Chapter Twenty-Eight: A Lonely Heart Finds A Hear in the Darkness
Syphron:
Machines beeped around her, the solution pumping through her system healing her begrudgingly slow. Renkin stepped in, the chair creaking as he sat on the other side of her. At least the stab wounds were sealed shut, her organs taking a bit to become one piece once more. Rubbing my forehead, the stress of being married to her proving to be rather taxing. A stripe of gray hair caught my eyes this morning, my mind also noticing how my midnight black dress shirt hugged my bigger muscles. Marvy always had a crazy streak but this was too far. Leaning back in my chair, the girls babbled in their playpen. My old man rushed in, his garnet velvet suit fluttered in the breeze his running was causing, Renkin fussing with his pale blue silk suit out of habit. Tears welled up in his eyes, my old man plopping down next to him.
"I heard there was an emergency." He blurted out desperately, not caring who saw. "We can't have my daughter waking up without me by her side." Rolling my eyes, Renkin pulled his hair into a ponytail. Someone was being rather quiet this morning, a blatant secret lay underneath his inky eyes. Holding off on telling us, he placed his matching dress shoes on the bed. Grimacing in her direction, he cleared his throat.
"I need to tell her something before I tell you fucking idiots." He groaned tiredly, pulling out a worn brown leather bag. "She needs to return to her training. As strong as she is, she is basically back to square one. I have the records of what they did to her and it isn't pretty. As much as I wish she didn't go, the correct course of action was taken." Yawning groggily, Pumpkin sat up. Ignoring his last sentence, that was still a touchy subject for me. She chose to leave us for months, a bit of resentment boiling in my veins. How stupid could she be?
"Momma!" The girls called out, their arms reaching for her. Floating up in the air, panic snapped us all awake. Leaping to her feet, the needles connecting her to the machines dropped to the bed. Catching our girls, her bright but tired smile calmed them down. Sitting back down, the twilight rays bathed her raw beauty at this moment. Kissing the top of their heads, tears of joy soaked their faces. The resentment faded away the moment, her loving gaze met mine for a second.
"Mommy loves you with all of your heart." She sobbed happily, all our breaths hitching. "I promise to always be there for you. Don't you two ever fucking forget it. I have so much to show you. I promise to never let you have the childhood I had. I love you so much. I love your daddy and his family. You are going to love them as well. Your grandfather is a bit of a nut but a lovable nut. Well, the only way to describe your uncle is interesting. Not the bad kind of interesting, but the best kind. He will always care for you." Smiling up at her, all of us had tears welling up in our eyes. How could a single woman bring us to tears?
"It feels like I have been hit by a freight train." She groaned audibly, cracking her neck. "What's on the menu today? I am ready to get back to work. Could you all leave so I can have a private word with Renkin?" Shuffling out, she motioned for me to stay. Renkin cleared his throat, her eyes falling on him. Laying the girls on the bed, she motioned for me to sit down.
"Ivory is pregnant and hasn't told me yet." He blurted out awkwardly, my brow cocking in response. "She had been in heat for a bit and something happened." Pumpkin chuckled to herself, a sly grin curling on her lips. Seeing her giggle made my heart skip a beat, her trembling finger tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. Counting the nervous ticks, that would be one.
"Take the day off and treat her to a date. We have so many lovely vendors here. However, could you put this flier up? I am in need of a security team. I would rather not be stabbed to death again." She mused playfully, swiping his clipboard from him. "Trust me, we have this. Looks like we are visiting a new territory." Swinging her feet over the edge of the bed, a pale Ivory rushed in. Fishing around her drawer, Pumpkin tossed her a bottle of sugared ginger cubes. Chewing on her lips, that would be the second nervous tick.
"You have the day off." She chimed cheerfully, Ivory catching the candies with a dazed look. "If you want to talk later we can. Have fun with your fiance." Clammy sweat drenched her skin, a rather ill Ivory sprinted out of the room. Cotton gauze covered her body, her fingers landing on a pair of wide legged gray trousers and a deep v-neck scarlet blouse.Tugging them on, her steady hand tugging on an armored corset. Throwing on her outfit, Ivory bounded into the room. Crashing into her body, Pumpkin winced in response. Wrapping her arms around Ivory's shaking body, Ivory admitted that she was pregnant. Begging for help on how to tell Renkin, she suggested that she tell him on the date he was planning that day. Thanking her profusely, her trembling hands passed her a steampunk jacket with golden gear buttons. A matching vest hung off of her arm, Pumpkin accepting them both. Sending her on her way, her dainty hands buttoning up the last button. My heart fluttered at the sight of her, the mostly black outfit matching her personality. Leaning forward, her ample cleavage taunted me. Tugging on a pair of worn leather gloves, lines of brown peeked out from the smooth leather. Adjusting the bell sleeves of the jacket, the pale moonlight painted her gorgeous face. Smiling lovingly in my direction, her hair fell off of her shoulder. Spinning a piece of black chalk in her palm, my curiosity peaking at the new spell. This looked like the type of spell Scarlet would use to get somewhere, her hand reaching for mine. Peeling off her glove, her fang sliced open her palm. Dripping it around the circle, the symbols glowed to life. Scooping up the twins, I stepped into the circle with apprehension. Shadowy energy swirled around us, the bedroom fading to the gate of a decrepit Victorian Mansion. The endless sea of tombstones did little to improve the ambiance, an excited Pumpkin spinning around. A wispy woman poked her head out, silvery waves cascaded down her back. Milky eyes met ours, her tattered robes grayed at the bottom. The clouds moved away from the bone white moon, the moonlight bathing her light blue skin. A nervous smile twitched on her navy lips. Sniffing the air, this was the smell of purgatory. Bewilderment shifted my features, this lanky demon was in charge of it. Floating over to us, her fangs hung over her lips. Leaning on the gate, an eager Pumpkin made the poor demon grow transparent.
"You must be Yurei, the guardian of Purgatory. I am pleased to meet you. I am the new queen of Hell. Oh forgive me! My name is Alice but you can call me Ally if it makes it easier." She introduced herself sincerely, Yurei returning to her solid form. "I come on a little strong sometimes. I came to fix your problem. It says here that you have a domicos problem. I am not sure what that is but it is my duty to help you out." Massaging my forehead, those fucking mice had been the bane of my existence for the longest time. They devoured everything in their path, my home having been devoured several times in the beginning. The shadow children ate the mice, leaving our home pest free. Hence the value of a shadow creature for every dimension.
"You are correct." She whispered softly, Pumpkin leaning in to hear her voice. "I am sorry to bother you." Taking her skinny hands, the poor thing floated back at her warm touch. Dropping her hands, my wife read the situation correctly. Stepping back a couple of feet, metal clanked in her jacket's pocket. Pulling out a list, she pressed it into Yurei's palms.
"Since you don't quite like talking, I will do ninety percent of it. We have to create shadow creatures of some sort to eat the mice. I spent the other day talking to our shadow children and they gave me this ingredient list. We need to find items that represent each of these words in your beautiful realm." She chatted pleasantly, a dull color rising to Yurei's cheeks. "We need to find the items that represent love, charity and hope. The last one might prove difficult considering where we are. Surely, there must be some semblance of hope around here. I hate to be so awkward though. Can we come in?" The gates creaked open ten glowing mice scurried by her feet, a small gasp escaping from her lips. Guiding us into her home, Pumpkin traced the peeling gray wallpaper, curiosity glinting in her eyes.
"Did you really mean it when you said my realm was beautiful?" She queried nervously, playing with her robes. "Most people find it drab and frightening." A wicked grin danced across my wife's lips, her hand motioning for her to sit on the dusty furniture. Turning her body away from her, her nimble fingers twisted the silver waves into a braided bun. Glancing around, her fingers plucked a bright blue rose from the cobweb covered vase. Ripping the blossom off, she tossed the stem aside. Placing it in the center, she turned her around. Fishing around her pockets, a cup of navy eye shadow rested in her palms. Using her fingers, she dabbed it onto Yurei's eyelids.
"Now you are as gorgeous as your realm." She promised sweetly, holding a mirror up to her face. "Do you see the beauty I see?" Touching her hair, childlike wonder brightened her eyes. Surprise rounded Pumpkin's eyes with the sudden embrace, a couple of mice ruining the moment. A shrill shriek burst from their lips, the two of them standing on the couch holding each other. A fit of laughter burst from my lips, a pillow smashing into my face. A fuming Pumpkin flipped me off, wicked laughter rumbled in my throat. Covering my mouth, another pillow hit my face. Did she know how adorable she looked in this tender moment? This reminded me of the times we would dick around in high school, her boots landing on the floor. Helping her new friend down, her hands sat her down on the couch.
"What do you have from someone who has loved you?" She asked serenely, a shaky hand pointing to a closet. "Are you coming? It has to be you that picks the item and performs the spell. Let's go, my new pal." Navy colored her cheeks, an anxious smile creaking into place. Rolling her eyes, her hand hovered in her face. The twins cooed in my arms, my breath hitching at their cuteness. Accepting her hand cautiously, they disappeared into the closet. Chaos erupted behind the door, metal clashed against metal. Sparks illuminated the darkness behind the door, a worn Pumpkin stumbled out with a happier Yurei. A silver pocket watch dangled over her hands, no words passing between them. Dragging her out the door, my dress boots clicked after her. Walking for hours, we came to a twisted apple tree with one apple at the top. The silver fruit gleamed in the light, branches whipping past our heads. Pumpkin's blade blocked each one, frustration brewing in her eyes. Mumbling under her breath, she pulled Yurei aside.
"You need to beg for that apple for it to mean charity." She explained with annoyance in her voice, laying her weapon at her feet. "Speak up please. The tree needs to hear it." Branches whacked her in the face, Yurei sinking to her knees. Laying her forehead on the ground, mumbles disturbed the chilling silence. A branch snatched Pumpkin, rich laughter thundering across purgatory. Huffing impatiently, her fingers drummed on the cracking wood.
"Speak up, guardian of this realm. You will have to give me one good reason to give you my only apple." The tree roared seriously, the mood shifting. Dangling my wife upside down, a flustered Yurei sat on her haunches. Pressing her palms together, the poor thing trembled in the tree's shadows. Gather some courage before my wife loses her temper, I begged mentally.
"I am trying to make a couple of shadow creatures to eat the mice." She stammered too quietly, a branch curling around a knot. "My father said that I would meet you one day." Fighting the urge to vomit, Pumpkin covered her mouth with every wild swing. Evil laughter echoed in the dank atmosphere, a quiet fury twitching in my eyes. Could this girl fucking speak up!
"Not good enough." He uttered simply, navy coloring her cheeks. "You are nothing like your old man. He was ruthless, telling every soul to pick a place. You let them linger here like the weak constituted person you are. I hate you, Yurei. Your father picked every other apple for your hungry mouth. You took and took from me, so why should I give back." Yurei's eyebrows twitched irritably, her fists clenching into a ball. Rising to her feet, a snarl twitched on her lips. Storm clouds brewed over her head, our hair whipping around in the howling winds.
"Listen up, you asshole!" She barked hotly, lightning dancing across the sky. "I demand you drop my friend and hear every single one of my words. You pushed my father around and eventually into his grave. Can't you see that he was feeding a fucking child. He may have been brisk but his heart was made of gold. I don't force them to stay, their guilt does. How pray tell, do you suggest that I fix that? If I don't solve this problem, mice will gobble you up. Do you want that? I personally don't. I don't want you gone because I treasured every conversation we had. What happened to that gentle tree from years ago! We never cut you down and let you grow and grow. Fuck you!" Shrinking back, her fury was enough to send anyone into the grave.
"There's the backbone I have searching for. You may have the apple if you visit me once a day. It is so lonely out here." He relented sincerely, rolling the apple down his branch. Setting down Pumpkin gingerly, our breath hitched the moment her palms touched the peeling bark. A bright light blinded us, the light dying down. A fully healed tree towered over us, thousands of apples hung off the branches. Tucking the apple into her pocket, a relationship had been healed. Motioning for us to following her, her real smile dawned on her face. Stopping at the edge of a lake, her dainty fingers fished around water. Pulling out a hard lava rock, confusion dawned on our faces. Floating back and forth, her hands cupped her face.
"I feel like a screw up." She panicked, nearing dropping the lava rock. "Why do I always make such a big mess?" My eyes flitted between the two of them, my wife tossing up any food into the bushes. Wiping the corner of her lips, her boots pounded towards her. My breath hitched the moment she cupped her hands together, her natural ability to lead turning me on. Boy, did I get lucky with her. Her breathing slowed down, the storm died down. Still struggling from the motion sickness, her body swayed slightly.
"There you go." Pumpkin comforted her with a bright smile, shifting around her pocket. "This chalk is made from my shadow children's bodies. Needless to say, it should all go well. Draw a circle with the three symbols." Drawing the three symbols, she tossed the black chalk into her palm. Crouching down behind her, her hand wrapped around hers. Guiding her through the drawing of the symbols. Flipping her palm over, an extended claw glided across Yukei's clammy palm. Moving her hand around the circle, the symbols glowed to life. The blood of the owner was the last ingredient, my eyes never leaving my gorgeous wife.
"Say what everything means to you and your shadow creature should appear." She continued briskly, yawning groggily. "Be sure to speak up." Clearing her throat, Yukei struggled to find the strength to speak up.
"The first thing is my father's pocket watch which he gave me when I was six. He had I love you engraved in it. Every day he would spin it in his fingers and sing me his special song. I miss him with everything I have." She began sweetly, her eyes welling up at the mention of her father. "The next thing is an apple from my friend who helped me through the loneliness of it all. Finally, the last thing is the lava stone my mother gave me on her deathbed. She told me that day that hope rests in the shadows. She used to do my hair and hold my hands much like my new friend. Seeing this rock reminds me that there is life after death. Please take these three sacrifices to protect my land from these damn pests." Placing each item on the correct symbol, her palms pressed together. Humming echoed in the air, her loose hairs floating towards the sky. Inky shadows reached up from the ground, three shadowy cats with milky eyes bounced onto her lap. Tears of joy flooded from her eyes, her arms scooping up the cats. Purrs rang out, the bond finalizing between them. A blast of energy spread like the sea, purgatory coming to life. The gravestones cleaned themselves, the mansion repairing itself in the distance. Leaning against the nearby mausoleum, something was wrong. Crashing to the ground, snores told us that Pumpkin was sleeping.
"I don't suppose you want to let her rest for a bit. She must have pushed herself again." I asked politely, watching Yurei toss her over her shoulder. "Sorry for the inconvenience." Waving her free hand around, she reminded me of my wife. Bowing in my direction, she led the way back. Having met with her father a couple of times, his character proved to be everything his daughter idolized. Such warmth rested in her polite smile, her old man would be so proud of her.
"Your dad was as awesome as you say." I assured her sincerely, pride swelling in her eyes. "I met with him a couple of times. He had always let me stay here in between visits to the surface." A small squeal rang in my ear, her robes fluttering with each swoop back towards me. Floating by my face, her white aura could relax anyone.
"I appreciate your kind words. It is awfully nice you aren't scared of me. Most people don't want to see me, they often run away. Can you tell me why she wasn't scared?" She questioned serenely, simply pleased to have someone to open up to. "She said that I was beautiful even though I look like every lady in white. Has she always been this kind?" Chuckling softly to myself, her eyes bore into mine.
"You always loved her, didn't you?" She puzzled openly, cupping my face. "You have such warmth yourself. Tell me how you kept it after you were ousted. Most people would go insane. So much pain hides beneath your smile, the stress your marriage often gets to you. Hold on to her tightly and never let her go. The only thing I can say is that you need to pick her up when she falls. Who are these gorgeous girls?" Thinking back, she was a tiny girl the last time I saw her. A strained huh escaped my lips, a crooked grin coming to life on my face.
"You hid behind his leg, didn't you?" I uttered simply, watching a deep navy color her cheeks. A portal opened up behind us, an excited Turk hopped through. His cheeks had filled out, his slender but muscular body filled out my old t-shirts and jeans. Time stopped, the two of them refusing to look away from each other. A tender blush rose to Turk's cheek, the corner of his lips twitching into a nervous half-grin.
"Hi, Turk my is-" He stammered adorably, his half grin turning into a goofy grin. "Sorry, let me begin again. My name is Turk and I think I like you." Cupping his mouth, spinning on his heels to run. Catching his sleeve with her free hand, she tugged him closer to her face. Pumpkin jerked awake, crashing into a heap onto the ground. Twitching with pain, her eyes squinted in Turk's direction. Placing the story together, a huge grin brightened her face.
"You found your mate." She announced proudly, a wicked grin curling on her lips. "Silly me, I should have seen it a mile away. You're both painfully shy, so you don't need to talk with each other. You need to stay behind with her. Goodbyes are tough. I can't call it that. See you later alligator." Resting her hands on her knees, a wall of tears hid behind her smile. Unable to hold it back, silent tears stained her cheeks.
"Don't worry about me." She continued in a motherly manner, waving her hands around. "I love seeing you happy. Forgive me for ruining your moment. I think I am going home now. I love you, Turk!" Popping to her feet, her trembling hands drew a circle around her. Scribbling the symbols with a new vigor, she peeled off her glove with her fangs. Cutting her palm, the blood pooled in her palm. Sprinkling it over the symbols, they glowed to life. Yanking me in, a rush of energy knocked us back into our bedroom. Skidding across the floor, blood poured from her nose. Unable to move, she trembled in her spot. Of course she used her magic way too fast, the true question was what she was running from. Renkin wandered into the bedroom, an eager Ivory not far from him. Hanging off of her arm, his eyes fell on the quaking Pumpkin. Folding his arms across his chest, wicked laughter rumbling in his throat.
"Use our magic a little too fast?" He teased lightly, her response proving to be her flipping him off. "Someone's a little spicy this evening. We are pregnant, so yay." Her eyebrow cocked in response, her temper flaring up. Struggling to her feet, she collapsed into a heap. The mood darkened, blood pouring from her mouth. Cupping her stomach, a coughing fit wracked her body. Inky drops splattered across the floor, broken screams burst from her lips. Renkin dropped to her side, time stopping. Shouting out orders, a full nursing staff got her back on the bed. Shoving me out of the way, they chanted nonstop for hours. Watching with concern, my old man rushed in. Scooping the girls from my arms, his stern gaze shut down any protest. Curse him for being the best brother a guy could ask for.
"You need sleep." He warned gently, the nurses leaving the room. "It's a simple case of her going past her limit. Hell, I did it a couple of times. Go to bed. I got this! I will be outside of the door to take care of them if you need me to." Shooting me a thumbs up, he placed the slumbering girls in their cribs. Sauntering out, it was just us. Peeling off my clothes, her quaking hand grabbed my wrist.
"Stay with me." She wheezed tiredly, her broken expression shattering my heart. "Please hold me until I fall back asleep. I think I overdid it. Could you t-" Her hand dropped, her cute snoring bouncing off of the wall. Crawling in behind her, her arm snatched mine. Exhaustion wore on my eyelids, sweet slumber stealing me away.