Chapter 30: About A Doll, Again?

The way raindrops tapped on the roof, the way it smelled, the sky looked, and the wet grass between my toes felt; it was amazing. It felt new.

I felt new....

I..felt like I've done this already...

.....?

I..Why am I back at Bara's place?? I thought I rode out...??

I felt like I was reborn. I was experiencing the world around me for the first time.

If only I was where I belong and not stuck in freaking Nihon where it never stops raining!

It’s been pouring three days straight! When’s it going to end??? If I had my powers...!!

That Damnation rune was all I wanted gone. Not my ability to warp and fly and all the good stuff. Why’d I have to lose them all??

I swear Bara knew what she was doing. She got rid of all the runes on purpose and now I have to find a way back home without them!

“Are you still there crying??” Bara asked from the hallway.

Of course the rain wasn’t heavy enough to drown out that ear itching voice of her’s. It never was. Maybe if I pretended to be dead she’d go away.

“You know you could be doing something useful instead! Like helping Ramla with the potatoes!”

Me?? Peel potatoes??! Not likely! I swear I've done all of this before..

“I’ll throw your useless butt out in the rain if you don’t start earning your keep around here!”

Earn my keep?? “As soon as it stops raining I’m gone!”

Jaff had to be worried about me by now. How was I going to get back home without my abilities? Ishikawa had zero docks! Where could I find a ship? I’ll swim to Khalm if I have to!

“Here!” she ordered, storming into the room and planting a bowl of potatoes on the cot. “Peel these! I’ve got things to do in the vegetable cellar! And you’d better not leave any skin on those spuds, either!”

She was lucky I didn’t flip the entire bowl in her face! Can’t she cook anything other than potatoes?? We’ve had them every night! How do you peel these darn things anyway?!

Ugh! I hate this place!

“Owh!” Ramla screamed.

I wonder what happened! Better go check it out.

She was in the kitchen wrapping her hand with a cloth. A bloody cloth. She must have cut herself peeling potatoes. Wow, look how whole and clean those spuds were!

“Ramla? Are you okay?”

“Oh, I’m fine. It’s just a scratch,” she smiled. She always seemed so happy. How could she, living with Bara?? I’ve only been here less than a week and I’m about ready to toss my shoes at that old woman!

“My hands.... They got so shaky all of a sudden.” This happened already. She told me that before. Like, yesterday, wasn't it??

“I could heal it...er..nevermind. I forgot.” It’s like Bara said; I was useless.

“Thank you anyway, Aiden. Well, I’d better wash these before Bara gets back.”

“I can do that. You don’t want to get your bandage wet.”

“Oh, yes. You’re right! Thank you again.”

Was it me or was Ramla much paler than before? Maybe it was because of all the rain? Man, this pot was heavier than ever! “Hey, Ramla? Have you ever felt like , I don't know, you're reliving a dream?”

“A dream...?”

“I could have sworn we've done this before.”

She zoned out on me just like before. I looked out over her shoulder to see what caught her attention. Just the rain..

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“I..wish Isuko were here,” she replied, softly. That was the first time I ever heard sadness in her voice.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

She looked at me with a peculiar expression. “I’d better clean up these skins before Bara returns.”

Now I was starting to worry about her. I’ve been so fed up with my situation, I hadn’t thought too much about Ramla. Were those runes dormant inside of her? It must be taxing. Hell, I should know!

But Ramla’s nice and sweet. Why did Bara have to lay my burden on her?

***

There wasn’t much potato left after I finished peeling them. Well, at least they were skinless; that should make Bara happy.

Yeah, no. Nothing made her happy.

What’s taking her so long to get back from that cellar? She was supposed to show me a map to the nearest port city. Ramla must know where it was.

Unfortunately, she was taking a nap, just like the last time.

Maps aren’t hard to find. Where would Bara keep hers? Her place wasn’t too big. It was definitely smaller than Laul’s shop. But, it was way better organized.

Searching Bara’s room first made the most sense.

Was it on her night stand? No, it's not.

Under her cot? I knew it's not there either.

In a drawer? Why am I doing all of this again???

Hanging on a wall ( because that’s where I’d .....!) I know I did this yesterday!

It's definitely not in her wardrobe, right? You know it's not, Aiden. There was nothing in here but a wall of Ramla dolls. Why did they resemble Ramla? They were so lifelike. All of them looked so much like Ramla. Oh, right. Speaking of Ramla...!

I swung around just in time to catch her wrist. Why would she want to stab me??

She grabbed me by the neck and lifted me off the floor! Why was she this strong?!

“Did you think it would be so easy to be rid of Us??!” those familiar voices asked. Ramla's voice was nowhere to be heard; just those runes....“We will be one again!”

She sunk her teeth into me, just like last time, and I felt them flooding into my veins.

“Ramla!” Bara shouted, hitting Ramla over the head. The possessed young woman fell to the ground. Why? Why was this happening all over again!?

“I told her not to close her eyes!” Bara said. “Not for a second!”

“W..what..happened to her??” I asked, clutching my neck. I was expecting to see a bunch of blood in my hand, but there wasn’t any.

Oh shoot! She moved! She’s awake!

“Aiden! Get out of here!” ordered Bara.

"She'll catch me!"

"Just go!"

This was the one of the few times I wasn’t going to argue with the old lady. I wasn't going to repeat the same mistake, though. Maybe if I ran out of the house, into the rain, something would change!

If only I had my runes!

The front door was within reach when Ramla warped between me and the exit.

“Hold. Still.” she said. And now I couldn’t move.

Oh, no! No, no, no! “Ramla! What've you done?! Why am I reliving this?!"

She just smirked and lunged for my neck again! Were the runes trying to get back into my blood this way???

Where's Bara and that talisman??! There it went, finally! The piece of parchment with strange writing on it stuck to Ramla's face then she fell to the floor.

Whew! I could move now.

“Nnnn...” she moaned. She..sounded normal. She's not.

Bara came and helped her to her feet. “You couldn’t hold out for a few more days, could you?!”

“I -- I --no. I cut myself. It wouldn’t stop bleeding so...I..I thought I could heal the wound....”

“You know better than to tap into that vile energy!”

Ramla looked my way and I saw something in her eyes. Something I didn't notice the last time. Then she threw her arms around me. I nearly jumped out of my skin when her hair brushed my neck! “I..I’m so sorry, Aiden! Please, forgive me!”

“Uhh..It..it’s okay. I’m just glad to have you back!”

“Thank you, Aiden. I..I’ll get back to the chores...”

“That can wait,” said Bara. “Have a seat in the main room. I need to examine you.”

“Oh..ok, Bara.”

Bara watched Ramla walk away. “This has never happened after a Pardoning.”

“Did you have to give them to her at all??”

“I do the ritual, the Sanskrit evil leaves the person, enters the doll, then ceases to exist! That’s how it works! That’s how it’s always worked!”

Doll? Like the ones in her waredrobe? I wonder...

“Your Sanskrit blood was some of the most concentrated I’ve ever seen! It’s keeping that energy inside of Ramla; stirring it up in her like the moon attracts the oceans!”

“I need to get away from here.”

“Exactly! The sooner the better! That talisman I used was one of the strongest I have, and they don't sell them ---!”

"At the general store," I interrupted.

Bara wasn't amused. She gave me one of her looks and stormed away.

Funny how leaving here was the only thing I could think about before. I thought I had a choice; that I was finally in control of my life.

I was wrong.

Let's see what happens next.

***

The road to Ishikawa looked more like a river thanks to all the rain. And, just like before, this horse wasn’t enthusiastic about swimming. We’re gonna have to take another route. Just like before.

Kinda interesting how I don't remember making it to the next town. Did I make it?

I guess I'm going to find out.

......

The way raindrops tapped on the roof, the way it smelled, the sky looked, and the wet grass between my toes felt; it was amazing. It felt new.

I felt new....

.....!

DAMN IT!!!

To be continued