[IC] Hidden Among the Shadows - A Supernatural Inspired RP

[KazAlkemi]

Christian turned his head to look at her when Penny stood and approached him. She kept her distance, but her emotions made her seem closer. He felt the strength of her passion in her statement, even though Christian’s eyes roamed her for some sort of weakness or lie. He wasn’t always able to detect such things. The living were challenging to read because of their complex emotions. At least in death, humans were reduced to basic instincts. Creatures were simple.

However, Christian felt deeply when Penny confessed her fear and her pain. She very clearly wanted revenge and to quiet the turmoil in her head from knowing there were more than just humans in this world. But if she got her revenge, would she really feel safe knowing there was more out there?

Christian walked over to the mini-fridge when Penny sat down again. He grabbed a bottle of water, opened it, and poured it into a cup before handing it to her. ”I can make you forget,” he offered her. It would be another rule broken, but in the light of Penny’s fear, Christian could save her from it. It was a better alternative to fighting vampires.

[Palindrome]

Penny almost choked on her water at Christian's words. Did she want to forget? The idea sounded nice. She could go about her day without the fear of being kidnapped again. She wouldn't have nightmares anymore. She'd be... free, in a sense. But did she really wanna live that way again? Her eyes had been opened to a whole new world hidden within her own. It was terrifying, but as she thought about the other people out there who live in ignorance and without a clue in the world to what's underneath their noses, she realized that she didn't want to live like that. If she got kidnapped again, or saw something she shouldn't have, how would that affect her life then? Would all the memories and horrors come rushing back? Penny didn't want to go back to being the way she was before this happened. Timid, scared, shy... she didn't know how to stand up for herself. It was amazing what a near death experience could do to ones personality.

Her skin itched.

"A part of me wants to say yes." Penny paused and traced the rim of the cup Christian handed her. "But I don't want to forget. What happened was... terrifying, but it has made me stronger." She looked up at him and smiled. "I don't want to go back to living without knowing. I feel like I'd wander around aimlessly, missing something but not knowing what. I also," Penny paused. She didn't know Christian very well, but she couldn't deny the connection she felt with him. Maybe it was because he was there in her darkest, most scariest moment and not only did he help her, but he comforted her. "I also don't want to forget you." Penny stood up and placed her cup of water on her nightstand.

"If you're not going to help me, then I suppose I'm going to have to find someone who can." The prospect of looking for danger scared her, but she was going to get her revenge and she was going to live while trying. Penny brushed past Christian and opened the door to her room. She knew he didn't need to leave through the door, but she used it as a sign. Something to say, 'If you're not going to help, leave'.

"Thank you, Christian. I would hate to get you into even more trouble. I'm indebted to you, even if you don't want me to be. Anything you need, say it and I will do my best to help you." Penny's lower lip trembled and she pursed her lips to stop it. She didn't want him to leave. She wanted him to stay and agree to help her. "I think I better get some sleep. Traveling from the hospital to here has made me tired." That's not what she wanted to say. Stay. She knew as soon a she closed her eyes, she would have nightmares and his offer of forgetting sounded appealing again, but she shook her head. No, she didn't want to forget. She would deal with it as she dealt with her childhood abuse.

[KazAlkemi]

Christian watched Penny with mild amusement when she started to choke on her water from his offer. He smiled softly, taking a few steps back to rest against the cabinet holding the TV, and crossed his arms. While she processed his offer, Christian’s mind wandered to Penny’s revenge scheme.

It possibly worried him more than her wanting to escape the Vampire den. Of course, he had stepped in to ensure she survived. He wouldn’t be able to step in again. He couldn’t. Death’s generosity—if it could be called that—only extended so far. But the idea of letting Penny flounder until she found her footing was terrifying. Some people hunted these creatures and made the world safer for them, but giving her that information would be breaking another rule. Christian was suddenly very aware of how many rules Reapers had and found it annoying.

Choose.

Death’s words drifted into his head unbridled. Was that a sign or perhaps permission? After all, Christian had chosen to keep Penny alive despite the consequences. Wasn’t ensuring her survival now a part of that choice?

Christian was vaguely aware of Penny talking again after deciding whether she wanted to forget. Christian hoped she would take him up on his offer. It would be the easiest option, and then Penny could go back to living her life.

“I also don’t want to forget you.” Her final words pulled Christian from his silent brooding. He stared at her, his brown eyes piercing into her blue. If Christian had the need for a heartbeat, he was certain it would have stopped. As it was, he had no reason to breathe; he simply did because it eased the souls he brought to the other side—even though they didn’t breathe either. Humans were slow to accept change.

Penny moved before he could respond, in fact, she was kicking him out before he even fully processed the fact that Penny wanted to remember him. The reaper who was intended to take their soul and protect it.

Christian moved his focus from Penny to look at the open door. He stared at the offer to leave, to wash his hands of Penny’s suicide mission. He shifted from the cabinet and walked towards the door, dropping his arms, and slipped his hands into his pockets. He stopped beside Penny, still looking out into the hallway.

”I think you need to do some research. Vampires, werewolves, witches, djinns, dragons, angels and demons, are just the start of some of the creatures that are out there. They span the world, and each culture has its own set of monsters.” He looked at Penny, meeting her eyes, and relaxed slightly. He smiled softly, finding this human to be strange and fascinating.

”If revenge is the only cause you want, then study them. I cannot give you answers, but you cannot take on a den of vampires alone. Especially with your post-trauma reactions. I have to go, but I am easy to get a hold of,” Christian said and tapped his head.