The next morning, I called in sick for work. I still needed to hand my notice in, but after checking my inheritance had landed in my bank account, I wasn’t particularly bothered by the idea of missing out on getting paid. I was tempted to just not turn up at all, but I didn’t want to risk an investigation if I was reported as a missing person.

I’d set Jackal up watching videos on voice control for heavy metal singers, hoping the techniques would be helpful for him when he returned to Newtopia, then I’d called the real estate agent on one of the listings I’d pinned to the wall and set up a viewing, and James had called Dave’s mother and apologetically asked if we could come for a visit and look through his things, making up an excuse about how they’d worked together on something, and he needed it for university.

“You’re actually going to have to go to classes again sometime,” I told him as we rode the train to Dave’s house. “If you have to repeat the year, I’m not carrying you through it.”

“You’d think with everything that’s been going on, you’d give me a bit of extra leeway,” James grouched. “You still need me.”

“You can stay in my house rent free, and work on Newtopia, but you’re going to have to pull your weight more. No more expecting me to clean up after you. You’ll cover your own expenses other than rent, utilities, and groceries, and you’ll clean up after yourself. The guys won’t be nearly as lenient as I’ve been.”

“I know,” James said, looking out the window as the scenery raced by. “I never really thought about how it was for you. How much you’ve done for me. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I’d never be able to work through any of this without you, and I’ll try not to take you for granted anymore.”

I smiled and nudged him with my elbow. “Friends?”

James snorted and nodded. “Yeah. Friends.”

Brick and Bruiser had accompanied us to do any carrying we needed, but they were watching our exchange with amused expressions.

“What?” James asked, giving them the side eye.

“Emma is just so forgiving,” Bruiser said, shaking his head. “She used to rage at you all the time. I suppose it’s easier to hate someone when they’re not in front of you.”

“Well, to be fair, that was when I thought a lot of the Newtopia idiocy was actually by design rather than accident,” I said defensively. “Although I’m still going to make you read some books on ethics, racism and feminism before you do any more world building.”

“I hardly think you’re the one to lecture me on ethics,” James retorted. “Speaking of which, this is our stop.”

The train pulled to a stop, and we disembarked and walked the two blocks to Dave’s mother’s house.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

She greeted us at the door, and I could see the family resemblance immediately. She also had dark hair, although hers was lovely and soft, whereas Dave’s haircut had been short and sharp. Photos of Dave were on the mantlepiece, and I felt a tug at my heart.

I had known on some level that people would be grieving for him, but I hadn’t thought it would feel like this. I’d never pictured a heartbroken woman with red-rimmed eyes, a hole in her soul exactly where I’d blasted through Dave’s skull.

My stomach churned, and I felt like I was going to throw up.

I lowered my eyes to her feet in shame and kept my mouth firmly shut as James took care of the introductions.

“All of his things are boxed up in the back room,” Dave’s mother showed us in. “I haven’t had the heart to go through it, not that I’d know what any of the techy stuff is. And I just can’t bear the thought of throwing it away. But you were Dave’s friend, weren’t you? You can take anything you need. I’m sure he’d want you to have it.”

“Thank you,” James said. “I really appreciate this. And I’m sorry again for your loss. He was a great guy.”

He sounded so believable, but then again, James had known Dave before he’d fallen into madness. They had been friends. James had trusted him with a lot, before everything had fallen to pieces.

She left us to it, and we stood to the side, letting James go through each box, pulling out components that he thought would be useful.

The boxes were a jumble, some containing old school report cards and childhood toys and others with his more recent projects.

Bruiser picked up an old, well-loved teddy bear, inspecting it with an odd expression before placing it gently back into its box. A tear trickled down my cheek, but I hurriedly wiped it away. It was too late to fall to pieces now.

“We should be able to get the Nexus back up and running within a week,” James said. “I’ve got everything here I need, plus a few spare parts. We should be able to set up a two-way portal and make adjustments so your boyfriends can actually keep their original bodies when they travel through next time. They don’t have to remain humans here if they don’t want to. It should be safer for Jackal as well, since he looks a little different in his original body. So long as he doesn’t do anything else stupid.”

“Can we retrieve Emma’s dog?” Bruiser asked, and I looked at him in surprise.

“Pooky?”

“Your mother mistreats her and blackmails you with her health. We could retrieve the dog, but if we could send it through the Nexus, Pooky could have a good life in Newtopia, and be safe from harm. You would be able to speak with her properly, and Bonaparte would help her settle in and make a good life.”

“You alright there, Emma?” Brick asked me. “You’ve gone quiet.”

“I’m just thinking,” I said softly. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen people properly grieve before. And Dave’s mum… I just… with my family I… I forget that some parents actually love their children.”

James gave me a sympathetic look. “You always were a bit emotionally constipated. Good you know why now, at least. Your mum really messed you up.”

“There’s nothing wrong with Emma,” Brick growled, but I put a hand on his forearm.

“He’s kind of right,” I said. “It shouldn’t come as a surprise that some people have families that love them. Just because mine is awful, I shouldn’t expect everyone else’s to be the same.”

“You don’t have to be stuck with the family you’re born in, Emma,” Bruiser said, wrapping his arm around me. “We’re your family now.”

I smiled and turned my face into his arm. “I know. I love you for it.”

“You’ll never be on your own again,” Brick promised. “You’ve got all of us behind you. No matter what you need.”

James sighed. “You’re going to set up like… a harem mafia in Newtopia or something, aren’t you? Become the benevolent overlord?”

“Nah,” I said. “We’re going to open a bakery.”

Brick’s grin made me feel immeasurably better.