Jake
Everything’s so fuzzy. My head feels like it’s going to fall off. Is this real? What’s happening to me?
“Jake? Oh God!”
Who is that? The voice is so familiar.
“What did you do to yourself?!”
“Kiki?” My voice is so quiet and raspy. What’s happening to me?
“Jake hold on. I’m going to call for help.”
The room is so quiet now. What did I do? Am I actually dieing? Did I really go through with it? Is it really this easy to escape?
~ ~ ~ ~
I bolted upright and quickly looked around to identify my surroundings. I was in a white room in bed, wearing pale blue pj bottoms. I felt clammy and couldn’t stop shaking. Then the door opened and Kiki walked in, a smile playing at her red lips. It faded when she saw the look on my face.
“Are you alright?”
I nodded, trying to get my body to stop shaking. “I just had a bad dream again.”
She gave me a sympathetic look and set down a tray that she was carrying. “I have breakfast and some good news for you.”
“Oh? And what might that be?” I asked, taking a glass of milk and some pills from her.
She smiled, biting her lip to keep from seeming too happy. “You’re going to be released on Saturday.”
I smiled at her enthusiasm. “So does that mean I’ll be getting my binding off then, as well?”
Her smile slowly faded off her face, and mine followed. I looked away from her and sighed heavily, leaning against the bed frame. “Oh, Jake…” She trailed off, sitting at the edge of the bed.
“No, don’t worry about it. It really is for the better.” I told her and looked away.
“Take your pills.” she said warily.
I looked down at them in the palm of my hand and looked at her. “What good are these anyway?” I asked her. “I know they aren’t really to control my temper. The spells are for that, so why don’t they just use those?”
Kiki averted her eyes. “You know I don’t get told anything. I’m but a woman, Master Jake.” She said and I dropped the pills onto the bed and pulled her to me.
“You know you’re more than that to me.”
She gently pressed against my chest. “Master Jake, I am but a maid, you mustn’t treat me so well.” She said with an empty smile on her face. “You know there’s still hope to save our coven.”
I pursed my lips and pulled her back to me. “Alright, Kiki.” I said, not really believing her. “I’ll believe with you, and continue to treat you better than most would.”
She pressed against me again, but I refused to let her go this time. “Jake, I have other business to tend to.” she said, her words muffled by my chest.
“They can wait, you’re mine.” I told her playfully.
She managed to struggle free since I loosened my grip on her. “You know you won’t fully own me until your powers are controlled.”
I grumbled and she looked away. “I’m sorry…I spoke out of line…” She said quietly and rose.
“Kiki…”
She shook her head and bowed slightly. “Enjoy your breakfast. I’ll be back to take you to your bath.”
I watched as she left and groaned loudly when the door shut behind her. I knew very well of the rules that headquarters had. The are nothing, and should be treated and used however their owner wishes. Man is the ruler. Man I higher. Man is the one that lives, and allows the woman to live as well. Where did our coven get this idea? When did we start thinking that taking over every full witch was a good idea?
“Our coven is working on keeping the full blood witch line alive. You’re helping us, Jake. You’re helping us build up this race so we can finally get rid of those filthy other creatures.” I remember Hiro, our high priest, telling me once.
“You’re so much more special than the others in this coven.” Hiro had said once, a smile stretching across his old face. “Your father is my right hand man. You and your brother are very special to our coven. It’s a shame you are the younger one.”
“Why does that matter, sir?” I remember asking him cautiously when he had told me that.
His facial expressions were always so strange. His smile that wasn’t a smile, his laugh that wasn’t a laugh. His emotions weren’t real, but yet they were filled so much meaning.
“If you can prove yourself to be better than your older brother, Jake Meyer, then you can rise above, and take control of the coven. My daughter given to you as your wife.”
I remember how much I had craved for the spot of high priest. I could rule everyone, change everything, go back to the way that it should have always been.
I sighed heavily and sat at the edge of the bed, taking some food and nibbling at it, thinking.
When did I stop craving the spot? A smile snaked across my face.
“Thalia.”
I was surprised to hear my own voice speak aloud and the smile faded, a heaviness settling in the pit of my stomach. My Thally.
My arm twitched and I set my food down, suddenly not hungry. If I could erase memories, I would. If I could end it all, I would.
“Jake Meyer.”
I quickly turned towards the door. Hiro Zanza was standing in the doorway, slowly walking in, inspecting the room.
“It’s quite neat and tidy in here.” He said, and his eyes landed on a small picture of my mother. His nose wrinkled at the sight of her. “It’s such a shame you came from such an evil woman.” He picked up the picture and examined her for a minute. “She’s almost as evil as my previous wife.” He set the picture back down.
I rose gracefully from the bed, making sure to stand straight and tall. “Sir, do wish something of me?”
He turned to me and shut the door behind him. “You’re such a well behaved lad, even though you absolutely detest me.”
I swallowed hard, feeling my hands begin to get clammy. “Sir-”
He held up a hand, smiling. “No. You needn’t explain.” He walked closer so he was standing just in front of me, his presence making me nervous. “You know very well that I control your life, and everyone else’s. You know that I can do everything and anything that is wore than death. You know very well that I can make you lose your mind with just a simple arch of the brow.”
I tried hard to stay calm, but he began circling me, and nausea started bubbling inside my stomach, and I cursed myself for getting so nervous so quickly. “Is there a point to your speech, Sir?”
He cold feel his smile as he stopped behind me. “You’re a brave one, you are. I suppose it’s from your mother. Your father is just as weak as the others, but is so much more obedient since he got a family. He’s the perfect right hand man.” He rested a hand on my shoulder and I jumped slightly as a chill ran up my spine. “But this is not why I came to you today.”
“Why have you come, if you don’t mind my asking.”
He chuckled, it sounding like a deep growl coming from his throat. “I’ve come because you know you’re getting released from headquarters on Saturday.”
“And you’re here to congratulate me?” I asked doubtfully.
“Partially. I’m sure you must be happy to get out of this ‘hell whole’ as kids your age tend to refer to it as.”
“What’s the other part for?”
I could feel a bigger smile creeping along his lips and I shuddered, dreading what he was about to say.
“Your mission, my dear boy.” He said and ran a finger along my jaw line and I felt his presence vanish for a second and spun around, but quickly turned back when I felt him coming back.
He laughed loudly, an echo filling the whole room. “Your reflexes are still quite fast.” He said and shot an essence at me, I dodged, but he used the moment to catch me in a headlock. “But I’ve still got the brains and power.”
“What do you want from me?” I asked, my voice strained from lack of air.
“I’m gaining on years. You’re turning into a man. My daughter has been a woman for two years now.” He started. “The time for the competition between you and your brother has begun.”
I struggled to get out of his grasp, but he was surprisingly strong for his old age.
“Your brother has already started to make himself known. You best use Kiki to find out more about my girl, lest you lose against Max.”
“I won’t let him win.” I said, my voice still strained.
He released me quickly. “That’s what I like to hear.” He said with a wry smile on his face. “It is the challenge between you and him. All of us at headquarters will be waiting to declare the next in line for my position, Toki by his side.”
. The nurse was sweet, but who does he love the nurse or this other girl? He seems a bit too affectionate on nurse if he loves Toki. With what BBB said about the smiles, I didn't realize but thinking back I agree anyway on too chapter 2.
I suggest you research male- dominant societies, and the woman's role. The Native Americans vs. the French. They are both patriarchal, but quite different