Chapter 37: Work of Progress
As sweat drips down my forehead, I pull a lever carefully to lead the machine's claw from one side to another. One thing's for certain, these control panels are hard to get used to. How could Descole make so many buttons in such little time? I try to blink away the questions, and set the heavy bag filled of bricks into a rusty wheelbarrow. "There we go, nice and easy." I mutter encouragingly. I ease the claw lower until it's about a foot above the wagon. Crow, who is holding the thing still, gestures me to set it down and puts his hands out to make sure it doesn't break. I slowly drop the bag; luckily the older boy catches it and gently lays it in with the other ones. "It's full, Teresa!" he calls out. I nod firmly and back up the machine into a wall. Once it's turned off, I jump down from the control deck and land neatly on the street. "I'd say that's about it for today. Take the bricks over to the next building we need to repair and we'll be finished." I announce with a weary grin. The dusty brown haired teen turns around to the wheelbarrow and pushes it towards the library. I let out a relieved sigh to finally be done for now, and take the ponytail out. It's so good to feel the breeze run through my hair.
It's been nearly three weeks since Emmy and Hershel left to London. They stayed for a couple days to help with the damage, but I was a little sad to see them go. Luke was as well, but I suppose he's trying to stay optimistic since he'll be seeing them soon enough. I'm not planning on staying here for too long; when all this is done, and Arianna is cured, I need to decide what to do next. Maybe I should try to visit my mother, since it has been three years when I left home. She'd appreciate me coming back but hopefully she is seeing other people while she's alone. Mother never deserved to be abandoned by me, or lose Claire that fast. I should try to make it up to her whenever I go back home. I feel bad that I haven't talked to her that often, but all these events that have been going on never left me with the time to call her. At least that dog is there to keep her company even if she isn't going out too much. I run my fingers through my hair as the stress starts to get to my head. I have nowhere to go...no home, no belongings, nobody to trust... What would have happened if I left with Descole?
"T-Teresa? Are you okay?" Luke's voice snaps me out of my thoughts and I stare down at him. His eyes are full of confusion and worry as he studies my face. I put my hands behind my back when I realize they're shaking. "Yes, of course. You don't need to worry Luke. Come on, let's go home." I reply sweetly. The word home feels so foreign now...I shiver slightly to clear my head. I put my hand behind his back and start to walk with him back to the estate. "I think we did rather well today, wouldn't you say?" I ask, sounding cheerful. The boy is looking down at his feet while we walk side by side. Better not say anything to him. Just let him have the quiet to make him feel better. I fold my arms anxiously and watch the red sun begin to lower over the hills. Sunsets are always so beautiful in the countryside; at least I've always thought so. "Do you...do you ever want to leave everything behind and never look back?" he mutters finally. I close my eyes for a moment before answering. "Always. There are many times I do. Once, I even tried to do it." I laugh dryly but no smile comes from Luke. A heavy sigh escapes my mouth and I shake my head. "Luke, you're too young to think about doing that. You have a mother and father that love you, a new home to enjoy, friends that you have and will make in the future. There's nothing that you've lost in your life." I mutter seriously. Why on earth does he even mention it?
I put an arm over his shoulder in silence, trying to comfort him. "I didn't say it because I wanted to do it. I said it because I don't want you to try it again." He replies with a hand on his hat's brim. I gaze at him confusingly, and Luke turns up to face me. His eyes are so piteous, yet they have a determined glimmer. "I know you must've gone through hard times when you were younger, and I understand it a little. But I know you can't try to run away from your past, or your future. The professor, Emmy, Mum, Dad, Arianna, Tony, Crow, me, and the whole town. We all care for you in the present, and you shouldn't even think about leaving the life you have now. Not when so many people rely on your kindness and spirit." My eyes widen at his sudden speech. I've never seen Luke act so knowledgeable before. It's really touching and I sniff a little bit. "Luke...I couldn't even try to leave now. Especially with you here for me." My voice starts to choke up as I speak. I turn around quickly to clear my eyes from watering. "We should be getting back now. Your parents are probably worrying about you being gone for so long." I mutter to avoid our past subject. Luke smiles and begins to walk home in the dimming sunlight. That kid can be pretty unpredictable sometimes.
As we reach the large house, a few streetlamps turn on. "Hurry up, Teresa! I bet dinner will be ready now!" the boy shouts impatiently. It's like he completely forgot what had happened a few minutes ago. I guess children have different minds from adults. I shrug it off and follow him down the dirt path. The lights are on inside the house, and some of it shines on the motorcycle by the stairs. After a few days of rebuilding, my bike had been found outside the Triton house but nobody was there to see who left it there. My helmet also came with it, and I instantly knew who had brought it. Of course, I didn't say anything to the others. I didn't feel like sharing any stories with me and Descole, so I just acted like I didn't know what happened. It was nice to have my old bike back after all this turmoil; I honestly forgot all about it until I saw it that day. As Luke runs up the stairs, I run my hand down the sleek metal side. I can't wait to ride you after all this. "Teresa, I'm sure you'll have time to caress your bike later. But dinner is ready if you want it." Brenda is standing in the doorway with a smile. "Sorry, but I don't feel too hungry at the moment. I think I'll just go to bed." I mutter feeling a little guilty. She gestures me to come inside, and I follow achingly. "Are you sure you don't want anything?" she asks concernedly. I nod seriously, waiting for her to worry over me. But she doesn't say anything, just nods and smiles weakly.
"Alright. I'll put yours in the fridge for tomorrow." She sighs warily. I try to ask her why she's tired, but Brenda walks into the dining room quietly. I shrug slightly and slowly trudge up the stairs to the guest room I'm currently staying in. I press the door closed and collapse onto the bed. It's always at the end of the day when I'm incredibly exhausted. I stretch out onto the mattress drowsily then something makes a crinkling sound from inside my jacket pocket. I quickly dig around the small compartment until my fingers touch a piece of paper. Confused, I pull it out carefully and unfold the sheet hesitantly. I smile sadly, looking at an old photo of our college group, consisting of me, Hershel, Claire, Clark, and Brenda. Those were the good old days, before anything happened to us. My sister wasn't as close to Brenda and Clark as I was; we were all still great friends with each other. I sigh with my eyes closed, lightly hugging the picture to my chest. I'll always miss our old group from all those years ago. But, most things can't last forever and we all have to move on towards our futures. Luke...was right about what he said. I can't keep trying to get away from what's happened already, and focus in what I have now. "I swear I get way too serious sometimes." I murmur amusingly. My eyes feel heavy but I place the picture gently on the nightstand beside the bed before I fall face down into a pillow.
"She looks dead." "Tony, she isn't dead! I bet she's exhausted from all that work they've been doing on the town." I blink slowly as two voices wake me up. Arianna rolls her eyes at her younger brother, and stares at me cheerfully. "It's good to see you're awake, Teresa." She says with a grin. I rub my eyes tiredly to adjust to the lights. It isn't morning, but it definitely feels like it is, even though one lamp is turned on. "Wh-what are you doing here? Shouldn't you guys...be at home?" I mumble still sleepily. The young girl giggles at my grogginess while Tony shrugs indifferently. "We decided to come visit you since we've been stuck in the garden for a while. But Arianna insisted we do it now, even though I was getting ready to go to bed." He explains. Now that I'm more awake, the little boy does seem a little sleepy. "You two didn't need to come this late for me. Especially if you look this tired." The two siblings share a look for a moment. "Well, we came anyway, so you're stuck with us for now." Arianna replies firmly. I shake my head in defeat and lay back down. "Has Bertha been taking care of you?" I ask warily. The two kids sit on both sides of the bed before they answer. "Yes, along with a few other people. They're all so nice to us both; I never knew how nice they could be." Arianna mutters. I smile at her distant expression as she looks out the window. "Plus we get to explore more of the garden. We'll have to show you our new hiding places once the town is fixed." Tony adds with an excited glimmer in his eyes.
After many more conversations, Arianna notices the slightly crumpled picture on the endtable and wanders towards it. "What's this, Teresa?" she asks while pointing at the image. I gaze over to her and the photo resting on the wooden table. "Oh, that's of me and my close friends back in college. Bring it over here." The girl takes it carefully from its spot and hands the paper to me. Both children sit on my right and left, staring eagerly at me. "That's me, on the far right. And going to the left is my older sister, the professor, and Luke's parents. We were all great friends in college." I point out each person in the picture. They both look at me and then back to the paper in my hands. "You had a sister?" Tony whispers in surprise. I look down at my hands to where Claire is playfully shoving me in the old picture. "Y-yeah, her name was Claire. She was one of the best friends I've had, and still is." I mutter with a weak smile. "Where is she now?" the boy asks. My eyes dart away from my sister in the photo and my fingers grip onto it tighter. "She, um, went away for a while. I don't know where, but we both still care for each other even now." I quickly think up an answer and smile at the siblings. "I bet she was a great sister to you. I wish I could meet her someday." Arianna mutters. Her brother nods in agreement and stares at the photo again. "Maybe you will sometime."
Sorry this chapter is shorter than normal. I kinda wanted to get this out since I was gone for a while. Just got back today actually. Also want to get started on Eternal Diva soon so there won't be too many filler chapters. Not to mention the new story I have to work on. If you didn't know, I began a different fanfiction about Sonic the hedgehog. Check it out if you're interested in it. You can also leave a comment for the Q and A or what you think about the story. I was also thinking of doing a Q and A for the other story, and maybe do some crossover questions. Don't be afraid to tell me what you think. Thanks for reading and keep those eyes on the screen!