Celeste:
The doctor crashed to the ground, my eyes falling on the horrified look on Novi's face. The empty blackness of my black mind space felt oppressive, the sound of him calling me a monster echoing all around me. This nightmare sucked, my mind begging for me to wake up. Alas, I was in for the ride. Blood pooled at my feet, Saint Decostos limping towards me. His scarlet soaked hand reached for me, his dead eyes shooting daggers into mine. Guilt dimmed my eyes, ruby drops of blood raining down on me. My face paled, clammy sweat dripped off of my brow. Faceless versions of my family charged at me, my bare feet unable to move. Struggling in my spot, Saint's hands grabbing my neck. Clawing at his fingers, blood soaked hands ripped chunks of flesh out of my leg. Saying nothing, my family stabbed me over and over again. Choking on a glob of blood, they all laughed maniacally. Wishing to get out of this hell, my fingers dug a little harder at Saint's hands.
"You killed us. You killed us." They chanted hollowly, silent tears of horror mixing with the blood soaking my face. Gurgles only left my throat, Merdia stomping up to me. A silver blade spun in her palm, her wild curls bouncing around her face. A wicked grin spread across her lips, the sleek blade into my heart. The light left my eyes, the scene shifting to the inside of a coffin. Plush ivory taunted me, my breathing growing shorter. All of my friend's voices echoed on the other side of the coffin.
"Good, she's dead!" Tammy cheered gleefully, Amy's laughter twinkling with hers. "She was a monster anyway. Let's all cheer for her death. We are free." More tears flooded from my eyes, my claws digging at the plush lining. Novi's deep voice broke me, his words breaking me. Clutching my chest, my heart seemed seconds from exploding
"I know. I should have never made her my mate. I am so much better with her dead." He announced proudly, leaning on the coffin. "She is a monster that just kills. She was practically drowning the blood of all of her murders." Banging on the top, enough was enough. Screaming to be let out, the coffin faded to the edge of a rooftop. An icy gust lashed at my face, the will to live no longer with me. All of this sadness broke me, my feet leaping off of the edge. Strong arms wrapped around my waist, Novi's voice snapping me awake.
"What are you doing!" He roared thunderously, the ground blurring underneath me. "You can't kill yourself because you are so depressed." Pulling me back onto the roof, confusion dawned on my face. How did I get here? Clutching me close to his chest, blood soaked my ivory nightgown. Choking on a glob of blood, he rubbed my back as I coughed up an unnatural amount of blood. Sobs wracked my body, a cut appearing on my side. Immense pain rattled my body, scarlet oozing from the wound. Wincing in pain, my teeth gritting nearly to the point of breaking. Novi scooped me up, leaping onto the nearest branch. Landing by his car, Jarod rushed out. Shock rounded out his eyes at my condition, Novi snapping his fingers. A knowing expression haunted his face, the car keys jingling in his fingers.
"I will drive you to the hospital." He blurted out urgently, tossing him a bunch of towels. "We have to get going if we are going to make it." Crashing into the back seat, my head rested on his lap. Novi's heart was pounding out of his chest, his navy suit now soaked with my blood. Guilt gnawed at me, his trembling hands pressing a towel to my wound. Teardrops plopped onto my face, my quaking fingers wiping away his tears. Guilt ate at me, Novi was in the state he was in because of me.
"It was just a dream." I wheezed, coughing up more blood. "I don't want to die." That last line had been a lie, the desire to die had been real for a minute. Part of me wished to be dead, so much blood had stained my hands. Saint's smile flashed in my mind, and how he died because I couldn't save him. Merdia's shattered expression flashed in my mind, the loss of her cousin driving her to madness. Glancing up at Novi, my world crumbled from underneath me. The broken look in his eyes haunted me, a numbness lying beneath his eyes. Grabbing the driver's seat aggressively, the desperation in his eyes matched the frown plastered on his face.
"We need to get to where you are going now!" He barked fearfully, his composure no longer there. "Celly, you need to listen to me. Your inner wolf is dying because you want to die. I need you in my life! You are my light, the one that keeps me going. Call my father. Tell him where you are going! If I can't get through to her, then he can." Dialing his phone, Jarod pleaded with the person on the other side to come to his friend's house. My vision blurred, his head snapping back to us. His eyes told a tale of cold knowledge, it was almost as if he had gone through the same thing.
"Keep her awake, or she will die." He warned sternly, a secret hiding underneath his wet eyes. "I was where you were when Genovi nearly killed me. I had lost my friend that day, Tammy was clinging onto life herself. So please hold on. We all love you with all of our heart. Tell your wolf to live." Guilt darkened Novi's eyes, his arms clutching me close to his chest. Nothing, I felt nothing. The light kept flickering in my eyes, shadowy hands wrapping around my neck. Horror contorted my face, the whispers from my dream coming back.
"You killed us! You killed us!" They sang wickedly in my ears, tortured wails bursting from my lips. "You killed us! You killed us!" Cupping my ears, the singing only got louder. Blood poured from my ears, feet kicking his seat. As if that was going to help, the singing torturing my poor ears.
"Leave me alone!" I begged, bloody tears flowing from my eyes. "I am sorry! I am so sorry!" The brakes squealed to a halt, Novi flying out of the car into a one room log cabin. An elderly woman guided him to a white hospital bed with silver filled straps, Novi throwing me on. Tightening the straps with the elderly woman, her werewolf scent rather faint. Her cloudy eyes bore into my soul, her tight white curls bounced around her shoulder. The cream sweater barely registered to me, her wrinkled palm pressing against my forehead. Black smoke curled off of her palm, the shadowy hands only growing in numbers.
"I can't help her. She needs someone to find her wolf." She ordered sharply, yanking Novi closer to me. "Drink this and you will be able to enter into Celeste's mind easier this time. Find her wolf, and get her to desire to live again." Downing the milky liquid offered to him, his body collapsed to the worn wooden floor. The word sleep entered my ears, sweet slumber taking me away.
The scene around me felt odd but so familiar. A golden collar hugged my neck, the silver chain extending endlessly. Running my hand through my hair, the decaying trees rotted away. Everything seemed so lifeless, black sand spread as far as the eye could see. Ash drifted aimlessly, my eyes scanning for a way out. Something glued me to my spot, the chain whipping around my body. Falling to the loose sand, all hope had left me. Simply laying there, the will to live refused to ignite in me. My teardrops soaked the sand, the empty midnight sky emphasizing my deep depression. Novi looked down at me, my dead eyes refusing to look at him. Struggling with the chains, a frustrated growl rumbling in his throat. Pressing his lips against mine passionately, the chains shortened to a couple of feet. Placing me on his back, my muscles refused to move. Why did that shit have to work? I was perfectly fine just dying.
"I am always here for you, Celly." He promised sweetly, his voice ripe with desperation. "We are going to find your wolf, and make her want to live. The thing is that you have to have the desire to live too." Pressing my lips into a thin line, the singing began to taunt me. Plopping on a pair of soundproof headphones, relief washed over me the moment the singing stopped. Wrapping my arms around his neck, he needed an explanation. Leaving Novi in the dark didn't feel right, the way he kept chasing after me each time cementing his love for me.
"The guilt is eating me alive. Merdia doesn't have a cousin because of me." I mumbled under my breath, his hands cupping mine. "I don't deserve to live." Marching forward, ash gathered on his fluffy hair. Setting me down, he sat down across from me. Resting my head on my knees, his head cocked to the right. Choosing to look at the ground, I didn't deserve his loving gaze. Raising my brow, the confusion at what he was doing nipping at me.
"Do you know why I married you?" He boasted tiredly, hugging his knees to his chest. "It is the way you take charge, and do what is best in the situation. Little kids got to go home because you did what I couldn't do. I would have been able to shoot that stupid doctor. You are the bravest person I know." Rolling my eyes for the millionth time, was he really trying to cheer me up? How dense could he be! My action was more a stupid action than a brave one, my fingers playing with the hem of my nightgown.
"Was it bravery or stupidity?" I pointed out bitterly, one single question rested on my mind. "How did you get over the guilt with Jarod and Tammy?" Pressing his lips into a thin line, his real smile brightened his face. Moving closer to me, his fingers intertwined with mine. The flames flickered dully in my heart, his touch bringing me back to life. The light in my eyes roared to life, then died out again. What a peculiar feeling? Did this happen to loads of werewolves, or was it just me? Go away, depression. I didn't want you here.
"They didn't actually die in front of me, so I prayed every day that they were alive." He uttered simply, the light coming back to my eyes. "There's my girl." Clutching me close to his chest, a field of flowers bloomed around us. The trees came back to life, my breath hitched as the blossoms flourished into a sea of gentle pinks. Touching the nearest flower, the various flowers changed into a sea of golden lilies. Picking one, I pressed it into his palm. Scarlet burned his cheeks, his lips curling into a crooked grin.
"I love you Novi." I chirped cheerfully, leaping to my feet. "I may not be perfectly happy but we can surely manage to work through it. Guilt is rough, huh? I hope time heals my wound. Come on, let's find my wolf. She needs me right now." Offering him my hand, his hand wrapped around mine. Pulling him up, my legs felt like jello. Swaying a bit, he placed me on his back. His lips kissed the top of my hands, a tender blush colored my cheeks.
"I love you too." He returned graciously, my head snuggled into the nape of his neck. "Call out for your wolf." A howl erupted from my lips, a weakened howl returning my call. Sprinting in the direction of the howl, the colors faded to black and white. Hopping off of his back, my cut began to bleed profusely as I landed clumsily. My white wolf laid in a circle of dead flowers, red painting her fur. Stumbling over to her, my whole body protested as I collapsed onto her. Numbness haunted her golden eyes, the rapid pants alarming me. Offering her my arm, silent tears of agony streamed down my cheeks as her fangs sank into my skin. The crunching of my bone sickened me, my stomach twisting into a painful knot. My wolf perked up, her bite growing ever stronger. At a girl, I whispered sweetly to her.
"I get it! You want to punish me!" I snapped hotly, the release of her bite was a sweet relief. Glancing at the mangled version of my arm, her head snuggled into my neck. A fit of laughter rumbled in my throat, her paw slapping my face gently. Embracing her with my good arm, her warmth radiated over me. A raspy female voice stole my breath away, her eyes never leaving mine.
"I am so proud of you, child." My wolf spoke to me directly for the first time in a long time, my heart fluttering. "You kept swimming deeper into the dark pools of depression. My heart died slowly each passing day until today. You presented me with your arm to show your faith to me. You didn't even wince when I took a big bite. Now I feel more in sync with you than I ever had. So let's be better from now on." Tears flooded from her eyes, my quaking fingers wiping her tears away. Kissing her snout, her paw met my hand. A golden light bathed us, her tongue licking my cheek. Stepping back, she clapped her paws.
Jerking awake, a deep breath left my lips. Regretting everything instantly, my hand cupped my side. A hard black cast covered my left arm, Novi stirring awake on the floor. Sitting up, he rested his wrists on his knees. Not noticing that I was watching him, the elderly lady undid all of my straps. His real grin brightened his face, my body crashing into his arms. Embracing me passionately, he took a deep breath of my scent. Kissing the top of my head, it felt so nice to melt into his arms. Novi was my Batman in the city of Gotham, and I was his Cat Woman.
"Welcome back, Celly." He sobbed softly, lifting up my chin with his finger. "You look more radiant than ever." Locking lips with me sweetly, my heart pounded out of my chest. Grasping at his jacket, the elderly lady hovered over us. Offering out her hand, a sly grin danced across her lips the moment I shook her hand back.
"I am Madame Moon." She introduced herself stiffly, slapping my hand away. "You are a royal pain in my butt. If Jarod didn't bring you in, I wouldn't have treated you. I am his grandmother after all. I definitely don't need to see you Alpha Genovi. You guys can leave now. I don't want to be around the person who hurt my dear Jarod." Rolling my eyes, I knew when I wasn't wanted. Jumping to my feet, Novi stepped in front of me. The tension brewed between them, Jarod clearing his throat.
"Knock it off, Grammy!" He barked impatiently, fixing his blonde hair. "I brought them here so you could take care of them. He said sorry and they still took us in. Do you remember how Tammy can't have a child?" Waiting with bated breath for her answer, my attempt to leave was squandered by Novi holding me down by my shoulder. Thunderous growls rumbled in his throat, his old man bursting into the cabin. The door crashed to the worn wooden floor, the situation only growing worse. Rage boiled in Madame Moon's cloudy eyes, a nervous smile twitched on my ghostly pale face. Sneaking over to her door, a shouting match ensued between Madame Moon, and my father-in-law. Lifting up the door, my hand hovered over the hinges. My golden energy corrected the door hinges, no one paying attention while I tested the door. Walking in between the two of them, sharp glares met my polite smile. Jarod trembled next to Novi, the situation getting out of control. A war was moments from occurring, a lump forming in my throat.
"I am aware you hate each other but are we going to get anywhere arguing like this?" I interjected furiously, a deep sigh escaping my lips. "I fixed your door by the way. Now that the door situation is resolved, I have to inform you of something. You have a granddaughter Madame Moon, and her name is Amy. She is a younger girl who Tammy is adoring to death right now." Madame Moon's expression softened, my father-in-law leaned on my shoulder. The soft cotton of his navy t-shirt brushed against my skin, flour covering his black pants. What has he been doing?
"I have a granddaughter?" She stammered, turning towards Jarod. "Is this true?" Stepping forward the tension melted away, tears flowing from her eyes. Embracing her, the daggers shooting from his eyes told us to go out to the car. Listening to him, Novi guided me to the car. His old man ran over to his new black truck, a paper bag in his hands. Shoving it into Novi's arms, his elbow hooked around my elbow. Pulling me aside, his arms wrapped around my shoulder.
"I am so happy you are okay." He confided in a fatherly tone, pulling out a bag of cookies. "These were my wife's favorites when she was pregnant. Can I admit something? I was about to go through the same thing when you spent the day with me. You dragged me out of it. So let it be my turn. How about we get together next Saturday? We can go on a hike." Uncontrollable tears poured from my eyes, my hormones must be causing me to go all haywire.
"You don't have to worry about anything." He promised warmly, ruffling the top of my head. "I am always available to talk. You really shouldn't shoulder everything anymore. It will drive you nuts. Call me once a day from now on. If you don't call I will come and get you." Smiling happily to myself, my only wish at the moment was for this to never end. Novi called me over, Jarod coming out with his grandmother. My heart sank into my stomach, that foul woman was going to be in the same car and then the house. His old man waved as he got into his trunk, an apologetic smile on his face.
"You coming, Celly?" Novi inquired playfully, noting the cookies in my hands. "We have to go home." Popping into the passenger's side, my body slid into the seat. Clicking on my seat belt, everyone else piled in. Pulling out a cookie, Madame Moon shook her head as I bit the cookie on purpose. This was going to be a long ride.