Be Not Afraid

"Be Not Afraid" is a [SEASON NUMBER] thread written on [IRL DATE].
==Summary==
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==Full Text==
“No! Come here!” The spider struggled to keep a hold of him, and reached out his human arms to grab his shoulders, and attempted to wrestle him down. “Rhenco! I need a cloth!”
“NO! NO! STOP!” Sven shouted at the top of his lungs as he and the spider half-breed wrestled. He tried with all his might to get away…to use the moves he learned from his father, and it was getting harder. “LET ME GO!!” Tears formed in his eyes. “I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING TO YOU!! PLEASE! I JUST WANT TO GO HOME! MOM! DAD! HELP ME!!”
The Heir of Haligan Island suddenly jolted awake sitting up in bed gasping and breathing heavily. He quickly looked around taking in his surroundings, and he could feel the relief wash over him. He was back in his bedroom in his house on Haligan Island. He was in his room with his two sisters in their beds and Eydis in her cot not too far from him. He could see that they were all still sound asleep, and from what he could hear from Grey and Brandt’s room downstairs, his parents were too. Good, he didn’t scream in his sleep this time. 
That had to be progress, right?
Sven sighed as he ran a hand down his face in frustration. He was beginning to lose count of the nightmares…the amount of times he looked over his shoulder…the amount of times he sat up in bed screaming. His parents had told him that he would get better, but it didn’t feel like he was. It just felt like he was getting worse since he returned home from Mount Massive. The nightmares were often of the doctor he killed, Malak, and….Rhenco himself. 
That was when memories of the spider half-breed and the man himself flashed into his mind. Malak… Grey told him that Malak and his family were locked up in prison and house arrest. He hadn’t seen that half-breed since the hotel. He thought about his mom’s words from the night before. 
“What was it like to see her imprisoned?” he had asked.
“In a way…it felt good, you know? Seeing her locked up helped me see that…she couldn’t hurt me…and that she had no power over me.”
With that thought in mind, Sven quickly got out of bed putting his boots on and snuck downstairs avoiding accidentally waking anybody in the Felman household.
Jul 22, 2019
Malak sat in his cell, his hands rubbing the back of his neck as he closed his eyes. Could Grey really make Farris better? Could at least someone in his family have a chance at a normal life again? He gasped once and scrubbed at his eye as he tear escaped from it.
I can’t believe it. We were all so screwed up. We all did so many terrible things I never even considered that it was Red Card that made Farris act that way…what kind of father am I?
He opened his eyes, and then gasped again, this time surprised by the form standing in front of him. For a second he didn’t recognize the boy, and then he warily stood to his feet. “Sven…” He said uncertainly, glancing around. “Why on earth would you come here?”
Jul 22, 2019
It took a little sneaking by the guards, but Sven was able to get into the prison and found Malak’s cell. Grey had told him that they might’ve found the cure for the Red Card, but there still wasn’t any proof other than what could happen to Farris. It didn’t take long to find Malak’s cell. 
He tried to answer the spider half-breed’s question, but he honestly didn’t know what to say other than…
“My mom…told me you were locked up,” Sven replied. “I thought I could see it for myself.” 
Jul 22, 2019
Malak exhaled and sat back down, arms over his knees. He looked away from him. “You have a point there. Well…I’m here kid. And I’m not getting out. So you don’t have to worry about me anymore.”
Jul 22, 2019
“Believe me,” Sven said as he slowly lowered himself to the floor to sit. “That’s what I thought too.”
Jul 22, 2019
Malak opened his mouth, but then stopped.
I have no right to even talk to this kid.
Using his legs, Malak turned himself around so his back was turned towards Sven. He folded his arms. “Well whatever it is that’s good for you, it isn’t here. You should leave.”
Jul 23, 2019
Sven smirked. “Why?” he asked. “You afraid of my mom? She doesn’t know I’m even here.” 
Jul 23, 2019
“The reason is because you’ve already seen too much for someone your age and you shouldn’t have to see any more. Not when you can leave some of it in a cell.” Malak retorted. “And I don’t fear the Chief, only because I don’t fear whatever outcome will eventually decide my fate. I’m resigned to how things are and what must be done.”
Jul 23, 2019
“Why is that though?” Sven asked curiously. “My mom said both you and Rhenco came willingly. Last time I checked, you resist being taken away or arrested. Trust me, I know that for a fact.”
Jul 23, 2019
Stop talking to him! Your a kid killer! Just ignore him so he goes away!
Malak clenched his jaw. “Rhenco surrendered because he knew it was the last advantage he had before someone really got the drop on him. Myself and my kind just followed his orders. There was no point in resisting. Besides, you were there, you think this cell could possibly be worse than Mount Massive?”
Jul 23, 2019
Sven closed his eyes as memories of Mount Massive flashed through his mind. He took a deep shaky breath trying to push through the trauma overwhelming him at the moment. He clasped his hands together to stop them from shaking. 
“Y-Yeah…that’s…fair,” he said. 
Jul 23, 2019
“So get out of here.” Malak growled. “You certainly don’t need any reminders, and you need to be within sight of someone who tried to kill you even less…so beat it.”
Jul 23, 2019
“It’s too late for that, isn’t it?” Sven said glaring at him. “I already started having nightmares before you and Rhenco even got here. I already started waking up every night screaming thinking that Rhenco was in my room to take me back to that hellhole. I get my parents and my sisters watching me closely to make sure I don’t disappear on them again. So, I’m always getting reminders of what you lunatics put me through.”
Jul 23, 2019
Malak clenched his fists, guilt stabbing painfully in his chest. “Well there’s nothing to be done about that.” He said bitterly. “That part of our lives is stuck in the ugly past and we’ll never be rid of it. No matter what I thought or what I come up with there’s no justification for what I did. I won’t lie and say Rhenco’s done with you, cause he cycles back to the unlikeliest of people. So keep fire close, be uninteresting to him, find out what you can about Red Card, Hel look into alchemy and see if there’s anything to undo what he’s got set in himself for all I care.”
“It’s just the way it is.” He stood up to face it. “You’re having nightmares? You’re living with him outside your door step? Then do better than me. You may just beat him.” 
Jul 23, 2019
“How?” Sven asked. “You saw me in there. I couldn’t do much. The only reason I got lucky was because I happened to run into Boriss and…” 
The memories flashed again. He saw himself shoving that knife into the doctor’s back, and he closed his eyes. 
“And…that thing with the fire was an accident…”
Jul 23, 2019
“I’ve been thinking about that…” Malak sighed. “Rhenco doesn’t have anyone. Not a soul that cares about him, he saw to that himself. But he’s still human. I think whether he realizes it or not…he made Red Card so other people would be like him. He kidnapped my family cause he wanted one of his own. He sees the person who torments or challenges him the most as his friend. Jarod was a little different. That was a business partner if anything.”
Malak met Sven’s eyes. “So if you want to do better…then deny him what he wants. Me and my family…we caved. We gave in. We did unspeakable things just to cope and survive…the same doesn’t have to happen to you.”
Jul 23, 2019
Sven widened his eyes as he listened to Malak’s explanations. Grey had told him and his sisters that Malak and his family were kidnapped too, but this was the first time he heard the spider half-breed openly admit it. Hearing it from Malak rather than his mother made it seem more sincere and real.
“So he kidnapped you guys because he wanted a family…to be loved in a sick and twisted way,” he said. “So why kidnap me? Boriss said he did it to get to Mom, the Chief and the leader of the Rebellion, but why go after one of her kids?”
Jul 23, 2019
“I think he thought he took us so he could experiment. But I think he was lonely although he never acted that way.”
Malak looked grim. “He doesn’t care about politics or reason. He kidnapped you because that’s what was going to make the chef’s stomach churn with sickness and grief. Just taking her wouldnt have given him that satisfaction. Whoever he wants to hurt the most, he goes after the person closest to them.”
Jul 23, 2019
“And what better way to go after a mother than to go after her own kids?” Sven asked aloud. He remembered seeing his parents staring Rhenco down when he first came to their house. It was easy to see the fear in Grey’s eyes. “I don’t think I had ever seen my mom so freaked out…so angry before.”
Jul 23, 2019
“Its what he feeds on….I couldn’t even tell you why.” He pressed his back against the wall. “Why are you still here boy? Being in front of me…it cant be any good for you.”
Jul 23, 2019
Sven sighed. “Like I said, I’ve been having nightmares,” he began looking down at his hands noticing that they stopped shaking, “and Mom told me that she once felt better seeing someone who attempted to murder her in the Rebellion--the first one 25 years ago, not now--locked up helped her deal with it. I thought that maybe...seeing you here would help me in a way.”
"And did it?" Malak asked, daring to allow a tinge of hope in his words.
Jul 23, 2019
“I think it helped me deal with it a little more,” Sven said with a small smile. “I mean, it’s...kind of nice talking to you and not running for my life away from you.”
Jul 23, 2019
"Don't do that." Malak shook his head. He had wanted to say sorry. He had wanted to express his guilt. But upon seeing the boys smile...he couldnt.
"That stupid look on your face. Wipe it away. It's all well and good this help but look at me Sven." He pointed up to his own face. "Look at my eyes. I'm a killer. I'm a- a..." he swallowed thickly. "There's nothing nice about me. Not behind behind bars, not anything."
Jul 23, 2019
“Yeah, okay,” Sven said, “I get it, but...you’re not with Rhenco anymore. You’re going to help the Rebellion. Maybe...maybe this could be your chance to start over...to start fresh. My dad had...” he thought for a moment, “something similar happen to him. He wasn’t kidnapped by Rhenco or anything like that, but...he did something bad and sought out a chance to start over.”
Jul 23, 2019
"I'll be doing whatever your mom tells me to do. It wont matter what it is." Malak sighed. "And I dont mean to be the nay sayer and assume how my lot compares to anyone elses. But I'd bet one of my legs that I've done whatever it is your dad did, many times over, and many times worse....theres no fresh start for me kid."
Jul 23, 2019
“How do you know?” Sven asked shrugging. “A few of my mom’s former comrades had shady pasts, and they managed to start over. Look at the Warden...and my Uncle King Haddock...they had done some pretty bad things in the past, but they tried to start over.”
Jul 23, 2019
Malak had heard of Haddock and the Warden. He knew shady was a kinder word considering some of the things they had done.
His heart suddenly skipped violently.
What are you doing?! You're making him interested! You're making him pity and want to help you! It isnt safe! You aren't safe! Get this kid away from you before you hurt him again!
Mouth setting in a hard line, Malak walked up to the bars and gripped them in his large hands as he glared into Sven's eyes. "Yeah? Well did they ever rape somebody?"
Jul 23, 2019
Sven’s brown eyes widened tremendously, as he felt his heart drop. He had known the Warden and the King his entire life, and he could never imagine either of them ever doing something so horrible. 
“Uhhh...no,” he answered carefully. “I mean the Warden once possessed someone to kill that someone’s boyfriend, but that’s a long story.”
Jul 23, 2019
"Well that's a little different now isnt it?" Malak challenged, his voice deliberately cold."
Go. Away! Forget about me kid!
Jul 24, 2019
“Okay, fair point,” Sven said looking away sadly, “but this Rebellion won’t last forever. I’m sure my mom will let you guys start over once everything’s all said and done.”
Jul 24, 2019
"Your Rebellion will turn into some other ruling system if and when you win this war. So prison will still exist, so I will still exist within provided I live that long." Malak growled as he walked over to his cot to sit down.
Jul 24, 2019
Sven opened his mouth to protest that statement but quickly closed it not knowing what to say to that. Malak was indeed right. Just because High Central, that didn’t mean that rules and leaders and all that were no longer going to exist. He should know when he himself was training to be a leader himself one day. 
Jul 24, 2019
"You're in a good spot..." Malak sighed, not looking at him. "Good parents, bravery, a future you can grow into...so leave this part of your past behind. Make it ancient history as soon as time allows."
Malak's eight back legs folded and curled in on themselves behind him. "And nothing that will remind you of that awful place should fall before your gaze again."
Jul 24, 2019
“It’s hard to do just that when the nightmares come,” Sven replied sadly. 
Jul 24, 2019
"Well...you can't help that the memory is fresh." Malak said. "Be patient though and take care of yourself. You'll be ok." He clenched his jaw silently. "You should go now. A kid shouldn't be around...here..."
Jul 24, 2019
As soon as Malak said that, Sven let out a yawn. He was exhausted from the nightmare and being up for this long, so the idea of going back to bed was tempting. Maybe now, he could get a good night’s sleep without a nightmare, but he would also need to be patient too. 
“Yeah, I’m sure the guards will notice the Heir himself,” Sven rolled his eyes, “sitting in the prison. I’ll keep this conversation a secret if you will.”
Jul 24, 2019
"I definitely will not be doing that." Malak said. "The moment I see the cheif I'm letting her know. I'm resigned after all, not suicidal."
Jul 26, 2019
“Okay, fair point,” Sven replied. As much as he hated the idea of Grey finding out that he snuck to the prison late at night, he understood why Malak felt obligated to tell. Then again, surely, she would understand why he did it. “I’ll vouche for you, don’t worry. I’m the one who came in here to begin with.”
Jul 26, 2019
“Kid...” Malak sighed. “I could be facing execution and I wouldn’t be worried. And if you were smart, you wouldn’t feel any need to give me reassurance or words of kindness.” The man ran a hand over his mouth. Sven certainly was an interesting kid.
Jul 27, 2019
“Sorry, guess I’m just a nice person,” Sven said shrugging. “I like to try to reassure someone. Guess my parents and my uncle rubbed off on me.” Sven mentally cringed. Why in the world was he telling his former captor this? He must’ve been more tired than he thought. “Anyway...”
Jul 27, 2019
There’s just no getting rid of him...why?
Malak was starting to get stressed out. Sven’s reasoning did nothing to help him feel better about this. This whole situation, a victim encouraging a criminal such as he, and not being in any hurry to leave, it was like an affront to nature. 
Malak rubbed his face. “Anyway what Sven?”
Jul 27, 2019
“Nothing,” Sven said slowly beginning to take a step away from the prison cell. “I...I just...wanted to say...” the Heir scoffed, “I can’t believe I’m saying this...but...thanks for putting up with me just now. Look, I know you don’t give a crap about anything right now, and trust me, I don’t blame you. But...the things you said about how to deal with Rhenco and all this...it helped.”
Malak stared at the boy incredulously as he stood up, putting a practically wary hand out. “Wait…just…just wait a minute.” He sighed and gave a small shake of his head, his expression completely confounded. “What is wrong with you?” The half breed asked. “Even if I did help why the Hel would you even bother to tell me so, and so…so…sincerely? I-” 
He paused again to run a hand through his hair. “No…no I see what’s going on…you’re humanizing me when you shouldn’t. You’re looking at this cell, and my serious face, and that’s what you’re responding to. Kid…when you see me, you need to see a dark stairwell, and a face straining with the effort of cutting a rope, not…not all this.” 
lbigreyhound13
“Maybe,” Sven said, “but I don’t. At least now I don’t. I mean, before, you were this freaky spider half-breed–no offense, but now, hearing your story about how you and your family were kidnapped…how you were broken down under Rhenco…I don’t feel so scared. You were in the same position I was in, and…I probably would’ve turned out eventually like you if my parents didn’t save me in time. And you talked to me this whole time.”
moe-lazyeye
Suddenly Malak felt very, very frightened.
My god Rhenco cannot know he’s like this! He’ll loose his mind and hunt the boy down to the end of the earth to prove to him that he can’t just speak so bravely, begin to bounce back so quickly, and seek to make peace like this. If he simply acted like he didn’t care that would be one thing but he’s acting brave, he’s trying to be even better than he was before the kidnapping despite the horror he went through! It’s possibly the highest level of offense one could put in Rhenco’s face!
He gritted his teeth. “I talked to you huh? And you listened? Well listen to this. I changed my mind. I won’t be saying anything to Grey, and neither will you. Pretend like this didn’t happen. Pretend the whole thing didn’t happen. Don’t talk about not being scared, don’t talk hypotheticals, don’t talk about it at all. No matter how bad those nightmares get you need to treat this whole thing like a trip to the market you forgot about the next day. Bury it if you have to with cold indifference. Cause if you keep this up he’s gonna show up in your room again…you understand me Sven…?”
lbigreyhound13
Sven’s eyes widened. He thought he was going to feel better after all, but hearing Malak talk about Rhenco possibly finding him again…taking him back to that hotel…his heart began to pound. However, he tried his hardest…his damn hardest to not give Malak the satisfaction of scaring him, but that didn’t stop him from nodding. 
“Y-Yeah…” he replied in a shaky voice, “I-I understand… This…this didn’t happen…”
moe-lazyeye
And yet fear draws him in as well…damn Rhenco. Only indifference keeps him away but his tactics mandate the attention of hate and fear…this poor kid…he’s too young to solve a puzzle even adults can’t figure out. He’s either going to be scared or brave…But what else can I do? At least if he’s scared he’ll be more cautious.
Malak felt a twist in his gut. He wanted to say sorry. He wanted to comfort him. But to what end, it would do more harm then good. Of course there was…one…thing. He inhaled smoothly. “Go home…” He said quietly. 
I need to talk to the chief… 
lbigreyhound13
“Okay…” Sven said taking a step back…and then another, “uhhh…yeah…I should go before someone sees me.” He took another step back toward the door. 
moe-lazyeye
Malak sat back down, letting his gaze cast to the floor. “You do that…”
Category:BOTGD 2
Category:Events
Category:Act I
Category:Malak
Category:Sven Felman