Disclaimer – Still own nothing. The song used in this chapter is actually one of two major things that inspired me to write the story, so I highly recommend listening to it, especially when reading this chapter. The song is called My Side of the Story by JT Hodges. Enjoy chapter 9.
Chapter 9
My Side of the Story
A cold wind blows, I am shivering, my body aches, as my heart is breaking
Hal sat quietly on the steps of the building, watching the 2nd Mass bustle around trying to get everything packed. It was a cold morning. In fact, it had been for Hal every day since he was rescued, but it had gotten worse two days ago, when he had found out what was going on with his headaches.
"Hal, I believe we can fix this." Cochise's voice echoed in Hal's mind. Apparently, the Espheni had done the same thing to some Volm warriors. So they created another drug and machine to fix the damage that was done to them.
"Could that work on a human?" Anne had questioned when Cochise told them about it. He said that they could make some adjustments and that it could work, but it might not, or might make it worse.
"Let's do it. But no one breathes a word of this to anyone, not to my Dad, not to Weaver or anyone else." Hal remembered Anne protesting to that. He told them if they knew, they would all worry about him when they should be focusing on winning this fight. They were getting ready to head out again, this time straight to Washington. Besides, worrying wouldn't do anything but waste time and energy.
They had reluctantly agreed to his request, then, Cochise left, saying he will inform them when it was ready. Now, all Hal could do was wait, knowing that even if they got to Washington and kicked the aliens a**, it might not make a difference for him. But he was going to do anything he could to help, because it could make a difference for his family.
FSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFS
Why is life making me hollow, why is happiness casting me in the shadows?
"Hal?" Matt called out. Hal turned around to see his little brother standing behind him. He gave the kid a small smile.
"Hey buddy. What's up?" Hal asked as Matt came over and sat down on the steps beside him.
"Nothing. Are you okay? Haven't seen you around lately." Hal put his arm around the youngest Mason's shoulders.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Hal lied. He could already tell that Matt, and the rest of his family were worried enough without adding the knowledge that his own brain was now basically a ticking time bomb.
"Are you sure? You've been acting weirder lately." Matt pressed.
"I've just been a little tired. That's all. Why don't you go back and give Dad a hand, I'll be there in a little bit?" Hal told him, giving him a small kiss on his head. Matt nodded and stood up and left.
FSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFS
Emptiness, it's all around me, I tried to catch my breath, I'm barely surviving
He felt her presence before he heard her. Hal could always tell when Maggie was near. It was like his body and mind perked up when she was close, and when he would see her, every instinct in him told him to run to her, hold her in his arms and kiss her.
Maggie didn't say anything. She just came over and sat down, not right beside him, but close enough. They hadn't talked since she had tried to get him to tell her about what had happened when he was held captive, right before he passed out.
They sat together in silence. He knew she wanted to say something, but she didn't. They both knew anything she said or asked, Hal would just brush off. Sitting beside him like this, was Maggie's way of saying that she was here for him. Hal appreciated that, but it didn't change anything. He was still dying, and he couldn't tell anyone, knowing that the minute he did, they would, one, turn all the attention on him when they should be focusing on winning the war, and two, know that there was something Hal remembered that he didn't know exactly how to deal with.
Even as he sat beside the woman he considered to be his best friend, the woman that he still loved, all Hal felt, was loneliness.
After a little while, it became clear to Maggie, that Hal wanted, or maybe even needed to be alone, she stood up. Before she left though, she bent forward and squeezed his shoulder, trying to offer him some comfort.
And I can't go on and I come undone, and there's nothing left in me
FSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFS
Finally, Tom came over to his son. Hal had been nothing but a ghost the last two days. Today, Hal had left after breakfast to go a little farther in town, almost completely out of sight. Tom had sent Matt to go check on him, knowing that Hal would be cold and defensive in brushing off any concern anyone would dare give him. Matt was the only exception to that.
When Matt came back, he told his Dad that Hal was just tired, but he was fine. Tom only needed to look at Maggie and she nodded. After giving Hal another hour alone, she went out to try and see if he'd talk to her. She came back, telling him that Hal hadn't said a word, but something was definitely wrong. So when the work was done, Tom went over to his son, who hadn't moved at all during the day, not even to get lunch.
"Hey." Tom said, coming up to stand in front of his son.
"Hey." Hal responded, keeping his eyes down, apparently finding the ground interesting.
"What's going on Hal?" Tom questioned, sitting down beside him.
"Nothing." Hal's defenses started rising, just as they both knew they would.
"Hal, I don't know what the Espheni did to you, but, if you ever need to talk, I'm right here." Tom told him. Hal said nothing in response, just continued staring into space.
"You can't keep bottling it up Hal. I know, there's something wrong. You've been bottling up your emotions for as long as I can remember, but if you don't let it out, your going to spend the rest of your life miserable." What little life I have left Hal thought bitterly to himself.
Tom let out a sigh when he saw that his words seemed to have no effect on Hal. The Mason patriarch put his arm around Hal's shoulder and pulled him close.
"Whenever you're ready, I'll be right here." Tom reminded him, pressing a kiss to the top of Hal's head, and stood up and walked away, knowing that for now, there was nothing else he could do but wait until Hal was ready to open up.
FSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFSFS
Hold on, don't turn and walk away, save me, and I cried these words but nobody came
Hal watched as his father walked away, a part of him wanting to call him back, wanting to tell him everything. Tell him what the Overlord did, what he remembered, and what Anne had told him. Yet, how could he look his father in the eye and tell him that he was dying?
No, it was better this way. As much as Hal hated it, it was better no one else knew. They shouldn't be distracted by their worry for him. It would do no good, plus Hal didn't know if he could take the look in their eyes if they knew. No, it was better this way.
Hal finally stood up as he watched everyone head for the food line. He walked past them and back to his room. Tector wasn't there, probably getting something to eat with everyone else.
So Hal laid down on the bed, silent tears of sadness and pain falling from his eyes. He buried his head in his pillow, hiding them in case anyone entered the room and fell asleep.
I'm all alone, running scared, losing my way in the dark, I tried to get up, stand on a prayer but I keep crashing down hard, this is my side of the story, only my side of the story, my side of the story, only my burden to bear, but nobody cares, nobody's there, no one will hear
My side of the story
AN – And another chapter is finished, and only 9 more to go. Please review, I would love to know your thoughts. I had found some mistakes I made in previous chapters, they have since been fixed, but if you guys find more, just let me know and I'll fix them. Next chapter is a big Hal and Maggie chapter (FINALLY!), and warning to you all right now, it will end on another cliffhanger so be prepared! See you soon!
