Haunting House

[Sonnie Wu]

Wait, what?

Sonnie blinked in surprise as the Darkling vanished... or transformed into a photograph? Weird. She stepped forward and knelt down, eyeing the polaroid on the floor for a moment before picking it up. Better she touch it before her Queen could. Since seemingly nothing bad happened, she studied the picture and read the dedication aloud.

"Hope. So that's her name." She showed the image to Sera, "I... I guess she's okay?" She looked it over another moment, the nodded. "I'm gonna keep it, if that's okay with you. C'mon, let's get you some medical attention."

The Claviger gently urged her friend towards the exit, even as she looked curiously at the door.

Funny, she didn't remember Halloween being hot out.

Thank you for the crazy adventure!

[Seraphina]

Sera blinks a few times at where the girl had been standing.

Had they really helped her? Or had the house reclaimed her?

But then the picture falls, and as she views it, a smile appears. The girl was free.

And happy!

Seeing another happy, especially this girl and what they went through, filled her heart. Happiness was such a difficult thing for any of them to achieve.

Spying the words on the back, “That’s a good name.” nodding, “Appears that way, and that she’s happy. I hope she remains happy in her new life.” Seemed there was a partial good outcome to this nightmare. They had helped another Lost.

“Of course, keep it if you want. I’d hang it in the Tavern if it was me, but you do what you want with it.” A smile offered. And she wondered if they’d meet her again someday? Lost in that thought, she almost didn’t hear Sonnie, “Medical attention? Oh!” laughing, a tired laugh, “Yeah, this is something I should be able to take care of at the Tavern, nothing too serious.” Of course, she’s brushing it off. “Maybe something to eat as well.” Was she still thinking about Rhodes? Of course. But was trying to not freak out.

Yes! Thank you! It was fun and challenging and I couldn't ask for more in a plot!!

[Saber Sloth]

The Springs take their leave as time settles around them, yes they came here for Halloween, and yes they've come out mid July, but they've done other things since Halloween. Two sets of memories might war within the Springs, if it were not for the mailable nature of time and space within-around the hedge and especially so within a place like the workroom which held a infinitesimal piece of Arcadia itself, so their memories merge and mingle, and settle into something that makes sense.

Sera might stop and stumble as her mind tells her it wasn't the House that had taken Rhodes, but the Flowering's own actions that tore him from her. The broken Oath might still be a sore spot, like the weight of her broken ring, hidden and safe in a small pouch.

Everything was different, yet the same. It was a lot, but they'd been bearing this burden for long months already. It was confusing in the lack of confusing.

One thing they knew, as the leave the House and walk into the blazing Summer sun, is that they've saved someone, and maybe this someone had once been a Sacramento Spring, just like them.

And thank you both for sticking with me for this whole looooong crazy adventure!

End Scene