A Tragic Creation 3: At Pepperland's End

Chapter 3: Premonition

"So, what you're saying is that... it came to you in your dream last night?"

John rubbed his arm after asking his question, shivering at the memory at the creature.

Paul stood beside him, looking worried.

George raised an eye brow, more out of confusion than anything else.

Ringo tilted his head.

"Y-you mean to tell me that he can come b-back?"

Randel lowered his head, shy.

"I... t-that's what it told me."

Jeremy, who stood next to Ringo, put his hand on his chin in thought.

"Well, I suppose it's possible so, but it could have just have been a nightmare though."

"It told me itself that it wasn't a nightmare, and I've never dreamt about it before," Randel said, looking down at him, "And... I'm worried."

George sighed.

"Oh, so what if it comes back? You two can just kill it again."

"T-that's the t-thing, George..."

Randel raised his head to look at the guitarist.

"It... It told me that we don't have a chance this time..."

"Did it say what it was going to do?" Paul asked, sounding scared.

"Not really, but...  I d-don't think I want to know..."

Ringo looked around for a moment, trying to calm his nerves.

"Okay... I'm not sure what to think of this," He said after a moment.

John scratched the back of his head.

"To be honest, I just think it was a nightmare. At least... I hope it was."

"But..." Paul started, "if it's possible for that thing to come back like Jeremy said, then..."

His face went pale.

"Oh... W-what should we do?"

"I d-don't know, " Randel responded as Ringo put arm around him.

"Listen. Why don't we all just try to have a good time? It'll at least calm us all down. After all..."

He looked at Randel's face for a moment.

"We don't know if it was a nightmare or not..."

"I w-want to say that it was..." Randel's voice trailed off.

"Randel, just calm down," George stated, "I'm sure everything's going to be fine."

Randel wanted to believe George's words, but a part of him was sure that it wasn't just a nightmare. 

"Yeah..." John said, unsure.

"Pepperland's still colorful and bright, so George must be right!" Jeremy exclaimed, and Ringo sighed at it.

"Should we... tell Lord Mayor about this?"

"I don't think it's necessary," John said, "I woudn't want him to be as worried about nothing as we are."

"B-but, it felt... s-so real..." Randel stated quietly, voice shaky.

Ringo patted him on the back.

"It's fine, Randel."

Those words did bring Randel comfort, but he was still worried.

"I hope yer right..."

"Anyway, " George started, "what are we doin' now?"

"I think I need some time alone..." Randel replied quietly.

Everyone looked at him, and he shrunk back.

"Lads, just let him have some time to relax," Ringo stated softly.

"Alright..." Paul said.

Silently, Ringo guided Randel away from the group and walked him over next to a rose bush.

"Just stay here when I come back later, okay?"

"Okay..." Randel answered as he sat down.

"And, please don't let this get to you. That creature's long gone. There's nothing to worry about."

Ringo kissed Randel's cheek, making him blush lightly.

"T-thanks."

"Yer welcome."

With that, Ringo walked away, leaving Randel all by himself.

He sighed, laying on his back as he watched a flock of colourful birds fly in the sky. 

There was no way that the creature could come back, right?

It was gone, just as Ringo said. Randel knew that much for sure. 

But, the creature's words still echoed in his mind. Nightmare or not, it was still pretty unsettling to think about them.

But, there was no way such a thing could happen.

After all, the creature would certainly have to do a lot in order to gain the upper-hand this time around, seeing how both he and Ringo already knew how it could be defeated.

If it tried to attack them again, they would just do the same thing.

Randel sighed.

"Maybe, there is nothing to worry about..."

He gulped.

"I h-hope..."