John X Arty: Book 3

You fell in love with lies - Chapter 8

Carlton drove dangerously above the speed limit, racing time to his dad's house. He would know what to do. He pulled into Clay's driveway, running into the house. "Dad!" He yelled, and Clay appeared from upstairs. "Where's John?" He asked, and Carlton panicked. "That's the thing, I think that Arty guy took him!" He rubbed his temples, walking back in forth, obviously stressed.

"He couldn't be far. I'll call some of my men and I'll search. We'll find him, I promise." Clay hugged him, patting Carlton on his back as he cried into his shoulder. Only after a few seconds did he pull away, walking out of the front door to save John. Carlton still had his keys in his hand, clutching them tightly so that his knuckles turned white. I need to save him. Carlton thought as he ran out the door. He opened the car door as it hit him. He didn't know where Arty lived.

*~~~~~*

It's so dark. I'm trapped. John laid on a soft, springy bed. There were windows, but no light came through them like John could see them, but they couldn't see him. John sat up, his head aching more than ever. He recalled the last moments of his mind from when he was conscious. Arty pinned me to the wall, and I wasn't able to push him back...And then I must've passed out. John got up, wobbling around on his feet for a second, before catching himself on another wall. Would Carlton still be at the restaurant? Is Carlton okay? John stumbled across the door, following the light flowing through the crack of it. He tried to twist the knob, and the door was locked. "Arty!" His voice croaked, he hadn't had water all day. He dropped to the floor, looking at the other room from the crack in the door.

"ARTY!" John screamed, banging on the door like a maniac. The door made a clicking sound and opened, John stood up. "You're awake, I see." He smirked, grabbing his arm and pulling him out of the dark room. "Well, I see you haven't changed." John said, trying to get out of Arty's grasp. John may be significantly smarter than Arty, but Arty is definitely stronger. "What did you do with Carlton? Is he okay?" John asked, trying to calm himself down. "I don't know where he is, but I didn't take him. You are my priority." He spoke, letting go of John's arm. John ran away to the farthest part of the room, staring at him suspiciously. "I don't want to hurt you, John." He sat down on the couch, turning on the tv and looking away from him. "She was right..." John muttered from the corner, which made Arty look over. "She was right, and I ignored her!" John put his hand over his eyes, hiding his visible tears. "May I ask who?" Arty asked, raising an eyebrow. "Charlie." John said, straining in his voice. "Charlie is dead, remember? She died a long time ago, John."

"Well, I've been seeing her in my dreams...and one time.. I saw her outside of my dreams. She told me that he's back. And I haven't seen her since." He said, fidgeting with the rings on his hands. "Well why would you think that he is me? I just want to kiss you, bro." Arty chuckled, realizing that sounded stupid. John made a disgusted look. "Besides, she doesn't know what I've done to you." Arty protested, and John shrugged.

"Arty..." A whisper came, and John looked around, obviously alerted. "What is it, John?" Arty questioned, looking around as well. Charlie appeared, right behind John. "Don't be scared, John." John turned around, and Arty say up. "What's up with you? You look like you're seeing a ghost!" He came over, and John didn't move an inch. "Charlie..." He whispered. "You're creeping me out, John.."

"Tell him it's okay.." Charlie said, her voice trailing off. "It's okay, Arty.. Charlie is here." 

Charlie smiled, "Don't believe things you want to believe just because it would make you happy. Your 'Charlie' didn't have a soul. She didn't deserve a life. What Henry made of her was a mistake. You fell in love with lies that Charlie didn't even know she was telling herself."

John stuttered, "You're not Charlie...are you?"John took a step back, and the girl stretched out her hand. "Let me show you..." She paused, looking into his eyes, "Who I truly am." John took her hand, nodding. His world went black. "John!" Arty caught him, putting his arms around his waist.

John looked around the room, a little girl smiling happily in the mirror. 'Charlie' came up to him, looking sadly at the little girl. "I was a little girl. So innocent." She spoke, gesturing a hand to girl. The little girl had a red lipstick in her hand. She painted her cheeks red, smiling even bigger looking at herself in the mirror. "Is this your memory?" John asked, and she nodded. "Now watch." John silently observed, the girl had strawberry blonde hair, the length being just below her shoulders. "Why did I love him?" She spoke as the little girl ran over to a man, he turned around, his eyes narrowed. "Daddy! Look!" She pointed to her face, excited to show him what she had done.

He scrunched up his face, "Don't bother me while I'm working Elizabeth. Where did you get lipstick?" He asked, balling up his fist until his knuckles turned white then letting go. The little girl clutched the lipstick tightly in her hand, "I stole it from my teacher..." She whispered. The man raised his hand up, like he was about to slap the child. Then he did, John winced, then he yelled something inaudible, the world fading into the dark again.

He stood alone with her again. "My father.." She started, her mouth hung open like she was searching for words to say, "He did not love me. He wanted something else." Charlie's appearance altered, there stood the fake Charlie in the slim fitting red dress, matching with black heels. "He wanted Charlie. He wanted me to deceive you all, so he could take her and find out how Henry managed to put a piece of himself into her." She spoke, and John stood silent, waiting for her to continue. "But I wanted something different." She paused, grasping the air with her hand, catching nothing. She looked at the silver rings on her, shining when there seemed to be no light.

"I wanted him to love me. I wanted him to notice me. But I was never enough for him. After I died in this body, I realized I was never going to be enough for him." She finished, John couldn't help but be sympathetic for her, putting a hand on his heart like he felt with pain as well. "William Afton never loved anything." John spoke, "He used you for his own selfishness." The fake Charlie nodded, "I see it all clearly." She drew something in the air, and John opened his mouth, "But I have a question.." He said, and the fake Charlie drew her attention to him. She stepped forward, close enough that he could feel the cold radiating from her body. "Why did you lead me here...? Back to Hurricane..?"

"Your friends, they need you. They can't handle the storm coming to hit them." She spoke, putting a hand on his arm. His world went black again.