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A soft sigh escapes their lips as they pull the cord of their personal link from the computer in front of them, allowing it to slide back into its slot once the data download was finished. They ensure that the cameras of the building were still disabled before going to the window they had used to sneak in, climbing back through it quietly and dropping to the ground outside with a little huff.
Once they walk from the building, going the entire job without being detected, they walk across the street towards the Metro station, but linger outside before heading in.
They flick through their contacts, then find who they were looking for, and their chestnut eyes light up orange as they call.
“Hey, kiddo. Everything go okay?”
Echo gives a nod, pulling on a little smile. “Yeah, tía. I'll send you the info when I hang up.”
“Thanks, hun. No hitches or anything?”
Echo lets out a light laugh at the woman's concern, then shakes their head. “They didn't even know I was there.”
“Good….good….” Though she seems relieved, the woman's green eyes shift to the side, and Echo knew all too well what that look on her face meant.
“I'm always careful, M…I promise. You know I try to avoid any sort of confrontation if possible.”
“I know, hun, I know, just….you know I'm always gonna worry. You may not be a little kid anymore, but sometimes I still see the troublemaker I met and worry…”
Echo's eyes give a slight roll at her words. They knew her heart was in the right place and she just always looked out for them, but they hated still being treated like a kid even though they were an adult. “I know. But like I said, I'm careful. I avoid trouble.”
The woman sighs through her nose before looking back to the other, seemingly wanting to say more, but for the sake of avoiding an argument or any sort of tension, she doesn't. Instead, she changes the subject. “I'll send you the eddies when we're done, hun…Oh! Mikey wanted me to tell you that they're having another barbecue today. Like always, you're invited.”
Echo raises a dark brow. “Why didn't he call me himself?”
The woman chuckles lightly. “Think he just didn't wanna interrupt you while you were working…He, uh…misses you. They all do.”
“Well….gotta make money somehow.” Echo replies a bit evasively, crossing their silver arms over their chest. “I'll….see if I can show. I got somewhere I gotta stop by.”
“Of course, huno…Hope to see you.”
“Yeah…we'll see. Bye, tía.”
Echo gives a little wave of their hand before ending the call, groaning softly under their breath. They send off the information they had acquired, and shortly after, they receive their payment for the gig. They rub their hands slowly over their face before pulling away from the wall, heading into the station and waiting for their tram before stepping on. They find a seat in the corner, away from others, and plops down, laying their head against the cool window. They make sure to shut off their holo to block any incoming calls and place their bag in their lap as they stare out the glass at the sitting passing by. Their hands reach into their bag, finding their Walkman and headphones, playing the tape that was set in it and sliding the headphones into their ears, listening as they travel.
Once they reach their stop in Westbrook, they step off with a few others, then clutch their satchel strap as they walk past the people standing around right to where they wanted to be.
They come across a wall and felt relief that no one else was in the area, and they kneel down onto the concrete and cross their legs. They pause their music, setting their Walkman and headphones aside and reaching into their bag, pulling out a small white candle and lighter, placing the candle down in front of them and lighting it before lifting their gaze to the five blue names illuminated on the wall.
“Hey, everyone…long time no see. Been a while since we've all been together.” They speak aloud to the wall, exhaling and resting their hands in their lap. “I managed to get the Columbarium to get you all together. Was a pain in the ass; they didn't wanna listen to me until I had turned 18, then still didn't wanna until I saved up enough eddies to convince them. Thought you guys would all wanna be together. And if they bitch at me for my candle, I will shove my metal foot up their ass.”
They laugh softly, but it falls off, dying out rather quickly. Their smile is gone quickly, their eyes dropping to the candle in front of them, watching the flame sway before inhaling and focusing on one of the names.
“I know they would've wanted you to be with them….I hope that was okay. Don't worry, I talked to Abuela, she was okay with it. She's…she's doing okay. Misses you like crazy, still got your shrine up at the bar.” They rub a metal thumb over their other wrist. “I really wish I could've met you, Jackie….you sounded really cool and nice. I think we would've gotten along. They would never shut up about you, especially….” They inhale softly. “He never took that ring off. Since the day I met him, he wore it…He always carried you with him….”
They shift their gaze to the next name. “Always carried you with him too. Though I guess that was more…literal there at the end, huh?” They smile sadly. “Don't worry, Case! I've been looking out after myself…I don't let anyone walk all over me, just like you taught me. I know you guys wanted me to leave NC, but….I couldn't. Just couldn't leave everyone, you guys, behind…but I'm glad you got to be a mom like you wanted. I mean, I know I was always a pain, but…” Their voice gets a little strained, but they swallow it down and clear their throat. “But I hope I was enough. I'd count it, wouldn't you?”
The next name. “I see the appeal now, you know. Of the music.” They grab their Walkman and lift it up to the wall, showing an invisible presence and waving it. “Been listening to The Ballad of Buck Ravers a lot recently. Mikey had a hard time finding the tape for me, but he managed.” They lower the music player and hold it in their hands, looking down at it. “Still haven't let any corpos get their hands on me…Not for their lack of trying, but…fuck them, right?” They inhale softly. “Your little boyfriend is doing good. Still making music, though he's been taking a break since he finished that new album. He went back to the Philippines for a while….he doesn't reach out often, but….I don't blame him. I know that…losing you guys was really….really hard on him. But he's okay…”
They sit there in silence for a few moments before looking up at the final two names, their throat suddenly feeling a bit dry and their words failing them for a moment.
They manage to find them, though, and they speak in a soft voice, “You guys…gave me a chance. Gave me a family when…I was sure I didn't need one. But…” Their voice trembles, and they move their hand to the bullet necklace around their neck, gripping it tightly and shutting their eyes, but it doesn't stop the tears that begin to fall. “You guys….believed in me…and cared for me…even though I was always so mean and stubborn and…was nothing but trouble. I didn't…I didn't think our time would run out, and….”
A little broken sob leaves them as their shoulders tremble before they look up at their names. “You know, fuck you guys! You guys said you wouldn't leave me! That you'd take care of me!” Their chest heaves with heavier, louder sobs. “You said you'd stick around and would figure everything out! But then you…” They trail off, staring at the names, like the people they belonged to would answer them. Zachary Denver and Vincent Jouji Schultz. The two people who were the closest things to actual parents to them.
They bring their legs close to their chest, hugging them tightly and pushing their face into their knees as they cry, their entire body trembling with sobs.
“I'm sorry….I don't mean it….I just…I miss you so fucking much….You weren't supposed to go…” They murmur out between their tears. “I want you all back…like it was before…” Echo's breathing shudders as they rest their head on their knees, looking up towards the wall of names, of their family. “I don't want to be strong…not all the time…I want you guys looking after me again…yelling at me for getting into trouble or not listening….hearing you two bicker…all of us sleeping in one of your apartments…”
Echo stares silently for a few minutes that stretch on, sniffling as the wind lightly ruffles their dark hair. They wipe their tears from their cheeks with a long sigh, sitting up. “Ugh, and screw you guys for making me cry.”
They laugh sadly, then look at the candle that had burned out. “I got a barbecue to get to…but…since it was the anniversary, I had to visit you guys first. At least this year, you're all together instead of having me walk around this whole place.”
Echo gives themselves another moment before inhaling and rising to their feet, dusting their legs off. They stuff the remnants of the candle into a bag and then into their satchel before they press their metal hand to the wall. “Bye, guys…I'll see you next year, okay?” They sigh, shutting their eyes and pressing their forehead between V and Z's names. “Bye, Mom and Dad….I love you guys.”
Taking in another breath, they step back and turn, slipping their headphones back in, “Never Fade Away” playing in their ears as they make their way out of the Columbarium.