𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨 | 𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟒 𝐙𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚

𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐮𝐫

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12am
Midnight

"I'm horrified." Michael proceeded into sitting up and moving away from Rose's arms. "Everyone I become close to ends up hurt because of me, and either that— there's always freaky followers after me." He hugged his knees up to his chest and lightly rocked himself, hiding half his face underneath while looking at the girl across from him. "You're more than what you're destined to do, I hope you find your place in the world." She offered a small smile, "Just because the world has shown you pain, doesn't mean you have to give it a place in your heart where it will turn into resent and anger." Rose leaned up to Michael and tucked a golden curl behind his ear, he smiled through his tear stained eyes and nodded with a sniffle.

"You're like a flourishing flower in a field of decay and nuclear waste..." He leaned against her hand and then moved away to wipe his eyes. "That's flattering— thank you." Rose laughed lightly, "I'll make us some dinner," she paused and looked at her watch, "Technically it'll be a midnight snack." Michael nodded and followed her after she got up. Stepping into the kitchen, he planted himself on a stool and watched Rose rummage through the fridge and pull out a few vegetables and steak. Humming under her breath, she began to dice and proceeded to season the raw meat before tossing it on the skillet along with some asparagus sticks. Richard eventually stepped in and watched beside Michael.

"So If you're here, you're going to bring the end of time soon?" Richard fiddled with a box of matches, Michael shifted a bit tensely. "Like I told the people at the Satanist church after they annoyed the fuck out of me, my dead beat of a dad— didn't necessarily give me a fucking handbook." He sighed, "I have to find guidance.."

Rose frowned at the statement and just decided to keep her mouth shut and focus on not burning or overcooking the steak.  Once the food was done, she served three dishes and turned to the boys. "Bon'appetite." Their eyes lit up at the sight, "Well aren't you full of surprises." Richard stated with a hint of sarcasm and humor, before cutting into the steak and eating. Michael thanked her and proceeded to eat. "Are you not going to be eating?" Rose shook her head at the question with a small smile, "I'm fine, you guys enjoy your meal." Sitting across from them, she fiddled with her fingers before taking a sip from her apple juice. A few loud knocks on the door were enough to catch her attention away from the men staring her down, "it's three in the morning who could that be? were you going to have company over?" She asked Richard, he furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and shook his head. Could Michael have had company? Or someone searching for him? Standing up, she silently padded toward the door with Richard and Michael following closely behind. Taking a look through the peep hole, she could distinguish three cloaked figures. "Oh master, we know you're in there!" A feminine voice chirped, glancing back she stared at Michael. "For you?" She whispered, he shrugged and grabbed her arm— pushing her back. "Go into a room and don't come out until either of us go get you."

She didn't understand why she couldn't stay, nodding, she paced away and walked into the room Richard was sleeping in. Rose could hear the locks on the door flicking and it coming open, an incoherent conversation was being exchanged. It didn't sound hostile, just normal talk. Sighing, she planted herself down on the mattress and proceeded to lay down. It smelled husky, just like Richard. Shooing away the thought of him, she frowned and stood up. The smell was intoxicating. Walking around, she decided to look through the room to kill time. A small glance at the window was enough for her to catch a glimpse at the strangely dark red strawberry moon, looked just like a blood moon. Hugging herself, she watched as the crimson color tucked itself behind a few clouds.

It had been silent for a few minutes, before all the lights in the loft shut down, followed by loud chanting. Was everything okay? Rose pulled the door open slowly and creeped up in the darkness to where the noise was coming from. Black candles were lit up, and there was a female laying flat on her back on the dining table, a pentagram smudged under her figure. She was pleading while crying out, Richard finishing tying her down. Rose knelt down and watched quietly. Michael ascended from the darkness, wearing only a robe. The people began to chant even louder, above the girls cries. Richard chanted as well, before plunging the knife down into the girls chest. A final cry left her trembling lips, slowly she watched the life leave her body. Richard reached down into the crevice of the open cavity in her chest and handed the beating heart to Michael. It was silent as he received the heart, bringing it up to his mouth: Michael took a large bite and chewed for a few seconds, before swallowing. After that occurred, the smell of heavy death and sulfur overcame the atmosphere. A large black shadow casted itself behind Michael, the figure of a goat man with wings, everyone bowed in respect.

Rose was at a loss for words, she nearly fell back at the smell of rot: but caught herself. What the hell had she gotten herself involved in? She didn't realize that Michael was looking directly at her because she was dumbfounded in her own thoughts. A pair of arms wrapped around her, "Silly girl, weren't you supposed to wait in the room?" Richard asked behind her neck, leading her away and back into the room. "What was that?" She asked quietly, gripping onto Richards shirt as he closed the door behind himself.

"A simple ritual so the master can give his son guidance." Richard guided her toward the bed and laid her down, "try getting some rest, it's going to be a long night.." he walked into the bathroom and washed his hands, before returning to the bed with the girl. She was shaking, all he did was wrap his arms around her and hold her until sleep managed to overcome her.

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