I end up crying on dad, hugging him tightly until I slip slowly fall sleep. I wake up to find my room empty again, but I was completely tucked in. I sit up, still sore, but at least I didn't feel pain like I had the day before. Sadly, that hollow feeling in my chest was still there and all it did was remind me of what happened to me.
I couldn't tell anyone what happened to me. What if this happened again when my body finally finished saving up enough energy to turn human?! I wasn't exactly in the safest place, actually I was far from it. What if I never leave this place?! What if she just keeps me around, draining me of energy constantly like a battery!?
I realize that something is dripping down my face. I bring my hand to my face, pulling it back to see with blurring eyesight glowing tears that seem to fade away to a mist before disappearing completely. I don't remember my tears ever doing this, but then again I don't remember crying in my angel form and seeing my tears. Actually, my vision was getting blurred as the amount of foggy mist in my room started to build.
I know I'm supposed to probably stay in my room, I walk down the white halls. I know the way, and even though I ache and I almost fall asleep in the hall, I eventually find the giant fuchsia doors that lay hidden. I had trouble opening the door, but I don't want to risk flying in and wasting all my energy. Eventually I shove the door open, falling forward as the doors move out from under my hands and open wide.
"You're alive!" Vriska cheers, being the first to spot me. Quickly everyone is up and excited, growing quiet when they notice how sluggish I am and going silent when I fall again.
"John? John, are you alright?" Jade shouts, paw-hands pounding on the clear surface as she tries to get closer.
"I'm just going to lay here."
"John, what happened to you?" Dave asked.
"She hurt me. I almost died, but now she's scared to hurt me at risk of killing me."
"Why, because of your dad?"
"She told him I was dead. He just found out I wasn't."
"She what?! John you stupid feathery asshole, get out of here! Run while you can, run for the hills!" Karkat growled.
"I can't. Some of my life force was kind of ripped out of me. Besides, if she kills me she loses the first angel who ever lived through her experiment and any energy she got from me. Got to stick around to mess up the Batterwitch's plans."
"She's planning on using angel power?!" Eridan exclaimed. "You can't trust angels! Well, except for you John, but only because you're different."
"You've met angels before?"
"There were a few at Cape Hope. My dad said you can never trust an angel because they don't adjust, just stay to old rules. You are really different though, probably from your human up bringing instead of the usual."
"What happened to those angels?"
"They all disappeared with the rise of drone activity. Next thing I knew the angels were gone and the drones had taken me and Fef to this horrible place."
"Wow, do you think they were captured or that they just left?"
"Knowing them, they probably stayed and got themselves killed."
"Oh."
"John, seriously get out of her. Even if she doesn't want to risk killing, she could still hurt you." Terezi gave you a worried glance.
"Actually, I believe I have an idea." Rose frowned. "It will take time, but if John can pull it off it will be extremely effective. I know you can."
I end up passing out in the hall right as Slick came to get me. I wake up in my room again, sighing once again at my video game like existence. I get up, slipping when my foot doesn't pull free of the tucked covers and landing hard on the floor. My wings knock several things off the shelves in the process, tossing up a few pieces of paper as well. I grab the note, reading over it quickly. It was one of dad's notes, along with a note saying to come to the study when I wake up.
I had to head to the study. I almost got lost after getting back to the cream, white, and red halls that if I hadn't tripped I wouldn't have noticed the open door to the study. "John?" Dad asked, quickly coming over and helping me up. "Are you alright son?"
"I'm fine."
"You keep falling down. I heard that you had fallen down when you were up the first time."
"Yeah, I just got really tired and then everything felt heavy."
He checks my temperature before picking me up and carrying me. "Your aunt said angels have an energy reserve and you used it up so you wouldn't die, but you won't be able to turn back to normal for a week."
"A-a week?!" Oh man, please don't let that be right. The thought that I might have to face this every week scared me. Dad paused upon hearing this.
"Calm down, it will be alright. I know that seems like a while, but I'll stay here the entire time it takes for you to get better."
"Really?"
"Yes. Let's get you something to eat." Dad continued down the hall. I know the 'you'll be better in a week was supposed to cheer me up', but I felt like I was going to be sick. I don't think I could handle having a bundle of energy forcibly pulled from my chest as I'm kept alive just so it won't disappear. If I were to die it would be game over for her, but then again it would be game over for me too.
Dad set me down in a chair at the head of the table, sitting in the chair next to me. My aun- the Batterwitch was already seated in the other chair near the head of the table. I looked between the two nervously, wanting to tell my dad and then be reminded that I can't for his safety. "Here you go John, I got you some stew." Batterwitch smiled, moving the bowl closer. I will admit, I hesitated to eat it, but I quickly finished it off once I started because I was really hungry. "I'll get him more stew." Batterwitch stood up.
"Does he really need more?" Dad asked.
"For him to be this weak he had to have burned through a lot of energy. He can eat whatever he wants, he just needs to eat. Sleep can only help him so much." She walked out of sight, which honestly wasn't that far since you didn't even dare look up from where your gaze had fallen on a single spot on the table. You had to hold it together for your dad.
This was going to be a long week, but at least the long week would keep the pain away.
"John? John, what's wrong?" Dad had a concerned look on his face.
"Nothing."
"John, you're crying. What's wrong? You can tell me." I realize I'm crying. My mind went blank and I immediately stood up. "John!" He grabbed hold of my hand as I tried to step back. "John, please tell me. Please don't do this again."
"I'm not!"
"You need to tell me what's wrong. Remember last time you didn't tell me something was wrong and Scratch had to keep those kids from killing you? Is this like that?"
"It's not like that! I didn't tell you that time because I thought they were joking! I'm not telling you now because I don't want to see you disappointed in me!" And with that I pulled my grip free, running out of the room. My entire body was sore and ached, but I ran anyway. It didn't help that I was covered in glowing feathers and had tears that turned to mist while I was crying my eyes out and trying to lose someone in the seemingly endless hallways. I duct into the bathroom and quickly locked the door.
I had to stay alive, but right now I was wondering if I could pull the plan off if I had to worry about my dad getting killed. Rose said there were no more angels left, so Batterwitch would be dead set on keeping me alive. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down and remember the lie I had to tell my dad. My breath came out in ragged gasps, quite the opposite of what I was aiming for right now. A light knock sounded on the door.
"John? John, I would never be disappointed in you. If anything I'm proud of you, and I have always been proud of you. I know it seems tough and I know you're upset, but please just talk to me. I never should have just left you here without explanation, I should have came as soon as I knew you were upset, I should have been here for you. I'm sorry I let you down."
"It's not your fault. I just need a moment, okay? I'm fine, really I am. I'll go back to the dining room after a quick break, I promise."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I'm sure. Start heading back, I'll join you soon."
"Alright son." I wait, hearing him walk back before I fall to my knees. I can't let my dad get killed over me. I scoot into the corner where the tub meets the wall, pulling my knees close and wrapping my arms around them. Keep it together John, you have to keep going. I had to lean forward a bit to keep from crushing my wings against the wall. I just bawl. Maybe I'm being to emotional, but I better get over it now before I have to talk to my dad again. The look he gave me just made me want to tell him everything, like I had so many times before and let him cheer me up and make everything better. Not this time though, because this time would automatically be his last if I did.
A knock sounds at the door. "I'm fine dad."
"Oh, I'm not your father sweetie. It's Miss Paint. Do you need help?" I didn't answer, not sure if I could tell her. Then again she probably already knew about what your aunt was really doing. "I'm opening the door." With that Miss Paint slowly opened the door, stepping in. Surprise and concern washed over her face as she walked over, crouching down in front of you. "Having a rough day, huh?"
"Do you know what my aunt does?"
She nodded. "I'm sorry, but all her close workers do. As much as I hate seeing you stuck here, I would still be dead without her research."
I felt a shiver run down my spine. "W-what do you m-mean still dead?"
"Her close workers are former projects. She calls us dead walkers. I'm already dead, but her research into life energies is why I'm here now."
"What happened to you?"
"I was an artist, living happily with my husband. You've met Slick. One night he came back coughing up blood and he told me not to open the door for anyone. When I saw my friend through the peephole I thought he was safe. I was obviously wrong, and when I woke up I saw your aunt, but since neither Slick or I could remember my name she called me Miss Paint after the paint splatters that decorated the crime scene. This isn't right, but I can't die after she did this to me unless it's very slow. I've already come to terms with my death, so I really don't want to be here, but I'm a newer experiment so she won't finish me off. It's like being a toy that can't be broken, you just have to wait for the battery to run out."
I didn't know what to say, but then it came to me. "If you can help me I'll help you go to rest."
"You think you can help me?"
"I know I can." I did not expect the hug.
"Thank you! Anything you need just name it!"
"Actually, I have a few things that I need to know without my aunt figuring out that I know them. Can you help me out?"
"Of course."
"I need to know the codes to the cylinders my friends are in and which transportalizer leads where."
"I'll get that information to you in a jiffy! Oh, I should probably lead you back to the dinning room to keep suspicion down."
"Can you please help me up? I think I used up most of my energy running over here."
"Don't worry, I've got you!" Miss Paint helped me up, helping support my weight as we headed back to the dining room.
"I'm not to heavy am I?"
"I'm stronger than I look." Miss Paint smiled. It was quite a long walk to the dining room.
