Warning that I forgot to say last time, Grell is a hermaphrodite for this arc.
"Just promise me to behave, and I might even let you say goodbye."
The cuff was finally unlocked. She was free.
He took her hand, and guided her over to where Lawrence stood. "Well, lets get going. Poor lil' souls must be feeling lonely." The three left the room, walking down the stairs and out of the house. Streetlights gave a dim illumination as they walked past the abandoned paths. Houses were destroyed and rubble consumed the park where Grell would often take Ronnie to meet with his friends. This was only a fraction of the real damage they had caused. She stifled her cries, wanting nothing more than to tear those two into tiny pieces with her Scythe. They kept going, and soon breached the doors of the Great Library.
"Ah, it has changed quite a bit since I was last here, wouldn't you agree, old fellow?"
"Yes, indeed it has." Replied the mustached Reaper. "Let's get on with this. We have more important things to do." The trio marched down the flights of stairs, air getting chilly and damp as they went. A shiver went through Grell's spine. Adrian brought her closer, pressing her to his side. "Are you cold, m'dear?" Instantly, she pushed him away, gritting her teeth and frowning.
"Get away from me. I'm fine." Her expression died as she saw his ever-present smile turn sour. He loomed over her in a second, making her shrink into herself at his intimidating presence. "Now, now, we had a deal, remember? Play nice." He chastised, then moved on as if nothing had happened. She followed in silence, letting him drape his arm over her shoulders without further complaints for fear of him lashing out again. I have to be strong for them! Keep it together!
They passes the darkened halls, entering the chambers of the Dungeon. Wails from the Reapers imprisoned resonated all over the place, composing a symphony of despair. As they went, she recognized her colleagues and friends amongst the crowd. One of them, the transfer from Scotland, Eric Slingsby looked upon her; sensing her anguish, fueling his own rage. "Oi, bastard! Get your filthy hands off'a her!" He ran up to the barriers, banging on the metal bars. "I swear-"
"There's no need for that, chap." Adrian's cold smirk was directed at the blond, freezing him to his place. "I promise to take care of your friend over here, I've taken a liking." Onyx clawed hands squeezed the redhead's shoulder in what should've been a comforting manner, yet came out entirely disturbing. Eric gave her a helpless look, feeling broken and defeated. "Don't worry, Red. We'll pull through, we always do." He retreated to the back of the cell, a deep frown marring his handsome features. A raven haired Reaper adjusted his glasses, a usually stoic face crumbling to show the fear hidden beneath the mask. He eyed the pair, feeling a pang of sympathy for his normally flamboyant coworker. When he saw her like this, he wished that things went back to how they were before. He had never realized how he liked her smile, how it always brought a sense of comfort, until now. He couldn't stand the look of defeat on her face, on the face of the first person to ever call him a friend.
Their eyes met, and for a second, that insecurity vanished. She stared at him intently, reaching for his soul with her gaze. He let her in, and heard her voice. In the trance, he knew what was to be done.
"We'll get out, Sutcliff. You take care of yourself." He adjusted his glasses once again, and retreated over to Eric's side. More tears came down Grell's reddened eyes as she nodded and was pulled away from them. She knew what would happen; they still had hope, but she still feared him.
"I wouldn't trust them, m'dear, they don't know anything." The sinister grin was back, sending uncontrollable jolts of electricity down her spine. She said nothing as they kept going down the dimly lit hallways. The candles lighting the rustic chandelier at the end flickered, some of them blowing out and letting the darkness seep in. Cries were wept from the little, lost toddler and child, each of them wishing to be home, away from the scary darkness.
Acting on impulse, she untangled herself from the silver Reaper's grasp, running over to the cell where the cries came the loudest. "Ronnie! Alan!" She grasped the bars, desperation and heartbreak making the tears fall easily. Their tiny frames came into view as they rushed towards her. Their limbs were skinnier than before as they shoved their hands past the bars to get to her, unable to believe that this was real.
She embraced them as best as she could, saying comforting words of reassurance, but knowing they wouldn't be worth much soon. Their tears came even stronger than hers, both Reapers clinging to her tightly. "Mommy! Pwease ge' us ou'. I wanna go home!" They cried in relief, feeling just a bit safer in her loving arms. She soothed them, until their wails became whimpers, and only a few tears ran down their cheeks.
A tattle-tale spark jolted over her. He was behind her. He stood there, eerie grin in place, looking down at the trio.
"Well, what a delightful reunion." His cold hand found its way onto her shoulder. "Shame, that I ought to dispose of such adorable Reaperlings. Say your goodbyes, Little Red, my giving mood certainly won't last too long." With a powerful pull, he yanked her away from the children. They screamed, trying to grab onto her, but with no success. She was pressed against his body, an arm slung across her chest and the other through her torso, trapping her to him. "I'll be gentle, I promise." The words were uttered into her ears in a whisper, the seductive tone holding a second intention to the promise. His lips were trailing down her jaw, fluttering kisses being laid with the tenderness of a lover. "I have chosen you as mine, Little Red, so mine you shall be."
She growled. How dare he!? She shoved him, elbowing his gut and sending a swift kick to his stomach. He barreled across the floor, crashing with Lawrence Anderson. Grell took that precious time to summon her Death Scythe and have it roaring to life. She positioned herself, blocking both Alan and Ronald from whatever may come next. The two elders picked themselves up, summoning their own.
"On second thought, Red, I'll forget any gentleness I planned on having… on both cases." His toothy grin was unsettling, but she suppressed her fears. 'Volatile creature, interesting.'
"You will not lay a hand on any of them!" Primitive as it may be, she bared her shark-like teeth, having them glint in the dim lights. "You may have defeated David Knox, but I am his spouse. In his absence I am the Alpha. You have not triumphed yet, Crevan." Instantly, William and Eric made an appearance, the duo raising their own weapons unto the Originals, yet not making a move.
Laughter came as a response from the silver-haired, while the brunette only adjusted his grip on his cane. "You are a woman, aren't you? You can't be an Alpha, even in your husband's absence." Lawrence said, plain boredom written on his face. It was her turn to smile like the Cheshire.
"I am a woman, yes. But, you see, my darlings," she paused, the smirk widening devilishly, "I am also a man."
She propelled herself forward, Scythe at the ready for an attack. Her advances were evaded easily enough, but the Originals found themselves outnumbered, and also quite stunned.
"Until you defeat me, your reign will not begin."
The real battle commenced. Grell, they noted, was exceptionally gifted in the art of assault. She had uncomparable technique, paralleled even to that of Adrian's. They destroyed - completely obliterated- the area in which they fought, crashing beams and walls, tearing apart the structure. Dust and debris flew through the air agitatedly. The strikes and counters came and went, yet neither relented. Each one had a different reason for fighting, but each one knew they had to be the winner.
A silver lining presented itself, and he had no doubts upon taking it. He came behind the raven Reaper, clamping his hand holding the scythe, and in a harsh movement, flicking it away from his grasp. He turned to face his assailant, but was met with the end of a cane to his face, cracking his lenses and rendering him blind - he did always have a terrible sight, even more than others. His nose busted, bleeding rather heavily. Stumbling back from the force, he tripped and fell, pain becoming prominent in his mind. Eric saw this from the corner of his eyes, and instantly left his brawl with the silver-haired ancient to come to his aid, Grell taking his place. It was not enough to keep him distracted.
"Never take your eyes off your opponent, chap. Don't they teach you fellows any better?"
A sharp jab was directed to his leg, piercing the skin smoothly. He hardly felt it entering, but he did feel it when his fall pulled the scythe along his muscles. A string of curses left his mouth in pained yells. Both he and William were then faced with the Original's Death Scythes. They were defeated.
Grell watched, as her tormentor laid those luminescent yellow-green orbs on her toxic ones. He turned away from her friends, but his scythe was still close enough to be deemed threatening. Lawrence held up the other side, where William was.
"My, my, Little Red, how entertaining you've turned out to be. It almost saddens me, to think I also have to get rid of you now. I was getting quite attached." He seemed to be saddened by the prospect, but she knew better. Shrugging, he went on, "Had you been nicer, I might've been a smidge more merciful, alas, you were not; and for that, your friends shall pay." He raised his scythe over his head and swung.
"William! Duck!"
"No! Wait!"
"Kill him already, Crevan."
"Oi! Lea'e 'im ya bastards!"
"Shut up."
"You be quiet!"
Desperately, she yelled. "Parley! I invoke the right of Parley!"
It stopped, a mere inch away from the raven Reaper's clenched eyes.
Everyone froze; she panted, out of breath. "Parley? Seriously?" The brunette sighed gruffly. "Your call, Adrian." Said Reaper deflated. "Alright, fine. Make it quick, Little Red, death is inevitable." All timidity was fiercely swallowed.
"If they live… if all the prisoners unjustly captured, and the children are set free and alive, I give the Dispatch to you." Four pairs of eyes widened. They were instantly directed at her, and she did her best not to cower under their scrutinizing gazes. Silver bangs were parted and the Original's eyes were once again revealed to her.
"What exactly does that entitle, dear?" So familiarly, so lovingly those words were uttered from sinfully addictive lips - she should know. It almost made her forget what she was going to say, but her friend's agonized whimpers reeled her back."It means that I resign to my rights of Alpha, if you promise to keep your end: to care for the Reapers and let my children live."
"Grell! Don't! It's not worth it!" They warned, but were instantly silenced by a whack to their heads."A peaceful retreat is better than a forceful takeover. You know we can't beat them. I promised David to care for our Dispatch, so that's what I'm doing now." Her acidic pools of jade fell on Adrian's venomously. "I release my charges to you, once the terms have been agreed to." Lawrence considered it. "It's a good idea, our plans may fall into place more smoothly that way." Adrian smirked- infuriatingly.
"I agree to your terms, Little Red. I vow to have the utmost care for your beloved Dispatch, and I vow not to be the reason of your children's death - but only if you agree to my single demand." The way he looked at her conveyed a deeper message. 'I'm not going to like this, I won't like it at all.' She stared intently, her heart racing.
"Marry me."
Her racing heart stopped. Bats swarmed her stomach, making her wish she could vomit them. The bewildered expression she sported made the man chuckle. Her partners could only stare and make slight protests before being silenced. "So, Red, what do you say to that?" She let her eyes wander over to the wounded Reapers. Their own gazes begged her not to. But it's the only way… It's the only way we'll all be safe. A pair of Originals protecting our Dispatch, my children will live, I have to do this… I promised him. I have to protect them.
With a wavering voice, she sealed her fate, "I'll marry you."
She heard the faint yells of Eric and William, Anderson's heavy sigh escaped her grasp. She could only focus in the lips kissing hers ever so feverishly, those eyes staring into her own. Her cheeks became pink in embarrassment at the act and audience. He parted their lips, ginning. "Excellent choice, my love."
He tossed the keys in her direction, hastily exiting with Anderson at his side. "Set them free, my dear. I'll go tend to a few matters with my own. Ta."
She rushed over to William, whose nose was already healed, and Eric, who still lay on the ground, unable to move. "Grell! Ah- ye alright?" She cradled his head soothingly, running a hand through his hair. "Shh, I'm alright. Will, help me get him to an infirmary. Careful with the scythe wound on his calf." She began to pick up his torso, when his whimper and William's insistence stopped her.
"Grell… I'll care for him. You take your child and Alan. Give me a key, I'll get out Alexander and Damien to carry him- cell 245." She handed the item without question, but with an unsteady grip. William ushered her out, escorting her to the demolished exit. "Go, Sutcliff… it's time to be that deathly efficient Grim Reaper you say you are."
She ran. She kept running; until she found her way back. The cell doors were hastily thrown open. Alan and Ronald barreled out of the dark corner where they'd hidden to meet her- crashing into her arms. Tears were spilt and the children wailed in ecstasy. Finally, someone they knew!
There was no time for a happy reunion, they had to free the other Reapers - and find out what the Originals planned to do. One after the other, the cells were opened. The Reapers were instructed to return to their homes; the ones without, would stay at the shelters until further notice. More than half of the population had to inhabit them.
"Grell! Alan!" A hazel-haired Reaper ran up to the redhead holding on to the two children. Without warning, she took the brunette from Grell's grasp, taking the boy into her impatient arms. "Alan, my baby!" she kissed his cheeks and scanned him over for injuries. "Are you alright? Does anything hurt?" She was frantic, but paused to send a grateful glance at her friend. "Thank you, Grell! For caring for him." her Reaper eyes narrowed in concentration, "Are you well? You seem pale and distraught." A soothing hand was placed on her ivory cheek.
Without a warning, tears cascaded down her face, and she fell on the other's awaiting embrace. "I-I… I'm fine, I'm okay." Sniffles and whimpers were calmed by the child's gentle touches. "Is alwight. You save us, we okay." Alan called while stroking her long locks.
"Saved? Grell, what do they mean by that? What did you do?" She now noticed, it was strange that Ronald was alive - being the heir and all that. He should've been of the first to die. "I-I made a deal - with the Originals. For the safety of the Dispatch and my children… I give all power over to Adrian Crevan." The brunette couldn't fully grasp the situation, and she made her queries known.
"What? You can't do that! The power is yours, you simply can't hand it over!" The severe eyes regarding her told her otherwise. "If I marry him, then it can be."
"No, no… but-"
"I already made my desicion, Emma. The safety of the Dispatch and my children…. in exchange for myself."
No words could be said for a sacrifice like that, especially from that redhead. Before coming to the Dispatch, she belonged to the one in France, and there had been forced to marry another. When she broke free of that one, she was once more forced onto a marriage, this time it was more pleasant - but it was unfulfilling. Now once more, she was coerced into giving herself - but this time, there was no personal gain. In the cases prior, she always got something out of it, but not this time.
The friends embraced, exchanging comfort in the middle of a war. It was not to last long with the next words uttered.
"Alan needs to stay with me."
"Wh-why? He's my child, he needs me!"
"I know - but they believe him to be mine, it's the only way to keep him alive now. I'm sorry." Emma's mouth hung ajar. "How?"
"They came when Alan was over… and they thought he was mine. I didn't correct them, in fear that they'd kill him. If there was any other way, I would've taken it. Emmy I-"
"Don't worry about it." she brought Grell closer to herself. "He's alive and well. I thank you immensely for that. I will still get a chance to see him grow, and to love him- even if from afar. It's hard, I know, but as a mother I know… it is what is best." A few tears of her own escaped. "We have to return now, let us part." Silently, they left. Emma held onto Alan, it would be the last time she could do it for a while.
Unbeknown to them, a shadow moved from the corner, flickering with the flames. It vanished soon, without a sound, without a trace.
That night, Alan and Ronald slept in the same bedroom in her house. She had sang them to sleep, and made sure they were out cold before leaving the room. She dreaded entering her own space, where she'd be left alone with him. It was inevitable, as he had said, to meet death; so sooner than she might've liked, it was time to depart to her room.
Silently, she slipped in and closed the door behind her. Adrian was waiting for her, it seemed. He was sprawled on the bed - on the side that had been David's- hands behind his neck and ankles crossed. She went into the adjacent washroom, picking a set of silk red pants and gray shirt. Following her nightly routine felt odd, to say the least, knowing that who awaited her on the other side was not him.
The door opened, and he was still in his place. Hesitantly, she approached the bed. He turned to glance at her with a sickening grin.
"Scared, m'dear?" Sniggering, he covered his mouth and pat the place next to his. Simply to spite him -if that was ever to be achieved- she jumped onto the bed, curling up under the blankets and hogging them to her side. "Never. Goodnight." The silverette only chuckled, scooting over to her.
"Aw come on, I wanted to talk with you." A hand slithered across her hips, turning her over to face him. "About something very important." In that moment, she was thrown over him, and then he was on her, pinning her lithe frame to the mattress below, fury evident in those enchanting eyes.
"Someone's been hiding secrets which I don't care for."
That's about it for now. I'm soon to be out of school, so lets just hope writer's block doesn't hit me in that time! As always, my dear readers, I hope you've enjoyed!