Ib: A Tragedy In The Deep (fanfic)

Chapter 11- Ending: Let's All Live

This time I just realized that I already fell for him without realizing it. I placed my thumb and my index finger on my last petal ready to pluck it. Clara should be happy and live outside with Mary. But I feel different. I love Garry and want to go with him. Goodbye, mom and dad.

"Ib, wait!!" 

I stopped when I heard Clara shout out my name telling me to stop. I started to cry without realizing it. What am I doing? I can't just end my life so recklessly! That was very immature of me. I sound like Juliet. A doll went to me and handed me a vase filled with water. But it's no ordinary vase. It's the vase of Eternal Blessing. I placed my rose on it and my rose it all healthy now. I feel a whole lot better.
"Ib, put Garry's rose on that."
"Will it work?"
"Only if your desire for Garry to live is very strong. The vase will grant your wish then revive the rose hence, Garry."

It's worth a try. I took the stem of the rose and closed my eyes. I prayed that Garry will be alive and then the four of us can get outside together. Please...
I put the rose on the vase. The vase glowed bright blue and healed the rose. It recovered its petals.
"Ib, you did it!"
"Yes! All right!"
Garry's hand moved then he woke up and slowly sat up.
"I'm alive?" said Garry.
My tears won't stop falling. I hugged him out of shear happiness. I'm so happy that I can't really express my feelings.

Clara and I explained everything that happened. "I am awfully sorry about stabbing you. I just felt so angry and I suddenly did that..." apologized Clara. I hope Garry can forgive her. I've already forgiven her since she told me her story. "I forgive you. I know how losing a relative feels." said Garry
"Have you lost someone dear to you?"
"Unfortunately, yes. It was my little sister who died in an accident. Years ago."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."
"Well, let's not dwell on the sad times of the past. Shall we go?"
"Yes." answered me and Clara.

We went back to the pink building which is the exit. We got to the replica of the gallery today. Then by the reception desk across it, we saw a staircase going down. This wasn't here before. We ignored it cause we might get into a different place and get stuck again. We got to the mural, "Fabricated World". 
"Oh! This is the gallery now!" yelled Garry.
"Yes, it is. The mural in the original gallery is the former one." I answered.
"Let's go." said Clara.

She first jumped in the painting. She's gone. She must be back by now. Next, me then Garry.

~~

I found myself standing idly in the middle of the gallery. "What was I doing?" I ask myself. Strange, I feel like I forgot something. What was it? I'm not remebering anyway. Oh my! Mom and dad must be looking for me! I gotta find them!
I looked around the gallery and saw dad, looking at a painting. I asked him where mom was and he said that she was looking for me. Oh great, now where both looking for each other. I went to another part of the gallery and saw a sculpture of a red rose with sakura petals on the stem. It looks beautiful and somwhat fmiliar. Ah, it's that teenager who kept looking at the hanged man painting. He noticed me looking at him and asked, "May I help you, young lady?" I answered, "Oh, what is this sculpture?"
"'Embodiment of the Spirit' I guess. When I look at this sculpture, I feel somehow sorrowful, I wonder why..."
"It seems like it represents something sad I guess."
"Ah, look at me, saying strange things to you. I'll be going. Sorry to bother you, Ib."
"No problem, I--what?"

How does he know my name? Have we met? I'm sure I never said my name to him. He stopped and asked himself, "Hmm, Ib? Where have I heard that name? Wait, it's yours?"
"Yes, it is. How do you know that?"
He suddenly got shocked and I did too. Images of Garry, Clara, and Mary started popping up my head. I remember! 
"It's really you, Garry!" I shout softly because we're not aloud to make any noises here. Garry did the same, "Ib! We got out safely!"
"Yes!"
"Where's Clara?"
"I haven't seen her yet."

Just then a commotion was going on about a new painting. Garry and I wanted to check it out so we went there. We waited a while for the other visitors to move then we finally got a good look at the painting.
"Wait! Isn't this--?!" shouted Garry.
"Clara!" I shouted.

"Shh!! Be quiet!"
"Sorry!"

It's Clara! I could've sworn she got out first why is she in a painting?! Wait, she's--smiling and also crying in the painting. I read the description below, "Clara (???) Guertena painted her for Mary to have a sister so she will not be alone."
"I get it now..." I said.
"What is it?"
"Clara still wanted to stay. I think she met Guertena before she came here but she decided to stay. Even though she wanted to live outside."
"I see. She's with Mary too. She'll be fine."

"We've known our daughter's desire for so long now."

Someone spoke from behind. Garry and I looked back to see who it was. 
A man and a woman. Who are they?
"I am Clara's mother, Natasha."
"And I am her father, Roberto."
Clara's parents! They know that Clara's been missing for so long yet they aren't doing anything, "Care to explain?" I said. I know I'm being disrespectful but I can't help it. I feel angry. They're not so good parents.
"Please, listen." said Natasha. Me and Garry nodded.
"We were too caught up in work because we had to work hard or we'll both lose our jobs. This visit to the art gallery was our birthday present to her. We thought of bringing her here because she loves to draw, paint, and color. But then, we couldn't find her when she ran off. The gallery was dark because there were no light. A girl with yellow hair and green dress appeared and talked to us. You weren't very good parents, she said, now she lives in the deep and there she'll be happy. We understood exactly what she was trying to say. Clara wanted to stay there so much that we let her. We just wanted her to be happy. On our free days, we always visit her here and notice that her paintings always changed but now, her painting resembles what we wanted to see: happiness in her face." explained Natasha.
"Please don't get us wrong. We never wanted to leave her in that place. We would go in there and take her place if we have to. But she never lets us in. She really wanted to stay, no matter what." said Roberto.

Long explanations and short redeeming of one's feelings. We understood. I hope Clara will have a good life there. Weeks later, me and my parents wanted to visit the Guertena exhibition again. I agreed to go and Garry's also coming with us. I introduced Garry to my parents after that situation in the real gallery informing Clara. I'd like to visit her in that world again. It seems that she can only let people in once. During evening, I'm free as a stray dog to visit her cause no one's there and me and Garry only knows that. My parents don't worry cause the gallery is quite close and the gallery's always open for viewing. We've done this for quite some time now. It came to my mind though, what was that staircase going down before we got back?

THE END

♣ Author's note: Yay! I finally finished! Ok. I decided not to make an extra chapter for the staircase. I'm tired and wanna do other stories :)) Comment, vote, and share!! :D ♣