Torn Between Two

“Daddy, daddy! Look! It’s a caterpillar! I was just laying in the grass and it crawled on my cheek.” the young child explained, “I freaked out at first thinking it was a spider and that it might bite me. But it was this caterpillar! It likes me Daddy look!” the small girl lifted her fragile hand up to reveal the fuzzy worm-like bug crawling up and down her tiny index finger.

The older man knelt down to her level with a smile. “Indeed, it does like you. do you know what caterpillars become when they grow up Starr?” He asked the young girl.

Young Starr thought for a moment. “A big caterpillar?”

Her father couldn’t help but chuckle out a bit before patting her head. “They will blossom into a beautiful butterfly”

Starr’s face lit up with excitement. “Does that mean I turn into a butterfly when i grow up too?”

“Heavens no, my little Starr. You will grow up to be a monster. You will butcher the ones you love like you brutally murdered your own mother. Your hands will spread nothing but despair in everything they touch. Why do you try Starr. You should just give it up now before you truly destroy everything you hold dear.” Her father burst out in a frightening laughter as he stood.

“Daddy, why would you say such things? Don’t you love me?"
the wind began to pick up and the skies blackened around them. the distance between Young Starr and her father increased with every passing moment. She held her hand out for him while her legs moved as fast as they could to try to reach him but it only seemed she was jogging in place. “Daddy! Please, Don’t go! I just want you to love me Daddy!”

“Don’t you love me daddy?” Starr quickly sat up in the bed drenched in sweat looking about the room in confusion. When she saw Alex sitting in the chair against the wall across from her everything came rushing back to her. She couldn't help but notice Alex’s shirtless body. After examining his torso she noticed ridged scars running up and down his chiseled chest. Maybe she was staring too hard for too long because when she glanced up at Alex’s face he had a smug grin with a raised eyebrow.

“Sorry!” Starr’s cheeks burned with embarrassment as she quickly glanced away.

“It’s quite alright. If that’s what my Goddess wants, I am flattered and will happily obliged. I am here to please you. do what you ask of me. I am at your beckon and call… “ Alex never once removed his gaze from her.

Starr shifted in bed and sat there silently allowing her legs to dangle off the edge.

“Do you miss him?” Alex blurted out.

“Huh? Who?” Starr asked not really sure which topic he turned to now.

“Your father, you were dreaming about him. That’s what you were dreaming about right?”

Starr stiffened for a moment honestly a bit uncomfortable about his conversation. “Yeah. I haven’t for a while now.. dreamt about him I mean” she placed her palm on the mattress and shifted her body weight to lean on it. Her head then rested on her shoulder while she gazed over at Alex. “Alex? Do you remember how we met? I do, like it was just yesterday.” Starr slowly laid back against the bed just looking up at the ceiling as she spoke. “it was the my fifteenth birthday, the day I finally was able to become emancipated legally live on my own after my grandmother died in the car accident. I was alone and scared just sitting on the swing at the park. you walked up to me with smile then greeted me. since then we have never left each other's side right?” She paused as she held out her hand to the ceiling balling it up into a fist as if trying to reach it. “I don’t remember much about my father other than he was a cruel man. he left me when I needed him most. For all I know he is dead or living his life out there as if I never existed. Let’s hope it stays that way…” she told him before sitting up.

An airy raspy chuckle escaped Alex’s lips as he stood then walked over to Starr offering his hand out for hers. "Come on, you’re not a prisoner. It's stuffy and suffocating in here, let's get some fresh air. What do you think?" His lips curved into that soft smile that Starr has learned to love.

She reached up allowing their hands to interlock. "That sounds wonderful actually."

Alex gripped her hand then gave a firm tug to assist in helping her up. She flashed a grateful smile in his direction before releasing her grip on his hand and walking to the door. Alex swiftly made his way past her to open it for her. She let out a soft giggle. "You know I am capable of doing things on my own."

This time Alex’s face turned a few shapes of red. "Yes, sorry."
"I'm only teasing, no reason to get worked up over little 'ol me." Starr commented before tapping the tip of his nose before exiting the door. "Come on slow poke! You don't want to be in there any longer than I do."

Alex soon followed close behind. Starr only walked a few feet away from the entrance of the hut before taking a peek around only to find herself in such an awe she actually had to make a conscience effort to not let her jaw drop.

The hut was on top of a tall grassy hill that was covered by various different types of wildflowers. Blues, purples, yellows and reds delicately painted the thick green grass as if hand painted in a portrait. The beautifully sorted colors ran for what seemed like miles. In the distance proudly stood enormous mountains that separated the reality of the cruel, ruthless world from this heavenly salivation. The trees planted their roots deep in the soil close by creating cool calming shade from the heat of the blazing sun that beamed down from above them. However one tree in particular stood alone. A large weeping willow. It must've been hundreds of years old from the look of the over sized trunk. It's branches hung high and dropped down low creating a wide thick canopy.

"Where are we Alex?" Was all she managed to spurt out after a long lasting silence. Her gaze never left the willow tree as she spoke. There was something about the tree that seemed familiar. "I feel like I've been here before, many times. But I don't recall ever seeing such a place..." Starr turned to Alex with a stern expression. It was as if a memory has been blacked out and now trying to push it's nasty way back. "Why is this place important to me? Answer me."

Alex took a few steps in front of her, glancing over at the ancient tree. "This place, there specifically." His eyes averted to the large scorch mark within the weeping branches. "Was your birth place. The land, this paradise, was your mothers. It was in her will to be passed over to you."

Starr stared at the place she was born. The single spot she stole the life of her mother. The grass has stopped growing leaving a large patch of fertile soil. Above that stood burned bark a foot up the trees trunk. The leaves and branches still hung there withered and dead. It was as if that surrounding area had just stopped in time.

She knew her mother died giving birth to her. However never imagined it to be like this... she couldn't deny her curiosity however she also knew somethings are better left unknown until it is time for their secrets to be revealed.

Starr slowly turned away from the symbol of her past to glance over at Alex. “Hey, Alex? You said to become a fallen angel is by choice. Why did you fall? What was your reason?”

Alex’s jaw clenched uncomfortably to the question. He turned to her, his stare so intense. “I’m sorry, that is something I will tell you when I am ready to”

As disappointed as she was to hear his answer, she was not one to force someone to do something they did not wish to do. “Understood” She turned her back to him. “I've had enough air. I’m going to head back in now.” Her feet moved faster than she wanted them to.

It seemed there was a growing distance between Starr and Alex now. Every time she tried to fill the gap, it would only dig the hole deeper between them. she has never felt more alone in her life. Alex was always the one she could run to for her problems. What has changed? why did they have to change? If she could choose a paradise it would be to go back to her normal, boring, and unimportant life…

Starr was halfway through the entrances doorway when she was pulled into a strong aggressive embrace of a man from within the darkness. Everything was too sudden to be able to identify who the attacker was. One arm was wrapped around Starr’s restricting any drastic movements. Even so, she struggled to break free knowing it was no use. Alex unsheathed his wings, spreading them wide ready to attack however abruptly froze in place with wide eyes...

"X-xavier?" he stuttered unsure of what he was truly saying.

"It's nice to see you as well, Alexander.” Xavier's voice was so smooth and deep as if he had many year perfecting it. “I see you have been taking great care of my daughter. However, I will be taking her off your hands now. You can thank me later.” Xavier noticed Alex shift his movements slightly. “I wouldn’t dare, you should be smarter than that!” A sly grin crossed her face. “Let’s play a little game, shall we?”

Suddenly a painful cry of pain emanated from Starr. her once white tshirt quickly stained red with her blood. Xavier finally pulled out the poisoned dagger he stabbed into her back. Xavier released Starr from his threatening grip allowing her to tumble to the dirt motionless.

“I’m sure you know what this means. You have a day, tops, to find a cure from the poison or she can save herself from Awakening. I bet you haven’t explained the whole process to her have you? The consequences she would have to go through, the risks she would take by simply doing so” Xavier laughed “Oh! You didn’t. You bad boy, actually caring about such a being’s feelings.” He turned his back to the two then held a hand up. “Be a good boy and take out the trash once finished.” he bursted out in laughter once again before his body suddenly dissipated.

Alex dashed by Starr’s motionless body before scooping her up into his arms and rushing to the bed where he laid her down. Blood poured out of her mouth as she coughed, holding her torso from the pain. He gently placed a hand on Starr cheek. “Try to relax. everything will be okay. your wounds will heal, that’s not the problem. We need to find an antidote.” He tried to mask the worry in his voice to comfort her, but it was easier said than done…

Starr looked up at him. “What will happen if don’t find one in time?”

“We will Starr” He reassured her

she quickly asked again. “ What will happen Alex? I’ll die right?”

Alex was silent for a few long moments. he pulled his hand away and spoke. “If we don’t get a antidote your very soul will be devoured and ultimately burn you alive, the exact same way your mother perished the day of your birth. She was fortunate to be pregnant, that way part of her soul passed on to you allowing the Goddess bloodline to continue on. An hour after you were born, the poison devoured her soul and burn her body under the willow tree”

The fury inside Starr has never burned so hot as she pictured the sight of the tree and imagined how much pain she must have gone through. she wasn’t frightened for her own life but merely angry her own father could do this to her mother. How could he do this to the woman he supposedly loved? “My Father, He did this to my mother?”

Alex nodded.

Starr looked Alex in the eyes with confidence, “Alex. I’m ready. Tell me everything I need to do, I’m ready to be the Goddess. I want to Awaken, now.”