Freedom (A Septiplier Story)

Remembrance

(Jack's POV)

There was a gloom hanging over Libertatem the next morning. Mark cried himself to sleep the night before and I just held him until he was asleep. When we ran from the government all those years ago we knew life was going to be tough. We were risking our lives every second. Then when others joined us, their lives became a part of ours. We lost many people over the years and it never got easier. But Cry was an old, close friend. The fear in his eyes mixed with the blood and bruises really hit home for the cause we were working so hard for.

I woke up early and took a walk through town. At this hour the early risers were just starting to stir. I made my way to Ken's shop to give him a stack of the fliers I made to tell everyone about the memorial that night. Ken's eyes were red and puffy and he wasn't his usual happy self; that's how everyone looked today, like sad zombies. People would make eye contact with me a immediately look away. The same thing happened when our good friend Yami died a couple years back. He wasn't captured and killed by the LPS but he was sick for a very long time. Yami was friends with everyone and it took weeks for everyone to feel normal again. When I walked past Cry and Shy's house the patio was littered with flowers and burnt out candles.

Now the sun was fully up so I made my way back home to be there when Mark woke up. Whenever he got depressed he relied heavily on me for comfort and support, at least when we were in private. Back at home Mark was sitting on the couch, staring at the wall.

"Mark?" I called to him quietly.

He didn't answer so I sat next to him, rubbing his back soothingly.

"I keep seeing that terrified look on his face, playing over and over again. I did that to him, I sent him out on that mission."

"You didn't do this Mark, the LPS did. Would you like to go see Phil? He's opening up his office for grief counseling."

"Maybe later but I have some work to do and some arrangements for the memorial."

"Okay honey." I went into the kitchen and fixed us a quick breakfast before Mark left for headquarters.

(Mark's POV)

I felt numb. I couldn't comprehend that Cry was gone and we watched it happen helplessly. I walked past Cry's house and avoided looking at the memorial that had been erected on the patio. Ken's shop was as busy as ever, though I could see Ken through the window frowning. It was strange seeing him so upset. Felix and Marzia had closed their shop for the day. Flyers with Cry's face and the other members of his team were littered across town advertising the memorial taking place that night. I finally made it to headquarters and was happy to find that the place was empty. I sat in front of my computer, opened it up and just stared at it. I did have work to do but I couldn't bring myself to do any of it.

I didn't realize how much time had passed until the sound of someone entering the room.

"Mark? It's time for the memorial." Jack informed me.

My heart started to race but I stood up and followed Jack outside. It was dark and the only light was a faint glow coming from the town square. I gripped Jack's hand and squeezed it tightly, afraid of letting go and falling apart.

When we rounded the corner, everyone in town was gathered around the gazebo. As we got closer the front of it was decorated with blown up photos of the team, flowers, and candles. I got up in front the crowd and faced them.

"Thank you all for coming tonight. I wish there was a better reason to gather. All of you know someone who has fallen in this latest round of senseless massacre. Cry was an incredible friend to everyone, but to me he was like a brother. Before we came here he and his wife Shy lived two doors down from Jack and I and when we ran away, they came with us. Cry was brave, funny, strong, and just overall amazing. If anyone else has anything else to say, come on up."

I immediately stepped off the platform and into Jack's arms before I broke into tears buried into his neck. We stood together and listened to other people speak about other people that had fallen. The last person up was Shy carrying a calm Robin on her hip.

"Hello, I'm Shy and this is Robin. Cry is a very important person to us and we miss him more than anything. When Cry woke me in the middle of the night and told me were running away, I wasn't scared at all because I knew he I could trust him. Then when I told him we were going to be parents," Shy voice broke, "He was so happy. He was the best dad in the world and nothing can ever replace him. I love you Cry." Shy broke down and was immediately enveloped by a group of people.

During the moment of silence, someone started singing Amazing Grace. Soon the entire crowd was singing. When the song ended, the candles were blown out and the group dispersed back to their respective homes. Jack and I walked slowly back to our house. Our fingers were interlaced and we were walking in sync.

Back at home, I took off my clothes and crawled into bed, pulling the quilt around my neck. Jack joined me a moment later, laying face to face. I stared at my husband, taking in each of his features. I loved this man more than anything in the world and staring into his loving face calmed all of my nerves. I leaned forward and kissed him, pouring all of the grief, passion, and love into it. We spent the rest of the night in each others arms, thankful that were together during this terrible time.