasure."

"Is it bad that I want to return to that plane?" I ask sadly, our eyes locked straight on the makeshift grave of our late friend JP. I had carved the name into a piece of rubble, building a makeshift headstone. I know it was none of their faults, but it still hurts to think I led him on that fateful voyage.

"No," Zach states, sitting down on a nearby rock. His grave overlooks the burnt Brooklyn and Queens beside the Brooklyn Bridge. It's one of many, all dedicated to the casualties of the Battle of Manhattan. "I wish I could rewind time. Go with you guys, protect him and such."

"Don't blame yourself," I demand of him. "I led him into Brooklyn."

"Don't start," Zach replies quickly. "It's no one's fault. I just wish we had the group together one more time."

"Me too," Caden says. "Any luck with Ronnie?"

"He hasn't answered my broadcasts in two weeks," Zach mutters. "He's either dead, or he and Tori have forgotten us."

I sigh. Ronnie and Tori had left right after the Battle Of Manhattan. They had packed up and hit the road straight away without a care in the world for us. I understood he had demons, but it didn't make their abandonment any easier. "Which do you prefer?" I ask Zach.

"The former, obviously," Zach says, almost insulted I'd even ask that question. "Is your answer different?"

"I don't know anymore," I say honestly, and Caden's eyebrows rise quickly. "I mean, he might as well. They'll never come back."

"Don't say that, damnit!" Caden mutters, his emotions rising. He's really the only one that could convince me to do that.

"Fine," I resolve. It hits me we're all doing this in front of JP's grave. We're letting that get in the way of this. "It's been two months since they've both been gone, guys. Only a two-week gap."

"You wishing for a time machine too?" Zach asks me, trying to lighten the mood a bit. At least it's not snowing now- that brings back memories.

"Yeah," I say, grabbing my gear. "I'll see you guys later."

"You as well," I say, waving bye to Zach and Caden. Noticeably absent from the scene is Catey. She's here frequently, mourning Adam. If it weren't for the arrival of her brother, Rivian, The loss of Tori and Ronnie would've left her with no one to talk to concerning the trauma.

It's incredible how people change over time. Ronnie went from wanting to reunite the group to selfishly leaving for.. wherever he went. Evan's been riding a rollercoaster for most of the apocalypse. JP went from a best friend.. to a memory.

- R I V I A N -

"Take a seat, Rivian," Blake instructs as I close the door to his office. Blake looks as exhausted as ever; his double duty as an elected leader and SPEC member takes a toll on him. "What I'm going to tell you stays in this room."

"Yes, sir," I reply. My leg shakes in the chair; I already know what this is about.

"Catey..." Blake begins. "She's gone offline."

I'm sure he can hear my heart drop like a boulder in my chest. Immediately, flashbacks from when she left three days ago on a scavenging run ring through my head.

~

"Blake's having me go a bit farther," she said while walking with me on a patrol. "No worries, I'll be back soon."

"Should I go?" I asked.

"They need you here," she said. "Don't worry, I can take care of myself."

~

"I can't tell everyone," Blake says as I try my hardest to listen. "It'd cause too much panic. You deserve to know, though."

"I have to find her," I conclude. Blake leans back, clearly disgruntled.

"I've got Eagle searching her last known position as we speak, Rivian," he says, anticipating my next complaint. "Yes, I know. You and Eagle aren't on the same page."

"I'm not risking my sister's life on her," I declare. Not after what Eagle did.

"This is something she is exceedingly good at," Blake explains. "She knows the streets like the back of her hand. She will find her, Rivian."

I sigh. He has a point, just not a good enough one. "How far was she?" I question.

"If I tell you, you'll leave to try and find her," Blake correctly predicts. Damnit. "Rivian, you don't have the training for a solo mission, let alone one of this danger. I'm sorry."

"Bullshit. Blake, please," I plead. "This is my sister. I cannot lose her! I have to do someth-"

"Rivian!" he barks, catching me off guard. "What you can do is stay here. She can't lose you. She needs her little brother. Can you imagine her emotion if you died trying to save her?"

I sit in silence, contemplating. I know enough to pull off a mission like this, especially with these stakes. Everyone here doubts me so much. I stood above my peers highly during SPEC training. Blake, and especially Eagle, turn a blind eye to that.

"I told you out of courtesy," Blake says quietly. "Please. Don't make me regret it."