Reaching Salvation: Post-Acer Part 10

Nathan smiled again. "Which ones mine?"

"Can I tell you a secret...? Y-You have to promise not t-to tell Erika..." Elena mumbled, pulling away from Simon and rocking back and forth a bit nervously.

"One size, fits all," Sage responded to him, taking a uniform for herself.

Simon looked confused, but nodded. "I promise."

Nathan nodded and got the uniform nearest to him before taking it off to get changed.

Sage slid hers on over her clothes, while Zackary went around to change.

Nathan changed quickly before going back to Sage where he waited for Zackary.

Elena bit her lip, looking off to the side. "I...I still see Lacy. I know Erika thinks I'm better and not crazy, and I stopped talking to her because I think it made Erika upset, but Lacy's mad at me 'cuz I ignore her, and I don't know where Erika is, and Lacy's not even alive anymore!" she mumbled, her voice rising a bit hysterically, before she regained control, shaking her head.

Zackary came back soon after. "Plan?"

Simon blinked, making sure to stay calm. "Elena..."

"I can...I can touch her. Like this," Elena continued, tapping Simon on the shoulder. "I'm crazy, aren't I, Simon?"

"We're all a little crazy here, Elena." Simon sighed.

Elena nodded slightly, though she didn't really believe it. Simon and Erika weren't crazy, not in the slightest. Sure, there were a few that she thought were crazy too, but not Simon or Erika. "She likes you, y'know... She touches your skin a lot, that's how I know she's not real, but she likes you..."

Simon didn't know whether to feel flattered or horrified with that confession. "Lacy needs to learn that she's not the center of your world any more. That you're your own person."

"Play the part." Nathan said calmly. "If they don't believe us, I'll power through and we make a run for it."

Elena nodded, looking over Simon's shoulder for a second, before frowning. "Lacy says she doesn't like that idea, and if I'm not her friend, she won't ever help me remember stuff."

Simon turned around to where Elena was looking, his eyes evidently narrowing. "You have no right to blackmail Elena like that."

"Right then, let's go," Zackary said.

Elena jumped to her feet, flailing her arms in panic. "C-Calm down!"

"Is she trying to hurt me or is she yelling?" Simon asked.

Nathan nodded and stuck near the horse. "You to stay near the cart."

Tom forced the gate open with one large hand, holding the bar that kept them from opening in the other as if it was a paperweight.

"You called?" he asked Emma and Victoria.

------

Luke nodded.

"I feel the same way. The past few months have been some of the best in my life full stop though. It's been great living here," Luke replied. It had changed him, made him more pacifistic.

"Mr Tom!" Emma exclaimed having not seen the big man for awhile.

"Oh hey Emma," Ton replied kindly, having not really recognised her from the small bit Shima had remembered about her footprint and Flow signature. "Long time no see. How're you doin' these days?"

"The baby annoys me..." Emma commented with a frown before grinning. "Do you know where Elena is?"