The Raven & The Spider (CURRENTLY UNDERGOING HEAVY EDITING)

Chapter 24 - A Long and Dangerous Path

Third Person POV:

"Where's Robin?" Asked Dagger with a sleepy yawn as he peered around at his fellow performers.

"I don't know..." Murmured Beast as she squinted her eyes at the morning sun. "I haven't seen her yet."

"Maybe she slept in." Commented Wendy thoughtfully. "You know, since Doll's gone and she's the one who normally wakes her up in the morning."

"That is true." Laughed Dagger. "She might finally get some peace and quiet for a day." Dagger's features then saddened, though no one but him noticed. Stay ignorant, Robin. He thought sorrowfully. If you stay oblivious to this all, you stay safe and happy.

Your POV (Second Person):

Meanwhile, you bounced up and down on the back of your black horse as you followed the path of your close friend. You made certain to stay as far away from Doll as possible so she wouldn't see you, while still maintaining a general sense of direction as to where you were going.

The only thing on your mind at the moment was the situation you were in. It was obvious that your family had been lying to you for a while, but how long was a while?

You clenched your teeth. You would get to the bottom of this, and you wouldn't rest until you learned the truth. You kicked your horse's abdomen gently to urge it into a gallop and continued riding through the trees, trailing after a person you once trusted with your life...

About 11 hours later...

You hid quietly in the bushes as you observed Doll slide off her horse and approach a nearby river. She let the chestnut colored stallion drink the icy water and said, "Drink up, girl. Hang in there for me. Not much longer now."

Doll sighed and walked over a few feet to a log and sat down. "Maybe I'll take a short rest too." She dug around in her satchel for a moment, presumably looking for a canteen of water. You watched as she sadly breathed out a gasp, then pulled out a Funtom sweet from her bag.

"Just not possible..." You heard Doll whisper sadly. "Try as I might I still can't believe Smile's with the Yard. He's so frail and weak and he doesn't seem like he'd be a good liar. Of course... I guess we don't either ay?"

You assumed she was directing the question to her horse and looked down at the ground sadly. Why was all of this happening? Why was it that the moment you felt fully happy and safe, with people you trusted and considered your family, that everything would start changing again?

You lifted your head when you heard Doll sniffling. She was... crying. Her horse soon crossed over, nuzzled her, then let out a neigh.

Doll gave a small smile and said, "Right you are, girl. I've gotta focus on gettin' to Joker now. Everything else can wait."

She rose from her seat on the log and stretched. With a grunt, she mounted her horse and began racing through the thick trees once again.

You waited for a moment for her to get ahead and sighed. Why...? Why was this happening to you...? To your family?

About 2 hours later...

You were getting very tired by this point. You'd been on horseback without rest for half the day, and you could barely keep your eyes open. You rode through the dark, chilly forest and followed your friend's figure from a distance.

It wasn't until a few minutes later, you saw the smoke rising up into the sky. Not long after, the stench of flames hit you and you began to ride faster.

You watched as Doll's figure in front of you stopped at the edge of the forest, and gazed out into a clearing which held a burning mansion in the center. You debated staying hidden, but your impatience had gotten the best of you, so instead you charged forward.

Doll hadn't noticed you yet. She was too busy gaping open-mouthed at the destruction in front of her. Once getting closer to the girl, you could feel the heat of the fire hit your face and came to a stop next to your friend.

"Doll!" You yelled getting her attention. "What the hell is going on!?!?"

She turned to you with shock written on her face and gasped, "Robin?!? What on earth are you doing here!?!?"

"Getting answers!" You shouted back. "I've been left in the dark for too long. I know you and the others are hiding something, and it has to do with Smile's disappearance doesn't it!?!?"

She looked down at the ground in shame but stayed silent.

"Doll! Just tell me what's going on!" You pleaded as a tear ran down your cheek. "Please, whatever it is, I'll understand! We've been best friends for seven years now, and I'm not about to let that change. I just... I just want to be able to trust my family again!"

She looked up at you sadly as you finished shouting. "Robin... just go home please. It's not safe for you here, and I don't want you to get hurt."

"Hurt? I'm already hurt!" You shouted as the tears started pouring. "Hurt that my family has been keeping secrets like this from me for all this time. Hurt that my best friend won't tell me what's going on!"

You watched carefully as Doll reached up and pulled a branch from one of the trees hanging overhead. She started shaking and she refused to make eye contact with you. "I'm sorry, Robin." She whispered as she moved her horse closer to yours. "I'm so sorry that you had to get involved, and that I couldn't be a better friend."

"Doll- what are you doing?" You asked with panic as she raised the branch above her head.

"I'm sorry..."

CRASH!

Before you knew it, everything had turned black. The darkness consumed your vision as you felt yourself slide off your horse and onto the grassy floor below you. Darkness. Not a single beam of moonlight...