Just Like Animals ≫ Blackheart

》t h r e e《

- o l i v i a -

Johnny isn't home when I awaken (at this point it is around noon), and neither is Roxanne. This isn't unusual; from time to time, they go out on dates with friends. I would do that too, but everyone I know lives with me. Does Blackheart count?, you may ask. No, and I'll tell you why.

1) he's dead.

Oh my god, look at that! It's a one item long list! I know it really shouldn't matter, but, that really freaks me out. He's technically alive, but you can see it in his face; he's not. Speaking of Blackheart, I'd like to go visit him. Something's not right, and I have a feeling that he's the only one who can tell me what the hell is going on. Grabbing my boots from my closet, and slipping on a woolen dress and matching red scarf, I run out of the house where I mount my bike. I pedal as fast as I can, the once dormant butterflies in my stomach becoming active again. There are no people on the streets. Halfway to the cemetery, my scarf flies off, and I'm forced to stop biking to go catch it. However, I don't have to go very far to find it. It's high up in a tree, just out of my reach.

"Dang it," I mutter, trying to think of a way to get up there to get that stupid, yet necessary, piece of rouge cloth.

"Seems you're in a bit of a situation, huh?"

The only reason I don't turn around immediately is because I know that voice belongs to Blackheart. I position my hands on my hips, and face him.

"I'm too short to reach it. Can you help me?" I ask, in the sweetest possible tone I am capable of. Blackheart smirks, and assists me by setting the tree on fire, burning the scarf in the process. Wtf.

"The hell was that for?" I snarl, glaring at him. From the ashes, a new scarf assembles itself. It's absolutely gorgeous; the shiny black fabric is soft and warm as it wraps loosely around my neck, falling perfectly on my bony collarbones, covering them.

"Black looks much better on you, but..." Blackheart comments, raising his hand to his nose, pinching the bridge of it.

"...A dash of maroon wouldn't hurt." He finishes, while crimson roses appear all over the material. The whole thing was like a scene straight from Cinderella. It was almost humorous.

"You look good." He tells me. I can't help but blush; Johnny rarely comments on my appearance, and Roxanne barely notices, since she never sees me anyways.

"T-thank you." Blackheart nods, a slight smile on his pale face.

"There must be a reason why you're here."

"Uh, yes. I wanted to talk to you about some things." I reply, shivering from the cold. He leans against the iron fence, his hand still hiding the majority of his face from my view.

"Proceed," Blackheart urges. I take a deep breath before beginning.

"I want to know why this town has come to be so deserted. Also, why is my brother acting so strange? What aren't you telling me? Why is Johnny warning me about you? What--"

"Stop, stop. I will answer your questions to the best of my abilities, but you must remember that you cannot deny me of privacy."

"Of course."

"This establishment has been in existence for hundreds of years, and its population has always been rather small. It may seem rather empty at times, but keep in mind that there is a major city not far from here, and that these people can leave if they wish. As for your brother, I can't explain his strange behavior. Perhaps there is something on his mind that is troubling him. I don't know much about that issue.

"Olivia, sweet girl, there is much you do not know about me. I will reveal everything to you in time, but you may not like what you will hear or see. Johnny and I had a sort of rivalry. He had something I wanted, and I was, and still am, on the wrong end of the stick. The rest of that story will remain untold until I see fit. I suggest you retain your purity of mind, body, and soul for as long as you can, Olivia. It is a precious thing; gained by birth, taken by the life you are granted. I lost the gift of purity when I was created. But, you know this, of course."

I remember him telling me he was born in a church, fully grown. My mind conjures up an image of an adorable baby boy, with alabaster skin, hair as dark as the night sky, and innocent eyes.

"Um, created?"

"Yes; I've told you this before. Have you forgotten?"

"No, I remember, but it's hard to believe...Were you never...a child once? A little baby?" I ask him.

"No, I was born a man. A clueless one, might I add. But you know this."

"I know; just tell me! What happened to your purity?"

"I was made by Mephistopheles to do dirty work. Work that you mortals nowadays would be 'arrested' for."

My mouth opens and closes without uttering a single word. I should have known that. Why am I acting so surprised? What kind of good kid is christened 'Blackheart'?

"That fact also explains why your brother is so incredibly apprehensive of me."

I bite my lip; perhaps a little too hard. Drops of blood fall from the new, tiny hole in my bottom lip. Blackheart takes notice, but says nothing of it.

"You came to visit me, no?" He asks, changing the subject deftly. I sigh, wiping the red liquid away from my mouth.

"I did,"

"Why?"

"You're weird, and it's not everyday that I see a guy whose creator is basically satan. I don't know what anybody else thinks, but that's pretty fuckin' cool." I reply, placing my hands on my hips. He does nothing but grin at my statement.

"I find you quite amusing."

"Do you?"

"Quite. But I do think it is getting late. If you stay around much longer, my friends may want to come out and play. They're rough, so you know."

I smirk. "Hmmm, wouldn't want that."

"No, you wouldn't. Run along now, before your brother suspects."

Blackheart walks me to the end of the block, silently following behind me like the ghost he is. As I mount my bike, he speaks.

"I expect I'll be seeing you soon, Olivia."

I laugh, its sound blending in with the soft song of the wind. "Sooner than you can imagine."