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Maybe she shouldn't go to the Festival.
Something deep inside her, something she couldn't quite explain, was saying, screaming, begging her to stay away, that doing otherwise was a terrible idea.
But why?
She already knew very well why. Those conversations with Kris.
First, they were at the hospital, just after she woke up from her "dream". They spoke in a weirdly familiar voice, but one distinctly unlike their own. They showed her the silver watch that she thought she lost while studying. The one taken in the "dream". She felt overwhelmed and terrified as Kris came closer, until she found an opening and escaped.
Next, they startled her by climbing into her open window, just like they did when they were younger. They apologised for their behaviour yesterday (ironic, she thought in that moment) and promised that everything they said and did yesterday was just a prank, giving her back the watch. Kris spoke in a difference voice to before, more tender and... real, for lack of a better word. Before she could say anything, they jumped back out her window.
Finally, yesterday afternoon. She had asked them to join her in her room for the second time in what must have been years. All night, she was thinking about what to ask Kris. Although, even without anything to ask them... she just wanted to talk, about anything at all. Like old times.
Shortly after, though, they began acting strangely again, once she mentioned the thorn from the night before. Kris looked around frantically, and covered her mouth. She asked why they were being so paranoid, before Kris switched to the scary voice again, creeping her out. This went on, despite how clearly uncomfortable she was. Bizarrely, Kris wasn't enjoying it either, their ruby red eyes filled with regrets, apologies and tears.
After pretending to read her thoughts, Kris finally admitted they were just pranking her again, in their normal voice. She screamed at them, and slapped them hard. She regretted it immediately, apologising profusely. Kris, for whatever reason, didn't seem to mind at all, even smiling. She quickly left the room after that, in fear and shame, and Kris did the same, going elsewhere.
Noelle couldn't make sense of their behaviour at all. What were they trying to do, and why? Even after begging them to stop, they continued scaring her. Despite telling them, Susie and even her mother she would be going to the Festival, she's been having serious second thoughts. All because of Kris...
Did they like seeing her scared? Seeing her practically jump out of her skin at all their recent pranks? But then why did they apologise that night? Was it to further their future pranks? This wasn't how they acted when they were children. When they still played together, spoke to each other... Was this their way of trying to reconnect?
But then, what was with the voice? That, more than anything, stuck in her mind. It was so distinct from Kris', they couldn't be making it themself, right? It sounded harsh, without warmth or affection, unlike Kris' typical voice. Maybe it was some form of possession?
She was going to dismiss the thought outright, as she had done earlier that night, but her mind latched onto something Catti told her, during one of their recent occult studies sessions. How possession works, and how the possessed acts.
The possessed, Catti stated, could act completely naturally, if the victim did not resist. But one thing possession could not mimic was the voice. As a result, sudden silence was one of the best indicators of possession.
Kris was rarely a chatterbox at the best of times, but never as quiet as in recent days. And when they did speak... It was usually with that voice.
Catti added - if a victim is lucky enough to be rid of the possessing force, temporarily or otherwise, they would be left very weak afterwards, struggling to move, or speak. Just like Kris was, both times they were in her room.
For a moment, she didn't know what to do with this newfound discovery. Catti would still be asleep at this early hour, but Noelle was desperate enough to try knocking on the door regardless. But first...
She dialled the number slowly and methodically, then waited. Was she really going to do this? Her fear hadn't subsided - if anything, it's only grown. She didn't know what force she was dealing with now.
But Kris needed her help, of that she was sure. She pushed the dial button defiantly. Besides, Kris would surely also be asleep now, they probably wouldn't answer. It WAS quite -
"Hello?" A voice. A tired, hurt, but sincere voice. It was Kris. Something warm spread around her body.
"Hi, Kris. Are you still going to the Festival today?"
They hesitated slightly before answering.
"Yes. Are you?"
"Oh yes, I wouldn't miss it for the world, fahaha! I was thinking, we could ride the ferris wheel together, just like when we were kids! J-just the two of us." What was thay stutter for? She was just going to talk to them. And why was she blushing?
"Noelle... I don't think we should do that." It was time to stop being coy.
"It's okay, Krismas. Me and Catti will help you with whatever's got a hold on you, okay?"
Silence. Did they realise?
"I'm going to help you." She said it as definitively as she could.
"Noelle..." They sounded torn. As if they wanted her close and a thousand miles away, at the same time.
"I'll see you there, Krismas. We're going to be okay." They disconnected. That was as good as confirmation for her. Hopefully Susie wouldn't mind her going back on her invitation.
She began to get dressed, single minded in her purpose. That thing made her to terrible things to "get stronger" in what she no longer believed was only a dream. The least she could do is repay that kindness in turn.
For Kris.