A Crow Black Dream
Part One: (Don't Fear) The Reaper
Note: I do not own the idea of the Crow, that belongs to James O'Barr and this song belongs to Blue Oyster Cult
All our times have come
Here but now they're gone
Seasons don't fear the reaper
Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain
We can be like they are
Conner McKnight awoke in a cold sweat, her name on his lips and tears in his eyes. A year had passed and it was the dawn of the following Day of the Dead. He let out a sob as he remembered his dream; her cold, dead body in the morgue, throat cut and all the blood drained from her body. On top of that learning the child that grew within her, his child perished with her. Now most nights when he closed her eyes and tried to remember the good times they had shared, he couldn't. Though a year had passed he still expected to awaken with Kira Ford at his side, but she was gone. He blamed himself, punishing himself for something he had no control over in the first place. He heard a soft knock on his door and then it opened. Ethan James gave him a sad, soft smile as he came in, crossing the room in slow steps.
"Come on, we're late." He stated, for a short while Conner had no clue what the hell Ethan was talking about. As he began to dress he decided halfway through dressing that he couldn't go through with it and threw himself back onto his bed.
"Conner-" Ethan began, Conner cut him off.
"No! I can't go! If I do…if I do I-" Conner couldn't continue, Ethan stared silently down at him when Doctor Thomas Oliver's voice came from the open doorway.
"-Have to accept that she's gone." He stated.
Sometime later they managed to get Conner back up and dressed, then together in silence and in sorrow they headed to the Reefside Cemetery. Others had gathered around her grave, her parents, Cassidy Cornell, Devin Fong, Trent Fernandez-Mercer, Hayley, and most surprisingly of all Kylie Styles. They made a horseshoe around the damn Earth, silently saying their prayers, paying their respects and counting their regrets. After time had passed everyone slowly began to leave, Kylie first, then her parents, then Cassidy. Devin surprised the others by not leaving with his beloved Cassidy.
"Devin, why didn't you go with Cass?" Ethan asked, Devin looked up, tears falling from his smoky, unnatural gray eyes.
"Did you ever stop to think why Kira was always kind to me? We grew up together. She was like a sister to me. We were rarely apart as kids, we even had a fort in the woods where we would hide out. Even in high school we still wen there, she told me everything." There was a short pause where he let out a shuddering sob. "Rangers, she was the Yellow Ranger my savior sometimes, she never told me but when Elsa attacked the station I saw, and confessed to her after the tapes were destroyed that I had seen. I haven't said anything to anyone, not even Cass, you're secret's safe with me. She confess to me a week before that she though she was pregnant and I made her, her appointment and got her the home pregnancy test before hand. I feel better, telling you thing, if you guys want to talk, I'm here." Devin finished and then slowly walked away. Conner, Ethan, Tommy and Trent exchanged looks of enlightenment, regret and pity before slowly walking away from the gravesite.
Come on baby, don't fear the reaper
Baby take my hand, don't fear the reaper
We'll be able to fly, don't fear the reaper
Baby I'm your man
As the dying sun's rays began to fall on the Earth, a cold wind blew and a crow landed on Kira's headstone. As it blinked and gave a soft caw, 6 feet under the ground Kira's eyes opened and life returned to her corpse. Gasping she glance around the inside of her casket frightening her. As she lay there a flash of memory came to her, showing her a past that had long since passed.
Two seven year olds laughed and ran through the woods, sharing the one through of their hidden place. The girl squealed with laughter as the boy paused and sent her crashing into him.
"Come on Kira!" Devin laughed as they sprinted to tree house, going inside their secret place
Kira gasped and then panic set in, she began to claw at the lid of her casket. The material ripped and she knew screaming wouldn't help her, she was deep under the Earth and no one would hear her. Slamming the palms of her hands on the lid, the wood broke, the Earth now layered on top of her. She began to slowly dig her way out of her entombment. She broke through the Earth, covered in soil, the night air rushing around her, the crow's caw taking her attention. The bird peered down at her, and she read the headstone that it was perched on. Kira Rebecca Ford, August 24, 1986-October 31, 2004' she read to herself as the image of her own death revealed to her through the eyes of the bird. She touched her barren womb and cried for her child, the innocent life taken before it began. As the rain began she took her first steps again, then once she gained the strength, and she ran to the only place she remembered. Going deep into the woods, she was soon soaked head to toe, but it didn't bother her. She found herself in front of the tree house, and saw a light on inside. Instinct drove her as she kicked the door open and the person within jumped at the sight of her.
"Kira, do you believe in true love?" he asked, as the lay on her bed, Kira strummed her guitar, thoughtfully.
"Yeah, why do you ask?" the teen asked, staring down at him, curiosity in her face.
"I'm in love, I've found the one." Devin said, Kira almost burst out laughing but held back.
"Who?" she asked, Devin smiled and closed his gray eyes briefly.
"Cassidy Cornell." She stated simply, without a hint embarrassment.
"Her?! How do you know? We're only 13!" Kira insisted laughing, going to her window. As she stared across the street, seeing a new boy climbed out of his family car, his sandy blonde hair and brown eyes were shining brightly in the sun. The boy was wearing a red jersey and he tossed a small red soccer ball up in the air and caught it again. He looked up at her and she felt her heart melt, and knew exactly what Devin meant.
Devin jumped and cowered slight at the sight of his formerly dead friend.
"What in the hell? Kira-how? Are you?" Devin couldn't even string a sentence together.
"I was hoping you could tell me Devin, I just dug myself out of my own grave. Please, you have to held me, you have to help me understand what's happening to me." Kira begged her eyes pleading. Devin gently took her into his arms, both crying as the weight of what was happening began to settle on their shoulders.
Valentine is done
Here today but now they're gone
Romeo and Juliet
Are together in eternity
Romeo and Juliet
Doctor Thomas Oliver shifted restlessly in his bed, the thoughts of the dear friend he had lost one year ago that night. He felt a presence in his room and opened his eyes. Once his eyes adjust to the darkness that surrounded him, he could see perfectly. On the end of his bed, a figure was balancing atop of the footboard. He sat up and stared into her doe eyes, her bloodless face was marred by the gashes over her eyes and in the corners of her mouth. He reached out to touch Kira's face and she leaned into his warm hand as it cradled her face.
"Kira, you're a crow." He said, knowing the legend of the crow but not truly believing until the moment he saw her again.
"Dr. O" was all she whispered, then surrendered into his open arms.
"Ok class, today we're learning about heredity. Let's say that…Kira is having a baby. She has brown eyes and we will represent that with two capitals B's. Let's say that father is Conner and since he too has brown eyes, can they have a child with blue eyes?" Tommy asked his science class, Kira felt her face heat up as she looked to the jock at her side. Ethan raised his hand and Tommy nodded to him.
"No, if the baby has any other color, Kira's been steppin' out." He laughed; Kira shook her head and jumped as the bell rang. She gathered her things as the rest of the class piled out the door.
"Hey Dr. O, are you going to need my help later?" she asked, once everyone was gone. He looked up at her as she nervously fiddled with the rings on her fingers before attempting to straighten the brilliant yellow fishnet that covered her arms.
"Uh, maybe, why?" his curiosity getting the best of him, Kira's face turned crimson as she looked anywhere but his eyes.
"Conner wants to take me to dinner but if you need me…"
"Go, go have fun and don't worry. The world won't end if you can't help me organize today. Have a good dinner and tell Conner to keep his hands to himself." Kira laughed and met his eyes.
"Thanks a bunch, Dr. O, you're the best." She said, then quickly gave him a half hug before racing from room and running to the next class.
Tommy held her tight, not wanting to let go for fear of learning she wasn't real.
"Why have you come back?' he asked, leaning back against his headboard, pillowing her head on his chest. The formerly dead girl sighed heavily, resting her cheek on his bare chest.
"Dr. O, did you learn anything from my autopsy?" she asked, Tommy shook his head.
"There was no autopsy by request of your parents." He explained, Kira nodded, thankful for that, moving off of his chest and she looked into his eyes.
"Tommy…I was 19 weeks pregnant. The people who took me needed my blood to take my power. They had been watching me, they knew of my condition but they had no regard for my child's life. I've returned to avenge our death." Kira explained, she and Devin had made the decision that was the reason for her resurrection. Tommy gently held her again, his arms wrapping securely around her.
"Was it Conner's?" he asked, Kira chuckled softly, the sound slightly musical to his ears.
"Who else?" she asked softly, Tommy shook his head muttering 'I don't know' They sat there in the comfort of each others arms for a few more moments when she was a flash of vision, realizing it was coming through the eyes of the crow.
The man known as Gats stumbled out of a bar unable to walk straight, heading into an alley he weebled as he took each step. Gats crashed into several garbage cans causing a stray cat to run in fear. Singing a drunken tune he stumbled into another club through its private entrance
Kira bolted away from Tommy and gasped, realizing why the bird chose to show her.
"I have to go, please don't tell Conner about my return I will go to him, Ethan and Trent later." Kira said, Tommy nodded and she leaned forward, kissing him on his lips. He kissed her back, her cold lips, chilling him then within an instance she was gone.
Gats pushed through the crowd stumbled to the bar, ordering another drink. Collapsing onto a stood he looked up glancing into a mirror, seeing an unmoving woman behind him. Her face familiar to hi m, he turned around, she was gone. Scrunching his eyebrows and turned his attention back to his drink, jumping when he saw the woman now crouching on the bar over his drink. Jumping back, he began to fall, unbalanced on his feet, and she pounced. Slamming into his gut with her boot, he screamed in pain.
"You!" he gasped, recognizing her face. "You're dead." He stated, she punched him in the face.
"Yes, because you killed me and my child! Where are the others!?" she yelled, tightening her hand around his throat, he began to turn a reddish, purple. The bartender withdrew his gun, and began to fire at her. She felt several bullets pierce her body, but it didn't bother her, nor did it hurt. Blinking she struck him in the face, knocking him out. Grabbing Gats she dragged him out of the club by his hair, tossing him into a brick wall she pounced on him again.
"Gats, where are the others?" she asked sweetly, he spat in her face. Smiling she smacked him in the face. "Gats, don't make me ask again." She hissed.
"Ow! OW! All right! Damn! Bullet's a perv, he likes peeping, and he could be anywhere now. Rath is always with the bossman; she's his lover. Its harder to get her alone. Please, don't hurt me." He begged, Kira rolled her large eyes, smiling darkly.
"Gats, Gats, Gats, you should have thought of that before you killed me and my child." She stated, and began to dig her fingernails into his eyes.
40,000 men and women everyday…like Romeo and Juliet
40,000 men and women everyday…redefine happiness
Another 40,000 coming everyday…we can be like they are
Come on baby don't fear the reaper
Baby take my hand don't fear the reaper
We'll be able to fly don't fear the reaper
Baby I'm your man…
Tommy left the TV on as he tried to sleep, a breaking story flashed on the local news station.
"Elliot "Gats" Bennington was found murder hours ago. The 24-year-old man was under investigation for several murders. Left at the scene was a symbol of a crow burned into his chest…" 'Damn it Kira, what have you done?' Tommy asked himself.
Love of two is once
Here but now they're gone
Came the last night of sadness
And it was clear she couldn't go on
Then the door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew then disappeared
The curtains flew he appeared
Saying don't be afraid
Her laughter ran through his ears, her gentle touch on his skin. He gently kissed her, holding her close.
"I miss you." He stated, holding her closer, craving the feel of her skin against his.
"My love, my love, I'm here with you now. Help me; avenge my death and the death of our child. Promise me that you will." She begged.
"I will I promise." Conner swore.
Kira stood outside of Conner's window, watching him as he slept. Placing her hand on the glass she slowly backed away as he bolted awake, his strangled cry breaking the silence. As she began to leave she heard him whisper once word.
"Kira" she looked to the dawn as it rose, her crow landing on her shoulder."Come on" she told the spirit guide. "There's much work to be done."
Come on baby…and she had no fear
And she ran to him…then they started to fly
They looked backward and said goodbye
She had become like they are
She had taken his hand
She had become like they are
Come on baby don't fear the reaper
Conner knew he had been dreaming, but he couldn't remember what, he always hated that. He flicked on the TV, not wanting to leave the warmth and safety of his bed. Putting on the news, the breaking story caught his attention, the photograph of a corpse making his blood run cold. To his surprise Cassidy was covering the story, this was her first major story and he felt a little proud of her, seeing that because of Kira's help she could now be closer to her dream.
"This is not the first murder to have the crow signature, there have been three others where criminals were brutally slain with the symbol of crows left at the scene. All three were different from each other as well as the fourth. What does it mean? Are they all tied together? Is the crow murderer going to strike again? If you have any information on this case you can call Reefside Police…" Conner stopped listening and heard a rapping on his window. Looking over his saw a large black crow sitting on his window ledge staring at him, cawing softly. He walked over and opened his window, attempting to shoo the bird. It merely cawed again and flew in, landing on his bedpost.
"What do you want? Are you lost or hungry?" he asked, the animal when it looked deep into its eyes and a vision coursed through him.
She hunted and followed the man as he dragged a young woman into an alley. He would rape her and leave her for dead. She smiled, knowing she would save a blonde woman and kill him. Bullet was next on her list to die. The face of the victim was pleading for her life. The man struck her and she hit the ground hard. Just then the man fell to his knees howling in pain. Cassidy screamed and backed away, a cry of shock on her lips.
"Oh my God, Kira!"
Slowly it dawned on Conner what the crow had showed him, he quickly dressed and spoke to the bird.
"Take me to Kira." He stated, and the crow took flight leading him to Tommy's house. Confused her entered through the back where Tommy sat alone in the basement.
"Where's Kira?" he demanded, Tommy stared at him, he hadn't heard him come in, he still didn't speak but instead pointed to the stairs. Conner turned to see Kira standing behind him, dressed head to toe in blood stained and soaked leather. The paleness of her skin made her seem like a porcelain doll. The bird was perched at her side, it ruffled its feathers as it flapped its wings and settled back down. Wordlessly Kira came down the stairs and stood in front of him.
"I thought I lost you." He whispered and took her into his arms, she sighed and buried her face into his shoulder.
"You have, I'm only here to avenge my death and the death of our child. I'm not here to live again. But it doesn't matter now, all that matters is that I'm in your arms." She said, and held on to him tightly.
Fin
To Be Continued in Part Two: Even In Death