CONTAINS CONTENT:
Grief, peril.
{{Unedited}}
Marielle opened her eyes in the darkness and looked around. What had happened? She thought that she had seen light from somewhere.
Maybe it was just in her dream.
She rolled and started to doze, when it happened again and her eyes popped open once more to catch the tail end of a glittering wave of silver run itself down her left arm, and into her fingertips.
Startled, shocked, and feeling her heart begin to pound wildly, she sat up. There was light coming from somewhere… but where?
She swung her legs onto the floor and stood, going towards where she detected it; beside the night stand next to her bed. That’s when she saw it… the teleporter. Her heart skipped and jumped fervently inside her ribcage as her eyes darted around the room expectantly. “Vincent?” she whispered. Nothing.
Realizing that she’d left her window cracked, she understood how it’d come into her room, and went to the window to look down. She saw nothing but darkness and a streetlight engulfing a little circular area in bright, white light, upon which her eyes met, a single shadow to the left of it.
She heard the snap, and the whirl of other sounds and twirled around, eyes wide with delight and wonder.
“Vincent!” She cried, trying to go to him. But his eyes were unfamiliar, and she stopped herself two steps in, and stood for a moment trying to process. Then she understood, then her eyes welled again. “Chamber,” she said quickly, looking at the ground, defeated, and feeling as though every bone were about to shatter inside her body.
She slumped onto the bed, him looking at her the whole time from the corner that he’d teleported into.
For a moment, he looked like he wasn’t sure what to say. Then he came slowly to her side, and sat with her.
Marielle couldn’t help it; she wilted onto his right shoulder. He exhaled slowly, and looked out her window, pushing his glasses back up his nose a little bit. Silence engulfed the room for a few moments.
“Where did you go?” She asked, distantly.
He cleared his throat, lightly. “Munich?”
Her voice came out thin and unstable. “To kill someone?”
“Oui.”
A pause. “Did you succeed?” she pressed.
A pause on his end as he squared his shoulders. “Oui.”
She fiddled with the end of the robe that she was wearing. “Why did you leave for so long?”
He swallowed hard, breathing out raggedly; his desire for her obvious. “It was part of the deal that we made… were he to-” he cleared his throat. “-I was to stay away until Austin left. He wanted you to be uh…” he fought for a word in English. “Clear minded.”
She breathed deeply now; he smelled like Vincent; that familiar scent of whiskey, leather, and light sweat. He was Vincent. She wanted to embrace him tightly, and never let him go… but he was a stranger to her in so many ways, not the grief hardened man that she knew, and even though she wanted him in this moment, internal conflict tore her to pieces.
There was no relationship there.
Marielle suddenly understood how Vincent must have felt that first day, seeing her… his first words to her echoed in her head. That would be embarrassing, yes…- all the while straining to hold himself back from simply taking his wife into his arms.
They were silent for a few more moments. “Marielle,” he eventually said, pulling back from her and looking her in the eye. “You know Vincent and I had a deal.” She listened, expectantly. “It was simple… should he die, I come and offer myself to you.” She cocked her head at him, curiously. “I keep watch over you.” He reached up slowly, and cupped her cheek, running a gentle thumb over it. She put her hand over his, and exhaled, heavily. He dropped his hand and looked down. “Whether that was with me,-” a pregnant pause, and she took in a ragged breath where tears built and fell, “-or with Austin. I look after you both,” he added. She was silent, looking distant. His features softened in the darkness, and his brown eyes became warm, inviting. “I don’t know you,” he said, his tone defeated. “But I think…” he bit his bottom lip; he wanted a kiss. “That I’d like to, Marielle.” She smiled, softly, wiping away a tear with the fabric on her wrist. “You are so beautiful, Masin.” He gave her a soft smile. “He told me that you had good years together. I must admit,-” he chuckled, silently, “-I have wanted someone, and wanted many good years to spend…” He fell silent, as if realizing how weird this was. “Marielle,” he sighed. “Would you like a chance to get to know one another again?” He was still, and confident in his words. Her face contorted a bit, as she tried to process. “I fell in love with you, once. It was… about a year ago. I rescued you from Cory. Cory never even knew. I knew that I couldn’t stay, and they’d killed Austin. So, I took you to the only person that I trust.”
“You.”
“Oui. But it took a long time to find me. Almost three months… I fell in love with you,” he said, brushing her hair back from her face, and lingering nearer to her mouth. “We were lovers. I said a painful goodbye.”
“That’s why you love me now…” she realized, her eyes locked with his.
He nodded and stood, pacing the room for a moment. “I have to go to Peru in a few days. I want you to come with me?”
“You’re going to kill someone?”
“Well,” he smirked. “Yes. But they do deserve it… and I could use someone to spot me,” he said with a wink. “Gall.”
She bit her lip, wringing her hands and stood, walking away from him and to the window again for a moment. “This is such a hard decision for me, and so-” she turned to him, “-so odd. Grieving your loss, and finding you here again, also knowing that you are both one hundred percent Vincent, and also…” Her voice trailed off.
“Not him at all. We… you and I, we have no history, no past,” he finished for her, his voice filled with understanding. “But, Masin- Vincent always knew; this should have been me. He took you away from me.”
“Why did you let him?”
“It’s just how things unfolded. I didn’t know you, he did. I didn’t know the situation, he did.” He went to her, reaching a hand out. She took it, mindlessly.
Her Vincent… not her Vincent. It was tearing her apart.
His brown eyes burned into her. “I know that you love Austin. So, this can be goodbye,” he explained. She let out a nervous chuckle; fear gripping her center. “You’re afraid,” he noted, and he lifted his right hand and combed her hair behind her left ear, a motion so familiar to her. Her head tilted downward and she cried. He pinched her chin and tilted her face to his, gazing into her eyes. “I have thought about you… Many times. Wanting you, wanting your love. But I will not break if you say no. I will always just be there, in the background, making sure that you’re okay. I promised him.” He merely stared at her, meeting her eyes, and locking them with his. She tried to look away, and at this he leaned in, and kissed her. His lips were familiar, and warm, and she slipped her tongue between them, desperate to find Vincent in there, somewhere; he tasted like Vincent, he felt like him. But he just wasn’t him. They pulled back, staring at one another. Time seemed to evaporate in that moment. “And you can call for me whenever you need me.”
Oh God, I’ll never not need him… she’d thought. But the illusion was shattered in that kiss. Vincent…her Vincent was gone. This was Chamber.
“I see the conflict in your eyes, Masin.” He lifted his right hand and gently ran his fingers through a piece of escaped hair, putting it behind her left ear, and she felt herself shake. “Take all of the time that you need. Just know this… I want you.”
Her heart pounded as he turned, reaching out and closing his fist, causing the teleportation machine to return and vanish into his hand. He started to go to the window to throw it again, preparing to leave. He pulled his card from his arm, aimed, and fired it down into the street near the streetlamp, then turned back to her, giving her one last look. “Again, I understand.” He bit his bottom lip in thought. “I don’t need you,” he said a bit dismissively. “But… I think our friend might.”
“He has the power to break me,” she said, looking down.
Chamber nodded, tucking his lips in. “We all always have the power to break each other when it comes to love. But that’s why it’s love. It’s a leap. Trust. That man has given up everything in the hopes of you. His dream is to grow old and die…with you.” I’m with you… Her chest physically hurt. “Nothing more. It’s a simple dream, but worth it, I think. Now he dreams for both of you.” He turned to leave again, then looked over his shoulder. “He can’t lie to you. You both know this… for him, it’s a prison, in a way. But one he’s willing to be locked in if it means having you.” He looked at her with a sad smile.
“I love Austin,” she whispered.
He nodded, accepting that. He obviously knew it already, anyway. He lifted his hand.
“Vincent!” She called, reaching out for him before he snapped, and she was instantly in his arms, him clutching her tightly to him. Their bodies reflecting brilliant gold and silver.
He was strong, and his embrace was enveloping her, making her feel renewed, alive, awake, and at peace. But the peace was clear as she sobbed. This was goodbye. He backed away, and gave her a sad smile, pinching her chin. “I understand,” he whispered, running his thumb across her chin, his eyes glittering a little, although he refused to cry.
“You do?”
“Oui.” He lifted a finger. “Vincent told me that if your choice was Austin… this was for you,” he explained and he pulled an envelope from his vest, and handed it to her, gesturing for her to open it and read it now.
Shaking – because she knew what she’d find – she opened the envelope and pulled the letter from inside.
Masin,
I think that I might not be coming home today.
Let’s start with this… you always knew that this was coming, you just didn’t want to accept it. I’ve told you many times that I know that you can glimpse the future, at least subconsciously. This terrified you, but somewhere inside, you knew.
Which is why you chose me, isn’t it? Haven’t you always said, “my story with Vincent isn’t over?” You said this because you knew that there would be an ending, my love. And you knew that Austin was simply not ready for you.
You don’t know this… I’m smiling at you now as I write this letter. I’m telling you I love you. I will touch your hair later today when it makes no sense to you, because I want to remember that curl; the one that I love so much that it took me through physical torture more than once.
It all could have gone either way. I knew that from the beginning.
What I learned – and don’t worry, my love… my wife… I learned it a long time ago, now – what I learned was that you didn’t need saving in any other world. The world we were meant to be in together was mine, and to my dismay, and horror… that was it. We were only ever meant for that time.
After I searched for you through many dimensions and found you repeatedly in love, happy with Austin, I made a decision; I would find a world where you hadn’t found one another yet and give you the choice and that would be my answer. Then I would stop my search for you. I also planned it so that if Austin was on the brink of disaster, I would do everything in my power to help steer him in the right direction; away from that which would destroy him, so that he was a better man for you. My sweet Masin… you never needed any help. I misjudged that, as did you. Austin did. He was always the one who needed the help. So, we helped him, Masin. All three of us. Me, you, and Chamber helped-well, really, he did all of the work. I knew instinctively that you would do the rest, my love. You did. You are amazing.
I just never expected to have to deal with Cory and the others. That was never part of the plan.
I was going to tell you that day out in the courtyard. Then they came and I had to figure out what my story was. I’m so, so sorry. I knew that you always knew that I was lying to you, and I knew that was going to end all of this.
The truth of the matter is that at some point in time, I knew that this was goodbye; not long after we made love for the first time, my love. I sensed it coming. But then you chose me, and I didn’t know what to do. I told myself that if I saw that you truly wanted Austin, that I would make sure that that was the end result. I don’t know what happened today… but I guess your mind was changed again.
But, I am grateful. Do you know why I’m grateful? Because you loved me, here. I know that you did; I could see it in your eyes when you said it the other night. So, twice I received the love that I wanted from the only person that I ever wanted it from in this lifetime. Neither time did I deserve it.
But you gave me what I wanted- the hope that you could, and would choose me… You just never looked at me the way that you look at him.
All that I wanted was for you to say yes, Masin. And you did. So don’t feel guilty, you still chose me even if your heart was with Austin, and I want you to know that I understand.
I am also grateful because of Austin. I was able to call him “friend” again. I hate him. But, eh… with a deeper understanding… and don’t ever tell him this… but I learned to love him again, too.
He’s changed forever. He loves you, Marielle. I know; I spoke to him that day at his house. It was the most painful conversation I’ve ever had with another human being. But he does truly love you. You changed him, and he – in his love for you – desperately wanted to change. He won’t go back. You must know that. He’s finally learned to be grateful. I put a gun to his forehead and made him promise that he would never hurt you. He sobbed, Masin. He told me, “hurt her? I would rather die than hurt her ever again. Stabbing her would feel like stabbing me at this point. I love her so much.” – Masin, he meant it. Every word.
And I would rather you be happy with him, than endure knowing how much you love him, and the possibility of watching you die again.
The last reason that I’m grateful is that I got to say goodbye… I got to enjoy another four months with the woman that I love; perfect…wonderful… beautiful, Masin.
I have asked Chamber to watch you both from time to time. I hope that you won’t be too frightened by this, because sometimes you might see my shadow, love. It was part of the deal if you didn’t take his offer. He’ll do it because he loves you as much as I do, and if something should ever happen with you and Austin, he’ll be there… I’ll be there, love.
In some way, anyways.
Love me if you must… hate me if you have to, but just know this… I loved you so much that I was ready to do whatever I had to do to get you back. Even if it was just for a moment. Because it was literally the best moment of my life.
Now that I’m gone, don’t feel badly for me. I died a long time ago; this was just my body agreeing to the action…
Now, I’m dancing at a fountain and I am reunited with a beautiful woman, and we are finally both at peace.
I love you, Masin…
Now go get him. Go find him and never think of me again. If he is what makes you happy, then go to him. Be with him.
He’s in another foreign country, Masin. He’s alone, he’s scared, he’s praying that it’s not over, but trying to accept that it really is. And all that he wants is you.
Go and live the life that you know that you want, love. It’s okay. You don’t need my permission, but I give it to you.
You love Austin. He’s your completion… You were mine.
-Forever, Your Vincent.
Silently sobbing, she glanced down under his signature. It said…
Also… it’s under the couch.
Her eyes widened as if she suddenly remembered what she had been looking for and she darted out of the room, Chamber a distant memory.
She went to the couch, dropped, and fished around underneath until her fingers hit something… she pulled it out slowly. It was the painting and she sat back, gently turning it over. Her heart stopped.
Marielle, in that red dress that was only for Austin, Austin in a red suit and tie. They were hand in hand, grinning adoringly at one another as they strolled. Her other hand was threaded with a little girl with black curls who was looking up at her, and there was a little boy with black hair on Austin’s shoulders smiling down at Marielle.
Vincent knew… he always knew. She held the painting to her chest, sobbing like a small child and rocking back and forth.
Slowly she calmed from the tears, but panic began to set in. She’d never be able to find Austin now.
A voice came from behind her. “Marielle,” he whispered. She looked over her right shoulder at Chamber. “Austin turned you down, didn’t he?” She shook her head at herself realizing that these last three weeks were all the things that he had to do to show her that he’d truly changed. He wasn’t that person that she’d met at the beginning of August.
She nodded and sat back, gazing down at the painting, and gently fingering Austin’s handsome likeness. “I’ll never find him now.”
Chamber bent behind her and a sneaky grin crossed his mouth. “Are you sure about that?” She looked at him with wide eyes. “Lang…” he said. “Jun Hie, Lang.” Then he handed her a piece of paper. “That’s the hotel.” She gasped, looking down at the paper in her hand. “Go to him,” he whispered, gesturing with his head. “He needs you.” He gave her a reassuring smile, then lifted his right hand and snapped.
She paused for a moment, looking around her empty, dark room living room.
Marielle sprung to her closet, tearing it open, and dragging out a bag. She threw a few clothing items into it, and quickly shimmied into their dress, then pulled some black boots on.
Austin would be gone, but that was okay. She knew that he’d have to go through customs and that would take a while, and now that she had his name and his hotel – even if she didn’t catch up to him – she’d find this place, knock on his door, and march right in.
Sending a text to Sabine, she explained the situation and that she’d need to come and get Felix. All that Sabine replied with was a smiley face. She shook her head at it, and went to her drawer, opening it, and lifting the false space. She collected all the money that Vincent had given her and took off for the airport.
Her mind started to race with memories the whole way there.
-What was your name? Steven?
That smile…oh, God, that smile. That smile would look amazing when he was eighty.
–Austin… Rancor.
The brush of their hands as they firmly shook for the first time and how she’d felt that electricity, too, even though she’d tried to deny it.
-That’s when I knew that you were going to be a problem for me.
-A problem?
-A deep problem.
-We are hearing each other’s thoughts, aren’t we?
His warm smile… the ring…
She pulled into the airport at six fifty five, knowing that he was long gone, and wishing that she was with him, but reminding herself that she would be, soon.
Getting a flight out wasn’t that hard; she paid, and only had to wait an hour.
The flight itself was difficult, however; she was anxious the whole way and it was over fourteen hours long. Her heart ached for Austin the entire way. He was alone. He was scared. He felt like a failure. She couldn’t wait to be with him.
Marielle didn’t know what had happened to her depression, or her exhaustion, but now she was awake, alert, and ready for whatever happened next and desperate to be back in Austin’s arms.
When the plane finally started its descent, she began to dig in her purse. Where was her red lipstick? She found it and applied it quickly for the final touches.
The plane landed, and she bolted the moment that she got through customs and got her bag. Outside, she barely had time to realize that she was in a foreign country, nor did she care as she hailed a cab. When she slipped into the back, she looked at the driver. “Do you speak any English?” she asked.
“I do,” the man replied with a heavy accent. He shrugged. “I drive cab. Gotta know tourist,” he chuckled.
She smiled, and showed him the paper. “Can you take me to this hotel?”
“Sure, sure!” He said, pulling away from the curb.
She checked herself in her mirror from her purse. She was pale, and thin, her black makeup was starting to smudge a little, but she knew that he wouldn’t care.
After what Marielle assessed was about fifteen minutes of driving into Hong Kong, the driver pulled up to a hotel and let her out after she paid. “Is this enough?” she asked. He nodded. She had no idea how the money worked here, but she knew that Austin would and that was all that mattered.
She tore out of the cab, dashed into the hotel, and darted to the front desk asking for someone who spoke English. “Lang?” she asked breathlessly. “What room is Jun Hie, Lang in?”
The woman behind the desk checked, and told her, saying under her breath. “He’s popular tonight.”
Marielle’s heart sped up. Had he already called prostitutes in? For a second, her world felt like it had shattered, but something in her told her to press this. “What?”
“There were men here… asking the same.”
Oh no… She looked up. “Room three thirteen you said?” she asked. The woman nodded.
Marielle darted to the elevator, pushed in the moment that one opened, smashed the button to the third floor, and ran down the hall, stopping far back as she eyed the door. It was too still. Something was wrong.
There were mirrors on the wall and she looked at herself in one of them, smudging her black make up a little more, and scrambling her hair before she dropped her bag near the door, but under a small table with a vase full of flowers and took in a deep breath.
She knocked.
A moment later the door swung open and she was met by an ugly man with platinum hair, and a gray suit. There were other men in the room as well, and just beyond the man who’d opened the door she could see Austin… he was tied to a chair, and not in a good way.
She met eyes with him, and his widened in horror as she was yanked inside.