Darkness in the Shadows

CHAPTER 17

Alana sat there for what felt like an eternity, the crack in the wood gradually widening as she picked at it, chipping away small bits of wood. It must have been weeks since she arrived in this place, but time seemed to blur together in her captivity.

Despite her aching fingers and worn-down nails, Alana continued to chip away at the wood, the crack growing larger with each piece she removed. She was scared to look at the state of her hands, knowing they must be in bad shape by now. Closing her eyes, she tried to push through the exhaustion, but her body was spent. Slowly, she felt herself drifting off, her mind succumbing to sleep where pain and movement were the dominant themes.

Alana's eyes fluttered open at the familiar sound of the door creaking open, signalling the arrival of her captors. However, this time, it wasn't the usual she had grown accustomed to seeing. Instead, a small man entered the room, he was older, and his grey hair surprised her. His presence was casting an unusual aura.

He held a vial of prignat, the liquid glimmering in the dim light of the room. With a hushed command, he urged Alana to drink, and she complied, feeling the soothing effects of the potion coursing through her body.

As the pain dulled and clarity returned to her mind, she observed the man closely, noticing subtle differences in his features that set him apart from the others. Alana nodded to him, thanking him for the slight relief.

Alana watched as he looked back at the door before carefully producing another vial from his pocket, pouring its contents into Alana's mouth. She leaned back, the relief washing over her in waves, grateful for the temporary respite from her torment. "I was never here" he whispered.

Curiosity screamed through her eyes. She knew that she was due her prignat in a day or two. But he is here with two? Alana felt something familiar about his presence. She couldn't point out what it was, but she knew he was different. After she drank the prignat, the man quietly pocketed the bottles and turned with haste, leaving the room.

Alana focused her newfound energy on the bed leg, determined to pry off a sizable chunk of wood that could serve as a weapon if needed. With a sense of relief washing over her, she succeeded, managing to break off a piece that could cause significant harm if used correctly. This small victory filled her with a glimmer of hope, a belief that perhaps escape was not an impossible dream. Someone seemed to be watching out for her in this place, and Alana resolved to find out just how far their support extended.

She lay back on the makeshift pillow, the broken bed supporting her as she tucked the wooden piece out of sight. As she heard the door creak open, Alana's eyes snapped open, revealing the presence of the familiar woman holding a small vial.

Without hesitation, the woman poured the liquid into Alana's mouth and left the room, following the routine of previous visits. Alana couldn't help but feel the change. After being administered three doses this time, her energy and pain were relieved. The prignat surged through her, imbuing her with strength and resolve.

Alana waited, knowing that the woman who questioned her would arrive soon, typically not long after she received the prignat. As expected, minutes later, the woman appeared at her cell. Despite her tall stature, she seemed somehow diminished in Alana's eyes. Alana remained seated next to the bed, concealing the extent of her energy and the speed of her healing from view.

"Are you sticking with your story?" the woman asked. Alana resisted the urge to roll her eyes and instead replied, "I am from another realm, I am Alana Quela. I don't know what else you want to know. Give me a question, and I'll answer it." The anger simmering within her made it challenging to maintain the facade of weakness and injury. The woman raised an eyebrow at Alana's defiance.