.: DANTE :.
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*******
It was raining again. It never seemed to stop anymore. Big, fat drops of water came lashing down from the miserable, grey sky, wetting everything below it. Sometimes, it wold be slush instead of rain; too cold to rain, too warm to snow. There was no sun anymore and if there ever was, it was brief, disappearing in the blink of an eye. The sky had become so dark; the only light on the streets were from the lampposts that bathed the streets it artificial colour.
Pain. There was pain everywhere. It was all I could see, all I could feel. I didn’t know why, though. What had happened to me? I groaned and tried to open my eyes but it was like they were glued closed. I tried to move my body, but my limbs wouldn’t respond to me. All I could do was stay still and let the rain fall on me.
I tried to remember what happened. However, all I got was darkness. I…couldn’t remember what I was doing. Or where I was. Or what happened to me. Nothing. It was all…black. Why couldn’t I remember anything? No matter how hard I racked my brain for an answer, it never came. I just kept getting blackness. And a headache.
Groaning again, I tried once more to open my eyes or at least move my arm. It was a struggle to do either but after what felt like a lifetime, my eyes opened ever so slightly. I couldn’t’ see much, just a sliver of the dark grey sky. I could smell though. I took a deep breath. The air smell like rain and grass and…
Burnt feathers.
Feathers? What the hell? I opened my eyes wide enough to where when I turned my head I saw something lying on the ground. It was black and the edges were burnt to a crisp but even then I could tell what they were. Feathers. What were feathers doing on the ground and why were they burned. Slowly, I picked one up from the ground and examined it closely. With further inspection, I noticed there was something else on the feathers. Some type of liquid. With a shock, I realized what it was.
Blood.
*******
A loud commotion woke me from my dream. My eyes flew open in a split second and I surveyed my surrounds for any type of danger. To my relief, and confusion, I saw Acacia leaning against the bed, breathing heavily. The events of yesterday flooded back into my mind. I remembered Acacia lying on the ground, going in and out of consciousness, her breathing laboured. I remembered finding her on the ground.
“Are you feeling okay?” I asked, genuinely concerned. She didn’t look at that fine. In fact, she looked weak and fragile.
“Oui, I’m fine.” Liar. Even as she tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, I could tell something was off about her. I could see it in her eyes. She seemed lees sure of herself and more…different, was the word for it. Sighing, I stood up and sat hesitantly at the edge of the bed.
“Are you sure? Do you need me to get you anything?” I had this overwhelming urge to help her again. Why do I keep having this? What….what was going on? Acacia didn’t’ seem to want my help, as usual.
“Arrêtez raffolant de moi,” She growled. “Je ne suis pas faible. Vous n'avez pas besoin pour m'aider.” I knew she was mad, she always seemed to be when someone offered to help her but I wasn’t surprised by that. In fact, I was growing tired of help. Why were women so stubborn? I sighed, suddenly tired.
“Why do you always do that?” I asked.
“What? Do what?”
“Every time someone tries to help you, you either deny it sharply or snap at them,” I said staring straight into her eyes. “You’re worse than Griffin.” At that, she seemed offended. Couldn’t blame her but it was true.
“How dare you compare me to that putain trou du cul,” I got her really mad. I was prepared for another outburst, or worse a punch in the face, but instead, and to my utter surprise, she just sighed and bowed her head.
“Je suis désolée. I shouldn’t be so rude. You’re just trying to be nice, and I appreciate it.” Wow. Was not expecting that. Well, at least she didn’t yell at me again. I smiled and patted her hand. After a few tense moments, she returned my smile.
“I’m glad you see things my way.” Was the only thing I could muster up. Now, she seemed a little bit more comfortable though something was still weighing on her mind. I would have asked her what she was thinking about but she cut me to the chase.
“When you brought me back here last night, you said something that’s been on my mind.” She said. I bit my lip, having an idea what she was talking about. I was surprised she remembered, considering everything that happened last night.
“Oh? And what would that be?” I asked.
“You... you know what? Never mind. I’m going back to sleep, and you should, too.” With that, she laid down on the bed again, curled her knees to her chest and closed her eyes. I felt…disappointed. I actually wanted to answer her. It bothered me that I didn’t get to tell her and a part of me wanted to tell her anyways. However, I thought better of it. I didn’t want to be injured…or even maimed. I liked my limbs and face how they were.
Sighing, I got up and, taking a glance back at Acacia, I left the room. I didn’t close the door all the way, though. I left it open enough to hear what she whispered under her breath. She whispered the question she avoided asking me to my face.
“You called me beautiful. Je voulais juste savoir pourquoi.” After that, there was silence in her room. I closed my eyes and leaned my back up against the door. I was right. I knew she wanted to ask me why I said what I did.
A few minutes passed and I didn’t move. After a while, my thoughts emptied, returning to the dream I had. I didn’t know why, but every time I thought about it, I had a deep feeling of déjà vu. It felt so…real. And familiar. But why? Why was it familiar? Why did I feel like it wasn’t…a dream? What…was it?
Sighing deeply, I pushed against the door and started walking down the hall with nowhere in mind. I was just….walking. Aimlessly. I began to wander to the main floor, where it didn’t look as much of a wreck as it was when we first saw it. The chandelier was back up and all of the rubble was gone. It was starting to look like a home. In my mind at least. I saw other members of the club all around the main floor. Some were talking to each other while others were just…off doing their own thing.
For some reason, something everyone’s been saying just hit me now. They all thought I was an Angel. Not a Fallen Angel. Just an Angel. Did they not notice the black wings, the way I seclude myself, how I never talk about myself? Maybe they all just assumed because I never told them otherwise. I groaned, knowing that it was going to have to come out sooner or later. Preferably, later. Explaining everything to them was not going to be easy. Hopefully, I could evade telling them. At least for a little while.
I was so deep in my thoughts, I didn’t notice someone walking in front of me until I bumped into them. I looked up to see it was the pain-in-my-*ss-who-hates-everyone Griffin. He glowered at me, a hateful and bored expression clearly evident in his eyes.
“Watch where you are going,” He growled through his teeth. I huffed and crossed my arms over my chest. Like he was going to tell me what to do.
“Humph. Whatever, oh great one,” I said, adding a little malic and sarcasm onto the last bit.
“Stop acting so superior to all of us. You’re not that special, Dragon boy.”
“It is Wyvern. Not Dragon.” He looked extremely p*ssed at that moment.
“Oh, did I hit a nerve? I’m sorry. Wait, no I’m not.”
“Do you have a death wish, Angel?”
“Do you?” I countered. Griffin only scoffed and backed off.
“In your dreams. How is Plant Girl doing?” He asked. Where did that come from? I narrowed my eyes in anger.
“Why do you care?” He shrugged.
“I do not. I am just wondering how she managed to not off herself by now. Seriously, she is so weak and fragile I could kill her--” His words were abruptly cut off as my fist made contact with his face. Hard. He staggered back and after the initial shock of it all, he look on his face gave new meaning to the phrase “If looks could kill”.
He looked completely murderous right then.
Without warning, he lunged toward me and slammed me up against the wall so hard I felt my teeth rattle. He then threw a right hook that landed on my jaw. I felt a definitive pop and I heard it too. He landed another few punches in my face, enough where he split my lip and my eyebrow. Mother f*cker. Before he could land another punch, I threw a right hook that hit him on the cheek. Taking that momentary distraction, I slipped away from the wall and came up behind Griffin.
He whirled around to face me with a bloodthirsty look in his eyes. Oh how I wanted to wipe that look off his face so bad. Apparently, he and I had the same fighting style because in a split second, our hands were around each other’s neck, trying to cut off the others air supply.
It was that exact moment that Akira came rushing into the room, cursing and growling.
“What the hell is going on here?” She screamed. When she saw Griffin and I clutching each other’s throats, she growled even louder and glowered over to us. She took one of Griffin’s exposed wings and, with what seemed like super strength, dragged him across the room and against a wall. I was about to laugh when she came over to me and kicked me straight in the ribs, sending me flying against the other wall.
“What the f*ck happened?” She yelled again though it was directed at Griffin. Groaning and clutching my stomach, I slowly got up.
“I’ll let him explain everything, though I’m pretty sure you’re going to have to pop his jaw back into place.” I barely managed to get out. That kick knocked the wind out of me so bad; it was hard to even walk up the stairs. It was hell to walk up to the third floor but finally, after what felt like hours, I finally made it up the stairs in one piece. Panting and in excruciating pain, I made my way to Acacia’s room where, when I opened the door, I saw she was sleeping soundly on the bed, curled up on her side.
She looked so…peaceful it made me envious. For once, it didn’t look like she was having a nightmare and I was grateful for that, however it happened. I was glad she wasn’t screaming in her sleep, for once.
A thought entered my mind without warning.
What if I told Acacia that I wasn’t an Angel? How would she react? Would she understand…Or would she freak out and never talk to me again? I guess I could understand if she didn’t want to talk to me after that. Just…a part of me…wanted to tell someone. Anyone. Still, she was the only one I was semi-close to. I was friendly with Sebastian but he’s God-knows-where right now.
I wanted to tell Acacia. I….needed to.
Before I could change my mind, I searched for a piece of paper and a pen. The minute I found one, I leaned on the dresser and began to write;
Acacia,
I need to tell you something. Meet me in the garden as soon as you wake up. When you feel better, of course.
-Dante
P.S. To answer your question; Because you are.
Placing the note next to her, I put the pen on the end table and made my way over to the window. I did not want to try and walk back down the stairs because I knew it would take me forever. Instead, I decided to fly. I slowly unbuttoned my shirt and hung it over the edge of the chair. Letting my wings unfurl, I opened the window and prepared to get out. Behind me, Acacia stirred in her sleep. Before she had a chance to wake up, I jumped out the window and took to the air.
I felt like years since I went for a fly for fun. The last time I remember flying, I was jumping out a plane with Acacia in my arms. It wasn’t exactly the best flight of my life. I flew higher enough to where I could see above the trees. The mansion was bigger than I originally thought. It was….beautiful. I could see the entire stretch of land from up there. The top of the mansion, the garden, the trees, the pool, everything. I loved it. It was…peaceful and calming.
Flying all around the land, I didn’t stop until my wings started to get sore. I was probably only flying for about a few minutes. The reason they started hurting was probably because they were still sore from the plane ride and everything else. So, slowly descending, I made my way to the garden and landed right under a large oak tree with a thump. I leaned against the trunk and just…waited.
I didn’t know why I chose that tree or why I decided just to sit outside and wait for Acacia. Maybe it was because I had time to thin what I was going to say to her and how I was going to explain it to her. This wasn’t going to be easy. A part of me was afraid that once I told her everything, she would not want anything more to do with me. It was a risk….that I was going to have to take. Someone needed to know. I needed someone to know.
While I waited, I took my iPod out form my pocket and put in my heads phones. Leaning my head against the tree trunk, I turned my iPod on and let it play on shuffle. Apparently, my iPod had a built in irony machine because the first song that came on was Halestorm’s I’m Not An Angel.
You made a mistake
On the day that you met me and lost your way
You saw all the signs
But you let it go
You closed your eyes
I should've told you to leave
Cause I knew all the time you couldn't handle me
But you're hard to resist
When you're on your knees begging me
[CHORUS]
I tear you down
I make you bleed eternally
Can't help myself
From hurting you and it's hurting me
I don't have wings so flying with me won't be easy
Cause I'm not an angel, I'm not an angel
I hate being that wall
That you hit when you feel like you gave it all
I keep taking the blame
When we both know that I'll never change
[CHORUS]
I wasn't always this way
I used to be the one with the halo
But that disappeared when I had my first taste and fell from grace
It left me in this place
Now I'm starting to think maybe you like it
[CHORUS]
I'm not an angel
Somewhere in the middle on the song, I bowed my head and started staring and the ground. Why did all my music relate to me in some way? I wish I had an answer for that but I didn’t. Suddenly, I felt a few taps on my shoulder that caused me to jump from my skin. My head shot up and I turned to see Acacia standing there with her head cocked to her side. Her mouth moved but I couldn’t understand what she was saying. I quickly pulled out my headphones and looked at her.
“I’m sorry, what did you day?” I asked.
“I said, hi. What did you want to talk to me about” She asked. There it was; the point of no return. Sighing, I met her eyes.
“You…might want to sit down.” I suggested, gesturing in front of my. She looked confused but sat down cross-legged in front of me. There was silence. I didn’t know how to start.
“It can’t be that bad. It’s not like you murdered someone,” She joked. If only she knew, which soon she was going to. I looked at her straight in the eyes to show her how much those words meant. A few seconds later, a looked passed on her face that told me she knew what I meant.
“Dante?” She asked, a mix on concern and worry dripping from my name.
“Imnotanangel.” I rushed out without a breath. Acacia looked at me, confused.
“What did you say?” I sighed and calmed down a little bit, enough to where I could form a coherent sentence.
“I’m not an angel,” There was a dead awful silence that followed my words. She looked…stunned, like what I was saying was just a joke. I think a part of her knew it wasn’t, though. She leaned closer to me, like she was going to say something. Then, I felt a sharp pain across my face and realize she just backhanded me.
“You lied to me?” She screamed, clearly angered by my confession. She backhanded me again and even started punching my chest. For a while, I let her and didn’t try to stop her. She had a right to. After a few minutes of being punched and slapped, I grabbed her hands to stop her assault.
“Acacia!” I yelled, getting her attention. She looked up at me, anger and frustration evident in her eyes. “Please, let me explain.” I was almost begging. I just wanted her to understand. I needed her to. There was more silence as she contemplated the idea. Then, she sighed and sat back, crossing my arms over her chest.
“I’m listening,” She said stiffly. At least she was going to listen. I took a deep breath and braced my arms on my knees.
“Where do you want me to start?” I asked, nervous and worried at what I was about to say.
“The beginning. I want to know everything.” I took another deep breathe before I started.
“First off, let me just say I never lied to you or to anyone. Everyone assumed that because I had wings and wasn’t like Griffin, that I was an Angel. I used to be an Angel. For the longest time I was an Archangel, one of the highest there ever was. I was as high as Gabriel and Michael had ever been and I was almost better than they were. No one knew why. I just…was. Then, one day, I woke up in the middle of the street surrounded by bloody feathers. My memory was erased. I couldn’t remember who I was or what I was doing there. No matter how hard I tried to remember, it never came. I couldn’t even remember my own name. It was probably the second worst day of my life.”
“It took me a few days to find out I was somewhere in Italy near the ocean. I was living on the street trying to find out who I was and what to do. After a few months, I was approached by a man named Alessandro. He claimed that he knew who I was and gave me a place to stay. That day, he told me my name was Dante Viturrori de Roma, the son of his two best friends. He showed me pictures of my parents holding me in their arms. Finally, I had some idea who I was. For years, he let me live with him, teaching me the things I missed, talking about my parents, home-schooling me because there were things I didn’t know. Everything was starting to feel normal again.”
“That was, until the day I found out what I was. I was walking home from a late night out when I suddenly got a horrible pain in my head. Pictures started running through my mind. Pictures of my family covered in blood, me with wings that were as white as snow, a man who I never knew being killed by my own hand. I went home as told everything to Alessandro. It was then, and only then, that he told me everything.”
“He told me I was a Fallen Angel and that the reason I fell from Heaven was because fell in love with a Human. In Heaven, that was about the second worst thing anyone could ever do. The first, was making love to a Human. As it turned out, she was pregnant with a Nephilim, the offspring of an Angel and a Human. They were considered a danger to the Angels so they did the only thing they thought they could; they killed her. They killed her and made me watch every moment of it. That was the main reason they cast me out.”
“The thing I did that made them think about it was the fact that I killed an innocent man. The thing is, he wasn’t exactly innocent. He killed my brother, Lorenzo, who I couldn’t even remember, in cold blood. No one knew why he just did. I needed revenge, I craved it. So, I got it. After I fell in love with Mia, the Human, that was when they cast me out. It didn’t end there, though. As punishment, they erased my memory and killed my family. And as a reminder of everything I caused, they turned my wings black.”
“The day he told me everything was the worst day of my life. It showed me that I was alone in the world. I had no family and if I did, I couldn’t remember them. I had no one. I…have no one. That’s why I didn’t tell anyone different than what they thought. I…didn’t want it to change how anyone already thought of me. All I wanted was…someone that wouldn’t judge me because I was a Fallen Angel. I still don’t want that.”
Finally, I took a deep, shaky breath. There it was, out in the open. I didn’t realize I had tears in my eyes until I felt them fall down my face before I could stop them. For once, I didn’t want to stop them, I just let them flow freely. I didn’t even look up at Acacia. I didn’t want to see the judgemental and horrified look on her face that everyone had after I told them my past. I couldn’t bear to see that again.
“Feel free to leave. I wouldn’t blame you.”
Why was I always so alone?
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Hey, everyone! Sorry for the delay for posting. I;ve been having trouble at home and I've been at driving school. Here's Dante's PoV of things. ANd the cliffhanger I made expecially for WyvernWings. ;) So, pleace comment on how I did!!!!!!!
