I've changed the rating, but in latter chapter I might change it back to M.
I hope you keep reading the Dark One.
Disclaimer: The Chrno Crusade story does not belong to me.
It had been a week. Just a week, just lousy seven days really. Actually it had been more than seven days; it had been seven days, five hours, forty-seven minutes and…
Rosette glanced at the watch above the door.
…and twenty three seconds.
She had been inside the Magdalene Order Headquarters for seven days, five hours, forty-seven minutes and…twenty five seconds. A little more and she would go completely crazy, at least Joshua was allowed to go out to go to school, although accompanied by an armed Azmaria. He didn't seem happy about it and Azmaria was more depressed each day her brother gave her the cold shoulder. She loved her brother and hated to watch him so angry, and she felt kind of sorry for Azmaria, but her noble feelings only lasted until the third day of her incarceration, after that she pretty much resented anyone who could still go outside.
Life was becoming one long, boring, gray day after the other.
It's for your own safety. You have to wait for things to cool down.
Rosette hated waiting; just sitting around waiting for stuff to happen was stupid. But what she hated even more were the stupid tests they kept doing. The old man that according to Sister Kate was the head of the weapons department and the inventor of most of their equipment had connected her to every machine known to men and tried to cop a feel every time he did. She was getting tired of having to do tests and listening to prays and chants that they hoped would cleanse her soul of evil spirits.
The only times she felt the least bit of freedom was when she learned to fight. Remington while in the hospital bed had insisted on it.
"That creature has no mercy, no matter how heavily guarded you are nothing can replace self-defense. You are the only one he can't kill, remember that."
After seeing the state he and the others had arrived, it didn't take a lot to convince Sister Kate to put her in the combat classes with the other recruits. In a few days she learned to how to handle a gun, she already knew how to fight form high school; the only thing she needed practice with was handling equipment but Father Gillian told that she was getting better every day, she could a now work a gun and a barrier but she would not touch the machines they used to dive into someone's soul, Sister Kate said it wasn't necessary and being attached to it for all those tests was bad enough.
She went to the practice room for shooting after seeing Remington in the infirmary. She went there every day for the same reason the watch now ticked against her chest, hanging from the chain around her neck, to remind herself that this was no dream, the monster was real and it was strong.
Every day she heard new stories of the cruelties he has done in the past, the pain that the demons HE lead caused. The fact that he ruined her life and her brother's, she who had to work hard every single day of her life since that day so many years ago… to lose it all because of this…
She fired her gun, it hit near the center of the bull's-eye.
"Not good enough."
She worked so hard to buy that little apartment. It was small and had its share of plumbing problems but she could still remember the first day she brought her brother home and thought that they were finally home. And now…
Another shot this one hit the center perfectly.
-Uhm… Miss Rosette?
She turned hand still on the gun, ready to defend herself. Little Azmaria gave a jump when she saw her furious face, tears in the corner of her eyes. Rosette immediately put on a small smile, the girl was already sensitive due to Joshua's anger, she really didn't want her believing the other Christopher sibling was angry at her too.
-I'm sorry Azmaria, you surprised me. What is it?
-Uhm…uh…I noticed that you did not join us for lunch so I went out and bought you something to eat. Is that ok?
She smiled for real. That girl was so shy, yet to do such a kind thing for her. She returned the gun she was using and accompanied Azmaria to her room.
-I was practicing and I lost track of time. I'm really grateful to you Azmaria, but you didn't have to do that for me.
The girl blushed and looked downwards, Rosette sighed, she really should cure the girl of her shyness.
-I noticed that you haven't been eating well lately. I was worried, you are training and with all the tests, I thought you might like…
The girl was babbling nervously, still staring at ground. She was cut off when Rosette patted her in the head in a sisterly kind.
-You're a sweet girl Az. You know that right?
She blushed again but looked more confident staring straight ahead as they entered Azmaria's room. It was pretty much the same as Rosette but with a lot of books, most of them for college. Rosette sat down on the bed as Azmaria handed her a hamburger. Now that she thought of it Rosette realized that she was very hungry and quickly devoured the greasy food. After that satisfying meal she looked around the room once more searching for something to talk about since the silence was becoming uncomfortable.
-You must really be focused on your studies huh?
-Yes. It was supposed to be just an undercover job but it turned really interesting and fun too. I'll be sad when they give me another job.
-You're about Joshua's age aren't you? Aren't you a bit young for this? Sorry I didn't mean you were incompetent or something, just how long have you been here?
-All my life. My parents were exorcist here, when they died they left my custody to the Magdalene Order, I was about seven then. It's not a bad place… But I heard from Joshua what you did to get your own house and living by yourself its very brave. I think it's really admirable…
Azmaria trailed off and looked sad after that talk. Rosette understood being an orphan herself, but she felt a special kind of pity for Azmaria, sure the Order had taken good care of her and she was obviously a kind, sweet, and good natured young woman but it just seemed to be a happy place for a child to grow up in. It felt like Azmaria never had a choice in her own life. For Rosette life had been a constant struggle but she always had her independence, the freedom to live her life the way she chose. She had lost that freedom a week ago and she was already going crazy, to never have at all just felt wrong.
After that Azmaria seemed to open up a little more, in fact the girls found themselves becoming good friends, almost everyone was happy to see little Azmaria look more confident, even Father Remington was hopping the two would rub they're most positive aspects on each other. So far only two people who were unhappy with the new friendship were Sister Kate, who feared Rosette's influence and Joshua who was still resenting Azmaria for lying.
-She follows you like a chick to the mother hen. Doesn't it annoy you?
-Azmaria is a nice girl. Relax Joshua.
He collapsed on the chair grumbling. Fortunately the library was empty at this hour, since they were under the Order's protection Joshua had spent all of his free time in the library investigating everything he could about the Dark One. It was true what Sister Kate had said there weren't many records and most of them only described the cruel, gory battles that had taken place, in all of them hundreds of people had died while the Dark One didn't suffer a single injury. It was depressing in the least.
-When are they going to let you out?
-I don't know! It's been one and a half weeks I feel like I'm going crazy always trapped here. They don't even tell the test results anymore! Sister Kate says she has to contact her superiors of the Order so they can decide what to do with me. What about you any luck?
-Nothing reassuring. There was a passage in a book about a girl, Mary Magdalene, apparently she was a saint who was said to be the only strong enough to stand up to him…
-And?
-And he hunted her down, and killed her. Very cruelly according to the records.
-Great. I'm bound to an inhuman psychopath and the only thing I can do is wait for a bunch of old priests to decide my future. What if they make me a permanent part of the Magdalene Order?
-Like a nun? Well your temper matches Sister Kate's and I'm sure you'll be a great nun. You feel all of the requisitions…
At his sly look, she growled at the cheap shot at her inexistent social/romantic life, but appreciated the efforts the lift her up from depressing thoughts.
Soon after this conversation an old bonny nun that was the librarian came to angrily inform them that it was lights out and to go to the rooms.
Since men and women slept in different floors Rosette said goodbye to Joshua on the stair case and decided to stop by Azmaria's room, she wasn't very tired and maybe the younger girl was in the mood for some girl talk before hitting the bag. She was surprised to see that Azmaria had opened the door still in full uniform.
-Don't tell me your breaking curfew? I really am a bad influence.
The girl giggled, but looked at her watch it was obvious that she was in a hurry.
-No, it's not that. Sister Kate is having a meeting tonight and asked Sister Clara to bring her some tea and snacks to her office later, but Sister Clara has the flu, so she asked me to do it for her.
-Well…don't want to keep the old bat waiting.
-Rosette! You know perfectly well that Sister Kate is just forty.
-She looks sixty. Now go before she as a stroke without her tea.
Azmaria sighed amused and went down the hall leaving Rosette alone with her thoughts.
There was something bothering her. The test have been going on with such intensity, even more now that Remington was out of the hospital, she had spent four hours today attached to a machine that read levels of demonic energy while being exposed to several holly objects. Then Remington had insisted in teaching her to work with the more advanced weapons. She was tired, frustrated and the urge to break free was getting bigger every day.
Yet no voice came to comfort her, at night no one tried to ease her loneliness with stories, ever since the first night she spent here there had been no more smooth voice in her head. It should have been comforting, however after so many years of hearing his voice and sometimes even searching for it to feel better the silence was strange, unusual and scary. She was ashamed to admit she kind of missed him, he had seemed so kind during those nights, who could have thought that behind such a kind voice was such a monster.
Rosette quickly deleted those thoughts of her brain, it was no use thinking about how kind he seemed, it had been an illusion, and it was no use thinking about things that made her feel depressed or stupid. As much as she hated to admit it the only thing she could do now was wait. She was sure the Magdalene Order would find a solution soon.
-ABSOLUTLY NOT!
Azmaria choked a scream of horror in her throat, with a few words the world had shattered around her. It had not been her intention to listen the private conversation behind the door as she delivered the tea, but after those words she could not turn around. It was the single most horrible thing she ever heard. After Remington's scream silence had fallen on the other room, she could not see what was going on but she could practically feel the anger from the door.
-I'm sorry Sir but I cannot follow that order. It is against everything this Order stands for. I cannot allow such sins to take place right under my nose.
Sister Kate's tone, although calmer, was filled with the same anger as Remington. Azmaria stood there petrified and prayed to God there might be another way.
-We are aware that this is an unfair and difficult order to obey. But we cannot forget who are we dealing with Sister Kate, he gets stronger every moment. Are you saying to allow this to happen and condemn the lives of thousands?
-Of course not, our goal is peace; it is what we all fight for. But this is just cruel.
-Enough. You have failed to find another solution; the new orders are to take place, either by you or by us.
There were the sounds of the connection breaking, she could hear as Remington punched the wall close to her. Leaving the cart with the tea, she walked back to her room, not even noticing were she was going. Her mind was still near that door, hearing those words over and over again, but never understanding their full weight. She entered her room quietly and prepared for bed still in a state of shock. It was only when she lay on the bed that she realized what was happening and finally released a painful sob, burring her face in the pillow as she cried in pain.
Joshua Christopher sometimes envied his sisters ability to sleep through a hurricane; this was one of those times. The knocks on his door were incredibly soft but persistent, waking him up from a pleasant sleep and no matter how much he ignored them they weren't going away. With a groan of defeat he got up and dragged himself to the door when he opened it he was shocked by the sight that greeted him.
Azmaria was clothed in a single simple summer white nightgown, her white hair a mess and she looked like she had been crying for a while. As soon as he opened the door she pushed him back into the room and entered herself, closing the door and locking it. Standing barefoot in his room he noticed she was shaking, she started crying again.
-Azmaria what's going on?
She tried to answer but she kept sobbing, finally she took a deep breath looked him straight in the eyes and said.
-The Magdalene Order wants to kill Rosette.
It took a while but the words eventually sank in.
-What?
-The Magdalene Order wants to kill Rosette.
Joshua took her by the shoulders and shook her to make her stop crying and look him in the eye.
-Why would they do that? They're supposed to protect us!
Azmaria seemed to calm down enough to speak properly; she looked almost angelic in the moon's pale light, a contrast to the scene unfolding.
-Since we were unable to find a way to break the contract and to keep the Dark One's power from raising the superiors decided that it is too dangerous to keep Rosette alive.
-Those sons of a bitch!
-Joshua where are you going?
She got hold of his arm stopping him from form storming out of the room in his pajamas, he was shaking as well, but Azmaria was pretty sure it wasn't fear that made him tremble.
-What do you think? I'm going to tell those bastards a piece of my mind and then I'm going to… going to…
Azmaria rushed to get the inhaler from the bedside table. As he gave several desperate huffs he seemed to calm down.
-Joshua you can't just storm in there and say those things. Neither Sister Kate nor Remington want to do it, no one I know from the Order would kill an innocent. But the superiors believe that sacrificing Rosette would save thousands. You know what the Dark One is capable of.
-And what do you suggest? Just sit tight and watch like you did all those years?
That comment was out of line, they both knew that. But Joshua would not take it back and Azmaria knew that there were more important things than her broken heart right now.
-I think the first thing to do is to tell Rosette. Then all of us should think of a plan to escape together. If you go there now you'll ruin any chance you two have to make a break for it.
Joshua took several deep calming breaths, it was obvious that there was a war within him and that she should not move or make a sound until he reached his decision.
-Alright. Let's go tell Rosette.
This was the hardest day of her life.
After the midnight visit of Joshua and Azmaria who told her the ultimatum of last's night meeting it had been impossible to sleep, she kept going over the plan in her mind, imagining all the things that could go wrong, Azmaria knew a lot about the security systems but a lot would depend on sheer luck. A with her history it was a recipe for disaster.
It was so hard to just act like she didn't know. To have breakfast with these people, Azmaria and Joshua looked like they too didn't have a peaceful night, to talk to them, to smile back at Remington or to talk calmly to Sister Kate when she knew that they were lying in her face. Pretending she was save here when the only ones that wanted her dead were them.
It made her depressed to think that she had nowhere to turn to now. She would have to spend her life bounded to a monster or be killed by the only ones that could help her.
Today she would have to do something she always despised, fake her emotions. Azmaria spent most of the day by her side going over the details of the plan. But it was so hard to wait, it took all of her self-restrain not to make a run for it when the door was so close.
The day passed unbelievably slowly every second dragged out until it felt like a minute, but finally night came and when the clocks hit one a.m it was time to start.
Rosette got up and dressed the uniform she had been wearing since her first day. It was time, Azmaria was already waiting for her in the hall and Joshua was coming down the stairs to meet them.
The first part would be to steal some guns from the storage. Once they left the Order they would need something to defend themselves from the demon. The guns were kept in storage near the practice ring in the third floor. Today Rosette had stole Father Gillian's access card after practice and fortunately he had not missed it. With it they easily opened the door and decided to take all they could bring, filling Joshua's school bag with bullets and cross barriers, since Joshua was the only who didn't know how to handle a gun. Rosette and Azmaria took several guns. That was the easy part of the plan.
The hard part would be to take one of the Orders cars and leave whiteout sounding the alarms. Since the Order was fairly unknown and full of trained armed soldiers, they didn't want to draw a lot of attention with high-security measures but every entrance, including the garage, had a security camera and a guard watching over in the screens. Joshua could disable the camera but only gave them a minute to hot-wire the car, open the gate and driving away quietly, so as not to draw attention. It was risky due to their lack of experience and everything had to go perfectly.
As soon as Joshua disconnected the camera they ran to their posts, Rosette to start the car and Joshua to open the gate, Azmaria would stand and watch for any signs of the guard.
For the first time in her life Rosette gave graces for her poor background, her first car, a total piece of junk, often refused to start with the key, being too poor to bring it to a mechanic Rosette simply learned to hot-wire it. Joshua always had a great gift for anything electrical so she was sure he could open the automatic gate. It was Azmaria that was her main concern. She had lived in the Order all her life, these people raised her, her own parents had been members, but here she was ready to abandon them for them. She was sure that although she was the victim it was to Azmaria that the Order's betrayal had hurt more. She had asked Azmaria many times during the day if she would rather stay while she and Joshua escaped alone but she refused.
I want to help you. I'm sure I can help you. Besides I cannot stay in a place that would kill an innocent like that.
Behind that shy exterior was a strong, passionate woman.
The car started with a purr, it was a relatively new car, grey and not very expensive, no one would ever looked at it twice on the road or parked somewhere, it was perfect. She told Azmaria to get into the car, guard or no guard as soon as Joshua opened that gate they were getting out of there.
It wasn't long until she heard the gate opening and a slightly out of breath Joshua got into the car, he programmed the gate to close in twenty seconds so it would take more time to notice they escaped.
With a care that Rosette often didn't have when it came to driving they left the Magdalene Order and onto the streets of New York.
Remington watched from a window as the car made a turn and disappeared from his sight. He looked and the sleeping man in front of the monitors took his mug and poured its contents down the drain. Bill was a good friend and a good guard he felt guilty for sedating him. He was sure Bill would feel a lot more guilt for "falling asleep" on the job the night they escaped but he doubted they would fire him just for this.
Now his main concern were the teenagers on the run, he hopped they wouldn't get caught and wished he could go with them, but he knew they would never trust him now. The orders from the superiors had shocked and disgusted him and he wasn't surprised that they had escaped. To kill a young girl for a childhood mistake… it was horrible.
So he helped them escape, he knew that Sister Kate would search for them and he would offer to be in charge of the search, leading them on a wild goose chase, while keeping his knowledge of their true location to himself.
In two hundred years he had seen so many changes but he had changed as well, no longer the idealist soldier dedicated fully to following the Order. He had seen too much, learned too much. Now he knew that to fulfill his goals he could not count on his leaders he was the one who had to take control of things.
Rosette opened the door to her apartment, it had only been two weeks since she had been here but it felt like entering a whole different world, the shopping list she left posted to the fridge that day seemed like an object from a different galaxy. Joshua and her had just taken all of their money from their cards and now they had to come home for the last time. While packing her clothes and precious objects she felt like she was leaving a part of her behind.
When she and Joshua left their respective rooms she could see that it was the same for him. They were leaving their lives behind and they didn't have a choice in the matter.
They loaded their bags on the car and drove away, each of them wanting to be strong for the other held back their tears.
He watched her leave her house and felt the pain in the heart, he had been feeling her emotions since she came to the Magdalene Order, but knowing she needed space kept himself quiet. He felt her anger at being entrapped in that building, he laughed at the Order's stupidity like his Rosette would ever be content by being closed indoors even for her own protection. He knew that sooner or later her impatient nature would take over and she would escape, even whiteout the Order showing their true face.
That didn't he wouldn't take vengeance for her once he had her by his side, where she belonged.
He saw a glitter when a street light was reflected by the watch's glass. His chest swelled up with pride and happiness at her wearing proof of their connection, making anyone who passed see their bound.
He followed the car from the skies. All that time trapped in that emptiness of that room made him appreciate the freedom of flying that much more.
Her pain at leaving her only home stroke deep within his heart, for he never had a home to begin with.
To be Continued
In the next chapter Rosette and Chrno meet again. I promise.
Please review. I don't plan on abandoning this story but I would really like to know your opinions.
Till the next chapter.