"I'm glad last night went well." Wu sipped his tea, standing by the stove in the kitchen. "I even convinced Lloyd to sit by Garmadon. I've been trying to get them to bond more."
Misako nodded, holding her own teacup given to her by Wu. "I'm glad it went well. I came in late to see how it was going, and they all seemed to have had a good time."
"Hmm. Good. I spoke to the ninja before they went to bed as well. And I'm glad Garmadon was able to join them last night."
She stared down at her cup for a moment, then looked at him. "Yes…I'm glad too. I also wanted to let you know, I've been speaking with Garmadon every night this past week. He's opened up to me a little."
His eyes widened. "Really? Has he said anything important? Or…that sheds light on what happened to him, maybe who the driver of that car was?"
"No. No, nothing like that. He hasn't opened up that much—I said a little. I think I'm beginning to gain his trust, but we'll see. He's grown more comfortable around me, anyway."
"Oh. What has he said, then?"
"I've just asked how supper was, and shared some archaeology with him."
"Archaeology?" He rose an eyebrow.
"Mm-hmm."
"And he didn't mind?"
"No…he asked me to keep reading once." She looked away for a moment. "I think he may have liked it."
Wu blinked, frowning. "As far as I know, Garmadon isn't too interested in archaeology…or any history, for that matter."
"I know. I think he was just really bored." She smiled awkwardly, looking at him again.
"Hmm. I suppose…" An uneasy feeling came over him for a moment, before he quickly pushed it away. No. He couldn't dwell on things like that. This was a good thing, not bad.
Lloyd yawned, his limbs feeling a bit sluggish today. Last night must have worn him out more than he thought. They had stayed up pretty late…and that game had been intense. His arms and thumbs were still sore.
He bit his lip, thinking back on it. He'd actually played a video game with his Dad. He didn't remember ever having done it before, even after the Final Battle. He smiled a little. It had been fun. And his dad had landed the last blow, before the dragon could kill him.
Lloyd walked into the kitchen, then slowed. He glanced at his mother and uncle, pausing awkwardly. They had been talking, but had stopped when he'd come in.
Misako smiled at him. "Good morning. How did you sleep?"
"Fine…I guess."
She nodded.
"Would you like some tea?" Wu asked.
"No, thanks." Lloyd made a face, then coughed awkwardly when Wu gave him an unamused look. Oops.
"Your game night went well?"
"Yeah…uh." Lloyd rubbed the back of his neck.
"Did your father have a good time?"
"I think so…he landed the final hit on the boss. Everyone else but me and him had died…"
"Hmm. Good. Did you only play games?"
"We watched a movie too—Starfarer."
"Did he enjoy that?"
"Uh…" Lloyd smiled sheepishly. "I don't know. He fell asleep ten minutes in."
"Oh. Understandable."
Lloyd crossed his arms, slightly offended at that. "What? Starfarer is awesome."
Wu smiled teasingly. "I'm just kidding, nephew. But I'm glad it all went well."
He rolled his eyes, but smiled a little.
"So everything went well with you and your father, then?"
"Yeah. It did." Lloyd straightened suddenly, crossing his arms again and frowning. "But I really don't want you barging into it. I can deal with my father just fine without you getting involved."
Wu frowned. "I'm just trying to help. You've barely spoken to him since—"
"I have actually!"
"You have?" He rose an eyebrow.
Lloyd paused, feeling the blood drain from his face. Oh, no. He hadn't wanted to say anything. He'd wanted to keep it a secret— He blushed. "I…yes. I have."
"When?"
"…At the hospital. And I've talked to him a little since he's gotten back…"
Wu's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You never said anything before."
"I…know." Lloyd looked away.Because I didn't want it to feel REAL. Not since this is usually never permanent. I'd just be hurt again. And he didn't want that. "I just…never mind. But anyway, I have talked to him. And it's going fine. So please, please stop interfering. You're just going to make it worse." He looked back at his uncle, trying not to look too pleading, but he really just wanted him to understand.
"Hmm." Wu frowned, seeming to consider that. "Alright, nephew. I'll leave you two alone. You can work it out yourself if you'd like—but if something happens, please let me know. I want to keep an eye on your father."
Lloyd nodded, relaxing a little. "Fine. Thanks…uncle."
Wu smiled a little. "You're welcome. I am glad to know you two have been speaking."
Misako nodded. "So am I."
Lloyd smiled awkwardly. He really just wanted to leave now… And, he really hoped this wouldn't end badly. What if his dad left again? What if something went horribly wrong? What if his dad died? What if he snapped, and turned evil or something? What if—
He cut himself off, taking a breath. It would be fine. Besides, what were the chances of his dad dying or turning evil again?
"I'm going to check on him." Wu headed for the door. "If he's healed well, I'll release him from having to stay on the couch."
Misako nodded. "Alright."
Lloyd watched his uncle leave. With my luck, though…it's bound to happen.
Garmadon slowly pet Ochre, watching the dog close his eyes contentedly. He stroked Ochre's head, his fluffy ears going down then popping up when his hand went past. He smiled amusedly.
"Brother?"
He looked up, seeing Wu.
"I'd like to check you over quick. If you're healed, I can take your cast off of your leg and arm, and you will be free to walk around again."
Garmadon blinked. "Oh…"
Wu walked over, holding out his hand. "Can I see your arm?"
He reluctantly held up his arm.
Wu observed his arm, then took out a scissors.
Garmadon started, jerking his arm back. "What are you doing?"
He managed to keep a hold of his arm. "It's alright, I'm just going to take it off. I have to cut it. Then I'll take a look at your arm. Hopefully, you won't still need the cast."
Garmadon hesitated, then nodded a little. "Okay…"
Wu started cutting the cast off. "How does it feel?"
"Fine…"
"Good."
Garmadon waited impatiently, stroking Ochre again.
"There." Wu took slid the cast off carefully.
He looked, seeing that he'd cut a straight, even line across. He'd barely felt it—which he was relieved about. He'd been afraid he'd cut him or something… He shivered a little, petting Ochre some more.
Wu set the cast on the coffee table, then took Garmadon's arm again, inspecting it.
He stiffened uneasily. He saw his arm looked pale from having the cast on, but otherwise it looked fine.
Wu put some pressure on his arm, checking the bones. "It seems to be healed. That's good."
He relaxed slightly in relief.
His brother released him, then knelt by his leg, taking out the scissors again. He started cutting the cast off.
Garmadon stiffened uneasily again.
When he'd finished, he removed the cast. He set the scissors down, then checked the bones. "Your leg seems almost fully healed as well." He stood, taking the scissors, and then grabbed the two casts. "Congratulations, brother. You may walk around again." Under his breath, "Not that you haven't been doing that already all week…"
"Oh…okay." He felt relief at that, and relaxed a little. That was good. That meant no one would be getting food for him or water or anything else. He could be independent, and go back to how things were before, before the car—
He stopped himself. Did…he really want things to go back to the way they had before? He'd made Lloyd a promise… He bit his lip.
Wu looked at him. "Is something wrong?"
"Um…no." I can't go back to how things were before. He had to keep his promise. He had to…do something else. He couldn't just hide anymore.
"Alright, brother…" Wu watched him for a moment, then left, taking the scissors and casts with him.
Garmadon sighed quietly. Why was his life always so complicated?
Wu returned a few minutes later, his hands free now. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine…" He glanced at him.
"I'm surprised you haven't started walking around yet…all that fighting to get you to stay there and now when you can leave, you don't move." Wu shook his head exasperatedly.
Garmadon shrugged.
"Well, would you like some tea?"
"Um…sure. I guess."
"Since you're almost healed, you should use your leg now. Would you like to come with to the kitchen?"
First it was stay there. Now it was leave. Garmadon bit his tongue to keep from sighing in frustration. Though wasn't it always like that? First he stayed, then he left, then he stayed, then he left, left again, then stayed, then left. And now stayed again.
He looked at Wu. "Yes…I'll come."
Wu smiled, then headed for the door.
Garmadon stood, unused to the feeling of his leg without the cast. He followed Wu, sucking in a quiet breath. Ochre stayed at his heel.
When they reached the kitchen, Wu walked over to the stove. He got a teapot out, then started some tea.
Garmadon stood uncertainly in the doorway for a moment, then slowly walked in.
"What kind of tea would you like, brother?"
"Um…any is fine."
"Hmm. Alright."
He glanced around the kitchen, then stroked Ochre's head. Now that he could walk around, he wondered what he would do. Do some things with Lloyd, maybe…but his son still wanted to keep their talks a secret. He frowned. Maybe—
A silver glint caught his eye. He stiffened, gaze narrowing in on on the object. It was charred, bent at an unnatural angle, but part of the metal scoop reflected the light from the window.
The ice cream scoop.
It sat on the counter innocently, as if it hadn't caused—
His breath caught in his throat. Every muscle froze, locked. Panic tightened around him, and he sucked in a strangled gasp. No no no—
Garmadon lay on the metal table again, trembling. The light shown down into his eyes, brightand blinding.
Ichor's face once again appeared above his own. He was scowling. "I told you not to try that again."
Garmadon swallowed. "I…I'm sorry… Please…"
Ichor smirked. "'I'm sorry' doesn't cut it." He suddenly lifted up an ice cream scoop. The edges of the metal scoop glinted coldly in the light. He grinned. "Ever wondered how pirates feel?"
Garmadon stumbled back, faintly feeling wetness touch his hand, but everything was too much this couldn't happen again—
He sucked in a gasp, trembling. The light was too bright, pain split through his face like fire and ice, he could feel too much—
"Brother?"
The words wavered like in water, distorted and fuzzy.
"Grab his face."
At Ichor's words, two man suddenly grabbed his face, holding him in place.
Garmadon struggled madly, gasping sharply. A fearful whimper escaped him. "W-what are you doing?!"
"You're about to find out." The ice cream scoop was suddenly going towards his face.
He screamed, struggling, writhing, trying to GET AWAY—
Garmadon cried out in fear, suddenly forgetting the use of his power or anything else. He just needed to get away—! He felt himself ram into something, felt the object behind his back trapping him, cornering him.
It pierced the skin, and then he heard a crack as it pierced his skull.
He screamed again, everything suddenly sounding muted.
Ichor didn't seem to care, digging into his face. Wetness—blood—started pouring down his face. There was a muted chuckle, laughter, taunting—
He collapsed in terror, his legs weak and shaky.
His right vision was suddenly gone. It was just…dark. Black. Though he'd had his eyes shut tightly, he's still been able to make out the light. But now, on his right, it had vanished.
Pain swept through his face. Like fire. Though the metal scoop felt cold.
Ichor moved the scoop, cold and fire screaming across his right…eye…? And then the scoop was gone.
A strangled sob escaped him.
Ichor chuckled darkly.
The hands suddenly left Garmadon's face. He jerked away from them, still writhing as blood ran down and onto the table.
"There we go. See what I have? It technically belonged to you. Except that you are mine." Another chuckle.
Something touched his shoulder, and he jerked away.
"Hold him still again."
Garmadon felt overwhelming panic grip him, stronger than he'd ever felt before in his life. He whimpered, thrashed, tried to jerk free—
He couldn't breathe.
Something cold was suddenly being pressed to his face, into his wound—
Pain, pain, pain—
He screamed again, whimpered. Was he crying…? He couldn't tell.
Something pounded into his face. And then there was a crack.
Sharp pain pierced his face. Something metal was being nailed into him. Where his eye had been.
"There we go."
Garmadon's facewas released. He struggled again, but his strength was all but gone. So was his will.
"Now you know how pirates feel. Congratulations."
Reality wavered back into focus, hazy and unreal.
Ichor and his men put a bundle of cloth over the metal in his face to stop him from bleeding out, being rough and uncaring. They tied another cloth around his head to keep the bundle there, then unchained him.
The memories slowed. Garmadon didn't remember much of what had happened after that. He'd woken up in his cell again, confused and delirious.
"Garmadon. Can you hear me?"
He jerked, head whipping around to see the worried face of his brother. He suddenly felt wetness on one side of his face, and his muscles felt stiff. Something wet touched his hand. He realized he was sitting on the cold floor, by the sink.
Was he bleeding again, from the scoop? The wetness, was that blood? Had Ichor—
"Brother?" Wu carefully set his hand on his shoulder.
He stiffened, sucking in a gasp, and looked away. He swiped his sleeve across his face, trying to erase the…no, tears. Not blood. When had he started crying…?
Ochre stuck his nose in his hand, tail wagging uncertainly. He whined.
Garmadon blinked, then softly touched the dog's nose. He relaxed slightly, but shuddered.
Wu still knelt beside him. "Garmadon, what happened?"
He didn't look at him, swallowing. His throat felt dry. "I…" His voice was quiet, soft, like he was afraid sound would cause something bad to happen. Or maybe it was just because his throat was so tight that speaking was a struggle.
Garmadon stumbled to his feet. He would be fine—he just had to avoid people again, stay away, hide. They wouldn't know, they couldn't—
He was fine.
Wu stood with him, keeping his hand on his shoulder. "I cannot help you if you won't tell me what's wrong… What has been happening, brother? Why have you been having these panic attacks?"
He shook his head, teeth gritted, and started for the—
Wu held him there, keeping a firm grip on his shoulder, stopping him from walking to the door. "Garmadon. This has gone on long enough. You seemed to be doing better at the hospital…and the week you've been home. But now these have started up again. Why?"
He didn't know why. He didn't know why he kept panicking. It was stupid. It was humiliating. He wanted it to stop. He wanted to hide. He didn't want anyone to know about them. If he knew how to stop them, he would have, a long time ago.
He felt trapped. Despair bit at his throat, tightening painfully.
He didn't know why they stopped at the hospital and the week he'd been home—back. Not home. This wasn't his home.
Maybe the accident had just…made them stop for a time. Maybe he'd been too distracted to think about Ichor and his lab and what had happened. He shuddered again, stiffening.
"Garmadon, please. Please, brother, tell me what's going on. I want to help." Wu came into his line of sight, frowning.
He shook his head, avoiding his gaze.
Wu stood there a moment, thinking. "…Alright, then. I'm going to talk to Misako quick. Then we're going on a trip to the city."
Garmadon blinked, looking at him. Sudden fear coursed through him. "What…?"
Author's note: I will be out of town from today (the 14th) to the 18th, and since I won't have my laptop, I won't be posting any chapters for that time. I may post on the 19th, but I may be tired XD Just letting you know (: