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Lightning cracked outside the window, followed up with the rumbling sound of thunder not even a second later. The black room flashed bright white momentarily as the window became alight with the flash and shadows grew long, quickly swallowing everything back up in inky blackness the light vanished. Something so loud but entertaining, keeping chaos within the uncanny quiet, banishing the eerie ringing noises at bay.
A lone person perched themselves on the window quietly, head resting against it. Only faintly could they feel the cold of the rain splattered surface against their forehead, but it felt as if the feeling were felt by another person. Distant and… they daresay mention uncanny again, but that was the word that kept popping up whenever they tried to describe the feel of normal run-of-the-mill objects.
Another flash of lightning lit up the place with a tremendous boom and the person curled their legs closer into themselves, holding their knees. There was no way they were getting any sleep that night, especially not with such a violent storm such as this. Even now, they could hear the wind adding to the din, tearing apart trees outside in the dark landscape. Thank god they weren’t outside.
They immersed themselves in the sounds outside, having their own little corner of what they hoped to be a safe universe. So far, everything moved on without a hitch, and they couldn’t be happier in another place. All previous has-beens were in the past and probably long since compromised at this state. They found themselves missing some of those long since past locations, drawing what they could assume were fond memories. Though fond really was a way to stretch things, as they weren’t sure if their time on the train was actually fond or something that warranted a bigger word.
A knocking on their door drew them out of their thoughts and they slipped off of the windowsill. As their feet touched the wooden floor that felt a bit too polished, another crack of lightning illuminated their horned shadow across the boards.
Why would someone be knocking on their door at this time? Maybe they were needed for something, maybe to help or answer some questions. The Mother always had things to ask them, though whenever they answered, it seemed to improve their living experience. Funny, someone must be really desperate for rooms to fill if they became this accommodating.
They opened the door, looking up at The Mother, who stared down at them with a pleasant smile on her face and crinkled eyes. She had her usual attire on though the odd thing about it, was that it was soaked through, which made them raise a slight eyebrow. She never went outside unless it was something important. Did something outside start blowing away? Maybe they had to go grab something for her in the dark.
“If you want to know I can change the weather,” they started at the sight of her with a joking tone to their voice, “Then you’re fresh out of luck. But you have to guess if I’m incapable of it or feeling petty.”
Her thin-lipped smile widened as her eyes twinkled. A kind expression finding humor in their usual brash and light-hearted comment. What always amazed them was how she never minded any attitude from them which furthered their theory about her getting desperate for people to stay in her place. Though they really couldn’t be bothered in caring about that, as an untraceable place such as this really had its benefits. It was worthwhile staying.
“No,” she said in a low voice laced with humor, and perhaps some excitement, “It helps the plants outside grow. Though I have come to ask you a favor, so it’s lovely seeing you up, Yuemiyu.”
At those words, they perked up. “Well, if paying my rent is through favors, then I landed myself a really good place. So what’s up?”
She crossed her arms and stepped away from the door as a silent invitation to be followed into the hall. Quietly, Yuemiyu entered with a broad smile for the older woman, long ago finding that if they treat anyone who does any kind to them with a smile, things would feel good for all parties.
“We have someone new here and since you don’t sleep much, you’re the first person I came to find,” she explained, guiding Yuemiyu forward with a bony hand. They fell into step with her, becoming apprehensive but a little excited. They could meet someone new and maybe make a friend. Other people have those. “I just want you to help them out and get them a room while I sort away their traces.”
Yuemiyu’s heart lifted at that, their mind bouncing from potential identity to identity for who the new arrival could be. The Mother always chose pleasant people to be a part of this… home? Apartment? Whatever it was, they came from all walks of life to stay there. Their mind continued to wander into more hopeful territory, maybe someone they knew? Perhaps a specific person… Oh, wouldn’t it be a treat if they saw the person in scarves again?
“Got it so I get to help another squatter,” they teased.
“Careful what you say or I’ll make it impossible for you to squat here again.”
Despite the threat, The Mother spoke it with a pleasant laugh to get back at them for their joke. She reached forward with her hand, guiding them to the stairs and allowing them to descend before her. Doing their best to keep their excitement only contained to their face, they went ahead, trying to get a peek at who the newcomer was before they made it to the bottom of the stairs.
Yuemiyu stopped at the bottom.
Yuemiyu stared.
If they had it, their blood would’ve turned to ice.
There stood Dolian, turning on his heel at the sound of footsteps. With his face half shrouded in shadow, they could barely read his expression. Though it didn’t take long for Yuemiyu to spot the wan smile covering his features, as if he just laid eyes on a prize gem. Everything about his body language felt so strange, it was as if they were staring at another person entirely. What happened to Dolian?
They couldn’t move when they finally registered the person that was in Dolian’s company. Every function, everything stopped. What? No.
No. No. No.
No.
No!
Everything stopped. It was as if someone had put a hand over their throat, sending their mind into the darkest recesses of the world. Yuemiyu stared. No, this couldn’t be real, no- no! Why were they here?
“Ah!” The taller of the two finally focused all of their attention on the frightened puppet. Their mouth split into a wide grin and they stepped around Dolian, who made no move to stop their walk. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
This wasn’t real. No, this wasn’t real, it wasn’t real! Yuemiyu barely registered they were shaking from head to tow, not even noticing they were backing away until they nearly tripped on the bottom step. No. No. Not real! Some dream! Just a dumb nightmare! Wake up! Wake up!
“Yuemiyu. I told you to greet the guest.”
No, no, no! Wildly, Yuemiyu spun on their heel to stare up at The Mother, the last hope they had now breaking apart before their very eyes. No, that wasn’t The Mother! No, that wasn’t her expression! She wouldn’t be staring at them like that.
Did she plan this? She planned it. She knew. She and Dolian. They both knew.
The shaking worsened as Yuemiyu forgot how to breathe. Spinning around, they found themselves face to face with that monster. No, no, no! Don’t get any closer!
“Thank you, Madame Achlys and little Dolian here,” the monster spoke. Their words slid from their tongue, so sickly sweet but carrying the venom of a viper. “You saved me a lot of time chasing down my runaway. I’m so relieved that they’re back where they belong! Come along now.”
Yuemiyu wanted to cry. It was too much, this couldn’t be real, it can’t be. They couldn’t even think of the betrayal of who they thought to be a friend and someone who sheltered them. No-- none of this was real--
They instantly spun on their heel, facing the stairs and The Mother, whose cold face took up their entire vision. With a yelp lodged in their throat, they dove to the side, their shins hitting the stairs. Pain shot through them but they continued to flee, they needed to run. All thought left them. The Mother fell behind as the woman tried charging up the stairs after them.
But Yuemiyu needed to leave. They needed to go- now- get out- get out- get out- get out-
The sounds of feet hammering against the stairs chased after them but they skidded on the landing. They had to get out. Now! Away! Away from them, they couldn’t go back! They can’t, never again! Don’t let them go back!
They ran blindly, tearing down the hall and begging themselves for an escape. Their ears rang, Yuemiyu couldn’t tell if they were screaming, sobbing, a mixture, or dead silent. It felt as if they were deaf, only focusing on what was ahead. Getting out of there, that’s all that mattered, they needed out.
As they burst into their room, everything shook at another clap of thunder and lightning. Outside. Get outside. Through the window. Away, get away!
A second later, they didn’t even realize they were falling. Suddenly there had been floor beneath their feet and the next second they were in free fall with shards of glass scattered around them. Yuemiyu couldn’t even comprehend the pain shooting through their shoulder and side as they fell hard onto the ground. What they did comprehend was that they needed to get up and run.
The wind howled around them as they charged for safety: the forest. Please, please lose them in the forest. They could get back to the train once they lose them. Then they’ll be gone again! Just please please lose them!
Something unrelated to uneven ground and tree roots suddenly tripped them and with an audible scream, they fell to the ground, rolling from the momentum. They stared wildly through the rain. No! Get up! They needed to get up!
But the lightning flashed and the tall monster approached before coming to a stop above them. It illuminated the miscolored gaunt face, though it wasn’t smiling this time. No, no, it looked angry. Yuemiyu became cold. No. No!
They wriggled against the ground, trying to escape the spell. No, it couldn’t end like this. No, they can’t be trapped. Get out. Just get out of there. They can hear their screams but they couldn’t register them as their own. The monster needed to leave! Something get rid of them! Wake them up! Get them out!
Something hard collided with their head and they gave a yelp, their head falling to the ground from the force. No… no… it can’t end like that. No. Why? Yuemiyu whimpered, trying to drag themselves away, but they couldn’t move. They were trapped. They couldn’t move- god- they couldn’t move- someone help them!
“Quit screaming, you’ve caused enough disruptions to land yourself in trouble.”
Yuemiyu couldn’t scream, not even when they felt something small and cold shoot into their neck. All they could hear through the thunder and lightning was a piece of metal slide into place and lock.
No. No! Realization hit them like a sheet of ice, causing panic to well up in limbs that were slowly being freed, but no less in their control. No! Get it out. Not the key. No- No!
Tears mixed with rainwater fell from wide eyes as the monster leaned over them. They couldn’t look up and see…
“Get up.”
With their own mind, still moving despite Yuemiyu desperately trying to fight it, their arms and legs moved. With their own accord, the body and limbs stood upright and faced the monster despite tears streaming down indifferent eyes. Nothing belonged to them anymore.
Let them go, please.
“Very good! Now, we are going back and you’ll learn the lesson of not running off again. Come.”
Yuemiyu followed without hesitation. They screamed in their head. They don’t want to go.
But none of that mattered anymore.