A/N: ^_^ Many many many thanks to you all, especially Tabbi, my first reviewer!!!! Once again, thank you to all of you who came back for the sequal!!! Also, just to let you know that if you don't like Amber, I really can't change her very much because she's modeled after me and her friends are modeled after my real friends... so if any of them sound like that would never really happen or sound unrealistically happy or something like that... well... a lot of the scenes will be things that really happened at my strange school, so if you don't like them, TOUGH! THEY AIN'T CHANGING!!! ^_^
BTW:
Bernard = memory
Bernard' = 712 speaking
= normal quote
Papercut
chapter 1
Linkin Park - Papercut
Why does it feel like night today?
Something in here's not right today,
Why am I so uptight today?
Paranoia's all I got left.
I don't know what stressed me first,
Or how the pressure was fed,
But I know just what it feels like,
To have a voice in the back of my head.
It's like a face that I hold inside,
A face that awakes when I close my eyes,
A face watches every time I lie,
A face that laughs every time I fall.
And watches everything,
So I know that when it's time to sink or swim,
That the face inside is hearing me,
Right beneath my skin...
It's like I'm paranoid,
Lookin' over my back,
It's like a whirlwind,
Inside of my head.
It's like I can't stop,
What I'm hearing within,
It's like the face inside is right,
Beneath my skin.
I know I've got a face in me,
Points out all my mistakes to me,
You've got a face on the inside too and,
Your paranoia's probably worse.
I don't know what set me off first,
But I know what I can't stand,
Everybody acts like the fact of the matter is,
I can't add up to what you can.
But everybody has a face that they hold inside,
A face that awakes when they close their eyes,
A face watches every time they lie,
A face that laughs every time they fall.
And watches everything,
So you know that when it's time to sink or swim,
That the face inside is watching you too,
Right inside your skin...
It's like I'm paranoid,
Lookin' over my back,
It's like a whirlwind,
Inside of my head.
It's like I can't stop,
What I'm hearing within,
It's like the face inside is right,
Beneath my skin.
It's like I'm paranoid,
Lookin' over my back,
It's like a whirlwind,
Inside of my head.
It's like I can't stop,
What I'm hearing within,
It's like the face inside is right,
Beneath my skin.
The face inside is right beneath your skin...
The face inside is right beneath your skin...
The face inside is right beneath your skin...
The sun goes down...
I feel the light betray me.
The sun goes down...
I feel the light betray me.
It's like I'm paranoid,
Lookin' over my back,
It's like a whirlwind,
Inside of my head.
It's like I can't stop,
What I'm hearing within,
It's like the face inside is right,
Beneath my skin.
It's like I'm paranoid,
Lookin' over my back,
It's like a whirlwind,
Inside of my head.
It's like I can't stop,
What I'm hearing within,
It's like I can't stop,
What I'm hearing within,
It's like I can't stop,
What I'm hearing within,
It's like the face inside is right,
Beneath my skin.
~*~
Bernard asked softly, opening her door so that a bit of light spilt into her dark room. She lay undisturbed in her bed, fast asleep. Bernard smiled softly and slipped inside, walking across the room and standing over her. Gently, he brushed a bit of hair from her forehead and kissed it gently before smiling at her closed eyes. It was times like these when he realized how similar she and Kae were... both were so fierce in personality, but underneath, they were both normal elves... so pure, yet so vulnerable...
Kill her,' Bernard jumped away from his daughter when he heard that voice. You can't truly deny that you miss that feeling of power... so simply ending so many lives...'
You have no power over me anymore, Bernard replied inside his head firmly.
Oh, but I do. We are one. You created me... I am you, and you are D.E.-712,' the voice laughed and Bernard clenched his fists.
I am not 712, and I never will be. You are nothing to me anymore, he growled aloud, and with that, he forced the Dark Elf into the back of his mind and left the room quickly.
He was, though, unaware of the small, blue eyes that opened as he left and peered into the light after him.
Who is 712? she wondered silently, fighting down a sob. Why does he hide it from me?
And as she did every night, Amber burried her face in her pillow and wept until sleep consumed her.
~*~
IT'S THANKSGIVING! Amber woke with a start when she heard someone shout. A smile crept onto her face before she threw the covers off, pulled on a shirt and some jeans, and then sprinted out of the room.
she called, jumping over the railing of the stairs, her six year old dog bounding after. Mika was a beautiful mixed breed, looking very much like a yellow lab. However, when she ran, her hindquarters looked very much like a greyhound's and when she sat still, perfectly calm with her ears back in content, she looked a lot like a doberman. Amber and Mika were very often seen together and in return, Mika was extremely protective of her master, despite the fact that she was a chicken around everyone else. She was very skittish, and since they had gotten her in Arizona, they had no doubt that there was coyote in her somewhere. She was almost always at Amber's side.
Amber called again, running into the kitchen.
No, I'm mom, Kae waved from the table and Amber rolled her eyes, making her mother laugh. He's in the living room... she had barely finished the sentence before Amber turned to run, and ended up crashing straight into Bernard.
You ready Boo? he called her by her nickname, and she nodded energetically as Mika nudged Bernard's side for attention.
Have fun, children! Kae called.
Haha, very funny, Bernard rolled his eyes at her before he gave Mika one, final pat. Then, he and Amber dissapeared. Kae watched the silver specks of magic float to the ground before shrugging and going back to her magazine, Mika curling up at her feet.
I thought it was, she told the dog, patting it's head.
~*~
the man jumped a bit, startled for a moment before sighing.
Oh, it's you Scott, he replied, turning his gaze away.
Might I ask what you're doing? Scott was staring at the man, once again in a classic Neil sweater, crouched in the corner between the fridge and the wall, peering around the corner of the doorway, holding a frying pan at the ready. He looked suspiciously like he was waiting for someone to walk around the corner so he could whack them with it.
I'm waiting for that kid with the black hair and the green hat... and that she-elf who comes with him! Neil replied fiercely. They're not getting into my kitchen this year! Scott sighed and looked up on the top of the fridge.
Amber and Bernard were sitting crosslegged, both eating a sandwhich. They waved at Santa and then turned their attention back to Neil. Scott sighed again.
You're too late, Neil, the man jerked his head around and eyed Scott, frying pan still clutched in both hands.
What do you mean?
Well, they've both already eaten... he peered at them and Bernard held up four fingers, four sandwhiches and... eight bags of chips. Neil followed Scott's gaze up to the top of the fridge where both elves waved at him.
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE! he cried, leaping up into the air, whacking the fridge with the frying pan and flying backwards. The elves exchanged glances and then peered over the side of the fridge.
Is he dead?
No, of course not... he's just... no, Bernard replied and Amber shot him a quizzical look before shrugging.
Looks dead to me, Bernard punched her playfully on the shoulder and then realized his mistake... Amber growled and shoved him off the top. He landed with a yelp next to neal and then rolled over onto his back, groaning. He sat up, rubbing his arm.
Neil's eyes suddenly snapped open. He and Bernard looked at eachother a moment before Neil cried out in anger and whacked Bernard across the forehead with the frying pan. It made a dull bung' noise and then Bernard fell over backwards.
HAHA! I GOT HIM! he sang, skipping around the kitchen.
Is there a doctor in the house? Bernard groaned from the floor.
Amber cheered, throwing both hands up in the air.
He's NOT a doctor! He's a PSYCHIATRIST! Scott shouted, making Amber lower her arms She stared at Scott with a puzzled expression before turning to look at Neil, who was now around the room with his frying pan. Amber raised an eyebrow.
That's a psychiatrist? she asked before turning back to Scott, who shrugged, so she looked back at Neil. I thought they were supposed to help with people's mental issues... not have them... she blinked at him a moment, then shook her head in disbelief. Yup, he DEFINATELY has some issues!
Yes, and one of them is STILL sitting on top of MY REFRIDGERATOR! Neil shouted at her, ceasing his dancing. Amber looked down at Bernard, who was still lying on the floor, groaning and holding his head. The she-elf shook her head.
Nope, he's on the floor, she replied brightly, making Neil growl at her, narrowing his eyes. Amber blinked a minute before shrugging. Fine, if he bugs you that much, I'll just take him back home with me! Neil's dark stare followed her as she jumped off the fridge and knealt down next to Bernard before slinging his arm over her shoulder and hauling him to his feet. He was still rather dazed, looking a lot like some extremely drunk guy on the verge of passing out.
He's not my only issue... Neil seethed, still glaring at Amber. She raised her eyebrow again and then looked at Scott.
You callin' the Big Guy an issue? she looked extremely shocked. God, you should meet his wife! And with that, she dissapeared.
~*~
I think that guy Neil values his chips a bit too much... Bernard groaned, tentatively touching the black and blue lump on his forehead as he flopped down next to Kae on the couch. The punk-elf was curled up in the corner, reading a magazine, Mika at her feet. She looked up at him quizzically when he spoke, though, and Mika raised her head.
Sweater guy.
Oh, that one, she went back to her reading and Mika put her head back down in her paws.
For awhile, they sat in silence. A sudden noise startled both Kae and Mika, making Kae jerk her head up and Mika jumped to her feet. Bernard was snoring, fast asleep next to Kae.
I trust you slept well, the punk-elf said sarcastically, once again turning to her magazine and Mika cocked her head. That made Kae laugh when a sudden thump from above them made both look up. Kae sighed.
Three... two... one!
Amber shouted at the top of her lungs, making Bernard jerk awake, jumping nearly three feet in the air.
Come on! We gotta go! I'm late already! Amber shouted from the main entrance. She had as much of her short hair as she could get up in a high ponytail, the bangs bordering her face. She wore jeans and a redish-salmon coat that went down to her hips, zipped up the front with a sash tied around the middle. When it was zipped up all the way, it made a high turtleneck, but since it went only to her mid chest, the turtleneck lay like a sailor's collar on her shoulders, one of which her backpack was slung over. Bernard blinked at her a moment, then sighed.
I hate Mondays... he groaned, getting to his feet.
Yeah, well you don't have to deal with Math class! Amber shot back at him before they dissapeared.
~*~
Curtis greeted him with a smile. Beautiful Monday, eh?
How's the frying pan bash going? Bernard her Scott ask from behind him.
G'mornin' Santa... see for yourself... Bernard spun around to face his boss and pointed to his forehead, making Scott cringe.
NEIL did THAT?! Bernard jerked his head around, his face lighting up in a smile.
he cried before hugging him, then stepping back.
-you certainly have grown over the past eight months, sport! Charlie finished for him, making Bernard laugh.
How old are you now?
Charlie replied with a nod.
And how are things going between you and Danielle. That advice I give you help? Bernard asked knowingly, making Scott and Curtis's jaws drop.
Like a charm! And did the advice I give you get you back as Head Elf?
Yes it did! Bernard nodded and pointed to the Head Elf pin on his beret.
Yeah, we're missing something, Curtis replied to Scott's unanswered question. Charlie looked over at him with a smile...
And nearly choked.
WHAT HAPPENED?! he cried. Bernard took a step back into the shadows.
Well, you see- Curtis started, but Bernard cut in, his head hung.
I have some... things to attend to... he nodded at them in farewell before turning and hurrying off, breaking into a full sprint once out of sight.
He slammed the door of his North Pole room closed before resting his back against them, sighing heavily.
It haunt's you, doesn't it?' 712 laughed from right inside his head.
Leave me alone! Bernard growled back and wicked laughing echoed through his mind.
Leave you alone? But I am you... so how can I leave you alone?'
You are NOT me! Bernard protested desperately. He closed his eyes and shook his head angrily. YOU ARE NOTHING!
If I am nothing, then why do you fear me so?' he fell to his knees, shaking in hysterics.
LEAVE ME ALONE! he shouted, but to no avail.
You want to kill again. You want to see the fear in their eyes again...' Bernard clapped his hands over his ears, shaking his head back and forth frantically.
No no no no no... he pleaded, yet he could almost see the wicked grin of 712.
You want to be a Dark Elf again.'
Bernard screamed before his eyes rolled back into his head and he slumped to the ground.
~*~
Bernard...! Bernard...!
No... never... I don't... no... Bernard protested feebly, shaking his head slowly, his eyes still closed in fatigue.
his eyes snapped open and he sat straight up, which resulted in a horrible pain as something smashed into his head and he fell backwards, holding his forehead again. He looked up to see Kae holding her own forehead.
he mumbled at her and she glared at him.
God, what happened to you? she asked. Bernard opened his mouth, searching for the words to tell her, but quickly changed his mind and closed it again, hanging his head.
Kae suddenly cried, making him snap his head back up.
she was sitting back a ways from him, her hand over her mouth in horror. However, she soon let it drop and took hold of his shoulders, bringing her face close to his and peering into his eyes, squinting her own.
Your eyes... she muttered softly, squinting her own.
What about them? Bernard asked fearfully, and Kae jumped slightly as if she had forgotten about him. Sighing, she sat back and hung her head for a moment before raising it again to meet his gaze.
They're red...
~*~
What would make your Dark Elf suddenly active again? Kae asked, sitting down as Bernard paced back and forth, holding a cocoa in his hands though he had long forgotten about it.
I don't know Kae... I just don't know, he confessed, shaking his mop of black curls. He raised his eyes to her, expecting some smart-alick comment, but he found that she had her head lowered, her dark eyes staring off to the side, rubbing her thumbs over her cocoa.
Because... whatever it is, it's awoken mine too, she looked up at him, her eyes for pleading for something... though for what, Bernard could not tell. Then, as if she could no longer bare to be under his stare, she broke away and stared off to the side. It's like having a face beneath my skin... a different me... 4041 is always there, always trying to get me to do something. She watches every move I make, knowing when I lie, laughing when I fail. She... she tries to get me to do things...
712 wanted me to kill Amber, Bernard muttered softly.
Bernard, we have to do something! You remember how... focused we were when the Dark One sent us on a mission... it was like they took over. I've been told to harm those close to me many times by 4041, and if they ever are able to take over us again... she hung her head, not wanting to say anymore. She didn't need to; Bernard understood.
~*~
Amber called, causing the girl to spin around in a whirl of her shoulder length, brown hair. Amber ran out to meet her.
Bye mom! Emer called, waving as the green truck drove away before turning to Amber. Nyah... I hate going back to school after the weekend...!
Yes Emer... it's been a whole week now, Amber reminded her, making her brown eyes suddenly light up.
IT'S FRIDAY! she cheered and they both laughed before processing towards the Middle School.
MORNIN' HOLLY! Amber shouted after throwing her backpack in the general direction of her locker. Holly had short, dirty blonde hair with auburn highlights, a few freckles and eyes that tended to change color frequently, though they were hazel that day.
Cold... not good... need more sleep... she grumbled, making her two friends laugh. Holly was short and often thought it made everyone think she was weak, so she normally packed a punch. That was why it was kind of funny to see her like shivering and huddled up.
they all turned to face Kalina as she joined their group. Kalina had shoulder length, dark brown hair and dark skin. She greeted the group with a smile before shivering and rubbing her arms. Wooh, it's cold out here! Holly glared at her, making them laugh again.
Oh crap! Holly exclaimed suddenly, slightly sinking in disappointment. Here come the Bummer Twins!
Quick... lets run for Ms. D's room! they didn't need telling twice, and the four ran down to the warm, safe room. They had associated Bummer Twins with two of their , Rita and Nayrie. Both of them would ignore Emer, Amber, Holly, and Kalina and then get mad at the four for them... not to mention they seemed to look for every reason in the world to be mad at the four, especially Amber. Both of them had been really nice at one point... and then they met up.
Funny how they both hated each other in the beginning... and notice it was me who made Nayrie one of our friends back when it was just me, Emer, and Rita (Holly and Kalina were both new that year), Amber thought to herself. Huh... the new friends steals the best friend... now where have I heard that one before?
Hey, Am! Right on queue! She waved at Michael-Anne, her old best friend. They'd been best friends for years, and then a girl named Alysha came to the school. Amber made friends with her and introduced her to M-A. Her reward: M-A ditches her and hangs out with Alysha, which was when Rita became Amber's friend. She found Amber trying really hard not to cry and let the girl hang out with her and Emer all day. She often wondered why Rita was different now...
Alysha had left at the end of the previous year, so M-A has become nice again, and she feel really bad about ditching Amber... REALLY bad. She put forth a lot of effort to be friends again, but Rita and Nayrie both try to convince Amber she was the Devil. Despite the fact that M-A had become really nice, there was one, simple reason why they did that:
Rita wanted to rule the world. M-A was a born leader, and as Rita saw it, M-A was standing in her way. So, she tried to brainwash Amber into thinking M-A was the enemy.
So Emer, Holly, Amber, and Kalina talked while warming themselves up inside Ms. D's room, their previous year's science teacher. She was really nice, though, so they still visited her. They all chimed their good morning to her and she waved at the group absentmindedly, since she was talking to the 6th grade English teacher Mrs. Tomas. That woman made everyone laugh... she was a bit hyper for an old lady, with short, gray hair and a permanent smile. She was nice, though... really nice.
Niftily super kiddo, Emer whispered, making them both laugh. That was a quote their old teacher was famous for.
Quite honestly, Amber really enjoyed her life. She wasn't popular, but she was far from unpopular. And, in her opinion, she had the best friends an elf could possibly get! Not to mention her Dad wast he Head Elf of the North Pole...
Holly, who's random quotes had become very usual to them, flicked Amber's shoulder.
she yelped, jumping aside, making Holly laugh and then try again.
Stop NYEAOW! Amber tried her best to say now' in a New York Accent, which would usually get Holly to crack up and trip over something so that she could escape. That time, it was a trash can and a lab table. They all burst out laughing, which resulted in Amber's tripping over a desk, and Rita and Nayrie rolled their eyes from over in the corner. That just made the four laugh even harder.
~*~
-rk One was destroyed... I mean, you saw it, so there is no possible way he's still alive-
Hey Mom! Hey Dad! Amber walked into the room, making them both quiet immediately. Amber stopped dead in her tracks. They were talking about it... again...
So, how was your day? Bernard asked cheerfully as Mika ran to greet her master, recieving a loving pat on the head.
Amber replied shortly before turning and leaving the room.
Or, at least they thought she left the room. Amber, instead, pressed herself against the wall just outside of the doorway, listening in on them. Mika sat behind her, waiting to be pet.
Bernard... she knows something's up, Amber heard Kae sigh, and it made her smile that her mother knew she wasn't as dumb as a stump.
She's a smart girl, Kae. But she's our daughter, and if she knew... well, I'm imagining trying to explain this to you if you didn't know, she could tell he meant it slightly humorously.
What do you mean?! Kae shouted back.
Kae, what would you have done if I had told you? she could tell her father was amused by this.
Well, I'd probably scream, then blow that flower vase over there up, then pick up a lamp and beat you over the head with it and then blast you into a thousand pieces, Kae replied without missing a beat.
Bernard asked in a tone that sounded like one someone used when raising an eyebrow.
Yeah... yeah, that sounds about right, Kae confirmed.
Now, might I remind you that Amber acts almost exactly like you?
Oh yeah... you've got a point... Amber had to laugh, so she turned to the side and laughed lightly. Well, Amber's movement got Mika excited and she stared wagging her tail, which resulted in a thump thump thump' on the wall. Amber wasted no time in dashing silently down the hall and around the corner before her parents could see that she had been eavesdropping. (A/N: As I write this, my dog Meg, the one I modeled Mika off of, is having one of those dreams where she keeps twitching her paws and nose and keeps wagging her tail...lol, okay, continue!)
~*~
Goodnight, Amber, Bernard kissed her gently on the forehead.
'Night Dad... Amber squinted her eyes just so that it made her look really tired... a skill she had mastered long ago. Her father smiled warmly at her and got to his feet. Suddenly, his smile faded and he stared blankly ahead. Moments later, he shook his head and hurried out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
Amber promptly began crying, so Mika nudged her hand affectionately, and Amber turned to bury her face in the dog's warm fur.
What is it he hides from me?
~*~
Why does it feel like night today?
Something in here's not right today,
Why am I so uptight today?
Paranoia's all I got left.
I don't know what stressed me first,
Or how the pressure was fed,
But I know just what it feels like,
To have a voice in the back of my head.
It's like a face that I hold inside,
A face that awakes when I close my eyes,
A face watches every time I lie,
A face that laughs every time I fall.
And watches everything,
So I know that when it's time to sink or swim,
That the face inside is hearing me,
Right beneath my skin...
It's like I'm paranoid,
Lookin' over my back,
It's like a whirlwind,
Inside of my head.
It's like I can't stop,
What I'm hearing within,
It's like the face inside is right,
Beneath my skin.
I know I've got a face in me,
Points out all my mistakes to me,
You've got a face on the inside too and,
Your paranoia's probably worse.
I don't know what set me off first,
But I know what I can't stand,
Everybody acts like the fact of the matter is,
I can't add up to what you can.
But everybody has a face that they hold inside,
A face that awakes when they close their eyes,
A face watches every time they lie,
A face that laughs every time they fall.
And watches everything,
So you know that when it's time to sink or swim,
That the face inside is watching you too,
Right inside your skin...
It's like I'm paranoid,
Lookin' over my back,
It's like a whirlwind,
Inside of my head.
It's like I can't stop,
What I'm hearing within,
It's like the face inside is right,
Beneath my skin.
It's like I'm paranoid,
Lookin' over my back,
It's like a whirlwind,
Inside of my head.
It's like I can't stop,
What I'm hearing within,
It's like the face inside is right,
Beneath my skin.
The face inside is right beneath your skin...
The face inside is right beneath your skin...
The face inside is right beneath your skin...
The sun goes down...
I feel the light betray me.
The sun goes down...
I feel the light betray me.
It's like I'm paranoid,
Lookin' over my back,
It's like a whirlwind,
Inside of my head.
It's like I can't stop,
What I'm hearing within,
It's like the face inside is right,
Beneath my skin.
It's like I'm paranoid,
Lookin' over my back,
It's like a whirlwind,
Inside of my head.
It's like I can't stop,
What I'm hearing within,
It's like I can't stop,
What I'm hearing within,
It's like I can't stop,
What I'm hearing within,
It's like the face inside is right,
Beneath my skin.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: Well, this chapter was just to sort of get you back into the story and introduce Amber a bit more... and yes, the Dark One is dead as a doornail ^_^ Doesn't this song go perfectly? The face beneath their skin is the Dark Elf... ya know?! ^_^ Alrightly, just to let ya know, I just found my Linkin Park CD so a lot of the chapter songs will probably be Linkin Park songs, because all of them go so well!!! Ok, well, remember peeps, must have at least five reviews!!!! So:
REVIEW!!!!!!!!!REVIEW!!!!!!!!!REVIEW!!!!!!!!!REVIEW!!!!!!!!!REVIEW!!!!!!!!!