Standing up, I brushed off the dirt and faced this dick head-on. “Hey? What's your problem?”
Of course, the bird didn’t talk back; it only tilted its head, and I swore it scoffed at me. “Look, just leave me and my two guys here alone. Okay?”
I flinched as it launched itself out of the tree. The other two doves making a lot of racket below me, but I had something to prove to this black dove, and I wasn't about to back down. It was just a dream, after all.
I didn't expect the dove to smash right into my chest. The force behind it was so strong that I fell backward, landing on my elbow as its claws tightened on my shirt. With the black dove right in front of my face, I couldn't help but growl, “Asshole dove.”
I caught it smiling -how the fuck can a beak smile?- before a familiar sensation scorched my skin at the center of my chest. While I knew what was happening, this one differed from the others. Fisting the grass, my whole body tensed up as the burn seared my skin, this time feeling more like a brand on my soul. Something about getting this one felt more intense, more complete. A strong, possessive line connected all three points inside my body.
The black doves' claws dug into my skin, and a whine slipped from my lips, the pain lasting longer than the other two. The white and gray doves were at my sides, rubbing their bodies along my arms. The white dove sent worry down our bond, but I didn't have the headspace to answer when it was consumed by the thoughts of fire licking a design on my chest.
Once the pain receded, the black dove hopped off me like it was nothing and stood off to the side. I could feel the black dove's eyes watching me, never taking them off me. Narrowing my eyes, I threw my chin up, trying to show the stupid bird I wasn't afraid of it, even if it was menacing.
Pulling my shirt down, I could barely see the outline of a closed fist. Now, what could that possibly mean? Of course, the mean, nasty dove gave me the violent branding. Dick.
Just as I was about to ask the three of them what the hell was going on, a deep, merciless growl vibrated from the forest line. All three doves snapped their heads in attention.
The trees in the forest swayed, almost like they were calling for me to come in and play, until a deep, bloodthirsty growl sounded, shaking the trees viciously with its vibrations. From what I had just heard, there was no way I was about to go in. Some kind of rabid beast lay inside those trees, and I had a feeling I would regret going inside the woods anyway.
The doves were with me then five seconds later they dove into the forest, wings furiously flapping like an invisible string tugged at them.
I just stood there for a second, confused by their sudden departure. Looking around, the whole space was now dark; the moon rays were the only light source shining down upon me, and a chill ran up my spine. Alone. I was now all alone.
“Wait… wait for me.” My shoulders slumped, old wounds resurfaced, and my voice sounded small and foreign, even to me. “Wait…wait for me.”
Fear bubbled up inside of me, only small little bursts at first. I glanced around and around, seeing nothing; no one was around, and the loneliness set in. Alone. That word bounced around in my head, and those little bubbles of fear grew and grew until my feet moved towards the tree, my mouth moving without thinking. “It looks dangerous.” The fear grew and grew until I was running, hand outstretched as the thought of those doves being eaten by the beast gnawed at my stomach, “No…please… please don’t go.”
I stepped through the tree line, like stepping into another world. The trees were all twisted, gnarled, like skeletal fingers crawling towards the sky. The air around me was heavy; the scent of damp earth and desperation clung to every surface. The trees were so dense above that no moonlight showed through the leaves; only shadows and figures ahead were what you could see.
Taking a step forward, I fell flat on my face, tripping on the chaotic tangle of roots and leaves. My head was strapped to the left as a rustle of leaves sounded beside me. I stayed still and waited, seeing if something would come out, but nothing happened. Whatever this place was, it was not a good one.
The urge to find my doves and get out of here filled my soul, and I pushed myself off the ground. This time, I kept my feet low and my steps quiet yet purposeful, not wanting to fall again and yet needing to press forward to find them.
Deeper and Deeper I went, my heart pounding harder, my trembling hands clawing through the thick air. I needed to find them. I needed to get them out. A snap came from behind me, and my breath came out in panicked gasps.
I felt eyes watching me, waiting, but they disappeared every time I tried to look around and find them. Something was hunting me, and I needed to get out.
“Little doves,” my shaky voice whispered, “come back.”
Nothing responded. Not a flutter of wings or a cooing of their voices. Dead, stagnant air circled me, and desperation started clawing at the back of my head. What if I never found them?
As dark thoughts began to consume me, blind me. I lost them. They’re gone. Falling to my knees, that flicker of hope I held onto was getting dimmer and dimmer. The weight of their absence pressed down on my chest, every breath shallow as thoughts spiraled downward into pits of doubt and anguish.
The ground felt so cold, so inviting, telling me to lie down and let the world take over, not to let my worries burden me. It sounded nice, those thoughts, and bit by bit, I surrendered, allowing the icy grip of despair to seep into all the corners of my brain.
Before I let go completely, something warm and inviting parted my lips. That warmth began to spread from my face, arms, and the front of my body. This warmth was like the sun kissing my skin; melting that inviting coldness, and showing me I had strength. I had the will to fight, to live. I clung to this warmth, the ray of hope that countered this dark maze, and never wanted to let it go.
I snuggled into the warmth like a blanket until the head spread between my thighs, and pleasure rolled around down below. It was a better alternative to the previous fear, so I grasped it, lifting me out of the darkness that only wanted my despair.
10
CEZAR
Ican't help but stare at my Romani beauty lying beside me in awe. This was the first time in my life that sleep wasn’t interrupted or plagued with nightmares or remembrances of the past. My head didn't feel like an overcrowded room filled with people who all wanted to be heard over my voice. Able to think with only one solid consciousness, and while it was a nice reprieve, it also felt… unnatural.
Taking a deep breath, relishing in the freedom to think and not be interrupted, not having someone else banging around to be heard. A sense of stillness settled over me, like I was a praying mantis on its leaf, barely moving around, just taking in the world around it. That is until my lady praying mantis takes my head off, but that's okay. Gently smoothing a wild strand behind her ear, I thought I wouldn't mind if she took off my head and ate it. It would be the sweetest ending to this miserable existence. A bonus would be that I could be a part of her forever. That sounded nice. What a pretty way to go.
Daydreaming about what it would be like to be inside her like that, her sweet lips parted, mumbling sweet nothings to me in her sleep.
