WAIT JUST A MINUTE DON'T SKIP THIS A/N
Okay so just a little side note, I made a slight few changes in the first chapter. Don't worry, it doesn't effect the story in anyway. I just added a couple of dialogues and whatnot. I've always didn't like the first chapter. It just sounded so wooden and so boring so I tried to loosen it up. Anyways, sorry for this inconvenience, you don't have to read it really, there were minor changes to it.
Anyways, thanks for all the support and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
PART NINE - THE HERO OF HATINO
Gorge made his rules very clear with his pistol. If anyone has a problem then it's too bad. There have been rumors that he has a whole army of Sheikahs at his command but Ilia just dismissed that. The only thing he has were men that hated Dobbin on his side who enforces his brutal laws. There was nothing that can be done. The people are scared and they needed protection.
Ilia sighed, biting her nails off, a nasty habit that stopped five years ago but began to resurfaced. She came back from town still with no signs of Andie or Quill. Feeling emotionally drained, she entered the home, preparing to be met with the horrible stench of Dyer's mess that he left.
She couldn't bring herself to order them around to tidy up. She failed them in the worst possible way yet and couldn't find the courage to take charge again. How long was it since she spoke with someone without arguing?
The living room, to her astonishment, was blissfully clean. She dragged his finger on the table and no dust stuck to it. The immaculate carpet was bright red and new even Hank's desk, which would be normally filthy, was spotless. She surveyed around, in awe, to see each and every one of the chores she would always force the boys to do was handled full heartedly. Who's done this? Certainly not the boys, she would always use coercion and a wooden panel if they didn't finish it. To think someone volunteered to clean the entire tree house…
She went up to the kitchen relieved to see it immaculate like the living room. A warm feeling washed a bit of the despair in her heart. She bit her bottom lip, blinking back tears. She never thought anyone would bother, not after the kind of leadership she's shown them. Because of her everything is in ruins. Link must loath her and Gus couldn't even look in her eyes.
She swiped a finger on the table, still in disbelief at how polished it felt. Tears dropped down her cheeks. Andie must abhor her too. The bruise still smartened from his hand and she gulped down a sob. She isn't a leader, only some girl that wanted to prove herself. She should've heeded Gus' advice and respected Link's decision but what was she to do? He wanted to force them to doing it his way and she knows how stubborn he is. She did this for all of them.
And Hank. Poor Hank. He just sits there with his hands on his desk, and he would stare at the wall emotionlessly, caressing his fresh battle scar. And she hasn't seen Quill in so long.
What has she done to them?
She covered her mouth to muffle her cries. They murdered a man. It was an accident, they never intended to hurt anyone. Why won't her heart stop suffocating her? She can't sleep or look at herself in the mirror without breaking down. She never liked the old man. He preferred to give his villagers a heart attack with his reckless adventures but she never wanted anything to happen to him.
He's old though. He was going to die anyways. Those words repeated in her mind to try and wipe away the guilt. He is old and the way he was he should've died in a million ways. Didn't they give him a merciful death?
Yes, by burning him alive in his sleep. She thought bitterly, sniffing. If she could only undo it all, her stupid plan and Link. She wished she could undo everything, how she wished she never bumped into Link at town then maybe this would have never happened. They would've continued living on their lives with no worries and stay together rather than broken down.
She refuses to acknowledge the fact that if they have left with Link that night then the chief would have been alive. She would rather struck on arrow on her heart than admit he's right which he is not. He isn't right. He should've been more understanding with their situation instead of cornering them. He should've just tried to cajole with them gently and try to get them to understand why he wanted to change things. Instead he got mad at her and everyone else, demanding for respect and loyalty like before.
No one would forgive her after this. They might decide to leave and maybe even quit thievery once and for all. She covered her face and her body trembled. She felt so alone. So very alone. The kitchen is quiet, the house is empty, and only her shadow accompanied her. Everyone would leave her and move on to forget the promises they made, the dreams they shared. They would want to forget everything about her because of her stupid decisions and leadership.
A hand touched her shoulder and she blenched from it. Dropping her hands from her face she saw Hank and that noticeable scar on his face made her cringe. He was looking at her and she flinched back, thinking he might yell but his eyes held compassion. It was that gentle look on his face and the fact that someone is finally seeing her made her break. She chocked a cry and he held her.
"It's not your fault," he whispered into her ear, his voice watery. "It's never your fault so don't—" He took in a shaky breath, staring up at the ceiling as to not let his tears fall.
His warmth and his assurance made her cry harder. She missed them so much it hurts. Her heart shriveled as her hot tears soaked his shoulder. They both cried. For the crimes they did, for the mistakes they did, they cried for a man they never met, a man they always mocked and hated.
At last she pulled away getting a hold of herself. Hank's wet cheeks were redder than his scar. "How do we do this?" He asked her, his voice pleading. "How do we continue? What do we do from here?"
He's asking her for comfort, to be told what to do. He still considers her a leader after everything that happened?
The question hung in the air and she stood there silently thinking. She's afraid of taking charge, worried she might plunge her friends into more misery. How can he still trust her? Isn't he worried that she might screw them over?
Looking into those eyes, those desperate eyes made her heart squeeze. He drives her on the edge of insanity with his garrulous attitude and his inventions yet he looks at her like a lost little boy looking for guidance.
She placed a hand on his scarred cheek and smiled a little. "We move on from here," she told him. "It is my fault, Hank, and I'll carry it with me. I don't want this to be the end of us."
He removed her hand gently and turned the other way, looking irritated. "It's not your fault," he repeated. "I don't know if I can even blame Link but I want to just—" He stopped when he couldn't find the right for it. "It feels wrong if we try to live, you know? Like do we even deserve it?"
"We do," she said firmly, moving his chin to meet her eyes. "We do but we can't let this kill us no matter what. We need to stay strong together."
"But what about stealing?" His eyes shimmered. "I don't think I ever want to try it ever again. I keep thinking about what would've happened if we just went with Link or if we listened to him."
She pursed her lips and her eyes narrowed. "We would still not have left with him. It's pointless think of 'what ifs' and I still wouldn't have left with him. It wouldn't bring back the chief anyways." She glared down at the floor, wanting to dismiss her anger. "He just—he couldn't do that to us. I know we lied but what did he think we were going to do? Just listen to what he says and go with it?" She spat. "And then what? He'll just leave us again like before! And I bet when he comes back he'll just tell us to steal again!"
It felt good to rant out, to show her hatred to someone else. Her heart thumped in her ears and she took in a deep breath. "I'm going to keep stealing," she said. "I'm going to keep at it because it keeps me and you alive." She glanced at him with a softer look. "You don't have to do it if you don't want to."
He nodded, scratching his head. "I want to but I'm just afraid of what'll happen. Like what happens if I get someone killed again?"
"It's not your fault," she insisted.
"Then whose is it?"
"I don't know but I know it's not ours."
He opened his mouth ready for an argument but a growl from his stomach interrupted him. He flushed as she giggled. "Hungry?"
"Now that you mentioned it…"
She decided to end it there and get to work, putting on an apron and turning to the kitchen. It still pleases her to see the dishes, sparkling clean and unblemished. She'll have to reward however done this.
Hank's eyes followed her and he chuckled softly as if reading her mind. "It's Link in case you're wondering," he said, smiling a little at her stunned surprise. And his voice took on a sad note. "Maybe we just missed it but I think he's also having a hard time." He shrugged. "You know him. Emotions and Link don't go well together."
That's Link all right, reticent as ever.
"Do you think he blames me?" She asked quietly, slicing the apples thinly.
"I don't think so," he replied, sitting on the cushioned seats. The cushions were soft and puffy, showing that it hasn't been forgotten in Link's odd cleaning spree. "I know he feels bad. His head is just too big to admit it."
She giggled softly. "Too big."
To think he bothered to handle the house while she's away. Who would have thought?
After a long pause of fiddling with his goggles, he asked, "What are you making?"
"Apple pie."
"Oh, nice."
She smiled a bit wider when she heard him simmering in anticipation. The smell of the pie baking attracted one of their largest members. Dyer had to duck from the doorframe and his nose jittered up. "Tell me its pie."
"Apple pie," Hank replied, pushing a seat for him. "Thank gods it's not from Gus."
They all chuckled at this softly and the silent took over with a sudden of sadness. Gus isn't himself anymore. Arguing out of nowhere, staying in town under the blistering sun till he's red to the face, and now he's even suggesting to pin up postures. They had to tell him he couldn't go out at night even using force.
Nothing is safe at night and Ilia could see the only reason they're breathing was because of Hank's fence but even that didn't make her feel entirely safe. She could hear the snorting and the monsters shrieking from her window.
She swallowed. When Gus returns, she'll talk with him, get him to stop acting delirious and hopefully bring the old him back. The one that likes to cause drama and conflict and one that sometimes made her wish he could just leave. Hopefully, he'd be too tired from his long trip from town to even argue.
Dyer cleared his throat. "So, anyways," he started awkwardly. "The place looks nice and I feel like I'm going insane."
"I think Link was the one who went insane," Hank said with a small laugh.
"So it was him." Dyer just shook his head with disbelief. "The garden got weeded out and your crap actually looks nicer."
"My crap always looks nicer," Hank said.
There was something there. Something that was once broken was now being fixed. Like a mirror that has been shattered and now the pieces are being put back one by one.
"I've been thinking," Dyer started, and Ilia turned to see his tired eye, "I'm tired of feeling like this." He took in a breath that lifted his shoulders. "I'm really tired of this and I don't know how to stop it."
"We stay together," she urged, putting down the knife before she cuts herself. "We can overcome anything. It might take a few weeks maybe months but we will." She opened the oven to let the fresh smell of pastry stop their worries. She could see their eyes brightened up and grief thrown out the window, temporarily. "Let's have some pie, shall we?"
Hank grinned, this time it was his old large grin. "It's been so long since we had pie." He blinked when he saw something from the door and his grin widen. "I know you're there, you bastard. Trying to sneak on us, huh?"
Ilia and Dyer turned to the door to see Link in the door frame and shrugged. "Maybe I just want to take the pie for myself." He walked in with ease. The bandage on his forehead was gone leaving behind a tint of red.
He seemed better she noted. Walking, climbing up the ladder, and doing every chore that requires all five of them to finish. She sternly told him to stay in bed but you can't cage a wild wolf. His hair a mess and around his eyes were dark circles. They weren't the only ones deprived of sleep. He may not show it on his face but his back still shot him with pain. Every time he moves there's this twitch in his eye that would betray his assuring words.
Still it's nice to see him after so long.
Link looked down at the pie fondly and Ilia thought he would say something that might bring a closure to all of what's happening. Maybe an apology would be nice or some encouraging words.
"We need sake."
They all gave out a jocose laugh and Link chuckles. Of course they need sake with him around.
Her heart fluttered as she sat next to him. They could move on from this. They could go back to the way things have been. It might take a while, the road would be bumpy and there will be grief to accompany them but together she knows they're strong enough.
Hank brought out his flute and for once in a lifetime no one stopped him. He played an ear shrieking tone that they all cringed to and he grinned at them, clearing using their patience to his advantage. Link grabbed it from him and tried to whack him but Ilia scolded at them both. She never knew how much she missed their otiose complaints and childish fights.
Dyer breathed out when he finished his cup. "You guys remember when Link tried to catch that fish when we were kids?"
Hank slapped his knee. "Oh gods, how can anyone forget his stupid face?"
It was a story they couldn't share with Quill since it would ruin his impression of Link. The fish was huge and Link wanted it. He dragged them all by the river to get them to help him. Hank made him a large fishing rod that required all of them to hold on to while Link just watched them eagerly. Little bastard wasn't doing anything and claims he couldn't work on an empty stomach. He got the fish alright. It got him by the nose just as they reeled it back. It was a story they always reminded him every time he suggested to go fishing.
Link grinned tightly, wrestling Dyer with an arm. "Let's talk about you, buddy. You couldn't keep your eyes off the beehive, remember?"
There were groans that arise from each of them. Dyer was hungry and he wanted honey. Honey was expensive in town and this was before they tried to steal to make a living. He made them stay until the evening to try and poke the bees out of their home. Naturally this ended with red dots on their faces and them screaming throughout the village with raging bees trailing them.
"What about Hank's hoses?" Link reminded them.
"They're called Hank's Water Dance," Hank said and snapped a look at Link. "And they were working just fine until you ruined them."
Ilia and Dyer had made their own garden, filling it with roses and lilacs. Hank decided to do something nice for a change and made hoses that would water the entire garden in less than a minute. He had buried the hoses underground into a small network and with a switch of a button, water would flow smoothly to the surface and nurture the flowers. It was working flawlessly until Link tripped on one hoses that were exposed to the surface and moron fell on the machine that pumped out water, causing it to malfunction and water and mud to explode from everywhere. They still had mud stuck in their ears for the next two weeks.
They stayed like this, reminding each other of their embarrassing experiences and chocked with laughter. The pie half-finished and sake was passed around. The sun began to fall as Link stood up with his hands up.
"How about the time when we made Dyer the cat?"
She tried not to smile longingly at the memory. Their favorite game or rather her favorite was always cat and mouse. One person would chase and the rest flees. She's faster than all of them and sometimes they'd turn up the game by making the rest cats and only her a mouse. She out ran every single one of them.
Dyer covered his eyes and groaned so loudly the table vibrated. "You guys wouldn't let me leave."
"You just had to catch one of us, man," Hank complained, throwing his hands up. "Just one! Ilia wouldn't let us leave until we finish the game."
She tried to put on a serious face and hide her grin behind her cup. "I hate leaving things half-finished."
Hank rolled his eyes with a silly grin. "And we had to let you win on purpose to go home."
Dyer roared with laughter and recalled how he was panting and shaking. They didn't tease Link about cleaning the hideout or anything. Instead they all shared the golden memories of their childhood. The nightmare of the fire long forgotten. It felt as if things were already back to normal.
Ilia bit her bottom lip. This moment was so perfect, so precious…
"What's wrong?" Link asked, staring at her with surprise.
It was so wrong of her to cry, to ruin this moment but she couldn't help it. She smiled and laughed chokingly, wiping her eyes. "No, it's just—" She sniffed and her smile broadened. "I'm just happy."
Hank wrapped his arms around her and Dyer patted on her shoulder. She swallowed and smiled widen as her cheeks flushed. They told her that they cared for her and that no matter what there will be nothing to separate them. She could tell they're having a hard time keeping it together. Only Link sat away from them, his lips pursed and his cold eyes averting from the group hug.
"Guys," Link started, quietly, "there's something I need to tell you."
A creak of the door got their attention. Ilia's breath stilled. For a moment, she thought a monster had snuck up on them. It was Gus who stood there with tight lips. His flaming hair covered most of his cold eyes and he stood there motionlessly at the scene.
She felt her heart sink to her feet. "Gus." She stood up but Dyer stopped her with a strong hand.
"Gus," Link said with a warning look as he stood up carefully.
It's a wise move Dyer stopped her. Gus was all but normal. His fingers twitched and turned and his eyes burned through hers. He looked more like a skeleton, glaring at them with those cold eyes.
He was numbed with hurt, misery, shame and regret. It keeps him awake, eating away what's left of him. And Andie being whisked away only deepened his grief.
Gus came back from town still with no signs of the little guy. Ilia urged him to return with her but he insisted to stay until evening. His legs were swaying and his arms moving numbly at his sides. Everything seemed so pointless. He didn't even notice the odd looks or the whispers.
He kept replaying that moment when fire breathed into the house. Hank got stuck under rubble and Dyer dragged him out. Gus remembered that night well. Once Dyer dragged Hank from under the rubble, Hank was rolling on the ground in such blinded pain that he couldn't even think. Dyer had to carry him out. Oh, how Hank screamed. My face! Oh gods, Ilia, my face!
It was something Gus could hear in the silence. Something that stays at the back of his mind and made him physically cringe. Hearing Hank scream like that…it sounded like someone else. There's no way his friend could ever scream like that.
He entered through the door, ignoring how his surroundings were spotless. His books were lined in such a perfect row that if he wasn't so miserable, he would've given a reward to the person who done it. He felt numb inside. He couldn't even cry if he tried. It's as if something took away his emotions and left him with this deep, dull pain that hid behind his empty eyes.
He didn't know who to blame. It could've been Link since that jackass never listens to anyone, maybe Ilia for coming up for the idea, Hank for making his lanterns so ethereal. Or maybe the fault is with him? After all, he did take the time to plan everything out.
He could never pick up a weapon and stayed proud of that despite his querulous friends. Instead of helping them with his hands he wanted to reach them through his brain. It's how he makes up for being physically weak by being mentally strong. It was a position he preferred rather than getting his hands dirty or risking his life.
So how did it all happen? How was Link so careless with his lantern? How did no one hear the chief as he was screaming to death?
He glanced up at the ladder and noted a familiar smell. Someone is baking something.
He hasn't seen anyone around for so long or maybe he has? Time tends to slip away from him, as does his mind. If only Andie was here then maybe he wouldn't be so deep in misery. If Andie is okay, just Andie…
The wooden steps of the ladder squeaked under his boot. He grunted as he climbed up further, the smell getting stronger and indignation lit inside of him. He heard something. Was it laughter? He hurried up not caring how his arms were already sore and his legs cramped. Dyer always bickered how Gus needed to work out.
He opened the door and heat hit his face and his stomach moaned. Ilia, Link, Hank and Dyer stared at him with surprise.
Ilia got up and Dyer sat her down. Gus felt his eye twitched at the sight of sake and a dessert. They're laughing and having a fun time while Andie is still out there, in the woods or in town, possibly in danger. Not only that, they seemed to be so carefree and relaxed while Gus' suffocating with anguish. Does no one care about the life that they took?
His teeth chattered and his eye twitched uncontrollably. Guilt has been eating him away. He couldn't do anything, couldn't stand to look at his reflection, seeing Dobbin's ghost haunting his dream. Was he honest to gods the only one suffering?
Poor Andie. Poor sweet Andie is out there, alone and hurt, and here they all are having a little party.
"Gus." Link got up, with a warning look.
He wanted to laugh. What right does Link have to be mad? Gus hasn't seen a teardrop out of him when he gave him the news. It must be so nice not to give a damn about anyone. To just live carefree and in comfort without an ounce of care for the world.
"How can you all laugh and drink like nothings happened?" His chest moved rapidly as a dry laugh choked out of him. "We murdered someone." He looked at Link. "You murdered someone."
Link's eyes sharped. "I did not."
"Who then?" Gus spread his arms and laughed crazily. "Are you still saying someone was there last night?"
Ilia winced. "Gus, please—"
"No!" He shouted, still grinning madly. "Tell me this, you stuck up bitch, do you still say that it isn't our fault?"
"Don't talk to her like that!" Hank snapped as he got up. "It's no one fault, man." He placed a hand on his scar. "It's no one's fault. We can't let this get the best of us."
Ilia stood up, brushing away from Dyer's hands and tried to calm him down. "Gus, just listen to me for a minute," she said softly, moving to touch him.
Gus shoved her back and she would have fallen if Link hadn't reach out his arm and grabbed her. "Don't touch me!" Gus shouted, kicking a chair away and Dyer dodged it. "Don't you dare touch me! It's all your fault this happened!" He turned to Link. "And you…I wish you were dead. I wish you never came back."
Link pushed Ilia aside and was coming to him.
Gus took the luxury of voicing out his thoughts. "You miserable bastard, I wish you never came back!" He screamed, the veins showing on his forehead. "You never cared about us! It was always about you, you, you!" With every 'you' he said, he kicked the chair and pounded the wall with his hands, ignoring the pain that shouted on his palm. His lungs were burning and his throat became dry. His eyes stared to fog as the misery overwhelmed him and knees were buckling. "Andie's gone and the chief's dead and it's all your fucking fault!"
Link groaned as if getting tired by this conversation. "I. Bloody. Told. You. My words and days, how many times do I have to say it? I tried to get you to stop stealing!" He raised his hands up in defense. "All right I'll admit I should've done a better job at it but come on!" He pointed a thumb at his chest. "You guys lied to me. You guys were the one stealing and I told you to knock it off and what did you say?" When Gus didn't say anything Link got into his face, giving a cocky smile, his hot breath hitting his cheek. "Come on, buddy, the gods don't like cowards. Tell me what you said that night."
"Never," Gus repeated, feeling goose bumps on his arms. "I told you never."
Link gestured with his hands in a 'there you go' manner and took a couple of steps back.
"Because you never bothered to listen to us," Ilia said, with a fist on the table. Her cup rolled over and smashed into the floor, separating into pieces and flying in all directions. "We can't just stop because you said so. Did you ever think about us?"
Link flabbergasted. "Of course! Why do you think I managed to stick around?" He looked over at Gus and took a step forward. "I wanted you guys to stop because it isn't a game anymore. I had the worst time when I've been caught and I don't want it the same for you guys."
"You don't care," Gus said with a dry chuckle. "If you did then you wouldn't have left us for a dog. If you even have a heart at all you wouldn't be here celebrating but going out there—" He pointed at the window. "—looking under every single pebble for Andie and praying to everything holy in repent for a man's life that you took."
His voice went haorce and his finger shook as his composure melted. He let out a small agonizing cry as he convulse into sorrow. "You-you should be on you knees and-and begging for forgiveness. You don't care about us." His voice was cracking and strained as if someone punched him in the gut and he was still recovering. "You never cared about anyone, Link. You wouldn't have left us so easily if you did!" His voice nearly gone now and his fingers dragged down his wet cheek.
"If I don't care then I would've left right now. Is that what you really want?" Link sighed as if he's annoyed. "You didn't listen to me at the mansion and what happened back there wasn't me."
Gus walked to the side of the wall and grinned. "You think we would ever listen to you?"
"Gus, don't." Ilia tried to grab him but it was too late. Gus punched the thin wall and normally it would be impossible to leave a dent but this isn't like any other wall. When he withdrew his hand, coins started to spill out of the hole he made and he grinned back at Link as if he won a prize.
"So you didn't return it like I told you so?" Link took a deep breath but everyone knows that he's irritated. His eyes scanned at the rest of the gang. Ilia was standing her ground with crossed arms in defense, but Hank and Dyer turned away. "Alright fine. You don't want to listen. Okay. " He shrugged like it means nothing to him but it's on his face that he was furious. "Maybe you just need to get someone else killed for you to man up."
The words punched into Gus' gut as coins aimlessly rolled at his feet. If only lightening could strike them down. Maybe then the Goddesses would forgive them or maybe Dobbins. His heart was tearing apart and his vision blurred behind tears. The hurt in his body made him want to scream from his lungs and he turned and left. He heard someone yelling, "Gus, you can't go out there! It's night!"
He frantically went down the ladder, ignoring how the friction of the ropes burned his hand as he hurried down. He flung the door open and went ran outside, the cold air greeting him with delight. He has no idea where he's heading. Just away from here, away from this hellhole. The fences weren't on and he struggled over it.
The mud was in his boot, squishing around his toes as he ran through the heavy rain that dropped from the heavens. His legs, not used to jogging, cramped and burned. His lungs deflated and burned for air. He breathed rapidly, blinded by panic and fear.
He can't live like this. He doesn't have the right to live. It's truly erroneous. It doesn't seem fair for him to breath and live happily. They should be repenting for what they've done.
Thunder roared, lighting flashed, and wind howled, as he ran across the mud and into the darkness. His heart pounding in fear, the bangs stuck to his forehead as water drops fell on his head and his bright blue shirt now darkened with water. The air gave him a chill up his spine and he could see his saggy breath escape his parched lips.
He made it to the pathway that led to the village. He should turn himself in. That's the only way to make things right and give him the right to ask forgiveness.
Something moved in the bushes and his blood went cold. He looked around and the hair on his neck stood up straight. "Hank?" He asked and his eyes widen when the creature out of the bushes wasn't his handy men.
Wet bones and black eyes with green slits for pupils, the creatures of the night jerked at the sight of him. He paled as he took a set back, his foot slipped in mud and he fell down blinking up at the monsters. Maybe this is his punishment sent by the Goddesses. He should pay for what he has done, should've listened to Link and his mother.
I deserve this, he told himself when his body urged at him to run.
A dry Lizafro stepped forward lifting a large sword, clearing struggling with its weight. Lighting flashed around the creature, the blade glinted at the light and thunder pondered. He closed his eyes, waiting for death, waiting for the pain to take him away and end him.
Something clashed against the creature's blade and he opened his eyes to see someone in green in front of him. His shield was out and a sword, a beautiful sword that shined in blue pushed against his opponents.
Link preformed a spin attack and Gus ducked his head, feeling the wind of the attack on his wet head. Two more approached them and one locked his sword with Link's. His swords grinded painfully against the grinning Bokolin's own weapon and he broke free. Using his shield to bump the monster on the head, he left the monster off balanced finished it with a jab. An arrow nearly took Gus by the neck but Link pushed him aside. His sleeve took a gash from the attack.
Link took out a bow and finished the fight with an arrow. The monster let out a gurgle scream before dispiatating into black flakes. Gus stared at Link in awe. He's gotten faster, he thought, much faster than before.
Link sheathed the sword away and glared, lifting Gus with one hand by the shirt. "What is wrong with you?!" He shouted, pushing him away. Gus stumbled a bit. "Do you want to die that bad?!"
"Maybe…" Gus started, panting as he wiped his face off and unknowingly smudging his cheek with mud, "maybe it's a chance for me to redeem myself."
Link pushed him again and stared at him in incredibility as he gasped. "By dying?! How in hell and heaven does that make things any better?!"
"How would you know?!" Gus shoved him back. "You only care about yourself!"
Thunder cracked, and rain poured harder. They were both in the outpour, screaming from the top of their lungs in order to be heard over the raging storm. Branches waved and leaves rustled, thin trees bended at the furious winds and his flaming hair were bashing on his face.
Water dripped off Link's face and he snarled. "If I cared about myself I would've left a long time ago!" Lightening blinded him for a second as it forked down from the sky. "At least I'm trying to fix things! Isn't that good enough?!" He screamed, his face boiling red and a vein stood out on the side of his face. He spread his arms. "What am I suppose to do?! Huh?! Say I'm sorry? That doesn't do nothing so what then?!"
"Why don't you just listen for once in your goddamn life?!" Gus' throat burned from delivering those words. He had no idea he could scream at this level. This was something that he always wanted to say as a child to Link. "Maybe just maybe if you understood why we lied then maybe it wouldn't have happened!"
Link gave a dry laugh. "Oh please! You expect me to waste my time listening to every single one of your bickering?!" He shook his head. "I tried to stop you guys by force because I know you're not going to listen to me that easily! I was trying to do something fast before it screws you over but apparently that's already happened and somehow it's my fault for trying to stop it?!" Rage filled his eyes, and Gus could see a line of saliva connecting his top and bottom teeth as he yelled, "You bloody bastard and you call me selfish! You spent so much time in your books and putting people in the dirt only because you think you only needed brains. You're not that smart, buddy, wanna know why? Andie wouldn't still be missing if you were."
"Don't you bring Andie into this! I was looking for him all day and what were you doing?! Just sleeping around like a lazy bastard and making us do all the work! Why don't you do us a favor and just drink yourself to death?!"
"Oh please, like you guys stand a chance without me. You've been doing good for two years but so what? You screwed up once and now look at you." Link shoved him by the shoulder. "You're a mess. All of you."
There was an indescribable anathema that grew within Gus. He lunged out for Link and tackled him to the ground. "AND WHOSE FAULT IS THAT?!" Gus raised a muddy fist. "You left us! You left us like we were trash and you never came back! We waited and waited and thought you were dead!"
Link didn't move and allowed Gus to hit him. Mud planted on the side of his face in a form of a fist. Gus gave him another hit, choking at the grief that strangled him. "I keep trying to be something here and it always goes wrong!" He let out his feelings into blows. "I keep trying and this happens!" He felt immense pain like nothing before with every hit. His knuckles were burning and the mud slid off Link's cheeks as he stared up at Gus expressionlessly. "I know I'm not that smart! If I was I would have kept everyone safer..."
Gus' fist was out but looking into Link's eyes his fist fell to his side. "I don't know what to do," he whimpered, holding his head. "It's all my fault." He closed his eyes tightly, getting off Link and held his head down. "I just wanted to help you without picking up a weapon. I can't lift a hammer or swing a sword like you guys. And the one thing I'm good at I managed to screw that up as well! So what can I do?! I steal, Link. I steal because it's the only thing I'm good at!"
He sobbed uncontrollably in the rain, sorrowing over his failures. He's so familiar with the taste of defeat. They trusted him to formulate a simple plan to make up for being armless and what does he do instead? Everything is a wreak because he didn't putting into account that the chief might still be alive and they should've went back there to save him. They robbed an old man and left him for the dead. They have no right to live after that.
Link stood up, looming over the crouched, sobbing Gus. Gus blenched back from him, he waited for Link to mock him for being a coward, for crying and showing weakness. But Link said no such thing. "You stole from someone and that someone died. You were always proud of stealing. I mean you did what you had to do to live, right? So, tell me, was it worth it?"
Once Gus regained himself, he sniffed, biting his lower lip. Stealing kept him from starving and kept him happy with everything he couldn't ever have afforded. He was proud to be a thief, taking anything that catches his eyes.
"No," he whispered and felt the truth. "It wasn't worth it at all. I should've quit while I was ahead." He stood up, new tears sliding down his messy face. His entire outfit was covered with heavy mud and water dripped from his cheeks.
Link's face was muddied and bruised but he didn't seem bothered. Link's wounds, unlike Gus who makes a show out of a paper cut, never bothered him.
Link clasped his shoulder and something changed in his eyes. "It's not your fault, Gus," he said softly, as water dripped down from his clothes. "It's not your fault or anyone else. It's mine, okay? Blame me for leaving you guys and blame me for what happened to the chief." His eyes narrowed a bit. "But don't say I don't care about you guys because...I do, all right?" He placed his other hand on Gus' shoulder and gave him a little shake. "You'll make it through this. You and everyone else." He smiled a little. It was kind and so foreign on him. Gus just stared at him, the angry lines started to smoothen. It's so rare for Link to be gentle and kind. It felt as if there were two sides of him. "You can get a job." He said this as if it was exciting as shakes him gently. "Like a real honest to god job. Maybe as a librarian or a teacher. You always wanted to work in a library, right?"
Gus just nodded, not trusting his voice to speak. Who was this person?
"I won't go anywhere this time," Link promised, the warmth melting his cold eyes and for once he seemed to be sincere. It was so strange to be standing in the rain looking at someone else with his friend's face. "I'll stay here till you guys get it together. I swear."
There were times when Gus thought Link truly was crazy. Not the kind of crazy that people would enjoy and laugh but the kind of crazy that you want locked up and as far away from you as possible. He just acted as if he couldn't give a damn about the world or anyone. He loves to laugh at other's misfortune and cause pain to those who wronged him.
But it was moments like these, when Link's action speaks volume against his cold words. Link is a truly mysterious person. He acts like he doesn't care, says with pride that he doesn't have a heart, then goes off doing something that says otherwise. It's almost as if he tries to convince himself that he's a horrible person.
In this moment though, Link actually used words, he's actually expressing himself. In all the years Gus had known him, Link had never done that.
Gus nodded again, his bottom lip quivered and tears fell silently down his cheek. Hope sparked inside him. It's possible. It's possible that he could learn to forgive himself and move on. Do something meaningful in his life for once. He could repent but not with his life. He'll carry this burden till his grave.
They left the woods back to the tree house with Ilia frantically giving them blankets and wiping the dirt from their faces. The fences were on, humming with power and provided Gus with a sense of sanctuary.
He still felt shook from his near death experience and stayed close to Link. After making sure they're okay, she gave them an earful of how dangerous it was out there. Gus could see how he worried them and assured that he's feeling a bit better.
It'll be hard to move all but with his friends he felt like he has a chance. He'll change for the better, he can pray and earn forgiveness back. He's still a stupid child and has a long way to go.
So, straightening his posture, he scanned the faces of his friends, feeling something tug his heart. A small, sad but warm smile came on his face. "Everyone," he said once they've all settled down. Guilt squeezed his heart. He had done nothing but argue and hurt everyone in his way. He had wanted anyone to point a finger to, just blame someone else for everything. He swallowed down a sob, the shame making his face flushed. "I...I umm..."
Dyer nodded. "It's okay," he said quietly. "You don't need to say anything."
"I have to." Gus took a step back so he could face them all. "I can't...I can't even start by how sorry I am...everything I ever said, I am..." He started to sob and held a hand to his eyes. When he spoke it was between hiccups. "So...so sorry..."
He didn't even have the energy to cry anymore. He thought that he had cried so much that it would be impossible to conjure up any tears but he did cry. He's been a horrible friend, acting as if he was the only one suffering, not seeing that he's actually making things worse for everyone.
Someone hugged him and it was Ilia. "It's okay," she whispered. "It's okay. There's nothing to forgive."
Hank and Dyer joined in, giving Gus comfort. Only Link decided not to have his emotions tampered and only leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. A small smirk had appeared on his face.
When they all pulled away, Ilia gave Gus a light kiss on the cheek. "We'll make a plan to find Andie in the morning," Ilia promised to him. "For now, we should get some sleep."
Gus wiped off his last tears and nodded.
"Hey, don't I get a kiss?" Link complained.
"Shut up, Link," Dyer told him and they all gave a little laugh.
Ilia had sent them off to bed with hope flaring in their hearts. They will make posters first thing in the morning with Andie's face. Maybe the villages might have a chance of finding him. They might even find Quill while they're at it.
Gus slept blissfully with a heavy heart and thought that now things will run much smoothly.
This chapter took forever only because I wanted it to be very emotional for the characters. Please tell me your thoughts on this chapter and your predictions. It's really nice to hear what you guys think and it motivates me a lot. Look forward to the next chapter~!