Halo by Martin O'Donnell & Michael Salvatori

Helix by Hi-Finesse

Severnaya Surface by 007 Goldeneye soundtrack

The Dark of You by Breaking Benjamin

2020

Verdun

Reset 199

Rita glanced over at Kamden to find him tapping his fingers on his leg in a rhythmic pattern. Since she'd taken Harvey to see his daughter, she'd gotten the idea to take each member of her team to see someone they loved. She knew they wouldn't remember it, but it was something she found she needed to do. She needed the normalcy, the emotions. It helped her to feel sane while living this insane thing that was happening every day.

She caught the song he was humming, and she knew exactly where it came from. Her son had played the video game repeatedly after all.

"Psyching yourself up, are you?" she asked, making him look at her.

"Huh?"

"The tune you're humming," she said, gesturing.

"Ah. Yea, sorry," he apologized. "It's my go to for getting pumped."

"Does it work?"

"Sort of," Kamden replied with a smile. "I mean, who doesn't like the Halo theme song?"

"My son played the game a lot, but I never paid attention to what it was about," Rita said. Kamden gave a snort.

"Simply put, it's aliens vs. humans," he replied. "Ironic, right? It's like they were trying to train us for this day, but I'd rather fight the Covenant than these things we've got."

"Interesting," Rita mused. Maybe that was where Brendan got his drive to join the UDF. Did he not realize that video games and the real world were very different? Did he think he was invincible and wouldn't die over here?

"I played it with my sister all the time," Kamden offered next. "She kicked my ass on versus mode, so we usually just did the campaign together. She was terrible for coming up behind me, doing a melee to the back of my head to kill me, and then stealing all my stuff."

"I don't understand any of what you just said," Rita advised.

"Ah, well...you had to be there," he said. "Kailee was a brutal gamer."

"You two were close?"

"Definitely. I think if she could have, she would have been here fighting."

"You miss her."

"Very much." He looked almost sad for a second. Then he cleared his throat. "So, we ready for tomorrow?"

"I think so."

"Hopefully we kick some ass," he said with a chuckle. Rita didn't say anything else back. She hated knowing how much he got killed. It made it hard to breathe sometimes. Harvey came up to them at this point, wanting to show Kamden something. Rita watched them go, her hands tucked into her jacket pockets.

...

She ran hard, needing to just get the energy burned off. She couldn't sleep. For some reason, memories of Simon kept popping up against her will. Ever since her string of nightmares at the psych ward, he was more vivid in her mind along with another person she'd worked hard to forget. It bothered her because she'd worked so hard to get past it all, and a couple of stupid dreams brought it all back.

I am never talking about this again. I have stuffed it into the farthest part of my mind, and I am never, ever, going to think about it or talk about it ever again.

Words she had said to Luke after that stupid party in '97 popped into her head. She could still see the look on in his face when he saw what happened to her. She reached her rock and stopped, gripping her head and resisting screaming. She collapsed onto the rock and curled over, her forehead touching her knees as she continued to hold her head. She breathed hard, trying to push past the flashbacks of Simon as they came up:

Grabbing her by the hair and dragging her through the kitchen.

Gripping her and making her nose bleed after smacking her head off the counter.

Throwing stones at the goats and laughing.

Kicking and pinching her every chance he got.

Aiming the .22 at her when she walked by.

Shoving her into the wall as hard as he could.

Stealing her lunch at school.

Sucker punching her when she least expected it.

Holding her hand over her nose and mouth so she couldn't breathe.

Trying to set her hair on fire.

Holding her head under the water.

Touching her where he shouldn't have.

His hand wrapped around her throat as tightly as he could.

Rita gasped and lifted her head up. Enough was enough. She was not giving him this power anymore. She got back to her feet and paced, her fingers sliding up and down her chain. She wasn't going to think about him anymore. She wouldn't allow it. He got to run amok the last few resets, but that was over. From here on out, Simon had no place in her brain.

She turned around and gave an involuntary yelp at the sight of Farell.

"Why are you not sleeping, Corporal?" he asked. His arms were crossed, but he looked more tired than pissed off.

"Just trying to process stuff, sir," she answered. Farell surveyed her carefully, and she hoped he couldn't see she'd been crying. He surprised her by coming to sit next to her.

"Something tells me it's more than just the war stuff," he said. Rita wasn't sure what to make of this. Farell didn't talk to people. What the hell was going on here?

"Erm, yea," she confessed.

"I know I don't seem like the type, but I am a good listener," he offered. She full out gaped at him now. Who was this imposter?

"Sir?" she said, sounding confused. He chuckled.

"I know...I put on a tough act 24/7, but tonight, I feel like a broken man. I'm desperate to think about something else for a while."

"Your son," she said, and then promptly realized she shouldn't know that information. She bit her lip as he gave her a stunned look.

"How did you...?"

"The papers," she lied. "I read about it in the paper. After it happened."

"Right." He looked uncertain but didn't challenge it. He scratched his head absently. "Well, now you know what I'm stuck ruminating on. Your turn."

Rita contemplated it, and then she decided to. Why not? He wouldn't remember.

"My cousin molested me when I was little," she offered. "Then some prat at a party tried to rape me, but I got away. For some reason, the two of them are stuck in my head despite my efforts to keep them out."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Farell stated. "Sickens me how disgusting my gender can be at times."

"Mine too," Rita agreed, and he laughed.

"I guess we all have our shit." He nodded.

"I lost my dad when I was 19," she added, on a roll now. "My mum died during childbirth. I lost my husband. I lost my son. I have no one. I...I'm alone." The realization hit her hard and fast, and she pressed a hand to her mouth. Farell reached to rest his on her shoulder.

"You have your team," he reminded her. "Travis."

She looked at him. Did he think they were an item? She said nothing, hoping he meant it in a just friends sort of way. She sighed.

"I do," she agreed. "But after this...what do I have left? Where do I even go?"

"I'm glad you still think there is going to be an 'after' when this is over," Farell said with another chuckle.

"Well, I'm not going to be a pessimist about it," she countered. "That's a quick way to lose the war."

"True. Guess I'm just being realistic. We're way out of our league here, and I have no idea how we're gonna survive."

She wondered if she could tell him the truth, if he'd understand and help her. She was a bit gun shy after Brigham, though, but if she gave him a hypothetical situation, then she'd know his stance about it.

"What if there was a way to reset the day?" she asked casually. He snorted.

"Right, and I'm Harry Potter."

"You'd just be closed minded about it?"

"Corporal, that kind of shit ain't real."

"Pretend it was," Rita insisted. "Pretend someone told you that they could relive the same day and find out how to end this war. What would you do?"

"I'd call them batshit crazy," he replied, "because clearly they're mental, and who could blame them after all this?" Rita chewed on her inner cheek, holding back her sigh. So much for that working.

"Fair enough," she said, looking down at her folded hands.

"Is someone on your team telling you this?"

"No," she answered.

"Good, because I'd be inclined to tell you to report them if they did. This war will make anyone lose their damn mind," Farell sighed. Rita swallowed. After her experience, she'd be a bit more inclined to believe someone rather than toss them away and call them mental.

"Well," she said now. "I guess I should try to get some sleep."

"Good idea. I'll see you out there tomorrow," he said, giving her a nod.

"Thanks for listening," Rita added, feeling she needed to say it.

"You're welcome, Corporal. Just remember to keep your chin up. Life throws tons of shit, but it's the little good things that happen that make it all worth it."

How true. She gave a tight smile and a nod and then started walking back to her barrack. It took a while to fall asleep, and then morning came before no time.

...

Rita snuck up on Kamden without meaning to. He jumped and swore at her, giving his best glare.

"Sorry," she said, not sorry at all.

"What're you doing?" he asked. "Shouldn't you be getting ready?"

"You and I are going on a secret mission," she told him, and he lifted a brow with a skeptical look.

"Excuse me?" he asked.

"You heard me."

"Since when?"

"Since now."

"Says who?"

"Says the person in charge." She crossed her arms. "You gonna argue with me about it or saddle up?"

"Where are we going?"

"I'll tell you on the way," she answered. "Meet me by the third aircraft bay in ten minutes."

"Alright then."

She gave a nod and then left him. She went to steal the aircraft keys, which was easier now that she'd done it a few times before. She avoided Travis and the others so she wouldn't have to explain why she wasn't gearing up.

Kamden met her on time with a quizzical look on his face at the sight of her weaponless.

"What kind of mission is this again?"

"Just get on," she ordered. He was going to protest, but she simply put a hand on his upper back and steered him up the ramp. Once in her seat, she got the aircraft going and took off. Kamden was staring at her.

"Since when do you know how to fly?" he asked.

"Since always," she lied. He scoffed.

"Uh huh, sure. You know I can smell bullshit a mile away right?"

"Just enjoy the ride," she encouraged, giving a bit of a smile. He looked even more taken aback.

"Okay," he said, holding up a hand. "You never smile. What the hell is going on?"

"You'll see," she replied, getting settled in her seat. She couldn't wait to see his face when they landed.

...

"What the fresh hell is this?" Kamden asked when they had disembarked the aircraft. He was staring at the landscape before them where a house stood tall on a hill on the other side. Rita could see some sheep and border collie from where she was standing. Kamden turned his head to look at her.

"Rita, answer me," he said. "Why are we here? What is going on?"

"I just wanted to give you a chance to see them again," Rita answered. "Before we went on our mission."

"Why? Do you know something I don't?"

She could see it in her mind on repeat: Every single time he died. Her heart twisted, but she couldn't answer that question. Instead, she walked towards the house. Kamden followed, not saying anything else. Once they arrived at the front door, she stepped aside to let him knock. He tried the knob first and found it locked. After ringing the bell, he waited. Rita could feel his energy humming with anticipation.

The door opened, and she watched as a young woman in a wheelchair shrieked and then started to bawl at the sight of Kamden. She was reaching for him, and he bent to hug her tightly, a few tears in his own eyes now.

"Kam," she cried. "Oh, Kam! I can't believe this! What are you doing here? How are you here?!"

"I have no idea," Kamden said, shooting Rita a look. "She won't tell me."

"Just enjoy it," Rita ordered. He gave a small smile at this.

"I hope you're giving 'em hell," Kailee said now, holding Kamden's face and examining him all over. Her thumb went over a scar on his cheekbone. "You've seen some action."

"Little bit."

"I still don't understand why you're here..."

"We are on our way to do an op, and I figured he could take a moment to see you before we got there," Rita answered with a shrug. "No biggie."

"Are you home alone?"

"Mum and Dad are in the basement. They think they're safer down there."

"I'll come in for a minute," Kamden said, stepping inside as Kailee wheeled back to let him in. Rita hovered until he caught her coat sleeve and hauled her in with him.

"So who is this?" Kailee asked, eyeing Rita up now.

"Rita," she answered. "We've been on the same team for a bit now."

"You've got my brother's back?"

"Of course."

"I wish I could be there," Kailee lamented.

"No, you don't," Kamden corrected, shaking his head. She pressed her lips together and didn't argue. By the time they reached the kitchen, their parents had arrived after hearing the noise.

"Kamden!" his mother gasped, rushing to hug him tightly. "Oh my God. Oh my God!"

"Son," his father said, moving to grasp his shoulder tightly in his hand.

"Hi," Kamden said, his voice muffled under his mother's hair. She was a bit taller than him, as was his father. Rita noticed he was standing with a cane. She wondered what happened to him and Kailee. She realized she'd never bothered to ask much about them, but that was because she'd been trying to keep her distance.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" his father asked, searching him over.

"I'm fine. Just stopping by on our way to a job," Kamden answered.

"We've been so worried. It's so terrifying out there. I'm afraid we're not going to get out of this nightmare," his mother said, cupping his face with her hands and looking him over as well. "We've been so scared for you."

"I'm fine, Ma," Kamden answered softly. "I promise."

Rita decided to give them privacy, going to peruse the photos on the wall in the hallway. She smiled at the sight of a laughing Kamden in most of them. His smile was the brightest with his sister's in second place. She noticed Kailee was standing until about mid teens; then she was in a wheelchair. His father's cane showed up around the same time.

"It was an accident," Kailee said, scaring Rita and making her jump. She looked at her, feeling caught out.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to snoop..."

"Nah, it's okay. Everyone always wonders," Kailee said, waving a hand dismissively. "I mean, Dad with his cane and me with my chair...people are obviously gonna think it's some genetic thing."

"But it wasn't?"

"No. We were driving and got into an accident. We were both pinned in, but I lost my legs while Dad just had significant damage to his one leg. I know he feels guilty every day and wishes the roles were reversed, but I've accepted my position a long time ago. It's who I am, and I'm proud to be me."

"That must have been so scary, though."

"It was, but also humbling. I don't tell a lot of people this, but I can tell you're a good soul, so I will tell you. I met God when that accident happened. He told me it was far from my time, and He sent me back. Some people I tell think I'm nuts, but I stand by it. It's why this war doesn't make me as afraid as others...I know there's something so much better after this."

Rita felt slightly jealous but also hopeful. If such a place were real, then that's where she'd see her parents again. She hoped so.

"I think that's moving," Rita answered, and Kailee beamed.

"I knew I liked you for a reason!" she said happily. "And not just because you brought Kamden here to see us on your way to wherever it is you're going."

Rita smiled, and she knew they were running out of time. She slipped away as the four of them talked and laughed a bit. The worry and stress in Kamden's features were something new that were not in all the photos on the wall, and she felt bad. She wondered if he'd ever get back to that carefree person if this war ever did end. She really hoped he would.

She let an hour go by and was sitting on the front steps outside when Kamden found her.

"Thank you," he said simply after joining her. "I needed that."

"I know."

"Are we really going on a mission, or are we deserting?" he asked.

"Not deserting," Rita answered, "just taking a detour."

"From what?"

"Dying," she answered, pulling out her gun. His eyes widened.

"What're you talking about?"

"You don't want to know," she said. "Trust me." She moved quickly before he could stop her, and she felt sad that this visit was over.

She'd seen a side of Kamden today that made her feel a bit closer to him, and she had no regrets about it.

Reset 200

Pete was quiet for most of the flight, but Rita could tell he was confused. He easily fell for the mission story like Kamden had, but the longer they flew, the more suspicious he became. After not getting any answers out of her, he stopped talking altogether.

Upon landing by his childhood home, he stood there blinking hard and fast while clearing his throat.

"I didn't want to ruin the surprise," Rita said, and he cleared his throat loudly again.

"Are we going to be in trouble for this?"

"No," she answered. "I promise."

He nodded slowly, not fighting it, as he walked towards his house where two people were exiting the building. Rita knew that he was struggling the most, and she felt bad that he wouldn't remember this to have something good to remember moving forward. She watched as he hugged his parents tightly, noticing how elderly they looked. She turned away to avoid being pulled into it, and instead went for a walk because this wasn't her reunion. She wanted him to have the time and not worry about her. She ended up at the next house that was a few miles away, and she went up the driveway, feeling curious.

She felt a strange sensation as she approached it. It was abandoned, that much was obvious. With a look over her shoulder to see she was still alone, she got the door open and stepped inside.

It was dusty and musty, and the floors creaked as she walked. She entered the kitchen and saw two photos on it, and her heart almost stopped.

They were of Luke.

With a shaky breath, she reached out to take it in her fingers, smoothing her thumb over his face in the picture. He was wearing a solemn expression, but it was her Luke. She looked around, trying to understand it. Then she remembered he'd said he'd lived in Australia for a bit with his biological father, so this must be the house; she just had no idea he'd been neighbors with Pete. It really was a small world.

She put the picture back reluctantly, moving to take in the rest of the place now that she knew whose it was. She could see a guitar leaning against the wall and pictured Luke learning how to play with his father sitting next to him and showing him how. She noticed books on Russian on the shelves. Clothes were draped over the back of the couch, waiting for their owner to claim them again. It was clear nothing had moved since the day Brendan had been killed and Luke had been taken away. She was a bit surprised that Luke hadn't come here himself to deal with it.

Then she saw a photograph tucked in the mirror in the master bedroom, and she saw a young man and woman embracing each other and smiling widely at the camera. She could see Luke's features in their faces, and she knew right away they were his parents.

A pang of sadness hit her. Brendan had obviously loved Luke's mother a lot to keep this photo. She saw another picture of an infant and knew it was Luke. She touched it, wishing she could take it but knowing it wouldn't stay with her if she did. Maybe she'd come back here when it was over. If it was over and she survived.

She found Luke's room next and smiled at the semi messy state of it. He always was bad for making the bed, but he had everything else organized. It was a strange thing...one she teased him for a lot over the years. She sat on the end of it, looking around. She caught sight of some heavy metal albums and smiled again. She wondered if listening to that kind of music was his way of being close to his father. She always knew he was processing something whenever he had it cranked to an ear splitting level.

Rita sighed and pressed a hand to her face. She felt sad suddenly, knowing that Luke witnessed his father's murder here, that he'd been ripped off time with him, just like she'd ripped him off time with his own son. His past always made her feel sad, and she felt worse knowing she'd added to his misery.

She forced herself up and headed back outside and walked back to Pete's place. She found Pete standing in the backyard with his parents and looking at a grave. She knew it was Randy's. That was when they were still shipping bodies home to be buried. With the state of things now, they were no longer doing that.

"Where were you?" Pete asked.

"Just for a walk," she replied.

"Oh," he said. "You okay?"

"Yea. I'm just tired."

He looked like he didn't believe her, but she didn't want to get into it with him about Luke. She was too emotionally drained for that right now.

"Thanks," he said to her, "for bringing me here."

"My pleasure."

He bowed his head and went to hug his parents again. Rita walked around to the front of the building and pulled out her gun. She knew she could let him have the whole day, but she also felt like she should be getting back to finding the Omega.

And after all, she had one more person to take on a trip down memory lane.

Reset 201

Rita sat back and watched Travis. He carried himself with confidence for the most part, but she could see the pain in his eyes from loss. She wished she could have met Chloe since she was so meaningful to him. She wondered if they could have been friends. She wondered if Travis would be friends with Luke if they'd met. She kind of thought they would be.

She watched him in the mess hall writing, which she knew was a letter to his mother. She thought of her own journal, how she wrote different things every reset for the most part. It kind of bothered her that her experience couldn't be documented, not right now anyway. Maybe if this ended and she survived she could write it down. But who would believe her?

"There she is," Travis said without looking up as she joined him. He didn't know about her ability yet, and sometimes she delayed telling him so they could have some down time like this together without the urgency of training.

"Writing your novel?" she asked, sliding onto the seat across from him and resting her elbows on the table.

"Possibly a piece of a memoir," he answered. "If my mother decides to publish her life story and how she lost her son."

"That's bleak," Rita commented, and he gave a rueful smile.

"It's realistic."

"You're not the first person to tell me that."

"I can't help but feel like tomorrow is it," Travis went on, setting his pen down. "Can't explain it...just a feeling."

Rita picked at her fingers absently, looking down at them after a moment. It was hard knowing that most of the time he did die tomorrow. She wracked her brain constantly for a way to save her entire team, but it was hard. She had to keep trying, though.

"I need to tell you something," she said finally, looking at him again. He gave her a slightly quizzical look, waiting. She cleared her throat. "Erm, it's gonna sound really bizarre, but you've believed me every time in the past, so I'm hoping you do again today."

"I'm listening."

"These aliens...they have the power to reset the day if they lose a battle."

"Come again?" Travis asked, stunned.

"Dr. Carter can tell you more, but what I'm trying to say is that I killed a specific Mimic called an Alpha, and its blood got into my system, so now I can reset the day."

"Whoa," Travis said, sitting back in his seat and eyeing her up now. "Okay...that's some freaky shit, luv."

"You wanna try having the power and having to die constantly to keep it?" she challenged.

"Give me a sec," he said, rubbing a hand over his face. She watched him process the information. She didn't know why he never faltered in believing her.

"In case you need proof, I happen to know that you tell your mother I'm the closest thing to the best friend you've ever had in that letter." She rested a finger near the edge of the paper on the table, and Travis looked down at it.

"Huh," he said.

Rita waited, and he rested his mouth in his hand with his elbow on the table. Then he dropped his hand and looked at her.

"Alright," he said. "I believe you. Tell me more."

"I've reset 201 times today," she said, and he spluttered.

"What?!"

"Yes."

"Why so much?"

"I keep dying," she answered. "And we're close to finding the Omega, which is how we will end this war."

"It's the head of the snake?"

"Yes."

"Got it."

"You and I have been trying to find it, but in the last couple of resets, I've been doing something else."

"Like what?"

"Looking for my son for starters," she replied, "but then...then I got the idea to boost the mood of my teammates a bit...even though they won't remember at all."

"Now I'm very intrigued," he said with a smile. "What did you do?"

"I took them to see their loved ones," she answered. She watched his face display a range of emotions at this. Then he cleared his throat.

"That's really kind of you," he said.

"I know they won't remember it, but I will, and I guess I just needed to see them happy for even just a moment to remind myself that it's not all dark and scary."

"Is it working?"

"A little," she admitted.

"Did you find your son?"

"No."

"How did my mother react?" he asked. "When she saw me?"

"I don't know," she said. "Today is your turn." She saw him nod slowly and smile a bit while looking a bit misty eyed.

"Yea?" he said as a question.

"Yea."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

...

It was nice to not have to lie for once. Rita followed Travis to the front door of his mother's home, trying not to notice the state of the street or worry that she might not be there. He pressed the buzzer and waited, leaning against the doorway. Rita stuffed her hands into her pockets, keeping her back to the wind.

"I don't have to be here," she said again.

"How else is she going to meet my best friend?" Travis countered, lifting a brow, and Rita scoffed lightly in her throat.

"Fine."

The slat in the door opened a bit to reveal an eye, which widened in shock a second later.

"OH MY GOODNESS!" a voice shrieked. The door was yanked open, and Travis was pulled down into a tight hug by a short woman who looked like she barely weighted 100 pounds. "IT'S MY BABY! IT'S MY BABY BOY!"

"Hi, Ma," Travis said, wincing slightly at her volume.

"I never thought I'd see you again," she sobbed now. "Oh, Travis. Oh, my baby."

"I'm alright," he told her. When she finally stopped hugging him, she wiped at her eyes and laughed a little. Then she saw Rita.

"Who is this?" she asked.

"This is my friend, Rita," he answered.

"From your letters!"

Rita gave Travis a look, and he looked a little embarrassed. Apparently he'd written about her more than once.

"I talked about the guys in those letters too," he said, slightly defensive.

"It's alright."

"Oh, yes, he's told me all about Kamden, Pete, and Harvey too," his mother advised. "It's so wonderful to know he's got a good team to have his back. I'm Doris, by the way."

"Nice to meet you," Rita said, and then was startled when Doris pulled her into a hug. It had been a long time since a motherly figure had hugged her. She felt her eyes well up slightly.

"So how are you here? I thought there was a battle tomorrow?"

"There is," Travis answered. "We kind of snuck away."

"You didn't...?"

"No, we didn't desert," he interrupted. "Just wanted to see you before we went."

"You've got a feeling, haven't you?" Doris asked knowingly.

"A little bit," Travis admitted.

"Well come in then," she said, pulling them inside. "How long have you got?"

"A few hours," Rita answered. She liked their home; it was small but didn't feel like it once inside. She stood in the doorway, feeling like she was intruding.

"You coming?" Travis asked her.

"I think I'll let you have the time with your mum," she answered.

"Nonsense," Doris scoffed, waving her hand. "Get in here!"

"I really just want to walk for a bit," Rita said, feeling overwhelmed suddenly. She'd longed to have a type of reunion with her own mother, but that was impossible, and seeing Travis with Doris was triggering it all again for her.

"Alright," Travis said softly. "You know where to find us."

"Thanks." She walked away quickly, feeling stupid for getting emotional. She walked until her feet hurt, and then she found a bench and sat down. Everything was abandoned practically. The damage this war had done to England and everywhere else was devastating. Rita wondered how they'd recover from it if they even did survive.

She wondered where Luke grew up. He'd never shown her, and she felt curious to see what he'd been surrounded by until he'd left. Seeing his home in Australia was still bringing up strange feelings for her. It felt like she'd invaded his privacy somehow. It made her miss him that much more after being around his things and memories.

She let two hours go by before heading back. She found Travis and Doris at the kitchen table laughing and sharing memories. Doris waved her in after spying her there.

"Tell me about yourself," she instructed. "I know barely anything from when Travis mentioned you."

"Not much to tell," Rita advised, sitting down to Doris's left.

"There must be something to explain that haunted look in your eyes," Doris insisted, and Rita let out a soft chuckle.

"Well, yea, but it's not worth mentioning."

"On the contrary," Doris argued. "Talking about your pain is what helps you heal from it."

"I know."

"Maybe don't pressure her to spill her guts, Ma," Travis said now, making Doris sigh lightly.

"Alright. But I hope you talk to someone. It's important."

"I agree." Rita nodded. If she was honest, she did want to talk to Doris, but something was stopping her and she couldn't explain it. Maybe she just didn't want to lose another confidant. She listened to Travis and Doris share stories and memories for a bit longer, and she enjoyed getting to know a younger version of her friend that she probably would never have found out.

"I guess we should get back," Travis said reluctantly after some more small talk.

"Your call," Rita replied.

"I wouldn't want you to get into trouble," Doris said, standing up with them.

"We won't," Travis promised. He gave her a bear hug, and Doris started to cry a little. Rita turned away to give them privacy as Travis leaned down to say something into her ear. She waved as Doris stood in the doorway and watched them go, waving back.

"She's really nice," Rita said once they were out of sight.

"She is."

"We still have time for one more stop," she advised, and Travis half turned to look at her before giving a nod of thanks.

Rita never knew how to feel in graveyards, but she dealt with the emotions as Travis went to stand in front of a headstone that had some flowers on it and Chloe's name engraved in swirly letters. She waited, watching him talk and gesture lightly with his hands. He even laughed once, and she wondered what he said.

"Thank you," he said to her when he finished and was next to her again.

"You had a nice time with your mum?"

"Of course. I only wish I could remember it moving forward."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. This version of me is grateful and happy to have experienced it. Thank you for bringing me here."

"My pleasure."

They walked in silence, and Rita mentally prepared herself for resetting.

"Where are you going to look for Brendan next?" Travis asked, and she sighed. She'd been thinking about that, and she really didn't want to start with the morgues.

"Hospitals I guess," she replied. "I don't really know what to expect."

"He might not be there right now, though."

"I know."

"I think he's alive," Travis said confidently. "I think you're gonna find him and everything will be okay."

"I appreciate the thought."

"Believe it," he ordered, and she smiled finally. He nudged her shoulder with his elbow fondly. "That's all I ask."

Rita didn't feel up to searching for Brendan today. She wasn't ready for what she might find. She chose instead to reset and try again later.

She needed to do some fighting for a bit to clear her mind of all these emotions.