Cruel Laughter [Sequel To "Because He Lived."]

{Chapter 4} Running

James's POV

Days passed and we waited. Nothing was heard from either Lilith or my parents. Apparently, news hadn't reached them yet. Or they were waiting for the right moment. Arsen and I had prepared, just case. We always had our swords near us--or some type of protection. I wasn't worried. However, I couldn't speak for Arsen. He was worried--just a little bit--about what would happen if my parents found us. There was no reason for me to be worried, I knew my parents wouldn't do anything to hurt me. Not if they still cared for me, like Lilith said. Arsen didn't want to take any chances.

It was four days after we saw Lilith. Arsen and I decided to relocate our camp a few miles away from our previous one--per his request. I agreed, but reluctantly. I had grown quite acquainted to our small camp in the woods.

I sat on a smooth rock, sharpening the sword I acquired from Kayden. I had also decided not to give it back to anyone.

Arsen sat next to me fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "You sure they're not going to come after you and actually fight you?"

"I'm sure," I repeated for the tenth time. He was way to paranoid. "Just calm your nerves and distract yourself." 

He nodded and grabbed a piece of parchment from his bag, along with a pen and ink. Arsen was a really good artist, he could draw anything. I didn't bother to look over at his paper as I finished sharpening the sword, before sheathing it. As I stood up, Arsen looked over at me pausing his drawing for a second. "Where you going?"

"Just for a walk," I said. "I'll be back in a few minutes." He nodded at me and then turned back to his drawing. 

I took off, walking in a random direction. I had walked these woods hundreds of time; I knew the woods like the back of my hand. That's why when I passed a familiar stream, I noticed the misplaced rocks, and the uprooted plants. My eyes scanned the area. No one was around now, but someone had been there. It looked like they were looking for something. 

I froze when I noticed something familiar. A purple broadsword. 

~

My father stood in front of me his sword hanging limply in his hand, "James," he pleaded. He had tears streaming down his face. "You don't have to do this! Just stop now, and you can come back. Nothing'll happen if you stop now."

I let out a low laugh, and looked him in the eyes, "I don't want to stop, father. I love this feeling." My hand raised so it was level with his face. 

"James. We love you. Don't do this to us." His gaze flickered to my mom--Aphmau--who was standing to the side of him, balancing on one leg. She was cut up and bruised, same as everyone else. Garroth and Laurance had long since disappeared, getting their own child to safety and getting more help. Now it was just Aaron, Aphmau, and Lilith. And I hadn't caused them enough pain to satisfy myself. 

"I love you too. I just don't show my love like you do." I paced back and forth in front of them. "Y'know what else I love: pain." 

I raised my hand again and fired a blinding beam of white light at my father. He jumped to the side, the beam searing through his arm. He let out a loud scream, and braced himself with the good arm, and dropping the sword in the process. My mother let out a strangled sob, and collapsed next to my father, putting her arm around to him. Lilith looked at me in horror, and stood up, moving closer to me. Her hand picked up our fathers stray sword, and she braced it in front 

"I'm not afraid to hurt you," she growled. 

I chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm not afraid to hurt you either. That's exactly why I'm doing this."

~

I was brought back to reality by the sound of a twig snapping. Across the river, standing on the edge, was a familiar black-haired middle-aged man. He was looking off to the side, and he didn't seem to notice me yet. I had to fight the urge to call out to him, to yell at him, taunt him. As much as I would like to make him relive what I did to him, I didn't want to see him. Not now, not this soon. It's not that I didn't enjoy what I did to him--or regret it. There was just something inside of me, telling me not to go near him. 

My hand clutched the sword at my side as he turned around and faced me. His expression turned to surprise, then to horror, and then to something I couldn't place. Then, I turned. And ran.

I ran, because on the other side of that river, stood my father: Aaron Lycan.