Godead

LVII (Act Six)

                                                       Act VI : Memories

"Claude...," a gentle girl's voice softly whispered. Claude lay motionless, silent at the center of a black void. "Claude... wake up." Claude began to stir, slowly opening his eyes.

"Mmm... where am I?" he asked. The girl lightly smiled, shaking her head.

"Ever the sleepy head. You were always napping in class, as well," she said. Claude looked up, noticing the familiar girl through the darkness.

"...Lucy!" he said in surprise, slowly gathering himself before sitting up. "What are you doing here? You're..."

"...Yes. I'm dead," Lucy replied bluntly.

"Lucy...," Claude said somberly. "I'm... sorry I couldn't protect you." Lucy stood motionless, arms folded as she stoically stared down at him.

"Claude...," a second girl's voice whispered. Claude's eyes went wide, the boy turning his head as he spotted another girl.

"Charlene!" he said.

"Wake up, Claude. You must wake up," Charlene replied.

"Charlene... I'm sorry. I failed to keep you and your family safe, as well. I'm so useless...," Claude said dejectedly.

"Drop the self pity routine. It hardly suits you," Charlene said. "These are dangerous times. I'm sure you did all you could."

"Charlene...," Claude said somberly. As the boy sat in silence, a light pair of footsteps echoed from nearby.

"...Claude," a gentle voice said. Claude froze in place, slowly turning around, noticing a girl in black.

"...Zoe...!" the boy said, voice full of emotion.

"Get up, Claude. It's not safe," Zoe whispered.

"Oh, Zoe...! I'm so sorry for getting you killed. It was all my fault. I should never have taken you along to search for Abby...," Claude replied, voice cracked and trembling.

"Don't blame yourself, darling. I was a lonely drifter before meeting you. The days we spent together were the happiest days of my life," Zoe replied with a warm smile.

"Zoe...!" Claude said, choking back tears.

"You must get up now, Claude. There are many dangers fast approaching you. Some you know, some that have yet to reveal themselves," Zoe explained.

"...Dangers? What dangers?" Claude asked.

"I can't tell you. But you must wake up if you wish to defend yourself," Zoe said. She then began to fade. "I have to go now, Claude." Claude suddenly paused, shaking his head.

"...No! Zoe, please...! Don't leave!" he pleaded.

"I have to go...," she replied, silhouette fading away.

"No! Zoe, no! Don't go!" he exclaimed desperately. Zoe faintly smiled, slowly vanishing from sight.

"Zoe!" Claude screamed.

"I must be going as well, Claude. Good luck," Charlene said.

"Charlene!" Claude yelled, the girl disappearing soon after. As Claude sat in the darkness, Lucy was the only one left standing.

"Claude," she whispered softly, the boy turning to her. "...Beware of Abby. She took my life, and she'll take yours as well if you're not careful."

"Lucy...!" Claude replied. Lucy gave a firm smile.

"...Claude. You know what needs to be done," she said, folding her arms. "You're a man, aren't you? You can't just allow Abby to get away with everything she's done. Now... avenge me. Avenge us!" the girl exclaimed, smiling before vanishing from sight.

"Lucy! Wait!" Claude exclaimed, watching as the girl disappeared in front of him.

As Lucy faded away, Claude was left alone with his thoughts in the darkness. Lucy. Charlene. Zoe. All were girls Claude cared for.

All were girls that were now dead.

Claude thought back, remembering the mundane school days he'd shared with Lucy. He always found her attractive, but never had the nerve to approach her and ask her out. He'd known her since kindergarten, and had spoken to her several times over the years. He noticed her eyeing him occasionally from across the classroom, and had a hunch she may have liked him, as well. Claude was always a bit awkward in those types of situations, however, and accordingly, never made a move on the girl. Now, it was too late.

He then thought back to Charlene, recalling their pleasant conversations back at Michelle's house. Though their time together was short, Claude felt a certain kismet with Charlene. In another life, the two might have had a bright future together. But alas, once more, it was too late, and Charlene, her mother, and sister were now dead.

And then there was Zoe, the girl Claude was nearest and dearest to. He'd lost his virginity to her, and when he closed his eyes, could still feel her touch on his skin. He recalled their times together. The words they shared, the love they made. Claude wasn't sure if it was love he felt for the girl, but one thing was certain: he cared a great deal for Zoe.

...And had a sick feeling in his stomach that it was Abby who killed her to begin with. Her and Lucy. And Doctor Jenkins. And the national guard soldiers. And a slew of countless others Claude could hardly keep track of. Why? Why was the boy so forgiving of Abby? Was he frightened of her, and afraid of admitting she struck fear into his heart? No. That wasn't it. While Abby's powers astonished him, he simply couldn't bring himself to fear her.

While Claude hated to admit it, he knew the real reason he forgave Abby's atrocities. Though Abby had taken countless lives, every time Claude looked at her, all he saw was a lost, frightened girl. Indeed, it wasn't Abby's fault she turned into what she was. Abby never asked for this. She was just a normal girl, and overnight, became a ruthless killing machine. She didn't know what was happening, and could barely control her own destructive impulses.

...Or so she claimed.

As Claude sat in the empty void, he suddenly froze in place, a stray, disturbing thought entering his mind: what if Abby could control herself and was just lying about it? No... that couldn't be it. Could it...? Claude shook his head. He was the type to always give people the benefit of the doubt,‭ ‬and wanted with all his being to believe Abby's words.‭ ‬Still,‭ ‬he couldn't help but wonder if her claims of having‭ uncontrollable ‬murderous compulsions were all a lie.‭ ‬As he mulled over this disturbing notion,‭ ‬he slowly returned to consciousness.