Chapter 267: The Girl They Called Iris Part 1 (1/2)
Ten minutes earlier.
Large piles of guns were dropped to the floor as the police and streamers were tied up and dealt with. Monty went through the pile taking all the magazines out, sighing. ”Something doesn't feel right here.”
Iris kept looking to the sky, feeling paranoid holding her head. ”Do you guys hear that?”
”I don't hear anything,” Jinx admits. ”Iris, are you sure you're feeling alright.”
Butch stared on at Iris, looking paranoid. Monty took note of this, walking over to him. ”What's got you so worked up, Mortem? Have you done something to Iris?”
”You need to kill her,” Butch whispered, snapping. ”Kill her before it's too late!”
The Syndicate members cautiously turned to Iris before pulling Butch away. ”Like we'd listen to anything you'd say monster!” Monty ranted, kicking Butch in the stomach. ”Are you good?”
Iris held her head feeling dizzy. ”I feel something calling to me.”
Butch continued to watch, whispering. ”We're all doomed. We're all doomed.”
”Will someone shut him up!” Florence barked, checking everyone's IDs. ”There seems to be no blood moons insight.”
”That's good. Although I feel this was too easy.” Jinx admitted counting her bullets.
Monty walked, feeling Iris' head. ”You're burning up. What do you hear?”
Iris mumbled, uncomfortable. ”I can't quite tell… It's just like before…”
”I'm going to call Alton and tell him we're taking Iris out; she's not in the right state of mind to fight Mortem.”
”No! No. I can still fight. I'm fine.”
”Are you sure?”
”Positive.”
Monty believed her stepping away for a moment. ”Alright, Syndicate can take care of the rest; we'll meet up with Vanguard for support. We'll take a five-minute break and then head out.”
Readying for the next fight, Monty looked to Butch, whimpering again. ”He's here, he's here…”
Purple flower petals began falling around them as Monty caught onto the trouble. Spinning on the spot to Iris, a hollow tree appeared as Acceptance appeared, holding Iris holding a finger over his mouth, hushing her. ”Iris!” Monty yelled, running forward. Jinx and Florence did the same as the portal closed, with only Monty jumping through.
****
Iris collapsed to the floor, finding herself in a vase open field of decaying purple flowers. A set of tables and chairs were seen far off the distance. As Iris stood up, she heard a slight chuckle. Looking over her shoulder, she found no one there, only to look back, finding herself face to face with Acceptance. Stumbling around, falling to the floor, Iris glanced up at the Stage of Grief, terrified. ”You… I know you; I've seen you before.”
”You have Daughter of Fairy-Tale. I represent Acceptance, one of the Five Stages of Grief. An honour to finally meet you, Salvation.”
Offering his hand, Iris refused it standing up backing away. ”Where am I?”
”Where else? Your former home, you are at the edge of the Garden.” Acceptance admitted pointing to her. ”Mind your step.”
Almost falling into an endless cavern, Iris saved herself, turning back paranoid. ”That's not possible.”
”Nothing ever is these days. Once you accept that, everything will be much easier.”