Chapter 11:
Her eyes contrast from Kira's. Her eyes do not glow, nor are they red; they are completely black. When I saw Kira's eyes, those months ago, I saw sadness. It was as if he was pleading to be saved, saved by anyone. Yet, Lacus' eyes are empty of any form of emotion. As I stare into them, my heart is in a pool of sorrow...even though she is charging at Athrun and I quickly. But, they pull me into a trance. I see nothing when looking into them, but I want to see—-know—- everything.
What are you thinking? Are you thinking at all? Do you know who you are anymore? Do you what had happened to you? Do you know who did it? Do you recognize us?
Suddenly an aching pain hits, soon spreading to the rest of my body as if I've been tackled by a few husky football players. I've been thrown to the ground. My bare legs burn as they skid across the pavement. The impact snaps me back into reality. Athrun is laying on top of me, his heart is pounding loudly, and his entire body shielding me, blocking my view.
He swiftly stands up, grabbing my hand and pulling me along with him. My body feels limp as he drags me down the block, and my feet are numb with pain as my heels continuously click on the concrete. Everything is happening so fast that I forget what has been happening all together. I forget why we are running, or I just don't understand it, that is until I hear the screech of what sounds like some type of bird behind me. I turn around and the creature is on our tail.
Everything is so clear now. We're being chased, chased by Lacus, who is now a cursed soul due to Kira. She's stronger and faster than us, and if we do not escape we will be eaten alive.
Lacus carries the same empty expression while she flies over us. Her eyes are void of emotion, her mouth is slightly parted, revealing her fangs, but no sign of an stress, happiness, anything. She stretches her arms out towards me. Her nails are extremely long, they remind of a witch's nails. They are so close to me, so close. Her index finger is so close that the tip of the nail scratches my blazer, causing a tear in the fabric.
Her nail is snagged in between the fabric, and I am dragged by her. My hand slips from Athrun's as my feet lift from the ground. He turns around, frantic, trying to take hold of my hand. I stretch my arm out, but Lacus continues to lift me into the air; I am inching towards the sky.
"Cagalli!" Athrun shouts.
"Athrun!" I shout back, as if shouting is going to do anything.
My heart starts pounding. I am at least two stories high from the ground now. I am not ready to be Lacus' dinner, even if I was going to sacrifice myself; sacrificing myself to her wouldn't do any good. I must take off my blazer. I'm afraid, but it must be done, so I wiggle out of the blazer. In the process her nail scratches my flesh. I ignore the stinging pain and free myself from the clothing article.
I'm falling at full speed. Lacus is staring at me from above, as I fall, dumbfounded. Expecting to hit the hard ground, I actually land onto something softer. Yet, the impact is still painful. I hear groaning—-as I rub my own bottom—-and I realize underneath me is Athrun. I quickly stand up.
"Oh my god, I'm sorry," I say.
Slowly he sits up, grunting along the way. He rubs his back, agony written all over his face. I lend him a hand, he grabs it and I pull him up.
"Are you alright?" he says.
The question warms my heart. How can he be worried about me when I fell on top of him? I smile and say "Yes."
"Are you—-" before I can finish, Lacus howls into the air.
We turn around to find her floating, head cocked back, as she cries like a wolf to the moon. When she looks at us I can see anger painted on her face. My heart drops, and I am the one who grabs Athrun's hand this time and starts running.
"We have to get to my car," I pant.
"Are you crazy? We've already passed it."
"It's not too far away," I say. "We are no match for her on foot."
"Fine," he says.
The next thing I know, my legs are lifted from the ground and into his arms. His pace quickens, and I have to wrap my arms around his neck to steady myself. I can feel his heart through his chest. Pounding so loud, so hard. His breath is heavy in my ear, and his skin is moist against mine.
As he runs, I look over his shoulder and see Lacus is only a couple of feet away from us. She opens her mouth and wails. Her scream echoes through the air. I cover my ears, but the sound penetrates through. They feel like they're bleeding. I look ahead and my car is right in front of us. Athrun stops once we're a few inches from it, and I hastily get out of his arms. I whip my keys out of my pocket, fiddling with them until I can get my door open. Once I unlock the door, I look up and my heart sinks to the ground.
Athrun is seated on the hood of the car kicking every which way as Lacus constantly tries to get a hold on his legs. She's moaning and groaning presumably frustrated with the struggle he's giving her. The battle doesn't last long because Lacus gets a tight grip on his leg and begins pulling him away from the car.
"Athrun!"
What am I to do? She's grabbing him. She's dragging him! I can't let her take him up...he's screaming. I look around. I need a weapon; something to get her off of him. I need to concentrate, but my palms are wet, my heart is beating faster than humanly possible, and my head is pounding with each second, remembering something my father said—-"As my daughter you must always be vigilant"—-I go into my glove compartment and pull out my pistol.
She is ascending into the night sky. My hands, gripping the pistol's handle, shaking as they rise with her. My eyes are on Athrun. He continues to kick and scream, but Lacus is unbothered. She just keeps rising. I can't let her get any higher. I can't let her take Athrun away from me. I look at her, aiming. We make eye contact, she screams, and I pull the trigger.
…..
My hands are fidgeting in my pocket as the guard scrutinizes my ID. Well, the fake ID I had my friend Miriallia make for me. She must've done a really good job because the guard hands it back to me and moves to the side, lifts the velvet rope and lets me pass. I look around, feeling uncomfortable and out of place with the whole ambiance of my surroundings. I am clad in an oversized hoodie, with jeans and sneakers. Yet, all of the other females seem to be in dresses, tight skirts and heels. I've been at my lowest lately, emotionally, but everything is so lively here. People among people crowd this place, dancing, mingling, and drinking about. Smiling, laughing, or singing along to the funky music. Taking a deep breath, I dive into the crowd.
I struggle to pass them as I make my way deeper into this jungle. I try to excuse myself, but I can barely hear myself think among the blasting stereos. It doesn't help that my vision is blurred due to these flashing, colorful lights. People are crowding in on me, but I see my target, Athrun. He's seated at the bar, throwing his head back as he gulps down contents from a shot glass. There are quite a few shot glasses-empty glasses—-in front of him. I begin nudging and pushing my way through the wild creatures. All the while my eyes stay on Athrun, like he's the light through a dark tunnel. A couple more moments of battling the crazed monkeys and I am in the clear.
I am beside him, watching as the bartender hands him a pint of beer. He takes it without looking up. His eyes are void of any recognizable emotion. They're low, baggy. I inch closer. He takes a gulp from his glass.
"Athrun?" I say, but he doesn't waver.
He takes another swig before I tap him on the shoulder. He turns slowly, his glass lowering from his lip. He looks at me indifferently. A lump forms in my throat and I am ready to turn away. Turn away and go cry to my father like some child. But then he speaks.
"What are you doing here, Cagalli?" even his tone is painfully casual.
I begin to fidget my fingers again. Mentally I curse myself for acting so sheepish. Why must I act this way now? Perhaps it's the guilt swimming through my veins, but I can't bring myself to be demanding, or strong willed. Not anymore. My heart, soul and mind are tired.
"You shouldn't be here," I say.
"And why is that?" he sips from his glass.
"Because...because I want you with me. You haven't been home in a couple of days—-"
"That's not my home!" The beer slightly splashes as it makes contact with the countertop. "I'll stay out as long as I like. You're the one who shouldn't be here."
My eyes start to sting. I am trying to respond, but it feels like something is stuck in my throat. Why is he being such a jerk? Can't he just come back with me instead of drinking his pain away. It's not fair! I can't drink my pain away. But I can't blame him. I took away someone important to him, and she's never coming back.
"Please come back with me," I finally croak out, after standing still and quiet for many long moments. "We don't have to go back to your parents' house, we can go back to your apartment in Orb, or anywhere other than here."
He isn't speaking, and he hasn't looked at me since I arrived. My blood is slowly beginning to boil. I'm here practically begging him to leave and he's giving me the cold shoulder. Suddenly, I'm not feeling so guilty.
"Would you say something!?"
He is silent for a moment before answering.
"You won't like what I'll have to say."
"Just say it! Tell me how you hate me for what I have done. Tell me that I am a fool for even going out there. Say how this is all my brother's fault. Just say whatever you have to say, 'cause I can't take this anymore. I'm sorry, but I couldn't let her take you. I couldn't let you die. I did what I thought was necessary at the moment, but I never meant to hurt anyone."
Tears stream down my cheeks, and I pant hard. The room became hotter and I feel like I'll pass out at any moment.
"It's not just about you killing her!" he says, and I am worried—-even in this extremely loud place—-that someone will hear him. "You put yourself in danger. What if it had been Kira? There's no way you would have been able to take him down, and you're life may have—-no—-would have been lost. And not just your life, but the life of what you are carrying inside of you! Did you ever stop to think that you were sacrificing more than just yourself? Or, did you stop to think about how I would have felt? I lost my mother, Cagalli, and you were going to cause me to lose you and my unborn child!"
It was his turn to pant, and more: sweat, cry, be angry. His eyes are burning holes into my soul. Never had Athrun been so hostile with me. The passion he is emitting makes me feel small. I want to speak, but the guilt returned and so has the weakness. All I can manage to do is stare at the tiled floor like a sad puppy.
"Athrun, come on let's dance," I hear a familiar voice...sounds like Lacus.
I slowly raise my head to find Meer pulling on Athrun's arm. Where did she come from? Was she here the whole time? She continues to pester him, but instead he doesn't budge and continues to look at his glass, sadly. Giving up, she turns and now is facing me. We make eye contact.
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