Toxin

CHAPTER 16 - Approaching.

"You're asking for me to help you?" Atlas chuckled, crossing his arms and parting his legs. I'd grunt. "But you're helping Ebony! So why can't you teach me too?!" I exclaimed, frustratedly flailing my arms above my head. He smirked and looked down at his shoes, before returning his eyes to mine. He walked up to me, the heat from his body radiating heavily against mine. I'm sure he's aware that Iris isn't far away, but yet he doesn't seem to care. "Sweetheart, trust me... If I knew how to control and train Toxin's form, then I most certainly would." He placed a gentle hand over my cheek, his other on the small of my back. I frowned, furrowing my brows and looking away. I crossed my arms. "Then teach my normal- original body to do these spectacular things you can!" I declared, swiftly turning my head around and glaring into the sky blue of his eyes. He closed them, chuckling deeply. He pulled me against him now, my chest compressed into his. Warmth seared through my body, making me instantly blush. Dam, I wish Toxin took that away. I thought frustratedly. He tilted my head up, a soft expression plastered across his face, which made my irritation ease away slowly. I melted against him, raising myself by my toes up towards his subtle face. He leaned down, closer to me, roughly pulling me against him even more. I let him, my body in defeat. It was a slow, passionate kiss that instantly stole my heart. Every single time... Murmured Toxin casually in my ear. I ignored her, now raising my arms and locking my fingers between each strand on Atlas's hair and greedily pulling him closer. "Ahem..." Coughed Ebony politely, making us both immediately turn around. "Uhh, sorry... Oh but also, I think your sister is coming, Atlas. I don't think she's happy." Ebony uttered, rocking back and forth on her heels, though letting a small smile spread across her face, before it rapidly grew larger. Atlas looked back at me, my head between his hands. "I'll talk to you later, OK?" He said, kissing my forehead lightly and speedily walking away, shoving his hands in his jean pockets. "Since when were you the type to get a boyfriend?" Ebony asked, smirking and raising an eyebrow as she continued towards me. I grinned, rolling my eyes. "Since when were you the type to ask?" I retorted. We both chuckled a bit, soon the mood around us falling still, almost awkwardly too. "You know, it's good to be talking to you again Eb." I sighed, placing a hand on my hip. She stifled a smile, nodding her head; "Yep, it feels good to be back."

"So what are we going to do about," Ebony nodded her head towards Carol and Connor; "them?". Carol was cowering in between the wall and her locker, her brother already over her shoulder, trying to calm her down. "Why is she against the corner? Does she know about Sable?" I muttered quietly into Ebony's ear. She furrowed her brows and looked at me, softly shaking her head side-to-side. I saw motion from the district of my eye and turned to face the twins again. I stepped forward, gently crouching down and resting my elbows on my knees. "Carol... Why are you crying?" I mewed tenderly, spreading a warm, kindly smile across my recently hardened face. I put my arm slowly on her shoulder, resting it carefully. Carol looked up, her usual joyous face now all blotchy and red. She looks like a bruised peach. Toxin giggled in my ear. I ignored her, my eyes calmly gazing over Carol's as she opened her quivering mouth to speak. "I saw something in the bathroom!" she squealed. I quickly looked around, and luckily no-one noticed. I turned back. "What did you see? A mouse? Cockroach?" I exclaimed stilly, shuffling closer to her. She then leaned in against me, sniffling all over my shirt. "No... It was nothing like that," she murmured, looking up at me and continuing; "It was like a dark, oozing... thing!"

My face suddenly froze, in a coarse expression. Carol must've noticed it too, since she sat up and looked at me, her blotchy face still meddled with confusion. "I-I got out as soon as I could though!" she rasped, her high yet smooth voice cracking with emotion. I snapped my head around, facing Ebony. "Go get Atlas," I said calmly, eyeing Ebony. "Now please..." I uttered, making Ebony nod slowly before she dashed off. Carol tapped my shoulder, making me turn around. "Do you know what that thing is?" Carol shivered, sitting up and rubbing her arms while wiping the tears from her rosy cheeks. "No, but I think my boyfriend does." I replied shortly, glancing off down the hallway every now and then. Did I hear you right? You said he was your boyfriend? Toxin hissed in my ear, but I knew she was grinning. I could feel it... that weird sensation. Because I don't think you've made it official yet. She'd giggle, her sweet voice intoxicating me. Shut up for now, OK? I retorted harshly, turning back to Carol. "Don't worry, everything's going to be alright!" I smiled ecstatically, showing my now glistening teeth and holding my thumbs up. Around a few minutes later, Ebony and Atlas finally show up. I stood up suddenly, walking over to them. "I've heard." Atlas nodded, his hands in his jumper pockets and giving me a quick peck on my right cheek. Carol was still sniffling, but her face was cleared a lot more now. "Do you know what that thing was?" Carol shyly asked, walking up hesitantly to Atlas and looking up at him. He looked down at her, and answered; "I may have an idea."

I headed into the bathroom without Atlas's consent quickly, just to make sure I wasn't seen by him. Girls giggled, rushing out and intoxicating me with their artificial perfumes and odours. I gagged. I went to the back stall, the tall that Carol told me she saw the ooze. I cautiously stepped up, my head pounding. Something was there. I flashed across and stood in front of the door. A large clump of black ooze was sitting there on the toilet's lid. Suddenly, it stood up, standing tall over me. "Hello... I believe my sister should be in there." it nodded towards me, it's pretty voice now unusually ragged and raspy. I furrowed my eyebrows. Toxin? Who is this? I asked, keeping my eye on the figure made of venom. I thought I could hear a pin drop as Toxin didn't answer. Not even an echo. "Oh, I'm sorry! Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Bane." he chuckled, his dark, razor sharp teeth glistening though the eery light casted from the small fogged window above us. "Bane? As in-" I started, snapping my head to the side. "Yes, Bane from that story... you know, like, Veninos's story." he mumbled. I thought I saw him roll his eyes too. "Why are you here then? Aren't you supposed to be from Rome?" I asked, crossing my arms and shifting my weight onto my hip. "Well, yes... I suppose I am from Rome. I mean, if my accent hasn't given you a hint. But I came because Veninos is going slightly mad." Bane chuckled gravely. Ask him about why he's going mad. Toxin snapped quietly in my ear. I gulped. "Why is Veninos going mad?" I exclaimed, glancing towards the window a few times. "Because he's too power hungry. And well, I've got to admit, Toxin is quite powerful if I do say so myself. Ugh... Long story short, he's attempting to hunt you down and absorb Toxin's special... abilities." Bane finished, shrugging yet almost scowling at the same time. "What abilities?" I pressed, intriguingly leaning forward. Bane shrugged again; "Were you expecting me to know?".

Atlas crashed through the door, storming up to the last stall where I was standing. He pulled me out of the way, glaring at Bane who didn't react, or flinch for that matter. "Aaly, stay back." He'd growl, grasping my arm so tightly I thought it may pop off. "Woah! Mate, I wasn't going to do anything to her!" exclaimed Bane, raising an arm and gently placing it on Atlas's. Atlas drew his arm back, keeping his eyes on Bane for a few seconds more before looking at me. "Can you let go now?" I asked, smirking. He rolled his eyes, a faint smile appearing on his lips. He pried me against him, holding his arms securely around me and holding me close. We both faced Bane again, who was making a gag-like movement. I couldn't tell since he looked the same all around. "Now that you've answered what Veninos is coming for... Could you tell me why you're here?" I questioned, tilting my head up and against Atlas more. "Well am I not allowed to warn my dearest sister? Because I mean, a few hundred lonely years is quite a lot."