NOTE!!!! If you have not read IN THE AFTERLIGHT, do NOT read. There ARE spoilers. At least in this cannon.
She couldn't help it.
She couldn't help but think of Cole; how she couldn't help him.
She couldn't help but think of the Red that Sam always looked at; the one she knew from before before.
She couldn't help but think of the Reds in camps like Project Jamboree, Reds like Mason, who were turned into mindless slaves.
Looking at Liam hurt too much. He looked too much like Cole. And all because of her, he was now an only child, too. She looked out the window again, Vida, Chubs, and Zu laughing in the back seat. Liam must have said a joke, so I tried to fake a laugh, so no one could tell what I was thinking. But Liam caught on, just like he always does. He looked at me, a sideways smile on his face.
Liam looked in the rearview mirror saying, "Hey, how 'bout a bathroom break, before y'all pee yourselves."
He pulled the car over on the side of the road, not waiting for an answer. Chubs open the back door, and the three of them piled out. I went to open my own door, but Liam put his hand on my leg, holding me back. I looked at him, at his eyes, shining with worry.
"Hey, Darlin'. What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm fine." I lied, pointless as it was.
"I may not have all my memories, but I remember you telling me this is a place we don't have to lie. Is that still true?"
The sting of being reminded what I did to him was starting to dull, but it was still there. I was silent for a few moments before answering.
"Yeah. It's still true."
"Good, now, you wanna tell me what's bugging you, Darlin'?"
Again, silence, and then, "The Reds. What's going to happen to all the Reds? What happened to the ones at Thurmond. Harry said they put up a fight, so what happened to them, Liam?"
"Ruby, they're ok. We gave them orders to not do anything, and they stopped what they were doing. They can't think for themselves Ruby. They're no threat."
"Liam, don't you see? They're more of a threat. Even if they get the cure, their minds are still fried. Those PSF's broke them. They broke them, Lee! You can't just fix a mind like that!"
He just stared at me, just for a few moments, before saying, "Yes, Ruby. Yes, you can. I saw you do it at the fake East River. You helped that Red. You stopped him."
"But Lee, that's different-"
"Is it? It doesn't seem like it."
The back door was being opened, and laughs filled the car again. Vida climbed in, followed by Zu and Chubs.
"Alright, alright. It's not that funny! Stop laughing!" Chubs said. Vida and Zu just laughed harder.
"I'm sorry boo, but that was beyond funny." Vida said, bursting into even louder laughter. Liam and I just looked at each other confused.
"What's going on?" Liam asked.
"Chubsie boy over here tripped and fell in a pile of animal shit. It was priceless!" Vida replied, unable to control her laughter.
Liam started to laugh, and I let out a soft chuckle. Everyone but Chubs was laughing.
"Alright, alright. I get it. It was funny." Chubs said with a straight face.
"I'm sorry, man. You know we love you." Liam said smiling. He started the car back up, and pulled back onto the road. I leaned my head against the window, while the rest of them talked. Maybe Liam was right. Maybe I could help the Reds. If I could do it for Mason, why couldn't I do it for the rest of them? I'd help them, free them of their minds, of the fear. I would help them, for Cole. And with that thought, I fell asleep, listening to the voices of the people I love surrounding me.