#(((((((spacerrr))))

The last survivor began to awaken, but he took his time, knowing he really didn’t have anyone he looked forward to waking up to. He turned and lay on his back, eyes slowly opening up and gazing up at the ceiling of the lab.

Oz noticed his movement and drifted over to him with a bowl of noodles, a bit cautiously. Farrow caught sight of him at the corner of his eyes and sighed.

“Hey, here’s some noodles, if you’re hungry. Welcome back, you’re out of the Juggernaut now.” “...Thanks.” He took the bowl and set it down beside him. The bowl was lukewarm by now.

“Mendel’s in the throne room watching over the pacified Juggernaut, and everyone’s spread out a bit and hanging out. You can do whatever once you’re ready, just don’t disturb Mendel,” said Oz.

“Uh huh.” Farrow nodded. His neck stung whenever he moved his head, so he squeezed his eyes shut and stood still.

“...I’ll be in the back if you need me,” said Oz quickly, dismissing himself.

“Sure.” Farrow didn’t move. Why did the ghost, out of all things, sound like he was afraid of him? Sure, it made him feel a bit glad, but the feeling of alienation trumped it in the end.

He rolled over, tensing up and the pain surging in his neck, and mixed around the cold noodles. Oz was gathering up everyone who was heading to the trains, everyone was standing up with backpacks and children and laughs in their chats. Gene was giving Ana little scritches on her head, watching Oz with fond eyes. Skuggy sat next to him, head leaned on the doctor’s shoulder, fast asleep. Buggy and Apoccy sat in their own little spot, holding each other and whispering quietly to one another, foreheads touching lovingly.

Farrow just couldn’t wait to go home. Home, where none of this happened, and he can run back to that little house in the forest in the obscure town with no name, crawl into bed with his own lover, and sleep everything off.

For now, he lay on the wooden floor of the lab, curled next to a bowl of noodles and occasionally slurping from it, looking a bit deranged.

-

  Mari’s head bobbed a bit. She blinked herself awake and looked back to the Juggernaut, sleeping peacefully behind her on the Coven Leader’s throne. The sound of Ophelia shuffling around and packing things up was gentle in the background, just white noise against Mari’s ears. She watched the Juggernaut carefully. It did not stir. She then looked to Mendel, who was previously waiting for the Juggernaut to awaken, but found him asleep sitting up in his own chair. She debated with herself on whether or not to wake him, but when she noticed him snoring slightly, finally sleeping, she figured she should probably let him rest.

“Hey Ophelia?” She asked, voice quiet with drowsiness.

“Hm?”

“Do you mind keeping an eye on the Juggernaut for us? Just in case I fall asleep?” She yawned.

“What, do I look like a babysitter?”

“You kinda look like Nanny McPhee, yeah.” Mari paused. Did she really just say that?

However, she heard Ophelia snort in a small laugh.

“I’ll watch the thing. Go to sleep, I can’t be having asleep deprived Coven.” Ophelia strode across the room. “I’ll wake you if anything happens.”

“...Gee, thanks, Oph.” Mari leaned her head back and shut her eyes. “You’re the coolest grandma...”