Friday, April 1, 2011

Cheska

I've got good news, and bad news.
Good news first: Cheska's no longer in danger of being killed by Big Blue or a proxy.
Bad news: It's because she's my new right-hand girl. Well, actually, that's just bad news for you guys, I think. It's excellent news for me.

Cheska woke up tied down to a chair, with an IV plugged into her right forearm via needle. I made sure to wipe up any blood and I numbed that spot so she only felt minimal pain. I also made sure the first thing she saw was me.
“... Isabel?” she asked, groggy from whatever had knocked her out when some dude in a mask dumped her in the chair earlier that first day. Yes, first. She held out for two days. “What... where am I?” I tipped my hat to her,
“Glad to see a friendly face, kitten?" I asked, lounging back on the chair opposite her. Cheska just gave me a cold stare.
“What the hell is going on here, Fizzy?" A fair question. I decided she deserved to hear my take on things. Well, okay, I'll give her a choice. The way this drug works, it'll get harder for her to think the more brain activity goes on. From what the science types told me about it, it moves through the brain faster that way. I don't know, I'm not a fucking biologist.
"Well, do you want the answer that'll let you feel relieved, or do you want the answer that'll make you realize you're bound into a chair in the middle of nowhere with a powerful hypnotic drug dripping into your bloodstream?" I swept my hand around, and I could tell she was only then coming to realize we were in an abandoned airplane hangar.
“I'd prefer knowing why one of my old friends isn't dead, if you please."
"Alright, another choice, though pretty soon your poor head's gonna start feeling really foggy. Do you want the long version, or do you want the short one?”

She asked for the long version. I obliged. I told her everything about how I ended up like this. Something like pity dawned in her eyes. I told her about how I'd been ordered to kill her. That pity crumbled. I held up a finger, and started in on the real meat of the plan. I leaned against the back of her chair and hugged her from behind, telling her how I felt. I considered, and continue to consider her, a dear friend, and how if she stayed with me, she'll be safe. You know, from Big Blue, and his other merry henchmen. I explained why I stopped caring about most people—hell, look at the people who are being haunted these days. People who want to meth lab a cure, people who want to treat this like the sequel to The Expendables... Well, you get the gist of it. The people making the same mistakes I did, only, they're not learning from them.
“He loved you, you know. You were family to him. His cool big sister.” How do I explain what went on in that hangar to you all? Big Blue was there, you know. If I didn't get her to see things my way, I had to kill her. If I didn't do either, he'd kill her, then kill me. And I'm still not ready to die, and I can't stand to let Cheska get hurt if I can prevent it. And that's what I told her. I made sure the computer was still recording, and I spent hours talking to her in a soft, soothing voice. Reassuring her, as the drug kicked in full-force and Cheska started having trouble telling my words apart from her thoughts, that I was going to keep her safe from everything that would hurt her, I stood behind her and lightly massaged her temples.

Yes, yes, I know, some or all of you are gasping right now, pointing at me and calling me a bounder, a cad, a villain for brainwashing her. Here's the thing: I didn't use anything but that drug, and techniques you learn in a first-year psychology course. I kept appealing to the part of her that wanted to be protected and loved, and touched her in relaxing, reassuring ways. If she wanted, she could have fought it off long enough to pull the IV out of her arm, especially since I unbound her and re-bound only her wrists and ankles once she went limp, and her denials turned into soft, curious questions, and finally, acceptance. I held her there like that, for... I don't know how long. I'd long since pulled the IV out. She fell asleep smiling and snuggling up against me. I used the computer to edit the recording, replace all her denials early on with acceptance, cut out the extraneous parts, and put it on an endless loop after donning some earplugs. I wasn't tired, so I stayed up all night, hugging her close, listening to her start to whisper along with my played-back voice.

It was around noon when she woke up, so I stopped the recording and pulled the earplugs out. Big Blue wasn't near anymore. I didn't feel that tug in my head. Cheska just fixed her soft blue eyes on me and asked,  in a heartbreakingly innocent tone, “What now?” I sighed. Now to see if she was going to be saved, or if I'd have to bury that last bit of me that's still sane and decent.
“Well... we're going to have to do some very bad things to some good people, Chessie,” I began. She knew exactly what I meant. I wasn't surprised, she's always been bright.
“Why can't we help them?”
“We... are, in a way. They won't be scared, they won't be hurt, they'll be free, Chessie. I promise, we'll make sure it doesn't hurt when we catch up to one and they'll be given a proper burial.” I looked at her, eye-to-eye, and cradled her cheek in my hand, “Trust me.” Cheska waged a short inner war, then nodded, resting against me, and before she fell asleep (putting us in our current situation), she managed to slurr out,
“I trust you.”

So, before anyone thinks about playing the hero, I need you to stop and really think. I can keep her safe from Big Blue, and the other proxies. I can make sure she's never hurt, that she's safe, protected, and loved. I can give her a *life.* Would you rather tear her away from that, leave her alone and terrified in a hostile world with an otherworldly creature hunting her down, leaving her dead in a ditch somewhere after spending the last days of her life terrified, lonely, hurting, and with her sanity in shreds?


Hey kids, sorry Cheska's been so quiet, we've been catching up, I'll spill all the juicy details later.

-Fizzbomb

Sunday, March 27, 2011

He's Dead... I Know that.

This can't be Jeff.
Jeff died.


I have his remains hanging around my neck.
But he's here.


He looks the same, speaks the same.
Knows the same things. Acts the same way.


He said he came back to help us.
He said it was too early to die.


I'm not sure I believe him.


But... I did something horrible today.


I killed a proxy.
I had to...

She was working for Arpeggio and Cadence.



She...they know I'm looking out for them.


I didn't know what else to do.


Jeff's... Jeff understood why I had to...
He understood everything...


Maybe I should just be happy he's back...
He's disappointed though...


And he wants me to come to bed...
Goodnight, everyone.

-Cheska

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Little Boy, Little Boy...

...Are you missing your mommy?

Jeff's been telling me about what happened to him.

He doesn't blame me...

He's held my hand and taken me places.

Everyone stares...

They don't understand us...

Jeff...Jeff came back.

for me.

for us.

hahahahahahahaha.

I still miss him. 

Everyone thinks he's dead.

he isn't dead. he isn't dead.

he's right here....

Hahahahahahahaha!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Fight or Flight...

I'm proud to say I chose fight.

Hello Everyone.
Cheska Here.


I'm feeling a little safer now .
Revenants don't exist.
Thank you Jean. And thank you Reach.

The sad part is that I feel deluded myself.
I had no idea it wasn't real.
Any of it. But that won't faze me.


Unfortunately it also doesn't stop Arpeggio 
and Cadence from trying to blow my brains out.


That's what I've been doing for the better part of two days.


Those two are snipers,
I'm a close range combatant.


It was not fun avoiding them and skipping across town.
What was fun was how I managed to lose them in a supermarket.


Jeff appreciated how I did it.


I know he's dead.
But he's here. 


He's actually sitting next to me right now.


He's a little like Jiminy Cricket. 


And he's smiling at me.


It's cute and creepy at the same time.


Am I going insane?


Or do I just miss him so much that 
he found a way to come back?


I don't know.


At least he's here.


Well, time for another run.


I have to gather some supplies.
See you later!


-Cheska
The Redeemer

Friday, March 18, 2011

Fighting, Fighting

He's in my head.

He's telling me not to die.

I love him.

I can see him.

I love you, Jeff...

...

He's here.

-Cheska

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Oh God...

Hello Everyone
Cheska Here.

It's...Something's....

The cure...
It's not working...

I don't know.
It stopped...


It just stopped.

I...I read Vivi and Chester's latest post.
It's happened to them too.


I don't know what's going on.
I...Jeff...I think that's why it stopped.

He didn't know.

His blood was in the cure.
He died and it stopped working.

All of it is worthless now.


What do we do?


-Cheska

Monday, March 14, 2011

I Know Them...

The twins are a pair of Revenants.

Cadence and Arpeggio.

I'm in trouble now.

-Cheska
The Redeemer

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Something's Gone Wrong

Hello Everyone. 
Cheska Here.


I don't have much time.
I'm being followed.


A pair of fraternal twins.
Blond haired and blue eyed.


They've been watching me for a while now.


I think they know what happened.


I can't say anything for now.
But... I think Jeff's death set something into motion.


I'll say more later.


Wish me luck and stay safe
-Cheska
The Redeemer

Friday, March 11, 2011

The Cat's Out of the Bag

Hello Everyone.
Cheska Here.


Things have been getting worse.
I'm being chased by Revenants.


Apparently I've warranted that attention.


But... at least I know Jeff's still with me.
I... I had his body cremated.


He's now a jewel on a chain around my neck.
Right next to my heart. Where he belongs.


Speaking of Jeff...
I've decided to keep the his blog.


It's now a memorial to him.
The man who gave everything to save the people he loved.


And of course, The Isabel Initiative and The Keeper Alliance.
They're mine to head now. Just like Jeff wanted me to.


I'm on a mission now.
Unite the bloggers, kill the monster.
Save my old acquaintances.
Protect my friends, and not let Jeff's death be in vain.


But, I digress.
Before I can do any of this.
Can I ask you all something?


All of you. The people I used to have nothing but contempt for.
The runners, fighters and bloggers.


Please forgive me.
For everything I've ever done to any of you.


For all the lives I've taken.
For everything I've done in that monster's name.


And please...
Please...


Everyone try to keep safe, alright?
I'll do my best here.


Wish me luck.


-Cheska
The Redeemer










Sunday, March 6, 2011

He's Gone...

It's all my fault.


Hello Everyone, Cheska here.


I...I managed to escape from the monster's clutches.


But...Jeff... he's gone...


I'm sorry... he...


He died saving my life.


It happened so fast.


We were sitting in the cell when I heard this crackling.
I looked up and saw the bars weren't giving off sparks.
The bars lost their electrical charge somehow.

Jeff jumped up told me to get down, 
flipped the bed over and had me hide behind it.
He punched the mirror and grabbed two of the 
biggest shards of glass and hide them in his pockets.

He cracked one of the bars in half and used it to pry the door loose.
The guards came in after that, looking him down and frowning.


He... killed our two guards by jamming
broken glass shards into their throats
and snapping their necks.


We ran through the complex.


It... it was so cold and dark.


We evaded capture for a little while and ducked into a corner.
Jeff wrote his last post there with me. 

Sitting in that pocket of darkness.

He kissed me...


And he yelled at me to run.


And I did just that. I ran... as fast and as hard as I could.


He stayed behind to fight. 


There were so many Hallowed there.


And... even though I couldn't sense it like I used to.


I knew HE was here too.


The monster. Slender Man.


I heard screams. 
I heard bones snap and crack.
I heard pleading and suffering.


But I ran from it all.
Hoping Jeff would survive and come back to me.


And he did. 
I saw him running towards me.
His face bruised and bloody, but smiling.


I thought we would make it.
I thought we'd both survive.


But I didn't see it.
Or rather, I didn't see it in time.


Slender Man came from behind.
Following us... trying to kill us.


His tentacles flailing at his sides.


He shot one towards me.


He wanted to end my life before Jeff's eyes.


Jeff wasn't going to let that happen.
He saw it coming and dove right in front of it.


He pushed me out of the way and took the tentacle in the chest.


Right above his heart.


He coughed up blood and fell to the ground.
I stopped... shocked at what happened.
The monster used the opportunity to take another shot at me.


Jeff just wouldn't let it happen.
He took the second tentacle in the shoulder.


It... it seemed to start laughing.

At Jeff... At Us.


Jeff spat a bloody wad at it and got back up, the tentacles still protruding through him.

And he snapped them off at the base.

The thing roared in pain and sent the rest of them flying at us.
He dodged them all, smiling and running towards me.


Jeff caught me as I stood there, wrapping himself around me as best as he could.


And we went back through the Otherworld .


I didn't notice back then.


But he was so pale.
And he seemed so tired.


We made it back to the start of a small town in Maryland.
Found a small motel and rented a room.


He... he was smiling.
He gave me the biggest smile I've ever seen.


And I hugged him.
I threw my arms around him because I thought we escaped.


I thought we had escaped together.
We sat together on the floor, not wanting to get the bed dirty.


I laid his head against my shoulder and kissed him.

And then I felt something wet under me.

It was blood. Jeff's blood...


His clothes were soaked in it.
The wounds weren't healing.


And he began to grow more pale.


He began to cry and I did as well.


We both knew what was happening...


He was dying.


He explained what happened when he got hit by the tentacles.


"They drained my energy and my powers away.
Apparently I failed too much to just die."

"Cheska, I'm free. I'm not a Revenant anymore."

Apparently he had just enough energy left as a Revenant to get me to safety.
But had run out before he had a chance to heal himself. 


He lost the ability to heal himself after we entered the Otherworld.

"Jeff... I'm sorry. You didn't need to save me."


"Don't be sorry, Cheska. I had to save you."

"I Love You."

We both said it at the same time.
He was becoming paler.


I tried to stop the bleeding, tried to help the wounds close.
And he held my hand and shook his head.


He understood what was happening.
I cried harder. 


"Don't leave me, Jeff."


"Please don't leave me."


I buried my face into his chest.
I wanted to wake up. 

I wished it was all just a bad dream.

I wanted to wake up from this nightmare and let everything be okay.


But it wasn't.


Jeff smiled in the end.
He kissed me softly and stroked my hair with his hand.


"I'm sorry, Cheska."

"I'm sorry I have to leave you."

"But it's my time now."

"Maybe I'll see Fizzy when I get there."

He asked me one last thing before he died.
He wanted me to sing his favorite song with him as a farewell.

The one I sang to him before.
The one this mother used to sing to him as a baby.

And I did. I sang my heart  out to him.
Tears stung my eyes as I kept going.
He held my hand, his grip loosening as the song continued.


I held him in my arms and embraced him as he look at me.
He...he kissed me one last time before the end.


His breath became shallow. His eyes glassing over.


He looked into mine and I saw the pupils fade in color.
They stared up at me. Lifeless.


The man I loved was dead in my arms.


And I was alone.


I love you, Jeff.
I love you so much.

That thing is going to pay.

-Cheska
The Redeemed