"When life's problems seem overwhelming, look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself fortunate." - Ann Landers
Rey realizes that she's not immune to darkness.
The cold metal pressed against her forehead. Adrenaline pulsed through her veins, her fingers restless. The chemical coursed through her, causing her to falter. Rey's heart throbbed with fury, threatening to explode in an instant. Sweat trickled down her neck and face as clear beads, drenching her. The gun barrel, even with her eyes, slowly sank to her chest. The man snarled at her, thrusting the gun into her.
"Kneel. Put your arms behind your back," his voice was a hushed whisper. Compiling with him, Rey pulled her hands back, allowing the man to wrap zip ties. Her eyes widen as she felt something hard hit the back of her head. Spots colored her vision. His calloused hands grasped her neck, marks forming.
"Keep your head down and say nothing."
Her eyes watered, the zip ties digging into her skin. Rustling occurred from behind her. Silent whimpers escaped her lips, tears pouring down her face. She slammed her eyes shut, her resolve decaying.
"Shut up," he harshly said, pushing the gun into her cheek. Her breaths turned ragged and harsh, her lips trembling. Thick saliva slid down her burning throat, her face ghostly pale. Rey stiffened, feeling his freezing touch. Slowly, a white cloth descended onto her eyes, shielding them.
With her eyes covered, her assailant hid from her. Her muscles tensed, screaming at her. His heavy footsteps echoed into her ears, ringing. Rey clenched her jaw, her body trembling. Biting her tongue, she suppressed painful gasps. Tears stung her eyes and gushed down her face.
Death was knocking on her door. He'd arrived sooner than expected. Laying in wait with his razor-sharp tool, the deathly aura radiated from him. His deathly essence enraptured few while it pained many.
Suddenly, the pistol whipped against her stomach. Rey groaned, maintaining her kneeling position. The metallic flavour painted her insides. Her skin felt raw as if a wild beast had gnawed it. Her heart yearned to explode from her chest.
A white hot piercing cry filled Rey's ears. The world grew colder and darker. She slipped down a slippery slope of unknown darkness. Gasps erupted from her mouth, her lips losing feeling in them.
Numbness tingle from her toes to her face. The sensory deprivation drastically affected her. Rey perked her ears up, hearing footsteps and moaning. The moaning wasn't hers, however.
There was a tug at the back of her head. More tugging and pulling continued. Someone shed the blindfold from her eyes, tossing it. A breeze blew across her face, alerting Rey. When she opened her eyes, her heart dropped.
Face to face with her was a mask. From what Rey gathered, they seemed to be staring. Peering to the side of him, she noticed the man who attacked her, on the ground. He clutched onto his side, his face ripe with agony.
The masked person turned their attention onto the man, standing up.
"Knight of Ren, eh?"
The man chuckled, blood spilled from his mouth. He opened his mouth in a toothy grin, his teeth tinged in bright red. Ren stood over him, their imposing figure blocked Rey from seeing the man.
"You shouldn't be here. The Supreme Leader required your appearance elsewhere. Yet, here you are," the man snarled, his eyes sullen.
Ren stares before slamming his foot down. The man howled out, the sickening twist and crunch of brittle bones in the air. Ren kicked the man's face swiftly. More kicks followed in succession, the man crying out at every single one.
Ren turned, walking over to Rey, who held her breath. He kneeled down, slightly obscuring her view. Her eyes traveled to the man on the floor. Trails of blood stained his face and his cheeks were an ugly shade of purple. His eyes, swollen shut, expelled tears that seared his skin. He laid limb, a broken man in a pool of his own fluids.
Rey looked up, her eyes boring into Ren. As soon as she made eye contact with his mask, she drew her head down. Suddenly, Rey felt his gloved finger under her chin, forcing her head up. Inside, she crumbled under the weight of his imaginary gaze. On her face, however, she stood firm, her face neutral.
"You."
His garbled voice stated calmly, pressing his glove against her chin. Letting his fingers drag down, blood splatter remained on her face, evidence of the assault that had taken place. Cutting her restraints with a small knife, Rey looked at him, her eyes clouded. Bringing his hand back front, he held it up to her face. His hand ghosted over her lips, tracing them. He lingered there before picking himself up, pulling out a longsword. The edge of the sword traced the ground, trailing behind his heavy steps.
"No," silent pleas escaped the man's mouth. He repeated his denial, however, it was futile. Ren stopped, his boot on the man's chest. Raising the weapon above his head, he swung, making an incision on the man's thigh. The man shouted out, hollering and screaming. Blood seeped from the cut, causing the man's eyes to spring out more tears.
"Stop! You're hurting him!"
Ren looked over his shoulder at Rey. Rey held her hands out, her eyes pleading.
"Let him go."
Her voice, firm, didn't stutter. Even though she'd been attacked, she still concedes to his release. The knight remained motionless, his body still.
"YES! Listen to the girl!"
Closing her eyes, Rey rub her hands on the red marks stretching across her wrists. Ren's vision seemed direct at those marks before he looked back to Rey. Rey winced, biting her lip softly at the sting. Ren shook his head, driving the sword into the man's side.
"ARGHHHHH!"
The man yelled, his voice hoarse. His body convulsed on the ground, staining it. Rey stood still, her face pale.
"Please. You can just let him go."
Rey softly recommended, stepping forward towards Ren, her hand still out. Ren pulled the sword out, wiping the blood that painted it.
"I'll let him go."
Rey's shoulders relaxed, her heart calm.
"Only if you finish him yourself."
Her eyes went wide. Raising the sword up, Ren offered it to Rey. She shook her head furiously, scowling.
"He needs medical attention."
"He attacked you."
Her heart banged. Softly sighing, Rey clenched her fists.
"That doesn't matter."
Ren chuckled, stepping towards Rey, pushing the sword to her chest. Its sharp edge barely touched her neck. She gripped the hilt, glancing at Ren.
"Do it."
The man moaned, alerting Rey to his dire situation. His body, destroyed and battered, made the bile rise to her throat. He shook, his voice growing raggedy.
"Please. Even if I have to die, don't leave Emma by herself."
Ren stood behind her, his gloves on her shoulders. They sketched the landscape of them. He leaned forward, his mask close to the side of her face.
"He made you a victim. You can change that."
Darkness clouded her brain. The offer enticed her, scenarios played through her mind. He was already a bloody pulp, but she could ensure its ending. He wouldn't need to suffer anymore, and she might move on with her life.
"Emma, I'm sorry for leaving you, darling."
The man's voice wavered, his functioning hand twitching. He rose slowly before Ren stepped forward, kicking the man in the side. He howled, blood spilling from his mouth. He powered through, grabbing a silver locket from his pocket. His back pressed against Rey's bed.
"Who's Emma?"
Rey inquired, clutching onto the sword, walking to him.
"The apple of my eye."
Coughs exploded from his mouth, his body trembling. His bloody hand opened the locket up, revealing a photo of a blonde girl and an older woman with brown hair. The young girl's hands were full of flowers as the woman picked the flower grove.
"I'm going to hell."
He chuckled through bouts of coughs.
"Always picking those damn desert marigolds. She got her into it too."
The look on his face turned melancholy or at least it seemed to turn that way.
"If I wasn't such a fuck up, maybe life could have been different."
Tears streamed down his face as he coughed ferociously.
"It's the end of the line here."
His face shone in the moonlight.
"If you're ready, you can do it."
He stated, his voice was emotionless. Rey crossed her arms, her face frozen.
"For my sake, don't let them get to Emma."
He hacked, his body motionless. Blood poured from him. He opened his mouth,
But nothing came out.
Rey dropped the sword, falling to her knees, her body jolting. Ren peered at her before grabbing his sword. Deciding that everything was enough for now, he turned, leaving her apartment.
The man hunched over, his blood already congealed. He was just a corpse now, a victim of life circumstances.
She couldn't stop. She stared.
Even when the red and blue flashes danced across, she stared at the man.
Even when she heard the hushed words from outside her door, she stared at him.
Even when the footsteps thumped against her floor, she stared at him.
Even when the sound of a clink invaded her ears, she stared at him.
Even when they led her away, she stared at him.
Even when the door closed, she kept staring until the last second.