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“TWO!!!” Coiny shouted into the lobby of the elimination space, hands cupped over his mouth, his voice echoing off of the walls.
He stood here for a few seconds, glancing around with his arms slumped in front of him.
There was a gentle pop, and he turned to face the sound of the noise where Two was standing, their hands on their hips.
“What can I do ya for, Coin?” They chirped, smiling at him.
“Can you send me to the city?” He asked, “It’s important.”
Two blinked.
“Goiky city,” Coiny clarified, deadpan, “It’s in northern Goiky?”
Two blinked again, before snapping their fingers. “Oh, right! Okay! Just shout my name when you wanna come back!” They said, and before he could react, they wooshed him away.
Coiny winced as the light of the sun hit his eyes, squinting and hovering his hand over his face. He’d nearly forgotten how long it’d been since he saw the actual, real sun of Earth. The city was just as loud and bustling as he remembered it— but he couldn’t let that get to him. He had somewhere to be.
The concrete sidewalk burnt a little under his feet, stepping down the way. His hands fidgeted in front of him, absentmindedly cracking his knuckles as he wandered through the city. His expression remained blank, lost in thought.
Of course, it wasn’t mindless. He knew exactly where he was going— in fact, it was almost like he was on autopilot.
…
Soon enough, he found himself where he was meant to be. Goiky City’s Cemetery. He stood just outside, where the large metal gates were wide open and welcoming.
He tensed, looking up at the sign, brows furrowed. Coiny took a deep breath, steeling his nerves. He felt a cold chill down his spine, the place all too familiar.
Grass and leaves crunched underfoot, glancing around at the other gravestones. Names he’d seen before, become familiar with, walked past year after year. As much as he hated coming here, he knew he wouldn't stop. He had to make up for lost time, for time he should have spent.
Soon enough, he found it. Her grave. His mom's grave. Coiny paused for a moment when seeing her name, engraved and painted white on the black obsidian his dad had chosen for her grave. He swallowed around the lump in his throat, feeling tears pressing against his eyes, burning.
Flowers sat around the gravestone in bouquets of white carnations, forget-me-nots, and orange orchids. They looked fresh, and he let out a soft huff, a small, pained smile on his face, knowing his father had been there recently.
Slowly, Coiny came to a stop before the grave. He held his hands in front of himself, squeezing his fingers together. For a while, he just stood there, staring at the name engraved in the stone.
Dollar Coin. She was right beneath him, but despite it all, it still didn't feel real. He sighed, squeezing his hands again.
"...Hey Ma," He mumbled, tears finally pricking his eyes. He cleared his throat, trying to steady himself. "Sorry I didn't bring flowers this time, I... Didn't really have a chance to."
Slowly, he stepped forward, placing the palm of his hand on the cold, smooth stone.
"It's been 14 years..." He uttered, his voice barely above a whisper, "And I still... Can't accept that you're really gone." His voice cracked, lip quivering as his heart clenched in his chest.
"I never- I never said goodbye to you. I'm so sorry." Coiny sobbed, screwing his eyes shut.
Gradually, he sunk to his knees, his hand still pressed firm against the gravestone. He sobbed, the cool fall breeze brushing over him, making his face cold. Despair gripped his heart, a feeling he'd become accustomed too, but yet it always had the same effect. His body shook with the force of his grief, pressing the top of his head against the stone and hugging himself. He squeezed his arms, tight and strong to the point it was almost painful. He hardly noticed, the pit in his gut and the sadness in his heart too much to bear.
After what felt like ages... He finally stopped crying. He sat there, sniffling every now and then. His forehead was still pressed against the obsidian stone, his arms still around him, but no longer was he tense, his eyes trained on the wilting flowers beside him.
"I... I miss you, Ma." He breathed, "I usually don't... think about you, but- when I do, I can't seem to stop." He let out a soft, wry chuckle, sniffling again. He wiped his face, flicking off some of the wetness from his hands. And finally, he lifted his head, looking at the name again.
"I... Uh, I got a girlfriend," He said, trying to lighten his own mood, "Like you always told me to. She's... She's awesome."
Coiny paused, looking at the red roses on a grave across from him.
"A great baker too. Sometimes she'll... bake something you used to make all the time. Cinnamon rolls, snicker doodles... It reminds me of you."
Another pause... Another short conversation. He'd spend the whole day sitting there, talking as if she were still there. He'd tell her about his year, the things he experienced with his friends, with Pin. Stories from BFB and TPOT- even mundane things, as if he were telling her how his day at school went. Every now and again, he'd feel that same lump forming in his throat again and he'd sob again.
Afternoon turned to evening, and eventually he found himself hugging his arms, shivering slightly as he leaned against her gravestone, his back against it now. He stared at the sky, watching it turned shades of orange, purple, and pink. The sunset was beautiful, casting long shadows and an array of colors across the graveyard.
Coiny sighed, pushing himself to stand.
"I gotta go now," He said, taking a few steps forward before turning again. He felt a pang in his chest seeing the gravestone again. "It was... Nice catching up with you, Mom. I love you.... See you next year," He assured, attempting a smile. Softly, he waved, before turning back around and walking away.
It never got any easier. The grieving, the visits. Things never changed. He'd talk, he'd cry, he'd leave, feeling like he was abandoning her all over again. All for some show he wanted to participate in, wanted to win in. Every here, he'd consider quitting just to move back into the city so he could always be by her side, even if it was six feet above her.
But every year, he still left. Still felt the pang of guilt, deep in his soul.
He stepped into an alleyway, where he knew no one would hear him.
"Two!" Coiny called again, his voice raspy and rougher than usual due to his crying.
"Here!" The British number chirped, appearing before him. "Ready to come ba-- WOAH!" They gasped, looking frightened.
Coiny blinked. "What?"
"You, uh..." They trailed, rubbing the back of their neck. They stared at him for a long moment, before shaking their head. "Nevermind."
And once again, before Coiny could react, they wooshed him away again, back into the lobby of the upside down hotel.
Coiny sighed. He felt exhausted and drained. The carpet beneath his feet shifted as he drudged back to his room. He didn't say hi to anyone passing him in the hallway, his eyes focused on the ground, heavy and tired.
The door creaked as he pushed it open, stepping into his room and jumping down from the ledge. The door shut behind him as he dropped, dragging his feet across the carpet to his bed. And the moment his body hit the mattress, he was out like a light, the grief and exhaustion which laden his very soul finally taking hold and lulling him into a deep slumber...