A Dimension in Time

Silent Screams

❀ Chapter 9 ❀

Silent Screams

Moonjumper gave the snowflake-clipped girl a toothy grin, the girl's small hands were lightly gripping the railing of the quartz bridge, staring out at her moon spirited friend. Dawn didn't feel lied to, she didn't feel betrayed. Instead, Dawn felt like she'd had a friend to rely on other than Hat and Bow this whole time. Sure the logic wasn't exactly clear, but it made her feel... good. It made her feel great even! The wild goose chase in wondering if the Badge Seller and Moonjumper knew one another was over. It was relieving to know that the one person who always listened to her struggles, listened to her sorrows... was there for her this entire time and was one in the same. "I do apologize that I reveal this to you now... but I have a good reason." Moonjumper stated as he placed a hand on one of the velvety chairs by the table. Without much thought, Dawn slowly waltzed to the gazebo to grab the other chair and sit down. "What do you need to tell me? Why did you lead me here?" Moonjumper softly chuckled at Dawn's question. "I didn't truly lead you, child. I knew you would follow me as the Badge Seller out of your own curiosity." Dawn's jaw hit the floor, he knew and he still let it happen!?

Dawn adjusted herself in her chair, crossing her legs as she placed her hands on the table. "So... that's how you knew about me coming from another world and- about the Time Pieces... it's because you were there! You were there and watching us this whole time!" Dawn pointed out as she took in the realization that someone, Moonjumper, had been looking out for them this whole time. It probably didn't start out that way, but it became that way. "Indeed I did dearie. I saw your powers first hand, though I was far away, your whereabouts in town weren't exactly the best hidden. You have quite the scream." Dawn's cheeks turned a bright rosy red, embarrassed that Moonjumper heard her scream the way she did when literally falling out of the sky from a portal that didn't want to open on the ground. "Yeah... the portal didn't open on the ground so- yeah. That was extremely embarrassing, not my proudest moment." Dawn chuckled as the humor shifted into a more serious tone. "What's up MJ... what do you need to warn me about?" Moonjumper paused before he stood to grab the teapot made with sweet blueberry tea. "The next contract Snatcher wants you to complete. It has something to do with what's over the old bridge near one of the oldest structures still standing in Subcon Forest." Moonjumper explained cautiously, they were most likely going to tread on some pretty dangerous grounds. "And.. what is that exactly MJ?" Moonjumper poured the tea for him and Dawn, soon setting it down on the table. "Always so full of questions, methinks. You truly are a stubborn and tenacious one. It is truly most true!" Dawn chuckled at the word choice Moonjumper used, it was nice to hear this in person instead of in her dreams for a change.

"Alright, back to the main topic before we got derailed, what did you need to warn me about." Moonjumper picked up his tea cup and held it with the saucer. "Ah, yes! That little telegram. What I need to tell you. The oldest structure in Subcon belongs to... let's just say she's an old friend of Snatcher's. I saw a Time Piece crash in her territory and it's not an easy task getting over there unscathed, dearie. You remember how I described how Subcon Forest was, yes?" Dawn nodded attentively, doing her best in remembering every word that was going to help her and her friends out. "You said Subcon Forest used to be a very joyous place and that some ice witch turned most of Subcon into a winter wasteland. And um... that most haven't even made it out alive in 300 years since its downfall. That was- until WE showed up!" Dawn's voice perked up triumphantly, grinning that they were the first ones to come and go alive. Moonjumper heavily sighed, his facial expressions looking melancholy at the mention of an ice witch. "That 'ice witch' is the one who has your friend's Time Peice. Heed my warning and know that thy former Queen of Subcon Forest is ruthless. She will not hesitate to freeze you in a matter of seconds. She doesn't care that thou is a young child, make no mistake. Proceed with precise caution Dawn. I cannot save you if you wander into there nor can anyone else. From that point on, once you cross the gates, you're in another world enetrily." Moonjumper concluded his stern warning. A warning that didn't truly sit right with Dawn.