Re: A Millennia of Memories [ Spritzie-kun ]

[Spritz]

Waiting for her to take his hand, Colton let himself try and think through this problem. He didn't know if it was merley strength alone that enabled him to reach into the mirror, as he may have been stronger and less affected by the strong shocks that were skuttling over his skin. He Forced himself to stay stil however, until Grace's hand clasped his. He wasn't sure if she could come out of the mirror, as he was able to go into it. Perhaps his other idea would be better, less risky than this to begin with. He consiered dropping her hand, even the touch making his fingers tingle. He never would have expected to be doing this, not trying to get a girl out of a cursed mirror. It sounded like something from a story tale, sounded like it could someday be made into a bedtime story. Either way, it didn't seem realistic to Colton's practical side, and it nagged at him constantly. For a few seconds, he wondered if this was really real, or perhaps it was just a dream? His imagination at work? But no, it couldn't have been. There was his skate board, there was the touch of Grace's hand on his. There was the small, sharp current of electricity running through his veins, there was a pounding in his head that threatened to grow worse by the second.

Colton dropped Grace's hand, quickly withdrawing himself from it and taking a step back. It was dangerous, he couldn't risk getting either of them hurt. Not this way. Taking a tentative breath of air, he held it in his lungs and slowly let it out. It came as a sigh, a long outdraw of air that expressed what he was feeling. Anxiety, worry, excitement, they were all mixed together in a combination he wasn't appreciating.

"This is too dangerous Grace. I'll have to come back in; there is no way I'm about to risk your saftey by trying to actually pull you out. Ok? Listen to me, and do what I say. I think I know of a way- but I'm not certain." He drew closer to the mirror once again, and as he was about to try to get back into it, the sound of a voiceoutside draw closer. He didn't know who it was- or where they were, but he couldn't risk being caught tresspassing. "Hold that thought-" He spoke to Grace very quickly, before clasping the choker in his hand and diving for cover beneith the dusty bed.

[Guest]

Grace bit her lip nervously, to the point it would've bled if she had still been a living person. Her face contorted with confusion and disappointment when he took his hand out. Had he had second thoughts? She frowned and stared at him with a bemused expression when he said he "didn't want to risk her safety." She rolled her eyes incredulously and opened her mouth, her words dripping with sarcasm, "Oh, because you can really hurt me." Her next words, however, here softer and a bit self-conscience, "I'm dead; nothing can hurt me anymore."

Grace lifted her head and turned it towards the door of the room, frowning. She slunk back to the side of the mirror as Colton dove under the bed (which she found quite an amusing site), but to a point where she could still see out, but the people who were coming into the room---probably, at least---wouldn't be able to see her. Grace pulled some hair behind her ear and chewed on the inside of her cheek.

Damn it! she thought. They'd been so close! And then...whoever it was...decided to come in and ruin everything. Plus, she had a very strange feeling it was a couple who were wanting to make love to each other again. No, instead, it sounded like numerous footsteps. Instead of two, three, perhaps? She couldn't be sure. Most of them were heavily padding along, which led Grace to believe that they were all male, and her frown deepened, as she slunk further into the darkness of her mirror. Contacting Colton's conscience, she asked, "Do you have a clue who they are?"

[Spritz]

Colton wasn't sure how Grace thought he could answer her, not without being heard by who-ever it was themselves. He shook his head, hoping she would soon realize that her talking was distracting him. He nearly screamed when he felt something skuttling over his leg, but was forced to remain still as the tiny brown mouse perched himself on Colton's bare back. It was unbearably dusty under the bed, and his breathing was restricted. It was terrible under there, large, undiscovered boxes looming up at all angles.

Only when the heavy footsteps drew closer did Colton remain completley still, Grace's question going unanswered for the time being. Unless she had some weird mind reading powers or something, he wouldn't be able to answer her until these people decided to go away. Suddenly, his name was called by a familiar voice. "Colton!? Where are you!? It's obvious you're in here, we saw you an hour ago." The sound of the wheels on his skateboard being turned, as they continued to advance into the room. Giving a groan, he crawled out from under the bed. Immedietly, laughter broke out from all of the three. He probably had cobwebs stuck in his hair, dust coating his skin and clothing. "Ha, yeah. Real funny." He brushed himself off, not daring to look at the mirror; in case to give away it's value. It was no longer safe for Grace here, not when others knew about the place. As soon as they left, the better. He would need to move the mirror- or else she was in danger.

"Why did you hide man?" Colton was rewarded with a fist to his arm, but it wasn't meant for anything but a slight tease. The closest one was wrapped with tatoo's, peircings in his eyebrows and nose. A lip ring glinted slightly in the filtered sunlight, before a new comer joined the small party. A girl, tall and sporting bright purple hair came into view, before she draped herself around Colton's neck, leaning on him with a coy smile playing across her lips. "He's just a sweetheart." She ruffled his dusty hair, picking cobwebs out of it. Setting his jaw, Colton inched away from her, but she caught his arm. "You wanna come skate? It's empty, and the perfect time. I'm not taking no for an answer." She cooed in a honey suckle voice, once again seemingly glueing herself to him. In the group of skaters, Colton seemed to look the most 'normal' of them all. He sported a thin lip ring, a few dark tatoos on his shoulders, but that was it. He was usually teased slightly for it, but he pushed it off without much of a problem. "Well-" His answer was quickly cut off by the girl, who placed a single index finger on his lips, quieting him immedietly.

[Guest]

Grace frowned when she heard male voices and more skateboards. She shook her head and thought to herself, Did he bring them here!? She didn't know how he could have, but all she knew ws that, if not a major one, it was a minor possibility. Grace shook her head and backed away from the surface of the mirror, watching intently on the gathering form Skylark, even though their outlines were slightly blurred from the distance. She saw all of the teens: they were covered in piercings and tattoos, and all of them lacking shirts. Grace grimaced.

She watched as a female with purple hair (which was a lot brighter than her own) came over and stuck herself to him, Grace shook her head and turned away. So. His friends were here now. He did have friends. He did have a life. Grace shook her head, an uncanny feeling of betrayal and some other feeling...disappointment, maybe? Something on a higher level than just that; it eminated from her as she clenched her fists. The girl was obviously not going to let him go, Grace let go of all hope of Colton coming back.

Reaching out with her conscience, she told him, 'Go ahead and go.' She did an excellent job of keeping emotion out of her voice to the point her voice was no more than a flatline of emotionless words. She shook her head and decided to marvel at the twinkling stars. They'd go away, she knew, as soon as Colton left the house. She would miss it, and his company, but she decided that she knew deep within her it wasn't going to work anyways. Sighing heavily, Grace moved past the areas where she'd ever ventured before, no longer caring if she lost herself in the mirror completely.

[Spritz]

Colton stiffened slightly, as Jade flipped her long hair over her back. Her eyes were bright and twinkling with mischeif, nails covered with shiny black polish. She hooked her arm around his neck once again, bubbling with laughter. "Come on, you know you want to!" She poked him in the ribs with her index finger, and the teen boy casually shrugged her off, stepping away. To be truthful, he found Jade quite annoying.

He wouldn't tell anybody however, as he prefered to keep his own thoughts to himself; especially when the others seemed to like her well enough. She tended to stick to him whenever they were together, and Colton wondered what her alterior motives were. Certainly, by judging from her actions they weren't to be just friends. She sidled up next to him once again, clasping his arm in her fingers. "Come on!" In her right hand she held a pink and black skateboard, decorated with white skulls over the front. The wheels were worn, and she casually spun them as the others started to tromp out of the room, laughing and talking to themselves.

Colton was surprised they hadn't started to ransack the place; as some of them tended to be major pick pockets on a good day.
"I'll go... For a little while- I have stuff to do." Between the last few words his voice cracked, making Jade go into a fit of bubbly laughter. She pulled him out of the door, but Colton snuck a glance at the mirror before he left.
I'll be back later. I cant get out of this one. And you, you're coming with me.

[Guest]

[ BIIIIIIIIIG twist ! ]

Grace frowned and pushed him out of her mind as she heard them ransacking the place. Anger welled up inside of her, and she clenched her fists. She whirled around and eyed the boys that were taking random items from her home; the home that'd been hers a millennia ago. A home that she'd shared with Ty. A home she'd had her firstborn child in, a home she'd been murdered in. It was hers, and Ty's, and nobody else had the right to take anything from it! Without knowing her anger was the cause of the rumbling, Grace saw the walls start shaking, flakes and crumbs and sometimes large chunks of the ceiling falling to the floor, the stairs in the main hallway starting to cave in, the rest of the glass that was unscatched now shattering.

Grace turned her back on the scene, though she could hear the windows shattering and splattering against the side of her mirror. Shaking her head, Grace nearly lashed out a sort of mental attack on the other males that didn't know who she was, and also that wretched slut of a female, but she managed to keep her anger simply in the area around her. Just as Colton and the female had left the entrance to the master bedroom, the doorway caved in on itself, as well as the giant chandeleir[sp?] that was in the main hallway.

As her anger subsided, a welling sadness of longing to be outside of this place, and a sadness for the poor house that she'd shared so many feelings with was being completely destroyed, took over her. But before Grace could calm herself down, the rest of the house started to crumble inwards, including the room she was in. Grace had a feeling her mirror would escape, though she'd probably be stuck in here for the rest of eternity. Just before the rest of the house over her part of the mirror caved in on itself, she moved farther away from the surface of the mirror, and let out an involuntary cry as she felt the mirror fall forward as the rubble from the ceiling landed on its back.

[Spritz]

Colton didn't turn back to the mirror, not when he saw a few of the guys starting to pick up small valubles and drop them into their pockets, laughing all the while. Jade was draped over him, but he ignored her, striding forward and catching one's hand, which was clutching a small neclace that at one time, must have been Grace's. "What are you doing!? This isn't yours to take!" Wrenching the small peice of jewlery out of his hand, he set it back down onto the table, but was rewarded with a shove backwards so hard, he fell back into the wall and made a dent. Falling heavily down onto the hallway floor, he glared at him and slowly pushed himself up, not daring a glance into the master bedroom.

Suddenly, the dilapidated structure around them started to shake slightly, catching the attention off all of its ocupants; especially Colton's. Something was wrong- Something was wrong with Grace!
Pushing Jade away from him, he left the group, just as chunks of the ceiling started to rain downwards. Old boards creaked, a roaring noise filling his ears. Jade called his voice, started to run after him, but her arm was caught by one of the others and she was dragged out of the house as quickly as they could manage.

By now, Colton had managed to crawl down the hallway, able to dodge the falling chunks of ceiling and dive for cover as soon as one directly above him cracked, then crashed inwards. He couldn't hear the voices of the others anymore, but a desperate glance out one of the shattered windows showed they were already gone, rounding the corner and quickly moving out of sight- leaving him behind. They didn't care. It struck Colton with so much force that he nearly staggered backwards, eyes wide and unbelieving.

After he had sacrificed time in jail for them, helping them out with all of their group pranks and breakins, and after he had nearly gotten shot while also, helping them out; this was the best they could do!? As the mansion continued to crumble, his feet were rooted to the spot. Neglected once again- forgotten and abandoned. The last thing he remembered, was the view of a huge chunk of plaster falling from the ceiling above, and him not able to move. He was knocked to the ground, the heavy weight crashing down onto his body. He was knocked unconcious within seconds; unaware of anything else. His head lolled to the side, nearly his whole body burried in the rubble. White, powdery plaster coated his skin, a large cut on his forhead dripping bright blood down his face. Colton's once sparkling blue eyes were closed, his lip split open, blood also cascading down his chin.

[Guest]

Grace huddled herself where she'd fallen. For the first time in a long time, she hurt. She hurt everywhere, and she swore the glass was broken. If the glass was broken, how was she ever to free herself? Grace lifted herself up and quietly and peacefully allowed the rest of the house to come back together. The pieces of the ceiling (most of it) came back together, and anything else she wanted to fix. Everything came back to the way it was except the door to her room, which remained crumbled in on top of itself, and the rubble by the windows.

Now no one could touch her; no one could see her or try to free her ever again. Grace was free to die, if that is what her soul wished for her. If her soul finally decided to free her from the hell she was in, to keep her from falling into a completely black abyss. Suddenly, Grace let herself collapse onto the stars. They were no longer twinkling, nor moving, nor doing anything of the sort they had when Colton was here. She only hoped that now he'd gotten out unscatched.

Once she was sure that the rest of the house (excluding her own master bedroom) was back in its original order, Grace allowed herself to let go. She knew she wouldn't die yet, and if she did, she wouldn't have given up so easily. Finally, Grace allowed herself into the deep slumber she'd been in many times before: one that was nigh unbreakable and one that she only fell into when extremely troubled about something--anything. Grace allowed hersself to slumber unpeacefully, letting her mind go, and wondering what had happened to Colton. And if he got out, that he and that little girlfriend of his would enjoy themselves while they still could....

While they still could.

[Spritz]

A small moan escaped Colton's parted lips, which were ugly and cracked. His eyes were still closed, blood trickling out of several gashes across his body. Lying on his back, rubble was no longer pressing in on him on all sides- in fact, there was nearly any at all. Dust and grime from the dilapidated doorway was spread out across the floor, also coating his body from head to toe. The teen's hair was matted and dried in place, a large cut spread across his skull. The crimson blood was the only bright thing in the room, and though the rubble had mysteriously been returned to its place, cracks still remained, lacing across the ceiling. The boy's chest rose and fell with labored breathing, small gasps resounding from his throat.

Very slowly, Colton began to break out of the heavy blanket of unconciousness. He wondered if it would have been better to lay there for a while, as when he tried to move, he was rewarded with excruciating pain. A loud moan came from his lips, and he fell back onto the ground, gasping and clutching his side. His eyes watered terribly from the plaster and dust, the tears streaking down his cheeks and cutting lines in the grime. "Grace!" His voice came out as a gasp, nearly unhearable in the still silence. The room was very dark, moonlight streaming inside of the shattered window. He didn't know how long he had been there, but all he was aware of was the image of the mirror, fallen onto the ground. There was no vibes coming from it, nothing at all. He whispered her name yet again, waiting until the pain slightly subsided to crawl forward. His hands pressed into the rough wood, eyes wild and brilliantly blue in the creeping darkness.

"Grace! Grace!" Reaching the mirror, he grasped it's shining edges in his fingers, flipping over the item. A gasp came from his throat, his eyes growing even wider. The surface- it was shining, reflecting his own roughened reflection in it. Grace was no where to be seen- nor the blackness in which she lived. His hand immedietly moved up to his neck, and he was satisfied with feeling the black leather uder his hardened, calloused fingers. But- but why couldn't he see her!? What was wrong!? "Grace!!!" He had been about to tap the mirror, when he realized what he was staring at. Several tiny, hairline cracks laced across its surface, interminging with eachother to create a mosaic of patterns, his reflection split into several small ones.

It was broken. The surface, it was no longer reacting to him. Even as he ran his fingers gently across it, it didn't quaver. Had it all been a dream? Had he been knocked out that long, that he had imagined it all? Perhaps when he had first seen the house it had collapsed, and this was just his imagination at work. Suddenly, new tears streaked down his dirty cheeks. They weren't from the dust, nor from irritation. Genuine tears of sadness fell down and onto the mirror's surface, trickling over the shining glass and falling down and out of sight. "No..."

(We have so many options. Something about his choker could have changed, perhaps something was torn off? The mirror is cracked, perhaps it only reacts to certain things until Grace can get out? Perhaps because he doesent believe in it, she doesent show up? Maybe because she's in that 'sleeplike' trance, that's what made the mirror turn 'normal' again? Perhaps he has to 'acomplish' something or another to be able to get her out of her trance? Bear with me, my muse has returned. I was tempted to have him loose his choker- if you like that, I can edit it.)

[Guest]

Grace’s mind wandered aimlessly, detached from her spiritual form. Her spiritual form stirred lightly when a faint cry reached her ears. Something moved inside her—something that hadn’t moved in a very, very long time. A… heartbeat? Grace’s spiritual form flickered from inside the mirror a moment as vibrations from outside the mirror came in contact with the inner world. Her mind snapped back into her form and she stirred momentarily, eyes flickering open.

“Hmm?” She murmured, staring around her. There wasn’t anything there! Where was everything!? Where was Colton!? Where was she!? Grace shook her head and pushed herself up. Something was in her eyes; fragmented pieces of something…but what were they? Grace rubbed her eyes and blinked momentarily, not seeing anything. Another faint murmur hit her. Grace hiccupped and frowned, staring down at her lap, which was starting to faintly take a paleness of color, but it wasn’t transparent anymore. Grace felt another murmur.

“Colton!?” Grace shouted, frantically searching around her. Nothing was in front of her. And then, seemingly out of nowhere, the was a rush of air, another murmur of a heartbeat, a flush of color, and a pang of heat. Grace covered her head with her arms and cried out momentarily. The feeling was unnatural for her—she hated it. What was it? She didn’t like things she couldn’t fully comprehend. Why was this happening? It made absolutely no sense! Another murmur. Another beat. Another flash of color.

Suddenly, it looked like Grace was looking through a kaleidoscope. Her cry this time was softer, and she shut her eyes tightly, until there was another rush of air. It was longer, and more heated; more exhilarating. A strange scratching started along the base of her neck, and she lifted one hand up to get at it, only to feel a strange leathery surface underneath her fingertips. Another murmur. Grace shivered momentarily and looked down at herself: her hair was slowly turning into the long auburn hair she’d had when she was living, and her skin was a light, rosy peach. Grace’s eyes widened as she lifted her hand back up to her neck.

A choker…? She wondered, but it was too late for her to be wondering about such things. A scream lodged itself halfway through her throat as she felt the shattering of glass around her—she felt it!—and landed on something warm, perhaps another body? Grace shook her head and immediately scrambled to her feet, only managing to fall back onto the remains of the mirror. Grace felt another murmur, but it was faster and more frantic, and suddenly, with a realization of both hope and horror, that it was her heart!

Grace looked down at herself: instead of her old gown she was garbed in tattered white jeans and a regular grey T-shirt; her hair was just as long (waist-length), but it wasn’t bluish-purple anymore—it was auburn! Grace saw a faint trickle of red on multiple places on her arms, and she stared at herself, dumbfounded. Grace was too busy trying to comprehend what had just happened she failed to realize the “thing” she’d fallen on was Colton, and that the “thing” on her neck was a choker of her own.

[ if i'm not clear just tell me xD ]

[Spritz]

"No....."
Tears continued to stream down Colton's beaten cheeks, cutting neatly through the silt and grime. They fell onto the mirror's surface, one after another; seeming never ending. His eyes were wide and lucid, the color brilliantly blue in the streaming moonlight. His face was taught, cracked lips drawn into a fine line. He wouldn't dare utter a sound, wouldn't dare try to speak. Maybe he would never speak again. This was.. this was crazy. Way too crazy to even possibly be real; and he was going insane. That was it! There was no other explanation, this mess, this crying teen no longer strong and fearless. His posture was hunched over, making him look defeated and beaten; as if he no longer cared. Had she really mean't that much?

No, no.. That couldn't be it. It was the mere thought of a what if. What if she had been real? What if she had been depending on him? What if he had just ruined it all? What if she had been depending on him, and he had let her down? He couldn't stand to possibly think that. After all, he had been let down time and time again in his life, and he knew very well how it felt. He would never intentially cause a person the same pain he had gone through. Not now, not ever. It was terrible, the feeling that was coarsing through his veins. His heart throbbed painfully, thumping wildly in his chest. The rush of blood in his ears was the only sound he could hear, and Colton leaned over the mirror. His lids fell shut, aqua blue stare no longer vibrant.

Weak, that was what he appeared to be. He had done this thing. And this was his fault. Grace's image was clear in his mind, her long flowing hair gently caressing her skin. Her gown, long and wavering, blown about by an unseen wind. Her eyes, beautiful and bright, searching, looking into his own for an answer. And now, she was no more. He was senseless, no longer feeling the rough wood benith his legs. His fingers moved over the surface of the mirror, it's reflective glass holding his split reflection. He couldn't bear to see himself, not after what he had done. Turning it away from him, he gently leaned it up against the wall and lowered his head. "I'm so sorry." Colton's voice came out as a soft whisper, barley able to be heard. He was now truley alone, and had never felt this way before. Guilt was heavy upon him, and now he just shook his head, defeated.

Suddenly, and without warning, something thumped down onto Colton's form, knocking him square onto his stomach. The wind momentarrily left his lungs, before he dragged his head off of the ground, still feeling the weight on his back. Suddenly twisting around, he managed to turn onto his back, before his eyes widened immensly. So maybe he wasn't so alone. Was this... Was this a illusion? His imagination going wild? For lying on top of him, a beautiful girl was positioned. She looked as if she was in awe of what had happened; but he wasn't sure what really had happened to begin with. Did he know her? No. That was obvious, he had no idea who she could have been. Suddenly, Colton pushed her back, scrambling out of reach and away from her, face pale. "Who are you!" She was left lying on the ground, while he stood in the corner and grabbed a hunk of wood. Holding it before him, he narrowed his eyes. "Are you another one of those ghosts!? I'm not in the mood, really!"

[Guest]

Grace let her arms plop down beside her and she stared at her feet for a moment, surely looking like a completely fool. Suddenly, a big smile crept across her lips. He’d done it! Grace looked up and jumped slightly at what she saw: Colton was wielding a large chunk of wood, looking at her as if she were crazy. Grace stared at him for a moment, then laughed.

“You did it!” Grace exclaimed, gingerly getting to her feet. She stumbled momentarily; after all, she hadn’t actually walked in over a millennia. Grace looked around, the world filled with a new vibrancy. The smell of dust and grit didn’t even bother her in the slightest: she hadn’t smelled anything in so long it was life a breath of fresh air (even though in reality the air was probably extremely unhealthy for either of them to be breathing in).

Grace’s eyes landed on Colton and she looked him over with a newfound interest. His features seemed more prominent to her now, and she clasped her hands together and hopped up once, probably looking like a love-struck toddler. Grace took a step forward and put her hands on the piece of wood, eyeing him suspiciously, her expression telling him to put it down. For a split second, she was curious as to why he didn’t recognize her. And then, it hit her.

It seemed so obvious now! She looked completely different; she wouldn’t have recognized herself either. “Ah, probably don’t recognize me, do you?” Grace said, taking her hands off of the piece of wood and smiled brightly at him. “My eyes are the same, right?” Grace looked down at herself again then smiled brightly. “It’s me! Grace!” Grace, without giving it a second thought, wrapped her arms around Colton’s neck, embracing him in a large hug.

“I can’t believe it!” She said, releasing him and walking about the room, still with a large amount of uncertainty, but also with a newfound courage. She ran her fingers over everything within her reach, ignoring the dust that collected on the bottom of her fingertips. “You actually did it!” Grace squealed, picking up a very, very dusty picture of herself and Ty when she was alive a long time ago. She blew off the dust and smiled longingly, then turned back to Colton and showed him the picture.

“See? This is me and Ty when I was alive. Of course I didn’t used to wear….” Grace looked down at herself, then frowned deeply, “These clothes. But it’s still me! And you got me out of the mirror! Only God knows how, but you did it!!”

[Spritz]

No way. There was absolutley no way Colton had expected the girl to suddenly appear to be Grace. Even as she said it however, he could see the slight simalarities. Same twinkling eyes, same smooth skin- though it was no longer ghastly pale. Her hair was the same length, but it looked fuller and was a completley different color than what it had been before. The curve of her face was the same, high cheekbones that complimented her features- but Colton wouldn't dare admit it. She looked... In his perspective, she looked beautiful. Maybe it was just him, but he wouldn't lie to himself about this.

Though he had come to half way accept the fact that she was Grace, he was confused and nearly frightened by her. Was she all that scary? No. Not at all- but she had been in a freaking mirror for a millenia. Was she completley human? Colton didn't really understand any of it, or how she had gotten out. It was nearly incomprehendable, and he closed his eyes and shook his head. He hadn't been expecting for Grace to come near him, much less wrap her arms around his neck in a friendly embrace.

When she had let him go, Colton dropped the wood out of his fingers. If fell to the dusty floor, cracking in half and lying near the broken mirror. Grace then commerced to dance and twirl around the room, laughing and looking like she didn't have a care in the world. Colton was too shocked to do much, to shocked to believe that this was the girl he had tried to save from the mirror. Dried tears were on his cheeks, and he raised a hand to wipe them away the best he could, being subtle about it. Pursing his lips, he drew them into a fine line and ran a hand through his dirt and blood caked hair.

He was also at a loss of what exactly to say, considering this was all a huge shock. When she held up a dirty old picture, Colton couldn't bear to look at it. Still, if just to satisfy his curiousity, he gave it a single glance and nodded- his only response. Moving swiftly away from Grace, he knelt down near the dilapidated doorway. The entrance was blocked, huge chunks of rubble piling one on top of another. Starting to haul away the smaller ones, he began the search for his skateboard without saying a thing.

[Guest]

Grace suddenly stopped and put the picture down where she’d found it. She stared at him while he rummaged around in the rubble in a very quiet manner. Grace frowned and walked over to him and moved aside a large piece of rubble and kicked out his skateboard. She got this random feeling that he didn’t quite believe that it was her. Grace stared at her feet and plopped herself down on the edge of the bed, running her fingers over the dirty sheets.

Grace didn’t care that she knew what was on these sheets, as long as she knew she was still alive. Grace folded her hands in her lap and stared at her fingers, twiddling her thumbs together in a semi-nervous manner. She let out a thick sigh and shook her head, swinging her legs nonchalantly. She was tempted to ask him if he liked her better when she was in the mirror, but she kept the thought to herself.

“You don’t believe me, do you?” Grace asked quietly, not bothering to look up at him. She felt an odd sense of loss… One she hadn’t felt ever since Ty had died. It wasn’t normal for her to feel this way, especially now that Colton had been so willing to help her, and now he seemed to be afraid to even talk to her. He barely even looked at her. She wanted to show him something that would prove to him that she was Grace.

Reaching up, Grace fingered the choker that’d grown on the base of her neck. It was an odd leathery texture, but apart from that, it was a simple black-leather band around her neck. Grace got off of the bed and began to move the rubble away from the door, moving the rubble with surprising ease seeing as she’d only materialized. He didn’t believe her, did he?

[Spritz]

Leaning down over the rubble, Colton continued to dig through it. It was merley a distraction, something for his hands to do while he tried to sort out the thoughts that were raging inside of his head. He had nothing to say; and even if he did, he wouldn't trust his voice to be the way he would want it to be. His hands worked over the broken plaster, as he dug through it slowly. His long hair fell down and into his eyes, matted and dried with the thick blood from the cut on his skull. He hurt, ached all over.

In a regular circumstance, he would have flopped onto his bed and stayed there for as long as he possibly could. His ribs caused excruciating pain every time he moved, eyes watering from the dust he was upseting. Raising his hand to cover his nose and mouth, he sneezed twice and wiped the tears it was causing out of his eyes yet again. He felt, and probably looked like a complete mess. A shower had never seemed more inviting- but he couldn't leave. Not yet. Though this was all strange (and somewhat creepy), he had a calm persona about it.

Continuing to slowly sift through the rubble, he was surprised when the so called 'Grace' joined him at his side, helping him to find the peices of his broken skateboard. Ocasionally as they worked, his hand brushed over hers- reaching for the lime green item that was lodged deep inside. When she asked him the question, he sighed and pushed himself away from the pile. Slumping down against the wall, he held his head in his hands and closed his eyes. "It's too much. All of it, it's too much." Raising his eyes, he looked directly at her. "I dont know what to believe anymore."

[Guest]

Grace shook her head and looked at him, “Did you like me better the way I was in the mirror?” Grace kept her eyes trained on him, looking him over. He looked completely awful. Miserable was more like it. As her eyes scanned him over, she noted the caked blood in his hair, and how each time he moved he staggered to the opposite side, favoring hi bad side, where ribs were obviously either bruised or broken. Grace shook her head and cupped her face in her hands.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, “This is all my fault.” Grace shook her head and turned away from him, walking over to the window (that wasn’t really a window anymore, seeing as the glass was shattered) and pulled apart the rest of the things connecting the mirror and tossing them to the side. She rested her elbows on the windowsill, ignoring the fact she was getting pieces of glass wedged in her elbows. Grace sighed heavily.

She stared outside, wondering if things would ever go back to the way they were. He would never trust her again, could he? Would he? Grace pushed herself up and out of the house via the window, brushing off glass chips in her hands, “You can come out of the house through the window. The rubble by the door isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.” Grace frowned and looked at him with a twinge of longing that was only showed by a sparkling in her eyes.

Grace walked around outside, stumbling a bit on her legs that she wasn’t accustomed to walking with. She debated just leaving him there; it was obvious she’d done something wrong. She didn’t know what, but it was quite obvious to her. Grace looked around and held out her hand, a small cardinal landing on her index finger. She rubbed its chest with her other index finger and a faint smile touched her lips. If Colton wasn’t going to keep her company anymore, at least she had animal friends, right? No matter how odd and desperate that was…

[Spritz]

Did he like her better in the mirror? Colton wasn't sure, he didn't know what to think. No, no. That wasn't it. He was merley overwhelmed, confused, nearly frightened. Near him rested the broken peices of his skateboard, but he no longer cared about it. His brilliant blue gaze was dulled down, eyes seemingly glazed over as he tried to keep himself from what, falling asleep? He was exausted. Perhaps it was because of this whole ordeal, perhaps it was because this was just too much for him to handle.

Was it? For every thought that passed through his head, it was also questioned thoughrally. What was happening to him? Shaking his head, his eyes closed once again as he leaned back against the wall- not answering her question for the time being. He was confused, and hated the feeling. Soon however, he opened his eyes to watch Grace, as she was making her way over to the shattered window. It was true, the doorway would probably never be functional again. The window it would have to be. Grace leaned on its sill, shards of broken glass cutting neatly into her flesh. She didn't flinch, didn't stir, and Colton wondered if she had the ability to feel it at all. Was she still a ghost? Was she fully human now?

The moonlight streamed inward, the quiet hooting of an owl calling to him. The magnificent bird was perched on a branch outside the window, watching the two with intelegent, amber eyes. Pushing himself up off of the dirty floor, he watched Grace move up and out of the window, dropping to the grass and out of sight. The teen boy was soon to follow however, moving to the opening and glancing down. Grace was standing a few paces away, a bird perched on her finger. He felt bad for acting the way he had, thus owed her an apology. Clamboring through the window, he dropped down and soon joined her, the bird quickly opening its wings and darting away as quickly as possibly. Taking Grace's arm, he eyed her bloody elbows and frowned at her. "Self injury? I dont think so."

[Guest]

Grace was vaguely aware of Colton’s gaze on her, but she pretended she didn’t notice in the slightest. Her elbows stung quite badly, and as soon as the bird flew from her finger, Grace looked down at her elbows, rather unsettled by the red liquid that she hadn’t seen in so very long. She let Colton take her arm and examine it for a few moments before she gently pulled it away from him and removed the excess shards of glass, “I’m fine.” Grace said blandly, wiping the blood off of her elbows and wiping it off on trees, as not to soil her white jeans.

Grace sighed and looked around, “So,” she commented quietly, “This is what you see every day?” Grace asked, looking around. The cardinal was perched up in a tree branch, looking down on the couple with seeming interest. A smile crossed Grace’s lips and she turned back to Colton, ignoring the fact the numerous cuts on her elbows and hands were still bleeding, though not as much anymore. She shrugged and said, “Hey, I’m sorry about all this,” Grace said, her face portraying the fact she obviously didn’t think he believed it was her.

“I should’ve just stayed in the mirror,” she said, her eyes flashing momentarily with an emotion unchecked. Grace turned away from him again and held out her hand for the cardinal, who stayed put for a few minutes before flitting down and landing on one of her fingers, its tiny talons wrapping around her index finger as it ruffled its feathers and puffed out its chest, nestling comfortably on her finger.

Grace smiled and pet the bird’s “Mohawk” before showing it to Colton, “Reminds me of the animals I used to own. I had a dove, though. Ty bought it for me when we got married. It never left my side after that, even when I was sleeping.” A fond yet saddened smile crossed Grace’s lips. “Do you want to hold it?” Grace asked, making sure not to move her finger too much as not to disturb the obviously comfortable bird.

[Spritz]

Grace pulled away from Colton, making him step backwards as if he had been hurt. All he had been trying to do was help; but even that wasn't welcome anymore. He hadn't meant to be rude to her, but it was nearly incomprehendable to think of what had really happened. His mind was reeling, looking for a significance that none of this was real. Was she real? Was he just imagining once again? No, it couldn't be. Something that his mind had conjured up couldn't be this realistic. He could hear the soft hoot of the owl, feel the warm night breeze on his skin- but it wasn't all that beautiful. He ached from head to toe, bruises moddling his body from where he had been nearly crushed by the rubble.

He didn't blame Grace, he probably would have done the same thing. In the wrong place- and the wrong time. That's all it was, and neither of them could blame themselves for any of it. Grace wiped the blood off, but Colton continued to look at her elbows. Small shards of sharp glass were wedged in tightly, and it would only get worse.

Before he could offer to help however, the cardinal landed back on her finger and she turned away from him, saying that it would have been better to stay in the mirror. "You cant be serious." When she turned and asked if he wanted to hold the bird, he took a tentetive step backwards, eyes flashing. "You really, really cant be serious! After all this, you decide you would have rather stayed in that hell hole!"

His eyes flashed brilliantly, clear, strong emotion shining over his features for the first time after she had escaped the prison of the mirror. "After I tried my best to get you out, and after staying in their for a millenia, and even after you begged me to get you out!?" His words were pointed, powerful, and cut straight to the chase. "I really dont think so. Come on." He stepped forward, reaching out and taking one of her arms. Turning it slightly, he ran his fingers along her elbows, before setting his jaw and removing a large shard of glass, dropping it to the grass. His fingers were bloodied with her blood, but he didn't mind. "I'm sorry for this Grace. I'm sorry I didn't believe you, but most of all I'm sorry you dont want to be here."

[Guest]

Grace stared at him as he talked, “No, I don’t—” she stopped as he cut her off, ranting on about something and upsetting the cardinal to the point it cawed angrily and fluttered off. Grace was patient with him and listened intently, hanging off of each word as if they were his last. She didn’t mean to evoke that kind of reaction from him, and she clenched her teeth when he pulled out a large piece of glass, “Ouch,” she muttered quietly, dropping her gaze to her feet.

When he finally finished talking, Grace looked back up at him and crossing her arms, holding her elbows in the palms of her hands to hide their current state. “I don’t want to go back in there, but I feel like you’d rather have it that way.” Grace didn’t mind it when he said he was sorry that he didn’t believe her, but she still wasn’t convinced he believed her now. A sudden wave of emotions hit her, and she opened her mouth to reply heatedly:

“Of course I don’t want to go back in the mirror! You’re absolutely right that it was a hell hole, but you don’t understand. Even if it’s only the slightest doubt in your mind that I’m not real, it just… affects me. Nobody’s ever believed I existed, and for God’s sake, you’re the only one who could see me. And then I finally get out of that cursed mirror and you don’t believe me when I tell you it’s me! And on top of all that…”

Grace trailed off and shook her head, moving her hands away from her elbows and shaking off the excess blood, “And on top of that, you’re the only one who’s cared since Ty died,” her voice dropped down it a low whisper, and she turned away from him again, shaking her head and pulling some hair behind her ear. “The only one who cared…” Grace repeated almost silently.

[Spritz]

Wonderful, another fight. Colton wasn't in the mood for any of this- it was way to sudden and he didn't have the physical energy to keep going on the way they were going. He breathed a heavy sigh, feeling like he was about to collapse within moments, and leaned back against the structure to balance himself. He had obviously upset both himself and Grace, and he had just been trying to help. Perhaps it was better if he stopped trying to help, as it wasn't seeming to do any good to anyone. Listening her go on and on, he bit back heated replies of his own.

It was nearly impossible for him to do such a thing, but he managed with difficulty. When her speel came to it's end, he was left without a word to say. His mind had seemingly gone blank, and there was nothing, no words that would be suitable for this moment. So instead of speaking, he didn't say anything at all. No apologies, no saying how sorry he was that Ty had died. No heartfelt words, nothing. He felt cold and empty, as if he was merley living in a shell. After regaining his balance and a bit of energy, Colton stepped forward and grabbed one of Grace's arms. He pulled her closer to him, but only so she was forced to look into his firey blue eyes. They swam with emotion, but none could tell what exactly that could be. His touch connected with her skin, sending an electric shiver down his arm. "

You're out of the mirror-" His voice caught slightly, before he glanced around them. "But your still a... a ghost? How? I can see you, feel you, touch you." He lifted a hand, gently touching the choker about her neck. Now, his eyes held a mix of confusion and frustration. "What is this?" In his current state, Colton didn't notice that their faces were merley inches apart. There was no spark between them, not anymore. He held her arm gingerly, his jaw set tightly and lips drawn into a fine line. Looking at the choker, he dropped her arm and brought his other hand up to his own. They were exactly the same.

[Guest]

Grace jumped slightly when she felt him gently grasp her arm. She felt as if she’d said something wrong, for when she looked into his eyes she saw a flood of emotions whirling around, but she couldn’t pick out any one distinct emotion. It made her feel out-of-sorts; especially when he touched her.

“Yeah, I’m out of the mirror,” Grace commented quietly, staring blankly into his eyes with an intense gaze of her own. When he said she was a ghost, she shook her head. “No, I’m not anymore. Thanks to you.” Grace knew for a fact she wasn’t a ghost anymore: she had color to her skin, clothes on her body, her own heat, sight, smell, and especially the fact that she had a heartbeat and a pulse.

Grace nodded and shuddered momentarily when he fingered the choker around her neck, and she frowned, “I don’t know. I got it when I came out of the mirror.” Grace stared at him when he fingered the choker identical to hers. Or was hers identical to his? Grace didn’t know for sure, nor did she care. Grace dropped her gaze and picked out another piece of glass from her elbow, wincing slightly.

“I’m sorry,” Grace repeated, resting the top of her head on his shoulder, staring at her feet. “I screwed up. I never meant to drag you into this. I never meant for any of this to happen. I was consumed by my own selfish desires to get out of the mirror I’d been so long trapped in. I didn’t think it’d end up hurting you, or anyone else. I feel awful. I just said,” Grace moved her head away from his shoulder and looked him in the eyes, her own glazed over with unshed tears, “I just said that I should go back into the mirror because I didn’t want to cause you any more trouble.

“It’s only been two days or so, I know, but I still put you through more than any normal human should have to endure. And even now that I’m no longer dead, nor trapped in that mirror, nobody else will be able to see me except for you. That’s why I got the choker, and why you have one. I’m so sorry that you had to go through this all….everything turned out so much differently than I’d expected.” Grace tentatively fingered the cut on his head, staring at the red residue that was left on her fingers. “I didn’t mean for you to get hurt.” Grace clenched her fists and stared down at their feet again. “I’m so stupid.”

[Spritz]

"That's not what I meant. Any of it." Colton dropped his gaze, still pondering all of this. It was quiet, the tall oaks surrounding the house and twisting upwards, gnarled branches streaching, reaching for the sky. The owl was still perched in one of them, watching the two intently with it's huge, amber eyes. The magnificent bird hooted gently, and within a few seconds and a ruffle of feathers, it had flown off and disappeared into the night. Though it was quiet, it wasn't silent. The scuffle of night creatures in the underbrush could be heard, along with the soft breathing of the pair. Colton flinched as Grace touched the wound on his head, but didn't make any sudden reply. One wrong word, and this could end terribly.

He needed to think about what to say, and the words slowly, slowly started to come to him. "Alright. This is what you wanted, right? Your out of the mirror, your safe. Your alive, and..." He trailed off, hoping to think of one other thing. His sentance remained unfinished. She wasn't a ghost... then... what was she? How was it possible for a living, breathing human to only be visible to only one other? He was tempted to touch the choker again, and wondered if he took his off, if she would become invisble to him. "I dont understand; but I'm not going to try." He gave her a limp smile, letting go and stepping back so there was distance between them. It had been nice meeting her.. while it had lasted. He was sure it would come to an end soon, as they would need to part ways- or did they?

Reaching forward, Colton ran his fingers along her choker once again. The tips unknowingly also moved across the smooth skin of her neck, and Colton suddenly started at the feeling. Still, he raised his hand and ran his fingers across her cheek, looking deeply at her. His touch had been merley for curiousity alone, and he shook his head. "How is this possible? You are living, breathing. It's not like you are anything out of the ordanary- how can I only see you!?" His voice was desperate, a question in the still night. The silver moonlight shone downwards, highlighting both his and Grace's features.

[Guest]

Grace stared at him for a moment, wondering where this was all going to lead. The conversation was slowly dying out, and Grace had the strangest feeling that after it was over Colton was going to leave her. And then, yet again, she’d be alone. Alone and desperate for somebody who would find and see her. For somebody who’d care enough to take her in and be there for her when she needed it most. Grace was genuinely scared Colton was going to leave; and with a sudden start, Grace realized she didn’t want him to leave.

When he asked that, Grace shrugged, “People could see me if ‘ghosts’ were scientifically proven as real. But they’re not, so most people only believe they’re fantasy. You can only see me because you have an inborn choker, which bestows the Sight on you. Take it off and I’ll only be hollow air in front of you, though now that I’m living matter you wouldn’t be able to walk through me anymore.” Grace shrugged, then sighed heavily as he fingered her cheek delicately. He stepped back, and Grace looked up at him with a quiet pleading in her eyes.

Grace stared at him for another moment before taking a step back so she was out of his arms’ reach. “I guess you’re going to go now, huh?” Grace asked quietly, semi-hoping he hadn’t heard her. She didn’t want to be left alone; she really, really didn’t. And she felt some sort of obligation to Colton now. He’d been through excruciating pain because of her, and she was in his debt. But on the other hand, she felt like she shouldn’t stick around him, and that she herself should go away.

After all, she’d probably only bring him more pain than he was willing to endure. So it was either let him go, or let him decide what he wanted. Deep inside, Grace was hoping that he wouldn’t leave her, but she also knew that if he did, she would be able to understand his reasoning. In spite of everything, Grace knew that she wouldn’t want to stick around a person that had dragged her into a mirror quite painfully, then nearly crushed her to death by making the mansion crumble in on top of itself.

Yet the simple knowledge that she understood unsettled her greatly.

[Spritz]

Would he leave her? Would Colton leave her alone, now that she had her own free will? Did he even want to leave her in the first place? The teen had a million questions racing through his mind, and he found that they were nearly immpossible to sort out. Did he expect her to come back with him? No. No, he didn't. She had the ability to do what she wished, and it was her own responsibility. He wouldn't say no, but he also was a bit hesitant. What he decided would alter how everything would turn out- and knowing that was slightly unsettling.

"Back home, yes. I think I'm in desperate need for a shower, dont you think?" He gave her a lopsided grin, something he hoped would change the mood a bit. "But..." His voice trailed off, and he swayed slightly on his feet, obviously thinking and trying to think of the right words to say. Was there any right words at all? He wasn't sure, but he knew what he needed to say. Deciding to get it out while he still had the guts (and strength) to do so, he cleared his throat and slipped his hands into his pockets.

A few moments passed in silence, silence that Colton dreaded hearing. Before he spoke however, a small glint deep in the shadows caught his eye. Touching Grace's shoulder lightly, he frowned and moved past her, brilliant blue eyes settling on what it was. Moving closer to the darkness, he leaned down and began to sift through the blades of grass, until his hard fingers grazed across it's surface. It was, it was what he had thought it had been. Leaning down over it, a smile started to play across his lips. Taking it in his palm, he pushed himself back up, quickly striding back over to where Grace was standing. He took her hand, opening her fingers; then dropped the ring, Ty's ring back into her hand. He closed her fingers around it, before he gave her a kind smile and a nod. "Here. You might be wanting this."

His eyes were shining, a flicker of relief and hope in their aqua depths. His face was worn and tired, yet it held a hint of a peace he hadn't experienced in quite some time. "If you want, your welcome to come home with me. Unless," He gestured around him, once again stepping away and leaving space between them. "Unless you want to stay at your home." Looking at her intently, he awaited her answer with quiet silence.

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