Ephemeral

What is Love Part 1

The lights to the estate had been shut off suddenly, causing me to skid to a stop in the hallway that I was in.

When the darkness came reeling in, I had become hyper-ware of just where I was and how much noise I was currently making. I controlled my breathing a bit more, becoming acutely aware of the air I was taking in and releasing.

I didn't want to give away my position to anyone that might have been around the general vicinity.

I blinked my eyes repeatedly, wanting to immediately get used to the darkness as quickly as I possibly could -- I couldn't be compromised in a battlefield like this one --

There was too much on the line for me to fail.

After a couple of seconds, I looked around the area. I had become better acclimated to the darkness and performed a small nod, reassuring myself to keep moving forward. I took a couple of steps in front of me until a hand latched onto my wrist, bringing my arm back.

The grip hadn't been very strong and the fingers were gentle – the skin was soft and wasn't as calloused as the Mathis brothers were --

"Arianna?" Came a woman's voice with a thick Spanish accent from behind me. I relaxed some, remembering her voice from earlier. I turned my head to find Mila, though her hair looked disheveled from running, and her white dress had been stained in some places.

The red splotches – my eyes were locked onto the red splotches, and I was unable to take my eyes off of it. I wondered whose blood that was. Dread lingered in my stomach as I thought the worst case possible – I didn't want that to be Zander's or hers.

I had only known basic first-aid and that wouldn't be enough to save someone from life threatening injuries or wounds-!

"Is that your-?"

Mila shook her head cutting me off. I could barely see the action due to the lights turning off. "N-No," she responded, letting out a small breath. "No. It's not mine," she added, though this time she struggled to speak. "I-I got separated from Zhander..." She trailed, looking around. "I...Lights..." she continued to ramble. "Lights turned off."

"It's probably Aidan's handiwork," I said dryly and quietly.

I feared that if I said his name too loudly that he would suddenly show up, as though he were being summoned.

I had remembered in the mental facility I had taken up residence in for a month. Before he began his siege and killing spree of the staff and patients...he had turned off the lights. I wasn't sure if he did it because it was his signature style, or if he had just wanted me to know that he was coming after me.

Regardless...the message was definitely received --

As it was right now.

"Do you..." I looked at her.

The woman was biting on her lower lip nervously. Her face had also been flushed, most likely from running around and refusing to fight. It made me think if that confident front she put on in front of Aidan before this all began was just an act. I didn't doubt that she was a fiery Latina woman, but she certainly wasn't showing it right now.

I cleared my throat.

"Do you still have your gun?" I asked, allowing a small amount of hopefulness seeping into my words.

She shook her head.

Damn.

"No, I m-must have dropped it..." Mila answered. "D-During the initial shoot out."