Carnage

by Sandra R Neeley

  “Carnage! It’s me…” Destroy said.

  Carnage threw his head back and roared, never stopping his advance toward Destroy.

  Carolena started struggling to her feet. Enthrall tried to stop her, but she said, “I have to stop him. He’ll kill Destroy.”

  “Son of a bitch,” Enthrall mumbled under his breath. He knew she was right, but still wasn’t sure about getting in front of a rampaging Carnage. “Stay right next to me. If he turns on either of us, I’ll ghost us out of here.”

  Enthrall helped her toward Carnage, who was almost all the way to Destroy, Destroy having consistently backed away from Carnage as he advanced.

  Carnage was beyond words, nothing but snarls and roars emitted from him.

  Carolena tried several times to call him, but he didn’t hear her, or wouldn’t respond. She turned to Enthrall, “Can you drop me right in front of him, between them, and disappear quickly?”

  “I’m not leaving you between two fighting Gargoyles!” Enthrall said.

  “You have to. If it doesn’t work, come right back and get me. But I think it’ll work, please,” she begged. “This is all my fault. I should never have gone off alone. I can’t let him hurt Destroy.”

  Enthrall didn’t like it, but really they had no choice. He hugged her close and ghosted to a point directly between the two Goyles who were now about fifteen feet apart. He materialized, squatting on the ground with Carolena in his arms. He looked up to be sure where he was placing her, then ghosted away.

  Carnage hesitated in his stalking of Destroy; a female had been placed in front of him.

  She spoke, “Carnage, I need you.” She lifted her left arm where the dog had torn her flesh. The blood dripped from her hand onto the ground in front of her, “I’m hurting. I need you. You’ve killed all the dogs; there is no more threat. Please, please take me home.”

  Carnage stared at her, his head turning to the side, this was his female. And she was bleeding. His expression turned from one of destruction to one of concern, his brow furrowed, “Leenah” he forced through his now raw throat.

  Carolena sobbed, relief flooding her. She saw out of the corner of her eye, Enthrall signaling Destroy, trying to make him fly away. Destroy looked back toward her. She did not take her eyes from Carnage, but she said, “I’ll be okay.”

  Destroy nodded his head once, then looked to Enthrall and lifted into the air.

  Carnage didn’t even look at Destroy as he left them. He’d already knelt beside Carolena and was tearing the sleeves of her shirt away so that he could see the damage for himself. He checked her neck, her throat, her other arm, and legs before deciding for himself that she wouldn’t die. Then he rose, with her in his arms, and started back toward Enthrall’s home. Enthrall followed quietly along behind them.

  <<<<<<<>>>>>>>

  As soon as they got back to Enthrall’s home, Carnage took Carolena straight into the bathroom. There he stripped her down and placed her into the bathtub. He ran warm water and bathed her body, and her cuts and bites. He let the water out of the tub several times and refilled it, until he was sure that she was clean. Once he was satisfied that she was as clean as she could be, he lifted her from the tub and wrapped a towel around her. He carried her to her room where he dressed her in his large shirt she’d been using to sleep in.

  Enthrall knocked on the door, “Carnage, I have some salve for her injuries. Can you bring her in the living room?”

  Carnage didn’t answer, but he lifted her from the bed and carried her down the hall to the living room. Once there, he sat her on the couch and watched as Enthrall offered him the salve to put on her bites.

  Carnage shook his head; he still wasn’t himself, and he wasn’t sure he knew what to do with the medicine anyway.

  “May I?” Enthrall asked.

  Carnage nodded.

  Enthrall applied the salve to Carolena’s injuries, speaking softly to her, asking how she ended up there, what made her leave and go off on her own.

  Carolena explained that she was irritated at being left alone. She felt like an afterthought and decided that she didn’t need them. She was perfectly capable of taking care of herself and decided to go on an adventure.

  “You weren’t trying to leave us?” Enthrall asked.

  “No,” she answered, in tears. “I just wanted to teach you a lesson, to show you that I can take care of myself, that I don’t need any of you.”

  Carnage was snarling low in his chest again.

  Enthrall said, “Do you know that a moment later and you’d be dead?”

  Carolena nodded.

  “Do you know that you are lucky that Carnage recognized you and stopped stalking Destroy? Do you know that this could have been catastrophic for all of us? All because you decided that you wanted to teach us a lesson? Who do you think needs the lesson now, Carolena? Who?” Enthrall demanded.

  “Me,” she answered weakly.

  “That’s right, you! I told you Carnage was not like other males. I told you he was volatile because he was reactive to his own emotions. Maybe now you’ll be a little more careful,” he said, rising from his place on the couch, having finished tending her wounds.

  “I will be, Enthrall. I’m sorry,” she said.

  “I’m sure you are,” he said before he left them to go to his own room — he was truly shaken.

  “I’m sorry, Carnage,” she said to the Gargoyle sitting beside her, watching her intently for any sign of pain.

  He didn’t reply, but reached out a thumb to softly caress her cheekbone.

  He lifted her and took her to her room, tucked her in bed, and climbed in behind her, holding her as she eventually fell into a much needed sleep.

  Chapter 10

  The next morning Carolena woke sore, but thankful to be alive. She was not alone again. She felt Carnage pressed tight against her back. As soon as he realized she was awake, he kissed her shoulder and sat up. Carnage examined her wrist and arm and reached for the salve that Enthrall had put near their bedside during the night. He’d told Carnage to apply it every couple of hours until the bruising faded, and the skin started to repair itself.

  After Carnage put another coating of salve on her wounds, they got up and headed into the kitchen. Enthrall was just putting breakfast on the table and welcomed them.

  “How did you sleep?” Enthrall asked.

  “Well,” Carolena answered, not looking him in the eye.

  Carnage reached out for a slice of ham and grinned when Enthrall pretended he would slap his hand with the spatula.

  Well, Enthrall thought, at least Carnage is back to pleasant Carnage.

  They sat and shared breakfast, Carolena not meeting Enthrall’s eyes no matter the conversation he tried to draw her into.

  “Carolena, you cannot avoid me forever. Why won’t you look at me?” Enthrall asked.

  “I’m embarrassed. I’m ashamed of my behavior. I’m truly sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused,” she answered, still looking at her plate.

  “Perhaps it is for the best,” Enthrall answered. “Look at me. Please?” he asked.

  She looked up at him slowly.

  “It could have ended even worse than it did. But we are all here, we are all alive. And we have all learned a valuable lesson. Do not let it affect our friendship. If I’d lost you, I’d be as devastated as Carnage,” he explained.

  Carolena nodded.

  “Nooooo, mooorrre, Leenah,” Carnage said, pointing outside.

  She knew what he was saying, ‘Do not go out alone again.’

  “He’s right,” Enthrall said. “You can’t go off alone again. What if we hadn’t found you in time.”

  He realized they sounded like they were chastising a child and tried to make up for it, “I’m not telling you that you can’t go where you like. I’m just asking that until you are familiar with ALL of Whispers, please don’t go alone. There are so many dangers out there. Just ask for an escort until then. You are, as you said, a grown woman. You can go w
herever you like, just ask one of us to accompany you. At least until you know your way around better. Learn the areas to avoid, okay?” Enthrall asked.

  “Okay. You’re right. And don’t worry, I don’t plan to go off alone for a long time. I’ve learned my lesson,” she said. She looked at Carnage out of the corner of her eye.

  Carnage saw her. He took her hand in his very, very gently, “Nooooo hurrrrttt, Leenah,” he said softly.

  Carolena lifted his hand to her lips and kissed it. “I know. I never for one moment thought you’d hurt me.”

  Carnage smiled at her. He wouldn’t. He could never hurt Carolena. She was the only living thing on earth that never had to fear him. He held his hunk of ham out for her to take a bite of. She really didn’t want any, but knew he needed to know that she trusted him, so she leaned over and took a bite.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Days went by, and her wounds healed well. No bruising and only a few little puncture scars. She’d spent most of the last days staying close to Enthrall’s house. Carnage had returned to his habit of leaving before she woke in the morning, and came home late, if he came home at all during the night — sometimes she wasn’t sure. She was lonely, and she was bored. This morning was no different. Carolena woke alone, yet again. She rolled over, looking at the empty spot behind her on the bed. Carnage was not there. She got up and dressed, and went to the kitchen. Enthrall had left a teapot, still simmering on low on the wooden stove, but he was gone, too. She poured herself a cup of tea and walked outside to sit on the porch, wondering how long she’d be alone today.

  <<<<<<<>>>>>>>

  Destroy sat just out of sight, across the way, high up in the trees, watching for Carolena. He’d been warned by Enthrall not to enter his home again under any circumstances and he hadn’t. So dropping in on her as he’d done before was not an option. He’d just have to wait for her to make herself available. He didn’t want to hurt her. He just wanted to visit with her, thank her for intervening when Carnage wanted to kill him at the mud pit. Maybe make her see him for the amazing male that he was. He was lonely, very lonely. He’d had a secret dream for a long time. A dream that involved a woman who could see no male but him. He just wanted to be loved. Well, he wanted to run Whispers, too, but that was no more than a way to attract a woman in itself. People thought he was an ass, thought he was out to ruin everyone else’s happy, and sometimes he was. But it was only because he just could not pass up any chance to try to win over any woman he came across. He didn’t understand why they couldn’t see all he had to offer. And if they didn’t want him, then he really didn’t care if he managed to scare them off. If the other males were worth a damn, Destroy wouldn’t have been able to scare them off; they’d have stayed, regardless.

  He knew that as he sat here this morning, watching Enthrall’s home, he had a very good chance of speaking with Carolena. Enthrall had left earlier this morning, heading into town to pick up some supplies for some of the inhabitants of Whispers. And Carnage was gone as well. But since he couldn’t go in, he had to sit and wait for her to come out. And as he watched, it was as though the fates smiled on him; the screen door opened, and she walked out onto the porch. She looked around a bit, then took a seat in one of the chairs that Enthrall kept there, sitting back and sipping at her tea. No more than ten seconds later, he was striding up the stairs toward her.

  Carolena, lost in thought, didn’t notice Destroy until he was almost upon her. She startled and sat up straight as she heard his footfalls on the porch steps.

  “Good morning, Carolena,” Destroy said warmly. “How are you faring today?”

  “Morning, Destroy,” she answered, wondering again, why he seemed to know when she was alone. “I’m okay.”

  “I shall sit with you this morning,” he declared.

  “Wonderful,” she answered flatly.

  He took a seat near to hers, knowing full well he made her uncomfortable.

  “I do not wish to harm you. There is no reason to fear me. You saved me from Carnage’s fury; I shall not forget that,” he announced

  Carolena raised her eyes to his, “It seems to me that it was you telling Enthrall to kill me the first night I arrived, when Carnage came here looking for me. And I saved you from Carnage because it was the right thing to do.”

  Destroy waved his hand in the air dismissively, “I did not mean for Enthrall to actually kill you. I was irritated and merely pushing for an end to the confrontation.” Then he smiled at her, “And regardless of your reason, you did save me.”

  Carolena raised an eyebrow as she considered his words.

  He added as an afterthought, “I knew that Carnage would not allow your death that first night, so no real risk there.” Then he looked her in the eye, suddenly a very sincere male, “I am truly thankful for your intervention, Carolena.”

  Carolena watched him, she didn’t answer, just nodded her head. She sat back in her chair and watched the birds flitting in the treetops and the squirrels playing chase at the base of the trees.

  After a few moments of uncomfortable silence Destroy started speaking.

  “Allow me to tell you of my life — it has been a wondrous journey!” he told her enthusiastically.

  Since she gave no resistance, he began with his tales. She tried not to listen, but she found herself laughing and smiling in spite of herself. He told her of his life. Of his training and some of his travels, ending his story with an assignment of guarding an historic library, when a female happened upon his station on the roof. He’d been bored and had been distracted watching a young couple in love, engrossed in the act of lovemaking in the shadows across the common square. He’d become aroused just before a female had come out onto the roof. He froze, mimicking the stone his brethren were believed to be, and not wishing to give away the secret of their existence. The woman had wandered around the roof for a few moments, enjoying the uninhibited view of the stars, before turning her focus on to him. She approached him, standing on tiptoe to get a better look. He did not move, continuing to stare straight ahead. She ran her hands down his chest, and dragged her fingertips lightly across his abdomen as she circled him. She maintained her touch, her hand lightly brushing his skin as she made her way back around to the front of his person. There, she looked down at his private area, and her eyes grew wide when she saw the bulge apparent through his clothes. ‘Now why would anyone put breeches on a statue?’ she’d asked out loud. She smiled and her eyes lit up as she nibbled her lower lip. She checked to be sure that she was not watched; then, she slowly reached out and traced a single finger down the length of his manhood as it was outlined beneath his trousers. She smiled deviously and covered it with her hand, squeezing and sighing. He described how difficult it was to maintain his frozen posture.

  She was lost in his story. She leaned forward, interested in spite of herself, “What did you do?”

  “I stood there. She continued to caress me, then she said, ‘What I would do to you if you were real!’ and she stepped closer, standing on her toes again to get a better look at my face. She never once let go of my manhood, stroking me the whole time, then she said, ‘It’s almost as though I can see you breathing!’

  Finally, I could take it no longer. I stopped holding my breath, I looked down at her, and I said, ‘Of course you can see me breathing! And if you don’t stop stroking me, you’ll see more than me breathing! So, now, Here I am, real! What shall you do to me, little female?’” Destroy was smiling as he relayed his story.

  Carolena was smiling as she watched him remembering, “Then what?” she asked, giggling.

  “Then she screamed, twisted my manhood, and ran! I could not do more than double over and moan for more than 10 minutes! And not in a pleasurable way! She twisted me! And she lied! She did not want anything to do with me once she knew I was real!”

  Carolena had dissolved into uncontrollable laughter, and holding her middle, shrieking with each new round of laughter.


  Destroy started laughing at her laughing, and they both forgot to be on edge around each other. As the laughter died down, Carolena spoke.

  “Destroy, you are very attractive when you are not trying to convince everyone of how amazing you are. You should let your guard down and smile more often.”

  Destroy, stunned by Carolena’s comment, watched her for sincerity.

  She realized that he was watching her, not knowing her motivation behind the comment. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I only meant that as a compliment.”

  Destroy didn’t respond, just sat smiling slightly as he watched her.

  “Would you like some sarsaparilla tea?” Carolena offered.

  Destroy inclined his head slightly, “Yes. Very much.”

  She rose, went into the house, left her teacup on the kitchen counter, and came back out with two large glasses filled with the sweet drink that they all enjoyed so much.

  As they sipped their drinks and sat in companionable silence, Carolena finally asked, “Do you happen to know where everyone is?”

  “Enthrall went into town. Carnage…I do not know. He left early this morning, but I didn’t speak to him or follow him. I’m not sure where he went.”

  Carolena perked up at his information, “Carnage left early? He was here?” she sat up, excitedly.

  “Did you not know? How could you not know he was here? He slept beside you all night,” Destroy said unbelievingly.

  “I…he wasn’t…he, he wasn’t here when I fell asleep. I assumed that he didn’t come back to me last night,” she admitted. She looked down at the glass in her hands as her voice faded away at the end of her admission.

  Destroy watched her doubting herself. Doubting Carnage. Being not quite sure where she fit into this community, or if she even did, or could. He felt bad for adding to her insecurities.

  He looked at the glass in his own hands while he quietly spoke to her, first looking around to make sure no one was within earshot. He did have a reputation to protect. “I’ve been watching Enthrall’s home. Watching you. Carnage was here last night. He came back late, entered the house. I’d already been told by Enthrall not to enter his home without invitation, so I resented that Carnage could. After he didn’t come out, I approached and peered in the windows. I saw him through your blinds; he put out your oil lamp and got in bed with you. I waited, but nothing else happened. He just held you and went to sleep.”