A/N: Once again, many thanks for the reviews!!!! Unfortunately, there is only one more chapter after this one and then an epilouge... but, on the bright side, there will be a sequal, which I will write as you review... or maybe I'll just finish it before I post it... *shrugs* Can you believe that the other chapters all equaled up to 121 pages?!?!?!? Alrighty... I must warn you, because there are only two chapters left, anything can happen... *grins*
Good News
chapter 5
Something Corporate - Good News
She's trapped inside her room,
With reruns on the screen,
Old books and movies,
But she can't stop thinking.
I'm torn between myself,
My radio, my friends,
I want to write this one of,
Over and over and over again...
And then she looked at me to scream,
My castles are falling!
And I can't look into the street,
Without everything changing...
I want to read good news, good news,
I want to be innocent again,
I want to read good news, good news,
But nothing good is happening...
She waits all day,
She stands a stranger in her skin,
And she moves the science,
With her hands.
She lines her walls,
With every paper she can see,
These words consume her,
But they never set her free...
And then she looked at me to scream,
My castles are falling!
And I can't look into the street,
Without everything changing...
I want to read good news, good news,
I want to be innocent again,
I want to read good news, good news,
But nothing good is happening...
But nothing good is happening...
But nothing good is happening...!
I want to read good news, good news,
I want to be a little kid again,
I want to read good news, good news,
But nothing good is happening...
I want to read good news, good news,
I want to go to sleep at night again,
I want to read good news, good news,
But nothing good is happening...
But nothing good is happening...
But nothing good is happening...!
~*~
Bernard... Bernard, are you awake? yes, he was definately awake, judging by the fact that his whole body ached with pain he hadn't felt only moments before. Bernard was vaguely aware... he couldn't focus on the voice, and when he tried to move his lips, it felt strange, making old wounds around his lips burn again.
Kae... Kae... he mumbled, opening his eyes slightly and finding himself blinding by the light. He could barely see someone next to him.
No, it's us, Bernard... he opened his eyes fully, ignoring the pain of the bright lights.
he asked, his vision finally clearing.
Yes, Bernard, we're here, Carol knealt down next to him and held his hand in hers, rubbing her thumb over it.
Bernard asked, absently fumbling at some memory that would give him an answer.
Curtis and Judy... the told us things... Bernard suddenly saw the tear streaks down her face. Though the small beads were no longer there, the paths they made were still as plain as day. Terrible things... Scott placed his hand on his wife's shoulder as another tear made it's way down her face.
And suddenly, it all came rushing back. Bernard sat straight up, ignoring the pain. He knew where he was now... he was in a Elven Hospital Room, where elves were taken to heal their wounds before being taken to prison. He became aware of the small, silver bracelet on his left wrist with a small, blue gem set in it. It was a bracelet that made any kind of magic impossible... and as he looked around, he was sure there were magical barriers around the room.
But you came anyway, Bernard smiled at them, suddenly filled with wonder. They knew, but they still believed in him. It was enough to send small tears down his face, but he held them back. Scott spoke up next.
Of course. They aren't... true, are they? Santa managed a weak smile. And suddenly, Bernard was filled with rage. No, they weren't there for him... they were there to try and prove their own, pitiful doubts about his identity. But they were wrong. The horrors of his identity were as true as his devotion for the light elves... Scott and Carol didn't care about him.
Oh, but they are, he snarled, a wicked smile on his face. Carol immediately dropped his hand and leapt back when she saw the calm brown of his eyes turn to leaping flames, specks of red dotting them.
You... you're... Carol stuttered, tears streaming down her face, which only made Bernard's grin spread.
A Dark Elf? A murderer? Of course... I'm D.E.-712, Second Assasin, a loyal servant of the Dark One, he replied.
How could you, Bernard?! he switched his gaze to Scott Calvin, who looked just as horrified.
Murder? Oh, it really is simple. In fact, I've learned to enjoy it! I've been a Dark Elf since the New Years after your second Christmas, a strange sort of joy spread through him as he saw the look of pain in their eyes, staring at him as if he were in animal, eyes filled with disbelief.
You could have killed them all... the North Pole elves... they're so innocent...
Bernard cried, pain suddenly consuming him. DON'T YOU GET IT?! THAT'S WHY WE HATE THEM! They live lives of happiness and laughter while we're forced into darkness... why do you think I was the only elf who ever grew up?!
Why not just let them live in their innocence?! Scott challenged, but he and Carol immediately jumped away as Bernard let out a cry of anger. He launched forward, ready to shake them back and forth by their necks until they understood, but magic around him held him back, though the flame in his eyes dimmed not at all.
WHY SHOULDN'T THEY KNOW THE HARSH REALITIES OF THE WORLD?! IF THEY CAN'T LEARN IT ON THEIR OWN, WE WILL TEACH THEM WHAT MURDER IS! Bernard shouted. NONE OF US WILL EVER BE INNOCENT AGAIN!
Have you killed... any of them...? Scott asked, a strange fear in his voice. Truth be told, Bernard hadn't killed any North Pole elves, but he wasn't going to let them know that.
Of course I have, his wicked sneer spread further. Carol covered her mouth with her hands before burrying her face in her husband's clothes, consumed in an unbelievable grief, pain filling her till it leaked from her eyes and loud sobs shaking her shoulders as they filled the room.
Come on, Carol, Scott took a firm grip on his wife's arm and moved towards the door.
Go ahead then. Go back to your worlds of light. Forget about Bernard, trapped in the darkness forever. Forget I ever existed. Claim I am nothing. Write me out of the name of Christmas forever, Bernard sneered at them, causing Scott to look one last time at Bernard before leaving. Leave me here... Bernard mumbled feebly before shrinking down onto the the bed, half surprised to find tears streaming down his face.
~*~
Carol and Scott hurried down the hall, trying to get as far away as they could. They were both watching the floor, both of their visions blurred by tears, and they ended up running smack dab into Kae.
Kae... what a pleasant surprise, Carol had seen Kae often back when Bernard was head elf. They'd talked a bit and she found Kae amusingly like the kids back home, a kind of elf that made the North Pole seem completely like the home she left. What're... what're you ding here?
I'm going to see Bernard, Kae replied. And you... two... Reality washed over Kae. Ooooooh damnit... she muttered under her breath as both of their expressions changed to fear and pain.
Scott instructed her. He... he...
He's a Dark Elf! Carol broke down into sobs and proceeded towards the exit. Kae, without a moment's hesitation, was sprinting back down the hall towards Bernard's room repeating, Oh damnit, oh damnit, over and over again.
She flung open the door to his room and stopped dead in her tracks. He was alone in the room, his hair shadowing his face as he stared at his hands. Kae felt a wave of sympathy for him, replacing the fear that had held her since when she found out. Her only relief came from the fact that he was still alive... the Dark One hadn't killed him. Yet.
It's over, he cut her off, his face still shadowed under black locks. This is my conclusion. My story ends here. It's all over.
What are you talking about? Kae asked, slightly frightened of what the answer would be.
They hate me... I told them about the murders... the color drained from Kae's face.
Did you... tell them you'd killed any North Pole elves? she asked, fear holding her by the throat.
Bernard replied, slowly bringing his head up to show bloodshot eyes, their sparkle fading, cheeks wet as he let small sobs escape him. I told them... Kae felt her heart slowly breaking as she stared at him, so she tore her eyes away and instead let them rest on the ground.
Bernard... Abbey was killed not long before your capture, Bernard's eyes widened in horror at this statement. They'll think you were the one who murdered her. Now, Bernard understood why Carol's face had twisted so. Tears began to crawl down Kae's face. She was tortured for hours, begging for mercy and screaming, especially for Judy. She even shouted your name...
And suddenly, Abbey flickered through his mind. That sweet, little elf... she couldn't be dead! Abbey... sweet little Abbey, following in Judy's footprints. More than anything, she wanted to be like Judy, and to be able to take over her older sister's job when Judy left. She had loved her sister with all her heart, and had shone just as radianty, the shadow of her wonderful sister over herself never dimming her spirits. But also, she wanted to follow Bernad. One day, she wanted to be Head Elf. She had always looked up to him with utmost respect, loving him almost like a brother. He remember Abbey on days when she had made him smile.
Oooh... Santa... you look...
Like he got a good night sleep!
...Like you got a VERY good night sleep!
She had always been able to make him smile on the worst of his days... warming his heart in both person and memories such as when she had told Scott how to propose to Carol. That little elf had meant much to him... and now she was gone? Little, smiling Abbey, gone forever?
And suddenly, visions of her under Dark Elf Magic spread through his mind. He saw her eyes, full of fear before the red enveloped her. He saw her lying on the ground, screaming as she cried, shuddering violently from pain and sobs. He didn't want to believe it, but somehow, he knew this was how the innocent, young elf had spent her last hours...
he barely managed before his eyes filled with tears that began to spill as he fell forward, and Kae immediately pulled him into an embrace. She could faintly hear him sobbing as she rocked him back and forth, Abbey... Abbey...
She would never become the Naughty-and-Nice elf. She would never be able to deliver cocoa everyone admired. She would never become the Head Elf. All her dreams had been drowned out by the very organization that Bernard had worked for.
~*~
Curtis held Judy tightly, the undying and unwavering rivers down her flawless face making him cringe. Around them, the funeral held the faces of many other crying elves, though none were even vaguely aware of the pain Judy felt. She hadn't been their sister. When it came time for Judy to say her practised speech, Curtis squeezed her hand before letting it go, and she walked to the front, lifting her tear-stained face.
Abbey was one of the happiest elves I've seen in all my long years. She was always reaching for some goal, no matter what it was, and she didn't give up. She was the light in all of our lives, filling all our days with laughter, always there when we needed to see someone's smiling face. It is a great loss to all of us that she will never be here again... never... again... Judy had held herself for so long, but now, she couldn't take it anymore. Curtis was immediately at her side as she fell to her knees, unable to stand, unbearable sorrow making her whole world spin. Slowly, Curtis helped her to her feet, leading her back to their seats. Carol took Judy's place, tears visible down her face as well.
As Judy said, Abbey always wanted to be remembered. She wanted to follow in her sisters footsteps, but more than that, she wanted to follow in Bernard's footsteps, she had to pause a moment to let a few, silent sobs pass, trying hard to stay standing. She regretted what she had to tell the elves next, but it was something they had to know. She was always striving to be like Bernard, for she wanted to be the Head Elf. I think he was her role model... she loved him dearly, and I think she was more devastated than any of us when he left. I found her crying in her room the next morning, her pillow wet with tears, for she had been crying all night long. And I think she missed him more than any of us. Yet despite how much she loved him... he didn't care, Carol saw everyone's face fall into shock, a couple of them shouting their doubts at her. She simply held up a hand to silence them.
Judy saw Bernard as a brother, and he had us fooled into thinking he loved her like a sister. I regret to announce... to announce that... Carol bit her lip and forced the lump in her throat down, staring at all the faces around her, trying hard not to cry as they waited with wide eyes. She knew that nothing could get her out of what she had to say next, yet at the same time, there was nothing that could prepare them for what she had to say. And that simple sentence, she knew, would change them forever.
Bernard was the Dark Elf that killed her.
The snowly clearing nearly exploded, the boy elves screaming their doubts, the girl elves sobbing in disbelief. Almost all of them looked over at Santa, waiting to see him shout that it wasn't true... but when they saw the tears down his own face, the color in his cheeks drained away, they knew it was true and all hope faded.
Bernard tortured Abbey for hours. She screamed for mercy, yet he showed none. When we found her, her body was gruesome and twisted, and it took many hours before we could even guess at who she was. Even then, she was so brutally deformed that we couldn't distinguish her until we realized that Abbey was missing.
Bernard didn't show her any mercy... he didn't even show her the mercy of killing her, but instead waited until her body could no longer take the pain he forced upon her. She loved him with all her heart, yet he killed her with the most brutal death in the history of the Dark Elves, Carol wiped away tears, though more quickly ran down her face as she stepped off stage, silently praying for the young elf who had been the light of so many lives.
And over the elves washed a feeling they had never felt before. They had never known hate, and it burned to hate the elf who had greeted them every day, always pushing them with strict rules and angering them often, yet they always realized he only wanted them to do their very best, and under him they always did. It burned to hate Bernard in his baggy, velvet clothes, small locks of black coming out from under a green beret, bordering his face and glittering, chocolate eyes. None of them could see him trying to kill Abbey, but it was the truth. He was a traitor... a cold-blooded, heartless murderer, killing the very one who strived so much to be just like him.
None of them were aware of a she-elf hidden in the bushes, watching the funeral process, grieved in a different way than any of them. She was grieved knowing that they didn't know. She was grieved knowing that Bernard was innocent, yet everyone else didn't know and may have never known. From beside her, she heard another she-elf sob and a he-elf pulled her into an embrace, rocking her back and forth.
Shhh... Jacey... Perrin spoke soothingly, holding the one he loved. It grieved Kae to know that the one she loved couldn't hold her the way he held Jacey, for he was gone. He was locked away for a crime he commited yet at the same time, a crime he didn't commit.
She didn't cry, though. Instead, her eyes hardened in determination as she got to her feet.
We'll get him out, she told them before turning her eyes to them. I know it. And with that, they all dissapeared, reappering at their Head Quarters where they might be able to get Bernard out. Kae wasn't hoping she could get a bit of tinsel... She was hoping to get Bernard's Pass. As she had told him in a recent visit, when the knew positions had been filled in the place of Christy, Ian, and Ron, they had also come up with letters of pardon for every gray elf, so that in time of need it they were captured, they could get out...
~*~
Bernard sat in his cell, pulled into a corner, unfocused eyes resting on the ground. He hadn't seen sunlight in over two months... he had grown thin and weak. Frequently, he saw an elf being carried away, dead. They had given up. He was surprised that he himself wasn't dead, for though Kae had told him of the pardon to get him out, he knew that if he used it, the Dark One could track him by his Kurai and he would be dead in no time. The only way he'd be set free is if the Dark One was killed.
Slowly, he traced his hand over the silver bracelet, looking for any deflect that may allow him to get it off and escape. With this on, he couldn't get through the magical barrier's around unless it was turned off somehow... Suddenly, he heard a voice sounding very much like Perrin's swear and then he heard a thump on his door before everything went quiet again.
Well, that was different.
Suddenly, there was a loud explosion, and to his surprise, the stone door that had forever cut him off from the world he loved began to slide open. Slowly, he rose to his feet, shielding his eyes and allowing his eyes to reajust to the light, for no matter how small it really was, it burned after no light for over sixty days. When it had creaked all the way open, his eyes fell upon two faces, Jacey's tearstained and Perrin's determined.
We used the pardon... Jacey said, trying not to cry.
Why?! And... where's Kae... anger quickly changed to fear, and one look into their eyes told him all he needed to know.
She's gone.
~*~
Bernard stood alone in the doorway of Kae's room. Night had fallen, leaving him nothing but a shadow. He had searched the house three times over, but she was nowhere to be found. She had fled... taking very little. He knew what she wanted to do.
She... she wouldn't go alone, would she? Bernard asked, returning to the living room where Jacey and Perrin sat on the couch.
Who knows, Bernard? Jacey answered question with question. She and Perrin exchanged glances, and then they all hung their heads. The thing was, they did know... well, they could certainly guess:
Kae, completely and utterly alone, could have gone to kill the Dark One or she could have gone to HQ to get reinforcements and then go. Kae was a determined soul, and Bernard got the feeling she was going to either kill the Dark One or die trying... and the second seemed far more likely.
Then I'll go after her, Bernard finally said. Jacey might as well have just exploded right then.
NO YOU CAN'T! KAE'S ALREADY GONE... NOT YOU TOO! WE CAN'T LOSE YOU BOTH! the red-head was on her feet, emerald eyes dancing.
I have to, Jacey! Bernard replied, snapping his gaze up to meet hers. he hung his head again. And suddenly, Jacey understood. One glance at Perrin and she realized what he must have been feeling... Sighing and defeated, she sat back down on the couch.
her voice was timid, eyes on the ground and Perrin put his arm around her, pulling her closer.
I'll go the HQ first to see if she's there. If not... he didn't need to go farther. The other Gray Elves knew what he meant. Slowly, Bernard got to his feet.
Perrin's voice stopped him and he swivelled around to meet the bright blue eyes. I'll go to the HQ. Even if she went there, she'd have left by now. I'll get reinforcements... you just go to the Dark One! Though his voice was fierce, he managed a very small smile, to which Bernard nodded in reply.
Good luck, Jacey's voice was the last he heard before he dissapeared.
~*~
But Bernard didn't go to the Dark One's lair... no, he wanted to do one other thing. He knew it was risky, but he had to try. As he stood in the darkness, he knew not what he had to say, but only that he had to at least make an attempt. Gulping slightly, he leaned forward and gently shook Curtis's shoulder, getting down on his knees next to the bed of Curtis's room.
Curtis asked groggily.
Curtis... it's me, Bernard hissed, making the young elf sit up slightly. It was then he saw Bernard.
he seethed, crawling backwards with wild eyes. Get away from me! What are you doing here?!
Curtis, please, just listen- Curtis cut him off.
NO! GET OUT OF HERE! YOU DON'T BELONG HERE- Bernard jumped to his feet and clapped his hand to Curtis's mouth, anger flickering in his chocolate yes.
Curtis, listen to me! he snarled. And suddenly, he saw the look in Curtis's eyes... it was that of fear, complete and utter fear. The small elf was shaking in Bernard's hands, shaking from fright of one he had once admired so. Upon realization, Bernard immediately let go of Curtis and stepped back. I'm sorry... he mumbled, his head hung.
What do you want? Bernard raised his head in a wave of black locks to meet Curtis's gaze. His voice was so full of fear that it even seemed as if there was a small sob in it, his body still racking.
I want... I want to tell you the truth, Bernard admitted. A small smile touched his lips when he saw hope spring to life in Curtis's eyes.
he leaned forward a little. Bernard hesitated, unsure of what to say, eyes resting on the eager, child-like creature before him. You didn't kill all those people? It's just a huge mistake? Bernard had to laugh, though he tried to keep it as light as possible. Shaking his head and still laughing, he replied:
No, I did kill them, he suddenly realized his mistake. Anger replaced all fear in Curtis.
You don't care at all... YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THE LIVES YOU EFFECT, DO YOU?! And what about Abbey?! You tortured her! She loved you and you killed her! YOU KILLED HER! And suddenly, the young elf sprung from the bed and wrapped his hands around Bernard's throat, sending both of them crashing to the ground. Bernard struggled under his hands, but Curtis's eyes were fierce with determination.
I'll turn you back in... but first, I'll make you pay for what you did to her! I'LL MAKE YOU PAY! he shouted, and Bernard felt the grip on his neck tightening. He gasped for air, but none would come. WHAT ABOUT KAE?! WERE YOU GOING TO KILL HER TOO?! STRING HER ALONG FOR AWHILE AND THEN HUMILIATE HER?! SO FULL OF LIFE AND SPIRIT... WOULD YOU DROWN THAT OUT?! BEAT IT OUT OF HER THE WAY YOU DID ABBEY?! He was becoming dizzy, only vaguely aware of Curtis still screaming at him. The world was slipping away from him, yet at his words, images of Kae began running through his mind...
No... I'd never do that to her, he told himself, somewhat glad that his last thoughts were of her.
And suddenly, fresh, sweet air filled his lungs as Curtis was thrown off of him. Immediately, his vision cleared, and Bernard sat up and rubbed his neck.
Bernard, you allright? his eyes widened in realization, his hand freezing where it was on his neck.
he gasped, and the elf smiled.
KAE! GET AWAY FROM HIM! HE'S A DARK ELF! HE'LL KILL YOU! Curtis cried. Kae jerked her head around to glare at him.
OF COURSE HE IS! she snapped, making Curtis sit back, his shock allowing him to fall into the shadows. Kae turned back to Bernard. Are you allright?
I'm... fine... Bernard replied, still rubbing his throat. Then, he looked up at her with worried eyes. Where have you been?
I got the pardon for you at HQ, but when Jacey and Perrin telleported to get you out, I came back before they saw me and slipped the officials the plan, she replied, as full of life as ever.
You... you mean to go through with it... on your own? Bernard asked, to which Kae smiled. Then let me go with you... let me help you!
No, Bernard. I'm doing this on my own. I don't want to risk you in my battle. He almost killed off my whole world, and he won't get away with that! she grinned at him. And don't try to follow me, because after you escaped, he moved lairs out of fear that you would tell everyone where he was. You won't be able to find him.
Kae... you can't go alone! Bernard tried to protest, but when Kae's mind was made up, there was no going back. I murdered so many... I need to kill him now! Let me help you!
You aren't strong enough. Besides, I'll be fine. I won't let the Dark One get to me. I'll fight with every fiber of strength in me, and I'll win, her grin turned to a soft smile and she ran her fingers across his cheek. I'll win. I leave in several days, when I will not tell you, to where I will not tell you, and where I'm staying I will not tell you. But I can tell you that I will triumph over the shadow that has befallen our lives.
How can you be so sure? Bernard asked as she got to her feet, her back turned to him. She stopped in her tracks. The small smile still playing her lips and her eyes glittering like tiny gems, she turned her head to peer at him from over her shoulder.
I can't die... because I'm going to be a Mommy, and you're going to be a Daddy, with one last wink, she dissapeared, leaving Bernard to gape into the darkness, a look of complete disbelief on his face, fumbling for words that weren't there, tears brimming in his eyes.
he turned to meet the frightened gaze of Curtis, still crouched in the shadows. What's going on? You... she knows, but she... she...loves...
I can't tell you, Curtis, but I will give you this hint, Bernard said as he got to his feet, tears running down his face, but a smile betraying them. Dark Elves can't love. And with that, he dissapeared.
~*~
Bernard hadn't been able to concentrate the last couple of days. He, Perrin, and Jacey had been together almost everyday, trying to occupy themselves, telling stories of Kae to keep her memory alive, praying for her safety. It was insane... utter madness to go alone! It was impossible... but none of them wanted to admit that. None of them wanted to admit how small the possibilites of them ever seeing Kae again where. It was a week later as Bernard sat alone in his living room that he heard a knock on his door.
Hope filled him, a smile of disbelief crossing his face as he ran to it and threw it open, ready to embrace Kae and whisper sweet nothings into her ear. But his smile quickly faded when he was greated by a normal man.
Are you Bernard? he asked.
Yes, I am, he replied, his smile gone and looking like it was never there.
Oh, well I've been sent to deliver a message to you, he handed a small piece of paper to Bernard. He accepted it with shaking hands, hoping against hope that it was a letter from Kae, telling him that she was allright and would be home soon... home and in his arms. He tore it open eagerly, preparing himself for the shock of Kae's words... However, nothing could have prepared him for the three simple words printed on that paper, tears blotting it to where they were barely distinguishable... yet they were, glittering up at him like a demon of the night, three simple words:
Kae is dead.
-Jacey
And as the entire world crashed down around him, like a pouring rain, memories of her danced through his mind... memories of her smiles, her laughs, even her insults. Kae... sweet Kae...
But no matter how many times he told himself it wasn't true, the words on the page didn't change. She was gone... truly gone...
Forever.
~*~
She's trapped inside her room,
With reruns on the screen,
Old books and movies,
But she can't stop thinking.
I'm torn between myself,
My radio, my friends,
I want to write this one of,
Over and over and over again...
And then she looked at me to scream,
My castles are falling!
And I can't look into the street,
Without everything changing...
I want to read good news, good news,
I want to be innocent again,
I want to read good news, good news,
But nothing good is happening...
She waits all day,
She stands a stranger in her skin,
And she moves the science,
With her hands.
She lines her walls,
With every paper she can see,
These words consume her,
But they never set her free...
And then she looked at me to scream,
My castles are falling!
And I can't look into the street,
Without everything changing...
I want to read good news, good news,
I want to be innocent again,
I want to read good news, good news,
But nothing good is happening...
But nothing good is happening...
But nothing good is happening...!
I want to read good news, good news,
I want to be a little kid again,
I want to read good news, good news,
But nothing good is happening...
I want to read good news, good news,
I want to go to sleep at night again,
I want to read good news, good news,
But nothing good is happening...
But nothing good is happening...
But nothing good is happening...!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: This song makes sense too! You know... I wanna be innocent again' as in he wants to have never witnessed Dark Elf Magic and I wanna be a little kid again' because all the innocent elves are children. ^_^
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