Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Entry 1 - Night of the 05/01/2033 TO THE 06/01/2033 :

Hello there! It has been a while since I last updated! In my defense, I finished my previous notebook. By that, I mean I lost it like a loser when a stalker ripped my bag open as it tried to catch me. Anyhow! I FINALLY got my hands on a new one which succeeds in holding itself together. So, let us forget about this unfortunate incident and resume my usual wallowing. 

It has now almost been four months since we left home (I can’t help but call this damned place like this, even after all that happened, it annoys me). We are still unsure if Dad is alive or not. Please just let him be okay . 

I believe Trucy is doing fine. She is a brave girl and has been taking this whole ordeal like a champ’ (better than I could ever have). However, even if she tries to hide it to avoid worrying me, I noticed she is getting more and more tired of running away from the people we once considered family. I need to find a durable solution for the two of us. I do not want my little sister to have to run away all her life. 

I have yet to tell her what went down four months ago, when we fled. I promise I will. To be honest, I think she already knows what happened, and she understands it is my fault. She was always the smartest in our family. 

Okay, let me write down some actual useful updates, instead of constantly dwelling on the past. (We have left them behind, we are safe, I have to move on). 

We set camp in an old shopping area. Trucy and I (mostly me) chose to spend the night in the music store, obviously. In my opinion, this one, out of all the shops we encountered during our travels, has the most impressive collection of old (and very broken) guitars. It reminded me of Dad, and I saw myself playing with him once again, just for a few moments. Being amazed with every nook and cranny of the shop occupied me for a while. Trucy almost murdered me because I kept ranting about the old albums I found. 

After she tore me away from the shelves, we wandered around the area in the different shops but, since it was getting dark, we weren’t able to seek supplies for too long. We also noticed a huge hotel nearby. Trucy also wanted to check it out but I disagreed. The building made me uneasy for some reason. When she asked what I was on about, I could not explain the feeling. We avoided it anyway. I prefer trusting my overly paranoid self and earning myself a few question side eyes from my sweet (and very judgmental) twelve years old sister than dying dumbly. 

Right now, Trucy is sleeping. She needs as much sleep as she can get and I DO NOT want to deal with a grumpy Trucy in the morning. As for me, I will be keeping watch all night. I know I should not be pushing myself too much but I feel guilty waking her up in order for me to sleep. I always struggle falling asleep when I know no one is looking out for us and I don't want to force her to keep watch. So yeah, my fantastic solution is to pull an all nighter. It is alright though, I enjoy having some time for myself to write in my “diary” as Trucy likes to call it. 

I will try to keep this notebook updated as much as possible. I like writing my thoughts down after a long day, it helps me put myself together once more, reflect on what happened and think of how I can better myself. I want to become more efficient, really get the hang of this whole surviving thing. We are not doing bad so far, let’s keep it that way. 

Alright then, I will update soon. 

NOTE FOR LATER: FIND MORE FOOD!!!

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The dead of winter made headway, bringing along a bitter cold which seeped in the room uncomfortably. Deep into the night, the cold season’s icy grip pierced like needles on Apollo’s skin, a harsh reminder of the inadequate layers covering his body. The boy watched his sister as she slept peacefully, noticing the slight shiver of her body even when wrapped in both of their sleeping bags. He moved closer in hopes of bringing her, and himself, more warmth while waiting for the first rays of light to appear. 

The window of the room was conveniently located, offering a clear view of the moon. Apollo occupied himself by watching the latter slowly descend from its spot in the sky, leaving it empty for the sun to take over. When the sun made its presence felt, Apollo knew it was time to move. He gently shook his sister awake and chuckled as she struggled to sit up because of the many layers wrapped around her small frame. “Is it morning already?” She asked, still half-asleep. “Yeah, the sun is up. Let’s gather our things.” She hummed and gave him a sluggish, yet bright smile. 

Soon, the siblings exited the building and braved the wind, only to discover its bite was even worse than the previous day. After checking their bags for any missing item one last time, the pair resumed their wandering. Their objective was to reach Phoenix, in Arizona. Before everything, their father had often mentioned a friend living there, in a small community similar to their own: a man called Hershel Layton. Apollo had assumed, if the man was as good as his father painted him out to be, he would help them in this time of need. 

However, Apollo knew he and his sister could not head straight to Arizona. Indeed, Jove, his father, had warned him about the people of the community, their community . During the nights the two spent planning the siblings’ flight, the man spoke openly to his son, telling him their people would most certainly come after them to bring them back and achieve their design. His words were harsh, filled with the worries of a father who, unknowingly, was about to part with his children. Yet, Apollo understood their necessity as they helped him realize just how mislaid the community had become. They were ready to kill their own, kill him for a hopeless purpose. 

The first four months of their journey was spent covering their tracks. Instead of taking the obvious path and heading straight down to Portland, the pair had headed East, crossing Idaho in order to reach Wyoming. During their first real stop in the city of Spokane, after Apollo had spent three rough days worrying about the community catching up with them, the old car their father had provided them breaking down and infected biting his sister, he had thoroughly studied a map and settled on an itinerary. They would travel all the way to YellowStone National Park and, only then, head south toward Phoenix. 

The park was not a random landmark. Indeed, since the moment his father had related to his children the tales of its beauty, Apollo knew he wanted to experience it once in his life. Jove had promised to take them one day and, since life had decided to bring the little family apart, Apollo wanted to fulfill his promise for him. Announcing the news to Trucy had been a small victory. It seemed Jove’s promises were as important to her as they were to him and the grateful smile she rewarded him with was all it took to confirm the utility of their detour. 

Reaching the park after weeks of walking had been a relief. Trucy asked to take some time to visit the place, like they would have done if dad had been there with them and Apollo gladly agreed. The next couple of days were spent wandering inside the vast area which was, surprisingly, mostly spared from the infection. With one less problem on their mind, their exploration went without a hitch. They proceeded from one visitor village to another, clearing the areas if needed and avoiding causing disturbance for the wildlife. Apollo even cleared the few gift shops they stumbled upon along the way, allowing his sister to pick whatever she pleased. After grabbing some ugly clothes, a thermos for Apollo and a reasonably sized stuffed animal for Trucy, they moved toward the south entrance of the park. 

Leaving the park had swiftly brought Apollo back to reality. He recalled the long journey ahead of them with unease and the knot which had plagued his stomach since the beginning of their journey made an expected return. It was a week after their break came to an end that the pair happened to find the area they settled in temporarily. Apollo’s first thought as they went back on the road in the early hours of the morning was to find a way around the decrepit hotel. However, he rapidly discovered the path was impracticable, blocked by a stretch of water. Usually, he would not have minded simply swimming across if it did not mean risking freezing to death. They were already cold enough as it was. 

They opted to make a detour in the forest. The path got quite hilly but, since Trucy did not seem to mind, Apollo was not about to complain. The shopping area was rapidly out of sight, a sign of their great progress through the snowy mountains. The area was tiring to navigate and, yet, Apollo was pleased. He had a curious feeling the day would be a successful one, and let himself take a deep breath. Only then he became aware of how heavy his body felt due to his lack of sleep. For a few minutes, his body moved on its own accord, leaving him an opening to mentally lecture himself on his poor decision making. 

Before he could promise himself for the hundredth time to sleep more, he was snapped out of his thoughts when he almost fell face first in the snow after tripping over a rock. He expected to hear a giggle, a few teasing comments mocking his usual clumsiness from his sister. To his surprise, his surroundings were worryingly quiet, the soothing sound of Trucy’s footsteps completely gone. Apollo decided he would bring himself down for slackening later and frantically looked for any sign of Trucy. 

Thanks to the thick layer of snow adorning the ground, her footsteps were easy to notice. He sped between the trees, his heart pounding in his chest and his head suddenly feeling like it was about to explode. Drowning himself in fear had always been a bad habit of Apollo. When he was young, the most frivolous things used to send him in an uncontrollable spiral. His father was his greatest helper, continuously finding the right words to get him out of his mind. However, in their current predicament, his distress was worse than before, making situations such as these an absolute nightmare.

When he finally caught sight of her again, his relief was short-lived. Trucy’s bow was aimed at two men whose faces he could not see from where he stood. It did not matter anyway, Apollo could not care less about their appearances, especially when a shotgun was pointed in his sister’s direction. The boy calmed himself: rushing headfirst would only get him and Trucy killed. Remaining hidden was an interesting move on his part. Indeed, his enemy being unaware of his presence was an undeniable advantage. 

Keeping a distance between himself and the scene, Apollo moved slowly until he was behind his two opponents. As he closed in, he discerned the two figures more clearly. One of them was tall, his long blond hair tied into a ponytail while the other was shorter and bore the most ridiculous haircut Apollo had ever seen. Blondie was the one holding the gun, making him Apollo’s first target. 

Apollo had obviously never liked killing. Taking a life with his own hands never failed to make him sick to his stomach, depriving him of his ability to sleep in the aftermath. Oddly enough, his first time had not been during their journey. The community had taken such a dark swing before their flight, trying to strip their youth out of every hint of empathy. To this day, the shame which overwhelmed him when he recalled his past actions never lessened. Apollo hated hurting others, he really did. 

Regardless, his experience acquired during their short journey had taught him not everyone shared his beliefs. Some of the outsiders , as the community used to name them in an effort to dehumanize the nonmembers, had proven to be ruthless, sadistic even, leaving Apollo no choice but to commit atrocities his mind could not begin to grasp. Apollo had a feeling this situation was one of those , a situation which forced him to shut down and get the job done before all his willpower left him, dooming him and his sister in the process. 

As he slowly walked out of the forest toward the men, he could feel Trucy’s worried glances on him. The shorter man seemed to notice something was off as he began to turn around, but it was too late. Apollo was already attacking the man wielding the gun, making him lose balance with a good hit in the leg. Apollo moved swiftly and put an arm around his opponent’s throat before pulling his handgun out and bringing it to the man’s temple. 

The colors drained from the stranger’s face at the sight of the unexpected newcomer. Slowly, he put his hands up in surrender and, with a lot of hesitation, broke the chilling silence: “Hey, you don’t have to hurt him, we weren’t going to-” Apollo was quick to interrupt him “I’m amazed you believe I might give a shit about anything you have to say.” He spat, instinctively tightening his grip around the blonde’s throat. “You better stay put or I will blow his head up, got it?” The man nodded and Apollo glanced at his sister, catching a glimpse of her horrified expression. The look in her eyes as she watched the scene unfold was like a knife to the heart. He never wanted her to see him like this. 

“You have to go.” He urged her. She let out a small sound of protest which he dismissed with a glare. “I’ll find you. Now, get out of here!” Trucy started retreating, slowly at first, then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw her sprinting into the forest. He needed to wait a little bit longer to make sure she was far enough and, only then would he proceed. 

The man kept struggling against his grip. For a guy who most certainly was at least a foot taller than Apollo, he was absolutely powerless against the other’s unexpected strength. The colors of his face were changing hastily and, as the seconds went by, his effort grew less intense. Seeing the life draining from his companion’s features, the other man spoke again: “Listen, this is a misunderstanding. We did not want to harm her, we… A kid all alone like that… We wanted to help, honestly. Please, just let him breathe, don’t do this.” He pleaded. 

The distress in this man’s voice was evident. This person Apollo had been calling his opponent this whole time, was he really an enemy? Had he, despite his best efforts, fallen into his community’s rhetoric by assuming every single stranger meant harm and had to be eliminated? In that instant, Apollo made the fatal mistake of glancing down. The man’s face, no, the boy’s face was an unsettling bluish color. Despite being on the verge of losing consciousness, Apollo could feel every inch of fear which overwhelmed him. This guy was a kid, seemingly his age, and he was about to die at Apollo’s hands . 

Suddenly, he felt ill. An illness which originated in his very core and threatened to eradicate his whole being, only to replace whatever was left by a never ending guilt. This was not him, at least he hoped so. He wondered what Jove would think if he saw him like this. 

Before all his strength left him, Apollo released his victim and, without warning, fled as fast as his tired legs would allow him. In his trance, he missed the man’s relieved gasp or the violent coughing fit experienced by the blonde as oxygen returned to his lungs at last. Apollo ran for a while, only coming to a halt when he tripped once again. This time, he hit the ground hard. He frantically attempted to stand up and miserably failed, deciding to lean against the nearest tree. His breathing was uncontrollable, his vision blurred by the tears welling up in his eyes. His whole body hurt and, for a moment, he was convinced he was dying, a final repercussion for trying to take someone else’s life. 

Much to his dismay, he successfully calmed himself after what felt like the longest minutes of his existence. With his father’s help, his panic attacks would never last this long. Another reminder of how miserable he was without him. His legs trembled under his weight when he stood, making Apollo wonder how in the hell he was finding the strength to keep going. 

His next objective was to find his sister. Again, the kid was smart: she would have chosen a safe spot to hide and wait until her brother returned. The hike back to the music store, the only logical place she could have gone to, was fairly easy since he was going down this time. Reaching the building, he called out her name. She emerged from her hiding place immediately, launching herself at her brother to pull him into a bone-crushing hug. 

She shot him the most genuinely apologetic look possible: “Sorry Polly, it’s my fault. I thought I had seen an animal. I just wanted to make you proud and reward us with good food.” He ruffled her hair fondly. “I know you meant well, don’t worry sis. To be honest, I’m just glad we’re both okay. However, next time, make sure to warn me before disappearing so I can avoid dying of a heart attack at eighteen.” “I promise.” She replied and paused, hesitant to keep speaking. Finally, she added: “Are they dead?” Apollo’s face turned pale. “No.” He answered simply, unsure of how to explain the extent of the inner fight he endured earlier. Moreover, noticing the hint of fear in her expression, Apollo decided he would rather avoid talking about this incident ever again. 

After a short discussion, the siblings decided to stay in the shopping area for the day. Apollo did not feel like going back on the road just yet. They spent the rest of their morning hunting to fulfill Trucy’s wish for a nice meal. The girl took this opportunity to show off her progress with her bow, going as far as successfully catching a hare. Then, during the afternoon, they looted the other shops of the area. At the end of the day, they were lucky enough to have secured two brand new winter jackets and some books for the both of them. 

They returned to their spot in the music shop. After eating, playing some songs with the only intact guitar and yawing approximately ten times, Trucy urged Apollo to sleep. “But the moon is not even fully out yet.” “And? You have not slept properly in days. I’ve been letting you get away with your bullshit for too long. I want you to sleep tonight.” Apollo let out an exaggerated gasp. “Who taught you how to curse like a sailor, missy?” She glared at him, unimpressed. “Apollo. I will knock you out.” Trucy said, her tone surprisingly firm and he lifted his hands in surrender. “Fine, fine. No need to threaten me. I’ll go to bed. Just… Don’t stay up too late.” She nodded, satisfied with his answer. As he laid down, she retrieved her portable flashlight from her bag and opened one of her new books. Before he could notice she had moved close to him or her hand drawing soothing circles on his shoulder, Apollo had already fallen asleep.

When he jolted awake, it was still dark outside. With great difficulty, he stood up and headed to the window. He looked for any sign of a threat, a part of him worried the people he encountered earlier had somehow found them. The surroundings of the building were perfectly empty and calm. However, when a gunshot rang out, waking up Trucy in the process, he knew he needed to investigate. He ordered Trucy to lock herself in and wait for his return. The girl was disoriented but agreed to stay put nonetheless. Apollo quickly grabbed his bag, his machete and his gun before leaving the store. 

He exited the building and heard more noises, as if people were laughing. At this point, he was bewildered: why would a group of killers risk making their presence known to their targets by  laughing . The laughs appeared to be coming from the other side of the hotel. He ventured in the forest to reach the other side once more, and, soon enough, spotted the small group of people. Apollo remained hidden, leaving a good distance between him and the strangers as he observed the scene. 

The group seemed to be composed of people his age and, based on their ridiculous screams and attempts at kicking the door of the hotel open, they were all drunk. Apollo’s focus landed on one person in particular. They looked familiar and, with a guilty grimace and a glance at the person’s bruised neck, he recognized the boy from earlier. He was wearing his hair down this time. Apollo noted the soft glimmer of the moon reflecting quite nicely on the fair locks which had been haunting his thoughts since their meeting. 

He watched them for a while, rolling his eyes at their numerous and unsuccessful attempts at opening the door. Why would they want to go in so badly? Eventually, it seemed as if they had succeeded in finding a way in. Blondie, the nickname Apollo opted for in his mind in order to avoid referring to the other boy as ‘the dude he almost killed’, was the first to enter, crawling under the rubble. As soon as he was out of sight, his friends blocked the entrance, locking him in. The group exploded in a fit of laughter and started walking away. One of them screamed and, if he ever met him again, Apollo needed to apologize for thinking the man he attacked in the morning had a ridiculous haircut, since, somehow, this guy’s hair was even worse. “Good luck getting out of there buddy! See you later!” 

Apollo waited a few minutes for the group to disappear and ran to the main entrance of the hotel. He thought about Trucy for a moment, how she was still alone in the shop. However, he remembered the strong feeling of unease this place had triggered inside him. And, after all that happened earlier, Apollo figured he owed Blondie some help.

As he closed in on the door, Apollo discerned the other’s muttering: “Of course, the fucking ceiling collapsed and blocked the door. Just my fucking luck! How am I going to get out of here? I swear I’ll kill him… I’ll fucking kill him!”Apollo stood in front of the door awkwardly for a moment. “Hum… hi?” He said, making the boy on the opposite side of the door scream. “Mein Gott… Who the hell are you?” “Hum, well, I don’t- I saw what they did and I figured I would help.” Apollo explained lamely, feeling very fidgety all of a sudden. Maybe this was a bad idea. “That does not answer my question at all.” Blondie deadpanned, sounding strangely similar to Trucy. Apollo sighed. “Listen, I’ll try to get in and help you find a way out just… Promise you won’t attack me or something.” “Okay…? Weirdo.” He replied, muttering the last part. 

Apollo gracefully ignored him and reached the path Blondie had used. For once, he was thankful for his height, as he managed to squeeze through the collapsed passage without much difficulty. Unfortunately, he only succeeded in blocking the entrance further. Now, they really needed to find another way out. 

Apollo had barely stood up and Blondie was already shoving his flashlight in his face. He rapidly realized who was in front of him and gasped, indignation noticeable all over his features. “You! You’re the guy who almost choked me to death! Verdammt!” “Well, you were aiming at my sister!” Apollo protested weakly. “How was I supposed to know this random kid was your sister? Look at my neck! You ruined my whole look!” “Why would you point a gun at a kid anyway?” Apollo retorted, earning himself an outraged huff from the other boy. 

Blondie was about to throw in another reproach but Apollo interrupted him. “Okay, okay, you’re right. I’m sorry for what happened. My sister and I have been traveling alone for a while, and the people we stumbled across were not nice, to say the least. It turned me into a paranoid freak. I almost had a heart attack when I saw the gun and I assumed you were going to hurt her. I’m very sorry.” Apollo knew he had worded a poor apology and, according to his unimpressed expression, Blondie seemed to agree. Against all odds and after an awkward moment of silence, the other boy’s features softened. 

“Alright. I get it.” “Excuse me?” Apollo asked, taken aback. Blondie shrugged: “I get it. It’s tough out there. I’m lucky to live in a settlement, it would be hypocritical of me to lecture you about trusting strangers. Plus, what you did was kind of sick when I think about it. I doubt my brother would be willing to kill for me.” Apollo frowned, perplexed by his line of reasoning. He doubted his awful explanation was worthy of forgiveness, but did not feel the need to question his new companion’s logic. Indeed, how could he assist him if Blondie was rightfully upset? “Why don’t you stop staring at me like you are convinced I’m a profoundly deranged individual so we can find a way out of here?” Blondie suggested, dragging Apollo out of his thoughts. “Right.” He said, looking around before adding “Let’s try to go this way.”. 

The pair started wandering in the hallways of the hotel, exploring some rooms in hopes of finding an exit. Considering most of the windows were blocked, as if people had sealed them in order to barricade themselves in the building, the space was dark and impossible to navigate without a flashlight. As Apollo sought a path, Blondie mindlessly followed him around. “So, what’s your name?” “Uh- Apollo. I’m Apollo. You?” He replied, distracted by his discovery of an opening behind a vending machine. “I’m Klavier.” “I hope you thought about your gas mask Klavier, the area behind this thing is full of spores.” Apollo warned, before pushing the obstacle out of the way. 

After putting on their masks, they continued their progress through the area in silence. A couple of minutes passed without a word, Apollo was too focused on avoiding being attacked by an infected. He was glad to have trusted his intuition on this building: if it was full of infected, two would be better than one to exit the place in one piece. “You’re not very talkative, are you?” Klavier asked out of nowhere and Apollo jumped. “Dude, don’t scare me like that.” “Sorry, this place is creepy and talking helps.” He stated and added, this time speaking more to himself: “I wonder why we never cleared the place before…” “What do you mean?” Apollo pried, interest piqued. “Like I said, I live in a settlement. We often patrol certain areas and clear them to avoid allowing the infected to reach our walls. Me and my partner often take this route and, yet, we have never gone inside of this hotel.” Klavier explained and Apollo could not help but tease. “If your patrols are anything like what your friends pulled earlier, I wonder how your settlement is still standing.” “Yeah, it was not our proudest moment. We drank too much and snuck out to check this area. It’s an old ski resort. Daryan thought we might find some fancy shit.” Klavier said, embarrassed. 

“Why would they leave you here?” Apollo asked, leading Klavier to sigh loudly. “It’s going to sound bad but… Sometimes they’re just… mean, you know? They probably thought they were pulling the greatest prank ever on me.” “What a bunch of assholes.” Apollo muttered without hesitation and Klavier chuckled: “I can’t defend them on that one, I guess.” He stated further, a hint of sadness being his words. 

They progressed as they talked. Soon, they arrived in front of a door. Apollo pressed his ear to it, listening closely. “Shit. I’m pretty sure I can hear some infected on the other side.” Klavier cursed. “Scheiße. What should we do?” “If we want to keep going, we need to take them out. Let's do it quietly. Are you armed?” With a nod, Klavier pulled out a knife. “Alright, come on then.” 

Apollo opened the door as quietly as possible. His first target was a clicker which he easily cleared out. He continued his advance and quietly attacked the next few infected he saw. Unfortunately, they were more than he expected and, soon, a runner noticed him, shrieking loudly and alerting the other creatures. “Shit! Klavier, be careful!” Apollo warned, rushing to Klavier's side when more infected fell from the balcony located in the room.

The fight only lasted a couple of minutes. As soon as he freed his machete from the rotting flesh of the last infected, Apollo allowed himself to take a deep breath and quickly checked on his companion. “Are you alright?” Klavier gave himself a once-over, before declaring he was safe and sound.”Good. I saw a door over there, let’s keep going.” After a bit of struggle, the pair succeeded in opening the door, rapidly realizing it had been blocked by a heavy piece of furniture. They now found themselves in a significantly smaller room than the previous one. Apollo noticed a narrow gap in the wall. Signalling Klavier of his new find, he moved forward. “I have a bad feeling about this.” Klavier whispered as he slipped in the passage behind Apollo. 

A similar concern seized Apollo as they continued. The spores keep intensifying, and the boy’s explanation as to why were hardly reassuring. A sound broke the unsettling silence. Apollo looked back at Klavier who had mechanically grabbed a pipe sticking out of the wall in order to keep moving forward, ripping it off in the process. 

A growl resonated. The two boys stared at each other, eyes wide and, before Apollo could urge Klavier to move, something was breaking the wall, grabbing the blonde and throwing him on the ground. Apollo hurried out of the passage, helping Klavier up and rushing them both out of the Bloater’s reach just as it was about to haul them around again. Putting some distance between them and the monster, he successfully shot the thing’s head twice in a row. Klavier was quick to react, taking out his own gun to help.

Fighting off a Bloater was a challenging task Apollo dreaded. In his eighteen years of life, he had only ever encountered one while exploring an abandoned museum with his father. That day, he had sworn himself to do anything in his power to avoid experiencing such a close call once again. Leaving his apprehension aside, Apollo kept shooting, getting a few good hits on his opponent. He was glad to be with Klavier. The latter was a good partner and, if they remained focused, he felt like they had a chance to walk out of this alive. 

Of course, as soon as this line of reasoning crossed Apollo’s mind, a runner appeared out of nowhere and charged at Klavier. Apollo narrowly dodged one of the Bloater projectiles, the bomb made out of flesh spreading a gas obstructed the boy’s vision.  “Watch out! Behind you!” He screamed, trying his best to warn Klavier of the imminent danger. However, when the mist lifted, Apollo noticed with horror Klavier struggling against the runner’s hits. 

Apollo shot the creature but it was too late. The Bloater had changed its target and, thanks to the runner’s temporary distraction, Klavier was within its reach. The huge monster grabbed the boy by the hood of his jacket, yanking him backwards. Soon, its disgusting hands were all over Klavier’s face, who desperately tried to get out of his grasp, screaming frantically. Apollo rapidly threw his small handgun aside, its bullet barely able to draw a reaction out of the creature. He charged at them, taking a hold of his machete and aimed for the Bloater’s arm. The first blow was powerful enough to force the creature to let go of Klavier, who crashed on the ground. Then, Apollo attacked again, managing to cut one of the Bloater’s arms off after a few hits. The infected lost its balance, allowing Apollo to finish it off, stabbing it again and again, until the only thing left of the monster’s torso was a mess of blood and flesh.

Apollo’s breath was ragged, he struggled to calm down as he stared at the lifeless body on the ground. The sight horrified him but he was also surprised with himself: how in the hell had he managed to kill this thing? Klavier’s equally shocked voice brought him out of his thoughts. “Mein Gott…” He cursed and Apollo turned around, meeting the blonde’s stunned expression. “How did you- that was crazy.” The shorter boy finally moved, holding a hand out to help Klavier up. Both were trembling. “I guess I felt like I could not let you die after sparing you this morning.” He tried to joke but his eyes remained on the Bloater’s body in bewilderment. “About that, you’re absolutely forgiven, you know.” Klavier added, before gently grabbing Apollo’s wrist and urging him away from the scene. 

They wandered in the hotel until the spores cleared, allowing them to remove their masks. They struggled some more to find an exit but eventually reached a small dining area, the only room where the faint moonlight managed to get in. “Will you be able to get back to your sister safely?” Klavier asked and Apollo removed his wrist from the other’s hand, feeling defensive at the sudden question. He had not even realized Klavier had not let go of him until now. The latter frowned and cleared his throat, his cheeks warming up in embarrassment. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to pry.” 

Realizing he had let his distrust get the best of him again, he sighed: “No, don’t apologize, if anything I should. Like I told you before, I just get really paranoid. We settled in the shop over there, so I should be alright. What about you? Do you need help to get back?” “Don’t worry your pretty head about me Herr Forehead, I know the way to Jackson like the back of my hand. We patrolled this morning so the road should be clear.” Apollo smiled, his mind put at ease by Klavier’s words. “Wait. What the hell did you just call me?” He asked, his comforted expression turning into a frown. “Herr Forehead. It’s German. It means “Mister forehead” because, you know, now that I can take a good look at you, I can see you have a pretty prominent forehead.” Apollo’s hand shot to his face and he glared at Klavier. “Be careful about what you say. I can always change my mind and finish what I started this morning.” 

Apollo’s retort brought a smile to Klavier’s face. “You know what? I like you, Apollo. I can feel you’re a good person.” He stated, so genuinely it made Apollo’s whole face flare up. “Thanks, I guess. Uh- You’re not too bad either. You definitely deserve better friends.” He replied awkwardly. Klavier’s face lightened up more nonetheless. “Will you come visit me in Jackson?” He blurted out excitedly. “Wait, no, never mind. Don’t answer, I don’t want to pressure you or anything just- Let me at least give you the directions to the settlement. If you ever need anything, find us. It’s a welcoming place, I know everyone would gladly help you and your sister.” Apollo stared silently, taken aback by Klavier’s kindness. Noticing the boy’s hopeful gaze, Apollo hurriedly grabbed his notebook and pen, opening a blank page before handing it to his new friend. 

Klavier wrote everything down and, eventually, they exited the hotel, Apollo holding his notebook close to his chest. As he was about to leave, Klavier stopped, hesitating before taking Apollo in a bone-crushing embrace. The shorter boy froze, warmth reaching his face once more. Klavier pulled away, his smile bright, almost euphoric: “Sorry. I guess I’m still a little drunk now that the adrenaline has worn off. Thank you again for helping me.” “Well, like I said, I owed you that much.” The pair fell silent again until Klavier added: “I should go. I really hope we’ll meet again.” Apollo nodded. “Me too. It was nice meeting you Klavier.”

The two finally went their separate ways. Apollo returned to Trucy, who never looked more relieved to see her brother. He explained everything, telling her about the hotel, Klavier and, most importantly, the latter’s proposal to join Jackson. When he was done with his tale, Trucy looked pensive. “So, when are we going there?” She asked. “I don’t know… I don’t know if it’s safe.” Apollo answered and Trucy frowned “Didn’t you say you thought Klavier looked trustworthy ?” “He does, he really does but… We don’t know these people. What if I put you in danger by going there?” Trucy sighed and took his hands, squeezing it reassuringly. “Listen Polly, I agree we have to be careful but maybe we should try. You’ve been the best brother and I’m so grateful for all you did to protect me. I know I’m safe with you, no matter if you decide we should travel all the way to Phoenix or stop in Jackson. I’m just thinking this might be our chance. You know, for life to become easier. We don’t know much about Dad’s friend and if he would be willing to help us. On the other hand, you said you had a good feeling about Klavier. Maybe his people will be just as nice.” Apollo ran a hand over his face, deep in thoughts. Trucy was not wrong, their current predicament was not durable. Did he want to risk facing the dangers of the infection outside or make the most of some kind stranger’s help? After what felt like an eternity, Apollo eventually spoke up: “I’ll think about it.”

Chapter Text

Entry 2 - 07/01/2033 :

Hello again!

(Apollo Justice actually remembered to update his notebook?!?! Crazy fucking world we live in.)

A lot has happened since I last wrote. The last time was just one night ago, I know, you could think I am being dramatic. BUT NO, my life is just crazy like that, what can I say? → Next time you want to write such odious words, think about one of Trucy’s disappointed looks. It should bring you back on the right path, dumbass. 

ANYWAYS. Again, Apollo, focus. We need useful updates. 

So, I met someone yesterday, his name is Klavier. The whole ordeal wascrazy when I think about it. At first, I tried to kill him because I was certain he wanted to blow Trucy’s head up with a SHOTGUN (I wonder why this idiot thought it would be a good idea to aim a shotgun at a kid??) and then, I went out of my way to help him so he would not die at the hand of a Bloater. (I WAS NOT LYING WHEN I SAID LAST NIGHT WAS MENTAL).

It is a very long story and I am too lazy to write all of it down so we’ll skip my heroic acts and violent assassination of a Bloater to focus on a much more important topic: Jackson. 

(We’ll also skip the part where this asshole told me he LIKED me, praised me for being a ‘good person’ and HUGGED ME making MY WHOLE FACE TURN RED?? WHAT THE HELL??)

…I need life to let me interact with people other than my sister. (please I’m just so awkward it’s horrifying).

Back to Jackson, the settlement Klavier lives in, haha! Before parting ways after our adventures in the hotel which was indeed full of infected (thank you very much Trucy you can keep your judgmental looks to yourself), he gave me the general directions to reach the settlement, telling me we would be welcomed there (and he would like me to visit him) . I spoke with Trucy and she believes it would not hurt to check it out. I think I agree with her, even if I’m scared shitless. I have no idea if this is the right decision or if we should just take the risk of going until we arrive in Phoenix. 

I want to trust Klavier, so I guess we’ll try to find Jackson. He simply suggested we stop by if we needed anything. That means we totally have the choice to walk away if I happen to hate all of them, right? 

I really hope this is not a mistake. I’ll update as soon as I can. If I don’t, the people of Jackson were actually deranged individuals and they killed us, confirming the fact I’m just a weak man easily deceived by a pretty face. What the fuck am I even writing now??? 

Until then!

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Looking up from the ink-stained pages of his notebook, Apollo enjoyed a cloudless view of the sun. The latter stood proudly in the sky as it provided a delightful warmth that fought off the chilly wind. A beautiful day seemed to be presenting itself. 

After his encounter with Klavier during the previous night, Apollo had related his misadventures to his sister, before collapsing and sleeping until the late hours of the morning. He was dragged out of his peaceful slumber by the promising smell of a meal and opened his eyes to catch sight of Trucy humming cheerfully as she cooked. 

As they ate, the discussion regarding whether the siblings would head to Jackson or Phoenix was brought to the table once more. They carefully pondered the question, contemplating the issue in every direction possible. When the conversation ended, their plates were long forgotten and the pair had, at last, reached a decision: Trucy and Apollo would try their luck and meet the people who might be willing to offer them a shelter. They would go to Jackson. Indeed, to them, this outcome struck as the most rational one. Arizona was miles away, and the idea of walking all the way there felt unbelievable. Besides, even if they did reach Phoenix, their father’s friend was as unfamiliar as the people of Jackson, he was a faint memory the siblings recalled through Jove’s words. 

This decision was not as inconsequential as it appeared to be. Heading to Jackson held an intense meaning. In a way, it symbolized Apollo and Trucy’s abandonment of the idea their father might join them someday. If they settled in this new location, unknown to Jove, they scraped the possibility of him ever finding them again. Apollo loathed thinking about the plausible fate his father had endured. To him, Jove was alive, he was sure of it. That is why, unbeknown to Trucy, Apollo decided Jackson was a temporary solution. He needed it to be a temporary solution because, if he admitted chasing the hope of reuniting with Jove was irrational given the circumstances, he would also be conceding his father’s survival was unlikely. He was not ready to let go just yet. 

Trying to keep his mind from wandering to his father, Apollo patiently waited for his sister to join him. It was still early in the afternoon, giving them plenty of time to travel to the settlement. He closed his notebook but kept it close to follow Klavier’s written instructions. Soon, Trucy exited the building, ridiculously wrapped in a thick and colorful scarf she had found when exploring the area along with her jacket. The display made Apollo smile, unable to contain his want to annoy his adorable sister. He ruffled her hair as he stood up, earning himself a playful nudge in the rib in retaliation. “Are you ready to go Truce?” “I am Polly!” The little girl answered, struggling to adjust the strap of her backpack over her bulky coat. 

The pair began their journey toward Jackson. Notebook in hand, Apollo read Klavier’s instructions over and over, scrutinizing the shockingly messy handwriting. Considering the few indications Klavier had left, Apollo assumed the settlement was not as far as he imagined. His hypothesis proved itself to be correct given that, after only a good hour of walking, the siblings caught sight of the town. With one last effort, they circled the premises and eventually found a gate. 

They remained in the forest, hidden from the possible guards looking over the impressive entrance. Apollo crouched down, eyes attached to the doors. Trucy could feel the apprehension radiating from her brother. “Take your time Polly. It’s alright, I’m scared too.” She admitted, getting down to Apollo’s level and putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Yeah, let me take a quick breath and then I’ll be good to go.” The silence that took over allowed Apollo’s distress to blossom. He needed to pull himself together: the last thing he wanted was to fuel Trucy’s worry. Unfortunately, his anxiety often succeeded in getting the better of him and he was unable to prevent the knot tearing him apart from the inside to appear. 

“Alright. Stay here. You’re safe here. I’ll go talk to them, okay?” Trucy frowned and, knowing his sister like the back of his hand, Apollo interrupted her before she could protest. “Please, Trucy. I know you think I’m acting crazy again but… If I know you’re staying put, safe, and out of sight, I’ll feel better.” Despite her worry, the girl nodded, hiding far from the edge of the forest, leaving Apollo alone to confront the people of Jackson. 

He moved toward the gate, his distress growing worse every step of the way. Each stride came with an additional fictitious outcome for the meeting. Unsettling images of someone shooting him on sight under Trucy’s appalled gaze plagued his mind. To Apollo’s dismay, it was too late to turn around. The boy neared the gate, and his arrival drew one of the guard’s attention. The latter screamed, alerting the people around: “Someone’s coming!”. Apollo found himself unable to react quickly enough; the guard was already aiming at him. His only option was to put his hands up and pray the guard would not fire. 

Apollo watched the guard closely, waiting for his next move. He quickly recognized him. He was one of the people who had locked Klavier in the hotel. If he were not being threatened by a gun, Apollo would have laughed, given that this guy’s hair was even worse in the daylight. Instead, Apollo stood awkwardly, not having much choice but to let the guard stare at him menacingly. “Welcoming my ass…” He muttered as he recalled Klavier’s words. 

Eventually, a man dressed in a red coat appeared, followed closely by a girl wearing a pink cap. The man’s cold eyes laid on Apollo, he looked as if he were examining the boy. What he saw must have satisfied him: the man waved the guard down before speaking. “Greetings. How may we be of service to you?” He asked, taking Apollo by surprise as he addressed him. “Hello, uh- sorry to bother you. I met someone named Klavier yesterday night. He told me the people here are willing to help strangers and, well, I’m seeking a shelter.” Apollo replied, feeling restless under these people’s gaze. The man in the red coat crossed his arms and raised a brow at the mention of Klavier. On the other hand, the boy with the gun turned pale. 

“Miss Skye, would you be so kind and go fetch Klavier for me? He should not be too far.” He asked the girl beside him. She nodded enthusiastically before hurrying away and the man resumed. “Mister Gavin will be here any moment. I hope you understand my necessity to ensure you are telling the truth, Mister…” He paused, his expression questioning. “Justice. I’m Apollo Justice.” “Mister Justice. I’m Miles Edgeworth, pleased to meet you. As soon as I confirm you are not a dangerous individual, I assure you the people of Jackson will gladly provide you with all the help you require. Now, may I inquire about the circumstances of your meeting with Klavier?” 

Apollo was about to answer when Klavier appeared, out of breath. He scanned the area and, when his eyes landed on Apollo, his face lit up: “You came!” He exclaimed. Apollo scratched the back of his neck, sheepish at how excited Klavier was to see him. Miles gave the two a query once-over: “Care to explain Mister Gavin?” The boy tore his gaze away from Apollo at last. “Right, verzeihung Herr Edgeworth! I met Apollo yesterday when he… hum.” Klavier paused, unsure of how to continue without being reprimanded for the events of the previous night. “Well?” Edgeworth pressed. Klavier hesitated for a few seconds and resumed: “Last night, me, Daryan, and other kids snuck out during the night. We walked all the way to Mountain View. The others pulled a prank on me and locked me in the abandoned hotel there. It was full of infected. Apollo stepped in and helped. Without him, I would be dead.” 

When Klavier concluded his explanation, he was staring at his feet, shame having taken over his smile. Edgeworth looked bewildered, going back and forth between Klavier and the forgotten fourth party of the conversation, Daryan, who clutched his gun close to his chest. Eventually, Edgeworth sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. “Right. We will discuss your and Mister Crescend’s nightly activities later. If Mister Justice assisted you, he is more than deserving of help. Can I entrust you with the task of bringing our guest to Mister Eldoon’s restaurant, Mister Gavin? I have to find Wright.” “Pardon me but-” Apollo interrupted. As soon as Edgeworth’s gaze returned to him, he instinctively stood straighter. “I’m traveling with my sister, she’s back there, in the woods.” He stated, feeling like an idiot as Edgeworth’s face turned more perplexed. “We would happily welcome her as well, Mister Justice.” He cleared up before excusing himself.

Klavier rushed to have the gate opened and joined Apollo, picking him up in a quick hug. It took every ounce of strength in Apollo’s body to not freeze like he had the first time. “I’m glad you decided to come! I had not expected to see you again so soon. Well, to be honest, I had not expected to see you again at all so this is a pleasant surprise.” “I guess I could not wait to be dragged in another mire with you, just to end up saving your ass.” Apollo joked, his words sounding rather clumsy. Klavier did not seem to mind and laughed nonetheless. 

Apollo made the most of Klavier’s momentary lapse of attention and studied his face, a shy smile forming at the corner of his mouth. If everyone in Jackson was like him, maybe it would not be so bad after all. Setting this line of thought aside, Apollo cleared his throat: “I’ll go fetch Trucy.” He turned around and began walking toward Trucy’s hiding place. Klavier followed him closely, leaning forward with his hands behind his back, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “So. What made you come here?” He asked, grinning. Apollo frowned when he picked on the expectancy behind Klavier’s words. “Hum, the idea of not having to fear getting eaten by hideous monsters?”

Because of his answer, Klavier’s nose scrunched up unconsciously. His smile widened and he continued: “And here I was, thinking I made an impression on you.” Apollo stopped in his tracks as they reached the edge of the forest, looking Klavier up and down before commenting, perplexed: “You overestimate yourself.” He said bluntly. Klavier gave him an amused grimace. “You wound me, Herr Forehead! How can you be so mean when I’ve been nothing but kind to you?” He exclaimed dramatically. Apollo glared at him. “Do not call me that. My forehead is… perfectly normal. And, for your information, I’m NOT being mean, you’re just acting ridiculous, that’s it. If you keep mocking my face, I will leave.” He argued as Klavier wiped a fake tear from the corner of his eye. “I’m sorry Herr Forehead. However, I will keep commenting on your… perfectly average-sized forehead, as you said. Your reaction is too hilarious for me to stop. Do not fret though, I find it very lovely.” Apollo huffed. As he was about to retort, Trucy emerged from behind the trees, a playful smile adorning her face. 

She approached the two boys: “Hi. My name is Trucy. Want to see a magic trick?” The little girl asked, taking Klavier aback. He glanced at Apollo, gauging his reaction before nodding. Trucy gestured for him to lean down to her level, and retrieved a coin from behind his ear. This simple trick impressed Klavier, who stared at the coin in Trucy’s small hands with amazement. “You forgot to mention your sister was an amazing magician, Herr Forehead.” “Why are you calling him that?” Trucy questioned. “Well, Miss Trucy, it’s because your brother’s-” Apollo interrupted him with a good nudge. “Because he thinks using German in every sentence is cool rather than annoying. Anyway! Let’s go, I don’t want to make Mr. Edgeworth wait. He’s kind of scary.” 

As soon as they began walking again, Trucy promptly questioned her brother about the outcome of his discussion. He answered all of her interrogations with Klavier’s help. They reached the walls of the settlement, waiting as the imposing gate was being opened once more. Klavier went in first, stopping as the siblings remained unmoving. “Are you guys okay?” He asked worryingly as the pair looked like they were about to run for their life. Apollo gulped and grabbed Trucy’s hand in his own. His touch seemed to comfort her as much as it reassured him and, after a quiet exchange through a single glance, the siblings moved forward. 

They finally entered the premises. Klavier began speaking again to fill the apprehensive silence that had taken over their small group. Trucy appeared relieved by the boy’s attempt to calm them, taking the opportunity to pepper him with questions about Jackson. Apollo remained quiet, only listening to half of their exchange. The three of them rapidly made their way through the busy streets of Jackson. Apollo kept his head down to avoid the curious glances of the bystanders. On the other hand, Klavier and Trucy spoke loudly, painfully unaware of their surroundings and Apollo’s discomfort.

After excitedly bonding over their shared love of cookies, a topic triggered when the group passed an establishment Klavier referred to as the ‘Kitaki bakery’, they stopped in front of a building. Apollo looked up to see a hand-made sign above its entrance. It read “Eldoon’s”. Next to the writing, there was a drawing of a bowl of noodles. “This is our stop! Welcome to Jackson’s most famous restaurant!” Klavier explained happily. The three of them walked in and Apollo’s hand landed protectively on his sister’s shoulder. 

The restaurant was small, almost empty. However, the room wasn’t cramped or uncomfortable. In fact, the restaurant felt homey, dimly lit by a few lamps which gave the space a welcoming and warm atmosphere. Apollo studied his surroundings and he spotted what he assumed to be the chef standing behind the counter located at the back of the restaurant. Only two tables were occupied by patrons: a family sat around the table on his right while Mr. Edgeworth was located to his left, alongside Klavier’s companion Trucy and Apollo had met the day prior. A third man was there, his resemblance to Klavier was striking. 

The kids slowly moved toward the table. Klavier was the first to sit down in front of his brother, Apollo assumed, who bore a displeased expression. Klavier made himself smaller under his brother’s irritated glare, his usual cheerfulness having vanished completely. Apollo frowned and corrected his previous mistake: the two brothers had nothing in common. It did not take long for Apollo to notice Klavier was radiant when he met him. The guy had managed to make him, a distrustful mess, comfortable enough to believe his kindness was genuine in a matter of hours. However, Klavier’s brother seemed cold and distant, almost emotionless. Apollo could not conceive of making Trucy feel such shame through a look, and, more importantly, he refused to picture himself with eyes deprived of all fondness as he watched his sister. 

Apollo noticed Trucy tugging on his hand, urging him to sit down. He realized he was the only one still up, every occupant of the table waiting expectantly while he stared at Klavier’s brother. He cleared his throat and complied, joining the table.

Apollo sat in front of the man he had met in the woods the day prior. He could not help but feel guilty about his actions; however, he kept his expression unshaken. The man smiled at the siblings before speaking: “Welcome to Jackson kids! I’m Phoenix.” He started, his tone as gentle as possible in an attempt to make the two newcomers comfortable. “From what I’ve heard, you have already met Miles and Klavier. The man over here is Kristoph.” The man paused, expecting to receive some kind of answer. Apollo persisted in being quiet, a mix of fear and suspicion bubbling inside of him. The boy was probing his interlocutor with attention, looking for any sign of dishonesty. The silence returned, Phoenix shifting uncomfortably. The boy’s eyes were intense, studying Phoenix as if he were reading him like an open book, searching through his soul for any insightful information regarding his intentions. 

The charged and one-sided staring match was brought to an end when Trucy replied, making Phoenix jolt because of the sudden sound. “My name is Trucy! And this is Apollo, my big brother.” She said, strikingly calm compared to the discernible tension leaking out of her brother. Phoenix nodded, giving her a thankful smile she returned shyly. 

“Are you kids hungry?” He tried. To that question, Trucy’s face lit up and she nodded eagerly. Before Phoenix could move, Miles was on his feet, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder to prevent him from moving. “Stay here, I will take care of it?” The previous coldness in Miles’ features changed slightly as he looked at Phoenix, a fond and encouraging exchange taking place between the two of them. Phoenix squeezed his hand, grateful, before bringing his attention back to the task at hand. 

“So, Trucy, Apollo, I was told you came here seeking shelter. Rest assured, you have come to the right place. Moreover, I found out about yesterday night’s incident and I must thank you, Apollo. What you did for Klavier means a lot to us and we owe you. You’re welcome to stay for as long as you need.” He said, cautiously choosing his words.

The unimpressed expression displayed on Apollo's features informed him his approach missed and, for the first time, the boy spoke up: “Tell me, what’s the catch?” Phoenix looked perplexed. “Excuse me?” “What kind of crazy are the people of Jackson? Do you kill people for fun? Is this a cult? Cannibals?” Trucy nudged her brother harshly to stop the stream of words coming out of his mouth and Phoenix chuckled awkwardly. “Well, uh- we’re not- I would say we’re rather normal, right guys?” The man said, looking for his companions’ support. Klavier’s smile was small and sympathetic but did not do much to soothe the unease overwhelming Phoenix’s senses. On the other hand, Kristoph’s expression remained the same. Phoenix sighed. 

Apollo winced, registering the unnecessary brutality of his question. “Right. Sorry. I’ve been on edge since we walked in.” He mumbled and looked at his hands in his lap. “You’re all good, don’t worry. I understand how hard it is out there. I’ve been there too, a long time ago, before Jackson. I promise there is no catch. This is a safe place.” Apollo nodded, still looking somewhat unconvinced however, before anyone could make any further comment, Miles was back with the food. He set the steaming bowls in front of the two siblings. Trucy thanked the man and almost dug in. She stopped in her tracks when Apollo pushed the plate back toward Phoenix. “Could you uh- Try it. Please.” He said, his request sounding more like a plea. Phoenix raised a brow, confused. Apollo felt ridiculous and yet, the anxiety of ingesting unknown food urged him to continue: “I want to know if there is something in there.” 

For the first time since the entire discussion started, Kristoph manifested himself. He chuckled and Apollo glared defensively, feeling as if the man was mocking him. “Apollo, right? I must say, you are making this difficult. Shall I remind you that nobody brought you here forcefully? If you want to leave, you are welcome to walk away.” Silence took over the table once more and Klavier shrunk in his chair. Kristoph pushed his glasses back on the bridge of his nose. He was smiling, an unnerving and expectant smile, curious about Apollo’s impending reaction. 

Despite being taken aback by the remark, Apollo recovered and stood his ground: “Excuse my crudeness, but I could not care less about making this difficult. I would walk away if Trucy and I had somewhere else to go. Unfortunately, we don’t and I don’t want to try my luck against the infected. So, I’m sorry if you believe me making sure Jackson is not full of creeps means I am being ‘difficult’ but, in my eyes, it’s a mandatory step. Believe it or not, I have been in this situation before and I will keep doing my best to avoid making the same mistake. Carried away by his anger, Apollo turned to Phoenix and spat: “Wasn’t it you who said this was a safe place? Well, come on, do something so I actually feel safe.”

The never-ending silence returned and shame immediately overwhelmed Apollo. He was so tense, so afraid, and infuriated by Kristoph, he never intended to let it out on someone else. Miles frowned, opening his mouth to speak. Apollo prepared himself for the announcement of their eviction; however, Phoenix’s voice came before Mr.Edgeworth’s: “Let’s all calm down, shall we? It’s okay kid, if it makes you feel better, I will happily try the food.” Phoenix took a bite of the sibling’s food and after a moment of ignoring the bewildered looks coming from Miles and Apollo himself, he smiled. “See? I’m all good. Although, you might want to be careful. Eldoon is a big fan of salt.” 

The shocked expression quickly morphed into an amused one. “Damn. I did not expect you to actually eat it. Last time, the guy threatened me with a knife so I would eat. And then I passed out.” He handed the plate back to his sister, a satisfied smile on his face as ate his own food. Phoenix glanced at Miles, only to find a concerned look in his eyes which matched his own. Phoenix set his several questions at the back of his mind, convinced it was not the right time to gather information about the kids' past misadventures. “It was courageous of you to come here. I can understand why you were scared, the infection has turned our world into something somber. However, not everything is all bad, I promise. Life here is calm, and peaceful. I’m sure you’ll fit right in. And if you two don’t like it, you can walk away, No pressure.” Apollo looked hesitant. He eventually nodded, mumbling a small ‘thank you’ and Phoenix felt like screaming in victory. On these words, Kristoph sat up, silently making his way out of the restaurant.  

The remaining part of the table stayed in the small restaurant. Eventually, Miles offered to get Klavier something to eat as well. The latter gladly agreed. Some colors had returned to his face upon his brother’s departure. As Miles parted from the table once again, Apollo spoke again: “Sorry about yesterday.” He mumbled, allowing Phoenix's mind to return to the previous day’s events. He recalled Apollo’s genuine distress and fear, an image which had plagued his mind during the night. 

“Don't worry. I think Klavier and I understand you only meant to protect your sister. Plus, since you saved that idiot’s ass in the end, I believe you are forgiven.” Klavier protested weakly and Trucy laughed. “Polly told me that you kept screaming like a baby.” She teased, earning Apollo an outraged look from Klavier. “What? I did not say that.” The girl gasped dramatically. “Polly! I thought lying was forbidden!” “You little- Come on Truce. You’re too old to pull that card.” Klavier stepped in, matching Trucy’s theatrics: “How could you be so mean Herr Forehead! Insulting me and this poor innocent child at the same time? Shameful!” “He’s right! You almost called me a little shit! I heard you, you know!” It was Apollo’s turn to gasp. “Trucy!”

The three of them began arguing and it quickly became evident the fight only involved  Klavier and Trucy teaming up to bother Apollo. Miles’ comeback remained unnoticed and, as he sat down again, the latter questioned Phoenix on the sudden change of atmosphere. The man only shrugged, watching the scene with amusement. Apollo and Trucy’s bickering was beyond their understanding and yet, it stirred up something inside Phoenix, an inexplicable fondness that triggered the urge to help these kids and make them feel safe. In a matter of minutes, Phoenix knew the only thing he wanted was to prove, if these kids would let him, that the world was not as somber as they believed.

Chapter Text

"All my nightmares escaped my head

Bar the door, please, don't let them in"

Entry 3 - 13/01/2033:

From this point forward, I promise to stop fooling myself into believing I am capable of remembering this journal. We have been staying in Jackson for almost a week now, and I have yet to update this thing. In my defense, it’s easily forgettable and, honestly, I’ve been busy thinking about tons of other things. Anyway, better late than never, I guess. 

Much to my surprise, everything I want to write is quite optimistic. Jackson is not as horrible as I expected, and, shocking news, no one has tried to eat me (yet)!

First of all, in case it wasn’t obvious, we are not dead. Our trip to Jackson went without a hitch, and, when we arrived, we were welcomed by two of the original members of the settlement: Phoenix Wright and Miles Edgeworth. Kristoph Gavin, Klavier’s brother, was also present, but I will leave his contribution out of this update (Sorry Klavier, I fear your brother).

Phoenix and Miles invited us to live with them until we decide whether we stay in Jackson or leave. Their house has an annex, an old garage they converted into a storage room. They emptied it and allowed us to do whatever we want with it. It is nice of them to help us. As always, I was hesitant to agree to their proposition, but now, I realize it was the right choice. Having some help does make life a lot easier, and not worrying about food has been helping me relax. 

On a different note, I have yet to ask them why they live together. Are they best friends? Lovers? Trucy swears she saw them kiss. However, I won’t trust her words until I have confirmation, I know how much she loves to mess with me. We maybe shouldn’t gossip about our hosts’ relationship, but I’m just SO CURIOUS.

Anyway, the two are an unexpected duo: Miles is quiet and distant (he also refuses to use first names, even when referring to his rumored boyfriend → REASON WHY I DON’T BELIEVE WHAT TRUCY SAYS?) while Phoenix is a loud extrovert. Despite all this, they complement one another quite well and, no matter the nature of their relationship, it is evident they care about each other. Long story short, they’re quite the characters, but I like them. They make a lot of effort to try and connect with me, which I appreciate. You could say I’m a tough nut to crack, and yet, they haven’t given up. They’re persistent, I’ll give them that much. As for Trucy, they have already fallen under her spell, even if Miles tries to keep his unbothered façade. I must say, I’m not surprised at all. This kid is just so likable. 

Regarding the settlement, it is bigger than I expected. More functional too. During one of our meals together, Phoenix and Miles explained how Jackson was created, and the story is cool. The two are childhood best friends and were neighbors before the infection. On the day of the outbreak, Phoenix parents were both infected and almost killed their son. Miles’ father, Gregory Edgeworth, immediately assisted Phoenix and took him under his wing. They lived in a quarantine zone for a while, but Gregory, a former lawyer (Miles proudly insisted on this fact, so I’m writing it down), found fault with F.E.D.R.A’s actions, so he left to find something better for his family. 

Dad mentioned F.E.D.R.A once, when he explained how our community came to life. The government created this military group to handle the infection, but, quickly, the whole thing turned into a military dictatorship, and the soldiers became violent with the civilians. That’s why our people decided to fight back and free our quarantine zone, and I guess the violence is what made Gregory leave as well. 

During their travels, they met another group of survivors: the Fey family. In the end, alongside a woman named Misty Fey who shared his views, Gregory created Jackson. 

To be honest, from what I have heard from Miles, Gregory Edgeworth is intriguing, and I’m genuinely excited to meet him. Miles is very close to him. He brags about his dad often, and, every time he mentions him, it makes me miss mine even more. Even if Jackson is a good change and I manage to relax a little, the void left by his absence worsens every day. I still struggle to sleep too, the fear won’t leave me for some reason. Even with the door locked and the blinds closed, the dread keeps me up. I hope it’ll get better eventually. I don’t need anyone worrying, especially Trucy. I know she tends to do that a lot, more than I can imagine, I think.

ANYWAY, I’m not about to start complaining, I said this update was positive so I will keep it that way. I don’t have much time left to write either, I believe Trucy will let me have the bathroom to wash up soon. We’re getting ready to meet with the Feys. The Wright-Edgeworth and Fey family remained very close since Jackson’s creation. They reunite for dinner quite often. However, from what I understood, Misty Fey won’t be there since she disappeared a while back, leaving behind her two daughters: Mia and Maya. The sisters also have a cousin who is Trucy’s age, and boy, let me say she is ecstatic. Miles said his father might join us at some point too, so a big gathering is waiting for us. I’m kind of looking forward to it; they all seem like interesting people.

It’s nice of everyone to include us. Phoenix and Miles are adamant about making us feel welcomed. I just hope Trucy won’t get too attached. I don’t want her to be sad when we eventually leave. 

Also! Klavier wants to hang out with me today. He’s been bugging me since we arrived. I don’t understand why he wants to be my friend so badly, but I guess I’ll let it slide. It does feel nice to interact with people my age again, and he is tolerable. He wants me to meet his friends; he said it would help me fit in. Honestly, I don’t want to, they seem like the biggest assholes. Mostly Daryan. I really don’t like Daryan. They left Klavier to die in that hotel, so my hatred is JUSTIFIED. Yes, I’ll never let them live it down, sue me, Klavier might be more than tolerable (in fact, he’s really nice). 

I guess that’s all for now! I need to hide my journal before Trucy tries to read it and mock me. This last sentence sounds bad, I don’t let my twelve-years-old sister bully me, I SWEAR. 

Sounds of wood slowly combusting within the modest fireplace of the siblings’ room supported Apollo’s contented humming. The light radiating from the fire was dim, but enough to provide the accommodation with a frail, homey atmosphere that struggled to compensate for its sanitized exterior. 

Apollo put the holder of his thoughts away in his backpack, sealing it once more in its cage of fabric. Then, he stored all of his belongings under the bed, a ritual he had practiced since his arrival in Jackson. In appearance, it was insignificant. Yet, the action signaled the boy’s unwillingness to take up the space offered to him, to fill the room with portions of him and his sister, to settle in . 

The intentional emptiness of the room served to warn Apollo about the temporary nature of their stay in Jackson. However, this reminder lived in the depths of his mind only, a secret shared between him and his guilt-ridden reflection late at night, as he pondered over his little sister’s heartbreak when faced with their impending departure. 

With his few possessions safely hidden away, Apollo found himself empty-handed, his mind suddenly becoming his sole entertainer. He observed his surroundings, hugging his legs as he waited patiently. He noted the lack of noise originating from the bathroom and deliberated on his sister’s activities. Apollo raised his closed fist, but, before urging Trucy to hurry, he refrained. He chose to let his sister take her time to spruce herself up, remembering how she expressed wanting to make a great impression on her future friend the night before. Trucy’s apprehension was uncommon, far from her typical self-assured personality. Apollo’s stupefaction regarding his sister’s anxiety was short-lived. After all, he supposed it made sense: four months away from all forms of socialization had taken a toll on him as well. 

Apollo let out a long sigh, a feeling of restlessness quickly overwhelming him without an activity to occupy his mind. After a short while, he set his sights on the pile of books propped on the floor, opting to read a few pages as he waited for Trucy. He seized the started book placed on the stack and admired its elegant hardcover. A genuine smile found its way onto his face as he recalled the memory of the previous night’s dinner, when Miles had kindly lent him the numerous books. 

Despite the garage being equipped with a kitchenette, Phoenix suggested having lunches and dinners at their house to make the siblings’ stay as effortless as possible. The gatherings were tolerable. Indeed, luckily, it turned out Phoenix loved talking as much as Trucy did, allowing Apollo to mirror Miles’ silence for the duration of the meals. 

The night prior, Trucy monologued about the latest comic book she had read. Phoenix appeared absorbed by the girl's tale, nodding enthusiastically with an energy only matched by Trucy’s own. Suddenly, Trucy surprised the entire table and became quiet, slowly turning to Miles with a newfound curiosity: “What do you like to read?” She asked, making both Miles and Apollo look up from their plates because of the sudden change of dynamic. “Hum. That is an interesting question.” The man started hesitantly, setting his fork down to strike what Apollo recognized as his hallmark thinking stance: arms crossed and eyes closed; an evidence of his diligent consideration. 

Apollo loved to meticulously study the people around him. He scrutinized lengthily, noting every habit, twitch, and tic: it helped him understand others, perceive their intentions. Throughout the years, he had mastered this ability, using it to his advantage in most situations, even if it tended to overwhelm his interlocutors. His father had often warned him about the intensity of his glare. Despite, Apollo did not care much for others’ opinions. Indeed, to him, being able to distinguish a person’s lies through body language appeared to be a more valuable skill than the ability to care for people’s comfort.

While Phoenix’s habits somehow remained a mystery, Miles had been easy to read. No matter his well-constructed façade, the man was more expressive than he indicated. For example, Apollo had noticed how similar he looked when lost in thoughts and irritated, the only difference being his finger angrily tapping his arm while his expression remained unbelievably neutral. This was one of the many details regarding their hosts he had noted, and his inner list kept growing day by day. To Apollo’s relief, none of its content revealed any ill intentions.

After Trucy’s question, Miles’ hand was motionless as he clutched his arm: suddenly becoming part of Phoenix and Trucy’s overly energetic conversation did not bother him in the slightest. Miles simply appeared distracted, carefully preparing his answer, almost as if he feared disappointing Trucy. 

Finally, he spoke up: “I admit I am particularly fond of the legal thriller genre. My father introduced me to it when I was a boy in an attempt to share the excitement of his profession with me. It brings back enjoyable memories. I frequently return to these stories in order to experience my dream of following in his footsteps and practice law for a few moments. I choose to imagine I would have succeeded in becoming an attorney had the infection not existed.”  He explained.

The table was quiet, taken aback by the unexpectedly heavy-hearted answer. Phoenix gently squeezed Miles’ hand: “Don’t sound so bittersweet, hun. You still get to experience the life of a defense attorney whenever you assist Gregory at the courthouse.” “As if it were the same, Wright.” Miles muttered, his answer hiding a hint of stubbornness. They most likely discussed the matter regularly.

Apollo noted the continuing contradictions governing their hosts’ relationship while Trucy perked up: “You have a courthouse in Jackson?!” Phoenix nodded. “Of course. Miles’ father manages it with his associate Raymond Shield. We don’t have murder cases, sure, but it is quite useful to settle the disputes within the community. Miles just likes to sulk because he can’t follow Gregory’s teachings as much as he’d like.” Miles removed his hand from Phoenix’s, crossing his arm again, and Phoenix rolled his eyes, amused. “I do not sulk, Wright. Nonetheless, I must agree that I am saddened by my inability to assist my father further. The Council keeps me occupied.” 

“The Council?” Trucy questioned, taking the words right out of Apollo’s mouth. “It is just a fancy name to refer to the people who manage Jackson. We are seven in total. There is me, Mia, her close friend Lana Skye, a woman called Metis Cykes, Gregory, and, our most important member, Miles, who does most of the management of the town. He handles it splendidly. Kristoph Gavin, Klavier’s brother whom you met when you arrived, is our latest addition.” Phoenix's compliment wrested a smile from Miles, who allowed him to hold his hand again. 

Phoenix took it without a second thought, turning to Trucy with a mischievous expression: “Anyways, if you have another question, don’t hesitate to ask. Back to our books! Did you know Miles was actually the biggest manga fan? I thought I should mention it since he omitted the fact earlier.” Trucy burst out laughing while Apollo looked up from his plate again, bewildered. Miles’ face turned red. “Phoenix Wright!” He protested, and Phoenix laughed. “You can’t hide the truth forever; they’ll eventually find the huge Steel Samurai figure in your office.”

Trucy and Phoenix laughed harder at Miles’ embarrassment, and Apollo found himself smiling along with them. “I like the genre you mentioned. Back home, my friend’s father was studying to be a lawyer before the outbreak. He uh…” Apollo fell quiet. He had not meant to mention Nahyuta. Moreover, he had certainly not expected to recall well… everything when doing so either. Everyone mirrored his silence and turned to him in surprise at his sudden input in the conversation. His unforeseen distress swiftly became obvious to the table. 

“I could recommend a few books, if you are interested.” Miles said, his voice impossibly gentle. The simple suggestion dragged Apollo out of his head. “Hum. Sure, I would like that. Thanks.” He muttered, his eyes attached to his plate to avoid meeting any of their worried glances. Phoenix, Miles, and Trucy gave each other a confused and concerned look before slowly sliding back into a comfortable conversation.

Later that night, after Apollo had managed to seal his memories of Nahyuta away in the back of his mind, Miles had knocked on the door of the garage. He carried a significant number of books, which he pushed into the boy’s arms. “As you can see, it was impossible to decide which to recommend. You do not have to read them all, of course. However, if you happen to like any of them, do not hesitate to give me your opinion. I believe in the relevance of your feedback and impatiently await it.” Miles said. “Oh, thanks. I will.” Apollo replied, taken aback by the unexpected comment. Miles nodded and muttered a quiet “enjoy” before walking away. Apollo watched the man disappear into the house and, after an icy breeze sent a shiver down his spine, he stepped back into the room, locking the door behind him.

The memory allowed a pleasant warmth to stealthily lodge itself into Apollo’s heart. He could not express it in words, himself unable to understand how Miles and Phoenix succeeded in breaking his walls like they did, how Jackson already felt like the home he had desperately been looking for, even when the recollection of his birthplace pained him. The grief of his past resembled a gaping wound, bleeding, agonizing. Regarding the newfound stability, it was slowly and steadily stitching the injury, healing it to the best of its abilities. However, Apollo was not sure if he was ready to be put back together. Not quite yet. 

Apollo was lost in his world for longer than he expected. The sound of the bathroom door opening snapped him out of his reverie, and he set the hardcover down without having a chance to open it. With great effort, he stood up while Trucy sat down on the bed. Her hair was dry, skillfully tied up in low buns. He tugged on a loose strand playfully as he passed and earned himself a few protests before going to wash up. It took him a good amount of time to get himself ready, focusing on his hair for longer than usual when he remembered he had to meet Klavier later that day. Not that he wanted to impress him, he just enjoyed appearing presentable, that was it. 

When he returned to the main area, Phoenix was at the door, waiting patiently for the siblings to finish their preparations. The three of them headed to the front of the house and joined Miles. Finally reunited, the group began making its way to the Fey residence. Trucy walked ahead of him, absolutely ecstatic at the prospect of having a friend her age. Apollo watched her fondly as she jumped around. 

“Are you alright, Apollo? You look like you could use some more sleep.” Phoenix asked at some point, making the boy jolt. Apollo hesitated, almost choosing to lie through his teeth. In the end, he opted for honesty and explained: “I’m fine. I just… I’ve been struggling to sleep. It’s no big deal, though. It’ll get better.” The worried look on Phoenix’s face was practiced, aiming to convey sympathy without submerging the boy in more anxiety. “Any particular reason?” He continued, and Apollo shook his head. “Not really. I promise I’m fine.” He made a reluctant pause before muttering shyly: “Thanks for the concern. I appreciate it.” 

Phoenix’s expression went from surprise to doubt to a thoughtful resignation. “Okay. I just want to let you know you can come back to your room whenever you want. Don’t feel obligated to stay at Mia and Maya’s with us if you need to rest.” Upon hearing Phoenix’s kind words, Apollo nodded, gulping with difficulty as he felt himself tear up. He shook his head. Maybe he was more exhausted than he wanted to admit. 

In an attempt to drag his mind away from the issue, Apollo brought his attention to his sister. “You’ve never been that excited to hang out with me. What’s the girl’s name again?” He questioned, and Trucy rolled her eyes. “Pearl. Her name is Pearl. From what Miles and Phoenix told me, she’s way cooler than you. That’s why she’s going to replace you, Polly. And don’t play dumb, I could say the same thing. You never fix your hair and dress nice for me, that’s for sure.” The girl teased, immediately giggling as she noticed the confused look on her brother’s face. 

“What are you talking about?” “Oh, don’t be silly! You took so much time to get ready and I know for a fact Klavier asked you to meet him. Don’t worry, Polly, I think he likes you too. When Phoenix and I were tending to the horses yesterday, I heard him talk to his friends. He was talking about you-” She explained, poking his side. “He was all red, talking about how nice and heroic you were when you saved him from the Bloater.” Trucy greatly overplayed what she had heard to get a rise out of her brother and her plan worked perfectly. Apollo stopped in his tracks, his voice bashful and his face slightly red. “He- Did he really say that…? Wait. Did Phoenix hear any of it?” 

“Hum… Yes. Every single word.” She replied mischievously, and the boy began walking again, hiding his face in his hands. “That’s so embarrassing…” He muttered, and she giggled again. “Well, if it makes it any better, Klavier did talk about the hotel, and I’m sure I heard him say you were cool.” “He’s just being friendly Truce, we’ve only known each other for 6 days or so.” Apollo retorted, and Trucy shook her head. “Every love story needs a beginning, don’t you think?” He rolled his eyes and pushed her gently. The girl authorized the retaliation, satisfied with the fact that her brother would not deny his interest in the other boy. 

The group reached their destination. Phoenix knocked, and the door opened almost immediately, revealing the tiny frame of a girl. She curiously analyzed the newcomers and, as soon as her eyes landed on Trucy, her shy expression morphed into excitement. She approached silently, handing the other girl a piece of paper: “Nick told me you liked magic, so I made you this.” She explained. Trucy eagerly took her present, revealing the impressively well-done drawing. She let out a thrilled shriek, jumping in place: “This is so pretty! Thank you so much! Apollo, look!” She shoved the paper in her brother’s face, making it hard for him to discern anything. 

“Well, hello, Pearl.” Phoenix said, watching the scene fondly as the girls blatantly ignored him. Trucy’s face lit up: “Oh yeah! I just needed to tell you, I love your name! It’s so cute. Mine is Trucy.” “Can I show you my room?” Pearl asked, and Trucy nodded enthusiastically. Before Apollo could protest about Trucy’s lack of manners as she stepped into the house without removing her shoes or greeting their host, the two girls had already stormed off. Phoenix gave him a friendly pat on the back. “Don’t worry, Mia and Maya won’t mind. Come in.” 

Apollo followed the two men inside, taking in the new scenery. Mia and Maya’s house was lovely, tastefully decorated to create a classy, tidy yet welcoming space. A short woman rapidly went down the stairs. “There you guys are!” She exclaimed and ran to Phoenix, almost tackling him in a hug. “We saw each other yesterday, Maya.” The man reprimanded lightly, hugging her back without a second thought. She pulled away, mimicking her cousin as she ignored Phoenix’s comment to turn her attention to Miles. Before embracing him as well, she gestures to her oversized sweatshirt adorned with a “STEEL SAMURAI” illustration. “See? I told you I would never take it off. I love it so much!” She said, face buried in the taller man’s chest. 

Miles seemed more uncertain about showing his affection, and their hug did not last as long as the previous one. “I am glad to see you appreciate my present, Miss Fey.” “That’s why you stink so much. Clothes need to be washed, you filthy slob.” Phoenix teased. Apollo was certain the woman would have attacked him if Miles had not berated him first. She glared at Phoenix one last time and finally turned to Apollo. “Hi Apollo, Welcome to Jackson! I’m Maya. How have those two been treating you so far? You can tell me if Nick’s horrible, I’ll beat him up for you.” She asked, and Phoenix gasped, offended at her threat. “What is it with you and wanting to hit me?” He protested, and the two began to argue.

Apollo observed the scene in disbelief while Miles’ expression was closer to exasperation. A second woman appeared in the hall, introducing herself as Mia Fey. The sisters looked alike, though it seemed evident to Apollo that Mia was older. She appeared more mature and calm than Maya. She greeted the two and mirrored Miles’ stance, pinching the bridge of her nose in annoyance. She sighed loudly when she realized Phoenix and Maya's fight was far from over: “Alright, let’s not stand here any longer. If we wait for those two to finally act like adults, I can’t guarantee we’ll get to eat our lunch. Follow me, Apollo, I’ll show you around.” 

After a rapid tour of the house, Apollo and Miles sat around the table in the living room. “Diego could not join us?” Miles asked, anticipating the upcoming silence. “No, something came up this morning. There was a minor problem at the power plant, and his help was required. He assured me it was nothing to worry about, but he still needed to go out and check himself. What about Gregory?” “He is busy with a case. He might join us in the afternoon to have coffee.” The two continued to make small talk, and, eventually, Maya sat down, followed closely by unmistakably defeated Phoenix.

Like he usually did, Apollo remained quiet during the major part of the gathering, only politely answering when he was addressed. He was content this way, almost forgetting about his exhausted state when he chuckled at Maya’s jokes. 

At some point, the two missing girls left Pearl’s room, allowing Trucy to introduce herself to the sisters. The two swiftly resumed their conversation, whispering and giggling secretively. Apollo was relieved to see their friendship blooming so smoothly. He thought about meeting with other people his age, as Klavier had suggested, and hoped it would be as effortless to speak to them. 

When Mia brought out the dessert, Trucy spoke up: “Do you think I could go to school? Pearly talked about her science lessons with Miss Aura, and now I’m curious!” The question tore Apollo away from his comfortable bubble. Phoenix’s surprise matched Apollo’s. However, unlike the boy, his confusion quickly morphed into something that resembled relief. “Why not, if that’s what you want.” “What? No, she can’t.” Apollo protested, unaware of the attention his outburst brought to him. “Why not?” Trucy asked, frowning. “Because we’re not staying.” Apollo blurted out, immediately regretting his words.

Trucy’s expression soured, a rare anger taking over her features. “What do you mean ‘we are not staying’. I want to stay.” Apollo’s heart started beating faster. He had not meant to have this conversation right now, not like this. His inability to calm himself was quickly combined with the unexpected return of the familiar knot of guilt and fear in his stomach. After a week free from this feeling he considered parasitic, and in his state of exhaustion, the panic struck him harder than it had ever done. For once, Trucy’s sharp eyes remained unaware of her brother’s distress, and she continued. “I want to stay. Why do you always make these important decisions without ever asking for my opinion? I want to go with Pearl, and I want to stay here.” Her eyes were glossy, tears threatening to come out. 

When pondering over Trucy’s potential reaction, Apollo had pictured this exact scenario in his mind. The disappointment, the betrayal, the heartbreak in her eyes, he had seen it so clearly. And yet, he retorted weakly: “Because you know we can’t stay. If Dad-” “Guys, let’s maybe talk about this later.” Phoenix tried, his voice gentle and firm. Trucy ignored him. “I don’t care about Dad! He let us go and I don’t want to risk going all the way to Arizona after we found something nice in Jackson. I don’t want my life to revolve around someone who might be dead!”. 

Her words knocked the air out of his lungs, unspeakable images of his father’s fate racing in his mind. “Don’t say that. He had no choice but to let us go, and he’s not dead .” He choked out. Apollo could feel his heart pounding against his skull. He clutched his shirt in an attempt to ground himself, but Trucy’s anger was unrelenting. “How could I know what his intentions were when he sent us away? You refuse to speak to me. Instead, you withdraw in the hope that Dad will appear out of thin air at any moment. Well, I’m sorry to break it to you, Polly, but, considering how we were treated before we left, we both know they probably killed him by now.” 

Upon these words, she sat up, a constant stream of tears now rolling down her face, and excused herself. Apollo did not discern her figure as she left, the reality of her words having blurred his surroundings. He ignored the concerned voices around him and stood up: “I need some fresh air.” He stated, his voice remarkably calm in contrast to his distant expression. 

He opened the front door, clutching his shirt painfully, right above his heart, which was out of control. He barely made it out of the house before his legs gave up under him. He fell hard, the sting in his knees and the coldness of the snow distant, almost negligible. He brought his aching legs to his chest, desperately wanting to stay warm as the fresh air worsened his shivering. Gut-wrenching images flashed before his eyes: his father was dead, and Trucy was too. He was not in the safety of Phoenix and Miles’ house anymore. He was far from Jackson, forced to face his solitude after failing as a brother and as a son. He also pictured himself on an operating table for a moment, his brain laid bare, his lifeless body forgotten, trashed after being stripped of its only purpose. If only he could just breathe. He just needed to breathe. 

Apollo barely registered the hand on his shoulder and the voice calling out to him. Between ragged breaths, he shook his head and tried to get to his feet, muttering something about being fine and needing to find his sister, to fix everything. “No- stay here. Trucy is in the house. She’s safe, I’ll go check on her for you. Miles, love, will you help him out, please?” The person replied, gently pushing Apollo back down. The boy tried to protest, using his last ounce of strength to refrain from begging the person to stay, to help him breathe before he died miserably. 

Apollo sobbed in relief as another person kneeled in front of him. He was not alone yet. “Apollo, I am going to help you calm your breathing first. I will put some pressure on your stomach with my hand. I want you to take deep breaths to push it back.” A few minutes passed, and Apollo succeeded in composing himself, thanks to Miles’ kind instructions. When his breathing had slowed enough to allow him to speak, he spoke up: “I’m sorry for disturbing your lunch. You all seemed so happy.”

“Nonsense,” Miles answered firmly. “We will have plenty of opportunities to meet up again in lighter circumstances. You had a panic attack, Apollo. There is no need to apologize for it. It happens. God knows how much it happened to me when I was younger.” They fell quiet for another few minutes, Apollo still focused on controlling his breathing. After a while, the shivering returned, finding its origin in the bitter cold brought by the winter season this time. 

“How are you feeling now?” Miles asked. “Better, I think. Although I’m almost certain my toes are going to fall off.” His reply brought a small smile to Miles’ face. “Shall we get back inside then?” The man promptly moved to help Apollo up. He took a tentative step forward and nearly fell again. Miles reacted immediately and reached out to steady him. The two went back inside. 

As they stepped into the house, the numbness of his body gradually faded. Apollo felt the pain from the fall, the ache in his head, and the dampness of his clothes. Miles led him to the couch, finding a blanket to wrap around the boy’s shoulders. Pearl walked out of the kitchen, carefully carrying a steaming cup of hot chocolate, Maya following her closely. “Here.” The young girl said, holding the mug for Apollo to take. “Mia always makes us some cocoa when we feel sad. I thought you would like some too. I’m… I’m sorry if what I told Trucy made you upset.” She explained shyly, and Apollo felt like crying again. He thanked her, making sure to ease her doubts by telling her she had not done anything wrong. Maya smiled, appreciative of his reassurance, and dragged her away, mumbling something about giving him some privacy. 

An hour passed before Phoenix, Mia, and Trucy returned. The empty cup was now long forgotten. Apollo rose to his feet at the sight of his little sister. Her red eyes landed on her brother, and, without hesitation, she ran to him, nearly tackling him because of his still unstable legs. He picked her up in a tight embrace. “I’m sorry, Polly. I didn’t want to be mean and make you cry.” She whispered into his neck, her voice small. “It’s okay. You were angry, you had every right to. I… You’re right, I should tell you everything, and I will, I promise. I’m just not ready yet. Can you give me more time?” Trucy nodded, refusing to let go of Apollo. 

Afterwards, Phoenix suggested putting an end to the gathering and returning to their house. Apollo was relieved: he struggled to look their hosts in the eye after his outburst earlier. As they walked back, Trucy held his hand and rubbed her eyes. Her brother offered to carry her on his back, a proposition to which she agreed happily. The proximity granted the siblings some privacy, and Trucy whispered: “I’m sorry for what I said about Dad too. I do care about him and I… I hope he isn’t dead.” Her last words were almost inaudible and rendered Apollo’s eyes glossy. “I know Truce, I know.”

They reached Miles and Phoenix’s house and, as she set foot on the ground again, Trucy asked if they could watch a movie all together. Apollo’s first thought was to agree, and yet, he declined her offer. He could not ignore his state of exhaustion any longer. 

He went back to his and Trucy’s shared room, removed his shoes, and collapsed on the bed. He curled up on himself, unable to hold back a few tears. He remained like this for a while, frustratingly noticing his inability to fall asleep remained even now. The knock on the door was his breaking point; he cursed as he dragged himself out of bed. Unsurprisingly, Phoenix was on the other side: “Can we chat?” He asked, his tone kind and understanding. Apollo refrained from sighing loudly and screaming at the man to leave him alone. Despite his irritation, he stepped aside, letting Phoenix in the room. 

“How do you feel?” Phoenix asked, sitting down on the old desk chair. “I’m fine.” Apollo replied dryly, bringing his knees to his chest one more time. Phoenix ignored his tone and continued: “Listen, I am not here to pressure you into talking to me. It seems obvious that you two have gone through a lot, and it is not my place to pry for information about your past.” The man paused as he looked for the right words. 

“I don’t know what happened before, but, now that you two are here, it is our responsibility to welcome you to the best of our abilities. To be honest, considering how tired you look, I don’t think we are doing a great job.” He concluded, letting out a little laugh. Apollo pondered over his answer and eventually replied weakly: “I’m so scared.” He whispered, hugging himself tighter. “I’m so afraid of anything happening to us. Trucy is right, our father is most likely gone by now, so she’s everything I have left. The thought of losing her keeps me up at night. I’m always on edge, I-” He paused, the lump in his throat making it impossible to continue. 

“Are you scared we might hurt you two?” Phoenix asked. His tone was not accusatory, only curious, willing to understand. “What? No, not at all.” Apollo answered easily, his frank answer surprising him. “It’s not you two. It’s a persistent feeling of unease, like- as if every nice thing that is happening to us is going to vanish at any moment, be taken away because… Ugh. It’s stupid, honestly. I can’t even explain properly.”

Phoenix shook his head. “No, it’s not. I think I understand. It’s okay to be afraid. You’ve been on your own, and suddenly, you switch to a new lifestyle. You need time to adjust. I can imagine how hard it is to grasp the idea that you can focus on living now, and not surviving. For what it’s worth, I assure you Jackson is not going to disappear. You’re welcomed here for as long as you need and, even if you decide to leave, you’ll always be allowed to come back.” Phoenix’s words and his usual comforting smile left Apollo speechless. He nodded, the words to express his gratefulness dying in his throat. “I was thinking. What if I watched your back while you slept? You look exhausted, and I thought- I could, hum, how can I put it…? Keep watch for you? Protect you from the inexplicable thing you are afraid of? Would that help?” 

The boy perked up, thinking the proposal over. “You would do that for me?” He asked hesitantly, and Phoenix shrugged. “Sure. If you think that could help, I’m willing to do it.” “I think it would.” Apollo blurted out, making Phoenix chuckle warmly. “Then get in bed, buddy. I’ll watch over you.” Apollo complied, the tiredness hitting him fully as his head hit the pillow. If it were anyone else, the possibility of being hurt while he slept would have crossed Apollo’s mind. And yet, Phoenix’s presence only eased his fear. He felt fine around him. 

“Thank you for helping us.” He mumbled before passing out. Phoenix almost missed Apollo’s sentence; his voice was practically inaudible. He noticed the boy’s breath had evened and smiled. “No problem, Pollo. I’ll be here when you wake up, I promise.” 

The sun was setting, and Phoenix was still watching over Apollo. The latter had not moved an inch since he fell asleep. As for Miles and Trucy, they had come to check on them a while ago. He had talked with the young girl when Miles had gone to grab him a book to pass the time. She had hugged him, thanking him for helping her take care of her brother. “God, these kids will be the death of me.” He thought as he fought back the tear threatening to roll down his cheek. 

Reaching the end of his chapter, Phoenix perked up as he heard some footsteps outside. It was only one person, and the steps were too heavy for them to be Trucy. It was not Miles either, having known the man for so long, Phoenix could recognize him straight away. He got up and opened the door before the intruder could even reach the handle. 

“Klavier.” Phoenix whispered, surprised. The boy flushed, obviously expecting to see Apollo. “Ach- Sorry to bother you. I was looking for Apollo. He was supposed to meet me today, but never showed up. I was worried.” “Is that so?” Phoenix paused, remembering Apollo briefly mentioning going to see Klavier at some point. 

Phoenix stepped outside, closing the door behind him quietly. “Sorry, Klavier. He had a rough day. He’s finally getting some well-deserved sleep. I’ll tell him you came by.” “Oh. Alright. Danke.” Klavier did not move. Phoenix gave him a questioning look as the boy just stood there, fidgeting. “Can I ask if he’s okay?” He ultimately said. “He is. He will be even better after a good night’s sleep. Don’t worry too much.” The news made Klavier smile brightly. “Danke sehr, Herr Wright. I won’t bother you any longer, gute Nacht.” “It’s all good, kid. Say hi to Kris for me.” Klavier nodded and walked in the direction he came from. 

The next day, Apollo looked better. He was even eating a little more than normal, making Trucy’s usual grin even brighter. “Hey, Apollo. I forgot to mention it when you woke up, but Klavier came by last night. He said you were supposed to meet him.” Apollo looked at him, his eyes widening as realization hit him. “Shit!” He exclaimed with stupor. He got up, running out of the room. “Hey! Where are you going?” Phoenix called out. “To apologize! Shit-” he cursed again, tripping over his foot as he struggled to put on his shoes. He was almost out of the house when he stopped in his tracks. “Uh, thanks for the food. I’ll be back soon. I think.”. After that, the boy left, leaving Miles and Phoenix a little dumbfounded. The only person to chuckle was Trucy. Giving Phoenix a playful tap on the arm, she said: “I’m sure they have a crush on each other.” The man snickered. The rest of the meal was spent gossiping, Phoenix and Trucy eagerly theorizing on the two boys’ relationship. Miles watched the scene, his eyes disapproving, yet, doing nothing to not listen in on the conversation.