Fate

23: Green

                                                            PART 3: COME BACK FOR MORE

Astraea's POV 

Starting from when she fell from the window.

It wasn't fast.

I always wanted it to be fast.

My body is numb.

I don't feel a thing. It doesn't hurt but tears still slip from the slits of my eyes.

Maybe it's the realization.

The fact I have no escape.

I am a cornered animal.

I have nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.

What's the point?

They have me now.

If curiosity killed the cat, why am I not dead? What does it matter? I'm going to die soon if I'm to live with them.

If I had to choose between being deaf or being blind, I would choose deafness. Living without sight, living without the beauty of the wild is unbearable. So as I lay here now in complete darkness, the pain is barely there. But maybe it's the adrenaline. I'm expecting it. Any time soon. I've dealt with injury in my lifetime, and I am so acquainted with the absence of pain that it is no surprise to me that I feel nothing. This is the calm before the storm. The lightning before the thunder clap. And the boom will be a big one.

Pressure. Shouting. Growling. It's the furthest thing from peace; the one thing I'm trying to find in this world. I've come so far. Further than I would have ever thought possible. Yes, I planned to assassinate the kings. But I was naive. How could I exterminate five supernatural beings alone? The plan had always been just me. Then it was Niko. Now, my future is as free as the wind. Now, my future is unknown.

Then there is light.

From my time in the darkness, the brightness is overwhelming. My eyelids shudder, my chest shakes with the invisible force. But there is no pressure upon me. My struggle to breathe is because I am broken.

Consciousness comes in bursts. Occasionally, the sheer effort of breathing brings exhaustion upon me faster than anything and I am forced back into darkness. But then every now and then, the sound and bright haze of life boosts me forward. I need to stay awake, I need to keep my eyes open. Awareness is my only chance.

Black dots riddle my vision, the trees sway and swing more than any wind could make them. The distorted sounds of voices invade my ears, though what they're saying is unbeknownst to me. 

"Leave her." But some words make it through. The voice is so angry, so strong that I physically shudder. Who is to leave me alone? My eyes open once more, and finally it focuses. If only for a second, I see who holds me. His eyes are red. So red. Red like roses, but darker. Like blood. And it is only when I see his fangs do I realize who he is: Valentine Rouge, King of the Vampires. 

Echoes of Fylo and I's conversation before...all of this ring through my mind. The explanation of each king. I'm sure Fylo was being kind. It doesn't look like Valentine has a gentle bone in his body. The only thing I can see in his eyes is blood lust. An overpowering lust for me. 

A sudden change flickers in his blood red orbs, an oak brown absorbing the rouge. He groans, he shouts. He is fighting. But he is battling for control, whereas I am battling to live. 

A never ending war that has been fought since that day. The day that constantly screams in my mind. The day I want to forget. I don't want to be this...weak human who can't do anything without blaming her past! I'm so sick of it. I'm so tired of being the omega of an entire world. If I was supernatural, maybe I wouldn't be bleeding out on this damn floor! I can feel the thick, red liquid seeping out of my arm. I dare not move my neck any more, every time I try the agony only increases. My wings have finally been broken.

I cannot fly away.

"Valentine." A whisper, quiet but loud enough for me to notice. My neck throbs, I can't even see who's calling, "Leave her alone." Why should he care? Why should he care whether I live or die? Maybe they want me breathing so they hurt me more. I wouldn't be surprised if they were enjoying this affair.

"Mine." Valentine above me snarls at the speaker, his crimson eyes still flare with rage. His snowy fangs out and ready. Ready for my blood.

"We know, Val. But you're hurting her, Valentine. You're hurting her." The angry voice, that was unrecognizably angry before but is so calm, so soothing now. This leads me to believe it can only be one person; Floren.

"Mine." Valentine repeats, his eyes flick maniacally from me, to our audience. I can only let out small whimpers.

"Valentine, let her go!" The same voice from before growls, I can't help my curiosity. Slowly and gently I move my neck to the side, wincing and letting a few tears roll down my cheeks. He's tall, and his hair is a fiery red. If I wasn't already short on breath, I would gasp. He is the spitting image of Conan, only older and more regal. Not as relaxed as Conan, but most definitely as stunning.

"P-p-please." I gasp, I talk. I take that breath and I vocalize; let me go. My chest rises, rises so high as I inhale. No matter how much my rib cage screams at me, I inhale more. I'm going to need the strength, "Please!" I shriek, pronounced every letter. Please, please, please, let me go. Let me go, I beg of you. Though the pain was too much to carry on, my thoughts are loud as I beg for freedom. Please, please, please. The pressure increases on my wrist with every word. Does my voice trigger you, Valentine? Then what do you do to me? I can feel my arm stretch as it is pulled further, my eyes that were scrunched closed flicker open in curiosity. He is so close to me. His jaw is unhinged as though he is a snake and I am the victim. This is it. This is the bite. This is the life, this is the death.

"Valentine, stop!" A darker voice, holding threatens and fury. And it is so quick, I barely notice. The pressure is there and then it is gone. My hand falls limply to the ground. A loud collision sounds from behind me. I don't have the strength to look.

Black spots dance in my vision, I can barely hear my breathe. Heck, I can barely hear anything. Only a faint buzzing. Are there bees near? I like bees. They're pretty. The shouts are oh so quiet, but they're there. I don't know what is happening. Are they fighting? Is someone bleeding out on the floor? Oh yes, that's me.

Another wave of pain hits me and a chorus of cries escape my lips. And then he is there, like a maid to a chore he has me. Gently, though. Not rough and cruel like Valentine, I am moved into his lap and my hair is caressed slowly. Even in his hold, I do not calm. I'm sure I look like a dear in headlights. 

"You're okay, you're going to be just fine!" It's Floren I am settled with. 

"F-F-Floren." I gasp, my voice quiet but to no surprise. My efforts for oxygen are failing.

"That's me, beautiful." His voice is like sunshine, soft and happy. It does not even occur to him that I know his name. I shouldn't know his name. I don't know why I know his name. Who is he, again?

"D-don't l-l-leave." I mutter. I'm scared. I'm so scared. I don't want to die. In so much haste and confusion. Where am I? Who am I? Blood, so much blood. So much blood! My chest rises and falls rapidly. My energy drops faster than I thought possible and fatigue forces my chest to stop. My tiny inhales don't even show on my chest.

Everything is so bright.

So bright and blue.

And green. 

And I'm with people though I do not know who.

I know you.

You're going to take me away.

Though if I will be happy or sad, I do not know.

Don't leave me.

Leave me alone.

Give me freedom.

Give me love.

Give me hope.