Pulse of Heroes

by A. Jacob Sweeny

  “He must miss you already,” he laughed as he hung up the call. He then looked her up and down and said something in another language before he locked her in again. The whole idea of her being nothing but a lure to draw Elliot was fading fast and the idea of being stuck there with Haden for God knows how long was something that she just couldn’t fathom. There was movement outside the room somewhere, and the sound of fast confident footsteps heading towards the door. It was Haden. Michelle heard the locks disengage again and cowered behind the curtains.

  “Michelle!” he yelled out in an angry voice as he closed the door behind him. Haden was sweating and his hair was tangled and disheveled. He held the sword she saw earlier, only this time there was a streak of fresh blood on it. There were also droplets of blood all over his face and neck. He looked absolutely dreadful. Michelle’s first thought was that he was hurt, and it scared her. As much as she had wanted him dead only an hour or so earlier, she was no killer and the idea of seeing anyone hurt, really hurt, was not something she could stomach.

  “Michelle!!!” he roared again, only this time his eyes settled on her frightened face.

  “What happened?” Michelle asked in a shaking voice. Haden didn’t understand why she looked so frightened until he caught a glimpse of his image in the large mirror.

  “Nothing happened. It’s not my blood,” he said in satisfaction. Michelle immediately concluded that if the blood wasn’t Haden’s then it had to be Elliot’s, and the possibility of that made her feel like she wanted to tear Haden into pieces with her own hands. Michelle swallowed hard and stood up as straight as possible. She wasn’t going to feel ashamed for caring.

  “And Elliot?” she asked. Haden spit on the floor with fury.

  “You can consider him dead.” Michelle was at a loss. She was angry with Elliot, disappointed at him, betrayed by him, and disillusioned, but she still cared and couldn’t explain why. And all those feelings came rushing in the moment she thought that the world no longer held a place for him. It didn’t matter if she never saw him again, but she wanted to know that he was somewhere out there. A world without Elliot was an ugly world, one that she wanted no part of.

  “No!!!!!” Michelle wailed and began weeping uncontrollably. Haden seemed to be enjoying her sorrow and walked over to where she was collapsed on the floor. He stood over her and grabbed her hair, tilting her head until her face faced his.

  “You wished me dead, remember? Not a very nice wish. Now you see what it feels like. Things could have been good between us, but now I …” Haden stopped mid-sentence and seemed to be listening to something. He swiftly moved to the large window, then opened the bathroom door and went to look out the small windows in there. When he came back into the bedroom Michelle looked at him curiously. If Elliot was dead, then what was he worried about? Haden must have read Michelle’s mind and waved his finger at her.

  “Don’t even think about it. My men are out there searching the area for any of his friends. You see, he was told to come alone. I made it very clear to him that your precious life depended on it. But I guess that didn’t matter to him at all. He was more worried about saving his own skin than yours,” he laughed. But just then, there was a sound of heavy footsteps on the roof and they both looked up. Haden moved in their direction while Michelle shadowed him. The sound was directly above them now, and Michelle wondered if maybe Haden was talking about Rion since she had seen him at the concert. Maybe Rion was still trying to save her, and she thanked him for that from the bottom of her heart. He might have been outlandish, even aloof at times, but she could tell that he had a warm heart. He wouldn’t leave her there, would he?

  The thought of poor Elliot’s blood spattered across Haden’s neck was making her ill, and she just couldn’t make peace with not seeing him again. She had to see it for herself to believe it was true. The footsteps moved to the bathroom, and Michelle saw Haden’s arm flex as he tightened his grip on his sword. He was obviously concerned about whoever it was that might be up there, which Michelle took to mean that he didn’t have as much control over the situation as he had led her to believe.

  “I want to see him. I want to see Elliot,” Michelle demanded in a steady voice. “I don’t believe he’s dead. You’re just bluffing,” she continued. Haden was obviously annoyed because she could see the muscles above his jowls tighten and his grip on the sword got even tenser.

  “I don’t care what the hell you want! You are nothing! Do you understand? Nothing!”

  More tears. “I want to see him!” Michelle yelled out, and just as Haden raised his hand to slap her again, the angel decorated stained glass window above the tub shattered into a million colorful pieces, hurling and raining jewel-like fragments all over the empty bathtub with a thunderous resonance. It was an explosive kaleidoscope of colors brilliantly floating through the air like a synchronized dance in slow motion. Before the first of the fragments had even hit the floor, a pair of buckled black boots pierced through the gaping tear in the middle of the window, after which followed a pair of black pants, and then hands and sleeves.

  By the time Elliot landed on the stone floor, Haden had grabbed Michelle and forced her in front of him. He draped his arm across her chest and neck while with the other he pointed the sword at her back. Michelle had closed her eyes instinctively to avoid the falling glass, but when she opened them and saw Elliot standing in front of her she didn’t know what to say. Was he too an angel from up above? Was she dead? She couldn’t really tell what was happening because the echo of the glass shattering still reverberated in her eardrums. All she knew was that her heart was beating a million beats per second, and that Elliot looked so beautiful to her. It was like he exuded a light that was unseen, but she could feel it. She wanted to run to him and fall into his arms. She wanted to drown in the blue of his eyes, which looked like the color of the ocean when the full moon shone on it. Without even noticing that Haden had his arm around her, Michelle took an involuntary step forward towards Elliot.

  “Elliot,” she yelled out to him, and saw his eyes soften at the sound of his name. But in less than a second they were back into slits of fierceness.

  “Michelle,” he said in a calm voice, stretching his hand in front of her like a stop guard motioning her to stay in place, “it’s going to be ok. Don’t move now, ok?” Only then did she realize that Haden was holding his sword to her back.

  “You just keep looking straight,” Haden commanded her, “and you won’t get hurt,” he said while running the cold metal up her bare leg. The idea of dying by sword was something she had never thought of; fire, plane crash maybe, even getting shot, but never until then did she imagine what the pain of a sharp heavy blade piercing her skin and through her internal organs would feel like. The sword was much bigger and sharper then she had ever expected. And to think that such a grotesque tool was used in wars throughout most of history made her think about the millions of people who died by its sharp profile, and she prayed for all of them, as much as she was praying for herself. She didn’t want to die like that. She was scared to death.

  “I don’t want to die like this,” she whispered in childlike desperation. And Elliot’s heart felt like it was being twisted and torn. How the hell did he get her into this he thought, looking back and forth between her face and the cold blade that teased at her back again.

  “You’re not going to die, Michelle. It’s not your time,” Elliot reassured her, although he knew quite well what Hadeno was capable of.

  “There’s only one person here who could cause your death, and you’re looking at him. I am just his instrument,” Haden said coldly. When Michelle first met Haden she would have never believed he was capable of killing her, but after he almost raped her and then choked her until she blacked out, she knew it was possible. He probably did kill Adi she thought and shuddered. But Elliot was capable of doing the same; she looked at him suspiciously and he could tell that she feared him also. Elliot took the clay tablet that was still hanging from around
his neck and slid it towards Hadeno’s feet.

  “Here, keep it and take me. Let her go.” Hadeno gave the tablet a shove with his foot so that it ended up behind him.

  “Good. Now I have everything that I want. But it’s you I’m really after. I’m going to back up with precious cargo here and I want you to follow us into the room.” Hadeno began pulling Michelle backwards. Elliot slowly walked after them into the bedroom and looked around at his surroundings,

  “That’s right. Little princess had no problem sleeping in my bed.” Michelle felt ashamed and looked down at the floor. It was obvious that he was not planning to spare any detail regarding their interactions. Elliot tried to catch Michelle’s eyes but she wouldn’t look at him.

  “Oh, big man, aren’t you! We can take whoever we want; it’s not like she had a choice. So keep your boasting to yourself.” Michelle was glad that Elliot stood up for her, but at the same time hearing him say that he could have whomever he wanted showed her that Haden was right about something. Elliot wasn’t shy. Not the way she had thought he was. The images Haden showed her were obviously not lies. So why did he act so innocent with her? Why all the performances of not wanting her the way that Haden did? Maybe that was just it, he didn’t really want her. She was after all just a silly girl, and that was how he treated her. Michelle’s heart sank inside her and she let out a small sigh.

  “Look who’s talking. You’re the one that’s manipulating a little girl for your own means. Don’t worry, I picked up on her Pulse, but I bet you never said anything to her.” Michelle tilted her head, although her eyes were still downcast. ‘Pulse?’ Elliot’s eyes glared at Hadeno, who only smirked back at him with satisfaction.

  “That’s right, Michelle. Elliot never told you anything about our families or the curse, did he?“

  “Those things do not concern you Michelle. Don’t listen to him!” Elliot yelled out to her. ”I was going to tell you everything… we just haven’t had the time, after my friends were murdered! By the same hands that are holding you right now!”

  Haden whispered into Michelle’s neck, “Have I lied to you little sweetheart? Now you see the difference between me and him. He’ll say anything to deflect any sense of responsibility.”

  Elliot hated Hadeno being so close to Michelle, and his eyes accordingly glowed like blue fire. When Hadeno saw Elliot’s expression he kissed Michelle’s neck and then licked it just to piss him off even more. “She still tastes the same, just a little more salty now that she’s sweating.” Elliot saw that although Michelle was not happy with what Hadeno did, she didn’t flinch in disgust.

  They’ve been intimate, he was now convinced of it. His heart sank and he looked at Michelle with sadness. Haden instructed Elliot to walk over to the wardrobe and push at the bottom right of the large beveled mirror. Elliot did, and the mirror rotated on its axis to reveal a dark abyss with a narrow flight of stairs descending into its midst.

  “Move!” Hadeno screamed at Elliot, shoving the sword a little harder into Michelle’s back so she was forced to curve it out away from him. They followed Elliot down into the cold cavern. “Turn left.” Hadeno stopped walking and held Michelle in place while he fidgeted with something. That was when Michelle caught a glimpse of the metal bars he was about to swing shut, and in an instant and much to everyone’s surprise she leaped forward about a foot and landed on Elliot’s side. Haden just laughed again as he slammed the gate shut.

  “Suit yourself. I guess I can spare you two lovebirds a little social time. Maybe you can tell her about all your wives? Or maybe how you drove Leta to commit suicide?” Michelle looked at Elliot but he wouldn’t look back at her; he just swallowed hard. Hadeno was telling the truth.

  “What do you want, Hadeno? You’ve got the tablet and you have me. Send her home,” Elliot said. Haden looked at Michelle and said that he had grown quite fond of her, and that despite the way she was acting now he knew that she was quite fond of him too. She just needed better training. Elliot shook his head.

  “You keep shaking your head as much as you want because soon you won’t have it to shake.” Michelle looked at Haden in horror. Why did he hate Elliot so much? Why was he still bent on killing him now that he had the tablet? “Because Michelle, the future of humanity always depends on us to move things along. You might see me as odd, maybe even a little temperamental, but what if someone came to you and told you that there is a special weapon, a special force that will unite all humans to work together, to stop their insane feuding and jealousies, to melt all borders and cultures and become one great nation? Would that be worth the sacrifice of one measly life?” Elliot looked at Haden in confusion, his perplexed thoughts almost perfectly mirroring Michelle’s. “If someone gave you the power to do all this and more, would you not give up one life for a dream like this? I didn’t choose him. Fate did, and it just so happens that he deserves it, that’s all.”

  “You’re insane!” Elliot yelled. “Isn’t it enough that you fuel most of the wars around the world with your weapon trading hobby? Now you want more?”

  “That’s just it, Elliot. I won’t need any weapons, because I have finally found the thing we have all been wishing for our whole lives, and I will rule in peace and equality.” Michelle looked at Haden, completely horrified. Was he really crazy? Or was there some kernel of truth to his words. Haden looked at Michelle and his face softened a little. He told her not to worry because she would still have an important part in his life.

  “You, Michelle, have the Pulse of Heroes in your blood. You will give me a healthy son one way or another. If you want to leave after that, I won’t stop you. I guess Elliot here was hoping for the same. I’m sorry to squash your dreams.” With those words Haden disappeared up the steps, and the only rays of light that crossed the threshold down into the small dungeon disappeared with him.

  Michelle stood in absolute darkness. She imagined that that was how blind people lived. Elliot couldn’t see anything either, despite his pupils’ desperate attempts at searching for any source of reflected light.

  “Michelle,” he said to her softly, “don’t be scared. I’ll get us out of here. I promise.” Michelle didn’t answer him. She couldn’t trust a thing he said. And she was still in complete shock at the words that came out of Haden’s mouth. Was he actually planning to forcefully impregnate her and keep her there as a prisoner until she gave birth? It didn’t make sense after everything he had said about her needing to want the pregnancy. It made her stomach turn, and she held it in her arms steadying it. She hadn’t eaten all day, and her stomach acids were already burning her stomach lining. Was Elliot training her to become a walking womb too? Was that why he paid her attention? Was it because he liked her enough as an oven for his unborn spawn but didn’t really love her?

  “Michelle,” Elliot tried again.

  “What is this Pulse, Elliot? Is that what I was to you too? A potential womb to carry and birth more monsters like you? Your spawn?” Michelle’s words stung and hurt Elliot deeper than she could have ever imagined. He heard the hate in them, and her repugnance for him was not hidden. He didn’t know what to do or what to say. So he moved a little closer to her but when Michelle felt him she panicked and moved away. Elliot cursed Hadeno. If Hadeno had hurt Michelle physically she could heal and he could help her, but the mind was a complex and mysterious place where no amount of science or therapy could completely reverse things that were imprinted on it, because that was the process of developing a personality. Everyone was born with an unblemished personality, but as soon as life begins to take its toll, that personality gets buried beneath other layers, becoming almost unseen by the time one is an adult. After that, it only emerges every so often, and that’s usually when someone is in love. That was what Elliot had seen in Michelle’s eyes when she looked at him. And now the person yelling at him was no longer the same Michelle.

  “Elliot, What the hell is The Pulse! What was he talking about?” Michelle yelled out in fear. Elliot swallowed hard an
d dreaded having to explain everything to her under such hurried and negative circumstances.

  “Michelle, I can’t tell you all of it with you just standing there like that.” He reached for her hand but she yelled at him not to touch her. Elliot couldn’t believe the vast space between them, and yet they were mere inches away from one another.

  “I’ll tell you everything, ok? But first things first, your safety.” He slowly sat down on the floor and asked Michelle if she would just sit down for one second? He promised not to touch her, even though uttering those words almost killed him. Michelle sat down, sighing with pain. “Why are you hurting? What has he done to you?” Elliot asked, trying to control the anger in his voice. Michelle was too embarrassed to tell him about what had taken place, so she lied and told him that she fell on her butt and cracked her tailbone. Elliot knew that she was lying; he could feel her facial temperature increase from where he was sitting.

  “You don’t need to hide anything from me. I will never blame you or judge you for what happened with Hadeno. He’s depraved, and he treats all his women like toys. If he touched you, or anything else, it’s not your fault.”

  “You have no right to talk to me about hiding things. And besides, I went to him out of my own will. I wanted to. He sounds all crazy now, but that wasn’t how he treated me before. He’s talented and smart, and we went horseback riding and he’s exceptionally good looking.” Elliot didn’t want to hear those words from her. His ego was still that of a man, and bitter jealousy crept inside him as it would into any jealous lover.