My eyes slowly open and I'm staring at a ceiling. I'm at Mom's? I shut my eyes again as I remember everything from the past couple of loops. Gods, I lost it. I lost it entirely. I hear a shift and turn my head. Mom's sitting next to the couch, sleeping. Wonder how long she's been there? Hell, she shouldn't have had to. If only I'd been smart enough to realise what would have happened. I shouldn't have let my emotions rule. No. Not the time for bullshit self reflection. I fucked up and now I need to figure out my next step. I get up as quietly as I can, drape the blanket covering me over Mom, and leave the house.
As I walk out I realise it's very early morning, the sun only just starting to rise. I need to find somewhere where I can just... sit and not be disturbed for a while. Picking a direction, I walk off into the city.
I walk until the sun is definitely up and more people are moving about, stalls and shops open. Eventually I find a little rooftop area. Hell, this looks as good a place I've found so far. Sitting against the wall, I think.
What the fuck am I gonna do? Nobody will believe me if I can't explain why I know what I know. Taking the fight to the Cult is obviously a bad idea, considering the leaders ability to take minds over. Not to mention the sheer number of people. The best option I can think of is... run. Leave town and don't look back. But I'd be killing Ram as sure as putting a knife in her back myself. What if I... joined the Cult instead? Convinced them, somehow, that the mansion wasn't a worthy target. Directed them somewhere else? Could that work? No. I'd be condemning others to die. Or maybe play on the idea that I've been sent by Satella, make them believe their work is done, that what they don't need to kill anymore. I was able to convince that crazy bastard once. Then nobody has to die. With a heavy sigh I realise that it's the one most likey to work in my favour. It's a shit plan but it is a plan. I'm gonna hate every step of this but it's the best I can do.
"Here you are."
My head snaps up at Rams voice. Then my eyes lower again when I think of the crap I've put her and Mom through. "Hey."
"I am glad you are awake. Although, looking for you was an issue."
A wave of shame hits me. "Sorry."
"Are you alright?"
I stand and finally look her in the eye. "Go home. Back to the mansion."
She frowns. "Pardon?"
"You heard me. I'm leaving so... Go home."
Taking a step toward me, her frown deepens. "Why are you leaving? Is it to do with yesterday? What happened?"
"No. Just... you won't hear from me again. Just... please... Go."
She shakes her head. "Until you have given me a good reason, I am not going anywhere."
I swallow on a dry throat. "... I... There's... Something's coming and... I can't..." Tears spring from my eyes as I recall her prone body. "I can't protect you."
Ram is suddenly holding me, hugging me tight. "Takara, I love you. Truly and dearly, you hold my heart. We protect each other. If you cannot help me then let me help you. I cannot bear to see you in this pain. I do not know what has brought this on but allow me to be at your side while you fight it. Let me be your strength, as you are mine."
"B... But... I don't know what to do. I don't know how to face this. I don't think I can."
She pulls back, meeting my eyes with a small smile. "I know you can. Whatever the problem, I know you can overcome it. If not for yourself, then for the ones you love. For them, you would face an army if you had to."
An army? The irony is almost... Wait. An army. A fucking army! Crusch! How the hell didn't I think of that? I stare at Ram for a long second before crushing her lips with a kiss. "You are amazing!"
She smiles, confused. "Thank you?"
My mind starts to whirl as we stand there. If I restarted yesterday then I have six days left. Is it enough? Fuck, it has to be. I grab Rams hand. "Let's go. I got work to do."
Before we can walk off, she stops me. "First you have someone to talk to. Kate went a different way to look for you. We agreed to meet back at her home."
I can't help the guilt. "You're right. Come on."
I damn near run back to Mom's place, Ram in tow. The second we enter I'm crushed into a hug. "Where the fuck did you go?"
The sheer pain in Mom's voice cuts me to the core. I return the hug before I say anything. "I'm sorry. I needed to clear my head. I... I know I should have said something first."
The pain switches to anger. "You fucking should have!" The hug gets tighter. "I'm so glad you're alright."
I untangle myself from her grasp and look at her. Her eyes are swimming with tears. Shit, that hurts to see. I take a quick breath. "Momma, are... you alright with us postponing the trip?"
A frown. "After the last twenty four hours I don't give a shit about the damn trip. I just want you to be ok."
I smile, softly. "I'm good now, honestly. I know what I need to do."
"What's that?"
"Right now, I need to talk to Crusch. After that... it's gonna get crazy."
Mom stares at me for a minute, eyes searching mine. She takes a deep breath. "Ok. Anything from me or Ram?"
Hmm. I could ask Ram to come with me, the extra combat knowledge would be useful. I have another flash of her lying dead. No. Just no. I'd be too worried if we went into a fight together. Idea. "From you, go to the mansion. Safer and I'm sure Roswaal will be happy to have you." I turn to Ram. "You're not gonna enjoy this. I need Rem."
Ram frowns. "... Why?"
Taking her hand, I kiss it. "Because a battle's coming. I can't have you in it, I wouldn't be able to concentrate. Plus, and I mean absolutely no disrespect, Rem is better in a fight."
The pinkhead pouts at me and I almost burst into laughter. Then she frowns. "A battle?"
I nod. "Yeah. This is gonna sound fucking crazy but the Cult is going to attack the mansion soon. I can't tell you how I know but I need to stop it."
Again, my gaze is searched. Then she nods. "Alright. I shall return to the mansion immediately and send her along."
Pulling her into a hug, I smile. "Thanks. I'll be at Crusch's place. Don't use the normal route."
I let go, kiss her and she readies her things, waiting on Mom. Before I leave, Mom takes my hand. "You really think things are gonna be bad?"
"I know."
Mom takes a deep breath, almost squeezing my hand. "Does it have to be you?"
"...Yeah."
She suddenly chuckles, possibly the saddest I've ever heard. "You know, if anyone would have said I'd be beside you again after all this time, I'd have slapped the fucker. Now... After everything you've already been through now you have to go into something dangerous again. I don't want to lose you."
I sigh. "Momma... If I don't do this then a lot of people are going to die. People I care about. I can't let that happen."
She sniffs as a tear rolls down her cheek. "I know. Just... You come back to me."
"You know I will."
Lifting my hand, Mom kisses it lightly. "Sal would be so damn proud of you."
I smile. "Then I better do something to earn that pride. I love you, Mom."
She lets me go with a soft smile of her own. "Love you too, kiddo. I'll see you soon."
I turn and leave without another word. Time to get this shit started.
Feedback, suggestions and criticisms welcome, as always. See y'all next time.