Your Existence | Lady Dimitrescu x Daughter

Unexpected Aid

The screams tore through the air, a symphony of terror that seemed to emerge from the very depths of darkness. The desperate wails acted as a macabre summons, calling forth more growls and monstrous shadows. Were they werewolves, mythological beings that should only exist in tales? In that moment, that fantasy turned horrifyingly real.

Sophie assumed leadership in the midst of the chaos, behaving as expected of her. She gathered as many as she could amidst the terrifying wails and led them staggering towards one of the dilapidated houses, an uncertain refuge in the midst of a palpable nightmare. My eyes watched the scene as if fixed on a horror movie; only the popcorn was missing from my hands. I lagged behind in the desolate village square, trapped in my own paralysis.

Sophie's gaze from the window of the house hit me like a punch of terror. Her expression reflected the deepest and most genuine fear.

One of the creatures, with enormous jaws and a putrid breath that defied imagination, approached me. If I had had mints in my pocket, I would have offered them in a vain attempt to alleviate the stench. I didn't plan to scream or cry; facing death in this way was simply another form of dying, and I had already resigned myself. So, I held the gaze with death, or at least with my furry and tangible executioner.

The creature approached, its jaws brushing my face, sniffing me with a curiosity that deeply unsettled me. I hoped it wasn't some kind of mating ritual because, although that would have simplified my situation, I was fourteen, and that breath could drive anyone away. However, its expression changed.

"Castle," it murmured, stepping back with a strangeness in its gaze, as if it had seen a specter from the past. Then, without warning, it disappeared into the shadows of the forest. Truth be told, I had no idea what had happened, but that allowed me to escape and take refuge in the house with Sophie, who hugged me so tightly that I feared that loving embrace would end up suffocating me.

"Elena, those creatures don't want anything to do with you. You must smell like death," commented Alfred. I averted my gaze, not wanting him to see that his comment had affected me.

I preferred to ignore it or at least pretend to ignore it.

"Alfred, I want you to apologize for that. We'll talk when we get back, but that kind of treatment is not acceptable," Sophie responded on my behalf.

"Where are we?" whispered one of my companions, changing the subject.

"I'm not sure," Sophie replied, and, as if she had given herself the idea, she opened her backpack, taking out one of the maps.

"Castle," I mentioned, recalling the creature's words.

"How do you know?" inquired Sophie. "I don't remember seeing one before."

"He indicated it to me, or whatever that entity was," I shrugged. "But I don't think we should worry about that right now."

The screams intensified, a symphony of terror that had undoubtedly invaded the other house where they had taken refuge. That meant they could break into ours and attack us at any moment. Well, maybe not me, although relying on a certain immunity wasn't a viable option. In any case, what would I do alone there? I also didn't want Sophie or Emma to get hurt.

"I could head to the castle and plead for help," I suggested suddenly. "Who would completely abandon a castle? Maybe the staff or security are there and can rescue us," I insisted, anticipating Sophie's likely initial refusal.

"It's dangerous, Elena."

"It's risky to stay here waiting," I replied, and Sophie couldn't refute that fact. "I'll go as fast as possible."