Shadow Taking Over

8- Live free or let me-

A week passed since Eve ventured beyond the basement. Luckily, she had made it home in time. Lance and Alice returned just five minutes after her. He had not come down to see her, but she knew he was up there. His foul presence sparked alarm in her from within a ten mile radius.

Now, she sat up against a wall, tossing a rock across the room. One of the shadows on her arm would speed over to the rock to retrieve it for her like some sort of pet. It was strange. After spending so much time with the shadows, Eve had grown fond of them. They were an extension of her. Although, sometimes they were overwhelming. She still had to get used to them always around. This particular shadow she respectively named Senka. Each blob of darkness had differences even though others couldn't see it. Senka was the most active of her shadows. They took pride in Eve, and sought her companionship. Going back, Eve recalled Senka as the thing that who distracted Pearl in their little tussle.

Senka slithered up beside Eve and dropped the rock. At the moment, Senka posed as a miniature, ghostly figure with a likeliness to a feline mixed with a hound. A pitched purr omitted from Senka. It was interrupted by the creak of the door. Light from the living room stretched down the stairs. Two boots appeared in the way.

"Hush now," Eve whispered. She reached out to Senka for it to hide. Senka took kindly to the surface of her back.

Alcohol carried along Lance's voice down to her. The smell repulsed her. "Lone Shadow, get up these stairs now."

Eve took no hesitation to pounce onto the pile of discarded clothing. She forcefully pulled each article onto herself, not minding the awkwardness. Was he angered with her? Oh no.. perhaps he knew. He knew she had snuck out. Dead, I'm dead, Eve thought fearfully. Hopping on her left to put on her right boot, Eve stumbled her way up the stairs. Embers flicked from the tips of her bouncing hair. Thirty seconds later and she was at the top. At least she wouldn't be late to her own funeral.

"Come here," Lance boomed from the opposite room.

Timid, Eve approached the arch leading to the dining room. She poked her head around the corner to get a survey of what she was dealing with. Out of the ten chairs, one sat in the center where the table use to be. He had moved the furniture off to the side and out of harms way. Eve eyed the chair as if it were electric. Once she sat down, it would be death row. Alice was purposely positioned near the second exit to assure Eve would not run. Lance waited by the chair, rapping his fingers on the rim. The sound reflected the rate of her own beating heart.

"We need to talk," he said, gesturing inward.

Lance watched his daughter cross the room to sit before him. Her hands came together at the crease of her thighs. Her fingers curled the sleeves over her knuckles. Bits of fringe protruded her ears to frame her sullen features. Ash speckled under the eyes, which averted from his hard stare. Quite honestly, she didn't look like the same person. Excellent, just how he envisioned. Her transformation exceeded his expectations. He gripped the back of the chair and leaned over her shoulder.

"Would you like something to eat? You must be.. starving," he drew out each word with a sinister smile.

She barely turned to meet his eyes. At this angle, it was impossible anyways. "I haven't eaten in months. I don't need food to live."

Lance smirked. "What about a drink? Perhaps some water would satisfy you."

He was taunting her, Eve knew that. That didn't mean it wasn't working. Eve felt what little color drain from her face. Senka and the other shadows stirred along her vertebra, bounding up and down her spine. Her shoulders dropped. Water. All she wanted was some water. She may never get another chance like this, she might as well take it.

"Yes, please," Eve replied quietly.

Lance waved Alice into the kitchen to fetch a glass. She returned moments later with a metallic pitcher and a crystal glass. He stepped away to give his daughters some space. Patiently, he waited to see what would unfold from a short and safe distance away.

Alice poured the water in front of Eve. Eve goggled at the sight. She was reminded of a waterfall in the midst of a dry summer. To avoid snatching the pitcher, she gripped the edge of her seat. Wood chipped at her nails. Heat resonated from her palm. Her fang bit down hard on her lower lip. Alice offered the cup.

Eve took the cup with haste. It nearly broke against her death grip. The surface of her hands began to melt at the glass. In three gulps, Eve downed the water. Her eyes fluttered in pleasure. Finally.

But something was wrong. The water coursed down her esophagus like liquid fire. It inflicted damage just as real fire would. Physics flipped. Instinctively, she grabbed at her own throat and coughed hoarsely. Her eyes bulged; she forced them promptly shut. She collapsed from the chair a moment later. The empty glass shattered. Eve felt the moisture spreading all about her body, inflicting burns in its wake. Her back arched as she expelled blood from her mouth. Shadows seeped through her skin.

"Water, water-" she gasped.

"What? You want some more water?" Lance mocked from the wall.

The shadows poked and prodded at her nerves. Flames sparked within her in reaction. Soon, the moisture dissipated. She brought her teeth together and breathed carefully through her lips. Never in her life had she ever felt such unbearable agony.

"You did something to that water, didn't you?" She accused.

Lance crouched in front of her. "No, not at all. I've just made it so you cannot have any contact with the one thing you love the most on God's green Earth." He stroked his index and middle along her jawline.

Trembling, Eve leaned away from him to avoid his toxic touch.

"Now remember, Lone Shadow. You are to never cross me. If you do.. it'll get much worse."