Beasts of Pennsylvania - | The Nature of the Beast |

“Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, neither of them know where we’re headed. What are they going to think when they make it back to the compound and we aren’t there?” Davina asked as she followed Charlie down a dirt path in a cemetery only he had visited before. Charlie had gone silent at some point in their journey, lost deep in thought. Davina tried entering his mind but couldn’t. She wasn’t quite sure how to do it in the first place but hoped the ability would kick in. Unfortunately, for her, it didn’t. And a rare, quiet Charlie made her grow anxious. Charlie was too focused on the destination ahead of him. He hadn’t visited his family’s grave in decades so he wasn’t quite sure how to feel. He didn’t think of his family too often. In the past, the emotion he associated his family with weren’t very good ones; the main being anger. Due to suppressing those emotions for so long, they hadn’t resurfaced for him yet. And he was so worrisome that the young woman, whom he had grown to love as a friend, would see that side of him today despite his best efforts to keep them away.

“They won’t care much if I’m gone. You on the other hand...” Charlie said, his voice trailing off. Davina frowned. She didn’t understand why everybody seemed to think Dean and Jackson cared so deeply for her. She and Dean had a sexual relationship and were now friendly with one another. She and Jackson only ever had been friendly with one another. And to her, that was all their relationship consisted of. Davina then noticed how they had come upon a mausoleum that sat far back in the cemetery. It was then she looked around and observed the place and realized how eerie it was.

“We ought to hurry before night falls. Ghouls are typically out around that hour and if they think you’re here to disrupt their dinner time they won’t be pleased.” Charlie spoke as he tore off the lock to the gates of the mausoleum. Charlie allowed Davina to enter first. She hesitated for a moment and eyed him, cautiously, before entering and being greeted by six coffins. She turned, finding Charlie now beside her as he stared at the coffin with a blank stare. He let out a sigh before turning to Davina and taking one of her hands in his own. He then opened one of the coffins and stared into it. Davina leaned close to Charlie to look inside the coffin. She found an older woman with long, blonde hair and a pale face. Her eyes were shut completely and she was dressed in black lace. Charlie then placed his hand over the woman’s head.

“This won’t be pleasant. But you asked for it.” Charlie reminded Davina before she felt a burning sensation in the middle of her chest, making her struggle in his grasp. Charlie tightened his hold on her hand as the scenery around the two of them changed. They now stood in the hallway of an old Victorian home. Davina spun in Charlie’s direction to yell at him for what just happened but stopped when an object came hurling in their direction, hitting the wall right beside her. Davina moved just in time, resulting in her leaning into the side of Charlie. She half expected him to make some sort of remark about how close the two of them were. But his eyes were fixated ahead of them on a man he hadn’t seen in quite some time.

“I won’t hear anymore of it!” A man shouted, turning to show whoever was in the room with him how enraged he’d gotten. Davina looked up at Charlie with eyes of confusion. But Charlie couldn’t tear his eyes away from the scene. Charlie then entered the room, still hand in hand with Davina. She turned to her right to find who the enraged man was speaking with. She wasn’t expecting to find a younger version of Charlie standing just a few feet away from her.

“Father, please! This is a good opportunity for us. This plan of Dean’s can take care of us and our family for centuries to come!” Younger Charlie replied.

“That man is your father?” Davina asked, turning to look back up at Charlie. She hadn’t realized till now that the two of them were still hand in hand. Charlie gripped tightly onto her hand, telling her this was difficult for him to watch. He sucked in his break and took a deep sigh.

“Edwin Reed. We’d better move out of the way, though.” Charlie spoke as he pulled Davina over to some ceiling high bookshelves. He knew what happened next. He knew the act of betrayal that would soon be committed. He only wishes the younger version of himself knew. Unbeknownst to young Charlie, his family now flooded into the room. Their beast-like stealth making it impossible for young Charlie to sense their presence. Davina noticed how the room now became tense.

“We do well on our own, Charles. We always have. We bathe in riches!” Edwin spoke in a calm demeanor though moments before he was throwing vases in his sons direction.

“Yes, you bathe in the same money you steal from others and by whoring around your daughters! They bathe in it too and I cannot for the life of me understand why. Because it’s all wrong, father! And my name is no longer Charles, it’s Charlie!” Young Charlie exclaimed.

“And what of Dean’s plan, hmm? You think what we have done to make a living is vastly different from what he plans to do?!” Edwin shouted at his son. Davina could see emotions swirling in Charlie’s eyes, but couldn’t quite place how he felt. His silence was making her stomach turn.

“It is. Because while we may be lying to the humans by selling vials that they may think will cure them but won’t-” Young Charlie spoke as he inched closer to his father.

“We will use it as a way to reach the beasts scattered along the globe that we have turned over the years. And though it may start out as a lie, we fully intend to help the humans in the future. We’ll find scientists in the future that can create something to help them-” Young Charlie exclaimed but his father cut him off.

“That’s enough, Charles!” Edwin shouted.

“It’s Charlie!” Young Charlie countered back, his face now mere inches from his father’s. At that moment, Charlie’s family began to circle around young Charlie, making him grow aware of their presence.

“Fine. If you all won’t accept what I’ve chosen to do, I best be on my way.” Young Charlie spoke. He turned to leave but as he did, his eldest sister, Jane, stabbed him in the abdomen with a makeshift knife. He wheezed and bent over as his sister twisted the weapon, furthering his pain.

“I’m afraid we can’t let you go, Charles.” Jane spoke.

“We love you, dear brother. But without your family at your side, you will fall.” Molly, the second sister said. William, the third child, and Charlie’s older brother, knelt down to Charlie’s height and patted him on the shoulder.

“This is for your own good.” William said with a sadistic smile.

“No! Wait! Mother, please!” Young Charlie begged. His mother, Astrid, stood stoic-faced, and without care for her son. She always had. Not one of her children did it seem she cared for. Charlie, however, was her biggest disappointment. He always tried to better their situation. His father was right, they bathed in riches. But Charlie always felt filthy about how they got it, so he wanted to actually earn it and do it in a way that wasn’t deplorable. Unfortunately for Charlie, he managed to lose some money in trying to better their situation. Over time, the family grew sick of it. None more than his mother, however. His mother hardly ever used her words and didn’t care much for mind communication. Only with her youngest son, whom she was fondest of the most but didn’t care for in the slightest. Quentin, the youngest, stood to his mother’s side, communicating with only their mind. Quentin then turned to Charlie.

“She thinks you’re a disgrace to this family. As do I, brother.” Quentin spoke. In that moment, a look of deep betrayal, possibly the deepest, spread across young Charlie’s features. His eyes watered as he was dragged out into the hall by his siblings. Charlie lowered his head, not wanting to meet Davina’s gaze, now placed on him.

“Where are they taking you?” Davina asked. Charlie stayed quiet for a moment before lifting his head up, his gaze never upon her but on the ones who betrayed them.

“They would’ve sent me to the crypt to rot until they see fit to let me out. They did the same with my eldest sister, Irene.” Charlie spoke. Davina frowned at him.

“You have another sister? Wait, crypt?” Davina asked, pausing for a moment and turning completely to face Charlie.

“Would’ve?” Davina questioned. Just then, young Charlie burst through the door with a blood soaked shirt. His hair was disheveled and he held a knife in his hand, panting heavily. Davina tilted her head upon seeing young Charlie’s weapon of choice. She immediately dropped Charlie’s hand and headed towards the younger version of her friend to get a better look. She then examined the weapon from beside young Charlie, finding an all too familiar engraving on the handle. It was the same as the poisonous bullets her family, the organization used. She turned to Charlie to ask him about it when his father spoke.

“Where are your siblings?” Edwin asked in a demanding tone. Young Charlie didn’t respond. He only continued panting, staring down his father until he decided to charge at him. Quentin quickly moved his mother out harms way before jumping in front of Charlie.

“Careful, brother. Make any hasty decisions with that knife now, and the rest of us will wake here in a few hours with murderous intentions.” Quentin said in a grave tone. Young Charlie took a deep breath as he held up the knife.

“I had no plans of waking any of you.” Charlie said. Quentin squinted as he looked up at the knife in young Charlie’s hand, finding a clear fluid dripping from the blade and down young Charlie’s fingers. Quentin laughed and shook his head, realizing what was dripping from the blade and what Charlie intended to do.

“Really? You’d use that on us? Your family?” Quentin asked though he knew young Charlie’s anger had a tendency to make him do things he couldn’t imagine ever doing. Quentin took the chance, while his brother glared past him and at their father, to attack his brother. Quentin gripped ahold of young Charlie’s arms, making him drop the knife. Quentin then pinned his brother to a bookshelf, continuing to laugh and shake his head.

“This could’ve been easy, you know? You could’ve gone down this road with the rest of us. Your family! But instead, you chose Dean and that other beast. You always choose Dean, Charles!” Quentin gritted through his teeth. Young Charlie then shoved his brother harshly, making him hit a chair and roll over the back of it before hitting the floor. He then took this opportunity to grab the knife once more. He took it and stabbed it through Quentin’s shoulder. Quentin wheezed out, feeling the air leaving his lungs. His whole body went numb and eventually his breathing came to a stop. His skin went pale almost instantly. Young Charlie let out a sigh as his father made his way over to him.

“You foolish child! Do you know what you’ve done?!” Edwin shouted at his son. Before Edwin could reach him, young Charlie took his knife and stabbed it into his father’s abdomen. His father looked up at him, a look of betrayal swirling in his eyes before he fell to the floor, landing beside his youngest son. Davina and Charlie watched attentively at the scene taking place. Davina was in complete shock. She hadn’t expected all of this when Charlie said he killed his family. Admittedly, she never thought there was any reason behind it. Because, well, it was Charlie. Young Charlie took a deep sigh before getting hit in the back of the head with something hard, knocking him to the ground. He let out a pained groan as he turned over to see his mother towering over him.

“You never were the most sensible of my children.” Astrid said plainly before kneeling down in front of Young Charlie. She stroked his cheek with her soft, cold hand. “We provided you with a way of life and a family that’d look out for you. You had much more than I ever had. And this is how you thank us.” Astrid continued. She then let out a sigh before shoving her hand into his abdomen where he was once cut. Young Charlie cried out as his mother twisted her hand.

“You are my biggest disappointment, Charlie.” Astrid said in a soft tone, the words cutting deep into young Charlie’s heart. his eyes prickled as his mother patted his cheek once.

“This mess isn’t going to clean itself. Pick up the chair as well the broken glass in the hallway, then wake you siblings and father.” Astrid spoke in an authoritative voice before exiting the room and walking through the hallway, stepping over the bodies of her children. Davina turned to Charlie, showing him the tears in her eyes. She was sympathetic. She never knew what it was like to have a mother who was dismissive of her. In fact, she had an incredible mother. It was clear to Davina that Charlie looked up to his mother and cared the most for her. But his mother never gave him the time or the love he deserved. Davina then sniffled as she turned back to young Charlie, finding him still on the floor.

“Wait a second, I thought you said you killed your mother too.” Davina spoke as she turned back to Charlie. He finally looked at her, letting her see how deeply the scene had effected him. His eyes held deep sorrow, but he refused to shed any tears. He then swallowed hard.

“I did.” Charlie said in a barely audible voice. Just then, Young Charlie stood up from the floor and ran out of the room. Davina didn’t have to follow after to know what happened next. She could hear the ear piercing screams of his mother from within another room, echoing all throughout the house. A tear dripped down her face as she heard the sounds of the knife going through her, never stopping.

“It’s the same sounds I’ve heard for almost a century.” A voice said, making both Davina and Charlie turn around. Their eyes widened at the sight of Astrid now standing there, her hands clasped together in front of her as ongoing screams took place behind her.

“And it hasn’t made me cry once. What has your mother always told you about crying, Charlie?” Astrid said, her eyes trailing from Davina to her son. He stood with his mouth ajar as he stared at his mother, at a complete loss for words. Tears now trickled down his face at the sight of his once beloved mother.

“Answer me when I’m talking to you, child.” Astrid said in a more demanding tone. Charlie swallowed harshly once more.

“Crying is for the weak minded, children, and mortals.” Charlie spoke. Astrid hummed in response before her eyes trailed back over to Davina. She examined her for a moment before letting out a small laugh.

“He loved me once too.” Astrid spoke, making Davina frown. Before Davina could ask what Charlie’s mother meant, he grabbed her by the wrist. She turned to him with a confused expression before she felt the same burning sensation as before. She cried out and shut her eyes. It didn’t take long before the pain became too much for her and she tried to pull her arm away from Charlie. This time, he didn’t fight her. Because when she opened her eyes to hit him, she found that they were back in the mausoleum.

“That hurt, Charlie!” Davina exclaimed and turned to where he last stood but found he was no longer there. She then heard the sound of the gate slamming, making her turn in the direction of the door. She watched Charlie angerly walking down the dirt path of the cemetery before running after him. She eventually fell into step with him. She wanted to say something but feared she’d upset him more so decided she wouldn’t.

“Smart choice, Vina.” Charlie said in an annoyed tone. Davina looked up at him in disbelief. He hadn’t spoken to her like this since the first time they met. It scared her a little. They both then entered the car, leaving the cemetery. Davina felt like speaking. It didn’t feel normal for her to be with Charlie, who never stops talking, in a car, a place where Davina never stops talking either. She slightly turned to Charlie, an uneasy look on her face as she did.

“Maybe we could watch Nightmare on Elm Street tonight. I know you wanted me to see it a few days ago.” Davina spoke in a quiet voice. Charlie had his left elbow resting on the door of the car while his head rested on the palm of his hand. He tiredly drove with just his right hand, staring off at the road. Charlie let out a sigh before finally speaking.

“Yeah, if you really want to we can.” Charlie said in a kind, but tired voice. Davina turned away from him, looking off at the road as well. She began fidgeting with her fingers, unsure of what to say now. She wanted to address it. It was in the air and had been since they left. She wanted to clear it out.

“You didn’t deserve that, Charlie. You really didn’t.” Davina said as she bit down on her lip, shaking her head as she remembered the words they all threw at Charlie. ” I can’t imagine being treated like that. And I’m sure it wasn’t just that one time. You probably endured that multiple times.” Davina continued. Charlie stayed quiet, not commenting on anything that she said. The sky darkened and a few minutes had passed. Davina figured he wouldn’t talk of it. And she wasn’t going to bother him with it anymore, knowing that their words effected him deeply. She stared out the window, watching cars on the other side of the road pass by as continued on their way home.

“It was like that my whole life.” Charlie finally said, shocking Davina a little. She turned to find him expressionless, continuing to stare at the road. She didn’t have to read his mind to know that he was in deep thought.

“All around the world I’ve been praised and worshiped for being the only beast born as a beast. For being special. And my family never treated me as such. I’m not saying I would’ve liked it if they did. Honestly, I think it would’ve been really weird if they did.” Charlie said as he leaned his head back. “But they treated me like I was worthless.” Charlie said, finally letting Davina see a tear roll down his cheek.

“And if I ever complained about it, I was deemed as weak minded, childish, and human because it’s oh so very trivial to be that. And you know what? I wish I had born human so I could just know what it’s like to feel the heat of the sun shining down on you!” Charlie cried out, letting more tears spill from his hazel-ish, green eyes. Davina’s eyes widened. With the exception of Lucian, she hadn’t ever seen one of the beasts cry before. She learned after hearing from Lucian the history of beasts and all that they have been through, that just like any human, they’re just as likely to feel deep emotions. And though their biological makeup was not of a human’s, they all were before. Inside, they were just as human as she was.

“And they always talked about how family is the most important thing. That without it, you’re nothing. You can’t do nothing, you can’t be nothing, and you are nothing. Look at me now, though. I’m a co-leader for beasts all over the globe and I made it here without any of them.” Charlie gritted through his teeth, gripping tightly to the steering wheel. He then let out a laugh, shaking his head as he did.

“Whoever said ‘family is family’ is a fucking liar. ‘Family is family’ is the biggest goddamn excuse to hurt as many times as you want and as much as you want!” Charlie exclaimed, his first slamming on the dashboard. Davina stared at him with sorry eyes. She knew he didn’t need her pity. She knew how strong he was. But she also knew even the strongest people can crack. She reached her hand out to hold his now free, left one.

“I’ll never hurt you.” Davina said as a tear slipped from her glossed over eyes. Charlie paused for a moment, his eyes blinking a few times as he processed what she said to him. He then realized, she thought of them as family. He turned to her, finding a kind smile now gracing her face. He could feel his heart swell in his chest. Because he knew it was true. Davina had became a part of the family he never had. Not long after Davina and Charlie’s deep conversation, they arrived at the compound, finding Dean and Jackson waiting outside for them. Almost immediately after they stepped out of the car, Dean and Jackson approached the two.

“Are you alright?” Both Dean and Jackson said in unison to Davina. They both immediately turned to one another. Dean glared at Jackson. Jackson only rolled his eyes at his friend. Davina and Charlie quickly noticed some sort of tension between the two and eyed one another. Charlie, acting quickly, decided he’d try breaking the tension by doing what he does best; being himself.

“Well, I am fine! Thank you for asking!” Charlie exclaimed dramatically as he leaned against the door of Jackson’s car. Jackson glared at him, a look telling Charlie that he better back the hell off his car. Charlie’s eyes sightly widened and he immediately moved away.

“You alright?” Dean asked as Davina made her way around the car, his eyes never leaving her.

“Perfect.” Davina said with a small smile, making Dean’s eyes soften.

“What the hell took you guys so long? We left after you did.” Jackson inquired a little harshly. Davina went to answer when Charlie’s voice stopped her.

“Oh, well we stopped to pull over for gas and this one had a little hissy fit over something ridiculous, hopped in the car in an attempt to drive away, mind you I still had the gas pump in it-” Charlie said, taking a pause. “And tried exiting the way we came in at. This dumbass didn’t see the spikes on the road, hit it, and we had to go get your tires all changed. Your welcome, by the way. I had to buy all new tires since they were out of used ones and it was very expensive. You owe me a thousand dollars.” Charlie said to Jackson, coming up with a quick lie on the spot. Jackson turned back to Davina, a look of disbelief on his face as he stared at her wide eyed. Davina didn’t know why Charlie lied. She figured maybe Charlie would get in trouble with them. She can’t imagine why. But she didn’t want that for Charlie, especially with the day he had. She decided she’d cover for him but ask about it later. Davina only shrugged her shoulders at him and gave an awkward smile. Jackson then frowned as he realized what Charlie said.

“Wait a second. Why do I have to pay for it? Davina was the one who popped my tires.” Jackson asked, turning back to Charlie.

“Well, it’s not her car, is it?” Charlie clapped back, making Jackson scoff.

“Were you guys with the car the whole time?” Dean asked from the back of the car.

“No, we waited inside while the guys fixed it. Why? What is it?” Davina asked when she noticed Dean staring at a specific place on the car. She then made her way over to him to get a look at whatever had his focus. She frowned as she stared at a symbol on the trunk.

“What’s that?” Davina asked, her head turning up towards Dean, and now making Jackson and Charlie join them. After a moment, Charlie sighed.

“A symbol.” Charlie replied.

“Yeah, no shit. What’s it stand for?” Davina asked.

“Revenge and war.” Jackson growled, making Davina turn to him to find the angriest expression she had ever seen on the face of a beast.