(Alright, here's the actual chapter. I felt like I was too mean to y'all yesterday lol. Okay, I had my moment of fun so I'll give you a moment of yours, enjoy yourself. Lol)
'It'll be a while until I can get Basil back from Omori's world.'
Sunny thought to himself as he laid in his bed in the middle of the night. He couldn't sleep in his dreamworld due to the thought of Basil not being in his world. He took Omori's Basil to his world so he wouldn't get hurt anymore. He remembers seeing through Omori's eyes when he was in control. Killing Basil in more brutal ways you can think of.
He remembers seeing how he choked him and gutted him open in a twisted vacant replica of Basil's real house in his room. The terror and fear Basil's face showed when he stared up at him. It would forever haunt him. He loves Basil. He wants Basil to stay safe with him. He'll give everything he could ever want, without hesitation. If it kept him happy.
Sunny controlled this world, he could make anything he could want in this world even new friends. But he could somehow never create Basil. Creating Aubrey, Kel, and Hero was easy, but there was always something wrong when he tried to create Basil. Was there something he was missing? Or does he not have that much power like Omori does. This was his world, he knows everything about it. So what exactly was flawed with his world?
"I miss you so much Basil." Sunny whispered as the heaviness of his eyes forced him asleep.
He doesn't know how the real Basil feels about him. He knows the the dream Basil is just acting the way Sunny wants him to. He knows that the real Basil wouldn't be bold enough to kiss him on the cheek, cuddle with him, hold him close and tells him he loves him. It was all just Sunny's fantasy of what he wants Basil to feel for him. What he desires.
Basil never showed any signs of mutual feelings for him. He's so admirable, so perfect. So much that Sunny wanted to know if Basil felt the same. Sunny knows that the replicated Basil is just out of his memories, but he was almost perfect. Almost the exact same as the Basil he knows he loves. But the real Basil had this spark. A spark that made Sunny fall for him in the first place.
The hand was wandering through black space, going through door to see what it could find. It was given a new objective, one that would be much harder to find.
'Take this key.' Stranger gave the hand the key as it squirmed up to him.
'This key is different from the rest, that I'm sure you noticed. This key opens to my headspace, but I think you can use it to find Sunny's dream world. It should be around there some where. Find it, look everywhere you can think of. If you do, I need you to go though and observe. Don't interfere with anything.' The hand gave a thumbs up of understanding.
'It may be a possibility 'it' might reside there. If my suspicions are correct, I need you to inform me. Now, go.' The hand squirmed back to the door to black space as it held the key in it's palm. The hand left in a hurry to complete Stranger request.'
The hand went through many familiar doors. But it wasn't what it was looking for. It wandered through the same dells to see if it noticed something new. But nothing. It was crawling around the docks. Encountering different creatures that were more than a waste of time.
The hand stopped at a certain place. Omori's throne room. The hand was loyal to Omori once. Until Stranger found it lost and abandoned in his world. Though their first meeting wasn't the best, the hand realized that Stranger was more caring than Omori. He wouldn't abandon it like Omori did when they infiltrated Stranger's dreamer's headspace. Stranger always saw it as a fellow companion, not just some pawn he could control. That's why it was doing this for Stranger. To help a fellow companion.
The hand wiggles it's way up the stairs. Luckily, the other hands weren't here to notice it descend up the stairs. The more it went up, the more unsettling it became to continue to the top. Although the ruler wasn't present, the throne itself was intimidating enough to make the hand waver. But it continued.
When it reached the top, the giant red hands encircled the throne like a chamber. The hand wiggled around the two giant hands that belt their palms open like a seat. The hand squirmed around to see that-
Omori felt a sudden jolt course though his body. Strange, he felt as if someone wasn't supposed to be where they were. Or something. But before he could think more into it, Basil called for him.
"Omori!" He happy swished around the shallow end of water of the beach while the others swam more into the water. "Come play in the water with me! We can stay in the shallow end together!"
The other yelled encouragingly at Omori to join them as he sat in the sand by himself. He got up and walked to Basil. Basil sat at his knees in the sand, the waves lapped at his waist when he stood still. Omori sat on his knees in front of Basil. Basil smiled.
"Isn't this fun? All of us together like this?" Basil motions to the others playing in the water. Aubrey and Kel were splashing one another. Hero and Mari were gracefully swimming together barely paying any mind to the other two. This left Basil and Omori sitting quietly together in the water.
Omori had to admit, even though this wasn't real, the people feelings here and memories felt real. Reality or not. Omori can never say he hates them.
"Yeah." Omori fondly replies. "It is."
"Now," Basil voice sounded like they would shift to another topic. "How long have you known Stranger?" Basil held a bit of a sly smile as he teased Omori about his realized new crush.
For the first time, Omori realized that he was blushing. But he kept his neutral face as hard as stone.
"I've only known him for a month and a half. It's not that big a deal." Basil giggles as he knows it isn't true.
"But you're blushing right now!" Omori blinked in surprise. He thought that he trained himself to always stay stone faced as always. But apparently Stranger seems to make him experience thing about himself he didn't know about. And he wasn't even here!
"What are you two talking about?" Basil and Omori jolt to see Mari swim her way up to them and eavesdropping on their conversation. They sit quietly staring at her as she did a back stroke. Mari chuckles. "What? Is it that much of secret that you guys don't want me to listen?"
"Um, sorry Mari, but Omori would be too embarrassed about it." Mari rolled off her back and had a concern look on her face.
"Is something wrong?" Basil didn't know to respond as he tried to think of how to get them both out of this situation.
"Um-!"
"Oh no! Don't tell me you had a little accident Omori! C'mon we'll get you changed-!" Omori then felt embarrassed at this point. Embarrassed to think his sister would think of such a thing when he obviously doesn't look like a two year old.
"Omori has a crush!" Basil didn't realized he yelled when he notice his voice echo. He covered his mouth when he realized what he just said. From a distance, Hero, Aubrey, and Kel stopped in their movements staring towards the source of the sound. Mari stopped in her tracks, staring at Basil with wide eyes. She then shifted her gaze down at Omori.
Omori winced as he knows what about to happen next.
"I-is that true Omori?" Omori knew there was no turning back now. He let out a sigh as he gave a slow nod and Mari wide eyes began to sparkle. She then squealed as he hugged Omori. "Aw! My little baby brother has a crush! Aw! I'm so happy! My little baby brother is growing up to be such a man!"
"Omori has a crush?!" Kel yelled as he quickly swam to them with Aubrey and Hero following behind him.
"Omori has a what?!" Aubrey exclaimed with her cheeks puffed. Omori forgot dream Aubrey has a crush on him. Sunny's childish memories of him having feelings for Aubrey, made dream Aubrey fit his desires to make her have mutual feeling for him.
Though it was satisfying when he thought of it, it was now dull and more like a childish thought. It was when Sunny turned 14 did he start to have feelings for Basil. Of course puberty and sexual awakening was what caused him to realize this.
Aubrey looked at him like she wanted to know who her supposed 'love rival' was. Hero chuckled as pat Omori on the back.
"That's great you have someone in mind Omori."
"It's okay to feel embarrassed Omori, no one will judge." Mari pets him on the head for reassurance. "Now who's the lucky little girl?" Mari encourages.
Omori tensed as he knows he isn't supposed to let the others know Stranger exists. He turns to look at Basil with the same look of nervousness. He mouths the words 'I'm so sorry.' To him. Mari sees this and the most horrible assumption comes to mind. She gasps.
"Is it Basil?!" The whole rest of the gang had a face of shock.
"Basil?!" They yell. It's was Basil's turn to feel embarrassed. He covered his face, wanting the world to swallow him whole. They didn't get the chance to deny the claim when Mari pulled both of them into a hug.
"You two look so cute together! I should've known you two were together. You guys are totally inseparable after all!" Basil and Omori knew they should've kept their mouth shut as they knew they dug their own grave.
Stranger numbly walked through the vast forest with a dull expression. He felt so tired. He wanted to rest. Finding his dreamer was exhausting, but if it meant protecting him, he'd do it anyway. He wandered more into the trees and rested his body on the side of a tree away from the naked eye.
Eyes began to grow heavier the more he tried to keep them open. He didn't want to go to sleep. But it was calling him more and more every time he tried to deny it. He fell to the floor, let sleep take over completely.
Basil woke up in his bed tiredly looking around the room confused.
'It's still night time? Why am I waking up so late at night?' He rubbed his tired eyes as he tried to go back to sleep.
This was a weird occurrence, but this has been happening to basil for the past year. What's also weird is that Basil is unable to dream either. Every time he goes to sleep, he can't dream of anything, and it always makes him wake up so early in the night.
Maybe he should tell someone about this. But he doesn't want to worry Polly enough he does already.
'Maybe this would pass.'
That's always the same excuse he used for the past year. Maybe he should get some sleeping pills to help him sleep better. Basil tried to go back to sleep, but he can't. Maybe there's something wrong with him. The thought scares him as he feels himself shudder, he then realized he was unable to stop. He tried to calm his nerves and his body took a while to sooth itself to stop shaking. He cuddled more into his blanket as he felt the the cold touch his warm skin.
He really wished he had his photo album. But he gave it to Sunny, all the way in the city. He said that he would need it more than he did. But he couldn't help but miss looking at the memories he took in it. He feels like now he would never feel comfortable being with his old friends anymore.
After Sunny told everyone the truth, they forgave them. Something that they never knew was an outcome. Hero forgave them. Kel forgave them. Hell, even Aubrey forgave them. They smiled at Sunny and Basil as they both sobbed in front of them. They weren't angry, but they should've been. Basil knew they didn't deserve their forgiveness. Their kindness. Their love. But they did anyways.
When Sunny left, they were all so nice to Basil. They wanted to hang out together like they did before. Basil thought this was too good to be true. He asked them why. Why don't they hate him. Or Sunny. Aren't they mad at at them? Why did they forgive him? He was a horrible person. A horrible friend. A human being not meant to walk on the face of the earth. This was the first time, Aubrey went up to him and slap him.
Basil was shocked. Aubrey had tears in her eyes that day. Letting her tears roll down her cheeks, she told him that to never degrade himself like that again. She hugged him telling him that it was a terrible accident. She told him that it would only make him a bad person if he acted like nothing happened after that day. If he continued to act like a cheerful happy person and lived a lie after Mari death, then he was a bad person. But he wasn't. He felt horrible. Treated himself horribly. Him and Sunny. She said that was enough to show they deserved their forgiveness.
Hero and Kel walked up to Basil and Aubrey as they all shared a hug crying together. Telling him it's okay. That they forgive him. That Mari forgives him. Basil didn't know he would cry so much that day. He just kept saying he was sorry so many times. And they would tell him it was okay. Everything was going to be okay.
Basil didn't realize he was dozing off. But he didn't mind though. He the thought of his friends being there for him lull him to sleep. He just wish Sunny was there for him too. He really was...his very best friend.
Stranger woke up the shade sheltering him from the sky above. He sat up and looked around. He was still in the vast forest.
"Stranger?" He whipped around to see where the voice came from. To see Basil standing there. He walked past the bushes trying to get closer to Stranger. "What are you doing on the ground?" Stranger rubbed his eyes getting rid of his drowsiness.
"Nothing, was just resting." He mumbled. He then looked up at him with still tired eyes. "What are you doing here?"
Basil smiled.
"I'm playing hide and seek with the others. I decided to hide along with the bushes. But I found you! Maybe you can hide with me!"
Stranger didn't protest so Basil took it as a yes and sat next to him. Basil giggled and let out a 'shhh.' This made Stranger smile a bit. He was a dream replica, but he was just like his dreamer. So happy and cheerful. He reached into his pocket and held the pink flower hair clip, his dreamer wore, in his hand. It was the last trace he had of it when Omori took it. This was evidence enough to show that it was here. That he was close to to finding it and bringing it home.
He heard another rustle in the bushes. Basil covered his mouth to make sure he was quiet while Stranger hid more in the shadows. It was then revealed the last person Stranger would want to see.
"Found you." Basil giggled as he squealed.
"Omori! You found us!" Omori gave a confused stare. His curiosity was answered when Stranger growled at him. Omori felt his heart beat quicken as he stared at Stranger.
"Did you find any one else Omori?" Omori turned to Basil and silently shook his head. "Hm, looks like we're the only ones you found then."
Stranger let out a scoff, got up, and started to walk away.
"Where are you going Stranger?" Basil called out as Stranger walking farther and farther away.
"Anywhere but here." He grumbled. Basil then stood next to Omori as he brushed off the dirt from his overalls.
"Well, I guess he's gone then." Basil let's put a sigh. This disappointed Omori, he want to at least spend a little more time with him. Basil saw the sad look in his eyes. He pat him on the back for comfort. "Don't be so sad Omori. I'm sure that you'll see him again. Just need to be patient."
The hand found it. It quickly squirmed up the the door, and put the key in the key hole. With a bit of hesitation, it turned the key and heard a soft click. The door opened to a bright light. The light illuminated the whole room and this signified that this was where 'it' was.
The hand didn't waste a single second to squirm it's way though it. As it disappeared into the light, the door remained opened.
Sunny was sitting on the bench in Faraway park. Hero and Kel's parents were throwing a party in the park. He watched as the scooter gang blasted music and danced like a bunch of crazy kids. Kel was playing basketball with his friends along with Hero. This reality. It was perfect. But it was missing something. Someone.
"Not having fun?" He looked up to see Aubrey. She tucked back a strand of pink hair as she sat down next to him. "I guess Basil not being here, really puts a damper on your mood."
"Sorry if I ruined the mood."
"Don't be, it's fine. Parties aren't for everyone. But at least give it a chance to cheer you up." She handed him a bottle of water. "Here, it's a bit warm out don't you think?" Sunny took it as he felt the cold condensation on the bottle drip on his shorts.
"Yeah, it is." Aubrey let out a hum as she opens her own bottle of water and takes a long sip. Once she was done she let out a breath.
"Where did you say he was again? Visiting his parents of something?" Sunny tensed. He knew it was a lie. This wasn't real. But the people other than Basil, Omori, and him weren't aware of it. Wasn't aware they were people fabricated in a dream.
"Yeah. He-" his sentence was interrupted by Kel letting out a yell as he took a slam dunk on the court. Everyone rooted and cheered as Hero pulled Kel in a choke hold. Aubrey laughed a looked back at Sunny wanting him to finish speaking. Sunny let a small smile towards the crowd, then looked back to Aubrey. "Yeah. He said that he sometimes has to go back to his house with his parents for a while. He says that he doesn't really know how long he stays over but he knows it's not for long. I always go to the train station to wait for him to get back."
Aubrey smiles as he looks at him.
"You know, you seem to act like his boyfriend by doing that." Sunny felt his ears turning red as she said this. "Do is suspect a crush?"
Aubrey laughed when Sunny gently pushed her.
"Don't worry, my lips are sealed." She giggled. As she laughed, Sunny saw something out of the corner of his eye.
One of Omori's red hands were wandering around.
Sunny face began to pale at this. No. It can't be. He isn't here is he? One Aubrey's laughter began to subside, she noticed the look on Sunny's face.
"Sunny? Is something wrong?" This snapped Sunny out of it. He needs to follow that hand. It shouldn't be here.
"Nothing. I just remembered that there's something I need to do. Can you tell the others if they wonder where I am?" He stands ups as he looks down at Aubrey. Aubrey was silent, she was concerned of what caused Sunny to act this way.
"Did something happen?"
"Aubrey, everything's fine. I just need to do something. Can you cover for me?" Aubrey had more questions. But didn't say them.
"Fine. Just, make sure you make it back before sunset. We're going to start bringing out sparklers by then." Sunny gave her a nod as he ran off to where he last saw the hand.
He ran more into the forest as he remembered what direction it went to. He felt like he was running forever when he felt like it was just his eyes playing tricks on him. But he need to be safe than sorry.
His search did take long after than when he saw an open door. In the middle of nowhere, a door is wide open. Revealing the one place he didn't know he would see ever again. Black space. He stopped to catch his breath. The ominous black creeping him out the more he stared at it. Is this where the hand went?
He walks up to as he thought it was best to close the door.
But it was then he was hit with the realization.
'It could lead to Omori's world. And I could find Basil.'
This idea kept ringing in his mind as he kept his hand on the door knob.
Should he close it? Or go through it?
Closing it was the only logical reason. He didn't want Omori having any access to his world. But going through it made him curious of what it was like over there now.
Was everything the same as it always was there? Was Basil safe there? Is Mari there?
He knows that he should move one from Mari's death and he did, but the thought of wanting to see Mari one more time seemed to make him miss her more.
With out thinking, he took a step through the door. Feeling the cold wind the black void sent his way when he went through. And as he disappeared into the darkness, the door closed