The Dark of the Core

Friendship

A lone man with black hair sat on the hill overlooking the lake. He closed his violet eyes as the night breeze blew past him sending a shiver down his spine. At that moment in time, he felt more alone than ever. Advisors and friends alike had suggested he move on from the agonizing past but, how could he? He had failed the daughter he had never met and failed the one woman he will ever love.

Dagny…

The name rang through his mind bringing a fresh wave of pain as if it was only yesterday that she had left his side. They were meant to be together since the beginning. It was even written in the stars. However, her wish for peace overwhelmed all her emotions. It was a stupid notion of hers to think that the light and dark forces could merge and become one. In the end, she lost her life for a lost cause. The man released a deep sigh and tried to control the rising emotions inside him. He opened his eyes and stared up at the night sky filled with shining stars. A distant memory made its way into his mind.

He was lying on the grass with her head on his chest, her brown hair splayed out. After a few still moments, he heard a contented sigh. He nudged her gently and she turned to look up at him. She had a huge smile on her face.

“I wish we could stay like this forever…”

Her voice was soft yet he could hear a small pain which confused him. He gave her his signature smirk that she loved so much. “Who says we can’t?” He asked, rising his eyebrows slightly. She gave a small laugh before rising up. Her eyes turned to the sky.

“You would never forget me, would you Eavis?”

If only he had known what the real meaning behind her words were that day, perhaps things would have turned out differently.

A frown came upon his face as he turned her to face him. “Why are you asking this? You know I love you more than anything, Dagny. I will never ever forget you.” He told her firmly but it did not make the sadness in her eyes disappear.

“How much…?”

Her question puzzled him. He had no idea what she was talking about.

“How much do you love me…?”

She rephrased the question upon seeing his confusion. His eyes widened slightly. That was the last thing he would have expected her to ask. He hesitated wondering how to answer. His eyes then turned to the night sky and a smile appeared on his face.

“Look up…” He told her softly and when she did not move, he tilted her chin up with his fingers towards the sky. “Tell me how many stars are up there.” Her red-brown eyes turned to his with a frown.

“Eavis, that is impossible. No one knows the number of stars that are in the sky. There are countless.”

She replied in her beautiful voice that struck him every time. He gave her a smile. “Just like my feelings for you. It is beyond description. No words can fully describe it.” He said and almost laughed at the way her eyes widened at his words. A few moments later, he saw the tears forming in her eyes and immediately cupped her face.

“Why are you crying? I did not mean to upset you…” He said hastily wiping at her eyes gently. She shook her head and wrapped her arms around his neck before crashing her lips to his in a passionate kiss. He opened his mouth willingly and their tongues battled for dominion over the other. She moaned into his mouth which sent trills all down his spine. In the midst of kissing, he lifted her up with ease and placed her on the ground on her back underneath him. Their clothes were soon thrown to the side and forgotten. He kissed the side of her jaw then moved down to her neck and to the top of her chest.

After a few moments, he pulled back and stared down at her with dark eyes. His eyes roamed all over her bare body, hands caressing every inch of skin. A low sensual growl sounded from within his chest.

“You are beautiful, Dagny. None can and will ever match up to your beauty.” He whispered to her before dipping his head and swallowing the tip of her breast in his mouth. He ran his tongue over it gently eliciting another lust-filled moan from her. Her n****e immediately hardened in his mouth. He then kissed down her slim stomach before reaching her womanhood. She shivered in anticipation and gave a loud gasp as she felt his tongue flicking her while his hands held on to her inner thighs. A force rocked her whole body and she trembled slightly. Her hands went into his hair. She then pulled him up to meet his eyes.

“Let us be one tonight, Eavis. I want to be only yours.”

She said huskily causing excitement to rise within him. He positioned himself right outside of her entrance and looked into her eyes for confirmation. Seeing the love in her gaze, he pushed aside all doubts and plunged into her. He heard her whimper and had thought she was hurt but soon she was rocking with him.

“I love you, Eavis…”

Even now he could still remember every detail of her body. The way she felt in his hands. It was something he would never forget. His attention focused back on the stars above him.

“My love for you remains stronger than ever, Dagny…”

He gave a sigh and stood up, brushing off his cloak. “I promise you…I will find our daughter even if it kills me.” With a flap of his pointed wings, the man disappeared into the night.

***

Skye kept her eyes glued to the textbook in front of her. She could feel the eyes of the boy whom she bumped into a few days ago staring at her. She had no idea why he was so persistent in trying to talk to her. Most people would just pretend she didn’t exist. Could it be about the colour of my eyes…? Skye gasped softly and turned without thinking. Immediately she met with a pair of blue eyes intently staring at her. She quickly turned her eyes away feeling her cheeks warming. It puzzled her why her body was so reactive to this guy.

When the bell rang to signify the end of class, she gathered her books up and ran out of the room. Again she had no idea why she was avoiding the guy. There was just something about him that made her want to break down and tell him everything. That was not what she wanted to happen. Skye just rounded the corner when she felt someone grab her arm. Instinctively, she jerked her hand out of the person’s grasp and turned around. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of the guy she was just thinking about. His face was marred by a deep frown and he seemed frustrated. Skye bowed her head and bit her lip. She knew she couldn’t escape and there was a part of her that didn’t want to escape.

The guy gave a sigh before speaking. “Do you hate me that much?” 

Skye felt a pang of guilt within her and quickly shook her head. “I don’t hate you at all…” She replied in a soft voice. 

“Then why are you avoiding me?” He asked in a frustrated tone. 

Skye cringed away. So he noticed I was avoiding him… She did not know what to say for she didn’t understand fully why she was avoiding him either.

The guy took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you…” He said before muttering to himself. “That’s the last thing I would want to do.” Even though it was said very quietly, Skye still heard it and looked up at him in surprise. “I just…Could we be friends?” He finally managed to say in exasperation. 

Her eyes widened. No one had ever ‘requested’ to be her friend and yet here a guy was asking her. Skye felt an unknown emotion inside of her and found herself close to tears. Quickly turning her eyes away, she shook her head vigorously before running in the opposite direction. She could hear his voice calling out to her but she did not stop.

Skye ran up two flights of stairs to the highest floor and hid around a corner. There, she leaned against the wall and slumped to her feet. “I’m sorry…” She kept mumbling out loud to no one in particular. The halls were deserted allowing her to be alone. “I cannot have your friendship…” She stared off into space for a few moments before she felt a vibration in her skirt pocket. Her hand fumbled in her pocket for awhile and took out her phone. Faith’s name appeared on the screen with the message she had written.

Skye, where the hell R U?

Are you alrite?

Reply back ASAP!

Skye felt guilty for making Faith worry and immediately typed back a reply telling her exactly where she was currently located. After the message was sent, she deposited her phone back into her pocket and stood up. When she walked to the side of the building, Skye was not at all surprised when she heard thundering footsteps from behind her. Soon she came face to face with a worried Faith.

“What happened? Was it Alex? Did he do something?” Faith asked frantically, looking Skye from head to toe. Skye could not help the smile that broke out on her face as she shook her head. 

“I’m fine, Faith. I just came up here to get some fresh air.” She replied with a reassuringly nod. Faith looked sceptical but after not seeing the usual sadness in Skye’s eyes dropped the issue. They both had just turned to lean over the railing when Skye’s phone started to ring. Giving Faith an apologetic look, Skye took a few steps away and took out her phone. She held the receiver to her ear and waited for the other person to start speaking. There was a bit of shuffling and a girly giggle before Alex’s voice sounded.

“I’m meeting up with a few friends at Mizuya for karaoke after school. You’re going as well. You can bring that friend of yours if you want. Your parents are out for the night so Heather and Cayleb are joining us.”

Skye felt her heart stop at the name. “C-Cayleb will be there?” She whispered and saw Faith straighten up from the corner of her eye. 

Alex made a sound of frustration. “Of course he’ll be there. You’re the one that shouldn’t be there but Heather insisted you come. You will need to find a way to get there. I’m taking Heather with me. That’s all.”

Before Skye could answer, Alex had hung up leaving her to stare at the phone in fear. She felt Faith come up beside her and lay a hand on her shoulder. Immediately Skye tensed up but did not pull away. 

“What’s wrong, Skye?” Faith asked taking in the scared expression on Skye’s face. 

“H-He is going to be there.” Skye turned her eyes to Faith in panic. “What am I going to do? Faith, he is going to do something!” 

Faith quickly placed both her hands on Skye’s shoulders firmly. “Skye, look at me and tell me what is going on. Who and where are you talking about?” She demanded trying to keep her voice calm. 

Skye released a shaky breath and shook her head clinging to herself. “Alex said he’s meeting up with friends after school at Mizuya and wants me to go.” She said and paused before continuing when Faith nodded her head. “He said that my parents are out tonight so Heather and…” Skye stopped in the middle of the sentence, not wanting to speak his name. 

However, Faith understood as her eyes widened. “Cayleb…”

Skye let out a stricken sob and bit her lip hard to stop herself from crying. “T-They will be both be there tonight…” She finished, keeping her eyes down. Faith’s hands dropped from her shoulders allowing Skye to hug herself tighter. It was then she remembered something Alex had mentioned. “Alex did say I could bring you along.” She said and perked up slightly to look Faith in the eyes. 

“Please come with me, Faith. Don’t leave me alone…” Skye whimpered slightly, the fear evident in her eyes. Faith felt her heart clench at the sight and nodded her head silently. Skye breathed a sigh of relief and managed a small smile despite her inner worries.

Faith held out her hand which Skye took hesitantly before walking back down the stairs. “Is Alex driving us there?” 

Skye gasped when she realized neither Faith nor herself drive cars, not to mention she had no idea where Mizuya was located. They were both walking down the hallway towards their last class of the day when she spotted him. His back was facing her and he was busy talking to another person.

Skye paused in her tracks and contemplated her next move. She could just turn around and think of another plan but something stopped her. She knew he must still be angry from earlier. What if he hates me now…? She cringed slightly at the thought and wondered why she would care if he did or not. Taking a deep breath, she ignored Faith’s questioning eyes and stepped forward. She raised her hand hesitantly and tapped the guy on the shoulder lightly before retracting her hand. He turned around almost immediately and stared at her through his glasses. Surprise soon turned to anger then to sadness which puzzled Skye greatly. She bit down on her lip hard and turned her eyes away shyly.

“C-Can I ask a favour of you?” She asked in a barely audible voice but he heard nonetheless. There were a few tense moments where Skye thought he was going to refuse and walk away but instead he sighed. 

“What is it?” He asked causing her to stare at him in surprise. Is he not angry with me…? The guy was staring at her intently when she realized she had not given him an answer yet. 

“I was wondering if you could drive my friend and me to Mizuya after school. We are meeting some people there…” Skye said trying not to give too many details away. The guy’s expression did not change and he continued staring at her.

Skye started to feel self-conscious and turned her head away. This seemed to bring the guy back to his senses. “My brother is the one with the car but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind taking you to Mizuya.” He quickly said with a slight cough. 

Skye turned back to him with a grateful expression. “Thank you…” She replied then realized something. “I still don’t know your name…” Skye admitted in embarrassment. 

The guy laughed and held out his hand in introduction. “My name’s Devin.” 

There was a moment of silence where Skye merely stared at his hand. Devin then remembered that she was not good with physical contact and moved to retract his hand when she stopped him. Her small hand came to rest softly on his palm for a moment before she retrieved it. 

“Skye…” She replied, looking up at him with a small smile. 

Devin felt a shock pass through him at the contact which surprised him. He quickly gave a smile which came out shaky and pulled his hand back immediately disappointed at the loss of heat. 

“I guess I’ll see you at the parking lot after class.” Devin said giving a small wave to Skye and her friend and prepared to walk away. He managed to get a few steps before he felt someone grip his arm softly. He turned around to see Skye looking at the ground shyly.

“I’m…sorry about before, Devin…” She said and looked up to meet his gaze. Their eyes locked immediately and Devin found himself oblivious to his surroundings, his attention fully on the girl in front of him. However, Skye was the first to break contact as she turned around and left without a word. Devin stared after Skye and her friend, wondering what had just happened.

Skye did not turn back to look at him until they rounded the corner where she stopped. Faith was looking at her in concern but she did not reply. When her eyes had connected with Devin, she felt a spark in her. It frightened her greatly for she did not know what it was. Was it good or bad…?