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djtenkuWord Count: 3462
Summary: Nightmare. Monster. Story.
It was snowing again, the soft flakes giving off tiny bursts of energy just before coming to rest on the ground. The moon was high in the heavens, reaching the apex of its slow arch, bright despite being masked in crimson and beryl from time to time. The stars were nowhere to be found, enhancing the surrounding darkness.
Rowan wondered if this was the last connection to his spells. The thought of death – his own – irked him as he watched the skyscape, but slowly and surely, he almost welcomed it.
“A lie,” a melodic voice whispered. It was the same voice from before. “Lies…is that what you are thinking of right now?”
He tried moving, but an invincible force pinned him down to the floor. “It’s not possible,” he said softly. “No one should have this happen to them.”
“But alas, Fate is random,” it continued. “She chooses as she pleases.”
Rowan gritted his teeth and closed his eyes. “Fate cursed me. Those who are cursed…” His voice dropped. “…die.”
“In due time,” the voice said, “but as you know, everyone does one day. Look at your arm.”
The sniper opened his eyes, and did so, laying sight on thousands of needles piercing his right arm, concentrated near his veins. Green fluid dripped from the exposed tips, and onto his skin, scalding him.
His father always told him the needle never hurt, but he never had the courage to tell him that it did. He never quite explained why he did it, except, “It’s for you to grow healthy and strong.” Each time he received the medicine, Rowan felt better afterwards, no matter what mood he was at the time. But then, it stopped. His father only looked at him with forlorn eyes, and eventually disappeared.
Why did he make that damned pact in the first place?
“He always had such a sad smile,” the voice said melancholy. “You failed to see it.”
“I always saw it,” he countered, turning away. He wondered how long this spell would last, and after much thought, he muttered, “Maybe I shouldn’t live anymore.” The force suddenly pressed down further, until his breathing became shallow and fast. His left arm regained its function after he struggled a few moments; it was heavier than before. He dabbed the corner of his mouth after liquid started to pool out of it, and his eyes widened.
Blood.
Rowan tried sitting up, but a metallic rod with fowl’s down attached to the end was pinning him down. The feathers turned from pure white to crimson as he brushed his pale fingers, tracing it down to his chest. No… He tore out the rod, and threw it elsewhere. His body did not respond afterwards, his left arm weighted down more than ever.
Warm hands held him up, but he did not bother searching for whom they belonged to. It fought off the increasing chill momentarily.
“Rowan,” the voice said softly. “Don’t fall into the Devil’s hands. Do not grant his wish.”
What did she mean by that? Before succumbing to the darkness, he gazed at the white shrouded figure – and green eyes stared back at him, full of pain and sadness. “Roya,” he muttered.
* * *
Vivid colors blended in together as he swam up to consciousness before settling in on somber grey. It took a second for the steel floor to stop sinking in itself before returning to its original state; Rowan slowly sat himself up, clutching his right arm; he pulled back his sleeve to reveal tiny, red dots concentrated around his veins. Ghost marks, he thought, covering it back up. They were starting to become physical again. If that was the case…
No, he said, shaking his head. It can’t be. It won’t be. He thought about his wish – to be death and forgotten. Probably not, considering he was an ‘experiment’ and testing would most likely carry on post-mortem. Probably picking at my brain, he thought with distain. But what exactly was the research for? Rowan narrowed his eyes at the answer. He’s more despicable than I thought.
But what about Maria? A voice piqued. Would you hold her at fault for being a part of all of this?
The nagging pain he held at bay broke through, pitching him over. He suddenly felt like a punching bag after an arduous session and suddenly appreciated it. Maybe I should go easy on it. His nose began to bleed and instinctively put pressure on the bridge of his nose until it stopped several seconds. It happened again, he thought, putting a hand to his pulsing head. He glanced at the other hand – bruised and purple at the flat knuckles. A flash of memory reminded him and he frowned.
“You’re awake.” Rowan’s eyes went wide as he heard that same voice again. He regained his composure, however, as he glanced over his shoulder, gazing into bright emerald eyes. Roya was a ways from him, her legs tucked under her like that of how a geisha would sit, but had the posture of a sitting cat. Her sable hair and white gown pooled around her and mixed together. But, Rowan noted the vague relief and curiosity on her olive face. “What are you doing here?” he asked curtly.
“I came here on a whim and an order,” she said boldly. A thin, curved knife was tucked under her thumb. “I decided not to kill you, for now.”
Why is she sparing me? Then she added, “Because you are not in the condition to do anything.”
“Isn’t that insubordination?” he asked, ignoring her words.
“All I have to do is bring this blade back in blood and that will be the end of it,” she replied. “Maybe a finger or three.”
Rowan turned away. “You should have done it.”
Roya tilted her head. “And why is that?”
He searched for words hidden in his dark mind. “I’m…I’m a monster, and I know the reason why. It’s too much for you to understand, Roya.” Rowan gripped his right arm tighter.
“Then run away.” Roya gazed at the pale man as he turned around fully, glaring at her incrediously. “I’ve been planning it since I joined the Wolves. I had no choice. We had no choice.” She lowered her gaze, looking elsewhere. “It was survival though.”
“’We’?”
“My father and I. We were starving, down to our last crumb of bread, and we had no place to stay; we wandered
“How come you didn’t just leave after…?” Rowan stopped himself short. Why am I worried about her?
Roya chuckled. “I was only sixteen at the time,” she replied. “I would’ve been captured and became a slave again; who knew what would’ve happened next. Where would I have gone? How come you haven’t, Rowan?”
Silence. Then, “I don’t know. If I did it now, I would have been hauled off and locked up where I can’t see daylight.” He barely noticed her crawling toward him, and then wrapping her arms loosely around his neck. That perfume…
“We can run away together,” Roya whispered in his ear. “There is a path three miles south from here that leads to an open field. A gate is there, and it’s towards freedom. Meet me there if you wish to do so.” She kissed him on the cheek before getting up. “I hope to see you again.”
Rowan brushed his fingers against his cheek, taking off the thin trace of lipstick. Reason and emotions started to mix together. Don’t go, something said. Don’t follow her.
-
Xander’s eyes flew open at the sudden jolt of pain and sat up immediately; ignoring vertigo and the sudden pull of gravity. It took some time for the headache to subside and the spinning to stop. He tried moving but another jolt stopped him – that, and his arms were stiff and realized his arms were bounded in bandages. In fact, rolls of bandages, dressing, disinfectants, and amongst other things were sprawled across the marble floor.
He then smelled food and his stomach promptly growled in protest. All of what he had for breakfast and lunch the previous day had came back earlier after the realization that the president of CatagiTech was dead. Being punched in the stomach didn’t exactly help either.
Xander focused his poor sight on the red-haired woman sitting across from him, propped up against the wall. A few rations were torn open near her, while several packs were still left untouched. He noted she was bandaged as well; her left shoulder was hidden with elastic bandages while her midsection had a pressure gauze under a mass of white tape. A thin strip of tape was wrapped over her right thigh, and on closer inspection – squinting – a large flesh colored square was under her left eye. If he didn’t know any better, she was a rogue guerilla. “Did you rest well?” she asked.
He opened his mouth to say something, but all that came out was a hoarse dry sound. She handed a cup that sat idly in her hand. It was so much of a relief that is eyes started to water. “Oh, that’s much better,” he said after clearing his throat. “Thank you, Miss…Shin.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Where are we?”
“In the safest place in the whole base,” she said with a smile. “Don’t bother worrying about going anywhere or someone coming in; there’s a blizzard ragin’.”
“How long has it been?”
Shin gave a thoughtful look, and then shrugged. “About an hour and a half, I suppose. Ah, I bet you’re hungry. How does beef ravioli sound? Or chicken a la king?”
“Can I have both?” Xander asked timidly. His eyes sparkled when she nodded and got up, taking two packets. “I don’t know why you’re being nice, miss.”
Shin glanced over her shoulder. “Would you rather for me to be a bitch to you?”
“Well no,” he said shirking a little. “It’s just…you’ve heard everything that I did! I deserve every bit of backlash there is. I…” He fell silent, burying his head into his hands. Then, “It was a study; implanting special genes.”
“Genes?”
“There has been a theory floating around since the early eighties,” he started, “that in certain pools of them what we call mutant genes. Despite that word, it is believed that they contain the elements of life that we have been searching for…well, the beginning of time. Superhuman strength, the ability to heal quicker than before, high intellegence, and possibly extended life longevity.
“The problem is that no one had experimented outside of lab rats, and it can also has the direct effects of those I’ve said.”
“So let me get this straight; are you going to make a super-person or what?”
“It was originally for people who had birth defects and deformities – both physical and mentally. Until the government got involved. It’s now geared towards a super-soldier idea. Think about it: hundreds and thousands of our soldiers have been injured, maimed, or even killed in the line of duty, especially as of late. It would benefit them as well as us; it would heavily reduce casusalties, and save money on equipment and supplies, and we can use the surplus to…oh, who am I kidding! The ends certainly does not justify the means!” Xander threw his arms up, only to bring them back down, yowling.
“Calm down,” Shin instructed in a soft tone. She handed a little green packet to him after sticking the plastic spoon in it and settled across from him.
Xander wanted to say otherwise, but his stomach rumbled again. He glared at the once powder food in caution, watching a bubble flaring up before popping. It was warm in his hands and he cupped it a while longer. I wish I wasn’t so weak. None of this would’ve happened.
Shin heard the familiar staccato beep and picked up the link by pressing just below her ear. “Yeah?”
+ …in, where are you?+ asked a low, hushed voice.
“Kento, where the hell have you been?” she nearly yelled, startling Xander from his slow eating. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you since –“
+ I don’t know where the hell I am,+ he said roughly as possible, +and I have been tortured for god-knows how long, ok? I’m just one thread away from falling into pieces!+
Silence. + Sorry, not in a exact mood for anything right now. +
“How much have you lost?”
+To be honest…I’m still speaking, aren’t I? It’s not as bad as before, but give me a few more hours and I just might bite it.+
Shin sighed. “I wish I knew where you are,” she said softly. “I’ve got supplies and everything.”
+…you’re not hurt, are you? You have that tone…+
“Yes. I mean, I was – I took some lead by those damn Screamers, but that was some time ago. I’m fine now,” she said, brushing her side. “I rested.”
“He’s in the main building,” Xander said inbetween mouthfuls. “I believe third floor. That’s where I was first held before taking me down to that other building.”
“We’re a lot closer than I thought,” Shin said aloud. “Maybe I can – “
+Negative,+ said a new, grating voice. + You cannot, under any circumstance rescue him, Shina.+
“Oni!” Shin exclaimed. “But he’s close and in need of attention or else –“
+I realize that,+ the ex-general interrupted, unmoving, + But the mission is still at hand.+
“I’ve got Mr. Xander right here with me,” she argued. “Alive and eating even. We’re in the safest place where no one can find us.” She then dropped her voice into a dangerous whisper. “I’m going to do something about it whether you like it or not.”
+Young lady, you will be tried for insubordination and likely court martialed as well. I suggest you don’t.+ And with that, his presence left. Shin muttered a few obscenties and curses before realizing Xander was staring at her with a thin eyebrow raised before continuing eating.
+I appreciate the gesture,+ Kento said, +but he’s right. You…can’t stop because of one little thing. Hell, we’ve been in worst shit before; you know that.+
“I know,” Shin said. “How about this; I’ll bring stuff over and you do whatever you have to do.”
+Much better. It’s a loophole.+
“In the meantime, how ‘bout I tell a story?”
Kento snickered. +A story? Shin, have you lost your mind?+
“It eases the mind!” she countered. “It’ll take a lot of pain away and you’ll feel better in the end. How about it, Mr. Xander?”
Xander nodded vehemently, taking another mouthful of the ration.
“Two-to-one, Kento,” she declared. “You lose.”
+Oh, alright,+ he said defeatedly. +As long as it’s not about fairies and unicorns.+
“They won’t, I can reassure you. Now, a long time ago, there was a man named Bluebeard. He was a rather wealthy aristocrat by birth and lived in
+A pretty boy?+
“Far from it. He was feared because of his unpredictable behavior and unkempt appearance; a wild man, if you will. The odd thing though, is that he had several wives; each season, he had a different woman at his arm. Because of this, the local girls avoided him like the plague. They didn’t know what happened to them.
“When Bluebeard visited one of his neighbors in the countryside, they were absolutely terrified when he asked to marry one of their lovely daughters. Each sister tried to pass him on to another – you know, like ‘Oh, she’s much better than I, take her.’ But alas, the youngest daughter was chosen to marry him. After the ceremony, she went to live with him in his chateau.”
“So, this Bluebeard was a pimp aristocrat and married any girl he chooses?” Xander asked. “That’s horrible!”
+If I even heard about him...+
“Well Kento, this was way back,” Shin said sadly, “Marrying into wealth was really common and women and below didn’t have a sayso in it. That and someone that had his power could have easily destroyed that family.
“Shortly after the wedding, Bluebeard said he had to leave the country for a bit and gave all of the keys to the chateau to his new wife, including a small key to a room that she was absolutely forbiddened to enter; he then left, leaving the house in her care. Of course, curiosity almost overwhelmed her but she managed to stave it off. Until her eldest visiting sister persuaded her, that is.” She paused and smiled in the prolonged silence.
“Together they went to the coveted door and opened it.” Shin dropped her voice into a whisper. “The floor was covered with dried blood and there was the smell of Death in the room. The bodies of Bluebeard’s former wives were hanging off the wall, carved up in the worst way possible. Horrified, they ran out of the room and quickly locked it up. But!” Shin jabbed a finger into the air.
“The blood wouldn’t wash off from their dresses and the key! Bluebeard came back suddenly and glared at his wife’s dress and knew what she did. With a roar, he drew his sword and threatened to behead her and her sister on the spot. However, they were quick enough to escape to the highest tower and shut themselves in. Bluebeard followed them, but he was a little slow. He kicked, sliced, and rammed the door, anything to get that door down. He didn’t count on their two brothers coming though.”
+How did they know what was going on?+ Kento asked, voice faint.
“The elder sister told them earlier that she was going to visit,” she said, cautiously. “I’d be worried too.
“Bluebeard managed to get the door open. He stood there with a glare that he could’ve probably killed on that alone and raised his sword for the killing blow.” She even gestured the act and Xander watched, mouth agape. She brought her arm down, but stopped it by clamping down on her forearm. “Two blades stopped it! The brothers had arrived! They fought, and Bluebeard quickly realized that he was outskilled, and certainly outnumbered him. He tried fleeing the chateau, but the brothers caught up with him and beheaded him, thus, Bluebeard’s terrorizing days were over.”
Shin sighed in relief and glanced up at Xander . “How was that?”
Xander stared into the beef raviloli he just started on and slowly gazed up at her. “I’m…a little sick after that. All the beheadings and the…” He shuddered. “Who could possibly tell that story to another, especially to children?”
“My grandfather, “she said, matter-of-factly, “I don’t know why, but he did anyway. Random he was. What’d you think about it, Ken?” To her dismay and alarm, there was no answer.
+…sorry Shin, I drifted out. That didn’t make me feel better at all.+ His voice was strained with every word.
“I could tell another one,” Shin offered, “but that’s really long.”
+N-no…wait till we get back.+
“Alright. Mr. Xander, what’s the quickest route to the main building?” Shin asked as she started to gather things in a thin sheet.
The man looked at her incrediously. “But you just said no one could get in or out!”
“I didn’t say I couldn’t,” she said, taking the rubber band that held her hair in place and wrapping it around the closed edges thrice. She then added another string and looped it through the rubber band.
Xander frowned. “Each floor needs a clearance card to enter and exit.” He held up four fingers. “At least two to function, and two for opening doors. However, the lead security person has one cards that combines those functions. The same goes for the Armory, but the good thing is that it’s versitile. The cameras in there are equipped with guns; and they will sound the alarm.”
“The ducts; how big are they?” she asked, slipping on her thermal top. The vest layed elsewhere, with a hole the size of a closed fist on both ends.
He sized her up, tilting his head slightly. “Size varies, but you’re small enough. There’s one, I think. Are you planning to go to the roof?” She nodded. “The connectors are only as wide as a two-by-four and judging from the weather, well…”
High-wire balance act, Shin didn’t say, standing up. She handed the rifle to the weapons president. “Just in case,” she said as he accepted the gun.
It was heavy in his hand, an unfamiliar weight at that. Then he remembered. “Oh! Your jacket. You’ll catch cold.”
