AN: Why do all my characters have depressing lives? Oh well, they're rewarded with the oh so great and sexy Horsemen... XD
Beatrice admitted to herself she was nervous. There was a dark and creepy man following her and watching her every move. He had just popped out of no where...She didn't trust him one bit but...he hadn't hurt her yet and he could have. Well, besides her shoulder and foot which still felt tight and sore from his grip. And what was this about him having to protect her? The only thing she wanted protection from was him. Nevertheless, she just ignored his blank stare and headed towards the beach. She'd made it this far, why stop?
When they got to the dock she was extra cautious. She was a great swimmer but...if someone was holding her underwater that'd be a problem. She kept her breathing slow to listen, though he never made a sound with his feet so she continued to glance back at him. After a few times that he started doing embarrassing things such as cocking his head to the side like a dog would and making gestures with his hands. She did try not to smile but...she couldn't quite help it. Hell, she thought deep inside her head she just wanted to be murdered. It would be better than what she went home to. Besides, it was a Friday night...party night for her mother. There'd be a bunch of drunkards in her home tonight. Snorting lines and dry humping each other. Yep. Now was the perfect time to die. Better than another day of that.
No...no...she couldn't. She had too much of a strive to live. And plus there was something about this guy...it was familiar yet foreign. He was very dark and sent a cold chill up her spine but there was also this intensity between them that felt...well, inviting. Somehow she knew he wouln't hurt her like she thought. But she couldn't be rash. She had to learn more about him to just see if he was really protecting her. But how to get answers or even get the question from her mouth? He must be from some...protective service perhaps and wasn't allowed to answer questions.
Among her deep thought and backwards glances, she started to feel that calming effect the waves had on her. Hearing the swish of the water was like her drug...and she was getting high. She just had to stay vigilant around this man without getting too caught up in nature. She made it to the end of the deck and he stopped beside her, allowing her to see him fully so she wouldn't be so uneasy.
She looked out to the waves and her body relaxed a bit and she locked her hands together in front of herself. She tried to enjoy the view but right there in the corner of her eye there was that little dark flaw. The man in the hood staring at her. His face shrouded in darkness.
"I can't exactly go on about my day with you stuck on my tail," she said.
"Please, do so anyways."
"Can't I at least know what you're..."protecting" me from?" She made quotations with her hands.
"Yourself," he said simply. Then, "You're a danger...so says my bosses. To both yourself and others."
"What do you mean?"
"I'd know what I mean alot more if I could figure it out myself. In that case I have to watch you."
"Well that's not creepy at all."
"Fine. If I say I'm studying your behavior would that be better?"
"Perhaps. It just bothers me that I need to be studied."
Death didn't answer. From her tone of voice he could tell he wasn't convincing her much. Half of what he said was true but she still thought he'd kidnap her or something. It didn't matter to him. Whether she believed him in the end or not, she would come with him.
She gave him another glance and finally sat down with a sigh. She rested her head on her palm and brushed the water below with the tip of her fingers.
"You like the water," he commented.
"Keeps me sane."
Death chuckled. "And what goes on in your little life to make you go insane?"
"Hm. Nothing I suppose, " she lied. "Just have a perfect little life that I cherish and enjoy." They sat there in silence in the early morning sun and suddenly the phone in her pocket began to vibrate. She hesitantly pulled the phone out, looked at it for a second, and then answered it and put it to her ear. "Y-yes?"
Death's sensitive ears picked up the voice on the other line. "Come home and help me clean up for the party tonight."
"Why? It'll just get trashed again."
"Just come help."
"When you say help, you mean come do it all by yourself."
There was a silence on the other end and then a wet cough. "Just come do it. Or I'll have you sit outside through the whole thing."
"You know what? Being in the cold would be better, thank you. I'll be there when I get there." Beatrice snatched the phone from her ear and hit the end button before the woman on the line could protest.
"I've never seen anyone so respective towards their mother," Death said sarcastically.
"That's not my mother," Beatrice growled.
"Oh?"
"My adoption mother. I never knew my real parents."
That made Death's eyes grow wide. So...she had never seen her parents. Was it because her parents weren't Human? Had they abandoned her because she was an unwanted accident or something? The Council had simply said there were creatures that came in and bred with humans. They didn't specify what. It wasn't unusual for a demon of some kind to abandon a child. An angel...highly unlikely. But why in the world would a human breed with a demon? Of course he/she, said demon, could have been disguised...Or maybe it wasn't a demon at all. Death admitted he was a bit curious now.
"Well then," Beatrice said getting up. "I suppose I'm going home."
"Why? Make her do the cleaning."
"But...I..." she stared at him in confusion and then imagined he was just trying to keep her away from home to eventually kill or kidnap her. Or maybe he prefered his rape after dark and was just waiting it out. But she dreaded going home to clean and then seeing all those people pull up to party it out. And then she thought harder...she'd been raped before by a man that came to the party...No one heard her screams over the loud music blasting through the house and neighborhood. So rape could happen either way she went. Getting kidnapped wasn't good either but still...Somehow it seemed better. Then there was getting murdered. She'd really escape everything then. She looked away and sighed, feeling down right crazy over what she was thinking. Was she suicidal!? Brave? Or just down right stupid?
She was struggling with her decision and Death noticed. "We can go to a more populated area if you prefer. Just to let you know that I'm not going to hurt you. I was commanded not to."
"By who?"
"Your mother," Death said in a harsh and sarcastic tone.
Beatrice gave a rather unhappy look.
"Fine. Your adoption mother," he said rolling his eyes.
"Seriously. Is it the FBI or something? I don't want to be on the X-Files..."
"Uh. No..."
She shook her head and sighed again. "I'm getting so many answers today!" She yelled sarcastically. "Fine, lets just...go...somewhere."
He motioned for her to lead the way and she walked rather sluggishly back down the deck towards the buildings. She wondered where she should go and just decided she'd go wherever her feet took her. "So..." she started. "You aren't from around here obviously."
"Nope. But I've been here a few times." What Beatrice didn't know was that Death meant Earth, not this specific town. She simply nodded.
They walked silence for a bit longer and the phone in her pocket started vibrating again. She ignored it for a while but after the third call she pulled it out and turned it to mute, along with checking the time. It was only 8 a.m. Jeez...this was going to be a long day.
"Don't you have school?" Death asked.
"Uh...No. I was expelled..."
"Problem child, are we?"
"I don't know. They just don't take kindly to sarcasm and smart aleck remarks."
Death almost chuckled. Finally someone who could be sarcastic with him instead of complaining about it. In fact, he found himself thinking she was much more interesting then just in her sarcasm. Unlike what he had told her earlier about just being pretty, he now saw her as being very gothicly beautiful. She was very agile, seeing as how she'd cleared the fence and almost kicked him upside his head and her cautious nature and ability to actually socialize properly intrigued him. Since he'd found alot of humans to be socially awkward...So Death, in all his prideful glory, found himself staring this young girl down with a rather smug look under his hood.
She took him into the square where there were people walking around and doing their shopping and chatting. Naturally, they all stared Beatrice and Death down for their gothic appearances. "A picture lasts longer lady, if you'd like to keep staring," Beatrice said loudly to a younger woman in pink and frilly clothing. She immediately looked away and swiftly walked past them. Death let out a single laugh and smiled.
Beatrice gave him a look and this time actually noticed his inhuman orange eyes glowing in that dark hood. She looked away quickly and Death pulled the hood down even further.
After a few hours of walking around in awkward silence, she finally decided it would be best to go home. It wasn't because she was nervous now, she'd realized what was going to happen would happen, but she just became bored. She turned down the street to head through that ghetto to get back home. It was unusually quiet going through there and Death broke the silence. "Why do you risk going through this place?" He asked.
"I don't know. No one is going to just drive me through it and I'm certainly not going to stay home and be bored and depressed all day. I've outrun the packs of killers here. I'm sure I could do it again."
"What if they have guns?"
"They do. But fortunately they have horrible aim at a long distance."
Death nodded but found himself wanting to know more about her. "Your adoption mother. You don't like her?"
"What happened to you saying you would be quiet while following me around?"
"I changed my mind."
She huffed a laugh and shook her head. "I used to like her when my dad was alive. Adoption dad," she corrected herself. "But then she just fell apart and replaced him with drugs, alcohol, and all the men she could find when he died."
"How'd he die?"
"Accident at work. At least he found a job other than sex to provide for us."
"I see. And she doesn't care whether you're running through this place or not?"
"Nope. The only time she speaks to me is when she needs something."
"Then why did you run from your home this morning as if someone might stop you?"
"Oh...No, I was just running because she had a man there and he was giving me a really funny look. I didn't want to stick around."
"Ah. I'm sure he just loves children so much that he enjoys making funny faces for their entertainment," Death said sarcastically.
She shook her head at him and snapped her head up to some yelling inside one of the houses they passed. She ignored the domestic violence and picked up her step. When they had passed that neighborhood it was a straight shot of old ruins where there used to be stores. The only thing left was the concrete layouts that had grown up with grass. Past all that was her home and there was another thought on Beatrice's mind. Was he going to want to come inside? Her mother certainly wouldn't care but she had still just met this person. What if he did try to do something to her? She had just gotten over the last time she'd been violated. But then again, if what he said about protecting her was true...then maybe she'd feel a bit safer with him being there with her at the party. She'd be in her room alone with him but if someone barged in...would he really do something about it?
She sighed again at the hard decision and Death wasn't sure how to act on it at first. Then he just decided he'd try to talk some more..Perhaps get her mind off of whatever she was thinking. "You enjoy your gothic design I see."
"I see beauty in the darker things. Not...pretty flowers or frilly dresses and perfect little relationships. So I choose to show my differences through my clothing. Since no one cares to talk to me and find out themselves." She paused for a moment and looked him up and down. "You do as well?"
"I enjoy the darker side of life," he said matter-of-factly.
"It's good to finally meet someone else who appreciates it. I...never got your name..." she added.
He paused for a minute and said, "Just call me whatever you'd like."
"Okay, FeFe," she laughed.
He snorted and gawped at her and she shook her head. "Fine...How about something more Biblical?"
Death held a laugh back and bit his tongue. "Okay...You can call me the legendary Horseman, Death," he told her holding back his smile with all his might.
She laughed thinking he was only joking but she figured she'd never get his real name so she said, "Death it is then." They shared a laugh and continued on to her home.
When they arrived, Beatrice checked her phone again for the time. It was 1 O'clock. Just a few more hours and those morons would be coming around looking for a good time. Death noticed her nervousness and bumbed her shoulder with his elbow. "You alright?"
She couldn't help it...something inside her burned, her cheeks flooded red and the skin where his elbow had hit her burned like it was on fire. Death was quite amused he could make her do that and look so submissive and vulnerable. After a moment she exhaled in a huff and nodded. "I uh...I'm fine."
"I do hope you'll invite me in," he said when he saw they had made it to her house. She felt stupid afterwards but it felt, in that moment, as if she couldn't deny him. As if she didn't have the will power to do so.
"Yes...I will. But just know, if you hurt me, I'll find a way to hurt you back," she said smugly and opened the gate in the fence, gesturing for him to come in.
"Noted."
Before they even got to the door Lana came storming out in something slutty looking that looked like a mix between a night gown and lingerie. "When I said come home, I meant that instant! Not five hours later!"
"And did you not hear me?" Beatrice said. "I said I'd be here when I got here."
"I'm about tired of your smart aleck attitude...And who the hell is that?"
"None of your concern. As if you cared anyways. I'd ask for you to not embarrass me but I see you've already done that." Beatrice walked past the woman and Death followed, smiling as he enjoyed the little fight. The woman yelled out random complaints but the little half-breed, as the Council had called her, let out a sigh of relief when they entered the cool air conditioned house and shut the door. The house at one time must have been nice but now the walls had holes in them and the paint was chipping off in some places. Death found the smell to be a mix of cigarettes, alcohol, and cheap fragrances. It seemed the woman had been cleaning without Beatrice's assistance but she did a horrible job of it. The young girl looked around, let out a laugh, and then headed upstairs. Death followed and found that the upstairs had been well taken care of. There were two rooms, one's door was closed and she went past it. The second door was open and this appeared to be her bedroom. It had no holes in the wall, it didn't reek of drugs and in fact it smelt nice. The walls were a dark purple and the windows were lined with black. Everything was organized and not cluttering as it all did downstairs. She gestured for him to sit in the chair near her laptop desk and he did so quietly while she pulled off her shoes revealing black ankle socks. She sat down on the bed, looking a bit nervous and unsure what to do with him in the room. "Um...I'm going to get something to eat...would you like something?"
"No...thank you. I'll wait here." She nodded and ran off downstairs. He looked across from him and saw her mirror and dresser. Now was a better time then ever...he got up and ran to mirror, pulling off his hood. It had certainly been a while since he had seen his own face but he knew this wasn't what he really looked like. He took off his coat and put it back in the chair. No need to cover his face if it wasn't really him, right? He could at least pretend he wasn't a murderer of worlds for a while.
He looked around her room curiously at all the different items like her huge bookcase, closet full of black, red, and purple clothing, bed in skeleton designed sheets, and the posters on her walls. One in particular of what looked like Death holding a woman with an hourglass. The rest were mostly bands or animals. No, not cute little bunnies and puppies but giant wolves baring their teeth and dark horses with wings spread out with fire and smoke. He did, he had to admit, like her taste in most of the stuff.
And he came to find this woman...or girl...was actually interesting. More than interesting...it was starting to feel good to be around her...he began wondering what was wrong with him.
She came back about thirty minutes later with that depressed look on her face. When she saw him without his coat on however...she seemed to brighten up some. "Wow...you're..." She just laughed to herself without finishing. He raised an eyebrow which made her blush and almost squeal. To her he was...well...hot. Pale and muscular, with the same dark eyes as hers along with that orange glow, and so...defined.
"Creepy, I know," he said with a roll of his eyes.
"No...I mean yes, but...handsome." She put her hand to her mouth and gritted her teeth. "I'm sorry...I...ugh."
"Um. Thanks?" He said ignoring her blushing though he found it attractive.
She looked down at the floor and began playing with her skirt with a bright blush on those pale cheeks of hers. She heard a car pull up in the driveway and went to the window to look outside. "Oh...I didn't think they'd be here this early. I should probably change..." She turned to rummage through her closet and then run out of the room to the nearby bathroom. Death got up to look out the window and saw a young man getting out of a full car with a big case of beer. He already looked drunk and stumbling around as his friends shouted out. Now he saw why she was regretting this "party" her mother had planned.
When she came back in she wore a simple tank top with laced shoulders and a longer layered black skirt. Her legs were no longer covered in the netting like they had been earlier and Death could see the smooth shining to them. He had to admit he wanted to touch them. She had a charm better than Lilith in his opinion.
"Uh, these parties...?" He asked.
"Oh yes...They're...well wild to be honest. There's loud music, drinking, and drugs, and...sex."
"God, your mother knows how to influence her kid, doesn't she?"
"Oh I think she's just the best mother I could ever ask for!"
He smiled and revealed his pearl white and...fanged teeth. She caught herself staring so she quickly looked away. She tried to ignore him for once and go to the mirror to brush out her hair. And he caught his own selft looking her hourglass figure up and down. 'What am I doing?' He asked himself. 'She's just a teenager...' But she was so irresistible. No...he had to stay focused on the task at hand. So far she acted like a normal teenager but there was also this odd feeling about her. He shook his head and then saw her looking rather disgusted over herself. Her shoulders slumped and she went back over to her bed to sit down.
"If you think you're ugly then you must be stupid," Death said bluntly, immediately regretting it.
She looked up and rolled her eyes. "Then I'm both stupid and ugly."
"You need to raise your self esteem."
She looked at him angrily but then sighed and sat back. "You look kinda young to be in any job that involves watching over and protecting people," she attempted to change the subject.
He made no comment so she sighed again and picked up the remote to turn on the tv. "Fine. We'll just sit in awkward silence." The movie series Saw was on and instantly started showing blood and gore so she watched it intently. So she wasn't squeamish, Death noted.
A black cat came running up the stairs at full speed when there was a clatter downstairs and the animal jumped into Beatrice's lap. "Hello, Lucifur," the girl smiled.
Death snorted a laugh. "Lucifur?"
"Yes," she said confidently but still blushed. "It was either that or Boo."
"How creative."
"No one needs your sarcasm right now...Death." He smiled when she said his name. It actually made him feel good.
"But you just don't know how much you do need it," he said.
She rolled her eyes again and turned her attention back to the tv. Death found it boring when no one was getting their ribs ripped from their body so he kept his glance on her through most of it. He felt so wrong and yet so comfortable at the same time...
HOURS LATER-
When the cars started to pile up and the music was turned on Beatrice went and shut her door with a sigh. But of course as soon as she did so, her assistance was needed. "B! Get down here! Or I'll send someone up!"
The girl grew tense and she opened the door again, letting the blaring music from downstairs fill the room. She turned to Death and very shyly said, "Um...Can you...come with me?"
Death felt for the girl. She had obviously been traumatized by all this so much that she was scared to go downstairs alone so he nodded. "Of course."
She gave a light smile and seemed a bit more comfortable now that he was coming. They slipped down the stairs and instantly saw the mess. People dancing on each other, beer bottles all about, the smell of weed in the air, and loud drunken voices that occasionally carried over the music.
"Take your man and put these garbage bags outside," Lana said harshly.
"I don't see why I have to-!"
"Come on," Death said. "Do what she says."
"Good boy," Lana said giving him a look up and down over his masculine body and then walking off.
"Death, what are you doing? Why should we do that?"
"Would you rather this house reek anymore than it already does?"
"No..."
"Okay." He picked up the first bag as if it were nothing, taking it through the crowd and outside. Beatrice struggled with hers so Death came back through and took it from her. "Let me get it," he said sounding irritated.
"No, I-"
"Let me get it!" She released it and he picked up it and the last bag as well, taking them both outside again. "Now lets go back upstairs and away from this mess."
She nodded and turned on her heel and through the crowd. On her way however, one of the men turned and said, "Hey babe, looking good tonight!" He gave her a firm slap on the butt and Death grabbed the man's hand swiftly and roughly.
"Do it again and I'll make sure you're looking quite the opposite of "good tonight". Even though it seems you already are."
"H-hey man...I was just playing around." The guy said starting to wince from the pain in his wrist.
"Play around with one of these whores. Not a little teenage girl." Death flung the man's hand into his face and turned back to a rather surprised look.
"Death..." she said lowly. He was hardly able to hear her over the music.
"Don't say anything. Just go upstairs before I have to do something drastic." She nodded obediently and ran up the steps with him close on her heels.
"W-why did you do that?"
"Why would I not? How dare him touch you like that."
"Well...thank you...No one's ever stood up for me like that."
"That's because no one around here apparently knows how to be a real man."
She gave him a grateful look and sat down on the bed again. She certainly had a bit more trust for him now but she knew she still had to be cautious. He had literally, come out of nowhere and said he had to protect her. From what, it still wasn't clear and it was the oddest story ever and somehow she knew she shouldn't believe it yet...her whole body said to accept it.
Late that night, when the music was still blaring, Beatrice looked as she might topple over and sleep in the position she landed in any minute. Death got up from his chair and tapped her shoulder. "I'm leaving. I won't make you uncomfortable by staying here but I assure you before I walk out that door everyone will be gone, so you shouldn't worry."
She looked at him sleepily and nodded. "Thank you again. I'm guessing I'll see you in the morning?"
He nodded and left, pulling her door closed tightly. She listened hard when she heard the music being turned off and all the angry comments that followed. She could hear their mumbling and a very angry Lana yelling for, apparently Death, to get out. He must have done so but there weren't any other voices anymore. Beatrice smiled and drifted off to sleep.
AN: This story just got complicated as soon as Death came up .-. He's a hard man to figure. But he would be protective, sarcastic, and a bit unusual I suppose. I don't know about the bluntness and accepting he's attracted to a little teenage girl some thousands of years younger than him but...I'm doing my best here.