Chapter 16: Tormented
1 week later...
Nothing was quite the same as it once was, and I could see that now, especially as we stumbled practically blind in the dark. No one uttered a single word, not even Lena as she kept her eyes peeled for any ambushes. Only now was I realizing how paranoid they had become. I couldn't blame them. They've been caught off guard for the past year.
The group consisted of Angela, Genji, Reinhardt, Lena, and me. We were going to infiltrate and extract Olivia from her cell as quickly as possible using the tunnel, and lead her back to the multiple airships we landed around a mile away. The rest of Overwatch was standing by, ready to assist us if we needed it. But if we were lucky we'd get out of here before Talon even knew we were there.
Hopefully Olivia is still alive. None of the agents we have stationed there know her condition. Hell, they weren't even sure if she was still alive.
I struggled to keep my footing in the graveyard, constantly tripping over some root or stone. The place was horribly run down, which made it the perfect place for the secret passageway through the base.
Apparently our agents found it while surveying some blueprints they acquired. The entire base was deliberately confusing, built like a maze to trap any intruders in a corner with no way out. It was dangerous, and without our agents on the inside we'd be completely blind. But luckily enough they managed to not get caught, and they plan on leading us directly to where Olivia was being held. Thankfully the path through wasn't guarded very heavily, and Olivia's location could be accessed with a keycard one of our agents swiped. I planned on taking care of anyone that stood in our way. Nothing could keep me from Olivia anymore. I wasn't going to run again.
"Are we even sure this passage is through this...hellhole?" I broke the silence, and Genji shrugged, not bothering slowing down as Angela led us through the darkness. "The source is pretty reliable." Genji said, and I frowned as he shared some look with Reinhardt. Must be another one of their inside jokes.
"With our luck we're never going to find it." I muttered, and Lena giggled. "Ah, Scott, always the pessimist." She replied, and I scoffed. "I prefer realist."
As if on cue, Angela halted in front of one of the gravestones, wiping dust away from it. "It's here." She whispered, and Reinhardt moved to push it out of the way. Genji laughed, nudging my shoulder. "Never say never."
I watched as Reinhardt moved the gravestone aside, pushing through root and stem to do so. He wiped his hands clean after doing so, the metal of his gauntlets clanging together. He offered us a smile. "Ladies first."
I used my height to my advantage, looking over Angela's shoulder as she surveyed the opening. It was even darker in there than out here. She turned on her flashlight, illuminating the floor and ceiling. It was full of cobwebs, and Lena seemed a little frightened by it. "Ewww." Lena protested, but I nudged her forward with a gentle push. "It's a tight squeeze. Reinhardt, Scott, watch your head." Angela advised, continuing forward with Lena right on her heels.
"What about me? I'm tall too, right?" Genji asked, receiving no answer. "Right?"
Reinhardt dropped down behind me, and I could barely breathe in here. It was cramped, and I was practically on top of Genji as we rushed forward, moving through the seemingly endless tunnel. I could hear the squeaks of mice and other sorts of rodents as we ran by, disturbing their habitat. My mind began to wander as I kept up with the others, my eyes locked with the darkness in front of me.
'Olivia. You were always looking skyward. Rising, climbing, soaring. Like a lonely eagle, searching for the highest point before settling. Always watching us from above. Never down here, crawling through filth like the rest of us. Calm, cold, supreme. Nothing ever truly unsettled you, or left you devastated. So why? Why're you here? Captured, enduring who knows what? This isn't where you belong. This isn't where your dream was taking you.' I became lost in my thoughts, clenching my fists involuntarily.
'Will you always be left questioning me when I lay down my life for yours?' I heard Olivia's voice echo through my head, her words sending a shiver down my spine.
'I told you long ago that you belong to me, Scott. I won you that day. Your life, your death. They're both mine.' I could feel her eyes peering into my heart, her words like knives piercing my flesh.
'She was lost without you!' I heard Angela shout again, and I scowled. 'If that's true. If you truly needed me like they all believe you did, then what does that make me? Your equal? Your lover?'
'Your dream?' I thought, but I cleared my mind of those thoughts as everyone came to a stop in front of me. Angela held a finger up to her lips, telling us to keep quiet before signaling to a small flight of stairs that led upwards.
I pushed against the metal tile above me, forcing it upwards as I exited the tunnel, keeping my eyes peeled for any stray guards we didn't account for. The place was completely empty, nothing but a few crates and extra boxes of supplies. It was all covered in dust, as if this room was useless to Talon. I guess they never really have needed to use them for around a year. Ever since the UN ambushed Overwatch.
Supposedly this was the quickest way in, and our inside agents had cleared it for the night, taking guard duty. Hopefully this would go as simply as we planned.
I gently placed the tile down, careful not to alert the place. I helped the others out, struggling to help pull Reinhardt's huge crusader armor, let alone his body. "Are we even sure we can trust someone from here? What if it's a trap?" I asked Angela, and she offered a reassuring smile. "We're not the only ones who wish to see Sombra free."
"We've had some help from the inside." Genji added, and I scoffed. "Yeah, well I still don't trust this." I responded, and I could hear two pairs of footsteps coming from directly behind us. I turned, and Angela shined the flashlight on them. "Oh Scott, that suspicious mind of yours hasn't changed, huh?"
My eyes zoomed in, analyzing the two women who stood before me, completely covered in Talon gear. "Brigitte? Fareeha?" I asked, and they both nodded. "It's good to see you all. Surprised to see you make an appearance, Captain."
"You guys are the inside agents?" I asked, and Brigitte chuckled. "Yeah. A fake name and a bit of make up goes a long way." She said, and Fareeha nodded agreeably. "Besides, covered in armor you'd never know the difference."
"It's good to see you." Angela grinned at them both, and they nodded. "Take us to Sombra."
Their eyes noticeably shifted uncomfortably, as if just now remembering why we were here. "You know where she's held, right?" I asked, and they both nodded accordingly. "It's not far. But rumor has it she hasn't been heard in the past week. I don't usually assume the worst...but..." Fareeha trailed off, and Lena jumped into the conversation.
"Let's get a move on. We don't have time to waste." Lena seemed even more serious about this than usual. She was as nervous to see Olivia as I was. I could tell by how she trembled.
"I agree. We must move swiftly if we are to remain undetected." Genji advised, and Angela nodded. "You heard the man. Let's move. You two, lead the way."
We all gathered outside of a single solitary door that rested alone in the back of the hallway. It's door was made of a thick metal, but the hinges had rusted. Talon hadn't kept it very clean or strong. No need to since there was a mechanical lock on the other end that sealed the door shut. But with how rusty it was it could probably be broken down with enough force. Has Olivia never tried to escape?
No one said a word as Brigitte's shaky hands fumbled with the keycard, before it released a light beep and the sound of the door unlocked in response. I stood behind everyone as Fareeha slowly creaked the door open, and even from back here the stench from inside hit me like a train. I nearly fell back, aghast. Everyone in front of me hesitated, even Reinhardt seemingly afraid to step in. They knew what lies ahead. Whatever remains of our leader. And I doubt any of us want to be the first to see the aftermath of her year of torture.
I gulped audibly, before pushing past Genji and Lena. Angela placed a hand on my shoulder, offering me an uneasy glance. I inhaled deeply, before looking back at the others. None of them said a word.
Angela's flashlight illuminated the blood stained floors, my footsteps echoing as I stepped inside, preparing myself for what I was going to see. I could hear the sound of chains rustling in the breeze that blew past, and I tried to ignore the sight of blood splattered walls around me. There were scratch marks on the walls, leaving trails of blood behind them. I could hear the others stepping in behind me, dead silent as I turned. "Sombra?" I called out, with no response to my cry.
My eyes widened as I noticed the frail silhouette of a woman huddled on the floor. "There!" I said, frantically rushing over to the figure.
"Somb-"
I stopped, my eyes widening in fear as I noticed the color of her skin, most of it a deep red from the multiple scars along her body. Her dyed hair was much longer, along with most of it losing its color. She lied face down, blood surrounding her as I gasped. "Sombra..."
I could hear the others shift uncomfortably as they noticed her lying lifelessly in the corner, and I hurried over to her. "Sombra!" I grasped her shoulders gently, taken aback by how light she was. She must've lost at least fifty pounds. I turned her over, trying to get a good look at her face as I knelt down, holding her in my arms.
She lied there completely naked, allowing me to see every horror that they had inflicted onto her body. Scars littered her body, her entire torso covered in lashes and whip marks. Her arms and wrists had been intentionally cut and bandaged back up, keeping her alive but still causing her pain. Bruises covered most of her thighs and calves, and I could tell from running my hands along her back that it was covered in slashes from blades and whips. She had burn marks that went along her arms and legs, as if they'd been dunked in boiling water. Her skin was pale, devoid of color. I held her gently, afraid that if I moved she might shatter in my arms like glass.
Olivia's face was slightly sunken in, and her eyes were dark. A fresh slash mark went across her head, and I used my thumb to wipe the blood away. Two deep cuts went along her cheek, forming an X. Her once full lips were dry and cracked, as if she hadn't had any water in months. My hands shook as I held her, shaking my head in denial. "Angela! Did you bring any water?!" I demanded, anger seeping into my voice. She froze like a deer in headlights, barely squeaking out a word. "I..."
Genji rushed over to my side, kneeling down as he analyzed her. "No..." he trailed off in shock. Lena approached me as I huddled Olivia close to my chest. "I can he-"
"No! Don't! Stay back!" I growled. I didn't want her to see this. Not yet. But I could barely handle it myself.
"This can't be you...This can't be you..." I repeated, shaking as I held her. I could see her once flawless face and body staring back at me in that cave as I kept her warm with my body. Olivia was gorgeous, but now, with all of these scars... What they had done to her... it was irredeemable. Even with the scars, I could still see the woman I once worshipped. The woman I loved. Even now, she was beautiful in some way to me.
Her eyes slowly fluttered open, her pupils adjusting to the light. I stared at her, feeling a tear roll down my cheek. "It's me...Scott..." I stated, and for a moment she didn't move, as if she didn't recognize me. But her eyes widened in shock, and she struggled to say a word as she squirmed slightly in my grasp. "You..." She croaked, as if her very words suffocated her.
Olivia extended her frail hand outwards, grasping my neck weakly. She clenched her teeth, as if she meant to strangle me. Genji gasped, staring at her. I shook her off with ease, pulling her into a tight embrace as I sobbed. "I'm sorry... I should've never left you..."
My tears rolled down my face like a waterfall as I released all of the pent up emotions and frustrations I had built up, and I forgot about everything else in the world for a moment. It was just us in solitary. I felt her other hand grip my back, returning the hug. The hand she onced placed on my throat fell to my hand as she held onto me as tightly as I did her. "Scott..." she whispered, her voice soothing me for that one moment. Olivia moved against me, as if relishing in my touch.
As soon as I heard her voice and felt her skin on mine again, I realized something. She was the center of my universe once more. Olivia was my dream. And I'd never abandon that dream again.
We all turned as we heard the door behind us slam shut, and I snapped my head back to see Reaper staring at us from behind the barred slot in the door, cackling. "Oh that's too bad. Now I've locked the door. How will you escape now?" He began laughing, and I removed my trench coat, using it to cover Olivia's naked and shivering body. I placed my hand on Olivia's cheek, glancing back at him as I turned halfway.
"Was it you? Were you the one who did this to her?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I shook with an uncontrollable rage as he chuckled, that damn skull mask practically grinning at me behind the bars. "Well, I've made her quite beautiful haven't I? Even more so than she was before. Most of the time I'd whip her or cut her, and whenever she was sleeping or eating I'd peel parts of her skin off, remove her nails. She was never work. She was pure pleasure."
Genji shifted, removing his blade from its sheathe. Reinhardt growled as he stood over Olivia protectively, and Lena and Angela readied themselves for a fight. Brigitte and Fareeha growled in anger. I stood completely still, thinking about everything that he had done to her. "When I felt a little nicer instead I'd simply caress her body with hot irons or bathe her in boiling water. Oh we've been inseparable this last year while you were all prancing around. Sometimes she'd tell me about you all. She had a lot to say about you, Scottie."
Reaper chuckled in gleeful excitement as he recounted every single one of his deranged acts. Lena offered me a frightened look, and I scowled. "Unrequited love has always been one of my favorites. But no matter. Soon enough you'll all be together again, trapped in here. Stuck with me. Soon enough we'll begin transforming Sombra into another Widowmaker, or maybe even me if she's lucky. And you'll all watch helplessly as I-"
I busted straight through the metal door, making splinters of its frame as I plunged my blade right into his chest, pulling him closer with my other hand as he began to gargle on his own blood. He gasped in pain and fear as I yanked upwards, his intestines spilling outwards. "This is where you die, Gabriel. You can mist away all you want, your enhancements won't save you. Maybe you'll live a bit longer than most, maybe not. Maybe it'll give you more time to feel every bit of pain you can imagine." His hands sprawled out as he tried to escape my grasp as I leaned into him. "I've had much worse... I don't fear you...!" He struggled to speak, and I could tell how afraid he truly was, his hand reaching up to me.
My eyes and face offered no emotion as I stared at him, watching his blood seep onto my gear and blades. "Could you repeat that? I couldn't understand you." I smacked his hand aside, before my left blade shot outwards. I picked him up off the ground as his feet kicked and he struggled. "No!" He shouted, but it was much too late.
I slashed at his throat. His head met the cold floor beneath him as it rolled to my feet. I kicked his body off of my blade, before crushing his skull with my boot. His bone cracked under my heel as his mask and hood intermingled with his already deteriorating and rotting flesh. A sadistic smile spread across my lips for a moment, before a gunshot rang out.
The others all gathered behind me, Lena still looking up at me in both childlike wonder and fear, but also a hint of sadness at what had become of Gabriel. Genji deflected another bullet, sending it back down the narrow hallway and into the mob of Talon agents. "Don't move! Lay down your weapons and surrender!" Their commander yelled, and I scowled. They began to move forward to surround us. "We need to fall back, find another way out." Angela said to us all. Genji shook his head. "We don't have time for that."
I could feel Olivia staring at me, and I thought of every bit of pain she went through. Everything that they had caused.
"HAAAAAARRRRAAAAAAGH!" I released a deafening shout as I charged the enemy head on, and they seemed caught off guard by it. I readied my blades as I prepared to bulldoze through them all. I could hear Genji and Lena run beside me, with Reinhardt in the rear as he slung Olivia on his back.
"Damnit! What're you waiting for?! Shoot them!" I heard the commander who stood in front of them say, and I growled. He screamed in fear, expecting us to surrender. He certainly wasn't expecting me to split his head in two, splattering his brains on the walls beside me. The next three in front of me stumbled as they attempted to escape my wrath, as I swung down vertically, splitting a Talon agent down the middle. Lena began to fire at the crowd in front of me, thinning the herd as Genji dashed above them before landing on top of them. I charged straight into the middle of them, using my momentum to push through around a row of them with my shoulder, leaving Reinhardt and the others to clean the rest up.
I dashed forward, slashing to my right as I cut down three armed men before slamming my left blade through another agent's mouth, shattering his helmet. They were being pushed back before they could get a good shot in, the chaos of my abrupt charge catching them off guard. I stabbed a man in the gut before wrenching it outwards and kicking him into the group behind me. Genji's shuriken lodged themselves deep into four men's chest who attempted to shoot me. Lena kicked a man in the back of the knee, bringing him to the ground before allowing me to slam both of my blades into his chest and pull him apart at the seams like an old worn out shirt. Three pairs of hands began to try and pin me down, but I extended my blade through my elbow and into the men behind me.
Slashing a man at the knees, I left him to sprawl on the floor as we continued our onslaught. With Genji, Lena, and the others here to back me up, we'd be able to make it. Nothing was going to stop me from keeping the others safe. None of them will suffer again. I'll be sure of it.
Sombra's POV
It was another one of my twisted nightmares. It had to be. I've had so many dreams like this, all of them ending with them all being murdered, or simply fading out of existence. But...but none of the dreams had Scott here. He never came to save me in them. He had left for his own dream, independent from me. Showing me that I had depended on him, much more than he ever depended on me. Making me realize how weak I was.
But there he was, covered in blood like usual, hacking away at any that stood in his way, defending me. Just like he did in Russia. It seemed like ages ago, an entire lifetime ago. But he looked the same as he always did. Those eyes of his dancing around, his raven black hair, sharp beard, augmentations, everything...
It was just how I remembered him. But it wasn't the same. It never could be. Not with what happened. Not with all the torture I've sustained. Not with everything he's gained since I fell to my knees in front of him. I scowled, my hand involuntary clenching into a fist.
Scott's trench coat clung to me tightly as Reinhardt sprinted through what remained of whatever Scott left in his wake. His armor was rough, the edge of his gauntlet pressing into my wounds, the pain reminding me this was all real. I stared at Scott as he split another Talon agent in half, screaming in rage as the others pushed on. This was his fault. Everything. He left me, destroyed everything I had created. My dream was shattered ever since he left.
But my dream lied far beyond him. Beyond any of us. Yet...yet his departure destroyed it. What did that make him to me? My dream? Was he more important to me than it had ever been?
No matter how many times I thought of killing him, blaming him for this, torturing him in some sick twisted form of revenge for the year I've been tortured, I couldn't. I couldn't look that man in the eyes and wish death upon him. Not after all we had been through.
What had Scott done while he was gone? Did he return shortly after? Did he find some dream or thing he wanted to do? What motivated him enough to leave us all behind? What was he truly seeking? Did he ever find it?
Before I could give the matter any more thought, more gunfire sounded from behind the Talon agents. More Talon troops? No. It must be the others in Overwatch. How many had survived the ambush? How many stayed behind to save me? I was surprised anyone had showed up. But they all stood together, fighting to keep me safe. It irked me in some way I couldn't understand. Like they thought I was weak, and completely helpless. Hell I probably was. I could barely walk.
But to be beneath them all. To have them protect me as I cowered in the corner. I couldn't stand it. I belonged in front, leading them through this. Instead, Scott had taken my place. Just another thing I lost to him. He was stronger than me.
"Yaaaahoo!" I heard the southern drawl of a familiar cowboy, and I recognized the sound of his peacekeeper and the scent of his cigarillos. "We thought you could use the extra hand! Figured you folks was takin' ya sweet time!" He rolled in from behind, withdrawing a knife from his belt and slamming into an agent's throat. What seemed like thirty new recruits rushed in from behind him, flanking what remained of the still terrified Talon forces. They were pinned against one another, with no way out.
My eyes widened as I recognized the plan. Just like my battle plans in Russia. Draw the enemy out and force them to fight on two fronts. Had they planned this as well? How long were they like this? Did they really ever need me at all? How was I their leader when they got plenty of things done just fine without me.
I struggled to ignore my frustrations as Reinhardt swung his hammer wildly, crushing unlucky Talon soldiers beneath four hundred pounds of pure steel. "How're you holding up, Sombra?! Are you alright?!" He demanded, barely cocking his head back to glance at me. "I'm fine, at least for now." I replied, trying to be louder than the gunfire and screams. "Ah, that is good! It is amazing just to see you again, Sombra!" He praised me, but for once I felt nothing. There wasn't that spark in my chest. None of them belonged to me anymore. All of them were independent. Fighting for Scott, or Angela, or themselves. Not for me. Not for my dream.
I watched as they worked effortlessly together to take down what remained of Talon. Genji ducked, allowing Scott to leap over his back and into the middle of them, slashing wildly as he screamed. As always, the man operated on pure and unadulterated rage. Lena zipped behind them, her charismatic smile as bright as ever, even in a fight. Angela stayed near Reinhardt as he shielded her from harm, laughing as he did so. And Jesse seemed comfortable leading the recruits. Like he had been looking forward to this. Fareeha and Brigitte were in Talon uniforms. They must've been inside agents. It explained how they found me. Reinhardt cradled me in his arms like a small child as he crouched into a false tile in the floor, going down a flight of stairs as the others cleared a path.
We were in some cramped tunnel, the light at the end of it telling me this was almost over. Most of Talon chose to retreat rather than be slaughtered, and Scott stood in front of them all, breathing heavily as he retracted his blades. My mind flashed to when I found him against that tree, covered in blood and guts. He looked just like he did then, but without the wounds. He had gotten even better, more ruthless. I never even knew that was possible.
Jesse tipped his hat in my direction. "I see you got the boss. She alright?" He asked, and Genji sighed. "We'll speak about this later. But she's alive." He replied, and my eyes shifted to Scott as he shook, trembling in anger.
"This is my fault..." he muttered weakly.
I let go of Reinhardt's shoulders, and he turned back as I fell into the now bloody water, stumbling as I fell on my shaky and fragile legs. He offered a hand, and helped me up. I pulled Scott's trench coat closer to my body in order to prevent me from shivering, keeping my head held high in a desperate attempt to seem strong. All of the recruits stepped back as I made my way through the tunnel towards Scott, who hadn't noticed me approaching him. I limped towards him, ignoring Genji's offer to help me stand. "Sombra, you shouldn't be-" Angela stepped towards me, but I shook my head.
"I know. I shouldn't be alive either. But I'm here." I said, knowing full well how battered I looked. No matter what I did I looked defeated. 'They don't need to constantly remind me. I've seen myself. I know what they did to me. I remember how I got each and every scar. Reaper made sure of that.' I kept my thoughts to myself.
My dizziness was getting the better of me, and I nearly tripped over the corpse of an agent. But there Scott was, standing in the light, oblivious to my approach. I stepped towards him as he stood over me by a few inches. He was still shuddering lightly as I took the sleeve of his trench coat in my hand while still covering myself with it and placed it on his cheek.
Scott flinched and recoiled back for a moment, before meeting my eyes. I wiped the blood from his cheek as he shook, and I tried to contain the whirlwind of emotions inside of me. I could see myself hugging him tightly in the snow as he bled on that tree smiling at me. And I found myself in the same position, a single tear rolling down my cheek as I cleaned his face, his eyes zooming out in surprise. "Scott..." was all I could utter as he looked down at me, tears beginning to stream down his face as he did so.
His arms wrapped around my waist before I could react, and he pulled me into a tight hug, and for the first time in over a year, I felt loved. Like deep down in that cold and brutish heart of his, he held a special place for me. The anger and resentment I held for them all dissipated as I felt his lips meet my forehead in a gentle kiss, and I felt something stir inside me. That same feeling that had begun to replace my dream and my innermost desires that day in Russia. The moment he became just as important as my dream.
Even though any hope of my dream coming true was shattered the moment he left, that hole in my heart was being filled by his presence once more. For the few silent moments I spent in his arms, I forgot everything that had happened to me. I forgot the year of brutal torture I experienced. I forgot my defeat by his hand.
And I remembered him.
Scott's POV
All I could think of and see were Olivia's scars. I'd close my eyes, and I could still see them. Her body was mostly composed of scar tissue and bruises, just like mine was. But she was supposed to be above that. I could never picture her so terribly hurt. It's why I fought the way I did in Russia. I took those blows so she didn't have to. But then I destroyed it all the moment I left. I let her get captured. I let this happen.
So why, why, why did she still look at me that way? Those eyes of hers portrayed that same feeling they always did, and she even offered me a smile. But I struggled to return the same. I couldn't look at her and not crack under the pressure of the enormous amount of guilt I felt while meeting her eyes. That X scar along her cheek, the cuts on her abdomen, the lashes on her back, the burn marks. All of them stared at me, reminding me of what a failure I was. Of what I caused.
I was selfish. I was so caught up in my crusade that I never thought of the consequences. I never thought Olivia would crash like she did. I believed she was so far above me, that I was meaningless to her. How could I be so blind? She depended on me just as much as I did her. How different would things be if I had realized that sooner? She'd have accomplished her goals by now, made everlasting changes in the world. Her actions would've saved so many. But I destroyed it all with one single swing.
I stared at her as she slept peacefully, unable to leave her side for the remainder of the flight back. We had placed her in the back of the cargo hold on a metal slab. I was sure to give her plenty of food and water, along with enough blankets to cover the whole damn aircraft. I helped Angela bandage her as best as I could, but I was shaking so uncontrollably as I looked at her body that I wasn't much help. Angela was kind enough to not bring it up. Lena and the others kept their eyes on her, and they soon realized I wasn't going to leave her. It was my own desperate attempt to make up for what I had caused. But it was too little too late.
Watching her chest slowly rise and go back down as she slept, I placed my titanium hand in hers, tracing my thumb along the back of her palm like she did with me at times. I was hoping I could soothe her in some way. But I knew that was pointless. Her scars may fade and heal, but her memories will stay there forevermore. A constant reminder of the pain I caused her.
Yet as I looked at her, ignoring the scars, I still saw the beautiful woman I loved resting peacefully beside me. For the moment, I tried to comfort myself by imagining waking up next to her every night, being the one she lived her life with. I enjoyed the daydream, as far fetched as it was. But I couldn't help it. Olivia was the only one who saw past this. My augmentations, my flaws, my fucked up past. I wanted to be the one to repair the dream I had shattered, and to nurture it. Even if I couldn't be with her, and even if the guilt became too much for me, I wanted to be there for her. To see her succeed once more. As much as I hated it when I first met her, I longed for the days when she flew above us, away from the filth and corruption below her. But now she had fallen to earth, and I was the one who clipped her wings.
But not anymore. I wasn't going to run from her. Even if she ends up wanting me dead when she figures out I had left for nothing, and that I found nothing outside of Overwatch, I'll stand my ground. Whether she kills me or forgives me, I'll accept either outcome.
I felt a mechanical hand on my shoulder, and I expected to look up and see Genji, but instead Jesse stood over me. "She'll make it. She's strong, just like you. She'll get on her feet again." He offered me a rare smile. I was used to seeing him scowl like usual, but there was a genuine smile on his face as he patted my shoulder. "I know." I replied, and he huffed.
"Good. Don't wanna see you mopin' around anymore. Ain't gonna get nothing done feeling sorry for yourself. You fucked up. Don't mean ya can't make up for it." Jesse advised, and I chuckled, turning back and looking at Olivia as she slept. I smiled.
"It's never too late to stop hurting and killing people, and start helping people. It's never too late to come back." I repeated what he said to me years ago in our hotel room in Monaco, and I heard him hesitate, surprised I remembered him saying that.
He shifted his feet and walked off, but I could tell by the way he turned back and looked at me that he smiled.
I held Olivia's hand a bit more steady for the rest of the flight with those words in mind.
Aww yeah. I love that little bit of character growth between Jesse and Scott. I'm so happy with the way this one turned out.
I wanted to introduce some plots to be explored in the next chapters, like Scott feeling responsible for Olivia's scars, and how Olivia is slowly realizing what Scott meant to her. Both of them are changing and figuring out what the other truly meant, and how important they both were to one another. Scott's dream is Olivia, and Olivia is realizing her dream may be dead and gone.
Or is it?
Until next time, thanks for all the support everyone! See ya in the next chapter!
