Episode 97: ACCEPTANCE

Everything was quiet, still and almost like a pause in time. Gabby woke up, with a painful throbbing on her head. She saw small fingers reaching for her red hair, and that was when she knew, something was not right. She can't remember much, but she felt unwell and anxious. More so, what was that smell? That foul smelling odor that kept bothering her for a while now. When she looked up, that was when she came to realize that she was inside a cave, filled with small bats, all gathered together, sleeping peacefully. Little Gabby, scanned the unfamiliar surrounding, wondering just where and what the heck happened. When a female voice, called her from behind.

TANKEN: Oh, goodness, you're awake. Great! You've been asleep for hours. You must be hungry.

Gabby felt more wary, for whatever reason, her instincts don't trust this woman at all. Who could she be? And why are they, alone?

TANKEN: Don't be afraid, I'm not your enemy no more. Come, let's go find your food.

The stranger extended her hand, while she feel hesitant to reach for it. She kept quiet, still, and observant. All she did was look warily at the lady in white.

TANKEN: I know, I'm a baddie before, but...hey, can we just forget about it for the moment? I get it, I don't deserve a lot of good things, maybe your trust is one of them but...you need me to survive for now... You deserve to live, so please...can we forget about the conflict we had before? Pretty, please?

Gabby can't make sense of all her words. But, she felt even more suspicious.

TANKEN: I'll...I'll suffer in the end, anyways. Don't worry, bad girls gets punished a lot. So, come to me and I'll give you fo-

Before she even finished her sentence, Gabby's stomach grumbled in hunger, futher cementing the thought in Tanken's head that she really does need food. Gabby's embarrassed expression made Tanken give a soft and gentle smile.

Her youthful face reminded her greatly of her children before.

TANKEN: You know, once, I had a daughter with green eyes, just like you. Except their hair were all black.

But her smile faded away quickly after remembering what had happened to them. Sadly, they lived not too long to reach teen ages, as they passed away due to an epidemic.

TANKEN: What do you want to eat?

Tanken still, recieved no response from her, and she felt like maybe she deserves that. After all, she did try to kill her way too many times. She sighed and grabbed a white cloth, made from her hair. Well, since her hair was long, she was able to make one, just enough to cover little Gabby's body.

TANKEN: Whether you trust me or not, you need to eat young lady, but I can't simply leave you here. So you're coming with me.

She said while coming forward to the young girl, picking her up like her own and for once, seeing her face up close, she felt like crying.

Because of past memories, she cradled Gabby in her arms and swung her around, making her laugh.

TANKEN: I...just missed this feeling. A feeling of warmth and love.

She kissed Gabby's cheeks then wrapped her with makeshift cloth. And after some time, she admitted to herself that Gabby was indeed beautiful, if not more beautiful than her. Tanken after that realization, finally lets go of her immature feelings and selfishness. Something she wasn't willing to show in the first place if not for the appearance of Jinko. She felt ashamed and disgusted by herself as she had reserved to killing an innocent mind girl just to fulfill her selfish desires.

...

Tanken and Gabby were able to reach the highway. Eventually, it took her 30 minutes more to reach the houses. In where they asked 3 people for food. Of course Tanken did not touched any, she prioritized Gabby solely.

Tanken, deep inside her, felt unexplainable joy watching Gabby devour the pieces of bread while dipping the tip on chocolate. And that was the happiest she've been since her recent children died.

Maybe she needed this rest. For...for years, she have experienced countless tragedies in her life. Immortality gave no joy to her as it doesn't mean living for all eternity, but rather suffering endlessly, as she was the one to witness those she love, die and get killed by different circumstances. It felt surreal, it felt...lonely, it felt like replaying another game over and over again from the very start. Tanken squeezed Gabby's cheeks gently, planting another kiss on her head.

How can she be a fool in love? This woman...er, child, er woman...was more than worthy of Red's love. No matter how odd it may seem, they somehow deserve each other in their own rights. Red may have found normalcy, the fun, and kindness in her, an escape from his endless cycle of witnessing murders, she was the sweet release he had been craving for, for so long. While she, she found comfort and love in him. They're very different from one another, but they complete each other..

Even though Tanken still admires Red and wanted him to be hers, she knows the truth. And by now, was willing to let her go of what she deems were stupid feelings.

Maybe it's just Tanken spoiled of getting what she always wanted. All men before, after all, falls for her at first sight. But now, she guessed that the right thing to do is take care of Gabby, who holds Red's heart no matter what.

TANKEN: Don't worry Red, I promise to keep her safe. Your reunion will be soon enough.

With the clock quickly ticking, Jinko felt more nervous as he knows the effect won't last any longer. It'll wear off soon!

And he was right, because just when Tanken was about to locate Red and the others, she felt heavier, and eventually Gabby's body slipped from behind with a loud 'thug' sound.

GABBY: Ow!

Gabby tried to stand up, and after flashes of memories came rushing back to her, she felt very much embarrassed. Her cheeks grew red as she tried her best to get up, only to feel an extremely painful feeling, a result of hitting her butt in solid ice.

TANKEN: Ow, we're back? That's...that's a relief. I feel more stronger now.

GABBY: Thank you, Tanken...for not resuming to kill me and taking care of me.

TANKEN: And I'm sorry, for trying to kill you.

There was an awkward silence enveloping them, when Gabby decided to break it with her laughter.

GABBY: This is crazy, too crazy to be honest. I mean...I...weren't we kaboom earlier? Wasn't I screaming back then, begging you to stop pulling me? And now...you're...you're the reason I'm alive and warm. So...thank you. Now we're...

TANKEN: Friends? Yeah, I guess so. Silly how it works. But we shouldn't waste time. Jinko may be looking for us still so we should get out of here quickly.

GABBY: Ow, man... When will those guys leave me alone?

TANKEN: Apparently, maybe not sooner. You got dragged into this by your eyes, right? Sadly the moment you entered Red's world, perhaps you'll never get out of this mess. After all, those eyes just get stronger every year. I haven't found any human with those eyes but I do know that it's hard and maybe even impossible to find cure for them.

GABBY: I'm worried I'll go insane. What if I did go insane???

TANKEN: Chill, chill...just pray you won't, alright? Anyways, try to walk faster. Danger might be near.

GABBY: Ow, right, right! Um, by the way...you told me before you had families with humans. So does that mean you can manipulate your age and looks?

TANKEN: Yes, sweetie. Now, more walking and less talking, okay? Also, our stop might be a bit far... If you want, I can surely carry you.

GABBY: Carry me? No, no, please don't. I'm fine. I...it's embarrassing. I'll be okay.

TANKEN: I see...well then, let's keep going.

...

Red and the others(already on their children form) sensed Gabby's aura back.

They looked at each other, in great relief and hurried to Murasaki's room like flash, telling him the good news. That Gabby's alive and hopefully well...

MURASAKI: Hey, hey, don't keep dragging me like that. I'll break my arm off, promise. And can you please tell me quickly the matter?

RED: Gabby's back.

MURASAKI: Ga-Ga-Ga-Ga-Gabby??? She's back? Like...for reals?

RED: Ye-ye-ye-ye-yes.

MURASAKI: Please, stop mocking me, but anyways this is good news! What are we waiting for? Let's go!!!

They stormed off the room, wasting no time to find her. Amidst their less worried hearts however, all were still aware of the possible danger they might encounter.

Who knew if it was a bait...and if it is not?

Jinko might have sensed her aura back as well as they did.

The just have to find her first...