Where Does the Red String Go? -Miraculous Ladybug AU Soulmates

Chapter 18- The Fangs of a Snake

Marinette's POV

"L-Luka?" I whimper.

I thought he was coming back tomorrow. "Y-You're e-early," I say.

What has always surprised me about Luka is how calm he was. How unruffled his demeanor is. The situation doesn't matter- he'll wear a cool, calm mask—a mask he won't ever take off, even to me.

"I t-t-thought y-you said y-you were c-coming t-tomorrow." I stutter.

He smiles, his words dripping with venom. "I lied," he says, fangs glinting in malice.

Luka always reminded me of a snake—the way he slithered into my life. The way he wrapped his body around mine and suffocated me. The way his intoxicating poison infected me and I fell to his charms. And the way he trapped me in such a way that no one could ever see me scream. Who could beat a snake? Not a mouse for sure, which was what I was. Snakes ate mice easily.

Luka looks at Adrien, his eyes cunningly assessing his prey. His lips curve to speak. "I'm sorry, I'm afraid Marinette can't talk to other boys." his threat does not go unnoticed by Adrien.

"Well, I believe that Marinette can talk to whoever she wants," Adrien says back. His demeanor changes too, his posture straighter and a confident air around him.

I've seen this side of Adrien before. It's the side he uses when he's talking to his father. It's the side he uses when he's talking to everyone else except me. It reminds me of a cat. The way he talks and the way he holds himself high in a graceful manner.

The cat and the snake- who will win? The snake has its fangs, the cat has its claws.

The two boys stare at each other in an unbroken gaze. The tension in the room grows increasingly heated. I stand up.

"I'll sit with Luka, Adrien." I shoot him an apologetic glance as I follow Luka to his seat. I had no other choice. It was okay if he ab*sed me, but I cared too much about Adrien for Luka to do who knows to him. As I sit down, I say my goodbyes to the boy who gave me some happiness in my melancholy life.

Goodbye, Adrien.

I dread lunch. The cafeteria holds too many bad memories for me. It was the place where I passed out. It was the place where I found out about Nino's death. And today another memory will be added to the list. What will Luka do to me as punishment?

My symptoms start to occur- my heart begins to beat faster and faster and my ears ring like a bell. Sweat rolls down my face as I hastily wipe it off. I don't want to be hurt by him again.

But when the bell rings for lunch nothing happens. I follow Luka to our lunch table and stand with him. He doesn't do anything to me, and I nearly breathe a sigh of relief. See? Luka wasn't that bad right? Sure he had his flaws but it was okay, he was forgiving enough to still have me even though I broke a rule! Why did I ever doubt him? His presence nearly makes me swoon. How did I not miss him during that week he was gone?

But instead of continuing with my daydreams of Luka like I usually do, my head turns to Adrien. I watch him sit alone in the furthest corner of the cafeteria. He's looking out the window, and a sharp pain cuts through me. Why did I leave him like this? It wasn't his fault. It was mine.

I was so stupid to make friends with him in the first place. Now all I caused was pain and sadness. Why was I foolish enough to ever want to be with him in the first place? It was clear we could never be together.

I sigh as the lunch bell rings, signaling that we have to go to class. I carry Luka's tray and dump it in the trash, replaying those blissful moments of last week with Adrien. For the first time, I wished I didn't have to follow Luka around like a puppy. I wanted to be free to sit next to anyone I wanted. Why did Luka have to tell me what to do? I remember the words I repeated to myself.

He's doing it for my own good.

He's doing it for my own good.

He's doing it for my own good.

Was he?

By the time school ended, my fear of Luka hurting me had already faded. I walk out of the school, feeling peaceful. I had to deliver some pastries to a couple of people. Looking anxiously at the darkening sky, I begin to walk towards the direction of my house. Since it was winter, I had to do my deliveries quickly. Blocking out the memories of that night, I read the address of the first house and ride my motorcycle.

I had one last house to go to before I had to go home. The sun is nearly disappearing over the horizon but maybe I can squeeze in one more if I go quickly.

I turn on the flashlight on my phone and I start the engine on my motorcycle. It won't start. Confused, I check the fuel meter. No! There's no fuel. Clamping down the fear that suddenly rises, I open my messages to tell my mom.

As I'm about to hit send I hear a noise. Looking up, I scan my eyes around me, surprised to realize that it's already dark. Bringing my flashlight near my face, I call out. "Hello?" I say, edging towards my motorcycle. Sure, it didn't work but I could at least use it as a shield in case anything happened. Plus, it made me feel better.

The noise sounds again, this time to my left. Ignoring my hammering heart, I bring the flashlight in the direction of the noise. I can't see anything past the light. The noise sounds again. Thump. Thump.

A figure emerges from the shadows, and I clamp down my lips to not scream. My flashlight just manages to capture their face before it stutters and dies out. Luka? Why was he here? A warning beep signals on my phone and I know it's dead.

"Luka?" I say in the darkness. I can barely see his outline. I was so glad I met him, at least I could use his phone to contact my parents. "Thank goodness! Luka, please I need your-" I stop.

Luka's eyes come into view, and the hairs on my body stand on the end. He has that look. The look that he had on that desolate night when I encountered him drunk. The look he wears before he hurts me. The look that tells me 'he's dangerous.'

My heart lodges into my throat, my words come out in a warped garble. "L-Luka?..." I trail off when I notice the item in his hand.

It's a knife.