Castle Dimitrescu – December 13th, 2017
The glass of wine kept Bela's insides just as warm as the fireplace nearby. It was going to be yet another cold winter in this forsaken valley. No matter how many years she threw on her back, it never got better.
Crackles from the flames danced in her ears like a bird's chirping amongst the springtime wind. It was nights like these that brought peace to the eldest daughter's otherwise stressful existence. She seldom had time for just herself, and it was great to unwind after a hard day's work. Everything in the castle had been accomplished for the evening, including dinner – which was a success.
Her mother enjoyed the imported American pork cuts that the Duke had sent in. It was a nice change-up from the local fauna, and even Cassandra managed to not complain, for once. Daniela was as happy as ever, not to mention the praise that Alcina bestowed upon her oldest child ended the night with a smile.
That was all that she wanted in life, and it was great to enjoy those moments as a family together.
Such a great night. Even in delight, I find myself so tired. Just a little more studying before bed.
As her fingers gradually turned the pages of the textbook in front of her, Bela's eyes scanned the pages, glimpsing the details of various birds. This was all random, useless knowledge for her, but the blonde's desire to expand her understanding of the world was boosted by the endless years of life she lived. Time was only a myth to her, and as such, the pressure to focus on mastering one singular study was not there.
In these rare moments of peace and privacy, she felt like she finally got to be herself. It was nice to think about some of the greater edges of this world. Learning more about its creatures added detail to the mystery. The mountains that surrounded this region were like walls of earth, and she yearned to see beyond them.
How ironic, she figured, that her only view of the outside was through the print of old paper.
The red wine swished around in her glass as she cradled it beside her cheek. The scent of it entered her nostrils. She could already detect the blood inside. Another sampling of the wonderful drink was taken, leaving her eyes fixed on the page she was on. Her lips cradled the rim of the glass, breaking after a few seconds of stillness.
Perhaps, I'll find some time this summer to explore these forests. Cassandra always goes out on her hunts. I know how much she hates for us to tag along. Hmm…
She took another sip and set the glass down.
Such interesting creatures, they are. Always a great snack in our tasting chambers. Soak them in wine and let them sit. Delicious.
She flipped to the next section.
"Birds in Legend and Folklore." Huh, this is interesting…
Bela read through most of the first two pages over the next twenty minutes. She had not expected to find herself so engrossed in what she was studying. For a brief bit, it circumvented her exhaustion.
"Bluebirds are believed to be omens, thought to bring along the season of spring. Native Americans would call upon the animals to arrive, warding off the demigod of winter. Many cultures see these birds as beacons of light and prosperity, as well as symbols of hope in dark times."
I never knew that. I'm sure Cassandra could use a bluebird once in a while…
A knock at the door was heard, which broke the blonde's concentration. She exhaled a short breath, shutting the book and taking hold of her nearly empty glass of wine. A final sip and the contents were depleted. "Come in," she answered.
Daniela entered the room, carrying a book of her own under her arm as she greeted her, "Good evening, sister."
The redhead's eyes carried the desire for conversation, which Bela picked up on instantaneously. The youngest of the Dimitrescu daughters was always circling the others, hoping that they would devote more of their time to her. It presented as a craving for attention that beckoned a negative backlash, but in truth, it was the result of isolation.
Daniela spent most of her time reading and playing by herself, while her sisters went about their own business. Bela was often occupied with the tasks that she needed to accomplish, which left her depleted after everything. Because of that, she just wanted to be left alone, while her sibling needed to find some form of interaction.
It was the yin and yang of two opposite lifestyles.
If things were different, then Bela would have had no problem associating with her.
"How are you?" The blonde looked up at her from her chair.
Daniela glanced around at the coziness of the room her sister had taken refuge in. It was one of many to be found throughout the dense castle. There were plenty of places where one could disappear, if they so choose to. With the number of staff slowly beginning to dwindle, the servants had been concentrated in the more common areas of the castle.
As time went on, dust and webs had begun to collect along the walls. Whenever Bela entered a room, she would take the time to sweep it up and make it look presentable. The woman hated the idea of living in such squalor, even if it was the only place where she could be alone.
"I'm bored." Daniela fluttered her eyelashes as her shoulders danced around. Her voice carried that typical melody of an imaginative young woman who lived in her own world of bliss. She always started off with either a hum or a giggle, if not a slow purr to precede her words. "This book is fun, but everything is just so quiet."
"I don't mind a little quiet, now and then." She wanted Daniela to get the hint that now was not the time to be begging for a reading buddy. Whether or not the redhead picked up on the intent was irrelevant, as she carried on just as usual.
"This castle is always so quiet." Daniela spun around with the book against her chest, reenacting some whimsical scene that she must have recently read. "All you can hear is the wind and the trees. It all just seems so dead."
Bela was beginning to grow aggravated, but she withheld her complaints. It would have been easier if her wine glass was full. She'd at least be able to gain some patience with a boost of alcohol and blood. The blonde constricted her eyelids ever-so-slightly as she inhaled a slow intake of air. A stray fly flew from the tip of her finger and landed inside the glass, desperately scrounging for any remaining droplets left to be had.
Daniela huffed as her mind settled, opting to take a seat beside her sibling. "Bela, you're always so buried –"
"In my books?" She cut her off. Daniela's eyes widened, only to quell back into whatever train of thought she was currently in. Bela had heard those words over and over. By this point, the redhead was a broken record.
"Yes…" Daniela stirred on her words, trying to compile the best way to stabilize what she was hoping to achieve. "It makes me wonder why you don't wish to partake in some time to settle down and –"
"Read with you?" Bela interrupted her again – this time, with an added pinch of displeasure in her words.
Daniela's eyelids spread apart more than before. She paused once her brain processed the response, only to settle back down into calmness once more. However, it was a longer transition, evidenced by her shifting eyes and lack of breathing.
The youngest of the daughters spoke meekly, "I assume you already know what I was going to ask, then?"
The fly that Bela had sent off returned to her, filled with whatever liquid it was able to consume. As soon as it disappeared into her shoulder, the blonde groaned and shook her head. "Not tonight, sister. I have had a long day and would prefer to sit down, if you do not mind."
"But, you can sit down with me and we can read together!" Daniela insisted. "It doesn't have to be a fictional story. You can read that book that you're reading right now." She rose and leaned in, fighting to be a part of her sister's night. "That appears to be a textbook, which, might I add, is a very wonderful –"
Bela stood up from her seat. "Enough!" She had grown so annoyed that she shoved the textbook off to the side, further away from her sister's view. Her fingers clenched against the edge of the open cover, ready to throw it if the woman were to remain persistent. "Can I just have one night to myself without being pestered?"
Daniela's mood destabilized. Flies erupted from all around her, and she stomped her heel against the floor. "I'm tired of being by myself, Bela! I'm in that library all day!"
Tonight was not going to be the night for arguments. Bela was prepared to shut this spectacle down, immediately. "Then go and do some chores! All you and Cassandra do is sit around. You're not as bad as her, because she is the worst. But, when you start pulling your weight around here, you will see how much there is to be done."
The redhead huffed again. "No one is asking you to do everything that you're doing. Can't you give yourself a break once in a while? I just want a sister to play with."
"Daniela…" Bela's eyes turned sharp with a fiery glow deep within. "Leave."
"But –"
"Leave!"
"Argh!" Daniela shouted as she turned around and flew out of the room. The dark cloud of flies was gone within a couple of seconds, though Bela could still hear their furious buzzing down the hallway. The redhead looked so distraught right before she dissipated. It was a great surprise to see her not throwing things, for once.
Bela stood there for a moment before her raised shoulders fell and she returned to her seat.
Such a child. I can't believe that I have to be the responsible one around here. If it was just her and Cassandra…
Bela turned her eyes back to her textbook, but the frustration that had been birthed inside her chest would not subside. Her good mood had been torn apart, at least for now. The empty wine glass would have stayed put for the rest of the evening, but following Daniela's arrival, the blonde felt the desire to go back to it.
She grabbed hold of the bottle nearby and refilled it. It didn't get a casual spin in her hand before she brought it to her lips. This was a rare night of peace, and she wasn't about to squander it.
Everyone else in the castle got to drink, so, why not her?
Serpenmoor
Ethan double-checked the makeshift bandages that he had applied to Bela's leg. The bleeding appeared to have ended, which was a good sign for the blonde. Her amber eyes closed with relief as soon as she observed her skin mostly free from blood. The painful soreness from the bite had also subsided to a certain degree, though she was not ready to begin running around just quite yet.
Still hurts, but, it's not as bad as before. I don't know what I'd be doing right now if he hadn't taken all those supplies with him.
He was busy re-adjusting one of the knots that he had tied together, ensuring that it provided a good hold while not completely constricting her calf. There was no need for a tourniquet right now.
Look at him…paying so much attention to me. Hmm, I guess I could get used to this.
"Ow!" Bela's leg bent as soon as the bandage snagged against one of her open cuts. It was a little dramatic on her part, yes, as the pain was not strong. It did, however, take her by surprise.
"Oh, sorry!" Ethan paused and glanced at her before he resumed his measures with a slower, more careful approach. As soon as the blonde woman breathed, her leg stretched back out for him.
So attentive…
"It's…fine," Bela said as she observed his hand resting along the top of her knee. She had never felt a man's hand there and the strange reaction it brought in her mind could not be ignored. His fingers and palm were not overly large, like some brute. Yet, there was a firmness to them. The experienced hold of a man not too old, and not too young.
Her youthful heart had always admired such things.
From the conquerors of her favorite history books to the brilliant minds of some of mankind's greatest discoveries – men in the earliest of their middle years kept her interest.
Was it always in a romantic sense? No. Her studies were bound by her hunger for knowledge.
However, it was some of those people that she read about that set her ideals of men apart from those she witnessed in the village, or who had been unfortunate enough to wind up on her dinner plate. She was as self-aware as ever and rationed that an isolated woman in the valleys of Romania would have turned an eye to a foreign fellow any day.
Her feminine nature would have called upon such things, according to Daniela's stories. Whether that was accurate or not was not to be decided. Men were not alien to her. She had killed her fair share of them throughout her life. Contact with their bodies in the process of murder did not bring forth the relish of any form of intimacy. It was killing, pure and simple.
Ethan's hand on her skin was different, and she could not understand why. The blonde's mind would not consider the possibility that she was beginning to develop some form of feelings for him. The idea of having a friend was a lot more comfortable to side with. She knew what she wanted, and if she didn't – she could rationalize.
Your skin feels so warm, Ethan…
As soon as Ethan was done with the bandages, he sat back and cracked his neck. All this combat had made his body feel stiff. The tussling and fighting for his life loosened him up, but as soon as it was over, all the steady walking with a shouldered gun fused his bones back together. Tending to Bela kept him in a seated position for longer than he was used to.
The woman appeared as content as she could be, despite the pain that she had endured. Ethan wondered how much more she could go through. Vikcia was what seemed to really get under her skin. Bela always fought with adrenaline in her heart, no matter what monsters they came across. But, when that shadow-bitch got in the mix, the blonde seemed downright frightened at times.
"How are you holding up?" He asked.
"Not too bad." Bela moved her leg around in short angles. Her calf muscles flexed as she tilted her foot, hoping that her mobility had not been impacted by the injuries from their last fight. "Still hurts a little, if I'm to be honest."
"So, are you ready to keep moving?"
Her eyes went still as soon as she heard him. They matched her expressionless mouth. "Can I continue being honest with you?"
"I'd prefer that."
I know…
Bela swallowed some more air. "I just want to take a break. I'm not ready to fight whatever else is hiding in here right now. All of this running and killing. When I did get a chance to rest, it was always followed with arguments, until now."
Ethan's eyes shifted between her and the door that led to the next room ahead. She could already see his thoughts conflicting with each other. The man was a go-getter. He did not have it in him to just sit down and let the world around him keep spinning. He always had to be on the move, as if his goals ran at twice his speed.
She felt so foolish for suggesting, in a mad world such as this one, that they could just sit down and pretend that none of it existed. But, that was what she wanted to do. The last few moments that they shared since they left Kyia behind had been some of the best she had in so long.
Bela loved the nurturing kindness that he showed her. She wanted the attention that was hers and hers alone. He had some very interesting things to tell her, and her talking about herself helped get rid of some of the pressure inside.
She could not act like she wanted to give up something so good.
She spoke to him again, "I'm not asking for much."
"No." He sat down. "You're not."
Thank you so much.
As her chin lowered, Bela's amber stare turned to him past the locks of her hair and the edges of her hood. "Ethan…"
"I'm not risking your safety. We're a team. We get through this together."
She smiled, which lifted her pale cheeks to her bright eyes. "Thanks."
"Of course." Ethan stretched out his legs. It was a great sign for her, as she could tell that he wasn't looking to get back up anytime soon. "That dog almost killed me. I don't know about you, but I'd like to live for a little while longer. We don't know what else is out there."
Bela nodded as she raised her left leg and bent it over her right. "I second that. That was just one dog. What if there are more? Ugh…could you imagine what a bear must look like in this world?"
His eyebrows raised at that very sentence. "No mutated bears, thank you."
"I second that, as well."
"At this rate, even a mutated fly might be too much for me."
She breathed a chuckle as she maintained her fixation on him. With a coy glance, she raised a brow that lifted with her shoulder. "You don't like flies, I see."
With a low laugh, Ethan's grin flashed along the corner of his mouth. "Wasn't a fan before I walked into your castle, so, don't take it personally."
"What if I want to take it personally?" The was a sense of flirtation in the way she spoke to him, which both of them quickly caught onto. Ethan turned his eyes to her before she could even mentally voice her thoughts. By the time she did, the two of them were locked in an awkward stare.
You really didn't think that one through, did you?
"Uhm…" Ethan laughed again as he scratched the back of his head.
Nervous?
The man paused before he continued, "Something tells me that you're not searching for aggravation any time soon."
"Hmm…" Bela tried to play it off. Putting on a confident grin and turning her eyes up at the ceiling was the best way to make it look like she was still in control of herself. It only took her a second to hook onto a different conversation that could steer her further away. "You'd be correct. I guess I get aggravated way too often."
"Oh? Do tell."
Wait…he actually wants to know more? I'm not going to…eh, who am I kidding? It gives us something to talk about.
"Well, besides being thrown into dark worlds full of monsters in the middle of my morning, I'll say that most of my frustration is due to my lazy sisters." Bela interlocked her fingers over her left knee, leaning forward as she directed her eyes back to the bandages he had applied on her.
"Yeah, you were telling me about that earlier." Ethan shifted his legs around as he sat in front of her. The man could have moved over to the wall at any time, but he chose to sit across from her – for whatever reason.
"As I was," she replied. "But, that's it. You know, most of my day is spent worrying about what I have to get done. I have a mother to please, after all, and she expects me to accomplish my tasks."
Ethan thought about that tall bitch with the large hat. Delving back into his brief memories of her came with the bundle of having to relive every violent moment of Bela and her siblings. They put him through hell in that castle, and he had only been in there for less than an hour. Viewing the blonde in a different light meant focusing on the way she was now, rather than what she was before.
There were still plenty of insecurities he held inside concerning their partnership and they weren't about to get squashed anytime soon. It had already been laid out that the two were both fragile when it came to their families. Ethan was worried sick about the safety of his daughter, while Bela bottled up her concerns about what was going on back at home for her.
If he continued to think back to the bloodthirsty witch she had introduced herself as, then his negative feelings toward her would rise. Fighting his impulses as best he could, Ethan tried to sort those memories out, putting away what was bad for now.
"You must love your mother, don't you?"
He saw Bela's face wince for a brief second. She unlocked her fingers and reeled her arms back to her sides. The woman certainly wasn't happy to hear that.
"She's all I have," Bela responded with a soft voice. "I love her so much. I'd do anything for her. I want to see her smile and be happy."
Ethan wanted to find a way to relate to her. He figured that if he spoke up about his own mother, then not only would the two of them be able to find some more common ground, but he would also humanize himself with her even more.
"Kind of like me, in a way," he said. It certainly grabbed her attention, as her amber orbs were right on him the second she heard that. Perplexity was written in her eyes. Did he know the passion that burned so fiercely in her heart?
"How?"
"I was an only child, remember?" Ethan knew that there was going to be a divide between a single child's life and that of a woman with two siblings, but that didn't stop him. Talking about their pasts was what brought them closer together. It tore the curtain of rivalry down and set the stage for a duet that would hopefully see them making it through this mess together.
"You've told me."
"Well, my mother was the only one in the house on most days," he explained, crossing his legs and cupping his hands together in between them. "My father worked his ass off trying to keep us afloat. Back then, you could get by with just one parent working to make ends meet. It's a double-edged sword because my dad passed away when I was almost at the end of high school. He gave me and my mother a good living situation, but I would have traded that all away. He did it out of love, I get it, but memories aren't built on the time that you don't spend with people."
"Memories aren't built on the time that you don't spend with people." Daniela, I…
Bela rolled her lips with a nod as she looked away. "I can't say that I understand."
"It's fine." Ethan freed her of having to relate to his old life. "Everyone's lives are different. My mother was already working at the time, but she had to work twice as hard until I graduated high school. I got a job to take some of the burden off her, but she didn't stop. This went on for a year before she got hurt on the job and had to take a leave. We got by with the money that we had, but her being home was the best thing. I almost didn't want to go to college at that point. She was all I had left, too."
His story is working its way into me. I want to tell him –
Bela turned her head over to him. "You understand a mother's love, right?"
He remained humble as ever. "I think I do."
"A mother sacrifices for their child," Bela stated with the most sincere stare that he had ever seen her give him. "She sacrifices her body, her energy, and her soul. She would sacrifice her life, if she needed to." The blonde suddenly found herself trapped in her own words, which spurred a grave feeling that she could not decipher. She was clueless as to why this negative emotion had arisen, which left her to ponder it even further.
Ethan's words snapped her out of it, "My mother embodied that. I realized how I didn't want to give her up. Even Mia had to ask why I always wanted to go home during the holidays, rather than stay in the local college town with her. I guess her family wasn't like mine – or yours."
Bela ran her finger across the ends of her blonde locks, having chosen to set aside her concerns for whatever just came over her. "A man who loves their mother is not a full man, as his heart will always be made up with of piece of hers. Women are meant to love, even when they are not loved."
"Wow, that's pretty deep," he said.
She smiled a bit as she rolled her eyes around. "Just something I thought up."
"Well, I got to give you props," he remarked. "That should be written in a book."
There was a glint in her eye. "Do you think so?"
"I always had a thing for creativity." Ethan looked down to touch his mangled hand where his wedding ring was wrapped inside, still around his severed finger. "Mia kind of turned me onto poetic literature. We once went to a weekend poetry slam at a local coffee shop. A lot of students would go there, and we watched this one girl get up and recite a poem she wrote about her mother. I can't remember it word for word, but she compared a mother to a bird's nest. The babies hatch and grow, and she spends her time feeding them. They get their wings and fly away, but she remains, as the nest she built was hers. What happens after may be a mystery, but the purpose of her life was those baby birds, and once they leave, she just sits there until the end of her time…or, something like that."
He shook his head. "Damn, I really wish I could remember. It was a great poem."
Bela was quiet but in clear thought. She kept her eyes on him as he told of his experiences, which made her consider what kind of life there was to be lived outside that valley. Listening to his voice was calming enough, and the more she got to hear it, the softer the aching in her soul became. His stories brought her away from the chaos of this world. It allowed her to place herself in an existence where there was nothing to worry about.
Such a thing had to be a myth, she imagined. A life without concern? Impossible.
"Yeah, that does sound like a pretty good poem." She tapped her fingers against her knee, still contemplating where this conversation was going to go. She felt like these precious moments of solitude were an endangered species on the brink of extinction. Part of her wanted to maximize whatever potential remained, just so she could replay it in her head for the rest of her time left in this life.
With everything that this world was throwing at them, she figured that any space for happiness was going to be limited. If it didn't end now, it was about to end soon. Living in it forever was not going to be the outcome, but she craved the memories. There was a chance to let out some of her poison, and she wanted to take it.
Ethan dragged his gun closer to his body just to keep it within reach. His eyes turned to the next door, cautious if something was about to burst through. Bela took notice of his alertness, seeing that he could not fully commit himself to the moments they had. He was smart for doing so, but it made her wonder why she was so inclined to resign herself to the present.
She did not spend much time looking for the answer.
He sighed as he recalled that dimly light coffee shop in California, whose dark brown walls shined with the white light of the stage bulbs. The smell of lattes and all other sorts of drinks filled the air. The cheers and claps of strangers young and old had brought life into the room. Posters of art littered the walls across all sides.
The days when he felt so young and free.
"It was," Ethan replied. "Have you ever written a poem?"
She went silent as she curled her lip in one corner. "No. I don't have time."
"You got time now."
Huh?
"Hey, man-thing, do you honestly think that my priority right now is to find a book and pen and start –"
He was already holding out his journal by the time she was mid-sentence.
Bela squinted her eyes as she stared at it. "If there is a bottle of wine in that coat, you better pull it out right now."
"No wine," he laughed, shaking the book her way. "But, if you want to write, go for it."
He can't be serious right now.
"Ethan…"
"I'd rather be Ethan than 'man-thing,' if you ask me."
"Ugh!" Bela took the book and pen, setting it on her lap as she opened it. "Fine. I'll write a poem about your persistence, and how it will eventually be your undoing."
"If you're threatening to kill me, does that bring me back to 'man-thing,' again?" There was some humor in his voice, which simmered down her nerves. Deep in her heart, Bela knew that she wasn't angry at him. At this point, it was all just a show – their dynamic, even.
"Yes." She doubled down her statement, hoping that this mental game of chess would turn out in her favor. There was a bloom of happiness that brewed inside her chest. She was having fun with this conversation, and part of her didn't want to push it away with a façade of her previous ways.
Wait…is this…
She held the book out to him. "Is this a diary?"
"Yeah…" Ethan shrugged his shoulder, now debating whether he should have given it to her, or not. "I was going to keep it where it was, but if you've never gotten to write a poem before, I guess now is the time."
"There was a bunch of paper in those other rooms," she reminded him about the stacks upon stacks of the stuff that they had passed by in the administrative rooms. "I could have even grabbed one of the pens lying around too."
"I suppose you could have." He did not make a single attempt to get his book back, which was her cue to retain hold of it.
Bela did not say a word as she accepted the offer and opened the book in her lap. The lantern's glow was good at showcasing what was already written on the first pages. His art was very detailed, which was something that she had not expected.
An artist? These dashes are quite impeccable. Hmm…I wonder if you dabble in painting.
She respectfully attempted to abstain from reading what must have been deeply personal entries, but when she crossed one of the pages, a very familiar scene caught her attention. Ethan could already see her eyelids slumping as she held the book out to him.
"Three witch daughters? Really?"
"I could have written a bunch of worse stuff after you four had me strung up on the ceiling," he added.
Bela returned her sights to the book. "Understandably." She remembered what she and her sisters had done to him. It all went back to the previous shouting match together. The journal entry was just another reminder of how easily she could harm somebody. The more she spent time with Ethan, the more she came to regret some of her earlier choices.
Would the same apply to all the others she had killed?
Flipping through some more of the pages, Bela observed that there were new entries that referenced this new world of theirs. She wanted to read them and get an idea of Ethan's inner thoughts, but her temptation would have to be patient. The man was right beside her and she could guess that he wasn't too keen on her combing through everything that he had.
There was a mutual respect that existed between the two of them in whatever form it was. If she had kept a diary of her own, it was likely that he would have wanted to read it too, but not in front of her. Handing her this book was a form of trust. It was to be used for one purpose and one purpose only.
That's what a good friend would do.
Bela got to work writing a poem that she had made up in her head years ago. The pen he had provided her glided across the paper like a fish swimming through water. It was in its natural environment, and the blonde could not stop the thoughts from pouring out. She might as well have been waiting her entire life just to get these words onto this piece of paper.
Ethan turned an eye as he watched her scribble down a seemingly endless list of things. It was astounding just how quickly this reserved young woman had gone from denial, to fully embracing her creative side. She had given no indication of it up until the moment that it happened.
He could only sit back and watch till it was all over, believing that she would always be full of surprises.
When the pen's tip drifted off the final letter and dotted the end of the sentence, Bela sat there in thought as her eyes floated over her creation. She allowed the pen to hover over everything that was written down, contemplating any last-minute changes in lieu of her brain's impulsive utterances. Yet, there was nothing to be altered.
She understood that art was best in its most raw and purest form. Second guesses only left blemishes – even when they improved upon the source material.
The book was returned to Ethan without anything said from her. The speed at which she gave it back would have come off as rude to some, but by now, he had broken down some aspects of her personality. Whenever Bela wasn't in her comfort zone, she acted quickly on matters. She relished in control. It wasn't the byproduct of sadism and an inflated ego – at least, not always.
In those fragments of her most vulnerable moments, she exhibited such insecurities about herself. That weak voice and defeated stare. Her vicious side would fall whenever she opened up about what was going on inside her. It was a piece of this pale woman's psyche that she did not wish to entertain for long.
If it emerged, it would be quickly put away. Small amounts were sufficient. Too much, and she would likely be overwhelmed.
Ethan glanced down at what had been written. The first thing he noticed was her impeccable handwriting. It was strange for someone who claimed that they had never written creatively before. However, the sheer number of discarded notes along the confines of her castle would argue otherwise.
Creative – or not – someone had spent days putting pen to paper.
"The winter's breath on my skin, softly airing.
A rose's petals bloom, but it's quite daring.
I piece the thorns onto my arms, but no one's caring.
A head of flowers over this stem is overbearing.
I grow my garden within this soil, yes, it's quite daring.
Tender leaves drop to the fall, the signal's blaring.
Confined and convoluted, thoughts not sharing.
I see myself within the mirror.
What am I wearing?
Do I think I'll make it through the day?
Now, that's quite daring.
I'm in this room alone, so to whom am I comparing?
This performance I'll perfect, but no one's staring.
Despite that truth inside my head, I'm still preparing.
Make one mistake and then I'm done.
There's no repairing.
Screaming inside my head, but you won't hear me swearing.
"This is who you are and what you do," fate is declaring.
I press on, day by day, but it's so tearing.
I should find my place and settle down.
Away from the prison of this gown.
My head's not fit for the crown.
I cry more tears, I'll surely drown.
One of these days, on a whim
I will find out if I can swim.
In the water, the light is dim.
The abyss is so grim.
Now, that's quite daring."
Ethan was at a loss for words. He couldn't believe how well-written this was. The only thing that could have topped it would have been to hear her voice recite what the pen had written under her fingers. "Bela…this is amazing."
Her eyes snapped to him, followed by a sheepish smile. "Thank you, Ethan."
She loved his praise.
.
Vikcia glared at the woman in front of her as she enveloped the room in a sea of shadows. It had been yet another long night, but her hunt was a success. Her stomach churned with a great hunger that demanded to be quelled. What was once a bountiful harvest of food had quickly deteriorated into a sparse ground of diminishing prospects.
The flesh of the infected would do nothing to satiate her. She needed the raw rush of fresh blood. Her world offered an unending source of death for her to devour, but this place made her work for every bite. She knew that it would only be a matter of time before her options would run out.
"Please…" The woman quivered against the corner of the wall with nowhere else to go. She had made the unfortunate choice to turn her lantern on within proximity of her apartment window. As soon as the orange light appeared, the dust witch came hurtling toward her location.
To have made it through all this time on her own, only for her efforts to come to a crashing halt at such a miniscule act was the most disheartening of it all. She had seen the horrors the demon left in her wake. In essence, to be slaughtered was a more preferrable fate, compared to what the others had become.
Vikcia offered no words, only low, raspy growls as she slowly walked up to the feeble woman. Under the hood of her robes, the pale entity glared at her. Her prey's face was covered up with her hands, terrified to look back at the monster in the room.
Her sharp talons lowered onto the ground as she climbed onto all fours. Plumes of dust kicked up from all around her as she maintained her sights on her newest victim. Cranking her neck to the side, Vikcia grinned wildly as she inhaled the aroma of living skin. Her senses were teeming with anticipation of her latest meal, which brought out a short giggle from under her breath.
"Oh, fabled ones," the horrified woman prayed. "I come to you in my darkest hour. If my body is to perish, please all my soul to run free. May I ascend to the high heavens, by your side always. You are my protectors. I entrust my fate to you. My death is but a passage into your care. I shed this old life for that of a new one, with you four to shelter me from the darkness of the world."
Vikcia listened to her words, even though they held no meaning to her. It was all just noise from a culture that she'd never understand. Her mind circled the scent of the blood, beckoning her mouth to open and take the first bite. Dust poured out from the corners of her lips, which she fought to contain.
Too many people have already been gifted with her particles. It decimated the food supply. Restoring this world to what hers was had seen the creature not taking into account the impact on her survival. She would not risk another meal slipping by.
Crawling closer, she got within a foot of the shaking lady. Clouds of shadows passed by all around them, dimming the view of the surrounding walls. Recalling the fire that had been set before her just earlier, Vikcia made the extra effort to snuff out the light of the lantern. Now, encased in total darkness, she was perfectly in her element.
The woman cried some more, speaking with a fragile voice, "Let me not fall into evil."
Vikcia's claws reached out and graced the skin along the woman's cheeks. She shuddered with a whimper as soon as they made contact, but there was nothing she could do to stop it. The beast breathed long and heavily as she brought her face closer. The raspy draw of her gluttonous needs echoed around the maggots that escaped her teeth.
The woman never saw Vikcia's mouth open in the void, but, she felt the wrath of her bite instantly. As soon as those teeth blasted through her skin, those claws were quick to follow.
Luckily, for her, the demon's hunger took priority over her predatory nature. It only took but a second for her throat to be ripped to shreds. A couple more seconds after that, her consciousness faded away.
The blood would not stop flowing.
NOTES:
Hope these chapters were worth the wait!
I wanted to delve a little bit deeper into Bela's mind, showing some of her regrets from the past. We've seen Daniela suffer the most in this sisterhood that was slowly falling apart. Can Bela blame herself when she was stressed with the demands of her life? It looks like she does.
As for her and Ethan, she doesn't want to give him up. He's the comfort that she needs, as her will has been chipping away ever since she set foot in this world. The woman that she once was cannot exist here – and she knows it.
Her spontaneous writing of the poem is just one example of her sheltered creativity. It makes one wonder what she was in her previous life. I think we'll find out, someday.
At this point, it's obvious that love is growing. What kind of love it is and where it will go remains uncertain, but this city will bring them together. I know you all love the bonding, and there will be more of it. What is there to expect in the next chapter? Maybe some more horror, but a return to Kyia is likely. A flashback (or flash…now?) to what is currently happening in Castle Dimitrescu is also overdue.
Speaking of horror: Who enjoys Vikcia's little POVs? Might throw in some more in her absence.
Anyway, expect the next chapter on the 7th. Fragmented Flies will be completed next month, and when that happens, this story will be updated weekly!
I also wanted to recommend a new Ethan/Daniela, "Frozen Flies, Burning Hearts," by BamboAC on Archive of Our Own. It is a very enjoyable take on Ethan being in over his head. I personally love the way the sisters are written, especially with the occasional bickering. There is also a Cassandra/Elena pairing in there, as well. Be sure to give it a look and show it some love! It's easy to follow and takes some very unexpected developments!
They've been such a supportive reader and it is my understanding that my work has inspired them to start writing. When I first published these stories, I was recommended by notable RE fan-fic writers such as NoxEterna, SilentWinters, and SylvesterM – all of whom inspired me to start this series. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have met nearly as many awesome people on here as I have now (Also, check out their works as well, seriously!)
Personally, I think it's awesome how strong this fandom is!
Enjoy the weekend and what it has to offer! I can't wait to see you all again for the next update! You all continue to be the best readers that I could have ever asked for. I'd love to publish some original stories in the future and your feedback has only helped me grow. If any of you are thinking about starting your own writing endeavors, please do! Don't be like Bela and let your creativity remain imprisoned.
Let it out 😊