Note: Happy Thanksgiving to all my US readers! I hope you had a great time with your family with lots of yummy food. Here is the last chapter of my Invisobang story! Enjoy y'all. :)
"We'll need to tell Lucy that we're leaving." After the hard conversation in the wee hours of the morning, the words came softly, almost easily to Prometheus as the pair sat under the familiar tree a little after midday.
Dami nodded. "Yeah. We do. And we need to try and gather some supplies. How about trying for tomorrow morning?"
"Yeah. Tomorrow morning." The larger ghost agreed.
The two finished their modest breakfast before leaving to find the girl near the blueberry bushes.
"I figured you'd be leaving." The girl's shoulders sank low after hearing the news. "Two men from town came to see us yesterday, askin' if we'd seen smoke from the old Neel place."
The brother glanced at each other, each slightly shivering at the memory of the event.
"They almost saw us." Dami said somberly. "We managed to turn invisible and hide the fire pit but… it was too close."
"I'm glad you're okay." Relief flashed over her face briefly before drooping again. "I'm sorry y'all have to go 'cause of this."
"Not just because of that." Pro bent down slightly, meeting the girl's eyes. "You were right earlier. We need to find our family and get help for Dami. It's…. time for us to move on."
"I suppose so." Lucy's lip trembled. She looked crushed. "I know I said y'all needed to leave but…. I'm gonna miss you so much."
Dami ruffled her hair. "We're not heading out 'til morning tomorrow. You've got one more day with us. So… what do you want to do?"
The girl's eyes lit up.
What followed was one of the funnest afternoons Prometheus had ever experienced. They splashed in the stream for hours, followed by the return of Lord Tyrantous.
"I will never be defeated!" Dami roared.
Pro ran through the trees, running from a 'mind-controlled Lady Vadania'. He laughed, sticking out his tongue before….
"Lady Vadania! Come to your senses!" The larger clone pleaded, cornered.
"Lady Vadania?" The girl tilted her head, brow wrinkling. "Is that my…. " She shook her head, eyes far away. "No. I have no name. I am a mere servant of Lord Tyrantous."
"He is controlling you! Remember who you are."
Another look of confusion and…. The girl swung her 'sword,' teeth gritted fiercely.
The 'weapon' connected, only for Pro to fall to the ground, supposedly injured.
"Franklin!" The girl fell to her knees, a sudden clarity entering her eyes. "Forgive me! Where is it? Where is it?" She patted frantically on her clothing. "The healing elixir!"
Pro shakily pointed at his bag. "Here."
The water flask was pulled out, a swallow given, and the larger clone 'healed.'
"Tryantous! You shall pay for this!" Lucy shouted.
The boy grinned, flying off.
More spells and transformations. Swords fights. Avoiding traps and minions. The trio laughed and laughed for hours until….
"Tickling!? My… my fatal weakness." The boy fell down, assaulted from both sides. "Stop! Stop!" He laughed and flailed. "I feel my power… draining. My memories….Wait… what?"
"Yes! It's working!" Pro cheered.
"What is… is happening? My memories!" Dami kicked and giggled, all while mumbling in confusion. "Who am I? Where are we?"
"The evil's draining out of him!" Lucy laughed.
"Keep going!" The taller clone knelt, laughter bubbling in his own throat.
The smaller clone laughed. "Stop! Stop!"
A minute later, the other two ghosts had mercy, leaving him panting on the ground.
"The evil is defeated!" Lucy held up her arms.
"What… evil?" Dami stuttered through heaving breath.
"What- Ah!" Pro yelped, grabby hands reaching for him. "Dami!"
His brother pulled him closer, tickling fingers right in the sensitive underarm. Lucy grinned, attacking him as well. She giggled, flailing as Dami's other hand went for her.
The trio fell into a pile of limbs, laughter ringing through the forest.
It really was a wonderful day.
The brothers returned to their cabin as the sun set. They ate, watching the colors move across the sky as the fireflies appeared.
"I'm really going to miss this place." Dami sighed, a wistful look in his eye. His gaze went to Prometheus, lip falling down just slightly. "I know it was a really rough start but… I'm happy I got to see all this. I'm happy we met Lucy."
"Yeah." A soft smile graced the other's face. "Me too."
Prometheus turned back to the forest, drinking in the sight. He wanted to crystalize this in his memory. A memento of, yes, a hard time but…. also a good one. A time when he'd learned and experienced so much. So many dangers, so many hardships. Bad memories and pain. And yet…. There had been friendship and fun. Exploring and playing. New discoveries. Important conversations and-
"Are the bolts that were in your neck… gone?" Dami's voice, awed, drew him away.
The taller clone blinked, registering the question. "What are you" At the same time, he reached up, fingers brushing the side of his neck. "Saying…." The bare skin where before there was… there was…. "It's gone." His eyes widened, hand trembling. "Dami, it's gone." His voice shook, disbelievingly happy.
Prometheus rubbed the spot where the metal had been. Slightly rough and raised, likely because of a scar but… "They're gone."
His core fluttered. The bolts… those irritating, damn bolts were gone. His neck was healed. Like the stitches, like the other injuries. He was healed. He felt like crying or laughing or jumping up and dancing.
So he did.
Pro jumped up, tugging one of his smaller sibling's hands. "Dami, they're gone."
"I see that." Dami twirled in the air, laughing.
There was clapping. Laughing. Jumping up and down. Awkward and clumsy dancing. Even some eyes watering with joy.
Tired but happy, the brother collapsed onto their makeshift bedroll in their cabin. Their temporary home for this adventure but… this part of the journey was coming to a close.
Prometheus smiled, even so. "We're going to find the others. I just know it."
"We will." The smaller agreed with his own bittersweet smile. "We will."
In the morning, the two brothers meet Lucy at the creek where they'd played together so many times.
"Here." The girl offered a burlap sack. "I grabbed as much food as I could."
Prometheus took the bag. "Thank you so much." Now that morning had come…now that he was here, saying goodbye, his core clinched, a storm of emotions. "For everything."
Lucy nodded, eyes misting. "I'm happy I could help." She stepped forward, squeezing both ghosts in a hug. "I already said it but… I'm gonna miss y'all so much."
"Me too." Pro said, his own eyes watering. "I'm happy we met you."
Beside him, Dami nodded. "You've been a really good friend."
"You've been the best friends." The girl agreed. "Don't forget me now. And… and be careful."
"We will." Prometheus promised. "And we could never forget you." His core swelled with so much affection it hurt. He really would miss this girl so badly.
"I know." Lucy sniffled. "I could never forget y'all neither." She tightened her hug, squeezing harder. "Give your family all hugs for me."
"Of course." Dami nodded vigorously. "We'll tell them all about how you helped us."
"No. You don't… you don't…" The girl whimpered, the words coming out as almost a sob. She pulled away, wiping her wet face. "I promised myself I wasn't gonna cry like this." She whined, the tears still falling. "Y'all havta leave but… Just… just thinkin' about not seeing y'all every day makes me… me.." She trailed off, tears choking the words.
Prometheus' own eyes watered, tears starting to fall. "I know." He soothed, a hand on her shoulder.
Dami glanced at him, trading a sad look. Tears also ran down the boy's face. He looked back at the girl. "Oh Lucy." His comforting hand was placed on her other shoulder.
The girl hiccuped on a sob, falling into both ghost's arms again. The three hugged, the child gripping desperately while the brothers offered comfort.
"I'm so sorry, Lucy." The shorter clone said, voice deceptively even. "I don't want to leave you but… Pro and me have to move on. And… you have to stay."
"I know." The child whined, pulling away. She wrapped her arms around her chest, head fixed down. "I want y'all ta be safe and find your family but…" Her voice lowered, shoulders falling. "You're… you're leaving and I'll probably never see y'all again and…"
Prometheus' core twisted in sympathy. That same feeling, those same fears swirled in him but… He took a breath, steeling his courage. The taller clone lowered himself to his knees, a hand on Lucy's shoulder. "Just because we're leaving, it doesn't mean we'll be gone. It hurts. I know it hurts not being together but…" Somehow his eyes softened even more, meeting hers. "Life is like that sometimes. People come into your life and sometimes they have to leave."
The girl's lips twitched at the words, her eyes beginning to water again.
The taller clone rubbed her back soothingly. "But you get to keep those memories, all those things you learned when they were with you. So hold onto those, okay? As long as you remember Dami and me, and think about us, we'll never be that far away."
Lucy just looked at him quietly for a long moment but…. Slowly something in her expression softened. "Okay. I will…." Her gaze flickered to Dami and then back to the kneeling Prometheus. "Y'all remember me though."
The shorter clone bent down slightly to be at her eye level. "Of course." He smiled softly. "Like Pro said, we could never forget you."
Another group hug. The child relaxed into it, breath slowing with her tears. Over her shoulder, Dami gave his taller brother a significant look. The furrow of his brow, the kindness there…. Pro understood. Dami had talked about remembering despite the pain of parting and…. Familiar faces flashed in his mind. Siblings that he'd held, that he'd comforted. He would remember.
After a long moment, Lucy gently pushed herself away. "Y'all need ta go now. Or we're gonna be here all day."
"Alright." Dami sighed, giving her a soft smile. "Fare thee well, Noble Knight." He winked, ruffling her hair.
Prometheus gave a bow. "May we meet again, my Lady. "
The girl gave a wet laugh. She curtsied exaggeratedly. "Until then, my dear friends."
She stood back up while the clone bent to gather their things. The two began turning to walk away but Prometheus lingered for just a moment more, wanting to cement the image in his mind. Her face, a smile stretched across it despite her tears.
"Thank you for everything." The words were too small to convey his gratitude but… they would have to be enough.
The brothers both gave waves, walking away.
Slowly, they passed into the woods, moving away from the girl. A five minute walk, almost to the portion of the creek near their cabin when-
"Lucy!" A man's voice rang through the trees. "Where are you going?"
The sound of pounding feet.
Eyes widening, startled, the brother traded a glance. Both raised off the ground and flew.
Passed the streaming water. The peach tree. The cabin. Pro's core pounded. What was going on?
"Wait!" Lucy's voice.
"Lucille Georgia Grady!"
Prometheus dared a look back. There was the girl, splashing across the stream, her skirt hitched up. And farther away… a tall dark shape.
The clone flew faster. Passed the road. Into the woods on the other side. The sounds of pursuit. Pro's stomach twisted, churning with sudden fear. They'd almost gotten away. They'd gone so long without discovery. But, now?!
"Dami! Pro! Wait!"
"Ah!" Prometheus exclaimed, nearly running into a tree.
Another minute. Dodging more branches. Struggling to keep up with Dami. The little guy darted and-
A thicket! Pro's eyes popped, panicked at the thick foliage. He needed to dodge. Intangible!
"Umph!" He fell out of the air, body trying to do both at the same time. The taller clone rolled forward, hands slammed onto his face to protect his tender eyes. He tensed and-
What? His mind spun, body rolling to a stop. He hadn't… ran into anything?
"Pro, come on!" He looked up. Dami's hand hovered in front of him. "It's an illusion."
The taller shakily pulled himself to his hands and knees. "What? How?" He looked side to side and then down… at the flower seemingly going through his chest.
"Never mind that." The brother waved his arm insistently. "Come on."
He took the offered hand. Now standing. "Wait. Where's the food bag?"
Dami paled, head jerking around to look. "There!" He pointed.
Ten feet from them. The burlap sack had spilled open, jars and cooked potatoes sprawled across the leaves. The brothers sprang, frantically gathering.
"Come on!" Dami shoved.
He pushed Pro through the thicket and out the other side. And… there was the open Ghost Zone, not ten feet away.
Prometheus triggered his core, lifting off the ground. Alright. They needed to-
"I was calling far y'all to wait." Lucy's complaining voice came from behind them.
The two clones turned to find the girl walking, literally, through the plants. She furiously wiped at her clothing and skin, as if to clear away debris. Then she froze. "Well, I'll be…" Her eyes widened, going from her dress and back to the thicket. "Magic laurel slick…. Is that the gate to fairyland?"
"What are you doing here?" Dami interrupted her awed musing. "We were leaving."
The girl shook her head, darting forward. "I forgot ta give ya this." She pulled something out of her pocket, a cloth… "It doesn't look the best. I had ta finish it fast but.." She handed it over.
Prometheus' core clinched, anxiety easing. "Lucy… this is beautiful." In his hand was a handkerchief, embroidered with little flowers and their names- Dami, Pro, and Lucy.
He handed the fabric to Dami, who examined it with wide eyes.
The child continued rambling. "I thought I'd put it in the food bag but then y'all left and I went to whip my face and found it in my pocket. And I couldn't let y'all leave without it. I just couldn't. So I ran after but y'all are really fast!"
"Lucy! Are you over there, girl?" Her father's voice cut off the words.
Lucy froze, paling slightly. "Daddy must a been looking for me and saw me running…"
"I can hear you." The man sounded worried. "I'm coming, pumpkin. Just stay put."
Prometheus felt his core stall, fear coiling.
The girl pushed at his arm. "Y'all havta go. Scoot." Panickedly, her eyes flickered from the thicket to the two clone's faces. "I'll talk to…" She trailed off, eyes widening.
"Lucy?" Damian asked, worried.
Pro looked over his shoulder. What was she…seeing?
Oh….. Dread dropped into his stomach. That was the edge of the island, the bare atmosphere of the Realms.
The girl stared, opened mouthed. And Prometheus couldn't move, mind spinning. They hadn't… they hadn't wanted her to find out, not like this. She had no idea that she was even a ghost and… and Dami and he weren't going to tell her. How could they? But now…
"What in tarnation." Lucy's father's voice came from right behind her.
Pro startled, eyes falling on the man stumbling out of the illusionary thicket.
The man's eyes widened, going from the laurel trees to his daughter. "Lucy!" Then… he tensed. "What are you…" He trailed off, a hand going to his head. His gaze fixed on the open zone, body seeming to shake.
The moment dragged on, all silent staring. Then…
The father jolted, registering the clone's presence. A frantic step forward and he shoved himself in between Lucy and the two brothers.
Prometheus braced himself, a hand reaching for his brother. If the… the man was going to attack…
The father's hand reached for the rifle strapped to his back. "Who are you?" He scowled. "What are ya doing with my daughter?"
Pro's core frantically pulsed, images flashing in his mind. This was… this was too familiar.
"Daddy!" The girl insisted, pulling on his arm. "These are my friends."
The man turned slightly, hand dropping. "What?"
"I'm the one that's been stealin' food! I've been helpin' them. Dami and Pro have been livin' in the old Neel cabin." Lucy rambled. "They don't have a Mama and Daddy to take care of 'em. And no one in town likes Pro. But they needed help and we're supposed to help our neighbor. So I've been given' 'em food. I was me. So don't be mad at them, okay?"
The father's eyes widened, glancing at his daughter. "That's why you've been actin' so strange?"
The girl furiously nodded. "They're just leaving today. Dami's sick and needs a magic doctor. They're both magic, see? That's why they can fly and turn… in-vis-i-ble? That's what Pro called it. And he's really strong! They're tryin' to find their brothers and sister." Lucy's eyes flickered from her friends to her father. She looked up at him again, pleading. "They're leaving, I promise. Let them go and we can go home and I'll tell you everything. Just…. Please don't hurt my friends."
"Luci-bug…" The man's expression shifted, brow furrowing.
"Please." The girl begged.
The father sighed, looking away from her and…. to the clones.
Prometheus tensed, a hand protectively held in front of his brother. He tried to swallow back the roaring anxiety. It would… it would be fine. Even if… the man yelled, pulled out the gun, threatened to bring the rest of the town. They would just fly away. And… and… his eyes met Lucy's worried ones. Her face from his dream, screwed up in pain, flashed in his mind. She would be okay. Her father wouldn't do anything too bad with her here. He wouldn't risk hurting or (hopefully) even upsetting his own child.
The man squared his shoulders. "Is that all true? Has my daughter been… stealing from her own family to help you?"
Beside him, Dami shifted nervously. "Yes sir."
"Don't blame them." Lucy insisted, tugging on his arm again. "I'm the one who look things out of the storeroom and let 'em pick food outa our fields. It's my fault."
The father's gaze softened ever so slightly. He turned back to the pair of clones, eyes fixed on Prometheus. "Why are you here?"
"It was an accident, sir." The larger ghost kept his voice quiet, shoulders down to make himself appear smaller. "My brother and I got lost and ended up near your farm by accident. We were attacked by wolves. I was bitten. Dami got sick. We…we need somewhere to rest and recover."
The man's brow furrowed, a thoughtful expression.
Then, Dami hovered forward. "If I may." He touched down, stretching to his full height.
The father flinched back slightly. "What manner of creature are you?" His voice was an odd mix of fear and wonder.
The short clone held up his hands. "Your daughter thinks we're fairies but…" He bit his lip, glancing at Pro. "Really, we're a kind of spirit. Not that those two things are that different." He cleared his throat. "The point is, my brother and I are just as mortal as you and… your daughter saved our lives. Without her kindness, I wouldn't still be here. She's been a great friend to me and my brother. So… please don't be angry at her. She was just trying to do what she thought was right."
The man frowned, studying the shorter ghost before gaze moving to Prometheus. His eyes trailed the scars, rounding slightly with…. some emotion Pro couldn't fathom. Then… he looked to his daughter.
The girl still looked up, eyes begging. "Please, Daddy. They're telling the truth."
At the words, the man's shoulders finally fell, posture loosening. "Alright. I believe you." He sighed, rubbing his head. "This is incredible."
"I know!" Lucy beamed. "My friends have magic!"
The adult's lips twitched. Then he looked back at Pro, a brow raised. "Is that my undershirt?"
The taller clone blinked, still reeling from the man's reaction. He… he believed them? Then the question registered. "Y… yes sir." Prometheus looked down, cheeks darkening with shame.
The adult stepped forward, pointing. "That's a fine patch job."
Pro peaked at the threading just visible over his shoulder. "Lucy fixed it."
The man nodded. "I figured she did. That's my girl." A brief proud smile. Then… a thoughtful pause.
Pro remained quiet, withdrawn. Fear still lashed out but…
In front of him, the father shrugged off his coat. "The Good Book does say, if someone takes your shirt, give them your coat as well." He gave a short chuckle, holding the garment in front of him. "I figure you need this more than me."
The larger clone blinked numbly, staring at the outstretched hand. "What?"
"Take it, son." The man instructed, waving his hand slightly.
Pro's eyes flickered from the garment to the man's face, guilt balling in his core. "No. I… I can't."
The father sighed. "I've always tried to be generous. That's what I've taught my Lucy. And I'm pleased to see that she has been. So…" He held the coat out, depositing it in Pro's shaking hands. "Let our family help you one last time."
The larger clone still stared down at the coat, disbelieving. His insides churned. Fear, shame, guilt, confusion. Everyone… everyone in town had hated him, feared him. They attacked him and…. His nightmare…. He and Dami had been… been stealing from this man for weeks. And if they were found out… he knew… he just knew Lucy's parents would be angry. At the least, at the very least, the man should be pulling his daughter away, fiercely protective. But….
"Pro, you can take it." Lucy's voice drew him out of his spiral. He looked up, meeting her compassionate eyes. "If Daddy wants you to have it, take it."
His hands still shook but… something in him loosened. Tentatively, he looked back at the adult who nodded. Those eyes… that expression, like his daughters.
Pro forced his hands to steady. Slowly, carefully, he unfolded the coat and slipped his arms into it. The sleeves hugged his arms a bit too tightly. The buttons wouldn't quite reach to close the garment. But it was a close enough fit, only possible because of the adult's tall stature.
"Thank you." Pro's voice was almost awed.
"You're welcome." The father offered a comforting smile. "I have so many questions." He almost chuckled before looking at his daughter, more serious. "I am sure Lucy will tell her mother and I all about it at home."
The girl's head flickered down, blushing guiltily. "Yes, sir."
"You could have told us earlier." The man shook his head sadly. "That is in the past now, I suppose. Now… I believe your friends were leaving."
"Oh." The girl's shoulder fell, sad. "That's right."
"We were." Dami agreed. "It was…uh… nice to meet you." Awkwardly, he held out his hand to the man. "Honestly, I'm relieved this didn't go as badly as I feared it might."
The adult took the hand, almost as awkward as the shorter ghost. Then he turned to Prometheus, offering his own hand. "Enjoy the coat."
"Yes, sir." The larger clone shook. "And… thank you again."
Another nod. "Take care of yourselves." The father gave another shake, eyes drifting over Pro's shoulder. His gaze seemed to fix on something in the distance. "Spirits, you said…" He hummed thoughtfully, almost worriedly. "Or perhaps ghosts?"
The larger clone pulled away, suddenly anxious. He schooled his expression. "You could say that."
The questioning look just deepened.
"It looks like… the ocean." The girl interrupted. "I thought fairyland would look different. Magic flowers, rainbows and giant castles. Like in the stories but…" The corner of her lip turned up. "It's so beautiful."
Prometheus tried not to look surprised. He really did. Instead he gaped, again dumbfounded.
Beside him, Dami laughed. "There's places with giant castles and strange plants. Just not near here." He glanced back at the green swirling clouds. "It's a big place."
The girl nodded. "And you have to find your siblings in all that space." Her lips twitched, just a hint of sadness. "Give them all hugs from me."
The short clone stepped forward, tentatively reaching to ruffle her hair. "You already said that."
The child smiled at the affectionate gesture. She stepped forward, embracing both clones.
Prometheus let himself relax into this final hug. A bittersweet feeling settled in his chest, anxiety seeping out. The new coat hugged him, a reminder of an unexpected kindness, at last of so many.
The trio pulled away.
Goodbyes sounded in triplicate.
Smiling sadly, the brothers flew up, drifting off the edge of the island. Lucy and her father looked out, watching as they moved away.
"Bye! Good Luck!" The girl waved, awed face staring into the open Realms.
The adult's brow furrowed, thoughtful and almost sad. There was… something knowing but troubled in that expression. And yet…. the man glanced at his daughter, a smile slowly crinkling at her excitement. "Good luck, boys!
The distance increased, the man and child farther and farther away.
The brothers waved. "Bye!"
More and more distant, the figures grew smaller and smaller, soon vanishing into the trees. The clones floated in the open air, a cloud drifting in front of him. The ectoplasm swirled, rivellets tickling Prometheus' limbs. With a sad smile, he watched the familiar island disappear.
Endnote: Dami and Pro's story has wrapped up for now but rest assured, this won't be the end of the series. I've still got a bunch of ideas for all the clone siblings, especially a final happy reunion. So there will be more installments at some point, probably for the next Invisobang.
In the meantime, I'm working hard on finishing Face to Face. I'm up to chapter 51 in that story with 5 more chapters planned after this one. Plus, I signed up for Holiday Truce again this year so be on the lookout for whatever I end up writing for that.
Finally, Thank you so much to everyone who has read and left comments on Drifters. I had a great time writing this story and all the kind words have really warmed my heart. I always appreciate everyone's support. 💖💖💖