here in the garden. stand very still.

Fate had been around since the start of the creation of the garden. They hadn't been doing... the best with their job lately, and they knew Life wouldn't be very happy to know they'd been sneaking away to go see it, to go see Aediculus and talk. But that didn't really matter to them. Aediculus was kind to them, just like Tricky was. So maybe they couldn't help themself. So maybe they were hoping to have another friend in this place.

It was going to be a big garden.

They think it took maybe... a few years to finish. Give or take. Which was fine! It gave them time to get to know Aediculus better, and Tricky, too. Wherever Fate went, Tricky was sure to follow. They could be a cute little trio! The thought made Fate happy. So they talked and talked. Maybe a few of their frustrations slipped through by accident, but Aediculus didn't seem to mind. He was always willing to listen to whatever they had to say, even offering some advice. And that made Fate happy, too.

. . . Of course, Fate was never allowed to remain happy.

That was their fate.

Life was the one to bring them to the garden, alone. No Tricky or Aediculus. They're nervous. She is smiling, but they can tell that something is wrong. They look up at Her, wanting to say something, but words fail. Caught in their throat uncomfortably.

"Fate,"

Life speaks and their eyes widen. This was not good. This was not good at all,

"I've been talking with Aediculus. About the garden..." Her smile turns into a frown here. "You know, I'm surprised he actually did it. Made all this, just to keep you here. I suppose I'm not the only one unhappy with you."

..What?

"You two looked like good friends, too. Isn't that a shame?"

Before they have a chance to reply, the doors to the garden slide open. They belatedly realise there isn't anything on the door to open it. There's a keypad on the side. Once you go in, there's no way out unless someone lets you out. Life drags them in. They struggle a bit, which was the wrong move, it always is, they always do the wrong thing.

"He wouldn't-" Life lets them go and they stumble, landing on their side on the ground. They slowly sit up. Then try again. "He wouldn't do that to me-" And Life tuts in sympathy. Like She really did feel bad for them. "Why do you think I tell you not to interact with anyone? You've gotten yourself hurt, and you only have yourself to blame." She shakes Her head. "You know I only want the best for you, right? I wouldn't have done this, but he asked me to. Maybe it was something you said?" Fate bites their tongue, not to stop themself from saying anything, but to stop themself from crying.

They wanted Tricky.

They wanted Tricky, because it was the only one they could trust in this place.

Life sighs.

"You'll be staying here for awhile. I'm sorry, I really am. Maybe you'll realise that I was right eventually."

She turns to leave, the doors still open. There was a chance for Fate to do something here. To run. To escape. But they stay on the ground, tears stinging their eyes. Life leaves and the doors slide shut. Trapping them in the garden.

They wait.

They wait, for something, for anything. For Aediculus to pop out of nowhere to tell them that this was all a misunderstanding. That everything Life said was a lie.

But no one comes.

And they are alone.

And they will stay this way, for a very long time.