The House on Clamoribus St

Chapter 13 - Starlight

The room smelled of roses and lavender with a hint of vanilla and gardenia, like being surrounded by an invisible garden.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, swaying gently with the soft current coming from the half opened window. The light flickered as if in response to a silent melody playing on a different dimension, and the reflection of the light through the tear drop shaped glass beads turned the room into a kaleidoscopic chamber.
Resting over white satin sheets, I took a deep breath, and then another, enjoying the scent that invigorated my senses, while following the bouncing lights reflected on the wall.
Five candles on brass holders rested on the nightstand to my right; a tall glass jar and a crystal goblet full of water sat next to it, the sight alone invited my parched lips to gulp it down.
The nightstand to my left was topped with a pile of folded lace.
As I laid down, still thinking I was caught again in another lucid dream, I reached out to touch it, but my hand froze on midair, as I notice the bandages carefully wrapped not only around my fingers but also my left wrist. 
I was suddenly fully awake, and in that moment the pain that crawled through me felt more real than ever.
My eyes opened wide. And my breath came out in loud but short gasps.
My head began pounding violently like rain over a feeble tin roof, and the more I thought on how I had injured my wrist, the more my head hurt, and the less I could remember.
Digging my fingers on the bedding, I forced myself to sit up as I studied my surroundings, taking in the details of the antique portraits on the wall; odd portraits.
The one of the ancient castle with outstretched demon heads, mouth open wide, buried on the ground instead of rocks, and blood instead of water in the rivers, was super creepy. So was the one with the three skeletons resting over a bed of roses, yet, it was the one with the blonde woman dressed in black, with the unreadable face and sunken cheeks, the lips pressed into a tight line slightly curved into a wolfish smirk, that caused me to shudder again and again.
Her grey eyes seemed to be staring at me, straight at me, no matter where I stood. And the pendant hanging from her necklace was a replica of the one sported by the curious black feline that had scared me beyond my wits earlier.
In spite of the uneasy feelings I felt, I made my way to the door. I needed to find Gavin, I needed to find a phone, and above anything else, I needed to find my friends. 
Music played outside the room, a soft melody that spoke to me of sadness, mourning and death, it brought tears to my eyes, and the sorrow was so much that I wanted to lay back down and cry until the piece was over, but the sudden sound of voices startled me. Three of the voices I recognized even though I could not understand but a few words of what they were saying, I could discern clearly Jamie’s delicate tones and John’s sharpness, along with Gavin’s matter-of-fact ethereal tone. 
Gavin found them! 
The thought filled me with hope as I put my hand on the brass handle. 
I expected to see all three of them the moment I opened the door but there was nothing but air and flickering lights. 
They really need to work on their electric issues. 
I took a couple of steps into the hallway searching for them. The door slamming behind me as if commanded to do so the moment the voices picked up their conversation in the distance, calling my attention in that direction. My friends’ silhouettes were only visible in the moments when the light was the brightest, but in spite of recognizing them, their mere sight gave me chills all over my body.
The feeling worsen the instant the lights went out completely and the hallway went from partially lit to pitch dark one moment glowing amber the next. Each time the light returned, the silhouettes grew closer to me while their voices remained distant.
“Guys, I’m so glad Gavin found you!” I said softly, somewhat afraid to interrupt them. 
I had barely finished my sentence when the conversation died and at once all three faceless beings turned their attention towards me.