Aura's Tail. {Aphmau Fanfic}

Chapter 6: Sabotage or Coincidence?

"M-M-Murder!? Someone wants to hurt Malachi?!" Aphmau exclaimed, hugging the child even tighter. "They did... but we foiled their plans... but wait..." Aura stopped and stared at the floor. What if... Zane knew I would look for the herbs... and waited there... it seems like a long-shot... but he would  kill someone in the process... two birds with one stone... Aura thought. "Aura, are you okay?" asked Charlotte. "Yes." Aura replied. She couldn't say anything, or Zane would know. And he would hurt them. "Who would do such a thing as this...?" Garroth said. "No idea." Aura lied. "But all that matters now is that Malachi is safe and alive." She said. "Now, let's  give the poor boy and his mother some time. Everyone, go home." Aura ordered. "Please." She added. "Thank you..." Aphmau said. Aura nodded, and followed everyone out. "Well, that was traumatic, dramatic, and utterly scary." Laurence said. "Aura, let's go home." Charlotte said. "No, I'll meet you there.  I need to do something first." Aura said turning off the path. "Why is that girl so secluded?" Laurence asked. "Well... she's had a dark past..." Charlotte said. Aura had heard all of this. Heh, as far as she knows... Aura thought.

Her bare feet carried Aura down to the lake, despite the chilly fall air. She sat on a rock, and looked down at her reflection, which rippled with each tear that met it. "They think I'm good... but... why can't I believe myself...?" She muttered. Aura stared at her reflection, and watched the purple smoke, swirling from the edge of her right eye. Aura willed it to go away, but it wouldn't. She gingerly held the blue crystal that hung around her neck. "Why did I ever trust him!?" Aura felt herself shouting, and trying to rip off the necklace. She sobbed, letting the cursed necklace hang loose, around her now scarred neck. Aura remembered what  he said. "It's the thought that counts~" She remembered Zane's voice. Aura heard footsteps, and quickly rubbed away the mist from here eye. "Hey..." Said Laurence's voice. She didn't have time to wipe away her tears, and Laurence noticed Aura's watery eyes. "Aura, something's wrong. I can tell." He said, taking a seat beside her. "Go away. I don't want anyone to see me like this..." Aura said, willing herself to stop crying. "No. I'm sorry, but something is seriously wro-" Laurence stopped. "What happened to your neck...?" He asked, gazing at the marks the string had left on her throat. "N-Nothing! Stop interrogating me, and just leave me alone!" She yelled.

"Fine. But... at least answer me this... why were you crying? I know it's not because of Malachi." He said. "I said, LEAVE ME ALONE!" Aura sobbed. She felt her emotions building up. If it got out of hand, Aura's eye would start again. Laurence didn't respond, but looked out over the lake. "I'll leave now..." Laurence said, standing up and walking away. Aura returned home late that night. Jade and Charlotte were asleep already, so Aura quickly changed and did the same herself. Aura woke up late as well, the tower empty. Jade and Char must've left. Aura thought. She got up changed and left. Aura walked to the plaza where people were socializing. She saw Laurence, but walked past him. Why did she just snap like that? I only wanted to help... Laurence thought, spotting Aura in the corner of his eye. "Dude? You okay?" asked Dante. "Y-Yeah." Laurence replied. "Is it that cat-chick, again?" Dante said, following Laurence's gaze. "N-No..." Laurence lied."If you say so..." Dante said. Aura sat down on a bench and pulled out her sketch pad, and piece of charcoal.

 A half-an-hour later Charlotte spotted Aura. Sneaking up behind the bench, Charlotte strained to see what she was drawing. Finally giving up, the blue meif'wa popped up. "Heya! Whacha doin'?" she asked. "KYA!!!" Aura snapped her book shut, and turned to Charlotte. "N-Nothing!!" Aura squeaked. "C'mon lemme see!" Charlotte begged. "No! WAY!" Aura yelled. Charlotte snatched the book away. "EY!" Aura zapped her hand with a small bolt of energy, before Charlotte could open the book. Aura plucked the book out of the air. "Fine..." Charlotte mewed, rubbing her newly-zapped wrist. "But, I will find out." she added. "You try all you want. I'm gonna have Lucinda put a lock-bind on this later." Aura said. "NU! WHY!?" Charlotte mock-sobbed. "Har, har, har..." Aura said. She noticed Laurence walking towards the path out of the plaza. "Wait! Laurence!" she called sprinting to catch-up. "Huh?" he murmured. "Laurence, I'm sorry... last night... I-" "It's fine. I know, stress gets to everyone. You'd just gotten to witness a child die, then brought him back to life. I shouldn't have been so pushy." Laurence said, cutting her off. "Heh, thanks..." Aura said. "Good, kitty." Laurence said, giving Aura a noogie. "Hey!" Aura squealed.