Chapter 9
Misty stormed out of Zoe's room, fuming. She ran down the stairs and out to the greenhouse, where she paced and tried to calm her ragged breathing.
How could this have happened? Who were these boys? Why didn't Zoe look out for her?
And worst of all; how could she have been so wrapped up in Cordelia and so sex crazed after the fact that she never sensed something was wrong?? She should have gone looking for her, made sure she was safe. But no, she abandoned her to suffer such horrors all alone. Hot tears of empathy, rage, and regret stung her wild eyes as she hid her face in her hands.
She couldn't reverse time to take it back, couldn't erase the whole nighmare. But she could seek swift and unwavering justice for her wounded lover.
Once Misty committed to her plan, she sucked in a massive, calming breath. and made her way back to Madison's room. The girl shouldn't wake up alone after something like that, and Misty always slept better in her arms. And she needed her rest, even if only a couple hours' worth; she had a busy morning ahead of her.
Putting all her thoughts on the matter out of her mind, the swamp witch molded her body to the starlet's, sighing when the girl pushed closer to her. With a calm, clear head, and her lover breathing softly beside her, Misty permitted herself to sleep.
*****
The hospital was painfully bright, and already humming with activity at this early morning hour. No one looked up to notice the tall blonde with the curly mane purposefully striding through the halls.
Her boot heels clacked sharply on the tile, her ocean blue eyes blazed, her mouth was set in a hard line. She was a woman on a mission, and the masses of people seemed to simply melt out of her way.
Room 311.
She opened the door and walked in like she belonged there.
The bed in the corner was occupied by a boy of maybe 20. Misty approached him. Seeing he wasn't conscious, she clicked her tongue.
No, this wouldn't do.
The wild witch climbed on top of him and laid her hands on his head. She closed her eyes and pulled in a deep breath, before touching her lips lightly to his and exhaling slowly.
Suddenly, the boy gasped loudly and his eyes flew wide open.
Misty smiled almost warmly.
"Mornin', Sunshine," she drawled softly.
He stared up at her incredulously.
"What- what's happening?" he stammered.
"You're awake, lucky fella," she continued, just over a whisper. "Now, before you ask, no ya ain't dead. And no, I ain't no angel."
She paused and her face hardened to a deep scowl.
"I know what happened last night."
"I- what are you talking about?"
"Don't fuck with me, boy," the witch hissed, grabbing the front of his gown. "Madison Montgomery, name sound familiar? Hm?"
His already pale face went white as a sheet, but he quickly recovered, smirking up at Misty.
"I can't say I know her. But I hear she's a whore who got what she deserved."
Misty wrenched his torso up, uttering a vicious, feral snarl, before slamming him back onto the bed. He groaned painfully, but still managed a laugh.
"Well, you son of a bitch. Fucked up shit has a way of coming back around to bite, don't it?"
Frat Guy propped up on his elbows and grinned.
"Am I supposed to be scared of some white trash hillbilly skank?"
It took every ounce of Misty's willpower not to pulverize his smug face. But she had something much better in mind.
"Well, see darlin'," she began in a slow drawl, "here's the thang. You know how I brought ya back outta that l'il brain damaged nap just now?"
He stared at her warily, not uttering a sound.
"Well, sure, I can give back life." She paused, grinning. "And I can just as easily take it away."
The feral witch grabbed his face and covered his mouth with hers, pulling his life force deep inside of herself as he frantically struggled against her.
"Don't fight it," she murmured, barely breaking her lethal contact. "Just let it happen."
When he finally stilled, she broke her death kiss, closed her eyes and listened. She felt the beat of his heart mirrored in her own chest, feeble and fluttering. Satisfied with her work, she casually let go of his face, letting his head drop to the pillow.
"See you in Hell," she muttered, sparing him a final glance before turning and leaving the room.
She walked back down the hall from whence she came and when she'd gone about twenty paces, she spoke under her breath.
"Three... two... one."
As the last word left her lips, the Code Blue sounded behind her.
*****
Misty found Madison in the girl's room, lying on the floor. Her hazel eyes stared blankly at the ceiling and she gave no indication of having heard anyone enter.
"Hey," the wild witch offered tentatively.
"What is it?" came the monotone reply.
"I thought you were going back to sleep?"
Madison shook her head.
"Look," the woman said gently, "we ain't gotta talk about it if ya don't want. But nothing like that is ever gonna happen to you again. Not as long as I'm around."
When no response was forthcoming, the Cajun laid herself down beside her on the floor, tenderly coaxing Madison to rest her head on Misty's chest. They lay in silence for a time, listening to the sounds of each others soft breathing, until Misty began to hum a quiet melody.
The tune was familiar, something Madison had heard on the radio about an octave higher and in faster time. When the gentle, gravelly voice formed the words of it, she recognized it properly.
"... ooh love, no one's ever gonna hurt you, love, I'm gonna give you all of my love, nobody matters like you..."
Something in Madison's chest, a warmth that she was sure had long since been extinguished, sparked back to life. She cuddled closer and listened, letting this terrifying emotion wash over her like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"..So rockabye baby, rockabye, I'm gonna rock you, rockabye baby don't you cry, somebody's got you, rockabye baby, rockabye, rockabye...."
The words faded once again to soft, low humming, and Madison, safer and more cared for than she had ever been in all her life, turned to stare at Misty with her big, liquid eyes. The woman returned her gaze warmly and full of affection.
"Maddi," she started with soft intensity. "I-"
"Help me forget!" the girl blurted out, afraid of the tremble in her own voice, and afraid of what her lover was about to say. "Please."
Misty smiled gently.
"Anything you need, baby girl."