Author's note: This complete chapter and all its parts contain major angst. And a few other triggers that I won't mention in favour of avoiding any spoilers, but if there's something that's got you worried, or that you wouldn't particularly want to read, let me know and I'll tell you which part to avoid. Enjoy.
CHAPTER 7: THE PENANCE. (Part 1)
It swirls.
It has been swirling from some time now. It twisted and twirled and whirled and spun around and only left dizziness in its wake. It pressed. It pushed hard against the chest and there was never any way to stop It. As It flew, It would flow freely through the air, soaring. A fascinating sight, even for a little kid who had no real understanding of what It was. Just that It had always been there. To watch It, was to be devotedly captivated. And every time It went, each time It left for a while, it was known It would come back; It always did.
First, the colours were surprisingly ensnaring. Attractive and abnormal in their presence. And even though interesting, they appeared to be quite usual. The spiral of wind It created just carelessly picked up things in its way and tossed them somewhere else, and the uncertainty was appealing. It had many forms and names, but was recognisable in every one of them.
Its fingers were very long, almost unbelievable so, as if they could grab and reach anything in the world. They would sometimes wrap around objects like vines and started growing around them, even if they could not really move the items in its grasp. For any other one, It would be terrifying, but this was an exception. It should be cause of horror, however, It was impressibly not perceived as that.
The most interesting things were its eyes. And the singularity was in the absence of said. It really had none, but yet, It appeared to feel and sense everything. It could see, and its stare could cut through mountains. It was always interesting to wonder how such thing could be, but its very existence was proof enough of its possibility, since It had been there, as far as memory goes. And even loneliness was accompanied by its stance.
Soon, the always-existing presence would become less fresh, and it would grow rather easy to get used to. After all, a silent companion would never come unwelcome. There came a time when this was not completely unquestioned, and there was some consideration of telling someone, but who would want to know about It? And more importantly, who would need to? Somehow, It cautiously warned the kid not to talk, it would definitely ruin their secret. So silence won.
It was easy to know whenever It was coming back after It left for a time. like a set appointment already made even before birth. It was natural to tell when It would creep into a room. Silently arriving and grabbing a hand inside its own. And there assuredly were times where its attendance was required, desired and even needed.
It was trusted. It was reliable. Having been close since the genesis of eternity. And sometimes It could lead to believing It would protect that which It followed at any cost. It was very easy to let It seize you and swallow you whole. It managed to convince its leader to do various things, without ever uttering a single word. Its support was felt all through the body and not a thought would question its decisions, and as the kid would continue to listen to its suggestions, It would grow, and what a fascinating thing that was!
Needless to say, as time passes some situations inevitably change, and what once was welcome, would grow to convert into unbearable. One particular case of this had been extremely worrying for It. It had known since the beginning, ever since the very first appearance of this usurper, It knew the thief had already won. The kid had found someone else to lead and didn't have any use for It anymore. So, harsh words were uttered and It stepped out of the way. Never leaving, not completely. But reluctantly allowing for something else to harvest attention, until it became too much to deal with, and It could step back to its rightful place. It was banished from its home, and it would anger It to know It had been overthrown. Nonetheless, as long as this situation didn't change, It would remain in the shadows. Bitter and wishing the other factor away. Always hating.
But now that factor was gone too. As all the others that had come to pass before, and at night, the old familiar friend was welcome to lay down in the bed again. Next to an almost sleeping form, and It would wrap a limb around the lump in possessive insurance.
One night, those nasty knocks that often would come to sound on the door were unable to be ignored anymore. The noise was appalling, contrasting so much to the other's tranquility, and wishing it to stop would prove useful after a few minutes. Until the intervals began to be closer apart and just praying wouldn't stop it.
The biggest mistake was made, and the kid allowed It to take an imperative role in life and trusted It enough to make it go away, to make it better. But what a cunning slithering form It was, just mocking the usurper's loyalty, when in the end, It desired the same thing as the shadow on the other side of the wall. With a confident stride, It walked to the door, and with a victorious smile, It let the darkness in.
Author's note: Thank you for the support and for the 3000+ views.