Chapter 2

He stirred in his sleep uncontrollably. He was uncomfortable in the spot that he laid. His back ached slightly from the mattress . Back in his home his bed was firm. But he refused to sleep in his chambers since it was filled with servants flocking his room whenever they were given orders to do so. He enjoyed being in a peaceful surrounding and his home lacked until he stumbled upon a vacant room below the dungeons. The place wasn't as warm and cozy as his chambers but there was complete silence. At least he wasn't surrounded by people who pretended to like him. It was difficult at first but after a short period of time he got used to the cold hard concrete floor along with rats and other insects crawling along the cold walls. He was also aware that beast awaited his presence in the darkness to carryout their evil deeds. The beeping of an unfamiliar object on the oakwood nightstand filled the small room which startled him. He clutched his chest and the pulsating beat of his heart could be felt under his finger tips. His mind was incomprehensive he picked up the unfamiliar object that vibrated in his palm crushing it before throwing it against the hard surface of of the wall. It broke into tiny fragments.

He was on his feet within seconds seeking potential threat. His feet sank in the bed each step he took. He almost forgot how much fun it could actually be to stand on a bed.

Michael felt a bit different in his own skin but he couldn't pin point it. He snapped his neck to the side where another object that stared back at him. He was familiar with the object but he couldn't be bothered to remember what it was actually called. The object mimicked his every move but he looked slightly different. His complexion was slightly different. He looked very tanned as if he had spent all month bathing in the hot boiling sun. His eyes were no longer red but instead seaweed green. For the first time he felt uncomfortable in his own skin. He adored his pale skin as well as his red eyes. He knew his new look would cause alot of head turning wherever he went. For the first time in his life he wasn't bounded by rules but instead a free man.

"I'm free!" He smiled broadly at his reflection in the unfamiliar object.

"What in the bloody hell is going on up here!" The loud voice of a loud woman echoed throughout the house as she burst through Michael's room door. A knife was held firm within the palm of her hand. She scanned the room for any form of potential threat but her eyes landed on her paranoid son.

"What's the matter?"

His neck snapped to the direction of the woman and his smile fell from his face. His eyes darkened when he noticed the beautiful face belonged to none other than his mother. He clenched his fist the cords in his neck were evident. He should have known his parents wouldn't give him any freedom but instead trail behind like lost puppies. It was however foolish of him to think he was a free man.

"What are you doing here?"

She smiled sheepishly at the puzzled boy unable to provide an answer to his question.

"Is dad here with you?" He furrowed his brows.

"No I'm afraid he's not."

Michael released a breath he didn't know he was holding. But he was quite upset with his mother.

"You still haven't answered my question."

"Don't you think I look fabulous." She twirled in a sunflower dress that hugged her body like a second skin. For a woman who lived for centuries she did have the body of a woman in her early twenties. Michael rolled his eyes annoyed by his mother's behaviour.

"That's not the answer to my question." He was aware she was trying to dodge his question. Also he could sense that she was terrified of something. She was very good at hiding her emotions but Michael was a clever boy. He could easily depict things.

"Don't you want your poor old lady around?"

He frowned deeply at the woman standing adjacent from him. "Those weren't my exact words but its clear you got my point."

"Your father might be hard on you Michael but we both know he only wants what's best for you." Her face contorted.

He laughed bitterly at his mother's tiny speech. "And locking me away from the world was for my protection."

His thoughts drifted back to his mother back in his world. She was a cold hearted bastard who preferred when things were done to her liking. The woman standing before him was a completely different version of the one she knew. A question he itched to ask popped into his mind. "Why the change of heart?"

"Because I was once your age Michael." She said her eyes becoming teary. She was aware that her son saw her as an heartless bastard. However he was still young and had alot of maturing to undergo. But he would understand one day that people will take risks to protect the ones they love even if it meant they were hated in return.

"I didn't asked to be babysit. I asked for my freedom inorder to make my own choices. I'm tired of people make decisions for me." He gritted out.

"Michael you make choices everyday of your life. It doesn't matter how small they are. They are still considered choices."

"I'm tired of both you, dad and his stupid father ruining my life."

Pain was written across her face but she managed to push her emotions aside. She had to remain strong for her son. "There is so much you don't know about this world."

"That's why I'm so fixed on discovering things for myself."

"You should shower and come downstairs for breakfast before you leave for school."

"I didn't sign up for school." He furrowed his brows.

"Well Atleast I thought you something wise about this world. As a teenager you are expected to attend school."

Michael rolled his eyes at his mother's change in behaviour which he found strange. She never acted childish but instead serious. He could only wish he met the woman when he was a child.

"I'm far more intelligent than any human. Why do I need to go to school?"

"Well Atleast I will be teaching you something else. You need to fit in with other students. Don't want the cops come knocking on our front door do you?"

"Can't..."

He was cut off by Victoria's index finger pointing at him. "We are not having this conversation now. Get your tiny butt in that bathroom and get your ass ready for school."

Before he could protest she was out the door running down the stairs with the knife in her grasp like any mad woman would. As she neared the kitchen the aroma of partly baked muffins and freshly brewed coffee filled the large kitchen. Her lips lifted into a broad smile. Back in her suffocating world she couldn't lift s feather to help herself. The maids were present to carry out their every deeds. She missed being able to bake for herself. But Atleast she had the opportunity to do it again. She knew it was only a short while before she had to return to her husband.

She tied the apron around her waist skipping around the kitchen humming her favourite tune as she stirred the remaining pancake batter. She couldn't waste away the little time she had left. Another opportunity might never come again.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Michael came tumbling down the stairs. He was properly attired for school even though he was a bit uncomfortable in his clothing. He knew some things about humans based on the way they are attired since both worlds were similar when it came to attire.

As he neared the kitchen the most sweet aroma filled his nostrils. His mouth watered at this. He walked at a faster pace towards the aroma only spot the woman humming as she flipped the pancakes.

She looked so happy, so vibrant. This was a different person from the cold mother he knew back in hell. There was something deep within him that made him smile. He loved this new side of his mother if only she could remain this way. If only things could have ended up differently for his family.

"Its a first. I like this new you." He couldn't help but saying.

"I didn't see you there." She jumped a little and grinned.

"If only I had this mother growing up. To be there for me in every step of the way. To sing to me every night." His entire childhood was ruined by the people he loved the most. Growing up without parents was a pretty tough challenge for him to bare.

His parents were hardly there for him growing up. Whenever he had nightmares it was just him. No one to comfort or soothing and tell him it was only a nightmare.

As much as he denied the fact that he didn't need love. It was a big fat lie. Maybe he would have been a better person. Not the monster he was. The things he did in the past wouldn't have happened. His past wouldn't be haunting and chasing after him wherever he went. If only he was loved by his parents.

"Michael you know that if I could turn back the time. I'd spend every second of the day with you."

Her voice broke as she spoke. An unfamiliar feeling overwhelmed her. Could it be guilt? It was the first She ever felt this way. She wished she was the mother Michael wanted.

Images of the past flashed in Michael's vision that flared up anger within him. "If you had only been there for me.... I wouldn't have done it."

A tear slipped from the corner of Victoria's eyes as she stared down at her son. "What happened was not your fault."

"How can you say that... You don't even know what I'm capable of."