Prisca's_Writing_Area

Title: Sorry
Fandom: Aftermath (2017)
Character: Roman Melnyk
Wordcount: 247
Rating: PG13

:::

After the court decision, they decided to transfer him to prison as quickly as possible for his safety. He didn't care; he had listened to the sentence unaffectedly. 10 Years! Because he had killed a man.

His lawyer had talked about fateful circumstances and said that he hadn't been in his right mind when he decided to visit Jacob Bonanos. The control tower operator in the evening when his world was broken down.

His wife: dead. His daughter: dead. His unborn grandchild: dead. Together with about 100 other people.

He had felt the eyes of most of the observers in the courtroom resting on him. Full of hate, full of sympathy, full of secret admiration. Some people hated him because he had killed an innocent man, a husband, a father. Some seemed to forgive him, pretended to understand his desperation and his deep grief, and talked about an emotional reaction he hadn't been able to control. And some called it poetic justice and looked up to him because he had refused to accept the compensation the flight company offered all families who had lost a loved one.

Feeling worn out, he closed his eyes and rested his head against the cold side window of the police car.

No one had tried to understand what had tormented him. What kept him awake all night. What he couldn't get out of his head. He didn't need any money or pity. Only three simple words. He had begged for them more than once, but no one had listened to him.

Three words, and maybe everything would have taken a different direction.

I am sorry!

Title: Unexpected news
Character: Delilah Profitt, Casey Connor
Word Count: 478
Prompt: unexpected
Finished: 03.05.2022

:::

To notice tears in Delilah's eyes was more than strange. „What's happened,“ Casey asked. „David Letterman canceled the interview on Saturday?“

Tears started to flow. „I am pregnant!“

„Oh. Woah.“ This was indeed unexpected. „Who is the dad?“

„This asshole!“ She sniffed. „Gabe. When I told him, all he said was that he's not willing to ruin his career for a baby.“

Casey smirked; well, maybe this was not a surprise. Delilah should have known better and not only date him because he was a famous football star. But that was so her; she would do all to stand in the center of the interest, at least for a while. Who, if not him, knew this best? Delilah had made him play the hero after the alien incident; she had even convinced him that pretending that they were in love would mean even more fame and money for both of them.

What a ridiculous idea, but thinking of his future, maybe going to a private photo school one day instead of a city college, had made him agree. He had regretted this decision soon, but Delilah hadn't been willing to stop as long as the media were still so interested in their story.

But now... Casey chewed at his bottom lip. „Well, I guess this means that we can't continue with our show for the media anymore,“ he murmured. "We should call Letterman, cancel the interview. It's over."

Delilah looked at him with her eyes wide open. „Do you know what you are talking about? They will ask for high compensation when we cancel so short notice. That's impossible.“

„Impossible it will be to tell the world that I am your baby's dad. At the latest, when it is born, we can't hide the truth any longer.“ Casey put his arm around her shoulder when she started trembling all over. „Hey, it was only a matter of time anyway; we both knew that we couldn't go on like that forever.“

She breathed in shakingly. „But I am so scared,“ she admitted. „Suddenly, my whole life is turned around, and I don't know what to do against it.“

„Oh, c'mon. So much self-pity? That's not you. You always find a way finally to get what you want. This is only a tiny interlude that won't stop you from going your way.“

„Thanks.“ A faint smile sneaked on her face. „I almost wish our love story would be more than just a fake, and you would be the baby's father.“

Slightly frowning, Casey let her go; this went in the wrong direction. The last he wanted was to raise false hopes. „Think twice, Del, the former geek from school and the cheerleader queen? This only works well in cheesy comedies. But I can be your friend, always there when you need a shoulder to lean on.“