Kingdom of the fallen

eighteen

The clock ticked, and hours passed. I was warm, and safe by arms who could protect me through anything. The feeling of someone who cared, helped me sleep through the cold and frosty night. Once the sun rose, a soft beeping was heard.
I popped my head up from instinct and curiosity. I looked around to see myself in a bedroom, Lucien’s bedroom. Had I fallen asleep?
I heard the ticking noise again, the same one from yesterday. It didn’t sound like it was coming from this room, but where else was it?
Looking down, Lucien was gone. I was wrapped in a soft and warm fleece blanket, with pillows behind my back. I sat up, quickly getting lightheaded. After getting out of bed, I kept the blanket around my body, as for it was still cold outside. I slowly tiptoed out of the room. I tried to open the door slowly to not make a noise, but instead this door had no squeak.
The beeping continued down the hall, past the paintings, through the dining room, past the red carpet and along another hall. I had to have been lost through the amount of turns I took.
After whiles of searching, I found the source. It was a clock, but bigger? It was attached to a bigger wooden box, with a golden tear drop swinging from underneath. I stood and stared at it, until the beeping stopped. Looking up at the small circle, there was moving sticks, and symbols. Along with a small ticking noise? The same one from before!
The room was silent, other than the occasional ticking.
I looked around, following the soft red velvet carpet. Every step was quiet, but it felt like it echoed. I followed the red pathway, trying to make as little noise as possible.
It seemed to be no one was around. No guards, no royals, no one. I walked out the giant wooden doors, and even then, there was still no one.
The moon was still out, shining its light down onto the plants. The wind flowed, as grass moved with it. White roses were planted along the castle walls. The gleamed from the moon light.
I walked down the pathway. The sound of leaves breaking under heavy footsteps could be heard. I thought nothing of it as I was walking, yet anytime I stopped, the sound continued. I turned, looking in the direction on the sound.
“Hello?”
I got no response, yet instead another crunch.
“Who’s out there?”
Only another crunch. I backed up, as it seemed the sound was coming closer. The noise kept getting louder. I kept backing up, who or what was this!? I tripped. I falling to the ground, the steps only got faster. No one could be seen, but instead only heard. I felt hands grab me from behind.
I was about to scream, until a hand was placed over my mouth, with faint shushing. I started to squirm. I didn’t know what was going on, or who I was even with.
The footsteps ran past. Wind flew by from how fast the thing was going.
“What are you doing out here!?”
The person whispered. The hand was removed. I could only see a faint outline, as the person had a mask on, blocking their face. The voice seemed familiar.
“Lucien!? What is going on!?”
He sighed, grabbing my hand, and rushing out of the area. He ran fast, as I could barely keep up. He turned another corner, hiding in a crook in the wall.
Confusion, rushed over my head. Not only did I not know what was going on, yet I was not sure where we were anymore. The moon had been covered by darker clouds, blocking its bright blue light.
I started to speak, as I was quickly cut off by a finger over my mouth. His hands grabbed me, pulling me close. He placed his cloak around me. Yet again, more footsteps were heard. They were far, but close enough to be heard.
I staid quiet. Another footstep was placed. Sling. Thud. The footsteps had stopped but replaced with a new set. His heart was beating fast. He grabbed my hand, rushing through a side door. Lights were faint, as the warmth from a small candle could be felt, compared to the breezy wind outside.
“Lucien, what’s going on!?”
Only a sigh could be heard, as he took off his mask.
“You shouldn’t be out there. You could have gotten hurt.”
“How!? What’s going on!? Why aren’t you answering my questions?”
“Just trust me for once god damn it! I will answer them in the morning.”
I felt a small poke in my neck, as the world started to spin again. I only heard his faint voice, before I passed out.
“I’m sorry, Kamilla.”