The Kings Love

....

( King Laurent )
( Day 69, December 30th )

I walked slowly towards the small glow in the otherwise dark basement and could hear voices. I lingered in the dark just behind a huge crate, looking over it, I almost doubled over as relief ran me over full speed at seeing Jasmine sitting on the floor, her eyes open and she was alive. I was monetarily immobile as I took in her appearance. She was wearing the exact same clothes she had on the day they took her and I could see healing cuts and bruises all over her. My teeth clenched together as I saw a purple, nearly black handprint around her throat. I nearly broke down as I realized the gravity of what Jasmine went through. It was all over her face. She looked so small but her eyes, they were still fierce and unbroken.

Jasmine: "Candice, why am I down here? Y'all clearly said I had free roam of the living room and last I checked, this is a damn basement." Sarcasm dripped from every word, still biting despite how weak her voice was. The second voice that spoke made me see red and I was more than ready to bury the bitch.

Candice: "Ana said bring you down, so I brought you down. Can't have company over with you in the living room now can she?" Candice replied in a bored tone and I could just imagine her cleaning out her nails as she spoke. In my head, I tried to remember Candice measurements so I could have Lauren make her a proper burial dress.

Jasmine: "Company? And just who would want to see the old raggedy bitch? I swore her kind only rose up at night." Jasmine's laughter was like music to my ears until she started to cough and it sounded like she almost was losing a lung. I left from behind the crate and just before I could inform them of my presence, Jasmine's question stopped me.

Jasmine: "Well since we are down here Candice, let me ask you a question. Are you going to kill me? I don't get why I'm still alive if that was your plan." Her tone was quiet, like she was afraid to ask the question but couldn't stop herself. I watched as Candice pushed up from her spot against the wall and plopped down next to Jasmine on the floor, resting her head on the wall now.

Candice: "My plan was to kill you. It was Hiros decision to keep you alive, said that he had some people who would pay good money for you. Pretty sure it was the people from human trafficking that your mother is associated with. Now, that I was not okay with. I can take a life but I cannot put a woman to become men's sex rag doll. So you're still alive because we haven't come to a legit decision yet."

Jasmine: "hahaha, wow that's hilarious. You not being able to stand something? Wow, aren't you a fucking prize." The sound of flesh hitting flesh as Candice backhanded Jasmine, was the last straw. I don't remember when it happened but before I could take my next breath, I had Candice pinned by her throat against the wall. Jasmine who was still to weak to move, body tumbled over as the force of my body flying forward hit her. But I couldn't focus on her just yet, I wanted to rip the lying whore who was staring at me with eyes the size of saucers, apart limb from limb.

Her hands clawed at me and I felt her nails digging into my skin, drawing blood but no pain came forward. I let my right hand join my left on Candice's neck and tightened the hold until her hands went slack at her side.

Jasmine: "L-L-Laurent?" I pushed down the ecstasy that seared through my body at her voice calling my name so I could have all my attention of the dulling eyes in front of me.

King Laurent: "For so long, I was your idiot. Lost so many dear to me because of you and I could never connect the dots because of guilt that wasn't even mine to bear. Stupidity ran deep in me and for what?! A psychotic bitch with homicidal tendencies?! Well here's something you don't know about me sweetheart, I can kill just like you, without even blinking a fucking eye." With both hands, I lifted Candice from the wall and slammed her on the ground, her body hitting the pavement with a sickening and satisfying thud. I rose my right hand, cocking it back and brought my fist down right on Candice's face, I could hear bone snap. Over and over, I continued to hit her and blood poured from her mouth, eyes, and nose. My mind was blank, I knew nothing but causing pain to this individual. Until I heard someone softly call my name.

Despite the rage tearing my soul apart, I glanced up into the crying eyes of Jasmine. She flinched back as I was sure she could see the wild and murderous steel in my own irises. Taking a deep breath, she stared back at me with a determined stubborn set.

Jasmine: "Laurent, she's done. That's enough." Was she crazy?

King Laurent: "Have you lost your fucking mind?! Look at what she's done to you!" Jasmine's head rolled to the side a little with a confused expression on her pretty features.

Jasmine: "so you'll continue to beat a corpse? That's kind of redundant no?" Corpse? I stared down at Candice, or what was once Candice. The bloodied pulp of a mess could hardly be called human let alone Candice. Her blood was splattered everywhere, like a crimson rainfall. A repulsed shudder ran through me and I got up off of her. I went over to Jasmine and untied the rope on her arms and legs.

King Laurent: "I'm sorry baby....I didn't mean for you to see me like that. Don't be scared of me.." I pleaded, my hands were trembling as I realized that Jasmine could fear me, fear the man I once was and had all the means to be again. Arms that felt far to thin to belong to my Queen wrapped around my neck as Jasmine threw herself on me, crying in the crevice of my neck.

Jasmine: "I thought you wouldn't come. I thought you didn't believe me and that you were just gonna forget me. I don't care about this, I just care that you're here!" She sobbed the words, her frame shaking from her emotions. I snaked my arms around her waist, pulling her to me until I felt she could come no closer.

King Laurent: "I would never leave you Jasmine. I shouldn't have left you in the room alone. It wasn't that I didn't believe you baby, I swear. I was just so caught off guard by everything that you told me. I love you Jasmine, that won't change just cause of a few secrets." She cried. Cried and cried as the last week took its final toll on her burdened heart. Tremors roared through her body and I tried to give as much comfort as I could. The world felt right again, just from having this woman with me. Sounds upstairs caught my attention and I gingerly pulled Jasmine from me, looking into her eyes.

King Laurent: "Okay baby, we got to go upstairs. I need to see what's going on. Can you walk?" She nodded her head yes and I got up, pulling her with me. I placed her left arm around my shoulders and helped her up the stairs. The door was still open and I put my finger to my lips, signaling for Jasmine to not say a word.

I peeked out the ajar door and all oxygen became nonexistent as I saw my twin laying on the floor, a gunshot wound on his chest. On the corner of the wall, lay Hiro with a knife protruding from his throat yet his eyes were alert and alive.