Chapter 340: Signs of a Betrayal (2/2)
”Alton Brantley…. He was a monster; he would plough through his friends as if they were nothing more than snow blocking his front door. He's nothing like the boy you described Bargaining.”
”Yes, well, I suppose I might have had a small part to play in that.”
”What happened?” Memento whispered. ”Was it true? Did Alton attack the Garden?”
”He did. He destroyed the last village and lay waste to dozens of innocent lives. Not to mention he also killed one of the Gardeners and stole the Stage of Pain.” Bargaining explained. ”He would have stolen your Stage, too, if I hadn't saved you.”
”Then why are we here? Shouldn't we be with the Garden?!”
”Easy Memento, no need to act so worked up. It really doesn't suit you. Should we tell him, dear sister?”
Eve stood up, spinning around giggling. ”Can I, can I?”
”Certainly.”
Eve skipped over, kneeling to Memento's level, smiling. ”We betrayed the Garden. We're not going back.”
”Come now, Eve, how can we betray someone with who we never actually sided. We're downplaying house with those disgusting vermin. So now Eve and I are taking matters into our own hands.” Adam explained, smiling. ”And we're taking you along for the ride.”
”You bastards…. I won't stand by an-.”
Memento froze, looking shocked as Adam twirled his hand into view showing a purple bud. ”Looking for this? The Stage of Depression. You didn't seriously think I'd save you purely from the kindness of my heart, did you?”
”I don't understand.”
”Truth be told, I've been keeping my eye on your Stage for quite a while now, Memento. But I could never find the right time to take it. That was until Alton almost killed you. Then, sweeping in at the last moment was easy. And now, with Denial and Bargaining under my belt with you Stage soon to follow, it will only be a matter of time before the ae rest mine.”
Memento tried struggling, looking worried. ”That was your plan? Why am I still alive then? Why haven't you just taken the Stage yet?”
Adam tapped Memento's face laughing. ”Calm down, my boy. It really is quite simple. I haven't taken the Stage yet because it would only draw attention from the Gardener. She'll be coming after me soon enough and well. I only want to make these Stages mine once I've collected them all. With Salvation's Calling, I can finally save Eve from the curse of Salvation before it's too late. She's fine now, but soon she'll start losing her mind forever. I can't let that happen.”
Hiding Depression away, Adam walked away as he looked down to Eve. ”Is it time?”
Nodding, Adam turned to Memento again. ”And the reason I haven't killed you yet, well, I just love seeing the look on someone's face when I reveal my plan, and yours is quite priceless. But that's as far as your worth is known. So so do with him as you see fit, Eve. He's my present to you, your new doll.”
”Thank you, brother. I'll be sure to take good care of him.”
Adam walked away, looking down on the city as bloody screams echoed in his ear before eventually stopping. ”The final step in our plan is almost here, my dear sister. Look at the sunrise; it's the final one you'll have to bear too as Salvation.”
Eve stood next to her brother, covered in blood, smiling. ”I'm so glad to hear that…. But I'm afraid my doll already broke.”
”Not to worry, dead sister. Where we're going next, you'll have a house full of dolls to play with.”
****
The sun began to rise on the hills on the outskirt of Rhinefield. Alice emerged from the bottom, climbing the hillwalking for what seemed like hours. Waiting for her, Lucas turned their hand on his blade. ”You wanted to talk to me?”
Alice nodded, putting her bow to the floor. ”I come in peace.”
”You look just like her. Like Eve.”
”I've been told. What happened to your home was horrible…. It keeps me up at night. It isn't what my sister, what Alton would have wanted. So, therefore, I offer you an alliance. I'll help your people find a home here peacefully where we can help rebuild. All in return, I ask is that you help me.”
”What is it you seek from me?” Lucas questioned, still wary of Alice's true motive.
Alice gulped, licking her lips calming herself. Now surer than ever, she stared Lucas in the eyes with a determined look. ”I want you to help me kill Alton.”