Imago
The morning in Echo Creek was coming to a close. The sun rose up higher in the sky, making the day brighter and hotter. Just as breakfast time was ending, the assembled group of teenagers within the mansion of Wong partook in the most important meal of the day. At the end of the large dining table, Brittney patiently ate her food consisting of eggs, waffles, fruit, sausage links and bacon with a cup of black coffee. She looked around the table at her guests whom all had similar plates to her's. On the left side were all the boy's. Oskar being the closest to Brittney, then Alfonso, then Marco, then Ferguson. On the right were the girls. Claudia being the closest, then Jackie, then Janna, then Star. The boys were chatting, keeping the room from being quiet.
As she ate, Brittney noticed Star's reserved demeanor. She knew Star could eat much more. Last night's dinner showed that. The shock and disappointment she must have felt after seeing Marco kiss Janna like that was obviously still bothering her. Brittney felt the guilt of withholding the information that they were a couple.
Jackie, sitting next to Janna and Star, noticed that both of them were down. Star had a look of sadness but Janna looked more frustrated.
"Hey," She called out to them quietly. They turn to her with surprised faces, being pulled from their thoughts. "You guys okay?" Janna and Star exchange looks, unaware that the other was upset. Janna thought for a moment, waiting for Star to respond but she didn't.
"..I'm fine.." Janna told her friends. "You, Star?" The blonde princess was hesitant as she gave a soft smile, trying not to show her emotions.
"Mhm!" She nodded energetically. She gives a small laugh before reaching for her drink. "Juicy juice juice.." Upon taking a sip, she winces and covers her mouth.
"That's coffee.." Jackie informed with a concerned face. "You didn't even put anything in it. You like it black?" Star swallowed with a struggle and a grimace.
"Yeah, totally, totally, totally.." Her voice sounded hoarse.
"Hey!" Marco shouted abruptly and held his empty plate up. The boom in his voice gave the table a shock. "Francesca! Another round!" The called maid appeared from the kitchen in a haste.
"Yes, Master Marco." She acknowledged, making her way to her guest. The way she looked at him made Janna anxious.
"Damn, dude,.." Ferguson said with surprise. "I've never seen you eat this much."
"I even ate earlier at home." Marco told him with a grin. "It wasn't enough." Francesca approached Marco and reached for his plate.
"Right away.." Her hand accidentally touched his on the underside of the plate. "Ah! S—.. My apologies.." After gathering herself, she takes his plate and sped off to the kitchen. Janna had noticed earlier how strange the maid was around him. Marco watched Francesca go. She looked back at him with a shy smile before entering the kitchen. Janna watched this with a sulk.
"Hey, listen to this." Alfonso called out to his friends while on his phone. "Last night, four teenage boys were found brutalized in Royale Park." Everyone at the table excluding Marco looked over at the lensed boy, interested to hear more. "Their injuries consisted of broken bones and bruising but are expected to make full recoveries while hospitalized." He read.
"Messed up.." Oskar commented with sympathy.
"One of them was James.." Alfonso added. James was a boy at school that would often bully him so there was conflicting feelings.
"Sounds like he got what he deserved." Marco remarked with his leg crossed over the other. "You're not feeling sorry for him, are you?" The smile on his face gave Alfonso a shiver. Star gave Marco a worried look.
"It's.. hard to but.." Alfonso looked down at his phone in pity. "It says here that his forearms were fractured. He was one of the best football players too.."
"Then he's gonna be sitting out for a while. Boo-hoo." Marco mocked. "Don't sympathize with someone that treated you like less than a person, Fonso. You don't deserve the crap he put you through." This made the curly-haired boy quiet, unsure of what to say. Marco felt eyes watching him and turned his head to Star. For a brief moment, they looked at each other before the girl looked away. Even in that short instant, Star knew that his eyes were not the ones she looked at before. Marco looked at Janna. She was giving him a look of dejection. He met her gaze with a loving smile, however. Jackie noticed and started to understand what may have been eating at her two friends.
"Here you are, Master." Francesca approached Marco with a full plate of food. "..Pl-Please, address me for whatever you may desire." She sets the plate down and bows.
"I will, Francesca." Marco answered before he stuffed his face.
"You.. feeling okay, dude?" Jackie asked him with a soft smile.
"Never been better." Marco answered with a full mouth. The table grew silent. A noticeable awkwardness filled the room. Jackie decided to speak out to break it.
"So, Star,.." Jackie called out, surprising the princess. "What'd you and Brittney do yesterday?"
"Oh! Um.." Star thought and looked at Brittney with her tongue poking out. "We talked a lot, watched some stuff on the TV, ate, painted our toe nails, aaaaand.. took a bath together!"
"Please explain in vivid detail." Ferguson requested.
"Uh, please don't." Brittney contradicted.
"Did she grab them?" Jackie asked Brittney while prodding at her own chest.
"I did!" Star answered. "They felt like Janna's!" This flustered the girl with the beanie.
"Please explain in vivid detail!" Ferguson requested with more excitement.
"SHUT UP!" Both Brittney and Janna demanded.
"You know what?" Oskar cut in, "A bath with the bros sounds awesome!" He stood up and stepped between Alfonso and Marco, putting a hand on each of their shoulders. "Alfredo, Mango, let's get to know each other!"
"What?!" Alfonso blurted, nervous about the activity. "I don't know.."
"Uh.." Marco just finished the last bit of his food. "I guess I could.." He said, noticing that he wouldn't mind getting cleaned up. "Come on." To the girls' surprise, the three boys stood up, pushing their chairs back.
"Ferguson, you comin'?" Oskar asked him.
"Yeah, alright." The red-haired boy stood up as well, being much more open to it.
"Wait, why did he get your name right?" Alfonso asked, being led by Oskar with a hand on his shoulder.
"'Cuz, bro, I'm charming as fuck." As the four boys left the dining room, the girls watched, a bit at a loss.
"Okay, I didn't expect that.." Jackie commented.
"They didn't even ask me if it was okay." Brittney pouted. Jackie laughed before she gave a sigh.
"Well, let the boys play. You wanna take the dishes to the kitchen with me?" She asked Brittney.
"Fine." The rich girl accepted reluctantly as they stood up and stacked the empty plates. "Come on, Claudia." The little girl turns off her game and quietly groans before following the other two. They leave Star and Janna sitting alone. The two were quiet and kept their eyes away from each other's. They could hear chatting, the rush of the sink water, and the clangs of the dishes in the kitchen. Star looked at Janna, she saw a look of exasperation and maybe a hint of shame. Janna looked at Star, who quickly averted her eyes. The princess felt awkward, not wanting to make eye contact with the girl that made the boy she admired her's. Janna could tell something was wrong with Star before she looked away.
"Is the way Marco's acting bothering you?" Janna asked, surprising Star. "He looks and sounds like a different person, doesn't he?.." Janna felt her face blush, thinking about Marco's body excited her as well as made her angry. "Fuck.." The frustration made Janna lean on the table and run her fingers through her hair. Star could feel the anxiousness in Janna's voice. While Janna was the reason Marco was unobtainable, she was still a friend and it hurt to see her that way.
"I think.." Star said softly. "I think Marco is falling victim to the mental effects of dark magic.." Janna looked at Star, concerned. "When he was at the front door, I swear, I thought I sensed a shadow." Hearing this sent a tingle up her spine. "Remember when I said even the most pure people can be dominated by dark magic?"
"..Yeah.." Janna looked down at her hands. Trying to cope with the revelation.
"I don't know how but he somehow managed to harness the power.. and lost his senses as he did it." Star said worryingly. "Maybe dark magic is more sentient than I thought and it seeks out those of brittle fortitude.."
"Marco never did have the best self-esteem.." Janna crossed her arms on the table and buried her chin within them. "Star.." The anxiety nearly broke her voice. "Is Marco in danger?"
"I don't know." Star said despondently. "All we can really do is be there for him. Remind him who he is. I think if we tell him about the dark magic, he'll get scared and fall even further into his negative thoughts."
"But if we let his ego take over, won't it get worse too?" The two girls sat in silence at this. The sense of foreboding they felt, crippled them with insecurity.
In the steamy bath house, Alfonso rested in the soothing heat of the water. He sat back, his glasses fogging up from the condensation around him.
"Ah,.." He let out in frustration before removing the lens. "I shouldn't have brought these.." He set his pair of glasses behind him near the ledge then went back into his relaxed position.
"Is your eyesight really that bad, bro?" Oskar asked, approaching from behind. He entered the water and sat next to him, his large pearly eyes glinting with content. "Damn, that's good.. How many fingers am I holding up?" Alfonso saw the blurry silhouette of Oskar make a hand signal.
"Three? I can see shapes just fine, it's mostly clearness and perspective I struggle with."
"Oh, haha!" Oskar leaned back against the edge of the spa basin. "I don't really know what it's like to need glasses. Can I try them on?" He reached for the specs behind Alfonso and put them over his eyes. "How do I look?"
"..I don't know." Alfonso informed with his impaired vision.
"Oh, right.." As Oskar acknowledged, Marco stepped up to the body of water and dipped himself in between the two boys. He closed his eyes and let the water caress him. "Damn, Mango, you're jacked!" Oskar complimented genuinely, looking at his body. "Nice cock too."
"I'm gonna pretend you didn't say that." Marco told him with his eyes remaining shut.
"If we're talkin' nice cocks, then look no further, gentlemen." The three boys look behind themselves to see Ferguson proudly presenting his pudgy self. After looking, the three exchange indifferent looks and shrugs.
"Eh.."
"'S'okay.."
"5.5 out of 10.."
"I get it. Feeling threatened is an understandable response." Ferguson said with a shrug before running at the boys. "Watch this sick splash!" Screams of terror came from the boys in the water before they scattered, not wanting to be in Ferguson's path. The red-haired boy jumps into the water, causing a torrent that brought laughter to the group.
"Now that was a 10 out of 10." Alfonso commented with a goofy smile. Their laughs die down and the group comes together for a bonding relaxation.
"So, bros, what's up with that girl, Star?" Oskar asked. "She's cute."
"She showed up at my house a few days ago, barely wearing any clothes." Marco explained. "I thought she was just an ordinary homeless girl.. but it turned out she was a powerful space princess with amnesia."
"We saw her make light with her hands!" Alfonso added with delight. "I guess she uses it to fight the monsters that attack her."
"Yeah! Haha!" Ferguson laughed. "She can probably beat up anyone with just her muscles, though."
"Word, haha.." Oskar chuckled before a moment of silence passed. "..Are you guys high?"
"We know it sounds strange." Alfonso assured. "But it's true."
"Yeah. Just ask Star yourself when we get out. She'd be happy to show off." Ferguson suggested.
"Alright, alright." Oskar smiled. "I could use an excuse to talk to that girl anyway." Marco glared at Oskar for that before looking away.
"She's not like that, Oskar." He said sternly. The boy with the long bangs looked at Marco inquisitively.
"Not like what? Whatcha mean?" He asked.
"I know how you treat the girls at school." Marco informed in an intimidating tone. "We all do. If you treat Star like another one of your sex toys, I'll hurt you." Oskar felt a coldness travel up his spine. Even the other boys felt a shock.
"S-Sex toys?! Whoa, hold up!" He defended with a shaky voice. "I know I have a reputation at school but it's not like that!"
"I don't know, man." Ferguson said with doubt. "People call you a man-whore."
"Listen, bros, I'm just lookin' for love, alright?" Oskar said with some sadness. "I just want a girl to love and love me back, 'cause.. I'm kinda lonely, you know? Besides Brittney, I don't really have any friends and she can't hang out much." The rest of the group could tell he wasn't lying. There was a clear legitimacy to his tone. "As soon as the girls I hook up with reach home base, they leave soon after. Heh.. Guess they just don't really like me for so I am.. I was pretty happy when I saw you dudes.." The others exchange looks, silently gathering each other's thoughts on Oskar's words. Ferguson approaches the boy and sets a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Even though I kinda hate you for being a chick saddle, I wanna be your friend." Ferguson assured him with a friendly smile.
"As do I." Alfonso added. "I'm sure Marco would too." The three look at him, waiting for a response. Marco smiled before shrugging.
"Sure. Don't see why not." He told them calmly. Oskar smiled, feeling a sense of excitement from his new comrades.
"Oh, and one more thing.." Alfonso said to Oskar. "..HA! Ha-ha-ha! HAH!" Oskar and Ferguson silently looked at him in confusion. "Star.. is eight years old! Now you too shall feel the pain!"
"No way.." Oskar let out. Ferguson snickered however.
"Star's not eight!" He said with a laugh.
"Wuh-What?.." Alfonso asked with a lowered enthusiasm.
"Dude, she's like, our age, probably!" Ferguson informed, still somewhat laughing.
"No! She's eight!.. sh-she told me herself!" Alfonso defended.
"Well, yeah, the last thing she remembered was being eight!" Ferguson explained. "She probably thinks she's older now since she killed another shadow or whatever." Alfonso stood still in thought. "You were probably too busy checking her out to listen, huh?" Alfonso's shoulders slumped, feeling defeat.
"All of that pain for nothing.."
On a balcony on the second floor of the mansion, stood Janna, leaning against the stone railing. She overlooked the side of the manor's yard, seeing many potted plants, trees, and bushes. The day was approaching noon, the sun was high up in the sky, and the wind was beginning to pick up.
Janna was deep in thought about Marco. She couldn't get what Star said out of her mind. "..when he was at the front door.. I thought I sensed a shadow." Would Star have felt that way if she was around Marco last night? Was Marco still his usual self during his visit to Janna's room? It ate her up. It destroyed the comfort she had with him and replaced it with insecurity.
A noise from behind Janna caused her to turn. Through the glass double doors between the large windows overseeing the balcony, stepped out Brittney. The rich girl stopped at the door and made eye contact with Janna. They stare momentarily before nodding and going about their business. Brittney closed the door behind her upon stepping onto the balcony. She approached the railing and stands a couple meters paralleled with Janna.
The sound of a lighter striking its flame gets Janna's attention. Brittney had a cigarette in her mouth as the little flame in her hand engulfed the tobacco. Janna watched her inhale the smoke and release it with a relaxed breath out. That was a surprise, Janna had no idea Brittney smoked.
"..You want one?" Brittney asked in a subdued tone. Janna looked at the cigarette in the other girl's hand. She had always wanted to try smoking but never got the chance. Marco being her best friend made it impossible to even get her hands on a pack.
"Sure.." Janna approached Brittney, who revealed a tin cigarette case from her back pocket. The inside of the case could hold ten sticks on each side of it. Janna put the filter to her mouth and breathed in as Brittney lit the other end. Janna felt the smoke enter her lungs. She tried her best to avoid a cough but couldn't help letting a few out. "Fuck.. Haha.."
"Never smoked before?" Brittney asked, taking a drag of her own.
"Nope." Janna chuckled. "Never exactly had the chance." She leaned against the railing with the cigarette in her hand. "Marco would freak out if he saw me doing this. At least,.. before, he would have." Janna closes her eyes, feeling the helplessness take over again. "Now, I don't know what he would he say." This confused Brittney. Janna and Marco seemed fine last night at Jackie's, infatuated even.
"Something happen?" She asked. "You two have been dating for a while, haven't you?" Janna laughed slightly, being slightly embarrassed.
"Actually, no." Janna took a drag, almost coughing again. "Can you believe after all these years we barely just got together yesterday?" She asked with a chuckle. Her smile slowly faded though. "Right when we get together, something happens to make him act all weird." Brittney took in what she had to say. She didn't know what was happening with Marco but she did notice his strange behavior. She's known the boy for years and he has never showed the bluntness he did earlier.
"Don't worry." Brittney told her. "If you really love him and he really loves you, it'll be okay." Her eyes would trail away from Janna's. It was difficult to meet them. "You'll talk things through and get over your problems." She pauses to take a drag of her cigarette. "You said you two just hooked up after years of being just friends, right? That means you've taken a big step. Your relationship is going through something new and different. I wish I was brave enough to do something like that." Janna smiled before her curiosity took it over.
"What do you mean?" She asked Brittney. "Do you have someone you want to be more than friends with?" Brittney thought momentarily, unsure if she should tell Janna. She makes her mind up with a sigh.
"You wanna know why I always picked on you?" Brittney asked Janna, who listened attentively. "It's your relationship with Jackie.."
"Jackie?.." Janna pieced together what she meant. She looked ahead at the scenery in front of her and had a drag of her cigarette. "Oh,.. shit.." She let out after exhaling smoke. "I had no idea. You definitely don't give off that vibe." Janna smiled at Brittney, who blushed at the reveal. "Must be great being the Cheerleader captain, huh?"
"Shut up." Brittney said with a smile. "But, yeah, it is a lot of free eye candy." Janna let out a satisfied exhale. "..I always got so angry seeing you and Jackie together. I could tell she liked you more than me. It gave me no hope for a relationship between me and her." Janna sighed, having a sense of fulfillment for finally knowing the reason behind Brittney's scorn.
"I have good news, though." Janna told her with a soft smile. "You might have more of a shot than you think. Jackie is always really quick to defend you." Janna looked away, fluffing the hair over her nape. "I even get the feeling she wouldn't mind having a girlfriend. Sometimes she does.. questionable.. things."
"..Like what? Haha.." Brittney questioned with a curious face.
"This one time, I bent over after dropping my phone behind my desk and she said I had a nice ass and grabbed it then started ramming into it with her crotch." The two laughed at the anecdote. Janna had never seen Brittney laugh so genuinely before. Even more unexpected, she definitely didn't think she'd be sharing that laugh with her.
"I guess that is weird but that doesn't mean she's gay." Brittney explained, still laughing.
"You're right." Janna agreed with a chuckle. "I guess it doesn't. But I'm serious about you having a shot with her." Janna gave Brittney the warmest smile she could. "It was hard to believe her but she's right—you are pretty cool, for a hothead." Brittney smiled, feeling comfortable with Janna.
"..You too."
The boys had finished their time in the water, now dried off and changed in the towel room adjacent to the spa house. Oskar, Ferguson and Alfonso were all in the clothes they arrived in, but Marco was just finishing putting on his pants.
"That was fun, huh?" Oskar asked the changed boys with arms around their shoulders.
"Surprisingly, yes." Alfonso answered happily. "Even if you were a little touchy."
"Aw, we're all dudes here! All love the ladies, so what's the problem?" He replied.
"Nothing. Fonso's just trying to hide his boner." Ferguson teased.
"Glad I can make you so comfortable, Alfredo!"
"Lies! All lies!" Alfonso defended. They share a laugh before Oskar looks over at Marco. He was looking at his naked torso in one of the room's mirrors.
"You comin', Mango?" The boy with large bangs asked.
"You guys go." Marco said, still looking himself over with a proud smile. "I'll catch up." Ferguson released himself from Oskar's arm.
"What you're just gonna check yourself out?" He repudiated. "C'mon let's just go."
"I said, I'll catch up." Marco insisted with some sternness. Ferguson groaned.
"Man, what's gotten into you?" He asked with a shrug. "Fine, let's go." He gestured to the others. Oskar followed Ferguson out of the door before Alfonso stood back. He looked at Marco momentarily in worry before exiting himself. The door closed and the haughty boy was left to his own. Marco found pure bliss in his physique, never feeling more content with himself in his life. His large smile was followed by a pleasured chuckle.
"I know you're out there." Marco said aloud. "Why don't you come in?" A few seconds pass before the door to the room opens and closes after someone steps in. "You act shy but you're surprisingly bold." Marco turns away from the mirror to see Francesca standing respectably. She had a nervous smile but eyes filled with desire. She looked down at Marco's body, lusting to caress it.
"M—.. My apologies.." She said to him, finding it hard to look into his eyes. "I can't seem to.. stop myself." She approached Marco and stood face to face with him. "A maid should treat their guests with respect.. What I'm doing is indecent.."
"You're just doing what your heart desires." Marco told her with a sly grin. "You've been such a great maid since I got here. I think you deserve a reward."
"I can't.." Francesca shook her head. "I can't accept a payment from a guest."
"Then do it as a service to me." Marco incentivized. "After all.. what must a maid do?" Francesca's face slowly calmed as her excitement took over.
"Service the master.." She answered with a sultry voice. Her hands reached out to his chest and rubbed his torso up and down softly. She felt every nook and cranny she wanted. Her eyes gazed up at the ones above her and her lips closed the distance to his. They kiss, her eyes close, being in ecstasy. Marco's remained open, watching her movements. After breaking the kiss, Francesca licks her lips and slowly kneels down. Being at Marco's groin, she touches his bulge before pinching the zipper of his pants. Marco feels her pull down and gain access to his member. Before she can go any further, he feels his heart ache and grabs the girl's arms. "Ah! Ow! What.." Marco let's go and backs away until he hits the mirror behind him. His eyes widen as he feels a pit in his stomach deepen. He looks back at the reflection he backed into. The sclera of his eyes looked black and his pupils looked white.
"I.. I.." His breathing was erratic, like he was losing control of his functions. "Janna.. Ah.." He squeezed his right arm and looked away, anxiety taking over.
"What's wrong with you?!" Francesca stands up in frustration. "Do you want to or not?!" Marco gives her a desperate look before zipping up his pants and grabbing his tank top. He storms out of the room in a hurry, leaving the maid in astonishment.
"You kick and scream but it's no use, the monster swallows you whole." Claudia reads off a black board game card. She and the group of teenagers sat in one of the lounges. The lounge was on the second floor, had much comfortable seating, a large television mounted on the wall, and a small bar area. Claudia sat on the floor along with, Oskar, Star, and Alfonso with the board game between them. "Pay five million credits for.. cyyy.. bernetic.. recon.. struction surgery.. What's that?" Claudia asks Alfonso.
"You died so you have to pay to come back as a cyborg." He explained with enthusiasm. "Bu-But you'll come back stronger!"
"Hmm.." Claudia thought with a hand on her chin. "I like cyborgs.." Jackie watched her sister play from one of the couches. She had a brow raised, unsure what kind of game this was.
"What's this game called?" She asked Brittney on the couch across from her. The cheerleader was on her phone but looked up when she was called.
"I think it's called Interstellar Sphere or something.." She said. "Alfonso said he wanted to play it. I'm surprised my dad even had It." Brittney laughed at this. "He must be a secret nerd or something."
"That means you're part nerd too." Janna teased with a smirk, sitting on a loveseat at the end of the couches. "Looks like you gotta revoke your cheerleading status now."
"Please.." Brittney scoffed with a smile. "I don't even get what's happening in the game."
"It's basically Monopoly but in space!" Ferguson cut in, sitting next to Brittney. It shocked the rich girl, she didn't even realize they were sharing the couch. "Hope they weren't planning on finishing it. A game could take like, ten hours." The maid, Olivia, approaches Jackie from the side of the couch holding a tray with a bubbly clear drink and a straw.
"Your drink, Miss Jackie!" She greets politely. Jackie looks at the drink with delight.
"Thank you so much, Olivia!" Jackie takes the drink and happily has a sip.
"Uh, where's mine?" Ferguson asked with furrowed brows.
"Get it yourself!" Olivia snaps before walking to the bar. Ferguson groans at this.
"That's fucked up, sis. Fucked. Up." He complains to her. Olivia ignores him, continuing to wipe the glasses at the bar clean.
"You mine an asteroid on a whim and find Iridium." Star reads off a card after moving her piece. "Uhm.." Her eyes narrowed, not knowing what she had to do.
"So!" Alfonso starts, "you can sell that to other companies for a profit or use it to upgrade the torque drives of your ships." The explanation didn't really help Star. She didn't exactly know what was good or bad in the game.
"..Upgrade?" She says hesitantly.
"Awesome! Now you get an eight-sided movement die instead of a six-sided one." Alfonso congratulated, handing her a new piece.
"Great! Hahaha.. I have no idea what's going on.." Star said under her breath.
"Your turn, Oskar." Alfonso looks at the other boy. He was sitting with his legs crossed and slumping over with his head down. "..Is.. Is he asleep?!" He asked in surprise after hearing light snoring.
"I guess the game was too much!" Star grinned.
"We've only been playing for five minutes!" Alfonso said with a frustrated tone. "Hey! Get up, slut!" As he tried waking Oskar, Marco walked into the lounge. Janna and Star immediately notice him and how upset he looked. His face seemed tired and disappointed. He made his way behind Janna's seat and bent over to hug her around her neck. He leaned his head against her's and let out a sigh of relief.
"You okay?" She asked softly, setting her hand on one of his arms.
"I am now.." He assured with a wearied voice, making Janna lovingly smile. Ferguson saw this and raised a brow. He looked at Jackie who exhaled and grinned.
"G-Get a room, you two!" He teased. Janna gave him a frown.
"That actually sounds great." Marco replied, snuggling his girlfriend. Janna wanted privacy as well. She wanted to talk to her partner about last night. Was he still in his right mind at the time? Or was he under the influence of the dark magic? Marco felt Janna squeeze his arm slightly.
"Can we go somewhere alone?.." Janna asked gently. Marco smiled at this.
"Definitely." Marco removed his arms from Janna's collar and stood up straight. She stood from her seat and grabbed Marco's hand, leading him out of the room. Star watched them leave with a worried look and wished Janna luck. Ferguson watched them as well, at awe from their behavior.
"Seriously, why don't they just fuck already?" He said to the other girls. "They act more and more like a couple every time we hang out."
"They are." Brittney informed while on her phone.
"What?" Ferguson asked.
"They are a couple, dude." Jackie added. Ferguson looked at the girl with narrowed eyes before they widen.
"..WHAT?!"
Janna and Marco turned right into a hallway upon exiting the lounge. Behind them, in the opposite direction down the hall, Francesca stood in surprise at the sight of them. She watched them leave, noticing Janna holding Marco's hand. An exhale escaped her, now understanding why Marco was hesitant for sex. She felt a surge of shame and embarrassment within her before continuing her way into the lounge.
The young couple reach the balcony that Janna spoke with Brittney on. She opened one of the glass doors and was followed in by her boyfriend. Janna stepped forward near the railing, taking a deep breath in preparation for the words she was about to speak. After hearing the door close, she felt Marco's arms come around her and embrace her from behind. He kissed her on the cheek and neck as he squeezed her body in various places.
"Stop.." She said softly. "I brought you here so we can talk." She heard a quiet groan from Marco before he released her. He stepped around and in front of her, facing her as he leaned against the railing.
"Okay," he said impatiently, "then, talk." Janna looked away and thought for a moment, putting her words together.
"You've been acting different." She told him, not looking into his eyes. "You've noticed, haven't you?" Marco looked at her for a few moments before smiling, amused with Janna's words.
"I'm not acting." He said proudly. "I guess I'm just in a good mood." He shrugged with this, not sensing Janna's frame of mind. "You can say I haven't been in this good a mood for a long time." Janna barely recognized him. She couldn't even imagine Marco being the way the person in front of her acted. Her brows furrowed on their own.
"So you know you've been acting different." She said.
"I'm not acting, Janna." He responded with some frustration.
"Whatever you want to call it." Janna said with a wince. She sighed, trying to calm herself. "When did this 'good mood' start?" Marco kept a brief silence before his next response, trying to understand Janna's intentions.
"I guess when I protected you and Star from that shadow." His words made a sinking feeling within Janna.
"So what Star said was right.." She said with a fearful voice. "Dark magic is taking you over.." Marco raised a brow, not agreeing with the theory.
"Star said that?" He gave a light chuckle, not taking their concerns seriously. "Well, don't worry. I'm the one in control. See?" Marco raised his right arm before the dark magic within it transforms it to it's shadow form almost instantly. Janna's eyes widen, feeling the shock of Marco's action. "Would I really be able to just use it whenever I want if I wasn't in complete control?" His smirk scared Janna stiff. She was almost too frightened to speak. "Now, if we're done here," Marco lowered his arm, reforming it to its original state. "I'm gonna go. I was hoping we'd have some fun.. but it's just been kinda sad." Before Marco could walk away, Janna grabbed his left arm and looked him deep in his eyes.
"..Who was with me last night?.." Marco saw a serious anger and sadness in her eyes. Her expression and the question she asked with it shook him.
"What do you mean?" He asked with rasp. "What am I supposed to say to that? Do you really just want me to say it was me?" Janna grits her teeth and removed her hands from Marco's arm, looking away.
"You know.. you were really rough with me.." This made Marco's heart skip a beat. "I always hoped that our first time would be more gentle and romantic.. but it didn't even feel like you cared about the way I was feeling." Marco looked away from her. Guilt started to take over. "At the time, I thought the pain would be worth it in the end. Just for the experience to wake up with you by my side. I've wanted that for so long.." Marco clenched his fists. He didn't want to hear any more. It made him feel weak again. He hated the feeling. "It was like you just used me to get off. Just being on the high of this fuckin' power trip your on." Janna's voice began to crack. She was crying. "Marco is compassionate, humble, and kind. You're insensitive, cocky, and abrasive." Janna looked up at him, her eyes filled with determination, passion, and tears. Marco couldn't look into them. He was once again, unable to make eye contact with her. "I'll add to my question this time.. Who was with me last night?.. You.. Or whatever this thing is turning you into.." Janna looked at Marco's right arm. He felt cornered. Vulnerable. Yielded. Weak. He felt similar to this when he pushed Francesca away. He pushed her away because of Janna. It was Janna's fault. She kept him weak. She was the problem. Marco looked at Janna's eyes with malice.
"..This is just like you.." His voice sounded different to Janna. It sounded distorted and like a second voice layered him.
"..What?" She asked, terrified for the answer.
"You've always kept me under your foot.. Ever since we met, you've used my weaknesses to keep me under you. Just like a lap dog.." Janna saw nothing but hate in his eyes. It shook her to her core.
"You don't.. you don't mean that.." She took a few short steps back but Marco followed her.
"Once I started to actually gain some strength by protecting Star, you decided to suck me into a relationship with you. Making me trapped under your control again.." Janna took more steps back, getting closer to the glass and doors. Marco didn't let her get far from him though. "Now that I have strength again, you decide to belittle my actions by calling them a power trip. See? It's just.. like.. you!.."
"Marco! You're fucking scaring me!!" Janna was at the balcony window with Marco towering over her.
"Shut up!!" His voice boomed with a malevolent energy. "You don't love me! You love the idea of having a pathetic weak-willed kid at your beckon call!" Marco put a hand on his chest and gave an evil grimace of a smile. "Let me answer that question you had for me, Janna—if you think it was Marco that was with you last night, you're wrong! Because that's not ME!!" Janna screamed and fell to her knees as her cries turned to sobs. Marco looked down at her dismay and felt the tension on his body ease. He looked up at the windows in front of him and was shocked at the horrible view. The dark shadow veil covered the right half of his face and continued down his neck. His right eye would be completely pitch black if not for the single white dot in the middle. He reached up to touch his face and saw that his right arm was in its shadow form. "Gah!" Marco backed away in fear and grabbed his right arm. He began to hyperventilate, losing any control he had.
"Marco!" Janna looked up from her slump, overwhelmed with worry. "Look out!" The back of Marco's knees hit the railing of the balcony and he loses balance. He falls back and towards the mansion ground from the second story. The adrenaline stopped him from feeling any pain. He got up to his knees quickly. "Marco!" Janna ran to the railing and looked down to see him frantically running to the back of the mansion, away from her view. Janna's knees fell weak, causing her to fall onto them in despair.
Marco reached the backyard of the manor and found a shed. He gripped his shadow arm tighter, desperation taking over his senses. Kicking open the shed door and flipping on a light switch, he looks around, panicked. The shed was big enough to fit a large L table in one of the corners. On the other end of the shed was a riding lawn mower next to a number of shelves with many tools. He finds a chainsaw and a devilish smile spreads upon his face.
Star felt a shock within her mind and a deep worry filled her. She stood up from the board game and ran out of the room, startling the others around her.
"Wait, where are you going?!" Alfonso asked, still enthralled in the game.
"Star! Wait!" Jackie stood up from her seat and followed her out. She momentarily saw Star make a turn down the hall and stayed on her trail. "Star, slow down!"
"I can't!" She replied as she ran. Jackie tried her best to keep up, not wanting Star to be alone. After a minute of running, Star arrives to double glass doors that led to a balcony. She looked through them and saw Janna on her knees by the railing. Star opens the doors and rushes to comfort her friend. "Janna! What happened?!" She puts her hands on the downed girl and felt her trembling.
"Marco.. he.. he.." Janna muttered, having trouble speaking. Jackie arrives at the doors with short breath. She sees the two and approached them with concern. "Marco fell down.. and went to the back of the house.." Janna said with a shaky voice. She looked up at Star, who had a pained expression. "Help him.."
"What?.. Marco?" Jackie asked, confused about the situation.
"I will." Star said confidently and jumped down the railing. Jackie stood and saw her float down gracefully before running to the back of the mansion. Star followed her senses. She felt a shadow and knew that it was Marco. As she grew closer and closer to the source of the, she found a shed. Marco was undoubtedly in there. She was sure of it. Star took a deep breath and made her way into the shed. It was dark inside. She can barely see a foot in front of her in the small building. "Marco?" Star tried flipping a light switch but nothing happened. She held her hand up in front of her and conjured and small light above her palm. It illuminated some of the room but not enough to see everything.
"Star!" Marco was heard on the other end of the shed. "Stay back!" His voice sounded miserable. Like he was having trouble even staying alive.
"Marco!" Star focused and grew the light in her hands, making the rest of the room visible. "Ahh!!" The other half of the shed was almost completely covered in blood. Star saw Marco on his knees with a broken saw-like device next to him and his disembodied right arm as well. "Oh, no.." Star let out in disappointment.
"Star.." He grunted, under tremendous pain. "Leave.. I don't wanna hurt you too!" His breathing was fading, he'll die if he was left like this. Star let out an exhale of sadness.
"What are you gonna cut my arm off too? Dummy.." Star left her light hovering and approached him, her shoes stepping on the blood on the floor.
"Star! D—"
"Quiet." Star commanded and picked up Marco's right arm off the floor. "Cutting it off won't help.." She told him softly, placing the severed part of his arm against his empty shoulder socket.
"Ah! Wha-What are you—!"
"Stop talking!" She ordered. "Just.. stop doing things in general for a while." The way she spoke sounded like she was lecturing a child. Marco didn't understand why she wasn't taking the situation more seriously. Star put her hand against the laceration and used her magic to heal the wound. The sinews of Marco's arm reattached, the muscles reformed, the bones and tendons regrew. It felt strange. Like Marco's whole body numbed and spread from the damaged area. After a dozen or so seconds, the wound was fully healed. Star released Marco's arm and exhaled tiredly. "Phew.. Kinda takes it outta me when I have to completely reattach a moron's arm." She told him with a patronizing smile.
"Th—.. Thanks, Star.." Marco said, sitting back and sighing. "I can't believe I lost control like that.." He looked down at his right arm, sickened by it. "And I thought I was in charge.. I want it off so bad, Star.." The girl shook her head and sat next to him.
"It wouldn't make a difference. The dark magic is just a part of you now." Star shrugged and smiled sympathetically. Marco furrowed his brows, hating his circumstance.
"You make it sound like it's no big deal.." He told her with agitation. "Dammit, I hurt Janna because of this stupid power!" Star kept her smile, not wanting to upset Marco.
"..Dark magic preys and feeds off your negative thoughts." She explained. "Janna said you had a lot of those.." Marco looked at Star in wonder.
"It feeds off my thoughts?" A cast of shame overtook Marco. "Star.. I've done some really bad things lately.. If the dark magic is taking control of me, does that mean I'm a bad person?.."
"We all have bad thoughts, Marco." Star told him with a hand on his shoulder. "It's just a matter of us not letting them take over." Her smile faded to a sympathetic frown. "The dark magic isn't going away. So you must learn to control the influence of your demons." Star smiled again, ready to give hope. "I can help with that, you know?" Marco turned to her with faithful eyes.
"Really?! How?"
"It's kinda like therapy." Star said with a toothy grin. "I use my magic to heal your brain!"
"Just like that?" Marco asked with a raised brow.
"Okay, not really.." Star contradicted, making the boy in front her give a tired look. "It's more like putting you in a dream. A dream that tackles your negative thoughts head on!" Star grit her teeth, not excited to say the next part. "It's.. most likely not going to be very fun.. You might even wake up as a different person.." She gave Marco a sad look. "It'll hurt.. in here.." She pointed at Marco's heart. "Maybe even more than cutting off your own arm with a chainsaw." She said that with a joke-y smile but it shook Marco. He took a deep breath and sighed.
"If it'll really help, I wanna do it." He thought back to his recent actions and how they have affected the people he cares about. "I have to.." Star looked at him lovingly before giving him a peck on the cheek. Marco looked at her in surprise.
"For luck!" She told him before giggling. "Follow me.." Star stood up and walked out of the shed, prompting Marco to follow. The two walk to a nearby oak tree where the shade created a cool environment. Star sat down on her knees and pat her thighs. "Lie down." Marco gave her a hesitant look. "Just do it.." She insisted, making him sit in front of her, then lay his head back on her legs. She smiles with a blush as she looks down at him. "Do I have comfy legs?"
"..Uh.. not really.." Marco said cautiously. "They're.. kinda hard."
"Cruel boy." Star pulled his ear with a frown.
"Ow!" Marco winced. "Sorry! Sorry!" Star's frown went back to her soft smile. She placed her hands on each side of Marco's face and took a deep breath.
"Relax.." she told him, "and close your eyes.." Marco shut them and tried his best to unwind. "Just go to sleep.." Marco didn't know why, but he started to feel sleepy almost immediately. Maybe Star was doing something with her hands, maybe it was due to the amount of blood he lost, he didn't know, but his consciousness was fading. "Don't stop.. Keep going.." Star's voice echoed in his mind. The way she sounded was unlike any way Marco has heard her before. Quickly, it became all he heard. Her voice sounded almost erotic. "Ah.. Good.." Marco felt a tingling sensation. It soothed him. "Marco.. Ah!.."
"Star?.." Marco opened his eyes and saw blackness. A deep dark void with nothing in sight. He felt something bumping up against his lap. He looked down to see Star naked, ramming her behind into his groin. She was highlighted in a dark purple light, she was the only thing Marco could see.
"Marco.. It feels.. good, right?" Star sounded like she was in ecstasy, eager for pleasure, apathetic to anything else. "I can go faster.. Want—.. Want me to go faster?" Marco breathed faster and faster as he watched Star move. He wanted to grab her and ravage her so badly.
He saw something in the distance. It was four boys from his high school, all in the same purple light Star was in. He looked closer and recognized them as the boys that would bully Alfonso. He found himself approaching them with a fierce speed. Upon reaching them, he attacked. Beating them down and crippling them with dangerous attacks to the eyes and throat. It wasn't enough, though. They deserved more. More than bruises. More than broken bones. More than punctured eyes. More than twisted necks. Marco stopped his carnage after hearing the moans of a girl behind him. He quickly turned to see Jackie against a wall, pleasuring herself naked. Again, in the purple light.
"You're such a man!.. What's taking you so long to fuck me?" Her moans of pleasure drew Marco closer, and before he knew it, he was doing exactly what Jackie demanded. He rammed her against the wall, making her scream. "God!! You know I'm the woman you need! No other girl is enough!!" Marco positioned himself to look at her face. Jackie was gone. He was having sex with Janna. She stared at him, her breathing rapid and short.
"Marco.." She said passionately. "You're mine.. You're mine! YOU'RE MINE!!" Marco felt his hands reach up at her neck and squeeze. She smiled at him, liking the roughness. "Tighter!!" Marco shouted and crushed as hard as he could. He held on and on. Janna never had him stop. After a while, she stopped moving. Marco stopped his thrusting and let go of her neck. The marks of his hands were imprinted deep on her throat. He crushed her esophagus. Marco looked into her eyes. No soul. No life. Marco raised his head and looked at the wall ahead. It reflected a face of a monster. White bloodshot eyes, sharp teeth, and torn skin.
In an instant, Marco sat up in bed. He was gasping for air as he looked down at his lap. His eyes were wide with fear as he gradually felt tears escape them. Looking around, he realized he was in one of the guest bedrooms of Wong Mansion. The curtains were shut, letting only a bit of light in. He saw Janna sitting on a chair near the bed. She was looking at him with pitying eyes filled with concern. Marco felt the tears run down his face as he and the girl he loved embrace.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Thank you so much for reading.
We're nearing the end. Just a few loose ends to tie up.
We all have demons. Just don't let them turn you into a monster.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Byyyyyyye!
