I stepped into a darkened room, looking about as my nerves got to me from the eerie silence. "B-Bonjour? Is anyone here?" I called, hugging my arms for warmth from the artic cold the room produced, and I could feel what the Tormented had meant when they explained his putrid hatred, and nasty deeds! I continued to walk, the door shutting behind me by itself as I called, "Is anyone in? Hellllloooooooooooo! Hmmm, odd... Could he be out doing something right now?" "HELLLLLLOOOOOO YOUNG LADY!" a jubilant voice boomed, catching me by surprise as I whipped around to find that the room was now brightly colored, and lit with lamps as Thin Man sat in a black leather armchair, with his legs crossed and his hands neatly folded in his lap like a proper gentleman. "Thin Man? There's something here of mine that you-" "Please, take a seat young lady, the audience is waiting!" "W-Waiting?" I asked, confused. "For your interview! Honestly, don't the directors do ANYTHING anymore? COME! Have a seat in that chair on the desk; smile wide and pretty for the camera like a good girl." The Thin Man instructed, and, confused and annoyed by his dismissive action, I sighed before making my way up to a tiny, wooden rocking chair with a white cushion. "Thin Man, Monsieur, we MUST-" "AH! Where ARE my manners!? Is there anything you'd like to drink my dear? Hungry prehaps? I have licorice taffy here on the desk beside you, if you'd like to help yourself to some." "N-No thank you, I'm not quite fond of licorice flavor..." I responded, furrowing my brow as I squeezed my hands together uncomfortably by the sudden, unexpected turn of events. "Then prehaps Lemon Miringue might suit your fancy? Quite popular with others your age, you know!?" He went on, snapping his fingers like a magician before pulling back the lid on a glass jar to reveal individually wrapped, yellow and white striped saltwater taffy, and I looked at them in temptation as he pulled one out for himself, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth. "YEEEEOWZA! now THAT'S lemon flavor if I've ever tasted it!" "Is it THAT good- I MEAN! There's something I need to-" "Go on, child, I insist you try one!" He boomed, placing a large taffy into my lap to my dismay. His voice sounded like a cheery show host, and his actions mirrored quite differently than how he was before! I sighed, taking him up on his offer as I unwrapped the treat, and took a bite into the chewy, solid candy. It wasn't lemon flavored at all! In fact, it was Pineapple and Coconut flavored, mixed with little bits of orange peel flakes inside, and I scrunched my face up as I chewed the unpleasantly flavored sweet. "Monsieur, that's not-" "OH! It's time for the show to begin. EVERYONE TO YOUR PLACES! HIT THE LIGHTS, START THE CAMERAS!" He exclaimed wildly, leaning dramatically back in his armchair as I huffed, "Monsieur!" He placed a cold finger tip to my tiny lips to shush me, and quickly said in a whisper, "We're going live. Remember, smile!" He pulled his finger away as he straightened himself up, and cleared his throat as music began to erupt from out of nowhere in the room, making me look around in curiosity as I tried to piece together what exactly was happening. "HELLOOOOOO EVERYONE! Welcome back to another episode of "Chatabout" with myself as your host. On today's episode, we'll be interviewing the lovely young lady across from me, wave hi to the audience dear." He instructed again, and I awkwardly smiled as I slightly waved to the rolling camera, only half believing that anyone was actually watching. "H-Hi, I'm Claire LaBouvier." I stammered, sweating bullets as I shuffled nervously in the chair I sat in when Thin Man continued, "Well howdy Claire LaBouvier, tell us a little about yourself before we get into the topic of today's interview." "W-Well, I'm a singer by trade. I-I've had many concerts and been around many VIP in my life." I answered truthfully as the elder nodded in response. "A singer folks! Not many of THOSE around these days. Well Miss LaBouvier, are you ready for today's topic of interest?" He asked, leaning leisurely back into his chair. "I-I don't really have a choice in the matter, do I.? Very well, what's today's topic?" I sighed, deciding to play along to see if I may find an opening for discussion of the bigger subject. "Today's talk show is about "Foods Around the World"! Miss LaBouvier, word around the studio has it you came to this wonderful city of ours from the Maw. Quite a transition if you ask me! What was life like for you there?" "Well, it was.... W-Wait, what does my home life on the Maw have to do with today's topic? And HOW did your studio get ahold of that information?" "Fans talk, you know?" He replied casually, shrugging his shoulders. "Monsieur, shouldn't we be talking about cuisines from where I'm from NATIVELY? I-I mean, I originally came from France, so I was sort of expecting a talk about Macarons, or Bouillabaisse." I said, rubbing my arms in discomfort as the Thin Man contorted his face in confusion. "My sweet girl, I haven't the slightest clue what you're going on about. Today's topic is "Properties of Healing Herbs"!" He replied, and my jaw dropped open in shock as I exclaimed, "Th-That's not what-" "Tell me, young lady, what it is you wish to do with your singing career in the future." Thin Man interjected, switching the topic again much to my frustration. "I-I plan to-" "Interesting! To all you merry Viewers at home, we'll continue after a word from our beloved sponsors." He interrupted, making me feel even more vexed by how scatterbrained the elder was as he said, "My girl, you seem disturbed. Is something tickling your thoughts?" "Hm? A-Ah! Monsieur, I'd like to inquire you about-" "Oh, of COURSE! You must be starved after that interview. Here, have some grilled chicken that the studio chef prepared!" He offered, pushing a bowl of Italian soup to me instead, and I couldn't help but scrunch my face in confusion as I met his distant looking gaze. Was he being serious? Like ACTUALLY genuine?! "Sir, th-that's not grilled chicken...." I replied, taking a small, me sized spoon from the plate underneath, and going to dip my spoon into the broth when I beheld the sight of worms squiggling away in soil, and I screamed as I dropped my spoon. "Oh, do worms make you queasy? Do forgive me for not realizing." Thin Man said, pouting his lip as I screeched, "B-But, there was soup in that bowl!" "Soup? Oh no, lunch was HOURS ago! It's time for the Gardening Program, which you volunteered to help me teach our fans at home how to plant Ginger." "Ginger? GINGER?!" I asked, becoming visibly more furious at the gray devil himself, and he smiled as he held up a Potato for me to see. I grumbled to myself before smacking the tuber from his hand, and demanding firmly much to his suprise, "Look here! You have something in this cursed tower of yours, and I-" "BREAK TIME! Off you go into your break room, dear." Thin Man ordered, lifting me up from the desk as I struggled in confusion and rage. "How dare you! Unhand me at once you-you truie! EEP!" I squeaked, landing on a makeshift mattress complete with pillows and blankets. "Cool down a bit, and I'll let you back out when the next show starts." Thin Man said before placing some kind of roof over me, which upon further inspection from the Fairy lights surrounding the uppermost part of the "room", turned out to be a container lid and a box! I picked myself back up from the "bed", and looked around to find a small vanity, a dresser, and a miniature fan blade affixed to a small hole to produce SOME form of air, and I decided that it was best that I recollected myself. "Okay, I came looking for a boy and a brawl, but I ended up getting volun-forced into filming a talk show and gardening program.... HOW does that just HAPPEN?" I asked myself, trying to figure out exactly what was going on. "He hands me a "Lemon Miringue" taffy, when it's actually Pineapple and Coconut..... He keeps dismissing what it is I have to say..... He turned a bowl of Italian soup into dirt and worms before claiming it never happened..... He MUST be mad! How long do you stay locked up in your room that you don't know what grilled chicken LOOKS like?! It's headache inducing, talking to him.... Prehaps I should sleep on a different plan?" I sighed, knowing that I had lost round one of his little game by playing along. "Prehaps a more direct approach then?" I asked myself with a yawn before curling back up onto the blankets and pillows I was placed upon, and resting my tired head for a small bit. As soon as I had found rest, I felt the box shake violently, jolting me back awake again as the Thin Man popped open the box, and singing obnoxiously, "Rise and shine sleeping beauty! Time for this mornings episode of "Where's Mrs. Jenkins's Goat"!" "Morning..... GOAT?!" I asked, calming my racing heart that almost lurched from me during the unexpected, man made quake. "C'mon! We're on in five!" He ushered, grabbing me, and yanking me from the box before setting me back onto the desk in front of a barnyard setting. "Ah! Excuse me, Thin Man? I REALLY must-" but he cut me off yet again as he stated, "Today's weather is going to be miserably rainey today, with a cold front expected around seven forty. Bundle up!" "Thin Man, if you could please-" ""Poetry Potpourri" with none other than MOI, your host, and my contestant, Claire!" "Would you KINDLY-" "Welcome to another episode of "Drama Llama"! Last week's episode revealed just WHY Bernie and Steph were incompatible with each other, but will that sway the persistent mail cabby? Stay tuned!" I couldn't get a SINGLE word out without him switching the topic, almost as if he was "Changing the Channel" to accommodate for what was happening currently! "Sir!" I called, only for him to call wraps on another random set of topics before putting me back into the box. Frazzled and confused, I took a seat in front of the small veranda, and said, "ARGHHHHH!!!! He's batty I say! And inconsiderate, and just..... FFFFFRRRRRRMMMMMMMAAAAA!" I took a deep breath after kicking the underside of the veranda, and looked into the mirror as I sighed, "It's hopeless.... I'm ranting my heart out to a reflection! If only there was a way to get through to him...." I continued looking into the mirror.... When did I look so tired? I sighed again as I tried once again to curl up onto the makeshift bed, and was awoken quickly with a loud honking noise. "OOOOOOWWWWW!" I screamed painfully, covering my poor ears as I whimpered. "Up n' at 'em LaBouvier. The "Turtle Trivia" is going to start soon!" Thin Man said, dumping me ruthlessly from the box, as I begged, "Please..... PLEASE for the love of all things alive, will you let me-" "HELLLOOO! Welcome to "Fit Bit", where we will find the right fits just for you." "Thin Man!" "Does your roof need fixing? Call nine eighthundred roof pals to get an exclusive, twenty five percent off price of all roofing repairs." "PLEEEAAAAAASSSSSSEEEE!" I screamed in near tears. "Welcome back dear Viewers to "How do" with your host, that's me, and my lovely assistant, Miss LaBouvier! In today's episode, we'll be learning the correct way to bake a cake from scratch, so that your family, friends, and work mates will make you the big talk of the group." "StoooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPP!" I sobbed, my head pounding from all the frustration, confusion, and my patience running thin. "Problem?" He asked, halting as an egg yolk plopped into a bowl in front of him. "YES!" I screamed in exasperation, wiping my eyes as tears burned my face. "Oooh, sweetheart, you don't look so well! Get some rest, yeah?" He offered quickly, lifting me back up to place me in the box again when I shouted, "W-WAIT! Can I please have someone to talk to?" The elder placed a finger to his lips as he furrowed his brow in thought, and with a quick rubbing of his fingers together, he presented me with a stuffed toy rabbit as he said, "Here you are! A nice, soft bunny." "No person?" I asked, really wishing for another soul to interact with. The Thin Man shook his head before replying, "A toy makes better company than a human; doesn't make any smart remarks, and will listen to you without the need to talk over you! Ta-ra!" He placed the toy into my small hands, and patted my head before putting me back into my box, and sealed the lid once more.... I looked a wreck, standing in front of the mirror with the rabbit in my arms, and I looked down at the fluffy toy as I asked in a quivering voice, "S-So? What do y-you think little bunny? Is he mad?" "Oh, yes, certainly! He's got the brain of a mere mutt compared to you." I made the rabbit reply in a squeaky voice, but it wasn't enough to take the weight off my heart. I sat against the wall, crying into my knees as the lonely feeling crept in, and I sat wondering what else to do as I sobbed, "Mother, I wish you were here! You'd know EXACTLY what to do in a situation like this.... Certainly not sit all crumpled like a paper ball, THAT'S for sure...." then, just like a slap, it hit me..... what I was doing wrong this whole time....! Back on the Maw, the Chefs would complain that she was a force to be reckoned with, ESPECIALLY if it came to her food being underdone, or my sister and I getting picked on. She was a strong woman, even after father's death! She wouldn't cry, or beg with anyone; in fact, I've only seen her be truthful, loving, and sometimes quite irritable! One thing that connects it all was that she never let anyone get away without putting in her side, and that's what I've been failing to do this whole time. I needed to put my foot down, and say when enough was enough.... I HAD to be like Mother if I wished to get through to the demon, and get to the bottom of being rid of him once and for all so that the boy and I are free! I wiped my face, lifted myself off the floor, and began to rummage through the veranda and dresser drawers until I found something sharp enough to penitrate the wall of cardboard, and I began to cut myself out a little doorway before kicking it open, my face firm and my intentions clear in my mind as he said cheerfully, "Ah! It seems you've rested yourself up quite a bit. Are you ready for-" "NO!" I shouted, not giving him the satisfaction of finishing his sentence as I stormed to the edge of the desk. Shocked, he raised a brow to me as he stammered, "P-Pardon?" "You heard me, you troll! I'm DONE with the stupid talk shows, advertisements, cooking tutorials, weather predictions, ALL OF IT! I came here to find something that YOU have hidden from ME, and I DEMAND that I be talked to CIVILLY like the BEING that I am!" I replied, puffing out my chest and stamping my foot on the hard, black wood beneath me as I kept a stern glare onto the beastly man. The Thin Man's jaw remained agape as he blinked, looking just as dull as I thought he was by the change I took. His look of shock faded into a cold grimace; pursing his lips as he remained quiet, and I took that as my cue that he was NOW ready to listen. I cleared my throat before softening my stance, and I began in an unwavering, strong tone, "I am here on account of a boy that you have imprisoned here, and I demand that you release him." "A boy? How dull! All women think about these days are boys, dresses, and disgusting little mud spits called "children". Honestly, I think the best place for you would be a kitchen, cooking for the man of the house and making sure his clothes, dishes, and bed sheets are clean!" "Why you uncouth- haven't you learned manners from your mother, Monsieur!? I GUARANTEE you that she'd be MOST displeased with your tongue!" "That would be true, if I HAD a mother! But then again, why would I care about what anyone has to tell me?" "Maybe you won't be so miserable and disliked if you took advice from others!" "Ohoho, LOOK whose giving lip now! Tell me dear, is your sweet mommy proud of you right now?" He asked, placing an elbow on his knee as he grinned in amusement. "Don't talk about my mother. You don't know what kind of woman she was to me!" "I'll talk about your precious "mommy" in any way I WANT! Tell me, LaBouvier, how it came to pass that a monster, incapable of filling that fat void they call a belly snuck into a quiet family home, ruthlessly ate the husband and wife, and just so HAPPENED to feel remorse for their sweet, angel faced baby girl?" "Because even the foulest of monsters can learn to love anything beyond their own hunger. They looked at me, and with the love and determination to right their wrong, they raised me up! If my mother was here, she'd be proud that I'm standing up to a bleak, selfish individual like you." I growled in response, keeping my composure with the impossible individual. "SURE! "Love and determination", "Right their wrongs"; WHEN are you going to leave that delusion of love behind? They NEVER loved you, and if they did it was only because you were just another morsel to them!" Thin Man snapped, slamming his hands frustratedly onto the desk, making me jump a bit before replying sternly, "At least I'm CAPABLE of feeling love, but I wouldn't expect an old ermite solitaire like YOU to know. Tell me, how long do you have to be disconnected from the world to not know the taste of Lemon Miringue, or let alone the difference between Italian soup and grilled chicken?" "How are you certain of that, snot?" "How dare- you know what? Summon you're saltwater taffy again; ANY flavor you like!" Thin Man snapped his fingers, and produced a bowl of pink and yellow candies as he said pridefully, "Here you are. A bowl of cherry limeade taffy, courtesy of yours truly!" I took one of the candies into my hands, discarded the wrapper, and took a huge bite into it, keeping a stern and serious look upon my face. The flavors of strawberry and Lemonade spread through my mouth, and I held up the taffy to him as i demanded, "Eat. TELL me that you think this is "cherry limeade"!" "Yuck! I'm not eating after you!" "Oh, grow up will you!?" "FINE!" begrudgingly, the elder took the taffy I bit off of, and put it into his mouth with a look of disgust on his face before shrugging. "Cherry limeade." He replied simply, his lips parting in amusement as I replied, "So you're THAT detached from this world..... You're THAT much detached from this world, that you can no longer differentiate the taste between cherry limeade and STRAWBERRY LEMONADE! You know what? I'm famished! Get us some Confit de Canard with some Tarte Tatin for dessert would you? I'm craving food from my home country." "And who are you to tell ME what to do?" "Or prehaps you know not of what I speak then?" Thin Man growled before muttering a few curses under his breath, and he snapped his fingers again to reveal a couple silver platters. "Here you go "Princess", food fit for the flavor pallet of Marie Antoinette!" He sneered, throwing the lids off of the dishes, and I could only laugh in response before shaking my head at the sorry presentation. "Really, Monsieur? You think the royal queen herself would eat THIS sorry display?" I asked, offended by the mere thought before taking a quick bite, and spitting it out at him instantly. "H-HEY! IF YOU'RE GOING TO SPIT, SPIT SOMEWHERE IT WON'T-" "BLAND!" I screeched, throwing the food from the table into the floor as I added, "Not ONLY that, but that was NOT what was asked for! Marie Antoinette would have you beheaded INSTANTLY!" "Well you're not the queen." "And this isn't food from France! This is "Fabada Asturiana" and "Leche Frita", native to the country of Spain." I countered knowledgeably, turning my back to the incompetent fool. "Ooooooh, so you're Spanish now?" Thin Man scoffed, but I waited patiently as I crossed my arms, remaining silent. "Helloooooo? Do you hear me? I know I'm not transparent." Still no response. "So THAT'S the game we're playing, huh?" "I'm just waiting until you're done with your childish antics. Maybe THEN we can discuss like proper people!" I remarked smugly, smiling as the sound of frustrated grunts, curses, screams, and objects being thrown and kicked sounded from behind me. I was getting under his skin; only a matter of time before he was ready. After the Thin Man sat back down with a huff, I finally turned back to him, and asked in a condescending voice, "Ready now?" he remained silent, his face twitching as he held a cold, hateful scowl, and I turned back to him as I said, "Good. Now we can talk about a more important subject, yes?" I sat in the rocking chair once more, and crossed my legs as I asked, "The boy. Where is he?" "I could kill you...." the elder seethed menacingly, "I could snap my fingers, and command my friends to wipe you off the planet. You would NEVER have existed to begin with!" "THE BOY, MONSIEUR, WHERE IS HE SO I CAN DESTROY YOU AND WE CAN GET ON WITH OUR LIVES!" I said again, louder and more firmer. Thin Man chuckled darkly before replying, "There's a slight, well, major flaw in your idea to destroy me dear." He began, my brow raised as he leaned over, and he finished, "See, you kill me, you also kill the boy!" "You lie." I said, not believing his claim to be fact from all that he pulled so far, to which he replied with a cassual shrug, "No, I'm not. That's the only thing I've told you the truth about; that and the part about killing you with a snap." "Prove it then. Where is he?" I demanded, a creeping feeling numbing me all over, and the demonic T.V. man stood up to his tallest before swiping his hand down the front of his torso. He lifted up his shirt, and to my shock, there was the boy from the visions.... Only, his once pale skin took on a sickly, ashen gray, and his veins were black and throbbing...... He was corrupted! My jaw hung agape, and I replied quickly, "So you're only a mere coquille? a shell?" "To put it simply, yes. He never changed! All this time in the tower, surrounded by his grief, fears, and madness; THAT'S what I am!" "So that's it then?" I asked, standing up myself, "You're a parasite feeding off of your host?" "It is HE who is MY parasite! Nothing can get past ME and live." "Shells can be easily broken." "And so can bones, LaBouvier." He snarled, putting his hands on the desk before leaning down to my level. "Well then," I began, smiling sneakily, "call them. Call those miserable souls you call "Friends" then!" The Thin Man raised his hand threateningly, and snapped before commanding "Seize this sewer rat! Crush her beneath the weight of your misery!" but nothing happened..... The room remained silent.... "HELLLLLLOOOOOO!? I'M ORDERING YOU TO DESTROY THIS LITTLE PRISS!" he ordered again, but the room still remained silent...... "Do you all think this is FUNNY! COME! SLAY HER OR I'LL-" "They're not here." I interjected, smiling bigger than the Cheshire Cat. "What?!" The coot seethed, looking back down at me after a quick survey of the room. "They're gone. POOF! The Collective and Tormented aren't under your reign anymore." "How?..... WHY.....?" "Because I RELEASED them! All that time of pain and misery you inflicted on them; all of the torture you forced them to suffer, and I freed them from it." Thin Man took a huge step back as his cold face melted into a look of fear, and I chuckled before finishing, "Now, you're ALL alone, and you have no ground to stand upon..." "Y-You forget," He stammered, trying to remain calm, "I'll NEVER be completely alone... I still have what YOU'RE looking for! I won't let you get away with this, runt, you'll beg to die after I'm done with you!" The coot raised up his hand, and with immense power, began to distort the scenery around us when I quickly hid underneath a dome of glistening, golden light. Upon seeing the light, the elder shuddered before retreating to the shadows from whence he came, and I growled, "You forget that I have the power of light on my side, and trust me when I say it much stronger than YOU can ever dream of being!" I expanded my light, and as if it were a last resort kind of tactic, he used a sort of signal wave to send me flying into the nearest wall before kicking up some kind of storm that completely sucked the breath from my lungs as I coughed, and winced in pain. Struggling, I raised my hand into the air to re-summon my shield, and, gasping for air, I began to make a plan as to how to get to the boy within him. "Come on, there has to be SOME way to-" I began to myself, making my way up to the elder slowly when he produced a stronger wave, and pushed me back towards the wall! Gasping, I brought up my defenses once more, and begged, "Come on. Help me, someone!" The signal around me grew stronger, and I was struggling to keep my shield held; nearing the point of caving in as the dark surrounded me when a hand clasped my outstretched arm by the wrist. It felt hot, but not too hot to touch, and I looked over to find the shape and face of someone familiar..... in fact, there were MULTIPLE familiar faces that took on the form of golden shaped beings!" "You are not alone, not internally." The sweet, gentle, British voice of a boy began, making me gasp in shock as tears flowed from my face. "You got this, Claire, and we'll back you up until our battle here is won!" A spunky, female voice chirped, placing a hand on my shoulder with firm support. "Naomi..... Charlie..?" "Yes! We help!" "Help friend Claire!" Two more voices chimed, raspy but upbeat and lively, and I turned my head to see the shapes of dear Jenna and Barney, hand in hand; happier than sparrows in spring! "Claire.... Mom and I are so proud of you, baby sister!" "Bree!" I exclaimed, looking up to see an obscured figure before me, but I knew that it was her from her warm presence. I began to sob lightly, and another voice cooed softly, "What once was broken, must now be fixed! You have the power within you to do MANY wonders; change MANY hearts." I looked down before me, and there was little Bella, holding onto Bear Bear tightly, and my heart swelled with joy. I touched her face, speechless at first by what I saw, but eventually managing to say her name. "Yes," she began in an ethereal tone, her little voice echoing off the walls of the glittering, golden dome around us, "Yes, it's me. We all have the same goal... All of us, brought together by the same desires.... By the same soul..." "M-Me?" I asked, my eyes widening. Bella took my hand into hers lovingly, and replied, "The time is here, Claire. It's time to stop this nightmare, and bring light to the world yet again!" "But HOW, Bella? I can't even manage to get TO him, let alone get to the boy without putting myself at risk!" "That is why we came. We came to use the strength you gave to us, to help you." Charlie laughed, moving my hair behind my back. "But that solves only HALF the problem!" I exclaimed, putting a hand to my head in frustration. "Listen, Claire. Listen, and take in my words of advice!" Bella commanded softly, and I looked at her with unwavering attention as she spoke a single riddle. "Two souls, once one, now both intwined. Fates kind embrace, and Future's sweet design; the mark doth finalize from the hearts warm hearth." "Bella, this is hardly the time for riddles!" I cried, placing my hands on my head as a pain throbbed through. "In that riddle lies the answer, Claire. The way to break the shell, and release him from his eternal prison!" Charlie said, taking my shoulders lightly. "But I don't get it! I was always bad at riddles; my sœur can tell you so." "But the answer is so OBVIOUS Claire! You and I would talk about it all the time!" "But that could be ANYTHING Bree! Picnics, Father's stories, Mother's cooking-" "Our wedding days?" Bree asked, and I could feel her raising her brow at me. "So is that it? The answer is marriage?" I asked, frantic and frustrated. What was a wedding going to do NOW?! "What's at the wedding, Claire, AT!" Naomi pressed, and I quickly listed, "The reception, cake, dancing, supper, speeches-" " "The mark doth finalize from the hearts warm hearth." Claire, when a man and a woman fall in love with each other, they get a warm feeling inside, yes?" "Yes, Charlie." "What happens at the wedding ceremony?" I thought long and hard for a minute before answering, "The vows and exchanging of rings?" " "Two souls, once one, now both intwined." Now what happens to seal the ceremony, and declare a couple wed?" I thought about it..... I thought until my heart was now pounding in my head! After a few minutes of silence, my face scrunched up as my heart dropped into the pit of my stomach, and I exclaimed, "EEEEWWWW! REALLY?!" "It's the only way to reach him, I'm afraid." Bella replied with a bow of her head. "You mean I have to KISS him?! Blugh!" I whined, rubbing my arms and shuddering in disgust. "He is still a child, but the tower has kept him in the shell for too long! It's time for him to come back, Claire. No more waiting!" Bella declared firmly, making me close my eyes in thought as I reluctantly sighed, "Alright..... I'll do it.... How are we going to reach him?" "That is why we are here, Claire." Charlie began, hugging me softly, "We are your defense, as well as your offense! Trust in us.... Trust in YOU!" "You can do this girl! We KNOW you can!" Naomi chirped, swishing through the air around me and making me feel a sense of hope.... A sense of power.... I looked around at the friends and family that surrounded me, and with a smirk, I nodded in understanding. "Right! Let's eradicate this darkness, and lead him back to this world one small burst of light at a time. Thin Man's reign ends here, and I'll not rest until the shell is dissolved!" I declared strongly; the figures dissipating into a fit of swirling, glittering, golden mist as I fought to take the first step. I took another.... Then another.... I could feel the elder muster what strength he could to send me back to where I started in hopes of crushing me, but like the others had promised, I was strong enough to withstand his darkened storm. Every step I took, the light around me grew more and more, causing the elder to become desperate and fearful as I declared, "You may be the embodiment of darkness, but even the strongest light can cut through. What can you do that will ever douse my light?" "YOU HORRID WRETCH! THIS IS CHEATING AND YOU KNOW IT!" He cried childishly, pressing himself against a wall of stone as my light continued to fill the room. "Oh no, Monsieur, I think you are terribly mistaken." I began, taking bigger strides towards the quaking demon, "You cannot expect to have darkness alone, because somewhere there's a sliver of light that will always guide the lost souls home. In other words," I paused as I looked the elder up and down, and said simply, "I won before your victory was declared. And I did it fair and square!" From where I stood, the Thin Man's face fell into a look of dismay, anger, and terror as he cried out, "LIAR! YOU LITTLE BRAT!" He lunged for me, which was a mistake on his part as my whole body began to glow, and he winced and writhed in the ever beautiful, ever warm bask of my light as it filled every corner of the room. Once I was close enough to the demon, I began to climb the tree like individual, taking care that I not make a move that will get me slung off or crushed during the tantrum he was making, keeping in mind what Bella's instructions were. Once I reached his face, the elder looked up at me in fright and shock as I simply said, "Forgive me, Monsieur." then I tightly pressed my mouth to his cold, grayed lips; the world around me going into abrupt darkness, and deafening silence.....

I groggily awoke to a darkened void around me..... no discernable details to make out if there were as I brought myself into a sitting position..... "Mmmnnnn, where AM I?" I asked, rubbing my throbbing head before looking about the empty blackness. I stood up, dusting myself off before observing my own body, now glittering with the same material my shield was made from, and my dress taking on a more ethereal, silvery look as I walked onward, hoping to find the boy I was looking for for several days now. "Helloooooo? Is anybody here?" I asked to the air around me, but received no reply. I looked up, and could see faint, purple, vein like protrusions above me, and I knew that to be nothing more than the darkness taking it's awful course. "He HAS to be here somewhere.... But WHERE?" "WHAT DO YOU WANT?!" A harsh, unfeeling voice boomed from behind, and I whipped around to see the figure of the long awaited face I yearned to see, tainted by the same dark coursing through his body, and his eyes glowing a meanacing purple hue where the glittering silver would be. My heart leapt for joy at the sight of finally seeing him face to face, but it seemed he felt differently as he snarled again, "WELL?! WHAT IS IT?!" "O-Oh, umm! I was searching for you. I came a far distance to save you from your darkness!" "Save me?" He scoffed, "SAVE me?! The last time I enlisted the help of one of your kind, I was thrown over a ledge, and left for dead!" "But you can trust me! I'm not like Six, and you should know that because you spoke to me nearly through ALL of the adventures I had." "WHAT?! I'VE SAID NOTHING ABOUT ANYTHING, AND ESPECIALLY NOT TO THE LIKES OF YOU! NOW LEAVE ME BE!" He screeched, and floated away as I ran behind him. "You told me where to find you! You told me what to look out for along the way! You even said not to trust Six." I called, to which he whipped around, and growled, "Then OBVIOUSLY you didn't listen." "Well that's not fair of you to say, you hardly gave me an explanation as to why you didn't like her! Not only that, but my friend I traveled with is a bit of a knucklehead; stubborn and everything." I cried. "You're so bent on believing that I'd want anything to do with a snotty, bratty, whiny-" "THEN WHY ASK ME TO SAVE YOU!? Why did I risk MY neck to save YOURS!? I'll tell you why! It's because I love you, and I KNOW that this is not who you are TRULY." "Rediculous! HOW can you claim to love me-you don't even know my NAME!" "I do SO!" "Then say it." He replied coldly, turning to face his piercing gaze onto me. I was REALLY in deep water now! "U-Uhhhhh.... Ummmm...." "Tick Tock!" "Give me a minute! I do know it, just let me think." I begged, and the boy crossed his arms over his chest as he continued to glower at me. "C'mon, THINK Claire! Six must've said it at some point-you might've missed it." I thought to myself, searching my memories of the adventure from now, all the way before I left the Maw. "Well...?" "Just give me a moment more." I asked. What was it?.... What WAS it?! "Ten, nine, eight, seven,-" "OH NO! MY TIME'S ALMOST UP! Tell me.... TELL MEEEE!" "One......" the boy finally said, and all was silent as I still searched for a name.... The boy seethed hatefully, "I knew it. You're just another LIAR!" He turned away from me in heartache, and began to float off into the darkness when it hit me like a thunderbolt, remembering what Six had said under her breath back before we docked at the Pale City..... "Mono isn't a sickness.... Mono is his NAME!" I told myself, pulling my hand away from my throbbing head. I DID know his name.... I SAID his name...! I ran for the boy, and quickly seized his wrist as I shouted in plea, "Mono, WAIT!" The boy turned back to me, his eyes wide in shock as he asked quickly, "WH-WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?!" "Mono! That's your name, isn't it? Such a handsome name for an equally kind and handsome boy..." I replied as the boy continued to stare on at me. "Mono, listen to what I have to tell you." I began, caressing his cheek softly as I continued, "You're so courageous, and kind. You were loving in an unloving world to many and was rejected by few! This shell you created.... That's not who you are...." "Tch! How would YOU know?" "Because I've SEEN it! I've SEEN how you are, and what you're like; I love every bit of who you are, but this "Thin Man" is not you in the slightest. Please, if there's ANYTHING I can do to prove that I'm not like that wicked wretch, tell me." I begged, keeping a soft grip on his hand. He continued to look on in silence, a single tear rolling down his face as he looked to the blackened floor beneath us in contemplation. "Mono, please.?" I asked again, lifting his now softened gaze back towards my own. He remained in thought for a while longer, and with a simple nod, he replied, "As you wish... But you must hurry! Your time's running out..." he pulled away from me, and with a snap of his fingers, the scene around me swirled and twisted until I found myself back to where I was standing before the betrayal had occurred. I looked around, and finally behind me to see Mono taking a running start, and leaping towards Six as I shouted, "Come! Help him up and let's go!" Mono made contact with Six's hand, and she remained still as he begged her to lift him up. "Six! Help him!" I screeched, but still she remained silent. Finally, she ripped her hand away, and I broke into a sprint as I yelled Mono's name with heartfelt pain in my voice. Time went by slow for me in those short moments, and the only thing I could hear was my heart pounding into my ears! When I got close enough, I used what might I could muster to shove the yellow clad witch..... Wether or not she went over the side is unknown to me as my mind was set on reaching Mono before it was too late... I felt my time running out, slowly but surely, and I could only push past the urge to stop and rest as my body screamed in agony! I slid on my stomach, and time resumed back to it's normal flow as I swung my hand down to my farthest, and clasped the hand of the falling boy as I cried breathlessly, "NO! NO, I WONT LET YOU FALL!" Mono looked back up to me, his eyes full of shock and tears as I finished, "Not now.... Not EVER again...." "W-Why?" He asked, his voice softer than silk, and sweeter than sugar as he tried to conceal his urge to cry. "Because...." I began, tightening the grip on his wrist, "Because when you love someone, and I mean TRULY love someone......" tears fell from my eyes as I met the gorgeous sparkle of his silver mirrors, and I finished, "YOU DON'T LET THEM FALL!" Mono's jaw hung agape, and his breathing became labored as rivers began to erupt, and soon enough, he began to sob. I could only feel the joy, the relief of knowing he wasn't alone in the aura he produced around him, and I pulled him back over the ledge with me before helping him to his feet. The room around us went dark again, except for a single path of golden light, leading to the exit outside. "I've been lost in darkness, and pain for so long that I've forgotten how to reach the light." He sobbed, looking around the darkened room before hugging himself as he continued, "I'm so alone, and scared, and it's so cold here!" I looked between the fractured remains of the boy, and the obvious path before us with a heavy heart. He had been in darkness for so long that the path of light had escaped him entirely! I extended my hand to Mono, and said gently, "Come with me. I know the way back, and I'll show you." He looked between my hand and myself in distrust, and raised a brow as I beckoned to him once more, "Come.... I will not lead you astray....." with a quivering lip, he wiped his face with his hand, and took my hand gently. As I promised, I lead the boy down the winding, twisting, turning path, never once letting the boy go or double guessing my choice; the boy breaking down every now and then into a fit of sobs that I'd end up having to console. After what felt like ages we reached the portal ahead, and Mono paused to take a long look at the blessed miracle. "I've done..... So much evil..... How could they even begin to forgive me for the sin I've commited?" "Because it wasn't you that committed them, my love. It wasn't your fault that what happened here had occurred!" I comforted, moving his shaggy black hair out of his eyes. He looked down at the floor in shame, and I took both of his hands in mine as I whispered sweetly, "Mono, it's time to wake up from this nightmare..." and I gently brought him through the portal with me; The world fizzing to darkness once more....

I felt the cold pitter patter of the rain on my face.... The real world..... I felt warmth pressed against my small lips, and I pulled away slowly as I opened my eyes to greet the once former Thin Man before me..... His eyes glistened in the dim light from outside.... His skin glowed a bright pale, like freshly fallen snow.... It was Mono, now saved from his own self, and free of his shell! I took his face into my hands, and he followed along the same way as we both busted into a joyous giggle, the two of us happy to finally meet face to face. He was beautiful in every way, from his dirt covered face to his lively smile, and my heart swelled as I continued to admire him, and caress his cheek, happy that he was real.... Happy that I saved him..... Our thoughts had been interrupted by a violent shake from the floor beneath us, and I quickly ushered, "The tower's crumbling to the ground without the supports that makes it stand! We must-oh!" I was interrupted by a swift turn of my body to face him, and he pressed his lips to mine in gratitude before parting from me again, cheeks red with embarrassment. I giggled sheepishly, and for a moment I forgot the urgency of needing to get away from the skeletal remains of the signal tower as he brought me over to a zipline like structure. "Hold on tight! It may get a bit rough on the way down." He said, and I quickly threw my arms around his waist before we took off at max speed down the cord on a wooden hanger. It was no joke, the ride down, let me tell you! We heard a snap, followed by the crumbling of stone, and I screamed, before being brought into Mono's embrace. "Hold on tight!" He instructed, and I closed my eyes as I braced for impact to the ground..... Only..... We didn't..... I opened my eyes to find Mono concentrating as best he can, and saw that we were both floating mere inches from the ground! Finally, we dropped onto the concrete, only having the wind knocked from us as I quickly clambered off of the boy. "A-Are you alright?" I asked, helping him up from the ground. "I-I've been in worse." He giggled nervously as he regained his balance. We both froze at the sound of cracking stone, and we slowly turned toward the tower in concern. Just then, like a crystal glass, the tower began to crumble into little pieces as it collapsed, making me gulp as Mono took my hand before yelling "RUN!" We both made for the safe zone as fast as our tiny legs could go, avoiding bits of stone and metal that would obstruct the way. "MONO, WE WON'T MAKE IT!" I yelled, looking back between the collapsing building, and the far distance of the safe zone. We had to think of an alternative plan, FAST! "MONO! STAY CLOSE!" I screeched, pulling him into my embrace before covering us in a dome of light. Mono raised his hand up beside me, and a pulsing aura began to form around us as if to reinforce the shield, and a thundering quake shook us of balance as we both struggled to keep the shield active.... After a long while of struggling, silence finally followed, and we let down our shields with a powerful burst of energy that cleared most of the debris off of us. We made our way out of the rubble, and observed the damage around us as the rain continued to pour. "Do you think we hurt anything?" I asked, breaking the silence. "I'm not sure.... Let's move forward; see what we may find!" He replied, making his way forward, and helping me over any debris that seemed difficult to traverse. Once we finally reached the safe zone, Mono lifted me from the debris to the ground with flawless strength, and I looked around to see if there was any damage to be noted. There were a few busted buildings, and a couple crushed Viewers, but overall it was a minimal casualty. I turned back to Mono, who was dusting himself off, and before I could ask him what we should do next I heard a familiar voice echo my name! I turned around quickly as the voice drew closer, and my heart leapt when I saw a familiar figure in the distance, waving about as he called my name. Could it really? I covered my mouth, ready to cry as I called, "OVER HERE! LEO, WE'RE HERE!" and he must've seen my signal, for he ran so fast that he was slipping in puddles, and the hood of my lacey cloak slipped off of his head, revealing messy, red hair. I met him half way, and I threw my arms around him as he lifted me from the ground, both of us laughing and crying as we hugged each other. "I thought you left!" I exclaimed through mixtures of sobs and laughs. "I couldn't leave you even if I desired it! I saw this great burst of light from the tower and I knew I had to come back." He replied, swinging me through the air before setting me back down again. I turned back to Mono, who was still busy dusting himself off, and I took Leo's hand as I pulled him along toward the rubble. "There's someone I'd like for you to meet. He's the one I've been telling you about! The boy from the Pale City!" I said, stopping as soon as we were three feet from Mono, who paused to look at him in discomfort. I took my place at his side, and took his arm in mine lovingly as I introduced, "Leo, this is Mono. Mono, this is the one who helped me get to you. His name is Leo!" "P-Pleasure..." Mono replied, sticking his hand out awkwardly for him to shake. Leo's look of surprise faded into one of warmth, and instead of taking the insecure boy's hand, he brought him into one of the biggest embraces I've ever seen Leo give another person as he boomed cheerfully, "The pleasure's all mine mate!" Mono seemed off gaurd at first, but his face beamed happily as he returned the embrace to Leo, giggling slightly. "You kept my good friend here and I waiting a fair bit, you know?" He said, setting him back down, and giving him a playful nudge on the shoulder. "A-Ah! S-Sorry about that..." He replied shyly, rubbing where Leo nudged him when another voice cried, "Leo! Where ARE you!?" My face fell as Mono and I exchanged glances, and it wasn't long until Six appeared, out of breath as she doubled over. Mono looked down to the ground, and clenched his fists tightly as Six began again, "Leo, you KNOW running off is-" She gasped after looking up, and her eyes widened at the sight of the face before her. "Oh! Six! You're just in time for the meet and greet. Claire found this boy here in the tower! His name is-" "M-Mono?" She asked, almost in a voice of awe. "Six?" He responded through clenched teeth, signifying the vitriol he still held for her from her hurtful betrayal. Six took a few steps forward, rubbing her eyes a bit before breaking into a sprint, conjuring a fake feeling of reunion as she made her way to embrace him. I broke away from Leo, and cut her off by standing between the two, my back facing the malicious demon, and causing her to stop in her tracks before looking down at the wet ground. "Easy, Claire, she's not going to take him from you." Leo joked, but I wasn't going to trust her to be in his presence.... Not by a LONG shot! "I-I've missed you.... I thought you died, Mono!" Six began again, to which Mono scoffed, "Would it have helped you sleep at night if I DID?" He turned his back to her, biting his lip in frustration as she continued, "There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't think of you. I missed you terribly since the day we were split up!" " "Split up"?! Is THAT what you call it?!" I seethed, to which Leo instantly said, "Easy, Claire!" "NON! You do not have the right to tell me to be easy, just like she doesn't have the right to be faking a groveling show!" I snapped, turning to face her fully. "Claire, you don't understand." Six tried to begin when I spat, "Oh, I understand, alright. I understand PLENTY! All you've ever done since we left the Maw was tell one lie after another, and try get me killed. Only difference was I had no idea WHY until NOW! You were afraid I'd figure out the truth, and expose you in front of God and everyone!" "What "Truth"?" Six asked, growing increasingly unnerved. "That's the point I'm trying to make!" "You're being rediculous, Claire! I loved him, just like I love you! You're like a sister to me!" She fibbed. I was so tired of the fibbing..... "Is that what you said to me when you threw me to a horde of bullies, then? Or what about keeping Leo from coming with me to face the Patients, or trying to leave Leo and I to get crushed in that one building?! Is THAT what you told Charlie on the Maw before taking a bite out of his neck like a vampire?!" "Claire, ANYTHING could've done that!" Leo defended, but I ignored him as I continued to shout, "Is THAT what you told Mono every time he risked his neck to save you? HUH?! DID YOU SAY YOU LOVED HIM AS YOU TOSSED HIM OVER THE EDGE FOR HIM TO ROT FOR ALL ETERNITY?! DON'T YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU DID?! WHY EVERYTHING HERE IN THIS CITY IS RUNNING LIKE IT IS?! IT'S BECAUSE OF YOU!!" Leo's face fell in shock as he turned his gaze upon the guilt stricken girl, who said nothing as she turned her back to us. "Whoa, Claire! That's a bit of a heavy accusation! I'm POSITIVE Six didn't do any such things. Right, Six?" Leo asked, cool as a cucumber as he looked between her and I. She remained silent as she clenched her fists, and Leo asked again, "Six? You hear me?" But again, no response. Leo's face grew terrified as he began to take the hint, and he shook his head in disbelief as I replied, "The jig is up, Six. It's time to come clean!" She remained quiet for a bit longer, then in a dark voice she hissed, "You're right, Claire..... You've got me in my own web....." she turned to face me before saying, "It's time we ended this foolish game..... and I'll start, by finishing with YOU LaBouvier!" She shot her head up to reveal a mouth full of razor sharp teeth, and eyes as black as pitch! Her skin had taken on the same ashen gray Mono's had taken on before I healed him, and she got on all fours as she charged after me! Mono threw himself in front of me as he declared firmly, "I'll NOT let you hurt my lady!" And as soon as she took to the air to pounce on me, Mono shot a burst of energy that he had summoned, and sent Six flying backwards at full force into an open cage lying around. Leo took immediate action, running to the cage, and snapping the door closed before latching the cage shut! Mono made his way up to the cage, summoning a black storm around him out of the debris, and my heart dropped as I realized what his intent was to do. "Mono, DON'T!" I screamed, running up to him just as he got to the cage. "She hurt me, and others!" He seethed, and I took his head gently in my hands as I pleaded with him, "Mono, you're not a killer! Please don't soil your purity with vengeance." "She deserves it!" Mono cried, tears streaming from his eyes, and I can see the purple hue forming ever so slightly! I turned his head to face me as I replied, "But that's not who you are! If you kill her, you'd be no better than how Thin Man was." After hearing that, his eyes grew wide with fear... He knew I was right.... looking back to the scared creature of a girl before him, he weighed the options in his mind..... Then, just like that, the storm was gone.... I put my hands to the latch, and summoned a golden padlock and chain, keeping her firmly imprisoned as she tried to tear herself free with gnashing teeth, and sharp claws! "Six, you have commited many crimes; crimes to heinous to forgive! And it is for that reason that I have bound you to this prison to look at the carnage you've caused until the day you ROT!" I sentenced, and I took the two boys beside me as we walked past the girl; begging and crying to be spared. "I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS! THIS ISN'T THE LAST TIME YOU'LL SEE ME LABOUVIER! AND I'LL SETTLE MY SCORE WITH YOU MONO IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO!" She screamed hysterically before crying to herself, and I could sense Mono's blood boiling as I told him to ignore her. We left the girl to her solitude, and found a different route back to the docking point, stopping when Mono broke down at the sight of all the damage that Thin Man had done. "It's all my fault.... it's all my fault...." he whimpered, looking around at all the disarray, and the pained stricken souls that still shuffled in the street like zombies. There was nothing I could do to fix them, unfortunately, but all I could do was console Mono before we moved on. Finally, we reached the boat that we sailed in to get to the Pale City from the Maw, and Leo broke into a relieved sprint as he exclaimed, "Oh beautiful boat, how I've missed you!" Seeing him all silly like he was made my heart happy, and accomplished; attempting to join him in his celebration when I noticed Mono slinking off to the other side of the beach to kneel before the door that had given me a vision. He touched the painted wood in a dismal, bitter way, and I approached his side as he began, "This door.... it's what started our adventure here, you know?" I kneeled next to him in the sand, causing him to turn away in despair as he cried into my shoulder. "Shhh, you're safe now. She can't hurt you anymore." I kissed the side of his head lightly, and he drew me in closer to him as he said, "I love you... You've brought a light to me that I thought I had lost, and I thank you for that." I felt happy to hear his kind words, and I pulled away from him before helping him off the sandy beach. "Hey! Shall we leave this place behind, or you wanna stay a bit longer?" Leo asked, getting the boat ready to set sail. I looked at Mono one last time, and he took my hand happily as he said, "Let's leave this place. I found what I've lost." "And I've got what I came for." I added. We made our way to the boat, with Leo hoisting us both in before pushing the boat into the water. He handed me back my cape, and I tied it around me before yawning loudly. "Some adventure, huh? I think you two deserve the rest. Just leave it to good ole Leo here!" Leo said, ushering us off to the part of the boat beneath the seat. "Are you certain? You've been through quite a bit yourself!" I said, almost uncertain of his strength. "Don't worry your heads about it! Besides, you both look as though you hadn't slept in ages. Good rest, you two!" He wished, and Mono and I made our way to the underside of one of the seats. We nestled ourselves up close to keep warm, and I threw my cloak over us as a blanket, making Mono drift off to sleep almost instantly! I couldn't help but make a note to myself how cute he was, sleeping deeply like that, and I moved his hair out of his face when a bright light drifted over the horizon.... Morning had come at last.... and I swear I heard Leo say under his breath, "Hello sunrise, my old friend. How we've missed you!"