Defrost my Heart Part Nine: Wicked Things Breed Broken Hearts

Demonico:

Nitro hovered outside a crumbled skyscraper, thirty of those monsters sniffed the area around her. Shivering in her spot, frozen tears slid down her boots. Trauma haunted her, dark bags hollowed out her eyes. Sleep had evaded her, the shock of killing her friend tearing into her every waking moment. Scanning the building for any signs of survivor, a pregnant woman popped her head up. Swallowing her fear, ice shot in the direction of the wreck. An ice platform rose from the ground, a slide sending her our way. Pushing off the ice, a couple of flips had her inches from her worst nightmares. Another skyscraper began to give way, a blast of ice stabilizing the base. Screams echoed in the air, jolted memories of my decaying city had me sinking to my knees. Hellfire raged strong around me, the scarlet flames growing darker. Internal screams bounced around my head, a heel meeting my head snapped me back to reality. Nitro tossed me over her shoulder, the scrape of her skating away rang in my ears. 

“Take deep breaths. We need to get to that new spa.” She ordered calmly as if her anxiety attack wasn’t happening. Signs of it showed in her breathing, my concern for her shutting mine down. Her grip on me tightened, her tears shattering faster. Skidding to a stop at the construction sight, her eyes darted to the outdoor salt pool. Setting me down, an ice spear cracked to life in her palm. Summoning one made of my flames, the goal was obvious. Get them in the pool and go back to the building to evacuate it. Telling me her plan with her eyes, ice cracked the moment we pushed off in the opposite direction. Flipping past each other, a wall of ice directed them towards me. Blocking a few with her spear, ash danced in the air with every violent clash. Sprinting towards the pool, her determined look frightened me. Kicking the few monsters out of my way, a yell had them pounding after me. Knocking her to the side, the cool water lashed at my cheek. The foolish beasts splashed into the water next to me, my spear fizzling out. Small burns seared to life, realization dawning on me. Swimming through the sea of screeching monsters, a gloved hand helped me up. Plopping down next to her, the water had soaked my suit. Her metal leg peeking out of a tear in her tights had my head bowing in guilt, our argument that day leading to that very result. How could she be compassionate with me? What did I do to deserve it?

“Ready to evacuate a crumbling building?” She chirped cheerfully, a deep sorrow doing little to hide itself. “Those people aren’t going to save themselves. After we finish, I have something to show you.” Nodding my head, we were skating back towards the building with a new vigor. Skidding to a stop, the others were evacuating everyone. Her curious expression darkened, a spike of ice cracking to life in her palm. Throwing it behind her head, a flick of her wrist had it clashing with one of Lady Death’s! Pushing off of her ice, a smash into her cheek had her crashing into a nearby building. Peeling herself while cracking her neck, thousands of spikes floated behind her. Prepare her own, frozen blood smashed against her boots. Her eyes bleeding was a bad sign, her limit getting met. Swaying slightly, my fingers snapped to reveal my own. Tapping her shoulder, it was my turn. Cracking my hands, Nitro lingered with her own. Please let me do my damn job!

“Help out the others. I have this. No need to lose another leg.” I joked lightly, a brisk okay leaving her lips. Turning her back to me, her spikes hit the road with a dull clang. Relaxing her shoulder, her orders rang clear. The distraction had me smashing into the garden, the dirt providing a soft landing. Plants shot into the air, my patience wearing thin. Popping to my feet, my boots pounded away. Nitro’s protests fell on deaf ears, my mind having been made up. Crashing into my former home, the advantage rested on me. Hiding behind a crumbling wall, her voice sent chills up my spine. 

“Come on out. I need you to break our dear heroine into tiny pieces.” She taunted icily, her head snapping in my direction. “What do you think of my little monsters! Hiding in plain sight is simply entertaining, isn’t it!” Smashing the wall behind me, Nitro’s voice had horror rounding my eyes. Ice knocked her back, a spike shattering her mask upon impact. The metal shattered to pieces at her feet, her breath freezing everything within a ten foot radius. Master Elements tossed me a replacement from the distance, his own arms floating limply by his side. Salt water glistened on his skin, his raspy breathing spoke of what Nitro had gone through. Fresh cuts lined his exposed skin, heartbreak seeming written all over his face. Collapsing into a heap, the main goal was getting her to safety. Popping into the air, the wet noise of me ripping off her death hand stunned us both. Kicking me into the air, my fingers curled around the nearest lamppost. Flipping myself over again and again, the world began to spin faster with every second. Releasing myself at the opportune moment, the enhanced kick smashed her onto a metal pipe. Tires squealed in the distance, a bunch of masked men working to peel her off. The wet noises had me cupping my stomach, her mask dangling in my hand snapped me out of it. Sprinting to her side, her fingers scratched at the spreading ice. Tying on her mask, a weak thank you flooded from her lips. Sitting up clumsily, the van door squealing down had her skating towards her father. A spike pierced his heart, his body falling forward. Blasting the van with a ball of ice, flames and metal shot into the sky. The extent of her exhaustion had her falling flat inches from him, his twitching hand yanked her onto his chest. No way I was going to let her heart shatter. Fuck Lady Death! Digging deep, a metal heart formed in my hands. Pushing her off, her wet eyes tracked me ripping out his heart. Thrusting the new one into his chest, a scarlet raced through his veins. Clinging to me, her emotions shattered at our knees. The shallow breaths became longer, his arms burying her into a desperate hug. Collapsing next to them, inky blood splattered the rock with my coughing fit. Never before had I pushed myself this hard, pride glowing in my eyes. Heroes could save people without the devastation of the previous generation, a new wave of hope crashing over me. Their matching sobs whipped me out of my train of thought, a warmth washing over me upon their sudden embrace. Thanking me profusely, the steam curling into the air hid the bastards escaping in another one. Releasing me, both of them trembled uncontrollably across from me. 

“Welcome to the family, brother.” She gushed with a genuine twinkle in her eyes, her hand cupping mine. “Great job today. Thank you so much for everything. Shall I show you my surprise? I will pay for lunch, okay?” Struggling to her feet, her shaking hand untied her mask. Coughing up a bit of blood, her stern look shut down her father. 

“We are taking you to the hospital. They need to drain the salt water out of you. Thanks to the heat in his fire, your new heart was hot enough to start up.” She asserted herself with a stern smile, his hand reaching for hers. Accepting it while tying her mask back on, the warm fuzzy  feeling coursing through me refused to leave. Carrying him to the hospital, the healthy argument between them had me chuckling to myself. A couple of nurses ushered him in, her elbow waiting for mine. Hooking it in hers, her boots crunched to a stop. Please take a second to breathe, damn it!

“Hang tight! We will be back with your favorite soup!” She promised him with a bounce to her tone, his thumbs up confirming it. “Let’s go!” Guiding me with a large amount of steam, the new respect for her was rather odd to witness. Waving as we walked by, something had changed. Staring up at the sky hopefully, her hand raised towards the drifting clouds. 

“My father and I have been rebuilding everything so they sort of appreciate it. At least that is what I think.” She explained with a rare real laugh, her hand hitting her leg. “All this time, the sole reason I let the good ones get away with their petty thievery was for their survival. Sure I was hard on the gangs but you kind of have to be. They had to have been torturing you guys as well.” How could she be so relaxed after what happened? A fresh nose bleed captured my attention, her gloved hand holding a cold clean cloth to my nose. Steam curled into the air, her kind gaze never leaving mine. Why had the rumors been so bad about her? Of all the heroes, Nitro had been the first on the scene and the last to leave. Holding it by myself, the darn thing nearly floated out of my palm at an ice sculpture of the city’s citizens. Hand carved names glistened in the afternoon sun, tears welling up in my eyes. Tossing me a shimmering carving tool, her dainty hand motioned for me to carve in my family members’ names. Others gathered behind her, the permanent ice sculpture drawing everyone out. Forming a line, Nitro crossed her hands while giving them space. Chatting with them politely, they returned her body language. Wondering how this happened, an impatient throat clearing had me scratching away. One could feel her natural grin underneath the mask, the time ticking by slowly. Passing it onto the next person, Nitro straightened herself into her protective mode. Helping the elderly people up to the ice, their shaking hands couldn’t do it. Offering to help, they accepted with a gracious smile. Carving away for them, respect for her had no choice but to grow. Finishing up with the last one, the polite waves were a far cry from a few weeks ago. Lowering her mask, a wave had me backing up. Blowing on it to preserve it, her head cocked to the left. Tying her mask swiftly, so many questions hovered on the tip of my tongue.

“Forgive me for asking but compelled you to make this?” I inquired politely, her hands landing on her hips. “Something like this from the big city is such an odd gift.” Crashing onto the bench, the gentle graze of her hand along the smooth edge was almost soothing. Taking a seat next to her, everyone continued to wave to her. Smiling with her eyes, the trust seemed to be growing by the second. 

“When we moved everyone to the new buildings, the shrines in each home broke my heart. Kind words were exchanged but you guys needed a place to gather together. My dream is to find the bodies one day and reunite them with their families.” She sighed dejectedly, her fingers scratching at her leg. “Betty doesn’t have anyone to bury so the next purchase is a memorial for her to go to. Such a brave little girl. Tell me what triggered your panic attack earlier.” Honesty rested in her tone, apprehension had me scooting away from her. 

“Why do you insist on caring!” I barked back unexpectedly, hurt dimming her eyes. “What about you! When was the last time you slept or did anything other than work! I get that seeing her turning into one of those things was traumatizing but it scared us all. The thing that scared us all was seeing you terrified. To us, your fright should warn us of something horrible to come.” Shifting uncomfortably, her weary eyes met mine. A long breath drew from her lips, the crisp air twirling out of the mask. Leaning back to feel the sun, a wave of serenity washed over her. 

“Did you know that you were the first person to ask since the damn incident? Emberox might have a couple of times but he never pushes me too hard. Not like you.” She chuckled softly, her laughter twinkling in the air. “Time will heal me. Anxiety keeps me awake. Don’t kill me for what I am about to tell you but I paid for all of your little thefts. I saw your sisters and assumed you didn’t have parents. Sorry about keeping that from you. Starving children is the one thing I can’t tolerate. Tell me about your problem.” Shooting me a concerned look, an urge to spill everything washed through me. How could I have not seen that? Of course she would pay. 

“Not taking care of my little sisters twenty-four seven is throwing me off. Thank you for caring for us. Screams take me to dark places where I can’t save anyone.” I admitted awkwardly, the warmth of her hug contrasting its natural coolness. “Is it cool that they call you Aunt Nitro?” Releasing me, pure bliss glittered in her eyes. Something told me that it would be okay. Wondering how long it had been since someone took care of me, the slap of her palms hitting her muscular thighs frightened me out of my trance. 

“Lunch? My father is probably starving. He might want to see you anyways.” She sang in another rare good mood, a small circle of ice forming under her boots. “I bet you can create brimstone if you really try. Have you ever considered trying it for me? If you can manage that, then you can save just about everyone.” Swallowing the lump in my throat, brimstone had been my old man’s specialty. Selling the brimstone as coal kept us thriving, her sharp eyes catching the numb expression washing over my features. 

“What if I am not good enough?” I choked out brokenly, silent tears staining my cheeks. “He died before he taught me.” Tapping her chin, a ball of ice floated in her palm. Leaning forward with a twinkle in her eyes, gears churned away in her head. Knowing her, that brilliant mind of hers had studied all that was known about my powers. Throwing it into the air, wonder brightened my eyes at the icy petals drifting aimlessly around me. Catching a couple, no imperfections could be seen. The raw beauty from her trauma was quite stunning.

“From what I studied, the ability has the same policies as mine. Imagine a ball of brimstone in your palm.” She requested while catching a few petals, the smooth surface shimmering in the afternoon sunlight. “Brimstone should never have been considered evil. Point is, your father should have been a hero alongside my father. Rules kicked him out. However if it were up to me, the position would have been his. Forgive me for rambling.” Closing my eyes, the fond memories of my father making a pile of brimstone broke my heart. Remembering his smile, a crack appeared in the memory. No, not now!

“Open your eyes.” Her gentle tone urged, childlike wonder rounding my eyes at the ball of brimstone floating in my palm. Disappointment haunted my empty expression, the damn thing crumbling in seconds. A glowing yellow dust taunted me, a swipe of her finger resulted in a rich triumphant illuminating her eyes. 

“Amazing. I am so proud of you. Most people take years to even do that. Keep up the good work.” She complimented me with a pat on my shoulder, disappointment shifting to pride. “Lunch?” Following her over the debris, the bustling market had me grinning ear to ear. So many warm memories, scarlet painting her cheeks. Emberox waved at a noodle stand, his apron clinging to his muscular chest. Skating up to him, a playfulness came over his exposed face. Untying her mask, his hand cupped her face. Hiding my deepening blush underneath my hand, the passionate show of affection was enough to have the other customers whistling in response. Arching her body towards him, every moment had her fraying nerves relaxing. Releasing her from his magic touch, his steady hand tied her mask back on. Pouring her three to go containers, his flirtatious grin resulted in her flashing him a hungry look. Wishing that I had the magic of their love, the very thought was a rather foreign concept to me. For years, the main goal of my existence belonged to my little sisters. As of late, the free time opened up my eyes to what the world could be.  

“Get yourself a girlfriend before you die of old age.” Nitro teased with a wink, a deep scarlet flushing my own cheeks. “Preferably someone who wants to help you with the girls.” Thanking her under my breath, the way she said reminded me of my mother. Fate granted me her and this gift was going to be treasured.