Into the Light (A Splatoon Story)

Tide Goes Out

Rosa's POV

I wake suddenly, feeling someone about to set me down. Instinct kicks in, and I cling to them.

No...I'll be crushed by all the Inklings...please don't set me down...

"Hey, relax. You're safe, Rosa." A very familiar voice says soothingly.

Marie!  My eyes fly open, and I find myself staring into her serene face. However, I notice worry in her eyes. I'd probably scared her by running off.

Tears well in my eyes, making Marie's face blurry. She holds me close.

"It's okay, Rosa. Don't be upset. We found you, and everything's going to be okay now." She says softly.

I force the tears back, noticing something else. Only Marie is in the room with me.

"Callie's finding some food for you," Marie says, interpreting my expression. "And we're in the Studio, so there's no one to hurt you."

I exhale, relieved. Marie sets me down on a couch and sits down next to me.

"I guess you don't like crowds much, huh?" She asks, completely nonchalantly.

I shake my head, shivering. All those Inklings...pressing in on me...

"You're still bleeding a little from the scrapes." She says, investigating my leg.

As I remember, burning pain descends on my leg. I bite back my gasp.

"I'll be right back," Marie says, standing up.

Another wave of burning goes down my leg, followed by desperation. Marie can't leave. I need her! I'm hurting, scared, and I don't want to be alone!

I try to grab her arm, but she's out of reach. My soft whimper goes unheard. I can't do anything...

I close my eyes, struggling to bring the single word to my lips. I ball my hands into fists, and concentrate as hard as I can...and then, it happens.

"M...M...Marie!"

She freezes, her hand on the doorknob. "Rosa?!"

"Marie!" I say again, just as shocked as she is. "Marie..."

She runs to my side and hugs me tightly. "Oh, Rosa! You talked!"

I hug her back, still murmuring her name to myself. I still can't speak, it's just that word that seems to work...but why?

I don't have any time to think it over. Callie comes in, holding a bowl.

"Marie, did I hear - " She starts, but I don't give her time to finish. I have to show her!

"Marie!" I say, still trying to convince myself that I can. "Marie! Marie."

Callie's mouth drops open. "Rosa?! Y-You just...said a word!"

"I know." Marie says, hugging me. "I'm very proud of her."

A blush heats my cheeks, and I turn my face into Marie's shoulder. I feel Callie leap onto the couch a moment later, and throw her arms around us.

"The first word you say, and it's Marie's name instead of mine?" She jokes.

Marie snorts. "You know you're as happy as I am, Cal."

"You're right, I am." Callie admits. "I'm so, SO happy for you, Rosa! Can you try to say my name?"

I open my mouth to try, but Marie puts her hand on my shoulder.

"Give yourself some time to rest first, okay?"

I glance at Callie, and she shrugs.

"Marie's right, as usual. But we can't let you go on saying Marie's name exclusively!" She says, beaming at me.

They both look at me, smiling. The only other people who looked at me like that were my parents. The sting I usually feel when I think of them seems...farther away than normal.

"Cal, go get the first aid kit." Marie says, then turns to me. "We'll clean your scrapes, then take you home. Okay?"

I nod and lay back. As long as I'm safe, and they're with me, I'm okay.

That thought shocks me.

I've only just met them, yet I'm completely convinced they'd never do anything to hurt me...

Marie smiles down at me, and begins to sing. It's a slow, peaceful song that's completely different from the songs she sang in my dream...but I like it. She gently rocks me back and forth, still singing quietly. I lean against her and close my eyes, letting myself relax.

She'll never do anything to hurt me.

I trust them...