【ＨＩＲＡＥＴＨ】- 𝒥. 𝒦𝒶𝒽𝓃𝓌𝒶𝓁𝒹

Ｔｈｅ ｒｅｕｎｉｏｎ

The rain drenches my frame, the rifle almost slipping from my grip as i continue to walk forward, trudging through the mud on the uneven road. My teeth are gritted, jaw clenched so tightly i can't help but feel sore - eyebrows furrowed and tears mixing with rain. What am i going towards? Am i going towards a boy who i fear doesn't love me? Am i going towards a better future? What makes me hold on?

Why am i not giving up.

It's like that cartoon devil whispering in my ear, telling me i can just stop. I can just stop trying to flee, But i try to drown it out, trembling at the cold as thunder rock down far away. I blink, sniffling as i see a huge structure, seemingly abonded and safe from the weather. From what i've gathered, i'm pretty much lost in the past, so as i make my way across from it, my feet burning from the steps walked, gut churning at the terrefying darkness around me - i feel completely alone.

The bruise on my face is stinging, pounding with pain as i walk over to the door, staring at it for a few seconds, listening. I then decide that i can't stay out here more, so with a rough inhale, i grip the door and slam it open, a hush falling over the whispers i now could hear. I slam it behind me, and a wavering gasp is heard.

I reel around, eyes narrowed, only to tense, as i see myself...well- Lillith? And Jonas. Fucking Jonas. Old Jonas "I-Ida" My eyes drift to the others, only to falter slightly as i see Magnus. Magnus? What the fuck is he doing here? Holding onto his arm is Franziska, and standing a little further away is Bartsotz. My future self look shocked, along with Jonas.

Lilith take a step forward, but before she takes another step i cock the rifle, pointing it at her with a harsh glare. "One step closer and i'll shoot you" I seethe out, a tension rising as my old friends look like they've seen me murder someone. Jonas grip onto his wives arm, holding one arm to me.

"Ida, put down th-"

I snap my gaze to him, pointing the rifle his way. "You" I sneer, malice and anger painted in my tone, so heavy that i almost feel shivers travel down my spine, anger rushing through me. He stop as well, seemingly confused as he swallow, staring my way in concern. My chest feels tight with anger, burning me.

"You left me - you fucking asshole!" I shout, realizing that my eyes are filling with tears, wide eyes scanning my friends as they stare at my malnourished, bruised, livid frame in shock, pity and concern. "You're not supposed to be here - we've never been here before - We were together the whole time" His whisper is barely heard, eyebrows furrowed in concern, but i continue, holding the rifle up with shaking hands, looking towards Lillith as she meet my gaze. "It doesn't matter what the fuck you think you've excperienced! It's not the same! You could have stopped the circle!You think you're being some saviours - You're not doing shit!" My words come out shaky, but the rage beneath the words is apparent.

I snap my gaze to Jonas, stepping closer, everyone flinching back slightly, holding shaking hands up in the air, looking like they've seen a ghost. I look Jonas dead in the eyes. "You left me to die - you left me to die in the past" My voice is lined with such anger and bitterness - and as tears fall from my eyes i can't help btu feel exhaustion. Jonas looks almost horrified, sharing a confused, hopeless look with his wife. "B-but it can't - i'm here. I've never excperienced this, it cant be true" Lillith mutter.

I narrow my eyes. "Oh sorry- is the fact that i'm here not enough fucking truth for you?" I feel my blood burn, so i quickly point the rifle at Jonas's foot- pulling the trigger. He cries out in pain, and stumble to the ground, gripping it, eyes clenched shut. Lillith drop to help him but i point the rifle at her. "Stay the fuck back" I sneer, making her step back, looking terrefied. "You believe me now, Lillith? Or should i shoot him in the head and show you how much i loathe him right now?" My voice is cold, and she stares into my eyes with confusion, sadness clear.

"What happened to you?" I look to Magnus, his eyes staring me down, looking horrifed. I narrow mine, meeting his gaze.

"Last time i saw Bartosz he called me a whore and told me to never come back" I mutter, glancibg at Bartosz who stare at the ground. "Last time i saw Martha, she said i was a psycho bitch - those two - they left me to die in the future" I feel my fists clench white, my future self looking to the ground. "Last time i saw Jonas, he left me, despite saying he never would" I look back to Magnus, my eyes glossy. "Last time i saw my father - first time i saw my father - he pushed me down a tunnel, and sent me alone to god knows where in the past."

I collect myself slightly, but it doesn't show, as i continue to tremble. "I have been chased by some futuristic army, i've created a time machine, but also probably gotten enough radiation in me for me to die of cancer by the time i'm 20, i've been terrorized by your sister-" I send a sharp glare to Franziska who recoils in confusion and hope. "-I've met my father for the first time, newsflash he's an asshole. I haven't seen my mother in a year at least, and the boy i've been depended on left me in the 1920s - so excuse me, for not being the most mentally stable right now" I sneer. Jonas whimper, and i send him a sharp glare. "Oh sorry does it hurt?" I pout mockingly on him, and let my rifle down, watching as Lillith dive to his side.

"I'm leaving now" i turn on my feet, about to walk out. "What? In this storm-after this? are you insane?" Magnus retort sharply. I send a glance over my shoulder. "Why not, i have nothing else to loose - might as well just leave" I chucke humouressly, tears burning in my eyes, limbs screaming at me, heart yearning for the blonde that i love.

"Stay"

I ignore Magnus, opening the door, about to slip out when a loud intake of breath is heard. "STAY! HERE!" I flinch, looking over at Magnus. He's trembling, hands clenched by his side, white and shaking as he stare at me with bloodshot eyes, tears falling from his gaze and his eyes burning into me in desperation. I feel my own fill with tears, before slowly closing the door, a tension filling the room, silent.

My eyes fill even more, burning to the point where i think i'm going to go blind, tears beginning to fall down my cheeks like a river. I stay still, staring at my feet. Someone take a step in my direction, and it's enough to send me reeling back to the wall, snapping my eyes up in fright, staring at Magnus like a cornered animal. He stop, gaze softening once he sees my fright. The others watch in pity too, even Jonas, despite that he holds his foot with a pained expression.

"I'm not going to hurt you" I meet Magnus's eyes again, his gaze staring into mine with determination as he steps closer. I stay tense, and he observe me before he finally gathers enough courage, leaning forward to wrap his arms around me in a hug. I stay still, feeling like my heart is going to stop, because it hurts.

"everyone left me" I realize, heartbroken as it sets in, anger melting into fear, pain and sadness. Magnus grip me tighter, pushing my head into his neck. I let my body fall into his, clenching my eyes shut as i grip at his sweater.

"I'm sorry-" I cry, my words weak, but nothing but true as i loose my footing, crumbling to the ground as Magnus rocks me back in forth in comfort.

"It's fine - I got you" He shushes me gently, warmth heating up my cold skin. I stare blankly in front of me, tears running from my eyes.