Love Struck Eternal
Chapter 61 - Cage free.
Raptor's POV.
Marx wasn't for this. He had my concerns for Zeta and that revolved around the fact that she hasn't taken venom for two decades. This one shot could lead to a heart attack if we weren't prepared. That's why alongside himself, Marx had another doctor with him to help watch for anything during the process. I stayed near the back of the room out of fear for her life. Zandro and his two men however were front row as we waited now on Sam to get here.
"You need to let me know if you feel like you're going to pass out Zeta." Marx urged as the mother wolf was as ready as she could be for something this risky. Looking the cat up and down with a smile, she informed him back bluntly.
"Venom won't do that to me, Marx. If anything I'm gonna have a jump in my blood pressure. Just please have a defib at the ready. My heart isn't what it used to be."
"Already set." The other doctor chuckled as he showed her the machine. Zeta nodded and took another breath as finally Sam emerged from the hallway with a silver case in her right hand. I lowered my hands to my hips as Marx and the rest of the room took notice. Approaching my daughter, Marx asked carefully.
"Is that it?"
"Mhmm. Here." She replied as she handed it to him. Zandro and his friends quickly got around to watch as Marx opened the case to find a standard needle dose of venom. It looked the same as any other dose of the stuff. Whatever Sam did to it had to be more complex than just the color.
Handing the case back to Sam, he urged her calmly while walking back to my wife.
"Hang out with your dad. He needs you for this."
Sam then looked at me as I offered her my right arm. The big girl came over to me and I was able to pull her close to me as Marx reached Zeta's side. Zeta looked over the needle as I whispered into Sam's ear.
"You swear by this?"
Sam smiled and took my left hand. Wrapping it around her other side, we were now hugging as she replied into my ear softly.
"I swear by this. Please trust me dad. She'll be fine."
"Okay." I whispered back as we released each other and refocused on Zeta who raised the shot to her neck. Everyone watched her face as she had it an inch out from her skin. She was taking deep breaths and after her third she pushed it in.
You saw her whole body jump the second it got reintroduced to fresh venom. Zeta nearly spasmed in place, but I'd assume she was stronger because she kept herself from moving as Marx had to force the needle out from her right hand.
"Ohhhhh…ohhhhh fuck…..ahhhh…..this is….this is rougher then I last remember it being!"
"You're doing great." Marx informed her as her vitals were higher for sure, but she was somehow stable.
Sam held my arm tightly and close to her chest as I was focused on her mother's facial reactions. Reaching out to grab onto the edge of the bed she was in, Zeta began to growl as her eyes were blood red from the drugs. You could hear that feral coming out inside her, but after a few moments she released it and began to pant heavily before jolting in place once again. This time she growled out in pain.
"Aghhhhh! Oh shit! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Ughnnnnnnnn….fuckkkkkk meeeeeee…..ahhhhhhh…..Sam?" Suddenly she lost her voice as she called for her daughter. Her grunts and growls came to a halt. As did her body. Sam released my arm as her mom began to take short but calm breaths. Marx and the other doctor began to observe as I decided to ask in concern for what was happening.
"Zeta? What's wrong?"
Looking up at me with two red eyes she replied back in bliss.
"Not a damn thing now…holy shit. Marx? Am I okay?"
The cat began to laugh as he looked over her vitals to reply.
"I think so. How do you feel? How's your venom? Can you feel it?"
Nodding her head she replied back blankly at first.
"Oh yeah I can feel it. But….but nothings wrong? I feel fine. Energetic actually. I'm in control."
"Prove it Zeta." Zandro ordered her as we all watched as my wife shut her eyes to take two more deep breaths. This time however when she reopened her eyes they were both back to being her normal gold color. Looking off into the distance she began to turn again. Like a light switch she turned her venom off and on and off and on again. Zandro let out an astonished and amazed gasp as Zeta looked at Sam to scream.
"I'm actually in control! Holy fucking shit Sam! Holy shit!"
Sam began to laugh happily and not soon after began to cry as she ran for her mother who shot off the bed with a surprising burst of speed. Marx nearly fainted as the two wolves embraced.
"I told you! I told you I did it!" Sam shouted as I was just relieved she was okay. Zeta shut off her venom near instantly and with Sam taking a small inch back she urged her mother much like Zandro had.
"Do it again."
Zeta did and together they both started to giggle. That's when Sam asked her curiously.
"How do you feel now? Like actually? It's a completely free feeling right? Like a brick was just taken off your shoulders? I told you I could fix you. You're no longer detained by your emotions. You can embrace the power the venom has and no longer have to worry about lashing out into some animal when you do."
"This is groundbreaking Samantha. I feel…..I don't even know the words. I feel amazing! I feel like I have to move! Like I need to exert myself now!" Zeta happily claimed as I tried to suggest an alternative to swede her.
"We still have to unpack Zeta."
That's when I noticed a completely different look to my woman now. She was always in control of herself, but now she looked intimidating. She had no worries and no reason not to take this moment any other way. She was a pile of lightning that was just waiting to get unraveled. Giving me a wide and toothy smile, she playfully growled back as she pulled our daughter in the opposite direction towards the door.
"That can wait. I need to go blow this off and Sam is coming with me; like it or not."
"You should hang out Zeta." Marx urged her as she looked back at the cat who went on to state.
"That was still a prototype dose you just took and we don't know what side effects could occur. Especially in someone like you who hasn't had a dose of venom in nearly twenty years. Hang out for a little with me and just let me monitor your vitals."
"Monitor them from the gym. I can't just sit here now that I have all this energy. Come on Samantha!" She ordered her daughter as she ran out of the room at nearly full speed. Marx just shook his head and collected his things for the trip. I knew Zeta would go to the private gym on the second floor and so did he.
Left with Zandro and his two friends once the other doctor had followed after Marx, I was approached and asked by one of the scientists.
"Considering the circumstances, whatever your daughter did to the formula has most certainly worked on your wife. Feral users can't summon the venom like she just displayed. Typically that's a hard thing to do that requires the user to be monitoring their own emotions. What do you make of it?"
"I think what we need to do is watch her. I agree with Marx that side effects could still be encountered if we're not careful. I want you guys to keep tabs on her. I'm sure she won't be resting anytime soon."
"We need to speak with Samantha sir." The other man stated which got me to look back at Zandro who I looked at for input. Giving me a softer look than most he suggested.
"I'm skeptical like everyone else, but the results are there. Sam wasn't perfect by any means when she ran away from home as a feral user. No training at all and now she's perfect after one dose? Give it to Zeta who hasn't used venom for two decades and….I mean it's a medical breakthrough Raptor if there are no side effects to the formula she made. The M.E.A.F needs this. The world needs this. It could be a cure for all imperfect users. We need to get her to tell us what she did." Nodding my head, I begged him as nicely as I could.
"Let's give it a few days and if nothing happens and Zeta is still fine then we can talk to her, but I don't want to jump the gun just yet. Not to mention rushing into a negotiation with my own child."
"That a problem?" One of the scientists asked as Zandro and I both let out a laugh. Doing my best to stop myself, I replied to the man.
"Sam is far from gullible and can't be tricked into selling something like this for anything less than a small fortune. She's got my knack for business, but her mother's greed. I'm sure they'll even discuss this among themselves and when that happens I can guarantee that her mother will have influenced her price point. That formula could cost the M.E.A.F everything and I for one do not really find comfort in handing my own kid a boat load of cash that she no doubt would waste overseas."
"Sam was never a materialist Raptor." Zandro defended as I let out a sigh before turning my back to them to look at the door.
"Still. I don't really have much of a choice. Assuming she wants to give us the information anyway."
"Enough incentive Raptor and she'll give it to us. We need this kind of information. The M.E.A.F figured out how to cure imperfect users? We could market that kind of cure across the world. Not to mention we'd be helping so many who suffer from the effects of venom." Zandro claimed as I just continued to think about the situation.
"Aren't you happy for her, sir?" I heard one of the scientists ask me. Looking back at the man I questioned.
"What do you mean?" Giving me a somewhat confused look he replied while remaining respectful.
"It's your own blood who potentially did this. If it's a guaranteed cure then Sam is the first person since the drug's creation who successfully altered the formula in a positive way. When word gets out that Samantha Voltz discovered a cure for imperfect users; there is no doubt in my mind that she won't be sought after for interviews and potential job offers from big name corporations like Terma, G.U.N's leader in pharmaceuticals for example. She could have a very bright future ahead of her if she wants to pursue a career among fellow scientists. Hell, even our own people would want her. I'd love to have someone like that on our team. Imagine what we could do."
This man had a very good point. I doubt Sam even considered that outcome. Nodding my head and giving what he said some thought, I again was soon able to order.
"Let's just keep our hopes down. At least until we know for sure my wife is okay."
"Agreed." Zandro himself replied as he put a hand on my shoulder.
Sam's POV, Twenty minutes later.
It was amazing to see my work perform beyond my expectations. My mother was a completely different woman now that she seemed to have complete control over her body. She was super energized exerting herself on a training dummy. She was kicking the shit of it and hitting it with so much force I thought it would detach from its bolts. I was shocked it hadn't considering my mom was using her venom to its fullest. Each hit she landed felt heavy, but she was still so fluid in her movements despite decades of housekeeping and raising a child.
Hitting the dummy with a few more swift hooks, my mom looked over her shoulder at me with a toothy smile. I just smiled back as she stopped her abuse to state in awe for her new energy.
"This is amazing Samantha! I haven't felt this good since…..I don't even know! The power I feel is beyond what control I had before this! Your aunt tried to describe the energy to me a few years back, but I never had a clue what she meant!"
"You took the dose like it was nothing. When I first took it I nearly died. You got right up."
Giggling a moment after I said that, my mom was adamant with her next response.
"Truth be told honey, but the most painful feeling I've ever had to go through was pushing you out of me. Ever since then my tolerance has been pretty high. Hahaha!"
I laughed with her, but soon came the question I expected to hear from her sooner or later.
"How did you do it? Zandro asked me multiple times to work on the venom's formula alongside his men, but I just never had the time."
Giving her a nervous looking face back I replied carefully.
"It wasn't all too hard, but mom? I'd rather not get into the process while Zandro hasn't paid me." Instantly my mom gave me a sinister look back, but it was a positive one as she proceeded to ask me back curiously.
"Don't trust me with the information? Your own mother?"
"It's not like that. Don't go there." I chuckled back. Coming in close to me, my mom then whispered as we both knew Marx was only meters away staring at us.
"You do realize the impact your research will have, right?" I nodded.
"Assuming I don't fall over from a heart attack or something, Zandro will give you any price you ask for. Your father doesn't have a say in this either. He'd be absolutely retarded to turn this away."
"You think he would consider that?" I asked her back as she now nodded her head once to reply.
"I'll tell you something you don't know, but you have to swear to me you won't say a word about it to your father."
"Yeah, of course." I instantly chuckled back as I readied myself for whatever she had planned.
"Since the moment you were born your father and I had planned ahead for your future. Not in terms of your career or dreams, but just in the most stressful area of being an adult. Money. We never wanted you to struggle like we struggled. If anything ever came up we had money set aside for it. Thank god you were mostly an innocent kid growing up. So we had a lot of time to grow it. But this was made in case you lost us for whatever reason and found yourself alone. We have a bank account, filled with….well it's a lot. I planned to give you access to the money as soon as you became of age, but your father doesn't trust you. Not with that kind of money, anyway."
"Why?" I blankly questioned now as I was absolutely lost for the reason.
"It's nothing you did. Your father likes to believe he knows everything about everyone. Even his only child. He knows you're just like me in a lot of ways and my money handling was very sloppy when I met him. In fact I got my shit together a few years ago, but that didn't help swede his beliefs when it came to you. He's worried you'll blow through all that money before you're even twenty one."
"What the hell would I want to buy?" I asked her back as I got a little emotional about this now.
"I'm not gonna go out and buy a fucking manison with twenty maids. Nor would I buy fucking cars or spend it on bullshit. My money habits are good and I've been in control of that since I was ten and got my first piggy bank. So what then? He just isn't gonna let me have that money until he dies?" Shaking her head my mom calmly replied while turning off her venom.
"He doesn't have all the say. The account is under my name because he owed me more money than god himself. I'm one of the few reasons why your dad got into office so easily after the war. So when everything was settled and we had the time to come up with a payback plan, I had him put the account in my name. All the money he owed me; plus whatever extra we decided to lay on top for you, went right in there with it. If you want the money Samantha it's yours. I'll give it to you. You're my daughter and you mean more to me than anything else on this planet. So even if he gets all mad, your dad can go fuck himself. It's my choice and I know you're trustworthy with your finances. You can handle being an adult."
This is exactly why I loved my mom. Giving her a relieved look I replied back calmly now.
"Thank you. I know I can handle it. I'm not irresponsible. I changed my life for the better."
"And you're gonna help so many people when you decide what to do about selling the research. Like I said, the M.E.A.F will pay you. They'll try to lowball you because you're a kid and they think you don't know any better, but I'm your mother and I know what this is worth to a government like them. You go high with them Sam and you don't back down for even a second."
"I'm not even sure if I want to. G.U.N would surely pay any price as well and they have an infinite amount of checks they can write." I stated.
"You do what you think is best, but you need to market this. What I'm going through right now Sam, after twenty plus years, is a life changing miracle. You need to help others. Other users like us. This data could even net you a Nobel peace prize if you take it to G.U.N. You'd be famous for this."
"Zandro would kill me though." I mumbled as my mom rubbed my arm.
"He wouldn't dare. Not so long as I'm breathing will he lay a finger on you. That doesn't even compare to what your father would do." Giving my mom a small chuckle I corrected myself now.
"Well he would never talk to me again. That's for sure."
My mom was quick to rejoin me in laughter as Marx finally chimed in to say happily.
"It's actually really wholesome to hear you laugh, Zeta. Genuinely. You see what you mean to her Sam? Nothing has made her this happy in a long time. I know as your doctor Zeta that you haven't been the same since she left home."
My mom was now somewhat surprised as she questioned the cat.
"You're just like my husband. Always thinking you know everything about everyone, Marx."
"Am I wrong then?" He asked her back with a smile as he stopped in front of us now to see her face. My mom knew he was right and it was impossible to disagree. Marx took our silence as for his answer and just proceeded to ask my mom another question.
"How do you feel otherwise?"
"I'm doing great Marx. Nothing to worry about just yet."
"Can I listen?" Marx then wondered as he was referring to her heart. My mom nodded and parted her hair out from in front of her so that the cat could put his stethoscope on her chest. With Marx leaning in to listen, he calmly urged her as he did.
"Breathe in." My mom obeyed as I just waited and watched. After a few seconds of silence Marx continued by urging her.
"Turn it on. My mom's eyes went red instantly, but she remained perfectly calm as if nothing was happening at all. Marx carefully listened to each beat of her heart and after ten seconds or so he told her to relax and to shut the venom back down. As he took the stethoscope out of his ears, Marx stated just as calmly as ever.
"Nothing abnormal seems to be taking place. That's a good sign."
"I wouldn't have suggested this Marx if I knew it could mess up." I informed him of; which was when I was quickly told back in equal confidence.
"It's an experimental drug regardless of your confidence Sam. No studies have been conducted and surely you've been the only other subject who has tried it. I won't be content until a few others have gone under it. So until then I want to be absolutely certain your mother is okay. It's not personal, but my care for your family is. So let me worry please." He came off sweetly so I just smiled as he then calmly switched the conversation by asking me curiously.
"Please tell me that you do plan to give this information to Zandro and the M.E.A.F? I can't imagine how you would manage to get G.U.N to pay you with no proof other than your word that a cure like you made exists. Assuming that's an idea on your mind."
Marx had a point that made a lot of sense and he was trying to test my intentions. Giving him the truth, I replied in return as my mother stared at me with two caring orbs.
"I'm sure dad could work some magic and get me in the lab here so I could."
"And if he can't?" Marx asked back.
"Then maybe I'll strike a deal with Zandro, but please don't get involved with my business. I don't have to do anything I don't wanna. In fact the fucking shit I changed to make the dose wasn't hard at all to do. Someone could figure it out today if they just focused hard enough."
"So why even make this then hun?" My mom wondered as our eyes reconnected.
"It was to prove to everyone that I was capable of doing something meaningful. Something to show you guys that I'm not some stupid kid that has to be cuddled. And I had to do it for myself since no one else would."
"No one thinks you're stupid Sam." Marx quickly said back which got me to snicker.
"Everyone says that now that I'm back. None of you believed I could handle being on my own. Only person who did was mom. The second I bring something this big to the table that benefits the M.E.A.F; everyone comes flocking back to me like they've always had faith in my abilities. It's bullshit Marx. I'm not mad, but it's just annoying to see how many of you are two faced."
Marx just exhaled and shook his head at me as my mother was now trying to battle my point back.
"That's not true Sam. Your father believed in you as well as I. Your dad just isn't the positive one in our relationship. You know how he is. He's always thinking about the worst things that could go wrong with you leaving like you did, but he did believe in you. We talked for months about this. Trust me I know."
"Doesn't matter much in hindsight." I sighed back as I turned away and took a few steps to sit on one of the nearby weight benches. Both her and Marx just stared at me as I definitively stated to them both.
"I haven't made up my mind and for now I'm not really thinking about it. My concern is you mom. I have confidence in my work since it worked on me and I haven't had any issues yet. But that doesn't mean they don't exist. Can we just get back to training?"
They knew it was time to switch the subject. Mom was on my side regardless of the situation. So in turn, I was not surprised when she replied back to me with another smile.
"Of course we can. We've never worked out together before this. How about you show me what you've been doing overseas? What kind of exercises are you doing? How'd you get to this point? Maybe once we're finished we can go out to eat? Just you and me?"
"No Maggie? No dad? No security detail?" I quickly listed off my concerns as my mother turned on her venom to reply.
"No. Just you and me. I don't need security and your father knows better than to stick Yoga or Maggie to me. By the way, Maggie has gone through some changes. She got the very important job of making sure your father doesn't get killed. Zandro wanted a second bodyguard to be with him full time, so he chose her to fill the role."
Giving her a confused look back, I quickly questioned.
"Why her though? She's never been in combat. How is she supposed to react if something was to happen? Scream and hide?"
My mom quickly chuckled while also slapping my knee. I was serious however and she knew that. Giving me a softer look, she soon answered.
"I doubt anything like that will happen. If it did I'm sure she would step up to the plate to prove herself and it's her father now she's in charge of protecting. Maggie wouldn't take that lightly by panicking if an attempt was made on his life. She'll do whatever needs to happen."
"I sure hope so." I mumbled as I laid back on the bench to take the bar. My mom then became my spotter as I was soon just focused on impressing her from this point on with my own strength. Had to make a good impression now that she wanted this. I'd keep my volume low however. I'm not trying to draw the same amount of attention I did back outside.
Sam's POV, Later that night.
"So what is this?" Lia asked me as I finished rolling a small joint and began to light it up. Taking a few puffs just to get past the paper, I replied while blowing the smoke out the window.
"Weed. It's a plant."
"What does it do? It smells." She claimed which made me chuckle as I took another hit before putting it down. Looking her right in her eyes, I replied back.
"It clears the mind. Makes you feel…..like you're on a soft bed of waves and you're just enjoying life. It's hard to explain."
"Can I try it?" She then politely asked which honestly surprised me. Handing her the joint I replied.
"I was gonna offer anyway. Just take a small puff to start. Breathe it in and hold it in your chest for a few seconds, then just exhale. You'll have a coughing fit if you take too much."
"Okay." She now whispered innocently as I watched her take it. I was fully expecting her to overdo it, but she instead relaxed herself and just went with it like it was natural. When she got around to exhaling she looked at me with two concerned eyeballs. She knew what was coming I think, but she smiled and began to giggle as she decided to take another hit.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" She nodded as she again exhaled not long after taking the drag.
"Oh wow…..I can…..I feel weird." She admitted as I watched her stumble backwards. Jumping out of my skin, I jumped on her and caught her from falling. She was quick to regain her legs as I held her by the wrists.
"Sit down. It's okay. You just took a lot for your first time. It's natural to feel disoriented."
Slowly the fox took a seat on my bed and it was at that point I asked her.
"How do you feel?"
She was smiling so hard it made me smile as she soon began to giggle. She was high. Really….really high.
"I feel pretty great to be honest with ya. Wow. And this is natural?"
I nodded my head as she then asked curiously.
"There's no downside?"
"I mean if you take more you'll probably have a fucking panic attack, but if you stay relaxed like you are right now you'll be fine. I use it to help me sleep."
I watched as her hands went to her stomach. In confusion she questioned out loud.
"What is this?"
"Your stomach?" I questioned as she looked back up into my eyes to reply back in complete shock.
"I'm hungry. Sam? I haven't been hungry in centuries. You have no clue how long it's been since I've felt this feeling. Oh my god I think I could eat you in fact."
Now I just laughed as she quickly followed up another question for me.
"Do you have any food? I don't care what it is. I just need something and fast."
"I'm sure we can get something, but we'd have to sneak out of here. I'm not sure if my….?" Both our eyes widened when we sensed my mother coming down the hallway just outside the room. Looking at Lia I quickly urged her.
"Quick. Get inside me."
The fox began to panic now as she whispered back in fear.
"I can't! I can't control myself right now!"
My heart dropped the instant she said that and now my mind bolted for a solution. If Lia couldn't control her powers for real then she had to hide. Looking under the bed and towards the closet, I begged her.
"Under the bed or in the closet? Pick one and be quiet."
The fox chose the closet and I did my best to help her get tucked away in the far corner where I had my clothes. I threw damn near everything on top of her before closing her in and jumping back for the open window. My mom knew I smoked and I'm sure she could smell it. Her nose was still a thing of legends among fellow trackers. So I figured when I sensed her lack of anger that I'd just play it cool and play the hand out. Taking a long puff just as she knocked on the door to ask sweetly.
"Samantha? Can I come in?"
I exhaled mainly in the direction of where Lia was at just to try and cover up her scent from the matron wolf. I took another drag as I unlocked the door and exhaled just as we locked eyes on one another. My mother was quick enough to shoot me a bold grin as I proceeded to ask her curiously.
"What's up?"
Reaching up to flick my nose, she replied as I jolted my muzzle away.
"What's up? You have any idea how strong that shit is your smoking?"
Nodding my head, I replied as I rubbed my nose.
"Ahhh duh. Kinda why I bought it. It's good shit. Wanna try?" I offered as her eyes widened at the suggestion.
"Jesus Samantha. You've really gotten bold since leaving home haven't you?"
"Is that a no?" I wondered back as I half expected the choice she would make, but I was caught off guard when she instead took the rest of the joint from me and began to take a heavy drag. She nearly finished it off in fact. Looking into my eyes as she held all that smoke in, I was soon passed so she could get to the window to blow it all out. She then gave a small cough before informing me.
"That is some good stuff. Where'd you get it?"
Turning around to face her as she sat down on the window sill, I replied.
"A friend from school who I used to buy from."
"Hmmm." She hummed to herself as I then had to ask.
"So what's up? You come over to discipline me?"
"I should. You know you can't have this kind of stuff in here. It's a government building Sam. If it was anyone else they'd get chewed out big time. I'm surprised no one else has noticed considering the stench."
"I'm sure the president's first lady is also not allowed to smoke pot. So let's consider our options here, mom." I chuckled as she outright then asked.
"Oh the balls on you. Is that a threat?"
"A promise." I replied back casually as she just began to laugh alongside me. Things remained relaxed until she stated.
"No. I'm not going to rat you out, but I did come to say a few things considering what your dad told me." She gave me two scolding eyes now just to make sure I quickly understood what she was getting at. I did of course and quickly lost my smile before she asked.
"Coke? Really? You of all people?"
"It made the most sense mom. No one would expect it and that's why it worked as well as it did. I made a lot of money. Enough to afford leaving here."
"Yet you didn't stop yourself once you got there?" My mom questioned.
"Why would I? I was good at it. I didn't wanna work and I didn't want to go to school once I saw how much I was making." I fired back.
"So you instead got involved in organized crime and almost got yourself killed!?"
I bit my tongue as she made sure to make that point known.
"You did get Mocha killed, but…..that's not as important as nearly getting yourself killed. Look at your face. Look what happened to you."
"I know what happened to me!" I shouted back now as I growled and got an inch closer to her face. My mom held her ground as I continued.
"I'm reminded of my mistakes everyday now because of these. I don't need you to tell me something I've already come to terms with. I know I got her killed. I know I fucked up! But I fucking tried to do something! I tried to fix my fucking life! I couldn't do a fucking thing back then when that happened, but I can assure you now that if it ever was to happen again; I'd fucking kill anyone who got between us." My last sentence came with a snarl that got my mom to look at me differently. She could sense the pure hatred I had inside my heart for those men. For just about anyone who could become my enemy. She knew I wasn't bluffing or joking around. However her silence hit my heart in mere moments and I managed to regain my control over the anger.
I turned now to face out the window. I needed to breathe and it gave us time to both collect our thoughts. My mother was understanding of the situation. She wasn't going to question my feelings towards the subject now. She knew I had grown from that mistake and decided to ask me now in a much more calm tone.
"You've been on it for a long time now right?"
"Little over a year now." I replied as she then asked.
"You pick any up while you were out?"
"Just an eight ball. I don't use it religiously, mom. Only when I'm home and when I'm just looking to get shit done." My answer got her to nod her head once before she informed me.
"I was the same when I was your age. Your aunt's friend Raze introduced it to me one night when she was studying for her medical exams. I was also stressing out with the military back then and she said it would help me focus my thoughts. Which it did. Maybe I was easily persuaded back then, but it got a firm hold over my life for the next seven or eight years. I stopped once I knew I was pregnant with you."
"You stop because it was a good enough excuse or because you actually cared about me?" I asked her back which had earned me a quick and fierce snarl back.
"Who are you to ask me such a question?! I don't know what's going on in that head of yours but I know for a fact that I have never given you a reason to question my love! Not even for a nanosecond! I stopped because you were the only thing that mattered! You were my dream! My only wish in my life!" I saw her eyes start to water as she went on to order me.
"Don't you dare think otherwise! I suffered for too long to deserve that! I worked too hard and I'll be damned if my own daughter is the one to question my resolve! Now give it to me!"
"Why?" I questioned as she was quick to yell back.
"Because I will not have my only child make the same stupid mistakes that I have! Now give it to me."
"No. It's not your place to…..?" I was caught completely off guard when my response had driven my mother over the edge. Enough so that she did the one thing I would have never expected of her. She swung so fast I wasn't even able to see it coming. She hit me so hard I actually fell back into the bed from the force. That's when I widened my eyes as I tasted blood and she widened hers out of complete shock for what she had just done.
I was at a complete loss for words as I felt an abnormal amount of blood enveloping my tongue. Reaching up and into my mouth, I felt around and grew fierce when I realized she actually broke my lower left fang and a few teeth that were connected to it. The whole thing broke in two. The pointed half I picked out of the blood, while the lower half and those few teeth were nearly halfway out of my gums. Once I came to the realization, my eyes darted back up to my mother who watched as the blood rushed out of my mouth and began to drain down my arm and onto the wooden floors.
Getting onto my knees, I turned around from where I was to reach for the bag I had on the bed. Once I had it I dug through until I found the coke, I then threw it at her and gurgled out in anger.
"Take it then!"
Tears now poured down her face as I began to feel the pain, but the blood just wouldn't stop gushing as I stumbled onto my feet now for the exit.
"I….Sam…? I….I…I don't….know? I…I didn't…?"
I wanted to punch her straight in the face, but I wasn't about to stoop that low. Instead I knew I had to get to a dentist. Did the capital even have one on site? I had to ask myself as I continued to stumble to the door. Rushing out into the hallway, I grabbed the attention of the soldier Tommy who panicked when he saw blood.
"Tommy?! I need help!"
Rushing my side the man replied back in confusion.
"What the hell happened to you?!"
"Bitch hit me." I growled back as I didn't stop moving. I had to get help.
"Jesus! Okay! I got ya! Let's go downstairs! One of the doctors can help!"
Fuck, she hit me good. I wasn't going to stop bleeding anytime soon. I was dripping all down the hall and things only got worse when the pain began to scream at me. Even with my powers this wasn't average pain I was accustomed to. I always heard people claim that tooth pain was the worst pain to exist, but I always doubted it.
All I could do was growl in agony as I knew we'd pass right by my dad's office.
Raptor's POV.
I sensed a commotion coming from down the hallway and decided to check it. When I took a look out there I stopped in my tracks finding Sam rushing towards me with blood practically pooling out from behind one of her hands which covered her mouth.
"What in god's name happened?! Sam!" I shouted as Tommy and her began to go down the steps without answering me. I ran after them out of instinct and again asked my daughter as I reached her side.
"Sam? What happened?"
"Go fucking ask mom! Aghhh!" She screamed now and that got me to shout out as we reached medical.
"I need a doctor!"
"Dentist!" Sam growled back at me as I corrected myself.
"A dentist! I need a dentist!"
"Over here!" I heard someone shout from our right. Looking over to find one of our head doctors flagging us down, I guided Sam into the emergency room and listened as the man urged her.
"Move your hand. Let me see." When she did I widened my eyes to find one of her fangs completely hanging out of her mouth.
"Oh yeah, we need to get you into a chair young lady. Right away."
"Please doc!" I begged him as he guided her now to a room where she could be helped. I was stopped by a nurse the moment we entered and was urged by her.
"We need you to stay out sir. We got her. Please."
I wanted to be by her side for this, but I knew to have faith as well in my staff. Looking over the nurse's shoulder to stare at my daughter, I begged her as I began to step back.
"You're going to be okay Sam! I promise!"
Once I was outside the room, I decided to run back to the second floor to confront my wife. All I had to do was follow the blood Sam left behind and once I saw it went into her room, I found Zeta just standing there by the window in complete shock. She looked mortified as her focus was on the blood that covered the ground beside her. My eyes however also saw a bag of coke laying there; just between her feet. In complete confusion for what the fuck happened I asked her directly.
"What did you do? Zeta!" I now yelled at her seeing that she wasn't breaking out of her own trance. Tommy was soon back to us as well and looked into the room to see us standing there. Again I tried to ask her, but this time I got down to look up into her eyes.
"Zeta? What happened?"
"I hit her." She exhaled in shock which honestly got me to react the same way. In equal shock I questioned.
"Why? Did you slap her? Or did you fucking punch her?!"
Zeta shook intensely from my words and that was the only answer I needed to start blowing up.
"What did you do Zeta!? Half of her fucking teeth are hanging out of her head!"
"I know! I'm sorry! I'm so fucking sorry Raptor! I swear to god I didn't mean to do that! I didn't…..!"
Looking back at Tommy I ordered him.
"Sergeant, go get someone to clean this mess up. Now!"
"Yes sir!" He replied back in fear as I was left alone now with her. That was until Maggie appeared to take Tommy's place. She was in her pajamas and widened her eyes as she saw all the blood.
"What happened? Where's Sam?"
"In surgery, thanks to her mother." I replied as Zeta began to sob like I've never seen her sob before.
"I didn't mean to hit her!" She cried out as I wasn't sure of what to do now. Maggie on the other hand questioned.
"Was it an accident?"
Zeta just broke down and fell to the bed; a broken mess. I lost all my anger for now and just decided to comfort her. Getting on the bed next to her to take her into a deep hug, I whispered into her side.
"It's gonna be okay."
"I'll go check on Sam." Maggie then said as she decided to leave us for the better.
Sam's POV, Two hours later.
"I'm sorry I gotta do this to you Sam, but you can't open your mouth and risk ripping the stitches." The doctor told me as he taped up my muzzle. I couldn't move my mouth an inch once it was all said and done. I felt like shit because I couldn't risk using any of my powers yet to fix the damage. Some of that damage I wouldn't even be able to fix. I thought to myself as the doctor held out his hand. My eyes slowly went to it to see the missing piece of my fang. In a sad voice the doctor then said to me.
"I'm also sorry about the tooth. I did what I could, but I'm not a miracle worker. I don't know if you want it for something, otherwise I'll dispose of it properly."
I slowly reached out to take my tooth from his hand. As I did I just sat it between my legs and stared. All of my thoughts were on my mother. I never thought she was capable of doing something like this to me. I actually believed her when she said she cared unconditionally.
"Come back in the morning and let me see how you are. I can give you something for the pain. For now I'd go rest. Lay on your back when you do. No pressure on your jaw whatsoever."
I nodded, but was still considering my emotions. Blood was all over my shirt and fur. Using my hands to communicate, I pointed out the mess under my chin and listened as he quickly understood what I was trying to say.
"You can bathe. Water won't ruin the bandages." Again I just nodded and proceeded to get up from the chair. He helped me to the door and once I stepped outside I was reintroduced to my mother who was still crying and my father who comforted her. Maggie was also standing by and immediately my mom got up to cry my name.
"Sam?" I just gave her a nasty look back and decided it was best to walk away from this. My blood was boiling just from seeing her. Of course when I did that my mother broke down again. My dad had no choice but to stay with her as Maggie decided to tag along. She stuck by my side as we went upstairs and on the journey up she asked me as sweetly as she could.
"Are you okay?"
Was she expecting an answer? I asked myself as I just shook my head once. At the top of the stairs she asked me.
"Can I help in any way? Your dad had your room cleaned up while you were in there."
Again I declined her and just made haste for said room. Once there I opened back up the door to find Tommy fixing the bed. He widened his eyes once he saw us and was quick to apologize.
"I didn't think you'd be back so soon. Did everything go okay? I'm almost done with the bed."
I wanted to smile, but couldn't. So instead I just nodded my head and proceeded to the bathroom where I looked myself over in the mirror. Maggie stood by and just watched as I was content with jumping in a shower now that I was here. When I walked over to turn on the water she got the message.
"I'll leave you alone. Talk in the morning?"
For the third time I declined her and just shut the door in her face as Tommy finished with the bed. Regardless of him being in my room, I didn't care. I got undressed as best as I could and jumped in the tub. Using my powers, I sensed around the area to see if I could pick up on Marcus before tending to myself. With the man nowhere to be seen or felt, I put my gifts to work on repairing my mouth.
I just stared up into the water as I focused all my efforts on healing the damage now that I was sure I was alone. I wasn't gonna have this tape on me for much longer and I had no intention of revisiting that doctor in the morning. I planned to just leave in general now that this had happened. Fuck this whole god damn trip.
Ripping the tape off my face and tossing it onto the floor just outside the shower, I opened my mouth and focused on numbing anymore pains that I had. In a few minutes my mouth felt fine, but my fang was still missing and that alone felt completely unnatural. How the fuck would this translate to eating? I wondered as I spit up the fabric used to make my stitches. With my tongue stained red from my own blood, I washed out my mouth with the hot water a few times before refocusing on my neck and chest. After about ten minutes I shut off the shower and grabbed a towel. Tommy was long gone and had locked my door upon leaving and for that I was grateful.
I didn't know what else to say. I was confused and angry. I wanted to punch my mom so badly it made my hands curl up into fists, but as I contemplated doing it I was reminded of one extremely important fact.
Lia.
Walking out into the room while also drying off my chest, I opened the closet to find the fox passed out sleeping under my pile of clothes. I just let out a small sigh of relief as no one had decided to check this spot while I was gone. I really got lucky in that regard, but considering the state of things, I doubt my mother had the sense to sniff anything.
I didn't want to wake her, but still I didn't want her just sleeping under my things. She was a fucking goddess. But I guess I had no choice until she woke up. Hopefully when she did she would be able to jump back inside me.
Shutting the closet door, I finished drying off and soon just found myself sitting on my bed naked. I tossed on some underwear, but decided enough was enough and just laid down to sleep. In the morning I'd collect my things and leave.
The next morning.
Packed and ready to leave, I prepared to play into the injury just enough to not draw suspicion. Lia was thankfully more aware now that she was rested and I felt a lot better knowing she was with me this time. As I threw my bag behind my back, I fixed my hair and made my amends. I only planned to say goodbye to my dad. It would be enough.
Leaving my room and saying my thanks gently to Tommy, I shook his hand and continued onward to my dad's office to find him and my mother. Her back was towards me as I appeared but my dad got to understanding what was happening the moment we locked eyes.
"I'm leaving. Just figured you should know this time."
My mom was instantly brought back to tears as my dad stood up from his desk to question.
"Wait….already? But we've only just gotten back. Sam?" Shaking my head I replied.
"I think we've spent enough time together. I'm going back home."
"What about Zandro?" My dad then questioned as he came up to me.
Keeping my voice down and trying to move my mouth as little as possible, I replied back carefully.
"It's nothing we can't discuss over the phone."
My mom was being so loud now with her sobbing. It was filling up our ears in mere seconds as my dad was panicking to find a way to stop this from happening. Taking me by my arm and walking me out into the hallway, he whispered to me.
"Please Sam. You can't do this to us. I know your mother fucked up last night and she regrets every second of it, but you can't let this happen. It's gonna break her heart."
"She broke my fucking teeth dad." I growled back at him as he had no good response lined up for any of this. Out of every way this trip could have ended, it had to be like this. Shaking my head, I proceeded to state my mind to him.
"Everytime I start to believe that things are going well; I get dragged back to reality. I know you both care about me in your own ways, but the fact of the matter is we aren't fit to be a family. We can't live together like this. I'm better off alone."
"Don't say that." My dad begged me with wet eyes as my mom finally called out to me.
"Please don't leave! I'm sorry!"
Again I shook my head at her and soon refocused on my dad who listened with open ears.
"You and I aren't going to see eye to eye on a lot of things now that I'm who I am. We'll argue and eventually one of us will push our limits again and wind up hurting the other. I don't ever want to hurt you dad. I love you too much for that to happen. And when it comes to her…?" My eyes locked onto my mom's as she listened just as well as he did to what I had to say.
"I can't even look at you the same way. I thought I could trust you unconditionally. I thought I'd never have to go through what I went through with him; with you. But after last night all I can keep thinking about is what you said when I called to tell you I couldn't make the ceremony. I should have just listened and never should have shown my face."
Both of my parents were stunned silent as I looked back into my dad's eyes to state confidently.
"We're not fit to be a family. I don't even wanna be a part of it. As far as I'm concerned I'm no one. I don't wanna be Samantha Voltz and I sure as hell don't wanna be Samantha Diskov."
I sensed both of their hearts break in unison as I went on by urging them both.
"I don't want to be involved with this anymore. Please leave me alone from now on. I'll do my best to do the same in return."
"I…Sam? You're overreacting. Just take a minute and calm down." My dad begged me as my mom staggered out of her seat once she heard my last request. Shaking my head and readjusting my bag, I replied to him bluntly.
"I am calm. I know what I want and that's for both of you to just stay out of my life. You never gave a shit about what I thought anyway."
"That's a lie!" My dad shouted back as I turned my back on him to state.
"I'm taking the car to the airport. I'll leave it in the same place I found it when I flew in."
"Samantha!" My mother screamed at me as she ran up to me to grab onto my left hand. Instantly my eyes went red and I turned with everything I had in an attempt to swing on her.
My dad jumped right in the way the second my arm made the motion, but I was quicker than him and managed to stop myself before I could come within range. My mom on the other hand was in shock and was being held by my dad who just looked scared out of his mind that this almost happened between us. I turned off my venom a mere second after and yanked my hand free from her grasp. Once I was loose, I growled at both of them.
"Never touch me again." Both of them were speechless now as Maggie appeared from the bottom of the steps. Unsure of what was going on, she tried to stop me and with no one to save her from my wraith, I pushed her aside with my right shoulder and began to head for the exit to the capital.
My mom was destroyed and screamed my name the entire time. People were all stopping to watch the situation unfold, but they were too late. By the time anyone could decipher what had just happened, I was already in the car and back onto the main road. Lia instantly threw herself out of my body the second we were far enough away and from there just thought over what I had done. Unsure of her own feelings, she asked me as calmly as she could.
"Are you okay? That was…..bad."
"I know." I mumbled back as I focused on getting to the airport. I was angry and that was okay. I just had to get out of here and never come back.
As I drove I gave off some slight growls and other signs that I was upset. Lia took it upon herself to do what Roslin used to do to me, except she didn't even have to touch me. I felt my emotions washing away and just looked over at her as she smiled and said to me from her seat.
"Everything will work out. Just relax a little. Can't have my demi losing herself so easily. Right?"
I knew she was right in that regard. I had a lot to live up to now that I was hers to command. Slowly I did relax and once that happened I looked back at her to reply.
"You're right. I just need some time. Once we get out of here I'll turn things around."
"Good girl." She whispered as she slipped back inside me.
As she settled in for the ride, I contemplated what I'd do now. My first instinct was to head back to Tika and the others, but I had someone I wanted to see first. If this trip made me consider anything, it was the state of my own happiness. I found that feeling when I was near the people I truly cared about and as for right now that's what I needed to get my head back on track after banishing myself from my own family.
mT Shadow.