Michelle's invitation surprised Yugen, who hadn't expected her to check in. They had known each other for a long time, but they never really got to know each other. Michelle, in her usual warmth, invited her out for drinks, and for once, Yugen didn't refuse. She couldn't deny that leaving Sarah and JT didn't leave any emotional scars.
Normally, Dennis would've tried to dissuade her, but this time he had reasons of his own for her to go: one being to gather food for the Beast, the other to figure out how to tell Yugen about it.
"Dennis, let her go. You have work to do," Patricia urged, and Dennis listened, sending Yugen off.
Michelle picked Yugen up in her Chevy Equinox, thrilled to finally spend time with the bubbly girl who had frequented her café for years. They went to The Black Thorn Tavern, a place known for its moody atmosphere and gothic charm. Inside, wrought iron chandeliers cast a warm amber glow over the dark wood, and candles flickered from small, glass-encased tables. High-backed velvet chairs were tucked into shadowy corners perfect for intimate conversations, where faint whispers and laughter blended with the soft, sultry jazz.
The bar was mostly painted in deep black, with one exception: a brick wall opposite the entrance held a blazing fireplace draped with heavy burgundy and black curtains. Ornate, tarnished frames displayed vintage gothic art and old photographs, while dark shelves lined with oddities—skulls, antique books, and dried flowers in apothecary bottles—reminded Yugen of her old apartment.
A tattooed redhead worked behind the long, dark mahogany bar, chatting with a tall blonde seated on one of the worn leather stools before greeting them with a warm smile. Yugen and Michelle ordered the Black Thorn Special, a signature cocktail with bold flavors of spice, berries, and honey that added a touch of sweetness and heat. The drink, nearly black in color, was served in dark crystal with a smoky rosemary garnish resting on top. As Yugen brought the glass to her lips, the rich scent of charred rosemary and spices filled her senses, warming her chilled and trembling body.
They sipped their drinks, letting the soft hum of music and low chatter envelop them. It was a peaceful moment, a stark contrast to the chaos Yugen had faced recently. Michelle, breaking the silence, gently stirred her drink and glanced up at Yugen.
"I have to say, I was surprised when you finally said yes to drinks," she said, a smile in her eyes. "You've always seemed like you had… I don't know, a lot going on."
Yugen smiled faintly, looking down at her glass. "Yeah, I've been... keeping to myself a lot. Things have always been complicated, but then they got REALLY complicated. More than I ever expected."
Yugen greedily sipped her beverage, feeling warm and weightless in her body and her mind felt fuzzy. She didn't realize how much she had sipped until she looked down, noticing her glass was nearly empty.
Michelle raised an eyebrow, and leaned forward slightly, "Complicated? Is that code for 'my life is a complete mess' or 'there's some crazy story I'm about to hear'?"
Yugen chuckled softly, "Maybe a little of both." She takes a deep breath. "You've probably seen the news, right?"
Michelle nodded, looking more serious now, "Yeah, I have. Some men attacked you and you were kidnapped... some are saying that the mafia was involved? I didn't want to pry, but I must admit, I'm pretty curious."
Michelle took of few swigs of her beverage, watching Yugen nervously shift in her seat and her dark fingernails tapping the glass.
Yugen leaned forward, speaking quietly. "Well, some of that is true. My family is basically a cult, and a lot of powerful people are involved. And let me tell ya, they're way worse than the mafia."
She swirled her drink. "I've been running ever since. And now, it's basically public. My social media is blowing up, and normally, I would be ecstatic, but its all about that horrible fucking night that I really just want to forget."
"Oh my god," Michelle stated softly with concern in her eyes. "Yugen... that's insane. How are you even dealing with all of this?"
Yugen shrugged slightly, and let a heavy sigh escape her lips, "I don't know if I am. I've just been surviving. Kevin…he's been there for me, but it's a lot. And he has his own mental health issues, and I'm starting to wonder if all of this is getting to him, you know?"
Michelle reached out, placing a hand on Yugen, "I'm really glad you reached out. I know we don't know each other that well, but if you ever need to talk—or just escape for a bit—I'm here. No judgment, just drinks and... whatever else you need."
Yugen smiled, feeling a little lighter. "Thank you, that means a lot. I didn't realize how badly I needed a break from everything until now."
Michelle grinned, trying to lift the mood, "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I've got my own mess to deal with too. No family drama on your level, but... life's chaotic."
Yugen smiled playfully, "Oh yeah? Spill. What's your chaos?"
Michelle laughed, "Nothing too scandalous, just your typical teenage dating disasters, and stressing about the cafe pumping out more money than it's bringing in."
Yugen smirked, "teenage dating disasters, huh? I could use a distraction. Tell me everything."
Michelle knocked back the rest of her drink, then slammed it down with a hard clunk. "Oh, you wouldn't believe it! My oldest son's ex-girlfriend came over one weekend and started cussing and banging on the door..."
The conversation began to flow more naturally, with Yugen and Michelle bonding over shared experiences. Yugen felt a sense of normalcy creeping back into her life, even if just for a moment. Michelle offered the kind of companionship she didn't realize she had been craving—something outside the intensity of Kevin's world as well as her own.
Claire Bennet and Marcia Richardson have been friends since middle school. Despite their different personalities, they share a strong bond, one built over the years through mutual trust, respect, and shared common interests. Despite entering high school and many priorities changing over the years, their friendship remained strong, which gave them the ability to maintain their relationship regardless of their changing personalities.
Claire was the more organized and responsible of the two. Just about every morning, she woke up early and went for a morning jog before heading off to school. She was a cheerleader and a gymnast, and as captain of her squad she did her best to stay in the best possible shape. To add more structure to her day, she had a part time job after school at a Starbucks in the mall, just as her parents had suggested.
She came from a high achieving family; her dad was a pediatrician and her mother a surgeon. They often had high standards and put a lot of pressure on Claire, making her feel as if she's not allowed to fail. She often struggled with the insecurity about living up to the high expectations placed on her by herself and others, often making her feel overwhelmed and isolated. Beyond that, they were loving and supportive, giving her the confidence necessary to excel in a harsh and indifferent world.
Marcia had a more laid-back approach to life. She woke up just in time to get ready for school, often texting friends as she went about her morning routine. She wasn't as focused on grades and school work like Claire was, she was more interested in fashion, cute boys, and social media. When she wasn't hanging out with Claire, her time was spent with her boyfriend either at the mall, a restaurant, or a park.
Marcia wasn't a cheerleader like Claire, but that didn't stop the football players Claire cheered for from looking at her best friend. For this, the girls on Claire's squad did not like her best friend, but she was their captain and there was hardly anything they could do about it. Claire was the one person that took Marcia under her wing when she moved to Philadelphia at 13, since then they've been inseparable.
Marcia's parents were lenient and allowed her plenty of freedom, but they didn't provide much in the way of guidance, which often left her feeling lost. They loved her, but they didn't understand her problems with fitting in and finding her identity. Her parents made a substantial living, and were able to afford to put her in some of the best schools in much nicer areas. However, she was often the only black girl, and this made it difficult for her to fit in. And even though her mother knew how hard it was to be a black woman, she came from a rough neighborhood and Marcia felt guilty at the idea of bringing it up. After all, her mom was a successful real estate agent and gave her everything she never had. How could she complain about fitting in with a bunch of rich, white people when she didn't even grow up in the ghetto? Now, she feared being left out and not liked by her peers.
Marcia felt confident in her ability to make friends, but she was often insecure about her appearance and often compared herself to others. She struggled with food, and would often skip meals and eat very little. When she was alone, she would pinch at the skin on her belly and her arms, fearing she was getting fat. She enjoyed the attention she got from boys, the last thing she wanted as a teenage girl in her prime was to lose it. Thankfully, she had Claire and her boyfriend, along with her friends from art class. She also had the fear of disappointing her parents, who had things much harder than she did. At her age, her parents were worried about where their next meal was coming from. All Marcia had to be anxious about was her future, and what she wanted to do after high school. She was lucky, the love she got from her friends and family kept her from going down a darker path.
Today was Claire Bennet's birthday, and Dennis watched the blonde and the dark haired girl from a distance. As he walked throughout the mall, he tried his best to blend in with the crowd and not seem suspicious, especially when watching a birthday party with teenage girls. The beast demanded that he feast on the flesh of the impure young; the ones who haven't suffered, the same kind of girls that made Barry touch their breasts. He could tell in the way Marcia and Claire moved, and in the way they spoke that they were the ones he'd want. It was apparent that their cups were filled, and existing was effortless for them. Dennis looked upon them with envy as they smiled and laughed without a care in the world; there had only been a couple of times in his life where he felt that way.
He followed them to the car when the party ended, slightly irritated by the third girl that unexpectedly tagged along. He didn't think much of her, of course; she was hardly a threat to begin with. If she ran then he'd let her, if not, she would become meat for the beast unless he deemed her worthy. He clutched the Lethara Spray in his pocket—a spray similar to chloroform they gave dangerous animals at the zoo—keeping a good distance behind them. He waited until the girls got in the car, then slowly approached the man putting things away in the trunk.
"Can I help you?" the man kindly asked.
Dennis sprayed the man with the Lathara Spray, keeping his orange cloth over his mouth to avoid splash back. He got in the car, irritated by the mess on the dashboard. He picked it off with the orange cloth wrapped tightly around his fingers.
"Excuse me, sir, I think you have the wrong car." The blonde girl said.
Dennis was quick and precise; he sprayed the two girls in the back seat, unbothered by the spare in the passenger's side. That is, until she opened the car door. Dennis snapped his head in her direction, eyeing her to see if she would run. She whimpered and tears fell from her eyes, and like a viper he struck. He placed his mask back on, then held her head in place as he did to her what he did to the girls in the back. She wasn't supposed to be there, but it wasn't his problem that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Dennis had to move quickly. Yugen would be home an hour after the zoo closed; so far he had about 20, maybe 30 minutes to work with.
Barry had taken the light while the horde was away. He had woken up dressed in Dennis's clothes, and his glasses blurring his vision. He removed the glasses and rubbed his eyes, and patted at the pockets on his shirt and pants. He turned around to see the phone sitting on the dining table. His heart thudded with panic, but he managed to get a few messages sent to Dr. Fletcher. He knew the horde had taken over, and he knew that one of them had been stealing the light. They knew that he was hanging on by a thread, and took advantage of him at his weakest. He was worried for Kevin, but currently he was more worried for Yugen.
Would they hurt her? What are they using her for? He also knew that Yugen had been intimate with Dennis, which only made him more concerned for her safety. He was a dangerous sexual predator, and Yugen wouldn't be the first woman that he'd hurt.
Yugen walked laggardly toward Kevin's home, her sneakers scraping lazily against the ground beneath her. She was a little drunk, and it was likely she would get an ear full from Dennis about how reckless she was being. But despite everything, she deserved an escape from the constant feeling of impending doom.
As Yugen entered the home, she noticed who she thought was Dennis. But he wasn't wearing glasses, and she could tell from the moisture on his forehead that he had been pacing and was in distress. This wasn't Dennis' usual demeanor. It wasn't until he said her name that she knew it was Barry in the light.
"What's going on?" She asked from the doorway.
"Somethings not right—" Barry's voice was shaking, and he wasn't even sure how to explain what was going on. All he knew is that Yugen needed to protect herself from them, and the only way to do that could hurt Kevin. He'd deal with the fall out later.
"Yugen, listen, if anything happens, if one of us ever tries to hurt you, say Kevin's—" Barry twitched and grunted before getting thrown out of the light.
Barry landed on the ground with a hard thud, and amnesia slowly began to trickle over his memory, shrouding the previous events in darkness.
Yugen was wide eyed, and despite him digging his fingertips into her shoulders, she didn't dare to move or speak. When he stopped fighting with himself, his grip loosened and she took a defensive step back; she had never seen Kevin react to a switch like that before. She knew very little of what went on in their inner world, but what she had seen had scared her, especially because it was too familiar for comfort.
"Hey!"
A small blonde boy with headphones around his neck flashed before her, "Hedwig?"
"You remembered!" Hedwig shouted, pulling Yugen into a tight embrace.
Yugen reluctantly hugged him back, "It's good to see you again, Hedwig, but I really need you to give the light to an adult. Okay?"
He pulled away, "sure that's no problem."
Although the switch was subtle, she could immediately see who was fronting. The furrowed brow, the slight scowl, and the stiff demeanor suggested that Dennis was fronting. He pulled his glasses out of his shirt pocket and put them on.
"Dennis, what's going on?" Yugen asked.
"You uh—you might want to sit." Dennis began to pull out a chair.
"I don't want to sit, I want you to tell me what's going on." She stood there defensively, ready to fight or run if needed.
"I—I, uh," Dennis exhaled, rubbing his hand over his head; it wasn't normal for him to fumble with his words. He stuck his hands in his pockets, and continued, "you remember the beast, don't you?"
"You mean that creature?" Yugen asked.
Dennis nodded, "he's on the move." he whispered.
The way he said that unsettled Yugen; his voice was low and eerie. She remembered this so-called beast; she also remembered the familiarity, the fear…the excitement. She didn't want those feelings, and she certainly didn't want that thing on the loose.
"W—what do you mean?" She asked, but really didn't want to know the answer.
Dennis took a step closer to Yugen, "The beast believes that people like you, like us, are extraordinary." He stated the last part with a smile, one that Yugen had not seen in the month that she had known him. There had to be a catch.
"But?" she asked.
Dennis paused before answering. "But he does require sacred food."
They both stood in silence for a moment before Yugen said, "sacred food?"
"He—we believe that those who have not suffered do not matter—" Dennis began.
Yugen took a cautious step back upon hearing that. "What?"
"He believes that the broken are the strongest—"
Yugen cut Dennis short by demanding, "What do you mean by sacred food, Dennis?"
He licked his bottom lip; he could see that Yugen was already upset, and he prepared himself for the oncoming hysterics. It was common for women—the crying, the begging, the manipulation. They were not as strong as men, so that was what they had. Dennis assumed that Yugen was no different.
"He demands the eating of the impure young."
Yugen's heart dropped, and she stood frozen; her body tense and on the edge of flight or fight, "what?"
"The food is waiting." He whispered.
"No, no you can't do this. Not now, not after everything that's happened." She inched her way toward the door as she spoke.
"Yugen, listen—" The moment Dennis walked toward Yugen, she kicked him in the ribs and ran.
She heard Dennis grunt as she ran out of the room. Yugen knew the exit, and she ran toward it as fast as she could. Fear echoed in her chest; panting and thudding, ready to burst forth. She could hear Dennis yelling behind her, and running after her; he wasn't far behind her. But the entrance to the barracks was never locked, if she could just reach it before he caught up to her she could get away. Unfortunately, his footsteps were quickly approaching. Dennis was necessary in the system, not just because he was strong and precise, but he was also quick on his feet.
He grabbed her by the waist and threw her down. Yugen's face grimaced with pain when she hit the dirt covered ground with a hard smack, and it took her a moment to gather her bearings. By the time she had gotten to her feet, Dennis had already locked the only exit.
"You can't keep me down here, Dennis." Yugen's voice shook and she was on the verge of tears.
Dennis stuck the keys in his pocket, "actually I can. You will witness his emergence, and you will stay down here until then."
"Get the fuck away from me!" She cried out as Dennis walked toward her.
She tried to keep distance between them, but he closed in on her fast. She only had one hand to fight him off with, and she punched him as hard as she could. He barely flinched, and it barely gave her enough time to take a step back. But it made no difference. Before she knew it, Dennis sprayed her with a strange substance that rendered her unconscious.
"What is it you wish to do?" Patricia asked calmly and reverently.
The beast grumbled in thought. Yugen was important, too important to simply be food.
"If I may, there is power in her. But she's confused and scared; she has yet to know her potential. She can be molded." Patricia attempted to rationalize Yugen's use.
"But she resists and fights." He growled and snarled.
"Yes, but that is what makes her strong." Patricia liked Yugen, but more importantly, it would be a waste if she were to be consumed. "You want her to have that fight, that drive. That's what makes her worthy." she coaxed.
"She must know her place." the beast towered, flexing his hands.
"And she will. But you must push her to her limits. Let her feel your strength, your dominance so that she may know her potential. In time, she'll submit, and then she'll be yours." Patricia reasoned with the beast.
"Put her with my food, make her think she is no different from them. Keeping her trapped and powerless like she was in her youth will humble her, and prepare her for my arrival." The beast stated.
During the conversation, Dennis looked upon Yugen's limp form. The other girls would be awake by now, and he considered going in there just for a quick glimpse. Maybe, he could even get one of them to dance for him. He left Yugen in the bedroom where they usually slept, and locked the door behind him. He went downstairs to check on his food.
He opened up the door, wiped off the chair, and sat down. He scanned each of them; all of them were scared, and as much as he hated it, he couldn't help but be turned on by them. He looked at the girl who wasn't supposed to be there, and she was covered from head to toe. She wasn't as attractive as the other girls, and his attention went away from her quickly. The blonde was cute, and she looked like a cheerleader. But then his eyes landed on her friend, the dark-haired girl who was trying to pull down her short skirt. He swallowed hard; her hair and her skin reminded him of a love he lost long ago, and she dressed just as provocatively as Yugen. She was pretty, but his guilt managed to overshadow his desires. He picked up the chair and walked out of the room, locking the door behind him.
Yugen was still asleep when Dennis walked back into the bedroom. Her hair was no longer red, and the bleach in her hair faded to a golden color which was followed by her dark roots; he moved a strand out of her face. His eyes moved over her body, then landed on her dark burgundy cast. He remembered the devastation on her face when the doctor said she may never play guitar or violin again, and he remembered someone fronting and holding her as she cried. However, he couldn't remember who it was, chances are it was Barry. His eyes went over her black sweater, which was covered in dust and dirt. Then his eyes moved down to her jeans, where his eyes became fixated on a hole. He began to boil with agitation, and his anxiety caused him to feel mild panic.
Just before he could react, Patricia's voice stated, "put her in the room with the others, Dennis."
"Her clothes are ruined, I have to take them off."
"No." Patricia stated, causing Dennis to freeze. "The beast wants her with them immediately, and we don't have time to waste."
Dennis sighed, and Patricia stood in the light with him. They scooped her up and took her to the room. Dennis was visibly upset, but Patricia was a strong, towering woman in her own way and she was the only woman Dennis would listen to. She was the only woman who could get him to calm down. However, Dennis knew that when Patricia was gone, he would have a talk with Yugen about ruining her brand new jeans, and she may even need to be punished.
"Move." He stated firmly to the girl who wasn't meant to be there.
He placed Yugen gently on the bed, then swiftly walked out of the room. While in his bedroom, his lip curled in disgust at the dust on his shirt. Button by button, his agile fingers swiftly removed it. He paused as he noticed the large bruise forming on his torso; he winced when he pressed down.
"Is it broken?" Patricia asked.
"No." Dennis replied simply.
"She's got a good kick." she stated.
"Not good enough. We'll be fine in a few days." His voice was deep and edged with pride.
"Sooner once he takes the light." Patricia smiled, excited by the events to come.
"Who is that?" Claire wondered.
"I—I know her from the news." Casey said.
"She teaches my little sister piano." Marcia responded.
They all stare at her unmoving body for a moment, before Marcia went to the bathroom and got a rag wet, and dabbed Yugens face with it, "Ms. McAvoy?"
The unconscious woman moaned as she came to, feeling the moisture on her skin. "Yugen?" Marcia attempted to get her attention once more.
Finally, Yugens' eyes fluttered open, and she noticed the faces of three young women hovering over her; one of them she knew. She slowly sat up, feeling like her head was floating, which only led to her feeling nauseous. Whatever Dennis sprayed her with, it didn't mix well with the alcohol in her system. The girls were trying to ask her questions, but their voices were inaudible, muffled by the aggressive ringing in her ears.
Yugen felt a familiar salty, acidic liquid rising in her throat, and she ran to the bathroom before she upchucked all over the floor. She slammed the door behind her, leaving the girls to wonder if she'd be any help at all.
"Great, that's just great." Claire said with frustration in her voice.
"Give her time, Claire. She's probably just in shock." Marcia tried to reason with her best friend, despite being just as freaked out as she was.
Yugen splashed her face with cold water; she gazed into the sink, and a wave of rage nearly consumed her. In her youth, there were many times she had been stuck in a situation such as this. She would fly off the handle; she would break things, smash her head against the wall, slash herself with razors or broken glass. This would ultimately lead to her being heavily sedated. She wasn't a child anymore, and she knew she would have to think more rationally this time.
Yugen averted her eyes to the mirror; she jumped back noticing her black, dilated eyes. A horrific reel of images flashed before her; she broke the small vase on the sink, and slashed her arm open to wipe her blood on the mirror. This scared the hell out of Yugen, and she fell backwards against the door. The girls jumped when they heard the loud bang. Marcia jumped up to check on Yugen as she slid down to the floor and hyperventilated.
"Yugen—Yugen, are you okay?" Marcia asked as she knocked on the door, hearing her breathing heavily.
"I'm okay," Yugen called out. "I'm okay" she repeated in a whisper, haphazardly trying to convince herself.
Recommended song: Jarboe-Dear 666
