V.I.R.A.L

Chapter 56: Acceptance

Gale had chosen to sleep in on this day. Getting up early would mean facing his family. If he could sleep in for as long as possible, then it would mean less time worrying about the truth he would have to accept. While Alton and Scarlett had spent the night protecting the village he had hid away refusing to help, doing so would seal his fate and hold him accountable for all that happened.

Knowing all too well he couldn't keep this up forever he pulled himself out of bed seeing a fresh set of clothes on his chair. He held them up realising that they were, in fact, his father's favourite set. Snarling at the thought, he reluctantly threw them on storming down the stairs. Heading straight for the door, it was already halfway open before he stopped. "You heading out so soon? I made you breakfast."

Gale turned to his mother, who held a plate of eggs and bacon with a concerned look. "I'm not hungry."

"Please, just sit with me."

Gale huffed closing the door throwing his shoes off and slumping down in the kitchen. He began playing at his meal before taking a few bites. He shook his head, scoffing. "Your food was always crap, wasn't it?"

"You still think it is? Ha, guess you aren't wrong. It was always your father, who was the better cook than me. He was better at most things than me."

"I'm not going to disagree there." He whispered, spinning his fork around. "Why did you call me home?"

"I had the chance to talk to some of your friends. They all seem nice. Especially that girl Zinnia. She came and said hello earlier this morning. I was going to wake you, but I thought I'd let you get some rest. You were always up at the crack of dawn and gone before anyone could wake."

"I did that to run away from this damn village."

"Is Zinnia your girlfriend? No, that's not right, no girl ever liked the barbaric weirdo you were. But you have a crush on her."

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Gale froze snapped his head away hissing. "What makes you say that?"

"Your reaction says it all. Besides, I'm your mother. I know these things. Even if you were gone for so long…" She sighed, looking down at her plate. "I missed you son."

"I had no intention of coming."

"I know you didn't. It's why we hired those streamers. It's why we've been holding out for so long on our own. Dragging you into this was the last thing I wanted to do. I know how much you hated this village. Staying here was nothing more than a burden for you. After your father died, everyone knew that. When we heard what happened to grandma, it was even more clear coming home would only make things worse. Bringing you home was our last resort. You must understand that."

Gale stood up, scooping the remains on his meal into the bin. "Don't blame yourself." Unable to say anything else Gale stormed outside sitting on the porch to the small hut. He took a deep breath watching the village come to life. He began to shake his head, feeling like an idiot for being too afraid to admit his wrongdoings. Looking back up, he saw Zinnia walking by. "Hey, Zinnia."

"Oh, good afternoon, Gale. Did you sleep well?"

"For the most part. Where's Alton?"

"He left early this morning with Scarlett and the children. They wanted to go fishing."

"What's your take on the two?"

"Alton and Scarlett?"

"Yeah? You think they make a good pair?"

Zinnia kept tapping her chin, thinking of the right words. "I disagree. Something feels off about the whole thing. You don't make moves on someone that quickly."

"Someone sounds jealous."

"I have no reason to be jealous! I have stated serval times my feelings for Alton are strictly professional. I see him as nothing more than a friend. He's my best friend, in fact. Any other sort of feelings for him is absurd. It's not that he isn't a good guy. He has saved me serval times and risked his own life to help me. And I must admit he does have a unique aura to him. But I just find him interesting, that's all. He's unlike anyone I've ever met. But it's best not to take that out of context. I just very much admire him nothing more nothing less. So, in those circumstances, if he does truly like Scarlett than I am happy for him."

"You could have just said no…"

Zinnia wagged her finger around, trying to play the whole ordeal off. "If we are on the topic of love, then what about you? I've read your emotions plenty of times. Under all that bulk and exotic nature, you have love locked away. Why don't we discuss your feelings?"

"Alright, alright. I yield, I yield. You fair maiden have won this fight."

"Hmm, hell yeah I have." She bolded claimed flicking her hair back. "I'm awesome. Huh?"

Gale looked into the forest as a little girl came running with cuts all over her. She tumbled forward as the two ran over to her. "Are you alright? You're one of the children who went with Alton? What happened?"

"The Moss. The Moss attacked. They took the others. It took Lucas away to the ravine."

Gale stood up in shock, looking towards his home, seeing his mother standing in the doorway. He turned back kneeling. "How do you know he was taken there?"

"That's where all the people who are taken go. It's where the Moss comes from."

Gale bit his lip jerking back. "I'm going after him."

"I'm coming too!"

"No! I need you to stay here, Zinnia. This child needs your help."

"But."

"Please."

"Alright, what about Alton?"

"He'll be fine. Little girl, which way is this ravine?"

"It's north of here by the waterfall. You can't miss it. Please, Gale, save Lucas."

Gale jumped over the defences running into the forest. He didn't stop for anything even with the endless Moss appearing Gale proceeded. He couldn't let Lucas die even though he had never met his brother before. Even though he ran away from all his responsibilities four years ago, he knew he had to make things right for once in his life. Rushing through the trees, he came to a halt almost falling into the gaping ravine. He was in shock that something this big just appeared overnight. Peering in there didn't look like that was a bottom in sight. But he knew he had to find a way down. Lucas was down there. Walking closer to the ravine vines climbed up the side making a staircase down. A voice whispered taunting Gale. "Gale Lampard, denier of fate come. I've been expecting you."

Gale took a deep breath, accepting what he had to do as he took his first step—followed by another and another. One turned into many as he descended into the unknown. Although he couldn't see anything, he knew his way down. Like it was an instinct. One which was locked away since birth. It wasn't long before the staircase turned into grass as Gale found himself in a clear field. It was still pitch black as trees covered all of his surroundings. In the middle of this field was Lucas. Gale rushed over to his aid only for the boy to vanish. In his place, a small bud appeared. "Lucas! Lucas, where are you?!"

"Look at you playing the hero. Tell me, Gale, why did you come here? Was it to redeem yourself and save your brother? Was it to impress that girl Zinnia? No, it was something else. Something far simpler. The truth of the matter was you hoped this place would take you away."

Gale looked around for the source of the taunting coming up blank every time. "Where are you?! Show yourself!"

"Denying your true self. Your past. Tut, tut."

"Who the hell do you think you are telling me what I am?!"

"Denial."

"Shut up! Where's Lucas! Answer me, damn it!"

"Anger."

"Give him back; I'll do anything."

"Bargaining."

"Please, I can't. Not again. Father. Grandma. Not him too."