Malevolent ᶜᵃʳᵗᵉʳ ᴷᵃⁿᵉ ˣ ᵒᶜ

0.00

⋆༺⸸⛧⸸༻⋆

Carter Kane's footsteps echoed softly as he wandered through the labyrinthine corridors of the House of Life. His thoughts were heavy with the day's events—Zia dragging Delilah, the prisoner with a list of severe charges, to Iskander, Desjardin almost ordering he and his sister to death and Iskander wanting to train them as magicians.

He wished he was dreaming.

As he passed an unmarked door, he saw a faint light seeping through the cracks. Curiosity piqued, he pushed the door open and peered inside.

The small cell was dimly lit, with shadows dancing on the stone walls. Delilah, shackled and hunched in the corner, had been silent for a while. As Carter's shadow fell across the threshold, Delilah's head snapped up, her eyes wide with a mix of hope and desperation.

"Is someone there?" she called out, her voice trembling. She scrambled to her feet, her chains clinking softly as she moved.

When she saw the shadow moving closer, she let out a choked sob, her voice breaking with desperation. "Oh, thank the gods! Please, I'm so hungry. They haven't fed me in days. Please, just a little something to eat? I'm so weak. I can't bear it anymore!"

Carter froze, his heart twisting at the sight of her. He took a cautious step forward, trying to process the scene. "Wait, wait. Calm down. I'm not—"

But Delilah's cries only grew more frantic. "Please, I'm so tired. I'm so alone. I don't know how much longer I can take this. Just... please help me!"

Carter's heart ached at her desperation. "Hold on. It's okay. I'm not here to bring you food, but—"

Suddenly, Delilah looked up, her gaze catching the light of the torch that Carter carried. Recognition flickered in her eyes. "You... you're not a guard. You're one of the magicians. Carter, right?"

Carter hesitated, his sympathy clashing with his wariness. "Yes, I'm Carter. I didn't come here with food. I was actually—"

Delilah's expression shifted from panic to a cautious hope. She lowered her voice, trying to control her emotions. "Oh, Carter. I didn't mean to make such a scene. It's just... I've been so isolated. I thought you were someone else. Someone who could help."

Carter nodded, feeling a mix of sorrow and uncertainty. "I'm sorry you've been going through this. It's not right. But I can't stay long, and I can't offer much in terms of food. I'm just here on a... visit I actually didn't mean to stumble here."

Delilah's eyes softened, and she took a shaky breath. "That's alright. It's just nice to have someone to talk to. I've been so lonely. I didn't mean to act so desperate."

Carter took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I understand. I'll stay for a bit, if that helps. But you need to know, I can't do much more than listen."

Delilah managed a small, grateful smile. "Thank you. Just having someone here makes a difference. I'll take whatever I can get."

As Carter settled onto a nearby stool, he felt a pang of guilt for the situation Delilah was in. Despite his initial wariness, he found himself drawn into the conversation, hoping that his presence, however brief, might offer some comfort in her lonely existence.

⋆༺⸸⛧⸸༻⋆

Delilah sat down across from him, her posture relaxing slightly. "You don't know how much this means to me. The days here blend together. I've been so isolated, and it feels like no one remembers I'm even here."

Carter looked around the dim cell, noting its stark simplicity. "I can't imagine what that's like. But I'm here now. We can talk, and maybe that will make this place a little less... empty."

Delilah's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she managed a small, grateful smile. "I'd like that. Tell me about the outside world. What's it like out there?"

As Carter began to describe the sights and sounds of the world beyond the dungeon—his adventures, his family, and the bizarre events he'd encountered—Delilah listened with rapt attention. Her loneliness seemed to ebb away, if only temporarily, as she became engrossed in his stories.

The hours slipped by unnoticed, filled with laughter and shared moments of vulnerability. Carter found himself engrossed in the conversation, his earlier urgency forgotten. He couldn't help but feel a growing bond with Delilah, a connection born out of mutual isolation and the need for human contact.

Eventually, as the distant echoes of footsteps warned of a possible search, Carter knew he had to leave. "I have to go now," he said reluctantly. "But I promise I'll come back. You're not alone anymore."

Delilah's smile was both sad and hopeful. "Thank you, Carter. It means more than you know. I'll be here, waiting."

With one last glance, Carter slipped out of the cell and closed the door behind him, leaving Delilah in the dim glow of the torchlight. As he retraced his steps through the maze-like corridors, he couldn't shake the feeling that he shouldn't be there.

⋆༺⸸⛧⸸༻⋆

Short ik

buut one more chapter till things start happening!!!!!

i think?

😔

⋆༺⸸⛧⸸༻⋆