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Today wasn't going to be kind to him, most of them nowadays weren't. One moment he's sitting at home, looking at that forsaken photo of what- who he lost...the next he smelt the flames. He could feel the air around him beginning to suffocate him, clouding his senses and vision in that horrid smog that shifted itself to a endless void.
'Christ...' He thought to himself. 'Please let me make it this time.'
He knew those words were filled with empty hope. How long has he thought he'd wake up from it all? To wish it all was just a dream? Since the beginning. That one particular day where he can't ever forget it, it feels like it relishes on the fact it's very existence torments his mind creeps back and falls into its clutches time after time.
It reminds him of his true failure. The one he hangs his head low for, knowing that its unrivaled on how useless it made him.
The one time he was going to be there for them, and they're screaming. And he, the legendary co-founder of the Baxter Society. A figure many hold great admiration for, a symbol to those that'll come before him and right after, he stood there frozen in place.
The fires they- they didn't cease and he didn't once moved a inch closer while he watched them burn.
'Move.' He said to himself. 'Move you cowards! They need us!'
Try all he might, he couldn't.
'What a hero you are!' His inner voice mocked him. 'Always there to save the lives from a eldritch creature, time after time. Save anyone but your own goddamn family!'
He felt his legs give way, crumbling under him while he gasped for air he knew was still present. He saw them, through a window still partially visible despite it all. The silhouettes of his son, his daughter in law, huddled with he suspected to be his grand kids. They had each other in their last moments, while all he did was watch. Or at the vest least, was watching now.
'They, needed us!' He kept on hearing his voice drill into his brain, tears streaming down his eyes. 'They needed us, and where were we?!'
"I..." Grey tried to speak, only for his voice to be tuned out by the screams inside, growing louder while the voice in his head followed suit.
'WHERE WERE WE?!'
"It- It was just one more mission...a-after another."
One more mission, then leisure time.
That's what he always told himself, to help quench the prick of guilt for not spending much time with his loved ones. They'll be there to welcome him back, and he'd tell his stories like always. They will be there, arms open and bright smiles all around. That was the rhythm he was comfortable with, the excuse he used to justify being away for so long, the lie he told himself to help soften the blow for when it'd eventually backfire.
He was broken. Unable to move. All he could do right now, was stare at the flames as they engulfed his life, his family, half of him away. And all he could do, was watch.
"Grey Talon?"
A soft voice snaps him out of him delirium. No longer were the flames there, he was back in his old chair, bow laying on the side of it. The picture he held tightly, still remained in his grip. Now that he saw it again, his vision has gone foggy. Crying. He wiped away the tears quickly, he has to keep his composure in check. There's no time for that. He- He has a job to do, that's right. He has-
"Stop. Please."
That same voice beckons him to halt, as a pair of hands plant themselves on his shoulders. Looking at the owner of the hands, he gave a sigh seeing that face. It was a girl he met during the rituals, one that'd he himself doesn't mind tagging along with him whenever they do lanes together. Her name is Paige. Sweet, optimistic, determined, brave. She reminded him of a dear, dear family member. Loved her almost as much as them too.
Grey Talon, looking back at her would sigh with some grumbling, but sat back down as Paige takes her hands away from her shoulders. "I came to check on you." She said. He could almost feel how worried she was for him, knowing what day it was.
"I appreciate the gesture, but please, don't grow grey hairs for someone like me." Grey Talon said to her. Usually when someone remarks on his age, he'd have half a mind to correct them not to. But Paige. What she says he knew wasn't an attack on his physic or capabilities, its just her trying to be there for him. "You possibly have too much on your plate with your parents, right?"
"That may be true, but you're like- like a grandparent to me!" Paige blurted out. Her face was radiating at what she said as she gave it a thought. 'I mean, we're practically family now, right?"
"Family.." Grey Talon gave it a thought. That word has left a...less than ideal taste in his mouth whenever he says it. But, he'd rather not spoil her happiness right now. "Maybe." Was all he muttered out. He remained seated in his chair while Paige moved away from him and walked somewhere else in his house. He suggested the kitchen, since she always come back and makes him some tea. He could do it himself still, however her gestures and commitment to care for him was...soothing he will admit. "How are you and Victor?" He asked her.
"Very well!" Paige stated. "He and I are planning a trip somewhere. Probably to a beach or y'know, another country."
"Not because of his search right?" Grey Talon left out a chuckle when he said it. He heard one back and smiled.
"Not this time. He wants to take a break." She answered him, coming out of the kitchen and holding two cups of hot tea. She placed one on the table in front of him, as she held her own mug. "He decided to really connect with me more. Wants to be closer and, I really appreciate him for that.
"He sounds like a good man." Grey Talon stated. "Probably was gifted a good heart too."
"No." Paige rejected the idea. "I like to believe whatever is pumping inside him, making him who he is? Is the original Victor." She took a sip of tea after saying that, having Grey Talon hum softly before indulging in his own with a nice slow sip.
They remained seated in the quiet, Grey Talon looking at the photo, while Paige was looking at the sky outside. He stared at their faces for a moment longer than he wished, feeling the tears come back. He only sighed heavily as he stared back at them, drawing the attention of Paige who came over almost immediately and hugged him from the side. He gave her arm a gentle pat while he rested his head against her shoulder.
"Do you miss them?" Paige simply asked him.
"..Very much so." He replied.