Horror. Death and Consternation is a compilation of independent and most terryfing stories you have ever read. Reader is going to remember all of the stories, as they are unique for emorions and experience they give while reading. Perfect option for seekers of exciting and harmonious thriller and horror content.

"Lila hurry up and start the fire! It's going to get dark soon!" One of my best friends, Azure Hillary shouted to me. 

"Alright, I'm on it!" I shouted back.

My name is Lila Maple and I'm a proud, independent nineteen year old, turning twenty. I only finished my studies recently and am currently working as an office worker under a business company.

 I am at average height for a girl, fair skinned with long wavy chestnut brown hair that reaches past my shoulders and I have blueish-grey eyes. My friends always tell me the most beautiful part of me is my eyes, which I do not entirely agree on, but I guess they are right to some point. 

I have two best friends. They are Azure Hillary and Jessica Wong. Azure is slightly taller than me with fair skin, straight blonde hair that reaches past her shoulders and light brown eyes that look like jelly.

Jessica is Asian and she is half a head shorter than me. She has the best smooth porcelain white skin I had ever seen in my entire life with straight waist-length jet black hair and clear black eyes that seemed as though it could see through your soul. They are both outgoing and funny, and the best friends I could have.

We met during college where we had to complete a group project together at the start of the year, and we have been friends since then.

I do not have parents because they both passed away when I was only the age of ten. My father died in a car crash and my mother after hearing the news went into shock, which she then followed after my father shortly in the same year. They were both very young at that time, around their thirties, and were both madly in love with each other. I do not have any aunts nor uncles or cousins that I know of.

After that, my grandparents took me in and I lived in another country for a while with them until I went back to my birth country to continue my studies. Just a few weeks ago I had received news that my grandfather had passed away, which caused me to be depressed after his funeral for quite a while. Which is why my friends had suggested we go on this trip together to cheer me up.

Right now, my best friends and I all have one week off work, so we decided to go on a two days and one night camping trip at the outskirts of the city we were living in. There was also a forest nearby that we could go hiking in.

We had reached the place late morning, and ate an early lunch of homemade sandwiches before proceeding to pitch the tents and so on. We decided to set up camp just outside the forest as it would be easy to find wood to start a fire, which was the job Azure gave me to do.

I strode through the forest and picked up a few dry sticks that had fallen from the trees above. I took a deep breath and felt refreshed from the moist and clean forest air. It was such a great idea to come here where nobody really came, to escape from all that city air for a little while. 

After gathering what I thought would be enough sticks to last us through the night, I headed back to where the camp was set up. We only rented two tents as we do not have the luxury of money to spend too much. One of them could fit two of us, and we were a group of three. Azure and Jessica were to share a tent because we had played a game beforehand for sleeping arrangements and I won over the both of them, so I was able to get a tent all to myself.

I placed some of the sticks down inside a ring of stones to prevent fire from spreading and lit one of the sticks on fire with a lighter, before throwing it down onto the pile I had placed down. I put the rest of the sticks at the side and sat down to wait for Azure and Jessica. Azure was finishing the pitching of the tents and Jessica started heating some leftover food we brought from home over the fire using a metal stand and tray.

I watched as the sun set, casting a majestic orange glow over us as the sky gradually became darker. We ate our dinner of mash potatoes and baked chicken before putting everything away to clean up the next morning. Azure suggested telling horror stories to each other while melting marshmallows and making s'mores as dessert. Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of horror stories, so I kept my distance from Azure and Jessica as they were whispering to each other about things I would not want to hear.

When the sun had completely set, we took out our torches and laid down on the open grass to stargaze together while doing some girl talk. 

"I'm glad I got to spend this time with you guys. Its only been the first day but I already feel so happy and satisfied. Thank you, you guys are the best friends I could ever have." I said to my friends as I smiled at them. 

"Don't worry girl! We all needed this break. It has been a month since we got to spend time with each other like this, so let's just enjoy ourselves." Jessica replied enthusiastically and sat up.

"Um, it looks like Azure has fallen asleep already." I chuckled and got up. 

Brushing stray grass off me, I helped Jessica carry Azure back to their tent. I stayed there for a little while as I waited for Jessica to change into her sleeping garments in my tent and grabbed a few blankets and pillows back to my tent. After changing into my sleeping garments, I as well laid down and turned off my torchlight. 

"Goodnight guys, sweet dreams." I whisper-shouted.

I heard a faint 'goodnight' back from Jessica and rested my head on a pillow. I turned to my side, pulled the blanket over me and closed my eyes.

This was going to be a great week.

Or so I thought.

Nobody believes that faeries, otherwise known as fairies, exist. They are just mythical creatures part of an urban legend used for story telling to children.

 That was what Lila Maple thought , along with everyone else in the human world. Little did she know that after an encounter with a faerie during a camping trip with her friends, she would find herself looking at the world from a different perspective as a faerie herself. The world of faeries.

 Lila discovers and learns about the new circumstances she has to adapt to, but will she be able to protect her friends from the danger of her new world?


NOTE: This book has been entered into the writing prompt contest #96, so please vote power stones if you've enjoyed the book, support is appreciated, thank you!

PART-1
CHAPTER 1 - I❜LL TELL YOU A STORY

___
Have you ever believed in the supernatural? You have. Haven't you? 

Who doesn't love a story of a vegetarian vampire falling in love with the loner emo girl? We all know who Raine's been talking about. Don't we? Werewolves finding their mates on or after their 18th birthday and spending a lifetime loving each other.

Cinderella meeting her handsome prince in a similar fashion and spending a lifetime loving each other. Don't we all secretly swoon ourselves over and over again at such endings whilst thinking 'What bullshit are all those writers doing'. 

Did we not? Well, probably not in the vegetarian vampire part. But who in this world does not wish or even hope for a happy ending. But that is it. Those are fairy tales. A bunch of, over glossed stories with a sole purpose in mind of standing out, whilst the details of horror in those stories— they were better left alone and unsaid. 

Who cares for the details, right? Results were all that we care anyway. Let us just stick with that.

As Raine was humoring her miserably ridiculous life after being rejected by her mate and shipped off by her family, whilst what they said and she quotes; "So, you wouldn't depress yourself over an undeserving jerk by seeing him with someone else on a daily basis". 

Ridiculous, right? 

Her aunt Riley's soothing voice brought back her attention to the present reality. "Raine, are you alright? You seem almost lost. You've visited our pack countless times before, haven't you?" She smiled.

'Just once.' Raine had wanted to protest but then on a second thought she held it back in. 

Riley Isabelle Frost was Raine's aunt and to Riley— Raine was her most beloved niece. She had been concerned at first but after looking over at her breathtakingly innocent face, that resembled her second brother's so much; she had been angry at the person who dared rejecting her. 

At that moment, Raine had wanted to cry but had no tears. Her aunt looked to be more lost and concerned than she 'the party in question' was. Raine wasn't even sure if her aunt even knew the art of coaxing or consoling. 
And she had been right on the point. Her aunt, Riley Frost who remained unbeaten at everything else has been sucking at motivating people since her childhood.

To not make it harder on her.. Raine did what had to be done. She gave her the best practiced smile she could muster and said. "I'm fine. Just a little overwhelmed. That is all I guess." And it had been the truth but— Considering the fact that she had a facial paralysis which gave away none of her emotions or thoughts just like her dad's. Her smile might have come across as crooked or weird. 

It was a wrong and deadly move on Raine's part. Her smile, ended up making her look more pitiful than anything else whilst she remained oblivious of its effects, Riley felt her heart ache. Against all odds, Raine tried her best at conveying her present mood across to this lovely and supportive person sitting beside her. She really did try her best, but..
Her aunt was giving off a mixed air that sent chills through her spine. Anger and frustration flashing in her eyes for seconds and then what remained was endless doting. 

"It will be fine, honey. It was just that the timing was a bit off— And that asshole of an alpha heir... Hmph. He's rotten to the core." 

So this was her story now. Wasn't it? A pitiful rejected alpha mate. Raine secretly pressed on her nose bridge. This was getting depressing. She was fine. Really, she was. She wasn't someone who desired a destined partner for life anyway. Her wolf spirit wasn't being out of the ordinary either. They were of one soul and mind. She'd notice if something was amiss. 

Letting out a breathe, Raine resigned to her fate. The overprotectiveness wasn't going to fade away overnight and there was nothing that she could say or do that would make a difference. It would only make them more alert and on guard. Worse, they would think that she was suicidal; like the others who have lost their mates or have been rejected by them. 

Yes. That— Happens. Not too often though. Some reconcile and for the lost, If they persist enough they might find a second chance mate for themselves. Let's just not talk about second chances, that's for the minority anyway. She has her heart set on living a life of a hermit. As for making herself better, stronger and out for revenge? No, thank you very much. Raine feels that she was dashing enough. It was that the guy that had eyes, but couldn't see. Raine wasn't given the nickname of Ice Princess for nothing. 

And it was definitely not because she has an expressionless-hard to read face. Probably not. 

Her family had great werewolf genes, considering they came from a long mixed lineage of Alphas, betas and warriors. It gave them quite an advantage over others because they had a wide range of network and connections. There has been no secrets that's ever been hidden from the Frost lineage. Well, that is going to be a talk about some other time. Sooner rather than later, she presumes.

As the car came to a halt, Raine looked outside to admire the scenery. A feeling of serenity greeted her welcome. Aunt Riley nudged her shoulder and smiled at her warmly. "Come on inside. Everyone's waiting for you."

_______

QUICK FACT : A ❛Pluviophile❜ is someone who loves Rain, or finds joy and peace of mind during rainy day.

THANKYOU ALL FOR READING AND If YOU LIKE MY STORIES PLEASE RATE, FOLLOW AND LEAVE COMMENTS BELOW. ٩(˘◡˘)۶

______________

AUTHOR'S THOUGHTS :

[I sincerely hope and give my prayers to the writing fairies to help provide me with endless inspirations and not mess up the plot at the same time or worse drop the novel midway. 
┑(￣▽￣)┍

"..." 

Just kidding. 
.
.
.
.

Nope.] ಥ‿ಥ

________________

I'M EXTREMELY GUILTY OF USING AN ILLUSTRATION FROM PINTEREST AS MY BOOK COVER WITHOUT THE CREATORS CONSENT. I USED IT ANYWAY BECAUSE I COULDN'T FIND THE SOURCE AND BECAUSE IT WAS PINTEREST. 

BUT WHOEVER YOU ARE BUDDY, I'M SORRY AND THANK YOU FOR CREATING SUCH A MASTERPIECE THAT SUITED JUST MY TASTE. 

________________

If only life stayed lsmiledike the first time we met. Raine thought as she softly towards the person who was holding her fragile frame in his strong but shaking arms as blood trickled down her pale lips.

Suddenly, looking back through the rivers of time, nothing filled her eyes but mist. She sighed bitterly in heart. Why is it that the most beautiful things are entwined more deeply with death than with life?
_____

I suppose I got what I wanted.but of all things why like this.My name is Takumi Suzuki and this is my issekai story. I guess should start at the beginning but that's no fun it's all mushy and gushy with stories of childhood friends and stereotypical blooming love interests that made me into a gloomy supporting role for everyone else's problems for except me.Now enough chit chat let's get it the meat and potatoes of it. I go to Yokosuka high school the best high school I have because of my friends ren and Yuma the perfect high school couple if you go past us going to school you'd assume that I'm just a tag along boot strap for their story that I hope is a good as mine is now.But on this day unlike the previous was different from the start because after I got out to do my boring list of things I noticed my hands were feeling light as air with a noticeable increase increase in speed with a carving like tattoo on my body.but to my shock I felt a grasp from behind as I was being dragged down the stairs by a pair of rough and tumble hands with cold steel on my neck.see my parents in the kitchen as we reached the bottom of the stairs.not knowing what was going on I looked at my mom with wide eyes that mouthed to me "this is a robbery, but I think they are going to kill us". the one with the metal to my neck said with a calm and collected voice said,"found the kid, kill the woman and let's take the rest". the look of horror on my mother's face said it all.as she closed her eyes to hide her acceptance of  a her fate,I started to think Rapidly about solutions,"come on takumi think money,no he let's kill her so that's a no". as my thinking started to speed it felt like time was slowing down to an micro second per minute speed and my arms started to glow with a faint aura and a faint feminine voice called out "oh hero of the time let this not be a turning point of rage,calm the fear,the anger,the hate and let the good win".I felt surge from within me and felt like I could decide what to do,but I could feel the time gaining speed again with each thought,I had to make the choice now or never.as it started to speed up I hit the man behind me with an elbow to his manhood and made a run for my that decision of a life time. the next few moments were his bravest he had ever been but that all ended with a bang,sirens and a calm gruff voice and a hard kick in the ribs,"stupid boy you don't what you have done" he said. As I lay there with my eyes to the ceiling I think"is this really it was on the fucking stupid to end like this I never found my calling I have ever done is protect and protect others while being used,abused and beaten".As I started to fade I heard a similar voice call out and another that is being  silenced by the other voice.the first voice saying"well done hero of the time you acts and willingness to die instead of live shall be rewarded yes,I will you"."yes boy,we can help you" said the other voice,that voice although being suppressed by the first voice was still quite strong with a faint sound of vengeance and a small feeling that I feel  like I relate to."yes you have done a good deed in which you can be rewarded all you have done to is agree or you could always just say no in which you die,your choice boy". it's was obviously a simple choice,but I at the time had no Idea what I was getting into at the time but I accepted the reward with absolutely no hesitation which was going to get me to the best of adventure of my life.

The very next day--
It is a sunny, bright day. Everyone is very enthusiastic for camping. The camping guides told us all the rules and safety measures for camping. 
I feel somewhat strange. Why? Because I can feel someone staring at me from behind. When I turn to look who it is...no one. Great being the President I have to stand in the very front of the group also I am being stared by someone. 
I tugged Luna's sleeve, she is standing behind me. 
"Can you tell me whose this creepy creature staring daggers at me?" I asked her in a low voice so that only she could hear.
"Amber is glaring at you." she said.
"Eh? Why? What did I do?" I asked her.
"Err well I heard Max, he was talking to his friend Jack, that Amber has a crush on Matt but you nearly kissed him yesterday in front of everyone. She might be jealous of you or something." She explained me.
I gasped. 
Ugh! I am so stupid, now I am stuck again in a pit of troubles. She will definitely do something to take out her anger on me.
Well whatever, I will definitely won't fall for her tricks.
We all gathered and started our Jungle tour towards the camping site. 
Soon after two to three hours we reached at the camping site. 
Everyone is instructed to make their own tents. I and Luna were staying in one tent whereas Ryan and Matt in the other which is just beside ours. 
Everyone is being allotted the task they have to do. Matt and I were given the task to collect firewood whereas Luna and Ryan to collect fishes, prawns, nuts and fruits for lunch and dinner. 
I and Matt left the camping site in search of firewood. 
Matt and I are so silent. It is so awkward between us. 
"Err I think that wood looks good." I said trying to shoo away the awkwardness. 
He sighed and said.
"CeCe every wood is just the same. It's not like one wood will be better then other in a Jungle full of woods." he said making me blush.
"No! I think that wood is really good let's cut it." I said.
"Okay okay." he said.
"She's as stubborn as she was when she came to the school first." he whispered but I heard it almost clearly.
"What!? What did you say? You think I am stubborn!?" I asked him puffing my cheeks in disbelief.
"Yes I said you are stubborn. Anything else?" He asked.
"Argh! You....!" I said slapping his arm.
"Ouch! Stop stop! I am sorry alright? Now please concentrate on finding firewood." he said. 
We soon found firewood and helped each other to cut it in peices. 
We took the firewood back to the camping site. We got almost lost but I marked some trees before going. My smartness helped us back to the camping site.
It is almost lunch time. Everyone was waiting for students to arrive with firewood, we unexpectedly were first to reach there with firewood. 
Our group started cooking fish and few vegetables arranged by resort guides. 
We played games like hide and seek, nature scavenger hunt and water relay in the woods after lunch. It was so much fun and exciting experience.
At night--
Everyone gathered around the campfire. All the class groups were having different campfire sets. 
This is the worst thing I want to ever experience. Campfire stories. Awesome. Don't mind if I choke myself in my breath and die. Why? Because they are telling campfire stories about... real horror movies and experiences.
Why horror? Can't we discuss about something funny? Eh? To laugh what else. Ugh guess not. They already started. Also surprisingly Matt and Hans are taking part in this quite enthusiastically. 
I guess Hans forgot about my fear about horror things. 
I tried very hard not to hear those creepy words but...I can't right? As they are so loud. 
"You know I heard, there is one small old wooden house in the middle of the Jungle...Also if someone goes there....never ever comes back. That's why these guides didn't tell us about that place." Ryan said. 
Great now he is also enthusiastically participating. 
I felt myself shivering at that thought of place. 
I can't control it anymore...I should just go inside my tent and sleep. 
I stood up and was about to turn around towards my and Luna's tent. When my hand got holded by someone. 
Now what?
"Oh dear, it's still early~ don't sleep this early~come let's hear more horror stories~~it's very exciting~" Amber said with her sweet voice.
I gave her a twitching smile. 
"Err Amber I am very tired, I went into woods today to collect firewood and helped in cooking food unlike someone who was busy shaping their ugly nails." I said with a mocking smirk. 
I heard her grit her teeth in annoyance.
"Dear, you know I really am not suitable for doing dirty works, my hands will get injured~also come here sit with us." she said staring at me. 
What should I do I can't decline her now. 
I sat down back on my seat. 
They started their stories again making me shiver in fear.
They have now decided to play dare situation game. Great. I can't believe I am stuck in this mess.

CeCe was clever, beautiful and free minded girl but she wasn't able to score good and used to agitate her teachers a lot, she also many times became target of male teachers. When she got kicked out of school for the 7th time, her mum had no choice but to leave her school problems in CeCe's dad hands.
CeCe thought it was going to be okay as she can get enrolled herself in another school, but then she finds out that her dad is a headmaster of boy's school and her father wants her to get enrolled in that school! She thought this won't be a good idea.
But she has no choice...but to study there until she scores high grades. If she accomplishes to score high grades then her father will listen to her and will enroll her in school of her choice! But with boys everywhere, will she be able to concentrate and score good marks? Will she be able to erase her mischievous personality and become nerd? 
Specially when a certain somebody changes her completely in a way she never expected.

**I don't own the cover, cover belongs to Inkstone Webnovel**

Please enjoy and support me till the end! 
Hope all dear readers love my work.
Thank you (〃＾▽＾〃)

Uploading status: 2-3 chapters daily.

******

Hey loves!!

How's the life you've been wishing to live or you're living a nightmare?

Life is like a heartbreaker and the pain it throws at us just stomps us to death. Do you know who you are or you weren't able to find yourself?

Look at yourself in the mirror and ask your heart "Who am I?"

Humans are like zombies and they hide their true face so well that you won't even know who they're until they broke you inside till you feel empty.

Do you bully your friends or anyone just because it's okay or you think that they deserve it? Then tell me, do you deserve to bully your friend or anyone? Because it's not like you're a perfect human being to disrespect, bully or harass anyone lol. First, find your fucking true self before it's too late, darlings or you're gonna regret and hate yourself to death but if you have no sense of humanity or love then it's useless to question yourself.

Did you ever backstab anyone and for what reason?

No matter what the reason you've done and you know it's wrong but still, situations made you do it then apologize to the person who you've betrayed. It's better late than never or you'll become a scar in their hearts for trusting you and they're gonna live a life of having trust issues and this can cause a nightmare to them and to their precious life.

Are you so selfish that you don't care about anyone?

Then I would say you're not selfish if you still care for someone who you like or at least one person like your sister, mom, dad or your girlfriend, etc...

You just need the imagination to feel the pain. Imagine someone who you love in the place of someone who you're about to hurt and then maybe you can feel the pain of what they're going through.

it's not your fault to be selfish, you've been raised to not feel any pain by your parents because they love you and you didnt get any chance to feel the pain so, don't blame yourself but it's your fault to hurt someone even when you know it's gonna kill them inside...

Are you jealous of your friend, sister, cousin, or anyone?

First, stop insulting yourself and who the fuck told you shit that made you insecure? delete those negative people from your life. Like seriously, it's your freaking life and you deserve to be loved and cared... it's not that you don't deserve love or care just because you haven't found the person who deserves the best 'You'

Start looking at the mirror more often feeling proud of yourself and be thankful you stepped into the world with the beautiful and best 'You'

You have trust issues and you're broken inside like you always wanted to die?

No honey, why would you even kill yourself for stupid people who don't even know the value of you?

People like them, obviously, something wrong em and they need help. so, stop caring about what people say. Hear it from one ear and leave it from another ear... you don't have to endure this shit. And stop feeding you don't deserve love to your mind. Our mind is so tricky like stay positive and every fucking negative thing around you turns into positive which will encourage you to take a step forward.

You've been harassed and abused?

I love you so much that I wish I was with you in tough times. I'm so proud of you that you endured this shit all alone. You deserve everything and everything!! Don't feel it's over, no! don't ever feel like that. What is over? you didn't even reach the age that you're old enough to die.

Don't you think you're feeding yourself shit?
I know, you won't be able to forget that shit and you desperately want to erase that nightmare from your life but still, you need to step forward and don't be afraid of this world. You only how dangerous this world is but you can face it once you made up your mind. I know this shit isn't easy like I talk but I've once suffered and lived a life that made me feel empty inside and filled my heart with bloody blood. I won't say I'm all healed now but I'm fighting for myself and for those who are in need of help. I get Panic attacks and shit every time. I lived a life of horror and dark for freaking 10 years and now, I feel half-healed.

I can't tell you what I went through but I want to tell you it's okay... even if you don't have anyone beside you to help you or to encourage you then comment down below and I'm all yours.

If you think something is wrong and want to change yourself then it's not too late...

Let's fill the world with freaking Love and let's make everyone realize who they're and what they're true face is.
______

Guys, thank you so much for all this love!! seriously, I wasn't expecting it.

'Forgive me' is like a realistic novel and we have seen people like Ivy, Zayn, Adam in real life. I made up this story so, it can open people's eyes and let them see the hidden world that dark people are hiding. We don't know the smiles which we have seen are even true and we don't know the tears which we have seen are true.

Ivy is like a naive, Innocent and she likes to give people a chance. People like Zayn take advantage of people like Ivy. Come on, we have seen people like them in real life right?

I didn't give the happy ending not because I like to murder the characters which I've created lol. This novel is different from others that we see the cheesy story or the Main Male lead is perfect like- like, I know they're stories and we know those aren't true but Perfect guys like the Main Male leads don't exist in real life lmao.

Then, why some of you aren't ready to accept the truth that people like Ivy and Zach exist and their freaking stories too? We don't know what people are going through. My story is realistic and I want you guys to continue to support me...

Let's go on a realistic ride together, and I will give you guys a happy ending in part 2...

If anyone needs any help then feel free to comment below and I'll do anything I can.

let's heal together ❤❤

Love y'all

******

And please, check out my other novel "A swan in the palace" I'm happy with every support and love from you guys. TC 💞💞

He hurt her in every way he can and he made her hate him and now all he wants is her to forgive him. 

Is it possible? 

Just what's his story? 

Let's find out! 


Warning: In the process of editing and rewriting some parts.




This story includes self-harm, cussing, rape, and abuse. Please don't read, if you find it disturbing.


Thank you all for reading! It means a lot.

"I'm sorry, but I'm too old for Halloween," Amy said when her friend brought up the subject.

"Oh", Agnes said with sadness in her eyes. "Yeah, maybe we're too old for that."

"No, wait. I was talking about me."

"That's the same, right?" Agnes said with a wry smile. "We're the same age."

Amy knew that Halloween was her friend's favorite day of the year. For Amy, a fifteen years old girl, being obsessed with witches, monsters and horror stories was silly. However, seeing her friend's happy face when she talked about that, Amy always suppressed her opinions. Amy thought that side of Agnes was cute.

Agnes was a girl with blond and wavy hair. She looked like a princess but always wanted to be the witch when they played as kids. Amy, with her black hair and pale skin, looked way more like a witch. She was also taller than Agnes. And yet, her friend always gave the cutest costumes for her.

They were childhood friends and Amy felt like Agnes never grew up.

But walking around the city asking for candies with other kids while wearing a costume was too much for her. No matter how much she loved Agnes, she wanted some more mature entertainment.

"Ok, but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate it in a different way," Amy said. "A grown-up way, for example."

"Grown up? Like a party, maybe? I remember our class was making a Halloween party this year"

"Yeah, that would be cool. But," Amy knew how uncomfortable Agnes was on those parties, so she always avoided it. Somehow, she also didn't want Agnes in that place. "How about a private party? Or a sleepover, maybe. My parents won't be home on Halloween night and they asked me to give candies to the kids. So, you know, if you don't mind, maybe, huh…"

Agnes jumped and clapped her hands with a smile.

"We could spend the night watching horror movies, right?!" she said.

"Ah, that's, huh," Amy wasn't good with horror movies, or horror stories in general. Still, the bright smile her friend gave was hard to resist. "That would be nice. Yeah. Horror movies. I don't mind it at all."

"That's great! So I'll bring the movies. I guess we'll need food as well, so…"

"Oh, I'll take care of that, don't worry. Making food isn't your best skill, so yeah. Better safe than sorry," Amy laughed at the grimace Agnes made. "Just make sure to bring some good movies."

Not too scary, please, Amy though, but didn't voice it.

Agnes giggled.

"Leave it to me. I'll make the scariest selection I possibly can!" Agnes said while rubbing her hands. "I won't let you sleep that night!"

Amy felt a shiver. Yet, the bright smile on Agnes' face was enough to stop her from complaining. She couldn't believe she was doing that. Amy suddenly wondered how important her friend was for her and how far she would go to make her smile.

 

***

 

When Amy answered the door on Halloween night, there was a cute blonde girl wearing a witch costume waiting on the other side with a smile on her face.

"You're still wearing a costume, huh?"

"Yeah. I had bought it already and I didn't want it to go to waste," Agnes put her finger on her lips. "Is it weird?"

Imagining Agnes happily buying that costume just for that night while planning their Halloween together, Amy felt like her heart was being stabbed. Agnes really loved Halloween night.

Amy had dressed herself to wait for Agnes. Not in a Halloween costume, that would be too much. The purple scrunchie tying her hair was a present from Agnes. So was her jeans shorts. Or her black tights. Almost everything she was wearing was a present from Agnes. Agnes loved dressing her up too much.

"It's not weird. Actually, since you're in the mood already, you can answer the door when the kids come," Amy looked away before adding: "And, well, you look cute."

Agnes giggled behind Amy's back.

"A-Anyway," Amy tried to change the subject. "You brought movies, right? We can start watching them. We also have food for when we get hungry. Mom left juice since she knows you can't stand soda."

"Oh, that's right! I spent this whole time making a selection with the most brutal, bloodiest and scariest horror movies I ever saw."

Amy felt a shiver running down her spine by listening to her friend's enthusiastic words.

"Y-You could've brought something you didn't watch yet," she said, taking the bag Agnes passed to her and looking inside. "W-Wait. There's at least ten!"

"I said I won't let you sleep tonight," Agnes gave a smile.

"No, no, no, wait! Forget about sleeping, we don't even have that much time."

"We do," Agnes looked at her clock and showed it to Amy. It was 8 PM. "Come on, it's Halloween. You don't want to sleep during Halloween, do you?" She threw herself on her friend's couch. "Choose something and put it on already."

Looking at those titles, Amy was sure they were as terrifying as Agnes made them out to be. She couldn't even look at the cover without feeling uneasy. She just took something and put it inside the blu-ray player and sat beside Agnes, who just looked at her with a mischievous smile as the movie started.

The first few scenes weren't as scary as Amy feared.

Agnes had her legs bent, putting her feet on the couch. She always felt at home when she and Amy were alone at Amy's house. Her knees invaded her friend's space a little and her long skirt touched Amy's legs.

Glancing at Agnes, Amy realized she had her eyes glued on the tv screen. She had watched that movie already, but her excitement looked the same as always. Amy could feel how much her friend loved horror movies.

Amy's body flinched as a long buzz sounded inside the house. Agnes looked at her and Amy was sure she was holding herself to not make a joke about it.

"P-Probably kids looking for candies," Amy said, hitting pause on the controller.

"You can keep watching it. I already watched that one."

"N-No. I'll… wait for you," Amy said while dreading the thought of watching it alone. Agnes giggled.

The front door wasn't that far from the living room, but she had to cross a hallway to get to it. Agnes almost skipped through the house as she went to open it.

"Tricks or treats!"

In the other side, there were three kids. Two boys wearing a werewolf and a vampire costume and a little girl wearing a ghost costume.

"I'm a witch, why would I carry candies?" Agnes said and grinned. "But I don't want to be pranked, so let's see what I can do…"

With a fast movement, Agnes managed to get candies from the bowl on her side and hide it on her sleeves. With a theatrical gesture, she made it fall on the three kid's bags. The sleeves of her dress were long, so it looked like the candies were coming out of her hands.

"Wow!" the three kids said, amazed. When they looked at her again, the first boy let out a shout.

"Eh!? Agnes!?"

"Oh, you found me," Agnes said, clapping her hands.

"What are you doing there?! We're against the children from the other street this year. If we can't get enough candies, we lose. You're our secret weapon!"

"I'm sorry. I'm a grown up now and grown-up girls spend Halloween in a grown up way! I can't be a kid forever."

"No way!" the little girl said.

"You're our leader!" The third boy said. "We can't win without you!"

"Of course you can!" Agnes said and pointed her finger towards the kids. "From today on, I elect you three to be the leaders. Pass this message to the others and say that their order is to win! That's my word, so if you lose, you'll stain my name forever!"

"Yes, ma'am!" the three children yelled and turned away running, soon meeting other kids at the street.

Agnes let out a sad smile and turned to meet her friend waiting for her, leaning against the wall in the hallway.

"Back to the movies," Agnes said and walked towards the hallway.

"You're so good with kids," Amy said. She had a serious face and didn't move from her place. "Any plans for having some of your own?"

Agnes stopped. She looked at Amy and gave a nervous smile.

"N-No. We're too young to think about these things, right?"

"We should always think about our future."

"Well, true," Agnes looked away. "I don't think I wanna have kids, actually. I wouldn't be a good mother. And I think spoiling other people's children is good enough for me."

"That's not true. You would be a great mother. You're so great with kids, so not having any would be a great waste."

"I-Is that so?" Anges was fiddling with her skirt. "G-Guess it can't be helped, though. I don't think I want it."

"Are you sure? I could be the godmother."

"Jezz, Amy, could you shut up?!" Agnes blurted.

Amy felt her body jump. She gave a startled look to her friend.

"I-I," Amy stammered, looking away. "I'm sorry. I didn't…"

"I don't want to hear that from you," Agnes stared right into Amy's eyes as she said it. "That's what mom is always saying. How she wants a grandchild. But I'm an only child and I really don't want one. I know mom will be disappointed, but…" Agnes lowered her head, asking in a low voice: "Am I being selfish?"

"No, you're not," Amy rushed to put her hand on her friend's shoulder. "I, I'm sorry. I didn't want to bother you like that. I don't know what got to me. I think I'm just upset. You really wanted to be out there tonight, right?"

Giving her friend a sad smile, Agnes went back to the couch. When Amy followed her, she met her friend with the controller on her hand, but the movie was still paused. Amy sat beside her.

"It's true that I wanted to be out there," Agnes said, staring at the paused movie. "At the same time, I understand we're getting too old for that. Can't help it, I guess. I'm just like a big child."

"I'm sorry," Amy said without facing her friend.

"And that's why," Agnes turned to Amy with a smile on her face. "I want Halloween to still be fun for me. One way or another, I want to get excited for these nights all years. And so," Agnes leaned against Amy, resting her head on her shoulder. "That's your responsibility now."

Amy gave a nervous smile as the movie resumed.

 

***

 

For the first twenty minutes of the movie, kids came to get candies interrupting them a lot. Amy sighed in relief every time her friend hit the pause button. But after some time, the kids stopped coming. Even the voices outside couldn't be heard anymore. They probably had gone to another street already.

So Amy was starting to get worried. It was just the first movie and she felt like she wouldn't be able to endure it to the end. With each minute, the atmosphere would get more intense and dark and the silence at the house wasn't helping. Her only comfort was Agnes' warmth. Her friend was still leaning against her.

She felt her heart beating strong. Part of it was the movie. But for some reason, her friend's perfume was starting to affect her as well.

When the girl on screen got inside a dark room and a shadow passed behind her back, Amy gave up.

"You know!" She said, taking the controller and hitting pause. "I'm kinda hungry."

"Already?" Agnes said. Her smile showing that she had seen through her friend's fear.

"I didn't eat anything during the afternoon. I was nervous…"

"Nervous? Why?"

"No, I mean. Huh…"

"Well," Agnes put her finger on her closed lips. She pretended to think for some minutes. "I might enjoy some snacks. Do you have anything sweet?"

 

***

 

There were all kinds of snacks already prepared in the kitchen. Amy's mother had left it for them. It was Halloween snacks. Some of them were sweet, some were salty. Agnes liked sweet food while Amy always liked the salty food the best.

Agnes threw a chocolate truffle inside her mouth and let out an expression of pleasure.

"Delicious! Did you mom make it?"

"I helped her."

"Is that so? So I'm sure they're all tasty!"

Amy hid her face so her friend didn't realize that she blushed with the compliment. Agnes couldn't take her eyes from the snacks Amy was putting on the table.

"I'll handle this," Amy said. "Go serve the juices. I don't want you ruining anything."

"Hey, I'm fine with food as long as it's done already!" Agnes pouted, but still obeyed her friend and walked to the refrigerator.

Inside there was a jar with strawberry juice, which happened to be her favorite. She grabbed it, as well as two glasses.

"Don't spill it," Amy said.

"Hey! I'm not that big of a disaster! And I'm a witch right now, so respect me or I'll curse you!"

"Is that so?" Amy looked at Agnes with the side of her eyes. "What can you do with these so powerful witch powers?"

"I can, for example, make this a potion!" Agnes poured some juice on a glass and gestured her fingers in its direction. "If you drink it, you'll be under my spell!"

"Oh?" Amy smiled and grabbed the glass from the table. She drank the whole juice in one gulp and threw a defiant look at her friend. "So, what happens to me now?"

"That was, let's see, a love potion! So you'll fall in love with me now!"

Silence fell between them.

Amy stopped and gave a serious look at her friend. Agnes covered her own mouth, feeling embarrassed. They just looked at each other for a long minute.

"W-What are you even saying?" Amy asked, finally.

"I, I," Agnes tried to look away. Her face getting red. "It's a joke."

Amy giggled.

"Well, stop joking around. We have a movie to watch, right?"

Saying that Amy took the snacks and walked away. She wanted to get away from Agnes for the moment so her friend wouldn't realize how fast her heart was beating.

 

***

 

Amy couldn't even understand why Agnes' joke had such an impact on her. It was common for her friends to do that kind of silly joke. But Agnes' words just didn't leave her mind.

The movie started to play again. Agnes had her legs on the couch again, too close to Amy. Sometimes she would incline her body to get the snacks in the chair in front of them and Amy would get a glance at her white neck. She couldn't keep her eyes away from her friend for long.

She tried to focus on the movie. It was getting to the scariest part, with grotesque creatures following the protagonists in the dark house. Amy felt a chill.

"You're bad with horror movies, huh?" Agnes said, examining her friend's scared face.

"If you know that, why do you keep suggesting them?" Amy replied, letting out a nervous sigh.

"Because I love horror movies and supernatural stories a lot. And I love you a lot, too," with her friend's words, Amy's heart skipped a beat. "So I wanna share things I love with you. You're my best friend, so I would love to talk about my favorite things with you. But if you really hate it that much…" Agnes gave a sad smile that made Amy shook her head.

"I don't hate it. I'm not good with it and, well, I'm not a fan either, but I still enjoy watching. If, if you're watching it with me, at least."

"I see," Agnes said with a happy grin seeing Amy embarrassed face. "Well, if it gets too scary for you, you can hold on to me."

"A-And what good would that do?" Amy said while sighing, but discreetly linked her own arms with her friend's.

Hugging Agnes was common for Amy, but she felt somewhat different about that situation. That gesture was usually shared by lovers, and yet she never thought about it before.

 

So you'll fall in love with me now!

 

Her friend's words echoed in her head again. Glancing at Agne's face, Amy felt her whole body react to her friend's smile. She knew that she was blushing.

"Agnes," she said with a low voice, making her friend look at her. "I think your potion might be working."

A surprised expression painted Agnes' face. She opened her mouth, but Amy talked before she could say anything.

"Just kidding…"

 

***

 

The movie seemed to be close to the climax. Amy was too distracted to be scared. She was hugging Agnes's arm, feeling the warmth and softness of her friend's flesh so close. She was confused. As a kid, they even took baths together, but she had never felt like that. They had lots of sleepovers even after becoming teenagers and in fact, they were planning to share a bed that night.

Why she had to say something like that?

Amy knew that Agnes was cute. Sexy as well. There was an occasion before when a boy asked Agnes out. That made Amy jealous, she remembered. She always thought that was because Agnes was her best friend, so she was protective of her. But now she was wondering if that was all.

Another buzz rang through the house. Probably kids from other streets were getting close. Agnes paused the movie and jumped from the couch to go after them. Amy looked at her friend's back as she walked to the hallway. The most she got away, the loneliest Amy felt.

That was bothering her. Suddenly she couldn't understand her feelings anymore and wondered what Agnes felt for her. That was scary.

She walked to meet her friend with careful steps, so she wouldn't be heard. When the door closed, Amy covered Agnes' eyes with her hands. Agnes gave a confused gasp.

"Tricks or Treats?" Amy almost whispered in Agnes' ears.

Agnes seemed to think for some time in silence. Amy was so close that she could sniff the shampoo on her friend's blonde hair.

"I don't have all the time," Amy said and Agnes giggled.

"I'm not sure. A prank can be good sometimes."

"Remember that you asked for it. Now turn around," Amy said and took a candy from the bowl. She started to unwrap it. "Now, close your eyes."

Agnes did as her friend asked. She closed her eyes and opened her mouth, waiting for the candy.

Amy stared at her friend. Her heart almost jumping through her throat. She was sure her face was completely red.

She put the candy on her own mouth and approached Agnes. Wrapping her arms on the girl's hip, she pulled Agnes close and joined their mouth. She felt the soft lips of her friend on hers. Her warm and pleasant breath. She opened her eyes while kissing to see her friend's surprised expression looking at her.

Amy pushed the candy to her friend's mouth with her tongue, brushing Agnes' own tongue on the process. She closed her lips, locking her friend's lower lips on them before parting their lips. She gave two steps back.

Agnes touched her lips. She gave a confused and startled look at her best friend.

"Happy Halloween, Agnes," Amy said. Her face completely red. "How was that for a prank?"

The two girls stared at each other. Agnes' face was just as red as Amy's.

"That," Agnes broke the silence. Her fingers still on her lips. Her voice was failing. "Was sweet. I mean, nice. I mean…"

Amy was nervous. She didn't know what her friend's reaction was going to be. She was sure of her feelings after that kiss, but what about Agnes. Maybe she would turn back and run away now.

Instead, Agnes held her hand. Her soft fingers playing with Amy's skin.

"W-What now?" Amy asked, fearing the answer.

"Now," Agnes gave her a reassuring smile. "We go back to the movies."

Amy let out a relieved sigh and her lips turned into a smile.

"Really? As a punishment?"

"Don't worry. I'll hold your hand through all the night so you won't be afraid," Agnes said, pulling her friend with her. In the middle of the way, she turned back with a giant smile on her face. "Oh, and by the way, that was hardly a prank!"

That night, the girls' hands didn't part anymore.

Lily Bouquet is a collection of different short stories with a common theme: they're all stories about love between girls.

The stories might vary in themes and genre, but they're all focused on the romantic relationship between two or more girls. While some stories might be a continuation of previous ones, this will be mentioned at the start, so any story can be read by itself.

Jia Hyson finds he has hit the jackpot after he dies. 

He's got a system! He's a transmigrator! So cool! 

System: "Please help us fix the plot." 

Jia Hyson: "Of course!" 

System: "Firstly there are too many love interests." 

Jia Hyson: "Okay." 

System: "The main character is too annoying." 

Jia Hyson: "Um." 

System: "Needs more world building." 

Jia Hyson: "..."  

Oi, is he fixing the plot or is he rewriting the whole damn thing?!

(This is bl/yaoi/danmei btw)

I know it's pretty scummy of me to not even try reviewing some content to figure out how to write this blog but I'm dealing with newbies to writing like Nimu here. Even if Nimu DID request this, I'm going to keep this simple and easy to understand.

Why would I do that? Well, I'm pretty sure that even if I bring up tropes like the 'Uncanny Valley', no one will actually understand what I'm talking about and would only nod their heads like chickens because I said some big words or something like that...

That's why I'm choosing to keep this real. Now, let's start off with: How do does horror be 'scary'?

In movies, showing images that either poke at our emotions of unease or disgust is one way to go, or just throw a bunch of jump scares and call it a horror movie... Director's choice. Similarly, you are also the 'director' of any 'horror story' you choose to write.

Most horror writers have the wrong assumption when they think about writing 'horror'. They become trapped in unease themselves because 'fear' stops them from writing. Well, if you really DO feel that way, then just channel that into your horror story.

And no, I'm not playing with ya.

There's a reason horror's start off in a simple premise with easy-to-understand people, after all.

Have you never experienced a horrifying event or nightmare before? Fine, I'll give you an example.

There was a time when I was a kid that I suddenly started looking for my older brother who went out of the room that afternoon. As a kid, darkness made me feel uneasy, so I didn't like the feeling of going into the kitchen in the other room which was pitch-black at the time. And that's when it happened!

The older brother I was looking for jumped out of the darkness and scared the life out of me...

Now, from that short memory. What have we found that made this memory so impressionable?

The answer is that there was a 'sudden set-up' of unease before the jump scare, making it scary.

If my brother had jumped in front of me at any other time, I would only be mildly surprised. However, the transition between 'set-up' and 'payoff' made it more worthwhile. This is what you must remember.

Remember, before setting up a scary scene in a horror story, you yourself must first evaluate how much 'set-up' you are willing to make for the end payoff and if that payoff is even worth it.

The reason I got scared by my brother was because of the 'suddenness' of the event. If I had time to properly analyse the situation and realise that my brother was playing a prank, the effect of him jumping out of the darkness wouldn't surprise me.

Likewise, if there was fast or literally no set-up and the payoff was that an brain-like alien actually existed in my kitchen. I would be scared, I would be struck dumb because my suspension of disbelief would be broken. I wouldn't even know how to internalise that event if it actually happened. The only thing I would do is stare at the thing blankly.

Blankness is not fear, it's just your brain not being able to comprehend what you're seeing.

If there is less set-up to big events, the payoff would be low. This is the same for ten chapters of set-up just to reveal someone doing a prank. You yourself must balance 'set-up' with the intended 'payoff'.

However, that's not to say scary story's need surprising moments where something or someone jumps out from the dark. Even that show called 'Goosebumps' knew the best way to scare someone is to manipulate the emotions of a reader.

When something good is happening but there is subtly a small scene of watching the main character through the window, the reader's heart is gripped tightly. If THEY don't want anything to happen to your relatable and kind character, then they will feel unease even if your character is clueless.

Then when the payoff happens, the reader will be assaulted with a sense of grief and sympathy.

Horror story's are just like that. They aren't meant to scare the reader through flashing images or jump scares but cause them to feel deeply. Though this is also a reason horrors are rarely read by people who are looking for something lighthearted and bright.

You must know this target audience and prepare your story well to become a good horror. If mixed with mystery, then you must also make sure to keep what I said in my 'Mystery Genre Analysis' in mind as everything there is also essential in this blend.

(My other Analysis Blogs are in my Saved Posts.)

There are plenty of ways to make horrors not need mysteries by blending it with tragedy. However, it isn't something you can write with a bright heart free of ill-will towards others. After all, you must understand what makes people 'uneasy and disgusted' with something whenever you write something of this genre. As it is needed to bring out the best experience for those reading your work.

Some think Horror and Tragedy are two sides of the same coin. However, there is a reason these two are split up into separate genres. Tragedies might invoke sympathy in those who read it, but Horror strike the readers with true fears even if they are irrational.

Ghost stories make us fear the Supernatural, Stories about technology progressing beyond humans can control makes us fear Science Fiction, and even story about a mystical world which only curse its inhabitants with grief make us fear Fantasy.

We are rational creatures after all. We take each step carefully and are always uneasy about the unpredictable future, that is our mundane form of horror. We fear, and therefore we feel alive.

Thank you for reading~! Comment any more Analysis Blog requests to your leisure! 😆

(Cover by Darkstar Dust)

This is a story I worked on ages ago that has been refined and edited by adding foreshadowing to events while also simplifying the power system better than before. This story can be considered a prequel to An Adventure Beyond Greatness as it takes place years prior to the events of that story.

Short Synopsis:
After retiring from the battlefield, my life became empty and lifeless. The regrets of my past haunt me in my sleep. Then a change occurred, a King from another world summoned me to fight for his kingdom, but I died even before I could give him my answer. Now, after a fake God allowed me to reincarnate (albeit imperfectly) with my memories intact, into a world filled with magic and swords.

Long Synopsis:
This is about a flawed protagonist who only knew to rely on others and not socialise who gets a second chance to change himself in order to live the life he aimed for in his past life. The narrator isn’t exactly trustworthy since it is purely in his bias perspective while other perspectives given by others fill in the blanks that he either leaves out or twists to suit the situation.

The story itself can be considered a parody of Isekai’s classic tropes which are given a sense of reality as time goes by. As there exists no ‘Demon Lord’, there is also no black and white, only characters opinions and counter-opinions throughout the story.

Chapter 7:

Kaya and Klahadore

"You knew my father? How? What can you tell me about him?"

"I'll talk about it later. Right now, I need some meat!"

"Well come with me. I know a place." Usopp led them into town, his curiosity overriding his previous hostility.

The Straw Hat Pirates sat in the town's only restaurant with Usopp, the son of Yassop. Luffy was regaling the other 17-year-old with stories of his father from when the Red Hair Pirates had been docked in Fusha Village. The sniper was drinking it up, wanting to learn everything about his father being a brave warrior of the sea.

"So my father is on the crew of Red-Haired Shanks?" Usopp inquired.

"More than just on the crew," Luffy answered. "He's their best sniper. And he was one of Shanks' best friends on the crew. I once watched him shoot the wings off a fly while looking in a mirror!" These words got Usopp riled up, spouting about becoming a pirate like his father. Nami cut him off.

"Actually, we're here on a mission," the girl stated. "Is there anyone you know here that can help us get a boat?"

"Uh..." the self-proclaimed captain got shifty. "Nope! No one here. Not a single person."

"What about the people in that big mansion on the hill?" Zoro asked. "They seem wealthy enough to spare a boat."

"Don't you go anywhere near that mansion!" Usopp shouted before he could catch himself. "Uh... I mean... Oh! Would you look at the time? I've got to go do something very important, SoDon'tFollowOrWaitForMeBye!" The teen bolted out the door, leaving four confused pirates in his wake.

"That wasn't suspicious at all," Nami snarked.

"Maybe he had some chores he had to do?" Coby offered, trying to give the lying male the benefit of the doubt. In the time it took for both of those sentences to be spoken, the crew's captain had consumed all of the uneaten food on the table, resulting in a bulging stomach that only made sense from the inclusion of his Devil Fruit powers. This was the image that greeted three children when they ran into the establishment screaming bloody murder.

"Where is our captain, you dirty pirates?!" the three children yelled. Their eyes landed on Luffy and his unnatural proportions.

"Ah, that meat was good," he sighed, much to the horror of the children.

"Your captain," Zoro smirked, amused with Luffy's choice of words, "was delicious."

"AHHH!" the three screamed as they turned to the lone female. "WITCH!"

"Why'd you turn to me?!" she yelled back. Their act came to an end when Coby broke into a fit of laughter and was soon followed by his teacher and captain.

Luffy and the crew followed the children, who had introduced themselves as Carrot, Onion, and Pepper. They had explained that they were the only members of the Usopp Pirates, minus their namesake, and that said namesake could only be one place at that time of day: the mansion.

"Why would he be there?" Coby questioned, hiking along despite his weariness from the killer workout Zoro had put him through that morning.

"He goes there to lie," Carrot responded.

"What?" Nami demanded. "That asshole goes there to lie to people?"

"The woman who lives there, Kaya, has had a severe case of depression ever since her parents died in an accident a year ago," Carrot elaborated, shrinking away from the scary woman. "Captain Usopp goes there every day to tell her stories to cheer her up."

"Well, then I guess that's ok," Nami amended, still miffed at the thought of lying to an innocent person.

"Let's go ask her to give us a ship," Luffy reasoned. "She sounds nice." Despite the sighs, the group made their way to the large house, skirting around the gate and its guards.

"How are we going to get in?" Coby wondered aloud, staring at the tall, iron-wrought fence that loomed over them.

"Like this." The rubber-man jumped up and grabbed the top of the fence, letting his weight stretch his arms, much to the horror of the Usopp Pirates. "Gum-Gum-!"

"No wait!" Nami, Zoro, and Coby cried, grabbing Luffy in an attempt to stop him. The three children also grabbed on.

"Pardon the intrusion!" All seven were launched into the air as Luffy's arms snapped back to normal length.

Usopp, who was on a tree branch, had been telling Kaya about the time he, at five-years-old, had fought a giant goldfish when seven people he recognized fell from the sky and landed in a cloud of dirt.

"That was so much fun!" Luffy cheered, jumping to his feet.

"No it wasn't!" everyone else shouted, punching him in the back of the head.

"Goodness!" cried a very pale, blond-haired woman dressed in a baby-blue dress. Her big, light brown eyes looked at the group worriedly. "Are you all ok?"

"Don't worry about them," Usopp tried to wave off. "They're just some fans that wanted to join the Usopp Pirates."

"Nope," Luffy denied. "Not me. I actually wanted to talk to you. You're... Uh..."

"Kaya," Coby whispered to him.

"You're Kaya, right?"

"Yes I am," the woman answered. "And you?"

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy, captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, and these three are my First Mate Zoro, our swordsman, Coby, swordsman-in-training, and Nami, our navigator."

"Temporary navigator," Nami interjected.

"It's nice to meet you," Kaya smiled, "but why are you here?"

"We wanted to ask for a favor. We need a boat-"

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" a new voice demanded. Everyone turned to find a black-haired man wearing a suit. His hair was slicked back and a pair of round glasses rested on his face while black-and-gray striped shoes adorned his feet. He did not even try to hide his look of disgust when his eyes land on the form of Usopp standing in the tree by Kaya's window. "On second thought, I don't care. Get out. You are all trespassing illegally."

"But Klahadore," Kaya argued. "These people were-"

"I don't care what these people were doing." The man adjusted his glasses using the palm of his hand. "Their presence here is very detrimental to your health. You... eight must leave immediately."

"Actually Klahadore-"

"Not now, Miss Kaya. When your parents died, your care was entrusted to me. I cannot have you associating with ruffians like this son of sea trash."

"Don't you dare badmouth my father!" Usopp ordered. "He is a brave warrior of the sea on one of the world's most famous crews!"

"Your father is nothing but a no-name outlaw. Even when not here, pirates still influence their children." Klahadore tutted. "It just goes to show that it is in their DNA to be lowlifes. I will say it once more: leave immediately."

"Cease this at once, Klahadore!" Kaya shouted angrily. "Apologize!"

"Calm down, Kaya," Usopp placated. "This is my argument."

"I have no obligation to apologize to the son of such filthy trash like this ruffian."

"Don't insult my father ever again," Usopp ordered, forgetting his own advice and losing his own temper as he slid down the tree. He stomped toward Klahadore and, without warning, punched him in the face.

"Case in point," Klahadore muttered, sitting up with a bruise forming on his face, "he resorts to violence when words fail him. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it?" Usopp reached out, grabbing a fistful of Klahadore's shirt and prepared to punch him again.

"Usopp!" Kaya cried. "Stop! Please, stop! I can't take any more violence. Please, Klahadore isn't a bad person. He's just misguided!"

"Fine," Usopp growled, releasing the man roughly. "I'm leaving. Happy now? You'll never see me here again." Usopp stomped away, not reacting to Kaya's apologies.

"That was very rude of you, Klahadore," Kaya stated after he'd gone. "You're such a buzzkill."

"Buzzkill is a title I will gladly bare if it keeps you safe, Miss Kaya," Klahadore responded, straitening out his uniform. "Now you all. Please make your way off the premises as well." The three children that would follow Usopp like lost puppies began shouting at the butler, calling him every name they could think of, but Coby's voice cut through theirs.

"Yes, sir. It was nice speaking to you, Miss Kaya. I hope we see you again. Come on, guys." The crew, plus three boys being dragged, exited the estate, startling the guards that had been unaware of their entry. Luffy declared that he was going to go find Usopp while the vegetable trio had to head home to do chores. The final three went back to the only other place they knew in the town to await the return of their captain and, hopefully, a happier sniper.

The moment Usopp ran by the group sitting by the side of the road without saying anything, they knew something was wrong. His faithful trio saying that he was wearing a very distraught expression just made it worse. They followed his trail to his special spot, the place Carrot said he went when he was sad or angry.

They found Luffy at the bottom of the cliff, his hat on the ground next to him. His head was stuck underneath his body at a very unnatural angle and he wasn't moving.

"Did he fall all the way from the top of the cliff?" Onion asked in worry.

"No doubt about it," Pepper sighed. "He's a goner."

"Captain Luffy!" Coby cried dramatically, tears falling from his eyes. "Noooooo!"

"Zzzzzzz."

"What the?" Nami wondered aloud.

"Heh," Zoro smirked, walking up to his captain's body. He poked Luffy's butt with one of his swords.

"Zzzzzzz. *Yawn* What a great nap."

"You're alive?" Usopp's followers yelled.

"Captain Luffy!" Coby shouted, running forward and hugging the teen. "We thought you were dead! I can't imagine if you were dead! I don't know if-" BONK! "Ow! Why'd you hit me?"

"Felt like it," Luffy answered. "Oh. By the way, pirates are going to be attacking the town tomorrow."

"WHAT?!"

"That's not something you casually say!" Nami cried.

"Yeah. That butler guy is their captain and he was talking to this really weird guy with sunglasses. He said that he wants them to kill Kaya so he can inherit her money. I don't remember anything after that, though I think I yelled at them."

"Well it looks like we've got only one course of action," Carrot nodded sagely. "We've got warn the village and run."

"Yeah," Onion and Pepper agreed. The trio then ran away screaming like little girls.

"We have to hurry," Luffy said quickly. "We need to get all the meat we can before the meat store guy leaves!"

"That's not important, you idiot," Zoro chastised.

"Why don't we find Usopp and get his help? He lives here after all." Coby suggested. The boy had a good point, and Luffy was starting to want the sniper on the crew, so they went looking for the long-nosed teen. Or more accurately, he came to them before they could leave.

Usopp was in a bad state. He had multiple bruises and welts across his body, his nose looked to be broken, and his left arm freely bled from a bullet hole. He explained that he had tried to warn the village, but that all his previous lying had come back to bite him; they hadn't believed a single word he'd said. Then he'd tried to kidnap Kaya in a last ditch effort to save her from Klahadore's, or rather, Captain Kuro's plans, but Merry, Kaya's other butler, had shot him and the villagers beaten him with brooms and other such tools. Despite all this, he still wanted to save the village.

"I want to save this town, too," Coby stated. "Those people don't deserve to be overrun by pirates."

"I want all their treasure."

"I just want to cut something."

"I just want a fight."

"So what is everyone good at?" Usopp asked.

"Stretching."

"Cutting."

"Stealing."

"Getting beaten up."

"...and hiding," Usopp finished dejectedly. "We're screwed, aren't we?"

"Don't worry," Luffy told him. "We can do this." The group began preparations for the next morning.

End of Chapter 7

Not my best chapter, but Read and Review!

-SwordOfTheGods

Not mine 

https://m.fanfiction.net/s/12227895/1/

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