CH 121

The amusement park was teaming with life, bustling with unnumbered weekend visitors. Odette swam amongst them with a vacant expression on her face. She realised where she was when a flashing lights and excited noises broke through to her distant mind. How ironic that she would find herself here of all places.

She thought it was strange that she would end up here, wondering the darkened streets without any true destination in mind. It didn’t really matter where she ended up, especially now that she had lost her sense of direction, though it felt like that never really existed in the first place.

She became intoxicated by the music being played by street performers, the laugher of the crowds and the enthusiastic cries of those enjoying the rides. Hawkers called out their wears, toffee apples, popcorn, roasted hazelnuts. Odette found herself joining a cue for cotton candy, Fairy Thread, the sign read.

The sign was the exact same as it had been two years ago, just as bright, just as clean, right where Bastian had stood in line to buy her Cotton Candy.

She realised she was following the path they had taken together, toward the electric palace, with its multitude of colourful lights, the music that flowed out endlessly. Memories she hadn’t realised were there flooded to her.

Fragments of the shattered past pieced themselves together in her mind and Odette couldn’t tear herself away from it. Remembering the Cotton Candy she had never tasted because she had dropped it, forced an incredible hunger inside her.

“Would you like one?” the vendor asked impatiently.

She had been too lost in her mind to notice that she was now at the front of the cue. She made to grab her handbag, but it was not on her shoulder, she had left it back at the hotel and she was out on the streets penniless. She didn’t have a single penny on her person. She had left the hotel without so much as putting on her coat.

“Oh, no, its okay,” Odette said, offering an awkward smile.

Odette hurried away from the stall, hoping to outrun her embarrassment. She pulled her shawl tight around her, feeling the bite of the cold. She thought about going back, her condition was not good enough to withstand the biting cold of early autumn. She also couldn’t afford to risk her health, otherwise her plans could go up in smoke.

“Excuse me, madam, but do you need help?” a young couple on their way to the Ferris Wheel stopped to talk to her. The child in the fathers arms looked a lot like Alma.

Odette opened her mouth to respond, but her voice failed her. All she managed was a squeak, a weak smile and a shake of her head. The young couple looked at her with concern as she went over and sat on a bench. She needed to head back now, but doubted she had the strength to make it.

She decided that taking a short break was all she needed. A vendor across from where she sat was selling hot drinks. Was that the same vendor who had sold Bastian hot chocolate that time?

A bittersweet laugh escaped her lips as her mouth began to water at the thought of the thick, smooth, chocolatey drink. She couldn’t work out why all her memories were that of food, she wanted to avoid being haunted by her cravings.

Could it be the baby?

She had not eaten properly in a long time, the child inside her must be in the same condition. It was suffering in hunger just as much as she was.

Odette lifted her gaze to the Ferris Wheel, trying to distract her mind from food. She could see the young couple joining the cue, the child eager to get on board and reach the very top. Watching with a sense of detachment, Odette clasped her hands to her stomach. It might not be enough to stave off the cold, but it could be enough to provide a little warmth.

Odette looked around at the illuminated false world with eyes watering from the bright lights. Her eyes filled with tears that refused to dry and stared out at the beautiful illusion, with the child she had properly acknowledged for the first time.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“Master, would it not be better to go out looking for Mrs Klauswitz?”

Bastian looked up at the clock, eight o’clock, he had already delayed dinner twice. He closed the paper he had been reading. He couldn’t afford to remain idle any longer.

“There’s no need to cause any unnecessary commotion.”

“But madam is still…”

“I will take care of finding my wife,” Bastian said, cutting of Hans. He calmly stood up from his armchair, tossing the paper onto the side table. Hans hurried to fetch Bastian’s coat.

Bastian snatched up the coat as he left the room. The Becker couple were still in the hotel, gathering their friends for a pre-wedding party, revelling in the joy of their union. Seeing Tira’s face, which was aglow of happiness, made Odette even more ridiculous. Could he even say that it’s unrequited love?  She gave her all to her little sister, yet the treatment she received remained nothing but indifference.

Bastian strode across the lobby with certainty and out into the cold night. Tira wouldn’t have been any help any way, so Bastian left her to enjoy the party without her sister. He would let Odette continue to experience that unrequited love. 

Bastian followed the river toward the amusement park, the Ferris Wheel his guide. She was bound to be in that place. He had no real evidence to base this thought, only that Odette was a predictable woman and it didn’t take long for his hunch to be confirmed correct.

From the other side of the road leading to the amusement park they had visited together once, he could see Odette approaching him, walking away from the amusement park. It couldn’t see her face from the distance and the gloom of the night, but he could tell it was her.

She was dressed in attire not suitable for the cold night, like her determination would be enough to keep her bones warm. It was hard to consider anyone could be warm enough with just a simple shawl draped on their shoulders.

Bastian was about to call out to her, but then had a change of heart and simply stood under the gas lamp to wait for her. Although each step seemed tired and drawn, Odette was still stood upright, like she was on parade. She walked with stubborn determination. She was practically right next to Bastian before she even noticed another person standing in front of her, let alone who that person was.

“Bastian?” she squeaked in surprise.

She clutched her hands to her chest and looked at him with wide, wet eyes. When ever she blinked, she shadow of her eyelashes made her look ever more desolate.

Trading her life, betraying the deal and then returning right back where it all started. Odette could not escape her fate and served only to deepen Bastian’s luck, which had yet to be kind.

Letting out a sigh, Bastian wrapped his coat around Odette, who was visibly shivering. Odette looked like she was about to refuse he offer, but was too weak to say or do anything but let him drape it over her shoulders. He expected her to lose consciousness at any second.

She staggered and Bastian caught her. With the woman in his arms, he made his way back to the hotel. Although it would have been much quicker to go through the main entrance, Bastian decided to take her round the back to a side entrance instead, so that Tira wouldn’t know about her elder sisters misfortune, not that he thought she would care.

The Emperor had abandoned an over used chess piece.

The Father drew his last breath.

And the Sister would leave in search of her own happiness.

Odette was now a lonely island, there was nothing left.

And he was her one and only saviour and judge.

Bastian smiled with satisfaction.