Repentance

Drools

Despite the rough past few days, Hollow was feeling refreshed. They were on edge because a lot more hairs showed up in their mother's garden; a little nervous, but the kind of nervousness that comes with a little excitement, a little anticipation. They were so close to catching the murderer. They've been taking shifts with you and Ghost to watch the place and keep it locked. No one else was allowed in, no one else was allowed out. No more hairs showed up outside, no more bugs were found dead. This can only mean one thing; the culprit is in the gardens. This is a much preferable way of keeping someone prisoner than... Never mind. This memory, these unwanted thoughts were so easy to push away before. Hollow had already decided they were over it. Yet they found their thoughts wondering back to her, wandering back to... him. It all started after they saw you. They didn't blame you for it, didn't feel any sense of hostility. In fact, they might have even felt threatened. But they would never admit it to your face. Not with the broken look you gave them last time, not with the pitiful cry you let out when you witnessed their hurt. Not with the way you were looking right now.

You were standing below a tree, shoulders tense, eyes blown wide. They bounced from corner to corner surveying for something and you flinched once your gaze fell on them. They noticed the splotches of dirt and moss staining your armor. Even back then, even with blood that should have stained your hands, but didn't; even with the king breathing down your neck, you kept a neat, prim look. One that you maintained after years of sleep. A look of someone who was put-together. It made them want to, made them be put-together and calm and someone who does their duty without faltering no matter how ghastly it is. Seeing you so out of it last time, this time, only added to their anxiety.

Hollow approached you slowly with a friendly wave. You reluctantly returned it.

"So... Greetings."

Hollow nodded in acknowledgement.

A few awkward moments passed, painstakingly slow, and they wondered if they should try to... just do something. Anything. But you looked so deep in thought, or after much consideration, they decided you weren't deep in thought. You were somewhere else that isn't your head nor this world. There were thoughts running in your head, but they were buried deep under a static buzzing, one much like the broken sound-channels in the City of Tears. Perhaps, a self induced static buzzing. It was a look they knew all too well and they didn't want to break the thin veil you put to muffle these thoughts.

But then you turned towards them, eyes unfocused and not quite there. "Did you see anything new?"

The shook their head no.

"I see. We should split again, no time for dilly-dallying." You cleared your throat and your eyes gained some focus. You held their gaze for the first time. "Do they... Do they hurt?"

It took them a few moments to shake their head, again. Their body felt stiff, but that was about it. They were afraid their hesitation made you think they were lying to spare your feelings.

"I see." The words were empty, toneless. "I'm glad."

A few more moments passed before you added. "We should really go now."

They were grateful because they didn't know what else to say. This conversation was over before it even started. It bothered them a little how you had little trouble being around Ghost but avoided them like the plague. Still, they felt there were still some words left unsaid. Some words that needed to be said.

But judging by your retreating form, you thought there weren't and who were they to disagree.

---

You were dragging your feet at this point. It was a struggle to lift each foot and set it onto the ground in confident strides in front of the Hollow Knight. Now, your soles were digging into the ground, marking strips of dirt were the grass got cut by your lazy steps.