Camp Cheng (CONTINUED)

~CHAPTER 37~

tw: small description of a train wreck, someone dying, begins at "I often had nightmares about what happened" and ends at "...Bridgette's facial expressions."

Felix's POV

Crap.

This place brought back bad memories. Memories that, given the chance, I would've happily forgotten about. Memories of pretending to be Adrien, memories of opposing Ladybug, memories of stealing the rings.

Worst of all, memories of my mother.

She'd burst into the mansion, all happy and bright. Yes, maybe her intentions weren't all that pure. Yes, maybe she'd acted slightly obnoxious. But did I love her? Yes.

Maybe if I'd have known that the last time I would see her was on that train, I would've acted differently. Maybe I would've tried to soak up all the tiny details. Of how her mouth twitched when she was trying to hold in a laugh, that crinkle that formed between her eyes when she was concentrating, or the way her beautiful green eyes would widen slightly every time she was happy.

If only I'd taken the time.

~

I often had nightmares about what happened. When I'm awake, it's all a blur. The rushing train. the screeching of wheels against tracks. My colourful surroundings fading out as I try to recall what had happened. In my dreams, though, it's terrifyingly vivid. The way my mother grips my hand as the train lurches forward. The cold trickle of blood down my forehead as I'm thrown backwards. The warm tears down my face as I stand beside my mother's unmoving body.

I shuddered involuntarily. Yeah, I don't like being here at all. It keeps reminding me of what happened on the train. The weird angle my mother's neck was bent at as she-

Nausea rose up in my throat but I forced it back down again, instead concentrating on Marinette and Bridgette's facial expressions.

On one hand, Bridgette hadn't visited the mansion before, so she didn't seem all that bothered by it. In fact, she seemed almost in awe as she gazed around. I guess it would look rather fancy to an outsider- the polished marble floor, the grand white pillars, the unnecessarily massive portrait all pretty much screamed RICH! On the other hand, Marinette was smiling sadly as she looked around as if it was a nostalgic experience. Which I suppose it was; she'd have made plenty of memories, whether they be good or bad, that she immediately connected with this place. Memories she didn't look like she wanted to forget. Which, in reality, was a harsh contrast to the atmosphere of the mansion- a home is supposed to have a kind, warm feel to it whereas the Agreste Mansion was a stone-cold place with such a dampened atmosphere it made me wonder how Adrien, Marinette and their friends could ever have had fun here.

But this was Marinette we were talking about. Marinette "Light-Up-a-Room-Whenever-I-Walk-In" Dupain-Cheng. Marinette "I-Have-To-Make-Sure-Everyone-Is-Included" Dupain-Cheng. Marinette was so bright and bubbly she could even make a place like this feel good.

"Should we-" Bridgette broke the silence, startling both Marinette and I from our thoughts. "Should we- I mean, can we- explore further?"

Marinette (now having returned from whatever fantasy land she was in) smiled softly at her sister, knowing that she hadn't been able to experience first-hand the kind of luxury this household could entail.

"Sure," she responded, "looking around wouldn't do us much harm, right Felix?"

The memories, they just- I hated them. I hesitated before responding quietly. "I suppose not..."

Bridgette, sensing my discomfort, manoeuvred around Marinette to grip my arm. "Felix, I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable if-"

"N-no," I breathed out shakily, "if there's any a time to face my fears, it's now. I might not get a second chance. Just you'll...stay here, right? Both of you?"