It Was All Arranged [R. Sakamaki]

Decoded

[I APOLOGISE - THIS CHAPTER IS VERY RUSHED AS I HAVEN'T SLEPT AND IT IS SUPER LATE. AS SOON AS THE FIRST DRAFT OF THIS STORY IS COMPLETED, I WILL BE REWRITING IT ALL!]

She was stunning, kneeling in the plush grass, her velvet-covered arms cradling a small, blue bundle. Red hair caught in the sunlight, contrasting against the yellow buttercups that waved in the gentle breeze. The baby giggled in her arms, his chubby arms reaching for her angelic face. His hair was dark - Reiji noticed - his eyes stormy and round as he stared up at his ethereal mother. She beamed down at him, her teeth shiny and white, her lips a soft, angelic pink. Her cheeks were tinted a gentle rouge as she rocked her baby close to her chest. She was beautiful - just as she was now… except there was a long scar on her left cheek. Strange.

Reiji gulped as he wandered closer, staring at his wife in pure awe before a loud shout caught his distracted attention. "Daddy, Daddy! Look, I made you a daisy crown!" He caught sight of a short girl running towards him, a grin on her thin lips. Her eyes were golden - like her grandmother's, her hair dark and long - wavy like her mother. She was pale and slim, her face built exactly like his wife's. She was dressed formally, hair left down and wild as mud caked her pale face. She clutched a long, green chain in her slender hands, thrusting it towards him proudly. Just as he was about to take it, his fingers grazing the little girl's…

Lightning clapped, smacking the grassy fields as the bright sky faded and harsh clouds formed above them. The little girl was no longer smiling, her cries of joy were now blood-curdling as she begged her father to save her from the large hand which grabbed at her, sucking her into the darkest realm. Reiji couldn't move - he was stuck. Terrified.

"No!" A scream pierced his ears - it was her, he knew it. He caught sight of her fighting one of the hands, clutching her baby to her chest as she ran from it, the tears spilling down her perfect, rosy cheeks. Reiji's heart squeezed as he watched her, a shadowy hand clutching her ankle and snatching her violently.

"Athena!" Reiji yelled, snapping out of his trance and lunging towards her. Of course, he was too slow, he watched as she was dragged back and flung into the air, screaming her baby's name. His breathing was sharp, he could feel tears in his eyes as his wife's fate played out before him. She couldn't die - he wouldn't let it - no matter how much he hated her. He lunged forward once more, hand reaching desperately for hers when-

A cold pillow smacked the sweat-soaked vampire in the face, it was hard and awoke the man from his dark slumber. Fuschia eyes blinked, staring at his wide awake wife for a long while. "Will you stop…" she panted, hand pressed to her heart, "screaming my name?" He turned his head, glancing at the clock. "Look at me." He slowly did as she demanded, relieved she was alive. Her eyebrows were furrowed, cheeks red and eyes filled with concern. "What did I do in that dream? Smash your china?" She laughed at her joke, obviously disturbed by her husband's terrors. He said nothing, merely reaching out to caress her cheek. Her eyes widened in horror. "Are you… alright?"

He wanted to say so much. He wanted to tell her that he'd nearly lost her and it'd made his dead heart ache. He wanted to say that he was relieved and glad she was here. He wanted to hold her and stroke her hair and tell her that he l- No. This was the aftermath of that dream. Reiji hated her existence - he was merely used to her. That was all. He scoffed, pushing himself up, no longer feeling sleepy. "I apologise," he said, climbing out of the bed. He said nothing else as he left the room, heading for the bathroom.

"Weird…" Athena murmured, sliding beneath the warm bedsheets. She'd fallen asleep by the time he'd showered and sauntered back into the room. He leaned forward, caressing her soft hair before wishing her a good sleep. He couldn't go back to sleep - he needed to find that hidden message.