Havenfell

Chapter 6: The Wrath of Misfortune

(Trigger Warning: Berating, Panic attacks)

The sun had long since set, casting Havenfell into a shroud of darkness. The group had settled back at the Havenfell Inn, enjoying a quiet evening after their day of exploring. But the tranquillity was shattered when Juno decided she needed more alcohol, declaring the hotel's supply "weak as shit" before heading out into the night to find something stronger.

Hours had passed, and there was still no sign of Juno. Felicity and Alex, both growing increasingly worried, decided to venture out into the dark streets to find her. The town was eerily silent, the occasional flicker of streetlights casting long, foreboding shadows.

"She probably just found a bar and forgot the time," Felicity said, trying to sound reassuring.

Alex snorted, his tone dripping with disdain. "Or she got lost. She can barely hold her liquor, let alone find her way back in the dark."

Felicity shot him a glare, their patience wearing thin. "You could be a little more supportive, you know."

"Supportive?" Alex scoffed. "Like you were supportive last year during your little meltdown? You freaked everyone out and left us to pick up the pieces."

Felicity's heart pounded in their chest, anger and hurt bubbling up. "That was different, and you know it. I was going through a lot."

"Yeah, sure," Alex sneered. "Always an excuse with you, isn't there? Maybe if you weren't such a burden, Juno wouldn't be out here in the first place."

Felicity's fists clenched at their sides, tears stinging their eyes. "I'm not a burden. I'm doing my best."

"Your best? Your best is pathetic," Alex retorted, stepping closer, his voice a venomous whisper. "No wonder no one loves you."

Before Felicity could respond, they saw a figure stumbling down the street toward them. It was Juno, her movements erratic and desperate, a look of sheer terror on her face.

"Juno!" Felicity called out, rushing to her side. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Juno's eyes were wide with fear, her words slurred but urgent. "It's... it's in there. The shop. Oh God, it's eating him!"

Alex and Felicity exchanged a horrified glance before turning their attention to the shop Juno had indicated. The door was ajar, and a faint, sickly light spilled out onto the street.

"Stay here," Alex ordered Juno, though his voice betrayed his own fear. "Felicity, come on."

Reluctantly, Felicity followed Alex toward the shop. As they stepped inside, the scene before them was nothing short of a nightmare.

The shopkeeper from earlier lay sprawled on the floor, his eyes wide open but devoid of life. Hovering over him was a creature of pure malevolence. Its skin was a mottled grey, slick and glistening as though perpetually covered in some oily substance. Its eyes were hollow pits of darkness, and its mouth, lined with rows of jagged teeth, was latched onto the shopkeeper's chest, siphoning a sickly green light from his body.

The air was filled with the sound of wet, slurping noises as the demon fed, the shopkeeper's soul visibly being drained away, leaving him a lifeless husk.

"Oh my God," Felicity whispered, their voice trembling. "We need to get out of here."

Alex's face twisted in disgust and fear. "This is all your fault," he spat at Juno, who had followed them into the shop despite his orders. "You and your fucking pathetic drinking. You're a piece of shit who will never be loved."

With that, Alex turned and ran, leaving Felicity and Juno behind without a second thought.

Juno's eyes filled with tears as she watched him go. "I'm sorry," she sobbed, looking at Felicity. "I'm so sorry."

Felicity grabbed her hand, their own fear momentarily pushed aside. "Come on, we need to find somewhere safe."

They ran through the darkened streets, the sounds of the night amplified by their terror. Finally, they ducked into an abandoned building, the oppressive silence of the night wrapping around them.

Inside, Felicity's emotions overwhelmed them. They sank to the floor, their breaths coming in short, ragged gasps.

Juno knelt beside them, her own tears falling freely. "It's okay, Fliss Floss. It's going to be okay," she whispered, taking Felicity's hand in hers. "Just breathe with me, okay? In and out, slowly."

Felicity focused on Juno's voice, trying to match their breathing to hers. Slowly, the panic began to subside, replaced by a deep, bone-weary exhaustion.

"Thank you," Felicity said softly, their voice hoarse.

Juno squeezed their hand, offering a small, sad smile. "We'll get through this together. I promise."

The two of them huddled together, drawing comfort from each other's presence as they waited for the safety of morning. Outside, the darkness of Havenfell seemed to press in on them, a constant reminder of the horrors that lurked just beyond the light. But in that moment, they knew they were not alone, and that small comfort was enough to keep the fear at bay, if only for a little while.