Chapter 1.13

Rael noticed a change in Joey. The way his smile no longer reached his eyes, the sudden distance that seemed to envelop him. It was a shift Rael couldn't overlook, even if he didn't fully grasp it. Something was off, and he felt uncertain about how to bring it up.

But before he could say anything, the night carried on around them, and Joey's time here slipped away, quietly and silently.

As the minutes passed, Joey felt the pressure building. He was getting closer to Rael, and the more he connected, the harder it became to remember his true purpose. His mission was coming to a close, and soon, he would have to leave.

Joey found himself on the rooftop, gazing out over the city as the sun began to set. The warm shades of orange and pink filled the sky, yet they did little to thaw the chill inside him. He couldn't tell if it was his own heart growing cold or the impending departure that made him feel so disconnected.

A familiar voice broke through his thoughts.

"Joey."

Rael stood beside him, just a few feet away. He wasn't looking directly at Joey, but the weight of his gaze felt heavy enough to tug at Joey's chest.

"Hey," Joey replied, forcing a smile despite the tightness in his throat. "What's going on?"

Rael paused for a moment before stepping closer. His hands were tucked in his pockets, his usual calm replaced by something more vulnerable. Joey didn't need to ask to understand what it was—Rael had been grappling with the idea of loss for a long time. Now, the sense of impending separation loomed between them like a thick fog.

"I don't know what's going on," Rael said, his voice soft yet resolute. "You've been... different lately. It's like you're here, but not really."

Joey's heart clenched, but he kept his composure. He turned slightly, trying to focus on the dimming sunlight. "Maybe you're just imagining things. I'm still here."

Rael shot him a look that was both uncertain and intense. "I don't think so. You're pulling away from me, and I can't tell if it's because of me... or if you're just—" He hesitated, unsure how to finish his thought.

Joey had no answer for him. Not one that would make sense. All he could manage was a soft chuckle, his voice strained. "It's nothing. Really. You've been doing great. That's what matters."

Rael's brow furrowed. "But it's not just about me, is it?" He paused, studying Joey's face, searching for the answers he hoped to find there. "It's about you too, isn't it?"

Joey wanted to respond, to say something meaningful, but the words caught in his throat. Rael was right. This wasn't just about making Rael happy anymore. It was about Joey's own happiness too—about the bond they had formed, the friendship that had gradually deepened into something more. But he couldn't share that with Rael. Not now, not when time was slipping away.

Before he could find the words, a voice crackled through his earpiece. It was the system.

System Alert:

Mission Completion Pending. Time remaining: 6 hours. Proceed to finalize emotional resolution. Prepare for departure.

The reminder hit Joey like a punch to the gut. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as Rael stepped closer, his gaze still locked on Joey.

"I don't understand," Rael whispered, his voice barely above a murmur. "Why are you acting like this? What's going on?"

Joey turned away, gripping the railing to steady himself. He couldn't bear to look at Rael anymore. Not when it hurt so much to stay.

"You'll be fine," Joey muttered, his voice shaking. "You'll be okay without me."

Rael shook his head, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Don't say that. I—" He paused, clenching his fists. He had so many questions, so many things he wanted to express, but none of them felt right. Instead, he took a step closer, his voice filled with urgency. "Joey, please... don't leave me."

Joey's chest tightened at the words. He couldn't help himself. He turned, grasping Rael by the shoulders and pulling him into a firm embrace.

"I won't leave," Joey whispered, even though he knew it wasn't true. He didn't want to go, but he had no choice. His mission was nearing its end, and so was his time with Rael. He could already feel the familiar tug of his departure, the weight of the soul-copy slipping away from him.

The world around them seemed to slow, the only sound being the gentle rustle of the wind. In that moment, Joey allowed himself to relish the feeling of Rael's presence, the warmth of his body, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It was all he had left.

Rael, sensing the gravity of the moment, pulled back slightly, his eyes searching Joey's face for answers. "Why are you doing this? Why are you—"

The question was interrupted by the soft beep in Joey's earpiece.

System Alert:

Mission Complete. Departure imminent. Prepare for final transition.

Rael felt a shift in the air, a subtle change that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Joey's face had gone pale, and his body was tense, as if he were battling something only he could sense.

Rael didn't understand what was happening, but a deep instinct told him that Joey was slipping away.

"I have to go," Joey said, his voice barely a whisper. He stepped back, his eyes filled with a sadness he could no longer conceal. "Rael... I truly wanted to help you."

Rael reached out, gripping Joey's wrist. "No," he said firmly, his voice shaking. "You're not leaving. Not like this."

But Joey gently pulled away, a soft smile gracing his lips. "I have to, Rael. But you'll be okay. You've come so far. Don't forget that."

With one last look, Joey turned and walked away, the tug in his chest growing stronger. As he moved through the crowd, he felt the familiar pull of his departure. He was leaving Rael, leaving everything behind, but a small part of him would always remain in Rael's life.

And in Rael's heart.