Just Checking Up! Part Seventy-Three: A Fright to Remember!

Silks:

Sitting on the roof of my home, a chill ran up my spine. Adjusting my simple black leather kimono, my burgundy boots tapped incessantly. Endless anxiety plagued me, stress often stiffening my muscles. Scratching my neck, tattered gray angel feathers fluttered about, a flash of silver proving to be the last thing I saw before a rough darkness devoured me whole.

Stirring awake, dried blood matted my hair. Feeling the back of my head, a large crack paralyzed me for a second. Tracing a clanking noise, a glowing chain hugged my burning ankles. A padlock hummed away, frustration brewing alongside my migraine. Couldn't people leave the fuck alone! Soaking in my settings, a wall of rusting metal bars greeted me. Cheers erupted over me, confusion twisting my features. Angel killing weapons lined the walls, pictures of angels in golden armor clicking the puzzle pieces together. Tying on my mask, something told me that I would need it. Keys clinked, the door squeaking open. A cloaked figure unlocking the padlock, hesitance haunting his eyes. How odd?  Dragging me out by my collar, a toss had me rolling across the dirt. Struggling to my feet, dark angel energy poisoned the air. Shooting a death glare in the direction of the beast of a dark angel, his massive muscular form was barely contained in his ornate silver armor. Shivering in my spot, a quiet fear settled in my eyes.  

“Survive three rounds and you can walk out of here.” He explained stiffly, the crowd booming until he raised his hand.  "Miss Silks, it is time to prove your worth. Death is the ultimate punishment.” Rolling my eyes, the elemental bubble surrounding me blocked me from getting any assistance.  

“Are we that bored?” I taunted him sarcastically, a deep rage flushing the exposed sliver of skin. “Fine, but let’s up the prize. Your head for mine! After I win, this place won’t exist and I will find where you are keeping the other dragon demons. All of these bubbles are pissing me off!” Exhaling a long breath, the cage door across from me groaned open. A dark angel in a black and white clown style armor flipped inches from me, her ivory curls bouncing around her shoulders. Creepy face paint barely hid scars, the crowd glitching. Hiding my realization, all of this was a damn illusion. Honking her jet black nose, a snarl twitched under my mask.  

“I am here to make you giggle, giggle, giggle!” She sang creepily, her black and white wings fluttering as Gothic balloons surrounded us. “The best things go boom!” Clapping her hands in my face, immense amounts of dragon magic smoke flooded the space. Pushing off the dirt, horror narrowly quickened my breaths upon the sea of venom. What fresh Hell was heading my way? 

A blizzard cleared out the venom, jet black ice claiming the two visible dark angels. Snapping fingers shattered them to pieces, a tired looking Twilix huffed in the center of the arena. Gone was her ornate cloak, her tattered boots speaking of a horrible struggle. Raw anger burned in her eyes, a mixture of disbelief blended into my already present fright. Landing clumsily, her claws extended from her fingernails. Cracking her neck, a cut on the closest rock woke up my usual fiery orange blades. They crackled away, the flames casting shadows on my dainty features. Bad luck found her favorite friend!

“Killing the people helping you is a new low!” I bellowed in a dark tone, a strong tremble claiming my muscles. “Did you not think about how much effort they took in kidnapping me? Not that I condone that in the slightest. Where is your freaking compassion?” Crunching on the jet black snow, something felt icier and stronger about it. Scooping it up, a sniff reeked of angelic magic. Nearly breaking into a panic attack, her brow cocked casually alongside a bemused smirk.  

“Angels make the most delightful treats. Getting revenge on them really is sweet as it gets. Did you know that I was a part of that damn war, you brat?” She confessed freely, fright draining the color from my features. “Their blood heals the worst of us. Someone like you would know that. Look at those stolen wings you have attached to your back. Every death is your fault. Why don’t you lay down like the dog you are? Oh yeah, I forgot. You keep expanding that family of yours. How’s that working out for you?” Quickened breaths had my chest rising up and down, my flames flickering for a second. Clicking her claws together, my attacks could never kill her. Getting home never seemed further from being possible. 

“At least I have something to work for. You can’t say the same, can you?” I squeaked out less boldly than I dreamed, her palms clasping together. “Loneliness is a most haunting plague, one that leads the darkest of hearts into deeper shadows. The problem is that your shadows have swallowed you whole a long ass time ago. Feel free to come at me, you foul monster.” Ignoring the way she placed the blame of everyone’s death on me, the arrow had struck deep enough. Charging at me, steam curled into the air with every violent clash. Our spins matched each other’s, her energy failing to dwindle. Kicking her stomach, snow flew into the air with every roll away from me. Slamming the tips of my blade into the snow, the damn shit became cold water. Jet black lightning snapped to life, a storm rumbling to life over our heads. Leaking water captured my attention, a few discreet stomps dropping me out of that blasted prison. Using my damp wings to soften my landing in Purgatory, gray sand flew up around me. Sprinting away from the decaying bubble, a bit of time needed to be bought. Crashing through a few lost souls, a skid underneath a broken down yellow taxi hid me well enough. Digging around the secret pocket in my kimono, a dab of the Sins’ blood covered mine well enough. Marching past me, a low growl rumbled in my throat. Holding the curve of my womb, avoiding the battle wasn’t my usual strategy but victory could never happen. 

Relief proved to be short lived, a hiss announcing one of those dragon magic bombs. Her voice faded in and out, a ragged darkness swallowing me whole. 

Groaning awake, the metal bottom of the taxi greeted me. Rolling out, no scent or energy of her could be traced. Hoisting myself to my bare feet, the amount of inky mess leaking from the bottom of my mask was alarming. Untying after checking the air, dragon magic definitely dealt its damage. Sobbing uncontrollably, sorrow and panic joined the blood staining the bottom half of my face. Limping towards the energy waves of Hare’s mansion, that stupid burn from the chain had yet to heal itself. Tying my mask around my wrist to keep it on my person, a loud thump had me leaping ten feet in the air. Crashing onto the sand, an exhausted Hare floated up to me. 

“What the hell happened to you?” She demanded impatiently, her arms scooping me up. “Who did this to you? They are so d-” Vomiting blood onto her form, her stern look shut down any apology. Ringing her bells twice, everything melted into her study. Laying me down on a pile of pillows next to a roaring fire, the realization of my lack of weapons dawned on me. Rushing out to get me tea, loneliness bit me harder than it ever had. All I wanted was a freaking moment on the fucking roof, the constant problem of being trapped inside beginning to make me feel like a caged animal. Who would even begin to understand me?

Nausea wracked my body, part of me wondering the freaking cause. Sitting up weakly, the image of Rip smiling kept me sane temporarily. A dragon demon poked his head in before scurrying out, a shadow of my smile finding its place on my lips. Seeing them thrive made this agony worth it, every wheeze leaving me to wince a bit. A familiar cloaked figure appeared in front of me, her skeletal hands reaching for mine. Ripping mine back, apprehension lingered in my eyes. A secret haunted both of us, neither of us coming close to even saying it. 

“Did you come here to lecture me again?” I snapped irately, my patience wearing thin. “Listen, I need you to keep our little secret from Hare. You know, my death scene. No matter how I spin it, my life doesn’t get spared. Isn’t that utter bullshit? Also, when the fuck were you going to tell me that you chose to keep my dumb ass alive all those years ago. The bullets alone should have k-” Raising her bony finger, her gentle smile did little to ease my fraying nerves. 

“Not true with the death scene, my dear.” She comforted me sweetly, a lump forming in her throat. “On the other end of that deal, I couldn’t see a poor child die too young. That future was far too bright. Look at where it got you. Your true death already occurred, this one isn’t concrete. Change the plan around and I won’t see you as a pile of ash. What were you up to?” Rolling my eyes, the simple fact was that I was seeking a bit of peace from my personal chaos.  

“Simply sitting on the roof of my house and boom I was kidnapped. This kidnapping club keeps getting larger and larger.” I answered sarcastically, bitterness lacing my tone. “Soon enough, breathing wrong will get me stolen. Worse yet, I desire to aid the dark angels. Twilix is using their blood or essence to keep herself alive and well. Isn’t that horrible? Why devour the ones who are serving you? Treating them like family is bound to get you better results and a happier life.” Choking on another glob of blood, her hand held up a skeleton embroidered handkerchief to my mouth. Staining it with my latest misadventure, a small chuckle escaped her lips. Curiosity twinkled in my eyes, a shadow of my smile haunting my lips. 

“Someone as evil as her will never care for the little guys. Someone like you is rare as they come. When I came upon the torn child version of you, one hover over your soul showed everything that has played out. Granted there were a few left turns but we got here. Here is where you needed to be.” She explained serenely, her alarm beginning to blare. “Shoot, duty calls. Do remember this spot of advice for an old friend. Those scenes from that future teller aren’t set in stone but reminders. I no longer have to take your death seriously. You change nothing in the timeline, so I can do as I wish. My grubby hands will hold off for as long as possible. Don’t hate me for this one, work on those healing powers. Boil them into something that is swift and precise. Chances of survival will increase about a million times. Please try that for me. Off I go on my merry way!” Disappearing before I could respond, the sting of being alone pierced my soul. Chewing on my bottom lip, that quiet fright of dying gnawed at me. The door burst open, a panicking Hare failed to hold an irked Rip back. 

“What the Hell! Why do you keep disappearing, damn it!” He argued fairly, dismay dimming my eyes. “Don’t look at me like that.” Softening his expression, my condition sent mixed emotions flashing in his features. Vomiting up more blood into the closest trash can, the wet splashes weren’t helping my nausea. 

“Sitting on the roof was all I was doing.” I pointed out between weakening coughs, his footfalls feeling heavy with sorrow. “I don’t know what else to tell you. All I wanted was a minute alone to contemplate the next move or to even fucking breathe.” Soaking in my words, an apology bounced on the tip of his tongue. 

“Are you depressed or stressed?” He inquired tenderly, his strong arms pulling me onto his lap as he sat down. “Was it me this time or our multitude of problems?” Too many questions slapped me in the face, his interrogation ending abruptly. Snuggling into his chest, my fingers gripped his worn black band t-shirt. Pecking the top of my head, scarlet flushed my cheeks. Must he be so perfect? 

“Neither.” I returned numbly, every one of my death scenes playing out in my head like a damn nightmare. “Everything, maybe? One problem at a time, right?” Shaking his head, he spun me around to face him. Gazing lovingly into my eyes, a long sight drew from his lips. Kissing the blood off of my lips, my heart threatened to beat again. Such moments made me cherish all that I loved about him, my fingers merely gripping his shirt tighter. 

“Silks, I am so happy to have you as my wife. Every moment is one to treasure. No one is going to rip that away from me.” He whispered adorably into my ears, his hands sliding down to my bump. “This addition brings us closer to our dream of that big family. Maybe we can sit on the roof together next time. How about that for a solution? I love our bit of couple time. As a precaution, we can let you outside with someone by your side.” Flitting my gaze to the ornate rug, too many plans were floating about my head. 

“Bringing the dark angels to our team is the best bet.” I blurted out awkwardly, disbelief mixing with anger in his eyes. “Hear me out. She is using them as fuel. Every single one that we kill goes back into her body. Let’s not keep doing that, ‘kay. Convince them to join us and her food source is dead as dust. Does that make sense?” Contemplating what I put down, a devilish grin danced across his lips. 

“So the great Silks finds a way to catch the big cat. That is why I love every cell of you, my queen.” He gushed freely, his lips brushing against mine as his fingers intertwined with mine. Getting lost in his dashing features, nothing could beat how handsome he looked in this moment. Wondering how I could make it up to him, a peck to my forehead slowed down the panic wracking in my brain.  

“So it isn’t stupid?” I choked out through another wave of dark emotions, his chin resting on my head. “Victory is all I desire.” A painful silence hung between us, his finger sliding down to my chin. Staring out the window, a lift of my chin stole what little breath I had left. Kissing away all the tears, his other palm caressed my cheek. Curling my hands around his palm, a long breath drew from my lips. Not wanting this moment to end, our found family and family crashing in condemned it to become a memory. Allowing them to fret over me, something felt so cozy about. Death would have to pry what I have from my cold dead fingers, nothing was going to stop me from pressing forward with my new plan.  

 A strange stillness washed over the room, all eyes flitting over to me. Running through the new direction, little to no protest met my ears. Excusing myself to the bathroom, a quick wash permitted myself to make myself presentable. Hiding my scratch marks, stress hadn’t been too kind to me. Shame dimmed my eyes, the light began to flicker. Waves claimed the mirror, a silver gloved hand snatched me by the collar. Splashing into a sea of silver water, a sprint back to the mirror disheartened me. Knocking on the hard surface, cracks failed to appear! No, let me out! Let me out, damn it! A tortured wail burst from my lips, water splashing as I sank to my knees. What fresh Hell was this!