Chapter 5: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
(Note: Words in Italic that are bold are supposed to be in the language of french. I feel it would have been quite troublesome if I had to have everything translated at the end of the chapter so we just gonna use imagination here, lol.)
Chapter Dedicated to Mithya Aviana Cailin and Hidden Berserker as well as Sam. Thank you for reading so far and for being so patient with my updates!
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"Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray to God my soul to take. If I should live for other days, I pray the Lord to guide my ways. Father, unto thee I pray, thou has-" I froze mid-sentence when a knock on my newly bedroom door broke my flow of nightly prayer. I didn't know what to do, never once have I been disturbed during nightly prayer, especially stopped in the middle of it. Do I ignore and continue or must I rise and answer? I shifted uncomfortably on my knees that were used to holding up the weight of my body as I leaned over my bed, my head raised from its bowed position of resting on my interlaced fingers, elbows digging nervously into the mattress. How do I react, dear Father?
He must of heard my plea as the door's handle twisted and the door was pushed open. In came in Kaname, as handsome as can be. I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, how embarrassing! I am in no position for visitors, dressed in white shorts, socks, and white long sleeve. My hair was pulled out of my face, minus the one lock fell over my left eye, courtesy of Yuki, whom tied my hair into a bun. Kaname, however, stood with grace as always, well dressed and composed. How embarrassing! I tightened my fingers in their hold together.
Kaname raised an eyebrow at me, seemingly questioning my position.
"I…" I started off, looking to the side of his face to avoid the wine colored eyes, "It's...it's pray-praying time...um..is th-there some-somethi-thing I can help y-you with?" I cleared my throat, horrified at my stuttering. While I had grown used to seeing Kaname through the years, never once had he and I been alone. Yuki was always in company, where she went, he followed.
"I came to see how you may be doing," Kaname spoke up, his voice flowed like honey. Dear Father, what is this feeling? Must I feel so embarrassed?, "Have you enjoyed your stay so far?"
I rather have, Kaien and Zero were so kind to me. Yes, Zero seemed a bit reluctant but after a while, most especially during dinner, he seemed to relax little by little. I felt like I was intruding, however, on Yuki's family-Yuki's space-Yuki's life.
"Everyone's been quite kind to me." Was all I could reply with, a tight smile on my face. It wasn't a lie, dear Father. But was I enjoying it all? I do not know for sure. What I do know, though…
"However…," I hesitated a bit, my eyes falling to look at the ground, "I do miss my mother terribly."
I heard footsteps make their way towards me and before I could raise my head, a finger on my chin and under raised it for me. I held back a gasp, his hands were colder than Zero's. Almost deathly cold. I stared back at him, surprised grey meeting lovely wine. He seemed concerned. But, dear Father, why does something tells me it's all a ploy?
"You miss your mother? After all that she's done to you?," Kaname asked, face morphed into concern, voice full of worry and confusion, "Do you think she loves you when she beats you?"
It's a trick. It's a trick. Dear Child, it's a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Mother loves you. Mother loves us.
I could almost hear a voice warning me, a soft whisper in my ears. Another voice, insisting that mother did no wrong. She did no wrong. She loved us.
Get away from him!
I flinched in his hold at a particular yell in my ears, the cross that hung above my bed (put up courtesy of Zero when I asked) fell down, a crashing sound as it fell behind the headboard.
Kaname released me as he and I both turned towards the sound. I reached my hand upwards to hold the cross attached to the chain around my neck, feeling scared.
Shhhhhhh
A voice whispered in my ear, seemingly trying to sooth me. I could almost feel a hand rub gently against my back. I looked at the clock on my nightstand. A digital one, brought to me by Yuki. It was 9:30. It's almost time. I swallowed nervously, my eyes darting towards my pillow, or more specifically, what hid underneath it.
"My cross," I muttered out, feigning interest in only what had occurred, "He must not be happy that my nightly prayer has not been finished."
"Oh? And who is He?" Kaname asked, this time his feelings seemed genuine. His curiosity was genuine.
I brushed my thumb against the cross hanging around my neck, his wine eyes followed the movement. A look of surprise crossed his eyes for a quick second. Genuine. Why were people so surprised when they saw it? It wasn't anything special, just a cross.
"Our Father, of course," I responded.
"You believe in God?" Kaname asked me, an eyebrow raised.
"Of course. Don't you?" I questioned tilting my head slightly.
Kaname hummed, I felt like whatever he was going to say was not something I would have like to hear. Which is why I was guilty in gratitude that my bedroom door slammed open.
"What the Hell are you doing in here?" Zero almost seemed to growl in his anger, a look of unmasked rage and disgust on his pretty face. A hand inside his jacket as if though he had something hidden in there.
"No need to be so scary, Kiryu." Kaname almost seemed to taunt. He brought his hand up to remove my hair from Yuki's masterpiece of a bun. He proceeded to entangle his fingers in my hair. It would have felt nice had it not been the intent behind it, I could practically feel a sense of smugness and eagerness for conflict.
Get him to release you! An unholy creature! Filthy hands!
I flinched once more at the shouting in my ear, though I guess Zero took it as a flinch from the touch of Kaname because he took a step forward.
"You've already corrupted Yuki, leave Sincere alone. There's already enough lovers of your filthy kind around as it is." Zero spat out. Kaname narrowed his eyes at Zero. I could have sworn they turned red. I swear they did! My Lord in Heaven, what is happening? I'm scared. There was so much hate between them. Dear Father, make them stop.
"What's all the ruckus going on in here?" Kaien walked in, Yuki following closely behind. Yuki stopped shortly, looking lost and confused when her eyes caught onto the hand of Kaname's that was still resting in my hair. She looked like she caught him doing something unspeakable. Kaname stared back at her with an unreadable expression.
"What's he doing here?" Zero asked, not taking his eyes off of Kaname.
"Kaname wanted to see how Sincere was doing. Being childhood friends, how could I deny such a request?" Kaien responded easily.
Zero turned away from Kaname to glare at Kaien, "Are you fuc-"
"Language, Zero!" Yuki scolded, a look of disappointment crossing her beautiful face.
"Yes, Zero. Watch your language, wouldn't want pure Sincere to hear such foul words." Kaname mocked.
"Why you-," Zero stepped towards Kaname angrily.
"Please…," I started off softly, feeling tears gathering in my eyes, "All of you...just get out!"
The crucifixes that littered my walls, from on either side of the vanity mirror, above my side dressers, above the door, on either side of the closet door, each and every one fell down. One after another, thud, thud, thud, the metal ones louder than the wooden and plastic ones.
And then…
Silence.
No one spoke a single word as they stared at the many crosses that had fallen. Yuki looked scared, hiding behind Kaien. Kaien stood protectively in front of her, eyes serious and calculating. He looked like a whole different person. Zero had an odd metal contraption out, aimed at the wall the first cross had fallen off of. His eyes scanning the area. Kaname's hand had removed themselves from their place in my hair and stared tensed at the same wall Zero was pointing at.
A sob escaped me. That drew their attention back to me. I scrambled away, crawling backwards to hide in the corner. My arms encased my knees close to me. I buried my face in them.
"Sincere…" Yuki called out but I shook my head.
Pray, little boy.
Pray.
"Oh Lord, let me hear you," I started whispering off shakily, "My soul is weary. Worry, fear and doubt surround me on every side."
"Sincere." Kaname spoke up, a voice louder than Yuki's yet somehow still soft.
I just continued on, "Yet your sweet mercy cannot be held back from those that cry out to you. Hear my cry."
"Sincere, dear child, calm please." Kaien tried but I was not going to stop. No. I could not. My prayers weren't supposed to be interrupted. I was not supposed to stop until I have finished.
"Let me trust in your mercy. Show me how. Free me. Free me from anxiety and stress." I heard footsteps walking towards me. They stopped in front of me. I was not going to acknowledge until I have completed my task, "Free me from anxiety and stress. That I may find rest in your loving arms. Amen."
Good child.
I raised my head. Grey met wine. Kaname's eyes were unreadable. No fake emotions crossed his eyes. There was something in them that I just could not understand. But I knew one thing and that was that I wasn't afraid. His eyes softened a bit. He reached towards me slowly, an arm reaching to go behind my thighs and another around my back. I held onto his jacket as he rose up with me in his arms.
"Kaname…," Yuki muttered, she sounded almost sad.
I heard a scoff, most likely from Zero, and the sound of footsteps storming off was not lost on me. Another pair took off after, no doubt Yuki. But I was much too tired to bring myself to care. I was placed on my bed, my hair sprawled out everywhere. What a mess I was. Kaname stared at me for a bit longer before reaching a hand out to brush a lock of my hair out of my face. It was a gentle touch, unlike the one previous.
"I apologize, Sincere. I did not mean to frighten you."
"Kaname, I think we have much to discuss. Let's allow dear Sincere to rest." It was not a request. Kaien was not asking.
Kaname nodded, brushing a hand over my forehead before turning and leaving with Kaien. Kaien stopped at the door, turning to look at me. He gave an apologetic smile, "I'll be sure to help put up the crosses once more tomorrow. For now, please rest."
When they were all gone, door closed softly, I turned on my side.
Impure place.
Full of wretched sinners.
They'll only cause you harm.
I reached into my pillow to pull out a small plastic orange container. I opened it, pulled a small tablet out, and swallowed without a second thought. The voices should hopefully quiet down soon. With my eyes closed, I muttered to finish my nightly prayer, "...thou hast guarded me all day; safe I am while in thy sight. Safely let me sleep tonight. Bless my friends, the whole world bless; Help me to learn helpfulness. Keep me ever in thy sight, so to all I say good night. Amen."
Amen.