Cronkri: I won't let you down

Chapter 10: The Beginning

Congratulations, you've finished the story of my metaphorical death. Now, you'll begin the story of my revival.

I had refused to eat or drink or shower or do anything that involved leaving my room for the rest of that afternoon and evening. All I could do was lay down and cry in grief with nothing to hold onto to remind me of Cronus. I eventually fell asleep around 10 PM, which was much earlier than usual for me, but I was exhausted from crying so much.

Then the unexpected happened. Sometime around midnight, I was awoken by the sound of something being thrown against my window. No, not thrown, more like... thwacked? I sat up curiously and looked out my window through the plastic. The window was pretty dirty at the bottom, so I couldn't see who was doing the thwacking. I could see what was being thwacked: a giant stick from a tree.

I curiously unlatched my second-story window and slid it open, thankful that it was one of the quieter windows in the house. The stick fell to the ground and I stuck my head out, peering down.
"Cronus?" I whisper-yelled hopefully into the otherwise silent night.
"Yeah, it's me!" a familiar voice responded.
It was everything I could do to stop myself from literally jumping for joy. "What in the world are you doing here?" I asked him happily, an excited grin plastered on my face.
"Rescuing you. Jump down here, I'll catch ya."
I considered my options here. Escape with Cronus and get to stay with him and continue living my life with the risk of my dad finding out, or stay here and wallow in grief for the rest of my life? I decided to go with the former.
"I'll be right down. Give me two minutes."

I left the window and grabbed a flashlight off my nightstand. Then I crept slowly and silently on my socked feet across the wooden floor of the hallway, careful to avoid the creaky spots that I had spent the majority of my childhood figuring out. I shined the light along the floor as I made it to my dad's bedroom. The door was silent as I opened it, thankfully, and I stalked into the room, careful not to shine the light on the face of my sleeping guardian. My phone was on his nightstand, which was to be expected, so I quickly grabbed it and turned without thinking. The floorboards creaked. I froze. Mr. Vantas turned slightly in his sleep. I waited about thirty seconds to make sure he was asleep, then grabbed a pen and notebook paper and scribbled a note to him.

Silas Vantas.
I have decided to leave you, since you are no longer someone I wish to call my father. Please take care of Karkat, and don't mess him up like you did with me. Don't call the police, that will strike up trouble. I'll be alright.
Your Former Son,
Kankri.

That would suffice. I left the note on the headboard in place of my phone and silently made my way back out of the room.
Once I was back in my room, I grabbed a small pull-string bag and shoved a spare tee shirt in it, as well as a few spare socks and a change of pants and boxers, just in case. Then I slid on my shoes and went back to the window, throwing one leg out and taking a deep breath.
"Cronus..!" I whispered harshly. "Are you still there?"
"Yep, haven't moved."
"I'm coming down."
"I got'cha, chief!"
I half-smiled somewhat nervously as I put both my legs out the window and sat on the sill, then turned and grabbed onto the window sill, lowering my body as far as I could.
"On three. One... two... three!"
At that cue, I let go of the house. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. The window got farther and farther away, the small square of light growing smaller. Cronus caught me in his arms and I clutched onto him for dear life, my heart beating furiously.
"I... I've never done anything like that before..!!" I said, relieved that it was over and I was safe.
"I believe ya," Cronus replied, setting me down on my feet and leading me to a car that was parked in front of my house. We had to move quickly, just in case anyone had heard. He helped me into the back seat as the engine roared to life, the headlights revealing the silhouettes of Orpheus and Marquise Ampora, Cronus's parents.
"Hey there Kankri. Mind if we take you home?" Orpheus asked.
I shook my head. "Not at all, sir!"
"Good, 'cause we ain't takin' ya back."
I smiled, then saw a figure running up to the car out of the corner of my eye.
"KANKRI! HEY, WAIT!" My brother called to us before we had taken off. I rolled down my window and looked out at him. He looked incredibly somber, but hid it and his fright well with a face of determination.
"I know about what happened," he began. "I hear just about everything that goes on in this house."
He took in a deep breath and offered a small wave to Cronus, who saluted in response.
"I want you to keep these so you won't forget about me."
He held up one of his favorite movies, The Pursuit of Happyness, on top of my red turtleneck, neatly folded.
I accepted the gifts with a grateful smile. "Thanks, Karkat. Be careful with Dad, okay?"
"Okay." He paused. "Can... Can I get a hug?"
I stared at him for a moment before nodding. "Of course."
He opened the car door eagerly and I stood up. He instantly clinged to me and I held him close in a comforting embrace. He broke the silence after a few seconds.
"Kankri?"
"Yes?"
"Will I... ever see you again?"
I paused to think about it. "Hopefully, yes. I'll try to visit you from time to time, although it will be difficult... But Karkat?"
"Yeah?"
"I want you to know that you're always loved. It might seem hard to believe at times, but never forget it. Okay?"
"Okay..."
"Good."
I let go of him and sat back down, closing the door again. "Oh, and this conversation never happened as far as Dad knows, got it? You just woke up and I was gone."
He nodded. "I got it."
I rolled up the window and waved to him as Mr. Ampora drove off. He waved back and stood in the yard until we were out of sight.
I hope all goes well for him.