Shits about to get real from now on. The events in this chapter are kind of a catalyst for things that will snowball. I've had this part of the story thought out for a while. It kind of came to me and it mapped itself out to where I'm going with the whole thing. Didn't expect any of it but that's just how it goes haha.
There's a clear divide in this chapter from my usual mostly Amy but some Michael POV and then just Michaels. There's an overlap in something that happens so it was just easier to write it with a clear break like that.
Warning that there's sexual assault in this chapter and I don't wanna warn later chapters, so obviously the issue will be present in a couple of chapters as said assault is dealt with.
The sun was high in the sky in the garden as Amy, Michael and their two best friends sat in the grass. Michael was leaning against the large tree with Amy cradled between his legs, leaning her back against his chest. Mallory was sat beside of them whilst Coco lay sunning herself in the grass. Amy had her oversized shades on as she read from the book in her hand. Mallory was also reading. The pair were learning more Latin and conversing with each other. Michael was just soaking her in with his arms wound around her. The mood was relaxed and the four of them were soaking it in before they had to head out. The academy was going on a sort of field trip later in the day. There was a forest and a lake nearby that apparently was cursed by a witch centuries ago. It was part of their history lesson. Amy was excited to go and see it, as she always was when it came to her history. But for now, she was just happy to enjoy the company of her three favourite people in the sun.
She was wearing a high waisted black maxi skirt that had a slit either side. She'd bought it the last time she went shopping. She decided on her plum Doc Martens today instead of the usual black combat boots and finished the look off with a black off the shoulder crop top. Having Michael on his knees for her with his head under her skirt had been the reward for her outfit. She decided she'd definitely wear it again sometime soon. She'd seen how his eyes darkened and drank her in when he saw her after she got dressed. She didn't know what hit her before he pounced.
She was listening to Mallory practice one of the words she kept struggling with when she heard voices. She looked through her dark glasses and noticed Jessica and her sister walking out with Cordelia. Amy scrunched her face up at her being back. She knew it would only be a matter of time but it didn't mean she had to like it.
"Yay, the bitch is back," she snorted to herself. Mallory looked over and rolled her eyes at the twins. Amy returned back to reading her book but Michael was watching Jessica carefully. They had stopped in front of a rose bush as Cordelia spoke to them but Jessica wasn't paying attention, she was glaring their way. Michael was feeling a little devious that morning and as his eyes locked onto the brunettes, he leant down and nuzzled Amy's neck. Amy sighed in contentment, no idea her boyfriend was just trying to piss off the twin. He saw how Jessica's back stiffened, her face growing colder. He smirked, nipping at the delicate skin of his lover's neck and making her gasp and giggle. He couldn't help himself. Jessica seemed to have an issue with Amy being with him and he was proving his point that he belonged to Amy and only Amy. Michael quirked a brow at the brunette who was glaring so hard he thought she might combust. Her eyes narrowed and he smirked before taking his eyes off her and just continuing to soak up Amy's presence.
Hours later saw everyone at the clearing of the lake. It had a large field full of grass and flowers with the lake situated along one side of it. They had been walking around the forest as Zoe and Myrtle all told them about Elizabeth Humphries. She had been around 19 when she cursed the land with her very last breath as she was murdered after the village that was once here found out she was a witch. After she died, everyone in the village died painfully. And ever since then, no one had been able to step foot through the iron gates at the entrance of the place. Unless they were witches of course since Elizabeth harboured no ill will to any sisters of hers. It had been a tense moment when they got to the gate. Amy hadn't been sure if Michael had been able to come through with them. She and Michael had been the last ones and she noticed him fidgeting, seemingly worried about it too. Only a few of the coven knew his true nature, the rest thought he was just a powerful warlock that Cordelia had decided to take in because he had no one else. But Amy watched with bated breath as he took a step forward and surprised them by being able to cross the threshold. He'd looked at her with wide eyes seemingly in shock as she grinned at him. Myrtle had scoffed, telling him of course he'd be able to cross, he was one of them now and Elizabeth could sense it. It seemed to make the boy slightly emotional and he'd done nothing but cling to Amy's hand for the rest of the day.
Now their lesson was finished it was time for their picnic. Amy was super excited about it and the field they were in was lush and green. It made her smile, always one to love nature. She stood looking out at the view, watching how the sun bounced off the deep blue lake water. Michael had his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"It's so beautiful here," Amy murmured. Michael hummed in agreement and kissed the side of her face sweetly, making her smile.
"Michael! Can you be a dear and help out with these?" Myrtle called from the cars. They were parked on the other side of the field. He heaved a sigh but didn't protest. It amused Amy greatly how he sometimes seemed afraid of Myrtle. With one last kiss to her head, he was gone. Her blue eyes scanned the landscape. It was hard to know this place was cursed to people that weren't witches. It was so fucking beautiful. She stepped closer to the water's edge as she looked down. It looked deep, the blue dark as it rippled with the breeze.
"I bet you think you're so fucking clever," a cold voice stared from behind her. Amy rolled her eyes, not even needing to look to know who it belonged to.
"And why's that Jessica?" she sighed sounding bored. She didn't even turn to look at the girl. She knew it was only a matter of time before this happened but she wished it wasn't today. She had been enjoying herself.
"I got suspended because of you! My parents are mad at me, they cut off my credit cards and everything!" the girl hissed. Amy turned to face her then and gave her a deadpan look.
"The only one who got you suspended was you, Jessica. Because you don't know what the word no means," she stated with a quirked brow. She saw how the girl's face flushed with anger as she glared at her.
"I saw him first!" Jessica seethed with wild eyes. Amy couldn't even stop the scoff leaving her lips even if she wanted to. It only seemed to enrage the girl more.
"Maybe you did but you know what? He didn't see you. He doesn't like you that way and you need to let that settle into your fucking head because it's getting old. He doesn't care about you, Jessica," Amy said coldly, having enough of her shit.
"Because he cares about you right? He doesn't give a shit about you, he's using you for your body because you've got some kind of enchanted pussy or something. He'll get bored of you and leave, just like everyone else in your life. You don't mean shit to anyone," Jessica spat venomously. Amy clenched her jaw as she stood up taller.
"Are you really that desperate that you're clinging onto someone who doesn't even like you? Is it that hard to find someone who actually likes you?" Amy scoffed incredulously.
"He does like me. I know he does, and soon he's gonna drop your ass when he gets bored of you warming his bed and that's when he'll come crawling to me," Jessica smirked maliciously at her.
"You're like a child not getting her own way. It isn't looks that attracted him to me and not you. It's not who was most popular back at school, it's not who gave give him the flirtiest fucking smile. It was my soul. He liked my soul. And you know what he told me? That you, Jessica, have an ugly fucking soul. And that's why he'd never look at you like he looks at me," Amy stated slowly with burning eyes.
She saw the moment the girl in front of her snapped. She expected a slap to the face or maybe having her hair pulled. However, she didn't expect the dark growl leaving the girls lips as she shoved her, sending her flying into the deep water behind of her. Amy gasped, her limbs flailing as she tried her best to keep above water but it was no use. Gravity started to pull her under. All her life she wished she had a normal family. Normal parents that taught her normal things like how to ride a bike or how to fucking swim. One time it would have come in handy is right then. But of course, they hadn't taught their burden of a daughter how to swim. And now, as her limbs flailed around desperately, her lack of knowledge on how to swim would be the death of her. It seemed the more she panicked and tried to reach the surface, the worse it got and the further down she started to sink. Her lungs were filling with water and the pain was immense. It felt like they were being filled with fire that was consuming her from the inside out. She clawed at her chest desperately but it was no use. She started growing weak as her small lungs filled with more and more water. Darkness danced along her vision and the last thought she had was about the boy with the sunshine hair and ocean blue eyes. Then darkness took hold of her.
Michael was at one of the cars at the other end of the field. Zoe and Myrtle were at the other a little further away as they chatted among themselves. He grabbed the large picnic basket as he watched the pair. He couldn't help but smile to himself as he watched the woman with the crazy hair. Her earlier words had given him a wave of acceptance from her that he didn't even realise he was seeking. But it made him feel good to know that he was seen as one of them. A place he finally felt welcome. He suddenly heard a loud splash and his head whipped around confused, not understanding what was going on. Mallory was running towards Jessica who was standing right near the water.
"What the hell are you doing, you know Amy can't swim!" Mallory shrieked, full of terror. The words hit him like a tonne of bricks and the basket fell from his hands. He didn't stop to think about anything as he ran over, fear coursing through his veins. The splash had been Amy, and he knew just as Mallory did that she couldn't swim. They'd talked about it once.
He dived in without sparing anyone a glance. The water was cold but he paid it no mind as he opened his eyes, ignoring how they stung from the water. He couldn't see her anywhere in the dark water and continued swimming downwards, trying to ignore the paralyzing terror that was seizing at him. As he got further down, he finally saw her. There floating just above the bed of the lake was his lover. Hair around her head like a halo as her skirt shifted with the water. And her blue eyes were staring at him. But they weren't, not really. Because they held no life in them and it made his dark heart feel like it was being ripped to shreds. He swam down to her, scooping her in his arms as he quickly swam back up. He broke the surface of the water and gasped, heaving in harsh breaths as he made his way back to the edge of the grass. Hands helped grab Amy, he didn't know who they belonged to, he couldn't bring himself to care. He hauled himself onto the grass beside of her as a gut-wrenching sob left him.
"No, no, no!" he screamed, so full of anguish as her dead eyes glared at him. He clasped his hands on her chest, pushing down, determined to fucking bring her back. She couldn't leave, it wasn't fair. He was sobbing helplessly as he did chest compressions, only just registering the murmuring and crying going on around him as the others gathered around. Nothing was happening though, she wasn't coming back. He heard some talking and then Mallory knelt on her other side. She was crying too and she muttered things under her breath, blowing into Amy's mouth. He knew what she was doing. Vitalum Vitalis. Yet nothing worked. She frowned, her breathing hitched as she tried again.
"It's not working!" she sobbed desperately. A broken sob left his lips again then as his mind tried to go through all the options. He knew he was more powerful and his body wracked with sobs as he leant near his lifeless love's face as he cradled it like she was made of glass, uttering the incantation before blowing into her mouth. Yet again, nothing. His heart was thumping wildly against his ribcage and he felt sick. He needed to fix it, she couldn't be dead. She couldn't leave him here all alone. it wasn't a fucking option.
"Descensum," he muttered, eyes wild as his whole body shook.
"Michael that's dangerous," Zoe frowned with a shaky voice. He only just realised she was sitting beside him, tears running down her face but she was holding his arm like she was trying to comfort him.
"I don't care! You know I can do it, I've done it before. I'm not leaving her behind," he snarled, ripping himself away from her. Hell was his domain after all. He wasn't letting her go like this.
He lay down, ignoring everyone completely as he chanted the incantation. He was so desperately trying to ignore the painful ache in his heart and how the image of her lifeless body wouldn't leave his mind. He was getting her back. It was going to be okay. When he next opened his eyes, he was stood in a long hallway littered with doors. He'd been here before when he got back Misty. He wiped his eyes as he stumbled a little, leaning against the wall. The pain was overwhelming him and it was causing him physical pain. What if he couldn't find her? What if she wasn't here or he couldn't bring her back? Mallory was strong and she couldn't bring her back. He failed to bring her back himself using Vitalum Vitalis. What if he failed with this too? He screamed and all the doors in the hallway shook violently. The noise loud and full of anguish as he tried to unleash his pain to free himself of it. His chest was heaving as he willed the beast to rise. Because anger was so much fucking easier to deal with than this unbearable sadness he was feeling. He tried to focus on the fact that someone had done this to her. That bitch Jessica had pushed his love into the lake knowing she couldn't swim. And when he would get his hands on her she would wish she was dead.
The plan worked as his anger flared dangerously. The beast coming to the surface and turning his eyes black. But it helped him finally move his feet as he set off on finding her like he needed to. Because if he couldn't, he wasn't going back. He hovered his hands over the doors as he passed, knowing he would feel it when he came to it. He felt like he'd been walking down the hall for a lifetime when he finally stopped. His arms tingled like crazy but it wasn't just that. It was the smell. Lavender and the smell just before rain. His hand clutched the doorknob as he wrenched the door open and stepped inside.
It was all black. Just like the dream she had that he was privy to that one time. Nothing but empty black that surrounded him. He let his feet guide him, taking him to her. He saw something in the distance then. There was a spotlight that seemed to shine out of nowhere with a bed in the middle and two figures. It almost looked like a show on stage with the light and he made his way over. But as he got next to them, he stopped completely. He was still hidden in the deep inky landscape of the shadows but his heart seized up at the scene before him. Amy was sat on the bed sobbing helplessly and a fake version of himself stood towering over her. Fake Michael's eyes were black and he had a sinister smirk on his face. A smirk he knew all too well but never once had it been directed at the girl cowering on the bed. He wanted to move closer but his feet wouldn't move an inch.
"Poor little Amy. You think anyone will miss you?" Fake Michael asked mockingly. He gripped her jaw so tight that she yelped in pain and it made Michael's blood boil yet his feet still wouldn't move.
"Your family won't miss you, your coven won't miss you. And I sure as fuck won't miss you," he laughed gleefully as he leant right close to her face. Another soft sob left her lips, more tears down her cheeks as she closed her eyes.
"You're pathetic you know that? So desperate and needy for love. Even your parents didn't love you, what makes you think I would? You're nothing but a warm hole for me to stuff my cock and even with that you're not that good," he grinned wickedly at her, digging his nails into her flesh and making her bleed.
"You don't mean a thing to anybody. It's almost tragic. Almost. You're just a waste of space and its amusing you thought you'd ever mean anything to me. I mean… don't you know who I am?!" he laughed maniacally as he finally let go of her face.
Michael watched in horror as the girl cowered away with blood on her face. This was her personal hell? Him? The demon version of him telling her he never cared and she was worthless? It made his heart clench and his lower lip trembled, his eyes turning back to blue once more.
"And now, you're going to give me what I want and let me use you, just like you always do. Because you're so desperate it's pathetic," fake Michael chuckled as he pushed her onto her back and hitched up her skirt.
"No! Please not again!" she cried out, trying to push him off. It was no use though, he was much stronger than her and he pinned her hands above her head harshly with one of his hands as the other reached to undo his pants.
"I said no!" she shrieked desperately as she bucked wildly, trying to get him off her to no avail. Real Michael watched, bile rising in his throat as she screamed, the demon wearing his skin shoving his cock into her without her consent.
It snapped him out of his sadness and fear at watching it, his anger clawing its way from his chest at a rapid rate. His eyes flashed black and he clenched his fist, watching as the fake version of himself's head exploded. Amy shrieked, blood splattering all over her face as the body fell on top of her. She shoved it off, letting it hit the floor with a thud. She looked around with wild eyes, clearly noticing this wasn't how it was supposed to be. Michael was well aware that time worked different down here. He dreaded to think how many times that wretched thing had defiled her wearing his face. It made him feel sick. He stepped closer, coming out of the shadows and her eyes landed on him. Wide and fearful as she scooted back on the bed.
"Please! No more! Please!" she begged through her broken sobs. It made his heart clench painfully as he walked over to the bed.
"Amy… it's me," despite his eyes still being black, his voice wavered as he took in her battered appearance and her traumatised face.
She looked at him warily, eyes scanning his face desperately.
"I came to get you," he whispered as he sat on the bed, the lump in his throat growing. He was terrified she hated him now and he wouldn't blame her for a second. It hadn't been him to do that to her but it was someone pretending to be him. He was scared she would look at his face now and forever be reminded of the horrors she endured down here. She blinked at him for a moment and his lip trembled, rejection rippling through his body like lava. He was startled when she tackled him, wrapping her arms around him as she sobbed into his neck. The relief that flowed through him was immense. That she knew it was really him. That she wasn't scared of him.
"You came for me," she sobbed, sounding so incredulous he was almost offended.
"Of course I did. I'd follow you no matter where you went," he murmured as he inhaled her scent, burying his nose into her hair. The relief he felt in that moment, having her in his arms once again, he didn't even have words for it. He had been so scared it was all over.
He held her for a while, soaking her in and letting her cry as much as she needed. The only reason he wasn't sobbing like a baby was the anger he was holding onto. For the girl that did this to her, for the demon now lay on the floor without a head. His eyes were still black despite his hold on her as he stroked her hair. She finally moved away and wiped her eyes with shaky hands and he looked at her carefully.
"Amy… you know- you know that wasn't really me. I'd never say those things, I'd never do… that," he muttered with a clenched jaw. She nodded, taking his hand in hers softly.
"I know. The first time… I knew it wasn't really you. Even your demon has good in him," she replied softly. Her words sucked the air out of his lungs, eyes turning bright blue as he looked at her. How after all this she had endured at the hands of someone wearing his skin, she still trusted him so blindly, so fiercely. It was overwhelming.
"Let's take you home," he said, his voice cracking as he stood up. She stood too and stumbled a little, pain flashing across her face. He scooped her up in his arms carefully, letting his feet carry them back to the door.
Michael sat up gasping for air, coming back topside after his little visit to hell. But as his eyes darted to the girl next to him, her body was still lifeless.
"No! It should have worked!" he yelled desperately as he crawled over to her. The others looked scared as they stood around. Coco, Mallory and Zoe sat beside her body.
"Amy please!" Michael sobbed. Had he failed? Why didn't it work? Amy started choking, water pouring out of her mouth and Zoe quickly turned her to her side to let it all out of her. His body sagged for a moment at the relief that she was back. He hadn't failed. But now his task had been completed, his eyes turned to the girl responsible who was stood there looking shocked. She almost looked remorseful but it wasn't enough for him.
"You bitch!" he snarled, diving at her and tackling her to the floor. He heard the commotion behind him but paid no mind as he wrapped his large hands around the brunette's throat. She was thrashing, trying to fight him to no avail as she looked at him completely frightened. She was seeing his black eyes for the first time. He revelled in her fear. He felt hands trying to pry him away but he didn't move an inch as people called to him to stop.
"Michael stop!" he heard a hoarse voice call out frightfully. A voice he loved so much. He obeyed her command without a second thought, letting go of the bitch's neck and watching as she coughed and sucked in air greedily.
"You'll get what's coming to you, mark my words," he growled at her before standing. He blinked, eye blue once more before he walked passed everyone who was watching. He crouched back beside Amy looking at her warily, not knowing if she would be upset with him now. But she crawled into his lap, clinging to him as her body trembled. The coldness of his wet body didn't bother him one bit, but she was freezing. The only person that came to the aid of Jessica was her sister. They hadn't wanted him to kill her, but none of them wanted her around after what she did. She had murdered one of their own, even if Amy was technically back now.
Michael held her tightly as she shivered and clung onto him and he relished in her closeness.
"I want to go home," she murmured weakly. He nodded, and without a word, he left everyone behind as he transmuted them to their room. He drew a hot bath for her, wanting to warm her up. He had every intention of leaving her to bathe by herself, figuring after everything she had been through with a fake version of himself she would want to be alone. But she had grasped his wrist and begged him to stay. Begged him so fiercely that he felt his chest feel tight to the point it hurt. So he got in with her, her back to his chest just how they had been that morning when neither of them knew what awaited them that day. His arms wound around her middle tightly as they soaked in the hot water.
And then, she sobbed. Amy's sobs, painful gut-wrenching sobs that ripped his insides to nothing but shreds and he sobbed too. He sobbed for his own pain. For losing her even for a brief moment. The fear at how easy it had been for her to be taken from him. The pain of knowing her personal hell was him. He cried for her, for everything she went through. He just cried. They both stayed in the tub for over an hour, sobbing until they had no more tears left. When they got out, he dried her off with a towel taking great care to be gentle. She had no wounds now, but her mental scars were worse and he knew that. She was quiet but allowed him to dry her off and pull his sleep shirt over her head, knowing she liked to sleep in it sometimes. He took her to bed and spooned her, his hand over her heart as if to reassure himself it was still beating. She had fallen asleep almost instantly after all her body had been through. But he couldn't sleep. He lay there all night holding her as the tears came again. It was easy to forget how fragile she was. He was the Antichrist, it took a lot to kill him. But despite her being a witch, it was much easier for something to happen to her. And he hated it. He wanted to find a way to fix that, even if it meant talking to his father who he knew wasn't pleased with him. He didn't care. He needed to ensure she would be by his side always because he couldn't go through this again. He'd suffered too much loss in his life and none of it compared to the pain he had felt when he dragged her lifeless body from the lake. That was his own personal hell. A life without her. And he would make sure Jessica would pay dearly for fucking with what was his.