Coming Home

The problem with perfect situational awareness at all times, was that it dialled up your awareness of how empty a building can be.. makes you more aware of the things that are missing. This thought played on repeat as Safia made her way around the empty beach house.. well, it wasn’t empty really.. she lived there with her daughter but.. without him.

Cursing she snatched up her crumpled pack of cigarettes, quickly checking SJ was asleep in her basket, and headed outside to the deck.

The salty air came down on her like a physical presence that was calming but also heart breaking as it was a sensation she has sworn to share.. now, looking up at the darkening sky.. it was just a reminder of what she didnt have any more.

The iron in her wanted her to snap out of it, cursed her for her weakness.. he was a hero.. a strong type.. this is what happens, this was always a possibility. And he died a hero.. its ..

Tears streaked her cheeks as she clicked her lighter over and over.. try as she might, she couldnt get a spark or a flame.. and that was what did it, that was what tipped her over that night. With a furious scream she smashed the lighter over the deck railing over and over, far past the point it was broken, past the point it was shattered.. she smashed it down until the fractured bits of plastic were driven into her skin and were drawing blood.. only when the first drops of blood left a pattern of drops on the decks.. did she stop. Taking a long calming breath

As she regained her centre she became aware of the small box of matches by the Bbq, with exaggerated care she got her cigarette lit and drew deeply on it. It really wasnt the healthiest education but every graduate of Azazel knew the power of a cigarette when it came to needing a prop to gather your thoughts

Safia worked her way down the 97.5mm of her cigarette, staring accusingly at the stars over head.. cursing the greed of the endless cosmos to have so many stars but she had to give up hers.. that their daughter would never get to know the man who gave her life, never experience what it would be like to stand in the aura of life and courage he gave off. That musing brought a rictus of grief to her impassive features, even now and even alone she would only show contempt to the world that did this to her.. but this cigarette was burned out and so the conversation was over.

Back inside the beach house she went over to watch SJ sleep, and she was.. as always, absolutely perfect. The soft aura of light she gave off bringing a warm hue to the room. Smiling, Safia began to hum a tune that was both a source of wonderful memories but also so much pain.. but she loved it so she hummed to her as she slept

The music caused the lights around SJ to flicker and swirl, small sparks of light popping into existence before gentling dissipating into fairy fine glitters. Safia finished the final bars before wiping her eyes and speaking the final word

“bangarang”

For a another hour or so she watched her sleep, nestled to the small teddy bear that Stephanie Grey made with the section of Sebs Coat he had left behind.. she was perfect.. and he wasnt here..

Sometime in the early hours of the morning she rose, maybe 2am, and started towards her bedroom .. might as well get the inevitable nightmare over wi…. What was that?

Her senses told her someone was approaching the house.. In a flash Safia vanished and the hard , unyielding eyes of Omniscience took over and drew a pair of pistols from a concealed drawer. Timing it just right she booted the door near off its hinges, causing it to smash into the new visitor. The heavy door splintered to pieces on her assailant, that was good.. in a smooth roll she came up and pointed the guns straight into the face of.. face of… fa..

“I… Saf.. i don’t know what’s happening”

Safia took over, sending Omniscience to the bench

“Who.. who are you.. what sick fucking joke is this.. are you some forge born mimic?”

Sebs eyes looked back at her, and they were so lost.. so scared.. so.. happy to see her. Slowly he pressed his head against the gun

“If i was a mimic, pulling that trigger would be a problem for me. So.. go ahead”

Safias fingers curl around the trigger but her hand is shaking.. she knows those eyes, knows that face.. she knows his soul.. but she doesn’t know what to do next.. so she was as surprised anyone to find herself crying.. her hands hammering on his chest

“You.. you left us.. and.. i know you had to.. but.. died.. you died?”

Hands that could turn coal to diamonds gently take her arms and turn it into a hug.. and then she falls into them.. and theres no jokes, no laughter.. no silly comment.. just Seb, the seb only she ever got to see.. Seb without his armour.. and she cried..

An unknowable time later she stepped back to look at him

“How?”

Seb gave a shaky grin before replying “I genuinely dont know how.. something Charlie and Andre did.. with Azazel or somethi…” he trails off

A childs cry has filled the air.. and it was music, music woven into language.. music made into a childs voice.. it was light, it was crystal clear and bubbled and sparked like champagne.. the lights in sebs eyes pulsed once and he looked at the house with joy

“Lets go see her, she has been singing her half of your song her whole life “