An Empty Darkness

Evany ran through the dark, gloomy forest, using only the silver gleams of the moon to guide her on the gravelly path. The scuffing of her heels against the pebbles crunched and echoed throughout the woods, making Evany panic at the thought of him listening in on her unnaturally loud footsteps. She couldn't run on the path any longer. Transferring onto the mossy coat of the forest floor, she forwent the electrical path that powered her heat clothes. In her eyes, being cold was better than losing her life. She sniffled as the cold wind bit through her thin jacket and stung her face.
After running a good twenty minutes into the trees, she sat down on a frost ridden rock to rest her exhausted muscles. Almost immediately, fatigue traveled and infected the sinews resting against her bones. Crystallized breath came out in weary pants that penetrated the brisk evening air, and she burst into messy tears.
         Tracks ran down her face where the salty water had left clean lines down her dirt-covered skin. God, please. Just help Carina and Karamat stay safe. Keep them from harm and uninjured in the very least. She sent out her prayer in hopes of getting the twins out of Laufeia and Daimon's hands. They were her lights on her darkest days, bringing her comfort when her back hurt from the cutting pain of the whip. She gingerly touched her latest lashing and winced. This time, Daimon was aiming for her vital organs, wanting to expose them to the shocking snow outside on the door step. Luckily, Karamat and Carina managed to distract him long enough for Evany to run out of the door with her prepared bag and escape the next stroke of clay shards and thorn vines. Shivering, she remembered the braid of vines that had the hard slivers woven into them. It was one of the many weapons that Daimon possessed.
         Evany couldn't help but wonder if the Gaean really accepted this. They promoted such peaceful conduct that it hardly seemed likely for such methods to even exist in homes such as hers. No, they would never allow that. Daimon just played behind the scenes, making up excuses about her muffled screams that could be heard on the surveillance camera in her house. He was never questioned about his psychopathic behaviors because of the fact that he was part of them. No one dared to probe into the life of one of the Heads. That resulted in exile. It was a respect concept. The Heads founded Gaea and made as few rules as possible, but increased the harshness of each punishment. It is said that the Heads loved Gaea so much that they wanted to keep as much violence out as possible. So why is Damion the only exception?
         A sharp pain shot out of the side of her waist. She tenderly lifted her shirt to allow her a solid view to her wound. Out of the gash, blood that was tinted black trickled out. The surrounding skin had turned an infectious shade of green. Evany bent down to the small stream next to her, started to wash out her laceration, and bit her lip in distress. A liquid that tasted like metal trickled down her throat from her teeth marks. Flashes of white had shown through her injury. She breathed sharply. The bone of her ribs showed through and gleamed against the soft glow of moonlight. She sighed, and searched through her bag for the marigolds that helped treat wounds. Grabbing the golden heads, Evany crushed the petals to make a poultice. She tore her shirt and wrapped it around her waist, already feeling the comfort of an answer to a problem.
         Silence surrounded Evany with the exception of the few insects buzzing about in their evening hunt. The stars shined down and congratulated her on her escape from her own prison and freedom into the wilderness. She happily smiled back at them and, for the first time in her life, felt pure joy. Tell the twins goodnight for me, my moon. Sleep pulled on her leg and tugged her into a peaceful blanket of darkness.

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         A girl with long, shiny ebony waves sat in the soft bed of flowers that laid on the grass before her. Violets, daisies, and dandelions popped up from the soil and showed their dew-covered faces to the clear blue sky. The sun's brilliant rays lit up the scene, leaving no speck of darkness to be found. A boy with emerald eyes had the same hair color as the girl in the middle and ran across to meet her. Laughter filled the breeze like wind chimes, creating a moment of sheer bliss that could never be rivaled. With both arms held out wide and ready for an embrace, she rushed back, almond eyes dancing with glee.
         A flash of lightning hit the ground with force and threw the two apart. The sun burned out, leaving them cold and in an empty darkness. Their screams echoed across the valley as two pairs of red, cat-like eyes glinted on the sky.
         Carina...Kamarat...

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         A sharp cry echoed throughout the forest, leaving birds of all kinds flying out of their nests in terror. Evany bolted upright at her newest dream only to be met by the same pairs of red eyes glinting in malice and hatred.
         "Mom. Dad." Evany acknowledged her two nightmares and surveyed her surroundings. She planned the quickest route of escape: Throw snow into their faces and escape with their bicycles that we-. She paused. Her eyes widened in confusion and worry. There they were - her twins. Her little siblings. Her pride and joy. Her purpose in life. There they were, tied to trees with the same vines that Evany greeted every night. Blood trickled down from the puncture points in their skin, the sticky liquid tracing intricate patterns onto their flesh. From the enemies' hands were blades, slightly pushed into their neck and wrists, enough to give them taste of excruciating pain, but not to kill them. Damion and Laufeia held arrows, tightly strung to the point where tension vibrated from the bow and onto their arms, against her temple, threatening to kill her and them if she did not cooperate.
         I love you so much. Evany closed her eyes and waited for the final blow that would end her suffering, and hopefully theirs too, for this was the only escape to what the world had become.