Caged Wings

Chapter Twenty Two: Dusk Awaits

Raven opens one eye and then opens both. She sits up and rubs them, "Mm....."

She then looks to see Sith was sleeping in her chair. Her eyes widened a bit. She then sighs and stands up. She then walks to her mirror. She then looks at herself, feeling slightly different. The only thing that changed was her eyes. They were darker and colder. She absent mindly touches her wound. Her eyes widened when she realized what she was doing. She looks down at her wound. She unbandages her wound and sees it completely healed. Not even a scar was shown.

She then looks at her hands. She was also a pinch paler than usual. She felt a little dizzy and drained. She leans on her wall and mutters to herself, "Uh....I don't feel so good...."

She then looks in the mirror again. She notices a bite on her neck. Last night was blurry to her. She then grabs one of her black chokers and puts it on, covering it. A voice was heard, "Finally....you're up."

She looks to see it was Sith. He stands up and walks to her, "How do you feel?"

Raven replies, "A little sick to be honest."

Sith asks, "How sick?"

Raven says, "I feel a pinch dizzy, drained, and the need to throw up."

Sith then feels Raven's forehead, "You're starting to have cold skin."

Raven takes in a breath, "What happened?"

Sith then takes off Raven's choker. He touches the bite and says, "This happened!"

Raven makes a puzzled expression, "What?"

Sith then says, "You've been bitten."

Raven asks, "By what?"

Bits and pieces of last night were starting to come back to her. Sith then says, "You've been bitten by a vampire. Evan thinks it was Dimus that did this to you, since he was the last one here with you last night."

Raven looks to the floor, "Dimus?"

She then got sudden flashes of Dimus biting her and her drinking his blood from his chest. It was all starting to go back to her. Sith then says, "We're gonna have to watch you carefully. Starting now, you only got two days before your full transformation. I suggest you be careful with others and yourself."

With that, Sith walks out of the room. As Sith goes into the hallway, Evan goes up to Sith, "How is she?"

Sith sighs, "She's awake now. She seems to remember last night only barely."

Evan nods, "I see."

With that, Sith leaves while Evan walks into Raven's room, "Raven?"

Raven looks, "Evan."

Evan asks, "How do you feel?"

Raven sighs, "Sick."

Evan nods. He then walks up to her and looks at her bite. There was no mistaking it, it was indeed a vampire bite. Evan started to shake with anger, "I....can't believe......Dimus would do this to you!!"

Raven looks at Evan. She then smiles a bit, "It might not be as bad as you think."

Evan raises an eyebrow, "How so?"

Raven smiles a little, "You know me......I've always compared myself to a vampire....and now I'm becoming one. Look....my wound is healed."

Raven lifts her shirt to show where her wound use to be. Evan takes a good look at it. Evan then looks at Raven again, "Well...that's good at least."

Raven nods and smiles. Evan then places a hand on the side of her face, "Well....just be extra careful, alright?"

Raven places a hand on his, "I will."

Evan then kisses her forehead. Raven closes her eyes and smiles. With that, Evan goes to the door. Before he leaves, he says, "You should rest if you feel sick."

After he left, Raven looks at herself once again in the mirror.

A few hours later, Raven wakes up from a nap. She yawns, still feeling abnormally tired. She then gets up and gets dressed into her usual wear. She then walks into the livingroom, where the rest of the gang were. Serenity leaps up from her seat, "Raven! Are you okay?"

Raven rubs her eyes and nods, "Yeah....I'm fine."

Serenity sighs in relief, "Thank goodness."

Everyone stares at her. Raven looks, "What?"

Hikari gets up and smiles, "Is it true? Are you becoming a creature of darkness?"

Raven's eyes widened, "Uhh...."

Sith sighs, "Guys......we already talked about this. We all agreed to not bring this up!"

Raven feels a pinch of rage. She then says, "Oh you did did you?"

She then looks to Hikari and says in a half yell, "Yes! I'm becoming a vampire! I'm becoming a worthless bloodsucker!! Happy?"

With that she goes out of the front door and slams it.

Everyone looks at one another. Hova then says from his seat, "Well.....that went well."

Everyone else looks at him. Hova shrugs, "What?"

Evan gets up and goes to leave. Sith asks, "And where're you going?"

Evan looks at Sith, "After Raven. She shouldn't be out there alone when she's ill and weak from last night!"

Before anyone could say anything else, Evan was already gone. Serenity gets up, "I'm going too!"

Coslotus then says, "Let them go. They'll be back."

Serenity places her hands on her hips, "Has it occurred to anyone that I'm her bestfriend?!!"

Raven wanders the streets, angry. She didn't know why, but she felt more angry than usual. She then walks by a strange store. She hears a voice from inside, "Excuse me? Do you have a minute?"

She looks inside and sees an old lady. She was wearing way too many eagle feathers and she wore a white robe. She stood at least 4,0 ft. in height and she had hazel coloured eyes. She then smiles, "Come in, child."

She then walks inside. Raven was confused. She then looks around and then finally decided to follow her. As soon as Raven walks inside, she looks around. There was nothing but charms, masks, bottles of strange things, and everything you would find in only once place. A fortune teller's shop.

The old lady turns around as soon she's at a table. She smiles, "Have a seat."

Raven does so. She seats herself at the table. The old lady then sits across from her. She smiles at Raven, "I suppose you're wondering why I called you in here?"

Raven then says, "I'm wondering a lot of things."

The old lady smiles, "I'm gonna give you a free reading."

Raven raises an eyebrow, "Why?"

The old lady's smile widens, "Because.....I sense something special about you. It's not everyday I come across that."

Raven then asks, "Who are you exactly?"

The old lady smiles once more, "I am Iilda Grimwood."

Raven's eyes widened, "Grimwood?? Y-you mean....y-you're related t-to--??"

Iilda nods, "That's right. I'm Agatha Grimwood's older sister."

Raven gasps, "Agatha's sister?"

Iilda sighs in frustration, "Yes!! I just said that! Can we focus on you?!"

Raven nods, "Oh....uh.....sorry."

Iilda sighs and smiles again, "Okay....now."

With that, she grabs Raven's hand. She then closes her eyes and concentrates. She then opens her eyes, "Hmm......you've had quite a life. You indeed came across a hard life."

Raven smirks and nods, "Yup. That about sums it up."

Iilda closes her eyes again. She smiles, "Hmm...."

Raven looks, "What?"

Iilda then says, "You're in a love triangle."

Raven raises an eyebrow, "I am?"

Iilda nods, "Yes. You love both of them deeply and feel unsure on what is right as of this moment. One contains a lot of darkness while the other only wants the best for you."

Raven's eyes widened, "Oh."

Iilda lets Raven's hand go. She then says, "It's gonna come down to a very difficult choice. On one hand.....you have a wolf's life. While on the other you hold a snake's life."

Raven's eyes widened even more, knowing exactly who she meant now. She then says, "Umm.....don't you mean a bat's life?"

Iilda shakes her head, "No. I didn't mean bat. I indeed meant snake. The snake will be the cause of your soon to be downfall."

Raven's eyes widened once more as the lady continued, "There's gonna be a war. A war which you and your friends are gonna fight in to the death. During that war.....you will have the biggest loss you've ever had in your life. When that happens, you'll become angry with hate and become vengeful. You will get your revenge.....oh yes........but you will be overwhelmed with loss that is too great to live with. So you'll take that loss out onto your own life, saving those in your path along with it."

Raven puts a hand over her mouth, hearing every word. Iilda then says, "I know it sounds horrible.....but you have to understand.......you have a chance to do something about it before it's too late."

Raven looks down and then looks back up. She then removes her hand from her mouth, "What will happen.....when I become--?"

Iilda finishes, "A vampire?"

Raven nods. Iilda smiles, "You'll get stronger, faster, and more powerful than anyone could imagine you to be. You'll be overwhelming.....burning for hunger and lust. At first....you won't know what to make of it all.....but once you do....you'll take full advantage of it and put it to good use. You'll try to feed on one of your friends at first......but you control it and search else where."

Raven's eyes widened even more. She then looks to the floor, unsure on what to make of it all. Iilda then puts her hand on Raven's, "Don't you worry one bit. In the end......everything will be fine. Right now.....dusk awaits you."

Raven then looks up at Iilda. She looks back at Raven with a warm smile. Raven smiles back.

Raven sighs as she walks out of the shop. She walks the streets, looking to the ground. Evan runs around the corner and sees her, "Raven!"

Raven turns around and sees Evan, "Evan......what're you doing here?"

Evan runs up to her, "Looking for you. Are you alright?"

Raven nods, "I'm fine."

Evan sighs, "That's good."

Raven looks right at Evan, saddened. Evan looks back at her, "What? What's wrong?"

Raven sighs and then smiles, "It's nothing. Let's go home."

Evan gentily grabs her arm, "Are you sure?"

Raven wipes a tear and nods with a smile, "I'm sure. I just want to go home."

Evan nods, "Alright...."

Evan then puts his arm around her and escourts Raven home.

Raven and Evan arrive at their home. Serenity is seen coming out of the house. Serenity then sees Raven and Evan. Her eyes widened, "Guys! I was just about to go out and look for you!"

Raven smiles, "There was no need."

Serenity then goes up to Raven, "Well.....I was worried about you. Are you alright?"

Raven nods, "I'm....I'm fine."

Serenity sighs in relief, "That's good."

Raven nods. All of them then walk into the house. As soon as they stepped into the livingroom, Raven was greeted by everyone. Hikari runs to her and hugs her, "RORSCHACH!!!"

Raven laughs and hugs back, "GAARA!!!"

Raven looks to see tons of booze set up, "W-what's going on?"

Zero goes up to Raven, "We decided to party, hoping it'd make you feel better."

Raven's eyes lit up, "Would it!!"

Zero then hands her a Rasberry Vodka Cooler. Zero smiles, "I know it's one of your favs."

Raven takes it, "Thanks."

She opens it and takes a sip of it. Zero smiles while holding a Corona Beer, "No problem."

Hikari jumps up and down, "I bought some Malibu!!!"

Pheonix goes to Raven, "Are you okay? You seemed pretty steamed earlier."

Raven smiles, "I'm fine now."

Hikari shouts, "LET'S PARTY!!!"

She then cranks up the stereo. Loud music was now blaring. Coslotus had his arms crossed. Raven looks, "What's the matter with you?"

Coslotus then says, "I.....I can't get drunk."

Raven raises an eyebrow, "Why not?"

Coslotus sighs, "The toxins in booze doesn't affect me. Therefore.....I can't get drunk."

Hova laughs after he sips his beer, "Sucks to be you, dude."

Coslotus growls and glares in his direction. Raven chuckles, "Yeah. That does suck."

Zero laughs, "Oh well. More for us!"

Coslotus then goes up to Zero and takes his beer. Zero's eyes widened, "Huh? Hey!! That's mine! You just said you can't drink that!!"

Coslotus smirks, "No. I said I can't get drunk off of it. I didn't say I can't still drink it."

With that, he drinks Zero's beer. Zero's eyes widened, "Gah!!"

Coslotus chuckles, "It sucks not being able to get drunk. But hell.......the stuff still tastes good!"

Everyone began to laugh at Zero. Raven then goes to the cooler and grabs another Corona. She hands it to Zero, "Here you go."

Zero takes it as he's still thinking of Coslotus' last action, "B-but....I paid for that."

Raven chuckles, "Ease up. From the looks of it, there's plenty to go around."

Zero smiles, "Yeah."

Serenity smiles, "OH! I'm gonna go cook supper and make snacks for everyone!!"

Serenity then runs to the kitchen. Hikari smiles, "I'll help!!"

Everyone, thinking of the concoction she made for the Rock Golems, all shout, "NOOO!!!"

Hikari laughs and runs to the kitchen. Zero slouches, "Shit!"

Zero looks to everyone, "Pizza?"

Everyone nods, "Yeah!"

Zero then goes to the phone and orders pizza. Evan finally grabs a beer and goes to Raven, "Not bad. You storm off and we come back to a party. You should do that more often."

Raven laughs, "Yeah, really."

Pheonix comes up to Raven and Evan. He smiles, "Ahh.....just like old times, eh Raven?"

Raven nods, "Oh yeah! This definately brings back memories."

Zero then shouts from the phone, "I'm getting three large pizzas!! What does everyone want?!"

Pheonix then says, "Whatever's fine."

Raven shouts, "Extra cheese and green peppers! The rest I don't care. I like everything anyways......well.....except anchovies."

Some began to chuckle. Zero nods, "Alright."

Coslotus then says, "I don't care. As long there's meat on one of them."

Evan nods, "Well said."

Evan then says, "But.......um....I hate mushrooms. Anything but those."

Zero laughs, "Okay."

Zero finally hangs up the phone, "Okay. It'll be here in 20 minutes."

Pheonix smiles, "Cool."

Raven then drinks up her Cooler. Raven smiles, "Ah! Another please."

Hova then digs in the cooler and throws Raven another Vodka drink. Raven catches it, "Thanks!"

Evan's eyes widened, "You're already on your second?! I'm only on my first!!"

Raven smiles, "Oh well! I need this anyways!!"

With that, Raven opens her drink and takes a gulp. Raven finally notices Sith wasn't in the room, "Hey. Where's Sith."

A voice was heard, "Right here."

Raven turns and smiles, "Sith! Where were you?"

Sith comes in carrying a big batch of booze, "I was out getting what the idiots forgot."

Pheonix and Zero shout, "Hey!!"

Sith smirks, "No party is complete without Scotch, Tequila, and Barcardi."

Sythe then comes into the room from behind Sith. Raven runs over to Sith, "Let me see those!"

She looks at the booze Sith brought. She pats his shoulder, "Nice selection, kid. Very nice selection!"

Sith smiles, "I knew you'd like it. You always loved the strong stuff."

Raven smiles, "Right you are, my boy!"

Sith and Raven chuckle to one another. The song on the stereo changed. Come Out and Play was the name of the song. The band it was by was called Offspring, a band Raven and Sith haven't heard in a long time. Good music for a good party.

While everyone else was interacting, Hova came beside Coslotus and sat down. He drank his beer and then said, "Feels strange being in the same household."

Coslotus glares at him, "You have no idea."

Hova chuckles, "Still holding onto the same shit, huh? Then again, if it were me.....I'd want to kill everyone."

Coslotus smirks, "Not everyone, just most of them."

Hova chuckles and hands him a beer, "I guess I'm not forgiven?"

Coslotus takes the beer, "Not even close."

Hova smirks and raises his beer, "Fair enough. To rivals?"

Coslotus cheers his beer to Hova's, "To rivals."

Hova takes another drink, "At least we can agree on that much."

Coslotus nods, "Yeah."

Hova chuckles, "You haven't told them have you? The group I mean."

Coslotus shakes his head, "No."

Hova laughs, "You should. But I guess I wouldn't want to admit I was outdone either."

Coslotus smirks more, "Don't flatter yourself. You only caught me off guard."

Hova smirks, "We'll see now won't we?"

Coslotus smirks once more, "Yes. We will."

They look at one another smirking. They then turn to face the group and take another drink from their beers.

A knock was heard at the door. Zero went to answer it. After a few minutes, he comes back with three big boxes of pizzas, "Our food's here!"

Pheonix smiles, "Sweet!"

Sith then mixes up a few drinks. He then turns to Raven and smirks, "Hey, Sis!"

Raven turns, "Yeah?"

Sith holds up a big glass, "I just mixed all three drinks I brought over. I dare you to drink it!!"

Raven's eyes widened, "You mean there's Scotch, Tequila, and Bacardi all in that one glass??"

Sith nods, "Yup!"

Evan sees, "Oh boy."

Raven smirks, "Sure! I'll guzzle that!"

Serenity comes in with a bunch of snacks with Hikari behind her. She brought in chips with dip, crackers, and some small raw veggies. Serenity sees the pizza, "Awww......I thought I was making supper!"

Zero smiles, "Sorry. We ordered as soon as Hikari volunteered to help you cook."

Everyone began to laugh. Serenity sighs, "At least it saves me trouble."

She then went back to the kitchen to get the soft drinks. The song then changed to We Be Burning by Sean Paul. Pheonix then turns to Raven, "You're gonna drink Sith's drink??"

Raven takes the glass from Sith, "That's right."

Hova smirks, "This I gotta see."

He then stands up and goes to the group to watch. All eyes were on Raven. Hikari runs to the group shouting, "Peer pressure!!"

Then everyone joined in saying, "Peer pressure! Peer pressure! Peer pressure!!"

Raven smirks and began to chug down the drink. As she was about to pull away when half was gone, Sith held onto the bottom of the glass to prevent her from doing so. Raven's eyes widened as she chugged the rest. She closed her eyes tight as she finally pulls away from the glass, letting out a huge gasp. She felt a little nauseous. She puts a hand on her mouth as she staggers back. Raven shakes her head, "Woah!!"

Everyone looks at her. Hikari laughs, "Are you okay?"

Raven nods, "Ooooooh yeah!!"

She felt a little dizzy. She staggered forward a bit and looks to Sith. She said one word, "Coke."

Sith nods and knew right away what she meant. He ran and got a glass of Coca Cola with ice. Raven grabs it and takes little sips at a time, letting the cold liquid slide down her throat. It was better compared to the burning, bitter liquid she just drank a few seconds ago. The burning still lingered from Sith's drink. Sith looks at Raven, "Well?"

Raven waves her hand and slurrs, "That.....was one fucking.....strong drink!!"

Everyone laughed. Zero then says, "Wow. You're gonna wake up sick tomorrow."

Raven staggers, "Who cares? I only care about now."

Hikari shouts, "Yays!!!"

Zero hands Raven a slice of pizza, "This'll help."

Raven slurrs, "Yess......food always helpss....."

She then began to eat the pizza, feeling slightly better. Evan goes beside Raven, "Are you alright?"

Raven smiles, "Alright? I feel great!! Just tipsy is all."

Raven staggers sideways and leans against Evan, "See? I'm great!"

Evan sighs and shakes his head. He then smiles, "Let me help you."

Evan helps Raven to steady herself. Raven sighs as her cheeks became red from drunkeness, "Thanks...."

Sith hands Sythe a few slices of pizza. Sythe then engulfs them in a few bites. Sith chuckles and pets Sythe's head.

Serenity comes in with the soft drinks. Raven staggers to Serenity and wraps an arm around her, "Hey, buddy old pal!!"

Serenity's eyes widened, "Oh no! You're drunk already."

Raven nods, "F-fuck yeah!! Got that right!"

That night, everyone partied till everyone dropped and passed out. No matter what place they were.