Chapter 5.1 — Atlas

"You're so beautiful, Atlas," he murmured against my lips, his hands gently tracing every contour of my body. "Incredibly beautiful..."

"Call my name," his voice, tender and soothing, caressed my ear. "Call me by my real name, Atlas..."

"Kage," I whispered, my voice barely audible, my fingers tightly gripping his hand as he thrust deeply inside me. "Kage... Kage..."

I clung to his hand throughout, through his release inside me, through his gasps of pleasure, and even as he drifted into slumber. I continued holding onto that hand, not because I wanted to, never because I wanted to, but because I dreaded the pain, feared his wrath, and because his presence filled me with terror.

"Atlas... Call my name... Atlas..."

"-las! Atlas, wake up!"

I jolted awake, my heart hammering, searching frantically for him. Yet my hands found only empty air.

"Kage!" Tears welled in my eyes, my voice quivering with terror. "Kage! Kage!"

Someone was calling me, but it was a different voice. Panic surged through me – Kage would punish me if he knew.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!"

I shoved back, and the person tumbled to the floor with a resounding crash, pulling me out of the nightmarish grip.

"...Wendy?" I stammered, my entire body tensed with anxiety. "I... Wendy... You're injured..."

My gaze remained fixed on her bloodied hand, a consequence of her fall onto the vase I had shattered the previous night.

"Atlas, Atlas, it's all right," Wendy quickly got to her feet and approached me, her tone soothing and gentle. "I'm fine. You're fine."

That was when I became aware of my trembling body.

"You're fine, Atlas..." Wendy murmured as she rocked me gently back and forth. "Everything's all right. He's not here."

"I'm sorry," I whispered, clutching her shirt as though it were a lifeline. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," Wendy reassured me, slowly guiding me away with a tender smile. "I barely even feel it. And I think it looks kind of cool on my hand, don't you think? You know I can rock anything."

I nodded slowly, still feeling lost within the remnants of my torment.

"I knew it," Wendy grinned. "I've told you countless times that I can look fabulous in anything, and you always teased me. Well, look who proved you wrong! I'll be expecting an apology from you and Gus later."

Before I could respond, Wendy continued with her usual vivacity. "Oh! I came to call you for breakfast. Gus said he wants us all to have breakfast together."

"I'll be down in a minute..."

After Wendy left the room, I remained seated on the edge of my bed, my mind ensnared in a web of haunting memories.

I knew I needed to get up, to move forward with my day, but the shadows of my past clung to me like a relentless specter.

The room felt oppressively silent, the absence of Kage's presence leaving a void that seemed impossible to fill. But I had to try. I had to push him from my mind, even if just for a moment.

I forced myself to stand, my legs shaky as I stumbled towards the closet. The clothes hung there, like armor against the world, yet no attire could shield me from the memories that haunted my every waking moment.

I selected my usual outfit of a black hoodie and cargo pants, trying to banish thoughts of Kage as I dressed. But it was a futile endeavor. His ghostly presence lingered, taunting me, suffocating me.

As I laced up my sneakers, I couldn't help but replay the past in my mind.

It's like no matter how hard I try, he will always be there. He is always there.

Desperation clawed at me, and with trembling hands, I retrieved the small vial from my dresser drawer. It was a temporary escape, a way to silence the memories that refused to let me go.

I filled the syringe, the familiar rush of anticipation quickening my pulse.

I found a vein, injected the drug, and released a heavy breath as warmth spread through me, dulling the edges of my anguish. The room blurred at the corners, and my fears were momentarily silenced.

And by the time I got downstairs, I was Moon again.