Allan sat on the last step of the old spiral staircase in the clock tower, his lower lip trapped between his teeth as he scrutinized the two before him.
Horace and Gwen stood opposite each other.
Gwen’s eyes blazed with fury, while Horace wore a calm, unreadable expression.
One wouldn’t guess he had just been in a fight if not for the harsh burns and open wounds Gwen had inflicted on him.
Gwen herself bore no physical injuries, having healed them already, but the same couldn’t be said about her internal strength.
It was clearly depleted from battling the revenant.
“What in hell got into the both of you?” Allan demanded, looking genuinely confused.
“It w—”
“Gwen just doesn’t know how to stay out of other people’s business,” Horace said sharply, cutting her off, fully aware it was one of the things she hated most.
The remark only infuriated Gwen further.
“Someone else’s business?!” she snapped.
“You’re the one poking your nose into my business!”
“From what I know,” Horace said, finally turning to face her, “tonight was supposed to be a special one for June and me. But you ruined it.”
“You were going to turn her into something she isn’t!” Gwen shot back.
“You’re such a hypocrite.”
Palming his face, Allan sighed.
“Gwen, Horace wasn’t going to let her lose herself completely.”
He paused, studying her face and watching confusion replace some of the anger.
“I felt something off about her,” Allan continued quietly, “and I wanted to confirm it.”
“I don’t understand…” Gwen muttered.
“I got Horace to do it for me,” Allan replied simply.
The revelation made Gwen laugh bitterly before her expression hardened.
“So you’re the one I should be mad at?”
“Firstly, things were supposed to go smoothly, but your interruption complicated everything. Secondly, I don’t think so. I should be the one upset with you.”
“I—”
Allan cut her off.
“Why would you do something as reckless as that? She’s supposed to be dead.”
“But she’s not!” Gwen fired back.
“She’s not dead. She’s alive. She’s normal.”
Her voice trembled, foreign emotions surfacing in her eyes.
“It’s whether she’s alive in her own body or sharing it with another spirit,” Allan countered calmly.
“You intentionally picked one from here because you knew it’d be bound to this clock tower and would never be able to hurt or fully use her.”
Gwen’s face twisted as though she were struggling to hold back words she shouldn’t say.
Allan’s gaze darkened.
“Sometimes it’s better to let things happen the way they were meant to.”
His voice remained calm.
“I should put her to rest, just like it was supposed to happen years ago.”
“No. Don’t do that!”
Gwen rushed forward, blocking his path up the stairs.
“Allan… don’t.”
“Why shouldn’t I?” he asked.
“I’m sure somewhere, she’s not at rest. And you know it.”
“But she’s also happy. You know she’s the one person who actually means a lot to me.”
“Ouch,” Horace commented, sitting beside Allan on the stairs, clearly enjoying Gwen’s predicament.
“That doesn’t mean you should defy fate,” Allan added.
“Allan, just leave her. P-p…”
Gwen shut her eyes and took a deep breath.
She hated pleading.
“Just say it,” Horace chimed in.
“It’s only a six-letter word.”
“Allan…” she called, shooting Horace a murderous glare.
“…please.”
The word came out raw, shattering her pride.
“What the—” Horace blinked.
“Gwen, I didn’t know you were capable of such magical words.”
A faint smile appeared on Allan’s lips, though she couldn’t see it.
“It sounded more like you were pleading to Horace than to me,” Allan commented.
“Just let her be!” Gwen half-yelled.
They were both enjoying this.
She knew it.
“She hasn’t caused any trouble. It’s as if the spirit isn’t even there. At least… consider our friendship.”
Allan stared at her for a long moment before finally nodding.
“Fine. But if she makes even one slip-up, you know what will happen.”
A rare smile appeared on Gwen’s face.
“But,” Allan added, “make sure she doesn’t remember seeing you or Horace in your true forms. Or the clock tower.”
“And…” He tilted his head slightly, amusement dancing in his eyes.
“What?” Gwen asked.
“This is for both of you.”
His gaze shifted between Gwen and Horace.
“Someone who wasn’t supposed to saw you both in your true forms.”
“Fuck!” Horace exclaimed.
“Who was it? Gwen, weren’t others supposed to be unable to find this place?”
“They weren’t. There’s probably nothing to worry about,” Gwen replied nonchalantly, folding her arms.
“He probably took care of it.”
“Actually…” Allan said casually.
“I didn’t.”
Their eyes widened. Get faster updates on g.com.
“What are you saying?!” Gwen demanded.
“I didn’t see the need. Rest assured, the person may or may not do anything about it.”
“May?!” they both exclaimed.
But Allan simply stood up and walked out of the tower, leaving the two of them staring after him.
Several minutes passed before Horace finally spoke.
“I wonder who it is.”
“I don’t care,” Gwen replied as she started climbing the stairs.
Horace walked toward the entrance before suddenly stopping.
“Oh!” he exclaimed, turning back.
“Could you also erase her memory of ever meeting me?”
“Why should I?”
Gwen frowned.
“I thought she was pretty. Cute too. Oh, and she blushes a lot.” She stated, using his own words
Horace smirked.
“Honestly, she is.”
Gwen’s scowl deepened as she turned to him from the stairs.
“But I prefer a short-tempered and stubborn girl who hates saying the word ‘please.'”
His grin widened.
“And if you’re done, meet me.”
“Why the fuck would I do that?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” he asked as though she were insane.
“I can’t go back looking like I was attacked by a wild cat. Not to mention the burns.”
“You’re saying I should heal you?”
“Points.”
Rolling her eyes, Gwen continued up the stairs toward June, though a faint smile tugged at her lips.
“Also, be extra gentle with me!” Horace called after her.
“You’re out of your mind!” she yelled back.
“Are you really going to let her leave like that?” Horace asked as he stepped beside Allan outside the tower.
“Yes,” Allan replied flatly.
“Yes?” Horace repeated.
“Why?”
“Aren’t you supposed to care about Gwen?” Allan asked.
“She clearly said June means a lot to her.”
“I do. I’m just curious.”
Allan’s voice carried a tone of finality.
“Let’s call it a trade for sparing the person who saw the two of you in your true forms.”