Fascinating (A Duskwood Fanfiction)

Chapter 30

"I was going to meet Jake, but he never came," Hannah said, recalling the reason why she was in the forest but accidentally found Jennifer instead of her brother.

"I remember Lilly told me that you were talking through emails." (YN) followed up. "May I ask why you two are going to meet?"

"Well, before I knew she was my half-brother, we used to be internet friends. It's just embarrassing that I fell in love with him, not knowing who he really was." Hannah chuckled and (YN) answered with a soft smile. "I said I would like to meet him at least for the last time because he was not responding to my emails until he replied one day that he would try to see me. I know he's not going to appear, but I'm still going."

(YN) discovers that Hannah was disappointed as she told her brother the story, but she believes that everything is fine now and that the issue has been forgiven. They are finally reunited, at least.

"I'm happy for you, Hannah, and with Lilly and Jake, too. You found each other again."

"Thanks, (YN)."

(YN) was trying to move her sprained foot from the bowl of snow that melted, and she checked if the swelling had stopped as she rested it on the carpet. She tolerates the pain that travels through her lower body. She can feel the soreness in her body parts from falling down the concrete stairs and also the sting of her grazed shoulder. She was becoming aware of how exhausted she was right now from the physical pain and stress. She badly needed to rest. This whole day was so eventful, she realized, and now all she wanted to do was sleep.

Hannah was just looking at her and the next thing she did was reach for (YN)'s hand and stared down. (YN) turned back to know what was going on.

"Hannah?"

"(YN), I'm so sorry." Hannah began to cry. "Look at you. Just because of me, you were hurt. I'm so sorry. You've been working hard to find me, and it must have cost a lot for you. I apologize that I caused you trouble."

(YN) didn't know what to say, but she only stayed and embraced her. She doesn't blame Hannah for everything that happened and even for the lives that perished during the process of looking for her. It is just that (YN) has too much understanding that in their situation, something unfortunate is possible to occur, and it is the reality of being involved in this kind of world. She has already accepted it; all she needs now is the courage to face something that will hurt her and cost her everything.

"Thank you, Hannah." (YN)'s only reply.

Later on, Hannah fell fast asleep. (YN) also decided to take a nap on the other bed in the room. The storm of snow is still going on outside and it whistles through the small gaps of the window. The atmosphere was gray and cold, but when (YN) finally lay down, everything went warm and comfortable, sending her right to sleep.

***

(YN) woke up all of a sudden. It's still dark outside and cold. The blizzard seems to be fading away at any moment.

After checking her foot was feeling good, she got up and headed towards the door of the room where Hannah was still in her peaceful slumber. She plans on putting some wood on the fireplace before leaving to keep the place warm. In the living room, she saw Richy, who had gotten tired of guarding the door of the cabin, and his eyes were completely shut off and made a little snoring. (YN) pulled up the blanket to tuck it around him. She took a glance at him the moment she stood up straight.

(YN) knew he was really tired, physically and emotionally. The way he sleeps shows that all his energy has gone, and so has his goofiness. What happened to Jessy impacted him big time.