It Takes Two to Tango pt.1

- 12 years ago -

The dark cloud was looming above the Acheron Mansion like a vulture gawking at its soon-to-be meal. As usual, Wrath had spent her whole day on the balcony. A habit she had been accustomed to, being forbidden from interacting with the world outside her estate. She had been staying at her grandma's place with both of her parents and their many servants. Her parents were always too busy to take care of her. As a result, she was abandoned by them most of the time.

Her grandma was an eccentric and mysterious person, but she was loaded. It was the only reason why Wrath's parents had been living under her roof. Being a firefighter meant that her dad spent majority of his time at the station while her mom was busy satisfying other men. The broken couple had eloped when they were young and returned to the mansion when Persephone was conceiving Wrath. They decided to ditch her there ever since, seemingly consumed by their own endeavors.

"Still looking at the flower garden?" a male's voice inquired.

"Uhuh… it's the only pretty thing in this house," young Wrath nodded; her eyes unbothered.

"That's not true! Anyway, you can get a closer look if you go down and see it for yourself," he suggested.

"It's almost lunch time and I have homework to do after. This is the only time I get to enjoy the flowers in bloom. Besides, being in the balcony protects me from the sun," she hid her fingers under her sleeves.

"But the sky's getting dark."

She turned to face the owner of the voice, "I'm not falling for your trick again, Eros."

"Hahaha… was I being obvious? Give yourself some credit," Eros smiled.

"W-what do you mean by that?"

"You have been wishing for it again, right?"

"How did you know?" her eyes lit up at the remark.

"What do I not know?" he joked.

"Hmm… friends are supposed to tell each other everything you know."

"Friends, huh? I've never had those…" he gazed off to the flower garden beneath the balcony.

Wrath gave him a wide smile, "I can be your first one since we've been seeing each other a lot by now. But aren't you gonna tell me how I was capable of changing the weather?"

"You wanted it so badly and gave something in return. You wished for it and put origami butterfly on the balcony every time. I'm sure you continued doing so because you noticed that it worked, right?"

"Woah… how did you know that?" she titled her head.

"Aren't you a curious little sweetheart? I've been watching over you for a while now," he smiled.

"How come I never see you then? And I still don't understand how that even worked."

Eros approached her and patted her head, "there are many things in this world that you wouldn't understand and even more that you wouldn't make sense. Greater things are yet to come. Will you join me for the ride, Wrath?"

There was a glimmer of viperous and treacherous glaze in Eros' eyes as Wrath's image reflected on his glossy pupils. His sheer golden eyes pierced through the child's delicate heart. He knew she was much deeper and interesting than she showed. He knew what interested her; knowledge, power, empty promises, risk. The young gentleman offered his hand as he crouched to her eye level. His warm smile melted away her memories of his mischiefs.

Her dark eyes were filled with glints of hope for an exciting future. The mundane and constricting schedule of the manor had dragged her youthful soul into her premeditated grave. He was her only source of entertainment; her sole escape from life.

Eros was an adult unlike any other, not bound to the rules of the world, someone she could look up to. Seemingly free from punishments and detection. She found herself reaching for the pale arm inches away from her.

"Wrath? Are you in the balcony again? How many times have I told you to tie the curtains when you're outside? It's dangerous to play around a big mansion alone– "

She laid her dainty fingers on her friend's hand, "You promise to be with me forever? Even when I'm all grown up?"

"Wrath? Who were you talking to?" a caretaker unveiled the balcony curtains.

"My imaginary friend obviously! You're interrupting us. We're in the middle of something," she huffed and grunted softly.

"Aren't you a cutie? What were you pretending to do? Is he proposing to you?" the lady pinched her cheek.

Wrath moved away and puffed her cheeks in frustration, "Mine your own business, will you? Why are you here anyway?"

"Lunch is ready. C'mon! It's broccoli and roast beef," she forced a smile.

"No! I hate it! I want mash potatoes," the toddler pouted.

"Now, now. Don't make this any harder for me. You know I'm just doing my job. Right?"

The petite kid inched away and bumped on the railing of the balcony, "Shut up! Leave me alone!"

"Is that any way to talk to an adult? Are you being a naughty kid, Wrath? You know, your parents won't be home until tomorrow, and Madame Lilith is busy feeding the ducks," the lady threatened.

"What are you gonna do to me? I'm not scared of you!" her voice shook, and her face was visibly pale and perspiring.

"You'll get what bad girls like you deserve, of course," the caretaker grabbed her by her hair and dragged her unto her bed.

"Grandma!!! Eros!!! Help!!! Argh…" she writhed.

"No point in yelling, no one's gonna hear you. Call out to your imaginary friend all you want. You'll only get yourself hurt," she snarled.

"Eros!!!"

"Hahaha… now let's see. Your luscious hair must be getting heavy on that big head of yours. Let's cut it!" she searched for a steel scissor in a cabinet as she held Wrath by her neck.

Wrath was whimpering and resisting as she started to lose consciousness from her babysitter's choke-hold. Her vision could barely make out the blurry shape of her assaulter; clouded by tear and fright. The tall man in white shirt had disappeared. She desperately gasped for air as the tip of the scissor reflected light from the ceiling into her eyes.

"Please…" a tear rolled down her rosy cheek.

"Ungrateful little girls like you make me sick! There's no rational reason behind treating you like a princess. Everyone should have the same chance to live so frivolously," she raised the metal weapon.

"No!"

"Snip…snip…" she whispered.