Chapter 325: The Girl in the Shadows Part 1 (1/2)
No human had stepped foot inside the Garden ever in history. Since the first fall of humanity, knowledge of the Garden was stripped away. Hidden from the people of Victoria by V.I.R.A.L. Over time, people simply forgot the horrid war and events that had played out hundreds of years ago. However, it wouldn't be until one fateful day when the Garden and its secrets would reveal themselves to one unfortunate girl on the verge of losing everything.
Bargaining descended from the Titan approaching Stella, who was sitting by herself admiring her own garden. Taking care of the flowers grown around, she stopped turning her head with a curious look. ”Adam Berry. You don't come down here often; what can I be of service to you?”
”We have a problem, Stella…. A human has somehow wandered into this realm.” Bargaining informed. ”Depression discovered her a while ago. We were going to dispose of her, but there's something else….”
Stella gave a faint nod watering the plants sighing. ”Do you like what I've done with the place, Adam?”
Bargaining, slightly confused, look around, shrugging it off. ”I suppose so…. But.”
”Yes, I understand.” She spoke, standing up tightening the bow on her head. ”Bring me to the girl.”
****
Stella and Bargaining ascended into the hills just outside of the main town. There the two Depressions stood staring down on a single girl tied up, showing no sign of resistance. The two looked up, acknowledging Stella's presence. ”Stella. I found this trout sniffing around the town. Luckily no one spotted her before we poached her.”
The woman picked the girl up, nodding. ”As Me was saying, this human has managed to sneak into our Garden; should we dispose of her?”
”Please remove her restraints.”
”I beg your pardon?” The woman croaked, turning to the man. ”Why?”
Stella kneeled down, making eye contact with her emotionless girl putting her hands onto her chin. ”Because clearly, this girl means no harm. Please do as I say, Depression. That goes to both of you.”
The man snarled, ripping her restraints off stepping away. Both the man and woman began talking to each other as Stella smiled. ”Hello there, I'm sure all of this must be very overwhelming for you. All of this was just one big mistake. I'll be happy to take you back to wherever you came from.”
”No.” The girl whispered, staring down at the ground, trembling. ”Please don't send me back….”
Stella looked lost, looking to Bargaining for guidance, but he was just as lost. ”I'm sorry, but this world isn't suitable for a human-like you. Even now, just being here for a short time will affect you. You'll be driven to madness and consumed by it. I can't have you stay here.”
”Then just kill me.”
Her eyes widened slightly as Stella kept her ground, taking a long breath. Taking the girl's arm, she saw scars and bloody cuts. The girl had bruising all over her face and a black eye to match. Her blonde hair was torn and draggy, not being washed for clearly weeks. As Stella moved closer to the girl, she retracted in fear. Stella smiled faintly. ”Did they do this to you?”
Only replying with a nod, Bargaining shook his head with a tut. ”Humans, I don't understand them. What do they get doing this on their own? You would think after the first war, they would have learned to get along.”
”Now, now. Adam, not all humans are as barbaric as you make out. I've seen what humanity is capable of; there are heroes out there who wish to do good too.”
”They are expectations. Suicidal idiots who went way too far to save others.”
”Regardless.” Stella shrugged off, standing up. ”How did you get here?”
”I ran. Ran as far away as possible from them. Please don't send me back.”
Stella turned her attention to Bargaining, sighing. ”We can't have her stay here, and we can't send her back. Help her.”
”If that is what you wish.”