"Then... I have so questions now."
Leslie’s quivering voice quietly echoed in the vast bedroom. Bringing Mimo down to her lap, her glazy eyes lingered on its face.
Months had passed yet, Leslie still vividly rembered how helpless and frightened she was on the day she carried Calliope’s bloody fra.
She was already prepared to die, to follow her precious daughter to the afterlife before the crochet fox toy appeared to give her another chance at life in another dinsion.
Since then, Mimo had been her loyal companion as Leslie navigated this new world. It always cheered her up whenever she dreaded the thought of not eting Calliope again.
Lifting one hand, Leslie gently rubbed the spot behind Mimo’s left ear. She uttered, "Mimo, it’s okay if you can’t answer everything... but, let try first. Is that okay?"
|You can, Leslie. I’ll answer you if I can.|
Leslie nodded once. Hearing the reassurance in Mimo’s voice helped to settle the uneasiness shrouding her heart.
"For now, I have three important questions... The rest might co later."
|Yes. Ask .|
Leslie took in a deep breath before exhaling it softly. Those questions flowed from her mouth, her voice shaky.
"First, does Calix... I an Axel, doesn’t he rember anything from our previous world? Second, what happens to the original Calix? Isn’t his fate to be with Charlene? And third... what led and Poppy to Axel here?"
After weighing everything, these three questions flad the curiosity in Leslie’s heart. She wondered what kind of answer she would receive from Mimo.
True to its words, Mimo explained to Leslie as much as it could. The crochet fox toy’s childlike voice filled the quietness of the bedroom.
|For your first question, Axel doesn’t rember his mories from your previous world. But, he still retains similar mannerisms and ways of thinking. He’s still heavily influenced by the original Calix’s habits tho.|
Leslie nodded once, showing she understood Mimo’s direct explanation. The crochet fox toy’s reasoning also reminded her of the similarities she had seen and felt from Calix all this ti.
Because of the resemblances, the mories of Axel occasionally slipped into Leslie’s mind when she was with Calix.
Mimo continued speaking, further describing the situation behind Axel’s soul transmigrated into Calix’s body. This ti its explanation caught Leslie off guard.
|Axel’s mories about you and your previous world are the price he has to pay for his wish. He had to sacrifice them. Before his death, he wished to be reunited with you again.|
"...what? Did he... really wish for that?"
|Yes.|
Leslie’s eyelashes and lips quivered before the tremors gradually flared to her entire body. Tears pooled in her eyes as she was reminded of the devastating day she received the news of Axel’s untily death.
"He died... when he tried to save . I’m sorry... I’m sorry, Leslie."
Axel’s friend, Franz explained the reason behind the forr’s demise once Leslie arrived at the hospital. The two n went on a hiking trip on a weekend when autumn was at its peak.
Unfortunately, Axel slipped from the cliffs when he tried to rescue Franz from a snake.
Leslie was given the chance to identify Axel. She almost fainted at the sight of her lover’s broken and battered body, dirtied by dried blood and dust.
Leslie had never seen Axel in such a pitiful state. Her sorrowful wailing garnered everyone’s attention as she begged the doctors to bring him back to life.
"P-please! Do anything! He’s not dead! PLEASE!"
All Leslie received were apologies.
The mory of that particular autumn day haunted Leslie even after years. She would have long withered away if not for Calliope’s presence.
The little one was the only living reminder of her deceased lover. She only wanted to give their daughter the best life, no matter how hard it would be.
At the sa ti, she kept the mory of her lover alive by always sharing stories about him with their little daughter.
But, it turned out...
The first teardrop rolled down Leslie’s face. Shaky words slipped out between her trembling lips. Her tears blurred Mimo’s face as her eyes remained on the crochet toy.
"B-before he died... he wished to reunite... with ? And... he has been living... as Calix here all these years?"
Mimo placed its front paws on Leslie’s hands. The crochet fox toy softened its tone as if trying to comfort her.
|Yes, Leslie. He was worried about leaving you alone. He made the wish before he died.|
Biting her lower lip, Leslie tasted the saltiness of her tears. She didn’t know what to make of this knowledge.
This revelation tore her wounded heart before it turned whole once more, only to be shredded into pieces again and again.
He was worried about her even when he was close to Death’s door.
It was a truth she hadn’t known until now.
Sotis, Leslie found herself thinking about Axel’s final monts. She couldn’t help but wonder what was on his mind as he struggled in the excruciating pain.
Was he afraid of dying?
Did he ever regret trying to save his friend?
Only Axel himself could answer her yet, Leslie believed he didn’t lant his attempt to save his friend.
Her lover was always a selfless person, the only man she ever felt safe after leaving her harmful family.
Despite all her thinking, Leslie would rather Axel die instantly. She hoped he didn’t experience any agonizing pain.
Leslie still rembered the photos shown by the detective, the ones showing traces of Axel’s dried blood on the boulder that struck him to death. She couldn’t imagine the pain he endured from having broken bones and multiple huge injuries.
The investigation was done to rule out homicide, just in case Franz lied because he was the sole witness.
’Calix... doesn’t rember his life as Axel. About the wish...’
Taking a couple of deep breaths, Leslie wiped her teary eyes. She told herself not to break down this early. There was still so much she wanted to know.
"Mimo..." Leslie’s hoarse voice called the red crochet fox toy. Her eyes were still glossed with tears, "Let’s move to... my next question."
|Yes, Leslie.|
This would be a long day for her.
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