Ive stayed in the infirmary with Rory for the past week. He's mostly been asleep, and only wakes up to use the bathroom or eat. He's been staying up a lot longer and a lot more lately, so the nurses say he can leave soon. No one has seen or heard from Caine since the incident. I couldn't help but feel terrible for what I did, but he took it too far. Every night, while I was by Rory's side I thought about Caine comforting me in every way he could. Even when Rory could see us.
Rory woke up, I straightened my posture immediately. "Hey Vinnie." he closed his eyes, placing his hand on his forehead. "Hey Rory." I smiled, placing my chin on his bed, looking to him. His eyes opened again, looking at me. His hand moved from his head to mine as he played with my hair. "How are you feeling?" I smiled softly. "Better. Thanks for staying here." he said quietly. "Of course, Rory. Im sorry I put you through this." I frowned. "Don't blame yourself, Okay Vinnie?". I nodded my head slightly. He began getting up, I dont know if i feel that since he's like this because of me that I have to make sure he doesn't get hurt any more. Or that I just naturally have that instinct. "Rory, what are you doing?" I scooted out of my chair, walking to help Rory. "Calm down," he winced "I just have to pee.". I sighed. "Fine, only because you need to get you're strength up.". I made sure he made it to the bathroom, then wrote a note saying i'd be out for a little while.
Veronica told me her and Cristal were picking berries again today, and I really needed to see Veronica. Shes been the one I can run to lately even though shes the princess. But to be honest, I haven't been into town for a while. Veronicas already there, Rory isn't much help right now. Caine. I paused. Shit, I need to find Mae.
I asked around the castle for Mae's room number, until finally someone knew it. When I reached the door, I hesitated for a split second before knocking. I took a breath in, and breathed it out. The door opened with Mae poking her head out, she smiled awkwardly pulling the door opened. "Hey Vinnie. Whats up?" I cleared my throat "Uh, so. Do you think you'd be up to going into town with me? I need someone to guide me to the berry field.". She made a few unruly faces before accepting. She sighed "Yeah, okay. I don't have anything better to do." She walked back into her room, grabbing her shoes before walking back out, closing her door.
We started to walk down the trail towards the village, awkwardly side by side. She had brought an assortment of snacks and began eating them. I couldn't help but stare. Since Rory's been hurt i've only eaten a singular apple. Theres just been more to worry about than my hunger so I haven't cared too much about it. She saw me staring, but didn't make it obvious that she saw until she spoke up. "Want some? I know you haven't eaten too much recently." she held the bag out. I looked at the bag, then to her, then back to the bag. Hesitantly, I grabbed an apple. "Awe come on, you can eat more than apples. Open your mouth." she stopped walking. "What?" I stopped. "Open your mouth." "Uhm, okay?" I opened my mouth slightly. "More." I knitted my eyebrows, opening my mouth more. She continued to try and throw pieces if candy into my mouth. She missed the first two, but finally made the third shot. "Haha, third times the charm." she continued walking. I started to walk as well, thinking about what she had said. "Do you think someone would give you three chances? Like if you fucked up two times, would they stick with you for the third?". She looked to me, then back to the trail. "I think it depends on the person. If they're good, they'll wait to find out if theres going to be a fifth. But everyone fucks up, its what makes up human. Its what makes us, us." she shrugged. "What about Rory." I asked quietly yet she still heard me. "I don't know him like you, but I think that he'll stick with you even if it reaches a hundred. You're special to him, you matter, you're his world. But apparently you're Caines world as well." she elbowed my arm. "Too soon." "Yup.". For the rest of the walk we walked in comfortable silence.
When we reached the berry farm I immediately saw Veronica. "Can you wait here? Ill be right back.". She nodded, sitting down and drawing in the dirt. "Veronica!" I ran to her, hugging her. "Hey Cristal." I said awkwardly. "Hey Vinnie. Whats up?" "I need you to come hang out with me and Mae." I smiled awkwardly. "Rory made me realize I needed to get out for a day. I just need you right now." I shrugged awkwardly. She looked behind her to Cristal. "If you leave, this is never happening again." Cristal said, a sassy tone in her voice. Veronica looked to me, smiling. She took my arm and began walking towards Mae. "WERE OVER, WHATEVER WE HAD IS GONE NOW!" She screamed, "You didn't have to do that Veronica." "I don't need a toxic person that makes me choose between a relationship and mental health in my life." she shrugged. "What if she tells you're dad?" I asked, feeling guilty. "Like she will, and if she does. What is he going to do? Behead me?" just then one of the workers at the berry farm came up to us. "Hi folks! Can I help you with anything?" she smiled kindly. Veronica froze, her mouth slightly open. I looked to Veronica and smirked "Yeah, can you save a spot for my friend here?" I grabbed Veronicas shoulders. "Sure, what time?" I looked to Veronica again. "Three. Yeah?" Veronica nodded "Whats you're name?" she looked to Veronica. "Uh, Veronica." She stuttered. "Very pretty." She smiled, looking down at a piece of paper. "Okay, see you tomorrow Veronica." "You too, uh." "Delaney." "Delaney." "Okay, thanks Delaney, we'll be going now."
"So whats up." Veronica asked as we were walking through the woods once again. "I cant stop thinking about Caine. Or Rory. Im just honestly having a huge crisis right now and all I can do it think." I hear Veronica hum in thought "Well, why don't we go see Caine?" I scoff "Are you crazy? Do you want us to get killed?!" I looked to Mae who was munching on some snacks "Oh uh," she swallowed "Yeah, I think it would be a good idea to at least give him a chance. I get he's killed lots of people in our kingdom and all. But I can truly relate to a parent undermining you. That shit hurts, hits you deep down." I never really thought about it before, my parents had been so great and kind to me before they died. I guess I never thought that parents could truly do something like that. I sighed "Fine, but i'm going to the castle alone." Mae choked and Veronica had stopped walking. "Wait your going to his kingdom?" I sighed "I gotta talk to him right? Ill hopefully see you guys later." I began to run toward his side of the forest, before they had a chance to react. I had just hoped that they would get anyone to come looking for me to stop me. I need to talk to him.
And as I stood in front if the large, dark castle. I couldn't help but get nervous. This is going to be a long day.
