Harlan's Tale - Chapter 08
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Title: Harlan's Tale
By: Myka
Chapter 08 - 'Make Me Forget'
Rating: OT
Genre: Drama
Before:
After finding Pheria dead. Harlan tells Moiran what happened, but she only wanted to know where Phern was, something Harlan wasn't willing to disclose. Harlan is certain Phern had something to do with Pheria's death, but instead of calling the police he tells Phern to run away. Phern refuses and admits to killing Pheria so Harlan pushes him away. Desperate to stay with Harlan, Phern tells him the truth. That he and Pheria were raised to be with him, so that one of them could have his child. Realizing the two most important people in his life had been lying to him, Harlan tells Phern he doesn't care about him anymore and that he's no longer welcome in his home. Phern tries to beg for Harlan to open the door when Viktor shows up saying he's there to collect what belongs to him, meaning Phern. Phern screams for Harlan to help him, but Harlan ignores him, opening the door too late and find Phern gone.
After Pheria's death.
And Phern's confession.
I wanted nothing more than to forget about everything and leave it all behind.
The night that Phern disappeared I ignored it, and decided I needed to leave this place and the false life it had given me.
So I took all the money I had saved for a house, for my future, and went to the city.
I threw myself in places of sound and light.
Places where I could ignore the world around me.
With people I didn't know.
Where I could throw myself in the debauchery of the human condition.
I didn't care with who or where. As long as I didn't have to remember that which nagged at my heart.
But sometimes when I slept. I dreamt.
Dreamt of a life I couldn't have anymore.
Where Pheria was still with me.
And we were not alone.
The family I wished for was just a dream. But sometimes... instead of Pheria in my arms looking at me with love filled eyes. Instead of her...
I dreamt of Phern.
And when I saw him there was no doubt in my heart that he loved me, and the phantom me of those dreams... loved him.
Another morning waking on the side of the road. Another night haunted with dreams of Phern instead of Pheria. A nightmare where he calls my name in fear and I do nothing.
No-not a nightmare. A memory. Maybe if I just stopped moving I could forget everything.
Shui: Seven look! A homeless kid. ...Is he dead?
Seven: Nah, his chest is still moving.
Shui: You said this city was safe! You lied to me!
Seven: I didn't lie. Maybe he's in trouble.
Shui: We didn't come to vacation to help a street kid.
Seven: Come on, Shui. Besides look at him! He looks just like you when you where young.
Shui: No he doesn't!
I couldn't catch a break.
Harlan: Um, hi. I'm awake and can hear you. I am not homeless or dead. I just lost the girl I was gonna crash with and don't really remember much after that.
Seven: Look! He does look like you!
Shui: Maybe a little...
Seven: What is your name boy?
Harlan: Harlan.
Seven: Cool! We have a grandson named Harlan.
Harlan: Ok...
Seven: Why don't you spend the day with us! It's our last day in the city and so far it's been just the two of us. We were about to get breakfast.
I was going to say no. I didn't know them. But they felt so... familiar. I couldn't say no.
It was the best day I've had in a long time. We talked for what seemed like hours.
I spent the day with them.
It made me think. This is what having parents must be like.
But eventually they had to leave for their flight. The day ended as soon as it began.
Seven: Harlan. We only got to spend a little time with you, but we can tell something is deeply troubling you.
Seven: Whatever it is you can't run away from it forever.
Harlan: I can try.
Seven: No. You have to take a chance. You have to make a decision.
Seven: I made the decision to get on a plane many years ago and tell the person I loved how I felt. Because of that, he's now standing next to me and we'll be together until the day we die. Only you can do something about the way you feel, and going into bars and waking up in gutters is not going to fix you.
Flight 478 to China now boarding.
Seven: That's us.
Shui: You are a good man, Harlan. With luck, we'll get to see each other again.
I nodded. Then said goodbye. As quickly as they had come into my life they were gone. I was alone again.
Where they right? Was it impossible to run away forever and leave everything I had known behind? Will I never know what really happened that night? Will I ever get rid of the guilt of not helping Phern when he needed me?
I had to stop running. I packed what little I had...
And returned to Twinbrook.
It had been almost a year, and nothing had changed. The tiny home I owned remained untouched and empty.
After checking my house I went to the other place I had called home. A new family lived there now. One that was probably blind to the events that took place inside. To the life that was lost there. There was no reason to bother them.
What the hell was I doing coming back here? Just because some people I met told me too, I stupidly returned to a place that gave me nothing but pain. What the hell was I thinking?
But then I opened the door to my house and inside, was a man.
Harlan: Phern!
Caught red handed with his hand on my bedroom doorknob.
Phern: Harlan?!
Phern was here. Right in front of me.
Phern: Harlan. You just left a few minutes ago. Why are you back so fast?
I was not listening to what Phern was saying. He was okay. He was alive.
Seeing him made me forget how to breath. And just like that I knew. My feelings for once clear as rain.
Harlan: Phern! I'm so happy you are okay.
Phern: Harlan?
Phern: Why are you hugging me, Harlan?
Harlan: Your hair is so long! You haven't cut it at all since I last saw you. What's wrong with your eyes?
Phern: Nothing- Why... Why are you being nice?
I wanted to hold him. I wanted to hold him close and never let go.
Phern: But you hate me. You said I was nothing to you.
Harlan: I'm sorry, Phern. I'm sorry I said that. I was so angry. I want you to tell me everything. I want to understand. I want to forgive you.
Phern: You want to forgive me?
Harlan: Yes, I do.
Harlan: Phern I love you.
Phern: Love...
Phern: I can't, Harlan. I can't.
Harlan: Phern?
He pushed me away. And ran.
I just told him I loved him. And he ran.
Harlan: Phern wait!
Harlan: Phern!
He was nowhere to be seen.
Harlan: Phern? Phern!
I went back to the empty house. I love Phern. I had always loved him. I was such a fool for not seeing it sooner. No wonder he didn't believe me. No wonder he ran away.
I had lost him again and I had no one to blame but myself. The pain in my chest built up, threatening to swallow me whole. And just when I thought I might break. I heard a cry.
A cry coming from my bedroom. The room Phern had been in before I walked in.
There on my bed...
Was a baby. And a note.
.
.
.
.
Viktor: Phern.
Phern: Viktor...
Viktor: You were not back so I came to check on you.
Phern: It's Harlan...
Viktor: You left him the baby right? I thought that's what you wanted.
Phern: Harlan said he loves me. He doesn't hate me. I thought he hated me.
Phern: Please, Viktor, please! Couldn't I just stay with him? All I ever wanted was to be with him. I love him so much!
Viktor: I'm sorry, my boy. Look at your eyes, there is no way to go back. Nothing can save your life tonight.
Phern: It's not fair! I just want Harlan. I want to raise our son together.
Viktor: Life is very unfair sometimes.
Viktor: Now let's go. The sun is rising.
Viktor: Watch it carefully. It will be the last one you see.
Note: In case you are not familiar with the Kalos legacy. Seven and Shui are Harlan's grandparents.
Sorry for the long hiatus! I'm slowly getting back to a schedule of sorts :P