The Substitute Cinderella

Chapter 7 "Almost Too Late"

"Finally" a deep dark voice said.

Ella remembered another memory with a sudden headache that almost made her lose her balance.

She was walking in an empty narrow street, there was no trace of sunlight.

She leaned on a tall tree next to her as an attempt to stay strong, the memories were powerful enough to induce physical pain in her body and she didn't know why.

The memories weren't painful, they were solely pictures, but remembering them gave her pain and discomfort. The last thing she needed while running away from Henry.

"Who are you?" Ella asked gathering her last bit of strength tugging on the pink skirt of her dress in hopes to gain courage against the dark figure, she could sense was looking right through her soul without even showing its eyes.

"It doesn't matter who I am. You should only know that I am here to help you. Save you." The voice continued.

Ella could tell It was a man however his voice didn't sound like it belonged to en elderly. And despite the fact that he tried to sound trustworthy Ella couldn't believe him.

"I don't need to be saved. I don't know you and I know better than to trust you." She managed to say under the effect of the pounding ache. She had to go further but there was no way out he was waiting for her on the other side of the invisible force that didn't let her pass so she had to go back to the palace that she ran away from.

It was her only option.

"You don't need to be saved?! Believe me Ella, this is not something you can decide. We need to get you out of here now. You are risking your life and the life of everyone around you. Look at yourself, you can't even stand straight. Don't you want to know why it hurts? I can heal the pain." The man said approaching Ella.

He had to time to scrutinize her while walking slowly towards her. And his vision became more and more clear as his eyes got used the darkness.

She was... Nothing like he imagined. But she looked so much like she belonged there with the pink princess like dress that was tied tightly around her body and her blonde wavy hair cascading on her shoulders , although she was in pain she seemed magical under the blue shine of the sphere.

It,in fact, was magic.

He was glad having found the sphere with her. He took one more step.

Ella felt scared for a moment because the dark figure was able to cross the border that she couldn't. His ease and attitude while dealing with the situation made everything more mysterious.

"How do you know my name? And don't even dare to come closer I said I didn't trust you. And healing the pain? I believe you are the reason of it."

Ella knew horror was written all over her face no matter how much she tried to hide it.

Nevertheless the man approached her, his face was half visible now under the blue light of Ella's shining ring.

As the man walked she briefly saw his eyes under the black hood. How couldn't she when they were shining so brightly?

When he came close enough, he slowly removed the hood deciding it was the only way to remove the barrier of distrust between him and Ella.

She had to lean on to the tree with her free hand harder, upon the view.

Someone could easily be decieved by his looks, he was younger than she thought with fair hair and skin. Despite the dark cape, one could say that he looked angelic.

But his eyes...

They weren't shining like she thought.

They were burning with the darkest shade of amber.

"You'll know who I am when we leave but you have to trust me Ella. Just this once." The man said trying to sound understanding slightly touching Ella's cheek.

The more Ella looked at his eyes the more nervous she felt. The emotion was almost like seeing the actual hell through his eyes, as if those amber orbs were a window to the never ending world of fire.

"Stay away.." Ella took a step backwards and was abruptly struck by another wave of pain and she almost fell. The man in the black cape held her from her thin waist instinctively.

"We don't have much time. You don't have much time. This is not where you belong." His voice was more compassionate then angry or impatient as he intended to in the first place, with the unexpected closeness of their faces.

Ella was definitely someone hard to persuade but he wanted to , he had to.

"What... do you... mean I don't...have time or I don't belong?" she demanded while breathing more slowly now, a tear almost fell from her eyes.

"You don't even remember? How is this possible?" The man was surprised, he cussed under his breath whilst watching the delicate face of the girl in his arms. He didn't imagine the situation would be so serious.

5 days. And It was almost too late for her.

He only had one option to save her from this world and to save this world from her.

He slowly reached his free hand to his pocket to touch the cold exterior his ancient dagger.

But for the first time in his life, he hesitated.

"What are you doing?" Ella asked the hazyness of her mind abruptly gone upon death instinct.

He slowly took the dagger out while he brought Ella closer to the border.

"Ella. I truly am sorry. I have to this. I came here to late to use the easy way. You have to trust me." He said, tightening his hands around Ella's waist.

His amber eyes flared. Sadness was replaced  with the merciless look of a murderer.

Ella was horrified. She didn't want to go. She felt regret but she was to powerless any move would quicken her death for she was right under the dagger.

She closed her eyes.

"Ella!!"

***
Note: Hello, my dear readers. Here's the new update. This was more like a filler chapter a little dark but still thanks a lot for reading. I am grateful for each view, comment and vote.

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