Akayuki (Red Snow)--Missing Scene Part 2
Author's Note: I know, I know. The past pairings are going to make someone angry but I like Annie. This is original Annie from "Halloween" (1978). And, yes, I borrowed one of Michael's injuries from "Halloween" (2018). Different circumstances on how he comes by the injury.
Disclaimer: The following is a work of fan fiction. It is intended for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to actual persons living or deceased is purely coincidental.
~o~
Later
“Who was it?” Jake whispers to Ren.
Nica is asleep in her futon.
Foley had me slip her a sedative in a cup of tea.
“The Masked Ronin was Nica-sama’s former lover," he informed me once Nica fell asleep.
I glared him out of the room.
Ren wrings out a washcloth in the basin.
“No idea.”
Ren carries the washcloth to the futon and lays it across Nica’s forehead.
I sit in my corner by the closed balcony doors.
I have questions but no answers.
Jake leaves with Ren.
I change the washcloth an hour later.
Nica awakens as I brush a strand of her hair away from the washcloth.
“Michael,” she murmurs.
I brush my fingers across her cheek.
She closes her eyes and tears roll down her cheeks.
“I was only with him for a month.”
The dead young man, she means.
“Foley and Mixter didn’t approve.”
Of course not.
She sniffles then opens her eyes.
“I hurt him. Had him locked up.”
She reaches up and grabs the collar of my robe.
“It’s really you, isn’t it? You’re the real Masked Ronin.”
She glares at me.
Then she releases my robe and closes her eyes.
She’s silent for a moment.
I believe her to be asleep but she speaks before I can return to my corner.
“Chucky told me you came here to kill me.”
I can’t answer.
She opens her eyes.
“You know his soul lives inside me.”
I nod.
“Thought so.”
She reaches for my right hand, laces our fingers.
“The fingers of a killer,” she muses. “Long. Strong. Calloused.”
She releases my right hand and takes my left hand.
She strokes the stumps that were my ring and pinky fingers.
“You were married,” she whispers.
I look away from her then nod.
“With a baby on the way.”
I clench my jaw to prevent any crying or screaming.
Nica releases my hand.
“I’m sorry.”
I shake my head.
I don’t want her apology.
“Take my life now. While I’m in control of my body.”
I consider the offer.
“Do it, Michael.”
I look at her.
Her eyes are red with tears.
I shake my head.
“Please!”
She sits up. I catch the dry washcloth as it tumbles off her forehead.
“You want to face Chucky, right?”
I nod.
“Fine. Cut me and he will come out, then you can…”
I have to silence her. Now.
Before I do what she wants.
I lean in close.
She draws in her breath, surprised by the suddenness of my movements.
I ignore her reaction.
I draw closer.
Closer to her mouth.
She doesn’t move, doesn’t resist.
My lips touch hers.
Her heart is pounding.
I can hear it.
I press my lips against hers, sealing her mouth so no more words can come out.
I hold the pose for five seconds before pulling back.
I can still hear her heart pounding against her breast.
“Michael,” she whispers in the silence. She sounds breathless.
I pick up the basin and rise.
My fingers clutch the washcloth as I step out of the room.
Annie, I'm sorry.
I swore I would never replace you.
Not after you lost everything because of me.
I walk outside and pour the water out of the basin.
The night air smells of rain.
Back inside, I meet Ren exiting Nica’s room.
“She’s fine,” Ren assures me, seeing the worried look on my face. She pries the basin and washcloth out of my hands. “Go in,” Ren orders. “Comfort her.”
I nod.
Nica is lying on her back on the futon. Her right arm lies across her eyes. She sniffles as I crouch by her bedside.
“I didn’t love him,” she says. I can hear tears in her voice even if I can't see them on her face. “I thought I did. Really, I just wanted someone to believe me about Chucky.”
She sniffles, uncovers her eyes, and I watch tears stream down her cheeks.
“Nobody outside of the Akayuki clan knows about me. My secret, I mean. Even if I told them, they wouldn't believe me. Magic doesn't exist, right?”
Evil exists, though, hime. You’re looking at it.
“You believe me.” She reaches for my ruined hand.
I pull away.
She pouts for a moment before lowering her hand and resting it on the futon.
“You loved your wife.”
I nod.
“Chucky mocked you for it.”
I nod.
“Did you kill her? He says you did, but he lies. I know you…”
I glare at her.
You don't know anything about me.
I recall the old man from the hospital.
“Michael, I know you.”
No one knew me. Not even Annie. I wore—still wear—too many masks.
I don’t know myself.
“You look sad,” Nica whispers.
I stare at her.
“You had my expression on your face.” She sniffles. More tears roll down her cheeks. “When I was locked in the cell all those years, sometimes me and most of the time Chucky, and when I was alone, I didn’t know. I sat in the dark, and…I wondered…am I me? Because I didn't know.”
“Comfort her,” Ren had told me.
I lean down and press my lips against Nica’s forehead.
Try not to remember my first kiss with Annie…a forehead kiss.
“You can do better than that,” she sneered.
“No, I don't…”
Annie ignored me, grabbed the collar of my shirt, and yanked me towards her. Her lips were soft, hot, and everywhere. From my lips to my chin, neck, chest…
I pull back.
Nica sniffles.
“I'm okay,” she assures me. “Extinguish the candles. All of them. I want to lie in the dark for a while.”
I rise.
Extinguish the candles as commanded.
Return to my corner.
Nica is silent.
Sleep, hime. Sleep will allow you to escape.
“Take me with you,” she murmurs. Her breathing becomes light and even.
At midnight, I slip out of her room, alone, and go outside.
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