ECHOES OF TIME

Chapter 6: Into the Unknown

Ava’s footsteps echoed through the cold stone halls of the mansion as she ran, her heart hammering in her chest. The corridors twisted and turned like a labyrinth, each corner more shadowed than the last. She didn’t know where she was going—she only knew she had to get away.

But the farther she went, the more the mansion seemed to close in on her. The walls were tall, towering over her like silent giants, their dark surfaces cold and unwelcoming. This wasn’t just a house—it was a prison. And the one who ruled it was more terrifying than the place itself.

Karl Rove.

The name alone was enough to send shivers down her spine. He wasn’t just any man; he was something else entirely. Dangerous. Cold. Unpredictable. There were rumors about him, whispers in the town of how he could predict the future with chilling accuracy, how he could control people’s minds with a single glance. Some said he had powers beyond human comprehension, and Ava was beginning to believe them.

He lived in this dark, sprawling mansion, hidden deep within the forest, far from the town. People avoided this place, terrified of the man who resided here. He was the strongest, most feared alpha—his name spoken in hushed tones as if to invoke him would bring disaster. And if the stories were true, his strength wasn’t just physical.

He had a dragon.

A creature of legend and nightmare, as fierce and unyielding as its master. No one had ever seen it up close and lived to tell the tale, but Ava had heard the stories. The dragon was said to be enormous, its scales black as night, its eyes glowing like molten fire. It was an extension of Karl’s power, an unspoken bond that made them both even more dangerous.

But Karl didn’t need the dragon to strike fear into people’s hearts. His presence alone was enough. He had a way of looking at you—those fiery eyes, glowing faintly behind his mask, as if he could see right through you, past your skin, into your soul. His humor was sharp, biting, but it never reached his eyes. Cold. Calculated. Ruthless.

Ava had seen glimpses of that cruelty in their brief encounters, but nothing had prepared her for the full force of his control.

Now, as she fled through the mansion’s endless halls, she knew that if he found her again, there would be no escape.

Suddenly, voices echoed from somewhere ahead, low and commanding. Ava's heart skipped a beat. It had to be him. Karl had returned, and with him, the danger that loomed over her like a storm. Her breath caught in her throat. She pressed herself against the nearest wall, praying to stay hidden.

The voices grew louder, more distinct, until she could make out the sharp edge of Karl’s deep tone. He was speaking to someone, but she couldn’t catch the words. It didn’t matter. His voice alone sent a chill through her, a reminder of the cold, brutal mind behind it.

Karl wasn’t like anyone she had ever met. He was untouchable, untamable. Every action, every word, was calculated, as if he were always five steps ahead of everyone else. He was a man of power and mystery—power that came from something beyond mere strength. Power that could crush you before you even realized what was happening.

Ava’s body tensed as the voices passed by. She waited, barely breathing, until the sound faded into the distance. Only then did she dare to move, darting up a nearby staircase, her legs trembling with the effort.

At the top, she found a small door leading to the attic. Pushing it open, she slipped inside, the thick air heavy with dust and the scent of decay. The room was cluttered with old furniture and forgotten relics, their shapes barely visible in the dim light. Ava maneuvered through the space, searching for an escape.

Then, she saw it—a small, cracked window at the far end of the attic. It was tiny, but it was her only hope. Without hesitation, she hurried toward it, her heart racing with anticipation. If she could just get through that window, maybe she’d have a chance.

As she approached the window, the cool air from outside touched her face, offering a momentary glimpse of freedom. Ava swung one leg over the sill, preparing to jump, when a deep, familiar voice froze her in place.

"Going somewhere, Ava?"

The voice was smooth, dark, with a hint of amusement, but it sent a shiver down her spine. Slowly, she turned her head, her breath catching in her throat.

Karl stood in the doorway, his tall figure cloaked in shadow. His fiery eyes glowed faintly behind the black mask that covered his face, giving him an even more ominous appearance. The long black coat he wore seemed to absorb the dim light, making him blend into the darkness like a phantom.

"You really think it’s that easy?" Karl’s tone was mocking, almost bored, as if he had expected this all along.

Ava’s heart pounded in her chest. Her hand tightened on the windowsill, her body trembling with fear and adrenaline. She was so close—yet Karl was between her and the only escape. She didn’t stand a chance against him. Not here.

"Please," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I just want to go home."

For a moment, Karl’s expression softened, but only slightly. "Home?" he repeated, his voice low and dangerous. "You don’t even know where that is anymore."

Before she could respond, he stepped forward, his presence filling the room like a storm cloud. "Do you really think you can outrun me, Ava?" His voice dropped to a near whisper, sending a chill down her spine. "I’ve seen your future. I know every move you’ll make before you even think of it."

Ava’s breath caught in her throat. He could predict the future—that was what made him so unstoppable. Every step she took, every choice she made, he had already foreseen it.

"You’re not the first to try and escape," Karl continued, his eyes gleaming with a cruel light. "But I’ll give you this—you’ve got spirit. That’s rare."

Ava could feel her strength draining. The fear, the hopelessness—it was all too much. "I don’t care about your games," she muttered, her voice breaking. "I just want to be free."

Karl’s eyes darkened. "Freedom?" he said softly, as if testing the word. "Freedom is an illusion, Ava. Especially for someone like you."

He stepped closer, until he was right in front of her. Ava’s pulse quickened, her body frozen in place. "You’ve stepped into something far bigger than yourself," he said, his voice low and menacing. "You don’t belong here, but now... there’s no turning back."

His words hung in the air like a death sentence. Ava could feel the weight of them pressing down on her, the hopelessness of her situation sinking in.

"You think you know me," Karl said, his eyes narrowing. "But you have no idea what I’m capable of."

And with those words, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Ava standing at the window, her heart pounding, her mind racing. She had tried to escape, but now she realized—there was no escape from Karl Rove. Not while he held all the power.

Not while his dragon lurked in the shadows, waiting.