Chapter 5

Scarlet colors whirl down his neck, and she drinks to her content.

Garrett kept his eyes on the ceiling as Raven traced his chest with her nails. She was still lusting his blood, but Garrett didn’t argue. She nipped at his neck, watching his blood trickle down his neck, and then bit down for a moment. She pulled away after a moment and giggled.

She had repeated the same process since last night at twelve seventeen. Always in the same play. The holes never seemed to deepen or close up, but would stop bleeding.

“Garrett...”She whispered against his collarbone. “Garrett, do you care for me still?”

“Well considering I’m letting you drink my blood, and not pushing you away, you could say I still do.” He cupped her face.

“Well I care for you.” She smiled to herself, out of his sight.

He made no response, merely stroking her hair. It was longer, due to her Fledgling side. As they always said, the hair and nails grew on the dead.

“Garrett, will you ever leave me?” Her eyes met his.

“Only if you tell me to.”

She giggled. “I won’t ever.”

She met her lips with his, feeling him actually kiss her back. Was this really happening? She couldn’t tell if she wavered in reality or the deep colors of her long dreams she had which were so vivid.

Lauren stumbled in, suffering from a horrible hangover. She had herself a few shots after Drake had spoken to her.

“Give me the aspirin.” She hissed, gripping deathly to the bars of the cell.

Raven eyed her slowly as Garrett searched for the bottle. She walked over to her on her hands, and stood upright when meeting her almost face to face, the cell bars separating them.

The woman only watched, head feeling as if someone nailed it with a hammer.

“Lauren…” Raven’s face grew a gentle smile. Blue painted over part of her scarlet eyes. “H-how’s my nephew?”

“Someone removed your muzzle.” Lauren growled, taking the aspirin with shaking hands. Finding much difficulty with her water bottle.

Raven softly took it from her, opened it, and brought the bottle to Lauren’s lips. Lauren drank with force, finishing it off. She never noticed that she’d been that thirsty.

Her eyes fell upon Raven, and they stared for some time, unsure why. Seemed Garrett had removed both muzzle and metal wire which bound her arms. Only the collar remained on her neck. The light blinked blue, showing Raven was calm. She meant no threat to Lauren. Of course, that still didn’t change Lauren’s feeling toward her.

“I am no monster, Lauren.” Raven smiled wider. “I do not kill.”

“But you are still Software threat. So, I will keep you in here.” Lauren argued.

“I’d rather be dead, then in here.” Raven spoke slowly, calmly. “But I know you don’t have a heart for that.”

Lauren had to fight back the tears she felt. She knew herself she couldn’t shoot someone so innocent. But how dare she say she had no heart.

“I believe Garrett’s hungry.” Lauren forced out. “And may need to refresh for the day?”

Garrett smiled. “Thank you. I’d love to.”

He followed her closely, nearly out the cell door, till Raven took his arm. Confusion and hurt ran sirens at him. How much he wanted to take her with him. But then. They could never be alone.

“Don’t go.” She begged. “Don’t leave me.”

“I’ll be back, don’t worry.” He hushed, stroking the top of her head.

“Good bye, Garrett.” She sighed and sat upon the floor.

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After showering, Garrett stretched, tying the towel around his lower half. His hair had gotten shaggy over the years, but Raven had told him last night she liked it that way. Only, his tiny stubs from his growing beard bothered him.

He covered his jaw in shaving gel and took a razor to it. Only yet he could sense the presence of Lauren at the doorway.

“I heard Drake spoke to you.” He looked at her in the mirror.

“I gave him a piece of my mind.” She argued, arms crossed.

“He wouldn’t keep coming if you’d accept your destiny.”

“I told you before. I don’t want to be an Avatar.” She sneered.

“But Lauren, it’s your birth right. You hold the mark on your shoulder.” He doused the gel off the razor and wiped his face with a dirty towel. “Just as I, we are meant to save people.”

“I think of the mark to be an ugly tattoo of a bird, and I don’t wish to be anyone’s guardian angel till I’m dead.” She countered.

“But your powers to heal will fade if you’re not practicing them with other Avatars.”

“Who cares? You all are just a bunch of fairy trick group of people who die just like everyone else. I wish to die normally, thank you.” She ended the conversation.

Garrett sighed, and ran a cob through his wet hair. Neither spoke for some time. Garrett remained neutral, breathing deeply through his nose.

”You shouldn’t treat Raven so harshly.” He objected, throwing it like a knife at her. “She’s still a child.”

“Children need discipline, Sanders. I’ll treat her for what she is. What she’s become.”

“But it wasn’t by will, Lauren. Did you ever hear her story? Share her pain?” He punched her in the gut with the questions. “Have you ever celebrated her birthday, ask what she wanted?”

“No, bu-”

“She was raped by a Vampyre, and then abused by it till she escaped with her life.” Garrett’s temper rose. Never had he felt this way. “She came to you for love and what have you done? Locked her in that cage as if an animal.”

“What other protection can I give her?!” Lauren snapped, feeling like a broken twig. “I used to sleep in the same room with her, hearing her cry herself to sleep each night. And then she’d throw tantrums or scream in her sleep. Sometimes even stop breathing for long moments.”

“And she still wants your comfort, Lauren.” Neutral Garrett was back, speaking calmly. “She kept whispering your name in her sleep last night. Not mine. Yours. She loves you, Lauren.”

“She’s too soft, creeping and crawling in and out of her little world. She needs to build up some armor.” Lauren growled.

“She won’t crack, Lauren. Like a dog, you can beat at her all you want, break holes in her skull, make her bleed or cry, but she’ll still come back.” Garrett slipped by her, looking at her. “That’s true family bond.”

“You don’t u-”

“End of discussion, Hunter.” He ordered. “You have no further say. Talk to Raven if you wish to speak some more. I’m done.”

-------------------------

He met up with Moth who sat in front of Raven’s cell. Raven avoided her, glaring from the bed. But at sight of Garrett, smiled from ear to ear.

“Raven won’t talk to me.” Moth frowned. “Am I doing something wrong?”

“Nah, she just doesn’t trust Software members anymore. Would you really trust someone who stuck you in a cage and kept you like a pet?”

Moth stared at her hands. “Not really, no.”

“Come.” He took her shoulder. “Come inside and I’ll be here if she tries anything.”

“Garrett you’re back!” Raven tackled him down, and hugged him. “I missed you.”

Moth stood back, avoiding Raven, and yet craving to talk to her. After all, they became friends so quickly before, why not again? And, Moth wasn’t the one to stick her in here, she never seemed to be a threat to her.

“Why is she here?” Raven eyed her.

“She wishes to talk to you.” Garrett squeezed her.

“I don’t want to talk with her.” Raven left his arms and went back to the bed. “She’s a Software member. And I’m a threat to her. She’s putting herself at risk in here.”

“Well that’s alright.” Moth moved forward, but Raven hissed. “Woah there, I’m not a threat remember? I’m supposed to be your Guardian. Remember me being your little kitty?”

“Go….awayyy.” Raven moaned, and collapsed onto her back, on the bed.

Moth gave Garrett a pleading look, but he shrugged and she sighed, turning to leave the cell. “Well, it was worth a shot.”

“Here, lemme follow you out. I wanna talk.”

 Both exited and sat cross legged on the floor in front of the cell. They wouldn’t speak until Raven was peacefully snoring.

“Is something wrong with Raven?” Moth whispered after sometime.

“I’m afraid I’m not sure.” Garrett sighed.

“If you’re in there, why don’t you set her free?”

“Because I can’t. If it is for her to stay in here to learn her lesson, that that’s what will happen.”

“But I feel so guilty!” Moth cried. “It’s as if Lauren thinks of her as a pet or a prized beast.”

“Perhaps that’s exactly what she is to her.” He shrugged.

Moth rubbed at her neck. “Do you love her?”

Garrett shot her a look. “Who?”

“Raven.” She squeaked.

He stared at his palms. “I care for her. I have since high school. I guess I still love her.”

“She’s a broken child.” Moth sighed. “She’ll need your love to mend it.”

“I will be with her for as long as she needs me.” He leaned on the bars. “She’s too scared to move from kissing.”

“Remember what happened to her in her past with the Vampyre, Garrett. I think she’ll give you herself when she’s ready.” Moth squeezed his hand, trying to assure him. “Don’t pressure her or you’ll lose her. She’s a curious, trusting, bright, young girl. Just give her your love.”

Garrett broke into a rough chuckled. Moth’s eyes went wide and she leaned toward Garrett with confusion obvious as a pink shirt in a work office.

“What? What’s so funny?” She eyed him.

“Nothing.” He smiled. “Sometimes I can only see the little girl you used to be.” He eyed her too. “How old are you?”

She smiled. “I don’t know anymore.”

“Neither do I.” He slowly rose. “Well, I better rest. I know Raven will be wining at me if I don’t”

Moth sighed deeply and frowned. “Alright. Wake me tomorrow when she wakes ok?”

“I’ll try.” He stood. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” She waved shortly, not really wanting to leave. She felt close to them like a family, but she knew that she had to go.

“See ya around, Garrett.” She smiled and left.

Raven opened her eyes slightly, staring at Garrett through the cracks. She smiled, and held her arms out to him. He came into then, knowing she wanted his love. This long lost girl. Broken. Scarred. One who looked, but couldn’t find. She needed him. Someone there to love her. Someone…someone she could trust.

She kissed him once, scared to move forward. Scared that he might invade her body like the Vampyre. There was no love. In her moment with that beast. Only horror. Something that bruised her heart.

Garrett tried to do something, putting his arms around her waist. She blushed, feeling awkward. Pressured. Unsure. She didn’t know what to do. Didn’t know how to respond.

“Garrett…” She sighed. “W-what are…do you…love me?”

“Haven’t you already asked that?” He smiled. “I-”

“Garrett, do you love me for me? Or how I was raised?” She intercepted. “Do you feel bad for what happened to me in life?”

“No, I-”

“Because I know what love is. I feel it now. I felt it as a child, young and innocent. I am not a child anymore.” She pointed out.

Garrett silence her, kissing her hard. His arms squeezed her against him. He was too close, and Raven started to panic. She didn’t want him to be that close, and yet part of her wanted to hold her closer.

She got enough time to pull away and breathe before he brought her into another one. And she felt loved. As if there was someone there. Someone there to care for her. To watch over her. And to tell her how beautiful she was on days she felt like s**t.

Her hand found the back of his head, and caught in his hair. Maybe she was ready. Ready to trust. To love. To forget her past. And to be his.

But no. She couldn’t. She couldn’t at all. Wasn’t able to create a family, or live normally. Couldn’t touch sunlight, couldn’t feed normally or go crazy with blood lust. She could even kill him in the night.

She pulled away, gently. She had to end it before it started. Remembering she was alone by force. Or choice. She didn’t want to hurt anyone. Especially the ones she loved.

“I can’t.” She whispered, nearly crying. “I-I can’t.”

He understood. Not wanting to. But he did. He wanted to share her pain. Hear her stories. Taste her tears. Then be there to stitch her heart. But she said she couldn’t.

And he respected her enough to stop.

“Raven.” Lauren called from the bars. “Are you hungry?”

“May I leave to feed?” Raven stood slowly.

“I’m sorry, but no.” Lauren frowned. “I offer you this now, or a week from now.”

“No.” She tugged her collar. “Why do I have this thing?”

“That thing is helping you control your emotions.” Lauren growled.

“I can control myself just fine.” Raven argued.

“Garrett would be dead by now if it wasn’t for me.” Lauren hissed.

They glared at one another, heat building in the air so thick it was lick a heavy coat. Only bars separated the fight, like a friend to break them apart.

Raven’s hand grasped Lauren’s collar to her shirt. Bringing it down, so they were face to face, she stared her in the eyes. She could see, and feel, something that Lauren was hiding from her.

“I’m sorry, sister.” She sighed. “I’m sorry I’m a monster.”

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Night approached, drawing in darkness. Garrett and Raven lay on the bed together, intertwined. Raven’s head rested on his chest, fingers tracing it.

“Garrett, I love you.” She whispered, feeling released from a knot in her heart. “Sleep…”

But she was too late. Garrett was already asleep, snoring soundly in her ear. She smiled to herself and continued to trace his chest.

How numb she felt. Hollow. Blackened. Buried deep behind and under childhood pressures. And Garrett helped release all that. Helped her slowly inch away. Burn her troubles…but what about Lauren?

No. Lauren only kept her as a pet. As if she were some prize to loot and stash away. She didn’t deserve her as a sister. She didn’t deserve anything.

“Raven, c’mere.”

She spied the cloaked figure, unable to see its face. The red cloak hung in the air, as if a spirit. Who was this cloaked figure? And why did it want to help her?

Consumed with curiosity, she walked on her hands to the bars. She eyed the figure, trying to decipher who this being was. She wanted to ask, but there was no time.

The cell opened and the cloaked swiped its hands across her collar, snapping it off. It fell to the floor, clanging loudly. Luckily no one aroused.

“Who is My Prince Charming who rescues me?” Raven eyed it once more.

“Just go! Now!” It hissed.

“Thank you.” She found its lips and placed a gentle, warm kiss upon them before escaping.

Author's Note

Just who is the Prince Charming? Perhaps next chapter will tell? *hint hint*