Totally Bubbly- Cheesecake's New Stories: The Second Series

Cheesecake's New Stories #15: Love and Fear

"Cherry," I whisper helplessly, barely even audible in the midst of all his screaming, "what happened to you?"

He is covered in dirt, little pieces of the forest woven inside his overgrown hair or ripped clothes. Grass, sticks, and leaves hang about him like moths to a flame. His eyes look as though they are from a whole other being, almost unrecognizable. His irises are no longer that heartwarming green, but an acid looking color, as though ash is the primary makeup of its shade. The whites of his eyes are worse than bloodshot, a horrid, yellow-tinted red that looks dreadful and disgusting. I can see that he is hungry, scared, and hurting through one quick glance, or however long he can painfully keep his eyes open.

Cherry's skin has a natural red tint to it, but tonight, it is an awful shade of gray. He bites his lips and cheeks to restrain his urge to yell but it is a useless attempt, blood dripping from every clench of his jaw. His limbs are bent in weird positions, twitching and writhing in all different directions. The beating of his heart is terrifyingly irregular, which explains the constant hyperventilation and gasping. It is the most terrifying thing I have ever witnessed.

I uselessly wipe my tears away and turn to Melon who stands aside, anxious, confused, and tired.

"What's wrong with him?" I ask, hoping that my friend has all the answers, but he looks down in shame.

"I wish I knew, Miss Who," he says, "but I have no idea."

"How long has he been like this?"

"It's been on and off, ma'am. It's so odd; I've never seen anything like it."

"What do you mean, Melon?" I ask, hearing my own impatience. "Explain youself."

"I'm not sure, Miss. It's some sort of pattern. He's not always like this. When the sun is up, he's completely normal, but once the sun goes down, he has these fits. They've gotten worse, Your Majesty, so much worse."

"And you have no idea what's causing this?"

"No, ma'am. Like I said, he's perfectly fine during the day, aside from exhaustion and hunger. I tried to help him, Miss, I really did, but nothing was working. No one knew what to do."

I look away from Cherry and bury my face in my hands. I have never experienced so much agony in my whole entire life. This is worse than forcing myself to keep away from him because at least I knew he was safe. But right now, watching him suffer like this, I can't even begin to describe the desperation and pain I am feeling.

I turn and sob into my knees, feeling pathetic and weak. My whole body starts to shake as I selfishly weep over my best friend's screams. It is the worst thing in the world to stand over someone who is in need but cannot do anything to help. Can you imagine having to sit there and watch your loved one shriek and cry in agony and misery? Can you imagine the anxiety and guilt and anger and sorrow that I must be feeling? Is it not enough that I was born into this wretched life and cursed with these hellish powers? Must I make the ones I love suffer with me? Is that what the Gods intended? This is why I stay away-

"UGH!" I yell. "I HATE MYSELF!"

"No, Miss," Melon nudges my elbow with his shiny, wet nose, "You mustn't say that."

"Why not, Melon?" I snap. "Why not? You think this is bad? One of these days it'll be you and then it'll be Fruit Tart and then..." I fall short, for I do not have a great supply of loved ones. Cherry's screams make my heart pound heavily in my chest, and I gulp down my panic. "I just don't want anyone to get hurt..."

"Miss Who?"

I look up at Melon who stares at me firmly. His innocence and undying gentleness seem to have momentarily solidified into a new authority and duty.