Flame Inside ✿ Damien and Matthew

Chapter 30

Exhausted and tired, Emma marched to her room and opened the door, surprised to see Matthew already there, "Matthew?" However, what was odd about him being in the room was not that he was there before her, but that he was staring at the fire, eyes glazed over in almost pale blue tint. She walked over and placed her hand on Matthew's shoulder, slowly walking around him to look directly into his eyes. It was almost creepy to see, but he seemed almost... dead...

Emma gently shook his body, trying to snap him out of whatever trance he was under, but gasped as she spotted a blue ring around his neck. As she did, the air around her became colder and a little darker. What is going on? Panicked, Emma looked around, trying to pin down what was causing this.

"I... I..." Matthew's voice brought her back to him, hearing his voice drill out of his mouth like an emotionless doll.

She gripped Matthew's shoulders tightly and shook him again. "Matthew!" Still nothing.

She debated slapping him, knowing that may snap him out of it, but she shook that thought out of her head. She had to break him out of whatever spell was consuming his mind but there was no way in hell she was going to slap him. Instead she took his head into her hands and pulled him into a kiss, locking lips with him and shutting her eyes.

Emma waited and waited until finally Matthew wrapped his arms around her and leaned into the kiss, letting her know he possibly broke through. She opened her eyes slightly to see his eyes closed, but his arms wrapped around her waist were secure and loving. As she slowly pulled away, Matthew opened his eyes and revealed their lovely ocean blue color. However, his cheeks were dusted with red. He seems stunned for a moment, "... Hi?"

Emma smiled a bit, giggling, "Hey. What happened? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was just looking at the fire. It's pretty warm."

Every part of her didn't believe him. Then again, something was wrong and maybe Matthew was becoming a victim of it. She frowned and cupped his cheek, making him lean into it slightly, "Are you sure? You looked really... You looked like you were possessed." Matthew furrowed his brows, unsure of what she meant. Does he really not remember? She now became concerned, desperate for answers, Why is he acting so strangely?

Matthew took her hands in his and held them gently, rubbing his thumbs over her knuckles, "Hey, is everything alright?"

Emma furrowed her brows in minor frustration. That was what she had asked him. She wasn't crazy. She knew something was off and she had to figure out what. she squeezed Matthew's hands, "Matthew, I'm serious. You were staring at your eyes just... looked glazed over..." Pressing his lips together, he looked down, trying to discern what she meant as if he didn't do what she had suggested he did. She pulled his hands, now worried. She didn't want him to assume she was making things up. She bit her lip nervously, "You believe me, right?"

Matthew stared into her eyes, reading them as he nodded. "I do! I do... I just don't know how to respond. I mean... I don't remember being in a trance..." As he said that, however, he suddenly curled over and held his head, hissing in pain. He lets out a pained grunt.

"Matthew?!" Quickly, Matthew collapsed onto his knees and gripped his head, digging his fingers into his hair as she followed him down. She cupped Matthew's face, trying to read his expression and trying to figure out what was wrong just from sight.

A moment passed before Matthew let out a gasp of a breath, opening his eyes wide and panting for air. His eyes shined with fear, as if he had just encountered a nightmare within the moment that passed. "Matthew, what happened?"

Matthew wouldn't speak, furrowing his brows and shaking his head, "I... I heard someone calling to me..."

"Calling to you?"

Matthew shook his head and gritted his teeth, "It sounded like my mother... but how could she...?"

Emma took Matthew's hands and held them to her chest, catching his attention, "Hey... let's go ask the others about this. It's not too late to talk to them."

Matthew suddenly shook his head and took his hands from mine, grasping her shoulders, "It's alright! I don't need their help. We can figure this out on our own..."

"Matthew..."

Emma had a really bad feeling about the situation. Matthew was getting put in trances, then getting headaches and hearing his mother's voice. As much as she wanted to trust Matthew's judgment, this was too mysterious and dangerous. They needed the help. "Matthew, we need to–"

"Please. Just trust me, okay?" Matthew stared deeply into her eyes, pleading silently for her to trust him. She bit her lip, letting out a huff of frustration. As she slowly let out a whine of complaint, Matthew gripped harder on her shoulders; not enough to hurt her, but enough to emphasize his point, "Please."

Emma glared at him, "Matthew, now is not the time to be stubborn. We both are having strange episodes. We could use the help."

"I know, Em, but please just trust me. If this gets any worse, we can ask for help." Matthew was adamant.

She sighed, "Fine..."

Matthew leaned forward and kissed her forehead, thankful that she was willing to trust him. However, trust wasn't the issue. She trusted Matthew very much. What she didn't trust was whatever was trying to influence him and hurt him. She didn't just want to leave this in the dark and she didn't want them to hit a wall with this that could potentially hurt Matthew more or make him do something even more odd.

Emma grimaced before standing up, helping Matthew up, "Come on. Let's head to bed." Matthew nodded, agreeing that, right now, sleep was something they probably needed. Emma led Matthew to bed and helped him in, cuddling up to him and laying her head on his chest. "Matthew?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"I'm sure. I promise I'll figure this out in no time."

Emma nodded once more before closing her eyes. She had to let him try, no matter how much she didn't want to. If all else failed, she could go to the others for help, consequences be damned. Still, something felt wrong about this entire situation. First there was something wrong with her, but now there was something wrong with Matthew? They had the worst luck.

Emma expected the night to take her away into slumber, but was quietly awoken by Simon poking her side with his knife. She looked down at her side to see Simon waving his arms and pointing at the door, revealing it to be partially open with a familiar red eye peeking through it. She stared, suddenly wide-eyed, but Diana didn't move from her spot knowing Emma spotted her. Does she want me to go over there? Emma wondered. Simon pulled at her hand, wanting her to go, so she snuck out of Matthew's arms, picking up Simon and hugging him as she crept to the door, causing Diana to back away from it and give her the space needed to leave the room.

"Diana?" Emma asked curiously.

"Is everything alright?"

She furrowed her brows in confusion, "What do you mean?"

Diana pressed her lips together and looked into the room for a moment before looking back to Emma with a serious expression, "I was doing my usual routine around the castle and felt somewhat of a disturbance in the air, like something was trying to make contact with someone here. It was a weak wave, but..."

Emma stared at her in surprise. Diana tilted her head at the blonde, seeing her expression, "What? Did something happen?" Emma debated telling her. She really wanted to tell her, but she was worried she would lose Matthew's trust. If she told Diana, she'd ruin his trust for her.

Emma bit her lip and shook her head, "N-No... I'm just surprised, is all..." Diana raised a brow at her, but she didn't budge. She didn't want to be the one to say anything until things got worse. Despite it fighting against every moral code in her body, Emma had to put some trust in Matthew.

Eventually, Diana nodded before turning to leave, "I apologize for disturbing your sleep. Please have a good night." With that, Diana left her alone in the hall. Emma stared, mildly flabbergasted at the fact that she simply let it go. However, she hoped she would look into the matter further. She slowly walked back into her room and over to the mantle. She placed Simon upon it before going back to bed, falling asleep quickly.