Ashes of Vile

24

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
Family House Without The Family

An open paradox could be truly justified in the maker's hands with its exemplified evidence. But there's not much base when it comes from the hands of those who have experienced the unusual endurance. There's not much cut out pavement in the department of theories considering its structure of being based off conjectures coming from human brains. There'd be so much more applause if otherworldly voices would barge in and start explaining how the world works to those whom live in it, but that'd also tip the world off its balance, putting the matter in the middle of interference of its fracture in time, space, and universe.

But even the universe underestimated Lace and her boundless knowledge capacity when she cracked a code that never needed cracking in the first place. Many questions roused at the start of the strange events happening surrounding Inez and Abourne's sudden sickness. But the root of its cause were easily wiped off their minds when they discovered their hidden atypical doings. They simply accepted it and took off to find other answers that will reinforce their affairs. And they would've never turned back to ask why and how it happened. Luckily for them, they had Lace Creed by their side.

"So you're saying it happened so simply?" Sung Mi crossed her arms, sharing confused looks with Inez and Zakeen. Lace had dated back occurrences by mapping back timelines and iridescent inclinations through a scoped glass only she'd be able to decipher. But after her many efforts of looking in deeper, it shamed her deeply to not figure it out sooner as it was just poking their noses right in front of them. You've got to give yourself more credit, Lace. I mean, it's hard for you to spot obvious things given you're so smart and like to dig deeper. Supposedly to be received as a compliment, it only made Lace frown as she discredited herself in terms of founded cognition. She didn't want to miss the obvious things. That only pulled her aback from doing greater things.

"All my investigation were useless. My memory saved me great though. First day after a long time, everyone was back together. That day, Cassidy shook hands with Abourne. Then, Inez brushed past Cassidy when they were by Abourne who was bedridden." Lace explained, but they still looked at her as though she had just said something that wasn't painfully obvious. Lace sighed and continued further. "Remember when I said in order for something to activate, a button must be pushed? Abourne and Inez's button was Cassidy. And Cassidy's button was the beast."

Sung Mi and Zakeen gaped at her. "Why couldn't we think of that? Lace, you're a genius." Zakeen tried to uplift her famous self doubt, but it didn't do much. "Yeah, thanks to my memory." She bit her lip. "Which is good!" Sung Mi quickly brushed away her negative thought. "That serves us good, Lace. You have an astounding talent in recalling things we'd never be able to. Start treating it like a gift, not a setback."

"Thanks, Mi Rae." Lace softly smiled.

Zakeen scratched his head and looked at the two confusingly. "So, what was the beast's button?" He asked. Sung Mi and Lace looked at each other, taken back by his question. "I don't know." Lace said.

Sung Mi shrugged, "I'm sure we'll know soon. Our little genius always finds out." She messed up Lace's hair, patting her head, and gave a wide smile. She left the room and Zakeen followed, leaving the fifteen year old back to her books again.

Lace had picked up the book she had been reading before she was interrupted to share her theory. Relationships Amongst Humans: An Oblivion. One thing about friendships is that the broken pieces are easy to pick up and connect back to one another. But they could never be mended to its very first status of perfect. When damage is done, it could never be forgotten. This was common in every kind of relationship, but it was always especially prevailing in friendships. Cassidy and Lilac had a strong friendship that there never was really a wrong thing to say. Everything they had said to each other in their lives had always been right and everything they needed to hear. But the day Cassidy had apologized to Lilac, she had been pushed to hear hurtful things she had wished she hadn't heard. And she knew Lilac was merely speaking her truth without knowing what kind of effect it would bring upon her. Because all that mattered in the moment was the effect of their friendship. So when all was forgiven and Cassidy had given into the temporary contentment of finishing her paying in penance, it had shattered slightly when Lilac told her.

"I'm not mad at you, Cassie. At least I don't think I was." Lilac sighed. "But you weren't speaking to me." Cassidy frowned. Lilac lowered her head out of shame and said something that hadn't brought Cassidy assurance but instead ache, "I'm scared of the idea of you, Cass." She said in a soft whisper. "What?" Cassidy said, not out of question, but to hear her say it again, hoping she had heard it wrong the first time.

"You obviously still haven't grasped the gravity of the source. Cassidy, you are able to produce it. You are made of it."

"But you know me, Lilac. You know I wouldn't do that. I would never destroy anything." Cassidy pleaded. "But do you know yourself?" Lilac pushed to prove her point, not out of anger, but to emphasize and humanize her reaction. "You talked about purpose before. About how you were looking for your purpose. What if this was it?"

Cassidy shook her head in denial and ready to end the conversation. "I don't wanna talk about this. All I care about is I've got someone."

"You've always got me," Lilac said with a small smile. She clutched her chest and gently got up to change her bandages. Cassidy instinctively looked at her shoulder where scarring had begun due to her injury from Devin's careless arrow shot. Just in a month he had become the greatest with a bow out of everyone in the group. Except for his mentor, August, who Cassidy blamed without thinking. A small smile crept up Cassidy's lips before realizing. She cleared away the flashbacks of the chaotic scene and focused on another matter she had.

She went out of the guest room and into the living room. Lace was on the floor scribbling down notes while reading a book and next to her was her brother asleep on the sofa. Cassidy had never seen Chase sleep despite being in the same room with him most of the time, and that must have had to do something with the fact that he didn't want to be vulnerable. He trusted no one other than his younger sister. His arms were crossed guardingly and his hair messy. His sleeping position looked uncomfortable. Zakeen was across the sofa, mirroring Lace's position on the floor, underlining and scribbling notes on his book. He was studying up medical related things. Despite his busy life, Zakeen had to face the expectancies and obligations people of his field had even thousands of years ago. He had to study medical practices and everything related. Although most of it were hands on, he still couldn't risk mistakes especially when Ashgrim were low on public servants medically.

The downside to the freedom of Ashgrim was that people tend to follow what they deemed to be entertaining. And unfortunately for Ashgrim, people wanted to have fun without worries. Only a few were determined in dedicating their time and energy in serving Ashgrim. They were scarce, and easy to spot within miles away. They were often studying, focused, and worrying. Most of the people who needed serious training were the watchmen, the heroines of medicine, the executives of the Vile main building, and the close administration who closely worked and represented the Valkyrie.

Soon, everyone else at the Devin Ashdown manor fell asleep to the strong snowstorm. The snowman outside was destroyed and blown out, but thanks to August who was the only one absurd enough to be out in that kind of weather had retrieved the scarf as it was ready to blow off with the wind. August, coming from predictably her usual business, entered the manor and looked at the sleeping bodies gathered in the living room with near half empty cups of warm cocoa on the table. She saw a glimpse of Cassidy who undoubtedly was forced along with the group she didn't really get along with to stay, caution of her doing things most captives would do. Her hair covered most of her face, and her arms were wrapped around herself, shivering. August looked at the guest room closed where Lilac rested.

That night, Cassidy woke up with only Lace and Zakeen in the living room, asleep in the same spot they had been the first time, with their books and things arranged on the table that were bookmarked on their current pages. Cassidy, confused, noticed the snowman's scarf on her instead.