Caleb walked through the streets slowly, steeping himself in the atmosphere of home. For the most part the streets were empty, people inside watching T.V, or rushing home panicked as they spoke on the phone about the “shatter”. He stuck mostly to the secluded streets as he walked, though still earned a few stares. Given the time that’d passed since the and the distance, he doubted anyone who saw him would think he was the same Caleb on T.V, though they’d probably be confused by the resemblance.

  A few probably wouldn’t even recognise him, still unaware of exactly what was happening on the East Coast. Still, it’d probably be better to get home before someone stopped him and started to ask all sorts of question.

  So weird he thought. The idea that people would know him now, actually know him was a little confusing. Given his fame from the trial protocol, and whole prophecy thing, he was probably more famous in the Federation, but it felt more personal here. Familiar in a way he understood completely.

  I’m famous he thought. Like actually famous. The President said my name on TV, people saw my face, and I have a government medal.

  He clutched the box a little tighter. It was so surreal. Not bad in the same way he thought it’d be. Maybe it could even help kickstart Casey’s acting career. That would be nice. Now that he thought about it, his mom was probably going to get the shock of her life.

  He kicked a stray stone and came to a stop, looking back out towards the sea atop a hill. His eyes remained there for a moment, fixed to the still shimmering sea. He remembered swimming in it, during a holiday. It’d been a bit further down from here, during a relatively cool summer, and the beach had been busy. But it’d still captured that essence that he remembered from Bertioga. A little less personal but he remembered it in the same way. It’d been one of the last days where it’d been all of them. Him, Kayla, his father and Casey. It’d been fun.

  I never went swimming with mom.

  He frowned; the serenity his joy had brought dimming somewhat.

  “World’s gone to shit hasn’t it?”

  Caleb glanced behind him to an older man with a white mane of a beard, sunglasses, jean shorts and a more than colourful Hawaiian shirt strolling along towards him. He stiffened slightly, waiting for the moment of recognition.

  “Oh, sorry I shouldn’t swear” the man said, chuckling to himself.

  “It’s ok” Caleb nodded nervously. The man slowed as he neared Caleb, looking him over with an obvious frown.

  “You look a little young to serve?” he asked questioning.

  “Uh… I haven’t”

  “Well… I guess it’s not a crime to wear camo. Though it’s probably a little hot”

  “Yeah” Caleb muttered, tugging at his collar.

  “Plus might not be the best time to wear it. People’ll think you’re a soldier. You seen what’s bene going on news?”

  Caleb relaxed slightly. He didn’t recognise him.

  “Yeah”

  “Crazy right?” he laughed. “I’ve just been pacing around ever since, waiting for something else to happen”

  “I think we’re ok for now”

  “You never know kid. You never know” the man said, shaking his head. as he laughed. “My daughter’s all worried, trying to book us a flight to New York to go see if my granddaughter’s ok. She’s called like five hundred times, though Mary stopped answering after the third, even texted her to stop calling then turned off her phone. Hilarious isn’t it? Even in the midst of a catastrophe the like of which we ain’t never seen and a parent can still annoy the shit out of their child”

  “She’s ok? Mary?” Caleb muttered, stiffening as heartbeat quickened.

  “What? Oh yeah, she’s just fine. She goes to Coloumbia so you know, a little close for comfort, but she was mostly bummed that she was so close and could barely see anything”

  Caleb nodded as the man’s laughter faded, his gaze fixed on Caleb.

  “Sorry, don’t mean to make light you know. Just how I cope. I… you lose anyone?”

  He went to respond but froze, the images of all the bodies and blood, dragged along by water flashing through his mind

  “Sorry” the old man said. “probably shouldn’t ask that.”

  “No. It’s ok. I didn’t, but… well someone I know got injured. And I knew someone who disappeared but we can’t contact them so I don’t know. It’s ok. It’s fine”

  What? he thought, Why did I say that?

  The man was silent for a second, before nodding as he looked away.

  “I guess that’s why you’re out here?”

  “Y-yeah.”

  The man nodded again, looking off at the sunset.

  “I know it’s not what you want to hear, but… things will get better son.”

  “Will it?”

  “Well it’s what they told me when my wife died” the man chuckled, before falling silent. “That was a few years back now. And I don’t know if they’re right or not. But there was a time when I thought they weren’t, where I was certain of it”

  Caleb looked back to the man as he stared wistfully off at the sunset.

  “We used to come up here. Watch the sunset whenever she had one of her flare ups. I used to be so against it, she seemed so fragile and frail you know? Now? Now it’s all I remember, the laughter we shared up here” the man said. He stood silent for a moment, his eyes slightly wetter than before. “You got any good memories?”

  Caleb thought back to the trial, suddenly reminded of when he’d first met Ryan and Kana, to all the memories they’d shared.

  “Yeah” he muttered softly, “Yeah I do.”

  “Then that’s enough” the man said. Caleb nodded, quiet again, before he thanked the man with a small smile.

  “Wait a second, do I know you?”

  “I… don’t know” Caleb mumbled, stiffening again.

  “Wait... you was on TV wasn’t you?” the man said.

  “I uh… yeah”

  “You some actor’s kid?”

  Caleb paused, then smiled to himself.

  “Something like that”

  “Well… good luck kid” the man said. “Hope everything works out for you”

  “Yeah. I hope your granddaughter’s ok too”

  The man glanced back at him and offered a smile.

  “Thanks. You’re a good kid”

  Caleb nodded and then watched as the man walked away. He thought to himself for a moment, then turned and started down the opposite side of the hill. He walked slowly quiet as he absently mindedly crossed over the various streets, finally reaching his own.

  He’s pace dragged to a stop as he reached the gate, his eyes scanning over the sight in front of him. The park was just as horrid as always. The broken and cracked asphalt, overrun by weeds, grass and pockets of sand, filled with trailer homes, RV’s and a few tents. Caleb stood by the broken and beaten entrance, looking over the in the lot as he thought to himself.

  Then a group of kids ran past with their water guns, laughing as they sprayed each other. One kid, Jimmy ran closest to him, glancing to him before freezing. The two stared at each other for a second before Jimmy spoke.

  “Are you a ghost?” Jimmy muttered.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “No” Caleb laughed to himself, walking past the boy as he made his way into the lot. He passed a few of the homes, before reaching his He stopped outside, then knocked on the door and stepped back. There was the muffled sound of voices for a moment before Kaya’s head popped up in the kitchen window, wearing her signature frown. Her eyes widened as she saw him and she cried out, disappearing as the door opened.

  “Kayla? Don’t scr-” Casey froze, staring at him wide-eyed as Kayla shot past leaping into his embrace. He laughed as she held him tightly, hugging her back.

  “C-caleb” Casey mumbled, stepping forward. “How’re you here?”

  “Teleported” he said. She laughed at the ludicrousness of the situation, then stepped forward pulling him into a hug too. The three remained in the embrace before finally Casey pulled away, wiping at her eyes.

  “This is amazing. I can’t believe your really here so soon” she said.

  “I can’t either” Caleb nodded, smiling to himself.

  “Kayla” Casey said, “I think Caleb’s had enough hugs for now.”

  “No” Kayla cried. Caleb laughed to himself.

  “I do you want to come inside. Can I get you something to eat or drink?”

  “We should get takeaway” Kayla cried. “McDonalds!”

  “Let’s let Caleb ”

  “Right, right” Kayla mumbled, finally letting as Caleb set her down. He thought for a second then smiled to himself.

  “Uh… we could have ice cream?” he said.

  “Ah, we don’t have any. We finished it all last week”

  “Uh we could go and get some”

  “Alright” Casey said nodding before she paused. “I mean, you sure it’s a good idea to go out? People might recognise you. I know how you are with stuff like that”

  “Oh yeah! You were on TV!” Kayla cried.

  “Quiet Kayla” Casey said, glancing around, before looking to Caleb. “I was a little surprised you even did something like that”

  “It was sort of a last minute thing. And I should be fine. I can just wear some sunglasses and change my clothes. I should be ok”

  Casey nodded to herself, and smiled.

  “Alright. Let’s go get some ice cream”

  -

  Kayla wouldn’t let go of his hand. It was adorable in a way. She’d hated ever holding anyone’s hand, especially in public areas, but today their hands were stuck together like glue. Almost as if the second he let her go he’d disappear. Casey was enjoying it. It was clear she was relieved Caleb was back and probably enjoying the sight of Kayla being so happy. The freedom was definitely a plus too.

  And Caleb was as content as he had been in a while. Finally out of the military uniform, in his usual shorts and t-shirt, as he made his way down the street, donning Casey’s sunglasses. Sure he was a bit conscious about the scarring so clearly visible on his arm, but it wasn’t that bad. And besides, he had Kayla’s singing to enjoy to take his mind off of it. He grinned to himself as she skipped along, humming as they rounded the corner onto the lane of shops.

  Things felt normal. Better than normal. He was finally going to be able to eat ice-cream again.

  He adjusted the glasses slightly as they stepped into the Bill’s Sundae, the cool of the air-conditioning hitting his face. The two siblings were working behind the counter today, one stood by the till as the other looked to the TV in the corner where footage of New York played.

  “Oh… hi” the boy said, turning to them as they came in. “What can I get you?”

  Caleb glanced to Casey, as Kayla bounded over to the glass, cackling with glee.

  “You can get as much as you want”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah. You’ve earned it”

  Caleb looked back, stepping up next to Kayla as he looked over everything, before him.

  “Uh… what do you want?” he said nudging his sister.

  “I want some of everything!” Kayla cried. Caleb laughed to himself as the cashier looked to Casey, then to his sister. He frowned for a second, as his eyes fell on Caleb, then he looked back to the TV.

  Crap. I guess they would recognise me in here.

  “Are you… Caleb?” he mumbled.

  “Uh… yeah”

  The two siblings stared at him then looked to each other.

  “Mom!” the boy called. Caleb winced, before glancing bac

  “What?!” a woman called out from the back

  “Caleb’s here” the girl said, glancing back and forth between the TV, as if waiting for his face to reappear on screen.

  “I told you. He’s always in here with his sister and his mom” a woman said, emerging from behind a staff only door. She looked to all of them smiling. “Oh you’re all here. How wonderful. How did you get over here so fast Caleb?”

  “T-teleport”

  “Teleport? Oh my god. This is amazing isn’t it. He’s all magical. Like Harry Potter” the owner said to her kids, before turning to him. “Ooh, could you do a spell that makes our ice cream taste better? Or makes people want to come here? We’ll give you free ice cream for life. You can have as much as you want whenever you come here. You can have as much as you want now. Here, take this tub for free. Oh you can have these tubs too. And a bunch of this as well.”

  The woman, raced around behind the counter, stuffing a bunch of ice-cream tubs into a plastic bag as her kids tried frantically to stop her.

  “Oh, we’ve got some waffles as well, do you want waffles?”

  “Mom stop” the girl said embarrassed. “Your embarrassing us.”

  “Alright, alright” she huffed. “But are you sure you don’t want the waffles?”

  “It’s ok” Caleb said. “But… uh… could you not tell anyone I was here?”

  “Of course. Wait, how is it wizards in that show of yours greet each other” the mom said, before doing a half bow. “Your wish is my command, Mr Caleb.”

  The girl – now beet red – shrunk into her apron, as the boy put his face into his hands. Caleb simply tried not to laugh, as Kayla looked back to him tugging at his arm.

  “Thank you” he said, taking his ice cream and the bag she’d given them.

  “Thank you” Casey said, before looking to Kayla as Caleb handed her her ice cream. “What do we say?”

  “Oh! Thanks for the ice cream!”

  “Your welcome dear” the owner said. “And please, Caleb your welcome anytime”

  “Thanks” he said with a nod.

  Together they stepped out of the shop, Kayla taking his hand as they started back down the street.

  I hope not everyone’s as weird as that, he thought chuckling. Though if this is what being famous is, it might be nice.

  -

  He was trying to hold onto sand. He didn’t know why, but it was precious. He had to keep every last drop in his hands as he raced forward, trying to keep away from the cold behind him.

  He had to remain in the cool heat. For himself and Kayla. But everyone was telling him to stop, to let go, let the cold take him.

  Even if they didn’t want to he could hear their voices. They were telling him to just let go. That he just needed to let go of the sand, let the cold consume him.

  But he didn’t want to. But the sand was disappearing, and his clumsier and clumsier hands couldn’t hold on.

  He wasn’t going to make it. He knew that already.

  But still he refused to slow. He wouldn’t let go of the sand.

  He couldn’t.

  Caleb’s eyes opened slowly, and he was met with the cool air of a summer morning. The sound of cars echoed in the distant as he heard kids laughing and playing amongst themselves, just outside. He sat up slowly, glancing either side of him.

  Right, he thought, I’m home.

  He took a moment to gather himself, instinctively feeling beneath the mattress, and caressing the sticker underneath it. He smiled to himself before leaning back against the wall.

  Casey stood by the hob, cooking as the radio played softly and she sung along. He yawned, then stretched out his arms before calling out to her.

  “Morning”

  “Good morning” she said, smiling as she looked to him. He offered a smile back, before it faded the happiness replaced by an onslaught of memories from his dreams. His heart rate quickened and he looked down to his hand, the scars glowing softly. With a quick breath he stood, suddenly nervous.

  He knew already. He had to tell them. Now rather than later.

  “Casey?” he mumbled. She turned to him picking up on the tremble in his voice.

  “You alright? What’s wrong?”

  “I- I got offered a job” he said. She frowned, turning the heat down on the eggs. “It’s a space job. An important one, but probably dangerous. I… if I don’t accept I think a lot of people could get hurt.”

  “You’re taking the job, aren’t you?” Casey said, looking at him sadly. He nodded, almost embarrassed. Casey forced a smile, then stepped forward and pulled him into a tight hug. For a moment it was awkward, then Caleb hugged her back, a warmth in the hug he hadn’t expected.

  “Just come back in one piece” she mumbled, her voice shaky. “Please.”

  “That’s the idea” he said with a slight nod.

  “How long till you have to sign up?”

  “Three days” he said. “Well, two now.”

  “How long will you be gone for?”

  “I don’t know” he muttered. “I probably should’ve asked. It seems like an important job but maybe I get holiday? I’m not sure how alien jobs work.”

  Casey chuckled, but her smile quickly disappeared, her eyes falling to the floor.

  “I’ll go tell Kayla” she said.

  “No” Caleb said. “I can.”

  “Caleb”

  “I can do it” he replied firmly.

  “Are you sure?” she said, no lack of doubt in her voice.

  “Yeah” Caleb said with a determined nod. “It’s not like this will be the hardest thing I’ve done all day.”

  Casey nodded a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips before fading.

  “Should probably go do it now. Get it over with”

  Caleb nodded and gulped, wiping his palms against his trousers. He started quickly out of the caravan, and towards Kayla as she drew on the table outside.

  “Caleb!” she said excitedly, noticing him. “Come draw with me! I’m drawing you and all the other cool superheroes!”

  Caleb walked forward as Kayla hummed to herself, drawing intently on one of the many sheets of paper that covered her desk. He watched her for a moment, smiling at her abundance of happiness, but the feeling disappeared quickly, ground to dust by the weight of the words that rested on his tongue.

  Kayla glanced back to him quickly, an annoyed frown clear on her face.

  “What’re you doing?! Come draw! Draw!”

  “Kayla I-”

  “I don’t care if you’re not good” Kayla shouted, “I’m not good either. But it’s fun. Fun!”

  She turned back to the paper again, kicking her feet and retuning to her humming as crayon met paper. Caleb remained still before cursing himself. Kayla glanced to him again, prepared to shout before she caught his expression.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked. “Do I have crayon on my face?”

  He shook his head.

  “Then what is it?”

  He stayed silent, looking to the floor as. He’d been wrong. This was hard.

  “Caleb?”

  “I… I have to leave” he muttered. Quickly he looked to his sister, watching her expression closely. Kayla’s face fell, her expression shifting from confusion to quiet sadness.

  “Why?” she mumbled, her eyes growing wet.

  “Some good people offered me a job” he said, quickly taking her hands.

  “But why do you have to leave?”

  “The job’s far away, up in the stars”

  “The stars?” she said, her voice growing shakier.

  “Yeah. I’m going to use my powers to help people in space. All throughout the stars”

  “But…you can do that here”

  “Kayla I-”

  “You can’t leave again. You just got back” she said, upset now.

  “I-it’s ok Kayla I’ll be back”

  “No. You’re supposed to stay. You can’t leave. You can’t”

  “K-kayla it’ll be good I-”

  “No! Stupid silly shitface! You can’t leave!” she cried out, grabbing him tightly.

  “Kayla I-”

  She screamed loudly, clutching his collar tightly with one hand whilst hitting him with the other. The blows didn’t hurt, but the expression on Kayla’s face did. He hadn’t expected her to get so angry.

  Suddenly Casey was at his side, scooping up his sister as she kicked and screamed at them both.

  “It’s ok” Casey said, soothing Kayla as she gently caressed her, stroking Kayla’s hair as she made her way back inside the caravan.

  “He can’t leave!” Kayla screamed, crying so very desperately as her mother held her. “He just got back! It’s not fair! It’s not fair!!”

  “I know, I know” Casey said, “I know.”

  She left quickly, but Caleb could still here the sounds of his sister crying echoing through the space.

  He looked down to Kayla’s play desk, at the drawing of his sister’s imagined superheroes, him and his golden sword in the centre. He brought a hand to his face quickly, covering his face, but his eyes were already wet.

  “Shit.”