As The Heart Crumbles_Ep4

Episode 4

     Catey eagerly set the table for the early dinner she was preparing for her parents. They had both promised to get off work extra early so that they could all spend the rest of the day together as a family, for once. Even if it was for only one evening, Catey was still very excited for this opportunity.
     So, to begin the night of togetherness, she would greet them with the delicious aroma of the little meatloaf she cooked, with a side of cheesy baked potatoes and boiled carrots. She couldn't cook as well her father, but she had still done her best! She wanted to surprise them with one of the few meals she could cook all by herself.
     And afterward, she'd want to take them on a walk to her favorite spot at the park, to gaze at the night's full moon in the beautifully clear sky, the moonlight mystically glistening off of the little fountain's water with a soft glow. Catey smiled at the thought. It would be amazing! Just her and her parents, enjoying the night together...
     The ringing phone brought her out of her thoughts, and she went to answer it. It was her mother.
     "I'm really sorry, sweetie, but something came up last minute, and I have to perform tonight in the next town over. I won't be able to make it back until very late..."

     Catey stared at the wall as she felt an uncomfortable dropping sensation in her chest. "...What about Daddy...?" she asked with little hope.

     "He told me his restaurant was starting to get packed with people when he called me... I'm not sure when he would be home, either..." Her mother was met with a strained silence, and after a few moments, she asked with concern, "Are you gonna be all right, honey...?"

     "Mm-hmm..." Catey forced out, trying not to sound choked up. "I'll be fine. It's not your fault..."

     "This weekend may not be a very good one, but next weekend, we'll definitely be home early! No exceptions! Okay?"

     "...Mm-hmm..." she said again, not very hopeful about how true that really was.

     "Oops, gotta go. We'll try to be home at least before you go to sleep tonight, alright? I love you so, so much, honey!"

     "...Love you, too..."

     After giving a rushed goodbye, her mother hung up. Catey continued to hold the phone to her ear, and then finally hung it up after the dead tone began to sound. She slowly shuffled back over to the table and sat in one of the chairs. She glanced over at the food she worked hard to make for her parents and lamented that it would spoil before anyone would even touch it.

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     Thorne sharply turned in the direction the wave of sadness came from. "Catey..." As quickly as he could, he flew to what he knew was her house and phased through the wall into a dark bedroom. Catey sat at her desk with her head buried in her arms, her shoulders shuddering with each sob. Confused, Thorne stretched his senses to search for another presence. He remembered Catey saying how excited she was about finally getting to spend some quality time with her parents tonight, so they should be around. But he sensed no one else nearby. Where could they have been?
     Understanding that this must be why Catey was crying, he hovered over closer to her. But how was he supposed to comfort her? Even if he could talk to her, he had no words of encouragement. He didn't even have the limbs required to give her a simple, reassuring pat on the shoulder.
     That's when he caught sight of Catey's Banette Doll, sitting just in front of her head, leaning against the desk lamp. Getting an idea, he went up and phased right into it, taking control of every thread. And with his borrowed arms, he flipped on the lamp's light switch.
     Catey jerked up in surprised and stared at her now-standing doll. Seeing her tear-stained face made Thorne internally cringe more than he thought it should. Slowly, he stepped closer to her and gently placed his plush hands on her arm, looking up at her as if to say, "Don't cry..."

     A few more tears dripped down Catey's cheeks before she picked up her doll and hugged him tightly. "Is it okay to be a little bit selfish sometimes?" she asked. "Just once... Just once, I want them to be home for me. W-why does their work always have to get in the way? It's not fair!" She sniffled and took a steadying breath before continuing. "I love them so much... Is it so wrong to wanna be with my Mama and Daddy every once in a while...? Why can't they just stop working, if only for a little bit, so that I can...?"

     She sniffled again as more tears fell down her face, and Thorne tried to think of what he could do. If only he knew where her parents worked, he thought. He resolved to find out later. For now, though, he refused to leave her alone. Someone had to keep her company. But what more could he do than just this?
     He tugged at her sleeve, and she looked down at him. He floated out of her grasp and continued to tug, beckoning her to move. Although a bit confused, she stood up and let him lead her. He pulled her out of her room, down the stairs, and through the front door of the house.

     "Where are we going...?" she asked, but he simply kept pulling her along. After a bit of walking, a familiar fountain came into view. They finally came to a stop beside it, and she looked around. "The park...? What are we doing here...?"

     I may not be your mom or dad, Thorne thought, but I should still be able to cheer you up. Somehow...
     He looked up at the moon. It shone so brightly. Though, I can make it seem brighter. It was like the lamps lining the perimeter of the small park were trying in vain to outshine the moon itself. With a long sweeping motion, Thorne darkened them all with his Night Shade.
     With those pesky lights gone, the whole night sky just illuminated, giving the park a more serene feel to it. And now for a mystical touch... He heard Catey give a light gasp as small, blueish flames began to appear out of thin air, floating about one after another, their glow gleaming softly off of the fountain's water. And to finish it off, he landed on the edge of the fountain wall and tossed some Will-O-Wisps into the small pool, creating a mist that he spread all thoughout the immediate area, encompassing the young girl.
     He could feel her awe as she gazed at the now eerily beautiful scene, a scene that was reminiscent of that moment in a play where the main character would begin to dance and sing in a romantic, dream-like trance.

     "Isn't she amazing?" Catey had said as they watched a video of her mother on stage. "Mama's the best dancer around! Every time I see her dancing in a magical place like that, it makes me wish I could dance along in there, too."

     Slowly, Thorne turned to face her, and then gave a gentlemanly bow, as if inviting her to dance. But the mesmerised girl continued to stare at him, still and unblinking. After a moment, he floated up to her, took her hand, and cirlced around her, spinning her along with him. The movement freed her from her tance, and she gave him a small smile.
     Closing her eyes, she began to hum a soft melody, and then gradually swayed her body into a full dance as she moved with the music in her head.
     As Thorne watched, he could tell she was probably trying to imitate her mother's fluid movements, though she stumbled every time she tried to spin on her toes. He eventually floated up to her and held her hands to keep her steady as she made yet another attempt to spin. Catey giggled upon his intervention and proceeded by pulling him into the dance, turning her solo into an improvised duet.
     At first, he simply let her spin him in circles, unsure of how to even contribute to the dance. But soon enough, he began to follow her lead and mirror some of her movements, as well as throw in some of his own improvisations. He wasn't sure how graceful they may have looked, but the enchanting smile she wore upon her face made the silliness he felt all worth it.
     And so, they continued to dance and dance, and smile and laugh, well into the night, even after the mist and the blue flames long faded away. And as the last melody finally came to an end, so did their dancing.
     Catey held her little doll in a tight hug, and then lifted him up to her face. "You're the most amazing friend anyone could have ever asked for," she told him softly, and he froze in surprise when she kissed him on the forehead. "Thank you for cheering me up...my little Thorne."