12 - Video

[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara looks exhausted, but if anything, the light in her eyes is fiercer than ever. She was thrown some curve balls, sure, but nothing that could crush her.

She's becoming inured to trauma, she thinks. She's not sure how to feel about that.

Her voice is a bit dull when she speaks, thick with deep weariness and deeper aches, but it's steady.]

If you know me at all, please check in.

[The worst part, really, was what she couldn't see. She hadn't contacted anybody, save her hijack of Iris' call, and it ate at her, what the people she loved might be facing.

She needs to know they're all right.]

Comments

[Spam]

[theonlyresponse]

[He comes in. He hasn't left his room without his utility belt or a weapon, and he has been on edge since they returned. He gave Lisbeth some time to herself, and... is now searching for all the pieces he has to pick up, for what's left of his family.

He sits down next to her. Close enough that she can reach out and touch him, if she wishes.]

How are you doing?

[Spam]

[bodilesswarrior]

[She does, hand rising to clasp his shoulder. It's not that she doesn't think he's real, it just - it helps, to feel him there.]

Cuts and bruises, that's all.

[Spam]

[theonlyresponse]

Same here.

[He knows it's on her mind, and even if he wasn't hurt or affected that badly, she'll still be concerned. Like he is, right now.]

[Spam]

[bodilesswarrior]

[Her smile is slight, relieved.] Good.

Everyone make it out okay?

[Spam]

[theonlyresponse]

[He considers lying. Telling he had it all under control.]

They'll recover.

[A long pause.]

I didn't think I would leave there.

[Spam]

[bodilesswarrior]

[Her eyes widen, slightly, before she squeezes his shoulder.]

But you did. That's what matters.

[Spam]

[theonlyresponse]

And so did you.

[I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come back.]

[Spam]

[bodilesswarrior]

[Her smile is warm and wavering.]

Yeah.

[A hard swallow.]

I wasn't the city's target, though, Wade was. [Would she have overcome, if she had been?]

[Spam]

[theonlyresponse]

I wasn't either. It doesn't mean some of the monsters weren't... familiar.

[He reaches out and squeezes her hand. They both know what kind of nightmares they've faced, he doesn't need or want to state very more about what he saw in Silent Hill.]

[Spam]

[bodilesswarrior]

[That's all it takes, for the images to come rushing back, and her laughter is choked as she clings to his hand.]

My mother.

[Spam]

[theonlyresponse]

[He shifts so he is next to her; they both need each other as lifelines right now.]

My son.