Crave: A Tale of Sensual Metamorphosis

A Long Journey

"Where are we again?" I yawned as we settled at a motel in the middle of nowhere. "Last I checked we're in the good 'ole state of Kansas." He mocked with a southern accent. We pulled the sheets up replacing them with our own and I flopped down in a tired heap. "Do we have to go all the way to California. I mean we're already so far from home. We haven't had any problems since and it's been almost three weeks." I complained playing with my necklace. "Well better safe than sorry." He said checking the windows and bathroom. He then laid next to me yawning as well, "I guess 14 hours of straight driving does give you jet lag." He rolled over laying on me. "Can't tell if I miss not being able to sleep or just hate being tired during the day." I kissed him as it was still a bright morning. I peppered him with kissing rolling over on top of him as he groaned tiredly. "Don't sleep on me now. I'm gonna get some ice and drinks." I got up leaving out. The motel felt almost deserted with a few single travelers communing. I went to the reception and noticed someone quietly arguing with the desk clerk. I tried not to be nosy but could tell he was negotiating something. I turned away to the ice machine before he noticed I was looking and could hear him leave the office. I then went to the clerk and bought a case of beer. He oddly averted his eyes from me but I didn’t think anything of it.

I came back putting the ice bucket and beers on the table, "Wasn't much of a selection but I saw an advertisement for a bar a few ways down." I called out only to turn around and see Matthew sound asleep. I sighed then crawled up next to him to get some rest as well.

I jumped awake from my sleep to the sound of loud knocking at the door. I looked up to see Matthew sitting up in tired confusion as the knocking continued. "Who is that?" I asked but he just shushed me getting up quietly. The aggressive knocking continued and I hid behind the bed. "Who is it?" Matthew called out. There wasn't a response as he nervously came to the door. He checked the peephole only to let out a sigh of relief and disbelief. "What the hell are you doing here Robert?" He cursed opening the door to see his brother. He nervously walked in glancing at me. "Hey I've been looking everywhere for you man." He scratched his head with a smile. "Really? You've been look all across the country for me?" Matthew gave a look of disdain. "Don't underestimate your own flesh and blood right?" He slapped his arm jokingly. Matthew didn't give into him crossing his arms. Robert then sighed finally coming clean. "Alright I was following you guys." He finally admitted. Matthew grew angry running his hands through his hair. “Why?” He shrugged, “You can’t be doing this just because you want to make amends after almost 10 years.” As Matthew said that Robert quickly glanced at me then sat down. “It’s dad.” His voice darkened.

I sat by the window trying to hear their conversation as they sat outside. They were talking about their father almost seeming to actually make up. They came back in patting each other on the back. "Sorry to impose on you guys ‘elopement’. I just couldn't let things stay sour. Especially with how better things kinda are right now." Robert apologized to me which I accepted. He then looked at both of us and then held his arms out. “Drinks?!”

I sipped on a water avoiding any alcohol meanwhile Robert was already three sheets to the wind. "So where are you guys headed?" He leaned to me as we sat in the bar. "Does it matter? Matthew didn't tell you?" I moved away uncomfortably. He shook his head taking another sip of his drink, "Just tryna make conversation. That's all." He chewed on a piece of ice. He looked at my necklace with curiousuty reaching towards it. "That must have cost a fortune." He gawked as I slapped his hand away. "Geez just admiring it that's all. He buy it for you? Matthew does know how to spend a pretty penny on a pretty girl." He continued to stare at it. "It was a gift. But not from him." I simply put it covering the necklace with my hand. "Well it must be very valuable by the looks of it." He moved away. “Matthew will be back from the bathroom soon. So please don’t ruin his good mood with your antics.” I warned him. He grinned at me, “I’m not worried about him.” He slipped up. "What made you wanna follow us out here really? I get that your father is getting better, but a couple of months ago you couldn't stand the sight of us. What really changed?" I pressed him. He smiled to himself as he began pouring another drink. "Maybe I actually wanted to make amends with my brother after all these years of fighting and tension. Couldn't really do that if he's 100s of miles away." He explained which made me raise an eyebrow. "How did you know to follow us if you didn't even know we were leaving?" I questioned his refutable statement. He chuckled to himself then leaned back over accidentally spilling his glass onto my lap. My skirt was covered in alcohol and I jumped up in shock. "Oh god I'm so sorry. Maybe I'm more drunk than I thought." He panicked trying to clean me up. "No it's fine." I grabbed napkins trying to clean up. He then grabbed my wrist stopping me, “Hey, you know I can help you with that.” He looked down to my soaked legs giving me a smug look. I then rushed to the exit passing Matthew coming back to the table. They both followed me out as I jogged to the car getting in. My heart was surprisingly racing as I genuinely didn’t trust nor understand why Robert was here. I could tell it had something to do with me but didn’t know why.

We eventually made it back to the room and Robert was still drunkingly apologizing to me. I quickly went to the bathroom grabbing my suitcase. I could hear them talking through the walls as I changed my skirt and underwear throwing them on the floor. I stressfully checked myself in the mirror then exited the bathroom. "Please don't apologize for the 1,000th time." I cut Robert off sitting on the bed. "Hey do you mind if I use the bathroom. Kinda got a booze bladder right now." He rushed into the bathroom letting himself in. "Quite the reunion." I said under my breath only for Matthew to scold me. "He’s trying Lily. Maybe this is actually something positive for once." He said and I scoffed turning away from him. Robert then came out the bathroom in a haste. "Hey guys I think I'm gonna head out. Probably get a hotel room in the city before I head back." He went back to his nervous behavior. “What? You came all the way here just to leave the next day?” Matthew pleaded. “Hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day.” He let himself out before we could formally say goodbye. "That was odd." Matthew looked disappointed. "Your brother’s so weird." I tried to deflect with a joke. He then came next to me,”That’s family for you.” He sighed. "But hey. At least we finally got the room to ourselves." He laid me down and kissed my cheek moving down to my neck. My vision was blurred with lust and I could almost see some standing outside the window but didn't pay it any mind as he went faster.

Robert's POV

I steadily hit my cigarette as the sun was now coming up. A nice car then drove up and I threw my cigarette to the side. The window rolled down and it was Evan looking into me. I quickly got inside pulling her underwear out of my pocket only for Evan to snatch it out my hand. He didn't say a word as he smelled it intensely only to scowl at the scent. "Sorry some booze got spilled on it." I apologized and he growled. "I didn't ask for much." He threw it back at me angrily. I apologized again disgusted at his behavior. "Did they tell you where they were going?" He asked leaning towards me and I shook my head. "They were both specific to not say anything. She was also wearing this weird medieval looking necklace. She was real protective over it, said it was a gift." I explained making him react differently. He then cursed leaning forward, "That's why I can't track her. That b***h was smart even after death." He spoke to himself. I then cleared my throat getting his attention back, "Well that's something. Don't I get paid for helping you." I inquired. He then reached into his pocket pulling out a phone. "You should have your compensation in a few seconds." He signaled to my pocket and I pulled my phone out seeing a bank notification. I was taken aback to see a payment of thousands of dollars deposited into my bank account. "All that for a bit of driving and snooping." I laughed looking to him. He gave a sneaky grin as I got myself together. I reached for the car door to leave only for him to grab my neck pulling me back. "Hey man what the f**k!" I shouted as the car began driving off. "If you thought it would be that easy for a couple thousand dollars then you really are a fool for money." He snarled then pulled a knife out. "I think you should know how much Lilianna means to me." He slowly moved the knife to my neck and I began screaming bloody murder.

Lily’s POV

I held a basket of clothes on my hip as I got coins out the of coin machine at the laundromat. I looked around to see it was empty which I figured since it was still really early in the morning. I loaded the clothes into the washer, "Could have sworn I had another pair of underwear." I said to myself turning the cycle on. I placed my hand in the running water and thought back to what Matthew said about wanting to officiate our relationship. I playfully shook my head at the thought holding my necklace. I then turned around and jumped to see Robert standing right behind me. He held is hands up as I held my chest, "Sorry, I thought you heard me come in." He exclaimed. I sighed grabbing the basket sitting down. He came next to me and looked in deep thought. "I thought you were getting a hotel room." I nudged him out of concentration. "Uh,they were all booked so I just decided to just sleep in my car for the night." I looked back to see no car other than Matthew's in the parking lot. Before I could bring it up he turned to me, "What made you wanna be with Matthew?" He blurted. Surprised, I nervously collected my thoughts making something up, "Well, when I met him he seemed to understand me more than I understood myself. And, when you struggle with finding yourself it's nice to be with someone who-" as I rambled he leaned in grabbing my face and placed a hard kiss on my lips. I tried leaning away only for him to follow until he was practically standing over me. He finally let up still holding me, "He told me you were special, that you were perfect. I saw the way Matthew looked at you, what he did to you. I can do that too." He kissed my neck and chest intensely still holding me tightly. He made his way to my lips which prompted me to bite his lip so he'd let me go. He stumbled back and I licked the blood off my lip. "I'm sorry..." he sheepishly backed up in regret. “Who’s he?” I immediately questioned as things started slowly making sense. He then started shutting down and I quickly changed the subject. "Look, I know you're probably a really good person Robert. I know you love Matthew, and I'm sure any girl would be lucky to have you. I just think it's best if you just go home and forget that you even did this for yours and Matthew's sake. Especially for ‘your’ sake." I empathized rubbing his shoulder. I then noticed his neck looked strange and reached for it instinctively. He pulled away, “D-did he do that to you?” I had a sneaking suspicion. His face was then stagnant as he left the laundromat upset. I sighed then jumped again as the washing machine rang.

I came back to the motel room placing the basket on the desk as Matthew came out the shower. “I think I’m ready to get back on the road.” I began folding the clothes into our suitcases. He came behind me hugging me, “We can leave in couple of hours if you want.” He kissed me neck. “Yeah I’d like that.”

He could tell my mind was occupied by something and turned me around. “Hey, I promised I’ll keep you safe. No matter what. And Robert, don’t let him get to you. Plus, he’s headed home so no worries there.” He moved my hair out my face. “I just wish we were the only two people in the world. Or the universe.” I buried my head in his warm chest. “Yeah me too.” He kissed the top of my head.

HOURS LATER

“I checked the engine yesterday, I was certain it was fine.” Matthew tinkered with his car engine. “How long do you think it’ll take?” I stressed looking at our packed luggage. “I’m sure the office has a car service. Only downside is we might be here another day.” He closed the hood. I groaned kicking the dirt, “Great.” I fell to the curb. “I’ll see if they can give us the room again and ask about a mechanic.” He headed to the office. I eventually got up and began collecting our luggage. I then felt a sudden sense around myself. It was almost like time moved slowly and the hairs on my neck stood up. I could tell something was behind me. I instinctively turned around extending my arm grabbing it. I looked down to see it was actually an arm. As I met the face of the arm I realized it was the messenger who appeared in front of me and Matthew before. He seemed to come out of thin air and I couldn’t make anything of it. “How did you?” I looked around and noticed he had something in his hand. He didn’t speak as he tried to pull away from me. “Who are you?!” I pulled him closer and he grew more scared. “Please, I’m just a messenger.” He softly spoke and I could tell he was young. I grabbed what he was holding still not letting him go. It was a note and I stuffed it into my pocket questioning him further. “Did you work for Mira or something? Can you tell me more of what’s going on?” I looked around to ensure Matthew didn’t see us. He still didn’t let up, “I’m begging you. I feel like we’re still in a lot of danger. I don’t know what’s going on and I’m scared.” My eyes began watering. “Okay.” He quickly reached into his bag pulling out a vial similar to what I had before. I tried to grab it but he threw into the dirt and I let him go running to get it. As I picked it up I pulled the note out of my pocket reading it. “Keep an eye on those close to you. Even if they are family. Protect him Lily, so he can protect you.” -M

“It’s not for you.” The messenger shouted. I looked at the vial and it was slightly different from what I had. “Who is it for?” I looked back and, of course, he was gone. Soon Matthew came back and I quickly put the note and vial away. “Good news, he’ll give us the room for free and we should be back on the road sometime after midnight.” He smiled picking up the suitcases. “You okay?” He saw I was more upset and I slightly nodded. “I will be once we leave this place.”

~~~

Support a young writer ^-^ $Alexandrianalls