Tasteful Darkness

Chapter 20

Balendin - Now

I stare at the ground. At the very place where Adrian was dragged underneath the streets into the darkness of the Underworld.

Something inside me pounds and fuels me with...

Where I thought I would feel anger, I only feel sadness. Adrian didn't deserve this—they only wanted to help me. They saved me from being taken from the Overworld, and I didn't even have the chance to truly thank them.

I pull myself away from the edge and collapse on my back.

Now all I have to do is wait for my creator to come and retrieve me next. It was inevitable, really. I took a chance to find a way to stay in the Overworld, and I failed.

The roof, I've found, is surprisingly comfortable. I stare up at the sky, accepting the fact that it might be the last time I see it.

I wait. For a sound—for anything. For the Creator's signature voice that always sends chills over my body and a darkness in my chest.

I don't know how long I wait. Minutes, hours—days, even? I lose track of time without trying to.

But there's nothing. No darkness, no evil sounds calling me back to where I belong.

I sit up, my brow furrowed.

"Hello?" I call out, just in case.

I pause for another moment and wait for a tendril of darkness to grab for me.

Nothing does.

Interesting.

The streets are far busier now. Humans make their ways across the streets and down the roads. Getting to the ground is going to be a lot more difficult now if I don't want to be noticed.

I glance around before grabbing the lip of the roof and hoisting my body down the side. Carefully, I make my way further and further down until I make it to the cobblestone alleyway. Only then do I sigh in relief.

I crouch to the ground and run my fingers over the place where Adrian was taken. Though it's small and barely noticeable, I spot a small patch of darkness etched into one of the stones. It's minuscule—the size of a small coin—but I know exactly what it is.

It's the mark of the Underworld. A small breach between our two worlds.

It won't fade for another hundred years, but no humans would notice it, and I doubt my creator is worried I will venture down there and try to take Adrian back. Guards and Creators are the only ones who can travel through these marks, after all.

I exhale sharply and stand.

I can't wait here forever.

Just as I'm about to make my way onto the street, I hear a door open. I look to my left and see Peter opening his door. Before I can do anything else, I morph my face away from Vincent and into one of the many faces that just passed by. Frantically, I tear my coat off and throw it in the alleyway.

Peter's eyes lock on mine.

He won't recognize you, I tell myself. He had no idea what I was wearing underneath my coat.

I should probably stop staring, even though I can barely make myself. His eyes entrap me like a spell that coils around my heart.

I offer him a small smile before walking away.

I'll just have to return for my coat later.

I don't even know where I'm going. Where can I go? Home? It won't be the same without an annoying Guard watching over me.