I left, having no desire to humiliate myself any further. Not for him. Not for them.
My hands were bloody. My body was aching; the tears burning and stinging like acid against my cheeks—
They weren't my family. No better than strangers, they were my enemies.
I was breathing heavily, walking the streets blindly. Where was I going—
***
Those kids took me in. And I received another name. A new beginning, I called it. Another me.
Rolling in the muck, I took bloody revenge—
Though standing across from this baker and listening to him speak, it seems like I made no effort at all.
"She was there when my niece was taken."
The sun's shining. And the heat's growing. But my fists are clenching. And the sounds of chirping—
"My niece was kidnapped. Perhaps killed!Right in front of her eyes—!"
These hands. Certainly, they're unworthy of sympathizing.
Because family hardly means the same thing to me.
Those kids eventually grew up. And poisened me. I still don't know why. Did they want to leave me so badly? Was I that scary—?
But I know that Melvin would've understood better. And Edward would've made sure all of his enemies were dead and buried.
"The watchman know. I saw it in their eyes! Those bastards! They already know who's responsible! And aren't doing anything! They're just as guilty! I've been going out of my mind trying to find out anything…but they know…and aren't doing anything…"
Unhindered by the people watching, tears and mucus slime down his face like sap; the viscous liquid smearing inside his scruffy, unkempt beard.
Hannah's hand pulls—then wraps around his shoulders to hug him—
Her eyes are just as puffy. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, dad. I couldn't do anything! I'm so sorry. Why did we have to go there? Why there?!"
She clenches her jaw. "Why—didn't they take me, too?!"
Yes. I'd like to know that too. Have things changed? They must've learned something from their experiments. Are they looking for someone specific? Criteria that must be met. Or perhaps a set of circumstances…
"I was weak…Horribly weak, dad! I don't—" her voice cracks.
What makes me any different? Even now, I can't answer that.
My hands are simply bloody. And the thoughts of many hang heavy over my head like a shroud.
In the light. In the dark. I'm guilty.
But who cares? The world we live in isn't pure. And I'm not one to settle on belief.
I'll reap whatever I've sown.
"We've been following the rumors, recruiting others just as committed to finding these bastards. We found them. Talked to them. We had no idea there were so many! So many missing!"
"It's all connected. Those bastards have been kidnapping children for years! Boys. Girls. The poor. The homeless. Anyone they think is vulnerable and weak! How dare they go after the children…"
"My niece is only eight years old. How dare they…!"
"We've flooded the watchtowers with our voices. Sent letters to the Governor. Petitioned the Emperor! We'll make them listen!"
There's an overwhelming fire in his eyes. A fervency. Perhaps it's lunacy. Is that what it means to be family?
The family I had. The family I made. They, ultimately, meant nothing.
Poisoned. Alone. I must find my own way—
But I feel the heat behind me. And my back burns bitterly. Kian—?
He wraps an arm around my waist and covers my eyes. "You're the same, aren't you?" He whispers. "You know something, don't you?"
My heart races; the indecent intimacy of his breath inside my ear burning my skin. Shuddering, I try to struggle—
But his hand tightens. And the air heats between us. "What is it, dear? Have something you wish to tell me?"
I clear my throat; his eyes glimmering knowingly. "As I said—" I turn my head away. "—we didn't know anything about this."
He releases me. Reluctantly. "We're simple travelers, that's all—"
"Is…that right?" The baker looks around warily; the forest and trees much more silent than they should be. He pats his daughter. And tilts his head strangely.
In the presence of Kian, who wouldn't be wary?
But Kian isn't one to care. "Well? Be on your way then." His eyes twinkle. And he smiles carelessly.
"We're on our own journey, isn't that right, Ethan?" He clasps my shoulders, his long fingers spreading as his hair unfolds and brushes against me—
His face, it's so close to me.
My skin tingles. Desire—seduction—obsession—greed—
My breath catches. I feel the emptiness. The ache. And the heat!
He's seducing me—! Claiming me. The relentless, merciless desire clutching me—
How can a man be so tempting—!
Soon enough, our bodies align, so close together I feel his muscles clenching against me. And the third leg pressing—
The hardness growing—pulsing—
Stiffening, I feel my cheeks heat, not even realizing the forest and trees have turned to an alleyway and debris—
His eyes are burning. A viscious, familiar green.
***
I pull away quickly. Between us, this heat…It's disturbing…
But I'm dizzy. And the world is twirling—
My…clothes? His aura ripples. And I feel something slipping. Another sliding. And the twisting of fabric. I look down. My clothes?!
But my eyes are swiftly masked by silk—
What's happening? Why—?!
I tug, struggling with the binding. "Why did you—?!" It won't come off. Why can't I take it off? "Take me back. I need to know what they know—!"
"Hmm? I don't think you're in any position for that, dear." I hear his footsteps walking closer. Feel the tension between us smoldering. And all the while, my body's burning.
"What are you talking—"
"What about your fever? You fainted, didn't you? Have you forgotten?" His touch against my forehead's cold. And mercurial.
Yet I'm drowning in the heat it spawns.
I grit my teeth. I want to touch him too—! "That doesn't matter—"
"Your back. Isn't it burning?"
His breath against my face. And his voice that ripples congenially.
He…must know something.
Ah. I know it. He's—
Simply playing with me, isn't he.