The Amnesiac

The Puppeteer's End

TW: Graphic depictions of violence and death.

This final chapter will deal with the main plot mysteries, but it won't discuss what happens with the OTV girls. Don't worry! A sweet, fun ending is prepared for the epilogue (with hints of smut!).

A word of warning: This chapter is over 11k words, most occurring in a single conversation. Give yourself ample time to read (and reread, and then reread again, and maybe reread a few more times) if you want to understand. You'll need it.

Enjoy... if you can...

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Even her appearance gives you shivers. Something in your mind is reacting strongly to her, but you don't have time to give it your attention.

"What's your name?" You ask. There are far more important questions to ask, but it's the one you reach for.

"Just call me Rachel. It's the only name of mine that exists anymore," she shrugs, suddenly swapping out her abrasive laughter for ennui. "Or, if you truly yearn to know my 'real' name... you can start by telling me yours."

"...my name?" You blink. "It's the same as always. I've never lied about- "

"Uh uh," she chastises, tilting her head. "Remind me, dear. What's your name?"

Her eyes penetrate you with interest, like a researcher watching a lab rat. You shiver.

"She's toying with you," Hyoon whispers. "Don't play along."

"Why are you here? Why did you bring her here?" You turn your head to direct your second question to the guards.

"I wanted her here. Sit down," Rae commands. The guards comply, walking Rachel to the empty seat opposite you.

She sits down with the elegance of a princess, crossing her legs and keeping her spine rigid.

One guard stands right behind her, while the other moves back to guard the door. Their eyes never leave the small, seemingly unassuming woman for a moment.

"Where do we begin...?" Rae mumbles, pressing her palm into her right temple.

"How about Chapter 1?" Rachel beams innocently. "The beginning."

"Screw that," you spit back, feeling more annoyed at her every time she speaks. You feel some residual affection for her still lingering in your heart, and the realization that she's someone entirely different than what you believed, to your chagrin, doesn't make it vanish.

"I've already pieced together most of it. I just need to know some details," you add on.

"Hmm," she giggles. "That's adorable. You're completely clueless."

You huff, but Rae interrupts before you can retort.

"She's right. There's a lot you don't know."

You lean back, letting Rae clutch your hand close to her body. Everything feels so strange. Rachel's presence makes you uncharacteristically nervous.

How much was she faking? Her stutter is fake, obviously. Even the little pieces of her demeanor I'd gotten used to aren't there anymore. She's certainly not lacking in confidence either.

"Who are you, really?" You ask. "Are you my college ex?"

"Ah, an excellent way to start," she says, squaring her shoulders and tucking her legs to one side. If her hands weren't bound tightly behind her back in solid metal handcuffs, she'd be folding them in her lap.