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 Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 5:46 pm
Ruthie froze. She exhaled. She brushed back a strand of hair. She met his gaze.
"Alois, take me home." She clenched her fists. "Please."
He didn't know. She thought he knew. He reached for her with panic. He didn't expect the platform to drop. If he knew that they would be alright, this would have been okay, but he didn't. He trusted that she wouldn't cut the cable. He trusted the platform not to crash. Why would he do that? Why would he...?
She didn't want to talk. She didn't want to look at him. She studied the machinery.
Why would he do that?
He really didn't care.
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Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 6:00 pm
Alois beckoned for her to follow. "Natürlich."
The remaining platforms held their weight easily; she wouldn't have anything else to fear from this bizarre trip. However, he didn't seek to take her hand or walk alongside her - such measures were reserved for those who could appreciate his eccentric view of the world. Or was it?
Inwardly Alois reprimanded himself. He knew he sought far too many risks lately, far more than he normally would, and all of that pain and effort and miraculous survival was due to his need to sabotage his own existence. By death or by youmafication, he would forsake the shackles that bound him to humanity, right? So why wasn't it working?
What held him back so easily?
Perhaps the doctors were right. Maybe he should've paid more attention, maybe he should've listened, but it didn't matter now. Too far gone he was, adrift in his own frigid, roiling sea. Perhaps it was best he drown alone, rather than pull tides beneath the surface and engulf all who possessed the bravery to traverse these treacherous waters. Ruthie included - though... Perhaps if he continued these cruel measures, she could form the catalyst to push him past humanity.
Death or youmafication.
Curious if she led to the latter.
Alois descended the stairs, rounded the dim corners, pressed through ancient, groaning barriers. The sun began its descent below the horizon, so he knew they didn't have much time to vacate the dismal pit before darkness swallowed them whole. He proceeded without speech; far too much occupied his mind to maintain a discussion.
When he finally pushed through the doors to the outside world, the sun painted the sky in hues of red.
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Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 6:16 pm
The stoplight switched from red to green. Ruthie's nails dug into her palms the entire way. Alois trailed like a shadow. Did he feel shame? Probably not. Did he think they would meet again? Probably not. If so, he out-deluded her. How could anyone think that? Why would he even want to see her again? He told her to jump. He threatened to leave her in an abandoned plant. He...
Do. Not. Cry. She could feel herself breaking. She just felt so scared. Did he even care at all? DO. NOT. CRY.
Her eyes stung. She covered her face with her arm. She...just had a headache. It wasn't like she felt miserable or terrified or anything. She just felt sick. That was all. Nothing big. Nothing important.
She pushed back her shoulders. She inhaled deeply. Could she keep it together for another minute? She smiled and spun on her foot to face Alois.
"That will be all. Thank you, Alois."
She could walk the rest of the way.
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