Soulchanging
Chapter 5
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Well I've got so many ideas and yet not exactly the talent to put it all down! This can make writers like me extremely frustrated. But alas, I shall try my best.
I was thinking that perhaps my readers might wonder why I feel the Creeper isn't all that evil. That idea actually came from the movies themselves, especially the first one. As you may or may not know (warning, Spoilers), in one scene towards the end, the Creeper sees Trish and Darry fighting from across a one-sided mirror. Well, I'm not sure, maybe he couldn't see them, but he sure did smell them. He was smelling Trish right through the glass. Interestingly enough, I saw no malice in his eyes in that scene. He just seemed curious, even made these little whining noises. What was that all about? Did he feel something for Trish, even if it was very slight? And of course, once he crashed right through and grabbed the both of them, he seemed unable to determine who was his choice. Just why was it so hard for him to choose, when he had a nose that could clearly tell him what he wanted? (They sure were frightened enough.) He seemed to linger over the two of them, until finally deciding on Darry. Also, the scene with Trish pleading with him. He HESITATED. C'mon, if he were that evil, he would be like "Fck you, lady!" And just took off the very first chance he got, not stand there and actually listen to her with a very intent stare. When she yelled at him, saying, "You fcking bastard, let him go!" He reacted by yelling right back at her in his eerie howl. Then he CONTINUED to listen to her for another few moments! What was that? Was he feeling torn inside? Hmmm...sometimes I really wonder why the writers did what they did in that movie!
Well, I'll leave you to ponder that. If you have your own ideas as to why the Creeper is good deep inside, do EMAIL me! I love to talk and theorize about this sort of thing! *grins*
Now enough babble, onto the fic.
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It was a beautiful, clear night. The stars shimmered, myriads of them, dotting the sky like tiny, blazing diamonds. Inside the Facility's Atrium, the being known as Goliathus stood, staring above through his triangular roof. He always loved the night. It was a time of ebony splendor, where all objects turned into thousands of dancing shadows, and where distinct sounds and smells came alive in ways the day could never harbor.
It was a new night.
And a new freedom.
Ami came up to his side, and leaned against him. Are you sure you're ready for this?
He stared on endlessly, and remained silent. Ami lifted her own eyes, and found he was staring at a perfect full moon. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she heard his deep, almost regal sounding voice.
I am.
Ami smiled but deep inside she was still slightly apprehensive. This was a big step to take. It had been a very productive four years of reformation, but still...only four years. This creature had killed humans with a malice unlike any other for nearly a thousand years, and Ami couldn't help but feel a bit worried. Taking a deep breath, however, she closed her eyes and forced herself to remember that she promised him she would trust him. He had certainly trusted her in all this time, or this miraculous change of his would have never occurred.
All right, Gollie. I'm going to go open the roof...we never did use it that way, but...I think somehow I knew this day would come. Wait for me.
Slowly Ami turned around and climbed down the ladders until she got to the bottom, and made her way out. She went to the control panel, taking a good look at all the switches. Geez, there sure were a hell of a lot of them. Who designed this thing, anyway? Taking a flashlight, she was finally able to determine the one that opened up the roof. When she pressed it, a small screen lit up.
ACCESS CODE?
Ami knew the code, of course. Pressing in the numbers, she stopped when she got to the very last one. Was she doing the right thing?
Ami...
She blinked, looking over and up to where Goliathus was standing.
Yeah?
You have my word.
Another smile returned to the young girl's face, and she pressed in the last number.
CODE ACCEPTED.
The roof opened, and surprisingly with very little sound. Goliathus climbed up the iron support beams until he reached the opening. He was met with nothing but the cool, crisp night air, and the inviting sky. It almost seemed to be welcoming him back. He looked back at Ami, but said nothing as with one very powerful leap and swoosh of his mighty wings, he was gone.
The next morning, the alarm clock AND the phone went off at the same time, as a very irritated Ami was awakened from her sleep. Groggily she felt around for the damned receiver after nearly punching the alarm off and finally managed to get it to her ear.
"Yeah, Ami here."
"Hey Ame. What's up?"
"Who is this?"
"Nix, who else!"
Ami was suddenly very awake. "Nix? Gawd, is that you? I haven't heard from you in a long time!"
Nix was a friend Ami had made in high school. She remembered how the poor soul had seen the entire thing with Jessica. Though it had traumatized all of them, the most shocking thing of all was Ami coming back alive...after they had discovered her missing. Hm, but that was the past now. Nix broke her out of her thoughts.
"Let's get together, ok? I know it's been a while, but I thought we could do lunch or something. Ya know, catch up on old times."
Ami chuckled. "Is that a date, Nix?"
"Well, unofficially, anyway. I just miss you, is all. You've been so busy with these top-secret projects or whatever else they tell me you're doing. When do I get to see you anymore?"
She smiled. "You're right. Tell you what. My favorite place to eat is pretty close to where you live, back in Caladon. I wouldn't mind meeting you at Jed's. Remember that place?" She laughed. " I'll never forget Alan and how he got into that brawl with Kevin. He's such a typical jock!"
Nix laughed on the other end. "You can say that again. Speaking of Alan, he's been asking around for you, too. But anyway, so, meet ya tomorrow, around 1' o clock?"
"Yeah sure, Nix."
"Great! Catch ya later." He hung up.
Ami shook her head slightly with a crooked grin as she put the receiver down. Seeing an old friend again would be great, sometimes she felt she had no social life, spending all of her waking hours in the Facility.
It would be a nice change of pace.
/
Donovan Williams sat in his large, ornate chair, dark brown eyes glancing around with irritation. It had been a long time since he could truly relax, and the current situation wasn't helping any.
"Master I swear it. It was completely unexpected!"
"I'm sure." Donovan rose from his chair and ran a hand through his black hair. He sighed and downed the last of the red wine in his glass, before unceremoniously tossing it behind him, shattering it to pieces.
"You say they never got to see it?" He stared at the other man.
"Yeah...it moved so fast that no one could really get a good look at it. I'm telling you, whoever it is, it managed to send everyone packing. I can't explain it myself, but I felt incredible fear...fear like I had never felt before. My senses were telling me there was extreme danger!"
"No one got hurt?"
"Not really. It did grab me, but I managed to wrench myself free somehow. And then...strangely it just left." The blonde-haired man sighed in confusion, rubbing at the three slices in his shoulder that were already almost completely healed. "It actually seemed like...a half-hearted attempt, if you know what I mean. Like it was testing us!"
Donovan rubbed his chin thoughtfully and kept glancing back at the other man. What in the hell...a flying thing that had actually attacked a group of his vampires? That was a new one. As much as he doubted this was any real problem, he couldn't help but feel slightly apprehensive. If there was one thing for certain, it was that he did NOT like situations that he wasn't in control of.
"Well, if you see it again, let me know. Meanwhile, have everyone be on their guard, would you, Marcus?"
"Yes, Master. Of course." Marcus left quickly.
Silently cursing, Donovan sat back down, reaching for his bottle of wine.
Goliathus landed on his Atrium roof with a thud. Blood covered his talons and smeared on the glass, but he hardly cared as he searched for the way in.
Ami? Are you in there?
After hearing nothing he decided to try and use the front door, but after knocking for a while no one answered. Hm, Ami had not thought to give him a key card. He'd have to remind her about that. Trying one last time he rapped on the door, and finally, it was Toby who answered.
"Oh! Hi there big G. Uhhh...you're back kinda late. You were gone the whole day!" The fourteen year old boy grinned at him. "Did you find something interesting?"
Ami told you about what happened?
Nothing. Toby raised a brow. "Did you hear what I said, dude?"
Goliathus grunted. He forgot the boy had very poor telepathic skills. Speaking was just a plain nuisance when you could shoot words around with your head. He cleared his throat. "I did. I wondered if Ami told you about what happened."
"Oh.." Toby's eyes widened slightly, just like everyone else he rarely heard Goliathus speak. It sounded rather odd, a strong yet old and raspy tone. "Yeah, she did. But everyone knows by now, Ami couldn't possibly do otherwise once people saw you missing. She HAD to explain the whole thing." Toby paused a moment. "Julie seemed to take it well, but your uhhh... best friend Michael Voyers there was flipping out."
"That hardly concerns me. Is Ami here?"
"Yeah, I think she's sleeping in your bed, actually." The young lad almost chuckled, it was evident on his face. "I think she's way too attached to you. Or something." Toby was naive about the relationship they had, but he could still tell they were good friends, that was for sure.
The heradus grinned, which sadly only looked eerie as it usually did, and tussled Toby's hair briefly before walking past him and inside. Toby only shook his head as he followed him back in.
Ami was awakened by someone gently shaking her. Gollie?
Yes.
Oh, you're back! You know you ALMOST had me a little worried. I didn't expect you to be gone so long.
Well, I just flew around for a while, enjoying new-found freedom. And then...and then I found them.
Huh? Ami shot up to her feet for a moment, then sat right down beside him. No way. Already?
He nodded. I was surprised myself. But I traveled far north of here, across a large lake and a mountain...and then caught a scent that was human and yet not human. There was a very bad air of some kind around them, too, an atmosphere that disturbed me. I felt I needed to cleanse it away, by killing them. But...I had to know what I was up against first.
Ami clicked her tongue. Really. You know you could handle them, I wouldn't doubt that for a second!
It is not that easy, love. I still have to have some kind of plan...some knowledge of my intended victims. It makes for more of a challenge, anyhow. Clearly, Ami knew Goliathus was one who loved a challenge.
I watched them for many hours that night. I saw that they had nothing made of iron, not anywhere in their...well I suppose it was something like a castle. The place was huge and reminded me of the home I once lived in with Annabelle... He paused for a solemn moment before continuing, ...they also spoke of the sun, and how they loathed it. I now know they have two weaknesses, sunlight and iron.
Wow... Ami was dumbfounded. You're amazing! You'd make a good spy! She leaned up against him, as she always seemed to love his closeness nowadays. He responded to that by running a clawed hand through her soft locks. So then what happened?
I tried to grab one of them, to bring him back and study these theories further. But, he was much faster then any human, and managed to slip away. He actually growled at the thought. That will not happen again, I assure you.
Huh, I bet it won't. Well this sure floors me. Not only have you found vampires but you learned some things about them! She got up to her knees so she could hug his tall form. I'm glad, though, really. This gives you something to keep you busy. All I want is for you to be able to be what you are, but happy, too. I'm sure you weren't that way beforehand.
He sighed. No. Certainly I was not.
And... Her eyes looked at his warmly. ...and you kept your word, and came back. That makes ME happy. Therefore, I see no reason to keep this place locked up anymore. You can just come and go as you please. But I'll leave it to you Gollie...if you ever feel strange or perhaps that you're losing control, you just tell me. And I'll lock it down. Understand?
Yes. It is a good plan. There was a strange silence that kept Ami hanging on his every word. I do not feel..."100 percent", as you humans say. There is always something strange lingering in my mind...that same voice which spoke to me nearly a thousand years ago and tempted me into slaughtering you humans. I still hear it Ami...but it has become weak and I manage to ignore it.
Ami sat stock still. That frightens me, Gollie. What does that mean, exactly?
I cannot tell you but what I have said. A voice.
Well...don't you mean like your own conscious or something?
No...it does not feel like part of me. It feels...foreign. And evil.
The shivers that went down Ami's spine could not be helped. Before she could even respond, he seemed to try and assure her with a slight caress down her back. But I told you, it is weak now. I will not listen to it anymore.
Uh...all right. If you're sure. Ami was glad for his honesty, but it sure did shock her sometimes. The things he told her made her feel that slight apprehension all over again. And yet she shrugged it off for the time being and stood up again. Well, I'm off to bed for the night. I will see you first thing in the morning. Do you plan on going out again tonight?
I would like to. I do have one or two iron daggers...
She raised a brow. Just don't bring any of them HERE, like you suggested before. I'd rather not have a crazed vampire thrashing around in your Atrium. Got it?
Of course.
You better. She smirked and turned to leave, but he took hold of her arm.
Do stay, for now. I will leave later.
You would love that, wouldn't you? Laughing she plopped herself right back down. I guess I could.
I insist. Goliathus longed to feel her naked and warm body close to him again, it was something that had become ingrained in his love-starved mind, never to be forgotten. He would crave her always, with a hunger that had nothing to do with food. Ami didn't bother to come with any sort of comment, sarcastic or otherwise, and instead put her arms tightly around his neck.
I love you, you know.
I do know. You will never understand what it means to me.
I have some clue. She grinned.
It is the complete opposite of all the pain I have known. Like a long-awaited sun in my dark sky.
Ami giggled. You really, really need to get into the romance-novel business. Or at least poetry.
Goliathus said nothing further as he reached to kiss her face and neck, causing Ami to sigh and shut her eyes in delight. It was strange how fast their love went from strange to complete acceptance in mere days...something that made Ami feel that destiny had some play in this. She, of course, had no idea just how true it was.
Their lovemaking that night was crazed and overheated, with Goliathus doing everything he could to pleasure her and Ami not being able to get enough of him. He seemed to not just want but need her affections, as if making up for a thousand lost years that never had an inkling of such passion. Once he would have believed that humans had no capability of such feelings, something that had in the past further fueled his hatred towards them. But Ami had changed all that, turning his world from darkness and misery to light and happiness.
At least, happiness in the present moment.
It was halfway through the night. Goliathus was still being the ever passionate lover, even though Ami was exhausted and barely awake. He was just about to once again explore that wondrous area between her thighs when a distinct voice, sounding distant but clear, echoed through his mind.
I can forgive you. But what about them?
It was so unexpected that Goliathus searched the walls in every corner, half expecting to see a speaker hidden somewhere. Realizing it was indeed within his own mind, he didn't have the slightest idea who it could be. Though...strangely it did sound a tad bit familiar.
By now Ami was blissfully asleep, a pleasant smile spread across her features. But the heradus felt unnerved, and it was a very rare feeling. Them?
The others. The ones you killed.
That would be too many for me to count.
Yes. I know.
Who is this?
The voice stopped, but an eerie sort of noise he had never heard before suddenly haunted his mind. It almost sounded like...wailing. Hundreds upon hundreds...wailing...
It's Darry.
Goliathus froze, eyes still darting around as if expecting to see something.
...Darry?
Yeah.
I have to say, this is a first. I have never heard any of the dead speak to me.
Are you sure?
Positive.
Doubtful. You just tuned them out, pretended you couldn't hear them all those years. But you're going to hear them now. They're furious.
About...what? Was the heradus actually trembling, in just the slightest way?
You've gone and changed. But you haven't told them you're sorry.
But...I...
You hear that? They will wail until you go insane, and it will grow louder every day. Thousands of them, Goliathus. Can you imagine all of your past victims at once wailing? Do you know what that will sound like?
Yes, he was trembling. It does not matter...I deserve it anyhow.
It will matter. When they all start haunting you at once...it will matter.
Darry sounded as if he were fading away.
But you forgive me? Why? I never did say sorry to you either.
No, I know you're sorry. You wanted to listen to Trish...didn't you... He sounded more and more distant.
No! I did not want to take her either...but...but that other voice...
You must ignore that voice! I...will...
Goliathus strained to hear what Darry was trying to say, but suddenly he completely faded out and their was nothing but Ami's rhythmic breathing breaking the silence.
For a long time, he remained motionless, and just watched Ami. Just seeing her face was enough to calm him.
And then...
YOU BASTARD!
The loud explosion in his mind was so bad that Goliathus nearly fell backwards, only managing to steady himself by grabbing onto a bar behind him. Thousands of wailing voices once again hit his mind as if someone had turned the volume on high in an instant. It was so loud, so deafening, it made his head feel like it would split open.
He tried his hardest to fight it, clenching his teeth and struggling to find something to focus on, but the voices continued on and on, like a symphony of hatred.
With an agonizing wail, Goliathus ran to the roof and flew out into the night.
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End of Chapter 5