Aftermath 4: Danny

Danny

Something's wrong between Cole and Alyssa.

I don't know what it is, but I know we all feel it. The Princess watches us all the time now, and she always looks sad. Taylor almost never goes anywhere without Alyssa. Max is…Max is just like always, almost, but he's quieter a lot of the time. And Cole…

For a while, Cole was always watching Alyssa. But now he seems back to normal as well.

He's not, though.

The others think I don't see things, but I do. I know Cole is worried, and I know he's trying to hide it. I know he's not sleeping at nights, that he spends the time talking to Princess Shayla, or going to Earth to talk with Merrick or Tara. I know that in our last few battles he's been reckless, attacking Toxica and Jindrax so ferociously that Taylor and I keep having to bail him out.

I know that if this goes on much longer, we're all going to be in trouble.

It's a shame he doesn't know what I know.

"Morning, guys!" Cole called, coming into the courtyard. Danny and Max waved from their seats at the table; Taylor glanced distractedly at him. The Princess smiled in his direction.

"Morning, Cole. How do you feel?" Alyssa asked. Cole had been injured in the battle yesterday, when Jindrax came up behind him.

"Better, thanks. Is that for me?" He gestured at the plate in her hands.

"Yeah. Eggs." They grinned, sharing a memory, and then Alyssa abruptly turned away. "I should go; I have an early class today."

"I'll walk you." Danny offered, inhaling the last of his breakfast and standing up. "I want to go by the shop anyway."

"Sure." Alyssa agreed, looking around the group. "I'll see you all later."

"Have a nice day." Max said brightly, hovering behind Cole. "Hey, Cole? Are you going to eat all of that?"

"Yes!" Cole said, curling his arm around the plate.

"Aww, go on. Leave me some."

"Get your own!"

"He had his own." Taylor said, looking up. "And mine, actually."

"I'm a growing…" Max bit off the end of that sentence. "Never mind."

Alyssa and Danny walked in silence through Turtle Cove, each occupied with their own thoughts.

"Cole's in trouble, you know." Danny said suddenly.

"I know." Alyssa agreed with a sigh, "but I don't know how to help him."

"He's trying too hard, isn't he?" Danny asked. Alyssa gave him a quick, startled look.

"I think he is. Danny, I know he's not Connor. I really do. And I know Cole would never hurt me…I just…"

"Need time." Danny said softly. "He's really worried about you. It's making him crazy."

"I can't pretend to be OK around him when I'm not." Alyssa said quietly.

"That's not what I meant. You've seen him in battles?" Danny asked. Alyssa nodded reluctantly and he went on, "He's going to be seriously hurt."

"What can I do about it?" Alyssa asked rhetorically.

"Talk to him." Danny handed her books back as they came within sight of the university. "Just…talk to him."

And he turned and walked away.