Chapter Seven: The Last Day
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.
Serena smiled as she slept peacefully in her bed remembering last night when Miguel gave her a light kiss on her cheek and waved good-bye to her as she drove away in the taxi cab. It was such a fun night. It was the best night she had in a long time since her parents died. As her eyes slowly opened, she smiling as she looked at the white ceiling above her. The warm sun was radiant on her body. There was cool breeze blowing throughout the room and she could hear the birds chirping happily outside. It was starting out to be a great Saturday morning.
She turned her head prepared to roll out of bed. She was dumbfounded at the sight she saw across her room. In a chair across the room, she saw Darien fast asleep using his leather jacket as a light cover over his body. He looked somewhat uncomfortable. Serena figured as she sat up in bed and brought her knees to her chest that Darien was going to have a stiff neck when he woke up.
She had no idea why Darien would be in her room when he had a nice apartment across town.
Serena looked up when she heard a knock on her door. Before she could answer, Anna opened the door and walked in the room with a tray of orange juice and breakfast for Serena.
She smiled when she looked the sight of Darien sleeping in the uncomfortable chair in a house that had dozen of rooms he could have slept in.
Serena looked at Anna weirdly who acted unfazed by the sight and simply placed the tray on the nightstand next to Serena's bed.
Serena whispered to Anna, "So that is your reaction to catching a guy sleeping in my room?" Her cheeks blushed as an image of her making out with Miguel in her bed popped into her mind.
Anna arched her eyebrow and said firmly, "I think not young lady. I just think that it is nice that he watches over you even when you are safe at home."
Serena stared at Darien still sleeping then replied, "But he doesn't like me. He thinks of me as an irritating little bratty sister. He always has an annoyed look on his face when he sees me. How much do you guys pay him to babysit me anyway?"
"Not enough." Anna and Serena turned their eyes to the seductive sound across the room. Darien groaned as he slowly awakened sleeping in the chair. He yawned and stretched a little and like Serena suspected his neck was stiff.
Anna smiled then said, "I'll see you downstairs, and I won't mention this to Mr. and Mrs. Williams. I doubt they will have the same reaction."
Darien said as he nursed his stiff neck, "Thanks Anna. You're the best."
Anna said, "There's enough food here for the both of you. " Serena glanced at the tray and noticed there was a cup of steaming coffee on the tray also.
Anna left out of the room.
Serena asked playfully, "So does that mean it will be cool to have boys in my room?"
Darien snapped, "Absolutely not, retard!"
Serena frowned at him and said, "I am not retarded, jerk." She stuck her tongue at her. Darien smiled on the inside as he looked at her with an annoyed expression. Serena could see the smile in his eyes.
He walked over towards her and sat on the edge of the bed.
Serena saw him still nursing his neck and asked, "You want me to massage it for you."
Darien snorted then said as he took a sip of the hot coffee, "No thanks, Meatball Head. To be honest, the idea of your arms touching my body anywhere scares the shit out of me." Serena quickly hit him causing him to laugh.
Darien placed the coffee back on the tray as Serena said, "Offer withdrawn. I've always used to massage my dad's neck and shoulders when he got off from work. He said I had the magic touch."
Darien stared at her for a moment then said, "Nah, you might try to choke me." He tried to turn his neck but it was painful and he winced in pain.
Before he could protest, he found Serena behind his back massaging his neck and shoulders. At her touch, he moaned as he closed his eyes. It was like her touch instantly melted the pain away. Serena smiled as he seemed to instantly relax at her touch and all the tension she felt in his body started to go away.
She leaned over as her long blonde hair brushed against his broad shoulder and whispered in his ear, "How does it feel, Darien?"
He moaned in liking, "Wonderful." She smiled as she leaned back and continued to massage him. After ten minutes of hearing Darien moaned in pleasure, she released him and lied back on bed and started to eat some of the now lukewarm breakfast of buttermilk biscuits, smoked sausage, bacon, and scrambled eggs.
When Darien opened his eyes, the pain his neck was gone and his body felt so relaxed. It amazed him that her simply massaging his neck and shoulders was better than most of his sexual encounters. Daddy was right. She did have a magic touch. When his mind started to wander to other areas, he looked at pink pajamas with fluffy bunnies all over and the thought quickly left his mind.
They ate breakfast in bed with Serena lying on her side and Darien sitting on the bed next to her laughing and joking as Serena flipped on the television and started watching Saturday morning cartoons. It was approaching one in the afternoon and the final cartoon of the morning was on.
Serena asked, "Darien, why did you spend the night in my room?"
Darien said watching the cartoon with no particular interest, "I could not sleep. I guess you can say I was haunting by my ex-girlfriend last night."
Serena asked concerned, "What do you mean?" As Darien began to talk about his ex-girlfriend, Serena's mind began to wander back to yesterday.
It seemed spending time with Charisma Grey yesterday and meeting Miguel Rodriguez cured Serena of her massive crush on Darien Shields. She realized that Darien was not into her. He cared about her, but he had a type and she was not it. She realized that Darien was not the only guy in the world. And when she took away her physical attractiveness for him, she realized that he was still a pretty good guy. She came to the conclusion last night before she went to bed that she was going to try to be Darien's friend instead of worrying about being his girlfriend. She may not have been Darien's type, but she was someone's type. Her primary example was Miguel Rodriguez. She smiled when she thought about him. She hoped he would call her tonight.
Even though she really wanted to call him since they had exchanged numbers while they were eating lunch at the mall, Charisma quickly talked her out of it as they left the mall when she mentioned it to her. Charisma told her to never call a guy. Charisma explained to her that men liked to be the hunters, and to think of women as their prey. Let the guy pursue you and not the other way around. If he is not interested in you, then move on to the next guy. There are plenty of guys out there. Yesterday taught her that.
The sound of finger snapping broke her out of her thoughts. She looked up and saw Darien's hand waving in front of her face.
He said, "Earth to Meatball Head. Please return back to Planet Earth." She playfully punched him. He laughed then said cynically, "You are a great listener."
Serena frowned at him and said, "You are starting to get on my nerves."
Darien laughed then said, "Go out with me today."
Serena's heart skipped a beat as she looked at his dreamy blue eyes on his handsome face smiling at her. He really meant it. There was not a trace of cynicism in his voice. This was weird. The moment she stopped thinking of him like that, he was showing interest in her. Wasn't that something?
Seeing that Serena was speechless, Darien said, "I am going to go tell Sammy to get dressed and the three of us could hang out today. I want to show you the town today." He patted her shoulder and said, "See you in a little bit. I am going to go take a hot shower and get ready. Meet you downstairs in a half an hour." Serena was speechless and Darien had already left out of the room. She was very confused.
Charisma walked out of the shower of her bathroom in her apartment. She had a big towel wrapped around her waist and her hair was wet and clinging to her body. She smiled when she saw Laz asleep and naked lying in her bed with the thin sheet only covering his private area. She smiled as she remembered the amazing and animalistic sex they had last night. He was great in bed and Charisma decided to turn him into her sex slave. Charisma gasped when she felt herself being pressed against the wall and the towel being ripped off her body. She groaned feeling like the wind had been knocked out of her as she felt the length of Laz rocked hard body being pressed against her naked flesh. She could not decide whether she was turned on or scared as felt one of his hands around her neck.
He caressed her thigh and said whispering in her ear in a deep shadowy voice, "Hello again, Charisma."
Charisma gasped when she realized it was the voice of the shadowy man. He had somehow inhabited Laz's body. She asked, "What's going on?"
Laz said, "Your boy toy is dead, Charisma. He is one of my minions now and that means I can hop into any one of my minions' bodies if I like. Unlike you, their souls did not inhabit another body so they are basically soulless creatures that do my bidding whenever I like." His hand started to caress her inner thigh causing her to moan. As she tried to fight her desire for him, his grip on her neck tightened.
Laz smirked then said, "Stop fighting it Charisma. You know you want me. I can read your thoughts remember."
Charisma answered angrily, "What do you want?"
Laz smiled then said, "Besides fucking your brains out like you did lover boy last night, I have an assignment for you." He pulled away from her. Charisma gasped to catch her breath as he turned away from her. She turned around and quickly grabbed the towel and wrapped it around her body.
Laz sat on the edge of the bed and smiled at her then said, "Still modest after I saw that lovely body of yours."
Charisma arched at an eyebrow at him and asked again, "What do you want?"
Laz asked, "Is that any way to talk to your master, young lady?"
Charisma yelled outrageous, "Why you son of a -"
Before she knew it, she was lying naked on the bed with his body on top of hers. She breathed heavily as he caressed the side of her face with the back of his hand.
Laz said as he relished the feel of her naked flesh against him, "Don't disrespect me, wrench." For some strange reason, that phrase seemed familiar to Charisma.
Laz said, "I am your master. As easily as I created you, I can destroy you."
Charisma snapped, "Then do so. I do not want this."
Laz said, "You have no choice. You either do what I say or you can say good-bye to lover boy."
Charisma hesitated as she thought about Darien not noticing his dislike as he mentioned lover boy.
She sighed, "What is it that you want…milord?" He smiled as she mentioned milord.
Laz smiled as he fondled with her breast and said, "Good girl. I know you don't mean it, and you might as rid yourself of that thought of killing me, I can read your thoughts."
Charisma smirked then said, "I know you can." She slid her leg upwards and asked, "Can you read this?" As she was about to kick him in the groin, he quickly grabbed her legs and pulled them apart until their private parts touched causing them both to groan.
Laz said, "Stupid wench, I know what you're thinking before it enters your mind. I control everything about you." He felt himself becoming aroused in the human's body and started to slowly grind himself against her as she looked at him with hateful and lustful eyes.
Laz laughed then said, "It is amazing that you are determined to control your attraction to me when I know you want me. I can feel your desire for me rising in your body."
Charisma asked, "So are you going to screw me or bored me to death? Since you control me, you know I feel no real pleasure from it, either way."
Laz frowned at her and said, "Wench!" She screamed when she felt like thousands of lightning bolts were striking her body for a few seconds.
Laz said angrily, "Don't ever disrespect me again, whore. You belong to me, and I want no other human man to touch you like this man did last night. If they do, I will kill your human lover in a heartbeat. Do you understand me, whore?"
Charisma could feel his rage seeping through Laz's body. Charisma nodded.
Laz calmed down then said, "When I have you slut, it will not be in a mortal's body."
Charisma nodded.
Laz said as his hand travelled downwards. Charisma gasped as her body arched as she found him caressing her between her legs. He watched her reaction then leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "I know that you knew I was going to kill you beforehand. Why you chose not to fight me, I do not know. That part you kept hidden from me. However, I do know that you planning to reawakened Sailor Moon tonight. I strongly suspect that your lover boy is going to try and fulfill your wishes. That cannot happen. Stop him or I will have lover boy killed by your hands. Is that understood, slut?"
Charisma's eyes opened. She jumped up in bed. She was dressed in a tank top and jeans. She looked other to her right and did not see Laz's body. She looked confused then realized that she was dreaming. Laz and Miguel went back to their dorm room after they left the club.
She had a determined look on her face as she remembered what the shadowy man said about killing Darien. She jumped out of bed and raced out of her room.
Serena sat in the passenger seat as she watched Darien from the corner of her eye driving his car as Sammy sat happily in the back. She was wearing a long-sleeved blouse and flare jeans with sneakers with her hair in her traditional two pigtails.
Darien glanced over at her looking handsome in long sleeve v neck sweater and jeans. He asked with an amused expression, "Why do you keep your hair in that silly hairstyle?"
Serena turned to him and said, "Because I like who I am." She turned back away from him. He simply pondered on what she said until Sammy said excitedly, "Dare, this car is awesome."
Darien chuckled, "I know. I love this baby."
Sammy said excitedly, "When I grow up, I am definitely getting a car like this."
Sammy asked, "So how fast does it go?" Serena rolled her eyes as she listened to Darien and Sammy bonded over the car. She turned away from them and looked up at the beautiful horizon where the sky and the Mississippi River met as they drove along the interstate.
"So what are we doing today?" She turned her head as she saw Darien staring at her awaiting her answer.
She shrugged her shoulders then said nonchalant, "Surprise me." He smiled at her then turned back to the highway.
The three of them spent the day sightseeing. For their first stop, Darien took them to the Audubon Zoo where he watched amused as Serena and Sammy watched the different animals with fascination. Then, he took them to the Audubon Aquarium of Americas where they were surrounded by over fifteen thousand sea creatures all around them even above their heads. Sammy was amazed when he saw the white alligators with their rugged blue eyes.
When Sammy approached the tank to see the five hundred pound alligator submerged from the water, Serena cringed causing Darien to smirk at her.
Sammy said amazed as he pressed his hands against the tank, "Wow! That is so awesome. I have never seen a white alligator before."
Darien smiled then said, "Yeah little man, there are only like eighteen of these white alligators in the world, and they were born in the swamps of Louisiana. Some people think they are albino because of their skin. Actually in Cajun tradition, it is considered good luck to see one."
Sammy asked as he watched the white alligator lazily climbed on a log, "It's huge."
"Yup, five hundred pounds and over twenty-years-old."
Sammy excited turned to Darien and said, "I wish we could touch it."
Darien saw a curator walking a little way from them. He then said quickly, "Hey, I'll ask the curator if it is cool for us to touch it. We'll let Serena go first!" Sammy quickly nodded.
Serena quickly said outraged, "Are you kidding me? You two are nuts if you think I will ever touch that!" She pointed to alligator then simply yawned as Darien and Sammy laughed at her. Serena stood far away as one of the zoologist allowed Sammy and Darien to pet the baby sharks along with other visitors. Darien snapped a photograph of Serena looking fascinated as she watched a raft of penguins swim around the deep waters of the aquarium totally lost in the moment. He stared at her for a moment smiling as she looked so enchanting with her big blue eyes and heart shaped face staring at the penguins.
They walked into the gift shop and Sammy happily thanked Darien for buying him a two foot tall stuffed white alligator and a book on alligators. Sammy quickly became fascinated with the creature.
Serena snapped a photograph as Sammy and Darien posed for a picture with a guy dressed in a white alligator suit before they left out of the aquarium.
Charisma walked into one of the New Orleans police departments wearing a Saints baseball cap and reading glasses. She said as she walked up to the help desk. A female police officer approached her. She asked her, "How can I help you miss?"
Charisma pointed to something on the white behind the officer and said, "I think I know who he is." The female officer turned around and looked in shock when she looked at the cruel drawing that had of the masked vigilante that the media had dubbed Tuxedo Mask.
She turned to him and asked, "Are you sure, ma'am? We have been searching for him for months."
Charisma said, "I do." Charisma sighed dramatically then said, "I think he is my ex-boyfriend, Darien Shields."
Charisma soon found herself sitting in an interrogation room as a Detective Saint-Martin walked in with a brown manila folder in his hand. He was an attractive older man with salt and pepper grey hair and a thick salt and pepper mustache. He looked like he was in his mid-fifties to early sixties. He was about six feet tall with a powerful frame that was slowly diminishing due to age. Charisma looked into his light blue eyes that looked like that had lost their vibrancy over the years.
Charisma stared at the man as her eyes followed him as he sat down in front of her and smiled warmly at him.
Detective Saint-Martin said looking through the folder of the vigilante, "You said you know who the vigilante is. You think it's your ex-boyfriend, some high school kid named Darien Shields."
Charisma nodded. Charisma's eyes became watery as she continued, "I went to his apartment the other day you know to drop off our breakup box. You know the box that contains all the stuff that you gave him and he gave you…" The police officer quickly nodded. "So anyway he was not home today so I still had the key to his apartment."
Detective Saint-Martin interrupted, "A high school kid with his own apartment."
Charisma nodded then said looking the detective directly in the eyes, "Yeah, Darien has always been mature for his age. He is an orphan since he lost his parents in a car accident when he was little boy. He spent his youth in and out of orphanages drifting from one foster family to the next. When he was fifteen years old, he proved to the judge over his case that he was old enough and responsible to be on his own. He is extremely smart and he works part-time to help pay the bills. He even got accepted to attend Harvard University next fall." Charisma then sighed and said, "I went inside and was looking around and noticed that behind the closet in his bedroom. He has a secret compartment where he keeps tuxedos exactly like Tuxedo Mask. They have bullet holes and blood on some of them. Then he has a collection of roses that are like the dagger roses the vigilante throws and kills his victims with. On top of that, I saw a wall where he keeps clippings of any news articles written about Tuxedo Mask. I think it is him."
Charisma cried. "It has to be him. They are both around the same age, same race, same sexy body and those beautiful dark locks of his." Detective Saint-Martin cleared his throat.
Charisma giggled then said, "Sorry, he may be a jerk, but he is extremely hot. So can I get the reward money now? I am in major need of a shopping trip. There are these really cute Gucci shoes I am dying to get at the mall."
Detective Saint-Martin interrupted, "First, we have to prove that he is the vigilante. Then if you are right, you'll get the reward money."
Charisma smiled.
Detective Saint-Martin said, "Thank you, Miss Grey. I hope your statement leads us to his capture. With the exception of the roses and the testimony of the victims, he leaves no trace of evidence that he was there. The roses never have any fingerprints on them. There are never any fingerprints left at the crime scene. This guy is a masterful assassin. Honestly, if it wasn't for you, I think we would never have had a chance to catch him."
Charisma smiled then said, "Oh, You're welcome. Yet, you should try his apartment first and then if he is not there, you should definitely try the residence of Lady Elena McQueen."
Detective Saint-Martin asked flabbergasted, "Elena McQueen, she is one of the richest and well-known socialites in the world. Why in a world would a lowlife like him be associate with someone with as much class and influence as Elena McQueen?"
Charisma shrugged her shoulders then said with a cross expression, "Let's just say she has an attraction for collecting beautiful things, and Darien is quite the collection." Charisma stood up then said, "Well, I gave you enough information. Now, I have to get back to my life."
As Charisma walked out, Detective Saint-Martin said, "Thanks, Miss Grey. I'll send two officers to look into her claim right away."
When Charisma left out, Detective Saint-Martin said looking at the black and white photo of Tuxedo Mask, "Looks like it's your last day, Tuxedo Mask. No one is above the law."
Afterwards for dinner, Darien drove Sammy and Serena to a small restaurant on the West Bank of the city. It was a little hole in the wall restaurant called Mike's.
As Serena and Sammy followed Darien into the restaurant that looked small and shabby with a mixture of white and black New Orleans natives sat conversing amongst themselves. Darien found a small table for four in the corner. One of the seats was missing due to a patron from the table across from them borrowing the chair so that he could seat with his four other family members.
Serena froze for a moment. A part of her wanted to sit next to Darien, but she did not want to appear to desperate when she promised herself that she would no longer be attractive to him and he had a girlfriend. Yet, if she sat across from him next to Sammy, she would be stuck staring into those dreamy deep blue eyes of him all evening.
Her decision was made for her when she noticed that Sammy had taken the seat across from Darien and Darien and Sammy were looking at her as if she was insane. Serena blushed as she quickly sat next down next to Darien.
Darien shook his head at her and then said, "You are acting stranger than usually Meatball Head."
Serena snapped, "I told you never to call me that, jerk."
Darien quickly threw his hands up in surrender and said, "I'm sorry. It's a bad habit. No harm! Let's just have a nice dinner and not argue for once."
Serena took a deep breathe calming down then said, "Okay, Shields. You have a deal." Darien smiled at her then looked at the black waitress approaching them with menus. Serena watched as the waitress locked eyes with Darien. She looked at him confused then she smiled as she recognized him.
She said as she placed her hands on her hip, "Darien Shields, is that you?"
Darien looked at her confused then laughed nervously as he answered skeptically, "Hey, Cassandra…long time no see…"
She smirked at him then said with a Creole dialect that was fast, "I'm Charmaine. See Cassandra is my little sister who you hooked up with last Mardi Gras, gave her the best loving she ever had for three whole days, then dropped her like a hot potato when uppity bitch-side came along. My little sister was so sprung over you that she stalked you for like a month. She found out where you lived and bust all the windows off that sexy little convertible you drove. I'm just the big sister that you sweet talked into getting her little sister off you back since that restraining order you filed against Cass wasn't working. After I did that, we then hooked up in the hot tub at a Spring Break party after we had drunk way too many suicides. Yet, since the cops bust down the party that night, so you never fully finished thanking me for helping you out. However…." She rubbed her now obvious stomach that looked like she was at least five months pregnant. "Since my boo finally got his act together, and is putting it on so well I could cry, we'll never finish that thank you."
Serena looked at Darien amused. Darien turned red in embarrassment.
He asked amused, "So where's the Jasmine Sullivan wannabe now?"
Charmaine said, "Oh, she is totally over you. After she realized that you were an asshole, she got her act together and was able to find a great guy who treated her with the respect she deserves. She actually is currently studying aboard in Paris and then she is going to head out to Rhode Island since she got accepted in Brown University in the fall. C'est tres bien. "
Darien said, "Vous suis contente. Well, I am glad. That both of you are doing well."
Charmaine smiled at him. She looked down at Serena who met her eyes then said, "Cher, Sweetheart, whatever you do, do not fall in love with this one." She looked at Darien. "He ain't nothing but an unnecessary heartbreak." Serena nodded.
As Charmaine handed them the menus which they all accepted, she asked what they would each like. Darien argued a Bud light and Sammy and Serena ordered soda. Serena looked around as Jasmine Sullivan's single, "Bust Your Windows" started playing in the background.
Darien exhaled and said out loud, "For the love of God…"
When Charmaine left the table trying to stop from laughing, Serena started to shake hysterically on the verge of laughter.
Darien said not looking at her and scanning the menu even though he already knew his order, "Shut up Serena."
Serena laughed, "Sisters, huh?"
Darien said, "I was really in a bad place back then so drop it." When Serena heard the seriousness in his tone, she decided it was best not to tease him.
Sammy looked up and then asked confused, "What does sprung means?"
Darien and Serena looked at the confused boy in disbelief then burst in laughter as they turned towards each other and shared at warm moment as they smiled at each other. Serena's eyes widen when she saw the mischief in Darien's eyes.
Darien turned to Sammy and said, "Sammy, sprung is slang for how your sister feels about me especially when she first met me."
Sammy pondered on it for a moment then asked unsurely, "Oh like a lovesick fool who obsess about you day and night."
Serena turned a bright shade of red as Darien said happily, "Precisely, you got it."
When the waitress handed them their drinks, Serena and Sammy did not know what to order. Darien asked the waitress to order them the all you can eat seafood buffet. The waitress smiled then walked off.
Darien said excited, "Guys, this is one of the best seafood restaurants in town. They have the best boiled seafood in town. It so hot and well-seasoned, it'll have your eyes burning and nose running. You are going to love it."
Serena and Sammy stared as one another and laughed at Darien's comment. Their eyes widen when the Charmaine came back with a rolling crate of three large buckets of crabs, colossal shrimps, and red and juicy looking crawfish. The only utensils that she gave them looked like wide nut crackers.
Charmaine smiled at them and said, "Enjoy. Tu bien mangѐ. "
Darien smiled then said, "Merci, Charmaine." Charmaine smiled and walked off. Serena and Sammy was amazed the size of the food.
Darien stared at them then said, "Come on dig in."
Sammy asked amazed, "How do you eat them?"
Darien said, "You just peel them." He demonstrated how to eat the crawfish and shrimp by peeling back the tails and then he demonstrated how to eat the crabs by using the crab crackers to crack open the claws.
Darien said as he opened up at crab and the saw a layer of meat inside the center of the crab, "Whatever, you do. Do not eat these six pieces. It is the crab's dead and it is considered disrespectful. You eat the meat passed them." He pulled the layer back with the crab cracker and demonstrated the meat underneath. Serena and Sammy smiled then slowly dug in.
They were amazed at how good and spicy the seafood taste. It was so good and had a salty, tangy taste to quick. Serena and Sammy did not even care that some of the juice from the seafood was splashing on their clothes and the scent of the seafood lingered on them. They even started chewing on the heads and claws of the crawfish. As they ate, Charmaine came and constantly refilled their drinks since their eyes were become watery from the smell of the pepper and their noses were starting to run but the food was so good.
Serena said to Darien, "This is amazing. I have never tasted anything so good before."
Darien said, "I know. This is one of Louisiana's delicacies. There is no food in the world that tastes as good as Louisiana food especially in New Orleans."
Serena smiled at him as she peeled the tail of crawfish. The juice squirted in her eye. Serena dropped the crawfish back in the bucket then made the mistake of wiping her eye with the back of her hand that had the scent of the seafood on it. Her eyes started to burn and she closed them and opened them trying to get out the burning sensation.
Darien quickly turned to her and asked as he wiped his hands with the napkin, "Are you okay?"
Serena shook her head and said, "No, my eye is burning."
Darien dropped the napkin back on the table and placed his hands of both sides of her face. She stared at him as he examined her innocent face that was dominated by her large blue eyes. He pulled back her eye lids and skin underneath. He leaned forward and gently blew her eye with his cool breath as she simply stared at him trying not to shake uncomfortably from the scent of his breath on her body.
He then leaned back and let go of her eye. He asked worried, "Are you okay? Does it still hurt?" Serena shook her head. He smiled at her as he turned away from her and resumed eating. Serena stared at him for a second then resumed eating. Once they were stuffed from eating the seafood, Darien left Charmaine a tip that placed a big smile on her face. Serena smiled when she stood by the door with Sammy and observed as Darien still stood at the table embracing Charmaine. Serena could not hear what they were saying but they were smiling and laughing at each other. She kept a smile plastered on her face but inside she was green with jealousy at seeing Darien intimately embracing another woman that was not her. He touched her belly causing Charmaine to laugh. Then, he leaned forward and whispered something into her ear. Charmaine started to laugh. When he placed a light kiss on her cheek, Serena quickly turned her head. Darien then came over to them. He placed one hand on Sammy's shoulder and the other on the small of Serena's back causing her to stiffen. Darien noticed the change then whispered, "Are you okay, Serena?"
Serena nodded. The drive home was silent. As Sammy fell asleep on the back seat resting his sleeping her on the window, Serena and Darien sat in silence in the front. The top was up and it was starting to rain. There was no sound besides the rain and the windshield wipers swooshing back and forth.
Darien broke the silence then asked, "Did you have fun today?"
Serena smiled then said, "I did."
Darien said, "Then I am happy." Serena glanced at Darien. Something was off about him today. He was unusually friendly to her today and he was acting strangely like he was struggling with an internal battle to keep his cool demeanor. Serena wanted to ask him about it, but today went so well. She did not want to ruin it.
When they arrived back to her aunt's estate, Serena felt a sense of disappointment knowing that Darien was about to leave. She was stunned when Darien opened the door and picked up a sleeping Sammy in his arms.
The house had a dark and eerie feel to it. Serena asked as she closed the door, "Why does it seem so quietly?"
Darien answered as he walked up the stairs then said, "Because no one is at home."
Darien walked upstairs to the third floor to place Sammy on his bed. He sat on the edge of the bed and took Sammy's shoes off before tucking him underneath the covers. Darien smiled as Sammy clung to his stuffed white alligator. Darien turned to the doorway and noticed that Serena was not there.
Serena still stood downstairs not wanting to move. She heard the doorbell ring. It was two police officers.
She opened the door and asked, "Can I help you?"
One of the police officer asked, "We're looking for Darien Shields?"
Serena asked suscpsiously, "What do you want with him?"
The other police officer asked in recognition, "Aren't you that young woman who was assaulted by a gang of hoodlums a few weeks ago?"
Serena nodded then said, "Yes officer. I am."
The first officer said, "Darien Shields is the prime suspect in the murdered of one of the men. What he did was very noble in saving your life, but no one takes the law into their own hands. We have strong evidence suggesting that he is the masked vigilante that has been wreaking havoc on the city for several months."
Serena said, "But the masked vigilante has been helping people especially you with ridding the city of the criminal lowlifes."
The first officer answered again, "Like I said, ma'am, no one has the right to take the law into their own hands."
The second officer asked, "So is he here or not, we already searched his apartment for him."
Serena shook her head and lied shakily, "No officers, he is not."
The first officer tilted his head and said, "Ma'am, you know you can go to jail for lying to an officer and harboring a fugitive of the law."
Serena said starting to close the door, "Good thing I am not American then. He is not here. Good night officers."
One of them quickly stopped her from shutting the door with her hand. Serena's eyes widen. The officer said, "I think you are lying. We have a warrant." He produced a paper in his hand. "To search the premise for the suspect, if he is here. You will be going to prison for a long time ma'am."
Serena gasped as they stepped into the house pushing her out of the way. Serena cried out, "You can't do that."
The other officer said closing the door behind her, "I think we can." Something was off with them.
Serena started to run. The first officer said in a robotic voice taking out his gun, "Stop or I will shoot."
The second officer said, "Oh, just shoot her, Rob."
The first officer said, "I like when they run first." He aimed the gun at a retreating Serena. He then pulled the trigger and fired.
Darien jumped at the sound of the gun. Sammy jumped up out of his sleep. He asked worried, "What's going on?" He looked around frantic and asked, "Where's Serena?"
Darien did not answer. He simply looked at a bookshelf and walked over to it. He pulled down a book and the bookshelf slid sideways revealing a secret passage. Darien said to Sammy, "Go hide. Don't make a noise or come out until I tell you to come out. I am going to go get your sister. Ok?" Sammy nodded. He ran into the secret passage. Darien placed the book back in place causing the bookshelf to cover the passage again. Darien walked out of the room and locked the door behind him. He walked to Mason's study and walked over to Mason's door as he heard the men echoing downstairs for him to come down. He opened up the top drawer. He saw a gun on top of the paperwork. He closed the door then walked over to the china cabinet and retrieved the bullets and loaded the gun. When it clicked, Darien closed the china cabinet back up and left out of the room.
Serena sat on the floor shaking uncontrollably as she bled to death on the floor. The bullet pierced the side of her body closed to her kidney. She looked at the grandfather clock that read ten minutes to midnight.
The second police officer said, "Come down Darien. Or the next bullet will be in her head." He placed his gun and aimed it towards Serena's head as she fought to stay alive on her floor. Serena saw a white light. She smiled when she heard the sound of her mother's voice again calling her name. Serena looked upwards and saw Darien sneaking up behind the police officer that held the gun at her head. She watched from upside down as Darien quickly wrapped his arm around the police officer's neck and snapped it effortless as the police officer quickly collapsed in Darien's arms. Darien quietly placed him on the floor.
Darien then knelt next to her placing his hand on her wound. He asked, "Are you okay, Serena?" She shook her head as she started to lose consciousness. Her eyes widen as she looked up and saw Darien's hand starting to glow over her wound. In a matter of seconds, she was healed. She quickly sat up. She lifted up her bloody blouse and saw no blood.
Serena asked, "How did you do that?"
Darien said looking ahead for the other officer, "Later." He took her hand and pulled her up to her feet with him.
Darien glanced at the clock then said, "We have to get you to moon chamber."
Serena asked confused, "What?" Darien did not answer her as he pulled them to the side and to hide against a wall with him.
He heard the police officer yelled as he held his gun in front of him, "Darien, come out or your little girlfriend is dead." The police officer glanced at hallway to see a puddle of blood where Serena was and his partner dead next to it. His eyes widen. He looked up as Darien step out with a stern face and the gun pointed towards his head with Serena behind him. The police officer looked at her with disbelief.
The police utter and said, "How in the hell…" Darien's eyes focus on the gun as the police officer placed his hand on the trigger. When he started to pull back the trigger, Darien fired the gun blowing a hole into the officer's head causing the officer to cringe collapsing next to his partner. Serena quickly turned her head.
Suddenly, Darien and Serena heard applause. Out of the shadows, Charisma came out of the shadows with a malice look on her face wearing dark eyeliner and leather corset and skin tight jeans and knee length black boots.
She laughed at Darien then said, "Oh, love. It looks like you are out of time." Darien glanced up at the clock to see it was a minute pass midnight. Serena looked at Charisma with confusion.
Darien glowered as he tightened his grip around Serena's waist. He said, "Nice delay, Charisma."
Charisma smiled then said, "I try. So now the moon princess cannot save the day. All is right with the world."
Serena asked confused, "Charisma…"
Charisma tilted her head to Serena then said, "Oh, I see you're confused. Let me explain."
Darien frowned at Charisma then said, "Don't…"
Charisma said, "See I worked for your aunt, Serena. Nothing we shared that day was real. I am not your friend. I am your enemy and the guy you have your hands on was my former boyfriend. We dated like for two years, and we were everything to each other, and I mean everything." Darien diverted his eyes to the ground. Serena lowered her eyes knowing that Charisma was telling the truth.
Charisma said, "The only reason that I was hanging out with you because Darien begged me to hang out with you so he could screw his current girlfriend. See you don't do it for him Serena. He prefers slutty girls."
Darien asked angrily as he looked up at Charisma, "Then maybe that was what you were?"
Charisma smiled at him, "Besides being something good to look at and a good fuck Darien, you were beneath me. That is why I left you. You were the bottom bitch until I found someone better. What we shared meant nothing. You were merely a distraction until I found something better."
Darien said angrily, "Fuck you, Charisma!"
Charisma smiled, "You already did, and you were great. I can have you anytime I want Darien, and you and I both know it. But you just don't do it for me anymore Darien."
Darien frowned at her for a moment then burst into laughter confusing Charisma and Serena.
Charisma asked, "What is so funny?"
Darien laughed, "I just finally realized how full of shit you are. You are like the mean girl in high school who thinks she is hot because she wears a push up bra. Yes, I was in love with you at one point. Yes, I cared about you at one point. Yes, I never turned down sex with my ex because you are amazing in bed. But I know that you still love me, Charisma. I may not know the reason behind the breakup or why you turned into a total bitch even before you died." Charisma grasped.
Darien said looking at Charisma, "Yeah, you kind of hated me so much that you sent me a video of you warning me about you before you died. How original!" He pulled Serena closer to his body. "If you hated me so much, then I would be dead instead of having this stupid conversation right now. Yes, I may be an asshole who love pussy and fucking shallow bitches like you, but do you honestly think I give a damn about what you or anyone else thinks about me?"
Charisma smirked then said, "Not really, but I thought I'll have one last conversation with you before you really hate me."
Darien asked, "For what?"
Sammy walked out of the shadows in a trance. Serena and Darien stared at him in shock. Serena started to tremble as Sammy walked in front of Charisma. She placed her hands on his shoulders.
Charisma looked at Darien with an innocent expression then said, "Come on, Darien. You really didn't think I would forget about the secret passages. I mean I grew up here too. That was kind of dumb of you."
Charisma looked at Serena with an evil smile. She said looking directly into Darien's eyes, "Sammy, why don't you tell Darien and your sister good-bye before I kill you."
Sammy said in a trance, "Good-bye Darien. Good-bye sis."
As Charisma was about to snap Sammy's neck, Serena yelled, "Don't do this…"
Charisma asked, "Do what Serena? Kill your little brother. Why should you have family? I mean you are practically taking away the only family I have." She glanced at Darien who looked piss off at her. "You haven't even fucked him yet, and you have him wrapped around your finger."
Darien yelled, "I will kill you…"
Charisma asked, "And the boy will be dead before you even made a move. It sucks being mortal when everyone around you has so much power. Doesn't it, Darien?"
Charisma started to tighten her grip on Sammy's neck, Darien said, "Fuck you, Charisma!"
Charisma rolled her eyes, "Again, with the f-word. How unoriginal. Such vulgar language for a child to hear. Let me take him out of the picture now."
Sammy stared directly into Serena's eyes. Even though he was being compelled, Serena still saw the fear hidden in his eyes. A tear started to roll down his cheek. It dripped to the ground.
Time started to slow down. As Charisma started to twist his neck, Serena stopped crying and being afraid as she locked eyes with Sammy.
He heard Serena's voice say in his mind, "Don't be afraid." His brown eyes smiled at her. The room started to shake.
Charisma stopped what she was doing and asked, "What's going on?"
Darien smirked, "She's awakening."
Charisma said confused, "That's impossible. It's past midnight. We're not in the moon chamber."
Darien smiled then said, "In all your diabolical planning, did you forget about daylight savings, moron?"
Darien shook his finger at her and said, "This house was built with relics of the moon chamber from the Silver Millennium. So in a sense, she is in the moon chamber, before midnight, on the full moon just like the prophecy said. And I think she is going to very piss with you when she's awaken especially after you tried to kill her little brother."
Charisma watched as the crescent moon appeared on Serena's forehead and white light surrounded and powerful winds started to blow throughout the entire room knocking things out of place. Charisma pushed Sammy away from her and ran towards the first door.
Darien's eyes started to glow golden. He said in cynical voice, "Leaving so soon. The party's just getting started." Charisma frowned at him as the door was bolted shut.
Sammy shook his head coming out of his trance. He looked in amazement as the white aura surrounded his sister. Her eyes turned white and her long hair floated upwards in the air above her. The winds started to surround her like a tornado. The full moon appeared larger over the house as its moonlight shone on her. Serena closed her eyes and held up her hands feeling her power returning to her body.
Charisma looked petrified as she tried to find a way out of the house. All the doors and windows were locked and unbreakable. She could not get out.
Serena opened her eyes and they were still white. She saw images of Charisma running through the house trying to find a way out. She screamed the scream of a siren. Sammy and Darien quickly covered their ears and closed their eyes. When they opened their eyes after the noise stopped, Serena was gone.
Charisma was at the kitchen door trying to exit the house. Charisma gasped when she sensed someone behind her.
She turned around and jumped when she saw Princess Sailor Moon staring at her with a cold and vengeful expression.
Her fuku was showier than her former fuku. She wore white boots with a red trimming at the top in an upwards v shape. Her skirt was blue with a lacy white petticoat underneath. On her chest she wore a large pink bow with a heart-shaped brooch in the center. The red gems on her odangos were pearl-trimmed and between them laid the pearl crown worn by Neo-Queen Serenity. On her left hand, she wore a moon ring.
Charisma said, "I am sorry, your majesty. I am…was one of your fellow subjects. I am Lunarian. Please don't kill me your majesty. I can help you…"
Charisma gasped when she suddenly felt Princess Sailor Moon's sword thrust through her stomach. Charisma gulped as blood gushed out of her mouth.
Princess Sailor Moon said impassively, "Your soul is free now."
Charisma sighed then said staring into Princess Sailor Moon's cold eyes, "Thank you, your grace. Forgive me for my sins. I could not control myself." A dark aura surrounded Charisma as her life essence left her body. Her body turned to dust and disappeared in nothing.
Princess Sailor Moon placed her sword back into her sub-pocket. As she walked back through the hallways to where she left Darien and Sammy, she detransformed. She looked at her blouse which still had the blood stain on it. She shook her head in frustration then looked up when she saw a light. When she walked into the room, she saw Darien and Sammy staring at someone.
When Serena walked into the room and stood next to Darien, she saw Mason, Mr. and Mrs. Williams, and Anna staring at two women in shock. She saw a girl with a white long blonde hair like hers with a big red bow in the back of her head and then she saw the back of an older woman wearing a tailored designer light blue two piece suit with matching heels. She had her hair up into a flawless braided bun up do.
Suddenly everyone turned to her once they were aware of Serena's presence. Darien looked down at Serena. She locked eyes with him. She felt a jolt of energy rising in her body. She looked down and saw that Darien was holding her hands with a worried look on his face that he quickly hid with an emotionless façade.
As the two women turned towards them, the younger girl looked a lot like Serena except her blonde hair was paler. She was wearing a dark blue wrapped dress and heels. Serena figured that she was her cousin Mina. Then, she looked at the older woman who was so beautiful and elegant that looked such much like her….Could it be her? She looked identical to Queen Serenity.
Serena asked emotional, "Mother?"
The woman smiled at her and then said with a warm smile with an enchanting voice, "No, darling. I am not your mother. I am her twin sister, Elena. This is my daughter and your cousin, Mina." She glanced at Mina who simply smiled at Serena. Elena turned back to Serena then added warmly, "It's nice to see you again, my darling niece. It's been ages since I last seen you." Serena gasped covering her mouth in disbelief. She was speechless.