LU 142 - Dr. Thornyberry 38

I walk into Spawn, eager to find Frezz, since I hadn’t talked to him since that day. But what do I find instead? Posters. Of fucking Morpheus.

I knew this had to be Shroom’s doing and ran around looking for them. I was so livid I could barely put on a fake smile as I treaded up to the two of them. I asked Shroom what they were doing and they told me that everyone deserved to know about the trees. We all promised to not tell the town about them and to take them down silently. Shroom, that *traitor.*

But when I was about to curse them out, I realized that I left Hallthorr home alone. And who knows if he knows about the tree. Fuck. I spat a few more things at Shroom before running off.

*”Shroom. You told me to keep him safe, and now YOU could be the cause of his fucking death.”*

*”If he dies or even gets a scratch on his body today, I’ll have your head on a stake.”*

I reached the flower, panting, trying to catch my breath. I lifted my head to see Hallthorr looking and seemingly talking to Morpheus. He must have come here from home. My breathing could wait.

I ran up to them, trying to speak between gasping breaths,

*”Morpheus, I’m so sorry about the inconvenience, he’s my kid... he just- ran off.”*

Morpheus tilts his head to the side.

*”You have a kid? With who?”*

*”Frezz. Our adopted child.”*

*”I see. So you found Frezz.”*

*”I did. And I thank you for helping me.”*

I thought that would be enough for me to just take Hallthorr and get the fuck out of here, but no. Morpheus decided to conversate with him. I finally regained my breath and calmed down. Morpheus wouldn’t hurt me.

I let them talk for a while, watching Morpheus watch Hallthorr lose consciousness in and out.

I explained most of the things I’d done to the boy, and that this new language barrier was my doing. He seemed to understand and was even sympathetic about it. Apparently, she was similar, reworked, just like Hallthorr.

But someone named Illios changed that? I heard words like “catalyst” and “500 years ago.” Seems like Mira was right... there was something that happened 500 years ago. Space must have been there too. Old fuck.

Morpheus finally let us go, and while we were jumping off the flower, I noticed Mira. I ran up to her, asking what she was doing here. Her shoulders slumped, as if she was holding her breath.

*”Thank god you guys are okay.”*

*”Did you come here because of-“*

*”Yeah, Shroom’s posters.”*

I whispered that I needed to talk to them soon, and ran Hallthorr over to our house to sleep.

I went back to Amathis Empire... yes, The Ones Below All and Spawn merged today.

*Sigh.*

Too much to even think about... whatever.

I went back to meet Mira there, and they were already with Shroom. Seeing Mira yelling was definitely a sight to see.

*”YOU PROMISED US TO KEEP THE TREES A SECRET. THE PEOPLE ARE IN MORE DANGER NOW.”*

I joined in, screaming at Shroom that they could’ve gotten Hallthorr killed.

*”DO YOU KNOW HOW SCARED I WAS SEEING HIM THERE? JUST THAT COULD’VE GIVEN ME A HEART ATTACK.”*

The talking led to yelling and the yelling led to combat. Mira and I ganged up on Shroom, hitting them as they ran. A full-fledged fight. Man, I haven’t been in one of these for forever. They grazed my armor a few times, cutting into my arm at one point, but I kept on fighting.

After what felt like hours, we finally cornered them. Mira and I decided to detain them in jail instead of killing them, so after more conversation, including Tori and Hallthorr, who were both watching, we walked Shroom to the prison. I pushed them in the maximum security cell.

*”Shroom. You won’t be able to escape from here. As someone who’s been in here too, too many times, I know all the things you could try. And I will personally be your guard.”*

Once I took all of their belongings, they went on about some ‘family heirloom dagger’ and to put it in their home. Which, although I won’t do, I told them I would.

Tori then came and talked with Shroom, which is where I took my leave. I *did* listen to their conversation, but I’m too tired to reflect back on it now.

I just took Hallthorr by the arm, told him everything was okay, and went home. It *was* his birthday today, and I wanted to celebrate as a family. No more of this stupid shit.

On our walk back, I told Hallthorr what day it was, and he seemed ecstatic. Seeing him happy makes me happy too.

I opened the front doors to our home and called out for Frezz. But instead I heard a different voice. One that I know much too well.

*”Hey Vice, Hallthorr. Were you expecting Frezz?”*

*”S-Space? What are you doing in our house? Where’s Frezz?”*

He knew everything. I just wanted to celevbrate Hallthorr’s birthday, not deal with him. I wanted to cry. I’m too tired for this bullshit.

He took me upstairs for a word and once again asked why I was being distant. I ignored the question and asked my own instead.

*”Space. You’re 500 years old? You’ve lied to me this whole time?”*

*”...Who told you?”*

So it’s true. Fuck.

*”No one told me, I just assumed you were older than most. And with context clues from here and there I paired it all together.”*

He tried to lengthen the conversation, get me to explain more. But I was so done with him. Didn’t even want to look at his face. He sickened me.

*”Can we just pretend to like each other for Hallthorr’s birthday, please. I just want him to be happy.”*

We agreed and went back downstairs. I took the two of them out to the celebration hut I had made, and gave Hallthorr some of his favorite food. Space even gave him a gift! I watched Hallthorr gleam with joy as he took the present. I felt so happy. After such a long day today, this was the best way I could’ve ended it.

I tried to take a step forward to give the birthday boy a hug but wobbled when I took a step. W-what...? I tried walking again but faltered. My vision went black and I was out.

--

They both rushed to my side, checking to see what had happened.

*”Probably stress.”*

Space mentioned, while he picked me up. They both headed inside and went upstairs to lay me on the bed.

Which is when Space asked Hallthorr if it was okay for him to stay the night. Hallthorr said it was okay and started to get Space bedding, before Space interjected,

*”Oh, that’s alright, I’ll sleep up here if you don’t mind.”*

*”I dobzz minbzz”* *(“I do mind.”)*

They argued for a bit, it seemed that ‘memory Hallthorr’ was speaking. They went back and forth for a while, and Hallthorr finally gave up after Space said he’d sleep on the floor.

But as soon as Space made sure Hallthorr went downstairs, he slowly slid in bed with Thornberry.

--

I groaned, half asleep. I was in bed? I ignored the questions in my head. Stretching, I felt a warm object besides me. Frezz is back! I sleepily smiled, grabbed him, and fell back asleep.