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Post by Bluedramon on Apr 25, 2015 20:55:55 GMT -5
Fairy Tale-
Despite my fear, I found it hard to hold back my laughter. This guy must have a few screws loose if he thought that Scarlett and I were ever an item. Well, there was no use arguing with idiocy. If he wants to live in his fairy tale world, then fine.
However, my chuckling did not go unnoticed by Xerxes. He bared his teeth at me. I thought he was going to bite with that expression he was giving me.
“Do you think I'm funny?!”
I retorted, “No. You are hilarious.”
Xerxes trembled. “I'll show you how 'hilarious' I am!”
Magic-
“Get out of my way!”
“Come back here!”
“Monster!”
I tried to fight against Xerxes and his men. But there was little I could do as they dragged me out of the crevice and held me down. They exchanged a few blows at me, then they secured me while Xerxes approached.
He chuckled when he looked at my limbs. “Fascinating legs you have there. Or are they arms?” I didn't answer. “How do they work, anyway? Magic?”
I spat. “It's none of your concern!”
Xerxes just smiled at this. “Say, how is that one leg doing?”
I widened my eyes.
Do Not Disturb-
The screams wouldn't stop. The pain wouldn't go away. It increased, shooting up my leg, covering all of my body. The hands gripped me, held me down, while Xerxes worked on trying to break my leg.
“Just hold still.” Xerxes used a fake comforting voice. “It will all be over soon. Shh...”
I tried to fight back. His men were too strong and I was outnumbered.
Suddenly, I saw a familiar and welcoming sight.
“Z-Zuu...” I croaked.
“Go away! Do not disturb us!” Xerxes gritted his teeth.
Zuu stared at him calmly. Then he began to rush towards my attackers.
Multitasking-
I struggled to keep my eyes open. My vision was blurred, stained by tears, distorted by the pain. I was vaguely aware of Zuu going after my attackers. I could hear the screams as he bit down into them and tossed them around like they were ragdolls.
Even in my present state, I was aware of feeling some pang of fear. This was not the Zuu I remember. It reminded me of when he had killed that one cat.
But still, I had to admire his skill at multitasking here. Xerxes and his men stood no chance against Zuu's fury.
Horror-
Zuu soon stopped fighting my attackers. He had seen me in my current state. He grabbed onto me and started to fly through the air.
Xerxes and his men were chasing us. I couldn't help but feel a strong sense of horror wash over me. I was ashamed to admit it, even to myself. I was Skrawl. I shouldn't be afraid.
But I was. Seeing Xerxes run towards us, holding out what looked to be a net gun, I couldn't stop the sense of nausea in my stomach. I silently hoped that Zuu would be able to escape in time.
Traps-
This guy really thought ahead. He must have really wanted to get me. He had set up multiple traps. People stationed, ready to fire. The net guns pointed at us. I didn't know if we would be able to escape.
Zuu twisted his body around, diving, turning, dodging the nets. I held on tightly. This was difficult and soon I was unable to hold on any longer. I screamed as I started to fall off. Zuu wrapped his tail around my body and held me up. Another net was fired, barely missing me.
“You won't get away from us, Skrawl!”
Playing the Melody-
Home. It felt so good to be home.
I don't know how it was possible. But Zuu, despite the odds, managed to get us out of there. Even injured, even after my aggression towards him, he still saved me.
I pushed that aside. I shouldn't let it get to my head. I was safe now and that was all that mattered. Of course, now I was stuck in bed again. Xerxes did cause some damage to my leg.
All I could do was lay here, playing the melody of whatever was on the radio. It helped to clear my mind.
Hero-
“Are you now more willing to talk to me?”
“..no. Go away.”
“I saved your life.”
“I know you turned hero and saved me. Don't think I'm ungrateful.”
“Then why won't you talk?”
“I have nothing to say.”
“Skrawl, the longer you hold it in, the worst it will get. I know you have a lot of bottled up emotion inside. Why don't you just tell me so I can understand you more?”
“I thought you knew all about me. That's what you said.”
“I don't know you entirely because I cannot see from your perspective. Please. Help me understand.”
Annoyance-
I snarled and turned my head away. “I have nothing to tell you.”
Zuu, of course, would not let up. Even though he did save my life and I felt some gratefulness towards that, I still couldn't let go of my anger towards him. Ever since he had arrived, things hadn't exactly been thrillling for me.
“Why won't you tell me? Why won't you help me understand you more?”
“Because you are an annoyance, that's why!”
Zuu stared at me in silence. He blinked once. Then a small smile came upon his mouth. “I know there's another reason.”
I growled.
67%-
I scoffed. “What reason?”
“You should already know. You saw my scar.” Zuu moved towards me in a snake-like fashion. “You know I'm brain-damaged like you. The same thing happened to you, right?”
I put a hand on my head. That was enough for Zuu. Before I could protest, he continued.
“I know what it's like to be damaged. I still struggle myself. Especially since only 67% of my brain remains.”
“So if you were more damaged than me, then how is it you are more...in control than me?”
“Remember that therapist you killed?”
I froze.
“He had helped me.”
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Post by Bluedramon on Apr 26, 2015 11:06:26 GMT -5
What If....-
I stood in shock for a few moments. It took me a while to fully comprehend what I was just told. Soon I cleared my throat.
“So you are going to punish me?”
Zuu shook his head. “It would accomplish nothing. Besides, I feel nothing but pity for you.”
I growled. “Why? You trying to get close to me like...” I stopped myself.
Zuu tilted his head. “Did you ever ask yourself the simple question: what if....?”
“What are you talking about?”
“What if the incident with Scarlett...didn't happen the way you think it did?”
I scoffed at this notion.
Fear-
“I see you are in denial. You refuse to see things from another perspective. You refuse to see any possibility that maybe Scarlett never meant to hurt you.”
“I don't know where you are getting this. I know what I saw! I'm not stupid! She betrayed me!”
“Or so you think.”
“Why are you saying such things?!”
“I knew Scarlett.”
“I should have known! You going to trick me, too? Just like she did?!”
“Why are you so defensive? Why are you so afraid? What is it you fear?”
“Nothing!”
“What are you afraid of, Skrawl? Why are you scared?”
I Can't-
Despite my yelling and frustration, I was shaking on the inside. I could feel my mind going a million miles per hour. I could feel that sense of nausea make itself known in my stomach. Zuu was introducing me to an idea I had never thought of before.
What if Scarlett didn't try to kill me?
I...no. That was impossible. She was trying to murder me for revenge. I know she was. There's nothing else it could be. If she didn't try to kill me, then that meant I...
I can't accept that. It would mean I had...
I can't...
Are You Challenging Me?-
I pushed back those horrible feelings, telling myself that Zuu was just trying to confuse me.
“I know you felt something just now.” Zuu's voice filled my ears. “I see I had planted some seed of doubt in your head. Are you now ready to talk?”
I glared harshly at him. “Are you challenging me?”
Zuu shook his head. “I am merely trying to...educate you.”
“For what?”
“To see things through a different perspective. To look at an event from a new angle. You think you have it all figured out, don't you? But...what if you don't..?”
I looked away.
Mirror-
I walked away from Zuu. He did not try to stop me. I guess he is satisfied for what he's done so far. I did not want to admit it to him, but his words did start to affect me.
The idea of Scarlett being innocent... I didn't want to think it was possible. But if it was true..
I looked in the mirror of my bedroom. I couldn't look away. When I looked into my eyes, I saw Scarlett. The way she was looking at me when she died...that silent pleading. Could I have just...?
I struck the mirror.
Broken Pieces-
I stared down at the broken pieces of the mirror. They laid at my feet, gleaming in the light. I took in a few quick breaths, unable to look away from them. Each of them had Scarlett's face, the same one she gave me when I...
No, I couldn't put myself into guilt like that. It wasn't my fault. She is the one who tried to hurt me. I was only defending myself. Besides, why should I care? I had stopped caring long ago. I had embraced who I was. Why should this bother me?
It was not my fault...
Test-
I heard Zuu coming in. He said nothing as he stood there. I could see his shadow squirming along the wall like a snake. I narrowed my eyes. He was starting to look like what I had always thought of him.
A slithering con who only wanted to mess with me.
Not anymore.
I turned to glare at him. I clutched my hand into a fist. He had been in here long enough. “Why don't you just leave? This is my home! Not yours!”
“I stayed to help you...”
“That was weeks ago!”
“Skrawl...”
“Are you testing my patience?”
“No.”
Drink-
“No? Then why won't you leave?”
“Because I want to help.”
“Bah! I don't need help from you!”
I don't see why Zuu still thinks he can fool me. He has done nothing to show that he isn't like Scarlett. I don't care what he says. Scarlett tried to kill me. Nothing he shows me would ever change that.
My throat started to feel parched. I cursed at Zuu for making me scream so much. He did not respond. Good. Maybe he's finally learned I'm tired of his rubbish.
I needed to get something to drink anyway. That sounded nice.
Starvation-
I sat outside, leaning against the wall. I held the cup of cactus juice in my hand. I licked my lips slowly. I put it to my lips and started to drink it.
While I felt its cool, refreshing taste in my throat, I started to think of what I can do about Zuu. I was tired of his interference. I had to deal with him soon.
Perhaps starvation? He seemed to trust me enough. I could trap him somewhere and...
No, starvation was too slow. I needed something quicker.
My eyes brightened up.
That portal..
Yes, that could work.
Words-
It hadn't taken me long to reach the portal. It was a sight more beautiful than I could imagine. It was so small... But the fact that it connected to the Real World was too fascinating to put to words.
Yes... I could use this against Zuu somehow. Maybe I could force his creator to tell me Zuu's weakness somehow.
I approached and got as cslose as I could. I stuck one of my claws out and scraped against the wall. The screech immediately caught the attention of the creator.
“Who is there?” He asked cautiously. “Zuu..?”
I laughed coldly.
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Post by Bluedramon on Apr 27, 2015 15:35:33 GMT -5
Pen and Paper-
The things that could be done now. What I could have this human do. Many thoughts ran through my mind. It was hard to decide what to do first.
Should I have him erase something that could get rid of Zuu?
Should I have him tell me his weakness?
Or something else?
“Wh-Who are you..?”
I chuckled. “Not your concern. If you're smart, you'll obey me.”
“Why should I?”
“Because I can crawl into this hole and get you.”
A lie, but hopefully he will listen and get out a pen and paper and write Zuu's weaknesses.
Or something useful.
Can You Hear Me?-
I waited. The man did not respond. I was quickly losing my patience. I struck against the wall. I could hear him yelp. Still, no answer. I ground my teeth. What was he waiting for? A written invitation?
“Answer me!”
I still got no answer from the guy. I bet he was trying to deliberately ignore me. Well I will not tolerate being ignored.
“Can you hear me?” I hissed. “I know you can... Answer!”
“...Yes.”
“Good.” I smiled. “Now...will you be a good lad and...”
“No.”
I could feel my blood boil. “Why not?!”
“I'm not afraid of you.”
Redesign-
“Not afraid of me?! Not afraid?!” I wailed. “Do you even know who I am?!”
“You ask that question a lot, don't you? Zuu mentioned you to me.”
Zuu. Of course he would tell him about me. I wonder what else he said.
I threatened Zuu in hopes of making him bend. No luck. He might have been scared at first, but this man was showing no fear of me. He knows I cannot harm him from this side. I bit my tongue.
I realized I needd to redesign my plan somewhat. This wasn't working as well as I hoped.
Out Cold-
I walked out in frustration. I could still hear his words in my head.
“You need to relax. Your yin yang is unbalanced. I can sense it. Keep this up, you will hurt yourself more. Revenge is only temporarily satisfying. Stop trying to hurt Zuu and listen to him. He can help you.”
I couldn't believe this creator had the guts to stand up against me. And what rubbish he spoke. I don't care what Zuu did. He is not my friend. He is just a user, just like...
Something struck me. Before I knew it, I was out cold.
Spiral-
It felt like I was moving in a spiral. Around and around I went. I tried to clutch my head, but my limbs wouldn't move. I began to panic and struggle. It took me seconds to realize that my limbs had been tied.
I was in some kind of trunk of a car. Everything was so dark. I tried to speak. Something gagged me.
I felt a mixture of fear and embarrassment. This wasn't the first time I was caught. Was I losing my touch? Since when was I known for being the damsel in distress?
I was losing it.
End of the World-
The car stopped. I don't know how long I had been stuck in here. I had little hope for anyone finding me. It's not like anyone cared enough to come after me. Zuu might have helped before, but I was never this far out before. He doesn't really care about me, anyway. He just wants to manipulate me. That's all 'friends' ever do.
When Scarlett betrayed me, it felt like the end of the world for me. I would not allow that to happen again.
But..what if she didn't betray me...?
No, I musn't confuse myself. That's what Zuu wants.
Food-
How long had I been in here? Days? Weeks? Months? I lost track already. All my captor did was drive. I didn't know where I was being taken.
I felt my stomach growling. The pain in my belly grew as time passed. I was craving any kind of food. I needed to eat. Anything.
My captors never bothered to feed me, or give me anything to drink. I never even saw them.
I fought against the bitter humiliation I was feeling. Here I was, future king of ChalkZone, tied up and thrown in a car like a rag doll.
Pitiful.
Pain-
At long last, I was out of the car. It was then I realized I was blindfolded as well. I was dragged forward, and taken into what I guessed was a building. I was placed in a room and hooked into a chair. The blind fold was removed.
Lo and behold, it was Xerxes. I should have known. I commented how he never seems to give up.
He made it clear he won't stop until I suffered the same level of pain he did.
This time, I would not take this sitting down. I managed to break free and lunged.
Through the Fire-
Xerxes was shocked when he saw me break through my binds. Seeing the look on his face... this was more like it.
I slashed him across the face.
“How do you like it, punk?!”
I glared down at his terrified form. Yes, he should fear me. I kicked him, and watched him slide.
“Not so fun now, right?!”
He suddenly laughed, taking me by surprise. I demanded to know what he found so damn funny.
“How well can you run through the fire?”
I was confused by this. Then I saw him tilt over an oil lamp. The fire spread.
Triangle-
A narrow passage in the shape of a triangle. That was my only escape route. I ran for it.
Xerxes grabbed a hold of me. He told me that we were both going down together. I kicked him and managed to make him let me go. I told him he was a fool to not bring his men in. He retorted that he planned this all along, and he didn't want his men getting hurt.
I was shocked. He was going to sacrifice himself just to kill me? What a lunatic.
During our struggle, the floor boards broke. We fell.
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Post by Bluedramon on Apr 28, 2015 19:38:54 GMT -5
Drowning-
I felt something cold and wet hit me. I opened my mouth to breathe. I found that I couldn't. My eyes bulged when I felt water rush into me. It filled my lungs. My chest was on fire.
I panicked. I struggled to swim up. A task that was made hard from my past injuries.
I felt someone grab me. I looked down. Through my watered gaze, I saw Xerxes. He was pulling me down with him. He had a demented look in his eyes. He was drowning me with him.
I managed to kick free. By then, darkness loomed.
All That I Have-
I don't know how I did it. I somehow managed to force my eyes open and fight against the growing darkness. I thrashed about in the water, did all I could to try to find a surface. Any surface. My efforts were growing weaker by the second. All I could do was kick and squirm. That was all that I have left in me.
I became aware of a familiar gold-orange figure. No..how did he find me? That was...impossible. He...
My shock at his arrival was ended when unconsciousness began to win its war in my mind. My eyes closed.
Give Up-
“Open your eyes. You can do it.”
My vision came into view. I opened my mouth and coughed. I was on my knees. I was aware of pain. I paid no attention. I was busy refilling my lungs.
I looked up and saw Zuu standing there. A wave of confusing emotion rushed through my body. I wasn't sure what to think, or what to feel. This hadn't been the first time he saved me. He was just trying to trick me, right? There was nothing that...
Who was I kidding? I should just give up and admit that... I'm wrong.
Last Hope-
Zuu had been there for me more than once. He had saved me more than enough times. Even when I pushed him away, he came back. He was the very reason I was still alive. I had to accept that maybe I had misjudged him. Perhaps I had brought this on myself.
It wasn't an easy thing to do. The idea of me being wrong... It stung my heart. I hated being wrong. I hated being the one who misjudged. That's what happened with Scarlett. I..
She had been my last hope for a normal life, and she betrayed me.
Advertisement-
Zuu stood in front of me the whole time. He remained silent. After a few moments, he asked me if I was fine, and if I had anything I wanted to talk about now.
Despite my revelation that I may have been wrong, that didn't mean I was willing to admit it to him. I gritted my teeth and hissed at him that my emotions weren't some advertisement for him.
He said he never saw them as such, and reiterated that he just wanted to help me. I really wanted to, but... a part of me just couldn't believe him.
In the Storm-
Zuu took me home. He let me ride on his back. I was grateful, even if I didn't admit it. The ride was nice, especially after what happened to me.
Up ahead, I noticed a storm cloud. I growled. Of course a kid would erase such a thing, now of all times. We had no choice but to fly in the storm. At least it wasn't so bad. I hated getting wet, though. It made my hair a little...poofy.
I asked him how he knew where I was. He told me that his creator had alerted him to what happened.
Safety First-
I admit, I was shocked to learn that the creator whom I had threatened would help me. He had heard part of what on and contacted Zuu and told him. I didn't just how Zuu my life. I also owed that creator. Not like I'd say such a thing out loud, of course.
And..there was still a part of me that was guarded. Safety first, it would tell me. Always err to the side of caution. I learned this lesson too late before. I would not neglect it again.
We soon arrived back. I went into my room and rested.
Puzzle-
I began to think about my doubts regarding Scarlett again. I was still horrified at the thought of killing her through a misunderstanding, no matter how much I pushed it back. I wanted to continue believing she did it on purpose. It helped me feel better.
But did feeling better equal right? If goody-goodies like Rudy Tabootie are to be believed, then no.
I needed to figure out this puzzle. Zuu seemed confident I was wrong. Perhaps he'd know.
I went down to where Zuu was resting. He was curled up in one of the rooms. I walked over slowly.
Solitude-
“So you want to know if I know anything about Scarlett?”
“Yes.”
“I know you killed her.”
“I am aware of that. But.. you seemed to think that it was a misunderstanding.”
“Correct.”
“Why do you think that?”
“I don't really know if it was or wasn't. I was just introducing the possibility.”
“..you lied to me?”
“No. Getting you to see things from a different angle isn't lying. I can see why it's hard for you. When you live in solitude like this...”
“I have my Beanie Boys.”
“Regardless, you're out of practice. Perhaps...I can make the process easier.”
Relaxation-
“You need to hold still for this.”
I tried to do what the dragon told me. It was hard. I had never made an attempt at relaxation before. Not after all this time. I was too busy. I had no time for relaxation.
“Please try to relax, Skrawl.”
I eventually managed to get myself to calm down, as shocking as that might seem. I sighed deeply.
Zuu raised his paw into the air. “It's time to relive the past. I will make it less painful.”
I could feel his paw against my forehead. I was aware of a cool-warm sensation.
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Post by Bluedramon on May 1, 2015 17:35:09 GMT -5
Sorry for the delay. Here's 10 more!
This will end up being even longer; I have not yet wrapped up everything.
Btw, if I repeated a theme name, let me know.
Visions Of The Past-
I could feel myself starting to relax. The sensation from Zuu's paws spread throughout my head. Even as my memories clawed their way up, the presence of this odd yet comforting energy was enough to keep me from panicking.
I began to see visions of the past. They played before me like a video cassette. This way and that, I watched. Positive memories at first. Then the more negative moments in my life.
I could see Scarlett. My heart wrenched when I saw the fun we used to have together. I tensed up, gritting my teeth. This was too much.
Moment-
“No, do not fight it. Let the memories flow.”
Zuu's voice tore through the silence. I clenched my teeth further, but soon, as the dragon kept talking to me, I began to relax more. I became still and my body stopped being so tense. I let the memories continue to move through my head.
I saw the time when I first started to sing. I saw how I had rushed to help Scarlett. I saw all the times we hung out and laughed and enjoyed each other's company.
Then came that moment. When she had shot me. Why did she...?
Yes-
“No! Stop! I can't take this anymore!”
I pulled away from Zuu. I pushed him back and then rushed several feet away. I didn't look where I was going. I ended up crashing against the wall. I yelped in pain and clutched my head. Unable to do anything, I dropped down ono my knees and shivered. The tears stung my cheeks.
Zuu came towards me. “You have a hard time looking into your own past. Even with my help, you cannot face it.” He paused. “You believe Scarlett hurt you that much?”
I whirled around and shouted at him. “Yes!”
What Else-
Zuu was silent for a few moments, twirling his tail behind him. I glared at him in bitter silence. I panted heavily. I wondered what he was going to do or say next. What else was he going to tell me?
Zuu turned his head away, looking out the nearby window. “I am betting you are wondering why I talk as if Scarlett is innocent.”
My eyes widened at this. It quickly dawned on me. “Y-Yes... Yes I am. She shot me. How can you be so sure she didn't? There's footage available and...”
“There is another story yet undiscovered.”
Security Camera-
I wasn't sure what he was talking about. When I demanded he tell me, he simply told me he was going to take me somewhere. He said that there was something that he felt I really needed to see. I would have asked him what it was, but I knew he would not tell me. So I just followed him. I hope this was worth my time.
Zuu took me back to his place. He pulled out a security camera that he had stolen. He popped it in the VCR and pressed play.
On the screen, I could see Scarlett.
Face-
My eyes widened. It was the same footage that one Beanie Boy had showed me before. He turned to Zuu and demanded he turn it off. He did not. He told me to watch.
It played out just like before. Her pointing the gun at me, the Beanie Boy saving me. The sight of it again caused my eyes to well up in bitter tears. I could feel my body shaking. Why was Zuu making me watch this again?
I soon noticed something different. I focused on Scarlett's face. For a second, I could've sworn her face looked horrified.
Why...?
Only One Way-
It was difficult for me to comprehend. That footage that I had seen... I never noticed Scarlett's shocked face before. Was this what Zuu had meant by every picture had multiple stories?
Zuu seemed pleased that I had noticed. He said something, but I was not listening. My mind was too busy buzzing around with thoughts.
If Scarlett was shocked then...did that mean she did not mean to shoot me? Impossible. She leveled the gun and... Unless there was more to what happened...
There was only one way to find out. I turned to Zuu and asked for a ride.
Diary-
I hated invading privacy like this. I tried to calm myself down. It wasn't like Scarlett was around anymore to stop me.
It felt really strange being in her house again. I moved through it slowly, and sometimes I would see apparitions of her. Despite my hatred of her, I could feel my heart sting. There was still a part of me that longed for her to be alive.
I soon found what I wanted. Her diary. I felt so dirty doing this. But...but I must know.
I opened up the book and began to read through it. Zuu watched.
Only Wanted To-
I froze at what I read. My mind went numb, and I could feel ice shoot through my veins.
There was a passage in her diary. I knew it could not be a lie. Why would she lie to herself? I read it over and over again, and it always remained the same.
Scarlett...had never planned on killing me. She..she had only wanted to find me help. She was going to use a tranquilizer dart on me. She must have grabbed the wrong one by mistake and...
Oh gawd... That meant that I had... Oh no...
I dropped down suddenly.
Shattered Everything-
I was hardly aware of Zuu beside me. I could barely hear his words. All I could think of was this newfound information that shattered everything I thought I knew had happened.
Scarlett never meant to hurt me. She was trying to find help for me. She made a mistake. And I had killed her for it.
Those eyes...I could see them again. No longer did I feel proud. Now I felt intense guilt. I killed Scarlett... my friend... It was my fault. I-I never gave her a chance to defend herself.
“What kind of monster am I?!” I wailed.
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Post by Bluedramon on May 5, 2015 20:48:50 GMT -5
And here are the final themes for the sequel.
I Truly Was-
“No, you are not a monster. You are just lost.”
I did not pay attention to the words the dragon spoke. I was too lost in my own thoughts. The memories kept flooding back. They wouldn't leave me alone. I just...couldn't fathom that I killed Scarlett over a misunderstanding. I had lost my best friend all because I had reacted too irrationally. It was all my fault. I was truly a monster.
Zuu tried to console me. I did not respond. Soon, he suggested that we just go back to my place. I agreed and, numbly, I followed him closely.
Lost-
I stayed quiet during our trip back. I didn't say a word the entire time. Zuu tried to break the silence. He eventually gave up as he refused to answer him.
I wondered what I was going to do now. All this time, I had been living in hatred and anger, much of it originating from Scarlett betraying me. But now that I know she did not.. It was as if someone pulled the plug. I could feel something draining out of me.
Zuu was right. I'm lost. I didn't know what to do anymore. I'd never been so confused.
Frozen In Horror-
I was frozen in horror. I could not tear my eyes away as I saw my place on fire. Huge walls of black smoke and flames shot around everywhere. The glow and warmth could be felt on me, even from this distance.
I felt my body shaking. What could have happened?
Zuu and I rushed forward. The screams of my Beanie Boys could be heard. I could see a few getting out, most on fire. A few others were on the ground, burnt to a crisp. I turned my head from the gruesome sight.
It was then I heard laughter.
Did You Miss Me-
“Did you miss me?”
I couldn't believe it. Xerxes...? How did he survive that fall? I thought for sure he had died.
He stood not far away, holding a large flamethrower, and a bottle of accelerent. It took me only seconds for the pieces to click in my head. I growled at him. I did my best to hide my fear of him and demanded to know what he was doing on my property.
He retorted that he had no intention on letting me survive. That so long as I stood, he would find me and destroy me.
He's obsessed.
Shut Up-
I turned to Zuu and told him to rescue any Beanie Boys he finds. He asked me what about myself. I told him that I was going to take care of some unfinished business. It was time I faced Xerxes on my own, and taught him a lesson.
After Zuu left, I moved towards Xerxes. I eyed the flamethrow nervously, but did not show much of my fear. Xerxes just smiled at me, looking almost insane.
He mocked me, telling me how I was just making things easier for him. I told him to shut up and I charged him.
The Only Mistake-
I managed to push the weapons out of his hands. I knocked him into the ground and pinned him down. He gripped me and pushed back at me. We wrestled across the ground, struggling against each other.
“What did Scarlett ever see in you? You're too ugly to have a girlfriend!”
“How many times do I need to tell you? She was not my girlfriend! She was just...a friend...”
Xerxes sneered, “She liked you more than she did me. She made a grave mistake.”
“The only mistake she made was associating with the likes of you!”
Xerxes struck at me.
Rolled And Rolled-
Our fight continued. Even as I saw Zuu take the last surviving Beanie Boy to safety, even as my place started to crumble, the powerful fire destroying even the stone, we fought. I don't know how far we had gone. We rolled and rolled, exchanging constant blows. It must have been forever when we finally stopped.
I coughed as we landed in a large pile of dust and sand at the bottom of a steep hill. I struggled to wipe the sand from my eyes. Xerxes took advantage of this and knocked me into the ground. He pinned me down.
Don't You Think-
Xerxes put his face close to mind. He gave me a disturbing look.
“You know, it was a good thing that Scarlett almost killed you. That redeemed her somewhat.”
I growled at this. “She never wanted to kill me.”
“Oh I know that. I'm sure her using a real gun on you was unintentional. That was...quite a freaky accident, don't you think..?”
My eyes widened in horror. “Y-You're the one who...”
Xerxes's smile stretched. “Oh I might have had something to do with it. Maybe I slipped a real gun in by mistake...” He chuckled. “Wouldn't that have been something...?”
It Was His Fault-
I couldn't believe what I heard. I felt my whole world go numb and cold. Xerxes's words echoed in my head. My mind flashed back to Scarlett, her accidentally shooting me with the real gun, instead of a tranquilizer.
Xerxes... It had been him the whole time. He switched out the guns. He got her to use a real gun to shoot me with, because he wanted me dead and out of the way. It was his fault that I had been injured that day. It was his fault that I snapped.
It was his fault that Scarlett was dead...
Blind Rage-
“You..murderer...!”
I went into a blind rage. I was not aware of anything around me. All I knew was my own boiling anger and the screams coming from Xerxes as I blindly attacked him. He was horrified by this turn of events and he tried to escape.
I did not let him. I grabbed onto him and pulled him back. Again and again I attacked, slashing him up with my claws. I ripped him apart, laughing insanely as his blood splattered against me.
Soon Xerxes stood no more. He rested at my feet, his body torn and bloodied. I waited.
Shaking-
Xerxes tried to speak. He could not. I tore his throat out. He looked at me in absolute fear. I could see myself reflecting in his eyes. I saw my twisted smile and my bloodstained body. In my rage, I did not care.
Xerxes soon collapsed. His body went through the death throes, and soon become completely still.
It was only then that I realized what I had done. I looked at my claws, seeing the blood on them. I had just killed again in a rage. This...wasn't what I wanted.
I took a few steps away from Xerxes, shaking.
Recent-
What have I done...? I didn't want to kill him. Why did I let my anger control me again? How could I let this happen again?
I ran. I didn't know where I was going. I just ran. I went deep into a nearby forest. Uncharted and never explored by me. I did not care. All I wanted to do was get away.
Soon I collapsed and fell down. I trembled as I pushed myself up. I tried to fight back the emotions. But they were too strong. The recent knowledge I obtained... Scarlett...
I couldn't keep myself from crying.
Should Have-
I soon stopped crying and sniffled. I leaned against the tree. Normally, I would be disgusted with myself for showing weakness. I thought I had let go of this behavior long ago. Turned out it was all just pent up inside, ready to be unleashed.
The fact that Scarlett was innocent, and it had been Xerxes this whole time did not make things any better. It still stung whenever I thought about how I killed Scarlett in cold blood. Why didn't I let her explain herself? I should have...
I don't know if I could ever forgive myself. I couldn't...
Nothing Left-
I heard someone behind me. I turned to see Zuu. He had found me somehow. He looked at me with concern and approached me.
“What's wrong?”
I told him what happened, and what I had learned. When I was finished, my voice was cracked and too soft, and I went silent.
Zuu said, “I see. That was...unexpected. I didn't know he was involved.”
“I should have given her a chance and now I...I have nothing left.” I clinched my eyes shut and gritted my teeth.
Zuu shook his head. “No. You still have your Beanie Boys. And...you still have me.”
Help-
I stared at Zuu in confusion. “What...?”
Zuu stood in front of me, smiling. “You aren't a monster. You just need guidance. I will be willing to provide that for you. If...you're willing to accept my help.”
I stared at his outstretched paw. Before, I would recoil in disgust and tell him to leave. This time, I had a different set of thoughts in my head.
Zuu had been the first zoner to seek me out and try to help me. In someways, he reminded me of Scarlett. I couldn't help but smile.
I reached out and took his hand.
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