《The Collector》


 Thats How We Do Things Around Here

    Ace was staring at the batteries on his palm.Got to take these to Mark''s later for recharging.He was deep in thought but then instinctively closed his hand around them as he heard the rushing of footsteps from outside. Each step coming closer as they thump against the sheets of metal laid outside.


    A head popped out from the side of one of the windows. "Sorry I''m late!" It was Ingrid, catching her breath. "Thank God, I caught up with you." She crept towards the door, trying to be quiet because Ace''s mother, Iris, was still asleep next door. "You know I hate walking towards The Drop alone." He looks at her, escaping his thoughts. "Yeah," He clears his throat. "I''m uh... Also running late. Batteries from our clock ran out an hour ago." He looked towards the clock hanging from the cabin showing Ingrid the frozen hands in place almost exactly an hour ago, simultaneously opening up his hand to show her a pair of cylindrical pieces of metal rolling slightly on his palm. This made Ingrid realize that he was still in the middle of gearing up for The Drop.


    Ingrid moved unconsciously, finding his gear and helping him put them on. Cables, gloves, boots, fasteners and hooks, as well as his pack, his helmet coming in last. Lecturing Ace on why he should never be late as a leader of a pack. "They all look up to you, set an example." In which he laughs off, "Well if I knew the batteries would run out, I would''ve done something about it. I always do." He double checks his gear and straps his empty pack behind him. "Time to go." He leads the way out.


    People greeted them as they made their way through The Settlement, some joking about how they''re running late today and how the weather really has been lazy today although the weather hasn''t changed in more than a decade. It storms some time every second week of the month which has become routine for everyone to do a monthly preparation to stock up on what they can and reinforce their own homes, but unlike in here, beyond The Drop the weather was strange. There''s no definite pattern of storms and surges of the sea, which meant anything could happen at any time. It''s now the fifteenth of March, they are expecting the storm to land in two days. Despite the storms, population has grown ever since the world flooded in which in the new world they called, The Weeping.


    In the past year, the population growth has increased by hundreds, which was the best news The Settlement has had in years. Ace estimates the population to be at least more than a thousand now compared to the past year''s barely seven hundred. Things were indeed looking up. But the heavy death toll every month was still a big loss for their small community, losing workers and people of all sorts. Not to mention those Collectors who risk their lives working at The Drop everyday.


    Pushing through the city, rushing towards the five hundred foot cliff they called The Drop, they got a full view of The Settlement. Everyday they take a glance before going down, not knowing if it''s the last time they''ll see what they''ve been used to calling home. The stacked makeshift metal homes piled high, making their necks crane. Each one with their own creative flair made mostly from different vehicles, ship containers, and whatever washes up at shore. Becoming a craftsman and smithing metal has become quite a popular job within The Settlement, it was also a tradition to sign up for apprenticeships for different crafts, divided into different guilds which helps children specify their professions at an early age.


    Ace belonged to the least popular guild, The Collectors. They were in charge of scavenging materials from the old world and bringing them back for crafting and rebuilding lost technologies from the old world. While Ingrid was in charge of Communications, providing information from a command center called Guardian built within The Drop to update Collectors on incoming surges and waves, as well as weather conditions by the sea so the two factions are correlated somehow.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    The elevator rattled to a stop at the mouth of the cave leading towards the command center, "This is me. I''ll be in your ear, yeah? Always check your watch." Ingrid starts walking the length of the tunnel, while Ace watches her with a silent response. What he didn''t say though was that his watch has been acting up the past few days, he''s just been lucky he hasn''t been caught with it malfunctioning when Guardian contacts him while collecting. His earpiece comes to life with a static as the elevator continuously hums and rattles down The Drop. "Don''t forget to tie your lucky knot, Ace." That was Ingrid''s way of testing comms. "Copy that, Guardian." He replies dutifully, switching the homing beacon on his watch as he got to the surface.


    Collectors had the life expectancy of two minutes to five hours while scavenging, hence making them the least popular guild, but was regarded as one of the most important. For them not to run out, a selection process was made where for every seventeenth child is subject to automatic apprenticeship under the Collector''s Guild. It wasn''t a popular rule, but it was necessary. Ace was one of the founders of the guild. Before, the survivors would just wait out every storm for stuff to be blown on top of The Drop before they could collect new materials for everything. When a group of young, hardheaded teens looking for something more useful to do instead of farming inside their houses decided to make use of their scavenged rappelling gears and went down to the surface of The Drop, discovering a new guild of scavengers which gave way to at least seven times faster progress in development of The Settlement.


    Ace''s pack was waiting for him below, their buggy already out. There were no jokes today from his five old friends. As he got closer he counted six silhouettes. "Bad day to be late, Ace." Harry, one of his first friends in The Settlement started, gesturing towards the new silhouette. "This is Steven, he just signed up." Ace didn''t even bother to look as he got closer to them, strapping his gear and putting on his helmet. "How old is he?" He said without regarding the new recruit, setting up his watch, checking if it''s acting up at the moment. "Eighteen, Ace, sir." Only then did he meet the piercing blue eyes of the Irish boy that stood before him. "You know what you''re getting yourself into, boy?" Ace looked at him checking for anything that the boy forgot to do and checked on his gear. "I''ve wanted to be a Collector since the first day my dad put on his gear, sir. He died a few years back, I just was thinking it might already be my time, sir." He kept those eyes fixed on his leader, thinking if he was fit to be in his pack. The founder of the guild. A legend, having come up with something as daring as going on adventures inside the raging sea, being the key to survival of humanity.


    Harry gets on the buggy, "Interview can continue on the way to work, boys! Ace''s already late as it is." And they followed suit. Ace sat beside the new recruit, "I knew your father, Victor Kelly, right?" He nods in response, he did know him after all. "I''m sure the boys have told you what you''re supposed to do out there in the wet." Steven acknowledges with another nod. "I only have one rule: Survive. No matter how good your find is, it''s not worth your life. We stick together, we go back home together in this pack, okay? That''s how we do things around here." He put a hand on the boy''s shoulder as the buggy bumped against the uneven surface that was slowly changing into lumps of puddles and softer mud. "We''re family." The new member of the pack''s expression was determined as he nodded, listening intently to that one rule, holding on to it.


    The waves were rising above them as they approached their pack''s hatch, twenty to thirty feet high at their lowest. Harry reported to the command center, "Guardian, Wolfpack 1 is now arriving at the hatches, see you on the other side, over." The buggy rumbled to a stop in a large circular hatch made out of pure steel that led to the tunnels that went up to the raging sea. "Copy that, Rabbit. We''ll be seeing you when you get up on the other side, happy scavenging." The buggy radio squawked in a mix of garbled and robotic sounding voice that they weren''t sure if it was Ingrid speaking.


    Ace was the one to open the hatch as Harry parked the buggy inside the tunnel. "Double check your gear and throw out your fear," He said through their comms. "Let''s give Seven a proper debut." Steven smiled as he finally received his call sign from his new pack leader as they started making their way to the sea, each step making a hollow echo as they heard the rumble of the unnatural Weeping waves crash on the surface above.

 No One Else Can

    The tunnel ended with another hatch similar to the one they entered, it opened to a cylindrical structure which had a ladder leading to the platforms where they accessed the sea, the surface was so soft that their boots sank when they stepped outside. They called them Dens. "Make sure your passports are ready upon approaching the immigration, you are now entering a whole new world." Chris, the tallest of the pack, broke the silence as they all craned their necks to look at the roaring wave seen through the hole at the top of the ladder in front of them as it rose, rumbling like rolls of thunder going off at once making the ground they''re slowly sinking on tremble.


    They went up the ladder where they fastened up and waited for pieces and materials of the old world to come to them. Ace was the first to go up, leading the way as Steven came next. The others were in a lively mood today, joking around as they got strapped on to the platform, getting ready for the dive.


    The platforms were connected between the different hatches for different packs. As of now they had thirteen, a fourteenth being dug up for a new pack. So while collecting they occasionally run into someone from other packs when they dive in. "Secure your lines, always keep an eye on your watch, platform lights, and respond to orders immediately." Ace raised his voice through the roar of the wall of water in front of them. Steven looks down to see already pieces of structures and materials from the old world on the surface. The water was at least high up to their chest, although it quickly goes down shin deep but can also go up at twenty feet just as quick when the surges come blasting. They responded simultaneously. "Guardian, we are at 0930 starting to collect. You''re-" Ace was interrupted by a metal door impaling the platform floor, almost cutting it totally in half. "Shit!" Harry scrambled back as it barely missed him and the metal started groaning while the platform trembled violently. "Dive!" Ace ordered as they all jumped in the sea with their weighted gear, the platform collapsing behind them.


    For a while it was silent except for the rush of water and the current around them as they swiftly sank underwater with the platform after them as the water rose and swallowed them, rising at least thirty, forty feet high, suddenly enclosing them. As they waited to reach the bottom Ace commanded "Cut your lines! The platform''s coming down on us!" He panted as he sawed on his rappel line as he approached the surface barely visible through the lights on his helmet. Come on, come on! He yanked hard on the cable snapping free enabling him to land on the soft sea bed and then jumped as hard as the weighted suit would let him, hoping a current would catch him to further push him out of the way of the rapidly approaching platform.


    He thought he heard something on the communications, but he couldn''t listen to any of it as he got caught on a current of a nearby wave, spiraling out of control until he slammed on something metallic making the lights on his gear flicker. He fought off the dizziness, trying to contact anyone from his pack. "Wolfpack 1, this is Ace. Respond! Sitrep! Guardian are you there?" He was walking against the current as the surge passed him and the water level was starting to drop again, towards the cloud of sand and dust where the platform collapsed. His voice sounded hollow inside his helmet, the glass cracked from hitting his head on whatever stopped him from tumbling with the current. He tried his best to make out the details of the wreck, everything around him dark and chaotic. Just the rumbling of the currents and waves filled his ears, which meant his watch and homing beacon was acting up again. "Respond! Harry? Guardian?" He kept calling out as he pushed through towards the wreck, his voice resonating back to him hollowly.


    The static murmur was the first familiar sound he heard as he reached the platform, breathing heavily. "-ease Ace! Come in! We were pinging you about the weather since you got on the platform! God, contact the other packs!" Ingrid''s distorted voice came to life. His watch flickered back to life on his wrist. He realized that his watch died on him way earlier. He cussed under his breath, opening up the comms link again. "I lost comms when we got to the platform, Guardian. This is Ace." He said between heavy breaths. "Seven? Rabbit?" He continued. "Sitrep! Hopper, Stubs, Deep, Hawk? Come in, anybody!" He was getting anxious, risking the pack like that, acting selfishly because he got lazy to get his watch fixed. "Guardian, call in another pack. We need help here." He looked in front as the dust settled with his light still flickering.


    It was Chris, his call sign Stubs, to report in first, "I''m back at the wreckage! Ace? Anyone?" Ace saw him cling on to a piece of the platform and went towards him. "I''m here. I''m coming to you, Stubs." Ace looked around the wreck as he made his way to Stubs, the water back down to their ankles. He checked his gear for him. "You alright? Your gear''s fine. Great job, Stubs. You saw the others?" Stubs checked his gear for him too. "No, I lost them when I jumped, I got caught on a current the moment I jumped, lucky enough to have cut my line." A sharp pain suddenly drained the adrenaline out of Ace while Stubs checked on his gear, he groaned making his friend take a step back. "Your backplate is shattered, also your helmet. Is there a breach? Are you alright?" His radio was silent which meant his watch has stopped working again. "Yeah, just hit something when I cut myself loose." He was getting dizzy again, but he couldn''t show it. They needed him. "My comms are dead, Guardian said anything?" Stubs looked around before he answered. "Pack 7 is two minutes out, they brought their rover with them. They also said they were trying to reach you before we deployed for the surge." Ace looked at him but before he could answer Steven radioed in. "I found Harry! We''re on your left, Ace!" They went to him with Deep and Hawk emerging from behind. "I got Deep out from under a truck. How''s Harry?" Hawk looked with everyone at Harry pinned down by a part of the platform. "Guardian is saying a surge is incoming. We gotta move to meet 7, let''s get Rabbit out of here." Deep informed everybody of the situation. They all lifted the platform together helping Harry crawl out from under when Ace grasped that Hopper was still nowhere to be seen. "Get Rabbit out of here, has anyone seen Hopper?" They all exchanged confused looks. "Hawk come with me, all of you meet 7!" They shuffled away from the wreckage as the pressure dropped again, making their ears pop, the currents suddenly pulling inwards, Ace started back towards the wreckage, Hawk following closely trying to get a hold of Hopper. Ace was wincing with every step as he felt the pain more on his back now, sure that he was bleeding.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    A distant figure was hobbling towards them in the way Ace''s current carried him from earlier. They rushed towards the figure, sure that it was Hopper, following the lights from his suit. Getting closer, Hawk warned Ace. "Guardian is saying that the surge is about to-" With a very large blast of force they were pushed back as Hopper got swept like a ragdoll, swallowed by the waves and taken in by the violent current which took walls of waves with it. Hopper was gone. Just like that. Ace stared at the sky, lightning clashing inside the dark clouds. He lay there, his back feeling worse, he was frozen, and he couldn''t sense Hawk moving. Hopper. He thought, but suddenly a hand grabbed his pack and started pulling him away from the blasts of currents pulsing in closer and closer to them, his mask was breached and leaking but he had no strength to pull it off. It was someone from the seventh pack. "We gotta get you guys back to the hatch!" They pulled them inside the rover and drove back to their Den.


    Back in safety, they take off Ace''s gear and turn him over as they wait for extraction to come from the command center from the other side. A piece of his backplate was stuck near the small of his back, narrowly missing the spine. "Jesus, get the medkit." Said a voice which he couldn''t recognize nor where it was coming from. The lights flooding his vision made him dizzier as they tried to clean the wound. His head hurt from the pain, making his vision turn red.  He heard Stubs calling out in front of him, "Stay with us, Ace! Listen to my voice! Everything''s gonna be fine! We''ll bring you back to your mom, alright?" He was hearing everything up to the echo of their voices overlapping different words he couldn''t make out filling the Den.


    The call from Guardian came, informing them that the transport was already on the other side of the tunnel. They hauled Harry and Ace out of their telling command they were priority. Ace fought the urge to pass out because he knew he might have a concussion from the dive, but they didn''t know that because he wasn''t able to tell them. Although he was awake, he couldn''t afford to be attentive to even answer everyone''s questions as they drove back towards The Drop.


    The next thing Ace remembered was another flood of lights, he was back in the medical ward and that was all he knew. He tried focusing on that distant voice talking to him, everything was spinning. "Hey, Ace! Great job staying awake, alright? You''ll be able to rest in a while, we''re sedating you. So you can take it easy, alright?" The voice echoed, louder than before, he was fighting to stay awake because he wasn''t sure if he was already sedated or not until he couldn''t anymore, passing out.


    He woke up in the same room, not knowing how long he''d been out because it was underground. The lights were dim and he shuffled to sit up on the bunk he was in, the sheets stained with his own blood, all dried up. It was Ingrid sleeping on the chair beside him. Which in turn woke, jolting up. "Ace! Hey, how are you feeling?" She stands to check his bandaged head. "How long was I out?" He asked, holding his head noticing the bandage for the first time.


    "Two days, almost three." She reached for the water.


    "You''ve been here the whole time?" Ace was still feeling the bandages that wrapped his head.


    "No, your mom and I took turns. Sometimes it was my mom, but they''re both up tending the greenhouses right now." She hands him a glass of water.


    He gulped down the glass, his head starting to hurt again, Ingrid saw him wince and helped him lie back again. "It was my fault you know." He looked her in the eyes, which he rarely did to anybody. "If I had my watch fixed- I-- Hops- Hopper would''ve-" He felt a sharp pain on his chest, creeping up his throat. Which turned into a croak of a sob. Completely breaking down, Ingrid held his hand, "Don''t tell me it''s alright." Ace interrupted her as her mouth opened to speak. "We both know it''s not, I don''t need your pity, I was irresponsible. I cost him his life. Almost lost the others too." His tears felt warm as they trickled slowly on his cheeks. Ingrid kept her lips pursed, only speaking after a while. "But that''s not going to bring him back now, is it?" She wipes his tears. "Look, you''re my oldest friend. We''ve had a childhood together, survived the end of the world together, now we''re fighting to survive together. And it was mostly ugly for us. I''m not pretending that everything will be alright, because we''re in a shitty situation every single day. I just go through one day at a time, I know how bad it is for all of us that we lost Chase, okay? But I just take what I can and move forward because it''s not good if other people see us like this. Why do you think I''m the only one here? It''s because I knew you needed this. You needed to take all of these out." She sat on the edge of the bed. "The difference between you and me is that I see the bright side of everything and am thankful for it because things could''ve been worse. While you cling to every bad thing that happens, and even worse is-- You blame yourself for it, even if you''re not supposed to. You just ignore that fact every time which is the only problem about you." Ace noticed how she had her eyebrows knitted together again, making her nose wrinkle and her chin dimple a little bit which he noticed the first time they met at middle school. "How do you do it?" Ace asked, his gaze long dropped now since she started lecturing him. Somehow feeling more calm, but his energy drained again from him as he felt the wound on his back acting up again. "I do it because I can." She said, noticing his discomfort. "Rest some more, I''ll radio your mother that you woke up." She gets up cupping Ace''s cheek in one hand as he gives in to his exhaustion. "I know how you do it," He mumbles at her, making her tilt her head back towards him. "No one else can." He said quietly as he closed his eyes. Thank God. Ingrid thought as she smiled. She didn''t want Ace looking at her smile when she knew he was being cluelessly sweet.

 Simple Men, Extraordinary Measures

    Two more days were needed to get Ace out of the ward and back to home to the city. He]went back together with Harry, his leg dislocated in several places and casted from being fell upon by the platform. Apparently the storm passed them by, and the whole community was pleased to have the least damage and casualties ever since The Settlement was established. Losing only five people this time, which meant the structures are holding much better and their new innovative reinforcements against the storms are improving. But for Ace it wasn''t enough, lives are still being lost, young ones too. Ace couldn''t bear it, it cost too much for the community.


    Ace walked Harry home like always, his oldest friend in the guild. "You''ll be alright now?" He asks, fake kicking Harry''s crutches jokingly. "You''re an asshole. I''ll be back with you in a month. It''s nothing. I''ll walk it off." He jokes, "I''ll see you tomorrow then. For-" He hesitated before finishing. "For the funeral?" He offers his hand for a shake, Ace taking it with a tight grip. "I''ll see you. For Hopper." Harry gave a faint smile as his wife opened the door. "For Hopper." He repeated. Ace sent his best to the couple and walked away from their house made of a train mixed with connected ship containers to hike the remainder of the stacked up village until the top where he lived.


    He lived in a patched up airbus. Unlike the other homes they made, he didn''t shape it into a cube or anything with corners, it remained a hollow cylindrical body that''s been converted with a two storey interior, the other half divided for his mother who remains his only neighbor. It took the longest time to get their home made, and the right materials were hardest to come by, taking Ace two and a half years to complete it with the help of a lot from the people of The Settlement. He kept the plane as it is because his father was fond of airplanes, and it was one of his best memories with him before The Weeping. When he''d always take him to airshows in military air bases every year and meet his pilot friends and co-workers from the aviation industry.


    He was grateful for the people who helped, but he did not share the same sentiments they had about himself. He was looked upon as some kind of a leader and was the only non-council member allowed into council meetings. The council says it was because they had to let the collectors know which materials are in demand most as well as the improvement of long range communications during collecting and the mapping of the sea since they still have no idea what part of the world they ended up in. But he knew he was being groomed into getting a seat within the council, especially since a member who was from the hunters'' guild died recently.


    Personally, he never liked being looked up to. He didn''t think of himself as a leader, just someone who had an idea. Although he stuck to it because he loved doing his job, and somehow got used to being one. He wouldn''t admit that to anyone, that he''d rather be out there with the thrill of the sea than withering inside the walls of The Settlement. In short, he just thought he''s lucky a dumb idea by him and his friends a few years ago turned out beneficial for the whole community.


    Finally reaching the door to his home, he looked down at the view of the stacked houses, connected by metal roads fused together winding up and down with no certain pattern, roughly shaped and weathered from being used everyday.


    Steam coming out of his breath, he remembers how it''s always cold after a storm passes. He pulls the door open and crept inside, finally home. He goes up to his perch on the second floor which is where his room and workshop was. His mother wasn''t home yet so he decides to go upstairs and just settle back in, remembering unfinished projects he left off in his table where he tries to innovate new things for collecting. His latest: weaved steel cables for replacing the classic rappelling rope they use, but given their latest experience he realized it was now useless because cutting the cable actually saved their lives. He''d just come up with another use for the cable, it was a shame he thought since he''s already weaved at least five meters of the cable.


    He sat down on the mess he called a bed. Setting the stuff he came home with aside when it all started coming back to him. He saw Hopper getting washed away as he put his face on his hands, feeling his cold palms which only reminded him of the sea some more. It was nothing new, losing someone on the job like that, but it wasn''t something you get used to. Although it was the first time it happened in front of him and now he couldn''t get the image out of his head, and he had to speak in front of everyone for the funeral tomorrow. He had no idea how to do that, but he didn''t bother thinking what to do about it either.


    The radio squawked with a static then turning into his mother''s voice after a few seconds. "Ace, are you back home? Can you lend me a hand in the greenhouse?" Without responding, he makes his way towards the greenhouse behind the side of his mother''s plane. The first thing his mother did was hug him. "I''m glad you''re back home." She smiles and he returns one of his own. "Need help?" He picks up the hoe, his mother regarding him with every move.


    Iris never thought her boy would grow up to be this man whose childhood dream was to be a race car driver, taking new heights with his own thrills like his father. She couldn''t bear the weight of worry and fear she goes through everyday. Ace walks out that door, reminding her of her husband''s every flight. Knowing she could lose him anytime, this time nearly so. Of course it was not the first time it''s happened, she just clings on to that comforting thought that the community needs and values what her son came up with. As far as they know, this is all that''s left of the population and the work they have is doing what''s left of humanity a huge favor for redevelopment. He was necessary, and that''s what mattered. He''s been there from the start, and she as a mother was already lucky enough to still have him around, and he still hasn''t changed a bit. Her sweet little boy, helping her out without even asking despite having to deal with his recent injuries and his friend''s death. She knew how it weighed up on him every time he lost somebody on the job.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Ace was now at the end of the patch when his mother called out. "I think that''s enough for today, let''s go to town tonight for dinner." He looks up, hair getting on his face which he casually brushes away and nods.


    It was pleasantly quiet that night, everything was serene. It''s like their little city was just thankful for another month it survived, and is now taking the well deserved rest it needs. It was serene, the streets filled with lights made out of things collected and crafted by the children in the Crafters'' Guild. The town was lively but most people were inside their own homes or just doing repairs. "Let''s have vegetables, meat is hard to come by after the storm. I''m sure the hunters would appreciate that." Iris suggested.


    "Sure, I''m not really in the mood for anything heavy anyways." He agrees.


    "Macie''s?"


    "Macie''s."


    They walked along the avenue which led to the middle of their twisted metal city. The electricity poles had speakers set up for every intersection for council announcements. They passed bizarre forms and collaborations of materials, which ranged from simple sheets of metal up to even huge ship parts, that made different homes for different people going to the big intersection, the heart of the city. From there, the woods beyond the walls were in view where the Hunters go to work. The forest was thick and old that nobody had ever been on the other side before, although they were making progress and covering the woods wider and wider the past months, making connectors up in the trees such as the platforms the Collectors have out in the sea.


    They got to Macie''s being greeted by people that saw them. Macie was out front making barbecues and greeted them with a smile. "Hey there, Ace! Glad to see you recover in such a short notice." Her eyes had wrinkles on their sides from smiling too much, she was known for being the most cheerful in The Settlement, and of course her food. She was ten years older than Ace, her husband was the city butcher, while their two daughters were in the Hunter''s Guild. "It''s on the house, okay? We all deserve a bit of kindness following the past few days." She takes Iris''s hand. "Sit anywhere you want. Just tell me what you''ll be having." She ushers them inside their home and restaurant as they call it, which was made up of connected buses with the two upper floors made out of parts from a cruise ship. "Thanks, Macie." Ace returned the smile and sat down with his mother. "I''ll have the vegetable soup, please." He calls out as Iris decides what she was having. "I''ll get the spring rolls, Macie." In which Macie responded by going to her kitchen, "Be back in a while." Still smiling and humming as she made food for them.


    The restaurant was not that full tonight, there were five tables occupied including Ace and his mother''s. "Hey, I''m proud of you." Iris started off. Which Ace thought came out of the blue. "Thanks. But what''s this about?" Ace gestured around him. "All these?" His mother tilted her head, her eyes full of worry. "I''m worried about you. I heard about what happened." She admitted. "It was your first time experiencing that..." She trailed off.


    "I''ve had my men dying for years now, mother." It tasted bitter getting that out of him.


    "Yes, but not in front of you."


    "It''s what we do." He was thinking that she just needed reassurance because she was actually worried about losing him, not how he''s feeling.


    "I''m worried about you." There it is. Ace thought as the words left his mother''s mouth.


    "You don''t have to be, mom. I''m fine. It''s part of the job. I know you''re worried that it could be me, but my luck hasn''t run out. How long have I been doing this? It''s been more than ten years, ma."


    Iris was tearing up and Ace knew he had to make her stop because he felt bad enough and knew he had to be strong for her. "Mom. I know, I''m just a guy. But look at where my idea has got me, my idea for a better community and a bigger leap in development these past years. You got to look at the bigger picture, alright?" He sighs before continuing, feeling heavier. "Everybody''s making their sacrifice. Even you, you shouldn''t even be working but why do you still farm crops?" He saw his mother''s expression easing up. "We have a motto in the guild. ''Simple men, extraordinary measures.'' It reminds us of why we even started this. We do what no one else can, we do it because we have to, want to. This community needs us, and this is our sacrifice, this is the risk we''re willing to take. Whatever happens, I want you to stand by what you said. That you''re proud of me, even when I''m gone." He held her hand raising his eyebrows for her, confirming if she understood.


    She grips back and nods, putting him at a less uncomfortable position even though flashes of Hopper being swept away by the surge kept playing in his mind as he looked his mother in the eye. "Like you said, tonight we celebrate. Love you, ma. Let''s have some good food." He does his best to smile as he sees Macie coming towards their table with the food they ordered. They thanked her and complimented how good it was as they ate and caught up with the restaurant owner over dinner.


    When they finished, Ace leaves the payment on the table despite being declined by Macie as they got up. "Ace, really. I told you not to." She held his hand in place on the table trying to push it back towards him. "We all need a type of kindness, Macie, mine''s being fair. Take it." He turns their hands and puts the currency on her palm. "God bless you, Mr. Price." She hugs him in which he smiled in return. "Just doing what''s right, Mrs. Watkins." He offered an arm to his mother and together walked back to finally get some rest through the clear and cold night.

 Dark Thoughts, Empty Words

    It was the wind howling that woke him up. It didn''t matter because Steven was barely sleeping the past few days anyway, although he could not understand how he was able to function the past three days while Collecting.


    Wolfpack 1 was sharing 2''s Den while their own was being repaired. Steven was having a hard time getting a hang of it and had a hard time having good finds. Although the others comforted him telling him that it was alright and that it often happens, he wanted to steel himself up because it was going to happen a lot. What a bloody debut. He thought the other day as he got back to The Drop. He thought of visiting Ace in his ward but changed his mind since he remembered that he was going to be discharged the next day anyway.


    The funeral was today, all at once for Hopper and those who died from the storm. Funerals were held every nineteenth day of the month. This was in relation to the date of The Weeping, July 19th. Steven knew one of the victims, he was Ozzie. He was his age, and they went to school together as children. Everybody knew him because of his obsession towards David Bowie. Eventually, Steven got to be friends with him in school when they got partnered together for some activity, now he''s just gone. He thought about what he''ll miss most about Ozzie, and went with his David Bowie references and his colorful posters he painted of the musical icon all over his room.


    As they walked towards Soul Hill, he looked at the people walking with him and his family. Going to the funerals was not required at all, although people go anyway not only because of the small community but out of respect to the departed and their families which has grown as a custom knowing that they were what''s left of humanity. Steven estimated around seven hundred people going for the ceremony, which was a huge crowd. Usually, they come more when somebody significant to the community dies. Topping the list are Collectors and Hunters, somehow the more dangerous your job is, the more popular you get.


    Soul Hill was a hill next to The Settlement which they turned into a cemetery. The graves were all around the hill, dug within, while the top was conveniently a flat surface for leading the ceremony, where a representative from the council speaks. Although the hill wasn''t packed with graves yet, it doesn''t mean there wasn''t a lot buried either.


    When they got to the base of the hill, he excused himself from his mother. "Mum, I''ll go stand by the pack." She nods with a smile, somehow seeing her eldest as a man now. He stood beside Harry who had crutches. They were in line with a casket for Hopper which was filled with his belongings and was next to his dug up grave. On the other side of the casket was his wife and three children. Mary was crying. While their eldest, Stephanie, who was Steven''s age and was part of the mining guild was just silent, holding her younger twin brothers'' hands, Adrian and Milo.


    In the few days he''d been with the pack, Steven already learned about their backgrounds and countless stories of the legendary Wolfpack 1. Harry was one of the founders along with Ace during the first dive. That was before all the Dens and the platforms, it was just them, their gloves, and their harnesses. No Guardian and no idea what''s out there whatsoever. He loved that story of how the guild came to be, how it wasn''t even in the list of jobs you could do within The Settlement. Steven also learned that Harry was one of the three remaining from the seven of the first dive eleven years ago, a year after the flood. His call sign was Rabbit simply because of the rabbit he owned, and was so attached to, before the flood which Ace and his other childhood friends used to tease him with, and it just stuck. Ace was one while the other was Mark, the head of the guild in charge of electricity for the city.


    Chris was the biggest in the pack, he was hard to miss standing at six feet and nine inches. He towered over everybody around the casket. Aside from this, everybody knew he had the biggest appetite among the guild. Back when food was still rationed in the early years of The Settle-ment, everybody gave him their extra food stubs because they knew how much of an eater he was. That''s why the nickname Stubs was born. He was half Russian, and some confusion in his birth certificate spelled his name as Christopher instead of Kristofor when he was born in the States. He was very intimidating although he was the friendliest, always greeting everybody and offering a helping hand in everything.


    The ceremony started with six gunshots from the Hunters which made everybody look at the top of the hill. An elder from the council, it was Martha, the guild leader for garments in which Steven''s mother worked for, was seen approaching the microphone above. "People of The Settlement, the council would like to thank and welcome you to Soul Hill. We are grateful to you celebrating the lives of the fallen citizens of our beautiful community today. Here we remember them as they were, and how they always will be in our hearts." The city was silent, the howl of the wind and flap of clothes are the only sound heard around as the elder continued with her speech. Her tone was solemn and genuine, Steven looked to see people in tears around him.


    Among those in tears was Hawk. His nickname was because he was the best at identifying finds and seeing them the quickest. He kept a straight face as he looked up the hill while tears streamed down his cheeks. He was Hopper''s best friend, Steven found out when he broke down right after they got rescued. His real name was William, and he grew up in Chelsea before the flood, those closest to him called him "Will" or "Billy". He was older than Ace and Harry who were twenty-seven, being thirty-eight making him and Hopper the eldest in the guild. He was nice to Steven because they lived in the same rock despite most English people being hostile towards the Irish and their bloody history. He joined the guild some time after it was formed and is one of the oldest members. David came after him shortly after one of the original members died as a replacement, he was a tall dark man who hailed from Brooklyn. He also volunteered like Steven. He was the most quiet in the pack and earned his nickname, Deep, because he holds the record for the deepest dive which was at twenty feet underwater and came back unscathed with a satellite console under his arm. He was Steven''s favorite in the pack, because aside from his jokes, he feared nothing and was just pure badass.


    The speech ended with Steven not even listening, he just stared at Hopper''s coffin. He did not realize one of the elders was there to bless the casket already. "Chase Montasser. Beloved husband, father, friend, and inspiring Collector." He gives a wreath of flowers to Mary in which Stephanie received because she had started sobbing. William and his wife went over the other side to comfort her as the twins looked up to them. "Chase was from Versailles, he grew up to a loving family and was the best track player I knew." William started his eulogy. "I grew up with him, survived with him when the world weeped. We called him Hopper because of his bloody brilliance in the two hundred meter hurdle event." The people around were closing in now, looking at the closed and empty coffin. Listening intently as he sighed and sniffled his way through his speech. "He met Mary back in university. My goddaughter Stephanie here was lucky to have seen that beautiful world even as a child. He did not fall short for his family, he was the most admirable man there is." He went on with his eulogy when Steven started looking around for Ace, he found him behind the pack with Ingrid standing beside him. "We outran the flood together, reaching The Settlement as the oceans rose behind us. Building one foundation at a time for years until the waters stopped rising. We became Collectors because we missed being in the fray, the thrill of it, it''s nothing like facing the seas again. The toughest competition of our lives, something that we could not outrun we turned to face instead. Hopper knew that. Right ''til the very end, I knew he wouldn''t have regrets." He looked around the people surrounding them as he spoke. "He gave his best in everything he did, that''s because he wasn''t afraid of doing what''s necessary for humanity. We lot should learn from him, always be on the lookout for each other as he looked out for us out there for years. Always live to the fullest without regrets. For Hopper!" He cheered in which everybody roared in response. Hundreds of voices. "FOR HOPPER!" Followed by the cheers for the other victims. Steven heard Ozzie''s cheer last as it echoed all around as it was followed by collective silence.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    People were starting to go back to the city after the burials and the ceremony, getting ready for the Feast of Souls for tonight. It''s a custom every month after the storm, after the funerals they held a festival making shrines for those who lost their lives and celebrating the life they lived, a citywide party. It was kind of a monthly holiday until the next day to rest and just take it easy. To shake off the weight of a loss of friends and family.


    During the whole ceremony Ace did not fall in line among his pack, he stayed behind. Everybody was used to it though, and admittedly they all know how much he takes it personally every time he lost a part of his squad. Ingrid held his hand which he didn''t notice was shaking the whole time, so nobody else noticed. He nods towards her thankfully, knowing that he needed her to be strong for everybody.


    He stepped next to Chase''s grave when things had settled down. What''s left of the crowd was just the pack and their families. Standing a little bit further was Mark, staring at him with a blank face. "I- I don''t have anything prepared to say, to be honest." Ace stuttered. "But then again, how does one really prepare for this?" He looked at all of them before he continued, feeling the icy wind on his cheeks making it turn red. "Let me start by apologizing. I''m sorry to you, Mary and your children. It was my fault everything went to shit back there, I take responsibility. Firstly as the head of the pack, and genuinely as your friend." They did not blame him, but he opposed that idea anyway. "A simple irresponsibility cost the life of one of my oldest friends, a brother even. I have been thinking about how I could take it back every day since." He was looking down now, Steven dumbfounded seeing his pack leader like this. "I will not let this happen again. I can only hope you can forgive me for this mistake. I apologize to all of you for putting you in danger." There was a long silence and for a while there was just the wind and the flap of the grave banners that filled the air.


    "We don''t blame you. Although we forgive you." Mary broke the silence with her soft and broken voice.


    "Sir, with all due respect you had a choice to make and you chose to lead us with what you had at the moment." It was David who spoke. "Broken comms or not, it could''ve happened anytime and to anybody, it''s not the first time either. We know very well the vows we swore upon and the shit we got into, you made sure we understood every time before we went out there to do our jobs, you''re doing more than enough keeping us alive. Leading us everyday to make sure we''d see tomorrow and get back to our families. We choose to be there too, not only because we''re part of the guild but because it''s also our job you get back to your family. Don''t beat your ass up too much, sir. It''s stupid."


    Harry snickered first which was followed by everyone except Mark who just looked away at the distance. Ace stepped lower to join them in which he received hugs and regards from his pack''s families. "We celebrate Hopper''s life today, eh? Happy feast." William said. "I''m sure he''ll love that." Ace replies with a smile. He looked at Harry talking to Mark, which looked like they were catching up. The two of them shook hands afterwards then Harry together with his wife went back to the city, excusing themselves. "We''ll see you tonight, okay? I''ll bring some barbecue!" He waved, but when everybody saw Mark they followed suit.


    Steven wasn''t sure what happened between him and Ace, all he knew was that they''d stopped being friends long ago. He can''t help but keep on looking back as they walk back to the city, just two figures standing at Soul Hill with its colorful banners and dead residents. "They''ll be fine." Ingrid smiled at him, seeing him look. "It''s not my place to tell. Maybe he will, tonight." She looks back at them. "That''s if he comes." She chuckles. He doesn''t reply because he was just coming to terms on how this legend, this person he''s looked up to his whole life, is so unnaturally human.


    Ace didn''t approach Mark, instead he just turned to look at Hopper''s freshly covered grave, catching a whiff of dug up soil every time the wind blew towards his direction. Mark with his permanently damaged spine hobbled towards him. "Really making a handicapped go after you, huh? Given the chance to help even just a bit, and you still don''t take it. You haven''t changed, old friend." Ace doesn''t answer, keeping his eyes on the grave. "Don''t worry, I''m not here to gloat as much as usual." He holds up his hand, on it was Ace''s newly recharged batteries. Ace takes it, "Thanks." He still wouldn''t look at him.


    "Oh, I''m not done yet." He fishes his repaired watch and comms from his coat pocket. Ace takes them as well.


    "I haven''t felt this sorry since..." He trailed off.


    "Since my brother." Mark finished.


    "Jesus, what happened to us, Marcus?"


    "You let him die, that''s what happened."


    "Yes, and not a day goes by that I would-"


    "Oh you know I''m past that. We all are. Ings, Rabbit, even when the others were still alive. The only thing different about me is that I never forgot." He looks at the top of the hill, a single banner flying, a grave almost forgotten. "It''s just you who needs to sort yourself out. See, that''s what''s going to kill you. Your guilt, not the ocean. You gotta be aware of that, Robert."


    "Dark thoughts, empty words. Right? That''s what you told me before. Until I haven''t forgiven myself, my words will always be empty."


    This time it was Mark who didn''t answer. "I really am sorry about James, Marcus." Ace finally faces him. They both glanced at James''s grave above. "Still empty, my friend. I said come to terms with your mistakes, not forgive yourself." He pats Ace''s shoulder. "Don''t shut yourself in tonight. You got boring when you started being an edgy teenager. The kid would appreciate it. He''s almost the same age as we were, which is why it''s all coming back to you, I''m sure. Hopper didn''t help. Take my advice, you badly need it." He starts walking away from his once best friend, wobbling his way back to the city, leaving a single silhouette standing on the hill''s slope, a silhouette filled with regret.


    Evening came when Steven was picked up by Ingrid to go to Chase''s while his mother hosted the clothing guild in their house, leaving the hell to his younger brother. "Why doesn''t Ace ever come to the Feast of Souls?" He asked on the way as drums and music filled the air coming from all around the city. On the streets, inside the house. Laughter and lights were bright tonight. "It''s a really long story, but I guess the best way to describe it is that he likes to rest when he can. And these are the times where he actually gets to rest without worrying about tomorrow or anybody else." She had a crate of beer on her arms while Steven carried the food she cooked.


    He continued walking in silence, still not able to comprehend how Ace was nothing like he expected. Ingrid was about to start talking again when somebody from behind took the crate from her, "I''ll get that for you, ma''am." He didn''t recognize him in the dark at first, but it was Ace. "Let me walk you to your party, just happened to be passing by." He looks at his new recruit and smirks at him. Ingrid''s startle turned into a laugh. "What a gentleman. Montasser residence, s''il vous pla?t." Beamed Ingrid, her face lighting up with a smile, as she took an arm offered by her childhood friend while he carried the crate under another. Somehow Steven knew that he wasn''t there just passing by.

 Few Happy Moments

    Music filled the evening air while people amassed at the intersection in the center of the city with celebrations. Ace, together with Ingrid and Steven, had to squeeze through to get to Hopper''s house. A cheer came from everyone inside when they saw Ace go through the door last. His pack surrounded him, happy about the rare occasion.


    Hopper''s house was near the walls of the city which was away from the noise of the central avenue, convenient for them. Every feast night, they''d go there just because of the location. It was extra special tonight because everyone was celebrating it for him. "Glad you could make it, old man." Harry shook Ace''s hand as Stubs took the crate from him to set it down somewhere inside.


    Ace goes to Hopper''s family first. "Mary, Stephanie. We are forever grateful for everything. We promise to keep coming back here every month to disturb you. Right boys?" He looks back at them already getting their bottles from the crate of Dana''s, Ingrid''s mother, special brew. They all raised a bottle and cheered. Mary hugged and thanked them one by one calling them to start the festivities by having dinner. Ace sat beside Ingrid and Steven, listening and trading stories that made Hopper a legend in the guild, laughing at funny memories that brought them closer together over the years, the alcohol doing them wonders. Steven cherished that moment, he knew it would be a memory he''d carry with him forever. At eighteen, he only remembers glimpses of how they were rescued by the Irish Naval Service during the flood, he was only eight, hearing stories about how life used to be in the old world, he felt the pain of nostalgia over something he never got to experience fully. He had undivided attention as the pack shared their favorite stories of the old world, fascinated with every single detail doing his best to imagine how the rest of the looked like outside Belfast.


    The center of the city was still loud as it got late, but inside it had gone quiet with the pack. They were sharing about how they survived the flood, and Steven was more attentive than ever despite the fact that it was his first time drinking and he''d downed three bottles already. "Oh, man. I was lucky to have been in the army which meant I got access to a chopper." David recounted. "I was in Korea, Camp Humphreys. It started with endless showers of rain for days. Then on the third day, the wind carried the waves with it. We had no idea where to go, no towers, no visibility especially during the night with the moon being shattered, it was just us trying to fly through the storm, trying not to spin out of control." His deep voice boomed above the distant beats of drums and music, his skin glowing dark and golden with the dim lights of the indoors, his hazelnut eyes shining. "We flew for a little more than five hours, pushing the chopper''s limit. We didn''t see any other aircraft and crashed towards the highest point we could find. There were seven of us, only three of us made it to a makeshift camp we found, as we wandered for two days." Everybody was silent now, the twins were upstairs and asleep, you could feel the weight of the mood in the air.


    David was the same age as Ace and they were both not married. Steven thought it''s the reason they''re fearless. David had no family, he lived alone. While Ace only had his mother next door, but according to him she''s fine with it if ever something happens to her or Ace because she''s lived a full life already, surviving the flood was already the biggest blessing for her. According to Ace she said that she couldn''t wait to be with his father again. It was just a matter of having the perfect bond, knowing each other so well that you get to that point of mutual understanding that whatever happens, you have the strength to accept and respect the other person''s wishes even if it meant that they finally have to go. That, for Steven, was the true meaning of family.


    Stephanie inched closer to the table, a barbecue stick on hand. "Tell us about the first jump, uncle Harry." Her eyes lit up even though she''d heard the story hundreds of times. "Oh, you want the whole thing? Ask Ace." Everybody shifted their attention towards him, in turn he smirked at Harry. "You''re a real lazy friend, Rabbit." He chuckles. "We were like what? Sixteen?" Ace asks. "Seventeen." Harry corrected him with a laugh to urge him on. "Jesus, well-" A scream from next door made everybody jump. It was shrill and piercing. William was first out the door followed by everybody. "Harry, stay with the girls." Ace ordered as he rushed after them. The buzz inside their heads gone, all of them suddenly alert.


    They heard a window shatter behind the house as they approached the house. "Steven, William, get inside! Go around back with me, Dave!" Ace ordered as he squeezed through the small gap between the houses, followed closely by David while Stubs stayed behind because he was too big to pass through. They heard footsteps on the gravel and metal walkways, running away from them. As they got through the gap, the two of them pursued the suspect through alleys and makeshift fences. They were chasing someone clad in black, wearing a balaclava and gloves with a knapsack on his back. He was skilled and quick even though he was carrying things, the two of them had to keep their focus to keep up. "He''s headed towards the avenue!" Dave yelled through the howl of the evening wind. Ace looked for a way to cut him off, but he realized he was already taking the fastest route. "Shit, we can''t let him get away!" The culprit turned and jumped over obstacles with as much ease as they did. Although they were catching up, eventually they got to the main avenue where the crowds were still loud and packed. They pushed through keeping their eye on the man they were chasing. "He''s getting away!" David yells as they squeeze through the crowd, only catching glimpses of the man in black until they lost him.


    They stopped just before the center intersection where the crowd amassed the most, the heart of the city. "Fuck! You see where he went?" Ace pants, his hands resting on his knees. "I lost him." David coughs, both of them dripping cold sweat as steam blew out their mouths. David straightens up, "Damn it. We gotta get back to Hopper''s, Ace." They made their way back to the Montassers'' neighbors and the girls were already there, a whole family was stabbed and looted, Ingrid and Stephanie had blood on their hands from failing to stop the bleeding of the woman lying between them. "Her name was Grita, her husband was Maro." Mary said, covering the bodies with white sheets. "Their son was an apprentice to the Electrician''s Guild. Maro was a craftsman. They came from Croatia, and have been our neighbors for as long as I could remember." A tear was trickling down her cheek. "I knew Grita too. She used to work at command." Ingrid put her hand on her shoulder and for a while everybody was silent. "Who would do this?" Stephanie cried out. Ace ushered her away from the bodies, looking at the others who looked back. "We''ll have a meeting with the council tomorrow and search the whole city. He will pay for this." The pack cleaned up the scene and settled them on their beds, and decided that they will take the matter to the council tomorrow since they''d probably be hard to find right now and they didn''t want to spread panic. "Alright," David speaks up. "Go home. Be with your families, I''ll stay here until you come back tomorrow. It''s a night of celebrating lives they have lived. Remember them as they were and how they would be if they were still with you. This is the best way to honor them. I got this, go." Everybody tried to protest against the fearless and legendary Deep, but everybody knew it was useless arguing against him because they all felt weary from the long night so they thanked him and wished him a good night, giving him the food left from the gathering was the least they could do. "I''ll come back early tomorrow. Thanks for this, Deep." Ace shook his hand as the rest of them shuffled outside.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Ace walked home with Ingrid, agreeing on taking the long route to wrap their minds around the whole thing, he kept his hand on his knife the whole time just in case the robber recognized him. "I know that look." She nudged him with her shoulder. "Hey, it''s going to be alright. We''ll get him, I don''t want you overthinking. At least just for tonight." They stopped walking, standing near a street light, finally the city has gone quiet, the houses gone dark. The distant roar of the waves beyond The Drop was now heard carried by the wind.


    "What''s become of this world?" He sighs.


    "What happened, happened. We just keep on going, we promised that not just to each other, but to both our mothers, and now to all the people important to us. To humanity."


    "I know, it''s just... Is it too much to ask for more than just a few happy moments?"


    "Ace." Ingrid reaches out for a hand, feeling a scar she tended to during one of his earliest dives.


    "Hopper was the first one to die in front of me and it really took a toll on me, I won''t lie. But I can''t stop right now, and I won''t stop."


    "You know you can, Ace. I know you''re just trying to be strong for us, but I''m here to tell you that we understand that you have limits too and honestly we''ve been talking about how to convince you to take a rest. Maybe these days you''re better in some... Other place than out there."


    Light snowfall started around them, the steam of their breaths felt warmer and got thicker. "Ings, the sea is my rest." She gave out a confused look. "I don''t know what''s wrong with me, but I can''t leave it. I know that I was offered to be a part of your council and have been asked to stop collecting for good because you think that it''s a good thing that I have a strong influence on the people without being part of it, you asked me to imagine what more if I was in the council. But beyond The Drop, there''s comfort that I cannot explain. Call me an idiot or something, but I love the thrill it''s when I feel alive most, it''s the closest I will ever feel to getting behind the wheel again, going fast." Ingrid held his hand a bit tighter, worried of what she''s hearing out of him, completely against it. "I am aware of putting myself in danger, but wasn''t that what I''ve been doing my whole life? I have never been worried about myself, because everything I do I make sure I don''t regret. It''s the pack I''m worried about, they''d follow me anywhere. I was almost Steven''s age when I made my first dive, younger even, and I''ve been lucky my whole life. I''ve had kids Steven''s age die under me, and now that this chain of events happened, with Hopper and the murder, I just feel like I should make sure that he at least makes it a year or two. I feel responsible, starting all of this, him looking up to me like that, only seeing the good side of it all, not knowing how to process the bad side, you saw him earlier and at the funeral." Ingrid processed all these, starting to walk again and tugging him with her. "That''s it." Ace pulled her to a stop again to get her to face him. "Two more years, Ings. That''s all I''m asking, convince the council, please." She laughs at this and now it was his turn to get confused.


    "Have you ever thought that it''s what makes those happy moments special? It''s few, and so it''s much more valuable. It''s how you guys survive out there, you cling to these moments because they''re important and worth experiencing again. I think it''s what keeps everyone going, even you and David. Everybody has something to fight for." She lets go of his hand.


    She starts walking, Ace catching up to walk beside her again. "And why the fuck do you even have to say so much? What, you thought I''d talk you to committing to the council? Ace, I love you and as much as I care about your well-being, I know it would be hopeless to force you into the council." The gravel was crunching beneath them as they walked through the sleeping city. "It''s no use putting you in work you won''t be happy with. You''ll be nothing but deadweight. I''ll make sure to talk to them, I think they''d understand. I''m your oldest friend, I know too well when you can''t be stopped once you''ve decided on something. I also know that you hate being looked up to, but unfortunately you''re a natural at being a leader, everybody sees it. So stop trying to convince people you''re not and capitalize on it. You invented collecting, I''m sure you''ll come up with more ways to help what''s left of humanity to progress. Like I said, it''s in our nature, only in this case this nature is stronger on you than most. But... Alright, two years. You take care of that boy, and you teach him all you know so you won''t have to be this worried when you finally step down, alright?" Ace nods in reply, being a man of few words he tries to muster what words he could. They walked a few more feet before he actually thought of something to say. Which he knew was dumb, but it was all he had.


    "You always know what to say." He does his best to smile.


    "I know. But the thing about Steven, the funeral? Earlier? It''s not because he doesn''t have a stomach for it, he''s actually worried about you. Not in the way he wants to meet the pack''s expectations, he''s more mature than you think and you need to treat him like he is, just a tip for you first step. No need to thank me." She returns the smile.


    "Jesus, thanks." He laughs a little.


    "You care for Steven because you see yourself in him, and I''m here to stop you from changing that, which you''re totally planning on about right now I can see it on your face, because there''s nothing wrong with how you turned out to be." She looks at his eyebrows scrunched together, already deep in thought. "Okay, maybe one or two. Like, you know, always trying to carry the weight of responsibilities meant to be for the whole pack on your own."


    "Fuck, I get it, okay." He laughs some more.


    "Well somebody had to plant the idea in your head, you idiot." She pokes his temple.


    They approached the slope of fused metal roads leading up to their houses as they continued to joke around more from memories together in this world, old and new. Ace still looked after the surroundings not letting his guard down despite fooling around, the events earlier that evening not slipping his mind. They got to Ingrid''s doorway, a dim light shining through the window her mother left for her. "Well, this is me. Most thankful for the walk home, my lord." She bows, faking an English accent. "I missed you, Ace. You should know that. And before your stupid clueless ass says anything about walking to work everyday, the real you." Ace looks down on her, meeting her eyes. "I guess what I''m really trying to say is... Thank you for tonight." She pulled him for a warm and tender kiss. Ace was ready for every danger they might have faced walking home, but not this kind of danger. Although he didn''t do anything to stop it either. "I know, I know. We had to end it. Like I said, I could never change your mind when you''ve already decided. But I still-" She caught herself and looks down, sadness starting to fill her with regret.


    Ingrid suddenly feels a wave of nauseous nostalgia wash over her. A feeling she''s suppressed for eight years but never lost ever since Ace and her decided to end things between them, "For the better." As Ace put it. She was starting to overthink and reach for the door when Ace opened it for her, she felt the tears welling up in her eyes. "You also forget that I''m your oldest friend, stop overthinking. Thank you for everything, Ingrid."  He kissed her cheek. "Nothing about the way I feel has changed and it hurts, but we have to settle for the few happy moments for now." She nods, keeping her head bowed, not meeting his eyes for a while but decided to look at him one last time as the shadow of the door closing slowly eats the soft warm light on his solemn face. When the door finally shuts, she hears him hiking the remaining distance up to his airbus waiting until the sound is gone. She lets go and sobs on the doorway.