forum Blood Oath (O/O CLOSED)

Started February 21, 2019 by Deleted user

tune

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I jumped out of the way, and my sphere jerked violently. I only just managed to catch it before it splattered all over the ground, pulling it back into its original shape.

We went on like this for a while, and slowly, I began to improve.

“Good, you’re improving,” the teacher nodded. It had been about two hours, so finally he called it a day. “I want you to practice this on your own, and every time you feel like you can manage, increase the spheres you make.”

I nodded, a faint, triumphant smile ghosting over my lips. Rolling my shoulders and shaking out my weak arms, I let the sphere sink back down onto the bucket by my feet. “Thank you, sir. Are there any specific exercises you’d recommend as far as fighting goes?”

"Honestly, what I would recommend is sparring with someone. You spar with the Prince, don't you?" then he paused as if thinking about something. "Speaking of which, how is he doing? He was in a terrible state of mind when he came back from the mission he was sent on. I'm worried about him, especially because he went off the radar without any warning, and he's been refusing to talk about what's happened. Is he doing okay?"

I froze.

What?

Slowly, I raised my head, struggling to mask the shock on my face. My overflowing guilt returned, choking me, sendingbile up my throat. He’d gone off the radar—something must have happened. And I’d sent him away after he’d done nothing but help me.

“I—I was unaware of that, sir,” I stammered. The water at my feet began to churn. “And I haven’t—I haven’t spoken to him much.”

The Water Elite sighed, running a hand through his hair, trying to fight back a curse, not noticing the way Elliot was reacting to the news he'd heard.

"Keep this classified," he said to Elliot. "And if you can, try to find out his progress. Check on how he's doing, and then report to me. I'm… extremely worried about him, but I can't do it without raising suspicion."

I forced the surface of the water to go still.

“I—I’ll do my best. Sir.”

Colton’s POV:

I was feeling much better after training with Key, releasing flames after flames, watching the field burn white. The heat left me suffocated, but I was fine. I felt okay—like I’d had something in my flush out of my system through the white flames.

”Do you feel better now?” Key questioned, breathing heavily, ready to fire another white flame at me. I knew he wanted to tell someone about the witch in my head, but just as I was unable to talk about it, so was he. Both of us were caged up, pressed against the wall like wild animals.

I winced, clutching my head, blinking away the dark spots that covered my vision. I mustered up a nod. I was okay. I was all right.

”Let’s go back,” Key said, walking over to me. ”You need sleep. You haven’t slept in so long, you moronic melon.”

I shot him an amused look.

”Moronic melon? Very creative, Key,” my bondmate scowled at me. ”Anyway, I don’t want to sleep. The more I sleep, the more I feel her crawling up in my mind.”

Key still insisted, and soon he had me on his back, taking me to my chambers. After I left the dorm, I went back to my old room, the one I used when I was a prince. It felt empty, but Key filled it all up.

While we were making our way to my room, I caught sight of familiar, curly hair and I immediately froze.

Hours later, after my classes were over, I was still numb from shock. Missing? Gone off-radar? Something must have happened to him—right? That was why his eyes had gone black and his voice had turned cold. It had to be.

My feet dragging slightly, I trudged up the staircase, headed towards our dorm room, but when I arrived in the wide hallway at the top of the stairs, I locked eyes with none other than Prince Colton.

I looked away immediately, stuffing my hands in my pockets. My heart ached in my chest, but I pretended it didn’t. I heard a laughter ringing in my head, the same insane, ice cold sound that froze my blood and drove me towards madness.

Look who we have here~ the voice purred. The girl who used you. What are you going to do, my pet?

Nothing. I’m going to walk away.

I jumped off of Key, expecting him to shrink. He didn’t. He bit my shirt, trying to keep me in place.

First came a rush of fear. Then came the others—guilt, panic, turmoil. Longing. And I let them each flash across my face, if only briefly. I'm sorry, I thought, but the knot in my throat kept me from speaking, from calling out to him.

Colton.

My eyes followed his every move, but my feet were rooted to the spot. I didn't move a muscle, barely dared to breath. He wouldn't look at me, his face angled in the opposite direction. But I could still see the slice of sunlight illuminating his profile, the curl hanging down above his eye.

Colton. My heart pounded.

I felt my breathing quicken, cold sweat breaking out. Why was I so afraid? Why did I want to run away? I never wanted to run away.

Why did I want to hear my name roll off of her tongue—for her arms to wrap around me, telling me she missed me? I didn’t understand why I was being so stupid. She hated me. She wanted me gone—I was just the son of a psychopath. Someone she had to maneuver around so she’d be safe. Did I ever mean anything to her?

Of course not.

Yes. Of course not.

So why did I still want to see her, to know she was safe and all right?

”Key,” I finally mumbled. ”Let’s go. There’s nothing for us here.”

No. Don't leave—I don't want you to leave anymore.

My mouth went dry. Licking my lips, I wiped the sweat from my clammy hands. I miss you, Colton. I never wanted to hurt you. Would you come back if I asked? There was a whole conversation going on in my head, words ricocheting off the insides of my skull. But I said none of it aloud. How could I? How could I possibly look him in the eye and confess all of that?

He began to turn away from me, and the world slowed. No—No, come back—Don't go— Why couldn't I have gotten telekinesis instead? Or telepathy? I'd take anything if it would make him come back.

Windsong was building up in the back of my throat, swelling in my mouth, forcing open my quivering lips until, before I knew what I was doing, notes had flown out and into the space between us.

"𝓒𝓸𝓵𝓽𝓸𝓷—"

Immediately, I clapped a hand over my mouth "I–I'm sorry—I didn't mean to Sing that—"

I froze, eyes wide as a chill I became so familiar to crawled up my spine right before it vanished. I growled, clenching my fists. Again. I could never get rid of this, would I? The witch and this girl. They just had to have a similar ability, didn’t they?

“What do you want from me?” I tried not to let the pain leak from my voice. “I’ve let you alone. What else do you want now?”

Why are you doing this to me? Show me your beautiful face and then make me watch it twist into fear and disgust? Give me hope that you care and then snatch it back? I get it. I get it, so stop. Leave me alone.

I never wanted you to do that. This whole situation is my fault—I'm sorry. I'm not going to lie, you scare me. I'm terrified of watching your eyes flicker black, I'm terrified by the idea that you could have been looking at me like that while stitching me up. The way your voice went cold? The way a quiet whisper underlined it, as if there were two people speaking at once? You have no idea how much that affected me. And—I'm scared because I've made myself vulnerable to you now, multiple times. I'd be scared even if you were just you, no added demonic effects. Because you've seen a part of me that I've done my best to keep hidden from everyone else. To top it all off, I like you. A lot. I can't stop thinking about you, you're on my mind every second of the day. Do you have any idea what that feels like? It's driving me insane.

But as afraid as I am, I'm also sorry. Colton, I didn't know what guilt felt like until I manipulated you like that, after you'd done nothing but fix me up when no one else could. I miss you. So fucking much. Come back, Colton, I can't stand this silence between us anymore.

I said none of it out loud.

"I—My teacher wanted to know how you were doing," I blurted suddenly, shoving my hands into my pockets. I was sweaty, panicking, and disgusting, and to make matters worse, water was beginning to seep across the carpet at my feet, luckily unnoticeable to anyone who wasn't standing in it. Around us, the plumbing pipes creaked and groaned, straining against the churning water within them.

I let out a laugh, shaking my head, lips twisted into a cruel smile. Of course. What did I expect? What was I even thinking? There was no way she’d actually care enough to call for me. Of course the only reason she approached me was because someone asked her to. And of course she was scared. She should be. I’m a monster. I’ve got a freak in my head that controls me, and I don’t even know when it’d set off.

My poor child… I keep telling you, but you don’t ever listen…

I know. I’m sorry. You’re right. You’re always right.

“Well, I suppose you can go and tell him,” I replied back bitterly. “Now that you’ve seen how I am.”

I still wouldn’t look at her. I still couldn’t make myself do it. I wanted to hold her, crumble into her arms. I wanted help, wanted someone to tell me I was safe. That she couldn’t get me anymore. I wanted these voices to go away. I wanted to just disappear.

Her eyes, her breathtaking eyes flashed in my mind and I forced myself to not look into them. I wondered if they still twinkled from joy. The same thing I’d taken away from her.

Or maybe it wasn’t real, either. I don’t even know why I think it was. I don’t even understand myself anymore? I wanted to get out of here before I lost control. Before that witch took over me again. Before I said something I would regret.

Every time he spoke, bullets flew. A crack ran right down the centre of my heart as pain, actual, physical pain burst through my chest. No. That's not how I meant it—Goddammit, why can't you see? Why can't I tell you?

He wouldn't even look at me, as if he couldn't bear to see my face. Colton. Please. His eyes remained downcast. I didn't ask because of him. I care. I want to know. I want to help you—I'm so sorry for causing this.

And I almost said so. But, even as my lips moved to form words, no sound came out. "I'm sorry. For everything." But I had only mouthed it, and he still refused to meet my eyes. "Come back. I miss you." No reaction—and why should there be any? I was speaking to a deaf person, signing to a blind man.

In the end, I only nodded and whispered a broken "Alright." I willed him to raise his head, to take notice of how my voice trembled. I willed him to step forward, to take me into his arms. But none of that happened.

No. Don’t say that. Please don’t say that. Tell me something else. Tell me you miss me, that you want me. Tell me how terrible you’re feeling without me. Just say anything but please don’t let me walk away.

She didn’t. She didn’t stop me, she didn’t say anything else. Just that quiet whisper of an ‘all right.’ How much more truth do you need, you stupid prince, before you realize you’re not wanted?

I finally turned around, but Key began to tug on my shirt.

”Cole, she said she’s sorry,” he said urgently. ”She mouthed it. She misses you. She wants you to go back.”

I scowled at Key.

”Even you…” I muttered out loud for Key to hear. ”There’s a limit to how much a person can take, Key, and I’ve far exceeded it. We’re leaving.”

He turned away from me. Exchanged a few words with Key. All I heard was "We're leaving," and my heart shattered. I could sense the water all around us, in the walls, the ceiling, the floors. A pipe beneath us exploded—but I couldn't hear it, only feel it, the water trickling between insulation and wooden floorboards.

But all that mattered was Colton. Who was about to walk away, about to leave me alone in the middle of the hallway. NO—Stay—I'm begging you—

Another pipe exploded.

I almost jumped when a pipe exploded, water rushing out. What on Earth was she trying to do?

It was when I finally looked at her did my heart stop beating. She looked so pained, so heartbroken, standing there. I could see the clear desperation in her face, the utter panic taking root.

I didn’t know what to do. Would she attack if I approached her? But why did I even wanted to do that, when I even knew I was unwanted?

“Elle…” I started slowly, my feet rooted in my spot. “Stop. Just stop. What do you want? I can give it to you, so long as you control your ability.”

I know that, that wasn’t the best thing to say, but what else could I do? Hug her? That was the one thing I couldn’t do, no matter how much I wanted to.

Shit.

That shouldn't have happened. My stupid powers, my inability to keep control, it was going to kill me one day. Barely thinking before I acted, I jumped back from the wall and plastered a shocked expression to my face. "I–I didn't do that—" The lie was surprisingly convincing, even to me. But when I turned my head, eyes searching for his, my heart stopped beating.

He was looking at me.

He was looking at me, and he looked so heartbroken and devastated……. My stomach dropped.

Panic flashed across her eyes the second out eyes locked and I was instantly mesmerized. I felt myself getting lost in the way they widened a fraction. I noticed the lines on her face, her sunken bones—was she not eating well? Was she not sleeping well? Why were there dark bags under her eyes?

“What are you doing to yourself?” I found myself murmuring out loud, heart hammering wildly in my chest. I almost wanted to laugh at the thought that ran through my mind. Why would I be the cause of her appearance? Why would he be treating herself like this because she missed me?

"What are you doing to yourself?" he whispered, almost to himself.

My blood ran hot and cold, all at the same time. You're doing this to me. The thought of you, anyways. Do you have any idea what it's like, to want someone this badly, but know that you can never have them because of everything you've done? Because they'd never fall for you in the first place? Maybe you do, but not because of me. You hate me, I know. And…. I understand. I hate me, too. I just wish it didn't have to be this way.

Oh, how I wished that I could transmit my thoughts, broadcast them into his mind. But I only took the tiniest step backwards, swallowing. "I don't know what you're talking about. And—I could ask you the same thing."

I opened my mouth to speak, but a flash of pain interrupted me. I immediately looked away, wincing, resting my hand on Key’s head to balance myself. No. Don’t come. Please, for God’s sake just let me live this moment by myself. I beg of you.

You greedy child… you want a lot of things, don’t you?

I’m sorry. Yes. Please.

Wanting is different, but greed is not… how should I punish you, child, for always demanding things without giving something in return?

I shook my head, trying to dispel the crazy, insane voice from my head.

“Is that all, Elliot?” I finally found myself asking, trying to pretend nothing happened. “Or was there something else you wanted from me?”

My face shut down, a wall of blankness crashing down once I realized that my hurt was practically written across it. Don't call me that—I want to hear you say my name. My real name. I want to hear it from your beautiful lips.

Slipping my hands out of my pockets, I wrapped them around my middle, studying him for a second before tearing my attention away. Had I really broken him that badly? The answer was evidently yes.

"I don't want anything from you, Colton," I answered quietly, and this time, I was the one to avert my eyes. That's a lie, and we both know it.

Her lips parted and I couldn’t help but be transfixed. What was she doing to me? Why was I reacting this way? God damn it, why was it possible for one person to do so much to me?

Her face went blank and I instantly missed the expression she was making, because it made me feel like she wanted me just as much as I was beginning to want her.

My mind went completely blank at the trail of thought. Want. What was I saying? Why was I wanting these things? Was I that stupid? We were worlds apart. I was a monster and she was just a girl lost in a world where women couldn’t do what they wanted without fear of execution. Why was I, a freak, desperate to have a flower?

“If that’s so… then why aren’t you walking away?”

I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't bear the sensation of my throat closing up, of his words crushing the air of my lungs. Water began to drip down from the ceiling, heightening my already overflowing panic, and it was all I could do not to break. My heart was a teacup trying to hold an ocean of guilt and longing inside—how on earth was I supposed to handle it?

So I didn't. I didn't handle it. I just squared my shoulders, inhaled shakily, and let my legs carry me away.

She walked away. That was it. The final proof. I was truly unneeded. Worthless. Unwanted. Unnecessary unless there was someone to sacrifice. I couldn’t feel Key leading me into my room. I couldn’t feel anything until I was in my room, and that was when a cold laugh escaped my lips. It got louder and louder until there was a second deeper, darker voice mixed into it. I rested my face in my hand, the crazy smile on my face getting larger.

”Col… Colton?” Key tried calling out my name, but it only increased the feeling inside of me. The string keeping me back finally snapped. Darkness flooded me until I tumbled into the welcoming insanity, the dark pit I was so familiar with.

”Ahhh… this hurts…” I whispered through my fit of laughter, eyes wide, completely blank. ”This hurts so bad, but I suppose that’s how it’s supposed to be, huh?”

I didn’t exit from the pit of darkness.

I pushed my back against the closed bedroom door behind me, sinking to the floor. What have I done? I'd messed everything up. Badly—and now more than ever, I was afraid that there was nothing I could do to fix it. Burying my head in my arms, I let a few tears slip down my cheeks. Every time I closed my eyes, he was there, his face twisted into that same broken expression…

How long I sat there, trembling in the dark, I didn't know, but at some point, I felt small wings wrap around me. Scylla. Another tear traced its way down my cheek.

Hours or minutes later—my grasp on time was long gone by now—I lifted my head, and my jaw went slack. I han't run into my room.

I'd run into Colton's.