{Forget Already} Where there's smoke, there's fire [Main Fiction] (Chapter 16)

I took a long time to write again! Sorry! Ah, I can't promise it won't happen again! Thanks anyway!

A little in between chapter. We go back to visit the gang! :))))

 

Warnings: mention of a burn, blood, temporary loss of control of body, death mention

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 Girtin's mouth is set into a hard line as he drives us back to town. His eyes are firmly set on the road, but occasionally I can feel like he is just waiting to ask me. I can feel the gears in his mind turning. Just every time that he opens his mouth to speak, to ask me what the heck is going on, something stops him. A little fragment of doubt makes him clench his jaw tighter and fall further and further into himself.

Christophe sits motionless in the backseat of the old pickup, bouncing along with the road like luggage. He, much like Girtin, hasn't spoken at all the entire trip. I keep looking at him in the side mirrors, but he doesn't even give me a second glance. His blank stare looks out the window, unfocused even through what must be unbearable pain. We were lucky that Girtin had something that could wrap it up, even if it didn't seem like it would help much. The further we drove away from the orphanage, the further he retreats into himself.

I don't really know why I care. Christophe probably should've stayed behind, Girtin's silence told me in no uncertain terms. If he hadn't been hurt I might have. He has answers, but to what I don't know. I'll just have to figure out the questions I have later. For now, I'd have to fix whatever darkness resided at Great Graces. I clenched my hands in silent rage. After all it's her fault this is happening to these people. My beef is with Death, not these two kids that were going to sacrifice me to her or whatever. She told them the lies that brought them to this point.

"What are we doing Diedre?" Girtin speaks hesitantly, softly. "What happened?" I swallow hard, carefully considering my options. I could spill everything, and risk Christophe freaking out or even finding out too much, or just the basics. It's an easy choice to me; how much Christophe knows could keep him safe. I'm not the kind of person who would throw him out, even if I want to. A little part of me still wishes I could, but it's so small I can safely ignore it.

"Something happened and I panicked. Christophe got hurt. We've just met, so I just want to get him some medical attention." I can tell from Girtin's initial silence that he doesn't believe me.

"Surrrrre. You'll tell me the rest later right?" He huffs. I nod stiffly, and don't say anything else. Girtin sighs, defeated. "We can't go to the hospital, but I know Ms. Ona has stuff in her house for burns." He stops talking after that and the conversation dies. I let it, knowing that I'll have some explaining to do once we get there.

-

Getting to the Ona household took less time than I thought it would. Left to my own thoughts, it felt like seconds. I just still don't know what I'm going to really say to Girtin and the others. Like: hey, this kid tried to get another kid to kill me, but he got hurt-. Even to myself it sounds like shit. Just somehow I have to convince everyone that Christophe ultimately is an asset towards Death. If that's not possible, then at least get him some burn cream and set him loose. I have no idea how to start the conversation.

Betha answers the door and instantly knows somethings wrong, her bright smile dimming when she sees Christophe. Our silence must've spoke volumes because she let us in without a word. I led the way, followed by Christophe and Girtin. Behind me I could hear Girtin huffing in annoyance, roughly pushing Christophe ahead of him, almost knocking into me. I pretend not to notice.

Silen is sitting on the living room couch, the ugly thing almost swallowing him whole. He looks up from the tv, a nature show is on about snakes. His eyes widen when he sees Christophe, completely overwhelming him, and he leaps up out of the room like a startled rabbit. No doubt he's getting his mom.

The woman in question quickly follows soon after, smiling distantly at the group, led by her son. She looks unfazed by the situation, like always. After her accident, she told me once, she learned to take every situation as it came, seeing as she could no longer look fear in the face. The memory fizzles in me as I look around the room in a daze. Ms. Ona is the first to speak.

"Oh, Diedre, dearie you're back so soon! I'm glad to hear from Silen that you're safe. It can get quite lonely here, but enough chit-chat. Silen told me that you made a 'friend' and he needs some burn cream. Is that right?"

 I nod lightly. Betha's head whipped around, eyes locked on to the blond's hand, walking over to take a look. Her suspicious gaze was lightly tinged with concern for the other boy. She pales at the damage, gingerly rotating his wrist. Walking over slowly, I almost do a double take: his hands are charred black, dry and frankly very dead looking. I blink rapidly at the sight. It wasn't like this before! After all how did I miss something this obviously bad? All Christophe does is look at them without much emotion on his face.

"What happened to you?" Betha asked Christophe slowly, not meeting his eyes for a time.

"I touched a boundary. My friend locked me out. It was a doorknob." He painfully replies, each word spoken deliberately to avoid revealing too much. Only the most important was let out, as he held the gate very closed at risk for his life. Although his head was kept down, bangs hiding his face, I could see the almost frantic movement of his eyes.

"The hospital was too far." Girtin adds, speaking to no one in particular.

"It's also closed, isn't that right Ms. Ona?" Betha mutters, turning away from Christophe and I. The white haired woman nodded serenely, blinking slightly. She absentmindedly begins to thread her fingers through Silen's hair.

"Yes, the Night closed it since there was no reason for it. I understand it's abandoned now, but I'm not sure how much is still inside. The shades rarely need medical attention."  She thoughtfully supplies. My ears perk up at the words. Shades? Night? Curiosity bubbles within me. Betha bites her lip, holding back a laugh at my expense. I guess I'm too obvious. Girtin coughs loudly.

"So is there anything you want to tell us Diedre?" Girtin speaks up, almost demanding. He speaks slowly and is gritting his teeth.

"Sure...where do you want me to start?" I acknowledge, meeting his eyes. They narrow slightly at that, but he raises his eyebrows to say, 'what do you think?'.

-

"Everyone knows about Great Graces, right? Well I went there and met Christophe. One thing led to another and there was this other kid, Dainin, who started acting crazy. Christophe tried to reason with him and then, next thing we knew, he kicked us both out. This guy panicked and grabbed the door handle, burning himself. There: now you're all caught up!" I shrug through the most tedious parts of the summary, trying to act like it didn't bother me.

"How can you make it seem so simple!?" A very conflicted shuddering voice asked, looking up I noticed Christophe, his green, sometimes blue, eyes wide, pupils dilated. He was sweating and beginning to breathe hard.  I saw Girtin's grip on the blond's sweater: a death grip. So even he sensed something was missing. Boy, am I easy to read?

"Well they might have mentioned wanting to sacrifice me, but that was before Christophe distracted him. Otherwise that was the plan, well from what I could gather. Right?" I try to look at Christophe, but he dropped his eyes to the ground, refusing to look at me again. He does nod lightly. I can see Girtin shake in apparent anger, but he will do nothing, not yet.

Betha shakes her head wildly," You can't be serious! Did you really think that killing Diedre was going to appease...Her? Why would you do it do someone you just met!? I mean-"

"Betha..." Silen whimpers, pulling himself towards her, as she lost her words; as she was shaking too much to think, much less speak. "Why would Diedre bring him back?" Everyone turns to him, utterly shocked. He hasn't left his spot in Betha's side, but he continues:" Shouldn't we trust her? Diedre knows what she's doing. She wouldn't have done this if she didn't want to."

"Exactly right, sweetie." Ms. Ona agreed. "Diedre is a kind girl, she always has been, ever since she was a little one." Betha and Girtin quickly begin to look guilty.

"Well, it's not a big deal or anything, but I was thinking he'd help me get back at Death." I shrug. "I mean, it's worth a shot. These guys don't just wake up in the morning deciding to kill me. She's led them to it."

---

-What makes you think I'd let you?-

The hollow voice of Death bleeds out of Christophe before he slumps forward, almost hitting the glass coffee table, Girtin catching him just in time. He curses loudly, much to Ms. Ona's displeasure. She gives him a look in which he mumbles a quick 'sorry'. I smile a little. My heart begins to settle after that; knowing Girtin hasn't changed at all brings me relief, allowing me to relax a bit. It gives me a chance to think about the situation.

 We heard that, we all heard what she said. It's not the first time this has happened, first was Ether, but this guy isn't at all related to her. I just didn't know that she could speak through other people, regular people. I had no doubt that Ether wasn't human, but Christophe, he's human right? I look to the unconscious boy, as the two beside him, Betha and Girtin, pull him gently back on the couch. I'm shocked to see that even though he never even hit the glass, his nose had a gentle stream of purplish blood. Betha quicker than I was, grabbed her handkerchief, mopping the blood in an effort to contain it. She grit her teeth, giving a quick look at Girtin and I; he mouthed 'Silen can't know'. We both nod. This would only freak him out, right? I hadn't even noticed that he'd moved back to the table with his mother.

Girtin decides to pull him and his mother away. They were a little suspicious, but didn't say anything; I figure that Ms. Ona has caught on once we got real quiet. Betha grimly smiles as she continues to hold the napkin, once white now a deep purple.

"We need to wait for him to wake up." Betha muttered, mostly to herself, but aloud enough for me to hear. "What do you think?"

"I think it'll be much easier with Dainin if we had Christophe." Betha doesn't like that.

"You'd bring him back there?" Betha grimaced. "What are you going to do?"

"The other guy, Dainin, if the two of them were actually friends, would probably relax if he was there. I think he was being controlled. I guess it was the Darkness, but it felt weird. I'll just rough him up a bit, get him to calm down, and figure out why he's still here. Simple. Easy. I have don't have a plan B, so I hope the heck it work." I grit my teeth at the last bit, utterly frustrated with how this is going. Sure I guess I didn't want to give up, but I don't know why this stuff has to get so freaking complicated.

-

"Maybe I should tell you a story..." Christophe's weak voice startled the two of us, Betha finally releasing the tissue from his face. He looks at the flecks of purple on his finger tips, and I realized that his hands were back to normal. Looking up at me, he sighs and explains:" It's when I get stressed out, the books at the orphanage say that it's a trauma response. I have no idea who wrote them, but it seems like that's all I've got. The burns, I mean, not the blood. She caused that."

"Death." I spat, but his eyes only widened. 

"The Darkness can do what it wants, we are her children. She lets us live here after all." Christophe says as a matter of fact, like it's gospel.

"I'm just going to ignore that!" angrily I mutter to him, not liking what I'm hearing. I poke my finger square into his chest. "You will tell me what you know! THEN, we are going back to your friend, and you are going to help me help him." Not even Betha's astonished call of my name could get me to calm down. Oh no, you don't just get to give her any reverence. She may call herself a goddess, but she isn't someone you should be worshiping. Is that what he's even doing? Or is he keeping himself safe, just in case she's listening like before? I don't really care much. I've decided on what I'm going to do, screw anything else.

I'm tired of just waiting around for her to hurt someone else! It's getting exhausting just hearing about it.

"Guess I'll get the truck started." Girtin sighed, swinging his arms as he left without another word.

We look at each other for a bit, before Betha looks at Christophe one last time.

"Well, it's just been you and your friend right?" She smiles at him like she does at Silen, a soothing and open smile. Often this one accompanies a bandage, but today, a smile is all he gets.

"I guess I did offer...didn't I?"

"This may seem callous but I need to know everything so I can be ready for anything."

"Plus wouldn't you feel so much better just letting it out? But don't do it just because we told you to, do what you feel comfortable with." Betha adds softly. Christophe looks down and nods slightly.

-

I know I didn't do anything to be left there are the orphanage. I just latched onto Dainin, since he was picked on so much. He was nice, funny, and seemed to like being around me. I don't think he knew what he was doing all the time. He'd freak out and yell at kids, and swipe matches to start little fires.

The people that ran the place would just pray he'd get better and that would be that.

It just got bad one day and he ran up to the attic on a visitor day. I don't know what exactly happened. Just everyone was running and freaking out. Once I got out I noticed he wasn't there, so I ran back in.

So I died, easy. Not much more I can say.

-

"But that's so horrible." Betha said, mostly to herself. 

"Not much to it." Christophe shrugged. "Dainin means the world to me. If there's anyway I can stop him from being killed again, I would do anything. I don't care what it is, as long as we can stay together."

"Ok, let's go then." I announce, "Girtin has got to be waiting on us."

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"They are gone now." I mumble, squatting down to the ground to get a better look at his face. "Do you want me to get you some bandaids?"

"No."  Dainin whisphers. He doesn't look like wants to talk to me, his eyes are darting around the room, wanting to look at anything that isn't my face. He's starting to breath heavily, and suddenly he pushes me away from him. I fall down and land hard on my back. Startled I yell out, grabbing for air. There's nothing to break my fall. Lifting my head, I can see that he hadn't moved an inch. We just stare at each other, not wanting to break the fragile, whatever this is, that we have here. The scared look in his eyes doesn't leave.

"Oh..." I start, before stopping myself, realization hitting me. "I'm not going to hurt you. No one is going to hurt you anymore. They took that too far, you weren't doing anything to them!"

He doesn't answer and instead looks away. Then he starts to bite his lip, causing it to bleed. This gives me a start, and I hastily grab a box of tissues on my side and dab his lip. Dainin starts to shake again. I try to lighten the mood a little with conversation.

"Your name is Dainin, right?" I ask, sitting down beside him.

"Why are you so nice to me?" He asks, ignoring my small talk, pulling his knees up to his chin before looking away from me.

"You honestly act like you don't deserve it." He starts to shake and sob beside me, putting his head down on top of his knees.

"I don't- I don't deserve anything nice."

"That's a lie." He turns to me shocked, eyes wide with his tear streaked face, sniffling a little. I brush the bangs out of his eyes.

"Of all the people I've met here, you deserve happiness the most." I take a deep breath before continuing. "The other kids here are total brats! They just get all over you and expect you to let them. Like honestly, have some class!" I snort a little in my anger, the suddenness causing him to look away. "Dainin, you on the hand. Are a gentle, kind, intelligent person. You just need to have a little space and a little time and l-love to get on your own level. You are better than them in almost every way. Don't let them tell you that you are trash! Because you and I both know that it isn't true at all!

"You can't mean that! That isn't- it isn't true." Dainin starts to close in on himself. He keeps opening and closing his hands rapidly, trying to comfort himself. That's it, I've made up my mind.

"It is and I'm going to keep staying by your side until you believe it." I proclaim, utterly and hopelessly hurting for him. "Can I give you a hug, or someting? We don't have to do it, if it makes you feel uncomfortable-"

Suddenly I'm enveloped in a tight hug, and I don't want to let go. I relax, after tensing unconsciously, and allow my head to fall onto his.  I breathe in his smell, of the cheap shampoo we all use. Of the scratchy sweater you wear. I can hear tears and I can't help it, tears leaving my eyes as well. It feels so nice to hold someone, to protect them. The warmth in my heart that had left me when mom did. Being so unlucky, that we, the both of us, were lost to society. This place was killing us, we couldn't let it. We had to learn how to support each other. We had to know what it meant when people talked about unconditional love.

I won't have you lose yourself to despair. Only after a few months of knowing Dainin, I knew I couldn't leave him alone. I won't let you go.

-

Even in death I'll always be there for you!

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It felt like a good stopping point here.

More to come!

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Chapter 15 (Linky) - Chapter 16 (you are here) --> Chapter 17 (not yet)

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{Forget Already} The meaning of [Main Fiction] (Chapter 15)

 Warnings: brief altered state, more light cursing (:0)

Eh if anything I've glossed over much of the potentially bad stuff. May change later, but that will be reflected later.

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 I set out the next morning. I would liked to have stayed a couple of days longer, but in the end instinct won out. Something told me that I had to keep moving. There was really no reason for me to stay; as much as it hurt. Just finish the job and go home. I briefly think about this before moving further down the road.

Girtin had offered to come. He'd shyly mentioned that he'd started to learn how to drive and that he could take me around. Ms. Ona had laughed at that from the kitchen, making some food to take with me. Silen grinned and gleefully told me about the last time he'd ridden with Girtin and his mom. It didn't end well apparently; Girtin blushing with shame. Smiling at that, I had to gently let him down. Yes, I wanted him to come. Especially if I needed backup or something, but at the same time I couldn't let him, or anyone else, get hurt. Leaving by myself was my way of protecting them; doing what I was told to do, biting the bullet, was my way of protecting them.

Zoning back in, I keep walking down this dirt road, and hope I figure out where I'm supposed to go. The people I care about are accounted for, so it's not someone I know. Thinking back, did she even say it would be people I know? Does it even matter at this point? I guess it does, but I can't do anything about what that woman is thinking. I think it might be more productive right now to just do what she says.

I'm back at the sign from before: the one that points to the Mechan Forest and the orphanage. Staring at the sign, I notice that something's different. I can see there's a small handmade poster, drawn with what looks like crayon and marker. It's very childish. The poster has a lot of flowers on it. Squinting a little, I read what's on it:

Come to the Daffodil festival! The flowers come in all sorts of sizes; ones even tower over the city skyscrapers! It'll be a lovely time, so come over! Food and drink provided. Free admission! Artist on site takes commissions. Located in the fields next to Great Graces Orphanage.

I hadn't seen this when I came before. Glancing at the poster, it wasn't wet or dirty, and it looked like it was just put up less than a day ago. Huffing a little, feeling a little led on, I decide to follow the lead. I guess this is as good of a start as any.

-Don't you want to see what's over there?-

-Maybe it'll be interesting, but don't blame me if you get hurt.-

That little voice speaks to me in the back of my head. I want to rebel against it. After all who listens to weird spirits that think your mind is a message board. Right, I do. It's even more obvious to me now that I should head that way. 

-Be careful-

Another voice interjects my train of thought. The first voice felt feminine, but this one was male. I suppose I have a couple of ghost friends stalking me, again. It didn't sound/feel very familiar, at least from what I could tell. I wonder if the longer I'm here, the more I'll start collecting. But it doesn't seem very productive to dwell on it, so I'm just going to walk towards the orphanage.

It doesn't take me long to see the flowers. Giant flowers. Daffodils towering far above me. If I needed even more of a hint that I wasn't in Kansas anymore, this was another one of them. They peaked over the regular sized trees that provided the border between the Mechan forest and the plains the city rested upon. I guess I'm going the right way; just a feeling I guess. 

Getting closer I can see the fields of flowers, all yellow, all on one side of the road to my left. Further down I could see a mobile home, resting upon cement blocks, with a smaller identical building beside it. Was this the orphanage? It looks like a shack. 

Suddenly distracted, I start looking at a smaller clearing in the flower fields. Why was this cleared? I couldn't see for sure from this distance, but it looked like a little garden. It doesn't take long to confirm that. It looks well kept. All sorts of things are growing there: veggies and stuff. I'm a little impressed, but only because I haven't been able to grow anything in my life.

Growing a little bored, I try to see if I can 'sense' anything nearby. Closing my eyes, I turn in place, spinning slowly until I feel the urge to stop. I've never been able to do this for very long, stopping as soon as I feel even a little dizzy. My outstretched hand points to the trailer. I guess maybe someone does live there. I feel a little disappointed, seeing as that's a pretty obvious place to check. But, I remind myself, sometimes the best place to look is the obvious ones. Sure that line of thinking has its flaws but it's the best lead I've got right now.

The trailer home before me is a wide reddish violet building with a black metal roof. Wooden stairs to a porch lead up to the door. Flowers adorn the window boxes, giving the building an aura of warmth; it was like someone really wanted the building to become home. It wasn't perfect, I noticed as I walked closer, and up the stairs; the siding was falling off and the roof looked like it was caved in a little, like it had water damage. A small sign next to the door said,"Great Graces Orphanage". Good, I just confirmed what I had been thinking for a while; I was at the right place. I tried to feel for some malignant energy.  Feeling, strangely, nothing of note, I rang the door bell.

Once I rang it, I waited. I couldn't hear anything at first, as much as I waited to, there was just the feeling like I was being watched. Just once I felt like I had stood there long enough, and had started to turn around, the door swung open.

There stood a blond teenager in a blue turtle neck, staring at me. They had longish hair and a slim build, so I couldn't really tell if they were a boy or girl. Just the only thing that I could see that pointed to them being a boy was a strange name tag on their chest, reading: Christophe. Guessing guy.

"Can I help you, miss?" he evenly asked, not betraying any emotion, but his eyes were wide, and he griped his pants leg nervously. He kept glancing at my hair.

"Oh, I was just in the area, and got lost." I lie. "I'm new to the area and was wondering if you could give me some directions; maybe to a payphone or a gas station." He seemed to consider this information before nodding to himself.

"We have a phone inside, if you'd like to take a rest." He softly smiles; it looks pained.

"If that's ok?! I'd appreciate it!" I sputter, acting seemingly grateful. Honestly though, I am pretty tired. Sitting down for a bit does sound nice.

The tall boy steps out of the way to let me in the door. Walking in to the foyer, I look around for any strange occurrences. The room seems normal, if not cramped and kind of ugly. (I'm not sure what color the carpet is but it didn't start out this green.) To be nice: it was a dated look; I think Betha might like the furniture but not the color.

It was a stark contrast to the clean straight lines of Christophe and how he dressed. Nothing was really wrinkled and while the colors he wore kind of clashed (like I have any room to speak) it looked good on him. Just looking at him, he might've been Silen's age; Silen was the youngest of our friend group and was thirteen, when he was alive. Aside from that, I noticed idly how high his turtle neck went, but decided to ignore it; maybe he got cold in here? It was very cold in here, like the thermostat was broken stuck at freezing. I am suddenly grateful for my jacket.

"It's strange to see someone so far from the city. After everyone else left the orphanage it's just been Dainin and me. Well, the school closed down, then everyone moved, so it was a gradual thing." Christophe conversationally supplied, sounding more relaxed than he looked. "Oh, I forgot to actually introduce myself. It's Christophe." He smiles and holds out his hand.

"Diedre." I grasp his hand, before softly gasping.

-

It's so hot here. Sweltering. Running towards the attic, climbing the stairs. Where is he? There just so much fire. He can't be. Oh. No. No. It hurts. The fires overtake everything. It hurts! Everything hurts. My skin-

-

I shock back into my skin. Recoiling inside myself, I try to look back at him, but he refuses to meet my gaze for long.

"Ah, it's nice to meet you, Diedre!" He grins hollowly at me. Christophe sits down at small stool nearby, not getting in a hurry. "It's a lovely day today, isn't it? Have you seen the posters for the Daffodil Festival I put up?"

"Oh, I have! It was on a sign post, near town, right? But-" I hesitate a little," there's no one here? Is it still going on? Did I miss it? I was a little curious about it."

"Oh, it's fine. It happens every year like this! Heh. I try every year to get people to come and view the flowers with us, Dainin and I, but there's no one that ever comes. It's just such a shame, really." He sighs dramatically. Then suddenly, without much warning, he brightens," Oh, but would you stay with us? Surely you saw that super big one, it hasn't bloomed yet for some reason. Even though the daffodil is the first flower to bloom for spring...-" Christophe drifts off, his thinking distracting him from his surroundings. I take a glance at his hands on a whim, his fingers are caked with dirt. It clashes with the orderly appearance he has. Though at this point, what hasn't? His appearance, behaviors, all tell me a different story from what he's telling me; I would know since I've dealt with people and their secrets. 

Every second he gets, he glances at my hair, trying to do it when he thinks I'm not looking. I've dealt with people's stares at my stark red hair my entire life, and have a pretty good idea of what goes through their heads when they see it. Something about his way of speaking sets me on edge. I wish I could put my finger on it, but I like to think my intuition is pretty good on these things. Looking down at the hand that shook his, remembering the emotions I received from him. Pain. Heat. Suffering. I knew he was dead like the others, but seeing as I didn't know him, I had no idea why he was here. It would clear some things up if this was a true afterlife and/or purgatory. People don't have to know me to be in these. After all how stupid is that? I feel dumb for even thinking that was the case. 

Wait, I thought there was two people that lived here? I've seen Christophe, but where was Dainin? I'd spent so much time thinking about the kid in front of me, that I hadn't even noticed the one that was missing; how could I have missed him, it was so quiet in here.

"Would you like some lemonade?" Christophe suddenly asked, smiling brightly, getting up and going into another room before I could even respond. I'm starting to feel very suspicious of the blond teen. Just, at the same time, I'm trying to tell myself that I'm jumping to conclusions. Feeling a bit torn on the situation at a hole, I suppose it's best to wait it out and see.

Not even a couple minutes later, I have a cold glass of lemonade given to me by Christophe. He has another drink, darker in color, I guessed it was iced tea, in his hand. Try it, he says to me, Dainin loves my lemonade.

"You keep mentioning Dainin, but he hasn't come around, has he? Where he is?" I ask conversationally, stirring my lemonade with the straw provided. The ice clinks a little as I do so. Why ice, I wonder to myself, it's so cold in here?

"Oh, Dainin, Dainin's around doing chores. Right, he's cleaning up the attic, looking for something for the festival. I'm taking a break from making food, so that's my part of the thing, if you were wondering. If you stay later, we'll see him." He smiles widely at me, closing his eyes slightly. He tucks his long hair behind both of his ears, getting it out of his eyes.  There's no smell of food in this house. Nothing has been cooking in here. How can he just have finished anything? Unless everything was sandwiches or cold food, but really? The pit in my stomach grows a little, but I decide to ignore it; after all getting into trouble is my job now, I guess.

I take a long draw out of the straw, watching Christophe's reaction the entire time. Nothing happens immediately, but I have a think that'll change in a little. He reacts very little, but he does smile a little; I almost don't notice, but I do since I'm looking for it. We'll just have to see how I react to it.

"Actually you know, why don't we go say hi. You don't have to help or anything, but he's been at it for awhile. I think maybe he deserves a break, don't you think? It'd be nice if he met our guest." Christophe is speaking fast, too fast, almost to himself really. I just nod. I can't stop myself, it's just so easy to agree. Coldness enters my stomach, sobering me a little. So that's what it is. Narrowing my eyes I stand up, but say nothing else. I just have to wait.

-

She'll come and change everything. How can one person be so powerful? Remove the boundaries of lies and won't be afraid of fire. Who's that powerful? Only Lady Death is, why would she say that to us? I can't falter. I can't stop now that I've gone this far. I have to keep going.

I hate you. I hate you. You are the worst. Why did you have to come? Everything about you makes me sick! Especially your red hair! It's the color of fire, the color of death.

-

I flicker back to the stairs leading up to the attic. Christophe is talking to me.

"I've got to get you to Dainin, he'll get better, and you'll-you'll go away. It's so easy. Anyone can do it. We've got to do it. I hope this works. I'll sacrifice even you if that means everything can go back to the way it was before."

"So what's up with him? He sick or something?" Christophe rapidly turns around. He eyes are wide with fear, and his expression is leaning towards unhinged. I can hear his breathing pick up. "Come on, just tell me. I mean, while we're being honest, why don't you tell me what you're doing here? What did you do to the lemonade? It was a strong one, but you don't know how to make them. Fess up and I'll help you."

"Why?" He whispered. "Don't you just want to kill us? Get rid of us? She told you to reap our souls."

"Who told you that?! I'm just trying to get home!" I sputter. "Who said anything about killing anybody?" He doesn't even seem to consider that, but retorts back all the same:

"Oh don't lie to me, Miss Reaper. You know exactly what you're doing here! Why else would you come to some dumb flower festival? I only did that to lure people here, so Dainin and I could- no. No. No, you can't fool me! I'm not going to be tricked by you! Oh no." He snaps, quickly turning up to the ladder, and begins shouting at the top of his lungs," Dainin! She's here! Help me, please!"

"OK." A younger male voice calls, immediately after, not wasting a second. "I'm coming down, Christophe." the voice teases, seemingly ignorant of the severity of the situation. Giggles can be heard from above, growing in volume, getting closer and closer. I can see Christophe stiffening up a little. A boy with lime green hair and pink eyes pops his head over the railing in the attic. I can now see why Christophe is so unhinged about all this: Dainin does not look well. He is extremely pale in the face, and I can see the streaks of purple on his cheeks, running in tear tracks down his face. A smile much too wide is on his face, widening further once he looks at me.

"You brought her, Christophe, oh good job! I did say for her to be in the attic with me, since that's where all my tools are, but it's ok! I forgive you! You'll just have to make it up to me later." I could see Christophe shake in front of me, but nodding stiffly at that.

"Yes, she's here." He turns back to me, his expression is one of pain. Biting his lip a little, he calls back: "But, she can help us. She broke through the hypnotism so easily and can't be poisoned. I think, she could put in a good word with her, and we'll be-" His pleas are broken by Dainin's laughter. I'm a little dumbfounded as well, but I look back up to Dainin.

"Why do you believe her? She was sent here to kill us. She told us what would happen. You were there, Christophe, don't tell me you suddenly don't believer her of all people."

"I- I just can't do it!" Christophe's voice cracks with emotion, hands turning white from gripping them so tightly. "I can't kill her...I can't let you become a murderer...-" 

"-again. YOU can't let me become a murderer again. How pathetic! Didn't you say you were going to protect me?" Suddenly he's in front of us, sitting on the ladder. I take a step back, the malevolent energy radiating off of him. "You are such a weakling, Christophe. I can't believe you wont do it. Maybe I should let you get what's coming to you! Trust her! Fine, enjoy your new forever friend, Christophe. Maybe your final sacrifice will be the one that will bring you to the heavens." He points to us, his hollow eyes a contrast to his bold words, and smiles wide.

The room goes black and Dainin laughs, his weird shuddering laugh echoing around us. He laughs and laughs. 

-

We are on the grass outside, Christophe and I. Without much warning he runs to the door of the trailer, grabbing the handle, before screaming, falling back onto the hard wooden porch. I race over to him. He is grasping his hand with the other at with such a force like he's suddenly afraid of it. The hand is burned, severely. Christophe is instantly in tears, almost inconsolable, with rapid panting breaths. He's in shock. 

I can't do anything about this. What am I supposed to do about this? It happened so fast. I suppose I should get Christophe out of the area before he passes out or anything. Something tells me he's already done that, considering how quiet he's being. I take a long look at him beside me, low and behold, already on the ground without much fanfare.

I should just leave him here, but I can't. Looking at the palms of his hands makes me sick to my stomach. Something in me feels bad for how the last, by the time on my phone, twenty minutes have gone. I internally grimace at the short amount of time it took for this to go to crap. Melodramatic really but I am dealing with teenagers; not that I have any room to talk shit though, I remind myself bitterly.

I quickly look up the nearest hospital on the phone; somehow it has internet? The webpage has only one result: Holy Hope Hospital. Just it looks too far and also shut down. Just like everything else around here. Great. I mean, he is dead, but that looked like it hurt.

Well, I could call Girtin.

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Welcome to the new year. :0

Oh boy do I hate it. :))))

But you have to keep going! Sorry it was short, might come back and do some editing later. I'm getting tired of looking at this in my drafts, and so for now please accept. :)

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---Chapter Navigation--

Chapter 14 (Linky) - Chapter 15 (you are here) --> Chapter 16 (Linky)

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{Forget Already} Promise me [Main Fiction] (Chapter 14)

Hi! Sorry it's been taking so long on updates. I've been having a lot of issues with writing anything lately, and hit a road block. I have a roadmap of where I want the story to go, but it's the little details. Ahhhh. It's really annoying sometimes.

This is really a between type chapter, wrapping up the events that took place in the first part. I'll try to start the next bit sooner rather than later. Fingers crossed. :)))

Warning: processing stuff

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It didn't make sense to go anywhere else after that. We had to go back to Betha's house. Well it's not like she could go anywhere else with us. Betha can't leave the forest for some reason. She's told me time and time again, but won't elaborate on why. I can't help but think that the time for that is going to be coming soon. I need to ask her. If it's a curse or something I can break it surely. Is that even a thing here? It really doesn't matter. Sure I won't know how, but it'll be better if I can a least try to help. This stupid scythe has to be good for something. What's the point to this stupid thing after all? Feeling it's weight in the back of my mind, I start to doubt myself.

What's the point of me being here anyway? I keep getting my ass kicked every time something/someone tries to attack me or someone I care about. My pride can only take so much. I can only take so much. I'm starting to seriously wonder why I was even chosen for this stupid task...thing. It's starting to become very obvious to me that Death has a few screws loose; I guess I do too since I'm still here. It's not like I have another way out of here.

At least there's nothing broken this time. My friends are still trying to be cautious and we are taking it slowly; going slowly back to Betha's house and the destruction that Ether did to it. I can see the door still on the ground in the clearing beyond the trees. By the way that Betha stiffens up, so does she. Regardless of how she views the place: a jail or home, it still sucks to be reminded of the last couple of hours.

"Well." Betha finally whispers, sighing loudly through her nose. I can feel her deflate. I grip her arm, trying to remind her that I'm here for her.

"Right, let's just go in. I'll find a curtain or something." Girtin urges lightly. His determined expression calms me down a little. At least he hasn't given up, right? He leads us to the doorway, not looking at the door on the ground as we pass it. Betha doesn't either.

Once we enter the threshold of the building I take in the extent of the damage. It wasn't that bad, all things considered. Betha was lucky; a couple of overturned chairs and broken cups was better than- I don't even want to think. It's hard not to allow myself to imagine what it could've been like. I shake myself lightly. I can't just think about that. 

I am led to the couch, a ratty purple thing that looked older than sin. I didn't sink too far into it. Which was a good thing being as sore as I was. I must have overestimated my injures earlier, but that didn't mean I wasn't tender. My throat hurt the most. I could still feel Ether's cold slender hands on my neck. I shudder to myself. Girtin's head bobbed up, alert.

"We're working on the heating situation, hang tight. Do you need a blanket? Let me get you one." Girtin walks off without me even speaking. I huff but say nothing. Betha shakes me suddenly, urgently.

"Let me get you some clothes to wear. They aren't damp anymore, but you look like you could use a clean set. I'm sure I have some things that would suit you. I might have some jeans, but I'm not sure if they'd fit." She hums to herself, thoughtful. "Unless you would like a skirt?" Her eyebrows dart up at that.

"Ahhh, no." I declare, crossing my arms in a big 'x'. "I'll pass on the skirt. I had enough of that growing up. Mom just went crazy for dresses, you know that. No, thank you!" Betha just giggles at that, apologizing to me but not sorry at all.

"I know, Diedre. I'm just teasing you. Come on! Let me help you up. We'll go in my room so you can have some privacy." She leads the way to a small room that branches down a hallway from the living room.

-

The moment we crossed the doorway of the room I could feel that the air had changed. Colder. More solemn. Betha just walks to the window and grabs something in a small dresser.

"Diedre, thank you for listening to my request and keeping Silen safe." Betha smiled solemnly. "I don't think I could ever be as brave as you. Actually, I'm just scared. I'm scared of going back home and seeing what it looks like now. I know I'm not alive anymore, but I'm just so scared."

"Diedre I've been lying to you all this time. Well, maybe not, but I just want you to understand." I nod my head to that.

"No one is stopping me from leaving the forest. It's just the fear, it's me. That's what's it's always been..." Betha trails off, getting quiet, she slowly sits on the bed. Her hands grip each other on her lap, like she's fighting with herself. Then she suddenly faces me, eyes wide with shock. "Oh, no- no I'm sorry I forgot to give you the clothes. You-you got hurt. I let you get hurt. I couldn't do anything." Betha stares blankly at her hands, seemingly unable to cry. She sniffles a little. "No. There isn't anything I can do now. I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry about Betha?" I ask her, frowning a little. "You had no idea that Death would do that. Ya sure you being in one place made you 'easier' to track, but I bet even if you were at your old house, it would be the same as if Silen or Girtin was taken. I mean, I'd still come to save you; you are my friend after all."

"Look if you don't want to go to the city, you don't have to. If being out here makes you feel safe, then that's fine. I'll still visit." She nods slowly, handing me a bundle of clothes. I turn around and face the opposite wall, feeling nervous.

"I know what you're saying, Diedre. I don't want you to get the wrong idea about what I'm saying. I have to go, and what I'm asking you is for you to come with me. Well, you and Girtin, but you get what I'm saying." She hesitates, twiddling her fingers. "I'm leaving this place. I can't take living alone anymore."

I nod, finally turning around to face Betha. She smiles at me, tension releasing from the shoulders. I feel something being handing to me: a small vial of some unknown ruby colored liquid.

"This is kind of cheating, but I have this. It's a healing thing. You know, like in video games." She sheepishly hands it to me. "I don't have much, but this should do for your wounds and pain. It tastes horrible, so be ready."

I'm not a stranger to downing cough syrup or whatever weird concoction my mom put me up to, back when she was trying to save money. I just knock it back. Betha carefully watches my reaction, her unsettled expression not fading until I finish the vial. I shrug lazily. It doesn't taste bad, per se, but it is extremely herbal. It tastes a bit like dirt. I've had much worse. At least it doesn't have alcohol in it.

"So how do you feel?" Betha smiles, face relaxing, and she sits on the bed, folding her hands over her lap. How do I feel? My neck doesn't hurt and I can move it without any pain. It doesn't hurt to breathe. I just nod, giving Betha a small smile for her efforts. "I don't want to sound selfish, but I wanted to make sure you were well enough for the journey tomorrow. I need to go as soon as possible."

"Oh, yea, I get it. Betha. Look. It's ok." I smile down at her. "I was wondering about getting there, but hey, I don't hurt anymore. I can make the trip!" Betha laughs halfheartedly at my attempt at bravado. I'll take what I can get.

Not so distantly I can hear Girtin run down the hallway to the door, hurriedly knocking.

"Hey, Betha, you know you have like no food right? What is Diedre going to eat? All you have is the purple stuff! Not even-" Betha just gets up, straightens out her face, and stomps to the door; she yoinks it open, much to Girtin's surprise. (I guess he figured I was changing, as his face was red for like two seconds...)

"I'll have you know that the 'purple stuff' is extremely nutritious and completely edible! We've been through this Girtin!" Betha huffs. "Besides, it can 'look' like food, you just need to be creative!" All he does is sigh to that, rolling his eyes. He jams his hands in his pockets.

"I guess I'm starving tonight. Good night, ladies, I'm getting an early start." And with that, he leaves to the guest room (I'm assuming), and closes the door before Betha can grab him.

We just look at each other. Betha grumbling to herself; sounding a lot like 'why is he like this?'.

"I'll give it a try, but no promises Betha. If it's gross I'm spitting it out." I say over my shoulder, walking over to the kitchen I saw earlier from the couch.

-

I lay on the couch, exausted after Betha's worried insisting that she or Girtin (her obvious pick) take the couch. I had to keep telling her that it was fine. It wouldn't seem right that I take her bed or that we wake Girtin up. It's just one night. It took time, but she finally caved after I took three blankets from her (to make it more comfortable, she said). Sighing and finally relaxing into the covers I try to think about nothing, emptying my mind. Staring at the ceiling, I count sheep; it's never helped much, but at this point I'd try anything. Relax. Relax. I have to sleep before-

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-

I'm somewhere warm, comforting, and familiar.

-

I'm sideways, on a pillow on someone's lap. A hand in gently stroking my hair, smoothing the cowlicks and untangling the knots. Groggily I stir a little, trying to get a look at the person. The hand stops.

-Ah, I woke you up. Sorry, sweetheart.-

The voice is male. I don't remember who this is. Maybe it's another something I've forgotten. Another memory I've locked away. Shame leaks into my heart.

-Was it a bad dream?-

The voice is like honey in my ears. It washes away the bitterness. I'm lulled into a childish mindset, one that promises that everything is going to be ok. I let it for once.

-I have bad dreams too. It might help if you talk about it. Once you talk about it, you can see how small your worries are.-

I can't talk. I can't ask the questions I want. A small childish voice comes from my mouth instead. A story about mommy, daddy, and XXXXXX leaving me behind. A childish fear, but it happened anyway, I think bitterly.

-I couldn't sleep. I couldn't stop thinking about the same thing.-

-You and I are so alike sweetheart. I'm sorry. I wish it could be different.-

-But. I will try my best not to ever have to leave you or your mother or your XXXXXX. Life has a way of bending your will to fit fate's design. I might have to go away, but you and I will always be apart of each other.-

-No matter what happens: I will always love you, sweetheart. Daddy will always love you. Mommy will always love you. Nothing you do will change that.-

A childish voice, once that I finally realize is mine, declares that she'll always protect her Daddy and that she'll never leave him. She nuzzles into him, turning up to see just enough of the fiery red hair, pushed messily over his face. His faltering smile is all I can see at first, but she doesn't see that. She doesn't see the tears streaking down his face, lips quivering, and deep shadows under his eyes. All she sees is the father who's always been there for her. Finally she notices, when some tears hit her face, and she asks what's wrong.

-Promise me that you'll protect them. Your family needs you, just like you need them.-

Why do you act like you know you are going away? Why do you know? Why does this feel like you're saying good bye? But the little girl doesn't know the future, she only knows what's important now, so she wholeheartedly promises.

-Your mother and I love you so much, Diedre.-

The pit in my heart grows, no longer soothed by the presence of a father I can barely remember. I know now why I didn't want to remember this one. What happens after this? I don't remember.-

----

I shudder awake with a phantom kiss on my forehead. My blankets are on the floor. Both Girtin and Betha are chatting over some food. They quickly eat what they are holding and look at me worried.

"We were just about to wake you up, but Betha said no." Girtin laughs smugly, poking his finger at her.

"It's not even that far into the morning, we have a three hour walk. It's 'fine' Girtin." Betha mocks him.

"What were you eating? I thought Betha's food was purple." I ask. Girtin clams up, mouth pressed into a worried frown.

"Ha-ah it was hiding. I had no idea, but she had a secret stash of....-" Girtin spudders wildly.

"-Poptarts." Betha interjects," Sorry these were the last ones. Besides don't you hate smores? Or did you gain some good taste?" She laughs at her joke, briefly, before flashing her most innocent expressions at me.

"Drugged poptarts?" I smirk. Betha's scandalized expression is almost worth it. All Girtin does is laugh wildly at her expression, holding his stomach. He chokes a little before stopping.

"NO!" Betha shrieks,"Maybe it would be best for you to start getting ready to walk, we have a long way to go!!" She hurriedly grabs me and gets me ready, against my will. Feeling more like a doll than a person, I let myself wonder about that.

Huh. Poptarts don't glow. Maybe they were eating bugs?

-

The hours pass slowly as we walk together. The weather is pleasant, but I'm still on edge after meeting Ether. Maybe I let myself pretend I was relaxing when I was at Betha's old house, but they're always at the back of my mind. Those creepy soulless eyes, pushing me further and further into the water. I shake myself, trying to focus on walking, trying to avoid panic. Let's try not to do that today, I bitterly tell myself. Girtin notices me and purposely bumps into me.

"Hey dumbass, what'cha thinking about? Better not be Betha's sorry cooking. She'd murder me if she heard that." Girtin whispered. "Come on, Diedre, you're obvi really hung up about something. Is it the drugged poptarts? If I find anymore-"

"It's about Ether. I can't get him out of my head." I confess. Girtin clams up, good humor gone.

"He's gone now, Diedre." Was all that Giritin told me before he lost his nerve. He grabs my hand.

"I know, but I can't just keep getting beat up. I just barely kicked Silen's dad's ass and now Death's lacky comes up." I fret, looking more at the ground than him.

"Wait you kicked....Silen's dad's ass?" Girtin stopped me, grimacing. "Dang I wanted to do it. Freak got what he got. Glad you did it, though." Gripping my hand in a quick squeeze, he starts walking again, leaving me in the dust. Huffing, I follow after him.

-

I tried not to think about hands around my throat for the rest of the walk. Tried, but failed. What can you do? I just stew about it for who knows how long. One foot after another. I keep walking. We pass the sign to the orphanage. We walk, the other two chatting about the weather, and I remain behind, watching the clouds. I watch for blades of dead eyed butlers and the sludge of miasma, in the form of our devils and demons, waiting for the chance to silence us. 

Once we make it to the edge of the city, entering the rows and rows of suburban houses that mark the boundary to Silen's house. Betha has a death grip on my arm, eyes fixed firmly on the ground. She's walking on the sidewalk as far as humanly possible to the road. I notice that she's starting to shake and take longer breaths, like she's trying to calm herself down. I squeeze her arm. Girtin leads the way, walking Betha through the neighborhood, talking to her. There are no cars. There are no people. The city is quiet and it always will. But to Betha, she must see something else, so she looks at the ground.

I didn't notice that her eyes were dripping, but instead of telling Girtin, I just held her.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

 

-I'm a burden.-

 

"It's alright; we're almost there." I urge her down the sidewalk, distracting her throughout the crosswalks, where she seemed more stressed.

 

-I only make things worse.-

-I shouldn't have done this.-

-I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come back but she made me.-

-I'm scared. I can't have it happen again.-

-What if it comes back?-

 

Girtin stops in his tracks. I look up in bewilderment, pulling the smaller girl towards me. It's the house: it's back to normal! Well, where it was before, but the same as I saw before. I barely notice the small carrot headed boy sitting on the steps at first. A gasp can be heard. Silen's face darts up to look at us, eyes sparkling at the sight of Betha. With a scream he runs down to her, giggling, almost tripping over the bottom step.

Betha whips the streaks off her face, shocked into not moving. Her legs not holding up, the rest of her sliding down my leg, causing the rest of us to panic. Silen doesn't stop or slow down, collapsing into the shorter girl, and me by extension, gripping her into a bear hug. His face is hidden in her neck, rubbing his face into it.

"Betha. Betha. Betha." His voice, crackling with adoration, repeats over and over. All she can do is let her arms rest at her sides, as he smothers her. She smiles at him, fear leaving her eyes, and then she closes them.

I can feel something in the void that I keep my scythe in, a buzzing warmth trying to get my attention. I step back, Girtin watching me a moment before turning to the other two, and pull out the tool. The handle has another light: a ball.

Oh. A ball. That's what caused the accident.

"Silen give her some breathing space, geez." Girtin laughs, breaking me out of my trance. I quickly hide my scythe back into the void, my heart feeling fuller. The commotion is loud enough that Ms. Ona comes out, with her walking stick in hand she, as quickly as she can, comes over. She joins them on the ground and holds Betha along with her son.

"Welcome home sweetheart." Ms. Ona, whispers.

"It's so good to be back." Betha cries. Clutching the two even tighter.

Girtin and I watch the scene, smiling at each other. Eventually our eyes locked and Girtin shrugged, grabbing my hand pulling me into the group hug.

Warmth. Surrounded by the people I didn't realize I missed. It only dawned on me now that I was finally home. Everyone was happy. Everyone was safe.

Even if this was fake. It wasn't real because everyone here, besides myself, is dead. Tears begin to prickle my eyes realizing this. Once I get out of here, everything will return back to normal. I will be left alone. Bitterness clutches my heart. When did I get so sentimental over this? When did I become so clingy to the past? I wish I was past this. I pull away.

Betha grabs my wrist. Her eyes are filled with understanding and she smiles. Everyone else breaks their hug to look at me. Silen's tear streaked face smiling. Girtin with his proud gaze, arms crossed. Ms. Ona, her sightless eyes full of hope.

"We know you have to go." Betha whispers. "You have so much to do. You have to get out of here. You have to live."

"Ya, something about the gate to the world of the living closing soon." Girtin nodded, grimacing.

"We'll be fine here." Silen smiled. Ms. Ona nodded in agreement.

"What are you talking about? I can't just leave yet." I argue halfheartedly. I don't want to leave yet. Betha just puts her hands on my shoulders, locking eyes with me.

"Please, Diedre. You have to hurry. We will always be with you. Once you do what you have to do, you can return home, and we will come with you. If not in the flesh, but in your memories."

"Besides you have our numbers, for as long as you are in this world." Girtin points out.

"Or you could call me with a seance! Use a spirit board! It's fun and I'll always answer!" Silen bubbly laughed. "It's not 'goodbye' it's 'see you later!'" I smiled in spite of myself at that.

"Just, Diedre, promise me you'll take care of yourself!" Betha pleaded. "It's not weak to ask for help. Promise me."

-Promise me-

-It's not goodbye-

-I'd like to see you again-

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I'll leave that there for now!

I might come back and make Betha's part in the city a bit longer. I just kind of ran out of steam there. I bet that's obvious. :)))))

 Also there were no drugged poptarts, Girtin's just lying. :)))) 

---Chapter Navigation--

Chapter 13 (Linky) - Chapter 14 (you are here) --> Chapter 15 (Linky)

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Find me on the web~030

tumblr: 

• forgottenheartache (official blog) 
•  for those that can't see it! -  https://www.tumblr.com/blog/forgottenheartache

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• for those that can't see it! - https://twitter.com/scaredygiraffe 

Weebly website (calling card): LINKY

 Thank you all for the support!

{Forget Already} A break would be nice [Main Fiction] (Chapter 13)

Hiya. Sorry for missing Tuesday.

Let's go see Betha, again, she would like to see that Silen's ok! Everything's going to work out, right? Everything's going to be ok.

 Warnings: PLEASE READ THE WARNINGS: 

brief self doubt, memory issues (at this point is normal. please don't read as gaslighting.), hostage, mild violence, possible concussion, attempted drowning, blood, nose bleed, out of body control (someone taking over your body), brief language

 

 

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Girtin insisted on coming with me. There was no discussion about it; he just crossed his arms and without looking at me, started to walk down the sidewalk. Silen and I just looked to each other, the former staying behind with his mom, "grounded" for "running away". Silen's smile was fresh as a daisy, now clean and fed, the joy of our reunion easing his features. Miss Ona was putting something in my hand. She gripped my fingers around it before letting go. I looked down at the thing in my open hand : it was a cell phone. I sputter in shock at the device. Yes, I had one. I don't need her to give me one. I pad my jeans and jacket with my free hand, earning a confused look from Silen. Ms. Ona just laughed gently.

"It's yours for as long as you are in this world. I know you'll have need of it. You can talk to Silen or myself if you need us; or if you just want to talk to us. Girtin put everyone's number in earlier so you don't have to worry about it." Both Silen's and her gaze pleaded for me to be careful.

Silen's stronger gaze, not like the clouded, sightless one from the nightmare before, held mine for an eternity, making me think that he remembered everything. I gave him a questioning look, one that his mother could not honestly see; in more ways than one, he had changed, even if she didn't voice it. Finally noticing my discomfort, Silen laughed, smiling again. He was himself again. The awkward moment had passed and I had to think about why it started, with me drawing a blank. 

"Diedre." Silen finally spoke "Please stay safe. Don't talk to strangers; I know you don't need someone to tell you this. It's just...some of the people here are really scary. I'm not just saying that."

"Just be safe, sweetie." Ms. Ona agreed, smoothing my hair out with her hand. "Some people sacrificed parts of themselves to be here. I know you don't understand, but you will. Just try to not do something too dangerous."

-

I let my mind wander back to that while I took the long way back to the Mechan Forest. Girtin hadn't said a word for a while, which didn't bother me much. He usually wasn't that much of a talker, only speaking when he needed to. However looking back upon the last days, he's said a lot, much more than he used to. In those days, he'd use just a glance and posture to intimidate the other kids on the block that teased the rest of us. Biting my lip, I struggle to let go of the sinking feeling in my stomach about all this. As I let Girtin overtake me in my daze, my eyes focused on his back. I wondered how long I had been following him blindly. Not just here, in this afterlife of sorts, but back when we were kids. Why was it that I had this task? Why was it me, when he would be so much better suited to this?

I let this wave of self hatred wash over me. Just let it go, my little voice told me, the one I rarely listen to. I had to keep going to see the end of this. After all, regardless of how I feel about the task I've been given, my friends' happiness is on the line here. Even if they are truly dead to the "real" world, I have to let them have their peace. Maybe bringing everyone together, one last time, will allow everyone to pass on.

I sigh deeply to myself, closing my eyes, and finally running full into Girtin's back. The shock made me blink stupidly, wondering who the heck I ran into. After that wore off, the annoyed look Girtin gave me woke me up completely. I was 100% now! I don't need coffee ever again; the buzz of the shame forcing me to apologize gave me everything I needed. He just narrowed his eyes.

"You were slowing down. Diedre, what did I tell you about overworking yourself? You could've told me that you were tired." Girtin berates me gently, an annoyed expression transforming to one of worry. He just huffs, turning on his heels, then plopping himself on the side of the road on the less weedy part of the grass. He grabs some food out of his day pack, all the while patting the smoothed grass beside him, checking for ants. Girtin suddenly shoves a granola bar into my face the moment I sat down. I couldn't help but notice his emerald green eyes locked on the food, making sure I ate it. After a while he looked away, seemingly satisfied.

"I was thinking about getting there as soon as possible." I tell him, almost to myself, just so I can hear it out loud. "Something in the back of my head is urging me on. I keep thinking that means something bad is going to happen."

"Huh." Girtin says thoughtfully, "I guess that makes sense, but like don't worry about it too much. It's not like she'd let herself get corrupted. We just need to get rid of the thing holding her there, right?"

"Right." I agree, but I'm still worried. This doesn't escape his watch, always so aware of the emotions of the people around him.

"Hey! It's going to be fine! She just needs a little push, that's all. It's what she's always needed after all, even when we were little." He straightens up a little, a smirk on his face," Hey do you remember the time you and Betha banded together to make your mom a birthday cake?"

"Uh. No." I realize, feeling sad. That sounds like a good memory. His face scrunches up, realizing what he did, regretting it. Then his sorrow filled green eyes lighted up again, deciding on what he was going to do.

"It's a silly memory but I'm sorry that you don't have it. So, instead of freaking out about it, I'm going to tell you what I know." He coughed into his fist, dramatically. "So, Betha called me to her house; she told me she needed help moving something. Honestly, I had no idea what it was, but when I came in you were covered in flour. The cake was done, but like you were still covered in flour. You were so whiny about it too!"

"You kept saying you couldn't let your mom see and junk. How it would spoil the surprise. I didn't even know that it was her birthday, you know, your mom's. I didn't even think to ask. It was just so funny. Betha's mom then came in, asking how you were doing, and she like froze up; I think she was freaking out, but eventually she just led you to the bath."

"I don't remember how long it took, but the cake was done. All three of us held onto the cake and took it next door to your house. It wasn't super big or anything, you just didn't want it to drop, or something, I don't really know. Just when your mom opened the door to see the cake and you in Betha's clothes, she kinda blanked out. It was really weird. She kept staring at you, then the cake, then us. It was like she didn't know how to react or something. Eventually you started to realize that maybe she didn't like the cake or something, then you started crying. I think you were like eight, ok, just bear with me."

"Then your mom started to panic, pressing you into a hug. She just smooshed you into her shirt and wrapped her arms around you. She looked like she was freaking out a little; I had never seen her like that and I never did again. Your mom was always very strict wasn't she? I was scared of her, you know."

"What happened after that?" I asked, wanting to know more about the memory I couldn't place for the life of me.

"We had cake. There was five people there, so everyone got one." Girtin shrugged.

"Five?" I questioned, wondering where the other person came in.

"Oh, did I say that? I meant four. It was like: Betha, you, your mom, and myself; right four, my bad." Girtin stumbled over that explanation. It was weird. Did he really mess up that bad and forget how many people there were?

He didn't look at me as we walked on. This only made me more suspicious.

-

After a couple more hours of walking, we came upon a fork in the road. There was an old wooden sign in the grass. There was no way this could be seen from car, so was it for foot traffic? The words were fading, but something started to catch my eyes. Huh.

 

    -Left -  Mechan Forest: the great outdoors        -Right - Great Graces Orphanage: home grown kids.-

 

How weird. I wanted to ask Girtin about the sign, but he started to go on the left path. Further on I could see that the road was starting to turn into a dirt path. It was almost a straight shot into the forest, but there was a slight curve that prevented me from seeing the forest properly. Almost there. I had to tell myself that I was almost there.

-

-

After what seemed like eternity, we saw the forest opening. The green verdant grass of the regular forest finally gave way to the lush imperious lilac purples of the mechanical forest. Not like it had much of a choice in the matter, but hey that's how it worked here I suppose. I had been here before. I had to remember that, as it was only a couple of days ago? It was the truth. I was in such a rush to get out of here before. Well, it was raining then.

Girtin follows the path and I wordlessly walk behind him. I'm a little suspicious actually. Does he really know where we are going? A little devious thought comes to mind: let's see if he fails. I shake my head at the thought. I think I'd better ask, just to be sure.

"Girtin, you seem to know where we are going." I call ahead, he just keeps walking, not looking back at me.

"Somethings wrong." He huffs, starting to run. "I'm honing in on her location."

Oh. I almost don't want to ask. It's almost too convenient at this point. Betha being in trouble right when I think everything's going right, just unbelievable. It can't be helped; we have to find her.

-

We ran past her house. I pause to look at her door, on the ground, yards in front of her house ripped off its hinges. That only drives me to run faster. Racing against time and I knew it would be bad. She couldn't have done that, right? I couldn't even fathom, but I can't count anything out yet.

That bad feeling was quickly turning to dread the longer I followed Girtin. Too many horrible thoughts were racing in my mind. I knew there was nothing I could do right now, but I couldn't help but imagine. I let myself imagine the worst: that Betha was beyond help. We talked to her! She was fine. I know it.

Girtin and I finally found the source; two people standing at the lake. The were standing so still, it was sort of unnerving. The person closest, an adult, assuming male from the body frame, and the smaller one, was about Betha's size. It had to be her!

"Who's there?" the voice from the taller adult, a voice even and dead, called out without turning around. They stood deathly still, almost unnaturally. "Speak." They intoned.

"We are looking for our friend. She has orange hair and green eyes. She's about five foot three-"

"-Diedre. Please don't come closer!" Betha's voice squealed. I turned to Girtin, both our eyes widening in fear and understanding: Betha was being held hostage. What? My heart started to beat faster.

"No, by all means come closer." The adult droned evenly, not angry or happy, without any emotion at all. It felt like I was listening to a robot. "I have been sent by my Lady. She commanded me to come to meet you, Miss Reaper. I was to drag you out into the lake and smother you into the water. Lady Death wants to see if you can prevent that: a prophecy that the Princess had predicted."

"First however, my task required this body to kidnap a friend of yours, Miss Reaper. There was a note, but it seems to me that you did not read it, or else you would've had your scythe out, knowing that battle was inevitable. It is no matter; this girl had served her purpose.

-

-

I could feel the fear in Betha's eyes stabbing me, as they slowly turned around to face us. They had a wire around Betha's neck, loose enough so she could breathe, but the tension at their fingers looked dangerous. My mind played games with the knowledge that with the apparent strength of the adult in front of us, it would be child's play to slice through her neck. It didn't even have to be true, it was enough that I could imagine it.

Betha wasn't hurt. I couldn't see any wounds or bruises on her skin. That was a relief, but I had to focus on the one holding her hostage. It was so hard to focus on them. I had to focus on saving Betha. She was staying relatively calm, she hadn't "corrupted" as Girtin had put it earlier. Which was good. Ok.

"Miss Reaper. I have no need for this girl; I will give you her, unharmed, to go along with that boy you are traveling with. However, my only stipulation is that they leave us, perhaps to go to her home. I'm afraid I must apologize for the door. It got in the way; there were so many locks on it...and I was in a hurry. You understand, don't you miss?" The last bit was for Betha, I assumed, because she shuddered out a "yes".

"Now now, miss, if you mail a correspondence to my Mistress, she may in her grace send me to fix the door I broke in her name. I will not do it unless she commands it, much like I will not kill you or your green haired friend over there. No, the only one I am supposed to kill today is Miss Reaper. Be grateful that I am held by a leash today, miss." His dead eyes sparkled with something I could not place.

If Betha was terrified before, she was horrified now. Girtin beside me was fuming with anger, but all he could do was watch. I was growing angry too. He made it easy to save Betha; I just had to figure out how to avoid getting killed myself. I grit my teeth, thinking about what I should do. Yes, I had to agree. There was no way around it. I just had to survive.

"I will do it. Please just let Betha and Girtin go." I spat, trying to sound confident, but ending up somewhere between desperate and foolhardy. All the others could do was watch in fear, paling as I met the true reaper of this world. Fear kept Betha quiet, but I could see tears prickling out, but Girtin finally hit his breaking point.

"What the FUCK?!? Diedre you... can't do this...! This guy is-!"

"Ether." The montone intonation of the stranger rumbled across the lake bank. "My name is Ether. I am the butler of Lady Death, the Goddess of this world. The two children know of me, but you do not Miss Reaper. They should know the penalty of...rebellion towards my Mistress." Betha only paled, remembering what she told me about the ones that came before us. The energy of the space started to vibrate, making the water shake. The pylons in the water carrying electricity from who knows where shook and rattled, threatening to fall. Ether just looked down their nose at me.

"Please just go." I plead to Girtin. I know this is practically suicide; I can't just let my friends get punished for this. I just have to use my head and believe that I can survive this.

Wordlessly, Ether let Betha go, then pushed her to the ground in a light shove. She tumbled to the ground squealing as the did so. We rushed up to try to see if she was ok. I snap my head up, glaring at Ether.

"You didn't have to do that!" I spat. They stared at me, blank expression starting to really piss me off. Girtin gripped my jeans as a warning as he checked if Betha's leg caps were unharmed.

"Did I?" Ether asked evenly. There was no way they didn't know that it wasn't ok! "Mistress told me that I could be a little rough. It was ok to shove the children, my Lady told me." Ether intoned, adding little wiggle room in the reasoning. So they were the type to do whatever Death said, huh? To have specific parameters for this encounter, that was really bugging me. It was like Ether was a robot. They looked for the most part, human, tall, but human.

Then I saw in the corner of their eyes the tell tale signs of the Darkness. The purple liquid pooling at the edges of the eyes. It was just like how Silen was. Granted we came across Silen once he was much further gone, but they were close enough that it had to be the same thing. If this was the case, then I had to get the two of them, Girtin and Betha, out of here! This was a bomb just aching to explode. Just thinking about how paranoid Girtin was before and how bad Silen got made me want to run. If I did, Ether would cut us down or maybe just me. I had no way to tell for sure regardless of how much of a stickler he was for his commands. No doubt he would find a loophole. I couldn't put all my hope into that slim chance.

"Are you going to allow me to test you, Miss Reaper. I have already given you the end result. Are you ready to prove the prophecy wrong?" Ether questioned, locking eyes with mine. 

All he had was the wire. I just had to keep away long enough to get a hit in. I am not going to rely on the scythe like last time. There's no way I am going to rely on it taking over me again. What if I get hurt and Madness can't save me. This was most likely retaliation for helping me before. There's no way to know for sure.

I didn't have time to react before Ether lunged at me. I didn't get to see the whites of Girtin's eyes as he saw me fall to the ground. I knew he was scrambling to get away, fear overtaking him, as he started pulling Betha away from the two of us. I didn't even have time to think about how to summon my scythe. I just wanted to get away. My legs swung up, on instinct. As fear took hold of me, my Mother's stern lecture on "men" swarmed into my brain's auto pilot. She never told my young self that "he" would be trying to strangle me with a wire. She probably didn't want to scar me too soon, but that's a little late now, isn't it?

He wasn't holding down my arms. Ether was just so focused on the task of making me unconscious so he could just throw me into the water. For someone who looked like a push over, it was hard to throw him off. I had to focus to summon my scythe, it fizzling into existence after a small lag due to my distracted mind. I gripped the now more familiar weapon. Ether's eyes barely laid eyes on it.

"Are you going to use the Felicity on me, Miss?" Ether cooed,"Please by all means, do not hold back on me. Slice me in half. Chop me into pieces." A sick glimmer shone in his emotionless eyes and a slight smile came across their lips. I could barely even look at Ether's bandaged face. Even as the purple Darkness started to come out of his nose; I just wasn't expecting him to get a nose bleed. He barely seemed to notice the blood, a deep purple, started to pour down his and my shirt. There was seemingly no end to it. He lazily jammed a cloth up his nose before I could even mention it. Both hands were off my neck and the wire was loose: it was my chance!

I then tucked my legs under his stomach and kicked much taller guy straight into the water. His blood covering my face, jacket, and shirt was stinging. I had a feeling that this was probably a bad thing.

"Diedre!" Betha screamed,"Get it off your face! It's going to corrupt you. Ether's blood is Darkness essence. He did it on purpose!" Ether's face, soaked in the lake, swung to the sound of Betha's outburst. A dangerous aura blossomed from Ether's form. We could feel the humiliation from him; it was palpable in the air.

"Girl! I told you to run and hide in your house! I gave you a chance to live!" Ether's voice was reaching  pitches I didn't even know it could. It was almost a scream. Pulling the hair back from in front of his face, I could finally see emotion on it. Ether was beyond pissed. "You!" He turned to me, pointing aggressively,"You are going to have a proper duel with me! I am going to stun you and drown you in the lake, but before that I am going to get some blood from you."

Ether summoned a dark purple sabre in a flash of light, throwing the sheath behind him, not caring where it went. Before I could even react, he had turned to me, drenched and panting heavily. He rushed at me, the back-sword slicing my right arm, my weak side, drawing red blood and shredding my sleeves. I cried out, almost dropping my scythe, having summoned it unconsciously in the other's outburst. I kept backing up, trying in vain to stay away from the onslaught of the sword, almost a blur in my eyes. I couldn't focus. I couldn't get an attack in. Ether noticed this too, chuckling to himself.

"You are going to lose." He gasped out. I could feel the growing exhaustion in his voice. I had a feeling that he wasn't built to do this. He said that he was a butler, right? My mind grasped upon this as a lifeline: I just had to tire him out and I could win. I just had to not bleed out or die.

I tried using the snath like a pole arm and using it to block the blows. If only I could see which side it was going to come from. I was too slow and every time I turned to block one side of my body, the other side would be left open to be assaulted by his blade. There was no way I could do this. At this point, we were both visibly panting. I feel like at this point we are both going to pass out. I promised myself that I would start working out once I made it out alive. This was too much.

Ether decided that about the same time I did. With a growl he dropped his sabre, hands pummeling me into the water. The wounds on my arms leaking into the water, clouding my vision. I thrashed about, but I knew what little energy reserves I had would be used up soon. I felt the vibrations of the waters, coming from the direction of what I figured was the shore. Ether loosened one of his hands to deal with whatever that was, I guess it was Girtin or Betha. I couldn't push him back again, he still had a hand on my neck. I couldn't do it. My scythe was nowhere in reach and I had no idea where it went. He was distracted, but I couldn't do anything. I guess this was it.

Electricity surged through the waters. Ether was knocked back a couple of feet, landing face up in the water. Panting, I laid there wondering what just happened. I felt the two hands drag me to shore as I fizzled in and out of consciousness. I'm guessing, Girtin, since Betha and water is probably still a no go. She's always hated swimming. I exhale the breath I had been holding in.

"Diedre, Diedre, please be alright." Betha sobbed, against my chest.

"You've got to, you need to give her some space. Diedre can't breathe if you smother her." Girtin whimpered softly, not holding it together well at all.

"Help me up." I swallow my pain, whispering to whoever was listening. "Ether's still out there."

"NONONO!!!" Both of them cried, holding me down.

...

...

...

"Mistress...why did you....do that....?" Ether moaned from the water, floating, utterly destroyed. All of us shook at their words. Lady Death did that. She wasn't even here!

"I was tired of your poor display, fool." the same woman's voice from before, hissed out. "Do not doubt me, idiot." Where was the voice coming from? It sounded like she was close, really close. I lifted myself up, slowly as to not aggravate my injuries or the other two on the shore with me. 

"Yes, my Lady." Ether dutifully replied, whimpering a little.

"Diedre." Lady Death's voice called out, I looked around for the source, again. Betha jumping a little noticing that I was sitting up. I tried to ignore her panicked expression. I had to know where this was coming from. I could hear the woman sigh in displeasure. "The body: Ether. I am speaking through my servant, Ether. Look over here." 

"Nope." I lay back down. "What you tell me, I can lay down for; I'm exhausted."

"Listen however you like, it does not make much of a difference to me. What you will listen to is my admonishments, child."

"Am I in trouble?" I tease, Girtin hissing at that. Their shocked faces almost tearing me out of the false bravado I've sunk into. Well almost. In truth I was panicking, but it seemed like I was taking a page out of Girtin's book this time. Normally he would be the one to do stupid shit like this.

"You think this is over, right? That you're done now that your friends are safe. Well you're wrong. You are not done until I say so. Diedre, you are going to fully complete your scythe weather you like it or not. You are not my guest here; you are my prisoner, my weapon. Much like your little friends here....they are the collateral. It is not just your 'life' on the line, but theirs as well."

"What's the point of trying to kill me then? If I'm so important, then why sic Ether on me?"

"Are you seriously asking me that, after all I've told you thus far? Well then if you are going to make me spell it out for you, then fine. I AM TESTING YOU. YOU BARELY PASSED. I hope that was a wake up call, maybe, in your little brain that you are WEAK." Lady Death spat. Her frustration was causing Ether's body to make little waves on the water. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

"What am I supposed to do?" I roll my eyes. I was getting real tired of being talked down to from a lady I've never even seen at this point. She always was in the shadows and even now, she was speaking through someone else.

"YOUR JOB!" Death screamed. Her voice reverberated over the lake, shaking the pylons like an earthquake. Then she went silent. We all waited for her to start speaking again, but that didn't happen.

Ether's body suddenly jolted to life. He turned to us, his blank expression was back, and he regarded us with little interest. We just blinked up at him from the shore, unsure if we needed to start running or not. He just kept looking at us. Then he turned away, walking then swimming towards the opposite shore. Where was he going? I must have said that out loud, because Betha turned to answer me.

"Lady Death's castle is that way." She told me softly, grasping my hand and rubbing her fingers over my knuckles. "No doubt she would want them to return to the castle." Giritin nodded in agreement. He stood up, reaching out for me.

"We have to get out of here. Diedre is injured, again, and will need to recover."

"How did you recover the first time? Weren't you injured when Silen was hurt?" Betha piped up, looking at me. I couldn't meet her gaze. Girtin looked like he wanted an answer too.

"Magic???" I try, waving my fingers around, smiling lamely. They both have the same expression: utter disbelief. "Come on, guys. I don't know. It just happened. Maybe it'll happen again." I doubted that Madness would come back to heal me again. Especially considering I felt that this was retaliation for  her help before. Though, if it was, why didn't Death mention it? Maybe she didn't want me to know that she knew? Hm. I'm not going to worry about it.

-

Maybe I should take a break? I could try to get Betha to stay in the city with the rest of us. If I could figure out why she couldn't in the first place.

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I've decided to leave this here. Sorry I missed the Tuesday Update! I'm going to post this and then go on Radio Silence/Hiatus for a while. I'll leave a post up explaining the situation....later. Just don't be surprised when this gets pulled down. Maybe I'll redo how the blog looks like again....who knows. I just need a break getting ready for the next arc. Wait Betha isn't resolved you say? Well you're right... just give me some time. Please and thank you. :)

 

At this point it's like: (lame character breakdown ahead)

Girtin - not even a tsundere anymore, everyday is one heart attack after another

Betha - wants to be mom friend ends up being damsel in distress

Silen -  Stepford smiler kid (tv tropes page) one moment then crybaby the next. doesn't even get a break

Miss Ona - I can't see the trauma if I can't see, right? (Bad joke plz dont hurt me)

Diedre- Not even sure what's going on. Wait what did you say about my friend? Here hold my flower.

    (Girtin- Are you sure you want me to hold your flower? Betha- I'll hold your flower babe, lol)

Ether - I keep waking up with weird bruises and it's over my pay grade to ask. Also what is emotion when I get hit for smiling (halp)

Lady Death- I just want a well traumatized weapon. Why is it so hard to get one. I guess I have to do everything myself. I've tried being nice. I've tried being mean. What the heck?

Miss Madness - I'm really tired of my sister bringing up my shit. Mayhaps a revolution is in order?? :P

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Chapter 12 (Linky) - Chapter 13 (you are here) --> Chapter 14 (Linky)

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