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This story and its characters are completely original and belong to Zelosh and him alone. Any resemblance it has to another story is accidental as well as coincidental. While this story is fairly clean there may be things you find inappropriate or offensive. Read at your own risk.

This is a backstory for the series Eternal Door and occurs after Chapter 7. However, it has no real order or placement within the main storyline and is not required that one read it in order to understand the main story. Read at your own leisure.

With that, enjoy your stay, inside The Eternal Door

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Mental conditions are unstable...... body is reacting to high levels of soul-...

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Eternal Door

"They call him the Miracle Maker"

Okay so it had been three days and no sign of her, Ryan could not to save his life get her out of his mind. He was just too worried to think about anything else. Then again, he shouldn't have expected to just run into her on the weekend, but school on Monday came and went with no sign of her. Later he found out she took the day off when he went to the office. Something about family matters, like someone was in the hospital. They didn't say she was in the hospital, but that's exactly how he took it.

He couldn't sit still, he had to go see her, even if she just rejected him again. God Ryan you make it sound like you asked her out. He asked to be her friend and she freaked out and ran, what was up with that? She must've been going through a hard time or just wasn't able to accept something like that so easily. Was it the way he said it? He had a way with words or so he heard, which explains a lot of the reactions he gets from simply talking to people. One guy even thought he was hitting on him once, the guy was gay too so if he had been seriously flirting then they could have actually gotten together. It was flattering, but Ryan found himself to be completely straight. At least, he had no reason to believe he leaned any other way.

I'm getting distracted again... Ryan tried to just focus as he got out of his car and entered the hospital he knew Jessica or perhaps one of her family members was in. Oh and her last name was apparently Telkin, but beyond that he had no details to work with. It was simple, Jessica Telkin, he liked it. Either way the real problem was could he just go in and ask about where to go? Who knows, he never tried it before now, and good luck was on his side today. He knew the woman behind the counter, the aftermath of learning how to own a pharmaceutical company and going to hospitals like this one occasionally. He wasted no time in walking up. "Good morning Mrs. Clemming."

The old raccoon looked up a bit startled at hearing her name being called but instantly smiled broadly upon seeing his face. "Oh Ryan how good to see you! What brings you here today?"

Perfect, she liked him, he had good status here, he could get what he wants. "Well there's someone I'm here to see and I just need to find them." Emphasis on need to show there was no leeway for other options and "them" because he didn't know if it was going to be a male or female. "I don't suppose you'd know a Telkin? That's the last name of course."

"Well uh... let me see." The nurse looked through some files right there on the desk and checked the computer. It took only seconds for her to suddenly jump slightly with an "aha!" sound. "I believe this is the person you're looking for. Second floor, door 34, Mrs. Telkin?"

Ryan glanced at the file, though that was unnecessary, and gave a quick bow. "Thank you very much! Have a nice day Mrs. Clemming."

"You too Ryan."

Now that that was out of the way it was time for part B of his not so well planned idea. Walk in and just say hello? It's been a while since you rejected me I was wondering if you could do it again? Wait what if Jessica wasn't in the room at the time? It was almost five o'clock so it was likely she'd be here if it was a relative stuck here but he couldn't be sure. If he ends up walking in on her parents and having to explain himself, oh he'll be in for it. Yeah so your daughter slept in my room a few nights ago after she was almost raped, not by me of course haha, and I didn't in any way, shape, or form take advantage of her current weakness at the time when I took her to my house. They'd get along so well he just knew it.

Actually, it wasn't like he had to explain anything at all, just say they were friends. "Oh wait that's right we're not cause she REJECTED me." Ryan mumbled to himself in the elevator, glad he was alone while doing so. Did he feel a bit spiteful? Perhaps, but what was really strange is he never knew what rejection felt like until then. There was his uncle, but it didn't take long for Ryan to realize he didn't want to have much to do with the guy. This was completely different, and he did exactly what he said he would. He gambled, he took a risk, and he got rejected feeling like every girl he's ever rejected himself. The difference being he wasn't physically attracted to her. No wait, that wasn't right, he was it was just he didn't think of her that way. Not that he didn't see her as a woman, just more like a friend in trouble, but then again he wasn't her friend because she rejec- Screw it just figure out what you're going to do when you get there!

Before he knew it he was right next to the entrance to the room, which was wide open. He didn't dare stand in the doorway and risk being seen, but he also didn't want to peek in like some weirdo. He probably was already acting like a stalker as is, he definitely didn't need to make it seem any worse. Still he had to do something, so he tried to act like someone casually walking by that just happens to look inside. This attempt met with resounding success, but only because no one looked his direction from within when he faltered and ended up just standing outside the door.

Jessica! He wanted to jump in but controlled himself. She was fine, thankfully, but was sitting next to one of the white beds looking quite sullen. The dog on the bed must have been her mother, and despite how horrible it sounds he was somewhat glad she was unconscious. It would just be weird trying to deal with that kind of thing. However, he didn't see the father so that was still... Oh right, he's dead, duh.

Then again, he still couldn't just go inside. Where'd his confidence go? He usually had tons of it. It seemed minutes had passed with him just stationary in that position before finally something happened. This however, was not a relieving factor.

There was thrashing within the room and it seemed like five machines started going off at once. Before he even knew what was going on nurses had rushed passed him and made him get out of the way. Something was happening to her mother, something apparently bad. Still he stayed out as if he were a vampire waiting for permission to enter a household, he couldn't make himself go in.

That is, until he made contact with those eyes, those beautiful eyes that looked so pained and scared. She had been given the fright of her life when her mother had suddenly started moving like that, and she was now dumbstruck trying to pull herself together and just hope everything was okay. Nothing was okay though, she had no idea what was going on, for some reason the doctors wouldn't tell her why her mom was sick. Something she apparently might not understand or be able to take well, which made absolutely no sense! Was it a tumor? Cancer maybe? She wasn't stupid she knew when something was life threatening, she just wanted to know what was so dangerous!

So all she could do was watch her mom dieing before her. Actually, she couldn't watch, and that's when she turned and saw Ryan. The series of events after that were undecipherable to her brain. Doctors and nurses rushed about apparently doing something important, but didn't even bother to kick the two teens out. At some point during the whole mess they ended up in the corner as she sobbed into his chest. He tried to comfort her, albeit somewhat stiffly and awkwardly, but she was seeking any feasible form of warmth she could get right now.

She never fell asleep either, instead staying in a dreamlike state. She stayed halfway between the reality of her mother's pain and the fantasy of Ryan's soothing words.

* * *

It was dark out, that much she could tell, and there was the pattering of rain on the windows. Yes, that sound, she focused in on it, but found it slowly dubbed down by the humming of the car around her. Then, that sound was lost too as the radio overpowered them both, but not with strong sounds. It was a soft song, flowing and melodic, some sort of trance music that was beginning to do exactly what its name dictated. With every rise and fall, every string pulled and silenced, every note hit and held, it weaved it's wonderful tale full of sadness, but also hope. The bass came in and coupled with the sound of rain, pulling her deeper into this trance. Before she knew it her body bounced and swayed ever so slightly to the beat.

Jessica had forgotten where she was and what she was doing. She was so spent and exhausted her eyes simply glazed over as she gazed through everything into the emptiness beyond. She was in a car, that was definite, and it was either night or just really cloudy at the moment, which would make sense because it was raining. She also thought she heard thunder but saw no lightning to accompany it.

"I'm sure..." A voice began, talking slowly and swallowing saliva as it tried to find the right things to say. "I'm sure she'll be alright. Just have to give it time." She didn't know if the voice wanted to cheer her up or just remind her of the situation just in case she had moved onto happier thoughts. It must have been a tense atmosphere for the other, so silent and depressing, which was why the music had been turned on. She liked this song...

"I know life sucks but..." He had been trying to speak for a while now but most of the words fell on deaf ears. However, one thing he said seemed to stick in her mind. "Have you ever thought that maybe it's worth it? Maybe the pain is worth it..."

Her eyes opened a sliver, she wondered when they had closed, and the car filled her vision with the water beaten window to her left. When he noticed her looking at him he seemed surprised, unsure of what to do. He certainly wasn't expecting her to actually react, by now it seemed like she had gone to sleep and he had been stuck consoling himself. However, she had heard him, and now stared deep into his emerald golden eyes as he tried to keep his attention on the road.

Her voice was hoarse, dry from the sobbing and shouting, though she hardly remembered it, but somehow words came out regardless of the soreness. "You make it seem like I'm going to commit suicide." His ears drooped low, that one hurt somehow, yet he still turned down the sound so they could talk. She felt like an idiot attacking him like that when he was just trying to be helpful. Besides, who was she kidding, she had totally considered suicide. She had been ready for the sweet embrace of death only a day ago and who knows how many times before that. Heartless, cold, emotionless, bitch who only thinks about herself.

"Sorry..." He managed to apologize and she never stopped him, never voiced what she was really thinking. "You weren't at school today so I was worried again." The conversation was moving on, a welcome change in subject. Though Jessica had to admit she still didn't want to talk about it. "Think you'll go tomorrow?" He didn't say she should do it, simply asked.

"I don't know..."

"I could drive you tomorrow, would that be okay?"

"I don't know."

"I'll swing by at 7:30 then, can you get up that early?"

"I don't know." Her redundant answer, the easiest way to avoid him, but she still heard him. She didn't know what to think about it right now, that was tomorrow after all. Then again, she didn't know what to think right now. This was way to exhausting, at this rate it seemed like it would take more than just doctors and medication. "A miracle..."

Ryan looked mildly surprised at the mumbled word, unsure of why she said it. "Excuse me?"

"Nothing, was just thinking it would take a miracle to save her now." She laughed dryly not entirely confident in her ability to explain why that was funny. She didn't feel happy at all. "Back in my hometown, there'd be this person called the Miracle Maker." The tiger hadn't seen this coming but didn't dare stop her. "He was suppose to be able to cause great things to happen at random and bring prosperity and freedom."

She had stopped, so he prompted her to continue. "How does one become one?"

She waited a moment to gather her memories and wet her lips. "Chosen, before birth. They were never wrong, the one born would always turn out to be a magnificent and great person. They had this way of talking that would draw others in. Where they stepped the ground was blessed, who they touched would be cured." Her gaze became more distant as she recollected her thoughts. "Those were just stories though, no one was that great. Usually the chosen one would do one great thing or benefit the town greatly at least once in their life. When the town was in trouble it was always like they were just the right ones for the job."

Ryan wasn't sure how to take it, it sounded so much like a fairy tail but it also felt so mystical and real. It was intriguing, whether it was by chance or not. "Whether they really cause miracles or not, if it's something that's recurring then there must be some truth to it right? What happened to the last one?"

"Oh... he's dead. Actually if I remember correctly the last one accomplished nothing, so maybe the stories have gotten old." She spoke of the person as if they were completely irrelevant to her life, which contradicted what he would've expected from her who seemingly admires them.

"I wouldn't say that, got to hold onto beliefs like that if you ask me." He spoke casually now, the conversation had taken previous events off of their minds. "What if it was true? It would be a shame to lose the Miracle Makers just because people stopped believing in them. Oh and just to clarify I don't really have any particular beliefs of my own, though I am open to most every belief." He stopped speaking for a moment so that he could concentrate on turning and not get into an accident because of the terrible weather. "I just think that beliefs are powered by just that, beliefs."

Jessica didn't say anything for a minute, just letting the idea settle in. "So by letting the belief go it immediately becomes fake even if it had been true? Something like that?"

"Yeah, and then it's a shame, because no one will know it had been true."

"That's a weird way to look at it..."

"You believe it yourself don't you?" This stunned her somewhat and she was about to joke about it but his face was dead serious. "At least, you sound like you want to believe it."

"That's..." She wanted to say it, she wanted to say it so badly. "That's personal Ryan." Her head instantly was downcast, she couldn't believe herself. It was always push and shove with her wasn't it? Why play so hard to get? He just wanted to be friends, and she couldn't accept it. This had nothing to do with his status as a person anymore, or so she thought. It was hard to tell, she simply was outright denying him access into her life.

Ryan said nothing, the sound turned up slightly after a little while. She didn't look over to see his expression not wanting to find out how he took it. Either way, they had reached her measly, rundown apartment complex and was let out. "I'll see you tomorrow then Jessica." She only nodded to him as she got out, her reply seeming as cold as the rain to him. He wanted to give her an umbrella but she was already wet and probably wouldn't have accepted it anyway.

So now she was alone again in their apartment, her mom's and hers. The night was peaceful but her mind stayed in turmoil. No matter what, she wouldn't let anyone into her heart. It would stay a clouded mystery, just like the clouded sky.

* * *

Great, just great... Ryan nervously tapped on the steering wheel looking every so often at the door to the apartment complex, or at least he thought it was only every so often. Once he realized it was more like every two seconds he couldn't help but picture some kind of rapid machine gun head turning thing while waiting for something to happen.

She was late, something he totally expected to happen but didn't want to admit to. He really thought she should go to school or at least come hang out with him, being all cooped up like that couldn't be good for her health. He'd go to her door but all she told him last night was where to go not the specifics. So unless he planned on knocking on every door until he got the right one it was probably best to just wait. Although, once it got to be 8:00 AM it was starting to get kind of ridiculous, but he wanted to wait so badly. By the time another twenty some minutes had passed he knew he'd be late as is so the anxiety faded as he waited patiently for a while longer.

Was she still asleep? Avoiding him? How many times did he have to think about being rejected before realizing that meant she didn't want to have anything to do with him? He could only wonder if that's what she thought about him, just some nuisance. A nuisance who of course saved her from rape and comforted her when it counted. Not that he was keeping score or anything, it was just a valid point that she should show at least a little bit of kindness towards him. Why am I acting so bitter?! I need to go to school...

Ryan put his key in the ignition and turned it letting the car hum to life. He was about to change it out of parked to drive but stopped. Sighing, he turned the car off again unable to bring himself to leave. He must really like this girl if he's going out of his way for her like this. If she kept up with what she's been doing he might actually become a stalker, and only heaven knows what ditch he'd kill himself in if that happened. Not that he'd actually commit suicide, because he wasn't actually going to become a stalker! Yet, she didn't come out, so before long he had laid his head on his arms and decided to rest for a bit. He was skipping school, the only benefit being the look he'd see on his uncle's face, that one of pure, uncontrolled, hilarious rage that was quickly followed by some sort of physical punishment or the like that wasn't quite as funny.

He had long lost himself in thought by the time there was a tap on the window and he jolted upright to see who it was. He smiled from ear to ear seeing it was the wonderful Shiba Inu he so loved, but he had to get the stupid look on his face off before he let her in. Besides I don't like her like that. Maybe one day, but not today.

"You're persistent you know that?" Jessica said as she entered through the passenger's side. She sounded fatigued but not particularly annoyed or anything. He couldn't tell for sure but hopefully she was actually glad he was making her go. It was one of those things that even though they hate to admit it, it's really really important that they go to school.

"I live to serve!" He cracked a smile and tried to be enthusiastic and upbeat, which he was, but it didn't feel like it when it didn't seemed to affect her whatsoever. Realizing she wasn't going to say anything else he just started up the car again and set off in a bit of a rush to get to school. They were approximately ten minutes late, soon to be more since it would take a little longer to get there. Whatever, at least he was going to make it rather than spend a day outside her front door.

"I'm glad you're coming. It sucks to get too far behind." He would know, he had the biggest laziness and depression streak after his family died and it got him in deep. He barely got out of it in time to get hit by the wave his uncle now sent at him as the new heir. His uncle couldn't have children, so even though he ran the company currently the responsibility still went back to his side of the family sooner or later.

Jessica nodded but didn't really say anything else, though she did mumble in sync with the music playing on the radio. It wasn't really as suffocating as it was last night, actually the ride was rather pleasant and he couldn't feel any negative feelings hanging around in the air. It was a beautiful day too, or at least as beautiful as it got. The clouds weren't as thick today so the bright sun was shining through past gray skies. He couldn't tell where the sun was though, the sky was just one smoothed out gray blanket with no indication of breaks or edges of clouds.

When they got to school instead of rushing out like planned they ended up just sitting there watching what was going on. There were a bunch of students loitering around the school, which while not too unusual still made them pause to consider it. "Wait, school's in session what the heck is everyone doing?"

Jessica also was mildly perturbed. "That's really odd, I don't think this many people would skip class would they? Did anything weird go on yesterday when I was gone?"

"Not that I know of, and trust me I am normally the first to find out." They didn't leave the car, all these people looked like they were waiting for something and none of them seemed to have anything in common, as in same grade or classes. Although, it was mostly underclassmen from what he could tell. Before Ryan had the chance to act his phone rang and he immediately picked it up. "Hello?"

_ "Mr. Den?"_

"Gary? Why are you calling, school hours remember?" Gary was his butler, a nice guy who enjoyed his job or maybe just the pay.

_ "Oh please I know you aren't in school right now."_ Also, nothing got past the butler, ever. "Just calling to let you know school is canceled, sorry for not calling earlier though."

That explains why the people were outside, they must all be waiting for their ride home. "Actually we just got there so it was okay timing. Do you know why it's canceled?"

"Oh my, 'we' just got there? Who else might you be referring to?" He knew Gary was just teasing him so he huffed in annoyance.

"Just answer the question."

"Apparently something to do with the lights. Underground power line gets fried and they have to fix it, you know the drill."

Looking through the big, glass front doors Ryan confirmed there were no lights on inside. "Well that's rather lucky, I guess." It didn't feel so lucky after convincing Jessica to go when she was having a hard time. "So the power's out and they can't have school until tomorrow?"

_ "That would seem to be the case Mr. Den."_

"Okay thanks I'll see you later, and you know you can just call me Ryan right?"

_ "Indeed, have a nice day Mr. Den."_ He hung up leaving Ryan to frown at the last few words. Why do they always do that?! Is there something wrong with my name?

Ignoring the thoughts Ryan turned to Jessica and explained the situation to her, feeling somewhat disappointed after making her come all the way out here. "I see..." She said simply and looked out the window at the people nearby. "That's for the best I think." He sighed, clearly not liking that she was getting use to not going, and now that they were out he didn't want to just go straight back. Where else could they go though? He couldn't think of any good spots to be at this time of day on a Tuesday, but he really wanted to hang out for a while. "Crap they see me..." Her voice caught his attention and she realized she had unintentionally said it out loud. Ryan followed her gaze and found her looking at a group of guys sitting on the steps in one of the hangout spots right outside the school. They were all looking this direction and Ryan recognized a few of them.

"If I didn't know any better those are the bastards that bother you all the time. Damn..." He noticed two were wearing casts and the others bruised up but ignored it figuring it had to do with the fact they must get into fights a lot. They all got up but suddenly sat back down looking over at someone else. "HEY!" He shouted even though he knew no one outside the car would hear. He wasn't shouting at those guys though. "Justin!" He growled the name and grabbed the door handle ready to step out.

"No don't." Jessica stopped him but he didn't want to listen. During the time they met last he acted all cheerful but now that the incident had passed a great resentment had built up.

"I want to make sure he never touches you again, that includes all of them! They can't do anything to me here in public, I just want to give them a damn good warning."

"That's called a threat Ryan."

"Oh but I think a threat should mean death, which is too good of an ending for scum like them." She still wouldn't let him go and pointed at the red wolf letting his attention be redirected. The wolf was standing somewhere in between them and the group of delinquents staring the group down before casting a glance at the car and moving along. "What's he doing?"

"He's protecting me, I think." Ryan let go of the handle wanting her to explain. "Last time he met me he saved me like you did before. He didn't touch me, just helped me and left." This was a shocking revelation, and he kicked himself for not being the one to help her at the time whatever the problem was. How could he have known though? He was denied, he had no right to be in her business, he had no right at the time to know where she had been or the trouble she was in.

"Why protect you though?"

"Because he lost to you." He looked puzzled. "Yeah I don't really get it myself but looks like since he lost to you he feels like he's lost me or something? He still loves me but I think he's more hotblooded than he is a lover." Neither of them knew what to make of this situation, and Jessica just figured it might be okay to just leave things as is. Although, Justin might try to rape her again.

"Wait, then wouldn't he want to fight to get you back?"

"Bingo," she knew Ryan would figure it out. "Apparently he's trying to get stronger and then he's going to fight you... all because of me." She seemed distraught by the idea but Ryan felt something entirely different. "Wait why are you smiling like that? This is serious!"

"I know! But I'm glad Jessica, this is what I wanted to do from the start." Why couldn't she understand he just wanted to be a good friend? If that meant fighting to protect her well being he'd do that. He use to think Justin was an okay guy but hell if he was going to let some unstable teenager touch his friend. "You're my friend Jessica, whether you like it or not, because now I'm in too deep to get out. Don't say this has nothing to do with me either, it has everything to do with me, and you."

She never ceased to be astounded by his pointless determination to help her. "But..." He was right she couldn't deny his involvement now, and if he lost the battle to come then Justin would come after her again most likely. She didn't want that, but she also didn't want him to be hurt. Before she knew it tears were in her eyes and she buried her face in his arm. "Ryan I'm so sorry I got you into this... I tried to not get you involved but it's my damn curse to see the people I love get hurt. My mother and now you..."

Ryan didn't know whether to be happy or mad. Happy because he was important to her, but mad because... "You're cursed? Unlucky maybe but what the heck are you talking about? None of this is your fault."

"Yes it is!" She raised her head with a feral look and yelled at him. "This always happens! Every time something bad happens it's my fault! I'm cursed, I even have the mark to prove it!" She turned to show him her back and lifted it some. "See?! I've always been cursed. Where I come from this is the sign for the worst and most despicable people on the planet. I was born a demon!"

Ryan was blown away, what the heck was she going on about? This was a bit sudden to just take in all at once. He was bewildered as to what this had to do with anything, and then she started to take her shirt off causing him to blush considerably and look away. Then he saw it, and remembered how fondly she had talked about her hometown last night. "Is that a birth mark?" Along her orange cream fur was a pattern slightly darker than the surrounding fur, slightly redder. Its shaped resembled a snake winding around in a circle, emphasis on 'resembled' because he didn't believe it was anything at all. "Jessica I hope you mean a figurative demon at least, which is in no way true whatsoever anyway. I can't believe others would let you believe you're cursed because of some stupid mark." Despite calling it a stupid mark it actually looked rather cool there in the center of her back.

"Look closely Ryan..." He did, there was that snake like mark, with some other stuff around it. Rather than looking at the other stuff though he focused in on the snake. If he didn't know any better he'd say the body came out of the head, as if it was eating its own tail.

"Jessica I don't care what it is, you aren't cursed, and even if you were it isn't your fault. Does this sign mean anything though?"

Jessica lowered her shirt and slumped in the chair, refusing to look at him. She wasn't going to argue with him about it, but after all she had gone through there was no other explanation. Besides, he wasn't from her hometown, he didn't know anything about her. "Ever heard of an Ouroboros?" He shook his head. "It's suppose to be a snake or dragon that eats its own tail and forms a circle. That's what the mark depicts and it's a pretty vivid image too." He couldn't deny that it did look a lot like that. It was only hard to tell at first because the colors in the fur were so similar that the lines weren't clearly defined.

"So... where you're from that's a sign of evil or something? You must be from a very secluded society, nothing like that is here in the city even though we do have a few rumors."

"Yeah, it's definitely different here." Though she seemed depressed that last statement didn't seem to bring up any negative emotions. Ryan could only wonder what she meant by that, that she liked this city or hated it. He still hadn't come to a conclusion when she looked him in the eyes and spoke meaningfully. "Very different."

The tiger just looked back into her eyes letting a moment pass between them before grinning and using the tip of his tail to poke her on the muzzle. "Hey, I think I just thought of a good place we could go." He started the car and departed from the school. "You talking about curses reminded of something. Just wait I think you'll enjoy this kind of thing."

Instead of responding she simply nodded and waited for them to get there. The drive didn't take that long either, just a little under nine minutes. Not that she was counting, she really didn't care where he took her now. When the car stopped, however, she looked up to find herself looking over a cemetery guarded by iron fencing with spikes on top. It was a strange sight, and all she could think about was why they were there. She wasn't jumping to conclusions, just confused and waited for him to move.

"We're not here to see a grave just so you know, though there are a couple in need of a visiting from me..." Ryan's voice trailed off as he got out of the car and opened her door to let her out. The gate leading in wasn't closed during the day apparently, so they were able to freely enter the graveyard and make their way to their destination.

What was waiting for them was apparently a tree at the crest of a hill. While it was technically within the graveyard it was more off to the side with no graves nearby and was elevated much higher than the graves. The tree was large and weather beaten, it had an ancient feel to it. It's gnarled and decayed bark was dead and broken, its limbs twisted and forgotten.

"They call it Old Ollie, bit weird don't you think?" He answered her unasked question before looking back at the tree with a certain reverence to his posture.

"Why? Not why is it named that but why be named?" She couldn't deny she was interested now, but there was also the nagging feeling in the back of her head that said he just couldn't think of anywhere else to go. Did nobody ever tell him first dates should never be at a graveyard?

"Well it's fairly important, or else they would've taken it down long ago." Getting up closer he put one paw on the tree with a careful touch. "The man who started the civilization that would eventually become one of the largest and most populated cities in the world, the man who watched Havenine grow its roots and planted this tree. He was just a farmer but he did all this, kind of funny to think about considering the assumptions that come up when thinking of the profession." Jessica understood what he meant, one farmer being able to do great things wasn't exactly the norm. At the same time, this was far into the past and it wasn't like the guy did all this, only started it. Ryan continued not making it clear why he took her here. "Apparently it was his favorite tree, so they never took it down out of respect for him. It's like a monument I guess, as well as his grave."

Jessica had begun to approach but stepped back quickly when he gestured to the ground she almost set foot on just as he said the word "grave." Walking over a grave never had a good feeling to it. "So he fell in love with a tree and named it Ollie?" Ryan simply nodded and paced around the tree. "While I do find this interesting why take me here?"

"Cut to the chase then? Come on we have all day!" He said it teasingly but became seriously as he spoke again. "It's because there's an interesting myth that circulates every now and then that involves this tree, I thought you'd be interested to hear about it. If anything, just for the sheer fun of the myth." Well she was interested in that kind of thing truthfully, and it wasn't like she was just going to deny him and walk home. "You see, as this city finally made its largest expansions and prospered greatly from it, the tree died. Supposedly, it was around this time that the weather became the way it is today. It's a known fact it's almost never clear skies in this city, almost like something is blocking out the sun. Not that that's too unnatural it's just weird to think that the two things might have occurred at the same time."

Jessica nodded, playing along. "You make it sound like the tree died giving birth to this city, like the skies now mourn its death."

He blinked, rather surprised at the comment. "Never heard it put that way before, and also never so poetically." Smirking he continued. "I suppose that's possible, makes Old Ollie seem like some kind of grand protector! That however, is not the myth I was talking about. You see some say that if the tree is ever brought back to life..."

"The skies will become clear again?" She guessed what he was going to say before he even had the chance to finish.

"Well yeah... but you ruined my grand reveal!" He pouted for a second. "Then again that's not all." He was frowning but there was still a hint of amusement to his voice. "They also say a miracle will happen, or rather through the miracle of bringing it back to life another may occur." This piqued her interest considerably though he did not notice. "I know it's weird that I brought you here and all but after you talked about being cursed and stuff I tried to think of something that would-"

"So a miracle will happen?"

"Wait what?" She had interrupted the sentence he had spent quite a bit of time preparing to relay, leaving him somewhat peeved.

"If I bring it back to life a miracle will happen?"

"Well yeah that's what the myth says but I... No." He said it simply coming to the realization. "No Jessica we are not doing this." He recalled the words spoken between them, that only a miracle could save her mother. "I was going to say that the sky was supposedly 'cursed' because of the trees death therefore relating to your situation, and then say that it was okay because like in this situation something good may have come out of... Hey are you even listening to me?!" Damn, it was such a good message too and she wasn't even listening. It was that kind of warm, fuzzy message he felt proud thinking up, but in the end he was left cold when it was torn to shreds.

She wasn't even listening to him, just looking up at the tree, but eventually turned her gaze back to him. "Do you by any chance know anything about gardening?"

With a groan Ryan's palm hit his forehead, he was in deep now and now that she had her mind set on it there was not much he could do about it. "About as much as Old Ollie, and he's dead if that means anything to you." His voice had become sarcastic trying to convey a point but she stood determined and unphased. Great... just great.

* * *

Time seemed to fly at this point, only thinking back on this week did Jessica realize just how much fun it had become, how quickly the task became enjoyable for the two of them. At first Ryan had been reluctant, but soon his eyes were bright, shimmering as they gazed upon her figure, only to dart away the second she looked back.

A mixture of things happened, one namely being the tree. Honestly, no one cared much for it anymore so the only thing Ryan was bothered with was simply getting permission before they started doing all this. Only days ago she wouldn't have been able to tell someone the difference between topsoil, manure, and mulch. They all use to be just dirt in her mind, some notably filthier than others he had frequently pointed out. She, however, didn't seem to mind touching excrements all week.

Ryan had to work his schedule some, but soon he had managed to go there with Jessica after school everyday without fail. He was strangely committed when he didn't have to be. Why her? She could never figure it out, but she absolutely needed him if this was going to work. It would be impossible to pay for supplies by herself.

The school also fixed the electricity problem so it was back in session, they never could figure out exactly what happened with that power line. Not that it mattered really. There was actually several reports of power lines going down as of late but nothing nearby or worth mentioning. So she was going to school again like normal, but she was even more of a recluse than before. She avoided Ryan during school, which pelted her conscious like none other but she'd just get picked on by other girls if they found out they hung out after school. Besides, anything they would say would be right, she didn't deserve him.

Justin had surprisingly, just like she had claimed, never made any moves to approach Jessica. Rather every other bully seemed afraid to go after her because he was around. If there were any more skirmishes between the two groups, which undoubtedly there were, they didn't hear about it, and apparently the wolf had won.

That didn't set Ryan's mind at ease though, he had caught wind of a rumor stating Justin had gotten himself into a local gang. If he did, then he made the dumbest move of a life time. Thankfully the gangs in this city weren't too bad. They stayed on the outskirts in unpopulated places only fighting amongst themselves in battles over turf, but they were still bad news. The worse position one could be in wasn't even being the enemy of a gang, it was being apart of one and then trying to leave. There was a reason delinquents usually stay delinquents forever, cause sometimes they never get the chance to change.

That however was at the back of her mind, she was concerned about her mother. She hadn't been getting any better and Jessica's only hope rested in a tree for crying out loud. What was she doing all this for anyway? She didn't have to do it like she claimed, she was childishly following some stupid superstition because she couldn't think of anything else. She hated doing nothing, it made her feel like nothing, she was nothing. While her mom died she helped a tree, when Ryan wants to be nice she takes advantage of him, and when someone gets involved they're bound to get hurt.

However, it was no fun worrying about things, something she learned after her first visit to The Firefly. Jessica had really wanted to go to the cafe, so they did, and now have gone back a few times already. There was the charming waitress Nina as well, who was a bundle of fun when one got to know her. She talked a lot, which while it got her in trouble also made people want to come back. The menu was nice too, not really any straight out meals but the best drinks, snacks, and desserts she could ask for. If anything Jessica was just really glad to repay this debt she felt she owed Nina the first time she came in. Even though it was Ryan doing all the paying it was somewhat consoling to think she was bringing in business.

Despite everything, this life... wasn't so bad. Maybe, for just awhile, things could stay... just like this.