Hello, guys!
So this chapter has been a long time coming, but here it is.
Within the next few days, I'll have the next chapter up. I hope you guys enjoy this one!
Chapter 11: The Moment of Truth
Ellen walked through the hallway, rage blinding her vision.
Noelle, the liar. Noelle, the betrayer. Noelle, the girl who wasn't as one dimensional as she'd thought.
The little devil had taken her for a fool. She had known the truth all along and now this was happening. What was the little tramp's goal? Ellen had always suspected that it was to save Viola… was she really right? But how did she know the truth?
The questions were long but the answers were few. Either way, the anger it had sparked was everlasting.
She didn't quite know why it made her feel empty. Maybe it was because she had been used. Or it was the fact that Noelle had, in some ways, beaten Ellen at her own game. The deceiver had, in fact, been deceived. Not only that, but it was by a girl she thought she could control.
Now all of that was gone. Ellen didn't care about how nonchalantly she was striding through the rooms when danger was everywhere. All she could dwell on was her desperate want for revenge. Noelle was going to pay. She had to.
Ellen needed her good ending. She craved it, desired it more than anything. Viola was her ticket to the life she always wanted. Why was it so wrong? Viola had never had a trial in her life. Ellen was the one who needed a father. She had never had an amazing family… not like Viola. So her mother was gone, but Ellen had lost much more than that.
Yes, the witch had lost everything, and not a single person had cared.
And who knew about picture perfect Noelle? The girl probably had her life handed to her on a silver platter. Now here she was, fighting Ellen for Viola's sake. It was disgusting. Noelle didn't know what true suffering was. She'd never experienced it in her life.
But Ellen did. Oh, Ellen knew all too well what suffering was like. She'd gotten more than her fair share of it. Now, she was taking what was rightfully hers.
Yo. Your faithful servant wants to talk.
Ellen stopped moving. The voice was the demon cat's, there was no doubt about it. How had he gotten into her head? She could never trust him entirely. He seemed to always have hidden agendas. But, then again, so did Ellen. In this place, everyone was hiding something, even the most innocent of people.
It was all a matter of who could successfully outsmart the other.
"What do you want?" Ellen asked, her voice low.
I just want to talk. You've got quite the predicament don't you? Poor girl, Noelle has lied to you pretty easily. Even worse, you fell for it! You dived right into her schemes like a pro.
The taunting in his tone made Ellen want to kill him. If only he was here in person. She'd make the cat regret every word he uttered.
"Don't pretend like you understand a single thing I've gone through, demon. I know what you're capable of, but you're not going to get in the way of my happy ending. It's going to be mine, do you get it? I'm not sharing it with the likes of you."
But aren't we on the same side? Your words are quite injuring to my self-esteem.
Ellen knew better than to believe anything he said. The cat was a trickster and a liar. Just like a certain young girl she knew.
Relax. You're still my witch, so I will tell you something. You should probably hurry. Your favorite girl is getting close to Viola. I can't predict what will happen when she gets there.
Oh, but the cat could. Ellen knew that much. He always knew everyone's motives and he always, always played them to his advantage.
But this information was true. She could feel it in her bones. Noelle was getting closer and, at this point, she'd get there first. Well, Ellen would just have to destroy both of them. But she'd have to get there fast. Already she imagined the two girls conspiring together, creating a plot to eliminate the real witch.
"Thank you…" Ellen muttered.
I wouldn't thank me yet. You don't know what's going to happen after all. None of us do.
Ellen took off in a sprint. She could swear she heard the cat chuckle softly. This was all a part of his plan, wasn't it?
Well, she wouldn't let him get everything. Ellen would be victorious, no matter what.
Noelle took a deep breath when she saw it.
The cat had led her through the house successfully. The monsters had been nonexistent and there was only one person to blame for that. Somehow he had made the rooms in their original states, just for her.
It gave her some relief, but only a little. She was still extremely stressed. There was much to consider now that Viola was so close.
Ellen would be angry, no doubt about it. And what could she say to her and Viola? How could this situation be over without violence? Did a solution like that even exist? This was the witch's house after all. Nothing was going to end peacefully.
Her heart beat fast, the weight of the world seemed to be on her shoulders. Two lives were hanging in the balance.
But the blood on the spikes had made things different. Now Noelle knew the truth. This wasn't the first time these events had occurred. Could the whole situation have already occurred? Had fate brought her here to change the outcome?
She had never believed in destiny, but maybe now was the time. After this adventure, Noelle could believe in anything.
Now here she was, at the footsteps of Viola's, or Ellen's, room. The cat looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to open the door.
Finally, Noelle grabbed the knob. She twisted it and threw the door open bravely.
The bedroom was exactly as depicted in the game. A simple room with a bed and a desk with a diary in the corner. Noelle wondered if it said the same words as before. Though, with her presence, she highly doubted it. She had very clearly messed with everything.
Viola sat on her bed, blood soaking through the sheets. As Noelle walked into the room, Viola gasped out loud. Quickly she crawled off the bed and towards the new visitor. Noelle backed away, almost trampling the cat.
"Viola, let's talk this out," Noelle coaxed.
Noelle watched Viola curiously. The girl looked shocked at her arrival. Maybe, after she realized how much Noelle had gone through, Viola would accept her help. The girl couldn't fight her away any longer. She would have to listen to her this time.
Noelle couldn't dare consider the possibility of Viola's refusal. She would simply cross the bridge when she came to it. Now wasn't the time to doubt, not when she had come so far.
"Viola, this is hard to explain, but I'm from a different place. Far away from yours, maybe even a different dimension, I'm not completely sure. In that place, your story is known by a lot of people… and it's not a happy one. I'm here to help you. I want to get your body back for you."
Viola simply stared back at her in disbelief. The hope that had grown in Noelle began to falter. This was never going to be this easy. Why hadn't she accepted that?
"You're not taking the gracious gift I've given you Viola," the cat murmured.
Both girls looked at the cat, dreadfully confused. What in the world was he talking about?
"Of course, Viola doesn't know. And neither do you, Noelle. But now, I believe, is the right time to tell you the real story."
The cat jumped onto the bed, his paws becoming red. Dipping his head, he licked some of the blood off of the sheets. Noelle held back her disgust.
Once the cat had had his fill, he began to speak.
"As I'm sure you've begun to suspect, Noelle, this is not the first time we've gone through these events. In fact, this is the third time our journey has unraveled. The first ended with Ellen dying on the spikes. The second, well, that's a story all in its own."
Noelle blinked, confused. What had happened during the second time? What could have happened to trigger these events?
"Everything was ending according to plan. Ellen had triumphantly taken Viola's body; the scene had been set. It was supposed to be smooth sailing from there." The cat's voice raised dramatically.
"But then, an oddity occurred. Poor Viola was so disturbed at the scene. Her father taken away to live with the witch, unaware of what was really happening. Who knew what Ellen would do to him? And now, here she was, dying a pitiful death. Well, when I came up to her, she was crying for redemption. I've always had a soft heart, so I listened to her plea."
"And then?" Noelle asked bluntly.
"Hold on," the cat said, jumping off the bed.
Noelle was on the edge, she needed to know where this was going. She tapped her foot impatiently as the cat took his precious time.
Viola, on the other hand, just watched, expressionless. What was going through her head? Noelle couldn't help but wonder. What kind of despair had taken hold when the cat approached her?
"She begged, more like gargled, for a second chance. At first, I was wholly uninterested. But then, she came up with quite the proposition. One I had to consider and couldn't simply turn down. I am, after all, a connoisseur of souls."
The cat stared at Viola, his eyes glaring harshly at her.
"She asked for someone who could save her. Someone who would understand her plight and come to the rescue. Someone who could change the future, the course of her destiny. The ultimate hero, stuff made of legends. I found it ridiculous until I realized the truth."
The truth was also dawning on Noelle. She watched, eyes widening, as the cat continued his monologue.
"She didn't care who I chose. She just wanted a hero, someone who sympathized and would successfully save her. Her wording was very precise and it worked perfectly with my agenda. So we made a contract."
The cat moved over to Noelle and smacked her leg with his paw.
"You, Noelle, are the result of that contract."
The world moved in slow motion. Noelle backed away, horror seeping into her mind.
"…what?"
"Many, many years into the future, I was searching for the perfect human. Many of your type go through struggles, but few want to save someone after the fact. They are too wrapped up in themselves to try. Of course, partially why you even wanted to become a savior was my fault."
"…Your fault?" Noelle whispered.
"Yes. How exactly did your father die?"
"He swerved. He almost hit a…"
Noelle fell to her knees, tears beginning to form. The black cat had caused her father's death. This was unbelievable, impossible. How could it possibly happen to her?
"It wasn't on purpose of course, but it happened. Before I knew it, the man was dead. That was when I saw you, Noelle. You came running, seeing your father's dead body. You were a pure soul, much purer than the other contenders to save Viola. And I had just caused quite the struggle in your life. That made you a sympathizer, didn't it?"
The cat laughed, moving closer to Noelle.
"Then came the real test. Somewhere on the internet, someone had created quite the version of Viola and Ellen's story. Perhaps they had learned about it through a family, who knows? The story has become quite the legend. It's entirely possible. Either way, the truth came out in a video game format. But how would I get you to play it?"
The cat circled Noelle like a predator. She was having a hard time hearing him, her own thoughts clouding her brain. This was impossible, yet it all made sense.
"I sent it through one of your friends. Someone you would listen to and follow through with, even if the request was strange. Then I waited for your reaction… and you know what Noelle? It was golden. The game reminded you so much of your father that you wanted to save Viola. Your desire to be the good guy, the hero, and your stubborn loyalty. It was perfection. It made you the best choice for this nasty job."
"So, while you were sleeping, I found you. I used time manipulation. I dropped you off in the middle of the field, and here we are in this present day."
This had all been planned. A simple ploy that required Noelle's involvement. All along, she had been used to fulfill Viola's contract. Was that why she had desired to save her so much? Fate was pulling the strings, wrapping her into a story she wasn't meant to be a part of.
All because her father tried to avoid hitting a cat. What would he say if he knew what had happened?
"Now, Noelle, the choice is yours. No matter what, my contract with Viola must be fulfilled. As long as you save Viola in some way, then whatever happens, next will be none of my concern. It's not like your death is inevitable."
"I'm not the one I'm worried about," Noelle snapped.
"…However, if you chose to leave or try to escape then I'll reverse time. I'm sure you understand that, though."
She was too aware of what was happening. She was the cat's puppet now, forced to play in his wretched game. No matter what, something would have to be done to save Viola. But through this, a question remained unanswered.
"Why do you even want me?" Noelle demanded. "What do you have to gain from my help?"
"That," the cat said, a twinkle in his eyes. "Is for you to find out. Just know, however, that I intend on winning. I've gone through too much to lose a feast now. I'd be very careful about which decision you plan to make."
He was sick. How did Ellen find it in herself to ask for this wicked demon to help her? It showed the true desperation of an ill girl.
Noelle looked at Viola. She could see shock blending into her face, along with a hint of regret. Was she wishing she hadn't made the decision?
No, Noelle wouldn't let her regret it. Even if this was staged somehow, Noelle was still here. The girl could still change the future. It was possible for her to accomplish what she'd set out to do.
She would do just that, no matter the cost.
"Viola, look at me," Noelle ordered.
Viola obeyed reluctantly. She looked depressed, and the hopelessness made Noelle want to cry. No girl deserved to feel this way, not Viola or Ellen.
"You heard what the cat said. I'm here to help you. It's what I've been trying to do this whole time. Trust me, and let me figure out the best course of action. All I need is your trust."
The girl stared at her, expressionless. Undoubtedly, this would be a hard task for Viola. She had faced one of the biggest betrayals Noelle had ever seen. How could she just trust?
"Please. I wouldn't have gone this far just to backstab you. It's either I help, or Ellen gets away with everything she's done. Even then, the cat will just make everything happen again. So trust me, and let me do what I can to change the future."
Noelle thought she could see tears in Viola's eyes. How tortured was she inside?
Noelle walked over and embraced her tightly, her hands petting Viola's soft hair. She didn't care about the blood leaking onto her clothing. All she wanted was to see this girl happy again.
Viola was one of the few who truly deserved it.
"Please, Viola, let me help you. I don't care if I die, or what's going to happen to me. I want you safe, that's it. And, it looks like you need all the help you can get. A little bit of trust is all I need."
She waited a moment, hoping to hear the right answer. Viola opened her mouth, blood seeping through it slowly.
"Y…yeg…. yegs…"
Though it was hard to tell, Noelle knew what she meant. Viola was going to trust her. Perhaps not fully, but enough. And, as far as Noelle was considered, that was perfect.
"So," the cat said, stalking over to the girls. "What's your grand plan, Noelle? How are you going to solve this puzzle? It's not going to be easy, you know."
Noelle stood up shakily, her eyes narrowing at him.
She would make a plan. It would, most likely, be utterly foolish and probably wouldn't work. But she'd do it.
She would save Viola, no matter what it took.
Ellen stood in a hallway, blood dripping off of her dress. She had gone through hell to get this far. No doubt Noelle had managed to get through as well, with that cat by her side. That girl didn't know what it was like to suffer.
But Ellen did. Every day was a new punishment. She would make that little wretch see how terrible her life had been.
Ellen strutted over to a door that stood at the end of the corridor. She knew what it was, where it would lead.
Next to the door lay the corpse of a cat. The witch hissed in disgust and stepped over it. So the demon had decided to reveal his true self. There was no reason for him to leave the corpse there for anyone to step on, though.
Still, for good measure, she put both of her feet on it, squishing it furiously. That was how she felt about her life in general. She wanted to crush it, replace every bad moment for a pleasant one.
Now, with a new body, she could do just that.
Before she opened the door, Ellen noticed a small note on the right side of the wall. Sighing deeply, Ellen glanced at the words on it. They were red, obviously written in blood.
"COME TO MY ROOM"
Ellen sighed. How typical. Viola was so desperate for help, but it was foolish. Ellen would never lose this body. It was rightfully hers for the taking. Viola had had her happy life. Now it was the witch's turn to have the life she'd always wanted. Someday, perhaps, all of these girls would understand why she did what she did.
The witch opened the door. Inside was her room, just has she had left it. She glanced at the diary on her desk, and she knew what it said. In the diary was all of her life struggles, how the witch had come to such a state. A melancholy feeling overtook her, seeing the old room.
Never would she have to live in it again. The idea made her giddy with excitement. Hopefully, Viola had enjoyed her stay. She wouldn't be there much longer.
"G…ghh…. ggh…."
Ellen whipped around to greet her old friend. Viola crawled over, her gurgling made Ellen feel sick. This was what she had been like at one point. How pathetic.
"G…i…. vveeee…gg…"
"You want it back?" Ellen teased. "Oh, poor girl..."
Still, Ellen masked the fear that was starting to grow. What would Viola do to her if she was caught?
The knife.
Faintly Ellen remembered the knife in the cabinet. That was the perfect way to kill this beast. Once Viola was gone, she'd truly be free.
She kept a laugh down. There was no need to appear hysterical, not now. First, she had to escape. Once she did that…
Ellen would win. Exactly as it should have been.
