I felt unimaginable pain course through my veins. Hell, even the roots of my hair hurt. I meant what I said to Daniel, though. I would not let them break me. If I survived for no other reason, it would be to look into Damien and Nadine's eyes as I ended their pathetic existences.
I held on to Daniel's hands as tight as I could, holding his gaze with mine. My vision was bouncing between explicitly sharp and horribly fuzzy. For a split second, I could see grey in Daniel's eyes so vividly, they looked like swirls of storm clouds. There were tears swimming in them and I could see every tiny pore and scar in his face. Just as quickly, I could barely even make out the outline of his body. The rapid continuous change started to make me dizzy.
Finally, my eyes stayed focused, but I sincerely wished they hadn't. Daniel's eyes bled to their deep honey color, but their glow was otherworldly and evil. The skin on his face began to crack and chip, as if he were made of porcelain. The room around us began to decay and peel away. It was something straight of my worst nightmare.
"Time for you to break, little one."
His voice sounded possessed with unholy growls. I watched in horror as his lips twisted into a wicked grin. I didn't want to look, didn't want to think of him that way, so I slammed my eyes shut.
"No!" I cried through the pain that continued to wrack me. "You-you can't make me!"
"Why are you fighting?" He chuckled. "You're weak. You always have been." I could feel his breath right against my ear. "Give in, Sylvia. You've lost."
"No!" I screeched as loud as I could, forcing my eyes open.
My eyes met Daniel's, seeing that familiar stormy grey again. The pain slowly started to ebb away, and I could finally catch my breath. As I began to better focus, my senses were amazingly acute. I could hear the scurrying of the squirrels up the tree trunks outside.
"This is incredible." My voice croaked.
"It usually is at first." Daniel smiled softly, placing a kiss on my forehead.
I smiled up at him, just as waves of exhaustion washed over me. I did my damnedest to keep my focus. I was so excited to test out my new-found abilities, but I could barely keep my eyes open.
"Guess a nap won't hurt." I whispered, snuggling into the couch. As I was drifting off, I thought I caught the faint scent of lilacs.
I woke with a gasp, like I was breathing oxygen for the first time. I still felt a little sore, but nowhere near the pain I had felt before. I took my time sitting up, listening to the array of sounds that bombarded my senses. I was hearing everything, and it was incredible and disorienting at the same time.
Can someone turn the world off for a moment, please? The amount of even that I can't right now. I knew I was whining. The amount of damn I gave could probably fill a thimble on a good day.
"Just breathe, angel."
I saw Daniel hadn't left my side. I studied his face as if it were the first time that I was looking at him. Everything looked so crystal clear sharp.
"Wow." I breathed, finally smiling at him.
He returned it, but he still seemed sad. "This isn't what I wanted for you." He sighed. "I feel like I failed you."
"Trust me, it wasn't in my plans either." I chuckled. "It's definitely going to take some getting used to." I placed a hand on his and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You didn't fail me. I didn't die and they didn't break me."
Daniel gave me an appreciative smile. The familiar scent of lilacs wafted our way again and I turned to the doorway. I let out a sigh of relief as I saw Edith peeking in timidly. Her eyes widened when she saw me and she let out a little whimper.
"Edie, it's okay." Daniel took his time stepping toward her, holding out his hand.
She shook her head, her eyes never leaving me. I slowly stood to my feet, more so out of actual weakness than anything else. I did my best to give her my same calm and sweet smile.
"Daniel's right, Edie." I joined him, holding out my hand to her as well. "It's okay. I won't hurt you." She didn't move a muscle. "It's still me, Edie. I promise. Come on out."
After what felt like an eternity, she finally tipped into the room taking our hands. We pulled her gently into a hug and her shoulders shook with frightened sobbing.
"They hurt Sylvie." She hiccupped into Daniel's shoulder. "Brother hurt Sylvie. Edie hurt Sylvie!" She shook her head slightly, her sobs getting louder. "Edie bad! Brother bad! Sorry, Sylvie! So, so sorry!"
I stroked her hair, doing my best to calm her. "You are not bad, Edie." I crooned. "You and Daniel are nothing like your parents. You don't hurt on purpose."
"S-Sylvie not mad at Edie?"
"Of course not." I answered.
"Not mad at Brother?"
"Not even a little." I answered again.
She turned to me, a little hiccup making her body jump. I wiped the tears from her face as best I could.
"They don't get another chance to hurt you." I promised before I turned my gaze to Daniel. "Either of you. You two shouldn't have to live out eternity being afraid and hiding from these monsters. They need to pay for what they've done. They need to die."
"We can't beat them." Daniel admitted shamefully. "You saw what Damien did. He could have easily killed me."
"Because he knows you're afraid." I took a step back so they could both see the intensity and sincerity of my words as I spoke. "We are young ones, yes, but we're also strong, smart, and resilient."
Edie stared at me and I could see the gears working overtime in her head. "Mommy and Daddy hurt Edie." She started quietly. "Hurt Sylvie. Hurt Brother." She let out a small growl. "Edie hate them. They die."
I looked to Daniel, who wore his shock at his sister only for a moment. I saw worry and shock melt away, replaced by steeled resolve.
"Fine." He nodded. "We end them."
I smiled at my little army. Scared as we were, we wanted our freedom more than anything. This little family was all we had. Now was the time for us to defend it.