Hell [Sequel]

5 - Visit

"We can't wait anymore. I can't wait anymore!"

"Like I said, all will come together. Soon, soon, Angel."

"Well it needs to come together now! I need souls, I need her soul! You know what I feel, it's the same with that blue spirit you're so obsessed with!"

"Correct. But you must wait."

"What if I'm done waiting?"

"What if you SHUT YOUR GODDAMN MOUTH and be PATIENT, you PATHETIC SON OF A VISEHJ."

"..."

"That's what I thought. Don't make me lose my temper again. Or next time you won't be so lucky."

"Y-yes, Gradient..."

-

[Xyan]

I watched Praxus leave, breaths heaving as I failed to hold back my sobs. Uncontrollable cries of agony, of mental pain, wracked my body before I got the chance to call out and apologize. My mind was in shambles, crumbling the more I tried to gather the pieces back and reassemble them like a broken pot.

In that moment, my hope slowly dwindled, spiraling downward and downward into an endless abyss of darkness.

My limbs were like lead, but they itched to move, be free from the dragging chains that bound me to the past. Slowly I dragged myself to my feet, my tail waving back and forth as I looked out the window. The moon wasn't visible through the window, and the horizon was splashed with hints of pale rose and a faint orange. The sun would rise soon.

I looked around the room. I felt guilty leaving so abruptly, without warning or goodbye. But I needed space away from Praxus and the others.

I'd come back. I only wanted to get out of the house for a bit.

So without a glance behind me, I spread my wings and flew out the window and into the dawning sky.

-=+=-

[Richard]

My hand clutched the cold brass, my fingers sweeping over the metal surface and turning the lock as the door clicked shut. My tenseness eased as I assured myself I was alone. I don't know why I'm always so paranoid about someone catching me. I've been doing this a pretty long time, and I've had a clean record the whole time.

Of course, it's not necessarily a bad habit, so it's not like I'm gonna try and fix it.

Grabbing a quick snack from the kitchen, I was about to walk up the stairs when a cold chill suddenly settled in the air. Not expecting the sudden temperature drop, I shivered, exhaling as I looked around the room.

I gasped in sudden surprise as I met bright blue eyes.

Though after a moment, I recognized the light that now stood in my living room and relaxed, chuckling to myself.

"Xyan, some warning next time?" I said, unclenching my fists. "You nearly scared me out of my skin."

Xyan blinked, his eyes apologetic as he rubbed the back of his head with a nervous smile. "A-Apologies. I should've knocked, I just... I don't even know, really."

Immediately I could tell something was troubling the ghost. His smile was quite forced, his tail twitching at random.

"What's wrong?" I couldn't help but ask.

Xyan's eyes darted around the room before he sighed. "It's him."

"Who?"

He bit his tongue, looking to the floor in discomfort. Realization dawned on me.