Devour: The Chrysalis and The Snake

Sending A Message

“You don’t anything about me Lily.” I ran my hands through my hair mimicking his words. “What’s your point?” We sat in his still parked car. “My point is that I expected you to be a stripper or a some secret government official. Not a damn mafia goon.” I was genuinely shook up even though my true identity beats his out by miles. “It’s not the f*****g Mafia Lily! We just..do things a lot people consider illegal most of the time. It’s not like we have secret prostitution rings and shit.” He was annoyed starting the car. “So what. You don’t want to see or speak to me ever again now?” I can tell he was expecting this to happen, and I finally calmed down. “No.” I said blankly to his shock. “I just want to make sure his ‘boys’ don’t start stalking me so I don’t talk.” I looked out the window as we pulled off. “Anyone of our men that follows you is only doing it because I told them to. Unless you’re a secret spy and I’m your little pawn.” He placed his hand on my thigh tightly not taking what I said to heart. I trembled slightly when he did that, but not from fear or anger..

—

We made it to a vintage style diner. I was expecting some high end steak house, but was pleased to see how quiet and quaint it was. “This is Ma.” Jack’s boss put his arm around an elderly women who graciously kissed his cheek. “Such a pleasure to meet you.” Her accent was thick and barely discernible. “My Carlo take good care of you.” She sounded almost robotic as she took my hands greeting me. I smiled and nodded looking to Jack who was already ordering our food at the counter. Some of his other men came in and we sat around a large family style table. More brief cases, including the one I saw before, were placed on the table. “It’ll be okay.” Jack reassured me taking my hand under the table. “Jackie boy. If you don’t mind I’d like to accommodate the lady.” Carlo snapped his fingers. Mike then entered pulling an envelope out of his coat pocket. They could all see how tense I was with everything, and I couldn’t do much to hide it. “There’s a little extra in here.” Mike slid the envelope directly in front of me. The sound of it struggling to glide across the marbled wood let me know it was more money than I’ve ever been given in one sitting. I picked it up as Jack seemed bothered by it. “Wow-” before I could thank them all, the brief cases were popped open. That’s when I realized, this wasn’t just any ole money, it was hush money. My nose twitched as the familiar smell of toxic powder filled it. I watched as Jack and Mike examined the saran wrapped drugs. The whole time, Jack held my hand tightly as they discussed matters on what to do with the ‘packages’. “Get these sold by the end of the month, and you both will be signing show tunes on a yatch by the end of next month.” Carlo popped a cigar in his mouth as they closed the brief cases. “Will do boss.” They simultaneously answered. “Before you leave Michael. I have something extra for you as well. It’s in the back.” He ordered him as our food started to arrive. “Just tell me you don’t actually do this s**t?” I whispered to him and he laughed in response, “A really business man never touches this kind of shit.” He winked.

—

THE NEXT DAY.

“You sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Jack and I stood in front a funeral home. For my ‘accommodation’ I asked Jack to take me a few hours outside of my hometown. “You can come in. Just let me talk to her by myself.” I assured him as we entered the building. I was handed a flyer for the deceased, and my hand felt like stone as I took it. “Was he your dad?” He asked as it still was early and no one besides a few people were here. “He was..my step dad.” I lied as I walked into the viewing room.

I saw a woman leaned over a coffee desk with grievers giving her occasional pats and shoulder hugs. “Excuse me, Linda?” I quietly approached her. She jumped turning around. Her eyes were red and under eyes dark. “I really need to talk-” I tried explaining myself, but she immediately grew angry. “What did you do to him? What did you do with Matthew?!” She took my arm. “I don’t what you’re talking about.” I shook my head, but she was insistent. “Ever since you..both my sons are missing, and you show up to my their fathers’ wake unharmed and completely fine? You know I actually wanted to file a missing persons report for you and here you are?” She looked purely disgusted with me. “I’ve been searching for him too. You have to believe me.” I pleaded. “8 months ago Robert showed up to my door step looking like he’d taken something vile. The whole time he was rambling about you and Matthew. He made no sense, but I should have known something then.” She stuck her finger in my face. I now felt compelled to ask her what she knew, but couldn’t bring myself to upset her more or involve her with matters beyond this world.

“Is that another man who’s life you want to ruin?” She looked at Jack who perceived her as my mother while he stood in the waiting room to far to hear us. I couldn’t even give her the honest answer and she scoffed, “Just pathetic.” She sat back down in her chair facing their father. I bent down and took her hand, “I’m sorry for all that’s happened. If I could go back and find him before he was lost I would. I truly would.” I so badly wanted her to see me as the good person in all of this. She yanked her hand away angrily laughing. “Leave. This funeral is only meant for friends and family.” Her tone was dead and cold. I reached into my bag taking the envelope full of money. I laid it on her lap quickly leaving before she could give it back.

“I’m sorry..” Jack placed his hand on my shoulder as we left the funeral home. To think I went through years of learning what I am and where I’m from, and yet I still had no idea what could have possibly happened to Matthew. I knew there was only one way..and..one person that could give me an answer if I pressed them hard enough.

—

After the very short trip we made it back to his home. As soon as I settled in, I made a b-line to the bathroom. Jack immediately followed after still wanting to talk about everything. “I can sit in there with you if it helps.” He stared as I began running a bath. “Help who? Me? Or your anxiety?” I put my hair up taking off my pants. “Trust me. I’ll be fine.” I kissed the corner of his mouth, “If it makes you feel better, I’ll still shower with you afterwards.” I took my shirt off throwing it in a laundry bin along with everything else. I gave him one more look of trust before closing and locking the door. I even took the metal bin quietly placing it in front of the door in case he tried getting a peek. I let out a heavy breath before stepping into the steamy water. I reached atop the toilet taking out Matthew’s ring and my pendant holding it close to my chest while I submerged myself. Within seconds, I was already pulled into a void and began swimming around it carefully.

Soon my swimming turned to walking as I was taken to a place I’ve never been before. The floor was slick, shinny, and pitch black. I was in what appeared to be a large study. Giant bookshelves reached the ceiling as a fiery mantle sat center to them. “A life of luxury, and you waste it killing women.” I was disgusted by the overly masculine décor.

“Bold of you to show up here alone.” His dark voice creeped up by spine. I reached into my pocket gripping my knife. As I turned around, he launched his hands towards my throat, but they phased right through me. “Clever girl.” Evan fiddled his fingers after pulling his hand back. “Where’s Matthew?” I cut right to the chase holding my knife to his neck. “You really think that’s gonna do some damage?” He looked down doubting me, because I wasn’t really here. “I can’t touch you love, so you can’t touch- OW f**k!” He screamed as I struck his arm. “It’s my mind and my powers. Anything goes.” I pulled the knife back as he held his arm closely. “Where’s Matthew?” I came closer. “Even if I knew. You’d be the last to f*****g know.” He pulled out a white handkerchief as his wound slice quickly healed. My hope dwindled, but I still pressed. “Tell me what happened between you and my mother.” My order stopped him dead in his tracks. Almost like he hadn’t thought of her in ages, he liked back to me. “So, she finally spilled. Or are you just more smart than you look?” He grinned walking towards his mantle. He pulled out a fancy box opening it. “She was like ice and fire coursing through my veins.” He held something up, but I couldn’t tell what it was. “No, I’m not your father if that’s what you’re wondering.” He looked to me, “I know that. I just don’t know why she would be with you just for you to become this.” I gestured to him disgusted by every ounce of him. “What makes you think your mother is a good guy? Look at you, Lily. Don’t you think she would have saved you? She knew you’d wash up on that lake. She knew I would find you. And yet, she did nothing until you were ready to throw all of ‘this’ away.” He sat down still holding the mystery item. “What’s that?” I followed him. “Oh this?” He was clearly trying to best the situation, “It’s just something she left me to always..remind me of her.” He opened his palm to reveal a large ruby with a vertical gold rim. The inside of it seemed to dance with the light from the fire. “Crazy what women will do for love.” He tossed it in his hand almost like it was a meaningless toy. I lunged my hand to try and take it, but it materialized through my fingers. “My mind, my power, anything goes.” He mocked me. “If I find out you actually had something to do with Matthew. I will find you.” I threatened him, the knife almost poking the tip of his nose. He wasn’t intimidated by the slightest bit as he took in my words. I finally lowered the knife making it disappear from my hands. I then pulled out the pendant and ring as I turned my back to him. “Leaving so soon?” He walked to a mini bar pouring himself a drink, “You could at least stay for dinner.” He snapped his fingers, and the cries of women could be heard from an now opened door. I didn’t want to see what evil s**t he was doing and began my exit. “Careful. Sometimes we don’t make it back to our destination when we ‘explore’.” His voice faded into laughter as I was brought back into the void.

~~~~~~~~