[ a l i n a ]

"Where's Damian? Have you seen him?" I asked one of the guards posted outside my suite; whom only shook his head in response.

"Looking for Damian?" A gruff voice appeared from the corner of the hallway, and Jason strode towards me, a concerned look on his face. "Yes."

"He went outside a while ago. I can help you, if you need my help, for whatever you're doing." He offered, a sympathetic smile forming on his lips.

I returned the smile, shaking my head. "I'm fine, actually."

Jason halted in his steps, taking everything around me in. He pressed his lips together tightly at the sight of the state of my suite.

Suitcases and bags everywhere. He knew I was leaving. He let a long breath away. "Why?"
"I think you know."

His eyes met mine again, a slow calculating look upon his face. "You don't deserve this kind of life." And with that, he turned around and left.

I hated the fact that he was right. And I loathed the fact that my brother isn't here to comfort me anymore.

Or my father.

~

The moment Damian came home, disheveled and taken aback at the same time, I knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong.

I stood to greet him and locked the door, following him inside. "Damian?" I asked, which he only responded with a futile look.

"We're overdue for a conversation." He said, his voice deadly calm; drops of water staining his coat, messing his hair.

I responded with a heavy sigh. "That, we are."
Looking into the eyes of the man I loved so deeply made me realize something I've forgotten in a long while; I can't risk to lose him.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything; for coming into your life and ruining it, for everything I've done and might do-" My words were cut short with his lips against mine. He kissed me roughly, his lips firm and determined, his fingers grasping my locks, pulling me closer.

Then he released me, his hands softly caressing my cheeks.

"You have done nothing wrong. Everything was already messed up from the moment I was brought into this world." He brought my face closer to his; pressing our foreheads.

"In fact, you brought light into my life. And for that, I am eternally grateful, Vanderbilt."  I let out a relieved sigh as I found comfort in the crook of his neck.

"I'm the grateful one."

~

That night, as I slept, I found myself in the midst of a valley. The grass is wet and cold, and the moon shone as bright as ever in the star-studded sky.

I whipped around at the sounds of footsteps behind me; only to find a figure hidden away in the dark. My arms dangling by my side; I clench my fingers in warning, ready for an attack.

"You won't need that." The stranger chuckles, walking into the light, hands in his pockets.
And I, I held my breath.

"Dad."

It was him, really him. The same eyes that used to fill my childhood, the same smile, the same hair. Gods, how I missed this man.

I let out a laugh in disbelief, choking in my own breath as tears escaped my eyes.

"Daddy, I missed you so much." It was between mumbles and sobs, and I ran towards his arms. Those big, warm hands of his, caressing the back of my head, the feeling of my stolen childhood coming back to me in a rush.

Words spilled out of my mouth in form of sobs and mumbles as I embraced him; and took his smell in.
He still smelled of mint and tobacco.

"Oh, God." I let out another sob as he caresses my hair. "You're here."

"No, I'm not." What? I let go of him, studying his face. "I'm just a figment of your imagination."
He's never coming back; and It's a hard pill to swallow. So is Nathan.

"I know you're not real, but I'm sorry." I drawled, composing myself. My face is wet with hot tears streaming down. "I'm sorry I didn't stop the murder from happening."

This time, much to my surprise, he smiled. "You were young. You didn't know your true potential."

"I could have done something instead of screaming and crying."

"But now you have the potential to save your child. Protect it. Because one day, he'll return the favor."

Did he just say.. he? Am I having a son? I shake my head. He's only a part of my imagination. He's not real.

"Oh, but I am." My father suddenly morphs into a large, tall human, with hooded eyes and a wicked smile.

"This isn't a dream, Alina." He clicks his tongue. I wipe my tears away, arching my shoulders back. My hands are ready to attack.

"My name is Alderian. I am the third infected by Darkseid's blood." He smiles, and I could only stare at him in shock.

"Us, the infected, we have the ability to visit in our own dreams." He nods his head to the right.

Just like how Christian gave me my nightmares.

"Why are you here?" My voice sounds deadly.

"Unfortunately, Talia succeeded in handing me over to Darkseid. I'm currently with him, and I don't have much time to warn you."

"What do you need? I can't possibly defeat him." My sentences comes out between breaths, and he only studies me in a mocking silence.

He takes a step towards me, eyes shining bright. "You can't. But your child will."

"I came from the future. Your child will grow to be one of the strongest warriors I've met; all thanks to you and Wayne."

I seem to forget how to breathe.

"Because, Alina, your child, Nathan Wayne, will bring forth hell to Darkseid. And God save us all, because it will be a messy fight."

I don't know what to say. Emotions are running back and forth inside my mind; and yet only one remains. Love and pride.

I'm going to have a son. And his name is Nathan.

"There was a shadow descending from the sky upon your birth." Alderian murmurs, and I felt a part of my mind light up. There was indeed. I heard the townsfolk talk about it.

"That shadow, it was your own son, from the future. He came to see how you were born, and how Talia infected you with Darkseid's blood."

"Wait, wait. Hold on. Why would he come to see me? Why won't he ask it directly? And why are you telling me this? I could have figured everything out in twenty years, along with time."

Alderian stares at me with glassy eyes, lips pressed together.

"I know it seems pointless to warn you. I wish there was a way to change the timeline." A tear falls from his eye, and from the look of it, I'm starting to think he might be close to me.

"Because, Alina, you won't make it in twenty years." Hot tears are now streaming down his face.

"And I came to tell you; cherish them. Your husband and your child. Love them, until you can't anymore."

• THE END •

Or should I say the Dark(seid) end?

Happy New Year everyone! I will post an author's note after this!

Ps. : there WILL BE AN epilogue, don't worry.

The story isn't over yet.