Disclaimer: Oh come on, is this really necessary? I am not wealthy, therefore I own nothing ;;.
Author's note: Here I go again. I noticed a lot of people probably took this as a one shot, but oh no. I'm going somewhere big with this story in the scheme of things. I actually have an idea of what I want to accomplish with this story!
Oh and, if the characters get OOC here I greatly apologize, (thank god no one seemed to think so first chappie). It was an important chapter because it develops a foundation that the rest of the plot builds up on.
On the note of reviews, I don't know if I've ever received more lovely comments! Thank you all so much, love you guys! It really motivated me to finish this chapter up quicker, which was a bit difficult due to the lack of time recently. It also just tickled me to death! I'm so glad that people were able to enjoy this story, I've put quite a bit of work into it.
Christmas break is coming up! So I should work on this story a lot during that time, and that's a good thing… I think… hehe. Anyways, please enjoy the show!
Chapter 2: Haunted
"It is a curious thing, the death of a loved one, -"
My eyes fell shut, exhaustion seizing my aching body. The alley in this void city was a haven from the population. It was quieter than a park bench, and much more suitable to sleep here if you had no money, as myself. It was so late that the street ahead was almost completely vacant. It was pleasant, this silence I locked myself in.
It reminded me of something, leaning against this brick wall alone in silence as I struggled to fall into my dreams once more, yet I couldn't place just where I knew this nostalgic feeling. 'Soon… sleep will come soon.' I told myself in selfish comfort.
I don't know if I slept, or how long I slept in that alley. I've been here so long, dwelling on the nameless child I lost long ago. The ache became a daily reminder that I still existed in this world. Oh how pleasant sleep was. My haven from frozen reality, I was in love with the state.
As I drifted at the edge of awareness, I heard a rumbling clutter. It was wheels. I dreaded the sound, familiar to my ears. There were many kids who rode various inventions with wheels now. Skateboards, bikes, scooters, roller blazes… how ironic; it sounded like roller blazes today. But this time it was headed towards my refuse. I grumbled in disapproval. This brick hell was mine. This spot was meant to be neglected, especially after I took special care to scare a few people away, including a garbage man.
I would just have to do the same now, wouldn't I? I waited patiently for my prey…
The blades drifted closer…
And closer…
Finally they were at the corner. They would turn the edge any second, and with claws and fangs bared in darkness it would frighten any human soul away.
They turned, I could see the tips of skates; I readied to pounce forward at sight.
Then …I froze.
I thought I would collapse from within; those azure skies within her orbs, the golden strands illuminating under city light. I couldn't move, yet my eyes were fastened to her form.
"Hey, what's wrong with you? I've never seen such a dreadful face! Are you … even alive?" gliding with ease, to the front of me, she looked down with suspicion. "Or… do you live here?"
I didn't look up to meet her gaze.
"Who are you?" It was almost a growl. I was so bitter for sleep though this girl… could she be?
"I'm Rosette Christopher and I live in the Magdalene Church just down the road. Pleased to meet you…" suddenly she lowered herself down, pulled out an odd identity sticker from her pocket, and slapped it on my chest.
"Chrono."
"- it's like walking up stairs to your bedroom in the dark and thinking that there's one more stair than there is."
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My breath caught somewhere deep within the reciprocals of my chest. First, the resemblance, now she knew my name…but how could she? This made no sense.
I saw her, my child, die before me. This was not her; rather some torturing spirit come to drive me beyond the edge of insanity. How futile. I had to wait.
But what was I waiting for again? Oh yes… of course; for her. I had no idea how or when she would return but she had to. Somewhere I would see her again. It was destined, I was certain of this.
I knew it hadn't been long enough for her return. I hadn't suffered enough, paid for my sin of lending her my love selfishly. She had no need of me. I didn't deserve to steal her affections. Maybe if I hadn't met her, she would have stayed inside and slowly healed; though I know she hated that, it would have been better…
Then icy daggers drove themselves into my heart in numbing nostalgia.
"Don't just sit there and sulk. I won't let you waste away here." Her words were so very brave, so very much like my child's voice.
"How do you know me?" My reply was blunt to place it modestly. An irritated scowl painted its way across her features.
"You're asking ME that! Oh you have some nerve mister, to be calling out to me in my sleep, and you ask me how I know you!" She was quick to loss her flaring temper but she definitely had spirit. Her facade was one of strength and confidence but an unseen tentativeness hide just beneath those sapphires.
"I've not been calling out to anyone, unless you are dead." I stated nonchalantly. This seemed to irk her to a greater extreme and her face reddened with anger and irritation.
"Of course I'm not dead, dummy! But it's true, you have been calling out to me, unless you're not the mysterious Chrono visiting me in my sleep." Her voice was a quiet scream at this point, her nose almost touching my own, causing my skin to tingle.
"Then it should be obvious. I am not Chrono." I almost smiled as her eyes widened in shock and she leaned away; 'Thank god.'
"Oh, then why did you ask how I know you, smart ass!" I hit a wall in my own mind, and gazed past her form for a moment in astonishment. She won the battle and she acknowledged it well.
"Ah! See mister know it all! I knew it! You are Chrono. And… just to make a point, maybe you were calling out to someone subconsciously. I mean, you do seem pretty lonely…" she bit down into her bottom lip thoughtfully. "…and maybe your mind just randomly choose me." A cheery smile lit her eyes.
I, at this point, could not deny the ring of truth in those words. Though no contact could be equivalent to the child's, on occasion I craved some sort of substitute. So I couldn't completely say that I hated this encounter. Still, I wouldn't let this Rosette win this ongoing war of wits.
"And just maybe you're declensional! Maybe you're lonelier than I,"
'Though I doubt it',
"…and maybe you just made me up,
'And maybe I just… made her up,'
"…then decided to search though the homeless population hoping maybe I really do exist. Then maybe you got a surprise… because here I am." her mouth hung slightly parted, as she rose up and allowed herself to roll slowly back into shadows.
"…" For a moment she glared at my form, a horrifying pain creeping into ocean pools.
"I… I'm not like you, because I'm still living." A chord broke within me.
'…because I'm still living.'
My child, she wanted me to continue living yet when her pulse left her body, my heart too stopped. Could she expect a man with nothing, not even a past, to continue without first mourning? She gave me the only memories I possessed, beyond the abiding existence of street living, and it was very difficult to imagine those memories ended so very quickly…
My mourning is like any that have lost a loved one.
First there is the long state of denial. You cannot wake from a terrible nightmare, and to comfort yourself one will repeat this in tender whispers; broken repetition. It only seems logical, you're so sure that if you just blink hard enough everything will melt away with your tears. The world surrounding you is so untouchable, like looking into a doll house.
This isn't happening…
Second there is acceptance. Buried in dissolution, it has settled in your mind that the one you held so dear will never return, yet your heart cannot adjust. It's when you run down your bedroom stairs in the morning to greet your companion at the kitchen stove, and scream in sorrow when there is an empty void there, yet a faint after vision still lingers…
She's still here…
"- Your foot falls down through the air, and there's a sickly moment of dark surprise."
The final stage is taking a step forward, 'moving on'. This is most difficult, for no matter how one tries memories of a loved one will always be at the very surface of thought. And very often these hauntings can be quite painful, especially for those who can not step forward. Like myself.
Though I am fighting a one way struggle within myself continuously to be happy, I always fall defeated. I truly want to live as my child would have been satisfied with, yet I cannot seem to get back into the flow of social life. But, regardless of my poor state I do not regret where I am today, and I will never regret meeting her. To do so would tarnish her precious memory. The last words that leaked from those faint lips would be in vain, falling upon deaf ears.
Yet I realize her memory is what is holding me captivated. Everywhere I see her face. In strangers I could swear I see the twinkle that existed only in her eyes, in paintings of beautiful maidens long ago faded and dead I see her unfaltering smile, even once in a library book I found a picture I thought certain was a of her several years later.
Only it would have been impossible that I was correct, the novel that seemed to be a biography of sorts was dated 1920 something. I don't really remember the exact date of publication, for when my eyes fell upon this bit of information I was so deflated that I didn't care. But even now, when I recall the photograph, a strange chill scurries across my skin.
There was a boy in the photo too, a boy that looked almost similar to me…
As I slowly surfaced from my plummet into thoughts and recollection, a soft sobbing met my ears. I traced my gaze around to the source of this noise, meeting this Rosette's face, which was slowly being engulfed with tears. Obviously I had struck a painful chord inside of her as well, and felt a tinge of guilt.
After diving into my own mind, I started to believe that maybe, possibly I was on to something. It could be possible that my clouded past, that mysterious photo, and this youth were all connected. A spark of curiosity lit inside. She could be the child of my past, and with this thought I shoved up from the ground and approached the teen.
I paused and cleared my throat a bit to signal a warning that I was very near. She did not seem to register this however, staring at something upon the pavement that I simply could not see. So I advanced my actions, slipping a digit under her chin and slowly lifting it until our eyes met.
For a moment time around us grinded to a brief stop, as my depths collided within her own. Prickles crawled over my hand and down my forearm, and I almost shivered. Her presence was pleasing; the scent that lingered over her was that of cinnamon candies, sweet yet fiery. It flared a desire to sample her.
'Is her skin as sweet as the smell of it?'
I searched her face for traces of doubt or fear, yet satisfyingly found none. I was surprised she had not shivered as my breath split upon her lips, and my eyes feasted upon her flesh. Yet when I sensually ran my tongue over my own lips she trembled beneath my fingertip. What did she think I was going to do?
I leaned in closer to her face, until our noses brushed against one another, and almost chuckled as she drew a sharp breath, preparing for the worse.
"Rosette is your name correct?" It was barely a whisper against her lips.
"H..huh…? Oh… yeah, it is…" her voice was wispy, a breathy, almost sighing texture mixed in its tone. I visibly smirked and she again quivered beneath my heated gaze.
Her chest was rising quickly as my stare drifted down and over her curves. Those were things my child had not possessed, she was but a child. It was appealing to the visual perception. The former desire was now blazing within the pit of my stomach, and I inclined closer to her, our mouths millimeters away from one another's.
"Tell me, about your dreams." Her eye lids fluttered open, and her breath was brisk. My lips had barely brushed against hers as I spoke, and this girl now stood before me, desire flashing within her own eyes as she leaned into my touch. She seemed surprised by my actions but didn't move away or seem fearful.
I mentally slapped myself, knowing how unfair these actions were. No doubt had it grabbed her attention, yet I was playing upon my impulsive wants. Worse, I was fully aware how filthy my actions and motivation behind it were. I had no plans of carrying out such motivations, no matter how tempting this phantom was, but knowing I was caught in one of my own ridiculous fantasies knew I needed some way to return to reality.
They always say 'be careful of what you wish for' and moments later I utterly understood the previous statement.
I stumbled back, and my cheek was throbbing. 'What just happened?' I thought. I looked ahead to Rosette and received my answer. Her head was bowed, and face a brilliant tint of crimson; it seemed all the blood was resting in her cheeks.
"You… PERVERT! How dare you…" she paused, shooting daggers with her vicious stare, and placed two fingers upon her lips for a moment thoughtfully before continuing. "Almost steal my first kiss! You're gonna pay for that one buster!"
With her scarlet visage still bowed and veiled in shadow, she advanced towards my form. Her jeans draped loosely over the skates, and barely hugging to her waist; they seemed weighed down by something. That's when I noticed the lump stuffed in her left pocket as she withdrew her weapon.
Icy metal was pressed to my temple. I wanted to both crumble and run, yet indecisively stayed and unwilling drew forth my claws. I did not want to harm this girl who reminded me so very much of my dearest love, yet if I must then I would fight. I wondered if this was some sort of twisted conspiracy to destroy my being.
'Am I the only one of my kind left?' I questioned to myself. It didn't matter so much to me, so I don't know why I was so curious about it. It's not like I would feel any less alone to know there was someone out there in my situation. I would still have no connection to the world outside my head.
"You're a devil aren't you? W..what were you going to do to me!" flakes were painfully pealing away from my soul with each new word she spoke, like ashes flying away from the flame. Tremors chased down her hand and into the gun. I realized she must be very afraid in this moment, but she was about to become much more fearful.
"Yes." I replied, my voice a harsh hiss. In that lapsing of time, I was not frightened of the reaper, instead I was staring straight into his empty pits. An eerie smirk twisted into chapped flesh, and I brought my palms over the barrier of death, grasping it firmly and burying the metal into my face. "Pull the trigger."
"…" Her facade was a blank slate, as her eyes darted back and forth across my features. A light post above was flickering out, and the light danced in jumps and jerks around us.
"Now!" I growled, and she jolted. Tears again swelled in her azure depths, and a roll of thunder shook the dark, gray skies.
"N..no…. I can't… I can't do it." She sobbed and tears began to mingle with those of gods upon her skin. I was hell bound on running her though a painful test. If she was my child, she wouldn't have the will to press the trigger, and if she was not than I was welcoming the next world with open armed embrace.
"Yes you can! I am a child of darkness, an evil being which all humans fear, a monster… Can you kill a monster?" I was again swimming in her eyes, resting every bit of trust left in my animated corpse in her.
"No. Because even if you are a monster, you still have a soul; you have a heartbeat too." My grasp loosened and I allowed her arm to slump to her side, tears still dancing over her cheeks. "So tell me, why… why did you act like that, and what were you planning on doing with me?"
"Oh, nothing…and everything. Whichever side wins." My throat and dried, and my voice was sticking on my tongue. I was being honest with my statement, but even so, why did it sound so much like a lie?
"What do you mean, 'whichever side wins?'? Are you …some sort of psycho, or something?" Her face contorted into confusion, with a dash of nausea. I chuckled.
"No, I mean you are… intoxicating." My voice was silk, wrapping delicately around her ears, with sultry caress. "I may not be able to… control myself." I half expected another fist to collide with my face, yet was disappointed when I received no reply at all.
She again allowed her form to drift back from my own, a fierce yet fearing gaze inside those precious sapphires. Uncertainty painted across her features, and her visage crumpled into a thoughtful squirm. It was clear that she was fighting an internal battle of what to do with me. She had been dreaming of me, and searched for me, and now found me only to discover I fell short of her fantasies.
Then I remembered, the dreams; what were they like? I was intrigue by the concept, and wondered just how personal they had become. I dreamed also, of a matured image of my child returning to me, yet they had become a thing I would dare not share with another soul.
It was something I treasured in my solitude, though my guilt stricken mind could hardly bear the truth that lay within them. I had always longed for the day to pass when my precious child had developed in both mind and body. We then could share more than just our thoughts with one another …
I was curious though, of this teen's dreams. I had wondered just how she had perceived me in those unconscious hours, what light I had been exposed under. It would be typical that I had been a knightly character, compassionate and suave, in addition to possessing a clean beauty.
I suppose it was almost sad that she was so let down. How had she taken the discovery that her unsoiled prince was in truth a ragged and homeless creature of darkness?
The girl in took a large breath, preparing to speak, and I lifted my gaze to her own once more, allowing her to acknowledge my entire attention was now focused upon her.
"L…listen, you're going to come back with me to the church. I have some questions for you that need answers, and well… so does the order. So get up and we'll head back, okay?"
I allowed a tender smile to sweep across my visage, and spoke, allowing my tone to dip into a honey dewed mixture.
"And they cannot interrogate me here? Besides why should I answer your question when you did not answer my own?" A blush again dusted over her cheeks, yet she did seem more at ease. I was relieved, for it was my intent that our conversation loosen and lose a bit of tension.
"W…well I won't attempt to kiss you while asking…" she sputtered in frustration and awkward determination. I chuckled.
"But I was not attempting do anything like that, I was simply trying to gain your attention." My voice was light, a humorous grain blended into the statement. Echoing though the walls of skull, I was slightly surprised at myself. In so many years, a decade or two at least, I had not sounded so cheery.
"Well, even if you are telling the truth, that's not the way to get someone's attention. And regardless if you were trying to do anything like that, you almost did." The statement had a matter-of-fact authority, as if by telling it this way it became true.
She placed a hand to her hip and slumped to one side, sass apparent in her posture, although it was evident that she was having difficulty enduring my presence. I was almost sad that she did not have the unfaltering warmth as my child did at first meeting.
But it is rare that one finds a person so tender and loving as a child. With age the heart hardens, protecting itself with a shield from harm, for after a long battle all warriors become weary. She seemed to have bad experiences with men, made fairly obvious to me by the fear that I was going to do something such as force myself upon her. I did not want her to fear me, because if there was a small chance that she was my child, returned to me, I wanted her to be happy.
I tried to keep this in mind as I lowered my own barrier.
"Alright, I'll go with you. But Rosette, if this is some sort of trap, then you have broken what trust I lend you, and it is not easy to gain that from me. I may not lend you anymore, if that is the case." I tried to maintain a soft overturn, though it still held an air of stern enforcement.
She let the first soft smile melt to her features. Turning swiftly towards the exit to my 'home', her back now facing my vision, she spoke.
"Okay then, well I guess I'll just have to handle you with care, huh?" there was a chuckle evident in the statement, yet she did not laugh. I could not help the grin that grew over my mouth, that almost sounded like an invitation. "Well come on, follow me. We'll be there in about fifteen minutes, k?"
She began to effortlessly glide away, as I rose and followed. It wasn't foreign to travel this path for me, so I quickly paced after her form. Light reflected upon coarse red stone surrounding me. The sludgy grey puddles collecting upon the floor reflected my image dully.
It was strange, how this location had become so much like a house to me; or a cell. Those damp and desolate surroundings warped inside of my mind, into a comforting grave. I had hoped so many nights that is what it would too, become.
It was as if I was a vampire, and this small alley was my sarcophagus, shielding me from the penetrating light of social interaction. And now, I would dare to step beyond those boundaries, wouldn't I?
I paused where the alley opened to the street, the sidewalk, the lane back into civilization. Did I really want to take such a risk as this and return to life, to struggling needlessly by, to trying to please these humans so I may survive, to possibly my demise?
My insides twisted, and I yearned to turn tail and run back to my sanctuary…
"Hey, hello, earth to Chrono! Snap out of it!" I snapped my head upwards from the asphalt, to greet Rosette's form, standing in front of me, hand stretched forward as if to aid me. "Come on, it's okay Chrono. It's one small step to freedom, and I'll help you make this crossing. Just take my hand, I promise, everything will be okay from now on."
Her voice was tender and convincing.
I stared at her open palm unsure. My gaze repetitively shifted from her said appendage, to her azure orbs. I was softly trembling; this was a leap from one life to an entirely new one. It was frightening, terrifying to a point, yet I found I desired the young woman's trust. So I shut my eyes tightly for one moment…
When I opened them once more, I had crossed the thin line between capitation and freedom. My larger hand was squeezing Rosette's desperately, as if I was a child clinging to his mother. But I found I enjoyed this childish comfort, and did not release her.
We walked down the sidewalk, past houses and cars in the dim blue light of the night, still hand in hand, I dragging slightly behind, allowing the youth to take lead. She did know the path and I did not, so this was only reasonable. It seemed such a brief interlude between the two points, as I scoured the area, feasting upon my surroundings and struggling to adjust to such changes.
Finally we arrived at the large building, a steeple that seemed to be climbing towards the heavens, white limestone so pure and clean of color. Yet it was not alike the sterile white of the hospital before. It was not masking an inerasable desecration. The pale chapel cascaded safety about its surroundings, a pleasant calm. And yet it held a holy presence that I could not quite name.
"It's not a real church you know; the order just uses this building." The mysterious teen spoke quietly. I smiled and nodded. Somehow I knew that I was not meant to be in such a house, yet was being so ushered in.
I swiftly obscured myself from sight in her shadow as we crept closer to the large twin doors. I wanted to simply melt into the sideway, but since that seemed fairly impossible I decided to attempt to make myself as scarce as I could manage. By slumping my back greatly, I could almost disappear in the darkness that struggled to follow in confliction to the girl's light.
By the nasty shot she gave me as she slowly opened one door, which gave loud squeal in result of rusty hinges; I knew she did not approve of my actions. Speaking in a hushed whisper, she expressed her dissatisfaction.
"Listen, quit doing that, I mean I'm not trying to hide you or something. They already told me you would have to be brought back here to be questioned; they aren't going to just kick you out. Besides, it's very unbecoming…" she slid inside in a stealthy, almost grace.
I drabble of confusion dripped over my features, as I felt my face scrunch in thought. I suppose it was indeed true that I needed not fear being discovered, but that was not what brought me unease anyway. It was the unwelcome feeling that seemed to scream at me, as if I was something filthy… that was not worthy of such sanctuary.
"Hey…" I was snapped back into the wake word, as Rosette attempted to draw my attention. I focused my gaze upon her face to signal that I was listening, as well as a soft noise of encouragement to continue. "It really looks bad when you slump Chrono, it makes you look shorter, weaker, and well… if you keep it up you'll become a humpback…" chuckling lightly she held the door ajar now, to be sure that I could hear her words. Then she released the handle again, and the opening crept wider open as she twisted her backside towards my vision.
My eyes widened in shock. I had always enjoyed the light which filtered though stained glass, but hadn't seen it like this before. The hues of blues and purples reminded me of a brilliant ocean, or a watercolor masterpiece. It was enchanting, and pleasing. Yet that is not what brought shock into my heart.
In the blur of lights stood Rosette, an amazing hallucination forming around her; a soft golden halo was evident above her crown, and wings seemed to fold behind her back. Yet I blinked and it was gone. Was I that exhausted?
"An…anyway, as I was saying, your posture really doesn't suit you anyway. You're kinda… cute and you shouldn't act like you're some ugly beast…have a little confidence in yourself." She did not move and nor did I.
I could feel my own cheeks tinge with heat at her words, and didn't need mind reading powers to know that she too was a pretty shade of pink. Even if I could not see the color draining into her ears, it was evident in her voice. The awkward silence was going dry and stale, neither of us able to break the spell. Until, of course, Rosette again spoke.
"Well, just look at the time! I really have to get in bed! Uh… there's a couch there to sleep on for now, sorry I can't do better… but well, it's more comfortable than brick and pavement I'm sure, so sleep well and goodnight…" Her small speech was so quickly spoken that it took a moment for my mind to resister what she had just told me. When I looked to her form again, she was racing down the pews, almost running out of the chapel, to another door.
I stood, dumbfounded, for a moment. So much had just happened and I began to feel my mind overload, circuits frying deep inside those dusty corridors. Curiosity plagued me; I could still hear the faint clutter of wheels. I could follow her…
Author's note: There you are! Finally got this finished, and I'm so glad. I should have the third chapter done fairly soon as well, I'll start working on it as soon as I can, college can be a real hassle.
Oh and I did get a little carried away with myself in this chapter, I was having fun . Chrono's perspective is a blast to write in, especially since I think he'd make a killer writer if he just tried. But on this note… I was thinking about bumping the rating up... I'm not so sure about that, but hey suggestions on what you guys think would be a nice thing. It all comes down to where the story flows to in the end, but encouragement or discouragement will help my decision, hint hint, tee hee.
P.S. : The quote italicized is from the movie A Series Of Unfortunate Events.