Chapter Text
Noelle knew there was no Hometown baseball team anymore, yet she was still drawn to the abandoned field that used to hold games that the whole town would go to. Despite the size of the field, it stood untouched, weeds growing everywhere. Untouched by everyone but Noelle, she supposed.
She liked to imagine that maybe, just maybe, she’d run into Dess in the field, practicing her swinging like nothing ever happened. But she knew that would never happen. Dess had gone missing years ago, and there was no trace of her ever since.
Something strange that Noelle noticed before Dess disappeared was that she didn’t act like herself in the days before. She said things she’d never say, did things she’d never done before, and was just… distant. It confused Noelle. It’s like Dess was a shell of who she really was, being controlled by some other force.
As she sat on the empty bleachers, she found herself staring into the distance, tears forming in her eyes. Dess would be in college now. Noelle remembered her telling her that she had been wanting to play baseball professionally, maybe start a rap career, and get famous. She played back the memory, smiling bittersweetly.
“Hey, Elly,” said Dess, striding into Noelle’s room. The then twelve-year-old Noelle Holiday clutched her tablet to her chest protectively. She’d been drawing, but she didn’t want anyone to judge her.
“Relax,” Dess said, noticing Noelle’s tenseness. “I ain’t gonna bite. Whatcha doin’?”
“Drawing,” Noelle said shyly.
“Can I see?” she asked. Noelle nodded and turned her tablet around.
“It’s my favorite ship. From Dragon Blazers…” Noelle said, averting her gaze. The art was of two strong-looking, blushing women holding hands.
“Oh, type shit? That’s my favorite ship too!” Dess said excitedly. “You know, you’ve got an excellent taste in ladies. Strong and protective, but big ol’ softies on the inside. Gotta respect that, Ells.”
Noelle met her eyes and laughed, blushing slightly. “Y-yeah….”
“You’ve got a future in art, I tell ya. I couldn’t draw for shit at your age, still can’t. But ya know… college is comin’ up real soon for me. I mean, junior year, that’s when shit gets serious. You wanna know what I’m planning?”
“What, Dess?” Noelle asked.
“I’m gonna be famous,” Dess boasted. “I’ma play baseball, like, in the big leagues. And if I can, I’ll be a rapper too. I can see it already. Wanna hear my rapper name?”
Noelle giggled and nodded.
“Alright. Lemme know what you think…” She drummed her hands on the bedframe. “D-E-Double-Dollar! Y’know, spelled like Dess, but with dollar signs instead of the S. That sound cool?”
Noelle laughed. “Yeah! It really gives off your personality.”
“Ha! Yes! I knew you’d like it,” said Dess. “Well, Azzy’s been dying to hop on Minecrap with me, and I’d best not keep him waiting. See ya, bud.”
“See you.”
Noelle wished she could have those times back. She just wanted to see Dess again. She wanted to see her become successful, but it seemed like that would never be.
After crying for a while, Noelle stood up and brushed the leaves off her shirt. She sighed. Better get going before Mom freaks out, she thought. She walked over to the gate, pushed it open, and headed towards the town hall.
***
It’s dark. I can feel the presence of someone. Someone familiar. Yet, I have no control. I’m being dragged further and further away from them and there’s nothing I can do.