The sound of footsteps on gravel reached my ears. I felt the constriction of every muscle in my body as it became suddenly tense. I drew a deep breath and forced my clenched fists to flex back into a somewhat relaxed position.
I didn't have to look to know. I knew. I knew that I knew. I knew that if I turned around to look, it wouldn't be anyone else. Instead, I stood, rigid, my back to him.
"You came." It was a statement, not a question. I bit my lower lip as the footsteps came to an abrupt halt. I had debated which approach would be the best, but had failed to come to a conclusion. That left me shooting in the dark, merely hoping for whatever could be considered as best.
"Your message said it was urgent. I don't even know how you got my cell number, I don't remember ever giving it to you."
I couldn't help but smile.
I had my ways. "That doesn't matter. What matters is that you
came."
"Yeah, about that. What's going
on?"
I sighed, the smile long wiped off my face. I couldn't really continue to avoid facing him. Slowly, ever so slowly, I turned his way, and automatically winced at the sight of the perplexity on his face.
On his cute, so adorable face.
"Damnit," I muttered, lowering my eyes to the ground. I fished around for words, but the English language failed me at that point. Sighing, I reluctantly raised my eyes to his once more.
"Look. This is just... I mean, I don't think..."
"What?" He arched an eyebrow, driven into a state of deeper confusion. "What's going on?"
I sent him an icy glare. "It's not exactly easy to say, okay? I don't know how to word it."
Another look of perplexity. "Okay, so... Just say whatever comes to mind."
I frowned. "I guess I don't have much of a choice."
A small shrug, with a smug look on his face. He wasn't making things any easier.
Okay, I thought to myself. Just
come out with all of it. Tell him how you thought you were developing
feelings for him and how he completely destroyed any hopes of that
when he told you about the incident. Wow. It doesn't sound so hard in
my head.
"Well?"
If looks could kill, I would have spared myself the emotional agony of having to admit it to him right then and there.
"Okay." I took a deep breath and decided to just come out with it all. "We've gotten to know each other, and for awhile I've been liking what I've been learning... I've been liking it a lot." I took note of the change in his emotions; his body tensed, as mine had; his eyes widened slightly in surprise, and I was pretty sure he knew what I was getting at. "I was... Growing feelings. I found myself dreaming again. I was happy... You made me happy."
Here I paused, allowing him to digest what I had said so far. He blinked a few times, and nodded silently. I took it as a sign to continue, and when I started back, the words began to tumble out of my mouth.
"I liked you, okay? I liked you, I wanted you to notice me, I wanted us to have a chance, and I wanted you to like me too. And before I could even get so much as one chance, you had to go and ruin everything by letting me know the kind of person you truly are."
This hit hard, and was unexpected. I could tell by the intake of breath, by the subtle yet noticeable drawback. The roles had been reversed; now it was he who was dumbstruck, and I who waited anxiously for an answer.
"I.. Well.. Wait." He frowned, suddenly regaining his air of confidence and certainty. "What do you mean, letting you know 'who I truly am'?"
I tried to shrug it off, uncomfortable with confronting him with this in particular. I decided to beat around the bush a little, if not just to buy me more time until I could figure out a good answer. "Well.. You... You know."
He shook his head in obvious denial. "No, actually, I don't know. I really don't know what you're talking about."
I sighed. "I just know, okay?"
"About what?"
"About it."
Another intake of breath, though this one was different. It was more audible; more... Serious. I frowned, slightly taken aback. I arched an eyebrow, imploring him to speak.
"But... How?"
"It's not really that hard to see."
He scoffed arrogantly. "What are you talking about?! I'm as discrete about that as any other of my kind, if not even more! There's no way you could possibly have just NOTICED. Someone must have told you." Suddenly he took a step towards me, the usual cheerful look in his eyes now replaced with a more menacing, evil glint. "Who told you?"
"What are you talking about?" I stared at him, beginning to feel afraid. This was highly uncharacteristic of him, and he had changed so drastically. I thought he had known what I was talking about, but now I wasn't so sure.
"You know," he breathed, not even trying to conceal the malevolence in his voice. "Telling someone other than one of our own is punishable by death."
I stared at him in disbelief, taking
a step back for every step he took towards me. Suddenly, I felt
something hard against my back; I tried to move further backwards,
but couldn't. I was against a wall.
"You have to
tell me who told you."
"I don't know what you're talking about," I repeated. I saw the anger flash in his eyes before he went to strike. With reflexes I hadn't known possible, I dodged his fist by a hair's width as it smashed into the wall behind me. I stared up at him in shock.
"What the hell-"
"You're protecting him, aren't you?!" He roared and made for a second strike, and again some unworldly presence granted me godly agility as I dodged his attempt to make contact. I scrambled a few feet away, and whirled to face him. I frowned; I was not looking at the same person I had started talking to just a few moments ago.
"What.. What's going on?" I stared as he drew himself up to his full height and eyed me in a way a tiger would eye its prey. I felt my body begin to tremble.
"You look frightened."
"That's because I am," I stated, deciding to try with an honest approach. "Can you please stop this? You're scaring me!"
"I wouldn't have to scare you if you could just tell me who you're trying to protect."
Once again I found myself backing away as he inched towards me. My mind was overflowing with questions, with doubts, but most of all with fears.
I don't understand, I thought, keeping my eyes locked on his for fear of what might happen if I dared to look away. I swallowed nervously to try to dislodge the lump that had suddenly formed in my throat, though the attempt was in vain.
"Just tell me who it is."
"Can you stop with the whole I'm-protecting-someone deal?" I hissed, beginning to feel slightly annoyed. "I'm not protecting anyone."
In a split second, his teeth were bared, a loud, ferocious snarl coming from deep in his throat. I saw him prepare half a second before he pounced; but this time, the godly presence did not come to my aid.
"LIAR!" He growled, and suddenly he flung himself at me. It happened so fast; I was aware of his face against mine, his arms around my waist, and then I was tackled to the rough gravel road. Before I could so much as move a muscle, he pinned me to the ground, pressing a leg against each side of my body and latching tightly onto my wrists.
"Stop... Making this difficult," he hissed, lowering his face so it was not even an inch away from mine. I struggled against his grasp, but he was far too strong; I couldn't move.
"Get OFF!"
"No." His lips twitched upwards in a cunning smile. "You're not going anywhere until you tell me what I want to know."
I groaned and tugged fruitlessly at my wrists, knowing it was impossible to free myself, yet trying desperately nonetheless. He laughed, mocking the futility of my efforts.
"I'm stronger than you," he said, a sing-song quality to his voice. He cocked his head to one side, eying what was the beginning of anger swelling in my eyes. "You can get as angry as you want; it won't change anything."
I opened my mouth to respond, but found myself once again at a loss for words. What could I say? There was nothing TO say. I was clueless as to what he was talking about, and I could plead innocence all I wanted; he wasn't going to believe a word of it.
That left me in a very uncomfortable... and dangerous situation.
"Thinking of finally telling me the truth now, are you?" He smiled at the look of concentration on my face. Suddenly, an idea struck me like a light bulb being turned on in the dark of night. I feigned a defeated sigh, and nodded.
"Yes," I muttered. "I give in. I'll... tell you."
"Good."
I drew a deep breath as he released his firm grip on my wrists and stood up. I clambered to my feet, relieved to be off my back and off the gravel ground.
"So. Who told you about us?"
I gulped nervously as my mind raced to produce an answer... Any answer. Something that would lead him astray and give me enough time to get away.
"Well?"
Just give him a name, shouted a voice at the back of my head. Automatically my mouth opened and produced the first name that came to my mind.
"Jan."
Richard blinked at the mention of Jan's name. "What?"
I
clasped my hands over my mouth immediately after I had spoken the
name. Oh, you twat, scolded the same voice that had driven me
to speak. Couldn't you have given him a name that was a LITTLE
more convincing?
"Ha!" Richard
grinned. "That's funny."
I wanted to ask why, but it was as if my larynx had been suddenly disconnected from my brain. I cocked my head and frowned, illustrating my confusion. He smirked.
"Good." He folded his arms across his chest in content. "We have actually grown slightly suspicious of him recently."
I felt my heart skip a beat as the realization of what I had done began to sink in. I still didn't understand what was going on, but I had very bad feeling that I had just put Jan in grave danger... Just to save myself.
"See? That wasn't so bad. I'd thank you for cooperating, but it would be so cliché."
"You're welcome," I mumbled, beginning to feel overwhelmed with guilt. Shit, shit, shit, I thought to myself. I have to do something. If he goes after Jan... If something happens... It'll be all my fault.
"You know what else would be cliché?" He paused slightly for dramatic effect. "Seeing as how I don't need you anymore..."
My eyes widened in horror. "You... You wouldn't...!"
He smirked. "I'm not usually one for clichés, but... I could make an exception just this once."
I shook my head vigorously. "No! No, I gave you what you wanted! You have to let me go!"
"I don't have to do anything," he replied matter-of-factly. "Though... I will make this fun, I promise you that."
I took a step back, staring at him in shock. I had just put Jan in danger... And it had been all for nothing. Richard was going to kill me anyway.
"Alright." Richard smiled. "I'm going to turn my back, and I'm going to count to five. After that, you'll either die, or you'll be out of my sight." He paused as he regarded my reaction in amusement. "Ready? Go!"
He swiftly turned his back to me, and I felt compelled to run. I whirled and ran, not knowing where I was going, but hoping I would find somewhere, anywhere, to hide. The sound of his voice counting reverberated painfully in my ears, and I found a rock to duck behind just as I heard him count five.
Don't move, I said softly to myself. I hugged my knees to my chest, unsure if I was completely concealed behind the rock. I shut my eyes, and prayed.
"Open your eyes, Vero!"
I opened my eyes, and let out a shrill scream. Who - no, WHAT - stood before me was definitely not Richard. His jet black skin... The fire red markings on his arms... The demonic wings that protruded from his back...
"What... The... HELL."
Richard laughed. "Been there, done that." He flexed his wings, and I gasped; they were massive. He grinned at my state of shock.
"Impressive, aren't they?" He reached back to gently pat his left wing. "Who needs the metro to get to school when you've got a set of these?"
I
pressed my back against the rock, unable to move. This is not
real... I forced myself to repeat in my mind. This can't be
happening... This can't be real... This is NOT real...
Richard
smiled. "Too bad. If you hadn't found out about this, I would've
liked having you as a friend. Oh," he added as an afterthought.
"I'm also flattered that you like me. Though I guess you might
want to reconsider those feelings now, huh?"
"This isn't real," I muttered aloud in an attempt to make it more convincing. I closed my eyes and repeated the saying three times; but when I opened it, he was still there, still a demonic creature, still staring down at me with an utterly bemused expression.
"See? I told you I would make it fun." He chucked, and sighed. "Sadly, I have to get going. I have to arrange a meeting with Jan."
I squeaked softly, the mention of Jan's name dumping more guilt on my already guilt-ridden conscience. Jan was innocent... He didn't deserve to die.
"Well. Any last words, a last request maybe?"
A shaky sigh escaped my lips, and a tear rolled down my cheek and splashed onto my hand. I blinked in shock; I hadn't been aware I had started to cry.
"Aww, touching; but crying won't save you."
I bit my lower lip and shakily got to my feet. I drew my fist across my eyes to rid them of the tears.
"Fine." I took a deep breath, and raised my head to look him in the eyes. I had decided that if I was going to die, I might as well do it with pride. I forced a smile, though it was more of a grimace.
"I do have one last request."
Richard cocked his head to the side, intrigued. "Oh? And what would that be?"
I balled my hands into fists, clenching them tightly. "Go ahead and kill me," I croaked. "But know that I hope you burn in the deepest pit of hell for the rest of eternity, you evil son of a bitch."
I saw the anger flare in his eyes, and I saw him dash towards me. He grabbed a fistful of my shirt and effortlessly tossed my body sideways, as a child might toss an unwanted toy. I held my breath as my body flew through the air, but the air was smashed out of my lungs as my body collided with the gravel on the ground.
"Damn you," a growling voice cursed. I winced in pain, and reluctantly rolled onto my side so I could look up. He was standing there, as he had been only minutes before, glaring down at me. I saw a flash of movement, and suddenly something crashed forcefully into my stomach. My body flew backwards, and once again crashed into the rocky ground, rolling over a few times before its momentum was lost. I bit back a scream and drew fast, shallow breaths, every intake of air filling my lungs with oxygen and pain. I groaned and tried to move, but my muscles screamed in agony and refused to comply. I shut my eyes and lay motionless, willing for the pain to stop.
All of a sudden I felt something ice cold enclose around my neck, and lift my body from the ground. My eyes flashed open as my hands flew to the giant claw that was constricting my neck. I gasped for breath, this time not paying heed to the searing pain in my lungs; I needed air. I needed to breathe.
"Let's see how long you last," Richard snarled, pressing his cold fingers tighter into my neck. I choked and sputtered for air, trying in vain to pry his fingers from my neck; the corners of my vision had already grown dark. In one last attempt to free myself, I channeled all my energy into my left leg and drove it upwards in a swift kick. I felt it collide with something.
"Ow, damnit!" Suddenly the constriction around my neck lifted. I collapsed to the ground, pain searing to new heights. I paid it no heed; I drew in as much air as my lungs would allow, ignoring the throbbing heat in my neck. I had never been so relieved to breathe in my entire life; I gulped in the air hungrily.
"There went your last breaths, Vero! Say goodbye!"
I opened my mouth to protest, and for the third time I felt my body being lifted without any effort off the ground, and I was sent flying. This time, my side collided against a wall with an audible snap. I let out a cry of pain as my body tumbled to the ground in a crumpled heap.
"Ah, the sound of human bone breaking... It's like music to my ears."
I wondered what he was talking about, and suddenly I became aware of a new sensation, a pain hotter and more extreme than the rest. Shakily I moved my head to look at my arm, and almost cried out in shock at the peculiar angle at which my elbow was bent. I closed my eyes and let my head fall gently to the ground. It was over.
"Well, let's get this over with."
As soon as the words left his mouth, I was hoisted up in the same manner as I had been before, but this time with two hands around my neck instead of just one. I felt myself suddenly pinned against a wall, and the hands began to tighten. I had no way to stop it, no energy to fight it.
This was it.
I struggled to lift my eyelids, which had grown surprisingly heavy. I wanted to die cursing his face in my mind, cursing his existence with my soul. The evil glint in his eyes was the last thing I focused on as my vision began to rapidly fade.
"NO!"
Suddenly there was a blinding flash of the brightest white light I had ever seen. I felt the hands around my neck shake, and then I was blissfully aware of a soothing warmth prying the ice claws off of me. I slid down the wall to my knees, and my body lurched forward. I was prepared to meet gravel for the umpteenth time that day, but miraculously my body fell instead into open arms.
"It's okay," a soothing voice caressed my ears. "You're going to be okay."
I mumbled something inaudible, and the voice hummed a soft, melodic tone. I grimaced and somehow managed to pry one eye open. Had I any energy left, I would have let out a cry of shock.
Instead, my last bit of energy finally gave out, and I met unconsciousness knowing the last thing I had seen was an angel.
