Secrecy (Hosie)

Part 67: Dive

She quickly puts her hands to the monster's temples and closes her eyes, magically diving into his subconscious before they can stop her.

———

There's nothing.

It's empty.

and dark.

This is Malivore. The Necromancer's memory of what it was like.

Just vast nothingness.

She tries to find the monster, but he's nowhere in sight.

But then she sees a faint light coming from afar, so she walks towards it, after a while she approaches a door and skeptically enters through it.

And then she's in Rousseau's. The bar in New Orleans. It was her father's favorite.

There's jazz music playing distantly.

"I'll be damned," She hears the same maniacal laughing coming from the corner booth, "I can't believe it worked."

"What the hell are we doing here?"

"I warned you sweetheart. Diving into my mind is risky business."

She's beyond annoyed at this point, but then something catches her eye.

The pictures pinned up on the wall. Of her family.

"I've seen every single one of them, as they've passed on."

She turns to him, curiosity obvious in her gaze.

"If you want to know what I do, all you have to do is ask."

"I don't need anything from you. I'm going back."
She's about to leave this trap, until his words stop her.

"Aren't you the least bit curious about where your father ended up?"

She studies him for a moment, trying to hold her resolve, "What do you know about my father?"

"I know where he is," He tries to tempt her, "And I know that you can see him again. I'll show you to him...All you have to do, is die."

She hates the split second that she actually considers it. He's in her head, offering her exactly what she wants.

"Where is he?"

"He's right behind you."

She turns around quickly, only to realize he was teasing her as he laughs again.

She grits her teeth together.

"Kidding, kidding. But his spirit is all around you."

"Are you messing with me right now?"

He stands to his feet, stepping closer to her, almost taunting, "You don't want to hear about Malivore. You want to hear about your dad."

"No I don't." She tries to deny it, but he sees through it.

"You want to know whether he's at peace or if he's suffering. Regretting his sacrifice. After all, he did die to save your life. Such a noble gesture for such a mercurial man."