Fearing the Dark

Two Burning Flames

After I woke up I found out that the box Dean had been holding was a first aid kit. He had cleaned out both our wounds and placed gauze over them. It was all we could do since we had no medical experience and the hag and devil didn't want to give us any help.

The room had become darker with only two candles left to light the room. We tried to relight the other candles, but the one used to injure me had been covered in blood. The wick was gone and there was no way to light it and I didn't want to smell the iron of my blood burning. The one that fell on Dean had spilled its wax on the floor leaving little less than a stump to light up.

We tried to preserve the remaining two candles, but they were quickly being burned down. Time passed, how long though we don't know as the room had no windows. We might have been able to tell from the candles, but we had no idea how long candles last. We spent our time learning about each other.

I learned that Dean came from the poorer side of town and I told Dean about my own living conditions.

"What you're the child of the Henry Whitt?! One of the richest families to grace their presence in this town?!"

I nod my head, but don't make any eye contact with him. I am no stranger to the whispered words about our family. My parents are not the nicest people and they don't try to hide their cut throat tactics. In fact they receive praise for having built a grand business from such dark strategies.

"I'm not really proud of it though."

At my softly spoken words, Dean's astonished eyes snap back to me. I meet his eyes for a second before looking down again at the concrete floor.

"My mom always tried to make me into the perfect doll she had made my older brother into. I always rebelled though, but sadly that only increased her advances. My dad was almost never home, but when he was fear was the only thing that was felt in that house. Everything had to be presentable and that was one of the few times I never argued with my mother's demands. When my younger sister was born though my mother gave up on me and put all her efforts towards my sister. I admit, I was happy my sister had to deal with my mother. It allowed me the chance to be slightly freer by being able to go outside and make a friend." I smile sadly as I remember my mother and siblings. I remember my younger sister's words at me for being so selfish.

"Rammy?"

"Huh?" I look up at Dean not expecting his words.

"The name you spoke when you first woke up."

I nod my head as I do remember thinking this was another of Rammy's pranks. "Yeah, he was the only friend I was able to make. I actually met him one day when I was buying a stuffed animal." I smile fondly at the memory.

"Will you tell it to me?" I look at him shocked once again at his words. He gives me a soft smile as he holds onto my hand. "It's obvious that he makes you happier than your own family. I want to know about what makes you happy."

I can feel heat rising in my cheeks at his touch and words. I cover my cheeks with my free hand as I nod.

"For once in my life I spoke to my dad about getting a specific stuffed duck that my mother had refused to get me. Despite my fears my dad only glanced at me once before stating that it was none of his business on what I got and to never show myself to him for something so trivial." Dean's hand tightened on my own as my voice tried to stay strong as I remembered my father's words. I clear my throat to remind myself that this was all in the past.

"Lost and confused by his answer I tried coming up with another way to get that stuffed duck. I moped around in my room for a week until my mother finally agreed to give me money for the toy. She gave me cash and sent me with our driver to get the toy. However, my mom had stopped caring what I did at that point so I went on my own to the store."

"But how can you go on your own without anyone knowing?" I gave him a confused look at his question. "I mean, you're a Whitt, wouldn't someone kidnap you?"

I nod in understanding at his words. "My family didn't really care much about what their children did, but the household did. I sneaked out without any of the guards knowing and since no one in the house knew I had left there was no chance of any information leaking out that I left on my own. I also left through the back, so even if someone was watching the house they wouldn't have been able to see me."

I watch as his face seems to drop and his brow forward in worry. Before I could ask what was wrong he answered. "It's sad to think you had to grow up so fast. I mean you're the same age as me, but it feels as if you're much older."

I frown at his statement as I don't get why he is sadden by the notion that I act older than I am.

"It feels like you were robbed of a childhood."

My eyes widen at his whispered words as I finally get why he is sad. However, I cannot understand his feelings because in my household there was no room for childish things, even getting this one toy had its own obstacles. I squeeze his hand which causes him to look back at me. I smile to try to reassure him as I continue my story.

"Once I bought my stuff duck I made my way out and as I did I saw someone looking through the store's front window. I was caught off guard by the figure's white hair and I was curious as to who this person could be. I approached the figure that stood an inch smaller than me." I smile as I recalled meeting Rammy.

A/N: Next chapter will be a flashback from the point of view of Aria, so don't get confused. (-_0) hope you like it so far