Chapter 21.2

Inside were dozens of children, of all ages, covered in shackles and dressed in ragged clothes. They squinted their eyes at the brightness that engulfed them from the opening as they pulled away in fear, a response that was ingrained in them from the treatment they received at the hands of their captors. Soon, however, they realized that the two standing in the entrance were not their captors but none of them drew close to their rescuers, especially when they saw Fenrir. His haunting eyes and gleaming teeth frightened them and some children began to visibly shake while older ones covered the younger ones protectively.

"Sta-stay away, monster!" A child shouted nervously when Fenrir took a step forward to reassure them. Her voice was breaking from fear while she shuddered non-stop but still, she held her hands out defensively while standing in front of the children.

Melanie, who was gripping the edge of the container tightly, shook herself out of her memories. She was thinking about how her past, when she was kidnapped and treated just like these children and how she was just as defiant as the child who spoke protectively. Her eyes misted as she saw herself in that little girl. She turned to look at Fenrir and saw him standing there with a hand half-raised, unsure of what to do or say.

"Let me," she said softly with a hand on his chest. Fenrir looked at her and nodded before walking some distance away. He could still see the kids and vice versa but the children calmed down once they saw him move away.

"Hey there," Melanie said softly as she crouched in front of the girl. She saw the girl looked back at her bravely before her eyes travelled to look at Fenrir who had his head turned away in an attempt to try and not exchange eye contact with the children. "Don't worry about him, he's only mean to bad people. And you're not bad, right?

"My name's … Bell. And he's … Beast," Melanie said while comforting the girl who looked at her suspiciously. "Don't worry, we're here to rescue you. Look, we've already taken care of the bad guys."

Melanie pointed at the entrance where they could see a few bodies lying on the ground. Fenrir, who heard her, kicked a nearby corpse to prove it was dead. Melanie's eyes followed the brave girl's eyes, which widened when she saw the blood on the ground.

"On second thought, don't look," Melanie said while moving her body to place herself in the girl's vision. "Do you have a name, dearie?"

The girl shook her head, refusing to reveal her name as several other children approached Melanie when they realized she won't hurt them.

"Do you have a home? Do any of you?" Melanie asked in a breaking voice. Deep down, she knew the answer to that question but her heart broke regardless when she saw them shaking their heads.

Of course, She thought. They had to be orphans and homeless kids. No one would notice them disappearing. Some would even rejoice at it. Fucking, rotten, world.

Melanie closed her teary eyes, trying her hardest to forget the pain of her past that these children reminded her of. Her heart ached as she watched them go through everything she had once experienced.

If not for him, I'd be . . .

Melanie looked back at Fenrir who was still keeping his distance, worried at the fact that he might still frighten the children.

"Listen," Melanie said as she cast a spell to unlock the shackles around the kids. "The police will be here soon. Stay here and wait for them, they'll help you."

While she spoke she conjured a spell to distribute the packaged preserves that were sitting in a corner to the children. She wanted to stay and watch over them, but the rage that was blinding her was beginning to erode her thoughts.

"I promise, they'll help you," Melanie repeated quietly before whispering to herself menacingly: "And I'll make sure those traffickers get their just dues."

She walked out of the container and looked at Fenrir who was watching her.

"Don't stop me," Melanie said to him in a quiet and calm voice, full of venom. He watched her go back up the station and turned to look at the children one last time before following her, another sigh threatening to escape his lips.

Jason knew what was going through her mind. He knew how she was taken by traffickers who sold her to those scavengers that wanted to remove her organs. When she began to defy them, those scavengers decided to torture her, using her as an example to quell any other children from following her lead. He could still remember how much pain and suffering she went through, and knew that this situation only brought it all back. And she needed, no wanted, to vent it out on these people, regardless of whether they knew better or not, she held them responsible.

Melanie, who reached the top before Fenrir, pulled a knife out and walked to the guard, Jones, who was just stirring up. She kicked him hard twice, once making him move into a fetal position, and again to make him lie on his back. She sat down on his stomach and began stabbing him repeatedly. Jones, feeling the pain, woke up but couldn't stop her as she brought the knife down on him again, and again, and again. Her eyes were full of unabated hate as she watched him cry out in pain while blood spurted everywhere. Even after he stopped moving, even after the warmth of life left his body, she continued stabbing him, blossoms of blood splatters painting her beautiful face with wet red flowers.

Jason who caught up watched her but didn't try to stop her. He understood her anger, and her actions satisfied the thump of anger he was feeling as well, but as she continued without stopping, he shook his head realizing that she was now drowning in her emotions.

"That's enough, he's dead," Jason said as he pulled her away.

"No! It's not enough, it's not!" Melanie almost screamed hysterically.

"Mela-"

"DON'T STOP ME!"

Jason, seeing that it was futile, used his powers to press a button. The breather that was shaped like a wolf's jaw split from the center and moved to the sides of his face, revealing his lips and chin. He grabbed Melanie and kissed her, silencing her screams and stopping her struggles.

A jolt of electricity travelled through both of them as Jason forcefully pushed his tongue into her soft lips and past her smooth teeth and Melanie, after a moment of stunned silence, reciprocated by wrapping his tongue with hers; her split tongue surrounded his and slowly coiled itself around his tongue. The taste of fresh blood that was splattered on her lips made the kiss slightly salty, but neither of them stopped. Instead, Jason pulled her closer and kissed her more roughly. After a minute of intense kissing, he pulled away.

"Better?" He asked breathlessly after licking his lips hungrily. It was a novel experience, getting kissed by a tongue like hers. It was quite … enchanting. And addictive.

"Mmhm," Melanie nodded as her crazed eyes slowly filled itself with tears. "Sorry, I was just so … so ... angry."

"I know," Jason replied to her whisper as he continued holding her and Melanie rested her head on his cold, bloody, chest. They stayed like that until the sound of sirens began nearing them.

"We have to go," Jason said and Melanie nodded.

Climbing to the roof of the station, Jason activated his bike which came flying at them. They both climbed on and flew off into the sky but Melanie turned to look back at the port.

"You can come back after an hour and help them," Jason said when he noticed her reluctant gaze.

"I know," Melanie whispered.

"Need me to take you home?"

"As tempting as that might sound, no," Melanie answered with a bitter smile. "Come to my place another time. When I'm in the mood to play."

. . . I meant as in drop you off, not what you're thinking. Then again . . . Jason thought but didn't retort. A part of him wished to devour her but he already had enough trouble with women.