Episode 2

Armina’s POV

I thought it was awkward when Jester randomly lifted my hand and just stared at it. “Oh, I’m sorry! It’s just… you look a lot like me. Your bangs cover your eyes, you wear all black, your sleeves overlap your hands, long black fingernails, and a ring on your index finger.” He said tapping my dragon ring when he said ‘ring on your left index finger.’ “No harm done. I hadn’t realized we looked similar until now.” I confessed. He gave me a toothy smile then laughed. After we walked out, Jester pulled me into a hug. I tensed up for a moment, I’m not used to hugs. Jester considers me a friend. Why would he want to befriend me? Everybody hates me. He gently grabbed my hands and kissed the top. “I do hope we meet again soon.” he said with a grin. We parted ways “Bye, Jester.” I called out then disappeared into the night. I walked back to the graveyard and climbed a dead tree in the center of the cemetery. I pulled my hood over my face and rested my head on the tree. It was very cold even with this really huge hoodie. The inside is softer than silk but I’m still freezing. I took off my back pack and used it as a blanket. It wasn’t much, but it helped a little. Sleep finally took over.

The morning soon came, and I awoke with a gasp. I had almost forgotten where I was. I thought everything from before was a dream. Guess not, I sighed in delight knowing I won’t have to face my life in my world. I climbed down off the tree and found some abandoned shed. “I’ll just stay here.” I said to myself. I opened it up and looked around. Not too bad, cobwebs, broken glass, a total mess. It looks just like my room! Well, besides the broken glass. I looked for anything I could sleep on, In the corner of the room a small tan couch. Perfect. I set my backpack down, plopped down on the couch, and pulled a can of DEW MNT and a back of strawberry licorice. “Here’s to a new home.” I said in a sarcastic tone while holding up my DEW MNT then gulping it down. “Maybe I can get a job and fix the place up.” I said to myself. I paced around until I got bored. I walked back to the couch and pulled out my laptop, which for some reason still works in this world. I started searching for movies to watch for the time being.

I settled for the horror movie Cryptic, next Corpses Grin, later Devil’s Destination. I was lost in horror movies. The day went by so fast, that when I looked outside and saw it was already dark outside. “Oooh! Midnight stroll!” I cheered. I grabbed my backpack, stood up and raced outside. I walked up the hill I had fallen from. I can actually see really well in the dark. Something sharp poked my shoe. I looked down and saw my razor. The one I had dropped earlier. I picked it up and stuffed it back inside my hoodie pocket. I ran back down the hill and strolled throughout the rest of the cemetery. I then remembered my cell phone. I haven’t checked it since I came here. I pulled it out and saw that I had 45 voicemails and 6 text messages. All the voicemails were from my dad asking where I was. Then I looked at the texts. Five were from Rhoan.

“Hey, where are you?”

“Armina, you missed the bus.”

“Why won’t you answer me?”

“Dad’s getting worried/pissed.”

“WHERE ARE YOU???????!!!!!! PLEASE ANSWER ME I’M WORRIED SICK”

I sighed. I don’t know how to get home. I saw that I had one last text. From a random number.

“Hey, why’d ya run away? You’re such a freak! If you bother to show your face or come within 300 feet of my boyfriend I’ll kill you! I’ll lock you in the janitors closet and leave you to starve to death! I’ll grab you by the hair and chop it all off! Anything to hurt you! Piece of crap!”

I know it was from Tia. I don’t need a name on the contact. I locked my phone and stuffed it back into my pocket. Tears bursting out of my eyes. I reached into my hoodie pocket and gripped the razor. I held out my left arm and sliced my wrist. I cut down so deep that I got dizzy. I just kept cutting until I was an inch away from passing out. I fell to my knees and gripped a tombstone before everything went black. But right before I was completely out I felt myself being lifted off the ground.

Jester’s POV

It was my favorite time, Midnight. There was a full moon tonight. My favorite time to take a little midnight stroll in the cemetery. Heh heh. I happily walked to the cemetery taking in the resting grounds of the fallen. I ran my fingers over a few tombstones. Then I got to one that has a warm liquid substance. I dabbed it then put my finger to my nose. Blood. I looked down at the tombstone and saw more blood. I could smell it more too. I looked around and saw a person behind the tombstone. They were laying on their stomach. I flipped them over and if I had a heart, it would skip a beat. It was Armina! I saw a razor in her right hand and saw a massive cut in her left wrist. She did this to herself?! I quickly cleaned the blood off the tombstone, so people would not panic and call a guard. I then lifted her into my arms and raced back to my shop and laid her down on a closed coffin. I took out a suitcase full of medical supplies. I cleaned off the blood on her wrist but it still gushed blood. I took a closer look and saw that she had cut a vein in her wrist. I lit a match and burned the veins together to stop the rapid bleeding. I then took some disinfectant and poured a little amount into her wound. I finally stitched the wound shut. I gently placed a finger on Armina’s neck to check for a pulse. I sighed in relief when I felt her pulse working. I walked over to the other side of her.

“Hmp, such a coward. I don’t know why you would try to escape your fate. If you have a problem then face it. You were too scared to fight for yourself. How… pathetic.” I said out loud.

“If I’m so pathetic then why didn’t you let me die? If you hate me then why did you save me?!” I heard Armina’s small voice say. I was a tad startled but glad that she woke up. “I don’t hate you. I just think that suicide is an easy way out. If you’re a coward. Whatever it is that troubles you, you ran away from it. You almost made the biggest mistake of your life. I actually thought you were gone. I couldn’t let you die. No, I will find those who hurt you so much and kill them.” I explained.

Little Maroon sat up and turned her head to me. I walked over and sat next to her. I saw tears streaming down her face. I wiped them away with my sleeves. “Please, promise me that you won’t try that again.” I said. She hesitated for a second then nodded. I wrapped my arms around her and let her embrace me. She was tense for a moment but then she hugged back. I stroked her hair again. I held her close to me until she calmed down. I looked down at her. My arms still wrapped around her. I smiled at her when she looked up at me. “Tired, Little Maroon? Why don’t I walk you home?” I offered. “I don’t - I don’t have one. I-I do but… I don’t know my way back.” She replied. That’s right, she’s from the future and I don’t think there’s a way back. I thought for a moment then I got an idea. “Wanna stay with me then? I could use the company. I do get lonely around here.” I offered. “Really?” She asked. I smiled down at her and nodded. She gave me a crooked smile and hugged me.

“I’m taking that as a yes, heh heh.” I giggled. “May I ask you a question?” She asked. “Of course!” I replied. Why are you being nice to me?” She asked. “Because you’re my friend! And even though we just met yesterday, I really care about you!” I exclaimed. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.” she began, “In fact, you’re my only friend. Nobody’s ever been nice to me. Except my dad and my older brother but they don’t count because they’re family. Everybody else hates me.” said Armina. Poor girl. I really feel bad for her. I don’t know why, but I feel like I should always stay by her side and protect her. There’s something about her. She’s not like other humans. She’s different, and I like it. I can’t really explain it right now.

Armina’s POV

Later that evening, Jester led me to a bedroom upstairs. “I’m afraid I don’t have an extra bed. We’ll just share mine.” Jester said. I looked around and all I saw were a few coffins. I saw one far off at the end of the room. It was much larger than the other coffins. I’m assuming that’s his bed. He walked over to the larger coffin and removed the top. He removed his sash and boots before he crawled in. He scooted all the way over leaving an open space for me. I sat on the floor and took off my shoes and set my backpack down. I got in and laid down facing away from him to make things seem less awkward. The coffin was really soft. I didn’t even need a pillow. However there were no blankets. Even with my gigantic hoodie I was still cold. I closed my eyes and tried to keep myself warm. That failed and I shivered a tiny bit, just then I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist. It was Jester; he wrapped his arms around  my waist until both of his hands met at my stomach and his finger laced with each other pulling me into him.

Good golly this was the most awkward feeling ever! However I didn’t complain or pull away. He was warm and as long as he’s keeping me warm and not trying anything funny, I could really care less. “Good night, Little Maroon.” Jester hummed. He then kissed the back of my head giving me goosebumps. I’m not sure why but it felt good. It felt right and I liked it. OH GOSH WHAT AM I THINKING?!! Ugh, anyways… “Good night, Jester.” I muttered. He reached up and began to close the coffin lid but left it a crack open so I could breath. I then fell asleep in The Jester’s warm, comforting ensnare.

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