(REMAKE IS UP!) Restitution (CLOSED)

Chapter 45: Angels on Earth

Lute and I looked at each other in silence. I couldn't help but smile, then I turned my body and pulled myself towards Lute. When I came face to face with her, I started to rub the side of her head. Her claws twitched a little bit, but then she reached forward and grabbed onto me.

"Are you alright? Feeling better?" Lute nodded her head.

"I still feel a bit sluggish, but that'll go away after some stretching." Her expression changed to surprise, then she made a face that put me on alert. I pulled myself away, giving her some space while sitting up. Lute pushed herself up as well, clicking her mouth a couple of times and made a face of disgust.

"Ugh... what am I tasting? It's like I vomited and swallowed it at the same time." I cringed slightly, but kept myself from showing it to Lute.

"That's... because you did puke." I said. Lute looked at me, and that's when I spoke again.

"We got jumped on our way back by Laurine's goons. In order to get back here safely, I had Jet take us there from the shadows. When we came out at the hotel, you threw up over a plant." Lute looked at me for a second, then she clicked her mouth again and gave another disgusted face.

"Give me a minute. I can't stand this taste." She stood up, got off the bed a little shakily, then walked towards the bathroom. I watched her go off, then I let out a sigh as I sat up and started to relax. I shut my eyes, glad to see that Lute was doing better. In the back of my mind, I knew that we weren't safe here anymore. If Laurine's goons were here of all places, they would probably try and hunt me down until they finally got me. We got out of Lear, but they were still trying to get me. I was so close. We were so close. I wanted to run, but I knew that I wouldn't be able to run forever.

As much as it burned my throat to think about it and tortured my mind... I... I might have to do something I won't like. If they weren't going to back off.... What if I was forced to do the same thing in Morgan? What if I had to kill someone again? I was already shaking at the thought, and I was getting flashbacks of what happened. Whatever happened... whatever happened to me, I was scared of becoming that again. All about the gates and seeing the blood and the images of those dying, there was nothing I could do that would get those images out of my mind. What would happen if I lost control? What would happen if I couldn't stop myself if I attacked-

"That's much better." I jumped, turning my head to see Lute walking out. She looked at me, and it didn't take her long to see something was off with me. I looked away, trying to get myself to calm down by taking a deep breath. Lute hopped onto the bed, but I still didn't look up. I was still trying to get the thoughts out of my head.

"Cassius? What's wrong?" I tried to get my thoughts straight, but new thoughts were clashing with the other ones, making it all combine together and making it worse. I gripped the sheets of the bed with my hands, straining to keep it together inside.

"Cassius?" I felt Lute touch my hand. Out of instinct, I grabbed onto her and pulled her towards me. Once she got close enough, I wrapped my arms around her. Lute was surprised, but I dug my hands into her back and grabbed her fur. My arms shook a bit as they tried to relax from contact with Lute, but they also tried to tighten as the thoughts continued to swirl in my head like a storm. That's when I felt Lute grab onto my shoulders with her claws, making me gasp softly.

"Cassius, what's wrong? You don't act like this unless you're afraid of something." I finally looked at Lute, seeing her stare right at me. I swallowed what felt like a ball of sandpaper in my throat as I looked at Lute. It didn't come out immediately, and Lute didn't seem bothered by that. I shook for a little more, then tried to calm down by taking another deep breath.

"I'm... I'm scared, Lute. I.... They're back... and I'm scared I might lose control." Lute seemed puzzled.

"Lose control? What do you mean?" I stared at Lute, feeling my heartbeat quickening as the thoughts of the blood came back. There was no use in hiding the fear I had now.