Chapter Eight

Pain

I awake screaming and thrashing all around me. I don't know where I am or if I am in any danger but I refuse to take that chance.

A pair of ice cold hands clutch themselves around my chest trying to still me but I continue to lash out at my surroundings. One of the cold hands releases itself from my chest and wraps itself around my mouth drowning out my screams. Fear begins to creep up my spine when a whisper tickles my ears.

"Catalie. Calm. Cool. Collected."

"Luscious. Loyal. Lucky. Likeable." I answer ending the screams and bringing my body under control.

Once Luscious is sure of my control he slowly releases me from the grizzly bear vice of his arms. He turns me so that our eyes meet, his hazel rings around his iris remind me of pools of gold. He opens his arms and I embrace him instantly loving his hugs and having him for an older brother. He kisses the top of my head and blows softly letting his cold heart loving breath wash comfortably over my head. I squeeze him tighter knowing I can't hurt him. He rubs his hand up and down my back soothing me gently. After a long time of silence which I wish would never end Luscious sighs and rests his head on top of mine.

"Triple C's of Catalie. They still work after all this time. I think the last time I had to say them was the night you gained your ability to mentally harm creatures. Man that was a rough night! Do you remember it?" he asks breathing on my head once more.

All I could do is nuzzle myself deeper into his body while tears of pain trickle down my warm cheeks. "Yes" is all I mutter in response to his answer, I hate that night. I had caused my big brother so much pain. The one person who has never deserted me, the one person I've ran to over a broken heart, over ended friendships. The one person I've ran to when I was scared to tell mum and dad my school grade. The one person who I would kill for anything was nearly the first person I killed.

I was only seven when it happened. Luscious was thirteen and looking after me while our parents went out for a meal. Thirteen may seem like a young age to care for your baby sister for the night but due to our families discipline Luscious had the respect and discipline levels of a thirty year old.

Both me and my brother were sitting on the sofa watching The Simpsons when it first hit. And I mean hit physically not metaphorically. The pain from the hit was stupid and immense at the same time.

"Arghh!" I wretched between clenched jaws. My arms were wrapped around my waist as though I was afraid I would break in two without them. Luscious was by my side in a vamp-second.

"Catalie what's wrong?" he asked calmly.

"I dunno…arghh…I think I am gonna hurl!" I screamed doubling over in pain.

Luscious never left my side but a bucket appeared in front of me and I curled my hands around it hoping I was just experiencing a nasty bug. Luscious never took his hands from my shoulders until it happened.

Wave after wave of screams erupted from my throat as hit after hit targeted my chest. Pain consumed me. Ringing controlled my ears, I could just make out Luscious's voice. Darkness filled my sight and numbness caused my hands to slip away from my chest.

"Please make it stop brother." I whimpered, the pain felt like my head was going to explode.

"Don't worry sister the pain will end soon." he assured me still not leaving my side.

"What's…arghh…what's happening.?!" I screamed, another wave of pain attacking me.

"You're getting your ability. It will be over soon I promise." he whispered in my ear "Just hold on please, mum and dad will be home soon don't worry."

"Call them ple-" I screamed so load smashing the glass vase containing a bunch of roses near us. Water pours onto Luscious's back who covered me and was pierced by the broken glass. A grunt of pain comes from Luscious who continued to cover me. His arms moved on top of mine and pull them back around my chest where he kept them there.

"I'm not leaving you Catalie just so I can call them. Forget it!" he yelled making his voice clear in my ears. I tried to argue with him but pain silenced me and his grip around my chest tightened as tears streamed down my face.

A scream too loud for normal humans ripped through my throat as an explosion began from within me. Power surged through my veins. My mind shattered in two as my ability was born. The pain instantly left my body. The ringing stopped and my sight grew back showing me more detail of the world than I could have ever imagined. Power rippled off of my being. I felt like I could do anything. Destroy countries with a single thought. Crush human with a snap of my fingers. Shame that was true. The power began to control me instead of me controlling it. The power began to bleed into my mind. My face contorted in pain as I began to think differently. The actual thought of crushing humans and destroying countries became appealing to me, like ice cream to some who's lactose intolerant. They want it so badly but know its too dangerous, but then something is given to them that takes that danger away and all they want is that ice cream. To let the power touch my lips. Trickle down my hot throat. My eyes bulge from its delicious taste. Steal every last drop of it from everyone. My mouth began to water at the thought. At the feeling I would get from the power.

I began to let the power win. Willing it to control me just so that I had claim over it's taste. The power became my drug. My unlimited drug! As long as it ruled I would be given my shot whenever I wished.

It jumped at the opportunity to rule such a weak and young creature such as myself. I clawed its way to my heart. It struggled to overwhelm my heart as easily as it did my mind. I became angry at myself and commanded the force around my heart to drop, letting the power lash out at it with no thought of what would happen next.

Luscious grunted in excruciating pain increasing his grip around me.

Reality suddenly punched my square in the face. The force around my heart was my guarding brother and I was letting myself kill him without hesitation.

I began to will Luscious's force to strengthen, using my newly found strength to help him.

Luscious fell to the floor letting another grunt of pain rip from his throat nearly crushing me underneath him. I yelled in shock. He instantly rolled onto his back trying to protect him. I clasped my hands onto his and ripped his off of me. He tried to resist but the pain was too much for him. He curled up like a baby trying to hide his pain from my slights.

My head shot around the room, faster than my body could, trying to find who had attack my brother thinking of the quickest way to kill the assailant.

Luscious tried to speak but was left whining in pain. I was by his side instantly assuring him he was going to be okay but he wriggled away from me. Fear screamed from within me as tears of hurt ran down my face.

I WAS THE REASON FOR HIS PAIN!

The thought made me want to die. The power laughed at my realisation and forced me to kneel over Luscious's body. The power wanted me to kill my own brother!

"Its okay sis.." squeaked Luscious, grab his gut with too much force to reassure me.

"If it wants to control me" I spoken, the words filled with nothing but anger and hatred "its gonna be over my dead body."

Luscious grabbed my ankle trying to stop me but I kicked his weak hand away and purposefully dug my nails into his arm ripping downwards leaving scarlet lines in my patch. I hated myself for willingly causing him pain but if it kept him away from me for just a few minutes then his pain would be over.

Without looking back I stormed over to the kitchen and open the knife draw grabbing hold of the black handled bread knife. The power surged down to my hand commanding I drop the knife. The command was so strong that I nearly did drop the knife but then Luscious's howl of pain rang in my ears and grip only tightened.

"Let's see you control a corpse you bloodsucking bitch!" I scream forcing the knife rapidly closer to my heart.

Luscious's hand slammed into mine breaking a two of my fingers. He hugged me forcible while I tried to escape his clutch knowing how much pain this was causing him.

"Shhh Catalie. Its okay. I'm okay! Now let me work my magic." his grip loosened slightly "I need you to breath and concentrate on my words. Do you think you can do that little sis?" he asked, already knowing my answer.

I nodded. Afraid my voice would fail me when I needed to be strong.

A weird feeling swept over me. Lessening the power's control over me. It was like being at a train station. I was on the train watching a faceless create run after me as the train pulled out of the station. Part of me wanted to jump off the train into the creatures arms and stay there forever but then Luscious's hand rested on my shoulder. I turned and nuzzled my head into his chest leaving the faceless creature running after smoke.

Luscious raised a barrier up between me and the every growing power. He rested his chin on my head and sighted with relief as the pain evaporated from his body.

"Catalie. Calm. Cool. Collected." he whispered as my vision faded and darkness consumed me.

Tears of hurt from recalling the memory raced down my cheeks staining Luscious's shirt.

"You forgot Lush." Luscious said confusing me.

"Huh?" I blurted looking up from his soaked shirt to meet his stare.

"Oh shit! Sorry Catalie! Didn't mean to make you cry sis. Geese I can be such a idiot." he said wiping tears from my eyes. I hug him tighter afraid of loosing him. " Hay, hay, hay. It will take more than my little dorky sister to hurt me and you know it." he sighs

I smile up at him. My legs give way under me turning to jelly. Luscious hoists me onto his feet and tightens his grip around me.

"You're shatter!" he laughs.

"Whatever gave you that impressions?" I ask sarcastically.

Luscious shakes his head ignoring my sarcasm and carries me to my bed. He rests me on top of my blanket and squeezes my hand. His lips curl up at the corners letting a smile cover his angel face. He strokes my cheek and breaths his perfect breathe over me.

"Faites que le reve devore votre vie. Afin que la vie ne devore pas votre reve." he whispers, his perfect voice carrying over the wind.

"English please."

"Live your life like your dreams. Don't dream about how life could be."

"Easy for you to say. You don't dream!" I hiss.

He squeezes my hand tighter. "Which means I don't have to leave my baby sis so she can have another terror nightmare. From now on I spend my nights in here watching over you until you turn. Your own personal guardian angel. Just like I promised." the words echoed in my ears afraid I'd never hear his voice again.

Before I am able to ask him what the promise thing is about my eye lids feel as though elephants are sitting on them. I try to fight them. Desperate to ask Luscious. To hear my brother's protective voice once more. I force them to open and catch a glimpse of Luscious closing my eyes with his fingers forcing me to sleep.

Git.