The Roses

Chapter Two

Blinking rapidly to get the spots out of my eyes, I look to the side of the light source to be able to see it. To my surprise it was a giant spot light.

Behind the light was a large man with maroon hair grinning wider than Vaertis after a prank. After we all fully entered the room the man waves his hand and the ornate door we'd come through slammed shut by a powerful gale of wind. He shut off the spot light plunging us into darkness because our eyes had gotten used to the blinding light. The soft gas lamps on the walls just weren't enough.

After several minutes our eyes adapted to the lowered lighting. Mr. Maroon came over to us frowning. When he finally reached us he stopped in front of me, I'd somehow come to the front of the group.

"Honestly, I thought the light would activate your powers," he said disappointed.

"Why in the world would a giant light activate my powers?!" I yelled back exasperated.

"Well, we've been hoping you were a certain someone we'd been waiting for, he sighed running a hand through his hair causing a glare on his wire frame glasses, hiding his sea foam green eyes.

Confused I tilt my head slightly to the side and ask, "Who are you waiting for?"

"You'll learn soon enough, child," he said with darkened eyes.

After that cryptic statement he quickly ushered us through the room and into another. It felt as though wind was lifting out feet making us go much faster than our normal paces, but we were underground. How would there be such powerful wind? We also went way too fast for me to be able to examine the huge room.

This room was smaller, but elegantly decorated. With brilliant golden banners glittering on the walls in the soft light cast from the gas wall sconces mounted at regular intervals. To help, there was a massive chandelier hanging in the centre of the ceiling. A gigantic red carpet rolled down the centre of the room leading to a raised dais holding a table with a bowl and a wickedly sharp assortment of weaponry. There was only on exit and it was the door we'd come through.

Mr. Maroon, who I still didn't know the name of then lead me down the carpet toward the table. I looked back and saw my friends had adopted a stance of their feet spread shoulder width apart, hands clasped behind their backs and straight faces staring straight ahead.

Looking back ahead we'd reached the table. Now that we were closer I saw the different types of weaponry. Swords, knives, guns, throwing stars, it seemed endless. I couldn't use any of these, I didn't have the ability or want. But then just as I was about to voice my thought I noticed something to the right side of the table. I'd only noticed it because it was so out of place amongst the rest.

In a silver box, laid out on black velvet, was a silver bracelet with a design i couldn't quite discern made of blood rubies and onyx. Within the same box, winking sweetly at me was a comb of the same design as the bracelet. The teeth were made pfff solid onyx tipped with ruby caps. It was as though the world fell away and all that was there was the set and myself. I slowly reached out for it, oblivious to the door slamming open and someone running toward me. Just as I touched the bracelet I was hit by something dark and thrown across room.

When the stars stopped dancing in my eyes I looked up and found myself in an extremely dark forest. I could hear sounds all around me and felt as if I was being watched. Standing up I used the tree I'd been leaning against for support. Once I was sure on my feet I started to cautiously make my way through the forest, jumping at every noise. After what felt like ages of walking, I stumble upon a clearing. Within the clearing sat a girl in a flowing white dress, sitting on a rock in the centre of a pond.

Ecstatic to finally see someone else and some water for my aching throat, I start to dash forward when a growling gurgle stops me in my tracks. The once serene looking woman looks around herself in panic before slow terrified eyes look to the water surrounding her. The next thing I know an ear splitting scream tears from the woman as sickly pale green arms with gooey hands reach from the murky water, tearing at her dress and attempting to find a grip on her legs.

Before I can even think my legs and arms are pumping, bringing me closer to the terrifying pond at a rapid pace. Reaching the edge I throw myself forward without a moments hesitation, less than graceful, crashing int the woman. This extremely well thought out action sent us both into the limb filled water. Immediately I felt myself being dragged down and I looked over to see the woman meeting the same fate, her long golden hair clenched within ghoulish fists, gleaming like golden orbs. The hair filled fists remained impossibly still in the turbulent waters. I felt something grab onto my braid with an iron grip. Knowing I'd soon pass out from the lack of oxygen I felt something within me stir and I repeated to myself I want to live! Over and over I repeated it, as spots started blocking the gore filled scenery around me.

Just as I was about to lose consciousness I reached up to a burning sensation on my head and felt something hard. Pulling it from my hair and holding it in front of myself, I see the comb from the ceremony room. Suddenly, the design that I couldn't make out before flashed crimson, a crescent moon in the centre. When the thought came again the comb changed into a dagger sharper than Alicianna's tongue. When it changed it became clear what I had to do.

Reaching back I grabbed my braid and cut it at the nape of my neck in one clean sweep. The short strands floated around my face as I twisted around and hacked at the hands holding my legs. Once free I swam up to bring in some much needed air. As soon as my head broke the surface I went into a coughing fit. After my coughing ceased and my lungs quit burning I dove back down to save the woman, to my great horror more hands had appeared and were peeling the skin from her body like fruits rind.

Blood was seeping out of her turning the water an orangey red. Before the blood stung my eyes too much I saw her slowly turn toward me, half her hair was ripped out and only bloody sockets remained of her eyes. Her dress torn down the front and the flesh stripped from the left side of her chest.

I swam to the surface, kicking with all my remaining strength and dragged myself back onto the solid earth of the clearing. I sat crying while watching the pond slowly turn red. Then I screamed. I screamed until my throat was burning and hoarse. No longer able to utter another sound I got up and looked down at the comb. It was no longer a dagger, but I knew it's secret.

Placing the comb in my hair I turn only to immediately be tackled to the ground. Something heavy and without hair or fur had me pinned. Each arm and leg was taken up into sharp teeth and then a sudden bite causing my bones to make a sickening crunch sound. I couldn't scream, I could only cry. After they'd made sure they had a solid grip they started pulling until my limbs tore from my body. I could feel the very strings that wove together to make up the tapestry of my flesh year and snap. I don't know how, but I was able to scream again.

Then blissfully I fell into blackness. Sweet painless unconsciousness. It felt like I was gone only seconds and I was sure I was dead, but when I came to there was a very angry looking guy leaning over me. He had deep purple eyes with longish white hair. A smattering of freckles sprayed across his nose.

"Don't you think that was a bit overkill?" Mr. Maroon questioned, "Dark."

A/N
So that update took forever. I've been so busy! The next chapter will be extra long to compensate for my
long periods of absence.
~Jinxy~