Chapter 16: The Puppet and Her Lily

  Do the rest know of it?

  Evening had settled in, the sky turned dark, and little rays of sunlight peeked through the clouds. Viola fruitlessly wandered the city in search of the hooded boy. Her limbs shivered not from the cold, but from the scene earlier.

  At the very least, Aurelia must! Why didn’t she tell me?

  “Speaking of…” Viola stopped, gazing up at the sky. “How much more is she hiding? From me…and from all of us?”

  “You certainly can’t hide from me.”

  Viola nearly jumped. Before her stood the familiar blindfolded girl—the one who mistook her for flowers a while back.

  “My Lily~”

  “And you certainly know how to surprise me!” Viola laughed. “We meet again. What brings you here this time? Surely not another flower shop?”

  “No, I found one eventually.” She gazed at the road where cars sped by furiously. “I’ve been trying to cross this. But this world doesn’t wait for puppets.”

  “Then good thing you found me!”

  Viola took her hand and launched into oncoming traffic, swiftly dashing by honking cars dangerously close, and eventually reaching the other side. The people nearby either gave worried frowns or grimaced. Letting go, she then turned to the girl, who looked visibly shaken.

  “If the world doesn’t wait for you,” she spoke with a proud grin, “you make them wait!”

  “You’re bold,” the other murmured, letting out a slow breath and holding herself as if to check that she was still intact. “Flowers wither too quickly if they’re not looked after.” She smiled softly. “And I’d prefer memorising your scent before it leaves the stage.”

  “You sure love your…poetry.” Viola let out an awkward chuckle. “Then start by memorising my name! I’m Viola Caulfield.” She stretched out her hand, forgetting that the girl could not see. “And yours?”

  “Rosaline. Just Rosaline.” The girl took her hand and gently shook it. “Viola…so you are a flower after all. Not a lily, unfortunately. Did they name you after violas?”

  “Pretty sure they named me after my eyes.”

  “Your…eyes?” She slightly tilted her head. “Violet eyes? Is that even possible?”

  “Sure is.” Viola sighed softly. “At least, for me.”

  “How does it feel…being so unique?” Rosaline gazed down at where their hands embraced a little too long, gently caressing Viola’s fingers with her thumb. Her voice lowered to a murmur, “Rare colours…tend to carry rare burdens.”

  Viola gasped, unable to answer right away. Rosaline’s hand was cold to the touch, even if her little gesture felt warm. “I don’t know…the world didn’t treat me so differently.”

  “Yet.”

  Viola froze for a second. That yet echoed inside her head multiple times, unsure of why it made her shiver, unsure if it was a warning or just Rosaline being poetic again. Which begged the question—how much of her poetry was simply the truth?

  “I apologise,” Rosaline said, pulling back with a gentle bow. “I speak too much of burdens I cannot see. I’m merely a wanderer on today’s stage. This city is new to me.”

  “Oh, you’re new?” Viola forced a smile, and her hand still shivered. “I could show you around. If you don’t mind, that is.”

  “Mind?” Rosaline smiled. “You’re the only kindness I’ve discovered here.” She offered her hand. “Please, lead the way~”

  “S-Sure!” Viola felt her heart do an embarrassing flip. She gingerly took her hand and walked forward. “Do we really need to hold—“ Glancing back, she finally noticed the blindfold. “I-I suppose we do!”

  I’m NOT used to this!

  After walking along the pavements for several minutes in awkward silence, Viola suddenly passed by a familiar shop. She stopped in her tracks, and Rosaline nearly bumped into her. “What is it?” she asked. “Found something you’d like to tell me?”

  “It’s nothing interesting,” Viola answered, “just a grocery shop.” A wide smile appeared on her lips. “One that carries a quiet little memory.”

  “Then…are we entering?”

  “Huh? It’s just a shop.” Viola laughed softly. “Like I said, nothing interesting. And definitely not worthy of sightseeing.”

  “Allow me to correct you.” Rosaline flashed a small smile. “Sightseeing was merely an excuse to take your lead.” She gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “My wish is to spend time with you and witness all the things you love.”

  The girl turned to the store while Viola’s face was coloured in a faint red yet again.

  “No matter how little it may be~”

  For a second, Viola forgot how to breathe. The other’s hand gently curled around hers, sending a type of warmth that made her forget about where she was, and took her back to where she used to be, wanted to be. It felt nice. Too nice. It was unnerving.

  “Alright…fine.” She cleared her throat, trying to compose herself. “But don’t blame me if you get bored!”

  “If it’s about you, it cannot bore me.”

  Viola’s heart did another stupid flip, and before it could do a third, she led Rosaline inside, pushing past the glass doors.

  A soft bell chimed above them as they stepped in. Warm air hugged her almost immediately, and the atmosphere took a complete shift from the outside world. The city noise turned muffled, and the store was quiet and peaceful, with only a few footsteps wandering about. Viola almost felt like she was back at home.

  Those days…what I wouldn’t give to bring them back…

  (Flashback)

  “You’ve been eyeing that for a while now, Eliana.”

  The brown-haired gasped, snapping back into reality. Looking to the side, she was met with familiar violet eyes. “O-Oh! Hi, Viola!” she muttered, smiling awkwardly. “W-What brings you here?”

  “Shopping for groceries with my mom!” Viola exclaimed joyfully, pointing at her mother a few feet away, occupied with browsing through the items.

  “What? Really?” Sky blue eyes widened with sudden surprise. “I didn’t know that was a thing...”

  “And what about you?” Viola asked. “Did you come alone?”

  “As always.” Her head lowered, the slightly large grocery bag that she held coming into view. “A-Anyway!” Eliana looked back at her friend, grinning nervously. “I was about to head out—“

  “Don’t lie!” Viola giggled softly. “You were staring at the box of cookies for a few minutes. Aren’t you going to take it?”

  “N-No! I can’t!” She hastily shook her head. “It’s too expensive...my mother wouldn’t allow—“

  “Then, it’s my treat!” Viola swiftly took the box and rushed towards her mother, requesting her to buy it. Eliana anxiously followed behind, pleading with her not to.

  “Y-You don’t have to—“

  “Sure.” Cecelia looked down and smiled at the two. “I wouldn’t mind.”

  Eliana was taken aback by the gesture. Her mind could not comprehend what she was seeing. Emotions of joy and fear battled in her heart. “W-Why...?”

  “Why not? You have been Viola’s friend for so long.” Cecelia lifted her hand to pat the girl’s head, who flinched slightly at the sudden act of affection. “I see you as my daughter, too.”

  “Does that mean we’re sisters?!” Viola said with excitement in her voice. “I’ve always wanted one!” The two didn’t notice it, but Cecelia silently gasped upon hearing that specific term, before smiling at Viola in agreement.

  “How are you this...kind?” Eliana observed the happy family with envious eyes. “Thank you…” She flashed a faint smile.

  “For everything.”

  (Present)

  “And I would buy cookies often for her after that.” Viola chuckled, standing by the same aisle where the cookies were kept, narrating the entire memory to Rosaline.

  “Then, where is she now?” She asked. “Are you two…still close?”

  “I had to move out…so I’m not sure where she would be at this moment.” Viola’s voice fell into a whisper. “She probably still lives here—“

  “If she was so important to you, why would you leave her?”

  Silence settled between them. Viola lowered her gaze to the floor tiles, noticing the little cracks on them that weren’t there the first time she visited the place. “I don’t know…” she mumbled, “I wish I hadn’t, though.”

  “And what about letters?” Rosaline slightly tilted her head. “You never wrote to each other? Not once?”

  The question stung her more than it should, like the option was so painfully obvious. “We…we never thought of it?” Viola forced a weak chuckle. “Thought I’d be able to visit her often…but, I suppose, I never got the time…”

  They remained quiet for a moment. Viola’s gaze remained fixated on the floor, and Rosaline picked up a faint scent of salt in the air. “Forgive me.” Her grip on Viola’s hand loosened, and her thumb gently caressed the other. “Tainting this happy little memory with sorrow wasn’t my intention.”

  “It’s…alright,” she murmured, lifting her head to look at the other while flashing a faint smile.

  Rosaline raised her free hand and cupped Viola’s cheek before brushing off a tear with her fingertip. “Tears don’t belong on flowers.” Despite the warm gesture, her touch remained cold. “Butterflies suit them better.” A soft blush coloured Viola’s face as Rosaline pulled back and smiled.

  “When you meet her again,” she continued, “make sure to make the most of it.”

  Viola smiled again. “I will—“

  “We puppets can never know when the act ends. Or if we’ll even meet again in the next.”

  A sharp gasp escaped her lips, and then soft laughter the next moment. “There you go with your poetry again. Anyway…” Her voice trailed off as she turned to grab two boxes of cookies from the aisle. “One for Eliana.” She handed the second box to Rosaline. “And one for you!”

  “For me?” The girl seemed startled by the offering. “What could I have possibly done to accept this?”

  “You listened to me ramble about my past.” She chuckled. “I could, at least, reward you with this.”

  “I…have never been given something simply because I exist beside someone,” the girl whispered. “Thank you. I will…treasure it.”

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  “They’re cookies, Rosaline.” Viola laughed. “You’re supposed to eat them.”

  “Then I will think of you when I do so.” She smiled.

  “As you wish.” Viola smiled back. “Well, if you have nothing else, we can head over to the cashier.”

  “I have nothing.” She lightly shook her head. “Lead the way.”

  Still holding hands, the pair walked over to the cashier, and Viola presented both boxes of cookies, while Rosaline remained further behind, head facing the outside. The cashier boy caught a glimpse of the brown-haired girl, seemingly surprised by the blindfold. She then turned to him and smiled faintly, and the boy nearly jumped in his spot.

  Meanwhile, Viola slipped her hand inside her empty pocket and closed her eyes. A faint golden light brushed at her fingertips, and she pulled back with enough cash to pay for the cookies.

  Aurelia’s magic is so convenient! I guess every Hunter is given this privilege.

  “Here’s my paymen—“ Her expression widened the moment she laid eyes on the boy. “Oh…it’s you.”

  “Huh? You remember me?”

  “Of course!” She chuckled. “You were one of the few bullies who learnt their lesson right away.” Images of the missing posters, the creepers, and the hooded boy flashed before her eyes. “I’m glad that you’re okay.” The boy gave little thought to what she said and began scanning the two items. Viola asked, “Have you seen Eliana?”

  “The one who was always with you?” She nodded eagerly. “I don’t know. Shortly after you left…she did too. No one has seen her ever since.” Viola’s heart sank as the boy placed the two boxes in a carry bag, and she handed the money. “I thought both of you shifted to the same town. At least, that’s the story going around.”

  I…I hope she’s okay…

  “Well, thank you.” Viola took the carry bag. “I’ll take my leave now.” Grabbing Rosaline’s arm with her free hand, she walked towards the exit. But she stopped to speak to him, “The city isn’t safe…so be careful out there.”

  “I’d say it back.” He chuckled. “But no one can harm you. Rather, they should be careful of you.”

  Viola paused for a second as an old memory struck her heart painfully. She simply glanced back and forced a smile before walking out the glass doors. The quiet atmosphere started to feel eerie, replaced by the noisy city outside. She took a deep breath to calm her heart.

  “You’re worried for your friend?” Rosaline asked, turning to her. “Don’t be. I know she’s okay.”

  “How? You haven’t even met her...”

  “Just a hunch.” She smiled faintly. “Or would you rather I say something not to your liking?”

  “No need. I’ll trust your ‘hunch’, for now.” Viola laughed softly. “Maybe it’s for the best that she isn’t here…even if that means I won’t get to see her.”

  “And I’m intrigued.” Her smile stretched eerily wide. “I’d love to meet her, too. But for now, I suppose, your school will do~”

  “What? You wish to visit my school next?” Viola’s expression widened. “Again! Not a sightseeing spot—“

  “And again, I wish to learn all about you.” She slightly tilted her head. “You’re far more interesting than this place~”

  “F-Fine!” Viola turned away as her heart did the third flip. “I-It’s quite far from here, so get ready!”

  “Let me hold that for you.” Rosaline pointed at the carry bag. “You’re carrying a heavy weight already, aren’t you?”

  “Sure!” She happily handed over the bag, but then realised. “Wait, how did you know? Did you smell that too?”

  “It’s a peculiar metallic scent.” Rosaline chuckled. “Worry not. I won’t pry further on why you’re carrying a concealed sword~”

  “Then neither will I.” Viola turned and continued walking, still holding the other’s hand. “On why a sword was your first guess.” She could hear a soft gasp from behind, and silence took over their entire walk.

  Their own footsteps drowned out the city noise. Uneven at first, Rosaline eventually mimicked Viola's pattern and followed beside her. Her grip on Viola’s palm never loosened, nor tightened. A few people on the pavement gave her startled looks. At one point, a child even ran away in the opposite direction. Rosaline smiled at each and every gaze.

  After several minutes, the school came into view. They entered through the wide-open gate into the empty field. Viola stared at the building and took a deep breath. “I’m back.” She finally spoke up.

  “A lot less…livelier than I anticipated.”

  “We’re way past school hours, after all.” Viola took her towards the main building. “The only ones present here right now are those who work extra.”

  “And you?” Rosaline glanced at her. “Did you work extra too?”

  Viola paused and chuckled, turning around to watch the empty field. Her vision flickered for a second, and she saw two old friends running around in that same field.

  “My only extra work was spending more time with Eliana!”

  Footsteps echoed loudly as they walked through the dimly lit and cold hallways. It felt almost eerie with no one else in sight. They climbed the stairs to the next floor. Viola heard a few voices murmuring closeby. Her vision flickered again, and she saw two friends gazing out through the large hallway windows.

  “Viola?” A teacher stepped out of a classroom, eyes widening. “You’re back?”

  “Good evening, ma’am.” She smiled. “Just here to reminisce.”

  “I see…the school has become a lot less lively without you.” She chuckled lightly. “You’re always welcome here.”

  “Thank you.” They nodded, and the teacher went down the stairs. Rosaline stepped closer as Viola watched her leave.

  “That explains the gloomy atmosphere.” She gently squeezed Viola’s palm before leaning her face a little too close until a cold breath touched the other’s lips. She whispered, “You were the only joy this place had~”

  Viola swiftly turned away and continued onward with bright red painting her cheeks. A faint laugh echoed behind as Rosaline followed. Climbing up another floor, they came across a little group of students gossiping near a noticeboard.

  “More have disappeared!” a girl whispered. “We have to be care—“

  They finally notice Viola. A few of them immediately turned horrified, and she smiled at them with an awkward wave. However, they swiftly ran the other way. The ones that didn’t, approached her.

  “Is that…really you?” The same girl asked, eyeing her curiously. “Violet eyes…there’s no mistaking you!”

  “And with how all of them ran away,” another added, “that only further proves it!”

  “You’ve become quite the legend,” Rosaline whispered behind her ear with a hearty giggle.

  “Can you…please?” One notebook after another was shoved into Viola’s hands, along with a pen.

  “I—I don’t—“ Viola protested, but they all pleaded. “I—This is all so sudden!” She eventually sighed in defeat. “Alright…fine! But can you come one by one, at least?!”

  Rosaline took a step back and smiled, folding her hands below her waist. The carry bag hung lightly from her fingers, and the boxes of cookies rested against her skirt as she stood there, still and patient.

  The group took turns getting an autograph from Viola. However, when one girl finally noticed Rosaline’s presence, she stared at her with a horrified look. Her hand weakly stretched out to point at her when Rosaline simply turned and smiled softly at her, before raising a finger to her lips and tilting her head almost playfully. She hadn’t spoken a word, and yet, the girl swiftly left with the rest of the group. By the time Viola was done and turned to Rosaline, she had already taken her previous posture.

  “That was…a lot.” Viola sighed in relief.

  “And livelier than before,” she mumbled. “You truly are the light of this place.” Rosaline stepped forward and took Viola’s hand again. “But does the place deserve you?”

  “Again with your poetry?” They looked ahead and continued. “It doesn’t matter if it deserves me. I just happened to be sent here. That’s all.”

  Her vision flickered for a third time, and she saw two old friends entering a classroom with bright smiles on their faces, and hers.

  “And I’m glad I was.”

  They stepped inside the empty classroom. Rosaline remained at the doorstep, while Viola walked towards one of the window seats. “This was mine.” She pointed at one. “And just behind that…Eliana’s.”

  Her vision flickered multiple times. One moment, she saw herself laughing while the other pointed at something outside the window. Another moment, she chased away a couple of classmates while shielding her only friend. Several more memories flashed before her eyes, and she had to shut them to hold back tears. Silence followed, broken by footsteps closing in behind her. Gingerly opening her eyes again, the seats were empty.

  “This room appears to be quite significant,” Rosaline mumbled beside her. “It must’ve been quite the noisy place, too. But now…it’s too clean.”

  “What I wouldn’t do to go back…” Viola walked over to the window and gazed outside. “To leave all this behind and go back to the past…”

  Rosaline followed and gently grabbed her hand, squeezing softly. Viola turned to her, catching a faint smile on her face.

  “The clouds have cleared up a little. Come with me!” Viola led her outside the room and up more stairs. “I know a nice spot to view the sunset!”

  Moving up the final staircase, she placed her hand on the doorknob, and it creaked open. The bright rays of the sun hit her eyes, and she blinked a few times before her vision adjusted. A cold breeze brushed past them, but they didn’t shiver. They walked up to the wall and looked out over the city. Viola placed her hands on the wall and leaned into it, staring at the sunset before them. Rosaline stood beside her, hands neatly folded below her waist again.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Viola smiled widely. “I would often bring Eliana here. During breaks…and for this.”

  “My lily…seems to have forgotten something.”

  She turned to finally notice the blindfold again. “Oh…right,” she mumbled awkwardly, “you can’t…see.”

  Rosaline went quiet for a second. And then, she broke into a short burst of laughter, before forcing herself to stop. “If you say that it’s beautiful…then I’ll believe you.” She gazed at the sunset too, with a bright smile. Brighter than anything Viola had seen that day. She chuckled and watched the same view.

  “You know,” she spoke up, “if there’s anything I could do to make you see this view…I would.”

  “Then don’t forgive them.”

  “Huh?” Viola turned to her again. “Forgive…who?”

  “There’s a certain aspect about your role that has me pondering this entire time.” Rosaline slowly glanced at her. “When you see someone being wronged, you hand out justice on your own. And yet…that boy from the shop, and all those who ran away earlier…why do they still exist?”

  Viola’s expression widened in horror.

  “Wouldn’t the world be a better place if they weren’t given another chance?”

  “Y-You mean….I should’ve…” Viola’s breath hitched. “N-No! I can’t…that’s wrong! And they’ve already learnt their lesson. There’s no need for such…harsh judgment!”

  “And what if they’re simply pretending in front of you?” Viola gasped sharply. Rosaline continued as she stared at the darkened horizon, “This world is full of puppets, Viola. They’ll play out the role that’s most convenient for the moment. And when you turn the other way…they’re already eyeing their next victim.” She shot a glance at her again. “Tell me…how many of them have truly learnt their lessons? And how can you tell if they remain clean behind your gaze?”

  “I…I don’t know…” Viola lowered her gaze. “But it’s wrong…” The memory of the creeper from earlier that day flashed before her eyes. “It’s wrong…”

  “You despise such people, don’t you?” Rosaline turned to the red sky again. The sun had already set, and clouds began to cover every empty spot. “And yet…you let them escape.”

  Viola opened her mouth only to close it a second later. Facing the other way, she clenched her fists, and her fingers nearly dug into the skin. She could say that she doesn’t want to kill them, and yet she already does. She could say that she’d only kill monsters, and yet she doesn’t know if they’re truly irreversible. She knew killing was the wrong thing, but feeling wrong only made her hesitate.

  “I apologise.” Rosaline stepped back. “When you said that you’d do anything for me to see this view…I became a little too…eager.”

  “I still don’t know how those two relate…” Viola sighed, facing the other again. “But, I suppose, it’s too late to ask for an explanation. It’s getting dark, and the city doesn’t feel safe anymore after dusk. You should head home.”

  She began to walk away without taking Rosaline’s hand. Her limbs shivered ever so slightly, and she was unsure if it was the cold…or the tension.

  “Wait.”

  Rosaline’s voice was barely a whisper. Viola paused and glanced back.

  “This…shouldn’t be how it ends.” She fidgeted with her fingers and lowered her face. “I tire of gloomy endings. But I smell a garden nearby…can you please take me there?” She lifted her head, and Viola could feel her gaze through the blindfold. “Just one last spot…before we part ways.”

  “You can…smell that from here?”

  “It’s the only way I can ‘see’, remember?” Rosaline smiled faintly. “And I’d like to see it alongside my own lily.”

  Viola thought for a moment, only to sigh in defeat. “Alright, I’ll take you.” She walked up to her and took her hand again, their palms fitting just right. “But we won’t remain for too long, okay?”

  Going down staircase after staircase, the scent of flowers grew stronger and closer. Rosaline’s heart quickened with every step, unsure if it was due to the flowers…or her lily.

  Passing by empty hallways and out the back of the main building, they arrived at the garden sooner than Viola anticipated. Her vision flickered, and she saw two old friends running around the flower patches. She smiled and walked up to where Eliana was.

  “They grow lilies here.” They stopped right before a flower patch. “Your favourite, right?”

  “For a second, I thought your scent got stronger.” Rosaline knelt without hesitation, fingers brushing along the petals until she found the one she thought was perfect. She smiled and plucked it free.

  “Wait, you aren’t supposed to—“

  Rosaline got up and faced her, gently placing the flower in her hair. Viola felt that cold touch linger a second too long on the side of her face, lightly brushing her cheek as Rosaline drew back. Her hand rose again, pausing when her fingers brushed the side of her blindfold. For a second, they remained there before tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

  “Though I can’t see,” she mumbled, “I knew that lily belonged to you.”

  “You didn’t even give me a choice…”

  “I wanted to see if you’d stop me.” She smiled wider. “I’m glad you didn’t.”

  “Well, let’s just hope no one saw us.” Viola chuckled, nervously looking around. “Would you like to look around some more or—“

  “I’d love to, but,” she interjected, the joy fading from her face, “I must leave. There is some place I need to be.”

  Viola nodded. Taking her hand for the last time, they walked back the way they came. Through the empty and colder hallways and back into the open field, they made it outside the front gate that was partly open. The sky had fully dimmed, and a lamppost flickered on just nearby.

  “Do you want me to accompany you further?” Viola asked, letting go of her hand as they stood outside the gate, facing each other.

  “You’ve accompanied me enough.” She smiled faintly. “I’d rather not take anymore of your time…today.” Stepping back, she felt the weight of the cookie boxes resting against her side. “Oh…one of these isn’t mine.” Gently lifting the carry bag, she offered it to Viola. “You can have it back—“

  “Keep them both.”

  Rosaline gasped softly and remained still for a second. “Both…?”

  Viola nodded reluctantly, remembering what the cashier said earlier.

  “Shortly after you left…she did too. No one has seen her ever since.”

  “Eliana isn’t here.” She sighed. “And I don’t feel like having it myself. Besides, I gave you the first one as a reward for listening to my past. So, keep the second one for taking me back to the place I really missed.” She smiled. “Thank you…for making me forget about where I am…and for being my escape, even if temporary.”

  “Another gift…” Rosaline whispered, unable to move for a moment. “For merely existing…”

  “Mom always told me to make more friends.” Viola chuckled with a wide grin. “I’m sure she’d be very happy right now.”

  “Friend…?” She gasped louder, her voice almost dreamy. “You consider me…a friend?”

  Before Viola could even respond, Rosaline stepped closer and wrapped her loosely in an embrace, her forehead resting on Viola’s shoulder. “R-Rosaline…?” She forced an awkward laugh. “This is all too…sudden.”

  “Isn’t this what…friends do?” Her voice came out muffled and nearly snivelled.

  Viola paused for a moment before smiling widely. “Oh, you poor thing.” She returned the embrace, holding tighter than Rosaline did.

  Why is her skin always so…cold?

  Their hug barely lasted ten seconds as Rosaline pulled back and turned away. “Rosaline?” Viola’s arms still loosely stretched out towards her friend. “If you needed more I—”

  “Thank you, too,” she mumbled, “for making me forget.” She began walking away hastily. And before she could turn a corner and vanish from sight, Viola picked up another whisper from her.

  “May we meet again, friend.”