Hey, guys! Happy Friday! Have a great weekend! :D
To R0C95: Thank you for always reviewing! :) I hope you enjoy what is to come.
To AoE: I reread the part you highlighted. I see what you're saying, actually. I'm not going to edit the story at this point, but I do see what you're saying there. I should've just added a neither into there. I'll be honest, however, and give you a little bit of a glimpse at the craziness that is my mind. The dialogue exchange between Bubbles and Buttercup in that chapter was, by far and away, the hardest thing to write out of this entire piece. I spent almost a month just rearranging and rewriting that dialogue to my satisfaction. It was difficult because you're dealing with our completely emotionally defeated protagonist, and a not-so-nice version of Bubbles, who also has to be capable of reasoning. Plus, on top of all that, I had to make it sound somewhat realistic. It was actually harder to write Bubbles' lines than Buttercup's, because Bubbles isn't Sweet Bubbles, but she's not Evil Bubbles either, so I tried very hard to capture her apathetic attitude. I hope you could somewhat sense her apathy. Yes, I do agree that usually a survival instinct would be more barbaric, but my philosophy on this was, Bubbles' subconscious survival instinct knew that she needed to reason with Buttercup, so she did. I think something instinctual like that, if in a human, can become rational if rationality is its only option for survival. That is a very long conversation however that could go on for hours. :P I hope you like the explanation and do see where I was coming from while writing it, now.
ANYWAY! On with Chapter 13!
Bubbles flew swiftly and silently through the ebony night. Before long, the forest was in sight. It had been thirty years since I flew through these trees. Once again I was drenched in rain and sweat as the winds whipped violently, swaying even the sturdiest of trees to and fro on its merest whim.
I very quickly found myself following my sister into the deepest, darkest depths of the woods, and we then came to a fork in the road. A chill ran down my spine…This was where I lost sight of Bubbles all those years ago… Suddenly, I found myself unable to continue to fly forward.
"Buttercup…I know it hurts to be back here. That's one of the other reasons the Devil awaits us where he does. He wants you rattled. He wants you broken before you arrive. You have to fight this. It's time for you to make peace with your past. Let's move forward, now."
"One moment, please." I looked up to the rumbling sky.
"I'm sorry, Blossom. Please forgive me. I'm going to set things right tonight, I promise." My eyes watered once more.
"Buttercup…It isn't your fault. Blossom loved us both. I'm sure she forgave you the moment you lost me in these woods. Further to that, Blossom lives in you. That's the one thing you have forgotten. She lives in you. She will always live in you. You can do this. I know you can. You know you can. She knows you can."
"Yes. This is my battle. I've come this far, I can't run away now. It's still so hard to face these things again, Bubbles. Please forgive me."
"Of course I do. We're nearly to the Cross. Once we reach Dixie Creek we will see the cabin on the other side of it. I'm by your side this time. We shall overcome. Follow me."
When the trees became their thickest and densest, we came across the creek. The creek was running violently, it was impassable on foot. Bubbles descended, signaling me to follow.
"What's the matter, Bubbles?"
"This is where I must warn you once more. The moment you cross this creek you are in Satan's neck of the woods. When we meet him inside that abandoned cabin, each and every one of your fears, shortcomings, and weaknesses will be employed against you. Are you sure you're ready?"
"Yes, Bubbles. I have to face these demons sometime. May as well be now." My voice echoed into the dark trees. I was stunned with just how much conviction I was speaking, because I was quivering with fear internally.
The effect was immediate upon flying over the roaring creek. We had reached Klansman's Cross. The house of horrors, buried deep in Carolinian folklore, more than met its quota in terms of infamous dread and morbidity. The Cross reveled unabashedly in its own dastardly, macabre ambience. Even in the black of night I could see why Satan so cherished this old cabin. On the ground were a plethora of both human and animal bones, and old, tattered articles of clothing were ripped and spread healthily around the bones. Near the large cabin was an old oak tree with the bones of a hanged man dangling ominously on its thick branch. As we flew nearer and nearer to the cabin, the air got staler and colder as we flew, as if some ghastly, incurable pestilence pervaded the ten-acre property.
We reached the entrance to the two-story cabin.
"Your fate awaits you beyond that door, Buttercup."
A rusty old key hung innocently in the keyhole. I paused, staring at it intently. I knew once I turned that key, the option to retreat would be lost forever. The second I touched that rusted, bronze key, I would be forced to confront every demon, pestilence, and fallacy with which I was plagued. For better or for worse. In life, or in death.
I nodded at Bubbles and turned the key steadily. I turned it with acute precision, and permitted myself and Bubbles inside Klansman's Cross. The cabin was unilluminated by any light, and the door slowly and menacingly creaked shut behind us. There was a loud click, which signaled the locking of the door. Seconds later, a hollow pop was heard from the keyhole.
The key had vanished. There was now no escape from the dark, dreary cabin.