by Fey Truet
I opened an eye and watched Collin disappear through the door. He said he’d be back but his mansion was huge. There were so many corridors; it was a wonder how he didn’t disappear down one never to be seen again. I guess he knew the place, despite what my nose told me.
“He’ll kill you. You should know that. I know it better than anyone.”
I looked up and saw Thanos there once more.
Her expression was flat and I couldn’t read it.
I couldn’t tell if she were angry or malcontent or even despairing.
Her flat brows and flat eyes and flat mouth.
I didn’t like it.
I beg your pardon? I replied because words weren’t coming to me as smoothly as usual.
“Col-lin. Don’t you get it? You’re a Glutton and he’s a sentry. If you knew what was good for you, you’d stay away from him. Otherwise, he’s likely to devour you. I’ve seen it happen before. Many times. If it’s not the way, you will him, but I’ll kill you before that ever happens.
“The Glutton’s fate is to be alone. When they step out of their destined path they are crushed by the Wheel-of-Fate in the worse of ways. Crushed. You-are-a-sin! Sin-sin-sin-sin-sin-sin-sin!
“It’s why you died. It’s why you were reborn a Glutton. It’s why Master Cross fears you. It’s why Master Sere is fascinated in you. It’s why people will be at first attracted to you. It’s alll sooo you can be punished for your existence, Emare! But you’re so repellant. So you won’t just be punished. You’ll be crushed under the Wheel-of-Fate. Otherwise? Hm. Why do you think everyone around you suffers? It’s nothing more than what you deserve.”
I swallowed hard and stared at her, some horror building in my chest.
She was now smiling, and her flat tone was now sing-song.
My soul-self tamped it down, but even my soul-self feared this girl.
She looked at me raising her fingers to her lip and pulled it down while the corners of her lips twisted up more.
“Nothing to say, then I’ll go, Emare Tales.”
She skipped out of the room like a little girl, singing, “Crushed, Crushed, by the Wheel ‘o’ Fate. Lonely souls, we love to hate. There, they know, gluttons eat so much. Let’s all watch as they go ‘Crunch.’”
She sang it over and over as I stared at the space she once occupied.
“Tails?”
I snapped out of Thanos’ trance when I heard the familiar voice, and snapped my head up.
“Tails!” a familiar little girl called.
Dory!
I leapt into her arms and she squeezed me back.
“I thought you were gone forever.”
Never, I told her.
For all I’ve done was for her.
I felt a heavy hand on my head and looked up at Collin.
“Someone’s been worried sick about you. She offered me all the money in her bank and a year of work to get you back. I wasn’t even tempted. I told her she could keep you if she wanted. She has such a bad attitude,” Collin warned Dory.
“I don’t mind,” Dory said dreamlike. I huffed at Collin for trying and he stuck a tongue out at me. “Do you want to come home with me, Tails?”
Home, I thought.
What she asked entailed no promises, perseverance, no contradictions, and very few obligations. I’d no longer be Emare the obedient daughter and elder sister, but Tails the loyal pet.
I wanted that so very much after all I’ve been through.
Yes, please! I chirped.
Dory carried me to where her mother waited outside and we went home.
I think I was going to enjoy this new Remnant Tale.
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