Fatal Attraction | D.M. (Soft Rewrite)

Chapter Thirty-Two - Haunted

Rolling on her side, she tried to bury her screams in the ground. Doing her best to keep quiet, despite the excruciating pain. She hugged her knees to her chest, balling her body as tight as possible.

Maybe they won't notice

Maybe I can get away.

But they were still out there. And they would be coming for her next.

Nobody makes it out of here alive.

They had tortured her, so she couldn't escape. Then, deserted her like a wounded animal, who wouldn't make it through the night. A plaything they might resume tormenting later.

I can't let that happen.

Yet trying to learn her surroundings was impossible. Her eyes were swollen shut, and the pads of her fingertips felt numb. Her voice was hoarse – not that crying for help was an option. And the overwhelming ringing in her ears, made it hard to concentrate.

But the worst was the fire burning beneath her skin, consuming her flesh. An unimaginable pain that had her tendons screeching in agony. Her bones splintering.

The occasional chill breeze was a tantalising second of relief, but it wasn't enough. She needed something much more powerful.

While every part of her body protested, she knew she had to try. Propping herself on her elbows, she spat out a mouthful of blood.

Disoriented by the fractures to her skull – she felt like a bolt of lightning had struck her centre. Passing through her body and leaving it in ruins.

I can't die here – not like this – not alone.

Snaking her hands over the ground, she searched for her wand. Scrambling onto her knees, she crawled in circles. Slowly increasing the circumference, so she didn't miss a spot – or go over the same area twice.

Every second was valuable.

Then I can apparate.

Blindly searching, she imagined she was surrounded by a faceless crowd. An audience hidden behind a muffliato charm, cackling with glee.

Maybe they're tricking me – luring me into a false sense of security – before they attack.

The vision made her body shake. The terror was unavoidable.

Stop it Phi! Don't think like that!

Unable to see, her mind was able to consider every horrifying possibility. Drawing on her deepest fears – reigniting the terrors that plagued her sleep as a child.

The panic covered her body. Her whimpers suffocated in her throat, as she struggled to breath. Tears rolling down her cheeks, mixing with her blood.

Until there was light.

Something so astoundingly bright, it pierced her eyelids. Overwhelming her retinas, which had become accustomed to the darkness.

This striking shift in her surroundings forced her to act. Either I keep looking for my wand – or I investigate whatever's at the end of that light. Shit. Both felt like a death sentence.

She rationalised that finding her wand was unlikely – they probably disarmed me immediately – think Phi! Why can't I fucking remember anything? Useless bloody brain!

I have to do this – even if it's a trap...

Crawling forwards, her body roared in agony. Stumbling over tree roots and undergrowth, she decided to follow the light. Sliding her hand over the ground, till it snagged on something. She gasped in shock, feeling that dainty metal chain.