Ratchet and Alister:
Good VS Evil
I DO NOT OWN RATCHET AND CLANK, INSOMNIAC GAMES DOES! I OWN ANYTHING ELSE!
Chapter 20: Small Memories
Emerald eyes half opened weakly. The first thing that came into view was a white blur mixing with different tones of brown. His mind was empty, so nothing clicked to tell him who was hovering over him.
From what he could tell, he was lying on a soft bed, surrounded by warm covers, as his head laid on a comfortable pillow. He was most properly back in the hospital or back at the general's home, in the guest room.
He wanted to fall asleep again, but when a voice called his name cut through his ears, they opened more. His vision cleared up, and he was, indeed, in the guest room. He noticed that Alister was sitting on the bed side was a concerned gaze across his face.
"Oh, thank Orvus that you're awake." The elder sighed heavily with relief. "Do you realise how long you've been asleep for?"
Ratchet pushed himself up off the bed while rubbing his forehead. "N-No. How long have I been out?" From how the other was sounding, it seemed like he had been out for a few days. It certainly hadn't felt like that if that was the case.
"It's 6pm. You've been sleeping for an extra seven hours. I called up Dr. Jackson to ask if I should wake up up, but he said that you'll need the sleep. So, I left you." He paused. "I kept checking on you." Amber eyes watched the younger rub his head. "You were fine, until I last checked you." Another pause.
"Alister?"
"I'm fine." Came the reply. A sigh. "You were twitching as if you were breathing your last breaths... I couldn't leave you like that. I had to wake you up." He frowned. "You wouldn't at first. You tensed every time I shook you slightly. You were also mumbling something. Something along the lines of 'you sick, twisted...', 'weak' and even something about... Torture." He looked at the younger in worry. "Do you remember what you were dreaming about?"
Ratchet's eyes widened in shock. He was lucky to had not mumbled everything in his sleep. If the elder found anything out, Hunter could possibly kill him. That was one of the reasons why he kept everything to himself; so no one would get hurt.
Over the past few weeks he had been sitting alone or going hoverbooting to take things off his mind. He knew Clank and Alister was worried about him and wanted to help him, but that meant telling them the truth. Something that he could not do in a situation like this. If he was truly a hero who protected people, then he'd put his own life first in order to keep innocent people safe.
Azimuth's question cut through his line of thoughts. His head turned to the elder as the question was asked. Ratchet swallowed quietly. Another lie to the pile. "No, I don't, I'm afraid. I don't remember many of my dreams." Well, technically, nightmares but he wasn't going to tell the other that.
"Oh, okay." Alister's voice sounded slightly disappointed or was it just Ratchet's ears betraying him. The white Lombax stood up. "Dinner is almost ready now, anyway." With that, he walked out the room and into the kitchen.
Eyes blinked confused after the elder left. That was not what he was expecting. He shrugged his shoulders at the thought - he wasn't in the mood to take it any further. He got out of bed and searched for some clean clothes.
Meanwhile, Alister was in the kitchen dishing up dinner. Ratchet's favourite: lasagne with a side salad. He covered up the leftovers and put it on the side to cool down, before placing the plates full of mouthwatering food on the table. The cutlery was already out and so was the glasses of water.
That was when Ratchet stepped out of the guest room and came into the kitchen. The smell of the food flooded his nose with pleasure. It looked appetizing. He grinned as the elder gestured him to sit down. And sit down he did.
He waited for Azimuth to sit down as well before digging in. He cut a piece out and placed it in his mouth. He chewed slowly, taking in all the wonderful tastes. He closed his eyes as he enjoyed eating his food.
Alister smirked slightly at the younger's actions, as he chewed his own food. Kaden was much the same when eating, but at least he didn't down his food like Ratchet. Maybe he was just hungry. He wouldn't be surprised if he was, seeing as he missed lunch.
Ratchet guzzled down his glass of water before finishing off the rest of his meal. He placed the knife and fork on the plate while licking his lips. "Mmmm. That was delicious. Thanks, Alister."
The general covered his mouth before speaking. "You're welcome, Ratchet. I'm glad you liked it." He swallowed his last piece and took at sip of water.
"Of course I would! You're cooking is awesome!" Ratchet replied, happily. They were lucky the other could cook because Ratchet couldn't himself; he'd end up burning down the house if he tried.
"I'm sure it could be better in ways, but thank you." He was never one to brag about his cooking skills. He only did it because he had to, so they'll starve or live off take aways. Something he did not want.
"No problem." The golden Lombax got up and picked up the plates and cutlery to take them to the sink to be washed up. He turned on the hot tap and let the washing up bowl fill up, as he put a little washing up liquid in too. He turned off the tap and put a finger in to test for the temperature.
Alister had never seen Ratchet move so quickly. The younger didn't even have his finger in the water for a second. He stepped beside him. "Are you alright, Ratchet?"
The small Lombax stared at the water's reflection that gleamed dangerously back at him, as he held his finger. The memories flooded his head back to when Hunter was drowning him in extremely hot water. He jumped when he heard the general's voice near him.
He turned to the white furred Lombax. "Y-Yeah." Was the short answer. He shook his head. "The water was just...a little hot for me."
Azimuth carefully put his hand in the water, checking it for himself. It felt like the right temperature for him. "To me it seems fine. I'll wash up instead then." A plate was then picked up and started to get cleaned.
"O-Okay." Emerald eyes blinked. The tea towel was received to begin drying up.
Roughly after ten minutes, the washing up was done and so was the drying. Everything was put away so the kitchen was clean and tidy. Both Lombaxes walked into the living room to see Clank watching an episode of Secret Agent Clank.
Ratchet moaned. He hated that show, especially the parts he played. He didn't want to be in the show, but Clank wanted him to, so he did it for his friend. He completely regretted it. It was highly embarrassing for him.
Regardless, he sat down in the armchair, not bothering to look at the TV screen.
Clank was too distracted by the programme to notice these actions, so the channel was left on. Unfortunately, Alister was busy polishing his wrench to keep it in good condition.
The younger couldn't take the others' actions and ignorance. He stood up and slowly walked to the guest room. "I'm going to bed." He wasn't sure himself if he added a sad tone or a disappointed one. He didn't care as he closed the door behind him.
He climbed onto the bed and hugged the pillow. Eyebrows knitted together in sadness. Ratchet hated his life. He was so unlucky. Getting bullied horribly at the orphanage; never having a family; finding out that his parents and the Lombaxes had been murdered; and worse of all, living in this nightmare.
A nightmare where he wanted to wake up for real.
Slowly, his eyes began to fall. Tiredness came to his body quicker than he thought. Emerald eyes sealed off to the rest of the universe for the rest of the night.
Sorry for the long-ish wait. I've been having trouble with things at school and home. But here it is! Chapter 20! Getting into the bigger numbers already?! Seems like only yesterday writing the first one! XD
Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Ratchet, Alister, Clank (c) Insomniac Games
Dr. Jackson, Good VS Evil, writing (c) Me