Chapter 14
The Aftermath
Shadow was growing out of her childlike mindset everyday that she controlled Rayne's body. She was becoming more intelligent, and was becoming more ruthless that Rayne had ever appeared to be. She was also quickly realizing that killing the outlaw might have been a mistake on her part.
I'm not a puppet you can use to kill whenever you choose! Rayne spat from her prison in their shared mind. Shadow ground her teeth at the voice. Along with her rapidly growing maturity, she was acquiring new traits. Such as an acute irritation with Rayne whom she was forced to share the same body with.
Aren't you? Shadow returned, Have you ever thought that this is my body, and you're the intruder? Rayne was silent.
I'm stronger than you, pet. Shadow continued, This is my body now.
No,Rayne screamed suddenly, causing Shadow to jump slightly at the sound in her head. This is my mind and body. Shadow could feel Rayne's emotions as Rayne had felt hers when their position had been reversed. Rayne was confused, and angry with what was happening. She had been since she had become aware again. Before she had killed the outlaw, Shadow had enjoyed the muzzled and docile Rayne as she slowly faded away. If she had waited just a day longer, she would have matured enough to realize that Rayne wasn't unable to fight back. As soon as the outlaws blood wet her daggers Rayne was screaming in Shadow's head to stop. She had come back into reality, and now Shadow couldn't get rid of her.
Oh dear, pet doesn't understand. Just like the fool Robin. Shadow said. We are both one in the same. Two personalities fighting for dominance over the same body after being driven insane. Its all a matter of who is the strongest. The despair coming from Rayne nearly made Shadow giggle aloud. She stopped the action just in time only to cry out in surprised pain.
Something had assaulted her inner being in an attempt to smother her. The force was driving forwards to overwhelm Shadow completely. The pain was like fire racing through her veins as a blazing power threatened to overtake her. Reflex alone prevented disaster on Shadow's part. She threw up a mental barrier in the last few seconds before Rayne could proceed to regain control. Rayne hadn't been able to try before, but now Shadow had almost lost her own freedom. Instead she had lost her hiding spot.
Crouched in the shadows of Nottingham at dawn three days after killing Will, the guards leading into the city had heard her cry. They were moving in her direction and she was forced to retreat to a safe distance away from the city. If Rayne continued to hinder her plans, Shadow knew she'd have to find a way to snuff out her presence soon rather than later.
…...
Will had been buried in Sherwood not far from where he had been killed. Friar Tuck had said a few words in a short service for him. The entire time Robin was far away from what was going on. He was thinking about what had happed only three days ago. Rayne had killed Will. Whether it was her alter ego or not, it was still Rayne he saw driving a dagger into his friend. A man who had been with him since the beginning. It stung to know that it had been him that had brought her to their camp. That he had been unable to help the woman whom had helped him escape Nottingham with his skin. That the same woman was now two different people, and the one he had let himself feel for might be lost forever. Robin was everywhere but in Sherwood after what had happened.
Allan was ready to repay Shadow and Rayne in blood. He'd never truly liked Rayne to begin with and now he had a reason to ensure she didn't carry on her father's legacy. Much had always believed that Rayne was insane, but the confirmation of it scared him. At the same time he felt for his friend and master Robin, who clearly did not relish the though of killing Rayne. Friar Tuck prayed that Rayne would find herself in the darkness that was Shadow. He believed that her and Robin were destined to be with each other. It made sense, two victims of loss made whole again by the other. Tuck prided himself in believing God had a reason for everything He did. Even he couldn't find justice in what was happening to the poor woman. Then there was Little John. He had liked Rayne to an extent. She was strong and quick in battle which had been good enough for him in the beginning. Every outlaw had their own views, but they all were waiting for Robin's order. Unfortunately for the outlaws, their leader wasn't suited to do much of anything.
…...
Guy hadn't cared about the death of one of the outlaws he had been trying to capture. What bothered him was the fact that Rayne was somewhere in Sherwood or beyond trapped in her own body. He refused to believe that someone like her would be defeated by a psychopath that was their other half. He wouldn't allow something like that to happen. Yet a small part of him thought about his first encounter with Shadow. That small part at the back of his mind reminded him that the other half was infatuated with him. He'd seen the crazed fire in her eyes, the one that told of her interest in him. Whatever drove the predatory Shadow to go to him was not in his understanding. The small part of him didn't care. It tugged at the corner of his mind. Prodding it to listen.
Shadow was still in Rayne's body, she was the same person just darker and sadistic. Shadow also hated Robin Hood. Any threat of the outlaw stealing the woman he loved was gone if she didn't return the feelings. The larger portion of Guy had disregarded the idea at first. He loved Rayne, not whatever Shadow was. Then the small portion of his mind had began to grow steadily larger. His worry and growing jealousy getting the better of him.
He quickly became convinced that he had loved Rayne first. That Robin would not get the opportunity to steal her like he had Marian. Guy planned on making sure that she was found by him first. Then, once she was back in Locksley with him, she would never leave his sight.
…...
The Sheriff was thoroughly enjoying the show taking place right under Nottingham's nose. He was certainly not the fool everyone played him to be. He knew everything about what had been going on while his daughter was away. He knew she had been driven insane by his torture methods, and that she was currently a dark alter ego going by the name of Shadow. Something he found comical. He also knew that Gisborne had tried to go behind his back to help Robin Hood in the task of getting Rayne back. He knew how their midnight meeting had ended. It was all thanks to the man he had instructed to tail Gisborne since the day he'd shown signs of affection for his daughter. Everyone was going insane with the stress and drama that had been caused by one women. Hood had been docile, and Gisborne looked more and more like a starved animal with each passing day. Rayne had certainly outdone herself this time.
I'm back (again)! So this wasn't the longest chapter, but it was needed to get a feel for what happened after the events of the last chapter. *sniff*
Anyway, thanks to Signora Ted for the reviews! It is appreciated! -DODV