Within the Demon's Grip: Part One

Chapter 12

The room was horribly drafty. Natalia's body felt chilled, her face feverish, like she was coming down with something. Thoughts came slowly, images of Candice's splintered smile, of her bouncing off the roof ... to her death.

Of blood. Candice's blood pooling around her shattered skull.

Natalia's blood, too.

As if to offer a quick reminder of its existence, Natalia's shoulder gave a hard throb that had her gasping for breath. Curious fingers rushed to her shoulder (slowly, due to the aching stiffness in her shoulders hindering her movements) exploring stiff, blood-soaked fabric. They crept closer ... until Natalia's eyes widened and she gave a startled cry.

Quickly, she removed her hand, her eyes stinging with tears.

"Hey, fucker, mind finding your own place? This room is occupied!"

Natalia blinked her tears free and they rolled down her cheeks, hot and fat. "R-Robin?" she called. Her voice was worn and wet and wavering. "I-Is that you?"

Silence.

Natalia gulped air, looking around ... even though it was a futile endeavor. The room was like a cave, moonlight making a single, glowing stripe from the hollowed-out window, like some bright divider against the darkness. She couldn't see anything beyond it.

"R-Robin," she called again, gaining strength in her voice now. She felt jittery, frantic, like she might choke on her nerves. Then she heard it. Stumbling footsteps, growing closer. Her impatience exploded. "Robin, dammit if that's you, answer me!"

"Natalia?"

"Yes, it's me," she said, suddenly feeling relief. She couldn't believe the two could even co-exist. Robin and relief, but that's what she felt. If Robin was here then maybe she could leave, go home.

Home.

A soft giggle knifed through the darkness and Natalia felt herself perk up. "S-Sandra?" Surely Robin would agree to take her home if Sandra was here. He hadn't before .... but that had been different. It would be different once he knew.

I'm fully prepared to spill my guts, if that's what it takes. Natalia thought, frantic. Fuck it. I'll do anything to get out of this hell-hole.

"Natalia, what are you doing here?" Robin sighed, already sounding annoyed with her.

"Where is he?" Natalia asked, shivering as a draft of cold air wafted over her.

"What the hell are you talking about? God, Natalia, did you follow me here?"

Natalia took in a breath that chilled her lungs. He hadn't exactly introduced himself to her, but Candice had given her a name in the hospital. "N-Nosfroth?" she said, unsure. "Th-e one who b-bites. Where is he?" Just mentioning his name panicked her, like it might summon him. She felt dizzy and ill, like she might faint.

"Down below. Performing like usual."

She was surprised that there were any takers this evening ... considering what had happened. Candice. This town really was sick.

"I-I'm hurt," Natalia said. "I ... I need a doctor."

"You're ... hurt?" Robin asked, sounding unsure. The footsteps came closer, bumping into objects along the way.

Natalia caught the hint of cologne and freshly shampooed hair. She grew more anxious. "Please, Robin, you have to get me out of here."

It felt so wrong. The desperation. Pleading for Robin to rescue her, like some damsel in distress, but in all honesty ... she was this damsel in distress. She needed help. She couldn't escape on her own; she had tried and failed and now her life was very much in danger.