Vents of A Sinner

Retaliation

I never knew I'd make it this far.

Yet, something is off.

My emotions aren't quite right. I'm away from them, but I still feel the same. I sit with Hope, and contemplate my current state.

Suddenly, I see one of them. It's eyes glow with the glint of revenge, it's smile carved far beyond how far a normal smile could go.

"Watch out!"

But, it's too late. The knife protrudes from Hope's chest. Her eyes lose their sparkle.

The feeling grows stronger. It's as if there is a void inside of me, ripping away every good memory and emotion. My chest and head pound with a sorrowful agony.

Everything is hazy and starts to spin. It walks towards me, and my sight vanishes.

I'm in what appears to be a chamber. The scent of copper and rot is in the air. I attempt to move, but I'm stopped by something.

Shackles.

I hold up my arms, and crimson slashes run up and down them. Warm tears flood my eyes, and I sit in shock on the frigid stone floor.

"You thought you could truly escape? You honestly thought you could be free?

Are you kidding me?"

I glance up. A demon stands in front of me, yet everything is too blurry to make out any details.

"Hope- Where is Hope?"

My voice seems monotone and hoarse.

"She's gone. Forever. She wasn't a good influence on you anyways."

The knife it holds scrapes against the cement wall.

"no."

It smiles.

"Yes."

It pauses for a moment, then continues,

"You're supposed to be with us, don't you see? That feeling. That constant feeling. That's us.

We own you."

It leans down, it's face in mine. The thing has no eyes. It's mouth has maggots that squirm and fall.

Suddenly, a light illuminates behind the hideous creature. The thing sharply turns, only to be greeted with the floor. The luminescent rays blind me.

"Oh dear child, I will never truly be gone, for I cannot die. Nor can I ever leave a true friend behind."

She approaches me. Hope's eyes shine brighter than I've ever seen, despite the hole in her chest. The ichor drips from the wound down to the floor, with a pure golden glow. I weakly reach out to her, placing my hand upon her wound. All at once, my strength is revitalized, the slashes are fading into scars, and I feel cleansed. Hope put her hands on mine.

"Relapses happen, but only we can choose to forgive what has been done and move on. You are strong."

I remove my hand. Her wound, now only a faded memory. She touches my shackles, and they turn to dust. She holds out her hand, and I pick myself up. We escape the rotting chamber with the help of her glow.

Now I understand. Even through the vicious attacks, there is always light.

It might seem to disappear, but it is never truly gone until we are.

They'll most likely come back, but this time I am prepared,

Because, with Hope, I am

Determined.