Crimson

Survivor's Guilt

     From the perspective of a lonely woman, I felt every ounce of my body tense up as I laid eyes on the castle ahead me. The shadow had an eerie cast over the village, but for some reason I found it comforting. Reguardless of the horrific tales that had filled the village, I always found strange things and uneasy places interesting.

The more I ponder throughout my thoughts,  I realize it's probably because I grew up without the bearing love of parents who would shelter me from the darkness of the world. After the lycans tore the homes of this town to shreds, there hasn't been a soul left alive. My parents were 2 of the many people who got attacked in the beginning when I was only 12, but 6 years had passed since then. Unfortunately, a few lycans still roam the dirt roads of this god foresaken place, but it's nothing I can't handle. It's the food i'm worried about. After 6 years, not even Mother Miranda has come to oversee what's left of the village. Although.. the temptation of making my way towards that damned castle seems like my only hope. As much as I have tried to think of other options, my brain simply cannot reach another conclusion.
But.. that was the next day's journey.

My legs felt limp from the food scavenging, and if I didn't rest now, there's no way I could make it to that bloody castle by noon tomorrow. Sore and acheing, I made my way to a small cabin- one that wasn't completely demolished. Throwing myself onto the browned mattress in the corner of the room, the adventure from today set in faster than expected.  Not long after planning my route for in the morning, I quickly fell asleep-- survivor's guilt flooding my thoughts.

-----------------

There was a ray of light shining through the cracked window I was next to. As much as I just wanted to lay there, the sharp pains pinching my stomach motivated me to pack and get ready. My satchel bag sat on the table as I searched for anything of use in the cabin.
Of course, with my luck, there was nothing.
The only thing I am going to be facing possible death with is my trusty blade and a dirty handgun. Which- might I add- had percisely 0 bullets left. From the rumours of the village years back, the castle was.. or is.. owned by a woman and her 3 daughters. It sounded like a normal set of relatives until one of the elders mentioned the mom was 9'6. Not only is the overwhelmingly large woman tall, it seemed as if her and the 3 children were blood-suckers of some sort. I'm not easily frightened, but all I can do is pray to whatever higher power there's left above me that the owners are deceased by now.
Then my imaginative head began to crank up- what if that woman everyone seemed to be afraid of is just misunderstood?

As my mother used to tell me, "Trust your heart as well as your brain, because the anxiety in your stomach doesn't always mean something is bad."

I miss her.

But no time for emotions. My feelings have been burried for years, and I intend to keep them that way. I threw my dirty handgun in the satchel and kept my blade in fighting position. When I walked out the noisy door, I began to make my way to the forbidden castle.

-

Traveling through the village wasn't the same today. What was left of the lycans were nowhere to be heard or seen. My nerves gave me a fainting feeling as well as nausea that was too sickening to bare. As I reached the passage of the demon and maiden, I placed the 2 crests inside the depression. Although, I found it odd how the 2 plates were right in front of the door. I fixed the demon head into the right position, and turned the head of the maiden to fit her body. The ear-scratching noise the door made could draw blood from a human's ears when opening.
  I made one final glance towards the village, because for some reason, I had a feeling I wouldn't ever see it again.

My heart pounded when I pushed the weighted doors. As soon as I took one step onto the snow covered trail, a crow screamed bloody murder as if I just killed its babies. Honestly, maybe it was a sign I should leave. Before I turned around, the sound of the 2 doors slamming shut froze me into my place.
There really is no going back.
I began to make my way towards the bridge which, oddly enough, was already layed down across the pond in front of the castle's entryway. My stomach began to do backflips and cartwheels; my fight or flight had risen to its limit.

"Screw it. Let's go"

Even my own voice startled me for a moment. If i'm honest with myself, I haven't said a word out loud for almost 3 days. Finally, I gathered what was left of my courage and walked straight to the abnormally massive doors. After all these years of being alone, I didn't know if I should knock. After all, the castle could be empty- knocking could possibly draw the attention of the lycans.

"Oh my heavenly god, y/n, just open the damn door," i whispered to myself.

When I alas opened the door, silence filled the entrance room. I couldn't help but to silently laugh at myself for being such a fool. I walked up the stairs cautiously, admiring a beautiful portrait of which I assumed were the so called "blood-sucking daughters." Once I spotted a small template with gold embroided words, I read aloud:

"Daniela, Bela, Cassandra"

The names were fitting for the 3 ladies. But enough of that.. I need to focus on the main task. Food.
I decided to take a left and walk down the hall. The red carpet under my feet muffled my movement, so even if there is anyone in this castle, it's not like they can hear me. Probably. When I got to the end of the hall, I took a right and went through the white and golden doorway. I couldn't help but to gasp when I saw how big this main hall was. Four nicely sculpted statues of womens' bodies were spaced evenly, and as I walked closer, there was a staircase leading to what seemed to be the main living area.
Sudden adrenaline filled my body, and I sprinted up the stairs. After living in such harsh conditions all my life, I would have never imagined a place so beautiful.

I began to prance the room in joy. Unfortunately, my body began to give out on me. My vision went blurry, and I fell onto the ground. The last thing I saw before blacking out was a tall, pale physique walking down the curved stairway, looking in my direction.

Could it be her?