Chapter 13: Memories Bring Back You
Day One of the search for the last gems. Somehow Keyok had managed to download music to his communication device, and was currently scrolling through to pick a song. Shane rolled his eyes. He tried not to think of Laney socking Keyok in the face for not focusing. But the song Keyok picked soon brought tears to Shane's eyes.
Here's to the ones that we got
Cheers to the wish you were here, but you're not
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
Of everything we've been through...
The Toa all looked at each other. They had been through so much as a team. Too much. Now, they had lost one of their closest allies, one of their best friends. And in Nuju's case, his first crush. Meanwhile seven young Vahki mirrored the gesture and thoughts.
Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
And the memories bring back, memories bring back you…
Shane knew the others were grieving. But his mourning was the strongest. He had lost a love - no, he had lost half his heart. He was here today because of Laney's selfless courage, but blamed himself for running instead of fighting back. Well, he had fought back, but he was too late. Those thoughts were useless, though. She was gone.
Keyok took the hint and hit "pause" on the song. He knew that the memories would never bring her back. It was time to sleep anyway.
Day Two, and Keyok had started the song again.
There's a time that I remember, when I did not know no pain
When I believed in forever, and everything would stay the same
Now my heart feel like December when somebody say your name
'Cause I can't reach out to call you, but I know I will one day, yeah…
As the Toa team and young Vahki continued the search, they told stories. Keika, Haidie, Keyok, and Cairos shared many tales from Ascending Summers, which the Toa had not been privy to. Ronin told the story of the time Laney learned her first English curse words from Aédynu, and somehow didn't get in trouble.
Nokama recounted the times she would babysit the Chase kids, how Laney and Shane gradually learned English and the basics of Bieonian. Matau shared how he tagged along to babysitting, taking the kids on air rides, and how Nokama said he wasn't allowed anymore when Laney started using chute-speak. Vakama shared how he would keep the two entertained, making shadow-plays by the fire. Onewa told of how Laney got a brilliant idea that stopped Ahkmou's sculpture-climbing antics for a week - an impossible problem that many Vahki couldn't seem to solve. Whenua talked about the time Laney told him that the first rule of holes was to stop digging! And Nuju finally let out the entire story of how he developed a crush.
They hoped that somewhere, Laney's soul was listening. Shane still carried her lifeless body. Occasionally he would press his ear to her chest, listening for a heartbeat. But he never heard anything.
"Shane, don't you have any stories? You've known her longer than all of us."
Shane snapped out of his reverie at Nokama's voice. "Not now." He swallowed the lump of tears in his throat, and sang along with the next part of the song:
Everybody hurts sometimes
Everybody hurts someday, ayy ayy
But everything gon' be alright
Go and raise a glass and say, ayy...
"You have a great voice," said Cairos, "and I bet if we sing loud enough, her soul will hear it." So the others joined in the song, harmonizing as they remembered their friend and lover.
Here's to the ones that we got
Cheers to the wish you were here, but you're not
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
Of everything we've been through
Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
And the memories bring back, memories bring back you...
Doo doo, doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo
Memories bring back, memories bring back you...
As the group began to tire, Keyok hit pause on the song again. They still hadn't found the gems, and they didn't have much time. But even if it didn't work, they would still have the memories.
Day 3. The last day to search - and the last chance for reviving Laney.
As he woke up, Shane looked over at Laney once again. He may have been hallucinating, but he would have sworn that a smile crossed Laney's face. Then he became serious. "Come on, we don't have all day." Shane had fallen right back into officer mode. He knew he would never forgive himself if he squandered this chance to save his love.
Keyok continued the song again. Shane began to sing again - a solo.
There's a time that I remember when I never felt so lost
When I felt all of the hatred was too powerful to stop, ooh yeah
Now my heart feel like an ember and it's lighting up the dark
I'll carry these torches for ya that you know I'll never drop, yeah
Everyone was staring at him, like Laney did when Shane walked around shirtless. They knew he had a great voice, but they didn't know how just much passion he could put behind it. That was when Shane saw a glow in the distance. Could it be what they were all searching for?
Everybody hurts sometimes
Everybody hurts someday, ayy ayy
But everything gon' be alright
Go and raise a glass and say, ayy
Fueled by renewed hope and sheer determination, Shane went ahead of the group. As he got closer, he made out the shape of gems. He continued to sing as he ran. Yes! Those were the gems! Now he was certain Laney would come back to him!
He set Laney down, grabbing a gem and taking a breath before starting the last chorus. He touched the gem to Laney's heart, seeing a spark jump from the gem to her chest.
Here's to the ones that we got, oh
Cheers to the wish you were here, but you're not
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
Of everything we've been through, no, no
Toast to the ones here today, ayy
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories, ayy
Just then, a voice Shane knew all too well sang along with him. The voice was softer than usual, but formed a perfect harmony.
And the memories bring back, memories bring back you...
"Shane?" Laney's eyes opened. Shane only had one reaction - to take Laney in his arms and kiss her deeply. When he drew away, he was beaming like he won the lottery. But this was so much better than winning a big prize - he had won the love of his life. She was back, and nothing would take her away this time.
"Come on, let's tell our friends we got the last gems." said Laney, taking Shane's hand.
Doo doo, doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo
Memories bring back, memories bring back you
Doo doo, doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo
Doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo, ooh, yeah
Memories bring back, memories bring back you
They approached the group, to the sound of Keyok's music.
"Hey, the memories did bring you back!" Keyok quipped.
"In a way…" said Laney, a slow grin spreading across her face. She reached into her tool belt and removed the last cluster of gems.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, doh, doh
Memories bring back, memories bring back you
"We did it." Keika whispered, almost unable to believe it. "We did it! Now let's get back to the surface and assemble the Hearts of Vahkya!"
Cheers echoed throughout the cave.