This was born out of utter writers block and a headache, which were turned into massive insperation after re-reading the amazing SnowPrincessMossy's fic "They Never Cared". The format/style is the same, and I pictured this as a sort of sequel to her fic (so you might want to read her story first to understand this one. I linked to it in my profile). I also did like her, and kept the identity of the character ambiguous (not that Snowy and I haven't named him already). Any guesses who it is? Bonus points if you can figure out who they're talking to at the end.

Disclaimer: The style and idea of this story all came from Snowy. She's just letting me borrow them for now. Posted with her permission.


"Where is she?"

"She's gone."

Right.

Left.

"Gone?"

"Gone. She left."

Right. Left.

"When is she coming back?"

"Never. She'll never come back."

Right, Left, Right, Left.

Faster. I have to go faster.

Right, Left.

Right, Left.

I can't let her get away, I just can't.

Right, Left.

Right, Left.

I can tell she hasn't gone far. Just a few more yards, then I'll have to run into her.

Right, Left.

Right, Left.

My legs are on fire, but I can't stop. I have to be close now.

Right, Left.

Right, Left.

The cold air burns my throat as I fill my lungs, preparing to shout.

Right, Left.

Right, Left.

I yell her name into the night, hearing it echo back to me.

Right, Left.

Like it's mocking me.

Right, Left.

Wait, is that her, calling back to me?

Right, Left.

No. Just my own stupid echo.

Right, Left.

It's patronizing me, making fun of my efforts.

Right, Left.

I keep running.

Right, Left.

Has this path always been so long? I thought it was shorter than this.

Right, Left.

…What if I'm going the wrong way?

Right, Left.

Maybe I'm completely wrong.

Right, Left.

I've screwed up. Again.

Right, Left.

I have to turn back. I need to figure out which way she went.

Right, Left.

No, no time. You have to keep going this way.

Right, Left.

But…what if I am wrong?

Right, Left.

If I keep going this way, I'll just get further and further away from her.

Right, Left.

But if you're wrong, then why aren't your legs slowing down?

Right, Left.

Obviously, because this isn't the wrong way.

Right, Left.

But how can I know that?

Right, Left.

Because your gut is telling you that you're going the right way.

Right, Left.

But my gut wasn't right about her.

Right, Left.

It didn't tell me what was the right way to go with her.

Right, Left.

But how can you be sure that your gut was wrong?

Right, Left.

Ha. Just look at what I'm doing now. Isn't this proof enough?

Right, Left.

No, that can't be the reason, you weren't wrong.

Right, Left.

You would never do something to push her away.

Right, Left.

Then why did she leave, if not because of me?

Right.

The others. They must have done something.

Left.

But what would they have done?

Right.

You saw the way they treated her.

Left.

You saw the way it made her unhappy.

Right.

Anyone would have run away when they were being treated like that.

Left.

I saw how they treated her and how unhappy it made her.

Right.

And I didn't do anything to stop it.

Left.

Doesn't that make me just has responsible?

Right.

No. No, it doesn't.

Left.

Yes. It does.

Right.

I didn't help her.

Left.

I practically told her I didn't care.

Right.

It is my fault.

Left.

I have to find her.

Right.

And what will you do if you're going the wrong way?

Left.

Then I'll turn around and go the other way.

Right.

But it will take so much longer.

Left.

You'll have to make up for going this way first.

Right.

I know.

Left.

…Will you be able to do that?

Right.

I'll have to be.


"Did you find her?"

"No."

"Oh. So…I guess that's it?"

"No. I'm going to find her. I'm leaving now."

"…Will you be coming back?"

"I don't know. I hope so. But I won't come back without her."