A fresh wound?, You thought. But how?
Madison felt the open wound once more, and winced when she touched it. She spoke slowly, and in a tired tone.
Madison: I also have a really bad headache.
Clockwork looked at you with concern.
(Y/n): She didn't get hit anywhere near that spot.
Clockwork: Even then, this isn't a cut. It looks like she just got shot.
You felt sick.
Slenda had been sitting in the manor with a few of the other girls when she sensed Zalga's energy within the mansion. She stood, and pinpointed the source of it.
The gym?, She thought.
She teleported there, only to see you, Jane, and Clockwork huddled around Madison. The two girls noticed her, and backed away. Slenda immediately noticed Madison's wound.
Slenda recalled Madison having been shot in the head when she was killed, and questioned how the wound could've opened up like that. She had her answer within a minute.
Slenda: Zalga.
Jane: What?
Slenda: This is Zalga's doing.
Madison, who had just realized what was happening, looked to Slenda. With tears beginning to form, she asked,
Madison: A-Am I going to die?
Slenda wasn't sure how to answer that, and hearing the desperation in Maddie's voice broke her heart.
(Y/n): No Maddie, you'll be ok. I promise.
She saw the worried expression in your eye, and silently sighed. Slenda pulled you away, and told you what she had found out. In a worried whisper, you asked,
(Y/n): So Zalga's the one trying to kill her?
Slenda: Not trying.
She paused.
Slenda: She is killing her.
(Y/n): But how? And why?
Slenda: She brought Madison back using magic. That magic is what's keeping her alive. Now, she has pulled that magic away.
You sat on the ground.
(Y/n): There has to be a way to save her. I can't lose her, not again.
Slenda: The only way would be to go and ask Zalga to restore her well being. And unfortunately, we know that she wouldn't do that.
(Y/n): I just... I can't...
You were beginning to choke on your words, and as your breathing sped up, you looked at Maddie. She was holding her head, and you could only imagine the pain she was going through.
(Y/n): I can't decide. I want to stay here with her. But... I need to-
Slenda: You should stay with Madison, give her a sense of comfort and safety, despite what's going to happen.
You nodded. As a tear ran down your cheek, you asked the girls to leave. You stood next to Maddie, and she began to speak.
Madison: I have it figured out.
You didn't say a word.
Madison: That what's happening to me... It isn't good.
She looked at you, the tears running down her cheeks.
Madison: I want to stay here, with you and all of the girls! I don't want to leave, not now, not ever!
She began coughing, and blood came out.
Madison: I'm not going to see tomorrow, am I?
(Y/n): I'm not sure.
You tried your hardest to keep your composure.
(Y/n): I'm sorry Maddie.
Madison: It's not... Your fault.
She wiped what she believed to have been tears. However, you were horrified when you saw that blood was seeping from her eyes. She groaned in pain, and clutched her stomach as she said,
Madison: It hurts, everything hurts.
She began to hyperventilate. Though you couldn't tell, her gut felt like someone had taken a chainsaw to it.
The sides of her head started to ache, and you noticed blood slowly seeping from her ears as well. She was on the verge of not being able to speak. Very quietly, she whispered,
Madison: P-Please, at least sit with me.
You nodded, and sat next to her. You offered Madison your hand, and she rested hers within it. You held her hand, and she coughed violently. She was taking sharp breaths, which told you that it hurt for her to breath.
Madison: I... I want to t-thank you and the girls... For letting me stay with you-
(Y/n): No Maddie, thank you for being with us.
She rested her head against your shoulder, as she was too weak to keep herself up.
Madison: Could you... T-Tell me a story? About... When we were younger?
You couldn't keep your composure, and began to break down as you said,
(Y/n): Of course Maddie, any... Anything for you.
You tried your best not to cry as you told her about the first time the two of you got a trampoline. You knew that she absolutely loved it, and would always ask if you would jump on it with her.
(Y/n): I remember when Mom... When she got that trampoline. Do you... Do you remember that Maddie?
She nodded slowly, and said,
Maddie: I remember... Bouncing really high.
(Y/n): T-That's right. The first day we got it, the first thing you wanted to do was see how high you could go. We would jump at the same time, and since I was bigger...
Your voice cracked, and you started to sob.
(Y/n): You would be the one who jumped higher. Do you remember when I sprained my ankle?
You looked at her, and a relieved expression formed on her face. She nodded in response to your question, a small smile forming, and in a weak voice, she said,
Madison: The pain... I can't feel it (Y/n). Now I just feel... Sleepy.
(Y/n): Try your best to stay awake ok? For me?
Madison: I wouldn't... Want to miss the story.
Her eyes were shut, and her breathing slowed down.
(Y/n): Well, I tried to be the one that jumped higher, but I was too close to the edge, and I...
You tried to make your sobs sound like chuckles.
(Y/n): ...Jumped off of the trampoline instead of going straight up.
Madison: Then... What happened?
She spoke in a very tired tone.
(Y/n): Well, I sprained my ankle, and Mom came out and began to lecture me on how I should've been more careful. You and I, we began to laugh.
You stopped to wipe the tears from your eye.
(Y/n): I... I like that memory. And I'd give anything to go back to how things were.
She was breathing very slowly.
Madison: (Y/n), can you... Can you make me a promise?
(Y/n): Anything you want Maddie.
Madison: Please... Stop her. Stop Zalga. Don't let her do anymore wrong to this world. Don't let her take anyone away from their families. And...
She stopped.
(Y/n): And?
You couldn't hear her.
(Y/n): Maddie?
You squeezed her hand.
(Y/n): Maddie?!
There was no answer. With trembling hands and a shaky voice, you checked her pulse. As much as you'd wished for it, there was nothing.
She was gone.
(Y/n): No... Maddie, I-
You couldn't speak. You only laid her down, and crossed her hands on her chest. Her eyes were already closed, and although the smile had faded for the most part, there was a trace of it left.
You slowly laid down on the floor, your entire body shaking. Your ears began to ring, and your blood felt ice cold.
(Y/n): I-I'll make sure she pays.
There wasn't any holding it back, and your sobs echoed throughout the empty gym.
3 & 1/2 Years Ago...
(Y/n): Not even three months in, and you're already sick of school?
Madison: School sucks.
You laughed.
(Y/n): I'm sure everyone feels the same.
Madison: Do you think my outfit looks cool?
(Y/n): Sis, you and I make everything look cool.
She smiled and glanced at what she was wearing once more. Madison wore a dark blue hoodie with a black shirt underneath, with a pair of comfortable jeans.
Her shoes were black with white shoelaces, and once she finished looking over her outfit, she gave you a smile.
(Y/n): Are you ready to go?
Madison: Yeah!
Your mother was waiting outside in her vehicle, and the two of you entered it. They spoke during the drive there, while you spaced out.
15 years old, huh?, You thought.
You were 1 week into your first year of highschool, and so far you enjoyed it. Of course there were people you didn't like, but for the most part, it went well. You eventually made it to Madison's school, and when she left the vehicle, you told her,
(Y/n): Stay safe, ok? There have been a lot of bad things happening lately.
Madison: Don't worry, if anyone tries anything, I'll be sure to give them the ol' one two.
She made a punching motion as she said this, and the two of you shared a laugh.
(Y/n): I'll see you after school Maddie.
Madison: Bye (Y/n)! Bye Mom!
As your mother drove away from the school building, you had no idea that this would have been the last time you saw your sister. Or that the next time you saw her would be at a funeral.
Present Time, 2019...
You had stopped crying, but not because you got over your loss. You simply didn't have any more tears to shed. A small knock came from the doors to the gym.
(Y/n): Come in.
Slenda slowly let herself in, and took a few steps.
Slenda: I'm sorry (Y/n), I know she meant a lot to you.
You didn't look back, but kept looking at Madison's face. She had an almost peaceful expression, and in a sad tone, you replied,
(Y/n): She still does. Always will.
Slenda: If you need time to yourself, I can lea-
(Y/n): She gave me one last request.
Slenda stayed silent.
(Y/n): She wanted me to stop Zalga. For good.
You sighed.
(Y/n): And that's what I'll do. She took Maddie from me, so I'll take away everything she loves. That is...
You faced Slenda.
(Y/n): Assuming she actually holds any value or love for anything. I'm going to bury her.
Slenda: I don't think you should-
(Y/n): I need to do this.
She was going to speak, but you stopped her.
(Y/n): Trust me.
Slenda didn't stop you as you gently lifted Madison up. You walked out of the doors to the gym, and a few of the girls spotted you on their way out.
A few of them held expressions of sadness, others of guilt and hatred (towards who you presumed was Zalga).
You left through the front doors of the mansion, and searched for an opening in the woods. You found one, and although there were a few trees, there were much less than there were next to the mansion.
You brought a shovel with you, and set Madison down as you began to dig. After five minutes, you dug a hole large enough to fit her, and after setting her in, you began to fill the grave with dirt.
(Y/n): I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you, but most of all, I'm sorry that you had to go through this.
You kept filling the grave.
(Y/n): I was so caught up in the idea of having you back that I didn't think about what you'd been through.
You paused, and resumed after a minute.
(Y/n): I hope you can forgive me for that.
You had almost finished filling the grave.
(Y/n): I'll uphold my promise Maddie, no matter what. I'll make sure that she's stopped.
You felt the urge to cry, but couldn't.
(Y/n): And if you could, give Mom a hug for me, ok?
The grave was filled completely. Your neck felt strange without your necklace around it. You had left it with Madison, who held it within her hands. You sat down next to the grave, and spoke to her a bit more.
(Y/n): I had hoped that day would never come. It hit us hard, harder than anything else we'd been through. But to have it happen a second time.
You clenched your fist.
(Y/n): It felt like I was reliving that day. Truth be told, I suppose I'd never gotten over it. I guess that deep down, you and Mom, more than anything, drove me to do what I've done. Was it because I didn't get to say goodbye to either of you? Or maybe because I thought that it was unfair?
You took a breath.
(Y/n): What I do know is that what I did to those people, wasn't something a good person would do. I guess that doesn't make me any better than the criminals I've hunted down, huh? But after a while, it came naturally. Sometimes I wonder if the bad I've done outweighs the good.
You laid down, and looked into the sky.
(Y/n): But then I think about the good things that have come from it. Before Zalga. Crime rates dropped, Johnny formed his own little neighborhood watch, and everyone generally felt more safe. So I'll never stop fighting for what's right.
You sat up right, and looked at the grave.
(Y/n): Although it hurts to see you go, at the very least, I was able to say goodbye this time around. To talk to you again, even if it was only for a day. I thank you for that Maddie. I guess keeping it bottled up really isn't good for you. And although you can't hear me, I thank you for listening anyway. This will still hurt to think of, but I'll stay strong. For you.
You stood up, and left a single rose on the grave. It seemed to glimmer in the sunlight as you walked away from the opening, and returned to the mansion.
The girls were nothing short of worried when you'd left without saying a word. They wanted to follow you, but Slenda told them to leave you be. They were in the manor, a few of them pacing around nervously, others just staring at the doors.
When you eventually came back and opened them up, you were surprised to see all of them standing there. You had no words, and only nodded. They all came in, and gave you one big group hug.
Despite having given them a reassuring smile, tears still ran down your cheeks. You let it out one last time, and the girls hugged you even tighter. After you had finished, the girls let you go, and against their better judgement, asked a few questions.
Amelia: Is she...?
(Y/n): Yes. But now she's in a better place, free of pain, fighting, bloodshed, and sadness. She'll never have to worry about being hurt again.
Sally: How do you feel?
(Y/n): It hurts, maybe even more than the first time I lost her. But I feel as if I might have felt worse if I didn't say goodbye.
Hoodie: What are you going to do now?
Masky: You won't leave us, will you?
(Y/n): No, I could never leave this mansion. I'll take some time to clear my mind. Then, I'll form a plan to stop Zalga.
Scaria: Do you have any ideas yet?
(Y/n): A few, but for now I think I need some rest.
Lazari was not present in the manor, she was in your room instead. Tears ran down her face, and she silently wept, blaming herself for your sister's death.
She had thought about how she would have felt if she'd lost Stripes, and couldn't imagine the pain you were going through.
She was hugging a pillow, and felt anger at Zalga for what she'd done. It was one thing to kill someone horrible, but to kill someone completely innocent...
It just doesn't make any sense, She thought.
She heard a knock at the door, and not knowing who it was, she said,
Lazari: C-Come in.
When you stepped through the door, she saw the look in your eye. Not a word was said until you had closed the door. But you didn't need to speak, as Lazari had sprung from the bed and wrapped her arms around you. She spoke at a very fast speed as she said,
Lazari: (Y/n) I'm so sorry! I didn't think that Zalga would do such a terrible thing, please don't hurt me!
You returned the hug, much to her surprise.
(Y/n): Why would I hurt you Lazari? You've done nothing wrong.
Lazari: But I... She-!
(Y/n): What she did was horrible and unforgiving.
You put your hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eyes.
(Y/n): But you didn't have anything to do with that. I couldn't blame you for any of this.
Lazari: I... Thank you. I was so worried. I thought you would come up here, and-
(Y/n): Like I said, you're innocent. I know you would never do anything like that. You're too kind.
She smiled.
Lazari: I'm glad you don't hate me.
You made the decision to attempt to lighten the mood, so you said,
(Y/n): How could I hate someone as charming as you?
Lazari blushed. The feeling of worry had left, but that familiar feeling returned to her. She was still hugging you, and her face began to turn red. Her heart started to pound, and she couldn't speak.
(Y/n): Is something wrong Lazari?
Lazari decided she'd tell you about her feelings, as she couldn't hold them in any longer. Who knew? Maybe it'd cheer you up, even if it was temporarily.
Lazari: I... Well...
You raised an eyebrow. Lazari cleared her throat, and took a breath.
Lazari: Whenever I talk to you, I get this weird feeling. My face warms up, my stomach feels weird, and my heart starts to beat really fast. Scaria said that I might, well...
(Y/n): Well?
Lazari: L-Like you! I think- no, I know that I like you, I like you a lot! And Scaria does too! There, I said it!
You gave a small smile. You'd heard those words before, and knew the appropriate response. But she seemed unsure of herself.
Lazari: But I... I don't know if you like me. Sure, I look human now, but not when I turn into that monster.
(Y/n): Lazari...
She raised her head, only to be greeted by a soft kiss on the lips. Her heart fluttered, and she leaned in to you. You eventually pulled away, saying,
(Y/n): You should know that I don't care about that. It's apart of you. And if I'm being honest...
You then gave her another kiss, this time on the cheek, as she remained completely silent.
(Y/n): I like you too.
Her face lit up with a bright smile.
Lazari: Y-You do?
(Y/n): I just proved it, didn't I?
She giggled.
Lazari: Yeah, I guess so. I don't want to kill the mood, but I did come up with a few ideas on how to stop her.
(Y/n): Do you think you can write them down, or remember them? I'm going to spend a bit of time with the girls before I try to take her on. I definitely need it.
Lazari: Yeah, I can!
You gave her another smile.
(Y/n): Hey Laz, if it wouldn't be a bother, do you think I could have the room for now? I need some sleep.
Lazari: Yeah, of course! I mean, it is your room.
She left the room, and was greeted by Amelia.
Amelia: From what I've heard, he sounds like he's in a better mood.
Lazari: Huh?
Amelia: You did well. I thank you for that.
Lazari: Did you hear-?
Amelia: I did. Don't worry, we all want the same thing.
Lazari: Even you?
Amelia: Of course.
Lazari: But isn't that wrong?
Amelia: I thought about it, and concluded that it was either narcissism, or depending on whether or not that happens...
A perverted smile spread across her face.
Amelia: Masturbation.
Lazari: What's that?
Amelia: Hm? You don't know what masturbation is?
Lazari shook her head, and Amelia began to blush.
Amelia: I've said too much.
She then darted past Lazari, and into her room. Lazari simply scratched her head.
Meanwhile, you were laying in your bed, thinking. You thought about how you would fight back against Zalga, and what the outcome of said fight would be. You then thought about how one of her top guards and even her daughter had fallen for you.
That will help in my quest to stop her, You thought.
When you fell asleep, you dreamt of the memory you'd described earlier to Madison, about the trampoline. A smile and a tear both simultaneously formed as you fell into a deep slumber.
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