Author Note: Sorry for the slow update. School work, holidays, different stories to write and hard to transfer from paper to online. I lost my original story and had to rewrite it again. If this story was online, then I could transfer it better. I'm doing three parts for first chapter because the first draft is way too long for one chapter. I have a pacing problem. Either less chapters and they're longer, or more chapters and they're shorter. So, here's part two. I hope you like it.
I open the door and see NotEnrique on my bed. "What's wrong sis? I couldn't come out cause of all the fleshbags out there." He says with concern.
"A magic mental break down. I cut myself in the bathroom, cried my eyes out. My friends are downstairs and I'm gonna take a shower." I answer in annoyance while walking towards my dresser.
I open it and grab some clean underwear, black leggings and fuzzy purple socks. I turn around and walk to the closet. Sliding the door open, I look through the hangers of clothes. It's almost 5:00PM. I want to put some pjs on, but I don't feel like wearing them this early. But I'm tired and need to wear something soft.
I look pass a couple of hanged clothes to find a baggy, purple, plaid shirt. I've worn it a couple of times before and a perfect top for chilling out in. I unhook the shirt and grab a pair of leggings on a hanging shelf. I walk towards the door and turn the knob.
"Stay here and don't come out until I come back." I command to NotEnrique before walking out the door and closes it, holding the fresh clothes to my chest. I slowly walk to the bathroom door, open it, shut it, set my clothes on the toilet, and open the shower curtains. I look down and start talking my clothes off, while staring at the dry blood on the bathroom floor. My blood. After taking my shirt off, I see the slashes on my arms covered in blood. Thankfully, not wet.
The healing process is already working. The slashes will be completely gone within a few days, it's depends on how bad the cuts are. As soon as I get undressed, I step into the shower/tub. I slide the curtains and turn on the water. It comes in cold and tickles my feet. After waiting a few seconds, I pull up the switch to make the water come over head.
It hits like ice and I clutch my mouth of a scream, making a groan against my teeth. I quickly turn the water temperature up, moving another switch to the life, as Jim wants me to take a hot shower. But as the hot water touches my arm, I but down to urge a scream. The pain feels intense. Like I'm going to be sick. After another few seconds, the pain swells away and I start to clean myself. As the water hits my body, I suck in the steam of the water, thinking back of the memories of New Jersey, Camelot and the Arcane Order. The horror of war, evil, magic and my mistakes.
Nimue told me the truth about myself. I'm a walking mistake. I hold guilt and that makes everyone around me suffer. Every move I made, every choice I did, I cause suffering. Wanting to save my baby brother out of the Darklands is the reason for Gummar to final break free. Only caring for Jim's well-being lead to the death of Morgana and Merlin. Those are just some minor issues that I had done. No matter what I do or even breath, I seem to cause something or someone pain. Maybe that's why Morgana thinks we aren't so different than Merlin could ever comprehend and Merlin couldn't trust me. I'm a bad omen.
I shake my head as I hear Jim's voice rings in my ear. "You are not evil Claire."
I try to focus my attention on the water coving me. It feels good on my skin. Might sting on my wrists, but I'm used to the pain. The silence and light of the room welcomes in calm for me. I turn off the water and slide the curtains, fully washed. Soaking wet and shivering. It might be warm water, but leaving is like stripping heat right out of the body. I step out and grab a towel to wrap around myself. I loop the cloth over my chest, tucking the beginning under an arm-pit and the end in between the breast.
I walk towards the mirror on the wall and see the steam covering the reflection. I swipe over the steam mirror, now seeing my face in the glass. I step and look closer, to see someone else in my reflection. Same hair, same eyes, but not me. Someone who I never met before and looks familiar at the same time. Then I see my irises, then the sciera turn purple. I jump, feeling panicked. I close my eyes and close them before taking a deep breath. In and out, in and out, calm down.This isn't real. When I open my eyes, my eyes won't be purple. I open my eyes and see my normal brown eyes in the reflection that is final mine.
I take off my towel and see my naked body. I somehow got a tingling feeling in my spine. What would it be like if Jim saw me naked?
"Hey." He whispers, walking up to me.
"Hey." I whisper back.
Jim comes right behind me, his head beside my ear and half naked body touching my back. He moves his hand up my arm, making me shiver.
"I think you look beautiful." Jim whispers in my ear, tickling me.
Then, Jim starts kissing my neck.
I shiver and shake my head, getting rid of mature thoughts. Jim and I haven't even talked about taking our relationship further. I grab my towel from the floor and quickly dry myself. I grab my warm, dry clothes and place them on my body, making sure my sleeves cover my slashes. I feel more comfortable and calm but exhausted. I slowly open the door and look around, not seeing anything or anyone. I grab my wore clothes, open my door and walk to my room, where NotEnrique sits quietly on my bed.
We don't talk and I just throw the clothes in my arms in a hamper. "Do you want to meet my friends?" I ask my surrogate brother, turning to him.
"Really?" He asks, looking surprised but excited.
"Yeah, I think it's time. Come on!" I answer, gesturing to the door and NotEnrique walks up to me. We exist my room and quietly walk across the hall to the stairs. I can hear talking and muttering voices on the main floor, telling me my friends are still here. As I get to the first stair, I fall and groan softly in pain. Ever step I take feels like I want to throw up. I lean myself up against the wall and take a few deep breaths.
"You ok?" NotEnrique whispers, climbing near my arm.
I turn to him and nod my head. But I do feel a bit constipated and close my eyes. "Yeah, just feel the wind knocked out a little." I groan. I get up hear, the voices grow louder and I turn to NotEnrique. "Stay here, be quiet and wait till I call you to come out. Ok?" I instruct him. NotEnrique nods his head and I walk more quickly but softly down the stairs. I get to the first step and see all of my friends in the living room. Jim, Zoey and Eli sitting down while Darci, Mary, Douxie, Toby, Aja, Krel and Steve standing up.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on. Do you mean you, Toby and our best friend are part of group of Troll Hunters who fought evil trolls, who lived under our town for centuries! You transformed into a Half Troll creature and took Claire away from us!" I hear and see Mary scream, her back to me and looking at Jim.
Jim looks nervous. "Yeah." He admits. Everyone, including Darci and Mary knows Trolls exist thanks to the Eternal Night Battle. But Mary and Darci never knew why I left Arcadia for the summer.
"It wasn't his fault and never forced me to come. I wanted to go with Jim to New Jersey." I say out loud, making everyone who has their backs to me to turn around. I feel flustered and fake a smile, hugging myself.
Jim gets up and walks up to me with open arms and a warm smile. "Hey Claire!" He says softly, placing his arm on my shoulder. "How do you feel?"
"Better." I admit. "A little tired though."
Jim slides his whole arm around my back and set his hand on my other shoulder. "Then why don't you sit down for a bit." He replies and gestures to the spot where he was sitting. I walk, feeling his body pressed against the upper right side of my body.
"Yeah, and you can explain to us what you have been doing this past year!" Mary yells angrily, causing me to wince and Jim to growl as I sit down.
"Mary, leave Claire alone. She's been through a lot lately." Jim mutters, taking a seat next to me.
"I don't care! Me and Darci deserve an answer of why Claire left us!" Mary screams.
"Mary, calm down." Darci says softly, placing a hand on Mary's shoulder.
But Mary quickly yanks her upper body away, fuming in rage. "I deserve to know!"
"And you do." I reply softly, looking down at the floor.
"Claire, you don't have to-"
"No Jim! Mary and Darci are my friends and deserve to know the truth about what's been going on." I protest, interrupting Jim. I look up and see my friends with cross arms and furrow brows. "Do you want me to answer a set of questions or explain the full story?" I ask them.
"Explain the full story and don't leave out any details!" Mary answers, pointing and scowling at me. I feel a little hurt. Mary or Darci would use that sentence on asking me about something they are excited about in my life. But now, Mary uses it to yell at me with anger.
I take a deep breath and straighten up. "I'm sure that Jim and Tody explained to you what the world of magical creatures, trollmarket, trollhunters and the Darklands are, right?" I ask.
Mary and Darci both nod their head with glaring eyes, not talking.
"It all started when my baby brother was taken away by goblins. After observing Jim's suspicious behavior, I went to Heartstone Trollmarket. It had a beautiful, huge, red/orange rock in the middle of trollmarket called the heartstone. I became a Trollhunter after Romeo and Juliet. I never hung out with you guys because I was busy fighting trolls while trying to save brother in the Darklands. Not to hang out with a college boy. After hard and tense missions with other trolls, school, our parents and being chased by a troll assassin named Angor Rot, Jim went in the Darklands and got Enrique out after two weeks. Enrique got out but... Jim didn't.
Me, Blinky, AAARRRGGHH!!! and Toby saved Jim from the Darklands. Thanks to getting Jim out alive from a different dimension, we accidentally released an evil troll call Gunmar. It led to the elder of trollmarket... Vendel to die and the evacuation of trollmarket. I helped everyone escape by using a staff I received while fighting Angor Rot called the shadow staff, creating a big enough portal the sent trolls somewhere safe. But with using that much magic, I opened up something horrible.
Close to the end of the year, you guys, Jim, Toby and I met Douxie as he was handing out flyers for the Battle of the Bands. We signed up to compete, but I was always ditching to help Toby, Blinky and Jim as being the Trollhunter. During all that time, I started getting sick. But it wasn't a normal cold. I was being possessed by an evil witch who you probably know from story books, Morgana La Fey." I stop and pay attention to my friends expressions. Both Mary and Darci faces and body relax a bit, but Mary still look angry and Darci look more concerned.
"It was like fighting a virus that I could feel but can't get out of my body. The more Morgana possessed and controlled me, the more I got sick. With the help of Jim, Toby, Blinky and Mr. Stricker, I found the strength to fight Morgana and regain my body back. After that event, Jim, Toby, Blinky, AAARRRGGHH!!! and I journey to find a wizard in the same stories, Merlin. With his help, we planned an attack for Gunmar and his army, the Gum-Gums. But also thanks to him, he turned Jim into a half troll. The mind of a human and the pride and instincts of a troll. He could be able to fight and kill Gunmar. But Jim could no longer be able to walk in the sun, eat human food and over all, be able to live in our world. Toby, Strickler, Blinky Jim's mom and I were furious at Merlin." I ball my fists up and feel like I want punch something. I feel an hand on my back and notices Jim's touch, calming me down a little. I take a deep breath and start again where I left off.
During the Battle of the Bands, I was fighting a different battle. The battle of the Eternal Night. I was frighting against the Gum-Gums with many different species of trolls. You guys did see some of the action and I helped you guys get to safely. Jim fought and destroyed Gunmar and I banished Morgana into the shadow realm. A realm between worlds and where I have contact of. With that, the Eternal Night was over and the danger had passed. But it wasn't left unscathed. The explosion you guys all saw was how the Eternal Night was caused. Morgana used the ashes of dead Gum-Gums, Merlin's staff and the heartstone to create the Eternal Night and not only was trollmarket was destroyed, but the heartstone as well. The heartstone is not only a gem, but is a life source of troll kind. They need it to live and is like meat and water is for us.
The trolls couldn't stay in Arcadia and had to travel to New Jersey to find a new heartstone. Jim couldn't live with humans for being a half troll and was the Trollhunter. So, Jim decided to go with the other trolls and... I went with them." I stop to catch my breath, something I feel is slipping out of my mouth. I feel water come to my eyes I look down, bitting my lip.
"The day before the Eternal Night. I though a lot about what has happened and what would happen weather or not if we win or not. I wanted to tell you guys...but I couldn't. You guys are my friends...but I didn't tell you. After the battle ended, I immediately decided to go with Jim on his travels to New Jersey. I told Toby, my parents and myself that it was the summer and I was going to return one day... But as the days go by, I realize that I probably can't. No family, no connections, no knowledge of living on my own and no humans surrounding me, being far, far away from home... There were some times where I wanted to go back home... But I was afraid of what would happen if I even brought up the topic. How could I go home? How would Jim feel? And if I did go home, would I feel more happy? I started feeling guilty of feeling selfish and constantly making mistakes." My voice sounds raspy and throaty. I fall to the floor on all fours and shut my eyes, making huge tears hit my hands.
"While I did come back home as summer ends and school almost begins, something felt wrong. I started feeling anxious and stress with my magic powers, which grew during the summer. There were some instances where I almost or did make something blow up or/and make something strange happen like changing the weather, creating shadows and making the lights flicker or explode. I tired to control whatever was going on inside of me, but that only made my magic grow stronger. I started to feel alone and scared. I didn't know what to do and who to tell. I did have Douixe as my mentor and fellow wizard. But he was in New York City and has a mission to do and everyone else were enjoying their normal lives back. So I felt I had no one. I'm so sorry Mary. I'm so, so sorry Darci. You probably hate-"
"Hey, hey, shhh, shhh. It's alright Claire. Please don't cry. Shhh, shhh." I hear Dari's muffled voice and feeling two bodies on me and four arms around my back.
I takes a some deep breaths and try to calm down, leaning my head against Darci or Mary's shoulder. I spend a few minutes tightly holding my friends, composing myself.
"We're sorry Claire." Mary mumble in my ear as I gather the rest of my composure.
Darci and Mary let go and I pull away and see their hurt and teary eyes. "Guys, I'm so sor-"
"Claire, don't you dare say I'm sorry again." Darci says sternly. But her voice raspy.
"You already spilled your guts and cried, making you look really puffy girl." Mary says in the same tone. But I can see tears in my friends eyes.
"But aren't you confused or mad at me?" I whine.
"We were mad at you for ditching us, lying, not telling us what was going on and leaving us without a goodbye. But for everything you just told us and what you've gone through, we're reconsidering." Darci answers.
"And we are a bit confused of what we've just been explained. But hell! We found out aliens and trolls existed three months ago. I think we can handle anything thrown at us." Mary adds, sounding a bit snarky, making me smile a bit.
"Claire, you're our best friend and we want to help you, no matter what happens. We're so proud of you telling us the truth and being up front. This might be hard to handle, but we'll do it for you." Darci say sweetly.
I feel like crying again. But for tears joy and smile at the girls in front of me. "Thank you." I mumble softly and hug them. I look up to find Douxie hazel eye. He glances at me and look up over my shoulder. I turn to the direction and see Jim, nodding his head, looking over me too. I turn back to Douxie and see him also nods his head before looking down at me with hurt eyes.
I let go of Darci and Mary and they crawl away from me to allow Douxie to walk to me and sit with his knees a few inches away from me. I focus on his eyes and sees not only hurt, but guilt, regret and pain.
"I'm sorry Claire." He mumbles quietly.
I notice Douxie's body is tense and tears are in his eyes. In a few seconds Douxie grabs my shoulders and pull me into his arms quickly, catching me off guard. I lean into his chest and let out a deep sigh, relaxing in one of my best friend's arms. Soon, Douxie lets me go and I look at him with tired eyes, slumped back and hugging myself.
"Claire, I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you. Hearing what you said is sad and I wish I could help, but I was in New York City and couldn't. I feel like a failure to you. I see you as my student and a sister and find it's my job to help, protect, advise and tech you and I didn't after I leaving Arcadia to protect Nari. I wish so much to reverse time and helped you better and make sure this wouldn't happen. But I can't. But I'm hear and can help you now. No matter what happens, don't hesitate to tell me what's wrong. Alright?" Douxie says with a raspy voice.
I nod my head and we hug again. Douxie stands up and helps me up to the same level with his hand. Douxie uses that hand and places it on my shoulder while everyone somehow gathers around us.
"Claire, we are all here for you and we'll help you whenever you need it. You are not alone." Douxie says calmly and smiles.
Soon, everyone comes closer and touches a part of my shoulder or back with smiles and nods. I feel like crying. "Thank you guys." Everyone either walks to a seat or gives me a hug, making 7 out of my 10 friends. Darci, Mary, Douxie, Toby, Krel, Aja and Jim. But someone is missing from the group. "Hey, do you guys want to meet someone?" I ask, finally smiling.
Everyone raises their eyebrows but nod their heads. I turn my body to the staircase. "You may come out now, they won't bite." I shout. It takes 20 seconds, but NotEnrique slowly crawls out of his hiding place and slowly walks to us. Everyone doesn't scream but Mary, Darci, Zoey and Douxie look at NotEnrique in shock, wide eyes and open mouths.
"Hi everyone!" NotEnrique says shyly, waving his hand.
There is a hush of silence in the room for a while before hearing Mary's voice.
"Awwww, it's so cute!" She shouts, looking like see saw a kitten. She and Darci rush to NotEnrique's side. They touch him and he enjoys the pets.
"What is it?" Zoey asks in disgust, holding her nose.
"It's a he and his name is NotEnrique and is a changeling." I hiss at her.
"Yeah! I'm Sis's cool younger changeling's brother!" NotEnrique shouts happily, making Mary and Darci giggle.
"Wait- He's your brother? How? You two are not the same species and you already have a brother." Darci says in confusion, raising an eyebrow.
NotEnrique comes to me and climbs to my shoulder. "Well, this little rascal was the troll who took my brother's place and the whole reason I started as a trollhunter. NotEnrique is a changeling. A type of troll who can change into any appearance he is bonded to. What means my brother." I answer, smirking to the little troll on my shoulder, who returns it.
"Really? That's so cool!" Darci shouts. "Can you do it now for us?"
NotEnrique and I glance at each other with worried expressions. "No. After Jim recused Claire's brother out of the Darklands, I can't transform into the little one anymore." NotEnrique answers.
"After a little awkward talk, my parents allow NotEnrique to stay here. He sleeps in my room and I see NotEnrique as a brother, even though he is a troll." I add and NotEnrique hugs my neck, making me giggle and kiss him on the cheek. I see Archie come out and hiss when seeing NotEnrique on my shoulder.
"Hey, who are you?" NotEnrique hisses at Douxie's familiar cat and leaps to the floor, a couple of feet away from Archie.
"Who are you?" Archie hisses at NotEnrique.
Before either of them can launch at each other, I grab NotEnrique and Douxie grabs Archie.
"Hey, hey, let me go! Let me at him!" NotEnrique hisses.
"Put me down Douxie! Spy!" Archie hisses.
"Calm down you two!" I shout at the animals. I look down at my troll brother. "NotEnrique, Archie is a friend and isn't going to hurt me." I say before look at the black cat. "Archie, NotEnrique is not a spy of the Arcane Order." It takes a few minutes, but Archie and NotEnrique calm down. Douxie and I set our animals down but don't let them go.
"Archie, he's no going to hurt her." Douxie whispers and lets Archie go.
I let NotEnrique go and he slowly walk to Archie. They circle each other, tilting their heads.
Archie turns into a dragon and NotEnrique looks at him with amazement. "Wow, how did you do that?" He asks the little dragon/cat.
Douxie and I laugh to the two as NotEnrique and Archie have a friendly conversation.
"I've never seen a changeling before." Douxie says in amazement, making me giggle.
But the happy moment end when I fall from the pain in my body and hold my mouth.
"Claire, are you ok?" Jim asks, rushes to my side.
I lean against my boyfriend's shoulder. "No." I groan in pain. Jim helps me up and leads me to the couch.
"Hey Jim, when is Claire's parents coming here?" Zoey asks, siting in a chair.
I feel myself stiffen up. "Wait-what!" I panic.
Jim turns to me with a concern look and lightly touches the places of my covered slashes. "Claire, I called your mom to tell them what I saw in the bathroom and being worried about you." Jim replies.
I groan and throw my head in my lap. "What did you tell her?" I mutter.
"I told her what happened to you when all of us came downstairs. She wanted to talk to you, but I could hear water running upstairs and though you were still in the shower. Ophelia was at work when I called her but said she would be here as soon as she can. She told me to make sure you didn't hurt yourself and feel comfortable before hanging up to call your Dad." Jim answers, but doesn't help me any better
"What's the problem with Claire and her parents?" I hear Douxie ask, making me look up.
Douxie looks confused, raising an eyebrow and his arms crossed. He has never met my parents before and that can be a problem. Letting my skeptical parents meet my mentor or magic. Yeah, that's not gonna end well. "Trust me, you haven't met my parents yet Douxie."
Author Note: I'm so sorry for the slow update. I will try to upload one week per chapter max. One more part for this chapter. This chapter was a pain to get through. Since the film Rise of the Titans is coming up, I'll be putting all my focus into this project. Please review.