Chapter 21: Chapter 21
UNEDITED-
Marisol POV-
"Can we go?.." The guards aren't here anymore, she probably told them to leave.
"Where is Nat?"
"Not here.."
"Why are you here?"
"Because she isn't.." Alex rolled her eyes. "Turn around." I turned around and moved my hair to the side.
After it was done I turned back around.. "Won't they get suspicious if you keep turning it off?"
"No, they know I don't like being spied on."
"It's funny you should say that.." .. "So why are you really here?.."
"Victor thinks it would be good for you to spend some time with me.." She answered simply.
"Because of your position.."
"Yes.."
"Let's go then.." I replied plainly.. Alex nodded and turned to walk down the corridor. I followed down the stairs and through a completely new corridor.. How big is this place?.. We finally made it too the bottom floor which was completely concrete, we walked up to a large sliding metal door.. Alex pulled the bar across and slid the door open. A gush of fresh air hit me, a calming sensation swept through my body. Alex walked out of the door and I slowly stepped out with her, taking in every second as though it could be my last.. what a beautiful day, faint wispy clouds in the sky and the birds are chirping away overhead.
"I thought you might appreciate some fresh air."
The air smelt crisp and sweet, the heat of the sun warmed my skin.. I took two steps out of the door and felt that I needed to be closer to it. Without a thought my wings opened up either side of me.. they flapped together and in seconds took me high up over the massive factory looking building. I stayed above where I was stood and just hovered, closing my eyes, taking in every ray of the sun that warmed my skin.. I didn't realise how much I missed it until I was surrounded by it once again..
After a minute or so I glanced at my surroundings.. I can see the whole city from here. This compound is made up of the huge building I've been saying in, and a few smaller buildings surrounding it. The whole place is double fenced like a prison.. guards with guns dotted around the perimeter.. men with sniperifles in the watch towers, workers harvesting what I presume to be small plots of vegetables.. children of all ages playing together in a make-shift playground by one of the other buildings. Most of them were looking back at me.
I slowly lowered myself back down to Alex and managed to stick the landing perfectly. My wings folded back in an I looked up to find her holding the remote with her finger on the button.. "Are you going to shock me?" I asked with an amused expression.
"I don't want to.. but I will if I have to." She really looks worried about my reaction. I looked back down to her hand where she took her finger off the button. I laughed. "What's so funny?" Her eyebrows furrowed.
"You think that it would hurt my feelings." I chuckled again.. "-you don't ow me anything. You've got you're own agenda to think about.. it's about time I find mine.."
"What does that even mean?" -
"Ah Lilith.. it's great to see you spreading your wings!" Victor bellowed joyfully as he walked over.. two burly men weilding assault rifles followed closely behind him. There is that smile again.. I'm sure I've seen it somewhere else.. "How is Khan treating you? Better than Nat I hope.".. says the one who 'starved me out'..
"She did just threaten to shock me but I'm sure we'll work through it.." I smiled..
"What for?" He looked to Alex..
"I thought she was trying to escape.." Alex answered like she was being told off.
Victor looked straight back to me.. "Nonsense.. Do you want to escape?" He used the trick on me and I wasn't ready for it.. the truth came out.
"No." I answered. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Alex look at me confusedly.
"Good." Victor grinned again.. "Come here.. turn around." I just followed his orders. His dry chapped hands scraped my neck as he fiddled with the collar.. I glanced at Alex again, her eyes fixed to the floor. After the collar made a clink sound it finally came loose. He took it off me and handed it to one of the men following him. "I'm glad we don't need that anymore." I turned back around to face him as he asked.. "Can I see them again?".. He could have tried to force me, but this time he didn't.. I know that Luca planted a seed inside my head and I think it's because I'm aware of it that it didn't take root. But I still want to prove myself useful..
I did as he said.. my eyes traveled to my side and down one of them, the shiny jet black feathers glistening in the sun light.. almost draping down to the floor. I wonder how that whole thing fits inside the twenty centremetre spikes coming out of my back. Probably the same way my mouth opens wide enough to fit a fat orange.
Victor reached out his hand and lightly brushed down one of them.. "They are nothing like Vals.. I wonder why that is.." He spoke quietly to himself. "Anyway Khan.. I told you Lilith is one of us now, why didn't you take the collar off?".. She could have taken it off?.. she's an asshole. Alex didn't say anything. "How it annoys me that you can resist my power so easily." ..
"After awhile you just get used to it I guess.. weren't you going somewhere?"
"Hey Freddy have you heard the way I let my own daughter speak to me?.. and she thinks that I don't love her, can you believe that?".. He looked back to one of his guards who just shook his head playing along. Holy shit it's the smile.. that smile. How did I not see it before?.
That is how she has so much power.. she's the precious daughter Nat was talking about. So the plot thickens.. "I just meant that I'm sure you have a lot to do.." She corrected.
"You're right I do.. I saw that everyone stopped working to look up. I wondered why, and now here I am." He stated simply. "I should probably get back to work.. both of you meet me in the dining hall at six.."
"Okay." Alex said and I nodded. With that he walked off down the path to one of the other buildings.
"Thank you for bringing me out here." I looked around the fields and not to her..
"Aren't you going to say something about my dad or ask why I didn't remove the collar?"
"You just proved my point that's all.."
"What point?"
"That you have your own agenda." As I looked back to her she seemed to disagree.. she shook her head..
"It was never about my 'agenda'..or maybe it was but it's not how you think.."
"What was it about then?" I asked but she didn't reply.. I saw her contemplating something but still not speaking a word.. "Can we move along if you're not going to say anything?" I rolled my eyes and ushered my hand forward.
"I just, didn't want you to leave me again.." Her voice seemed determined.. but she would hurt me just to keep me with her?. and the more I resist the more pain I would be in. I'm not really sure how to feel about it but one thing is for certain.. I'm tired of this shit already.
"Stop making it personal.. you're only making things harder for yourself.." As I spoke her expression changed to concern..
"Don't you care at all?"
"Would you rather I felt betrayed? You want me to be angry with you?"
She waited a few moments before asking.. "What happened to the Marisol from yesterday?"
"I'm not really sure.." I guess she died this morning. "Can we move on with the tour or whatever this is?"
"Yeah, sure.." But she didn't sound sure.
A few hours past of being shown the lay of the land.. where to eat, where to train, who to see for what.. the list goes on. As me and Alex spoke about the various things it really was like we were strangers. Like I drew a line and I guess she didn't want to cross it. It certainly feels easier to see her now that everything is numbed. It's not that I don't feel anything, it's just buried deep down.. walled-in by whatever barrier Luca created inside my mind. For once in my life I don't feel vulnerable at all..
Six O'clock finally came around the corner and we were walking to the dining room.. "What should I expect?" I asked nonchalantly.
Alex looked back at me confused for a second before replying.. "To eat?"
"Right.. but who will be there?"
"I'm not sure, my dad, maybe my mum.. Nat probably".. something in the way she spoke said she wasn't really fond of Nat, which only adds to my suspicions. One being that Nat even mentioned 'that spot is taken'. Well I hope Nat will be there.. she's probably the most upfront person I've found in this place.
Soon enough we were standing outside the doors.. Alex hesitated before opening them.
"You're late." Victor stated in a serious tone.. I looked up to see Victor and a beautiful older woman sitting on the edge beside him. Her hair was light brown with silver streaks running through it, a few braids pulled it back from her face.. her eyes were bright blue. I looked to the end of the table to see Nat, she smiled to me and I smiled back. It's kinda nice to see her face again.
"By one minute.." Alex replied calmly..
"Late is late Khan.." He furrowed his eyebrows.
"You're right, I apologise for us being late.." Alex put her head down.. I just stood there waiting for him to excuse her. Ten seconds past before he did.
"You're lucky our guests are late.. both of you sit down".. He gestured.. "Lilith you sit here." He sat me infront of his wife and next to him. I sat down in my designated seat and Alex sat next to me. "How are you liking the place so far?" Victor looked to me.
"Better now that I'm not living in a cage.." I smiled..
He chuckled loudly.. "Good!"
The door behind Victor's wife opened to reveal a tall slender looking man, his dark slick back hair matched his equally dark eyes. "Roman!" Victor welcomed bellowing into my eardrums.
The tall pencil mustcahed man smiled a toothy grin. "Victor.. It's so good to finally be here.. is she the one?" He pointed to me with his long bony fingers. So I see this is about me.
"Yes.. her name is Lilith.." Victor replied just as enthusiastic.
"Lilith.." Roman repeated in a soft tone as he walked up behind the free chair next to Victor's wife. Another person walked into the room behind him. A woman that looked a few years older than me. Her light brown hair was tied up into a tight bun.. I looked away from her and back to the man grinning infront of me..
"Roman it's her! She's the one that killed Jeremy!!" The woman screamed. The man infront of me soon changed his expression.. pure rage took over him.
Spontaneously I grabbed the sharp knife that sat next to my plate and stabbed in straight through my hand and into the table.. I pulled it out and brought it to my throat where I managed to stop myself. I felt the pressure inside my mind, I could feel him trying to get inside. After he realised he could no longer get access he leapt over the table at unimaginable speed, I dropped the knife as he wrapped both hands around my throat. He lifted me into the air and slammed by back against the concrete wall, all I could see was Marcus as he held the air in my lungs. For some reason I didn't even try to stop him.. both of my arms stayed by my sides as I hung.
"Roman stop!" Victor shouted.. I watched Nat jump out of her seat and attempt to get Roman off of me, he simply slapped her backwards with almost no effort. My head and the concrete were fighting a battle of their own.. I wonder which will break first? Alex and Victor didn't really move much. They both looked worried but neither actually did anything to help. I'm not surprised..
My head had began cracking the concrete around it at how hard he was pushing.. "You killed my son!" He shouted as he smashed me off the wall again and threw me 10ft onto the ground.. "You deserve to die.."
"We can talk about this Roman.." Victor pleaded, but I guess he understood some. I might be rare but apparently I killed his kid so I guess he has a right to hurt me?
"I.. I don't even know.. what you're talking about.." I spoke through trying to get my breath back.. I could feel the tickling sensation of blood running down the back of my neck and soaking my shirt.
"Bean are you sure it was her? You never said she had wings!.." Roman finally found doubt and began to question.
"Yes I'm sure.. ask Khan.." This so-called bean answered.
"I was picked up not long before you.. I don't remember their faces.." Alex made an attempt to shift the blame onto a made up person.. is it to save me or to save herself?
I was finally on my feet and decided that this will go whichever way it goes, but I'm not going to lie to him. "I killed a man for trying to steal my car, for saying he was going to kidnap me or one of my friends.. I didn't want to kill him, he didn't give me a choice.. I spared 'Bean' because I had a chance to. Your son attacked first.." What else can I say?
"He's gone and it's your fault!" He roared as he came flying at me again..
This time he swung his arm over his head, as it moved through the air it morphed into a long jet black blade. I closed my eyes, lifting my arms over my head and braced for the impact, I felt it but it was a dull and unusual sensation.. when I opened my eyes the scene was clear, my wings had opened up around me.. I moved them to my sides as my eyes traveled to the floor, where roman was screaming holding his floppy wrist, his hand is back to normal but very much broken.
"She didn't have to admit to it Roman, doesn't it say something that she took responsibility?.. She is invaluable to us.. your son could never benefit us like Lilith can-"..
"You watch your tongue!" Roman scowled at his brother, shaking his pointed finger at Victor as he spoke.. I can't tell who is older. "That is our flesh and blood Victor.. things we can never replace. Just because you have had your mind altered does not mean you can open your mouth without thought.. one of these days there will be consequences.."
"Nonsense dear brother.. try to look to the future.. come eat with us.." Victor smiled again.. Roman turned to Bean holding his broken limb out.. she wrapped her hands around it and the air around them began circling like a mini tornado. I watched his wrist click and crunch back to where it should be.. I guess she has a simular gift to August. "Bean why were you trying to steal a car from Lilith?"
Bean looked to Roman who nodded.. "We were trying to get home, we just wanted to pick up a gift for Roman." She stated simply.
"Then what can you expect? Fighting back is a natural instinct, of course people get hurt, people die.. only the strong survive, remember?"..
"I suppose you do have a point.." Roman side eyed me and walked around the table to sit nexto Victor's wife. Bean slowly followed and sat nexto him. After they sat down I joined.
Soon my presence was almost undetected as time went on, other than Bean who kept giving me the evils.. Roman and Victor talked about various prospects, the ones that include me and the ones that don't.. my mind though was focused on other things. My head is throbbing, Nat looks like she's got a bruised arse and I just want to get a shower to wash the blood out of my hair.. my mind had wondered off to fly with the clouds, my eyes traveled to the hole in my hand and back to my empty plate.. It's weird that Jane hasn't visited me since Luca put the barrier in my head.. I like how quiet it is without her.
Alex descretely put her hand on my leg under the table and lightly squeezed it.. I looked up to see her looking at Roman.. "Where's your head at girl?" He asked me, clearly annoyed. Alex took her hand back as I looked to him.
"I'm sorry, my mind was elsewhere.."
"It's alright Lilith, Roman was just asking how old you are".. Victor spoke.
"I'm honestly not sure" I spoke confidently..
"What does that mean?" Romans dark beady eyes were fixed on me.. I can feel his intentions are to intimidate me.
"I don't know how old am." Usually if ever in a situation like this I'd be panicking.. but I'm not. All I can think about is the shower. And I'm glad I didn't end up with Roman or I would've been dead straight away.. maybe this really can be a good thing. Apart from the human farms.. I still don't like that idea, but it's not a priority in my mind anymore. Everything that worried me before takes up such a little space in my thoughts. I just want to live and get the best of everything life has to offer.
"Is everyone ready to eat?" ..Everyone began nodding and I just glanced around at them. "Brandon.." Victor looked over to butler who walked through the same door as before.
"I have to admit I'm looking forward to what you have prepared for us.." Roman smiled.. I've never met anyone that can make such a warm gesture seem so chilling.
"I chose this one myself." Victor smiled back.. A moment later I could hear screaming coming from the room Brandon was in.. A mans voice screaming bloody murder. I assume that's what it was. It went on as they continued speaking. Alex looked to me, waiting for my reaction.. but I didn't really have one.
"How is my favourite neice?" Roman looked to Alex..
"I'm your only neice.." She rolled her eyes and smiled.
"Yes well, you'd be my favourite regardless.." He grinned.. I don't think I'm going to get used to that face. It looks unnatural. The door opening cut their conversation short.. Brandon walked back through the door pulling a trolly full of food with him. A plater full of various parts of a bloody person. Other platters full of mostly Saturday night specials selections sat beside them. And one plate that was already made up.."Finally" Roman uttered under his breath.
Brandon began dishing out everyone's food, starting with Victor who had one bloody chunk of meat and a rack of ribs, I'm pretty sure the ribs are pork but don't quote me on that. He had a few sides then Brandon turned his attention to Victor's wife, he pulled the plate off the trolley that had a full english breakfast and placed it infront of her. Roman had two chunks of flesh, a cheese burger, french fries and onion rings. Brandon dropped a slice of meat onto Beans plate and two onto mine.. He added another burger to Beans plate along with some french fries and baked beans. Alex had just two chunks of flesh on her plate aswell. Nat was given one chunk and then Brandon began piling up her plate with more food than anyone else had.. no one really looked surprised so I am assuming they are used to her by now.
Once everyone had been served Victor spoke.. "Dig in." Victor bellowed with his knife and fork in hand. Everyone picked up their cutlery and I looked to Nat who surprisingly was looking back at me.. Victor and Roman began talking as they shoveled food into their mouths. I wasn't really sure what to do, I guess that's why I looked to Nat. She said that no-one eats like me, so they will all look, or ask something about it.. I'm not scared, I just can't be bothered to explain something I don't even understand myself.
Nat started cutting up her meat with her knife and fork, as if for me to follow.. the smell of it right infront of me was already tempting me to scoff them both and whatever Alex has left.. she sat next to me cutting a small chunk off and plopping it into her mouth..
My hands shook as I picked up my knife and fork.. ah fuck it. I'm either going to be noticed for shaking and looking like I'm having a panic attack, or noticed for opening my mouth wide. I stabbed my fork into one of the chunks, put my head back and dropped it in.. I can't tell you how strange it is to not have the starving pains. I'm so happy to eat.. I stabbed my fork through the next peice and swallowed that whole aswell. I inhaled deeply, finally feeling somewhat full for the first time in ages.
I looked up from my plate back to Nat who was looking past me at Victor. My eyes moved to him where all four of them were looking at me.. "Thank you." I nodded.
"Uh *cough* *cough* you're welcome.." Victor choked a little on his food as he spoke. "Well since your finished you should probably see a doctor for your wounds.". I'm guessing Bean isn't gonna want to heal me.
"I'm alright.." I smiled..
"You're bleeding" Nat added with a full mouth too.
"I am bleeding, but I'm alright.."
"I insist, go get that taken care of.. Brandon can you take her to Daniel?"
"I'll take her, I'm not that hungry anyway.." When Alex spoke I watched Nat turn her head with a confused expression as she chewed.
"Very well.." He nodded. Alex stood up and I followed. I'm glad no-one brought up the way I eat.
We left through the doors and as soon as we were out of hearing range Alex spoke.. "How are you so calm right now? Are you on drugs? did someone give you something?.. you can tell me, I won't do anything I just want to know.."
"I'm not on drugs.. are you?" She's acting out of character even for her.
"Seriously Sol. You can tell me whatever it is, I won't judge.." She seriously thinks I'm on something..
"No I'm not on drugs, and don't call me that.." I rolled my eyes, if anything it's Marisol to her.. Time and time again she proves to me that I was right in not trusting her. I mean even Nat had my back for whatever reason. "We aren't friends here, you are Khan, I am Lilith, you don't know me and I certainly don't know you.. and I'm not going to Daniel I'm going to my room. All I want is a shower."
"You need to at least get it looked at, and your neck.." She moved my hair to look at it.. for some reason I didn't move away. She might be untrustworthy but she's still very beautiful, and I guess I'm very lonely. I grabbed her hand from my hair, turning it over in mine, I could see the dark smears of my blood on the back of her hand..
"No I'm fine.. I'd appreciate some company though" I smiled.
"In the shower?" Her eyebrows furrowed and she let go of my hand taking a step away from me, begining to get flustered.
"You need to wash the blood off?" I replied still smirking. What can I say? she's attractive.
"What is happening with you? How can you change who you are in one night.." She looks concerned, like she genuinely cares. But I'm not really thinking about how she feels.. just how she looks, how she would look. I watched her face fall flat before she continued.."Of course.." She slapped her forehead seemingly having the answer.
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NOTES-
I really hope your still enjoying my story. It's bad but I think I'm enjoying this one more than my first. I reread it and just end up changing so much.
Thank you for the powerstones! I really see and smile at every one. Although I'd still be writing this anyway I just have to let you know that it does mean something to me to see that you're enjoying my writing. If you aren't I'd appreciate a comment telling me why just as much. I'd honestly love feedback of any kind. It might be clear to you but I'm fairly new to writing. :)
I actually wrote this whole chapter pretty much straight after the last one was published. But for some strange reason days past and just couldn't reread through it to publish. Finally after I sat on it for awhile I decided to split it in half and rewrite it adding a different scene to save the other for a later date. I don't really know why I'm sharing this with you.. Also it's longer than usual because that's just how long the scene ended up being I guess. Take care!! Peace.
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