A possessive trance lead Lilith stumbling down the stone-cold stairs, feet naked and exposed. The dream pulled her chest forward like a puppet taking to strings, willing her closer...closer.
A myriad of directions imprinting the familiar, yet foreign labyrinth into Lilith's subconscious mind.
The torchlit halls smelled of salt and melting, coppery metal. Suddenly the strings shifted, her legs racing beneath her faster and faster as if trying to make an escape desperately. She was now running from something. Her sight met the lifeless, grey concrete floor as went black, a shrilling scream-
I woke gasping with enough force to have me sitting up, my sheets tangled about the bed.
I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair, catching my breath in relief. It was just a nightmare, nothing more Lilith.
The effort was pointless, my hair fell swiftly back to shadow my eyes.
How did I get back to my room last night? I definitely didn't recall walking back. What a mess.
My heartbeat hummed audibly in my ears, a melody of emotion.
Sudden recollections of yesterday's traumatic events flooded my already tampered thoughts.
My hearts pace quickening for what felt like the hundredth time this week.
Demetri's crimson blood. Broken glass. Relentless slaps and insults. Dad's attack. Evelyn's horror.
My hands went automatically to my bandage in hopes that that too was a nightmare, but to my dismay, I flinched back the sting of the fresh wound.
Knock knock.
The sudden, light breeze of the sound made me jump.
"May I come in?"
Demetri.
Sitting up more straight, I gasped aloud. My hair must look nomadic. I'm wearing the same thing as yesterday. My wound had stained the bandage red and I didn't smell of roses. Oh gosh, I must look like a chicken who just emerged from a pillow. Even my skin looked much too pale from how dry it was. Unnaturally blotched, unlike its usual shade of olive brown.
I heard hesitating and shuffles from outside.
I realised I'd been contemplating for too long.
"For crying out loud!" Came Evelyn's voice.
The door swung open to show an exasperated Evelyn and a sly Demetri peering at me.
Demetri's froze in place when he saw me, before hastily regaining his posture.
I shifted awkwardly, crossing my arms and itching my scalp.
"Do you realise the time? It's two in the afternoon Lilith Haynes, now get changed and come downstairs already," Evelyn ordered, her nose stuck in the air defiantly.
"Okay mum," I sneered sarcastically.
We exchanged a smile that only best friends understood and my self-consciousness melted. She threw some clothes in my lap before fake huffing and leaving.
"Those are my spares. You can wear em just be quick," she called as she left, not waiting for my reaction.
Oh bless her.
YOU ARE READING
Anaphase
FantasyEvery small town had that one family. That one family parents huddled their kids away from when they passed by, whispering under their breath. Here, that family was the Griffins. An ancient family too rich, mysterious and isolated for their own go...
