Lover Of The Last

4. Stranger In The Shadows

Smoke is rising from the houses

People burying their dead

I ask somebody what the time is

But time doesn't matter to them yet

Arabelle's POV

Breath filled my lungs as I shot up, the cold air making my chilled body more uncomfortable. My hands held me up as I sat slightly upright, trying to catch as much breath as I could; afraid that it would be taken away again like before.

I was no longer inside pitch black room from earlier. I was, as much as I could tell, inside the circular room of one of the stone towers, the small windows of moonlight giving a faint white shine to the hard stone around me.

A rush of memories entered my mind and I had to hold back the sudden urge to cry once more.

The bodies, the grief, the question in my head that still remained; demanding to be answered.

I was surprised I couldn't see my own breath around me, the room was as freezing as the cold wind of the outdoors. Looking around I noticed I had never been in one of the towers, our kingdom's castle had many jutting out; their pointed roofs and small windows giving the Palace a gothic architecture.

More memories came to me while I sat, straining to see around the room. The strong arms, and steady hands that sent sparks throughout my rattled nerves. I could still feel the faint feeling of a broad chest pressed again my back, a hand with a cloth cutting of my breathing long enough for me to pass out.

My confusion was quickly replaced with fear as I heard something, or someone, move around in the shadows. The sound of a boot across the stone floor, almost like someone was shifting around to get comfortable on the hard ground of the tower's room.

I made noise inbetween a whimper and sharp intake of breath, making body propel backwards quickly; far away from the dark corner, the corner that no light reached.

Knocking the wind out of myself as I hit the hard wall, I ignored the intense pain running along my back as I put the pieces together in my mind.

Whoever took me into the side room as I walked the empty halls, whoever made it so I passed out from lack of air; they were most likely the one sitting across from me this very moment, concealed by the darkness. I of course was in plain view, the moonlight had entered the room; illuminating the hollow room with grey-white light.

"Please don't hurt me. I know you were the one who h-hurt Nicholas and his parents." I struggled to get out my words.

My voice was pleading with the stranger in the shadows, I tried to lace my tone with confidence but I was deathly afraid. I'm sure my expression showed my fear, my eyes wide and lips parted in anticipation of what was to become of my vulnerable self.

I was taken aback once I heard an low scoff come from the corner, obviously male and strangely amused. More confusion swirled in my mind, but the presence of the stranger had begun to ease away from frightening; more likely I felt safe here, with this mystery person as they listened to my pleading.

Shaking my head I replied in bewilderment. "You think this is funny? Kidnapping me while I was alone and taking me up here to- to where ever we are at the moment?"

"I think it funny how it's taking you so long to realize who I am. Even though I do enjoy being up here, which is the west tower, tallest one to be exact." The sardonic, smooth voice of the young man in the corner filled the prolonged silence.

A shiver, not caused by the cold, ran up my back and up to my neck; making every hair stand up in shock. Solving the ongoing puzzle in my head, I put the last piece in place.