Give me the Axe. [We need more guts.]

[Aurelia Zombie]

[--March 1st, 2011--]

The nightmares became more frequent, more vivid. Viktor had begun to worry about her, unsure of what he could do to help ease her mind. He had decided that since they were going to be here for a while, renting a house would be a good idea. Keeping her stable was going to be a huge contributing factor at this point. He could hear her screams in the middle of the night from the other side of the house. His guilty concience working on overdrive. He knew that this was his fault, and he didn't know how to rectify the things he had put her through years ago. She had seen and done things no eighteen year old girl should need to experience.

What disturbed him more, was that during the time when she was engaged in his previous work, she enjoyed it. She was ruthless and cold. Almost heartless. He couldn't have been more proud of her, and more afraid for her psyche. Never in a million years did he think that in just six years, he would feel remorse for the things she had done. He had figured that over time she would grow to hate that piece of her life, but he didn't want this for her.

Tonight was like any other night. He lay awake in his bed, watching the clock. 2:45 am, and sleep wasn't in the forecast. He could hear her starting in the other room. And on came the screams. He sighed heavily, closing his eyes for a moment, then slipping out of bed. Quietly, he makes his way down the hall and stands outside of Aurelia's room. Blood curdling screams from the other side of the door, and he goes unphased. It was becoming second nature to him, and he wasn't sure exactly how to feel about it. He had finally convinced her to stop locking her door at night, in case he needed to wake her. Tonight was shaping up to be one of those nights.

The screams were more intense than normal, which triggered the brotherly instinct within him to come to her aid. He opens her door and peeks in, seeing her thrash in the bed. Shaking his head, he walks to her bedside, grabbing her shoulders and pinning her down. At first, his voice is but a whisper. He doesn't want to completely jar her from her slumber, unsure if it would be smart on his part.

Viktor:[/color] Aurelia... Open your eyes... Aurelia...

Not working. She had told him that if his voice wouldn't wake her, he would need to use force. He didn't want to, but her movements were becoming increasingly more violent, her screams louder. He did what she asked. And after three sharp slaps to her face, her eyes popped open. She sits up immediately, her breathing shallow and uneven. Viktor stands bedside for a moment, before tapping her on the legs to make room. He sits on the edge of the side of the bed, and looks to his baby sister with concern written across his face.

Viktor:[/color] You need to talk to someone about this, Auri. I mean it.

Aurelia:[/color] I will be fine, Viktor.

Viktor:[/color] It's getting worse. How is that you being fine?

Aurelia:[/color] Don't worry about it, okay. It will pass. I go through phases where it comes and goes.

Viktor:[/color] That isn't good, you know damn well it isn't.

Aurelia:[/color] I never said there was anything good about it. I just said it would pass.

Viktor:[/color] Please, Auri. At least humor me by seeing someone once.

She could see the concern stressed on her brothers face, even in the dark of her room. She sighs heavily, knowing that she can't cause him pain anymore than she already is.

Aurelia:[/color] Okay, Viktor. You win. I will go speak to someone, okay?

Viktor:[/color] It will do well for you, I promise.

He smiles at his little sister, then gets up, making his way out of her room. She lays back on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She wasn't sure if she wanted the dreams to stop. As sick as they were, they were a constant reminder of a past she wanted to ensure she would never forget. The sins she has committed against her fellow man would forever haunt her.

---------------------------------------------

[--March 4th, 2011--]

She sits impatiently at the breakfast bar in the kitchen, still in her pajamas. The morning sun was spilling through the windows, and the sound of the happy birds rang outside. She sits in the bar stool with her legs crossed under her, sipping on a cup of black coffee. Viktor makes his way around the kitchen, preparing breakfast for them both. He had been up all morning with Aurelia baking pastires that their mother use to make when they lived in Denmark. The kitchen littered with platters of cheeses, meats and fruits. Jars of marmelade spread across the counter top. The rundstykker in the oven filled the house with amazing aroma that reminded them of home. She reads the paper on the counter before her, nibbling off the plate of fruit to her left.

Viktor:[/color] You are going to eat every thing on that plate before breakfast is finished.

Aurelia:[/color] I didn't plan on it. I am just impatient. You know baking makes me hungry.

Viktor:[/color] Well, good thing I have done most of the work then, yeah?

Without looking up from the paper, she gives her brother a loving finger. He laughs, slapping her hand and taking a strawberry from the plate.

Viktor:[/color] Don't give me attitude, little girl. I will have to put you in your place.

Aurelia:[/color] Have you forgotten, Vik? I get paid to beat men up on a weekly basis. What makes you think you can do any better than they have?

Viktor:[/color] Because I am your brother, and I grew up putting you in your place.

Aurelia:[/color] Ha! You wish it was that way. You were about as firm as an eighty year old man.

Viktor:[/color] You... Are disgusting.

She laughs, knowing fully well that things like that just destroy him inside. She loved making him queezy, it was something she had perfected over the years. Younger sister or not, she was still able to own his on from time to time.

Aurelia:[/color] You love it.

Viktor:[/color] Hardly.

Aurelia:[/color] Oh stop being such a girl, Viktor. My god. All I said was...

Viktor:[/color] I know fully well what you said! Christ, woman. Let's talk about something else. Please.

Aurelia:[/color] You're a sissy.

Viktor:[/color] And you are a bitch.

Aurelia:[/color] So? I am happy with what a bitch I can be.

She grins at her brother, who just smiles and shakes his head.

Viktor:[/color] You think you are ready to return after your week off?

Aurelia:[/color] Absolutely! And they have tossed me into a match with Josh Eagles.

Viktor:[/color] Who is that, exactly?

Aurelia:[/color] He's the champion.

Viktor:[/color] Are you getting a shot?

Aurelia:[/color] Oh no, no no. I am not there yet. This is more of a test to see how well I hang with the big boys, I do believe. And to tell you the truth, I am pretty excited about it. He doesn't come off as an egotistical jerk off like some of the other guys among his rankings. This is my chance to prove just what a threat I can be.

Viktor:[/color] If that isn't obvious already, then they all must be blinder than bats. You'll do well, I know you will.

Aurelia:[/color] I like the fact that he's not discounting me here because of who I am. I know that he is going to give me the competition that I so crave here. Win or lose, it will be something I won't forget. I mean, I get a chance to take down the top dog in Kingdom of Pride. Either I did something to really piss someone off, or they are testing me to see just what I can do for them among their roster.

Viktor:[/color] I don't see how you could have done anything to rub anyone the wrong way. Since you got there, all you have done is destroyed all of your competition. What has it been? Four matches and you are still undefeated? That has to prove something to them.

Aurelia:[/color] I suppose you are right. I guess this is just my chance to show that I am able to do it. The thrill of the competition calls to me, and I can't wait for another chance to step into the ring. Especially with a man like Josh Eagles.

She thought back to Josh Eagles, sitting in silence for a moment. Talented, a champion... And just as damaged as she was. From what she had observed, he had been through things recently that were not easy for anyone to deal with. This was not only her chance, but his as well.

Aurelia:[/color] I can only hope that I am able to give him the proper attention a champion such as himself so deserves.

Viktor:[/color] I don't see why you wouldn't. You don't give yourself enough credit, Auri. I can't tell you that enough. It looks to me that you have really found your calling here. Embrace it, and stop second guessing yourself. Even if you lose, take him to hell and back. Show the world that you are a force to be reckoned with. And you know, losing isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it takes the bigger man to except defeat with his head held high.

Aurelia:[/color] Her.

Viktor:[/color] Stop assuming you are going to come up short here. That lack of confidence is what will come back and inevitably bite you in the ass. Don't allow that to have a hand in making you fail. You know that you can do this, and I know that you can beat him if you put your mind and your body to it. It may be hard, but you have the ability.

Aurelia:[/color] I am glad you have that much faith in me, Viktor.

Viktor:[/color] Well, someone has to. And I know for damn sure it isn't going to be you. You are too hard on yourself about far too much. Especially the things you know you excel in. This is no different.

Aurelia:[/color] Over confidence can be an issue, too. I don't want to turn into an ego-maniac. It isn't my style.

Viktor:[/color] No one told you that you had to be an ego-maniac to have confidence. Be proud in the fact that you are able to hold your own in a male dominated sport, and without using your gender as an advantage. You are doing it just like any of them would have to. Working your way to the top instead of...

Aurelia:[/color] ... Fucking my way there. Yeah. I understand where you are coming from. That isn't in my character. Using sex to get what I want has never been something I have thought of, though... I am sure it would work very, very well.

Viktor:[/color] The way men flock to you, I am sure you would have no issues using it and abusing it.

Aurelia:[/color] I guess that kind of power in my hands could unleash a potential evil... Which is why it shall not be used. Unless needed. Like a last resort kind of thing.

Viktor:[/color] Please, tell me you are joking.

Aurelia:[/color] Is that what you want me to tell you, or do you want the truth?

Viktor stops what he is doing and just stares at Aurelia. She grins through taking a drink of her coffee. She sets the cup down, still smiling as Viktor can do nothing but shake his head.

Viktor:[/color] I am going to pretend I didn't hear any of that.

Aurelia:[/color] Denial isn't always healthy, Viktor.

Viktor:[/color] Ugh, I need a cigarette.

Viktor leaves the rest of what he is working with and heads out back, leaving Aurelia to herself, her coffee and the newspaper laid out before her. She laughs to herself, making her brother uncomfortable was not only easy, but really really amusing. She finishes off her coffee and closes the newspaper, grabbing a piece of melon from the plate in front of her.

Aurelia:[/color] He's ridiculous, but I love him. As ridiculous as he may be, he is usually right.

She finishes her piece of melon, and hops down from the bar stool. She grabs her jacket and slips her feet into her slippers, heading out back to join her brother on the porch. She was sure she was ready, and win or lose, she wasn't going to make it easy on Josh Eagles. Not by a long shot.