Eden's Gate

Chapter 31: Going Home

'KAITLYN!' The booming voice of Eliza rattled her very soul, shaking Kaitlyn awake from what had been an otherwise very pleasant sleep.

Dazed and unsure, she bolted out of bed, not even remembering where she was. Mrs. LaBeaux's basement, that's right. She had gone down here to sleep. It was a dark room, with a night light keeping her safe, with a soft cot and loads and loads of books on shelves. Kaitlyn hadn't even bothered to look at them, she had just collapsed into sleep. Mr. Lepus hopped out of her arms, raising his little fists.

'Though I don't know where you are, I know you can hear me. Kaitlyn, your friends are alive. Do you think I would be so foolish to send those dreams? That was Edelweiss, calling out to try and warn you. But they are not well. The only way to save them lies with the Elder Things. I'm sorry I had to hurt them - I'm sorry I had to hurt you - but there is so much you don't understand. I promise, if you come home, you will see them again, they will all be well. I promise that even though they look scary, the Elder Things are wise and powerful who will help us. They can help you with the monsters.'

Kaitlyn whimpered a bit, holding herself under the blanket. What was all this?

'I never wanted any of this to hurt any of you, please understand. And understand that I will find you. You cannot hide in whatever safehouse you've found forever. And once you do, I will be there to take you home.'

Kaitlyn swallowed, as the air hung empty of anything for a moment. She got up out of the bed and walked to the tall mirror leaning against the wall. The Mirror Beast was back, smiling.

"Hello, again," it said.

"Oh would you bugger off?!" Mr. Lepus snapped.

"What are you going to be mean about now?" Kaitlyn added.

"I'm honest, not mean. Taylor's probably dead," it reminded.

Kaitlyn wasn't actually sure about that now. If what she had said about the dreams was true, then it would mean Edelweiss was alive after all and they could help her. She wasn't sure how this ritual worked, but there wasn't enough blood on the ground that their bodys would survive without. And why would she talk about how they might see Clifton again if that wasn't something she was hoping for?

"Probably," Kaitlyn finally decided. "But I couldn't have stopped anything."

"...you're thinking of going back," it realized. "You're thinking of spitting in the face of each and every one of their sacrifices!"

Kaitlyn narrowed her eyes, "So what if I am!? What if I really don't understand what's going on and have made dumb decisions? You get mad at me for not doing anything to save my friends, and now maybe I have a chance? What do I need to do to make you happy?"

It was taken aback by this, leaning back a bit. "It's a lot easier, isn't it, when it has a face."

Kaitlyn tilted her head, confused as to what it meant, but it vanished. She shook her head and made her way upstairs. Mrs. LaBeaux was still out and about, doing some work upstairs.

The fact that she had been awake at whatever ungodly hour she got her, and still hadn't gone to sleep, did not bother Kaitlyn.

"Mrs. LaBeaux," she called out, "is it possible my friends are still alive?"

Mrs. LaBeaux came down the stairs, her hands covered in paint. She scratched her chin in thought, "well they have to be, on some level. The psychic bond you all share is the focal point of the ritual. If they're not there, it won't work. But all she needs is their souls."

"...is that possible?" Kaitlyn asked.

"Easily. There are things whose function is to contain a soul separate from a body. They have many names and many looks - Soul Jars, Soul Caskets, Soul Gems, Soul Cases, Spirit Traps. But they all serve the same purpose."