Ami And The Caves Of Truth (Part 2)

Ami nodded, looking at her bloodstained sleeve. Tzeitel would not be happy if she knew Ami had used her powers so much she had given herself a nosebleed. Her sister had to be frantic right now. Klaire too, Klaire had always taken keeping everyone safe seriously and was even more so since coming to Converge. Colt, Aunt Piritta, Riley… “My family must be freaking out.”

“You are safest here,” The creature, known as Jedidiah Fall from the memories, explained. “When the sun rises, I will return you to the one you know as Tzeitel.” He looked down to the unconscious woman, Snow. “My daughter has been alone for a very long time, Ami…can you and your friends watch over her? I must hunt Heart Eater…”

“Tzeitel worries a lot about me already…” Ami wished Tzeitel’s reunion with Klaire went the way Ami had been hoping all this time, with them being close and Klaire being able to calm Tzeitel down and get her to eat. Ami knelt beside Snow, trying to not worry herself.

“We will get you back to her when the sun is up.” Jedidiah told her again with a gentle pat to her head. “For now, you should rest.”

Snow, however, was still in a deep slumber, even as she rested upon her father’s lap. He held her close, protective, almost as if he were afraid something horrible would happen to her.

Ami knew Tzeitel would not rest and doubted that the others would sleep well tonight either. “We got Snow, you can go after Heart Eater.” Ami told Jedidiah.

“I cannot leave until I have returned you to your sister, Miss Ami.” Jedidiah replied. “I do not wish to risk your safety at night while I carry Snow.” It was simple to him. Keep them safe, wait for daylight.

As for Snow, she finally began to stir.

Ami shifted her weight, trying to get comfortable where she sat. She perked up when she noticed that Snow was moving. “How long are the nights here?”

“Depends on our star’s location, sadly.” Jedidiah answered as he brushed Snow’s hair from her face. If he could smile, he would be when her crimson eyes began to open up.

“The star moves, or does this place?” Ami asked.

“This place moves…” Snow’s soft voice came out as almost a whisper. “I move it to keep life sustainable. We only have a few more hours until the sun’s light must return…”

Jedidiah helped Snow sit up and a few of They trotted over, offering her some water that she slowly drank.

Ami wished it was already light out. She felt more than a little anxious for her family and how she left things back there. She sat up and rubbed her stomach.

Snow’s eyes turned to Ami and she whispered something in an odd language to them. Thanks to her collecting Snow’s memories, though, Ami would be able to understand it. “Get her some food…” She told They and the creatures trotted off to get Ami something.

Ami’s stomach was cramping so she did not feel very hungry. But she managed to nibble on a little of the food. She wondered if the food on this sliver of a planet was making her sick.

“What’s wrong?” Snow asked softly.

“My stomach hurts. And I want Tzeitel.” Ami admitted with a sniffle.

Snow blinked and looked to Jedidiah for help.

“It’s not so much your stomach as it is a part of being a woman, Miss Ami.” Jedidiah explained and made a few gestures to the creatures. They made a few chittering sounds, whispers, and scuttled off for a bit. “They will bring you some supplies to help.”

“How much longer until the sun rises?” Snow asked.

“A few hours.” He replied as They returned and tried to show Ami with little charts how she was to take care of things. “Please, try to relax, Miss Ami. Your body is going through the changes brought on by puberty.”

One of the creatures let out a soft mewling sound and touched a clawed hand to her stomach, making the pain go away.

“Oh.” Ami had already gotten The Talk from Tzeitel, which was awkward. Then The Talk again from Frisk. In fact she had gotten The Talk from so many people in her ‘family’ that there was very little that she did not understand once she realized what was happening. Inconvenient timing though. It also explained why she wanted chocolate. She still really wanted her sister too though. The night seemed to be lasting forever.

“Nights last a long time here,” Snow explained softly. “They did even before the Cataclysm…”

“How can you stand it?” Ami asked.

Snow tilted her head to the side. “When you grow up with it you are just…used to it.”

“I can't get used to this.” Ami said restlessly.

Snow hesitantly pulled Ami into a gentle hug. “We will protect you.”

“It's my family I'm worried about. Tzeitel won't want to wait until daylight to come after me.” Ami said.

“If she tries to get here without Harpy’s help, she’ll die…” Snow said with genuine concern in her voice and looked toward Jed. “Maybe you can go get her. Help her understand.”

“I will go see what Harpy thinks. It may be too dangerous to risk getting her. Heart Eater already knows about this place and I worry leaving would risk both your lives.” Jedidiah replied.

“...that monster…” Snow whispered, hugging Ami close in a protective manner. “I won’t let him harm this girl.”

“She used to listen to Klaire even if she didn't always do what she said… but now they're barely talking to each other. And Colt…” Ami wished it was morning.

Snow stroked Ami’s hair. “I understand…I know the history of all who come to this world…I’ve had a lot of time to compartmentalize everything, but I’ve seen it. I’ve seen all of it…I just can’t see what you live through on this world, so I can’t guarantee anything. How long has Klaire been here?”

“Five years from my count.” Jedidiah answered.

“Enough time to know about Heart Eater and see what he does to his victims…” Snow shuddered with disgust. “That monster must be stopped.”

“Klaire had only been missing for five months in my world.” Ami said. It was more than long enough for Ami to miss her badly.

Feathers ruffled as the winged They walked up to them.

“Harpy? What is it?” Jedidiah asked.

“The house is under attack.” Harpy replied.

“Seems we will be getting you back to your sister sooner than expected, young Ami.” Jedidiah spoke in a serious tone as he got to his feet. “Stay close to Snow.”

Ami stayed close to Snow. “I thought the house was safe!” Instantly Ami was worried about Tzeitel even more, and the rest of her family.

“Not from Alpha types like us.” Harpy answered. “The fact he is doing this means he is taking a bold action.”

“Not good.” Jedidiah easily picked up both Snow and Ami.

Ami clung to Jedidiah. “How soon can we get there?”

“I will try to get us there within twenty minutes, so hold on tight.” Jedidiah told her as he adjusted both her and Snow. They would be left clinging to his back as he began a quick stride toward the entrance.

Harpy would be with them the whole way.

Ami shivered, huddling close to Snow. She hoped her people could survive long enough for them to arrive.