Mount Olympus [3]

Nic

Jace gives my hand a squeeze after Jackie comes in saying she can't find Rayah and I know just what he wants. Taking a deep breath, I stand and motion Jackie to take my place.

"I'll find her," I kiss her forehead, "Just don't leave him alone, please."

Rayah

As I keep looking down at my boot, I remember how I kept a knife in it. I reach inside it and take it out, tracing the blade over my arm.

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Jackie

I nod and sigh, taking Nic's place, "Jace," I talk to him, knowing he can hear me but he can't respond, "Sucks, doesn't it? I know how you feel," I rest my arms on my knees.

Nic

I walk out of the room and close my eyes, disintegrating and reappearing before Rayah due to the connection of once being in control of her. Swearing, I snatch the knife away from her.

"Y-you can't," I shake my head, "He wouldn't want that."

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Jace

I can't stop worrying about Rayah, but do my best to listen to Jackie. Not able to respond, I just wait.

Rayah

I glare at him, "I don't want to suffer," I sniffle, "He wouldn't want that either."

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Jackie

Due to my empathy power, I sense he's worried.

"She'll be fine," I assure him, "I won't let her do anything. Neither would Nic."

Nic

I study her, "How do you think I felt when Jackie died? It's the same thing. She was everything to me. You have to think about you children. They need one of their parents to be around all of the time. You have to be strong for them."

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Jace

I wish to flash a smile and thank her, but can't do either, hoping she'll understand.

Rayah

I sigh, looking at the floor, "But you got Jackie back."

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Jackie

I sigh again, glancing around, "She knows you'll still be with her. In her heart. She'll always know that."

Nic

I take a deep breath and crouch before her, setting the knife out of her reach, "I didn't think I would. And you don't know if you'll get Jace back..."

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Jace

I hope so... She didn't seem to think that when she was in here.

Rayah

I shrug, crossing my arms, "But...you don't know what this is like for me. What about work? I'm gonna have to do it all by myself. I won't have someone to help me with my kids and even worse, is I'm gonna have to tell them. I'm not...a good mother, Nic. I'm still eighteen."

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Jackie

I sigh, "I'll make sure she does. She was just thinking of a million things at once..." I say, looking back at him, "Hopefully you'll come back like I did."

Nic

I sit beside her, looking down, and remember what it was like to tell Halee, "You're not alone, Rayah. You won't be. Jackie and I will always be a phone call away. We can't do everything for you, no, but we're not going to leave you to do it all on your own. And he'll always be with you. No matter what. He thinks your a good mother. He thinks you can do this. Isn't that what matters most?"

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Jace

I think about that, hoping I will. How did that happen anyway?

Rayah

I glance up at him, "But...I'm not. I can't. It's too much for me to deal with. I have work...and I have to provide everything," I say, "I'm doing two roles at once now."

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Jackie

I shrug, "Don't know, actually. It just...happened. I was a ghost though first. Scared the sh*t outta Rayah," I chuckle.

Nic

I study her before slinging an arm around her shoulders in a brotherly manner, "Jace never told you how much he made, did he? He was the top dog at work, made all the money. You're provided for, Rayah. At least for a year or two. He wouldn't abandon you like this without back up."

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Jace

I smile inside, everything hurting and going out of focus for a moment. S-so that was you then? She freaked out when she came home, thought she was nuts.

Rayah

I sigh, "For a year or two..." I repeat his words, "Not forever."

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Jackie

I smile, "Yeah. It was funny," I sigh, "She freaked out."

Nic

"Nothing is forever," I tell her, "Everything fades...ends."

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Jace

I take a deep breath, the pain worsening, and wish Rayah was here. I-I want her here, please.

Rayah

I nod, sniffling, and bring my knees to my face.

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Jackie

I sigh again, "I don't know where she is, Jace."

Nic

I take a deep breath and look elsewhere, the feeling in my gut back from before, "He... We need to get back, Rayah. He needs you there."

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Jace

Please...find her. I need her here, please.