Roses for the Blind

[Oblivion]

A young man of Twenty-Six, short for his age at only five feet and eight inches, stood in what was once his home. Now, it was more akin to something from a horror story. His sister, his only important person in life, was suspended by serrated hooks, still alive but barely coherent. The loss of blood was so great, he knew even if he got her down there would be no saving her.

The man responsible was having a cup of coffee below her, sitting amongst the bloody ruins of the rest of his family. Gruesome as it was, Gaius truly couldn't care about anyone but his sister. And the man before him, dressed in stained finery of some ancient eighteenth century nobility, was the object of Gaus' hatred.

''She's not going anywhere, so you might as well sit down, and join me for tea.''

''I'd rather leave now. At least one life would be spared in my family.''

''But at what cost? Surely you want to know why I did it.''

''Honestly? I don't care. All I know is the second the opportunity rises, I'm finding you and killing you.'' Gaius spat.

''It's good to see you've got a head on your shoulders. . . As you are-''

''I would be decimated.''

''It's rude to interrupt.''

''You know? You've got my interest. Why, why us? Why destroy an innocent family?''

''Just to clarify, your brother was a con artist, your mother was a prostitute of her own volition just for that extra pocket change, and your father slept with every female with a nice pair of sweater puppies... Correct??''

''I said family, as in my sister and I.''

''And that brings me to my desire... I've scouted you for some time now, you're cold. Very cold.''

''Not news.''

''But unfortunately you had this nagging warm spot that I just couldn't figure out, until I saw your sister.'' The fine man laughed. ''Y'know she still loved them, despite their monstrous behavior. It made them perfect bait.''

''What's the point, freak?''

''I need someone incapable of any emotion outside of blinding rage and over whelming moroseness. I need a man who is so on the edge they've stepped over it several times already.''

''For what?''

''... Murder. I need a professional murderer.''

''Forget it.'' Gaius turned to leave, unsure why he didn't do so earlier.

''Suit yourself, but you'll come around... Doesn't it strike you interesting, that your dear, still breathing sister, is hanging up there and you haven't even asked me to let her down?''

Gaius paused in his step, and turned to face him with a look of well hidden terror.

''Cold as ice. Don't worry. I'll keep her safe until you can make a decision. Until then, wake up.''



That awful alarm. ''Baby you're cold as ice.'' Gaius muttered along to the song as he woke. He sat straight up, and glared at his surroundings and his clock. Night terrors, worse every time. Longer every time. That horrible alarm was the only barrier between him and some vile, perpetual dream. He tapped the snooze button and turned off his alarm for now, getting up to dress. In the world Gaius lived in, one would expect a machine to dress him, hands free. Or a robot to cook his breakfast, or, so he thought. Instead he found himself doing both on his own, and sitting down to enjoy an absolutely putrid dish of poorly made oatmeal.

Just another day.