W.A.R.M.T.H: The Prologue

The Criminal and His Demons (pt 1)

 AJ

         What I saw when we made eye contact...felt like it was never mine to see or know. They were her personal memories, her personal pain. And even though I couldn't have controlled what I saw, I can't help but hate myself for intruding. Her entire life just opened up in front of me like a book: I saw her, a baby, being placed under intensive care. I saw her distressed parents crying over the fact of their child whose chance of life was one in a million. I saw the injections that cost her parents a lot of money even though it barely left a dent in their overall savings. Everything flash forwarded, a young Amora. 5 at most, the beginnings of cat ears starting to peek through her hair. She was playing, her parents overjoyed at seeing their little baby girl, healthy and playful like a kitten. Her parents were so in love. But then, Amora's 8th birthday. Her smiling father giving her an expensive diamond encrusted bracelet...the one I found on my bike. Amora morphing into a creature unlike any other I've ever encountered. Her father, alone in the room with her when she turned vicious. What she did next.... Amora, standing in front of a coffin in a graveyard. Her mother crying, bawling, vowing to never love again. Not even her daughter who needed her more than ever. The injections started again age 9, surgeries began, age 11. From a doctor who seemed less than trustworthy. Amora's mother glaring at her from across the table. Thinking Amora didn't notice. Amora, now 14. Standing at a gravestone engraved with the words. 'Beloved father, friend, and husband. Remembered by all whom he crossed paths.' She's crying. Blubbering and murmuring to the gravestone. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. Everything always is." Amora, present age, 16. Looking at...me. Feeling awe and confusion. Not wanting to look away from my eyes but forcing herself to, because she thinks it's impolite due to the way her mother raised her. Her mother... arranging a marriage for her daughter out of no reason but spite.. Just thinking about what I saw makes my stomach churn. Not because I think she's a monster. But because she feels like she deserves all of the pain her mother is putting her through. Feeling she deserves even less than what she has. I let out a breath and rub my face.

"I need to get some sleep."

    I say to the damp, cold air that's beginning to nip at my fingertips. I shiver, I really should've brought a stupid jacket. My clothes are soaked, I'm stained from head to toe with spray paint. My hair is soggy and in my eyes. And now, I can't stop thinking about Amora. Who I never even noticed existed until earlier this afternoon, when I felt that strange tug to her. As if there was a rope keeping us connected and when we touched; the buzzing feeling that crept into my veins. I haven't even thought about Raven all night. And I can't help but wonder if my physical attraction to Raven was just a mask so I could get closer to my magnetizing fascination to Amora. I pull out my phone and look at the time. 4:30AM. Jesus, I need to get home. Millie had to have woken up by now. I rush over to my motorcycle and ride down the slick streets leading back to my house.

When I get home, I park my bike behind the house and come around to see a sleepy-eyed Jason sitting on the front steps.

"Jason? What are you doing up? I told you to go to bed, do you have any idea what time it is. Or how dangerous it is for you to be out here right now?" my voice, an angry whisper trying not to alarm the neighbors. He jumps up from the step.

"I know I know! And I did sleep. But I woke up and heard Millie crying so I went in to check on her. I got her to go back to sleep but I wanted to apologize to you for not being in bed when I was supposed to because I didn't want you to be angry at me. And then I realized you weren't here, so I decided to wait for you outside. I swear I thought you'd be back in just a minute. I promise. Please don't be mad."

He looks at me with fear in his eyes and cringes slightly when I take a step towards him.

"Jason?" I say quietly "Why do you look so scared?"