May the madness continue. . .
I am sorry though about the last chapter; I know the ending sucked, but I just wanted to end it. It really steered off what I had planned, but oh well. It just makes the plot easier to continue. . .
. . .
Chapter 6: Clash, Saint or Demon?
. . .
Ah! My favorite place to be! In an interrogation room with your childhood friend's daddy whose pissed at you for not dating her. Yay!
"Coffee Roxas?" Said Daddy asked.
"No thanks." I said. "I'm stopping by Elizabeth's after this."
"How is she holding up?" Mr. Briggs, the co-captain asked. This guy, he looked mean, but he was a pretty decent Christian man. Went to church every Sunday, never hit a woman, he treated them like queens, and absolutely loves kids. And being a really good friend of Luxord's Mr. Briggs was like a grandfather to me. Then again, I think he's everyone's grandfather.
"She's hanging in there." I sighed. "In my opinion, she's possible one of the bravest women I know." It's pretty hard for a mother to lose her only child. And Hayner and Elizabeth were really close.
"So Roxas, we just called you in to ask you again, your version of events." Mr. Briggs said.
I sighed. "I thought so. Look, my story hasn't changed. I was in class arguing with a class about something; then I went to library to do some research. I fell asleep and the next thing I knew, I was being woken up but Axel. When I got home, he was just lying there." First time I told this story, I was pretty hysterical. Now, I was starting to be a bit more relaxed about it. "So, why am I here? Did you find something?"
"Yes." Captain Daddy (not his name, but that's what I call him) proudly stated. "As you've mentioned before, it was a few hours before anyone else showed up to your apartment. There seems to be a pretty large gap of time between the times."
"What are you saying?"
"The apartment seemed to be wiped clean." Mr. Briggs stated. He pulled out an envelope and laid out some pictures in front of me. "These were taken at the first visit. As you can see, nothing is disturbed." I examined the pictures in front of me. He was right. The kitchen area did seem pretty clean. Maybe-maybe Hayner cleaned up while waiting for me to get home. "And in most murder cases, the only reason for this is to cover up evidence.
"So you think I did a bit of sprucing up?" I asked.
"We think you're hiding something Roxas." Captain Daddy eyed me. "See, you failed to mention to me that a week before, you and Hayner had been having some arguments over another guy."
"Yeah we were. But-it wasn't about the guy; it was about the clash of religions. So if you want to point fingers, how about you do some studying of Pagans and Satanists and how Pagans have taken a load of crap for countless people over the millennia!" I snapped. "So, why don't you ask Olette about her suspicions and then point fingers, because you know damn well that I loved Hayner and never hurt another person."
"We can never be too certain Roxas." Mr. Briggs said sitting back in his chair. "We also know about your past mental health. And with the new introduction of this cult recently. . ." I just looked at Briggs. His eyes were every concerning. "We just need to explore all of our options."
"Then why not question the cult. After all, they're known for human sacrifice." I didn't want to drag them into this, but what Olette had told me the other day was ringing into the back of my mind. And I couldn't help shake that feeling that I got when ever thought about it. Axel did have more motive than anybody really to kill Hayner. He wanted me and Hayner out of the way. But did Hayner really have to die for it all. If Axel would have asked more about my past, then maybe he could have convinced me stay with him. And then, that would be my motive as well, as I guess the police saw it. I wanted to be with Axel, but couldn't get divorced. So I took the alternative route. But that dream I had at the library. . . Why can't I remember it?
. . .
I left the station a bit late into the night. I was off to Elizabeth's walking through a winter snow. Winter was usually pretty cold here. But this winter had to be the coldest. Every house I pasted, I could see a warm fireplace flickering through the window. A gray smoke flowing from the chimneys. I knew families had to gathered together watching movies, reading books, and just having fun. It was one of those nights.
When I got to Elizabeth's, I opened the front door, I have a spare key, and was hit with the smells that would Willy Wonka's hat blow of his head. "Elizabeth, what are you cooking in your cauldron?"
She poked her head out of the kitchen. "Oh! Good evening deary. Just making lollipops. I have this regular that absolutely loves them. He's such a charming young lad."
"That's good, I guess." I sighed hanging my coat on the rack.
"So how was the police station?" Should I?
"Oh-nothing special. Just tit-for-tat." She seemed to buy it.
"So Roxas, did you hear about the ritual?" Ritual?
"What ritual?" Elizabeth, current center of the universe.
"Well a little birdie told me that tomorrow, around midnight, our cult friends are going to be having a ritual." She said.
"But why have it this near-" If Elizabeth said anything after that I didn't hear it. I was a bit busy contemplating what Axel could possibly be doing having a ritual his near the holidays. Aside from the fact that he'll be pissing off a lot of people, what good would it do? Elizabeth told me not to worry and to get some sleep. I went to bed just thinking instead of crying. Something was going to happen, I could feel it. But I couldn't tell what. . .
I woke up early the next morning before Elizabeth and slipped out of the house before Luxord could show up and come up with some reason to keep me locked up in my room. I decided to wonder around town for a bit before going to Elizabeth's café to eat.
. . .
I sat with my back to a tree. Word had spread pretty quickly throughout town today about Axel's little show. Curiosity runs in the air around here. Too bad the poor souls wouldn't be able to handle or stomach this ritual. With the knowledge I have of the cult their rituals this was going to be bloody.
It was getting dark fast, mostly because of the thick clouds that have been promising snow all but refused to show any. There had also been a thick smell in the air today too. I couldn't place what it was, but I knew it somehow. I felt a tickle on my nose. I looked up and found a light snow engulf the sky. I have a question, if snow is suppose to be cold, why was it soo warm. Scooping up a handful, I found it to have a hint of pink. So snow could be pink, who knew.
"Just shut up and get the fire started!" A voice from behind shouted. I turned around. A boy dressed in Victorian attire, with an expression I had never seen before, carried a bundle of think branches in his arms. His eyes were as he had been crying for years. He was colored as if he was dead. His movements, not like he was in control. I looked past him to see who was barking orders and wasn't that surprised to find Zexion. But there was something odd about him. I'm blind, not deaf. I looked closely at him. His eyes were pale. He was blind! Holy sh-
"Zexion, licentia incendia volo." Axel made his way into the picture. "Demyx vado locus candela vel quispiam."
"Etiam vinco." Demyx handed Axel the bundle of branches and walked away leaving Zexion alone with Axel.
I wasn't sure if they knew I was behind the tree or not. I doubt they did, because the second Demyx was gone, Axel calmly built the branches into a pile. "Reputo is mos ostendo?" Zexion whispered.
"Si is does, quis mos vos operor?" Axel turned to Zexion who just shrugged shoving the remaining branches out of Axel's arms and brought their lips together. I felt the blood rush to my face. But why? Was I jealous? Why should I be? I barely knew Axel! So why was I getting so worked.
I didn't look back at them; I just got up and walked around. Not sure, and don't care if they heard me. Not that I was trying to attract attention. . .
I sat at home, snuggled in a blanket on the couch watching The Sixth Sense. I had my hot chocolate in my hands and popcorn on the table. I looked at the clock, it was nearing ten and Luxord still wasn't back. I was starting to get worried. When was he going to realize he was getting older and wasn't a spring chicken. Being out in the cold this late wasn't good for him. *yawn* Not good for him . . . at . . . all. . .
They all sat there. Five in a circle, one at each point of the pentagram, and the other two sitting in front of the five. The one sat calmly with his legs tucked under his body as he sat up proudly and strong. The other sat cost-legged with an opened book in lap. Around them thirteen small fires flickered and danced. Each one was different from the others. The onlookers looked amazed.
The leader, the real tall one stood. AS he did, the other six chanted in unison something the onlookers couldn't understand. It seemed to be a language only they knew. As the leader stood, the fires dimmed. Onlooker awed and amazed. This made the leader grinned almost baring his teeth, but he knew better. A certain someone was watching. "In the light, you are my darkness." His voice echoed through the crowd of onlookers. "I the darkness, you are my strength. You help block the light and keep it at bay." His back turned to the crowd, he took out a razor and slit his palm. Passing each frame, he threw in a few drops of his blood into each. All of them looked as if it were a crocodile devouring food thrown at it the water.
"You keep my soul, though I set you free." The leader's co-conspirator said. "It is I who can't live without you, but you who can live without me."
"Ego diligo vos." The leader said stopping at the last pit. "And today, I ask another, join our forces." He threw his blood into the last fire and to everyone's amazement; it grew bigger in a giant blue whoosh! The leader looked up to the big full moon over head. "You will join us, and it'll be on a night just like tonight. On that night, you'll be mine." That last part he whispered. Only the other six could hear him.
Looking out to the crowd, the leader saw one man standing there. Being who he was, he allowed this man and only this man to see his real eye color in the form of a taunt. Before the man could even react, with a swift movement, the thirteen fires engulfed the group of seven and they vanished. The crowed stared in disbelief. But ask anyone, and they'll tell you. Not a trace of them was left in the snow after the blaze. So many doubt they were even there. But how is the possible? The onlookers weren't sure.
So needless to say, the cathedral was packed shortly after that. . .
I was sitting at the kitchen table drinking my coffee. It was about eight in the morning and Luxord still wasn't back. Now I was really worried. I got up to pure myself another mug when the doorbell rang. When I opened it, I found a pretty old friend of my uncle's there. "Eraqus. This is a surprise."
"It has been a while Roxas, hasn't it." He said taking off his hat. "May I?"
"Of course." He stepped in and we walked into the kitchen after I shut the door. It was cold outside. "So what brings you here?"
"Your Uncle sent me. He wanted to make sure you were alone." I looked around. Was someone suppose to be here? "Have you been here all night?"
"Yeah. Up all night watching creepy movies. Like always." I sighed.
"You weren't at the ritual?" Eraqus' mouth dropped. If I said it had hit the floor that would be an understatement. "But, I swear we saw you there last night."
"I was, but I left before the thing started." I crossed my arms at the memory of the sight that caused my leaving. "And I promise you, I came straight here."
Eraqus whipped out his camera and clicked a few buttons. "Here, look at this." I turned my attention to the small screen in front of me and I swear-my heart stopped beating.
I was watching a recording of me-no!-somebody who looked like me-dressed in . . . gothic Lolita? I turned away from the screen and for some reason, my stomach was really-only way I can explain it is like when in the Exorcist, when Rita spews all over the guy. I found the garbage can soon enough to save the cleaning headache.
Eraqus led me to the sofa and got me a glass of water. "Are you ok?"
After gulping down the glass and caught my breath. "Give me your camera." He handed the camera and I continued to watch the recording. Axel was standing and circling this look-a-like me thing, asking it questions and it only moving its lips to answer with a very blank stare in its eyes. Then the thing started to stand up. As it did, the camera started glitching. Static and cuts were back to back (just like in The Ring). As the glitches came more frequent, and-big shocker-the thing got closer each time till it was right in front of the screen. But since I've seen The Ring many times, so much so now I find it an odd turn on, I wasn't that scared. Kinda creeped at the fact that Axel now seemed to be showing signs of obsession, but the recording, not so much.
"Now, are you sure you weren't there?" Eraqus' voice matched his serious face. "The proof's there Roxas."
"Ok, say I was there, what exactly did I do?" I asked looking over the glitch camera footage.
"What are you talking about? It's all there?"
"Satanic rituals when recorded appear different to each person that views it." I lied quickly. I heard it was true, I just wasn't sure. "So what happened?"
He sighed heavily. "I've never-in my life-ever thought that you would ever say something like that to him. . .
I just stood there in the living room watching Eraqus as he left. There was one way in fucking hell I did what he said I did! I loved Luxord! He took me in when the rest of my family shunned and through me away. There was no way-!
When Luxord came home that night, I asked him about the ritual. He sighed and told me to set the table for dinner and that'd he'd explain.
We sat at the table, neither of us touching our food, just sipping wine. "Luxord . . . What happened?"
Luxord rubbed the bridge of his nose. He put down his wine glass down and looked at me with very sad eyes. "You were just sitting there with them. You had this real-twisted look on your face, staring out to everyone. When you stood up, he-that Axel just put his hands all over you and you just let him. You encouraged him!" Luxord sounded absolutely disgusted. "Eraqus told me that you said you weren't there. Please tell me that he's telling the truth." They say brave men don't cry. That was clearly a lie. Luxord was the bravest man I know, and his eyes were flooded by tears.
"Like I told Eraqus, I was there before it started. Then I left after. . ." Should I? Why not? Luxord only had the right to know. "Then I left after I saw Axel kiss Zexion . . . There was no reason for me to be there." I felt my heart get heavy. Why was I soo upset over this? It didn't matter. Luxord looked very relieved.
"Roxas, I need you to do me a favor, stay away from Axel." Luxord placed his hand over mine. "As much as possible-please-stay away from him!" That was going to be hard. But-again-against every fiber of my being's echoing screams, telling me to tell Luxord the truth, but for the first time in my life, I lied to him and told him I would. Avoiding him around town, no problem. Avoiding him in class-impossible.
. . .
At first, all that was lit was a single candle. Then the flame one to the next one, then the next, then the next. The room white, but the glow of the pumpkin orange flame on the red candles hid that white. In the middle of the candles, laid a bed that rested on the floor. The floor was covered with a thick red carpet that one's feet sank into. The bed itself was covered in white sheets with white pillows and topped with a red blanket. In between the sheets rested two naked bodies. One belonging to a small and rather frail boy. The other belonged to a tall lanky boy. They were interlocked in a rest of deep passion.
No matter how many times the dominant one's body twitched with each intense orgasm, the smaller boy remained blank-faced and unfazed. The dominant one had thought the change in scenery would change this problem, but it didn't. And he was getting fed up with his 'lover's' dysfunction.
One night, the smaller boy waited in the room like he usually did, for the dominant one. It was getting later and later, so the small boy went to look for other. He walked down hall ways, stairs, and corners.
He passes many mirrors on his search. Each time looking into each one. And each time, he grew more afraid. The reflection he saw wasn't him. It was, yet it wasn't! This person he saw had messy hair, bruised and battered body, and blank eyes. The person he remembered being had messy hair, but in an organized manor. His body had perfect, flawless skin that girl's envied him. And his eyes-eyes that he had always heard were full of life and very beautiful. They were said to be his most outstanding feature.
After coming to the final step and finding his lover sitting with another person, he finally realized it. In order to be a lover, you must love the other person. There was no love between them. No- there was love, but not the kind that should be. There was something-but not enough to call it love. After all, how can there be love if there was only one having that orgasm?
The dominant tried to plead and apologize to the smaller boy saying that he did love him, but the younger boy didn't buy it. He left the dominant and headed for a door.
He found the door and stood in front of it. When he opened the door, he was met with a bright light and warm feeling. He felt as if he was being lifted up by a pair of hands and set free-
. . .
"Not you guys to!" I groaned. Pence and Olette came up to me at school and decided to do the whole, who-are-you-sleeping-with-now investigation.
"Look, we are just asking a simple question. Are you sleeping with Axel?" Pence asked placing his arm around my shoulder.
"No!" I shoved his arm off. "I'm not sleeping with Axel!" I said just loud enough so everyone in the courtyard could hear me. "I'm not sure what the hell happened at that ritual, but I wasn't there! I was at home, watching movies, and fell asleep. Yes, I was there maybe minutes before hand, but I left. That's my story I'm sticking to it."
They looked at each other. According to everyone, they saw me there. And I find it funny. Out of my group that I consider family, only two believe my story. One, Luxord of course. And the second was the person I thought, due to my past with her son, would accuse me, Elizabeth. Olette and Pence were on the fence and I was trying to get them on my side. Olette, I could understand her position. But Pence didn't know me that well, but well enough to know when I was telling the truth.
"Are you sure Roxas?" Olette asked sweetly.
"Positive." I turned around to walk to my class. It was still early so there wasn't anyone in the room.
Ansem was absent from the room. I thought it would be a good so I could get my question together, who better to ask about rituals than the person who's teaching you about it. My hopes where shot down when I found Axel leaning against Ansem's desk with his arms and legs cross and head bowed. The tension in the room had really sky rocketed.
He slowly raised his head and stared at me. "What ever you saw, it was lie." So they did know I was there.
"Really?" I kept my voice even. "It didn't sound that way." Just because you can't understand the language doesn't mean you can't understand the tone.
"Unless you speak Latin, how can you know?"
"I'm a people person." I snapped. "I've also been lied to enough to know."I wanted to kick myself. Saying that was the wrong move. The look Axel gave me just-scary. I'm not sure how to describe it, but it was just pure out scary.
He uncrossed his arms and legs and advanced towards me. "You know, no one is showing up today, Roxas. Ansem called in sick." I gulped. And I didn't notice that he made his way passed me. "It seems you've fail to receive the message. Lucky me." *click* Shit!
I dropped my stuff and spun around. Axel was leaning against the door. His demeanor-like bully who traps the poor kid in a corner then beats him. The ticking of the clock on the wall seemed to get very loud.
His smile was very twisted. "You know Roxas, I heard you liked horror movies. If that's true, why are you here?" I couldn't think of anything to defend myself. "Then again, the protagonist in every story whines up in the antagonist's trap some way or another." Axel sighed to himself. "Now, I'm going to make this simple-" He extended his hand to me and smiled a genuine friendly smile. "How would you like to join us Roxas?" This is the part where the record is scratched and the needle pops off.
"What?" um-
"Join us? The cult." He said matching my 'what' response. Which was just that, are-you-kidding-me kind of whats. "You said you wanted to know more-there's no way that's possible unless you experience it for yourself. Come on." I just looked at him. He returned my stare and gradually lowered his arm and head as my silence being my answer. It also didn't seem to make him happy either. "That's really going to be your answer?"
"I don't know." I knelt down and started picking up my things as Axel just stood there. I threw my bag over my shoulder and stood back up. "If class isn't in today-" I stepped past him for the door. He didn't say anything. I looked over my shoulder once and just saw him standing there. His poster was perfect, expect for his bowed head. His hands weren't clenched, but flecking back and forth from clenched and unclenched. I sighed shut the door and walked home.
"Home a bit early aren't you, love?" Luxord asked as I walked into the door.
"Ansem called in sick. Class was canceled." I stood there in the entryway. My mind was racing with questions.
"Everything alright Roxas?" I didn't answer. I walked down the hall, up the stairs, and to my room.
I stood there with my back to the door. I looked down and at my feet was my book of Angels and Demons. I picked it up and just threw it on my bed. I sank down on the door to the floor and just curled up into a ball and buried my face into my knees. Tears started to trickle from my eyes. My inner desires and wants fighting with my conscience.
I laid there just like that for hours clutching my legs and stomach. My head was pounding and my muscles ached from lack of movement and were really stiff. It was dark out and cold. I laid there and watched my breath come out in puffs. I was shivering. I suppose I should have gotten up to turn on the radiator, but it felt safer on the ground. I felt that if I got up, I'd either pass out or throw up.
Finally getting the nerve to sit up, my joints cracked and my head felt heavy. My stomach growled. My heavy eyelids drooped over my tired watery eyes. There was a thump. A soft thump. Then the cracking of my bed echoed in the room. After that, two footsteps. And that was it.
A pair of bare pale feet stood in front of me. Attached to them was a pair of long, lanky leg hidden under thin, tight black jeans. From there was a bare torso that bore long lanky arms that were tattooed with fire. Then, his face. From the back, rest long spiky black hair. What was he doing here?
He got down to his knees placing a leg on either side of me. Our eyes never met, but our lips almost did. His mouth was only a few inches from mine. His left hand rested on my right shoulder. My breath was still coming in puffs of white vapor.
"It's really cold out tonight." His voice whispered into my ear. "Maybe we should share body heat." His lips found my neck and my body started having spasms. There was a point I felt something inside me. It was the spark that led me into a night of the sin of lust. But if lust is passion, then passion is wrong. And if passion is wrong, then I'm doomed to hell. . .
I woke up the next morning to a toasty room. The radiator had been turned on. Luxord must have been here. I kicked off my blankets and left my room. Down stairs I found a note on the kitchen table.
Roxas,
Had to run to the cathedral. Dinner is in the oven. Just pop it in the mike when you get hungry. See you tomorrow afternoon.
Luxord
My heart stopped. If Luxord wasn't home last night, then who was in my room?
. . .
AN: At this point, I am willing to take suggestions for any weirdness you, the viewers, wish to 'see' in this story. Really, I'm running low on my creepy thoughts and the insanity and keeping it all in Roxas' POV. So again, any suggestions or thoughts please and thank you. Sleep tight tonight.