TRIGGER WARNING: THE FOLLOWING CONTENT MIGHT BE DISTURBING TO SOME READERS: VIOLENCE. PROCEED WITH CAUTION. Lenox povOne thing this guy has forgotten is that the crazies never rest. And neither do I, obviously. I’m not crazy, if anyone’s wondering. Lumpy comes across as a guy with some brain power, but the further down the rabbit hole we go, the more I believe first impressions are truly misleading. Violence doesn’t help. Threats do little to nothing, but little does he know, I have another idea how to get what I want. If all else fails, make them uncomfortable. Lumpy stares at me, looking like he has won the imaginary battle already, but instead of showing annoyance or anger, I mimic his grin. My hand covers my crotch as I adjust myself and wink at him. A loud, needy groan leaves my lips before I lick them and lock my gaze with his. “I’m not sure if you can feel it, Lumpy, but fuck me if I do. There is some thick tension between us, so explosive and raw. Think it might be sexua
Sarah pov“Would you agree to skip this part for now? And please, don’t tell Seth anything, the boys will make it sound like all of this is my fault and I’m already suffering enough by being away from her. This is so unfair,” Than pouts and starts pacing around. To his great displeasure, I cross my arms in front of my chest and drag one word as a response. “No”Although I understand why he is acting like a sulking child, he has to realize that there are things I am truly entitled to. Information about my partners and the whereabouts of my newborn baby are the basic ones. “Please, just this once, let me off the hook. This is so unfair,” he keeps whining. For the life of me, I can’t understand why a demon is acting like this. Can’t he man up and just come clean with me, instead of acting like I am trying to rip off his head? Clearly, I’m not growing too aggravated to appear aggressive. Or am I? “Nope, you’re fine, babe,” the new voice echoes in my mind. “Thank you. Finally, a bloo
Sarah pov“K-kill?” I barely stutter the word. Am I really that delusional to try and kill my own child? The thing inside my head said it tried to eat my baby, but my stupid self decided to take it as a joke more than an actual fact. “Yes, you tried to kill her. Sarah, I get that this is hard to hear, but you must understand the severity of this situation. Lenox had never shifted in front of his family, but he released Atlas to save the child. I understand that it is hard for you to grasp what that means, so I will only say that it’s a big thing for a hellcat to appear.” Than explains. “How do I get it out?” I blurt the question, desperate to fix this. All I need is to get rid of the voice, wait until my loved ones return and we can build our life just how we dreamed it would be. “How do you get out what? Be more specific,” Than mutters. I can hear the reluctance in his voice. The demon knows what I am asking for, it’s just that he doesn’t want to give me the answers. Demons don’t
Sarah pov“You called me dad… It’s the first time,” Than sobs, pulling me impossibly close and I let him. At this point, both of us need it. The comfort of each other while the world as we know it is slowly turning to ash and dust. I have no idea if we will ever be strong enough to get out of this or will we go down in flames, but I still have the hope that we will be just fine. All of us. Life plays its own game and fate loves to mess with everyone, but that doesn’t mean we can’t learn the rules and break them all along the way. “What do we do now?” I whisper the question as if I fear that someone will overhear us. And honestly, I do. If the thing inside me knows our next move, there’s no saying what it could be capable of to stand in our way. “I need to think. I need to meet some of my friends, they might have answers. But for now-” he stops himself mid-sentence. “For now?” I keep pressing. Even if Than knows I won’t like what he has to say, I need to hear it. Like in stupid m
Lenox pov“God fucking damn it!” I hiss and instantly slap myself. I shouldn’t use God's name in vain since that thing is inside my Optimus. The bulky old man manages to get out of the weird trance state and steps closer, reaching his hand for me. Is this the right moment to point out that I’m kind of on a ‘no-no’ basis with germs? I get dirty all of the time, but there is a difference between blood germs and something other people carry around. After all, I have no idea where those hands have been before they touched me, right?“You are real. It’s actually you,” the dude’s voice trembles a little. “So are unicorns, but it’s not like anyone believes me. Listen, pal, this is all fun and games, but I already wasted too much time on the spoon snatching guy. My brother really needs my assistance about a week ago.” As I bend down to fetch my spoon, I keep a close eye on the man. Lately, I have been running into too many people all the damn time, so it wouldn’t surprise me if all of the
Luka pov No words could describe how happy I feel to see my brother. It’s not just that he is here to pull me out of the shitstorm that followed a stupid argument. No, I’m happy to see him alive and well. “Lenox,” I breathe out his name as he gets to releasing me. I didn’t notice the massive lock connecting the chains until Lenox manages to break it. “Hold on, big bro, I’ll get you out of these,” he mutters. It’s so weird to see Lenox like this. The usually cheerful maniac is so focused on his goal that even he doesn’t seem to notice the tears that fill his eyes. Lenox looks like he is about to break down right before my eyes. As he starts ripping and pulling the ropes, he looks manic, desperate to claw and break everything in his way, even though I am here, right in front of him, and don’t plan to go anywhere. I made that mistake once and can’t bring myself to repeat it. Turning my back on my family simply because I couldn’t take someone’s words has been the worst mistake I mad
Luka pov“Yeah, sounds gross, doesn’t it? Like an ass worm, but I think it isn’t quite in her ass because apparently it can control her. But no biggie, Than and Laz are dealing with that issue and everything should be all fine when we return home.” Lenox announces, rather happy. I’m about to question him, but clearly, he has more to add. “Dude, I miss a proper dinner. I think my stomach has started eating itself and I will start losing my good bits soon if I don’t get a nice steak meal anytime soon.” He groans. Honestly, I think he wants to change the topic. Why? I have no idea, but here we are. “I get that you’re hungry, we’re in the same boat, brother. But if we can, it would be better if we returned to that whole worm and Sarah situation.” I try to press the topic I’m most interested in. Lenox’ body tenses even as he keeps striding, but not a word leaves him. I worry my brother has something awful in his mind. Lenox isn’t one to give me all the details if he believes that the s
Luka povCompletely lost to what I am supposed to do, I realise I am wasting too much time just standing and waiting on something. I can either head back inside that forest and chase after my brother or head home and get some help. Yeah, honestly, going alone is stupid because Lenox knows the woods better than all of us together, and once he is set on getting away from everyone - he won’t stop running. “I need help,” I mutter to myself and turn towards home. For the millionth time I ask myself why fate can’t be a little gentler on my family. Sometimes, it feels like Vincents are the epicentre of bullshit and shitstorms. No matter where we go, something awful happens. And now, I hate to admit it, but it feels like fate is trying to separate us all.Walking home drags out, even though I’m fighting against the tiredness and the soreness of my muscles. I want to get there faster, but my legs refuse to move faster than they do. By the time I get close enough for guards to notice me, I
Than povReturning home has never felt like this before. Not in a sense that I’ve been eagerly awaited, which obviously is the case here since everyone around me seems very pleased to see me. What I mean is the feeling that I don’t belong here anymore. It’s not about others, it’s about what has changed within me - it’s deep rooted, captivating, something that has gripped me so hard, I don’t think it will ever let me go. Seth. It has to be the change she has brought me - the sense of belongingness I have whenever I’m around her. With that woman, I feel at peace, wanted, respected and needed. With her I feel everything I don’t have here. Home, on the other hand, hasn’t changed much, if anything at all. The same dark, slimy cave walls, those same faces of the demonic creatures that surround me. I could say something has shifted, but I’m not sure if it’s more my problem than any other. “My Lord, we have been waiting for your next visit. It’s such an honor to be present when the Lord
Sarah povI feel weird. Something about me feels different, but I struggle to pin-point why and if anything has changed. A little obsessed with the need to figure out what has changed, I start by touching my arms and legs. Then, I count my fingers and toes - all intact. I can’t check if anything inside has changed without an x-ray, so I don’t focus on that possibility. A minute of me wondering passes, then three and then I don’t even know how long until I realize something. The voice in my head is gone, it has stopped haunting me, stopped screaming at me and demanding for something. “A-are you there?” I stutter as I whisper into the darkness, but there’s no answer, both from outside the cell and inside my head. “This isn’t funny. Stop messing with me and speak up,” I say, a little louder to appear like I’m challenging the thing, yet still nothing. The only thing that happens is some footsteps in the distance that I hear slowly approach me. Looks like I haven’t been as silent as
Lenox povThe little shit is persistent, that much credit I can give him. I’m not one to grant first chances, let alone second and he sure as fuck doesn’t deserve any, given he kidnapped Luka and all that. However, here I stand, becoming a better man than I ever was and changing my way. Except, the shit head isn’t taking the goddamn hint at all. Lord have mercy on my soul because I’m about to bash someone’s head in with my trusty spoon. Speaking of which, where did I put it? As I start patting down my pockets in search of my magic weapon, the damsel in distress clears his throat and starts nervously scanning the damn surroundings. “What?” I grumble, half-assedly paying attention to him. “Nothing, I’m just worried, you know,” he mutters and casts his gaze down. “Yeah, yeah,” I grunt and give up. “Where the fuck did my spoon go this time?” I shout, a little louder than intended. How am I supposed to make this sacrifice and kick the demonic asses of whatever is on the other side of
Felix pov“Go on, run. Shoo, shoo, little pet, you’re free now. Don’t make me shoot at the sky or some shit just to scare you away. That bullet will come back down and there ain’t no way in flippity flappity fuck hell I’m standing here to accidentally take myself out with it. Nope, ain’t happening.” Lenox mutters in a baby voice. First of all, this approach of his, acting as if I’m some kind of a kid is downright disrespectful. And mean. Yes, mean too. Sure, I didn’t want to follow him at the beginning, but the guy has grown on me now and I really don’t want to watch him head into danger alone. So, like any proper brainless moron, I shake my head and refuse to move for an inch. If this guy is about to die, I’m doing the same. Besides, it’s not like I have anything better to do with my life anyway - why not become an unlike hero, huh?“Come on, man,” Lenox grunts and rolls his eyes. “I’m allowing you to live and see the day your balls finally drop. Don’t take this experience from yo
Lazarus povBy the time Alister finally wakes up, I manage to do a quick trip to the car and back. I grabbed some food and blankets to cover him and in the meantime, I started a fire to warm up some food for us. Every once in a while, I glance at Ophelia and for most part, check her pulse. Babies aren’t supposed to be this calm and sleep this long - she has to eat, but instead, she’s just sleeping. When Alister stirs awake, his eyes instantly seek me out. Once our gazes meet, he flashes me a smile and something within me shatters. That is my son - the little boy who’s been forced to grow up too soon, all thanks to my inability to be the father he deserves. “Dad, why are you sad?” He asks, instantly picking up on the change in my mood. Like the selfish, scared fool I am, I just shake my head in denial. “I’m not sad, just thinking.” Wordlessy, he kicks off the blanket, gets back to his feet and walks closer to me just to plop down next to me. Again, he rests his head against my upp
Luka povLeaving Sarah in the cell has to be close to the hardest thing I have ever had to do. The pleading look on her face, the desperation and sadness in her eyes paired with her words will forever haunt me. As I move through the halls, my mind instantly kicks into the right gear. First and foremost, I need to figure out how to fix this mess and then, we can move along with whatever has to be done next. Rounding the corner, I manage to run into the man she begged me to seek for - Than. “Luka? What are you doing here?” He asks, looking like he has just been caught red-handed, doing drugs or some shit. I raise an eyebrow and remain silent, waiting for an explanation to come, but that doesn’t happen so I groan and shake my head. “I was looking for you, actually.” Than tilts his head, obviously intrigued, “why?” If I wouldn’t be in such a hurry, I would use this moment to fuck around a little, but since we don’t have time for foolish behavior, I get straight to the point. “I went
Lazarus povI have no idea how much time has passed and while I sit here, with a baby in my arms, I can’t help but feel completely fucking useless. My son is in a place I don’t trust. The baby I’m holding keeps sleeping as if she’s in a coma - no signs of life other than the obvious raising and falling of her tiny chest. My wife is locked away, parents do whatever the fuck they do and my brothers - I don’t even have any idea what is up with them both. How the fuck did we get stuck in this loop of madness? Another roar of thunder echoes around me, so I look up at the sky. Perhaps Alister is right - it really looks like the sky is raging because it demands something to be returned. Or, more precisely - someone. I pry my eyes off the sky and look back at the calmly sleeping baby. She’s a thing of beauty - perfection, no matter how long I look at her. Ophelia looks like a mix of Sarah and Lenox, in a way, as if mother nature gifted her the best parts from each parent. At one point, I
Lenox pov“You can’t be serious,” my sidekick gasps. “N-no, y-you just c-can’t,” he starts stuttering as his hand grabs my upper arm and he tries to pull me back. Too bad he doesn’t realise that his strength has nothing on me. No matter how much he tries to hold me back - he simply doesn’t have it in him to stop me. Ever. No army has stopped me before and I don’t plan on changing that. “I’ve made up my mind, my beautiful mutt. Come on, let’s go, we have no time to waste,” I flash him the weakest smile. Truth be told, I don’t want to do this. Really, I don’t. But, by putting my priorities where they really should be, I save them all. And then, the downside is that I’m willingly missing out on my daughter’s future. I won’t be there for her first word, first steps and first milestones. “Totally worth it for as long as we ensure she has a future.” Atlas grumbles. I can’t help but agree with him. “You crazy bastard!” My sidekick snarls. “How can you give up on everything you have? D
Felix povOkay, I might have underestimated how far those bloody shadow forests are. Seriously, it’s already getting dark and I feel like I have been walking for years. It doesn’t help that everything in this part of the forest is starting to merge into one, big mess. I can’t keep track of the times I already tripped on something and I keep doing the same nearly every two steps I take. “Lenox Vincent, where are you? Come here and grab your death tools, I’m tired,” I hiss under my breath but still push forward. If he is already there, doing whatever a crazy person does in the middle of a creepy forest, he needs me to get there as soon as possible. I’m not sure when I changed my opinion of him as someone I need to escape to someone I need to reach as fast as I can, but that doesn’t matter. What does is he can’t do without his tools, the same things I’m carrying around. After another time of nearly kissing the ground, I stop and lean against the tree to rest a little. The water is g