Obscure Occurrences |C. BAREBONE|

☛ Thirty-Eight ☚

• April, 1927 •

The couple both woke to smiling faces. Genevieve to Credence caressing her cheek and her staring up at him with those wide, doe eyes. He couldn't believe what this was, Credence couldn't believe that for two years Genevieve only wanted him. Never had someone been so committed to him and not once did someone see Genevieve like he did. The Obscurus worshipped the girl curled up beside him. After all, nobody could fit into his side like the small witch laying upon him. For once Credence felt like a man. And finally could he protect her and shield the witch from whatever the world threatened to throw at her. Credence would be her personal bodyguard. And they were both happy until the familiar warm sensation of a wound appeared on Genevieve's arm.

It was time to get up.

Reluctantly, Genevieve giggled from the bed with Credence pulling her back upon him multiple times. Each time, she span back around with a wide smile until she could no longer breathe between her laughter and her back ache. Like she had said, he gave her reasons to laugh when there was nothing to laugh about. Credence was Genevieve's sunlight. He tasted pure and sounded like the early bird song.

"No-" she eventually had to sigh, "- Catriona is gonna be here soon and I don't want to be in trouble" Genevieve mumbled before the devil herself entered the tent.

Catriona didn't have to be an idiot to see what was going on there. No longer could she ignore the relationship between the Obscurial and powerless witch.

In seconds at the sight of the metamorphagus, Genevieve jumped away and landed adjacent to the bed. She knew Catriona had seen enough but she hoped the woman had suddenly turned blind.

But, unlike what Genevieve thought, Catriona brushed the scene from her mind and announced:

"It's Wednesday. And I hope the firedrakes are ready for Saturday?-" Catriona asked Credence before turning her head (so fast it couldn't' even been human) toward Genevieve, "- and I hope you won't forget about our weekly meeting tonight".

In an instant, as Catriona left the tent, the metamorphagus had dissolved the smile from Genevieve's face. Meanwhile, Credence was silently humming with anger.

"It's okay Credence-" Genevieve smiled,
"- it's not that bad...".

But she wasn't getting through to him. So she quickly pulled her dress over her head and sat beside him on the bed. From there, the witch pulled Credence into her chest and stroked down his hair to calm him. She let Credence's forehead rest idly against Genevieve's breast as exhales seethed through his teeth.

"You're doing so well, sweetheart. Just breathe" Genevieve cooed before Credence suddenly raised his hand to feel her's beneath his scarred palms.

"I don't...-" he paused heavily, "- I don't want to stay here".

"Me neither... But only a few days longer. Then we'll be in Paris and we can make our escape" Genevieve reassured for her comforting of Credence to be interrupted by Catriona. In her beckoning words Genevieve could tell that that night would be painful. But she ignored it entirely as she pressed her lips to Credence's crown.

She had to stay strong, for him.

☛✹☚

"I see you're having fun with the freak" Catriona spoke up, interrupting Genevieve as she magically swept the floors clean of dirt.

"I don't understand what your saying" the witch lied.

Seconds after however, the metamorphagus was beside Genevieve, her warm breath harsh against her skin.

"I'm not blind... Nor deaf darling-" She sneered suddenly, "- I could hear you fucking like dogs" Catriona then spat. Forcing Genevieve to whip around and press the tip of her wand into the throat of the metamorphagus.

Catriona hadn't feared anything since she first met Skender. Nothing sent the woman shivering into pure horror until she saw the dark look clouding Genevieve's eyes. She looked at the older witch as if she would murder her with a look. Yet, Catriona still had the upper hand.

"Go ahead darling, but you know who pays for it when you say the words...".

Through Catriona's smirk Genevieve knew the woman was right. She couldn't kill her. But, the Burnett girl was ferociously buzzing with pent up frustration, her body heated with anger toward the witch before her.

Soon enough though, Genevieve knew who she was sacrificing if a bolt of green escaped her wand. Therefore, the witch reluctantly dropped her wand to her side to eventually hear the hideous bark of Catriona's laugh.

"I knew you didn't have it in ya-" The woman taunted, "- but don't worry. You'll still be punished-".

Genevieve's head shot up.

"Not by Skender of course... Just make sure you won't be late tonight; it'll be your birthday present".