Ceph fazed through the wall, into his own abode.
He yawned, and started rummaging around, looking for anything that might help the group. Bandages, miscellaneous ammo, anything that could be useful. He pulled a duffel bag from a corner, and started stuffing it with the items.
"Welcome back," A feminine voice said dryly.
Ceph closed his eyes, and sighed. "Hey, Tessa."
"What're you doing this time?"
"Helping." Ceph examined a dagger, before putting it into the bag and continuing. "I won't have a repeat of last time. We've been through this."
"Are you going to the city center?" Tessa asked gently.
Ceph paused, and stopped putting stuff in the duffel. "I don't know," he said softly, "I haven't been there in years."
"So, you haven't even confronted what happened?! You've shoved down your emotions, tried to forget that day, but for what? If you don't confront it soon, something is going to bring those feelings back, in full force, and you won't be ready for it."
Ceph tried to speak, but couldn't form the words. He turned, and looked Tessa in the eyes. "And why should I listen to you?" He said angrily.
"I'm just trying to-" Tessa started, but Ceph cut her off.
"You're not even real!" Ceph shouted. The shout seemed to echo around the room, and silence followed it. "You're not... real. You're gone, and so is Gilbert. You're both... gone."
"We've been gone for years, Ceph. It's just you and your imagination now. Just you. Go do something with it."
Ceph put a few radios in the bag, and zipped it up. "You're never going to let me forget it, are you?"
"Never," Tessa said, before fading from view.
"Damn woman," Ceph grumbled, "How I miss her."
Ceph put the duffel bag aside, and lied down.
What Tessa said rang through his mind. Maybe remembering what happened, all those years ago, would help.
...
Nah.
Ceph closed his eyes for a short nap, and let his mind wander.