3 comments/ 13018 views/ 0 favorites Forsaken By: jozef_the_dragon "On this dark, stormy night I travel lost and alone; in the shadows I roam. Through the labyrinth of mortal decay further down the spiral each day as hopes slowly slip away. These twisting, empty streets my home, drown in filth paved with blood. What kind of Beast have I become? To live in nothing, to feast on pain: Have I lost it, gone insane this mystery remains. This question remains the same. My Fate is lost, my path unknown, my history has been shown. The stars no longer project my future, my destiny has not been written. So I walk, my sword across my back, from town to town in search of answers, the end or the beginning." He paused in thought as he lit a cigarette, a new problem at hand. With empty buildings and empty streets to the left, and to the right or up the dilapidated building to shelter he pondered. He drew a deep breath, drawing the sweet intoxicating smoke into his lungs. It filled him with a rush of satisfaction, calming his exhausted mind and dulling the pain. He cursed beneath his breath; the bitter winds then hurled his duffel bag with all the strength he could yet endure. It crashed heavily upon the rusty steal high above; with a deep sigh he prepared himself for the climb. "Home is where your head rests." He shivered. Another day another night it's all the same. Nothing is ever changed; knowledge and wisdom come with age, then I must be ancient, the elder at the gate. I am trapped in this private hell or grim nightmare, which, I cannot wake. The agony of Life, the elusive mystery of Death, was there no end. Each is the other or are they the same, it's to late; the stress. He taxed the last of his endurance to reach the rotting eve, wrapping his coat ever more secure around his trembling mass, half frozen and drenched. The bitter winds cutting through him to the bone, combined with driving rains in threats of drowning his soul. But then he found the vile. From his inner pocket he drew forth the delicate glass with beautiful silver overlay and golden dragons. The silver catching the light of the flashing skies to grant it a living aura, unexplained and undreamed unto mortals. He gently removed the cork to take a small sip then replaced it in his pocket. In the span of a few breaths the bitter elements were forgotten, as the fierce chill melting to the growing infernos of this sweet drug. His mind began to ease then melted through the hidden cracks of reality. A new power, a force, surged through him filling him, consuming him in threatening desire: It beckoned. In that instant he became aware of everything, all was now his as reality churned and shifted, then shattering to crumble down around him. The jagged shards of memories and broken dreams fell together in his mind as everything became nothing and nothing became real. Welcome to Paradox, reveal in Chaos, Anarchy the only rule. From somewhere deep within a voice echoes across the wind, faint at first then drawn near, filled with the essence of fear. A desperate call, in desperate flight, redemption and revenge upon unseen lips echoed to his ears across the void of Night. A lost soul trapped in eternal night. Chased to the very ends of mortal life, Time at last to stand and fight. Rise upon the fiery wings of Rage; misery and fury feed the pain. Let it all out, it will explode. Give in to the Beast! Let it all go! With newfound strength he vaulted from his lofty perch, to land heavily upon the flooded streets below. His senses in a whirl as new information rushed upon his now hyper mind. The sent of fear and suffering thick on the biting wind, and desperate calls unanswered, echoing across the darkness. His body ridged with anticipation as he searched hungrily for the source of this misery. He melted into the night, a shadow consumed in darkness; he traveled, unseen and unheard. The chilling embrace of emptiness wrapped him in comforting void, echoing the forbidden pleasures, and granting him the will of rage. The broken world now complete, contained hidden messages of the night, clearly displayed to him in black and white. The gentle whispers of the wind now clear; everything was his and bathed in sin. Images of combat, flashes of a broken past, glimpses of forgotten dreams, the icy kiss of Madness, rising from the void on molten wings. This hurricane of mixed emotion and churning memories, raising a storm of nightmares and chaos to devastate sheltered boundaries, in a violent upheaval of his wounded soul. The wicked terrors and demonic fantasies washed over and through him with devastating force to warp his mind in devilish desires. A cauldron of erotic images drenched in blood, woven on flesh, stitched with barbed wire. The sweet forbidding desires of flesh and blood. A cold, physical darkness devoured him in a painful shroud of broken sanity everything he knew melting in nothingness. An unnatural shadow of decay, empty but not void, as he could feel it stir around him in its own primal dementia. He settled into this strange, unnerving darkness, its mystery numbing his senses. When from the fearful emptiness a gentle touch, warm and unknown in his long deprived emotion. He shuddered, tremors and icy tendrils curling slowly through his deadened senses bringing life back into this near frozen vessel. His mind reveled in the possibility of life, in dream neither awake nor asleep but balanced between the planes. But this fanciful realization shattered as his instincts surged forth. He awoke with a jolt of alertness and leapt to his feet, like a startled beast, sword drawn as he pierced the darkness in desperation. His sharpened senses scanning the dense shadows to reveal, nothing. He relaxed, confused by this unexplained disruption and found he was half naked. His heavy coat and tattered wool sweater missing, allowing the freezing moisture to cling on unprotected flesh. The small room in which he was now confined was simple and empty with no doors or windows. The place resembled a tomb, locked deep in the bowels of the earth. But as he searched deeper into the dark, misty gloom a small figure slowly became visible. There, cowering in the corner to his right, a small body, trembling with cold or fright but wrapped snugly in his clothes. He sheathed his heavy broadsword and cautiously crept across the smooth concrete for a closer inspection. He was confused and lost, hoping this new but strange companion could help answer this most disturbing mystery. He searched through his pockets finding his crumpled cigarettes and striking his only match, alerting her of his presence. She jumped up instantly taking a defensive pose, ready for combat. Her fierce gaze locked on him but through the darkness, she was blind. Like a desperate animal she backed cautiously against the wall waiting for another sign from her visitor. "Who are you and what are you doing with my clothes?" Raven barked sarcastically. "I could ask you the same, what are you some kind of perv'?" her voice frightened. "How about you sharing that smoke, and we can talk about what you are." She shifted trying to relax a little, then added, "Where are we" He scoffed, forced a laugh then with one final puff, and passed the cigarette over to her, "Congratulations. It takes talent to steal a man's clothes while he's asleep. Had a lot of practice?" He smirked. But before she could answer the whole room shook violently as some frightful nightmare beyond the wall roared slamming its body into the bricks. The sudden forceful impact caused him to jump and reach instinctively for his sword with blurring quickness. To his horror he found it was gone. He looked at her confused to see her smiling happily. "A friend of yours?" she laughed, as the wall gave way in its second assault. Raven turned back in time to see the wall give way. The morter and brick crumbled away. He gazed in surprised fascination, beyond the wall, a portal deep and onto its own dimension, and the reflection of a monster shrouded in the darkness. The woman's laughter was growing hysterical, reverberating in his ears. When from the darkness came a pair of glowing green eyes, it let out a deep growl announcing its rage. Awaking him with start, a frigid torrent washed over him. Now soaked to the core and exposed to the elements he had no energy to think of this dreadful nightmare. He worried now of freezing before a safe shelter could be found. So cursing his luck he gathered his duffel bag and with a deep sigh leapt from his lofty perch to splash heavily upon the flooded streets. With a sigh and a string of curses he stumbled into the night, cold and alone. The driving winds and freezing rains punished him, Pestilence weighed down upon his soul. His breath came in raged gasps as he fought back the cold that was desperate to freeze the blood in his veins. His muscles locked in agonizing cramps and joints denied him, while the merciless elements grew fiercer. It seemed the world was desperate for his demise. This combined misery of his entire existence, and the hopelessness of despair wrapped bitterly around his mind in a vise-like grip. He silently wish for some release, be it by life or by death he prayed. He knew the impossibility of surviving this harsh assault; the elements were too fierce for even his immoral endurance. He summoned the last of his strength, stumbling up the rain slick steps of a condemned building and with one fluid motion drew his great broadsword. He smashed through the guarding bars like rotten planks, as muscles constricted beneath the strain, locking his brittle joints and sending him headlong, unconscious to the dusty but dry tile floor. "And I'm, in." * * * The muttering voices of a long forgotten past drifted to his ears, their painful scorns and cries of misery sending him down a dark spiral of dreadful nightmares. Memories of a life long ago, or a life yet to come danced through his mind like razors, each eerie voice hauntingly familiar. Each agonizing image cut deeper into his emotions. The venomous taste of madness lingered upon his parched palate, a searing dream or frightful reality. He was utterly lost in the dark depths of his own misery, consumed and drowning in the sins of forever. 'Welcome to Chaos, revel in Anarchy, Paradox the only Rule! In this room, silent and still, in the Dark I feel the chill as demons scream they call out loud. Pierce my mind, claw my soul, sweet symphony of misery, their suffering I now know. They come to me in my Dream, I dare to Wake, devour this pain and do not Break. My nerves shatter, my body falls my mind is open and knowledge flows. A new energy surges through my veins, Darkness seed takes root and begins to grow. Down the path of shadows and gloom, the nightmares rise, my soul they consume. Freedom is misery drowning in pain beneath the wave's agony, a symphony of screams, and the beautiful suffering deep within, sail upon the oceans of SIN. Welcome to the Labyrinth, lost within the Spiral, submerged in Fear, the Beast is here taking hold, tearing out my soul. Welcome to Hell, our new home. Farewell to the Flesh, surrender my soul, open ourselves to let it all go. For I am Chaos, the passion within wrapped securely in the endless depths of mystery. In this, you call Madness, I see it All. Hope is lost to pestilence, thus your misery my suffering is our pain. Reality crumbles into the sea, forever, eternity of insanity. As dreamers wake to mysteries untold, this is the Labyrinth of Chaos, spiraling into Hell! But to answer the Devils summoning call, is to surrender it All.' * * * A hauntingly familiar voice erupted from the darkness to clutch his mind in panic with terror freezing his heart. A furious wrath washed upon him from the depths of the forgotten. He trembled helpless before this beastly wrath, fear and rage surging through his veins as the darkness cleared, the voice now a face. A tearful sob escaped his quivering lips, a cry for mercy to be answered with a vengeful roar and braided leather. The strap lashed out to crack fiercely upon naked flesh. He cried out in burning agony, pleading for mercy, praying for death. His mourning sobs mixed with the echoing assault to send chills crawling across burning flesh. This brought fresh tears staining his face. These tears flowed unchecked leaving him gasping for breath, as the strap again fell upon him with increasing force. He choked, his breath escaped in volatile spasms, the pain pulsing across tender nerves. He could hear the serpentine hiss; pierce the darkness again and again to bestow its bitter kiss. He could feel each fiber of his flesh open beneath this devils tongue from which there was no escape. Then at last to exhausted to fight he lay helpless, unflinching to further attack. Broken and numb with agonizing bliss, he could only cry. "Forgive me son," came a dry, broken whisper, "but I must cleanse you of the demons. You have been communing with the devil. There is purity in pain, your salvation lies in degradation, denounce this evil and be free from the devil." His tears turned to blood; forceful sobs were wracking his defeated body and wounded soul. Brought to the very brink of mortal endurance, he could only lay in submissive silence. The raw twine chewed through the tender flesh of his wrists and ankles as he struggled to escape, the splintered planks prodded and left thick chips deep under his skin. The iron nails, tore deep, seeking the fount of his life as the noose of ivy constricted his parched throat. "The devil put those marks upon your chest boy! The devil gave you those powers, and by god and Jesus you shall be purified and taken into heaven." Spoke the rasping whisper hot and moist with drunken lust stroking the rim of his ear. He knew that voice, but was this real or some dreaded flash back of a nearly forgotten past rising from the pits of his shattered memories. This nightmare was real, now he could remember; his chest bore a pattern, a scar, which held some frightful secret. A mystery that he could not explained. He now heard the mumbled prayers of his drunken father in some vain attempt to bless his own madness. The smell of cheap vodka and stale tobacco wafted to his senses in pungent waves, burning his bleeding eyes. He could endure it no longer when something inside him began to rise. His fear fed this beast within his soul turning tears to rage. A new misery now poured upon him as his father splashed open wounds with alcohol. He could feel this cold liquid slowly cascade down his aching muscles, granting mild relief until it kissed his open scars. This bitter acid seemed to slowly consume every fiber of every nerve in its long trek, delaying the true misery to come. He could feel its fire slowly burn through flesh to attack his weakened soul. He tried to fight, tried to open his eyes and when he did the world was like never before. Now bathed in blood, the aura of death was a hanging shroud draping vividly across his eyes. But as it began to settle, a voice beckoned him from the void. Perched on the great alter before him, a raven. Its yellow eyes staring into the depths of his, and at that moment they became one. The monster growing inside him raged in escape. * * * Slowly, painfully consciousness filtered through a frozen vessel, melting the ice of hardened muscles allowing a pulse. As each fiber began to loosen the sluggish flow of life renewed, coursing coldly through frigid tracks. With each rhythmic beat forcing the thaw, icy sludge became life once again. After several long moments nerves awoke sending waves of electric energy across empty flesh. Muscles began to constrict and relax, to break the layers of accumulated ice. It wasn't long and the faint spark of life returned to cold empty eyes locked in unseeing stare. Lungs once again drew breath completing the cycle of reanimation; life flowed through the vessel increasing stale consciousness. The mind slowly awoke. He could feel the thin layers of frost solid upon his flesh; movement was nearly impossible, as he forced stiffened muscles to react. Straining he lifted his arm to clear the crystal shards from blind eyes. It took several moments before vision returned, and he observed the situation. Half frozen and locked to the floor he gathered all his strength in a desperate attempt to rise. The agony of reanimation hammered inside his mind throbbing against his skull with deafening force to blur unsure vision, robbing him of balance. He lurched on weakened joints using his sword for support. Cursing beneath ragged gasps he staggered forward to fall upon rusting steps half rotten with age, held together with paint. With a sigh, Raven lit a cigarette, steadily cursing the cold and rain. But as he looked down to inspect this first step he found cold fingers playing upon his scared chest. Perhaps it was more than a nightmare. Could this scar truly have special properties? He shook his head in disbelief and stumbled up the long flights. But the question still haunted him, how long had he carried this mark? What had caused such a scar? As he traced it every detail he remembered, it was perfectly even etched deep into his flesh with each line linked more like a brand than a scar. But who had applied it, and why? He tried to shake this battery of questions by searching for safe haven, something hidden, and something dark. He found his way up several flights of shaky steps before heading out through the dense shadows. The searches for sanctuary lead him to a large apartment long forgotten by mortal society. It was filled with ancient furniture and large mirrors but he was more impressed by the large fireplace in the far wall. Without delay he cleared a path by throwing broken pieces into the pit, and then began the task of building a small but warm fire. He stripped to the waist and using his heavy broadsword smashed the dry timber into kindling. In just a few moments he sparked a warm blaze. When he was sure of its flame he hung his damp clothes over the mantle, and warmed chilled flesh. Thanking the Goddess in a silent prayer he searched his duffel for the old bread and dried meat. By the dancing light he examined his "devils" mark. Lost in its mystery he slowly drifted to sleep. Warmly wrapped in heavy drapes he found at long last, comfort and peace. When at last he awoke the sun was sinking below the towers of glass and steal, it had been a long time indeed since he had seen the day. Now rested and warm with life, the task began again to build a fire. With that completed it was time to sharpen his weapons and give thanks to the Goddess for this bounty. The time passed quickly, and before long the fire had begun to die down, casting eerie shadows across the room. These dancing fiends brought to his attention the heavy chains and sharp hooks dangling from the rafters. These dreadful instruments of torture gleamed coldly in the flickering light and brought fantasies of bloodlust to his already grim thoughts. He smiled sadistically at the double and triple barbs that hung silently in the shadows just beyond the fires reach. "Welcome, home." spoke a menacing whisper. But then as he repeated it softly the misery trapped in the stale air bled through and the suffering of countless victims echoed from the dark. He turned back to the fire, tossing more antique wood into its hungry maul, watching it wearily. How he wished the consuming blaze could devour the pain of his past as easily. With the flame as a guide that tired soul escaped into the smoke, to raise high in meditation. The baneful cries of death beckoned. 'Claw out my eyes; Afraid of what I've seen, nails driving through my brain: Cannot hear, my screams grow faint; walking in madness. It all slips away, Cannot walk in shadows dim light. My path is dark: more black than night. Blind without sight, eerie shadows dance. Dance in madness: candle burning bright, Candle burning: consumed in night. Faint light banish fear; cannot escape the baneful cries as demons calling. All I hear on wings molten pitch take flight and search the dark. Blinding light: burning curse I say farewell flesh. Heaven's rule all in shadow suspended in dusk, winter twilight: forever UN-LIFE devils pawn and hell's saint. Mysteries unknown, hidden, lost and unforgiven. Baptism of blood, bathed in SIN damn me father, I'll never give in. Release the hounds; I am the BEAST suspended forever in winter twilight eternally night.' Forsaken Ch. 02 The emptiness was invaded as the void shattered in fiery splinters of burning pain, each stabbing deeper, penetrating the shroud of comforting death. Distant screams rumbled through the darkness, stirring life in a once desolate vessel. From the fractured remains of reality consciousness slowly filtered through bringing with it the consuming despair of defeat. In the shadows of the mind nightmares of the forgotten arose on the leathery wings of sin, draping the soul in fear. Consumed beyond the breaking point, too late to turn back, Tara opened her eyes to horror. With sight came the agonizing reality, this monster was above her forcefully inserting sharp barbs deep into tender flesh, electrifying live nerves. Its sadistic smile and glowing eyes burning into her soul, clutching her heart in the icy strands of terror, Tara tried not to scream. She bit down hard upon her lip fighting back the cries welling in her throat, and the scorching pain that smashed down with vengeful force. Her senses drown in misery as she plummeted deep into the dark recesses of uncontrollable sorrow. "I smell your suffering and it is, sweet! Now where is the child?" this monstrosity sickly mewed. "Answer me, bitch!" It demanded, pulling the heavy chains tight. "You suffer so beautifully, your pain is divine," It cooed brushing the hair from her face and sniffing at her breath. Her body wracked in violent spasms, the rusted barbs feeding deeper into her flesh and tearing through tender nerves. She could feel this creature behind her staring into her memories, its glowing eyes burrowing through her mind like a hungry wyrm. Tara could smell its pleasure, its exotic bloodlust for pain. The demon consumed her in suffering, its passions washing over her broken and crucified vessel in hot waves. The tight wires were pulling at her soul; the heavy chains bound her in blissful despair and smothered her thoughts in blood. She could not scream, stitched in torment pestilence wrapping her in its bitter embrace. Suspended in pain, her terrors now complete. Her mind at the brink of collapse, desperate Tara fought back the cries for release. Her soul trembled under the strain as violent convulsions ravaged her distressed senses until at last the empty void surrounded her with contorting bliss. Welcome to Paradox! "You look so lonely, tell me were you hid the child." It mewed, forcing its razor talons deep into her. The demonic monster assaulted her body, raping her mind. Tara summoned the last of her strength to rise; now face-to-face she smiled coldly, "You better stop. You're getting me all excited." She mocked his fury and his pleasure by flexing and straining against her bounds. It roared lifting her by the barbs, threatening to tear her apart, "Does that hurt nice, my little girl? You like the feeling of your flesh stretched; do you quiver when lifted by your soft parts? Well my beautiful and charming lady, you are going to love this!" It smiled to her, drawing a small bottle from the inner layers of its leather armor. It gripped her face with demonic talons, smiling affectionately to expose the rows of sharpened fangs. "This is a little something special just for you. Hope you enjoy it as much as I'm going to." Then carefully it opened her trembling lips, and held the bottle high, "Drink up," it said pouring the nauseous sludge down her throat. Tara choked on the bittersweet ichors, gagged but unable to spit she was suffocating on the harsh fluid she was forced to swallow. She was instantly aware of toxin and the dreadful propose, it bit deep into her numbing senses. But before she could deny it her senses failed, her soul collapsed upon itself drowning in a sea of Madness. The dark void cracked, chaos pouring through from somewhere beyond erupting forth in violence. Broken images of a life long passed, forgotten on the frayed ends of sanity crashed. She fell. Its twisted features contorted into a grim smile of satisfaction as it watched patiently the toxins quickly consumed her weakened mind. When at last she fell limp into her restraints it was able to stare deep into the now endless reassesses of her mind. With one talented paw it gently stroked the matted hair from her face and lifted her head to pry through her memories. With violent determination it tore down all her barriers, ravaging her thoughts, rapping her soul. A voice cried out from the churning depths of infinity and then fell silent and everything crashed into nothing. Comforting Death, open your arms to thee. Sweet oblivion, welcome me into your eternal grace. *** Where once was nothing, now a dreadful rhythm ringed true. What it was was all it could be; a living pulse, granting life once again. Now aware as flesh began to knit, the broken shards moved away to allow his lungs resurrecting breath. Raven was numb and his flesh felt almost alien. Aware only of some terrible threats distant and far away, yet too close for escape, he must stand; he must fight. Vengeance! Shattering the tranquil void with raw furry as muscles burned, a violent storm erupting forth not to be restrained. All that was ever human in him was now no more, only the primal Beast of Rage. When responsive consciences returned, Raven was on his knees, braced drunkenly against his sword. His shirt gone, his muscles blazing and weary, as he gasp for a breath. The events that brought him to this fatigued state unclear like some dreadful nightmare half forgotten: the mind unwilling to remember. Raven lifted his head, this simple action straining his senses, as reality became clear. This scene, which displayed before him the fear, he fought desperately to deny. He shut his eyes tight trying to remember or fighting to forget the world outside. The woman from his earlier nightmare was now real, just as he remembered her, strong and proud wrapped snuggly in his coat. Was this some mad dream in which he failed to escape, or had he fallen into her fears? The image of the portal still lingered in the back of his mind, her laughter fading inside his throbbing skull. Reality had gone mad, the boarders of dreams obscured. Was he now the dreamer or the frightened dream? The monster was destroyed, it corpse lay broken and scattered across the room; the female lay wrapped in his coat, unconscious. Did she rescue him, his thoughts still clouded? The battle was fierce but yet he bore no wounds. His naked flesh bathed in gore, his thick mane matted with blood still fresh in the chill of night. He cursed beneath his ragged breath then carefully gathered his things, drawing from his duffel bag a heavy sweater. With the gentle care of a parent he cradled her in his arms removing them from these ruins of death. Raven moved quickly through the halls, his eyes pierced the darkness to reveal the path before them. He stumbled not as he charged through pitch corridor, senses alert to even the most faint of disturbances. He carried her to the basement, cautious to leave no evidence of their passing. He wanted no surprise visitors from anything else that could be tracking this beautiful stranger. Once in the basement he carefully pried open the boiler, here they could be safe from the rising sun. Here they could be aware of every sound echoing above. Raven quickly placed her inside the great iron tomb, still wrapped warmly in leather. As he laid her gently upon the far wall their flesh touched for the first time. Raven was aware instantly of her entire existence, her heart and soul poured openly into his. He could hear a child crying in the distance. A child frightened and alone was crying silently in the shadows, its fear not the safety of itself, but security of this stranger. He knew these things, but how he could not explain. Raven knew this child feared him; he could sense the bond between them as they shared every experience. He could see the hidden location through her eyes as if he were somehow able to share this mental link. So not wasting time he hurried to rescue this innocence from whatever dark fate lie with the rising sun. Once satisfied that she would be safe, Raven set out to rescue the frightened child. When he reached the location, the child still huddled in the shadows; tears stained her dirty face. She displayed no fear of this towering stranger, as if to say without words, I accept our fate. When their eyes met she reached out to touch this giant's heart, the scar he could not explain. "Fear not child, I've come to help. Come on we must hurry," spoke the stranger as he offered his hand. Without hesitation their flesh touched. It was like lightning striking his brain; Raven knew the secrets, which the female fought so desperately to protect. He understood something without knowing; the shock of such sudden interpretations sent his mind reeling. Only the mission was clear, to protect this child until the final death of his very soul. *** Tara awoke from the sleep of death to small hands gently stoking her matted hair. Her last memory that of her own tortured demise, as demons cried on leather wings of death. She opened her eyes to see only darkness and her heart sank, as she feared the worst. What prison could they be trapped, for she was sure of their death. "Fear not child, I've come to help," echoed inside her churning thoughts as the haze began to part. The comfort of these images calmed her panic stricken reasoning. Her eyes began to focus in the dim shadows to reveal the iron tomb in which they huddled. The child harbored no fear in her expression as their eyes met. Tara knew what had happened. Through their bond Tara saw the events of the torture from a source unknown, and watched as the image became a haze of fury. She saw the true horror of the events unfold as if she herself committed these acts. The stranger was now visible; the child had witnessed him. A giant emerged from the shadows like some spectral being, offering his hand and his heart together in that instant. Tara knew everything about this heroic giant; from his past to the reasons he arose from death to protect her and then her child. His motives were his own, but brought not by selfish reason. All this was clear in the instant their eyes met, but now she searched the boundaries of her vision and the stranger could not be seen, or his presence felt. They were alone. The stranger had left them; if he should return was yet uncertain. Her thoughts now on survival for neither her nor the child had eaten. The hunger was consuming her. She must feed. She quickly rummaged through the things left by her captor finding a sweater and pants both worn ragged with a multitude of repairs. She didn't hesitate to dress pulling the tattered garments over her scarred and battered body. Then gathering the child in her arms set out to hunt the dark streets of urban decay. *** When Raven returned, he found the gates open and the pair gone. His things had been scattered across the room his only sweater missing with a change of old Levi's. Raven shook his head and settled down for a sparse meal. It didn't concern him, their hasty departure, after all what was he if not a stranger to a stranger. Raven did wish to know her name. Raven gathered his things packing them again into his duffel bag then set off alone into the dark unknown. The cold streets beckoning him, the night his home, he walked. Yet his thoughts kept returning to the beautiful stranger whose soul was displayed. The link, which she and the child shared, perplexed him; he began to wonder if this child could have performed this same miracle upon his vulnerable psyche. He tried not to think about it, the perils of this urban jungle kept his senses alert no energy to worry about such trivial matters. Still he couldn't help but wonder. Raven traveled the desolate streets, drifting through various stages of consciousness until at last his curiosity broke the barrier. Cursing the idea and himself, he stopped under the protection of this decrypted building to try and find an answer to this plaguing onslaught. His mind opened, welcoming in the night in all its passionate glory and spanning the gulfs of time and distance. Through this gate all became his as knowledge flowed into him, voices on the bitter winters wind. Raven now experienced the world as she; the bridge granting to him the word as her senses did interpret. This new wonder filled him with emotions not his own as her life now his in every detail. The vivid experience sending icy chills down his spine. A frightening bond to such passionate lusts that he welcomed. The hungry desires of her immortal soul still yearned beyond depths dare tempted by human expression. In this dream state, he left his own body far behind and unaware to the dangers, which did rise against him. He never heard their approach, could not smell their retched aroma nor could he escape the dreadful blow. In his dream he fell unaware. His mind swam in fantasies, not his own as all he knew crumbled and crashed, and dreams and lust converged to suspend him in this sadistic turmoil. Lost in the storm of memories, drifting within dreams, he was aware. Mindful these fantasies were not his own. The emotion, the passion so alive yet so alien, things he could never experience. When from the chaos an image became clear. The image was of him; bathed in blood, a beast consumed in rage and weak to this strangers touch. It now glared at him with fierce eyes, peering deep into his naked soul. It spoke without words, calling forth a terrible challenge. Fear clutched his heart and cold fury erupted. Blind rage glared coldly from this horrid beast before him. Icy orbs black as pitch burning void like razors upon his mind. Together they locked in fierce embrace, each battling for domination. This demon, a creature of fantasy and fear, erupted with brutal determination. Together they fell. Dreamers trapped in dreams. The beast, lacking discipline attacked, unrestrained and unpredictable. Raven moved in fluid grace, feeling the raw power of each passing blow. His body flowed beneath the deadly assault. He stood little chance, his skill and reflexes proved futile, but only encouraging this nightmare. He saw the attack and knew nothing could defeat what it was he battled. The razor talons passed through his defenses, piercing flesh and shattering bone to clutch his still beating heart. Each howled their miserable pains, suffering in their victories of agonizing defeat. The eerie song erupted forth destroying the brittle silence. Together they fell as one, prisoners of self; Victims. When at last his eyes opened, the sky was painfully gray in winter's sunrise. Cursing the dawn, he lurched to his feet. His head wrapped in the tendrils of this disorientating nightmare. He found himself in the street, near frozen and naked, his black hair crusted with his own blood. The physical wounds from the attack already healed, the damage on fragile pride still bled. Raven spat a villainous string of curses gathering what remained of his scattered duffel bag. Dressing in tattered remnants of once fine attire and suffering the disgrace of indignity. Damn heathens, he thought, gathering what remained of his possessions. He reached for his cigarettes to find the last one bent and broken. Frustration mounted as he unleashed a string of obscenities and checked his inner pocket for what remained of his meager funds. A sigh of relief escaped parched lips in finding both his money and the jeweled vial untouched. *** Drawn by visions she could not explain, and twisting within the labyrinth of her eternal hunger Tara stalked the hallow night. A predator burning with a lustful desire, the excitement thrilling as sharpened senses presented the path beyond. Without reason or design she found her way to this alleyway; desire in sight, the Hunger growing ravenous. With her all seeing eyes it became clear. She could see several clowns jacking some poor fool, in the wrong place at the wrong time. Watching from the shadows, bearing witness as the young thugs mockingly tormented their victim. Tara could almost taste their mounting fury as this target held nothing they considered as valuables. As she drew nearer she recognized the victim as the saint that aided her escape just hours ago. They grew more violent with each devastating blow and more self-assured, their excitement deliciously sweet to the liar-in-wait. She moved with silent grace, stalking the shadows a predator of the night. She was hunting the hunters with delicately perfect precision. Tara could hear their mocking calls, could smell their sweat; the sweet aroma beckoning. How she longed to taste their excitement. The sheer ecstasy of the hunt consumed her, intoxicating bliss cloaked her senses, and she welcomed its warm release. She waited in the shadows, watching patiently until the moment was right, and then struck with deadly persecution. Her attack came from behind, they howled with surprise as her talons ripped through unguarded flesh. They fell beneath her rage. The battle was quick, ending before it began. Her prey lie defeated at her feet; mercy upon their lips, doom crushing their hearts and souls. A gleeful smile parted those luscious lips exposing grim fate in bestir fangs. A haunting contrast reflected within the angelic depths of seductive eyes. Desperate cries echoed across the night to fall upon deaf ears. *** Raven groaned as he staggered through the heaps of filth, his skull throbbing with every pulse. He found his way to several bodies, each broken, the look of fear now a permanent mask. Smiling to himself he gathered what remained undamaged or unnoticed by the attacker, "Shit happens to those who fuck with me," he snarled. Upon his inspection the nature of their death revealed, unseeing eyes sunken and hallow staring through the frozen haze to nothing. Empty vessels, the wellspring of life extinguished as flesh now ridged and pale locked in a frightful demise. He searched through what remained of the corpses finding enough to sedate the rage. Just another day in paradise, he thought, fighting to maintain his balance. With his bounty he began his long track through the city, watching the masses. Feeling pity for their desperate attempts at control, he viewed their struggles with jealous contempt. Wounded by loneliness, Raven wandered lost in thought. Unaware of the monuments and marvels which he passed, until finding the vast expanse of the city park. How he came to this place he could not explain, but here among the scent of earth and tall trees he was granted a mild relief. There he paused for a rest and noticed the last glimpse of day passing quickly below the horizon. He watched the light reflecting on towers of glass and steel painting the sky with brilliance, and he could remember a time forgotten when those great towers were green with life holding high the heavens. Lighting a cigarette his thoughts passed back to that beautiful stranger and the child, which he could not explain. She was something he had only dreamt in fantasies, a power too great to be restrained, free. His heart filled with desire as he remembered her bound and defiant. Her strength was impressive, her courage unmatched. She was victorious even in defeat yet something remained unexplained. How he longed for her touch. The child on the other hand perplexed his mind, for this was no ordinary infant adopted by kindness. This creature to him was no child at all, but some spirit sent on a perilous quest. Helpless to the monsters, which sought its mysteries, and bound to a stranger he could not understand. They would never be safe, and now his soul rest in dangers untold. To be hunted for his actions, enticed a threatening desire, and he smiled. A desire to crush these evil fiends, and journey to unknown lengths he would search for his personal savior. A passionate hunger to protect this stranger, he could not fathom. These emotions alien, electric tendrils caress the fringe of consciences, filling him, compelling him beyond reason. Forsaken Ch. 02 A voice called to him from the darkening shadows, playful with a child's sweet innocence. She danced into view, clad in a most unusual ensemble... Threadbare and dirty from difficult trials, she was hastily stitched in chaotic patterns. The heavy sweater, which swallowed her tiny form, seemed pieced together with brightly colored safety pins, each fastened a tiny trinket. Her faded jeans hung lose about her waist and were decorated with a multitude of patters and colors. For jewelry, around her neck was a thick leather collar complete with lock and tags, her thin fingers adorned with large plastic rings swirling in brilliant colors. Her dance brought her to stand before him. Her eyes smiled peering playfully from behind gentle curls. Her stare innocent and playful, captured a secret happiness. She could be free of fear and pain and doubt, Raven could only wish. She peered deep into his soul with those sweet, smiling eyes curious and excited, she began to sing. Her song captivating him, starting soft, and her angelic voice soothing in delicately sweet notes reached out to him, to embrace his wounded heart. She sang his misery, playfully mocking the confusion set upon his brain. He could not help but laugh, feeling a joy nearly forgotten. She laughed with him, before plopping down to wrap her arms around his neck. "I knew you would come," she sighed, pressing her head to his chest. She nuzzled against him, hugging him tight, feeling warm despite the bitter night winds. "You been waiting long, I apologize. This is my first time through," he smirked, drunk with her radiant confidence. "Don't laugh at me," she lured, "I remembered. Yep-Yep, it was you that forgot." She pulled him closer, her sweet breath a seductive kiss faint within his ear. Her velvet lips brushed lightly upon his cold flesh, "This aint the first time," she giggled. He forced his body to respond, battling for restraint, he politely pulled away fighting to conceal his growing passions. The hunger desperate to consume him, as lustful intentions coursed boldly. Finding the strength, he met her enchanting stare, "I'm sorry, but I'm not the one." She looked up at him with eyes purest green, a questioning stare of sorrow, "It is you I swear. You are you I promise." Her head nodding to emphases her point, "You are sent here by Fate, chased by your own demons. You are him; you." Raven cast a warm smile, and spoke softy to this child in his arms, "I am not sure what I am so how is it you are so convinced?" "Of course it's you, cause only you have this," she reached under his sweater to press her cold palm against the mysterious mark carved deep into his chest. Fear surged, he held his breath not knowing what to expect or how to respond. The shock catching him unaware, he gathered himself enough to ask, "How is it you know about that mark?" "In my dreams a big scary bird, it was shiny and black, and she told me. I swear she told me," she said in a dolly voice that began to fail. "She told me that you could make the bad monsters go away," her frail voice sinking to a whisper as she buried her head. "Please make the bad monsters go away." He cradled her, stroking her hair, wishing to ease her fear searching for his own comfort. Wishing he could understand. Clouded in fantasies, and lost with in his mind raced answers to these questions. The fear of knowing, and a hunger for understanding hurled him into the churning sea headlong, there could be no turning back. His fear enticed his curiosity, warping his stormy emotions. This was a chance for what he knew not and dared himself not to ask. With a heavy sigh and lonely heart, he arose to accept the challenge. "You found me, so now what happens," he smiled nervously, eager with anticipation. Fate lies in waiting among the shadows of the beyond. Absent the logic or reason in his action, he was compelled. Primal forces independent and whole exposed him, seduced him. A trembling urge burrowed through the infinite recesses, a raven sulking, staring at riddles, and starved for mysteries tempted him. "You will? Really, for real? Oh, I knew it was you," she hugged him, overflowing with glee and pulled him to his feet. "I'm BB. That's what they call me cause I'm so small, but I'm not small. I'm just not very big," she said in a tiny voice that carried her sweet defiance. "So what do they call you?" "I'm called Raven," he stated reaching for his lighter. "It is nice meeting you BB, so where are we going?" "Don't worry," she chirped, "I got friends that will help. That's were we gotta go. Come on hurry, it's not nice to be late for you're own party," she laughed, pulling him as she ran down the path. They passed through the park quickly, all the while with her singing and dancing. To him, her physical appearance was that of a young teen, but she held the innocence of a child. Her curse was that of madness, trapping her in an endless fantasy. In this she was free. Seemingly unconcerned, and unchallenged by the harsh reality which lay just beyond the borders of her self, she continued in joyous glee. It was in her eyes he discovered the secret, purest green, reflecting the knowledge of time. An ancient wisdom safely secured, angelic in contrasting compromise, divine creatures of destiny appear secure in their own self-supported worlds. Together they began the walk, to what she referred to, as her guardians' house. With her lead they moved unnoticed, as he soon became aware the numbers of police on their path. He counted at least one patrol for every two blocks they crossed. Yet the area still appeared run down, the brick paved streets patched with concrete. Raven noticed sadly once grand fountains stood proud in the centers of intersections, now fractured and crumbling, with dark sludge in place of clear waters. "Don't worry," she told him, and took his hand. "It's like hide-N-seek, only I know how to hide. Yep-Yep. And they never find me. I am the greatest," she boasted, overflowing with playful pride. She pointed to the house as they neared, a modern Victorian tower, surrounded on all sides by urban castles. The quaint villa seemed out of place, as if forgotten by time. A unique and enchanting corner stone of development was this ancient castle. Yet it still bore the scars of time. The paint was pealing in large sections and the gardens now over grown spilling out of the bricked boarders. The windows on the lower levels were mostly hidden by the thick growths of holly. On the upper levels most of the windows were boarded up entirely, those that weren't supported heavy iron bars rusted with age. Raven noticed large gargoyles peaking out from the dense shadows and thick brush, but they broken and unrecognizable. BB led him up the broken marble path; large sections were missing and in some places brick and concrete acted as patches. To the stairs that Raven noticed were crumbling under the weight of ages. Up to the great iron entry, rusted and choked with vines concealing the large stained glass doors depicting scenes of some mad dream. The disturbing images magnificent, colored in deep tones. To be forever captured in brilliant colors and polished silver, but the true depth and glory was reflected upon the freshly fallen snow. "Come in and meet everyone. It'll be fun," she smiled pushing open the great doors. The front room was much larger than he could have anticipated, richly decorated with stuffed leather sofas and polished marble tabletops. The ancient hardwood floors glinting in the dancing light of oil lamps seemed only enhanced by age. Raven noticed the hand woven carpets in rich colors and intricate patterns acting as centerpieces. But his attention was drawn to the people of all descriptions huddled in small groups. Some spoke of the changing times while others indulged in deep conversation, but all fell silent as he tread across the thresh hold. He caught hushed whispers commenting upon the great sword he wielded and faint breaths on the reasons of his visit. BB pretended not to notice; pulling him further only stopping once they had entered the kitchen. In the kitchen, Raven was treated to a cold beer and told to wait until summoned, and then she was gone. Leaving him unguarded, Raven now felt more alone than ever before. Raven lit a cigarette and sat on the counter, wondering what was to happen. This girl was like none other; even this house was unusual, standing as a hidden Victorian castle. He tried to imagine what she had in store, when the question became apparent. A great giant of a man strode through the double doors. He moved with subtle grace, regal in his attire, a noble to this collection of wanderers and vagabonds. He was richly dressed in delicate and fine materials, cut to act accent his broad shoulders and thick chest. A scent of authority mingled with his seemingly delicate poise. For his features lacked the hard lines caused by stress, and his eyes held hidden the spark of joy. The giant pulled a chair from a small oval table, and spoke in a deep rumbling voice. His tone and manner demanding respect, and he expected nothing less. "Outlander," he boomed, "I am Dakota, and why have you come to my home? As I understand, you have murdered two of these demons, and now desire sanctuary; in my home." Dakota vented anger at this intruder. "Outlander, do you have any idea the seriousness of this action? Please explain yourself." "I am known as Raven," he stated boldly, taking a long drag from his cigarette. "I was brought here, by your kid," he said in defense, and slid off the counter. Dakota smiled, relaxing a bit in his manner, "She is very special. Gifted with such talents, are at times dreadful curses for one so sweet. Do you understand you are not the only one? Each of us here holds something special. With her it is difficult to explained, but she tells me you are the one" "The only one, what?" he snapped. "The only one cursed; cause that's what it is." Unable to control his building anger, Raven felt this frustration at his own expense. "A curse," he continued, though his voice became cracked as he fought back the tears. "To be hunted and feared just because they don't understand, or worse because they do, people seek to destroy what they disapprove and it is us, all of us which bear the burden. Now these so called ‘demons' look, I'm out of patience." The giant slammed his fist to the table, his eyes cold with mounting rage. "No, you are out of luck. The wyrm-spawn you slew, they are the soldiers. The true beasts you have yet to witness." Dakota sighed trying regain his composure, "These monsters will chase you to the ends of the earth; here you have the option to rest. Out on the streets, you'll be dead by dawn." "How's this, you give me a hot shower and a full meal and I'll sit with you and explain what I am. Till then, no worries," Raven said. The giant agreed, and as he left BB rushed in, her eyes carrying a deep sadness. She wrapped her arms around Raven, and in that innocent embrace he felt welcome. She smiled up at him and asked, "What do you want first, food or a shower? Stinky man," and giggled and opened several of the cabinets. Raven returned the smile and chuckled. "Stinky would like a shower," he laughed, putting his cigarette out. "Then if you would, we could fix a bite of dinner." "Come on," BB smiled pulling him back through the arched doorway. She flung open a closet handing him a large towel, and dragged him by the hand to the small downstairs bathroom. This like the other rooms he noticed was polished marble from tiled floor to tub, but the walls were covered in seamless mirrors that reflected the soft light of candles and oil lamps. "I get you some clean clothes," BB said as she slammed the door on her departure. It was near morning when at last they sat together, the house nearly empty as now few wanderers remained. Dakota had the feeling of privacy and so relaxed in discussion. "I must apologize for my behavior, and thank you for being patient," Raven said sincerely. "With trouble following me it's difficult to accept kindness from strangers," he stated casually. The giant, his manner more casual smiled. "I understand, we all understand. Each of us here has searched the world for acceptance. But your story, what brings you here." Raven leaned back in his chair lighting a cigarette, trying to weigh his words. "What captured me was the unknown. As you've heard I got into a fight, but know the reason was just. Those monsters attacked a woman, and so I intervened." "You say the mystery lured you to the city?" Dakota asked. "To the city, no. The question brought me here, my riddle as it were. The city offered a place to hide. A place were I could start fresh, try a new life." "Tell me then about the woman," inquired the giant. Dakota listened carefully as Raven recited the story of the battle and how he met her child after the conflict. Dakota found honor and compassion in this heroic event, revealing some of the nature of the beast before him. They talked for hours on the logic and motives, unaware of the time that passed. The grey haze of winter's morning crept above the modern towers when Dakota offered a proposal. "My friend," Raven spoke, "if your offer of sanctuary still stands then I accept, but not for my sake, for the girl and the child. I shall do what I can to handle my own mess. If you shall choose to accept, but understand she and the child are first." The giant sat for a long moment in silence. His thoughts on all that recently transpired, "It seems this mess is not you own, yet you embrace the challenges ahead without thought of yourself; for a stranger no less. My offer is this; bring the girl and the child here so to learn the whole, only then I shall decide. You must understand, we here are hiding from the true lords of this city." The pain of that statement could be heard in his quiet tones. "The creatures of shadow and deception that rule everything, we are but a small band of rebels. This stranger could place us all in danger, and in that case all I may offer is escape; a safe exit to another city." "I understand your concern, but I will not run," he stated flatly. "It's too late for that, as it's already begun. Out of respect for you and your situation I will not ask you to get involved. Though any assistance you provide shall be invaluable." "Know us as sanctuary, here," Dakota leaned forward offering a card, "If you should ever require our assistance." On the card, a numerical code, "With this we are always close." Raven reached deep into his coat pocket, removing the crystal vial and his money pouch. As he counted the last of his cash and placed the card in a folded bill. The vial glistened coldly with a living aura, capturing Dakota's attention. "If I may, where did you acquire such a fascinating object, and what is it?" he inquired, hypnotized by the myriad sparkles, which flowed beneath the cobalt glass. "I've had this forever," he said lifting it into the light. "Now where can I crash today, I've got a long night ahead of me. With any luck I'll find them in a couple days." They gathered themselves as BB strolled into the kitchen. "It's the dawn," she whined sleepily. "Are you ready for bed yet?" she asked looking at Raven. "We're on the way," Dakota yawned, "Would you please show Raven to a room." She yawned pulling Raven to his feet, "Come on, you can sleep in my room." She led him upstairs with a lamp in hand pointing out the bathroom and pulled him into her room. He was too exhausted to notice the full aspects of the chamber he entered, his attention focused on the quilted bed lined with stuffed animals. He was asleep the moment his head settled into the warm goose-down pillows. BB sat cross-legged at the foot of the bed, examining this creature from her dreams. She moved up beside him and with gentle care undressed him as he slept. Motivated by curiosity she traced her naked fingers along the multitude of scars that crossed his back. She could close her eyes and visualize the crashing whip, hear the harsh words, which burned more terribly than the hungry strap. Tears filled her eyes, the sorrow of his suffering weighing heavy upon her soul. She understood the depth of his miseries, a beast confined by its own self, and snapping at the bonds. The mystery was perplexing, yet the solution was obvious. Her questions though, remained unanswered. What was this creature that invaded her dreams, for a purpose that he was unaware? She pealed off her clothes and laid beside him, pulling him close to comfort a pain they shared. Tonight the cold loneliness was beaten as she pressed her flesh to his and drifted peacefully to slumber. Together they created a warm comfort forgotten in the cold emptiness, this night the bitter and lonely awareness was sedated and replaced by tranquil security. *** When the night at last over took the day, life returned to this beautiful corpse. A cold heart hammered beneath a hollow breast. A tortured soul wrapped in the misery, bound in death emerged from the eternal void. A perilous quest beckoning her primitive lust for seeking truth, and thrilled by the notion of treasures untold, Tara smiled for she was not yet a simple zombie. Beneath a great towering monument of some forgotten hero of politics, she stirred. Protected in this dark sanctuary, aware of the setting sun, consciences returned. Tara opened her eyes, aware, piercing the murky darkness. Her world revealed. Her mind still echoed the fading dreams, ancient memories in a time long since lost. She stood shaking these bittersweet pangs, focusing on her task. She and the child must feed. She pressed her ear to the bitter cold stone. She listened with the delicate senses of eternal night, hearing the faint call of the wind and the distant traffic on worn streets. Summoning her strength, she moved the great stone barrier allowing the winter air to rush in angrily. The child took her hand, the cool caress surprising her as she strained her senses against the night. The child's unspoken command wrapped her mind, as this was the only option. Together they went into the night. Tara could still feel the presence of a stranger upon her mind as they wandered the hollow streets. A conscience defied her actions, controlled by this fragile being at her side. A storm of emotion she could not explain and cared not to judge, consumed her with violent force. The strain causing her vision to blur, the pressure mounting in her skull, she screamed. "Explain to me! What is the purpose of this torment, tell me what it is you desire and end this hateful-" she was cut off, enraptured agony flooded upon her. The shear force sent her to her knees, hands over her ears, crying out for mercy against this unseen adversary. The child simply stared at her, void of emotion, watching with hollow eyes. The torrents of broken images, frozen moments in chaos and order, a gallery of suffering complete, enraptured her conscience. Tara knew the events to unfold; the true horror yet revealed upon her, own tormented soul combined with those of countless others. Yet in the storm a focus could be found, for in every fleeting glimpse the Raven perched, calm in its manner, a question undiscovered in weary eyes. Her mind snapped at the beast within, two forces raged, two forces collapsed. She fell to the gutter only to rise with knowledge, a cunning hunter they began the dangerous track. The night came alive to her senses, she was aware. To her the city offered its secrets, revealing the mysteries her primal instincts defined. The retched stench of mortal decay draping its murky curtain, saturating her in despicable bitterness, the beast arose. The Hunger was burning like fire in her veins. The quest, the stranger, the fear mounting in her psyche driving her to frenzy, Tara wished to escape. Forsaken Ch. 02 *** He stirred lazily from a deep and tranquil slumber. Stretching out with a heavy yawn he became aware of the small form curled warmly around him. They were naked, wrapped comfortably in each other's arms. Her head rested upon his chest as she held him in slumber, and it was here he noticed her milky soft flesh bore countless scars of abuse. He saw terrible scars on her wrists and neck, painfully deep; as she had sought an end by her own hand. Remembered his own scars, burning with the origin of his misery and longed for what he could never obtain. How deep indeed: The scars of troubled pasted and ancient feuds. Forsaken Ch. 03 "The scars indeed run deep, cursed are those who know; damned. The secrets we keep, the mysteries we seek, the tears we weep, the blood we have shed and blood we've spilled for crimes not committed. A terrible cycle of fear and resentment, lost within the pain we seek to hide. Learning too late the bitter consequences: our self-destructive demise. Locking away the memories, which hurt, then ourselves for being hurt. Realizing at last we are alone, though can't remember why. Don't know what went wrong, or how it all began, all we remember is the pain inside grows. Though the source of it, the beginning, is hidden away; forgotten. So we are lost, alone with our pain and no tears left to cry. Bearing scars that can never heal, burned, we are numb. So full of pain, we no longer feel, and so afraid we are no longer real." The heavens raged as dark clouds violently formed, spewing forth thunderbolts; igniting the dormant wrath of ancient Gods. A city lay silent and trembling at the mercy of the night, and a Raven took flight. Leaping into the dark storm, to soar high above the burdens below. The night shattered, fractured forever in that moment. Somewhere huddled in the deepest shadows for protection a bastard child cries out, stricken. The skies erupt again, a vengeful rumble echoes through the whispering city. A guardian, assigned by fate rushed panic-stricken for aid and as their hands met, lighting struck. Blood welled in the child's distraught gaze, staining a face dirty from hiding. All the misery in the world captured in that horrifying instant, before the light of heaven consumed the shadows. *** He ran. Through the twisted labyrinth, dressed to the waist and crying, not knowing anything: Consumed. Driven by pain, by sorrow, drowning the world, drowning him. Raven cried out begging forgiveness, guilty for the crimes he did not commit, and sentenced without mercy. Raven ran until his lungs burned, then he ran until he vomited up the lies. The lies he had created, a fictional fantasy he endorsed. Raven had reached that place were darkness is revealed, he could hear his blood begin to boil. His darkness churned exposing the truth that he so desperately sought. Bringing with it the all the memories forgotten, the past reflected clearly, destroying his falsehoods. His blood awakened and spoke truth. The inner voice guided him into the corridors; restoring the broken pieces of that which was once. *** She lay awake but dreaming, wrapped in his arms, he traced her scars with a gentle hand sending delightful chills down her spine. She welcomed his soft caress, opening her heart to him, this image of her vision. Transcending her body of self, she reached for him. Awakened in fright, he surged forth with the nightmare still fresh in his mind. Raven moved in the dream aware only of escape. A nimble beast of reflex, he stood, instantly prepared to battle, panting wildly and bathed in sweat. In the span of a few breaths he was dressed gathering his weapons. Moving silently yet hastily fully to gather what basics he would need. A storm gathered, the air electrified and pulsed with an unnatural energy. Evil! The gods raged, the land trembled as the sky unleashed a terrible wrath upon the world. Darkness became a tangible cloak, hollow and pitch, dimming even the incandescent bolts that spilt the melding heavens. This night contained the answer, as mysteries tenaciously pursued. Raven paused, sitting on the cold concrete bench. Lighting a cigarette and watching the brilliant colors of the fading day, he emptied his mind and for the first time, listened to silence. In that blissful silence he sat, focused in the winter's sky, no thoughts or worries dared invade. Raven sat staring at the wonder and glory locked in mortal combat. In the drama of this ancient conflict, he could only observe with excitement and awe. When at last the marvelous display faded to black, a harsh and bitter breeze chilled his warming heart. Raven remembered his quest, thinking back to this enchanting stranger, and his hope in finding, at long last, acceptance. With this, arose confidence; a willingness to continue and to prevail as he strolled into the night. Raven chose a street at random and began to walk. Feeling the brisk winter breeze nip coldly, he was carried back to distant memories. The great forests and rivers of ice beckoned of a time long ago when only the Hunt mattered. He still harbored these fantasies, dreams of running wild among ages past. The sheer excitement driving, filling him with a passionate joy unlike anything he could compare. When from his fantastic dream a frightening image rippled, became focused and clear. Wolf! This haunting vision terrorized his mind, striking him a physical blow, and sending him reeling. He stumbled drunkenly, at the mercy of these stalking horrors. Confused and frightened he fell, gasping for breath to the frozen street. ‘Life times past, joys and sorrow, yearning for peace, praying for decay. A victim of this urban nightmare sentenced to suffer eternally in this grim and pitiful world. What crime so great, what sin so grand, to deserve woeful fate? Redemption can only be earned through penitence, a curse burned away by rage and hate, forgotten across the sands of time. Abandon all hope; embrace the mysteries hidden in the blackest night. Shed the false and hollow shell to be reborn beautiful, a beast of desire, simply unrestrained and wild upon the decaying world. Free from the mortal coil. To bathe in the rivers of sin, and burn away the rotting filth, starting again fresh; new.' He gasps, reality sharply piercing the turbulent disarray. Icy waters rushed over him, numbing his body and mind, when he was violently lifted and thrown. Crashing into the cold concrete with crushing force, Raven gasped a labored sigh and submitted into the void. Falling through the broken shards of consciousness at the terrible mercy of this nightmarish vision. *** They had spotted him leaving the square; that was the man they were sure. He was dressed, casual in black, complete with long coat and gloves. Trained eyes could detect the sword carefully hidden beneath the dark folds, confirming the suspicions. They watched as he started down a street, and cautiously followed just within sight. They studied his actions and trying to discover the secret location of the child. They had began the hunt, stalking him through the hurried crowd and mindful of his every move. When he paused, they moved closer blending into the confusion. Watching as he stared up into the murky heavens and stumbled blindly into the street. He fell, striking his head; they could hear the wet, meaty crack of his skull against the iron gutter. Convulsions wracked his body, as he lay dazed and drowning in the shallow currents. Quickly they moved in to intercept their weakened prey when he stood without warning and stumbled into traffic. They intervened, pulling him from the path of a speeding motorist to hurl him into their grasp. Raven could feel himself falling down through the shattered remains of sanity, to be gently rescued by the dark. When from the void of nothingness a raven could be heard. Its chilling cry pierced the fragile silence, bringing comfort and fear. Fear of this demon that had has haunted his dreams and memories, stalking mercilessly across hallow oblivion, at last granting comfort in its arrival. Welcomed this awaited reunion. "Do ya think he dead? He skull leak," the thug asked motioning to the blood that trickled freely from the ears and scalp of his captive. "Maybe he head broken and he not tell master, me not get trouble. I not break he head. You see, right Took," fear in his gaze, looking to his friend for comfort and aid. Took smiled, "Don't worry Slick, somehow I think he'll live. Come on, now we gotta get him off the street before anyone notices that he's bleeding all to hell." They carried him under the masquerade of a drunk, laughing and being loud. The few that dared to wander after dark are careful to mind their own affairs; the all-seeing eyes that guarded this modern metropolis gave into the deceit. So now they could travel unhindered to the awaiting transport; it almost seemed easy, Took thought with a sinister smirk. Took held images of grandeur, for he was the prodigy to the elder of his clan and would be held in high honor. Holding tight the hope of sitting in the counsel chamber, serving the high order. The instrument of judgment, swift and efficient he would in a sense rule over all the clans. To be feared and respected, he could see these fantasies drunk on his own sense of worth. So consumed he was that he failed to notice the shy shadow, which tracked their every step. Another stalked this mysterious stranger, gliding through the shadows with the stealth only the immortal may possess. Tara recognized instantly the nature of these thugs, vampires. Powerful creatures, though not without weakness; she remained hidden, keeping step and waiting for the moment to strike. She, herself, was granted the Dark Kiss ever so long ago, and so knew how to combat this terrible force. A sense of pleasure filled her, in this chance for revenge, awakening the beast deep in her tormented soul. These creatures would suffer, as she did and die the final death in which she so longed. Releasing the souls bound in torment to these hollow shells, cursed to darkness and damned for this eternal existence. No longer capable of life, stranded forever in shadow these creatures deserved: Mercy! Moving ahead of their pace, she placed the child in the security of shadow, and moved out into their path. They noticed her presence instantly upon her transition, Slick moved to intercept; a sinister grin upon his twisted features. She could see the blade he held close, the dark blade she noticed, gleamed wetly in the pale street lamps no doubt coated with that same evil ichors. She smiled to herself, as they were totally unaware of her identity; and the prize they desperately sought, no more than a few paces away. Slick advanced casually, trying to keep the blade unseen. She measured his steps, checked his posture and judged his attack. The instant he surged she moved with a fluid grace, allowing the blade to slice through her jacket, but not her flesh, as she caught his hand and pulled him off balance. As he staggered, sure of victory, she moved in closer, and with actions too swift for the mortal eye she sank her fangs deep into his throat. In the span of a few breaths she devoured all he was. Drinking deep she took his life's blood, with it his strength and soul flowed into her granting her a moment of blissful satisfaction. Took watched intent on her demise, seeing his partner seem to stumble, he watched the dark blade strike with frightening swiftness, tearing through the woman's jacket disappearing in her flesh. He watched as she fell into Slick, her head resting upon his shoulder. He was certain the victory of his comrade, until he witnessed the impossible. Slick seemed to go languorous and spasm. Took stared in disbelief, shocked by the horror as Slick crumbled to her feet. A shriveled husk, this once untouchable demon of destruction now a withered corpse, disintegrating to dust before his eyes, he howled in fear and fury. In his rage he abandoned caution; drawing a gun, he opened fire. The heavy-pistol thundering round after round, shattering any hope of benighted escape, he focused on the woman's destruction ignoring all else. She dropped back, a sadistic smile grimly flashing as she moved between the hail of bullets. She became a liquid dancer, flowing untouched by the assault, anticipating his hate and guiding her nimble form into position. When, to her surprise, the final shot slammed through her chest with such terrible a force as to send her to the ground; she felt the impact like a sledgehammer, aware that the violent round shattered bone, destroying her lung as it passed through, opening a ghastly wound. She knew her blood painted the brick behind her, yet she remained. On one knee, her smile evermore grim, she began to rise when Took lunged forward. He held a knife and the discharged pistol determined to beat her down. Tara waited for him, still smiling. Took could hear the approach of enforcers growing near, yet he never sensed the attack so close at hand. Her body guided by the celerity of her thought, as she dove under his blind assault, deflected his clumsy attack, her fangs buried deep into the tender flesh of his thigh. She drank of him with the same tenacious need. Another withered corpse fell to her feet. She focused her will and in the span of a few breaths healed the damage to her chest, then gathered the unconscious Raven and the child in which she was sworn. Together they faded into the night. Forsaken Ch. 04 BB lay between awake and sleep, her thoughts on this dream, this wish that now cuddled beside her. His heat warming her chill soul, and his caress resurrecting ancient memories filling her blissfully in a passionate embrace: Love. To feel as he felt, secure in his arms free from the lonely, empty cold she held the memory living the dream. Drawing him closer she nuzzled playfully, bringing her lips to his: Igneous embrace. The kiss granting her wish as in this gentle exchange of tasting his breath and living his thoughts as he breathed them: Minds eye theater. Only here in the deepest reaches of his mind he was revealed. The dream that haunted her, the beast that stalked this urban jungle drinking the souls of all, she saw him at the mercy of himself: Tortured. BB cried in his mind, the shock cast visible waves across his conscience warping and twisting the boundaries sending this overwhelming flood crashing down. Distorting the borders; man and beast became one. A grand angel beautiful and feral, proud in a seemingly grand perfection yet disturbed was he. These two natures bound in conflict, desperately seeking resolve in combat. Raven lunged from the bed as thunder erupted, moving among the darkness rather than through it, he was gone with only the creak of a doorknob to mark his passing. BB sat in shock, crimson tears gathered, staining her pale cheeks, the legend was true now her dreams revealed. Joy and sorrow clashed bringing rise to fear, she felt helpless and more alone than ever before. But this time was different; in the dark nothingness she had found hope and with his tenderness remembered love. BB ran to tell Dakota, unable to conceal this rush of emotion and proud she could still express it so. BB ran down the corridor in a rush of excitement, almost throwing herself at Dakota's door. She knocked and calling to him in frantic dismay she bore no patience for delay, "Dakota! He's gone, Dakota." Dakota awoke startled by this sudden explosion thundering violently. His first thought was someone attacked his home but as the rumble continued to roll he relaxed a bit, taking a deep breath. The moment didn't last as he could hear BB wailing in the hall before attacking his door. Fear clutched at him as he raced to investigate. She was knocking as he worked the lock, the door flung open and he stopped dumbfounded to see BB with a smile, tears of blood welling in her eyes. The tears painted crimson ribbons at the corners of her eyes. Dakota had never before witnessed such depth and compassion from her, and stood staring unaware as how to respond. BB wrapped her arms around him in a big hug, holding her whole self pressed against him. "He done it real. He gone to fight, and bring the legend true. We saw it in his mind, an angel, he has come." She sobbed resting her head on Dakotas's chest. He comforted her as she poured this tangle of emotions too potent for confinement; he listened leading her to the sofa downstairs. He was curious to hear this tale and determine this dream in which she was so consumed. But he was unprepared for what was to come, for until this moment he had never truly known this ageless child. In the two decades in which he had known her, always was she carefree and untroubled. Seemingly unaffected by the troubles plagued by immortal existence, she processed a sweet innocence in boundless joy. To see her this way, be-stilled his heart! He offered her his flannel pajama shirt, which she pulled over her head. The garment swallowed her supple form hanging nearly to her knee and granted her a sense of stability. BB snuggled in the vast expanse of material feeling Dakotas warmth trapped in the soft cotton; smiling she wrapped her arms around his neck. He embraced her trembling form, stroking hair from her face as he kissed her forehead, feeling an eerie contrast. Though burning with emotion her pale skin remained cold and he was harshly reminded of the bitter facts. BB flopped onto the sofa and huddled in the flannel now stained with her tears. She pulled her knees to her chest and all but disappearing in the shirt, gathered her composure as other members of the house wandered in to investigate. She greeted each as they entered and offered to recite the legend in which her nightmares based themselves. BB began to explain her dreams to a gathered crowd, her voice still weak; she stated what just she had witnessed. "He was flying, a Raven upon the breeze staring down at a dark city, brooding with hatreds, infected by suffering and ready to burst. A fountain of emotional chaos and self-destruction, he witnessed the fall of Heaven and the rise of Hell as demons moved armies of undead in a crusade to exterminate the living. The gods themselves waged bitter war upon the land with only the mercy of Wrath to still them; as creation turned on itself, murders rising dark clouds above the ash and smoke. Mercy pushed the hordes back into the pits. A grand angel equal among the gods this instrument of judgments, he opened his wings pulling them close around him." *** She carried the child clinging tightly to her shoulders, with the powerful stranger she rescued for the second time. Feeling her debt repaid for his aid in her quest not so long ago, she carried them among the dark shadows moving unnoticed among the police and the gawking crowds. Taking them to sanctuary before the dawn's grand and fatal glory could crest the shimmering towers. The child slipped from her back to rest in a makeshift bed, watching intently as their guest sprouted great feathery wings and formed a kind of cocoon. Her guardians slipped into the depths; shattering the fragile barriers of reality and, with his transformation, she understood the world could never be the same. Great rifts opened across the heavens as lightning flashed and thunder crashed. The earth trembled under the heaven's fury, black clouds rolled violently, blotting out the sun and the gods quaked. Angels and demons wailed, their mourning voices carried forcefully upon angry winds striking fear at the soul of creation. Tara, high priestess to Lilith and charged to guide the protection of this divine child, was afraid. Hearing the frail wind bourn voices wail in the presence of Judgment, she felt the weight of her sins like never before, crushing under the burden of centuries. The child reminded her of the present; this moment held the fates suspended under the strain of a single thread. Tara moved by a force not her own; kneeling beside him, she caressed his wings apart and reached into his jacket for a crystal vial of blue flame. She stared in awe at the dancing aura trapped in purest quartz; shining like fire, burning iridescent blue and illuminating the chamber. She carefully removed the golden cork. With a tender caress she brushed the gory mane from his face. He opened his eyes and curled his lips into an affectionate smile, guided the vial to his lips and drank. *** BB jumped in her seat as thunder erupted with unnatural force, shaking the foundations of the world, causing her delicate ears a deafening ring. Though, she was not the only one disturbed by this terrible explosion, all which gathered in this rich chamber felt chilled by it, shaken by some yet undetermined fear. She counted them, a shape-shifter stood in the archway to the living room, while the other vampires sat near the very sexy magick user as they exchanged thoughts. She had always harbored desires to be with him, aware of the impossibility of such action. His name, Adrian of Twilight, the vampires she remembered as of the Chaos clan, but she thought of them as goof balls for how they ranted. Her thoughts drifted gazing upon Mick, the werewolf shivered, his pained features grim with dreadful fright. A sorrowful mourning whimper escaped his throat; so faint as a lesser whisper, afraid of the sound. Dakota, she noticed held the same suffering in his stormy eyes, he remained firm but teetering on the verge of collapse. Guilty she was, of contempt, as she felt a rushing excitement, the world they knew, the perception of reality among the collective consciousness fumbled on the brink of catastrophic upheaval, and she tingled with anticipation. "The chronicle as it recited to me," BB began her voice ringing gleefully despite her efforts at control. "My master told me that long ago Lilith, mother to all our kind, met the angel lost in his despair. Judgment sat crying, alone in the wastes asking why. Lilith felt his woe, and sat to explain. Having eaten the fruit of knowledge and drank the fountain of wisdom she taught him emotion. This angered the gods upon his return, because he was created equal among them and now he was more than they. The gods afraid, because this angel was appointed Wrath of Judgment now had feelings. A machine crafted for destruction could now experience pleasure in his job. The gods cast him out of the heavens, and the hells closed their gates to him. He was forsaken by all the things he knew, and fell asleep; a mortal until the time when gods would call; he did. Returned he has, the sleeper wakened, only now he damaged the barriers. When he slept as a mortal he forgot what it was, now he awake and still in possession of flesh when he remembered, so what was hidden shall be revealed and since, he, a god more or less he could crash the world. Making the gods stand next to mortals, anarchy and Armageddon would surely destroy everything in creation, if he desires. But who can know the will of the gods, in fear they could open the gates of Hell abandoning us all to fate, then what hope could there be. But in my dream, the angel rescues me and fights the dark hordes of oblivion, merciful wrath battling to save us all." She paused working a comfortable groove in the cushions, looking at the somber eyes of all those in attendance. She understood the fear that gripped them, but felt their emotion wasted, far more terrible things waited in the shadows. She smiled unable or unwilling to repress her excitement and said, "Either way after tonight the world has changed. We can only make do with what is becoming, we can't change it." "Now is the time of judgment, when the angel learned emotion, he was subjected to rage, guilt, and sorrow but there was a catch: Sin. Regret is the sin of immortals; the guilt we harbor lingers through the generations. From the first stone cast ripples upon the surface of time, it was our kind, the damned that brooded, spreading our sins across the world. Unable to feel as mortals after that dark embrace, hatefully contempt in this forever lonely experience, our kindred loathed what they had become and hated mortals just the same. A tenderness only captured in life, lost in our moment of weakness as from the beginning, the one with sin cast the first stone in. The guilt of regret a heavy stone to bear, we drown now in the pool of our own tears. Suspended in shadows for all eternity, bound to mortal coil, trapped as we are unchanged throughout the ages. Watching jealously events unfold, helpless to influence the sands of fate we lack in observing the toils of Life". *** Raven softly shut his eyes letting himself go in the overpowering bliss of sweet intoxication. His wings moved mechanically sealing his embrace and together they plunged into oblivion. A single mind between them, Tara would be his guide through the countless centuries, teaching this divine immortal the truth already known. The child sat still, gliding into a position of meditation, observing the transformation, she focused her will upon the bond processed over the priestess. With mortal emotions they would discover what it was they learned and revisit the forgotten tragedies imprisoning that life and masking the depth of aware perception. With Tara as his link to reality, he descended into the void, going back to his moment of weakness and doubt. The images vividly displayed and washed in grief as Raven remembered his demise, watched helpless as he refused heaven turning his back on his creators. Blood stains and gore matted thick upon fine armor, his lungs tasting the acrid clouds of sulfuric ash and smoke. Raven laid waste to the world, his acts of genocide conquering the foes and heretics at his masters' desired request. Lightning flashed blinding, intensity searing his flesh, he fell wracked by pain and when he stood once more his world had changed, trapped in mortal flesh and bound in fate. All because he questioned the authority and reason of such total devastations; feeling pity for those smitten in wrath. Whose crimes he could not know, and sins he did not understand. His thoughts lingering on those countless deaths by his hand, feeling Tara's presence as she wept, offered mild comfort to his pains. Raven was guided through the ages of his memory, the torment of emotion uncovered and, he, at last understood. His flesh crawled uncomfortably, as if worms moved through his body, but was forgotten as he felt fangs at his throat. Moving without thought he kissed Tara's shoulder, fangs biting deep into her naked flesh. Blood and memories passed together through them, granting each the powers they yet required. Her blood cold as death passed sweetly over his palate bringing fires into his body surging with strength and power he never before knew. The same as his blood passed into her. Together these two now one, in deaths gentle embrace. Remaining untouched, yet now forever changed; these gods embraced love, drinking from the fountain of wisdom and took their rightful ranks. Mercy quaked. Demons howled at the door, fists hammering, buckling the metal door. Hinges groaned and the single lock strained, a child cried out seeking protection. Darkness roused as shadows parted in great molten wings. Tara stood with blood still dripping from her lips and the bite on her collar. Her eyes glazed in unseeing stare, pale skin darkened and she stumbled shocked from that transpired. The cold shrill of metal ripping, the thunder of angry fists and dreadful screams summoned the dark to gather. The shadows drew intensity against the far wall blocking all view that side of the room. A gentle sigh whispered beneath the air, darkness parted revealing this new creature. Born a mighty angel charged in delivering the Wrath of gods, yet bound helpless to understand the complexities and disciplines in this human existence. Awaken the Dreaming God, master of all that can ever be known. Appearing from the shadow, he stood tall, defiantly against the unknown, this man now changed weapon drawn. A sick, urgent expression, grim on his strained features. Blood stained his lips and neck though not a single drip now shed, his eyes focused but distantly, confused as to respond. The child gasps a rasping wheeze; the door exploded inward warping the frame. In the gloom of this violent disruption, eyes glared cold with bloodthirsty aggression. A weapon banished in the dim outside light, talons wrapped the pommel. Raven snarled deep in his throat cursing this foul interruption and stepped forward to meet this intruder. Their eyes meet through the haze, the demon flinched drawing back before advancing, Raven smiled, lifting his sword. A glimmer whispered across the light and a sword clattered to the tile, the talon fingers still gripping it unfazed. Bitter the shrill that wracked the dreadful silence as the demon wailed; dark fluid escaped the ghastly wound. The creature stepped back gnashing teeth as another emerged to replace the first. Allowing no quarter, Raven struck a deadly blow; infuriated by such cowardice and disrespect, his sword severed the head in single merciful blow. With such precision, for a moment it seemed suspended, delayed, until the creature flinched, did the halves fall. The predecessor leaped into battle spear jabbing the tile where Raven once stood, and recognized his failure before crumbling to three parts. The stranger turned buckling the gory broad sword to his waist, no hint of emotion displayed upon his face or manner. Tara was recovering from her transformation, seeing what just she had just witnessed. Afraid of what she did not see in this hero. Even the child now trembled nervously. *** BB noticed that Adrian sat listening to something distant, despite the argument waging at hand she smiled to herself. He could hear it, the battle, and she knew it, so was jealous of his acute abilities. How she so desired to hear the choir singing, she whispered a question only to him across the stammering crowd and asked, "Is it really as grand?" Adrian smiled looking into those deep green eyes, and sorrow filled his gaze as tears flowed down his cheeks. It was true he could hear the angels sing, the gods' quake and it brought a heavy burden weighted in nervous agony. The chorus was beautiful, more so than anything in human reason, but the price also grand. He whispered a prayer folding his hands together and went into the kitchen. BB followed, discreetly moving among the argument; she was unnoticed. In the kitchen Adrian fixed a drink of rum and coke and said, "The world begins to crumble as the gods in fear open the gates; abandon us to fate. They shall come to regret the error of their ways. The sleeping god has awakened and now we are all at the mercy of the merciless. Pity and compassion are lost and I fear none shall survive this transgression. We stand in judgment not as the sons and daughters of creation but as a whole of monsters. Regardless what happens from here on out, things shall never be the same size again." *** Tara balanced drunkenly against the broken doorframe, her stare fixed upon this hero. He moved with mechanical grace, fluid and measured his actions as he gathered his things and searched the bodies of his victims. The child, she noticed held a blank expression trembling under the thin quilt wrapped loosely about her tiny frame. Her blood boiled, bronzing her pale flesh, shock wracked her nerves, and for the first time in centuries a pulse thundered deafening in this eerie stillness. She envisioned twisting shadows flowing among the dark places, silently possessed and horrifying to behold. Monsters from some nightmare loose upon the world wicked and foul, her eyes moved scanning the outside world suspended anticipating the dawn. Yet she could not sense the rising sun and no hint marked the sky. Raven placed his hand gently upon her arm, capturing her full attention forcing her to respond. "It's so…" She started, but thunder exploded ripping apart the heavens, fiery sparks rained down. The earth began to shudder; she fell staring at the sky and watched angels sing. Rifts and broad chasms opened under the strain, the city threatened to crumble, and Raven stood unflinching no trace of concern. He lifted her into his arms and together they held the child. Tara cried, unable to accept what she knew to be true, real tears burned her face. *** All in the house fell still at the sudden eruption; BB grabbed Adrian running into the den. Dakota sat with his friend, they were alone the vampires gone with only the smell of pipe smoke in their wake. Dakota held a drink in his hand, and it appeared he was about to speak a toast when the house shook violently. Mick cursed as his drink spilled, a sudden clarity struck each of them with his vulgar sincerity. The old house held firm, though a bit rattled as the tremor lasted but for a moment. Adrian went still, his flesh growing cold as he fell into a trance. His voice rumbling with a deepening power as Adrian began reciting terrible narratives of the events that he alone seemed to perceive. BB still grasps his wrist, an unwilling witness captured in that trance as she flowed among the fearsome tide apart inside his mind. The world as collective perception strained and buckled rejuvenating a stagnated decayed existence. A violent upheaval erupted in chaos as the masses cried out panicked, unprepared for the rebirth of time. Light broke the darkness cascading long rays across the lands, patches of hope fought for purchase under the crashing tide. Under the torment of commotion, a whimper began to grow, flowing out from the deep. Growing to a voice though still faintly pale, spoke a tender child. This all could hear; Dakota and Mick both paused to listen, as too did the frightened crowds. Moving among the still air this pale echo captured attention, silencing all in fear enduring merciful hope with acceptance. Forsaken Ch. 04 *** Raven led her and the child, under the transcending elements of dusk and dawn. Tara watched as the child stood, gaze fixed upon the falling heavens, trembling lips formed silent words rising to a whispering chant in ancient tongues forgotten by the earthly inhabitants. The sky rolled as rifts gapped casting chimneys of light and columns of darkness. Evil stirred restless under the chaos, anarchy sprouted disorder among masses, and dark abominations poured cruel malice from the chalice of ritual. Yet among the world Raven alone stood unmoved, as those faint words in this child's frail voice moved among the air echoing across the fabric of creation. Tara collapsed to her knees, stared in disbelief when the heavens opened upon this divine child, awash in fire and searing light. She and Raven watched as her tiny figure consumed by the flames, yet her chant never faltered and dark smoke rose. Tara cried out for her. A chant became a prayer, a whisper, fragile became a voice strong and the charred burning form grew within the flames. The gates of heaven crashed; the gates of hell crumbled, and sprits flooded upon the burning world. Angels and devils swept across the lands waging this ancient battle upon the hearts and souls of mortals; bound. Darkness and shadow moved as a living thing, writhing across the lands to condense upon the old heart of this ancient structure of civilization. So powerful the cloak of tangible despair; blocking out the dim rays of hope and muting the chanters' prayer of the innocent calling, casting unnatural rifts among this void in creation. The rays of dawn lost in those deep folds. Reality became myth as nightmares took hold choking the sane conscience, buckling the fragments yet remaining in this construct of collective awareness. Great bolts seared the shroud of darkening doom, a force that wailed in defiant agatation awakening the dormant monster within. Fire and ash rained from on high as the ground quaked violently, erupting chaos, sorrowful in mourning vengeance. The earth in creation cried out against this terrible blow, a desperate and pitiful sound stretched across emptiness. *** Adrian turned to stare at BB, his expression blank and unnerving as he took her hand. "You so wish to sample the burdens I bear for you, then come and look," he spoke with harsh tones emphasizing his impatience, and spun dragging her up the back staircase. He took the steps two at a time almost dragging her tiny frame behind him. At the landing he knelt to gaze upon her vexed and fretting. He saw for the first time what he considered a true response, her sarcasms and light childish eyes replaced with the true depth of her experience. He looked into the soul of a true immortal, whose wisdom spanned countless ages, and saw the infinite depth of her ageless torment. He lost the words as only a whimper escaped his parched lips and he led her up to the north tower. From there they stared to the east, together they witnessed the darkness and flames converge upon the towers of glass and steel. The dawn unseen and unfelt in the cold shadows, she stared on with frightened excitement. Dakota and Mick emerged roused by Adrian's tempered display; they were unprepared for what they beheld. People gathered in the streets, some only half dressed, but all held captive by the events transpiring. Enforcers moved among the masses, fighting to gain control in attempt to herd the crowds, they succeeded only in stirring violence. Dakota watched as riots erupted, the crowds divided, the enforcers banded together now for protection against the horde. He could see vampires feeding openly among the stragglers, and watched as the crowds clashed in violent oppositions. Thick smoke choked the now still air, and battle cries pierced the mounting tension. *** Raven watched unflinching, seemingly unaffected by the chaos of Hell spewing, vomited upon the world. His manner distant, as if he watched, shocked in morbid awe, and suspended between the heavens. Minds Eye Theater: standing upon the tide of Armageddon he was suffering this purgatory of pestilence. With a wave of his hand the flames extinguished and that charred husk was released, "She was riding your thoughts as you entered the change, now she has Fallen," his tones and manner hinted empathy as he tenderly cradled the brittle remains. Blood tears stained the face and hands of her dedicated protector. She stood on weak knees; staggered to Raven and gazing mournfully through the haze muttering something he could not understand. She wiped her eyes and gingerly moved the shroud to look upon the face of her defeat, but found the blackened ash peeling and cracked revealing flesh. With a mothers care she cleared away the charred layer of ash exposing white flesh beneath, a beautiful young woman emerged. Joy threatened to explode her with this miracle. "She has survived?" Tara asked, her voice broken under the strain of these emotions. "She has Fallen, but was spared," his words ringed by some hidden pain or fear. He looked up meeting Tara's gaze, his voice now seemed frail and his eyes distant and hallow, "We must get to sanctuary, she needs rest and the sun will break through soon. While you rest I will gather her some food and clothes, come we must be swift for our enemies grow desperate with impatience." "Then let's go back to where we first met, it's not far and I have some equipment hidden there. Besides going back there our chances of being discovered narrows, they already looked," she pulled at him to emphasize her point and the urgency of their situation. They had scarcely entered the structure when rays of sunlight pierced the smoke and clouds; Raven sidestepped moving between Tara and the door so his shadow would protect her from the fatal day. They moved down to the boiler that now appeared ransacked. The great iron door lay battered across the room; torn from its rusted hinges a sure sign raged stalkers. Tara gathered what she could to make a pallet inside the boiler where she and the child could rest. "Tell me where your things are hidden and I shall retrieve them during my venture," he said when handing the child to her. Tara shook her head, "I'll handle that later, and my bags are rigged. You need not worry ‘bout that, but the child, what she needs. We will be safe until your return; they can not hunt us during the day." He bowed at her request and hefted the great iron grate sealing the entrance. Then reached into his pocket and found the card Dakota had lent to him. If he could still return he felt this task would be swift and so he set out. Once outside under the patching day fear struck a nerve somewhere deep within his scattered thoughts, with the rays of day randomly piercing the heavy smoke and clouds these demons would not pause in their search. He moved quickly, desperate to return before his fear grew to reality, but when he emerged finding the streets crowded with warring mobs his heart sank. *** "Someone's at the door!" she gleefully chirped ducking the dodge of Dakota. She danced down the stairs singing to herself, well ahead of those following. She could hear the faint chime hidden under the sea of noise, and counted the delay. Not wanting to be rude, BB used celerity of thought reaching the door on the third chime. Her nimble fingers quickly worked a series of locks and the door swung open as Dakota emerged from the den. Standing just within the entry, battered and bleeding was a face she had not seen in generations. Shadows of memories past, fantastic dreams faded almost forgotten rising upon the smoldering wings of a crumbling reality now emerged remembering. BB fainted, her limp frame captured gracefully in Dakota's arms. A look of bewilderment crossed his weary features for the briefest instant before his gaze moved inspecting this guest unannounced. Dakota stumbled catching himself before the fall, shocked beyond comprehension, his mighty frame quivered. Mick bolted through the archway to see Dakota down on one knee, BB limp in his arms, and a dark silhouette blocking the door. He called out to Dakota, while discretely reaching for the blade tucked under his jacket. "Speak friend or foe," he demanded stepping into the shadows. His blade was drawn and now carefully concealed. The wolf awakened inside him, lending him its strength. His body began the change, as wolf and man merged into one perfect being. With his enhanced abilities the silhouette came into focus. A woman stood, beaten yet smiling, she processed a power unlike any he had ever before witnessed. Then she spoke. "Man-wolf," she said. "You have great courage to draw arms against me, but I am not here to quarrel," her voice was calm and almost sweet in alluring temptation. "I have dire news concerning us all. Now invite me in out of the weather." Her posture remained calm, her tone tranquil, but authority radiated. She would not be intimidated, nor would she compromise. *** Raven gazed upon the horrors of anarchy. The riots and fires blazed unchecked gaining intensity as the masses warred with authority and then turned their accumulated rage against one another. He watched as Enforcers fell, vampires fed openly among the masses. Demons that which have no names arose from the shadows dragging their victims screaming into the depths of the unknown. From this vantage, Raven could see the darkness growing toward the heart of this city. The lights flickered everywhere; some were broken out entirely but there, among the high rises darkness was a physical form consuming the light, and the skies. Raven stepped back from the scenes of violence awestruck by the chaos, when something captured his attention. Across the street, a figure stood solemnly against the sea of motion. A figure untouched and unnoticed stood unflinching; it stared at him coldly from behind the masses. When their eyes met, Raven felt icy fingers playing at his spine. It knew what he was, and that chilled him to the core. A voice whispered upon his mind, challenging him, mocking him and then the creature was gone. It would certainly inform others of his whereabouts, he had no choice. Raven submitted to the monster within himself, aware of its murderous motives. He could feel his flesh begin o tear, muscles ripped and bones shattered, as the man became the beast. His vision blurred, and nerves blazed as muscles knitted and bones reshaped. Raven could almost watch this horrid transformation as his body crumpled, reformed and emerged a monster of fury. He was aware of his every action but helpless to control the deeds of this raging beast. Forsaken: Good Black Men August 7, 2012. It had been a year since I got dumped unceremoniously by Diana Jones and experienced a life-altering change in the way I looked both at the world and at myself. Everything that happens in this life is a teaching moment, to quote the recently re-elected United States President Barack Obama. I've changed a lot since those days. For starters, I graduated from the Sprott MBA program at Carleton University. Yay for me, I guess. That was a major step. Tonight, my new lady love Brittany Lansbury and I are meeting my folks for their thirtieth wedding anniversary at a quaint little Caribbean restaurant in the west end of the Canadian capital. My parents, Leonard and Mariel Sebastien moved to the City of Ottawa, Province of Ontario, from their hometown of Cap-Haitien in the island of Haiti in the summer of 1985. I was born two years later. As Canadian as maple syrup, but decidedly Haitian flavoured. That's me in a nutshell. The name is Eric Sebastien. I've often been told that I was different, whatever that means. I stand six feet two inches tall, big and dark-skinned, with curly hair and light brown eyes. I'm built like a college or professional football player, but I couldn't throw a ball to save my life. I've always had a head for numbers, though. At Saint Augustine Academy, I was President of the Math team, even though everybody from the principal to the athletic director begged me to try out for the varsity football team. Sorry to disappoint you guys, but I missed the sport gene. Not every big and tall Black male you run into is good at sports. We can do more than that, you know. People often speak of the Black male's physical prowess in matters of contact sports and sex. What about the Black man's brain? How come nobody ever mentions it? This makes me shake my head in disgust. Anyhow, growing up I was used to the other Blacks at my old high school accusing me of acting White simply because I wasn't into sports or skipping school but I rather enjoyed academia. On Friday nights you'd catch me playing chess with friends in a quiet corner of the academy library. Yeah, I was never mister excitement, let's leave it at that. I was simply me. A hard-working, church-going, friendly and easygoing Black male who didn't butcher the English language with every syllable coming out of my mouth. No sir, I believed in using proper diction and all that. Where did I learn that from? I got it from my parents. My dad studied civil engineering at the University of Massachusetts in the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, before moving to Ontario, Canada. He came to Canada as a Haitian national with an American university degree. Something which amazed the authorities when he first came as a landed immigrant, dad told me. Education is the Black man's way of reaching higher, that's what my father told me. He urged me to always strive to be the best. And I always listened to my dad. When I enrolled at Carleton University in Ottawa, I was surrounded by a diverse group of students for the first time. Canada's capital university has many students from places like Africa, the Middle East, China, India and Latin America. That was way more diversity than I was used to at the private Christian school which I attended a while back. There were only twenty five Black students among the eleven hundred person study body at Saint Augustine Academy and nineteen of them were female. I guess you could say that I wasn't used to being around Black guys...and I'm a Black man! I grew up in a White neighborhood, my friends were White and everything was okay, I guess. I knew that the world saw me as a Black man and I embraced it. I have never been ashamed of being Black, even though I've often been accused of acting White. I just didn't like them trying to define who and what I am simply because of my skin colour. Being Black and male shouldn't just mean being good at sports and a sexual hound. Black men can follow intellectual pursuits too. We can be lawyers, doctors, engineers, chess players, writers, artists and lawmakers instead of just athletes and thugs. I've struggled my whole life with this, and it is still a struggle. Too many young Black men grow up thinking that being smart isn't cool, so they act dumb and look where it leads them. When I arrived at Carleton University, I sought others like myself. Surely among these sons and daughters of the African and Afro-Caribbean Diaspora there must be some pretty intelligent and ambitious people. I always wanted to join a club filled with positive, smart Black folks who would uplift the Black community with our good deeds. We often hear about the Black male who's a deadbeat dad or the one who robs the liquor store. Why don't we hear about the one who's a rising executive in a big company, a hard-working policeman in a tough precinct, or a dedicated fireman? Black men can be more than athletes and thugs. That's what I believed. Fortunately at Carleton University, I learned that I wasn't alone in my belief. I met a six-foot-tall, lovely young African-American woman named Diana Jones. Born in the City of Detroit, Michigan, she came to Carleton University on an international scholarship. You should have seen her, man. Tall and absolutely sexy. She kind of resembled that young lady from the movie ATL. The one who played rapper T.I.'s love interest in the movie. Diana Jones took my breath away. I've always been fascinated by African-Americans. From Martin Luther King to Malcolm X, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and President Barack Obama, African-Americans are my heroes. Look at all the things they've accomplished in racist America. They should be an inspiration for us Black Canadians. Diana invited me to join the newly christened Black Students Association at Carleton University. A gathering of African-descended intellectuals creating positive change through their actions in the community. Through Diana I met quite a few very interesting people. Abdul Ahmed, a smart brother from Somalia, a luminary in the civil engineering program at Ottawa University. Rose Kensington, a pretty Jamaican sister from the police foundations program at Algonquin College. Henry Adewale, a brilliant Nigerian-born British student who was spending a semester at Carleton University. Jose Sanchez, an Afro-Brazilian brother studying chemical engineering at McGill University. Wow. I was in good company! I was thrilled to be among them, and sparks were flying between Diana and I. Finally I met the kind of sister who liked smart brothers instead of thugs. We began going out. Everything seemed perfect for three months, then I found out she was cheating on me with this rich White guy named Trent Hauser. He's from the University of Heidelberg, somewhere in Germany, and is spending a semester at Carleton University. He's rich, White, and likes chocolate ladies. How do you like them apples? I was really hurt when I discovered the awful truth, and when I confronted Diana about it, she got really mad. I expected her to be remorseful but she was angry and said she was fed up with me. I was heartbroken. I forced myself to move on because there's really no use crying over what clearly wasn't meant to be. I truly missed Diana, though I wished I didn't. sometimes I saw her on campus with Trent Hauser, and the rich German bastard was all smiles as he kissed her every time he saw me. Diana loved showing off Trent to me. As if he was some kind of prize. To Black chicks who can't stand Black men, White guys make great trophies and vice versa. I decided to focus on my schoolwork and ignored Trent and Diana for the sake of my sanity. In spite of my best efforts, my grades slipped up. Elroy Jacobson, one of my favorite professors in the Sprott MBA program at Carleton University, advised me to get some academic help. My academic helper came in the form of a five-foot-eleven, blonde-haired and blue-eyed, tough-as-nails ( but with a nice big butt ) American chick named Brittany Lansbury. A recent graduate of the MBA program, she was working on campus as a teacher's assistant. I was a bit hesitant when professor Elroy paired us together, but I never should have questioned the old Nova Scotian's wisdom. Brittany Lansbury turned out to be just what I needed, in more ways than one. This Barbie-like lady did not go easy on me. She put me through hell, academically and personally. I needed someone to make me snap back to reality. I needed to stop whining over Diana, who clearly moved on with her life. Oh, yeah. And you know what? It worked like a charm. Brittany Lansbury was tough on me, but as I got to know her, I realized that this Texan-born Barbie Doll had a heart as big as the State in which she was born and raised. One night, I mustered the courage to ask her out and she said yes, but only under the condition that my grades pick up. Well, you had better believe I brought my grades back up. Brittany and I began dating, and she was a breath of fresh air. Finally someone I could be myself around. We had been dating for three and a half months before I introduced her to my parents. I knew my dad would be cool with me being with Brittany but I was a bit worried about my mom's reaction. Like most Black mothers, my mom wanted her only son to be with a Black woman. Well, I'm sorry mom but Black women don't like me. They can't like me. I tried, I really did. I swear to God that I did. I am exactly how you raised me to be. I'm a decent, educated, friendly and easygoing, respectful Black man. I respect women. I'm generous. I'm a good guy. I'm not a thug or a hustler. I don't treat women like garbage because I like to project a tough guy image. So, no, I guess they don't encounter Black men like me too often. In the end, my mother came around. For she realized that Brittany Lansbury made me happy. It's my life, and we only get so many chances at love and happiness. got to seize the moment or life will pass you by. Peace. Forsaken Love Blood. A powerful and binding concoction that defines a person yet is spilled over that definition. In some worlds, families fight noble blood against noble blood but in my world, if you do not have wings on your feet, you are not fit to live here. Thankfully, my pads have wings but the only soul I would give my life and honor for has none. My heart beats swiftly for a three-winged angel who with his very talons ripped out my soul and made it his. Tonight we meet again yet in the very depths of my being I feel it may be our last. A warm breeze washes over my bare flesh and brings along with it the scent of the sea mingled with the perfume of grass. I feel feather light and wait for the wind to blow me off this castle tower but stay rooted in place because of my heavy heart. I draw my knees close to my body and rest my cheek on them letting the moon cloak me in a veil of cold blue. I then smell a familiar musky sweetness riding on the sails of sea and grass. My love embraces me from behind with his lean muscular arms enveloping me with his wings and his heart. He presses against me as if to melt my carnal being with his body heat into the quicksilver of his blood. He strong rough hands caress me gently like the very warm breeze binding us both. I feel like the moon cradled by velvet black night and our love is the twinkling diamonds of the stars. I asked if he was identified by any of his yellow-eyed brethren and he denied. Relieved, I let myself be taken away from the pain our world has given us. My feathers drape over his almost reptilian feet, the strands licking his talons as his feathers curtains us from existence. His lips caress my ear as he delivers drops of honey onto its porches. I break out in gooseflesh feeling our sexual energy rise to an unrecognizable level. His fingers flutter like butterflies over my breasts and I pull him closer wanting him to be inside me and inside my soul only to claw his way out once more. He turns me around and looking into his yellow eyes and I notice that they get freckled with specks of orange when he sees me and seeing this I lean in for a kiss in a body that does not feel like mine. His surprisingly soft lips fuse with mine and in that moment I could have died, for I was swimming in eternal bliss. Yet my heart grows uneasy as I feel a kind of finality in this kiss and his quivering hands confirm that he shares my uneasiness too. He lays down on the ground offering one of his wings as a blanket before I lower myself to join him and the floor's cold stony company. Wrapping himself around me like a boa, our emotions settle like falling leaves and we drift off to sleep in each other's arms. I dreamt that I was lost in the dark and unseen forces restricted me of my freedom only to wake up staring into yellow eyes that were not my beloved's. I realize my restraints have been modified with poisonous teeth as the bare down menacingly into my flesh, I try not to struggle but I could not contain myself for what I was about to witness . Hung limp between two shadow cloaked wing-footed angels was my heart. His wings looked molten, almost as if the feathers were ripped off and his beautiful face was unidentifiable under a sheet of blood. I cry out at the sight and every breath I take is accompanied by searing pain as my broken ribs dig deeper into my lungs. From my mouth, rivers of crimson flowed as we are dragged down to the gallows by our bound hands. Black streamers of hate wash over me - hate for who I have loved and hate for my crime. A brief moment of relief is felt, as the urchin bracelets are removed but are then replaced by itchy strands of hemp. I am then strung up by my arms embarrassed by how exposed I was to a sea of yellow lanterns. I then hear the sound of a snake slithering through straw as my tormentor uncoils his whip letting its metal tip dangle at his feet. My battered lover is knelt before me to watch as I am whipped into numbness. Every lash is as if it seeks to rid me of my love for him. Hot stickiness courses down my back as they kneel me to watch whatever fate is set out for my angel of darkness. My life is slowly ebbing away from me and my heart disintegrates as I watch our accusers slowly rip his once enchanted wings off his back. I cannot do anything as his legs flail and he seems to have screamed the cold curdled blood out of anyone within earshot yet still I cannot do anything but watch. We are suddenly without heart or spirit. We are an empty shell, a vacant husk of what used to be. My dark prince is thrown onto an awaiting wagon yet before I am to join him, I feel the cold sliver of steel against my ankles as they saw away at my winged feet. The pain is excruciating and its cruel character creeps its way up to my throat releasing my soul. I then join my love for our romantic wagon ride to death with my face landing inches apart from his, I can see that it is etched in pain and sweet satisfaction. We stare into each other's eyes, his once bright yellow eyes now dulled reflected in my onyx almonds, we inhale the sea and grass once more time. "I love you, Lilith." clotted blood shuddered in his lungs as he struggled to whisper, "This is the moment we have lived for, the moment that we risked everything for." "And what a life we lived, Uriel. I am forever bound to you, my love." I replied through clenched teeth. We are yanked from the open air and thrown into a dark wooden coffin that smelled of mold and dirt. Darkness welcomes us like a mother to a long lost son and even after they pounded the lid shut and we heard the shovels of soil collide with the wood, we knew we were going home. Home to a world where wing-footed beauties could love three-winged miracles and not have their blood spilled on what defines them. Before Death planted its sickly sweet kiss on our heads, I heard my no-winged lover humming into my hair. Forsaken The faint, dancing shadow of eternity shattered in a violent pitch crumbling, falling to crystalline shards. Forever fell upon itself like broken glass leaving the world in absolute chaos, his soul cried in villainous outrage. The combined anguish of countless lifetimes hit him in a single wave. A tsunami drowns his soul in bitter emotion. He fell through the shattered chaos to land, with crushing force, back in the dirty room with his small fire. The impacts stealing his breathe, robbing his strength to leave him helplessly in despair. His senses blind to the dangers that summoned him back from the beyond. He raged letting the beast from deep within his tormented soul take control. Hell hath no fury like the Beast within. An intruder could be heard, felt, as it rapidly approached stumbling through the shadows and twisting halls. He listened with trained senses, feeling the distorted echoes trembling fearfully in the cold emptiness. In his mind the image was clear, of a person chased by fear to the very limits of human endurance. The messages, hidden in flight, revealed to him a secret. A person smaller than he, fled through the night with quiet desperation, perhaps a child or woman it was stumbling into his realm. But as it approached he extinguished the small blaze with the simple wave of his hand. In the span of a few breaths Raven had his duffel bag packed and sword drawn. Wrapped securely in this unnatural darkness, he listened, and waited. Just then the echoes had ceased, and silence consumed, leaving nothing. He strained his combat trained senses, desperately seeking to pierce the infinite nothing. But only rhythmic hammering of his pulse reached his ears. Without warning to his taxed senses the portal to this sanctuary exploded in a rain of splinters, a small body hurling unchecked crashed through. The body sent him hurtling robbing him of breath. The impact sent him to the ground, pinned beneath this half aware female. Before Raven could recover the deftly faint tremors of another violated this chamber, he could feel movement in the darkness. Watching helplessly as a pair of leather clad warriors emerged from the gloom. Each well armed beneath the sleek black cloaks, powerful and dangerous these unnatural monsters. Drinking deep every detail, Raven watched in awe their every action. They each moved with a fluid grace never before witnessed. Each graceful flowing motion carefully weighed and silent to any mortal, he wondered at this marvel. As they took position, he could feel the sound of their presence timidly silence. The larger of the two took position near the shattered remains of the once solid door. The other cautiously approached, weapon drawn. It appeared these monsters held no interest in him. The monster fought to control a sneering smile. "Look bitch," this giant growled lifting the woman high as if she were nothing more than a doll, "Give us the child and it'll all be over. What is your answer?" He shook her violently to emphasize his impatience and taking this chance kicked Raven fiercely. "Shall we have Roach ask her?" he smiled venomously. The monster gently pulled the blade across her face; its razor hone parted her flesh hungrily marking a thin line in blood. His sadistic laugh rising from deep within that demonic soul and carrying his joyous glee, he was drunk on power and bloodlust. But she revealed no weakness and gathering what spittle she could, and met his fierce gaze to assault his arrogance. She spit full in his face, "Make it hurt." The beast erupted roaring his bloodlust in a string of despicable curses, and beat her with the heavy iron pommel. But consumed in his fury never saw what was to happen, and couldn't react. Raven arose from the dusty floor in vengeful wrath, his sword striking like a hungry viper biting through armor, flesh, and then bone. A crimson rain showered then all, as that once powerful roar melted instantly into a shriek of agony. "Welcome to the game," it hissed, doubled over clutching at the stump, "But I'm afraid that we have first claim," came a serpentine laugh from the darkness. The sound seemed to invade the shadows spreading yet never dissipating. "Well stranger," came the raspy voice as now the monster stood towering above Raven, "Looks like you got the drop on me. Congratulations. You are the first, but in case you haven't noticed, you aint exactly in Kansas anymore, dip-shit. Roach, watch her while I school this mutt in manners." He tossed her like a broken doll across the room, never taking his eyes from Raven's still dripping sword. "Now friend, I have got one hell of a surprise for you." he laughed. With quickness, which could not be matched, this demon lashed out drawing from hidden folds a violent blade dripping with dark ichors. Raven responded with spring-like reflexes, but quick not enough; the wretched weapon pierced his flesh filling his body with dreaded toxin. Raven fell, landing hard upon bruised knees, the poison feeding upon his blood and attacking his mind. "Well stubby, you got me. Now what are you going to do with me," Raven scoffed. His mockery a mask for the searing agony that spread like fire with each labored breath and every rhythmic drum. Their eyes met for the first time, locked in dueling embrace, Raven watched in horror as those eyes began to glow. Faint at first but then blinding; now only a pair of crimson orbs stared through the darkness, the light consuming, to invade Raven's soul. But it didn't stop there, his already grim features twisted, distorting, becoming more devil than human. Those bright orbs sank deep into skeletal sockets, his ears now longer more pointed. That sadistic smile; rows of sharpened fangs, this thug shed its human form. "Look now, Boy!" it hissed between jagged fangs. Raven closed his eyes tightly bringing his great broadsword around in a deadly arc, to cleave both demonic orbs, blinding the beast with a piercing wail. Raven paused not in his attack, the heavy blade crushing the monsters thick skull in a meaty rain of gore. His desperate attempt freed his mind but the toxin continued to drown numbing senses. He was at the mercy of Hell. Without warning he was attacked from behind with crushing force. Raven could hear his ribs crack under the strain as he was thrown breathless, headlong into the ancient brick. Any mortal caught by such a blow would easily have been killed but as it was he fell half conscience to the filth-ridden floor, devoured by poisonous pains. Raven could hear its mocking laugh above his grinding bones in a grievous attempt to repair. His broken body lay trembling, struggling to overcome this unknown poison, when from the dark the demon arose. It lifted him with ease mocking his misery and with all its devilish fury slammed him against the bricks. The brutal force robbing him of strength, driving splintered bones deep into his lungs. He choked as blood filled his mouth, drowning him, suffocating on his own life. "Now, that has got to hurt." it sneered tracing a sharp claw across his face. The monster dropped him only to forcefully kick him several times before turning its attention back to the unconscious female. She lay in a broken heap under the vicious barbed chains unaware of what grisly horrors this demonic fiend could conceive. Raven could only watch through the darkening haze of blood tears as this monster stalked the helpless innocence of a stranger, that he felt compelled to protect. He could feel the fiery toxin coursing through him, filling his lungs to the point of collapse. His weakened pulse began to fade, but he refused to surrender. Fighting to repair shattered bones and internal bleeding taxed his strength beyond endurance. Desperate to scream, his breathe long lost, the rhythmic pulse deep within at last faded to silence. His final thought, Revenge! Forsaking All Others He got off the sofa, “Oh come on, please Helen don’t be so silly it really will be a great bash”. Her eyes watched the television as she replied, “Chris I’ve known you for seven years, I’ve been married to you for five of those years and in all that time I have never liked those two prats that you call friends, they are childish, pathetic and stupid, they play stupid pranks and the way they want to look at every porn site they can find, and make jokes about women makes me sick, their filthy little perverts”. He sat on the arm of the settee, “Look there will be other people there, you don’t have to bother yourself with them, I have to go and I want you there with me, please Helen, just for me, I’ll buy you a new dress, special you know just for the occasion”. She looked up, “I get to choose it, buy it and you pay for the whole trip in to town”. He shrugged his shoulders, “O K if that’s what it takes, it’s a deal”, she went back to watching the programme. Danny and Phil worked in the office two floors above Chris, all three were in the office canteen, “We going to do it then, like we said”, Phil looked anxiously at the other two, “Go on say yes, I’ve bought them”, he opened a bag to show three beard disguises, Danny picked one out, “Hey there not bad, bloody good in fact, why not, you up for it Chris”? Chris took it, “If it makes you two happy and you want to wear them at the party then as you say why not, I’ll have to get ready here, the old mans got me working through till eight, Helen will have to go by Taxi, but I’ll give her a laugh this beard should surprise her and I’ve bought some great new designer gear”. Helen looked at herself in the mirror, oh yes she thought, this is the business, she admired herself and her new out-fit, black figure hugging dress, the hem short on one side showed a lot of thigh as the other side dipped to her calf. Nicely cut neckline to show just enough of her sumptuous cleavage, a little strap slid over her left shoulder all finished off with high black ankle strapped shoes and dark stockings. She didn’t need to go to the hairdressers with a sweep of a comb and a carefully placed clip her auburn waves cascaded around her face and down to her shoulders, she smiled to herself, twenty six and still got that carnival queen look that won you so many beauty pageants. The phone rang down stairs, by the time she got to it the answer machine had taken over, “Hy sweetheart, got to work late, get a taxi to Phil’s be there as soon as possible, love you”. Shit, bloody typical, here’s me done up to look great and now I’ve got to get a taxi to that stupid party that I don’t even want to go to. She lit a cigarette, got the phone book and rang, first taxi available will be in two hours, she booked it and sat, then stood and went to the wall cabinet and poured herself a scotch and soda, and then she sat again. Her enthusiasm for the party made her stand and visit the cabinet five times in the two hours she wanted. The taxi arrived at Phil’s about eight fifteen, she was as she hoped noticed by all the men and did everything to avoid bumping in to Phil and Danny by talking to the others, she was well in to the scotch as she put another cigarette in her mouth, a lighter flicked in front of her. She followed the arm up to see two tall men admiring her she guessed in their early forty’s who immediately started to monopolize her. They got her more drink and flattered her, asked after her husband, all small talk. Then another drink and the conversation got round to how boring the party was, how silly the people were and how there was a great party not ten miles down the road, at the Barrington-Thomas’s. Helen giggled, “Not that big old rambling house on the Tuxford road”, they smiled at each other then back at the slightly drunk very attractive woman and said, “That’s the one”. She carried on giggling, “Wouldn’t it be awful of me to go there”, they started to goad her, “How awful do we feel, it will be really stupendous, plenty of good drink and enough room to dance”, the other one jumped in, “And full of better class people than this, the way you look isn’t that what your worth”? Helen emptied the glass stubbed out her cigarette, “Yes I’m worth it; shall we go dancing”? She picked her coat up, said goodnight to the only friend she knew, Trudy Carnell and staggered her way to their car. The car pulled quickly away from Phil’s. The two men in the front and Helen in the back, one man opened the glove box and handed a cigarette to her, “Moroccan tobacco, tastes really good”, she took it and he lit it, she inhaled and then coughed, “Ohooo that’s strong”. He turned to her, “Slowly, inhale and hold, then slowly let it out”, she did as he said and relaxed back in to the leather seat. Chris finally got away from the office at eight fifty. After donning his false beard and new clothes he headed for Phil’s. He first searched out Phil and Danny to see them in their beards, all looked like triplets, which was the idea, then he grabbed a drink and looked for Helen. The car moved up the gravel drive and stopped amongst the other cars, the two men were out and at the back door; a silently bemused Helen stumbled out of the back seat. The two men walked ether side of her, keeping her straight as they went in through the front door. The rooms were dimly lit, someone took her coat and handbag as they went in to the big lounge, a drink was put in her hand as she started to sway to the soft gentle music. Chris searched the house for Helen, rang home and got in to a bit of a panic until he bumped in to Trudy Carnell who told him that Helen had gone off to another party with a couple of men, she remembered something about the Tuxford road but that was about all, Chris downed another large gin and tonic and went to his car. “Want to dance”, Helen made a silly, “Arr-ha”, sound as the other man took her glass. The music was slow and romantic; he held her close, she, a little unsteady, lay against him. At first he held her gentle then he let his hand move to the small of her back, he pushed her in to him making sure she could feel his hard cock as it rubbed against her. The other man watched them as he moved to a small corner and met with three others, they had been watching events and wanted to talk, “Evening Alex, I see Richard has a new girlfriend this one looks rather exceptional”. Alex smiled, “Good god no, we dropped Martin off at some silly party, stayed for one and that gorgeous creature dropped in to our lap”. Another in the group said, “Looks like she’s had a few”, Alex turned to him, “Yes she was quite well under, got fed up waiting for her husband, sounds like he will be at home with the others at that party, oh and the joint we gave her in the car has helped”. A third man butted in, “Wonder if she puts out, she’s got some body on her, certainly well stacked up front, I wonder if their real”? Alex looked at the pair dancing, he noticed that Helen was unsteady on her feet and had her arms around Richard’s neck, “A couple more drinks and another joint in an out of the way room should answer those questions”. Chris pulled in to the drive, heard the noise and decided to investigate. He was about to pull the beard off when he looked in the rear-view mirror, no he thought maybe I’d like to mingle un-noticed. He slid out the car and made for an open French window, walked through and picked up a glass, his eyes surveyed the people. As a cameraman walked around taking pictures of the guests the flash’s illuminated the room He saw a group of five men and then he heard a giggle, a giggle he knew only to well. He got in to a better position to see, hell he thought she looks good in that outfit, until she tottered slightly and he could see the other side and the top of her fancy stocking showing at the raised hem. Something inside him stopped him from going over, to him he was now invisible, no one knew he was there and no one could recognise him, he moved a little closer, he could see I rather large glass of drink in her hand, then one of the men gestured towards the dance area, she went to move but they made her drink the entire glass, and called for another as she lent on the mans arm and went to dance. Chris watched her, she was beautiful, the dress looked very sexy; the shoes and stockings showed the whole outfit off, her tussled hair swung as she danced round the room to Bolero, but she was his wife what the fuck was she doing dancing with this man? He wanted to know more. He watched as the man held her, his hands pulled hers up round his neck, then he slid his hands down her bare arms, his thumbs ran over her breast’s then on down until he cupped her ass cheeks and ground her in to him, her head lolled back and then dropped forward on to his shoulder. He moved her over towards the others and held her, dancing on the spot right in to the corner, Chris moved back he could see her; they hadn’t surrounded her completely. He watched as one man slid his hand in to the side of her raised hem, the outline of his hand was on her ass, her arm came down as if to push it away, but another hand held it, the hand on her ass moved down and between her legs, she still moved as if to dance but did a lot more squirming. Chris saw movement on the other side, he took a couple of steps forward as if going to get a drink as he saw a hand reach up and close over her left breast, just then the music stopped, and so did they. As the music started again another man held her and started to dance, it was a slow dance and Chris watched as his hands gripped her ass, then one hand slid up and covered her left tit, he heard her giggle and pull his hand away only for him to put it straight back. She brought her hand down to stop him again but he held it and slid it all they way down between them until he held her hand against the bulge in his trousers. She giggled some more as another man came up behind her and squeezed her ass, Chris heard, “Come on Helen, just going to have a little smoke of something illegal but it will make you feel really good, come on, we have it in a private room”. Chris heard one say to the one who’d been touching her ass, “We’ll use her in the study, no-one will be going in there; its got private on the door”. Chris put the drink down, looked round the room. Its not the way he came in, its not towards the front door, but there was a hall way, he made for it, sure enough half way down was a door marked private. He slid through the door, flicked a light on. The room had a long couch three matching arm chairs, a desk, drinks table and wall shelving, the windows were covered by long red velvet drapes, he flicked the light off and made for the drapes. He got himself in to a comfortable position sitting on the window ledge, a little movement of the curtain join would give him view of the room, he waited, but not for long. The door opened and the room flooded with light, he could see everything. Richard was the first through the door with Helen giggling and squealing behind him, she was being pushed by another man, the one who had felt her ass, then the other three quickly followed, as the door shut and the key was turned, Helen was nudged so she flopped on to the couch, one man said, “Now where’s the dreaded weed”. Chris could see the man go to the desk, he took out two boxes, from one he made a joint passed it to Alex who in-turn gave it to Helen, as they were lighting hers he made five from what looked like plain ordinary tobacco and handed them out. Richard sat in one chair Alex in another, the other chair was occupied by the older of the five and Helen was sandwiched between the one who had felt her ass and the one who had squeezed her tit. Helen looked a bit dazed as they all smoked theirs encouraging her to take another drag from her joint, she tried to cross her legs but failed, her dress had ridden up and as Chris had the view of the shorter side he could see the white flesh above her stockings. She started to sway, one man put his hand on her shoulder and pulled her back so she was lying on the short backrest, her head fell back. Her dress was flipped up at the hem until it showed her stocking tops, the little strap was pulled down her shoulder making it easy to flick open the little clasp, Chris watched as one man winked at the other, his hand moved, resting on Helens thigh. Chris felt strangely compelled to stay hidden and see what his lovely wife would let these men do, he remembered those famous words, Forsaking all others, well lets just put it to the test, the trouble was as he watched the mans hand stroke the naked flesh just above his wife’s stocking he felt a thickening of his cock in his trousers. The mans hand pushed between his wife’s inner thighs, his thumb moved and rubbed on the silk pants just between her legs, Helen groaned her hands moved and held the hand, but it didn’t stop the thumb from pressing over her cunt. As the thumb pressed in a long moan escaped Helen’s mouth this was the moment that the other one pulled at the front of her dress, he pulled out and down, slowly her left tit was exposed to everyone’s eyes, the nipple looked huge and Chris knew only to well how sensitive those nipples were. As the mans head dropped towards the big red bud, Chris’s line of vision was blocked but he knew the moment the mans mouth must have closed over his wife’s inflamed teat, the room was filled by a louder more rasping noise coming from her throat. Chris watched as the left hand moved up, he knew he was going for the other firm meaty tit, he could see the top of the dress as it dropped around her waist and he bit his lip, his wife was now naked to her navel. Her hands still had hold of the other mans hand but they were now pulling his wrist’s up forcing his thumb to push harder in to her, the grunts and moans becoming more irregular as did her breathing. Alex got up; he dropped his jacket over the chair and slowly undid his trousers as walked around the back of the couch, Helens head hung back and rolled from side to side, Alex stood behind her, he ran his hand over her neck and mouth pushing his thumb in to it, Chris watched her suck hungrily at it. His other hand slid down her front and had his turn at fondling the perfect fat flesh and the hard red nipple that jutted out excitedly. Richard moved to kneel in front of her now open legs, the first man was still tickling her pants, held there by her hands but Richard was in a position to pull the crutch piece to one side allowing the thumb to push between the hot wet flesh of her aroused cunt. Chris watched as Alex pulled his fat hard cock out of his trousers and aimed it at the panting mouth, he ran the tip over her lips; Helens tongue slid out and licked at the sticky cock head. Alex gripped his cock, held Helens head to the side and pushed the head in between the open lips. “There you go little lady that’s what you really want isn’t it, I thought that was it when we met you, your face would look just great with a nice fat cock stuck in that pretty mouth of yours, go on suck on it”, he laughed at the others as he said, “Oh Helen I do hope your not a vegetarian as your going to get plenty of hard meat in your mouth tonight”. At the same time Richard’s fingers curled in to her pants and pulled them down past her knees, “You can’t beat a horny frustrated housewife to give up her wet cunt and let anybody have a good fuck, bet she fucks like a rabbit, thought she was a hot assed bunny when we picked her up”. The man who had been fingering her pushed a finger up in to her, screwing it in and around, her hips squirmed then rose inviting another finger to push in and a gently sawing motion told Chris that she had a wet cunt and it was being finger fucked. Richard pushed his trousers down and moved the man who was finger fucking Helen out the way; he gripped her hips and pulled her to the edge of the couch. Chris watched as he pushed her legs wide open, his rigid hard cock looked big, Chris looked at it as Richard put his hands on the couch ether side of her and shoved forward. As his cock entered her, his mouth descended on to her nipple and he sucked hard, pulling the large red bud up, she squealed around Alex’s cock which was now well in to her mouth. As Richard lifted his head, Helens hands went up to her tits and started squeezing and pulling at her own nipples, she moaned and her hips moved both men smiled at each other, “I think its time we fucked this little sluts brains out”, they began to mercilessly bang their cock in to Helen, two other men began to take their trousers off. Chris watched them fucking her, then something Alex said made his cock twitch, “That’s it suck it all the way, no need to rush darling your mouths going to get fucked a lot of times tonight”, Richard almost laughed the words, “Ya and while her mouths busy her cunt and ass are going to get plenty of thrusting meat as well”. One of the other men said, “Hope she’s got a tight ass it looked really good in that dress”, Chris nearly came in his trousers the amount of times he’d want to bugger her ass and she wouldn’t let him and here she was now a drunken fucktoy for all these men, and they were going to use her. Alex started to pull her at him he was about to fill her mouth, the man who was going to be next held her head pushing it forward as Alex blew himself in to her. The other man was busy fondling her tit, as Richard emptied himself up her, casually saying, “Hope your on the pill love, because its going to be overworked tonight”. Her head was released and it hung back over the couch, she gurgled some choking noises. Soon as Richard pulled out of her the man playing with her tit grabbed her arm and pulled forward and on to the floor. The man behind the couch almost ran round to her, “Where shall we fuck her”, the first one was pulling her up, “Get her over the desk, lets have that cute ass up and open”. Helen drunkenly giggled and made some slapping motions with her hands saying, “You stop it, your bad boys”, as they dragged her across the room, took the globe and writing material off the desk and shoved her over it. He ran his hand over her ass, stroking it, fingering her hole, her hand came round to cover her butt, he held it, “O K slut a little lubrication from your cunt”, he pushed his cock up her freshly fucked cunt then slid it out and pushed it at her ass hole. Chris watched her knees bend and straighten as she wiggle her ass around, the man loved it as he pushed, she tried to look round but the man in front had hold of her head pushing his cock at her mouth, as the cock slide past her opening she gave a small cry which was cut short as the cock at her face pushed in to her mouth. As the two men fucked her Richard dressed and left the room, Chris watched as the hard cock fucked in and out of his wife’s ass, he heard her grunts as each shove pushed her further over the desk and the cock in her mouth further down her throat. Richard returned, with him was the photographer Chris had seen earlier, Chris also noticed that this time the door was not locked. The cameraman moved and took two shots of Helen as she squirmed and moaned as she was fucked over the desk. As the two men continued to double end his wife Chris saw the door open, one then two, then about four other men entered the room, as the room filled, he slid from behind the curtain and moved forward. As he reached the desk the man up Helens ass pulled out and shot his load over her back, before the man in her mouth finished another man was fucking her cunt from behind but when he did fill her mouth she didn’t have chance to spit any out before her head was back down on a fresh piece of meat jabbing at the back of her throat. Forsaking All Others I came home from my job and entered the house through the kitchen. I opened the fridge and grabbed a Bud Light and flopped in my favorite chair and leaned back and relaxed. I was really tense and wound pretty tight after one of those days at work. I was glad I had gotten in my daily workout and swim in the morning. We have a good workout room and a lap pool where I work. I am deceptively strong, I can lift twice my weight and don't show any bulging muscles, partly because of my metabolism and partly because of the mile I swim five days a week. I was almost asleep when I heard my wife Kelli talking. It sounded like she was talking to some one on the phone. She sounded pretty animated and excited. I heard her say, "Were you able to get everything? OH! That sounds wonderful. Where? Oh! That will be on Wednesday. We could do it here. Mike works until about six on Wednesdays." There was along pause. Then I heard her say, "That is so sweet of you to say that. I loved it too Dave! Your cock is so big and you know how to use it! Yeah, I know! You taste good too. Talk to you later. Bye bye." I was in total shock! I couldn't believe what I had heard. We had been married ten years. I had never had the slightest doubt she loved me and was faithful through and through. I heard her on the stairs and just closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. My mind raced. Could this be true. Kelli was certainly sexy enough to draw a crowd. She was tiny girl, five feet tall and about one hundred pounds. Long blond hair. Beautiful face and a killer smile. That and a figure to die for made her irresistible. Her breasts were perfect. Men watched her everywhere she went. She knew it and loved it. It had taken me years to stop being jealous when guys stared at her. She was mine. Now I wondered. I heard her footsteps stop, then I heard her move again. I felt her take the beer can from my hand. I pretended to be asleep. I heard her walk softly to the sliding glass door and slowly open it. Then she slammed it. It startled me and I jumped. My eyes flew open. She smiled at me and said, "Darling, I didn't know you were here, did you get home early?" I stood up and she put her arms around me and kissed me, pulling my head down so she could reach me. She pulled back and looked at me, "What's wrong Mike, don't you like my kisses any more?" "Sure I do honey, I am still half asleep, I had a real tough day today. I was so beat I just collapsed in my chair and the next thing I knew the door slammed." She smiled, "Why don't you go up and take a nap, I'll call you when dinner is ready." "I have a call to make first. I am afraid I am going to have to go to New York to the main office tomorrow to straighten out some things so we can get our orders out on time. I should be back Friday. I forgot to have the travel department book my flight for me. I'll leave a message on their voice mail." I sat at my desk and pretended to make the call. I could see her shadow as she listened in the hall. When I hung up she tiptoed off. I went up to our room and took off my clothes. I hung my suit in the closet and took a quick shower. I lay on the bed and closed my eyes and thought back over the last few months and tried to remember any signs that she was fooling around on me. I could think of nothing. I could only remember once she had gone out with the girls and got home late. I thought I heard her in the hall so I rolled on my side and put my arm over my face. I could see her feet from under my arm as she stood in the door. I tried my best to breath as slow and regularly as I could. She turned and walked away. I rolled out of bed and walked softly to the door. She was in the kitchen. I raced back to the bed and picked up the phone. I heard the last of the dial tones and then heard the ring. A man answered, "Dave." Kelli said, "Dave, he is taking a nap, I had to tell you, he is going out of town tomorrow and won't be back 'til Friday!" "Wow, really, I'll call you tomorrow about noon, OK. Then we can make plans." "Wait, Honey, Go back to our original plan. Bye." I heard her hang up and I put the phone down quietly and returned to bed and thought about what I had just heard. There was still nothing I could remember to make me believe she was unhappy with me. Our sex was still great and fairly often. I just couldn't believe what I had heard. I began to realize my life was ending. I had to find out more. How?" I knew I could switch the recorder from the business line in my office to the house line and record all the incoming and out going calls on that line. It would only take a second to do that. There was a video security system through out the house we had installed during a period when the neighborhood was suffering from a rash of breaking and entering. It recorded onto CDs and was activated by motion or sound detectors. It could record for about a week. I knew Kelli had forgotten about it. We hadn't turned it on in years. I could listen to the phone recordings from any phone but not the video recordings. I would have to take a few days off from work and have them cover for me. I would get a Motel room nearby and rent a car. My Jag was too easily noticed. I would leave it in the parking area at work. It was under cover and secure. I heard her coming up the stairs again and went into my sleep mode. She came over and kissed my forehead. "Wake up, Sleepyhead. Dinner is about ready. If you sleep too long you won't be able to sleep tonight." I looked up at her and she pressed her lips to mine in a long loving kiss. Damn, she could sure get me hot in a hurry. I pulled her on to the bed and she giggled, "Down, boy, down, Dinner is hot now, we will get hot later." We had a delightful cheerful dinner. We sat and finished off a bottle of wine and I said, "You seem very cheerful and happy. It must be because I am going to be gone for a few days and you can go out and find someone to give you some good lovin' while I'm gone." "What?" "You heard me, you must be getting tired of the same old, same old all the time." "Is that what you think? Is that the way you feel?" "I don't feel that way, I really don't know how you feel at all." "Oh! Mike, I love you, and I love your loving, I really do." She was either telling the truth or she was a hell of an actress. Then I remembered, she was a hell of an actress. She had been in the theater for several years before we met. I still didn't know what to believe. She got up from her chair and walked to me and pulled her blouse up and pushed her breasts into my face as she straddled my lap. She knew I loved her breasts and that what she was doing would get me hard very fast. She held her tities and pushed one in my mouth. I just had to suck the nipple right in. It was so good. I loved her long thick nipples. They were hard as could be now. You could push one over with your tongue but it would snap right back when you removed the pressure. She moved the other nipple to my mouth. Then she lifted my head and kissed me deeply on the lips, "This is what I was smiling about, thinking of this. Please take me to bed." I raised up with my hands under her legs and carried her up the stairs to our room. I sat her on the bed and pulled off my T-shirt and dropped the leisure shorts I was wearing. Kelli stripped off her top and panties and flopped giggling on our bed. I was on her in a flash. I kissed her and felt her hands work between us to guide me into her pussy. She was warm and wet, I slipped right in. I thrust in and out of her and was loving the feel of her. I looked down at her and saw her watching me carefully with no expression on her face at all. "I guess am not pleasing you at all?" I said. "No, you are nice. I like it." Things seemed to be getting a little blurry. I rose off of her. 'What is going on?" "Don't worry Dear, everything is OK." I looked at a movement to my right and saw a huge black man watching me. Then everything went black. When I came to I was in pain. I was suspended by my wrists from a ring in the ceiling. The padded handcuffs were cutting off the blood flow to my hands. My ankles were cuffed too. I got some of my weight on my feet and off my arms. I looked around. I tried to turn so I could see behind me. There was an instant stinging across my back. Kelli stepped in front of me. She was dressed in a black leather outfit and looked like a biker girl. She held a short whip. "You will not move unless I tell you to, do you understand me?" "I hear you. What is going on here?" "You will not speak until you are told to. If you do say anything to me you will address me as Mistress, or Mistress Kelli." The whip slashed across my back again. Then again and again. "Do you understand?" "Why are you doing this to me?" The whip slammed into me again and again. This time I thought she would never stop. She stepped back in front of me. "Have you learned anything yet?" "I have learned that you no longer love me." "Oh! Mike, I will always love you, it hurts me to have to do this to you, but you must learn to obey me in all things, instantly and totally. You are going to become my love slave. You will learn to love this." "And if I don't, what will you do, love me to death?" "You will learn, you will. Dave! Blindfold him and put the gag in his mouth. Then you beat him with the paddle. Do not draw blood. I forbid you to draw blood." I saw the big black guy grinning at me, he held a ball gag in his fingers. "Open your mouth." I pulled my head back away from him. He stepped closer and I brought my knee up as hard as I could between his legs. He screamed and dropped to the floor. He writhed around for a it then got up and held his crotch. Finally he stood and looked at me. "Motha fucka" he swung a meaty fist at my face and I jerked to the side and he missed and hit my shoulder. I snapped my teeth at his wrist and ripped a piece of skin off. I jerked at the chains as he bent over his wrist. I couldn't get a good purchase and my weight wasn't enough to break them. I stopped struggling and stood and glared at Kelli. "He will probably kill me now, then you will be happy. I didn't know you hated me so much." Tears ran from her eyes. "I don't hate you. I love you." "Yeah! Right." The big black struggled to his feet. He looked at me as he tried to stop the bleeding. Kelli ran to him and took him to the bathroom. I jerked down with all my might and thought I felt a little give in the chain. I looked up and thought I saw a link opening a little. I jerked again and saw I was indeed opening a link. Kelli walked out and stood in front of me. I hung still. I looked down and saw blood all over my chest. Then I felt a pain on the side of my face. I knew it was where his fist had caught me. "Is this who you have been fucking my dear wife, does his big cock please you a lot. Does he taste good when he cums in your mouth? Is that why you are going to kill me?" Her hands flew to her face. "Oh! My God, you were awake this afternoon. You have it all wrong." "I do? Yeah! I guess thinking you loved me as much as I loved you was dead wrong. Just like your wedding vows to forsake all others were just words that meant nothing to you." I felt tears running down my cheeks to drop and mix with the blood on my chest. I felt the rage surging through my body and I screamed and jumped as high as I could and jerked down as hard as I could. The chain snapped. I grabbed the leg chains and ripped them from the floor. I was free! I put my feet on the chains hanging from my wrists and pulled upward breaking them too. I heard a gasp from the bathroom door. I saw Dave watching me. "Mam, you better talk to this man, this has gotten all out of hand. He is going to hurt both of us." Kelli walked over and stood in front of me. "Mike I love you with all my heart, I just couldn't stand the thought of losing you. I guess you will go to her now for sure. Don't be angry with Dave, I hired him to help me. We have never touched each other." "Kelli, I just don't believe you. I heard you tell him how much you liked the way he used his cock, how good he tasted. Can you explain that?" "Yes I can. Calm down and listen to me. Please, I beg you to listen. I took a wild chance to try and keep you. I have been getting these notes everywhere. In our mail box, On the windshield of my car, under the front door. I have fifteen of them. They say you are cheating on me. That you are going to leave me for another woman. I found her panties in your car under the seat like the note said I would. I was going crazy. I was afraid you would leave right way if I confronted you about it. I didn't know what to do. I had to talk to someone so I told Doris about it. She suggested trying to make you submissive to me. For me to make you my slave. She said she noticed that you were already very considerate and attentive to me and did anything I wanted you to do. So we figured it would not be hard to turn you into a slave. Boy were we wrong! I think you would have let me beat you to death before you would give up. I knew I couldn't bring myself to hurt you. I hired Dave to help me because you are too big for me to handle. I knew we might have to hurt you some, and I knew I just couldn't do much to hurt you, I just couldn't do it. Dave said he could help me some but he didn't want to hurt you very much.' Dave looked at me, "Man, you are some tough son of a bitch. I knew after I saw how you reacted that she would never break you. The more she did the tougher and madder you got. I am damned glad we had you chained. I couldn't believe you got loose. I still don't believe you fought me and hurt me while you were hung up like that. You a bad dude." I looked in his eyes and asked, "is it true about you and her?" "Yeah, man, we just good buddies. She told me up front that she was crazy in love with you and didn't mess around with anyone. I respect that!" I turned to Kelli, "Tell me what I heard on the phone earlier." She looked up at me, "Mike, I met Dave when I went to that bachelorette party for Janette a month or so ago. Dave was the entertainment. He was the stripper. Several of the girls screwed him and a bunch of them sucked his cock. I just watched. Anyway when the party was over I saw him outside standing by his car. He asked if I had a cell phone. His car wouldn't start and his cell phone wouldn't work. Mine wouldn't work either. We were in a dead spot. I went back and rang the door bell. No one ever answered. I gave him a ride to a convenience store and he called for a wrecker. We each had a coffee and we talked until the wrecker came. He told me anytime I needed help with something to let him know. Mike, please let me put something on your jaw. You are still bleeding." "No, you need to help Dave with his arm, he is in worse shape than I am. Dave would you let me look at it?" "Are you sure, man. I out weigh you by fifty or eighty pounds but I'm scared of you." "Yeah! I won't hurt you. Hummm. Doesn't look too bad. Just skin ripped off. You are bleeding a bunch though. Let me see what we have in our first aid kit. OK! Here is some antibiotic ointment, let me put some on it. Now Kelli, wipe the blood off gently and I'll put the ointment on before the blood seeps out again. Ok it's on there, let me put this large nonstick pad on it. Now some tape to put some pressure on it, there, that should do it. Take two aspirin and call me in the morning. Pay the nurse." "Please Mike, let me fix the cut on your jaw." "OK, just don't get any sharp objects near my throat." She burst into tears. I said, "Stop the crying, I can't stand to see the woman I love cry." She looked up at me, "What about her?" "There is no her. There never has been and there never will be, you are the only woman in my life. Just you. Let me explain something to you. I do anything you want me to because I love you. I do submit to you a lot because I want you to be happy. That is how I get to be happy, by making you happy. If you had just asked me to be your love slave I would have been happy to please you. I would have let you do almost anything to me, as long as I know you love me and are truly my love. Don't ask me to share you, I am too weak for that. I'll fight for you then. I am not into being humiliated or embarrassed for the amusement of others, I could never do that to you, never, and I think that if you can do that to me, you don't love me. I guess you never realized it, but I have always been your love slave, I guess I always will be. But it will be out of my deep love for you and not because I fear you and am afraid you might hurt me if I displease you. That's about how I feel about the love slave business. Do I have to call you Mistress?" Tears ran from her eyes, She pulled me down and we kissed, "You can call me what ever you like, just keep calling me." "I will if you are sure you don't want a big cock like Dave's." "Sweet man, I got a really good look at Dave's equipment, The only difference between his and yours is that his is black and a little smaller than yours. You could give him lessons on how to use it." Forsaking All Others Others were now starting to drop their trousers, ready to take their turn with his wife, he listened as he mingled, “Picked her up at a party, husbands a wanker she was gagging for it”, “Already taken it up the ass and cunt and sucked a few off by the time I came in”, “She’s well up for it”, “Richard reckons she’ll take us all and still want more”. Chris noticed a woman in the room before he was brought back to the scene as he heard her squeal in to an orgasm. The next thing she was pulled from the desk, pushed and position over a man on the floor, Chris noticed he had a massive cock as she sank her aroused cunt on to it. She squealed as he moved her hips up and down, hands pulled at her nipples making her shake her head, he watched as a man knelt behind her, she was pushed forward, held firm, before she could move another cock pushed up her ass and the two men drove hard up her making her gasp and grunt, little ahh, ahh, ahh, sounds being forced from her mouth until it was sealed by having another cock rammed in it. As the camera flashed again Chris turned to fetch another drink. He returned a while later to find Helen on her knees taking one up her cunt and one in her mouth, he looked at the red sore ass-hole and dropped his trousers and waited. He didn’t have to wait long as the man filled his wife’s cunt again; Chris pushed forward, took his place and pushed himself up her ass thinking well if you’ve let them fuck it why not me. He fucked his wife’s ass as he stared in to the eyes of the man fucking her mouth, the bloke looked at him and smiled, “Fancy drugging this little beauty you know later when every body’s fucked her, we could tie her up and take her somewhere quiet where we can have some real fun with her, good looking piece, could keep her awhile, do a lot to her, really fuck her, I have just the place back at my farm, bet she’d do a lot for us after a few hours dangling from a beam by these tits and us with a couple of riding crops”. Chris blew himself in to her ass and got up, he thought to himself this has gone to far, time to call a holt to it, then he thought, how. The man who wanted to abduct her filled her mouth, again there was some-one else pulling at her, by this time she was nearly out of it; her moans and grunts became laboured as she was forced to sit on another cock. Men came and went, using her, making her jump and squeal as the filled her over and over again. All thoughts of finishing it were forgotten as the woman stepped forward, she was naked from the waist down, she grabbed Helens head and jammed her face in to her crutch, the camera flashed again and again as Helen was forced to lick this woman’s cunt while bouncing on another hard cock. Knowing how they could keep her horny and excited men knelt ether side and licked and chewed on Helens huge hard nipples as she pushed and turned her head in between the woman’s legs, her tongue licked at the open cunt as the woman ground herself in to Helens mouth. The woman finally splat her juice in to Helens face and the last man fucked her, the men started to go, Chris hung around staring down at the cum covered well fucked woman that was his wife, Alex came in with a bowl of water and him and another man had fun fondling her as they cleaned her up. The cameraman came in with her coat and bag, took a few more shots as they did as good a job as possible to make her look presentable, Chris held back and watched as the carried her to Richards car, the man who had suggested taking her and making her a slave intervened and offered to drive her home, Chris was relieved when Richard said, “No”. Chris followed them back to Phil’s where they deposited her on a bench in the garden. As soon as the coast was clear Chris took her, put her in the car and drove her home. She was completely comatosed and just flopped around as Chris undressed her, bathed her and put her in bed, he rolled her on her side, kissed the back of her neck, emptied his cock up her ass again then turned over and went to sleep. Fortunately for all concerned Chris had to be in the office in the morning, he concocted a story about Helen being sick and having to leave early, she was still in bed when he got home, faking serious period pains she yelled at him for not finding her being sick at that prat Phil’s party, then turned over and went back to sleep. It would be the following Thursday week, nothing had been said and Helen still didn’t remember all that had happened but enough to know she had something to hide. That day she was busying herself with some paper work when she was disturbed by a knock at her door, she opened it as far as the safety chain would allow her. A man pushed a large brown envelope through the gap, looked at her and said, “I’ll wait”, she turned and ripped the top open, put her hand in and pulled out a large black and white photo, her hand went to her mouth. Slowly she turned, flicked the chain out of its clip and opened the door, the man grinned and walked in. As he walked past her he handed her a letter and went and stood in her lounge, she followed him in, stood and opened the letter, she read. Dear Mrs Baxter, or may I call you Helen, As you can see I find you, from every angle very photogenic and of course very attractive so I wish to combine the two. I have several clients that I take pictures for, they pay very good money, some of which I have to share with my models, in your case the payment will be in photographs therefore making a higher profit margin for me and a more comfortable, uncomplicated life for you. If you don’t want the photos I will dispatch them to interested parties, some of course you will know, if you are interested in my proposition I will expect you at my studio at ten tomorrow. Please find enclosed my business card. Yours, T Bellamy R.F.B. The man moved towards the door, “Shall I tell him to expect you”? Helen just stood there, not believing what she was looking at but still nodding, she heard him say, “Good” as he closed the door behind him. The shop had its own parking bay and Helen’s taxi pulled slowly in to it, she looked at the shop, she was surprised how smart and upmarket it was. Wearing her dark trouser suit she went to the door and pressed the bell, she heard the buzz of the electronic lock and pushed. The door opened in to a leather and pine reception area, the walls covered in pictures of pretty girls and attractive women dressed or nearly dressed in swim wear or lingerie. A man appeared from behind the ornate drapes, held them back and ushered her in to the studio. His hand pointed to a long black leather couch, “Sit there Mrs Baxter, you should feel at home on a couch, would you like a drink”? Helen ignored the remark, sat and nodded, “Thank you”, she went to pull out a cigarette, “Please don’t smoke Helen, its not nice”, she pushed the packet back in her bag. He past her a large scotch and then sat in a high backed leather chair opposite her, “ Time is not on my side, I have a busy day so let me get straight to the point, I take it you don’t want anyone, least of all your friends, your husband, your husbands work colleges, your business acquaintances, or the Internet to know about your very busy activities the other night”? Helen shook her head and in a moment of defiance said, “I would think it obvious, I wouldn’t be sat here talking to the likes of you if I did”. He squared himself to her, “Then you will model what I say when I say, with out exception, agreed”? “Maybe”, he laughed at her reply, “Oh my lovely Helen, I think more than maybe, besides you are a beautiful woman, perfect body and you’ve got that Nicole Kidman type of face yes I think you should fit in well with my kind of business, so how about Tuesday at ten”? Pauline stood, “Tuesday at ten but you better have my photos or the deal is off”. The laugh became a grin, “Oh photos is one thing I will have, don’t you worry your pretty head about that”. She finished the drink, put the glass down and walked quickly out; as she got out she pulled a cigarette out of her bag, lit it, used her mobile to get a taxi and waited. Tuesday arrived and so did Helen, a little after ten, she pressed, waited for the electronic buzz and entered. She heard him shout, “Come through”, so she pushed past the drape and looked. She studied the room, a wider white couch, a lot of big cushions on the floor, long velvet drapes on the wall, and lots of camera equipment, her eyes fell on a chest of draws with a lap-top computer on it, she could see herself on the screen and him, he smiled at her, “Ready”, she nodded, “Then lets start the shoot”. She took off her coat, he looked at her, “And the rest, here’s what your modelling”, he went to the chest opened a draw and handed her a package”. She looked in to it, High heeled black shoes, little white ankle socks, dark stockings, black pants and matching low cupped bra and a black chocker”, she looked up at him, “What the”? He was busying himself with the lighting, “Oh that’s just the out fit not the product, hurry up”. She took out the bra and pants, “Where do I change”? He laughed, “After what I saw and what you did at that party don’t tell me your shy, just change”. Helen grit her teeth and took her clothes off, she kept her back to him as she removed her own underwear. She bent to pick up the black bra, “My you do have a fabulous body”, she turned to see him looking at the lap-top, he must have had cameras in every corner of the room as she could see four different pictures of herself being shown from every angle and he could see any part of her he wanted. She turned back and finished putting the skimpy garments on then looked at him, he eyed the sight up and down she snapped, “When you’ve finished can we get this over with and you better have the photos and the negatives, he smiled at her, “You will get as many photos and negatives as you deserve, pose and do as your told and you get more, be a bitch and your wasting my time”, she nodded, “Well now we understand each other lets get on with it”. She stared at him, “All right what do you want me to do”? He looked at the laptop and positioned a light, “Get on those cushions and seduce me with your face, hands and body”. Helen moved to the cushions and lay amongst them she looked at the cameras around the room, she moved to get comfortable as she heard the little motors move them following her, she heard the occasional click and knew a picture had been taken. He shouted, “O K sex it up”, Helen took a deep breath and went for it. She pouted and thrust her breasts forward, she turned and moved her ass, she arched her back, pulled her knees up and together then pointed her toes up, all the time letting her head drop back and smiling at the cameras. He said, “Thought you’d be a natural, right do the business, lets see some tits”, Helen stopped, “Like hell you will”. “Oh stop acting like a fucking school girl and act like the slut I’ve seen, or don’t you want those shots”? She went to speak but stopped, she dropped the bra straps down and let her breasts drop forward, again she went on posing, pushing her arms together forcing her tits out, then he shouted, “Lick them, I want good shots of tongue on nipple”, she knew to argue was pointless, her hands lifted her breast, her tongue flicked over her large nipples as she did what he said. She could feel the large bud grow as her tongue licked over it, this was something she had never dreamed of doing but there was a sensation, she found herself licking the other one but she didn’t see the smile on his face, “That’s good now some cunt and this time don’t argue, your doing all right”. She let her breasts go, the stood firm over the bra cups as she slid her pants down, “Lovely Helen, just as I remember now lets have some proper hip thrust, and right at the camera”. Again she did as he said, thrusting her now naked hips forward or turning her ass to the camera, “Get beside the wall face it and push you lovely ass out, good arching of the back and lets see both holes”. She pressed herself in to the velvet drape and pushed and rotated her ass out for him, he moved around her clicking picture after picture; then he stopped, moved over to the chest and picked up a multi coloured vibrator, he waved it at her, “The product”. She stopped, “No chance, fuck you, I am not doing it”, he put the camera and vibrator down, “Come over here and look at my laptop”, she moved over to him, “Do you know what a link is, its when you can access many sites and the sites are advertised with a banner, I’m on lots of links and hundreds of sites, now this is my new banner, its animated”. She stared at the screen, he must have taken lots of pictures of one man fucking her ass and one fucking her mouth, he’d put them together so they moved and that was his banner and you could see her face, “Bound to be a few people who know you, especially at hubbies work”. He watched the amazed expression on the beautiful face, “And if you don’t want your pictures then guess what else they will see when they enter, as I said you are photogenic and in some positions better than others, what about this one”? A full screen picture of her sitting on a huge cock sucking another one down her throat playing with her own tits, “I like that one don’t you, nothing like someone enjoying themselves especially if you know them”. She looked at him, “There not on, I mean you haven’t posted them on eerrr”, he clicked the screen back to the studio, “No, not yet, shall we continue”? She picked up the vibrator and went back to the drapes, “This time over the couch with your pants round your thighs and lift your bra straps back up but leave you tits hanging out and plenty off, look at me enjoying myself, do you need to see any of the party shots to remind you of the look you need”? She put one knee on the couch and looked at the thing in her hand, it was firm but yet felt soft, it was about ten inches long tapered but attached to the end was a dome shaped bulb and it felt more silky then lytex, there was hardly a sound when she switched it on. She let her other knee bend and rest on the couch, pushed her ass back to the camera and laid the tip on the folds of her cunt lips. She jumped, a little squeak came form her mouth as the dome piece touched her, her knees bent and she stopped, “Put it in, we are trying to sell it, just push it in and hold on to the end”. Helen pushed it in the sensation grew as she pushed it further; her own licking of her nipples had made her slightly wet and the sensation only increased the arousement she felt. She pushed it further in, uncontrollably she started to get hot; as she got hot she felt the thing starting to expand the dome top was pulsating and moving, the feeling in her was something she had never felt before, she was starting to grunt and move as he took pictures and to her disgust she was enjoying it. The thing insider her grew, filling her, the pulsating top excited her cervix bone, her whole body shook, she fell forward on to the couch driving the vibrator up as it filled her and drove her to a new height of orgasmic climax. She came but the wetter and hotter she got the more the thing up her jumped and vibrated, pushing her to another climax. Though her senses were reeling with pleasure she was vaguely aware of two other men in the room, she suddenly saw a huge cock pushing at her face, she opened her mouth and took it sucking in its entire length. The vibrating dildo was held by another hand as wet cream was pushed in to her ass, the fingers stopped only to be followed by a huge grease covered cock, all her holes were now being fucked, the hotter and wetter she got the more the vibrator reacted, pulsated and throbbed forcing her to moan, wiggle and gyrate to the fucking her body was getting and she couldn’t help but want it. She felt the cock in her mouth convulse and spew its juice down her throat; she swallowed it, lapping at the tip as she sucked the last drop of seed from it. The one up her ass continued to fuck her as the vibrator made her cum again. She climaxed a forth time before her ass was filled. She collapsed forward and lay on the couch as the vibrator was pulled from her body, as her eyes focused on the two other men that had just fucked her a drink was put in her hand, she heard the photographer say, “Well gentlemen I think you can distribute the new toy with a feeling of confidence, it made this horny ass’d housewife willing to fuck anybody”. They left, the photographer helped Helen to sit up, “You were a very good fuck, and you whether you like it or not your going to get another good fucking next Tuesday and a lot of Tuesdays after that”. Helen looked at him, “But, but the photos, what about the photos, you promised”? He smiled, “Of course you can have the photos, with what I’ve got down loaded, plus the scene I just shot, which, I will of course add to it, I now have quite a collection”, he smiled at the naked, beautiful, bemused woman. “If you ever say no to me your site is called Helen of Joy”, Helen groaned, “Good title for some one I now own”, he laughed. “You realise you will do as I say don’t you because the whole world will know your intimate details if you don’t, you’re my little play thing, I can do what ever I like to your cunt, ass, mouth or tits and you won’t stop me, that is understood isn’t it”? Helen looked down at her naked body, “Yes”. The photographer pulled her off the couch, “Good, now as your on your knees be a good girl and start your servitude by taking my cock out, sliding between those big tits, get it nice and hard and then open your pretty mouth and use it to suck me dry”. After she had complied by giving him a tit fuck before a ten minute blow job he gave her a couple of pictures but kept the bulk for another fortnight, just to make sure he had everything to complete Helen of Joy. Over the next couple of weeks she was well fucked by several clients and serviced him with all he wanted, she was made well aware that she was to be his fucktoy for many years to come, the thought of Phil and Danny seeing her web site was enough to keep her under his total control which meant she was on her knees sucking his cock. Helen sat at home staring at all the photos of that party, of her being fucked by so many men, she was so immersed in the photos she forgot the time, suddenly Chris walked in, she rushed to put them away but stopped, the picture of the bearded man fucking her ass, he was wearing exactly the same designer clothes as Chris had on?????????? Pagan