Future Fate: Present -*Part 1*-

The atmosphere felt like gritty sandpaper with each shaky breath Emily took. Her hands shook rapidly, either from the caffeine or from anxiety, probably both. One hand rested upon her lap while the other twirled pieces of her red bangs. She never liked hospitals.

"Hey," Roy whispered, placing his hand on Emily's shaking one, silencing it. He gripped it tightly which prompted Emily to lock eyes with his. "You should go home and rest. You've had too much coffee and you'll just crash out here."

"You know I can't," Emily took her hand away from Roy's. "My husband's in there. I'm not leaving him till I know he's okay."

"I'll be right here, okay? Jesus, just look at yourself. You're a wreck. When's the last time you showered? Come on." Roy said as he gently took Emily by the arm, then stood up from the cushioned chairs. Emily glanced at the ground, actually trying to remember the time she did shower. Oh, right. Before the date.

"Just promise me you'll call if anything happens, good or bad." Emily said softly, finally meeting eye contact with Roy again. He nods, then makes a hand gesture towards the exit of the hospital. Emily made one final glance at the operating room, let out a small sigh, then she slowly walked out.

--

The sun shined through the window which lays a glare across the family TV. In front of the couch was little Noah, playing with his Godzilla toy-set, making noises to signify different actions each figure made as he crashed them against each other. Sitting on the couch was Shadow, casually watching television. However, he always caught himself glancing at the wheelchair that was right next to the couch, ready for Shadow to climb into if he needed to get somewhere or do something. It was emotionally exhausting to be reminded of it. Shadow managed to distract himself from these thoughts by looking at his 7 year-old son play on the ground before him.

"Hey Noah," Shadow said with a small smile, "watch'a doing there?"

Noah couldn't even hold back an answer as his smile beamed like a sunrise. "Godzilla's protecting our house from aliens!"

"Is he now?" Shadow chuckled.

"Yeah! And Godzilla's--"

"Wait," Shadow was immediately caught off-guard when he noticed some muffin crumbs on Noah's shirt.
"When did you eat? Your mom's making dinner right now, you know she'll have a fit knowing that you spoiled your apatite." It frustrated Shadow he can't keep a good eye on Noah at the moment, but he kept any anger out from his voice, he just thought it was strange Noah would break the rules when he's genuinely a good kid for his age.

Noah looked down at his shirt then made a small gasp, then looked back up at Shadow as he got up and ran to him, putting his tiny hands on Shadow's knees. "Oh yeah, Damian gave me a muffin earlier! It was really good, and he wanted me to tell you to get better soon!"

The color of Shadow's skin instantly disappeared as his expression sunk. The mention of Damian's name sent Shadow into a state of panic as he attempted to ask when Noah got the cupcake, but suddenly, Noah began to projectile vomit all over the floor near Shadow's feet. Shadow's eyes widened as he helplessly watched his son fall into a puddle of his own vomit and blood, unable to stop the flow from coming.

"Emily!" Shadow yelled in desperation. He gripped the side of the couch as he lowered himself to the ground, and he tucked his legs underneath of him. He quickly pulled his youngest son into his arms as tears welled up.

"I-It hurts, Daddy--It hurts!"

--

"I'm glad you decided to see it this way, Em." Damian's voice was like a snake, slithering it's way into Emily's mind and twisting around her morals. His arm gently rested around Emily's shoulders as he opens the door to his home. Or, as other's put it, his hide out.

"My son's in the hospital because of you, and like Hell will I allow you to do anymore harm to him." Emily's voice was dominant as were her actions as she tore Damian's arm away from her. Damian just chuckled at her defiance, knowing it wouldn't last for very long. He led Emily inside to reveal a surprisingly clean living room. It was decorated with dark colors, which didn't bother Emily too much, but one thing caught Emily's eye. She slowly walked over to the fireplace and looked on top of the mantel at a picture that was framed with a black rim.

Damian, Shadow, Sage, Isabella, Paige, Fiona, Oliver.

"Shade!" Damian called out near the staircase, "Look who's here to see you!"

Emily flinched at his name. His name. The man who has tormented her for so long; who has caused her the trauma she desperately tries to heal. All she hears is the footsteps creep down the hall and inevitably the staircase. She doesn't turn around. She just places her hands on the mantel, attempting to maintain her composure. She suddenly feels as if she's going to jump out of her skin as the footsteps stop right behind her. She can feel his breathing down her ear and neck, she can feel his hand slowly move Emily's hair behind her ear.

"Are you going to look at me?" His voice is ice. His touch is fire. He is the darkness that creeps in the back of her mind every day.

Emily inhales sharply as she slowly turns to face Shade. His face is blank, as it always is, which absolutely terrified her. She can't make out what he's thinking right now. What does Shade want to do? Does he want to kiss her or kill her? Perhaps both.

Shade gently places a hand under Emily's chin and lifts her head up to meet her eyes. His stare is piercing. Emily's is pleading. He leans in to place a small kiss along her jawline. His lips are toxic. He then says:

"Welcome home."