Ein Isn't Evil

Aphmau's POV:

"Hello?" Zack spoke on the phone.

"Hey, it's Aphmau." I replied.

"Aphmau? I thought your mother didn't want me talking to you! Why aren't you listening to our mother?" Zack scolded.

"It's fine, trust me. I just wanted to know your address, or I could give you mine instead, so I could possibly visit you later." I said, hopeful.

"Oh. You'd...Really want to do that?"

"Yes. I'm willing to accept you back into my life. I don't know about mom, but I knew you were serious when you said you were sorry back there. I'm sorry for how mom acted, she just wasn't expecting to see you, and-"

"It's alright, I don't blame her for lashing out on me. I do have to deal with other patients, including you actually, but If you give me your address I'll be there. I hope to see you soon." Zack said.

"Same here, Have a good day!" I hung up the phone and sighed in relief. I'm glad I have a chance to tell him that I missed him, even if I never knew him. Mom comes out of the kitchen a little sad.

"Mom? What's wrong?" I asked.

"Mija, I know you...don't want to stay with me."

"What? Of course I want to stay with you! I haven't seen you in a whole year!" I exclaimed.

"No, it's not that. You want to stay with Aaron, don't you?" She asked. I stayed silent.

"I know Mija, and it's completely fine with me. Whatever makes you happy right now is for the best. I want you to be happy, so I called up Melissa and told her to pick you up."

"Mom, you didn't have to-"

"I promise, it's fine with me. I'll visit you every other day, and I'll even bring you some of Erics strawberry puffs too. Melissa should be here any minute." Mom said. I smiled at her.

"Thank you." I whispered. The doorbell rang, and Mom went to open it. There I saw Melissa standing on the other side.

"Hey Aphmau! Ready to see Aaron?" Melissa asked.

"Yep! Mom, are you sure you're okay with this? I won't leave if you don't want me to."

"No, I'll be just fine. But I did want to give you this." She walked upstairs and came back with a puppy.

"Is this one of Celeste's puppies?"

"Yes, his name is Croissant, since his coat is like a croissant. You can always change his name, but I just wanted to give him to you. I'd give you Celeste, but she's been in bed all week. She still eats, but she hasn't moved at all. I'll be taking her to the vet soon. For now, you just take care of him for me, okay?" Mom asked.

"I will. I promise." I said with a smile."

"Alright, let's get this train started!" Melissa cheered, rolling me down the stoop. Melissa helped me get into the car, and started it up. Mom watched through the glass door as well left. I guess my scary dream of never seeing Aaron again won't happen after all. Thank goodness. The whole drive home just felt so relaxing, like coming home from a long road trip. But the thing that really made it feel like that was me coming home to Aaron. Even if he may not remember me, I know that he'll feel the same way I do when we finally hold each other again. I had Croissant on my lap, and all he did was wag his tail and stick his head out the window. He was a cute dog. Definitely got that from Celeste. I hope she's feeling alright.

Melissa parked the car not too far from the house. Apparently, someone was at the house. Maybe it was Zack! We did hit a lot of traffic to get back home. Melissa helped me get out of the car and she unlocked the door. I was paralyzed when I saw who Aaron was talking to.

I-It was...Him

Ein

He turned to look at me. His eyes weren't green anymore. They were a light shade of gray. The streak in his hair matched with his eyes. All I felt was dread. I started to shake. He had to be another illusion, right? I'm just seeing things, is all. But then again, why would Aaron be talking to him. It made me more nervous by the second. I've had so many nightmares of Ein in the past year, and I don't want to have another panic attack right now. Then I see Zack come down from the stairs.

"Oh, Aphmau! I'm glad you're here! When I knocked on the door, Aaron answered and said you weren't here."

"Aphmau's back?" Aaron asked. I truly would've said something, but I was to fixated on Ein. I was too afraid to look away. I thought I was asleep, and that this was only a dream, but Ein looked different, or mostly felt different. He had a light hearts smile on his face, and he looked so nervous to see me. It should really be the opposite way around. I accidentally stared him down, which made the smile on his face slide off.

"Aphmau? You okay?" Melissa asked. I started to breathe heavy. My chest started to burn. The hole was opening again. No, not now! I don't need this now!

"E...E-Ein.." I stuttered. I could barely speak.

"Aphmau?" Melissa asked more seriously. I didn't respond this time.

"Quick, pass me her medicine!" She said to Zack. Zack grabbed all three just in case and handed them to Melissa.

"Is Aphmau okay?" Aaron asked concerned.

"She's fine, she's just out of breath is all." Zack ensured. Melissa gave me the pills and I swallowed them with some water. My hands were shaking so much, water was spilling from my cup, and I dropped it when I looked to Ein again. He was closer. I knew I shouldn't have taken my eyes off him. I only panicked more. The medicine did nothing. It didn't calm me down. I thought he was just a hallucination.

I was wrong.

Ein had a worried, but more of a guilty look smudged all over his face, and he walked a little closer to me.

"D-Don't come any closer.." I said. Ein hesitated, but then continued.

"I said don't. Move." I said, trying to hide my nervousness with a serious tone. It didn't work. If anything, it only made him more eager to grab my arm. I started to freak out.

"DON'T YOU TOUCH ME!!" I screamed. I snatched my arm away from him and backed up as far as I could in my wheelchair. Now would be a really good time to have some working legs. Ein backed up and Melissa laid her hand on my shoulder.

"Aphmau, you need to calm down."

"DON'T LET HIM COME NEAR ME!!" I yelled. I started to cry. I didn't want history to repeat. I was scared of loosing Aaron for a third time, including when we went to the lodge. I couldn't stop shaking in fear. I curled myself up into a ball and leaned on the wheelchair backrest. I covered my face in my legs and Melissa hugged.

"Aphmau, please. Your heart can't be beating too fast, and you're hyperventilating." Melissa said worried. Aaron started walking to the sound of Melissa's voice, but he hits something and stops. I thought that my death would repeat. I thought I'd loose Aaron again for the same stupid reason.

"Maybe it isn't the right time for you two to be talking right now. Ein, if you don't mind-" Zack was cut off by Ein.

"No, I completely understand. I'll just go upstairs and...wait." Ein trudged up the stairs. I let out a large breath sitting in my lungs and quickly calmed a bit. My heart only got worse in the scene. I was too stressed. My hearts started to burn, and every beat it thumped, it echoed within my body. It was painful. I held my hand up and grabbed my shirt, clawing to get to my heart. This was definitely the most painful panic attack I've had thus far.

"Hngh.." I groaned, trying to hold back screams of pain.

"Just relax, you're fine now." Melissa said. I steadied my breathing and relaxed my body, getting back into a normal position.

"W-Was that really him? A-Am I dreaming?" I asked unsure.

"No, that was him." Zack said.

"Why is he here?" I asked aggressively, but still weak.

"I wanted to surprise you and show you Ein. I thought if you were willing to forgive me, you might have forgiven him." I stared at Zack and then started to laugh hysterically.

"Are you serious?! I've given Ein more than enough times to redeem himself, but he just kept on getting worse! HE KILLED ME, AND YOU EXPECT ME TO JUST FORGIVE HIM?" I yelled.

"But it wasn't his fault!" Zack defended.

"What do you mean 'it wasn't his fault?'" I asked impatiently.

"I didn't want to get into this without Ein's permission, but I guess I will." Zack sighed.

"Ein used to be just like you. A normal boy with no issues. It was only until one day where he made the wrong choice that made his life go downhill. He met a man named Micheal. He was a very sly man, always finding ways to get what he wants. He lied to Ein, and gave him a potion saying that he would live out the rest of his days with someone he loves dearly. Out of desperateness, Ein took the potion and drank it, and..." He stopped speaking. I was already too intrigued for him to stop there.

"And what?" I asked.

"...He fell under the affects of a forever potion. There was no cure. He's been stuck under Micheals control ever since." I gasped at the mention of that horrid potion. I know how horrible it feels to be under that spell. All you can do is watch your world crumble before you, and you can't do anything about it. It's like your concise is wrapped in chains, sitting in a front row seat at the movie theatre. It was such an awful feeling.

"He...He didn't want to kill me?" I said teary eyed.

"No! He would never do that, well, when he has control." Zack said. Hearing this made me so confused. All my hatred for Ein was a lie? It wasn't his fault? He was...sorry? These were questions that I really needed time to think about. I had to process my thoughts. Does this mean I have to forgive him?

What should I do?