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@calidris

CALIX:

“Well…Usually the castle likes to throw challenges our way,” the girl started. “They’re not deadly as far as I can tell, but they’re awful nonetheless. Last time, we had to share our worst regrets, or have them played out on a screen in front of us …” her voice caught. “It was horrible, and there were some I wish I’d never seen …”

I blanched. I’m glad I missed that …

“And then after that, His Lordship himself appeared to fight, and as soon as he was defeated we each met our future self, and as far as I can tell we’re all just stuck here miserably waiting for the next challenge.”

She stopped for a beat. “There seems to be a pattern of sorts – before we had to share our worst regrets, we had a nice banquet and watched a ballet performed by some of our party. So, we had a nice challenge, then a miserable one. As for me, I thought meeting my future self was rather nice. So I’m going to assume we’ve got another miserable challenge coming our way.”

I had no future self …

My thoughts blurred.

I began to spiral-

“Would you like to join Kit and I?”

I looked at her, not realising my vision had unfocused.

“It’s a lot easier when you’ve got someone to lean on.  I know I couldn’t have done it alone.”  She smiled, nervously extending her hand to me.  “I’m Val, by the way. What’s your name?”

“C-Calix,” I said, my voice wheezy as I tremulously took Val’s hand. “Calix Meir.”

“Nice to meet you,” Val said, her smile strengthening a bit as she pulled me gently from my hiding spot.

I nodded back, trying to swallow and walk with her. My knees shook, and I was still rather tremulous from that revelation.

Don’t think about it, don’t think about it.