[[contintued]]
I try to stand up, but I can’t seem to keep my legs from feeling like rubber and falling back to the ground. My breaths are sharp as I pull myself away from the corpse. Eventually I come to pass the intersection of the tunnel. I make my way through the darkness, barely. All the while I keep both of my hands on the surrounding dirt walls, making sure I don’t stumble.
I’m terrified. I have no idea where I’m going. I have no idea where I could go. So I dart forward, towards the flickering orange light. Everything is completely soundless. I try to lower the volume of my breathing, but am unsuccessful. I clasp my hand over my mouth, muffling my inhalations and exhalations. I’m slowly becoming calmer. The monster within my chest is settling.
I start to slow my pace down as I reach the sporadic flashes of light. There are two ways that I can go. Both walls of the tunnel are lined with lit torches about three quarters of the way up them. They flicker.
“Turn left, Cessy”. So I turn left. There is a soft breeze that hits me dead on. Thank God! That means I am getting closer to getting out of this place.
After walking quite a long ways, I am able to see what lies less than 30 feet in front of me; a ladder. I smile excitedly. I make my way up the wooden ladder. It’s not very sturdy, and squeaks as I ascend. When the ladder ends, I am expecting to be able to see the white snow. I am expecting to see the mountain tops and the grey, grey sky. But instead, I find nothing. I find only the ceiling of this place, which I have known to be there all this time. I just stand here, staring. What am I supposed to do now? I can’t go back?
Just when I am actually considering giving up and turning back, the ground opens. Well, not the ground more of a trap door. I should be hesitant. But no, without any uncertainty at all, I pull myself up out of the tunnels.
There she stands behind the trap door. I just laugh at her, shaking my head. I’m not frightened of her anymore. I’ve seen far many things more terrifying than she. My feet move, along with my heart. I am brave. I can feel it. I no longer am thinking with my mind, but with something more valuable. I glide over to her until we are face to face. She raises one eyebrow and lifts one corner of her mouth as if saying, I’m not afraid of you. Should she be afraid of me? No. But she doesn’t know. She doesn’t know how red my anger flows for her. She doesn’t know how intense my hate towards her burns.
I let the dagger in my sleeve slide down into my grasp, all the while keeping eye contact with her, making sure her focus stays on me, and not my hand.
“I’m going to kill you, Cessy” she eagerly, yet to some extent blankly, informs me. I reply with a deep chuckle. The dagger now rests in my firm, sweaty grip. It’s time for me to go home. As soon as her life is nonexistent, I will be in the safe arms of my mother. I don’t change the expression on my face. With all the force I can find within me, I thrust the weapon into her stomach, right above her bellybutton. Her half-smile fades. It is replaced by a look of sickness and defeat. It makes me feel exhilarated. When she doesn’t fall to the ground, I sharply twist the dagger inside of her. My upper lip twitches slightly. I wrench the knife out of her and watch her drop. Her face wrinkles into a painful look. I wait for it to disappear. I wait quite impatiently for the light to leave her eyes.
At last, the light is gone. I close her eyes and wait to be thrown out of this world and back into my own. When I am not after thirty seconds, I get on the ground and place my ear against her chest to listen for her heartbeat. It‘s not there. There‘s no heartbeat. I open one of her eyes to discover only white. She’s dead. She’s dead and I’m still here. I begin to hyperventilate and bite my lip.
*****
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Chapter Fifteen
All I can think about is that beautiful face. I had seen it the whole night through in my dreams. Adler. His gorgeous blue eyes, his strong arms, and his mesmerizing voice. I feel as though I’ve known him my entire life. Is it strange to say that I miss him? Because I do.
I just now realize what it is that has awakened me. Clanging and banging noises are sounding from beyond the door. It sounds like metal and stone colliding. Though it is not a very loud ruckus, I can still plainly hear it. I’m still tired, and still freezing. When I’m asleep the cold isn’t that bad. I turn to face the fire, which is still brilliant. It appears as though someone has tended to it while I was sleeping. For that I’m glad. I move closer.
Gazing into the flames, I picture a fantasy. I look out over rolling hills and shallow valleys from the tower which I’m kept hostage. I wish to stop gazing out at the verdant grasses. I wish to not only look upon them, but touch them. To only run barefoot through the soft lands. I throw the crown off my head and out my glassless window.
But lo, what could this be? A bold knight upon a white horse. As he enters the kingdom the young maidens gawk at the flawless creature. He rides boldly up to me. With saying no words, he extends his armored hand. Conveniently, I have a rope in my hands. I cast it out the window, but keep it tied to a post of my bed. Swiftly, I slide down the rope to meet him. He tosses me gently on the back of his steed.
We ride to the meadows. The brave knight dismounts his horse and helps me off. Finally, I touch the grass. It is better than I ever thought it could be. We race over undulating hills. When we feel it is time to rest, we glide to a willow. Sitting underneath, he takes my petite, white hand, and traces the faint lines.
Startlingly, my imagined fairytale is put to a halt.
“You’re being relocated” says the rough voice of Jolten. I’m so very weak. What’s the use in fighting anymore? I don’t even look at him as I stand. And, though I’m so terribly freezing cold, I do not shiver. I keep my eyes to the ground as I near his tall, shadowy figure.
“Other way” he simply states. I look to the door. Facing back to him, I wrinkle my eyebrows and crinkle my nose, not understanding. He lets out a superficial sigh as his terribly pointy fingernail stabs my back, pushing me forwards. I inhale sharply in pain, but his nail only digs farther into my back. I try to move faster, but am stumbling. I whimper with weakness. He pushes harder, and farther into me. I feel the velvet fabric of my dress rip as his nail pierces the thin layer of skin on the middle of my back. I bite my lip and quiver quickly.
“Cecilia! You will move faster! You will obey me! DO NOT TEST MY PATIENCE!” he fiercely roars. My eyes widen and without thinking even one ounce, I stop fully. I shakily, but strongly, yelp in reply.
“I know not where I’m going! How do you expect me to move faster without your guidance! I don’t know where to go!” My voice sounds strained. He takes me by my shoulders and whips me around to face him.
He lowly grumbles, “You will do as I say”. I keep an intense glare on my face.
“YOU-WILL-DO-AS-I-SAY!” he bellows. Startled, I blurt out jumbled words.
“Yes. Of course”. His face doesn’t soften as it usually would. He remains severe and somewhat worried. His eyes have turned black He leisurely closes them. With his left hand he strokes my cheek, moving my face closer to him. I relax some, assuming he has too. But then he begins to shake as his right hand raises to my eye. He brings his sinister fingernail into my sight as he touches the tip of it to the outside of my left eye. Slowly and painfully, he drags his finger down the side of my face forcefully, slicing a thin cut into my countenance. As blood drips from my eye to my chin in a graceful curve, he catches an amount of it with the inside of his nail. He closely inspects the crimson puddle, but disgustedly casts it to the stone earth.
Through quavering sobs, I manage to utter, “I want to see my father! You promised me I could see him! You promised!”
“You haven’t yet done what I’ve asked”
“You haven’t yet asked me!” He lets out a sigh, and nothing more. We reach the door that lingers in the back of the room. He opens it as he did once before and I become frightened. My breathing becomes stressed and heavy.
Before me lies a black corridor of dirt and stone. At the end, I barely notice the dull flickering of orange light. I begin to venture into the dark tunnel, but am stopped by a pinching feeling at the back of my neck. Jolten stands, not at all amused, behind me with his index finger directed at the spot where the unbearable pinching feeling is felt. His arm is slanted gracefully, extended into the air. I am forced into perfect posture, excluding the lowering of my head towards the ground. I can’t speak. I am completely paralyzed and immobile. My face is now wrinkled with distress and pain.
“I’m afraid I am to leave you once again, Cecilia. I will have my closest collaborator lead you to where you are to go”. He pulls me into his arms coldly and begins to harshly stroke my hair.
“Deimos!” he roars into the almost endless darkness. There is a sudden stir of shadow in the flickering light at the end of the passageway. I freeze, and remain still within the arms of this monster. I can feel his silent laughter through the shaking of his entire body. Every other beat of my heart is skipped. I can barely make out the shadow moving towards us. But, I can certainly hear the creature. Every time it takes a step with one of its four legs in our direction, the ground trembles. The dark outline of the beast grows steadily larger every passing second. Every breath it lets out with an animal-like grunt. As the air exhaled through the creatures nostrils travels through the vessel, it strongly makes its way to us. The warm breath slaps my face, and would nearly knock me off of my feet if Jolten were not holding me. The smell is repulsive. Of rotten meat is the scent.
As it is almost to standing right in front of us, I sulk into Joltens bony arms, terrified. And, finally, here it stands, waiting for the command of its master. On all four of its thick legs, it is as tall as I am. Almost, like a feline it appears. Two great tusks protrude from the corners of its mouth. The rusty fur on its back stands tall and fierce. The eyes that it beholds are a dark red, and they stare me down. On the very top of its head sits two stubby, yet lethal, horns.
“Deimos, show our new friend to her quarters” then he turns to me. “Cessy, by nightfall I will be back to retrieve you, and we will start on our journey”. My eyes stay plastered to this creature by the name of Deimos. Yet, I manage to spit out a few words,
“You still haven’t told me of what you want.”
“Cessy, do you remember when I informed you that you have alliances that I do not?” I do not answer. He only turns and looks at me as though my purpose is blatantly obvious. Then, he turns back around and begins to exit. I watch him leave, for only a second, then slowly ready myself to face Deimos. His growl is so low, that it is almost unable to be heard. I remain still. Before I know it, the fangs of the beast are far into my ankle, and I am on the ground. He runs unsteady, but quickly. Everything turns to a blur. I can barely feel my leg anymore. In fact, my whole body is almost numb. He breathing and mine are quick and heavy. Just when it seems as though we’ve been running forever, we come to a sudden halt that sends me flying into the air. Before I land, the back of my dress is caught by the large feline, and I am suspended from his mouth.
There is an intersection ahead of us. Beyond it, lies the tunnel once again. I begin to wonder why we’ve stopped, but there is now no need to ask a question already answered. Coming from the left is the noise of padded feet coming closer to us. They are moving slowly, and make me oddly curious.
My eyes burn, and I feel vulnerable. Now I understand, somewhat, why Jolten needs me. Two creatures that resemble a not much smaller version of Deimos carry the injured man-horse across the juncture. The first one walks backwards, carrying the bound feet of the majestic, white cetagal in its mouth. The other one has its jaw clamped around its neck. I notice the blood dripping rapidly from a huge clawed out gash in its side. I quickly clasp my hand over my mouth tightly and tremble in sadness.
I reach for the dagger that I took from Elvira. Damn! Jolten must have took it when he replaced my pajamas with the dress.
“Cessy. Look to the ground” I look down and see the very same dagger that had been taken from me. I pick it up, and quickly hide it in my sleeve. I then turn to see who had spoke to me. No one is here. No one besides Deimos and myself. Before I can understand what had just happened, or decide whether I’m going mad, I hear the voice again. It flows to me like a soft wind. It is sounds so graceful. Female. It is defiantly female.
“You know what you must do, Cessy. You are in vast danger. You must leave”.
Once more, the intersection is clear, and we proceed, me still being in Deimos’ mouth. He isn’t running like he was before. He seems much more cautious, turning his head in every direction constantly. I reach into my sleeve for the dagger slowly and carefully, making sure that Deimos cannot see what I am doing. Once the knife is grasped firmly in my right hand I look up at Deimos’ drooling face. With all my force and strength I raise the dagger into the air and then down again through the creatures throat. While doing so, I let out a fierce and frightening cry. This cry continues as I am dropped onto the cold ground and bathed with steaming blood. I mean, the blood of the animal is literally steaming. The stench is awful, containing certain components of the great-cat’s breath.
Before falling to its death, Deimos looks into my glossy eyes and growls a growl so terribly furious. He seems so far beyond infuriated and enraged. This makes me terrified as I sit as a statue and feel his breath, hot and close to my face. I hold my breathe, forcing me into perfect sitting posture. His eyes roll back in towards his brain and the intensity of his growl subsides. As this all takes place the slit in his throat I had made becomes thicker and wider. I notice that his heavy head is slowly falling backwards onto his body. Red, boiling blood cascades from his grisly neck, creating a soft waterfall of ruby. His immensely huge body thuds to the ground and his open eyes stay very much alive as they penetrate my being.
All I can think about is that beautiful face. I had seen it the whole night through in my dreams. Adler. His gorgeous blue eyes, his strong arms, and his mesmerizing voice. I feel as though I’ve known him my entire life. Is it strange to say that I miss him? Because I do.
I just now realize what it is that has awakened me. Clanging and banging noises are sounding from beyond the door. It sounds like metal and stone colliding. Though it is not a very loud ruckus, I can still plainly hear it. I’m still tired, and still freezing. When I’m asleep the cold isn’t that bad. I turn to face the fire, which is still brilliant. It appears as though someone has tended to it while I was sleeping. For that I’m glad. I move closer.
Gazing into the flames, I picture a fantasy. I look out over rolling hills and shallow valleys from the tower which I’m kept hostage. I wish to stop gazing out at the verdant grasses. I wish to not only look upon them, but touch them. To only run barefoot through the soft lands. I throw the crown off my head and out my glassless window.
But lo, what could this be? A bold knight upon a white horse. As he enters the kingdom the young maidens gawk at the flawless creature. He rides boldly up to me. With saying no words, he extends his armored hand. Conveniently, I have a rope in my hands. I cast it out the window, but keep it tied to a post of my bed. Swiftly, I slide down the rope to meet him. He tosses me gently on the back of his steed.
We ride to the meadows. The brave knight dismounts his horse and helps me off. Finally, I touch the grass. It is better than I ever thought it could be. We race over undulating hills. When we feel it is time to rest, we glide to a willow. Sitting underneath, he takes my petite, white hand, and traces the faint lines.
Startlingly, my imagined fairytale is put to a halt.
“You’re being relocated” says the rough voice of Jolten. I’m so very weak. What’s the use in fighting anymore? I don’t even look at him as I stand. And, though I’m so terribly freezing cold, I do not shiver. I keep my eyes to the ground as I near his tall, shadowy figure.
“Other way” he simply states. I look to the door. Facing back to him, I wrinkle my eyebrows and crinkle my nose, not understanding. He lets out a superficial sigh as his terribly pointy fingernail stabs my back, pushing me forwards. I inhale sharply in pain, but his nail only digs farther into my back. I try to move faster, but am stumbling. I whimper with weakness. He pushes harder, and farther into me. I feel the velvet fabric of my dress rip as his nail pierces the thin layer of skin on the middle of my back. I bite my lip and quiver quickly.
“Cecilia! You will move faster! You will obey me! DO NOT TEST MY PATIENCE!” he fiercely roars. My eyes widen and without thinking even one ounce, I stop fully. I shakily, but strongly, yelp in reply.
“I know not where I’m going! How do you expect me to move faster without your guidance! I don’t know where to go!” My voice sounds strained. He takes me by my shoulders and whips me around to face him.
He lowly grumbles, “You will do as I say”. I keep an intense glare on my face.
“YOU-WILL-DO-AS-I-SAY!” he bellows. Startled, I blurt out jumbled words.
“Yes. Of course”. His face doesn’t soften as it usually would. He remains severe and somewhat worried. His eyes have turned black He leisurely closes them. With his left hand he strokes my cheek, moving my face closer to him. I relax some, assuming he has too. But then he begins to shake as his right hand raises to my eye. He brings his sinister fingernail into my sight as he touches the tip of it to the outside of my left eye. Slowly and painfully, he drags his finger down the side of my face forcefully, slicing a thin cut into my countenance. As blood drips from my eye to my chin in a graceful curve, he catches an amount of it with the inside of his nail. He closely inspects the crimson puddle, but disgustedly casts it to the stone earth.
Through quavering sobs, I manage to utter, “I want to see my father! You promised me I could see him! You promised!”
“You haven’t yet done what I’ve asked”
“You haven’t yet asked me!” He lets out a sigh, and nothing more. We reach the door that lingers in the back of the room. He opens it as he did once before and I become frightened. My breathing becomes stressed and heavy.
Before me lies a black corridor of dirt and stone. At the end, I barely notice the dull flickering of orange light. I begin to venture into the dark tunnel, but am stopped by a pinching feeling at the back of my neck. Jolten stands, not at all amused, behind me with his index finger directed at the spot where the unbearable pinching feeling is felt. His arm is slanted gracefully, extended into the air. I am forced into perfect posture, excluding the lowering of my head towards the ground. I can’t speak. I am completely paralyzed and immobile. My face is now wrinkled with distress and pain.
“I’m afraid I am to leave you once again, Cecilia. I will have my closest collaborator lead you to where you are to go”. He pulls me into his arms coldly and begins to harshly stroke my hair.
“Deimos!” he roars into the almost endless darkness. There is a sudden stir of shadow in the flickering light at the end of the passageway. I freeze, and remain still within the arms of this monster. I can feel his silent laughter through the shaking of his entire body. Every other beat of my heart is skipped. I can barely make out the shadow moving towards us. But, I can certainly hear the creature. Every time it takes a step with one of its four legs in our direction, the ground trembles. The dark outline of the beast grows steadily larger every passing second. Every breath it lets out with an animal-like grunt. As the air exhaled through the creatures nostrils travels through the vessel, it strongly makes its way to us. The warm breath slaps my face, and would nearly knock me off of my feet if Jolten were not holding me. The smell is repulsive. Of rotten meat is the scent.
As it is almost to standing right in front of us, I sulk into Joltens bony arms, terrified. And, finally, here it stands, waiting for the command of its master. On all four of its thick legs, it is as tall as I am. Almost, like a feline it appears. Two great tusks protrude from the corners of its mouth. The rusty fur on its back stands tall and fierce. The eyes that it beholds are a dark red, and they stare me down. On the very top of its head sits two stubby, yet lethal, horns.
“Deimos, show our new friend to her quarters” then he turns to me. “Cessy, by nightfall I will be back to retrieve you, and we will start on our journey”. My eyes stay plastered to this creature by the name of Deimos. Yet, I manage to spit out a few words,
“You still haven’t told me of what you want.”
“Cessy, do you remember when I informed you that you have alliances that I do not?” I do not answer. He only turns and looks at me as though my purpose is blatantly obvious. Then, he turns back around and begins to exit. I watch him leave, for only a second, then slowly ready myself to face Deimos. His growl is so low, that it is almost unable to be heard. I remain still. Before I know it, the fangs of the beast are far into my ankle, and I am on the ground. He runs unsteady, but quickly. Everything turns to a blur. I can barely feel my leg anymore. In fact, my whole body is almost numb. He breathing and mine are quick and heavy. Just when it seems as though we’ve been running forever, we come to a sudden halt that sends me flying into the air. Before I land, the back of my dress is caught by the large feline, and I am suspended from his mouth.
There is an intersection ahead of us. Beyond it, lies the tunnel once again. I begin to wonder why we’ve stopped, but there is now no need to ask a question already answered. Coming from the left is the noise of padded feet coming closer to us. They are moving slowly, and make me oddly curious.
My eyes burn, and I feel vulnerable. Now I understand, somewhat, why Jolten needs me. Two creatures that resemble a not much smaller version of Deimos carry the injured man-horse across the juncture. The first one walks backwards, carrying the bound feet of the majestic, white cetagal in its mouth. The other one has its jaw clamped around its neck. I notice the blood dripping rapidly from a huge clawed out gash in its side. I quickly clasp my hand over my mouth tightly and tremble in sadness.
I reach for the dagger that I took from Elvira. Damn! Jolten must have took it when he replaced my pajamas with the dress.
“Cessy. Look to the ground” I look down and see the very same dagger that had been taken from me. I pick it up, and quickly hide it in my sleeve. I then turn to see who had spoke to me. No one is here. No one besides Deimos and myself. Before I can understand what had just happened, or decide whether I’m going mad, I hear the voice again. It flows to me like a soft wind. It is sounds so graceful. Female. It is defiantly female.
“You know what you must do, Cessy. You are in vast danger. You must leave”.
Once more, the intersection is clear, and we proceed, me still being in Deimos’ mouth. He isn’t running like he was before. He seems much more cautious, turning his head in every direction constantly. I reach into my sleeve for the dagger slowly and carefully, making sure that Deimos cannot see what I am doing. Once the knife is grasped firmly in my right hand I look up at Deimos’ drooling face. With all my force and strength I raise the dagger into the air and then down again through the creatures throat. While doing so, I let out a fierce and frightening cry. This cry continues as I am dropped onto the cold ground and bathed with steaming blood. I mean, the blood of the animal is literally steaming. The stench is awful, containing certain components of the great-cat’s breath.
Before falling to its death, Deimos looks into my glossy eyes and growls a growl so terribly furious. He seems so far beyond infuriated and enraged. This makes me terrified as I sit as a statue and feel his breath, hot and close to my face. I hold my breathe, forcing me into perfect sitting posture. His eyes roll back in towards his brain and the intensity of his growl subsides. As this all takes place the slit in his throat I had made becomes thicker and wider. I notice that his heavy head is slowly falling backwards onto his body. Red, boiling blood cascades from his grisly neck, creating a soft waterfall of ruby. His immensely huge body thuds to the ground and his open eyes stay very much alive as they penetrate my being.
Chapter Fourteen
When I awaken I feel oddly cold. I then discover that I can no longer feel my hands. With a pounding headache I stand up and study my surroundings. I’m on the top of a hill. A very cold hill. I am on the very summit of a mountain! I can look down from where I currently stand and barely see the solid ground. Noticing how terribly close I am to falling to my death I become dizzy and fall flat on my back.
“Damn it!” I whimper. What do I do know? I’ve stayed alive for this long, is this the farthest I am meant to go?
“Are you fond of your new attire?” says the familiar malicious voice from behind. I spin rapidly to meet his eyes. He stares upon my rosy, ice-kissed cheeks. While doing so, his expression dulls some as he loses a infinitesimal amount of intensity in his stare. Although the amount of intensity is so insignificant, it is still noticeable and makes my heart skip a beat. I examine myself, becoming aware of the breathtaking garment warmly embracing my body. The dress is picturesque. The emerald velvet is warm to the touch. Gold embroidery outlines the V-neck, and starts at my hips, but comes to a point at my bellybutton. I now look at my feet and discover the gold ballerina shoes I am wearing. Though most of my body is covered with the exquisite clothing, I am still extremely chilly.
He notices that my face is of bewilderment. Watching a shiver jolt up my spine, his aged face contains an unnoticeable touch of apologetic nature to it.
“I really, really would like it if I could go home. What use am I to you anyway?” I try to remain strong and calm, but I can hardly conceal the unsteadiness in my voice. He turns hard and stiff.
“Please try to understand, Cecilia. I would very much prefer not to inflict any harm to you, but in order for that to happen, you must oblige. You see, you have alliances that I do not.”
“Why should I help you? I’m going to die anyway! Isn’t the whole point of this for Elvira to kill me and then she will exit this stalemate that she is in? Doesn’t she need my life in order for her to be either living or dead, and not both?” Jolten smiles broadly as he furrows his eyebrows. I grimace with infuriation.
“Trust me, Cecilia” He moves to behind me. His next words he softly and rather delicately whispers to me as his wintry lips move against the back of my neck
“I won’t let her harm you. At least, not before I’m through with you”.
“Ugh!” I disgustedly express. With revulsion I jerk away from him. I move to the edge of the mountain and look to the sky. I let the freezing gusts of wind whip my hair across my face wildly. Shuddering, I wrap my arms tightly around myself.
“It was a simple joke, Cecilia” he says with an annoyance to his voice. “If you agree to help me, and are a very good girl, I’m sure that I can return you safely home. If you help me, I will restore life to the one thing that you have ever loved. The one thing that you have ever lost”.
“I don’t know what you mean?” I respond unintelligently, though I know exactly what he means.
He wickedly grins. His fingers snap, and a green spark appears from the tip of his painted fingernail. The face of my dad appears from the spark, then quickly disappears.
“Your father”. As he growls this, my heart drops. Oh how wonderful it would be to once again hug my father! If only I could hear him tell me how he misses me. But am I truly that unwise as to believe him? Unfortunately for me, he knows exactly which strings of my heart to tug. Oh, but how I yearn so to return home! If I do agree, I’m sure that I can escape any danger if need be. After all, I am a big girl.
With a somber tone and an unchanged expression, I mumble, “What do you need me to do?”
“There’s a good girl.” He pats my head. I wince. “I fear that if you would have answered otherwise I would have no choice but to kill you” he adds. I grind my teeth with fury.
“As of now you must rest”
I laugh. “Rest? Please forgive me if I’m incapable of resting when I’m being held prisoner on the top of a freezing cold mountain!” He strides closer to me and with his face centimeters away from my own, he condescendingly whispers,
“Oh dearest Cessy. You’ll later find that this is for your own good” At this remark I snort sarcastically. “I’m afraid it’s either this or death” he states without any empathy whatsoever.
“What is it that I have to do?” I strongly ask through clenched teeth.
“Eager are we?” he smirks.
“Not in the least bit”.
He leads me down the mountain a little ways until we reach a cave. We enter into the large area. He turns to the right once we get further into the cave, and stops in the center of a small, circular space. There is a white, fur blanket laid out on the cold, rocky ground. Directly in front of the blanket is a fire. I immediately rush over to it and get warm. I sit on the blanket. It’s not the most comfortable, but I suppose I cannot complain.
“I really advise you to get some sleep. You’re going to need it for your journey, starting in a few days” he says. “I will be going now”. It is just now that I am aware of the large wooden door in the back of the small sector of the large cave.
He inserts his fingernail into the keyhole, and the door nosily opens. Before leaving me, he warns,
“Please, Darling, do not try to escape. There are guards outside ensuring that you do not run away. If you do, there will be dire consequences. I trust you, Cecilia.” With that, he closes the door, and it loudly locks again. When I’m sure that he is gone, I race to the opening in the cave, but slow down when I reach it. I wonder what guards he is talking about. Then I hear them. A grunt comes from outside of the cave, I back up alertly. I then hear a thunderous snarl and stumble back to my blanket and fire.
After a few minutes, I decide to try and open the door which Jolten had exited through. I tiredly push myself off of the ground and stagger towards it. It’s no use, and I return to the flames. It can’t hurt to sleep. As he said, I most likely will have tiresome days ahead of me, and I’m so terribly exhausted. I roll up in the blanket, and shiver myself into a restless slumber.
When I awaken I feel oddly cold. I then discover that I can no longer feel my hands. With a pounding headache I stand up and study my surroundings. I’m on the top of a hill. A very cold hill. I am on the very summit of a mountain! I can look down from where I currently stand and barely see the solid ground. Noticing how terribly close I am to falling to my death I become dizzy and fall flat on my back.
“Damn it!” I whimper. What do I do know? I’ve stayed alive for this long, is this the farthest I am meant to go?
“Are you fond of your new attire?” says the familiar malicious voice from behind. I spin rapidly to meet his eyes. He stares upon my rosy, ice-kissed cheeks. While doing so, his expression dulls some as he loses a infinitesimal amount of intensity in his stare. Although the amount of intensity is so insignificant, it is still noticeable and makes my heart skip a beat. I examine myself, becoming aware of the breathtaking garment warmly embracing my body. The dress is picturesque. The emerald velvet is warm to the touch. Gold embroidery outlines the V-neck, and starts at my hips, but comes to a point at my bellybutton. I now look at my feet and discover the gold ballerina shoes I am wearing. Though most of my body is covered with the exquisite clothing, I am still extremely chilly.
He notices that my face is of bewilderment. Watching a shiver jolt up my spine, his aged face contains an unnoticeable touch of apologetic nature to it.
“I really, really would like it if I could go home. What use am I to you anyway?” I try to remain strong and calm, but I can hardly conceal the unsteadiness in my voice. He turns hard and stiff.
“Please try to understand, Cecilia. I would very much prefer not to inflict any harm to you, but in order for that to happen, you must oblige. You see, you have alliances that I do not.”
“Why should I help you? I’m going to die anyway! Isn’t the whole point of this for Elvira to kill me and then she will exit this stalemate that she is in? Doesn’t she need my life in order for her to be either living or dead, and not both?” Jolten smiles broadly as he furrows his eyebrows. I grimace with infuriation.
“Trust me, Cecilia” He moves to behind me. His next words he softly and rather delicately whispers to me as his wintry lips move against the back of my neck
“I won’t let her harm you. At least, not before I’m through with you”.
“Ugh!” I disgustedly express. With revulsion I jerk away from him. I move to the edge of the mountain and look to the sky. I let the freezing gusts of wind whip my hair across my face wildly. Shuddering, I wrap my arms tightly around myself.
“It was a simple joke, Cecilia” he says with an annoyance to his voice. “If you agree to help me, and are a very good girl, I’m sure that I can return you safely home. If you help me, I will restore life to the one thing that you have ever loved. The one thing that you have ever lost”.
“I don’t know what you mean?” I respond unintelligently, though I know exactly what he means.
He wickedly grins. His fingers snap, and a green spark appears from the tip of his painted fingernail. The face of my dad appears from the spark, then quickly disappears.
“Your father”. As he growls this, my heart drops. Oh how wonderful it would be to once again hug my father! If only I could hear him tell me how he misses me. But am I truly that unwise as to believe him? Unfortunately for me, he knows exactly which strings of my heart to tug. Oh, but how I yearn so to return home! If I do agree, I’m sure that I can escape any danger if need be. After all, I am a big girl.
With a somber tone and an unchanged expression, I mumble, “What do you need me to do?”
“There’s a good girl.” He pats my head. I wince. “I fear that if you would have answered otherwise I would have no choice but to kill you” he adds. I grind my teeth with fury.
“As of now you must rest”
I laugh. “Rest? Please forgive me if I’m incapable of resting when I’m being held prisoner on the top of a freezing cold mountain!” He strides closer to me and with his face centimeters away from my own, he condescendingly whispers,
“Oh dearest Cessy. You’ll later find that this is for your own good” At this remark I snort sarcastically. “I’m afraid it’s either this or death” he states without any empathy whatsoever.
“What is it that I have to do?” I strongly ask through clenched teeth.
“Eager are we?” he smirks.
“Not in the least bit”.
He leads me down the mountain a little ways until we reach a cave. We enter into the large area. He turns to the right once we get further into the cave, and stops in the center of a small, circular space. There is a white, fur blanket laid out on the cold, rocky ground. Directly in front of the blanket is a fire. I immediately rush over to it and get warm. I sit on the blanket. It’s not the most comfortable, but I suppose I cannot complain.
“I really advise you to get some sleep. You’re going to need it for your journey, starting in a few days” he says. “I will be going now”. It is just now that I am aware of the large wooden door in the back of the small sector of the large cave.
He inserts his fingernail into the keyhole, and the door nosily opens. Before leaving me, he warns,
“Please, Darling, do not try to escape. There are guards outside ensuring that you do not run away. If you do, there will be dire consequences. I trust you, Cecilia.” With that, he closes the door, and it loudly locks again. When I’m sure that he is gone, I race to the opening in the cave, but slow down when I reach it. I wonder what guards he is talking about. Then I hear them. A grunt comes from outside of the cave, I back up alertly. I then hear a thunderous snarl and stumble back to my blanket and fire.
After a few minutes, I decide to try and open the door which Jolten had exited through. I tiredly push myself off of the ground and stagger towards it. It’s no use, and I return to the flames. It can’t hurt to sleep. As he said, I most likely will have tiresome days ahead of me, and I’m so terribly exhausted. I roll up in the blanket, and shiver myself into a restless slumber.
Chapter Thirteen
Okay. That's it. I've had it with this! I've had it with the constant aching of my stomach. I've had it with everything going wrong. I've absolutely had enough of being pissed. I'm not staying here forever. I'm not going to sit here and just wait for death to swallow me whole! I bite my lip as I blink away burning tears. I jolt up onto my feet and let my frustration be shown through my tensed face."Well we must find her then. I'm getting out of here, Adler. She can do whatever the hell she wants to me, but she cannot bind me to this place. I'm leaving, one way or another". My voice trembles greatly. His perfect face leans close to mine as he whispers in my ear,
“I can see it in your soul, Cessy; you will do great things”. I smile at him.
“I thought you couldn’t see the future” I joke. Then, unexpectedly, his steady lips press against my cheek and I close my eyes. His face pulls away and leaves me motionless for a few peaceful seconds. But, then I remember my intentions. I stand and walk past Adler.
“Where are you going?” he quickly asks me.
“To find Elvira” I respond without looking back. He trots quickly to keep up with me.
“You don’t know what you’re doing”
“Actually, I do” I harshly inform him. At home I’ve been used to having no one tell me what to do. At least, ever since Dad died. I begin to walk faster.
“Cessy! I won’t let you go out looking for that, that, monster! Especially unarmed” It is then that I pull out the stolen dagger and show him that I am, in fact, armed.
“A mere dagger is no match for her powers.” I completely ignore his concern and I begin running. I’m in the very center of the river when Adler firmly says, “I forbid you to go looking for her”. At that moment I feel my face turn red and the blood in my veins boil. I turn violently to face him.
“You forbid me!? You can’t forbid me! You don’t even know me! Trust me, I appreciate all you’ve done and how much you care, but you cannot forbid me. Now, whether you like it or not, I’m going to regain my earthly freedom by slitting-her-throat!”
I stare at his quiet and hurt face, waiting for an equally terrible and unnecessary response. "Okay then" Adler speaks calmly. He smiles at me sympathetically, avoiding eye contact. I look away. I turn back to tell him I’m sorry, but my stubbornness and embarrassment get the best of me. He stares at the ground. Without saying a word, I begin walking to the river, full of guilt. When I reach it I emerge my body into the sparkling water, which only goes a little over my chest. I reach the other side and grasp on to the muddy ground as I pull myself up. I wait for the gust of wind to come and dry me, but it doesn't. It's funny how I have no idea where she is, but how I don’t seem to care, or even think about it.Out of nowhere, a burning pain overcomes the left side of my face. I hold my hand to my cheek and stumble in circles, having no idea where the blow came from. I am now breathing so brutally, that my chest feels as though it is going to explode. Confusion overcomes me.
I feel his icy cold fingertips gently trace a vertical line up the back of my neck. His touch sends a prominent shiver throughout my body.
“Cecilia” growls he as my name is slowly emitted out of his vulgar mouth. His voice is dark and raspy. It terrifies me. It is more the voice you would assume belonging to an animal more than less a human, if he was human. I begin to yell for Adler but his old, pale finger points harshly at my mouth. All of my words are gone. I glance quickly at his long, pointed fingernail. It is black with a green dragon-like figure painted on it. This fingernail is the only one painted on. The rest are as they should be, and are all of normal size. My gaze travels from his hand to his face. He looks so antique, yet entirely unbreakable. His skin is a powerful, yet somber, shade of grey. His equally grey hair is streaked with random black strands. The nose on his face appears sharp as a blade. His thin, black eyebrows are slanted in towards the middle of his two yellow eyes. For pupils, there are dark slit-like shapes. His grey, cracked, worm-resembling lips begin to move as he speaks to me.
“You see, Cecilia, I control you. There is nothing that you can do. Nothing” he hisses. “Your freedom is lost. I would speak of my condolences to you, but I’m afraid I cannot, for my words would be lies”. His bony finger now moves away from my face.
“Jolten” I whisper, mostly to myself.
“Bright one we have here”. He combs his fingers through my hair, holding my head between his stone hands. I look him in his devilish eyes, but then cringe and look away.
“Hmm” he states. “Are you frightened of me?” I don’t respond and keep my gaze to his oversized black and green robe.
“Darling, is it my looks? Do they frighten you?” He closes his sinister eyes gently and points his finger in the direction of his head. I watch him carefully. As he reopens them, every past feature of his disappears. His wiry hair is now wavy and blonde. His grey, wrinkly skin is smooth and supple. The eyes that once sat on his head are now an amazing shade of blue. He wears a poets shirt with tight, black pants. He lifts his hand and places it under my trembling chin. As he does so, I notice that his painted fingernail has not been transformed. He notices that my expression is still of fright. In a sultry voice he responds to my terror.
“No? Well perhaps this…” Once again, he closes his eyes and aims his finger at his skull. He reopens his eyes and smiles menacingly at me. I can feel my head turn hot and my knees turn weak. I shrink down to the size of a pebble, staring into the familiar face of my father. I have to remind myself that this, creature, is not my dad by finding his unchanged finger. As he laughs, the whole earth quavers. With a flick of his wrist he is back to his normal, baleful self.
I try to open my mouth and utter a few threatening phrases, or perhaps a witty remark, but I’m too scared to speak. I should try to run, but decide against it, seeing clearly that there is no point. With a hint of boredom, he mutters,
“Alright then. Let’s go, shall we?” He grabs my right shoulder icily and again flicks his index finger. A vast swirl of color surrounds us and I lose all trace of consciousness.
Okay. That's it. I've had it with this! I've had it with the constant aching of my stomach. I've had it with everything going wrong. I've absolutely had enough of being pissed. I'm not staying here forever. I'm not going to sit here and just wait for death to swallow me whole! I bite my lip as I blink away burning tears. I jolt up onto my feet and let my frustration be shown through my tensed face."Well we must find her then. I'm getting out of here, Adler. She can do whatever the hell she wants to me, but she cannot bind me to this place. I'm leaving, one way or another". My voice trembles greatly. His perfect face leans close to mine as he whispers in my ear,
“I can see it in your soul, Cessy; you will do great things”. I smile at him.
“I thought you couldn’t see the future” I joke. Then, unexpectedly, his steady lips press against my cheek and I close my eyes. His face pulls away and leaves me motionless for a few peaceful seconds. But, then I remember my intentions. I stand and walk past Adler.
“Where are you going?” he quickly asks me.
“To find Elvira” I respond without looking back. He trots quickly to keep up with me.
“You don’t know what you’re doing”
“Actually, I do” I harshly inform him. At home I’ve been used to having no one tell me what to do. At least, ever since Dad died. I begin to walk faster.
“Cessy! I won’t let you go out looking for that, that, monster! Especially unarmed” It is then that I pull out the stolen dagger and show him that I am, in fact, armed.
“A mere dagger is no match for her powers.” I completely ignore his concern and I begin running. I’m in the very center of the river when Adler firmly says, “I forbid you to go looking for her”. At that moment I feel my face turn red and the blood in my veins boil. I turn violently to face him.
“You forbid me!? You can’t forbid me! You don’t even know me! Trust me, I appreciate all you’ve done and how much you care, but you cannot forbid me. Now, whether you like it or not, I’m going to regain my earthly freedom by slitting-her-throat!”
I stare at his quiet and hurt face, waiting for an equally terrible and unnecessary response. "Okay then" Adler speaks calmly. He smiles at me sympathetically, avoiding eye contact. I look away. I turn back to tell him I’m sorry, but my stubbornness and embarrassment get the best of me. He stares at the ground. Without saying a word, I begin walking to the river, full of guilt. When I reach it I emerge my body into the sparkling water, which only goes a little over my chest. I reach the other side and grasp on to the muddy ground as I pull myself up. I wait for the gust of wind to come and dry me, but it doesn't. It's funny how I have no idea where she is, but how I don’t seem to care, or even think about it.Out of nowhere, a burning pain overcomes the left side of my face. I hold my hand to my cheek and stumble in circles, having no idea where the blow came from. I am now breathing so brutally, that my chest feels as though it is going to explode. Confusion overcomes me.
I feel his icy cold fingertips gently trace a vertical line up the back of my neck. His touch sends a prominent shiver throughout my body.
“Cecilia” growls he as my name is slowly emitted out of his vulgar mouth. His voice is dark and raspy. It terrifies me. It is more the voice you would assume belonging to an animal more than less a human, if he was human. I begin to yell for Adler but his old, pale finger points harshly at my mouth. All of my words are gone. I glance quickly at his long, pointed fingernail. It is black with a green dragon-like figure painted on it. This fingernail is the only one painted on. The rest are as they should be, and are all of normal size. My gaze travels from his hand to his face. He looks so antique, yet entirely unbreakable. His skin is a powerful, yet somber, shade of grey. His equally grey hair is streaked with random black strands. The nose on his face appears sharp as a blade. His thin, black eyebrows are slanted in towards the middle of his two yellow eyes. For pupils, there are dark slit-like shapes. His grey, cracked, worm-resembling lips begin to move as he speaks to me.
“You see, Cecilia, I control you. There is nothing that you can do. Nothing” he hisses. “Your freedom is lost. I would speak of my condolences to you, but I’m afraid I cannot, for my words would be lies”. His bony finger now moves away from my face.
“Jolten” I whisper, mostly to myself.
“Bright one we have here”. He combs his fingers through my hair, holding my head between his stone hands. I look him in his devilish eyes, but then cringe and look away.
“Hmm” he states. “Are you frightened of me?” I don’t respond and keep my gaze to his oversized black and green robe.
“Darling, is it my looks? Do they frighten you?” He closes his sinister eyes gently and points his finger in the direction of his head. I watch him carefully. As he reopens them, every past feature of his disappears. His wiry hair is now wavy and blonde. His grey, wrinkly skin is smooth and supple. The eyes that once sat on his head are now an amazing shade of blue. He wears a poets shirt with tight, black pants. He lifts his hand and places it under my trembling chin. As he does so, I notice that his painted fingernail has not been transformed. He notices that my expression is still of fright. In a sultry voice he responds to my terror.
“No? Well perhaps this…” Once again, he closes his eyes and aims his finger at his skull. He reopens his eyes and smiles menacingly at me. I can feel my head turn hot and my knees turn weak. I shrink down to the size of a pebble, staring into the familiar face of my father. I have to remind myself that this, creature, is not my dad by finding his unchanged finger. As he laughs, the whole earth quavers. With a flick of his wrist he is back to his normal, baleful self.
I try to open my mouth and utter a few threatening phrases, or perhaps a witty remark, but I’m too scared to speak. I should try to run, but decide against it, seeing clearly that there is no point. With a hint of boredom, he mutters,
“Alright then. Let’s go, shall we?” He grabs my right shoulder icily and again flicks his index finger. A vast swirl of color surrounds us and I lose all trace of consciousness.
Chapter Twelve
"My name's Adler". I've now finished eating the peach, and feel suddenly full to the point where it hurts a little.
As I admire his stunning features I can’t help but smile. He looks and sounds quite mature. It flatters him. His slim, yet powerful figure is enough to make my stomach have a terrible case of butterflies. His dynamic face is rather tan. Light brown hair nearly falls to the tip of his nose and is gracefully swept across his face. His black eyes are not piercing, or frightening as you would think them to be. They’re pleasantly soft. And let’s not forget his four golden legs and tail. Finding it hard to speak, I weakly question,"So, Adler, do you have any idea whatsoever of where i am, and why I’m here?""Cessy, you are in Phyland” He responds. God! How strangely idiotic I must appear to just be smiling up at him. I can’t seem to help it. His voice warms my cold, lonely heart.
“You have come here through some sort of enchantment that had gone horribly wrong. A great while ago, in your world, there was a witch. She was arrested and sentenced to be hanged. Obviously, it was a great embarrassment to be hanged. She refused to be put through that embarrassment, so she did what she had to do. She put a spell on a window in her tower where she was locked up. The spell that she cast on that window would help her to escape her death. Everything was perfect in her plan, except that she was less powerful than she needed to be to enchant the window. So, she sold the only valuable thing that she possessed to the only...creature...that could set her free. She sold her soul to a man named Jolten. Although, he is only in the shape and form of a man. He is the one rules all the evil in the universe. He is the one who possesses the dead. He is the one who kills. Think what you may, but he is the evil that good cannot overcome. Anyways, the witch, after trading her soul for power, cast her spell. No one knows the exact words, but her incantation stated that she would jump out the window, which would show no breakage, and be united with Jolten. She would leave the guards dumbfounded. So, she eventually jumped. Although, she had been terribly tricked by Him. Instead of being transported to Him, she ended up-""-in Phyland" I interrupt."Yes. Now, she has only one way to get out of Phyland and be with Jolten.""What's that?" I ask"To take the life of a mortal, so that she, herself, may once again become whole. At the moment she is neither dead nor living. Once the life of the mortal has been taken, she will rule with him.""So, I'm going to take a completely blind guess here. Might the witches name be Elvira""I'm terribly afraid so" Adler responds gravely."But how did I get here?""You were compelled to the still enchanted window. You see, part of the enchantment was to draw close a mortal. Once you jumped, the same thing that happened to Elvira happened to you.""And you know all of this how?" I shakily ask."Few cetagals are granted the gift of being completely omniscient. There are none of those existing of that we know. Strangely, I had been given the gift of being partly omniscient. I can only see and understand the past. Of the occurrences in the future, I have no insight"I should be frightened considering that I just found out that an evil witch is trying to murder me. I should be frightened that I stand between this witch and eternal life with her master. But I am not. With Adler, I feel safe."So does that mean that I can only return home by killing her?" I hope the answer is yes, because then I’d have a bit of hope."I don't know" Adler says somberly.
“Great!” I sarcastically exclaim. He laughs deeply. His face turns bright and dazzling. My heart is now a melted pool of mush.
“Is there anything else you want to know?” He joyfully inquires with open arms, revealing his perfectly chiseled chest.
“Yes…” I reply mysteriously. Standing up, I playfully pace my way towards him until I’m speaking directly up to his face(you see, he is a bit taller than me considering his body is that of a horse).
“Why was I worth saving?” I question with a hint of wonder, followed by a dash of lightheartedness.
“Ha. Now that’s an easy one” he begins. “I didn’t think that such a lovely creature should be destroyed”.
With a look of doubt, I raise one eyebrow and purse my lips. Still, as I appear unbelieving and emotionally untouched, a flutter lets loose within me.
Lovely. Lovely? Me? Is it even remotely possible that Cecilia Eleanor Davis could be lovely? That’s just about as ridiculous as calling the sun cold, or the snow hot. This green eyed girl with long, stringy hair, and pale, sickly skin could never be lovely. Not that I have a problem with it, I just don’t believe it.
Still looking up at him, disbelievingly, he softly chuckles and then wraps his arms tightly around me. His hand strokes my hair as I remain frozen. My cheek rests upon his stone chest and, with hesitation, I carefully embrace him. I lighten the tension being held in my every muscle. His heart beats so steadily, while mine is hasty and irregular. Is it odd that I feel hollow next to him? He seems so sturdy and secure, whereas I’m standing like a rickety, hundred year old fence. I feel so very unworthy. I feel as though I’ve never been loved before. I feel that the fire I’ve neglected for sixteen empty years has sparked a tiny flame. Nevertheless, all good things must come to an end.
Catching him off guard, I quietly inform him,
“I really must return home”. He loosens his hold of me and backs away.
“Oh, Cessy. I promise you, you will return”
“Yes, but how?” I moan agonizingly.
He closes his eyes and bows before me. I’m left breathing heavily as he turns his back to me. I don’t want him to leave, if even for one second. I watch him get smaller as he gets farther away from me. When he arrives at a far away tree he raises his arm to touch the tree, nearly collapsing, but quickly catches himself. There’s something more that I don’t see. There’s something that I do not know. I figure it better not to pry, and crumple to the ground. I lay on my back, my head resting on my arms behind me. I inhale as my eyes shut, but swiftly reopen them to watch the fast moving clouds.
"My name's Adler". I've now finished eating the peach, and feel suddenly full to the point where it hurts a little.
As I admire his stunning features I can’t help but smile. He looks and sounds quite mature. It flatters him. His slim, yet powerful figure is enough to make my stomach have a terrible case of butterflies. His dynamic face is rather tan. Light brown hair nearly falls to the tip of his nose and is gracefully swept across his face. His black eyes are not piercing, or frightening as you would think them to be. They’re pleasantly soft. And let’s not forget his four golden legs and tail. Finding it hard to speak, I weakly question,"So, Adler, do you have any idea whatsoever of where i am, and why I’m here?""Cessy, you are in Phyland” He responds. God! How strangely idiotic I must appear to just be smiling up at him. I can’t seem to help it. His voice warms my cold, lonely heart.
“You have come here through some sort of enchantment that had gone horribly wrong. A great while ago, in your world, there was a witch. She was arrested and sentenced to be hanged. Obviously, it was a great embarrassment to be hanged. She refused to be put through that embarrassment, so she did what she had to do. She put a spell on a window in her tower where she was locked up. The spell that she cast on that window would help her to escape her death. Everything was perfect in her plan, except that she was less powerful than she needed to be to enchant the window. So, she sold the only valuable thing that she possessed to the only...creature...that could set her free. She sold her soul to a man named Jolten. Although, he is only in the shape and form of a man. He is the one rules all the evil in the universe. He is the one who possesses the dead. He is the one who kills. Think what you may, but he is the evil that good cannot overcome. Anyways, the witch, after trading her soul for power, cast her spell. No one knows the exact words, but her incantation stated that she would jump out the window, which would show no breakage, and be united with Jolten. She would leave the guards dumbfounded. So, she eventually jumped. Although, she had been terribly tricked by Him. Instead of being transported to Him, she ended up-""-in Phyland" I interrupt."Yes. Now, she has only one way to get out of Phyland and be with Jolten.""What's that?" I ask"To take the life of a mortal, so that she, herself, may once again become whole. At the moment she is neither dead nor living. Once the life of the mortal has been taken, she will rule with him.""So, I'm going to take a completely blind guess here. Might the witches name be Elvira""I'm terribly afraid so" Adler responds gravely."But how did I get here?""You were compelled to the still enchanted window. You see, part of the enchantment was to draw close a mortal. Once you jumped, the same thing that happened to Elvira happened to you.""And you know all of this how?" I shakily ask."Few cetagals are granted the gift of being completely omniscient. There are none of those existing of that we know. Strangely, I had been given the gift of being partly omniscient. I can only see and understand the past. Of the occurrences in the future, I have no insight"I should be frightened considering that I just found out that an evil witch is trying to murder me. I should be frightened that I stand between this witch and eternal life with her master. But I am not. With Adler, I feel safe."So does that mean that I can only return home by killing her?" I hope the answer is yes, because then I’d have a bit of hope."I don't know" Adler says somberly.
“Great!” I sarcastically exclaim. He laughs deeply. His face turns bright and dazzling. My heart is now a melted pool of mush.
“Is there anything else you want to know?” He joyfully inquires with open arms, revealing his perfectly chiseled chest.
“Yes…” I reply mysteriously. Standing up, I playfully pace my way towards him until I’m speaking directly up to his face(you see, he is a bit taller than me considering his body is that of a horse).
“Why was I worth saving?” I question with a hint of wonder, followed by a dash of lightheartedness.
“Ha. Now that’s an easy one” he begins. “I didn’t think that such a lovely creature should be destroyed”.
With a look of doubt, I raise one eyebrow and purse my lips. Still, as I appear unbelieving and emotionally untouched, a flutter lets loose within me.
Lovely. Lovely? Me? Is it even remotely possible that Cecilia Eleanor Davis could be lovely? That’s just about as ridiculous as calling the sun cold, or the snow hot. This green eyed girl with long, stringy hair, and pale, sickly skin could never be lovely. Not that I have a problem with it, I just don’t believe it.
Still looking up at him, disbelievingly, he softly chuckles and then wraps his arms tightly around me. His hand strokes my hair as I remain frozen. My cheek rests upon his stone chest and, with hesitation, I carefully embrace him. I lighten the tension being held in my every muscle. His heart beats so steadily, while mine is hasty and irregular. Is it odd that I feel hollow next to him? He seems so sturdy and secure, whereas I’m standing like a rickety, hundred year old fence. I feel so very unworthy. I feel as though I’ve never been loved before. I feel that the fire I’ve neglected for sixteen empty years has sparked a tiny flame. Nevertheless, all good things must come to an end.
Catching him off guard, I quietly inform him,
“I really must return home”. He loosens his hold of me and backs away.
“Oh, Cessy. I promise you, you will return”
“Yes, but how?” I moan agonizingly.
He closes his eyes and bows before me. I’m left breathing heavily as he turns his back to me. I don’t want him to leave, if even for one second. I watch him get smaller as he gets farther away from me. When he arrives at a far away tree he raises his arm to touch the tree, nearly collapsing, but quickly catches himself. There’s something more that I don’t see. There’s something that I do not know. I figure it better not to pry, and crumple to the ground. I lay on my back, my head resting on my arms behind me. I inhale as my eyes shut, but swiftly reopen them to watch the fast moving clouds.
Chapter Eleven
Everything is silent. Everything is still and soundless. My stomach flutters and i let out a slight sigh of relief. I slowly back away from the slumbering Elvira, and slowly pace myself towards the mountains that border this deserted land. I know it won't be dark out forever, though. I must move quickly.My legs ache so terribly bad, and my side is throbbing. I feel like crying from exhaustion. Over the towering mountains I can see the pink horizon, meaning that the sun is soon going to be overhead of Elvira and myself. What would happen if she were to see me trying to escape her? Would she slit my throat? Would she leave me here alone without food or water? Food. I now realize how incredibly hungry i have become, and how dry my throat is. I'm going to starve to death out here!Without warning, my thoughts abruptly stop with a lurch of my insides. My throat begins to swell, and my mind is frozen. my legs are immobile. I turn around and face the east, daring to gaze upon the face which had just uttered my name."Leaving so soon, are we?" she smiles devilishly. Crap. As she moves her right leg towards me, i move my left back."Now, Cessy, I thought we were friends? I thought I could trust you. Whatever am I to do with you now?". Every word she says sarcastically. I just stare at her, shaking terribly. My legs take off underneath me, yet my eyes are still glued to her. I am so weak! Run faster! Faster! As i begin to gain speed, i think of where I’m going to run. All of the land is flat. I am so exposed. i turn my head to in front of me. No. She can't stop me now. I'm much too far ahead of her. But, my hunger gets the best of me, and I fall face first into the dry grass.
I am now conscious. Afraid to open my eyes, I keep them closed. I feel as though I’m flying. Warm air caresses every inch of my weak body. For some unexplainable reason, I am not in the least bit frightened any more. I jerk my eyes open. Horse hair. Golden horse hair. What? Wings! Have a sprouted wings? Am I in heaven? Am I dead?"Cecilia!" I turn my head to the deep, yet somewhat boyish, English accented voice. It is the horse. No! It is a man. It is a man-horse... The one that Elvira had taken the life of in her hostile turn of heart. But no, it wasn't the same one. That one was white. This one is gold. What did she call it again? A cetagal."What's happening?" I question fearfully."She's still close behind, you need to trust me. Hang on". I grab onto the smooth mane of the cetagal, and say, “Okay, I trust you". We take off into the grey sky. We soar above the clouds. I laugh as exhilaration rushes throughout myself. I can feel it in my toes. I can feel it in my face. He laughs too, in seeing how much I am enjoying this. I feel as light as air. We fly over the brown, flat lands. We soar over thick, dark woods."Here's our stop" he whispers through a smile. It's the river that I have been forbidden from. We land right in front of the shimmering water. Without a word, he trots across the river, his hooves splashing so gracefully.The cetagal bows in front of a rock, I slide off of the magnificent beast, and I sit on the boulder. I study him. His glowing face is quite handsome."You must be hungry" he assumes as he saunters to a fruit-bearing tree. I let the lush grass tickle my bare feet."I am" I reply quietly. I watch as he reaches his two human arms up too the tree, and grabs a peach the size of my head. I thankfully take it and devour my first bite. Red juice slithers down my chin as I chew the most delicious peach I’ve ever eaten."Thank you, for saving me" I gratefully murmur."You're quite welcome. That woman is evil. We need to get you out of here Cessy. We need to get you home". His eyes appear so worried, yet beautiful.I grin, and I ask, "Who are you?"
Everything is silent. Everything is still and soundless. My stomach flutters and i let out a slight sigh of relief. I slowly back away from the slumbering Elvira, and slowly pace myself towards the mountains that border this deserted land. I know it won't be dark out forever, though. I must move quickly.My legs ache so terribly bad, and my side is throbbing. I feel like crying from exhaustion. Over the towering mountains I can see the pink horizon, meaning that the sun is soon going to be overhead of Elvira and myself. What would happen if she were to see me trying to escape her? Would she slit my throat? Would she leave me here alone without food or water? Food. I now realize how incredibly hungry i have become, and how dry my throat is. I'm going to starve to death out here!Without warning, my thoughts abruptly stop with a lurch of my insides. My throat begins to swell, and my mind is frozen. my legs are immobile. I turn around and face the east, daring to gaze upon the face which had just uttered my name."Leaving so soon, are we?" she smiles devilishly. Crap. As she moves her right leg towards me, i move my left back."Now, Cessy, I thought we were friends? I thought I could trust you. Whatever am I to do with you now?". Every word she says sarcastically. I just stare at her, shaking terribly. My legs take off underneath me, yet my eyes are still glued to her. I am so weak! Run faster! Faster! As i begin to gain speed, i think of where I’m going to run. All of the land is flat. I am so exposed. i turn my head to in front of me. No. She can't stop me now. I'm much too far ahead of her. But, my hunger gets the best of me, and I fall face first into the dry grass.
I am now conscious. Afraid to open my eyes, I keep them closed. I feel as though I’m flying. Warm air caresses every inch of my weak body. For some unexplainable reason, I am not in the least bit frightened any more. I jerk my eyes open. Horse hair. Golden horse hair. What? Wings! Have a sprouted wings? Am I in heaven? Am I dead?"Cecilia!" I turn my head to the deep, yet somewhat boyish, English accented voice. It is the horse. No! It is a man. It is a man-horse... The one that Elvira had taken the life of in her hostile turn of heart. But no, it wasn't the same one. That one was white. This one is gold. What did she call it again? A cetagal."What's happening?" I question fearfully."She's still close behind, you need to trust me. Hang on". I grab onto the smooth mane of the cetagal, and say, “Okay, I trust you". We take off into the grey sky. We soar above the clouds. I laugh as exhilaration rushes throughout myself. I can feel it in my toes. I can feel it in my face. He laughs too, in seeing how much I am enjoying this. I feel as light as air. We fly over the brown, flat lands. We soar over thick, dark woods."Here's our stop" he whispers through a smile. It's the river that I have been forbidden from. We land right in front of the shimmering water. Without a word, he trots across the river, his hooves splashing so gracefully.The cetagal bows in front of a rock, I slide off of the magnificent beast, and I sit on the boulder. I study him. His glowing face is quite handsome."You must be hungry" he assumes as he saunters to a fruit-bearing tree. I let the lush grass tickle my bare feet."I am" I reply quietly. I watch as he reaches his two human arms up too the tree, and grabs a peach the size of my head. I thankfully take it and devour my first bite. Red juice slithers down my chin as I chew the most delicious peach I’ve ever eaten."Thank you, for saving me" I gratefully murmur."You're quite welcome. That woman is evil. We need to get you out of here Cessy. We need to get you home". His eyes appear so worried, yet beautiful.I grin, and I ask, "Who are you?"
Chapter Ten
I can still see its face in my mind as we wander on. The anguished serenity of the pure creature haunts me. It still feels as if the whole entire world has fallen. The whole entire world has been defeated. I don't hide my tears.Long time, no see, Reader. We have some catching up to do.You know how it feels when you see something so melancholy, and so terrible, that it makes you sick? How you can feel the sadness build up in the deepest, darkest corner of your stomach? Yes, you do. Keep that dreadful sensation in mind.I cannot get over this feeling I'm experiencing. I think on it, so hard, that I forget everything. I long to let go, but I'm almost intrigues."Here" she says. Her voice is sharp as a blade. It's so harsh."Elvira, what was that? What was the creature?" I say as we come to a stop. It is the first moment I have uttered any word to her, since the terrible murder. She completely ignored me. She lies herself down onto the ground. She closes her eyes, and rests her head on her hands."A cetagal" she wearily answers. She faces herself away from me."Rest yourself, Cessy". I am not at all tired. Even though that is true, I gently lay on the sharp ground. The earth is so dry, that i can hear the grass break beneath my body. I try hard to fall asleep! But I can‘t. I close my eyes. They are only shut for a minute until I am forced to reopen them. I know that I will not be able to sleep. So, I will wait. I look up, and the moon is barley shown. The sun is still setting, and it is not dark. When the moon is high, and the darkness is covering all, I will go. Until then, I will be hushed. I will silently wait.
I can not stay here any longer. Perhaps nothing will happen if I do. Chances are, something will happen, though. Something horrible. Something lethal. I have to go. It feels as though I have no other choice. It's either this, or death.I have thought it over, not as thoroughly as i would have liked, but there is no time to waste. The time is now. I widen my eyes, and carefully push myself off of the ground. I try to see through the dark. It's not that difficult, considering the moon, the stars, and the clear night. I glance back at Elvira. Her ribs move up and down in sync with her heavy breathing. Is she asleep? I can't dwell on any significant questions. Only time, and courage will tell. I begin to make my way west, away from any where we've been, and away from any place familiar. But, I quickly halt. What protection do I have? What am I to do if I encounter anything, or anyone, who is rather unpleasant? Realizing that the answer to both these questions is "nothing", I softly inch my way back to Elvira. My shaky hand crawls towards her sash. Luckily, she is laying on the side opposite of where the pocket, containing the dagger, is. Ever so gently, I grasp the handle of the bloody dagger, and pull it out of the pocket. I don't begin to breathe again yet, for it is not over.
I can still see its face in my mind as we wander on. The anguished serenity of the pure creature haunts me. It still feels as if the whole entire world has fallen. The whole entire world has been defeated. I don't hide my tears.Long time, no see, Reader. We have some catching up to do.You know how it feels when you see something so melancholy, and so terrible, that it makes you sick? How you can feel the sadness build up in the deepest, darkest corner of your stomach? Yes, you do. Keep that dreadful sensation in mind.I cannot get over this feeling I'm experiencing. I think on it, so hard, that I forget everything. I long to let go, but I'm almost intrigues."Here" she says. Her voice is sharp as a blade. It's so harsh."Elvira, what was that? What was the creature?" I say as we come to a stop. It is the first moment I have uttered any word to her, since the terrible murder. She completely ignored me. She lies herself down onto the ground. She closes her eyes, and rests her head on her hands."A cetagal" she wearily answers. She faces herself away from me."Rest yourself, Cessy". I am not at all tired. Even though that is true, I gently lay on the sharp ground. The earth is so dry, that i can hear the grass break beneath my body. I try hard to fall asleep! But I can‘t. I close my eyes. They are only shut for a minute until I am forced to reopen them. I know that I will not be able to sleep. So, I will wait. I look up, and the moon is barley shown. The sun is still setting, and it is not dark. When the moon is high, and the darkness is covering all, I will go. Until then, I will be hushed. I will silently wait.
I can not stay here any longer. Perhaps nothing will happen if I do. Chances are, something will happen, though. Something horrible. Something lethal. I have to go. It feels as though I have no other choice. It's either this, or death.I have thought it over, not as thoroughly as i would have liked, but there is no time to waste. The time is now. I widen my eyes, and carefully push myself off of the ground. I try to see through the dark. It's not that difficult, considering the moon, the stars, and the clear night. I glance back at Elvira. Her ribs move up and down in sync with her heavy breathing. Is she asleep? I can't dwell on any significant questions. Only time, and courage will tell. I begin to make my way west, away from any where we've been, and away from any place familiar. But, I quickly halt. What protection do I have? What am I to do if I encounter anything, or anyone, who is rather unpleasant? Realizing that the answer to both these questions is "nothing", I softly inch my way back to Elvira. My shaky hand crawls towards her sash. Luckily, she is laying on the side opposite of where the pocket, containing the dagger, is. Ever so gently, I grasp the handle of the bloody dagger, and pull it out of the pocket. I don't begin to breathe again yet, for it is not over.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)