Akira watched as her family swarmed around her, welcoming her back, telling her how much they missed her. Even Raige, her seemingly emotionless father was over joyed to have her back. Akira stood off to the side, hoping no one would notice him though he was too engrossed in his thoughts.
Something was wrong with Charlotte. . . she had used powers he had never seen before.
He could sense a change within her, one that he could not see if it were good or bad. She seemed fine now. Laughing and crying from joy. She no longer had her crazed expression.
He winced at the thought that occurred to him. The question that arose in his mind. . .what has father done to you Lottie?
Joyous as she was to be reunited with her family once more, Lottie did not desire such attention. Her mother refused to release her from her grasp and her father went on to lecture her as per usual. She had blocked out everything at this point, responding automatically with "Yes" and "No" whenever she was asked a question. Lottie couldn't bear her parents attention any longer. Shut up, just shut up, please? I know, I was reckless. But they wouldn't cease the doting and lecturing. It took great effort to not groan or grimace. If only they would leave her alone... If they wouldn't, she was certain she would consider killing them-
ReplyDeleteShe blinked suddenly and took a deep breath, aghast at the course her thoughts were taking. Kill? Her parents? What?
"Lottie?" rang her mother. Lottie jumped slightly. "Are you alright?"
I don't know, she thought. Of course her parents would notice the sudden change in her demeanor and again began pestering her about everything. The bitterness returned. Oh my God, can't either of you take a break? I swear, I'm going to shove knives down your throats-
"Stop!" Lottie gasped, more to the foreign thoughts than her parents; truly, she had not meant to shout it aloud. All became silent. Lottie's mind suddenly went blank. "Umm... I-I think I need to rest. Don't have as much energy now, you know." She smiled weakly and, without any input from either parent, quickly retreated to her room. She barricaded the door with her own body and slid down to the floor. What was happening? Earlier, too, she had experienced a surge of power... and the last thing she remembered, she was back in her family's arms.
She looked up and saw Akira stand in a far corner, gazing at her with a worried, rigid expression. As she stared back, Lottie was nearly reduced to tears. Something... something was wrong... and she didn't know why.
Akira did not know what to do. He had never been trained to deal with anything involving emotion. Charlotte looked at him expectantly. His hand unconsciously moved to his throat. A habit that he developed when in an uncomfortable situation.
ReplyDeleteHe took a ragged breath in and stepped toward her. Slowly at first, as if expecting her to strike him down. He knelt beside her, an arm moving around her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. She smiled faintly. He looked away. He helped her to her feet and helped her to get in bed. He pulled the covers over her. He could tell she wanted him to say something, anything, he could feel the silence stretch out. But he had nothing to say. He couldn't tell her what was happening to her. He couldn't tell her what to do to stop it. He was useless once again.
She lay there looking upon him, her heart beating fast as everything she wanted to say toiled inside. He sat beside her head on the bed, facing away from her. She wanted to comfort him, she wanted to know what was happening, she didn't want him to worry; all of this she wanted to convey to him at once. Where to start, she couldn't decide. But she wanted his attention most, if anything, and unfortunately couldn't stop herself as she called out to him.
ReplyDelete"Akira." His piercing blue eyes met with hers and everything inside of her was instantly silenced. Oh, how she loved his eyes... Lottie panicked, realizing she lost her focus and even then couldn't remember what she wanted to say. Instinctively, she sat up and kissed him. He was unresponsive at first, perhaps he was surprised, but slowly the intensity of the kiss increased. She could tell how strongly confused he himself was and it seemed his only outlet was Lottie's embrace. She savored the taste, her fingers gripping his hair tightly... and the passion subconsciously awakened again.
Suddenly, Akira attempted to break free, but Lottie tightened her grasp until she felt a warm liquid gush over her hand. He broke away for the slightest moment and gasped in pain. Lottie's trance was shattered and she released him, seeing that her hand was covered in Akira's blood.
"Oh, god..." she breathed, gazing at her hand as though it were deformed, trying not to panic. "Oh, god Akira, please forgive me. I'm so, so sorry."
It was a dull pain, he knew it shouldn't have meant anything to him yet a small instinct kicked within him. He staggered away from her, knocking everything out of the way. He fell back, he could see Lottie attempt to get up and move toward him. He hissed at her. Something in the back of his mind told him to calm himself, but the pain only reminded him of his father. Anytime anyone caused him pain he reacted this way.
ReplyDelete"Akira!" He heard her call to him. It shattered him out of his trance it was then he became painfully aware he was right up against Raige. His gaze moved up and met with the judgmental eyes. Within in minutes Raige lifted Akira from the floor and slammed him against the wall. Akira gasped for air, his hands instinctively clutching Raiges grip around his throat.
"How dare you show your face here Korkoro!" He yelled at Akira.
"Daddy no!" He could hear Lottie's desperate cries.
"Enough, Lottie! This creature has already defiled you..." He glanced toward Lottie's stomach for a split second before returning his full attention to Akira. "I do not intend for that to happen again." Lottie could hear as he said these words his grip on Akira strengthen. He could barely make a sound.
ReplyDelete"Dad, stop! If you kill him, I swear I'll-" She bit her tongue as she realized the bitterness took hold once more. Desperately trying to stop the words from forming, a strong voice in her mind born from the bitterness sang, "Kill him, kill him!! Say it, say it!!" She shook her head violently, but it was no use.
"What have you done to her?!" Lottie focused back to her father, who apparently noticed her strange actions at that moment. Akira sputtered as he attempted to find his voice to answer Raige. A small part of her suddenly wished she had made that threat. "Answer me now!" bellowed Raige.
"DAD, GODDAMMIT, I SAID STO-" Her declaration was cut short with a exasperated gasp and she stumbled slowly to the floor. At first, she felt a great relief of pressure... and then pain. How horrible the pain!! Make it stop!!!, she screamed within the confines of her mind. It hurts!!!
Raige immediately dropped Akira. Akira's gaze quickly became determined. He dropped low to the ground in a crouch and bypassed Raige. His breathes were ragged from the earlier abuse to his wind pipes but he pushed past the pain. He quickly took Lottie in his arms and placed her back on the bed. Her screams were agonized, it was all he could do to stay strong for her. He pushed the pillow up behind her. He turned in an attempt to locate Raige and ask him what to do next but he was gone. It was then that he became aware of a second round of screams, not coming from Lottie.
ReplyDelete"What do I do Lottie?" He asked her as if she could answer. There was a sort of crazed expression she held. . . just like when she used that power he soon realized. He cursed his father as he moved to hold Lotties hand in his. She squeezed, her nails digging into his skin. He winced as she, once again, drew blood.
Calm Akira. . . calm. He looked away from the blood. What could he do?
"A-Akira!!" She couldn't stop the wild thoughts erupting from her conscious, motivated by the pain she now felt. I need to kill something!!!!, said the thoughts, for the agony was so great. Lottie squeezed Akira's hand in response and found unable to will herself to stop. She couldn't gather her sanity.
ReplyDelete"Please, Akira!!" she screamed, squinting her eyes shut as waves of pain overwhelmed her. The bitter voices grew stronger. "Just talk!! Please! Keep me... Keep me here!!!" She knew it didn't make sense but it was all she could say. She feared her mind was slipping. She feared they would kill her if this went on any longer.
Keep her here? What did she mean?. . . Her eyes became unfocused. He could smell the fear erupting from her. . . . Suddenly he knew what she meant. He had no idea how. Perhaps he had once seen this occur? He had no clue, all he knew was that he had to get the kids out of there quickly before Lotties lost herself.
ReplyDelete"Listen to me Lottie," He tenderly removed a stray strand of hair from her face. She turned her gaze to his. "You can do this. Remain calm and focused. Listen to me ok?" When she screamed again it was clear his voice was not enough. He leaned in and placed a kiss on her lips. She stopped, the strength of her grip loosened a bit causing a small relief from the pain. Her kiss turned hungry though, he remained there. Anything he could do to distract her. He didn't care about his own well being.
Her hands went to his neck, where he felt her sharp nails slowly caress him. He panicked at first. His vulnerable state was unwelcomed and went against all his training. His years of never giving an opening screamed at him to pull away but he remained still. It seemed his lack of response infuriated Lottie, she snarled at him and struck. He was able to pull away enough for the blow to scarcely scrap his chest. He hissed as droplets of blood formed.
His piercing gaze never left Lotties. He knew what had to be done now, so pushing aside his fears and past, Akira leaned forward and let Lottie's wrath be taken out on him.
The creature behind the voice inside her forced Lottie to take Akira in her grasp once again. The strongest wave of pain yet unleashed the full furry of it all and Lottie furiously kissed Akira to get him to respond. He couldn't keep up in his shocked state, again angering Lottie... and then suddenly she found amusement in it. How cute he was when he was bewildered and vulnerable! She moved away from his lips and began biting his earlobes. He remained still as ever. No good. She wanted to see his reaction.
ReplyDeleteShe held his face in her hands and without restraint said, "Fuck me. Right now. Ram me as hard as you can!!" His face flushed and his eyes flashed in confusion; Lottie laughed in utter delight.
Akira struggled to keep control. He wanted to pull away but her claws dug into his face where she held him. Then her hand pulled him to lay down beside her. The force of her strength shocked him.
ReplyDeleteHe looked innocently in her direction, waiting for the Lottie he knew to come out, but she never did. This Lottie's hands began to roam his body, scratching him when he would squirm or move away. Her biggest fury was when he didn't move.
"Come on my little copycat, you know you want to." She cooed at him causing a great blush to creep onto his face.
She licked his neck, one hand holding his head in place, the other moving down his torso until she found her target. He gasped in shock and his body coiled away; she giggled dementedly as her hand moved to grope his ass and move him back closer. Finally, Akira was unable to keep quiet.
ReplyDelete"Lottie, stop!!!" And this act of desperation shocked her awake and she burst into tears as she realized what she had been doing.
"Oh, Akira, please!!!" She nestled into his chest, her arms now wrapped around her stomach and the pain once more brought to her attention. She had to concentrate... but it was so painful- No, Lottie, keep your head... Don't let it take you again!!!
More waves of pain overcame her and a phrase slipped her hold. "DAMMIT, I WANT PEACHES!!!" she screamed; immediately after which she bit her lip. And just before it was all she could bear to not let her sanity slip again, the bedroom door opened with a bang and the silhouette of a young woman blocked the hallway light.
"What are you doing?!" She demanded as she stormed into the room. Akira quickly jumped off the bed. He noticed the woman's eyes move downward. . . he quickly hissed and turned himself from her, blushing furiously.
ReplyDelete"Well, at least we know you LIKE her." The woman eyed his scratches. "You'll be fine. Now if you're done with your... self.... I need you to hold her hand. This is going to take a while." Akira nodded and knelt beside the bed. Hesitantly he placed his bloodied hand in Lottie's. She quickly took it as she began to push for the first babe.
It was as though her entire body was aflame; her mind breaking under the pressure of constraining the madness. Every push increased the intensity of the pain until it became so agonizing that she felt nothing, and she was sure she was dying or that she were already dead. Lottie glanced between an open space between the woman and Akira and saw a strange opaque outline of a girl. Her back was to her and all Lottie could see was a veil of snow white hair. A name arose to the surface of Lottie's mind, above the pain and the illusion of death: Dawn. And as a part of her mind recognized the first babe arriving, the silhouette began to fade until it all but disappeared as she heard the small cries of the first born.
ReplyDelete"Hang in there, Lottie." She glanced sideways into Akira's eyes as he searched into the depths of hers. She couldn't be sure of what she saw; was the madness leaving perhaps? Or lying dormant once more as the pain was slightly relieved? Whatever the cause, she smiled to Akira as a sign that, however small, she was feeling better than earlier before.
"You got two left," the woman, Star, said. "Let's get this over with quickly, alright, Lottie?" Lottie nodded in agreement and now made to push for the next child.
Her smile did not comfort him at all. He noticed that she was looking better, though he caught her stare. She had been staring at some spot between them, it even seemed she didn't fell as the first babe was born. He looked back at the woman delivering. She was concentrating in attempts to help as much as she could. Akira felt like an outcast, there but not all at once. He merely landed whatever support Lottie needed.
ReplyDeleteHe barely heard the cries of the next babe, he glanced at Lottie, she looked. . . better. Much better even. A smile of relief appears on his face. It was almost over.
"Almost there," said the woman. Lottie sighed, relieved, and yet there was a hidden, sinister energy laughing at her calm demeanor. It felt horrible, like an alien roiling around in her skin. The pain had awakened the monster... and now she felt it crawl in her insides, slowly taking over. Her fear returned and she shivered, it did not help either that she was covered in sweat, either. She could feel Akira's worried gaze upon her but she averted her eyes from his.
ReplyDelete"Akira," she whispered, her voice shaking. She felt so weak, her grip on Akira's hand having loosened exponentially. He squeezed her hand slightly in a sign that he was listening. Lottie swallowed and added, "... I couldn't bear the thought of living in a life without your warmth..." He tilted his head more toward Lottie's line of vision. Her eyes darted to his and he looked almost paranoid. She continued. "So... if there shall come a day where I change... and not myself anymore... and want nothing more than the blood and suffering of others... Would you hate me?" It seemed absurd that it was her only concern but it was her true feelings, and the fear of what the answer may be released the smallest tear from the corner of her eye.
Would you hate me? . . . Would he? Was he not a greater monster? Nothing she would ever do could ever make him hate her.
ReplyDeleteHe smiled, probably the most tender and true smile he had ever shown, "Never."
His answer seemed to bring great relief to her.
He grew immiedietly worried when she began to close her eyes. "Lottie?... Lottie?!" He whispered her name.
"Akira keep her awake! She won't be able to push the last baby out!" The woman yelled.
Panic overtook him, he didn't know how to preserve life. He had been trained only to end it. Think Akira. . . not of your training. . . think! Save her!
A sudden thought popped into his mind, he winced at the memory of how he obtained the power. He always avoided using it, it was sinister and it caused him great pain to use it,but for Lottie he would risk it.
He placed a careful hand onto her forehead and willed her to open her eyes. He stared into hers, his eyes changing from a clear, ocean blue, to a bright red. Her eyes widened in shock as she shuttered. "What are you doing!" He vaguely heard the woman say but he ignored her.
"Charlotte, you will remain awake." His voice had changed. It now echoed with a unidentified voice, it merged with his. " You have the energy to birth the last child. You will do so." She only nodded, her body beginning to obey his command. He knew she would feel some pain as her body pushed to maintain her with enough strength to carry out his command.
The seconds stretched, it seemed like hours when finally, the sound of the last babes soft cries filled the air. Akira immediately broke his contact. He fell back out of breath. He shut his eyes as the pain began to take his body, he shuttered against it.
"Akira?. . . " Charlottes weak call made him push past it. He willed himself to go back to her side. She looked pale and tired. Panic began to fill his heart as he removed a strand of stray hair from her face.
"Please be ok." He pleaded her, as if she somehow held the power to do so.
Why? ... Why was there still pain...? Was she in pain? Gathering her thoughts was impossible as they were jumbled with those of the wild voices screaming for death and blood, among other things. She wanted them to shut up, she lacked the energy to concentrate with the endless noise. She had to stay awake... yes, she had to... stay awake...
ReplyDelete"Akira," she repeated, barely as an audible whisper. Her eyes drooped somewhat. She willed the last of her energy to keep them open. She was relieved to see his eyes were once again a piercing, ocean blue. They always seemed to leave her breathless... "I love you... so much."
And at once the looming darkness struck within, the sudden force of which made Lottie gasp in shock before she finally fell unconscious.
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ReplyDelete"Charlotte!" He was pushed out of the way by the young woman whom delivered the babes. She shouted random commands at him but he couldn't process them. He stared in horror as Charlotte lay there, blood coating the entire bed. He ran a slow hand over his face as if it would somehow wake him from his trance. . . no. . . she can't be gone. . . no. . . shes not. . . shes just unconscious. Yes. . . just. . . unconscious. Please. . . please Lottie be ok.
ReplyDelete"She needs blood!" The woman yelled at him. Seeing he was unresponsive she shoved past him and exited the room. The door slamming shut snapped him out of his trance. He rushed to Lottie's side.
She needs blood, but he couldn't give it to her. Could he? No. . . His blood was tainted, not worthy of her.
She loves you. Those words echoed in his mind. I love you too Charlotte, his mind whispered softly.
His mind made up he cut deep into his wrist, willing her to drink.
When the woman rushed back into the room, arms filled with bags of blood, Lottie was already rested, her breaths quiet and even.
Akira looked at the woman and stepped back, his gaze flicking nervously from hers to Lottie's sleeping form.
"Wait!" The woman yelled but he disappeared into the darkness.
Everything was in a state of bliss and she wished it could have lasted longer. She began to arouse from her slumber, the aches and pains of her body awakening along with her. She shifted uncomfortably, blinking several times to focus in on the scene around her. She was still in her bedroom. Soft whimpers of newborn children met her ears and she turned her head to the source. There Star stood over a delivery table, clothing each babe in their own blanket. She looked back at Lottie and smiled.
ReplyDelete"You're awake. You sleep alright?" She walked over with two of the babes and placed them in Lottie's arms. Star went back and held the third child herself and sat next to Lottie. She gazed into the eyes of each of her children; surprisingly, only one of them had Akira's eyes. She looked up and surveyed the room, asking, "Where's Akira?"
"He left some time ago... after giving you his blood." Lottie snapped her head back to Star at the last part and suddenly became aware of an emptiness... The wild voices were absent; silenced, but still present deep down.
"How long have I been out?" asked Lottie.
Star smiled. "Well, long enough for these babies to get hungry!" And as if on cue, the baby in her arms whined profusely and wriggled incessantly.
"Oh! Umm..." Lottie laughed, embarrassed and proceeded to feed the children.
Star finally piped in after exchanging the babe in her arms with a full one. "Do you think he'll come back?"
Lottie returned her eyes to Star's and deliberated. Within seconds, she gave a small grin and said, "I believe he will. Yes."