Darkest Desires → Caliban [CAOS]

iv. free rein

FREE REIN
CHAPTER FOUR

Dahlia's body felt as though in flames, heat charging through every vein as the hot fire that came with Caliban's teleportation landed them at a carnival before dissolving in the air. It took several seconds for the suffocating feeling in her throat to fade, and for air to successfully ventilate through her lungs again. Almost instantly, though, the scar on Dahlia's back began to tingle again, and a burning pain seared through it. Too bewildered by everything going on, Dahlia brushed the fiery feeling off.

Eyes wide, Dahlia tried to take in the sight before her. She was almost tempted to latch onto Caliban's arm or hide behind him like he was a shield. He stood so confidently, unbothered, unfrightened by the creature in front of him... by anything, for that matter, unlike Dahlia, who felt her heart thump in her chest and her breath catch in her throat when her eyes landed on a large swamp-like man. His face, shaped like a skull, was hardly the scariest part of him; it was the black blood, the dirt, the root-like and tree bark-like substances all over him... and the awful smell he radiated... that made bile rise in Dahlia's throat. The entire place, although outdoors, smelled revolting and insufferable, bringing involuntary tears to the brunette girl's eyes. The beautiful lights surrounding her, the sweet smell of caramel popcorn in the air, the music playing in the background were like nothing, imperceptible, in the presence of King Herod.

When Dahlia glanced down, she was even more shocked to see Sabrina, sprawled out on the floor, her hand reaching out to grasp onto something. As Dahlia altered her focus, she noticed it was the crown... and Caliban stood directly before it.

"Caliban, help me!" Sabrina cried.

"Beautiful as you are, I am tempted..."

Dahlia watched the tall man, waiting to see what he was going to do. She was almost hopeful; part of her believed or hoped that he wouldn't just stand there condescendingly, looking down at Sabrina before picking up the crown and leaving her stranded.

But, he did just that.

Dahlia gaped as she stared between the blonde girl lying helplessly on the floor, and the patronizing man who bent over slowly as he picked up the crown. Like a grand prize, he held the crown in his hand, twirling it to torture Sabrina even more. "No, I think not." He said lowly, a supercilious smile on his face.

Dahlia was about to interject, fury and frustration filling her chest at the way he treated Sabrina and her boyfriend who were clearly in need of help. Seconds after opening her mouth to speak, however, she felt his cold, calloused fingers grip onto her upper arm before the entire scene blurred, and seconds later, she found herself and Caliban back in Pandemonium.

She took a moment to catch her breath, but the second she felt stable again she spun around and glared at Caliban, her eyes boring holes into his.

Caliban hesitantly peeled his eyes from his beloved crown and looked at Dahlia. "What?"

"How could you not help them?!" Dahlia bellowed, mentally throwing daggers at his forehead.