Fallen [Wattys 2016]

Chapter three

Chapter three: The sunlight peaked

        The sunlight peaked through the curtains, leading to the impression of a beautiful day perfect for an outing, but  Nova awoke with the feeling of depression and the body heat stir around her. She yanked herself out of Zion's arms, and he didn’t wake. turned over on his bed and hugged a stray pillow to his chest. She quietly closed the door and turned around.
         She faced the hallway that held a line of portrait paintings each one of the Lilith family.  Starting with Avenir Lilith, Amos’ father. His daring green eyes claimed regality and an heir of wisdom. He had a tuft of red hair the color of apples, covering his head.

     Then next in line was Amos, looking the mirror image of Avenir, and his two brothers whose portraits each had a black curtain hanging over it. Then continuing was Venus, Amos’ wife. She was the only one who looked different. She had flaming bright hair that laid in wispy waves down her shoulders. She gave an air of aging and regret. Lastly, from oldest to youngest their children. Alice, who's also had a mysterious veil covering it. Azazel, who stood strong and tall looking like his father's son. Then the twins each in their own portraits. Asher and Adler;

    Adler when he got his portrait painted, was standing his fiery hair in a nest above his head. He was frail looking and dark circles framed his eyes.
     Asher was the opposite, his face the exact same but fuller looking. He was more muscular and he looked healthy. He had a full beard and sideburns to go with it. But his painting, not Adler’s, was freshly covered with a black veil.
  
  There were two more paintings after the twins’ A girl and a young child. Amnesty and Abraham. The two youngest of the Lilith family. Nova passed by their portraits now in a hurry. She pushed open the door nearest to Amnesty, her smile brightening the hallway, and walked into her own room.

     There on her bed already laid out and ready to be put on was her mourning clothes, a gown that would've been lovely if it wasn't all black. And a pair of matching boots and hat.

         She peeled off her old clothes that she slept in with Zion, covered in sweat, and turned on the bath. Then she scrubbed the dirt and stickiness from her skin. When she got out she felt a sudden lightness but the sadness still hung in the air around her. With reluctance she stood in front of her Vanity mirror brushing her hair. She stared at her reflection.

     Nova saw her angular face, and fair skin. She saw all the imperfections and the contrast of her green eyes to her jet black hair. And on her chest gleaming like her own miniature sun was the necklace claiming it's spot on her chest.

     The ceremony was a small gathering of just the family and some of the servants. The only Non family member was Asher’s girlfriend, a very terrible girl called Tamar.

     Adler was the first one to lay a single flower on the casket. He rolled himself to the front of the room, his wheelchair squeezing through the aisle the best it could. He leaned forward and laid the flower on top as gently as he could. Then he dropped onto the casket and he cried over his twin. After a moment everyone but Tamar joined him, consoling each other. Venus grabbed onto Nova and Amnesty squeezing them near her and sobbing into their shoulders. Amnesty wiped tears from her own eyes with a kerchief, then passed it to her mother who dabbed modestly at her own eyes. Amos laid a hand on Adler’s shoulder and Zion kneeled next to him. They both comforted the one who daresay, lost the most. 

       Azazel stood behind his father and watched somberly while Abraham buried his face in his father's chest and cried. leaving the whole family broken for their lost brother and son.
      

         *                       *                       * 

       A cloaked figure emerged from the shadows and began walking down the sidewalk. The figure concealed any sign of identity from the wind and the rain as it weaved through the streets ducking into a small tavern. When inside the figure removed its hood a mess of wild hair frilled out, the brightness of it was brilliant like a fire. The fire burned and popped into a nest of hair that hung down to the waist of a very skinny women. Her blue dress Pooled around her legs and drooped over her shoulders like it would fall of if she made the wrong movement.

     She looked around, scanning the crowd that stared at her in curiosity. She didn't see them, she was looking for someone in particular. Her dirt brown eyes were filled with worry and a bit naivety. She sat down at an empty table in the back, avoiding perverse drunks and cranky bartenders. She waited a long time. it was midnight and she was two and a half drinks in when a man who was far too beautiful to be human pushed open the doors and sauntered in.

    It was obvious he was already drunk, and his emerald green eyes lost its vibrancy. She stood up and a giddy smile appeared on her face, one you would find on a girl Love struck and infatuated. His face seemed to hold a sense of irritation when he noticed her. His lovely face was ruined with a scowl.

    “Carlisle!” she chirped. She raced over to him as the bartender started wiping the counter. Carlisle faked a smile and chuckled. 
   “My little dove.” he put his arms around her and pulled her into him hungrily.  “you are a sight for sore eyes.”  he claimed her lips and she complied. His hands slid lower and cupped her lower thighs.

    The bartender cleared his throat.  “Are you two going to stand here and suck face all night? Because I'd like to close if you don't mind.” He stood behind the counter scowling at the bizarre couple. 

    Raphi sat up from his bed. His head was spinning and he was covered in sweat. He could feel the heat of the sun on his arm and knew it was morning. He felt around, still panting from his vivid vision. He hardly ever got them anymore, and never got them as dreams.

   Thaddeus lay next to him on the bed, body rigid and still. Raphi felt his heat radiate from Thaddeus and to himself. He tapped the sleeping boy on his leg. “Thaddeus.” he whispered careful not to wake the other's sleeping in the same room. “Thaddy…wake up.”
    
   The boy groaned in response. “hmm...Raphi?” He rubbed his eyes. “I'm trying to sleep. Can't it wait till later?”
Raphi whacked Thaddeus’ leg and whispered louder. “It happened again!”
Thaddeus sprang up.
  “What?! It did?” Thaddeus’ voice was more alert and he had Raphi by the shoulders now. 

Raphi shook his head and shrugged. “I don't know. It happened in the form of a dream.” Raphi paused. “I’ve never had them like this before…”  He moved away from Thaddeus as much as their little bed would let them and pressed his palms to his temples. His head was still pounding.

    “Raphi?” The boy asked. “What happened in the vision this time?”

   Raphi sat silently for a long moment then shook his head. “I don't know…” He pulled the blanket off his legs, and slid out of the bed. “I need some fresh air.” he told
Thaddeus. He took four steps away from the bed and collapsed. Because darkness was all he knew, he welcomed it like it was nothing.