Remnya

Pale lamp posts covered by moths flashed before Remnya's eyes as she floated through the cold waters of her dreams. In the distance, a hollow moon followed her journey along with its faint stars. The breeze against her hair and skin reminded her she was still alive, yet she couldn't tell whether it was real or another illusion.

As the senses of her body slowly returned, Remnya felt a presence looming over her. Someone carried her in their arms and dragged her toward the unknown. Powerless, a weight oppressed Remnya's chest as if a massive rock had dropped on her, but numb like a doll, she couldn't turn her head to discover who owned her fate.

Silhouettes emerged among the darkness of an empty street, and from behind the shadows, lifeless pupils watched her steps, gloomy stares that vanished into nothingness.

Remnya managed to discern the broken faces of strangers, lingering in the night like wandering ghosts. As the remnants of society, homeless people were scattered on every corner. A large bunch gathered around an abandoned store, sharing syringes and substances. Others lay still on the sidewalk, alive or dead, she didn't know, but their eyes begged for mercy.

Crossing an alley, the faces of a misfit made her shiver. He stood next to a faceless woman and smoked from a pipe. They murmured something, but she couldn't decipher their words.

Feeling her soul trying to escape her body, Remnya saw the world spinning around her, but before she could understand her fate, consciousness left her body again.

Void and silence.

The reality turned into a dreadful game where her mind was her only enemy, tricking her into truths and lies. Remnya couldn't differentiate life from death, dreams from nightmares; everything was a puzzle of emotions battling to win over her broken soul.

Run East and never stop.

Voices echoed in the distance, but deprived of her senses, Remnya couldn't understand them. They drilled her brain over and over for minutes, hours, or perhaps days.

She knew nothing.

At one point, her heart finally rested, and the shadows from the past gave her a break.

Run East and never stop.

In the middle of a void, Remnya opened her eyes.

Her ears buzzed, and her blurry vision turned into an incandescent white glow burning her pupils. She squinted and blinked several times until her surroundings began to make sense. The first thing she saw was her own body lying on a bed, covered by a green blanket, and an intravenous line injected into her left arm.

A pungent odor of alcohol filled her nose, making her flinch while the beep of a machine echoed in the back of her head. The next thing she witnessed was the large room around her and the fluorescent lights flickering on a cracked ceiling.

"I'm glad you're awake, Rem," a soothing female's voice said.

Remnya turned to her right and lifted her eyes to find a pale lady standing by her side. She wore a white doctor's coat, and thick-rimmed glasses hid her gray eyes. Her pale beige hair touched her shoulders as her lips twisted into a smile.

No way.

It cannot be her.

"Ellyn?" Remnya murmured, her dry lips barely moving.

The woman said nothing and rushed to her side, wrapping her into a warm embrace. Sobs filled Remnya's ears and triggered a hurricane of memories in her mind. Even that obnoxious vanilla perfume hadn't changed at all.

It was Ellyn.

Unable to move, Remnya allowed her tears to stream down her cheeks like a torrent of pain and nostalgia.

"I'm so happy to see you alive, Rem!" Ellyn shouted, sniffling and squeezing her body with her skinny arms. "Please, forgive me!" Her voice turned into a shriek full of sorrow.

Remnya tried to answer, but words didn't dare to come out of her trembling lips. She heard 'Sorry' over and over again until words lost their meaning. An avalanche of emotions choked her with doubts and regrets. At one point, she had blamed herself for Ellyn's death, yet she was there.

Something nasty and heavy lifted off her shoulders.

Ellyn released Remnya and stared deep into her eyes. "I'm sorry for everything. I have no enough words to express how much I've regretted each one of my mistakes," Ellyn stuttered as she wiped her tears and nose with a handkerchief. "But whatever I feel doesn't matter anymore. Right now, I need to know how you're feeling."

Remnya had had no time to care about her body; she had forgotten she even existed until that moment. Her senses gradually returned as she tried to figure out whether she was alive or sharing the afterlife with Ellyn. Remnya still remembered the pain from her broken arm and legs, but trying to move them, she realized the pain was gone. Unable to find words, she nodded.

"I'm so glad," Ellyn said with a trembling voice while a smile spread across her face. "You had been unconscious for weeks. I've been praying every day for you to wake up." She adjusted the needle on her arm and gave her a tender look. "I'm sure you must have tons of questions, but it's better if you rest now."

Remnya took a moment to scan Ellyn from head to toe. Her usual bored eyes displayed deep sorrow mixed with a hint of hope, her body was skinnier than ever, and scars covered her arms and neck.

"I thought you were dead," Remnya whispered, lifting her broken arm to touch Ellyn's hand, which surprisingly didn't hurt anymore. "I'm sorry too."

Ellyn shook her head and took her hand tightly between hers while tears trailed down her cheeks. "It was all my fault. I was blinded by money and greed. Everything that happened afterward, I deserved it."

"No, nobody deserves that." Remnya raised her voice and scowled. "It wasn't your fault! I would've gone through the same either way. They had targeted Zeo and me from the day we were born. I know that."

"Still . . . " Ellyn averted her eyes and sniffled. "I helped with it, I . . . "

"I already forgave you for it!" Remnya cut her off and gripped her hand with all her strength. She leaned closer despite the dizziness and pain drilling her head. "Ellyn. Please don't apologize anymore. Let's leave the past behind, at least for today."

Ellyn nodded, hiding her tears, and leaned over to hug her again. Remnya caressed her back, feeling her bones and weak flesh. Despite her mistakes, Remnya concluded she was just another victim in that horrible world. The faces of the monsters who used them as toys for their wicked games flashed in her memory, and anger wanted to erupt from her soul. Yet, she brushed those negative thoughts away.

"Why are you here, Ellyn?" Remnya asked as her brain tried connecting the dots of her puzzle. "It's dangerous being around me."

"I work here," Ellyn replied, sitting on the bed next to Remnya. "He brought you here, and I was more than happy to help you recover." She beamed at her, warming Remnya's heart which now beat faster.

"He? Who is he?" Remnya held Ellyn's hand and stared deep into her eyes.

Ellyn's smile turned into a serious look. "I think you should ask him yourself."

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The door clicked and opened, allowing a gush of wind into the room.

. . .

A tall figure walked in.

Remnya lifted her gaze to witness an unknown yet familiar face, the same one she had seen in the forest.

It was him.

Remnya couldn't forget those sunset eyes nor the scars covering his cheeks like whiskers. In the light of her room, she saw his Anglish ears clearly and his unreadable expression that emanated such imposing energy that seemed to crush her small body.

She scowled at him.

Only the beats of her heart resounded in her head.

"Why did you help me?" Remnya asked, clenching her fists around the blanket.

Silence.

He tilted his head and took an eternal moment to answer. "I saw a defenseless child in danger. I just did what I had to do," he replied, his voice a rasp of tranquility and confidence.

Remnya glared at him. "I don't believe you!"

"Remnya. . ." Ellyn whispered, almost pleading, and shook her head.

Remnya paid no attention to her; her fire had begun to consume her body. "Too many defenseless children are tortured every day!" She raised her voice, frustration filling her throat. "Why me out of all? Is it because I have horns, isn't it?"

Unexpressive, he gazed into her eyes, looking into her soul in search of lies, truths, and perhaps an answer. He crossed his arms and took another long break before replying. "A lot of people wanted to protect you. She's one of them." He gestured with his chin at Ellyn, who lowered her eyes as if terrified of him. "And that other young woman too."

Remnya widened her eyes. "Young woman?"

Silence.

"Maria," he replied, his voice echoing throughout the silent room and hitting Remnya like a punch.

"No. . . That can't be." Her body stiffened as a cold shiver ran down her spine. She scanned that man from head to toe in awe and confusion. "That means you are. . ."

He nodded and sauntered over to her bed. "Yes, my name is Debrin Kavram." He stood next to Ellyn, towering over them with his sunset eyes locked on Remnya, and stretched his giant hand at her. "It's nice to meet you, Remnya Scheduna."

*°*°*

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Zeo

Metal and concrete walls surrounded the small room where Zeo had spent his last weeks. A plate of food lay on a corner, engulfed by cockroaches and flies. On the opposite side, a dirty rag on the floor worked as his bed. Two tenuous LED lights on the ceiling kept the shadows from consuming the rest of his cage, covered by several layers of mold, dried blood, and rust.

Silence kept Zeo company in his isolation, only interrupted by the screams of agony echoing in the distance. Sometimes they lasted minutes, sometimes hours, but they always vanished before midnight.

Despite his reality, Zeo's heart remained at peace, knowing Remnya would make it.

That's all it mattered.

Since his captors had considered it unnecessary to chain him, he could roam around the room freely. However, Zeo spent most of his days seated in the darkest corner, solely focused on the void of his mind.

One day, the door opened, and the massive figure of Edo walked in. The beast loomed over him, an eye patch covering half his face and a leather glove hiding his missing fingers. He hadn't dared to touch him ever since that incident and always avoided eye contact, yet Zeo could feel the fury burning in his veins, ready to end his life at any moment.

"Get up, we're leaving," Edo spat, picking up the unfinished food with trembling hands; bloodlust seemed to drip through his skin.

Not today, Zeo thought, standing up. He'd get to live another day.

They left the cell and walked through the dungeon corridor. Cobwebs hung from buzzing fluorescent lights that covered the ceiling in a long line that faded into darkness. Doors with big number plates gleamed on each side, caging those who had dared to challenge The Hunters but were deemed valuable enough to live.

The smell of death lingered around Zeo like a thick mist of rotten flesh and bones, accompanied by faint moans of agony crawling through the cracks of the walls. Rats and cockroaches crossed under their feet as they arrived at the end of the corridor.

"This way," Edo said, his deep penetrating voice resounding in Zeo's chest.

Like a robot, Zeo followed every command without thinking. He knew that shutting down his brain was the best way to survive and keep some sanity in hell.

They crossed a large courtyard that separated the cells of each dorm. Unlike the mansion, the grass of that place looked lifeless, pale green with hints of dry yellow that crunched under his bare feet. Trees on the verge of falling apart spread along the pathway. The only song of nature around them came from crows and hawks, feeding on bones and rotten flesh left there after an execution.

Crossbreeds and humans deserved nothing better. That's what Edo always said.

The next corridor was not better, but the smell of death was fainter. They walked up to cell number thirty-three, and Edo dialed the code to unlock it.

As the massive iron door screech made Zeo cringe, a familiar face emerged amid that gloomy room. His heart and blood froze at the sight of his downfall.

"I believe you know this lady," Edo said, giving him a sidelong glance, a hint of mockery on his face.

She raised a melancholic gaze at Zeo, and her eyes filled with tears. The sight felt like a punch to the face, but Zeo did his best to keep his emotions inside; displaying weakness would mean his demise.

Maria?

They found Maria.

Clenching his fists and avoiding eye contact with her, Zeo spoke, "I don't know her."

Edo stifled a chuckle and tilted his head, staring at him for a moment. "She's the maid who worked in Ronner's mansion, isn't she?" Edo leaned closer to inspect his face. "We know everything, stupid crossbreed. She's the one who escaped to find Debrin Kavram. Back in the day, one of the Doman's brothers told us everything about it, along with other interesting details."

Edo sauntered to Maria, who stood still against the cracked wall, trembling with her eyes locked on Zeo.

"Did you find him?" Edo asked her.

Maria swallowed and slowly turned to him. "I didn't," she murmured.

Edo shook his head in disappointment. "Lying won't get you anywhere, little human." He returned to Zeo, towering over him with his gaze piercing his soul. "You can stay here with her. Our captain is a merciful and generous man." Edo leaned on and shoved his face against Zeo's, hitting his forehead. "He is the only reason you're still alive, crossbreed."

Finally, that monster headed back to the door and locked the cell. His boots resounded outside for what felt like hours until they faded into the cold silence. Yet his presence lingered in the room for a long time.

Zeo stood frozen in one corner of the room, refusing to look at her, fighting the stupid emotions crawling in his insides, trying to break free into a tempest of terror and misery.

Maria made the first move and took two steps forward, tears trailing down her cheeks. She was a shadow of what Zeo remembered; she wore a dirty T-shirt and old ripped jeans worn out because of time. Her short hair was longer than ever, way past her shoulders.

"Zeo, it's okay . . . " she murmured, slowly walking closer. "We did everything we could."

Zeo gritted his teeth and buried his fingernails into his skin, drawing blood.

It's not okay!

"They know everything about us now. There's nothing else we can do." She stood in front of him, searching for his eyes. "But know Rem is safe now," she whispered in his ear, "I found him."

Zeo widened his eyes, finally looking at her. Her soul hadn't changed; her lavender eyes were still as beautiful as ever.

"He promised me to help her," she assured him, smiling.

He didn't know when or why but driven by an impulse, Zeo wrapped his arms around Maria, pulling her against his chest, embracing her as tightly as he could. She did the same, hugging him as she sobbed uncontrollably.

"Why didn't you run away?" Zeo asked, squeezing her malnourished body. He could feel the bones of her spine through her thin skin.

Silence.

"Because I made Lady Magenta a promise," Maria whispered, caressing his back. "Debrin offered to protect me, but I still had one more thing to do. I returned to the mansion."

"WHY?" Zeo shouted, pulling away to stare deep into her teary eyes. "Why did you choose this fate? Why?" His angry heart craved an answer.

"Because I had to," she replied calmly, leaving Zeo without words. He released her body and stood still with his gaze lost into nothingness.

"You know," she started, grabbing Zeo's cold hands between hers, "Lady Magenta made me everything I am today. She gave me a reason to live, she took care of me when I needed it the most." Maria tightened her lips and narrowed her eyes into a serious expression. "I had to fulfill her last wish."

Zeo took a deep breath, his hands trembling with anger and frustration. "Wasn't her last wish for you to live and be happy?"

Maria nodded. "That's true, but . . . " Her eyes flickered with a hint of anger. "I could never be happy knowing the monster who took her baby and her dreams is walking this world unpunished."

Zeo's jaw dropped, and then he stuttered his next question, "I thought Ronner had killed the ones who did that to her."

Maria shook her head as she squeezed his hand tightly. "Ronner did kill most of the men who attacked her that night, but . . . " She began trembling, and sweat covered her palms. "The main perpetrator who used her as a toy for his friends' entertainment and himself is still alive."

"Is he here?"

She nodded. "If what Debrin Kavram said is true, not only he's here, he's the head of this disgusting organization, hiding under the facade of protecting the life of this world." Maria sobbed, and her whole body shuddered. The joy Zeo knew in her eyes was long gone. "He's the leader of The Hunters, the true and only monster who has played with each one of us from the day we were born."

The last piece of the twisted puzzle of life and death fit perfectly in Zeo's brain, and the light of wisdom seemed to open his eyes once and forever. He recalled the words of that man he killed: he spoke the truth.

Zeo pulled Maria against his chest, embracing her trembling body tightly next to his furious heart.

"No matter what," Maria murmured between sobs, "they can not know where Debrin Kavram's hideout is. Promise me, Zeo . . . Remnya's life and Magenta's dreams depend on his success. Everything will fall apart if they find him."

. . .

"They'll never know."

Zeo didn't need to think his words.

That truth would die with him.

*°*°*