Buttercup

The forest doesn't appear on maps, but Buttercup always finds the way, and always finds him/her. "I knew you were coming," the MC says, without even looking at him/her. Buttercup stays still for a few seconds, watching her/her. As if he/she needs to make sure she/he is real… that this time she/he won't disappear. "I always do," he/she replies, in a low voice. He /she smiles, barely. "That's a little obsessive, isn't it? "Buttercup lets out a short laugh. "You have no idea. "Silence. The air grows heavy. The forest changes. Something moves, but Buttercup doesn't take her eyes off him/her . She never does. "You should stop coming , " the MC says, now more serious . Buttercup takes another step closer. She frowns. "What's that supposed to mean? "Buttercup looks down for a second... and when she looks back, there's something more intense in their eyes. Something they're no longer trying to hide. "That since you showed up... everything's gotten worse," the blond boy says. "More dangerous. Darker. "He moves a little closer. "But also... harder to leave. "A wet sound cuts through the moment. A rustling, breathing... Something that shouldn't be there. *

Laughing Jack.

• Buttercup reacts instantly, stepping in front of him. *

—Stay back,' he says firmly.

But the MC doesn't move.

—You always do the same thing,' he whispers. 'You always protect me.'

• Buttercup clenches her teeth. *

—Because something always happens to you.

• The clown approaches, slowly, surely... Buttercup doesn't back down. *

• But he speaks, more quietly, just to her: *

—No matter how many times this happens…

• He pauses. "It doesn't matter if I have to find you again and again... "Her fingers tremble slightly. "I won't let anything happen to you. "The sound is too close now, but Buttercup smiles sideways.

— Even if I have to die for you...