Chapter 8: The End of the Beginning

Angela was exhausted. Afghanistan had been a real mess. The debriefing seemed to drag on for days as she recounted her experiences over there. "And that's when we were picked up," she finished, taking a large gulp of the water that had been provided for her.

"Thank you, Lieutenant," the General said after a moment.

"Then may I go, sir? My family…"

"Not just yet, Lieutenant." He sighed heavily. "I'm afraid I have some bad news for you."

"Sir?"

He hesitated, as though searching for the right words. "I hate to be the one to tell you this, Lieutenant, but I didn't want your brother to carry this burden."

"What do you mean, sir?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"Lieutenant. Five days ago, your husband and daughter were killed in a traffic accident."

"No!" she cried, the blood draining from her face. She couldn't breathe. It can't be true!

The General continued. "They were hit head on by a drunk driver. The man is currently in the hospital in critical condition. He's not expected to survive the night."

She bent double, feeling sick. Natalie. Her little angel, her light gone out forever. Jack. His beautiful voice silenced. It was too much. It couldn't be real. She barely noticed when someone pulled her to her feet and led her to a jeep. She wasn't aware that she was in her living room until she felt a trembling hand touch her shoulder. "A-Angela?"

She looked up. It was Kurz, his face awash with grief as deep as her own. Thank god, she thought, that he didn't have to tell me. "Kurz!" She reached out and clung to him, lost to her misery.

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The General's wife, had been a miracle worker, helping Kurz and Jack's family arrange the funeral. Everything was set when Angela had come home. Kurz had never seen her so completely unable to function. It was the first time their roles had been reversed like this. It was the first time he had to be strong for her.

She'd barely spoken to anyone since her return. Even Kurz couldn't get her to speak. It was eerie being around her. Kurz was afraid for her. She acted like she wanted to die too. The base psychologist had come to see him while Angela was being debriefed and convinced him to watch her constantly for the first few days. Until he'd seen her, Kurz had thought the man was overreacting.

On the morning of the funeral, Angela dressed in silence. Kurz didn't even try to make her eat this time. He knew she would refuse as she had for the last few days. Jake and Kerry picked them up and drove them to the church. Angela's silence was broken by sobs when she saw the two caskets. Kurz simply held her through the ceremony. She settled somewhat as the procession drove out to the cemetery. Much of the service was lost to him as he held his sister's hand, allowing his own tears to fall.

After the service had ended and the mourners had cleared out, Angela approached the graves. Gently, she kissed her fingers and touched them to each casket, whispering "goodbye". Her tears renewed. Kurz went to her and held her. She kissed him on the forehead after a moment. "Thank you."

Unable to speak, he merely held her tighter.

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Time hadn't healed her wounds. Not really. But as least now she could look at photos of her family without losing herself to grief.

The General had granted her an extended leave, and she had taken Kurz into the mountains to a secluded cabin where no one would disturb them. While there, she would take long walks alone in the woods. Since hearing the news, the whispers had become louder, crowding out her own thoughts. She'd needed time to clear herself.

In the past, she had always only listened to the chorus, but now, remembering what Alejandro had told her so long ago, she tried listening to individual voices. At first, it was difficult to maintain her focus. Eventually she was able to zero in and hear the thoughts of the others.

The first mind she touched was chaotic. The poor soul had been driven mad by the voices. She panicked for a moment as she realized that she didn't know how to pull out. Frantically, she searched for something to cling to. At last, she saw a spark. It seemed familiar somehow, so she reached for it. She caught it and pulled. It was her—her own center, and now that she had it, she knew that she would never lose it again.

Over the month that they were at the cabin, she practiced her new skill until she was able to touch the mind of any Whispered at will. And she had begun to better understand just who and what she was.

When they had returned, she resumed her duties. She visited Dr. Jacobs every week for a while. His guidance had helped her immensely, and now, on the first anniversary of Jack and Nattie's deaths, she and Kurz were in their living room making each of them a photo album to carry so that they would never forget.

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"Kurz Vincent Weber!" Angela shouted when she got him home, her voice echoing in their tiny kitchen. "What the hell were you thinking?"

Kurz could only stare at his shoes as he realized that this time he had pushed his sister too far.

"You're only sixteen. You're still in high school. Why would you do something like this?"

"I-it seemed like a good idea at the time?" Oops. That was really the wrong thing to say.

"The General's daughter, Kurz?"

"But you like Sarah."

"Yes, I do like Sarah. But oh my god, Kurz. You know better."

"Based on your glowing example?" He was becoming angry himself now.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Don't think I don't know what went on at Belle's."

"That was different."

"Oh really? How?"

"That was necessary."

"Necessary?"

"I did what I had to do so that the two of us could survive."

Her anger seemed to be spent as she sunk into a chair at the table.

"You can't stop me from seeing her."

"I know that. But could you do something for me?"

"What?"

"Just be careful."

"I am."

"And don't get caught again. This is the third time this week! The General's about to throw us both off the base."

He smirked mischievously. "I'll do my best!"

She folded her arms on the table and buried her face in them. "Why me?"