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

[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."

[crystalmaster]

Radley smiled. What a sweet animal. "Thanks." He knelt down to pet Little Bear some more.

[stitch_witch]

"He'll be glad for it," she said as she moved to her small fire she had set up by the window. Not for the first time she's relieved she thought to make a smoke hole for it, and even a chimney that was well insulated so the smoke wouldn't enter the room.

"Alright then, you two keep each other company, and I'll heat water. I'm glad I thought to get matches."

[crystalmaster]

"Yeah, that's a good thing," Radley agreed. "Did Little Bear come here with you?"

[stitch_witch]

"No," she answered as she got her kindling lit, and Little Bear rolled onto his back for belly pets.

"I awoke one day and he was outside of my room."

[crystalmaster]

"Really? So he's from here?" Radley was surprised. He rubbed Little Bear's tummy.

[stitch_witch]

There! With the fire going she sets a kettle by it to heat.

"No, he is decidedly the dog my children raised. He just arrived late."

[crystalmaster]

"... That's kind of surprising he was allowed to come, but that's great. A special piece of home." Radley smiled.

[stitch_witch]

"Indeed," she says with a smile as she moves to sit by them. "I hear Cayde got a pet from home too. Maybe they are slowly coming to us, to serve as security and familiarity."

[crystalmaster]

"The chicken?"

Radley smiles. "It's nice. I wonder who or what else might come eventually."

[stitch_witch]

"Yes, from what I understand," she says with a smile.

Little Bear moves to put his head in Radley's lap, hoping to get pet.

[crystalmaster]

Radley smiles, petting him more. "I always wanted a pet. My grandmother wouldn't allow it."

[stitch_witch]

"Well, you're welcome to look after Little Bear sometimes if you want. He loves to play, and I am a more... restrained person many times."

And the dog needed a lot of energy.

[crystalmaster]

"Really? That's nice of you, thanks. I'd like that." Radley smiles at both Lark and Little Bear. "He reminds me of my friend Scotch, very happy and playful."

[stitch_witch]

She hears a bit of bubbling and rises again to get the water.

"He is. The children played with him often, and he is a darling. But shy of other animals at times."

[crystalmaster]

"He gets along better with people, huh?" Radley mused.