Quinn and MC celebrating Samhain together (backstory)

Quinn's POV:

Laughter rings in the air as the bonfire's flames lick my skin. I've laughed and I've danced with many. I've been waiting so eagerly.

The clearing is decorated with the fruits of this summer's harvest. The multiple torches and lanterns make it so that it would be easy to mistake the night for a day. The spirits are pleased.

Ah. There's a familiar figure whom I've been waiting for. The corners of my lips rise against my will. You're here. You're clad in your moss-green cloak, your gaze captured by the darkness of the forest.

Looking as glum as ever.

You're completely ignorant of everything, your barriers are down.

How dare you be so vulnerable? It'll be your downfall.

It's time… to proceed with the plan.

I aim straight onto your head.

"Ouch!" You yelp. You turn to me, rubbing the back of your head. You have a deep frown on your face.

Always so dramatic, it was just a hazel nut.

I give you a little shrug. "I'm casting a spell of fertility on you."

"You what? That's not how—"

Wrong answer! Another nut hits your forehead.

"Ow! What are you—"

"Now! That should do it. You'll have two shit tons of children."

"What? Why would you want me to have children?"

"Don't start with me. They're cute. I've seen how you dote the twins."

Before you can answer, your mother appears, killing your blossoming smile. The poison-green cloak covers her face, yet the piercing eyes still glow from underneath the cloth. A chill runs down my spine. Her posture is proud, as per usual, and she spares me not a glance. I doubt she's ever really looked at me before.

"It's time," she states. "They await."

Your face loses all its color.

I bite the insides of my cheek, squeezing the nuts in my hand. Their edges cut my skin. You shouldn't have to do this. I hate this.

I won't stay silent any longer.

"They don't want to do it." Every word that comes out of my mouth makes my stomach fall further and further down. But I will remain standing. I must. For you.

Your eyes dart to me, your face filled with the same dread that plagues my mind. 'What are you doing?' you ask without words. I don't care. I'm saving you.

I shift my gaze to your mother. Let her kill me, I don't care. It would make you act. It would make you more reluctant.

My death would serve a meaning.

However, she doesn't look at me. Why? Still you refuse? I'm here! I'm defying you. Look at me!

Instead, she sighs.

"The Twins await. Don't make me repeat myself."

You nod and follow her. You don't give me another look.

Someone bumps into me but I barely notice. My gaze is on your receding back. Something squeezes my chest, making it difficult to breathe. 

I'm useless.

—

The wind carries a distant scream. Barely anyone makes a note of it but I always hear it.

The corners of my eyes sting. Anger makes me rub the sensation away.

I can never save you.