Gehenna's Gate

Other Worlds Than These

"Dad..?"

"Don't worry, honey. It's just a scratch." The strain in the man's voice obviously pointed to the opposite, clearly just trying to soothe the shaking girl stood behind him.

"Dad, you're bleeding-"

Nothing felt real.

"Do you still have it, Vena?"

The question was lost on her for a few moments, azure eyes blown wide in shock as she struggled to focus, hands shaking.

The knife.

Mouth dry, the girl could only manage a nod, becoming darkly aware of just how much blood was pooling beneath her father's body.

What do I do?

The nauseating scent of metallic life essence hung in the air like a bad omen, liquid crimson flowing freely across the concrete her father was laid down on.

"I need you to go- as fast as you can." The man's voice was low, the emotion clear in his tone as he took his daughter's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Vena began to shake her head, fear crippling her as the tears clouded her vision.

"If they catch up to you, you use it, okay? Promise me." The man pleaded, his own eyes becoming glossy with tears, voice breaking beneath the emotional stress and pain.

"I'm not leaving you-"

"Vena, I need you to promise me something, okay sweetheart?"

A trembling hand reached up to caress her cheek, steadying her gaze to fixate on his own as he gave her hand another soft squeeze, thumb rubbing lovingly across her skin.

"You will do whatever it takes to survive."

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Jolting up, a frantic gasp left the girl's lips, cold sweat clinging to her skin as her mind whirled with unwanted images and thoughts- reminders of things she'd tried burying so many times before.

Blood.

The smell, hot and thick, she could practically taste it. The pace of her heart was through the roof, causing a pain in her chest as she desperately threw the blankets off of her body before sprinting into the living room.

Nearly tripping, the girl used the wall to catch herself, her legs weak with the panic attack she was currently experiencing. No matter what, she refused to look at her hands, knowing she'd just see them drenched in blood.

Without a second thought, a jacket and leggings wear pulled on hastily, heading out the front door immediately after. 

Make it stop.

Her feet treaded forward, knowing if she stopped, she'd crumble yet again. She didn't know where she was headed either, and didn't care.

Please make it stop.

Her legs marched forward, heading in an unknown direction as she continued to swipe at the tears falling from her eyes, trying to focus on anything else to remove herself from that dreaded headspace.

Birds chirped softly nearby, not the least bit bothered by her presence as she passed them by.

The song they sang was peaceful, yet it did little to bring any similar feeling to the girl.

I'm so sorry...

The streets Vena were walking along didn't seem familiar, but at the time, she couldn't care less. Every cell in her body was screaming for her to run, and that's what she'd done.