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I don't like fate. This was not something I would ever admit out loud, lest they hear. This is something I can never tell anyone else, lest they get the same idea. It is a bad thought that I wish I didn't have, but i don't think I can like someone, something that has hurt me in ways I can't comprehend.
Magic, they offered. Fate rarely paid me any notice. Smaller parts of it maybe, I enjoyed that the silly voices that played and helped me, not the greater fate. No they were here for a show.
Of course they knew how to get me to do what they want. Stuck in their arena, in their world they made the rules. To not know how to manipulate one's pieces is a bad strategy.
Magic for torture. A fun show I suppose.
I have no choice, and I knew that. I put it off for a week.
Bad idea.
I still couldn't find the fairy ring. A cruel twist of fates hand I suppose. It wouldn't be very fun if we all just left now would it?
At least I got to meet Catroo. For what little my wishes are worth I hope they stay safe. All of the kids. I just pray fate forgets about them.
Just like it should've me when it pitted my friends, my new found family against each other.
Instead it pulled me back. And finally let me come home, only to find that so much time has past so everyone you knew and loved is dead.
A cruel trick.
"Pyrrhic. Are you sure? You know what the doctor does," Pie-pie says, the worry true in her voice.
I scoff. They havn't told me anything. Why would they bother? I left. No reason to trust me. The fake witch who never chooses a side.
"Pyrrhic, we may not be close. But I don't want to see you, see anyone be tortured like that," Ella says.
I stare at the agent. I don't understand her. She's good at hiding her fear, but I've spent enough time learning to hide mine to not know to recognize others'. She's always skittish, hand on her gun. Ready to jump away or into action. She runs from me, a bad excuse for a cryptid, but stands her ground against Pie-pie. Or against Ryoko. Two cryptids who could end her faster then she can shoot. I don't understand her. And I doubt I ever will.
"I've made my choice," I say firmly. Don't give me an excuse to back out. Don't give Fate another reason to hurt us. "And no. I don't know what they'll do. No one's bothered to tell me anything." I laugh. Part of this is surreal. Learning from some random person, random witch that we're all being taken over by a monster thats also going to destroy the entire world really shakes your day up. Oh also being questioned if I'm really a witch and seeding the threads of doubt that I can be trusted into the few friends I have left is really great.
No I'm not bitter that they seemed to trust him more then me.
But no, this world is ruled by power. And I know I need it.
"Don't tell them Pie-pie." I try my best at a clever smirk when Ella and I walk away.
Pie-pie sighs. "Three days."
"There's a book in my base. It'll explain what to do"
Pie pie nods and waves goodbye. "I'll remember," she promises. "I'll see you tomorrow Ella." And with that the Fox constellation leaves.
"Why are you doing this Pyrrhic? Really," Ella asks as we boat our way down the river back to camp.
I sigh. "This world is ruled by power. I've spent too long being hurt for not having any. Too many people are being hurt. I'll do what I have to to protect what little family I have left." I shut my eyes for a moment, willing away the tears as Ella answers her walkie talkie.
Coward. Again thinking to back out. Take the easy way.
The facility is cold. But it feels comforting. It feels human.
You're human, the little voices of fate remind me. A fake witch. They jab at me again and again. Irks to keep going, keep following whatever sick plan they have.
Doesn't mean it doesn't make me wish I never let us walk out of the house that day two years ago. Or 202. I havn't had the time to process that.
Ella sighs and waits somewhat patiently for me as I peak under every door frame. Habit and empty wishes. I know it's no use.
"Doctor? We're here," Ella says as she knocks on a door.
I hate that I feel almost more comfortable in the clean, yet lived in office of the doctor then I did in the corner of the cove.
The argument hurt me more then I want to admit. It was the unfortunate inaction and anger that made me run the first time. And well what's making me run now.
I agreed with the doctor. Me for Cosmo. A deal well made.
"Thank you," I whisper to Ella as she leaves. She was jittery the entire time we spoke.
But talking with the doctor was fun, exhilarating. Someone with the same curiosity about a world so similar yet so so different as I did. Someone willing to listen to the little differences I found interesting.
A conversation that didn't end in inaction and a fight.
Maybe that's why fate wanted me here. To meet someone like me.
I didn't even mind being cut open. It wasn't even close to things both cryptids and humans have done to me.