Explain It Like I'm Tree

Roots

"That's not an answer."

"Says you. So, yeah, you picked out a stupid-dangerous looking cave, but then... I didn't say anything." The words trickled out slower. "And on top of that... I went in wanting... I was envious. But. I never said anything. I just... looked away whenever it hurt. So... I don't think blame works, here. We didn't... nobody meant to hurt anyone. We just... did."

Mystery whined once, but said nothing. Vivi managed to unfold enough to scratch his drooping ears.

"I need to think about all that," Vivi said, her throat thick. "But... what now?"

There was silence between them for a minute or two. Then Arthur blew out his lips. "Well. We're waiting on Mr. Finch to let us in. I'll walk around the property and eyeball it some more. When he comes, let's ask him to give us as much info as he can, both about how stable the structure is and this curse he keeps talking about. I might be willing to go into the main building, but unless there are vital clues missing, we don't go up the linkin-log tower. I can bend that far."

Vivi nodded her head and stood. "Yeah. Fine. I'll take whatever side of the house you don't, for now."

"Vee–"

"I need some alone time." She turned and walked off to the left. "I won't go inside until you're ready. I'll get what I can off the garage area. Let's meet back at the front steps in half an hour." She paused as a furry coat brushed her leg. "Alone-alone time, Mystery. Stick with Arthur. I'll be back."

................................................................

Mystery did not like this place. It wasn't the sort of hackles-raised alarm he'd had about the cave, but something was sour about the area. And he certainly sided with Arthur on the state of the house.

And then there was Vivi. Her behavior bewildered him. He couldn't remember the last time she pushed him away like that. He felt foolish, staring after her with all the hurt of an abandoned pup as she made her way around the corner of the garage. He was ages older than her. Her immature behavior shouldn't sting like that.

"Figures. Always going off half-cocked, like it's never going to fall apart under her feet." Arthur's caustic words brought Mystery about-face. His expression was bleak and bitter. The light he'd so recently gotten back into his face was nowhere to be seen. And he... he smelled different.

"Maybe I'm the ghost around here," he grumbled, "for all she hears me. It's always been like this. Why do I even bother?"

Mystery's fur stood up, but he kept his teeth behind his lips and forced a calm into his voice that he didn't feel. "Arthur, can you hear me?"

Arthur didn't look over. "Yeah. I hear you. I guess you can hear me. Unlike some people. Why?"

"What is happening inside you right now?"

At that, Arthur did look over. Panic twisted his face and he scrambled backward on his rear. "You've gone all puffball. What do you sense? Is something happening to me? Oh gods! What?"

"Arthur."

He began babbling, "We have to run, now! No... no you have to grab Vivi and run! Don't let her near me!"

"Arthur!" Mystery barked. It echoed softly around them. "Those aren't the words of the possessed."

Arthur flopped onto his back, his chest heaving. Mystery approached slowly, putting each paw down as loudly as he could, and laid his weight across Arthur's chest. The heartbeat hammering away beneath him slowed a little at the contact.

"You're most certainly not possessed," Mystery soothed. "That reaction just now was wholly Arthur. But something is different. Your anger is... more overt than usual. Louder. Are those really your feelings?"