Disclaimer: Plot, mine. Characters, mostly mine. Species and Places, Neopets in general, not mine.
Author's note: Sorry if this is going too fast but I want to finish this before break if possible.
Chapter 15
Redemption
I remember so much now. Little details, like exactly how the kiss Skip sneaked on the tram back down felt. Like how chilling it was when I said goodbye to Celtic and that bell rang. And I'm going to remember all the menace in the glare Kaymara's giving me now.
"Tell me where it is!" Kaymara screeched again. Frankly I have no idea what the heck she's talking about. Then she dropped me a line.
"I know you know where my bell is Katherine. Tell me where the thieving wretch is! I swear I will rip their heart out." Ooo, how pleasant. Dang I'm worried for Celtic. After all, it was her mom, not her, who took the bell in the first place. Knowing Kaymara though, she'll find some way to justify her actions.
"I have no idea what you're talking about Sister." I lied. Bad move. Kaymara's now red eyes glinted.
"It's that boy that was here a few days ago, isn't it? He has my bell. You two have something going on. What is it Katherine?! What did he offer you for me!?" Kaymara's really scary when she's all spastic, but that's not really the point now is it. The point is she was threatening Skip. That's not good for me.
"There wasn't a boy here Kaymara, and even if there was, I'm dead, what could he give me?" I said confidently. That seemed to shut Kaymara up for a second but soon I realized she had left for the living room. I quickly followed and watched in horror as she straitened after reaching under the old moth eaten couch and withdrawing the gloves and jacket Skip had given me and her diary.
"This?" She said, referring to my earlier question as she tossed the bundle to me (or through me) and flipped open her diary. "Now Katherine," she continued in a softer voice, "you know the importance of that bell, my bell, Mother's bell. It was an item given out of love, an emotion I no longer have! I don't care about the boy, no one; just tell me where it is..." I stared as she fiddled with the corner of one of the pages, waiting for an answer. The one I gave to her wasn't satisfaction.
"I don't know." Now I knew she was angry because she threw the book through me with such force it dented the wall. Despite the hour of night, something told me to go to Celtic's shop, because even as Kaymara left with no inkling of where her bell was, I some how knew that she would find it. I didn't bother with the solidity spell, not even to pick up the bundle behind me, instead I ran after my sister using my insubstantial state to my advantage. Where she had to dodge trees, I ran strait through them. When I caught up with her, I did the first thing that came to mind to slow down her mad run. Utilize her fear of light. Kaymara hissed as I cast a sunburst spell. As she recoiled I ran ahead hoping to warn anybody in her path who I knew, in her fit of rage, my sister would surely kill.
"Who do you protect Sister!?" Kaymara's voice came as she caught up with me. "That boy!? Or someone else!? Why do you shun your family so easily? You're just like them! I have my rights too you know!" I found myself slightly falter at her words but again cast a sunburst. I whirled around and watched my sister stagger about for a bit before recomposing herself. If I had to stand here at the edge of the woods all night I would. Rin and Moro suddenly came to mind but the idea of calling out was shot down when I saw Moro standing within the shadows of one of many dead trees.
"This is your task; I cannot help you beyond that which I have taught." Kaymara jerked her head to see who was there, but by that time of course Moro had disappeared. Great help she was going to be. But I suppose other pets weren't the she-wolf's concern.
"So... someone is helping you Sister? If tricks are what you want then I shall play along." The sheer sweetness in her voice scared me beyond reasoning. I would have much preferred her to rant at me and throw things. That least that way only feelings were hurt. What Kaymara did next though was even scarier for me. Taking advantage of my dazed state Kaymara darted forward, but be before I could do anything, swerved left and past me. In an act of desperation I used the solidity spell and grabbed her arm. Kaymara gave me a look of horror followed by a sickening smile. The next thing I knew I was hurled into a tree and blacked out.
***
When I came to it was daybreak already. Remembering last night, I made a beeline for Celtic's potion shop. I didn't bother opening the door, stepping through the hole in the glass, after pushing through the crowd gathered there and shoving away the few Chia police that dared get in my way.
"Oh no..." I said quietly as I looked at the scene of blood and broken glass. I ran to check how Celtic was doing, cradled in Skip's arms. I heard him whispering to her to wake up; sadly I knew she never would. When he noticed me, he regarded me with a tear-streaked face and only now did I notice the few cuts and scratches on his body.
"I tried to help," Skip said shakily, "Celtic pushed me away though. The Shadow Usul kept trying to take the bell Mom gave Celtic. I don't know why. She killed Celtic to get it Kate. Celtic won't wake up Kate. Why? Why won't she?" Skip was like a lost child in a state of denial. It pained me to see him like this. Then I noticed the black and purple figure among the broken shelves. Kaymara.
"Hold on Skip." I said when he thought I was leaving him alone, something I was sure frightened him right now. I walked over to my sister's body and rolled her over. She opened her eyes slightly. What shocked me was the brilliant shade of aqua marine they had turned.
"I got it, Katherine... Now, I can…finally rest..." she said closing her eyes. "Finally..." I felt tears for my sister come to my eyes but I didn't let them fall. First Celtic and now Kaymara. And now I suppose me... finally. I had come back because of Kaymara and now she was at rest, there was no point being here. I looked at the tunnel before me, and took a glance at Skip, whispering to Celtic and begging her to wake up. I didn't even bother stepping near the passageway, instead I turned back and walked towards Skip.
"Come on, Skip." I said putting my hand on his shoulder. "Let's find a spot to bury her."