Colin's posts

Ryker followed, looked at where Eke was pointing, and sighed.

"All right then!" he called back.

"If that's where we gotta go!" he told him.

"Just say the word!" he finished.

He then cracked his neck, rolling it slightly, and cracked his knuckles.

"Time to flex what I have access to." he told himself. "Might as well get used to it."

He nodded in response.

"Yes, of course." he said.

"It's why I went to the house in the first place." he told her. "...or... what's left of it..." he mumbled.

"I'm so sorry..." he whispered again.

"I was doing fine." he then told her.

"My travels were going well. They went very well." he clarified.

"And... and then I saw the house, and I wondered if all meant nothing." he admitted.

"But I'm just so glad you're both all right."

He continued to hold her for a few seconds, before forcing himself to let go.

"...." he was silent, before nodding.

"I..." he stammered.

"Yes, I do." he replied with a nod.

"I was... travelling in the east. I found some very nice herbs and spices." he went on. "Learned a lot of things." he continued.

"Is Lex all right?" he asked.

"Where is he?"

"....." the man was silent, still, before he suddenly leaned in and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

"I'm so sorry!" he exclaimed.

"I went to see you, and the house was burned down! I didn't know where to find you, so all I could do was turn to your Aunt! She told me you were here, and I rushed right over!" he went on.

"I'm sorry." he apologised.

"You must have been so scared and worried." he said further.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you..."

The man was silent as Aimee greeted him back and made her way to the door, gesturing for him to follow.

He did so, remaining silent as he walked.

He had so much he wanted to say, but he kept it in.

He wouldn't make a show of it outside.

Or inside... maybe.

He wasn't sure, as his emotions swirled and roiled inside him.

It took her a moment for her to properly realise that someone was there, but when she looked, she saw a very familiar man standing there. He had some stubble on his face, and short hair, but the most prominent thing about him was his expression.

Filled with worry, yet relief.

But she knew who he was.

And he knew who she and her brother were.

"...Aimee..." he said quietly, his tone quivering slightly.

"Much obliged." Hal responded.

He then gave them each a pat on their backs, and made his way to the door. He stepped outside, turned and waved to them. They waved back and watched him walk down the street, until he was out of sight.

The then closed the door.

"......" Lex was silent, before looking to Aimee.

He then gave her a hug, holding her close and not letting go.

"We're home." he whispered.

Hal just smiled.

"Just live your life to the fullest." he told them.

"Succeed. I've heard you haven't been granted the best deal in your pasts, so make up for it with a bright future." he said further.

"Beyond that, just keep the place in good shape, and if need be, let me stay here if I need a place to rest for the night." he went on.

"Of course." Lex assured him.

"I'll stop by from time to time to see how you're doing." Hal then assured them.

"If you need to get ahold of me, just see your Aunt. She can reliably get in touch with me." he added at the end.

"Good." Hal replied.

"And you're both very welcome." he told them.

"Now, you know the place, you know the layout, so feel free to explore and see what all your Aunt and I have placed in here." he suggested, knowing they would also appreciate the fruit, vegetable, and bread baskets they would find in the dining room.

"All right, thank you." Lex responded.

"Any other questions before you begin your new life?" Hal asked them.

"I haven't any." Lex replied.

Hal was silent, and just sighed.

"It's... long and complicated." he told him.

"We just have a disagreement about a major issue, and... well... we don't get along because of it. Just... don't let him know. As a personal favour to me?" he asked of them.

Lex nodded in response.

"I can do that." he said.

"I don't know what issues you have with him, but... well, to keep the peace, I can keep my mouth shut on specifics." he assured Hal.

Lex looked at his sister, and wasn't sure what to say, before Hal approached, and gently placed a hand on each of their shoulders.

"It's all right." he said.

"Just live the best possible lives you can." he told them.

"Oh, and can I ask a favour of you two?" he then asked.

"What is it?" Lex asked in response.

"You two are essentially Vincent Remmington's children, yes?" he inquired.

They nodded in response.

"Please do not tell him you got this place from me." Hal said. "You can say you got it from a friend of your Aunt's, but not ME, specifically."

Lex looked around as well as they stepped inside.

"Wow..." he mumbled.

"This place is..." he said further, before Hal chimed in.

"Fully furnished." he finished.

"Everything you'll ever need is here. In terms of furniture, anyway." he assured them.

"But why?" Lex asked.

"Think of it as a housewarming gift from your Aunt and I." Hal reasoned with a chuckle.

"Yes, thank you, Aunt Hollie." Lex echoed.

The two of them then each gave Hollie a hug, before stepping close to Hal. Once they were ready, they all said goodbye to her, and the next thing Lex and Aimee knew, they were standing in the backyard of the house that was their new home.

"Let's go." Hal said, as they made their way to the front door.

"Go on." Lex said to Aimee.

"You can be the first one to use a key to unlock the door and step in." he told her.

Hal just smiled lightly, and nodded in agreement with the decision.

Ryker smirked as well.

"Keep the rain off ya?" he asked.

"Yeah, I can do that." he told him.

"Relatively easily." he said further, as they heard thunder in the distance.

"Whoo..." he mumbled.

"Good thing we're parked on solid ground, on high ground." he commented.

"...relatively speaking."