The Persevered

[sylvia-neumann]

leonxneumann​:

Insanity. Absolute insanity– he didn’t understand why no one was taking heed of his words or understanding his urgency; being dismissed like what he’d went through was minor just because he was alive and wasn’t a supernatural. Leon pressed the palms of his trembling hands into his eyes until he saw stars. Why was no one listening? “Why are you making this about you all of a sudden? Did the words ‘terrible mother’ come out of my mouth?” Leon snapped at the woman, her words rubbing him the wrong way, “you aren’t keeping what’s best for me in mind– only yourself. Why worry about packing up when we should leave in an instant. This is between life or death, and everyone keeps acting like somehow I’m insane for even bringing this up when I’m the one keeping this family in mind. The ones that are able to leave.”

It’s not every day something came along and rendered Sylvia speechless, but nothing caught her off-guard more than Leon practically losing his shit on a woman she could see he was beginning to lose faith in. She lost the faith in herself to keep her kids from harm’s way and hearing another not so outwardly insinuate the thought was a semi-truck sized punch to the gut. “I wasn’t making this about me and for you to imply I’m that selfish is a horrible notion to cross your mind.” Sylvia reminded herself she couldn’t grow angry at him, not after what he’s gone through. In his shoes, she might behave in the same way. “The word insane didn’t come out of my mouth either, Leon. I know you’re pissed, I know you have suffered at the hands of the worst this town offers and I can’t begin to understand that, but that gives you no reason to lose your temper and snap at anyone in your family.” She placed her palms together and touched her fingers to her lips, breathing slowly, “We are going to leave, but it’s a work in progress. And if that’s not the answer you were looking for, I’m sorry.”

[sylvia-neumann]

harry-neumann​:

Harry frowned at his mothers words, chewing on his lip as she spoke. He and his mother was stuck in a constant loop of guilt and regret. Him with his guilt over abandoning his family, no matter how much against his will it was, and his mother’s guilt over letting something happen to any of them. Harry took a deep steadying breath before reaching out, taking his mothers hand in his. “We need to stop, Mom. This guilt that we both carry… it’s not healthy– despite everything that happened, you’re the best mother I could ask for. I don’t blame you for anything and that will never change.”

Sylvia wanted a brand new start for her children, in a new town, giving them a new life they would be proud to have, and now look what landed at her feet. A wendigo for a son and another tormented by the months spent in torture who changed completely from the boy she once new when she married his mother. Sylvia’s eyes rose, searching the younger male’s features as she gently gave his hand a small squeeze. “I suppose it’s in our nature, baby, carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders.” The woman shook her head and tore her gaze away, “That’s certainly not the opinion of your brother. Leon thinks I’ve absolutely lost my damn mind not packing up the family and moving away, but I can’t leave you, Harry. In spite of what they made you, you’re still my firstborn son. My miracle.”

[sylvia-neumann]

miaxneumann​:

Nothing will come of it…

Well, it feels better than doing nothing.

Well, maybe I’m wrong for once. The research leads to taking matters into your own hands which very may lead you in the same position Harry or Leon are, or god forbid, Lukas.

[sylvia-neumann]

leonxneumann​:

“Why not?” Leon snapped, his own voice sounding shrill in his ears. Everywhere he turned was empty promises and false hope. Killgrove Hills looks to be an ideal, quaint town but he saw the festering corruption that churned beneath the surface up close. The walls were crushing down on him again, and no one was taking him seriously. “I lost my brother, you lost a son to them. What is there to think over?” he screamed at the woman, unable to hear himself over the blood rushing in his ears, “it’s like I’m talking to brick walls. I was with her for months and no one is taking me seriously enough to do what could save us.”

Sylvia clenched her jaw tightly, rendered nearly speechless with Leon’s outburst. He wasn’t her child by flesh and blood, but she loved and protected her step-kids as if they were her own. Celine was the wild one while Leon played the reserved angle, the well-read, the dedicated student. In all the time she has known him, he never once backtalked her. This...this was new, and if she were honest, alarming. “I cannot even begin to imagine the war happening inside your head right now, but shouting at me will not solve the problem quicker. Packing up everything we own and moving takes time.” Placing her hands together, she touched them to her lips and sighed, “I lost two sons, Leon, I almost lost another. I don’t need you telling me how I’ve failed as a mother because I promise you, I already know.” She was being pulled different ways. “I can’t leave Harry, but I want what’s best for you. Believe that.”

[sylvia-neumann]

harry-neumann​:

Yeah… none of this is what I thought I’d ever hear.

The Chamberlain’s. The leader is like me, just a different cross. They’re probably one of the nicest people I’ve come across… they’re helping with a half of me. The other half, we’re just… figuring it out as we go, I guess.

I think I’ve heard the name floating about, it sounds as if you’re in welcome company. If they really are helping as much as you say, then I’m relieved you have like-minded individuals who understand what you need. seems they are giving you a world I can’t provide, honey.

[sylvia-neumann]

leonxneumann​:

That’s not funny.

What I need is for us to pack up and leave this town so that it doesn’t happen again. To anyone.

I’m not laughing, sweetheart.

Leaving is not as simple as you think, but if it will ease your duress, I’ll speak with your mother and see what the next step is. I cannot make any promises, Leon.

[sylvia-neumann]

leonxneumann​:

You have to know that that won’t stop anyone who isn’t human, and I don’t have an answer for that question.

Anyone who isn’t human hasn’t met me, sweetheart.

I don’t expect you to be okay, Leon. Just tell me what you need and I will do it.

[sylvia-neumann]

harry-neumann​:

You and me both. I don’t think the wolves around here are really into board games unless they’re ancient.

Not a statement I thought I’d hear in a million years.

Someone did tell me you found a little group to join, I can’t remember who. Are they being kind? Are they...helping?

[sylvia-neumann]

leonxneumann​:

Stop looking at me like that, I’m not some freak to gawk at.

No, but you are my son and I swear to all that is holy, I’m locking you children in the house.

Baby, are you alright?

[sylvia-neumann]

harry-neumann​:

I think there’s a record somewhere on how many games can be played in a day.

We used to create our own games when we’ve gone through our entire collection during those younger years. I miss those days.

[sylvia-neumann]

miaxneumann​:

Why are you staring at me?

You’ve been staring at that same page for twenty minutes, honey. Nothing will come of it.

[sylvia-neumann]

harry-neumann​:

Harry knew that his own mother would have faith in this ability to control whatever darkness lurked inside of him, but would she believe the same if he knew that even from this distance he could smell her and that part of him wanted to just… rip apart and feast. Nausea rolled through him at the thought. “I’ve sought help with the local Alpha, Tori– she… she was with me when I was taken, she’s agreed to take me in,” Harry whispered after a time, the beanie taut in his hands, “I’ll try my best to stay strong, and that’s all that I can promise, but you need to be careful. Mom, this place is worse than we could have imagined and you need to watch the shadows. That’s how they get you.”

There was nothing more heartbreaking than knowing she potentially failed as a mother. Parents protected their children from the dangerous creatures, not stand by and watch their sons change species by a coven power thirsty enough to kidnap innocent off the streets. Sylvia couldn’t help thinking her family specifically was targeted on purpose. The new Sinclair’s, tormented by the supernatural, treated as if they were toys. She still had Leon, the twins, and Celine to think about, praying to whatever got is out there that none of them were ever turned. And from that day on, none of them ever would. “Tori. I’m...I’m happy you have found a sanctuary. I couldn’t bare the thought of you living alone in the streets or god forbid, the woods.” Sylvia collected her emotions, releasing a shaky breath, “I know the dangers, sweetheart. If I could trade my place for yours, Harry, I would in a heartbeat. I never wanted you to suffer this greatly.”

[sylvia-neumann]

szymanski-tiberius​:

Well, I do not have magic, so I am uncapable of doing what has been done to your other child; the only thing that I can give you is that I keep my word.

From what I know about monster movies, Mr. Szymanski, you don’t need magic to turn one of my children into a vampire. What I want isn’t your word, I want Leon. I’m asking you to return him personally, no scratches, nothing. Do we have an understanding of each other?

[sylvia-neumann]

aimee-ofbabylon​:

You should try one of these cookies, it might put a smile on that perpetually scowling face.

Oh, for god’s sake, just give me one of those.

[sylvia-neumann]

harry-neumann​:

Every word she spoke was like a lance through Harry’s heart. He never wanted to be apart from his family, either one of his mother’s or siblings. It’s funny that the one vow he made growing up is the one he could never fulfill. He was breaking, and all he wanted was to hug his mother but he feared what he would do. He eyed the beanie that his mother cautiously placed on the ground, bending over to retrieve it. It reminded him of a simpler time where he had no worries at all. He could smell the beanie more than he could when he was simply human– it smelled like him… but more so his mom. She’d been carrying it around– cried with it, held it close. It made tears well up in his eyes as he shook his head, “when will that be? What if I’m not able to control this and I’m never able to be around you all anymore? I’m not anything without you all and now? Now there’s a possibility that I will live a long time without you all.”

Sylvia had cherished that beanie of his, coveted it, even whispered her silent prayers to the piece of fabric in the late hours of the night for her son’s safe return. They were answered, in a way, Harry was alive and safe albeit not who he was when he vanished. That part wouldn’t be the easiest pill to swallow now that she knew what lurked in the shadows threatening every member of the Neumann family like a disease. She watched him retrieve it mournfully, gauging his reaction, and feeling the tears prickle her own eyes. “When you’re ready, my love. I know it seems far away, but you can control this, Harry. You are a Neumann and if being who you are says anything, there is nothing in this world you cannot face.” Sylvia’s gaze dropped to the beanie and rose to rest on her son, “You are not nothing just because you’re not with us, baby. You’ll never stop being my child, or a brother to the twins and your other siblings. Promise me you will stay strong, Harry, and I swear on my life we’ll still be here when you return.”

[sylvia-neumann]

raphael-theresilient​:

I really wish I could make something like this up, it seems like it’s straight out of some stereotypical supernatural YA novel. If it’s any consolation, if Eloise wanted your son dead, he’d be dead. She’s a part of Tiberius Szymanski’s coven and, believe it or not, he’s a good one. He’ll do what needs to be done and will get your son back.

More like a supernatural soap opera that’s too graphic to fit on a television. That doesn’t bring me any amount of comfort when I’m starting to grow distrustful of any vampire, even if this Tiberius Szymanski is one of the good ones. In my experience so far, no vampire or witch is ever completely good. So, thank you for the head’s up, but I’m not waiting around for a leader to leash his psychopathic pet. I’m getting my son back on my own terms.

[sylvia-neumann]

harry-neumann​:

You don’t! You need to stay away– I can’t be here. I can’t stay here with you all anymore.

“I know, Harry, I know.” Sylvia held up her head, though, her heart was breaking in fragments she knew no one could piece together. She was a strong-willed woman only intensifying by imparting this stubbornness to her children. “That doesn’t mean we won’t be here for you.” She reached into the pocket of her jacket, removing the beanie Harry always wore. Used to wear. “No matter where you go, no matter what you are or what you struggle with, Harry...you will always be my son. My boy, my strength and my courage.” Sylvia stepped forward, gently placing the beanie on the ground and stepping back. “we will be together again, as a family. Your family.”