And guys? This chapter is depressing and...freakish of me to write, so don't tell me it isn't like me. Someone gave me an idea in a review to Shattered Image and I'm going to use it...but with a twist.
7-05-05 - I fixed TONS of things in this chapter. xD
Answers to the Reviews:
EM - Now you know what will happen. ;)
Cassie - You're darn right that it was her nightmare! x.x
Daisy-Bean - Awww, thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it! I was on vacation, so I didn't update. .
goddess111 - Oh, don't get discouraged. Flamers should burn and die! Don't listen to them, okay? You're a wonderful writer and no flamer can change that!
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Point of View - Karen
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"Did you hear that?" Rick asked, alarmed. He bolted out of bed before I could even tell him to be careful.
"I heard it..." I replied faintly, knowing that he wouldn't hear me anyway. Following him cautiously, I tip-toed down the stairs. The door opened up swiftly and there was Won standing there, his colorful hat perched on his head. His black hair was matted towards the back of his ears. Rick looked confused, but murderous, at the same time. If anything, I learned that he didn't generally like being disturbed out of a peaceful slumber, even if it lasted only a few seconds.
"What are YOU, out of all people, doing here?" He shouted, his face pallid with a mixture of anxiety and frustration.
Saibara's light lit upon from inside his house and his shadow approached the window.
"Sssh, Rick-," I started. Rick didn't listen but continued to advance upon the intimidated figure curled up on the ground. Then, Won blurted out the most pathetic excuse ever.
"I'm just here to sell some of my wares!" He exclaimed, his voice echoing. Rick cracked his knuckles, paused, and gave Won a strange look.
"Excuse me...But don't you have a clock? It's the middle of night and you want to sell something?"
Won half shook his head and shrugged at the same time, creating a very ominous gesture. "Well, sorry if I bothered you TOO much...Never can be too wealthy, you know."
Then, with a quick movement, he snatched me quickly by the arm, casting Rick a meaningful look. "I see you're not quick enough to protect your woman, Ricky boy. Better luck next time!" Won cackled and dragged me out into the darkness.
"RICK!" I cried before Won clasped a gloved hand over my mouth. It was about time I fended off enemies for myself. I thrust my heel back into his knee, which made a painful cracking sound and Won howled in pain, but didn't let me go. "How long are you going to hold me!" I screamed outrageously as his hand shakily withdrew from my mouth. Won spat on the ground like a professional baseball player would. But then again, I smelled no hint of tobacco.
"Until your man comes back and saves you like in those lovely fairy tales. Don't you remember? But then...he'll have to get through-," Won's eyes were suddenly wide and he collapsed with a loud thump.
"That will teach you NOT to mess with her, you scumbag!" Rick was holding a formidable-looking stick. I frantically got up to join him by his side. "Are you okay?" He asked sweetly. I nodded, watching in horror as Won rose up again, his little braid swinging from side to side.
"That's it!" He cried through a heavy nosebleed, as he had just fallen face-down on the ground. "I'm going to get Karen back!" He looked around. We were just a few yards away from Yodel Farm. Hopefully someone would come and help, but they were probably fast asleep, ignoring the sounds from outside. Rick held the stick feebly infront of him, hoping to scare Won. Why was Won trying to kidnap me, anyway? I wasn't carrying anything special, nor was I a precious gem. But there was a previous happening before that he could be referring to...could he be? Just the very idea made me tremble in fear behind Rick.
"You're not taking her!" Rick yelled heroicly. That was his natural personality - shoved back in the background, but always trying to seem tough. This natural cover-up rarely worked, to tell the truth, because all he did was made people laugh at his foolishness.
"Feh, as if that will ever work." Won charged, holding a huge basket above his head, ready to crush Rick with it. Rick blanched.
"I-," Rick started, staring at Won, who was partially suspended in mid-air, staring down at Rick comprehensively.
"What? Spit it out. And make it snappy." Won's face was twisted with hatred and anger. Why did he hate Rick so much? But the more pressing question was: Why was he trying to kidnap me...yet again?
Rick's mask kicked back in and his face turned rosy once again. His breathing was uneven and his looked like he was about to collapse.
"I don't want you to hurt Karen!" He shouted.
The lights lit up in the Yodel Farm and from down the road, Saibara hobbled over carrying a makeshift lantern. His face was drawn in a look of undeserved power as he almost went over and smacked Won. Popuri, in her night gown, approached them like a ghost drifting through the air.
"Seriously, guys, what is going on?" She yawned, rubbing her eyes indignantly.
Won landed quietly on his feet and gave me a glare. Rick didn't turn around for a second, but instead let his eyes follow Won while he explained what was happening to the small crowd behind us. Popuri watched the 'battle' through intense eyes. It all happened in an instant. I crumpled on the ground clutching my side in pain, Rick was leaning over me worridly, the crowd closeing in on us, and Won was like a statue. His basket was clutched in one hand as he stomped away.
"I will get you back, Karen. I swear I will!" He said over his shoulder.
"He's incredibaly persistant," I panted, sweat dripping down my forehead. My side had suddenly felt like it had been struck by something heavy. Rick looked like he had aged several years in the period of two minutes.
"What does that mean?" He placed his hand on my side as though hoping to find an answer.
"I'll tell you later," I said quickly, slapping his hand away. "I think we should just go home." I gave the onlookers a glare, indicating that they should move out before I blew. Lilia gave us one last concerned look and backed away.
"Is there something wrong? Can you walk?" He asked. My patience grew thin.
"I'm FINE." I got up without his help and attempted to walk leaning to one side to prevent my side from hurting once again. Now I was seriously considering making Rick pay. It was hard to believe that after all he sacrificed to be with me he was now trying to ruin our lives. Suddenly I hated his clueless, pathetic stature as he stood there behind me, his hair blowing in the night breeze. I had to admit that I wasn't quite sure how I had fallen head-over-heels for him.
After reaching home, I slammed the door behind me, completely embarassed by the scene that had happened just moments before. Unconsciously I locked the door behind me, not noticing Rick's panicked face as he rushed up to the door. That was a complete horror, just staring at Won who had so intently gazed at me, as if driven through hunger. And what's worse, I had to become the damsel in distress while Rick took the position of a knight. If anything, I despised being the weaker one. Several minutes later, I couldn't stand imagining Rick huddled up outside in despair, so I unlocked the door. The thing was that he wasn't there anymore.
Moments later I was struggling through the crowd of huddled of animals that Jack had left outside at night out of laziness and trying to reach his door. He opened it before I even had even touched it.
"Why, hello there," he said pleasantly as though this weren't a big deal. My face was streaked with sweat.
"Is Rick there?" I asked, trying to compose myself before I gave him a bad impression. Jack frowned and shook his head.
"Haven't seen him all night, Karen. I think you should keep better track of your husband." He smiled serenely at me and then shut the door. Inside I heard Ann's perky voice and Jack's reassuring tone. That was too strange - where could he be?
That was when Popuri rushed up to me out of no where, her night gown flying around her.
"What now?" I asked.
"Rick...Rick...I don't know what he meant by this." Popuri handed me a piece of white paper that was very straight for the speed Popuri was running at. "He stopped by and gave me this...Did you two have an argument?" Popuri looked puzzled, so I decided to start reading it. The pink-haired girl kept interrogating me as I read line by line, my heart sinking with every word I read.
"What happened?" Popuri questioned finally, her hands falling neatly to her hips. I shook my head hard, not believing what the letter had said.
"He...he can't have," I whispered to myself. "How could he be so quick to depression?" Popuri hovered around me in confused circles.
"What do you mean?"
My eyes flashed her a warning sign and she stopped in her tracks.
"Popuri!" She stopped as she heard my voice sharply pierce the air.
"Huh?"
"G-Go tell your mother that Rick is going to...," I couldn't bring myself to say it.
Popuri didn't seem to get the idea. Wasn't she old enough to understand these types of things? She watched me patiently, although fear reflected in her eyes as bright as day.
"Look! Rick is going to-," I broke off as she made a quick motion with her hand and snatched the note back.
"I know what he's going to do, Karen." Popuri's eyes took on a dangerous shade of ruby."I just wanted to know why. He's going to commit suicide, and it's all your fault." In horror, I watched as Popuri tearfully fled.