𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒

「 birthday girl 」

chapter twenty eight

「 birthday girl 」

♱

The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.

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TW: mention of rape/grooming

   HERE SHE WAS, again. A sense of familiarity overcoming the girl as she gathered her bearings. Like the few times before, it was oddly quiet. There was not even the sound of the wind that billowed through the rattling sticks. Nothing at all. Just the desolate landscape of skeleton trees and rotting leaves. At one point, the place had clearly been teaming with life but it was now like a dementor had sucked every inch of life from the place. The low winter sun shed a ghostly light on the grounds of which she stood. Though everything was dead, she couldn't help the comfort this place provided her. Even the worst of the known was better than the unknown. Taking a single step forward, a soft crunch of leaves provided some realism to the place as everything fell silent again. And she took another step, the same sound was made again. She could feel the moisture of the morning clawing at her bare feet as white wisps contorted in the air as she let out a shaky breath. Her head spun in every direction, looking for something or someone... They weren't there though. Crack, the sound of movement instantly caught her attention. Trails of white and gold fabric could be seen far away: running from tree to tree. It was a game, one that Eleanor refused to lose. Sometimes stubbornness isn't a curse. Taking one more step, there was a low laugh that came from behind the blonde.

  "Looking for me?" A girl spoke but it was like Eleanor was hearing her from under the water. Cautiously turning around, she was greeted by a hooded figure that was bright green to stand out in the mix of all the grey and brown hues. With trembling pale hand, the figure revealed its skeleton-like face that looked exceptionally healthy compared to the last time Eleanor saw it. That thing wasn't her, she refused to believe such madness. "It's been a while, has it?"

  "Seems like that has been for the best. You look well." The blonde said, condescendingly. A smirk grew on the -not so- skeleton's face. "What is it that you want from me?" Eleanor questioned, hating this retched place that she was so drawn to.

   "Nice to know that you've developed a bit of a backbone since we last spoke. But actually, that's why we're here, isn't it? You finally read the book. Took you long enough. I never thought you were going to read the book, especially when you gave it to that friend of yours. I'm glad he got you to read it. To be honest, I am quite fond of him. He is like us, in more ways than one. Well, now that his only reflection doesn't spook him. You have to feel bad for him." The figure talked to Eleanor as if they'd been friends her whole life and it was beginning to hurt her head. "Anyways. This is about us and our success. Your path has begun. Look at us, we're becoming more alike by the moment and soon we'll be one." She said, hinting for the blond to look down and she did. The backs of her hands were splayed out to her. Cold, greying, and boney; she looked like she was dying.