Somnia Moon

Chapter 6: Monster

Eyes skimming over the dozens of citizens crowded around the Town Square, Alex hurried over to the top right of the Town Hall stairs, where Zoe, Holly and Evan were stood watching. She didn't object to Christina following her; at least, not vocally. In her mind she was praying for her to go elsewhere, anywhere so long as it wasn't somewhere close.

"What happened?" she asked anxiously upon approaching them. Zoe sighed, her eyebrows upturned in a worried frown.

"Evan found these - " she presented Alex with a bundle of photographs, all depicting various bloodied corpses alongside a smiling young woman carrying a shiny knife. "Hidden inside a locked room, with blood coating the walls."

Alex took them from her and began flicking through, a little annoyed that Rowen's idea had turned out to be correct. "So Rowen was right."

"Oh my gosh, that's Evie."Christina said, peeking over Alex's shoulder. "I...don't understand. I've know her ever since I got here...how...I had no idea." she was shocked, perhaps even a little hurt. But Alex knew she was faking.

"Oh, hey, Christina, what are you doing here?" Zoe questioned, seeming slightly flustered.

Christina placed her hands on her hips, tilting her body to one side. She shrugged. "I like to be part of the action."

Their conversation was interrupted by a startled screech, and Alex flicked her head around to see the woman, Evie, collapse just below the stairs. Her jeans were torn from being forcefully dragged across the floor as if she were nothing more than a doll, her arms were grazed and bloody, and her floral t-shirt was covered in dirt. She glared up at Rowen, absolutely seething.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she shouted from where she sat on the floor. Rowen, who was standing about a metre away from them, held out her hand towards Alex without taking her eyes away from Evie. Alex, taking a moment to realise what Rowen was asking for, hesitantly handed her the photographs.

"We found these," she said, presenting the photos. "In your house."

"What? Who the hell even are you? I've never seen those in my life."

Rowen handed the photos back to Alex."Who I am is of little relevance."

Evie frowned slightly, then her eyes widened, a glimpse of fear hidden behind.

"Wait...red hair, American...that power...you're Rowen Hall. People are always talking about you around here. Talking about how you imprisoned them, tortured them... is that what you plan to do to me?"

"I plan to get you to confess." Her monotone voice seemed to echo across the silent town, no one daring to make a sound. It reminded Alex of a school classroom; the citizens gathered below were the submissive, obedient students, forced into compliance for fear of the punishment their teacher, Rowen, could bestow upon them. Evie was the rebellious outcast, unafraid to break the rules, awaiting discipline.

"Confess to what? I haven't done anything." Evie attempted to stand up, but was immediately pushed back to the ground.

"It will make it easier for you if you stop lying."

"I'm not lying! Those photos must be fake!"

"And the blood?"

Evie stared at her in fear, confused, exasperated. "Blood? What?"

Rowen extended her arm and sharply rotated her hand. Alex winced as she heard the worryingly familiar crack of bone, and had to force herself to stay where she was and not run to the screaming woman's side. Evie was clutching her mangled leg, face crumpled in pain, and Rowen just stood there, watching, not at all bothered by what she'd just done. Shock rippled through the crowd. A few people attempted to run over to her, but Rowen stopped them before they could even get close.