I was never one for taking too long breaks from my fanfiction....

Ah, well. I can't stand leaving a project unfinished....

So very well, then. I bring you Charlotte and Vendetta.

Quote:

"As I stand here, at a peak,
My invitation, stamped 'Acceptance'
Held tight in my trembling hands,
With the mountain looming before me,
I look back at how far I've come.

I remember when the foothills first beckoned me.
Pen in hand, I followed the path,
Climbing toward the misty hilltop.
Through the years, some turned back, defeated.
But the summit called to me, and I climbed on.

The trail grew steep, my pen dry, my words dim.
I longed for the easy paths I'd left behind.
Others following the trail pushed me along,
Lighting my way with their hope, urging me on
Until I was ready to continue.

As I stand at my first peak,
I remember those who helped me reach this goal.
I will step up to join those who've gone before
And turn back to reach out to those
Who have yet to arrive."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"H-Hello." Charlotte answered in a shaky voice, wiping frantically at her eyes and forcing a huge, horrible smile on her face.

Vendetta narrowed her eyes.

"What are you doing here, you stupid, blue girl?"

Charlotte opened her mouth, but for once, not a sound came out. She simply stared at the ground, biting her lip. Vendetta kept her hard gaze

upon her, refusing to back down.

"....Oh.....I....like to visit....my mother and daddy. Today was such a beautiful day!" she gestured at the revolting, miserable looking sky.

Vendetta let out an exasperated sigh.

"It's horrible out here, you stupid girl. It was horrid yesterday, it's horrid today, and it will be horrid tomorrow and every. Single. Day. Thereafter.

As it is EVERY day in this stupid town."

Vendetta waited for Charlotte to say something hopelessly optimistic or stupid, but silence.

".....I guess....you're right."

Vendetta frowned.

This was most unlike Charlotte. Ah, well. She was probably just waiting to say something obnoxious.

Vendetta groaned, and buried her face in her hands as the cold rain began to pelt down harder.

"As much as I loathe you, I have to ask: How did your parents die?"

Charlotte blinked, looking very taken aback.

".....Um.....car crash. I was three."

"Oh."

That was all Vendetta could think to say. A mocking laugh might've been called for...but she really didn't feel like one at the moment.

Charlotte smiled absentmindedly before turning to face the graves, again.

"My mother and father are dead, Vendetta. Sometimes.....

I wish I were, too."

Vendetta stared.

Shock.

Pure shock.

It was like....well, it would be like Mr. Milk becoming macho and tough.

So, Charlotte had a death wish all along? Very well....Vendetta turned around to face Charlotte....

....only to find the dumb girl had passed out from standing so long.

Vendetta stared at the pitiful figure on the ground.

A nasty smile bloomed on her face.

And she removed a dagger from her belt.

Finally-this was her oppurtunity. She would kill her-rip her in two, stab her, mutilate her.....

Yes....she definitely would.

Anytime now.....

Ookay....getting ready.....

Vendetta's hand-the one with the dagger-shook. She clasped it harder, her eyes narrowing.

Come on.....COME ON......

"My mother and father are dead, Vendetta. Sometimes, I wish I was, too."

Why not give her her wish?

Or....be cruel and let this ordinately annoying, empty, always masked girl live?

Or.....let her live, because...

Vendetta abruptly shook her head and let out a long suffering sigh.

"You stupid, stupid little blue girl....."

With another enormous sigh, she heaved Charlotte onto her shoulder, and, steadying herself, slowly walked off as Charlotte's head bobbed from

side to side.