Sleepless Nights

Beaten

2009-11-13T05:08:50Z

When I arrived at the mansion I would have to learn to call home I was not greeted by warm friendly smiling faces but by an old human man’s stern face. I knew that most of my belongings had already been taken here so I only had a small backpack when I arrived. I stepped out of my uncles black limo and the second I closed the door the driver drove away without a second glance. I couldn’t blame the man, I wanted to leave already as well.

Instead I walked up to the ugly white wrinkled face of the servant that waited in front of the large ornate door to the house. The door made the man look small and I knew that I must seem even smaller in front of its intimidating doors. I still tried to conjure up a smile when I looked up at the human who stood in front of me. Instead of being greeted with a smile in return the wrinkles between his brow grew deeper as he frowned down at me. I let my smile fade away as the man turned opening the door. I followed the old servant around the mansion as he would tell me what rooms were which, nothing more and nothing less until we reach a door on the third floor where we stopped.
“This is your room, your parents will meet you at their convenience. I suggest you keep everything clean, unless you wish to be punished severely.” and with that he turned and left me in front of my charcoal colored bedroom door.
I walked inside after quietly opening the door revealing a spacious white room. I stepped inside onto the cool wood floor with a feel that I had just stepped into a new life. The room was empty of anything to give comfort, all it held was a large bed with white linens, a dresser and desk that looked the same color of the floor, and a wood door that led to a white full bathroom with a large walk-in closet. I walked over to the single window and opened it slightly letting sunlight and a cool fall breeze in.

I stood there for a while welcoming the cool wind of a dying summer and intruding winter to lightly pat my face. After sometime I walked to my bed with my bag taking out a picture of my mother, father, and I when we were at the beach the past summer. I sighed with a smile as I fell lightly on my back holding the picture to my chest. I watched the ceiling as I had just a few days earlier waiting for my parents to return home which they never did, and never will. It had not been but a week but I felt as if years had passed. I couldn’t explain it but just that feeling made it harder for me to breathe and brought tears to my eyes. I let the tears slide silently down my cheeks as I clutched the photo closer to me.

I closed my eyes to remember even in more clarity my parents faces during happier times. My mother would always have a gentle smile on her cream colored face. Her gentle personality was evident in her eyes that twinkled brightly whenever her smile grew, eyes that many say I inherited from her. She was a person who found joy in everything and would often spend time in our garden admiring the beauty of nature letting her light robin egg colored hair move with the wind. My father loved her so much that whenever he looked at her his face would light up with a grin. His icy blue eyes often sparkled with mischief and he would toss his head back when he laughed, his slightly shaggy deep blue hair thrown back from his handsome pale face. Hair that I also possessed and was deeply proud of.
The memories brought back more and more of the people I loved so much, but I also now remembered their demeanors and how they would act if they saw me now. My mother would scold me in her soft melodic voice.
“My sweet little Yasou,” she would hold me close smiling down at me, “darling how can you be sad, you are alive and are truly blessed to be so. You have a loving family no matter where we may be. Whether we are here with you or dead and gone you know that we are in your heart. We are so proud of you, but remember to keep trying at everything you do and keep a smile on your face.”
“Hey don’t forget also that we worked real real hard to make you, so don’t throw that away just because we aren’t around. Shouldn’t that be more reason to try harder?” He would laugh and smile behind my mother and mess with my hair arm around my mothers shoulder. His smile would bring a smile to my own lips and I could not deny him anything he asked of me. I knew now that I had to be happy no matter what. I would force myself to be happy, no matter what the consequences, I would be a good con for my new family and never show any bad emotions. My already closed I soon drifted off to a peaceful sleep filled with happy memories.

I was awoken by a sharp pain that spread from my cheek to the rest of my face. When my bright frightened eyes brimming with tears opened in a shock they gazed upon my surrogate father for the first time. He radiated pride and the same smile my aunt Alexial wore danced on his lips as he stared down at my small form before him. His pale skinny face was slightly hidden behind his blond hair. I had never seen anyone in our family with blonde hair, all had been blues or black and an occasional purple but that was common for females, yet this was some all new color. As I stared longer and longer his face grew dark and I received another slap to the face.

“What are you staring at you runt!?” he yelled at me as I kept my face to the side in a shocked daze. “You have a problem with my hair!? Just because you have your precious blue hair, well I’m in charge now…” his wicked smile returned and his voice grew quiet. “which means you must do whatever I say, understand?”

I nodded still shocked and confused as tears started to invade my eyes.

“Good, now you will address me as Sir, and if you are ever so unfortunate as to meet my wife you will address her as ma’am. Also whatever happens in our home stays in our home. If you ever talk about what goes on here you will be given over to your aunt Alexial for whatever she wishes to do with you.” the mere thought of the threat coming true made me shake slightly even when I did not even know the extent of my families evils yet. Soon enough I would be finding out personally.

“Understand runt?”

“Yes sir…”

“Good, and be prepared to start school on Monday”

I guess he wanted an answer because after I merely nodded in acknowledgement I received a punch to the face. As I fell over I couldn’t believe I wish he had slapped me instead, I only had time for that quick thought before I was kicked hard in the side by his black shined foreign shoes. Again and again he kicked me while I lay on the floor curled into a ball crying. Finally the kicking stopped and I heard him turn around and begin to leave.

“You better learn I deserve an answer no matter what the question child” he whispered to me at the door before walking out with one last thing, “And I do not want to hear your pathetic whimpering and crying again…”

I quickly tried to quiet my shuddering crying. It hurt so badly to breath even and it made me even more afraid to even get up. That night I slept on the floor my bleeding lip against the cold wood floor until the morning sun shimmered through my curtains. Slowly I sat up to greet the new day. Every movement I made was rife with pain as I looked at the rays of sunlight dancing on my floor through the white silk curtains not knowing I would wake this way often for the rest of my stay with my parents.

Beaten

2009-11-13T05:07:49Z

Beaten

2009-11-12T09:54:53Z

Once the vehicle came to a stop I blinked out of my dazed state looking around, the station was not anything special, just an old brick building that had seen better days.  As I was led by the hand by the grimacing man who I had learned was called Ivan Boulin into the building through the dirtied and yellowed glass front doors I watched the busy workers of the department. Like ants they scurried to and fro moving people papers and boxes through a mess of tables, desks, and rooms over the cracked tile and under the faint dim lights above.  The tall man called Tim Jacobs led me and Ivan to a room and as he closed the door behind us the noise of the outside world ceased to exist and again I was surrounded by silence.

Tim mumbled something quietly to Ivan as I was given a chair to sit down in and quickly left me and his grimacing partner alone. Once the door closed again Ivan let out a sigh while he sat across a table from me before finally looking over at me with his pitying eyes yet again.   I couldn’t take that look. A look that told me how horrible I had it when I was perfectly content, who was this man, a human no less, to pity me? A pureblood wolf demon of the prestigious Sacceeno family, a rich and powerful family that ruled much of the government.

I was surprised at myself to have such thoughts rush into my small head, although my mother and father always told me to accept humans they never denied we were better than them.  I thought about the fact that these were probably the first humans I ever really talked with except for the boy in Paris whom I never actually spoke too properly.

As I was lost in my thoughts Ivan finally broke the silence that had been bearing down on the room and my train of thought with a quiet and strained voice that I suspect was to be gentle and kind.

“Would you like something to drink?”

I answered with a shake of the head no, I had no intention of staying long enough to finish said drink and wasting it would be such a shame so I didn’t even give a second thought to the matter and was about to go back to thinking to myself when he persisted with frail attempts at conversation.

“You are being so brave, I know this must be very scary for you.”

His statement confused me, why should I be scared? Yes I was terrified but why was I terrified? This was a building like any other and these men had been kind to me so I had no reason for the fear that was forcing my heart to race. I could only stare at the man with the face that told me I was worth pity.

Suddenly the door burst open, although it hadn’t felt like it had been a full 10 minutes.  Tim walked in without looking at me at all as I kept my gaze on his slumped shoulders when I should have been watching the door or more to the point of who was walking through the door.  In strode my fathers brother, my uncle, Mathius with his wife who sent shivers up my spine just with a glance.

Both looked stunning even in such a wretched place.  My uncles long dark blue almost black hair was tied back from his face allowing his piercing icy eyes to survey the room as he stood with his arms folded over his suit.  His mere presence was terrifying, he never made an appearance unless absolutely necessary and now here he was in front of me. Something was terribly wrong and I was just now getting the grasp on the reality of it.  Although uncle Mathius’ was frightening his wife was even more so, he long black wavy hair splayed over her shoulders and down her slender back like black waves, although her body was slim and at a glance she could be taken as frail he posture told of her power.  Her eyes went straight to mine forcing me to shake under the cold stare of those black eyes. When she smiled her slim painted lips I knew I was in true trouble for sure.

Tim sighed and without looking at anyone asked for my relatives to be seated which I knew was a foolish mistake the second the words left his mouth.  Closing my eyes quickly I turned my head down not before seeing my aunt’s face snap to look at him with malice in her eyes.

“And where exactly do you expect us to sit?! In these pitiful and disgusting things you tried to disguise as chairs!?!! What impudence! Even that child I call my nephew shouldn’t be forced to use such filth.  Just tell us what you need to tell us and let us all be on our way before I become sic from being in this hell-hole.”

I stood up immediately when I heard what that I should not be sitting and risked a look at my aunt and the officer which she had just yelled at.  Tim was looking dumbstruck and shrank back nodding and looking at Ivan for help who quickly jumped in.

“Ma’am we mean no disrespect. We just thought it was polite to offer…”

“Well you obviously thought wrong didn’t you?” My aunts glare moved to Ivan and he too seemed to shrink back before her smile eased onto her lips, “Well I guess it can not be helped, you are human after all…” She grinned and looked at the officers as if they were her prey and seemed about to start into them again before my uncle finally spoke.

“I know why we are here, have you informed my nephew?”

Ivan seemed to regain his confidence first and shook his head meekly. My uncle then turned his gaze to me sending a chill down my spine as I stared back into his ice blue gaze that seemed void of feelings.

“Yasou.”

“Y-yes sir?” I answered just as meekly as the officers because my uncle never used my name, only calling me his nephew. To add to the fear my aunt’s smile grew as she watched the situation.

“Yasou, your parents are dead, they died in a car accident about an hour and a half ago. You will come with us until we figure out what to do with you understand?”

I look back now and I know that there was something wrong with this, the fact that they knew, they knew before the police told them but I was young naïve and scared. I was stunned, I could only vaguely recall the words spoken between the officers and my aunt and uncle while I stood in a daze.  How could my mother and father be dead?  Death was something that happened to other people not to me and my perfect family.  This is why I was receiving pitying looks from the officers.  I didn’t want their pity I wanted my mother and my father. I wanted to return to my cozy warm home and lay on the carpet watching the ceiling fan until they came home with smile on their faces like always. Yet, I could not cry, it wasn’t real everything was a dream. It had to be a dream, things happened like this in movies and books not to me, not in real life.  Before I knew what was happening I was falling, falling into dark night, like the moonless night outside where the only light would only reveal the filth of existence.

The next week was a blur.  It was as if everyone else was in fast forward and I was stuck in pause. People rushed about for the funeral as I stood still moving where I was told to but nothing more nothing less.

My cousins tried to help. Eli with his never ceasing happiness tried to share his laughter with me, while Rei would sit and talk to me for hours at a time reminiscing of the past, Takeri would talk of the future. I couldn’t move or comprehend though, everything lost its purpose.  My parents were gone and buried on my birthday.  There was no party, no celebration, not even many tears, just a cemetery.

A few days later it was decided I would live and be adopted by my relatives the Nagatomos.  My aunt Shianne was my aunt Alexial’s sister and was unable to have children so I would become their heir. I didn’t know then that this would be the best and worse thing that would ever happen to me.

Beaten

2009-11-11T01:20:23Z

YASOU

Listening to the soft songs emanating through the house I would never would have expected my life to be any different from how it was now.  Happy and carefree with everything and anything I could ever want or hope for at my fingertips.  As I danced about my spacious family room in the twilights rays shining through the open windows waiting for my loving parents to return home I had no room in my young mind for any concern. I only could bask in the fortunes that had been bestowed upon me.

Smiling as I twirled about, my arms out, my eyes closed, I recalled just the winter before how we had flown to Paris for a marvelous vacation.   I had been captivated by the city of lights and lost my way on the snowy evening.  It was the first and only time I could recall tears ever flowing from my eyes during my short life as I wandered aimlessly searching feverishly for my lost parents, for their warmth and comforting arms, for them to whisk me away from this foreign setting.

Instead of finding my lost parents I found a young boy instead, or I should say he found me.  I could still remember his captivating green eyes, his ebony colored flowing tresses, and his kind inquisitive face.  Without a word between us he took my hand and smiled leading me to a quaint café, the next thing I knew was he was handing me  a soothing warm cup with the same caring smile.  I was unsure of what was going on but I had taken the cup and drank the warmed liquid.  When I had finished to my surprise I felt much better and was able to smile once again.  The boy returned the smile and asked me something in his own native tongue, unfortunately I could not understand at all being only 4 and only knowing the language of my own home country, but this did not frustrate him in the least he only took my hand and led me to a skating rink.  After the troublesome task of putting on skates we were out on the frozen rink.  The experience was amazing, the cool air against my cheeks only made me more aware of the beauty of the night sky filled with the little white fluttering snowflakes and the dazzling lights that had led me away from my parents.
With my eyes closed now I could almost feel the cool breeze as I had that night months ago when I had twirled about on the ice with the mysterious young boy.  Later that night he had taken me around the city until we found the hotel my family was staying at.  It was the most comforting feeling when I saw my parents again and as I had been scooped up and pampered the green-eyed boy had just smiled and begun to leave.
I smiled to myself even now as I recalled how we had forced him to stay for dinner, although I could not communicate with my savior my parents had kindly invited him in his own language.  That night I had made my first real friend and I had promised myself I would never forget him and his beautiful smiling face.
Lost in my own thoughts I tripped and fell onto my back on the floor of my living room.  Finally opening my eyes, letting my memories sink into the back of my mind, I stared up at the ceiling fan as it spun silently above me.  The simplest of things were always most captivating for me even then as a young child.  As I watched the motion of the fan above me I thought ahead now the upcoming weekend when I would be turning 5.  Wondering what I should expect for a party, I did not have any real friends except for my 3 cousins I couldn’t expect anyone to really celebrate besides my parents and myself.  Yet this never bothered me, why should it when they were my world and as long as we stayed together nothing ever could disturb me in the least.  With thoughts of cake and ice cream I slowly let my eyelids slide lower and lower.
Suddenly I was awoken by a sharp knocking at my front door.  Groggily I wiped at my tired eyes with the back of my hand while I staggered to the door.  The sun was already gone and the night had taken hostage the sky with its deep blue and twinkling starlight.  As I answered the door wearily I vaguely wondered where my parents could be until my eyes fell upon the men in front of me.
Fierce eyes stared down at me from under lowered brows, I knew then I didn’t want to hear what these men had to say but my mother always said to be polite at all times so I forced a small smile and asked timidly trying to stay off my shaking and ignore my fluttering heartbeat. “Hello… um how may I help you? M-my parents aren’t home at the moment s-so I…I…”
“Are you Mr. Yasou Sacceeno?”  the taller of the two interrupted me. His face was stern and stricken with worry lines, his dark eyes were fierce and there was a lack of hope and happiness in them.  I grew even more tense with his deep voice invading my ears never the less I nodded meekly still hiding behind the slightly opened door, only my face visible to the intruders.
“I am sorry but we have to ask you to come with us” the second man said in a much quieter voice, he tried to force a smile but the face he showed to me was more of a grimace filled with despair.  Why were these men looking at me with such pitying eyes?
“I am sorry… but m-my mother told not to leave until th-they returned home…” my wavering voice failed me as I stared up at the two men fearfully. Their silhouettes in the night sky seemed foreboding as I gave my answer.
“Mr. Sacceeno but we are police officers, you know what those are right?” the grimacing man asked me and as I nodded my head slowly he showed me his badge as he began to speak again, “We need to talk to you at our station, do you have a babysitter or a relative who can come with you?”
“If y-you can wait for my parents to get home I can…” I began to answer with my quivering voice as best as I could while scared out of my wits.  The grimacing mans face contorted into what could only be explained as pained and sorrowful for a few seconds before he tried to smile again.
“Someone besides your parents? Perhaps an aunt or an uncle?” as he spoke he kneeled down to my height so I could see his face. He was younger than the other officer but not by much it looked.  His eyes told me that he had seen many hardships and his hope was draining away just like his partners already had.
“My Aunts and Uncles… don’t talk to me usually… my daddy knows their phone numbers… I don’t… sorry sir…” I still remained firm in waiting for my beloved mother and father to return before budging from the house.
The older and taller of the two glanced down at me with a stern face, “You are related to Mathius and Alexial Sacceeno am I correct?”  again I nodded not daring to open my mouth, I felt like I had just lost my only bargaining chip to stay and wait for my family. “Well then we can get a hold of them at the station, lets go.” with that he turned and began to walk to the car parked in my long drive way.
The grimacing man held out a hand to me and I hesitantly I took it and after closing the door to my home I walked with him to the car hand in hand.
The ride to the station was all a blur, I remember only watching the scenery pass before my eyes.  The outside world was darkened by the onset of nights clutches and my own world seemed to be dimming as well.  The little glimpses of light from the street posts were yellowed and weak shedding there beams on the insects and filth of the city.  Nothing could be found to comfort me yet I remained quiet, contemplating the situation I was in.  I was young but I was well taught and already had begun school so I like to believe I was far from being stupid in any way, but perhaps it is naïve to believe this when I couldn’t see what was awaiting me at the station.