The ending I assume most of you have been waiting for! Garry's good ending!

ENDING VII: Freedom from the Tainted Mind

I clenched my fists, and forced myself into making the decision. My eyes darted between the blue door Art went into, and the grey Garry chose. I closed my eyes, thinking over everything that had happened to that point. Garry's smile flashed in my mind, and I was reminded of every good thing he had done for me. Still, Art's delicate shyness-in some things-and how protective both of them were was driving me insane. I took a deep breath, and made my decision, knowing I'd be breaking a heart. I knew it would kill me inside, and I could only hope he understood. I took the steps toward the door my future lied behind, and began to hear my doubts voicing their opinions. I pushed the door open, knowing my doubts would only be put to rest once I officially made my decision, no going back.

He wasn't waiting outside the door, but that was hardly expected. I fruitlessly rearranged my hair just like a normal girl my age would before going on a date. I wondered if I could have been happy being normal. I wouldn't have to worry about dying at every twist and turn, instead I'd be worrying if my crush noticed me. It definitely seemed simpler. My hands fell to my sides, and I realized: Of course it's simpler. But it's not the life I want. My life's with him, now. It chilled me to the bone to finally admit it. It felt good. I took the first step towards him, quickly followed by another, and another. Eventually I was in a sprint, grinning my face off while closing the distance between us. The dark tunnels took my vision, but I ran straight ahead, which was the path the tunnel followed. After I began getting tired, I ran straight into him.

"Oof." He nearly lost his breath as I barreled into his back. He turned towards me, and with my butt on the floor, I looked up at him.

"Ib?" He called out into the dark. I could barely see his form, his lips faintly moving into a smile as he advanced towards me, scooping me into his arms. I buried my face in the crook of his neck, his violet hair tickling my skin. Garry. I loved him with every fiber of my being. Being there, with him, assured me I loved him.

"Garry... I...I love you." Garry only tightened his grip on me as if he would never let go.

"I know. I love you too, Ib." "No, you don't." I said. I had held it in enough. "You deserve to know. I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I-" Garry cut me off with a kiss, which was passionate to the extent of my hands tangled in his violet hair, and his hands holding me close. We were perfect. Garry pulled away, having to take a breath. He dove in for another kiss, but I stopped him.

"We should go on. We have to keep moving." He reluctantly agreed. As we stood up, he held my hand. I wanted to be with him for eternity and on. With him, it felt so right.

He is the original. A voice from the back of my mind spoke.

"What?" I said, darting around. Garry put his hand on my shoulder.

"You alright?" I nodded, shrugging his hand off, then facing him with my best fake grin.

"Let's go on." I said, tugging on his hand.

Any regrets? Wish you had chosen the painting?

I shut my eyes, and pulled Garry along. My hands were shaking. I simply had to ignore it, then it's bone chilling voice would disappear. It's voice was even more macabre than it's words. It sounded like nails dragging across the surface of a chalkboard, murdering an elephant, or some large creature. My mind began weaving the mask the voice would take. It was the voice in my head, so some face to the voice could be somewhat comforting. I began to think of some mask a colour darker than black, and blood pouring out of the eye sockets. Not good. I pulled my thought into the direction of cute bunnies, and kittens. The chilling voice then possessed an innocent rabbit.

Maybe it would be better without either of them.

Having to chose between two men...you sure get around.

Do you even love him at all, little whore?

I was mentally throwing every curse word I knew at Bunny-Face inside my mind. Garry was peering into my face concernedly, but my focus was past his head. A small lamp above was illuminating the wall so you could see the display. It was a disturbing painting of a spider eating a butterfly. I never cared for butterflies, but it still gave me chills. I shook my head. I had seen it before, when I was much younger. No big deal.

"I'm fine, Garry. Honest." He looked at me suspiciously, but we went on smoothly. Before long, my foot caught on a mannequin head set on the floor. My nails on Garry's coat dug deeper. Garry didn't seem to notice, just gaze at a painting of a woman being slaughtered. I couldn't look. Unfortunately, when I looked the other direction, I saw the conclusion, her murderer burning in Hell, literally. As well as me brushing against a statue. My gaze quickly shifted to the other wall, which showed a picture of the Lady in Red, AKA Catori. It was horrible seeing her after her death.

You never loved him, and never will. And stop trying to convince yourself that you're sane. Don't bother.

My eyed darted from one gruesome painting to the next.

I know just how to make you...

I gripped my hair with my free hand as I sunk to the floor.

Crack.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Ib was acting strange. I pretended not to notice her sharp nails grasping my coat for support, because if I had tried to ask her what was going on, she would have brushed me off, like my previous attempts. When her grip slackened, I glanced her way. Her eyes were dull, and she was sitting on the floor, legs sprawled out, and her hand in mine. I saw her back quivering, and I assumed it was her shivering until I heard her soft chuckle. Her entire being was being shaken by the desperate maniacal chuckle of the insane. No, no, no no no no no! Ib can't do this. I should have noticed, her strange behaviour. Something must have done this. She was just fine! A thought nagged at my mind. I wondered if this would have happened had she chosen Art. I fell to my knees, my hand in hers.

(新)

Ib stood up, and grabbed the Lady in Red painting from the wall.

"...Ib?" I made out before she smacked me with the painting, giggling. I could feel it break skin. I took the painting from her hands and pulled her to sit down with me on the floor. I wondered if I could talk her out of it when she was so far gone.

"Ib...don't leave me. Don't leave this world. Because while we are in this Hell, we still have a chance to be free." I put my hands on shoulders.

"To return to our home." I said what I felt she needed to hear. I was shaking her shoulders at this raised her head to look at me, and I recognized the slightest twinkle in her eyes. I was reaching her.

"We will escape. We will make it out. But we can only do that if you stay with me!" Ib blinked, once, twice, then looked down. The madness seemed to stop it's take over, and then she seemed lost, harmless. Not insane, and not Ib. I took her hand again, releasing her shoulders. I cupped her hand in mine.

"We can make it out of here if you return to me, Ib."

Ib looked up, her eyes in their former glory. She threw her arms around my neck, leaning her head on my chest. After I overcame the initial shock, I held her tight. Ib pulled from me, as if she just registered the blood running down my cheek. She touched the wound as I tried not to flinch, peering at the blood with a sad expression. She reached into her pocket, taking her handkerchief out. White lace, and her name embroidered into the corner. She dabbed at my wound just before I could complain about ruining her kerchief. I closed my mouth, then smiled through the pain at her furrowed brow and worried expression.

"Did I do this?" She murmured. I nodded. She closed her eyes in acceptance, then put her handkerchief in my hand with a broad smile.

"Ib, I can't take it from you! I already ruined it with my blood, I can't steal it, too!" Ib only smiled. She settled back into hugging me, and I placed the kerchief in my pocket, then drew my arms around her.

I planted a kiss on her cheek, and she replied with a kiss on my lips. It was meant to be quick, but I kept her in the lip-lock, my hand gently holding her head. The kiss became deeper, her seated on my hips with her legs tucked behind her so our feet were intertwined, her hands holding my face. My tongue eventually demanded entrance into her mouth. She pulled away quickly, looking at me, shocked. Her face was flushed pink, and soft smile played my lips. She was too cute.

Soon enough, Ib settled back on my hips, and gave me a long, simple kiss. She stood up, and I remained in place. Ib turned around and looked at me curiously, and offered me a hand. I grinned, then took her hand up.

Ib still seemed herself, but a bit out of sorts. I put my arm around her shoulder and pulled her towards me, and we walked together.

Eventually, we came across a black door. Ib and I glanced at each other, then I opened it. Once I saw inside, I nearly broke from Ib and ran to the painting. Once Ib did, she did run off to the painting. She traced the engravings on the frame, ran her hand on the glass. I walked over, gazing at all of it's glory. The Fabricated World. The beginning and end of the puzzle. Our gate out of Hell.

Ib took my hand, and we smiled at each other. The frame disappeared and the painting turned into a portal, and I climbed up. I hoisted Ib up, and she looked around the room once more before we were transported back to the gallery, hand in hand.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

I shook my head, coming out of my deep thinking from staring at the sculpture 'Embodiment of Spirit'. It brought me a bit of melancholy, for a strange reason. The red hue was...familiar. I slipped back into my deep thinking, digging my hands into my pockets. I felt something foreign in my pocket, and I gripped the expensive fabric and drew it from my pocket. It was an expensive custom-embroidered lace handkerchief. It probably cost more than the most expensive article of clothing I owned. There were blood stains. I looked over to the word embroidered I hadn't had a chance to look over, only notice. Ib.

Ib.

Ib!

The image of her face as she wiped the blood from my face appeared in my mind. The image of her blushing after we kissed. then less savory memories...the rest of the gallery, happy parts aside. It was crazy, but it had to be real.

I pocketed the handkerchief, and ran out of the bottom floor, knowing where she would be. I ran to where the Art's portrait was-I had never seen it, but I had enough sense to figure it was where the only painting I had looked at before the Fabricated World and then Abyss of the Deep. In it's place was Art, holding his empty hands out. There was the slight outline of hands over top his. Ib's hands. The plaque read 'Alone' In front of the painting, Ib was holding her hands over her heart.

"Art..."

She whispered. I put my hand on her shoulder. She turned around with wild eyes that calmed once she recognized me.

"Ib...do you need a moment?"

She shook her head, then rested her head on my chest. We had a nice few seconds, remembering Art-I never really liked him but he was good to Ib- until the man looking at 'Couplet Towers' looked between me and Art.

"Hey...you look exactly like the painting." Ib's eyes widened. I stuttered a response.

"Uncanny resemblance?" Ib tugged on my sleeve, her gaze resting on Art. She wanted to leave, but she didn't want to leave Art.

"Come on." Ib looked at Art awhile longer, then looked up and me and nodded.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

I held my first born child in my arms. I held her tight. I never wanted to let her go, ever. She was beautiful, she was perfect. Garry had his hand on my shoulder, and he crouched down to get to eye-level. He ran his hand through our daughter's newly cleaned blonde wisps of hair, and she opened her eyes. Her eyes were bright red, like mine.

"Alice." I decided.

"She's-Alice's perfect." Garry planted a kiss on my forehead.

The moment was perfect, and my world was complete.