Capturing Destiny
Chapter 5
Saviour
It was surprising that amount of damaged my small frame could do when I set my mind to it. It was like a small hurricane had appeared in my exact location; branches violently ripped off trees; rock thrown yards into the thick bush.
I was still standing in the river, my feet and most of my shins submerged. Although the current was strong my body offered a rock hard resistance and the water passed me by as it did the small cliff to my right on the opposite shore. I looked down, what little had been left of my night gown was now in tatters, barely decent and looking down only brought me face to face with my own reflection again.
I took a steadying breath and prepared myself. So far all my focus had been on the eyes, indeed the very thought of them again made me choke back a sob, aside from the eyes however I had no clue as to how I looked, indeed I could not place my own face. I laughed at the ridiculousness of it all, being unable to remember the contours of your own face. Taking advantage of my change in mood I peered closer at the face in front of me. My hair was dark, spiky and completely filled from debris from living in the wild for so much time, what was it now? Days? Weeks?
My features were small, sharp but at the same time delicate. My eyes looked wary but when I tried to change my expression I could see their natural set was friendly, almost carefree. My lips were pale pink, with a delicate curve that could maybe have been sensual, given a few more years. That was not a possibility now, my still childlike body would never develop any further, and my face would never change.
I was not angry this time, I was devastated. Eternity suddenly seemed like a very long time when you could never grow old, never move forward. The face I saw now was the one I would have forever. Well, it could be worse. At least I was pretty underneath all the mud and grime. I don't think it is possible to explain how it feels to see one's own face for the first time, most people grow up seeing themselves change; their face elongate, the skin changes of puberty as they blossom into adulthood. I had no such memories, however it did feel familiar. It was reassuring, to know that I at least recognised my own face, even if I was not entirely happy with the idea of having it forever. Then again, I could hardly complain about the passage of time, I had never been aware of it before, why should I care about it now?
The sun was high in the sky again by the time I became fully aware of my surroundings again. I would need to hunt again today, the memory of those humans so close to me had caused my throat to go red raw, but before I left quickly washed myself as best I could. Vaguely more presentable I continued on my way, unsure of where I was going but unsure what else to do.
My days continued as they had done before, when I neared highly populated areas I hid during the day and continued my progress at night but whenever possible I avoided them entirely, adding miles on to my journey to circle round small villages and farms. I knew I was not yet ready smell anyone, not yet and it was uncomfortable not breathing for long periods but it was better than the alternative. Luckily I seemed confident enough in my ability to see any danger before it appeared that I could override my instincts to taste the air around me. Basically I was avoiding being seen by anyone and managing quite admirably, if I do say so myself.
The majority of my time was spent walking, watching, listening, testing and thinking. I was easily distracted but occasionally when I concentrated hard enough on his face I could see the angel. His eyes were same terrifying crimson they had been in the first vision, something I was still trying to understand the reason for. Generally I saw very little of what he was doing, simply his face, but occasionally there was flashes of bloodshed, fighting, the agony in his eyes again. How I wished I could find him, take him away from that life.
And then I realised, his entire life was this anguish, this war. And he did not know what I knew, he did not understand there was any other option than following his baser instincts. His eyes were red with blood, human blood.
I collapsed to the ground. How could it be? How could my angel, the one who had taken away my pain with the site of his face, be a murderer of innocents? No wonder his entire body emanated pain, he did not like this as much as I did, he just couldn't see a way out. In that moment my love for him exploded from my chest, for now we could be equals. Just as his image had saved me from the pain I would save him from his. I would take him away; show him how to live without the agony of a guilty conscious, show him that he could be surrounded by happiness, I would fight if I had to but I would save him.
The realisation only spurned me on further, I vowed to continue as I was until I knew enough to find him, to be in that cafe when he arrived.
I had never been so sure of anything, neither in the mortal life I could not remember or the immortal one I had just begun: not only would he be my angel; I would be his.
A/N: Sorry this chapter is a little bit shorter than the others but I thought it was a nice, positive note to end it on, the next couple of chapters are a little darker and I wanted something happy before all the drama. Once again thanks for reading, it means a lot and please, please let me know what you think - good or bad. Next chapter should be up tomorrow or Friday.