Would You Be Mine?

Oh You'll Do Nicely...

Cold. So cold.

Not just the type of cold that touches your skin creating goosebumps or the kind that feels like its seeped into your bones that it makes them ache and your teeth chatter.

This was the kind of cold that was all around you. You could feel it in every surface, in every breath you took, as though nothing would make it ease.

Edith clutched her arms around herself, not remembering how she came to be in the dimly lit room. There was nothing familiar about it.

She ran to the door and tried to open it, finding it locked. She pulled on it again but it wouldn't budge.

Who had locked her in here?

She took a few steps backwards and covered her mouth with her hand to stifle the sobs that were welling up in her chest and throat. Without warning, the door suddenly swung open causing Edith to jump and let out a small scream.

But there was no one there.

'Hello?' she called out, waiting for a response.

Nothing.

'Is...is anyone there?' she called again.

Still nothing.

Inhaling a deep and shaky breath, she put one foot forward, then another, one by one until she had reached the doorway.

Before she could register, the blackness in front of her came to life and black winged creature stood towering over her.

Edith screamed in horror as its wings widened out and its arms spread themselves out wide in a welcoming gesture. It walked towards Edith backing her into the room until she was trapped into a corner. Even in the low light of the room she could see the creature in front of her was...was...black. She could see the wings clearly enough but the creature? It seemed like a solid black mass, no face, no identifiable features.

But Edith knew enough to fear it...greatly.

It reached out its hands and Edith saw its fingers were longer than a normal human's and they hovered around her face, as if feeling it, but they did not touch her skin.

Its wings spread out and began to envelop her. Rasping noises gurgled from where its mouth should be.

Edith lost all ability to make any noise, any scream she had, died in her throat.

'Oh you'll do nicely,' it rasped, 'yesssss...'

Edith shook her head violently.

'Thomas has chosen well,' it said, 'I think you've been my favourite so far...and his...he just doesn't know it yet...'

'No-n-no...' Edith whispered.

'Such a pity that a pretty, pretty thing like you must die,' it laughed, before lunging at Edith, its hand raking across the back of her...

Edith screamed and thrashed about until she felt someone grab her arms, holding her tightly.

'Edith! Edith, wake up! You're having a nightmare darling!' came a deep, soothing voice.

Edith opened her eyes and looked around, trying to focus.

No rasping sound. No cold. No...blackness.

Thomas sat next to her on the bed, trying to calm Edith down. She was sitting upright, shaking uncontrollably, her skin soaked in sweat.

'Edith look at me,' Thomas spoke calmly and carefully, waiting for her to focus on him, 'it was just a nightmare, you're safe here with me.'

'But it...was...' she stammered.