how long has it been?

I'm sorry.

I was running...had some things to deal with.

it just hit me.

it's almost been a year.

shit.

tomorrow...yeah, tomorrow it would have been one year since the first post.

I supposed this is as good a time as any to finish her story, huh?

this is the rushed version. I'm still on the run so there's not a lot of time for detail. sorry.

Chimere found me. but she didn't kill me. I think Alora had a stronger influence than either of us suspected. He got pissed when Chimere didn't finish the job. but still didn't come after me himself. instead he sent Lucien.

and...

...

I had to kill him.

I...I didn't want to, but...

well, Lucien is dead now.

He was there. I still had the knife in my hand. I just snapped. charged.

then I woke up in the woods.

I don't know what happened. I don't know why He didn't kill me. some part of me thinks I amused Him, so He decided to let me live for a little while longer.

and He had a message for me. by way of my brother.

alive.

first time we see each other since we're little kids and he's under His control. just my luck.

the message was simple: neither Alora nor Chimere were of any real use to Him any more. Alora was alive (I double checked) and Chimere was gone. just gone. the seed uprooted by its planter, I suppose.

Alice wasn't any use either and is, quote, "irrelevant in the larger scheme so long as you stay away". She's still alive (again, I checked), but I can never...

...

anyway.

but it turns out that I'm still important for some reason. guess I pissed Him off one too many times. so now I'm running.

running far too much for this.

I wish I could stay...keep an eye on all of you...I really...

...but I can't.

I'm running and I'm never looking back.

maybe I'll live to old age and die normally. maybe I'll die tomorrow. I don't know.

I just wanted to let you all know that nothing's going to happen to her. I changed the password and such for the blog, so she won't get back on here and find all of this. She's safe. I'll make sure it stays that way.

I truly appreciate everyone who helped us out over the past year. and the friends we lost.

this is good-bye. if anything turns up, I'll be in touch, but I don't think you'll be seeing me again.

maybe one day this will all be over. if that ever happens, drinks are on me.

thank you all.

-d

respite, mark ii

still running. still alive.

i wasn't sure what to do when Chimere took over. i left that comment when i saw what she had done to the blog, but...Chimere didn't take kindly to that.

i never told you, did i? what happened when Alora forgot.

He got to her. did something to her. when she came back, it was Chimere again. she told me that Alora wasn't safe while i was around. she attacked me. she threatened to hurt herself--hurt Alora--if i didn't leave. so i left. she must have snapped out of it once she knew that i was gone for good.

i had no intention of re-entering Alora's life. just watching from a distance, keeping her safe. making sure Chimere didn't come back. i'd failed.

He was focused less on me after i left that comment. probably thought that Chimere would finish me off. He was right. she tried to find me. i'm pretty good at hiding. but...damn she was pissed.

that's where...

...

i have to go.

-d