Chapter 6: Monsters Roam This World

"Mother, why can't I go outside?" Her hand stilled, the brush coming mid-way to a stop. I kept still, feeling like any move would frighten her. My mother was always a jumpy person, she scared easily.

"There is evil out there," She muttered, resuming the brushing of my hair. I raised my eyes from the floor to the mirror in front of me, watching mother as she brushed my hair, her eyes-the same pale grey as mine-seemed glazed over. '"But here, it can't reach us. Here, we are safe. And here, no one can get hurt. Here, you can't hurt anyone."

"I won't hurt anyone." I stated, a bit confused on why she seemed like I would.

The brush was pressed harder against my scalp, being pulled hard down and yanking a knot out this time. I winced a little bit.

"It's safer for everyone if you remain here." Her voice was like the winter air on a Friday afternoon, cutting cold against my cheek.

"Oh." My eyes flickered down to the ground for a moment before flickering back up when the brush stilled once more, I met my mother's gaze through the mirror.

Her eyes softened and the heavy feeling in my chest lifted. Mother was so pretty. She set the brush down and embraced me with her arms from behind, her arms encircling my shoulders, her hair brushing against my cheek. It was odd, it was an embrace, yes, but it felt odd in the sense that any harder she had tightened her arms, she could choke me any moment. I was surprised that such a thought crossed my mind and immediately shooed it away, mother would never hurt me.

"Trust me, dear Sincere, this is for the best. Our Father has a plan and in his plan, you stay in this house with me."

"Yes, mother."

I looked in the mirror and she stared back at me, her eyes so cold.

So dead.

Lifeless.

"-It's still quite odd...think…what happened...room...fall...human?...smells...sulfur…"

My vision was blurry, like a camera that couldn't focus, being held by a shaking hand. I think I could see Kaien, standing in the kitchen with a mug in his hand, eyebrows drawn into furrows. He seemed different...less cheerful. Kaname, I think it was, stood in front of him, expression blank. Almost like a doll. All pretty, no feelings. Was that basically what he was? Kaname? I don't think I recall a time of him smiling, to be honest, At least, not towards anyone other than Yuki…

The vision started to fade, they kept talking but it seemed like nonsense to me. I didn't know how to read lips. As the vision faded to black, so did my mind.

So warm.

It was warm, so unlike my usual. My lids felt heavy but I managed to flutter them open, my fingers twitching as consciousness soon came to me. Where was I? This couldn't be my room, it was too warm. I blinked a few times, looking at the wall I faced. Crosses littered them, just like my bedroom back at home.

Home…

Home…

I shot up from bed, looking around almost frantically. That's right. I wasn't home. I was at Yuki's house. I looked at the crosses on the wall, a bit scared. Didn't they fall? I don't remember anyone putting them back up. I glanced at the clock, confused on the time. It wasn't digital. Slowly removing the covers, I spoke my morning prayer out loud, my voice but a whisper in the air.

"Let the morning bring me word...," I started, sitting at the edge of the bed and sliding down carefully, "...of your unfailing love."

My bare feet felt cold against the tiled floor, I could have sworn I wore socks to sleep, "...for I put my trust in you."

I adjusted my shirt, smoothing it out as I stopped in front of the mirror, "Show me the way I should go…"

I picked up a brush on the dresser and started brushing the knots out like mother, slow but hard, not caring if I yanked a few strands out. "...for to you, I entrust my life."

I stopped after a while, a bit confused on the very slight mumbling of words reaching my ears. I set the brush down and cautiously walked towards the the bedroom door, softly pressing my hands against the wood and leaning forward to press my ear against it as well. The mumbling got louder but I couldn't make out what was being said. Huffing slightly, moved back and hesitantly touched the doorknob. There was no way it was left unlocked, right? Mother would never leave my bedroom door unlocked, surely Kain wouldn't either, right?

I carefully twisted the knob, surprised that it was, infact, unlocked.

But why?

What are you doing?

Go back in your room, sweet Sincere.

It's not time to leave the room yet.

Listen to your mother,

you wouldn't disobey me, right?

Silently, I pushed the door open, pausing when mother's soft voice whispered in my ears. I waited a bit longer, hoping to hear her voice again. When she said nothing more, I reluctantly pressed more weight on the door, causing it to creak as it opened up further.

The mumbling stopped.

I froze. My hand reached up to grasp the cross dangling from around my neck. I didn't know if I should continue onward or not. Was this a trick? A test? Was I not supposed to be let out yet?

"Sincere, is that you?" Kaien's voice called out and I was filled with the feeling of warmth once more, his voice soothing my fears. Kaien was kind. He was safe. I started walking once more towards the sound of his voice, reaching the kitchen. It was Kaien, yes, but there was Kaname as well, staring back at me with unreadable eyes. I felt cold looking at him, I felt unsafe and yet I wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch his face, gaze into wine eyes for all eternity.

That thought shocked me.

And scared me.

A boy should not be thinking of another boy in such a way!

How disgusting.

And yet…

"Sincere?"

I looked back at Kaien, who looked at me with worry-filled hazel eyes. He reached a hand out towards me and I slowly reached out to take it. He made me feel safe. Was this what it felt like? To have a father?

You have a Father.

He is all that you need.

But I don't have a dad.

You don't need one.

But I want one.

Greedy child.

Forgive me.

"I'm okay." I muttered, peering up through pale strands, "You left the door unlocked."

Kaien raised an eyebrow, "We don't lock doors in this house, Sincere."

I furrowed my own eyebrows in confusion, "Why? Mother always keeps the doors locked."

"Does she lock your door?" Kaname chimed in, I turned my attention towards him.

"What?"

"Does your mother lock your bedroom door?" Kaname asked once more, a bit slowly, as if though talking to a child.

"Kaname." Kaien stated, not looking pleased.

"Yes." I answered unsurely, wondering why this pointless question was being asked.

"With you inside?" Kaname persisted.

"Kaname, I think that's enough." "Yes." Kaien and I spoke at the same time, Kaien's eyes flashing towards me with a sad look in his eyes. I instantly felt bad, though why he seemed sad was unknown to me.

"Your mom did what?" A voice called out, all us turning towards the sound. It was Zero, Yuki by his side. Both were dressed similarly. Actually, they and Kaname were. Only difference was that Kaname wore white while they wore black.

"I-" I felt unsure on what to say, their eyes back on me. I looked at Yuki for help, sweet Yuki. But she said nothing, did nothing. She stared back at me, eyes just as sad as her adoptive father. I felt small. I didn't like that.

I felt defensive.

"She locked me in my room," It didn't come out as firm as I had hoped, "Why are you all looking at me weird?"

"Sincere, you know that what your mother did wasn't right, right?" Kaien said carefully, and I shook my head.

"No, no. I don't see the problem," I denied, "Stop looking at me like that." I started backing away.

"Sincere, wait." Yuki reached out towards me.

"Stay away!" I screamed, the windows shattered. Before I knew it, I was thrown against the wall, a hand around my throat. My own hand instinctively went up and grasped the hand holding my throat. I looked up, feeling terrified, at the owner of that hand. Kaname. Wine eyes, no, they're red, staring back at mine. I was scared. I was so, so scared.

Red eyes.

The eyes of the Devil.

"What are you?" Kaname demanded.

"What are you?" I whispered back, terrified of the answer.

He's a monster.

Then what are you?