Reflections of Angels- 2nd edition

Something Wrong

Somehow the house seemed even more quiet with him gone, which was odd as Nyx hadn't seen him any more when he was here. The large, lonely house seemed even larger and lonelier now it was just her and the baby rattling around inside.

For the fourth time since he had gone out, Nyx drifted past the stairs to the door on the top floor. Oh, this was ridiculous— she was allowed to go up there, it was just she felt like she was not, and the more she felt she was not, the more she wanted to. He had never said she wasn't to go up there— and even if he had, he didn't tell her what to do. It was just the secrecy— it was driving her insane.

In a last ditch effort to break the spell she was under, Nyx raced up the stairs. She paused for a moment at the door, then twisted the handle. Locked. She twisted it again, shook it, rattled it. Nope, definitely locked. Typical. Putting her hands flat against the door, Nyx peered through the keyhole, the cracks in the wood. She could see nothing but darkness inside.

This was ridiculous. It was nothing. She would see what was inside when he got back.

Grizelda was crying. Nyx could hear her back in the room where she had left her to have a sleep; tentative wails calling out down the hall.

Still, Nyx gave the door one final rattle before turning away down the stairs.

***

"—What's wrong with you? What's wrong with you?" Nyx had tried everything. Nothing she did could make Grizelda stop screaming. In fact, it had gotten worse, the baby building and building in volume and ferocity, until it was a harsh, ear-splitting, blood-curdling sound, unlike any she expected anyone— let alone a small baby— could make.

Grizelda wasn't hungry, or in need of changing, and she certainly wasn't going to sleep. She wasn't hurt or ill from what Nyx could tell. She didn't know what could be causing this. Grizelda was usually so calm and docile— but with the flick of a switch it was like something had changed and the baby had entirely turned on her.

"Let go, let go, let go!" Nyx shrieked as Grizelda seized a large chunk of her hair and pulled with surprising strength. Grizelda growled— actually physically growled, low in her throat— baring her teeth and pulled harder. Suddenly, Nyx felt a sharp, stinging pain— the baby had scratched her, four red lines on the underside of her cheek.

At last, Nyx managed to deposit Grizelda in her basket, staggering back away from her and leaning against the cabinet behind her for support. "Stop. Please stop." This is ridiculous, she's a baby. Tentatively, Nyx touched her raw face and aching scalp.

Grizelda hissed darkly.

Footsteps— she was saved! He had returned. Rushing to the door, she came out to see him mounting the stairs, arms full with items. Nyx fretted for a moment, seeming half-delirious, wild eyed as she tried to string together what she would say. "...She won't stop screaming!"

He stood for a moment, listening. "She's just crying. I'm sure you can handle it."

Nyx yelled after him as he headed up towards the locked room. "That is not normal crying!"

A/N: So I've sort of combined three chapters from the last version here— it's different, but the essence the same. I think the issue last time is I was too slow and dragged out too long the creepiness of Grizelda, so it really didn't come through, whereas now I've decided it works best to have things progress faster. Having Nyx get unsettled by the baby a lot quicker is really working, I think.

Anyway, please leave your thoughts! XD