LU 188 - Dr. Thornberry 48

I was sitting in our office, waiting for Space to come back. It’s weird he hasn’t been here for so long... it’s unlike him. I was drifting away into my own thoughts when Mira came in, the fakest smile I’ve ever seen plastered across her face.

*”Hi Vice! What’re you up to?”*

*”Hello Mira, I’m waiting for Space.”*

Her face dropped when I said that.

*”Ahah! Space huh? I have some news for you!”*

But while she was talking, the door next to me I had *just* closed kept opening. What was this ghost shit? I nodded along to Mira while closing the stupid haunted door.

*”So what’s up with Space?”*

*”He’s in the void uh- like he’s dead.. NOT DEAD THOUGH!”*

... I’m sorry *what.* I stopped messing with the sudden floating and falling objects around me and stared at Mira.

*”HE’S WHAT?”*

Mira explained to me how Tori had somehow killed Space, and they were both voided. I didn’t care much about Tori but-

*”I need Space back.”*

Mira’s eyes widened.

*”I thought- you wanted him dead?”*

She’s not wrong.. but- I just need him. How am I suppose to uphold the Empire alone? And even without thinking about that... I would miss the guy. While I was wondering about my friendship level with Space, Mira started talking to nothing.

*”…The door- is that Space?”*

Apparently it was. Mira also gave him a few emeralnds he could throw around. But as we watched him fumble with these objects, Mira noticed something.

*”I think there’s two of them. ...Tori? Are you here?”*

We tried to figure out who the other person was for a while, after I had confirmed there *was* another person after throwing some of my golden carrots out to them.

We just watched them bicker until the emeralds started leading a path upstairs. We followed it, all the way to the thrones. It was almost like they were trying to tell us something.

*”Yes Space, I know you were King.”*

Augh what an ego centric prick.

*”No- Vice I don’t think that’s what he’s saying… look at this.”*

Mira pointing to something behind the thrones while I took a look at. Skulk.

*”You said you haven’t seen Frezz around right….”*

I stumbled back at those words. No- AHA- NO- Frezz can’t be dead too-

I didn’t even realize I had backed myself into a corner, my hands on my head.

*”Vice- don’t panic! We can help them-“*

But my breathing wouldn’t slow down- my vision was getting hazy. I looked up to see golden carrots being repeatedly thrown at me.

..Frezz..?

They eventually led us outside, to a tree. It looked like gears had clicked within Mira, but I was too shocked to be smart. While she was watching Space's emeralds, I was getting thrown back my carrots. And they had names.

*I'm still here. Come home. I will be home soon. <3*

I couldn't contain my tears, as they started streaming down my face.

*”You want to bring Frezz back right?”*

*”No I want them both.”*

Mira’s jaw seemed to unhinge at this answer, which was terrifying, considering she’s an enderian.

*”WHY WOULD YOU WANT SPACE? HE’S JUST MANIPULATING YOU.”*

That struck a straw I didn’t even know I had. Mira was never there. She doesn’t know *anything.* How dare she- she-

*”All he’s ever done is use you.”*

*”HE WAS MY FIRST FRIEND MIRA. I DON’T HAVE ANYONE ELSE.”*

*”You have me, you have Hallthorr-“*

*”I ALMOST KILLED HALLTHORR.”*

I cried harder as Mira went silent.

*”You did what.”*

*”It- it was to get his memory back- he wanted it.. it was the last resort- he's alive though... I think...“*

I watched Mira take a breath, she was obviously pissed, but instead of slapping me like I thought she would, she just leaned down to hug me. We stood there for a moment in our embrace, until she stood up and looked serious again.

*”How many lives do you have left?”*

She had a compromise. She told me she could probably get Frezz back- but since I want Space too, I’d have to be killed.

*”I’ll lose both my lives for them.”*

*”No- Vice- that’s not what I mean.. Think of it like a.. 2 in 1 deal.”*

I was scared, trembling even. But what I felt didn’t matter. Space and Frezz meant too much for me. I couldn’t possibly lose my first friend and fiancé the day after killing my own son. So I took a deep breath and readied myself for death.

*”I’m in.”*

*”Don’t regret this, Thornberry.”*

*Vice was slain by Mira using [Insight’s Guidance]*