ORCHIDS AT MIDNIGHT

⁖℘༒𝕱𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖘 𝕰𝖓𝖙𝖜𝖎𝖓𝖊𝖉

*Universe IV

Alyssia had no time to think, she rushed out the underground building, constantly dropping to her feet as the sedative began to kick in. She came to this place called "The nest" in search of answers, why she was this way. It wasn't until a few moments in that she was announced as "the prey" for the night's hunt. The pressure immediately set in and adrenaline coursed through her veins. Her eyes were closing but she had to go on.

After managing to distract the hunters inside, she immediately looked for any means to escape, from the corner of her eyes she spots a motorcycle, not wasting any time, she hotwired it and escaped. For a moment, she couldn't control her eyes, constantly trying her hardest not to fall asleep while driving. It was the feeling of not wanting to die that kept her up and the feeling was fueled when a bullet grazed her side.

"Fuck!". She cussed aloud, taking the gun from the strap on her thigh, she shoots back at whoever shot her, pulling the trigger relentlessly. At that moment, she saw red, driving the motorcycle with one hand while pulling the guns trigger with the other. There was another shot and it grazed her ankle, causing her to lose balance. The bike swiveled uncontrollably, before throwing her off, hitting her head on the concrete ground as her body slid towards a broken wall.

"You must press on!"

Alyssia slowly forced her eyes open, the hot red liquid coated her vision. Her body was hurting all over, and she was losing blood at a very alarming rate. "Get the fuck up!". She shouted at herself through gritted teeth, she began to pull herself up by leaning on the broken wall for balance. She looked up, a crow circled her injured form. She was bleeding and probably had some bones broken but she was giving up anytime soon, it was still too early. She continued walking, no idea where she was heading to but she went anyway.

The sound of vehicles drew nearer, she looked back and increased her pace, limping, hopping whatever she could do to get the hell out of there. Her mission at the nest was to find out why she saw those visions. What her problem was and how she got it. She wasn't aware that others already knew and wanted her for themselves. She approached an abandoned construction site, and she scurries to the back of a rock. Her back pressed against the rock as she tried to slow down the blood gushing out her waist all the while wiping away the red liquid that clouded her vision.

The vehicles came to a stop, right in front of the site. Alyssia's breath hitched. She closed her eyes tightly and tossed her head back.

"Please please please please...". She whispered. Hoping for something, for anything to happen. There is a sudden thud and she opens her eyes, there is red mist that descends from above. The crow that was circling her earlier lands on the rock she's hiding behind. It looks at her and tilts it's head before cawing loudly. Alyssia tried to shoo the bird off but it stayed put on the rock.
Soon there is a terrifying scream that startles Alyssia causing her to hold her breath, bracing herself for what was yet to come . The screams of both and man and woman is deafening and soon it stops. There is pin drop silence, before another set of calm strong footsteps takes over the eerie silence. The red mist slowly dissipates and the footsteps stop.

"Come out". The voice was firm with order and power. Alyssia thought for a moment, her head in shambles. Confused, she stayed quiet and reached for the other gun on her thigh.
"Use the weapon and I will kill you. Come out". The voice said again. She swallowed hard, trying to stop the nerve wracking feeling in her guts. Slowly pulling her self to her feet, she stands and turns around, eyes meeting red menacing ones, his white hair was being caressed by the wind, he towered over Alyssia, looking down at her like she was of a lower specie.

"You managed to escape 200 hunters, while being shot and wounded...I'm impressed". His red eyes seemed to glow as he talked. Alyssia's jaw clenched at the sight. He looked evil both as a person and in his mind. She remembered how there were people at the nest talking about a man, who could kill anyone with just a look. They said he was evil and would be their only hindrance from getting something called "the aether core".

"What the hell do you want?". Alyssia asked glaring hard at the mysterious man. He scoffed and smirked before lowering his face to hers.

"Oh dear, how long did they keep you in the dark?" The white haird man still had the smirk on his face, lifting his hands to her face, he caressed it with her fingers, for a moment she say sympathy in his eyes before it was replaced with bitterness. Alyssia looked the other way avoiding eye contact with him as much as possible, Sylus turned her face back to his, looking at her with a stern face. He huffed and smirks.

"Your eyes hold anger but you are too weak to do anything..". He let go of her chin and turned his back. Looking at back at her over his shoulder. She had no idea why she did it but she did anyway, taking the gun from the strap she shot at Sylus, each shot hitting him in the back. Falling to his knees, Alyssia saw this as a good opportunity to run. She mustered any remaining strength she had and started limping away. Before she could get anywhere, the red mist she saw earlier, coil around her ankles, pulling her back, in the process she lost her balance, crashing to the ground. Alyssia groaned at the pain that soon came after.
"Let me go!". She demanded struggling to break free from the mist. Slowly she was turned to meet his gaze, faces apart by a few inches. "I like this little game you want to play but...". The grip the mist had on her tightened and she groaned, the feeling of the material against her skin hurt.
"Save it for later as you can see, you aren't in good shape". Sylus said and began to walk ahead. Alyssia glared daggers at the back of his head, what was his deal with her?; who was he?; better yet why did his eyes glow that way. It disgusted her, everything about him made her skin crawl, she continued to struggle trying to work her way out the mist, finally stopping when it dawned on her, that he was using his evol to bind her.

It's not long till they get to a black luxurious car. Alyssia eyed Sylus once more, even though his back was turned to her, his demeanor was powerful, something about him made her want to never stop running, in fear perhaps? No just to get away from him and from anything that concerned him. Finally she is brought to the ground. Standing on her feet her vision began to double. She sees another person step out of the car. He was shorter than Sylus, and his face was covered. She could hardly make out anything they said

"Take her...she...I am...". Black dots clouded her vision and a sudden darkness enveloped her. Before she could hit the ground, the familiar red mist wraps her form. Sylus looks at her, inspecting the damage to her face. He turned to his squire. "Make sure she is treated, I will not be at the mansion for a while". Sylus handed her to Kieran, who gently placed her in the backseat before closing the door. "And what if she's feisty when she wakes up". The sidekick asked folding his arms as he rested on the cars door. Sylus, thought for a moment and chuckled. "Then take care of it". He said. Kieran quickly understood what he meant and nodded. Getting in the driver's seat, he ignites the cars engine and drove off. Sylus stood in place and watched as the car faded from view, his frown eventually softened and he inhaled deeply, letting out a groan as he exhaled. He turned around and walked the opposite direction, on his way to take care of something, something important.

***