[GL] Black Gold

Chapter 69

Camie had to walk on the mattresses to go to the bathroom but despite that, they had a great night, talking for hours. They avoided all difficult subjects and started remembering their childhood cartoons. Nylora did look better than when she arrived and she finally regained her colors. Théa on the other hand was strangely quiet. Camie kept looking out for both of them, giving them sweets and including them into the conversation all the time. When they were silent for too long, she would turn to them and ask them a random question.

In the darkness, Camie wouldn't see Théa's face anymore and to check if she was okay, she would suddenly grab her hand and squeeze it from time to time. Théa's heart would stop each time and at some point they just never let go of each other's hands.

The next day the streets were more crowded than ever before and Camie's father promised the girls that they could stay as long as they wanted. Classes were suspended because of all the riots erupting around the country and despite their efforts to avoid hearing about it, the girls soon found out what they were really about. People were talking about Black Gold everywhere, be it on the streets or on the internet:

"Black Gold has been a villain since the very start! We've been warning you for years but no one wanted to listen!"

"Wake up! Black Gold isn't a hero! She's our downfall."

"If the world's greatest hero can start acting like a villain and get away with it, then why should the rest of us play by the rules? Are we no better than heroes?"

"They can't even control their own heroes, what can they do to us? The government's falling appart."

"Black Gold is the most powerful hero we've ever known. If she suddenly turned against the system, there must be a reason. I don't know what she saw but we should start preparing."

"We can't trust anyone anymore. Not even heroes. So who's left to protect us?"

Camie couldn't keep up with the opinions anymore. They were mixing in the streets, screaming their own beliefs at the top of their lungs. Camie could hear them even when she closed her phone. The world felt louder, angrier with each passing day. She heard them when she woke up in the morning and when she was going to sleep. At first she couldn't make out their words, their voices sounding like they had been waiting for years to be heard. But the screams didn't all sound the same. Not at all.

Some of them were yelling like they had just been proven right about something awful. They sounded triumphant. They called Black Gold a liar, a monster. They were the ones Camie knew best. She thought they would be the only ones but didn't expect the other screams. Some people joined the familiar voices, or got even louder, messier. They didn't seem to care about Black Gold. They just seemed happy to participate. As if they had been waiting for the occasion. Camie saw them tipping over trash cans, spray painting walls with things she didn't want to read... They moved together and looked like they were having fun. It sounded more like a party than a riot. She didn't know who scared her more. Maybe the novelty. She didn't know them enough to know what they were capable of.

Lastly, there were the quiet ones. Not many but they were noticeable. They were holding candles and walking slowly, their mouths shut. They didn't break anything. They looked out of place and the crowd made fun of them, not daring approach however. Camie had no idea what they believed but she knew they were a third category. Were they the ones who believed in the end of their government? Or were they something completely else? For some reason, she felt that they were the ones she should fear the most.

The government wasn't better off than her. They didn't even know what to do anymore with all the different strikes going on all around the news. No one knew what to do really. After two days being blocked inside Camie's house, Nylora looked at her phone:

"I'm sorry but I really have to go home now."

Emma rubbed her head:

"Me too. We could leave very early before the crowd gathers again."

Camie grabbed Nylora and whispered:

"Are you sure you want to go back? You can stay here all you want."

Nylora smiled:

"Thank you. It's really okay. I should go back now. I want to go back.

-Really?

-Yes."

Camie stared at her eyes a bit trying to figure out if she was lying. That made Nylora laugh:

"I'm not lying, Camie. Thank you. Really. I feel way better."

Camie smiled:

"That's all that matters. If you ever need anything don't hesitate, please.

-I won't."

Théa offered to walk the girls home but Mister Dred insisted on tagging along with the group. After making sure that it was safe, Mister Dred walked the girls home one after the other but when it came to Théa he simply asked:

"Are your parents back yet?"

Théa looked taken aback by the question:

"They are coming back soon. My mom cut her travels short when she saw what was going on here.

-That's good. She must be very worried about you."

Théa smiled gently.

"She is.

-Why don't you stay with us until then? I wanted to ask you before discussing it with your parents."

Camie quickly nodded. She really wanted Théa to stay. For multiple reasons. She couldn't stay alone. Especially not now. Théa noticed the excitement and tried her best to look away from Camie.

"I wouldn't want to intrude.

-You aren't intruding. I told you already, you did so much for Camie, if you ever need help, we are here."

Camie wondered when her father said that but she mostly felt touched and added:

"He is right. You can stay here all you want. I like you living with us."

Théa looked at Camie's shining eyes and didn't dare refuse. While she went to the bathroom to freshen up, Camie went to her dad to thank him:

"Thank you, dad. For everything.

-Don't thank me, darling. It's only natural. If I wasn't there, I would want other parents to do this for you too."

Camie smiled:

"I love you.

-I love you too. And your friends love you a lot too. I hope you realize that. They care about you a lot. You are very lucky to have them and deserve nothing less.

-I do.

-Especially that Théa girl. I like that you two found each other."

Her father paused a second and looked at the bathroom door before turning back towards Camie and lowering his voice.

"May I ask you a question?"

Camie tilted her head:

"Of course.

-Please don't get stressed about it.

-Now you are stressing me out."

Mister Dred didn't laugh when he looked her straight in the eyes, his gaze infinitely soft. Camie rarely saw him as serious:

"Is your friend Théa Black Gold?"