THE GOLIATHUS CHRONICLES
Chapter 29- Saying Goodbye
/
As the real world slowly came back into focus, Goliathus saw three pairs of eyes staring up at him as he sat on the table, waiting for his news. He relayed to them what his father had said, but left out the part regarding Mauvais. For now, his family were frightened enough. To mention the dreaded news of yet another, far more powerful Shadow vampire was not what they needed right now.
There's...another Ring? I never would have guessed...I thought Puvo was just a companion for Dinarius, I mean where are all the other bats?
That is a good question, Ami. I am sure Dinarius knows...but first...we must restore him.
Ami scanned the Great Room quickly, and peered over her shoulder, glancing at the one mentioned, who was lying still as a statue. Neither Marcus nor Drakkon had returned yet, but she knew full well they were lying in wait like crouching panthers, ready to strike the instant any of them let their guard down when they left the room. And the problem was, they did have to leave the room, sometime.
They couldn't stay in the labyrinth forever.
Easier said than done, Gollie. Problem is, we have to get outside of this room first.
I know...but there are...those...over there. He pointed to the large pile of scrolls.
Daddy those words are hard to read! I tried, but-
Navius, your grandfather has made the words known to me, and I can pass it on to you and Solarus as well. Come quickly.
His two children scrambled onto the table and he touched their hands in the same manner his father had done. In an instant, the spell was transferred.
There is a scroll with the symbol of the moon, Dinarius will need this to restore Puvo. But there is a catch...
Isn't there always? Ami sighed, getting used to that sort of news.
We will need to find Puvo's remains...which are back at the vampires' castle.
Oh, that doesn't sound like a good plan to me. Ami, who was sitting on one of the mage's ornate chairs, folded her arms and let out another sigh. They probably have quite a few vamps there now, guarding the place, and I wouldn't be surprised if more Shadows have arrived as well.
Navius went to her mother and pulled herself up into her lap.
I'm scared too, momma. But we have to do this, don't we?
Oh no, Navi...you aren't doing anything, and neither is Solarus. We're going to get you two back home first. Jezelle will be there, and she's going to watch over you.
But, but we want to help! She gazed at her father, hopeful.
No, Navi, you are far too young yet to be dealing with the likes of the Shadows, and your brother has not yet fully fledged. They both looked at him with obvious disappointment, but said nothing.
My father had chosen Jezelle to guard you. It is possible that Maniel may even have been responsible for her incredible psychic abilities, who knows? He paused for a moment. I wonder if he gave her the dreams about me, in order to begin the process of my healing.
Ami blinked, her eyes meeting his gaze. Now that would be an interesting twist...but...I will admit, I am a bit concerned as to how she is going to protect them, should a vampire decide to show up at the Atrium? She's an old lady, and certainly wouldn't have the physical strength to fight one of those things.
Goliathus finally got off the table in one swift, solid movement. He walked over to the scrolls and began to rummage through, taking them out one by one. Without word the children assisted him, and Navius' face lit up when she realized she could now read them as easily as any story book.
I am sure when we get the talisman activated, and restore the Ring of Dark Fire...that will make itself known.
He saw his children busy going through the scrolls again, and took the moment to gently grab one of Ami's arms, and pulled her to the other side of the room.
What is it?
"Maniel told me something that I would have never even contemplated, just before he lost the connection. But...this is a decision that you and you alone must make, my love, because no matter how much I may wish it to be so, it is your life that would change completely. " He spoke out loud, but hushed, almost whispering.
He reached up to gently stroke her face, and her hands clasped around his own.
"Well...that sure sounds serious, doesn't it? So...what did he tell you? "
Goliathus fell silent for quite a few minutes before answering. "He told me...that there is way to make you immortal. I am not sure what would happen, whether you would become a heradus or simply no longer age. But somehow I am to infuse my blood with yours, and over time, it will change you." He huffed, an obvious sound of frustration. "However I did not hear all he meant to say. I am not sure exactly how it is done...but I would try all of the same."
Ami drew in a quick breath, stunned. She gazed over at her children, and the first thought that entered her mind was that she would never have to leave them if what he said was true. As a human, she would grow old and die, this she knew, as every other human did. From day one, when Goliathus had shown that he was capable of changing his very soul and leaving the Creeper behind for good, Ami had known that her time with him would be short...fleeting...in comparison to all the years he had existed, and all the years he had left to come.
To be immortal...would it be a dream come true, or a curse?
I could have you forever? And my children?
Solarus perked up, looking at her. What, momma?
She giggled, shaking her head at him. Never mind you, did you find a scroll with a moon yet?
No, there's a lot of them, but we're still looking! He turned back and continued sorting, while his sister chided him for being too nosy.
"You really heard him say this?" She whispered out loud back to Goliathus. Her eyes were moist now, with many conflicting emotions that she just didn't know how to sort out.
"I did, but remember...what exactly will happen, I do not know."
"I hope I get wings. You know how much I want wings?" She grinned suddenly, and he blinked at her, surprise evident in his eyes.
"That is a yes?"
"I can't see my life without you, or our children. Sometimes I thought about the possibilities of that, thinking it was just a fantasy. But I dreamt about it, Gollie... I dreamt about it...and it always felt so real, like I was always meant to be that way!"
"You saw yourself...as one of us?"
"Yeah. Wings and all. Thing is...I never want to go back to the time before there was you, Goliathus. You are my whole world, and I have thanked the powers that be for that very day we met...even if not under the most friendliest of circumstances. So yes...yes I want to do this, in so many ways that I can't even express properly." She leaned in to hug him, and he reacted by holding her very tightly and nuzzling into her neck.
It was overwhelming, to know how much this one little human girl loved him, and how she had set him free from so much of his pain.
/
Patricia Jenner had been driving in her blue Chevy for hours. She began to wonder if she had totally lost her mind, as she searched for the house of Jezelle Gay Hartman. With a little research on the ever-informative internet, she had found out where the lady lived. If anyone knew about spirits, ghosts...and...human flesh-eating monsters, it was Jezelle. Although Trish knew it had been years...many years, since she had seen her last, in the back of her mind she wondered what the psychic would think of her coming to visit.
Or the fact that I have a son...that I named after my brother.
Closing her eyes for a brief moment, she took a deep breath and continued on.
She was on the right street, the house should be coming into view any moment now.
As she pulled into the driveway of the small Victorian-style home, she saw the old Towncar parked on the gravel. Strange, how it reminded her of her brother all over again, speeding down Route 9 in that old clunker of hers that she used to have...well, originally it was supposed to be Darry's car, but in the end, he ended up letting her have it. Wasn't "sporty" enough for him or some boyish nonsense. Smiling to herself at the memory, she got out of the car and walked to the door.
After knocking and waiting for several minutes, it seemed that no one was home.
Great, now what?
Trish was about to turn and leave, when she saw something sticking out of the corner of the mailbox. Curios she opened it and examined the paper. It was a note, written in very neat handwriting, and labeled with her name on it. Now even more intrigued, she opened the note and read it.
Patricia,
I knew you'd come to see me again, eventually. I figured when the time was right, you'd come askin' questions about your brother...and the Creeper. Darlin' if only you knew the truth. That "dream" you had where Darry visited you was not a dream, child. It was real, quite real.
If you want to find me you're going to have to find the Facility.
"Facility?" Trish said out loud, face scrunched in confusion. What the heck was that?
I've written the directions below. But when you get there...you're gonna have to destroy this letter, and try not to let anyone see where you're going. It's a secret place, buried deep in the woods somewhere here in Poho County.
That's all I'll say for now but Patricia, I'll tell you more when you get here. You better come prepared to deal with all you're going to learn. I know you're a strong woman, but you will have to be stronger than ever before.
-Jezelle
Trish read the letter over and over, wondering what it all could mean. Of course the idea of some hidden "Facility" deep in the woods seemed ludicrous...but then again, she learned that there were things of this world she never would have expected in a million years. With that in mind, she decided she would go and find out what this craziness was all about.
I need to come prepared, huh?
Walking back to her car, she took one final, long look back at that Towncar before backing out of the driveway and starting to follow the directions.
/
"Oh! I think this is it!" Navi cried out loud, and quickly rushed over to her father. He took the scroll from her and studied it intently. There was indeed a symbol of the moon on the top, but although the words were understood the spells were odd indeed. They consisted mainly of single words written in groups, some lines had one or two, others five or more. But they did not read in sentences or follow any coherent pattern that he could make any sense of. Goliathus figured that he would maybe understand the patterns in time, but for now, that could wait.
Very good. We will be sure to keep this one tucked away for the right time. He put the scroll inside of his duster, sticking it into one of the deep pockets. Now, they had found the scroll for the Ring of the Dark Moon, but there were still other pressing matters.
First, to get the box open. They had the key. They had the box with the talisman in it. But no matter what Goliathus said or did it would not open. I never did specifically ask Maniel about it, did I? he thought to himself. He closed his eyes, thinking, wondering if he was missing something.
star..crow...
A weak, garbled voice filled his mind then, distant as if lost. Goliathus turned and saw the raven moving just slightly on the corner of the table where they put him, hoping the energy there might revive him a little. Surprisingly, it had actually seemed to work.
He's waking up! Solarus, who was quite fond of the enchanted bird, crawled back onto the table and gently set him on his lap. Hey, wake up little fella. We were worried about you.
Cawwwww...head...ache...
Solarus giggled, and he only smiled wider when Starcrow stood shakily to his feet.
Goli?
Yes, my friend. Before you say anything, know that I thank you greatly for protecting my children.
The raven squawked weakly, but it was a happy sound. Goli? Remember? Remember Starcrow?
That I do. He offered his arm, and the bird climbed on slowly. I think I must apologize for any of my rather...harsh treatment of you beforehand. Anyway, what can you tell me about the box? It will not open, but we do have the key.
Caw! Box...Starcrow, hold ring. Goli touch.
Pondering that for a moment, Goliathus took the silver ring and Starcrow grabbed it in his beak, and clambered onto the box. The heradus put his hands on both sides of it, and in the next moment, the box started to glow furiously. Ami and the children watched with wide eyes as the box not only opened, but after the light died down, they saw that Starcrow had completely recovered, all of his glossy black feathers had returned and he seemed as energetic as ever. Whatever level of power that talisman had, it was great indeed.
And the talisman...it was a thing of immense beauty and wonder. It was extremely shiny as if it had been coated with many layers of black lacquer, and the "star" on the head of the raven was a diamond. The stylized eye was a ruby, that was glowing faintly. Goliathus took the talisman from the box, lifting with it a heavy chain made of iron.
Clever. No vampire could ever hope to handle it.
He pulled the chain over his head, and the instant the talisman touched his chest, he felt that some empty part of him was finally filled. There was also an overwhelming sense of energy flowing throughout his entire body.
He also noticed that the hunger plaguing him from before was now a mere whisper of a sensation.
And the demon...wherever it was...he could barely tell it was even there. Bravely, he sought for it, but there was only the slightest feeling of raw anger which quickly dissipated.
In that moment, he knew without a shadow of a doubt that the old, ancient battle was finally going to be won, and it wouldn't be much longer now.
/
At the Facility, Julie was first to hear the approach of a car engine coming near the building. Immediately concerned, she went to a window and peered down the long path. The dark night made it hard to see, but it was evident that a woman was stepping out of the car, and after a while, her features came into view as she neared the front entrance and knocked on it.
"Who could that be?" She asked to herself, wondering what to do. Not many knew of this place, and while it could possibly be one of the old members of the psychiatric team, she had no idea why they would be here so late at night.
Glancing at the door knob, she thought about opening it, hesitated. Thought about it again, drew back. Should she just ignore the knocking? It was getting more insistent now.
"Well now stop leaving Trisha out there in the chill, Ms. Tamson. I knew she'd be here, you can let her in." Jezelle spoke from directly behind her, causing Julie to jump slightly. "Jez, I wish you'd stop doing that."
"Sorry. Can't be helped I guess. Now go on, go on. Let her in, and bring her back to Ami's session room. I think that's a good a place as any."
Julie gave a short sigh and slowly turned the knob. Staring back at her was a rather lovely woman, tall with long dirty-blonde hair and intense eyes.
"Hey there. Sorry for the late hour, but I'm looking to speak with Jezelle." She eyed Julie for a moment, pausing. "Are you...her daughter?"
Julie blinked, then waved her hands. "Oh no, no...my name's Julie, and I'm a good friend of Ami's."
"Ami?" Clearly Patricia knew nothing of her.
"Yeah...part of that long story I'm sure Jezelle is going to tell you about. Follow me, she's back here." Julie led her into the session room, the very one where Ami spent many long hours helping Goliathus sort out his troubled mind. The instant Patricia stepped in however, even Julie could sense her nervous tension that was quickly building.
"Now now Trisha just look at you! All grown up and looking as youthful as ever. I'd say you've aged well these past twenty-three years!"
Patricia sat on a chair opposite of Jezelle, who was on the couch, and tentatively smiled at her.
"Jezelle. It's nice to see you again...or I'd want to say that it is, but..well, considering what you told me the last time we met, I'm hoping it isn't that sort of news again."
The old woman nodded, seeming to completely understand. "I know, and you better believe I had always wished it had been very different circumstances. But despite all I have to say, I want you to ask the questions, Trisha. I know you have many."
"I certainly do. First and foremost, I want to know about that...meeting with Darry's ghost. You said it wasn't a dream, but it had to be. What he was telling me made no sense."
"Oh Trish, it's because you don't yet understand...Darry's around, and always has been, because you just can't let him go, child. So, he's made good use of his time here, hovering inbetween our world and the spirit world. He knew the instant he died the truth about his killer, and decided that he would do all he could to help him...especially when he saw Miss Ami Quinton come into the mix."
Trish already had tears in her eyes, from Jezelle stating she was pretty much keeping her brother here. She didn't want to admit it to herself let alone the psychic, that this was very true of her. Every waking moment of her life since her brother was taken, she had thought of him and wished, hoped, and prayed that he would come back to her, somehow. That what had happened that fateful night was all a dream and she could just wake up from this living hell that was now her life.
But now that other thing..about helping him...quickly changed her mood right back to anger and hatred. Who the hell would help that monstrous murderer and why?
Jezelle shook her head, frowning sadly at her. "I know, Trish, I do. About how you feel." Jezelle folded her hands, resting them on her knees. "I also know that even when you hear the truth, you're not going to let go of that hatred you've been harboring for so long. But even so...I will tell you, the whole story...and I'll start from the beginning...the very beginning, back to when that creature was born."
Creature. You mean monster. "Go ahead Jezelle. Do tell me. And don't leave out a single detail. I want to know everything."
/
"Ok, we seriously need to get out of this room, I think we've done all we can here." They had gathered as many scrolls as they could carry, including some of them that they managed to stuff into Navius' quiver. But the magic in the room was starting to make Ami feel weird, and she didn't like it.
"What in the world are we going to do about Dinarius? Are you going to carry him?" Ami asked Goliathus with worried eyes, as she knelt besides the other heradus's still body.
Perhaps we do not have to leave the room just yet...what if Starcrow and some of the others can find a heart for him? A deer should do nicely, especially if it is large enough.
Well, I don't see why not. They do seem a lot...stronger now-
CAWWWW!
Goliathus clutched his head from the all too familiar flash of pain in his mind from the loud screeching, but he doubted this annoying habit of the raven was ever going to change. He willed away the thought of swatting the bird against a wall. This was his familiar after all, he would just have to get used to it. As irritating as that thought was...
Starcrow strong. Yes strong. Will find deer, large deer. Bring heart, crows help.
Go then, and be quick about it. We cannot stay here much longer.
Yes yes, must go! Go now. With that Starcrow leapt off the table, loudly flapping his wings and exited the room. A few echoed and faded caws later, they knew he was back outside.
Ami sighed, taking a seat back in one of the chairs and examining every crevice in the room. It was a fascinating place, and she kept wondering what was up on this shelf or under this one, and why the room had so many small cubby holes that seemed to go far back into the stone walls.
I believe they were actually put there for me, a place to hide when I wanted to be alone, or just play around in. Goliathus noted, once again reading her mind as usual. My father did try to be some sort of parental figure, but he was indeed obsessed with the dark magic. The magic is all-consuming, it is a path that will always lead to either two destinations. Either it slowly kills you, draining your life force as would a parasite, or it will turn you to nothing but utter evil.
Like the Shadow vampires...any more memories of them surfacing, Gollie? If you can remember some important facts, it may make it easier to deal with Drakkon. I doubt he will be as foolish as Chasseur was, what with Trevor getting the best of him and all. You remember Trevor, right? He managed to take that vampire completely off guard and skewer him with a wooden table leg. Go figure. She grinned slightly, it was at least one good memory of that awful night.
Hm. Yes, Trevor. I do wonder if that man made it back to his village. It is an odd and uncertain thing, how I feel no malice towards him. I suppose it may be because he proved himself to be a friend. And as for the Shadows...I have no doubt they have weaknesses...every living thing does, whether immortal or not. Drakkon is powerful, but he has a flaw that I noticed most of his kind do.
They are prideful, full of themselves. They believe there are very few things in this world that can contend with them, and I intend to prove them wrong. Dead wrong.
Ami nodded with a smirk. Prideful is right. That pride proved to be Chasseur's end, as well as Donovan! The same can be said for Marcus...he's a bit more inclined to think things through, but he still believes he is far superior. Well...he's probably not going to expect the little army that's coming along to aid us...and possibly two armies...if we can get Dinarius going fast enough before they come back. By the way...important question here...if Dinarius is out for the count, how is he going to eat that heart?
How indeed. Goliathus walked over to Dinarius' still form and knelt near him. He shook him vigorously, but there was not so much as even a twitch. He truly seemed dead.
Then the heradus pulled a sharp dagger from his pocket. It will have to be done the hard way, I suppose.
Ami's eyes widened, and she cringed at the mere thought. Uhm...geez. Well, it's not like our kids can't handle blood, they've seen it before. But poor Dinarius... Ami frowned, hoping he was truly free of the demon now, and that there wasn't some slithering tendril still hiding out somewhere in his mind, hoping to hook itself somewhere into his conscious. She wanted nothing more then to have their sweet and loyal friend back to his true self.
Even more so, she hoped the loss of Puvo wouldn't be too hard on him. Yes he could be restored, but just knowing he had failed his little friend would be hard for him to take. Surely she knew it may even make him feel like he did a very long time ago, when he failed to protect a certain little girl...
Her thoughts were cut off by the returned sound of cawing, and the sound of many wings this time. Goliathus noticed too and simply watched closely as the raven returned, carrying the heart, still twitching and dripping blood all over the place, and landed clumsily with it onto the table. About twenty or so crows followed in, carrying their own pieces of the kill, and they settled into a strange circular pattern around the edges of the table, as if they were remembering each and every one of their own assigned spots.
Goliathus found the heart quite tempting, but once more, he noticed his hunger was quite controlled. He liked this talisman...liked it very much.
Goli! Heart, good...yes?
Quite good, my fine feathered friend. You came back quickly.
Yes, deer, out beyond knoll. Not far. Killed buck.
Good, good. He praised, and walked to the table, grabbing the heart carefully. The smell was tantalizing, and he had many thoughts of just stuffing it into his own mouth, but he found he was able to resist. He came back to Dinarius' side, and placed the organ next to him, then grabbed the dagger and started to slice him from chest to navel. The task was not easy, his kind had hide that was tough indeed. Grunting with much effort and with puddles of the blacker than normal blood pooling down the sides, Goliathus knew indeed that this was arterial blood and that the heart had been completely destroyed. He managed to pluck the arrow from it and then wrenched the damaged organ from the cavity. The entire time, the other heradus did not move an inch.
Ungh, well now what? Ami said, peering through her fingers.
We put the new one in, and hope that it will take.
Again he gently picked up the still-twitching heart and placed it inside the cavity, putting into the exact position as the other. He then watched, waiting.
And waited more.
Uhm...hate to tell ya this dad, but...I don't think it's working. Solarus, who had been watching the entire time more in fascination then anything else, came closer, kneeling by his father. He was busy munching away on the other pieces of meat offered by the crows, in order to heal his wing. I bet there's a spell for this too?
There should not be...it should take on its own.
Maybe...it's still not the right size or something?
The two remained knelt by Dinarius...waiting, while Ami continued to feel stranger and stranger. The magic was started to affect her more than the others by far.
We've got to get this done soon, because I'm starting to feel ill here. You sure there's not something we're missing? Ami asked him, the worry increasing in her gaze. She finally knelt down beside him herself.
Navius chose to stay in the background, watching as she sat on a chair with her knees drawn to her chest.
Goliathus said nothing for a time, then looked at the crows.
One of you...come over here.
In an instant the crows looked around at each other, tilting their heads back and forth, before finally one of the individuals closest to him flew over, landing on his shoulder.
Onyx.
Onyx is it? Well, I must ask a hard favor of you. Can you help Dinarius? We cannot stay here much longer, and we must get him healed.
Yes. Yes. The crow seemed to have less ability with words then its raven leader, but clearly understood. It hopped from his shoulder onto Dinarius, and nestled itself right into the open cavity.
Starcrow cried out, puffing up and seeming angry. Kill Onyx! No no!
But the crow cannot die, it is one of you. The thought was more of a question.
No no! Not familiar! Magic, yes, not familiar!
Gollie, what's he talking about? Ami kept her mindvoice quiet, blinking at Starcrow sadly.
I am afraid one of these crows must be sacrificed, I see no other way to get it done. And apparently because it is merely enchanted, it can be killed if enough energy is lost, unlike familiars, who can be restored.
What about the talisman? Can't it help somehow?
Goliathus stared at the crow, peering up at him with beady black eyes and seemingly completely fearless, waiting for the next instruction. It is not a spell we are using. It is merely an exchange...a sacrifice.
No no! NO! Not familiar! Kill! No! Starcrow leapt from the table and began angrily scratching with his sharp little claws at his master's head. Goliathus snorted but ignored it, he was feeling miserable about the whole situation but their time was running out fast.
What would you have me do, Starcrow? Do you have an alternative? We would have to go through each and every scroll in here to find some sort of healing spell...if any even exists. It is not designed to heal, unless one takes from another. Such as I used to take from humans...or even the vampires now.
Ami glanced up at Starcrow, tears brimming in her eyes. It's a female isn't it? And you're fond of her. But she chose this fate already, Starcrow. She knew. Now you must be brave, and let her go. She tried to pick up the raven to comfort him, but he flew away, still angrily squawking. He perched himself on a shelf and turned his back to them.
The heradus sighed deeply but wasted no more time. He looked at Onyx, and simply gave a slight nod. She started to glow immediately, sending all of her energy into the new heart. As the minutes went by, she opened her beak, panting.
Onyx...Onyx. Starcrow's mindvoice was small, timid. He looked over at her once then back at the wall, falling more silent then he'd ever been.
And then she too fell silent, slumping over and all of her feathers coming loose and slowly floating to the ground. Goliathus carefully removed her body from the cavity, and then his eyes widened as he noticed it was beginning to close up. He saw the heart starting a weak beat just before it healed up completely.
Did...did it work? Solarus asked, his eyes as moist as his mother's.
Ami shook Dinarius again. "Wake up, damn you! Wake up!"
/
"Well, I believe that is the whole story, my dear. Every last thing I can remember." Jezelle sighed and finished off her cup of tea. She had been talking for nearly two hours, and noticed that Patricia had never even moved during the entire storytelling, nor had she taken a single sip of her own cup of coffee. Julie sat nearby, watching the woman closely, and feeling countless measures of sympathy for her. If it wasn't hard enough to lose a brother, it was certainly one hundred times harder to have to be faced with the ultimate reality of it all.
Heradus, vampires...hybrid children...this whole place itself...sometimes I wonder why I haven't gone insane yet. Julie thought to herself, deciding in that moment that she needed to go have something really strong...like a shot of vodka...and headed off to the kitchen.
"Now the hardest part is yet to come, Trisha. You see you've got to let your brother go now. Remember the part about Maniel, the leader of the dark mages?"
Trisha nodded slowly, finally shifting her gaze to the floor.
"He's here now, and he can help his son so long as he has that talisman. Your brother, Darry, well he's not needed anymore, and he knows this too. He's done what he's come to do. And he's been tellin' me that his grandma's waitin' for him...and some cousins are over there as well. You know who I mean now?" Jezelle slowly got up from her spot and sat next to her, putting a comforting hand on her knee. Patricia sniffed, nodding just slighty as more tears fell from her eyes.
"Well...then, that's what you must do right now.." she whispered. "Darry's right here, and waitin' to talk to you. All you have to do is tell him."
Patricia didn't answer, shaking her head, and breaking into sobs.
"Look I understand, I do, no matter how much you might think otherwise..." Jezelle rubbed her tired face, wiping away a tear from her own eye. "But how many get this chance, Trisha? How many? Now you stop bein' a selfish girl, cause I know that ain't the real you. Darry can't stay forever, you know this as well as I.
Hey, sis. What's with the tears? C'mon, I mean, I'm the one who was a total wimp and would cry if I skinned my knee. There was an echoic chuckle and Patricia looked up, seeing a faint see-through image before her.
"Julie girl! Turn off those lights!" Jezelle called, and Julie came running out of the kitchen, bottle of vodka in hand. She quickly shut the lights.
As soon as the lights went out, Darry's ghostly form was much clearer. His sister slowly got up from the couch and took a few tentative steps towards him, tears pouring from her eyes as she shook her head at him.
"How am I supposed to let you go, Dar?" Struggling to keep her composure, she mindlessly accepted a tissue from Jezelle, her eyes never leaving him. "I know I'm so selfish and I'm so sorry..."
Darry said nothing, frowning and blinking his brown eyes at her.
"I just wanted my life to be with my little brother, ya know? You were the only sibling I ever had and I was the happiest big sister alive when you were born. Then in one single day you are just torn from me and the Creeper may have well have killed us both, because a part of me died inside!"
Jezelle gazed helplessly at Darry's form. He silently moved closer to his sister and shook his finger at her.
Now you stop that. This isn't you, Trish, and you know it. You're not selfish, anymore than I am. Look at you, all successful now, and.. he smirked, ... naming your kid after me. I'm honored, really. Who wouldn't want the name Darius? It's awesome.
Patricia couldn't help letting out a chuckle in spite of herself.
I gotta go, sis. Grandma Ellen's been buggin' me since day one to get my butt over there. It's so cool, I even get to meet people I never even could have known in my lifetime, like our great, great Grandpa Charlie! He reached out to his sister, enveloping her in a cold, breezy hug. Trisha's tears returned, but she knew Jezelle was right.
She had to let her baby brother go.
"I love you so much Darry. Don't you dare forget about me while you're over there. I'm gonna be with you someday..." she nodded her head in finality. "...and I'm gonna bug you in the afterlife too."
Tears still streaming down her cheeks she slowly took a few steps back.
Darry smiled then, a warm, affectionate smile that was quite rare for him. I love you too, Trish. Just don't come visit me too soon, promise?
She nodded, not wanting to tear her gaze from him.
Darius. Her brother. A part of her very soul. Goodbye...Darry...
Bye...and one more thing before I go...please try and understand Goliathus. Listen to what Jezelle is telling you. I'm askin' you to do this for me, sis. For me.
Patricia wanted to run away and scream, her mind a complete turmoil. For now, she felt like the very atmosphere itself was closing in around her and choking off her air supply, as she watched her brother fade out from view...for the final time.
/
End of Chapter 29.
It was hard not to get teary writing this. Future chapters are going to get much more intense, if I can write it down, that is. ;)
Oh and in case you're wondering, 'Whose Chasseur?', that was Loquiax, the vampire who tortured Ami. The name was irritating me so I changed it into something that makes much more sense.