Disclaimer: I do not own the Slayers characters, as much as I wish I did. The song used in this story is called ‘Two beds and a coffee machine’. It’s sung by none other than the super-gorgeous boys from Australia, Savage Garden! So, without further ado, I give you my story!
Dedications: Pep, this is for you on your 17th birthday. I know that you don't like Savage Garden (or you used to not like them), but I thought that this was one of my better pieces. I hope you like it!
And she takes another step
Slowly she opens the door
Check that he is sleeping
Amelia ran as fast as she could, not once looking back at the figure who was yelling at her to return. Rain poured down from the black sky, mudding her already blood-stained dress.
“Get back here, you little bitch!!” Came his angry scream from the house. Amelia winced, but neither stopped nor slowed her run.
‘If he thinks that I am going back to more abuse, he’s going to have to catch me first!’ she thought as she kicked off her high-heeled shoes and ran barefoot through the mud and rain. Tears streaked down her face, blurring her vision.
Pick up all the broken glass
And furniture on the floor
Been up half the night screaming
Zelgadis Greywords sat by himself in the tavern of an inn, not far from the border of Saillune. he sighed as he sipped a cup of coffee. It had been almost six years since he had seen Lina and the others, and ten since he talked to Amelia. He had heard from someone that she had married the son of some rich prince, but hadn’t bothered to note the name.
‘I sure hope she’s happy... and that he’s treating her right...’ he thought to himself with a sigh as he fingered the wristband that she had given him upon their last meeting. Glancing out the window, he noted that it was raining. Suddenly standing, he pulled on his cape and walked over to the bartender, paying him for the tea. Without another word, the chimera turned and left.
Now it’s time to get away
Pack up the kids in the car
Another bruise to try and hide
Another alibi to write
Amelia collapsed in the mud, chest heaving from running, and from the sobs that pounded through her body. This had to stop... by the Gods, this had to end... all this torture, all this pain... it just wasn’t worth it. Curling into a ball and shivering, Amelia allowed the sobs of her misery to overtake her.
Another bruise to try and hide
Another alibi to write
As Zelgadis walked along the muddy path towards the town of Seyruun, he lost himself deep within thought. Amelia had been so adorable, what with her blue eyes and sunny smile. Even her justice speeches had made her seem cute. Cute and innocent. Zelgadis blushed as he felt a certain part of his anatomy react to his thoughts of Amelia. Her beautiful face, with high cheek bones and full lips. God, how many times had he fantasized of those lips meeting his own. Her blue eyes, so deep and clear he could have gotten lost in them. Her full breasts, moving up and down in rhythm as she slept. Shaking himself out of his thoughts, Zelgadis scolded himself. He was a monster, something to be feared and hated for his looks. He was supposed to be heartless and cold, unfeeling to those emotions that some called love.
Another ditch in the road
You keep moving
Another stop sign
You keep moving on
And the years go by so fast
Wonder how I ever made it through
Amelia sobbed harder at the sudden realization that she had left her child at home with that monster she was forced to call her husband. God, she didn’t even what to THINK of what that devil was doing to Crystal.
“L-sama, help me... I would give anything to have Zelgadis here...” she whispered to herself, remembering the man that she had always truly loved. Where was he now? Probably with some woman who loved him dearly. Wherever he was, she hoped he was happy... and was treated better than she was.
And there are children to think of
Baby’s asleep in the backseat
Wonder how they’ll ever make it through
This living nightmare
Wait a minute... what was that noise? It sounded a lot like someone was crying. But who would be out in this whether, at such a late hour? he didn’t know, but wanted to find out. They might be in trouble. Picking up the pace, he rushed towards the sound. Who he found there was the one person he never expected to see again.
But the mind is an amazing thing
Full of candy dreams and new toys and
Another cheap hotel
Two beds and a coffee machine
But there are groceries to buy
And she knows she’ll have to go home
Amelia was so deeply lost within her despair that she didn’t even notice that there was someone standing beside her. All that mattered to her was that she would have to go home, back to HIS anger and abuse- and she feared that fact more than anything else on earth.
Another ditch in the road
You keep moving
Another stop sign
You keep moving on
And the years go by so fast
Wonder how I ever made it through
“Amelia?”
The princess’s eyes popped open at the sound of her name. This was not the voice of her husband, who brutally beat her and controlled her life. No... this voice was soft, and kind... and familiar. Casting her eyes upward, the princess locked her eyes with a pair of soft, light-blue ones. Tears clouded her vision.
“Z-Zelgadis...” she whispered, voice breaking. Without thinking, without another word, the girl climbed to her feet and threw herself into the chimera’s arms, bursting into tears. Zelgadis, shocked to see the usually bright princess in this condition, wrapped his arms around her body, rocking her tenderly and shushing her sobs. Amelia clutched at his tunic and sobbed, relieved. She was safe.
Another bruise to try and hide
Amelia finally calmed enough to put back from Zelgadis and wipe her eyes on her muddy dress sleeve, wincing as pain shot through her face.
“Amelia...” he whispered, frowning when he noticed the cut and dried blood on her cheek, and her already swollen-shut black left eye. “What happened?” Amelia, just now remembering her recent fight, made an attempt to cover her bruises with her hand.
“I... I fell down the stairs, and hurt myself...” she replied, adverting her eyes from his. Zelgadis frowned. Somehow, he found that hard to believe.
Another alibi to write
Another lonely highway in the black of night
But there’s hope in the darkness
“Amelia, what happened?” he asked again, firmly this time. Amelia looked up at him, tears in her eyes.
“You’d hate me...” she whispered, choking on the sobs that threatened to escape her lips. Wrapping her arms around herself, she turned away and shivered, unable to face the person she loved, and admit to what she had become. Zelgadis’ face softened. He removed his cape and draped it over her shoulders, hoping to halt her shivers somewhat.
“I would never hate you, Amelia...” he whispered soothingly, turning her around slowly and tipping her chin up so their eyes met. Amelia looked around.
“Not here...” she told him, taking his hand. “We need to go somewhere... private...” Zelgadis nodded, then gently lifted her into his arms. This done, he headed back to the tavern that he had been at earlier.
You know you’re going to make it
Zelgadis had been truly outraged when Amelia had told him what had occurred in the past 6 years. Her forced marriage by Jacob, her husband. Through sobs she confessed about the many beatings she had taken to protect her only daughter Crystal. When she was finally done, Zelgadis jumped from his seat, sword drawn.
“That bastard won’t get away with this! I’ll make him suffer through the nine Hells for what he’s done to you!” he screamed, causing all the people in the restaurant to look up curiously. Amelia jumped up with him, grabbing him by the shoulders.
“No!” she begged. “Murder is NOT the answer!” she sobbed, tears in her eyes. Zelgadis scooped her up into his arms.
“But look at what he did to you...” he whispered softly, tears in his own eyes. Amelia curled up in his embrace, sniffling softly.
“He will be punished... I shall see to it... but justly.” Zelgadis nodded.
“Does... Phil know?” he asked softly. Amelia shook her head and looked down.
“He... threatened to kill Crystal if I told anyone...” she replied. Zelgadis nodded. He then carried Amelia upstairs to his room, and lay her in bed, after first stripping her of her wet garments and placing her in a nightgown. He sat up all night and watched her sleep, keeping guard over her dreams.
Another ditch in the road
You keep moving
Another stop sign
You keep moving on
Silent fortress built to last
Amelia smiled as she walked up the steps to her palace. It had been one full year since Jacob had been convicted of abuse and sent to the palace prison. Since then, Amelia had married Zelgadis, and had been blessed with a son, who she had lovingly named Joshua. As she sat next to Zelgadis, cradling their new-born son, she finally felt peace. She had survived.
Wonder how I ever made it
END
