The Red Angel
by CrystalHorse72
A/N: Hehe!! Hi peeps!! ^_^ I have 20 some stories up and I'm starting a new one!!!! And my loyal friends are gonna kill me!!!! Alrightly, very angsty story here... bout Bernard... I have almost no plot planned, but I have a few scenes, so you might wanna help me with some of it ^_^ R&R!!! Also... I DO NOT OWN THE SANTA CLAUSE!!!!! I DON'T WANT TO!!! I JUST WANT BERNARD!! ^_~
Glimpses
chapter 1
A young boy, only about ten or so, trudged along dirt paths, walking stick in hand, humming a warm tune to himself. He ws going to visit his cousin... even the thought made him smile. His cousin was a bit older than him, so Elijah looked up to him. He was a curious, bright eyed boy, and his cousin always managed to quench his thirst for adventure.
Suddenly, he heard something behind him. A bit startled, he swivelled around in a whirl of black curls.
Er... hello, he was a bit shocked by the gruff looking man in front of him. He wasn't really afraid... he was to curious to be afraid.
Hello little boy. And where might you be going today? the man smiled dangerously, but Elijah hardly noticed.
To visit my cousin! he smiled brightly.
Oh god... run away... run away...
You cousin, eh? the man eyed him almost hungrily.
Just go... please, just run!
Elijah replied with a smile. He was unaware of the man approaching from behind him.
Oh please... run while you can! Don't let them do this to you!
What is your name? the man asked.
the boy chirped back, holding out his hand to shake the man's.
NO! DON'T! JUST RUN! RUN AWAY!
Well Elijah, you will soon learn you shouldn't be so trusting of strangers, the man cackled, making Elijah's face fall. He started to withdraw his hand as the man smiled in a horribly wicked fashion.
NO! RUN! GET AWAY! PLEASE DON'T DO THIS TO HIM! YOU CAN'T!
The man suddenly grabbed Elijah's hand, twisting it so hard that the boy let out a blood curlding scream, tears springing to his eyes. A sharp kick was delt to his side, making him cry out, and he crashed down into the dust.
A pair of hands grabbed him and wrenched him to his feet before holding a drugged cloth over his face as the tears ran from his eyes.
NO! STOP IT!
Elijah tried to fight it, but there was nothing he could do. He was slipping slowly, falling... falling into their merciless hands...
~*~
Bernard sat straight up, breathing hard. There was a wetness about his face, though he wasn't sure if it was sweat or tears. Oh dear god... he slumped down, burrying his face in his hands. His shoulders shook with the same tears he had cried that day. Why didn't I just run... why...
And as if the dream had been real, his wrist burned with searing pain and his side ached like nothing most would ever feel.
But he'd felt it before. Oh yes, the pain had been real. The blood, the screams, the buring pain, the tears... they were real.
Bernard had drawn a fine line between what was truth and what was lie. The truth was a frail boy, beaten and broken, begging for mercy as he lay drenched in his own blood. The lie was the cheery elf, pulling on his clothes and preparing to start the new day with a smile. Those were the truths and the lies... his truth, and his lies. And the blood...
The blood was his past.
~*~
Bernard tried to smile. He really did. Everyone could tell something was wrong, though. When he smiled, it didn't touch his eyes like normal. The pools of brown didn't twinkle with their normal light. And, or course, since all of them were rather fond of their Head Elf, everyone tried their best to cheer him up.
~*~
You called, sir? Bernard said a bit dully as he stood before Santa.
Well, Bernard, he seemed a bit hesitant as he turned from his work to speak with one of his favorite elves, but when he saw the lack of light and energy that usually shone within them, that stiffened his resolve. You see, several of your co-workers are a bit... er... worried... no, that isn't the right word... REALLY worried... yes, thats right... and I'd like to know if anything's wrong.
Abbey walked into the room. She had heard the rumors about Bernard, for elves were particularily gosspiy creatures, and had brewed a large pot of Hot Cocoa as an excuse to steal into his office. Her worries about the kind elf were proven true when he didn't even look up at her. Bernard would always smile at her, no matter what type of day... it was just his sort of habbit. When he barely gave her so much as a nod, her eyebrows knitted together in concern.
N-no sir... nothing's wrong... nothing at all, Bernard tried his best to smile, and it almost fooled Santa, but he noticed that it didn't touch the elf's eyes, which made him sigh and rub his forehead.
Bernard, you aren't a very good liar, you know, Abbey seemed to startle them both as she set the tray down on Santa's desk. If anyone, Santa would be the one to tell your troubles. She handed Scott Calvin his cup, which he accepted gratefully. She then turned and grinned up at Bernard, who attempted to return it. Would you like some too? Bernard sighed heavily before giving her a small smile. It warmed her heart, though, for, if only for a moment, it made his eyes shine a little.
How can I resist your amazing cocoa? he asked, which made the little elf blush.
Well, I wouldn't call it amazing... the looked at the floor, twirling her dress about her as a small blush brightened her face. Bernard laughed lightly and patted her head affectionately. That made them both smile.
It was amazing, but a simple thing such as a cup of cocoa seemed to bring a bit of the normal twinkle back to the brown of his eyes, which made Abbey's whole day. When she left, she couldn't stop grinning.
Scott began, setting down his cup. Is there anything... anything at all... that you'd like to tell me? Bernard closed his eyes, a painful look spreading across his face, and the cup in his hands began to shake. After swallowing, he opened his eyes again and managed a forced smile.
No, nothing sir, he replied, shifting his feet, looking as if he'd turn and run first chance he got. His hands began to shake even more, and the brown liquid began to spill out the sides and burn his hands. Santa hardly failed to notice.
was all he had to say to show how incredibely unconvinced he was. The elf met Scott's eyes, and he sighd painfully.
I-I'll tell you, he forced, and as he shut the deep, pools of brown, his entire body began to shudder. He stood there for a long while, and the color began draining from his face. He attempted to speak several times, but all that came out was choked whispers. Scott leaned forward, concerned, but jumped back in surprise not a moment later.
Bernard let out a loud cry and dropped the cup, which shattered into hundreds of pieces on the floor. Scott barely noticed... what really startled him was that Bernard suddenly slumped to the ground, the glass drawing blood in a few places.
GOOD GOLLY, BERNARD! Scott cried, staring at the elf on the floor.
Bernard screamed, clapping his hands to either side of his forehead and a claw-like position, tears streaming down from under closed eye-lids as he began to shake so violently that the shudders before looked like nothing.
Scott, rather frightened, reached out to touch Bernard's shoulder. At the touch, the elf screamed and leapt out of reach, spinning around and staring at Scott with terrified, wide eyes, his breath coming in raggid gasps. A moment later, his eyes rolled back into his head and he slumped down, hitting his head on he coffee table and rolling off it before laying still on the floor.
Scott shook his head and lumbered across the room before kneeling down next to Bernard. A bit hesitantly, he reached out and shook the elf's shoulder. He stirred slightly and his eyes opened in tiny, unfocused slits.
The Red Angel... he murmured, and then said no more.
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A/N: I think that was a bit corny, and I had to use the Thesaurus for smile and some other word *shrugs*, but other than that, I'm kinda proud of my first chapter. Well, all day today (started this last night), I thought of ideas for a plot and its coming along nicely... and yes, this is supposed to become kinda angsty ^_^ You know what, I just realized how pointless it would be to say R&R... obviously, you've just read it, so all I have to say is:
REVIEW!!!!!! ^_^