After War Storm

Cal

The next morning was the same as the night. I lay with Mare, holding her hand, speaking to her. Julien brought me some food whilst Sara worked on getting nutrients into Mare.

It was heartbreaking, watching her lie there, unmoving.

I was desperate for her to move, to speak, to do anything.

But she didn't.

I didn't think that I'd ever cried as much as I had in the past 24 or so hours.

I still hadn't brought myself to be able to see Ti's body.

I wasn't sure I'd ever be ready to see him but I knew I would have to soon.

I was dying inside.

I had no idea what to do anymore.

I'd lost my son and the one person I loved more than anything was lying in front of me, non-responsive, looking like she was dead.

Mare, I need you back.

-~-

Later that day, I was forced to leave Mare's side. I had promised Felicity we'd train today and that I'd bring Luther to talk to her.

Sara was staying with Mare whilst I went to the training session. Though Felicity couldn't save Ti, I couldn't go back on my word to help her. Not helping her now would be purely selfish and unreasonable, especially since I knew how much she was struggling and needed to be able to control her ability.

I made my way to Luther's room, where he lives with his family.

"Oh, hello, Cal," Luther's father opened the door after I knocked, greeting me with a smile.
"Hi, Bill," (Don't know his name so Bill it is 😂) I smiled in return though it clearly showed I was feeling awful at the moment. "Is Luther here?" I asked.
"Yes, he's at the table," Bill said, stepping to the side to allow me to walk in.

I stepped into the room, Bill shutting the door behind me. Luther was sat at the table in the room, a book in his hands.

"Hi, Luther," I said, smiling to him as his head shipped up as I spoke.
"Cal!" He exclaimed, running to hug me.

"How are you doing?" I asked as he stepped back.
"I'm great! I was just reading a new book I got," Luther told me.
"Oh, sounds nice. What book?" I asked as Luther led me over to the table.

He held up the book to show me and I was very surprised to see it was a book on war strategy, but a very simplified version.

"What are you doing reading books like that?" I asked him as we both sat down.
"It's interesting," he answered simply like that was enough explanation for why a 12 year old was reading a book on war strategy.

"And I want to be a general someday, like you," he continued and I couldn't help but smile at that.
"Well, I can help you with that," I said "but maybe not for a few more years."
"Fine," Luther sighed "but I'm really not that young."

"Anyway," I said, changing the subject "I met a little girl recently, who has a similar ability to yours, and she would like to ask you a few questions if you'd be okay with that?"
"Sure," Luther agreed "Now?"
"If you don't have any other plans then, yes, now would be great," I smiled, then looked to Bill.

"No, we have no other plans," he told me.
"Great, shall we go then, Luther?" I asked and he nodded, standing up from the table followed by me.

We walked towards the door which I opened before turning to Bill. "Thanks, Bill," I said "we shouldn't be long."
"No need to rush," he answered "See you later, Luther."
"Bye, Dad!" Luther called, already out the door.