[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/217175409903534080/310915267373039616/coollogo_com-32460972.png[/img][/center] [center]---[/center] [b]Time: 1 PM - Day of LHU’s School Shooting Location: Croll Corner, Lost Haven[/b] The trio disappeared into cloud cover high above the city, escaping the horrible scene before being pulled aside by the authorities. Pantheon flew Charlie a block away from Croll Corner, landing in the back alleys. Bloody, oily and exhausted she insisted on keeping some privacy. Charlie spoke, voice hoarse, “[color=honeydew]Thanks. I would be dead if it wasn’t for you two, so thanks. I-...[/color]” She paused, the right words eluded her. “[color=honeydew]I’ll be around the city, if you guys need this alchemyst’s help I keep a pretty low profile as it is. You can usually find me rooting around any one of the junkyards here in town. See ya ‘round.[/color]” She turned leaning on her staff heavily, hobbling away. It felt like an eternity by the time she hobbled up to the back door she turned the doorknob, deep circles under her bloodshot green eyes, sticky with sweat. Blonde hair encrusted with blood, dirt, and splotches of oil frayed out of it’s original braids. She pulled down her hood with her free hand, shuffled the goggles off then pulled the mask down. Visible still was the scabbed over scratches she had from the other day. She heard her mom call out, “Charlie? That you!?” At the sound of her mom’s voice Charlie collapsed to her knees in the hallway. Her staff clattering down beside her. Multiple feet came scampering from each corner of the house converging down stairs and across the store. Nathaniel, Harry and Jules rushed to Charlie’s side in a torrent of relief and emotion. Jules swept her daughter up in her arms tears unbidden as she rocked her. Charlie began to sob heavily, heaving gasps in between each wave, crying into her mother’s shoulder. Nathaniel and Harry hugged around their sides, tears rolling down their cheeks as well. The family stayed like that for several minutes, none quite able to to recompose themselves. Finally Jules’ tears slowed allowing Charlie to continue, petting back her hair. Nathaniel first to move he dragged a thumb under his eyes, and Harry followed suit rubbing her eyes into her shoulder. He gently suggested, “Let’s get you outta those filthy clothes, rinse out the trouble kiddo. You did good.” Charlie sniffled loudly lifting her head, nodding. Jules helped her stand echoing that sentiment, soothingly followed with, “You’re home, you’re okay.” Harry helped Charlie out of the worst of her clothes, running the shower first. Harry shuffled out of the bathroom giving her privacy. Charlie stepped gratefully into the water, washing away the grime of the terrible day. She scrubbed her hair twice over with shampoo, freeing knots with conditioner. Then took a homemade bar of soap to the blood stains, dirt and oil. After 30 mins she felt clean enough to find a fresh towel and set of clothes laid out. Slowly, gently patting herself dry. Pulling her clothes on, cotton shorts and tank top. The ugly black and blue bruising along her collarbone visible in the mirror, the scabs from the scratches also visible along her forearms. Her lip was fat from an armoured elbow, a black eye from the butt of a stock. Roughed up, but… Alive. The thought brought a fresh wave of tears. Somehow… she managed to win with a knife in a gunfight. She exited the bathroom seeing Harry, who smiled. “Hey Char.” “[color=honeydew]Hey Harry…[/color]” “Come on, Gramps has some tea and wanted to see to setting your broken bones.” Charlie nodded following her down. Nathaniel had set out all the balms he would need in the kitchen, including his first aid kit. He patted the wooden chair. A steaming cup of tea waiting in her spot at the table with ice packs. “Take a seat, let’s have a look.” Harry disappeared from the kitchen and shortly returned with Charlie’s staff taking some old rags to clean the wood. Lifting the dirt away with her own alchemy, Charlie leaned across and stopped her hand. Harry looked up, clearly confused. “[color=honeydew]Appreciate the thought, but… I want to keep some of it on there, work it into the grain.[/color]” Harry hesitated then leaned the staff up against the table, nodding understandably. “Sure, Char.” Jules came into the kitchen as well, leaning in the doorframe. She sat wincing, “[color=honeydew]I think I broke my ribs, had taken a nasty hit with a baton on my shoulder.[/color]” “Yeah I see that,” He replied gently prodding around her collarbone and then her ribs, she gasped painfully. “Feels like… a couple are fractured but not completely broken.” She weakly pushed away his hand. “[color=honeydew]What a relief…[/color]” “We were glued to the tv, trying to see if we could catch glimpses of you.” He turned away reading the labels on some balms, small little brown jars. “We knew you would be fighting to get out of there. When the news reported those towers were being taken down, rusted away. We [i]knew[/i] that was you.” Charlie nodded. “[color=honeydew]Yeah that was me. The university… it’s- it’s fucked, I can’t go back.[/color]” Wincing at every breath, she hated getting broken or fractured ribs. It hurt to breathe. Jules added, “There’s small clips here and there of the ‘heroes’ of LHU, nothing really damning right now. The authorities chased the remaining Hounds of Humanity off the campus, rescuing the survivors. Looking for the three, - they’re assuming - metahumans who fought today.” Charlie reached for the ice pack wrapped in a dishcloth. Pressing it gingerly to her shoulder. “[color=honeydew]I tried to keep the mask up, I can’t really think straight right now…[/color]” Jules quickly apologized, “Oh no sweetie, it’s okay. Not quizzing you. You’ve been through so much today.” Nathaniel rolled up her shirt applying some balm to the swelling, Charlie swallowed some homemade pain relievers, chasing it with tea. Nathaniel fixed her arm into a sleeve relieving stress on her collarbone. He kissed her head, repeating again, “You did good, kid.” A dull throb pushed behind her eyes, all the adrenaline and stress melted out of her surrounded by family. Safe, home at last. Harry helped Charlie up to their room and into bed to lay down, she tilted their tiny tv for her to see, playing an old movie on their refurbished VCR. One that Harry slaved over to get working, stubbornly refusing help from anyone. Harry placed Charlie’s staff beside her in the bed, within reach. The small desk fan blowing away the afternoon heat, the window open. She hadn’t paid any attention to the movie, counting the water spot stains in the ceiling feeling the medicine kick in. Her eyes grew heavy and she sunk into a medicated sleep a hand resting over the staff. --- [b]Later that Day - Dinner Time[/b] The three Croll’s sat their respective spots at the table eating mechanically, thoughts all on Charlie. Jules had closed the shop for the next couple of days, apologizing to clients in light of the attack at the University. Nathaniel looked to Jules, “You did good too, Jules.” “Hmm? What’s that, Dad?” “You did good, raising these two.” Jules paused, “You’ve helped.” Harry looked between them, confused. “Sure, but you’ve made them strong. No ordinary alchemist could have survived the way Charlie did today, you taught her well. You too, Harry. I’m so proud of you.” Nathaniel said solemnly, smiling at Jules then Harry holding both of their hands. Jules smiled squeezing her father’s hand, “Thanks Dad.” “Yeah, thanks Grampa.” Nathaniel turned to Harry, “Now, Harry. Want you to understand something about your sister here.” “Sure, Gramps.” “Do you know what PTSD is?” He asked chewing through some lemon chicken. Harry tapped her chin then said, “Yeah, talked about it at school. Happens to veterans- [i]oohhhh[/i]. I get you, Gramps. You think Charlie’s gonna have PTSD?” “Mm, so I’ll remind you to have patience with your sister. We don’t know how this will affect her. She might have nightmares or lash out, or have a bout with depression. Charlie might not feel like herself for a while. So, it’ll be a family effort to support her but we have to trust her to let us know what she needs and when she needs it. If that’s a talk or some space. Play it by ear.” Nathaniel spoke evenly, much like how he speaks when teaching a lesson or giving a lecture. “Make sense?” Harry nodded, “I think so, so don’t treat her like she’s made of glass right?” Nathaniel smiled and ruffled her hair, “That’s exactly right.” Harry tried to duck away then groaned at his affection, trying to fix her ponytail. “We’ll be there no matter what.” Jules agreed, smiling herself. “That’s what family is.” They all nodded and continued to eat, switching comfortably to another subject. Charlie slept through the night, waking only once to take more painkillers and sleep more. The horrible day came to a quiet close. Arrests were made, eye witnesses, cellphone videos, and survivors spoke of the three heroes who bravely fought the Hounds of Humanity risking life and limb for those who could not. Many speculated who they were, many participated in interviews verbally thanking the trio wishing them well. The dead were gathered and identified. For the coming weeks the University would remain closed until every drop of blood was cleared away, until all the damage done was repaired. Memorials, flowers and bouquets would cover plaques, areas of the campus would be commemorated to their lives lost. Solemn reminder that here there was a push back against the terrorist group known as Hounds of Humanity. Giving hope to others targeted by them. Ultimately, another scar for Lost Haven to heal.