Chereads / A Gentle Touch / Chapter 7 - VII - Old Memories

Chapter 7 - VII - Old Memories

"Come on, Libra. Wake up."

I jolt awake. Sitting up, I find myself beneath a tree. Where am I? I hear footsteps approaching. I look down quickly, shutting my eyes tightly. Whoever it is, just go away. I feel a smooth hand touch my face. I open my eyes again and look up. Oh my god, it can't be.

"L-Leo?" I ask, sounding both shocked and terrified.

She smiles at me. Her soft hazel eyes gazing gently at my piercing blues.

"Did you have a good nap, Libra?" She asks sweetly.

Tears well up in my eyes. I hug her tight, holding her close to me. She rubs my back as I cry, letting out a haunting sound that she's always found beautiful.

"You must've had a nightmare then. I'm sorry."

That's right, a nightmare. I must have been asleep. The demon race never actually took over, the fall of humanity never happened, right? Leo wipes away my tears as I calm down.

"Come on, let's get you cleaned up." She says, "Connor and Neon will be here soon."

She offers me her hand, I shakily take it and let her pull me to my feet. She gives me a spare change of clothes. I get dressed and watch her take my dirty clothes into the washroom. I look in the mirror. Short blonde hair, sky blue eyes, pale skin. Not a trace of blood or dirt on my body. Wings spread from my back, hugging my bare shoulders. My wings. Leo's tank-top and jeans fit me perfectly, it's almost like we're twins.

"Libra, they're here." Leo calls from the other room.

I walk with her to the front door. She opens it and smiles at the two figures on the other side. A young man who's only a few years older than Leo and a large crimson dragon with glowing neon green eyes. Connor, Leo's boyfriend, and Neon, my opposite.

"Neon! I've missed you!" Leo exclaims, hugging the dragon.

"I've missed you too, kid." Neon says, placing a scaled hand on her back.

He then steps back outside so the two lovers can have their moment. I meet him in the backyard and sit beneath the tree I sleep under.

"Just because they're together, doesn't mean that I don't hate you." Neon says.

I smirk, "Tell me something I don't know, jackass."

"You are nothing without her."

"That's what you think."

"You know I'm right."

"Shut up, Neon."

He grabs my arm. I pull it free and shove him back. His claws stick out as he growls at me. I get into my fighting stance. He runs at me. I raise my arms as he swipes. With a flash, I'm on the ground. Fresh, bloody claw marks sting my chest. I should be dead, but I'm not. He didn't cut deep enough. I push myself up, groaning as pain shoots through my back. I look over my shoulder, only to see bloody feathers on the ground. That bastard took my wings. The smell of smoke fills my nose. I look at the house. Smoldering rubble. Oh God, what happened? I stumble to my feet and run through the ashes.

"Leo?" I cry, "Leo, where are you?"

Another flash, I'm standing in the front yard of our house. Connor is a few feet in front of me on his knees, holding someone in his arms. I approach him from behind and look over his shoulder. Oh no. Leo's lifeless eyes stare up at the orange sky. Her clothing is torn and stained with her own blood. A large, bloody open wound on her stomach. Connor's tears drip onto her face.

"Connor, I-"

"Where were you?" He asks, his voice desperate and scared.

"What?" I ask.

"Where the hell is Neon?" The desperation is his voice is slowly turning into anger.

"I don't know." I say.

"Where were you?" He asks again.

"I was on the ground." I say, touching his shoulder, "Please, just let m-"

"NO!" He screams, pushing me back, "GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM US!"

Instead of seeing him, I see myself. I'm in my demon form, holding a little boy close to me as a familiar person puts a sheet over us. Ditto? Sagittarius? Is this a dream? No, this is my endless nightmare.

Connor then tackles me. His eyes red and bloodshot from his tears.

"Why didn't you save her?" He asks.

I couldn't save her, buddy.

"ANSWER ME!" He roars.

I was too late.

He hits me in the face. Over and over, until his knuckles are blueish purple with bruises. Blood flows from my broken nose. Tears flow from his eyes, onto my dirty face. I sit up and put my arms around him, hugging him.

"I'm sorry, Connor." I say, "We both loved her dearly and no amount of apologies can make what happened right. Nothing can bring her back."

"I promised to stay by her side, not matter what." His voice cracks, "I fucking promised."

"I know." I put my hand on his chest, "That's why I promised to avenge both of you."

My claws sink into his chest, piercing his heart. He coughs up blood onto my shoulder and raises his head, "Thank you, Libra." His body convulses a few times, then his heart stops. He goes limp in my arms. I lay him beside his beloved and bury them beneath my tree.

One final flash. I walk side by side with other Hunter Killers. We approach our commanding officers, standing still as General Zero raises her hand.

"At ease." She orders.

In unison our stances change. Our missions are clear. Hunt down and silence our assigned targets. Each of us have been put in groups of three. Each group is assigned to a commanding officer. My group is HK-8732 and HK-3586, assigned to General Zero Crow Fairbrook.

We prepare to head out for our next mission.

"HK-9427, come here a minute." General Crow says.

She pulls me aside while the others stand outside.

"Yes General?" I ask.

"Tell me something, 9427." She says, "Out of all the Hunter Killers here, you stand out among the rest. So tell me, why do you choose to fight?"

For a brief second, she looks and sounds just like Prince Serren.

"Because I made a promise to a loved one." I answer.

Everything then fades to black. It's cold. I can't move. But I can hear Leo's voice.

"You've passed the test. Your power will be the downfall of your enemy. Your reward will be the reunion of you and your loved one. Take your strength and go to him." Her voice fades out. A familiar silence fills the room. Finally, I open my eyes.