warning, may contain strong language
Samara's POV
Hours have passed. Don't know how many but a lot has. I've stayed with Fenna because she's my sister and I have nowhere to go. The door is locked and we've done nothing about it. Fenna thinks that Geno will be back soon since Change said he was strong. She's trying to be optimistic. I can tell. But it isn't working. Some more time passes and I decide to take action. I start searching the room for tools and find the display of the "special person" under a bed. Then I find a loose floorboard. And you know what I find under it? A few things.
"Hey, Fenna. Come check this out."I say
She comes over.
"What's up?"She asks
"I think Geno has been preparing for this. And for our safety."I say
"Why do you say tha-oh!"She says, peeking under the floorboard
I take out a note. It's from Geno. I read it quietly.
"Dear Fenna and Samara,
Hey! If you're reading this, it probably means that I'm gone for whatever reason and haven't returned. Or one of you just got curious and found this by mistake. Either way, the point still stands. I have collected some tools for you both to use to keep yourselves safe and escape. Please stay safe. I don't want you both to get hurt or worse. I dunno what Serram is capable of. Neither do you. I'm getting off topic. Fenna, I got you some rope and other supplies, I've seen how crafty you are and know you'll put it to good use. It's in the box. Sarama, I made you some blades from some bones I stole during a task. They aren't bone attacks, they're scraps. But they'll work. I made sure to make them a good tool/weapon. I promise I will do my best to get out of whatever caused me to get separated from both of you. But I'm depending on you both to try to escape. Don't worry about me. And don't stay in the room, that makes you sitting ducks to whatever Serram plans. Help is coming. Do not worry. I hope for the best for the both of you.
Sincerely,
Geno."
I frown. I show it to Fenna and she reads it after taking the stuff out. I pick up two bones with sharp edges. These bones were as long as a sword. I hold them and practice some attacks on the walls. Very durable. Geno made them into awesome weapons.
"OH HEEEEEEELLL NO!"Fenna exclaims in anger
I look at her, flabbergasted. I've never heard her so angry.
"There is no way we are leaving him! No friend left behind! We are not going anywhere without him! But we are going out there! Serram will pay!"She says, waving her arms in anger
Then, from her hands went a fireball, burning right through the doorknob. Without the knob, the door fell apart. We both look at it then at each other in shock. She looks at her hands and blows them out.
"That may be useful later."She says
We leave the room and begin to search the halls. We couldn't find anything. Each passing moment made us only worry more. We decide to set the display down but make the hologram of Geno. Maybe if he escaped, Serram will think this is him and fall for a trick. Or if Geno and help see it, they or he know that he or we are nearby. I hide the display projector under a loose tile, but the hologram still comes through. We also decide to meet here if we find anything.
That's right, we split up. I went one way, she went the other.
Hours seem to pass and I can't find anything. Worry and fear builds in me. I keep the blades handy. Not a single room had Geno or Serram in it. My mind fills with the worst of thoughts. I shake my head, trying to dissmiss them. Geno is okay. He has to be. He will be. I continue to search. Still find nothing.
Anger builds in me. I groan and punch a wall.
"Agh! This is hopeless! The place is so big and so many places to look! So little time! He could be dying or gone already!"I yell in frustration
I keep pounding my fists on the wall, dropping the blades. Then, tears fill my eyes and I cry.
"Geno...I'm so sorry. I couldn't help you...find you...Protect you. You've done it all and I can't do the same. I was made from your inspiring traits, given a purpose to be a guardian like you. But it seems I can't live up to that...."I mutter, sobbing
I lower my hands from the wall. I put one against a wall tile. It slides inward.
Click!
I could not believe my very eyes. I found a miracle.
The space of the wall fell apart, creating a doorway space. Inside it was a long stairwell spiralling downward with a railing. I peek over the railing and see a faint light at the bottom. I could hear faint noises, like someone talking and the other gasping for air. I take the tile that slid in and toss it down. The speaker yells in pain, it must've hit their head. The one gasping for air is unable to be heard. But I recognize the yeller as Serram. Meaning the other may be Geno. Maybe I can. Then, I hear footsteps coming up the stairs. I run off, picking the blades up, towards the meeting place. I bought Geno some time, I know that. But not much. I need to get back and meet with Fenna, regroup and attack together. Two is better than one. That gives us better chances of success. I duck behind a wall in case Serram was behind me.
I catch my breath. Then I peek around the corner to see the hologram. My eyes widen.
There was a figure there. He stood, looking at the hologram of Geno, his face hidden by a hood. He is wearing a cloak as dark as shadows and nothing else could be told of him from where I peek. I assume it's Serram or someone bad. I watch silently. But instead of hurting the hologram or using it as some kind of practice dummy, he tries to place a hand on hologram Geno's cheek.
"Geno....I will find you. It's gonna be okay. I promise."He says
Then, he lowers his hood. But he's crying.
"No need to worry. I'm coming. Heck, I found this old place so I have to be close."He says
I gasp in shock, then cover my mouth.
But he heard it. He looks in my direction and in a single blink he was real close to my with a scythe at my neck. He narrows his eyes at me.
"Where is Geno you little spy?"He snaps
"And why would I tell you? You're probably gonna join Serram, using this thing on Geno!"I respond
"I would never!"He says
"Uh-huh. And what makes you so trustworthy? Actions speak louder than words."I say, pointing to the scythe at my neck
"Yes, that's why I have it at you and not him or his friends."He tells me
"What friends? The friend he told me about?"I ask
"What do you mean?"He asks
"My name is Sarama. I've hung out with Geno as long as he's been captured. He's spoken so much of his friends that he got taken from. Very interesting. I'm guessing you're his friend looking for him too?"I ask
"I am. Wait, you're Sarama?"He replies
"Mhm."I say
"Oh! Well, I'm-"He begins
"Get away from my sister before I burn you to a crisp!"Fenna's voice yells
I look to the right and see Fenna running over, fireballs in hand. This guy quickly lowers the scythe. Fenna comes between us.
"Who are you?"He asks
"Fenna! Now back off and don't you dare hurt us or I will not hesitate! We are trying to find our friend if you don't mind!"Fenna says
"Fenna, calm down."I tell her
She looks at me stubbornly. Then she sighs and nods.
"He's here for the same reason as us. To find and help Geno."I say
"He just had a scythe at your neck! I think Geno must be going through enough pain without that stabbing him too! Who knows what he's going through!"Fenna says
"Fenna, wait. He probably just mistook us for Serram's helpers. You never know. It's quite understandable. Plus, I see that he cares for Geno. He's harmless to Geno."I say
"Wait, you're Fenna?"He asks
"Yes and you are?"Fenna says
"Reaper. It's so good to meet you both and to find you okay!"He says, releasing his scythe, which hovered behind him.
He pulls us into a hug. Fenna and I look at each other, then him in confusion.
"How do you know us?"I ask
"Geno has told me all about you guys! We've been meeting in our sleep, you could say."He says
"So you're the special person from his dreams!"Fenna says
His face brightens.
"I-I guess you could say that."He says
Fenna smiles.
Reaper releases us from the hug.
"If you both are okay, that means Geno has to be okay too, right? He's just wandering around like you guys were, right?"Reaper asks, high hopes in his eyes
"I'm sorry, but that's not the case."Fenna replies
"What do you mean?"He asks
"Serram took Geno away a while ago. We haven't seen either of them ever since. We're not wandering, we're searching for them. We know that if he hasn't come back now, it can't be good."Fenna says
Gloom begins to spread across his face.
"But, I think I found them. I could hear Serram talking to someone and I'll bet anything it was Geno. Come on."I admit
His face lights up with joy. Hope is what he needed. Hope is what he received. I lead them to the secret stairway I found. I slide down the railing, blades in hand, while they make their way down the stairs as fast as they can. When I reach the bottom of the stairs, I find a door in front of me. I press an ear up against it. I can definitely hear Serram inside.
"You know this can all end if you give me what I want. I'm running out of knives, so how about you start talking?"Serram says
Complete silence.
"Come on Geno. You and I both know that the only way you get out of here alive is if you talk. So start talking."Serram says
"Mm-mm."Geno's voice says in denial
I frown.
"Suit yourself. Round two."Serram says
Splash!
Crap.
I pound on the door.
"FUCKING BITCH INVESTIGATION! OPEN UP!"I yell
There is silence. I look to see Reaper and Fenna coming, reaching the bottom of the stairs. I smirk, then get a serious expression and knock the door down. I look around. Serram jumps and tries to flee but I pin him to a wall with one of the blades. Fenna throws some punches in to get her anger out. Reaper then approaches Serram. He has the angriest look I've seen when he came face to face with Serram.
"Where is he?"Reaper asks
"Huh?"Serram says, playing dumb
"You know who I mean. Where is he? Where is Geno?"Reaper snaps
"Oh! He is not coming back, not if his wounds have anything to say about it."Serram says quite proudly despite his situation
Fenna continues to beat him, trying to get him to talk. Reaper and I search. Then, I find something. Right by a body of deep, deep water was a piece of strings tied together. The bracelet we made Geno. I recognize it. And I heard a splash. Meaning....Geno is there!
"Guys! I think I know what he did to Geno!"I say, not taking my eyes off the waters that we're still rippling, as if something recently was tossed in.
Fenna looks over at me, sees the bracelet and gasps. Reaper looks over and absolutely panicked. Fear and worry showed on his face. His eyes spoke volumes. He takes his cloak off and disappears into the water. Fenna and I look at each other. I come over to her and we look at Serram.
"Start talking."Fenna says, punching a fist into her palm, tiny sparks shooting out from it.
Now he goes silent. I frown. I am angry but really just hope Geno is okay. I see the scythe dive into the water so it can't be good.
Geno's POV
I hear two splashes. I open my eyes weakly, scared. I want to make sure Serram didn't get Sarama it Fenna and toss them in too. Or that he isn't throwing more stuff at me as an attempt to kill me. I look up and see a silhouette swimming closer to me with something following them. I squint and see that the item was a scythe. I had a feeling I know what this means. I look at the silhouette and see more detail. It's Reaper! I look at the chains with the ball at the other end, weighing me down. It's sinking and pulling me down with it. For the first time, I began to struggle and try to free myself. I had seen it as impossible before but now, what is impossible?
I manage to slip the chains off my wrists and ankles. Now the problem is the chains at my waist, which are connected to the biggest chain ball. I try to get it off but it's out of my capabilities. I look to see Reaper getting closer. I reach out to him. He reaches out but miss grabbing each other. Then again, is that really a good idea? This ball could probably pull both of us down. I begin to doubt my choices and lower my arm.
Maybe I should just sink.
But then Reaper grabs it. I look at him and the look in his eyes told me that he wants me to be okay. It was also as if he was telling me that he has me. I feel my face warm.
He pulls me close to him, so close I can hear his soul beat. It is beating fast. I feel a big weight come off me. I look and see the chains slip off me. He had sliced them with his scythe. He holds me close to him and smiles a bit. Then he swims upward. We reach the surface and I don't release him for a moment. I could feel my soul pounding and I take deep breaths, trying to calm myself. I could feel my wounds screaming out in pain. But then I remember things Serram told me.
"I have my ways of getting what I want. I will get you when you least expect it with what you least expect and make you give in. Tricks are my friends. But I will do what it takes to get what I want, even if I must take out every one of your friends. They'll be worth the sacrifice and I'll gift you something to remind you of them. You just wait. Unless you want to save time and tell me now.~"Serram said
I look up at Reaper. He smiles at me. Fear fills me. What I least expect when I least expect it. I tear away from him and get onto the floor, out of the water. I cough and choke, the wounds being no help. I weakly struggle to even sit or stay up. But I know I have to.
"Here,"Reaper's voice says
Snap!
I shut my eyes, expecting some attack to come or wound to be made. But I feel warmer instead. Something covers me. I open my eyes and find the cloak on me. Fear and worry fills my head. Tears fill my eyes. A gift to remind me of them. Did they get Reaper? I thought he will be safe! I thought I told him to! Then I remember something he said.
"I will as soon as you guys are."He said
I frown. I guess he meant what he said. I feel more tears fill my eyes. I take the cloak off me and frown, crying. I feel two hands grab mine. I tear my hands away. I look and it's Reaper. Or it appears to be him. I back up from him.
"Stay back! Don't hurt me! Please!"I cry
"I'd never hurt you, Geno. Now put my cloak on, you need to stay warm to recover."Reaper says, sitting beside me
I look at the cloak, then at him. Surely that sentence is a lie. What was Serram planning? This is just a game to him it seems. A deadly game. I could feel myself begin to tremble.
"See? You're shaking! Cmon, I'll help you."He says
"H-Huh?"I say, confused
He comes over and takes me by the arms. He slides the cloak by the sleeves onto me and pulls the cloak shut. He even lifted the hood onto my head. It was big on me so the hood falls forward, covering my face. I shake even more. I cry more. Fear is building too quickly for me to handle.
He lifts the hood and peeks at me.
"Everything okay? Why are you crying?"He asks
I don't say a word. Don't say a word. Serram wants me to answer, but I won't I refuse to admit to him that I'm scared. He will just take advantage.
I look at him and shakily try to back away from him, but could hardly move. He wraps an arm around me, stopping me. I jolt and yelp in fear at this, plus his arm went right by where I was stabbed in the spine. He seems to have gotten the message though.
"You're scared, aren't you?"He asks
Tears run down my face. I nervously nod, knowing I could get hurt again if I don't answer him.
"You have no reason to be scared, Geno. It's over. I'm here. You're safe now."He says
"Am I?"I ask
"What do you mean?"He asks
"This could just be false security..."I say
He looks at me. He leans in close.
"P-Please don't hurt me..."I say, squirming and trying to get out of his hold
He places a hand on my cheek. I freeze up, my soul pounding. I know he could see the fear in my eyes. He releases me. I do not expect that. He turns and looks to somewhere out of my view.
"What the hell did you do to him?"He snaps
"Reaper" gets up and out of my sight. I look around but the pain from my wounds on my skull made me choose not to, also the hood fell over my face. I frown and try to wipe my tears. I couldn't stop crying. I know it's wrong, but I felt that I was secure with him. False security or not, I am looking for some kind of security. Safety. Anything good really. I lift the hood and spot "Reaper" returning to me. Somehow that made me happy. I reach out and pull him into a hug.
"Geno? Are you okay?"he asks
I couldn't help but cry again. He really sounds like Reaper. I hug him tight.
"Seriously! Get that idiot to explain himself! I can't take seeing Geno upset!"He says
"I...I loved Reaper."I mutter
"What do you mean with that past tense?"He asks
I look over and see Serram sitting against a wall, watching with a smirk. I bow my head.
"I mean what I said. I think Serram kept his horrible word."I say
"Reaper! Get over here!"Fenna says
He nods and goes to her. They whisper amongst themselves. I keep my head low. He comes over to me again. We hug each other. I hug him tightly.
"Don't worry, I'm here. I'm here for you, my angel."He whispers
I look up at him. I feel my face warm but hope fills me. I feel tears run down my face.
"R-Reaper?"I stutter
"Hey, Geno.~"He says to me
"It's you...?"I say
He nods.
"Please, don't let this be a dream, good or bad. Don't let this be my imagination or something! Please don't be a trick! Please be here! Reaper! Y-You're here right?"I cry
"Hey, calm down, Geno. I won't, because it isn't. No dream, no nightmare, no imagination, no trick. Just reality. I'm here."He says
"R-Reaper! I was so worried! I thought I lost you! I....I hate that thought. I-I-I-I-!"I stutter
"Stop crying, that's nothing you have to worry about. It's the least of your worries. I thought I lost you! But everything is okay now, I assure you. I got you, Geno. And I won't let you get hurt again. You cute little angel of mine."He tells me
"Reaper..."I whimper, feeling my face burn
He smiles at me. I look up at him, scared deep down and couldn't stop crying.
"Come on, you just need some healing. It's okay."He says
"Reaper, I-I-I-I-!"I cry, but he covers my mouth with his hand
He wipes my tears.
"Dry those tears, Geno......Hm, well, I guess it's time."He says
"T-Time? F-F-F-For what?"I ask
He gets down in front of me, holding me close to him. Then, he looks me in the eyes. He winks at me with a smirk. He's up to something.
"R-Reaper?"I stutter
He smiles. He leans in and kisses me. I feel my face burn up. My eye light shrinks. I try to move. He holds me close. I tense up and he holds me gently. My soul is racing. I am shocked, caught off-guard. And.....I might have liked it.
He parts from me and smiles. I cover my mouth, my soul pounding still and face feeling like a burning flame now. That just happened. That really just happened! Oh gosh....Thoughts and emotions fly through my skull. I am silent, processing everything. But one thing is for sure, he got me to shut up and quit crying. That was reassuring to me.
"Time for the idea! And there it is! I'm so happy I could finally give it to you, Geno! I love you, Geno! To the edge of the multiverse and back! I will keep you safe!"He says sincere and lovingly
I am completely silent.
"You okay?"He asks
I slowly nod.
He smiles and sits with me. He stops talking and just gazes at me. I lower my hand, finally processing everything. He keeps gazing at me. The look in his gaze was so loving that my face doesn't stop burning.
But I smile at him.
A smile was all it took apparently. Reaper's face becomes very bright.
"You okay, Reaper?"I ask
He nods.
"Are you?"He asks
"I think I wi-"I begin, but cut myself off
A knife flew right at me but I duck and it whizzes into the wall. I look at Reaper. He frowns. Sarama and Fenna run over to us.
"Are you guys okay?"They ask
"Y-Yep."I say, though I will admit to be shaking
"Yes."Reaper says
"Good. Reaper, thank you for saving Geno."Samara says
"Hey, no problem. I don't think any of us wanted to lose him."Reaper says
Samara gives me my bracelet, which I gladly put on.
"Dang it! That was my last knife!"I hear Serram say
Reaper pulls me close. He frowns, not looking the least bit happy. Sarama runs over to Serram and slaps him. Fenna frowns and starts investigating the tools and weapons on the floor, most of them used to hurt me. She turns to my and uses some healing magic, removing the wounds she could see on my head. Reaper pulls me even closer. My face is still burning. He stands up and he helps me up. He grabs his scythe and points it at Serram.
"I don't know who you think you are, but you do not do that and get away with it. You do not hurt my Geno and get away with it. You do not experiment on my Geno and get away with it. You do not try to kill my Geno and get away with it. Do yourself a favor and stop. Back off and face the consequences."Reaper tells Serram
"Wait! You're the infamous Grim Reaper?!"Serram says
"Sure am. Now do you want to go the easy way or hard way? I do not like people messing with me or Geno. In fact, give me a reason why I shouldn't kill you now!"Reaper snaps
"Well, you see...About that....."Serram says, clearly stalling
He raced to the exit, running out of sight up the stairs.
"Get back here you little twerp!"Reaper yells, releasing me and chasing after Serram
Samara quickly follows after him.
I stand there, not moving. I couldn't. And I know exactly why too. Serram has broken one of my legs and made sure the other was wounded badly. One wrong move and I'll do more than fall. I look around and see Fenna come over to me. She takes me by the hand and gestures for me to follow her. I nod, not wanting her to worry. I take a few steps but then hear a crack. I feel pain run through me and frown, holding the pain in. I try to take a few more steps but could hardly move through the pain.
"Everything okay, Geno?"Fenna asks
"Just the wounds."I reply
"Hmm, let me see if I can teleport."She says
She tries, but only teleports a few inches to the left.
"Dang it."She says
She comes over to me again and shakes her head. I understand. I try to walk by holding the wall and nearly make it to the stairs. My current enemy. I reach out for the railing but my secure leg went insecure and gave in weakly, causing me to fall forward. I put my arms out and ease the fall, holding myself up from the ground. That was close, too close. And of course now the hood falls over my face. Fenna comes over and gently grabs me. She sets me against the wall.
"There's no way you are going up those stairs! You'll hurt yourself! And I can't carry you since I'm too small."She says
"So what can we do?"I ask
"I'm gonna go upstairs and find those two. Maybe they can help. I'll be back as soon as I can. They couldn't have gotten far."She says, then runs up the stairs
Now. I'm alone. All alone. It's that time again. Time to try to stay awake and heal. To stay calm even when I'm scared deep down inside. I sigh and try to distract myself with thoughts. I close my eyes to conserve energy. The hood had slid over my face anyway. So much time seems to pass. I can't even move anymore.
Then I feel two arms wrap around me. I jump, opening my eyes but the hood blinding me. I feel the ground leave me. Panic and fear fills me.
"W-Who's there?"I ask
"Just me, Geno. I got you."Reaper's voice says
I move my head and feel two arms holding me. I look and see Reaper now. I feel my face warm.
"O-ok."I say
"...You know you're cute when you blush right?"He says
"Sh-Shut up, Reaper!"I snap, feeling my face redden more
"Heh, that's my Geno alright."He says
I rest my head on his shoulder slightly.
"I love you too, Reaper."I whisper
He smiles but then processed what I said and got all colorful in the face. It shined brightly. I smirk.
"Who's the cute blushing one now?"I ask teasingly
He says nothing. He starts moving and holds me tighter. I look up and see the staircase above us. We reach the top and he meets with Samara and Fenna.
"We lost him."Samara says
"Sure did."Fenna says
"Eh, I'll just add him to my list."Reaper says
"You have a list?"Samara asks
"Yep, and I check it twice. I don't just go around doing random jobs as the Grim Reaper."He says
"Kinda like Santa Claus!"Fenna says
I chuckle at this a bit. Plus the look on Reaper's face was too funny. It was shock, confusion and then an epiphany received all in one. He shakes his head and nervously smiles.
"Ya, I guess so."He says
"He's making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out who's naughty or nice! Mister Reaper is coming to town!"Samara jokingly sings
"Let's go!"Reaper says
We go outside and Reaper puts me down. He goes to make sure there are no threats and Serram isn't hiding out somewhere. Samara went with him. That left me with Fenna again. I lay on the ground, gazing up at the beautiful sky. I sigh with relief and smile. Everything seems to be better. I shut my eyes for a moment and relax now. Then I feel something grab me. Something big.
"Hey! Put Geno down!"Fenna yells
"Time to go!"A voice says, but sounds more like a combo of voices
I open my eyes to see two hands holding me. I hear loud, pounding footsteps. I look down to see the ground far below me. And it was speeding past me like the fast current of a river.
"Don't worry, Geno! We got ya! We're taking you somewhere safe!"A voice says
I look up and see a giant smiling down at me.
"Who are you? How do you know me? Go back to them! R-Reaper! Fenna! Samara!"I yell
"Someone. I have our ways. Reaper's back there? Eh, someone will get him. As well as whoever those other two are."they say
"Where are you taking me?"I ask
"Someplace safe."they say
"N-No! I don't trust you! Put me down!"I yell, trying to move
"He's getting scared sis. He's gonna hurt himself. I know. Box? Box."They say
They grab me and put me in a box, which was put into something bigger. I could hear them mutter as they run. I can't resist or fight. Everything hurt. I lean back, and clench myself close. I especially hold the sleeves of the cloak and let the hood fall. I'm scared, not sure of where this will go now.
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And that's the end of the chapter with a sketch!