§𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 | 𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐬

06.

§tain | chapter six ~ "Get out!"

30 minutes later 

Paradise Public Housing 

     It was when their eyes met that Jade felt funny. Gazing in those familiar chocolate brown orbs brought an old memory to mind. The image of them on Brooklyn Bridge became so vivid and clear; almost like it happened yesterday rather than five years ago. They ignored the city's boisterous activity and enjoyed each other's company. He held her close in his arms, where she was safe, secure, but mostly warm as they danced the night away under the moonlight. Jade remembered how good that made her feel. Being warm. It was like bathing in the sun and melting under its gentle golden kiss. How she missed it so.

      Then came what transpired afterwards. The knife, the blood, the world spinning. How he left her as her life drained from out her body. It all brought back the pain she suffered later on till this very moment. His betrayal stung worse than the knife he stabbed her with. A chill tingled her spine. Jade was cold now; numb. As if she were naked, exposed to the icy hostility this world only ever offered. Seconds pass until finally anger ensued. In the form of a hot, blistering flame. She should be afraid of him. Afraid of what he might do now that he's seen she survived. But fear dared not instill in her. Something else far darker took root.  

     Never has a day gone by without the thought of repaying the debt to the void he created inside her after calling her a monster. Of fulfilling the promise she made to herself on that fateful night he left her to die.  She could end it all right there. Take the  knife and then strike him unsuspectingly. In her mind, Jade imagined exactly that. Swiping the discarded kitchen utensil and spilling his guts onto her apartment floor. She'll hear his innards squelch before their spill, feel and taste his blood as it splat her face and everything else near. Overall, it would be quick and messy. Her kind of kill. 

    "Jade." called Dick. She blinked, awareness washing over her. The smirk she wore stretched and became a pleasant smile. One bearing sweetness and cultivated innocence.

    "Sorry." The ex-hero killer  sighed. "It's not everyday I get a visit from an old friend."

    Her glossed-over gaze drifted to the girl who looked either around fourteen or fifteen, standing beside him. She had on a cardigan too big for her, a shirt,  and a pleated skirt with combat boots all black. A hood covered most of her head, but Jade caught purple strands peeking from underneath. Jade hadn't noticed her until now. Dick's unexpected appearance startled her so. Still, she frowned at her poor excuse for manners. 

    "Speaking of friends, it appears you've brought one with you." 

     "Yes." He perked at the mention of his fellow companion. As if he too forgotten her presence. "this is Rachel." his hand rested of her shoulder. 

     Rachel regarded her. eyes shining, big, bright, and blue. Like marbles. Her cracked pink lips contorted an awkward, toothy grin. Though her cheeks were not so compromising. Any fool could note their reluctance to mold falsely. 

    "Hi." she said sheepishly, the word barely above a whisper.

     "Hello there." Jade replied, however, she didn't return the kind gesture. In fact the smile she'd worn earlier died on her lips. There was something odd about this girl. It nagged at her so fiercely that Jade scrutinized her. Looking at Rachel anyone would see she was just another typical teen with very typical teenage related problems. Mortals could never look beyond what lied on the outside. But they weren't Jade. No one could peer into one's soul and visually discern their hopes, their dreams, or their deepest darkest desires like her. She focused her gaze her power piercing into Rachel's. She found a dark force - malevolent and insidious - inside her. She saw the teen struggled from its mere existence and contradicted the temptation to submit to its nature.