I'm no coward.
I promised myself.
Blasts ring through the hall.
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My parents, worried, managed to drag me out of my solitude to attend a concert. Not one I particularly cared for, the indigo chicks. Still, for my parents, I would try. to my surprise the experience was pleasant, even enjoyable, if I were to be honest. Their beats, on seemingly improvised instruments, somehow created a movement that could stir me.
Discordant flashes and bangs. The screams started, as did the stampede. I followed. Bashing against the humanity surrounding me as I continued , past a door, and into a backstage hallway.
The emergency exit, a beacon in front of us. Our leaders clashed against its handle and face, and us against them. Locked, or blocked.
Our bruises were forgotten as we tried to make sense of the obstacle and our terror.
STOP. The command threw us temporarily out of our panic. We are safe here, implored the well-dressed old man. His suit, navy, clearly silk, threaded tight, tailored to exacting standards. I stilled, as did the others, shocked into compliance. Silence graced our group. Not for long. Harsh pops and screams break through the door we had come through.
We have to get out! pleaded a woman to my left.
Gesturing to a burley man close to me, the well-dressed man commanded, You there, break that box, get the fire axe, and break this door down! Smashing the glass, the man grabbed the axe, a few clamoring to get out of his path to the door.
BANG, BANG, SNAP. The lock was broken, then straining against the door. It's blocked! Others rushed in to push against the door, testing the terrible truth.
We can't get through. Oh god, we are stuck here! The middle-aged burley man sobbed as he slumped to the floor.
As panic and despair flowed through us, I thought to be thankful that my parents or brother weren't here, instead giving the tickets to me. Too damaged to have a date to bring, but a part of me is rejoicing that I could face this terror in place of them. I just hope they never think to blame themselves for this. It's clearly not their fault.
I'm no coward.
Look, let's do what we can and hunker down here. Whoever is behind this is probably busy with others out there, the well-dressed man said while gesturing to the door we came through.
Snap! Snap! Reports from guns sounded louder and louder. Shortly after, i cowered as I heard the handle shake on that door.
Dammit, Look, they are coming! Let's rush them as they come! I said, shocked.
Staring at the men surrounding me. A few met my gaze.
Another Snap! louder, this time ringing in my ears. The handle on the door I was staring at blurred as the mechanisms gave way to lead.
Too suddenly, I ran. giving my all to reach the opening door and beyond. Thankfully, some of my fellows followed.
Falling and skidding against the concrete below, why aren't I moving? PAIN. NUMBNESS, SHOUTING! Blackness encroached as I watched my fellows continue to rush the foe.
I'm no coward.
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Waking, maybe.
Where am I?
Dark, comfortable, and floating. and it fades. Slowly thoughts... it fades...
Cycles, nearly waking then fading, What is this?
At some point, real thoughts of self came to me. A sense of time.
I realized my thoughts in a warm, comfortable ocean without pain or sight.
This is confusing. I think therefore I am. Yet I can't determine how or where I exist.
PAIN, NO NUMBNESS, YELLING! Light invaded. My world blurry.
And I screamed!
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Held warm and tight. I listened. The giant soft comforting thing rocking me, cooing sweet nothings. Such warmth and kindness. Love? Yes, and I felt it. Later, my stomach cramped, and I screamed. Warmth again, softness, and sweet ambrosia. I had to work for it, my mouth clamping and sucking. obtaining little bursts of sweetness. I continued until I felt I could stomach no more. Releasing myself into dreams of comfort.
So time to face facts, despite falling asleep, being hungry, or needing to release myself. I've realized I'm a baby. Clearly, I died, and somehow my memories resurfaced in some form. Throughout the days, months? I managed to identify the warm comfortable softness and cooing as my mother. But there was something I could not figure out. Even through foggy vision, why did she have long, sharp ears?
After months of blurry vision, I stared at my mother. beautiful, like a classic model. Her hair was a lustrous blond, tinged with red. Ears long and pointed. Loving eyes so deep, true, and blue. I lost myself in them and felt unconditional love. With this, I couldn't help but think that, for a sinner like me, this must be heaven.
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So now I know so much more. My graceful, loving mother, Amelia. At least that's the closest translation to English. I have also, of course, met my father. Dark violet-haired, with ears to match my mother. A thick, dark violet beard that tickled my face when he kissed my cheeks. I could not help but smile, even though it was itchy. I swear there was no giggling involved. Don't ask my parents ever. And if you do, they are lying!
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My mother and sister warned me, but I thought I could handle it easily. It hurts! Agony with cramp after cramp coming in waves. Each one was greeted by my smiling mother, who told me to breathe and push. Dammit mom! Can't you see your daughter is suffering? How dare you smile? If gehenna is real, this must feel like it.
How does it hurt so much, and why is it taking so long? I looked over to the bastard holding my hand. How could you do this to me? I thought you loved me, Tanniv? How could you do this to me? Glaring into his violet-shifting eyes, I clamped his hand as hard as I could, digging my nails in. I'll teach you, you rotten *********.
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Damn I grimaced, glancing towards my hand. It had gone numb some minutes ago, but somehow now it looks to be bleeding. This bewitching fae beauty! Why do I love her so much? Disregarded words from my father echoing in my head. "Son when you knock up your wife, make sure you go out on a hunt when she is delivering. Oh, they say they want us there. Well, let me tell you. When you were born, your mother nearly twisted my hand off. Thankfully, it was still attached. I had to go to Eshla Ilya to find a healer who could properly mend the shattered bones! Delivering wives are worse than the forest beasts looking to inflict revenge for any pain or slight!"
Clearly, in the future, I need to respect my father's wisdom.
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I Pushed and breathed, pushed and breathed. For hours. Constant cramps and pain. Like spikes of cold fire, pressure beyond what i could comprehend. Even now. At the peak of my suffering finally the time came while My mother and Nienna quickly helped guide my baby out. Heavy fatigue hit me but i needed to see my child, see that they were well. Wow they could wail!
Tiredly calling out for my child I watched them be wiped and wrapped in the softest cloth we have. You have have a beautiful daughter, beautiful daughter of mine, my mother exclaimed beamingly while bringing her to me and placing her against my chest.
I clutched her then, all gentleness, trepidation, and somehow fear. She looked so crinkled but was still my light, my little one. I hugged and rocked her and soon after feed her for the first time. My heart broke and managed to reform. And I knew, my heart was hers, my little girl. At some point my husband was ushered back in. Pacing incessantly while staring at us, his face a incomprehensible mix of joy and terror. Held near the door for a few moments while my mother and Nienna explained the condition of my daughter and I. He hurried over, dipped down and embraced us, stroking our daughter's head gently. My strained heart and soul breathing a sigh of relief. Maybe i can stand this bastard after all...
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After what seemed like hours of screams, each one shattering my soul a little more, i finally heard loud wailing. My child announcing to the world that they had arrived! impatiently pacing near the door I contemplated barging in. Thankfully a few minutes later my wife's mother opened the door and ushered me in.
How are they! They are fine right? Tell me they are fine! pacing I pleaded.
Get yourself under control! My daughter and grand daughter are both well. She will need to some time to recover and feed the child. You can see them for a short while though and there is another bed here so you can stay near. Hurrying to my family's side I bent down and embraced them. My wife's face blotched red, gleaming with sweat, her eyes and cheeks wet with tears but more radiant than ever. And my little girl. Words fail, a miracle of light. Tentatively I reached down and stroked her head. And I promised myself I would protect them forever.
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