The Stockings and The Eyes

Chapter Twenty-Three

  Azure kissed me first thing in the morning. I sat up as I yawned and rubbed my eyes. I didn't see anything other that her glowing smile and bright beautiful eyes.

"Morning love," Azure was wearing the nighty Caroline had gotten her, "I say we lock out the others today. What do you think."

"I don't," I was still half asleep and yawning, "mind. You have something planned?"

"Just a full day of us," She Laid me down next to her and held me close, "Close together, playing, laughing, doing our special moments a few times."

"So long as Caroline doesn't show up I'm fine," I was still sleepy, Why am I still tired? I not usually this sleepy in the morning,

"The rain making you sleepy," Azure covered us in a her furry blanket, "I'll keep you warm all day."

"I didn't notice the rain," I was falling back to sleep as I heard the gentle rain fall on the roof tops, "What about the tunnels? They're no where near... done."

"Sasha and Arin want to test out a few of their experiments to dig them out faster. Should be done by noon tomorrow," Azure had me so close I could smell the sweet vanilla and brown sugar of Azure's soft, smooth, and silky skin. I had learned to love that smell more and more everyday.

I felt a pounding headache and ringing in my ears. My hands were tied above my head. I felt like I couldn't breath. I saw blood flowing everywhere. I looked around to people's faces hidden by masks. I screamed for them to leave Azure alone. The others were already gone on the floor. I saw the blade they had in their hands as I felt them cut into me. I shouted no at the top of my lungs as the saw the blood that was flowing out of me and the terrified look on Azure's face. I continued to scream. I hated this I hated all of it. I wanted to kill them all for that.

I heard the rain and was being held tight. I felt the tears running down my face. I could hear Azure's shaky voice telling me I was okay. Her hands were shaking. I couldn't help holding her tighter and crying. It was a dream, I realized everything, No a nightmare. ... Thak goodness... It wasn't real. It took me a while to calm down and for my heart to steady. I never wanted to have any nightmares like that again.

"A-Azure," My voice was quiet and shaky, "I'm... I-"

"You don't have to say anything," Azure was slowly running her fingers threw my hair, "I'll stay closer from now on. I swear you'll never scream like that again."

Was I screaming out loud? I began to feel the pain and dryness of my throat become stronger.

"Sasha," Azure's hands were still shaking, "Soft, and soothing tea. Now please."

"Right away," I heard Sasha reply.

"I'll get the soft PJ's you made him," I heard Caroline say.

"I'll start the bath for you two," Arin, "I'll add some scented bubbles for a calming effect."

"You don-" I was shaky while trying to get up.

"You just relax," Azure held me to her chest, "Nothing is going to happen. Today will be quiet and calming. Tomorrow we blow off some steam with a riot."

That bath filled the room with the smell of roses and shea butter. I felt weak, I didn't know why I had that dream. It frightened me. I ignored the images that flashed in my mind. Azure held me all day. Even if we were apart she was always in the next room or behind the door. Azure washed my hair with a sweet smelling shampoo and would often hum to me. I changed into the softest pajamas I had ever felt. Azure made me a very lightly purple colored set to wear. She was buttoning my shirt when I heard the tea kettle go off. She pinned my hair back and kissed my scar. We set up the extra room, which was supposed to be mine, with dozens and dozens of pillows and mattresses along the floor. When did we get these? I don't remember steal this many mattresses from the shop, I curled up in the blanket with Azure, It's nice and comfortable though.

"You like it?" Azure asked, "I had it remodeled for us when we moved all your stuff into my room."

I nodded yes. We all relaxed for a while. Sasha brought me the tea she made once it had cooled down. It was a nice lavender. It felt nice on my sore throat. Why that dream? I wanted to know what had caused it, Does it mean something?

In the morning we packed our weapons and more. We had a nice riot planned for a certain building. We need help to finish it up though. Caroline, Sasha, and Arin had a few comrades around to help. We used the tunnels and drove the truck to the meeting place. We were to meet in an abandoned warehouse of a large city. Azure put on her touch of makeup while we drove there. She carefully painted on her purple edge to red center ombre lip stick. She added a few strokes of black eyeliner over her top eyelid and a bit of purple on the bottom lid.

"You want some Noah?" Azure held the purple and black eyeliners in front of me, "You'd be adorable. It would match your long eyelashes."

"You know I don't mind anything so long as it's you," I felt compelled to answer any of her questions how she wanted me to.

She added an abstract swirl going down my left cheek with the black eyeliner on me. The swirl had a larger end and two tiny droplets around it. It reminded me of the abstract floral patterns in a couple images I've seen, I liked it.

"Perfect," Azure said as she added the purple eyeliner to the bottom of my eye, "I'm so glad this is water proof."

"Azure," Arin came in from the back, "We'll be there in two minutes. Have your weapons out. They like to see what they're working with."

"Noah keep your shield out and guard up at all times," Azure said as she handed me my newly painted shield, "If anyone hurts you shout to let me know immediately."

"Alright," I opened my shield which was no longer silver.

It was painted purple with a red heart on it. The heart was held together by purple, black spotted, bandages and scars. Two bones crossed each other behind the heart. It was Azure's trade mark for me.

Azure wore the outfit I made her with a small black bra. She had her combat boots with her mitch-match stockings as always. I had on my usual outfit with the clip holding back a few of my bangs. Arin had his red tux and Caroline wore her with one with gray stripes along the coat. Caroline's pale white bob cut was messier than usual as she used red lipstick and gray eyeshadow to match her pale amber eyes.

"Everyone but you is ready Arin," Sasha said as she admired her dark blue eye shadow to match her brown eyes, "Atleast put on a pinch of cologne to smell nice."

Sasha took the wheel and Arin fixed his short hair a sprayed a bit of cologne on himself. Sasha had her usual black lipstick to go with her black dress and heels. She had her feathered robe on her chair behind her. We made it to the warehouse. We brought in our weapons and were greeted by another group. There were so many of them I didn't know what to think.

"These are all homemade correct?" A boy asked us as we walked up to the door.

"As foretold," Sasha Spoke quietly, "And yours?"

"All laid out inside and waiting for your approval," He let us inside where there were guns, swords, and explosives waiting to be examined."

"Is that her?" I heard a few people mutter.

"No way, I thought she was a myth," I felt nervous hearing so many people.

"The Blood Slicer exists," I heard someone whisper.

"Noah come here," Azure held my hand and had me raise my shield.

"Is that her slave?"

"Cute, but kinda whimpy."

Azure stood over everyone with me by her side. She made her announcements and everyone got their weapons. We were only took up a few cars on the road. We found ourselves past the cold lake and through the forest we ran on our feet. We killed and cooked over open fires to keep up our energy. We hid behind the large cliff across the field and waited. Then the plan began.