LU 120 - Dr. Thornberry 30

The day of the news interview had finally arrived. Wonderful timing to have it honestly. I'm in the best mental state of my life!

I met Space infront of the station and was soon introduced to Ribbuns, the reporter. He took us upstairs and sat us down to ask a variety of questions. Most of them seemed unimportant until one.

*"Vice, do you feel like you are able to continue your work as mayor after recently being a victim of kidnapping?"*

This question struck so many nerves that I might as well have killed him in that moment. But of course, this was all being written for the press so I put on a smile and remained as neutral as possible.

*"Why Ribbuns, there seems to be a misunderstanding, I went on a small vacation."*

But as always, Space was quick to interject. He pretty much just disagreed with all that I had just explained and goes on to say that I was in fact kidnapped.

*"Space. You were there for an hour at most, you have no right to explain the whole situation for me. Anyways Ribbuns, next question please."*

Recently, dealing with Space has been much more of a pain than it has been help. And he's the only person I can lean on. Fuck me.

The interview continued on, with more and more controversial questions. We finally ended with some sponsorships. Since I was still keen on finding Frezz, I quickly stepped out the door and out into the street.

As I walked down the road I noticed a strangely placed book besides my feet. I knelt down to pick it up and opened it. There was only one page.

**"Come live with me Vice. -enter coords here-"**

...

The coordinates to my home? Suspicious, I ran back as fast as I could. There was a spark of hope in my mind. It fueled me.

I stared down the tunnel of stairs and made my way down. As I got to the bottom, I saw a figure standing a little ways away. Whom may that be?

I cautiously stepped over. But to my surprise:

*"Frezz?"*

*"Hi Vice."*

Tears, suddenly.

I've never felt emotions like this before. Why does everything feel so strong?

Before I know it I had run up to him. So quickly in fact, I almost knocked him into the lava and killed him.

*"I know you have a lot of questions. And I'll answer them. We just have to get away as soon as we can."*

I nodded and followed him. We ran in silence for awhile, only interrupted by quiet sounds of muffled laughter.

He stopped once we reached a nearby river.

*"What did you do? What happened? Are you alright?"*

*"Calm down Vice. Yes, I'm ok. I made a deal with Morphious."*

He briefly explained to me that he had sacrificed himself in exchange that Morphious will leave him and I alone.

*"I'm thankful but how stupid do you have to be? Do you know how worried I was?"*

He just stood there and nodded while I cried on his shoulder.

*"My offer still stands Vice."*

*"What offer?"*

*"That we live away; far away from here. We can build a house and never worry about anyone again."*

*"Yeah. Let's do it."*

*"...Wait. Really?"*

*"Yes. I missed you so much Frezz."*

The tears come again while I hear him sigh.

*"I missed you too Vice."*

We held an embrace for a few moments before letting go. We were both smiling.

*"Should we go find a place?"*

*"Let's go."*

And we did just that. In between our journey though, I asked what I should do about the town and my mayorship and everything.

*"Vice, you don't have to worry about it anymore. Space will take care of it. And if you want a mayorship, we can start a new town. Together."*

This guy. He's so great.

I ran after him for some while until we found an abandoned house to settle into. We revamped it a bit and set up a place to sleep for the night.

Together.

And wow. It was the best sleep of my life.

Later the next day, I went back to Spawn. I needed to do a few things before I moved. But as I was dashing around, I ran into a citizen. He told me there was this *thing* living under his home. As he was detailing me about it, Space comes. Just the guy I wanted to run into.

We ended up going over to the guys house and he tells us to hold on while he does something.

*"Vice, you've been distant lately. What happened?"*

I, as I frequently do, lied.

*"Frezz is dead Space. I'm still a bit disgruntled."*

He let it go rather quickly but still seemed suspicious. Oh well.

The guy, who's name is Electric, came back and showed us the... thing. It was... I don't even know how to put it. It was unlike anything I've ever seen. All I know is that it was alive. And it was actively growing.

I hated every bit of it. He told us that he was trying to get in contact with a doctor to help research it, Sigh was his name I believe?

I told the two I was in a rush and hurried out. I grabbed a handful of stuff at my shop and home. But just as I was starting to leave, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around.

Space.

*"What are you doing."*

*"Oh, I'm a- uh... moving- getting last minute things you know."*

*"Moving huh? Where to?*

*"Oh! Very close..."*

*"I'd love to spend the night, why don't you show me."*

Fuck.

I didn't *actually* have anywhere planned. I racked my mind for an answer until I remebered the tiny dirt hut not too far away from here. That should do.

*"Of course! Follow me."*

The hair on the back of my neck stood up for the entirety of the trip. I could feel him watching me.

We finally reached it. He looked around.

*"Is this really it?"*

*"Oh yeah. Going back to my ancestry, haha."*

He stared at me. I couldn't stop sweating.

*"If you're lying to me, I'm going to make you regret it. Just keep that in mind. You're not leaving. I'm giving you chances."*

*"Why would I lie about this?"*

Oh god. He's too good.

He changed the subject. But not to anything easier for me to answer.

*"You're attracted to Frezz aren't you?"*

*"...Yeah. But I don't really want to think about it. He's dead and I have to get over it."*

Talking to Space is completely different than four years ago. I'm uncomfortable just being in the same room with him now. But I can't let that show.

*"As you can see, this place is a bit small. Mind if I go over to yours?"*

And so we did. Apparently he inherited the place from Koratai, who still hasn't come back. We got talking about his family.

*"Koratai's gone, Boulty went missing. You're all I've got Vice."*

Do I feel bad for him? I *am* the one who took Boulty.

*"We were supposed to get married too. And adopt him as a son. Ha, it looks like we both lost our lovers."*

After a bit more sad banter, we came to a conclusion.

*"After finishing up my mayor duties, I'll help you find Frezz. And after that, you help me find Koratai."*

Though I wasn't planning on going along, I agreed. But before we parted ways, I asked him a question.

*"If you were to find Koratai far away, would you go to her or stay at Spawn as mayor?"*

*"I'd convince her to come back with me."*

Sigh.

If only that was an option. I'm sorry Space. I'm leaving.