When the omni-tool resting near the holos on his desk rang, Garrus froze. It was the middle of the night, here on Palaven and the omni-tool was ringing. It felt like an evil spirit was knocking at the door. His heart tightened in his chest and the air he was breathing felt cold, even though he was in his bed, staring at the orange glow of the omni-tool.
It was a gift from his favourite cousin Laverne. She had gone to war a few years ago. Three years ago, to be precise. Father insisted that Garrus was precise when he talked about stuff.
Garrus took the ringing omni-tool in his hand and hid the orange glow beneath his blanket. The omni-tool was cold, still brand new. Garrus had barely touched it, thinking he wouldn't need it until he was in basic.
But no. No.
He would probably ask Father for another one. Or buy one of his own.
This omni-tool was too painful to keep.
When Father was away, working on the Citadel and Mother was sick and pregnant with Solana, his cousin Laverne was watching him. And then she went to war against the humans.
Shame and sadness came back. The omni-tool had stopped ringing and it made Garrus feel better. He had whined and acted like a spoiled little boy that day. Laverne had scolded him. And now, it was the last thing she had said to him, that he was an ungrateful brat that wouldn't do his duty to the Hierarchy and be brave.
Garrus fell asleep, his throat was sore in the morning. He went to school with his little sister and came back with her. He was big enough to take care of her, now. Mother was at work and their homework had to be perfect or Mother wouldn't let him play outside with his friends afterwards.
He woke up a few minutes before his alarm clock rang to the omni-tool ringing again. Angry and still half asleep, he took it and pushed a key to answer, half noticing the provenance of the call (Shanxi) and the local hour of the emitter (late night). He growled and hissed:
"Stop calling me, you're dead, you're a ghost and you're never coming back! I hate you!"
The offender hung up immediately. Garrus sank back into his bed, looking at the Palaveni sun rising through the window of his room. He sighed, letting out a soft sad trill. The person who had called him wasn't a turian. He seemed to be human. He also seemed scared. Well, he should be! Stealing from the dead like that! This omni-tool should be brought back home. Garrus repressed the urge to call back. He was up ten minutes early, he might as well use the time.
He sighed and had a shower, got dressed and ate some breakfast. Soon, he was helping his sister on her brand new hoverboard, jumping on his. Once he was at school, clasping wrists with his friends, he had almost forgotten the omni-tool ring in his pocket.
*hoverboard because it's a childhood dream of mine and I totally see Garrus going to school on a hoverboard instead of a bike like I sometimes do.