When Darkness Falls

Chapter 29: Fight or flight

My eyes felt heavy and my head fuzzy. I sat up and was surrounded by shimmering black flowers. My eyes drifted toward the sky; the stars twinkled brightly, and the moon grazed the field with its presence. I ran my hand across the flowers, the feel of their soft petals giving me a sense of comfort.

Suddenly, a figure surrounded by a dark light appeared before me. I stood on my feet, brows furrowed, and my guard went up. "Who are you?" I asked the mystery guest.

The figure stepped closer, but I was still unable to see its face. "Ramona, your fate is decided, and you must face the coming trials with the fierceness you were born with, my girl. Soon we will meet, and all will be revealed." A woman's voice spoke, her tone calm, and I got the sense that she was someone important to me, but I didn't know why.

I pursed my lips and stepped closer. "What do you mean, my fate?" I asked, curious and confused.

The figure raised its hands, and a dark fog spread across the field, engulfing all the light. "Ramona." They said over and over again before I woke up.

My eyes fluttered open, and I saw Dahlia standing there with a smile. "Morning." She said gleefully, and I sighed heavily. I did not feel like having company right now or even leaving the bed, but I also didn't want to be rude to Dahlia.

She raised a hand and held a finger to her lips. "Shh, Darius doesn't know I'm in here. He told me you were grounded to your room for being bad, and I wasn't allowed to see you, but I know the secret passages." Dahlia said in a whispering tone, a sly smile placating her lips.

I sat up quickly and gripped Dahlia's shoulders tightly. "Dahlia, you have to help me get out of here, please?" I asked her in a pleading tone, and her smile died.

Dahlia looked away from me, sadness in her eyes. "I can't do that, Ramona. I'm sorry." She said with regret.

I sucked in a deep breath, my chest heavy. "You said you know the secret passages, right? If you show me where they are, no one will know. I need your help to get out of here, Dahlia, please," I told her, practically begging now, and Dahlia sighed.

She looked me in the eyes and bit her bottom lip as hesitation lingered on her features. Then, finally, Dahlia tore herself from my grip and stood from the bed. "I'm sorry, I can't." She said in a quiet voice before storming out of the room.

I dropped my face into my hands, tugging on the loose strands of hair. Then, I leapt up from the bed and rushed to the door. Grasping the door handle, I pulled and tugged, but it was locked tight. Finally, out of frustration and anger, I kicked the door, causing it to shake upon impact.

I leaned against the door and groaned aloud when my foot began to throb from my own stupidity. I pushed off the door and walked over to the small chair that sat next to the window.

I sunk into the plush cushion, the fabric soft against my skin. I stared out the window, seeing nothing but open fields, trees, and swamps. I could see no other houses or landmarks in the distance. We were in the middle of nowhere, but I had to be close to Georgia. The motel they had taken me from was only a few hours from there.

Dark clouds spread across the sky as a light mist lingered over everything. The trees sprouted their fall leaves, bringing vibrant colours to a dreary land. I watched as the birds flew around, swooping in and out of the trees.

Suddenly, the bedroom door flung open, and I whipped my head toward it. Darius came into the room, carrying a tray of food. He walked over to the dresser, and I stood from the chair. My brows creased together as I watched him casually place the tray onto the dresser.

Darius turned around, his eyes locked with mine, but no emotion showed on his features. "Because you continue to snoop around, you are not to leave your room unless you are with me. Do I make myself clear?" He asked in a firm tone, and I scoffed.

I gritted my teeth, the anger boiling inside of me. "Are you fucking kidding me?" I asked him, incredulous.

He straightened himself and remained impassive. "No, I am not fucking kidding," Darius said in a harsh tone, his eyes darkening.

My chest heaved, and I narrowed my eyes. "I hate you," I told Darius bluntly, and his lip curled with rage.

Darius gritted his teeth, a look of fury and hurt lingering in his eyes. "Good." He said in a clipped tone, then walked to the bedroom door.

I grabbed one of the books atop the small table and chucked it towards Darius. However, he dodged the book, and it collided with the door before falling to the floor. Darius growled and peered over his shoulder, glaring daggers at me.

My heart pounded in my chest, and I waited with bated breath, watching as he just stood there unmoving. Then, suddenly, Darius was standing before me and pushed me against the cool wall. He caged me between his muscular arms, and my throat dipped.

His face was mere inches from mine, and his depthless eyes consumed me, desire lingering deep within his gaze. The thick swell of emotion grew in my chest as Darius closed the gap between us. "You couldn't hate me even if you tried, and did it ever occur to you that he deserved it?" He asked me with a brow raised.

I thought about his words for a moment, but the image of Darius brutally murdering the man came to mind. "Maybe he did deserve to die, but not in that manner, Darius," I told him honestly, my gaze turning toward the window.

Darius gripped my chin firmly and brought my gaze back to his. "I never said that I wasn't a monster because I am, and those that take certain action against my people or me deserve to die a horrible death." Darius tilted his head, bringing his lips to my ear. "I embrace my dark side and wear the mask of my demons proudly. Can you say the same, Mon Tresor? That you embrace your dark side?" He whispered softly, and I shivered when he licked the curve of my neck.

I had no response because Darius was right; I feared my dark side and the demons that lurked within. Darius reared back, and his lip tilted upward in a smile. "That's what I thought." He said cockily and then pushed himself away from the wall.

I sucked in a deep breath and straightened myself. "What does it matter if I embrace my dark side or not? What you did to that man was still wrong." I told him harshly.

His jaw went rigid, and a low soulful sound rumbled up from his chest. Darius closed his eyes and breathed heavily before turning around. He stomped to the bedroom door and flung it open, slamming it shut behind him as he stormed out of the room.

My chest heaved, and I screamed aloud when the rage began to boil within me. Then, as the wrath poured from the depths of my soul, the lights in the room abruptly burst, glass flew across the room, and the window cracked.

I looked around the room, astonished at what had just occurred, and I could think of nothing to explain why it happened.