Pen Of Destiny

Chapter 14

Ryan

In the quiet shadows of night, I stumbled upon a pen, a subtle clue that Aria lingered in the obscurity around me. The darkness veiled the location, but with a courageous heartbeat, I illuminated my path using the glow of my phone. An ancient house emerged from the shadows, standing sentinel to my curiosity.

Embracing the eerie ambiance, I ventured into the mysterious dwelling, where fear was a mere whisper in my adventurous soul. Yet, as I approached, the façade revealed no entrance, no invitation into its silent realms, leaving me to ponder if life dwelled within its timeworn walls.

A daring risk unfolded before me, the queer allure of the peculiar place tempting my senses. Life, after all, demands a sprinkle of risk. With a window as my portal, its glass shield shattered with determination. Inside, the once shrouded darkness transformed into a luminous haven.

Silent as a whisper, my presence concealed itself. My breath, heavy with the weight of the unknown, mingled with cold air as sweat trickled down my forehead. Navigating cautiously, I reached a room, its walls an ally to my quest. Gripping the door handle, I turned it with a quiet resolve, revealing a slumbering little girl within.

The paradox unfolded – an exterior of aged desolation contradicted by the serene normalcy within. Houses, like people, possessed hidden dimensions. A poignant question lingered: What mystery did the little girl hold?

Absorbed in contemplation, I treaded onward, shutting the door with a finesse that surpassed silence. Doubt clung to me like a shadow, yet an intuition whispered of Aria's proximity in the unseen.

Sighing, I pressed forward, measuring each step with a cautious dance. As moments unfolded, a realization dawned – the questionable stay in this enigmatic realm begged reconsideration. And yet, the tether that bound me to this mysterious venture found its anchor in the elusive presence of Aria.

Navigating the crossroads of letting go and pressing on, I grappled with the weight of indecision. The challenge loomed—whether to release the past or endure its burden.

Brushing aside ominous thoughts, I embraced the possibility of finding her within these mysterious walls. Progressing forward, the house revealed no other rooms, save for the one where the sleeping girl resided.

Only then did I notice my hand, bloodied from the window punch. Shaking off the pain, I glimpsed a narrow passage between the walls, beckoning me into the ominous depths of darkness.

Journeying into the unknown, fear tightened its grip. In desperation, I invoked divine reassurance, closing my eyes and forging ahead into the abyss of total darkness. A narrow passage yielded to a dimly lit space, absent stairs but steeped in intrigue.

Frustration bubbled within me, tempting abandonment, yet my resolve anchored in the pursuit of Aria. Life's struggles, it seemed, knew no bounds.

In a leap of faith, I descended to a surprisingly soft landing. My throbbing leg found solace in the embrace of the forgiving ground. As I rose, the world spun, my head heavy with disorientation.

Collapsed once more, time blurred into a half-hour trance. Even with gathered strength, rising proved elusive. Aria's image flashed in my mind, her beauty and innocence overshadowed by an indistinct "Ooomm..."—a muffled sound, her mouth concealed.

Though recognition lingered, a clear vision eluded me, leaving the mystery of her presence shrouded in uncertainty.

In an abrupt turn of events, I found myself standing with half-closed eyes, catching a blurry glimpse of someone at the far end of the room—a figure that felt leagues away. Despite the daunting distance, I crawled toward it, my bleeding hand sapping the remnants of my energy with each painstaking moment.

Reaching the figure's feet, I summoned the strength to look up and whispered, "Aria," a tear tracing its path down my face. A brief moment of tightly shut eyes preceded an unveiling, revealing her presence.

Aria, seemingly fragile and fearful, her eyes a canvas of emotions shifting too swiftly for me to grasp. Her hands bound by a crimson ribbon, I struggled to stand but found myself on my knees. My bloodied hand extended towards the cloth on her mouth, gently freeing her.

With a soft exhalation, she uttered, "Ryan," and I simply nodded, liberated from the ribbon that had confined her.

Tears welled in her eyes as I cradled her face between my hands, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. She shivered, an unspoken vulnerability enveloping her like a frightened puppy.

"What happened, Aria?" I implored, but she kept her eyes shut, shaking her head. My hand, now noticed by her, drew her attention as she delicately held it.

"It's bleeding," she remarked, concern lacing her words, and I managed a strained smile. "Ryan, your hand," she pointed out, and I nonchalantly shrugged.

Her tears went unnoticed until they mingled with mine, her face hovering above mine. "Please, don't cry," I pleaded, meeting her gaze.

In that tender moment, a voice interrupted from behind. Hastily getting up, I took Aria's hand, propelled by the instinct to flee. Running was the only recourse.

Yet, I was in no condition, and she looked far from well. Carrying her seemed impossible, my every limb protesting against the idea. Mentally chastising my own recklessness, we emerged from the room she had been confined in, finding solace in silence against the wall.

Her gaze met mine, then flickered to my injured hand. "Give it to me," she demanded sternly. Uncomfortably, I stared at her face, realizing she wasn't ready for further distress, and irritation gnawed at me for being the cause of her added pain.

She cradled my injured hand, crafting a makeshift bandage from a lace torn delicately from her gown. Her touch was a balm, and a smile unknowingly crept across my face. A tender kiss followed, but her sudden recoil suggested an inexplicable guilt, as if she had committed an unforgivable transgression.

"Get up, we need to get outta here," I urged, taking her hand firmly as we navigated the dim passages. A sound echoed, prompting me to push Aria away, just as we neared the room where the little girl had slept. A figure emerged, a looming silhouette in the distance.

"Don't move," the figure warned, but defying caution, I seized the opportunity and thrust him into the room, securing the door from the outside. Surprisingly, the formidable force I anticipated wasn't present; no formidable adversaries lurked in the shadows.

Walking through the labyrinthine corridors, retracing my earlier path, we escaped unnoticed. The ease of our exit raised questions—why kidnap Aria only to let her roam free? The mystery deepened, and nerves crept in.

Aria's grip tightened on my hand, signaling distress. As we halted, her powerful embrace overwhelmed me. Silent sobs racked her frame, and I could do nothing but weakly wrap my hands around her, kissing the crown of her head. The sunrise painted the sky, casting an ephemeral glow on our entwined forms.

Attempting to break the embrace, I encountered unexpected resistance. Aria clung to me, unresponsive. Panic set in as I pushed her away, her lifeless form falling onto mine. Tears blurred my vision as I held her, her weight a heavy burden.

In my weakened state, I realized my phone lay shattered, a casualty of my entry into the house. With no other option, I braced myself, dragging us through empty morning streets to my room, fueled by an enduring love.

Gently placing her on the bed, I covered her with a comforter, stroking her hair and planting a kiss on her pale cheek. Exhaustion etched on her face, she had weathered a storm. I rose, but before the next step, I crumbled to the floor, a low, inaudible scream escaping my lips. The world blurred, and the next moments vanished into the void.

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Well, this isn't really making sense but I tried something out of the track.

Hope you will all enjoy.

Happy reading!