Changing the Subject

My mother slowly opens her eyes and then looks up at me, matching my downwards gaze. And shortly after, she raises one of her hands towards my face. As she does so, I lower my head to help her touches my cheek.

"Honey…" my mother utters weakly. "You're… home…"

I smile faintly in response and then gently press her warm palm against my cheek with one of my own. Even my fingers curl around hers in an affectionate manner, and she reciprocates in kind.

"Yes, I am home," I assure my mother in. "I am never going to leave you ever again."

My mother continues to eye me, seeing my father instead of me. That is fine, as she misses my father terribly, and honestly, I have no idea what his problem is, given that many assholes keep hitting on my mother due to her womanly charm.

Even I can see that, and I am her fucking son.

Maybe my father is secretly gay? That would make a lot of sense. Unfortunately, I had never been able to confirm that fact since he had perished in the first wave of Zone along with many others.

I will likely not reveal this fact to my mother, as it would devastate her.

But maybe. Just maybe. My father has not perished, and he would be returning soon. While a part of me hope he does, as it would cheer my mother up immensely. Another part does not, as he's a failure as husband and father.

If my father wasn't, the family would not be in such a state.

"I believe… you…" my mother responses before slowly closes her eyes and falls asleep once more. She always believes my father no matter what kind of bullshits he spins up whenever he gets home, and I have seen enough to know that she finds happiness within his lies.

I suppose that is fine too, as my mother is happier that way.

Seeing her sleeping so peacefully in my arms, my anger subsides, and with it, the oppressive aura that is radiating from me dissipates, allowing everyone in the room to breath normally once more, and this includes Alex.

My outburst from before is not entirely an act, as I am somewhat pissed off at Thomas for not backing the fuck away from Alex. Thomas should understand that no means no. It is simple as that.

"Dude…" Alex mutters before sighing heavily. He glares at Thomas afterwards before finding a corner to take a rest. "Did you fuse your magical and spiritual aura together? Because that is fucking insane!"

The question and statement were said through the Intercom.

"Yes. I will teach you how once you'd awaken your Spiritual Power," I response to Alex via the Intercom while continuing to eye my sleeping mother. She will need a lot of rest, as her body and mind are really weak right now due to being under the control of the Hive Mind for so long.

"Why not teach me now, and I will make use of it later?" Alex points out. "I mean, right after you finish getting lovely dovely with your mother. Just kidding, but that was fucking weird."

I sigh. "Let's talk about other things, Alex."