Allan sat on the last step of the old spiral staircase in the clock tower. Horace and Gwen stood opposite each other, Gwen's eyes blazed with fury, while Horace wore a calm, unreadable expression, not even sparing her a glance, one wouldn't guess he had just been in a fight, if not for the harsh burns and open wounds inflicted by Gwen who herself bore no physical injuries as she had healed herself, but the same couldn't be said about her internal strength as it was clearly depleted from battling with the revenant.
"What got into the both of you?" Allan demanded.
"it w-"
"Gwen just doesn't know how to stay out of someone else's business," Horace said sharply, cutting her short knowing it was one of the things she hated.
The innuendo only infuriated Gwen further. She stepped closer to him yelling, "someone else's business?,
You're the one poking your nose in my business!"
"From what I know," Horace said, turning fully to her, "tonight was supposed to be a special one for June and I But you ruined it.
"You were going to turn her into something she isn't!" Her voice rose, her anger raw.
"You're such a hypocrite".
"Gwen", Allan called in a light tone, Horace wasn't going to let her lose herself completely" he paused, studying her face, watching her expression shift into confusion.
"I felt something off about her," Allan said quietly, "and I wanted to confirm."
"I don't understand…" Gwen muttered.
"I got Horace to do it for me," Allan replied simply.
The revelation made Gwen laugh loudly, her expression hardening a moment later. "So you're the one I should be mad at?" she asked.
"I don't think so…, I should be the one to be upset with you"
"I-"
Alan cut her off sternly. "Why would you do something as reckless as that?, she's supposed to be dead"
"But she's not, she's not dead. She's alive. She's normal." Gwen's voice trembled. For a moment, foreign emotions clouding her eyes.
"It's whether she's alive in her own body, or with another spirit inside it," Allan countered.
"you intentionally picked one from here because you knew it'd bound to this clock tower and would never be able to hurt nor use her".
Her face twisted into a grimace, as though she was holding back something she shouldn't say.
Alan's gaze darkened. "Sometimes it's better to let things happen the way they were meant to." His tone was calm, almost cold. "I should put her to rest, just like it was supposed to be, a years ago." He nodded to himself, as if reaffirming his decision.
"No—don't do that!" Gwen's voice cracked, desperation spilling through as she blocked his path up the stairs. Her teeth clenched so tightly she nearly choked on the word she hated most.
"Allan…, don't."
"why shouldn't I?, I'm sure somewhere she's not at rest and you know it"
"But she's also happy, you know she's the one person that actually means a lot to me"
"That doesn't mean you should defy fate"
"Allan, just leave her, p-p", she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, as she really hated pleading before anyone.
"Just say it", Horace chimed in, "it's just a six letter word" he said enjoying her plight.
"Allan, p... please"The word came out raw, breaking her pride.
Allan smiled, a faint curve she couldn't see.
"Just let her be," Gwen pleaded. "She hasn't caused any trouble. It's as if the spirit isn't even there. At least… consider our friendship."
Alan stared at her hard before finally answering.
"Fine. But if she makes even one slip-up, you know what will happen."
Gwen managed a smile in return, an expression that rarely graced her face.
"But," Alan added, "make sure she doesn't remember seeing you or Horace in your true forms and the clock tower.
Horace followed Allan out, but paused suddenly. He turned back to Gwen, his eyes gleaming.
"Oh!" he exclaimed. "Could you also erase her memory of ever meeting me?"
"Why should I?" Gwen frowned, "I thought she was pretty, and cute,"
Horace smirked. "Honestly, she is."
Gwen scowled.
"But I prefer a short tempered and stubborn girl who hates to say the word "please"," he added with a laugh before walking away.
"He seems to be out of his mind," Gwen muttered, heading up the stairs where June was.
---
"Are you really going to let her leave like that?" Horace asked, stepping beside Alan.
"Yes," Alan replied flatly.
"Yes?" Horace pressed,"why?"
Alan's voice held a tone of finality and boredom. "I choose to."