Amari412: After years of being alone in the Labyrinth I think anyone would be. Thank you very much for the review, hope you enjoy this chapter.
Rescue Plans
Fragments of leaves turned a rich crimson with every puff. Eyes wondered over various thick lines to smooth circles. Bringing the smoking pipe to quivering lips, another intake of unknown drug entered his system. Eyes flickered shut. Flashes of his drawings, along with his genius caused eyelids to twitch. A sinister looking grin stretched his lips.
"That's the answer."
Ten minutes later...
"Alexander you don't know what you're doing!"
Rushing around like a common Capercaillie, she was always one step behind her sons frantic movements.
Alexander ignored his mothers cries. Grabbing a leather bag, shoving a variety of fruits, scrolls and plenty of golden coins. Turning he wasn't surprised to have his upper arm gripped like a vice. Breathing deeply through his nostrils, Alexander looked towards the damp eyes of his mother.
"Please." - His mothers lip quivered. - "Don't do this..."
Cupping her cheek, Alexander leant forward brushing his lips against her forehead. Turning away; in shame, his mother sighed. She could hear her blood pulsing over her ear drums. Alexander watched in mortification.
"Fine."
He spat. Gripping tightly of his back pack, Alexander left slamming the wooden door behind him. With trembling hands the mother collapsed onto the ground, head rolling back she screamed. Alexander never once lost his footing. Hiking up his cloak to hide away his ebony demon eyes Alexander took up a quick jog.
Wind began to pick up threatening to toss back Alexander's cloak hood. Grabbing hold of the golden rim quickly, he hunched himself up lips curling to prevent the cold sting attacking bare teeth. The stench of sea air filled the air. Alexander was coming closer to his destination. The boat docks.
Thunder rolled through thickening clouds. The sea remained calm.
"At least someone is on your side! Tell me... what madness infected your brain this time?! If I didn't already guess!"
Alexander let out a wolfish laugh. Lounging beneath the thundering feet of workers who fought hard against the icy cold wind and rain, Alexander took a sip from his goblet. The wine hadn't been cleansed with water. Shifting himself to lean forward, watching his friend who stood in the door way, ready to bark orders. They needed to come into Crete quietly.
"A woman. She was taken in my place. I tend to bring her back."
Glancing over his shoulder, the male stepped down, looking towards Alexander with a cautious expression.
"Are you insane?"
Hissing, Alexander merely rolled his eyes. It seemed sailing to Crete wasn't insane, but saving someone from the hands of a beast was. Looking at his goblet Alexander placed it down, as he shifted within his seat.
"No. Just... keen."
Alexander chuckled lightly under his breath.
Over time Melinoe had given up trying to work out how many days passed since her abduction.
It felt strange wondering the room with no bounds cutting deep into her wrists, or feeling his heavy breath against the back of her neck. All though it was half the size of her room back home, there always seemed to be something new. Melinoe smiled gently, wondering if maybe the Minotaur had done this on purpose.
Crouching down in front of the water, she cupped her hands close before bringing the shimmering liquid to her lips, taking quick sips before it was able to dribble between her fingers. Flicking her hand sharply, Melinoe dried her hands while rising from the ground, wincing as a few pieces of gravel stuck deep into her knee caps. Glancing around slowly, hearing no sign of the Minotaur returning Melinoe walked towards the arch way; peering outside Melinoe's eyebrows drawn together in concern.
Listening to the ear ringing silence Melinoe turned heading back inside the room, she made her way towards the small bed she made on the floor. Over their brief time together, the Minotaur had brought things to make the bed more comfortable; mainly torn clothing. He'd never give it to her, only dropping it down with a grunt.
Burying her face deep within the crook of her arm, Melinoe did her best to muffle her home sick sobbing. A shift followed by an angry growl from above caused Melinoe to freeze. With her heart wedged within her throat, Melinoe watched in horror as a shadow stretched across the wall opposite from where she lay. Swinging his legs over the bed the Minotaur rose up slowly; his hooves crunching deep into the ground, holding down the corner of a tattered rag Melinoe used as a blanket. Nostrils twitching he inhaled the salty scent of tears. Upper lip curling in a growl he walked around Melinoe pausing to look down at her face.
Laying as still as possible forcing herself to keep her face neutral even as sweat began to form across her brow.
Fingers curled. Turning the Minotaur stomped towards the other side of the room. Melinoe's eyelids twitched listening to every scuffle and thump, she wanted to know what he was doing but feared for the consequences of crying. This wasn't the first night she'd been caught. It was however the first time he'd taken notice.
Returning to Melinoe's sleeping form, the Minotaur looked down. Crouching down he grabbed a fistful of her hair, forcing her head up; Melinoe twitched as she forced herself not to scream at the burning pain. The twitch didn't go unnoticed. Creasing his brow in a brief hint of concern the Minotaur slipped a pillow underneath Melinoe's risen head before placing her head down with more care than what he used to pick it up. Dragging his claws through her hair, as if to sooth the pain he caused. Unknowingly Melinoe turned into the gentle caressing causing the Minotaur to yank his hand back as if he'd been burnt.
Snarling under his breath he clambered over her back into his bed. Laying in silence, Melinoe glanced down towards the pillow, turning to look over her shoulder, starring at the Minotaur's back while her fingers grazed lightly over the pillow.
"Thank you..."
She whispered gently. Wiping her noes followed by her eyes, Melinoe laid herself down with care, hugging the pillow tightly.
Smiling fondly at the memory Melinoe snapped her fingers causing a flame to appear upon the palm of her hand. So far this was the only power she dared to mess around with. Watching as shadows danced across the walls, something glinted in the corner of her eye. Turning her head sharply, Melinoe watched it with caution. The glinting seemed to grow brighter. Creasing her brow in confusion Melinoe pushed herself up onto knees. Shuffling forward she reached forward. Her fingers came in contact with a cold smooth service. Feeling her heart speed up, Melinoe pulled her hand out from under the bed holding on a piece of pottery which was large enough to just fit in the palm of her hand.
"What on earth.."
She whispered in confusion as her head tilted.
Standing in the door way arms empty without a kill or extra clothing, the Minotaur watched Melinoe's back. Ears twitching he stepped forward slowly as if walking towards an injured animal. Stretching his hand he grazed the tip of his claws against the back of her neck.
Melinoe screamed.
"You startled me..!"
Melinoe exclaimed loudly as her cheeks tinted a dark shade of crimson. The Minotaur's tail swished slowly while his thick brow tilted at a slight angle. If Melinoe didn't know any better she would say he was trying not to laugh. Rising a large hand, he gripped hold of her wrist tugging to expose what she was trying to hide against her heaving chest. Rounded eyes became narrowed as he starred down at the broken piece of vase.
Focusing on his eyes, Melinoe saw a flicker of sadness hidden within the dark depths. She glanced back down towards the portrait. Though the image was beginning to fade, there was no hiding the beauty it once held.
"Did you know her?"
Melinoe finally asked. The Minotaur grunted. Turning around he stalked towards his bed, dropping a bag on the end of the bed; blood seeping through the stitching. Mentally cursing as her stomach gave a familiar sickening flip, Melinoe didn't think she'd ever get used to the sight' the bread was down to its final crumb, she knew that if she wished to survive she would need to feast on what he brought her. Shaking herself back to reality Melinoe stepped forward. Sitting cross legged on the floor, she watched as the Minotaur began to clean his hands.
"Minotaur.."
Ears twitching he turned his head to acknowledge her.
Licking her lips, willing for her confidence not to abandon her now, Melinone ran her thumb across the picture with great care.
"Who was she? The woman in the portrait."
Scrapping his hoof against the ground, the Minotaur pondered her question with great care. Tail swishing in an irritated manor, he turned ripping through the bag. Melinoe swallowed thickly listening to him devour into what looked someone's leg. She willed herself to remain firm, knowing that his attitude rained from a childish to dangerous in the blink of an eye. His teeth tore quickly through the meat, while his shoulders rolled forward as if trying to block himself from her view. Drawing her eyebrows together as her lips stretched into a frown, Melinoe tilted her head to the side. Shame rolled off of him in great waves. This portrait wasn't of someone simple.
"Your mother.."
Turning his head sharply, nostrils flaring the Minotaur looked ready to pounce. Eyes searched Melinoe's face expecting to see amusement, disgust even pity for a woman so beautiful forming something as hideous as himself into this world. Instead all that her eyes held was concern, his muzzle curled in confusion. Turning the Minotaur continued to eat; though not from hunger. Placing the broken piece of vase down upon his pillow, Melinoe stood up slowly. Her hand pressed firmly against his tensed shoulder, hating herself for getting him into such a state. Shrugging out of Melinoe's comforting hold the Minotaur snatched the portrait. Dark eyes narrowed; snarling threateningly.
Melinoe breathed deeply through her nostrils not allowing herself to cower. Huffing like a spoilt teenager, he snatched the broken portrait before stomping towards the other side of the room. Pressing his upper torso against the wall, as if pleading for it to swallow him whole.
Torn between the need to comfort or keep her body unbruised Melinoe seated herself down once more upon her floor bed.
Heaving like the bull he was the Minotaur rose his hand tossing the broken piece of vase across the room, causing it shatter.
"Why did you do that?!"
Melinoe screamed angrily. She reacted as if the picture was of her mother. Tears oozed out of the corner of Melinoe's eyes. Sniffing harshly, head rolling back eyes squinted, she couldn't stop her lips from quivering in a poor attempt to hide away her whimpers.
"I miss my mother too.."
Not caring that she squeaked, Melinoe lowered her head, curling her fingers causing her nails to cut deep into her arms.
The Minotaur rose his head up. Ears twitched as he tilted his head.
Shaking her head slowly Melinoe walked towards the shattered remains of the portrait. She didn't care if this was pushing boundaries. Stretching out her hands, Melinoe closed her eyes tightly. The pieces began to quiver and tremble. Fingers curled as her brow pulsed in concentration. Very slowly the broken pieces were starting reform themselves. Pushing himself slowly from the wall Beast stumbled forward, watching in a mixture of fear and fascination. Listening to the gentle clink of the broken pieces coming together, Melinoe's fingers began to quiver.
Eyes snapping open, Melinoe looked down. Staring back at her the fixed piece of vase. Stretching her hand slowly, Melinoe grazed the piece with care as if fearing it would crumble to dust.
Hooves scrapping against the ground, Beast looked down in wonder. Never had he seen anything like it.
"Here.. At least you have something of your mother."
Snapping Melinoe shoved the picture into his hands. Looking down towards it in dismay, he glanced up towards Melinoe; she'd placed herself near the entrance not enough to make him think that she would flee, but it didn't help the strange queasy feeling within his stomach. Dragging a jagged claw across the image, the Minotaur placed it with care underneath Melinoe's pillow. His mother could watch over her while she slept.
The urge to sleep didn't come swiftly. Finally removing herself from the wall, not bothering to wipe away the rubble which clung to her like a second skin, Melinoe didn't want to go to her bed knowing how close it was to him. But her body was already aching. Placing herself down gingerly, peeling strands of her hair from her cheeks, she watched the Minotaur from the corner of her, seeing him hunched over hands a blur as he stitched. Her head tilted to the side, not knowing what he making.
"What.. What are you doing?"
Pausing the Minotaur didn't answer. Didn't even show her. Sniffling Melinoe bit down on her lower lip.
"I don't want to call you Minotaur. It doesn't seem right."
Laying down, head cushioned Melinoe looked up towards the ceiling, listening to the sound of the bed shifting, followed by fabric being stitched together. It brought a strange sense of comfort; like her fathers booming voice, she laughed softly.
"Beast.."
The word whispered into the air. Turning his head, brow creased the Minotaur looked down towards Melinoe; he was surprised to notice that she was looking up towards him smiling softly.
"It'd be my nickname just for you. You don't have to agree, I just thought it would be a nice gesture."
Ears twitching, the Minotaur continued to look rather taken back. Blinking his eyes he finally nodded his head slowly, agreeing. Melinoe's smile became larger.
"Well, goodnight. Beast."
Tugging at the makeshift cover, Melinoe turned over onto her side, unaware of the broken piece of pottery under her pillow. Remaining in a confused stance, the Minotaur or Beast as he would be better known finally found himself smiling. No one had ever bothered to give him a nick name. Looking down towards the clothing he was stitching together, he was reminded of the necklace he found. It would go perfectly with Melinoe's new dress.
Sorry for delay in updates. Thank you to all those who've stuck this far. I personally didn't enjoy writing this chapter, but needed to get it out of the way... Please leave a review.
- Signed The Broken Ghost