False Confidence

In the Dark

Azriel Huang

Crash!

I jolted awake with the sudden and alarmingly loud noise, the covers taking no time to be pulled back. I searched my darkened room for any possible threat, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. My only way of seeing was my heightened sight and the dim moonlight trickling in from the window.

I silently crept to my door, hearing all sorts of crashes and bangs, gunshots and yells. I steeled myself from any panic whatsoever, willing myself to not forget all the training that I'd gone through. My body did not disappoint, stealthily stalking through the double doors with the slightest creak.

I held my breath, but quickly sighed when I realized a shattering noise had masked any sound my foot may have made.

I continued my path, crouching low to the floor. I needed to get very valuable documents from my office, I had left them out without thinking. I had cursed myself once more before leaning against a nearby wall.

The journey towards my office, which was quite a bit away, was nerve-racking. I had no idea what was happening and why but I only attempted to be as quiet as the dead, rounding a corner and up a flight of stairs. I glanced up and down the hall of my office, nearly huffing out my relief. I sprinted for the entrance of the room, slipping behind the door and closing it as gently as possible as to not make noise.

I refrained from flicking the lights on, knowing all to well how that would act as a beacon in the dark house. The curtains were drawn, completely damping out any sort of light I may have received from the moon, and the air was eerily warm. I shook off any worry, knowing that'd there be a small chance that they'd bust down the door without my knowledge.

I shuffled over cautiously, careful to avoid discarded books and haphazardly thrown papers. I reached out to find my hand gripping the desk. I smiled softly, feeling my way towards the middle of the polished, wooden desk. With unfailing confidence, I reached out for the documents I had left sitting there, expecting to meet parchment, instead my fingers grabbed flesh.

I quickly muffled my scream, shooting backwards but I was at a disadvantage, they had the upper hand.

I was slammed against the wall behind me, corded muscle bracing against my chest and a strong hand around my own, cuffing them together. I choked back a small sound of fear, bucking and moving to feel out any possible escapes.

"S'been a while. Too long." An all too familiar voice rasped, the sound bringing unsurpassable anger from me but yet, an undetectable shiver ran through me, the rumbling voice caressing my ear. I hated every second of it. Only one individual could wring such self-loathing desire from me; Wren.

"Fuck off." I croaked, trying for another attempt of escape.

"Not so fast."  He cooed into my ear, suddenly flooding his familiarly rich scent up my nostrils. His scent was void of any cologne, drenched in some sore of intoxicating smell, like tobacco laced with raw vanilla. His natural musk, the spearmint gum he was always chewing still heavy in the mix. I had breathed in this aroma before but it was different compared to now- now it was undiluted, no cologne masking anything. It made me want to nuzzle into his chest and stab him in the throat all at once.

"Let me go." I demanded, easing up my tense body. Wren seemed to almost awake at that, his large silhouette barely stiffening. He backed away quickly but steadily, almost as if he caught himself doing something he shouldn't. As perplexed as I was, I shook my hands out, hoping to relieve myself of any tension in my wrists.

"I'm here to explai-"

"There's nothing to explain, you betrayed me." I growled, regretting the words as soon as they slipped out. He had no loyalties towards me, it was nothing of the sort.