Faceless Instincts

Dark Places

The room was washed in complete darkness. I tried to navigate my way as quietly as I could manage, even though I bumped into something at every second step I somehow managed to make my way through the door and into the hallway. The house was eerily quiet, only the musky light of candles lit the hallway.

I was proceeding slowly, careful enough to not make a sound. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, but I knew something was pulling me towards itself. As I inched further in the long hallway, I saw an unlocked door that was slightly ajar, I walked towards it and heard a voice, someone was reading. I stepped closer and tried to take a peek but failed.

Although the sound was familiar, almost hauntingly familiar. Gathering the courage I grabbed the doorknob and pushed the door. A man stood with his back towards the door, head bowed over the mantelpiece, whispering or rather praying. I tried to look carefully and I instantly knew who he was when I noticed an article of clothing, "Dorian?" I whispered.

He turned around, his beautiful blue eyes sparkling, but his face rather contorted, pained. I felt a sharp pain bloom in my chest, "What are you doing here?" I asked.

He moved towards me, "I live here" he said.

"You live here?" I questioned, "but this is Nikolai's house"

He simply shook his head in denial, "how have you been?" He asked.

"I have been trying to find a way soo I can find you"

"Still you haven't yet" there was an odd sentiment in his voice, devoid of feeling.

"I was trying," I said, "how have you been?"

"Not at peace,"

"But you said in your letter that-"

His eyes turned moist, pained and a lifetime of agony passed through them, "I was not at peace, I was being tortured" he said, walking near me.

"What?" My brows furrowed, "what do you mean, is someone trying to hurt you?" I asked panicking.

Dorian's face was now dark, his lower lip quivered, and he shook his head ever so slightly in a yes.

I couldn't take it anymore so I started to step into the room, as I lifted my foot a strong gush of wind blew out every single candle and the door of the room slammed shut in my face. I scrambled back a few steps unable to maintain my balance. Clutching the table near the stairs I stood up and rushed back to the door. "Dorian" I called out, "Open the door" I banged on it.

I started banging on the door like a maniac, "Dorian, open up, let me in, please."

My voice pierced through the silence like a knife, I tried opening the door, but it didn't budge, and then I felt something; a presence just behind me, my breathing scampered as I tried to turn around and run but I couldn't move. I was glued to the place. I tried to step aside but my feet were jammed, a menacing, cold and cruel sound penetrated my ears, "save him" I turned around as fast as I could and pounded on the door, "open up" my hands started to ache, but the door didn't open, I felt a think air clouding around me, and the pair of hands wrapped around me, jerking me like a toy and creaming in my ear.

I tried to free myself but he was strong he gripped me so strongly that I couldn't breathe, strength started to leave my body and I felt something cold on my cheek.