Crimson Midnight
III. Collin remembers a pair of emerald eyes
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Collin's chest throbbed with an aching pain—wistful pain. Just seconds ago, he had placed the phone down, hearing the words that Jimena had solemnly spoken. Serena, his adoring sister, was captive. He remembered the hope that soared into his heart when he heard of Vanessa's escape—expecting Serena to be with her—, but Jimena had sadly informed him that Serena hadn't made it out.
I can't do anything for her, he thought angrily.
Useless, he could honestly say. This filthy dimension—this Nefandus, as Jimena had explained—caused a swarm of rage to consume his body, replacing the emptiness in his soul. Their father was already a shell of a man, constantly marching into their home, hopeful for Serena's return. And every time he entered, that same shimmer of faith in his expression diminished into nothing.
"I should have been more connected to her life," he often spoke to Collin, guilt crossing his features.
"It's not your fault."
Their father would never reply, but would merely excuse himself to his office, where Collin couldn't even guess as to what he was doing. And Collin would escape to Serena's bedroom, where'd he constantly reminisce, recalling her jovial laughter and bright emerald eyes that shined with unimaginable emotion everyday. He lost his mother. He couldn't lose his sister, the dearest family to his heart.
And now, as he sat on her bed, he stared up at the sky through the French doors. Darkness engulfed the moon, and he prayed Serena wasn't dead—was her death the cause of this odd eclipse? This rabid apocalypse? Was it truly the end of the world?
"Not yet."
Collin jumped, startled. Stanton appeared, a frown etched onto his face. Tendrils of shadowy tentacles whipped around him, still entwined with his body. A smile flashed across Collin's face as he stood, expecting another form—a flurry of curls, maybe—to appear beside him, but as the seconds ticked by, the shadows under Stanton dispersed. In turn, Stanton's eyes became troubled; conflicted with emotion.
"Where's Serena?" Collin asked, sadly.
"In Nefandus still," Stanton replied, the bitterness in his voice obvious.
"You have to save her!"
Stanton crossed his arms. "I will."
"Then what are you doing here?" Collin demanded, overcome with a passionate hatred and frustration triggered toward no one in particular. "Why aren't you there, saving her?" His body tensed. "You don't care do you? You were using her the entire time, weren't you?"
Malice consumed Stanton's calm expression. "I would never abandon her." The chaos returned to his eyes. "I love her."
"Why are you here?" Collin asked.
"To inform you that your sister will be safe. Don't worry."
Collin rubbed his temples and slumped back down. He stared up at Stanton, somewhat uncertain. "Are you sure about that?"
"Of course," Stanton responded. "Do you honestly believe I would allow anything to happen to her?"
"… I'm not sure."
Stanton scoffed. "You need to have hope for her life—she's a Daughter of the Moon. She lives off hope."
Collin smiled sadly. "Can you guarantee she'll be back?"
Hesitation played across his face, causing Collin to narrow his eyes. "What is it?"
"I can honestly say she'll be alive," Stanton said, emotionless, "but I didn't say she'd be back."
"Why—?" Collin stopped short, recalling Serena's third choice. The sorrow returned, but a part of him still felt the bliss. "She'll be alright," he whispered, "But she'll stay with you…" He gazed up at Stanton. "How sure are you she'll choose it?"
A small sense of dread crossed the Prince's eyes. "I'm not… I'm just hoping."
Collin, after gazing at his hands for several moments, finally smiled.
"I hope she does, too."
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Their father is nothing but a withering man, unable to process lively. He goes to work, comes home, eats, and then disappears to his office. It's as though his body is functioning on automatic, but his mind no longer works properly; efficiently. Collin once again sits on the bed once belonging to his sister—it was two days ago that Stanton visited. His words are the only hope still left within Collin.
The door to Serena's bedroom opens, and Jimena enters.
"Serena?" Collin stands. "Is she—?"
"She's in Nefandus," Jimena intervenes, smiling assuring; sadly. "She sealed the portals to the world so the Followers there can't leave anymore—can't enter earth anymore." She sighed. "But because Stanton had to remain there, she—"
"Chose to stay with him," he finished, slumping onto the bed. "Forever…"
Jimena sat down beside him and rested her head on his shoulder. He rubbed her arm, knowing how much she was affected, also. "I'm sorry," she murmured, pressing her lips to his cheek. "I'll miss her." Jimena is conflicted, as she restrains the urge to scream—to choke out pointless sobs. But no… she was Pandia, a guardian who needed strength—she concealed the tears by thinking of the happier side that was given to Serena: that side being able to spend an eternity of love with Stanton, and take control of her destiny over the balance of the dark and the light.
"It's for the best," Collin finally said, somewhat choking on his words.
"For her happiness," Jimena agreed. "She told me Stanton truly made her happy awhile back."
"… And Catty? Vanessa?" Collin whispered, actually feeling glad for his sister's happiness, but now concerned for the other Daughters.
Jimena shook her head. "… Catty is dead…" The word hung on the air, thick, and the deadness in her eyes snared with the small proportion of happiness. "Vanessa chose to lose her memories and start life over as a normal being." Jimena covered her mouth, concealing the sob that nearly broke through her strong barriers. "But it still feels as if I've lost everyone—as if I'm alone. My friends are gone. Vanessa doesn't even now."
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "For everyone." He caressed her cheek lovingly; reassuringly. "I'm sorry for you, too."
"Everyone," Jimena repeated.
Collin could honestly remember watching the five Daughters—his sister, Jimena, Catty, Vanessa, and Tianna—together, never once faltering with their destinies or their current status as saviors. They were truly Goddesses, untouched by death or pain it seemed; even when Serena had broken up with Stanton, although tormented by the painful longing for her love. Not even when Tianna lost her family or Jimena, not as affected by the brutality in past life as a gangster. These five weren't mere mortals, he often thought. They were beautiful, emotionally and physically. Death could never catch them…
And yet, in these past months, he realized how actually mortal they are… they were.
The hollowness returned, and a lazy smile crossed his face as images of Serena and Jimena laughing loudly together, locked in an embrace of true friendship; or even Catty, teasing a pouting Vanessa; and Tianna, the newcomer who easily became one of them, joining in on the bliss that Collin believed would last forever.
This bliss did remain there for eternity, despite how far apart they were from earth—within Serena, who finally could be with her love peacefully; Tianna, away from the pain and in the arms of her savior, Selene; Catty, away from the evils of her destiny and at peace. Vanessa, although probably not able to be as completely whole with the loss of her friends, could start over—be away from the Atrox and live normally.
Jimena sighed. "We'll be okay," she assured, whispering.
"I know," Collin responding truthfully.
They had each other, after all.
Next up: Where do we go in life now?
—I feel so sorry for Collin! It makes me cry. And Jimena, too! And Vanessa! And… everyone! But especially Collin and Jimena.