CHAPTER 5: I AM MADE OF YOU
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE DEGRASSI CHARACTERS!
Cupid followed Manny home that night. He flew protectively over her, being sure his identity was kept secret. What would happen once she found out who he was? Worst of all, what would happen once Aphrodite had found out he had defied her orders by falling in love with Manny? He had come to earth to find a mortal that could break the spell, but his heart could not cope with the orders. Aphrodite may have turned bitter, but he certainly did not.
When he was sure Manny was sound asleep, Cupid opened her bedroom window and watched her sleep. He hovered over her gently, the flutter of his wings tickling Manny's face. She smiled, as if she knew his presence. She was a goddess alone, even without the stone of lost love adorning her neck. He reached down and caressed her cheek, his longing almost unbearable.
"I love you, Manuella," He whispered into her ear.
Cupid thought back to when he had first come to earth. It was so very hard, blending into its human-like surroundings. He attended Degrassi High, keeping his identity secret, but was also waiting for the right time to bestow the stone upon Manny. Cupid felt as if he and Manny were destined to be togetherthe moment he had laid eyes on her angelic face. Now, watching her sleep so soundly, the thought of a relentless goddess emerging from her was almost unfathomable.
Even if Aphrodite had somehow failed at overtaking Manny, his love would still be forbidden. Falling in love with a mortal was like displeasing the great Zeus. But even he, Cupid, god of love, could not understand his feelings. All he knew was that he would not allow Manny to get hurt.
"We'll be together, I promise." He whispered softly, ignoring the furious glow of the stone around her neck.
He planted a small kiss on her cheek, and flew back into the jungles of the night. Cupid cursed when he remembered he hadn't shut her window. Last night Manny had almost found him when he had left the stone for her on her bedroom floor. He remembered being so hesitant that he had almost decided to take it back, fearing for Manny's safety. In the cowardice of his thoughts he left it there, afraid of what Aphrodite might do if he did not obey orders.
Cupid flew freely through the star speckled sky, the crisp night wind combing through his hair like delicate fingers. He could not let Manny know his secret identity. He had to go back toDegrassi acting like his regular human self, constricting his love for her. No matter how much he adored her, he could not reveal who he really was. No one could ever know.
Cupid sat atop a cloud, the city below in a peaceful slumber. He sighed heavily. What would happen to this city once the fury of an ancient goddess was unleashed?
Manny awoke with a start, beads of cold sweat running down her forehead. She swore under her breath as she saw her window was open again. The cold morning air lingered in Manny's bedroom, making her shiver uncontrollably. Who the hell had opened her window this time, Casper the friendly fucking ghost? Manny shuddered when she had remembered the necklace. Perhaps there was a way to get it off, and everything she had heard yesterday from the three psychos was a big fairy tale.
"You belong to me now, Manuella," A soft voice tickled across Manny's mind, barely audible. Was she going crazy?
The voice chuckled, surprised by her childish ignorance.
"Who are you?" Manny whispered shakily.
"Why, you don't remember me, do you?" It answered innocently.
"Let me show you,"
An abrupt wind rustled through Manny's room, knocking a shiny mahogany music box over. Haunting music spilled into the air, awakening a distant memory within the enigmas of her thoughts. She could now recall the dream she had the night before, its clarity almost unbelievable. Manny closed her eyes, the dream replaying itself like a home video.
She opened her eyes, startled to find that she was no longer in her bedroom. The scents of gardenias, honey suckles, and roses sweetly intoxicated her as she gazed into the eyes of Aphrodite, the goddess of love.
Manny was in a garden, exotic flowers enveloping her with their sweet scents. At the center was a fountain made of white marble, sparkling water spewing from the mouth of a hummingbird and into a rose. White clouds the shapes of hearts floated lazily across a light blue sky, and birds chirped merrily around her.
A sweet feeling of satisfaction washed over Manny, and all her troubles seemed to float away in a matter of seconds. She smiled lazily as sunlight warmed her face.
"I remember now," Manny whispered, smelling a rose.
Aphrodite was dressed in a lily-white toga, tied together with golden threads. Her black-as-night hair fell in luxurious curls, giving her face and exotic look. Only the angels themselves could have created something so flawless. Her piercing green eyes almost hypnotized Manny at once, but she turned away to smell another flower. She stopped, remembering Craig. She missed him so much.
"I know what your heart desires, Manuella," She spoke softly, her voice honey-dipped and tempting.
"I can give that to you, all I ask in return is for you to set me free."
"But the Three Mystics," Manny started nervously.
"They said----"
"Forget those three hags!" She roared, a fiery white glow disrupting the beauty of her eyes. In a matter of seconds, the heart shaped clouds melted away, and the clear blue skies turned black. The flowers in the garden had disappeared and were replaced by thorn bushes, and the ever rushing water from the fountain had stopped.
"I do not wish for you to fear me," She said menacingly.
"But if that is the only way I will be set free, then so be it."
White lightning pierced the black sky, and thunder shook the ground. A furious wind rustled Aphrodite's hair, revealing her beautiful yet somewhat demonic-like face.
"I'm not afraid of you," Manny whispered in challenge.
Aphrodite laughed heartlessly, her voice half evil, half goddess-like.
"If you aren't afraid of me now, I promise you will be soon." She said, her eyes determined.
"I am already able to communicate with you telepathically. Soon, your body shall be mine, and I will seek revenge in Circe, no longer imprisoned in this godforsaken stone."
"Just try it," Manny said bravely. She wasn't going to let herself be afraid. Fear was what evil longed for the most in a human.
"You are brave," She laughed.
"Perhaps too brave,"
Aphrodite waved her hands over the remaining water in the fountain, and the image of Craig appeared. He was crying at the foot of his bed, obviously distressed.
"You leave him alone!" Manny cried helplessly.
"The most cunning warrior does not attack by neither body nor mind," She said evilly.
"But by heart."
The image of Craig was engulfed by hissing flames, the fountain of water now a fountain of fire. The flames licked at the precious white marble, the hummingbird and rose slowly melting away.
"Leave Craig alone!" Manny yelped, tears streaming down her face. She swung her arm at Aphrodite, startled to find out that her hand had glided through her like a ghost.
"Fool," Aphrodite hissed.
"You cannot defeat me."
"I promise Manuella, you and your little lover Craig shall be mine." Aphrodite said, her evil grin disrupting the precious beauty of her face.
Manny gasped, and closed her eyes. She opened them slowly, and sighed with relief as she realized she was back in her room. The haunting melody of the music box was still playing, and her window was still open. She picked it up and closed it, the room falling silent, except for the whistling wind.
Manny glanced at her clock: 7:15am. Only a minute had passed since she had been in the dream.
"Time is different in the dream realm," Aphrodite answered her thoughts.
"Leave me alone," Manny thought.
"You belong to me now," She said menacingly.
"I am made of you."