Here's a reply to the glorious Anni's latest chapter in her OC oneshots! It was written for my birthday, and it was amazing, so go and read it! She's JustSlightlyObsessed. Thank you so much Anni, it was wonderful!

Here we go :D

Cat

Anything

Why?

She stares out the window into the dull grey sky, watching the raindrops mist the glass.

Why did you go?

It's been a long time now, a long time and they've all told her that it'll heal, that the pain will ease, that she'll feel better soon. But she doesn't. In fact, the pain seems to grow each day that goes by. Another day when the image of his face in her mind grows fainter, the memory of his laugh seeps away.

No warning. Nothing. You just upped and left. Left us a note telling us it was for the best. For who's best, I wonder.

She slips a hand into her pocket, touching the worn and dogged paper that she's kept close to her for the last few years. She can almost recite it off by heart, pouring over it for clues as to why he left, where he went to.

Sometimes I do hate you. That's what you wanted, wasn't it? 'Please hate me.' Well I do, okay? Are you happy now?

Sometimes she wonders if he had someone else. A woman who meant more to him than his wife and daughter. The thought fills her with prickly bitterness. Other times she wonders whether he's even still alive. Almost everyone else has convinced themselves that he was dead. That the letter really was a goodbye. But she can't. No matter how hard she considers it, she couldn't believe that. She'd feel it if he was dead. She'd know.

You told me it wasn't my fault. But how can it not be? You think you destroy everything you love; what about me? I killed my real mother, repulsed my real father and obviously screwed you up so much that you had to run away. I'm poisonous. That's what I am. I seep poison into everyone's lives. I know that now. I've taught myself not to feel anymore, and it always works, except when I think of you.

She gets up slowly, setting down the cold cup of coffee she pays the bill and slowly heads towards the door. The bell above her head jingles.

The street is cold and she wraps her coat around herself more tightly to block out the chill.

Mum wouldn't tell me about the woods you know. About what happened when you were fifteen. She was scared. Just as scared as you were.

Did you know she'd go mad after you left?

The whispers have been growing stronger for a while now. They promise her things, promise her power and company; an immortal life free from pain or suffering. And she's tempted. Oh God, she's whisper things about a stolen child and the promise a mother made long ago.

They speak to me you know. The shadows. I hear them. Almost all the time. Did you? Did they call to you like they do to me? Did you follow them? Did you want to stop the pain too?

The rain has softened to a light drizzle by that point. She walks along the concrete path for a while, across the playing field before ducking into the trees, into the woods, her long, dark red curls snagging on protruding branches. Her heart is thumping unusually fast. She can barely believe she is doing this.

Does it stop the pain Dad? Did you ever find out?

She walks for a while until finally coming to a halt in a clearing. A woman with silvery blonde hair rippling down her back is standing at the centre. "We got your message. What did you wish to discuss?"

Do you still think of us? Or are we just long forgotten memories? Figments of your imagination?

She takes a deep breath, her hands clenched into fists, shaking slightly. The whispers are strong, the shadows curling playfully around the woman's ankles like smoke.

"So shy, Catherine?" the woman laughs and dissolves into shadow, the tendrils drifting towards the girl and reforming behind her. The woman whispers in her ear. "Can you hear them?"

There is a long pause. "Yes. I hear them."

The woman laughs softly, sending a tingle down the girl's spine. "And aren't they just beautiful?"

There is an even longer pause. "Yes. They're beautiful."

The woman laughs again, turning the girl to face her, running a finger down her cheek gently, before tilting her head up to get a better look at her. "So like her. It must have broken all of their hearts…"

The girl says nothing, closing her eyes and shuddering slightly.

"All of their hearts…" the woman croons, reaching out and touching her hair curling a red tendril around her finger. "Completely broken. Just like she was." she giggles.

Like she was? Did you forget her too? Is that all I was, a way to apologise to a long dead woman who you never had the chance to say goodbye to? Does this mean you've given up on both of us?

The girl opens her eyes, glowering at the woman.

The woman gasps in delight, clapping her hands together. "Look at those eyes! Look at those angry, angry eyes! So much like him! The colour and the glorious anger. Are you angry, Catherine?"

In your letter, you talk so much about how leaving us is hurting you. But did you ever even stop and consider that it would hurt us so much more than if you had stayed?

When she doesn't answer, the woman finally releases her. "So why are you here?"

"I need you find someone for me." The girl says after a moment. "Find someone and give them this." She holds out an envelope.

The woman snatches it from her hand and reads the name on the front. After a moment, she begins to giggle.

I must have written you a million letters, but this is the only one you'll get. I love you, Daddy though I hate you too; I just have to see you again, even if it is only to punch you.

"What would you do to find him, Catherine?" the woman says mockingly. "Just what would you do to find him again?"

The girl looks up and stares straight into the woman's glittering black eyes.

I'll find you Dad. And that's a promise.

"Anything. I'll do anything."

The woman giggles reaches out a hand.

I'll find you.

After a moment's hesitation, Cat takes it.