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“AJ.? What should I do?”
AJ looked over the metal desk that belonged to Marion Arlette, the owner of which was fast asleep against the warmed surface.
He looked at Marion, an uncertain expression on his face as he silently watched her rest there for a few seconds before draping his jacket over her back.
Marion shifted but didn't wake up.
“You're awfully soft for her…” Callisto walked over with a small laugh. AJ stiffened upon hearing his voice. “I am not.” He said, trying not to squirm under the idea he had gotten close to Marion.
The same Marion who fretted over the smallest of injuries or would let him get away with damn near everything if they were in a positive mood.
The same Marion who would pat his head if she was overthinking or accepting of something. Or perhaps just for the fun of it. She was far too kind for her own good.
It was because of those obviously defining qualities of Marion that almost made AJ want to protect her.
“I’m going to head out for a little bit.” AJ sighed, stepping away from Marion, who barely looked disturbed. At least one of them will be able to sleep comfortably tonight. “Don’t tell Marion?” Callisto added with a teasing lilt in his voice that nearly caused AJ to freeze up. “Please.” AJ grumbled as he stepped out of the clinic.
He watched Callisto fix the jacket AJ had put on her as he closed the door.
Silence filled the hallways as AJ found himself leaving the building with a sigh he didn’t know he was holding in as he left the settlement. It was silent with not a single soul in sight as he wandered around the vast desert, making sure to walk in some sort of line so he knew how to head back.
Then again, with that abandoned town being the only thing around for miles, it’d be hard not to see it from afar. He didn’t really pay attention to how late it was or how the sun was rising, just walking wherever. As the sun had risen to a point where AJ suddenly realized it was up, panic welled up in him.
“Dammit, is it really this early in the morning?” AJ muttered to him as he started on his way back to the settlement. If Marion found out he had left the settlement so late, he’d have to deal with her ramblings as to why it was dangerous.
He’d prefer to avoid that at all costs…
Marion would go on and on about how he should at least tell someone, and if he said he told Kali, she’d say that doesn’t count and continue going on and on in a worried manner.
As AJ snuck back into the settlement, relief flooded his body as he stepped into the clinic, trying to look like he had at least slept a little bit with a rub at his eyes.
As he pushed the door open, Marion was already awake, doing work that she hadn’t finished… Typical. Doesn’t look like she’s aware…
“Where’d Callisto go?” AJ asked calmly. Marion didn’t respond. “Mari?” AJ spoke again, this time a little bit louder as he stepped closer to her desk. “So, what was that about not telling me that you were leaving?” Marion suddenly said, her usual kind tone replaced with one that was more stern
AJ stiffened. “Callisto told you.?” He almost stammered. “No. He didn’t.” Marion stated, without even looking up from her papers as she held onto her pen lightly as if she wasn’t affected by his sudden departure…" How did she know then? Did someone else see and tell her he had left?
There were a number of possibilities as to how she found out, but AJ now had to deal with what felt like a day’s worth of Marion’s parental scolding.
“I’ve told you before. Tell someone that you’re leaving. And no, Callisto doesn’t count. I’ve told you again and again to stop doing whatever you want whenever you feel like it. Things are much more dangerous than you think they are, AJ.”
Perhaps AJ should’ve taken those words to heart. He hardly cared about his well being, sure, he’s been slowly taking care of himself more due to the nagging of a certain blue-haired woman in the clinic.
Marion, who was tired of scolding him, had come along with him on his little trip that early morning, carrying a medkit in hand despite his warnings that it was dangerous and that she should just stay behind to avoid getting hurt, only to be shrugged off by her.
“Hey, don’t stray too far now.” AJ scolded as his hand found itself on the edge of a cavern. Marion just sighed as AJ still went ahead and entered the cave that was in front of them. She knew better than to run off. She wasn’t stupid. It may be her first time actually leaving the settlement like this, but she knew that she wasn’t supposed to go off on her own.
“I’m not 12.” She mumbled, stepping into the cave after AJ. It didn’t take too long for her eyes to adjust to the darkness that almost seemed to swallow them whole.
Silence enveloped them
“Why are we here?” Marion asked, taking a hop forward to grab onto AJ’s shirt to find nothing in her hand. “AJ.?” Marion whispered softly, a subtle fear taking over her as she came upon no response.
When did he vanish? She swears he was just in front of her. Oh dear…
“AJ? Hey, AJ!” Marion nearly shouted. She had a knife and not a drop of fighting experience like AJ did…
Although, perhaps Marion had been a fool as a loud thud reverberated against the walls of the cave, causing her to gasp with shock. Thorns of fear pierced Marion’s heart, bleeding across her skin as she ran toward the sound, cursing herself for doing so.
Whatever it was, it must’ve already walked off as Marion hadn’t seen anything that was out of the ordinary… An alien.? If it was an alien, they had to get out of there as soon as possible…
“Mari..?” A weakened voice asked from a few steps in front of her. Perhaps her vision had failed her on purpose, or perhaps her brain worked quicker than her eyes, barely able to see AJ, who was laying in what appeared to be a pool of blood.
Marion’s body felt cold as they stared at AJ, trying to find the words.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’ll be fine.” AJ coughed as Marion took a seat next to him, opening the medkit and trying not to panic as she tediously bandaged up all his wounds.
“Mari, if I die-” “You won’t. I won’t let you.”
Desperation seeped into her bones as if Marion were begging someone to save him. She couldn’t allow AJ to die. Not yet, not ever.
AJ just watched on quietly as Marion stared at his now bandaged body, trying not to cry. She couldn’t lose him, not now. Anytime but now.
Don’t let me lose him…
Oh, to whatever god is listening to me. Don’t take my brother away from me.
“Mari.” “Be quiet…” Marion pleaded, her voice cracking with pain.
She knew this was a losing game. She didn't want to lose anyone else she loved. “Sorry…” AJ muttered after a few seconds of silence… "Well, it wasn't too silent.
The unbearable sound of Marion’s sniffling as her tears hit the ground of the cavern.
“You don't have anything to be sorry about, okay? Don't worry about anything.” Marion muttered softly as she placed her hand on his head, tousling the already out-of-place strands as they slipped through her fingers.
“Callisto will be waiting for you, you know?” Marion questioned, as if that would extend his life. AJ just looked off to the side, not saying a word.
“Please, please…” Marion begged incessantly. Couldn’t she save someone she cared about, or is she just fated to fail every time.?
The second AJ hadn't responded back to her. She knew he had already passed.
Marion couldn't help but cry and cry.
She was yet again, unable to protect those she loved… As she clutched AJ tightly, like how a mother would protect their child from harm, Marion was mentally incapable of stopping her heart from pouring out all of its pain onto the cold stone beneath them…
As Marion's emotions lay bare against the walls of the cave, she picked up AJ’s body onto her back and retraced her steps to the start of the cave.
Why.?
All sorts of questions filled her head as she walked in the direction of the settlement.
The funeral wasn't anything too extravagant, but Marion could only watch as she watched AJ be placed beneath the soil, almost peaceful.
The long days after, Marion didn't show up to the clinic, far too griefstriken to even eat, let alone leave her own room.
She was a fool.
She had gotten too attached to Alex Jiriaya…