Labyrinth of blood 🩸

Tʜɪɴɢs ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɢᴏ ʙᴜᴍᴘ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ɴɪɢʜᴛ

Screaming I spun around, and the moment I caught sight of him, I clutched my chest. "Seriously! I could've died of a heart attack"

"You didn't," he replied. "Half the town heard you... most missing people..."

  "Most missing people?" I ask, and gesture for him to go on.

"Welcome to my world," he said, and bowed. Then he wrapped his arms around my waist and tried to lead me out of the castle. "It's a bit more complicated than you think"

  Pushing his arm from my waist, I stand my ground. There is no way in hell I am leaving without answers. "Look, James, I think it's best if I get some sort answers tonight..."

   "Stubborn girl," he mutters and rubs his chin before giving me a smile. "Look just leave and never come back to this town... I'm begging you,"

   As if he was fearing the unknown, he turned around and moved toward a huge window. The moon, bright and glowing stood as a reminder of what the universe holds. Or this town more like. I look beside me and he's gone. In place stood, a a black dog, huge. Growling.

I fall backwards on the floor, my camera shatters in the process. Shaking... I made an effort to get up off it and run away from the animal, but my legs are glue. "James!" I screamed. Even though I know he's not here.

I scream his name again, and as if it understood, stares back with concern. Perplexed, and chest heaving, I reach out. The huge black dog... leaves. Burned from something. In the dark hall with only the moon as a light source, I sit in silence.

Well that was completely useless. And James... no it couldn't be. What was that even? My... camera. "Oh shoot!"

  Getting up I search the floor and find my camera shattered. Oh great. How the hell am I gonna get a new camera and especially in a town like this. Sweet mercy. With the broken camera I decide to venture in further.

   Cobblestones, filled with dust whispered a story untold. A curse, maybe. I cough as brush some of the stones. Yikes. The fire lit itself, shining a very dim light onto my path. I will not give up.

  One by one, my path was lit with light. I walked down and down till I reached what seemed to be stairs that led even to maybe a basement. Slowly I made sure no one followed me and descended it.

  Drip, drip. Each step and water was dripping. Huh. There were no lights this time. Either because the previous owners didn't care or something or someone here didn't want it.

  "Eva, let's go, and don't panic!" I told myself and into the darkness I went.

Someone had built a study, or at least that's what it seemed like to me. A coffin stood in the distance. My curiosity still pulling the strings I walked toward it.

The interview I did with two of the strangest people comes barging into memory. JoAnne and Paula. Nice, or at least that's how they seemed.

Paula was in an apron, and Joanne, with the voice of a pixie waited with me. Paula began the conversation. "You wanted to talk? Anne, what is the meaning of bringing a total stranger to our village?"

"It wasn't me, she came herself..." she replied, rather sharply to Paula. "Now, what about the castle you wanted to know?"

"I am Eva Vale, and I just came here becuase I got tips on—" I started, but Joanne took in a breath.

"Oh my god, Vale? Angela's daughter?"

"How do you know my mom's name?"

They took to silence. And I decided to just end the conversation and leave.

I had stopped short of the coffin. Gold edges, and wooden carving. Without thinking, I push or try to push the lid of it open. "Come on," I whisper.

  With a very small effort, I push it open, and get a peek of sleeping figure inside. He was resting so peacefully.