Chapter 43: Promised

"So that's that?" Takabi slipped on a pair of sweatbands over his wrists. He was dressed in a black shirt and violet sweatpants. Tapping the tips of his shoes on the floor, he kept a strong gaze with Garuga and Porrelth.

The Dragons were looking over a couple papers and open folders. They studied their collected information on the Kult and were readily attempting to plan their next move. While they produced no results and Porrelth held an air of anger, they both agreed not to leave until they had some kind of lead, regardless of how exhausted they may be.

"Yes," Garuga said, looking up from the sheets he was holding. "You all handled the situation as best you could. None of us could predict Kairas succumbing to his Gem, and certainly not the interaction with Girston and Carlos."

Takabi nodded and stuck his hands in his pockets. He mulled over idea after idea as to what could have led Girston to that moment, and nothing connected.

"Are the girls okay," Porrelth asked suddenly.

Takabi nodded. "For the most part. Shine hasn't come out of her room for a couple days, and Frannie has been running around and keeping herself busy. They're strong, for at least attempting to hold themselves together in their own ways."

"So what was The Father's end goal? We knew he wanted an army, but was it really just so he could defect from the Kult?" He paused, rubbing his chin and leaning back in his seat. The image of Porrelth acting sophisticated while keeping his homeless exterior made Takabi smirk.

"Who knows," The boy shrugged. "He's dead now, so it's not like we can pick his brain apart. Best to worry about what we already have and move up from there."

The two nodded in agreement.

A knock came to the boardroom door. Slowly it opened, Frannie poking her head around and speaking softly. "Can I talk to you, Takabi?"

"Sure," He said, waving goodbye to the Dragons. Stepping out of the room and shutting the door, Frannie led him down the hall into her room.

A space like his, fitted with a bed and bathroom. A table was in the corner with a piece of paper written on it. The ink looked fresh, dim table light flickering between strong and weak. A bookcase was to his left, as well as the bathroom.

"I need a favor," She said finally. "Can you bring that note to my parents? Tell them that I'm alright. They heard about everything that happened on the news and are probably worried sick."

"Sure," He said, walking towards the table and taking the paper, folding it before slipping it into his pocket. "You could always text them, or give them a call."

"Best not to," She said quickly. "I'd rather keep things on the down low. No telling what could happen if the Kult finds them."

Takabi nodded and crossed his arms. "I guess."

"Thank you," She said dryly.

They stood in silence. Takabi could sense she had more to say, and he merely waited. Frannie bit her lip, inhaling deeply and looking into his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"For?"

She looked down, feeling the tears build in her eyes. "For… For being so weak… I tried so hard to fight back… And each time… Each time I…" Her voice trailed off, replaced by a gentle sniffle.

Takabi stepped closer to her, wrapping his arms around her in a warm hug. "Sh. Don't apologize. I promised to keep you safe, and I failed. It's my fault."

Shaking her head, she buried her face deeper into his chest, hugging him back just as tightly. Her warm tears stained his shirt, leaving a wet patch. He looked down at her blonde hair, petting the back of her head and speaking low.

"Frannie. I really am sorry all of that happened to you two. If I could, I'd go back in time and stop it from ever happening."

Nodding into his body, she exhaled in a muffled strain, before her tears came more intensely. The subtle cry became a pained wail, Frannie gripping his shirt hard. He held her firmly, keeping his arms around her and allowed her to cry.

It truly was his fault.

Had he kept a tighter leash on his own emotions, he would've been able to be with them that night. He was awake, and listened to them leave. Many days that week he mulled over how much would've been different had he decided to follow regardless, but he figured they would be okay.

He trusted his thoughts over his feelings, and it injured so many people.

"I'm supposed to be your teacher, and I'm the one who failed." A few tears rolled down his face. "Frannie, can you forgive me?"

Her cries refused to cease, but she nodded into his embrace.

"You did your best. That's all any of us can do anymore."

She pulled away, wiping her eyes with her sleeve and watching him. "Am… Am I a liability now?"

"Of course not," He said. "Just get some rest. If you want to talk or anything, just come and find me, okay?" He stepped towards her, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, before leaving the room.

Frannie touched her forehead and exhaled. Surprised at the gesture, she felt most of her worries melt away. "Thank you," She uttered quietly, sitting on her bed and hugging her legs.

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Takabi kicked off the tree branch, landing on the sidewalk and looking around. The sun beat down harshly, holding a strong orange color. Birds flew away overhead, silence gripping the road as he strolled along casually.

His face was somber, emotions a mix of regret and guilt. Once his eyes fell on Frannie's home, he moved up the stairs and rang the doorbell. It was silent aside from the crickets in the yard and barking dogs down the road.

Again, he rang and knocked. When no answer came, he glanced in the driveway and raised an eyebrow. "Their car is here."

He touched the door, eyes widening quickly. He kicked the barrier in and watched it fly into the kitchen. Stepping into the home, he looked around frantically, bounding the steps and down the upstairs hallway.

"No. No, No, No."

His fingers gripped the double doors at the end of the hall, pushing them open and smashing the lock.

His heart stopped, and he dropped to his knees.

Red coated the room. Pieces of rotted flesh and smashed bones liter the bed. The room was covered with intestines and other intermingled human meat. What remained untouched was the two heads that sat on the pillow near the window. Their eyes were rolled into their skulls, dried blood coating the rims of their necks.

Above, scrawled in blood, were the words, "No home to come back to."

Takabi lowered his head, averting his gaze and gritting his teeth. The only hint to the assailant was the lingering puffs of ripped fur and yellow stains on the carpet.

I'm sorry, He thought, reaching into his pocket and placing the note down into the blood. Raising his head, he spoke soft, gentle prayers, before his eyes ignited with a strong flame.

Making his way out of the home, he reached into his pocket and dialed Frannie's number. The following conversation carried on in a blur. Takabi was dazed, numb as he explained what he discovered.

"I knew," Frannie said. "I… I couldn't see it myself. Not in person. What Orion did was just…" She paused, breathing hard into the phone. "It's been that way for a while. All the tears I had dried out while I was in that damn place."

Takabi bit his lip, looking back at the cackling flames of the home. "What now?"

"I can hear it. The fire I mean. Thank you."

"Sure," He said. The call ended, and Takabi sat and watched as the home continued to burn. The sound of muffled sirens in the distance rung in his ears. He exhaled, standing and bowing towards the home. "I promised. I failed. Whether or not you approve of a second chance, I will take care of Frannie for you guys. Rest in peace."