Dirt & Grit
Chapter 3
Saturday 24th September 12:34
"Grit! Autumn! We have to leave in a minute!" Mum called from downstairs.
"Just brushing my teeth!" I yelled back.
"Mmmm!" Autumn muffled back out with her toothbrush and toothpaste in her mouth.
The day had come for the festival, and saying my family was excited was an understatement. Autumn was dying to play all the games they had there such as horseshoe (Which my mum generously provided), the one where you swing the hammer to hit the bell, Grimm shooting with BB guns and her favourite of all; apple bobbing as she got to keep the apple after.
Mum liked it because it was a day off from work and she got to have a bit of funny juice, you know, the kind that makes her and dad laugh at nothing some nights. I asked for some, but they always said I was only allowed it when I was older, which wasn't fair, but I wasn't going to argue.
Dad would only be there until six, when he would then have to do his shift on the wall until about four in the morning. I asked him why and he said it was important that the wall was secure for tonight's festival. He seemed worried about something and when I asked why, he just ruffled my hair and told me not to worry with a smile on his face.
He was supposed to have been back ten minutes ago as he left this morning to go and check on the wall, but he called my mum a moment ago to tell her to leave without him and that he'll meet us here.
It was annoying, but if he said he'll meet us there, then I know he'll meet us there.
I spat out the glob of toothpaste in my mouth into the sink and then rinsed my mouth out with water. Autumn followed suit. I looked up into the bathroom mirror to take in my appearance; Mum had my 'mop' as she called it straightened and pushed back to make me look more 'presentable' and had me in a short sleeve buttoned shirt and some cargo shorts with ankle-high socks along with my family chain.
I looked like I should be in charge of a barbecue.
I look so dumb right now.
I looked towards Autumn, who had her auburn hair tied into a single braid. She wore a blue sundress, her bracelet and a pair of brown sandals.
She hummed for a bit while patting down stray hairs she found before making an affirmative hum and turning to look at me.
"What are you looking at?" She asked with a tilt of her head.
"Just admiring how ugly you are," I replied.
"Yeah, well, you stink of old milk." She shot back before pausing for a second. "Milk breath!"
"Booger face!"
"Butt smeller!"
"Big ears!" She gasped at that one before running out of the bathroom.
"MUM! GRIT SAID I'VE GOT BIG EARS!" she yelled while running down the stairs.
"Grit! Stop making fun of your sister's big ears and get down here! We are going to be late!" Mum shouted back up while Autumn started squawking angrily at my mum about her ears.
I left the bathroom to walk downstairs where I saw mum pacing back and forward in front of the door while Autumn was feeling her ears.
Mum saw me coming. "Come on, Grit, get your shoes on and let's go." While gesturing to the door, she said, "We are wasting drink-uh, game time!"
I grabbed my trainers that were on the floor and slipped them on one at a time, after which my mum opened the door to let us out and to the festival.
Walking to the festival only took about ten minutes and we had to manoeuvre our way through the crowd that was hanging around every stall and every game with drinks, food or prizes in their hands. We could smell everything before we even got to the unlit bonfire.
"Mama, why are there so many people here?" Autumn asked while gripping Mum's hand so as not to get swallowed up by the crowd.
"Well, some dummy decided to invent advertising and our stupid mayor wanted everybody from all over the world to come to see our festival to bring in more money." She had a scowl on her face, "And while he keeps saying that 'tourism is going to make us richer!' I sure haven't seen it do anything besides get him a fancy flying car!" Mum muttered angrily under her breath as I and Autumn shrank away from the steam pouring out of her mouth.
From what I could tell, Mayor Roche wasn't very popular with everyone in our village. My mum called him a 'Fat, conniving, embezzling son of a bitch' and my dad said he was a 'Pot-bellied coward who couldn't pour piss out of a boot if the instructions were on the heel.' I couldn't tell you what eighty per cent of those words meant, but I remember telling Aaranay once, which made him laugh and he said it was a sentiment most of the village shared.
I didn't say anything as I was currently eating away at a caramel apple my mum got for me while Autumn was eating some cotton candy. She liked it because it made her laugh when it disappeared instantly on her tongue.
Mum eventually cooled off when she managed to get herself a plastic cup filled with beer. In fact, I would go so far as to say she was a lot happier now.
"Chloe! Kids! Over here!" An old man's voice called out over the crowd. Mum looked over to see old man Aaranay and his wife Violet behind the churro stall waving us over. Violet was in her wheelchair next to her husband, who smiled warmly at us with her furry dog ears atop her white hair.
I really liked old lady Violet and so did Autumn. Whenever we came back from school, she would always have her window open ready to give us cupcakes or any other treat she had baked that day always with a smile on her face.
I asked my dad once if they had any kids, but he told me their son passed away because of sickness. He told me never to mention that to them, so I didn't as it would really upset them.
I could feel my face frowning.
If mum, dad or Autumn died, I don't think I could ever stop crying.
"-focused on his apple, eh, Grit?" Aaranay's voice cut in.
I could only look dumbly at him when I heard my name being called.
"Huh?"
"Grit! Manners!" mum scolded me, causing me to flinch.
Violet laughed, "Oh Arry, it looks like your voice is putting more and more people to sleep." She smiled as she tapped her wheelchair. "Perhaps you need this chair more than me."
"Oh, you be quiet, you cheeky old girl." He replied while wagging his finger at her before turning back to me. "I said you looked pretty focused on that apple Grit." He said, smirking at me.
Oh yeah, my apple.
I looked down to see that all I had left of my apple was just the core on a stick. The rest of it had already made its way down my stomach while the caramel was stuck inside my mouth.
I swallowed and licked the roof of my mouth.
"Uh yeah I was." I scratched the back of my head. "But I think I'll be more focused on getting it out later." Mum cuffed me around the head as soon as I finished my sentence.
"Grit! How many times do I have to tell you to watch your mouth?" She said with one hand on her hips while trying to fight her own smile from forming.
"Sorry, mum."
Aaranay and Autumn started laughing while Violet held her hand over her mouth to hide her giggles.
"Anyway, Chloe, where's Gin? He would have already been gobbling up anything he could see by then." Violet asked.
"Oh, he went to go check on the wall, seemed like he was a bit stressed about it," Mum responded, which made Aaranay scoff.
"Ah that man has always been worried about the wall whenever the festival comes about and it always turns out to be nothing." He said while waving his hand.
Me and Autumn had tuned out of this conversation as it was just boring adult stuff. Autumn was preoccupied with spinning the stick that remained from her cotton candy while I was just content to watch all the people going by.
"… I guess so, and I mean if he was so worried, he would have told me, right?"
"Exactly!" Aaranay replied. "Anyway, did you hear that most people in the village are going to vote for Gin to be our new Mayor?"
Wow, look at all these people. That lady has a tail, and that guy has his hat on backwards. I bet he surfs. I hope one day I can go surfing. I wonder if dad would take me?
"Gin? But why? He doesn't want to do anything like that. I still have to do his taxes for him whenever he gets his paycheck." I could hear mum huffing. "Did you know he nearly got arrested once for tax fraud? And by complete accident as well!"
Man, when are they going to stop talking? I really want to-hey is that the mayor? Who's he talking to?
"Yes, he may be -forgive me- a bit of an airhead sometimes," Violet joined into the conversation, having to speak a bit louder due to the noise of the festival.
"No worries,"
"But he's already seen as a leader of our community. He's kind, strong and always looks out for us." She said before her eyes narrowed, "He's already a far better choice than that prig Roche, that's for sure."
I could see the mayor behind the speech platform talking with a man-a Faunus-who had small antlers coming out of his neat sandy hair. I couldn't see what the rest of him looked like, as it was covered in a raggedy brown cloak. I could, however, see two large metal gloves for his hands.
Woah, probably a Huntsman.
Mayor Roche looked the same as always; he had a big tummy and always wore a tweed suit. He also had a sort of bald head with hair around the back, which made me laugh as I remember me and Autumn joking that we should three dots on his head so he looks like a bowling ball. There was also his really big moustache and handlebars that he had grown.
He looked pretty funny, to be honest.
Why does he look so scared?
I heard my mum laugh, "Hah! Don't let that old grape hear you say that otherwise, he'll find some reason to give you 'fine' for disorderly conduct."
They all laughed at that, but I wasn't paying attention as I watched the mayor seem to shrink on himself as the stranger pointed out toward the crowd and shouted at him.
Is he yelling at him? Probably telling him off for being a bad mayor. Yeah, that's probably it.
I nodded my head at my conclusion as I watched the stranger turn around and walk away. The mayor looked absolutely frightened as dabbed above his brow to wipe away the sweat as he moved towards the stage.
Ha! That will teach you, stupid mayor!
I felt Autumn tugging on my sleeve.
"What were you looking at?" She asked, while looking up at me.
Still taller, for now at least.
I pointed over to where the mayor was walking from. "I was just watching the mayor get told off by some stranger." I explained.
She looked where I was pointing before tilting her head. "Where's the stranger?" She said, confused.
I looked back over to find that the stranger had gone.
Huh?
"Where did he go?" I scratched my head as Autumn pouted her bottom lip.
"You just made it up, didn't you?" She accused.
What?
"N-no I didn't. He was right there!" I argued,
"Was not!"
"Was too!"
"Was not!"
"Was too times two!"
"Was not times one thousand!"
Dang it! What came after one thousand? Oh, I know!
"Was too times infinity!" I said with finality.
She gasped, but before she could say anything, we hear a loud static noise.
"Check, check, one, two and three."
We and the crowd all went silent as we stopped what we were doing to look towards the stage.
The mayor was standing in front of the mic as he tried to adjust it to his smaller height. We could all hear his slight wheeze before he managed to get it to his height.
I heard my mum whisper to Aaranay and Violent: "So how did he get the job again?" To which Violet responded, "Me and Arry are sure he scribbled his name on a majority of votes and handed them all in."
They snickered at that and then my mum took a swig from her drink.
The mayor tapped the mic once and looked like he was on the verge of tears.
"W-welco- "He cleared his throat and looked like he had suddenly put on a mask. "WELCOME TO THE BONFIRE FESTIVAL!" He shouted where half the crowd gave a half-hearted cheer. The mayor seemed undeterred as he continued, "Eighty years ago, our ancestors founded this town on the belief that no matter where you come from, you would always be welcome around the fire." He stopped for a minute as he looked around at the crowd, who stared back at him.
"To that extent, I welcome those who came from around Remnant to join and celebrate our once-a-year festival and to you I say." He made a sweeping gesture towards the crowd, "Please spend your money and enjoy yourself! Hehe, eh." He cleared his throat before looking off to the side.
"Before I go our Captain of the Guard Gin Merrick wishes to say a few words before we light the bonfire." He waited for a bit as dad came walking up the side of the stage where the crowd went absolutely wild as he waved, coming up to mayor Roche, who shook his hand curtly and let go instantly before handing him the mic.
Dad!
I kept my mouth from shouting as I wasn't even sure if he could hear me, nor did I want to interrupt anything he was about to say when the crowd finally went quiet. He was wearing the same outfit from a few days ago, except now the left side of his arm was completely metal and Excuser was on his back.
So freaking cool!
While I was worried about embarrassing myself, Mum and Autumn had no trouble expressing themselves.
"HEY, OVER HERE MEATHEAD!" Mum yelled, swishing her drink in the air.
"LOOK OVER HERE DADDY! I'M WAVING MY ARMS! HEY DADDY! LOOK!" Autumn screamed, jumping up and down while waving her arms.
He held the mic in front of his face with his usual easy going smile, "Everyone having a good time right now?!" He shouted, which the crowd responded to in ferocity. He cupped his hand around his ear: "I CAN'T YOU HEAR YOU!" He shouted.
The roar from the crowd caused me to put my hands over my ears as even Autumn and my mum joined in.
Too loud!
Even with my hands over my ears, I could still hear my dad's booming laugh as the crowd was going nuts. It eventually calmed down enough for me to take my hands off as dad was ready to speak again.
He paced back and forward as he took in the crowd's energy. "Tonight is a special night." He started as he stopped walking and stared at everyone. It felt like everyone had his attention as he scanned the crowd. "It is a night of celebration, feasting, singing and most importantly." He stopped for a moment and smiled. "Drinking!" Most of the crowd cheered and raised any glasses they had.
Dad raised his hand to silence the crowd, which went followed his command instantly.
How did he do that? Does he have mind control powers?
He paused for a moment and then brought the mic back up. "No. That's not the most important thing. The most important thing about this night is forgiveness, compassion and most importantly," He looked over to where we stood and gave a huge grin, which I returned along with Autumn. "Love." I looked up at my mum and saw her face go red.
Ha! Mum looks like a tomato.
"Regardless of where you came from, or what you have attached to your body, tonight is a celebration of love for the person next to you." He pointed toward the bonfire, "This bonfire means more than just a decoration. It's a pledge; a pledge that regardless of the monsters that hide in the dark, we willstand together against the tide. We will be there for each other even when it seems hopeless and we will never give up on love and that's something those soulless beasts will never understand!" The crowd was spellbound and even I couldn't tear my eyes away.
Is this what a Huntsman is?
No, he wasn't a huntsman. At this moment, he looked like a superhero.
"So tonight, I want you to forgive and forget. I want you to drink and eat to your heart's content. I want you to dance and sing until your body goes numb! And more importantly, I want you to laugh and love as hard as you can!" He pulled Excuser from his back and revved it up, "I will keep you safe on my honour so you have nothing to fear! So, live as much as you can tonight!" He paused for a moment to take a breath in, "SO LET'S LIGHT THIS FIRE!" He yelled as the crowd was silent for but a second before deafening the world in a roar of celebration raising whatever they had; food, drink or just their fists.
My dad passed the mic back to mayor Roche, who scrambled to get it to his lips, "I-I-I will now allow my Captain of the Guard to light the bonfire!" He tried shouting over the huge cheers,, but it seemed no one could hear him. My dad walked forward to the Bonfire before sticking his hand out holding a dust fire crystal. His body glowed black for a moment before the crystal in his hand glowed red and exploded out, shooting towards the fire, causing the bonfire to explode in a huge light.
I covered my eyes for a moment before opening them back up to see the huge bonfire raging and cackling before my eyes and already people were dancing around it, playing music and singing.
I couldn't stop smiling at the sight of all these people losing themselves at the moment. I could feel a hand on my shoulder to see my mum grinning down at me before pulling me and Autumn into a deep hug.
"I love you two more than anything in this world! You two know that, right?" She shouted over the noise.
I could feel my ears getting hotter.
"WE LOVE YOU TOO MAMA!" Me and Autumn shouted back as we squeezed her back as hard as we could.
She peppered our heads with kisses before telling us to say goodbye to Aaranay and Violent, who were now swamped with customers.
I waved while Autumn shouted, "BYE MR AND MRS COBBLES SEE YOU SOON!" As our mum led us away to go find our dad who was still hanging around the stage chatting and talking to men and women who came to shake his hand and give him food or drink, while mayor Roche was walking away to the mayor's office.
As soon as he spotted us, I felt myself stumble as I remembered my dad's speech. Suddenly he seemed like a giant standing over the crowd.
Was he always this tall?
He rushed over to us where my mum let go of our hands and pulled him into a really yucky kiss.
Blech.
They stayed like that for a bit before they pulled away, smiling as hard as they could.
"So, you liked the speech that much, eh?" Dad asked cheekily, looking down at my mum, who buried her head into his chest.
"It was okay I guess… I think you definitely earned a special reward tonight later~," she said while dragging her finger across his shoulders.
"Well, then I'm looking forward to it." He said, pecking her on the lips.
Autumn decided to make her displeasure known.
"Mama! Stop hogging all of daddy's attention for yourself!" She stamped her little foot on the ground while raising her hands towards him. He chuckled and picked her up by her armpits.
"Of course, darling, mama is a very greedy woman, isn't she? Taking away all of my attention from you." He said while holding her with one arm and hugging my mum with the other.
He turned his attention to me, "What did you think, son? Think your old man is pretty cool now, eh?" He said while wiggling his eyebrows.
You're my hero dad.
"… Y-yeah it was pretty cool I guess… could've been better I think," I said while trying to mutter as audibly as I could.
He only laughed in response.
"HAHA! I'll take it, now why don't we get this party started, yeah? Before I have to go back to the wall."
My mum and sister cheered while I started smiling and couldn't help but bounce up and down on my feet.
This was gonna be awesome.
Saturday 24th September 8:34
The night seemed to go on forever and ever. People still had just as much energy as they did eight hours ago compared to now. I could feel my eyes drooping as my own energy left me. It was only me and my mum left now as Dad had to go to the wall and Autumn was at home where she was getting sleepy so my dad dropped her off back home.
I was sitting on a barrel on the edge of the party while my mum spoke to some random people she never met before.
I want to go home! I'm so tired and I just want to read Dustman #100 before I go to bed.
I tugged on my mum's shirt which caused her to turn around.
"Hey, baby, what's up?" She asked with alcohol on her breath.
I cringed at the smell.
"Can we go home now?" I pleaded.
She thought for a moment, "Sure, just ten more minutes and then we'll go." She said while patting my head.
I felt a whine in the back of my throat, "But you said that half an hour ago!" I complained.
She laughed at that, "So I guess that means we'll leave in thirty minutes then!" she turned back around to talk to the strangers.
I'm dying here, woman!
I could only sit there and kick and feet before I felt something twist my stomach. It felt like something bad was about to happen. I looked up and could hear my breathing get heavier.
Where is it coming from? Not in front, not behind me, so where-
I looked up and could see something hurtling from the sky directly coming towards us.
I tugged on my mum's sleeve as she turned to me. "What now, Grit? Can't you see I'm bus-" She stopped talking as she looked up at the thing I was pointing at.
She went completely silent and pulled me off the barrel before pushing me towards somewhere.
It was getting faster.
My mum was now carrying me.
Everything was in slow motion as it made contact with the bonfire.
Flames exploded everywhere, and the logs flew outwards, making me hear loud thuds and crashes everywhere along with screaming.
We weren't on the ground anymore.
My mum lost her grip on me and we separated in the air.
She was heading to the wall, and I was going to a stall.
I could only see a black mass rising out of the bonfire with red glowing eyes staring directly at me and behind that, a car flying away in the distance.
I felt something hard against my head and it broke beneath me.
Darkness.
When I came to, I could only hear the screeches and noises that I couldn't comprehend. I felt a weight on my back and tried to push myself up, only to find it was too heavy.
I looked forward to where the bonfire was and saw that black mass standing on two legs with two large wings coming out of it.
It looked towards the skies and bellowed something so inhumanely loud that I couldn't even cover my ears, leaving me with a ringing in my ear.
My eyes stayed open as I watched it raise its arm and-
-It stretched!
-grabbed somebody I couldn't see before pulling them and opening its jaw to bite them-
I can't watch!
I could finally feel my stomach doing backflips and I found it harder to breathe as it sniffed the air before getting onto all fours, pulling its wings into its back.
Grimm
I had only seen them in picture books.
Please don't find me.
I don't know how long I stayed like that, but eventually, I managed to pull myself out of the wreckage.
As soon as I crawled out, I noticed my grip was becoming more slippery.
Why?
I looked down.
Blood? Is that blood? Why is there so much? Whose is it? Is it mine? Is it mum's? Where's my mum? I want my mummy! Daddy, anyone please help me.
I could faintly feel hands on me shaking.
"-Grit! Grit! Baby, look at me! I need you to look at me!" the voice shouted.
I looked over. It was my mum.
"Mama?"
She had a cut above her forehead and her eye was closed because of the blood. She was gripping her side, trying to hold something in.
"It's me, baby *gasp* I need you… to trust me all right darling, can you do that?" She asked while her other hand caressed my face.
I nodded, too frightened to even think for myself.
She looked at me for a moment, taking in as many breaths as she could.
"Ok I need you to help me up and then we need to go find your- *TTHWABOOM*"
The ground shook an explosion rocked the sky. Soon enough the town bell was being rung signalling that the Grimm had managed to make it inside.
My hands felt clammy as I heard my mum wince in pain, trying to stand up.
"Are you hurt…*gasp*… anywhere, baby?" She asked, while running her hand over me.
I shook my head, too scared to tell her that my chest felt funny and that it was getting hard to breathe.
"G-good, now let's go find your dad…*gasp* and your sister so we can… head… to the cellar beneath the house."
I could not find the courage to speak as I looked at the surrounding people. I didn't think people could look like that.
Their heads smashed against the floor.
Legs missing from their bodies.
Guts pouring all over the floor.
Blood. Why was there so much blood?!
I closed my eyes, not wanting to see anymore. I held my mama's hand as she led me towards our house, until she stopped for a moment.
"Don't… open… your eyes, baby."
I did.
I saw Aaranay and Violet's mangled bodies with her wheelchair halfway across the street. They looked like they were trying to crawl away before Violet's legs were torn off her. Aaranay didn't even have arms anymore, as his face was contorted in agony.
"Hello Grit! Staying out of trouble, I hope?" Aaranay said while leaning on his fence with Violet sitting on her rocking chair on her porch.
"I'm never getting into trouble in the first place!" I said indignantly.
Aaranay laughed as Violet spoke up, "Say Grit, I made too many cakes last night. Would you like to take some home?" She asked with a sweet smile on her face.
"Would I?!" I shouted while running towards them as they laughed.
Huh? Who's crying right now?
I could hear someone sobbing, but I just couldn't find them until I realised where it was coming from.
Oh… It's me.
I became aware that I was weeping as I stared at the Cobble's violated bodies.
"No… no! it's not f-fair *Hiccup*… ahh what's happening right now!?" I couldn't stop myself from shouting before my mum put her hand over my mouth.
"D-darling, I know it's scary and confusing, but I need you to be brave for me right no-now ok?" Mum said to me in a hushed voice while begging me not to scream.
I just want this to be over.
I want to wake up now.
Please let this be a nightmare.
Please.
But I wasn't waking up, and the reality was only becoming worse.
I nodded my head and closed my eyes again as she led me back home.
We walked for another five minutes slowly as we tried to avoid where the screams and bloodshed were coming from.
Eventually, my mum stopped again, and I opened my eyes to see what made my mum stop.
Standing in the middle of the road was the stranger I saw earlier.
We're saved! It's going to be all ok.
My mum pushed me further behind her.
Huh?
The stranger found this amusing as he stepped forward.
"My, my, my now, isn't this a find? Here I am trying to look for my prey and what better way to draw it out than some bait?" He said in his oily voice.
I finally had a look at his eyes. They were a sickly yellow and had no warmth in them regardless of what the smile on his face said.
I was now completely behind my mum as she confronted the stranger, who was cocking his head as though he were sizing us up before laughing quietly.
My mum decided to talk, "You… you are no huntsman, what… what do you want… with us? Let us *gasp* pass… please." She begged.
The stranger stopped before unhooking his brown cloak, revealing a muscular body in a black skin-tight vest and baggy brown trousers with straps all over them and dark boots. What caught my eye were the two metallic gloves on his hand with two tubes on top.
He started shaking his head in annoyance, "No, no, no my dear, it's not what I want from you, it's what I can get from you." He looked up to the sky and put his fingers in his mouth before whistling.
My stomach filled with dread as that… that thing came flying down from the sky behind us. I could feel its breath, but before I could do anything, it snatched me out of my mum's grasp and pinned me to the ground.
I can't breathe! HELP!
"GRIT! DON'T TOUCH- ACK!" The stranger had made his move and in the blink of an eye, had grabbed my mum by the throat and held her up in the air.
I could feel the beast's hot breath above me as it kept me trapped.
"LET GO OF MY MAMA!"
The stranger cocked an eyebrow at me, "Wait your turn brat. I'm busy." As he nodded at the Grimm to hold me down tighter, squeezing the air further out of me.
I could feel my trousers becoming damper and heavier as I watched.
WHERE ARE YOU DAD?! Please save us… PLEASE.
I could only watch helplessly as my mum choked and bled from her wounds while clawing at the stranger's hands, who didn't acknowledge any of her attacks.
"Now see, I need to get your little husband to me now as I'm on a pretty tight schedule and so running through the choices I came to a decision." He started raising his other hand and pointed the tube at her face. "What better way for a parent to come running than hearing the screams of their child?" He smirked and could see something bright at the end of his barrel.
"So…" He asked, "Any last words for your beloved baby?"
My mum turned to look at me, trying to smile.
"Look… awa- *FTHWOOM*AIEEEGHAHAHGHH!" her face went up in a burst of flame as I watched the skin peel away from her face and melt as her entire body caught fire.
The stranger dropped her from his grip and let her roll on the floor, screaming all the while she tried crawling toward me before she finally stopped, her arm outstretched desperate to reach me.
Huh? Mum? why are you laying over there mum? please get up mum I need you right now, please get up.
"Whoops, looks like I accidentally sent him into shock ha-ha, well never mind then guess I'll just have to fry you too then kiddo." I could faintly hear his footsteps coming towards me as the weight on my back lifted.
Fry me? He's going to kill me? But… I don't want to die… I don't want to die. Oh please don't let me die I'm too scared… please anyone… dad? Where are you, dad? Dad? Dad? DAD!
"PLEASE SAVE ME DADDY!" I screamed before I could even stop myself, causing the stranger to stop moving and look at me in shock before clapping his hands.
"YES! THAT IS WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR NOW LET'S GET THIS-ARRGGHHH!" One moment the stranger was clapping his hands and the next one of them was lying on the floor with blood gushing out of his now-stumped arm.
The stranger fell to the floor, "ARGH YOU FUCK! YOU FUUUCK I'LL KILL YOU I SWEAR I'LL-UMFGH!" A boot then found his jaw causing the stranger's aura to break instantly and send him flying into a building crashing through the wall.
I looked up to see my saviour and saw my dad standing there.
But this wasn't my dad, it was a whole new person.
Black ghostly armour covered his body, including his head, with wisps coming off it and bright silver light pouring out of his eyeholes.
I could now hear the roar of the engine from his chain sword, which was now covered in the blood of the stranger.
I could taste the anger coming off of him.
I could hear the beast salivating behind me as its mouth unhinged.
"MeRrrRiCk…"
Did it speak?
"You speak?" I heard my dad's voice reverberate through his helm. He pressed the throttle on his Excuser, causing it to roar like a wild beast.
"Then I better hear you scream…" He growled. He turned to look at me on the ground as I was picking myself up.
"Grit, get back to the house and grab your sister and then run as far as you can…" I could only stare at him.
"… W-without you?"
He nodded.
"B-b-but i- "
"NOW GRIT DO AS I SAY!" He shouted at me, making me jump and squeeze my eyes as hard as I could to stop the tears coming out.
I was already running as I heard his voice shout behind me.
"LIVE GRIT! AND PROTECT AUTUMN!"
RUN I HAVE TO RUN IF I WANT TO LIVE, I NEED TO RUN FASTER AND GET AUTUMN.
I don't know how long I ran, but I could see a flash of white light illuminate my way as I ran back to the house.
But where was the house?
Oh.
It's gone.
So where is Autumn?
I saw something on the ground shining beneath the rubble.
An arm wearing a shiny bracelet with brown leaves.
Oh, that must be Autumn's arm.
I better pick it up then.
This is Autumn's arm.
She must have dropped it.
This is Autumn's arm.
I wonder where she is?
This is Autumn's arm.
I can hear chewing next to the house.
Maybe she got hungry.
This is Autumn's arm.
Oh, there she is in that Grimm's mouth.
Autumn was eaten.
Oh.
Oh.
Autumn was eaten.
Who's screaming right now?
Oh.
It's me.
Now I'm going to be eaten too.
I don't want to die.
I hope it's painless.
I don't want to die.
… At least I can see Mama and Autumn again.
… I don't want to die.
