Within the Demon's Grip: Part One

Chapter 15

Natalia stopped at the double-doors, apprehensive, quiet. All was still outside, the parking-lot practically deserted, save for a few vehicles scattered about.

A ragged piece of newspaper tumbled out from behind a beat-up, black car, glowing in the white-yellow halos of a streetlight.

Natalia shrank back, wondering if Nosfroth was near. If he had followed them here, just flying above them unnoticed--

"It's alright," Robin assured her. He came in front of her and pushed the door open. "He's not out there."

Natalia felt her face grow hot.

"I know he's not!" she snapped, pushing past him and stalking outside.

But she didn't know that. She couldn't, and that thought, alone, was enough to make her quicken her step.

"Hey, wait for me!" Robin called after her.

Natalia threw him a look over her shoulder. "Why?" she asked."We're going the same way."

"So," Robin said, jogging to catch up to her "It doesn't mean you have to leave me behind. This isn't a race."

"Yeah?" Natalia asked, looking at the swollen and bruised clouds above their heads, "Well, I beg to differ."

As if to agree, thunder rolled around them, low and angry.

Natalia continued toward Robin's car in short, quick strides. Cool wind ruffled her hair, pushing it behind her shoulders. The smell of rain hung in the air, mingling with the scents of car exhaust and cigarette smoke.

She got to Robin's car, and let herself inside. Robin was quick to follow. Just as he slammed the door shut, it was as if the sky fell on top of them. Rain beat over the small enclosure like an endless barrage of bullets. Natalia felt the noise vibrating inside her head.

Robin nodded. "Well ... guess we're going to be stuck here a while."

"Um, why?" Natalia asked. "You don't want to drive in a little rain?"

"A little rain?" Robin snorted. "I can't see anything through the windshield."

Natalia shifted in her seat with a sigh. "It's called ... use the windshield-wipers."

"No, way, Natalia. It won't make a bit of difference," Robin said, shaking his head. "Anyway, I'm the driver ... and if I want to wait it out then we're waiting it out."

"Fine!" Natalia huffed.

He turned to her, the streetlight shining at the back of his head. Shadows clasped away the sides of his face, daring to venture into his pale, bright eyes.

"Hey, come on. It's not so bad," he tried, offering her a smile, but she failed to find any warmth in it, especially when his eyes looked all hollowed out ... like Nosfroth's.

"Whatever," she grumbled, turning toward the window and staring at the seamless river of rain pouring down the glass.

"Hey. At least we're out of the manor," Robin tried.

Natalia sighed, curling her legs up to her chest. "You're telling me."

"And ... we'll have a pretty interesting story to tell now, too," Robin said with a chuckle.

Natalia felt her whole body stiffen, and that familiar ache in her shoulder came back, throbbing with new life. "Yeah, it's not really something I'd like to relive," she winced.

Her eyes stung with tears as she fought to quell her annoyance, reminding herself that Robin just didn't know any better. How could he? Robin hadn't been present during some of the more traumatic moments she'd endured. He could only judge the depth of her fear by the puncture wounds on her shoulder. And, if he decided to dig a little deeper, by the vacant yet traumatized expression in her eyes. That was his only indicators.