Family, Friend or Enemy?

[5]

Aghast and immobile, I remain lying on the floor. Winter's shrill cries fill the room, Peter resting his head onto his best friend's body whimpering and pleading for him to respond to him. However nothing, not even a simple sigh, there was nothing but the roaring cries of who I thought was Winter until the familiar taste of saltiness emerge onto my lips. 

The world around me starts to rotate, everything becomes so blurry then into world of nothing. Total darkness, shadows engulfing me, a heavy weight pressed down on my chest. How could I let this happen? Why didn't I run after him? I just let the waterworks, there was no point in trying to control my tears anymore. I use of what's left of my strength to crawl into a ball, to hide away from this world and into mine where Ned is alive.

As soon as I closed my eyes I could feel the crunchy moist grass beneath my feet, the immaculate air brushing against my skin, the trees dance along with the breeze. The green grass, the lively colors of flowers, snow-capped mountains in the distance and the buoyant cheers from below surround me. 

As I carefully walk down the steep hill I gradually come into view of a little town. Happiness spread through town; pubs filled with bulky men flexing to swoon over the ladies, arm wrestling to see who is the strongest and toasting to the joy that has been placed upon the town. The taste of yeasty, malty, refreshing and bitterness of alcohol aftertaste lingers in the back of my throat. 

As I continue to amble through the street I see in the corner of my eye a glimpse of the tanned, chubby, bucket hat wearing man walking into an alleyway. I chased after him making sure I don't alarm him, he had entered what I assume is to be our destination. I walk over to the door and opened it ajar, I peek through the gap and see him placing his hat onto the kitchen counter. 

Bit by bit opened the door revealing more of the living space, I sneakily stepped closer towards the man and await for the appropriate time. It was my chance I pounced onto the man and tackled him onto the floor, my hip ache on the impact I look into the eyes of the joyful, comforting, clown and best friend Ned Leeds. 

I bit back a laugh as best I could however I began to snigger at the sight of the confusion on Ned's face, "what was that for?" he asked grazing the back of his head. I perceive my cheek turning red from the exhausting hike but I was able to pant, "just extremely happy to see you." 

I seated on the red leather armchair, happiness consume me for once ever since I drifted into my own world. I can feel the corners of my mouth stretching my skin, my eyes squinting. I was happy.

Curiosity overflowed me by a thought, Ned's dead however in my own world he isn't does that mean they both have connections? Inquisitive, seeking for an answer I muttered "Ned why did you kill yourself?" Baffled, Ned stares at me slowly he began, "Rainey, I'm still alive." I expected him to say that however before I could say anything he continued, "Rainey, dead or alive there's still a host in the victim's body. That host will live no matter what as long as it is preserved carefully." 

The way he spoken it didn't match the familiar tone of Ned's voice, nonetheless what he said implanted into my head. It raised many questions however Ned once again spoke, "Rainey,please trust yourself never doubt yourself." I stare into the big brown eyes once more and nodded, I closed my eyes anew.

I overhear the intimate sound of Peter's muffled sobs, I unravel myself and reached for my phone. I can feel Peter's and Winter's eyes on me watching my every move, "what you want doofus? This better be important since you woke me up again. Hey you there?" Damian's indifferent voice travels through my ear, I usually don't talk to him much I only do so when I have something extremely important to tell him. Throat dry however I coercion myself to covey, "uhm yeah I'm here.0"