Death and Howls Part Fourteen: The Sting of Rejection!

Phantom:

Shivering in the corner, my father had beaten me for the thousandth time. Staring out of my window, his harsh words shattered my heart. His next target presenting itself had spared me his full wrath, the sound of footsteps coming around the corner had me perking up. Tucking my hair behind my ears, my mother shot me a cold look before stopping in front of me.  

“Killing is our bread and butter and you refuse to go through with the job!” She screamed venomously, my fourteen year old hands trembling in my blurry vision. “I reject you as my son! Get out!” Tossing a bag into my chest,  my sisters giggled as they sauntered away. Her ruby hair swayed back and forth, my sisters bearing the same fucking hair color. The floor groaned as I rose to my feet, the floorboard groaning with every one of my footfalls. Walking out my door for the last time, a single tear slid down my cheek. Hiking out of my village, the buildings became endless rows of trees. A scream had me sprinting through the trees, a horrid sight causing me to stumble back. A fourteen year old lilac haired female elf with beautiful green eyes was stabbing one of the corrupt officials, her apologetic smile meeting mine. Another official was crashing towards her, my fingers plucking out a dagger from its case. Flicking my wrist, the dagger pierced the attacker’s throat. Rushing up to her side, the sounds of the approaching guards had me dragging her into a nearby cave. Holding her in a deep crevasse, her bloody hands curled around mine. Passing out in my arms, her soft waves tickled my chin. Hiding out until they were gone for hours, I scooped her up. Poking my head out, a rumbling storm had my ears pinning back. Laying her against the wall, sorrow ate at me as I built a fire with what I could find. Stirring awake, her beautiful eyes stole my breath away.  

“Who are you?” She asked shyly, a blast of my green water cleaning her off. “Thank you for saving me. That was a hell of a throw.” Approaching me with her natural smile, the way the left side of her mouth hung a bit higher than the right stole had my heart skipping a beat. Kissing me tenderly, my body melted with hers. Time slowed down, our mating marks appeared at the nape of our necks. Releasing me from her spell, her hand cupped my cheek. Never let go! Never let me go!

“I am Cia, your mate.” She spoke softer than before, a bolt of lightning had her flying into my arms. “You must be the great Phantom. I have heard so much about your knife skills. Would you join our rebel society? You get to take down the people who harmed your people. We can make the world a better place together.” Refusing to meet her eyes, that was the life path that I was trying to avoid. 

“Okay but I choose when.” I caved with a nervous grin, her head resting against my chest. “Never again will you work alone.” Lifting up her palm, a beautiful lily glowed to life in her palm. Tucking it behind my ears, my fingertips grazed the silky petals. Touched by her love, her loving gaze would be all that I needed. 

A gentle knock had me sitting up in my bed, the simple ivory walls greeted me. Cia snored next to me, her hand resting against her bump. Swinging my feet over the edge of the bed, I slid my feet into my worn boots. Slipping on my freshly cleaned emerald blouse, my steady fingers buttoned up the buttons in seconds. Opening the door, a fully dressed Darwin seemed to be keeping an excited Felina at bay. Respecting him for taking her in despite her past, the matching leather coat and pants outfit was the sweetest sight. Running his hand through his wild hair, a curious twinkle shimmered in his eyes. 

“Did you want to meet your dragon? I have the perfect one for you.” He offered sincerely, his arms placing Felina on his shoulders. “He lost his rider last year and he needs a rider.” Joining him for a walk, the stables came into view. The early morning air nipped at my skin, my eyes flitting over to Dusk and Helios. Cuddling together, the two were snoring. A pale blue dragon stepped into view, his silver eyes meeting mine. Unfolding his silver wings, his snout rubbed against my face. Rubbing his silver horns cautiously, a dragon tattoo glowed to life on the back of my palm. Darwin set Felina down, the two of them whispering for a second. Running over to Dusk and Helios, their wings covered her. Her giggles twinkled in the air, Darwin checked the security of his case. Peeling off his leather coat, he tossed it in my direction. 

“We are going to fly and you need to learn fast.” He pointed out bluntly, a lump forming in my throat. “Put that on. I have flown a dragon since I was five so the wind shouldn’t be a damn problem. I have something else.” Passing me a new case with my blade in it, silent tears stained my cheeks. Tracing the carved leather, his genuine smile brightened his features. Strapping it around my back, the fear of rejection had me stepping back. Confusion twisted his features, hesitation lingering in my eyes as I pulled on his coat. The coat swallowed me, his muscles causing me to regret my slender but muscular build. Swallowing the lump in my throat, the dragon’s claw placed me on his back. Darwin got lowered onto my back shortly after, his hands guiding my hands to the base of his horns.

“His name is Spirit and he chose you. Guide him and work with him.” Darwin instructed while pulling my hands back. Spirit pushed off the ground, chilly wind had our hair blowing back. Guiding my hands into a proper resting position, Spirit evened himself out. Staring out at the capital, the bird’s eye view was breathtaking. Bringing his hands to my waist, Spirit guided me through the sky, Darwin giving me pointers along the way. Figuring it out in the few hours we were out, storm clouds rumbled in the distance. Helping me land him in the center of an empty circle, the blood in my veins ran cold. This was where I had met Cia, my family’s home not being too far away. Landing when the rain began to pound against our heads, the lights from my home burned in the distance. A scream shattered the night, Darwin hopping off of Spirit had me chasing after him. Two more screams faded into a clap of thunder, horror rounding his eyes at the wave of ruby spraying the window. Three heads with  ruby waves had me calling for him to stop, a couple of black shadows dragged him in. Standing in the rain, a patient voice had me looking over at Spirit. Why did my fear paralyze me so?

“Are you going to save him?” He inquired with an expecting expression, his claw tapping my soaked head. “Why is there trauma in your scent?” Paralyzed with fear, his claw tapped my head once more. Turning my head towards him, his snout shoved me forward. Taking shelter underneath a giant rock, the case that Darwin had crafted for me told me to rush into the lion’s den. Shoving the impending panic attack back down, my wet boots splashed through the puddles. Kicking in the door, the wicked emerald eyes of my mother and sisters met my quivering eyes. Holding daggers over a passed out Darwin, a blast of emerald water knocked them back. Brandishing my blade, my fear of rejection was staring me down. Too frozen in my fear once more, my friend stirred awake. Grimacing at being soaked, his case groaned in protest while he withdrew his scythe.  Struggling to his feet, my family charged at him with their sleek daggers. Flipping his scythe underneath his arm, a wave of lightning crackled across the room. The corpses of my father and his crew lay in spreading pools of ruby had clammy sweat joining the rain soaking my skin. Their hair had gone gray, my mind not knowing what to do next. 

“What the hell!” I shouted in a mixture of disbelief and horror, pride glistening in their eyes. “Sure he wasn’t the greatest but this!” Shrugging her shoulders, my mother looked less glamorous than the last time I saw her. Her dress was ragged, my sister’s not looking that much better. Another flash of lightning created shadows on her worn face, her finger wagging in my direction. Darwin made his way over to my side, his eyes flitting between them and me. 

“He quit after we kicked you out. The lie we told you was that you ran away. Do you know what he did?” She hissed vehemently, her dagger dripping with his blood. “He quit assassination to go find you. He mumbled something about being a better man but that shit doesn’t pay. He finally returned and we paid the favor back.” Fury melted away the fear, the honesty in their voices leading me to believe it had to be the truth. Darwin placed his hands on my shoulder, his stern gaze shutting down any rash moves. 

“Let me get this straight.” He spoke concisely, his brow cocking. “You did just admit to murder, right? If that is the case, then I can use my power to execute you. What other crimes did you commit in the meantime to survive? Not to mention, you kidnapped the commander of the kingdom’s army. Not a wise move.” Tapping his chin, a familiar twinkle had concern mixing with wonder in my eyes. Don't do anything stupid, Darwin!

“I get it! You robbed and killed the unfortunate travelers who happened to cross your path.” He continued while approaching them, his hand plucking a death sentence out of his pocket. “Killing hundreds of elves hasn’t gone unnoticed. What happens to you is up to him? You see, I did loads of investigating. Do you know what I find most despicable? Throwing away your son like it was nothing is the correct answer. You ruined my plan today. I tracked his fucking father down and you go and kill him. How rude! What do you want to do, Phantom?” Glancing back at me, every attempted movement was met with the blade of his scythe pressing into their throats. Kicking their daggers out of their hands, the shadows pulsed around them. 

“What happens if I tell you no?” I asked while tapping my blade against my legs, Darwin scanning the paper. Pulling out a bag of curses, he took out three. Keeping his scythe in place, the three glowing balls floated off of his palm. 

“I suppose a couple of curses that torture them every time they do horrible things should suffice.” He replied simply, my family shaking their heads in protest. “The curses aren’t that  bad. One is eventual blindness or total blindness, the other two immediate deafness. It is kind of hard to kill without those, don’t you think?” 

“Option number two.” I confirmed shakily, Darwin cursing them. Lowering his scythe, the balls floated into them. My sisters cupped their ears, blood pouring from their ears. A milkiness came over my mother’s eyes, her hands flailing around uncontrollably. The death order went up in smoke, his footfalls bouncing off of the walls. Kneeling down to my father, he hovered his hand over his body. A bright glow blinded me, the light dying down to reveal my father sucking in a deep breath of air. Moving onto his team, their breathing joined his. Sitting up with rough scars, his golden eyes met mine. Silent tears washed the blood off of his cheeks, Darwin helping him up. Beat up leather armor covered his muscular build, his silver waves swaying back and forth with every step towards me. Darwin focused on his team, his thumbs up doing little to ease my fraying nerves. At least he was trying to encourage me.

“Sorry for abusing you.” He apologized sincerely, his breath no longer smelling of hot whiskey. “I got lost in the money and booze of my job. My guilt swelled everyday. When I came home from that damn job, you were gone. They told me you ran away but I didn’t believe them. How could you even think that? Unfortunately, I couldn’t track you. Darwin stumbled upon me one day and listened to my dilemma. In fact, he set this all up. Those bastards murdered me in cold blood. However, I appreciate them being cursed in the proper ways. Your sisters can’t hear the shadows and your mother can’t see them. They are useless. Can we repair this?” Bowing my head in shame, his hand rising in the air gave me pause. 

“I know that you acted as an assassin but you did to save the kingdom. Don’t hate yourself for that.” He pleaded with an honest smile, the wrinkles showing on his face. Darwin grabbed both of our shoulders, his face hovering in between us. 

“I suppose this is a safe haven for my men. I held up my end of the bargain and it is time for you to hold up yours.” He whispered with a serious look, my old man flashing him a big smile. “Thanks. I am going to get a fire going. We have to wait for the storm to end before we can head back.” One snap of his fingers cleaned up the blood, the rest of my family letting him walk over to the fireplace. Asking where the kitchen was, my father pointed down the hall. Shouting thanks, a wave of his hand had a fire crackling to life. Asking me to sit by the fire, his hands rested on his lap. What can I say? Words had jumbled themselves all in my head!

“Why did you look for me?” I questioned with a bit of rage simmering in my tone, another wave of guilt paling him out. “I am all for giving you another shot but it is going to take some time. Did I tell you that I am having a child with Cia?” Curiosity twinkled in his eyes, the beat up leather chair groaning as he leaned forward. There was that smile that I cherished growing up, those blimps of light in the darkness making it that much easier.

“Who is this Cia?” He queried with a proud grin, his head resting on his hands. My lips parted to speak, Darwin coming out with tea and a tray of sandwiches saving me from having to answer him. Setting it down in between us, his eyes looked me up and down to track where I was mentally. Pouring the tea, an awkward silence hung in the air. 

“I have to admit something, Frojo. Acer placed the curse sentence on them. I will place some magical wards on the place. Don’t you worry.” He admitted with a hearty chuckle, my lips mouthing thank you. Acknowledging me with a look, this guy almost felt like a brother to me. Leaning back into his chair, they broke into a pleasant chat. Watching him win my father over was quite magical, his grace was something to admire. The rain slowed to a stop, a deep sorrow coming over my father’s expression. Rising to our feet, Darwin made his way to the door. 

“I will get Spirit ready to fly. Catch up for a bit.” He sang while spinning out the front door, my father rising to his feet at the same time as me. Making our way to the heavy wooden door, the drab mansion seemed a little brighter. Embracing him heartily, his emotions soaked my shoulders. Rubbing his back, his sins weren’t quite forgiven but I couldn’t leave him in such a state. Releasing him, his gloved hand wiped away his tears. Looking back at my sullen mother and sisters on the stairs, he waved his hand to shut down any concern. 

“Her parents will be picking them up tomorrow. Darwin really set things in motion for everything. Come back when you are ready, no rush.” He informed me with a nervous grin, his hand patting my shoulder. “Good luck with the baby.” Closing my eyes, his hurt had my heart stinging a bit. 

“I will be sure to pick you up when my child comes.” I promised him while backing out the door, his features brightening visibly. “See you soon.” Sprinting over to Spirit and Darwin, her claw lowering me onto his back behind him. Wrapping my arms around his waist, the cool air lashed at my face. Waving until he couldn’t see me anymore, Darwin glanced back at me. Unsure of what to feel, his heart had been in the right place. 

“Sorry for dropping all of that on you.” He apologized sincerely, his reasoning proving to be valid. “I felt bad for you both. My father sold me and never looked back. He wanted a chance to reconcile and the worst thing was that you never talked to him again.” Shaking my head, the chance to talk to my father was enlightening. Although seeing my mother and sisters get cursed was something else. Staring at the trees flashing by, a new sense of hope dawned upon me. May good luck keep coming my way and may Darwin continue to be my friend in all of this madness.