A/N: Sorry for such a later update than usual! College finals came rolling around... But now it's break and these next chapters should come out faster for the time being! Enjoy!
"Now that we got that out of the way, can someone please explain to me what's going on?" Cleo exhaled dramatically and put her hands on her hips. Even in Nefera's body, it was so clearly her.
I giggled sheepishly, failing at making the situation any less uncomfortable. "It's a long story."
"One we don't have time for right now," Heath cut in. "All of you need to come to the pavilion."
Cleo sent a swift glare his way and poked at his chest. "Excuse me but who are you to give royalty orders?"
Heath raised an eyebrow and took a step back. "Honestly, I don't know who anyone is right now. But you gotta come with me." He looked to the rest of us. "Now."
Nefera's eyes narrowed and Cleo walked past him, only to jump back in. "It's dark! You don't expect me to go out there! I can't see a thing!"
Heath sighed and flames immediately wreathed his fingers. He stepped into the hallway. "Let's just go, okay?"
Both Scarah and Deuce immediately complied as the fire elemental went ahead and Cleo begrudgingly followed after them. I followed, and then Cleo slowed to keep pace with me.
"Frankie," she whispered, "what's happening?"
Deuce flinched at the sound of her voice. I whispered back to her, "I'll explain as soon as we're alone."
We stopped abruptly when a door swung open and a ghoul stepped out into the hallway. She rubbed her eyes sluggishly, and Abbey's face became apparent in the glow of Heath's flame. Her languid expression was alert in an instant. Abbey's tone was as cold as her touch, "Am trying to get shut of eye. Let me sleep."
"Sorry," Heath replied steely. "Everyone needs to go to the pavilion. Including you."
She ignored him and moved past us until she was out the building. We hastily followed behind her, the opened door greeting us with a sunset fading into the night. The faint twinkle of stars shone in the sky as the sun began to sink out of sight.
"That's Abbey?" Cleo whispered as she pointed to the ice ghoul ahead. "She looks—"
"Older?" I finished.
She nodded fiercely, Nefera's pulled-back hair bobbing. "Yeah. So does Scarah. And," she gestured in front of her, "that is Deuce, right?"
I nodded and then pointed ahead of me. "And that's Heath."
Cleo's surprise twisted Nefera's features into disbelief. "Heath?" She scoffed. "A late bloomer, I suppose."
I let out a giggle as we approached the pavilion. The sky settled into twilight and the surrounding torchlight barely illuminated the dining pavilion when we walked in. Just about everyone was there, queerly perched on the edges of the picnic tables and facing the middle in a loose circle.
Heath pushed past a couple monsters to the center. "This should be everyone," he muttered to himself.
Cleo raised an eyebrow dubiously, then rolled her eyes and situated herself on the nearest table with a loud sigh. I could feel the corners of my lips upturn at the sight—it was just so Cleo.
Deuce sat by Viperine at a table well ways off, but he would glimpse over his shoulder at the ghoul in Nefera's body. My face fell at the cautious uncertainty in his expression. Even through his sunglasses, I noticed pain in his eyes.
I felt hot with guilt and slumped down beside Cleo, my head in my hands.
How was I going to fix this mess?
"Everyone," Heath called, holding up his hands. "I have some... news."
The area went silent except for the occasional clinking of silverware.
He continued, "I'm sure some of you know that the Queen's monsters know about us. But," he added quickly before anyone could protest, "I'm sure they don't know where we are." His fiery eyes scanned the area and rested on a particular sea ghoul. "Lagoona told me of her trip to the house we have near the city. Unfortunately, there was an incident involving two of the Queen's monsters. Lagoona learned that the leader of the law enforcement unit is the main controller of the city—not the Queen."
A few gasps sounded amidst the silence, but Heath had already moved on. "Because they confronted a group of us, they could keep digging. And to make sure they never do..." A slow grimace formed on his face. "We should go to the palace."
The pavilion went dead silent. Mostly everyone had looked away from Heath, staring listlessly at plates of food or casting uneasy glances at one another. What was the problem? I thought they were against the Queen. Wasn't this their chance?
"Um..." Iris, who was sitting at the table beside mine, raised her hand tentatively. "When?"
Heath shared a glance with Lagoona. "Morning."
Iris' eye widened. "Tomorrow?" she choked out.
"Only a small group," he assured, "to get rid of anything the Queen's monsters have that might lead them to us."
Almost everyone heaved a loud sigh and the dining pavilion was quickly filled the chatter of relieved monsters. I felt a tap on my shoulder; Cleo had a lost expression plastered onto Nefera's face. What's going on? she mouthed.
I raised my hands. "I'll tell you when–"
"There's something else you should know," Heath's voice rang above the chatter of the monsters. Then his gaze moved over to mine, and he beckoned me over.
I swallowed. Did he mean..?
He gave me an encouraging smile.
I reluctantly stood. All eyes were suddenly on me. I exhaled deeply and started from the beginning.
"I woke up to this world a little over a week ago. I was lost and confused—I didn't know who I was or even where I was. When Abbey found me, I snuck out during the night and got captured." I cringed at the looks everyone was giving me, their eyes boring into my skull like daggers.
I cautiously continued, "I talked to the Queen and, when I saw her, I felt... I felt a stronger connection to her than anyone else I've met. She explained many things to me when I realized my true identity which," I looked down, "isn't Cleo de Nile. I... I switched bodies with both her and her sister, Nefera." I looked over at Cleo, and she stood up beside me.
"This is the real Cleo," I said, "trapped in her sister's body, who's trapped in mine." I kept my gaze downward, but I could sense all the stares and tension directed toward me, and my throat grew dry. I swallowed. "I-I'm sorry," I choked out. "I shouldn't have kept this from you." I felt Cleo's hand brush against mine, and she squeezed it supportively. "All these years and you thought Frankie had ruined everything when, really," I felt a lump in my throat and I barely managed to finish speaking without breaking, "she wasn't there to see it happen. She was here all along."
Before I could see their faces, hear their gasps, or even take their ridicule, I was gone. I let go of Cleo's hand and ran as fast as I could. It wasn't like me to run away from my problems, but this time I felt like I couldn't take it. A cacophony of emotions clashed within me. What I had told them changed their entire perspective on what they believed was true for five years.
A part of me felt I should rejoice and be glad that their friend hadn't wrought all this destruction, but I've kept this a secret. I lied to them. My friends. I pretended to be someone I wasn't. This was all new, and the guilt I felt as I slammed my bedroom door was unbearable. I collapsed onto my bed as sobs filled my throat and racked my lungs.
Why was I even taking it this hard? They'd be shocked but they wouldn't be angry with me. My guilt morphed into frustration and I clenched the edges of my pillow.
What was wrong with me?
"Hm, that's not that Frankie I know," Cleo's tone filled the room, and I rolled over in my bed to see her at the doorway, smiling sympathetically at me. "She wouldn't run off like that. And," she squinted at me, "you're crying." She gasped. "You're getting kohl all over my face!"
I broke into a laugh and wiped Egyptian eyeliner off my eyelids. "It sure lasts a while," I commented as I sat up.
Her smile softened and she moved to sit next to me on the bed. "Frankie," she said, "I've had my breakdowns—centuries worth of them. But in the time I've known you, I never imagined you'd act this way. Believe me, it seemed impossible. You were always trying to cheer everyone up." She had a wistful look on her face, and she was quiet before she glanced back at me, her eyes alight and her voice sincere, "Perhaps it's time the roles were reversed."
I smiled softly. "Maybe you're right." I began to slide off my bed until Cleo stopped me.
"First," she said, her expression resolute, "please tell me what's going on!"
-.-.-.-
I told Cleo everything I knew about how the world changed. She took the five years and the normie-world-separation surprisingly well—in fact, she took the whole thing well. Except that she wasn't in her own body and that her sister had basically ruined everything. I didn't tell her anything about the dreams I've had. That was a secret I felt I could keep without worry.
Although when I recapped the time I've been in this new world, she wasn't too pleased about my time with Deuce. The glare she gave me would've put Medusa to shame. Speaking of, Cleo looked a bit downcast at the fact that the older monsters had vanished, and that we were all that was left. But she got over it in almost an instant and resumed fuming over her sister.
Now we had just finished eating dinner, and all the ghouls I had been friends with in high school had swarmed our table. I fully enjoyed their company now that I could freely express who I was. They all hoped we would get back into our rightful bodies soon, and, when Cleo and I were putting away our plates, we made an agreement with one another.
We scoured the grounds for Heath until we finally found him in the garden talking to Venus.
"Heath!" I called out. He turned to us, eyebrows raised. "What you said earlier?" I linked my arm with Cleo's and grinned. "We want in."
She narrowed her eyes at the scene unfolding before her. Most monsters wouldn't be able to hear at the distance she was, but she could, and she listened intently, her eyebrows arching upward as the information was made clear.
Cleo was Frankie.
She didn't expect her to run off, though.
Not like she was going to run after her, anyway.
She pushed the newfound knowledge aside. She'd worry about it later, although she wasn't much of a worrier. Swaying her tail, she abandoned the pavilion and made her way to the bathrooms. Opening the door, the ghoul was met with the sound of loud coughing. She groaned inwardly at the sight of another ghoul, whose afro was pulled back while she bent over the sink.
"Honey? You're still sick?" she asked.
The ghoul raised a teal finger, her head still down. "No, no," she said, an attempt at optimism in her tone, "I'm just under the weather is all."
The other scoffed. "Well get over the weather, already. If you're sick, the whole camp is next."
Honey sighed and turned to the ghoul. "I won't cause no harm to nobody, Toralei."
Toralei crossed her arms and opened her mouth until another southern voice occupied the silence.
"Now you leave Honey alone, Toralei," Operetta said as she entered the restroom. She sent the werecat a quick glare then focused on the swamp monster. "Come on, Honey, let's get ya somethin' to eat."
"Yeah, Operetta doesn't want to leave her ghost boy alone," Toralei chided.
Operetta ignored her as Honey followed her out the restroom, leaving the werecat presumably alone. Then a stall door opened and Scarah's pale green figure approached the sink beside Honey's former cough disposal. Toralei's eyes narrowed at the sight of the black-haired ghoul. Telepaths always made her wary. Also, Scarah's dress was so not right for the weather.
Scarah glanced over her shoulder to glare at the werecat, who smiled shamelessly back. Toralei knew she shouldn't have been judging the other ghoul's outfit, especially when she had ripped off the sleeves of her own red sweater just this morning. Toralei headed toward the stall and let her thoughts drift.
A bad idea with a telepath in the room.
"She what?!" Scarah's exclamation boomed in the quiet. She swiveled around to face Toralei, her blank eyes wide. "She told everyone!?"
Toralei rolled her eyes. "Yeah." She pushed past the ghoul and walked out. She didn't need to go that bad, anyway.
She let out a yawn. With the night sky settling in, the desire to nap was itching at her like fleas. Not that she's ever had any. Sleeping in the ghouls' rooms wasn't an option, especially now that Frankie was having an uncharacteristic drama-fest.
Before she knew it, Toralei was already at the threshold of the rickety building known as the workshop. Habit. It was where she usually napped since it was the most secluded building in the camp. Hardly anyone went in there, so Toralei was surprised to hear voices as she pushed the door open.
Jackson was there, no surprise, immersed in conversation with his former alter ego.
"No, but, if that's true then—"
"I was just there," Holt countered. "That's what she said."
Toralei laughed, surmising the situation quickly. "Seriously?" She scoffed. "You two are whining 'cause your ghoulfriend's back?"
"We're not whining!" Holt retorted; his blazing eyes dimmed once he realized it was a newcomer who'd interrupted their conversation. "What do you want?"
Toralei put her hands on her hips. "A nap, Jackie Junior." She pointed a thumb at the exit. "Out," she demanded flippantly, to which he resentfully complied. Toralei triumphantly turned towards her usual napping corner.
Her face fell instantly. The werecat whipped her gaze at Jackson, a request for an explanation clear in her eyes, but he grimaced apologetically and shrugged.
"So this is where you've been," she muttered under her breath.
The werecat twins frowned and stood from their huddled position. "We knew you'd come here sometime," Meowlody said.
"So we waited," Purrsephone said. "And now you're here!" She raised her arms in the air victoriously.
"Whatever," Toralei drawled. "I'm here for a nap."
"We'll nap with you!" The twins said, and then cast one another swift glares at their unison.
They pulled Toralei down to the floor before she could protest. The werecat sighed, reluctant to give in. On the other hand, it'd been a while since she spent time with her closest friends. She stifled a chuckle at their physical appearance. Now her hair hung long and theirs was chopped short.
Settling herself on the rug beneath her, Toralei stretched out her arms, a yawn escaping her maw before sleep overtook her.
-.-.-.-
Toralei's first instinct was to open her eyes, maybe wake the twins but, at first instance of consciousness, she kept her eyes shut, attempting to sink back into the solace that was sleep.
It didn't work.
Her tail twitched in frustration, and she would've opened her eyes if not for the sound of soft whispers filling her ears. She grinned, recognizing Cleo's voice but Frankie's tone.
"...and I'm sorry," Frankie said. "I didn't mean for it to get like this."
Toralei couldn't hear more, so she assumed Jackson wasn't talking. She would've snickered but she didn't want to be caught eavesdropping.
She heard the ghoul sigh. "And I lied to you about the amulets. I know about them." Toralei could sense the hesitation in her voice. "They're how I got amnesia in the first place."
Jackson perked up. "Oh! Okay, well, that's fine, let me just find that book and maybe you can tell me about..." Toralei tuned him out as he nervously rambled on. His discomfort was strong enough to make her gag.
The werecat rolled over, luckily avoiding crashing into either of the twins, but unfortunately slumping onto a hard block. Toralei grimaced but got comfortable. Then the block brushed against her fur as if it was slithering out beneath her.
Her eyes snapped open and she swiftly twirled around and clutched the block or, in actuality, a thick hardcover book. She met Jackson's startled blue eyes with her green ones. "What's this?" she teased, her tail swaying.
He sighed, his hands still on the hardcover. "Toralei," he tugged at the book, "come on."
The werecat frowned but almost laughed when she noticed Frankie's wide-eyed expression on Cleo's face. How in the world did she fool them? She grudgingly released the book, her hands opening like an arcade claw. "What's it about anyway?"
"Ancient relics," Jackson explained briskly as he quickly brought his attention back to the other ghoul, who was sitting on the chair at his desk.
How sweet of him. She scowled and propped herself off the floor with her elbows, ignoring to fix her now messy ponytail. "So what's the big deal with the amulets?"
"You heard that?" Frankie asked quietly.
"Well, yeah," she stated flatly. "I woke up a while ago—"
"Toralei?"
The werecat looked over her shoulder, the twins' languid yellow eyes staring back at her as they uncurled themselves.
Purrsephone rubbed her eyes. "When did you wake up?"
"And why didn't you wake us up?" Meowlody snapped.
Toralei held back a groan. "I just woke up, quit mewling." She turned her gaze back to the ghoul in the wrong body. "So Frankie—"
"Frankie?" Meowlody interjected. She shook her head. "Toralei you must've slept too long—"
"Oh no," Frankie exclaimed. "There are some people that still don't know." She looked down. "I have to tell them."
Jackson ran a hand through his hair. "Um, I c-can tell them. Don't worry about it."
Frankie looked at him and smiled genuinely, Cleo's face resembling the stitched-ghoul more than she had before. "Thank you."
His gaze swept down to the floor in an instant, stammering over his words as he tried to get out a simple you're welcome. Toralei couldn't help but snicker.
"That reminds me," Frankie said, suddenly chipper, "Heath has something planned and Cleo and I are joining. Would you like to come, too, Jackson?"
The other appeared to regain his confidence and looked back at the ghoul, but hesitated. "I... I don't think so. I mean, I don't think I want to go to the palace. Not because I don't want to go with you it's just— "
Frankie laughed lightly. "It's okay, Jackson. I understand."
He sighed dejectedly. "Maybe you should ask Holt."
The ghoul pursed her lips thoughtfully, then shook her head. "I was thinking Deuce. I know he just came back, too, but I left them to talk before I came here, and I know Cleo would like it if he came."
"I'll go."
The two whipped their heads to face Toralei who was lazily beginning to stand up.
Frankie eyed her warily. "Are you sure?"
The werecat shrugged. "Sounds like fun." Then she looked back at the twins. "You stay, okay?"
"I should go, too." They all looked to the corner of the room. Twyla's periwinkle skin was barely illuminated by the one wall-light. "I used to live in the palace. I can help you once you're inside."
Toralei raised an eyebrow and pointed at the younger ghoul. "I ate dinner with you and Howleen," she said. "How long have you been hiding in the shadows?"
The corner of Twyla's lip upturned slyly. "A while."
"That's great!" Frankie burst out. "So it'll be me, Cleo, Toralei, Twyla, and Deuce. And Heath said Venus will lead us there since he can't leave the camp." Then she added, less excitedly, "Just let him know, okay? He said we're leaving before sunrise."
Toralei rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, slightly amused at the naïve ghoul's enthusiasm. She glanced at the twins, who had risen to stand at her side. "Let's go, ghouls."
Without checking to see if they had followed, she walked out the door and left Frankie to explain to Jackson something about charms and amulets—all with Cleo's voice.
The air was cool against her fur and the night sky was littered with stars. Toralei stopped and craned her neck upward, taking in the sight. She sighed, thankful she had taken a nap.