[Final Day] Endgame

[arsgoetia]

And just as suddenly as everything had began, the demons are gone—all of them. Not a single crow feather remains. As if being sucked backwards out of a vacuum, sound and light flood into the room and the hallway, crashing down on you. You are back in the real world, with noise and physics and sunlight streaming in through the window.

You are also left with two bereft Bellcourt children, the older of which is suddenly doubling over in his wheelchair and shouting in anguish.

Comments

[arsgoetia]

"I'm... not sure of all of it..."

[kepthishead.livejournal.com]

Your father is being held as a hostage for your good behaviour. They expect you to run and they expect you to avoid your responsibilities. That's why they've taken your father; they want you to misbehave so that they can punish him. Don't let them use you.

[arsgoetia]

"I..." She goes pale. "I won't. I won't -- I'll ... figure something out. It's -- thank you for telling me??? He's my dad..."

[kepthishead.livejournal.com]

He is your father, and he loves you very much. That's why he was willing to risk this, and to trust that you would do what was necessary.

[arsgoetia]

She kind of... starts to cry a little.

[kepthishead.livejournal.com]

[well brought up noble boys carry hankies, thankfully, which he hands over with an uncomfortable sigh.]

He is not lost forever. You're fortunate; he can come back.

[arsgoetia]

She nods, pressing it against her face as she doubles over. "Dad loves me?"

[kepthishead.livejournal.com]

Both you and your brother. That's why he did this. He thought it'd be better for him to be there, rather than either of you.

[arsgoetia]

She nods furiously, crying a bit. "S-sorry, thank you..."

[kepthishead.livejournal.com]

It's not going to be easy. It's easier to leave than it is to be left behind. You've got your brother at least.

[arsgoetia]

"I haven't been left behind," she says. "Because I'm not going to... let it go at this."

[kepthishead.livejournal.com]

What does that mean?

[arsgoetia]

"I'll help him," she says. "...Thank you for helping me. David told me... Thank you."

[kepthishead.livejournal.com]

I-it was something I'd do for anyone!

[arsgoetia]

"I don't... understand things like that," she says, and kind of briefly stuffs a hand in her mouth. "Doing things for other people..."

[kepthishead.livejournal.com]

That's very lonely.

[arsgoetia]

She flushes and looks down.

[kepthishead.livejournal.com]

That's why people help each other. We're not alone. We change the lives of other people, and they change ours.

[arsgoetia]

"I'm not very good with people," she mutters.

[kepthishead.livejournal.com]

You can learn that.

[arsgoetia]

"Really...?" She seems dubious, but considering. "Humans make, like, no sense to me. I just... but still..."

[kepthishead.livejournal.com]

How many people do you know?

[arsgoetia]

"I, I don't know, do you mean humans?" she asks.

[kepthishead.livejournal.com]

Yes. And I mean know them, not know of them.

[arsgoetia]

"I... not a lot, I guess..."