Chapter Twelve: Eat Your Heart Out
Warnings: Suicide Mention, Obsessive Love, Choking
-000-
Malice's POV
That kid is so annoying. I'm doing all this work for him, yet he decides he wants to be rebellious just because he doesn't like my way of working. He was so loyal at the start, but his stupid emotions got in the way. Now I have to babysit his soul as the sins grow.
So far, I already have that one vessel ready for a sin. The only problem is that I wasn't able to clearly infect him with it while he was alive. I should've expected I would mess up the first time. I'll just have to do better for the other six. Before I can kill anyone else, I have to establish the sins in each one. It's so much work but it'll be worth it once I get Lucifer's recognition for it.
The subtle work of infecting the sins is difficult and takes time. With them incubating in the child's body, I can only release a small amount. I won't be able to put an entire sin into a vessel to its full capacity until after it's done feeding off his soul. The sins have barely taken anything considering his fantasy crumbled so fast. That stupid kid just has to make everything difficult. Would it be better for me to design him a Hell instead of Heaven? Even if I did let the sins feed on his fear and sadness like before, it wouldn't be as effective as feeding on his happiness; his happiness increases the flow of his purities.
I'll give him another happy dream later. For now, I have to let bits of the sins go into the vessels. With the seeds of sin starting to grow in the vessels as well as incubating in the boy, it will become much stronger and the entirety of the sin can go into effect much faster.
I've been sitting at this computer all day watching the security tapes around the hospital. In order for the sins to be most effective, I have to see which people are most susceptible to each sin. No one seems to be showing any prominent sins. I would have to subject them to something that will show which sin is most compatible for them.
The current starvation experiment hasn't wielded the results I was hoping for. Instead of someone deciding to murder for food, room one had England sacrifice himself, room two did nothing, and room three had Japan and China kill themselves. And the room that did have cannibals didn't even want to resort to that until England forced it upon them. Should I let this continue and hope for results or should I discontinue this one and attempt something else?
For now, I should probably try to get another sin while I wait for someone to succumb to gluttony. With two subjects already showing signs of clear sin, I don't want to interfere with the infection of their specific sins considering I already put some fragments in them. Envy isn't the most prominent sin, so how am I supposed to see if that sin is naturally within a subject? Unless I were to play a "the grass is greener on the other side" sort of thing, then it would be difficult.
If I were to give one group a necessity and another group a different necessity, then I could expose someone for envy. Both would be getting something, but the envy sin would still be jealous of the other. I hate the envy sin so much for its difficulty to find, yet it is one of my prime motivations.
I turn off the tapes and walk into the media room. I put on the stupid disguise the boy made and flip the camera switch on.
"Hello, captives, I hope you're ready for a new experiment. This one, fortunately for you, will not be painful. Instead, you will be getting something very good without having to work for it. I bet you'll be surprised that there is no catch in this. There will be two groups. Both groups will be given furnished rooms since I'm sick of seeing you lie on the ground like savages. One group of people will be given an excess of food and drinks to enjoy to their hearts' content. The other group will be given safety from experiments entirely along with medical care. Both groups get something, though you may find that the grass is greener on the other side. Regardless of your feelings, the people in each group will be chosen at random since it doesn't matter to me which one of the two rooms you go into."
Since the wheel takes too long, I decide to just list names off the top of my head. Since Peter hasn't been here to tell my who is who, I had to take time to learn everyone's names. I think I've gotten pretty good in this short amount of time.
"The first group that will be receiving food and water will be China, France, Italy- never mind, that's the one that died, and England. The second group receiving safety and medical care will be Russia, Japan, America, and Germany. I will get all the necessary supplies in a few days, so you now have something to look forward to. Also, I will be coming by today to take away the knives from the last experiment. Goodbye!" I turn off the camera and trudge over to the computer room again. What was that shopping website called? Maybe that kid was a bit useful…
-000-
Russia's POV
I have been sleeping by them all day waiting for them to wake up again. The masked man came by a few days ago to take away the knives, so now they cannot kill themselves anymore. The promise of a comfortable bed and safety has had me excited since I heard about it. The only problem is that my dear China will be taken elsewhere. I want to be able to snuggle in bed with both of them! We should all be put together! Of course, it is good that China will be well-fed, but I still want him to be with me. I want them both to be with me. As I lie with China, I feel depressed that we will be separated.
Feeling a surge of wanting, I hold on tighter against his chest as I nuzzle myself into him. The smell of blood still remains strong, though I have grown accustomed to it. Even though flakes of dry blood are sticking to my hair and face, I snuggle with him regardless. Despite his corpse staring blankly at the wall, I find him beautiful.
"Oh, China, you need your rest. Do not force yourself to keep your eyes open for me." I gently push his eyelids back over his glossed-over eyes. "There you go, little star. I am not sure if that is how you say zvyozdochka in English, but it does not matter. You will always be my sweet little star no matter the language I say it in." I brush my calloused fingers through his tied hair and allow the ponytail to come undone. "You look so much better with your hair down. I hope you do not mind." I smile warmly at his face pale like milk. My heart, once locked away from all, is cracked open for these two. Every second I see them dead causes my saddened soul so much suffering. Every putrid, pus-leaking paper cut is picked painfully until it pours out, turning the tiny paper cuts into tormenting trenches.
"Why? Why do you leave me every time your eyes meet mine?" The dam breaks and droplets latch onto China's bloody chest. "I love you with all my heart, but you would rather tear yours apart!" Droplets become a flooded waterfall as I bawl into his chest. With both being dead, neither can comfort me no matter how desperately I want them to. Dreams of them holding me tight could never come true, especially since they hate me so much they would rather be dead than love me.
The light of the television illuminates the dark room. "Captives!" A shrill, ear-splitting voice exclaims, "It's time for you all to be assigned to the two rooms. Since the budget has been enhanced with recent ransom money, primitive stun-guns will not be used. Instead, the ventilation system will release a gas that will lull you to sleep. When you wake up, you will be in your new rooms. Goodnight!" The room becomes dark again.
I hold China for dear life since it may very be the last time I will ever hold him. While I will be receiving safety from experiments, China will not be safe from this man's wrath. I would be completely helpless as his demise plays on the television for the world. Clutching him tighter, I let more tears fall.
"I am sorry that I cannot save you, China!" I sob pitifully to his lifeless form. English melts into my native Russian as I scream, "I am so useless! I cannot save you!" My words tremble along with my fearful body. I am merely a toy for the man in charge. Nothing I say or do can save China from a death akin to Italy's end. I can only pray that some force beyond myself saves our broken souls.
In between hiccups and ugly cries, I hear a faint hissing sound. The air I am struggling already to take in is getting denser, not because of my pathetic crying but because something with the smell of sugar water is entering the air. My eyelids feel heavy as I take in each breath. This must be the sleeping gas that he mentioned. Before I am aware of it, I am engulfed into a pit of darkness.
-000-
When I wake up, I notice that there is light coming from above. I look up and see lights on the ceiling. For the entirety of the time we've been here, there has been no light aside from the television light. The bright lighting, despite actually being darker compared to normal ceiling lights, hurts my eyes. I close my eyes tight in hopes that my eyes will adjust, but they continue to sting. I suppose they will not adjust unless I try to open them. Hesitating, I try to open my eyes. Opening them too far causes pain, so I settle for just squinting.
I realize that I am lying on a bed instead of the cold floor. Having lied exclusively on the floor since we have been here, my back has ached so long that I stopped paying attention to it. Now, the aches are resettling in as my muscles try to recover from the discomfort. I sit up and stretch. I hear a loud, satisfying pop and lie back down. I feel as though I cannot leave this bed. It is too comfortable and warm for me to want to leave. After sleeping on the floor for so long, I should enjoy this bed for a little while longer.
I can see America, Japan, and Germany sleeping in their own beds as I lie on my left side. Japan's face, earlier a pasty white, has started to regain color. He has not completely regained all of his color, but he should be waking up soon. I cannot see Germany's face clearly since he is the farthest away from me, though I can see that he is pale and the area under his eyes is darker than it should be. America, on the other hand, looks to be fine other than his cheeks that look as though they could cave in.
I stare intently at Japan, the man I have been lying side by side with, and feel the strong desire to climb into his bed. I need my sweet Japan's love. I want to breathe in the same air he breathes out. Our lungs will be synced to each other with the other organs joining. His heart will beat in response to mine, his brain will be filled with the same thoughts as mine, his stomach will fill with the flutter of butterflies just as mine does, and he will wrap me in his arms just as I have. We must join as one.
My mind is reeling, every thought pushing me to get as close as possible to him. I have to crawl into his bed. I need to smell his oily hair that lingers with the scent of gentle flowers. I have to hear his heartbeat! No, I need to hear his heartbeat!
I sit up and the warm covers slip away from my chest. The cold from before creeps up on me, but I cannot stop. Japan is all I need. I turn my body to the left and stare at Japan. His chest rises and falls gradually. I need to breathe with him. When I stand up, I feel compelled to sit back down. Japan needs my body heat. I need Japan's body heat. I take my first step, faltering when my toes cramp up. It has been a while since I have walked.
I ignore the rising pain as it slithers up my leg and instead focus on getting closer to my beloved. Each step brings me closer to him, so I must take every step necessary. I must join my beloved, Japan. I walk over to his sleeping body and feel my breaths shortening. A small smile spreads across my face as I step closer. I stand at the foot of his bed, admiring him as he lies there. I examine every detail of his face for that is all I can see of his face from here.
His soft, black hair is disheveled, the strands perking up in areas normally flat. His eyebrows look the same with each string-like strand flowing in the same direction akin to a dark stream. His dark brown eyes are covered by light eyelids like a chocolate-filled pastry. His cheeks are ever so slowly regaining color, milk turns into a delightful caramel. He is so incredibly beautiful, even more so now that he is regaining his health. I must cuddle with him.
I push the covers aside. Japan, still asleep, doesn't move. Carefully, I climb into the bed to not disturb him from his rest. Shuffling, I make my way under the covers. I lie down at his side and wrap my arms around him. For some reason, he flinches at the behavior and groggily tries to push it off. When his eyes open, he gives me an odd look.
His voice, raspy from not talking for so long, shakes as he speaks, "Mister Russia, what are you doing? Do you not have your own bed?"
I falter, hurt by his words, "But this is how we have been sleeping since we have shared a room. You love to snuggle with me, do you not?"
"I am sorry, but I have not slept in this manner with you at any point in time. Can you please return to your own bed?"
His lies anger me. "I thought you loved me, Japan! I love you so much, so why do you tell lies of our relationship?"
His face changes to a confused look. "We do not have a relationship at all, Mister Russia. I do not understand why you are acting this way. Please return to your own bed. You are making me uncomfortable."
"Do you not remember all the time we have spent together? Every day I talked about how much I love you! We slept side by side for so long! How could you not remember?!" Rage built up in my chest. "Do I mean anything to you?!"
His confusion turned to words laced with anger on his end. "Mister Russia, please calm down! I am sorry, but I have not done what you are saying! I have been dead this whole time, so it is impossible for me to have done as you are saying! Now, what you did with my body as I was dead, I do not know of. If you truly love me, then you will return to your own bed!"
Rage is converted to a fury that I cannot hold back. I scream at my disobedient love, "That is enough, Japan! If you cannot love me in your wake, then I will bring you back to how you were!" My hands are around his neck before I am even aware of it. His eyes widen in shock as he tries to pry my hands off of him. I return the affection with a tighter grip. I squeeze his neck in a tight embrace while he helplessly scratches my calloused hands. My hands are firm on his trachea. As he tries to breathe in, his voice makes an ugly sound unlike his usual voice like a gentle breeze.
He tries to let out a weak plea to stop, but all that comes out I more ugly noises. His cheeks that had returned to a healthy caramel moments earlier are now becoming pale once more with twinges of blue as he loses air. His mouth is agape like a dead fish, lips now a shade of blue alike to bruises. I squeeze tighter in my passionate rage. Tears trail down his cheeks, the struggle becoming more intense. He pushes with all his strength, but he is at a disadvantage with me being the one on top of him.
His brown eyes dull to the proper shade as he gives up his struggle. The skinny arms that were fighting against me fall down to his side.
"That is better, Japan. Aren't you so beautiful when you are obedient?" I smile at his lifeless body. "You will always be mine, even if you resist. I know that you love me, you just don't know how to express it when you're alive. That is fine with me because I will patiently wait until you learn how to love me as I love you."
I lie back down and pull the covers over us. I push him towards me and wrap my arms tightly around him in a warm embrace. "I love you, Japan. Good night for now, beloved."
-000-
England's POV
Instead of the usual metallic scent of blood filling my nostrils as I awake, I smell something enticing. I snap my eyes open and see that I am in a bed instead of on the ground. I didn't think he would follow through with it. I figured it was a joke. I'll probably find out what's wrong with the beds sooner or later; I strongly doubt he would give us beds without there being some torment involved.
I sit up in the bed and see a long dinner table with a surplus of food. This is even bigger than America's thanksgiving dinner. The roasted chicken attracts me, its delectable smell causing my stomach to rumble with anticipation. I quickly go over to the table and see that he even left plates and silverware for us.
I grab a plate and pile on food until I'm unable to put another thing on. A juicy chicken leg with crispy skin, baked macaroni and cheese, cornbread, roasted potatoes, broccoli casserole, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, and carrots are packed on. I would pack even more on if it could fit. It's as if Sunday dinner and Thanksgiving had a child. I sound just like America! I even have the plate to show for it!
Well, it should be fine for me to eat this much considering I've been starved for ages. Who knows when there will be food again? I should make an effort to gain as much weight as possible so that I can provide for France and America when the food is gone again.
I take a big bite of the chicken leg. Fatty, savory juices dribble down my chin. Perfectly crisp skin crunches in between my teeth with tender bits of chicken. Spices like rosemary and oregano spread over my palate, adding to the flavor. I swallow and my stomach growls, begging for more. I hack down bites faster than I should with every delicious bite of chicken feeling like heaven. I then use my fork to get some of the broccoli casserole. As I bring my fork to my mouth, a trail of cheese follows. I pinch the end of it and pull the cheese onto the fork. Firm broccoli joined with sharp, melted cheddar melts in my mouth. The fresh flavor of the broccoli and the creamy, fatty cheese are perfect. I don't think I've ever had food so good!
I stuff my face until I physically can't eat any more. Even then, I'm still tempted to eat even more food despite knowing that another bite will make me vomit. I'm sure my stomach can handle a bit more. I need every morsel I can put into my mouth. These other people don't deserve to eat; they haven't gone through the same situation as I have. Besides, my eating excessively will benefit my family later when the food is gone. Yes, I need to eat it all! All of it should go to me and me alone!
I hear someone stir behind me. I don't care to look back since I'm too engrossed in eating. It doesn't matter to me who's moving around until I see China reaching for a plate beside me.
"Hey, don't do that! This food is all mine!"
-000-
Sealand's POV
Living in a dreamless sleep is similar to death. No thoughts, no feelings, no light, it's just a quiet darkness. For all I know, I could wake up in a new timeline. With Mal taking control of my body, she could destroy me in order to leave my soul wandering aimlessly. If my soul were to leave this plane of existence, she could live in my body and wreak havoc on the world for the rest of that timeline. She would do something messed up like that. Maybe the plane of lost spirits isn't so bad.
My worries amplify when I hear the voice of Malice herself echo in my head.
"Peter, would you like to find peace?" she asked. For once, her voice didn't sound menacing like it usually does. Instead, it reminds me more of a calming, almost motherly voice despite the ominous sound of the words chosen.
"I would like to live peacefully like before," I say. The tar in my lungs has vanished. "I'm scared for the peace you have in mind, though. Is this another trick?"
"I can give you true peace as you wish. There won't be chaos as you've been experiencing, for I am going to form a utopia for you."
"Now why would you suddenly decide to be nice after tormenting me for so long?"
"Honestly, with you out of the way, I can continue on with my mission. I could destroy you entirely, but it will be to my benefit to keep your spirit happy. I plan to grant you your wish for peace. The only catch is that you can't return to this timeline again."
I've been useless in every timeline I've ever tried to fix. Maybe I should just leave this to England. He would be able to fix this timeline, so I can finally return to where I belong. I can finally be happy again. After all, he's probably stopped Mal in several timelines with the watch reset being the interference.
"Please," I murmur with a melancholic strain in my words. "I'm done fighting this battle. I want to go back home."
"As you wish, Peter."
-000-
A/N: Oh Peter, I'll be with you. Still, you are the angel that I couldn't kill. I haven't had a proper torture scene nor a murder in way too long. However, there can't be murder at this time due to the sins developing. I've been focusing a lot on Malice and the sins. Don't disregard Malice; she's very important. Travis will also be relevant later, but he's dormant for now. On a different note, it took me a little while longer to publish since I wasn't sure how much of the scene I needed to write for England. I'm still not sure of myself but I think I've written enough to convey the point. Anyways, I'll see ya in the next chapter!
