Red

Five beating hearts make a family. Two parents said, "Two kids isn't quite enough... let's stop at three." Then they had twins. How exciting! Yet the second child was filled with woe... Was she not enough- that they needed more? Six beating hearts made their family... [[but soon it would be four...|Orphans]]

The mission field is a dangerous one... Mom and dad got lost... Big sis Rey says "(link: "they will come back.")[(set: $saved to $saved + 1)(goto: "Together")]" My baby brother and sister, Dash and Kai, are worried they won't. Rey doesn't notice- she's too busy training so she can go look for them... My tenth birthday is soon, then I will be all grown up. (link: "Then I can take care of Dash and Kai. ")[(set: $sacrificed to $sacrificed + 1)(goto: "Distance")] But mom and dad [[promised|Promise]] they would be back for my birthday...

Tomorrow is my twenty-first birthday... Dash and Kai are growing up- they're almost nineteen now... Rey is always busy- but she promised she'd come visit me. She also promised she'd find mom and dad... She did... I suppose she never promsied she would bring them home... At least (link: "one ")[(set: $sacrificed to $sacrificed + 1)(goto: "Left Behind")] of us can keep our promises...

Mom... I promise I'll look after them like you did. Dad... I promise I'll keep them together like you did. *(link: "You'll keep your promises too... won't you?")[(set: $sacrificed to $sacrificed + 1)(goto: "Together")]*

I love my lab... I can invent whatever I want, I can fix anything! I can watch out for my brother and sisters, I can still keep my promises... They get to explore countless worlds- (link: "I get to see the world through their eyes.")[(set: $saved to $saved + 1)(goto: "My Birthday")] (link: "I prefer staying behind anyway")[(set: $consumed to $consumed + 1)(goto: "LISTEN!")] *(link: "knock knock knock")[(set: $sacrificed to $sacrificed + 1)(goto: "My Birthday")]*

I WISH THEY WOULD LISTEN! If Rey and Dash would just listen to me they wouldn't get hurt- And then Kai wouldn't have to go after them to save them. *I'm* the one who looks after them, why won't they listen to me!? They listened to mom... (link: "Am I not a good enough mom?")[(set: $consumed to $consumed + 1)(goto: "Left Behind")]

"Happy Birthday Wednesday!" (link: "Reyven")[(set: $consumed to $consumed + 1)(goto: "Reyven")] does keep her promises We missed eachother a lot, we hug and laugh- *knock-knock knock-knock* *"SURPRI- DANGIT* we're late!" Kaija learned how to keep promises from me. She's getting better. "Happy birthday Wendy! Sorry we're late!" Dash is *almost* as good as Kaija... *(link: "I'm glad they came back for me")[(set: $sacrificed to $sacrificed + 1)(goto: "Caught Alone")]*

Dash and Kai like Rey much more than they seem to like me... What does she do that I don't do? I love her too... But *I'm* the one who takes care of them... *I* keep them safe... *I-* don't like the limelight like she does... (link: "It's always been her dream to be a rockstar someday...")[(set: $consumed to $consumed + 1)(goto: "Poison")] I suppose I should let her get used to being beloved... (link: "They stil love me anyway.")[(set: $saved to $saved + 1)(goto: "Caught Alone")]

*But such is the way of the limelight It sweetly takes* hold *of the* mind *of (link: "its host")[(set: $consumed to $consumed + 2)(goto: "Caught Alone")]...*

My siblings have all been deployed on missions again... The quiet is nice- I prefer to be the only one making noise. *(link: "I wish they would-")[(set: $sacrificed to $sacrificed + 1)(goto: "A Wish")]* ''(text-colour:#840101)[*Hello~*]'' !!! *(link: "What was that?")[(set: $sacrificed to $sacrificed + 1)(goto: "A Promise")]*

(text-colour:#840101)[*I hope I am not intruding...*] "Who are you?" *What is that voice in my head???* (text-colour:#840101)[* Iam someone who keeps their promises*] "..." "What do you want?" (text-colour:#840101)[*A little moley told me you could help me*] "Don't you mean 'a little birdie'?" (text-colour:#840101)[*I do not*] "..." (text-colour:#840101)[*I have a proposition for you Wednesday...*] "(link: "A proposition?")[(set: $consumed to $consumed + 1)(goto: "A Proposition")]"

(text-colour:#840101)[*I would like to help you keep a few of your promises...*] (text-colour:#840101)[*If you in turn, help me keep mine...*] "..." "(link: "I'm listening")[(set: $consumed to $consumed + 1)(goto: "Beguiled")]" *(link: "knock-knock knock-knock-knock")[(set: $saved to $saved + 1)(goto: "A Visitor")]*

That presence- where did it go? *knock-knock knock-knock* "You can come in Kai!" I'm surprised to see her back already... Kaija bounces in with a huge smile on her face, "I came to say hi before I head out on my next assignment- I don't have much time sadly- you know how it is." "It's fine Kai, I appreciate that you came anyway." I say with a smile. "What are you working on?" She asked, peering over my shoulder at the clutter behind me. "Oh- I've been looking over that mysterious artifact you brought back, I'm still not sure what exactly it is yet... it's very... strange." We lapse into silence as I reorder my desk. "(link: "Wednesday... I really miss")[(set: $sacrificed to $sacrificed + 1)(goto: "Farewell")] (link: "mom")[(set: $consumed to $consumed + 1)(goto: "MOM?!")] (link: "...")[(set: $sacrificed to $sacrificed + 1)(goto: "Farewell")]" "..." "(link: "Me too...")[(set: $saved to $saved + 1)(goto: "Healing")]"

After talking awhile- Kai left for her mission... (link: "Are you there? Promise Keeper?")[(set: $sacrificed to $sacrificed + 1)(goto: "A Promise Made")]

Why is she bringing up mom again? Am I not a good enough mother? I have done everything to take care of them! (link: "Am I not enough?")[(set: $consumed to $consumed + 1)(goto: "Farewell")]

(text-colour:#840101)[*Hahaha...*] "What's so funny?" (text-colour:#840101)[*I am not the Promise Keeper, no... He is very different than I*] "Then who-" (text-colour:#840101)[*Let's... not speak of Him please...*] "Well- what is it you need help with?" (text-colour:#840101)[*That is the best part Wednesday...*] (text-colour:#840101)[*I only want to help you get what (link: "your heart desires most")[(set: $sacrificed to $sacrificed + 1)(goto: "Promise Kept")] *] "..." "What *I* want most?"

*The next year passes in a haze...* (set: $maxValue to (max: $saved, $sacrificed, $consumed)) (if: $sacrificed is $maxValue)["[[It's too late.|Sowing]]"] (else-if: $saved is $maxValue)["[[There's still hope for her.|Pruning]]"] (else-if: $consumed is $maxValue)["[[She's gone.|Blooming]]"]

* A year ago I made a promise to help me keep my promises... And what thanks did I get for it?!. Everything I *ever* did was for *them!* *(text-colour:#840101)[*I GAVE THEM EVERYTHING!*]* AND THEY REPAYED ME WITH NOTHING BUT PAIN! They're the ones who should be sorry... [["I will make them sorry."|Kaija's Perspective: Consumed]] *

Kaija stood, looking over the edge of a cliff... The cliff she'd just thrown her maddened sister off... *Wednesday... We always loved you... We knew it wasn't your fault- we know that thing took over you... If you had only told us sooner... There might've been something of you left for us to save... If only we could've found another way... If only...* Smoke and embers swirled around Kaija as a tear crept down her cheek... soon followed by many more... Grey and orange and red... Colours of fire... Colours of death... Colours of war... Wednesday always loved the colour red... . . . *Just like mom...*

Tomorrow is my twenty-first birthday... Dash and Kai are growing up- they're almost nineteen now... Kai visits me a lot, she's nice like that. Rey is always busy- but she promised she'd come visit me. She does her best to keep her promises... even so, (link: "sometimes she doesn't.")[(set: $sacrificed to $sacrificed + 1)(goto: "Left Behind")] I know now mom and dad aren't coming back... But that's okay... (link: "we still have each other...")[(set: $saved to $saved + 1)(goto: "Left Behind")]

We've all grown up so fast... I wish we could've had more time to be kids together... *Just like we were kids~ Just like we were kids again...* Kai always liked that song... She'd always make Dash sing the duet with her- Twins will be twins I suppose... I tried to give them more time... But they were just so eager to jump right in and sign up. Everyone else was prefectly happy to help them along... (link: "I'm glad they can help me keep our family safe")[(set: $sacrificed to $sacrificed + 1)(goto: "Caught Alone")] (link: "But still..")[(set: $consumed to $consumed + 1)(goto: "Caught Alone")]

(text-colour:#840101)[*You are so good at listening...*] (text-colour:#840101)[*If only more people listened to you...*] "..." "If more people listened... "Maybe we could all keep our promises better..." (text-colour:#840101)[*Yes, I think you are right!*] (text-colour:#840101)[*Then- then maybe less people woulg get hurt!*] (text-colour:#840101)[*My my, you are wise for your age...*] "Thank you..." "You... said you wanted to help me? *(link: "knock-knock knock-knock-knock")[(set: $consumed to $consumed + 2)(goto: "A Visitor")]*

We talk for a while... Kai doesn't remember much about mom or dad, I help her remember... We cry, but it feels good... I feel weightless... lighter than I have in a long time... After awhile she leaves, and it's quiet again... My mind wanders *(link: "What was that... that Promise Keeper?")[(set: $sacrificed to $sacrificed + 1)(goto: "A Promise Made")]* ... *(link: "I don't think I can trust it...")[(set: $saved to $saved + 1)(goto: "Family...")]*

*I don't know what that thing was... but I know I can't trust it-* (text-colour:#840101)[*Where are you going Wednesday?*] (text-colour:#840101)[*Who are you going to tell?*] (text-colour:#840101)[*They won't believe you*] "..." (text-colour:#840101)[*Only I can help you*] . . . *(link: "But that's not true!")[(set: $saved to $saved + 1)(goto: "Shears")]* (text-colour:#840101)[*How can you know that?*] . . . *(link: "Okay...")[(set: $consumed to $consumed + 1)(goto: "Promise Kept")]*

*I get so upset when my family doesn't ask me for help! What kind of sister would I be if I never give them a chance to hepl me!?* *(link: "We need to stick together")[(set: $saved to $saved + 1)(goto: "Promise Kept")]* I don't think I can run fast enough... My lungs feel like they're on fire- Blackness crowds the edge of my vision- *I have to try*

* A year ago I made a promise to help me keep my promises... And look at me now... Not even capable of standing... I promised I would protect them... in the end I was the one who hurt them... Reyven left because of me- I don't know where she is now... [["I'm so sorry..."|Kaija's Perspective: Sacrificed]] *

* A year ago I almost made a promise to help me keep my promises... My obession for keeping promises had almost cost me everything... I almost forgot that help goes both ways... But they forgave me... Because they love me... [["Because we love each other..."|Kaija's Perspective: Saved]] *

Kaija stood, gripping her side, looking over the edge of a cliff... The cliff she'd just thrown what was left of her maddened sister off... *Wednesday... Why???* Smoke and embers swirled around Kaija as she crumpled to the ground, tears crept down her cheek... mixing with the blood pooring from the weeping gash in her side... Sharp motes of light turned to clumps of powedery dust before her eyes... Grey and orange and red... Colours of fire... Colours of death... Colours of war... Darkness hemmed in her vision... Wednesday always loved the colour red... . . . *Just like mom...*

Kaija stood, hand outstretched... Reaching out to her sister, Wednesday... "Wednesday... We did it!" Kaija's voice was little more than a breathess whisper... "Your plan worked." Wednesday looked up at her little sister and smiled weakly. "We did it..." Wednesday glanced at Kaija's outstretched hand, "I don't think I have the strength to stand yet..." Kaija's smile faltered for a moment, "That's okay," She sat down beside her sister and wrapped her arm around her shoulder, "We can just sit for awhile." Smoke and embers swirled around the sisters... tears mixed with dirt and blood on their way down... Not a word was spoken, but much was understood... *I'm sorry... I forgive you...* They watched the motes of fire and ash drift through the air... Grey and orange and red... Wednesday's voice croaked as she spoke, "I always loved these colors, especially red..." Kaija thought for a long while before she responded... . . . "Just like mom..."