Reverie

A Realization

"Do not allow yourself to be blinded by fear and anger. Everything is only as it is." ― Yuki Urishibara

"Kiki, I was talking to my uncle last night and he's been dead for seventeen years. I saw monsters from my childhood appear before me. Absolutely fucking real. I don't think this is some weird Goddess. I just can't believe that."

Gabriel is stalking back and forth in the room, the curtains closed, the light from the singular lamp dim. A cigarette between his fingers, a snaking path of thin vapor following his movements. He preferred to have the room dark and closed off, almost as a means of protection. Staying hidden from whatever it is lurking outside the door.

In the hotel itself. Concealed. Watching both of them.

"After what you've seen? You can't believe that-" Kikara sits on the unmade bed, arms scissored across her. Her leg is shaking, the result of her increased anxiety. This, coupled with the approaching convention was doing a number on her nerves.

"That I'm getting punished? Both of us? You know my family bought that land fair and square alright? We didn't 'take' anything. That makes no sense. I haven't stolen anything."

"I think you need to maybe leave the hotel. Just keep away. Until this-"

"No. I ain't going anywhere. No. I'm going to get to the bottom of this. Whatever the fuck this thing is, I'm not going to be intimidated." Gabriel fumes as he puffs smoke through his lips. He halts in his frantic strides, his breathing agitated as his expression turns contemplative.

"You know, there was just something familiar about the eyes. All of them had those same fucking eyes. They just looked familiar. Like I've seen them before, but I can't place where."

"Maybe-" Kikara starts before a scraping sound just outside their door cuts her off. Frozen, they peer at each other before Gabriel, scowling, defensively flings it open.

"Don't." Kikara begins, jumping to her feet.

Melissa Cartier is passing by the threshold, dragging a large black trash bag behind her with both hands, barefoot, her bracelets jingling.

"Laundry." she offers flatly upon noticing them observing her. Her hair is frizzy, her clothes somewhat disheveled. Bags prominent under her eye sockets. She continues down the corridor, pulling the bag to the edge of the top of the staircase as Gabriel slams the door shut.

"Man, this place is crawling with whores. Might as well turn it into a bordello. At least that would take care of the tourists." he says as he crushes his cigarette into an ashtray sitting on a wooden stand near the doorway.

Kikara gives a disgusted roll of her eyes as she rises, letting her arms drop to her sides as she begins to leave. Just before she opens the door, Melissa quickly runs back to the middle of the hall and snatches up a pair of bloody spectacles that sat obscured by a potted plant near a corner.

Running back to the top of the stairs, she shoves them into the bag and continues on her way.

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Mirasal deftly ducks behind a wall as she sees Kikara approaching, waiting for her to pass. Relieved as her ex-friend quietly eases by, she hurriedly makes her way down the hallway, bumping into Teora rounding a corner, carrying a stack of freshly-cleaned towels, knocking them from her grasp.

"Susa," Mirasal offers, bending down to help Teora collect the scattered cloths. "You know, if I had heard you," she assures. "I would have helped. But I really didn't hear anything."

Teora remains silent as she piles the towels in her right arm. They both rise up in unison, facing each other.

"I know," Teora replies as she clutches the stack to her chest as Mirasal hands her the last one. "I don't understand how nobody heard. It's so strange. Nothing. Everyone I've spoken to has said it was completely silent. How can that be? With all the noise that was happening."