“I don’t think he’s dead,” Aida says. “I’m going to go tell the others; you’ll need to go to the hospital, too.”
“Thank you,” I tell the serpentine, and then look back to Yasmeena. “Can you help me go to him?”
She nods, helping me up from where I lie, and I limp towards my father. He’s completely still, covered in blood and ice, and I’m honestly not sure he is alive. His entrails hang out, fleshy-looking guts trailing down like large worms, and one of his legs is partially severed. His mouth is open, his eyes—the same as mine—are glossed over.
But as we step closer, I can hear his beating heart. It’s slowing down, but it’s still beating.
“You don’t have to watch this,” I say to Yasmeena, but she doesn’t move.
Stepping into my father’s field of vision, I let my tears fall. Not because I’m grieving or in pain, and not because of my father’s abuse. No, I cry, because I’m finally allowed to. Never again will I be imprisoned by his voice, or his narrow way of thinking.
“It’s a shame you were so weak,” I say with a snarl, just like my father had once said to me. Reaching down, I rip his skin apart like the ribbons of a corset. “But now, things will be better.” I rip through flesh and muscle, breaking his bones, before I tear out his heart.
For a moment, I just stare at it. Bloody and mangled, it beats twice in the palm of my hand before I toss it onto the ground like discarded trash.
Movement No. 35
Yasmeena
The days following the battle were wild and exhausting in their own right. From minor injuries and concussions, to death and near-death experiences, Haeresis Hospital had their hands full. Hel’s Carnival closed down temporarily for renovations, and I had to explain to the felion and other lupion packs what happened.
I sit on the edge of Tempest’s hospital bed, just watching her sleep as I have these last few days. The doctor said she’s not technically in a coma, but I haven’t really seen her awake yet. Her eyes are fluttering, and my heartbeat accelerates as she finally wakes up.
“Welcome back, princess,” I say, and Tempest yawns.
“Am I in the hospital?” she asks, squinting.
I give her a dead-pan look. “No, Hel’s Carnival is giving out IVs now. It’s a new act.” She stares blankly back at me, and I chuckle. “Yes, you’re in the hospital. What do you remember?”
“Did I kill my father, or was that a dream?”
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Not a dream. Cain is definitely dead.”
“How dead? Are you sure?”
I furrow my brows. “You ripped his heart out, Tempest, he’s definitely fully fucking dead.”
Her eyes seem to bug out of her head before her mouth forms a shit-eating grin. “Woah, really? That’s so cool.”
“What meds do they have you on?” I ask and lean in to kiss her.
“How should I know?” she whispers against my lips. “I’ve been asleep.”
There’s a knock on the door and a nurse walks in. Her hair is thick, curly, and bright red. She’s a felion, though I’m not sure I’ve ever met her before.
“Oh, good, she’s awake. Hey, my name is Lauren. You are in Haeresis Hospital. I’m not sure how much your visitor has filled you in, but you had an accident that put you out of commission," she starts to explain. It’s incredibly sweet, but it also makes us both laugh.
“It wasn’t an accident, I definitely did all of that on purpose,” Tempest says, and the nurse’s eyes widen.
“Well,you came in with two broken ribs as well as a fractured tailbone and have been mostly asleep on and off for three days. You had a small operation, and it’ll take a little while for you to recover. The doctor will be in with some more information on the next steps,” she says with a smile.
“Thank you,” Tempest says, and the nurse checks her vitals before disappearing through the doorway. “Could’ve been much worse.”
Itwasmuch worse, for many of the others. “Yeah.”
“How is everyone doing?” she asks, and I consider telling her everyone died but her, before I decide I better not. I’m not sure she’d find it funny right now.
“Team Escalus or Team Carnie?” I say, half-joking, and she smiles.
