Songbird

"A toast! To victory!" Oak shouted.

"To freedom!" Fox said.

"To life!" Spectre added.

"To love." Dawn said, snuggling with Oak.

"To good health!" I yawned.

"To friendship!" Dragonfly raised his glass last.

Our glasses clinked together and cheering echoed around the rooms of Dragonfly's new house. "Thanks guys! I really appreciate you coming for me, but... They didn't hurt me." Spectre smiled and sipped on his apple juice. Since he isn't 20 yet, he isn't allowed to drink alcohol, but we still give him a drink that looks like beer and put it in a fancy glass. It never fails to make him feel better about being too young.

"They didn't hurt you?" I asked.

"They didn't, like, torture you or anything?" Oak sat at the table.

"Are you sure this isn't some variation of Stockholm Syndrome?" Dawn frowned.

"No. They were all one big joke! I escaped all of their attempts to torture me. It wasn't hard. I was really lucky."

"You said it, man!" Dragonfly smiled, clapping him on the back. "So, you came out with Lilith. How did that...?"

"Oh for God's sake! Give it a rest already! She untied me and led me outside. That's it!" I could tell he was lying. His eyes always wander when he's not telling the truth. However, I didn't pry. Why not? Well, I'm not a nosy perv. He can do what he wants with Princess Lilith and that's his business.

"Hey, mind your own business. You have your own problems if you're gonna be a pacifist." Oak said, turning to Dragonfly.

"What do you mean?"

"Like it or not, it's kill or be killed here. Pacifists don't usually last long."

"I can't bring myself to believe that."

"Well you'd better, because it's true."

"If all of us are friends, then it isn't so! The evidence of something else besides that is staring you right in the face!"

"Even friendships are forged in blood..."

"Oak! There's no need to bring anything of that sort up tonight!" I yelled. "This is a joyous occasion!"

"It's true! We've all killed someone!" He glared at Spectre. "Maybe some of us wanted to kill."

"I don't have to stand here and listen to this! It was an accident and you know it! Isn't that enough?!" Spectre shouted. He got up and left the table. "I'm going upstairs. Don't follow me." Dragonfly, of course, got up and followed him.

"Hey, Spectre! Spectre, wait!" Spectre's hoodie flowed out behind him as he raced up the stairs.

"What the Hell, Oak?" Dawn asked. "You scarred him for life. What more do you want, darling?" He was silent. We all know that when she stresses her pet names, she's pissed.

"Come on, good buddy." Fox spoke softly. "I know you're better than this. What's wrong?"

"I need to be back in control." Oak muttered. "Has anyone else encountered that Merchant guy?"

"I did!" I said.

"Yeah." Fox said. "What about him?"

"Ever since he's showed up, strange things have been happening. I've said things I don't really mean, but could be seen saying. It's like hypnotism. Anyone else notice that?"

Silence echoed around the room as we tried to recall. I personally couldn't remember doing things like that. We heard a gasp. "Dragonfly! Oh no no no! I'm so sorry, I...! I don't know what happened! I... I'm usually so careful..."

We rushed up the stairs to find Spectre trying to heal Dragonfly. "So the truth comes out." Oak smirked.

"N-No! It's not what it looks like! I... I... Please believe me. It was an accident!" Spectre begged.

"Oh sure, I believe you." Oak held the tip of his trident to Spectre's chest. "But better safe than sorry, right?" Just as he was preparing a finishing blow, time slowed to a crawl. I grabbed his weapon and wrestled it away, chucking it back down the stairwell. Dawn was healing Dragonfly, Fox had jumped in front of the blow. Just as suddenly as time had slowed, it sped back up. There was chaotic noise everywhere.

"Alright!" I yelled over the din. "I think it's time we gave Spectre some space." Everyone reluctantly backed away. "Dragonfly, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. It just knocked me back, is all."

"It didn't damage him much." Dawn shrugged. Spectre fled into another room and locked the door. I was the first one to pursue him. I could hear his almost noiseless sobs through the door. "Alright, honey. We're leaving. We'll figure this out in the morning." Dawn spoke.

Everyone left except Dragonfly. We let Spectre get some peace and quiet. I shut the door to his house and gazed at the stars. "Don't worry..." I heard Fox sigh. "I hope we can get it sorted out. I'll give it my all."