Someone Else (FINALE)

Its neck jerks and twists around, while spreading its arms out as if facing crucifixion. Resembling something closer to a scarecrow in a dark field, as it makes a clicking sound with its throat.

“You’re more troublesome than I anticipated…” Oppix says while taking a step back into a kneel. “Knights of the Forest-”

Help Misssssterrrr…

Swathes of black mist spew from its back, filling the room like a tsunami. Many of the soldiers drop their guns and run away, screaming at the sight of the encroaching mist, but it’s no use. One after the other, each of them are enveloped by the darkness; silencing their cries for mercy. I pull Valerie closer and grab hold of Arisa’s hand, as the mist surrounds us.

…

Opening my eyes, I’m once again met with the black abyss. The scene of Oppix and her soldiers standing against that beast is now gone, or at the very least shrouded within this seemingly endless darkness. As for what is happening to them…does it really matter?

It’s strange, I was so scared just a moment ago, but now…

“I feel…nothing.”

I look to my right, only to find Valerie crying. She’s the reason I’m here in the first place, right? But why is she crying? Am I supposed to do something?

I check my left, and I find Arisa lying on the floor. Her breathing seems slow. Is she injured? How did that happen?

…

Wait…they both need my help. But how can I-

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a glimmer of light coming from my pocket. Reaching inside, I take out the shimmering object.

“It’s my ID card.”

The same ID Jonathon gave me when coming here, but why is it glowing? And this feeling…

“It's compelling me to use it…” I mouth while motioning the card forwards with a downwards swipe midair.

Click!

…

“Hey…”

…

“Hey let me…”

…

“Let me go!”

With a gasp, I open my eyes to a starry sky. The faint sound of crickets fills my ears, as I realize that I’m lying down in a wide open field. Digging my fingers between each blade of grass, I grab a tuft of grass while sitting up. There’s a group of people standing in the distance, but I can’t make out their faces. That is until one of them runs up to me.

“Are you okay?” asks a young man, as he approaches me.

“Yeah, I think so. Who are y-”

“I said let go of me!” shouts a young woman from the group ahead.

That voice…

“And after all I went through to save you, this is the thanks I get?” says another man, his voice sounding even more familiar. “Melvin, is he finally awake?”

“Yes, Mr.Peak.” answers the young man standing next to me, as puts his hand out to help me up on my feet. Did he say Mr.Peak?

At a glance, I can tell that Melvin looks just as nervous as I feel. From the fidgeting with the hair behind his elven ears, to his wide-eyed expression, it’s obvious that he’s wary for some reason. I just tend to hide it better.

“Well done Spencer, You made it back in one piece!” says the well-dressed man walking towards me while clapping his hands. “I hope you didn't run into any trouble.”

“It is you…” I say, glaring at his smirk.

“Funny, you don’t look so happy to see me. Perhaps you ran into some trouble during your tenure with the professor?” Jonathan asks.

“Oh it was more than just ‘trouble’, I can’t count how many times I almost died!” I yell with a step towards the smug looking man. “You sent me there just to die, didn’t you!?”

“To the contrary, no I didn’t. I was telling you the truth when I said that I believed that you were the only one capable of finishing this task, though I will admit. I did expect you to come back in worse shape than you are now…” He says with a nod, before putting his gloved hand forward. “Good work.”

“G-good w-work…” I mumble, my entire body now shaking. “What do you mean ‘Good work’?! Good work my ass!”

I rush towards him, but Melvin grabs hold of my waist and holds me back. I try wiggling out of his tight embrace, but he’s a lot stronger than I expected..

“Dammit, Let go of me!” I yell.

“Please calm down Mr.Cross! Ow!” Melvin shouts, taking my elbow to the face. “Mr.Peak is truly thankful for your help, believe me!”

“Why should I believe anything you people are saying!? You didn’t even tell me who the target was!”

“And yet you still found her.” Jonathan says with a grin, gesturing towards the angered young woman. “Thank you for receiving my troublesome younger sister.”

“As if I would be related to someone like you, I’m not your sister!” She shouts while attempting to yank herself away from the buff elven man. Yet another musclebound elf…wait. That dress.

“Arisa!” I shout.

“Alan, You know this guy right? Tell him to let me go!”

Jonathan sighs. “Damn that professor…I’ll get back at her for messing with your head, but until then…”

“What do you mean? The professor would nev-” Arisa manages to say before taking a chop to the back of her neck.

“Arisa!”

Just as shocked himself, Melvin releases me, allowing me to rush towards the man still holding her by the arm. And while kicking up the soft dirt with each step, only now do I recognize who that man is.

“Oh, I've been waiting for this!” The man laughs, as he swings his fist at my head. I raise my forearms and block his fist, reducing what could have been a knockout to a stumble.

“Ooo, you’re not as much of a weakling as I thought you were. Where did you learn to take a hit, huh?” He laughs.

He’s the same driver who dropped me off at the facility. I remember he was throwing me shifty looks the entire time we were on the way there, but I never thought he would outright try to hurt me. Although, Jonathan did mention before that he lacks restraint most of the time.

“A lot happened after you dropped me off at that gate. Enough to make me realize how foolish I was!”

“Oh, really? So the coward finally realizes how much of a coward he is! Well isn’t that great news, right Jonathan!?” The driver says with a boisterous laugh.

“Heh, well I also learned something else…”

The smile on the driver's face disappears. My defiance bursting his bubble.

“Yeah…” I say with a nod. “Yeah, compared to the hell I just went through, I don’t know why I was scared of you, or that bastard Terry in the first place! Your punch didn’t even compare to the beatdown she gave me, and she’s a girl!”

The driver groans. “What was that!?”

“Enough.” Jonathan says, placing his hand on our shoulders. “Edgar, I understand that you still despise Mr.Cross here for his actions, but he has fulfilled his end of our bargain.”

“I refuse to apologize! Any man who allows children to be taken against their will, is just as worse as the scum who took them.”

“I agree.” Jonathan says to me with a glance. “However, there are some of us who are compelled to abide by their own circumstance, even if it means going against their own morals. If he were not born a human, he would have rebelled against his role as the ‘oppressed’.”

“But…” Edgar says, while gritting his teeth with his fist still clenched.

“I don’t expect you to empathize with him fully…” Jonathan says, closing his eyes for a moment. “But do understand that not everyone starts out with the best circumstances. Some even have to work harder to prove themselves, which is exactly what he has done by saving my dear sister.”

Edgar lowers his shoulders with a nod, before taking a deep breath. He still shoots me a glare, but his expression is calmer.

“I apologize, Mr.Cross.”

“Thank you…” I say to him, before looking at Jonathan.

“And you Spencer, I never took you for a risk taker. What happened during your trip?” Jonathan asks with a raise of his brow.

“Well I…” I answer, but then realize that I’m missing something very important. No, someone very important.

Taking a step back, I look at the wide open field surrounding me. Shifting my head and darting my eyes, looking for any sign of her.

“Valerie, Where is she!?” I shout, my hands now shaking. “Valerie!”

Jonathan looks at Edgar and he nods.

“Do you mean the young girl over there?” Jonathan says with a point of his finger.

Looking in that direction, I see Valerie laying down in the grass. And without a second thought, I began running towards her. The wave of relief rushing through my entire body carries me forth, while my heartbeat quickens with bated breath.

“Valerie, are you okay!?” I shout before throwing myself to the ground beside her.

Nudging her a bit, she opens her eyes with a moan. She looks around and blinks for a moment, before then looking at me.

“Spencer?” She says meekly, her eyes focusing on me.

“Oh thank goodness you're okay!” I say to her, pulling her closer with my embrace.

If what Jonathan said is true, then Arisa was his actual target. But if that's the case, then what does that mean for Valerie? I shudder at the thought of her being abandoned again, but why did it take me so long to realize that she wasn’t at my side. Maybe I really am a horrible person.

…not everyone starts out with the best circumstances. Some even have to work harder to prove themselves…

No, Jonathan is right. As a human, what could I have done to stand against Terry? I could've ended up in a situation similar to those who were captured, or maybe something worse. But that all could’ve happened to the old me. I’ve been given a new life, and with that new life I’ve saved this lost android girl by standing against The First Elf. That alone should be enough to right my wrongs, but I’m just getting started. Because I’m gonna take her in as my own and give her the love she deserves.

“Spencer, where are we?” Valerie asks.

“You’re in Humanity.” Jonathan interrupts, walking over to the two of us. “I suspect you were one of her experiments.”

I look at Jonathan. “How did you know?”

“I’ve been doing my own investigation on Cynthia Oppix. But she is a rather slippery one, which is why she’s been able to run her trafficking ring for so long. The same one your associate got himself caught up in.” Jonathan explains, before pointing his phone towards me.

On the screen is a news broadcast, one concerning developments related to the Subterranean Soirée. The headline reads in bold red letters, “Terry Invertebrax Found Guilty of Racketeering and Trafficking”. Looking at the snot and tears running down his sniveling face on his mugshot, I almost want to kick myself for being afraid of this guy.

“As you can tell from his…ahem…less than calm disposition, he too was a pawn in her game. But as you already know, his role was far higher on the totem pole.” Jonathan explains, pointing up in the air. “Police recovered over a hundred children, ages ranging from as low as five to as high as fourteen from throughout the city of Good Faith. But given how widespread her influence is, it's believed that this is just a fraction of her operation. It’s honestly sickening.”

“Five hundred…” I say in awe, glancing at Valerie's face.

Jonathan crosses his arms with a nod. “Yes, but what’s worrying is that before you arrived here, the number was far lower.”

“What do you mean?”

Melvin walks over to us. “If I may Mr.Peak…”

Jonathan nods as Melvin continues.

“The reason we needed you to receive Ms.Arisa is because Mr.Peak sent her to that era to investigate. She was communicating with us on a regular basis, until she suddenly stopped…”

“Wait! Wait! What do you mean by ‘era’?” I ask, looking at the two of them. Melvin glances at Jonathan, looking almost surprised.

“Remember the ID I gave you? It attaches your existence to a person's identity. As far as I was told, Alan Clover was supposed to be a scientist at that lab, but he ended up dying forty years ago in that maze-like city before he could even work a day in his life. Luckily for you, the maze favored you, just like Asira.”

“You mean to tell me that I was impersonating a dead man!?”

Jonathan shrugs his shoulders. “That’s what I was told.”

“Are you saying that you don't even understand how it works? What if I failed? Then what would you have done?”

“Well, for a lack of a better word, Asira would have been screwed. But considering how much the professor brainwashed her, I’m at least sure that she still would have been alive in the present. As you probably noticed, My little sister is rather capable after all.” Jonathan says with a sigh, almost like he’s praising her.

“Couldn’t you have just gotten another one? You did say it was given to you, right?” I ask, noticing the furrow in his brow.

I know I should be a bit more surprised by the fact that I just time traveled, but the more I ask, the more questions I have. I know that the world has been known to bring out strange phenomena, but time travel is something I never thought could be possible. The implications are endless.

“I can’t, because the person who gave it to me is someone I’ve never met face-to-face.” Jonathan says, glancing at Melvin.

“Mr.Peak often has these…visions.” Melvin says, sounding a bit unsure himself.

“Visions?” I ask.

“It’s not a pressing matter, so I won’t go into it.” Jonathan insists, before pointing in the distance behind him. “Just know that your involvement with that facility in the past has somehow caused her actions to change.”

Looking in the direction he’s pointing, I notice a huge dark wall in the distance. It’s a bit hard to see since it’s nighttime, but even I can tell what it used to be. Both the shrine gate and the walls surrounding the perimeter are now burnt to ruin, but it’s the town that held the facility. And while I can’t get a good look at the massive courtyard from here, I assume that everything past those looming walls likely looks the same.

Jonathan continues. “Because based on what I heard from the investigation just a few hours ago, the projected number of victims related to Terry were around twenty or so.”

“Why would she…wait.” I say to myself, remembering that look on Oppix’s face. The smile she had when fighting the beast.

I suppose my idea of ‘interesting’ is a lot different from yours.

I guess you are worth my time…

Haha! My hypothesis was correct, you’re able to handle yourself against my dear Arisa!

This is magnificent!

No, that can't be…but that has to be the reason. Oppix did have an express interest in Valerie's capabilities, which is why she was so overjoyed when her research bore fruit. She was never able to achieve results for such a long time; that was until I came in. Without my involvement, Valerie would have probably wasted away in that facility, which I assume is what happened to her before I was sent there. But by caring for Valerie's wellbeing, Oppix was finally able to see her true potential. Resulting in what she believed to be something interesting.

However, the young android girl now in my arms, it makes sense that her discovery didn't go much further than just that. A discovery. So if I had to guess, considering how excited she was, losing Valerie must have been a considerable loss for her. And since she found Valerie amidst the remains of the androids, she is now attempting a similar method of procuring subjects. By kidnapping as many children as possible.

“Oh no…” I mutter to myself, starting to feel dizzy.

Jonathan puts his phone in his back pocket. “I understand how you may be feeling, but don’t beat yourself over it. I’m the one who put you up to this entire operation.”

“Spencer?” Valerie says, as I let her go. My head is spinning now.

My stomach starts churning at the realization of what my involvement has done to the present. I instinctively start holding my stomach, as the sensation in my throat burns.

No! No! No! No! No! No! No!

Like a broken record held on repeat, my feelings of guilt are nearing its height. Despite Jonathan reminding me that this entire mission was his idea, I still can’t forgive myself. No amount of reasoning can stave off this guilt, because I’m the one that brought Valerie here. If I knew to just bring Asira back with me…No, but then Valerie would have never been free. I needed to free her, I needed to justify this second chance I was given with a act of goodwill, but it caused…it caused…it cau-

“Braaaagh! Huuuurgh!”

“Oh boy…” Edgar says, sounding like he feels sorry for me, as I continue to retch up my insides on the grass.

I continue this for what feels like an eternity, until the pit of my stomach is strained. And while the contents of my stomach are now empty, my conscience isn’t. Because it’s my fault that more children are getting hurt.

“Mister, are you okay?” Valerie asks.

The moment she places her small hand on my back, I look up at her. She looks like she’s on the verge of tears. The corners of her lip are now quivering, as if she’s bearing some of my pain, which makes me feel even worse. She shouldn’t see this side of me. This is still my second chance at life afterall.

“Uh, Mr.Cross, while I won’t be able to fully understand what you’ve gone through, just know that we’re a team now.” Melvin says, reaching his hand out towards me. “From this point onward, we’re in this together! Right, Mr.Peak?”

“That’s a bit of an awkward way of putting it, but I agree.” Jonathan says with a nod.

The two of them stare at me, with Edgar showing his approval just the same with a smile. Still carrying the unconscious Asira under his arm like a sack of potatoes. My feelings of guilt remain the same, but their offer is still tempting.

While the prospect of catching Oppix seems akin to boxing with shadows, they do seem determined to bring her to justice. And when I think about it, if there’s one way to make up for my actions, I can spend my second chance at life searching for her.

“Thank you guys.” I say to them, accepting that this will be my mission from this point forth. “...”

But then there’s a tug on my shirt.

“No…” Valerie mutters, looking at them with tears trickling down her face.

“Valerie, what’s-” I say before noticing her dilating pupils. “No, Valerie, wait!”

Help Mister…

Traces of that black mist appear beside me, as Valerie wraps her arms around me. Hearing the guttural noises coming from its throat, I look behind me and notice its claw reaching out from a crack forming midair. The three men run back, as its other claw pry’s apart the crack, revealing the rest of its slender figure.

“So you're the reason for the professor's change in behavior. You're the one that got away…” Jonathan says while taking off his black gloves.

“Bunny!” Valerie shouts, causing the beast to howl it’s hollow tune.

“Edgar, I need you to step back. That’s my sister you’re holding.” Jonathan says, prompting the driver to run from the situation. “Melvin, see if you can restrain it.”

“Yes!” Melvin says, putting out his hand. “Knights of the Forest: Rallying Roots!”

A collection of roots shoot up from the ground, wrapping themselves around the beast. It bellows and cries, as it struggles to yank away from the roots tightening around it’s arms and legs.

I turn back to Valerie. “Hey Hey, its okay now, you’re fine. They’re the good guys.”

“But you were crying, they were gonna hurt you Mister!” Valerie says, wiping away her tears with her palms.

“No they weren’t, they are-”

As the words are about to escape my mouth, I notice that the roots wrapped around the beast start to loosen and fall to the grass.

“Mr.Peak, I don’t why, but my influence on the roots are waning!” Melvin shouts, his fingers gripping at the air. “I don’t think I can hold this thing much longer…”

“Is that so…” Jonathan says, before staring at his palm.

After the remaining roots fall to the ground, the beast rushes forwards like a prey animal on all fours. Melvin waves his arms around, calling more roots to the surface, yet all of them unfasten themselves the moment it touches it. Leaving nothing to stop the beast in its path.

But as it gets closer, Jonathan steps towards it.

“No, you have to get away from that thing!” I yell at the top of my lungs, hoping that he can hear my cries over the sounds of that creature. That monster killed numerous guards in an instant and was even able to stand against that professor. There’s no way any of us will be able to stop it.

However, despite my warnings, Jonathan reaches his hand out towards the beast. Its razor sharp talons and sabatons rip through the dirt, until it’s just a few inches away from the two of them. And that’s when Jonathan touches it’s head.

Flow…

In an instant, the beast is reduced to a splash of water. Leaving behind a morning dew that glistens from the light of the moon.

“What the…” I say, staring at Jonathan reaching into his pocket.

“I know you have questions, but asking them here would be a waste of time…” He says, fitting the glove back on his hand. “Because I have plenty for you as well.”

Jack the Ripper…Murderer…

I hear the beast's voice resonate around me, as the water pools towards me and Valerie and I, forming the stuffed pink bunny it is. Valerie slumps over in my arms and passes out. I hear her still breathing, so I assume she’s just exhausted.

Jonathan scoffs. “Yup and now I have another one.”

While standing up, I hear a car honking in the distance. I assume it’s Edgar, given Jonathan and Melvin have started walking towards the black van. Left with Valerie in my arms, I make sure to pick up the stuffed bunny from the grass, and just like before, it looks just as ordinary as one would expect. To think something like this could turn into such a horror. I’m just glad that it’s on our side.

“Spencer.” Jonathan says while looking over his shoulder. “The path forward is gonna be rough for all of us. But at least you have someone else looking out for you, not everyone is so lucky. But with your string of bad luck, I suppose it’s well deserved.”

I nod to him, still following behind him on our walk to the car. As for where they are taking me and where I might end up, I don’t know. But what I know for certain, is that while I may be human, I still have room to change like everyone else.