[chapter IV]
Author's note: Hey guys! I haven't updated in about 3 months...sorry. I've been super busy with work and school, so it's been stressful to write and even come up with ideas! I'm just trying to go forward and get to the good stuff, although this chapter is also kind of filler-ish. I'm sorry! Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy, and if you have anything to say, you can always comment. I don't know how I feel about the ending of this chapter, but whatever. I've been having some writing blocks, so if anyone has any ideas or anything, I'll definitely take them into consideration. Also, thanks for all of the reviews! I REALLY APPRECIATE THEM!
Disclaimer: I WISH I owned this magnificent game series. If I did, KH3 would've come out a million-billion years ago.
I did not fall back asleep that night. Terror had it's ice cold grip around my neck, suffocating me. How could one possibly sleep when they know they are captive - prey for somebody, or someTHING so predatory and...evil. I didn't even know his name, but I knew - more than I had ever known anything in my whole life - that he was, in fact, evil. I felt it in the pit of my stomach. My bones rattled every time my eyes met his. My skin prickled, and my breathing hitched.
His aura, in it's unbelievable and terrible power, literally took my breath away.
...
The dawn's rosy clouds dotted the pale lavender sky, and I held my hand against the frost-bitten window. I could not even allow myself the comfort of sitting on the soft, downy bed. I heard the seconds ticking by, and I imagined myself back on that decrepit train, riding home, safe and comfortable.
'Please,' I prayed, 'Please let the morning come sooner. Let the sun rise.'
The digital clock glared up from the clean, white dresser. It was 5:00AM, and I knew I could leave and walk back to the station in time to make the 6:00 train home. I gathered myself, emotionally and physically, to begin my journey. I grabbed my shoes and stuffed my feet into them, not even bothering to tie them up or make myself comfortable, and I looked at my reflection in the very large and garishly ornate mirror on the wall.
My eyes were faded and dull, with purple-blue sags framing the bottom. My hair was disheveled and matted, and my skin looked gray. There was a very large rip in the front of my pants, from the knee to the middle of the shin, although I really did not care at this point. I wanted to leave more than anything else.
I carefully and quietly opened the door, and the coldness of the large brass handle made my hand ache. A rush of perfume (I assumed it was from the flowers that had been in the foyer) greeted my senses, and I saw dim lighting throughout the hall. I tiptoed into it, and slowly made my way down the staircase with bright red carpeting. The grand foyer looked the same as it did yesterday, although the darkness of the room made the portrait of the man look very creepy. I tried not to stumble my way to the exit, incase I tripped and knocked over one of the numerous flower vases. The morning light almost seemed like a halo around the main door, and I let out a bittersweet smile. Somehow, deep within me, I knew I would be back there soon. After all, I needed to protect Aqua. I then flew out of the building.
As I exited, I spotted a small, sleek black car parked in the driveway. It glinted in the early morning sun, and it seemed there was not a speck of dirt on it. I gawked at it for a few moments and then began to walk past it, until I heard the door open.
"Miss Kairi, I presume?"
A man with no distinct features greeted me, and opened the passenger's seat door. He motioned for me to get in. I stared, and backed away cautiously. His face did not change it's static expression.
"You are to receive a ride to your home this morning. Please," he motioned once more, his voice never rising or falling, "Step inside."
I broke my stare with him, and looked down at my feet embarrassedly.
"That-that's not really necessary, sir. I-I mean-"
"The Master requests it," he interjected, his posture perfectly erect. He did not appear to be frustrated, or really have any feeling about anything whatsoever. I suppose he was the perfect servant.
"The Master," I echoed, more to myself than him, "requested that..."
I sighed after a few awkward seconds passed. I didn't want to accept, but I had a feeling that if I didn't get in that car, Aqua would be in jeopardy.
"The Master..." I sighed again.
"Yes. Please step inside."
As I stepped into the car, the thick smell of leather engulfed me, making me incredibly nauseous. I quickly mumbled the address of my apartment, and tried to make myself comfortable in the stiff and slippery seats. He gave me a quizzical look, as if he was asking himself why "The Master" actually cared about my getting home safely. I shrugged it off, being used to the looks I got from living in Destiny Islands.
The drive passed quite fast, as the city isn't terribly large. Traverse Town tends to be the most congested area, as it had most of the shopping and commercial attractions. Traffic there tends to be a bit annoying, so I usually stick to the trains. The outside world became a blur in a few moments, with the city whizzing by us. I knew I was closer to home when I saw less green, and more gray, and the car safely slowed to a still in front of my old apartment building. The stoop seemed to somehow acquire more dirt and grime over the last day, or so it appeared. I thought I could make out someone's tagging on the side...it might've been Tidus or Wakka, they loved to spray paint things. I saw the Servant's grimace at the bleak scenery and smirked. I suppose it contrasted with the beauty of The Master's mansion (I didn't even know The Master's name, so I just kept referring to him as that in my mind). I turned to the driver and thanked him softly, and quickly scrambled out of the smooth, black car. He sped away, probably anxious about the seedy location.
Every step I took felt heavier and heavier, as if my feet were made of lead. I went up the stairs to my apartment, but it felt like I was heading to a noose or electric chair. My eyes couldn't stay open, and I was mentally exhausted. I rustled around the pockets of my jeans, looking for the familiar jingle of my keys. I steadily opened the door, trying to be conspicuous.
A soft and delicate voice greeted me, "Where were you last night?"
Naminé.
She sat, perched at the kitchen table, which in actuality looked more like a small, elevated bench. She was eating some knock-off brand cereal - honey nut scooters, her favorite. Her clear blue eyes glowed with concern.
"Aqua was worried. We lied to mom and told her you went to bed early."
I gave her a weak, apologetic smile.
"Thanks..."
She stared at me expectingly, waiting for an answer.
I nodded,
"I won't do it again. We'll talk later."
I sifted through my brain for any type of excuse and settled for:
"I have to get ready for school. I'll see you there?"
It seemed normal enough, as she made a snort of agreement, and I hastily walked down the hall into my room. I gently closed the door behind me, and slowly stepped toward my unkept bed. I became engrossed in the appearance of the wall next to the window, with it's cream-colored paint chipping away to reveal a rather unattractive interior. I felt tears quietly slipping down my cheeks, soaking my wrinkled sheets.
My body began to fold in on itself as I shook, sobs viciously wracking my weak frame. Each tear burned my face, and each sob crushed my ribs. I felt like I was about to break into a thousand pieces.
'Why,' I thought bitterly, 'Why did this happen? What did I do? Why am I so stupid?'
After a short while, the tears and sobs began to subside. I looked outside my window, seeing the hazy outlines of skyscrapers and cement. Large, gray clouds had covered up the warm sun. Then, it began to snow, and the cold silence that greeted me was deafening.
...
School passed by in a blur, as I felt numb to everyone and everything. Perhaps the only thing I noticed was the snow, which had been falling quite steadily since the morning.
Even for virgin snow, it still had a dull, gray color, due to pollution in the area. Couple that with dirty, messily plowed sidewalks and stray dogs, and you have a very unattractive "winter wonderland". Nobody, not even toddlers, wanted to play in that.
I often wondered what snowfall was like in Twilight town. I vividly imagined The Master's mansion, with it's sprawling emerald lawn surrounding the long paved driveway, and pictured it being covered with beautiful, white snow. Did he take advantage of the snow? Did he build a snowman, or perhaps go sledding? I darkly chuckled with amusement at my foolish thoughts. He probably ignored the pureness of the color and took the appearance for granted. How could someone like him even notice the lavishness around them? A pang of jealousy stabbed me somewhere in my stomach.
'He doesn't deserve it.'
I stared out the window, completely ignoring the lesson on quadratic equations. Large, intricate flakes silently floated down from the sky, and for a moment I allowed myself to forget what had happened last night. In my daydreaming, it felt like each flake projected a different picture, a different story, and it made my problems seem so small and unimportant. I was just one snowflake in a blizzard, and I was insignificant.
I had forgotten about that, to be honest. I realized that my 'being a slave' made me feel quite important for once. It was a bizarre feeling, as I had always lived behind my sisters, hidden and content. Was I really worth the trouble, I wondered. Why did The Master choose somebody so painfully average as me? He could've even chosen Aqua, initially. What had made me more appealing?
I felt a rough tug to my right, and snapped out of my midday reverie. I looked at Olette, a classmate, as she motioned to my teacher with her head. He was staring at me, begging me with his eyes for a response.
"Well, Kairi? Do you know the solution?"
My cheeks flushed an unflattering shade of red. I looked down at my desk, avoiding eye contact, and shook my head silently. Several snickers echoed throughout the room.
"I see. Please try to stop daydreaming, Kairi. Wakka, please finish the equation..."
My shoulders shrugged loosely, and I let out a soundless sigh of relief. After the moment of embarrassment, I finally turned to Mr. Ansem and attempted to immerse myself in Algebra.
...
I made the stupid mistake of wearing my nice sneakers to school that day. I arrived at my stoop with freezing, damp feet - the shoes were completely soaked with brown slush. I mentally screamed at myself to stop wearing nice things, as I kept ruining them. The sky began to change into a gray-violet color, with snow still dancing around me. The streetlights began flickering on, and I fumbled in my pocket to find the small metal keys. I then noticed the crunching sound of footsteps on the snow approaching me.
I made a scoff-like noise, and didn't even bother turning around.
"Cid, I told you this morning, I'm broke. I don't have any change for you today..."
I heard a soft, velvety chuckle. My blood turned ice cold.
The Master.
I froze, and my knees locked into place.
"Is that any way to greet me?"
I swallowed a large lump in my throat. I stared in front of me, almost in a trance, gripping on to the railing for dear life.
"How...how did you know..."
"Where you lived? Don't be dumb. My chauffeur told me."
'Why did I even accept that ride,' I spat to myself. My mind was reeling.
"Turn around."
It was a simple request, but he said it so horribly, and it made me sick to my stomach. I wanted to, but my legs would not move. I felt his eyes boring into the back of my skull, with their acidic-golden color.
"Turn AROUND," he growled in annoyance.
I then heard the sloshing of snow beneath his feet as he quickly approached me. I felt my heart beating as fast as humanly possible, and my ears going deaf from the pounding of my pulse. He grabbed my arm and violently spun me around, my face ending up being only mere inches away from his. I let out a soft scream of surprise and pain, and I looked up to see his gleaming flaxen eyes, illuminated by the orange streetlights. His face seemed wild, and he looked like a wolf about to close in on it's prey. He leaned in even more, and I noticed his usually frighteningly pale skin had a slight rosy flush. I assumed it was from the frigid winter air. Beautiful gray flakes, each painstakingly individualized, began clinging to his ebony spiked hair.
I attempted to move my head sideways to avoid his truly vicious gaze, but he took his other hand and firmly held it into place. He grinned madly.
"What," he questioned mockingly, "Why won't you look at me?"
His warm breath caressed the side of my face, coloring my cheeks, making them tingle painfully.
I wanted to speak, to push him away, to run, but it was as if I was magically bound to the ground. He moved closer, leaning into the crook of my neck.
'Please, Kairi,' my mind screamed and pleaded, 'Push him off! Be strong!'
I felt him smiling into my neck, breathing harshly, fluttering his long, black eyelashes. I felt like I could handle it no more.
I finally gathered energy to move, and I jolted away from his grasp. I tripped on one of the stoop's stairs, and landed on my knees in the mushy snow. He stood, tall and terrifyingly poised, simply observing my fallen form. A small look of surprise graced his sharp features.
"So," he drawled lazily, leaning to the side of the railing, "She can move."
I didn't bother picking myself up, or even looking at him for that matter. The snow had begun soaking through my clothes, chilling me to the bone. I felt his demonic eyes shooting daggers at me, and I frowned deeply. The neatness of his long, black winter coat stood out, and as I rose my line of vision, I allowed my eyes to travel the full length of his body.
He was slender, and his muscles were clearly defined. He looked incredibly agile, even in full winter garb. His shiny black loafers were a bit cloudy looking due to the dirty snow, but aside from that, he was terribly elegant.
He noticed my brief examination and a cocky, lopsided smirk formed on his face.
"You aren't my type, sweetheart. You're just for fun."
My face burned, and a spike of adrenaline and anger ran through my veins. I felt the urge to scream at him, but as I opened my mouth, a thing, long, black-gloved finger was carefully placed in front of it. He was leaning over, a stupid grin slapped on his face, holding his hand out towards me.
I gave him a look of disgust and shoved it away with as much strength as I could muster. I shakily stood and brushed the slush off my clothes.
I glared at him for what seemed like an eternity, but could've well been around thirty seconds. He peered back, still and silent. The snow had began piling up on his high shoulders, creating little gray mounds, and is abnormally spiky hair finally began to droop. He didn't seem to mind the freezing weather at all, aside from the slight red tint coloring his pointy nose. I, on the other hand, was shivering, soaked to the core from slush and mud. I felt my body becoming weak, and I had a feeling I would probably catch a nasty cold in the near future.
'Great. On top of everything else he has done, he's given me a cold.'
As my thoughts began to spiral into anger for The Master, I heard him shuffle his feet on the pavement. I quickly darted my eyes to see if he had made any sudden movements, but saw something completely different. There was some sort of unreadable expression on his face. It was as if he wanted to say something, but couldn't even begin to put it in words. Perhaps it was confusion, but it seemed too soft to be annoyance - his eyes were downcast, the golden color dulled down, and his eyebrows were furrowed. His thin mouth was tugged into a small frown, but it was not malicious. For a moment I wondered what he was thinking about, but I dismissed it, saying I really didn't care to know. All I knew was that I needed to get into warm, dry clothes. I gathered up my remaining energy, which wasn't really much, and asked,
"Can I go inside now?"
My vision was growing fuzzier by the minute, and I heard him chuckle a bit.
"Well, it looks like you've learned your place."
I felt my heart drop into the depths of my stomach, and I sighed in reply. I turned to walk back up the steps of the stoop, and felt a gloved hand grasp mine and pull me back. He put me firmly in place, facing him head on.
"I'll have a car waiting for you here at 5:00PM tomorrow. You will not be late."
He grabbed my shoulders and pulled me in even closer.
"Do you understand me?"
I tilted my head upward to meet my eyes with his, and gave him a look of compliance. I didn't want to nod or speak, and I probably didn't even have the strength to. He let go, and stared at me for a few moments longer, his jet-black hair beginning to cling to his face from wet snow. Although his porcelain skin had only a slight pink flush, he still looked ethereal, with an orange streetlight halo gleaming around him. At that moment, I remembered something.
"Can I know your name?"
His eyes locked onto mine, as if something within him switched 'on'. A slow grin spread across his face, colored with danger. My mind began panicking, as I thought I had said something wrong, but before I could try to correct myself, I felt his breath swish across my face. In my thinking, I didn't realize he had come so painfully close, and was now inches away from me. His sharp teeth glinted in the faint light, and his mouth closed into a silly grin.
He then grabbed my face and pulled me in, crashing his cold lips with mine. My eyes shot open, and I felt the world come to a screeching halt. The snow froze midway through falling, and all the streetlights became much brighter, blinding me. The only sound I heard was his breathing, heavy and labored, so close and unbearably warm. I felt nothing but pain, even though it lasted only a few seconds. Tears pinpricked my eyes, and as he took his lips off of mine, I stumbled backwards, gasping for breath. I steadied myself against the railing, and looked at him helplessly.
He backed away elegantly, with a dark smile on his face, and began to walk into the darkness. It consumed him, and soon enough, all I heard was his voice, echoing throughout the cold city night.
"My name is Vanitas. See you tomorrow, Kairi."
Silence surrounded me, and once again I was alone.