Redemption

A sequel to "Tobi's new game". If you haven't read that story yet, check it out!

In this chapter you will learn more about Ayumi's past. These flashbacks will be important in the story. :) Stay tuned for more!

*11 years ago*

The night was beautiful – the weather was nice and not a single gust of wind. Not like I was able to feel it, but I heard other clan members saying so. The moon was full and it was shining so brightly that I was able to see everything clearly through my window. However, my cell was still dark – the window was too small to let in some light even during the daytime, and there were no candles. I felt lonely, but calm. The moon always made me feel comfortable – I don't know why.

'Is everyone here already, Etsuko?'

'Almost, Kiyoshi-sama. Only Izumi-san and Minoru-san are missing.'

'Fine, they should join us soon.'

I watched as the head of Tsukiyomi clan – Kiyoshi-sama passed by, followed by some young lady. They went to the meeting room, which was not far from my cell. A lot of other people were already waiting for them. I never knew what they talked about – I couldn't hear their voices from here. I guess my cell's walls were too thick.

I sighed and backed away from the iron door –it was made of rods, so I was able to see what was going on in the passageway, which was pretty long, lit only by a few lights. It was a bit gloomy, and scary...

Finally – I saw my parents passing by me. I missed them a lot. Just seeing them made my chest really warm.

'Mommy, daddy! Hello!'

I smiled at them, but they didn't glance at me, not even once. My daddy's face was blank, but my mommy looked a bit scared. I wonder why...

I was still thinking why did they put me in this cell. This place felt cold, there were lots of dust, which made me cough a lot. Just what did I do?

And all of this just because I have this strange mark on my lower back – a black hollow circle. When my parents saw it a few months ago, they got really mad and started yelling at me. They reported it to Kiyoshi-sama and he ordered to put me here – in this cage.

Since that day they all started glaring at me with those eyes... They were full of anger. I got called „a monster" a few times. But why? I couldn't understand why I was hated...

I sat on my bed and swung my feet back and forth. My stomach growled and I frowned slightly. I felt a bit hungry.

My eyes gazed at the window again – the green trees behind it looked like they were frozen, they didn't move at all. It was so silent. And the moon... It was really, really clear and huge. I sent it a weak smile... I just feel like something will happen soon. I can't wait to hug my parents again...

I was sleeping when I heard someone shouting. My eyes opened slowly.

Yes, this noise came from the meeting room.

I ran to the door, curious of what was happening there. If only I could see, at least a bit... But the room was closed.

Suddenly a woman's voice reached my ears. Wait, isn't it my mommy? Why was she screaming?

I watched in shock as the meeting room's door opened. Kiyoshi-sama left first, he looked very harsh. He shot me a glare, then disappeared.

'Please, Kiyoshi-sama! W-Wait, I beg you!' My mommy cried out, running out of the room behind him. Her face was pale and her eyes looked puffy – she was crying. Why, what happened?

I felt horror seep over my body as I saw her collapse to the floor next to my door.

'WHY? OH MY GOD, WHY US?!' She cried out again, her sad voice making me tremble.

Big crystal tears were streaming down her cheeks. Daddy ran to mommy's side, pulling her to his arms. His eyes were sorrowful too.

'W-What happened, mommy, daddy?!' I asked them.

Other clan members left the meeting room, bypassing my parents without a single word. Why were they ignoring them?! I felt my heartbeat quickening.

'Why are you crying?' I asked them again, but gulped when they looked at me.

A deadly shiver ran down my spine as I saw them glaring at me with intense hate and pain. They were just piercing down my soul, ripping me to pieces. I gulped as I watched my daddy stand up slowly and come to my door.

'Daddy?! Why is mommy crying? What's going on?!'

'Shut up!' He snapped at me, his voice dripping with venom. 'It's all because of you!'

My body turned to stone as he reached his hand between two rods and gripped my neck with his cold fingers.

I gasped and stared at him, fear written all over my face. He squeezed me tighly, I was unable to breath. Daddy's eyes were enraged and disgusted. Why..?

'D-Don't do it, dear! We don't know what this thing can do to us!' My mommy screamed again as she ran to daddy's side, crying.

She pulled his hand away from me, I noticed her body shaking violently.

I gasped for air. My head felt dizzy and numb... Why they were doing this to me? Why, just why..?

'Mo-Mommy... What h-happened? Please, tell me...'

'DON'T CALL ME LIKE THAT!' She cried out at me. 'You're a monster!'

Daddy embraced her waist, still glaring at me.

It felt so cold. Right here, in my chest... I continued to stare at them, my eyes wide.

'It's all because of you... Kiyoshi-sama forbade us to have children! It's because of you! No one wants you here, NO ONE! WHY, WHY DID YOU APPEAR IN OUR FAMILY, YOU FREAK?!'

I could do nothing. My mind was black, completely.

'M-Mommy, I-'

'You ruined our life, Ayumi! No... You don't deserve such a name. You're disgusting! YOU'RE A MONSTER!' My dad screamed at me, pulling my sobbing mom closer. 'All we wanted is to have a normal family! Is it so hard to understand?! Our life could have been perfect, but you ruined it. You shouldn't even be alive!'

My vision blurred and I fell to my knees, covering my head with my hands. It ached so much... Can all of this be true? Am I really... Really...?

'No... Mommy, daddy... I'm sorry...! I'm really sorry…!' I whispered.

My eyes watered. I gazed at my parents again, wishing it was just a nightmare. Another nightmare... But it wasn't. They stood there, looking down on me, like I was some kind of trash. A burden... I was a burden...

'Just die,' my dad muttered and spat at me.

I flinched as it ran down my cheek and shut my eyes. My head was pounding like crazy now.

My heart tossed in my chest. Why was it still here? If I'm a monster... Why... Why does it hurt so much...?

Suddenly a sharp pain pierces my temples.

'AAAAHR!' I screamed as the pain jabbed my eyes, setting them on fire.

I heard my mother's faint gasp.

'D-Dear...! What if w-we m-made her angry..?! She might kill us...! She's going to kill us!'

My father answered something to her. But I wasn't able to hear it.

I felt my body convulse from all the pain.

I'm a monster... I don't deserve to live...

Something bright flashed before my eyes, but I was unsure if it was reality or my own mind. This light was inviting. It was silver... Just like the moon.

I heard my parents scream, but they were far away from me. I was just floating here, in this weird light.

'Forgive me, father... Mother...'

My consciousness was fading. But the pain was still here.

It never disappeared.