BEAUTIFUL MONSTER

79 - Murder the World

"You can't dwell, when it comes down to it you must be the one to protect your family, save my sister," her claws dug into my hands, breaking skin and her eyes, as dark as sin, as broken as glass, as magnificent as God, pleaded with me. "Promise me. Murder the world to save her."

I looked down at my stained hands, and for a moment they stole me from the moment, dragging me back to the past of those I murdered. When it came to my family, I swore I would slaughter the world and I intended to keep my promise. My heart hammered in my chest like a bird in a cage; desperate to escape. I wonder if it would be easier to submit, to kneel before the madness, to sign away my life for the monster I knew I had roaring inside of me.

Every step I took, every tumble, every fall was with those I had took from life and they sat on my back, weighing me down, watching intently as I chipped away at my compassion, at my kindness, at my humanity. There's something beautiful about chaos, and there's something striking about the psychotic mind and there's familiarity with the mad monsters we have chained down in our minds.

I gave my monsters freedom, I let them reign and then snapped the chains back around their bodies despite their cries.

I loved my mother and I loved my sister more than life itself, more than the life of others and I did what I did for them. Was it so wrong to be evil for the sake of love? Love was behind my actions and love drove the knife in the chest of those I murdered - and without a doubt, I'd do it again.

And the chains became looser.

+ + +

"I know you don't believe any of what's been happening and you probably think we're all of our rocker," I started as Ellie came out of the bathroom. I was sitting down on the floor, leaning against the walls and her face was washed. "But I'm going to be blunt: your life is in danger, you're the final Serpent Sister, the most powerful race of supernatural creatures, and your life can either end or save the world. The thing is I don't give a fuck about the rest of the world, it can burn for all I care. I am not going to let you get sacrificed for others to live. We don't have much time. There are the supposedly good guys who'll kill a few to save a whole bunch and we have the deranged bastards from hell - both groups are insanely powerful. But so are you, hell, Ells, you are the final Sister. You need to break down the barrier, get rid of the curse. It's too late to go on hiding. Both sides will be gunning for your head and I don't suppose running on crutches will get you very far. Ellie... you have to trust me, I'm your sister -"

"I thought I had s-six other s-sisters, not you." Ellie remarked bitterly.

My speech was cut in half, the music died and the British flag in the background went up in flames. "Uh," I made a face. "Guess hearing that repeatedly can make it pretty annoying. You are my sister and you're also the Sister of six others. Didn't you always want more siblings?"

Her expression remained unconvinced.

I decided to stop the games, swallowing, and rubbing my forehead. "If I could swap places with you, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I never wished any of this on you and maybe it's my fault things have become the way they are..." I heaved a sigh, thinking back to those moments in the forest where I was too naïve to realise exactly what Orion was and what he intended. "I can't change the past, Ells but I can change the future and I can help give you a future. Drink this. It's Dean's blood."

She shook her head slowly, caginess in her body language, wariness brewing in her gaze. "No."

I paused and I felt my eye twitch. I tried keeping my voice down. "What do you mean, 'no'? I'm asking you to drink the blood, Ellie."

"I s-said, no."

I curled my hand through the furry carpet, saying. "I don't think you understand the severity of the situation. This might seem make-believe to you but this is one bedtime story that can get you killed. What are you going to do, hobble away on your crutches from Maximal? He'd crush you." I stood up, pushing the dial into her hand. "Drink the blood. I'm not going to ask you again, Ellie, you won't like to see what I'll do to you."