Thomas Wolfe once said 'You Can't Go Home Again.' Eric Myers was beginning to learn the truth of those five words. Silver Hills had been his home, but now things were different. Everything had changed, everything was different from what he remembered. He had hoped that he could just come back and everything would be just as it was when he left. That he and Sky could start from where they had left off, but he soon realized just a few minutes after his arrival, that wasn't going to happen. The little boy he once knew was not so little anymore. Sky looked at him as if he resented him and wanted nothing to do with him. What had happened to the small boy who used to worship the ground he walked on? The little boy who used to jump into his arms the moment he walked through the front door. Where was that little boy, that excited happy little boy?
Eric knew what had happened to that little boy. Seven years is what had happened. Seven years of growing up. Seven years of feeling abandoned. He had been where Sky was, he had been that kid who felt abandoned and alone. And now that kid was a teenager, a very angry and lost teenager who felt like everyone who was supposed to care about him kept on leaving him.
Hayley had just finished putting the kids down for bed. Sky hadn't left his room since he had finished with dinner. Eric had wanted to go up and talk with him, but both Hayley and Philips said that they should give Sky his space and let him come to them when he was ready. Things hadn't gone well during dinner; Sky kept on insisting that they allow him to go to SPD a year early. And Eric and him had gotten into a fight over that, saying he was still too young and his grandfather just died. The last thing he needed was to be going away from people who cared about him.
Eric sighed as he picked up a picture from the bookshelf; it was of him, Wes and Sky. Things had been so much simpler then. He felt Hayley wrap her arms around him. "I keep on thinking that this is all a dream. And he'll come running down the stairs, give me a high five or a hug, just like he used to." He'd give anything to have that back.
"Kids grow up, Eric," Hayley told him in a loving voice, knowing he was having a hard time accepting that Sky wasn't the same little boy he remembered. "Give Sky some time, things will be back to normal before we know it."
He put the picture back and smiled faintly as he turned to meet her face. "Yeah, you're right," he answered softly, but not too sure whether his relationship with Sky would be as it was, so much time had passed. Things weren't like they used to be.
The funeral had been long and draining on everyone. And the next day would be just the same, they would be meeting with the lawyer, setting out the assets, dealing with the company and where Sky fit into the picture.
Sky stomped onto the steps of his grandfather's home, his home, as Eric followed quickly behind him and Hayley straggled behind them with their three young children.
"Schuyler Colin Tate, don't make another move," yelled Eric. The two had gotten into a fight in the car on the ride back home, arguing over Schuyler's future and what should happen over the next few days. And that hadn't been the first argument the two had had in the last few days.
It had gotten so bad one afternoon that Hayley had asked Philips to take the children out for a bit, so she and Eric could talk to Sky alone. But it didn't seem to do any good; Sky wouldn't hear any of it. He was very clear with both of them that he didn't want to remain here in Silver Hills or go to Reefside. He wanted to be let into the Academy a year early.
"Eric, this isn't the time!" exclaimed Hayley who had had just about enough of the arguing, ever since she and Eric arrived in Silver Hills that's all he and Sky had been doing: fighting and bickering. She couldn't believe how two people who used to be so close, could be so very stubborn. Neither wanted to listen to the other. "We just came back from a funeral, for crying out loud!" The last thing any of them should be doing is fighting with each other.
Eric let out a hard sigh and bowed his head down, watching as Sky entered into the home, just briefly looking back at Eric with a hard and disappointing glare before walking inside. Eric felt as Hayley gently squeezed his shoulder. He knew she was right, now wasn't the time. "I'm sorry, just having a bad day."
"You're not the only one." She smiled faintly. "This has been hard on all of us." She placed little Wesley into his arms. "I'll take the girls and go make some sandwiches. She looked him in the eyes all lovingly as he rubbed his shoulder. "Why don't you go talk to him. The way you used to."
Eric nodded his head and watched as his wife and his seven and five year old daughters, Megan and Erin, walked into the mansion. He sighed heavily as he stared down at his young son's face, so unaware of what had happened in the last seven years, of how they came to be in this place and of those who are no longer with them.
Seven years, that's how long it had been since he was last here. Eric looked around at the mansion, the surrounding flower garden and trees, the long curved driveway. Everything looked the way he remembered it, nothing had changed, except for the house being emptier. All the staff of the house had been let go, the only one who remained was Philips, who would remain until Sky's behavior toned down a bit. "Come on; let's go see if we can talk some sense into that cousin of yours."
Sky lay on his bed staring up at the ceiling, lost in his thoughts. Trip lay on the floor next to his bed. On his nightstand was a picture of him and his father. He was just a boy then, but now he was no longer that same little boy who had posed in that picture, life altering events had changed that boy, made him into who he is today. Next to the picture frame was his father's helmet; it showed the markings of a hard battle. A battle which… He heard a knock on his door.
"Can I come in?"
Sky sighed. He hated this, everyone hovering over him, always asking how he was doing. How sorry they were for what happened. He'd been hearing it for years. Everyone always wants to make sure he's doing okay, but no one ever seemed to give a damn as to what he wanted. They all thought they knew what was best for Schuyler Colin Tate. "Whatever," he answered knowing Eric wasn't one to give up. He might as well get it over with now.
The door slowly opened and Eric walked in with Wesley in his arms. He closed the door behind him and sat down on Sky's bed. "Look, I'm sorry for yelling at you. I know this is a hard time for you. Your grandfather was a good man. He loved you very much."
Sky didn't answer. He just stared at Eric, still angry and upset with him, but his tone seemed to change when he looked at his young somewhat of a cousin, Wesley. The boy who had been named after his father; in some ways Sky felt honored Eric and Hayley had named their son after his father, but that still didn't take away the years of hurt and abandonment he still felt. "Look, let's just cut to the chase." He looked Eric hard in the eyes. "We both know why you're here and I've already made myself perfectly clear about what I want." He wasn't looking to have a heart to heart with Eric, especially when he knew that Eric hadn't ever been very good at them.
"We already talked about this, Sky, Hayley and I and the kid's will-"
"You aren't listening to me!" he exclaimed angrily as he looked Eric hard in the eyes. "I want to go to Newtech City and join the Academy."
"Sky, we've been over this, you're fourteen, you have another whole year until you can join the Academy," Eric tried to tell him. "They're still going over the arrangements to allow those under fifteen to join."
"I can't wait that long," announced Sky. This was all he had ever wanted and now with his grandfather gone there was no reason for him to stay in Silver Hills. He long ago pushed away any friend he once had at school. After his dad died, he just withdrew from them, wanting to concentrate on his training, which his grandfather saw he got. There was no one left here he cared about, other then Philips, who was going to be leaving him soon anyways. There was no point in staying. "I need to go now!"
"Sky."
"Look, I'm sure an exception can be made, after all, my grandfather was one of the main executors in starting SPD on earth, as was my father and you," he announced sharply. He took a deep breath to try and hide the pain and anger he felt, the frustration that had been growing within him for the past few days. "I haven't asked for anything from you in the last seven years." He looked Eric hard in the eyes. "The least you can do, is to do this for me."
Eric bowed his head down, sighing. "All right, you win." Sky was right, he hadn't asked for anything from him in the last seven years, not a thing. In fact this was actually the first time in years that he had been in Sky's room or even had a real conversation with him. Eric looked him in the eyes and responded softly. "I'll make some calls, see what I can do."
Sky nodded his head. "Thank you."
Eric just nodded his head and got up without saying another word. He had finally come to realize the full truth, what it meant that you can never go home again. Sky was no longer the sweet, loving, caring boy he remembered. Time had changed that boy, hardened him, it was as if Sky had used his own ability to put a shield around him to protect him for ever allowing anyone in, to ever getting hurt again. And in some way he knew he was partly responsible. He had been unable to deal with Wes's death and had to leave Silver Hills, but in doing so he left behind a boy who needed him.
Later that night, Hayley and Eric were cleaning up in the kitchen, while Sky sat in the living room keeping an eye on the kids. Hayley placed the dishes in the cabinet, while Eric cleaned the counter top.
"I'm going to Newtech City in the morning. I probably won't be back until later that night," Eric told her.
"What? Why? We're meeting with the lawyer tomorrow." Hayley turned around and the look she saw in Eric eyes told her just what he was going there for. "Eric, we talked about this. He's too young."
"No, Hayley." Eric sighed shaking his head. "As much as we'd like to believe that, he isn't. He's more grown up than we will ever know." And he was right, Sky was perhaps the most grown up fourteen year old boy on the planet. At age seven he had lost his father, and later grew out of touch with his stepmother. And now seven years later, Sky had been faced with another loss, his grandfather. He had more life experience then most adults.
"His grandfather just died!" She stopped once she realized she was raising her voice and didn't want to alert Sky and the kids that she was upset. She toned it down a bit, being very serious with Eric. "The last thing he needs is to be going away. He needs to stay here with us." Hayley knew if they just let Sky go he would bottle up his feelings and never move on. "We're his family."
"You think I don't know that?" he snapped. "I'm going and that's final."
"Eric..."
"Hayley. You didn't see the look in his eyes." He still hated himself for what he had done, walking out on Sky and Alec, at a time when they needed him. "I walked out on him when he was seven years old." Eric struggled to keep his tears back, because he knew what it felt like to be that kid. He knew what it felt like to be abandoned. To feel like no one wanted you, no one cared. "Seven years old and I left him."
"Eric, honey." Hayley walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him. "You can't keep blaming yourself like this. That was a long time ago. After Wes… it hurt all of us. Sky and Alec both knew that was hard on you." She sighed heavily. "You weren't the only one, I left too."
Eric looked her in the eyes sighing heavily, he wouldn't let her take on any of this burden. "No. We were married, had a baby girl and you followed me, sacrificing your job and reputation." She had sacrificed so much to save their marriage.
"Eric," Hayley started feeling this wasn't what was best for Sky. She knew the best thing for Sky was to be with people who care about him.
"It's what he wants, Hayley."
"But is it what he needs?"
"It may not be what he needs, but we both know it's going to happen," he answered. One way or another where now or next year Sky was going to the academy. "Ever since he was a little boy, we knew this would happen, that the day would come when he would go to the SPD Academy." Eric wrapped his arms around her. "He wants to be like his father, Hayley. Who am I to stop him?" It was the only thing he could do right now that would make Sky happy. He wanted to be able to make that little boy happy again.
"All right." She gave in. "I don't like it, but I guess I understand."
That's all they ever seemed to do now, was argue. Argue about him. This was his fault. He was the one causing all the problems. The reasons why no one would ever talk to them, push them away, wouldn't allow them to help anymore. And they were broke now. No money was left, every penny had been spent. Spent to help protect him, because of what was wrong with him.
The thirteen year old boy sighed heavily in his room of their two bedroom apartment. The place was a mess. The paint on the walls was fading and there were bugs all over the place. The smell he had gotten used to; it took a few weeks but it no longer bothered him. He closed the door so he could block out the yelling voices of his parents.
When he was little, things used to be good for them. They didn't always have a lot, but they had enough to keep on living. His parents had at one time had devoted their lives to helping others, but things had changed as he had gotten older. When he was little they were able to hide his powers, but then he got older and he couldn't help but use his powers, a gift was what his mother used to tell him. But now it felt more like a burden. The people at the places that used to welcome there help, had made it clear that they couldn't continue doing their work with him around.
He began to think, maybe things would be better for his parents if he just left. They wouldn't have to worry about him anymore and they could go back to working in the missions without having to worry about anyone finding out about him. And the more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. It might be nice to be out on his own. Get away from everything.
He quickly gathered up the few clothes and whatever else he could and fit it all in his book bag. Once he had everything ready he swung the bag over his back and started towards the wall, but stopped as if reconsidering. But then the arguing started once more, so he did what he thought he had to. He left. He left another thought as he walked he went though his wall, leaving no trace of himself behind.
A half hour later, the bedroom door opened. "Jack?" His father Lance searched the room, only to find a note on his sons bed that said 'I'm sorry'. His son was gone.
"Lance, what is it?" asked his wife, walking over to him. He didn't answer, just moved away so she could see for herself. All it took was one look for her to have her world come crashing down. "Jack. No!" she cried.