Chasing a Divine Heartbeat (Aphmau fanfic)

Chapter One

 The word count for the story is 3007 words... wow. Anyone who reads this, let me know if its too long and the next chapters won't be so long. Enjoy!
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  It all began to go downhill at Starlight Wonderland. The Ultima were exposed, and all the islands put on lockdown. No one was allowed in or out of the parks until the feared werewolves were caught, which limited the Lycan’s options greatly. This, of course, cast us all into the shadow of anxiety and doomsday-like thoughts.
Aaron and I found shelter in a thought, a feeling that nothing could separate us. My only requirement in case of a fight was that he not use his eyes as weapons; doing that would more than likely cause deaths, and deaths would make people even more scared of them than they already were. Aaron and his family agreed - though no promises were made on not using fists, and I knew that even I would punch an attackers nose in if I had to.
Planning for Aaron and I’s wedding continued as normal. It was reassuring to think and plan for a good ending. All dark thoughts were blurred by this, and it made everyone calmer.
I felt that nothing could happen. Yes, I was nervous and sleep-deprived just like everyone else. But we had already been through so much! Surely the world would be kind enough to spare us a close call instead of the worse option. Surely what had happened at the Lodge was plenty. I didn’t want to fear for my loved ones and even my own life again. That just had to be over. Surely. Surely…
Two weeks later, the Lycans told everyone not in the family to leave and stay away from the house. If something happened, they didn’t want friends to be hurt, too.
It took a long time to get them to let me stay. They wanted me to be completely safe no matter what happened; I didn’t want to be separated from them. They grudgingly gave in when I said I accepted whatever dangers came from staying. I had accepted them when I became engaged to an Ultima.
One week later, people appeared at our doorstep. One in specific seemed to be the leader. The one with dirty blonde hair whose name I learned was Zach. He was so painfully familiar... but I couldn’t place him. It was like seeing a friend or teacher from when I was young. On the tip of my tongue. The man felt so important, but nothing came to mind.
This important man was the nightmare we had been waiting for. Aaron put up the largest fight, but he was still quickly secured along with his sister and parents. No one had laid a finger on me, but I didn’t flee. I just stood there, frozen. Zoning out.
This can’t be happening. Surely this is a dream. Surely I’m about to wake up and go spend a fun day with friends. Surely I’ll forget about all this soon... right?
Zach, who was still confusing to me, was suddenly in front of me. He held out his hand to me as I stood. He seemed to expect me to take it with no question.
“Who...?”
“You don’t remember me?” he asked. “You will eventually. You’ll remember lots, actually. Now, do you want to walk with me and your family or not?”
Through the haze beginning to cloud my brain, I could hear Derek yelling at me. “Aphmau, run! Don’t take his hand! Go!”
But I took it. The words hadn’t registered. My brain buzzing with shock and ears ringing louder than words could describe was disorienting. The only clear thing in my sight was Zach’s hand.
Was I blacking out? I must be. I was. The ground was rushing toward me, but I don’t remember hitting it.
I realized this darkness had been coming for a long time. Ever since the Ultima were revealed. But why then? I didn’t get to fight back. I didn’t even get to say goodbye.

When I woke up, I could tell the sun was setting even through my closed eyes. No light was filtering through my eyelids. From the humming noise surrounding me I could tell I was in a car. Was I using someone’s lap as a pillow? ...Aaron?
I sat up, feeling a little lightheaded from being out so long. Then I turned to see who was next to me. Not Aaron, but Zach.
“W-Whoa!” I gasped, scooching away. Creep alert.
“I see you’re awake,” Zach said calmly. “I was beginning to worry since you were out for so long and slept through so much. Hmm?” He frowned, then chuckled. “What’s wrong? You’re white as a sheet. Looks like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Ghost? I was trying to keep a calm look as I panicked. “I-Isn’t this kidnapping? W-Who are you?” I stammered.
“Do you really not remember? It’s been far too long, I suppose.”
He pulled out a picture out of his pocket and gave it to me.
It was of me, as a very young child, and him.
Almost immediately, the memories of him began flooding back. There weren’t too many, but it still gave me a headache. I was so overwhelmed I had to look away, leaning against the car door, staring out the window. I could see from the pale moonlight that we were in a dense forest. We were also the only car on the road in sight. It was the setting of a horror movie I had seen once.
Zach was my father...? No way. No way.
Half-finished thoughts swirled. I had to close my eyes and focus on my breathing to shut them out. This day was like a bizarre fever dream.
Zach didn’t try to talk. I felt his gaze leave me; he was looking out his own window, leaving me to deal with my chaos and allowing darkness to settle in the vehicle. I wondered what the driver was thinking of this.
We sat there for who knew how long before I finally spoke. It probably wasn’t what he had expected, but I had just realized they weren’t with us.
“Where are Aaron and his family?”
“Ah... they’re headed to another facility, a more secure one.”
I whipped my head around to look at Zach, to make sure he was serious. “What?! Why?”
“Can never be too careful,” he replied. “Besides, the public is panicking. You may have forgotten, but to them Ultima are monsters. They won’t rest until they’re locked up. Oh, but don’t worry. They’re way safer where they’re going. In fact, it’s good I found all of you before someone else did, or else things could have ended going south. They won’t be hurt at all, I wouldn’t harm my daughter’s family. I’m not cruel.”
I turned back to the window, not sure what to say. It was true they hadn’t been safe on Starlight. But who knew if Zach was telling the truth? I knew from what mom had told me that he wasn’t to be believed easily.
“Turn around,” I finally said. He didn’t answer. “Turn this car around,” I demanded again.
This time he answered. “I’m afraid I can’t,” he said. “But why? You’re far safer as well. You won’t be affected by anything happening in the outside world. And that’s a good thing, honestly I envy you.”
“Isn’t obvious?” I asked, my voice becoming louder. “Why am I going to a different place? I don’t care if I’m affected by the outside world, I want to be. I want to be with them. I want to be with the Lycans.”
“...I’m aware.”
That was all he said. This sparked a flame of anger inside me - that was fast. I normally didn’t get this mad this quickly. Then again, these were completely different circumstances.
I didn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he had upset me that much, though I’m sure he could tell by my silence.
Once I was sure my voice would be steady and not tremble, I spoke again. “Where were you all those years? Why did you leave mom and I like that?”
“I had my reasons, dear. I would love to explain, but we’re almost to our destination. So some other time.”