Andy's Apple Farm: Dolce's Game

CHAPTER 22: ACCEPTANCE (pt. 2)

A/N: Dolce's internal narration / *Flashback/ Dream / Vision sequence*

*"Hello. You must be 'Dolce Ingrid,' one of the newcomers to the program. Please, take a seat. Now from I've read from your file, you've got quite a history with the law. The fact you're here in our care is already a big step to making changes for yourself. I do hope in time you and I will come to gain a better understanding of-"

"-Yeah, yeah, cut the 'friendly, making-changes introduction' B.S. Fuck, just how much to they pay you with that boring 'buddy-buddy' crap? You think you're gonna be the one to 'heal' me of all my problems just by sucking-up to me with that phony-ass friendly tone?" Dolce snidely remarked.

"Actually, the 'healing' aspect falls solely on you and how you chose to go about it. I am merely here to help guide through the process on getting there. Looking at your face I can see you're one who's been through many hardships, and I sense an underlying disdain for authority-like figures older than yourself. But there is also a deep desire to seek something better. You've got grit, but you're unsure how to reach that place of betterment."

"Tch...Write a book with that line why don'tcha...?" she rolled her eyes in boredom.

"Actually I have. Many in fact. I take you're not really an avid reader."

"If everyone could solve their problems just by reading a book, the fucking world wouldn't be as fucked up as it is, and you guys would be out of a job." Dolce sneered.

"It seems to me you regularly use sarcasm when faced with a particularly difficult situation, or when you are confronted with a hard truth about yourself. It's natural to feel fear when it comes to making changes. But in order for those changes to happen, you are going to have to wade through an arduous path to get there. Mind you this isn't meant to scare you away from trying. In order to proceed forward, you're going to have to look back at everything that led up to this point."

"Hmph, I've no need for fear. It's how I've gotten this far in life. Fine doc, if this is how the game's played, let's play. Just don't say I didn't warn you if you get fucked up yourself after hearing the 'crazy-tale' I've got in store for you. You might be the one who'll need help by the end of it all..."*

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Dolce slowly stirred as her vision slowly returned to her. She yawned and tried to stretch out her body...

...Only to find her limbs have been tightly bound by rope.

Alarmed, Dolce tried to tug against her bindings to no avail. Looking around, she was not where she had last thought to be. It was dark, but she could tell she was in some sort of shed.

Before she could even question what was happening, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching the door...

The door to the shed swung open. Next thing she knew, she was confronted by a stone-faced Claus standing over her, wielding Andy's axe in his gloved hand...

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Hours earlier...

Margret and Claus were inspecting the remains of her ruined crop field searching for any potential clues left behind.

"So...what do you think?" Margret asked.

"It's hard to dispute Felix's claims." Claus prudently traced his hand along one of the claw-like drag marks left behind in the dirt. "But this is beyond what her power was originally when I first witnessed it during her's and Peter's confrontation. After that surge she unleashed yesterday, I dread what else she is capable of..." He said rising to his feet. There was still a look of uncertainty on his face. "...What puzzles me is Melody's words earlier: when she said 'Dolce was unable to tap into that power anymore.' Melody is young, and at times too trusting of Dolce for my tastes—but she is not a liar."