Author's Note: Wow, I got like... two reviews last time... and nothing from Esse! Well, for those of you who have me on your author's alert list, you probably didn't get an alert when I took down my author's note and posted my third chapter. So... if you're reading this now and haven't read chapter III, go back and read it! -smile-
Anyways, thanks for being so patient, guys! I really appreciate it. I have midterms this week... for Biology and English... and I. Am. Going. To. Fail. -dies- Plus, we're moving... so... there is no time. At all. -sigh-
So, here's the fourth chapter! I hope all ya'lls aren't disappointed in me.
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Disclaimer: I do not own... the... um... -passes out from fatigue-
-see last disclaimer-
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Chapter IV: Discovery of Truth
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Clementine opened her eyes--slowly, and with much deliberation. Complete and utter darkness met her gaze. She waved her hand in front of her face a few times, and couldn't even catch a glimpse of it. "Wow... it's really, really, REALLY dark... but... why is it so dark? Hmm... it's my first night here, so maybe it just gets really dark here... maybe..."
Slowly, the events of the day came rushing back to her. Shuddering, she pulled the blanket over her chin and squeezed her eyes shut. "It was probably just my imagination... my nerves are out-of-whack, and I can't really trust myself right now... ugh, I'm such a pessimist!"
Just as Clem closed her eyes to return to her slumber, a bright light shone throughout the room, and a deep voice seemed to shake the walls with its strength.
"PAASA!"
Clementine's eyes widened, then shut tightly as the light grew brighter. When she opened the again, she was in the room that had been given to her at the branch. She looked around hurriedly--confused. "Wha...?"
Leaning back against her pillow, she let out a deep breath. "Just a dream... it was just a dream..."
The strange dreams were starting to worry her. "I've had weird dreams before... but... ever since I met Frey, no dream has been normal. Not that I've dreamt very much since I met him... but still... it's just... not like me. At all. Something doesn't feel right, but I can't place my finger on it!"
She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stretched. "A walk will do me good. I HAVE to convince myself that I'm just being paranoid... and nothing is wrong..."
As she left her room and sauntered down the long hallway, all that met her ears was an eerie silence. No sound was uttered, no noise made--complete stillness reigned. The silence was strange, considering the branch had been considerably noisy the day before.
"Maybe... maybe they've gone somewhere...? After I passed out yesterday, they probably didn't want to disturb me."
Despite her attempts to be optimistic, goosebumps covered Clementine's skin and her heart was racing. She hated to be alone, and being alone in a foreign country was not her idea of "fun."
She pushed open the door to the kitchen. No one was there. No meal was made--no meal was even laid out. In fact, there was no evidence that anyone had even been in there that day. Clem started shaking at the thought. "What happened? Did they leave? Did... did something bad happen? How long have I been out???"
Room after room was empty. No signs of activity could be seen. The branch's inhabitants had numerous possessions that were neatly placed and tucked away, but it seemed as if no one had so much as touched anything that day. All the doors were open... save for one. Clementine reached for the handle to the door, but quickly drew back her hand. "I don't know whose room that is... and I don't really want to find out right now..."
After a while of looking around, she leaned against the wall in defeat. "Maybe some fresh air will be beneficial... I think I just need to get out of here..."
Deciding that a walk wouldn't hurt, she slowly made her way to the front room--the only room she hadn't checked yet. As she turned the corner to reach the entranceway, she stopped short--eyes going wide and hand flying to her mouth. "...oh... oh my god..."
The bodies of the branch's Lotis Masters were sprawled out--their tattered bodies covered with blood took up most of the floor. Clementine stared in horror and disbelief. She was speechless, and even thoughtless for once. Slumping against the wall, she slid to the floor--hazel eyes still wide.
She was so caught up in shock that she didn't notice a man--dressed in black--come up behind her. He smirked--obviously amused. "Wonderful."
Jumping in fear and surprise, Clementine twisted around to see the man. She only caught a glimpse of him before she was slammed against the wall--knocking the wind out of her.
"Paya."
The ground started to crumble underneath Clementine, and it soon gave way. She fell into a bottomless black pit--screaming as loud as she could. The man stood at the top of the pit, smirking.
"Farewell, Miss Clementine."
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With a blood-curdling scream, Clementine jolted awake. Her pulse was racing, and her eyes were dilated.
"...Clementine...?"
Still wild with fear, Clem jumped away when she heard Frey's voice.
"Clementine, are you alright? What happened?" Frey was obviously worried. He extended his hand to place it on her shoulder--in an attempt to calm her down--but she started crying hysterically.
After a while of crying (during which Frey had no idea what to do), Clementine calmed down some. A few tears streamed down her cheeks as she stared at her hands--her eyes slightly glazed over. "All of it... all of it was a dream..." she murmured.
"What was a dream?"
Clem jumped once again--she had forgotten that Frey was there. "Oh... Frey..." She blushed in embarrassment. "I... I'm sorry! It's... nothing... really... I was just having nightmares... I suppose it's just, you know... uneasiness from being in a new environment, or something..." Not convinced of that herself, she had a hard time forcing an embarrassed smile.
Frey frowned--not quite convinced either. "Is that why you passed out yesterday...?"
"Um... yes... I was just nervous... I'm not good at adapting to new places..." "I'm such a liar... he's not going to buy this..."
Frey didn't buy it, but he was too worried about Clementine's well-being to push her any further. "Alright, if you say so." Clementine blinked as he leaned back in his chair. "You know, you had us pretty scared yesterday. You went missing... and who would've thought that Eric would find you lying in a field? You were white as a sheet--almost as if you had seen a ghost, or something."
"A ghost...? I wish I knew..." "Oh, it was nothing like that!" She chuckled thinly. "I'm just a girl of many worries, and sometimes I can't calm down my mind..."
"Indeed you seem to be!" Eric chuckled as he entered the room. "And how are you doing now, Miss Clementine?"
"...oh... I'm... I'm doing better..."
"Good. Then, I suppose, I shall leave you to your recovery." Smiling at Frey, he added, "Take good care of her. We wouldn't want any calamity to come to one of so much potential."
"Potential...? What is he talking about?"
"Of course, Eric."
Clementine sighed in relief as Eric left. There was something about him that made her uneasy, but she couldn't figure out what it was. "Maybe... it's his hair? Or something?" She shook her head at herself. "Yeah... right... 'his hair'... I'm such an idiot."
"Well, it's about time for supper. You feel up to eating something?"
"Food..." Clem looked down as her stomach started loudly protesting its lack of nutrition. Frey laughed heartily.
"I suppose that would be a yes."
Clementine blushed. "Um... yes... food would be nice..."
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Night had fallen, and Clem was doing everything but sleeping. Her mind was too busy--her imagination too active. Her dreams were eating away at her, and she felt extremely uneasy. "I don't know what's wrong with me... I'm letting my imagination get to me, and it's not doing any good... but... I can't shake the feeling that something is very wrong."
Everyone had gone to bed, but sleep kept evading Clementine. With all the things on her mind, sleep was virtually impossible. So, instead of sleeping, she wandered around the building.
"No rest for the weary, eh?"
Scared to death, Clem jumped and squeaked in surprise. She was met by Frey's amused chuckling. Fuming, she stomped her foot. "You... idiot! What, do you get a kick out of scaring me, or something?"
Frey winked, grinning. "Quite frankly, yes."
Clem twitched. "Well, that's nice to know..."
Shaking his head, Frey sauntered over to a couch. He tiredly slumped down on it, resting his head against the back-board. "So, what are you doing up? It's really late, you know."
"I'm not a child, you know," Clementine retorted.
"Touché." Grinning, he cocked his head slightly. "Why so touchy?"
Clementine sighed and put a hand to her forehead. "Sorry... I don't mean to be so rude... it's just... like I said, I'm having some problems adjusting." Quickly switching into rant-mode, she went on. "I mean, it's really weird here. I'm used to America... the city... the noise... the civilization! Out here... there's nothing but grass, water, and this building. This building creeps me out, anyways. It's not exactly the people who creep me out... it's more... the atmosphere. It's just weird. But, then again, I've lived in the city my whole life... so... I don't know what it's like out here..." Clem trailed off as she noticed that Frey wasn't even listening. In fact, he was completely focused on her upper regions. Disgusted, she smacked him in the head, hard--blushing all the while. "You pervert!"
He smiled up at her innocently. "Now, now, Miss Clementine--did I really deserve that?"
"YES!"
"Well, by-the-by, you have matured quite nicely."
Turning an even deeper shade of red, Clementine just stared at him--speechless. "Why you..."
"Come now, I heard everything you said!" Frey cut her off with a wave of his hand. "And I completely understand." He became serious again. "I know that things are a little... strange. But, with time, you will adapt. I did, and I know you can too. Just give it some time."
"Is this guy... for real??? Seriously... he's schizophrenic, or something..."
Frey patted the cushion next to him. "C'mon, sit down. You're pale, and you look utterly exhausted."
Clem eyed him warily. "You're not going to 'try' anything, are you?"
Chuckling, he shook his head. "Promise."
Edging closer to the couch--eyes still locked on Frey--Clementine slowly sat. The couch was small, so she was forced to sit close to him. Thankfully, he wasn't lying when he said he wouldn't try anything, and Clementine gradually became more comfortable as they talked.
"It's nice... actually... having someone to talk to... who doesn't care who you are... or what you've done... who doesn't even ask... and I'm not alone in the dark right now, so my mind is somewhat at ease..."
As the hour wore on, she became more and more tired. Her eyelids began to droop, and soon she closed them and fell into a deep--and, for once, dreamless--sleep, leaning against Frey's shoulder. He blinked, then smiled softly.
"Goodnight."
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Author's Note: Om... yeah... I know that chapter seemed pretty pointless... I actually just threw it together really quickly. Yeah, I'm pretty much dying of fatigue here. It's almost midnight. But, I am slaving away for you guys!! Okay, so not really. I really, really needed to write another chapter. But I'm suffering from Writers-Block right now... 'tis not cool!! Don't worry, guys--I'll try my hardest not to fail you. I'm working on a plot twist, so even though this chapter seems pointless, it serves it's purpose for now!!
'Till next chapter!!
Review Responses:
Animepanda2008: Thanks so much! I work very hard to keep my characters "real," and I hope I'm doing a good job!!
RedCrow1120: Thanks for the review. -smile- I'm actually doing pretty well right now. Besides all the stress of moving... and school... gosh, who would've guessed that 9th grade could be so hard? Heh, that's what I get for taking classes at an online college prep school... -grumble, koff- Anyways, if you read some of my old fics, you will know why I would be on the "crappy authors list." Gosh, they're so embarrassing! But... I can't delete them... they're a part of me... -sniff-
Arielle: lol, sorry, I kept you hanging for a while... I hope this chapter's as good as the last. I really do... and, you know, if I ever start writing badly, I'm counting on you to give me a good whack over the head. -wink-