What Lies Beneath

Chapter 11: Mom

"Why good morning my demon." Thana states happily to Alcuthe.

"M-morning." Alcuthe replied, not knowing what to do, say or how to act. He then just thought to act like he was still unaware and loving. He leaned up and kissed her cheek.

"Oh.. He can talk while he's possessed. Didn't know that... Oh well, at least you'll be less boring, wont ya sexy?" Thana replied, gripping his chin and lightly pushing it. "So, what else can you do? Actually fuck good?" She says and laughs. Alcuthe tried everything to stay normal, so he just kept silent. "Well, Janja can fuck better than you.. haha, guess that proves something." She giggles and gets up and walks towards the exit and then looks back. "I'm going out for a walk." She finishes and walks off. Alcuthe sat there, ready to break down, but then remembered that name.

"J... Janja?" Alcuthe said lightly to himself and thought back a few years.

"Alright, enough of that." A familiar voice came from behind Alcuthe. He quickly spun around and then eyes widened.

"Mystic? Your... real?" Alcuthe asked really surprised, but then smiled as she nodded at him. "So... down to business." She said and Alcuthe tilted his head a bit.

"Yeah... So, what am I supposed to do? I... kinda spoke around her, but she figured it was just part of me and... She cheated on me." Alcuthe finished and slowly looked down at a puddle, seeing his face and reminded of the ugly creature he was. Mystic knew exactly what he was thinking and got in front of him and lifted his head again, smiling brightly at him.

"Alcuthe... Don't let whatever she says or do fool you. She isn't your mate or girlfriend or anything because she doesn't deserve anyone as caring, fun and sweet as you." Mystic said, bringing a weak smile to Alcuthe's face. "That's my strong boy. Now, no matter what, you need to stay strong. No matter what she does or make you do... do it. No. Matter. What." She says strictly. "And... even if that means hurting Saka, you have to do it." She finished, knowing what he was going to ask. Alcuthe just nodded slowly and sadly, remembering what Mystic had shown what he did to Saka. The way Saka yelped and cried hurt Alcuthe even more, and couldn't unhear it.

"Mystic... I need to go see Saka." Alcuthe said, trying not to cry.

"You can't... He can't know that your OK, he may get you caught." Mystic replied with a warning.

"But, I..." Alcuthe started, eyes watering up a little with sadness. Mystic seen it and felt bad for him immediately. She sighed and placed a paw on his shoulder.

"Alcuthe... You can go see him, but not for too long and don't say a word." Mystic said leniently with a small smile. Alcuthe smiled with a nod and headed out. He didn't exactly know where it was, and seen Jibade and Kpodo drinking from a pond. He approached the two cautiously, not sure if they would be able to know he is not possessed anymore.

"Hey... where is Saka and the other two being held at?" Alcuthe asked sternly, causing Jibade and Kpodo to turn and look at Alcuthe in shock of hearing him speak. The two looked at each other then back at Alcuthe and pointed in the direction of the three. "Thank you." Alcuthe said after he looked in the pointed direction and walked over to it. Kpodo then looked at Jibade.

"Something's not right." Kpodo said and Jibade nodded and the two just resumed drinking. Alcuthe got to the den and walked in and when he spotted Saka, seeing all the bruises and cuts, he almost broke down right there. The three hyenas looked at him. Madoa looked a bit upset and angry, Jasiri growled and stood over Saka in defense and Saka... His expression was fear. He was afraid of Alcuthe, which saddened him even more. Alcuthe slowly approached Saka, causing Jasiri to growl more and Saka to lower his head. Alcuthe had looked at Saka sorrowful, and was about to say Saka's name, but instead he turned and ran out the den and back to Thana's den, where Mystic awaited him with an upset face.

"Alcuthe..." Mystic said in an apologetic tone. Alcuthe broke down immediately and hugged Mystic tightly. She hugged him back, rubbing his back in attempt to comfort him.

"WHY?! WHY DID I EVER DO THIS?!" Alcuthe cried aloud, sobbing and weeping into Mystics shoulder. Mystic didn't really know what to say or how to say it, so she just kept saying 'shh' and 'It's gonna be OK, it is not your fault' to calm him, but didn't work very well. "Saka.. Is afraid of me!" He whined more, haunted by Saka's cries and expressions of fear. "And.. Jasiri doesn't trust me at all... I couldn't even get close to Saka." He finished. Mystic thought harder and harder of ways to comfort Alcuthe, she knew he was ticklish, but it wasn't the time to do so. She just kept him close in a hug until she got an idea.

"Alcuthe... Let's go for a walk." Mystic says and Alcuthe sniffles and nods. Mystic smiled and led the way out of the den and territory and they ended up going a bit deeper into the outlands. Alcuthe had been sobbing and sniffling the whole way until Mystic brought him to a pond. Alcuthe looked at it and went silent for a second. He slowly approached it and looked around. "Look familiar Alcuthe?" Mystic asked with a slight nudge and then closed her eyes. A fog had slowly came, circling Alcuthe and Mystic and then faded away, revealing in front of Alcuthe two small cubs playing. Those cubs... were him and Saka. Alcuthe starred down at them, remembering that exact day, they had played all day. Alcuthe then heard a familiar voice call his and Saka's name. Alcuthe looked over, and standing next to Mystic was Saka's mother, Akina. Akina had a smile, and Mystic smiled as well standing next to Akina, looking like twins. Alcuthes eyes widened and jaw dropped.

"M... M-mom?" Alcuthe said weakly, eyes watering and stuttering. The fog came back, making cub Saka and cub Alcuthe fade away, along with Akina. When the fog disappeared, Mystic had sat there with the same smile.

"Come here sweetie." Mystic said and Alcuthe darted to her, burying his face in her chest.

"Mom!" Alcuthe shouted, tears flowing down from happiness. Alcuthe didn't wanna let her go, and didn't. Mystic, or Akina giggled, nuzzling Alcuthe lightly. "Mom, I... I'm so sorry! I-" Alcuthe got interrupted.

"It's okay sweetie, none of this was your fault." Mystic replied, rubbing her paw around his back.

"But... What about Saka? He's your own son and I hurt him. I... I promised you I'd take care of him and I failed you." Alcuthe cried out, now sad again.

"Sweetie, you've done an amazing job. What happened back there was not you or your fault." Mystic began. "Your both going to be fine, you are brothers and your going to make it through this together, like brothers." She finished. Alcuthe looked up at her, his eyes watery and ears down. Mystic smiled down at Alcuthe and kissed his forehead lightly. "You have no clue how proud of you I am. You've grown up to be a strong, young man. And... Honey, don't give up on finding a girl, cause there is someone out there just for you." Mystic said warmly, bringing Alcuthe a weak, thankful smile. He leaned in and hugged her again, a bit more tightly. As Alcuthe held on to Mystic, he could swear he felt a tear drop to his back.