Chapter Text
Both Mommy and Daddy were staring at me with shocked expressions. Daddy looked about ready to pass out. Mommy was probably ready to go to her room and slam the door behind her.
I simply smiled widely.
"I'm not going on the Titanis, so you two are," I said cheerfully. "The two of you need to figure out what to do about this failing marriage. I mean, I'm not a child anymore. You guys don't have to stay together for my sake." My smile fell from my face.
Mommy froze on the couch. "Michelle, darling, we haven't been staying together for your...." Her shoulders shook, and tears ran down her face. "I can't even lie to you anymore."
Standing up, I went over to her to do what I could to comfort her. Daddy was still sitting in shock in his seat. His eyes were staring at nothing, and his mouth had fallen open.
I felt a bit guilty, but I knew that this would be best. Having the two of them go on this trip by themselves would also allow me to have the house to myself for a week, and that was something that was amazing.
Something to look forward to.
{*}
They left the next day, and I was overjoyed by the peace and quiet. Their arguments had never been loud or physical, yet that was somehow worse. It was wonderful to just have a simple silence in the house.
"Hmm, I'm bored," I found myself saying only a few minutes after the door shut. "I'll go find somewhere to go in town." Shifting myself off the couch, I quickly wrote a note for Bruno and the others before leaving.
After I took the train downtown, I sat at the park for a while before seeing someone pass me.
They wore a red coat and matching hat, and I caught a glimpse of gray leggings underneath. A letter was clutched in their hands, and more were stuffed in a bag.
A sharp gust of wind sent the letters flying about, and the postman just stopped walking. I thought I didn't see them breathing, but then I shook my head and went up to them.
"Hi, do you need help? I can get your letters back for you," I said.
The person only nodded and bent down to retrieve one of the letters. Taking that as a sign, I helped collect the pieces of paper. When we were done, the person nodded again and held out a letter.
"Oh, what's this? Ah, thank you." I opened it and started giggling. It was a drawing of a kid and a woman. The kid was standing still, only staring at some person out of sight. The woman was right behind the kid, smiling in an odd way.
Something about the postman changed, and they left hurriedly. Now confused, I only waved as they left.
"How odd," I murmured.
{*}
The next few days were pleasant. Nothing much happened, which was so nice. There was nobody to bother me or force me to do my schoolwork. I may have been on a break, but that didn't stop Dad from telling me how important it was. It was definitely for the best that I was alone.
Bruno and the others didn't bother me; they liked this as much as I did.
During one night as it stormed outside, Bruno came into my room. He was holding a letter, and he was incredibly distraught.
“Hello,” I said, trying to figure out what emotion would be suitable. “What do you have there?”
He lifted the letter, and I saw that it was for me. At that sight, my blood ran cold for no reason. I stared at him, silently urging him to read it. I didn’t want to see the contents of this thing. Not when I felt so awful so suddenly.
Bruno didn't meet my gaze. Instead, he focused on the letter. Very quietly, he said, "I'm sorry, Miss Michelle, but I'm afraid the Titanis sank only a few hours ago. There were no survivors.”
My blood froze, lightning struck, and thunder crashed not even five seconds later. I could only focus on the letter, focus on the message of such terrible news.
He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry for you…..our….loss. Gallerian and Mira were important parts of both our lives. If you’d like, I can begin the funeral arrangements tomorrow.”
“Was it an accident?” I choked out, praying to every God that it was.
I had heard about a ship striking an iceberg, so it wasn’t an impossibility. Unusual, but not an odd occurrence in the winter. Then again, it was spring…….
Bruno shook his head. “It appears to be foul play. Witnesses said they saw a large octopus sinking it. Again, I am sorry for your loss. I will take my leave now.” He stood up and walked away.
My mind was reeling from the news. The ship Mommy and Daddy were on had sunk, seemingly with malicious intent. There was no way that someone could have done that, right?
Right?