Deception Draped in Beauty

“Let me come home, home is wherever I’m with you”, we sang our hearts out as our hair danced in the wind, with the windows down.

It was summer, our hands intertwined as he drove down a path by the mountains, the sun was out and the wind was a hot summer's kiss. That was the last time I had ever seen him, we promised each other forever but he would not live to see it.

I ran as fast as my legs could go, after two years of training and daring death's door survival mode had become a natural feeling. My lungs were burning as I inhaled the bitter autumn hair. My blood dropped staining leaves of every shade and color as they crumbled beneath my boots. The trees rustled calmly as if mocking the utter chaos in my head.

Her voice was ringing in my mind, that onyx black every time she spoke, clouding my vision. A woman I called boss and would have given my life for. Her dark wavy hair always put back, her thick lush brows sharp, and eyes a deep merciless green. The edge of my eyes were burning as my brain feebly attempted to process what had taken place moments ago when I ran away.

My mind slipped back to him, the one I promised forever to, the memory leaving softness and love in its wake as a raging migraine grew just beneath my temples.

The mountain path, our skin glistening under the summer sun as we drove, singing for the world to hear. A car came into my vision, closing in beside me as we drove, the window rolled down and striking forest green eyes stared back at me, as she pointed a gun. The bullet set off, but it wasn’t for me, a bullseye to his head, his body falling limp and lifeless, the car sped off and our own car veered off into the woods as I dove for the wheel to regain control, but I was too late.

The pounding in my head grew stronger with every step as the memory blurred and transformed. This was all her fault. It was no accident, it was cold blooded murder.

I swept through my recollection of every mission, the countless people I killed for her, every life lost and their blood on my hands. Her blood should have been on my hands that day, she was next. My memory was becoming fuzzy as I staggered to reorder them and remember details that were wiped.

My identity, my life, my missions, and most of all, my love, she took it all. I strived to find a part of me that was left untainted, but failed. My ears were screaming as the sound of the bullet impacting his head rang again and again. I didn’t realize I was crying until I felt the heat seeping through my top.

I pulled out the dagger from my side to cut through the tangle of green vines blocking my way. I need to find shelter, the sun will be setting soon, a curtain of darkness will take over and the brisk autumn air will turn to a crisp and ruthless wind. The gushing blood at my upper right thigh had slowed but not stopped, I have to treat it and recharge if I wish to take her down. Those piercing forest green eyes are all I could see as I ran, ran for my life. She stripped me of my morals and principals, abused my skills and turned me into a monster. I was no longer better than her, I was her.

This was exactly what she wanted from the start, but I won't let her win, and this monster is loose from its leash, begging to unleash it’s wrath. I’m coming for you.

I halted dead in my tracks, I was so immersed in my own mind I didn’t see the dead end. The devil’s cliff they call it, despite being only 120 feet high, not one soul has seen another day after an encounter with it. Beneath it harsh waves crashed against the rough uneven edges of the old cliff, the ocean a mysteriously too deep shade of blue. Many scientists tried to solve the mystery but had gone mad and ended their lives off this very spot before they could.

The sun began to yield to the moon, it’s silver glow the same as my eyes. Boots crunched on the fallen leaves, closer, and closer, I noted five pairs, each from a different direction. They were still on my trail to no surprise and I knew the outcome. With my scars and open wounds and dehydrated body, I was exhausted and worn out. Hours of running in the woods without food and rest were of no aid.

His laugh and voice caressed my mind and soul, haunting me. A gut-wrenching pain and agony tore through my chest, as I stood debating how my tale would prevail or rather, conclude. The approaching footsteps pounded with my heart as five figures appeared before me.

“It’s over, she wants you back.”, the voice rumbled beneath my skin. Midnight blue flooded my vision.

I silently made my choice. She took my mind but my life is my own, the only way this will end is on my terms.

“Tell her, I’ll see her in hell.”, my voice resounded with power.

“Home is wherever I’m with you.”, I whispered.

I took a deep breath, I suppose the devil’s cliff is a rather ironic way to end things. I turned to face the ocean and took in the clouds. I took one final step, the wind howled as it tore against my face, hair tangling in the gruesome wind. I closed my eyes and smiled, releasing the strain and control on my muscles.

My eyes shot open and darted around the room, the beeping sound clearer. I was sitting in a hospital room with an IV drip attached to my arm. A splitting headache overcame me, my head was about to split open. The door cracked open and a nurse walked in.

“You’re awake. You suffered a minor injury from the impact on your head, specifically the hippocampus area, fortunately everything seems to be in good shape with no memory loss, just a concussion. You will need to remain a few days to ensure all is well and then you may be discharged.”, a male nurse in his mid thirties said to me, with a joyous smile.

Just then a woman walked in, wearing a tight amethyst purple dress that emphasized her curves and fit body, it extended to her mid-thigh, the silk material overlapping and forming an X shape from shoulder to the end of the opposing side of her torso. A cape like silk of a deeper purple draped from the shoulder strap of the dress to her lower back. A man and woman followed behind her in elegant tight cut suits.

“This is the Chairwoman of the hospital, she requested to see you. If you need anything, press this red button here on your right.”, the nurse spoke calmly, then proceeded to nod with respect to the chairwoman and step out.

“My apologies for intruding so urgently, I am Azrael King, the chairwoman. You have been in a terrible car crash, your car went off the road downhill crashing in the woods. We did what we could to save the driver, but unfortunately your boyfriend took a stronger impact and was in a worse state. My condolences.”, the chairwoman spoke grimly.

Onyx black from every corner of my line of sight took over. Those eyes, the striking green pierced my soul. Deep forest green met my eyes and her dark flowing hair was put back. I know that ebony black and those dark green eyes, I know them as well as I know myself. Too well.