I clenched my hand against my side as I used the other one to cover my mouth and nose from inhaling the rancid fumes.
A body with its lower half burned to a crisp was tied up against an iron bed frame. The laceration on their open chest looked as if it was deliberate and in a ritualistic pattern. The more I stared, the more gruesome it became. I saw a carved crest of twisted horns on their forehead while their ears were ripped clean off. Most likely done while they were still alive because a huge area of dry blood stained the white bed sheet.
I heard a low hissing sound, and I couldn't find where it was coming from.
It was creeping me the hell out.
I took one step backward, not wanting to be in that torture chamber of a room any longer. My shoe connected with something crunchy on the ground as it flattened under my weight. I lifted my shoe off the floor and a crumpled pointed ear stared back at me.
Bile rose in my throat, and I emptied what little contents I had left in my stomach. I dry-heaved until I couldn't any longer—until my eyes were watery and bloodshot.
Whoever did this was more than just evil. They were demented, and I couldn't stop my whole body from trembling.
I guess, I wasn't numb to everything just yet.
I wiped my mouth and quickly turned back to the door, slamming against Kaschel’s firm chest.
“Barbaric isn't it?” Kaschel asked, not tearing his eyes from the mutilated body resting on the bed.
I couldn't read his expression at all. If he was mad, frustrated, humored, or indifferent, they all seemed to muddle together at that moment.
I stared at the body as my hands were still betraying me and shook profusely.
I looked back at him and noticed I had a fist full of his shirt in my hand.
I instantly let go and took a side step so I wasn't close to him or near the putrid-smelling body. I didn't need comfort from a monster, even if I was terrified.
I could manage to calm myself down.
“What kind of person would do this?” I didn't expect an answer, nor did I really want one.
He was a man of few—rude— words, and I didn't want to know the type of creature that would lurk around and do this kind of thing for fun. I just didn't want to stand in silence any longer than necessary.
I mean, it could have been him for all I knew. He was the one that took me here.
Yeah, I was probably better off not saying anything at all.
He recited the words like he was in a stupor, and I couldn't help but get lost in his deep voice that rang melodically in my ears. “You would think demons and the dark fae would get along considering our similarities—but greed and malevolence are far more powerful than any kindred connection we may have with one another. Weaker beings seem to only be fueled by violence and animalistic urges. Of course, they wouldn't take kindly to other beings just as wicked as them inhabiting their world.” He stopped for a second, broke his trance, and turned to face me. His midnight cosmic eyes bore into my soul. “It seems… Neither of us likes to share.”
The words demons, dark fae, greed, and violence danced alongside each other in my mind—spinning venomous thoughts as I tried to grasp the concept of their existence and my situation.
What the actual fuck was I in the middle of? Was the man that Gren talked about like this monster? Was this what I had to look forward to if someone else caught me?
I looked around for Gren but he wasn't anywhere near me. Where did that little fucker hop off to? A ‘hey, I'll be right back’ would be nice.
Without thinking, I blurted out, “Why would you take me to a place like this? I'm sure you could of, I don't know, portaled us somewhere that gave less serial killer vibes and that was more… welcoming.” I winced from my abrupt words and turned to face the wall.
The sadistic man laughed.
He actually chuckled, and I knew it wasn't from nerves.
I turned back and stared at him with a confused face mixed with a your-fucking-crazy look.
I was judging. Harshly. He was a freak.
“A fae spirit resides here,” he said.
I perked my eyebrow up and waited for him to say more, but he didn't utter another word, or even grunt another sound out. Apparently, that was a good enough explanation in his eyes.
I think I would get an aneurysm or go bald from frustration if another person said one more cryptic word to me.
I walked to the doorway that he was so rudely blocking, and squeezed behind him to get away from the horrid smell that made me feel like if I stayed any longer, I would start dry-heaving again.
For some stupid reason, I glanced back and saw Kaschel open a portal and the body fell through.
I grimaced.
Did he have a collection of dead bodies and he just added one more to the mix?
I turned back around and walked to the front, pulling out a chair.
I nervously tapped my fingers on the table.
I didn't know how much more I could take. I wasn't prepared for anything, and the more I found out, the more I was thoroughly confused.
Why did my mom leave me with the key? What was she hiding from me?
I slammed my forehead on the table, picked my head back up, and then slammed it again.
I was over everything. If I died right now, I would be dying as a clueless idiot.
Something touched my shoulder.
I squeaked, shot up with my eyes closed, and immediately swung my hands in defense.
My hands connected with a solid surface, and I opened my eyes.
I let out a breath of relief. “God, you guys need to stop being so fucking creepy. Warn a person, will ya?”
Comments (13)
See all