EP1. Decisions
What a dark week was that for Stolas.
His room was filled to the top with flowers and get-well cards. He knew most of them were just obligatory gifts. The nurses were going through the gifts. They needed to make room.
-Anything from a person called Blitz with a silent o?- He asked
The nurses search through everything and recognized only one he might be interested in keeping, they gave him a lonely card which he read once and again with tears in his eyes, the one from his daughter.
This was his 3rd night at the hospital. He asked not to be disturbed by anybody except his daughter and again, someone called Blitz with a silent o.
The week was going by and even though he was always thrilled to see his daughter come, no Blitz with a silent o ever showed. This Stolas already suspected. Blitzo would never come willingly.
Still, Stolas kept hoping, maybe the time for their appointed usual date could be the day, but just in case Blitzo decided to surprise him, he left the doors open for his invaluable imp.
This night in particular was unbearable, it did not matter that he was flooded with morphine, the pain was getting directly to his brain, everything was spinning and at the same time pulsating so it was difficult to enjoy the morphine ride.
Stolas eyes turned to the closed door. There was light coming underneath it and everything was quiet. His eyesight was blurry, and his eyelids were very heavy but it did not matter that his hold body wanted to sleep, his brain would not let him. The pain had joined his memories of that day. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see Striker maliciously opening wound after wound, hitting him hard until he finally woke up screaming in terror.
-Hi prince of the doomed owlets- Stolas heard in the darkness of his room. He moves his head heavily. There was someone standing there. A nurse? He thought at first but none of them would dare address him like that. There was only one person that ever called him by that title.
The person approached his bed, the moonlight illuminated the shadow. Stolas eyes went big -Mabel! - he whispered -Boy am I up to something else than morphine! - he laughed as his eyes teared – I am hallucinating, now ghosts are coming to visit me – His laugh was more like that of a miserable man that has discovered his end. Stolas buried his face in the pillow as his tears freely flowed.
-I heard what happened…- Stolas heard the soft voice of a woman -I left everything to come and see you! - She did not move from her spot beside his bed; she was looking down at him with the saddest expression.
Stolas turned to look at her, his face all messed up, swallowed, and teary. He was battling in his head with the fact that that person could not really be there, he has gone downright mad but, for some reason, looking at her face put him at ease, so he smiled back -I am glad to see you again. This is the best dream I had have in days-.
She gave him a soft smile.
-Talk to me friend, what have you been doing all this time while you were dead?- asked Stolas
She walked up to his head – I cannot tell you that -she answered as she continues to smile.
Suddenly Stolas had a realization and felt an icy shock run through his back but, the pain did not let him do much about it, he hold her sight and asked
-Have you come to collect my soul? -
that was the most stupid question he could come up with, it was more of an inside joke since, what soul was there to collect? and collect to take where already in hell.
He was just trying to put himself at ease, the pain was not subsiding so maybe it was indeed his time, he might stop existing at any moment.
She just kept smiling quietly at him. She leaned onto him. He could feel her weight on the bed as she sat by his side, her hand reached his cheek, and he could feel her warmth.
-You are real! - he babbled. She took his hand and hold it up to her beak and kissed it. Stolas was shaking, he could not control it, nor the waterworks that just became precarious since mucus was now joining.
He opened his hand and felt the woman's face, he cleared a tear that was falling from her eye. He could feel the warm water slide by his thumb. -How? - breathed Stolas still baffled.
-That is enough crying – she pulled from him and taking a handkerchief from her pocket cleaned Stolas face. -You cried enough at my funeral. I didn't come to make you cry or make myself cry. - She cleaned her face as well and announced- I came here to hear your laugh! –
-Heard…Heard me laugh? - rambled Stolas.
-I am going to stay by your side until I heard you laugh again- she confirmed, her face lights up -It's been so long since the last time I heard it…-
Stolas then laugh -There you go ghost…There you have it; you make me laugh. Are you going to vanish now into nothingness and leave me behind all alone again? –
Stolas was laughing but was such a bitter laugh.
The woman was not bothered at all, she continued to smile at him. She then moved so her face was right on top of Stolas. Her hands were placed on each side of his head, her body went up all the way into the bed. Her head turned slightly to the side. -I didn't come here for a cheap lousy laugh…I want to hear you again laugh with all your heart like that time – She kept on smiling; Stolas went quiet very quickly.
The woman managed herself around the wounded Stolas very skilfully, in seconds his head was on her lap as she made herself comfortable on his bed. She started to stroke his head feathers and for the first time, Stolas felt relaxed, his pain was finally slowly going away, and his eyelids were starting to close.
He reminiscences about a time when they were young, 2 young owls. He was feeling very sick that day. She had finally come for a visit after a very long time. He was so disappointed he could not go out but, she stayed anyway and tried to make him feel better. Now that he thought about it, it was more like she was playing doctor with him. One thing she did that did help him a lot with his awful headache that day, she stroked his head until he fell asleep.
He had to go while he was sleeping. He was not able to say goodbye. He made such an uproar when he woke up very late that night all alone. He demanded for her to be brought back but that was the one thing he never got.
-After you died…- started to talk Stolas feeling that sweet relief of his pain finally leaving – My father told me so casually at your funeral: What a waste! She would have been a great wife… I thought then…I thought…. All this time…Maybe he was thinking of us…. -
-Shhhhsss- interrupted Mabel– Don't go there Stolas. This is hell, there is no happiness here- she sentenced.
-But at least…at least with you, I might not have ended up here…- he said with a pained voice.
-It could have been worse…- she said dryly
-I would never believe that! - Stolas said so convince. He felt she raised him and he was put back softly on his pillow. She dropped to his level on his pillow supporting her head with one of her hands, she looked at him gravely for a few seconds as she continued playing with his feathers. She met his eyes and said with the most serious expression -I'll stay but there are 2 conditions that you need to promise to respect – Stolas gave her back a solemn go-ahead.
-First, you will never ask where I have been all this time. Second, if you ever see me with some other people you don't know, you would never ask who they are…Deal? - she stop stroking his head and raised her pinkie at him. He looked at it and then at her eyes -Deal! - he said and wrapped his finger around hers. A pact was sealed, but it did not matter to Stolas at that time, he was high on drugs. Whatever!
They both smiled. She then went to rest her head on his chest. He hugged her.
-This has been the best hallucination ever. I have missed you so much! Mabelion- breathed Stolas as he finally closes his eyes and fell sound asleep.
-Be careful what you wish! - Stolas heard that hideous hissing voice coming now from the darkness. He opened his eyes, Striker was right there. Stolas stumbles around trying to find Mabel, but she was not there. He hears blood curl screaming everywhere filling the room. He was so confused and the noise so deafening. He covers his ears. Suddenly doctors rushed into the room, all Stolas devices were beeping.
-He is having a panic attack! - shouted the doctor
-Restrict him! - he ordered and a bunch of muscular nurses tried to control him. Stolas was so confused, he could not breathe, the room was spinning, his mouth was so dry and his heart jumping everywhere.
-Mabel! - he tries to shout but his voice is not coming out. Suddenly he fell limp into the bed. The doctors are still scrambling around him.
-His pulse is dropping! – he hears but that was seem to him so far away.
-Doctor! He is bleeding –
All this commotion Stolas was listening like background noise that was starting to fade away. His eyes finally found Mabel. She was there. She was standing by the door. She was talking with somebody else. Did he know them? Yes, he does! Octavia was talking to Mabel, she was turned back against Stolas, but he recognized her nevertheless, and right beside her, a shorter individual, with long horns, and red skin in a black coat also with his back at him. -Blitzy! - panted Stolas, he was so happy he tried to reach him, he extended his free hand at him. Then he caught Mabel looking at him, she looked so worried. That was the last thing he would remember.
-Please father…- Stolas hear his daughter's voice fading in the dark.
Stolas opened his eyes; everything was quiet now. he was still in his room, with no lights, just silence.
-Your daughter just left – came a voice and Mabel came to his side.
-I saw you both talking earlier! – Stolas smiled weakly -How did you like her? Isn't she amazing? –
Mabel smiled back -She is alright – then she paused and looked at him seriously -I am sorry you had to miss him as well- she finally said and sat by his side.
-Blitzy finally came! - muttered Stolas with a sad smile – I am sorry he had to see me in that state –
-He came to give the grimoire back – commented Mabel.
-Octavia…- Stolas tried to sight but ended up coughing instead. -I am not going to make it… –
-The usual drama queen! - Mabel rolled her eyes -Come! I wanted to show you something –
Stolas was pulled out of bed like he was the most delicate princess. He was fairly light but, Mabel makes him look like he was filled with helium. She floated him out of the room through the window and up they went to the roof.
There was not a single cloud on that sky night, the air was somehow chilly, that was when Stolas realized, he was no longer in hell.
-Where is this? - he asked, his breath taken away as they reached the top and a starry night opened wide illuminating an empty dark city beneath. This was no earth either, that was for sure, such a quiet place with the clearest nocturnal sky he has ever seen. He looked around, everything looked frozen in time, nothing was moving, and there was no one there. -Are we still in hell? - he asked still taking in the landscape.
-Maybe- she laughs and spins Stolas around. -Have you heard of the backrooms? -
-What? – Stolas said as she spins him out the roof and floated away. The wind came strong ruffling Stolas' feathers.
It was never this cold in hell so he was not used to it nor was he dressed for the occasion in a measly johnny gown. He tried his best to cover himself by hugging tightly to Mabel. She quietly laughs -no worries, I'll protect you- She hugged him. Stolas looked up at her. She was smiling at him.
They were suddenly falling. Stolas hold on to her, she landed heavily in front of the now abandoned hospital and let go of Stolas who floated softly by her side and landed feather-like. All lights were out and the creepiest silence was around.
-Is this even real? - Stolas wondered as he looked at the empty and dark hospital.
-Stolas, would you come with me? - She extended a hand at him.
He smiled -Where would you take me? - he took her hand without waiting for an answer. She pulled him at her -Where there is no Striker to hunt your dreams…How does a holiday sound to you? -
-I'll love that but, - he turned towards to hospital and looked at it sadly -What about... -
-Your daughter? She will be fine besides, the doctor already warned her that you'll be interned in the asylum…I mean, in a relaxing healing house or something…-
-What? What are you saying? -
-Oh, come on Stolas, did you really believe you would just kind of heal and they would send you home? They cannot have wacky royalty having panic attacks here and there. The doctor has already recommended rest, not much for your body but…- and she taped her head.
-Has this anything to do with my EX-wife? - he said boringly.
-There is nothing you can do to defend yourself, waking in the middle of the night screaming is not really helping your case-
-It was one time…- complained Stolas as they started to walk back to the hospital. Mabel took him by the arm.
-That is all they need to lock you in the crazy house and throw the key somewhere. I know what they are going to do to you there, they will stuff you like a turkey with pills and such… Until you forget who you even are- Stolas noticed the pain in her face, after all this was a story he knew well, it was her story.
-Will you kidnap me and make me yours then? - he tried to joke to lighten the move.
-Better! - she answered with an ample smile. -I will whisk you away so nobody will be able to find you-
-You will whisk me away? –
-Vanish you, puff you out of existence. Spirit you away! –
-Isn't that a little…-
-You will always be able to come back whenever you want…- She stopped him and looked at him like some happy puppy – What do you say Stolas? Would you come with me for a little vacation? -
He looked again towards the dreadful dark hospital -You would always be able to speak to Octavia, I will never deprive you of your loved ones – She waited.
Stolas looked once more to the hospital, then with a sight, smiled at her – whisk me away, please! -
-REALLY! Yeih! - she celebrated and hugged him. Stolas felt her heart beating super-fast with excitement, he hugs her back.
-Off we go then! - she let go and grabbed him by the hand making him run after her right back to the hospital.
-Like this? - he complained pointing at his back open jhonny. She laughed and pushed the main doors of the hospital open as they run past them. The sudden light blinds him.
Stolas open his eyes; he was sitting in front of a very well-dressed Mable. Not that she was badly dressed before. Now she was dressed like they were back in the 60s: hat, mink stolas, silk dresses. He notices himself dressed in a white-collar shirt, a floral vest, and pants with suspenders.
Suddenly, voices and noise filled the place, they were in the lobby of a fancy hotel decorated in Avant Garden motifs. A waiter came and put in front of each blood pudding. They both laugh as soon as the waiter left and they clink their dessert silver spoons.
Continues Ep2