Chapter Text
“What will happen in five minutes sir?” Annabel asks calmly
“My death… after that I'm not entirely sure. That's up to fate Ms.whitlock” The Raven sadly tells her
“And if I vote for myself? What's the moral? If I pick myself that would be not only a horrible decision it would be so incredibly selfish. I had it good, my life was so much better than anyone else's here. I was… privileged.” Annabel admits
“If I vote for myself the moral of the story would be that humans suck!” She says
“Yes, that would be a valid interpretation.” The Raven admits
Annabel takes in a deep breath
“No no! We will all agree to the original agreement. We will all vote!” She argues
The bright comforting light returns. It's so alluring.
“What's that?” Annabel asks the Raven
“The other side… you merely walk in it's easy just don't look back” He says
Annabel turns around and looks at the light. Staring at its essence, it is life itself in its true form.
“I don't mean to rush you but if you would kindly hurry up.” The Raven says
“If you would just give me a couple seconds to think!” Annabel says
“The one who wants to win it the most shall redeem the loser in order to complete the whole..” Annabel repeats the prophecy that the Raven said earlier that evening
“You knew all along I could never do it..” Annabel turns to look at the Raven
“What?” He's asking the questions now
“I could never pick myself..” She tells him
“It shouldn't be me…I made no attempt to get to know any of you in life… not even my best friend… which is bad for me because each and everyone is… is a… fucking rockstar.” Annabel curses for the first time that evening
“We died young, in some freak accident..but to say one died young they died needlessly is discounting the years we had. All the memories we had, experiences, hopes, dreams… I would gladly take my 17 years over nothing…”
“So who did I vote for? I vote for the girl who can't remember any of it. Her.” Annabel turns to look at the Unnamed woman.
“We had a life, she didn't…. That's my vote.” Annabel says making eye contact with the Unnamed woman
“Checkmate.” Annabel ends
“As you wish…” the Raven says
The woman turns to the light and walks in it slowly. The other group members don't look back in fear they would be drawn too.
“Her name? Is Lenore Vandernacht. Born April 7th, Aries. The lucky nature. Reason for attending Nevermore Academy School for Juvenile Delinquents? Framed for her brother's death. He was the only person on earth who would've been able to remember her. His body was found outside the estate, with a bullet wound in his head. People suspected Lenore immediately assuming she would've been jealous of his charismatic, and popular personality. When experts searched her room they found a gun. And before long she was the newest student at Nevermore.” The Raven says
“When she started At Nevermore, she wouldn't engage in a conversation with anyone. In fear of learning what she was convicted of. She cut her hair on her first night at Nevermore. Hoping to distance herself from her past. Her only wish was for no one to remember her crime, for everyone to forget how much of a fool she was. Be careful what you wish for. Aggressive and witty she was. Lenore Vandernacht, the most forgotten girl in town.”
The screen turns on. Showing Lenore's life. For a moment they all regretted not remembering the one woman who was involved in their lives. The one who was there right before it took a turn for the worse. They all could remember her brother easily. But no one could remember his sister. She must've been hidden in some capacity in the world. Away from the peering eyes of the curious.
“I suppose it's time for you 5 to finally leave…” the Raven says
The white light returns. The group turned to look at it in curiosity. The warmth feeling returns to them. What could be on the other side? Death itself was before them.
“I have one last question…” Annabel asks but gets no response
“Mr. Raven?” She calls out
Suddenly the bird's corpse falls from the wood ledge it was sitting on. With a loud thump.
“I think it's time to go, Annabel.” Morella says, taking her hand.
“Let's all go in together.” Annabel suggested she grabbed Pluto's hand next
“For once I'm not scared.” Pluto says slipping his hand into Duke's
“Fine! I'll touch his hand!” Duke says holding hands with Montreesor
“I guess this is it, it's been fun partners.” Montressor says
The barn was quickly tearing apart, the second the Raven died the paint and wood was being pulled into the light ahead of them. There was no place left to go but into the light.
The group all walked into it slowly and it immediately consumed them whole. The light takes them into another realm. Their bodies soon moved to a different place.
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“AHHHHHHHH!” Says the group while on the Rollercoaster. Feeling the butterflies from the drop hitting their guts. The feeling is euphoric.
“I think I'm gonna throw up!” Pluto says
The roller coaster comes to an end as it pulls up to the starting point. The group gets off very quickly.
“That ride almost broke my ribs I swear!” Montressor yells with his hand over his ribs. It's probably gonna leave a bruise for a couple days
“Hey guys, are we forgetting someone?” Asks Annabel counting the group members to make sure they aren't missing anyone.
Annabel looks behind to see Morella running up to the group.
“Sorry Annabel, I just went back for my necklace.” Says Morella with her necklace in hand
“Oh ok! We should probably head back to Aunt Sue's or else we won't get our hours in…. Or… we could, I don't know… ride more rides and play some games?” Annabel suggested
“I'm in!” Duke says
“I call the shooting gallery!” Says Montressor
“Can we go in the bumper cars after?” Pluto asks
“Sure but I'm gonna beat you” replies Annabel
The group all ran around the fair, playing games. Riding rides, completely forgetting why they were there in the first place.
By the time the fair was about to close the group was walking back to the entrance with their plethora of prizes and food brought from stolen money they pick pocketed from some unlucky victims. The Nevermore bus would be waiting for them at the road, and the last thing they want to do is to miss curfew and get in trouble.
Annabel felt some pair of eyes watching her while they walked to the bus. Like an essence of sorts carefully observing her every move with vicious intent.
When she looked behind all there was, there was just a silly Raven on top of a food stand. It Immediately flew away.
We're all just sailing through space
there's no up there's no down
It's all so beautiful and strange but something more than spinning round
Yes it's everything you want
And it's everything you need
And it's everything you hate
And it's everything that seems so oh so terrifying turning around
It's just a ride
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A woman stares at the State Fair from a tall tree. She looks down at it.
She views the key club with keen interest, before putting her arm out for the Raven to sit upon.
“That certainly was something, no?” Asks the woman
“Indeed… hopefully you don't fall from this tree and waste your second life.” Says the Raven
Lenore laughs at him
“I plan on never returning to Nevermore, and to simply… exist… maybe I could be like a bad omen or something… y'know like if you see me you're destined to go to Nevermore, wouldn't that be funny.” She jokes
“It would.” Quotes the Raven
“Lenore Vandernacht no longer exists, she died in a horrible accident…”
“So what's your identity?” Asks the Raven
“I quite like the name Leo, it has a nice ring to it. I could start new, something fresh.” She says
“Well, count the days. Enjoy the extra time you have been granted, Leo.” The Raven says before flying off into the distance of the almost evening sky.
As the sun sets upon the fair, the woman sits there contemplating her decision. She feels the revolver sitting in her pocket. Should she continue on this earth, no longer accompanied by her dear brother, or should she waste the chance that she was given. The gift of life. The gift of a second chance.
I know this dream of life is never ending
It goes around around again