009 - Memory Share

[unknownmoirai]

It was difficult to see. Not because it was too dark out but because your eyes were closed. "I don't think this is a good idea." Her voice was sweet and delicate and familiar to those who have met her. This was only a few years ago and she looked and sounded exactly as she did now.

"Open your eyes." The voice was male and he was laughing at her. His touch was gentle as he carefully moved her hands from over her eyes. His face fills your view. He was a well build young man with a glint in his eyes that suggested that he was up to no good. His hair was cut short but it looked like his beard was a day or two of getting away from him. You knew him. He was a friend. You also knew that he really didn't like shaving unless there was a reason to do so.

They were crouching just outside of a large estate, hidden behind thick manicured bushes. The moon was waning but continued to splash a soft gentle light over the area.

Your heart was pounding too fast and this all seemed like a bad idea now that you were here. "You make it seem to easy." She whispered sounding a little discouraged. "I don't want to hurt anyone Johnathan."

"And we won't." He assured her quickly, his dark eyes glimmering with confidence and warm. "Now just do what I showed you. I'll keep a look out." He handed her a small bundle of tools and then moved so that he was sitting a few feet away.

You look down at the tools and slowly uncurl the leather on your knee. These were your tools. Johnathan had given them to you but you had given them back. With a sigh you turn towards the short window leading into a cellar and begin to get to work. It wasn't difficult. Johnathan had taught you what to do and in a few seconds the lock clicks. You're about to push open the window when Johnathan's hand is on yours, stopping you. "Wait." He speaks softly as you move to give him room to work.

He runs his fingers over the edge of the window and finds the wire leading to the alarm once it's open. He carefully disarms it and then pushes the window open. Johnathan turns towards you flashing a charming smile. "Ladies first."

You nod and slip into the window with Johnathan following behind. "What now? We don't know if he it."

Johnathan didn't look too concerned. He walked pass her and peeked into the hallway. "I'm sure he does. Just remember the plan."

The alarm trips and shouts begin to rise. "Shit!" Johnathan closes the door. "It's too soon. What the hell is Taylor thinking?"

"Johnathan?" Worry touched her voice as he pushed her into the corner.

"You stay here. I'm going to lead them away. It's up to you now."

"Johnathan wait!" And he was gone. He had slipped through the doorway and you could hear him being chased down the hallway. You press your shoulder blades against the wall and begin to count. Ten seconds. Then she had to go because someone would be checking this room after he had fled from it.

1... 2... 3...

You hear gun fire and flinch but you know that Johnathan and Taylor are alright. They have to be alright. This was the plan.

4... 5... 6...

It all became eerily quiet but you kept counting.

7... 8... 9...

You rise from your hiding place and walk to the door. There isn't sound on the other side but you press your ear to the wood and listen. Silence answers you.

10...

You open the door and the memory fades to white and then black.

Comments

[11calls]

They took one of your feathers? Because you're an angel?

[unknownmoirai]

Well...

It fell off and I didn't know it could do that and some things happened and I couldn't get back to it in time. He found it. I just needed it back.

My feathers are made of magic like I am. He could have used it to hurt someone.

[11calls]

How could it have hurt someone?

[unknownmoirai]

Pure power corrupts and... if it was used incorrectly.

My magic isn't good or bad Alex. It's power. From my father and of our race. I think now... maybe that's why no one left. I and my sister, took some of that power with us, instead of letting it be reborn in the cycle.

If a human got that power. I don't know what it would truly do to them but it could turn them into a monster. I don't want to think the worst of anyone but... humans make choices and even if it's only half... that is too many. I couldn't risk it.

I hope that makes sense.

[11calls]

It does. We don't make the best of choices when we have power.

[Not even Alex herself.]

[unknownmoirai]

Yes.

The only blessing of this innocent was that no one got hurt.

[11calls]

At least that's something to be glad for.

[unknownmoirai]

I am glad. It could have gone worse... I would have felt horrible if I lead Taylor or Johnathan into a dangerous situation.

I had wanted to go alone but Johnathan seemed to think that I'd get kidnapped again.

[He'd probably been right too.]

[11calls]

[Alex thinks they were probably right too, honestly.]

They seem like good friends to have. I'm glad that you do.

[unknownmoirai]

Me to.. well, Taylor is dead.

It happened not to long ago but I know that Johnathan is out there and I am sure our paths will cross again.

[11calls]

Oh, I'm so sorry! What happened?

[unknownmoirai]

It's... a long story.

I have told you some about my sister... right?

[11calls]

Yeah, some of it.

[unknownmoirai]

She killed him through me.

So I-

I did it.

[11calls]

No. You never would have decided to do it, you never would have wanted to. That's not your doing, it's hers!

[unknownmoirai]

You say that but I felt it and...

If I hadn't been there then he'd still be alive. Maria... she only kills if I get attached to them. It's happened before then but I hadn't listened. It is my fault, even if she was the cause.

[11calls]

No, it's not. You're like... made of love, Angel. How can you not care about people? Just because she gets jealous of your being attached doesn't make it your fault!

[unknownmoirai]

I'm not made of love Alex.

[It really is a compliment that Alex thinks of her that way.]

And it's selfish of me to want to be close to people. I am only lucky that she hasn't been able to reach me here. [Yet.]

[11calls]

No, it isn't. Angel, do you remember a few months ago when you talked about how you were changing to become more human? Wanting to be close to people is something that is human on the most basic level. It's what humans are hard wired to do. There's nothing wrong with wanting to get close to people.

What's wrong is that she's trying to make it so that she's the only real connection in your life. That's abuse, even if it's your sister who's doing it!

[unknownmoirai]

Maybe but... that is the only way that she knows how to show that she cares.

Even if it hurts me.

I want to save her Alex. I can't think poorly of her.

[11calls]

Just because you think poorly of someone doesn't mean you have to leave her to her fate.

But that's not how someone cares about you, Angel. That's how someone manipulates you.

[unknownmoirai]

I know that but I love her. She is my sister- the only family that I have.

[Her voice softens to a pained whisper.]

I don't have anyone else Alex. After everyone is gone, my sister will be all that's left. I love her. I need her and I know she needs me, even if she is scared. I know that she loves me too.

[11calls]

[Alex just sighs, it's a soft but frustrated sound.]

I know. I'm sorry.

[And she is, because this is an incredibly shitty situation.]

But loving someone shouldn't mean hurting someone like that is so easy.

[unknownmoirai]

I don't know if it is easy.

I only know one side of the story. When I know everything, then I'll know what I need to do. Even if it ends up being difficult.

[11calls]

What happens if she comes here? Do you think that she'll give you the other side of the story?