The Onyx Prince

File 8

April - 25/26 - 1979
Heindenskee, Eldora.

Gena sat quietly on the stairs, holding her legs to her chest as she watched Alex get beaten nearly to death for yet another night. It was hard for her to watch, but it was even harder for her to make sense of.

She closed her eyes when that horrible old man came into view. She only heard Alex's screams. Eventually, those turned to whimpers, and the front door slammed shut.

He was gone.

Gena took a shaky breath and let it out slowly.

How long had it been, since this all started? Almost...a month?

_____________________________________

Alex lay on the floor, staring up at the ceiling. He was bruised everywhere. Both his eyes were black, and he looked like death. He had stopped checking his reflection weeks ago, it made him feel sick.

After a few minutes of silence, he tried to sit up. He cried out in pain when he tried putting weight on his arm. It was probably broken a long time ago, along with a few of his ribs.

He collapsed back to the floor.

"Alex!"

He turned his head to the stairs and smiled weakly.

"It's embarrassing when you watch."

"That doesn't matter!" Gena yelled. "What is your problem? Why won't you give up?"

"Give up?"

"We can escape! I know it!"

"No we can't."

Alex looked back up at the ceiling.

"We live here now."

Gena let out a strangled groan and stomped her foot down.

"You have give up! Something has to give!"

"Stop yelling at me," Alex said quietly. "Please."

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm just sick of seeing you like this."

"I'm sick of being weak. I can't be worthless forever."

"He won't teach you anything! I listen to him, all he does is demand that you perform something, he never even tells you how. He's waiting for you to make a miracle happen! We can't make miracles Alex, we're just kids!"

"He is teaching me. I just don't understand it yet. It's my fault."

Gena jumped down from the steps and walked over to Alex.

"Your father might be crazier than mine," she muttered. "Honestly, I can't take this anymore."

She placed her hands over his chest.

"You've suffered long enough," she said quietly. A sudden surge of warmth filled his body. The bruises around his eyes lightened, the swelling reduced, and his broken bones began to mend.

Alex stared up at her. She was determined and focused, and the green light that bloomed around her was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

"Why?" was all he could ask.

She grinned.

"I prefer when people owe me."

"Well...what do I owe you?"

"I don't know. I'll figure it out."

The sensation of relief slowed to a crawl, and soon it stopped altogether, but Gena kept her hands on his chest.