Vampire Feed - Book #1 of the Vampire Feast Series

Bound by Darkness

Chapter 16 - Bound by Darkness

It was peaceful, quiet. Everything was so bright and clear, the sun felt warm on my face as I sat up in my room. My gaze swept across the room, finding solace in its familiarity; it remained unaltered, frozen in time just as I had left it The soft hues of pastel colors on the walls wrapped around me like a gentle embrace, and the sweet scent of blooming flowers wafted in through the open window.

I got out of bed, my bare feet sinking into the plush carpet beneath me. Everything about the room was warm and cozy. I loved this feeling, the feeling of not worrying about my life and what it would be. It felt like floating in a dream, untouched by the chaos that often seeped into my reality.

As I wandered around the room, I noticed the soft light streaming in, casting delicate shadows that danced playfully across the walls. It was a perfect morning, and for a moment, I allowed myself to forget the darkness that lingered outside my sanctuary.

Then came a knock at the door...

The sound was gentle, almost melodic, pulling me from my reverie. I paused, a flicker of curiosity igniting within me. "Come in," I called, my voice light and airy, as if buoyed by the warmth of the day.

The door creaked open, and in stepped Viktor, a radiant smile lighting up his face. He looked so alive, so vibrant, the shadows that usually haunted him nowhere to be found. "I thought you might be awake," he said, his voice like honey, smooth and inviting.

"How could I not be?" I replied, grinning back at him. There was an unspoken understanding between us, a connection that felt ethereal in its beauty. He stepped closer, and I felt a rush of warmth flood through me at his presence.

"Would you like to go for a walk?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "The garden is in full bloom, and I think you'd love it."

I nodded eagerly, my heart pounding with excitement. We made our way outside, the world stretching before us in a tapestry of colors. The flowers danced in the breeze, their petals glistening under the sun, and the air was filled with the sweet melody of birdsong.

As we strolled through the garden, everything felt perfect. Viktor's laughter rang out like a symphony, harmonizing with the rustling leaves and the gentle trickle of a nearby brook. He reached for my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine, and I felt an intoxicating rush of warmth spread through my body.

We wandered deeper into the garden, where the flowers grew wilder, their vibrant colors swirling together in a kaleidoscope of beauty. The sun bathed us in golden light, and for a moment, it felt like we were the only two souls in existence.

Then, slowly, the atmosphere began to shift. The warm breeze turned into a chilling gust, and the vibrant flowers started to wilt, their colors fading into muted shades of gray. I looked at Viktor, and the smile on his face began to falter, replaced by a look of confusion and concern.

"Rose?" he said, his voice tinged with worry. "Are you okay?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but no sound came out. Instead, I felt an unsettling weight in the pit of my stomach, an instinctual dread creeping in. The sun that had felt so warm began to dim, and the shadows grew longer, stretching across the garden like sinister fingers.

Suddenly, the flowers twisted into grotesque shapes, their petals sharp and jagged, resembling claws rather than soft blooms. The ground beneath our feet turned to dark, cracked earth, and the once gentle brook morphed into a stagnant, murky pool that exuded a foul odor.

"Viktor!" I finally managed to cry out, panic rising within me. I turned to him, but he was no longer the vibrant figure I had walked with moments ago. His expression was distorted, filled with a primal hunger that sent shivers down my spine. His eyes, once warm and inviting, were now dark and swirling with shadows.