THE FORGIVEN BITE

Broken Promise

Chapter 6

"I'll do it, Gran, you leave it," I said, placing a plate in the dish washer. We were in the kitchen and had just finished our dinner. I helped Gran to clean the dining table and transferred the remaining food into the refrigerator. Gran looked tired. She didn't refuse as she did most of the time. Instead she sunk low in the chair; her eyes drooping.

I shook my head and after finishing last course of the day, I went to her. I settled on my knees, placed my arms in her lap and leaned in.

"Gran, you look troubled. Is there any problem at restaurant?" I asked worriedly.

She lifted her gaze up and smiled at me. "Thank you for your concern, love. You don't worry, everything is fine. It had been a busy day. I am just tired."

"In that case, you need to go to sleep now." I returned her a smile and landed a peck on her cheek. "Even I am feeling sleepy," I added, letting out a yawn.

I helped Gran to her room. "Good night, Gran. Have a sweet dream," I said softly.

Her eyes filled with warmth as she replied back, "Good night, love." She patted on my cheek.

I put off the light of her room, closed the door behind me and headed upstairs towards my room.

The events of the day had exhausted me, taken life out of me. The only thing I wanted to do was sleep. I jumped into my night dress and hopped onto bed. I even didn't bother to call Ron as he had not contacted me since. As soon as I landed my head on the cushion, exhaust showed its effect and sleep overruled me.

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No, I shouldn't be here, I thought as I faced the room. I was in the same room again. The same dimly lighted room with torches, flight of stairs dividing at a portrait of man with evil gesture.

"It's a dream," I told myself firmly. I wanted to believe that this was a dream, but it still felt real. I didn't want to be here. The room was deserted, looked strangely silent. But still I felt that there were eyes on me. The air was stifling. All the bad feelings rushed over me again; the anxiety and the fear. I tried to scream, to run, but I was frozen. I could feel that evil trying to get closer to me. Would he be lucky this time unlike the previous night? The thought attacked me like an icy wind. It might sound funny; I forced myself to wake up, somehow open my eyes. That was my only escape. But it felt like I wasn't sleeping at all; as if I was present here mentally as well as physically.

"Ash?" A familiar voice called me from behind.

I turned around to see Ron as confused as me.

Why was Ron here? How did he come here? This place... my dream...

"Ron, oh my God, Ron, what are you doing here? This is not a good place. We should move from here..." I blurted out quickly, anxiety noticeable in my words.

"Relax, we are okay. Nothing will happen," Ron said calmly, though his eyes, which constantly searched around, betrayed his words. "What are you doing here, Ash?"

"I...I...d-don't know, I didn't come here, I was s-sleeping and... and... I..." words died on my lips as it quivered with a sob.

"Hey, it's okay," Ron hugged me, caressing my back. "It's okay. You are fine." I stayed in his arms, refusing the tears to come out. Ron didn't part, though the way he shifted on his legs gave me clear hint of his impatience. I pulled apart for the obvious reason and stared at him.

"Let's go." He grasped my hand and pulled me along with him. His hands were clammy, which meant he too was in fear. We started running down through the dark corridor. I had no idea where we were, why we were there, and overall, was this real? Or was it just happening in my exhausted brain? I wanted answers.