A Rooted Reality [OSC story]

Chapter 13: days

(Oscar's POV)

I watched Reed slowly disappear into the portal, my face weakened. I hope he would be alright. my fingers traced over the cracks in my pot, fear in my eyes. I started regretting things; what if something happened? I know no one would be there but what about when he gets out?

I shook my head out of my thoughts and shut the small door attached to the tree, which covered the machine. I walked away clearing my head; he was gonna be alright, I know it.

The snow was practically gone this time of year. It was the end of November, normally it would be the start of snow on earth but it was the opposite here. The snow was melted off the house; showing a baby blue and white wooden design. I knocked on the door with a smile, tears rolling down my face; I was finally free.

Lily opened the door and noticed my expression. "Woah! Oscar? You alright?"

"It's gone. I'm finally free from that place, and I can stay here too! With you!" I sobbed happily.

Lily came up and hugged me tightly. "Oh my god! Really? That's amazing! I'm glad your finally safe."

I nodded and sniffled, wiping my tears. We walked inside; I noticed Sugarcane was sitting down in the living room. She was watching the television, what looked like a news broadcast was playing. USB sat next to her, they were surprisingly talking with each other.

"While you were gone, Sugar and USB have been talking a bit. Thank god they are being friendly with each other." Lily chuckled.

"That's good, I hated to see them go at it with each other.." I grumbled.

"Oh! Before we sit down, could I help you with that?" She gestured to my bag.

"Yes! I just brought a couple of my belongings." I walked to the kitchen table, pulling out my camera and journal.

"Ooo~ is that a camera? Looks like a nice one too!" Lily gasped and picked up the camera looking at it.

"Yep, I'm a bit of a photographer. Not much, just a small hobby I like doing besides the ol' aerospace stuff." I said while pulling out the photo of my family.

I looked at it, the photo contained my parents and my 4 siblings. I had two older sisters, a younger brother, and an even younger sister. She was still living with my parents, last time I saw her was on that damn news broadcast about my "death". And last but not least, me. I was in the center. We took this photo when I graduated college, oh how times have changed.

"What's that? A photo of yours?" Lily asked sliding closer to me.

"It's my family back on home. I'll miss them, this photo is all I have left of them." I smiled weakly.

"I'm so sorry.. I bet they are glad your safe now. I wish you could see them again." She comforted and put her arm around my back. "Which ones you?" She tried lightening the subject.

"Im that weirdo in the center. I was drunk as hell when this photo was taken, it was my graduation party." I smiled and pointed at myself.

"I can see.. a bit of resemblance. Your original form looks so strange, it's weird thinking you looked like that." She joked.

"Thought the same thing about you, you know? I still sorta do. Your kind is very.. interesting." I smirked and pointed at her slightly.

She laughed. "I remember your face when you first saw me, it was hilarious!"

"It wasn't that funny!... was it?" I blushed embarrassed.

"Well, No matter that; I'm just glad we met in the first place." She tightened her grip on me and leaned in.

"Y-yeah." I stuttered staring at her.

—

A couple days passed, there was no sign of Reed. Everyone in the house began to get worried; including me. Why wasn't he back yet? It shouldn't have took this long.

Sugarcane decided to leave after a while, she was extremely worried and started feeling a bit sick. She said if Reed showed up, to tell him to come home. We agreed, The house became quite silent after her leaving. USB went to the guest room he stayed in, continuing to work on his business plans. Lily and I went to her room to help fix me up.

Lily said she wanted to check on my stitchings, and hopefully replace my pot as it was quite cracked. After a bit of time she became worrisome.

"Oscar.. there's something wrong here, your roots; they are damaged, badly. It's ends are bruised and they look to be sliced lightly all over." Lily murmured and handed me a towel.

I put the towel around my shoulders, "what does that mean? Won't it just heal on its own?" I questioned.

"Sadly, no. There's nothing we can really do about it; it looks like they have been like this for a while." She put her hand to her mouth with fear in her eyes.

"But what does it mean? I won't die will I?" I worriedly asked and fidgeted with my hands.

"You won't die.. at least not now." Lily reassured.

"Just, Tell me what will happen." I mumbled.

"It will shorten your lifespan; your roots can't support you for very long if they are like this. I'd say about ten years, is how long." She teared up.

"That's.. ok. I never expected to live past 40 anyways. I just wanna spend these years with you." I sighed.

"Really? You mean that?" Lily gushed.

I nodded. She came and sat down next to me, a storm was going on outside. All I heard was the rough rain crashing against the window. It was silent.. peaceful. We ended up both falling asleep, it was the best sleep I had in a while.