Chapter 86: Chilling Reunion

"Who are you?"

Those words lingered in the air, plunging the world into an uncomfortable silence.

W-who are you?

My expression was still cold as I responded, "That's my question."

"..."

The voice didn't respond, merely remaining silent for a moment before saying, "Y-you're not Vicki..."

"And you're not, Dave."

The voice paused for a second and exhaled sharply, "Vicki, please."

The voice had lost its earlier edge—it wasn't just fear anymore. It was exhaustion. Desperation.

I stared at the door, my fingers gripping the latch tightly. My mind still felt distant, my thoughts sharp but cold.

In a detached tone, I said, "How do I know it's really you and...", I paused before continuing,

"Not a Changeling?"

A beat of silence.

Then, quietly—

"Vicki...I don't know what is a 'Changeling'...but I..."

My body involuntarily stiffened.

"But… I know you.", the voice was raw now, stripped of its earlier confusion, "I know you love milk but hate bubble-milk tea."

I said nothing.

"I know you try to bottle up your pain but always end up crying."

A lump formed in my throat.

"I know how much you hate Alex and...", a pause, "I know how much you love Seba… because I know you, Vicki."

And that was it.

That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

HIC! HIC!

My expression suddenly cracked and my chest surged with heat.

I-it's him! I-it's Dave!

Hot tears stripped down my face as I grabbed the door's latch and twisted it before throwing it open.

WHOOSH!

A terribly cold wave of air suddenly burst out from the door, followed by a thick acrid smell but before me was...

Undoubtedly...

"DAVE!"

With a scream of joy, I jumped towards him and embraced him with open arms.

"Vicki...ACK!"

He let out a short cry as we collapsed on the cold ground of the room behind the door but I didn't pay it any mind.

Tears flowed down my cheeks as I kept my hands wrapped tightly around him.

HIC! HIC!

"Dave...am so happy you're alive..."

Dave remained silent for awhile before saying quietly, in a strained tone, "Am glad you're alive too...Vicki..."

He patted my head with a hand, while embracing me with the other. I buried my head in his neck, simply sobbing while my hands wrapped around his torso.

We remained in that position for a while, simply in each other's arms before I suddenly reeled back.

"Eew! What's that horrible smell?!", I clasped my hands over my nose.

Dave smiled sheepishly, scratching his head, "It... it's a long story..."

W-wha-

Now that I had finally calmed down and regained some modicum of sense, I could now take in Dave's full figure.

His face was gaunt and pale, his eyes baggy like he hadn't slept for many days—or weeks. His hair was tangled, his skin harboring so many wounds and his school uniform horribly torn and bloodied. A few of his fingers seemed to be akin to glass...?

No... they look bluish...

I slowly raised my head to stare at his eyes which despite the black bags, shimmered with light.

W-what happened to him?

Dave's lips twitched upwards, "Vicki...can I come in...? I haven't had a bath in days."

I blinked for a moment, snapping out of my daze, "Oh...right...c-come in."

Dave groggily rose to his feet, his posture shaky and unstable. Immediately, I reached to his side to help him.

"Let me... take you to the bath."

Dave looked at me with a weak smile, "Thank you."

With Dave's arm draped over my shoulder, I guided him inside, his steps unsteady as if he had been walking for days. He was lighter than I remembered, like a ghost of himself. Every few steps, his body wavered, and I had to steady him, my mind racing with unspoken questions.

What happened to him? Where had he been? What about the Tree Trolls? How did he end up in that room?

The acrid stench still clung to him, sharp and foul, like rotting wood and damp earth. But beneath it, there was something else—a scent metallic and bitter. Blood.

I swallowed hard, my lips pressing together.

Dave must have noticed my discomfort because he let out a small, breathy chuckle, "I must look awful."

I shook my head quickly, "No... well, maybe a little. But you're here."

He didn't respond, just smiled weakly as we made our way through the dimly lit cottage. The candlelight flickered over his face, casting deep shadows that made his hollowed-out features look even more severe. His uniform hung loosely on his body, the fabric torn in places, revealing bruises and scratches that marred his skin. And his fingers…

My gaze darted to his hands. Some of them had turned an unnatural shade of blue, almost crystalline, like frostbite had set in. My stomach twisted at the sight, but I forced myself to focus.

"Don't think too much...it's just ice...", Dave said with a strained smile.

I-ice...? What?

I wanted to ask but simply swallowed it back.

"L-let's get you cleaned up first.", I said, trying to steady my voice.

Dave hummed in agreement, but I could tell he was fading. His breathing was labored, and his grip on my shoulder tightened as he leaned more heavily into me.

He was exhausted.

J-just what happened to him?

I guided him into the washroom of the small cottage where I had frequently washed myself. I helped him sit on the stool beside the tub, his body trembling slightly as he lowered himself. I turned away, giving him space as I rummaged for fresh towels and a bar of soap.

FFFSH!

The water ran into the tub, steam rising into the cold air.

Dave let out a deep sigh, "You know, I thought I'd never see you again."

My hands faltered for a second before gripping the towel tighter, "Yeah…"

Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy. The only sound was the gentle trickle of water filling the tub.

"I'll wait for you outside..."

With that, I stepped out, living Dave alone in the washroom.

FWOO...

I let out a shaky breath.

It felt unreal.

To see Dave again.

I had thought I'd never see him again too...

But to think he reached here by himself...

My gaze wandered to the door of the washroom, lingering on it.

SPLASH!

Dave was already bathing himself.

How had he even gotten to that door...anyway?

I thought for a second before heading back to the living room, where the door was located.

TMP. TMP.

There it was...opened for the first time since I came here.

From its maws, a biting cold air was being radiated, forcing the temperature of the room to drop to a frosty degree.

I stared at the door for a moment before realizing something – the interior beyond the door was shrouded in absolute darkness.

HOO...FWOO...

I took a deep breath, steeling myself before approaching it, grabbing the latch and sealing it.

HA...

I let out a sigh of relief.

That's already enough horror for one night...I'll ask Dave myself...

I thought.

"Vicki! Do you have a spare set of clothes?", Dave called out from the washroom.

I immediately responded, "Uhh...yes, yes! Wait...let me get them!"

Ugh...what was that?

My cheeks turned red from embarrassment as I scrambled up the stairwell, to the master's bedroom.