Chapter Twenty-Two: The Pumpkin Shatters

Syphron:

Jerking awake, rough hay scratched my back. A fuming Pumpkin paced back and forth, a black wolf followed her like a shadow. His ruby eyes met mine, her old man sauntered up to the bars of the dungeon. His eyes twinkled with malice, his lips curled into a triumphant grin. Pumpkin stood inches from him, her fingers curled around the keys jingling around his belt.

"I hope you sleep with one eye open tonight." She threatened darkly, stealing the keys. "I always find a way out. I do have one question though. Did you sick one of your werewolves on my cousin? Was I not enough for you?" His hand reached through the bar, his fingers wrapping around her neck. Using the sound of him smashing her against the bars, her foot kicked me the keys. Banging her head repeatedly into the bars, Felix growled viciously behind her. The poor boy didn't need to see this, the memory of her mother banging on the counter haunted me. Why did this seem so familiar? Must she always be treated like this?

"Of course I did." He admitted with a boastful tone, his wicked grin never leaving his lips. "I was planning on making him my servant to eat you all up but it looks like you found him first. Then I dropped a hint for those hunters to go kill him and wake up his demonic instincts. All I ended up with was a pile of bodies. What is wrong with your family? It is like they don't quit. Whatever. Have a nice rest of your lives." Dropping her to the ground, she touched the bloody spot in the middle of her forehead. His boots echoed away, the tail of his scarlet velvet jacket was the last thing we saw. Wiping the blood off of her face, she knelt down to pat the top of Felix's head. The light reflected off of her teardrops, her quaking fingers wiping away his. A tortured whine escaped his snout, a kiss on the top of the head quelling his nerves.

"I will find the solution to change you back." She promised sweetly, kissing the top of his head. "Keys, please. There is no way in hell I am staying here. Once I get it open, we are going to have to run and fight for our lives. Are you ready?" Fiddling with the keys, the door swung open. Ripping up the hem of her dress, she tied the fabric around my mouth and nose. Searching the drawers in the room, a needle shimmered in her hand. The purple liquid shimmered in the light, Felix whining as she jammed the needle into his leg. Nothing happened, her triumphant grin told me she had succeeded. Whistling sharply, a deep violet buzzed around her aura. What was she planning?

"That shot has made you immune to my next step. Bladesworth should be on her way with a couple of winged horses for us to escape. She told me to get us to the roof." She explained briskly, her palms pressing together. "Try not to breathe too much of this in. Fog of forgetfulness, fill the castle with a dust storm of your poison. Put everyone to sleep and make them forget that we were ever here." Yanking the fabric close to my mouth and nose, her palms opened. Blowing gently, her lips blew a cloud of violet dust into the air. Blowing three more times, the poisonous dust filled the air. Blowing one last time, the cloud expanded. Traveling up the twisting stairs, bodies dropped like flies. Crashing up the stairs, our feet rounded every corner. Felix rushed ahead, his tail wagging happily. He looked so free, Pumpkin smiled warmly to herself. Flipping into the air, she skidded to a stop. Her blade slid into her eager palms, her father stood in front of her in head to toe scarlet armor. A new sword spun over his head, the sleek scarlet blade glistened in the thick of the cloud.

"I won't fall for your tricks again. I see you inherited your grandmother's abilities." He mused playfully, raising his sword in her direction. "Either way, you are going to die today." Charging at her, their blades clashed violently. Matching flames devoured their flames, black lightning mixing with hers. The two of them bounced off the walls, the castle crumbling underneath their feet.

"I am not going to die today." She proclaimed proudly, setting up to begin a spell. "I am merely trying to escape. Let's play later. Bye." Slamming the tip of her blade into the floor, a large crack groaned to life. Flipping over him, we dashed past him. The walls quaked violently, Felix scooping us up. Pounding to the roof, cracks formed underneath his paws. His only choice was to leap off of the roof, her wings unfolding. Grabbing us both in her arms, a couple of winged horses caught us. The castle crumbled to rumble, his howl of frustration shattered the night. Laying Felix across the silver horse, an unimpressed expression made Pumpkin giggle to herself. Folding her wings back up, a jovial expression brightened my ex's face. Leading the way, Pumpkin wrapped my arms around her waist. She shivered with every kiss to the nape of my neck, her hair tickling my cheeks. The tension filled hours passed hauntingly slow, a wave of relief crashed over us the moment we landed gracefully in our dimension of Hell. Leaping off, her feet pounded to our home. Walking slowly after her, her head was buried in a pile of books. Felix brushed past me, his head laying on her lap. My tail twitched with jealousy, my ears flattening. Tossing books aside, her lips pressed into a thin line. Patting his head, her face lit up with a brilliant grin. Throwing the blanket on the couch over him, she hovered her hands over his body. Triumph always emphasized her beauty, her rapid heart beat echoed in my ear. Panic widened my eyes, my hand clutched my chest. Something dark rested her heart, the raw shock of this new connection threw me off.

"Goddess of the Moon, Emperor of the Night!" She chanted confidently, closing her eyes. "Turn this wolf back to normal and grant him the ability to transform him whenever he wishes." Silver lights danced with inky balls, his body shrinking down. Tears of joy flooded from her eyes, her shaking hands wiping her tears away. A ruby eyed Felix gazed excitedly at her, his shaggy hair was still a mess. A knowing smile passed between them, a warmth crushing the darkness in her heart for a simple moment. Just like the bug that wouldn't quit, the darkness stole a piece of her heart.

"Now go take a bath, and get clean." Pumpkin ordered serenely, poking him in the nose. "You reek like wet dog and onion. I will cook you some dinner. So get cleaned up." Jumping into the air, he scurried into the only bathroom. Struggling to her feet, she walked solemnly into the bedroom. Peeling off her destroyed dress, the photo of her grandmother taunted her. Kicking it into the corner, she untied the fabric from around my mouth. Saying nothing, she tugged on one of my band shirts. Tears welled up in her eyes, her hands crossing. Shaking it off, the refusal to speak was her typical response. Not this time.

"I am sorry Sly did that." I apologized sincerely, her head shaking. "I will punish him sev-" Cupping her hands around mine, the quick peck on my cheek sent my heart beating. Taking a deep breath, the words struggled to come out of her mouth. Everything ate at her soul, guilt showed on her face.

"I am thankful for what he did. What's eating me is that my father targeted my cousin and I didn't get to kill him. My cousin had nothing to do with this. What is going to stop him from taking my entire family away from me? Each death or horrid memory feels like my fault. If I hadn't entered anyone's life, you all would be so much happier." She ranted freely, dropping her hands to her side. "There was no strategic way to kill him or save us all. God damn it! Why is this so hard! All I want to do is create a system where the sinners of Hell have a chance to go to Heaven after they realize their mistakes. He'll never do that. Who the hell imprison's their own daughter? I am tearing my hair out of my head here. It was never about a power trip but a whole new system where people like me won't be doomed to Hell for an eternity!" Wrapping my arms around her shoulders, she sighed tiredly as I rested my chin on her head. Intertwining my fingers with hers, her hair tickled my neck. Must the world be so cruel to her, every nice thing she gets seemed to be tainted with the back hand of bad luck.

"Are you sure this isn't about what my old man said?" I queried cautiously, a pair of sad doe eyes gazed back at me. "I know you will work through it when you transform completely. I like your plan. If you ask me, Hell is full of people who don't deserve to be here. The overcrowding really is a problem." Her laughter twinkled in the air, her real smile illuminating her features. Squirming out of my embrace, her feet barely touched the floor with every spin out of the room. Her happiness covered up her true emotional pain, perhaps it was her people pleasing side that blocked her from getting help when she needed it. Every cell in my body knew that her biggest fear was becoming her father, such a thought was familiar to us all. A soft knock snapped me back to reality, a disquieted Felix hovered in the doorway. A towel barely covered his slender six foot frame, his hair clung to his face. Gritting my teeth, the awkward silence was killing me. Pulling out a t-shirt and a pair of ripped jeans, his body seemed to be about my size. The youthful look on his face threw me off, his real age shining through. Having to be about seventeen, a worn expression aged his face.

"You may have to roll up the jeans but this is all I have." I stammered nervously, turning my bed. "The couch pulls out. I know it isn't the Ritz or anything but that is all I have to offer." Surprise rounded my eyes at his arms wrapping around me. Dropping his arms, my eyes met his quivering eyes. Tears welled up in his eyes, a thankful smile brightened his face. Had he gone through the same horror show as her?

"You don't know how much this means to me." He wept softly, his fists balling up. "My parents were just as bad as hers. I was the one to take care of them. I guess you could say the my family truthfully is fucked up. I always looked forward to my visits with her because she would smile the pain away for me. She would take the hits from both my parents and hers. When my parents got devoured by the wolf, I didn't feel anything. I feel so messed up for feeling like that. We were both trained to ignore our emotions because it made us weak. So don't blame her for pressing forward. You two have shown me the most compassion I have ever experienced in my life in minutes. She can be difficult but look at what she has gone through. Just be patient, please?" Rolling up the bottom of his jeans, his broken look matched hers. My clothes fit him well for the most part, the sound of him running left me all on my own. Stepping out of my room, Bladesworth was busy patching up Pumpkin's forehead. Pulling her tight curls into a ponytail, Felix skidded into the kitchen. Their eyes met, time stopping for them. A nervous giggle tumbled from her lips, her fingers grasping at her white flowing robes.

"I am Bladesworth, Alice's guardian angel." She stuttered adorably, Felix leaning in closer. "You look a lot like her. Are you cousins or something?" A sly grin danced across his lips, his hands brushing against hers. Pumpkin ordered them out of the kitchen, her bun reminding me of a black and white candy. Felix leapt over the couch, the television flickering on. Humming happily to herself, the wooden spoon was stirring by itself.

"It is nice to see him be a normal teenager." She chimed angelically, looking up from her cooking. "I always watched over him to make sure that he was a bit happier than me. I used to take the fall for him when he visited. It really wasn't a big deal." Leaning across from her, she pulled out a jar of Alfredo sauce. Struggling with the jar, the cap wouldn't budge. Pouting her lips, this was my chance to help her. Popping the lid off, an adorable grin lit up her face. So she could be shy at times.

"He told me already. You should win cousin of the year." I preached peacefully, dancing towards her. "You really are an angel." Picking her up, she giggled adorably the moment I set her down on the counter. Kissing her sensually, her body arched towards me. Felix skidded into the kitchen, his face reddening at the sight of us. Leaping off the counter, her feet barely touched the floor with each step closer to him. Embracing him with a mother's touch, his head snuggled into her shoulder. Rubbing his back, the moment melted away the darkness for a rare minute. Holding him for five minutes, a gracious smile greeted her broken smile.

"Dinner's almost ready, now go relax." She babbled in a motherly tone, shoving him onto the couch. "You have had a long journey. You need to relax and be a teenager for once. Have some fun. Flirt a little bit." Winking, a swing song drifted from her lips. Felix and Bladesworth poked their heads over the couch, her lithe movements matched the song. Taking my hands, her real smile never left her face with each twirl around the kitchen. Scarlet colored her cheeks, her feet slowing to a stop. Music proved to be her escape, reality always bit back the moment she stepped out of its protection.

"Could you drain the pasta?" She begged softly, cutting a loaf of bread in half. "I am simply making him his favorite meal." Humming to herself, she spread a bit of butter on the bread. Each hum masked her increasing heart rate, a shadow grew in her heart. Sprinkling a touch of garlic powder, it took everything for me not to peel my eyes off of her. Steam rose to the air, the hot water rushed down the drain. Setting the pot on the counter, the oven groaned as she shoved the bread into the oven. Wiping the sweat off of her brow, her hands gripped the counter. A fever burned her cheeks, clammy sweat drenched her skin. Sinking to the floor, a long breath escaped her lips. Popping up, her false smile dimmed her face. The crunching of the bread getting cut echoed in the air, her other hand dumping the Alfredo sauce over the noodles. Gathering a few plates, her body swayed slightly. Scooping her into my arms, protests flooded from her lips. Felix made room for her, the couch crying as I set her down. Folding her arms across her chest, my eyes rolled at her response. Felix leapt over the couch, taking a couple of plates from my hands. Passing them out, dismay dimmed my eyes at the sight of her pushing the plate away. Plopping down next to her, a tortured gaze met mine. Felix watched with concern at her reaction to the food as a cloudy exhaustion haunted features. Clearly she wasn't going to talk about it at the moment, all of us beginning to eat without her. Holding a pillow to her stomach, the morning sickness proving to be a dick in this situation. When wasn't it?

"I will wrap it up for you to eat later." I whispered lovingly in her ear, her hands trembling. Jumping to her feet, all of us watched her crash out of the front door. Passing my plate to Felix, dejection destroyed my expression. Vomiting noises brought me to the edge of the forest, black sludge pooled around her feet. Inky claws extended from her fingernails, the bark creaking underneath the raw power of her grip. Blood poured from every hole on her face, my face paling. My heart sank into my stomach, a tortured wail burst from her lips. Fear paralyzed me in place, a pleading glance meeting my quivering eyes. Surprise rounded my eyes the moment she leapt into my arms.

"Tell me about a good memory." She blubbered frightfully, her claws digging into my back. "Take me away from the darkness. Make it stop! It hurts so much!" Fighting the pain, silent tears slid down my cheeks. Felix and Bladesworth crashed into the street, gasps of horror echoed in the still night air. Shoving me off of her, her wings unfolded. A flurry of feathers danced around me, her form shrinking into the sky. Hot blood soaked the back of my shirt, the sticky blood nauseating me.

"Get me one of my horses." I ordered hotly, the shadow children coming out with my ash gray flying horse named Ashton. "Clean up the kitchen for me, please? Someone needs to protect our home. I will be back when I can." Nodding solemnly, a cloud of dirt obscured them running back in. Pieces of my hair flew in front of my vision, her wings created a stronger wind with each flap of her wings. A crazed look frightened me, her hands clapping. A puff of violet smoke swirled around her, only her feathers remained where she once was. Catching a feather in a palm, her scent told me where she was heading. Ignoring the sharp jolts of pain shocking my back, the wounds sealed shut. Sighing with relief, a shadow of regret shifted my face. Why couldn't I tell her a happy memory. Slapping the side of Ashton, his tail whipped me as he turned in the direction of my old man's castle. Dread bubbled in my stomach only for it to build up with each passing second. A wave of relief crashed over me at the sight of his castle, Ashton bucking me off. Crashing through the open door, my old man's boot stopped me from rolling any further. Bags hollowed out his eyes, strands of his hair hung in his face. Judging from the water dripping onto the floor he had just gotten out of the shower. Scars covered his bare chest, a key spun on his finger. A shudder shot up my spine, the harsh memories of that one blasted key poisoned my mood.

"She is in your cage crying blood. I didn't want to put her in there but she insisted." He sighed exhaustively, concern flashing in his eyes. "Please go make sure everything is okay. I can't stand to not have her in my life. I am going back to bed now. There have been so many meetings lately." Yawning groggily, his clap matched the sound of thunder. Squeaks echoed down the hall with every step I took, my chest puffing the moment I skidded to halt in front of my cage. A sobbing Pumpkin curled into a tight ball, a sharp protest burst from her lips the moment I unlocked the door. Wiping away her own tears, inky black lines stained her cheeks. Laying down behind her, my arm curled around her bump. My soured mood faded to that of a sweet relief, her claws had retracted.

"What do you want?" She grumbled under her breath, not even attempting to slap my hand away. "I am fine now. It was so weird. A jolting pain shocked my muscles then evil thoughts coursed through my mind. I think Sly pushed me too far today. I didn't need to relive all of that. Seeing her die again felt like a punch to the gut. I understood why he showed me though. Being mad but glad at the same time is such an odd feeling. Half of me wanted to choke me while my other half wanted to hug him. Curse that little black fox." A fit of laughter burst from my lips, her emotions matched mine with my irritating demon guardian. Rolling over, the love in her eyes shone brighter than the moon. Pulling a handkerchief, the soft skin of her palm brushed against my cheek. My heart fluttered, her pure warmth heated up my soul.

"Can I tell you something? I am so tired. I don't mean physically, but emotionally. The endless cycle of fighting my father and losing is killing me. The constant feeling of a bad result is eating me alive. I don't know what to do anymore." She admitted with a sad smile, my trembling hand wiping the blood off of her cheeks. "I have this strange hatred brewing in me, no it's not hatred. Depression keeps eating at my sanity, its fingers digging into my veins. Why can't it just go away? Come to think of it, I was never really happy only going through the motions of life. It went away for a long time but now it's back like the stupid crummy asshole it is. I feel nothing but compassion. When it comes to me, my mind is incapable of feeling joy without an extreme amount of anxiety. It's all my fault, it's always m-" Cupping her face, her spiral ceased to a shaky halt. The only thing she required right now was a friend to walk her through her depression which was something she always needed.

"I am pretty sure that is depression." I comforted her gently, laying down next to her. "Anger is a part of depression, you know. You have every right to be angry. A forced marriage and pregnancy is the last thing you n-" Climbing on top of me, her hair fell like curtains. Teardrops crashed to my face, a sad smile quivered on her lips. Stop breaking her further, I yelled bitterly at myself.

"Don't you dare say that! I signed the marriage contract knowing the consequences!" She declared passionately, her chest swelling with pride. "I chose you because you were one of the first people to ever care for me! I chose this path! Don't you ever forget that! The last thing I need is for you to get broken like me. Time will heal my wounds, your connection will be the key to my healing." Wiping her tears with her clenched fists, my heart shattered for her. Tragic was the only way to describe her hellish life on Earth, our paths had been doomed to cross. Was it doom or a shining light at the end of a twisted tunnel? No! She said it herself, her heart belonged to me. Why did this guilt continue its hold on my heart?

"I simply want to make sure, Pumpkin." I assured her lovingly, cupping her fists. "Let me be your watch, my heart will move the hands of time. I don't feel sad for me but for you. Promise me you will talk to me everyday." Nodding awkwardly, a slow hand clap captured our attention. Renkin stepped out of the shadow, his long hair tugged into a ponytail. Scarlet velvet robes drifted off his muscular build, cotton pants tickled the top of his feet.

"Would you guys like some tea and snacks?" He offered sincerely, flashing her a crooked grin. "We can discuss your condition in deep detail. Now go take a quick shower and get dressed in the dress I picked out for you. Be sure to wear your masks just in case any of the help sees you. Your father has a tendency of planting spies. No one knows what you look like now, so your disguise should hold up. Wear the mask I give you if you ever go out. I will have some made for your friends, just give me time. Now off with you." Pumpkin dashed past him, his eyes falling on me. Truthful words rested on the tip of his tongue, my heart ready to hear it.

"Her biggest challenge is going to be herself. You can't expect her to ever be happy as we tend to be. Sure there will be glimpses but never the full time. At least, not for a while." He signed exhaustively, rubbing the back of his head. "Nobody can make her smile like you though. Come on! Give the girl credit for choosing to marry your stupid ass regardless of the waves it would cause. She is strategically smart beyond us all, every action of hers bearing the fruit of the correct results. See you in a minute and get cleaned up yourself. Do me the honor of wearing your mask, outlaw." Sauntering off, he shrugged his shoulders casually. Has he always been in touch with everyone's basic emotion? Well fuck! What am I going to do now?