Ghosts of the Past

[crystalmaster]

WHO: Radley and anyone in his location
WHERE: Hotel
WHAT: Ghostly visit
WHEN: During the Storm
WARNINGS: CW: Mentions of torture and death by electrocution, suicidal thoughts

Radley was angry, frustrated, and worried about the sudden storm. At least he had supplies, so he wasn't so worried about himself, but he was definitely concerned for those who might not be in such a good situation. He was also really worried about Eddie, not sure if anyone was even at the hospital with him. He tried to get over there, but failed before the storm hit. Unable to leave, he went around checking on those who were in the building with him and was trying to adapt to dealing with the problem (hoping it wouldn't last long), when a sudden additional chill permeated the air. This one went right to his soul. He froze, turning to look to the source. As a ghostly vision began to take shape, all color drained from his face.

"Kalin?!"

The man who appeared was younger than Radley, but his golden eyes were emotionless and dead. Long, pale blue hair framed his face and fell around his shoulders and down his back, a sharp contrast to his dark coat. A jagged yellow mark went all the way down the right side of his face. He stood, just staring through Radley for an agonizingly long moment before raising a hand and pointing at him with a steady finger.

"You failed."

Radley went colder than even before. "Kalin, what ... why are you acting like this?! What happened to you?! Are you dead?!"

He did seem to remember hearing about apparitions that appeared during storms. Was this real? Was it just someone taking on Kalin's appearance? How would it know about Radley's past and what haunted him so?

Kalin ignored him and kept talking. "You failed the town. You failed everyone who cared about you. You couldn't protect them. Instead you were dragged to Malcolm's mine and tortured to death with an overloaded shock collar, just another victim of his cruelty! You gave up on life and let yourself die!"

Radley was shaking, but finally he found his voice. "What about you?!" he spat. "You gave up on life long before that! You wanted to go to the mine! You wanted to suffer and die! I wanted to live! I wanted to save everyone ... and I couldn't...."

"You weren't good enough. Everyone left you. Everything was taken from you. And you lost all hope, all desire to go on. And I ... I couldn't care less."

The phantom rippled and faded into the mist.

Radley sank to his knees, still shaking. He was angry, he was hurt, he was crushed to pieces. Kalin or whoever had laid bare everything still torturing Radley in his mind and in his heart, right down to his anguish that Kalin didn't care, or didn't seem to. They hadn't spoken since Radley's revival. He didn't know why Kalin had always treated him so poorly. He only knew how it had felt to him. Every time he had tried to reach out, he had been kicked away like an unwanted animal. As if that hadn't been bad enough, Kalin and his friend Yusei had abandoned Radley to the torture in the mine, where he had suffered and died. Now the scab had been ripped open anew and all of the pain he had been trying to push back and hide was coming out again. He sobbed bitterly, unaware that others had witnessed the spectacle and were probably still here now.

Comments

[stitch_witch]

"Then we will find you more," she says, her voice soft and kind. Yes, she could do that with him. Helping him help others was the way of things, and should be.

[crystalmaster]

“Thanks,” Radley said softly. “I’m good at building and repairing vehicles back home, and construction. I design buildings and homes sometimes.”

[stitch_witch]

Building and repairing vehicles. Well, that could be useful.

"There's a man that does construction work I believe. Named Reeve."

Of course for her, 'Reeve' meant something else, and she had to not chuckle at how apt a name it was.

[crystalmaster]

"... Oh yeah, I met him during the last storm. So he might know some other things I could do here in town?" Radley perked up.

[stitch_witch]

"Perhaps he would. Seek him out if you will when you can. The man would need the attention and help I think."

He seemed lonely.

[crystalmaster]

"I'll definitely do that," Radley smiled. "Thanks."

[stitch_witch]

She nods and stands, offering her hands down to him to guide him to his feet. Come on then.

"I think I can make you some tea."

[crystalmaster]

Radley slowly gets up with a shaky smile. "Thanks."

[stitch_witch]

"You are welcome. But the truest thanks you can give me is to pass the kindness on."

All things in a cycle, including kindness.

[crystalmaster]

Radley tries to do that as it is, but he nods. "Right."

If these apparitions pop up for everyone, he'll probably have the chance soon.

[stitch_witch]

Hopefully he shall. For now she is happy to guide him to her room.

"You can curl up with Little Bear too."

[crystalmaster]

He smiles. "That sounds really nice."

[stitch_witch]

Good. She wraps her hands around his arm, gently, and keeps him walking forward toward her room.

"And blankets. Warm blankets."

[crystalmaster]

"You've got all the essentials, huh?" Radley said appreciatively.

[stitch_witch]

"I'm used to living in such a way. It is better to be mindful for possible emergencies such as this one."

[crystalmaster]

"It sure is. I'm glad I thought to store up some food too," Radley mused.

[stitch_witch]

Yes, that was an advantage too. Lark was prone to it as well.

"We may wish to see, as 'He Rows' to making emergency supply caches."

[crystalmaster]

"That's a good idea," Radley said. "There's always so many problems going on around here."

[stitch_witch]

Oh dear but that was an accurate statement, one which earns a very hearty chuckle from her.

"More than I'd expect for how few young people we have here. It's impressive."

[crystalmaster]

"Although we don't seem to cause any of the problems; we just get caught up in them. Whoever our enemies are sure don't want us to fix this place." Radley scowls.

[stitch_witch]

Yes, that seems true, and Lark looks angry.

"They violate the cycle of nature. The way it's supposed to be. They won't let things heal."

[crystalmaster]

"Yeah. I wish we knew why. Are they just that hateful about the Agrii, or do they have any other reason?"

[stitch_witch]

One had to wonder, and Lark pursed her lips as she finally pushed a door open into her room. Little Bear was there, and he leapt to his feet, rushing over to see Radley

[crystalmaster]

Radley had to laugh. "Hey there!" He petted Little Bear.

[stitch_witch]

It was a bad day, and the dog could read the mood. He licked at Radley's hand carefully, hoping to comfort him.

"You're welcome to snuggle him all you want while I see about starting a fire."