Sweetwater Redemption

Memories Of A Lost Garden

It was pedal to the medal, in the most literal sense possible, until Cheryl and Toni crossed back into Riverdale. While Toni's magic kept Cheryl safe for a while, it didn't last forever. Just before they crossed back into town, their truck began swerving along the road because neither of them could see past the dark smoke coming off of Cheryl's skin. She wasn't sure what would happen if it took much longer, but she didn't want to think about it either.

By the time they went from Riverdale's town border to the lost garden, Cheryl was no longer smoking, at least in her skin being on fire kind of way. Toni's panic faded then disappeared once Cheryl clicked on the radio and sighed at the lack of options before clicking it back off and holding Toni's hand instead.

Cheryl's mind remained fogged for the entire ride there, not wanting to alarm Toni. However, doing so for such a long time weakened her mind and strength. She needed that strength for what was ahead, but protecting Toni would always come first.

When they finally arrived at the lost garden, it was pitch black and vaguely ominous. Perhaps that was due to the intense magic that was concentrated in the area, or maybe, it was just Cheryl's nerves. Either way, she decided to leave the truck lights on and pointed towards the center of the garden.

"Are you ready, my love?" Cheryl asked as she opened her door with a rusty squeak.

"Ready as I'll ever be I guess."

Toni's response would have to be good enough. Sotiras said they were out of time, and nature around them seemed to reflect that. While the woods around the house turned brown and crumbled, the plant life in the lost garden all turned a sickening shade of grey. It was as if the world was suddenly thrust into a black and white movie, then paused, indefinitely. There was no wind, no chirping birds or background noise of crickets.

The world was waiting for their next move.

So, the pair climbed out of the tuck and walked straight ahead. Their steps, at first leisurely, quickened the further in they went. The dry grass beneath their feet didn't crunch or crumble, and nothing around them felt familiar at all.

"Wasn't it right over there that you set a rose on fire that I was holding, then still refused to admit you were a witch?" Cheryl asked, mostly to break the suffocating silence.

"I knew what I was, I just wasn't ready to be something I was always taught was shameful. It felt like I was betraying the Elders, my family, my friends, and maybe even myself. I don't know how I would have ever come to terms about who I am if it wasn't for you."

They took a few more steps forward and Cheryl fought to keep her mind fogged while also conversating so openly with Toni.

"That's how I felt about coming out. In the time that I was born, it wasn't exactly uncommon for a woman to love another woman in France. The thing was, you were still supposed to keep it a secret. A woman could be the love of your life, but you still had to have a husband and give him children. It wasn't really an option to just...exist. It took nearly a hundred years for me to come out to my so-called family. As you can imagine, it didn't go well."

Toni gripped Cheryl's hand, but continued walking towards the center of the garden.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that, and for everything else you've been through. I need you to know something though...I'm your family now. I will love you and support you no matter who you are or what you decide to do. True love isn't conditional on you being what someone else imagines you to be. True love is limitless, and that's what we have. Don't ever forget that."

"I won't." Cheryl mumbled, trying to contain the red splotches in her eyes from spilling over.

They walked a little further in silence as they contemplated each other's words and the task before them.