The Sovereign

TWO | Bane | TWO

There is a beast in every man and it stirs when you put a sword in his hand.

~•《⚜》•~

Alyra Kassia Ambrose

B A N E

♧

Silence was the first thing that welcomed us into town. A calm, yet deadly silence where no birds sang a morning tune and the wind flew in a silent hymn. The town seemed void of life, but I knew better.

I can hear the steady heartbeats hidden behind closed doors. Eyes peaking, watching the strange new car enter town. It was unnerving, but the thought of having a new place, a chance of a new slate had my spirits lifted.

I couldn't say the same for my sister. Her eyes were still dazed, fingers fiddling while her lips kept biting in nervousness. If things were different, I'd have the same feelings.

I wanted to hold her like I used to do. Just keep her company whenever she felt scared, and with everything's that happened. All I wanted to do was give her the hug she needed.

But I can't.

At least not until I know I wouldn't end up hurting her too.

We drove a little further into town, nearing the edge of the forestline where most of the residence were found. At the end of the street, we entered a private road and stopped by a two-storey house, too big and too extravagant for someone who lives alone. The outside was decorate with a simple beige and mahogany theme. Matching perfectly with the rest of the residence.

"We're here!" Mrs. Mason chirped and exited the car. Her excitement didn't sound like she was happy to arrive. It was more like thankfully making it alive.

Aria's heavy sigh brings my attention towards her. She had a guarded look as she stared at the house. Her lips frozen in a thin line. It was far from the the bubbly, cheerful Aria who never failed to give a smile. She was different.

I couldn't read her, not anymore.

"Are you okay?" Three little words came out of my mouth. It was the first sound, the first words she's heard from me in days. Aria didn't seem to react, but kept on staring at the house. A sliver of sadness peaks in her eyes, glassing over the aqua blue that threatened to spill a tear.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be? We're home sweet home." Somehow, despite the level of sarcasm in her tone. My heart couldn't help but ache in the pain she forced to hide. We both lost our parents, but now I feel like she lost a sister too.

I glanced at her hands- closed in a tight fist, threatening to take a punch. How much I wanted to uncurl them, to hold them, and tell her everything would be alright. That she wasn't alone, that I'm still here, but as my hands inches closer-

"Kassia stop!" My elbow hits the side. A body collides with it, making it fly back and crash against the wall. Behind the blinding pain in my head, my bones, my muscles, I could still hear the sound of glass shattering, wall crashing, muscles tearing, a rib cage breaking, and a spinal cord snapping.

"Oh God Michael! Aly stop it, please!" Someone crying registers in my ears, split between the cries of pain and sadness. I feel hands wrapped around my own, holding them in deep desperation.