A/N: Yesss! Finally a MF category! This fanfic is the product of my heart being broken by episode 12 (fastest delivery). It's based on the last few scenes where Sheryl is alone up in the observation deck or whatever that was in Gallia 4.
She stood there, motionless for the longest time. The careless afternoon breeze kept her company, humming a fuzzy song.
The humid smell of rust filled her senses. Creaks, footsteps, shouts, running, muffled voices and the sound of jet engines appeared and disappeared in random disarray.
The crimson-drenched sky above mocked her.
Why are you here?
Her azure eyes slowly lowered in defeat. Her arms tightened around her body as the wind picked up speed.
Why are you here?
"Enough", she whispered inwardly.
Disappointment, disbelief, annoyance, loathing, anger, disgust—she could not find the exact word to throw and slap at herself right now.
Funny, she thought. Why was she was feeling better now after taking the same medicine she took during the flight which did absolutely nothing to lower her fever.
Was it the flight itself? The fold distortion? The atmospheric concentration in Gallia-4?
Grace.
She must remember to tell Grace about getting a new prescription the moment they return to Frontier.
Her body stiffens. Frontier has been on her mind too much lately that it's as if she felt she was somewhat betraying Galaxy. Even with the not so fond memories, Galaxy was, no, is still her home.
Then, why are you here?
Her lips pressed against each other, trembling slightly.
"Enough," she finally mustered to mouth the words however raspy.
Her eyes returned to look at the horizon with her new found courage. It was slowly getting dimmer, slowly dying in colour.
A jet's streak was fading into the impending night.
"He…he never came back", she spoke to herself.
"I wonder if he…"
Why are you here, Sheryl Nome?
Her nails dug into her palm as she hastily made her way to the barricade, forcefully gripping its rough and rusted edges.
Was it herself that kept repeating these questions? Or was she that ill that she's hearing voices? She did not, could not care. Whatever it was, she is Sheryl Nome, and she always, always stands her ground.
"I came here to sing!" she exclaimed firmly.
Nothing.
"I…" she paused as her grip on the metal barricade loosens.
"I came here to sing…" her voice trailed as she allowed her conflicting thoughts to finally swallow her up.
Hi, I'm Sheryl Nome. I'm here to audition for…
Ladies and gentlemen, here to open tonight's show is Sheryl No…
Hi everyone! It's me, Sheryl Nome. Watch out for my first single release tonight at...
Be there at my first live…
I'll be off for a tour ending at Front…
Listen to my song!
Failure and failing, resentment at herself, insecurity, a stream of questions—they were all there descending upon her mercilessly.
Why are you here?
Silence.
A tear rolled down her face. Followed by another and another.
And another.
"I—I wanted to show him the sky," she muttered, almost an admission.
Then the voice never came back.
Through bleary eyes, the sky remained steadfast in its mockery. It's one of those days when sky refused to be her stage, when the clouds and the stars refused to lend their ears and refused to lay their eyes on her.
Although, did she not wish for it that way before she came here? Did she not wish that for even a short moment, the infinite sky were to be the showpiece?
Perhaps she did.
But he's not here with me to see it.
FIN
