《Tartaros》Chapter 17 - Andy
Advertisement
I was alone in a hall filled with endless possibilities. I could go to do what ever adventures with my new cousin Sonia. The whole Tartaros was my playground. Still, my mind was fixated on Medusa's words. This hall has started to malfunction when we had put Tomas's card in the machine.
As soon as I was sure no one would see me, I ran upstairs as fast as I could. At the same time, I tried to breathe in and out calmly. I was close to panic again. I repeated over and over: This is okay. Everything will be just fine. Of course, I didn't believe anything I said, but it was good to say something positive to myself sometimes.
Fortunately, we had left the door a little open after yesterday's quick finish. The place looked pretty much the same, so no one has been here. Tomas' card was still in the same place where we had left it. I was about to take the card out, but then I had a new idea.
I opened Evalyn's box and took the first note in my hands. I learned the first number I saw on the slip. I tried to copy all the moves I remembered Sonia and Edan doing yesterday. I tapped the number in the same place as yesterday. Then I ran back down.
The room had completely changed again. The white walls of the room had turned completely black now. There was a light in the middle of the hall, with two chairs and a camera in the middle. There was a table between the chairs. As I walked closer to the chairs, three figures appeared on the chairs, and behind the camera. I immediately recognized one of the characters as the younger Evalyn Roseblood. The figure opposite her could not be properly made out in the darkness. She and the figure behind the camera were just shadows in the darkness with only small details visible.
“Your name?” The voice of the figure sitting in the darkness was velvety. Every word that came out of their mouth sounded like they wanted something and Evalyn was the only person who could give it to them.
“Do I have to say that? You literally have my criminal record in your hands.” The younger Evalyn leaned back casually in her chair. Her gaze looked like she wanted to murder the figures in the shadows. Evalyn's natural brown hair was wrapped in a beautiful colored scarf. Her clothes were loose and natural colored. She was wearing green crop top and light colored pants. The girl's arms were covered in plasters and bandages, her knuckles completely hidden.
"I know your name, but the camera doesn't." A figure in the shadows leaned forward, making Evalyn tense. Evalyn let out a heavy sigh and put both of her feet on the table, forced by a figure in the shadows.
Advertisement
"My name is Evalyn Carlyssa Roseblood." Evalyn rolled her eyes but forced a big smile on her face. "You call me Medusa."
The figure in the darkness put their hands on fists. They tried to pretend to be a relaxed interviewer, but couldn't do it anymore. “Well, Medusa. Tell the viewers about your family.”
Evalyn's smile disappeared in a second. "What can I say about them? You've already interviewed most of my family, probably heard the most of our family trauma." As the figure raised its hand, Evalyn straightened her stance and began to speak in an almost monotone voice. “My brother "Xander" Alexander Roseblood is 25 years old. He is having a baby with his girlfriend Juliana. My daughter-in-law is a couple of years older than Xander. We-"
Before Evalyn could continue speaking, the figure leaned forward and asked, What about Kelsie, codenamed Cassandra?”
"What about her?" Evalyn leaned forward, ready to attack. He smiled widely, but it was more of a crooked one. “She is my sister. She is the reason we are here. You don't have to worry about she, or anyone else in my family, Osiria.”
Two thing of note came. She talked about my aunt who I have only seen in a background. Interviewer was Osiria Rose, the famous Osiria Rose. When she was in the shadows. She looked like an ominous figure and not the glamorous host she usually was.
Osiria Rose straightened the papers in her hand, and continued her speech in her smooth voice. "Do you care so little about your family?"
Evalyn's smile completely disappeared. "And you know everything about my family? What do you even know?”
"I know enough."
At that very moment, the memory in front of me froze. I guess these were the problems Evalyn was talking about. I was almost walking towards the door when the frozen figures started to shake a little. After a while, the entire memory was gone. Instead, a brand new memory of the interior of a means of transport unknown to me appeared in place of the memory.
In place of Evalyn and the two characters, a group of different people appeared, Evalyn, Serena… and Dad sitting in the middle. The people between them slept. Serena snored in her sleep against Evalyn's shoulder. I saw mother sleeping on the floor at father's feet, and at the same time hugging a young girl who was maybe ten or a little older. The only person awake was Dad, who gently nudged Evalyn's other shoulder. “Evie, are you awake?”
Evalyn raised her head and rubbed her eyes a little. Her hair was put up in beautiful pigtails that reached her shoulders. When I looked closer at dad and Evalyn, I noticed a lot of similarities between them. They had similar dark brown eyes that twinkled in the moonlight. They had the same slightly round nose and beautifully dark skin. Why didn't I have those traits?
Advertisement
"Do you remember what we talked about earlier?" Father smiled gently and touched Evalyn's cheek.
"Family always come first." Evalyn sighed deeply and smiled a little. "Kelsie always comes first." Father kissed Evalyn on the forehead and smiled. He smoothed his mother's hair and turned to stroke the girl in his mother's arms with his finger. The girl sighed.
"I know surrendering was... not your ideal option, but I promise that we are going to be happy when the door of Tartaros open." I bit my life. Dad's eyes sparkeled with hope. Evalyn was less enthusiastic, but a small smile had appeared on her face.
Evalyn laid Serena's head in her lap. Evalyn's fingers gently moved through Serena's short hair. Serena was fast asleep. Evalyn's eyes never left my father. "Can you really promise that this was the right choice?"
Xander sighed and looked out the window behind him. A beautiful black forest that looked fake flashed in the window. I have never seen forests before. "I… I promise that I will always think of the best for you and your sister… and I promise that you, me, Kelsie, Juliana, and my future little girl will have the life you've always wanted." It took me a moment to realize that the little girl he was talking about was me. I am not yet born in this memory. "Yeah, and don't forget Serena." Evalyn kissed Serena on the forehead. "Maybe you're right, this could be just what we need. At least that's what Kelsie needs.”
This memory stopped, and I was sure it looked glitched. I didn't want this memory to end. However, all I could do was watch as the figures began to shake again, and in an instant, we are in a different memory. The new memory was somewhere around Tartaros, which I didn't recognize myself. There weren't as many people anymore. Evalyn was a bit older, maybe a year or two. She was definitely pregnant. In front of him were four figures dressed in white, and in the middle of them was that same young girl from last memory, Kelsie.
Kelsie was squatting in the middle of all the white-coats, wailing something I couldn't make out. Evalyn pressed her nails into one of her arms. She was wearing a jacket with a bit of a dress showing underneath, which seemed to be meant for sleeping. "Kelsie, Kelsie please. I am trying to do what's best for you. Xander... Xander usually."
Evalyn didn't have time to finish her sentence before Kelsie jumped up and ran towards Evalyn. Fortunately, the white-coats caught him very easily. However, that didn't stop Evalyn from staggering back a little. "You! You, the woman who disappeared into the shadows, who brought darkness to this land, because of whom the world lost the only one who cared.”
Evalyn looked desperate, more desperate I have never seen before. She looked one of the white coated people, wanting an answer desperatly. "What I am gathering that Cassandra is a new... person that was born out of the war... We can do therapy to both so you can live together-"
"No, I don't think that's a good idea." Evalyn lip quivered. "I don't think... I don't what to do. Build her a home where she can stay. Make it the best place to be. Please."
Kelsie pointed at Evalyn. "The blood on the hand of my love, the one you trusted the most. An endless war begins, which only a heavy sacrifice can end. Do you want to lose everything you love? Be a leader. You weave a web of revenge chasing the man you once loved.”
Evalyn bit her lips. "Please, Can I just talk to Kelsie?"
Couple of seconds past and the girl's energy looked older than she was. "You are going to lock us up and you are asking to explain yourself to a ten year old girl who needs you? You don't deserve to talk to her."
"Apollo, please." Evalyn tried to touch Kelsie, but Kelsie slapped her hand away.
"No, Leave!" Kelsie turned her back to her.
Evalyn turned to the doctor. "No expense. Take care of her every need, Dr. O'hara. I just need to... I need to figure out what I am going to do."
Doctor touched her shoulder. She was the first person who looked like she pitied Evalyn. "Go to bed darling. You have a city to lead."
Memory stopped there. I watched the girl in front of me in shock. I keep thinking... I saw her face in the memoriam with a same face in front of me. Evalyn talked about her like she was dead. Still, on front of me was proof she was safe somewhere in Tartaros, unless something happened. This might be something Edan wanted to know.
Advertisement
Wayfarer
Etrylis, world of a thousand planes of power, home of arcanery and the energy of the Mind, is beset by conflict. Its history fraught with cycles of victories and defeat, repetitive in its people's failure to learn from past mistakes. A stagnant world in need of disturbance from an outsider's perspective. Whether it wants it is another story. Join a cast of earthers and natives as they journey through this war-torn land, each pressured by their own motivations and plagued by their own demons. Despite this, spectate their attempt to do the right thing, by them or by what they value, each sailing by the direction of their own moral compass; as could be expected from anyone.
8 107Sanguis
In a world inhabited by vampires, various factions are vying for dominance, whether through wars or grueling tournaments. In the midst of the conflict, two unsuspecting humans become caught in the battle. Note: My first story on here, I wanted to try writing a story with battles and leveling up, the kind of story where a character starts at the bottom and world their way up. I hope this story is a good chance to see what works and try out a few different ideas I’ve had.
8 197The Sagas of Mortaholme
There is only one god and his name is Elduin, Dwarves are stories, magic isn’t real and the northern kingdoms are made up of raiders and the unfaithful. For two thousand years this has been the truth for the people of Alturine, the holy southern empire. For two thousand years, tradition has been leeched away to form a vicious cycle where the rich stay rich and the poor beget more poverty. Only now, when the southern realms of men are at their lowest does darkness leak back to stake its claim. Marius was raised in the northernmost reaches of Alturine under the trees of the Black Forest where remnants of the old kingdoms still linger. He never believed the stories of short mountain men, nor the old fables about mages and dragons. Yet the darkness cares little for belief and faith. He watched as wargs tore his mother and sister asunder, as the undead carried his father into their ranks and as his town was put to the torch and drowned in blood. Rage fuelled and vengeful Marius struck out against the architect of his misery only to be outmatched and left for dead.
8 184Promise
A Cold and Cruel world besiege the dammed as everything dies off. A Collection of Grimdark & Horror Stories.
8 90Royal sonic ( sonic x reader)
Sonic x reader mediveal times
8 64High Strangeness
Tyler is being hunted by the Grinning Man and flees to Marble Springs, where he teams up with Serling and Price, real estate agents who sell haunted houses. *****After his brother disappears and a burial mound explodes, high school student Tyler Graves starts having strange visions. His brother warns him that something is coming for him. Soon, Tyler's entire family is slaughtered, and he's being hunted by an otherworldly entity known as The Grinning Man. Fleeing to Marble Springs, he meets Serling and Price, real estate agents who specialize in selling haunted houses. It's up to this unlikely trio to stop a madman from destroying the world - by literally unleashing Hell on Earth! (Sequel to Apartment 239.)[[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]
8 140