Cat's Cradle (An Illyana's Passage Story)

Author's note: We all make choices in life.

Part 7: Revelations

Hide, hide, hide. Hide from HIM. Hide from HER. HIDE!

Such were Katherine's thoughts and behaviors for the next week. Then, as nothing happened, she slowly began to stalk HER at a distance. Keeping downwind of HER. Plotting HER movements. SHE was back wearing the Illyana human form. But Katherine knew better. Knew what SHE was. Or so she thought.

Yet each day she awoke to a glass of milk and a treat. Sometimes a cookie. Sometimes a chocolate croissant. Once a slice of chocolate cake. Each day progressed. Nothing happened. Katherine stalked, hid, hunted, bathed and slept. And with passing day she was able to think better.

She decided. It utterly terrified her. It took her several days to do it as each time her courage fled and so did she.

Illyana awoke one morning to find Katherine again at the other side of her fire looking at her. Illyana slowly sat up.

"Hello Katherine. How... are you"?

Katherine stared at Illyana, her fear was so strong. "Terrified".

Illyana had a look of compassion. "I'm... sorry. I'm... not very good at this. I don't know what to say to make it better".

"What... What is this"? Katherine gestured in a circle around her head indicating all of the surroundings.

"An enchantment. A very strong one".

"Where... Who cast it"?

"I did".

"What... What does it do"? Katherine asked with despair in her heart.

"I don't know". Was Illyana's answer.

Of all the answers Illyana could have given, that was not the one Katherine was waiting for. Her terror... paused. "You don't? Who does"?

Illyana poked the fire with a stick. "Nobody does. Not even fate anymore. I think that might have been one of the reasons I did it".

Katherine's senses told her that this Illyana was speaking the truth, but senses can be fooled. She oh so knew this. Bitter fear and despair filled her heart.

"So I'm enchanted and trapped in your spell as your plaything".

"No Katherine". Illyana looked up and stared Katherine in the eyes.

I'm enchanted and trapped in my spell. The only thing not enchanted is you. This..." Now Illyana waved her hand in a circle as well indicating the surroundings "Is for you. I don't know what it does. It started with the room. It changes as you... change. I don't know what will happen. You're not my plaything. I'm... I think I'm yours".

"That's not possible" was Katherine's denial. "Why did you bring me back"?

Illyana went back to staring at the fire.

"I didn't. The... Well they are called the Endless. They brought you back, some of them, maybe all of them. I think... you were supposed to influence me in some way. They gave you to me. I don't know why but they called you my pet. I... don't want that. So much badness happened to you Katherine. I would never degrade you that way. You... you meant far too much to me".

"I... I found I couldn't help you. I tried so hard but I failed. If I knew how to help somebody after THAT had been done to them I'd... I'd be better at helping you I guess".

Katherine caught Illyana's emphases on the word THAT. Yes, THAT described what had happened to her very well.

Illyana continued. "So I... I did something. I talked with the Ladies. Asked one of the three questions granted to me. I don't know what it is I did other then I did something that would help you. Something that would give you a chance".

Katherine got up to go. She... had much to think about. That and the fear was growing too strong, she needed to move. Needed to run, hid. Get away.

"Why did you let me attack you"?

"Did it feel good"?

"Yes" A swallow from Katherine. "It felt sooo good. I... I... the hatred found an outlet. A release. For a few seconds I felt like I was free. That I... had control of my life again. That... those who had harmed me were being punished".

"That's why".

Katherine started to quickly walk away into the brush. Her hearing was very good. She heard Illyana's parting words

"Illyana hated herself so much over you. I hate myself so much over you. You are never going to be my plaything. I think... I made that impossible to happen. You're not bound to me. I'm... I think I did the reverse, I bound myself to you. I'm not the master here. You are. Everything here is for you to use or... abuse. Everything".

Katherine ran upon hearing those words. On hearing the implied promise in the tone. On the upwelling of darkness that rose in her heart.