--------------------------------------------------Chapter 14----------------------------------------------------
The Black Slayer
Dark Intentions
Jessica
dilly_freak7_7@hotmail.com
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I flew high over the city until I thought I was over downtown. I landed in an alley's shadows and got rid of my wings. I'll save them for later, I thought. I walked out onto the sidewalk and just walked around for about half an hour to cool off. I searched my pockets and found about thirty dollars so I went to find something to eat that I hadn't had in a while. Luckily for me, a pizza place was open so I walked in and ate my dinner, or breakfast, in a back corner of the restaurant. I had missed pizza, but not nearly as much as root beer. When I was done, I paid the bill and left a rather generous tip. I found that I still had about twenty dollars left, so I went out and bought myself a new Linkin Park cd to listen to whenever I felt like it. That left me with about five dollars. I went to the nearest convenience store and bought as much candy as I could with the money. I sat on a bench in the park and ate Spree candy looking out at the night sky.

I had been sitting for about ten minutes when I heard footsteps off to my right and behind me. I dismissed it as another person simply walking through the park. The steps circled around to my back and died away. An instant later an iron like hand grabbed my shoulder and nearly lifted me up off of the bench. I didn't have to time to react before I was punched repeatedly in the face and stomach. I stumbled back and my back slammed into a tree. I caught a glimpse of enraged brown eyes and flying black hair before I was punched again in the face. I brought up my hands to protect myself, but it didn't help at all. Finally, long dormant until now, my most basic instincts forced my to duck the next blow and the assailant's fist slammed into the tree. The person gave a muffled curse, revealing themselves as a man. Before he could do anything else, I brought my fist up in a shattering blow to his stomach and the man doubled over in pain. I kneed the guy in the face and threw a quick left uppercut bringing more curses of pain. I slammed my right fist into his face and he stumbled back, clutching his nose as blood ran freely from it. He stepped back into the light of a street lamp and I just had to gasp at what I saw. It was Van.

I quickly produced one of my hidden daggers and caught his hand up behind his back. He took his other hand away from his nose to reveal that it was clearly broken. I shoved the hilt of the dagger into the middle of his back to get his attention.
Why did you do that?' I snarled.
Guess' he answered. I pulled harder and he grimaced.
Because I captured Allen? Because if you can't use me nobody else should? Because I survived your first attempt? Because I killed off too many of your men? The list goes on, Van. All you have to do is pick one' I replied, almost hissing. I drew him back into the shadows so no one would get suspicious.
Because. The reasons are beyond even your understanding' he growled.
Oh really? Try me' I pushed the blade of the dagger into his neck. He winced again.
Kill me if you want, you won't get the answers' he replied. This wasn't going to be easy.
Do you really wa---' Before I could finish my thought, something, closer to someone, jumped down onto my back and started feebly punching me. Forgetting Van, I dropped onto my back to pin the new attacker and stabbed whoever it was in the shoulder. I heard a kind of howl of pain. I rolled off and as soon as I did, the person bolted on four legs, followed closely by Van. I was too tired to give chase, so I just watched them disappear into the shadows. I laid back and stared into the sky again to catch my breath. One of the first questions that was brought to my mind was how he had gotten here. My second thought was how I was going to get home. I hurt all over. I pushed myself up onto my knees and sat for another couple of minutes. When I tried to stand, it was too much for my battered body and I coughed up blood. My mind raced with the possibilities for getting home. Among the many ideas was turning into one of my more powerful forms to get back, but that would mean going through the city as either a huge wolf or dragon. Oh well. It's better than sitting meat. This wasn't exactly the best city to be out at night in.

I sighed and stood, coughing up more blood. With all the will power I could muster, I concentrated on my wolf form. Even though it was less powerful than a dragon, it was smaller and could actually fit through some of the alley ways. This transformation took longer and more concentration then I've usually had to use. My battered body wasn't taking it easily. The red light engulfed me and hid my changing body from anybody in the vicinity. It pulsed one last time, and I stood in my huge wolf form, completely black except for the single patch of red fur on my forehead. I collapsed to the ground for a few minutes before struggling up again. I started forward, out of the park, forcing one paw in front of the other with each step. I growled at myself to keep the pain out of my mind. It grew less with every step, so I gradually went faster. When I reached the main part of the city, people started screaming and running away from me, diving into the nearest building. I ignored them all until the police showed up. I sighed to myself when I heard the sirens about five blocks away. I leapt to the top of one of the smaller buildings and worked my way to the suburbs, where my family lived. When I was pretty close, I jumped down and sneaked through the shadows towards my house. The only disturbances along the way were a few cats and dogs and one homeless man who woke up from a drunken stupor when he heard me pass. He was too senseless to understand what I was, so he just watched me pass. I reached the back of my house, at least I recognized it, and jumped over the wooden fence.

I landed quietly and noticed that Mark was sitting on the porch swing. I also noticed that his cheek was red and he was glaring at the grass. I walked up slowly so he wouldn't be too startled and stopped about five feet away from him. He looked really scared for a minute and looked like he was going to scream or get up and run. I shook my head at him then walked up and set my head in his lap. He looked really puzzled before he tentatively scratched my head just behind my ears. I leaned into his hand to let him know it was all right. I stood like that for a few more minutes in my wolf form before I changed back into my human form.
Jessica!' Mark said in an astonished whisper. I didn't say anything, I just put my head on his shoulder and sat quietly. He wrapped his arms around me protectively. I sat in his arms for about ten minutes before I said anything.

Why did he slap you?' I asked, referring to Dilandau. I looked up into his face and saw the rage and pain begin to boil in his eyes.
He told me to stay away from you because you were his. I told him that he didn't have the right to claim you and he slapped me' he finished with a tint of anger in his voice.
And who shouted?' I asked.
I did' he answered quietly. I pushed up closer to his body and relaxed for a few more minutes before I spoke again.
Where did he go?' I asked.
He just took off running after he slapped me. I don't know where he went' he replied. Then he finally noticed all the bruises forming on face and my split lip.
Wha....? How did you get those??' he asked pushing me up to get a better look at my face. I sighed and reluctantly answered his question.
I was attacked in the park' I told him. The outrage was clear on his face. It was some one I know and he didn't get away scot-free either' I added. Mark stood up and pulled me into the house.
Your mom and sister are asleep, so stay quiet' he told me. He led me to the kitchen where he knew we kept our medicine and found the right things to tend to my wounds while I got an ice pack out of the freezer for my bruises. I let Mark rub some antiseptic cream on my lip while i held the ice pack to the worst bruise on my cheek.

Let's go sit in your room' Mark suggested as he gently pulled me to the stairs.
No, I have a better idea' I pulled him back outside and stood for a moment to control my pain. At just the right instant, my wings broke free of my back, shooting past Mark with their incredible size since he stood behind me. I turned around, careful to not hit him, and pulled him into my arms. I flew up into the night and landed on the roof of my house.
Mark?' I asked.
Yea?' he whispered back. He shifted in my arms and looked at me.
This is going to sound crazy, but I want to go back'
Back inside? That's crazy?' He looked puzzled.
No. I want to go back to Gaea' I corrected. He thought about this for a minute before speaking.
Then I'll go with you' he said with confidence. I was half relieved and half confused.
Why?You have so much here, family, friends, money. On Gaea you're nobody unless you're good with a sword. You'd get kicked around and maybe even killed. I'll telling the truth. Dilandau would sooner slice you open than hear you talk. Please, think about it' I pleaded.
I have and there is one simple fact that makes all those things pale in significance. You' he replied. You are more important to me than money, friends, and even my family. Jessica, my family treats me like trash. I want to see this world of yours even if I never eat pizza again. I want a chance to live an exciting like. I will not be denied' he finished with quiet force. I knew arguing wold be futile. He wouldn't want to leave me and I didn't really want to lose him again. I nodded to let him know I agreed. He smiled and hugged me.

I was able to stay on the roof for about ten minutes longer before I started shivering. Mark did too so I took us back to the ground.
Hey, can you sleep on the couch?' I asked.
Yea...but I was hoping to stay in your room' he replied. On the floor' he added.
My mom would kill both of us' I smiled. He shrugged and sat down on the couch to wait for me to get him some blankets and a couple of pillows.
Goodnight' I said when I returned.
Goodnight' he answered. Before I had taken two steps away, I felt him grab my hand and pull me into his arms.
Goodnight' he repeated. He kissed me then, the gentlest I've ever had. He broke away for a moment and looked over my battered face while running a hand through my mid back length light brown hair.
Sweet dreams' he finished. He kissed me on the forehead and let me go. I smiled back at him and went upstairs to my room.

I turned on the light and took off my armor, leaving it in a pile on the floor. Before I changed into my pajamas, I brushed my hair out of the braid it had been in most of the day. Suddenly a warm hand clamped over my mouth.
I thought I told him to leave you to me' a sinister voice growled in my ear. I recognized it immediately as Dilandau's. I started struggling and as soon as I did, I felt ice cold steel bite the soft skin of my neck.
Stop it' he ordered. I stopped. When I had calmed down enough he released my face and pressed the dagger into my throat.
What do you want?' I hissed.
What belongs to me' he answered calmly as he inspected my neck.
And what is that?' I asked, now pissed.
Aww, come on, you're smarter than that' he teased. Thus, I knew. Fear hit me like a 2''x 4''. No, my mind kept screaming, no, No, NO!!!

haha! short and weird i know! R&R!!! flames accepted with smiles!!
-Lil Pyro