"...They will be remembered." She prayed she'd remember. Andy already knew this would be next to impossible to get over. She's never lost anyone close to her because all she's ever had was her father. Now, she got a brother, someone else she cared for, only to have him ripped away from her. The only thing that could hurt worse is forgetting... Forgetting Daniel. His face, his smile...
Everything was like white noise while Ajax's words echoed in her head as he spoke. "Don't ever feel guilty for still being alive..." Andy was barely able to manage an upwards glance towards him, only catching a glimpse of his smile towards her.
Don't feel guilty. She inhaled sharply, clutching at her abdomen as the tears ran down her cheeks. Andy's knees were barely holding her up, as her breaths shook her body. Gradually, something materialized in the palm of her hand. She raised her hand before her, slowly pulling back her fingers to find a locket in her palm. Part of her hoped it was her own subconscious, but deep down she knew... it was her mother's doing. As the pyres lit, Andy had half a mind to chuck the necklace into the flames and walk away, but instead she managed to open it with her trembling fingers.
Inside was two photographs. One, of Daniel. The second, of the last moment Andy shared with him before the battle. She gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth as tears flooded down her cheeks. She clutched the locket to her chest, as she stared at the sand. She couldn't bring herself to look at the pyres knowing that Daniel wasn't among them and that she didn't have a chance to say goodbye.
Without a word, and her grasp tight on the locket, Andy snaked her way through the crowd of crying campers, beelining for the woods. At first she made her way towards her cabin, but began to drift away the more she walked. That's where she'd be looked for and she didn't want to be found. Not now. She appreciated the care and sympathies but she was tired of the sorry's, the condolences... everything. She wanted David. He wouldn't try to sugar coat it, or tell her it'd get better. He understood more than anyone what she was feeling.
Next thing she knew, she found herself at Jennova's grave on the cliff. With a sigh, she sat down beside it with her locket still tight in hand. Her gaze slowly drifted over to the grave stone. Andy's shaky had rested on it. "I know... I know we didn't know each other well," her voice croaked. "But could you look out for him down there?... Please?" she begged, patting the gravestone.
Wes remained silent and respectful as Duke and Ajax spoke their reassuring words to everyone else. No one seemed to get away unscathed. Everyone was bandaged, or weeping. Even a lot of both. Injured body and soul. He felt guilty for feeling thankful that all he lost was his arm, and that... Well, his best friend and Trinity would all still in one piece. But he still wished he could have done more. His gaze fell to Andy who stood hidden in the crowd on the other side of the pyre. He didn't even realize... Not until that moment that Daniel was no where to be found.
His heart sank, taking in her appearance. Andy looked like a ghost. A shell of the vibrant person she was. Sure, they weren't the closest. But he never saw her without a smile on her face, or a look of kick ass determination. Now, she was just... Lost. Wes' gaze fell to the ground before he shut his eyes, taking in a deep breath. When he felt Trinity's hand squeeze his, he opened his eyes to take in the sight of the pyres going up in flames. But through the smoke, he saw Andy turn and leave when no one else was paying attention. He had half a mind to follow her until he was distracted by Trinity removing her hand from his.
“I don’t know if you’ve got your own cabin or you’re required back at the med hut but you can sleep with me whenever you want." Maybe it was everything going on, but the statement didn't hit him fast enough for him to make a comment before Trinity started to ramble. “Not 'sleep sleep' with me. You can...” She sighed. “You know what I mean." Trinity paused for a moment before whispering, “I could actually use some company these next few nights."
"I think Andy rebuilt my cabin for me... After the, ya know... Hydra." Wes gave one last side glance towards Andy motioning towards her with his thumb, but she was no where to be found. He finally focused on Trinity, figuring if Andy wanted to talk to someone, she would have stuck around. He cleared his throat once he realized what she was mentioning. No longer focusing on Andy and where she was. "But I can stay on your couch... however long you need it."
He gave her a soft smile, reaching out his hand to gently rub her upper arm. "Plus... I think the nurses would actually kill me if I tried to sleep without some sort of supervision. Apparently the meds they have me on or whatever could cause some serious problems if I abuse them... Or something like that." He gave a halfhearted chuckle and shrug.