Unknown
The corridor trembled as the air thickened with malice. A cold whisper coiled around her, soft and venomous.
"You think he's your savior?" The voice was slick, crawling under her skin like a parasite. The shadowy figure emerged from the glowing carvings, its form darker and more defined, eyes like black holes that pulled at her very soul.
She staggered back, her breath hitching, but the figure leaned in closer, its presence overwhelming. "He can't save you from this, little one."
Before she could scream, the monster's roar shattered the air. He lunged, claws gleaming as he tore into the figure with a ferocity that painted the corridor in gore. The shadow writhed and dissolved, but the black blood sprayed across her face, hot and heavy, sinking into her skin like it belonged there.
She stood frozen, trembling, her breath coming in shallow gasps.
"Are you hurt?" His voice broke through the haze as he turned to her, his claws still dripping. He crouched before her, his massive form shrinking as if ashamed of what she'd just witnessed.
She shook her head, but tears welled up in her eyes. The monster's fiery gaze softened, and he reached out, his claws carefully brushing the blood from her cheek. His touch lingered longer than it should, and there was something tender in his careful movements.
Without warning, he scooped her into his arms, cradling her like she was the most fragile thing in the world. She gasped softly, but his grip was steady and protective. "We're leaving," he muttered, his tone brooking no argument.
The mirror loomed ahead, rippling with anticipation. He stepped through, dragging her out of the suffocating corridor and back into the room.
The moment they were through, his form began to change. His monstrous claws retracted, his horns melted away, and his burning eyes faded into a warm, human brown. When it was over, he looked almost ordinary—a man with sharp features, tousled dark hair, and a haunted expression. But his hands trembled as they held her, betraying the storm inside him.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt? Did it touch you?" The questions tumbled out of him, his voice laced with fear. He paced the room, still cradling her, checking every inch of her as if afraid to find something he couldn't fix. "I shouldn't have let you see that. I shouldn't have let you get close."
She placed a hand on his chest, her gentle touch stopping his frantic movement. "I'm okay," she said softly, her voice steady despite the whirlwind she'd just endured.
He froze, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "You're sure? I couldn't—"
She raised a hand, her fingers brushing against his cheek. He stiffened under her touch, but his breathing slowed as she traced the curve of his face. "I'm safe," she murmured, her tone soothing. "Because of you."
His brow furrowed, the weight of her words sinking into him. For a moment, he leaned into her touch, his eyes closing as if to savor the rare comfort. "I don't want you to be afraid of me," he whispered, almost too softly for her to hear.
"I'm not," she replied, her thumb gently stroking his cheek. "Not of you."
The room seemed to exhale with them, the tension easing but not dissipating entirely. She smiled faintly, her exhaustion visible but her trust undeniable. "Thank you," she said.
His lips parted as if to respond, but no words came. Instead, he simply held her closer, letting the silence speak for him.
YOU ARE READING
Veil of Shadows
Paranormal--The world fell into darkness as she called to it, her voice swallowed by shadows before her words even reached her lips. She fell, hands dragging her downward, as if they would finally end the desire, she felt for the creature that had tormented h...
