❄ eleventh reminder

[echidna]

[ action ; around mayfield ]

[ Gone. Everyone's gone. She's found little notes here and there, snippets that sound almost like parts of conversation, but they're all gone. Empty bedrooms, empty streets, empty everything. Maybe she should be happy. After everything they've all been through, they deserve this. They should be able to go home, to escape from her. If she has to stay here so everyone else can be safe, that should be okay.

But she doesn't want to be alone.

She's been wandering the streets of Mayfield for what feels like years, searching for someone, anyone. Even a drone would be a welcome sight. She might brush past you, bump into you without even realizing it, sniffling and peering into empty storefronts, down empty alleys.

Anyone. Just one person, just so she doesn't have to be all alone. Anyone. ]

Please...

[ phone ]

[ Jade's voice is barely a whisper, and she very obviously sounds frightened. This is worse than anything she can imagine, scarier than dying. ]

Hello? I- if there's anyone still here, anyone at all, then please- [ She hiccups, goes quiet for a minute. ] I don't want to be alone, not like this, please.

Comments

[cullscuttlefish]

[Feferi shouts back into the phone now, desperately worried after that crash.]

I'm here, Jade. I'm here. It's going to be okay! I promise.

[echidna]

[ She doesn't know who she's answering, or if she's answering anyone at all. She's by herself, all alone, and he can't hear her, let alone ask her questions. He's long gone. ]

Karkat.

[echidna]

[ Now that she's calmed down somewhat, she's considerably more receptive to it. Jade gasps quietly, looking right at him but still not seeing. ]

Dad?

[crusthatecean.livejournal.com]

[Ouch.]

Then I don't get this. You don't get to be in my business and care about me and not let me help you.

I know I made things awkward, but the whole sharing intimate personal details and feelings things is new to me, so maybe you could give me some slack?

[echidna]

[ Jade's breathing heavily, sits up straight in bed and looks about wildly. She lets go of the paper she's been clutching to her chest, completely blank in reality, but covered in his hand writing the way she sees it. ]

I miss you.

[coolbowtie.livejournal.com]

Jade!

[He presses his forehead more firmly against hers, gripping her hand.]

I'm here.

[miraculls.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't try to hug her again, but instead reaches over and slowly slides his hand over her.]

I'm right here, chica. Come on, look at me.

[echidna]

[ weakly: ] At home.

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

That's where you had your stupid booth set up, right?

I'm coming over.

[And a few minutes later, there is just an obnoxious knock at the door of your house, Pokey nearly shouting "Jade, Jade!" in irritation to punctuate the knocking.]

[echidna]

[ Jade winces, though she's not sure from what. Her fingers curl into his shirt, gripping tightly. ]

I- [ Her brows furrow as she concentrates. ] I'm trying-

[echidna]

[ Her eyes widen, her breath catching in her throat. She throws herself at him, finally realizing she isn't alone. ]

You're here.

[coolbowtie.livejournal.com]

I'm here.

[He wraps his arms around her, pressing his face into her hair.]

I've always been here.

[echidna]

[ It gets through to her in a convoluted way, distorted and scalding. She sobs into her hands, not wanting to look anymore. ]

[echidna]

[ She calms down somewhat, her breathing slowing but the look of panic lingering. His words twist themselves across the paper in her lap, and she stares down at them. ]

I can't, I can't.

[pkeccentric.livejournal.com]

I'm right here. I'm right here and I'm not gonna leave you.

[but finding a doctor would be ideal. he's been hearing things about poisonous toadstools cropping up around town, so maybe...]

Do you remember eating any mushrooms, sweetheart?

[echidna]

[ It takes her a while to say anything else, she's so overwhelmed all she can do is cry. ]

[echidna]

Why didn't you save me?

[coolbowtie.livejournal.com]

[He eases her into his lap, letting her rest her head on his chest if she needs to, rubbing her back.]

[echidna]

[ She doesn't quite hear him, but understands and is waiting downstairs for him. She answers the door, stares out at an empty doorway, to an empty street. She doesn't stay anything, leans against the frame and sighs. ]

No one.

[echidna]

[ She trembles like a leaf against him, but in time the tears subside. She feels exhausted, drained, but at least she's not alone. ]

[coolbowtie.livejournal.com]

Ssshhh, alright now?

[He still holds her tightly, slightly worried about how she's shaking.]

[echidna]

[ Jade's afraid. Madoka's voice had been more clear than the other's, which wasn't saying much but it was something. She just wants her to be there, doesn't want to be alone. ]

Where are you?

[echidna]

[ Jade pulls back slightly, enough to look at him, her face ugly and swollen from all her tears. Her voice wavers when she speaks. ]

Everyone's gone.

[echidna]

Feferi, everyone's gone, everyone. And you are too, aren't you.

[miraculls.livejournal.com]

You can.

[In a time-honored move, he leans forward and gently tilts her chin up with his finger, trying to get her to meet his eyes.]

The town's just playing tricks on your pan. I'm real, Jade, you ain't alone.