Lost (Trequel to "Sight")

Dreams

Rose felt like she could stay in that position forever, just hugging Rae. Knowing that she could see her best friend again. Knowing she could touch her and hear her voice.

"I've missed you so much," Rose cried into Rae's shoulder.

Rae rubbed Rose's back. "I've missed you too."

Rose let go of her, wiping the tears off her face. "So, how is life in... you know."

Rae sadly smiled. "It's fine. Not the same without my friends though."

"It's not the same without you," Rose told her.

"I wouldn't think so. I'm one of a kind," Rae chuckled. "How is everyone?"

"They're fine. Still coping with you not being there. We're on our way to defeat Oskar. Turns out the Heirloom can also destroy a whole continent."

"What?!" Rae exclaimed. "Why didn't Ulla say something about that?"

Rose shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe she didn't even know about it in the first place. Maybe she didn't want to worry us. But either way, we know now. And Oskar will not be getting away with this."

"I really hate him," Rae crossed her arms. "Especially since, you know, he killed me."

"And he won't get away with it," Rose promised her. "He'll pay for killing you."

"Karma," Rae said. "But can I just say that I am pretty impressed with the way I died. I mean, that was pretty heroic, am I right?"

Rose laughed. "Yes, you were very heroic. You sacrificed yourself so we could escape."

"Think I'll get a statue?"

Rose just laughed some more. "Oh, it's good to have you back."

Rae's smile faltered. "Except I can't stay for long. See, when I died, I was given a choice to visit anyone I wanted for the last time and, well, I chose you."

Rose blinked a few times. "Out of all the people you could visit you chose me? What about your family, or-"

"Rose, you are my family. You were always there for me-- well, except that one time, but," she waved her hands, "nevermind that. You were-- are-- the greatest friend I could ever ask for, and I wouldn't change that for the world."

Tears started to form in the corner of Rose's eyes. She didn't deserve a friend like Rae. She was too kind, and funny, and courageous, and--

Then she started fading away.

"Rae, what's happening to you?" Rose asked, her eyes wide with fear.

Rae gave Rose one last smile. "Looks like my time's up. But Rose. remember, while it may not seem like I'm there, I'm always with you."

Rose reached out to her, trying to save her from disappearing, but it was too late. She was left alone in the darkness. The tears finally gave way, crawling down her face. She collapsed to the floor, hugging her knees as she bawled. Rae was gone. Again. And she'd never see her ever again.

I'm always with you.

Rose woke up with a start, her face wet with tears. It hadn't been a dream at all-- it was very much real. Rae had visited her for the last time, leaving a closure for her. She was doing alright. Sure, she was still ticked at Oskar-- I mean, he killed her. But she still found a way to make it amusing. A smile crept across Rose's face. I'll make sure to get that statue built of you.

No one else was awake. I mean, the sun still hadn't risen. It must've been the middle of the night. But Rose couldn't fall back asleep-- not after that. So she stood up, walking out of the tent. Maybe she could find some twigs and build a small fire.

After a little bit of searching and building, she managed to make a fire pit. Rocks formed a circle on the outside, while twigs were stacked neatly inside. She'd even found a large log that could be used as a seat; though logging it over there was a challenge.

Rose sat on the log, staring into the flames, thinking about all that had happened over the past few weeks. It was all too crazy. Like something that would happen in a story book, not real life.

Did her mother miss her? What about Daina and her pups? Was life much different with her gone? Had anything changed in Corona?

Now that she had time to be by herself, all of her hidden thoughts raced through her mind. She wished she could answer them all, to clear her conscience. But there was no way until they returned back home. And who knew how long it would be until then. How long would it take to get rid of Oskar? Would they ever be able to get rid of Oskar?

Rose went back inside the tent to retrieve her bow and arrows. The bow was so elegant and beautiful-- she couldn't believe that it was now hers. And the arrows had such a fine tip, that it could probably break through anything. Just lightly tapping her finger on it caused pain.

Knocking an arrow in the bow, Rose aimed for a small tree in the distance. It was probably twenty feet or so away. She closed one eye, took a deep breath, then let the arrow fly. It struck right in the middle of the trunk. A small smile appeared on Rose's face. She was really getting good at this, wasn't she?

The smirk stayed on her face as she fired more arrows, once even striking where another had already been, splitting the original one in half. Her eyes widened when that happened. Whoops, she thought, taking the ruined arrow out of the tree. Guess that's one less arrow.

She stayed determined the whole time, though, believing that they truly could get rid of Oskar. And the sick old psychopath would get what he deserved. A punishment worse than death for all the pain he caused them, and all that he took away.

But while she was practicing, someone was watching in the shadows. They knew who exactly those arrows were aimed for, and it did not make them feel good. They tightened their grip on the dagger they held in their hand, their eyes narrowing in the process. A light growl formed in the depths of their throat, and they stepped out into the open.

"Well, hello there, Rose. Long time no see."