The Second Archon War: Interlude 11

Interlude 11: Rumore Loquitur

Content warning: Reader discretion is advised. This chapter covers teen suicide. 

It was cold, wet, and rainy, and part of Taylor just wanted to go home and get warm. Instead, she huddled deep within her jacket, and held out another flier to one of the passing high schoolers. 

“If you’re feeling down, speak out! Rally this weekend at the Hebert Memorial Library!” 

She wasn’t alone: Taylor, Sarah, Rachel, Junior, and Sensei Noelle were all outside of the high school with signs and fliers, all painted brightly with slogans and the Brockton Mental Health Hotline that had been Sarah’s brainchild. Her mother sat at the booth with Helen, Rachel’s stepmom, and Arthur, Junior’s less famous dad, where they were making “cups of cheer” that consisted of hot cocoa or tea. 

Most of the students looked completely disinterested in anything but the free hot chocolate, but one girl paused to talk to Sarah. “Um, hey, Sarah. Thanks for doing this. I, um…I’ll be there. Do you guys need any help, or…?”

“We do, Veronica,” Sarah said, pulling out a form. “If you’re interested in volunteering for the hotline, fill this out and I’ll put your name down.”

The name tickled the back of Taylor’s brain, but she didn’t quite recall where from. Veronica looked pretty choked up as she filled out the form, and Taylor passed out a few more fliers to passing students. 

“I miss Reggie too. Thanks for doing this,” Veronica said, giving Sarah a hug. Both girls were crying now, and it finally clicked as to who Veronica was. She had been Sarah’s brother’s last girlfriend before…well. Before he took his own life. 

They stayed for another half hour in the wet October rains before taking a break. They’d be back later for the football game, but for now everyone huddled inside of Fat Tony’s pizza to try and get warm. 

“This one’s on the house,” Fat Tony said, setting a large pie in front of the group. He took his hat off and wiped his face, reddened and hot from the ovens despite the miserable weather. “My brother, he made it back from Vietnam, but he never made it all the way back, ya know? Still think about him sometimes. I think, sometimes, if there had been someone like you kids…you’re doing a good thing. Think I could have some of those fliers to put back here?”

“Yes sir, Mr. Grasso,” Sarah said quickly, passing Fat Tony a stack and a sign with the hotline number on it. “You can put up as many as you need.”

“I’d be happy to help you put them up,” Noelle said, standing from where she had been sitting. 

“Nah, nah, you sit down and eat. You kids have been workin’ hard, ya know?” Fat Tony said with a chuckle. “I’d feel real bad iffin  you kids didn’t even eat my pizza.”

“Oh! Well, it’s very hot, and that’s what’s needed on a day like this!” Noelle said brightly. 

Tony nodded, brushing at his eyes and waddling over to the front to put a flier up in the restaurant’s front window. 

“You kids did work hard. Eat up and get warm, because it’s going to be real cold when the Jays play the Spartans tonight,” Arthur advised. 

The kids all dug in eagerly, save for Sarah. She bowed her head first, saying a short prayer. Noelle, of course, did the same, though Taylor wasn’t certain if Noelle usually prayed before a meal. Setting down her own pizza, Taylor elbowed Rachel, who had been about to slip Angelica some pizza. 

“What? He said I could bring her inside!” Rachel protested. 

“She’s saying grace,” Junior hissed. “You know, for Reg.”

“Why? He’s dead,” Rachel pointed out bluntly. 

“So that Lord Barbatos can guide his spirit to Heaven,” Noelle said, giving Rachel a gentle smile. “It’s a social situation.”

“Oh. Ok,” Rachel agreed, and dropped the slice of pizza on the floor. She glared at Taylor defiantly. “Dogs don’t do social situations.” Then Rachel closed her eyes too. 

Sarah flushed, then cleared her throat as everyone had closed their eyes. “Um, dear God, and, um, Lord Barbatos…please, bless this food to our bodies, and, um…if there are people out there…people who feel like Reggie did, who are sad, and lonely…then…then please help us find them! I- I promise to not ignore it when people are sad and lonely again! And please…please take care of Reggie! He…he was a good brother, e-even if…even if…” 

Sarah broke down crying, and Taylor put her arms around her friend, hugging her tight. After a moment, Rachel asked, “Do you want a hug?”

Sarah nodded, and Rachel made a face while Helen nodded at her encouragingly. Despite her distaste of “touching,” Rachel hugged Sarah too. 

“I’m sure Lord Barbatos will look after your brother, and that he will find the freedom he always longed for under the Anemo Archon’s wings,” Noelle promised, giving Sarah a hug as well and offering her a hankie to dry her face on. 

“Thanks, guys. I just…I’m so angry!” Sarah burst out, which caused the adults to blink.

“Don’t blame yourself, Sarah. You’re just a kid. You couldn’t have known,” Annette said gently. 

“That’s not why she’s mad,” Taylor said, biting back her own anger. “Look around! You should be angry too.”

“I’m not sure anger is the solution,” Arthur said, frowning. He was a kind, gentleman, and Taylor didn’t think she’d ever seen him angry even once. 

“Well, then you tell my deadbeat parents to hurry the fuck up and be a part of my life before I kill myself too,” Sarah growled. She immediately flushed and bit her lip, exclaiming, “Sorry! I’m not…I just…why can’t they ever be here?!” 

The adults looked guilty, glancing at one another and uncertain what to say. Junior put a hand on Sarah’s shoulder, however. “Fuck ‘em. Sorry, dad, but it’s true. Look, my own supposed parents abandoned me, but I got a real family now. And so do you. We’re your family if you ever need us, Sarah.”

“Thanks. I just…I know it’s probably not their fault…but it’s their fucking fault,” Sarah mumbled, scrubbing at her leaking nose. 

“We’ve all lost parents,” Taylor said, looking around the room. “Um, except probably Noelle.”

She didn’t know much about Noelle’s private life, and usually only saw her at the dojo. But when Noelle had heard that Sarah was starting a group to assist those experiencing suicide ideation, Noelle had instantly volunteered, and had been instrumental in planning the events and organizing the hotline under Sarah’s direction. 

Noelle blushed, fidgeting with her fork and knife. Unlike every other person Taylor had ever met, Noelle ate pizza with utensils instead of just picking it up with her hands. “Ah, I have a very loving relationship with both my parents. Um, I still live at home with both of them. But, ah…I’m originally from Madison.” 

There were sucked-in breaths all around the room, and Taylor felt her pulse quicken. The Hopekiller might be checked by Lesser Lord Kusinali, but she was still a name to conjure fear. 

“I-It’s alright! Um, we got out in time, and we lived in the suburbs. But, our old home…it was burned to the ground. We moved to Brockton to stay with my grandparents,” Noelle hastily added. “But…a lot of my friends…they didn’t make it. Even after…some of them…well…you know how it is after Endbringer attacks.”

Now it was Noelle’s turn to receive hugs from everyone there, much to her embarrassment. 

“We’ve all lost someone,” Taylor’s mom told her. “But we’ll continue on, everyday.”

“Yes! I’ll work hard everyday, to honor those who we all remember,” Noelle agreed eagerly. 

After that, they enjoyed the warmth and company for an hour or so, then it was time to set up their booths next to the John Jay High School Football field, where the Jay’s would be taking on the North Brockton Spartans for their homecoming game. The rain had slacked off, but it was still windy and cold, and Taylor shivered despite her jacket and mittens as they worked to set up the booth and get the fliers ready. 

Before the start of the Junior Varsity game, everyone stood as Veronica sang the National Anthem. She was a senior in the choir, but before she gave the rendition, she said, “I’d like to dedicate this song to the memory of one of our own Jay’s, who sadly took his own life last Spring. So before the anthem, I’d like to have a moment of silence.”

Everyone bowed their heads respectfully, and there were more than a few sniffles. After that, Veronica belted out a stirring rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, and the game began. Taylor was fairly uninterested in football, but she did pass out fliers to those that were interested. 

“Hey, can I have one of those?” 

Taylor turned to see an African-American girl who looked to be about seven years old, her hair in cute little pigtails. 

“Sure,” Taylor said, handing one over. “You know someone who is considering or has committed self-harm?”

“My mom tried to kill herself, but she’s in rehab now. Brian said I should get her one,” the girl said with a shrug. 

Taylor felt a pang, and put a mittened hand on the girl’s shoulder. “I’m sorry to hear that. My name’s Taylor, what’s yours?”

“Aisha,” the girl said, shrugging and sniffing slightly. “It’s OK, I don’t live with her anymore. I live with my dad and Tiff. She’s cool.”

“Would you like some hot cocoa?” Taylor said, not certain of what else to say to the girl. 

“Yes!” Aisha said instantly, and Taylor took her over to the tent, where Rachel made her a steaming hot cup of cocoa.

“I like your dog,” Aisha said,  which Taylor knew instantly made her a good person in Rachel’s eyes. Grinning, Aisha squatted down in front of Angelica, who was lying on a yoga mat with her own little wool sweater Noelle had made. “ Can I pet her?” 

“Her name is Angelica. And yes, you can,” Rachel said, handing Aisha the mug of cocoa. 

“I wanted to get a dog, but my dad said no and Brian says I’m not responsible enough yet. But I’m almost eight already! I can totally take care of a dog,” Aisha said, not only petting Angelica but giving the dog a big hug, which Angelica appreciated enough to enthusiastically lick Aisha’s face. 

“A dog is a big responsibility. Lots of morons get a dog and then don’t take care of them and leave them in a kennel all day,” Rachel stated, which Taylor knew was the preamble to one of her long rambling lectures on proper canine care. 

Fortunately, Aisha was a good audience (as long as she got to play with Angelica) and she ended up staying in the tent with them for the rest of the JV game. 

At the end, a tall boy a year or two older than Taylor in a Spartan uniform came over. He removed his helmet, and Taylor tried to hide her blush. He had one of those movie star chins that Taylor thought was super cool, and even though he was in a JV uniform, he looked big and strong enough to be varsity. Taylor vaguely recalled seeing him perform well on the field, and knew that the JV Spartans had won probably in large part thanks to him. 

“Aisha, there you are. I should have known you’d be goofing off,” the boy said with a sigh. His voice was deep, just the kind Taylor found very interesting in a boy.

“Nuh-uh! I’m helping! I’m their mascot, with Angelica! We’re passing out fliers for mom, see?” Aisha said, and proudly handed her brother one. “Angelica, this is Brian. He’s ugly and boring but he’s my brother so be nice to him.”

Taylor had to disagree on the ugly part, and she smiled at Brian shyly. “She was no trouble! She helped pass out hot chocolate and shared her story with some of the other little kids.”

“HEY! I’m not LITTLE! I’m SEVEN AND A HALF!” Aisha protested, which earned her a roll of the eyes from her older brother. 

“Thanks. Brian Laborn,” he said, extending a hand to Taylor, which she awkwardly shook. “Thanks for doing this. I guess Aisha told you about our mom. She’s OK now, getting help and getting better, but…yeah. It was rough for a few years there. Come on, Aisha, don’t bother these nice people anymore.”

Aisha stuck her tongue out, then went up to Taylor. “Hey, are you guys Wards? You and Rachel both got a Vision.”

Brian’s eyes widened slightly, and he looked at Taylor again, obviously impressed. 

Blushing even more fiercely, Taylor dropped her gaze and shook her head. “Um, Rachel’s a Ward, but my Vision… it was my dad’s. He was, um, Longshoreman. Daniel Hebert. But my Vision…it doesn’t work.”

“Oh, that’s pretty cool. So, you’re doing this to like, honor his memory?” Brian asked. 

Taylor looked up, a sudden grin on her face. “Uh, yeah, I-”

“TAYLOR! STOP FLIRTING IT’S TIME FOR OUR PRESENTATION!” 

Face feeling like the sun, Taylor stammered out an apology to Brian. She was so flustered, she didn’t notice that he was equally red and embarrassed, though Aisha didn’t miss a trick. 

“🎶Brian’s got a Girlfriend, Brian’s Got a Girlfriend 🎶!” she sang, even as Taylor fled out onto the field. 

“Aisha, I just met her!” Brian protested, his voice breaking and revealing he was still in middle school.

“What, she’s cute! You should ask her out. It won’t even be that embarrassing if she says ‘no’ ‘cause she goes to another school.”

Absolutely mortified, Taylor kept her head low as she hurried out onto the field to stand with her friends, taking a sign from Junior to hold up to the crowd as Sarah took the microphone. 

“Hello, my name is Sarah Livsey. You probably know me as Reggie’s little sister. I’m here today because he isn’t.”

Taylor had heard Sarah say this speech a couple of dozen times as she paced back and forth, nervously reciting the lines and re-writing them over and over again. She’d poured her heart and soul not just into this hotline and event, but into giving a speech that Taylor knew came from her heart. 

“I thought I knew my brother. I thought he was OK. That he knew I loved him. That he…” Sarah swallowed audibly, and the only sound was the wind rattling the chain link fence around the field. Closing her eyes, Sarah continued, “That he was OK. That he knew he belonged here. But he didn’t.”

“I don’t know how many of you tonight feel like no one cares about you. That no one gives a damn whether or not you show up to school tomorrow. But look around you! You see all these people here? We all care! We remember Reggie. We miss him. Every. Single. Day. I miss his smile. I miss it when he’d mess up my hair. I miss those drives with him where I’d complain and he’d laugh and tell me it would be OK. 

“And if life freaking sucks, we get it! Noelle here? Noelle is from Madison. She knows how bad it can get. Taylor? Her dad was killed by the Nine. It’s a big, fucked up world, and yes, Mrs. Tellison, I know I shouldn’t swear but this is really important!” 

The audience laughed, and the middle school principal motioned to her ear and shrugged as if she had temporarily been stuck deaf, and the crowd laughed even louder. 

“So if you need someone to talk to, call our hotline! Take a flier. We’ve got volunteers from Brockton manning the phones and chat group every day! I promise you, as long as I’m here, there will be someone who cares, someone who listens to you, who wants you to see tomorrow!” 

There was a sudden gust of wind, and Taylor had to look away, shielding her eyes as a green flash filled the night sky, brighter even than the floodlights for an instant. When the spots cleared, Taylor turned to see Sarah gripping an aquamarine gem tightly in her fist. 

“TONIGHT MAY BE DARK, BUT TOMORROW WILL BE A BRIGHTER DAY! LISTEN TO THE WINDS OF FREEDOM, AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE!”

There was a deafening roar after that, and Taylor jumped on Sarah, hugging her friend tightly as they both laughed. 

“You did it! You got a Vision!” Taylor said, a huge grin on her face. 

“I mean, I guess? That was never the point of all this. But now I know…Barbatos really has blessed this, and I can do it!” Sarah said, grinning.

“Hey, congrats. I guess you have to come to my class now,” Rachel said. “Do you want a hug?” 

Sarah laughed and gave Rachel a one-armed hug, which she accepted with equanimity. 

“Man, I am so jealous!” Junior laughed, then high fived Sarah. “Guess I have to hold out and hope I trigger. Maybe we should try some of those ‘Trigger Trials’ I’ve seen on Newgrounds.”

“I think your dads would kill you if we tried it, which might Trigger you so why not?” Sarah agreed with a smile. 

After seeing a Vision bestowed, there was a line wrapped all the way around the bleachers to visit their mental health tent. They didn’t just run out of hot cocoa, but fliers as well. Thankfully, Aisha and Brian stuck around to help, and they ended up with so many volunteers they had to flip the sign-up sheets over and write on the backs to fit in all the names. 

Sarah ended up leaving with Legend and Sensei Kazoo, who came to take her to Protectorate HQ. Rachel tagged along, as she was already a Ward, though to the best of Taylor’s knowledge, she’d never done any actual cape stuff, probably because she was still in Sixth Grade. 

That meant Taylor rode home alone with her mother, sitting in the passenger seat and staring into the empty depths of her father’s Vision. 

“You doing OK, Bug?” Annette asked, reaching over to rub Taylor’s shoulder as they sat at a traffic light.

Taylor shrugged. “I mean, I guess. I’m happy for Sarah. The event went really good. It’s just…”

They sat in silence until the light turned green, and Annette accelerated onto the freeway. When she did speak, Annette sounded exhausted to Taylor’s ears. “You know, for a moment back there, I was afraid it was you who got a Vision.”

Taylor’s head whipped around, confused. Her mom was smiling slightly, but her eyes were glistening behind her glasses. “It was hard enough when your father became a cape, when he became a superhero. But if that happened to my little girl…if I were to lose you too…I might need to call the Hotline myself.”

“You won’t! I won’t!” Taylor protested. 

Annette sighed. “Taylor, you might get a Vision. You might not. You might Trigger and become a Parahuman. But I pray every day that you don’t. I’m sorry, I know that’s not what you want to hear…but I’m scared for you. You’ll always be my little Bug, my little girl. And while I know you really want to be a hero like your father was…I just want you to be safe and happy.”

“I’d be happy if I got a Vision,” Taylor said stubbornly. “And Electro one. Like dad.”

“I know. But I also know it’s hard to see your friends get what you so desperately want. I’m scared for Sarah. Scared for her parents. Well, not as much. Tom and Linda are both assholes if you ask me. Couldn’t even come to their son’s memorial game.”

“Pricks,” Taylor agreed, flashing a brief smile. But then she turned serious. “Mom, I will get a Vision. But I’ll keep you safe. Keep everyone safe. I…”

She trailed off, and Annette hit the brakes, swerving onto the shoulder. Both of them stared at the Vision, which for just a moment, had flashed with purple lightning. 

“T-Taylor?” her mother gasped.

Taylor clutched at the Vision, willing it to reignite. But instead, it remained still, as it usually was. 

“Has that ever happened before?” Annette asked, her tone breathy and frazzled. 

Taylor considered lying, but instead, nodded. “A couple times. Just for brief moments. I…I think it’s dad. Trying to tell me something. Trying to keep me safe. It happened when I thought Sarah was in danger last spring, when…when we found Reggie.”

Annette nodded, face pale. “Maybe…maybe you shouldn’t carry-”

“NO!” Taylor clutched at the Vision, burying it against her chest. “It’s all I have of Dad! You can’t take it!” 

Annette looked pained, and for a moment, Taylor thought they’d have a screaming match. Those were rare, she and her mother were both typically soft spoken. But when their blood was up, they both could turn into stubborn banshees. 

Not tonight though. Instead, Annette unbuckled and leaned across the console to hug Taylor tightly. “Just don’t let me lose you, OK, Bug?” 

“Yes, mom,” Taylor agreed, and hugged her back. “I love you.”

“Love you too, Taylor.”

They drove home, talking about something else, anything else, then the painful raw emotions that were swirling in both of them. Taylor was exhausted, and after a hot shower, went straight to bed. She fell asleep with the Vision clutched in her hand, dreaming of the day when it would reignite in truth.

She didn’t see her mother, standing in the doorway, watching her daughter sleep. Nor did she feel it when Annette came in, brushing the messy brown hair from Taylor’s forehead, and gently kissing her daughter before tucking her in like she was a small girl again. Annette’s finger traced the Electro Symbol on the Vision, tears in her eyes. 

“She’s a good kid, Danny. Please. Wherever you are…take care of her. I miss you.”

And then Annette went to her own bed, clutching a pillow tight as she cried into it, missing the man who had been taken from her all too soon. 

It was a big, scary, crazy world. 

And as Winter fell, the nights just kept growing darker.