Hello everyone! I'm sorry for the massive wait. School, band, AP classes... whoa! So two things here: One, there will be twelve, count 'em twelve chapters here. This is just half of the ending here. ...And so for the lateness, it's almost double the usual length. Again, sorry. But please, enjoy!
Turns out his aim is terrible. Lyle's arm jerks back as the force of the shot goes through him, the bullet…
Suddenly, Link brings his hand to his upper arm, squealing in pain. The blood rushes down his coat, soaking through as he cries out. He's been shot.
"…L-Link?"
My eyes go wide at the sight. I'm shaking. No, not shaking. Trembling. I can't move. I can't move my fingers, they're too shaky to manipulate. Somehow though, I manage to bring my arm to him, catching the boy as he drops to his knees. I put a hand on the wound, feeling the warm crimson trickle down my fingers, staining them.
"Link…"
I never thought it would come to this.
The boy's eyes well up with tears, cheeks rose red. He's crying hard, choking on his own hiccupping breath. I'm afraid to do anything. Is he going to bleed to death?
Finally, he finds a moment to look into my eyes. Eyes that reflect fear and innocence into mine. Those wonderful hazel eyes I've adored, close in color to my green ones, are now puffy with all the crying and screaming he's been doing.
"It h-hurts… It h-hurts…" A small, delicate tear falls down his already wet face. I brush it away quickly.
"It hurts!"
I try to move him behind me, to avoid another try at the boy. Setting him down gently near the bed, I stand over him. I try to remove his coat. Perhaps if I'm quick enough, I can wrap some of it around his arm to prevent any more blood loss.
This just causes more pain for the boy, but he reluctantly lets me slip it off, revealing a very reddened blue shirt. The wound itself isn't too deep. It seems it didn't just graze his arm, but it sure did leave something awful.
I take the arm of the coat, wrapping it around his wound. …I'm surprised Lyle isn't doing anything. No second shots, nothing. …Is he having second thoughts? I don't dare look behind me just yet. I'm afraid of what I might see.
Successful, I set his arm down gently, placing the rest of the coat on his lap.
Suddenly, I see he's trying to mouth something.
"What is it?"
I can't make out what he's trying to say. I start urging him to speak up, but his words come out in a whisper.
"Behind you."
I have little time to act. Just as I turn around, my ears pop with the sound of a gunshot going off. My breath catches in my throat and before I know it, a piercing pain rushes up and down my spine. Crimson trickles down my back and abdomen.
"P-papa!" The boy screams out as my body collapses to the floor.
What just…
Confusion sweeps over me. It takes me some time to realize I've been shot. Seems no matter what I do, I can't protect him. …The pain is great. …I can't move my legs at the moment. It seems the shot… How am I still alive? Is it some cruel joke placed upon me? I don't know. I just want a few seconds, a few minutes to speak and to comfort. If that's all I can get now, that's fine.
The boy quickly rushes to my side, eyes again filled to the brim with tears as he cries out. I take a shaking hand to his head, ruffling his hair slowly.
"Papa… please, don't do it!" He puts his face in my chest, the jagged breaths perhaps scaring him too.
"Link… I'm here… sh-shush now…" I force out. It hurts to breathe now.
"No! I don't want you to die!"
"Link… listen. …I know that you're scared… but be brave. Be brave… for me, okay?" To be honest, I think we're both scared.
He sits up, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.
"I can't be brave…"
"Yes you can. You're… you're a brave boy." I give him a weak smile, and it pains me to do so. I just want him to smile again, for me. I want the last thing I see to be a smiling face, not a pained and frowning one.
"You really think so?"
"Yes… courageous. You know…"
Link gives me a few blinks, wonder in his voice as he says, "Know what?"
"…If all of this wouldn't have happened… and I mean from the beginning with your grandmother's first and only love to now… " I start slowly. The room is silent, more silent than before. It's like I'm in an empty room, talking to myself. That kind of silence you hear. "…You would've made a fine prince. I can see it in you. Sure, the chance was taken away from you long before you were born but… if things went the way they should have… you might have been the greatest boy to sit on that throne the twins will inherit one day. And I believe that in full."
Link doesn't say anything to that. He just stares at me with giant eyes, looking like he's going over every word in his mind before his next action.
His bottom lip begins to tremble as he falls into me again. I put a shaking hand on his head again, another on his back as he starts sobbing once more. My breath is getting shaky. It trembles like my hands.
The boy lifts his head up, just inches away from my face. He puts on a small, tender smile as if to cheer me –or maybe himself- up. And then he does something I never would expect him to do. He inches ever so slowly to me, and in those few seconds, he places a gentle peck on my cheek. His lips linger for a moment before he pulls away, resting his head in my chest again. He doesn't speak for a little while, as if he just wants to relish the moment as long as he can.
"…I love you… papa." I almost half-expected to hear those words sooner or later. But now… it's bitter-sweet. And yet… yet I respond back.
"And I love you. I… I always will." I myself can feel a sting in my eyes. I can't cry in front of him. It'd be terrible if I did.
But I guess it's true. I've developed a fondness for the boy. It's laughable. I never thought I'd get so close to another besides my family. Starn and I aren't as close as my sister and I, and heck, Link here is close behind. And I always mean what I say. I just wish I could've told him sooner.
"…Even…" He stops there, as if not wanting to continue with his thought.
"Even after I'm gone." That was… hard to say. Suddenly, I start to gasp for air. …This really is where it ends, isn't it. Am I really to die here? I guess so. I don't want to go. I don't want to leave him here. I failed him. I failed myself.
Fathers are supposed to protect their children. I can't even do that.
"Papa!" He raises up sharply, fear echoing in his eyes and tiny voice.
I give him a small smile as I bring a hand to his face. "…It'll all be okay… just smile for me child. Just once…"
Link does as he's told, a little grin forming on his face, cheeks even redder now.
"That wasn't so hard now… was it?" I try to take in a single breath, but to my great fear I find I cannot. With the last of my energy, breath and overall strength I whisper so softly, "Yes… that is the smile of a true prince…"
~ A Child's Point Of View ~
…I don't believe it. I can't!
"…Papa?" I start to shake his still form, waiting for another breath. …He can't be! No! "Papa!"
"Please, please say something! …Wake up! Please! P-please…" I start to cry again, placing my head in his chest. I can feel his warm crimson on my face, but I don't care.
"Please…" His hands are still on me. They're still warm. Perhaps I can pretend he's still here, holding me. Holding me tight.
Maybe he's alright. Maybe he's only joking.
Maybe I'm just that stupid.
I don't want to move, but I know I have to. I have to get out of here. But I don't want to leave him; he was the only thing I had left that kept me alive. It's funny really. That was the day I planned to sneak into Lyle's special cabinet and down a bottle or two of… well, I'll save the details for you. I planned to just you know, end it.
If I did that, I would stop hurting so much. I would stop getting hurt. And yet… I was shown something I had forgotten long ago. Affection. Care. I was cared for, and I cared too. The man I'm resting on now was the thing that kept me going. Even Luke didn't know about my plans that day, I was so secretive. …And I tell him everything. …By now, he's gone. Lyle did say he was bleeding out in the hall.
I want to stop crying, but I just can't. My tears mix with the blood on his shirt.
I think back to those little notes I wrote. I really poured my heart out on those, didn't I? Still can't believe he actually read them, even though I knew he would. Out of all the people I've ever met, he was one of the easiest to read. I could tell just what he was going to do next, say next. And yet he always surprised me. I kinda like that, being surprised.
But not like this. Not by a long shot.
I don't even care about my arm anymore. I don't care what happens to it anymore. I just want him back. But I'm not naïve. Not anymore. I know that he won't come back, it's all Lyle's fault.
Lyle. I really did care for you. I really did. But now, you're just an empty shell, you exist for money and nothing more. But what am I saying. That's what I existed for too a long time ago.
The second wave of tears comes crashing through. I just can't stop sobbing, no matter how hard I try. There goes being brave.
"Why are you still so warm…"
Suddenly, I hear a sound that could only be described as… well, a twinkle. Like some high-pitched wind chime. I raise my head up, trying to find the source of the sound.
Following that sound, from somewhere in the room comes out a tiny ball of light. A tiny fairy. The tiny fairy darts around the room, with Lyle watching very intently. I am too. It's the same fairy from before, the one I met in the forest after I wrenched myself away from that man as we went on, with me running as fast as I could to escape and hide.
It sees me, going for my arm. Why must it do that?-! Does it not acknowledge the man under me?
And yet the thing rests upon my arm, placing hands on the coat that protects my wound. I start crying again. What is it trying to do?
I try to shoo the creature away, but it only frowns and goes for me again. But as it does, I think it realizes something. She -I think- goes from my arm to Linebeck. She stares at his unmoving body for some time.
But after some time, her body starts to glow a vivid pink, sparkles falling from her as she floats up and encircles us. What is she doing? As she does this, the room gets a little warmer. Pinker.
And in seconds, I feel a heartbeat. It's not mine… I hear gasps. Not mine. I hear a deep breath, a cough or two. There's red returning to the other's cheeks. …Is he being… healed? I don't understand…
And then, a miracle. Linebeck starts coughing hard, green eyes opening and become lively again. I don't understand what's going on, but I immediately give him some room, sitting up and gripping his hands tightly. His wounds fade, the gunshot on his front disappearing. Mine too disappears. But the blood lingers, the stains still there. It's like magic, the thing that isn't supposed to exist.
He's alive. Sputtering, but alive. His hands aren't so stiff anymore, and the first action he does is look over to me. Tears well up in my eyes as the fairy smiles and fades away. Maybe everything is going to be alright soon. I just have to hold on, I guess.
Because if there's anything I know, I know that I won't have to be afraid for too long. And that's what makes me smile.
~ A Shop-Keep's Point Of View ~
My eyes flutter open as I gasp out for air. …How am I alive? What is going on?
Before I can even react, the boy just pretty much jumps me, tears in his eyes.
"You're alive!"
"…I guess I am. But… how?" Yes, just how am I alive?-! I'm more than confused. I'm… what's the word I'm looking for, stupefied? Dumbfounded?
He only hugs onto me tighter, and I sit up to bring him into my lap. I hold him there as he lets out his tale.
"A fairy healed you. I don't understand how, but I think it's the same fairy I met before. …I ran away from Lyle when he caught me. I shook out of his grip, I did! I ran for a forest and hid there, kneeling in a bush. There I heard some giggles, and a little ball of light came down. I couldn't believe it, a fairy! You told me they didn't exist anymore, but they do! They do! We talked for a few seconds, and it agreed to come with me. So I hid it in my pants pocket. I didn't know it could heal people…"
His tale is a strange one, but I believe it.
"So a fairy healed us." Finally, I hug back onto him. "I'm just glad you're safe…"
"I'm glad you're alive."
"Me too." I say, running a hand through his mess of blonde hair. Even still, it covers his eyes. I return Link's show of affection from before, placing a kiss on the boy's forehead. "We'd better get ourselves out of here."
"What… what have I… done…" We look over to the speaker, a very confused Lyle. At that point, Lyle steps back until he hits the wall, slumping down. He places a hand to his forehead, eyes wide. I guess he's finally realized his faults. Perhaps I can lay it on him a bit more. I stand, placing Link on the floor. He immediately grasps for my hand.
"You shot a little boy and killed me. That's what you did."
"All this time… I feel as if I've been… controlled. As if I was a mere puppet for something else…" What? What is he trying to say? It's rather out there and vague to be honest.
"What on Earth do you mean?" I begin, watching him hold up the gun a little bit. "…Drop the gun."
"I'm not aiming to shoot you, not now anyway."
"Then what are you trying to do?" At that, he remains silent. "Well?" He isn't going to…
"Are you…"
"I was blind. I was someone else. I…"He holds up the pistol. Even though it's slightly aimed at us, I have a feeling of who the bullet is really for.
"And you don't have to be. You're sorry for your mistakes. That's the first step." Why am I even saying these things? Trying to get him out of offing himself? He's a bad man who deserves what he gets right now, but the thought of knowing someone is going to do that to themselves… I can't comprehend that.
"And I don't want to take any more steps."
"You don't have to do this, you know."
"It's the only way. I want to pay up for my mistakes." At least he's sorry.
"…We can help you. Please." I just don't want Link to watch someone off themselves at the moment.
He smiles. But this time, it isn't so evil. It's filled with… remorse? "You know… I saw everything back there. It got me thinking." He cocks the gun, smile draining now. "When the boy was hugging onto your form, lifeless and then resurrected, it made me think back to a time I thought I had forced myself to forget. A time where things were… not as dim. I wouldn't say joyful, no, there wasn't much joy back then. I'm sure the boy will say otherwise, but there just wasn't, with… with her. The one I loved more than anything else. Once she was taken away from me… I forced myself to forget. I didn't want to feel the pain. I pushed everyone away, and soon I became… this. I regret everything, I really do. But if there's one thing I can still do to bring peace to myself…"
"Don't do this." Not in front of the boy, at least.
"I'm going to join her, wherever she is..." A few moments pass before I see the gun is now resting on the side of his head. His last words make me wonder. "I'm sorry… Luke…"
I quickly cover the boy's eyes with a free hand as I watch Lyle pull the trigger. He quickly collapses to the floor, splatters flying to hit the wall. He's silent, eyes focusing on Link. I can feel a chill run up my spine. I swear… those eyes hold something for a quick second. …It's as if they're saying something. Like an apology.
I hated the man. I really did. But something in me makes me want to forgive him. I don't know what, perhaps it's my kindness.
We stand there for a few moments, Link holding my hand even tighter.
"Link. Close your eyes and cover them until I say so. Do not peek," I say as I let go of his hand, taking my other hand from his eyes. He does as told, even turning around. I don't think he really wants to see this.
I slowly inch my way to the man, kneeling down. I maneuver his body around until he's in a less humiliating position, setting him down gently. Finally, I get a good look at his eyes.
They're a darkened blue. I always thought they looked rather black. His eyes are still showing that same guilt, asking for forgiveness. I'm not sure if I can forgive the man just yet. He's the one who started this mess.
But perhaps he was a better man long ago. Perhaps he actually cared about the ones he kept here. Maybe he did change for the better just those few seconds ago. Maybe he finally did see the light. Maybe his memories caught up to him.
Memory is such an easy thing to manipulate, to form and shape. It sticks to you through life, no matter if you want it there or not.
The first lines of Link's little notes echo in my mind. Perhaps he did remember and back away. …You know, the fairy can heal. Perhaps she healed his mind, not his body. Perhaps she made something click in his head, and emotion just cascaded out from him. It's believable.
And what he said about him… watching us. What exactly did we do to awaken that part of him? …And of all people, why is he sorry to Luke?
Shaking my head and sighing, I bring my hand to the man's eyes, closing them as I slide down. It's the least I can do. After that, I stand and turn to Link, who's still the other way around. Going over to him, I gently remove his hands, placing mine on his eyes as I guide him through the room. I don't want the boy to see the blood. He shouldn't.
"…Papa, where are we going?"
I place a hand on his shoulder, careful not to move my fingers from his eyes too much. "Out. With everyone." I made a promise to Luke, and I aim to keep it.
"Everyone?"
"Everyone. Now c'mon. We should leave."
"…What about Lyle?" I knew he would ask. I knew it.
"…Leave him. Someone will find him soon enough."
We start to go out of the room, finding ourselves in the hallway. I close the door behind me, and remove my hand from his face.
And then I realize something else. "Erm… you should put your coat back on too." Don't want him walking around like that.
A light blush escapes him. He knows what I mean, thank goodness. Link goes for the knotted thing, and finds it rather difficult it seems.
"Hold on. Let me help."
"Thanks." He holds out his arm, and I begin untying the knot.
"Sorry it's on so tight, I did that so you wouldn't lose so much blood." I think I scared him a bit, the way his eyes widen. Note to self: blood is a touchy topic with practically everyone.
"O-oh… it's fine."
"Now this might hurt a bit. Your wound… it might have stuck to the cloth-" I try to say, but I'm cut off.
"It's all better. The fairy healed me up too." What a relief.
"Ah. Just in case though, I'm going to be careful with it."
"Okay. …But there's some blood on it…" He says with some disgust. I know that he doesn't want to walk around with his own blood stained on his arm, but really kid?
"Do you want to walk around half-naked?"
"No, not at all!" His face goes from pink to a deep crimson.
"Thought so. Now give me a second…" I start off, unwrapping what I had so carefully put on before. I have barely any skill in wound care, so I'm surprised that I was able to wrap him up so quickly. Most likely the stress we were under, but still.
"There, it's off," I say, stepping away to examine my handiwork.
Link starts to move his arm around, poking at where the injury would've been. All that remains is a tiny, barely noticeable scar. If he has one, I bet I have one too.
"Alright, put it back on and we'll be on our way."
He does as told, buttoning it all the way up, but rather slowly. I think something's wrong here. He gives me a worried glance, one that begs to stay put.
"Can I just… sit down for a minute?" He's been through a lot today. I don't see why not.
"Go ahead." Then I remember my promise to the pair outside. "But not for too long. I told Rae and Starn that we'd be out of here in two hours."
The boy frowns at me, but takes a seat on the cold wooden floor. I'll let him rest. I bet he's hungry by this time too, we skipped breakfast this morning. And I have no idea what time it could be either.
After a few moments, I hesitantly take a seat next to him, letting him lean on me. The boy lets out a sigh, looking at himself intently. His eyes go from his hands to his feet, stopping near the bottom of his torso. He looks disgusted now.
"Something wrong?" I ask, looking to him. He head jolts up for a second, but then he returns to his examination.
"…No." Don't believe him.
"You're giving yourself a look over and frowning over it. There has to be something."
"It's just…" And he stops cold.
"Just what? You can tell me, I'm here," I reply warmly, giving his shoulder a rub.
"That's just it. …I don't know. I feel, well…"
"Well what?"
"…Funny. But not in the good way…" He crosses his legs together, furthering my idea of just what he's talking about.
"…I know. And before you say it, it wasn't your fault." It was mine.
"Huh?"
"What he did to you. It wasn't your fault." Without thinking, I place an arm around him, pulling the boy in. "It never will be your fault. And you don't have to feel funny, as you put it either."
"But I do." He curls and uncurls his toes.
"Well, don't. It's not good for you to be thinking that way."
"…I still feel really weird inside too." Inside?
"And what do we mean by that?"
"…I don't know. I just… I don't know. I just feel really weird."
"It's either a little thing called hormones or just the fact… well, you know what he did."
"I just feel really funny." Not fond of the touchy subject here. At this point, I bring him into my lap, trying to not bundle him up in the coat in the process. I know we don't have much time, but I need to calm him down.
"And that's perfectly okay."
"…I guess."
I don't say anything to that. Instead, I decide to give the kid a break, letting him just sit and think. Let him calm down.
I listen to his uneven breathing, something that I've grown accustomed to. He does this when he's afraid or saddened. It's like he's sighing, but it's quicker. I can't really explain it. Without thinking, I pull him in a little tighter.
As his breathing slows, I can tell he's dozing off. I would love to let him do that, but we can't. We have plans.
"Link, you need to stay awake okay?" I pause, looking around the hall for any kind of clock. Surprisingly, there's an old circular one mounted on the wall a little ways away from us. "…We should probably get going right about now anyway."
"Sorry…"
"What's there to be sorry about? We'll sleep on the train. For now, we need to go help."
"…Can we go help Luke first?" I forgot! Luke, he's out in the second hall, bleeding! How could I be so careless?
"R-right." I carefully pluck the boy from me, setting him down as I stand. "Down the hall and the stairs we go then."
"Uh-huh. "
And we begin our walk down the hall, staying in silence. We've been doing that a lot lately. Once we reach the stairs, we're silent too. This stays.
Minutes later, we arrive on the second floor. Lyle wasn't lying for once, he's there. But not bleeding badly. He's bleeding, but it's not that bad.
If a few cuts are nothing to worry about.
Link, being the child he is, runs for Luke as soon as he sees him. They really do like each other, it seems.
The teen lets loose a tender smile, but we both know he's in pain.
"Luke! I thought you were hurt more than this!" Link exclaims, plopping down in front of the teen.
"Long time no see. I am hurt though, don't get me wrong." I've got a few words of my own to say to him.
"Now hold on. Luke," I begin, causing Link to furrow his brow as he stares at me.
"Yeah?"
"Why did you tell him about me?" I place a hand on my hip, signaling I'm a little angered by his actions.
At this, Luke shrinks back a bit. I still believe the boy to be a traitor. Link meanwhile, gives me a look of disbelief.
"I had to. Practically forced me," He replies, staring at the floor. An action Link performs much more than him.
"How so?"
"How do you think. He knew something was up. I tried not telling, but he caught me in the hall. I was so scared I… I tried. The man just kept badgering me until I fessed up, and then he did the usual and punished me."
Alright, so not a traitor. Forgiven.
"Punished?"
"Do you not see my face? My arms?"
"I get it, I get it. Are you leaving with us or not?"
Luke's soft blue eyes go wide with wonder.
"L-leaving? What do you mean by that?-!" He exclaims, almost shooting up from his spot.
"Luke. Lyle's dead. He killed himself. You can leave. You all can leave. It's all over now."
There's a very long pause before he speaks again. His eyes flash with sudden shock. "You're joking. He's still alive, right? Right?" …I don't know if he's just in denial or…
"Not joking." I reach out a hand to pull him up, and he grabs on. After I pull on him though, he just practically stands there, squeezing my hand.
"You are so joking! He isn't dead!" For some reason, his eyes well up. Did he actually still care for the man at all?
"Yes Luke, he is. I wouldn't lie to you."
"And how do I know that?"
"Did you not hear the gunshots?" The screaming?
"…I did. B-but I thought it was…"
"It was, to an extent. We were shot at." Do I tell him about the fairy? No. "We were hurt, but we're fine now. After a bit, Lyle got a little stranger and finally succumbed to the thing he's been ignoring. Guilt."
"…So he really did himself in." And then tears fall. Why? The most he does is sniff a little, not needing any type of comfort. Link resorts to hugging onto him tightly. I have no idea what's going on with the older boy. Why is he crying? Did he have some kind of connection or something?
"Are you okay there Luke? Is something wrong?" I ask, feeling a little off about the situation.
"I'm fine. …I- I just… you know. Er… I can't explain this…" Um, what?
"...Alright, we need to hurry on out of here. But first, we need to find the rest of you." At this, Link gives me an annoyed look, letting go of Luke and returning to my side. What's gotten into them?
"Ah! Well… they're mostly downstairs. A few are in their rooms." Well that doesn't help too much. "I could order everyone to the front downstairs… but…"
"But what?"
He rubs his foot in the floor awkwardly, looking down. "Customers." …On a Sunday. Why?
"Do you know how many?" From my perspective, when we first met, he was very clean, unlike Link. Maybe Luke has some high authority, being the eldest supposedly.
"Three or four," He answers after a few moments.
"Good. And I hope you don't mind, but I've got a question."
"Yeah?"
"You are the eldest, I'm assuming. Do you have a special authority here?"
Luke tilts his head, eyebrow raised. "Uh, yeah. I do. I help with things, organize, the works." He has a downcast look now. Did I tug on a tight chain?
"Alright, sorry to ask."
"Nah. It's fine by me. Should we get started?"
"Already have. This means we have thirty-three people to find, excluding you two," I comment as we begin to walk down the hallway.
"That's correct. …We have to be very careful with some of them though." I don't think that'll need explaining. Thinking back to some of Link's "issues", perhaps the others share a similar air.
"Understood. And if we meet some of these customers?"
"I know you probably want to yell and go all out on them, I do. But don't. These guys are strong. Really strong."
"How strong?"
Luke lets out a quick chuckle. "Not to be rude, but you're pretty damn skinny. Some of these guys, some, would snap you like a twig." …That's a little… disconcerting.
"You're pretty skinny yourself."
"Yeah, but they wouldn't harm what they came for." I'd like to differ.
"I see. So, we should be heading downstairs first, correct?"
"Yeah. Then we'll come back up and grab everyone here if there are any." He pauses for a moment, looking towards the younger one. "You haven't been talking much Link. Anything up?"
He just shakes his head no.
"Alright, just checking. Surprising really, you're such a talker most of the time." Really?
"Sorry I haven't been saying anything then."
"No need to apologize bud, just making sure." Well, new nickname there. Half expected "squirt" actually. But that's just me.
"Oh." He doesn't say anything more than that.
"But seriously. Something's up. …And what's with the coat anyway?" Great. Just great. He had to ask.
"Well… um… I'm not wearing any pants-" Link begins, and is quickly cut off before he can say any more.
Luke's rosy cheeks fade. "Alright, no need to explain anymore. …No wonder you haven't been talking."
"Sorry…"
"Like I said. No need. …Methinks we need to cheer you up." He crouches down, looking behind himself at us. "You can get on my back. Don't need you tripping on the coat there." He wasn't lying when he said they were like brothers. They've had some time to get quite close.
Link nods, hurriedly going for the older one. He scrambles onto him, Luke grabbing what he could of his legs before hoisting him up. Luke is a little… scrawny for this I think. Link isn't heavy at all. But even then, his knees shake the smallest bit. I'm sure they won't give out on us though.
"Are we on? We okay now?" Luke asks, already walking on. Let's see how he tackles the stairs.
"Yeah. …Thanks." Link wraps his arms around the other's shoulders and neck to stay on.
"Anytime. …I know you all too well."
"Huh?"
"Every time you feel exhausted, worn down, lousy about yourself, you always want to sleep. I can tell that's what you're about to do. Sleep." Lousy about himself? …Well, the notes did prove that one.
"…I'm just tired is all," Link comments.
"I know. Go ahead and sleep. I don't mind at all," Luke replies sweetly. Perhaps some sleep will do him good. Everything he's been through, I'm surprised he hasn't just nodded off yet.
"Really?"
"Yes. Besides, once you wake up, you'll be out of here. Doesn't that sound good?"
Link drops his head into Luke's shoulder, trying to get as comfortable as he can.
"Yeah." And with that, he's quiet. I believe he's fallen asleep.
Together we keep our pace to the basement, the only sounds Link's deep breaths, and our empty footsteps against the floorboards.
Finally, we reach the reddened room again, the door that leads to the basement itself wide open. I see the stairs I went down the day the boy and I first met. The memories I get aren't very pleasing.
With a sharp swallow, we descend into darkness.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I check our surroundings. The lights glow around, but not enough to light the dim place well. Shivers run up and down my spine as we advance. Luke immediately goes on in front of me. I find that I'm standing in place, my feet have stopped moving moments before.
"Don't be stiff. This'll be the hardest part," The teen urges me, moving his eyes in a way that tells me to get going.
Sighing, I start to move again. Already I see eyes everywhere before me. These are big eyes on tiny faces.
Luke stops, waiting for me to catch up. As I do, he shifts Link around. I'm glad he's asleep. When he wakes up, he won't have to see this place anymore.
"Here, you take him. I'll go gather the kids," He orders, giving me the boy. One arm is under his knees, the other his back. I hold him there, legs dangling aimlessly from my arm, his own arms crossed together on his chest loosely. "Stay put. They're already scared I think." With that, he walks on.
A few of those with the big eyes are already surrounding the teen, holding onto his hands.
It's very quiet in here. I'm able to pick up on some conversation.
"Who's that man? He looks familiar, Luke," A girl says, grasping the older one's hand.
"Why is he holding Link? Is he taking him back?" Another says, looking towards me.
"Yeah, did Link make him mad?" Once or twice actually, to be honest.
"Where are we going, anyway?" A boy asks.
"Are you taking us to him?"
Finally, the teen speaks. "For now. I need all of you to listen to me. You're getting out of here with him and I."
"What about your dad?" Wait… who? What?
"He's gone now. …He's somewhere else. He won't ever come back to harm anyone." ...Good Gods, he isn't talking about who I think he is, is he? Luke meanwhile… all I can see is a deep frown. I'm sure he's trying not to cry again.
"So Lyle won't come down here?" Yup. Just who he was talking about. …But why would a man harm his own son?
"No. No he won't. Alright, we've wasted enough time, let's go," Luke urges, taking as many as he could by the hand, the rest of them right behind the teen. He gives off the "big brother" vibe to me. It really helps in their situation.
As the group gets closer, Link wriggles in his sleep, most likely having a bad dream. Again. I really hope it doesn't force him to wake up just yet.
"Mister…" The little girl starts as the group gets close to us, "Is Link okay? Why is he in that giant coat? Did he get hurt again?" …Again?
"He's in my coat because he well… he's hurt…" I stammer, not sure if I should release everything. She is young, I'm guessing nine or ten here. But with everything that's been going on here, I think she knows more than I do at this point.
"Because of Lyle, right? I'm not dumb… I know things. So…" And already her words have given me the creeps.
"Yes, he hurt him greatly. After what he did before I found him, Link was… well, shot in the arm. B-but it just grazed it." I wasn't that lucky.
"In the arm… grazed… can we see mister?" She asks, staring straight at the boy now, his chest rising and falling slowly as he breathes. I have to say, he looks very much at peace. Unlike the rest of us here.
"…No. I don't want to wake him. That and the wound hurts him greatly," I lie to her, "If I took it off, he'd wake up and start a storm pretty much. That and he's… erm… without pants."
"Oh." And that's all she says before returning to her group, Luke eyeing me for a second. Did I do something wrong?
With that, we walk on forward, trying to reach the steps. The kids in back are just helplessly clinging onto the other. It's rather cute and sad at the same time. …I'm at a loss.
Reaching the spiral stairwell, I'm allowed to go on up first, figuring it's because of the one I'm holding. No one says a word as we ascend the stairwell, and it scares me. Not even a simple "who are you". That's the first thing I should be getting asked.
And then the little form in my arms starts to stir. He mumbles something, squirming. He's probably going to wake up now, I can tell. But we're almost up the stairs, so he won't have to look at the basement. He won't at all.
I'm right. Two big bright eyes flutter open as we go, looking around the world. Almost like a baby. He sure did sleep like one at least.
His lips part as if to say something, but he closes them slowly. As if he's realized where he is, his brow furrows in confusion.
"Link… you're up early…" I say to him, trying to give out a warm smile. Taken a little wrongly I suppose, the boy merely frowns back. "Do you want me to put you down?" That's probably why he's eyeing me like that.
He lets out a soft groan, moving his head side to side, symbolizing a no. Huh.
"I know you're confused. Give us some time, and we'll have you out of here in a few seconds," I promise him, still trying to smile.
He doesn't say anything back, instead opting to grab a little bit of my shirt in his fingers, fondling it. Link releases a tiny smile, eyes fluttering a tad, as if he's trying to fight sleepiness. Knowing him, he won't win.
We finally reach the top of the stairs once more. The silence really does frighten me. I look behind myself just to make sure everyone is there, and sure enough, there's Luke with the children. Of course, his face is blank. For the most part at least.
"Papa…" Link begins suddenly, startling me. "I think… I think I know why I felt… funny…" Oh please not this.
"Erm… another time?" It's already awkward enough with Luke giving me a funny look.
"It's not… what you think… honest…" I certainly hope not. "I felt funny because… because… well… it's just that everything is pretty much over with, you know? …Lyle's gone, we're leaving… it's weird. No more worries… that's why I feel funny. It's like… something left me or something."
"I don't know what to say to that." …So I took it all wrong? Everything before that he was saying, I took it wrong? Well now I feel funny. I really should've not jumped to conclusions…
"I knew you wouldn't understand." He closes his eyes with a sigh.
"I do, I do. I just thought…"
Link merely frowns at me, eyes closed still. He doesn't make an effort to even look at me. "I know. But I only meant…" he cuts himself off, figuring I really don't understand.
"I got it. …We'll just have you take a warm bath when we get home…" I really want off the subject right now. Seriously.
"Whatever. …Shouldn't we get going?" Right, right. With that and a little nudge from Luke, we start walking again. Before we reach the door that leads to the hallways and even more stairs, I turn around with a start.
"Wait. I think it'll be best if I give Link to the others outside. I don't want them worrying much longer," I propose, getting mixed looks of confusion from the crowd. "It'll only be a second…"
"Others? …You didn't come alone mister?" A tiny voice speaks up. It happens to be the girl from before actually.
"No, I came with my sister and my friend. They're waiting outside for Link and I. And now you all, I guess," I respond slowly to let my words sink in.
"You have a sissy?" She asks, a look of interest on her face, "What is she like? How old is she? What does she do? Huh?" Oh my.
"Well for starters… she's much younger than me. Ten years to be exact. She's got my eyes, hair, the works. Her job… well she helps people with their personal problems and such. She lives near here too," I respond carefully, trying to choose words that she could understand.
"Ooooh… how old are you mister?" You know, I don't think Link even knows how old I am. Weird.
"Thirty-two. I turn thirty-three in a few months to be exact," I say back, making the girl put on a look of thought. Meanwhile, Link's eyes snap open. Hm.
She comes back with, "Oh, so that means she's twenty-two!" Good math, kiddo.
"Yup. I told you, she's young. But very good at what she does, let me tell you." At that, Link opens his mouth to speak.
"…You don't look so old…" Link breathes out.
"I don't? Hm. Well, I am. …Anyway, we need to get back on track. Luke, is it alright I take Link and the others outside while we search around?" I try to propose again, getting a quick nod from the other.
"Alright Sadie, let's leave the poor guy alone okay?" He asks nicely, looking down at her.
"Okay." That's funny. Her name… heh heh. Does she know a boy named Abel? I smile a little at the thought, quickly dismissing it soon after.
"Good. Okay Mr. trader guy, you go on ahead. I'll be waiting on the stairs here," Luke agrees, giving me a nod as he heads for the stairwell up, sitting down.
It's almost over, I can feel it. We're so close, just a few more children to find and we can get out of this place. …Honestly, I do wonder what's to come of it. Will it be torn down? Used as something else after a rebuild? Or… will it just remain the same, to become as old and decrepit as the other buildings around here in due time? I'll probably never know, since I'm never coming back to this area again.
"So… mister, how is your friend? What's he like?" Says the little girl once more. She's full of questions, I can tell. It's funny though, once Luke left the room, she immediately started up again once more.
"Starn? Well, he's a very nice man. He's around my age, we sort of grew up together," I respond, letting my eyes wander about, "Let's see… oh, he has a little girl named Millie. I haven't seen her in a while, to tell you the truth. But she's a very well-mannered young lady. She's just like her late mother."
"Late?" Sadie asks, my wording confusing her probably.
"Her mother passed away a few years ago. That's what I meant by late," I reply.
"Oh. That's sad… shouldn't we get out of here like Luke told us to do?" That was a quick change of subjects…
"Yes yes. …Alright, everyone. Get into a group and follow me. Outside you'll see who I was talking about."
Doing as told, the small group bunches up together. With that, I swallow hard as we begin walking once more, the door getting closer and closer with each step. I wonder what they'll say.
With some hesitation, I move Link over to one arm, pushing the door open a little. Before he slips out of my grip, I place my arm right back under him, pushing the door all the way open with my foot.
Looking outside, I see two very surprised faces.
"Linebeck, you're alive!" Rae chokes out, tears running down her face as she runs up to give me a good hug, careful not to crush Link in the process as he gasps in surprise. Starn is just letting out a laugh at the sight.
I smile. Did they really convince themselves I somehow died? ...Well… that is half right.
"I told you, Rae. I'd be fine, and look at me. …Now, isn't there someone you wanted to see?" I direct my gaze to Link, who is just lying there at the moment.
Rae's face contorts in thought before her eyes get wide, mouth forming a big "O". She steps away from me, looking down at the one in my arms.
"Link… are you okay? What happened to you? …And why are you wearing my brother's coat?" She asks, fingering the material. "Linebeck, set him down if you would."
Here we go. I set the boy down on his feet with some protest. Link rearranges his coat, looking up at all of us. With a sigh, he starts to explain.
"What do you think happened? Lyle forced me into his room, tied me up… does that need explanation?" He licks his lips, trying to hide his discomfort.
"…No, it doesn't." She starts tearing up once more, kneeling down to his height. "There's blood on you. …Both of you."
"Lyle thought it'd be a good idea to shoot at us. I got hurt pretty bad. So did papa." I don't think he'll mention everything here. Later.
"…I don't see wounds on either of you," Rae wonders, Starn raising an eyebrow as he kneels down too.
"Aye, kid's got no injuries 'ta speak of… same goes for you…" Starn adds, giving us both a look-over.
"It's a long story. I'll explain later when we're all okay. …I have a few others that need to be looked over as well," I say, trying not to have to explain myself just yet.
Rae's eye twitches for a moment before looking behind me at the small group crowding the entrance. They're a little scared, squinting at the bright light.
"…Others?" She asks, standing up.
"Others. I decided to help out the rest of the kids that were in there." I let out a sigh, ready for either of them to start asking me endless questions. "I don't want to go into too much detail, but that man, Lyle. He's gone. Dead. He killed himself. With him gone, I and Link's apparent older friend gathered up the ones we could in the lower level. I need to go back inside now to help out with the rest-"
"Oh no you don't! I don't want to lose you!" Rae forces out, grabbing Starn forcefully by the arm, "We're coming with you!" I just knew it.
"Look. I just can't do that now, I don't want to scare anyone with so many people coming in at once. That and someone needs to stay and watch the others," I argue back, trying to voice reason. I understand how she feels. But that's something she needs to let go.
"…I just don't want to risk losing you again. There are other people in there you know," Rae tries to reason. She will not be getting her way this time around. I need to start acting like the older brother I am to her instead of the younger one I feel I am.
"I know that. But I don't want to lose you either, sister. Or Starn. And I'm not taking Link and the others back inside. I made a promise I aim to keep. So please, if you'd be so kind to let me leave?"
Her lip trembles for a moment before she speaks. "Brother, you have always been stubborn. That stubbornness will get you killed in the long run, let me tell you. But if it makes you happy, go ahead. We'll be babysitting while you run around and get yourself killed."
If only she knew.
"Thanks. And I won't get myself killed, there's no way I can," I begin, kneeling down to Link's height now, "Now Link. Be a good boy for these two. I'll be back in a little while. …And go ahead and introduce everyone? I'm sure we'd like to know each other's names, won't we?"
The familiar voice of Sadie pops up. "Yes, we would. I want to know. …My name is Sadie by the way. I was named after a girl in a book my aunty would read to me every night before she died." Ha! So she does know! Score one for me! ...Ahem. Excuse that.
"Ah. That makes sense Sadie. …Alright, I'm off. I'll be back soon and we'll be able to g- …leave." I was going to say "go home", but what home do these children have anymore? …With a quick wave of my hand, I spin around to face the door once more. I don't want to do in there, but I know I have to.
After I take a few steps however, I feel something clutching onto my arm. Looking down, I see the familiar mess of blond hair. With a sigh, I turn to face the young one. He can't go with me, and I know he wants to.
With the straightest face I can conjure up, I shake my head slowly, swallowing the words I wish to say. The boy acknowledges my request, letting his arm drop to his side.
"…I love you… papa."
"And I love you. I… I always will."
…I wonder how long it will be until I really am gone.
And there we have it. Before I close this however, credit is due. Thank you so much deadaleta for helping with the plot of this chapter. I didn't mean for it to be this long, or split into two, but hey, it happens.
And also to zeldar for the constant reviewing that pulled me out of my procrastination on the weekends. I thank you both.