WITHOUT

What To Give Up?

I really didn't want to know it. It was hitting me in the face...I could smell it!     I could feel it, it was making my skin itch.     My hands were shaking, I was angry - But not murder-angry.      They were making me doubt.   Feel fearful....My brain kept spinning in circles.     I could feel Stella's hold, Hector was holding me too.

His eyes had gone dark, he kept baring his teeth at them.    He was restless too.   He'd shake, he oddly wasn't feeling fear, but he was afraid for me.    He'd dart looks around the room (Perimeter checks)....He'd look at Stella and I, then shot a look right back to the Archangels.     They seemed relaxed, almost to the point of saying - They were enjoying this!

"....This truly is a fine building!    Once we have taken possession, sent dear Celeste and Astraea on their way.   The choice, they put to you all - Will be given again.   You all do have a choice. All living, and not - Should have that..."

I side glanced Rhys....He was holding chains and a collar.    My blood run cold.   A thought, that couldn't seem to make itself known, suddenly dropped right into my stomach.   Ethan!     They had come for him!    Rhys saw me looking, held them up....He even walked right up to me, held them out a little.

"Look. You may look. Your guess is right. We have come to collect. The boy is to be returned, he has been missed..." Rhys moved the chains and collar around a little..."They really are of the best quality. We ensure, they are strong...Not easily broken. Once placed, they will last a life-time. Eternity, really!..." Rhys let out short chuckle, then grinned at me.

Hector sucked in his breath, his eyes flickered down - Then darted right back at Rhys. A deep earth growl could be heard.

"...And, this creature is going to make a fine "catch" too! Amara, you were absolutely right about this place. We hit the jack-pot of gold! Imagine that. We, holy ones gaining earthly wealths!.." Rhys looked up at me, and stared right into my eyes. His face was calm, pleasant to the eye....But, his eyes were hard. And cold.

Nothing good was going to happen next.

I caught glimpses of pain that had been inflicted on others - innocent, vulnerable Others!

(They were in rooms in the beginning, they were small.  Nameless.     They missed their mother's (Some sat and cried)   Some, were scared, looked around frantically....This wasn't home, nothing was familiar.    No one was with them.    They were sitting on make-shift beds on the floor.    They tried to move close to one another, but chains around ankles kept them apart.

Words could not find them, some made yelling sounds (Hit back with small fists, claw-like hands)    Lessons were quickly learned.  They were painful, swift - To the point. And many.    The Others were not broken easily, but they quickly gathered they were not in a position to fight.

Those around them, kept them without a way of questioning, powerless to stop what was happening to them.    Teeth were removed if stubbornness was an issue - "Biters" learned first.    They were often singled out, as a group they thought they had some comfort (They could sit/sleep close. But, knowing they were together was something)

One by one, they all slowly submitted....Never completely, but only to find a way to survive)

A blood vessel popped in my head, my head did a werid tilting thing....Hands formed fists, then hands went wide.   My fingers were literally trying to break my hands...Splint them into pieces.    Shit, I was starting to feel really weird.     This wasn't some gathering of my craft, and feel the brilliant surge of witchy-power!       No.    This was, become unhitched....Lose control.