Hiraeth: Blackout (I)

Chapter Twenty One

It was dark in my room, where I was alone amongst whispering shadows.

I had been covering my ears, humming and groaning in an attempt to drown their voices out, but it was no use. The longer I struggled, the thicker the darkness became. Sheets and sheets of it brushed against me restlessly.

I was rocking back and forth in the corner, sobbing like a baby.

I hated my shadows. They were cold and heavy, a trillion-pound weight made of ice that pushed against my chest and into my heart.

I didn't know how long I'd been there. It seemed like forever, though what I could glimpse from my window had hinted towards one full Day. I was starving, thirsty, but couldn't bring myself to even get a drink from the faucet in my bathroom.

After another forever passed by, there was an angry knock on my door. I didn't answer.

Bexley burst into my room, steaming.

But when she noticed my darkness, she quickly became overjoyed.

"Mike! You found it!"

Her voice was maniacal and piercing.

I didn't respond. I dared not move. I hoped that my bed and the shadows would block her view of me.

"Mike, where are you?"

I trembled at the sound of a sword being drawn.

"I swear to the stars, Mike, if you don't come out in five seconds, I'll have to go with plan B."

I didn't think plan B meant anything good for me, so I peeped, "I-I'm in the corner."

Bexley's footsteps grew closer and I squeezed my eyes shut. Her steps and her breath were livid. I knew she probably hated me now, and when Bexley hated someone, they didn't last long.

She was right in front of me. I heard her kneel down and whisper, "Look at the shadows, Mike. You did it."

I opened my eyes. Maybe she didn't hate me.

Bexley pulled me up by the collar of my shirt, nearly snapping my neck. "And you're mine."

Her eyes glowed through the inky blackness and glared into my soul

I felt my body stiffen and my mind turn murky. My eyes drooped along with my wings and my ears. What little energy I had began to drain, as did every thought in my head. I was so exhausted, there was no way I could fight her.

But Bexley was tired, too.

I sensed somehow, while her mind peered into mine, that she was weak. She had Taken and morphed too many beings, and even my brittle consciousness was difficult for her to steal away.

"I-I... thought you L-Loved me..." I whispered weakly.

My voice sounded like the servants'. It was almost gone.

I was almost gone.

Bexley gasped, letting go of my mind for a split second.

In that tiny window of time, I shoved her away and ran towards the door.

"Mike! No!" she screamed, lunging after me.

She tackled me to the ground, clawing at my thoughts once more.

I closed my eyes, not letting her light seep into them. I pulled all the darkness towards her, and it somehow solidified just enough to push her off of me.

Then I made a break for it.

I jumped right off of the balcony and flew up to the opening in the diamond mansion.