RuRu: HOWDEE! Um, so what's up? Right...I'm just gonna apologize for taking so long to write another chapter...so I'm sooooooooooo sorry!
Chichiri: It's better that she be left alone writers block! No da!
RuRu: I get "irritated" according to my mother. --
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Disclaimer: Me? Own Harvest Moon a Wonderful Life? HA!
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Chapter 3
Muffy's POV (reminding you guys! . This chappie could be a little long)
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That's wishful thinking.
The only reason he hasn't said anything as of this moment is because he is afraid of getting caught. He must know they're all suspicious; he isn't that much of a dumbass. He takes me for a fool, but I am far from a fool....on most accounts anyway.
"Dear would you like some tea?" Nina asks me, setting the platter down on the table. It held two tea cups and one teapot filled with the steaming liquid.
I nod my head, not really wanting to talk. She pours the tea and we both sit there a few moments in silence. After about 5 minutes I can't take it anymore.
"Nina, am I troubling you?" I ask, looking at my refection in the tea.
My reflection, it's been a long time since I was happy with my reflection.
"Of course you aren't dear. Stay as long as you like." She replies with her usual warm smile.
I hear it in her voice though, it's that tone everyone gives you when you're not a bother, but at the same time you are. Nina is such a kind person and the thought of me putting her in danger....I can't stand the thought.
"I'll be returning to the bar tomorrow, okay?" I state, still looking at my tea.
"Are you certain that's what you want to do?"
"....positive."
"Only fools are positive." I hear Galen say from the other end of the room.
I look at him, his face appeared cold. Though I could tell he was worried about me. I felt my eyes begin to burn with tears and I stood up abruptly and rushed out the door. I was having so may mixed emotions, and this wasn't the time nor place to let them come out. I ran to the waterfall. The only place where there were barely any people around except the archeologist and his assistant.
I sighed and sat down; unable to hold the tears back any longer. I place my face in my hands and begin to cry. I cry for about 20 minutes before looking up, the sun burned my eyes, but I didn't care. I wipe my tear- stained eyes and sigh. I was getting tired of running away from my problems, but every time I try and run away I get lost and have to start right back over again.
"Are you okay Muffy?" I hear familiar voice say from behind me.
Jack.
"Fine, just thinking." I say with a slight quiver in my voice, since I had been crying.
Jack placed a hand on my shoulder causing me to shudder, and took a seat beside me.
"I noticed you were staring at the water, what were you looking for?" He asked.
I could tell he had noticed I was crying and was just trying to overlook the subject. He seemed to know what I felt comfortable talking about and what I didn't like talking about.
"Just staring at my reflection." I replied in a depressed tone.
"What's wrong with it?"
"When I look at it it's just there....I feel like the person behind it is worthless. I feel wrong and confused...like I'm paying for a crime I didn't commit. And to me it seems like I'm in this void shut off from the rest of humanity-" I stop realizing I have said too much.
He looked at me sadly.
I "hug" myself, "I feel so alone....more alone then I've ever felt in my whole life."
There was a moment of silence; I suppose he couldn't find anything to say.
Then suddenly I feel him pull me in a tight embrace. He had hugged me....I felt like I should push away, like I should just scream no....but I didn't.
I just let him hold me, and I didn't have one damn regret about it.
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I was at Nina's now; Jack had walked me there without a word. I could tell he was stumped on words, but that hug was enough for me. I had known Jack for about a week and we had become fairly good friends. He seemed polite and he never said an unkind word, but there was still that thought lingering at the edge of my mind.
'You've been there before.'
I didn't know what to think, whether I should trust Jack or push him away from me. That's what I wanted to do, to curl up in that ball of defense, to shut out everyone, and then I couldn't get hurt anymore.
But I'd still be alone.
I lay down in my make-shift bed and closed my eyes. It was about 8:12 and for some reason I was tired. So I gave in to the temptations of sleep, and entered that world where everyone goes to dream. I never want to go to that world though; to see the images replayed....but then I'd be in darkness, and I definitely don't want to go back there.
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It early, but not too early. Around 7 AM, but still you can see a trace of the moon in the sky. I had already gotten dressed and gathered what few things I had with me. Then and left a note for Nina and Galen thanking them for taking such great care of me.
I knew this was something I had to overcome myself, I couldn't except help from anyone. I had to worry for myself and I couldn't put my problems on other people. I unlocked the bar door with the spare key I had and quietly entered the building.
It was quiet, Griffin still asleep. I slowly opened the door and entered the room to where we both slept. I noticed he was snoring so I walked towards the latter and began to climb up. Then I felt two hands grab my waist.
His hands.
I was flung backwards, and landing on heels is not an easy task. I stumbled backwards a bit before resting against the wall. He looked furious, and I wanted to desperately leave the room. I knew what he was about to do.
"So, did you enjoy your little stay with Nina!?" He exclaimed, coming towards me.
I beckoned for my legs to move, but they didn't respond. I clamped my eyes shut, surrendering to the fear.
"Did you tell our little secret!?" He yelled, grabbing one of my wrists and yanking me in front of his face.
I yanked my face to the side, my eyes still shut tightly.
"You did didn't you, you stupid bitch!" he exclaimed, slamming me up against the wall.
I slid to the ground, my world beginning to grow blurry. Was this it? Was this man going to beat me like this? Was I going to let myself succumb to this?
No, not this easy.
I slowly pushed myself up and leaned on the doorknob for support. I looked at him, and then I felt a warm liquid going down the side of my face....
Blood.
The fall must have sliced my head open, and after a few seconds the excruciating pain set in full force. I let out a painful cry and slid to the ground holding my head. I heard him chuckle, he was laughing at my suffering. He saw himself superior. Then I heard the doorknob turn.
"What the hell are you doing?!" I heard Jack exclaim.
I looked at him, my vision still blurry. The calm, sweet Jack was nowhere to be found, there was only anger in his face.
"Stay out of our business boy!" Griffin yelled back.
Jack carefully lifted me to my feet and held on to my waist firmly. I was still trying to slow the bleeding, but my strength was leaving me.
"That's it, I've heard enough." Jack said, ready to beat the hell out of Griffin.
"What are you going to do anyway?" Griffin asked, unfazed by his previous comment.
My hearing was muffling, my world going dark. I felt my hand slide off my head and fall limply to my side. All I could hear now was the faints cries of Jack asking if I was all right.
Then came the dreaded darkness.
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When I awoke I was laying in a soft bed, in a house I didn't recognize. I tried to rise up, but the pain in my head rushed back and I immediately fell back. I closed my eyes and the pain calmed down. Then I felt a cool washcloth on my head. I opened my eyes again to see Jack standing over me with a worried expression draped across his face.
"You're awake; are you feeling any better?" He asked.
"Better now that I'm away from him."
"...."
"Thanks for helping me Jack." I said, giving him a weak smile.
"It's the least I could do." He replied.
"Well you better get some rest okay? I'll take you back to Nina's this evening, but I have to get back to work. So just yell if you need anything." He said, giving me a reassuring smile.
With that he got up and walked out of his house, back to the fields.
You know not once in my life have I ever had anyone truly there for me, not once. But he was there when I needed him most....and he will never know how much I appreciate that.
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I had fallen asleep for most of the day, because when I was awake my head was killing me. So sleep seemed like the logical option to cure that. I rose up and then stood up. My head was still sore, but I could move around now. I noticed he had bandaged me up and cleaned off my face. I opened the door to see it was late evening.
He was still working as hard as ever. And even I had to admit; he didn't look half bad without a shirt on. I stood there daydreaming for a few minutes before snapping back to reality at the sound of his voice.
"Good to see your up!" He exclaimed, running over to me.
"Yeah, thanks again for everything." I said.
"No problem. Are you ready to go to Nina's?" He said, drying off and putting his shirt back on.
"....yes and no." I said, looking down.
"Don't worry, I already asked them, and they were confused why you left in the first place." He said, giving me a warm smile.
"Oh and I got your things from the bar with Nina's help. There at Galen and Nina's house now."
I felt that burning in my eyes, signaling I was about to start crying.
"Eh! Was it something I said?" He exclaimed, confused at why I was crying.
"No, its just....you've helped me so much...." I said, drawing my arms up to my chest.
He hugged me lightly.
"Muffy, I'd help you any way I could. You just say the word and I'm there." He said, resting his head on mine.
His words....no one had ever talked this kindly to me before. I stood there, and I cried, and cried, and cried.
And he just held me, and let me.
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I guess I was staying at Nina's for the time being, or at least till I could get my own place. I laid out my stuff in my corner of the house. I had a bed, dresser, and a table, and that's all I required. Nina had put my clothes in the drawers and a small lamp on the table, along with fresh sheets on the bed.
I laid down and covered myself up. Galen had gone to the city to get a security system. He had told us it was because he wanted a better security system because he didn't want any of his stuff stolen. Nina and I knew better.
The day had been very eventful, Hardy had come by while I was passed out and examined my head. He said I didn't suffer from a concussion, which was really strange. I had also grown closer with Jack, and that was the day's greatest accomplishment to me. He was a nice guy, but now I had figured out he wasn't that great with words. Oh well, I was too tired to think of that right now.
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It was late afternoon before I woke up, and I stumbled towards the counter to find a note that said Galen had headed to town again. I got dressed and fixed my hair, which took a total of 45 minutes. Then Nina came inside, with a letter in her hand.
"It seems Mr. Jack wrote you a letter." She said with a smirk.
I felt a weird feeling in my stomach, nervousness. I took the letter from her hands and CAREFULLY opened it.
Dear Muffy,
I wanted to write and explain something I didn't get the chance to explain before.
I don't know what happened to you, but I wanted you to know that I'm always here for you when you need me. If you ever need anything, tell me. I'll do everything in my power to help you.
I know I'm horrible with words, so I thought writing this down would be easier.
Best wishes,
Jack
PS- Muffy, just know you're not alone. I'm always there for you.
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A teardrop hit the paper.
He truly cared about me, there wasn't a single doubt in my mind now. I knew this was only going to make things more difficult, but I was okay with that. If he's willing to go the extra mile in helping me he needed to know what happened to me. And that's exactly what was going to happen.
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END CHAPTER 3
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RuRu: It seemed long to me! - So how was it? I like writing this fic, I hope you enjoy reading it. Thank you to EVERYONE who reviewed, you all mean so much to me! -
Chichiri: Tell them about the previews you're doing! No da!
RuRu: Oh yeah! Okay instead of doing the "next chapter such and such blah, blah, blah" I am doing exerts! - Love you guys! Please review k?
Preview of Next Chapter:
"What I meant to say in the letter was...."
What was he trying to say?
"....not only will I be there for you....but I want to stay by your side."
((he doesn't mean marriage))
Cheers to the fans of Harvest Moon! PEACE!