Secrets In The Bones: The Curse of Blood Bay

One

'He who fights monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And if you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.'

Darkness, bloodshed, and death occupy our world now. Your world, too. Probably not what you expected, I'm sure. Only the abyss, 'Nietzsche' called it, has been gazing into me long before I knew, and I fear for the future. That little epiphany made itself at home after Michael and I nearly died, and not for the first time, either.

Fool me once; shame on me. Fool me twice; well, that was shame on me, too. Not quite how it's supposed to go. Then again, not much of anything lately has gone how it should. Now, I'm looking back into that Abyss, and what I see... It scares me. The shadow of death follows me no matter where I go. Is it a curse? Perhaps. Leaving me with, and I can't believe, this is where my mind is, but a question for you...

'If life imitates art. Then what does death imitate?'

Today, the shadow came as a flowing dress that didn't flow, long black hair that didn't flinch, not even amidst the stern, bitter breeze sweeping in from the sea. Her eyes didn't flutter, not once. Yet, for reasons beyond my understanding, I was compelled toward her—toward a 'Lady in Black'.

Ellena's mouth hung open; eyes wide, worried. My eyes had changed a cloudy grey, as they had with the premonition in Locke's office. ('Christ, don't get me started about that moment.') Here we were, in the countryside of Scotland, and Halloween had been and gone.

It was the beginning of November, and we had to endure Guy Fawkes' bringing its own brand of chaotic drama and noise. While Ellena is like a toddler on a sugar rush. She hasn't stopped grinning with excitement. I don't even like fireworks; it is a waste of money if you ask me. It's not that though. Since my hearing became supernatural, they're like cannons fired off beside me, deafening. But they will make Ellena happy, and that's what's important. Maybe they'll distract me from my thoughts.

Night settled in. Crisp wintery air, carrying the potent scent of the onrushing sea, rustled through the charming village. Deeply cold and grey had shifted to an inky purple-black with a sheet of white diamonds. We reach the front pavement near the B & B. More people than I'd expected streamed enthusiastically toward the castle.

A stench of burnt wood, giving me a 'cosy winter in front of the fire feeling', filled my lungs. I shoved the door but paused when a cascade of lights caught my attention, bathing the headlands in blue, white, and red hues, giving it a haunting presence. Still inviting but a little on the spooky side. A few scattered streetlamps 'pinged on', and the warm glow from the nearby homes coming to life offered little light, adding to the ambience that was steadily building.

"Are you ready, George?" Ellena interrupts my vacant stare. It's weird, no matter how hard I try, even something as nice as the lights brought me back to the cliff and the 'Lady in black'. Why did she seem so familiar? This was an issue I didn't want to bother Ellena with, but it was on my mind too much for my liking.

"Yes, of course," I croaked with a scratchy rasp to my throat, snapping my gaze back to Ellena's bright blue eyes. I could get lost in them. They have a soothing way to them, especially when I feel the 'shift' coming. Ellena puts me at ease.

The door swung wide to dark country-style wood flooring, a little weathered, like most of what we'd seen. Stretched throughout, leading to an open area on the right. A roaring fireplace against the back wall, surrounded by comfortable seating and a welcoming coffee table, radiated a soothing warmth, creating a cosy atmosphere. (Side note–if I dare to move again, must-have wooden floors, preferably oak or whatever my measly salary runs to. This place is so nice.)