Warning: This is Dani's (final pov) chap...enough said.
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Kenzi's Voice Over:
Our tale…and what a tale it is…
Has been full of loss and love and sacrifice.
And more loss…and more love…it's been a helluva ride
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4 Decades Ago
"Twelve is a big one." Mom says for the billionth time, holding up another dress.
Shaking my head, I drop into the seat. Let her keep looking, I'm done. "Yeah. I know."
"It is, just shy of a teen. That's when the drama AND fun begins." She winks. "But don't tell your mother I mentioned the fun."
"Twelve. Fifteen. Eighteen. It's all the same."
"This is not the proper mood for a birthday girl to be having." She tosses the latest 'hell-no' back down, before coming over to me. "What's going on?"
"Nothing."
"You used to love b-day parties."
"I used to love My Little Pony too, we grow."
"Okay." She rolls her eyes, leaning against the table near me. "Soo…is there a boy you like?"
"What?"
"You know, a boy. Manly. Hairy. Most likely grooming issues. Aggressive. No breasts and very different…plumbing?"
"I know what a boy is. But great descriptors." This time it's me who rolls my eyes.
"Soo, is there one?"
"No, no boys."
"Oh, so then a girl?"
"No."
"Its okay you know, if there is a girl."
"Obviously."
"Dani…"
"Jesus mom, I just don't like anyone." Sighing, I almost jump up. Yeah, way to act not bothered Dani. Dumbass. "They don't like me." Shrugging, my eyes moving passed her to the mirror.
"Don't say that." This time she sighs, stepping in front of me. "Hey." Her hand cupping my cheek. "Hey, look at me baby girl."
"What?"
"You are beautiful."
"No I'm not. I'm awkward. I have no boobs. No ass. Lack muscle mass."
"Sweetheart, you're not even twelve."
"Eleven hours away."
"Twelve is a big year, twelve is when I went from an A to almost a C. I got my period and my jeans began filling out. Bad year for acne though. Which apparently succubi or not, puberty is still a bitch."
"So what, you're saying that tomorrow I'll look better?"
"You look better now." She laughs gently. "It won't be tomorrow, but yes in a few weeks you'll notice changes and a few weeks after that and so on and so forth."
"I just…I wanna look like you."
"You do."
"No, I mean really."
"Careful what you wish for baby, these hips are pain in the ass to get in leather pants."
"I'm not really one for leather."
"Don't knock it." She laughs, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. "I'm pretty sure that's what won your mother over."
"Really?"
"Mm-hm, she won't admit it…but I'm ninety-nine percent sure that's what really got her. And one day that will be what gets you your boy or girl."
Huh…might have to give the leather a try.
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I just stare, not quite in belief. The situation at hand truly the most craziest shit I've ever seen and I was in Hel for a while.
First came self-righteous Bo. Then Kenzi came bolting from the elevator, yelling at her to calm down. Faithful sidekick always waiting in the wings. Followed by mother who came down the hall. The yelling turning out of control and for once, as much as I love the chaos, I didn't add to it. Rather I stay back watching. The insults hurled between Bo and my mother near hilarious, just like old times.
But something changes and maybe I was enjoying myself too much because I don't catch it. Bo's eyes transition, blackness swallowing blue. Oh she really wants to play. Kenzi goes to grab her but she jerks away, Kenzi falling onto the floor. I go to make a comment only to find her charging. Mother simply raising her hand, hitting her in the chest causing to hit the floor with a thud.
Shit is hilarious.
The pitter-patter of teenage feet quickly approaching. The rapid pickup from Ria's putting me alert. Spinning around Ria's running for mother. My hand grabbing her throat, but she's faster than I gave her credit. The two of us a tangled mess hitting the wall before falling to the floor. She jumps up moving to attack, but I simply kick out. She's back on the ground, blood coming from her lips. Kneeling down beside her, I brush the hair from her face.
"I like you little sister, but come at mother again and I'll remove your heart without hesitation."
Tussling her hair I stand, walking back to the living room, eyes narrowing. Kenzi and Ethan crying, hovered around Bo still on the ground. Ethan pushing our mother away who doesn't seem to move. What happened? Growing closer, she looks back at me, tears in her eyes, slight tremble in her hand.
"Well shit." I let out, listening closely for a heartbeat, only to hear four including myself.
"We-we have to g-go." Mother says standing, brushing herself off, hands trembling all the while. "I have to…I can't…we have to go." She steps beside then, heading toward the elevator. Ria running past me, falling to Bo's side. "Danielle." Wavering voice, she calls to me to join her.
Did that shit just happen?
Walking into the elevator, I look at them…a broken mess. No heartbeat. Leaning forward, I push the button for us. Glancing at mother who hasn't stopped shaking, her heart erratic. Tear slipping down her cheek that she tries to wipe away without me noticing.
"Mother."
"Dani, please…just please…not now."
"Okay." I nod, listening for any steadying of her heart. "I just, I gave your request some thought and…I'm going to do it."
"Th-thank you." She nods, keeping her eyes on the doors.
That shit really did just happen…huh.
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Kenzi's Voice Over:
See the thing is in the midst of the craziest shit that's gone down
We've lost ourselves just as we've lost others.
We've lost pieces of ourselves, some bigger than others.
But it hasn't been all bad…don't ever think that.
Don't for one second ever think that our story was all bad.
There was so many great, crazy, amazing moments.
Some seen and some away from prying eyes.
Some conveniently forgotten because well…we all have our reasons.
But it was never all bad.
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4 Decades Ago
"You alright?" Sean asks, kicking at the snow. Dumbass. "Dani."
"I'm fine."
"Kara is a bitch. She just wants attention."
"Yeah."
"And Jason is a dick. If he wants some hoe then let him have her."
"I don't care."
"Okay."
"The only reason anyone pays her attention is cause puberty kicked in early for her. I have it on good authority though, she stuffs."
"Stuffs?"
"Her bra." He snorts. "Once puberty kicks in for you, you won't need to stuff. Have you seen mom?"
"On good authority?" I glance at him, rolling my eyes. Ewww. "Seriously?"
"Not me."
"Riiiiiiiight."
"Really, not me."
"Disgusting." Shaking my head, I start across the lawn, screw that sidewalk bullshit. Takes an extra five minutes. "Sean did…" I turn to find him missing. "Sean where did you…" Cut off as I look behind myself, snowball hitting me right in the damn face. "What the shit?!"
"You were being a bitch."
"So snowball was your only choice?"
"Yeah." He nods, walking passed me waving at the SUV pulling up. Either mom or mother, not that, that matters. Nodding to myself, I bend down scooping up two snowballs myself. Calling out to him he turns and I return the favor.
"Don't pick a fight you can't win." Smirking, victorious as he brushes himself off, I pat him on the shoulder as I pass. Huh, mom and mother, must be a special occasion. I wave, the two of them standing there waiting for us now. Aunt Kenz coming out from the building.
I glance back to ask Sean if he knows why they're both here, but he's got this smirk. A smirk that worries me. Oh no. I find myself yelling at him not to but I see him start to take off toward me and I haul ass. Running as fast as I can away from him and toward my laughing parents. Falling just a few steps short Sean catches me. Arms wrapped around me, he lifts me in the air before tossing me down into the snow.
"Sean, careful with your sister." Mother fusses.
"Dani, you're just gonna take that?" Aunt Kenz laughs, looking up at Sean somewhat shocked I see a snowball hit his chest. Laughing, I push myself up halfway. Mom laughing her ass off, mother tapping her on the arm, shaking her head.
"You're an ass." I grunt, grabbing onto his jacket pulling myself up.
"You call that a snowball fight?" Aunt Kenz keeps laughing, tossing a snowball as us, missing.
Me and Sean never agree on too much but we have our moments, this being one. We look at each other, sharing this look. Both of us scooping up one and then two, tossing them at her. Like the crazy woman she is, she charges us. The three of us this ridiculous mess, chasing each other in the snow. Snowballs flying everywhere. Mother keeps yelling to us to "stop" and that "it's enough".
Finding myself on my stomach, Aunt Kenz landing on top of me I glance at my parents, my smile fading. They're arguing again. Mom waves her off, quick steps toward us. She jumps on Sean's back, the both of them falling into the snow. It's hilarious, but mother just stands there, arms folded over her chest. We've displeased her.
Then my eyes widen. She jerks, snowball hitting her chest. "Oh my God." I let out, Aunt Kenz's laugh dying out as she pushes herself off me, kneeling in the snow beside me but she doesn't move. Sean falling silent, glancing at us before looking back at our mother.
"What…was…that?" Mother asks, through a glare.
"Thought you needed to cool off." Mom lets out fearlessly.
"Bo."
"Lauren."
"Maybe we should go." Aunt Kenz whispers, using my shoulder to push herself up.
"Bo."
"Lauren." She says, standing up and walking right over to mother. "Are you cooled off?"
"No, quite the opposite." Her words through a clenched jaw.
"Okay." Mom nods, and then does the most craziest, most insane, most badass thing I've ever seen. Without hesitation she leans down sorta, arms wrapped around mother's waist as she tosses her over her shoulder before dropping her into the snow.
"Bo!"
Mom's hands on her hips as she stares her down, mother's guards taking a step forward but only one. Me, Sean and Aunt Kenz looking between each other. "Cooled off yet?"
There's this long silence, all of us holding our breath. But then mother had managed to take advantage of our shock tossing an underhanded snowball at mom. And then there's nothing other than laughter. So much laughter as mother pulls her down. The three of us running toward them, snowballs flying everywhere. A giant snow tackling mess, but so much laughter.
I'm not always thrilled with this family, but every now and again…we have our moments.
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"Welcome." Mother stands in front of our table atop of the podium, I stand to her side. "Tonight is dare I say, long overdue."
The thirty guests of ours still on their knees bowing, she hasn't waved them up yet.
"All of you took liberties, great liberties to bring my daughter back to me. I must say at first I was slightly confused how the most loyal of my people could overstep quite so drastically, but lately I've come to a realization." She pauses, she's still hurting about Bo. I don't remember the last time she couldn't control her heartrate for this long. "I'm not angry though, because my daughter is back at my side. Her rightful place." She extends her hand, hesitantly I take it, stepping closer to her. I don't know why I'm nervous. "For that I am thankful, but unfortunately I don't have room for those who are willing to betray me, even if it is out of loyalty."
The grumblings begin, but they stay on their knees, looking amongst themselves. I look to my mother and she gives me the nod. Part of myself uncertain, maybe this is a test. She's always testing me. More so she's always telling me about no killing. But she nods again, letting go of my hand.
Well, this might be fun.
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Kenzi's Voice Over:
The craziest shit about our tale is that no one ever really got it.
Not really.
It's okay though, it was complicated and batshit crazy.
Thought it was all about Dani and Lauren.
Lauren and Dani.
But I don't think it was…not really.
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4 Decades Ago
"I can't believe I got a B." I stare at the transcript in disbelief. "A freaking B."
"Dani, it will be okay." Mom assures me, tossing the dish towel on the coffee table. Mother will kill her if that stains. "It will be."
"It won't. It's in science. Mother will be so disappointed."
"She'll understand."
"She won't!"
"Danielle Alreyna." Her eyes narrow. "Your worth is not dependent on your mother's approval." Her hands rest on her hips. Great, I've disappointed her too. "You are thirteen taking classes for first year college students."
"Sean got an A."
"You are not your brother."
"Apparently."
"Sean and your mother, things just…some things just come easier to them. Things that we wish came easier to us. You are brilliant baby girl. Naturally and because you work so hard." Sighing, she takes a seat on the corner of the table. "Yes, you got a B this time, but next time you'll get an A."
"I won't."
"You will."
"I won't, because I'm not taking any more of the classes."
"Stop." She shakes her head. "Listen to me, we never give up. Never. You don't give up and you don't give in. Ever. It doesn't matter how hard it gets. It doesn't matter what you have to do or how hard you have to fight. If you find something you want, go for it. Go straight for it and don't relent."
"Thanks for the Sunday special advice."
"Dani." Leaning forward, she swats my knee. "I was told I'd never be able to be in a committed relationship, because of who I am. I haven't touched anyone other than your mother since we've gotten together. I was told I wasn't worth anything, that I'd never have a family because of that. I have the most amazing one now. I was told that I wasn't good, that because of what I am and who my father is…I couldn't be good. Well, you know what? I've never stopped fighting for good. I've never given up. I've always pushed forward for what I want. To be good. To have a family. To have your mother. There's a reason for Sunday special advice Danielle, it's cheesy but its messages young people need to hear."
"I wish I was like you."
"You are, but you're so much more." She shifts over to the couch, beside me. "You are the best version of me, in every way sweetheart. And you're only gonna get better. Smarter, stronger, more determined, more of a champion. Everything Dani. You're still young, even if it's starting to not feel that way. But you are. And with every passing year, you're only going to improve."
"Don't say that."
"Baby girl, parents are supposed to want their children to be better than them. To get further than them. Just remember that when Lauren is pushing you, she just wants you to be better than us. Okay?"
I just nod, eyes falling back on the grades. Six As but that one damn B…couldn't it just be in something other than science. With a sigh, I shake my head leaning against mom's shoulder. Better version of mom, no pressure right.
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"I didn't know if I was going to enjoy tonight, but you know…" I trail off, dropping Leo's heart on the floor, looking back at my mother who hasn't moved. Same sad stoic face. "I thought you wanted this."
"I did."
"I thought me doing this would make you happy?"
"It does."
"You don't look happy."
"I am."
"No you're not."
"No, Dani I'm not." She smiles softly. "I'm in pain Dani, but I am happy and I will be happier when this passes."
"The pain of losing Bo will just pass?" I snort, rolling my eye as I pick up a napkin form the table trying to wipe off the blood from my hands.
"Everything passes, in time."
"Even the love for your children?"
"No, that is one thing that doesn't pass."
"Well guess it's good I'm your daughter and not your wife then." Snorting a laugh, I drop the napkin, glancing around at my work of art. It's sloppy, but pretty impressive. Most didn't even have a chance to get off their knees.
Glancing back at my mother, I can't help but wonder…
Wonder if she's so okay because she's generally let Bo go already or because there's a powerful succubus hanging around who might be able to bring her back.
Questions, questions.
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Kenzi's Voice Over:
Sure, Lauren was always the prize.
Sure, she was always the one in the spot light.
But it wasn't really about her.
And if you can't see that by now…
I don't know what to tell you.
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4 Decades Ago
"Bo are you…Dani?" Mother laughs, eyebrow raising as I turn to face her. "I thought you were your mom, my love." She smiles, leaning against my back to place a kiss on my cheek before walking down the hall toward her room.
"You think I look like her?" I ask, following after here.
"Definitely, especially when you're stealing her clothes." She laughs, glancing over her shoulder smiling at me. "Just remember you're too young for the leather."
"I thought you liked the leather?"
"I did. I do." She laughs, kicking off her heels by the dresser. "But it's not practical. And certainly not appropriate for my fourteen year old daughter."
"What about fifteen?"
"Try twenty-one."
"You don't think I can pull it off?"
"I think you can pull off anything my love, you're gorgeous. Luckily you got all of your genes from your mom when it came to your looks." She flashes me another smile, starting to undress.
"Really? I don't think so."
"I wish I knew why you were so hard on yourself." She sighs, dropping her shirt on the bed before walking over to me. Her hand cupping my cheek, eyes peering into mine as she smiles gently. "You are just as gorgeous as your mom, even more so my love."
"Mother," My voice breaks, tears filling my eyes. Its so fucking unusual. I don't get emotional but everything is just building and she just so…sniffling, I shake my head against her embrace. "Something, something is wrong with me."
"Nothing is wrong with you baby." She laughs softly. Other hand coming up to my other cheek. "You are my perfect baby girl. There's absolutely nothing wrong with you. Teen years were hard on me too, very hard. It's a time of discovery, but it's all normal."
"All?"
"All."
"So you're not…you won't be mad?"
"Mad?" She kind of laughs again, shaking her head as her hands fall to her sides. "I might get mad at you or be disappointed sometimes, that is just life Dani. But remember you are not only Bo's daughter which means I can hardly ever stay mad at either of you naturally. You are also my favorite daughter so you even edge her out on the getting out of trouble."
"I'm your only daughter."
"Well, yes, but you're still my favorite."
"Even if you have one more?"
"I could have fifty more," She laughs, placing a kiss to my forehead before walking to the dresser. "You are my first, my favorite, besides I don't see how anyone could be more perfect than you."
No one more perfect than me, huh.
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"Well, well, well…what do we have here?" Fingertips dragged along the wall as I make my way down the hall. Skylar standing at the vending machine.
"Danielle."
"You should be bowing."
"I'll die before I'm on my knees for you." She snaps, stepping into the middle of the hall.
"Why does Bo's body need a bodyguard?"
"I'm mourning."
"Mm-hm." I nod, stopping in front of her. She looks tired, life catches up with everyone I guess. "I'm going to ask one more time. Why are you here?"
"Mourning."
"So it's not to try and bring her back?"
"I am mourning my best friend and my queen's wife."
"Are we implying that's the same person…or is Ty your best friend? Cause between us, I hear you were getting that dick…birdies like to talk."
She goes to step to me, so predictable. Hands gripping either side of her face, simple flex of my wrists and she falls to the floor limp. A hundred and forty pound paper weight. This was once a powerful succubus? I almost laugh, looking around…but it's so empty. Everything is always so empty lately. Guess that little human shitheads scared them into hiding. My mother's made them soft.
Now, if I was a body…where would I be?
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Kenzi's Voice Over:
Because truth is…
…it's about Bo…
…it's always been about Bo.
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4 Decades Ago
"Fuck this fucking bullshit." Sean grumbles, storming down the hall, tears in his eyes as he makes his way to the elevator.
Pussy.
Sighing, the sound of parents screaming making it down the hall. Two full days of this, in a month of bad days. So many of them lately. Sean the big baby he is just can't take it. Running off to Aunt Kenz. Guess he didn't get the memo, we don't run in this family. Rolling my eyes, attention shifting back down to my homework on the table.
"You're never around Lauren! This isn't a family, this is me and the kids and then you by yourself!"
"What do you want from me?! I'm always working Bo! I'm not running around having a party!"
"You could make more time for us!"
"How? Every free moment I have is here with you!"
"You're telling me that coffee with Koari is more important than Sean's game?"
"I'm sorry I need to drink something as we discuss policy! Let me just die of dehydration to please you!"
"Now who is being childish?!"
Sighing, I slam my textbook shut. No clue who this Koari bitch is, but she's all I've heard about for weeks. Koari this…Koari that. She can take her ass somewhere and I'll tell her that shit when I meet her. Apparently mom has forgotten some of her own advice. Where's the fighting for the family? Where's the fighting for mother? Fuck that, she shouldn't have to fight…this is hers. Why isn't she just asserting herself?
"You haven't even touched me since meeting her!"
"Oh my God Bo! That's what this is about?! We haven't had sex so you're throwing a fit!"
"No! No! Don't do that! Don't make me feel ashamed because I want to feel like my wife wants me!"
Why is she begging?
I can't make out the next few insults hurled, the door slamming making me jump…not that I'd admit it. My eyes focused on the hallway waiting for who would come storming down it. Somewhat surprised I find mom, wiping tears and forcing a smile when she seems me.
"Hey. I thought you and your brother left?" She says, coming to sit beside me. I just shake my head. "I'm sorry, we're just having a bad day. Stress."
"Yeah, sure."
"Did you hear all of it?"
"Not all of it." I shake my head, grabbing another textbook, mostly just so I can avoid her gaze. "Not much really."
"Okay." She knows I'm lying, but she doesn't pull at that thread. "What are you reading?"
"Are you two breaking up?"
"No. No." She shakes her head. "Never."
"It sounds like it."
"When people love each other, sometimes they fight. Unfortunately it can get ugly. Things can get said they don't mean. Things can be said out of context. It's not right, but it happens. Not everyone can express their emotions right. I know I can't." She pauses, until I look at her. "I love your mother, very deeply and that's why my feelings are hurt. Sometimes I act out, but sometimes that's the only way to get her attention."
"Acting out?"
"Yeah."
"Doesn't that make it worse?"
"Sometimes."
"Then why do it?"
"Because sometimes in the end, it makes it better. Because sometimes you don't have a choice. And sometimes it's the only way to get the point across."
Seems fishy. "How do you know how far to go?"
"Well like I said, sometimes you don't have a choice and your emotions just get the better of you. But other times, I don't know. You just got with your gut."
"Sean thinks mother is going to make you move out."
"What?" She snaps, but catches herself. "No, no."
"Okay." I nod, the two of us falling into this long ass, awkward ass silence.
"Dani, even if that happened…and I'm not saying it is, but if it did that doesn't mean anything when it comes to us."
"Sure."
"It doesn't. If I was to move out or go somewhere, or even when I die…I will always be with you. Be here for you."
"In death?" I glare.
"Yes," She nods, reaching out. Her hand resting over my heart for a second. "Right here. I am and will always be a part of you, no matter what Dani. No matter where I go or what happens. I'm always here, always rooting for you. Always proud of you. Most importantly, always loving you."
"Always?"
"Always. No matter what happens or what you do in life, know that I am your mom and I love you."
"No matter who I become?"
"I know you're going to be great." Her words making me roll my eyes. "But yes, no matter what. If you want to live as a hermit I will still love you. If you want to work at the zoo or be a doctor or whatever Dani, I will still love you."
"I don't know if you would feel that way…if you knew the real me."
"I do know the real you Danielle." She takes my hand, she hasn't realize yet I've come to hate to be touched, but I let her without pulling away. "I know the real you, we all have our own journey and sometimes we do things…but none of that will matter, because I know what's in your heart."
"Yeah? What?"
"Good."
"Yeah."
"Dani, whatever you're going through its normal. I've been there. Being a teen and a succubus is, its one of the hardest things you'll have to get through. It's a dark tunnel. But there is a light at the end, and you'll get there."
"And what if I'm not good?"
"You are."
"But if I'm not?'
"But you are."
"Fine." I jerk my hand away. Irritation building.
"Dani," She sighs. "I know you are good, BUT if you're not…well then I don't know. I don't know what you want me to say to that baby girl. Other than no matter what, wherever your journey takes you just know that I will always be your mom and I will always love you. No matter what."
"No matter what?"
"No matter what."
.
My eyes run over her face, she still looks just as young as she did when I was growing up. Still looks just the same. I don't think I realized that before. Once my definition of perfection. Faint smile curving my lips as I hesitantly reach out, fingertips brushing along the curve of her jaw. The chill of her skin sending a chill down my spine.
Unusual sharp dull pain beneath my chest.
Eyes lingering on her lips, the unusual image of her smiling coming to mind. The memory I can't quite place, but I see it over and over again. Ah yes, I got it. Five years old, soccer game. We had just won. She stood on the side cheering the whole time even though I sucked. How stupidly sentimental. Or maybe it wasn't that one. Ah yes, I got it now. Eight years old, science fair. My volcano had malfunctioned, exploding everywhere. She stood there beside me, smiling telling me how it was okay. Again, how stupidly sentimental. Or maybe no. I think it was nine, birthday party. I was abandoned by the guests.
Or maybe…
It doesn't matter. It's all sentimental foolishness.
Gently I run the back of my hand over her other cheek. Her end is fitting, mother or I are the only two who are able to end her. Ironically, I guess it was a joint effort. Perhaps she was still more of a badass bitch than I gave her credit for.
Nodding, I go to pull my hand away only to freeze. A tiny droplet of water on her cheek. I knew it! Bitch is still alive! I almost laugh. But she isn't alive. No heartbeat. The water didn't come from her. Pulling back, eyes narrow I glance up at the ceiling. No. I glance around. No. I look her over. No.
Yet, there's another droplet.
Hesitantly my fingertips brush against my own cheek. Jaw clenching as they moisten. After a moment I find myself laughing, brushing away the peculiar inconveniences. How…odd. Her faint, familiar voice in the back of my mind whispering to me. Telling me it's all okay.
Drawing in a breath, I look at her once more pushing the plethora of memories away that the sight brings. Nodding to myself, I lean down placing a kiss to her forehead. The coolness of her skin earning another sharp pain beneath my chest. I really need to get that checked out.
"Goodbye…mom."
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Kenzi's Voice Over:
Not that any of it matters anymore.
Because the game has changed.
This is…well this is…
The dawn of a new age.
.
"Mother." I let out softly, pushing her bedroom door further open. There she sits stoic at the edge of the bed, tears idly falling down her cheeks. In her hand a picture of us. The four of us. "What are you doing?"
"We looked pretty happy," She smiles gently. "Can we go back to that?"
"N-no." I shake my head. "Bo is dead."
"I-I know." She nods.
"No mother. She is gone." Jaw clenching, fighting the unusual emotion I find myself having. "I don't know if it was attempted deception or just an unusual chain of misfortunate events, but what's done is done. I went to see her body, and I found Skylar." My mother's attention peaks. "I snapped her neck. Bo is not coming back."
No sooner than the words leave my mouth she has me pinned against the wall, eyes black with her shaking hand wrapped around my throat. Nails tearing into my flesh. My own hand grabbing her wrist but surprisingly I can't force it away. Her grip tightens vision starting blur.
"Do you feel nothing?" Her words sealed in a broke whisper, eyes transitioning to normal as tears freely fall. "Anything?"
"Of course I do."
"Do you feel pain?"
"Yes."
"Not this." Her grip tightens, I can feel blood vessels popping, blood filling the back of my throat. "But pain. Real pain."
"Well that's my secret mother," I push against her hold, hands dropping to my sides not fighting any further. "It's all I ever feel."
She lets me go, hands still shaking as her tears never once slow. "Leave me Danielle."
"I tried to tell you once, right here in this room. In this spot."
"Leave."
"I tried to tell her too, she told me it was okay."
"Don't! Don't mention her to me."
"I'm sorry you're in pain mother."
My eyes widen, her hand wrapped around my throat once again…at her mercy I find myself. But instead of fighting, my gaze falls to the picture on the floor. Bo with her arms draped over me and Sean's shoulders, we must have been thirteen. Mother leaning against her back, we're all smiling. I think it was genuine.
She drops me and I fall to my knees. "Leave!"
"Finish it mother."
"Leave!"
"Finish it." I lift my head, giving her a clear shot at my throat. "Finish it."
"Get out!" She screams, grabbing me by the hair, jerking me back toward the door. I just push myself back up as she scream again. "GET OUT!"
"All I've ever felt is pain mother. Pain and loneliness."
"I don't care!"
For the first time in…my life tears fall freely down my cheeks as I stare up at her. "It's crippling…baring that much pain."
"I don't care Danielle! Get out!"
"I make no excuses for my actions mother. Nor for my pleasures. But I want you to know I'm not a monster. I feel. My heart feels pain."
"I DON'T CARE!" She screams it over and over again until she's overcome, falling onto her knees in front of me. Her hands grab my face and I wonder if this is the moment, if she'll attempt to end it…but she collapses into my arms. Screams of agony as she weeps.
The faint sound of footsteps momentarily pulls at my attention, reaching behind myself I push the door closed. They don't need to hear her like this. My arms around her letting her cry, my eyes falling back to the picture.
Maybe that was the memory of Bo smiling.
.
Victoria's POV
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I hit the volume nob up, sobs of my mother too much to bare. The anger too much to bare. Screaming to myself I can't control the rage within myself as I storm around this prison of a room. Every picture and poster I rip from the wall. Every knickknack on the shelves thrown to the floor and stamped on. Sheets ripped form the bed. Dresser kicked in until there's nothing left to destroy. My voice raw but still I scream.
Look around the room for something more to unleash the anger, I find nothing. Only adding fuel to the fire without control I spin around slamming my fist into the wall until there is nothing except blood and dust. Even through the deafening music I hear a heartbeat, spinning around ready to lunge it takes every ounce of control to keep myself in place.
Ethan stands there wide-eyed, a single step taken back as he looks at me in fear. Slowly he raises his hand, gesturing to his face. My head tilting in confusion until I realize it's meant for me. Fingertips running over my face, there's nothing different.
I'm wrong.
Lips parting, unlocking my jaw I feel my teeth, canines descended. He nods as I get it, then gestures to his eyes…mine must have changed. She was right, pain and anger does the trick apparently. Guess I'm no better than her. Sick feeling in my stomach coming as I go to turn the music down, but he shakes his head, glancing into the hall.
Stopping, I finally notice the notebook in his hand. Nodding again he lifts it up, words written in red marker.
Had to wait until she was back and occupied.
Something more is going on.
Don't think mom is really gone.
Or can be saved.
Think there's a plan or something.
You have no idea what's been really going on do you? Sighing, wave my hand, trying to make him get to the point. Or at least flip the pages quicker. My patience wavering.
Mother never passed any chi to mom.
She went right to Aunt K, gave her more than I've ever seen passed.
THEN she went to mom's side. She FAKED it.
Wait, what?
I looked up when they were getting into the elevator.
Mother nodded at me.
I heard Dani say she killed Skylar
But where's Aunt K?
She'd never leave mom's side.
I don't think this is over!
"We can save her." I mouth my words, earning a nod.
I can save her.