Chapter 20

Cole arrived in the fields a few minutes later, noticing a familiar figure standing in the midst of the grassy lands, her long black hair with that signature purple highlight alerting her presence.

Of course Cole knew it's the love of his life. He'll admit her hair is longer than he remembered, but it has been three years since he last saw her. Regardless of changes in looks, it's still Carol, the girl who holds a special place in his heart.

A girl he can't live without.

Without thinking, he ran towards her, calling out her name. "Carol! Carol, it's Cole!" He stopped, keeping within twenty feet of her, breathing heavily from moving so rapidly. "Carol…it's been so long." She didn't turn around, causing him to grow concern. "Carol, are you okay? Turn around so I can see you."

She did, but once he received a glimpse of her face and bare parts of her body, his expression turned into shock and fear.

Tattoos marked her cheeks along with a scar across her forehead. Her left eyes was swollen shut and not only were her arms covered in tattoos, but also obtained scars resembling the one atop her forehead. Her clothing were torn and ripped in various places, thankfully still covering the unmentionable parts.

Holy shit, Cole couldn't help but think, What happened to my girl?

"I heard that," the wolf pup said, "Watch your language!"

Cole ignored the furry creature next to him, stepping forward to take Carol into his arms, begging and praying to the Great Sensei he can try to help her. "Carol, it's okay. You're safe now."

Before he could even go near her, a protective barrier ceased him from progressing any further. The little wolf followed behind, scraping her paw up and down on the clear purple wall.

Cole began to bang on the barrier separating him from the love of his life. "Carol, let me through. What are you doing? Tell me what's going on?"

Before Carol could say anything, a dark shadow form loomed next to her, a whip in its ghostly, ebony shaded hand, knocking the poor girl down.

Cole witnessed the most horrifying scene as he watched the shadow whip Carol repeatedly, continuing to pound on the protective barrier, wishing there was some way he could get through to take this beast down, force it to stop hurting Carol. But after so many lashes, poor Carol kneeled over and fell on her hands and knees, no longer able to concentrate on keeping the barrier up, allowing it to disappear. This gave Cole a chance to go after the shadow that attacked his girl.

"Hey, you!" Cole unsheathed his sword. "Come at me!"

The shadow smiled, releasing a dark essence upon Cole, trapping him. But the strength within Cole grew stronger and after thoughts of loosening up, he slid from the essence's grasp and went after the shadow, jumping up and using the tip of his sword to slice it's right bicep. It may not have done something to the shadow, but when Cole heard Carol's cry of pain, he turned and revealed a shocking discovery.

Carol received a fresh slice mark on her own bicep, watching as her blood seeped from the wound. He gasped in horror at what he's done, almost bursting into tears as he rushed over to take her in his arms, the shadow standing still, waiting for Cole to finish the fight.

"Carol?" Cole said, cradling her in his arms, "Are you alright? What is going on?"

Carol's breathing labored, and she shook like a leaf in Cole's arms. "Don't…fight it. Don't fight the shadow. It's the…dark side of my negative emotions. It's the reason why…I left home in the first place. I had to leave my family…to prevent them from getting hurt."

Looking down at his girlfriend, Cole sat her up against a slab of stone before approaching the shadow. "Alright, shadow. Why are you tormenting Carol? She's done nothing to deserve this."

The shadow laughed menacingly. "Doesn't deserve it, you say. You have no idea who I am, do you, boy? I am Carol's negative emotions. For many years, the child has done nothing but set me aside, replacing me with happy thoughts. She kept me bottled up for too long. But after seeing you again after so long, she finally released me from the depths of her mind, allowing me to escape and enter her heart.

"It took some time and plenty of patience, but using my negative powers, I forced her to give in, pushing her to a breaking point. I released all those bad thoughts, most of them the harsh memories of the time she lived with her mother. I finally broke her, allowing me to roam free in the world of the living, leading her to the Cave of Gems. As punishment for keeping me locked away for so long, I continue to torment her, but luckily, it doesn't affect her now that I am free. Her negative emotions no longer exist within her now that I'm no longer there."

Cole sheathed his sword. "Is there any way you can place yourself back inside Carol? Even with her negative emotions gone, I'm sure she still feels miserable."

The shadow floated up to Cole, placing an ebony hand underneath his chin. "There is one way. Only an act of reassurance is the key to balance her emotions, but thoughts like me despise that more than anything."

Taking a deep breath, Cole placed a hand on the shadow's cheek, even though he knew it would go right through, but right now, all he cared about was giving Carol's negative emotions comforting, something he would make sure she receives from here on out.

"I know you don't want to hear this, but Carol does," Cole said, "She may not say it aloud, but I know she wants to listen. Things will get better. Everything's going to be fine. Just tell me your fears and anger in a more positive manner and I promise to help however I can. Let me help you, Carol."

"No!" the shadow screamed, "Stop! The agony is tormenting!"

"Let me in, Carol. Just let me in. I may not ever understand the things you've gone through, but if you only tell me, I can help you. I can shield the darkness away and bring in the light. I'll do anything for you, Carol. And do you know why?"

The shadow began twitching. "No more! No more!"

With a breath deeper than what he's ever taken in, he said the words he's waited so long to utter.

"Because I love you."

That did it. The shadow could no longer stand to hear reassuring words and formed into the shape of a floating dark orb, returning within the smallest, darkest section of Carol's heart.

This caused the poor girl to have an attack on her mental state after being separated from the negative emotions for so long. After convulsing for a moment or two, she slumped over on the ground, passed out in a peaceful state.

The baby wolf went over to Carol, nuzzling up against her. Cole went over to pick up his girlfriend bridal style, making their way back to Spaintown, hoping Carol will be somewhat normal when she wakes up.

He knew one thing. She'll need a lot of time to recover.

HOW'S THIS CHAPTER? COLE HAS FINALLY FOUND CAROL AND SHE SURE HAS BEEN THROUGH THE UNDERWORLD AND BACK. THE NEXT CHAPTER OR TWO WILL REVEAL A LOT ABOUT CAROL'S PAST DURING THE TIME SHE LIVED WITH HER MOTHER. HOW THINGS REALLY WENT.

WELL, I DO HAVE ONE REVIEWER TODAY. TIME TO REPLY TO THEM. Anonymous: THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING CHAPTER 12. ALSO, ABOUT THE NOVELLA YOU WERE HOPING FOR ME TO WRITE FOR A FRIEND OF YOURS, I WON'T BE ABLE TO DO IT. I BARELY HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO WRITE THE ONE I'M CURRENTLY WORKING ON FOR ANOTHER FAN THAT MADE A REQUEST TO ME. SO I WON'T BE TAKING ANYMORE STORY REQUEST. BUT I'M STILL THINKING ABOUT DOING THE STORY UNDER NYA'S POINT OF VIEW, BUT MAYBE I SHOULD LET THE READERS DECIDE. I'LL CREATE A POLL ON IT AND SEE IF PEOPLE WANT ME TO WRITE ONE ABOUT HER OR NOT. ALSO, IS MY WRITING STYLE GETTING A LITTLE BETTER? JUST WANT YOUR OPINION ON THAT. THANKS SO MUCH FOR ENJOYING THE STORY SO FAR AND I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN SOON.

I HOPE TO HEAR FROM ALL YOU READERS SOON. SO FAR THIS STORY HAS 10 REVIEWS. NOT REALLY WHAT I'M HOPING FOR SINCE THIS STORY IS ALREADY A PROLOGUE AND TWENTY CHAPTERS IN, BUT I'M NOT COMPLAINING. BUT I STILL HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU GUYS SOON. DON'T BE SHY. SEND IN YOUR REVIEW OF WHAT YOU THINK OF THE STORY SO FAR.

WELL, THAT'S ALL FOR NOW.

NEXT UPDATE COMING UP SOON.