Sorry for the short chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Nintendo characters.
Link was startled by her retreat and stepped forward uncertainly. "Uh... Heather?"
There was no reply from within.
He sheathed his sword and ran around the counter. He lifted up the flap of the tent and stepped inside. He stopped momentarily when he saw her on the floor and then quietly tip-toed forward. Her arms were cuddling her legs and her face laid hidden between her knees. She gave no hint that she heard him come in nor did she motion that she wanted any comfort. Link stopped a couple feet from Heather and awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.
Oh, great. What do I say?
He slowly crouched down. "Heather?"
She shook her head, but did not look up.
Investigation was the only way he was going to get any answers. He tried again.
"Did you recognize that figure out there just a moment ago?"
She froze at the remark and slowly lifted her head. "No..."
Link cocked his head to the side. That was unexpected. "Then why did you..."
"I thought it was someone who..." she turned to him with puffy eyes. "Forget it." She looked away and rested her chin on her knees. "It's not important."
He peered into her teary eyes; he wasn't great at reading women, but something told him this didn't classify under "not important".
"By the way you acted outside, it was important to you." He probed.
She rubbed her nose on her sleeve and sniffled. "It's embarrassing. If I do tell you, you can't tell a soul."
Link touched a hand to her shoulder and sat across from her. "I'm all ears."
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
The shadowy figure crept out from where he was hiding. He stealthy climbed onto a rooftop nearby and hunched there. Usually the only reaction he received from passerby was a confused glance followed by slow retreating. They didn't take much notice of him and called him off as their imagination. He raised an eyebrow. He didn't recall anyone else reacting so dramatically. If he had to guess, there was a reason behind it. And if he was lucky enough, he could use it to his manipulation.
He jumped onto the rooftop next to the tent that Hero boy was occupying and decided he had nothing to lose. It was a great spot for eavesdropping. He looked down at the tent and recognized Link's shadow and what obviously had to be the girl's shadow. They looked to be sitting across from each other.
"Well, I guess I should start by explaining that the reason I came to Hyrule was to escape my past." More sniffling.
Dark Link rolled his eyes and looked up to the starry sky. Crashing into the tent and murdering both of them was more tempting then sitting here and listening to a sob story. The things I do for revenge...tsk tsk.
"We all make mistakes." The hero replied in a soothing tone.
Dark Link pulled out one of his spare daggers and started toying around with it through his fingertips.
A moment of silence hung in the air; Dark Link looked towards the tent.
And then, "Look, Link, something happened to me that I don't like talking about. It was a horrifying experience and I live everyday in fear of it when the sun starts to set."
Link made a sound in his throat but said nothing.
The girl continued, "Back in my other town I owned a shop like this one. Late one night I was packing up my merchandise for the evening when a man came through my door. I asked him to leave since I was already closed, but he didn't seem to hear me." She took a pause; the head of her shadow lowered. Dark Link leaned in.
She spoke in a lower tone. "It happened so fast I couldn't react. He came over and started asking rude requests of me. I asked him to please go-" she sped up her tone in a hushed tone, "He was drunk. He had grabbed my arm and I couldn't get him off or away. I tried screaming, but it just got worse. I tried... but he...he-" she cut off as another episode of uncontrollable sobs broke over her.
Dark Link stopped the dagger between his fingers and held it there, listening.
"It's okay. I got it." Link must have moved over for some sort of comforting hug because the two shadow's were now an indistinguishable clump.
Dark Link remained crouched there on the rooftop as he held a hand up to his chin in deep thought. He twirled the dagger between his fingertips once more and shoved it away. He smirked to himself as he jumped off the rooftop and landed in the opposite direction of the tent. That bit of information was foreseen. He just didn't know how helpful it'd be. He already had a couple of minor plans he was setting into motion, but this he could definitely use to his advantage. He swept with ease into the shadows and began formulating once more.
He had figured out Link's weaknesses by observing him in silence ever since he had escaped the dark Realm. The Hero's flaws were hardly physical. A master swordsman equipped with expert archery skills. However, his weaknesses were the bondage he tied himself down with. He had observed early on that relationships were valued highly in the light realm among other things. Reputation was also highly recognized as a trait of a respected personnel. That will be his undoing. He made a scoffing noise at the petty idea of relying on others for status in society. He leaned his back against a wall with his arms crossed, concealing his position. For a short while he had figured his counterpart didn't seek out the same comfort as the rest. Yet, this new development seems to have made a considerable difference. He decided that to have enough of an impact he would have to wait for a time when Link would not be keen to visit her for a time. Maybe after they have a squabble or such. It was an idea after all. The problem lied in relying on his counterpart to make the mistake first. Although a little meddling never hurt anyone.
Dark Link abruptly picked up a noise. Off in the distance he heard a conversation in hushed tones, followed by a tent flap. Upon seeing who it was, he stood, unfolded his arms and jumped onto the rooftop above him.
He watched as the girl headed south in his direction. Moments afterward, the hero emerged from the tent lagging behind with a slight limp calling out to the girl. Did she kick him? He smiled at the idea and listened further.
"Please, don't follow me, Link." The girl headed in his direction, speeding through the alleyway he hid above. Evidently, her emotions neglected to sense his presence there. He watched her dash ahead as Link stopped short of the alleyway. He watched the scene play out as if he had planned it.
She gave a vague, "I'll need some time alone", and continued around the corner, where her figure disappeared from sight. Dark Link turned his head back to his counterpart, slightly amused at his discomfort.
The hero's hands when up to his temples as he stood there for a moment. He paced in front of the alleyway, apparently deciding whether to follow the girl or not, then turned on his heel and began walking towards the gate with his shoulders sagging over.
He grinned, watched his counterpart leave, as he remained crouched in his position. He gave a quiet laugh, jumping off the roof. He turned down the alleyway, following where the girl had taken off. It would be no trouble finding the girl. He curled his left arm up, as he turned the corner of the alleyway. He then gave his hand a brief squeeze and the Triforce of Power gave a flickered response. He pulled out his dagger from his belt and spun it around in his fingertips. I think it's time for a revisit with fear.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Link held her, occasionally giving her a pat on the back. Some time ago he had decided against removing her from his shoulder. A spot on his shoulder had become cold and damp. Clearly, he didn't see this coming. He awkwardly continued to sit in that position until he felt the circulation of one of his legs cut off. He felt perfectly fine fight disgusting, one-eyed creatures in the bowels of the darkest corner of Hyrule's swamp. How to comfort women, however, was not explained to him. Link had been wondering what to say for the longest time. He didn't want to come off as insensitive or inconsiderate, but... it was late. He had repeated things like, "You're safe, now" but he wasn't really sure it was working too well. This was a delicate matter.
He wasn't exactly sure how late it was, but he imagined that she'd be better off with a full night's sleep. She'd be better in the morning and he would be more prepared to handle this situation. He raised his neck, peering around the tent. Outside the tent was completely dark and the only light inside the tent was a lone candle. He gently tapped her shoulder, and let her raise her head off his shoulder. He held her shoulders lightly, "I think I'd better get you home so you can...rest."
Her eyes widened. She seemed to awaken at the comment and reddened. "Oh my." She stumbled back and turned away, reaching up to her eyes to dry her eyes. "Of course. How inconsiderate of me."
Link outstretched his hand, and then retracted it. "I just thought maybe you were tired."
"You're absolutely right. I'm sorry I kept you." She got up, and stumbled over something, knocking a plant off the overly crowded table. She cursed under her breath, and hurriedly went to fetch the fallen plant.
Link turned a little red and cringed. Did I say the wrong thing?" He got to his feet, and went over to help clear the dirt from the floor.
"Leave it. I'll clean it up in the morning." She turned away, pushing the plant onto the table, and stepped to the other side of the tent to pick up her jacket. "Look, Link. I'm fine. Everything's fine."
He didn't know what else to do, so he finished piling up the dirt and left it there. He stood up and scratched the back of his neck. "No, no, it's not that. It's just a little late." The moment he finished, he which he had kept quiet.
She pulled the jacket over her, and brushed past him. "It's okay. I understand you have other duties awaiting you. There's no need to walk me home." She grabbed a small bag off the floor and hurried out of the tent.
Link stood there with his hands raised in confusion. Goddesses, help me. After a moment's further hesitation, Link decided to go after her; he couldn't let the night end like this. He shook his head, and went over to the candle to blow it out, then dashed out the tent to catch up with her.
Once outside the tent, he flew around the corner, noting the abrupt drop in temperature. It was freezing! He turned his head to see she had taken off to the south. "Heather, wait." He called to her once more before dashing after her. Fruitlessly, Link pursued her; he didn't want to give up fixing the apparent mess he had just made.
"Please, don't follow me, Link." She called over her shoulder as she dashed into an alleyway up ahead.
He slowed down his pace, beginning to see reason, and stopped at the edge of the alleyway.
"I'll need some time alone." She called once more, not stopping. She then turned on her heel, and sped around the corner out of sight.
Link stood there motionless for a moment. He closed his eyes and shook his head. He began rubbing his temples as he paced in front of the alleyway. Then he abruptly stopped. It all went so wrong. He decidedly turned away and started his way south. He needed to rethink how he would approach her again. He looked back over his shoulder towards the alleyway. At the last second, a moment caught his eye. He rubbed his eyes and blinked. He stared toward the alleyway expecting something to emerge. It was probably a black cat. He sighed once more and continued southward.
Link shivered as he approached the guard on patrol for the south gate. He gently tapped the dosing guard on the shoulder, startling the man to reflexively tighten the grip on his spear. He flushed, mumbling some excuse of why he had not been attentive, clearly believing another soldier had caught him off guard. When he realized it was Link, he cleared his throat and grumbled, "What's your business here, swordsman?"
"Night has already approached. The gates should be closed." He slid past the guard without another comment, and made his way to crossing the bridge. The guard yelled after him, "Where you going? You won't be let in until morning, son!" Link waved away his concern and turned on his heel towards the forest. I think it's time I returned to Ordon for a while.