Arise: Chapter 10 Part 2: Never Tear Us Apart

Chapter 10 Part 2: Never Tear Us Apart

(Kriss's POV, 4 days later...)

I flicked through the paper, turning each page. I stumbled across this notice.  

"Hey, guys. Some Sorcerer guy is dead." My voice has no sympathy, which I suppose it should. 

I don't know this man, but he seems important.

"Huh? Weird. Why are you telling us this?" Sylvia's voice sounds sharp, like she needs to tell me something. But I shouldn't care. 

"Hey, Kriss, why are you reading that anyway?" 

I push my nose back into the newspaper. This story is interesting, something about a runaway vampire and a house of white.

"Hey, Dan. How was the game last night?" Small talk. As usual. 

"It was pretty gruesome, The Werewolves lost, obviously, and so the goddamn Llamas won. We suck here." 

"I haven't seen a game in ages. I wish I could go with my brother." I mumble, hoping no-one will hear me and yell. 

"Kriss, we...I...we can't afford to pay for all of us to go right now. Maybe soon, okay." 

"Oh, okay. But...I have a better idea for right now." I smile.

"Let's go..to the pool!" I grin, staring over at Ayana and Sylvia. 

"OMG! OMG! The pool! Lemme just check my hair." 

She tends to get carried away. I've learnt that from university. 

We stood up, ready for go time. I have to admit, the last time I spent time at the pool was junior year, and that was only for a pool party or too. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm sorta too busy to swim. 

"Woo! Pool party!"

"Wait, Dan, you have a clone now. Did this happen overnight?" I'm confused right now. Why can't I get my own clone? 

But whatever. 

"Let's go now, before it gets too late to swim." 

~~~~~~

The concrete hit the soles of my feet as I ran towards the pool. Ah, how I love the smell of fresh water. Wait, it's not fresh, is it? 

"Hey, Kriss, I've...I've missed hanging out with you by the pool." 

"You too, Cody." 

We all ran into the swimming complex, eager to swim I suppose. I've never seen someone more eager than Sylvia and Leifa. 

"Hey Dan, you're lagging behind. Mind if I run ahead faster." 

The only people not showing any enthusiasm were Ayana and Dan. I suppose they don't like pools, but they were nearly blank-faced.

I run ahead, as always, and as I'm about to reach the loungers, I spot three girls.

"Hey, Sylvia, who are they?" 

In all honesty, I'd never seen them before. And I knew everyone. 

"They're the real life Plastics. Their queen royalty of this pool, and since this isn't high school no more, this is their playing field." 

"Their leader is their queen, Stephanie. The other two, the ones on the outside, are Melody and Carlotta. They consider themselves royalty," 

"They are not to be messed with. No-one even tries." 

"You sure about that? Cause I'm just pissed off about the lack of seating." 

It was partly true. The other half related to the fact that I couldn't stand to think I didn't know them from somewhere else. 

"I'll let that babe keep the chairs. I don't mind swimming." 

"Cody, you have a freakin' girlfriend. Let me handle it." 

I walk up to Stephanie, politely half-smiling. 

This bitch is going down.

"Hello, Stephanie. May I ask why you have all the permission to lay around like a barbie doll?" 

"At least I'm the prettiest damn barbie doll in the bunch. Besides, why should I give my seat up to a blood-red." 

"Or have your friends forgot to mention your history." She stares me down, and I feel like slapping her. 

I couldn't believe she was shading my friends. They wouldn't lie to me. 

"God damn, she's even more hotter when she's angry." 

"Shut up, Cody!" 

"You might wanna just back away with your little play mates. You wouldn't want to mess with me, sister." 

"Oh hell no, you better not screw around, or maybe that's what you always do with men."

"Oh snap, she just got owned!" Her excitement wasn't reached by anyone else. Most of them were in the pool, and Cody was ogling the shiny plastic.  

"You watch it, or else I'll send my 'little friends' at your little face." 

"You think you're better than me, huh? Wake up, sister. I bet you couldn't even land the handsome guy beside you." 

She is taking this far too deep. Get ready, Sylvia. Hold me back. 

"You self-centered queen bees always want the guys. You know what, do you know where they get you? Pregnant at 16 and your own miserable Great Depression." 

This just got even more deep. Maybe we've even hit the Titanic.

"Well, maybe some of us better learn that history isn't something to joke about. You see, your history is far more interesting." 

That's when she hits me. Square in the jaw, her palm slaps my tender skin. 

"Ayana, hold me back. This is about to get nasty." 

"Oh, it doesn't have to be. Girls, how about we teach them a lesson in General history." 

"No, Steph, she's had enough. Let's go." The other blonde one, Melody, hastily replies. 

They leave, smiling at me, waving in the most sarcastic manner possible. 

I watch her in the taxi. She calls someone.

"Time for phase four. I'm on my way." 

"Girls, I failed. I shouldn't have lunged at her. I shouldn't have cared." 

"No, Kriss, you did what was needed. Now, come here and give me a hug." 

I finally feel trusted by her. She was always too quiet, but today was enough. 

"Ayana, have I ever told you how quirky and awesome you are?" She just nods. I suppose that's enough.

"Let's go home." 

Everyone races away, like their going to explode around me. 

It's nice being alone. I can think. 

 (Talutah's POV)

"Come, dear, please sit down. I'll only be here for a little minute. I'm leaving." 

"Yes, master. But I must ask: why are you still moping around. I was promised we would be out of here by sunrise."  

I was shocked. I knew I was supposed to, but I wanted to say a final goodbye. 

"My dear, we have no time to rush. I need to slow my speed or I'll end up killing you all." 

"My queen, I understand the sympathy, but the threat is on the loose. And you relaxing is barely helping." 

"Do you know how I was at your age? Never mind, I'm probably your age due to my immortality, but when I was younger, I was less careful, more free. Do you know where it got me? Two enemies and the loss of two lovers." 

"My queen, I feel terrible. How can I help? A drop of blood?" 

In the midst of a fine chat with my lovely servant, I spotted him. 

"Excuse me. Father, what is it?!" 

I sat up, staring him in the eye. I wish he was gone, out of my life. 

I thought I ordered him to be killed. 

"My dear Talutah, what a pleasant surprise to see you here. There's a letter for you, an invitation of sorts. You should accept, my dear. You need some...better friends." 

"Father, what would you know about friends? I doubt you and mother were even friends after all you did. I'll read it soon." 

There was a quiet knock at the door. Surely the threat didn't want to murder me in my own home.

Rude. 

"Come in, dearie." 

Her quiet feet tap against my blood-red carpet. It's one of my blood-reds, my failed plan to finally be on the Boss's good side. 

"Yes?" 

"We must be put to sleep. I'm sorry to bother you, but the timer has run out. If we continue to live, we'll slowly die off in the most painful of deaths." 

Just great. I couldn't stand letting a living tragedy occur while I'm among the forest-dwellings.

"My precious, fetch me my coat and my wand. I'm off to the graveyard." 

"Sure master, do you wish I follow?"

"I'd rather not. I want it between me and the dead." 

She fetches my coat, perching back into her seat. 

"Come, my queen. We are all waiting. We are ready to say goodbye." 

I smile, eager to let go of my failed mistake.

"I'm ready to say goodbye too, my dear." 

I watched her sling back out the door. 

Tonight, we say goodnight.

~~~~~~

'My fellow blood-reds, I will miss yet cherish the times I spent with each one of you. I'm sorry, but you were meant to be dead. Good-night." 

I have to do this. I can't let them be around to ache with the pain of death twice.

"Goodbye, blood-reds. The next time you see me, I'll be hollowing in my own grave." 

I raise my wand, ready to end the suffering they're facing. I couldn't keep them around, not when they'll be dying slowly once the curse wears off. 

"Goodbye, my dears. Say hello to the Grim for me."

Today never ends. Today is hell. The past four days have been.

I can't go on living a life I can't stand living. I need to remove the grief I'm stuck with. 

I need to free myself from the agony. 

But one of them is missing. 

"Don't worry, my love. He will return. Or he will face a life of suffering." 

(Kriss's POV)

The house felt almost empty. Everyone was mostly upstairs or outside. 

The world is quiet without their remarks here and there. 

"Ooh, mail. Hmm, anything exciting?" 

Well, the thing is, there was something half-interesting. 

A ball invitation. Not my thing, but who cares. 

"Lemme read it!" 

"To the residents of 12 Old Manor Court, you are invited to the festivities of Zacchaeus White, at 145 Great Hill. Please dress up for the occasion and meet us at 6:00. We hope you enjoy tonight. Hey, Slyv, come in here!" 

"Hey, what is it?" She enters the kitchen, smiling as she walks around the corner. 

"Feel like dressing up? We just got invited to a ball by some guy named Zacchaaus." 

Ayana appears at my side, obviously not amused. "Oh ya, another chance for the pretty girls to overdo their dresses." 

"Keep reading, Kriss." 

"Okay. Come prepared for a night of luxury and dancing, at our acclaimed ballroom inspired by Beauty and the Beast, the timeless classic." 

The others started moving towards me, excited. 

"Ooh, my first time to wear than new tux Dan bought me." 

"I suppose we should go, but only if everyone wants to." 

Well, there's the question: Do I want to?

"I'm hella going! I already have my dress planned out since last month!" Sylvia smiles, chuckling. 

She's always the party spirit. 

"I suppose I'll go. I could even spend some time with Carl. Oh wait, I just said that out loud." 

"Well, it settled then. We're going." 

I guess we have to. I haven't been excited for something since graduation and everyone else is excited too.

"Alright girls, let's get this train moving." 

~~~~~~

"Here we are. Just as I suspected." I smile, looking up at the building. It's lean structure towers over me, at least three stories tall. 

The front wall was lined with windows, tall columns striking up the outside walls. 

"It's so...beautiful. We should head inside before it rains." 

"You all look beautiful. Tonight will be wonderful." Dan smiles at everyone, laughing. 

"I love your dress, Kriss." 

"But, yours is far prettier Sylv."  

We walk towards the doors, stepping up the simple grey slated stairs. 

This was it. Sylvia will enter first, make sure no-one's planning to attack, and then it's go time. 

She walks in, starring at the ceiling above her. "Nice ceiling painting. Hmm. Is that Michelangelo?"

Someone tapped her on the shoulder spinning her around.  

"Hello, Ma'am. Are you of the 12th Old Manor Court House?" His voice sounds soft yet confident. 

"Oh my god, he knows who we are!" I smile at her happiness. She can be so elated some times. 

"Yeah, that would be us. Can we just enter or is there a contract I have to sign?" 

"No, please, tell your housemates. Waste no time, my dear." 

We enter, the dance floor already packed with couples dancing and people having a laugh. 

"Wow, they all look so elegant. I feel under-dressed." 

It was true. Their dresses overshadowed ours and their tuxes seemed more expensive than ours combined. 

Their dancing is neat and in sync, whereas ours, well, let's not get into that just yet. 

"Hey, Sylv, I know it's not much, but how about a little dancing?" 

Those two were cute, but nothing romantic would come from this. They weren't the two I'd pick first.

These two, however, they're bound for a summer romance. 

Or longer.

"Carl, I've had this crush on you since the day I saw you turn...normal. Will you have this dance with me?" 

"I know it's not much, but there's music. I couldn't let it go to waste." 

The dancing was simple yet classy. Tonight was enough to welcome us into this town. 

I love how everything fits together tonight. Each of us has someone to dance with. Each of us has someone to care for. Each of us has purpose. 

Ayana and Carl are so cute together. Out of everyone her tonight, they were the only pair to dance like this.

Myself, well, I was thrown into a dance with Cody. I don't mind it, but there isn't anyone I'd really want to fall in love with. 

"Hey, Kriss. I guess it's just you and me left. What do you say?" 

I couldn't say no, so nodding was the only option. 

"Okay." 

"Perfect. Everyone has arrived. Time for phase five." 

The ball room floor was filled with guests, all off which were neatly dancing together, two by two, neatly dancing in the pairs they came in with. 

Then there was Cody and I. The wreck of dancing we created melted away the simplicity of it all. 

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to step on your toes." His voice reflected his sadness. 

"My dear, sweet Julia. What are you doing over here? We have a party to live through." 

"Carl, you look so...handsome, So charming. That tux really does suit you." 

"Nice pun. Joking. Thank you, Ayana." 

"I'm sorry, I really must go to the bathroom. I need to pee."

"Go, please." 

It's true, and I'm not trying to get out of our lovely dancing. 

His eyes meet hers. He turns his head towards the side door, smiling. 

Her finger reaches out towards him, almost beckoning him. Her eyes flicker. 

She doesn't speak. She doesn't move. Just beckons. 

Waiting for him to follow. 

He edged towards the door, following her footsteps as she moved out the door. Her long white dress traced the floor, gliding almost as if a feather on the wind. 

But when he arrived out the door, she was gone. Never to be seen again. 

I step back towards Cody, his place empty and isolate. 

"Cody? Is everything alright?" 

He steps back into the room again, looking at me from across the room.

"Just wanted a touch of fresh air." 

"Fine. Want to continue the dancing?" 

We were all dancing joyously. Tonight couldn't have been more elegant and simple. 

This was all I needed. A night with friends. A night of romance.

"This was beautiful, Carl." 

"Devin, we mustn't be seen together. Just let me know if the girl is ready." 

"She is. I hope that was enough for you." 

I noticed the man shurg past us in the midst of our dancing. His hair stuck out, almost as if lighting stuck him and forced the stillness up. 

"He's ready, Julia. Time for the final phase." 

"Gather the guests. They might not want to see all this."

"Yes, Jules."

The woman in black and purple stepped into the night air, sliding the door behind her. 

"Thank you, Carl. Tonight was wonderful, really." 

"I just wish we could continue this all, maybe tomorrow, maybe the next." 

"Well, Ayana, we could always continue this tonight." 

The bet everyone made on them fell into place. I couldn't help but smile. I was proud that some of us were getting what we wanted.

"Dan, thank you."

"No, thank you, Sylv." 

"Tonight was lovely, Kriss." 

"I believe it was." 

Suddenly, the world came crumbling from the state it fell into. The world was once calm and loved, but tonight's end brought in the storm that stood outside, waiting.

"Kriss, please, help me. They want us gone. They want to knock us down, one by one." Ana's voice startled me. I didn't expect her to appear, but I almost felt as if she was supposed to. 

I hadn't seen her in so long. 

"Hey, Carl, you wanna go outside for a bit? Just to sit down and talk this through." 

"Yeah, sure. We'll go and sit at the tables by the side." 

I watched them walk out, wishing to follow. But what problem do you follow when one's just two friends in love against a friend who's believing we're heading towards doomsville.

Not following them could have been the worst mistake someone could have made. 

Their shocked faces only hid the truth. 

Tonight's end couldn't end more horrifying and cruel. 

As you all should know, when things are all sweet and simple, the world is bound to throw another mishap around. 

This just happened to be his death. 

A man, whose story will be sealed in his fading lips, who died right here. 

A man who died on the night of a ball commemorating him. 

You see, I knew him for more than just the man who became honored by the ball.

I knew him long before.

Well, we all did.

"Oh, he was right. The threat is coming. We are being picked off. One by one. "

When you believe that things can stay calm, the world around you seems to arise to the situation. And when the world arises, all hell breaks free from it's chains.

Arise, Season 1, The Blood-Reds.