He Smiled

By Eule Vix

Disclaimer: I do not own Welcome to NightVale, I do not make any money off this story.

Chapter 1: You Say Goodbye

I was just meagerly holding onto what last bit of strength I had to keep myself together. I was like a sheet of safety glass, shattered and broken, yet somehow remaining still one entire piece; all that was needed was a small tap and I would crumble. But I had a job, I had to report the news; there was nothing else I could do…

"Listeners…I arrived at the last standing Old Oak Door…the rest destroyed by the Non-Angel's as our last attempt to keep the blinding light from once again trying to enter Night Vale.

I found it open, showing the great battle taking place in that other world, the masked men and women doing all they could to fend off the blinding light of the Smiling God.

Listeners, I….I could see Carlos; brave, perfectly imperfect Carlos at the head of the army, tumbling in the flair of heated fists with that monster Kevin.

I…I did all I could…to keep the Non-Angel's from destroying the door, so that….so that Carlos could come home.

I cried out to him dear listeners…I cried out for him to run, to return to the door, to…come home, and he heard me listeners. He heard me and he turned to look towards the door, my words must have been carried on wings of love, or longing, or complete and utter wanting. My voice rung out across that vast empty desert, over the many tall heads of the army, and through the sounds of weapons bashing against the searing hiss of that Smiling God.

Oh…."

I sucked in a breath and choked down a sob. I shouldn't leave my listeners to silence, but if I didn't pause now and pull that string tighter around my heart and my soul I would never have been able to finish the broadcast. I at least had to finish the broadcast.

"Oh…dearest wonderful sweet listeners…It was…in that moment, his head turned away from the possessed body of Kevin, eyes searing with the same light that lay behind him, body soaked with blood of fallen warriors…that…Carlos was….injured."

I quickly clamped my hand over my mouth as to hold back the sobs that wanted to travel through the microphone to the ears of each citizen huddled next to their radio. I sucked a staggered intake of air as I did my best to continue ignoring the tears free flowing down my face.

"He fell…in a heap upon the ground…my heart seemed to stop…time froze…his body not moving…..

One of the masked warriors ran up to Kevin and fended him off…giving them enough time to scoop up Carlos…so small…so fragile compared to their large body.

I ran to them, despite the heavy weight in my legs and my body and my heart…I could feel myself breathing and my blood moving through my body…but my heart…it felt still and cold.

….I met them half way. They gently handed Carlos to me. T-they…Gods listeners….h-he…Carlos was…covered in blood….a…l-large gash…across his stomach."

I couldn't contain it. I had tried so hard, so very hard to keep the wrecking sobs locked in my chest's metaphorical steel cage, but it was not enough. Near every word I now spoke I found myself sobbing.

"I-I pulled him g-gently into m-my lap. He l-looked up…a-and…h-e smiled, one…on-e…."

I had to lay my head down on my mixer, my arms wrapped around protectively around my head as my tears fell onto the old electronic device. My cries and wails pulsing from my body into the empty radio booth. I am not sure how long I remained there, feeling my heart, no, my soul slowly die and fade bit my bit and piece by piece at the knowledge of my loss. Once I felt I could speak again I lifted my head, only slightly. I did not care about the wet drops all over my face or the disgusting snot strings that came with weeping as I rested my chin on top of one of my arms as I ran the other, shakily, through my hair; as though by doing so would bring me some form of focus or stability.

"I….I t-told him…that…I love him…that he ca-n still…make it…

He smiled….and t-touched my face…whispered so-mething t-hat I could n-not hear…"

My voice cracked into a high pitch as I continued, pushing with the last that I had in me.

"And then….he…d-…..he d-ied…in my arms…."

I quickly found I could no longer finish the broadcast.

[+]-[+]-[+]

THREE MONTHS LATER

"Listeners. I have some…disturbing news to bring to you today.

In these past three months almost the entirety of Night Vale, as a community, as a family, came together to…mourn…the loss of our towns most beloved, perfectly imperfect Scientist…and Hero; Carlos.

We held…the most perfect funeral for my Carlos. Though I know almost all of you were there, it was still so lovely to see so many who cared, cherished, and loved him."

I wanted to speak of the spectacular send off for him by his team of Scientists. Of the words and experiences that each person there spoke of through tears about him. Of the countless who missed the scientist; of how much I missed the scientist. But the threat of relapsing into quiet sobs hung over my heart, and so I moved on.

But today listeners I have something so strange, so bizarre and odd even for our small existence in our little town of Night Vale, to tell you.

Today…a strange man come into town…"