I stared at the wall uneasily. Explaining everything to Maurice was tiring and it was almost pointless. He just, seemed so lost and I couldn't leave him like that. Sarah crawled into the empty space next to me on the bed and hugged me gently, as if she knew something was going to happen where she wouldn't be able to. I chuckled at her and rubbed her shoulder affectionately. "I know you've always wanted to go back, to make up what you've done beyond the Bridges."
She stared up at me and sat up, slightly peeved.
"Yeah," I nodded, "You know who is calling me."
She slapped me and I stared at the window, having turned my head to avoid the full ferocity of the blow.
"Sarah, I'm sorry," I muttered. Her arms wrapped around my neck. I smiled and buried my face in her neck. "Let's go out tomorrow, just the two of us. We can go to that English Café you like so much and watch a movie."
There came a slight nod on my neck and I hugged her back.
"I'll come back, one way or another," I told her.
Sarah shook me awake and I groaned as her hands tightened their grip on my shoulders, "What?"
She pointed over at the door and I turned groggily to see Maurice.
"No, not today," I grabbed Sarah and rolled over hugging her and hoping Maurice would go away. There was no such luck for me. I stared at Sarah and sighed at the irritation written all over her being. "What? I can't sleep with my delightful little woman?"
Her face turned a little red and she tried to hide it in my chest. I chuckled and sat up, turning to Maurice.
"They haven't called us yet," I said.
"I realize that, but I want to learn," he gave a dignified look. I stared at him and pointed to where Vinci was.
"Ask Vinci what you'll need to know," I sighed. Sarah shot up and over to Vinci hurriedly. "Sarah, what are you-"
"Hey, gently there toots," Vinci growled as she flipped through his pages.
She pointed and glared at Vinci when she reached a page.
"Yeah, okay," the book scoffed, "If he asks, I am obliged to inform. Don't you get the meaning of books little girl."
Sarah stabbed her finger into the page.
"Okay, fine," Vinci sighed. I watched him bind the page in on itself and I winced.
"Sarah is that necessary," I asked.
She faced me and started to go on an elaborated tirade with her hands on the concept of how I drew her in the book. She then pointed at Maurice and covered her eyes, mocking someone that didn't know and who didn't need to know.
"Let's go get breakfast then huh? I'm sure Riley is cooking up something delicious," I got out of bed and felt my legs swell with a want I hadn't felt in a while. I hesitated to walk and Sarah stared, starting to tear up a little before going out of the room and down to the kitchen. I looked over at Maurice and gave a small smile, "You won't come back the same and no matter what you think, everyone else will notice the difference."
"How - what does she not want me to see," he asked.
"You won't come back the same," I repeated. He flinched back from my glare and I left him with Vinci. I didn't make it down the stairs to get bombarded with angry looks from Sarah and Gabriel. My face paled and I hurried down, being a lot sturdier then the day before. "Sorry Gabriel, you know what happens."
"Stop apologizing, if someone who is as rejected as I can feel the changes, what will that do to the others who can't return? What will happen to them, Todd," he snarled quietly. I stared up at him.
"You grew," I gave a little smile, "What would you like me to tell those people? I'm sure they would rejoice in hearing something from you."
"And your sassy remarks are back," he gave a small smile. "That confidence of yours almost got all of us killed."
"Yeah, but it did get some of us killed," I motioned at the loud kitchen and he winced.
"I'm glad she thinks they are dreams," he nodded.
"You're talking more, is our Guardian being called back as well," I questioned.
"No, just getting his own sense of responsibility back," Gabriel patted my head like he did a while ago when he was crowned and then smiled at Sarah. "You two have a day ahead of you, why don't you head out and take care of yourselves."
"We will, but it's nice to eat Riley's cooking," I nodded, "Nostalgic if you would."
"Is he a new one," Gabriel motioned up the stairs as Sarah walked into the kitchen.
"Yeah, and he seems to want to be ready for anything," I nodded.
"Watch out for someone like that," Gabriel warned.
"I remember," I nodded. We walked into the kitchen and I was hit with a plate. Riley stared at me in shock and Sarah just laughed. "Sarah, that wasn't full of anything."
She gave me a nod and I rubbed where I was hit.
"You're going to have to buy them a new plate," I chuckled.
"What the fuck," Riley cried. "You busted a plate on your head and you're laughing about it?"
"It didn't hurt that much," I chuckled, "I'll pick it up, just go set the table you guys." I started picking the stuff up and smiled as Riley started to try and scold Sarah about the plate.
