The Dark Heirs Volume 1

Chapter 24 (2): Victims

Tw: anxiety, mention of abuse, low self esteem, mention of cults

I think that's it! Enjoy!!
_______________________________________

Viktoria left her father at the gate, as he talked with Nanako. She wanted to see the other children. Going into the house, a little girl ran into her. Viktoria recognized her as Nele. The sister of Gudrun. Viktoria imidiantly grew scared again. As much as she believed Gudrun's story... As much as she tried to hide her fear of the cult members that still lived inside her, she never managed to make it.

Nele looked at her before standing up and bowing slightly. "I'm sorry miss." Nele apologized offering a hand to help Viktoria up. As much as she wanted to accept, her fear didn't let her so all she could do was get up on her own and mumble. "It's fine.." She studied the small girl. She had very long white hair and beautiful blue eyes. "You're Gudrun's sister, correct?" Viktoria eventually managed to ask. Nele nodded shortly after. "Yeah! I just look a bit different because I have albinoism. I lack pigmentation in my entire body, so my hair is white... I can't see well too." She explained sadly. Viktoria felt relieved. The girl acted like a normal child and not an insane cult member that wants to hurt her, feed her blood again and all the tortured she had endured as a child. "Gudrun also has a brother!" Nele broke the silence that was created when Viktoria was studying her behavior without a word. She remembered. When Kate and her had helped Gudrun she was carrying two children: a boy and a girl. Besides that there was a grown up girl also with them. Viktoria was most afraid of her.

Nele suddenly grabbed her hand. "I have to introduce you to Jude! He wants friends!" She simply stated and just dragged Viktoria along, not caring to ask if she wanted that. Nele eventually stopped at the boy's bedrooms and lead her inside. Jude was the only boy inside currently. "Hey brother! A nice lady came to visit, look!" Nele called out pushing Viktoria towards him.

"Hi..." He mumbled anxiously. Viktoria noticed his mood. She was anxious too.. Being in between two former cult members was alot for her. She also saw his bodily condition. He was in a wheelchair. Unfortunate for someone his age. He should be able to play and enjoy himself. Viktoria couldn't be scared any longer of that boy. He had nothing to harm her with anyway. "I'm Viktoria..." She introduced herself. "You're Jude correct?.. " He just nodded seemingly still too scared to speak. "Your legs.." Viktoria started. "Since when have they been like this?.." She asked gently, trying not to overstep boundaries. The boy seemed vulnerable and she didn't want anything hurting him because she saw herself in him. Jude looked at his legs for a while. "I was born like this. A useless disappointment in a useless body. They always said I can't be touched and loved... That I'm a evil demon. Just because I can't walk like them." Jude ranted tears forming in his small eyes.

Viktoria was shocked. Seemingly she wasn't the only one mistreated by that cult. Jude was a victim too. A former member, but still a victim. Viktoria slowly showed Jude her wings. "Being good is also bad... I'm an angel... Your parents did bad things to me.. and that because I'm a creature of goodness in their eyes. Seemingly you can't satisfy your family anyway." She tried cheering him up and it kinda did. A smile tugged on his lips. "Is Nanako being good to you here? Is it better here?" Viktoria gently asked, stroking his back slowly. "Yeah. Nanako hugs me when I want to hug. The other kids aren't afraid of touching me... It's nice here." Jude muttered, smiling in thought of the good thing that he experienced here.

"I grew up here too, you know." Viktoria stated smiling in nostalgia. "Me and my friends. We had fun here, everyday. I hope you find good friends as well, Jude." She pat his head and then looked out the window seeing the other children play outside.  "Don't you want to join them?" Viktoria wondered to which Jude quickly shook his head. "I don't wanna. It's too hard to play with someone in a useless body in a wheelchair like this. I don't want to make playing harder for them." Jude explained his choice. Viktoria nodded thoughtfully. "And how about we play? We could play Uno or other card games you like!" She offered and Jude's eyes lit up. "That'd be awesome! Let's do that." Jude giggled in excitement. While playing they suddenly noticed someone peaking in from the door.

It was Robin. The 19 year old girl Gudrun had also brought. Viktoria suddenly had a lump in her throat. She was the one she was afraid of the most, after all she was fully grown and probably learned alot in the cult.

But as Robin saw her wings, she didn't seem to care. She just came over and sat down besides them. "Could I join? Nele wants to join too, if that's alright!" Robin asked, holding Nele's shoulders, who held onto Robin for security. Viktoria suddenly realized, all of them were victims. From the state their body's physical health is in to the way they act around each other. It reminded Viktoria way to strong of herself and other victims of abuse or worse she's seen. She was glad Gudrun hasn't lied and they all really just wanted a safe space from the cult. They meant no harm, Viktoria finally recognized that.

"Yeah, of course! You both can join in right away!" She eventually answered and Robin seemed delighted. "Well then let's start, shall we?" Robin said and sat down at the table with Nele.

They all played Uno for a long time until Richard called out. "Viktoria, we gotta go home, it's getting dark!"

Viktoria quickly turned to the others and bowed her head. "Thank you for playing with me. Hope to see you again!" She said making her way downstairs. "Bye Viktoria!" Jude called behind her.

Viktoria and her father made their way home, both of them in a way better mood. "Did you have fun, dear?" Richard asked putting an arm around her shoulder while walking. "Yeah, I did. Thank you for taking a break dad. Did you enjoy it too?" Viktoria asked returning his gesture. "Yeah. Taking care of children was refreshing for my old soul. We should do that more often. You made me realize breaks can be good." He stated smiling and Viktoria was glad and nodded. "Yeah. We will do that more often. Thanks for the great day, dad!" Viktoria mumbled hugging him.

She might not have a mother anymore but she has a loving father and she is glad he is getting better, she is also glad her anxiety has atleast vanished for Gudrun's friends and family.

Viktoria felt at peace for once...
_______________________________________

Hehehhehe
Jude out:3