×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××
Chapter 57 -
Run, Child, Run As Fast As You Can
×××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××

The moonlight floods into the room and Quirin glances up at his room door. A faint glow is coming from under the door. He sighs in relief and leans back, falling back asleep in the chair.

“BRING ‘HER’ BACK!”

An angry voice shouted an order faintly.

Not soon after, the sounds of metal and moving gear thumped. It got louder and louder as the thing drew closer and closer. The haunting tune drawing out around the thick forest.

You pant while running as fast as you can. Your heart racing just like this chase. You suddenly duck as a metal claw like hand nearly nips your back.

It's arm creaks while going to grab for you. Your eyes widen and you roll before getting up and running again.

The Automaton started following on all fours while two others came behind. Their eyes glowing green in the darkened night.

The wind blew harshly and it began to rain heavily. Everything was blurry and you push your hands out to throw back branches in your way. The tune was getting closer. Those Ancient Mechanisms that use to guard you.

The ground beneath you suddenly fell and your body began to fall straight down. You gasps in fear when you the Automatons stopping by the edge you had fallen off of.

Water surrounded you in mere seconds and you go under. You try to swim up, but the raging river shoved you back down. Now you had no idea which way was up. Your body spun around and you barely seen the rushing waters from the flashing lightning above.

You gasps again only for water to fill your lungs. Before you could react more, your head slammed against something hard.

A loud white noise rings in your ears, overpowering the other noises.

A bright white light flashed brightly before everything went dark.

Your body instinctively woke up trying to breath and you rolled onto the floor. You cough uncontrollably and panic when you couldn't breath. It didn't help that you were freaking out about what you had experienced. It was too clear. A memory.

Varian immediately wakes up and took action without thinking. “Hey, hey, hey, hey!” He kneels down to you and pulling you close.

You freak out more at the sudden action and back up against the wall.

“(____). You're okay, it's just me. Varian.” He gently soothed.

You slightly calm down and glance around to see you're again in Quirin’s room. The sunlight was shining from the window lighting the room and shift your eyes to Varian.

“They were after me. I don't know who, but I didn't want to go with them.” You curl up more and glance around, hoping those Automatons don't pop up anywhere.

“What are you talking about?” Varian asked and scoots closer and hesitantly pulls you into a hug.

You finally lean into him and scoot as close as you can. “I don't know. I fell and I couldn't breath…..then I hit my head.”

Varian combs his fingers through your hair and his head is on top of yours, “Well whatever happened. I won't ever let anyone take you away.”

He closes his eyes and holds you tighter, “You scared me yesterday. I didn't know what to do.”

You felt tears fall on your shoulder and realize Varian is crying. He shakes and you look up at him, frowning sadly, “Varian. I'm okay now.”

His eyes shine from the tears, “I didn't want to lose you, yet I didn't know what to do. Just like my mom. I…..I….”

“Varian don't cry….” You feel your eyes tear up now, “You're gonna make me cry.”

Varian laughs a bit and smiles lightly, “Well don't cry, you're going to make me cry more.”

You sniff, chuckling slightly, “You started it.”

Varian rolls his eyes and wipes them before hugging you. “I'm glad you're okay now.”

The two of you sit there against the wall, until Varian pulls out the map from his pocket. He sighs, “I need to found out what these rocks are. See if I can stop it from spreading. It's the least I could do instead of sitting here.”

You glance at him then stand up. “Varian.”

He looks up at you and you sigh before holding out your hand, “We'll figure this out together and I will follow you, but at some point you have to listen to what I say. Okay?”

Varian takes your hand and grins, “Okay.”

You pull him up and smiles softly, “Let's get started.”

In Varian’s lab, Varian begins making conclusions on the wall where he stuck papers on. He mumbles to himself while writing stuff down.

You slip on your satchel and fix your gloves.

Varian glances over and tilts his head, “Where are you going?”

“I'm going back. Maybe Xavier has something on this.”

Out the window, it looked to be getting cloudy and faintly you can hear thunder. Varian walks over and gives you a worried expression, “Can you wait until the rain passes over?”

You smile, “I'll be fine. I'll make it to the Snuggly Duckling if I leave now and I can stay there until it passes.”

“But after what happened yesterday-”

“Varian, don't worry.” You hug him tightly.

Varian still felt unsure then sighs, hugging you close, “Okay, but you're taking Rudiger with you.” He calls over Rudiger who was asleep on the table.

The raccoon stretches and runs over. “Rudiger, makes sure (____) gets to the Snuggly Duckling safely.” Varian picks him up. “Got it, buddy?”

Rudiger nod with a single tooth grin. Varian lets him crawl onto your shoulders. “(____), at least give Rudiger a note to let me know you got there. Please?”

You hug Varian again, “Varian, seriously I'll be okay, but I'll make sure to give Rudiger a note.”

Varian smiles sheepishly, then leans in to softly kiss your cheek.

You lightly blush and take one of his hands, placing against your face. It was like giving Varian a small hug and you hum in content.

“I'll see you later.” You say softly and turn toward the door.

“See you later.” Varian says and smiles tenderly.

Along the road, you could feel the cold wind picking up. You jump when thunder rumbles and you walk faster. Rudiger chitters in worry and gently pats your face when you felt a bit of anxiety.

“I'm glad Varian told you to come with me, Rudiger.” You take a deep breath, “I don't think I would've walked alone especially with the rain storm coming.”

You glance back to see it's getting darker, “I just need to be around someone I know or around somewhere familiar.”

Lighting flashes and your eyes widen. Suddenly you begin to run and Rudiger clings to you. Now it started to pour heavily and the only thing keeping you from losing yourself was Rudiger.

Ahead of you, the Snuggly Duckling sign gets closer and closer. The thing that relieved you more was the familiar blonde and her chameleon who stood at the path leading to the pub.

You immediately hug her from behind and not letting go.

Rapunzel lets out a short scream with Pascal. She gazes back and sighs in relief while laughing. “(____), you scared me.”

“Sorry.” You mumble still not letting go.

“What are you doing out here?” She gently move you to her side and hugs you.

“I was heading back to the castle, but the rain came.”

Rapunzel chuckles, “Well you can come back with me after the storm passes. Luckily the Snuggly Duckling is right here.” She tries to push up her hair that's soaked.

The two of you go up the pub's door with you still holding onto Rapunzel.