Inheritance

Part 2. Chapter 70: Knowledge

I bonded with you because you never gave up on trying to make something of yourself. You didn't listen to the other waifs when they told you that you weren't allowed to do anything but women's work. Pete answered Them's question aloud with adoration in his voice.

Them brightened a little, expression and life returning to his face. "Gods, I tried so hard to impress my village and my adopted family, but it was never enough for them. I'm glad that I eventually stopped wanting their approval, because they didn't deserve it."

A thoughtful smile spread upon the waif's face. "I don't know what it is I want out of life, Pete, I just know that I want you to be with me until I die. Life got a lot better for me when you became apart of it, after all. I just wish we could have more years together than only two."

Pete sat down next to where his friend was lying on the bed. He said, you won't necessarily die in two years. The Antler could have been wrong; or perhaps we both just hallucinated seeing those Antlers.

Them shook his head. "No. I can feel it; I'll die in two years. Something just feels horribly wrong."

I don't understand. What feels horribly wrong? The world? Pete questioned, feeling partly responsible for how much the waif had suffered.

Them sat up, drumming his knuckles on his knee. "No. Something is terribly wrong inside of me. I feel uneasy and unbalanced. My insides feel... Twisted. It's not just that the world is cruel; I feel like I have become a major facet of its cruelty. You saw what I did in Maaris..."

Pete felt unworthy of judging his friend on the matter in Maaris, so he stayed silent.

Them sighed wistfully. "You know, part of why I wanted to be a hunter so badly when I was little was because I thought there was nothing more heroic than helping to provide food for Trauscus. I've been obsessed with becoming a hero—no, a legend—ever since."

Pete averted his gaze. He was afraid that his bright eyes might betray his guilt. I can't believe that you feel so twisted inside. I have watched you for most of your life, and I have never thought that you were anything other than selfless and kind.

Them snorted. "You always flatter me, Pete."

For good reason! Pete replied encouragingly.

Them grinned. "I'll listen to your advice for once in my life Pete. Tonight, I'll find Taylor on the dream plains tonight and tell her that I'm done flirting with her. I'll just dedicate myself to being friendly to the other recruits and trying to kill as many doppelgangers as possible. Being friends with her is fine, right?"

Pete shrugged. I don't see much harm in that.

"Good." Them replied.

A peaceful silence rested upon them for a time. Them closed his eyes and eventually drifted into a deep sleep. Pete smiled and tucked his friend in.

Wisps didn't sleep. All Pete could do during the night was think deeply, and that was what he did.

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Pete knew that if he gave his friend an ultimatum, he would always choose Pete over anyone else.

Pete had been there for Them through every trying moment of the waif's life, after all, and he planned to be there for the rest of his life as well.

Their bond was unbreakable, and it would remain unbreakable so long as Pete hid the truth from Them. Even now, the truth haunted him, but he didn't care. He decided long ago that the only thing he wanted in life was Them, and he would sacrifice anything to stay with him.