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Chapter 6: Silenced Cries

       As the forest grew farther and farther from them, Solomon grew closer until they were face to face.

       "Ah, I see you survived dear old Cinders! Congratulations." Solomon commented boredly.

       Grim gave Solomon a deathly glare, before looking ahead. Instead of something similar, he only saw a house. It looked run-down, and poorly painted, with the porch wood cracked and falling apart.

       "In order to pass the next trial, you must face your past and accept change."

       Grim nodded, waving his hand dismissively as he took Allison's hand.

       Allison did not budge. He gently pulled her forward, yet she still did not budge.

       "Ally, come with me. We must do this."

       ". . I-I can't. ."

       Grim looked at her, and she stared back. He simply carried her. Though Allison didn't object, she was pale as a sheet and trembling. Once they entered the house, it looked in a worse state than the outside. The place was a mess, and the floor was poorly built. The walls were a deep, pastel blue-grey.

       [Warning: The following scenes contain descriptions of child abuse. If you do not wish to read it, please skip to the end. However, you may miss a bit of story for Allison. Don't feel pressured to read it, though! Such offensive bits will be highlighted in bold.]

       He looked down, only to see that the young eleven-year old had disappeared from his arms. In a panic, he drifted up the stairs, on a search for them. Once he made it to the top, he heard sobbing and shouting coming from one of the rooms. Upon entering, not only did he see Allison, but what he could assume was her mother. The sight was repulsive; not even he could watch something so horrid.

       Grim could still see the shadow of Ally, the belt still being swung again and again, each impact sounding off a loud snap as leather came into contact with fragile skin.

       Allison ran down the hallway, and Grim ran with her. Her mother, drunk as a squirrel who had eaten fermented crab apples, scrambled out of the room and clumsily chased after her.

      At the entrance of the house was a young girl, with eyes so big and eyes so dark, it looked like she had the eyes of a seal. Her hair was in a loose braid, Tied with a bow-shaped purple ribbon. Allison shakingly approached, her eyes beginning to water.

       "Sister." The girl responded emotionessly.

       The second child opened their arms slowly. On cue, Allison grasped them tightly, sobbing softly. The girl barely reacted, only looking at Grim.

       ". . I'm sorry. . I'm sorry I hurt you that one time when I pushed you onto the sidewalk because you took my dolly. I never knew you'd end up scraping your knees so badly. And I'm sorry I let you play outside on your own. . I didn't know they'd. . Take you." Allison broke into tears.

       ". . I'm ready to let go. ." 

       . . The child faded to dust. The house was beginning to crumble around them. Grim quickly picked up Ally, running out just as the house collapsed.

       Solomon stared at them.

       ". . You have passed."

       Grim stared at him as Solomon disappeared. Ally was wordless as she walked with Grim.

       "Ally. ." He began.

       "I had a little sister."

       ". . I hated she was getting so much attention, and. . Bullied her. I decided to give her a break and just let her play outside on her own, and. ."

       "She was taken."

       ". . I hated myself for it, and my mother especially. Eventually one night she was driving me home while she was drunk. . And crashed."

       Grim was wordless. It took him forever before he finally spoke.

       "Death is. . A hard thing to accept for many. It feels like you will never see them again, or. . It can make you do horrible things to yourself."

       "But I know you, Allison. You're brave, and kind hearted and I know you can get past this. I'm sure that once you get to heaven. . Your sister will forgive you." He replied calmly.

       ". . Grim, I want to stay with you after this."

       Grim swallowed hard.

       "That's. . Not possible. Purgatory is most often temporary. Eventually a soul either goes to Heaven or He--"

       He noticed the look in her eyes. As if she would burst into tears at any moment.

       ". . Alright. . You can." He replied hesitantly.

       "Promise. . ?"

       Grim went silent. There was no way he'd be getting out of this now. So he hugged her softly, running his bony hands through her hair to reassure her.

       "I promise."