Alexiana's Dilemma

From The Shallows In Love To The Depths Of Yours Scars You Know You Want To Change

 

      Alexiana sits in her room after a long day with Nikolae. Saphire was out for the night on some business trip and left her home alone. The night was dark but warm. Alexiana sat in front of the old mirror, her yellow dress covered in dust. She stared at the girl looking back at her, taking in the features. Her hair was a dull blonde and her eyes were an exhausted blue. The smile on her pink lips seemed so out of place on the sullen face staring back at her. Alexiana's breathing was heavy, and it didn't slow down. She felt as if the world was crashing down on her as she sat in an empty house all alone, but she didn't know why. Her eyes never moved away from the mirror. She sat in the out-stretched shadows of her room, refusing to cry. She feared that if she cried that first tear, the tears wouldn't stop raining down.

 

      “I will be strong,” her voice pierced the silence, “Do not cry for the past...”

      The girl in the mirror spoke with her, “Instead, smile for the preset and the future.”

      The house seemed eerie without the sound of Saphire's breathing in the other room. Alexiana felt so lost, all her pain cornering her in her mind. She refused to make a sound that gave away her hidden sadness. She stayed sitting, her fear whispering that if she stood that she'd fall down. Creaking came from outside of her room and Alexiana peeled her eyes away from her reflection. Someone was advancing towards her room and two shadows blocked the light from behind her door.

      “Who's there...?” she asked as the door flew open.

      Two men stood before here, smiling with an eeriness about them. The taller of the two walked towards her. His eyes are all whit; he had no iris and no pupils. His body was lean and his skin seemed to be stretched over his bones. His copper hair was in a mess upon his head, and stood out against his deathly colored face. The other man stood in the shadows. His yellow eyes peered at her, making her feel trapped in her own room. His arms were massive and looked almost like claws. The mans nails were like and sharp, glistening in the moonbeams. He licked his lips, reveling a purple tongue. Demons, her mind whispered.

 

      “Well, if it isn't Alexiana,” the scrawny man laughed.

      “How do you know my name?” her voice cracked.

      “We know more than just your name,” the man in shadows spoke, “We know your sister, and we know that boy you've become quite fond of as well.”

      “Nikolae...” she whispered.

      The scrawny man towered over her, his white eyes staring right into her heart. She tried to stand and run, but her legs failed her; she couldn't move. The man in the shadows came and stood beside his partner and together they reached for Alexiana. She was lifted out before them, the yellow fabric of her dress falling limp against her body. She coursed through her as the two men held her up.

      “She shows no signs yet, Aurellius,” the scrawny man whispered.

      Aurellius sighed, letting go of Alexiana. Her body weight all fell, now only being supported by the other man's hand.

      “She's still too young, Cypris. The markings will appear one day. We have centuries to wait, her soul won't be dying any time soon,” Aurellius laughed.

      Cypris released his grip and Alexiana hit the ground with a thud. My soul...? she thought. The two men stood whispering to each other in hushed tones. Alexiana stood and advanced Aurellius. She tugged on his shirt and he looked down at her, his yellow eyes narrowing.

      “Who sent you?” she asked, trying to sound brave.

      Cypris smirked, “Don't you know?”

      “I don't think she realizes who we are,” Aurellius looked to his friend, “I admire her courage, though. Kid, we're Sinners.”

      Alexiana looked to the two men, no- demons. Sinners. The stories of her childhood raced across her mind. Vlad...

      “Where's Crystal?” she asked, her voice shaking.

      “Ha! You mean the mortal Vlad took?” Cypris snorted, “She's undergoing her change.”

 

      “Change...?” Alexiana was lost.

      “Listen, kid,” Aurellius placed his claw-like hand on her head, “I like you, so here's some advice. Forget about your sister. Just worry for your own future, alright?”

      With that the two Sinners disappeared into the darkness, leaving a confused child staring at Alexiana in the mirror. She knelt before it, staring at the girl's face. There were tears streaming form her blue eyes and she wiped at them with the back of her left hand. Aurellius's words echoed around her. Just worry for your own future. Alexiana looked out her window and sighed. She longed for Saphire's sweet embrace, wishing to be found in this cold, scary night. All the running she did from her problems, just to end up here, stuck. The only way out is through all I've been hiding from... her mind whispered. Alexiana laid down in her bed, pulling the blue blanket around her.

      “Mother...why has he chosen me?”