Disclaimer: This licence isn't mine. The opinions express by the characters are not mine. I do not support nor encourage the illegal or dangerous acts or words present here. I can make a distinction between fiction and reality and I trust in my readership's ability in doing the same.

Chapter 34: Farewell Huckleberry Pie

Berrykin Bloom was sweating. He had another nightmare about the fire that had missed to kill the two little princesses. At daytime, he bravely tried to hide his trauma to the young berrykins; it was his duty to keep them confident and carefree. But at night… As soon as he found himself all alone in his room, as soon as the darkness had filled the place, the horror started again. At first, there were the flames; high red flames that destroyed everything in their path and that surrounded him. And then, the shouts started. Two desperate children's voices that were screaming out of pain and begged him to save them. But he couldn't move. He was rooted on the spot. All that he could do was attending the princesses' death and hearing their screams, which were more and more pleading and harrowing as and when the fire gained on them. Berrykin Bloom used to try to plug his ears, but it didn't prevent the voices from resonating again and again in his skull, until he himself woke up in his bed, in tears, before finally remember that the princesses were safe and sound in their castle. He let out a deep sigh. How could he forget what had happened?

-In my mind, you'll have this on your conscience until the end, said a voice in the darkness.

Berrykin Bloom jumped and let out a little cry, but he restrained himself from crying. This time, Berrykin Bertram was sitting on the foot of the bed. Bloom didn't need to turn up his light to distinguish his malevolent green eyes and his morbid smile in the darkness.

"When will it stop?" Berrykin Bloom thought as he closed again his eyes. He didn't know what was the most worrying: his nightmare, or the vision of his deceased cousin.

-You need me, Berrykin Bertram explained with a dulcet voice. "I'm your conscience. I'm here to make sure you won't forget about your previous mistakes."

-Stop bullying me! Bloom shouted, hearing that his voice was shocked with tears.

-You need me more than you never did, Bloom. You made a serie of missteps recently. Missteps that could have had a… tragic issue. What if you forget once more that you're not perfect?

-I never pretended to, Bloom muttered.

-You never did? You shouldn't lie to me, my dear little cousin. I could get extremely angry. But I'll consider, only for this time, that your great age and your diminished condition prevent you from being fully conscient of what you said. What will be the next step? Will someone die, next time?

Once again, Berrykin Bloom plugged his hears, his tears rolling through his cheeks. "He's not real", he though very hard, "He's not real…"

Huckleberry Pie's life has taken a berry unexpected turn since his banishment from Strawberryland. As he had nowhere left to go, he was force to live in his van, his berry last possession, and now the only one thing that could be foreclosed for paying his debts. His pets spent the most of their time outside, in the streets, just like stray animals; and it was a hard situation for him: they were dirty and disheveled, and none of the passerby dared to stroke them, they were too afraid of catching an infection. Huckleberry himself couldn't have time for getting on well with his neighbors, as he shifted his van every night, by fear of getting found by his creditors. Anyway, how could he get on well with someone now? His own clothes were stiff out of dirtiness and holed, he was thin by dint of never eat his fill and he was wearing a stubble. He now looked like a beggar. He used to earn money by making his dogs make some street performances, but it was hardly enough to feed them. Most of all, Huckleberry feared the day where his van's fuel tank will be empty. He couldn't afford to buy gas, and he would be definitively immobilized. And then, what will happen to his animals? What will happen to him if his creditors find him? Maybe he will be put in jail? Maybe they would force him to be their slave? No, it couldn't happen! Then, an idea came to his mind. The Berry Big City had nothing else to offer him. Nothing prevented him from fleeing far, very far where nowhere knew him. He would change his identity and have a brand-new start, without debts. Of course, all his old friends would certainly be worry after his disappearance, but maybe he would be able to contact them after a few times. Finally, Huckleberry started to think it would be rather funny, after all. A big adventure, in which he could have the life he had always dreamed for! No, he won't do again the same mistakes. This time, he'll do everything correctly. He would open the most famous pet shelter of all the berry world. And when he'll be rich… Well, why won't he start seriously dating with his childhood lover, Blueberry Muffin?

His decision was taken berry quickly. The same night, Huckleberry made his pets getting into the van, turned the key, and started driving. His pets could feel his excitement, and couldn't keep still.

-Please, stay calm, Huckleberry begged when a kitten jumped on the steering wheel.

To occupied to try to make him get down, Huckleberry noticed too late the figure on the crosswalk. The only thing he had the time to see was her very long hair. And then he heard the bump.

-Oh no, he muttered, as a chilly sweat ran down to his back.

Huckleberry stopped the van and hurried at the pedestrian's side. She was unconscious and motionless, her legs oddly twisted.

He had killed her.

Huckleberry stood up straight and swept the street with his eyes. What was he supposed to do? Call the police? Definitively not! He was a murderer. He had killed an innocent young girl. He will rot in jail for the rest of his life.

Huckleberry rubbed his eyes. I must be a nightmare. No, it couldn't be possible! He didn't want to-He couldn't be a killer. Killer were bad people; they had no morality and intentionally hurt their victims for robbing them. He, Huckleberry, wasn't. He was just a clumsy boy that tried to honestly earned his life. He wasn't a criminal. It was an accident! An accident! But the young lady's corpse was still here, laying on the asphalt next to his van's wheels. Will the court of law believe his good faith?

Suddenly, Huckleberry heard sputters. Someone was coming! He raised his head and saw two other persons running toward him-according to their attitude, they had saw him, too, and had understood what had happened. They seemed to be a young man and a young woman; Huckleberry didn't wait for them. He jumped on his van as quickly as he had gotten out of it and fled. After all, the darkness was thick, and they had certainly not been able to see his features. With a bit of luck, they will not be able to make a report to the police station. With some luck, the investigators will never confound him. With some luck…

Plum Puddin' was standing by his twin sister's bedside, TN Honey next to him. It was a strange feeling. Even though he was the firstborn of the twins, Plum Puddin' had always been the weakest of them both, and it was Plum Pudding who used to keep watch over him when he was sick, what was regular when they were still little children. Now, it was his turn, but Plum Puddin' couldn't really say if he was taking to heart this shift of this situation, or if he was feeling guilty for failing to protect her correctly. TN Honey and him had attended her last dance performance, as usual. But, at the end, one of Plum Pudding's workmate, Lime Chiffon, had complained about Plum Pudding's behavior: according to her, she used to hide her sportswear and kept discouraging her, repeating her that nothing was right with her: she was too fat, not supple enough, and she would never be talented enough to be a principal dancer. Since he was her twin brother, he was certainly the best person for telling her to stop! Meanwhile, Plum Pudding had left the community center, all alone. When Plum Puddin' and TN Honey were running after her, they saw the road hog knocking her over and left her for dead. From whom came the responsibility? From him, who hadn't been able to protect his sister? From Lime Chiffon, who had made them late? Or… from Plum Pudding herself, who could have evaded the car? He couldn't know. He didn't know. It was so hard for him. When he had saw the unanimated body of his sister on the floor, everything else had vanished around him. He hadn't paid attention to the circumstance surrounding her accident. All that he tried to do was to embrace her, to make sure she was still alive. And now, all that he could see was his twin sister, laying in this white hospital bed. By his sides, TN Honey was slowly patting him in he back and promising him they would find the responsible and make him pay for what he has done, but Plum Puddin' could hardly listen to that she was saying. More than Plum Pudding's coma, he was also dreading the moment when she would wake up. The collision had greatly damaged her legs' nerves and muscles, and the only fact of standing up would be a trial for her. The surgeon had added that she could in all probability stay lame for the rest of her life. Poor Plum Pudding. How will she react when she'll learn that she had just lost her reason to life?

Lemon Meringue slowed down as she approached the "Peanut Butter Spread", the house that had been reorganized as a youth hostel by a young man named Peanut Butter… and that was also the place where her sibling had taken refuge. She finally stopped, a few meters before the front door. She wondered if it was proper to come back now. It had been two weeks the twins were living here. They must think she had forgotten them, or maybe they had already move to a more welcoming place. Her determination, that was already pretty little, finished to disappear into thin air. Lemon Meringue was about to turn back and leave, when Peanut Butter got out of his hostel and waved at her. Trapped, Lemon Meringue reluctantly walked toward him.

-I saw you through the window, he explained with a shy smile. "Lem and Ada will be pleased to see you."

He then leaded her to the room where the twins stayed.

-Lem, Ada, he announced, "You have a visitor."

-A visitor? Lem repeated, while Ada was frowning. But their intrigued air turn to surprise-even fear for Ada-when Lemon entered the room. By his side, Peanut Butter had slipped away. He knew that a family crisis was about to explode, and he didn't want to be between the devil and the deep blue sea. Lemon Meringue slowly walked through the room and sat down on one of the beds.

-Hello, she muttered.

The twins gave her a funny look. Lemon Meringue started to wonder what she would have prefer: to stand their disdainful silence, or to hear their torrent of reproaches. She thought about leaving, but she knew she couldn't do that. She was the big sister, and she had now to take responsibility for her mistakes.

-I know I never be really present for you, she softly said. "Forgive me."

Ada look down, while her brother was still staring at Lemon, anger shining in his eyes. "You were supposed to protect us", they silently shouted, "Instead of that you abused of your authority. You promised to give us a shelter, and you threw us out. You said you will comfort us, but you only gave us disdain and fear. You said you will be a mother to us, and you were our executioner. We will never forget what you've done to us."

Instead of that, Lem calmly said:

-Anyway, we didn't plan to stay in Big Apple City for too long. We had decided to go back to London.

"You can't understand how sorry I am, said Lemon Meringue's eyes, "You can't understand how I suffer now. I would give anything to be given a second chance to be the berry best big sister for both of you."

Instead of that, she said:

-Well, it's a good idea. I hope you will be happy here.

Ada stayed quiet, but she was shouting inside her head:

"It's only up to us to be happy now, Lemon Meringue. We lost our dog, we lost our family. You rejected us, and, even though no one talks about that, we will now that the rest of the family-Aunt Edna that has always favored you, our parents that had never saw us-will rule in your favor. We are forced to leave. Lem is the only loved one I have left, and I'm the last loved one Lem has. No, only death could tear us apart. Lemon, I think you are sadder that I am, because I know that whatever ordeal we will have to cross, Lem will always be here for me, and I'll always be here for him. You can stay here, with your successful store and the wealthy persons that pretend to be your friends, I won't envy you; because I will never be alone."

A long silence followed this short dialogue.

-Do you need any king of help? Lemon kindly asked.

-We will manage by ourselves, Lem coldly answered.

Lemon had nothing else to say. There was nothing else to do except standing up and leaving. "Farewell, kids", she thought.

-Goodbye, she said. "Maybe I could visit you in London?"

"You keep dreaming", Lem and Ada though.

-Yeah, why not? Lem said. "Well… goodbye".

Lemon Meringue never saw again the twins. The next morning, very early, they flew away for Great Britain. The only thing they left behind them was a goodbye letter addressed to Peanut Butter.

In Berry Big City, it was 16.00. The school's bell had just rung; however, Apple Dumplin' was furious. Berry, berry furious.

-I hate history, I hate Mrs. Milk Roll, I hate SCHOOL!

Mulberry Murmur, who followed her, was, still extremely calm. That was her tactic, a sly one: she put on an unfazed face in any ordeal, before stabbing her enemies in the back.

-You totally screw the last test up, didn't you?

-Don't make fun of me Mulberry, it was just impossible. Who cares about the history of the establishment of grains silo by the insect population since the 1950's anyway? Mrs. Milk Roll is just sadistic.

-It's sure she doesn't help you to make your report cart better! Mulberry Murmur sniggered.

-I hate her.

-I do too. And I think she deserves a revenge.

Apple Dumplin' stared in amazement.

-Do you think we could?

-Of course, if she doesn't see us. How many times do you have before coming back home?

-Not many. My big sister is extremely watchful about everything I do now.

-It's a pity she still treats you like a baby and doesn't let you hanging out with friends after school. Well, it won't be long. Tomorrow, we'll give her what she deserves.

The next morning, Apple Dumplin' was ready to follow Mulberry's plan. She had told Strawberry Shortcake she had a presentation to make with one of her classmates, so she had a good reason for staying in school for a long time after the end of her lessons. Mulberry and her stayed in the study hall until the school's closing, refining their plan's last details and trying to muffle their giggle. At least, they stood up and pretend to leave the school. But instead of crossing the portal, they skirted the main building to go back to the playground. It was totally empty now. Mulberry made sure no one was spying them, and got an aerosol out of her schoolbag.

-C'me on, Apple, everybody needs to know what Milk Roll really is! Mulberry muttered.

I can't tell you which insults Apple Dumplin' and Mulberry Murmur tagged on the playgrounds' wall, because it would force me to change this story's rating. But you can anyhow guess what kind of insults could write angry teenagers who want to avenge themselves on their teacher.

Once their misdeed fulfilled, they ran out of the school as if nothing had happened, but impatient to discover their classmates, and especially Mrs. Milk Roll, reaction.

When Plum Pudding opened her eyes, all that she could see was white. It was certainly the cameras' flashes that were blinding her. Oddly, she couldn't hear any crackling. Nor applause. But she could feel the pain in her legs. She had dance too much for her public, but what won't she do for it? No physical suffering could surpass the joy of standing here, in the stage, in front of an elated public. For Plum Pudding, it was the definition of paradise.

-Hello, said a soft voice next to her ear. "How are you feeling?"

It took a few seconds to Plum Pudding for recognizing this voice. It was Plum Puddin's, her twin brothers', one. He had witnessed her performance, like he always did.

-How have I been? She asked.

She was so exhausted that even talking was hard to her.

-You've been perfect, Plum. Absolutely perfect.

So, why did he sound so sad?

-Did something get wrong during the show?

-No Plum. But you need rest.

Plum Pudding found the strength of turning her head. She wasn't in a stage, she wasn't even in the community center, but she was laying in a bed in an unknown room, her both legs aching, and too weak to stand up. She nevertheless tried to sit up straight. Plum Puddin' stopped her.

-Please, don't move, he said with a worried voice.

Plum Pudding saw that a blond woman was sitting next to him, but she couldn't remember her name for the moment.

-Where am I?

-You're at the hospital. You had a car accident.

A car accident? It doesn't have any sense. She hadn't even her driving license!

-It can't be true…

-I wish it wasn't true, Plum. You've been knocked down. Now please, stop moving and try to recover…

Knocked down by a car? Could it explain the pain she felt in her body?

-Plum Pudding?

-Yes?

-Will I be on my feet soon?

Plum Puddin' didn't answered immediately. The hardest moment had come. He shared a look with TN Honey, but she couldn't do anything for him. He had to deal with the situation all by himself.

-When will I be able to dance again? Plum Pudding asked with more insistence.

Plum Puddin' deeply sighed to gathered his courage.

-The doctor can't pronounce on it now, he said, trying to hide the anxiety in his voice behind a reassuring tone, "But she can tell for sure you need a lot of rest to- "

-What happened to my legs? Plum Pudding insisted, with tears now filling her eyes. Plum Puddin' felt he could no longer beat about the bush. It was a horrible feeling. He now understood that all his theorical knowledges wouldn't help him. But he didn't want to retreat. He was his twin brother, and the only person of Earth able to teach her this bad new in the most human possible way.

-Plum Pudding… the collision… it… it broke your legs.

Her both legs were smashed.

Plum Pudding screamed.

To be continued…