At What Cost? ( A Kirby Madoka Mágica AU)

The Only Signpost Remaining

"The body of Middle Star High School student Francisca Ueda, aged 17, was discovered this afternoon in an apartment downtown. She was reported missing just two days ago. There were no signs of violence present at the scene of the crime, therefore, both murder and accidental death are being considered by the police. Up next, the weather forecast. Tonight, expect moderate rain that will carry over into tomorrow morning..."

Taranza closed his laptop and wrapped his comforter tighter around his body, coughing a bit as he did so. 

His throat was sore and dry from screaming and crying all night long. He wanted to cry a bit longer, because once he stopped, he didn't know what he was supposed to do. He swallowed and buried his face into his sheets. In one short month, everything had come crashing down around him. And all he'd done about it was sit and watch as everything fell apart.

"Taranza?" He lifted his head to see Joronia poking her head through the door, a solemn look on his face. "Can I come in?"

"No," Taranza said weakly. Then he broke into another coughing fit. Joronia entered anyway, sitting on the end of Taranza's bed and looking down at his hands thoughtfully.

"I've been keeping an eye on the news, private. And..." Joronia paused to wipe some of her own tears away. "I'm genuinely so sorry for..."

"She's dead," Taranza said quietly. "Th-they found her.. her body..." Taranza's body began to tremble again, and his queen reached over to grab his hand.

"Shhh... " Joronia tried to soothe him. "It'll be okay."

No. It will never ever be okay.

"Do you want to be left alone?" Joronia asked after a minute. Taranza nodded, a few more tears slipping out. "The police... they might want to talk to you. Are you sure you don't know anything about... what happened?"

"I don't," Taranza whispered.

"Well... okay," Joronia said. She stood up after a second, shooting Taranza one last sympathetic look. "If you want to talk, I'll be here for you. And if you don't want to talk to me... I could find you a therapist or..." She hung his head and rubbed his face with his hands. "I... don't know what to do," She admitted. "But... I'm here when you need me." Then she turned and left the room, gently closing the door behind her.

Taranza curled in on himself and hugged his knees. Joronia had a point... there was no way being alone with his thoughts was good for him. But there was no one in the world who could possibly understand. 

His phone buzzed beside him on his bedside table. He let it ring. Whoever was calling didn't bother calling back, but they'd left a voicemail. Taranza grabbed for it desperately, just wanting to hear someone's voice.

"Hey, Taranza," came Zan's familiar voice through the speaker. Except it wasn't familiar. "I... I just saw the news and I... I don't know what to do." She paused to sniff. "She was my friend too... but I know this is hitting you the hardest. Just... t-take care of yourself. We... can't lose you too. I... okay. Just... call me. Please..." The sound cut off and there was silence again. Taranza stared at the ceiling, blinking away the last couple of tears. 

He considered calling her and telling her everything, even if he would sound crazy. But there was just... too much. There was only one other person he knew who could possibly understand his unbearable flood of emotions... and Taranza really really didn't want to talk to him.

But what choice do I have?

He didn't have a choice. Wiping his eyes one last time, Taranza climbed out of his window and began walking down the street.