Transformation in the Moonlight
Moona stared deep into his eyes, as he tried to explain his life--his world in one sentence. He echoed as he spoke, “The moon is my only brother, and yet when he is full of despair and denial he is my only enemy.”
“I know you are different everyone in this group is different and it doesn’t matter to me.”
“No. but I am truly different than anyone else around me I am cursed and you are about to see why if you gaze into the night sky you will see my brother full of despair.” Then, she pressed her lips against his and the moon peeked out of the clouds and showered over him. His skin became a waxy bag as his bones creaked popped and he threw himself off of her. That once she saw him in the light; his smooth complexion was covered with matted hair that carried a stench of canine. She stood and stared without moving he started to scream that was altered into a howl as he finished. His nose broke and it grew and his nostril widened. He told her to run, but was frozen in the limbs and wouldn’t budge. His spine stretched and broke and his ribs popped and bulged from his skin and he wailed again. Moona read his mind, “leave I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I’m not about to leave you here. You don’t leave someone you love when they need you the most.” She sensed something worse was about to be encountered in the forest anyways. A small numb on the end of his spinal cord was pulsing as it fought its way to surface and a tail grew long and strong. Moona edged forward but he backed up on his hind legs. His ears were jaunted to the top of his head and they began to twitch. Now his entire body was covered with hair and his human bones continued to break and grew until they were twice the size. Connell fidgeted and his claws grew and Moona continued to approach him and he struck her across her face. As he blinked his eyes changed red and a mass in the tree moved Moona knew by his action that it was over his transformation was complete. The werewolf was him, Connell was the werewolf. “Run,” he screamed in his head. Moona attempted to kiss him on his cheek and he trust her to the ground and foul stench lingering and he now had her back to the tree and his jaw was open to full extent. “You should ‘ave ran. Now I’m a eat ya. The smell is ova whelming, your flesh and warm blood,” Moona heard in his mind but it was a different voice thinking it; it was his canine side.
“I’m not afraid. Connell Darce Bradhadair I know you are under that layer of hair. There is where the man that I love is.” Blood trickled down her cheek where he struck her earlier; irresistible to him, animals love the taste of fresh meat. As he bent in for the first bite the thing in the bushels moved again and a human flew out between Moona and Connell. He summoned in a small voice and a strike of green lighting flew from his palms and struck Connell. Defensively the wolf collapsed and whimpered. The mysterious man standing there was summoning another and Moona read Connell’s harsh cries for mercy. She shuffled the man out of the way and told him to leave that she was okay.
“Get lost you monster! You have no business here,” she bellowed. “Me! A monster I saw him transform into this—this thing and you’re calling me the monster!” he snapped. “Get out of here you—whoever you think you are.”
“Bloody hell, I am out of here. Next time someone turns into a werewolf and tries to make you his supper don’t expect a random warlock to pop out and safe your back.” As swiftly as the man came him vanished into the deep forest again.
“Moona,” Connell said softly, “Thank you. He would have killed me if you hadn’t already read his mind.”
“Connell, you are still a werewolf but I don’t care you wanted to take me on a date and I swear this is a date that will never wash free from my memory. You saved my life by walking in, and you are still here although I left the door open. Now when you just have a little excess hair you thought I was going to bail?’
“I’m sorry but let us not think about this but, lets sleep here at least we know the worst is over. I think and when we make it out I’m going to give you a sense of safety even in these stages in the moonth.”
Moona didn’t show a sense of hesitation and sarcastically said, “Nice first date.”
“Yeah it is and yet even then you were the one that I wanted and I also knew that I loved you.” They laughed and she blushed and he said, “Climb on I’ll take you up hill.” Willing she got on and wrapped her arms around his neck and they took off. Fast and swift on all fours to get where ever they were going fast. He took her to a break in the forest to reveal a waterfall and all the animals were asleep she closed her eyes and saw again the face she had fallen in love with. He came to a stop and arched his back to let Moona off. There in the middle of nowhere was the place where finally all the trouble at home was gone. She knew that this, Connell, Sarah, Amber and even Stephan was where she belonged and that she was never going to return to her family. She opened her eyes to see him up at the top of the waterfall on a rock, she followed him and by the time she reached him he was laying there. Rushing water sent a salty mist on her face she laid next to him smelling his fur and found a comfort she never experienced. She fell asleep at midnight as the clouds danced with the sky. Connell laid there staring at Moona all night through his red eyes he knew that she was dreaming.
* * *
“He’s a werewolf!” Moona jolted into the corridor. My eyes stared endlessly at the cut on her face, “You say that as if you are excited.”
“Well what if I am? I was excited and scared the entire time until the warlock came out from the trees.”
“Wait a warlock?” Sarah looked confused. “Yes that envious warlock struck him in the chest.” I rolled my eyes and Sarah’s seem to glisten to the name warlock. “What did he look like? Was he our age?” me and Moona glared at her and she turned red and hot, “well um anyways how didn’t you realize he was a werewolf?”
“Well maybe because I don’t go around asking guys, ‘hey….How are you…Are you a werewolf?’ I mean especially to guys I think are beautiful,” Moona cocked. “Nor would I go and ask you what do you think I’m thinking. But that is besides the point you didn’t need to ask him to know. His name is Connell Darce Bradhadair right?” Moona looked confused and replied, “Yes, well what does that have to do with anything?”
“It means a lot. Connell is Gaelic for, the hound or the swift foot warrior. Darce is short for Darcie and means descendant of the dark one in Gaelic. “
“And that means what?” I felt compelled to interrupt considering it was my dream that they were in, also being about a week pregnant my moods were swinging. “Well she flat out said it. He told us when we first met him that his name was like a code for his personality. Or did you not listen—” They looked at me wildly surprised that I spoke. “Of course I listen to him.” Just then the scene got brighter than it was normally was. “The sun is rising, it’s time to wake up,” Sarah injected in our sweet silence. “Wait! Does this mean, that I am a werewolf too?” I hesitated, “You know I’m his sister.” Everyone looked as if they just realized that was a possible except then Sarah noted, “No. you aren’t because it was his mother that was a werewolf, his living mother.” A sigh of relief slipped for my mouth and Moona said good morning and that she would tell us about everything else when we arrived back at the fortune teller’s house. She started to fade and appeared to be floating backwards and went through the walls and continued right for a white hole. The hole got bigger as she edged toward it then a dense side of a forest appeared and a magnificent waterfall was in the background.
Then Sarah hugged me and said we should wake up before anything else happens. I heard the baby cry and we giggled. Then the same thing started to happen again we started floating and fading in different directions and I awoke to see my loving, dear Stephan.
* * *
There Moona awoke to feel human hands holding tight to her. A feeling of peace coated over her and then Connell whispered, “I think the way you dream is like a silent stream with a small boat floating peacefully in it. I watched you until I changed back to human and cleaned up and put on some clothing. I thought you’d appreciate it.” A smirk arose from her face as she imagined it then shamed her for thinking so, “Yeah, I don’t think it would be good to be racing though things and all. Although I don’t think it is average for new lovers to sleep together.”
“But Moona, it isn’t average for a teen aged girl to go out with a werewolf.” They laughed and as they stood up Moona really saw the beauty of the waterfall then looked at Connell and said, “This sight is breathtaking but, why would you try to compare your beauty to something like this. Ya’ll come nowhere in compare, you are much fairer.” Still laughing he remarked, “This was a great first date now wasn’t it? I bet you know a lot about me now?”
“Yes and if you would have eaten me I would have known you inside and out.” The two humans lay in the warmth of the sun and then as the sun rose to 12 o’clock Moona remembered the call to meet at the fortune teller’s house at two. “We should leave now,” Connell realized it first, “We have to meet up with my sister and your friend, Sarah.” That was the first time that he called Amber his sister.
“Okay so, you know my secret,” Connell announced as he clung to Moona protectively. “Yes, we do now tell us more werewolf,” Sarah said as she sat down on the floor. “Alright it’s going to take a while,” he said. “We have plenty of time my fiancé isn’t home today. He’s with his friends,” Amber said as she sat close to them. “Fine,” he started, “My mom was marked as your mom was. Well but during the nine month time period before my birth she was a maid for a “local” widoe. Well she was there everyday and worked and worked all night. Then when she started to show in her middle months my mom tried to ask her if she could take time off. Well the widoe wasn’t very pleased with that bit and said that she would like to meet her family the next day and that she was relieved from work until further notice,” staring at Moona was difficult because she was reading ahead again, “well, my mom was esoteric that the old woman was so nice so she planned a nice dinner for her. Then it was around seven that night when she came over and they ate. There was something suspicious about her but she offered her some ginger ale. My mom drank it as well as my father, my sister and my elder brother all drank the substance. The old widoe then started to laugh, and the transformation began. We became slaves to the witch. Every full moon we transform to her slave werewolves.”
“May I interrupt?” Sarah asked, “Why do you only transform in the moon lit at its fullest when she could just command you to change and then well you’d change.”
“Well the witch let it soak in the full moon all night enchanting it. So about two months later I was born in dog form. I howled like a dog, and then when I woke up the next morning I was human again. When I turned six that was the first time I was ashamed of who I was. The hooded man came for me and smelled me like I was a dog. He said that was a disgrace and was never worthy of any life and that I was the one spirit child that he saw that he wouldn’t want to fight along side with; how could he deal with me for a hounded years? That would definitely be one hundred nightmares, so I grew up like my family slaving to the witch every full moon, my brother hated me because it was my fault they were this way. Luckily when we are in human form we look just like anyone else passing for any human even though we could bare a collar around our neck. So when I was ten my brother disowned me leaving me the moon, for my brother. I found I was different though. I wasn’t force to follow anyone’s commands I was free; just a result of a werewolf mother, so I ran away and didn’t look back when I turned sixteen; precautious not to get to close to anyone because I’m can hurt people, I am lethal. Then I met you, Moona, your different you’re not afraid of me. If you weren’t a human that was fragile I could be with you forever,” he said that staring at her closely and then laid a kiss on her lips. It was uncomfortable. Then he drew out of his pocket a moon shaped charm with a little bottle with dust in it, “It is our only repellant when we are beast. Dust from the moon, Moona this is how you can be with me and protect me without endangering yourself. You take this and we can be together forever, that is if you want,” he said as he unlocked the silver clasp. “Yes Connell I accept this duty, protection and guidance will be my specialty,” she said as he reluctantly re-clasped it around her neck, “forever,” she reminded him. “Hey so, can we go now,” Sarah asked a little annoyed, “Or will you leave my home you love birds?” Alexis added. “We can go to my place Connell, Moona, I think my fiancé will be home soon and might want to meet my long lost brother,” Amber said looking mainly at Moona. Moona didn’t say anything just smiled, “Yes, I get to go through the mirror,” she finally said as she jumped through. Then Connell raced after her, leaving Amber to hurry after the two rambunctious birds—love birds.
“If you are hungry I’ll cook,” Amber said as she fell to the floor. Amber was always around because it was her brother she was talking about. Then the mirror was liquid and danced as Sarah fell through the mirror followed my Alexis of which when she fell she landed on top of Sarah. “Well you didn’t think we’d pass up the moment of your house alone did you,” Sarah asked the expressions dressed on their faces. “Especially with you introducing your brother to him,” Alexis added as she looked cautiously toward the calendar barricaded to the wall.
“Amber can you open the door?” Stephan’s innocent voiced echoed down the hallway. Connell smirked as he, himself, walked to the door to open it with all the girls in the kitchen except for Amber it would raise eyebrows. The door knob creaked as he opened the door; he was so tall about 6’ foot 2’ inches. When the door was opened wide enough Stephan wide eyed empty expression struck to Amber. Silent chuckles from the kitchen confirmed what she thought he was thinking. Stephan clenched his hand into a fist and then it was noticeable that in the background behind him were John, Davis and Elizabeth. Connell was still calm as he stuck out his hand for a greeting, “Hello, I’m Amber’s brother,” he said as his hand still was hanging, “Hello, I’m Amber’s fiancé. Um, I thought Amber didn’t have a brother, or at least one that is alive,” he said as he grabbed Connell’s hand and held it tightly. “Well, it turns out that her father was a two-timer I am the result of an affair. Not something to be proud of, but I am her brother and here I am. It took her for a whirl as well,” Connell said as he pried his hand from Stephan's feeble attempt to be intimating to a wolf. “I’m sorry now can you please let me in you’re blocking the entrance and I have guest,” Stephan said as Connell commented, “I’m not sure we all will fit, see Amber has guest over too,” he said as he smile stretched and that was the queue for Sarah, Moona and Alexis to enter the hallway.
Amber was the one who reached the hallway and then was accompanied by Sarah and Alexis. Moona headed straight for Connell who greeted her with a kiss, “See, guest,” he said as he kissed her mockingly in Stephan’s face. “We can manage,” Stephan said as he pushed his way through the crowd and motioned for the others behind him to follow. Then Stephan laid a hard kiss on Amber as he stared at Connell in the same mocking way.
The evening was slow and crowed. It was almost to an end when Stephan was placing and old family favorite, Clover Casserole, on the table. The room was too hot, and everyone was to close; with no windows Amber was trapped. The every move she took she was bombarded by someone else, and it was worse when she ran into Elizabeth; she would scream so loud that everyone was in pain. It was when Amber moved her arm and hit her again. Elizabeth screamed too loud, caused a rush of heat and sweat down Amber. She felt like she was in a bag and a vacuum was sucking out the last bit of air. She shook and she went into a cold spas. She screamed as she excused herself from the table. When she reached the threshold she turned around and spoke in a masculine voice, “Too Much!” but that was all she said. Every one just stared in dismay.
She ran into her room and grabbed a quilt from her wardrobe and dragged it out and through it out the door. She then went back to the kitchen and let out another wail as she grabbed her dish full of casserole and stomped out of the house again. Others in the house just exchanged staggered looks and then Connell broke the stares, “Too Much. Told you we wouldn’t all fit,” Moona kicked him but he still continued, “was I the only one that saw that she was claustrophobic?” he laughed as he brought up his plate and beckoned for the others to follow, “Looks like she wants a picnic,” and then he left. Moona was short after him with the rest of their party behind them. Stephan was the last to get out because he had to carry everything else; they managed to take their food on their plates but neglected the other goods left on the table.
When he was finally out they were all assembled on the huge quilt waiting for him, “Look the food finally made it out,” Connell said as he tried to lighten Amber’s tensions. Stephan placed the food down in the middle and glared at Davis who instead of having his eyes locked on Sarah he had his look on Moona. Then passing it as an identity crises Stephan sat down next to Amber and she kissed him, “Sorry; too much,” she said as she took a bite out of the casserole. “It’s fine I guess I should have remembered that you were claustrophobic from when we rode that ride that was an elevator with just people canned in there—“
“Not the greatest experience to bring up at supper Stephan,” she looked around at the engrossed faces and the pale green of Elizabeth’s face, “especially since Elizabeth doesn’t look good green, she wont look any better when she spews green.” Everyone laughed except for Elizabeth who looked at John waiting for him to jump in an objection; he didn’t though, just laughed the night away as they exchanged silly stories of Elizabeth. The time when Elizabeth got stuck in a wash room and when crazy and found out later when the fire department used the unlocked fire exit to get her out. The time when she went on a camping at a camp ground and used the tree out in the woods and when she came back saw the restrooms next to her tent. It was what she always wanted; attention, but right now she didn’t like this attention. The favorite of the night was when John purposed and she had the most extravagant ring that she lost, only to find out that it was on her finger where he slipped it on about ten minutes before. They finally laughed as they went away. Moona had pulled aside Amber and told her what Davis was thinking, “He’s the warlock. He’s the reckless man that tried to kill my man the other night,” she said as she cautiously looked around, “He loves Sarah too, and he knows that there is something up with the rest of us. We shouldn’t let him to far from our sight because he might find the passageway through the mirror.”
“Well then why did you pull me aside if you knew that Stephan was taking him into our bedroom,” Amber spoke as she moved in a rush but still gracefully in a liquid way. “Too Late; he’s found it. Sorry, he’s not going to tell anyone though he wants to just go through it, so we should expect him to visit us tonight—that is in his warlock form. We mustn’t tell Sarah though who he really is,” she said as she held Amber arm squeezing it tightly at the last moment enforcing the end of her statement. “To see if it really is just the title; also so she won’t be so grouchy now when we bring up everything on the subject romance.
“Hey were alone,” Stephan spoke as he sat next to Amber on the bed. “We’ve been here before,” Amber said as she remembered the night of the party, “We need to talk. Can we manage that much?” she continued. “Okay, what’s eating you?” he said as he looked at her concerned face. “It is a long story, and I don’t think you’ll understand,” her eyes began to leak as one lone tear fled down her cheek cutting its tail, “The man from my dreams is out to kill us.”
“He can’t hurt you not while I’m around,” he said as he wrapped his arm around her. “No, it isn’t me I’m worried for you,” she said as she pushed his arm off of her, then she looked at her stomach and repeated her words again as she rubbed her stomach. “There is no need to worry about me,” he really didn’t understand so she dropped the subject, “Your right, how silly of me?” she said as she changed her mind in telling him. He bent in for a kiss and in reaction she yawned. “Come on you haven’t been yourself lately,” he begged. “Fine.” They kissed for moments the world around them froze but was harshly interrupted when there was a bang on the door.
“Who would that be?” Stephan asked; Amber had an idea. He got up and walked down the narrow hallway. He took a double take in the bathroom like someone was standing there. Each step left a print of uneasiness he opened the door slowly only to hear a familiar voice, “Hey Steve. Had a hard break can I crash with ya’ll?” Davis spoke as he entered the room smiling. “What are you doing here so late? I let you sleep in my house and now you want to sleep in Amber’s house?” Stephan asked confused and agitated. “That’s the plan. I sleep on the floor next to you; won’t even notice I’m here,” he said as Amber got up and made a pallet on the floor for him to sleep. “Everyone says that and then they are a menace,” Stephan hissed, but Davis was already in the bedroom on the home-made bed and stared at him, “Well come on now, close the door its like artic outside,” Davis said.
“Why is it always me?” Stephan mumbled in a low breath. “Cause you’re the best friend I know. Also cause Elizabeth hates me,” Amber was already asleep when he finished his sentence. “Thanks Dave you ruined my moment and my night,” he was irritated and he slid down into bed. “Any time; anytime at all. So like in the morning we could still be up and all and tell each other stories…” Davis ended his thought. “Go. To. Bed. Or you wont wake up in the morning,” Stephan barked at him leaving Amber to stir. “Sure, so the girl I was with was named Samantha and she was real sweet—“
“Obviously she isn’t too sweet.”
“Well that is beside the point. She was so like pretty; red hair, green eyes I felt like I was looking at a pepper patch—“
“Or some vomit.”
“Okay well then she told me she was a wild horse that was just let loose,” he paused waiting for a comment but he got a snore. He succeeded then he got up and whispered a chant then the last words, “Sweet dreams.” He walked to the mirror and without hesitation he continued to walk straight through it.
What was he doing here, oh yeah because Moona let him out of our sights? This is great; he’s here and so is everyone else. I know it is him because he is the only one that I can think off that would have been so familiar with a transporter. He was different though. His complexion was a perfect shade of cream. And his hair was a light brown that rippled ever so lightly but that was in no comparison when I saw Sarah’s eyes spark. We stood and stared at each other. “You’re the monster?” she asked as she blushed in embarrassment. “I guess that’s me like the Loch Ness Monster I search the deep looking for small fish to kill,” he started to laugh but no one seemed to get his joke. Sarah laughed anyways; it was just the title that made her love—wow. Alexis was constantly checking her watch, “What is today like Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday?” she asked.
“Wednesday morning of April 3,” Moona said as she probably tried to scrape information from Sarah’s mind. All she could do was smile; I knew it she clicked just like Moona did to Connell. This was when I finally saw her mark, identical to mine just on her neck. “Sarah we still haven’t heard your entire story,’’ I tried to get someone to talk instead of staring so grossly at each other. “Okay. Mine isn’t all that sad you know. I was born from the mark as well. When I was born my mother left me all alone in which I was raised in my grandmother’s household.
“She told me of our family secrets—witches. She then tested my abilities and found I was strong enough to be trained. So I spent most of my life training and with me being a witch he found me undesirable and left me alone. Much like I assume similar to the way that Connell was rejected. All of which I was ecstatic that that had happened. I went off to a normal human school then during the trimester’s break I would be in my Grandma’s Magic Class. I was brought up that way since I was born and when I turned the age of sixteen she gave me a spell book and opened two doors: my bedroom door and the exit; she told me I had to choose and either choice she would be joyful and grateful with. I walked out; started a human life, kept very well to myself and made very few friends. Like Moona; I’ve never seen my grandmother since. I miss her but don’t regret my choice,” she finished as everyone felt very satisfied except for the much late Davis. The room got brighter and it was time to awake and time for our wizard oh wait warlock to return to my bedroom floor. “Good morning,” I said but I didn’t wake up.
My arms were tied and there he was again, the hooded man. “Hello,” I whispered. “Welcome back, how is your fiancé?” his voice was suspicious and cold at the same time. “Fine and you will not harm him this is a deal between just you and me,” I tried to sound convincing like I was fierce and the wrong one to mess with. “You feisty one, time will bring you hope. Lets all hope not to much, because you aren’t going to take action in any way. Let’s talk about your wedding though,” he said as he traced my wrinkles on my forehead because my face was pruned up in anger. “I had in mind when you saw your vows he says his first and says I do, and then when it comes to you, you will say I don’t,” he said as he grabbed my face. He held me there waiting for my response. “You’re usurped; I wouldn’t do something so rude and deceitful to him and his family. My life is starting to come together and you think that you make one whine and you think it’s sealed?” I was burning scared of if I’d wake up or stay here as his captive. “You will say no, or you will loose him. I will be there sitting in the last row and I will wait for it those pretty words. I don’t want anyone trying to protect my child when it comes time for that. You’ll end up like your mother brave and stupid,” he laughed and I was already regretting my choices. Why had I said I would marry him, this commitment is too much. “You will obey me or death will plague your family, or should I say your friends. You’d finally get to be with your stupid family. They actually thought they’d defeat me, Ha.” My mind was loosing strength I saw my love and my life burning in the house where my family was killed. I’m too weak to defeat him, I will not loose what all I remain to have—he is strong and is getting stronger.
“What ever you say; when he proposes my answer at the alter will remain a solid I don’t. You will not kill him,” I said as the strength behind the chain was losing. “Watch Alexis for me would you keep her alive until Sunday evening would you,” he said as I was loosing view of everything. Fogged like the glass on my mirror that felt like a century ago when I looked in last before it had broke.
Amber awoke in drenched sweat with her hands pinned behind her. She grabbed her leather journal and wrote the date at the top; this was now her life story of tragic events the one who finds this when she dies would know the side of the real worlds: immortal and mortal.
Wednesday, April 3:
I grow weaker as the darkness grows stronger, getting larger, my pain is its pleasure. Although I can feel nothing I can see it. The darkness is constricting my heart; drawing away from not just things of my past but as well as my future. I’m forced to sit here as he finds his pleasure within me. Chained to the wall I wait in fear for when he returns.
This darkness, my father, wants to strip away my joy of my present and of my future. He has taken me in my dreams and made me promise to break another promise. A plague is on whomever I meet I love and I treasure. For better or for worse I will not let him die. This commitment is suicidal he will not be killed for my tainted blood for the curse that is set on my skin but twice. This darkness is nothing to me but darkness; he’ll never be welcomed to my family as a father. Stephan is my love and his wish is to kill him and that shall not be a wish to be granted. He wants to hold captive my child, Kerry Shay O’Reilly, will not be taken from me. She’s my dark princess a gift from a dark family of the cursed.
The only one that will loose is the dark man himself; he will die and him alone. He will leave my family be. Stephan will be protected in a form that will hurt; Kerry will be protected by our force—she as well as me and Connell are the key to his death. I believe in order for him to die a sacrifice will have to be made; in which I will breathe my last. My name will remain Wolf and never be the one of Leebond. This is for my future that will never be controlled by my father; to death do us part, for better or for worse I shall protect my family until that day I am undertaken by the grass and the dirt; to my grave I will burry my sorrows but never will they be beside me while I am gone, they will not have life taken from them.
I will die happy, I will die forgiven for my sins, I will die for all that I care about.
She shut the journal but held it against her heart as her hand throbbed from the force exerted on the page. She felt hazed like she wasn’t there as if she had already died a spirit with an unfulfilled future. Amber was watched that day by more than just her mother but as well as her father. A father that would kill her love her only love she couldn’t stand to loose. When she took a sight at her fiancé her eyes swelled but wouldn’t shed a tear; that was the most painful—hiding the pain, hiding the tears she saw far into the future. Stephan spoke and her heart heated and stabbed her as he asked what was wrong. She felt like a rose crumbled on the ground long and forgotten broken and soon would wilt and never be remembered. That night she laid in her bed so close to him but separated by a chain linked fence she couldn’t break. Once he was asleep, her untold woe and secrets poured as her eyes flowed. So close and yet so far she couldn’t seek out because he was forbidden and she was poisonous or so it felt that way. “Goodnight Stephan; I will miss you,” was all she stumbled as her heart was shut down her soul screamed out for him but he couldn’t hear her. Her eyes were filled with liquid that seemed to flow in brush strokes as it painted her into her dreams.
“Show me the wedding,” I said to Alexis as my eyes were swollen and my throat choked. “As you wish,” she took my hand and it hurt. I stuttered under my breath. I needed this I needed to know how I would loose my life—my love. I needed to be prepared to give in to be alone. My chest felt hallow and dark, my blood ran cold and I was breathless. The lies I let myself be raised upon will be the ones I let Stephan down on. “Here,” she took my other hand and placed them on her skull. I felt a shock and then I went numb.
“Do you take him to be you loftily wedded husband to love and to cherish as long as yee both shall live?” the preacher asked. The church was bare but was full of spirits awaiting my answer. My father had his hands laced around Stephan’s throat. I slipped my hand from the ring and said, “I don’t.” Stephan looked at me and my father smiled. He turned around and walked out in tears. My heart was ripped from me and he dragged it with him. Good-bye I thought and I hoped there would be a hello. Maybe not of this life but in another; he is too good for me—to good for death was my last thought. I was to stare life empty in the face and force myself to be happy. I did this for the best. He’s safe as I oath to do; it is better to have loved but not to have lost.
“It doesn’t have to be that way,” Alexis said as the scene dissolved. “Yes it does! He will be safe he will live he will not be sacrificed for my shallow dreams.” My thoughts we empty my eyes were swollen and I was bleeding on the inside. I tried to compose myself but as a child tried to build a building of blocks they would continue to fall without completion. I would rather die than to see that day—that was another. It wasn’t right—I was the one that needed to be hurt. He would recover and I would die for my daughter and he would never have to be intertwined in this web spun by the black widow. I would be that rose in the road crumbled and forgotten and would wilt away and left forgotten forever. Alexis had her eyes caked on the calendar as if an event was in the mist. “It is only Thursday morning Alexis time wont move faster,” Sarah said as she still kept her gaze on Davis. “I don’t want time to go any faster it is already to close and still so much is needed to be told.” I sat there silently—invisible. Moona and Connell were absent from this meeting probably on a date. He’d already transformed this month he wasn’t due for another month. “What is your story Alexis?” Sarah asked. I felt the world slip from me and I didn’t say goodbye; it hurt enough knowing goodbyes were close and ones that would kill me, the little black rose.
“Amber what’s wrong, you’ve been sad lately,” Stephan’s concern was rising while he rubbed her shoulder blade. “I can’t tell you.” Her eyes began to swell and her lips vibrated into a numbing hum. “You haven’t eaten and you’re pale. You look like a white rose,” he said as he offered her some food. “Funny I feel like a black rose.” Her voice was more of an echo like she was a hounded miles away from him. “I’m going to call a doctor,” he said as he pulled up his phone. He tried to pick her up as well. Flush of pain and paranoia caused her to kick and shake her head. She had her mouth locked open and yet no sound was to escape her lips. Her skin clung to her bones as she shook and Stephan flinched from her ribs stabbing him intently. He was forced to drop her. She scrambled to the back of the headboard crying in pain. Her father she saw, his hands were holding her. She was dying in his arms. “Maybe they take house calls,” Stephan said as his wide eyes and pressed his cheek to the phone.
Once he left the room in full conversation, Amber pulled out a pen and took out her book.
Thursday, April 4:
He is out to mess with my thoughts. The darkness is altering what I see to where I only see him so I don’t bid with his bet. I thought time was fading away enough and he won’t let me enjoy the important time I had to share. To make last; maybe this was for the best so it wouldn’t hurt so much but why make him hurt more. I haven’t eaten in a while; I feel nothing—I am not hungry. I want to sleep, why is he doing this to me? My own father—he is trying to kill me. Stephan tried to pick me up, I felt like I was being dragged across a torn patch into a dark cave. When he put me down I scrambled for the light. Where is my light?
The doctor was there when she placed down her journal. “Hello Amber, I am here to help you.”
Amber I’m here to take you from your misery.
She flinched at what she had heard. That wasn’t right she knew it wasn’t there but she couldn’t help but spat at him and tell him to leave. “Amber, try to eat something,” Stephan was in the back of the room petrified to move any closer.
I’m going to eat you’re life away.
“Get away.” She was flung the food away and in shock the world dazed and she fell down into a sleep, impenetrable sleep.
It was the day of my wedding. Alison had just spoken to me how happy she was that he was happy. My body pulsed in and odor of deceitfulness as I had said that I would be just fine. There he was a little green eyed boy sitting there in his hood. I started to walk in his direction. Feeling more invited as she took each inch closer. “She’ll be real pretty. Like you, your eyes are blue,’’ he said as took a few steps closer, “Kerry; it’s original but very effective dark princess, daughter of my dark king. You should tell him maybe things would be alright,” he finished his thought facing my stomach. “Thank-you but that isn’t very easy.
“He, my father isn’t very easy to convince,” I said as I rubbed his ruff cloak. “Why not?” he truly was just a child with childish questions. He then removed his hood to reveal his mark on his right ear. “Let’s not distract her from her play today lad,” my father. The darkness; the child ran away from his sight, “Common now get dressed; I’ll wait for you to say you one line”.
I’m in my wedding dress; green and white. There’s a mirror and I want to see my reflection. My hair is curled—I’m beautiful. “My dear sweet child, aren’t getting cold feet in our deal are we? I don’t kill him if you say I don’t,” he was behind me brushing my hair. He smiled and I forced back tears; my mind was set to safety of my love—Stephan. “Our deal is still intact—as long as he proposes my answer will remain a solid I don’t.” Then my heart pulsed it last beat. He stabbed me in the heart.
She awoke in a dead sweat pouring down her like she had just walked out in a down pour. “What’s today?” she asked looking around at the food and a circle of concerned people and one mocking face. “Friday.” One of the many answered. Stephan, Alison, Davis, John and Elizabeth were there as well as Moona, Connell, Sarah and Alexis. They all stared at her waiting for her to eat. In response she took a mouth full of eggs. The tasted was replenishing but bitter like cleaners. Amber spit it out on Elizabeth. “Eat Amber please,” Stephan was literally on his knees. “I want to go for a walk,” she said as she sat up in her bed which revealed that a doctor was sitting in the back of room.
“Eat first,” John was begging too. Then she anchored her mouth and lunched it into her mouth, it burned her throat but she swallowed it. She ate the entire plate full, “Now may I walk?” she asked looking in Stephan’s eyes. “Sure let me grab my coat,” he started. “With Alexis.” He sat down on the floor and everyone looked at her and then at Alexis who took her hand. They walked silently through the doors then started a well thought out argument.
“You saw something,” Amber said feeling strength behind the words. She kicked around the subject, “Yes, and you know that he was just trying to help.” Amber felt heat behind the word him she knew exactly what that translated to Stephan. “I don’t want to hurt him anymore,” Amber was defending her actions. “It hurts him more this way. Love him until the wedding; make my last moments worth it,” she said pausing immediately. “What do you mean by that?” Amber was frozen at her gaze. “It feels an end is about.”
“You don’t feel things you see it,” Amber added. “Well one day I am going to die. When I do take care of my shack will you,” she added nudging Amber to imply a misunderstood statement. “What time is it anyways?” Amber asked changing subjects. “Time for us to head back it will be darker soon. We’ve already ate supper before you woke up,” she said pulling her towards the house. Amber kissed Stephan on the lips and he said it was time for sleep. She was in his arms; clutching him closely, as he did to her. They were trying to protect each other. She couldn’t sleep that night maybe it was because she slept the entire day before or maybe it was to keep an eye on the world around them.
When he awoke he stared at her blankly. They kissed again but it wasn’t their same romantic dance it was more awkward than anything. “I need some sleep please I couldn’t all night. I heard something and I can’t shake it,” before she was finished she was passed out.
‘’Amber, oh my dear Amber, how do you like not able to feel the pain.’’ The dark man spoke, my father spoke. The pain gone; the pain was more unbearable ever that it was before. It was bad enough that our end was so near but did he really have to ruin everything? “No. why are you doing this to me, I love him?” I was choked by his hand. His laugh echoed in my ears.
Amber looked around and the clock read: 12:35. “Amber I’m going to go fishing, be back soon,” Stephan called from the hallway. “Wait I’m going with you,” she screamed. He smiled and took her hand that was so skinny now. They walked up the grove in silence it was still awkward. When she saw the worms was when she jumped. “Gross they’re still alive!” she screeched.
“That’s why they wrote, “Live Bait” on the container,” John laughed as he grabbed it and hooked it. “Can you hook mine Stephan?” she asked. “Sure,” he did just that hooked the worm pushing guts out its head. “So much for live bait, we kill it putting it on the hook,” Amber started to laugh. Everyone went quiet to listen to her; Stephan smiled as he kissed her. It flowed around them and the world went silent. All they knew was that they were together for that moment. A fish swung in the air and hit them in the face. Davis caught a bass. It was huge and scaly.
“My turn Davis,” she teased as she tossed her hook into the water. She then crouched really close to the water. She started to sing to the ripples. Hours passed and the moon was rising when her line tugged and a fight began. It tugged fiercely and she fell into the water. Stephan reacted quickly, Amber couldn’t swim. It was a direct drop of in the fishing whole. Though she was so light and yet she dropped down like a rock. The water rushed around them. He pulled her close and she had her hands grasping the fish menace. John took his hand as Stephan started to surface.
They flopped on the ground and she through the fish at Davis. He screamed in displeasure and flinched as the tail cut his skin. In reaction he burst into laughter. Stephan pulled Amber close, and he kissed her. “Let’s not go home, let’s sleep here under the stars,” she said as she pulled down a blanket from the trunk. Stephan reacted by twisting his body around hers for support. Davis and John left them under the stars alone. For once they were so close and physically felt so close. It was warm in the cold night and they slept there clinging to each other as fish flew from the water and always returned to its home, the water. Maybe that would be Stephan leave home and come back.
“Welcome Amber,” Moona called. “Good morning,” Alexis said. “Today is Saturday?” I asked, I had lost track of time. “Sunday,” Sarah said as she sat there. “There is so much to tell—go to bed early tonight all of you. Or just meet me here at nine,” Alexis was fighting to compose herself. What was going to happen tonight? I knew it had to do something with my father but, what? Was she about to die? He told me to keep her alive though that would be a waste—anyways something bad was going down tonight.
“What is your story Alexis?” I asked trying to keep a conversation continuing. “My story is a long one and a very true one. That comes to an imamate stop. I was created from the mark. My mom had no husband so they truly believed she was the Virgin Mary. The village took care of my mom awaiting the birth of a boy, a boy Jesus. Nine months each spent being in services awaiting my birth, they all worshiped and honored me. When it was time to be born, they found me instead of the Jesus. The village was very angry they stoned my mother. They believed they were tricked and that I had a dept due to god so they named me Alexis, defender of people. I was raised like a boy in a boy school and did the boy things for the village. Even though my young age I was forced to watch and if a battle were to go our way I had to fight in it. The guys were already beginning to crush on me at the age of five but their mothers and fathers were stern and made clear I was untouchable a servant of the village.
“The night that I was “killed” I wasn’t afraid. I had been through two battles and saw many men die beside me. I was young but I was fierce and well trained to be a warrior. He took me and promised me that I would never age for a hundred years. I stayed six for a hundred years. I slaved for his useless deeds of kidnapping and killing. One day he gave me a sheet that told me to kill my village’s elite warrior. This was the man that protected me when I was little. I was forced to stab in six places: in between the eyes, on the shoulder blades, in the joint of the elbows and the belly button. After I stabbed him I was to tie them together in a six point star. Once I completed that I had to remove his left eye and place it in the middle of this star and cut myself to let one drop of blood glide to make it appear he was crying thus making the dark man his trade mark.
“These killings were all for nothing, just a feeling of his discovery. Once I was released I was only out for the first the day, and I told my story to a town’s person. That very night I was taken back for another hundred years—each year was a separate nightmare. After that I settled here away from the deaths and the guts. I am not afraid to die. I have “died” two times thus far; I have seen death before me. I have killed many innocent people when I was born to defend. I shall die to defend my people. I will die and see my mother again—the young virgin that was killed. I will die for my people to protect them,” she finished her thought. Everyone was silent, “It is time for you to wake up, be back at nine,” my head ached how could someone live like that. Two hundred years of immortality; still a life ahead of her.
Amber awoke with Stephan heating up the truck waiting for us to return Davis transportation and get his car back. She got up and sat in the passenger side and he then took the right side. They drove in silence; holding each other’s hand revealing the heavy stone ring on her finger. “Good morning Steve. Good morning Am—Amber you need a nickname,” Davis spoke as they pulled into Stephan’s household. “Amber’s my name you’ve called me that for a long time what is wrong with it?” Amber asked as she stuck her head out of the window. “Nothing just not like ours: Steve, Dave, Jon-Jon, and well Beth,” he said as he hugged her and nearly dragged her out of the window. “Can you please let my girl get out—of the door, not climb out the window?” Stephan asked. “Thank-you Steve,” Amber smirked as she slammed the door behind her. “Any time beautiful,’’ he said as he rejoined at her side.
“So it’s Beautiful?” Davis called as he lunged in between the two of them. “No Davis don’t,” Amber began. “Yes, there you go you have her nickname or you could call her fishy,” Stephan said pushing him out of the way. “But—“
“Yep, Amber your nickname is Beautiful Fish,” Davis said, laughing. “Great,” she said glaring at Stephan. They walked the rest of the way to be re-greeted by Alison. “I’ve already got breakfast in the lounge,” that was that needed to be said and the two men were off. “Let me take you upstairs to freshen up, me and you are about the same size so,” Alison had her arm and took her up the stairs, “You’re going to get a full spa treatment Amber,” she said as she reached the top of the stairs. “It’s Beautiful Fish,” one of the guys called with their voice altered from stuffing food down their throat. “What’s that all about?” Alison asked with her eye brow raised. “Don’t even ask,” Amber said as they entered the room with the sigh “Alison” above it.
“Amber I want to say something,” Alison said as she sat down on her bed that was a Victorian style. It looked like a vampire influenced space the dark rich red colored paint. “Sure what’s up?” Amber said as she sat down beside her. “I am so happy you are marring Stephan. He’s my little brother and he really hadn’t done so well since his twin died before you came into view. He anciently drown him when they were on a fishing trip. They were only two years old so no one blames him. Its just he never really opened up to anyone after that, then you came along and he’s himself. I’m just so happy he’s happy so you need something barrowed for the wedding don’t you?” she said as she took Amber’s hand. “Yeah I forgot about that stuff,” Amber spoke envisioning a boy just like Stephan. Alison got up an took her into her closet.
Her fingers lingered as she found a white dress, green embellishment. “Here it was mine, when I was engaged. Then he disappeared no one found him—we all assume the worst but the dress is still pretty,” she said as a tear slid down her face, “Well try it on.” She finished her thought. Amber then pulled off her clothing and Alison helped her into the dress. It was a tie up in the back and it was defiantly a Victorian style. It was snug but it looked ravishing, “Thank-you Alison,” Amber said biting her tongue.
She then took it out and placed it into her dry clean bag. The rest of the day dragged Amber left early. She walked home in a rush to make the nine o’clock appointment. They were all sitting waiting for her all except for Davis who was busy with Stephan and them.
“I don’t know how much time we have left,” Alexis said as fumbled with her fingers. “Time for what?” Sarah asked. “Time to explain,” Amber interpreted. “Yes, okay so here it goes. When I die, my blood will spill and whomever it touches gives them the power to see into the future,” she said as she looked at the clock. “What does this have to do with anything?” Moona asked from Connell’s lap. “This is the end of my story, two hundred years and I am ready,” Alexis said. Then she jumped, ‘’It’s time—he’s coming,” she finished as she shoved them out of the room. “Where?” Amber asked looking into her eyes, “I don’t want to say good bye”. “Just run, don’t look back,” she slammed the door shut and she awaited her fate.
Too her surprise the mirror began to jiggle, and Stephan fell through. She jumped and then realized and alliterated, she could die without serving a hundred years more. “Stephan I need you to kill me,” she said, “I have powers you need except for visions I will take with me to the after life.”
“What are you talking about,” he asked shocked at what he heard. “Take these knives and do as I say: stab me in between the eyes.” He stumbled then she took his hand and jabbed it between her eyes. Her nose bone cracked as the silver cut through her. She squinted but held her tongue, “Now one in each shoulder blade,” she said. She stood there waiting for another knife to be plunged. She was bleeding it was important that this happened quickly, “In my elbows and the last belongs in my belly button,” she said as she gasped for air. He did and the bones broke and she still didn’t cry. “Tie them into the witches star I have rope over there. Once you are done remove my left eye and place it in the middle, don’t worry about me, I will not cry this death is better than the death that awaits me.”
Those were the last words she said and Stephan bided her together, her other eye was left open and his hands were stained with her blood. He left, her dead body on the floor, and went back through the mirror and went to Amber’s bed to cry. He closed his eyes and saw, the future. The things left unsaid were filled in, he cried alone, ashamed, and a murderer.
* * *
“Stephan killed Alexis,” Moona said as her eyes went to the back of her head. “What? Stephan killed her,” Amber didn’t pause and she ran, back to the shack to reach him. She ran and felt the weight of the baby inside of her, she didn’t stop. She ran threw the shack and found Alexis on the floor in the same way she described the death of her deeds, shy of a tear though. She wasn’t afraid to die, she wasn’t sad.
Amber jumped through the mirror and saw Stephan crying. She took him and held him close. His voice trembled, “I killed her. She told me to,” his words were wet and scared. “It’s okay, she wanted to die; she has been around for too long and seen a lot of things—she has killed herself,” Amber said as she too started to cry knowing he must have seen their goodbye. “Why didn’t you tell me you were going to have a baby?” Stephan asked. He does come back, other wise he wouldn’t see the birth. “I’m sorry I thought you wouldn’t understand,” she said as she kissed his hair that had blood in it, from when he must have pulled his hands through his hair. “Kerry Shay O’Reilly,” he whispered facing Amber’s womb. He then kissed it and Amber began to cry louder, her daughter needed her father; she couldn’t do this to him, or her.
Then a black mist began to dance before them, a man with a black hood was standing there, staring at them. Amber stood up and held her hands out defensively, “He will not be killed,” was all the words she stumbled out. Stephan couldn’t see what she was staring at, and was trying to pull himself up to see. “In time, you will be mine,” was all her father said and left, like that. They lay there, together, a family ready for the fight ahead of them.
