Chapter 14: Surrender
Montauk, New York
"Dad...I want to go home."
"Huh, what the hell you talkin' about kid, we ain't got a home."
"Let's make one. I miss the times we used to spend together, with mom."
"Look at you! Sound like a little cry baby! 'I miss mom, I want to go home!!' Hmmph, shut up!"
"Dad, I'm sorry..."
"Listen son, you're all I've got, and I'm all you've got. Now I don't need you going all soft on me now partner. We can't ever go home, nothing can ever be as it was. Not as long as 'they' are still lookin' to get us. We gotta stay on the move, one step ahead of 'em."
"Are they the same ones that messed with your head?"
"Yeah, they call me crazy. HA!! I know who I am, who I really am! Perhaps one day you will see too son."
"Yeah...someday."
"Get some sleep son, we're movin' out in the morning."
"Goodnight dad."
"Goodnight Kobra..."
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"Wake up you flesssh bucket..."
Kobra stirred from his deep sleep. He opened his eyes and was greeted by the looming ceiling of spikes and mildew. Next to him, something moved, graceful, discreet, and serpentine...
"What the..."
Kobra shot to his feet. He didn't know what he was seeing, a humanoid shape, rows of green scales covering its body from head to toe. Two yellow orb like eyes set in a squashed reptilian face, and rows of razor sharp teeth.
"What'sss wrong human?" Upon hearing the voice, Kobra relaxed.
"Man, I liked you better when you were cloaked, at least I didn't have to see your face."
Reptile's tongue darted out menacingly. "Follow me, flesssh bucket..."
"Bite me." Kobra retorted.
"In due time human."
Reptile led Kobra deeper into the interior of the cave. It really started to resemble an anthill from his perspective, scores of offshoots dotting the walls, leading to even further dark recesses. Kobra had long since lost all sense of direction, blindly being led along. Reptile, on the other hand, moved with ease, never faltering on which path to take throughout the labyrinthine junctions.
They finally came to rest in a large room. Hot steam filled the air, and a large pool of water occupied the center of the floor. As they walked closer, Kobra could make out the form of Nitara, her alluring body cascading through the water. She broke to the surface, her beauty almost dream like.
"Why don't you join me child? We have much to discuss." Kobra did as he was told, and approached the pool. Before he could enter however he was stopped by Reptile. "Do not be coy human. Remove your clothing."
"What?" Through the steam, Kobra could see Nitara's breast, her eraser shaped nipples surrounded by dark areola., and the rest of her body shrouded by murky ripples of water.
Kobra removed his tattered pants and carefully stepped into the water. Despite the stifling temperature throughout the room and steam, the water was surprisingly warm. Kobra submerged himself in the water up to his chest and kept himself afloat by figure eighting his arms. Across from him, Nitara beckoned, not with her arms, not even with her voice, but Kobra could feel the attraction, an invisible energy making the water hotter. He could feel The Rising, but a different type now...
"Come to me child..." She finally said. Kobra propelled himself forward, his body nearly weightless in the effervescent water. He reached her outstretched arms and the two embraced each other as if they were long lost lovers. Kobra could feel her firm breast pressing against his chest and her hips gently swaying back and fourth against the girth of his crotch.
Nitara caressed the broad area of Kobra's back, her clawed fingers uncharacteristically soft. She touched and explored, running her fingers along his buttocks, up and down his spine, and across his shoulder blades, as Kobra did likewise. She slid her def tongue along the side of Kobra's neck, tracing a slick path from his collar bone to his ear.
"Do not pay Reptile any mind." She whispered. "He craves what he can never have..." Nitara began to suckle on Kobra's earlobe, twirling the piece of flesh inside of her mouth as if it were succulent fruit. Kobra was melting in her arms, trapped by her Siren like beauty and electrifying touch. She grasped Kobra by the back of his head and pulled him closer.
"Listen to my words child, for you will need them. We are not slaves to our fate. Each one of us has the choice to walk whatever path we desire. Before I give you my power, I will offer you a choice..."
"A choice of what?" Kobra did not even know he had spoken, his entire body was alive with energy, controlling his every action.
"I give you a choice...of vindication."
Nitara grasped Kobra by the shoulders, and with a violent force plunged him underwater. Kobra struggled in her grasp, but she was too strong, her arms holding him still as if he were literally a child, a defenseless, naive child, being punished by his mother.
"It is alright my child..."
Kobra could hear Nitara's voice clearly. The same condescending, yet soothing tone he had grown accustomed too. Kobra stopped his frantic struggle, his limbs were becoming weak, relaxing in the buoyant space.
"I will give you a choice. All you have to do is breathe. That's it my child...breathe."
Kobra did as he was told, surrendering himself to her demand; closing his eyes, letting go of his body, returning to the most basic of places, the most basic of thoughts. He imagined this is what the womb feels like. Dark, warm, formless...
Breathe...breathe...breathe...
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"Breathe buddy, come on, don't do this!!"
Kobra opened his eyes.
He was lying on his back, a dingy ceiling and drab yellow light greeting him from above. Several onlookers stared at him, concern on their faces. A female Middle Eastern paramedic was particularly worried, her hand resting on Kobra's heaving chest.
"Easy buddy, try not to move, k?" She said.
Kobra pushed her hand away and sat up. Soft murmurs erupted amongst the onlookers as Kobra looked around. They were people, ordinary, plain clothed people, one might come to find in any city, but possessing a familiarity about them that Kobra recognized. As he looked closer he saw that he was actually in a subway car. Grey electronic doors, rust colored seats, and dangerously loose handle bars hanging from the ceiling.
Kobra rose to his feet. His body felt cold and distant, as if every movement was being controlled by a puppeteer. He looked down at his body, and was shocked to see different clothes adorning him, nondescript white gym shoes, faded blue jeans, and a black and white hooded sweat shirt.
Got to leave...
Kobra took one step forward and felt the same disillusionment from his body as before. He could hear his feet making contact with the ground, but he felt weightless, as if he were walking on the very clouds.
"Hey! You still look a little pale, let me examine you some more!" The paramedic cried, but Kobra wasn't listening. He exited the car out into the platform. His hunch was right, the street signs, the smell, the sounds, even the people...he was back in New York City...