Journey Called Life

9

Click-clacking of the chains, banging and exasperated sighs and grunts were all that was heard in the dungeons below. 

"Ashley, you need to calm down. You do know that stressing about this and blaming yourself for whatever happened won't change anything. Besides, it wasn't your fault! Stop it, please." Claire pleaded, concerned for her. Ever since they found out that Jason and Amanda were working for some evil lady, Ashley started blaming herself for everything that had happened. 

"I can't Claire! If only I hadn't trusted Jason and Amanda so much! If only I hadn't been so naive! If only I hadn't involved you in this!" Saying this, she kneeled down and started tearing up. Claire was disheartened at her best friend's state right now. She hadn't even touched her food for the last few days they were in the dungeons. Yes, Ashley trusted strangers. Yes, Ashley involved Claire. But all of this wouldn't have happened if Claire hadn't met Ashley at all. 

This hurt, this betrayal, this blame...... Nothing could replace how they both felt. Nothing at all. Claire stood up from her seat, walked near Ashley. Wiping her best friend's hurtful tears she said, "There has to be a reason behind all of this. But maybe it all happened for good. Maybe it all happened only to make us stronger. Of course, these are hard times, but I know you aren't weak! You can fight it! You are a fighter and I've learnt this.. Fighters don't quit! Instead, they fight back. And know this, if there's no one in this world who cares about you, I'm here! If there's no one in this world who loves you, I'm here! And I will be here with you always! And let me tell you one more thing, I don't regret meeting you. Never did, never have, and never will! Don't you dare forget that! Now stop weeping, and have some food. You'll need energy to fight back!"  

Ashley sniffled and laughed. "Really Claire. You are one mesmerizing girl." Claire just chuckled at this and replied back with a proud look, "Well, I try my best!" Both the girls laughed and ate their food. 

After quite some time, Ashley became silent. It looked like she was pondering on something."Hey, Claire. Remember when we and Jason actually first met in my room?" She asked. Claire nodded and Ashkey took this as a sign to continue. "He talked to some lady, whom he addressed as 'Your Majesty'." 

"Probably it's the same cruel lady." Claire continued. "But she didn't look the same. Also, do you also remember the time when Amanda said our- no, my parents went missing? What if there is some sort of connection to this lady and my parents, who are apparently alive, but lost? I mean, the lady might know, right?" 

"Yeah, but-"

"Her name is Malam Lues." Ashley looked at the person who interrupted Claire, angrily. 

"How dare you come and speak to us after all that you did! And guess what? I'm not going to believe neither you nor anything you do or say. So, don't even try!" Jason sighed and looked at Ashley with a sympathetic look. "I get it Ashley. I really do. I would've done the same if I was in your place."

"So, why come here?" Claire asked, glaring at him. 

Jason continued, "Because I want to change. Of course, my past was horrible! The moment Ms. Lues found out about my abilities to transform, she immediately killed both of my parents and took me in as her own. I was only five, I didn't know much, nor could I do much. All I ever did till this day, was do everything she asked me to."

"I'm not buying that." Claire said. Meanwhile Ashley, who fell for such soft and sensitive comments, had her eyes filled with tears.

"Don't Ashley. I'm not worth someone's tears. The past was terrible, but I can't let the future be the same! Yesterday was bad, but tomorrow is a chance to make things good. Please, just trust me on this. It's totally okay if you don't want to, but just a very small amount of belief in me, and a little of your help, is all I'll ever ask. If you don't want to, I understand. I'm sorry for just coming here and wasting your time.. I'll get going," 

By this time, Ashley was filled with sentiment. A cloud of mixed feelings. She hadn't known Jason's backstory. And that's extremely sad. But, could she trust him again? After all that he did to both her and Claire? She let out a deep breath, and looked up at Claire. She seemed to have been thinking the same. After a couple of seconds' thought, she finally opened her mouth to speak. "Look Jason. I'm very sorry, I-I didn't know you had a terrible past. It's just that, what you did to us, that I can never forget. But like you said, tomorrow is a new day. A new change. And I'm ready to be with you, creating the new change. Claire?" Claire and Jason looked at her, first in shock. But then Claire nodded, agreeing with Ashley's point. "I'm so sorry again, both of you. I promise that henceforth I'm going to be standing for the good and fighting for the good." Then bringing the girls into a hug he muttered, "Thank you." 

"You're absolutely welcome. BUT DON'T YOU DARE BETRAY US AGAIN!" Claire said, making Ashley chuckle. "Yes ma'am!" Jason replied, jokingly. 

"But.... How do we know what Lues is gonna plan next?" Ashley asked, worried. Jason and Claire exchanged a look unknown to her. "We already have the answer to your question ready." He said. Closing her eyes, Claire grunted in pain as she fell on the floor. The other two rushed over and helped her stand up. "She's using the book for an incantation. One which will make the world, our world perish, as she sits on the throne and has her own fellow residents who like they're monsters." She whispered, weakly. "Oh, wait. There's more. Amanda seems to be under a curse. A curse to follow whatever is told by Lues. All the people here are. Remember the day we left Amanda's house when we saw an attack outside? It was all bound to happen." Ashley felt a twinge of guilt rush past her. "Amanda was under a curse, and I kept blaming her for everything." Sighing, she continued, "But I'll make sure to bring her back. I know I will." 

"I think I might know how to. I was right there when she was cursed, so I think I might know the counter-spell for the curse she's under. Just give me some time, and I'll go search." Both the girls nodded.

"Jason.." Ashley called out. "Stay safe, please." Jason nodded, and they both exchanged a warm smile. 

"Let's go save the world!" Claire said, as Ashley smiled.