Sweet Nightmares: A Monstrous Beginning

Cocoa: Venom [Chapter Twelve]

  "Where are we going?" I took a glance to Mint who seemed focused, and perhaps a little annoyed. My feet were tired from walking but I wanted to push myself toward the dark and winding path. It seemed like it would never end at this point. 

The octoboy's eyes dart in every direction before sighing out. "I don't know." He grumbled. "We're never going to find our way, every path looks the same." He groaned before suddenly sticking his hand out towards one of the hedges. I was about to ask what he was doing when he suddenly jerked backward, arm twitching. I thought I could see a flash of an electric bolt but it vanished as quick as I could blink. What just happened?

Did the hedge just... Shock him? When I hurried to his side, Mint held out his appendage for me to see. There was discoloring where his hand had gone inside, changing the warm pink into a purple, or maybe violet. It really didn't look good. "Are you o-okay?" The look on his face revealed his pain just as quick, though he bit his lip and turned away from me. "Yeah, I'm okay." The boy muttered. "There's probably some kind of defense on the hedges so we can't cut through them."

 Seeing what just happened, he was probably right but I couldn't help feeling irritated how he just hid his pain like that. Did Mint do that often? How many times had he hidden his pain already?

If he was hurting, I wanted to know and help, not let him just keep quiet!

 I should bring it up but... Perhaps not now, it wasn't really the best time to bring up something that might upset him. We have to work together on this, right? I don't remember if I had any friends, but if I did, I would want them to work together in tough situations. 

 Suddenly he looked back to me with a small simper, almost making me jump with how fast he had turned. "Hey, do you think your sense of smell could get us through this... Or something like that? Chimera's are a mix of some pretty powerful animals."

 What sort of question was that? I didn't want to be, but it got me fuming anyway. With a pout, I turned my back to Mint. How could he even think of using me to get to the exit when we're supposed to be a team? 

"No, I can't." I may have sounded more irritated than I intended, but he was being mean! I don't know why I felt this pain in my chest just then. "I was po-poisoned, remember?" All my senses were messed up so even if I wanted to, I couldn't do that.

 For a long moment, the octo didn't respond. I began to get worried, thinking I actually upset him but my worry was lifted when he sighed. "Sorry." He muttered behind me. I couldn't help looking back. Mint was really apologizing for something like that? Maybe I was being unreasonable, getting mad. Being here wasn't easy for anyone.

I... Don't remember where I came from, or my name, I wasn't even sure I could trust our group sometimes. It all felt forced and it was hurting me inside. I guess I understand too, getting upset like that, that is. 

 Why can't I remember though?

"Look, Cocoa-" Our eyes met and for a moment, I thought I could see a strange emotion twinkle through. "I'm sorry for everything. I don't know, I just haven't really been feeling like myself since the river." His eyes drifted down and looked lost, as though he were somewhere far away before he bit his lip and exhaled heavily. "Do you maybe think we actually belong here? Should we even be trying to get home at all? Maybe we can just stay here, go back to Alice's cave, and live as long as we can. I know you don't remember but our world isn't any better than this one."

 What was he saying? We've been on this journey so long, we can't just stop now! Still, I couldn't find the words to argue back. The drawn-out silence that struck between us both was only broken by the octoboy stepping closer to me. So close, I could feel his breath on my cheek. My sight... I couldn't see half his body up close due to this strange blindness, but I could still tell he was kinda attractive. 

 When that idea hit my thoughts, I couldn't help dropping my head to avoid looking in his eyes. Without warning, I suddenly felt warm, and pressed against his sweater. It was embarrassing to be hugged like this, but I liked it. 

 It was... Really nice. Being like this, I felt like I could forget about this nightmare just for a short time. 

"Forget about what I said. Can I tell you now?" I heard Mint's soft voice whisper right behind my ear. Tell? Tell what?

  I quickly remembered what we had spoken about when Alice and Caramel went off on their own. He probably felt how hot my face was at that moment. Back then by the tree was when we decided to be official, right? Still, I wouldn't let him tell me that. I had said... Said that he couldn't say 'I love you' until he knew who he even loved. I had to figure out who I was first.

  I wasn't sure how I would do that yet, but I hope to figure it out soon. 

 "Not yet." I finally gave my response. At first, I assumed he would be upset I wouldn't let him say it yet, but Mint merely chuckled an airy laugh and released me to step back. He took it better than I expected, which was relieving. 

  "Guess I still have to wait. Anyway-" Mint turned away to look down the empty path once more. I tried to sniff around as he suggested but I couldn't smell a thing. It all smelled like... Air. Did air even smell like anything? Well if it did, I was smelling it. 

I thought I could smell traces of mist though. Perhaps it rained recently, I couldn't really be sure. 

I opened my mouth, ready to tell Mint the findings, but something stopped me. The snap of a twig around the corner, and we both froze. 

"Caramel?" Mint raised his voice, stepping closer. I quickly reached out to grab his appendage before he went any further though. I just... Didn't trust thinking we were the only ones in here. The boy didn't even seem to notice me though. I thought I heard scuffling but maybe I was mistaken. "Alice, is that you?" He asked again after a moment. 

 Only silence welcomed us.

 I didn't have a bad feeling about this, but pulling on Mint's arm didn't get a response. He seemed so focused on it, I just didn't exist at that moment. What was going on?

 Suddenly, he pulled away like I didn't weight anything. I stumbled but managed to catch myself before I fell. "Mi-Mint!" I called after but before I knew it, he had passed the corner and I was alone. I tried to follow but one look around the hedge corner told me he wasn't here anymore. What happened? Where is he?

 Is Mint okay? He wasn't acting right. 

 But being here all alone... I could suddenly feel the evil within the labyrinth, creeping up on me with no way to stop it. 

 "Mint!" I called as loud as I could before breaking down into coughing. Why did it hurt so much to raise my voice?

  Where do I go from here? I didn't have long to think before hearing a soft voice behind me. "Who are you?" It sounded like a little girl, maybe. I almost didn't want to turn around in fear it was some demon or monster trying to trick me. When I didn't answer, the voice spoke again.  

  "You are dying, are you not? Will you not look at me?"

 "How..." I swallowed. I don't want to be reminded about that. About how I was going to die soon. I know, I could feel it. "How do I know you wo-won't hurt me?"

 "No use." It sounded closer than before. "It would be a waste of time to hurt you when you will be dying within a few days."

 When I looked back, a small animal stood before me. A fawn, I think. It was hard to tell. The fur was dark and rotting, strange plants taking root in the holes around its body. It was almost scary to look at, but she was looking at me with bright red eyes, showing she was very much alive. Her nose twitched before she blinked. I could see my own reflection in those eyes. Did I... Really look so weak and dirty? Even after eating not long ago, I still looked like I was starving. I didn't feel hungry though. My clothes were just hanging off my body.

She didn't seem fazed at all, but I was scared of myself.

 "What do you want?" I took a step to the fawn, but she followed by taking a step backward. 

 "I wish for you to wait with me." She rose her head to look to the sky, and I could see the bones within her neck from the rotting. "Your friends are in trials of strength. When they pass, they will be safely returned. But you cannot partake." The fawn looked back to me and slowly blinked once more. "You are dying and weak. I have a trial for you, but not the same as them. Will you accept?"

 This was all going... Way too fast. I looked down to the small fawn unable to find my words, but she sat patiently until I nodded. Everyone will be okay, so there's no need to worry, is there?

 She lowered her head to a small bow. "You have lost your memories. They have been stolen from you because you were intended to die that fateful day. By stealing your memories, you would have known nothing but hatred before death. And yet, you live, not remembering the trauma set upon your body. Your head does not know, but your body still remembers. These memories I can return to you. If you have the strength to relive your trauma once more and return to me safely, you will find the exit." Her fur bristled and before I could react, her nose had touched my hand. 

 I felt the icy chill of death that swept over my body, and nearly couldn't breathe. Everything around me was spinning, I thought I was going to throw up.

  The rotting fawn's face flashed in my mind before I found myself somewhere unfamiliar. 

 What was I doing again? The smell of sweets surrounded me, and I felt calm, but something bothersome was knawing in the back of my head, as though something bad was going to happen. 

 I looked down at the pot below me, bubbling as though it was begging for the taste of ingredients. Yeah, the kids would love this. Most treats were ever so bitter, but I found how to make a new taste. A taste most had probably never tried. This pot... It would be a new batch of sour candies. 

From the front room of the store, I heard the small jingle of a bell of the door opening. New customers, how exciting!

 I backed away from the pot and to the front room of the store where almost instantly, my shirt was in someone's grip. So strong... I was being lifted off the floor. It all happened so fast, it took a moment to get a hold of my surroundings before I realized I was looking back into the mayor's face. "Mayor Coughdrop!" I exclaimed without thinking, but his snout twisted in disgust. Suddenly he released me and I hit the ground with a painful thud. That's when I noticed two octokin standing beside him, dressed in police uniforms. It couldn't be... Was I found out? But who would sell me out?

 For half a moment, my eyes flickered to the window right as two small children ran past, in their hands were my candies.

  How foolish of me...

The mayor pulled a small handkerchief out of his jacket and wiped his hand clean of the slime still wet on my shirt. "You've been breaking the law, haven't you Vanilla?" His voice was gruff, the normal peppermint eyes glowed a furious red.

What was he!? I tried to speak but I couldn't find my words. What was going to happen to me?

  "I'm afraid you know what happens now, right?"

He was looking down on me like I was some kind of scum, but I wasn't going to be intimidated. He was tall, but strong? 

 Maybe as strong as a fish. Or a baby bird. The wings certainly contributed.

  I started to pull myself back up and stood up straight, closing the space between us so I could glare right back into his angry eyes as I flicked my tail.

 The major blinked, then a grin spread over his face. "Look at this hybrid, thinks he's all that." He looked to one of the octo officers and waved his hand. "Take care of him for me."

  Without warning, a fist was against my cheek, and everything around me stopped...

  I was finally coming to, but this headache made me feel nauseous... How hard was I hit? I think I was lying down but I couldn't move when I tried to get up. I finally realized what it was though; how I was strapped down like some kind of animal. I tried to keep calm, I wanted to keep calm so I could think straight, but the moment I realized that I couldn't move, my heart beat so fast I could barely breathe. 

 A shuffling sound brought my attention to my left and I looked over to the mayor, focused on some objects on a table. 

 "Let me out!" 

 He ignored my yelling as though I wasn't even there. 

 Struggling against the binds did nothing, they were cold and tight against my skin. Metal, maybe. 

  "It's a shame." The mayor suddenly muttered. "The son of the most magnificent creatures known to all worlds, and now you need to die."

 He turned around, wings sweeping across the cement ground. I could see something glimmer in his hands before it became clear there was a needle. "Do you know what this is?"

 I could only glare at his question. I wasn't going to dignify him with a response. 

The mayor kept explaining anyway, showing the syringe with pride. "I made this drug myself from plants of the dark world. Poison drupelets, rosemary, and alcohol strong enough to make even the heaviest drinker knock out in only a few minutes. I know it's... Inhumane. If the dark world doesn't kill you, this most definitely will in time." A sneer spread over his face, his eyes appeared... Glazed and lost. 

 There's no way he'd do that to me, right? I didn't do anything wrong... I just wanted to make candy!

  My attempts to struggle again still did nothing. "Oh, the least I could do is tell you why, right?" Coughdrop cleared his throat before pushing his colorful hair behind his ear with his free hand. 

 "This world, this utopia, won't work if there's even one that doesn't want to obey. I show them what happens if they break my rules, and then kill them. Fear is a good way to make a group follow directions, don't you say?"

 "You're... You're a tyrant! You've been making the turned all along!" I shouted without thinking and the Mayor merely chuckled. 

  "Yes, yes I have." His attention drifted back to the needle. "This is going to revert you back to your primal state. You will become a bloodthirsty killer, and then you will start to die. And the best part? You won't be remembering any of this. Nobody will help a turned." He approached slowly, needle in hand, and I panicked. Before I knew it, the Mayor was burning with my fire. The syringe hit the floor with a small ping and the mayor backed up, shouting nonsense that most definitely was not English. I couldn't see when he dropped out of my line of sight, so I could only assume he fell to the ground to put out the fire. 

For a small moment, I thought I had saved myself. Relief spread over my body and I tried to calm my heart but even that didn't last for long. I barely had time to react to him crossing my vision before there was a shattering pain in my eye. I wanted to cry and scream but my voice caught in my throat. I could feel the liquid running down my cheek before whatever I had been stabbed with was pulled out, and all at once, I couldn't see. The pain and injury... I could barely keep conscious anymore. The Mayor only looked like a shadow standing above me.

"This is what happens when little monsters disobey me."

 Without a warning, the syringe was stabbed into my arm. 

 The scream finally escaped my lips. I had never screamed before, I never knew my voice could be so loud. I felt the burning heat of the toxins running into my body. I tried to struggle, tried to get away, but I couldn't move.

 It was so hot, why was it so hot!? 

  Suddenly a thought crossed my mind. One that said 'kill'.

 What... What was happening to me?

 When I opened my eyes, I fell back into the ground. My instant reaction was to cover my blind eye. It was okay now. I was okay. There was no blood, everything was okay. 

  I focused on my breathing, calming it before swallowing back my fear and giving a heavy exhale. 

 "F-Fawn, are you here?" I rose my head and there I could see the rotting fawn once more, looking as calm as ever. 

 I wanted to feel angry for having to go through that again, but instead, I could only begin to cry. The fawn tilt her head and flicked her ear. 

 "Your trauma is deeply rooted in your body. It remembers being restrained and stabbed, and that causes you fear. But until you know the past, you cannot move forward with a future. You lived through it once more, and you woke up again. That shows your mind is still strong."

 Her eyes turned away from me and looked to something behind. When I turned back to follow where she looked, and there I saw I was sitting in front of the exit, a large cave waiting on the other side. 

 "I expect you to live. Trust in your friends." Before I could respond, a flash told me the fawn had vanished. 

 I barely had time to calm myself and take in what just happened before I heard excited shouting. 

 "Cocoa!" I caught sight of Mint and pulled myself to my feet as quick as I could. Not quick enough before I was wrapped in a hug. 

 My memory flashed in my thoughts again, the one of being held down, but this was safe, right? Being hugged wasn't being restrained. Still, I pulled back before he was done. 

  Mint looked like he wanted to say something but was interrupted by excited giggling. Caramel and Alice approached, the slime waving happily. "We all did it!" She beamed a bright grin. 

 Alice didn't speak, but a petite smile cracked on her lips. 

 Mint and Caramel shared a very slimy hug as well, and I quickly recalled something else. "I remember my name."

 When I brought it up, everyone was suddenly looking in my direction curiously.

I took a small breath to compose myself before smiling in return. "I-It's Vanilla. That's my name."

 I wanted to tell them everything I saw, but that seemed to be the most important thing. Besides, their smiles told me the news was plenty so far. I didn't want to ruin the moment of finding the exit and remembering something so big with something like "I remember being stabbed too". Maybe when there's a better time...

 "So, 'Vanilla'. Cute." Alice looked at me with her shining blue eyes. "Anyway, we can't waste any time. The expert is right through the fire caves. Unless you're fire resistant, we should be quick."

 She gestured us to follow before taking lead towards the caves, not wasting a moment. 

After the others followed, I sighed before falling behind. 

 Really no time to take a break, is there? I didn't really mind though. We could take a nice long break when we were safe.