Survive For Me
Chapter 2: Clock Tower
Volterra is an ancient Italian city. It is very beautiful, situated on a hill and built from sienna stone. It was the most beautiful place I've ever seen. Coming from me, that's not a lot considering I haven't gone anywhere before. The buildings were old but still looking brand new, they was hardly a dirty street in sight. Someone has kept this city in pristine condition. I wish momma was here to see this. She would have loved it to bits.
After I had climbed out of the sewer, I stole a few supplies from a store and ran away from the town. I looked at the map I had also stolen to see a town called Volterra not far from here. It was twenty two kilometers away from Pomarance but I was determined to make it there. It was highly unlikely that I'd ever make it but that was what I was counting on, hoping my father would still keep looking in the other village thinking I was too weak to go anywhere else. I stole a ton of food and water from a few stores around the town for the trip before I set off at dusk.
~SFM~
After a lot of limping, crawling, hitchhiking, and crying, I had finally made it, but I feared it was too late.
Some men had jumped me just before I made it into the city. They stole my bag and attacked me with a knife before kicking in my chest. Adding this to all my previous injuries, I estimated I had only hours left if I was lucky. I managed to crawl away from them while they were distracted by looking through my bag.
I collapsed in an empty alleyway gasping for breath. My head was pounding, my heart was racing blood was pounding in my ears, my vision was turning dark. I looked down at my stomach, to see a dangerous amount of blood trickling down from my open wound to the dirty floor. My life source was slowly being depleted and there was nothing I could do to stop it. I was too weak. I couldn't stand to go find help. I doubted anyone would help me now.
I was far too gone for anyone to care.
"Perdonami mamma, perché io ti ho fallito. Mi dispiace tanto che non ero abbastanza forte. Io sarò con voi presto. Ti amo mamma, ti amo," I whispered as the tears fell from my lifeless eyes. I was going to die. (Forgive me momma, for I have failed you. I'm so sorry I wasn't strong enough. I'll be with you soon. I love you momma, I love you,)
I could hear people chanting in the distance, "St. Marcus! St. Marcus!"
Saint Marcus is the holy priest who drove all the vampires from Volterra. His national holiday, St. Marcus Day on the 19th of March, is celebrated each year by the people of Volterra. I had learned about it somewhere but for the life of me I couldn't remember where. I could see people dressed in red cloaks as they made their way towards the clock tower to celebrate.
I felt a harsh tug at my chest when I thought of the name Marcus, but I ignored it, brushing it off as my death coming to claim me.
No one understands death until it has claimed you. No one knows what death feels like until it's too late. No one knows where you end up when you die. If there really is a heaven or hell, or if it's just an abyss forever floating away where there was no such thing as time or life and death.
No one knows.
"St. Marcus! St. Marcus!"
But I will in a few minutes.
I clutched my chest tightly with my hand, gasping for breath. I didn't want to die alone. Is this how my mother felt? At least, wherever I end up, I'll be with my momma again... one last time.
My tears dried out, I was too dehydrated to cry anymore. That's never a good sign. I looked up at the beautiful clear blue sky. It reminded me so much of my mother kind eye's. I'll never forgive myself for not protecting her against my father.
"St. Marcus! St. Marcus!"
I winced, there it was again. That tugging sensation in my chest. It didn't feel like a physical injury, but an emotional or mental one. What is it?
My chest gave another painful tug in the same direction as before.
What do you want? I silently asked it, begging it to stop. I was too weak for this shit.
Please, I begged for something. Either for the tugging to stop or for death to end me already I didn't know.
"St. Marcus! St. Marcus!"
I looked up when I heard the sound of a bell going off.
It was the clock tower. It was beautiful. The chimes had brought me peace in my final moments. It stood tall and proud in the middle of the city. I wished my mother was here with me to see this sight. To see so many people, laughing and celebrating while they danced and cheered among themselves; their bloody cloaks swishing in time with the chimes.
The old clock chiming one last time when it struck twelve. The old bricks still standing, holding it up high for everyone to see.
"St. Marcus! St. Marcus!"
I cried tearless weeps as I watched the glowing ball of light glow proudly over them. Its rays bounced off the stone walls of the old, but gorgeous, buildings cascading down on the people below, warming them. I had been locked up for so long I had forgotten what the sun felt like on my skin... to feel its warmth shine down on your face as you just lived. I'll never know now.
I'll never be normal. I'll never be one of those kids that plays in the middle of the street with the other children laughing and just... being myself. I'll never get married. I'll never love someone. I'll never get to see my father burn in hell for what he did to us... to her.
"St. Marcus! St. Marcus!"
The tugging returned full force. I gasped hunching forward. What did it want with me? It gave another painful tug, trying to pull me up. Why are you doing this? It gave another desperate tug.
I can't get up. Another sharp tug. It's not taking no for an answer is it?
I sucked in a sharp breath before pushing away from the wall and crawling to my feet. I gave a few whimpers when my bones cracked painfully.
"Why am I doing this?" I grumbled to myself trying to distract myself from the fiery pain spreading through my body. I used the wall to keep my balance as I tried to walk out of the alleyway, following the direction of the tugging sensation.
I kept my lips shut to stop the cries from escaping me. I ever so slowly limped out of the alley and onto a bright sunny street. There were a few people here but they were quickly making their way to the festival. I paused for a split second to feel the sun on my face. I sighed feeling its warmth surround me like a thick wool blanket. This is what I had been missing.
This is what I craved... light.
My legs almost gave out underneath me but I managed to hold on to the wall. I just wanted to see where this tugging would lead me and then... I'll go, to the fiery pits of hell. Or wherever someone ends up when they die.
Let my last image be the sun before the devil strikes.
I felt something pushing me somewhere. There was some kind of force shoving me in a particular direction. Can't I just give up? Please? I've been through so much, all I wanted was to see my momma again.
I don't want to die... but it seems like I have no say in the matter. I am going to die, there's no doubt so I don't know why this force won't leave me alone so I can wallow in pity before succumbing to the realm of dreams, one I will never wake up from.
I slid down the wall.
Whatever it wants it can't get it.
Leonora.
What?
"Leonora,"
What is that?
"Leonora! I thought you were better than this! I taught you to never give up!" I looked up sharply. There she was, standing but a few yards from me... my momma.
"Momma,"
I've lost it. I've gone completely insane... or I'm dead. I'm hoping for the dead option to be honest.
"Get up Leonora," she whispered beckoning me to her. "You have to get up."
"Why?" I croaked, "Why can't I just be with you in my final moments?" my voice was no louder than a soft murmur. I could barely talk, let alone walk.
"They're waiting for you Leonora. They've been waiting for you for thousands of years, you mustn't give up," she reached a hand towards me, "Get up sweetheart, I know you can."
I cried out pulling myself up, one last time before staggering towards my mother, holding on firmly to the wall. She backed away with her hand still outstretched to me. "Come to me," she whispered. I whimpered as I trudged on, I tried to focus on my mother's perfect face to block out the pain. She was so gorgeous, with her long blonde hair flowing neatly down her back. Her blue eyes full of life shining at me with love and affection.
I can die staring at her and everything will be alright.
"Momma... wait for me," I whimpered staggering after her.
I reached the end of the street still following my hallucination when they tugging roughly pulled me towards an old building. It was the clock tower. The beautiful clock tower mocking me with all its perfection. It was even more beautiful up close.
"St. Marcus! St. Marcus!"
But there was a problem. Everyone was here, crowded together celebrating with their loved ones on the day of St. Marcus. The day the vampires had been driven out of the city.
I turned back to my mother, only to see she was gone.
"Momma!" I cried looking everywhere, between the buildings and people in my line of sight until I spotted her in the middle, standing in a fountain looking at me. The water rushed from the stone in the middle creating a pool of loveliness. She raised her hand to me.
"Come," she whispered to me beckoning me towards her.
"St. Marcus! St. Marcus!" the crowd screamed as the parade continued on.
I gathered the rest of my strength and clumsily made my way towards her, carelessly pushing people out of my way. I ignored their cries of protest and shocked gasps as they saw the blood on me and the state I was in. At last I broke through the sea of blood to the fountain. I collapsed next to it.
I looked up to see my mother had moved... again. Now she was directly below the clock, with great big black double doors behind her.
"St. Marcus! St. Marcus!"
"I can't do it," I whispered to myself as I fell to ground again. My strength was nonexistent at this point.
"Leonora!" I heard her sharp voice over the crowd. "You can! You must!"
Suddenly she appeared right in front of me holding out her hand. "You must," she repeated softly.
I grabbed the edge of the pool and heaved myself and began the journey again for my momma. I stumbled and tripped multiple times but managed to stay upright. She needed me. My poor mother, the one I watched die in front of my eyes, needed me.
I'll be damned first before I deny her anything.
Even if it kills me.
A/N: So what do you think? Leonora has finally made it to Volterra to escape her dad, but ends up running into her mother instead? Weird isn't it?
So what do you think will happen to Leonora next? Let me know! Thank you so much for the kind reviews in the last chapter, they really made my week guys. If you see a mistake please point them out, no matter how small. Thank you!
