The Dark Heirs Volume 1

Chapter 34: Melancholy

Tw: death, violence, swearing, Desmond perhaps, uuuh should be it.
Enjoy:3
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Viktoria was looking at a map while Kate walked close behind her. They were trying to spot Rachel somewhere, having almost completely crossed the forest and still not a single trace of her. "Where are we even going?" Kate asked curiously looking over Viktoria's shoulder. "Well I'm trying to find us the way to Darkstett. It's a city nearby, we went to a date there together!" Viktoria explained softly. Kate tilted her head. "And why is that? I thought we are searching for the enemies, not going on a date together." Kate chuckled and Viktoria shook her head. "No no, I think Rachel might be there! See how the buildings Lydia had crushed make a perfect line? If we follow that line we get to Darkstett, so that's maybe a clue for where Rachel could be located!" Viktoria explained pointing to the places she was mentioning on the map. "Aaah, You're smart, darling!" Kate said smiling as she crossed her arms behind her back while walking.

"The forest is beautiful, isn't it? The flowers that bloom here reach their peak around this season of year. Beautiful day to be here... I wish it would be a nice day for humanity too." Kate sighed putting some strands of her hair behind her ear. Viktoria smiled softly. "You really like flowers, don't you?" She chuckled, while still trying to focus on the map. "Yeah.. They're always a nice distraction of what's happening. Well when do we arrive?" Kate asked walking back over next to her girlfriend. "Hm a few more minutes." Viktoria states. "Then you leave me no choice!" Kate laughed and put a flower crown on Viktoria head after a few minutes. "If I'm bored, I'll use the opportunity to make some natural gifts for my wonderful girlfriend!" Kate exclaimed and Viktoria took the crown off to look at it. "Wow, it's awesome! I didn't know you could craft with flowers like that!" Viktoria muttered impressed as she put it back on her head again. "Well I rarely get the opportunity to get beautiful flowers like that!" Kate mumbled, walking behind her girl now.

Then finally they arrived at Darkstett. Nothing suspicious yet. Other than in Fortress Aegis, none of the buildings were destroyed. "Wow, the city still looks beautiful!" Kate exclaimed happily. "Well it's one of the best cities in the country after all. No doubt it's pretty then." Viktoria giggled slowly walking through the streets. Everything was empty. It was as if everyone had already run away. "It's so empty here... They probably evacuated the city." Viktoria mumbled to herself and then turned to Kate. "Guess we have the entire city for us!" She stated. Kate shook her head. "No, we still gotta find Rachel! She's probably here somewhere if everyone is gone. I didn't even know she was involved in all of Desmond's shit. She likes me, I see that in her eyes. I should've taken better care of her, been there for her... She trusts me and I betrayed her trust. Not once have I truly responded to her affection.." Kate muttered clutching her clothes. "You really think that bothers her? She seems like a more determined girl. Surely that wouldn't get her down." Viktoria blurted out, visibly not caring about Kate's worries.

"Have you not noticed the scars?.." Kate asked sitting down on the concrete floor. "Wait... What scars?" Her girlfriend asked taken aback. "Her thighs... Her school skirt is not long enough to hide her entire legs and I've noticed she had scars all over them." She explained, her gaze lowered. "She's not fine. Someone so vulnerable is easy to manipulate. I bet Desmond gaslighted her terribly. He disgusts me... Acting all friendly and then.." Kate sobbed as tears began to well up in her already tired eyes. "Rachel harms herself?" Viktoria asked carefully. "And no one of us was ever there for her... We could've protected her from all this... Why did you never say anything?" She asked taking a few steps away from Kate. "I thought she would be able to stop..or that it was nothing bad or it's just the light... I didn't wanna believe I failed her like this." The crying girl mumbled. Viktoria put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hey dear, it's not just your fault. It seems like everyone did her wrong. We'll find her and apologize, that's what we owe her." She decided and held Kate against her chest.