Her Fate

Another Way

I woke up hoping that the dreams were true. We never knew about any of this. Chris was still with us. We went on to graduate, to all live together in a safe place. We had each other. Then I woke up to reality. Chris was still kidn*pped. We still knew the truth. And worse yet, we were still in Hell. I grabbed onto the empty blankets and my eyelids fluttered open. Connor wasn’t there, Kiera wasn’t either. I looked out the window then remembered that there wasn’t really a night or day in Hell. I sat up slowly.

There was an outfit, I assumed was for me, hanging on the closet door. I looked at it and wrinkled my nose. It was a dress, but not a ballroom gown, which is the only reason I stood up and slipped out of my clothes. I quickly put on the blood red halter dress. It flowed beautifully, going down to my knees. Naturally, I put my leather jacket over it and slid back on my black ankle booties. I took a moment to think, ‘Oh, god. I look like I’m getting ready for prom.’

I adjusted the dress and tried to pull it down to cover more of my legs. It didn’t work. In fact, I think the skirt of my dress got shorter. Defeated, I ran out of the room and down the hall. The sound of my booties against wood echoed and I finally reached the stairs. I was going to turn and run back to my room, but I heard Kiera’s laughter. Likely that meant that Connor was down there, too, and possibly was already cured. That was enough to convince me and I bounded down the stairs. I was quiet but clearly they heard me because Kiera’s voice said, “Piper! You’re awake!”

So much for being cautious in Hell. We had Kiera here to make sure that didn’t happen. “Good morning, Pixie.” I stepped into a dining room. Connor and Kiera were sitting at a long table with Responsum at the end. They all smiled and it sent shivers down my back. How could they be this happy in Hell? Of all places, why did Hell make them happy?

I noticed the way Connor's eyes scanned me from head to toe. Suddenly I felt self conscious of everything wrong with me. My hair was a mess and the dress was a bit big... But he didn't seem to notice that. In fact, I saw him blush and look away when he realized I saw him looking.

I looked away from him and yawned, stretching though I instantly regretted it when my dress seemed to get a bit shorter. Connor's face got even redder. I decided to break the silence before it got even more awkward.“Morning. Why happy?” I asked, don’t judge me, I was struggling to talk. I always struggle to talk when I first wake up... and when I just caught my best friend looking at me while I'm wearing a short and partially sexy dress.

“Why serious?” Kiera shot back and I smiled. She can be so childish sometimes... wait no, she's childish all the time.

“Fair enough. What is there to eat?” I asked, hearing my stomach scream at me.

Connor locked eyes with me and I had to stop myself from shivering. His eyes had that affect on me. They were beautiful, vibrant green and full of life, “Do you mean, actual food?”

I narrowed my eyes at him, a little annoyed by the tone in his voice, “Yes, actual food. I should be able to go at least another two days without blood.” I hissed and he put up his hands in mock surrender. Seeing how relaxed and calm him and Kiera looked, my expression softened a bit. Of course, I was still tense because of the lack of my other half. My twin.

“Okay, but there isn’t much human food left.” He seemed to be trying not to laugh, and Kiera covered her mouth in an attempt to stifle her laughter.

“Who said I eat human food?” I shot back, confused by their actions. Him and Kiera couldn't hold back their amusement and burst out laughing. I couldn't help but smile, though I was still confused.

Connor seemed to notice that I hadn't understood the joke yet. “The full feast of human flesh says you do now.” He pointed to Responsum, the demon was biting something tender and tanned. I sniffed the air and clutched my stomach, it was definitely human and the smell of blood was distant but strong for the demon inside me to smell. It made her hungry. I wrinkled my nose and slid into the chair across from Connor. My stomach was growling louder now. Because of course now I was craving blood.

Responsum looked up, froze, and pulled the flesh from his mouth. His cheeks were red, “Sorry highness. I stayed up all night making that antidote for your venom.” I flinched and he dropped the flesh onto his plate, “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s been awhile since I have spoken to royalty and-”

Connor cut him off, “And father is a bit untamed.” He mused, Kiera smacked Connor on the shoulder but that only made him laugh in amusement.

“Be polite!” She said, but it was easy to see how hard she was straining to not laugh as well.

“Yeah, because you’re so tame.” I laughed when Connor glared. He stuck his tongue out at me, and I returned the gesture. Then of course, my mind had to ruin everything. I thought about how much fun Chris would have, going on an adventure like this. My smile faded quickly.

“You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?” Connor grabbed onto my hand from across the table and held tightly, giving my hand a comforting squeeze. “We will find him, if it is the last thing we do.” His voice was firm but he was clearly hiding his fear for our friend.

“I don’t want it to be the last thing we do. I want to get Chris. I wish to at least see Chris one last time. I wish to tell him I love him, tell him everything was going to be alright.” This time, I didn’t even feel the need to cry. My words were strong. My spirit was stronger. My expression was unchanged and Connor pulled his hand away like I was some type of repellant. For a moment I felt soulless, yet powerful. And then it was gone. I shook my head and knit my eyebrows, “I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened. My mind ran away from me, I guess.” I chuckled awkwardly but the strange feeling made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Kiera didn’t seem to believe me, and neither did Connor. Responsum ignored us and continued eating his meal.

“We should go get Chris. I already have a plan.” I spoke quickly to break the silence. Connor looked at me, but Kiera’s gaze was on Responsum. She mumbled something about how disgusting his diet was and I couldn't help but agree.

“You do?” Connor examined my face, looking unconvinced, then shook his head. He knew me better than anyone and of course he was there when Kiera came back to us with the note. That being said, he took one look at me and already knew my plan. “Hell no. Absolutely not, Piper!” He stood, pushing himself back so fast his chair hit the ground with a crash but we ignored it. We were focused on Connor.

I stood with him, planting my hands on the table for a dramatic effect that seemed to work when I see Kiera flinch out of the corner of my eyes. “Do you have a better idea?!” I yelled back to him, my red eyes practically burning holes into his green ones.

“Yes!” There was a pause and for a moment I thought he might actually have a better idea. Then he faltered and said, “Not getting yourself killed would be the start of a real plan!” At this point we were just yelling things at each other. Of course, it got worse. The fighting, I mean. I wanted to protect Chris, but Connor wanted to protect me. This chain is a recipe for disaster because both Connor and I are strong and determined to succeed.

“I want Chris to survive!” I saw Kiera out of the corner of my eye again. She ran to the end of the table and was cowering behind Responsum. “Look what you’ve done! You scared the bloody witts out of Kiera!”

“Me? I’m not the only one yelling! I won’t let you die, Piper!” His eyes seemed to ripple like a pond. The black was returning, with each ripple it grew until his eyes were completely black. He moved fast, rounding the table so he was suddenly in front of me. Demon grabbed my shoulders tightly, but the touch was gentle and loving. My heart skipped a beat when I looked up at him.

I looked away, my eyes finding Responsum and Kiera. He was patting her head comfortingly and she was holding herself close to him. The way he smiled at her was comforting and caring, like a father. But watching them sent a shock of pain through my chest. I missed that. Having that fatherly touch or being looked at like that. It hurt too much so I returned my eyes to Demon.

“That’s not really your choice!” My eyes were glowing red, I could see it in the reflection of his black ones, “I get to decide whether or not I would die for my brother!” I was panting, once more I felt no fear. Only anger flowed through my veins. I wasn’t afraid of death, as long as it was for someone I loved. But I could see some of my emotions reflected on his face.

“Don’t we have a say in whether you die?” His voice broke a bit, just enough for me to hear it. He was worried. He was scared. Even as Demon he still worried about me. I felt the fear rush back into my body. It was as if his voice somehow ‘fixed’ me so I went back to my normal self. But I don’t need my normal self. I need the fearless me. I didn’t know what was going on recently but I needed to figure out how to get the brave me back.

He tried to pull me into a hug but I couldn't. It hurt him that I was being me and that made me angry. I hated myself when I hurt him. I pushed him away roughly and his arms dropped to his sides. Before I could break and run back into his arms like a scared girl, I left the room fast. I ran to my room, going in and slamming the door hard. I slumped against the door and slid so I was sitting with my knees to my chest. I just wanted Chris back. I love him and I wanted to tell him that. This pain I was feeling... I think it was coming from him. He was in pain and I knew that what i could feel was definitely only a part of the pain he was feeling. I needed to know he was safe again. He didn't deserve to be hurt because of me.