The Seventh Angel

Chapter 5

Nausea strikes me for the third time today, forcing me to rush to the toilet, where I heave up nothing but bile. I haven't eaten in over 24 hours. My body trembles with sweat, and my head throbs from the memories of last night. I cling to the toilet, my knuckles white, tears stinging my eyes.

"You are very ill, Chloera. I recommend medication and plenty of rest," Fiona's voice hums from the background, laced with concern. But I can't focus on her right now. When my stomach finally empties itself, I slump down beside the toilet.

"I need to forget. I need to forget everything," I mutter to myself, the vision of Anthony from last night flashing in my mind-checking their pulses to ensure they were gone, ordering the others to take the bodies away.

"Don't worry, Chloera. She will be the example everyone needs to see. No one will dare cross us again," he had said with a sinister smile, walking away as I stood there, frozen, my eyes locked on the lifeless bodies.

I had never witnessed an execution before, and I never imagined they could take such pleasure in the suffering of others. When my father returned, he simply nodded at Anthony, as if approving of a job well done. The sight made me sick to my stomach, knowing my father would condone such cruelty.

"We should've interrogated them first, not taken their lives so mercilessly!" I shouted, pacing back and forth. I was alone now, left with this man-who I have to call my father- sat in front of me.

"They were interrogated," he responded calmly, as if it were a routine. "The mother admitted she'd spoken to the terrorists and wanted to collaborate."

His calmness enraged me. How many times had he done this before to feel so indifferent? I was losing my mind while he just sat there.

"This is inhumane! We should've never done this! The vaccine, the executions, and... and keeping that creature-"

He stood up slowly, interrupting me, his voice still calm but his eyes darkening with anger. "Do not speak of it. Do not mention the cure." He walked toward me as I paced in frustration, biting my nails in anxiety.

"They killed the girl.They Killed Nexis and I saw her laying on the dirt!"I let my thought out loud but he grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to stop. His eyes bore into mine.

"For the greater good, Chloera. You must sacrifice," he said, shaking me as if to snap me out of my shock. "You should never have witnessed this, and I'll punish the soldiers for their carelessness. But if we don't act now, these pests will multiply and threaten the peace of this city. Do you understand?"

I pulled away from his grip, my heart pounding in anger and confusion.

"Let this be an example to anyone who dares challenge EvoCure Solutions. These rebels will pay the price, and we will find every hole they hide in and wipe them out like cockroaches! I will not let them destroy the peace we've built."

Without looking back, he added, "You're off for the weekend. Get some rest and stop overreacting. It's time to grow up, Chloera Quinn, and see the world's dark side." And with that, he left me alone with my confused thoughts in his office.

"Zyrell is calling you, Chloe. Would you like me to answer?" Fiona's voice snapped me back to reality. I got up, washed my mouth out, and drank some water.

"Decline," I muttered wearily.

"As you wish," she said, but Zyrell left a voice note. I crawled back into bed, hoping for sleep without the nightmares of Elain or the angels haunting me.

"Hey, sunshine," his message began. More like rainstorm, but whatever. "I know you've been swamped lately, barely leaving the house except for work, so I thought I'd remind you there's more to life than that job. Come hang out with me and Keran. You need to live a little, ease off the stress. If you decide to come, we'll be at Lyra. See ya."

I didn't want to listen to it, but I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight, or tomorrow, or ever at this rate. So, I got up.

"Fiona, call my car and prepare a strong anti-nausea medication."

"As you wish. Your car will be ready in five minutes and thirty-four seconds."

I took the medication and headed to the shower.

"Do you think this is a good time for you to go clubbing?" Fiona asked, her voice like a concerned mother's.

I ignored her and left without answering.
*

I ignored every screen in the city of Aetheris, all flashing commercials glorifying life with the vaccine and warning,reminding of the consequences for those who refused it. My father and his corrupt soldiers appeared on every broadcast, threatening the rebels and anyone bold enough to question the cure. I tuned it all out, my gaze drifting into nothing. Tonight, I was going to let myself go.

*
I danced like never before, letting the loud music, which usually irritated me, become a heavenly distraction, erasing every bad thought from the past few weeks. I drank everything Zyrell and his friends handed me and even took a sniff of coke in the bathroom-something I had never done before. But tonight, I finally felt alive. The colors of the world seemed brighter, every inch of my body moved in sync with the music, the humid air clung to my skin, and the passionate neck bites from behind only heightened the thrill. I leaned into those kisses, letting Zyrell hold me close.

"Mmm, this is the Chloe I've missed," he slurred in my ear, though I barely cared what he was saying. I turned around and kissed him hard.

"I missed her too! God, it feels good to be alive!" I laughed, wrapping my arms around his neck as we danced. Keran or -whatever his name is- handed me another drink of something but I didn't care what it was. I was drunk and high
,and I loved every second of it.
"We need to do this more often!" I shouted, laughing. But then, suddenly, a flashback of the girl lying lifeless hit me, cutting through the euphoria.

"I need you to fuck me right now!" I shouted to Zyrell, feeling panicked. He smiled at that,looking drunk even more so than I.

"Come with me!" he said, guiding me toward the restroom. I didn't care about anything tonight. I just wanted to escape, just for once.
"Get out of my head," I mumbled to myself,when the white haired male haunted me this time, but the music, the vibrant colors, and the dancing bodies pulled me back to the present. I laughed again, loud and free, as the world around me blurred away.We barely made it to the restroom when I pushed Zyrell against the toilet seat,not caring if anyone see's us.

There were couples already inside heavily involved with each other so I sit on his lap after I lock the door, while his sexy smile encourages me to kiss him hard.

"Damn girl,you are amazing!" He whispers between the kisses, his large hands pushing my skirt up impatiently all the while I unzip his trousers,his lips devouring mine.I moan into his mouth when I feel him hard and ready for me and he slides my panties aside, pushing himself into me with one hard thrust.

"Ah,yes! This is it!" I moan out loud,gripping into his back,enjoying the feelings of our bodies devouring each other.

"Dammit,you feel so good!" He moans as he fucks me hard,his thrusts pushing me into oblivion.His grunts and his hands gripping into my bare ass makes me forget about everything!This is why I need him! He always knows how to fuck my thoughts out of me!

"God,I'm coming!" I shout out,my hands in his messy dark hair, when he pulls my face close to his,those brown blurred eyes locked with mine.
"That's it,come for me!" He orders and my body responds as extasy takes me over,soon him catching up with me. My body is shaking from the explosion and the after effect soothes me down.

He doesn't slip out of me just yet,instead he hugs me gently.
"Something is bothering you,isn't it..."he whispers knowing that there won't be any answer.I never disclose my work to anyone,so we just sit there,letting our body catch up with us,my face laying against his chest,my silent tears falling down.