Author's note: I'll be taking my time and introducing my OC over several chapters. It's still undecided if I will commit to this one as much as I do my Naruto fic. Please show your interest. It will be awhile before the Winx and other mains make appearances.
The next day, I awoke to the bright sun hitting my bed. Mass irritation flooded me as I covered my eyes to block it out. Yesterday was crazy, that was for sure. Maybe, just maybe, today would be normal. A groan left my lips after I threw off the covers and got out of bed, not impressed with the hospital gown I sported. I gasped while looking at my hands; these were not mine. These were smaller and had black and red nail polish on the nails, which were not the colors I'd wear. I watched as the shadows danced, seemingly with glee, the more irritated I became. I've watched a ton of media over the years, yet the name for this eluded me.
Still groggy from yesterday, I slowly climbed out of bed, being careful not to anger my wound, and stood in front of the nearest shadow. I felt a familiar, yet unfamiliar tug as I reached out towards it. The shadow engulfed my hand and the only point of reference I had at the moment was Shadowcat, but darker. Instincts told me this was safe, but it's all too weird. I did not know where I was and people were acting like this was a play, cause fairies couldn't be real, right? With a sigh, I stepped into the shadows. The shift in temperature was immediate; the air became colder, but not uncomfortably so. My thoughts still were foggy, so I allowed my instincts to be my guide.
"Take me to Amaya and the others," I ordered.
I felt the shadows shift, nudging me in the direction. I could see into various rooms as I walked about and picked up bits of conversation along the way. Some were calm, yet others were saddening. A mixed bag, yet my current self felt little towards them than I usually would. Maybe this was just a weird dream. The shadow wrapped around me like an old friend, caressing my body, herding me in a new direction after some time.
"Is Mira going to be ok?" It was that Harpy from yesterday.
"We'll have to wait and see if that witch can reverse it." A voice I didn't know replied.
"I have seen no one with skin like hers. Is it a spell? A curse?" Another voice I didn't know.
"She said she was born with it. Poor dear, never able to touch another." Amaya chimed in. "Then again, Witches aren't the touchy sort."
I rolled my eyes, unsurprised they spoke about me. I would too if I were in their shoes. I didn't understand this skin myself. It just was. I listened for several more minutes, then grew bored with their thoughts. I pondered for a long time, debating on whether to return to my room or explore more. The shadows seemed to sense this and materialized a chair from nothing. All of this is freaking me out, but it was something new. It beat the old life I had, minus the killer skin.
"Why don't you join us, girl?" It was Amaya's voice.
She looked in my direction. Somehow she knew I was here. The other girls looked confused; I am confused. I must have spaced out for a long time, but no matter. I would not be one of those girls from the many films I've seen. Instead…
"You know, talking about someone's life won't get you a life." I drawled while exiting the shadows like I've done it my entire life.
"You're the -"
I held up a hand. "Enough, I want clothes. I refuse to stay in this gown."
My voice took me by surprise. It was deeper than usual, with a hint of aggression laced within it. I didn't know what to think, but I needed answers. I'm usually a passive person, preferring to fade to the background. However, I knew it would not happen here. This skin of mine would not allow it and someone being covered from head to toe in clothes would draw attention. Maybe if I got away from the population, I could loosen up. I didn't even know where I was. All this shit is weird.
"Demands get you nowhere," Amaya chided. "However, given your condition, I'll overlook it."
I scoffed and sighed, but said nothing more. It was clear the others in the room shared her view, if only a little, but didn't chime in. I wanted out of here to find answers. Amaya left the room for several minutes and returned with currency I've never seen before. I cocked my head, curiously looking it over, as it was a significant amount. She set it down on a nearby table and stepped away, eyeing me silently. Once again, she left, and this time; the girls followed. I took the hint; she led us to another room after a walk down a long hallway. The sounds of various machines entered my ears; a girl, whom I assumed to be Mira, was attached to them. I could feel the shadows in the back of my mind dance excitedly as if enjoying the girl's suffering. I didn't know what to feel, yet something told me to feel happy.
"This is what you did to her! You shou-"
"Be silent." I hissed before the shadows hurried to obey my unintentional command.
I watched as the shadows quickly restrained the Harpy fairy's body, her mouth covered by a clawed hand, while Amaya hurried to intervene. I frowned while she, once again, gave me a stern look, as if I was responsible. I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders, turning my head to face the sick girl.
"Let her go," Amaya ordered.
"I had nothing to do with it. The shadows have a mind of their own. Besides, if you want me to look over that girl, the Harpy has to be silent. The girl's voice is irritating. I won't be able to concentrate." My voice was icy, even to my ears.
"She will be quiet or will be removed from the room. Agreed?"
"So be it." I sighed before snapping my fingers, inwardly hoping for a response.
"Why must you deprive me of my fun?" I heard a voice say, but I didn't react, figuring if magic was real, this voice had to be linked to it.
It did not disappoint me when I heard a loud thump and an outcry. Inside, I wanted to flip my shit, but instinctively, I knew I had to maintain this exhausting mask. With a sigh, I walked to the girl's beside and looked her over. She looked like shit, to tell the truth, and reminded me of the X-Men scene involving Rogue and Ms. Marvel. My eyes followed her arms down to her hands, raising a brow at the severe burns that covered the hands. There were other injuries that covered her body, but the burns stood out to me.
"She must have held on in confusion," I muttered quietly before trying to will something, anything, to my hand.
"It is her fault, my dear; it cannot be helped. Either way, her life force saved you from her current position." That voice again.
"Who are you?"
"I am the 'who' when you call who's there…"
This fucker was trolling me, using my memories. I heard a cackle in my mind, followed by a warm sensation similar to an embrace. I growled low and the warmth left. I had so many questions, yet spacing out here would not benefit me. I glanced back at the group who expected me to fix this.
"Can I - we fix this?"
"You always ask; the answer remains the same: the energy required is a risk to yourself. If you stopped trying to -"
I cut it off. "Surely, there is a point somewhere?"
"The girl healed you after she touched you in exchange for her energy. You know this by now, my dear." it purred in my ear. "You pushed yourself far this round."
"My skin injures and kills, to save myself?"
"Correct. My, my, the near-drowning really did a number on my mistress. The girl will pass and we will absorb her remaining life force. A pity, really, a Fairy such as that one would have been delicious. The meat -"
"I've heard enough."
"As my mistress commands…"
I'm fucking possessed. That's the only thing I could think of. I seriously wanted to run out of the room and cry, but I couldn't find it within me to do so. A mirror. I need a fucking mirror. I turned from the dying girl and scanned the room. The bathroom door was behind the women. I stormed their direction; they scrambled to avoid contact. I thought I'd tear the door off the hinges with the amount of force I used. The door flew open as I ran inside. I turned to face the mirror. This time, I could scream and took full advantage of it.
