It's been a whole day.
The Sect lost, disbanded even. The cats are alive, Solace even turned a new leaf while Shieki was a micen all along. And you're going to get your family back, and Pyrrah is dead. Life seems to be good. The leonas invited you to a sleep over at Solace' place, but considering the fact you've been banished from all colonies, you don't have an army behind your back and you don't plan on opening old scars, you decided to stay at Risa's room. Somehow you're safer.
In the wall, behind Risa's bed, were several tunnels that led to... who knows? It was mostly unexplored. Whatever information or mental maps of the place existed were lost with Pyrrah, for as you began looking around you were able to see plenty of clothes and empty holes made for food. Only Pyrrah is crazy enough to sleep next to Risa.
You followed a scrap of paper with a map written in pencil. It was easy to follow: Go straight, make a left, then go on and make a right. Then continue straight or a meter or so.
No wonder people stayed away from the place, you could smell a rattis. Pyrrah didn't leave this place intentionally, and that may explain why there was little to no food in the stocks she had. For a moment, you were worried that rat got to them first. However, after a sniff, you got a scent from them. At first it was exhilarating. Then... It was strange. It was only Annekke's. Caw's, Gino's, and Seraph's scent were faint!
You ran as fast as you could down the hall towards a large open room.Then you heard a whimper. Someone is expecting you inside, perhaps from your blatant footsteps.
"Annekke?" You asked.
There was a gasp, "Basa?" You saw a figure, a starving and weak silhouette crawled to the frame of the hole. Your heart felt heavy to see her in this position.
You ran towards her, and she did likewise. You embraced her, feeling her bones under what was left of her skin. Your heart pounded furiously.
"I'm sorry!" She panted, "I'm so sorry." She fell to her knees and began to weep in the moment that followed.
"Annekke," You tried to speak.
"I was stupid! I shouldn't have ran."
"What happened?" You asked, sympathy ruling over your voice.
"Pyrrah.... She told us everything. She said the rattis will protect us, and she was feeding him too... But then she disappeared. She left us for dead!"
"Us?" Your ears perked, "Where's..." You sniffed, trying to get your head to stay calm, "Where are the kids?"
She began crying before nodding, "They ran off." In her sniveling, she continued, "When the food dried up, they ran off. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Your back straightened and your muscles strained with the weight on your heart. You made a fist, but hid it. You fell to your knees as well. You got so far! Why did they have to leave? "They... They didn't say where they might go?"
"Risa... They said they'd risk going with Risa. Seraph c-convinced the two." She began crying harder, resting her head on your shoulder, "They're dead. I just know it. I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have listened to her. I was scared, Momby. I wanted to get away from Risa... I just... I'm sorry..."
"I'm sorry, too." You said, softly pushing her off of you.
"B-Basa?" She wept.
You placed your hands around her neck, You promised you would not let anything happen to your family. Annekke's fear put everything at risk. She abandoned you and starved your kids due to her phobia of a cat! "I loved you. I trusted you."
"Mom-gah!"
You squeezed.
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author