Page 7 of Reine's Salvation

“Get over it, Reine. You’re not the first or the last to lose a limb, or have you forgotten Professor Bragos? It could have been worse.”

Reine chewed on the inside of his cheek. They just didn’t get it. No one understood the pain, the misery, the awkwardness. It wasn’t a physical problem. It went beyond that.

“So Lance is a bad place?” Reine said, changing the subject and hoping Max wouldn’t continue talking about his arm.

“Not bad, just boring.” Max gave him a forced smile. “I’m sure there’s a reason for you to be there. Do you know how to work your phone?”

Reine shook his head. When he and Leslie had been together, he’d never bothered with owning a phone, preferring face-to-face communication above all else.

“Let me help you.”

He fished it out of the backpack and handed it to Max. The younger man explained to him the basics of the device and then showed him the same operation with the other one, which he called a tablet.

“I know you think they’re stupid, but they’re really useful. I’m going to suggest we start using them at the Academy. Besides, if you meet a girl, you’re gonna need it. That’s all they do now, text.”

“I’m not here to meet girls, Max”

“I know. I didn’t mean romantically. Anyhow, would you like a ride? I’ve got my bike outside.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. I think I’d rather walk.” He was about to say fly but he remembered he couldn’t use his wings in this plane. Humans couldn’t see his wings, but they could definitely see him if he took to the skies. If he was going to be acting like another human, the sooner he got used to not flying, the better.

“It’s quite a walk and it’s late.” Max pointed at one of the windows. Moonlight streamed through the colored glass.

“I think I’ll make it, Max.”

“All right, man. You can take care of yourself. I’ll see you soon.”

“Thanks.” Reine forced a smile onto his lips and shook Max’s hand. Max wasn’t a bad person. He was just too eager and too goddamn happy all the time. Reine called him a kid, but Max was only five years younger than he was. Sadly, when someone had been through what Reine had been, it made a difference. His world would never be a happy-go-lucky place again.

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