Life takes a turn. With Donna only able to sleep in small bouts and her waking interrupting Natalya's sleep, the two hover somewhere between conscious, and insanity.
For Natalya it reminds her of hellweek when they were only allowed five hours of sleep for seven days. She hasn't started hallucinating yet, but that's because she keeps falling asleep on her feet at random times throughout the day. This makes cooking hazardous seeing as she's dipped her good hand into a hot pan twice.
"Mother Miranda-"
Natalya jerks awake. She turns and crashes to the floor as if one foot is rooted to the spot and won't move. Then again the floor is nice and soft and she's already lying down.
"No!"
"Donna-"
Trying not to fall asleep is nearly impossible but Natalya keeps one ear up. Their voices are hushed but she can still get glimpses as she fades to sleep again.
"I need you for greater things. Alcina is too wrapped up with her daughters and keeping them safe. Moreau will never be enough."
"Karl-"
"Couldn't follow instructions if they were nailed to his forehead. You're the only one I can trust," Miranda takes Donna's hands, her eyes boring into Donna's. Without her mask she comes across as quite human.
But to Donna, not having the mask between them is like seeing a royal without a crown. They're just another person. A fallible, evil, loathsome human being.
Donna rips her hands away, "I said, no."
"Donna, don't make me do something you won't like."
"You-"
Miranda's eyebrows raise.
Knowing Natalya is just in the next room Donna rallies her courage, "You never do anything I do like. You never have."
Since she was expecting anger Donna is surprised to see Miranda so calm. The woman walks around her and goes to the kitchen. There they find Natalya asleep on the floor with breakfast beginning to smoke. She moves the pan off the stove and offers Donna an almost sympathetic look.
"You're killing her."
"No-!"
"Donna! You can't sleep. The plants have changed. They no longer produce a hallucinogen, they produce a sedative. She literally can't stay awake. While your mind is desperately trying to get you some sleep, you're killing her. Look."
Donna does.
"She's lost weight. She's losing muscle mass. Her limbs are beginning to stove up and feel heavier because she doesn't have the mental fortitude or physical attributes to move them anymore."
Tears fill Donna's eyes and panic fills her chest. Angie touches her shoulder and Donna pulls her close.
"I never expected things to go this far. I've been trying to take her gently, but that's not working."
A raw sob tears through Donna's throat. Her hands shake, but they've been doing that for days from lack of sleep.
"No."
"Once you have better control of your powers, then you can try having her back. But for now, she needs to go."
"No."
"Donna," Miranda bends down and disconnects Natalya's right leg.
"Stop," Natalya murmurs, still half asleep, "Don't touch-" Her voice trails off.
YOU ARE READING
Her New Doll (Completed)
Fanfiction(( Updates Weekly on Mondays!)) (( +18 Chapters Will Be Marked)) The life of Donna Beneviento has been one of tragedy and fear. Even when gifted power she remained locked in a fantasy prison of her own making, spending her days creating and treasuri...