Innocence: A Novels & Stories

He mumbled to himself, and his eyes turned cold. He glanced at the little star beside him. The innocent face seemed suspicious to him at the moment, and he clenched his fist in annoyance. Was the little star truly innocent, or was he too good at deceiving people? Ace prided himself on being able to read people the most. Considering his line of work and his status, it was only right for him to be able to read everyone that came his way, only this way would he continue ruling peacefully, but the little star really gave him a headache.

Inside, however, every instinct I possess begins screaming. Too clean. Companies leave paper trails, money leaves trails, people leave trails—unless someone spends a fortune making them disappear. I stare through the window again. Sophie stands in front of a mirror while three women fuss around her. She looks annoyed—not frightened, not pretending—just normal. A strange feeling settles in my chest. She’s too young, too innocent. Nothing like him. Yet my mother was innocent, too—same with my brother, and me. Innocence has never protected anyone; instead, it only pushes them further into unseen danger.

“Because she isn’t him. She isn’t guilty of his sins. She’s just a woman. Innocent. And you’re punishing her for something she didn’t do.” My throat tightened. My mind screamed denial, clinging to the truth I had carved into myself all these years: that she was the embodiment of everything I hated, everything I lost. That hurting her was justice. But my heart traitorous, weak, whispered something else. It whispered of her eyes, wide with exhaustion but still defiant. Of the way my chest had threatened to cave when I saw her crumpled body on the floor. I swallowed hard, anger flaring to drown the ache. “If I start believing she’s innocent, I become weak. I can’t afford weakness. Not with her.

"This slave underwent a total brainwashing. The other children are still young. With good education, it is still possible to correct your thoughts and behaviours. But this male slave had grown up and his state of mind was fixed. Even if we had brought him back by force, it would have only created more trouble for us. Why didn't we kill him now?" I clenched my teeth and looked at Vincent hostilely. Shaking my head, I took a step back. "I will never endorse such actions. The Innocents are cold and emotionless, and are no different from those who use the members of the Hidden Race!” Maybe my words were too harsh. There was an outcry among the members of the Innocents, as if I had insulted the h

“Not for long. He’ll soon have blood on his hands.” I couldn’t argue with that. “But he’s innocent now,” I whispered. “There are children, women... not all of them deserve to die.” Ava’s eyes locked onto mine in the mirror, her voice cold and unyielding. “Do you truly think any of us is innocent?” The silence that followed was stifling. I shook my head, tears welling in my eyes. “No. None of us is innocent.” Ava’s bitter smile reflected my own.

“ Being innocent really does not work in your case, does it?” Levy retorted when she heard the man question her. She did not back down from the argument that was heading her way, just when she thought that the man was going to say something scathing back to her, she watched him lean away from him.

I replied angrily," Don't forget that someone is watching your every injustice towards me. Allah will never forgive you for murdering my baby. He will punish you for killing my innocent baby. He will punish you for committing this sin." This time he crouched down to my level and clutched my hairs tightly. He whispered in my ear," We will see." Saying that he jerked off my face to another direction and enterd into the room. I am just crying hysterically clutching my belly protectively. I said to my baby," I am sorry, baby. Mamma couldn't protect you. Please, forgive me. Forgive me for being a weak and useless mother." After some time, he came back wearing his coat. He is looking so calm like

Other dirty, non-fatherly thoughts. “I tried to get rid of those thoughts. I tried to convince myself that you're too innocent. Too immature. Too…conservative. Too inexperienced. But then those are what I like about you, Willow. You're innocent, in a way that excites a man like me. You're…conservative, so that means you don't have time to indulge horny little boys. You're inexperienced, that means I'm gonna have the pleasure of being the first guy to expose you to the beauty of life. You're immature, so I'm gonna have to be your Daddy. So you see, I just couldn't…get out of my head.” My throat was dry. I was gulping endlessly, trying to wet it up.

"Leave my daughter Accardi! She is innocent!" She shouts and I get up from my seat, placing my hands back in my pocket and towering over him. "Innocent? Innocence doesn't mean anything in our business David,it is just a weakness. This 10 year boy was innocent,but did you spare him?" He gulps to look up at me. "My Amara was innocent but what did you did?" I ask stepping more closer to him ,he takes a step back afraid. "You killed her innocence. You tainted her skin in scars,you broke apart her delicate heart.

••• Innocence can be captivating, innocence can be dangerous at times, but in the devil's very own tale, it can become dangerously captivating. •••