Bravissimo

Breaking Point

I pressed my forehead against Annabel's and then kissed it. Annabel held my hand tightly and took a breath, more excited than I've seen in a while. After saying our goodbyes I smiled however sadly at the ceiling knowing that was the last time I would see my girl, at least for quite a long time. I hope she finds what she is looking for.

My thoughts are yet again interrupted by an irate Erik. "Annabel?! Annabel LEE?!" He yells throughout the house, scaring our son no doubt. Erik bursts through our door. "Where is she?!"  

"Darling I don't-" I begin with him and Erik rips open our closet.

 "Where IS she?!" 

"I couldn't tell dear, she left and told me not where she was going, seems that was a good choice on her part." I sing softly.

"She disobeyed me, she drew her sword and in doing so took out my heart, and that's just the start!" He sings menacingly and angrily pointing at his gauzed face.

"We have her doing the job of what should be many men." I say and beckon him to sit. "She told me what happened, she believes what she believes, and you don't listen well dear."

"So, she has the right to draw her sword on me?!" He asks taken aback.

"No. I condone it not, but before you disown your favorite," I say in a whisper and a smile. "I want you to remember what happened, what you did when you were put under extreme conditions. And I want you to remember who's cape she wears, even at this moment. Hmm?" I say with a raised eyebrow.

Erik takes a few deep breathes and shakes his head. "I must find her, before she bleeds too much."

I stop him from standing and say, "She promised to see Faisct and Carlotta before." I try my best not to change any facial expressions at what I have accidently already let slip.

"Before what?" Erik says taking off his boots and looking at our now bloody blanket from our daughter.

I throw the blanket to the floor and say, "Before she did anything else. Erik seems to buy it and shakes his head once more. 

"I just can't figure it out she's so... crafty so secretive lately. We barely ever see her and I know she is up to something, something not good I fear. The job never got to her this badly before it can't be that, she would ask for help." Erik squints his eyes at me. "Have you noticed anything, Angel?" 

I pretend to think for a moment, "Yes, the same as you, but to hide something... I just don't know dear." I say, and realize I am lying to him tonight for the first in many years. And though I feel poorly of it, it's for our daughter's sake. I truly believe she would die here.

"You just should have seen what I saw Christine, her bloodshot eyes, and redness underneath them. Her arm did not waver, not even a twitch Christine and you know how heavy those swords are. She looked like she wanted to kill me." he says starting to calm down. "I do not know where our girl has gone."

"Oh, please Erik." I say taking her photo from our bedside table, there she sits with her legs crossed and her hands folded over her knee, smiling and warm. "You think she was really going to kill her own father? She adores you and you her." I say making him take the photo frame from me.

"What, then, happened up there?" he asks me laying down next to me.

"We all have a breaking point. Don't we, my love?" 

Darius-

It's been two weeks since anyone has caught a glimpse of Annabel, and the only one who has not said a word is Eliot. I miss her, my friend, wherever she is I just wish I had the reassurance she was alright as I heard Erik gave her a nasty cut.