+ Category: Fantastic Children
+ Rate: T
+ Genre: Romance / Drama / Angst
Author's notes: Well, I would like to send my best regard to all readers who have sticked with my every single fic until now. My close friend who has co-written this fic with me is now on with her new job, so I don't have much of the choice but to go on the fic myself (she still gives ideas though). However, you guys shouldn't be worried. My passion for FC is still vivid and I want to contribute to my favorite series as much/long as I can. *thumb up*
Disclaimer! Disclaimer!! I'm sick of disclaimer but still forced to do it, ARGH!! XP
FC is never mine. Never, in a million years. --.--"
~ ETERNAL WIND ~
Chapter 4
/Where am I?/
This…this darkness…So overwhelming…So powerful…
/Just like my heart--darkness masked with simulated amity.../
/I have isolated myself from the world, my true soul concealed with forced cheerfulness and fake smiles...I don't know why I did it...it's just that...I can't be the real me anymore...I can't let my friends see that I've become vulnerable...
...after his death.../
"Thomas…" She whispered; tears flowing in her face.
She reached her hand out, hoping that someone would grasp it and pull her out of this realm of oblivion that is slowly overpowering her...
...that is slowly subjugating both her heart and her soul...
And hoping that he would be the one to do it.
But deep down, she knew that would not be possible.
/I still remember the day he left us...
That fateful day, when he risked his life to save me…/
"Thomas...am I destined to wander across this desolate place forever?" She asked silently.
/Why had it taken this long, and this much pain for me to realize what you truly meant to me?
I don't even know where I am! I don't know how long I'm going to last here alone...
...without you.../
Her heart began to ache at that thought, as she struggled to hold back a river of tears that were just waiting to be shed.
"Helga!"
" !! "
She swore her heart had stopped. She squinted, attempting to see its origin.
"Helga."
She was racking with sobs. Her eyes were brimming with countless tears at the sight of him, standing there in front of her, a smile spread on his lips.
"Thomas!" She rose with a cry of exclamation. He smiled coyly as she threw her arms around him. Returning the embrace, he picked her up and swung her around. Half-choked sobs of laughter came from her.
After a few moments, he lowered her to the ground and she pulled back, looking at him, a smile across her face unlike what had been there before.
"Is it really you Thomas?" She exclaimed, not daring to let go of him.
/Seeing him here, in this abyss gave me an uncomfortable feeling.
Is this really him?
What if he's just some part of my imagination? Conjured by my vast longing for him?
What if he's not real?/
The thought brought tears to her eyes as she buried her face in his chest, afraid of letting him go. He gently wiped them away, his eyes filled with concern. "What's wrong, Helga?"
She couldn't find any words to say to him. It was as if nothing can compare to the joy of having him back. Warmth suddenly spread towards her fingertips as her hot tears started to stream down her flushed cheeks.
"N-nothing...it's just that...I don't know where I am! This place reminds me of the Zone and it's scaring me! Then you came along...I don't even know if you're just a part of my wild imagination, you might disappear if I let you go, Thomas..." She cried, her tears flowing freely now. She wanted to cry harder, she wanted to shout, to scream 'till sound no longer came out...to get this unwanted thoughts out of her mind.
/To get these unwanted feelings off my chest./
But she didn't.
Somehow, she managed to keep herself intact. Her hands balled into fists, clutching the hem of his golden cloak. Her face still buried in his chest. His tight embrace somewhat comforting her.
"Hey, hey Helga..." Thomas whispered, his soothing voice bringing tranquility that reached to the depths of her soul. "Of course it's me, Helga..." He assured, brushing aside her hair, smiling. "You look wonderful."
"You too..." She smiled in his scent.
He laughed and hugged her tight.
"You're not just any part of my imagination, then...I'm glad about that..." She replied. "I..I still can't believe you're alive..." Helga breathed, holding herself close to him.
/I looked up at Thomas as my hopeful orbs met his loving ones. His features had not changed. His long hair was still tied back; those black bangs framing his chiseled face...and his eyes, full of bravery, kindness and care...with looks that seemed to gaze deep within the depths of your soul...he had not changed one bit./
"I…I'm afraid that's not right, Helga." He said solemnly after a moment.
She pulled back, her eyes wide.
Thomas watched her sadly. "You said you'd cheat destiny, Helga."
"Thomas…I....."
Shaking his head, he gestured behind her. Helga turned, appalled, noting a body identical to her own lying in the bloody grass at the base of a bark stripped tree. Silver flakes fell softly around it, as if attempting to cover the crimson scene.
"No…"
To be continued...
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