A/N: Ugh, feels like this story is never going to end. I think I originally planned it out to 30 short chapters, but at this point, it's somewhere around 40.
Thank you to Lena-luvs-cats, Alice2795, jy24, Walker's Annoying Voice, Alaia Skyhawk, Takei Daloui, and Amelia Loves Anime for reviewing! Happy most of you approved! :)
Disclaimer: Same as it has been for the past few years. Still don't own this anime/manga!
Chapter 33
Time Frame — Afternoon of April 9th, 1896
—3rd Person POV—
~Allen~
He didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the absurdity. "Very funny, Cross. You're fucking hilarious," Allen hissed, the letter crumpling in his fists, until he finally tossed it to the side with a scoff. He remained there, slumped against the door of the darkened room, thoughts whirling until the pinpricks of a headache began to form. Eyes dazed, he glanced at the letter once more, hands fisting, ultimately snapping out of it with a glower, dragging himself to his feet and stalking out of the room.
"What the hell am I even thinking?!" he muttered angrily to himself, slamming the door shut, moving as quickly as he could with no particular destination in mind. "It's all a practical joke!"
When he finally took note of passerby's throwing him odd glances, he glued his lips firmly shut, though that didn't halt the storm of thoughts whirring in his mind. Eventually, he made it off campus, ambling down the familiar path that would take him to town. In an effort to erase the last few hours, Allen strolled around town, briefly wishing he could go to work just to keep himself distracted. But he'd been gone for a month. Though he had yet to check in, it was likely they'd already found a replacement for him.
In time, the path (just like every other road) led him to the town square. Feeling inexplicably tired and mentally drained, Allen made his away over to a bench and slumped down on it. It almost felt no different from collapsing in his dorm room. Thick, bunches of clouds blocked the sunlight, making it almost as gloomy, and most townspeople were at work at this time with only a few out and about. The solitude was penetrating.
"If it all really is just a hoax," Allen muttered, slouched against the bench, head tilted up, "Why do I feel so miserable?"
But he knew exactly why.
Allen rarely, if ever, was witness to the serious and penetrating gaze Cross had given him when he'd handed him the letter.
The letter itself had been so old and worn out, the ink practically fading, it had to have been written long ago.
And he knew for certain that hadn't been Cross handwriting. But why would he tell anybody else about his life in the circus?
Who else would know about the extent of forbidden magyk Cross had performed when giving rise to the Grave of Maria?
Head dropping into his hands, he mumbled, "Ugh, I think I'm going to be sick…"
The hours flew by, the sky becoming gloomier and darker, but nonetheless Allen remained slumped down on the bench, eyes downcast. When the streetlamps finally flickered on around him, creating a warm glow, he snapped out of his daze, realizing how dark it'd gotten. "I wonder how the others are doing…" he briefly wondered. Despite the load of information weighing on his shoulder, he momentarily recalled the way Lenalee's expression had crumpled under the threat of war. His heart twinged. "I probably shouldn't have left her. Shouldn't have even read the stupid letter…"
So distracted was he, that he jumped back with a start when a hurried figure slammed into him.
"Road?! Is that you?" Allen asked, moving forward to keep her from toppling over. "What's with the suitcase?"
"Huh? Oh, uh, hey Allen," Road readjusted herself. "I'm sorry, I tried to stop by your dorm, but no one was there. I'm leaving."
"You're what?!" he demanded, unabashedly gaping at her. It wasn't until then, that he once more recalled a small portion of the letter.
That is, Road Kamelot. Though it remains unknown to the Black Order to this day, she was the one member of the Noah family that survived the massacre.
But in the dim lighting, Road didn't take much notice of his paling expression. "It's what you could call a family emergency," she clarified, voice rushed. "I'm sorry, but I really do have to go. I'm going to miss my train!"
Allen didn't attempt to stop her as she ran off. He simply stared after her, eyes dimming.
Mana is not dead. I couldn't go through with it. I'm sorry.
"Some family emergency," he scoffed, kicking at the ground, shoulders slumping. But he was too exhausted to grow angry. Instead, he continued his trudge back home.
A/N: What kind of closure do you guys want for this story?
P.S. Sorry, every time I update, I keep forgetting to mention, but what did everyone think about the new preview for D. Gray-Man 2016? The second one came out over a month ago, but I kept forgetting to ask! Isn't the animation just stunning? :)