Puppet Strings Can Break

Chapter 2

His POV
They didn't respond. Usually I'd get a yes or no, but guess not. I slowly shook them, not wanting to startle more than I already had. "Hello? Are you-" they cut me off by pushing me back. Luckily as a ghost i didn't get hurt, but I had to get my job done. "look, kid," I started, but they cut me off again. "i-i know who you are- and what you do-" It confused me. Was i really becoming known for this shit? They uncovered their ears and opened their eyes, and i noticed the harsh mark on their cheek. I mean sure i convinced people to.. you know.. but I'd never ran into this shit often- hell not even someone this young! "What happened?" I asked, kneeling down so that i could at least be close to eye level. "Oh jeeze- um-" they covered it, but i pulled their hand down. It was new, and looking at them closer scars littered their entire body. My eyes just kept widening at each new scar i found "it's really nothing- i just-" this time i didn't let them finish. "Nope, you can't pull the 'i just fell down' bullshit on me. Who's hurting you." I'd never felt so protective of anyone, but now.. this kid needed it. Calling on someone like me is low, but being so young and fragile is so much worse. They fell silent.

Your POV:
You couldn't answer him. What would he say? What would he even do? "...s-so.. what's your name?" You whisper, and he notices the change in subject. He didn't press farther though, just sighing and sitting up "Puppeteer." Why did you even ask? You knew his name before and after he died, so what was the point? Did you just want to get off the subject? You reach under your pillow, handing him the makeshift puppet "Pfft- this? Kid, i already have some of my own-" he said, but you just pushed it into his hand farther. Despite how everyone said you would be scared, possibly paranoid around him, you felt safe. It's a sense you hadn't felt in so many years, and you wanted to cherish it. "My name is... Y/N." You smiled, and he just chuckled and stood, placing his hand on your head. And suddenly, you were fast asleep...

In the dream world, you were wandering what felt like an endless void. You were chasing a hum, a voice you just barely recognized. You kept running, until finally you began to see a golden glow. Taking a deep breath, you called his name as loud as you could. You didn't even know how he'd respond to it. "JONOTHAN!!" A feeling of wind was behind you, making you turn around to see him there. You sighed with relief that it was actually him, hugging him. "Kid- i said you can call me-" you tugged him closer to shut him up. "I didn't hide my identity from you, you don't have to hide yours from me. We're both a sense of safety for eachother.." he just chuckled and helped you to where he sat, happily showing you around what he made into a home. "When i said i had many puppets," he started, before taking his hand out of his pocket and summoning many puppets connected to strings. They all represented different ways a person could die by their own hands. "Oh.." you scanned the people, not recognizing any, until you stumbled upon one on the ground. Picking it up gently, you recognized yourself. "That one? It fell down earlier. Typically when they fall they're about to..." you just nodded, chuckling weakly. "Listen, Y/N, i know it's against everything I'm supposed to do to say this but-" he turned you to face him as he spoke, hands on both of your arms as he gave you a worried yet gentle glare. "You're someone i want to keep living. The only person i want to keep living." His words were genuine, you could tell just by how he started to tremble "I can't handle seeing another person i care about die, and you're now somebody under my protection. Until you're out of that situation or, if you don't listen to what i want, until your death, I'll always be there. Just call my name." Tears welled in your eyes as you started to shake, before sobbing once again and hugging him. For once, someone was finally there to protect you, to be there, to actually care for you. "I-I will-" you started, wiping the tears, before restating what you said "I will." He smiled at your answer, bringing his hand to your head once more. "Then..." he began, rubbing your head softly.

"Wake up, and keep fighting. For me."