"Soul's Bonds", Chapter 12
We finally get to hear from Bridgey again. :)
I may also have a surprise later. Depends on if I get inspired enough.
Chapter 12 (Bridge)
I could tell that Sky had been in a fight when he came back to my room, because he was wet with rain and sweat; however, he looked pleased with himself.
"We contained one of the assassins," he said, returning to his usual chair. "It was a pretty tough fight, but at least we know they can be beaten now, especially if we're all morphed. And Syd absorbed the metal he's made out of, so hopefully we'll have some answers about them soon." I tried to smile at him as we held hands.
"Good," I croaked, feeling a little jealous and sad that I hadn't been there to fight alongside them. "Maybe... I help... you guys... soon." Besides my sadness at not being able to join my comrades in battle, it was insanely frustrating to me to not be able to talk very well. I was known as a rambler, and I liked being able to make my opinions and thoughts be heard, even if I went about it in a roundabout way. But now, even breathing was painful at times, and speaking strained my still-healing throat. I knew that after having my throat cut I was lucky to even be alive, much less not be completely mute, but not being able to talk or fight meant nothing more to me than still being incapacitated... and was a reminder of what a burden I was being to my friends. They were here all day and all night to protect me, putting themselves at great personal risk in case of an attack. Meanwhile, I just lay here, getting more and more depressed by the day, and dreading the infrequent but horrible panic attacks I'd been suffering since the rescue (which I hadn't told Sky about, knowing it would only make him feel even more guilty about what had happened). I kept wondering over and over, too, if I had been meant to die, after having not one, but two very vivid visions of it happening- because my powers were almost never wrong. Sky must have noticed my face fall, because he asked me gently,
"What's wrong?"
"N'thin'," I said, rubbing my neck.
"I keep telling you, don't talk if it hurts," he said. "And I know what else you're thinking. We've had this discussion over and over, buddy- what happened to you wasn't your fault, you're not being a burden on anybody, and you were meant to live. No arguments, OK? I don't know why you keep thinking like that." I nodded, but didn't feel any better and found that I didn't want to look at Sky. He halfway rose, hesitated, then came and stood over me. "Alright, then. If this doesn't cheer you up, I don't know what will." He leaned in and kissed me, surprising me so much I couldn't kiss back. I stared at him, my eyes wide, as he pulled back and sat back down, scowling, his face as red as his uniform. "I wasn't planning on doing that for a while, but you've been so down, I couldn't help but try." I smiled, my mood lifting higher that it had been for a while.
"Thanks." Sky muttered something unintelligible, picked up a book, and buried his nose in it. I turned away again, looking out the window and feeling hopeful now instead of depressed. I didn't want to tell Sky, and probably never would, but I'd been hoping for that kiss for a long time. I'd had a crush on him for quite a while, but I was deathly afraid to tell him for almost as long, so I'd kept it hidden deep inside and tried to just get over it. I never even thought he could like me in return; Sky had always struck me as very straight and perhaps even a little homophobic, not to mention the fact that I often drove him (and everybody else) nuts enough without him knowing I thought he was cute. I'd also known and accepted the fact that I was gay from a very young age (though had never told anybody, not even my mama), but Sky was still getting used to the idea of being in love with another guy, especially because it was so unexpected. I knew if I hadn't been kidnapped and held for so long, chances are he never would have brought his feelings to the surface and things between us would have turned out very differently. I laughed inside my head, thinking how funny it was that sometimes good things really did come from bad ones.
"I still can't quite understand how this happened," Sky said after a while, peering at me over the top of his book. I cocked my head at him. "This. You. Me. In love. I don't get it. I mean... I'm not gay. Or I never thought I was. I didn't even know I was anywhere near bisexual until you made me realize it. I never knew you were, either." I shrugged, unsure of what to tell him. I knew I probably shouldn't have feared my friends knowing I was queer, even less so now that Sky- the most likely to be homophobic out of our whole group- was going out with me, but I still did. "Sorry. I know you can't talk in much detail yet. I'm not really angry, I'm just confused." I nodded. I could sympathize with him completely, and at least he wouldn't have to endure much of what I had. When I was younger, the suspicion of the neighborhood kids that I was gay got me bullied nearly as often as being a "freak" did. I pulled off one of my gloves, and Sky held my hand again as I tried to show sympathy and understanding to him, along with a little bit of love. "Thanks. Once you're able to talk better, we'll need to have a serious conversation about this. Don't be nervous," he added, feeling my own emotions though my hand. "I just... have a lot of questions."
"Sure." He let go and picked up his book up once again, and I slipped my glove back on. As I closed my eyes to take a nap, sleepy after the day's excitement (and half hoping I'd have some nice dreams after that kiss), I was still feeling a little nervous despite his reassurance, but overall very peaceful and optimistic. I knew Sky and I could work things out, and soon, I would be able to join my friends in battle again and take some revenge on the monster that had put me in the hospital in the first place. When I'd fallen asleep, I had an unsettling dream- or was it a vision of some sort?
Blackness, complete and total blackness, except for a massive, wrought-iron gate before me. I knew what this gate was... I was back at the place between life and death. I'd visited here when I'd nearly died; every time my heart had stopped, I'd been taken back. The other souls would then seize me, try to drag me in, and every time I was revived I'd get thrown back out to resume the awful experience of watching my own dying body being operated on. But what was I doing here now? I was recovering... I was getting better... there was no reason for me to be here. Was my gut feeling true- was I not meant to live? As I placed my bare hands on the gate, grimacing as I once again felt the presence of the countless souls within, a figure started to materialize in the blackness. I could not make out any of its features, except for the fact that it was tall and appeared to have a long snout.
"Soon," said a voice, booming and rather mechanical. "Soon we will have what we need, and you will be broken. Soon, we will rule you... and Space Patrol Delta. Open your mind to me, Bridge Carson... allow me to have your soul... let me see your memories..."
"Hey, guys," I heard Sky saying quietly as I began to wake. "Sorry you came at a bad time again. He's been out like a light for over an hour."
"We'll go soon, then," whispered a familiar voice- Jack. "We just wanted to pop in and see how he's doing. You look a little nervous, Sky, something happen?"
"Uh-huh," said Sky. "We managed to contain one of the assassins this afternoon, so now we're afraid the rest are going to come after him in retaliation."
"You'd think even they'd be above attacking a hospital," said another voice- Piggy- with a hint of disgust.
"You'd think," agreed Sky. "But these guys are vicious- hey there, Bridge," he said to me brightly as I opened my eyes. "You have some guests; feel up to entertaining them?" I nodded, but couldn't help but feel a little bit annoyed. I wanted to reflect on the vision, and now it had to wait.
" 'ey," I croaked to Jack and Piggy, raising a hand in greeting. Jack came over to my bed, grinning.
"Nice to see you awake for once, big guy," he said, patting me on the shoulder. "Usually we manage to catch you when you're asleep or so out of it you don't realize we're here. And Sky keeps finding excuses to kick us out before you wake up," he added, giving Sky a sidelong glance.
"I'm not kicking anybody out," he replied fiercely. "I'm just making sure his recovery is going alright, and part of that means not having people coming in and out, disturbing him at all odd hours of the day and night. He needs his rest." I frowned, curious about his sudden turnaround in behavior, and took a glove off in order to read everybody's auras. Sky was becoming closed off and defensive, but Jack and Piggy were, oddly enough, feeling mischeivous.
"That's awfully considerate of you," said Piggy, who was eyeing the remains of Sky's lunch. "I didn't know you cared so much."
"Oh, come on, that's a little uncalled for," said Sky. "He's my friend. I'm concerned about his welfare, that's all."
"He's our friend, too," Jack pointed out. "We'd like to spend some time with him, especially because you oh-so-thoughtfully forgot to call me the night he almost died, and I'm sure he wants to see us too, but you keep making up stupid reasons to shoo us away. He's been recovering nicely, it's not like he's still in the ICU or we're stressing him out by being here or anything. Why are you being so overprotective of him?"
"Am I not allowed to care anymore?" Sky asked, his lip curling in a scowl. "Oh, that's right, I'm the cold and unfeeling asshole of the group. I forgot. Why are you picking a fight with me, Jack? And why are you still sore about me not calling you? I kinda had other things on my mind that night, you know, like-"
"Cut it out," I interrupted. "No fights. Anybody." Sky turned and walked out of the room as his face began to turn red, muttering something about needing to go out and take the air.
"Man, what's the matter with him?" Jack asked, watching him go.
"Tough time. For... all of us, but Sky... especially. He feels... responsible... for what happened... to me," I explained.
"Yeah, but even so, he's acting like even more of a tightass than usual," said Jack. "Do YOU have any idea what's wrong with him? Z and Syd are starting to think he's got a crush on you or something, because of all the time he's spending here and the way he always wants to be alone with you... oh, jeez, we're getting the puss, Piggy! I think we've hit paydirt."
"Oh, now THAT'S an awfully sour face," chuckled Piggy.
"It's none... your business," I said, but I could feel myself blushing and hid my face in my hands, wishing I could disappear right about then.
"Aww, you're blushing, too. So it's mutual, then?" said Jack, and he and Piggy gave each other discreet high-fives.
"Alright, I... admit. We're kinda... together, I guess. But. Please... don't tell... I said so. He's very... nervous. Doesn't want... everybody... to know. Why d'you care?"
"Everyone else was really curious. That's honestly the only reason," said Jack. "The girls asked me to try and get Sky to confess something, because nobody can get him worked up like I can. See, they were wondering, again, why he was suddenly eager to spend so much time alone with you- they told me that when you were first brought here, he was constantly complaining about having to do guard shifts, but now all of his free time is spent here, and he's volunteering to take over for the others, too. And admit it, it's pretty out-of-character for him to be so overprotective of ANYBODY, especially you, because- sorry, buddy- but the truth is you get on his nerves a LOT." I grinned guiltily.
"I know. I get... on everyone's. I guess since... I can't talk... easier for him... t'like me."
"Well, that doesn't matter anyway, the mystery is now solved," said Jack. "Don't worry about it getting out, your secret's safe with us, even from the girls. They can wait for you and Sky to tell everyone, though they all have guessed the truth by now, I'm sure. I know this is something you'd probably rather tell them yourselves."
"Thanks, Jack. So... nobody minds?"
"Heavens, no. The girls think it's a cute idea," said Piggy, making a little gagging noise. "Something about it being so romantic that he wants to protect you." I laughed along with them, feeling as though a great burden had suddenly been lifted from my shoulders. For years, I had carefully hidden who I was from my friends, afraid that they'd reject me or think of me differently because I was gay, but still wishing I'd had the courage to be honest about it. Now, I knew I needn't have worried... and perhaps knowing the others were okay with it would make Sky more comfortable with the idea of us. Sky came back in about 10 minutes later, apologizing to Jack and Piggy, who merely winked broadly at me.
"I'm sorry to you, too," he told me after they'd said their goodbyes and left. "I know I've been keeping everybody away a lot over the past few weeks... I guess I didn't realize how much, or how rude I was being. I'm sure you've wanted to see everyone and didn't want me shooing them away."
"S'ok. I like... spending time... with you."
"I'm glad," he said quietly. "I'm really starting to like it, too."
I may also have a surprise later. Depends on if I get inspired enough.
Chapter 12 (Bridge)
I could tell that Sky had been in a fight when he came back to my room, because he was wet with rain and sweat; however, he looked pleased with himself.
"We contained one of the assassins," he said, returning to his usual chair. "It was a pretty tough fight, but at least we know they can be beaten now, especially if we're all morphed. And Syd absorbed the metal he's made out of, so hopefully we'll have some answers about them soon." I tried to smile at him as we held hands.
"Good," I croaked, feeling a little jealous and sad that I hadn't been there to fight alongside them. "Maybe... I help... you guys... soon." Besides my sadness at not being able to join my comrades in battle, it was insanely frustrating to me to not be able to talk very well. I was known as a rambler, and I liked being able to make my opinions and thoughts be heard, even if I went about it in a roundabout way. But now, even breathing was painful at times, and speaking strained my still-healing throat. I knew that after having my throat cut I was lucky to even be alive, much less not be completely mute, but not being able to talk or fight meant nothing more to me than still being incapacitated... and was a reminder of what a burden I was being to my friends. They were here all day and all night to protect me, putting themselves at great personal risk in case of an attack. Meanwhile, I just lay here, getting more and more depressed by the day, and dreading the infrequent but horrible panic attacks I'd been suffering since the rescue (which I hadn't told Sky about, knowing it would only make him feel even more guilty about what had happened). I kept wondering over and over, too, if I had been meant to die, after having not one, but two very vivid visions of it happening- because my powers were almost never wrong. Sky must have noticed my face fall, because he asked me gently,
"What's wrong?"
"N'thin'," I said, rubbing my neck.
"I keep telling you, don't talk if it hurts," he said. "And I know what else you're thinking. We've had this discussion over and over, buddy- what happened to you wasn't your fault, you're not being a burden on anybody, and you were meant to live. No arguments, OK? I don't know why you keep thinking like that." I nodded, but didn't feel any better and found that I didn't want to look at Sky. He halfway rose, hesitated, then came and stood over me. "Alright, then. If this doesn't cheer you up, I don't know what will." He leaned in and kissed me, surprising me so much I couldn't kiss back. I stared at him, my eyes wide, as he pulled back and sat back down, scowling, his face as red as his uniform. "I wasn't planning on doing that for a while, but you've been so down, I couldn't help but try." I smiled, my mood lifting higher that it had been for a while.
"Thanks." Sky muttered something unintelligible, picked up a book, and buried his nose in it. I turned away again, looking out the window and feeling hopeful now instead of depressed. I didn't want to tell Sky, and probably never would, but I'd been hoping for that kiss for a long time. I'd had a crush on him for quite a while, but I was deathly afraid to tell him for almost as long, so I'd kept it hidden deep inside and tried to just get over it. I never even thought he could like me in return; Sky had always struck me as very straight and perhaps even a little homophobic, not to mention the fact that I often drove him (and everybody else) nuts enough without him knowing I thought he was cute. I'd also known and accepted the fact that I was gay from a very young age (though had never told anybody, not even my mama), but Sky was still getting used to the idea of being in love with another guy, especially because it was so unexpected. I knew if I hadn't been kidnapped and held for so long, chances are he never would have brought his feelings to the surface and things between us would have turned out very differently. I laughed inside my head, thinking how funny it was that sometimes good things really did come from bad ones.
"I still can't quite understand how this happened," Sky said after a while, peering at me over the top of his book. I cocked my head at him. "This. You. Me. In love. I don't get it. I mean... I'm not gay. Or I never thought I was. I didn't even know I was anywhere near bisexual until you made me realize it. I never knew you were, either." I shrugged, unsure of what to tell him. I knew I probably shouldn't have feared my friends knowing I was queer, even less so now that Sky- the most likely to be homophobic out of our whole group- was going out with me, but I still did. "Sorry. I know you can't talk in much detail yet. I'm not really angry, I'm just confused." I nodded. I could sympathize with him completely, and at least he wouldn't have to endure much of what I had. When I was younger, the suspicion of the neighborhood kids that I was gay got me bullied nearly as often as being a "freak" did. I pulled off one of my gloves, and Sky held my hand again as I tried to show sympathy and understanding to him, along with a little bit of love. "Thanks. Once you're able to talk better, we'll need to have a serious conversation about this. Don't be nervous," he added, feeling my own emotions though my hand. "I just... have a lot of questions."
"Sure." He let go and picked up his book up once again, and I slipped my glove back on. As I closed my eyes to take a nap, sleepy after the day's excitement (and half hoping I'd have some nice dreams after that kiss), I was still feeling a little nervous despite his reassurance, but overall very peaceful and optimistic. I knew Sky and I could work things out, and soon, I would be able to join my friends in battle again and take some revenge on the monster that had put me in the hospital in the first place. When I'd fallen asleep, I had an unsettling dream- or was it a vision of some sort?
Blackness, complete and total blackness, except for a massive, wrought-iron gate before me. I knew what this gate was... I was back at the place between life and death. I'd visited here when I'd nearly died; every time my heart had stopped, I'd been taken back. The other souls would then seize me, try to drag me in, and every time I was revived I'd get thrown back out to resume the awful experience of watching my own dying body being operated on. But what was I doing here now? I was recovering... I was getting better... there was no reason for me to be here. Was my gut feeling true- was I not meant to live? As I placed my bare hands on the gate, grimacing as I once again felt the presence of the countless souls within, a figure started to materialize in the blackness. I could not make out any of its features, except for the fact that it was tall and appeared to have a long snout.
"Soon," said a voice, booming and rather mechanical. "Soon we will have what we need, and you will be broken. Soon, we will rule you... and Space Patrol Delta. Open your mind to me, Bridge Carson... allow me to have your soul... let me see your memories..."
"Hey, guys," I heard Sky saying quietly as I began to wake. "Sorry you came at a bad time again. He's been out like a light for over an hour."
"We'll go soon, then," whispered a familiar voice- Jack. "We just wanted to pop in and see how he's doing. You look a little nervous, Sky, something happen?"
"Uh-huh," said Sky. "We managed to contain one of the assassins this afternoon, so now we're afraid the rest are going to come after him in retaliation."
"You'd think even they'd be above attacking a hospital," said another voice- Piggy- with a hint of disgust.
"You'd think," agreed Sky. "But these guys are vicious- hey there, Bridge," he said to me brightly as I opened my eyes. "You have some guests; feel up to entertaining them?" I nodded, but couldn't help but feel a little bit annoyed. I wanted to reflect on the vision, and now it had to wait.
" 'ey," I croaked to Jack and Piggy, raising a hand in greeting. Jack came over to my bed, grinning.
"Nice to see you awake for once, big guy," he said, patting me on the shoulder. "Usually we manage to catch you when you're asleep or so out of it you don't realize we're here. And Sky keeps finding excuses to kick us out before you wake up," he added, giving Sky a sidelong glance.
"I'm not kicking anybody out," he replied fiercely. "I'm just making sure his recovery is going alright, and part of that means not having people coming in and out, disturbing him at all odd hours of the day and night. He needs his rest." I frowned, curious about his sudden turnaround in behavior, and took a glove off in order to read everybody's auras. Sky was becoming closed off and defensive, but Jack and Piggy were, oddly enough, feeling mischeivous.
"That's awfully considerate of you," said Piggy, who was eyeing the remains of Sky's lunch. "I didn't know you cared so much."
"Oh, come on, that's a little uncalled for," said Sky. "He's my friend. I'm concerned about his welfare, that's all."
"He's our friend, too," Jack pointed out. "We'd like to spend some time with him, especially because you oh-so-thoughtfully forgot to call me the night he almost died, and I'm sure he wants to see us too, but you keep making up stupid reasons to shoo us away. He's been recovering nicely, it's not like he's still in the ICU or we're stressing him out by being here or anything. Why are you being so overprotective of him?"
"Am I not allowed to care anymore?" Sky asked, his lip curling in a scowl. "Oh, that's right, I'm the cold and unfeeling asshole of the group. I forgot. Why are you picking a fight with me, Jack? And why are you still sore about me not calling you? I kinda had other things on my mind that night, you know, like-"
"Cut it out," I interrupted. "No fights. Anybody." Sky turned and walked out of the room as his face began to turn red, muttering something about needing to go out and take the air.
"Man, what's the matter with him?" Jack asked, watching him go.
"Tough time. For... all of us, but Sky... especially. He feels... responsible... for what happened... to me," I explained.
"Yeah, but even so, he's acting like even more of a tightass than usual," said Jack. "Do YOU have any idea what's wrong with him? Z and Syd are starting to think he's got a crush on you or something, because of all the time he's spending here and the way he always wants to be alone with you... oh, jeez, we're getting the puss, Piggy! I think we've hit paydirt."
"Oh, now THAT'S an awfully sour face," chuckled Piggy.
"It's none... your business," I said, but I could feel myself blushing and hid my face in my hands, wishing I could disappear right about then.
"Aww, you're blushing, too. So it's mutual, then?" said Jack, and he and Piggy gave each other discreet high-fives.
"Alright, I... admit. We're kinda... together, I guess. But. Please... don't tell... I said so. He's very... nervous. Doesn't want... everybody... to know. Why d'you care?"
"Everyone else was really curious. That's honestly the only reason," said Jack. "The girls asked me to try and get Sky to confess something, because nobody can get him worked up like I can. See, they were wondering, again, why he was suddenly eager to spend so much time alone with you- they told me that when you were first brought here, he was constantly complaining about having to do guard shifts, but now all of his free time is spent here, and he's volunteering to take over for the others, too. And admit it, it's pretty out-of-character for him to be so overprotective of ANYBODY, especially you, because- sorry, buddy- but the truth is you get on his nerves a LOT." I grinned guiltily.
"I know. I get... on everyone's. I guess since... I can't talk... easier for him... t'like me."
"Well, that doesn't matter anyway, the mystery is now solved," said Jack. "Don't worry about it getting out, your secret's safe with us, even from the girls. They can wait for you and Sky to tell everyone, though they all have guessed the truth by now, I'm sure. I know this is something you'd probably rather tell them yourselves."
"Thanks, Jack. So... nobody minds?"
"Heavens, no. The girls think it's a cute idea," said Piggy, making a little gagging noise. "Something about it being so romantic that he wants to protect you." I laughed along with them, feeling as though a great burden had suddenly been lifted from my shoulders. For years, I had carefully hidden who I was from my friends, afraid that they'd reject me or think of me differently because I was gay, but still wishing I'd had the courage to be honest about it. Now, I knew I needn't have worried... and perhaps knowing the others were okay with it would make Sky more comfortable with the idea of us. Sky came back in about 10 minutes later, apologizing to Jack and Piggy, who merely winked broadly at me.
"I'm sorry to you, too," he told me after they'd said their goodbyes and left. "I know I've been keeping everybody away a lot over the past few weeks... I guess I didn't realize how much, or how rude I was being. I'm sure you've wanted to see everyone and didn't want me shooing them away."
"S'ok. I like... spending time... with you."
"I'm glad," he said quietly. "I'm really starting to like it, too."