As The Coals Glow

Love the Bad

[Kig]

It was cold, but it wasn't even bothering me anymore.
I knew this wasn't good at all, I knew it after I left A hiding place with Dan's Mom and left her in the middle of Nowhere with a burner phone that had Franklin and Sky's numbers.
I told her I'd be back if they wouldn't come. She called Franklin on speaker phone, then she called Sky who proceeded to patch Franklin in as I stood well hidden.

I walked away after Franklin said he wasn't far away. I knew when the animals began their slow March to where Dan's Mom was, I hung my head in shame as I left the area.
I needed to get to the trail cabin off the Appalachian trail.

I couldn't reach Dan after my last invasion of the group text. I saw what Bear had thought, How easily the truth about what I could have done came out.

"Pathetic" a voice in My head said

"Fuck off." I snarled

"Never, I'm you I'm Boo." It hissed

"No you aren't. I'm Boo, The beast, the Demon, the morally obligated Bad. You won't win." I seethed breaking into a run to outrun the voice that I knew I couldn't.

I ran for miles then hit my knees on the soft ground outside thinking the trail shelter cabin of the passed Day. I knew my puzzle was too vague and left Dan some choices that'd by me time but when Eli started saying it was the Manor I called Val. He was worried when I denied him a video call but he understood I was Alright but he'd have to excuse the mess I currently was. He had messaged me a curt "Done" when he gave Dan my fix to the vague puzzle.

I sat alone for hours Most of this part of the trail didn't have service but the Trail Cabin had a couple bars.
I quell my easily growing anger I had tried reaching for Dan with my gift but he wasn't close yet.

I grabbed my burner phone, the vision of teaching Dan's Mom how to use my old systems network filled my mind on contact with my device. It was the first night after I saved her then she Saved me by shooting a rogue Agent who's gift manifested as Luck, She explained Dan wasn't the only Military member in her family.
When I had her safe at a motel in Texas I was laying awake as I always had since the Facility, it was a nightly routine to argue with my Bad about being abandoned by Dan but tonight the Bad was questioning Dan's Mom. I just hoped she realized I was in there and how she let Me out more as I asked
"Mom? You aren't scared, I'm not used to this." I blurted

She patted my cheek "Because you did your job?"

"I'm lethal." I looked away from her sweet eyes

"Where is Dan?"

"I'm not even sure, maybe the hotel still. I'll get you to him soon." I said hurt thinking she only enjoyed my company if Dan was there, or that she was hiding her fear splendidly.

"No deary I didn't mean it like that, but Bix said you Wanderers travel in packs or pairs. I'm worried about how you're beating yourself over this. Ill listen if you want to talk."

"Last time my Gift was this loose, I almost killed my family." I blinked at her

"So you don't want to take chances?"

"I knew I had to get you to safety and I'm the only one who was there to do it. I could have made the Rendezvous but How could I ever tell Dan I had the chance to save Mom while he got Papa safe?" I murmured