The Castle In The Woods
A/N: I have finished chapter 9 and am working on chapter 10 so I hope I'll finish it soon. Enjoy and please oh please continue reviewing. Disclaimer: I do not own kingdom hearts.
Ventus POV:
My face hit the floor hard as I tried to stand. I struggled to get up but my arms trembled making me fall again. My body was getting weaker everyday. I had tried eating the bread but the drugs made me feel strange so I gave up. The water was still sitting next to the plate of bread, untouched. I had found a small leak in the ceiling that let in the rain. I had been drinking that. My face had become thin and my body was getting extremely skinny. I coughed and watched in dismay as blood splattered on the stone floor. I huddled against the corner of the wall and pulled myself into the fetal position. "He's in here. Please, be gentle with it. We need it for money and research," Saix's voice said from the other side of the door. I feebly looked up at the stranger. He was a very thin man with an eyepatch covering one eye. His face was scarred deeply. I looked away and didn't bother to fight back as he picked me up. I had been given clothing that covered almost everyinch of my body so people could touch me. "He looks like he's about to snuff out, Saix. We might have to take him to the medical center," the man said. I felt cold and shivered violently. Suddenly, I began to cough viciously, my lungs heaving with effort. The blood ran down my lips and chin. The man and Saix both gasped and I was hurried to a large white room.
I shut my eyes and felt my heart tremble. 'No...I'm not dying yet. I have to see Vanitas again,' I thought. The thought of Vanitas made my heart warm slightly. The man set me down on a soft bed and walked away without a word. I didn't care much that he left so I opened my eyes to look at my surroundings. The room was very large and white. I tried to look more around the room but my eyes were too heavy. I was about to shut them when a girl walked in. Her appearance was extremely frightening to me. She had short blonde hair with two pieces resembling antennas. Her eyes were a sharp and cold ice blue. "Ah, you must be the freaky lame thing that no one can touch. I'm Larxene, the doctor. Not fucking nice to meet you. I have to see what's wrong with you or I'm fired. So just do what I say and stay quiet, okay?" she said curling her lip. I simply looked away and closed my eyes. She pinched and prodded my skin with rubber gloves, examining every part of me. When she pressed her stethoscope against my chest, she gasped. "Breathe in deep for me, dork," she said with a serious expression. I did as I was told but I began to cough again. Larxene frowned and removed her stethoscope. "Saix, get your ass in here," she snapped. Saix hurried through the door and looked at her expectantly. She tapped my chest with her finger and snarled. "You gave the poor kid pneumonia, you fucking idiot. I mean, it's not like he's already uber pathetic already but now he's at maximum level. You should have put him in better living quarters so stuff like this didn't happen. He's probably dying," she snapped. Saix blanched pale and apologized. As Larxene hooked me up to an I.V., I stared at the window, watching the light snow fall. "What are you going to do with me?" I asked quietly, my voice faint. Larxene froze. Saix shuffled forward and looked down at me coldly. "We're selling you to Vexen and Demyx. They want you for research and to be a part of their circus of freaks," he said. I barely felt the tears as they ran silently down my cheeks. "Why? Why couldn't you just let me be?" I asked hearing the faint sound of my voice. He seemed surprised and looked at Larxene for help. She sneered at him and went to the other side of the room. "You were killing people. We wanted to know how," she said. I sighed and stared up at the ceiling. "Criminals, serial killers, psychopaths kill people in purpose. Yet they are left alone. I was born with this curse and don't want to kill people yet I'm taken from my family and sold for experimentation and freaks. You are all cruel and cold," I whispered. Saix looked away in shame, even Larxene seemed a little guilty. I closed my eyes and let the tears leak and fall down my cheeks and neck. Before I slipped out of consciousness, I felt Larxene press a needle in the crook of my arm. The liquid burned into my blood and I went into a deep unconsciousness.
Vanitas POV:
"We might know where Ventus is," Terra said. I felt hope fill me then suspicion took its place. "How?" I asked narrowing my eyes. Terra opened his mouth to speak but stopped when a man shot us a look. "Just trust us, Vanitas," he said quietly. I curled my lip and punched him full force in the jaw. He fell backwards and held his jaw. "Terra!" Aqua cried kneeling down and taking him in her arms. "I don't trust you. I can't believe you want to help Ventus after all the shit you put him through," I snarled clenching my fists. Both of them stared at me in shock. I bared my teeth in hatred and put my face close to theirs. "Ventus should have killed you when he had the chance. You both are so pathetic. You're cruel to Ventus then want to be the heroes? I don't think so. It doesn't work that way. You either be the hero by wanting to help because he's your friend or don't help at all. All you want is attention, you don't truly want to save Ven. I'm the only person he needs right now and I'm going to him because he needs me," I said my eyes flashing. Aqua flinched with every word and Terra lowered his eyes in shame. I turned and started to walk away. "The old castle in the woods," Aqua said. I turned to face her. "What?" I asked in surprise. Aqua lifted her head and stared intently at me. "The old castle in the woods. That's where Ventus is. I saw a group of men take him there," she said. I stared at her, confused. She stood and helped Terra up. "Why are you telling me this?" I asked.
Aqua flinched and returned her gaze to me. Terra held his jaw and copied her. "We feel guilty about what we did to him. He never did us any harm yet we were cruel to him. We want to apologize. This is a way we can help," Terra said. I clenched my jaw and looked away. They sounded like genuine words yet I was still wary. "Thank you," I said shooting them a small glance. They nodded and gestured to the car. "We can take you there," Aqua said. I was about to protest but the wind blew harshly against my face. I shivered and agreed. As I got into the car, I thought about Ven. 'I'll be there soon, love. Soon, you'll be safe.'
Ventus POV:
I felt like screaming as the medication burned down my throat. "Oh, did that hurt you? Good it was supposed to," Larxene said smiling. I just starred at her, a dead expressionless look on my face. She bit her lip and looked away. She pulled out a clipboard and looked over it. "Seems you're getting better, Hack-A-Lung. Your lungs have less fluid in them now," she said giggling at the nickname. I looked away and sighed. My body felt dead, my heart was aching, and my throat burned. I was not better. I focused my mind on the image of Vanitas and smiled slightly. "What are you smiling about, weirdo?" Larxene asked placing the clipboard down. My smile vanished as did the image of Vanitas. She looked at me curiously and shrugged.
"The Superior is planning on visiting you today, Blood Vomit. You be on your best behavior," she said once again giggling at her nickname for me. I sighed and closed my eyes. I hadn't spoken for quite some time and my throat ached. "Speak of the devil. Good evening, Mansex, how's it hanging?" she said curling her lips into a smirk. I looked up at the grey haired man as he studied me. The man ignored her and continued to stare at me. I trembled in fear as I looked into his eyes. They were yellow and looked like they were staring into my soul. "Is he well?" he asked suddenly not taking his eyes away from me. Larxene nodded quickly and handed him the clipboard. He scanned over it and smiled. I flinched at the inhuman grin that spread across his face. "Today..is a momentous day. The opportunity to sell him has been given at last. Larxene, call Vexen and inform him of the news," he said in a smooth deep voice. Larxene frowned but did as she was told. Saix entered the room, carrying my breakfast. I felt my stomach flip at the sight of the food. Each piece would be filled with medication. Medication that burned like flames. I looked away in fear of vomiting. The Superior glanced at Saix and raised an eyebrow. "Ah. Hello, Xemnas, sir. I-I was just giving the boy his breakfast," Saix said looking very flustered and embarrassed. If I could giggle I would have. Larxene had had a bet with him that she could get me well overnight. He lost the bet and now he was wearing a skimpy black maid outfit with thigh highs and hair tired back in a ribbon. Saix looked down at his feet in utter embarrassment. Xemnas didn't seem to notice his embarrassed expression and looked Saix up and down. "I don't believe I've ever seen you in such a state, Saix. It's quite attractive," he said silkily.
Saix shuffled from side to side, his face beat red. I turned my head away as Xemnas pulled him close. I closed my eyes and once again imagined Vanitas. My heart warmed and I almost instantly felt better. 'Oh, Vanitas, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me for causing you such disgust. I'm sorry I love you,' I thought my eyes slowly filling with tears. I knew I wasn't entirely sorry; I was not ashamed of loving him. I guessed that I was saying sorry because he reacted so badly. I never intended to disgust him. All I ever wanted was for him to love me. The tears slipped from my eyes and seeped down my temples, falling into my ears and hair. "Why are you always crying, kid? Are you seriously that sad and pathetic?" Larxene asked suddenly her voice cutting into my melancholic thoughts. I ignored her and continued to think of Vanitas. She picked up my arm and pierced the delicate skin with a needle. I clenched my fists tightly to deal with the pain. Then something unusual happened. Larxene smiled kindly at me. An actual genuine smile. Her appearance seemed to soften as the smile stretched. "I know it sucks. I have had this shot before. Don't worry though, it gets better," she said. I looked at her in surprise. Was she being nice? I opened my lips to say something but no words came out. Larxene looked around to see if anyone was around, then leaned down to me. She had a very serious expression and looked nervous. "I am healing you now, Ventus, but I need you to do me a favor. Please, when I have completely healed you, I need you to kill me," she said softly her voice revealing deep sadness. I widened my eyes and looked at her in confusion. "Larxene, why would you-?" I asked unable to finish. I tried to swallow the lump in my throat. "Look, I have been through hell and back. Honestly, death would be a wonderful release. I would be extremely grateful if you did," she said tiredly. I hesitated, my eyes starting to burn from the medication. Larxene frowned and removed a small cloth from her bag. Reaching up to my eyes, she lightly dabbed the tears away. I nearly screamed when I saw the blood. She shot me a look then hurried out of the room. I barely had time to think before my head started to pound. I clutched my forehead and cringed in pain. "It's my turn now, Ventus," a voice said. Startled, I looked around the room for the source of the voice. I was alone. "What do you mean? Who are you?" I asked. I felt my lips pull into a smirk by themselves. "I am what you were meant to be. I'm the Other Ventus Strife, the darkness inside you. I am you. Your parents forced me away by setting a ridiculous spell that forced me to dwell in the deepest recesses of your mind. What your parents didn't seem to notice is that their little protection spell backfired. I have been trying to gain control for years but you were never weak enough. You always were a bit of a strong case. But I have control now and I am going to make the most of it," the voice said again. I was close to hyperventilating, my heart beating rapidly. The voice was coming from me. I was saying these things.
I felt suddenly like an electric current was pushing itself through my veins. My legs twitched and my fingers brushed against the sheets. "Wonderful. I have your body in my control," the voice purred. I flinched but I couldn't fight back; I was too weak. With a sharp tug, my fingers ripped out the tubes and started to pull back the blanket when the man with the eye patch stepped in. Shocked, he stood still. I smiled slyly and stood up shakily. As he opened his mouth to scream an alarm, I lurched forward and caught his neck. He convulsed and his eyes rolled back. I watched in disgust as his stomach acid rose and ripped out of his mouth, spewing everywhere. I dropped him to the floor and kicked his face to the side. There was a sharp snap and his neck twisted in an unnatural position. I was forced to stumble through the castle, my body being manipulated like a puppet on strings. I was halfway through the castle when I heard footsteps running towards me. Turning, I watched as Saix and Larxene rushed towards us. With a snarl, Saix leaped for me. I smirked and snatched his face while he was in mid leap. He didn't make a sound just stared at me. His skin paled and I watched in horror as his veins bulged. I flinched back as his veins burst, leaving his whole body black and blue. Saix breathed out softly and his eyes faded. I threw him down and stared intently at Larxene. She looked terrified, her bright blue eyes trembling. "Wasn't this the one who wanted to die?"the voice asked me. I didn't get the chance to answer for Larxene had already taken my bare face between her hands.
"Thank you, Ventus. I appreciate it," she said staring into my eyes. I felt a strange heaviness fill me. I kneeled down and grasped her hand. As her body convulsed from the electric power rushing painfully through her, she smiled. I felt a tear go down my cheek as the light faded from her eyes. I suddenly jerked upwards and looked down at her in disgust. "Honestly, what a lame way to die," I scoffed. I continued to kill people. My face was splattered with blood and my stomach was heaving. The final person in the castle was standing in the corner, his entire body shaking. "P-please don't k-kill me. I will do anything you want," the boy said sliding to the floor. I giggled and looked down at the boy with mock pity. His hair swept into his eyes making him seem even more pathetic. I leaned down and whispered softly in his ear. "What's your name, sexy?" I purred. He flinched and glanced up at me. I wanted so badly to force the person controlling me away but I was still too weak. "Z-Zexion," the boy whispered. I chuckled slightly and brushed his hair away from his face, my fingers brushing his forehead. "Sorry that you can't stay sexy, Zexy," I said smirking as the boy began to bleed out of his eyes. As I stood up and walked towards the door, I knew I had to fight back. I summoned all my power and tried to push the boy controlling me away. He fought back viciously, his energy searing through my quickly fading consciousness. If I didn't force him out now, he would have complete control of me. I struggled to push him out but my strength was fading fast. I was close to giving up when I heard his voice. Vanitas's voice, his deep lovingly smooth voice, was drifting to my ears. I heard footsteps and looked up. I collapsed onto the floor as the boy fought harder. I saw a figure fill the front doorway, his body completely recognizable. "Vanitas," I breathed before the boy forced my voice away.
A/N: Okay, I know that was confusing. I hope you guys figured out who was who. If not, I AM SO SORRY! I pray that this is one of my better chapters and you all review. Chapter 10 will be coming soon.
