My Dark Heart: Ryan's tale (a Destinies Intertwined, Riku x Oc sequel)

Chapter thirty: Without a Trace

The very next night, when the dreams became too much... Ravenna packed her things, and snuck out of the castle.

Along the way, she passed Ventus' room.

As she peered into his sleeping chambers, the guilt came creeping back-- Was running away really necessary?

"...I'm sorry, but... she's out there somewhere. I don't belong here anymore. I... have to go now."

Before leaving, she whispered a final, quiet message to him. It wouldn't reach his ears, seeing as Ventus was asleep, but she couldn't run from it.

"I love you."

That morning as Ven sat up in bed, he felt strange, sad...

Then it all rushed back to him. She was leaving-- No, she was gone!

"Maybe-- maybe it was a dream. Ravenna!?" It was still dark out as he searched, so Terra and Aqua weren't up yet.

The more he looked around, the more Ven's heart sank.

When he soon realized that she truly was gone, and not coming back... he fled.

several hours later...

Aqua got up and prepared a big breakfast. It was Ven's birthday. She set up streamers and balloons, wrapped presents and then went to find him.

Only when she went to wake him, the bed was empty. "Ven?" Aqua chose to ignore the pit in her stomach that told her she wasn't going to find him in the castle. She looked anyway. 

"Terra? Terra, have you seen Ven?" Aqua asked hastily when she spotted him. Terra shook his head. He also recalled having not seen Ravenna, either.

When she learned about this new revelation, Ravenna's weighing decision to leave came back into the light.

And everything became clear.

Aqua raced out of the castle, hoping she was wrong, praying that he was right outside.

Terra and Aqua continued the search for Ven. They tried asking everyone they knew, but to no avail.

Several days passed-- this wasn't like Ven at all.

They couldn't track his phone. It was in his room, probably for that very reason.

Fear was gripping at them both, but only one of them showed it outwardly. Terra didn't want to cause his friend anymore stress by showing it himself. She looked pale, exhausted.

But finally, a small ray of hope came to them... in the form of a pass to Disney Town lying in the grass.

And that was what helped them find him in the end.

He was leaned again a tree, knees pulled close to his chest. It was as though a cloud of utter hopelessness was looming over him."Ven!" Aqua yelled and dashed over at top speed, kneeling. She lifted his chin so that she could kiss his forehead. Ven didn't object, just kept the gaze of his grief-stricken eyes somewhere distant.

She began running a hand through his hair, overcome with motherly instinct.

"We were so worried!" She scolded. Still no reply. Ven wasn't regarding them at all, in fact.

"Ven--"

"Aqua," Terra interrupted, "it's okay."

A giant Heartless appeared from nowhere. The two of them urged him to get to safety, but he simply shook his head and buried his face in his knees. He didn't seem to care.

When he didn't reply to anything else, Terra scooped him up. Ven looked at him with what had to be the most mournful and heartsick expression of all time.

Not much happened after the trio went home. Ven stayed cooped up in his room. He didn't see any point in leaving, or doing anything else. Now that Ravenna was gone, everything felt... empty.

But... I made a promise. I told her I'd stay the same, even if she left.

So I should at least try to cheer up. Moping won't change anything.

Besides, I'll see her again one day.Someday soon, I'm sure.

Until then... I'll keep my promise.