The Forgotten Portrait

by Hikaru-Ohayashi

A sequel for the ending in the title because I just can't get over it. It's been six years since the events of the museum though Eve (Ib) can't quite recall. However, she finds herself drawn to a single painting, routinely coming to the art gallery when she can to look at it and she can't help but think she knows this person though she couldn't understand why. Garry x Ib, obviously

10. Lost in the Labyrinth

The Forgotten Portrait:

Chapter 10: Lost in the Labyrinth

It was strange to feel as if he wasn't supposed to really lead the way, though normally, it really should be the case that he did. After all, he was older, more capable of making decisions as most would perhaps think. However to her, it felt as if they should be deciding things together, and perhaps to a point, it made her feel left out, although there really wasn't much of a basis for anything. Though, there was part of her that was understood why she was drawn to him and why she would come to the gallery every time, enough that she could feel so lonely despite the fact that she was in his company.

He was a painting. How could he ever get out of here? In fact, the reminder only served to bring back to light her earlier worries though this time, for the most part, it was more for curiosity than doubt.

He was a painting. So why was he in possession of a rose like herself and unlike all the others? Why was it that he was helping her? Though honestly, she felt relieved, not wanting to question his good will. Except, the thought raised a few more things that had caused her head to ache slightly, the voice of a small girl in her subconscious, calling out in an excited and playful, friendly manner, asking her about random things whilst talking about…

The pain got worse, making her turn to other things as they explored the area, walking and walking.

Red, Green, Yellow, Blue, Grey. Rinse, repeat. The pattern of colors on the various floors and rooms, and she could not help but think they were still going in circles, though she was certain they haven't even made the move of turning back to the other direction, further heightening the though of the gallery playing tricks on the both of them. Though, she did note that it seemed less and less often did they encounter those sculptures and paintings that were chasing them.

Part of her wondered what to make of it. A good omen? Or something indicating something dreadful?

Eve leant on the wall as they rested for a few minutes in this blue themed hallway, forked down the path, leading to a choice between two doors, her gaze turning to Garry who, after making sure she was not too tired, began examining the paintings strewn across the walls, perhaps hoping for a bit of a hint whilst she too gazed at a few paintings, straightening and looking at it, peering into something that seemed like a painting of a mirror, the title reading something that was perhaps safe to say, odd to her, 'Reflection.'

She blinked, gazing into her own face, her reflection on the piece, though something about it seemed more glum and perhaps even depressing, her eyes turning to the description, 'Within us are sides of ourselves we do not wish to present to others.'

Ah. Was she…? She pursed her lips, shaking the thought off and stepping away from it before running over to the purple haired man in her company, her hand perhaps instinctively slipping comfortably in his as he turned and smiled at her, soon motioning to the painting there that indicated two roads, the right perilous while the left, all sunshine and rainbows. "I guess that means we take left, huh?" He said as he smiled, Eve nodding before something caught her eye, her immediately pushing Garry to the side, him stumbling back to the left while she fell to the right, another odd sense of de ja vu, though for now chose to stare at the thing that had come at them, a painting having briefly come alive, titled 'Within Reach,' serving to confuse her to say the least.

"Eve!" Garry called, leaning, kneeling before knocking on the barrier that separated him and her, looking through the spaces to see if she was fine, though he did ask all the same. "Are you alright?" to which she nodded, standing up and walking towards him, trying to see if it could be moved, perhaps to no avail. "Wait here, alright?" The male said, reaching out to pat her head soothingly, as he gestured to the room, "I'll find something to break this." He added before he stood up and went for the other door.

Eve could not help but want to reach out and tell him not to go.