Chapter Twenty-Six:
Inflicted Wounds
Disclaimer: We all know it.
"Wow... I've never been out here at night before..." Doujima whispered almost fearfully as she nervously chewed on a manicured fingernail.
The park did indeed look different in the dark. Everything was quiet. Almost too quiet. A forboding quiet.
From off to the side, Michael began blowing air into his hands. He then wrapped his arms around himself and started to shiver violently.
"Does any one else notice how cold it has suddenly become?" He asked, wincing slightly as a twinge of pain shot through the bruise he had gotten from hitting his forehead on Doujima's dashboard.
Everyone else nodded their heads in answer. They began tightening up their jackets and pulling the collars up higher around their necks.
Robin's body quivered harshly. Her breath was coming out in little puffs of smoke.
She didn't really care, though. Her eyes were too busy searching the park for her watchdog. Her guardian. Her beloved.
"Amon..." She whispered, sending another little stream of breathy mist into the air.
Silence ingulfed the group of friends. It was terribly awkward, and yet, comforting at the same time. They were all slightly contented that they were all together, but that alone wasn't enough to ease the weary tension.
"Amon." Robin's soft voice suddenly broke the silence. She had wandered off a little ways. The others could see her slim form through fog as she searched around the area.
"Amon? Amon." She called over and over. Though her face didn't show it, her voice gave away that she was clearly worried.
Andy watched this with concern on his face. Turning to Michael, he gave the hacker a hard glare.
"Are you sure this is the right place? Are you certain that Amon is even here?" He asked, placing his hands in his deep pockets for warmth.
Michael nodded, his teeth chattering. He then paused, however, and shook his head.
"No, I'm not certain. Who knows, though? Maybe he's here and just can't hear us --" He said, getting interrupted by someone tapping him on the soulder.
"I-I have a feeling that he can hear us just fine..." Kitten stuttered as she brought up a shaking finger to point at something off in the distance. "L-look over there..." She added after a second.
Both Andy and Michael followed her finger's path and stared off into the blackness that she was pointing at. After a few moments of squinting, they both gasped.
A tall, ominous figure was walking slowly towards them. His feet hardly made any sound and he wore all black, so it was a wonder how Kitten managed to spot him. One of his arms were raised and pointing towards them. It seemed as if he was holding something in his hand, but it was too dark for anyone to see what it really was.
Robin, hearing footsteps, turned around and gasped when she saw everyone staring at a shiloette trudging towards them. Her eyes became wide as the person came into view.
"Amon!" Sakaki, Karasuma, and Doujima all shouted at the same time.
And, indeed, it was Amon. The ex-hunter was standing stock-still in front of everyone, his face blank and his eyes a blood-red. His trench coat was bloodied and torn, as was the kimono-vest underneath it. It looked as if he had walked straight out of a horror film.
Robin took no heed of his looks, however. Her eyes became bright and she ran past everyone with her arms wide open.
"Amon --" She cried out, only to skid to a stop a few feet away from said man.
He was pointing a gun in her direction.
"Ah, life has unexpected ways of giving you unexpected turns." A voice that sounded like lava running down the side of a volcano after it had erupted said. A tall, red-haired man in old-fashioned, Shakespearian clothing stepped out from behind Amon. He was frowning unpleasantly.
Robin's eyes widened.
"You..." She whispered, nearly falling back in a dead faint. "You did this... I knew it all along..."
Akamu stared at her for a moment before shaking his head.
"No, Juliet. It was not I who has done all of this to you. It was not I who caused your Romeo to set his hunter's sight on you. On the contrary, it was someone else. Not I" The witch said, tossing his long hair behind his head.
Robin furrowed her eyebrows at him.
"You're speaking in riddles again. If not you, than who has done this to Amon? Tell me!" She snapped, tears coming to her eyes.
Akamu cocked his head to the right, as if confused by her question.
"You want to know...?" He asked slowly, pausing to let Robin nod her head vigorously. "Then you have only to turn around." He added, letting his gaze swim past her and laying his magenta eyes on someone behind her.
Robin gulped uneasily before hesitantly turning her head around.
She gasped at the person standing behind her.
"Ian?" She breathed.
Everyone gasped and immediately focused their accusing gazes on the blonde-haired man standing in the middle of them all.
Ian's gray eyes stared ahead, as if not noticing the all hubbub around him. After a couple of seconds, he chuckled and shook his head.
"What are you talking about, witch? I'm nothing but a mere Seed. What makes you think I can put him under a mind-controling spell?" He asked, placing his hands arrogently on his hips.
Akamu's eyes flashed at this comment.
"Because you have the mark of a witch on your right arm..." He said venomously, once again drawing a gasp out of everyone.
Ian's face fell. He now that knew he had been caught...
Robin turned to face him a second time. Tears were pouring down her cheeks in rivers.
"Ian... Tell me this isn't true. Please..." She whispered, her hands folded and held against her chest.
The blonde-haired man lowered his eyes to hers and gave her a long, hard stare. He then sighed and raised up his shirt sleeve to reveal a scar in the shape of an F high up on his shoulder.
"I'm afraid it is." He said slowly.
Everyone stared at him in shocked disbelief as he lowered his sleeve quietly. After a couple of seconds, Rain stepped forward. Her own eyes were also full of tears. Her expression, however, showed anger.
"You lied..." She seethed. "You lied. You could have put all of us in danger. You could have put Robin in danger. I can never forgive you..." She stopped here, raising her gaze so that she could burn it right through him.
"I'm sorry, Ian. You're fired." She finally managed to choke out.
Ian stared at her for a few moments, his features stoic. After a few, lazy minutes, he raised a hand and slapped it across Rain's face.
"Sounds good to me." He said as a slow smile spread across his lips, watching as Rain fell ridgidly to the ground.
Robin stared with horror as her friend landed on the ground with a thud, her eyes closed in unconscousness.
"No!" Andy shouted, running forward and sliding to his knees next to Rain. He then gently picked up her head and cradled it in his lap.
"How touching... I had a feeling something was going on between you two." Ian said emotionlessly as he turned and floated past Robin, making sure that he brushed hard against her shoulder.
The young witch spun around as well, so that she was facing Amon again. Akamu was no where to be found.
"How could you? She's you're captain..." She whispered.
Ian let out a barking laugh.
"She was my captain, Robin! You heard her, though. I was fired! I can do anything I want, now!" He said, suddenly appearing in front of her and smiling insanely. "Even this..." He whispered, pressing his lips against hers roughly.
Robin squealed through the kiss and pushed him away.
"Who are you! You're not Ian!" She shouted, rubbing the back of her hand against her mouth,as if to get rid of the awful taste of something.
Ian leered at this.
"You're right... I'm not." He said, suddenly transforming in the blink of an eye. He now looked nothing like Amon in the least. His eyes were dark, as was his long, greasy hair. He was wearing a black suit and white gloves with a strange symbol on the back of them.
Robin gasped and her eyes widened.
"Who -- who are you?" She breathed out.
The greasy-haired man smiled.
"My name is Brock, God of Mayhem and Discord. You may still call me Ian, though, if you want. I kind of like how that name rolls off of your tongue..." He said, raising a hand to brush along the side of her cheek, which she immediately smacked away.
"Get away from me!" She shouted, taking a step back.
Ian (Brock) let out a barking laugh.
"Suit yourself, baby. Amon has been waiting for something to play with, any way." He said, snapping his gloved fingers.
Amon cocked the pistol in his hand, lifting it higher so that it was pointing at Robin's heart.
"Robin, get away from him! He's dangerous!" Kitten shouted, trying to make her way towards the young witch.
Before Robin could do anything, a gunshot had rung out and Kitten, after letting out a pained shriek, fell instantly to the ground. Blood poured from a wound on her shoulder.
Smoke hissed out of the barrel of Amon's gun. The ex-hunter had remained motionless through the entire thing.
Robin, not sure what else to do, raised her head and stared with pure hatred at the greasy-haired man standing behind Amon.
"Why?" She seethed softly.
Brock frowned at her question, lines appearing in his forehead.
"Why you ask? I'll tell you why..." He trailed off, beginning to walk around her like some kind of vulture.
Robin watched him in silence, her fists clenched at her sides.
"Robin, do you remember a document that Father Juliano once presented you with? Called the Cupid's Petition?" Brock asked, glaring at her from out of the corners of his eyes.
The young witch gasped at this, slowly nodding her head as her eyes became with fear.
Brock chuckled with satisfaction and continued.
"Well, I happened to come across it a few years ago while I was visiting Italy. What I found in it was astounding..." He paused again for effect before adding, "Do you know what it said, my Little Bird?"
Again, Robin shook her head, her body beginning to shake.
"Third sentence in the fourth paragraph down, it said that Brock, God of Mayhem and Discord, -- that's me -- would come face-to-face with the Devil's Child. When I first met you, Robin, I knew immediately that it was you. And, to my surprise, I fell in love with you on sight." He paused a second time as he stopped his endless circling.
Robin let out another gasp, taking another step back from the man.
"Yes. It's true. It was then I realized that we were meant for each other. The document had predicted our meeting, so it's basically fate." Brock said, sauntering over to Amon and placing a a gloved hand on the ex-hunter's shoulder.
"And yet, you never returned my love. Even though I had modeled myself to look just like this idiot --" He trailed off, giving Amon a disgusted look, "You still refuse to love me back. Why, my sweet, little dove?"
Robin stared at Brock for a long moment, contemplating his question. After a few seconds, she frowned and stepped forward determindly.
"Brock, even if you went through great lengths to make yourself look like Amon perminently, I would still never love you. That is because you will never be Amon." She said, clenching her fists tightly at her sides.
Brock's eyes flashed and he lunged forward, clutching hard on to the young witch's shoulders.
"No! We can make this work! I'll do whatever it takes! Just tell me what to do to make you want me!" He shouted loudly in her face; his fingernails digging into the skin under her dress-sleeve.
Robin winced at the pain, but she refused to back down.
"L-leave. All I want you to do is leave us alone... Forever..." She said softly, sucking in air painfully through her teeth.
Brock's eyes widened for a second before he released the chestnut-haired girl. After a few seconds of harsh breathing, he smiled wickedly.
"Suit yourself..." He hissed raggedly before snapping his fingers.
Amon suddenly blinked. When he opened his eyes, it surprised everyone to see that they were back to their normal, slate-grey color.
"What?" He whispered, his gaze moving from side-to-side questionably.
A tense silence fell over all of the people standing in the park at that moment. It was a few moments before any one could speak.
"Amon..." Robin breathed, catching the dark-haired man's attention. He looked at her with shock, his eyes raking over her as he took her in her slim form.
"Robin..." He replied quietly. It was then he realized that he was holding a gun in his hand. What was worse, he was pointing it at her.
"Oh, God..." He said, his eyes immediately raising up to look into Robin's.
"Oh, isn't this juicy?" Brock said with a sickening chuckle as he merrily danced around everyone, as if high on caffine and drugs at the same time.
Andy, suddenly realizing what was about to happen, reached out and grabbed on to the hem of Robin's dress while still trying to keep Rain's head balanced in his lap.
"Robin, get away from Amon. He's going to sh -- what the hell?" He interrupted his own sentence, becoming panicked when he noticed that he could not move from his position when he tried to stand up.
Karasuma saw this and tried to take a step forward...only she couldn't. And no body else could, either, for that matter.
"Robin! Get away from here!" Karasuma shouted, trying her best to to get her feet moving. Andy, Doujima, Michael, Bree, and Sakaki all followed her example. Nothing worked, though.
Robin watched all of this in horror. All she could do was stand there with her mouth flopped open,
"R-Robin..." A harsh, ragged voice whispered, causing her to jerk her head around.
Amon was staring at her intently, his raised arm shaking.
"Robin...Get out of here. Don't worry about us. Just go..." The dark-haired man coughed out, as if he was having trouble using his voice.
The young witch gasped slightly and cocked her head, as if she did not get what his question meant. After a couple of seconds, though, her face softened.
"Why would I do that?" She asked simply, giving the man in front her a small grin and a blush.
Amon's eyes widened in terror. He could feel his finger pressing on the trigger as he spoke.
"Robin -- what are you thinking? I can't control my body. If you don't leave now, sooner or later, I'll --" He trailed off, sucking in air through his teeth as he tried to bring down his arm (with no such luck).
Said girl just planted her feet determindedly to where she stood. Her fists were clutched at her sides.
"I'm not going. You can't make me, Amon." She said, hardly even believing that she was actually willing to put her life on the line.
Amon growled, clenching his teeth together as he felt his finger compress on the trigger slowly.
"Why are you doing this to me!?" He suddenly snapped, startling Robin slightly. "Why aren't you running away from me!? Why, Robin!?"
Robin tilted her head back slightly, as if trying to escape from Amon wrath. She then lowered her gaze to the ground.
"Because I --" She began, cutting herself off before she could finish her sentence.
Amon was breathing harshly, now. The viens in his neck were popping out of the skin in his neck and in his wrist, since he was holding so tightly on to his gun.
"Because..." He encouraged her, trying his best not to give the trigger that last push...
Robin raised her head at his voice. She lifted her emerald gaze to his grey one, shifting her clear orbs from side-to-side as she searched his face.
After a second or two, a tear slid down her pale cheek.
"I'm doing it because I love you..."
THUD!
Eri's vien pulsed in anger as she stared furiously at her car, which was smoking under the hood. A hissing sound had now accompanied it, which made her even more mad.
The girl clenched her fists tightly at her sides before letting out a scream and kicking at one of the car's front tires with her boot. Of course, this hurt her worse than the car, so this just made her even more sour.
After nursing her foot to where it didn't throb as much, Eri leaned against the side of the vehicle. She watched as other cars went by, her anger venting as the time passed.
It wasn't long before she finally let out an exasperated breath. She reached into her pocket and took out her tiny cellphone and tried turned it on. Her shoulders slumped, however, when it didn't.
"The battery is dead...of course." She said glumly to herself as she put the little machine back into her pocket. She then crossed her arms over her chest, thinking.
Michael... Her mind suddenly said, causing her to gasp slightly in surprise. It had been awhile since she thought of the hacker, so she was a little shocked that he would come up now.
Eri raised two fingers to her lips, touching them tenderly as if they were hurting. She sat they're for a few minutes, thinking to herself about the night Michael kissed her.
"He's really not all that bad..." She said to herself, but she still had doubts about her feelings. She didn't really know the hacker all that well, so she was surprised that these emotions had sprung up so fast.
She wondered if this was how Amon felt about Robin the first time they had met...
Eri's eyes suddenly narrowed and she pushed herself away from her car in determination. Her witch's instinct was now telling her that she had to go back. Even though she may not want to, she had to. No matter how much of a coward she was.
Running around the front end of her car, she stepped out into the street and waved at a large, Izuzu truck heading her way.
"Stop!" She shouted while swinging her arms around, so the person inside would see her. She winced when she heard it screech to a halt a few yards away.
A large man in a blue jumpsuit leaned out of the driver's side, reguarding her with a puzzled expression.
"What are you trying to do, Lady!? Get yourself killed!?" He yelled to her.
Eri cupped her hands around her mouth.
"I'm sorry, but I really need you to take me back to Tokyo! Can you help me?" She shouted back.
The man thought about this for a moment before finally letting out a sigh. After mumbling something about him being late for his yoga class, he finally turned up to look at Eri.
"Alright, get in!" He said, slipping back into his seat.
Eri squealed in delight before running over to the truck and getting into the passenger seat.
Me: Yay!!! Eri's going back! Oh, no! There was a thud in this chapter! A thud ! Why do I have to be so cruel and write cliffhangers!? Breaks down crying
Oh, yes, and excuse the crappy explanation as of why Ian is in love with Robin.
In True Meanings: Acutally, I never thought people would find this chapter that funny. I must be a better writer then I first thought.
Well, one thing is for certain. Robin is a heck of a better driver than I am. I couldn't do what she did the first time I got behind the wheel. I probably should have put the part about Amon teaching her to hot wire a car in one of the flashbacks in chapter 23.
Thanks for reviewing.
Solaria735: Yes, I know it is... :P
I'm J/K.
Kerigan: Yes, cars are very sexy. Especally large, badass cars like Amon's. :)
Trevor X1: Aww, you think my replies are funny? I feel so loved. Hugs myself :)
Robin is very self-conscious about her driving and apparently knowing that she just broke every speed limit known to man as brought down her already low self-esteem. Poor, poor Robin. I torture her so much.
TearsoftheFallen: Well, I think there are two songs in chapter 12. One is 'Someday' by Nickelback and the other is 'Learning to Breathe'by Switchfoot. Both very good songs, if I do say so myself. :D
Yes, I am an evil author. I'm the female equivelant to Johnny the Homicidal Maniac. ;)
Angel452: How Michael found Amon's position will be explained in the second to last chapter of the story, which were not too far from, now. It's so very sad.
I don't know what Ian is up to, any more. I think I give up on his character entirely. ::Shakes head::
AnimeReviewer790: Nah, I probably couldn't catch you even if I wanted to. I'm so out of shape, even turtles could run past me. Heck, maybe even a snail.
Must...have...a...Cream...Soda! ::Runs around the room screaming about Creams Soda:: And Skittles, too! They are my pride and joy! :P
Thanks for reviewing, good friend.
AnimeFreaks13: Nothing much is going on in my life at this point. Yes, the car chase was good, if I do say so myself. :)
escawing: I love crazy driving. Makes everything interesting. Especially when your just watching and not physically in the car with the crazy driver. :)
shadow: Of course, Amon and Robin will have a good ending. I'd be an idiot if I made a bad ending out of this story.
That sounded really harsh. I hope I haven't offended you in any way.
Amon's Angel of the Darkness: Okay, long review. Alrighty then... ::Cracks knuckles before typing::
Shame on Tommy for messing with your computer and making your files go missing! I hope you find your stories.
Yes, Bree was a little OOC. And don't worry, she wouldn't do anything without my knowledge. This includes getting a sex change. ;)
Yes, you have been with me for most of the story. Thanks for all of your support.
Well, it is your story. You could probably make Robin smoke pot if you wanted to (I'm just giving an example. I'm against anything having to do with smoking pot or doing drugs). I just think Robin is better as the good guy. I'll shut up now.
I actually wanted to do three Zoid fanfictions. Two were from Zoids 0 and one was from Chaotic Century. They probably would have been good, but it would have taken awhile to write all of them, so I decided not to.
Bunnicula is awesome. Vampire Bunnies are the rulers of my Cream Soda-addicted mind. ;)
Wait a second. How can Ian be in the park when he's in Karasuma's van chasing after Robin in Amon's car. Sorry, I'm just confused.
Wow. My story may be better than 'The Burning Time'? I'm rather shocked. That story is totally awesome. Misora, you rule. :)
Actually, I've decided that Robin has taught herself to drive. Or maybe her dead roommate, Tera taught her when she was alive. I don't know, but Robin makes a killer driver!
I always thought Amon's car looked like a Sudan. That's just my opinion, though.
Rain doesn't like cats much (This is an extension of my own feelings towards cats, the scary, little buggers...).
I don't know who Rain's sister is. I just stuck that in there for some humor. :P
Thanks for reviewing.