Interlude: The Old Hag and the Believer

My oh my. It’s been a while since I’ve last seen him cry like that. The last time that happened was…No, that’s in the past, I shouldn’t be thinking of things like that. But seeing him cry like that…just makes me want to find a way to absorb all that pain into myself. An old lady like me should be shouldering all his burdens, he’s still a child after all.

I slowly walk down the stairs, just wondering to myself what ever could make him cry like that. Is it love? Surely not, I don’t see him loving anyone but his own fantasy. Could he have remembered what happened? No…That can’t be possible, he was barely able to walk. I’m just thinking it over too much.

A deep sigh slips by me as I head towards the kitchen table and pull out a chair to sit. It’s been 10 years since then. He’s grown up well, a bit arrogant but it suits him well. I chuckle quietly to myself. He’s turning 13 this year isn’t he? His nameday is coming up soon if my memory serves me correctly? I should bake a little cake for him. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it, even though he won’t show it.

I tap my chin, thinking of an idea. “I should go ask the little miss to come help. I’m sure she’ll want to find a way to make up with Zero after that dramatic exit.” I chuckle softly again and push myself up from the table. “Alright! This old hag still has some flame inside of her. No time like the present!”

***

I quickly rush inside my house, avoiding my parents as I walk towards my room.

“Vivian, darling, how was Zero? Were you able to see him?”

I stop to a halt and turn to face my mother. “H…he was fine. He was just feeling a bit down because of last night, but I was able to cheer him up a bit.” I can’t tell mother that I’m planning to STEAL one of dad’s mission jobs for him. She would kill me!

She looks at me with a worried look. “Viv, are you crying? Honey, what happened?” She slowly approaches me.

“Nothing’s wrong, it went fine a-a-and we were talking and and then he hugged me a-and then he —”

Hold it in…I can’t cry…Hold it in…

Unable to hold myself back anymore. I run up to her and wrap my arms around her and sob quietly into her shoulder.

“Zero…he lied to me. He keeps saying he’s okay, but I can tell he isn’t. His face does that thing, I’m not sure exactly what, but I always notice it when he lies or when he says something he doesn’t mean.”

“Oh sweetie. It’s okay, maybe he’s just having a rough day. He’ll be okay eventually.”

I look up towards my mother and sniffle.”B-but I don’t like it when he looks like that. It looks like it's hurting him. Whenever I see him make those faces, it hurts me a lot too.” I don’t want him to hurt anymore. I want him to smile and laugh like he always does.

“HA! He just needs to MAN UP for once! Always yelling he wants to be a hero, its no wonder they all laughed at him!”

I gasp in shock and hurt as I turn to face the voice that was belittling Zero. “Dad! Don’t say that about him! You don’t know him! No one does!” I release my hold on my mother and glare at my father before running off to my room.

“Ahhh, Dear, you made her mad, you better make it up to her later.”

“Pffttt she’ll be fine. She’s got my blood after all, she can take a few harsh words towards her friend.”