Chapter 10
Mischa
I was almost born as an Ostilis but I was created. I was made when I was a babe. I don’t recall the small amount of time that I was mortal, mave, as Aurelia calls them. There are things that I wish I knew about mortality but the only way I can find out is to ask but when I do they think I have some mental disorder, which I do not. It wasn’t until I was sitting on a plane headed for Virginia from the West Coast that I found someone I could ask. She fascinated me, there was something about her that was different, I don’t really know how to explain it. Her strength was part of it. For being mortal she was so very much like us, she was a part of the world and yet not. Holding knowledge that no one else knew. Surprisingly enough she imparted a small portion of this to me and I, in turn, told her things that I had never spoken aloud.
None of my kind knows about me, except, of course, Aurelia. I have kept myself apart from them as I attempted to learn about humanity. I’m what you might call a wild card; no one knows what my purpose is, why I exist, why I was created. I could do something one minute and another completely different the next. I am in no way predictable, which is the only thing constant about me. Strange the way things work out. Oh, well, everyone is different and I guess that everyone is a wild card unless you know them really well.
All my existence I have been apart from everything, even myself. I seal myself within my thoughts, locked away for years in the contemplation of the humanity I never had. I still don’t understand them but I’m beginning to have an idea of the human condition. In my eyes life is brutally short. People don’t pay attention to the time they have, to what they could possibly do it that time. They go through life with no ambition, no drive. They may have an idea as to what they want to do but they can never bring themselves to fully realize their potential. I have seen it time and time again. They fear change so they do nothing to pull themselves out of their current situation. Many times they become ruled by their fears even though they wish they could change it. They are too used to the way things are, too afraid to change something that they know they could if they tried. Maybe I don’t understand everything about humanity yet but I’m learning, you can’t deny that.
What truly fascinates me about humans is their concept of religion. We certainly don’t have one but mortals have more than one. It makes me wonder how exactly these things came into existence. The first humans had superstitions and came up with myths as to how the world was created but the current religions have elaborate rules and ways of doing things. It never ceases to amaze me how people can follow something so blindly, how they can devote their lives to something they don’t even know is there. They have never seen this thing they’re worshiping. I believe that I will never understand this aspect of humanity thanks to the diversity of religious ideas. So many mortals have died over religion; more in fact then have died to sate my hunger. Why do humans have to war over religion when for all intents and purposes they worship the same god. The only difference is the name and appearance. The religions that I have the easiest time understanding are the ones that are polytheistic. They have a deity for everything. The thing that I don’t like though is the concept of worshiping something. You can’t see it, you don’t know if it’s real, but yet you kneel and take your communion. I wish someone would explain it to me.
There are other things about humanity that baffle me, for example, their need for violence. They won’t actually admit it because that would be wrong. There are games that I have seen where violence and death are glorified. The player kills for a higher score. What does this say to mortal children who go to stores and buy these games? What confuses me is that parents buy the games for their children and then chastise others for doing the same. Humans can be so hypocritical. And these games sell out faster than books of the same genre. At least when you read a book you’re exercising your mind.
Now look at television. Sex, violence, and drugs shown daily on almost every channel. Catering to the wants of every teenager and adult. The possessed box watches the children sit in the shimmering electric glow that resonates from behind a glass screen. It sees everything you do, watches you grow and change. Watches the effect that it has upon the hearts and minds of the youth. There used to be plays where people would go to gather; now there is only the soft glow radiating from the box plugged into the wall socket. Amazing the technology created for the sole purpose of entertaining the masses.
Now it has been two days since that fateful plane trip where I meet the beautiful Seraphina. We have yet to find Altan and Vahn but we are close. I have a good idea as to where they might be.
“Thank you for allowing me to accompany you.” I said with a smile.
Seraphina nodded, “Do you have any idea as to where they might be?”
“Yes.” I replied, “There are various places of semi-safety where we can go to be with others of our kind. There is one here.” I led her down the street towards an old warehouse, “This is the only one in this state. There aren’t very many of them. Come, shall we go inside? The Ostilis here will think you are one of us because of Aurelia’s blood. They are young and cannot tell the difference yet.” I said, holding out a hand for her to take.
She took it apprehensively and we walked inside. The room was filled with headless corpses, only two stood amidst the sea. Altan and Vahn, I knew it was them because of the picture she had shown me. I smiled at them.
“Caught killing your own kind.” I said, shaking my head, “Tsk, tsk. You should know that you shouldn’t be doing that. Well Seraphina, I believe that morning is almost here. Should we open the windows and watch them burn? I believe that would be a fitting end.”
“Yes, I believe so.” She said, throwing open the window nearest to her.
“You’ll die as well.” Vahn said, fear showing on his face.
I laughed, “No, I won’t. I have gained an immunity over the centuries.” I said as I opened another window.
Vahn’s eyes grew wide, “You can’t be serious.”
“I’ve never been more serious in my life.” I replied as Seraphina and I each threw open another of the many windows.
“Why are you going to kill us?” Altan asked softly, “You’ll kill them as well.”
“Because, I was told to.” Seraphina said with a wicked smile, “Besides, it’s what you are.” She stopped, “Mischa,” She said softly, “I can’t open the rest. There are still some here that are alive. I can’t kill them. We’ll have to take Vahn and Altan outside.” She said without waiting for me to reply.
I nodded, “Very well.” Quickly I grabbed their arms. They struggled against me as I pulled them towards the gaping mouth of the door.
“Any last requests?” Seraphina asked as she began to close the windows.
“I hope you rot in hell human.” Vahn spat as I threw them out into the waiting sun.
Their screams echoed through the streets. Permeated the stones, ringing in the ears of the mortals who were just waking up, their dreams shattered by the two Ostilis who lay writhing on the pavement as their bodies burned. Blessed silence then the shrill scream of an ambulance siren. Humans confused me, why would they need an ambulance for those already dead? I will never understand them, I cannot. The charred flesh of Altan and Vahn would be taken to the morgue for examination, that didn’t matter to us though. I could care less what happened to their thoroughly decimated remains. Taking Seraphina’s arm I led her away from the carnage before us. It was time to go, time for us to see Aurelia. I was looking forward to it.
“Shall we depart before the police get here?” I asked softly as I took her outside.
She nodded as I locked the door behind us. We walked, weaving in and out of the alleyways and streets. I would have to get out of the sun soon even though I can be in it I can’t stand the heat for too long. It can get rather uncomfortable. Quickly I pulled her through the streets, knowing exactly where I was going to take her.