Hellamorgue

Chapter 6: Gazes

Clover and Powla hopped on the sidewalk, heading to the plaza. They crossed a few streets before arriving at their designated place. Their presences greeted the gleeful crowd inside the plaza. People in all ages were there to celebrate the wonderful day of Sandertown. Clover beamed so wide, full of excitement and amazement.

"Woah! This is so much better than last year's. It's more colorful and lively!" Clover rejoiced while moving her head around, checking the whole place.

Clover bounced on her ground while forming two of her hands into fists, shaking in excitement. On the other hand, Powla's eyes were locked in the plaza's stage. It's a little farther from the entrance but was aesthetically pleasing enough to get people's attention. Powla was stunned by the plaza's beauty. Clover looked at her friend, witnessing her priceless face. She grinned and wrapped her arm around her. Powla flinched of surprise.

"Eek!"

"Well, say, feels like you've been missing out for few years, right?" Clover teased with a smirk on her face.

"E-eh? I-I guess so." Powla stuttered.

Clover chuckled and patted Powla's back. "There, there, now you've finally stepped inside the plaza. You're nervous? Don't worry! We're supposed to enjoy the day. Just keep yourself near me, okay?" Clover said in gentle voice to comfort the nervous young lady.

"O-okay..." Powla replied in a soft voice.

Clover reached out for Powla's cold shaky right hand and held it. Powla grasped quickly with her other hand. Now her two hands occupied Clover's as if she's afraid of getting separated from the green haired girl. Clover just smiled at the her.

"Let's go!" Clover enticed.

The two walked forward inside the plaza. Powla looked back, watching their tracks fade away from the entrance. She heard her heart pounding so loud. Her sweat was cold like ice. She felt her knees soften and trembled in anxiousness. Powla looked forward to check her friend. Clover appears to be relaxed with a smile on her face. Powla looked down while following her friend's trails. Suddenly, she felt immense aura around her. She can't tell whether it was good or not, but either way, she felt self-conscious. The girl saw gazes around her. Creatures stared at her with a stunning look on their faces. She heard murmurs and giggles. "Were they laughing at me? Do they talk behind me? Why is a human joining the festival?" These thoughts circulated on her mind but Powla tried to ignore it. She closed her eyes, trying to paint down black these awful thoughts and visions. Making it empty and blank, trying to convince herself that she's just overthinking it. She muttered repeatedly, "Don't think about it. Don't think about it..."

Powla remained eye closed. She chanted these phrases on loop in her mind, while her soles alternately touching the ground, having Clover as her eyes. The awful visions slowly fade away and the murmurs buzzed out. Her feet slowly stopped from walking without her realizing. She heard repeated snapping near her ear along with a muffled voice that amplified in latter moments, forming a clear worried voice calling her name.

"Powla. Powla! Can you hear me? Powla!"

Finally, Powla snapped back in reality. She found herself in a different space. Clover stopped from snapping her fingers.

"Oh, great! You've been spacing out again." said by her concerned friend.

Powla look around. She saw the stage a little far away. They were surrounded by booths. A lot of kids running and playing around. Some teens are playing games on each stands. They were all having fun and seemingly minding their own business. Powla sighed in relief. "I guess there's nothing to be afraid of..." she whispered.

"What?"

Powla flinched upon hearing Clover's popping question. "N-nothing!" she replied rashly.

"Oh, okay. I was worried so we stopped for a moment. Well then, let's go and continue finding Bianca."

"B-Bianca? Do you know where she is?" Powla asked.

"I contacted her a while ago. She said she's around the clothing booths. I'm not sure where is it though..." Clover said as she scratches her head.

"Could you ask her to be more specific?" Powla followed.

"I already did but she haven't responded yet."

"Is that so? Then, let's just start finding her..." she suggested.

"Right..." Clover agreed.

The two girls rummaged around the plaza. They checked each booths although they haven't seen any clothing displays yet. Few minutes of walking, they can't find Bianca still. Clover asked for a time out. She wiped her sweat and bought two water bottles near the stand behind her. She called Powla and gave her one bottle.

"Thanks."

Clover opened the bottle and chugged the water in one drink. She puffed in relief. Her body felt refreshed.

"Gagh! That hits the spot! I never thought attendees and booths would multiply like that! Now it's making it hard to search for her. I'm already covered with sweat!" Clover ranted and flapped her hoodie.

"Y-yeah.."

Powla gently opened the water bottle and drank half of it. While drinking, she roamed her eyes in different directions. She saw a man selling balloons to kids. She watched him thoroughly. For some reason, he caught her attention. Powla observed the man's action. He seemed to be a quiet and gentle person. He has a long raven hair braided in two pigtails. And a notable striped horn on his forehead. Powla remembered the young lad she bumped earlier. He also has striped horns. She thought they might be the same species. Powla had a sudden flashback played on her mind.

"Watch your step, human."

She remembered his words, and the emphasis of 'human' with his voice. She visualized how the young lad earlier glared at her. A repulsive gaze, suggesting a feeling of disgust and hatred. She backed a few steps, perhaps intimidated by the balloon man. Suddenly, a sharp ping rang inside her head. It is an alarm from her conscience. She asked herself,

"Why am I even getting intimidated by this man? Just because they were the same species doesn't mean they are all the same inside"

Powla's breathing slowed. "If I get frightened by their own kind just because one of them made me feel unsafe, then there's no difference between creatures hating humans with their bad history."

Powla breathed deeply and exhaled. She stepped a few forward, directly to the balloon man. When she was near enough for the man to notice her, she realized she walked subconsciously. Flustered and awkward. The man asked her with a placid yet soft toned voice.

"Oh, do you want a balloon?"

"Ah, n-no! Sorry! I walked in a wrong way- "

Powla chuckled nervously and turned around to walk away, but stopped for a moment, she turned around once again in front of the raven haired man.

"A-actually...I have a question.." she jittery said while raising an unsteady finger.

The man's tired yellow eye just stared at her without any response. Powla gulped and opened her mouth. A straight and confident words came out from it, "Do you know where the clothing booths are?"

A silence occurred in a moment. The man blinked twice before answering her. He raised his hand and pointed to his right.

"Clothing booths are on the right section of the stage." said by the man with a straight voice.

"Oh! Okay! Thank you!"

Powla heard a familiar voice behind her, calling for her name,

"Powla?! Powla?"

It was Clover searching for her. Powla responded to her call, "I-I'm here! Clover!"

"There you are! I was looking for you! I just bought some snacks and then I couldn't find you anywhere!" Clover whined while carrying delicious snacks on her arms.

"Sorry about that..." her eyebrows curled.

"Geez! Don't just go away like that! Especially it's your first time here-"

Clover's whining got cut when she met the balloon man's eye. Clover squinted in disappointment and annoyance.

"Oh...of course you're here." Clover fussed and rolled her eyes.

"What about this time?" the man questioned.

"Nothing. I just can't believe I have to see your face first before Bianca's, Ree-ver." she bleated insultingly.

Flowers began to sprout from Clover's hair and skin. Although this time, they're we're dark and dull, displaying an angry emotion.

"It's pronounced as Ry-ver, young lady." River said in a brash attitude.

Powla moved her head back and forth, checking the two persons' faces. She was confused about what's going on, with the sudden change of the man's composure after meeting Clover. The atmosphere began to feel heavy. Powla thought, these two had a bad history. Before everything else went too personal, the awkward girl interfered.

"Uhm! E-excuse me, but Clover, we have to go- Thanks for the directions, sir!" Powla giggled as she grabbed Clover's shoulders behind and pushed her to walk away. Clover didn't break an eye contact to River while walking away.

When the two finally got away. Clover slouched her back and grunted. Powla helped her to carry the snacks. She looked at her frowning face and asked a question,

"Who is he? Do you mind telling me?"

"Oh, River? That asshole was Bianca's recent ex-boyfriend. He was such a jerk!" Clover ranted.

"Oh...I see...but he seems nice earlier.." Powla whispered.

"Nice?! Puh! Don't fall for that. He's a two faced b***h!" she groaned.

"You... seemed to be very angry at him, huh?" Powla awkwardly asked.

"Duh! Of course! He broke Bianca's heart!" she yelled while looking at Powla. "It could have been me.." she looked away and followed, whispering.

"You say what just now?" Powla raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Nothing! Let's just go, these fries and hotdogs will get cold! It's better to eat them hot!"

"O-okay... clothing booths are on the right side of the stage according to River.."

"Alright, that asshole has a use after all!"

Powla awkwardly giggled. Clover walked heavily forward, passing the tanned girl. She watched her friend hopping mad because of unexpected meet up with a foe. Powla let out a huge sigh and followed her friend.