Chapter 33: Papa, Can You Hear Me?

Little did I know that Misery and my mom had teamed up to follow underground tunnels to save me. But, I've focused on Misery enough for now. I should tell you what was next for me...Now that I hear it out loud I'm even more terrified of what's to come.

I was still caged in a state of shock and grief. I had witnessed my own father slowly tormented and flat out killed right in front of me under the guise of making it more painful to watch. I was also shocked that DeDe's plan had gone so far she was more intrigued by suffering than flat out death, I knew her whole devious plan but I felt more broken because I was defenseless against the army of the witches.

I stared at my dads severed hand, it was now all I had left of him, I thought it would be a pretty awkward funeral if we're only burying one hand.

Then, my captor reentered the torture chamber, to taunt me more I wouldn't doubt.

"I think we're really reconnecting now don't you think Zaí?" DeDe asked me smugly.

"I'm not in the mood DeDe" I said hugging my knees to my chest and burying my face into my unflattering ripped jeans.

"Awww, did I hurt the corpses feewings?" She said in baby talk, clearly taunting me.

"Well, it's getting late and I've got to rest up for the day of reckoning."

"Day of reckoning? When's that?" I said not 100% sure I'd get an answer from her.

"We haven't picked an exact date yet, but it'll be soon. We're going to lay siege to the entire stretch between the Lake of Zombies and Gloomsville using the magical amulet we will create nuclear bombs to blow up the ground and expose the rebel colony and force them into our grasp, we'll torment them all until they are writhing in pain, then and only then we'll skin them all alive. Once that's over and done with we'll find your little friends in Gloomsville bring them here so they can watch me kill you, only to torment them until they're dead, but don't worry it's what they get for agreeing to hide you to begin with." DeDe finished.

I almost barfed, the imagery was so graphic it was like something out of a bloody slasher movie, and they would not only be driving our species off the edge of extinction but killing my friends too just for taking me in.

"But since it's getting prett late, I thought I'd give you a little reward for all your crying and screams of agony, they've really made the job feel more worthwhile in the long run." DeDe then pressed a button and a small window opened up right beside my cage, it was open but had bars as well.

"I have decided to let you sleep with a little fresh air tonight and don't even think about crying for help because I guarantee that no one is going to help you besides I've got to get a bunch of guards waiting outside if you try to escape they have orders to shoot you. Oh well, I've got a good nights sleep waiting for me, enjoy yourself Zaí, I mean while you still can!" She laughed out loud at her joke before leaving me to wallow in my desolate state.

I was still in my birdcage.., Man that sounds depressing, which it was. I wondered why the author of this fanfic felt the need to make me suffer.

"Stop breaking the 4th wall, Obey my commands!" cried out Vargovi83 from beyond the world of this story.

"Sheesh, somebody's crabby today." I stated before remembering my discomforting predicament.

I started to reminisce about the times I had with my dad, sure it was only 13 years but from this point onwards I'm gonna honour those years that I had with him. We didn't have the greatest bond ever because he spent a lot of time training Zoë, but we had enough good times over the years and that's good enough for me.

As I stared out the window feeling the cool air nip at my flesh, it reminded me of my former home in Gloomsville Mansion. I had it all: a tiny room, meagre supplies, a decent wardrobe and the icing on the cake: nine housemates who had treated me like a normal person, not a zombie but as someone no different than themselves. They took care of me, gave me shelter, food, comfort, safety and most significantly, love. It was all there my idyllic life that got squandered away due to a simple misunderstanding. If I could see Misery I'd give her the most heartfelt apology I could, although I know that unlike most kids cartoons you can't just say sorry and it means everything is automatically fixed, I was aware that life was gonna turn just a little unkind.

Suddenly I felt the cool winds blow and I felt a presence and I heard whispers. Creepy. Yet mysterious. But then I heard

"Zaí..." I was shocked at first but the ethereal voice sounded familiar. Then a mist formed by coming through the bars of the cage, and reforming in front of me was the spirit of my dad, General Zenon.

"Dad?"

"Hello Zaí" he said floating in front of me, still wearing the clothes he was wearing when DeDe murdered him, his wounds were all gone, now his suffering was over.

"I'm sooo sorry, I should've tried to save you." I said tearing up.

"Zaí, it's going to be alright, my child." he said. "I can't be mad at you it was all in DeDe's plan I couldn't have asked you to fight back for me, but you can't give up hope, not now." he said reassuringly.

"But how? I'm trapped and no one cares about me anymore." I answered desolately.

"Zaí, you're not alone, I have had a vision of the future, I have seen your salvation approaching from yonder. Ruby Gloom and her housemates are on their way here to save you."

Immediately after hearing the news I stopped crying and looked up at his ghostly form in disbelief, they...they still care. I had heard it straight from the horse's mouth, otherwise I'dve never believed it. They were coming to save me because they loved me and now I knew,

I wasn't alone anymore...

Zaí although I can no longer be with you, I'll always be in your memories." I got the intention he wanted to say heart, but he knew mine had been ripped out of my chest.

"Dad, if this is it, I need to ask you, how did you know those wonderful people who took me in?" I asked knowing our time together was wearing thin.

"Our ancestors go way back, the Glooms have been old friends. Shortly after your brother was born I confided in Ruby's grandparents before their passing and we made arrangements for them to take in you, Zola and Zoë if our village was found and decimated. Unfortunately for your siblings when the time finally came it was too late for them. That's why I'm so proud of you Zaí you can carry on my memory and maybe tell my story to your children one day." he finished.

I was welling up with joy, pride and tears. Everyone was counting on I and I alone was going to carry on our family's legacy.

All I could say was "I promise." crossing my heart.

"Good, now it's time for me to go."

"I understand."

"You'll have to continue your journey without me, but just remember me, and know we'll always be together."

"Okay." The wind began to swirl around him before saying his final words to me.

"Love you"

"Bye dad."

The wind then enveloped his ethereal form as he became a shining ball of light and he flew out the window into the night as I heard his whispering voice say

"I will always hear you..."

The entity that was once my father flew up into the starry night before dissipating at then I knew he had found peace.

Well what do you think that was a bit of a tear jerker huh? It's a given fact that every story has some sad parts you just have to get through them. So don't worry the next chapter will hopefully be a little more lighthearted, more on the way, stay tuned readers.