Beyond His Evil

Twenty Five

~~~

I was still in Kate's bed, but my wounds had been treated. I didn't tell her the full story of what happened between Devon and me because I didn't want to accept it. I couldn't believe that in an instant, everything I believed about him turned out to be false.

I couldn't understand how he could go from passionately kissing me to looking at me as if I were an enemy. One moment he was apologizing and claiming that I meant something to him, and the next his hand was around my neck.

"Kira."

"Yeah," I replied.

She was still sitting on the floor in front of me, her concerned emerald eyes staring at me. Her voice was calm and loving, reminding me of my mom's.

"Talk to me," she said. "What exactly happened?"

I got up from her bed.

"You need to go to sleep, Kate. You have training in the morning. Thanks for everything," I said, not recognizing my own voice and not waiting for her response.

I walked to my own bed, feeling her gaze on me the entire time, and lay down. It didn't take long before I heard her moving, heard her turning on her bed, and then her voice reached my ears.

"I'm always here, Kira. Always will be. The only reason I yelled at you the other day was because I care about you, and I don't want to see you get hurt. I admire you, believe it or not. You're the strongest person I know. And whatever's going on, you'll figure it out. I'm always on your side if you need me. Goodnight."

I fought back the tears, replying, "Goodnight."

***

Throughout the night, I had terrible nightmares about Devon. They felt so real that staying awake seemed like a better option.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Whatever Kate did to treat my wounds last night had helped ease the pain, as I couldn't feel anything or maybe I just felt numb all over. I traced the wounds on my arms where Devon had dug his claws into me the day before. They looked ugly and slightly swollen. The marks on my neck weren't as bad, but they were still there. I could still feel his hand around my throat, his strange yet familiar crimson eyes piercing into mine as he hurt me.

Tears streamed down my face, and I quickly wiped them away. I refused to cry. I looked at my reflection and forced a small smile, but more tears fell. I wiped them away again. I was stronger than this, so why couldn't I stop the tears? I smiled again, but as I stretched my lips, more tears fell, and I continued to wipe them away. What was wrong with me?

You're weak.

I shook my head, trying to stop the tears.

That's why he was able to do this to you.

My hands trembled.

Look at you. No powers. Nothing. You're the reason your dad's dead. You're the reason your mom might be dead. You! It's all your fault. Weakling! You're nothing but a disgrace!

I covered my ears, attempting to block out the voice in my head, but it persisted.

He saw it. Took advantage of it. He doesn't feel anything for you except pity. He doesn't care. But you, stupid you, thought otherwise. You're so stupid.

"ENOUGH!" I yelled and slammed my fist into the mirror. It cracked, but didn't shatter.

You can't even break a damn mirror.

"SHUT UP!" I screamed and continued to pound my fists on the mirror. The glass cut my skin, and blood splattered on the glass, but I didn't stop. Pain shot through my hands, but I welcomed it. I kept assaulting the mirror with my fists, violent sobs escaping me.

When I felt satisfied, I stopped. Breathing heavily, I stared at the shattered pieces of the mirror, each reflecting the same broken image of myself. Weak, shattered, with messy hair, dull skin, and an injured neck. But in each piece, my eyes were not the brown shade I despised. They were... golden.

~~~
What do you think is happening here?