The Icebox - 25. Bloody Goodbyes

Henson

 

I frown as I stare at the theories on the board.

 

We’re trying to figure out why the Burn killed himself.

 

I said it was because he simply didn’t want to be captured.

 

Alex believes he may have died to one of his killer machines.

 

The Interviewer believes it was to push Zaf further into madness.

 

I’d say it’s a mix of theirs and mine.

 

The Interviewer is partly correct due to the information we gathered from the Burn’s lab.

 

We found more and more of those same brain chips that Zafiro had.

 

Some were on dead animals whose bodies were kept in jars.

 

Other information came from files in the computers.

 

The chip was originally made to boost augment abilities. The Burn had corrupted it into burning parts of the brain, causing damage over time which would normally kill the victim.

 

The reason it didn’t kill Zafiro was purely because of his regenerative abilities.

 

I sigh and pinch my brow.

 

He’s lucky he wasn’t with the team.

 

He’d be chopped up to pieces or filled with bullet holes.

 

My chest aches when I see the image in my head.

 

The Burn had a room to…dispose of his experiments in the most grotesque ways possible.

 

A room full of machines hiding in the walls and floor. It mostly had machine like arms with saws and a turret hanging from the ceiling.

 

Those machines destroyed my team and the Burn included.

 

Alex found Zafiro sitting in a puddle of blood surrounded by their body parts.

 

He had passed out from shock when I had arrived.

 

He is currently in the infirmary sleeping.

 

I am in my office with the Interviewer and Alex, awaiting the call that will remove me of my rank and send me back to planetside for questioning.

 

I know I messed up.

 

My two closest allies can’t even look at me right now.

 

Sure we are discussing why the Burn killed himself, but they can’t even look me in the eyes right now.

 

Honestly I’m surprised they are even in the room with me.

 

I’m more in shock at this whole situation.

 

I got greedy and it got people killed.

 

Clearing my throat, I stand from my chair.

 

“I’m…going to check on Zafiro. Let me know when the call comes in.”

 

Alex nods and keeps her eyes on the table.

 

It isn’t a long trip but it feels like it.

 

Each step there feels as though I am walking in slow motion. All I can hear is their screams and Zafiro’s crazed laughter.

 

My jaw clenches at what I have done to that kid.

 

I could easily put the blame on the Burn but it’s my fault. I am the one who brought him on these missions when it was obviously a bad idea.

 

The kid clearly had issues and I ignored them for my own gain.

 

Before I go, I need to apologize to him.

 

If possible, I will do what I can to help keep him comfortable.

 

I would say that I’d help him when he got out but it’s safe to say that, that is never happening now.

 

Reaching the entrance of the infirmary.

 

I pause at the door, a bit nervous about what he will say.

 

Will he be angry with me?

 

I’m sure he will and it makes my heart ache to imagine what he will say.

 

Alex was right before.

 

I was using Zafiro as a way to heal what damage I did to my own son. Using him as a way to fix my guilt of failing to be there for my own flesh and blood.

 

Now I messed up this one too.

 

Taking a deep breath, I open the door.

 

I frown when I see an empty bed.

 

Sheets have fallen over the side showing he slipped out.

 

It is now that I realize there isn’t an officer stationed here.

 

God dammit!

 

I hate this place! Nobody cares here!

 

I quickly call Alex.

 

“Yeah?” She answers.

 

“Zafiro is missing,” I almost shout. “Nobody was watching him when we asked!”

 

She curses and I hear noises down the hall.

 

She bursts through her door with the Interviewer trailing after her.

 

“You look in the busy half of the prison and I’ll look here,” She calls as she runs down the hallway towards the gym.

 

The Interviewer glances between me and Alex but quickly follows after her.

 

I run down the hallways, opening each and every door.

Why must he always do this?

 

I already know this is going to make things worse!

 

Fuck, where could he be?

 

My first guess was Zee’s cell.

 

I know they were close. Perhaps he went to mourn there?

 

As I made my way there, I called for other officers to help in the search.

 

They mostly wave me off or ignore me completely.

 

It makes my blood boil.

 

I stop by that one man I see Zaf eat with.

 

It’s an older man who sticks to his cell.

 

I’m about to ask for help but I see a shrine to Gus on the other bed.

 

The man kneels before it with a rosary in his hands.

 

Not wanting to disturb him, I walk towards Zafiro’s cell.

 

I doubt he’d be there but who knows.

 

“No eyes on the cameras,” The Interviewer’s voice calls from my phone.

 

That means he’s most likely not in his cell. Still, I go just in case.

 

~~~

 

Zafiro

 

“We should’ve been with them!”

“It’s unfair that we didn’t die too!”

“It’s wrong!”

“It’s our fault!”

“We were too late!”

“What’s the point anymore?”

“Let’s go to the beach.”

“Yes, the beach!”

“We can all go on a vacation together!”

“Nice warm beaches where Zee can help with the sunscreen!”

 

A warm breeze brushes against my skin as the sound of the waves call to me.

 

“We can make sandcastles and turn Charlie into a mermaid!”

“He’s already a mermaid!”

 

I chuckle at their words and step towards the water.

 

“Anjak would’ve enjoyed the beach.”

“Gus would probably sunbathe on the sand.”

 

I smile as tears fall down my cheeks.

 

“Who would’ve worn a thong?”

“Dinoyo!”

“The creepy shapeshifter would probably wear those weird overalls swimsuits.”

 

My breath hitches as my feet touch the water.

 

It’s warm.

 

“I wonder if Anjak and Charlie would’ve liked warm water.”

“Anjak seemed to with those long showers of his.”

 

I stumble slightly at how steep the ocean floor is but I slip further into the water.

 

“Everything will be fine.”

“I’m sure they will be waiting for us with open arms.”

“Everyone! Not just the ones we met here!”

“It will be amazing!”

 

The water reaches my chest now.

 

It’s…calming.

 

I close my eyes and take another step.

 

With that I sink into the ocean.

 

~~~

 

Henson

 

It was pure chance that I saw him.

 

I had randomly glanced towards the pool with no thought of looking there. I was moving for his cell and I saw his back.

 

I watched him step into the pool with all his clothes on and slip completely under the water.

 

Shoving the door open, I call his name and stand near the edge of the pool.

 

He ignores me and stays under the water, slipping into the deeper side.

 

I frown and wait a moment for him to come up for air.

 

He doesn’t seem to move under there and leaves me worried.

 

Scratching the side of my neck, I wait another moment.

 

With each second that passes, my heart starts to pound faster.

 

After another ten seconds, I dive in after him.

 

I don’t even bother kicking off my shoes.

 

The warm water surprises me for a moment but I quickly swim deeper.

 

As soon as he is in reach, I grab him and swim for the surface.

 

I feel him struggle slightly in surprise and when we breach the surface, he coughs up water.

 

He clutches onto my suit jacket and stares wide eyed into space.

 

Taking us out of the water, I groan as I carry him up the stairs and sit on the ground.

 

He keeps a firm grip on my coat and shivers at the colder air.

 

I wrap my arms around him but I swear the only sound in the room is my heartbeat.

 

It’s pounding so hard.

 

Was he doing what I think he was doing?

 

“I-I’m s-sorry,” He whispers so quietly, I thought I imagined it.

 

“It’s alright,” I whisper back, still just as shocked. “You’re fine now, Zafiro. I’ve got you.”

 

His lip trembles and tears begin to fall as he buries his face into my shoulder.

 

It’s…it’s time.

 

A bit late but it’s time I really listen to what others have told me to do.

 

~~~

 

I sigh and send all of Zafiro’s files to Frankie’s tablet.

 

Frankie gives me a small smile and nods for me to follow.

 

Zafiro keeps an arm wrapped around one of mine and stays close.

 

Even after what happened, I see he still isn’t all there.

 

He stares off into space, not entirely aware of where he is.

 

That or he doesn’t care for all the signs telling him we’re in the psych station on the moon.

 

“Do you think we’ll all meet up again on Earth, Henson?”

 

My gut twists at his words but I pat his hand with my free one.

 

“I’m sure we will,” I play along. “We’ll have a big party.”

 

He nods and twitches slightly against me.

 

We’re led towards a cage light door.

 

Frankie turns to us and glances at Zaf for a moment before looking me in the eyes. “This is where we take it from here. You may want to say goodbye. I’m not sure when you’ll..”

 

He trails off but I understand.

 

I’ll be sent home in a few hours and so this may be the last time I ever see the kid again.

 

I nod and turn to the one who suffered from my greed.

 

He frowns as he stares ahead of us through the gate.

 

Every now and then I feel him trembling and twitching against me.

 

“Hey,” I say gently.

 

It takes a moment but he eventually looks up at me with his bright blue eyes, though they do seem to bounce everywhere on my face as if he doesn’t entirely see me.

 

“You’re going to be alright,” I nod mainly to myself. “I’m sure soon you’ll find the help you really need. You won’t be alone. Alex and the Interviewer will still be here to keep an eye on you for me.”

 

“I want to say I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t give you the proper help you needed. I ignored the obvious and settled for my own wants with you. I…selfishly used you as a way to feel like a better father.”

 

Saying it aloud makes me feel even more guilty.

 

“Obviously it only made things worse by letting so many things slide simply because I favored you.”

 

Frankie comes up behind Zafiro with a patch at the ready.

 

I nod to him and give Zafiro the biggest hug I can.

 

“I’ll find a way for you to fix things, Zafiro,” I say with my head resting over his. “I promise to make things right this time.”

 

He grunts slightly as Frankie presses the patch onto the back of his neck.

 

Instantly his eyes droop as he gets drowsy.

 

A large alien and a burly man come in and help get a hold of Zafiro, each grabbing an arm to hold him up.

 

I almost wish to resist giving him up but I know I shouldn’t.

 

I’m one of the reasons he is here right now.

 

The gate closes behind them as they leave me behind.

 

Zafiro stirs and groans slightly, searching his surroundings.

 

He looks over his shoulder and sees me.

 

“Henson?” He calls.

 

He starts breathing faster as he seems to realize what is happening.

 

He struggles in from the grip of the escorts.

 

“P-Please,” He cries! “Don’t do this!”

 

Frankie gives me a sad smile and motions for me to move.

 

I can’t.

 

My feet feel as though they have been glued to the ground.

 

My eyes can’t tear away from the crying Zafiro trying to get away. To get away and come back to me.

 

I push myself to look away with every fiber of my being.

 

I close my eyes and feel tears begin to fall.

 

I hear him struggling until they reach an elevator at the end of the hall.

 

~~~

 

Two weeks later

 

Maksim

 

I frown at Zafiro sitting across from me.

 

He stares ahead of himself and cries silently.

 

That is all he does.

 

He’ll walk around and cry.

 

He’ll eat and then cry.

 

He’ll go to bed crying and then wake up crying the day after.

 

I get it.

 

He was there to see our family be brutally killed, but he brings the mood to an all time low, especially around me.

 

When I am not in my cell, my officers tell me that Zafiro is usually seen laying in Zee’s old bed. He’ll stay in a cocoon of Zee’s blankets until I am back.

 

Then he will stay in Gus’ bed idly playing with the little knife I got him.

 

He will not leave when I tell him he must.

 

It is incredibly bad for business when someone comes to me and sees someone crying and staring at a wall.

 

While I appreciate that he wants to stay with me whenever he can now, it is hurting my reputation and already I hear that another is trying to take over my hold on this prison.

 

I have tried talking to him. Giving him activities to do to get his mind off of it. I even managed to let him continue to be able to get medicated in our part of the prison.

 

No such luck in things getting better.

 

After I send in my list of orders to be brought in next week, I sigh and glance at Zafiro.

 

It’s time to fix this somehow.

 

I stand and close the door and nod for my officers to give us some alone time for a moment.

 

When they are gone, I stand over Zafiro.

 

His eyes glance up at me for a moment but then he goes back to staring ahead and tracing the blade along the cracks of the wall.

 

“Zaf, it's time to move on,” I say.

 

He ignores me.

 

Taking a deep breath, I reach for his arm and pull him up.

 

He whines in annoyance but eventually sits up on the side of the bed.

 

“C’mon, mijo,” I carefully help him sit on the edge of the bed. “You need to stand and stretch your legs at least.”

 

He groans and tries to flop back onto the bed, forcing me to hold him up.

 

“Zafiro,” I say in a strict voice. “It’s time to continue with your life.”

 

He chuckles softly. “Continue where? I’m stuck here.”

 

I shake my head. “Rotting in your bed is not living!”

 

My stomach twists thinking about what happened in the pool.

 

It still scares me that he tried to kill himself.

 

I’ve made sure to always have guards shadowing him from now on.

 

Clearing my throat, I stand and cross my arms.

 

“Fine,” I say. “You don’t want to at least be babied? Good for me. What do you need? Tell me what you need right now?”

 

He sighs and shakes his head before sitting up again.

 

“I…I don’t know. I can’t see anything else when I close my eyes.”

 

Already I want to be that caring coddling person to him again but already this is proving to work when I’m not.

 

“You think laying in bed will fix it? You need to find something to keep on fighting. Otherwise you’re already dead like them!”

 

He frowns and looks up at me now.

 

“I’ll do whatever you need, but you need to put yourself first right now Zafiro. If you keep this up, I won’t even be able to protect you right now?”

 

He wipes at his nose and rubs his head.

 

He twitches slightly but he pushes himself to stand.

 

“I don’t even know where to look for that,” He whimpers, already tears are threatening to fall from him. “Nothing makes me want to try anymore.”

 

I pace around the cell.

 

“Do you need me to push you to do errands for me?”

 

He shakes his head.

 

I nod and ask again, “Do you need me to set you up at a job in the prison, like the cafeteria?”

 

He sighs and looks down.

 

My jaw clenches and I don’t know what comes over me.

 

Perhaps it’s the annoyance of dealing with this for days now, or perhaps I’m just tired and willing to go to extreme measures for this to be over with as soon as possible.

 

I stand over him again, making sure to look as scary as I can.

 

“Do you need me to threaten someone you care about?”

 

He looks up at me a bit surprised but confused.

 

“I could find your mother,” I say slowly. “One of your old friends on earth maybe?”

 

Zafiro looks uneasy as I continue.

 

“Hell, I guess the easiest would be your little boyfriend. What was his name again? Roy?”

 

As I say his name, I see something shift across his face.

 

It hardens and he glares up at me.

 

His body trembles and twitches more.

 

Suddenly his hand swings for me.

 

I expect a punch but instead I feel a blade slice across my throat.

 

Burning pain erupts from my neck and I gasp in shock but no air reaches my lungs.

 

I find myself falling to my knees with my hands trying to stop my hot, red blood from spilling down my chest.

 

He stands over me, his eyes wide with surprise.

 

He glances at me and the knife before dropping it.

 

Zafiro crouches over me.

 

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” He panics and tries to help stop the blood as well.

 

My vision turns cloudy as I struggle to breathe. I choke on my own blood and I grasp onto Zafiro’s arm.

 

“Somebody help me,” He screams out.

 

More of his tears are falling over my face.

 

“Fuck, Maksim, I don’t know what happened,” He sobs. “I’m so sorry! I’m so fucking sorry!”

 

My guards open the door and push him off of me.

 

Suddenly I’m being carried out.

 

Beams over the ceiling slide past my vision as it gets darker and darker.

 

It’s…cold.