Beneath the Surface [Yandere Creature x Reader]

Chapter 24 - The Elders

I decided to explore the other side of the island, hoping to find some answers or at least a moment of peace away from the creature's intense presence. 

My progress was slow and painful; despite the cast on my leg, each step sent a jolt of pain through my body. I limped along, scanning the unfamiliar terrain for any sign of that girl.

This pain is unbearable.

But I need answers.

I can't just sit around waiting for that... thing to come back.

Suddenly, I spotted her. She saw me approaching and called out, 

"Hey, are you ok?"

"No, not really," I admitted, grimacing. "My leg hurts."

She frowned, concern etching her features. 

"Hm, yeah that's not normal."

Not normal?

What does she mean by that?

As she spoke, her gaze suddenly shifted, focusing on something behind me. Her eyes widened, a mix of fear and awe crossing her face.

"Uh... is that... is that the..."

Confused, I slowly turned around, my heart racing. But there was nothing there, just the empty path I'd limped down.

What did she see?

Was it the creature?

Is it following me?

"What was it?" I asked, turning back to her.

"Nothing... nothing," she muttered, but her eyes kept darting back to the spot, as if expecting something to materialize at any moment.

She's lying.

She definitely saw something.

But why won't she tell me?

Shaking off her unease, she gently took my arm. 

"Come on, let's get you somewhere you can rest. By the way, I'm Ophelia."

"Nice to meet you, Ophelia," I replied, grateful for her help. "I'm Y/N."

As Ophelia led me deeper into their settlement, curiosity got the better of me. "I never got to see the place properly. Is it kind of like a town?"

"A bit, yeah, I guess," she replied, her tone distracted. We passed by plots of land where various crops were growing, the rich smell of tilled earth filling the air. Every now and then, she'd look over her shoulder, as if expecting to see something following us.

Finally, we approached a large barn-like structure. Ophelia knocked on the heavy wooden door, and after a moment, we were let in. The interior was dimly lit, and as my eyes adjusted, I saw several elderly people turn to look at us, their faces a mix of curiosity and wariness.

Who are these people?

And why do they look at me like that?

Ophelia began speaking rapidly in a language I didn't understand. The elders listened intently, occasionally glancing my way with unreadable expressions.

What is she telling them?

Are they deciding my fate?

After what felt like an eternity, one of the elders nodded and spoke. Ophelia turned to me, ready to translate.

"They want to know why you're here," she said. "And... they want to know about the being that follows you."

My blood ran cold. 

"The being that follows me? You mean the creature from the cavern?"

They know about it?

How?

What else do they know?

She nodded, her eyes serious. 

"They say they've seen it, watching you from the shadows. They want to know if you understand what it is, what it wants."

I swallowed hard, suddenly very aware of how little I truly knew. 

"I... I'm not sure. It says it wants me as a mate, but I don't fully understand what that means. It showed me impossible things, other worlds..."

How can I explain something I don't even understand myself?

As I spoke, I saw the elders exchange meaningful glances. They spoke again, and Ophelia translated.

"They say you're in great danger, but also that you might be the key to something important. They want to know if you're willing to learn, to understand the true nature of this island and the being that has chosen you."

I felt a mix of fear and excitement course through me. This was it - a chance to get some real answers, to understand what was really going on.

"Yes," I said, my voice stronger than I felt. "I want to learn. I need to understand."

Ophelia relayed my words, and the elders nodded solemnly. One of them, a woman with silver hair and eyes that seemed to hold ancient wisdom, spoke directly to me. Though I couldn't understand her words, the weight of them settled on me like a physical thing.

Ophelia translated: "She says, 'Your journey is just beginning, child. The path ahead is fraught with danger, but also with the potential for great understanding. Are you ready to see beyond the veil?'"

Beyond the veil?

What does that even mean?

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever was to come. "I'm ready," I said, hoping my voice didn't betray the fear and uncertainty I felt.