Random people are filing out cautiously.
Watching and making sure Hollow doesn’t do something rash, just in case.
Luckily for them, as long as they follow the script, nothing bad will happen.
It was her word.
Rhys, in the meantime, was stressing out like crazy.
Wondering whether that guy, or whatever that was, is actually telling the truth.
He also doesn’t know whether he should tell this to Hollow, worrying that it would only make her more and more unhinged.
He had to do something.
He couldn’t stay quiet.
Ms.
Hollow: [Yes!
That’s right!
File out nicely and quietly!
Oh, and don’t worry.
Camps will be set up a couple of ways away for you guys to stay in!]
Her booming voice sent shivers down anyone’s spine that was within a mile radius.
Rhys’s face twitched.
With only spikes showing up every ten seconds, to now continuous shivers that Wolf could process.
Rhys: What the fuck do I do…?
Do I say something?
What should I do?
She’ll go crazy once she hears about what we found!
But if I say nothing, all these people will most likely die…
His teeth were also chattering in place.
The decision was eating at him in every which way.
Meanwhile Hollow was having her dreams finally come true, without the worry about other people being in her way.
Rhys: [Hey!]
She turned her head towards Rhys.
Ms.
Hollow: [Yes?]
Rhys: [I’m gonna… go find some more people who can’t hear you!
I-if you don’t mind?!]
She could hear his fear spilling out through his own voice.
Thinking it would be better to pretend that nothing had happened.
Ms.
Hollow: [Sure!
That’s your main mission right now, after all!]
He then bolted out of there, with Wolf in tow.
Leaving Hollow to her own work.
Hollow: [Hey!
One of you!]
She floated downward just enough to whisper at the guards that were left.
They all jolted their heads upward in an instant.
Not wanting to end up like Tom.
Hollow: [Go check up on Rhys for me… make sure he’s telling the truth…!]
The guard on the very left nodded their head, just before heading off in the same direction as Rhys.
Maybe he would get some sort of bonus for taking the initiative.
Rhys: Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit!!!
What do I even do!!!
He looked around for a little, with Wolf at his side.
Not yet reaching a conclusion.
Feeling like he should.
Everything felt numb and meaningless right now.
Watching everyone stroll about their day-to-day, not knowing the fact that “Divine’s Wrath” is coming.
He started clawing at his own arms, hoping that the pain would make him forget about his duties. Find the original chapter at g.com.
Then he had another epiphany.
Why should he care about these people’s safety?
They all think of him as a monster or a devil.
Why should he be worried about the lives of people who would treat him like shit either way?
He wanted to run away.
He wanted to forget.
He wanted to live out his life with the only one who truly cared about him.
The only one who is still alive…
???: [Whoa!
Hello!]
A tug at his leg finally sent him back to reality.
Feeling as if his pants were going to rip apart.
The girl looked to be around 5-6 years old.
With her black hair and curious yet mischievous eyes, she stared diggers into his soul.
Her, what seemed to be Mom, with the same brown hair flowing down to her waist, was trying her best to pull this gremlin off Rhys’s leg.
Which was bleeding with her claws of fingernails digging deep into his flesh.
Mom: [C-c’mon Alice!
Let go of the angel for me?!]
She was trying her best not to offend the creature staring directly at her daughter.
Not even noticing the enormous wolf right next to it.
Rhys finally had enough after that and picked up the little girl by the back of her collar.
She kicked and pleaded for it to let her go.
In which he did without another word.
Just not as gently as she would’ve hoped.
Alice: [Agh!]
Her butt plopped onto the stone floor with a tiny thud.
Bouncing up a bit after the first hit, before landing in one piece.
Alice: [What the heck Mister!]
Her eyes were adorable to Rhys, filling his heart with wanted warmth.
Rhys: [You were hurting me first, kid!
What did you expect?]
An uncontrollable smile crept onto his face without his consent.
He didn’t even notice it, though.
Alice: [You look freaky!
Can I draw you?!]
She says with some unexpected enthusiasm.
Rhys didn’t even know how to react to that.
Remembering that guy drawing him secretly in Solsidan.
That one made him feel disgusted.
This time around, it made him feel special.
Rhys: [S-sorry… Alice?
I have something I really need to do right now…]
Just before he could turn away, Alice grabbed onto his leg once more with her tiny hands.
With her being pretty strong compared to her size.
Alice: [Let me draw you mister!
Or…]
She grabbed the pencil that was in her pocket.
Alice: [The doggy gets it!]
She tried to scribble on Wolf prematurely, but she just barked quietly and backed up a bit.
Rhys watched this interaction with nothing but joy in his heart.
Feeling as if he could just forget everything that was going on around him.
Then he got serious.
And who knows what would happen to them.
Who knows…
Rhys: [Y’know what?
Fine.
Just make sure that it looks good for me!]
Alice: [Trust me, Monkey-man!
My dad’s been teaching me!
I’m the best drawer ever!]
She runs off and back into her house.
Probably where her paper and canvas are.
Mom: [I-I’m sorry about her!
She can be really feisty with drawing different people…]
She could barely make eye contact with his beady, terrifying eyes.
Looking like black holes shoved into a socket that can’t fit them properly.
At least she was trying her best to hide it, most likely not wanting to deal with his wrath.
Rhys: [I don’t really mind… What’s your name.]
That question felt really direct.
He also didn’t know why he asked that.
Mom: [Oh!
M-my name’s Melissa!]
They wait in awkward silence.
With Wolf wondering if maybe Rhys was feeling some type of way about her.
I mean, she was pretty attractive for a lady.
But alas, Rhys doesn’t like her like that.
Not in the slightest.
Maybe if she weren’t afraid of him, it would be different.
Rhys: [Do you… both live here or something?]
Melissa: [most of the time!
Her father’s been out with his work in the capital for most of the year.
I honestly wonder what he’s doing over there…]
Rhys could feel a level of sadness emanating from her.
Rhys: [Eh… he’s probably fine… Solsidan seemed pretty safe when I got there…]
Melissa: [Y-yeah… you’re right…]
***
Alice: [ARE YOU READY!
MONKEY-MAN!]
Thankfully, her daughter finally showed back up with her canvas and colours.
Looking like a kid running over to open presents on Christmas Day.
Rhys: [Hey… lady…?]
He leaned in close, frightening her.
Melissa: [Y-yes?!]
Rhys: [Can I talk to you about something while she draws me?]
Melissa: [U-um… sure!
I guess…]
Alice: [HEY!
DON’T IGNORE ME!]
Rhys: [Okay!
Okay!
Jeez I’m ready!]
Maybe these guys are worth saving after all…
Or at least, some of them…