On The Surface | An OCTale Sequel

25) Where's Cassie?

"Castellar? Castellar, where are you?" I call, the other three trailing along behind me. As I'm looking around, I accidentally bump into a red lamppost. A small giggle escapes Impact's mouth.

Rubbing my head, I look upwards at the - wait, that's not a lamppost!

"Castellar!" We all cheer, as I'm suddenly pulled into a group hug. She seems a bit nervous, and fights to relieve herself of the hug.

"We were so worried! Where did you go?" I ask, as we lead her back inside to sit down.

"I should've left a few minutes earlier! Then you wouldn't have noticed I was gone!" She cries, throwing her hands up in the air dramatically. She then slumps back down, and frowns.

"ARE YOU SUGGESTING THAT YOU SNUCK OUT, YOUNG LADY?" Webdings chastises, poking Castellar's shoulder. She gives a disgruntled "Yes" under her breath.

"But why would you sneak out, Cass? Where did you even go?" Impact begs, worry in his eyes, "Are you in trouble with someone?"

"What? No, it's nothing like that! It's just...it's just- UGH! I really should have come back earlier!" She moans, as she abruptly stands up, and storms up into her room, slamming the door behind her.

"...That's...really unlike her." Impact comments, worry in his voice. We all nod in agreement.

"...Tyler, I do not mean to be rude, but may you leave now? This is strictly a family matter." Webdings says coldly, looking at his wrist. Tears start forming in my eyes.

"What? No! I'm part of this family too!" I object, Webdings suddenly realising what he said, "I have as much as a right to be here as you! And you abandoned your family!"

Webdings is taken aback by this, but Chancery floats between us before he can retaliate.

"...Fine. You can stay. It's not like any of us know what to do in this situation." Webdings grumbles, giving into the intense stare I assume his wife is giving him. He sighs as I walk upstairs finally to try and console Castellar.

"Cassie? Are you alright in there?" I fret. No response.

"Castellar, please. You can't keep running away from things! I...I learnt that the hard way. Please, just open the door!" I plead, shaking the locked door slightly in worry.

Then...I hear a soft whimper.

Castellar...NEVER cries. It only adds to my anxiety. Tears start to run down my face, too.

"CASTELLAR! I can tell that you're hiding from something! If you bottle your secret up, soon enough, it will swallow you whole!" I yell,pressing my head against the door. I notice the sobbing receeding.

"I've kept secrets before, secrets that would change anybody's perception of me in an instant! I did horrible things! But you know what? My friends believed that I have changed. And soon enough, I began to believe it too. Isn't that your motto, Castellar? Even the worst person can change, if they really try? You can still do a little better, even if you don't think so! It's because-"

"-B-Because I believe in you." Castellar finally croaks, her voice wavering. I hear her take some deep breaths, and stand up. The door clicks open, and I smile at her, tears in my eyes.

"...Maybe I can believe in myself, too." She comments, giving a weak smile back. Ushering me in, she clicks the door back into place.

"You can whisper it to me if you want, if it makes you feel better." I suggest. She nods quickly, and gestures for me to sit down next to her on the bed.